The 2008 season commenced with the AGM in February. This meeting saw Collie O'Hara installed as the new Glen Chairman with the long serving Aine Bradley continuing as secretary, along with a host of other hard working committee members ready for the challenges that lay ahead. As with every GAA club, a very important aspect is fundraising. The main fundraiser within Glen continues to be the very successful lotto and bingo and all the Glen members are indebted to the hard work of the Lotto sub committee. Watty Grahams also had some other very successful fundraising events, most notably the Golf Classic, Club Glen, frequent quizzes, Christmas night disco and the ever popular 'Strictly Irish Dancing'. The successful fundraising enabled the new pitch to be officially opened in May. Fencing around the main pitch was completed as well as the refurbishment of the playing surface, which should mean that Glen will be well placed to host some of Derry's National League games in 2009. A new fitness suite was also installed at the pitch, which will help player development. Glen is now in the enviable position of having two top class playing pitches, as well as a floodlit training pitch. Plans are in progress to further develop facilities at Watty Graham Park, most notably floodlighting on the main pitch which should further enhance Glen's reputation as one of the leading GAA facilities in Ulster. To mark the 60thanniversary of the formation of Watty Grahams GAC, a mural which depicts football, Camogie, Scor, Irish Dancing and the local countryside was unveiled by a proud Club Trustee Jim McGuigan. On the playing field, the extensive effort put into the underage structures by Irish News Club Volunteer of the Year Bronagh Mulholland, Youth Officer Seamus McKenna and a host of others has started to pay rich dividends. This good work was very much in evidence when Glen hosted two successful VHI Cul Camps, one in July and one in August. Approximately two hundred children took part and thoroughly enjoyed a fun packed four days playing camogie, hurling, football and rounders. Thanks to all the coaches, assistants, and first aides who gave up their time to make this once again an eagerly anticipated week in our annual calendar. The Under 10 footballers retained the Fergal 'Rick' McCusker Trophy and the Under 12's won the Hugh Glass Memorial Cup, defeating Slaughtneil in the final. In May this year the Under 12's travelled to Glasgow to return a visit made by Sands/MacSweeneys Coatbridge the previous year. Several blitz type challenge games were played on the Saturday morning before the children were entertained watching Glasgow Celtic host Hibernian. An enjoyable journey was had by all the children and accompanying coaches, and the mutually beneficial relationship that exists between our two clubs strengthened and maintained. Also in the Under 12 category, Cahir Glass was runner-up in the Derry heat of the football skills challenge and represented Derry at the Ulster competition held in Cookstown. Under the guidance of Enda Gormley, Fergal P McCusker, Dennis Murphy, John Downey and Niall Mallon the Under 14's provided the Glen supporters with an unforgettable year. The first competition won was the Feile na nOg at Owenbeg, where they defeated Slaughtneil. Glen club then migrated en masse to Cavan for the All Ireland series. It was a weekend that will long live in the memory of everyone. The boys performed brilliantly and eventually lost out at the semi final stages to a strong Salthill outfit. Glen then went on to win the Derry Championship, Derry 7-a-side, Steven Quinn Memorial Cup and eventually the league in October. The same management also oversaw the victory in the first ever Under 13 Championship at Owenbeg. The Under 16's also had a very successful year and progressed to the County final, before they were defeated by Ballinderry. The majority of this team are available for this age group next year and no doubt they will be pushing hard for honours. The minor footballers also developed very well in 2008. The management team of Mickey Moran, Antoin Moran, Larry and Dick Cudden brought the team to within seconds of a county final, only to be left devastated by a last minute goal against eventual winners Lavey. However these footballers have taken great strides in the past few years and many will progress into reserve and senior ranks. The senior team were consumed by a spate of injuries in the early part of the 2008 