Malone vs UCC

Encasing architec ture

We are ex tremely proud to be suppor ting Malone RFC, who have played such a significant role in the rugby community both locally and nationally for over a centur y.

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 spor t, 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 par t in the club’s ongoing refurbishment programme and will continue to suppor t Malone RFC as it goes for ward.

Ian Sinclair, Managing Direc tor, Walsin Ltd.

Proud Sponsors of

Gibson Park , Gibson Park Avenue, Cregagh Road, Belfast. BT6 9GL Tel: 028 9045 7819 email: maloner fc@gmail.com web:www.malone r fc.com

Executive Committee:

Stuar t Duncan

Gerr y Gibbons

Mark Dowds

Gar y Brown David Heron

Ken Campbell Gar y Kirk patrick

Jonathan McAllister Michael Kearney Raymond Thomas

Secretar y: Raymond Thomas

Rugby Committee:

Chair: Michael Kearney Vice Chair: David Heron

Clubhouse and facilities:

Mark Dowds

Grounds:

Gerr y Gibbons

Programme and Social Media: Ken Campbell

Adver tising and sponsorship: Jonathan McAllister

President: Gerr y Gibbons

Senior Vice President: Ken Campbell

Junior Vice President: Gar y Kirkpatrick

Chairman: Stuar t Duncan

Malone RFC proudly suppor ts:

Another season is upon us and the Energia All Ireland League commences today in BT6. It gives me great pleasure to welcome, on behalf of ever yone at Daddy Winker ’s and the Red Socks, University College Cork , their President Finbar Dennehy and his officials.

UCC have a long and proud histor y stretching all the way back to 1872. This is the year of their 150th Anniversar y and we are honoured to share it with them on the field of play. On behalf of Malone, I wish Finbar the best of luck for the 22 23 season.

In our own camp we said a sad goodbye to Wilbur Leacock and Johnny Cuppitt. I personally will miss Wilbur ’s unfaltering enthusiasm and optimism. We wish you both all the best and don’t be strangers. Get down here and stay in touch.

In with the new (but not too new). Josh Pentland takes over at the helm suppor ted by Gareth Fr y, no stranger to No.1 Pitch at Gibson Park . I am ecstatic that Josh recovered so well from his episode last year and a better combo we couldn’t wish for in coaching terms. I’m sure Mrs Pentland’s concerns and those of the k ids were much more serious than mine and it was great to see the whole unit up visiting, as soon after the incident, as they did. The other loyal Malone Men are there as well and your input, effor t and commitment is appreciated ( Vin Diesel et al). You k now who you are !

I don’t want to dwell too long on this BUT

volatile and challenging times are upon us (again). The cost of ever ything from cooling the beer, showers, lights, fer tiliser etc., has sk yrocketed. Please, please join Friends of Malone.

The regular donation helps us to plan ahead and keep afloat. Ever y Dime is well spent and goes towards keeping our home up to a standard that is admired by clubs throughout this island and beyond. Volunteers are also required. There is not a par t of the Club that your precious time will not be utilised to the full. The Pavilion (corridors, changing rooms and toilets). The Grounds (weeds, litter and maintenance). Coaching (all sec tions and teams). Please make yourself k nown to anyone in the Executive Committee and play an ac tive role in your Club.

Many thanks (many times over) to all our sponsors. Where would we be without them? The financial assistance, equipment and goods they freely give, help keep this high standard of our game alive in this par t of Belfast. We wouldn’t be playing UCC today in the AIL without their back ing. Enough said.

Finally I would remind ever yone of the IRFU/Ulster Branch Code of Conduc t. Full respec t at all times to game officials and visitors. Let ’s all have a great day, injur y free for both sides and enjoy the post match ambience of our superb bar facilities.

“Up above and down below !’

Gerr y Gibbons, President

FENCED IN!

The Loopland Gardens side of the club has always been a bit untidy. There was never a clear boundar y between the residents and Malone RFC - until now.

Over the last three weekends the ground has been dug up and cleared, posts were driven in and fencing and netting erec ted the upshot being that our grounds are now clearly defined and secured and the residents are delighted with the smar t new fence at the end of their gardens. As you can see from the pic tures, this was a major club under taking and Malone RFC’s gratitude goes to all involved.

