Ballina Town appoint Fergal Forde as club's new first team manager

Ballina Town FC have announced the appointment of Fergal Forde as the new manager of the club's Super League team.

Fergal, who has a long and storied history with the club, takes over first team duties from Alan Henry.

After a stint in the US on a scholarship as a young man, Fergal enjoyed a fine playing career with Ballina Town before taking on managerial duties for a period in the early 2010s and secured the Super League title for Ballina Town in 2013.

Since then he has had gained significant coaching experience in Iceland, the USA and back home in Ireland.

Announcing the appointment, the chairman of Ballina Town FC, Simon Beale, said: “Fergal has a long history with Ballina Town and we are delighted to welcome him back to his hometown club as manager of the Super League team.

“As well as a great playing career, Fergal has huge experience as a coach and we look forward to seeing the fruits of that experience on the playing fields.” 

Mr Beale, who thanked Alan Henry and his assistant Hugh Cunningham for their time with the club last year, concluded by wishing Fergal the best of luck in his new role.

Ballina Town FC director of football, Aidan Cowan, also welcomed the appointment, saying: “Fergal comes with a great degree of experience and knows the club very well, and we wish him the very best going forward.” 

As interim manager, Fergal steered the Town to victory over Corrib Celtic in the Connacht Junior Cup last month. His first assignment as manager is a round three fixture in the same competition at home to Sligo's MCR FC on Sunday, January 14.