St Malachy’s was founded in 1959, though the tradition of hurling in Portadown goes back to the 1930s. A few determined men came together to build something lasting — and so our club was born.The 1960s became our most successful period, with both minor and senior county championships proudly won. On the pitch we excelled, but off it our facilities were far from glamorous. Our early clubrooms included a derelict house on River Lane in the Obins Street area, known locally as the tunnel, before we moved into an abandoned three-storey mill in Curran Street. With nothing but Tilly lamps for light, we gathered there every Friday night, counting the sixpences collected from raffling hampers across Portadown. Week after week, those men gave their time and energy to raise the funds needed to turn a dream into reality — the purchase of land we could call our own.What once seemed like “pie in the sky” became possible through their sheer persistence, Sean McCann agreed to sell the land, we secured 14 acres on the Moy Road in Selshion. In the 1970s, such an undertaking was considered madness — the cost, the location, the scale — but those visionaries pressed on. Today, what was once thought to be “the middle of nowhere” now lies within the 30mph zone, a testament to their foresight and belief in our future. None of it would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of those men who carried went door to door to sell the tickets for the hamper, Friday after Friday. Their determination paved the way not only for St Malachy’s but also set an example of vision and resilience that Armagh County Board itself has embraced, enabling the county to achieve great successes of its own.However, for St Malachys it will only help us to grow stronger, reach further, and ensure that the legacy left to us in the 1950s is carried forward for generations to come. The benefits will be felt not only on the pitch, but in the bonds of community, identity, and pride that sport fosters — proving once again that what once seemed impossible can be made real.Winners of three county titles, St Malachy’s boasts a rich and inspiring history, including back-to-back senior championships in 1966 and 1967, and three junior titles in the early 2000s. Now, on the back of our seniors winning the junior final in 2025, we reflect proudly on how far we have come.This video looks back at our earliest triumphs, featuring players who, sadly, are no longer with us. Their legacies live on through their families, and for many, seeing a parent, grandparent, brother, or uncle in action is a memory to treasure forever. As we approach our next final, we share this tribute to honour the men who built St Malachy’s and to inspire the generations who carry the club forward with pride.   
Armagh GAA.  

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