Our visitors today UCC

Queen’s College Cork, as it was then k nown, opened its doors in 1849. I t was not until 1872, however, that proof of rugby football in Queen’s College Cork was established in the form of a specially printed rulebook, which indicates that the game was firmly enshrined amongst the students who felt that it was time to set up some permanent order in the game. Rugby at UCC is probably as old as at Trinity College, Dublin, where a rulebook was also produced at that time. The book of rules became k nown as The Rules of Foot Ball as Played at Queen’s College Cork, 1872. Both Universities are distinguished in having been the first clubs in the countr y with their own rulebooks. In the early days during the 1870s Queens Cork played the likes of Montenotte F.C., Bandon, Waterloo, Queenstown (now Cobh) and Cork Bankers in games involving 22 a side.

The origin of the distinct Skull and Crossbones emblem that adorns the UCC rugby jersey (and all UCC spor ts clubs to the present day) has been the cause of some dispute. Seemingly it was there from the outset when Queens College Cork was predominantly a medical school and the medical students adopted the skull and bones as an appropriate trademark when representing the college on the spor ting field. To this day the UCC jersey is a much sought after garment amongst players, students par ticularly International students and alumni at home and abroad. The skull even features in the words of the ‘ Ta Rax ’ (College Victor y Cr y) “…we’ll make the old skull gasp or grin…”

UCC RFC and Ireland

Since 1879 no less than 55 UCC players have represented Ireland at full International, with 34 of these playing for Ireland while still

1981 Munster Senior Cup team.

playing with UCC RFC, most notably Tom Kiernan (’60 ’63), J C Walsh (’60 ‘65), Moss Finn (’79) and Donal Lenihan (’81 ’82). All three UCC men went on to play with distinction for the Lions: Kiernan twice in South Africa ’62 and ’68, Walsh in Australia ’66 and Lenihan in Australia ’89.

The Lions connection does not stop there. Six other UCC graduates and past players of UCC RFC went on to play for the Lions: W. Ashby (S.A. 1910), W.J. Roche (S.A. 1924), M.F. Lane (Aus/N.Z. 1950), Moss Keane (Aus/NZ 1977), Paul Wallace ( S.A. 1997), Ronan O’Gara (Aus 2001 & N.Z. 2005). In all nine UCC men have represented the Lions.

From the list of 21 College Internationals who were capped for Ireland after leaving UCC RFC are some household names: Moss Keane, Gerr y Holland, Brian Spillane, Paul Collins, Fergus Ahern, Darragh and David O’Mahony, Paul Wallace, Dominic Crotty, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara, Frank ie Sheehan, Mick O’Driscoll. John Kelly, and most recently, Denis Leamy who left UCC RFC in 2004. Jerr y Flanner y completes this list of luminaries having been called up to the Ireland squad for the 2005 autumn test against Romania .

UCC 150th Anniversar y

Ulysses S. Grant was resident in the White House, Queen Victoria sat on the throne in England, and Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days was first published in 1872 the same year Queen’s College Cork published its first rulebook for playing rugby in Cork.

This season UCC Rugby is to celebrate its storied histor y with a celebrations to mark its 150th anniversar y.

Events include UCC travelling to London Irish in Januar y next year to play a game vs London Irish Amateur RFC who this season will be celebrating their 125th anniversar y.

UCC Rugby Women will tour Oxford in the Autumn this year and UCC ’s annual “Colours Match” will be held on Saturday November 26 2022 at the Mardyke

Ireland Students vs France Students will be hosted by UCC at the Mardyke on Friday Februar y 10 2023.

UCC will launch a new Mixed Rugby (Men & Women playing together) Inter faculty Competition in 2022 23. I t is expected that the competition will be named after UCC Rugby ’s most famous alumnus Tom Kiernan.

The season ahead

There’s no doubt that UCC were rocked with their relegation to Division 1B of the All Ireland League, they moved quick ly though to ensure that they gave themselves ever y oppor tunity of a swift return in their anniversar y year with the appointment of an experienced coaching team.

In a major coup for the club, the vastly experienced Michael Bradley takes over at the Mardyke Bradley earned 40 caps for Ireland lining out for Cork Constitution and Munster before moving into coaching in the early 2000s. The 59 year old has had spells in charge of Connacht, Edinburgh and, most recently, Zebre.

of the Year award for his work with the I talian side.

Bradley will be joined at the Mardyke by a top class coaching team that features fellow ex Ireland internationals Ken O’Connell and Paul McCar thy, as well former Munster out half Scott Deasy.

“I am delighted to be given the oppor tunity to work with UCC Rugby,” said Bradley. “I t is exciting and challenging to work with some of the most talented young rugby players at this critical juncture in their career.

