e-mail info@malachiansfc.com

Recent messages posted to the website are produced below:

25th August 2010

25th August 2010

"Great website ! Just discovered the site. get some 70s stuff on! Gerry Mc Kenna remembers those days! Didnt know Joe Briers parted with money!"

Frankie Caldwell.

Spill the beans Frankie and send us the photos !!!

29th July 2010

"I reckon he would be in the region of 60 and I should know as I was there on Saturday night at the Duke of York when someone asked as they took a photo of Gerry and I "ARE YOU HIS SON?" Happy birthday da!"

Your new son Noel...

26th April 2010

Greetings from a football fan in Munich/Bavaria-Wolfi Schmid

" Hello football friends in Belfast, many greetings from a football fan in Munich (TSV 1860 München). My year of birth is also 1963 and I wish your teams good luck and much success for the rest of the season. I`m always looking for nice e-mail contacts with british and irish amateur clubs and I would be glad, if you could answer me".
Wolfi Schmid

Who is for an end of season trip for some real beer in Bavaria ? Wolfi it's your round !

18th Feb. 2010

"I would just like to wish Micky McKay, Harry Magee and Gerry Adams all the best for the future in whatever they decide to do. They have been great servants to the club for many years and therefore will be badly missed. Also I would like to wish good luck to the players who have left over the past week and I hope we will see them back at the club some time in the future."

Allister Matthews

22nd Jan. 2010

"Can someone PLEASE EXPLAIN how King and McCoy, "the paint pot men," got into the team photo outside Pat's Bar ? Was the bar shut, and does poor Dermy have a hangover that early ? All the best"

Paddy in Chicago

27th Nov.2009

"Is it just me or does Mickey Smyth look like Mahoney outta Police Academy ???? (Just admit it Mickey your Hightower’s bitch)"

Conor ex-Mals Matthews

24th Nov.2009

HISTORICAL TIDBITS
 "Hysterical... Maybe!"
 The next time you are washing your hands and complain
  because the water temperature isn't just how you like
 it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts
  about the 1500s:
 
 They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families
  used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken
  & sold to the tannery.........if you had to do this to
  survive you were "Piss Poor"

 But worse than that were the really poor  folk who
  couldn't even afford to buy a pot...........they
  "didn't have a pot to piss in" and were the lowest of the low.
 
 Most people got married in June because they took their
  yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by
  June. However, since they were starting to smell . .. .
  Brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor.
 Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married

 Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man
of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then
all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the
children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so
dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath
water!"

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no
wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get
warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs)
lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and
sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof.
Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
 
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed.Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.
 

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other
than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added
more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all
start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the
entrance-way. Hence: a thresh hold.
 
 (Getting quite an education, aren't you?)
 

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big
kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit
the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly
vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the
stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold
overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.
 

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feelquite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.
 
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
 

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the
burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and
guests got the top, or the upper crust.
 

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitche table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a  wake.
 
England is old and small and the local folks started
running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up
coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would  tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone  could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer...
 
Now, whoever said History was boring ! ! !
So . . . get out there and educate someone! ~~~ Share these facts with a friend like I just did! ! !

Dermot McCoy

Dermot, you've got too much time on your hands mate !

27th Oct.2009

"His Armband proved he was a red, Torres Torres…. You’ll never walk alone it said Torres, Torres…… We signed the kid from sunny Spain, just give him the ball and he scores again……Fernando Torres, Liverpools number 9! "

Peter Corr

Al I think this one's for you !

29th July 2009

"Hi all the boys at the Mals I would just like to say thank you for all the crack I had at the club. I am leaving this year to go back to my old stomping ground of St Pats Young Men. Good luck for the new season.   Warm Regards "  

Conor Matthews

Thanks for the message Conor. Good luck for the season . You're welcome back anytime

18th July 2009

"Well lads hope pre season is going well and all is good over there,good luck for the start of the season. I'll be back at the end of September, up the Mals !!!"

