Belfast plan to mark 150th anniversary of the first football match in Ireland
Belfast City Council is to look into organising an event to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first organised association football match in Ireland, which was held off Ormeau Road in the south of the city.
Green Councillor Brian Smyth is asking that the council work together with various partners to organise a public event in 2028 to commemorate the event, which shows Belfast as the home of football on the island of Ireland.
The first organized match was an exhibition game played on October 24, 1878, between prominent Scottish clubs Queen’s Park and Caledonian, organized by Belfast businessman John McCredy McAlery, often credited as the “Father of Irish football.”
He would later become the founder of Cliftonville FC, Ireland’s first association football club.
The match was held in what would become the Ulster Cricket Ground in Ballynafeigh Park, now known as Ulidia Playing fields, Ormeau Road.
The Irish Football Association was formed two years later at the Queen’s Hotel in Belfast. It is the fourth-oldest football governing body in the world.
Councillor Brian Smyth stated: “It is widely recognised as the moment when association football was introduced to Ireland, and led a year later to Cliftonville being formed, the first football club in Ireland, and 12 months later, the IFA.
“I think this is a significant milestone in Belfast sport and in social history. There are strong connections here between the city’s cricket and football traditions, and wider development of the game north and south.
“Given the historical significance, I believe there is a strong case for a programme in 2028 to mark the 150th anniversary, potentially including a formal commemorative event at Ulidia, which is home to Rosario YFC.
It should include Belfast City Council, Cliftonville, the IFA, the Northern Ireland Football League, the FAI, and we could also possibly reach out to Queens Park FC in Scotland.
“I would like us to explore potential for community and youth focused activities, highlighting Belfast’s role in the origins of Irish football, and telling that story for a new generation of supporters.
"Something like this would showcase Belfast as the birthplace of football on this island, and celebrate a shared sporting tradition across the island.
“It would also complement work that we do on promoting the city’s history, tourism and wider community work. And I want to credit Michael Lavery, whose family are the owners of the Pavilion bar on Ormeau Road, and who is also a youth coach at Rosario FC. He first pitched the idea to me, and I am fully supportive.”
The committee agreed for council officers to bring back a report outlining the feasibility of the proposal.