St Malachy's Primary School

I was appointed to St. Malachy’s Primary School in June 1975 and began teaching here in September of that year. During the 76/77 school year Mr. Stephen Keenan (then Principal) was keen to have the school involved in competitions and asked me to prepare a side for the Down nine-a-side school competition. Mr. Keenan had played for Kilcoo and had told many stories about the teams he had played with so I was well immersed in the culture of the club and now welcomed the challenge. I began preparing the team in March 1977 and we won all our League games and played in our first schools’ final in June ’77. We lost this match to Maghermayo but felt we had learned a lot from it. This could be used to improve our efforts next time round.

Our chance to test ourselves came the following year when we won our way through to the final again in June 1978.

This final was in Newcastle and we emerged as winners. This was to be the first of many titles that we would win over the next twenty eight years. During these years we reached the finals on eighteen occasions and won fifteen of these including three in a row from 1994 to 1996 and 2003 to 2005. The table below outlines the pupils’ achievements from 1977 to 2006.

We have compiled these records as accurately as possible but are unsure of some details.

Kilcoo - Down 9 Aside Champions 1990

St. Malachy’s P.S. Kilcoo defeated St. Joseph’s. Carnacaville in the 9-a-side Football Final at Castlewellan. These young players gave a great display of teamwork, skills and good tactical play. Both goal keepers are to be commended for good kick-outs which set up much of the fast play. Good, safe defensive skills were shown by both sets of backs and with forwards always looking for open spaces this defensive work required great tenacity. Midfielders showed great skill both in their defensive and offensive play. Kilcoo midfielders scoring four goals and three points between them and they were ably assisted by fast moving and accurate forwards Carnacaville played with great determination and courage, which was evident right up to the final whistle but the St. Malachy’s boys, with pin point accuracy emerged as 9-a-side Champions for 1990. This display of clean, sporting skilful football from both teams brought great credit to all who were involved.

Published in Rathfriland Outlook

Sam Maguire Visits the Classes

Early in January 2000 in St Malachy’s Primary School they began their Millennium celebrations with a fun day, where everyone dressed in red and black, and presentations were made to two members of the winning Minor squad, namely Gary O’Hare and Chris Brannigan, who had attended the school.

Apart from the Down nine-a-side League we also began to compete in other competitions. Since its inception we have taken part in the annual Conor McConville Memorial Cup competition. We won this trophy on several occasions.

I.N.T.O.

In 2004/2005 we took part in the INTO 7-a-side tournament.and we won the Down final that year. Two boys, Darryl Branagan and Stephan Quinn represented the School at the half time mini- sevens in Croke Park on the All Ireland semi-final day.

CAMOGIE

For most of these years the girls competed in the Schools Netball League, but over the past three years we have endeavoured to raise the profile of camogie in the school and we hope to begin to take part in competitions over the years ahead. It is our aim to raise the camogie profile to match the boys’ achievements in football.

N-COMPASS

As part of our N-Compass programme (05/06) we were able to host our link school – Knocktemple N.S., Cavan to an afternoon of gaelic activities in the field. Kilcoo club were able to provide facilities and coaches for the various activities. This was a memorable and enjoyable afternoon for all the boys and girls of both schools.

GLEN EMMETT’S

In January/February ’06 the P6 pupils and their teacher from St. Patrick’s Maghera, Co. Derry organised an Ulster Championship Blitz for P6 pupils. The Blitz took place on Saturday 6 May and all nine counties were represented. We at St. Malachy’s were chosen to represent Down , as the current 9-a-side league Champions. We came third and this was indeed a great achievement given that the P6 children from southern counties were a year older than our pupils, and that we adhered to the one girl (at least) on the field for all the games

THANKS

I am extremely grateful to the staff in the school who facilitate the development of these sports. I am also indebted to Kilcoo Owen Roes who have supported us and who have ensured that we always have resources and facilities to hand when needed.

Seamus Murphy Principal