MALONE vs HIGHFIELD 26 Nov

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,

Proud Sponsors of

Walsin Ltd.

Walsin Limited | Blaris Industrial Estate | Altona Road | Lisburn, BT27 5PU www.walsin.co.uk

Gibson Park, Gibson Park Avenue, Cregagh Road, Belfast. BT6 9GL Tel: 028 9045 7819 email: malonerfc@gmail.com web:www.malone-rfc.com

Executive Committee: Stuart Duncan Gerry Gibbons Mark Dowds Gary Brown David Heron Ken Campbell Gary Kirkpatrick Jonathan McAllister Michael Kearney Raymond Thomas

President: Gerry Gibbons Senior Vice President: Ken Campbell

Rugby Committee: Chair: Michael Kearney Vice-Chair: David Heron

Clubhouse and facilities: Mark Dowds

Secretary: Raymond Thomas Grounds: Gerry Gibbons

Programme and Social Media: Ken Campbell Advertising and sponsorship: Jonathan McAllister

Junior Vice President: Gary Kirkpatrick

Chairman: Stuart Duncan

Malone RFC proudly supports:

We welcome to Daddy Winker’s once again our old rivals, Highfield from the City of Cork. Greetings from Gibson Park to Frank Cooper and his entourage . This is always a tightener, home or away, but one we always look forward to. I’m sure a good crowd will be in attendance and will plant their voices in support of the boys when they enter the affray. A much more exciting and skill filled afternoon awaits as opposed to what is happening in Cardiff.

I’m personally struggling with the weather and darkness but even more disturbing and frightening are the images etched in my memory from Naas. Not the game so much but our captain, Dave Cave dressed up like Randy Savage (Google him), Bryans and Greenwood like May McFetridge’s Ugly Sisters and others too frightening to mention. Not so sure about Lawson Porter’s line, that he was in fancy dress,

but as me……

In the rest of the Club we had a successful evening for the visit of Mr Campese. A man who could give Ernie Long a run for his dough, if ever there was one.

Following that a visit by the Spanish Armada, Alcobendas from Madrid which was also an outstanding success, but has left Stuart D in a Betty Forde Clinic somewhere in England. The Ladies Section have organised a ‘Big Do’ for NYE and they need your support. Check out fb, Insta or contact any of them for a big entree to 2023.

Let us all enjoy today’s game to the full and cheer the lads on. At the same time let’s stay within the bounds of reasonable conduct and behaviour. I know we will extend our BT6 welcome to all from Highfield and show the utmost respect to the Referee and his Officials. The Code of Conduct is in the Programme.

Up Above, and Down Below !

Gerry Gibbons.

Hello One and All, in the depths of dreary November, to a contest that will brighten your S.A.D. ridden lives!

arrive at Gibson Park sitting sixth in the table, having won three and also lost three.

Malone sit three places below in ninth having won only one league game but have scored 133 points opposed to Highfield’s 109. On the other hand Highfield have a better points against total - 106, a points difference of 3, compared to Malone’s 205 against, giving them a points difference of -72.

Highfield started the season with a 26-20 win against Banbridge and followed that up with a 22-24 win away to Nass.

Their first defeat of the season came against table topping Buccaneers with a 14-17 home loss and that was followed by two more a 6-5 away loss at Old Wesley, followed by a heavy 31-19 defeat away to Armagh.

They got back on track with a 21-10 win against Old Belvedere. Cian Bohane is the club’s top AIL points scorer so far this season on 25 points.

Malone and Highfield have always thrown up tight, exciting encounters and today’s matchup suggests nothing else.

Situated in the western suburbs of Cork, the club was founded in 1930 and named after two residential roadways which were built on the land where the team trained, namely Highfield Avenue and Highfield Avenue West. Following several moves to various locations in the same vicinity the club finally settled on its present location of Woodleigh Park and became the first club in Munster to own its own ground even though it was still a junior club at the time of purchase. Since its beginning as a junior club the main ambition of the club was to attain senior status and this was finally achieved in the 1952 - 53 season. In 1955 a new clubhouse was opened. More land was bought in the sixties and the complex now contains two playing pitches, a training area, three all weather pitches which can accommodate five-aside soccer or used for training during inclement weather.

Highfield

Highfield RFC, Woodleigh Park, Cork.

Highfield’s Dave O’Connell in lineout action against Buccaneers.

It also has a fine clubhouse containing three squash courts, a separate function hall, kitchen, two lounge bars, an office and meeting rooms.

There are six dressing rooms and showers and a club shop, all on 13 acres of land. Highfield have 3 floodlit all weather pitches available to hire for matches, training/coaching sessions, mini tournaments etc.

The biggest recent achievement was the building of a gym in 2019.

Highfield arerightly proud of their clubhouse, Gym and other facilities.

From a rugby viewpoint the club, like Malone, has a large membership and turns out four adult teams and has a thriving youth section. Highfield has contributed greatly to the promotion and

development of rugby in the local area and has provided players and administrators to both province and country the latest being Mick Couglan, who is vice president of the Munster Branch.

Cian Bohane, Highfield’s top points scorer so far this saeson.

Angus Curtis starts an attack during last season’s encounter at Gibson Park.

MALONE RFC CODE OF CONDUCT

Code for Players - General

•Play for enjoyment and become part of the rugby family.

•Respect the "Game of Rugby" and play within the laws of the Game.

