Following the death of Kevin Lynch (an Irish National Liberation Army volunteer from Dungiven) on hunger strike the hurling team changed its name as a mark of respect and became a separate club.
The club is named after Saint Canice, who was born in 516AD in Cianachta Glenn Geimin, which is now the barony of Keenaght, which includes Dungiven.
Although the club, St Canice's, was founded in 1943 there is firm evidence that Gaelic games were played in Dungiven over a century before that.
The first record of Gaelic football played by a Dungiven team was a match on 9 April 1922 against Creggan (from Faughanvale Parish).
The Dungiven team of that time played under the name of John Mitchel's GFC and they clinched the North Derry League that year.
The local curate, Father Colm McGoldrick, who in 1936 was made chairman of the refounded North Derry Board, encouraged the Dungiven players to regroup.
Consequently, a meeting was called in May 1936, in McKenna's store (Groogans Lower Main Street) to set up a club.
A committee was elected: chairman – Fr McGoldrick, secretary – Gerry McCloskey and treasurer – P. Conway.
Matches were played on a field belonging to Joe O'Neill which was situated on the Garvagh Road about one mile from the town.
On 27 May 1937 St Canice's defeated O'Connor's Limavady, at Claudy Green to win the Kerlin Cup.
In September 1939, with war and the subsequent upheaval worldwide, football locally was forced to take a back seat.
However, the period of inactivity was short-lived; in late 1943 a small group of young enthusiasts set about revitalising the club.
In 1949 for the fourth time in five years Dungiven won the North Derry Championship, beating Faughanvale by 1–10 to 1–04 at Banagher.
1951 was a memorable year for the St Canice's Club which won its second County Senior Championship at the expense of Bellaghy 1–09 to 4–03.
In 1952 Dungiven were again crowned North Derry Champions after they defeated Magilligan in the Final, but lost the County Semi-final to Desertmartin 2–05 to 0–03.
The club was not to contest a County Final for the remainder of the decade, but remained strong in North Derry football.
On 1 August 1953 negotiations commenced and a price of £800 was agreed with Harry Deeny to buy the field (Pat Kane's) which is the present O'Cahan's Park.
At County level Derry Minor Team created a piece of history by winning an All Ireland for the first time ever.
The replay probably remembered best for the extremely physical nature of play ended with both teams level 3 points a piece.
The Derry County Board decided that both clubs must be disciplined for 'gross misconduct on the field' and the punishment meted out to Dungiven was a six-month suspension.
The battle for league honours developed into a three-horse race between Glenullin, Ballinderry and Dungiven and it was obvious from the early stages that every point was vital.