# Cockhill Celtic F.C.

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Irish football club

Football club

Cockhill Celtic F.C. Full name Cockhill Celtic Youth and Football Club[1] Short name Cockhill Founded 28 October 1970; 55 years ago (1970-10-28) Ground Charlie O'Donnell Sports Grounds, Buncrana Chairman Joe McLaughlin Manager Gavin Cullen[2] League Inishowen Football League 2023–24 1st Home colours Away colours

**Cockhill Celtic Football Club** is an [Irish association football (soccer) club](/source/List_of_association_football_clubs_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland) based in [Buncrana](/source/Buncrana), [County Donegal](/source/County_Donegal). The club's senior men's team plays in the [Inishowen Football League](/source/Inishowen_Football_League).[3]

The club qualified for the FAI Cup in [2014](/source/2014_FAI_Cup).

## 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.[4] The club originally played in the [Derry & District Football League](/source/Derry_and_District_League) (D&D League).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] They moved to Cockhill and became 'Cockhill Celtic' in 1974, and moved into the [Inishowen Football League](/source/Inishowen_Football_League). They remained there until 2005, when the club transferred to the [Ulster Senior League](/source/Ulster_Senior_League_(association_football)).[1]

After the 1984–85 season, the club decided to apply to the [Ulster Senior League](/source/Ulster_Senior_League_(association_football)).[4] In 1989, the association football club amalgamated with the local [youth club](/source/Youth_club) to become collectively known as 'Cockhill Celtic Youth and Football Club'.[1]

The club qualified for the FAI Cup in [2014](/source/2014_FAI_Cup).[5]

Gavin Cullen was appointed manager in June 2015, replacing Donal O'Brien.[6] The former Finn Harps goalkeeper initially took over as player-manager, having previously managed the youth side.[2]

In April 2024, Cockhill became champions of the [Inishowen Football League](/source/Inishowen_Football_League) Premier Division after defeating Greencastle 2–0.[7]

## 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](/source/Buncrana). The club also has two [astroturf](/source/Astroturf) pitches.[8]

In 2017, the club grounds suffered flood damage; they received €101,000 from a [UEFA](/source/UEFA) Natural Disaster Grant.[9]

## Honours

- **[Ulster Senior League](/source/Ulster_Senior_League_(association_football))** (11): 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2016–17,[10] 2017–18,[11] 2018–19, 2019–2020,[12] 2021–2022, 2022–2023[13]

- **[FAI Intermediate Cup](/source/FAI_Intermediate_Cup)** (0): (runner-up in 2022–2023)[14]

- **[FAI Junior Cup](/source/FAI_Junior_Cup)** (1): 2023–2024[15]

- **[Ulster Senior League Cup](/source/Ulster_Senior_League_(association_football))** (7): 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,[16] 2018[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

- **[Inishowen Football League](/source/Inishowen_Football_League)** (6): 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1999–2000, 2004–05,[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] 2023–2024[17]