•Accept the referee's decision and let your captain ask any relevant questions.

•Play with control. Do not lose your temper.

•Always do your best and be committed to the game, your team and your club.

•Be a "good sport". Applaud all good play whether by your team or the opposition.

•Respect your opponent. Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not "bully" or take advantage of any player.

•Rugby is a team sport so make sure you co-operate with your coach, teammates and members of your club.

•At the end of the match thank your opponents and the referee for the match.

•Always remember that you owe a duty of care to your opponents. Tackle hard but fairly, do not intend to hurt your opponent.

•Winning and losing is part of sport: Win with humility - lose with dignity.

•As part of the team it is important that you attend training regularly, listen to your coach and help your team.

•As a team sport it is important to understand that all members are important to the team!

•Remember you are representing your team, club, family and the Game of Rugby.

Code for Spectators

•Be on your best behaviour and lead by example. Do not use profane language or harass referees, players or coaches.

•Applaud good play by the visiting team as well as your own.

•Show respect for your team's opponents. Without them there would not be a match.

•Condemn the use of violence in all forms at every opportunity.

•Verbal abuse of players or referees cannot be accepted in any shape or form.

•Players or referees are not fair targets for ignorant behaviour.

•Encourage players to play by the Laws of the Game.

•Spectators can contribute to the enjoyment of the event and all involved.

•Be proud of your club and the Game of Rugby

Spanish visitors

Alcobendas were the visitors to Malone last weekend when they travelled from Madrid to visit Gibson Park.

Malone man Garrett Curran led a party of 37 veteran players from the Spanish club and on Friday they visited Newcastle, for a walk around Tollymore and lunch at the Mourne Seafood restaurant.

That evening they played a Malone Select team but first up the Under 13 sides of Malone and Methodist College opened proceedings and served up a great game, full of pace and skill.

There was a noticeable drop in pace for the next game as the home side and Alcobendas battled it out. The skill levels were still there though as the players warmed the cold night air and the entertainment continued in the clubhouse for quite a while.

The following day the visitors recovered with a tour around Belfast, visiting Belfast Castle and the Titanic centre before returning to Malone for a meal alongside last season’s Under 12 team and the Ulster 1999 side who had both played in Alcobendas recently.

After the meal Chris Henry and Andy Ward did an entertaining question and answer sesson before the Ireland and Australia game.

Malone hope to see Alcobendas soon and further cement the relationship between the clubs.

Delighted to continue our association with Malone

Integrated Process Control and Engineering Ltd. Units 509 & 512 Enterprise Crescent, Ballinderry Road, Lisburn Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. BT28 2BP | Tel: 028 9262 8040

Malone RFC hosted another great night of entertainment on Wednesday 16th November when rugby great David Campese was the star guest. After opening remarks by president Gerry Gibbons, Stephen Watson introduced the main event and also hosted the chat with David Campese, starting with a few questions which ‘Campo’ skilfully swerved around, just like in his playing days. He

then went on to entertain the large crowd with some great stories and his thoughts on everything rugby related, from professionalism, referees, the people governing rugby, the rules of the game - everyone and everything got it with both barrels! Open, funny, honest, controversial - it was a great evening’s entertainment. David then took open questions from the floor, which was a great way

to round off the main part of the evening.

The night finished with an auction, expertly run by George Martin, which raised some welcome funds for the club.

One of the highlights of the evening was ‘Heads and Tails’ which raised £1450.00 for the Childrens’ Cancer Charity Unit at the RVH

Look out for our next evening with Andy Powell, early next year.

David McMaster

Dan’s the Under-14s Man!

SUPPORTING MALONE RUGBY CLUB

Malone's Under 14 forwards got some top class coaching last night when Ulster head coach Dan McFarland came to the club to take a scrum session. The team was thrilled to get such high quality coaching and would like to thank Dan for his time and expertise.

After a disappointing previous block of AIL fixtures in which we picked up zero points, the squad has worked hard to improve on the areas of concern.

In all the fixtures we arguably should have got something, but that’s 1B rugby and we are aware of the need to fix these fast. Recent training has included a joint training session with Dromore RFC and over the next few weeks we will also host Campbell and Methodist College, strengthening the growing links we have with both schools.

The seconds have enjoyed wins over Rainey and Omagh and a narrow away defeat to Armagh which leaves them in a good position in the league going into this important block of fixtures before Christmas.

Some news from the squad this week included the arrival of baby Dowds who along with mum is doing well and we all congratulate Dowdsy. On a sadder note, we all send our condolences to Connor, Shane, and the whole Kelly family on the passing of their grandmother last week.

I want to extend a warm welcome to Highfield who we have had close battles with here in Belfast and in Cork for several years now in both 1B and 2A. Please enjoy the game today and provide the boys with great support in which should be a cracker of a game. Thank you for the support!

Proud to be Malone Mini Rugby main sponsor

Malone RFC is proud to support

The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity depends entirely on public donations and the support of our generous fundraisers.

All year round, our families, friends and supporters organise events and activities - from coffee mornings to gala balls, sponsored skydives to cookbooks, fun runs to 32 marathons in a row - all in aid of the Children’s Cancer Unit.

Donations can also be made online via our website at www.childrenscancerunit.com/support-us

We could not continue to assist the work of the Children’s Cancer Unit without your support. Please get in touch if you would like to help.