Malainn / Malin

The CLUB YEAR 2019

Our club continues to make steady progress on and off the pitch. On the back of Donegal’s recent success, the number of youngsters experiencing the fun and excitement of our national games continue to grow. We hosted many underage blitzs, parish leagues and camps to cater for our ever-increasing numbers. Our coaching academy is paying dividends with many youngsters gaining selection for various county panels; the highlight of the year was Aoife McColgan claiming her 3^rd Ulster Senior title. We were also well represented in Colaisti Inis Eoghain squads. Another poignant event in 2019 was the unveiling of the club mural and Kicking Ball Wall in memory of John McLaughlin (Rustard) on the day of the annual 5km.

After suffering relegation on the final day of the previous season, we competed in Division 3 of the ACL. Despite a poor start Malin finished tied in 2^nd place with Convoy on 22 points, but missed out on promotion on our head to head record, by a solitary point. In the SFC, we suffered a heavy defeat in our opening game in Kilcar. We fell to a 2^nd defeat at home to Termon in a game which could have gone either way. In our final group game at home to Bundoran we produced a superb first half performance but the visitors experience told near the end and they overturned the defecit. In the relegation play-off games we paid the price for a slow start against Four Masters and despite racing into a 9-point lead against Ardara they foungt back and sent us to the Intermediate championship for 2020. The reserves performed admirably in their league and continue to provide younger players with the necessary experience before making the step up to the first team.

The Under 12 girls competed in the Inishowen and ACL, giving very good accounts of themselves in every outing. The Under 14 girls had a great season and qualified for the County final but lost out to Termon. Our under 16 girls didn’t collect any silverware but produced some excellent football during the year.

The Under 8 boys had a great year, playing over 20 matches, with maximum turnout at all sessions and games. Thanks to all the coaches and parents who give their time so freely to assist. Our Under 10/11s had a successful year, competing in a large number of games in the Inishowen Go-Games along with blitzs in Ardara and Bellaghy. The Under 12s were a very committed bunch making some great improvements and were extremely competitive in all games. They lost out to Burt in the Inishowen Div 3 final. They competed in the Div 3 blitz in Convoy where our A and B sides collected silverware. The B side came from behind to defeat Convoy in their final, while the A side ousting St. Eunans in their decider.

The Under 14s has a great season going undefeated in the Inishowen league, before losing narrowly to Muff in the final. Undeterred, they went all the way to the Div 1A League final, overturning a 12-point defecit to defeat Termon in the semi, before losing out to N.Conaill. They also gave a good account of themselves in the championship and had an enjoyable day out at the Ulster final, played Scotstown on route. The Under 16s produced some excellent football throughout their Inishowen League campaign, culminating in victory over Muff in the B Final. In the County B competition, they appeared in the final, but unfortunately lost to St. Eunans. Our Minors lost out in the Inishowen semi against eventual winners Buncrana, and were beaten by just 2 points by Glenswilly in the Div 2 final.

As always our club were very active in the promotion of culture side of the GAA, where we participated in both Scor and Scor Sinsear and we were well represented in both codes. We are indebted to the likes of Grace McCarron and Mandy McLaughlin for their hard work behind the scenes ensuring that this side of the organisation continues to grow and prosper in the coming years and benefit future generations to come.

The health and well being committee for year was established in February and was launched in April when we organised a community night with local guests presenting their area of expertise to promote health and well-being. In August, we ran an informative, and very well received talk for our underage members along with their parents and coaches to cover social issues such as alcohol, drugs and mindfulness. Later in the year club officer Denise Mc Carron and some younger members from club attended the county youth matters conference in LYIT. We also ran a defibulator training and refresher course for members of our local community.

2019 ROLL OF HONOUR

UNDER 14 GIRLS County Division League Runners Up

UNDER 12 BOYS  Inishowen Div 3 Runners Up

County Div 3A Blitz Winners

County Div 3B Blitz Winners

UNDER 14 BOYS  Inishowen A Runners Up

County Div 1A League Runners Up

UNDER 16 BOYS  Inishowen B League Winners

County League B Runners Up

MINOR BOYS       County League Div 2 Runners Up