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Annalong F.C.

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Annalong
Full nameAnnalong Football Club
NicknamesThe Long, Annalong Rangers
Founded1895 as Annalong Rangers
GroundHillmount Park
ManagerFrank Hyland
LeagueMid-Ulster Football League

Annalong Football Club, frequently referred to as Annalong F.C. or by their nickname "The Long," is an intermediate-level football club competing in Division 1 of the Mid-Ulster Football League in Northern Ireland. The club is based in Annalong, Kilkeel, County Down, and have two senior men's teams.[1] They also have a youth academy for boys and girls. Annalong are one of the oldest football clubs in South Down, having being formed in 1895 as Annalong Rangers.[2] In the 1970s until the 2010s they were known as Annalong Swifts before changing again to simply Annalong but still referred to as Annalong Rangers.[3][4]

The club is a member of the Mid-Ulster Football Association and is eligible to compete in the IFA Junior Cup and the national cup competition, the Irish Cup.[5][6] They also participate in regional cups such as the Marshall Cup and the Beckett Cup.

History

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Annalong F.C. were founded in 1895. Their first match was on the 8th of October against Newcastle F.C, losing 2-1.[7]

Annalong were successful in the Newcastle & District League before joining the more competitive Mid-Ulster Football League. They joined the latter in 2018.

In 1959, Annalong won the IFA Junior Cup for the first time in their history, beating St. Patricks YM 3-1.[8]

In the 1988–89 Irish Cup, Annalong reached round 2, but were beaten 2-1 against Limavady United.[9]

The 1989–90 Irish Cup saw Annalong reached the first round proper again, but were beaten 3-1 by Killyleagh Youth.[10]

In the 1991–92 Irish Cup, Annalong drew 3-3 with Ballynahinch United, resulting in a replay. They beat Ballynahinch, and in round 2, Nortel F.C. beat Annalong 3-1.[11]

The 1992–93 Irish Cup saw Annalong Swifts draw with Connor F.C. 4-4 at home. In the replay, the Swifts lost 2-1 away.[12] This season seen Annalong reach the first round for the 4th season in a row.

In the 1993–94 Irish Cup, Annalong reached the first round for the 5th season in a row. They were drawn against Islandmagee, who beat them 5-1.[13]

In 2019, Annalong finished the season winning the double, having won the Beckett Cup and then crowned champions of Division 3.[14]

Club identity and ground

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The club's home colours are blue, and their away kit is black. The Annalong F.C. crest depicts a fishing boat, which represents the village's long history with being a coastal fishing village. In the background on the crest, shows the Mourne Mountains.[15][16]

Annalong play their home games at Hillmount Park on the Kilkeel Road. In 2025, they installed security cameras following the ground being vandalized.[17]

Honours

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Irish Football Association

  • IFA Junior Cup
    • 1958/59, Runners-up: 1978/79
  • Cochrane Corry Cup
    • 1978/79

Mid-Ulster Football League

  • Division 2
    • Runners-up: 2019/20
  • Division 3
    • 2018/19
  • Beckett Cup
    • 2018/19

Newcastle & District League

  • First Division
    • Multiple - 1950s and 1960s
  • Harry Clarke Cup
    • 1960s

References

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  1. ↑ https://www.charitycommissionni.org.uk/charity-search/charity-details-page/?regId=107788&subId=0
  2. ↑ Carol McKibbin (2022-06-12). Annalong FC 125 Years - Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2026-03-30 – via YouTube.
  3. ↑ https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football-dee-has-a-double-reason-to-celebrate/a/119604343.html
  4. ↑ "Ballynahinch Swifts Too Strong For Annalong - Down News". Down News. 2014-12-07. Archived from the original on 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  5. ↑ "Fermanagh and Western Football League | Content Page". Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  6. ↑ "Junior Cup | Third Round recap". IFA. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  7. ↑ "Newcastle V Annalong - Newry Telegraph on October 8, 1895". Newry Telegraph. October 8, 1895.
  8. ↑ https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/sport/irish-league-lives-how-george-best-ended-up-in-john-peacocks-living-room/a/111986269.html
  9. ↑ "Northern Ireland 1988/89". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  10. ↑ "Northern Ireland 1989/90". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  11. ↑ "Northern Ireland 1991/92". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  12. ↑ "Northern Ireland 1992/93". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  13. ↑ "Northern Ireland 1993/94". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  14. ↑ McDowell, Louise (2019-05-14). "CHAMPIONS". www.outlooknews.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  15. ↑ "Annalong – Welcome to our Village". annalong.com. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  16. ↑ "Mid Ulster Football League". www.midulsterfootballleague.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  17. ↑ Observer, Mourne (2025-09-10). "Annalong FC installing cameras to protect against vandalism". Mourne Observer. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
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