'What the Abbey achieved with so few clubs, it won’t be matched again' – McAteer

St Pat's Maghera manager and Fanad native Willie McAteer summed up his side's MacRory Cup performance with one word, 'hunger'.

The blue and white wave engulfed Celtic Park on Sunday as St Pat’s Maghera etched their name once more into the annals of Ulster colleges’ football, securing a dramatic one-point victory over the Abbey Vocational School in the 2025 MacRory Cup final on a 0-12 to 2-5 scoreline. 

For much of the contest, the Donegal school appeared destined for history. But St Pat’s, imbued with that storied Maghera grit, refused to accept defeat.

Seven points adrift at one stage, they clung to hope, found their rhythm, and, in the end, ground out a win forged in sheer bloody-minded perseverance. 

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It was a contest of two halves. The Abbey, playing in their first MacRory Cup final as well as being the first Donegal side to play in the Ulster A final since 1961, flew out of the traps, with Conor McCahill bagging two early goals to set them on their way.

They had the wind in their sails, their hunger evident in every contest, their link-up play between Kevin Muldoon and McCahill causing havoc for St Pat’s defenders. At half-time, they led 2-2 to 0-4, full value for that advantage.

But the great sides do not blink in the face of adversity. And Maghera, steeped in decades of MacRory tradition, is a great side as McAteer pointed out.

"I'm very proud of the lads, especially their fight to never give in," he told Donegal Live. "We went seven points down early on, and we were struggling to get to grips with the game. We were making basic mistakes that looked like they were going to cost us, but as the game went on, we created chances, we didn't panic, and the boys got the job done."

The game changed in the second half. St Pat’s seized control of the midfield, where the immense Pádraig Haran turned in a performance for the ages. And the tide shifted, with Cormac Óg McCloskey and Gabhan McIvor stepping up in attack, kicking vital scores.

McCloskey slotted over a free to give St Pat’s their first lead of the game with 15 minutes to play and from there, the Derry school managed the final exchanges with the nous of a team that had been here before.

Despite a late Abbey surge, led by Turlough Carr’s inspirational long-range effort, Maghera held firm. When the final whistle sounded, Abbey were left devastated, St Pat’s euphoric.

"We gave the Abbey every bit of respect coming into this game," the Derry College manager said. "We watched them a number of times this year, they're a really good side and that's why they're playing MacRory Cup football.

"For a school that's represented by only three clubs, that's an unbelievable achievement. I've been involved in school football for over 20 years, and what the Abbey has done this year in getting to a final with so few clubs, I don't think it'll be matched again.

"Normally, the traditional MacRory teams, they're picking players from maybe 14 different clubs, so for the Abbey to get to a final and be within a point of winning, that really is an incredible achievement. I know it's probably of little consolation to them now, but they can hold their heads high."

McAteer focuses on winning the midfield battle from the kickouts as a key area in the match that set St Pat's on their way to victory. 

"I think on the game itself, we got the grips of the midfield battle which was massive. I suppose it was about finding that line between forcing the Abbey to go long on their kickouts and not leaving ourselves open at the back," he admitted.

"Our hunger and our desire to win that breaking ball was key. You can have all the tactics you want in Gaelic football but sometimes it comes down to who wants to win the ball more.

"Our lads really went outside of their comfort zone and also mastered the basics of Gaelic football, they were just brilliant.

"It's a fantastic feeling to be a part of this side. I've been working and living in this part of the world for over 20 years now. This place is a football-made part of the world and we know that any side that comes up against a Maghera side are going to have their work cut out to beat them, and that's just the nature of the area."

And a final word on the Abbey's incredible season?

"From an Abbey point of view, I could see a lot of their players going on to do great things for club and county and I look forward to watching them in the future," McAteer said.

For now, St Pat’s bask in the glow of MacRory Cup glory, their 17th title secured the hard way. The old guard still rules in Ulster schools’ football.