St Patrick’s duo should navigate tricky ties
January 09, 2026
Danske Bank MacRory Cup Quarter Final
Both games live on Ulster Schools GAA TV
St Patrick’s, Maghera v Abbey CBS (Sunday, Owenbeg, 3pm)
This is arguably the best of the quarter-final ties. St Patrick’s, Maghera have topped their group with wins over Patrician and Newry, while Abbey have been runners-up to Omagh on the back of solid performances.
St Patrick’s finished strongly in that Omagh game and then showed character against St Paul’s, Cavan in the Ulster semi-final. They required a couple of late scores to edge it and make their way through to tackle a Maghera side that should be pretty well prepared.
Maghera have the usual quota of players from Cookstown Fr Rocks club, as well as Cookstown club men Conor Lennon and James McKenna. Lennon, who collected All-Ireland minor honours, will be central.
St Mary’s also have the consistently reliable Michael Higgins, who regularly gets among the scorers. Joseph Cassidy and Tony O’Hagan are also key men, giving shape to their defence in their Ulster championship run.
However, if there is to be an upset, Abbey Vocational, with home advantage, will start as favourites. But St Patrick’s will fancy it happening in this game.
Michael O’Neill, Fergus McBennett, James Tones, Ciaran McKenna and Conor O’Rourke in making up almost half of the St Patrick’s defence that recovered from a 2-12 to 1-4 defeat by Omagh CBS in mid-October.
Abbey are likely to play an expansive game to deliver high-scoring encounters. St Patrick’s Maghera should be progressing to a semi-final in a fortnight.
St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon v St Mary’s, Stewartstown (Sunday, Stewartstown, 7pm)
Two scoring bursts of six points through the last round with victory secured against St Colman’s. However, the ante has been upped as they meet an unbeaten St Mary’s side.
St Mary’s have impressed in another round of games and they have a strong team on paper. They include Ronan Donnelly in goals, defender James Mulgrew and long-serving forward Niall Gormley, a forward line for the school after a successful under-16 campaign.
They also include a number of Tyrone All-Ireland minor winners. They start favourites but St Patrick’s Academy have momentum.
By SEAMAS McALEENAN published in The Irish News 9th January 2026
