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One Of Cork's Greatest Ever Corner Forwards of Hurling

Charlie McCarthy, that diminutive famous corner forward was foremost a Redmonds club under age star. The man who plucked Charlie from the city neighbourhood of Tower Street, Cork, at only nine years old, is one of the many thousands of unsung heroes of Irish sport. Arthur Walker of Redmonds fame, was short one player to make up fifteen for an under 15 hurling match in 1958 to be played on Cork’s northside.Redmonds is located on Cork’s southside.

Arthur approached Charlie’s father on that historic afternoon and the rest is great hurling history. Following his transfer to the famed St. Finbarrs club, the five times All Ireland medal winner bec,ame a blues legend of enormous fame, only matched by a few chosen famous sons of the Barrs club. The many journies to club and county titles bore great dividends for Charlie and playing in the rebel red of Cork, he was known as ‘Cheeky Charlie’.

Wearing No.13 or 15, he was taking points and goals from all angles and free-taking came naturally to the gifted Cork hurler. Charlie McCarthy was born in Cork city in 1946 and was educated locally at Sullivan's Quay Christian Brothers school and quickly showed a natural talent for hurling. In 1965 he won his first of six county senior medals and he also claimed a 1964 All Ireland minor hurling medal. Charlie also played in the minor football final in 1964 won by Offaly.

The senior debut was made v Waterford as a sub in the 1965 Munster semi final, but 1966 proved to be a truly great baptism as Cork unexpectedly claimed the Liam McCarthy Cup. It would be 1970 before Charlie claimed his second All Ireland medal and then came the magical era of 1976/77/78, when Cork marched to three successive All Ireland senior hurling titles with Charlie wearing the captains armband in 1978.

In 1966 Cork and Wexford under 21 hurlers were locked in a titanic battle for the All Ireland title and after three hectic games, Cork took the laurels. Charlie was now a household name at just 20 years old,and his speedy command of the ground ball, made him stand out from other forwards. Further honours came his way with four National League medals and two Railway Cup triumphs. Two All Ireland club titles were also stored away before Charlie bowed out from inter county hurling in 1980.

CLUB & COUNTY ROLL OF HONOUR:

5 All Ireland senior hurling medals: 1966/70/76/77/78

9 Munster senior hurling medals: 1966/69/70/72/75/76/77/78/79

All Ireland Under 21 hurling medals: 1966

Munster under 21 hurling medal: 1966

All Ireland minor hurling medals: 1964

Munster minor hurling medal: 1964

All Ireland hurling club medals: 1974/74

Munster hurling club medals: 1965/74/77/80

National League Honours: 1969/70/72/74

Railway Cup Hurling: 1978 (captain)

Cork Co. Senior Hurling Honours:  (7) 1965/68/74/77/80/81/82

Hurling All Star Awards: (3) 1972/77/78

Cork senior hurling career: 1965 - 80

Total score:   27 goals 151 points   

Derry JF Doody