Leinster Leader 12 September 1953
The late Mr. Frank Malone, Digby Bridge, Naas
County Kildare Gaels and the country in general will deeply regret the passing of the late Mr. Laurence F. (Frank) Malone, Digby Bridge, Naas. Deceased had been in failing health for some years past, and he died in the Naas District hospital on Wednesday of last week, to which he had been removed about two weeks previously. The third son of the late T. P. and Annie Malone, he was a member of a well-known and popular County Kildare sporting family, and was only fifty years of age.
His great football career started early – whilst a student attending the Naas Christian Brothers School – where he played with the school teams about 1917-18, having as his fellow players such as Mr. Jack Higgins, the late, the late Mr. Gavin Tyndall, and the late Mr. Jack Mitchell, Mr. P. Malone, his brother, and Mr. Gus Fitzpatrick, Mr. T. Wheeler, Mr. T. McCormack, Naas. He commenced playing with the famed Caragh team in 1920, annexing a senior championship early on. When Caragh amalgamated with Raheens in 1930 he played continuously with the team until his retirement in 1941. During this period he won senior football titles in 1934-’35-’36, playing many sterling games in the full-back position; numerous Leinster leader Cup medals also coming his way, the last being in 1941.
With the Kildare county team his favourite position was left full-back, first donning the All White jersey in 1924, and holding his place consistently until 1931, the halcyon years of Kildare football, when the Short Grass men knew no peers in the football realm, taking two All-Ireland titles, 1927 and 1928, and six Leinster Championships in succession, a feat only equaled by Wexford in the Leinster Province. During the years Frank played on the Leinster Railway Cup teams, securing a Talteann medal in 1928; his last game with the county was in 1934.
A fearless defender
Noted for his high catching and long kicking, he was a fearless defender. On one occasion, in an All-Ireland final he placed a mighty kick over the Long Stand. He travelled with the Kildare team all over the country for tournament and challenge games, and was especially popular in Kerry where his name as well as that of Jack Higgins was a household word.
Off the field of play he was as gentle as a child and his quiet, good humour, amiability and kindness made him innumerable friends amongst all classes and creeds, and in every province in Ireland. His demise at such an early age will sadden all hearts, and to his sorrowing brothers and other relatives, the deepest sympathy is extended.
The funeral
The remains were removed from the District Hospital to Caragh parish Church on Wednesday evening of last week, where they were received by Rev. Father M. Mimnagh, C.C., Prosperous. Old comrades of All-Ireland days, Jack Higgins, Matty Goff, “Gus” Fitzpatrick, Joe Curtis, Wm. Mangan, Dan Ryan, Chr. Higgins and tom Wheeler, carried the coffin into the Church. There was a huge concourse of mourners and sympathizers at the interment in the adjoining cemetery on Thursday morning, following Requiem Mass.
Rev. G. Phelan, C.C., Kilkenny, cousin of the deceased, officiated at the Mass, and recited the last prayers at the graveside.
The chief mourners were: Edward, Patrick and Matthew Malone (brothers); Marjorie, Anne, Thomas and Sheila Malone (nieces and nephew), Rev. G. Phelan, C.C., Kilkenny; H. Farrell, Ballinagappa; Edward, Mary, Katherine and Anne Malone (cousins); the Dunne family (Ballysize); the Coffey family, Caragh; Mr. L. V. Malone, Rhode; Mr. Wm. Reddy, Rhode; the Robinson family, Caragh; Miss Robinson, Urlingford; Mrs. P. Malone, Mrs. Farrell (relatives).
Those in attendance included Mr. Thomas Harris, T.D., Mr. Liam Geraghty, Chairman of the Kildare Co. Board; Mr. T. P. Clarke, Co. Secretary; Mr. Tommy Kelly, Kilcock; Mr. Mick Buckley, Mr. M. Connor, Mr. T. Lawler.