All GAA clubs in the country know the benefit of having a proper underage structure and St Malachy's are no different as they have begun to reap the rewards.

The 2010 campaign was one of the most successful that St Malachy's has had in the history of the club and underage mentor Kieran Kirby is delighted with the way that the fruits of their labour are paying off.
The saints under-16 side conquered all before them as they won the league title to add to the club championship and the premier title, they won as Ennell Shamrocks.
Not to be out done their minor side also won the division 2 title when they defeated a fancied Garrycastle side in the decider by 3-7 to 1-7. Having defeated Rosemount in the semi final, St Malachy's/Ballinagore entered the final minus the services of two key players Aonghus Clarke and Niall Kelly, but they produced their best performance of the year to take the title.
However, pride of place must go to the club's under-16 side who conquered all before them starting with the league titles last June. Going into their last match against Tyrrellspass, the south Westmeath outfit knew that they beat their opponents by a sufficient amount of points and hope that Tubberclair could do them a favour against Mullingar Shamrocks, who the saints were tied with.
St Malachy's did what they had to do on the day and with a little help from Tubberclair, they were crowned champions and this was to set the trend for the remainder of the year.
"They're a great bunch of lads and it is great to work with them. They gave their all and they're discipline is exceptional, not once have anyone of them been sent off," said Kieran.
Next on the agenda was the premier championship and Ennell Shamrocks made it through to the final where they met Coralstown/Kinnegad in the decider.
Played in blustery conditions, Ennell Shamrocks took a commanding eight-point lead at half time, but they had to face into the wind in the second half.
Shannon Gaels looked dead and buried when Shamrocks maintained their eight-point lead midway through the second half, but the Gaels came back, but some stout hearted defending meant that Ennell Shamrock held on for a 0-15 to 0-11 win much to the delight of their large following.
This side completed the treble when they lifted the division 1 club championship title at the expense of a decent Coralstown/Kinnegad last November.
As expected given the late time of year for the fixture, the weather conditions were far from ideal, but that did not stop both sides from serving up an exciting game of football.
Kinnegad started the brighter and held a 1-4 to 1-0 goal lead by half time. Niall O'Brien scored the first of his brace to keep the side in touch.
The second half was a different affair as the red and blacks fired off 1-2 in quick succession to restore parity. The game ebbed and flowed until the final few minutes when some excellent scores by Neal Kirby and Alan Clarke helped seal the victory on a scoreline of 2-9 to 2-5.
There were great scenes of jubilation when minor board chairman John Weir presented the Cup to St Malachy's/Ballinagore captain Michael Dever.
"To win the treble was an achievement for these lads. Some of them would have won six championship titles between hurling and football last year.
"We have a strong underage structure in place and all teams would be playing in the highest grade. There would be only a panel of 20 players at most levels and injuries can play a big part in how we fair out.
"The majority of these lads would be out a few times a week between both sports with the club, schools and in some cases the county, so it leaves little time for rest."
Kieran admitted that there had been a great emphasis placed on the underage structure in recent years, while he paid tribute to the club's minor chairman and secretary.
"Matt Dever and Pat Clavin have done great work for the underage and I can't speak highly enough of them. There is a core of hard working people in the club, who have given a lot of time and dedication to the underage.
"We have a number of strong teams competing at underage again this year and hopefully we can build on last year's success, although that won't be easy," he admitted.
Since being established in 1964, St Malachy's have continuously worked to promote football in the area and down through the years they have had huge success, with the club's biggest day coming in 1981 when they were crowned senior football champions for the one and only team.
The adult team is still in the senior grade although the 2009 campaign will be one that the will be hoping to put behind them rather quickly. After just one win in the whole campaign, St Malachy's were fortunate to maintain their senior status, although they did manage to avoid a relegation play-off.
This year, former Coralstown/Kinnegad player Joe Giles has taken over from Mick Lowry as manager as they club bids to at least reach the knockout stages of the senior championship.
Off the field the club have been busy developing a training pitch, while they have also recent opened an astro turf pitch. The future looks very bright for St Malachy's, but one thing for sure is that 2009 belonged their under-16 side.
For the record, the St Malachy's/Ballinagore team and scorers that captured the under-16 club division 1 title was as follows: Eoin Quinn, Ciaran Glennon, Dean McDermott, Enda Claffey, Niall Gunning, David Lynch, Diarmuid Raleigh, Aonghus Clarke (0-1), Michael Dever, Alan Clarke (0-1), Luke Peppard, David Pidgeon, Neal Kirby (0-7, 0-4f), Niall O'Brien (2-0), Michael Heeney Subs: Frankie Deegan for Enda Claffey, Cathal Tynan for David Pidgeon, Ed Bermingham, Sean Mullarkey, Kyle Dever, Shane Clavin, Liam Varley (inj). Tweet

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