Fisher McVeigh

9th July 2009

"Hi Oul Fashion and Kevin,

I have been meaning to send an email for ages now.  So apologies for that.  I have bumped into Gerry, Jim K, Vinty and Larry on many occasions and always good to have quick chat.  I have been following results every Tues in the D Mirror and visiting the website for ages now.  It is great to see not only Mals but Newington too doing so well (credit where credit due!!).  Just shows what talent there is in North Belfast (apart from myself!!)

I had a great 3 years with Mals and like most people when stop playing miss the craic.  I was never one for watching matches and now play golf most of my spare time.

 It’s great to see the pics of old faces that were playing when I was there and seeing that people like Beansy still catching up.  I wish the club every success for the future and many more trophies.  Well done to the 2nds.3 WMs on the trot…..incredible. 

Congratulations on building a great website.  What a time to be involved with the club!!  Hopefully be at a match sometime. All the best" 

Cookie

7th June 2009

"Amateur League AGM this Tuesday followed by presentation of trophies. AGM will decide on the ground sharing issue for 2009/10."

Gerry McKenna

4th June 2009

"Got to say well said Uncle Ali ! Typical Liverpool fans! Cant believe no Celtic fans are taking a dig as well. In saying that Kingso is almost 50 now. He has been trying to defend them for so many years now and knows there is no hope of taking on the Super Reds."   Big C

29th May 2009

"Why are Liverpool fans so excited about Barca winning is it because their own team have won nothing for 3 years,get a life lads and support your own team ? "

Allister Matthews

29th May 2009

DEJECTED MAN UTD FANS MAKE THE LONG JOURNEY HOME

It was a very special trip for all United's army of Audrey Hepburn fans

"Carrying nothing more than some truffle oil, a tin of Calabrian tuna and a bottle of really lovely Tuscan red, the United fans said if it wasn't for the glorious detail in the Trevi Fountain the whole trip would have been a total disaster.

Godalming based-supporter Julian Cook said: "I've been a die-hard fan since they started winning things, so I was terribly miffed at the end.

"But then we came across this gorgeous little trattoria just off the Via Della Vicenza that did the most exquisite Asparago di Veneto. I felt like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday."

But Martin Bishop, from Dorking, accused champions Barcelona of cheating. "They kept hanging on to the ball and wouldn't give it back. It was just so blatant."

He added: "I was really very angry at the time, but then I thought of all that wonderful Catalan architecture and found it within myself to forgive them."

Uefa president Michel Platini hailed the game as, 'a triumph for the sponsors, hospitality suites, television residual broadcast revenue and, to some extent, Barcelona'.

Meanwhile the Catalan club made history by fielding the first Champion's League winner grown from a petri dish.

Barca coach Ian Guardiola, said: "When he came to us as boy, Messi was no bigger than my thumb. But bathing him daily in monkey brain growth serum grew him into the unstoppable dwarf he is today."

Gerry McKenna

I was expecting a response from you Liverpool fans a bit sooner......and not so deep !!!!!

13th May 2009

"Congrats to everyone involved in the Walter Moore Success - 3 in a row is quite a record. Hard luck in the Clarence Cup (I know the feeling !) but well done in getting there.
Good to see old hands from my time now in management. Good luck to Artie, Frankie, Mickey and Gerry A. 
Congrats also on the website - It's great to see all the old faces
Keep me in mind for any reunions and best wishes for next season
Cheers"
John Hynds
(Manager Malachians FC 1996 - 1999)
Co.Armagh

Great to hear from you Beansy, welcome at the Stadium of Sand or the Chester any Sat !

8th May 2009

" Great pictures of Walter Moore Cup final allied to colourful and balanced match report. Well done."

Gerry McKenna

8th May 2009

"Just like to say well done to all the lads on winning the Walter Moore for the third year running that has to be a record "

Big C

14th April 2009

"Knockbreda Parish were paying instead of praying , c'mon the wee Mals! " Dermot

13th April 2009

"Sincere condolences to the family of young Andrew . I was there that day the picture was taken and could not believe it when Bill Bannon told me that young Andrew was sick. He was so full of life and spirit . I seen him a few times after that at the games and I'll never forget that cheeky grin."
Forever young .
McVeigh Family
Short Strand.

