Donegal's Buncrana Hearts are the latest club to be awarded the Club Mark award.

Buncrana Hearts Football Club was established in 1961 and are affectionately known as “The Hearts”.

The club currently have two full size grass pitches with the top pitch being relayed in June 2021. There is also a training pitch and the club has access to an indoor hall at the local Youth Club.

The Hearts have had much success most notably wining the Derry and District Treble in 1971, the Inishowen League Treble in 1978 and the Ulster Senior League/Buncrana Summer Cup in 1993.

The club have to date 13 male players represent their country at various levels, three female players with one who represented Northern Ireland which is something the club takes immense pride in.

Buncrana currently caters for teams at (Boys U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, Senior and Reserve) and (Girls U11, U13, U15 and U17).

The club also has a very vibrant Soccer Tots programme for boys and girls (3 years old and up to 2017 year of birth). The Hearts compete in the Inishowen League, Inishowen Youth and Schoolboys League and the Inishowen Women’s Football League. The club currently has just over 400 members.

The club were finalists in the FAI Club of the Year in 2010 having won the Ulster Title. Buncrana celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2011 with a Gala Ball attended by 380 past and present club members with special guest Ray Houghton whose father hails from the town.

Thanks to Ciaran McGuinness (Club Welfare Officer), Jonathan Adair (Club Mark Officer), Mark McLaughlin (Club Secretary), Committee members and all club volunteers.

The FAI Club Mark is free and optional for clubs and aims to:

• Improve the management of clubs ‘off the field’
• Establish and promote best practice
• Empower and support clubs
• Recognise and reward clubs for achieving high standards
• Increase a club’s capacity to operate effectively and grow football in communities throughout Ireland.

If your club is interested in learning more about the FAI Club Mark please complete this short Registration Form.