History of Ennis Town FC

Ennis Town FC was formed in 2003 and was originally known as Ennis Town Football Academy. Ennis Town Football Academy was established by football coaches Declan Farmer, Terry Considine, Mikey White, Declan Ensko and the late Pa O'Brien. It was the first ever Academy Development Programme in County Clare, Ireland. The Ennis National School was home to Ennis Town FC from 2003 until October 2013. When the school moved to their new home in Ashline, Ennis the site was closed and Ennis Town moved to the Lee's Rd, Sports complex, which is still their present home. 

Ennis Town Academy caters for U4's to U9's and runs every Sunday morning from September to June. The academy uses the all-weather facility in Lees Rd.

Ennis Town began competing in the Clare Schoolboys/Girls League in 2004 at U11 level. Ennis Town has teams competing at all age groups from U10 to U16 in the schoolboy’s leagues and at U12 to U16 at schoolgirls leagues. In 2009 Ennis Town changed its name from Ennis Town Football Academy to Ennis Town FC as we increased our teams competing in the local leagues. The club have won numerous Leagues and Cups at underage level. 

In the summer of 2011 another big change occurred within the club with the amalgamation of Ennis Town FC with Rock Rovers, a local junior side based in Ennis. At this stage Ennis Town was still at the underage level with the oldest team being our youth’s team. This amalgamation gave Ennis Town a foothold in the highest division in the Clare District League as Rock Rovers were a Premier Division side. In their first year at Junior level the Junior team were known as Ennis Town Rock. The amalgamation has proved fruitful to both as in 2014 in only the third year since the amalgamation Ennis Town FC won the Premier Division for the first time remaining undefeated throughout the league season a feat that has not been achieved by any other Premier Division winning side. In 2012 a Junior B team was formed and in their first season won the 3rd Division and then got promoted from the 2nd Division the following season. 

Many of our players have gone on to represent their county at all age levels competing in the Macron Cup, Kennedy Cup, Gaynor Cup, Youths Inter League and Oscar Traynor. Some have gone onto play in the League of Ireland and represented Ireland at University Level. 

The Club continues to grow and now has over 400 members, from under 4's to our Men’s teams.              

A brief History: Rock Rovers

Rock Rovers were formed in 1986 and played in the Clare and District Soccer league. The club played in numerous locations around Ennis before settling in Lees Rd in 2004. The club played most of its football in the lower divisions of the Clare League until they were promoted for the first time to the Premier Division in 2008. In that season they also won the Clare Cup and the First Division League. In 2011 Rock Rovers amalgamated with Ennis Town who were then only at underage level. The team were known as Ennis Town Rock for their first season. The club is now known as Ennis Town FC but the amalgamation is recognised on the A team jerseys with Rock Rovers embroidered on back of the match jersey.

IN LOVING MEMORY

On September 14th 2009 following a short illness, Pa O’Brien of Willow Park, Ennis sadly passed away.

His death at a young age caused widespread sorrow and regret, among his large circle of friends and work colleagues.

A native of Ennis, he was a member of a well-known family, and he is survived by his wife Helen,

son Peter, father Michael, mother Anne, brothers Sean, David, his twin brother Thomas,  and his sister Sinead.

Pa worked with Braids for a number of years before moving to Bijor where he worked until his untimely death.

Pa’s interest and involvement in sport started early on whilst attending Ennis National School

and progressed to Ennis Community College where he played all sports on offer.

During the course of Pa’s life he could be seen at all kinds of sporting events from Gaelic games to golf.

He was an avid supporter of all Clare teams in any sport. He had a great passion for hurling

and travelled all over the country supporting Clare.

In 1993 Pa helped to found “Old Town FC” where he held many positions from treasurer to delegate to the CDSL.

Pa totally enjoyed this time in his life and his crowning moment was being co-manager when the Youths team won the cup.

Pa was also instrumental in helping the Youths team win the Fair Play Trophy.

In 2003, Pa was one of the founding members of Ennis Town Football Academy.

Pa was involved with several underage teams where he coached and encouraged children’s development.

He was a great fundraiser for the club; he was a hardworking committee member and a fantastic coach and will always

be missed.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.