James Magee - Rugby Career

Rugby Career

Magee came from a sporting family, and he and two of his brothers were capped at international level. Louis Magee was the most notable player and was capped for the Ireland national rugby union team on 27 occasions. Joseph Magee also played for Ireland, winning only two caps, but continued his rugby career as an international referee. Magee never represented Ireland, but in 1896 joined his brother Louis on the British Isles tour of South Africa. There is general confusion in many publications regarding which brother went on the South Africa tour, with many archives stating Joseph travelled with Louis; but it has now been accepted that Magee undertook the trip.

Magee played in thirteen matches of the South Africa tour, including eleven against club and regional teams, before being selected to face South Africa in the Second Test. Magee, who normally played on the wing, was placed at full back for the match, which the tourists won comfortably. Magee was replaced for the Third Test, but was back in the squad for the Final Test, played in Cape Town. This time Magee was played in his preferred position in the three-quarters, but the game ended in defeat for the British team.

At club level, Magee represented Bective Rangers, and it is recorded that at a club meeting in 1903 that he suggested the team should change strip colours to rose, green and white; the colours that the team still play in. Magee is also mentioned in James Joyce's semi-autobiographical novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man when the central character recalls watching a Bective rugby game.