Cockhill Celtic F.C.

{{short description|Irish football club}} {{EngvarB|date=February 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Cockhill Celtic F.C. | image = Cockhill Celtic FC crest.png | alt = Cockhill Celtic F.C. crest | fullname = Cockhill Celtic Youth and Football Club<ref name="inishowenfl_History" /> | shortname = Cockhill | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1970|10|28}} | ground = [[Charlie O'Donnell Sports Grounds]], Buncrana | chairman = Joe McLaughlin | manager = Gavin Cullen<ref name="dl_Cullen" /> | league = [[Inishowen Football League]] | season = 2023–24 | position = 1st | pattern_la1 = | pattern_b1 = _greenhoops | pattern_ra1 = | leftarm1 = 228B22 | body1 = FFFFFF | rightarm1 = 228B22 | shorts1 = 228B22 | socks1 = 228B22 | pattern_2a2 = | pattern_b2 = | pattern_ra2 = | leftarm2 = FFFF00 | body2 = FFFF00 | rightarm2 = FFFF00 | shorts2 = 228B22 | socks2 = FFFF00 }}

'''Cockhill Celtic Football Club''' is an [[List of association football clubs in the Republic of Ireland|Irish association football (soccer) club]] based in [[Buncrana]], [[County Donegal]]. The club's senior men's team plays in the [[Inishowen Football League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/watch-cockhill-celtic-manager-encouraged-despite-fai-cup-exit-1-8599505|title=Watch: Cockhill Celtic manager encouraged despite FAI Cup exit|website=derryjournal.com}}</ref>

The club qualified for the FAI Cup in [[2014 FAI Cup|2014]].

==History== Cockhill Celtic Youth and Football Club was founded on 28 October 1970 as Westbrook Celtic by a group of men — which included Michael Doherty and Joe McLaughlin — who played football in Buncrana.<ref name="Celtic_about" /> The club originally played in the [[Derry and District League|Derry & District Football League]] (D&D League).{{fact|date=December 2025}} They moved to Cockhill and became 'Cockhill Celtic' in 1974, and moved into the [[Inishowen Football League]]. They remained there until 2005, when the club transferred to the [[Ulster Senior League (association football)|Ulster Senior League]].<ref name="inishowenfl_History">{{cite web|url=https://inishowenfl.ie/team/cockhill-celtic/|title=Cockhill Celtic Youths - Inishowen Football League|website=inishowenfl.ie|access-date=2026-01-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422120257/https://inishowenfl.ie/team/cockhill-celtic/|archive-date=2017-04-22|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the 1984–85 season, the club decided to apply to the [[Ulster Senior League (association football)|Ulster Senior League]].<ref name="Celtic_about">{{Cite web |title=About Club – Cockhill Celtic Football Club |url=http://www.cockhillcelticfc.com/about-club/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214044219/http://www.cockhillcelticfc.com/about-club/ |archive-date=2024-12-14 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=www.cockhillcelticfc.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1989, the association football club amalgamated with the local [[youth club]] to become collectively known as 'Cockhill Celtic Youth and Football Club'.<ref name="inishowenfl_History" />

The club qualified for the FAI Cup in [[2014 FAI Cup|2014]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNulty |first=Chris |date=2014-03-31 |title=Swilly Rovers at home in FAI Cup as Cockhill get bye |url=https://donegalnews.com/swilly-rovers-at-home-in-fai-cup-as-cockhill-get-bye/ |access-date=2026-04-07 |website=Donegal News |language=en-US}}</ref>

Gavin Cullen was appointed manager in June 2015, replacing Donal O'Brien.<ref name="highland_Cullen">{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Oisin |date=18 June 2015 |title=Gavin Cullen takes over as Cockhill Celtic Manager |url=https://highlandradio.com/2015/06/18/gavin-cullen-takes-over-as-cockhill-celtic-manager/ |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Highland Radio |language=en}}</ref> The former Finn Harps goalkeeper initially took over as player-manager, having previously managed the youth side.<ref name="dl_Cullen">{{Cite web |last=McNulty |first=Chris |date=21 April 2023 |title=Gavin Cullen: A reluctant manager delivering the goods for Cockhill |url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/soccer/1151385/gavin-cullen-a-reluctant-manager-delivering-the-goods-for-cockhill.html |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=www.donegallive.ie |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2024, Cockhill became champions of the [[Inishowen Football League]] Premier Division after defeating Greencastle 2–0.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=21 April 2024 |title=Cockhill captain Bradley "over the moon" with title win |url=https://highlandradio.com/2024/04/21/cockhill-captain-bradley-over-the-moon-with-title-win/ |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Highland Radio |language=en}}</ref>

