Malone vs Naas 4th March 2023

vs Naas

Saturday, 4th March, 2023 Gibson Park, Belfast.

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.

Proud Sponsors of

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

Secretary:

Raymond Thomas

Rugby Committee:

Chair: Michael Kearney

Vice-Chair: David Heron

Clubhouse and facilities:

Mark Dowds

Grounds:

Gerry Gibbons

Programme and Social Media:

Ken Campbell

Advertising and sponsorship:

Jonathan McAllister

Malone RFC proudly supports:

President: Gerry Gibbons

Senior

Vice President: Ken Campbell

Junior Vice President: Gary Kirkpatrick

Chairman: Stuart Duncan

Well Folks,

This weekend we welcome the men from Forenaughts, Co. Kildare, Naas RFC. A warm Malone Welcome is extended to Paul Stapleton and his fellow travellers.

This is a crucial game for us in BT6 and I would ask everyone to get behind and let their voices be heard in support of our boys out on the turf. We have been very unlucky, that’s all that can be said about it, and that luck’s going to change today

On other fronts congratulations to the 2nd XV and the Ladies for progressing in their respective knock-out competitions. The Tornadoes are looking for recruits and holding a day on Sunday 12th of March, with the aim of adding to their squad. The best of luck to all .

The club is holding a Golf Day’at Shandon Park on Friday the 12th of May, with the Maureen Burnison Trophy to be played for. Jonathan McAllister is the point of contact

for any information. Players and Sponsors, step forward please !

On that vein the Club desperately needs volunteers in all areas of the Club. The fact is if none are forthcoming Malone will suffer and we will not keep our place as the senior rugby club that we are in Belfast . We need people to give some time back, for all they have got out of rugby and the club. Again Folks, please be aware of and support the IRFU Code of Conduct. The Referee and his officials are to be supported at all times. We welcome today’s Referee, Paul Haycock to Gibson Park today and wish him all the best.

Up above…….

G.G.

Naas

Naas arrive at Gibson Park today sitting comfortably in seventh place in the league - Malone supporters will not be happy to see their team firmly rooted to the bottom.

However both teams, no matter how unlikely it may seem, will want to go on a late season run and climb up the table.

Naas are only seven points off the play-off places, and with four games to go may well fancy their chances of making the top four by the end of the season.

Malone’s position, no matter how precarious, can be improved on.

Their final four games are against the four teams above them. Malone’s form over the previous two games has been good - better than the two teams immediately above them, Banbridge and UCC. Malone finally have some confidence, form and most importantly, momentum.

Two wins may see them leapfrog Banbridge

into the play off place - could they do the impossible and reel in UCC and overtake them?

That must be Malone’s objective until the end of the season - to come out fighting - all guns blazing and show what the team can really do!

Naas was established in 1880 as a multipurpose sports club and was based at Oldtown, Naas. The first record of rugby in Naas was in 1881. 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.

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

Leinster’s Jamie Osborne in action and also in his mini and youth days at Naas.

1924, when they won the Provincial Towns Plate in 1969

In 1974 the Club negotiated the purchase of 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.

Over the years Naas as been a bit of a conveyor belt for Leinster and Ireland with players such as Mark Deering, Seamus Byrne, Frank Byrne, Philip Lawlor, Geordan Murphy, Jamie Heaslip, Adam Byrne, Jimmy O'Brien, James Tracy and Jamie Osborne all coming through their ranks along with sevens players Fionn Carr and Billy Dardis.

Today’s Game in numbers

10thMalone sit in tenth place after 14 games 11 2 WON LOST

235372 Points forPoints against

7th

After

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

Around the club

At the last home game against Old Wesley, Malone RFC was delighted to present, in association with our sponsor Walsin, £3,000 to the Childrens’ Cancer Unit Charity. Representatives of the Charity were at the lunch as guests of Walsin and were on hand to receive the cheque from president Gerry Gibbons.