season which didn't help their championship campaign however they recovered well and consolidated the position in the top four of Division 1B. Gary Burke and Donal Leahy have recovered from long term injuries and with the emergence of young talents such as Conlan Bradley and Andrew Warnock, the aim for 2009 will be to achieve promotion back to the top tier. The Glen ladies footballers had another successful year when they won the Derry league. Nine Glen players had the honour of playing for Derry in the All Ireland final against London at Croke Park. The players involved were Louise Glass (Captain), Briegeen Cassidy, Nuala O' Hagan, Dervla McMaster, Clare Lagan, Kathy Conway, Ursula Mullan, Michelle McAteer, Briege Convery, along with management duo of Mary Jo Boyle and Pearse McCallan. The senior Camogie team under the guidance of Mo Gallagher and Bernie McGuckin reached the County final, before being narrowly defeated by Kilrea. Sterling work continues to be carried out at underage level, with all age groups achieving good results. The Under 10's are particularly showing great promise, and achieved victories at the Glen, Slaughtneil and Kilrea blitzes. Watty Graham's have been to the forefront in the promotion of Scor within the county over the past three decades and this year was no different. In 2008, under the direction of Scor Officer Una Ferguson, Glen had four entries in Scor na Nog. The young Ceile Dancers reached the All Ireland finals for the second year in a row, only to be dubiously defeated by the Cork champions. In the Scor Sinsiar, Glen entered 6 entries at County level, and came out victorious on four accounts. Glen believes that Scor is a very important aspect of Gaelic culture and will continue to promote it vigorously. During the months of November and December, the season had concluded for everyone except the reserve footballers. However the protracted season and cold nights on the training field didn't deter the lads as they progressed to the championship final with fine wins over Banagher, Swatragh and Bellaghy. The season came to a climax on Saturday afternoon when they faced favourites Ballinderry at Ballinascreen. Glen started the game brightly when Mark O'Donnell fired over a fine point from the left wing. Ballinderry responded immediately with a point however Glen went into the led again with a Niall McKenna effort. The next period was point for point with Conlan Bradley, Mark O'Donnell and Gary Burke getting the Glen scores. Glen were dominating the game with Joe Daly, Mickey Lagan and Sean Gribbon on top of their game at the back however Glen were at times guilty of not translating the procession into scores with some poor kicking. Half time score Glen 0-07 Ballinderry 0-03. At the start of the second period Ballinderry went on the offensive and quickly drew level with four quick points. The game seemed to sliding away from Glen when Ballinderry were awarded a penalty. However the resultant kick went right of the post and safely wide. Ballinderry continued to miss a few open chances in the following minutes. However Glen regained their composure and Donal Leahy went through on goal and fired to the net in spectacular fashion. Ballinderry responded with a point, however in the final minutes Sean Gribbon stepped up and fired over a wonderful point in what turned out to be his first score in 10 years. Glen defended stoutly in the final moments and held out for a fantastic win on a final score of Glen 1-09 Ballinderry 0-09. Well done to the players and management on a brilliant effort. Team and scorers Gerard McKenna, Sean Higgins (capt), Joe Daly, Sean Gribbon (0-01), Benji McGuckin, Mickey Lagan, Sean Paul McKee, Ciaran McKee, Stevie Convery, Conall McKee, Gary Burke (0-01), Conlan Bradley (0-02), Donal Leahy (1-00) and Niall McKenna (0-01). Subs Colm Sargeant, James Glasgow, John Glass, Ryan Martin, Nathan Deery, Martin O'Kane, Barry McCusker, Karl Keane, Conor McWilliams, Ronan Moohan, David Glass, Damian Maguire, Nicky Gormley and Mark McCrystal. The 2008 season will conclude with a fundraising pantomime. Rehearsals are now in full swing for 'Jack and the Beanstalk'. There are shows Friday 2nd January, Saturday 3rd January and two shows on Sunday 4th January. Tickets are now available from Chris McGrath Footwear, Noones and Roisin Lagan on 07759838461. Make sure and book your tickets for this must see show! Tweet

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