Cherry Orchard
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Wikipedia - Cherry Orchard F.C.
Cherry Orchard Football Club is an association football club based in the Cherry Orchard area of Ballyfermot, Dublin in Ireland. Their senior team plays in the Leinster Senior League (LSL). They have also competed in the FAI Cup, the FAI Intermediate Cup, the FAI Junior Cup and the Leinster Senior Cup. The club also has reserve teams playing in the LSL and enter teams in the Dublin and District Schoolboys/Girls League (DDSL). A number of players, who progressed through the Cherry Orchard youth system, have gone onto play for professional clubs in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Several have also represented the Republic of Ireland national team at international level.
History
Senior teams
When Cherry Orchard was formed in 1957, it initially only organised adult teams. They began playing in the Leinster Alliance League and then the Leinster Junior League before switching to the Athletic Union League in the mid-1960s. Cherry Orchard (also known as Orchard) first won a national competition in the 1981-1982 season, when they won the FAI Junior Cup. They also won the FAI Junior Cup, three times in a row, between the 1984-1985 and 1986–1987 seasons. They also won it twice in a row in 1989–1990 and 1990–1991. During this time, Orchard also won the Athletic Union League five times.[]
Following these successes, the club decided to join the Leinster Senior League for the 1992–93 season. In their first season in the Leinster Senior League, Orchard gained promotion to the LSL Senior Division. In 1993–94, in their debut season in that division, Orchard won their first Leinster Senior League title. In the 2015–16 season, the club won the Leinster Senior League Senior 1 Sunday Division and the Charlie Cahill Cup double.[]
Youth academy
Cherry Orchard first began to field schoolboy teams in 1970. In the decades since, Orchard have won several schoolboy and youth league and cup competitions at both provincial and national level. In 1993, Cherry Orchard also won the Milk Cup, beating Rangers F.C. 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the final played before a crowd of 10,000 at the Coleraine Showgrounds. All the previous winners of the Milk Cup had been academy teams of top clubs from England and Scotland.
A number of Cherry Orchard youth players have played on Republic of Ireland youth teams. In 1998, when the Republic of Ireland won both the UEFA European Under-16 Championship and the UEFA European Under-18 Championship, both teams included former Orchard players. Andy Reid played in the under-16 team, while Alan Quinn scored in the under-18 final against Germany.
Jessie Stapleton, who later played with West Ham United and the Republic of Ireland women's national football team, also started at Cherry Orchard.
The club's name, inspired by the Cherry Orchard area, reflects its deep roots in the local community. Cherry Orchard FC emphasizes not only skill development but also the importance of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. With a dedicated coaching staff and a range of training programs, the club provides a supportive environment for players of all ages and abilities.
Cherry Orchard has a rich history of success in various leagues and tournaments, consistently producing talented players who have gone on to represent higher levels of football, including professional clubs and national teams. The club's colors, often represented in vibrant red and white, symbolize their passion and pride in the sport.
Beyond the pitch, Cherry Orchard FC is committed to community engagement, promoting inclusivity and providing opportunities for young people to thrive both in sports and in life. With a strong focus on player development and community involvement, Cherry Orchard continues to be a vital part of Dublin's football landscape, inspiring the next generation of soccer stars.