The first MacRory cup was presented for the inaugral competition of 1922-23 which was contested initially on a league basis between three schools, St. Patrick's Armagh, St. MacCartans, Monaghan and St. Malachy's Belfast. St. Patrick's Armagh won the 1923 competition although the cup didn't arrive into the school until 1924 when St. Patrick's Armagh won the cup for the second occasion. In 1931 Cardinal MacRory arrived in the school to present the cup to the St. Patrick's Armagh captain John Devlin.

1962 - 2000

In 1962 a new MacRory cup was presented tot the Ulster Colleges Council for its senior 'A' grade football competition by Cardinal D'Alton and this magnificent trophy is still the cup contested to-day. In the inaugral final for this trophy St. Patricks College, Cavan beat Abbey CBS, Newry at Ballybay and the then Secretary of the Ulster Colleges Bro. Ger O'Doherty presented the new trophy to the winning Cavan Captain Raymond Carolan at Pearse Park, Ballybay.