9th April 2009

"What’s this I am hearing about Micky Devine trying to touch for a few guys while playing a football match for the super Shams I heard through the grapevine he was putting some lovely deodorant on before a game. You smelt lovely Mick !  P.S fisher take notice you should smell your arms in your wee john west’s (vests) your arms arent that big "

16th February 2009

"Is it just me or does Turner Love Himself ?  I thought it was McCourt that was the club's Jude Law but hands down it goes to THE TURN DOG.   I say there should be an award dedicated to Turner.   Namely   The Hollywood Award!!   Regards   Turner the TUBE"

9th December

"Thanks 4 that Dermie good 2 see your finally on the "world wide web" next you'll be getting a GPS system for the taxi, Kingso still playin?? fair play 2 the chicken legs, Simba gone but not forgotten?? have a great Christmas and new year"              

Paddy O'Kane in Chicago 

7th December

"To all ex- Mals who won't be home for Christmas, especially Paddy O'Kane in Chicago, Big Jimmy Black in the Peoples Republic of Cork and Neesy Adair you're a Legend!

Nollaig Shona Daoibh...... Thats 'Happy Christmas' Neesy! " 

From Dermie

19th October
"Big Nixi in Little Italy. Good to see an ex-Mals assistant manager supporting our newest sponsor or did he get a job as a bouncer?"
Danny Shiels

10th October
Answers so far to the picture quiz

What was Jackie saying to Frankie in the rain at Foundry that was so funny ?

"Jesus Frankie your losing your hair fast look at that rain running down your head Dont worry I will buy you one of maury's wigs they dont come off "........" At least I dont use just for men"
Conor Magill

9th October
(A message sent to all users of St Malachy's Sports Facilities)
"Subject: St. Malachy's College Pictch/Sports Hall Facilities Reminders
Dear User,
As an ongoing process, the committee at St. Malachy's College regularly meet
with local residents groups. Recently we met with the Lincoln Avenue
Residents Group. As a result of this meeting a few issues have been raised regarding the use of the pitch and sports hall facilities at the college. We would appreciate if you could take these issues on board and bare them in mind on each occasion that you or your group use the facilities.

       Speed - The area in and around the school is a very populated area
and therefore small children may be around. We would ask that speed be kept
to a minimum along :-(incoln Avenue and within the school grounds.

      Noise levels - As the facilities are open to 10pm each night, we
would ask that noise, both entering and leaving the College grounds, be kept
to a minimum to ensure that the residents are not disturbed unnecessarily.

      Litter - Please ensure that if you/group have any litter, that it
is disposed of appropriately in the bins provided around the site. Please do
not use the street.

Although the facilities are in place for the enjoyment of the users, the
residents will contact the PSNI with details of any person(s) leaving St.
Malachy's College who do not adhere to the above. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind users of a few rules that apply to the use of the facilities.
1. The pitch supervisors must be respected at all times. Any user found
to be verbally abusing the supervisors, may be putting their slot at risk.
2. All users must not be on site any sooner than 15 minutes before
their slot commences. This is to help with traffic congestion and health and
safety.
3. All users are asked that they respect other users' property. Any
deliberate events will result in the loss of your slot.(For example
deliberately kicking a football into the car park - This is quite simplistic
but it has happened on a few occasions).
4. All users are reminded that they and/or your group should remain
outside the gates of the facility (in case of the pitch) or outside the door
(in case of sports hall) until the time your slot commences.
These rules were outlined in the 'conditions of use' document which you
signed upon application for use of the facility and this email is merely a
reminder of that information. Any comments on the facilities, positive or negative should be directed to me, Barry McNicholl
bmcnicholl781@stmalachys.belfast.ni.sch.uk'bmcnicholl781@stmalachys.belfast.ni.sch.uk.
Thank you for your time and I hope to be in touch soon.
Regards
Barry McNicholl
Facilities Coordinator"

6th October
" Come on the Mals ! Good luck from Cork City to your club. Tell Harry Magee, that I hope Celtic stuff Man U but Liverpool will win Champions League. Well done on the site & good luck with the rest of your season.
Slan a chairde,
Colum Radford."

