Seán McCarthy (hurler)
Encyclopedia
Seán McCarthy is former Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Ballinhassig
and with the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1980s and 1990s.
with his local Ballinhassig
club. He started out as a goalkeeper on the under-12 team before later becoming a half-back and winning an under-14 county title. McCarthy never won a senior county title, however, he did play in the county championship with the divisional side Carrigdhoun
.
medal as Cork defeated Galway
in the final. McCarthy’s senior debut came the following year in a National Hurling League
game, however, he missedf the entire championship in 1988 due to a back injury. The following year he dropped down a grade to play with the intermediate team that won the All-Ireland title.
In 1990 McCarthy was back with the senior team and won his first Munster
title following a surprise victory over arch-rivals Tipperary
. Cork later qualified for another All-Ireland appearance with Galway. Once again Cork were complete underdogs, however, in a thrilling and high-scoring game Cork defeated the men from the West, giving McCarthy his first All-Ireland medal on the field of play. Two years later in 1992 he won a second Munster title. Cork later faced Kilkenny
in the championship decider, however, victory went to ‘the Cats’ on that occasion. In spite of this loss McCarthy’s performance still earned him an All-Star
award. In 1993 he added a National Hurling League
medal to his collection. McCarthy continued hurling at inter-county level until 1997. He now owns his own sports bar called SoHo bar and restaurant on the Grand parade in Cork City.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Ballinhassig
Ballinhassig GAA
Ballinhassig is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the village of Ballinhassig in County Cork, Republic of Ireland. The club was founded in 1886, and now plays Hurling at Premier Intermediate level, having won the Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship in 2005, and the Cork Junior Hurling...
and with the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1980s and 1990s.
Club
McCarthy played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local Ballinhassig
Ballinhassig GAA
Ballinhassig is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the village of Ballinhassig in County Cork, Republic of Ireland. The club was founded in 1886, and now plays Hurling at Premier Intermediate level, having won the Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship in 2005, and the Cork Junior Hurling...
club. He started out as a goalkeeper on the under-12 team before later becoming a half-back and winning an under-14 county title. McCarthy never won a senior county title, however, he did play in the county championship with the divisional side Carrigdhoun
Carrigdhoun GAA
Carrigdhoun GAA is one of the eight baronies or Gaelic Athletic Association divisions that make up Cork. The division is made up of eleven Gaelic Athletic Association teams, making it one of the smaller divisions....
.
Inter-county
McCarthy first came to prominence as a member of the Cork minor hurling team, however, the team lost out in the first-round of the championship in both 1983 and 1984. He later played with the under-21 team but had little success at this level here. Following a great display for his divisional side McCarthy was called up for senior inter-county duty as a member of the Cork panel for the All-Ireland final. Without ever lining out for his native-county he had collected his first All-IrelandAll-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal as Cork defeated Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
in the final. McCarthy’s senior debut came the following year in a National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
game, however, he missedf the entire championship in 1988 due to a back injury. The following year he dropped down a grade to play with the intermediate team that won the All-Ireland title.
In 1990 McCarthy was back with the senior team and won his first Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
title following a surprise victory over arch-rivals Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
. Cork later qualified for another All-Ireland appearance with Galway. Once again Cork were complete underdogs, however, in a thrilling and high-scoring game Cork defeated the men from the West, giving McCarthy his first All-Ireland medal on the field of play. Two years later in 1992 he won a second Munster title. Cork later faced Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
in the championship decider, however, victory went to ‘the Cats’ on that occasion. In spite of this loss McCarthy’s performance still earned him an All-Star
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
award. In 1993 he added a National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
medal to his collection. McCarthy continued hurling at inter-county level until 1997. He now owns his own sports bar called SoHo bar and restaurant on the Grand parade in Cork City.