MALONE The Cregagh Redsocks
RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB Versus
OLD BELVEDERE
Saturday 26th March. 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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Walsin Limited | Blaris Industrial Estate | Altona Road | Lisburn, BT27 5PU www.walsin.co.uk
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 visitors today, Old Belvedere Rugby Football Club, for the 16th round in AIL Division 1B. It is indeed an honour and privilege to be the 85th President of Malone RFC in its 130th year. We are particularly delighted to welcome Steve O’Leary president of Old Belvedere RFC, and their travelling supporters to Gibson Park. Division 1B is proving to be a very competitive league and any team in this league can beat anyone - 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. I trust the game today will be entertaining and injury free for all involved. Please accept my apologies for not being with you all today. My son Thomas and Kellyanne his wife are having their wedding celebration reception today almost 2 years after being married in my garden during the Covid pandemic. Up above, down below Cregagh Red Socks here we go. Gerry Gibbons, next season’s president will be taking care of the formalities today. Gerry thank you very much. 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. I would like to remind all match patrons of Malone RFC’s Code of Conduct - please observe it. After today’s game we would like to welcome everyone back to 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
OLD BELVEDEREE R Old Belvedere Rugby Football Club, affectionately known as "The Lodge" was established in 1918-19 at a general meeting, held in Belvedere College. The first match was against Old St Marys at Beech Hill, Donnybrook, a ground shared with that club and won 6-0. The club played in the Dublin League. At the final meeting of that year, it was decided to enter senior rugby and open the club to sister Jesuit colleges and "to outsiders, who may wish to join us." The first senior match was against the now defunct club, Merrion. The first game in the Leinster Senior Cup took place against Wanderers on March 17 1920 and was lost 03. Kevin Barry played on the 2nds in that first season. The arrest and subsequent execution of Kevin Barry, the internment of other players, including the Captain, the loss of the ground in Beech Hill and the move to an inferior pitch in Vernon Avenue, and loss of key players during the transition all contributed to the demise of the original club which folded before the commencement of the 1922/3 season. The club was reformed as a junior club in April 1930, restricted to past pupils of
Old Belvedere hero Tony O’Reilly playing for the Barbarians. O’Reilly played 29 times for Ireland and also represented the British and Irish Lions in ten test matches. His total of 38 tries for the Lions on two tours remains a record.
Belvedere College and a new ground was leased in Ballymun. The first trophy won was the Metropolitan Cup in 1936 and retained in 1937. These results encouraged the club to apply for senior status which was duly granted for the season 1937/38. in 1940 Old Belverere recorded its first win in the Leinster Senior Cup 11-6. It was the beginning of a sensational run of victories during which seven senior cups were won in succession. During this time, Old Belvedere fielded what was known as the "Q" backline as all the four three quarters were Quinns'. A highlight of this period was the 12-6 victory of an Old Belvedere selected side against New Zealand Services in December 1946 and it remains the only defeat of a New Zealand representative side in Ireland other than the famous Munster win in 1978. The 70's and 80's were lean years for the 1st XV, although junior rugby remained a strong component of the club. Old Belvedere decided to become an Open Club in 1976. Television pundit, Tom McGuirk and St Mary's centre, Gary O'Hagan were the first two non
RFC Belvederian players. Two other major initiatives were taken in this period: Floodlights were installed in 1972 and Old Belvedere inaugurated the Leinster Floodlit competition in 1987. An International Sevens Tournament commenced in 1971 and was played on the final Sunday of the Leinster Season. The tournament often attracted crowds of 15,000 to watch such teams as Loughborough College, London Welsh, Harlequins, London Irish and Richmond play top class rugby in a festival atmosphere. The ground lease in Anglesea Road was acquired in 1944 but the first match was not played until February 1949, such was the amount of work required to level and drain the pitches. In June 1949, the old stand in Croke Park was acquired from the G.A.A in exchange for a strip of land required to build the Cusack stand and a superior view of "foreign" games was enjoyed by spectators in Anglesea Road until the demise of the stand in a fire in 1993. The concrete terrace that exists today dates from 1958. The present pavilion was opened
In 2019 Old Belvedere honoured its most famous son by renaming the ground Ollie Campbell Park. Ollie won 22 caps for Ireland between 1976 and 1984 scoring a remarkable 217 points. He was an influential member of the 1982 Triple Crown winning team – Ireland’s first since 1949 - as well as being the leading scorer in that year’s championship. Ollie was capped seven times by the British and Irish Lions across the 1980 and 1983 tours to South Africa and New Zealand. He toured twice with Ireland, to Australia in 1979 and South Africa in 1981.
