MacRory Cup final makes history with first-ever Celtic Park showdown

For the first time in its 101-year history, the prestigious MacRory Cup final will be held at Celtic Park in Derry where the Abbey Vocational School will face off against St Patrick’s Maghera on Sunday, February 9. 

Traditionally hosted at the Athletic Grounds, the final was relocated after Storm Éownyn caused significant damage to the Armagh venue with the Orchard County having hosted the final every year since 2011, apart from 2023 when the final was held in Healy Park.  

Ulster Schools confirmed at the tournament’s launch that both the MacRory and MacLarnon Cup deciders will now take place on the same day. 

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The highly anticipated clash between Abbey VS and 17-time winners St Pat’s Maghera will throw in at 3pm, following the MacLarnon Cup final at 1pm, where Dean Maguirc, Carrickmore, will take on Patrician, Carrickmacross. 

Abbey VS are making history as they compete in their first-ever MacRory final, having claimed the MacLarnon Cup and All-Ireland ‘B’ colleges titles in 2024.  

For Maghera, who Fanad native Willie McAteer manages, they are hoping to win the prestigious MacRory Cup for the first time since 2020 as they enter into their 26th final, last losing one back in 1998. 

If the Abbey Vocational School are victorious in Celtic Park, they will become the first school to win the McLarnon Cup and the MacRory championship back-to-back.  

Five previous Ulster B winners have come close by reaching the MacRory Cup final the following season but failed to win the A final – St Michael’s Enniskillen ‘64/65; St Pat’s Armagh ‘66/67; St Michael’s Lurgan ‘84/85; St Louis Kilkeel ‘04/05; and St Paul’s Bessbrook ‘12/13.