Football

Celtic Park to host MacRory Cup final for first time

The schools' football showpiece on February 9 will feature St Patrick’s, Maghera and Abbey Vocational School

Schools' GAA
Pictured are players from the four schools involved. Left are Cathal McKaigue (standing) and Dara McGonigle from St Patrick’s, Maghera; Right are Turlough Carr (standing) and Oisin Doherty from Abbey VS; Centre are Mark Hanratty (right) from Patrician and Sean Óg Teague from Dean Maguirc. Picture: Presseye (MATT MACKEY)

This year’s Danske Bank-sponsored MacRory Cup final will be played in Derry for the first time in its 101-year history.

Celtic Park will host the clash between St Patrick’s, Maghera and Abbey Vocational School, Donegal on Sunday, February 9 (3pm), with the Danske Bank MacLarnon Cup final between Dean Maguirc, Carrickmore and Patrician, Carrickmacross the curtain-raiser (1pm).

The announcement came at a photo launch in the Tyrone Centre of Excellence in Garvaghey on Wednesday.

The Box-It Athletic Grounds has become the venue for the two finals since Casement Park was closed and every final since 2011 has been held there except two years ago when two Tyrone schools - Omagh CBS and Holy Trinity, Cookstown - played out the decider in Healy Park.

This year’s decider was also planned for Armagh, but damage caused by Storm Éowyn has forced the move to Celtic Park for the novel pairing of 16-times champions St Patrick’s, Maghera and Abbey Vocational school from Donegal town, who entered the competition for the first time this year.