History
P.A.F.C. History
Portmarnock AFC was officially formed on November 16, 1980 after two schoolboy teams were entered in the North Dublin League. A club constitution was drawn up and adopted in 1981. It was a requirement of the Co. Council that the club be formalised before providing pitches and two trustees had to be nominated to the Council. The club was originally called Portmarnock Soccer Club but this was subsequently changed to Portmarnock AFC.
Dominic Halpin and Mick Hendrick, who had been part of the early 1960s successful Drumcondra teams that played in European competition, helped with the training and running of teams in the early days. Other ex League of Ireland players to be involved with the club were Jack Dempsey who captained Home Farm to an FAI Cup victory; Frank Devlin who won FAI Cup winners medals with three different clubs; and Fran Swan who in his Bohemians days found himself in direct opposition to Pele.
From 1982 until the early 1990s at least two and sometimes more schoolboy teams emerged each year, with a senior mens team being formed in 1982. Portmarnock’s first venture into the senior ranks was in the 1982-1983 season when a group of local players approached Jack Irwin with a view to playing in the AUL. Entry to the league proved very successful.
Originally competing in Division 3A Sunday and under the management of John Murphy, this team won their league undefeated. Following a number of years under John Murphy’s guidance, Eddie Byrne took over in 1985 as player manager and continued until 1993, taking a local side to Premier B Sunday football. During this period the team, under the guidance of both Eddie Byrne and Fintan O’Connor, established itself as a force to be reckoned with, reaching the advanced stages of a number of Cup competitions and winning an AUL Cup competition in 1985-86.
These early years laid the foundations for the arrival of John Hayes, who proved to be a great acquisition for the club. His earlier career at the highest level in both Junior and Intermediate level and with Cherry Orchard meant that he brought a new level of expertise and experience to the club. John produced the winning formula, bringing the club to the top level and producing players of quality who went on to represent our club at international level. His work is continued today by our current first team manager Gary Knight and his management team.
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