University College Cork and the Mardyke Arena have fully suppor ted the UCC Rugby project. Our vision is to play exciting, winning rugby and to make the Mardyke venue an excellent match day experience for all who come to suppor t our teams.”

UCC Head Coach, Michael Bradley.

It is my privilege to write to you in the capacit y of President of the I rish Rugby Football Union for the upcoming season, 2022/23.

It was a remark able achievement to have completed the 2021/22 season so successfully given the challenges clubs faced as we emerged from the restrictions placed on us by the COVID 19 pandemic That success was due to all the hard work by ever yone involved in clubs, and your contribution is ver y much appreciated. This meant that the vast majority of games were played, and finals were held, including the Energia All I reland League finals for women and men, which provided much needed days of celebration.

This new season brings much promise and new oppor tunities. I t seems that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, and we can look for ward, with some optimism, to a more normal season for 2022/23, which will be another busy year for all Challenges remain, and we have seen in some areas, for instance, in the case of adult players and volunteers, where numbers returning to some clubs has not yet fully recovered. We are all working incredibly hard to encourage people back and to bring new people into our game. I know our clubs provide an open invitation and a warm welcome to ever yone, and we need to continue to do ever ything we can to attract more boys, girls, women and men, into our game.

I hope that 2022/23 can be a season where rugby values will be celebrated. The core values and pillars of our game which are respect, inclusivity, integrity, fun and excellence must be protec ted and promoted by all We should be rightly proud of these values, which are respec ted well beyond the rugby community Inappropriate and disrespectful comments or behaviours on and off the field of play, especially towards match officials, have no place in our spor t.

I k now that the star t of any season is a busy time in clubs, and I hope that the use of technology and new systems, can alleviate some of the time commitment required. However, while technology helped us through the pandemic, I believe there is nothing like getting back into a room with people talk ing to each other. I k now that clubs really missed this par t of normal life, and it will be great to see a normal atmosphere restored to clubhouses from the star t of the season

I look for ward to visiting many of our clubs and schools in the year ahead and meeting as many people as possible involved in our wonder ful game

For now, I wish your Club all the ver y best for the season ahead I hope that all your teams at all levels have a successful season and that all the members of your Club thoroughly enjoy the year.

Yours sincerely

John Robinson, President

“

I know our clubs provide an open invitation and a warm welcome to ever yone, and we need to continue to do ever ything we can to attract more boys, girls, women and men, into our game.

We are thrilled to be heading into what we’re sure will be another ac tion packed season. I t was wonder ful to see such recognition of the quality of the league with increased attendance at games and huge online engagement last year and we hope to see those numbers continue to rise.

We would like to ack nowledge and thank the clubs, players, and volunteers for their effor ts to incorporate and adhere to the health and safety requirements and guidelines that allowed last season to be able to run to completion. This was a significant under tak ing which did not go unnoticed.

We continue to be inspired by the clubs and their embodiment of #PositiveEnergy all across the countr y. This remains the core of Energia’s commitment to rugby at all levels. Suppor ting the game from the grassroots has, and continues to be, at the centre of our par tnership.

We look for ward to another great season with all 60 teams getting back on the pitch and we wish ever yone the best of luck .

Gar y Ryan

Managing Direc tor Energia Customer Solutions

floor

Clarence West

Clarence Street West Belfast BT2 7GP Tel: 029 9024 8989

Lockton is

On behalf of ever yone at Energia Group, I’d like to say how delighted we are to see the Energia AIL resume for the 22/23 season.

Team will be selected on Saturday mor ning

For wards: Aidan Brien Billy Kingston Corey Hanlon Daniel McCarthy Jack O'Sullivan Jacob Sheahan Luke McAuliffe

Patrick McBarron Peter Hyland

Ror y Duggan Sam O'Sullivan Thomas Land

Backs: Aaron Quirke Andrew O'Mahony Billy Kier nan Cian Whooley Daniel Squires Joe O'Lear y Johnny Murphy Killian Coghlan Louis Bruce Rian O'Donoghue Sean Condon

It is an honour and a privilege to be asked to be Club Captain for the 22/23 season.

I began playing club rugby at Malone 17 years ago I was a late bloomer only playing from the age of 14 at the Boys’ Model School

After a few years playing for school I realised I needed a club team to help me progress that ’s when I found Malone. From day one I was made welcome and suppor ted; a feeling that still resonates each time I walk into Gibson Park .

