St Malachy's have worked hard to maintain their senior status since returning to the top flight in 2002, but they haven't come so close to losing it as they did in the 2010 campaign.

A relegation final win over Coralstown/Kinnegad by the narrowest of margins meant that the Castletown-Geoghegan outfit remain in the top flight for this year's campaign and club chairman Alo Geoghegan stressed to 'Maroon & White' that they don't want to find themselves in the same position this year.
Hopes were high within Malachy's that a decent run in the championship could be achieved, but the draw for the 2010 campaign was not kind to the red and blacks yet again.
"For the third year running we seemed to be placed in the tougher half of the draw and the fact that three of the teams from our group reached the semi finals this year proves that," said Alo.
"However, we were still confident that we could do well in the campaign, we have a good mix of youth and experience in the side, but it was probably a tough ask for some of the younger lads to come in and produce the goods in just their first year."
 The opening match of the campaign saw St Malachy's face Mullingar Shamrocks, one of the favourites for the title and the former were boosted by the fact that the town team were reduced to 14-men after just 20 minutes.
Nonetheless, St Malachy's were unable to use the extra man to their advantage and Shamrocks recorded a merited one-point win on a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-11.  Alan Mangan's frees kept Malachy's in the game and he kicked six points in total, all bar one from placed balls.
Castledaly were next up for Malachy's and the 2008 champions, who had won their opening match were seeking their second consecutive win as Joe Giles' charges needed a win to have any hope of reaching the knockout stages.
It wasn't to be as Castledaly were the better side on the day and ran out 2-8 to 1-5 winners. Sean Whelan scored Malachy's goal in the first half as only a point separated the sides at the break, but Castledaly pushed on to win comfortably.
Defending champions Garrycastle provided the opposition for their third outing and already the fear of a relegation battle was beginning to rare its ugly head. Despite Sean Whelan notching two goals, it was Garrycastle that came out on top by three points 0-15 to 2-6.
The last two matches against Tyrrellspass and The Downs saw Malachy's comfortably defeated in both and a place in the relegation final against Coralstown/Kinnegad awaited them.
"We were very unlucky in some of the games; especially the opening match against Shamrocks and that was a game that we probably should have won, while we also had our chances against Garrycastle. When you look at it these were the two sides that reached the county final, so you have to take the positives from that."
Despite playing almost all the second half with 14-men following the dismissal of Tommy Carey on a second yellow card, St. Malachy's ensured they would be playing in the Flanagan Cup in 2011 when they shocked Coralstown/Kinnegad in the relegation play-off.
Alan Mangan was in excellent form from placed balls and scored seven points of his side's tally while the all-action running of Joe Clarke from wing back yielded the dual star 1-1 from play.
This was a victory that was made up of sheer determination and heart and if Malachy's had displayed the same characteristics throughout the campaign, they probably wouldn't have found themselves in the position that they did.
"It was a big relief to survive that's for sure. The game could have gone either way but in fairness to the lads, they dug deep and produced a hard working performance that just saw us over the line.
"We definitely don't want to be in that position again this year and I'm fairly confident that we can progress. The younger lads that came through last year have a year's experience under their belts now and I think that will stand to them."
Alo revealed that the threat of emigration hasn't hit them too badly compared to some clubs around the country. "The only one at the moment that has left us is John Gallagher, who has had to go to London for work. Hopefully, that is all we will lose. Joe Clarke is working in London, but there's a chance he will return home for games, he is going to give it a go anyway. Joe was a major addition in the relegation final last year."
St Malachy's did pick up some silverware at adult level as their second team won the division 6 league title, while they also reached the senior B final.  At underage level, a St. Malachy's-dominated Ennell Shamrocks were crowned minor premier champions when they defeated St Loman's in the decider.
Losing influential centre back David Lynch through injury during the first half was a cruel blow to the amalgamation side, but they dug deep and Paul Fennell scored the all-important goal to seal their second ever victory at this level.
"It was great to win the minor premier championship for the second time and it's a huge boost to have some of these lads coming through to the senior team. The under-16s reached the final also, so all in all it was a decent year at underage level.
"There is huge work being done with the kids and we are fortunate to have a good group of people working with them and they deserve great credit for what they have done over the past few years."
Joe Giles is set to remain on for another year as manager and Alo feels that everything is in place for them to have a good year at both senior and underage. "I think we can certainly push on at senior and at least reach the knockout stages, we have the players to do so and the management team as well.
"At underage, we're hopeful of doing well at minor and under-16, as I said there is great work being doing at all levels, so the future is looking bright to say the least."
Off the field, the club ran a number of fundraising events that they hope to host once again in 2011. Alo admits that it is not the easiest of times to raise finance, but it is something that has to be done.
"We held a golf classic and poker classic last year as well as a clothes collection, which proved very profitable and we will be looking at doing all of those again this year. We also have started a supporters group which is €250 to join. Currently, there are 31 members in it and they are numerous different options of paying. Some give the money up front while others might pay €125 every six months or €62.50 per quarter. A monthly direct debit of €21.70 can also be set up.
"We are hoping that more members will join this year. We also have a draw the last Wednesday of every month and have a small prize for the members like a meal voucher or something like that.
"The supporters group have sponsored a set of jerseys for the club this year and they were actually worn by the second team in the senior B final. They have also given money to the underage section of the club and the local schools also." 
 
Tweet

Most Read Stories