Malone deserves ‘legend’ accolade for superb service
WEXFORD’S BRIAN Malone is among the modern day greats when it comes to service to Gaelic football. When Wexford step out for their Allianz League Division 4 game against Limerick on Sunday, the Shelmaliers clubman will be racking up his 167th appearance in the purple and gold, quite a remarkable achievement by any standard.
Born on May 2, 1986, Malone made his debut against Monaghan in the 2006 All-Ireland qualifiers and has been an ever-present in the Wexford set-up through the intervening years, having played under numerous managers.
A teacher in St. Peter’s College in Wexford town, having previously taught in Blackrock College, he has been playing at the top level for both club and county for more than a decade, winning Senior hurling and football medals with his beloved Shelmaliers.
The words ‘legend’ or ‘great’ have been regularly used to describe sporting achievements, more so with those playing at the highest level. However, to achieve such a hallmark distinction when most of your football is played down in the lower reaches of the game is an even more astounding achievement, with Malone certainly deserving of that ‘legend’ accolade.
With the National League now heading for the knockout stages, one regularly reads of the achievements of big-named players, particularly those from the likes of Dublin, Kerry, Galway and Tyrone, but seldom is there a mention of those players who shine brightly down in the lower divisions and who give similar huge commitment to their county.
For me, what Malone has achieved is a stunning piece of history. Taking everything into account, it’s easy to attend those harrowing training sessions when playing in the top flight, always aiming towards provincial and national glory, and with your county continually in the spotlight.
Think of a county such as Wexford by comparison. Take 2019 as an example when losing out to sides like London and Waterford.
It would have been easy for a player such as Malone just to walk away, satisfied that he had given his best years to the Wexford football cause. But having shown leadership throughout his career, he led by example and remained in the fold, playing through what had become a real vacuum in Wexford football.
Malone, who will be 34 in May, has beaten the record set by another footballing legend, Colm Morris.
When many expected him to call it a day at inter-county to finish out his playing career with his club, Malone has become an integral part of Paul Galvin’s rebuilding process, which will take him on the journey to Limerick this weekend.
What makes Malone even more special is that he is a dual player, having helped Shelmaliers to Senior hurling glory along with a Senior football title. He is a player who never hogs the limelight, but whose dedication to his sport is an example for all young players to follow.
While it’s the big boys who hog the limelight, it’s a sad indictment of the G.A.A. as a whole that Malone, with a lesser football county, stands little chance of provincial or All-Ireland glory, and is not recognised at national level.
Malone is what a G.A.A. legend should be. He has set the example through the lower reaches of inter-county football, with such an accomplishment deserving of recognition within the top echelons of the G.A.A.
Just an aside: I read with interest on Saturday the article by Martin Breheny in the ‘Irish Independent’ headed ‘10 Counties Suffer Decade of Decline’ which included Wexford.
His analysis of Wexford read like this: ‘Wexford started the last decade by taking Dublin to extra-time in the 2010 Leinster championship. All-Ireland semi-finalists in 2008, they reached the Division 1 league final in 2005. They reached the 2011 Leinster final losing to Dublin by just four points. A year later in the Leinster semi-final they again came within four points of Dublin, the reigning All-Ireland champions.
‘Contrast that with the last five years, during which Wexford haven’t won a single Leinster championship game and only two qualifiers. They have had an average ranking of 27 (out of 32) in the three most recent leagues.’
Such a record makes Malone’s achievements all the more laudable.