MALONE The Cregagh Redsocks
RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB Versus
NA AS Saturday 2nd April Kick off 2.30pm
Encasing architecture
We are extremely proud to be supporting Malone RFC, who have played such a significant role in the rugby community both locally and nationally for over a century. At this time, Walsin and Malone make a great team as both are aiming high; Malone on their rugby journey and Walsin experiencing unprecedented growth to become one of the largest facade companies in Ireland. I have always had an interest in the sport, having played for my local club for many years and was delighted to be asked to get involved with Malone. Staff members regularly attend home and away games and there is a real buzz in the company around the club’s recent successes. So far we have been delighted to play a small part in the club’s ongoing refurbishment programme and will continue to support Malone RFC as it goes forward. Ian Sinclair, Managing Director, Walsin Ltd.
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A MESSAGE FROM KEITH MURRAY PRESIDENT MALONE RFC On behalf of all the members of Malone Rugby Football Club I would like to warmly welcome everyone, particularly our visiting team Naas Rugby Football Club, to Gibson Park today, for the 17th round in the AIL Division 1B League. It is indeed an Honour and privilege to be the 85th President of Malone RFC in our 130th year and I would like to thank Gerry Gibbons and Ken Campbell for their support in what’s proving to be a very difficult season which is far from over yet. We are delighted to welcome Barry Brophy President of Naas RFC, and their travelling supporters to Gibson Park. Division 1B is proving to be a very competitive league, it is so keenly contested. Regrettably to date we have been on the losing side too often this season with close results going against us. We look forward to a hard-fought game today - injury free for both teams. We also wish our Womens’ team, led by club captain Peita McAlister, the best of luck in Armagh today where they play Cavan in the Energia AIL Shield final. The team haven’t had a game in almost a month and are chomping at the bit to go out on the pitch once more and finish the season on a high. Good luck to everyone involved and thanks to Jamie and Dell for all your hard work this season. As ever we are indebted to our sponsors, thank you all on behalf of all our members.
To our volunteers you make all this possible and without you there would be no Malone RFC. Each week you work tirelessly in the background, and I would like to acknowledge this and thank you all. To all our supporters, families, and friends I ask for 100% support and commitment for all our teams, and respect for the opposition and the officials. We would like to remind all match patrons of Malone RFC’s Code of Conduct. After today's games we would like to welcome everyone back inside the clubhouse for some traditional Malone hospitality. Finally, I hope you all enjoy your day at Gibson Park, good luck to all the teams and I look forward to welcoming you again in the future. Keith Murray, President, Malone RFC
OUR VISITORS TODAY
NAAS
Naas RFC clubhouse
The Irish Rugby Football Union was established in 1879 following the merger of the Northern Football Union and the Irish Football Union. The first international that Ireland played was in 1875 when they played England at the Kennington Oval in London, wearing a green and white hoped jersey (similar to the Naas colours) but the first victory for the Irish side was against Scotland in Belfast in 1881. The County Kildare Club was established in 1880 as a multipurpose sports club and was based at Oldtown, Naas, where the Tennis Club is located. The first record of rugby in Naas was in 1881 when the County Kildare Club produced a team. In 1893 they competed in the Leinster Junior Cup against Santry School at Lansdowne Road. The Club was reformed in 1906, probably as a result of the publicity of the All Blacks tour of 1905. Captained by Irish born Dave Gallagher, the New Zealand side won 35 of their 36 games on tour. Their two fixtures in Ireland were against Munster and Ireland and it was the first ever occasion that a rugby international was an all ticket sell out
in advance of the game. The brand of rugby that the New Zealanders played was new to the game in these islands and attracted huge support for the sport. The club then went out of existence but was reformed in 1922 by Michael Conway, Bill Osborne and Laddy Mooney under the title of County Kildare Rugby Club. Success was immediate and the new club established themselves as one of the best Junior sides in Leinster they appeared in the final of the Leinster Junior Cup in 1923, 1924 and 1925 recording a victory in 1924. Included in the winning Naas team was Mark Deering, who went on to play for Ireland. In 1926 the Naas side appeared in the first ever Provincial Towns Cup but lady luck deserted them on that occasion and was to do so on another six occasions that they appeared in the final. During those years the brothers Frank (1 cap) and Seamus Byrne (3 caps) played for Naas and they both went on to play for Ireland. The Club won its first Leinster trophy since 1924, when they won the Provincial Towns Plate in 1969 In 1974 the Club negotiated the purchase of
Jamie Heslip - one of Naas’ most famous sons.