## In culture

- The club are mentioned in [Joseph O'Connor](/source/Joseph_O'Connor)'s novel *Inishowen* (2000).[18]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-inishowenfl_History_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-inishowenfl_History_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-inishowenfl_History_1-2) ["Cockhill Celtic Youths - Inishowen Football League"](https://inishowenfl.ie/team/cockhill-celtic/). *inishowenfl.ie*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170422120257/https://inishowenfl.ie/team/cockhill-celtic/) from the original on 22 April 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dl_Cullen_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dl_Cullen_2-1) McNulty, Chris (21 April 2023). ["Gavin Cullen: A reluctant manager delivering the goods for Cockhill"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/soccer/1151385/gavin-cullen-a-reluctant-manager-delivering-the-goods-for-cockhill.html). *www.donegallive.ie*. Retrieved 22 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Watch: Cockhill Celtic manager encouraged despite FAI Cup exit"](https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/watch-cockhill-celtic-manager-encouraged-despite-fai-cup-exit-1-8599505). *derryjournal.com*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Celtic_about_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Celtic_about_4-1) ["About Club – Cockhill Celtic Football Club"](https://web.archive.org/web/20241214044219/http://www.cockhillcelticfc.com/about-club/). *www.cockhillcelticfc.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.cockhillcelticfc.com/about-club/) on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** McNulty, Chris (31 March 2014). ["Swilly Rovers at home in FAI Cup as Cockhill get bye"](https://donegalnews.com/swilly-rovers-at-home-in-fai-cup-as-cockhill-get-bye/). *Donegal News*. Retrieved 7 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-highland_Cullen_6-0)** Kelly, Oisin (18 June 2015). ["Gavin Cullen takes over as Cockhill Celtic Manager"](https://highlandradio.com/2015/06/18/gavin-cullen-takes-over-as-cockhill-celtic-manager/). *Highland Radio*. Retrieved 22 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Cockhill captain Bradley "over the moon" with title win"](https://highlandradio.com/2024/04/21/cockhill-captain-bradley-over-the-moon-with-title-win/). *Highland Radio*. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Cockhill Celtic Football Club : Buncrana, County Donegal : Soccer Pitch Directions & Map : Contact Details"](http://www.soccer-ireland.com/donegal-football-clubs/cockhill-celtic-fc.htm). *soccer-ireland.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Blake, Ben. ["Cork City and Cockhill Celtic receive €160k in UEFA Natural Disaster Grants"](https://www.the42.ie/cork-city-cockhill-celtic-e160k-uefa-natural-disaster-grants-4085583-Jun2018/). *The42.ie*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Roll of Honour - Ulster Senior League"](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). *uslfootball.com*. Archived from [the original](http://uslfootball.com/contentPage/78785/u_l_s_t_e_r_s_e_n_i_o_r_l_e_a_g_u_e) on 22 August 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["New Ulster Senior League season kicks off on Wednesday evening"](https://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/sport/331947/new-ulster-senior-league-season-kicks-off-on-wednesday-evening.html). *donegaldemocrat.ie*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cockhill_eighth_12-0)** McNulty, Chris (26 July 2020). ["USL – Cockhill crowned champions to secure eighth title in a row"](https://www.donegaldaily.com/2020/07/26/usl-cockhill-crowned-champions-to-secure-eighth-title-in-a-row/). *Donegal Daily*. Retrieved 12 January 2026. *The inscription from the silversmith is by now a familiar one as Cockhill Celtic clinched their eighth successive Ulster Senior League title.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-usl_demise_13-0)** McNulty, Chris (12 July 2023). ["USL demise to signal junior return for Cockhill, Bonagee and Letterkenny"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/soccer/1246784/usl-demise-to-signal-junior-return-for-cockhill-bonagee-and-letterkenny.html). *www.donegallive.ie*. Retrieved 1 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Rockmount retain FAI Intermediate Cup with dramatic penalty shootout win"](https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41123071.html). *Irish Examiner*. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Penalty heartache for Gorey Rangers as Cockhill Celtic claim FAI Junior Cup"](https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/sport/gaa/penalty-heartache-for-gorey-rangers-as-cockhill-celtic-claim-fai-junior-cup/a936593471.html). *Wexford People*. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Roll of Honour - Ulster Senior League Cup"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180822093015/http://uslfootball.com/contentPage/10013296/l_e_a_g_u_e_c_u_p). *uslfootball.com*. Archived from [the original](http://uslfootball.com/contentPage/10013296/l_e_a_g_u_e_c_u_p) on 22 August 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Cockhill Celtic are Inishowen Premier Division Champions"](https://highlandradio.com/2024/04/21/cockhill-celtic-are-inishowen-premier-division-champions/). *Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport*. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** O'Connor, Joseph (25 January 2011). [*Inishowen*](https://books.google.com/books?id=kn3Y7zhOumoC&q=cockhill). Random House. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781446435816](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781446435816) – via Google Books.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.cockhillcelticfc.com/)

[55°09′00″N 7°26′15″W / 55.1500°N 7.4374°W / 55.1500; -7.4374](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Cockhill_Celtic_F.C.&params=55.15_N_7.4374_W_)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cockhill Celtic F.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockhill_Celtic_F.C.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockhill_Celtic_F.C.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.