Fast for ward to 2008. My first away trip and AIL debut to De La Salle Palmerston. Although we didn’t win my first experience of the bus on the way home had me hooked on senior AIL rugby. The camaraderie shown both on and off the pitch is what makes our club special to me and not to mention that memories of bus trips alone are fantastic. Later on that season was my first weekend away to Sundays Well in the old AIL Cup. We won that day and if I remember right the current coach was the star of the show off the boot.

That ’s all I can really remember as the night was cut shor t for me after my first cour t. From those early days I’ve seen players

come and go, relegations and promotions, laughter and sadness.

Some of the best memories of my life have came through playing and being involved with Malone. Nothing makes me more proud than watching my own daughter Grace, star ting out with the P1s this year and pulling on the red socks to be asked to be club captain really is the cherr y on the top.

Malone was, has and will always be a massive par t of my life and now my family ’s. I’d like to thank the committee for choosing me for the role and I’d like to thank both my mum and dad who drove me all round the countr y, but mostly sitting in A&E keeping me company.

I will do my upmost best to uphold the standards that Peita McAlister set last year as Club Captain, a bar that has been set ver y highly. Thank you for that Peita. I wish all the teams great success throughout the 22/23 season.

Five for the future

Katie-Anne McCallionCara McManusMia Ferguson

their counterparts from Connacht, Leinster and Munster.

Four for the future

Contgatulations and well done to our four Malone representatives on the Deloitte Under-18 girls team - Megan Creighton, Katie-Anne McCallion, Mia Ferguson and Cara McManus, Ulster age-grade teams are

Congatulations and well done to our five Malone epresentatives on the Deloitte Under-18 girls teamMegan Creighton, Katie-Anne McCallion, MiaFerguson, Katie McAlister and Cara McManus. Ulster age grade teams are selected from the best club and school players in the province They compete in the annual interprovincial series competitons against

selected from the best club and school players in the province. They compete in the annual interprovincial series competitons against their counterparts from Connacht, Leinster and

Jorja’s in demand

Big news this week also for former Malone player Jorja Battishill who now plays for Gloucester Har tpur y in the English Premier 15s. Jorja has been called into the England Under 20s training squad for their three training camps star tin nex t weekend, 8th Oc tober. Well done Jorja from ever yone at Malone.

The five Malone girls have all featured in the games against Leinster and Munster and the final interprovincial is on Sunday 2nd October against Connacht.

The girls trained at Portadown and Armagh this week ahead of the final game of the series at Newforge on Sunday 2nd October. Kick off is at 2pm

featured in the games against Leinster and Munster and the nal interprovincial is on Sunday 2nd October against Connacht.

The girls trained at Portadown and Armagh this week ahead of the game at ??????????

Megan Creighton

Katie Anne McCallion

Cara McManusMia Ferguson

Megan Creighton

Katie McAlister

Iam delighted to be able to welcome ever yone to Gibson Park today including Michael and the rest of the UCC Coaching team.

The first All Ireland league game is always a special one in the season and as a Senior squad we can`t wait to get it star ted at home in front of a big crowd.

The senior squad has seen several changes over the summer, and I would like to thank former Head Coach Wilbur Leacock for all his hard work in recent years at the club As a player I thoroughly enjoyed work ing under him and his suppor t for me as a new coach has been brilliant. I k now the boys miss having him, Jonny Cupid and James Stewar t about and we hope to see them down at our games soon. I would like to thank Michael and Davy and the rest of the committee for giving me the oppor tunity to lead the club I love. In my role I have quality coaches and Malone men around me in Dar yl Max well, Gareth Fr y and Gareth Millar who all have brought significant value to the group.

We have settled into the new season well with several of our new signings mak ing their debut including over 10 boys who have just left school. I t has been great to add so many young players to our squad who have all exceeded expectations which will only benefit them and the club in the future. Our early season games have included a social trip to Malahide and four tough Ulster league games including a hard fought win over Ballymena. We have used these games to give the squad oppor tunities and we have been delighted with the commitment and desire to challenge each other shown throughout the senior squad.

Congratulations to Dave Cave on his selection for 1st XV captain this season and to Gar y Crawford on his selection as Club Captain. They are two individuals who care deeply about the club and are fully deser ving of their roles.

In conclusion I would like to thank ever yone for turning out to suppor t the club today and to all our main sponsors for their continued suppor t. Please enjoy the game and join us in the clubhouse after wards.

Proud to be Malone Mini Rugby main sponsor

Malone RFC is proud to suppor t

Supporting children affected by cancer in Northern Ireland, and their families. organise balls, marathons

Children’s you

public donations and the support of our generous fundraisers.

You can help feeling

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.

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

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

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.

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.

themselves a and

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

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.

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.

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