Graham played senior rugby with Academy RFC in the 1980s and NICFC (now part of Harlequins RFC) in the early 1990s.
After finishing his competitive playing career he went on to play vets rugby and also turned out for Perennials RFC.
He then started his coaching career at his local club, Larne RFC, in 2001, where the club were successful in winning Gordon West Cup and Kukri Qualifying 3 in 2005.
Graham obtained the necessary coaching accreditations in the years following and between 2005 and 2008 he coached the Ulster Women’s team and Ulster Youth Regional Development Squads. In 2009 CIYMS offered Graham the position of Head Coach, where he remained for five seasons. During that time their 1st XV was promoted from Qualifying 2 to Qualifying 1 and the team went on to qualify for the prestigious All Ireland Junior Cup by finishing in the top four in Qualifying 1 in in two seasons.
In March to June of 2014 Graham took a sabbatical to coach a club he had played for in Australia - Geelong RFC - and on returning to these shores was offered the Head Coach role at Dromore RFC. In an exceptionally competitive Qualifying 1 league campaign, a top four finish was secured by the club for the first time in seven seasons.
Commenting on the appointment, Donaghadee RFC Director of Rugby Chris Good, said: “We are extremely pleased that Graham has decided to take up our offer to become Head Coach at Donaghadee. The standard of applications for the post was particularly high but we felt that Graham was the stand-out candidate in terms of experience and past success and, indeed, in his vision of how he will approach the job in the ‘Dee.
“Having had first-hand experience of playing against clubs in both Qualifying 1 and 2 that Graham has coached, we are confident that his undoubted expertise will assist us in our stated aim of returning to Qualifying 1 at the earliest opportunity, whilst continuing our recent success in both the cup competitions.
“Graham will head up an extensive coaching team at the ‘Dee this incoming season, including Assistant Coach John West and S&C Coach Paddy McGrattan. We know they will be challenging, not only the 1st XV, but also the resurgent 2nd and 3rd XVs to move forward into an exciting new era for rugby in Donaghadee.”