The latest installment in our section devoted to promoting every club in Ulster – this time its Malone and this short review with a link to their website will also stay in our club features section indefinitely.
MALONE
Malone Football Club was founded in 1892 by residents of Malone Park, Belfast. From this beginning, with thirteen playing and a dozen non-playing members, the Club has grown to one of the largest and most successful Clubs in Irish Rugby.
After two successive Junior League wins, the Club was granted Senior status in 1896 and played its first game at this level against Collegians, losing, but acquitting themselves very well for a newly promoted club. Our first Dublin fixture, against Monkstown followed on 27th December, 1897 and in 1903 we first played against cross-channel opposition when we hosted the Furness Club.
In 1932 the club changed its name to Malone Rugby Football Club and in 1935, having been itinerant since its formation, gained a permanent home when we rented Gibson Park, which we then purchased in 1953. Our ‘new’ brick pavilion was built in 1967, and with several additions it continues to provide first class facilities.
Over the Club’s 105 years, its members have achieved many successes, both on and off the field. Over 50 Ulster League and Cup wins at all levels and at the top, twenty two Malone men have represented Ireland in full internationals, five in A or B matches, two at Under 25, five at Schools, one at Under 21 and one represented Scotland B; over 200 caps between them.
Also we have had six British Lions, seven IRFU or SRU tourists and eight Barbarians.
On the administration side Malone has provided six Presidents of the IRFU and fourteen Presidents of the Ulster Branch; and the memory of some of our illustrious members lives on in the Harden, McCrea and Crawford Cups.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SUPERB MALONE RUGBY CLUB WEBSITE INCLUDING YOUTH, LADIES, SENIOR MEN With Pictures, Video Clips & MORE
MESSAGE FORM CLUB PRESIDENT
I am Delighted on behalf of Malone RFC to welcome you to our website,
I am honoured to be president of the club for the 2011-2012 season and am also very excited about the forthcoming season both on and off the pitch. Firstly I would like to welcome back to Gibson Park Jacques Benade and congratulate him on some very exciting recruitment. I am extremely lucky this year to be supported by The Lady President Jenny Barbour and also SVP Curly Coulter and I look forward to working with both. Finally I wish the best of luck to all our teams from the Mini’s through to the senior teams and look forward to sharing some time with you all.
Gary Quantrill | President | Malone RFC 2011-2012
