Cian McCarthy

Cian McCarthy (born 3 September 1989) is an Irish hurler who played as a centre-forward for the Cork senior team.^[1]

Born in Glanmire, County Cork, McCarthy first excelled at hurling in his youth. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Cork minor team, before later joining the under-21 side. He made his senior debut during the 2009 National Hurling League. McCarthy quickly became a regular member of the starting fifteen, however, he enjoyed little in terms of silverware. He has been an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

At club level McCarthy is a four-time championship medallist with Sarsfield's.

His father, Teddy, was a dual All-Ireland medallist with Cork.^[2]

Throughout his career McCarthy made 14 championship appearances. He announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 20 March 2015.^[3][4][5]

Playing career

Club

McCarthy first tasted success at club level as a member of the Sarsfield's minor team. He won a championship medal in this grade in 2007 as Sars recorded a 2-15 to 1-8 defeat of Midleton.

In 2008 McCarthy was a key member of the Sarsfield's senior team that faced Bride Rovers in the final of the senior championship. A goal by Robert O'Driscoll with seven minutes of normal time left proved the decisive score as Sarsfield's won by 2-14 to 2-13. It was McCarthy's first championship medal and a first for Sars in fifty-one years.^[6]

After surrendering their title to Newtownshandrum the following year, Sarsfield's were back in a third successive championship decider in 2010.^[7] Glen Rovers, who were playing in their first championship decider in nineteen years, provided the opposition. A Conor O'Sullivan goal proved vital as Sarsfield's triumphed by 1-17 to 0-18, with McCarthy collecting a second championship medal.^[8]

Sarsfield's failed to retain the title once again, however, in 2012 McCarthy lined out in his fourth championship decider in five years. Sars were the more experienced side as Bishopstown were the surprise finalists. In spite of this, it took a late goal from Robert O'Driscoll to secure a 1-15 to 1-13 victory.^[9]

Inter-county

McCarthy first arrived on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor team in 2007. In spite of an 0-18 to 1-11 defeat by Tipperary in the Munster decider, the sides later faced off against each other in the All-Ireland final. McCarthy started that game on the bench, but was introduced as a substitute in Cork's 3-14 to 2-11 defeat.^[10]

As a member of the Cork under-21 team, McCarthy's tenure ended without success.

McCarthy made his senior debut for Cork as part of the so-called development squad that replaced the striking hurlers on 1 March 2009. He was introduced as a substitute in the 4-16 to 1-11 National Hurling League defeat by Galway.^[11] When the striking hurlers returned McCarthy was one of the few from the development team to be retained. He made his senior championship debut on 8 August 2010 in a 3-22 to 0-19 All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Kilkenny.^[12]

After facing a 0-24 to 0-15 Munster final defeat by Limerick in 2013, Cork later qualified for an All-Ireland final meeting with Clare on 8 September 2013.^[13] McCarthy started the game on the bench but came on as a substitute. Three second-half goals through Conor Lehane, Anthony Nash and Pa Cronin, and a tenth point of the game from Patrick Horgan gave Cork a one-point lead as injury time came to an end. A last-gasp point from corner-back Domhnall O'Donovan earned Clare a 0-25 to 3-16 draw.^[14] The replay on 28 September was regarded as one of the best in recent years, with McCarthy lining out at centre-forward. Clare's Shane O'Donnell was a late addition to the team, and went on to score a hat-trick of goals in the first nineteen minutes of the game. Patrick Horgan top scored for Cork, however, further goals from Conor McGrath and Darach Honan secured a 5-16 to 3-16 victory for Clare.^[15]

McCarthy won his first Munster medal as a non-playing substitute in 2014, as goals by Séamus Harnedy and Paudie O'Sullivan gave Cork a 2-24 to 0-24 victory over Limerick.^[16]

Honours

Team

Sarsfield's

• Cork Senior Hurling Championship (3): 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014
• Cork Minor Hurling Championship (1): 2007

Cork

• Munster Senior Hurling Championship (1): 2014 (sub)

References