CLUB ACHIEVEMENTS ALL IRELAND and PROVINCIAL CLUB COMPETITIONS WON SENIOR: IRELAND and LEINSTER JUNIOR
Malone had a difficult afternoon at Nass at the start of October. Forenaughts and following the development of pitches and Club Pavilion the grounds were officially opened in the 1977/1978 season. The first Leinster trophy won from its new home at Forenaughts was the Dunne Cup in 1980 the Centenary Season of the Leinster Branch. The game of rugby prospered in Naas and after 7 failed appearances in the Provincial Towns Cup final, a first success was achieved in 1995 and was followed up with further success in 1998 and 2005.
All Ireland Provincial League Championship: (2) 1999/2000, 2006/2007 All Ireland League Division 3 Play Off: 2000. Leinster League Div 1: (4) 1997/1998, 1999/2000, 2004/2005, 2006/2007. Provincial Towns Cup: (3) 1995, 1998, 2005. Leinster Junior Cup: 1924. Leinster Senior Cup Qualifiers: 1981. Provincial Towns 2nd XV Cup: (2) 1996, 1999. Anderson Cup (J3): (4) 1996, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2014. Dunne Cup (J4): (7) 1980, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2012.
International players associated with the Club Mark Deering, Seamus Byrne, Frank Byrne, Philip Lawlor, Geordan Murphy, Jamie Heaslip, Adam Byrne Ireland national rugby sevens team: Fionn Carr, Billy Dardis Ireland U20s Internationals Fionn Carr; Adam Byrne; Billy Dardis; Adam Coyle; Jamie Osbourne
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Malone RFC would like to remind all match patrons of the club’s code of conduct and strict anti-tolerance policy when it comes to abuse of match officials. When entering the ground, please be on your best behaviour and lead by example. Do not use profane language or harass referees, players or coaches. Players and referees are not fair targets for improper behaviour. Verbal abuse of players or referees cannot and will not be accepted in any shape or form. If you display this behaviour, you will be asked to leave the ground immediately. We ask all members to be vigilant and to comply with Malone’s code of conduct.
Be proud of your club and the game of rugby.
UPCOMING FIXTURES SATURDAY 9th APRIL AWAY GAME
NAVAN v MALONE 2.30 pm kick off - Balreask Old
Easter Draw Tickets are now on sale for Malone’s Easter Draw, which will take place in the clubhouse on Good Friday. There are many great prizes on offer including overnight stays with dinner in Dukes Hotel, match-worn shirts, hampers and much more.
If you haven’t already got yours, see David Heron during the game.
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A dander down From 2000 onward, Malone’s main focus has been the All Ireland League. The club has been a steady performer at All Ireland level, never dropping below the second division of the league and blooding a series of players who have gone on to represent Ulster and Ireland. From the turn of the century Neil Best, Tom Court, Simon Danielli, Chris Henry and Womens; rugby, making big strides at Malone. Paul Emerick have all represented Malone and youth players making the grade at senior their countries. level. At present, not including Alan O’Connor, One area of growth that may not have we have Aaron Sexton, Stewart Moore, been expected at the turn of the century Angus Curtis and Ross Kane all involved was womens’ rugby. with the Ulster squad and Adam From fragile, early beginnings the interest McNamee has represented Ireland at and participation can only be described Under 20 level receently, as part of the as phenomenal. Grand Slam winning squad. Not only do we have girls playing at mini Domestically Malone have not really rugby, there is now a recognised pathway bothered the record books at the Ulster for them right through the youth system Branch. into senior rugby - our club captain is From 2000-2010 the league was Peita McAlister, who has been playing dominated by Ballymena and Belfast rugby at Malone since she came along Harlequins and more recently in the last with her brothers - big changes indeed! 12 years Ballynahinch and Armagh have We have five girls on the Ulster Under 18 been the dominant domestic forces, squad; we had 11 players on the Ulster although Rainey Old Boys did win the senior squad and most recently Mia league before the pandemic struck. Ferguson and Megan Creighton were One highlight though was in 2018 when selected to represent Ulster in the Malone won All Ireland League Division upcoming 7s Interpro Series in Dublin at 2A and were automatically promoted to the end of April and our senior womens’ Division 1B, where we remain to this day. team are in the Energia Shield final at Our youth and mini sections are as Armagh, Saturday 2nd April. vibrant as ever, producing players who, Malone always continues to strive for hopefully, will love the game and play for excellence, but at its heart it is a the senior teams. Recently we have seen community club for all of Belfast. Stuart McKendrick gain Ulster Under 18 Everyone is welcome and may it always honours and move onto the senior squad. be that way. This year Sam Green looks to be following We hope you enjoy some of the pictures the same path. We look forward and from our archives as we come to the end enjoy seeing so many of our minis and of this current season.
