Reflecting back on my first full season, I do so with a great deal of pride. There were high and low points but I believe we are striving towards our aim of building a strong team with the ability to challenge for silverware.

Firstly Frankie Donnelly, who is Malachians through and through, came on board as my right-hand man. His ability to work with the players and his knowledge of the game have been a vital asset to the team this season. Thanks for all your hard work Frankie.

We began the year by changing our training regime and recruited Jackie Mc Manus to oversee all areas of fitness. I'm sure everyone would agree that his vast experience and committment in improving player fitness has been very successful.

We had a great run at the start of the season where we remained in the top three going into the second half of the season. However a few bad results were then to follow, due to several long term injuries and some commitment issues, but we pulled it together to finish in a respectable sixth place in the table and had a great run in the Clarence Cup where we reached the semi-final stages.

Overall it has been a good season for all our teams especially the second team who finished runners-up in 3A and brought home the Walter Moore Cup for the third year running. Well done lads!

I would like to thank all the players, coaches, committee members and supporters for all their efforts throughout the season. Everybody enjoy the break because we will be back early next season and raring to go for pre-season training. Up the Mals!

Artie McAlea