Magee was born in Dublin in 1872 and was educated at Clongowes Wood College in County Kildare. Clongowes produced several outstanding Irish cricketers during this period, but Magee found it difficult to gain representation above club level. He originally played for Phoenix Cricket Club, a team based in Dublin, and it wasn't until 1899 that he made his international cricketing debut for Ireland, against I Zingari. Magee was not a first choice player for the team, and only got his chance when several players, feeling that their club was under-represented, pulled out before the match. Magee was hurriedly called upon and entered an Irish team depleted of their most promising talent. Ireland lost by an innings with the team losing most of their wickets to Bernard Bosanquet. Magee opened for Ireland on both innings but was caught for six in the first innings, and then caught for 14 in the second; both off the bowling of Bosanquet.