Since the first G.A.A. Club was formed in Maghera in 1933, it has continually gone from strength to strength. All down the years the Club has had its days of glory but also sadness has had its turn, and on occasion we will remember both Club Officials and Players who have departed from this world to go to their greater reward.

Club Chairman's Address
Club Chairman, Chris Glass

On behalf of the club, I would like to thank members, both past and present, for their support and work to keep our National Games and Culture alive in the Maghera Parish.
My term as Chairman I have enjoyed, and my job was made easier with a Committee who have worked endlessly to improve our Club. A special word of thanks to the youth, both boys and girls, who have taken part not only in under-age games, but also in Irish Dancing and Scor, and last but not least, our patrons who support us, in coming to our Social Nights - without them we could not achieve what we have in these latter years, and may they always grace our Club.

Chris Glass - Club Chairman

A history of the Watty Graham Club by Eamonn Higgins

The Watty Graham club evolved from what was called the Pearse's club who's origins go back as early as 1933, when Fr Anthony Doherty among other arranged a South Derry league. The club had a difficult time in surviving but however had some special moments. They reached South Derry finals in 1944 and members such as H. McNamee, B. Bradley and M. Convery played for Derry.

The club was officially formed in 1948 and participated in the Junior league. They competed with many of the stronger clubs such as Newbridge and Lavey. In the early '50s they competed in a number of South Derry Finals and success finally came in 1953 when they defeat St. John Mullan to win the South Derry Junior Championship.

Success then eluded Glen until 1959 when they defeated the Loup in the South Derry Championship. True reward for long time servants such as Danny McKenna, Matt Reagan, Charlie Moran and Sean Conway.

In the late 50s early 60's another local club disbanded and with these players and Joe to strength. In 1964 they won the South Derry and Derry Championship beating Littlebridge and Sarfields respectively. Harry Kelly accepted the cup from Fr Seamus Shields. A young man making his debut that year was Seamus Lagan.

In 1965 both Seamus Lagan and Eamonn Small won Hogan Cup medals with St. Colm's Derry. Later on that year Seamus Lagan went on to win the All-Ireland Minor Final with Derry. The first Derry minor team to do so.

Glen repeated this feat in 1966 by beating the Loup in the South Derry final before going on to win the County Final. Glen was also promoted from division 3. Seamus Lagan was called up into the Derry Senior panel and in that same year scored 7points out of a possible 11 against Donegal, Donegal ran out winners 2-9 to 0-11.

Seamus Lagan continued on with his success with Derry by winning the U21 All-Ireland in 1968. In 1969 Glen deservedly were promoted to division 1 and in this same year Mickey Moran played for Derry minors.

Glen had little success in the seventies, a McGlinchey Cup title in 1974 and winning the Division 2 title in 1975. However in 1978 Mickey Moran was picked as an All-star replacement, in recognition of his achievements in winning back to back titles with Derry and getting to a National League Final only to get bet by a strong Dublin side. That man Seamus Lagan was involved as well, with the manager being a Glen man also Frankie Kearney.

In April 1976 Glen opened their new social club, which was to prove to be a great success. Quizzes and then Dances lead the way in entertainment followed by Bingo. The ground at Milltown was also purchased at the end of last year to provide a football pitch.

Success was not far away because in 1980 Glen won the Intermediate Championship for the first time. Men like Terence Madden, John Joe McGrath, Peter Lagan, Mickey Moran Seamus Lagan and Francie McKee were rewarded for their effort over the past years. In an exciting game they overcome Durmsurn by 0-6 to 0-3. View the Intermediate Champions '80

13th June 1982 a day to remember for the Watty Graham club, the opening of the Watty Graham Park. The opening was performed by the GAA president Mr. Paddy Buggy and the blessing performed by local priest Fr McMenamin. The center of attraction was the over 35 match in which former players had there chance once more to show their high and hard skills to the enthralled crowd. An inter-county match followed this between Derry and Armagh refereed by the club referee Murty Higgins.

Glen went on to repeat this success in 1983, but this time it was with a younger blend and a few of the experience players to show the way. Mickey Moran, Terence Madden and Francie McKee had very willing and able team of young pretender in Colin McKenna, Sean McKenna, Barry Young, Enda Gormley, Cathal Glass and Danny McMaster. Glen defeated Faughanvale in the semi-finals and then faced Drum with an experienced all-star, Peter Stevenson leading them. This did not deter Glen as ran out easy winners with Francie McKee controlling midfield and Enda Gormley and Cathal Glass taking the honours in the scoring department.

The underage teams at the beginning of the eighties were very successful at South Derry level, however this was about to change in 1984. The under 14 team managed by Donal Convery and Danny McMaster won the County title at Ballinascreen against Dungiven. The highlight of the game was a fantastic solo goal by Danny Norton and then the same player sending over a 45-meter free.

The following year ten of this team then surely achieved one of the greatest honours the club has achieved by wining the 1985 All-Ireland Ogsport title. They competed in county, provincial and All Ireland phases to come out winners. Photo of Ogsport team

In 1987 Glen won the Derry county minor title with a well-earned victory over Ballinascreen. The club had been threatening to win the title over the past two years but this team certainly delivered. Gregory McCloskey lead the side well and he backed up by Terry Bradley, Fergal McCusker and Danny Norton.

That same year the Glen Senior team with the help of the previous year's minors won the Sean Larkin Cup.

Then went on to win the Division One League.

This was the first senior county success the club achieved. This team included future county stars Damien and Fergal McCusker, Enda Gormley and Gary McGill. This was sadly the last success until 1995 when the club again won the Sean Larkin Cup.