Former players from Malahide United are making their mark both here and in England showing how the great coaching at the club has been a huge success. The club truly is the home of Football in North County Dublin with 1,200 footballers playing on 55 teams and in two academies. Based in Gannon Park, one of the finest facilities in Ireland. This month we feature some former players who are really heading for the top in their respective leagues both in this country and in the English Leagues.

Firstly we say congratulations to Conor Grant who made his first league start for Rochdale AFC in their League 1 game against Northampton Town on February 23 last. Conor made the switch from Sheffield Wednesday on deadline day this year. The game ended in a nil all draw with Conor contributing greatly to his teams performance which should ensure lots more starts for him soon with his new club.

Next Everyone at Malahide United would like to wish Darren Craven the very best of luck as he embarks on League of Ireland life with Bray Wanderers. Darren has been with the club from Nippers right the way through to Seniors and was captain as we won the Leinster Senior League for a historic first time. Darren has also been capped at Junior level for FA Ireland over the last few seasons. Bray are getting one hell of a player and an even better man. All the best Skip.

Fingal County Council was delighted to be informed this week that Malahide Cricket Club in Fingal will be hosting four matches in the forthcoming tour of Ireland by Cricket South Africa.Fielding one of the world’s best cricket teams including the world’s fastest international century-maker David Miller, South Africa will be returning to Fingal and Ireland, for the first time in fourteen years from July 11th to 20th 2021, as both teams seek to secure the qualifying points for the Cricket World Cup to be held in India in 2023.The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr David Healy was delighted to welcome the news of the South African tour adding: “This is a tremendous boost for Fingal. It shows yet again, that if we can work together to defeat this virus now, we can look forward to world-class sport in our local community in July.”South African cricket has strong links with Fingal as some of our leading Transition Year (TY) cricket students were able, thanks to our Fingal County Council Development Manager, Brian O’Rourke’s work in conjunction with Cricket Leinster, to have the privilege of educational placements at some of South African’s leading schools, such as Glenwood High School, Durban & St Stithians in Johannesburg.Brian O’Rourke welcomed the news of the tour: “Another exciting cricket opportunity for Fingal, one that I hope that will feature local cricketers, and TY graduates playing for our country against some of the world’s best cricketers.”He further added his hope that the community can be engaged in the fixtures: “I hope that just as in 2018 when Pakistan played the historic first Test match in Ireland at Malahide CC, Covid-19 restrictions will have eased, to allow not only spectators but local school cricketers able to attend special coaching opportunities, which did so much to help inspire the young cricketers in Fingal.”Margaret Geraghty, Director of Housing and Community Development for Fingal County Council sent the council’s fullest support for the tour, and for Malahide CC’s selection to host: “Congratulations to Malahide CC, a club that has worked tirelessly during the pandemic to help support its local community, on being selected to host such prestigious fixtures in July. We hope that the matches are not only a success on the field for Ireland, but for you as a club off the field, in showcasing all of the excellence you have now to host such world-class teams here in Fingal.”Cricket Ireland will continue to work with Cricket South Africa, Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland, and the Sports Expert Group to ensure all fixtures comply with the COVID-19 protocols in place, so all details are subject to change but let uus hope that will not happen.
Ireland v South Africa series - * Matches form part of the ICC World Cup Super League
11 July: Ireland v South Africa, * 1st ODI, 13 July: Ireland v South Africa, * 2nd ODI, 16 July: Ireland v South Africa, * 3rd ODI , 20 July: Ireland v South Africa, 1st T20I
Matches form part of the ICC World Cup Super League with all games played in Malahide