Michael O’Gorman helped establish the club and was also their first chairman. He was also instrumental in establishing the first Clare Soccer League in 1962.
After spending decades in the Ennis Fair Green, Lifford AFC is now at home in Drumcliffe, Ennis, Co. Clare. Two top class grass pitches with dressing rooms were opened officially in 2007 with great excitement and anticipation. The 50th Anniversary of the club was in 2011 and coincided with the Festival of Football with celebrations all round. John O’Neill has since vacated the Chairman’s position and this roll is now filled by Deirdre Allan who has been involved with the club for over twenty years. John is focusing on the further development of the grounds and is working on a full history of the club.
Lifford's senior team are playing in the Clare Premier League and won the League Cup in 2011. Former Irish International Mick Kennedy was senior manager for many years following his retirement from playing in England. He was involved in coaching at all age groups, a great supporter of Lifford up until he sadly passed away last year, and was a massive loss to the club. Every player that Mick coached over the years has great memories of him as a coach/manager and as a person. He has left an ingrained drive in players to play strong and to the best of their abilities at all times.
Lifford AFC members have always been to the forefront of promoting football in Clare and is the only Clare club in fact to play at League of Ireland level. They played 2006 and 2007 seasons in the Under-21 League of Ireland.
The Lifford Ladies have represented the club outstandingly for over 30 years, winning National Cups at all ages. They have brought home the USA Cup on two occasions. Many have been capped for Ireland over the years, which is a great source of pride to all involved. Locally the ladies play in the Limerick League and have won the treble on many occasions and are current League champions.
Lifford AFC’s Academy Programme has gone from strength to strength and is currently under the watchful eye of Director of Football, Declan Farmer. Declan has many qualifications under his belt with knowledge and experience up to UEFA level. He has brought about a training which instils a love of football in the children and has the ability to develop a young person in many ways, technically, developmentally and with confidence, along with a team of coaches at various levels of qualifications. The club has on average 170 – 200 young players and Declan knows all of them, their abilities and their challenges, and works to improve all with respect.
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