25th September
"Hello, Mr. Shiels:   Over here in BC, Canada I have just chanced upon your club website's page about the Chimkhola Village fundraiser.   It's an odd coincidence because my local Rotary club on Vancouver Island, BC has only just started working on a joint project with another small Rotary club in Pokhara, Nepal to raise some funds for the Chimkola Village School! We are assessing the needs - Rotary won't fund any building construction, but most other things we can cover.   Anyway, I will be there in spirit on Oct 12 as you all hike up the Cave Hill - back in the Sixties I went to school in Belfast, and before that I grew up partly in the village of Ballykelly, Co. Derry, N. Ireland. I am now a lawyer on Vancouver Island.   We are working with the Nepal Education Fund (NEF), a small charity based here, whose founder (Susan Marshall) travels to Nepal on a regular basis. She will be actually there in later October for a couple of weeks, partly in Chimkola. She says she has heard out there of an Irishman who married a local lady in the Chimkola area. I presume that would be Ian Brown!   Susan's Nepal blog is at http://www.nepaleducationfund.blogspot.com/"
Joe Simpson, Canada

8th September
"That looks like Fisher McVeigh in the photo, he had a caravan on our site in Minerstown, he used to change his team every year. he hasnt got any bigger."
Marty Walsh- retired Mals player.
Spot on Marty, welcome at the Stadium of Sand any Saturday

8th September
" Has to be Fisher! Cant believe it. No self respecting Liverpool man would wear the kit of the present European and English champions, but maybe he is a closet Man Utd fan!"
Al Matthews

5th September
"With all this rain and bad luck to players (eamon and bucko) here's something to cheer all the Mals up. x marks the spot of a real die hard liverpool fan,attired in a man utd kit at the utd school of excellence. Walk on .... walk on !   See if anyone can guess who it is ."
 Current first team player , photo sent in by his da !!!!

5th September
"Could you pass these on to Harry Magee - I'll know he will be jealous!! Thanks and good luck for the season ahead. Best regards"
Joe McBride

10th August 2008
"Congratulations to Vinty McGovern on having the interior of his home fixed and up graded by a qualified painting and taxi contractor. I hear the contractor before him has a speciality in kerbs and defacing walls and buses ! Good luck 4 the forth coming season "
Paddy O'Kane Chicago

7th April 2008
"Just a word from myself, to say thanks for remarking on our forum about the match report. I try to be as honest as I can when doing them and I must say the report on your site is just as fair, albeit ,a bit more indepth! Good luck in your 2 finals from all at Rathfern Rangers! "
Ryan McCartney Committee member

29th March 2008
"That King can ramble on seriously [i wonder where he gets it from? take your pick] he mentioned Ennis well thats my kind of town,seeing as I'm now married to a Clare woman. I'm in Kingso, it really is the best ! You could find yourself with a whale or get shaved up in one of the rooms by a Kerry bird as Goodall looks on, no sleep allowed ! Tiocfy Paddy in Chicago. P.S. Good luck in the Junior Shield final [not another medal for Simba man !] " Paddy O'Kane Chicago

21st January 2008
"A/noon Kevin, Very impressed with your website. Keep up the good work!"
Seamus Heath Grassroots Development Officer

30th November 2007
Hi lads, I have just been browsing through the Mals website, very impressive. Looking at the picture from May 1996 from the Star Soccer, I am on the back row, far right - Neeson Adair. What a team! - Big Duff, Jim, Simba, Geordie, Ciaran, Tucker, Kingso, Artie, McCrystal, Briarso (is that how you spell his nickname?!!) wee Patrick, Colm. WWW - did he ever get his eyes tested, is he still doing goals?! Gerry Adams!! I enjoyed going home after a match and telling my mates that the goal I scored that day was set up by Gerry Adams!! How could I forget Dermot McCoy what a gangster!!!!! And a good team management that year, I really enjoyed working with Gerry Goodall and Jim Robinson. Winners of the League and making it to the 1st round proper of the Irish Cup. One of my best memories was going in for a 50 -50 tackle and bursting the ball!!! THE best team I ever played for and the most hospitable bunch I ever socialised with! Best wishes to the new management team, regards to all the committee who made me feel very welcome and of course best wishes and more success to the Mals. Neeson Adair - no longer playing, it is any wonder as I am married with 5 kids!!