The seconds take on CIYMS in the Junior Cup today but last Thursday evening they defeated Belfast Harlequins seconds in the McCrea Cup quarter final. Mark McGlynn’s four try haul secured him the man of the match award.

13 of our womens’ squad are springing into March with the aim of covering 100 miles each throughout the month. All funds raised will go to local charity Action Mental Health who change the lives of those living with mental ill health. Any donations are hugely appreciated for such a worthy cause

www.justgiving.com/ page/malone-do-1300

Keep a look out for updates on our progress throughout the month

Congratulations to our Womens’ team who beat Enniskillen last weekend to reach the final of the Ulster Junior Cup. Watch our social media pages for details of the final.

MALONE R.F.C.

1.Ben Halliday

2.Sam Green

3.Ricky Greenwood

4.Neill Alcorn

5.Adam McNamee

6.Daryl Maxwell

7.Dave Cave (Capt)

8.Michael Crothers

9Shane Kelly

10.Angus Curtis

11.Davy McMaster

12.Nathan Brown

13.Ben Gibson

14.Andy Bryans

15.Aaron Sexton

16.Lawson Porter

17.Cory Tipping

18.Stuart Doddington

19.Jack McMurtry

20.Yasser Omar

21.Rory Campbell

Zach Shore

Yasser Omar

Forwards:

Naas

Replacements:

Backs:

9.Oscar Cawley

10.Bryan Croke (c)

11.Donal Conroy

12.Henry Smyth

13.Charlie Sheridan

14.Andrew Osborne

15. Fionn Higgins

Referee: Paul Haycock

16. Nato Kiripati

17. Jack Coyle

18. Paul Monohan

19. Eoin Walshe

20. Connor Halpenney

21. Craig Ronaldson

1.Adam Coyle

2.Conor Doyle

3.Stephen Lackey

4.James O’Loughlin

5.David Benn

6.Cillian Dempsey

7. Will O’Brien

8. Ryan Casey

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 25th March AWAY GAME

Banbridge

AIL. 2.30 pm kick off at Rifle Park

NEXT HOME GAME

SATURDAY 1st April

2.30 pm kick off AT GIBSON PARK

SATURDAY 15th April AWAY GAME

2.30 pm kick off at The Mardyke, Cork.

Proud to be Malone Mini Rugby main sponsor

BLAIR MAYNE

SOLDIER - SPORTSMAN - AND THE MALONE CONNECTION

The recent BBC drama ‘SAS Rogue Heroes’, introduced a new generation to the legend of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne, one of the founders of the British Army’s special forces unit during the Second World War, but Mayne was also an incredible sportsman, playing rugby for Ards as a 16 year old, Queens, Malone and the British Lions. Blair Mayne was born in Newtownards, one of seven siblings - with two older brothers, Thomas and William, a younger brother Douglas, and three sisters, Molly, Barbara and Frances. His sporting ability was evident at an early age. By the age of 11 he could drive a golf ball further than most adults and by 1937 was playing off a handicap of eight and winning local competitions.

He played for his school side, Regent House, and by the age of 16 he was playing for the men’s team at Ards Rugby Club. On leaving school he studied law at Queen's University, Belfast, studying to become a solicitor. While at university he took up boxing, becoming Irish Universities Heavyweight Champion in August 1936. He followed this by reaching the final of the British Universities Heavyweight Championship, but was beaten

on points. With a handicap of 8, he won the Scrabo Golf Club President's Cup the next year. Rugby though was Mayne’s number one sport. He was lucky to be part of a university side that also included future Lions teammates Harry McKibbin and George Cromey in the back line. Mayne was at the heart of this Queen’s side that dominated Irish rugby, winning two Ulster Senior Cups and an All Ireland Cup. Mayne’s performances soon caught the eye of the Irish selectors and he won his first Ireland cap in a 5-3 win over Wales during the 1937 championship. Just two caps later his all-action displays were enough to convince the Lions selectors to take him on tour to South Africa, becoming Lion 307 The three month tour featured a total of 24 games including three Tests against the Springboks and two matches against Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).

