Aquinas reach first ever MacLarnon Final
January 22, 2026
Aquinas survive late scare to reach first ever MacLarnon Final
Danske Bank MacLarnon Cup Semi-Final Full Time:
Aquinas Grammar 3-12 Dean Maguirc Carrickmore 2-14
It was a night of frayed nerves, heart-stopping rallies, and ultimately, sheer unbridled joy on the Ravenhill Road. Aquinas Grammar has officially booked their place in a first-ever Danske Bank MacLarnon Cup final, surviving a ferocious comeback from Dean Maguirc in a wet and windy Cherryvale to win by a single point.
For the Aquinas faithful, the final whistle—which sounded just as the ball was being kicked out—was the sweetest sound of the year. While the scoreboard shows a narrow 3-12 to 2-14 victory, the journey to that result was a rollercoaster where Aquinas repeatedly built commanding leads, only to see the tenacious Tyrone side claw their way back every time.
The game didn’t begin according to the script. Dean Maguirc settled fastest in the difficult conditions, hitting an early point and a goal to leave Aquinas chasing the game immediately. It took ten minutes for the South Belfast side to find their rhythm, but when they did, they were lethal.
JJ Higgins and Fintan McArdle settled the nerves with points, but the true turning point of the half came via a goal from Valo Marttila. That strike put Aquinas into a lead they would technically hold for the rest of the game, though never comfortably.
When Pádhraig O’Hare rifled home a second goal in the 23rd minute, Aquinas looked to be cruising, leading by double scores at 2-4 to 1-2. With a five-point cushion approaching injury time, it felt like one foot was already in the final. However, a lapse in concentration allowed Carrickmore to reel off three quick points, slashing the half-time advantage to a precarious two points (2-5 to 1-6).
The pattern of dominance followed by anxiety continued after the break. Although Dean Maguirc narrowed the gap to a single point immediately, Aquinas responded like champions.
Fintan McArdle, who finished with a personal tally of 1-5, struck for Aquinas’ third goal in the 37th minute. Following a two-pointer from James McEvoy, the lead had ballooned to seven. Again, it looked like game over. Again, Carrickmore refused to read the script, hitting back with a goal of their own moments later.
Entering the final ten minutes, Aquinas seemed to have finally quelled the rebellion. Conor Frazer landed a crucial two-pointer to provide breathing room, and further scores from Conn Huston and Jacko Watson pushed the gap out to six points with just six minutes left on the clock.
Holding On for History
Those final six minutes tested the resolve of every Aquinas player and supporter. Dean Maguirc threw everything forward in a desperate bid to salvage the game. A point from Shane Morris followed by a late two-pointer cut the gap to the absolute minimum deep in added time.
It was frantic, bodies-on-the-line defending in the dying seconds. As Dean Maguirc hunted for an equalizer, the Aquinas defense stood tall. The final whistle blew on the kick-out, confirming the result: Aquinas Grammar, for the first time in history, are MacLarnon Cup Finalists.
It wasn’t easy, and they certainly made the fans sweat, but the South Belfast school is heading to its first final.
Aquinas Grammar Scorers:
Fintan McArdle: 1-5 (0-3f) Valo Marttila: 1-1 Pádhraig O’Hare: 1-0 James McEvoy: 0-2 (2pt) Conor Frazer: 0-2 (2pt) Jacko Watson: 0-2 JJ Higgins: 0-1 Conn Huston: 0-1
Dean Maguirc Scorers:
C Tracey 2-1, C Grimes 0-4, P McCrory 0-2, L Meenagh 0-2 (2pt), P Donaghy 0-1, V Gormley 0-1, E Conway 0-1, S Morris 0-1.
Published on The Saffron Gael
