The following 2005–06 snooker season Maguire reached only reached one quarter-final at the 2006 Malta Cup. Maguire won his first round match at the 2006 World Snooker Championship, but lost to Marco Fu 4–13 in the second round. The following year, however, at the 2007 World Snooker Championship he defeated Joe Perry, Joe Swail and Anthony Hamilton to reach the semi-final. He played John Higgins and led 14–10, but lost seven out of the next eight and lost 15–17.