Malachy Doyle – A Study in Determination

At an early age, it was determined Millis’ Malachy Doyle was diagnosed with high arches in his feet, and while there were other issues that led his parents to believe there was a delay in his physical coordination, it was the muscle issue, which was displayed in the form of high arches, that became apparent. Having a high arch puts an excessive amount of weight on the ball and heel of the foot causing pain and instability and can possibly lead to ankle sprains. Being unable to absorb the shock of the heel striking creates an abnormal stress of the soft tissue of the foot and lower leg.
Although having high arches may have caused Doyle some pain it didn’t stop him from participating in sports.
“I may run a little awkwardly and slower than others, but it doesn’t really bother me all that much,” Doyle said. “It may have been a little tough, but nothing really life changing.”
Growing up, the Millis native took part in soccer, basketball, baseball while also becoming an excellent swimmer, but all that changed once he got into high school. The year prior to entering the high school, he played soccer on the middle school team, became a junior varsity soccer player his freshman and sophomore campaigns and finally earned his spot on the varsity team his last two seasons for the Mohawks. While he was a member of the soccer team, the Mohawks excelled on the field both seasons while making the tournament. As a sophomore, he also ventured onto the volleyball court for three years.
“Malachy is a real role player and may be an underdog, but is an outstanding young man,” Millis Athletic Director Chuck Grant said. “His physical challenge has not kept him from playing both soccer and volleyball; he also has an incredible work ethic.”
Having played soccer since he was a mere three-years old, Doyle noted it is his favorite sport to take part in and right from the start, he has been playing goalie.
“He’s a phenomenal kid who does whatever is asked of him,” Millis Soccer Coach Jason O’Brien said. “Over the two years I’ve had him on the team, anytime that I ask him to do. Anything, I always get the same answer (Yes, Coach), and then he goes out and does it.”
Occasionally Doyle has gotten a chance to play midfield, but would much rather use his talents to play keeper for the team. In fact, this past season, he was able to post his first-ever shutout.
“It was a great feeling not allowing Bellingham to score,” he said. “When I’m playing goal, I just try to think ahead what the shooter is going to do and position myself and then use my timing to my advantage.”
Looking for something else to do once the soccer season was done, Doyle joined some friends and tried out for the volleyball team.
“I was looking to pick up another sport. I had some friends playing volleyball so decided to give it a try and found that I liked it,” Doyle said. “It’s a lot more of a technical game instead of one of endurance, which benefits my ability. The only difficulty I have is jumping, so I play the backrow (serving and passing).”
Doyle tried out for the volleyball team as a freshman, but didn’t make the team. Instead, he was offered a practice position that season. The following year, he had improved enough to earn a spot on the junior varsity team and as a junior was once of the team’s captains. This past year, he was elevated to the varsity squad as a defensive specialist.
“When I originally cut him, I told him that volleyball was a game played above the net and he just was not ready. He needed to be able to take his game to the next level and jump more like his counterparts,” Millis Volleyball Coach Jay Guinan said. “This is a quality program (Over the past 4 years Millis has gone an impressive 62-11 during the regular season, was awarded a number one seed in the tournament and advanced all the way to the Championship game) in which there are no breaks given; we need top notch players to compete. Mal fought through his impairment, works extremely hard and finally earned his playing time with the varsity squad without a doubt.”
Although his volleyball and soccer career on the high school level has come to an end successfully, Doyle will leave Millis for Bentley College come the fall, and while he won’t be playing collegiate athletics, he may eventually play intramural soccer. Having been able to participate on the Millis volleyball and soccer teams Doyle found an appreciation for the camaraderie and support of his teammates and coaches in addition to all that sports taught him.