ALMOST 30 YEARS OF MAGHERAFELT SQUASH CLUB

Magherafelt Squash Club was formed in 1977 and entered into Northern Division One of the Ulster Squash Leagues. Their debut season was tough going and some of their opposing teams even gave them coaching. However, the players embarked on a very steep learning curve and went on to win Northern Division One in 1979.

The following season they were promoted from Northern Division One straight into Division Six and won it at the first time of asking in 1980.

The team jumped from Division Six into Division Three and finished runners-up in 1981. They also won the Ulster Club Championship "B" Section (knock-out competition) that same season, and again earned promotion.

In 1982 the team finished third in Division Two, but came back strongly the following year to win it outright (1983) and gain promotion into Division One, the premier level of Ulster Squash.

In 1984 Magherafelt made their debut in Division One of the Ulster Squash Leagues and the quest for top honours commenced in earnest. Since then Magherafelt have been competing at the top level, but it was not until 1992, when they won the Ulster Club Championship that there was a realistic indication that Magherafelt might one day become Ulster champions.

In 1997 the dream of winning Division One was finally achieved and Magherafelt became the first club outside the greater Belfast area to lift the Sir George Clark Cup, since its inception in 1950. As Ulster Champions Magherafelt made their debut in the All-Ireland Club championships, and were just one victory away from representing Ireland in the European Club Championships in Portugal, finishing runners-up to Sutton.

The Club came close to the top league title again over the next couple of seasons finishing runners-up in both 1997/98 and 1998/99. They did not lift the Sir George Clark Cup again until 2000/01, and again finished Runners-up in the All Ireland Club Championships.

After a 10-year wait they again lifted the Ulster Club Championship (2001/02).

In recent times the Club has dominated squash in the Province winning the Premier League and Ulster Cup double in both the 2003/04 and 2004/05 seasons.

The club currently fields 2 men's teams, in Premier Division 1 and Division 3, of the Spar Ulster Squash League. The Ladies Section of the Club is taking a sabbatical. However, with the Club boasting one of the strongest junior sections in the Province, it is hoped that this will change again in the future.