Old Belvedere’s Jack Conan, part of Ireland’s Triple Crown winning side.
in 1962 and the old bar and ballroom were replaced in 1995 after the 1993 fire. The modern playing era for the club commenced in 1993 when the club, coached by Donal Spring and captained by Mervyn Feely won the Leinster and All Ireland Floodlit competitions and the Leinster League, thus gaining promotion to Division 2 of the All Ireland League. The 90's also saw the introduction of the Ladies team. 1st Division status was gained in 1995 and lasted for 3 years. The club again gained promotion to the 1st Division in 2007 and finished top of Division 1B in 2010. In all, Old Belvedere has won 19 Senior trophies and 65 Junior trophies; 14 players have been capped for Ireland most recently Jack Conan, who picked up a Triple Crown last weekend and six others were war-time internationals. 12 players have been overseas tourists with Ireland. Two members have had the honour of being President of the IRFU (Paddy Madigan and Barry Keogh). Karl Mullen and Des O'Brien have captained and managed the Lions respectively.
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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 The Run-in SATURDAY 2nd APRIL HOME GAME
MALONE v NAAS 2.30 pm kick off - Gibson Park 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.
Shield final on the horizon Having battled through the WAIL season coach Jamie McMullan is very pleased that the womens’ 1st XV find themselves with the opportunity to win some silverware to end the season.
Jana McQuillan impressive start to senior career
An Energia All Ireland Shield win would be a fitting reward for the core group of committed and hardworking I am more than rising talent, one for players within the future and also confident that the squad. right now is Jana this group of As a squad the McQuillan - who has players can bring players have been brilliant and developed well the shield taken every chance over the season, afforded to her. back to Malone were From the pack Cara Gibson always a very O'Neill is a threat at Park. exciting side in every breakdown and attack and have in the recent game now have against Cooke showed Jamie developed how aggressive she McMullan organisation can be in defence coupled with aggression in regardless of the size of the defence. opposition. The team has developed the Malone will face a physical test in ability to move the ball and the final similar to what was posed create space for talented players by Kerry but McMullan is more to exploit. than confident that this group of Malone’s backs are incredibly players can bring the shield back effective in open space but a to Gibson Park.
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A dander down The 1990s saw a slight change of direction for Malone. With the advent of the All Ireland League the committee realised that more money would be needed to run the 1st XV with regular trips to Dublin, Cork and Limerick during the season. With thoughts turning toward sponsorship the club joined in partnership with local snack food manufacturer Munchies Maurice Field and sportswear firm Bukta who supplied playing and training kit. A future Ulster coach, Brian McLoughlin was brought into the club to oversee the All Ireland League campaign. The first AIL game was away to Shannon and the team travelled by aircraft to Limerick. Malone’s original foray into the All Ireland League, whilst enjoyable was not
Stuart Duncan (left), Gary Leslie and Allan Clarke celebate a famous victory over Stade Francais at Ravenhill, on their way to winning the European Cup.
Denis McBride
ultimately successful as they were relegated to the second divison, but Malone had a steady All Ireland League Division 2 campaign all through the 1990s. In 1991 a Club Under 25 team carried out a tour to the United States, playing in New York, Connecticut and Texas. Managed by Brian Lally, assisted by Mark Pengelly, Stuart Catterson and Hugh Logan and captained by Stuart Duncan, the tour party set off in June. Four wins and a draw gave the party an enviable tour record. During the 1990s we only had two more internationals, flanker Denis McBride who gained 32 caps and centre Maurice Field with 11. Ulster representation throughout the 1990s was strong with the aforementioned McBride and Field joined in the white shirt by, to name a few, Colin Morrison, Stuart Duncan, Richard Mackey, Murtagh Rea, Graeme Ellis, Mark Reynolds, John McDonald, Stephen Cowan, Ian Brown, Stuart Porter, Bill Harbinson and Colin Wilinson. The club won the Ulster Senior Cup in 1991/1992 and the following season won the Ulster Senior League. By the end of the 1990s, Stuart Duncan was part of the Ulster squad that won the Heineken Cup at Lansdowne Road on that never to be forgotten day in 1999.