From the Archives
Pre-match lunches were an altogether different affair in the early 70s.
Malone RFC Past Presidents 1972
From the Archives
As many of you will remember the redoubtable Bryce Fleming always had an opinion on how the game should be played on and off the field. Many years ago, we think in the early 1960s, he penned these notes on how to captain a team. It makes interesting reading.
MALONE 1. Ben Halliday
3. Ricky Greenwood
2. Dan Kerr 4. Zack Devine
6. James McAlister
5. Adam McNamee
8. Teigan Erasmus
7. Dave Cave
Captain
9. Shane Kelly 10. Callum Smith
11. Andy Bryans
12. Ben McCaughey 13. David McMaster 15. Aaron Sexton
14. Rory Campbell
TEAM Old Wesley Highfield Shannon Naas St. Mary’s Armagh Old Belvedere Banbridge Malone Navan
PL 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16
W 15 11 9 10 8 7 6 4 2 3
L D PF PA DIFF B PTS 1 0 436 242 194 9 69 4 1 337 250 87 7 53 5 2 402 265 137 12 52 6 0 408 374 34 9 49 6 2 415 354 61 10 46 8 1 272 297 -25 5 35 10 0 354 389 -35 8 32 12 0 288 393 -105 7 23 11 3 309 410 -101 8 22 12 1 256 503 -247 4 18
Replacements: 16. Aidan McSwiggan 17 Lee Barlow 18 Stewart McKendrick 19 Callum Smyton 20 Jonny Betts 21 Conor Spence
NAAS 1. Adam Coyle 2. Conor Jonston 3. Peter King 4. Paul Monohan 5. David Benn 6. Ryan Casey 7. Will O’Brien 8. Pauley Talufoa 9. Connor Halpenny 10. Bryan Croke 11. Sam Cahill 12. Craig Rondaldson 13. Matt Stapleton 14. Donal Conroy 15. Peter Osborne Replacements: 16 John Sutton 17 Conor Doyle 18 Pa O’Flaherty 19 Cillian Dempsey 20 Tim Murphy 21 Gary Kavanagh
The Coach’s Corner We enter the critical stage in our season as we welcome Naas RFC to Gibson Park for the penultimate game of our AIL campaign. Last weekend we secured a four try bonus point, a disappointing return when we started the game well but didn’t turn pressure into points. Fifteen minutes of indiscipline in the first half led to us ending the half 11-3 down. We have spoken at length about the need to keep our discipline at key times and being ruthless when opportunities arise.
come into the starting line-up today after impressive performances from the bench last week.
The old men of the squad James McAllister and Dan Kerr keep trucking on and are a fine example of the key club men that our younger players should aspire to be. Loyal, hardworking with a no excuse mentality. This is the key to being a veteran AIL campaigner.
Callum Smyton comes in on dual status from Clogher Valley to take a spot on the bench alongside Malone legend Lee Barlow who has returned to the 1st XV squad recently.
Zach Devine and Ricky Greenwood
William Leacock
We need to match Naas physically today and take our chances.
