MacRory Cup final: Abbey CBS and St Patrick’s, Dungannon both chase sixth title

The biggest prize in Ulster Colleges Gaelic football is up for grabs on Sunday at the Athletic Grounds as Abbey CBS, Newry and St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon both seek a sixth title [15:00 GMT, live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport NI website].

Both schools come into this final seeking to bridge a lengthy gap since their last success, with the Dungannon outfit aiming to make up for the disappointment of losing in the final two years ago and secure a first title since 2009, while the Abbey are trying to bridge a 20-year gap.

That victory for the Newry school came under the tutelage of the late Jody Gormley whose captain that day in 2006 was Kevin McKernan.

The Abbey would go on to win the Hogan Cup that year with McKernan, who won an All-Ireland minor title with Down the previous year, going on to enjoy a 15-year career at senior level for the Mournemen.

Now back in his alma mater as GAA development officer, McKernan is hopeful the class of 2026 can follow write their own chapter.

“When you look back now and talk to some of the boys involved, it probably sinks in what an occasion it was and the magnitude of it,” the Abbey team coach told BBC Sport NI.

“We can say we are part of the history of the MacRory Cup and that team fulfilling its potential.

“My job now to give this group of boys to do something really special as a group of friend and team-mates, but also for their local clubs, we’ve a job to make them as rounded as we can.

“This Sunday, to go into a final of the MacRory Cup, we’re glad it’s the Abbey jerseys.”