Round 1 2022 v Royals

Jack Maguire Cup

John “Jack” Maguire will be recognized when the Queanbeyan Whites play host to Royals to kick off season 2022 of the John I Dent Cup this Saturday 23rd April, at Campese Oval.

Jack passed away at the age of 61 in January 2019 after a battle with cancer.

He played in a premiership team for Royals in 1977 and then went onto become a premiership-winning player with the Whites. Jack was named first grade “best and fairest” in 1980. A prolific goal kicker and a memorable character he will be remembered by the Whites, Royals and his last club, Norths.

Jack’s formative years were at St. Brigid’s School, Daramalan College and finally at Waverley College where he played in the first XV.

After leaving school, Jack joined Royals in 1976 following in the footsteps of his father John “Happy” Maguire, a legendary representative half-back. Jack’s dad was an original Royals player alongside a myriad of great Royals players and large than life characters.

Jack played first grade for the next two seasons and was a member of the Royals 1977 premiership side and the 1978 semi-final side that lost to the Whites 13-4. He joined Queanbeyan in 1979 and played in the grand final which the Whites lost to Royals 13-12 following Michael O’Connor’s, after the hooter, field goal.

Jack went on to play with the Whites until 1984 and became the 21st player to achieve 100 first grade games for Queanbeyan. He was the club and competition leading point scorer in 1980 (200 points), 1981 (215 points) and 1982 (217 points). In 1979, Jack was named Queanbeyan’s ‘Most Consistent’ and in 1980 was the Queanbeyan first grade ‘Best and Fairest’.

Jack represented the ACT on a number of occasions including a wins over Queensland in 1977 and a victory over the touring Welsh team in 1978.

In 2017 Jack attended the 40th year reunion of the Royals 1977 premiership team and was delighted to catch up with his old rugby colleagues and thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.  In a few weeks’ time, the Whites will be celebrating 40 years since the 3-peat of 1981-83 premierships and where Jack’s accomplishments will no doubt be spoken of.

The Jack Maguire Cup was introduced in 2019 to recognise a fine player and a great character who played for Royals, Queanbeyan, and Norths. Jack won first-grade premierships with both Royals and Queanbeyan. 

Jack’s and his wife’s Judy’s 3 daughters, Meghan, Clare and Brigid are unable to attend this year’s game to present the Cup and so in season 2022, the Cup will be presented by Jack’s cousin Michael Axelsen, who had a long-playing career at Norths, has been a Brumbies Board Member and recently stepped down as President of the Uni-Norths Owls. 

As the current holders the Whites will host this year’s Cup with the winner of today’s game to be next season hosts at their respective home game.