Mayne played alongside three of his Queen’s team-mates – Cromey, McKibbin and Robert Alexander in the famous 21-16 victory in the third Test and although the series was lost 2-1 against a Springbok side who at the time were hailed as the unofficial world champions, Mayne’s place in Lions folklore was born. His fearsome reputation was such that he finished the tour with even the South African journalists proclaiming him to be ‘one of the greatest forwards in the world’.

It was after this tour that Mayne returned to Northern Ireland and joined Malone RFC. In early 1939 he graduated from Queen's and joined George Maclaine & Co in Belfast, having been articled to TCG Mackintosh for the five previous years. Mayne won praise during the three Ireland matches he played in 1939, with one report stating "Mayne, whose quiet almost ruthless efficiency is in direct contrast to O'Loughlin's exuberance, appears on the slow side, but he covers the ground at an extraordinary speed for a man of his build, as

Irish Rugby Team, 1938 - Blair Mayne is third right on the backrow.

Blair Mayne when he was with Queens.

As a footnote, Malone was visited recently by local historian Peter Forbes from War Years Remembered. He presented the club with a signed copy of Damien Lewis' book 'SAS Brothers in Arms' in recognition of the connection between Blair Mayne and Malone. Club president Gerry Gibbons received the signed copy of the book along with club captain Gary Crawford, chairman Stuart Duncan and David Heron.

many a three quarter and full back have discovered."

The outbreak of War later in 1939 saw Mayne take a differernt path, his wartime exploits becoming the stuff of legend. Mayne’s remarkable bravado to disrupt Rommel’s campaign in north Africa and later in Italy, France and Germany would culminate in the Ulsterman being one of the army’s most decorated soldiers. Mayne was initially awarded a Victoria Cross for his actions at Oldenburg in April 1945, with the citation signed off by Field Marshal Montgomery.

Controversially it was eventually downgraded to a third bar of the Distinguished Service Order on the grounds that it had not been a single act of bravery, a decision that appeared to leave even King George VI baffled.

Yet the war also brought to a premature end an outstanding sporting career. A back injury sustained on the SAS’s first parachute drop prevented Mayne from

playing rugby again, shortening an international career that had already reached stellar heights before the outbreak of war. After the war Mayne returned to civilian life. He joined a geographical expedition to the Falklands but had to withdraw early due to the acute wartime back injury, which plagued his remaining years.

Mayne returned to work as a solicitor and became Secretary to the Law Society of Northern Ireland. He died in a car accident in his home town of Newtownards in 1955.

Blair Mayne in Kabrit, Egypt 1942 and his statue in his home town of Newtownards

1938 British Lions squad.

MALONE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

OPEN NIGHT

Wednesday

29th March, 2023

Boys | Girls | Youth ages 10-16

6.45-8.00pm

Meet the coaches and players

EVERYONE WELCOME

Malone RFC. Gibson Park Avenue, Cregagh Road, Belfast.

Pizza/ refreshments provided for players and parents

Shirt Sponsors

3. Brian Greenwood

1.

2.

4.5.

6.

7. Kathryn & Rebekah Heron

8. The Bethany Fruit & Veg

10. Geoff Lunn Landscaping

11. The Vikings

12.

13.

14. Happy Saturdays

15.

9. Mini Rugby

It`s good to be back home again in another crucial game. Three points gained in the last two weeks but really, we feel it could have been much more.

There has no doubt been a big improvement in our performances which we hope to build on today and get that much needed win. Also, it was great to see the 2s beat Harlequins last week and move into the semi-finals of the McCrea Cup!

I want to extend a warm welcome to Johne and all the squad and supporters who have made the trip from Naas. We are looking forward to challenging ourselves against their strong and well-coached group and we expect plenty of attacking rugby to be on show.

It is great to welcome several of the Sullivan Upper 1st XV players to our lunch today. I hope you all have a great day and hope to see you all at our U20 tournament at Easter.

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.