==Ground== The club grounds are named after long-time chairman Charlie O'Donnell (chair from 1978 until his death in 2007). The ground seats 1,000 people and is located on Cockhill in [[Buncrana]]. The club also has two [[astroturf]] pitches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccer-ireland.com/donegal-football-clubs/cockhill-celtic-fc.htm|title=Cockhill Celtic Football Club : Buncrana, County Donegal : Soccer Pitch Directions & Map : Contact Details|website=soccer-ireland.com}}</ref>

In 2017, the club grounds suffered flood damage; they received €101,000 from a [[UEFA]] Natural Disaster Grant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/cork-city-cockhill-celtic-e160k-uefa-natural-disaster-grants-4085583-Jun2018/|title=Cork City and Cockhill Celtic receive €160k in UEFA Natural Disaster Grants|first=Ben|last=Blake|website=The42.ie}}</ref>

==Honours== * '''[[Ulster Senior League (association football)|Ulster Senior League]]''' (11): 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2016–17,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://uslfootball.com/contentPage/78785/u_l_s_t_e_r_s_e_n_i_o_r_l_e_a_g_u_e | website = uslfootball.com | title = Roll of Honour - Ulster Senior League | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20180822085739/http://uslfootball.com/contentPage/78785/u_l_s_t_e_r_s_e_n_i_o_r_l_e_a_g_u_e | archivedate = 22 August 2018 }}</ref> 2017–18,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/sport/331947/new-ulster-senior-league-season-kicks-off-on-wednesday-evening.html|title=New Ulster Senior League season kicks off on Wednesday evening|website=donegaldemocrat.ie}}</ref> 2018–19, 2019–2020,<ref name="cockhill_eighth">{{Cite web |last=McNulty |first=Chris |date=2020-07-26 |title=USL – Cockhill crowned champions to secure eighth title in a row |url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2020/07/26/usl-cockhill-crowned-champions-to-secure-eighth-title-in-a-row/ |access-date=2026-01-12 |website=Donegal Daily |language=en-US |quote=''The inscription from the silversmith is by now a familiar one as Cockhill Celtic clinched their eighth successive Ulster Senior League title.''}}</ref> 2021–2022, 2022–2023<ref name="usl_demise">{{Cite web |last=McNulty |first=Chris |date=2023-07-12 |title=USL demise to signal junior return for Cockhill, Bonagee and Letterkenny |url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/soccer/1246784/usl-demise-to-signal-junior-return-for-cockhill-bonagee-and-letterkenny.html |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.donegallive.ie |language=en}}</ref> * '''[[FAI Intermediate Cup]]''' (0): (runner-up in 2022–2023)<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41123071.html | work = Irish Examiner | title = Rockmount retain FAI Intermediate Cup with dramatic penalty shootout win | date = 23 April 2023 | accessdate = 21 December 2025}}</ref> * '''[[FAI Junior Cup]]''' (1): 2023–2024<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/sport/gaa/penalty-heartache-for-gorey-rangers-as-cockhill-celtic-claim-fai-junior-cup/a936593471.html | work = Wexford People | title = Penalty heartache for Gorey Rangers as Cockhill Celtic claim FAI Junior Cup | date = 6 May 2024 | accessdate = 21 December 2025 }}</ref> * '''[[Ulster Senior League (association football)|Ulster Senior League Cup]]''' (7): 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://uslfootball.com/contentPage/10013296/l_e_a_g_u_e_c_u_p | website = uslfootball.com | title = Roll of Honour - Ulster Senior League Cup | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20180822093015/http://uslfootball.com/contentPage/10013296/l_e_a_g_u_e_c_u_p | archivedate = 22 August 2018 }}</ref> 2018{{fact|date=December 2025}} * '''[[Inishowen Football League]]''' (6): 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1999–2000, 2004–05,{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}} 2023–2024<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-04-21 |title=Cockhill Celtic are Inishowen Premier Division Champions |url=https://highlandradio.com/2024/04/21/cockhill-celtic-are-inishowen-premier-division-champions/ |access-date=2026-04-02 |website=Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==In culture== *The club are mentioned in [[Joseph O'Connor]]'s novel ''Inishowen'' (2000).<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kn3Y7zhOumoC&q=cockhill|title=Inishowen|first=Joseph|last=O'Connor|date=25 January 2011|publisher=Random House|isbn=9781446435816|via=Google Books}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{official|http://www.cockhillcelticfc.com/}}

[[Category:1970 establishments in Ireland]] [[Category:Association football clubs established in 1970]] [[Category:Association football clubs in County Donegal]] [[Category:Ulster Senior League (association football) teams]] [[Category:Buncrana]]