CONGRATULATIONS! It has been a big few weeks for Malone based players and it gives the club great pleasure to congratulate them on their successes
Adam McNamee 1st team player Adam McNamee was part of the successful Ireland Under 20s side that has just won a Grand Slam. Well done Adam on a fantastic achievement and all at Malone are delighted to see you back in a white shirt this week!
THE MCB THREE
dist Congratulations to Metho ools’ Sch the g College on winnin but y Da s’ rick Pat St. Cup on to the special congratulations the on s yer pla e lon three Ma team. rick Peter O’Hagan (Capt), Pat l Fullarton Healy and Michae i min ir the yed pla all rs Crothe and rick Pat and rugby at Malone nday Mo on b clu the at re Peter we our ch coa evening helping to boys! under 14 side. Well done
and last but not least.......
ALAN O’CONNOR Malone man and Ulster stalwart Alan O’Connor plays his 150th Ulster game tomorrow. Well done from all at Malone on a fantastic milestone.
MALONE 1. Ben Halliday
3. Aidan McSwiggan
2. Dan Kerr 4. James McAlister
6. Harry Andrews
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 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
W 14 11 8 9 7 7 5 4 2 3
L D PF PA DIFF B PTS 1 0 386 228 158 8 64 3 1 315 223 92 6 52 5 2 373 245 128 11 47 6 0 381 352 29 9 45 6 2 381 344 37 9 41 7 1 252 268 -16 5 35 10 0 312 360 -48 7 27 11 0 278 359 -81 7 23 10 3 280 368 -88 7 21 11 1 242 453 -211 4 18
Replacements: 16. Lee Barlow 17 Ricky Greenwood 18 Zac Devine 19 Stewart McKendrick 20 Jonny Betts 21 Conor Spence
OLD BELVEDERE
1. James Bolland 2. Joe Horan 3. Ryan McMahon 4. Will McDonald 5. Conor Owende (c) 6. Paddy Dowling 7. Calum Dowling 8. Colin Mallon 9. Peter O’Beirne 10. David Wilkinson 11. Ariel Robles 12. Justin Leonard 13. David Butler 14. Jack Keating 15. Colm Hogan Replacements: 16 Hugh Flood 17 Tom Mulcair 18 Eoghan Fitzgerald 19 Aaron Atkinson 20 John Pyper 21 Jack Gilheany
The Coach’s Corner A welcome return to Gibson Park after an extremely disappointing performance against Queen’s in the Senior Cup last week. It has been a challenging season with unavailability and injuries taking their toll on an ever decreasing player pool. We welcome back Adam McNamee, Harry Andrews, Aaron Sexton and Teigan Erasmus to the squad today. This is a crucial game and although we have had a challenging season the environment has been enjoyable. In difficult times the measure of the man is where he stands when the going gets tough. Today we have to step up and
give a performance that reflects the badge on our jersey. As a squad we’d like to pass our congratulations onto our Irish Under 20 second row Adam McNamee who won the Under 20s Six Nations Grand Slam last weekend. Adam has been a key member of our squad this season. William Leacock
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American Visit On Wednesday 23rd March Malone RFC was delighted to welcome PAC Misfits Rugby Colorado to Gibson Park. The Misfits are currently on a tour of Ireland and Scotland - Belfast being their stopover on Wednesday for a few days. Malone"s Under 18 side played in a very competitve game and the Misfits' travelling girls trained with Malone's female youth teams. Touring parents and supporters availed of the craic and hospitality in the Daddy Winker's Bar and it seemed a great time was had by all. From a Malone point of view it was great to have some schoolboys involved and back playing at the club as part of the Ulster Branch's Club/School window. Good luck to the Misfits for the remainder of their tour.
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