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Congratulations Malone RFC wishes to offer congratulations to MIa Ferguson U-18 (left) and Meghan Creighton U16 (right). After four weeks of trials based at Newforge and the Mid Ulster Sports Centre in Cookstown, the girls have been chosen to represent Ulster in the forthcoming Interprovincial Sevens series taking place in Dublin on the 23rd and 30th April. The club would also like to congratulate the five girls selected for the extended Under 18 Ulster squad, Katie McAllister, Katie-Anne McCallion, Cora Cahill, Cara McManus and Lea Clarke. Well done to all.
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Chairman rounds up the Firstly, Good luck to our womens’ team who are playing in the Final of the Energia AIL Shield today against Co. Cavan RFC at Armagh, kickoff time is 3pm. “Come on Malone” Malone versus Naas RFC I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our patrons, guests and visitors to what will be our last scheduled home game in the AILcompetition. I hope you have a good day and that you enjoy our Malone hospitality. As this season draws to a close I would like to thank everyone who took part in and supported Malone RFC in all the different aspects of our great club. Let’s start with the Minis. As usual the boys and girls add a natural enthusiasm to every training day and their competitions, they are the lifeblood of the club and will play a big part in keeping Malone vibrant now and into the future, Thanks to all the committee members, managers, coaches, parents and the players themselves for all their hard work. The Minis committee have organised an end of season tour to Spain. Good luck and enjoy the Tour. I’m sure everyone will have a wonderful time and the players in particular will form lasting friendships and lifelong memories - don’t forget the sun cream! Youth rugby has always been an important part of the club and is a big stepping stone
Chairman, MIchael Kearney
to senior teams, coaching and club management. Thanks to the management, coaches parents and players. A big shout out to the players who are moving up to play senior rugby at the club and also to those who are moving on to perhaps play rugby at school we hope to see you back playing rugby at Malone. Coaching in primary and post primary schools is an important aspect of attracting players to the club and this season Malone have started a programme of providing coaching in a variety of boys and girls schools and we will be accelerating this programme going forward, Thanks to the coaches and organisers who have helped set up and coached in these schools Women’s junior and senior rugby is now fully integrated into the Malone club rugby and social scene and the Senior Women are now participating in the Women’s AIL competition, they are also going for silverware this Saturday at Armagh and hopefully we will see them return to the club with the trophy to celebrate. Thanks to all the committee members, managers, coaches and Good luck ot our mixed ability team which is taking part in the World parents. Cup in June.
season The Tornadoes We are proud to be one of the clubs promoting Mixed Ability Rugby and we are looking forward to seeing our team, The Tornados, at the World Cup in June. The World Cup will take place in Cork, in June 2022 and will be the biggest tournament to date, with 24 mens’ teams competing for the overall Winners’ Trophy as well as the much-coveted ‘Spirit of’ Trophy. Each team will get six games in total, with lots of time for everyone to get involved right the way to finals day, competing for trophies and competition placings. Head coach Stuart Porter is looking forward to the competition but is aware that that Mixed Abillity rugby is about so much more. He says that: “Mixed Ability Rugby is a vehicle for people to participate who have physical, mental, and learning disabilities we focus on inclusion, bringing people together, and working with their ability, rather than their disability. “Through this, we can see a remarkable increase in wellbeing, fitness, skills, and communication, both on and off the pitch! “The Tornadoes are just another team in our club.” I am sure you will join me in wishing them well on their World Cup adventure. Men’s Senior Rugby This has been a very difficult year for a number of reasons, apart from Covid 19 we have had an unprecedented number of injuries right up to the present time. However we must give great credit to all the players who turned up when available and gave it their all, I’m very proud of these players, also the coaches and managers who worked tirelessly to pull teams together and never gave up trying. Thank you to all involved in the men’s Senior teams. I’d also like to mention our physio and doctors who supported the teams throughout the season. We appreciate your help and commitment. I would like to finish by thanking the members of the Executive Committee for your work and support which has been tremendous and unstinting. Michael Kearney
Energia All Ireland Shield Final Saturday 2nd April, 2022
Co. Cavan RFC versus
MALONE WOMEN
GOOD LUCK FROM EVERYONE AT MALONE Bring the Shield home!
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