Conor Glass of Watty Graham’s Glen, Derry, pictured ahead of the AIB GAA Senior Club Championship Football All-Ireland Final, between Watty Graham’s Glen and St Brigid’s. This season, AIB will honour #TheToughest players in Gaelic Games - those who persevere no matter what, giving their all for their club and community. AIB is in its 33rd year supporting the AIB GAA All-Ireland Club Championships. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
It has been a busy schedule for Glen and Derry, but Conor Glass isn’t complaining. Important matches are still arriving thick and fast.
Sunday’s AIB All-Ireland Club SFC Final against St Brigid’s is next on the agenda for Glen. Returning to Croke Park matters deeply, with Glass fully aware of the sheer hard graft that coaches and players have put in throughout the past couple of decades.
That work is now being rewarded on the Derry, Ulster, and national stages. So, there is excitement and a gorgeous sense of anticipation surrounding the club. “There definitely is, we are in a unique position in terms of getting to back to back All-Ireland finals,” Glass responds.
“Four years ago we had never won a Derry Championship, so to get to two All-Ireland finals with the club is special.
“It is creating a great buzz around the town, it is amazing for the trustees of the club, who hadn't really experienced any success. Any time your club gets a run out at Croke Park - it is going to be a great day.”
Glen’s underage work is well documented. Delivering at senior level, though, in a competitive Derry environment isn’t easy. “We won three or four Ulster minors, that was the guts of a decade ago,” Glass recalls.
“A lot of us boys played in a Hogan Cup final with St Pat's Maghera, we have played together now for the guts of 10 years.
“We have been successful during our underage. The challenge for us was to carry it through to senior, it did take whatever it was, seven or eight years, to transfer over. It comes down to hard work.
Glen's Conor Glass in AIB All-Ireland Club SFC Semi-Final action against Kilmacud Crokes at Páirc Esler. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
“We are in a good position in terms of being the people on the pitch playing the football. The structures in place for us, during the underage years, it purely comes down to the club and the volunteers of the club, to give that access and facilities for us to go out to perform.”
Another factor in Glen’s recent history is Malachy O’Rourke, who has forged a meaningful connection with the players, supporters, and officers. “I've been asked that question a lot, in terms of what is so different about him?,” Glass says.
“I think it is just the timing he came to the club, we had lost our final to Magherafelt. The questions were quickly looming - will we ever win a Derry senior title? Having a figure like Malachy O'Rourke and Ryan Porter coming into the club, it just gave everyone an extra boost.
“He focused everyone, just having his experience with the Loup and Monaghan in the past 10 years. I think it is just the timing in which he came in, he is obviously a fantastic coach, Ryan is a fantastic trainer.
“So, the combination of those two, during a time in which questions were asked of us, it comes down to timing. He is a quality manager, we are very privileged to have him, on the club scene.”
Staying calm and composed is crucial. Glen have enjoyed a hugely productive stint, but Glass simply relishes the schedule. “Flat out,”, he laughs. “I'm very lucky in terms I have a laid back personality. So, I don't get caught up too much in it all.
“It has been a busy schedule over the past 24 months, but I'd rather be playing football matches than doing a pre-season, slogging myself around Owenbeg. I've been keeping fit over the past 20 months.”
Glen and Derry have benefited enormously from Glass’ enduring excellence.