Career
Born in Cork, McCarthy first excelled at Gaelic games during his schooling at Coláiste Chríost Rí. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Cork minor team before later joining the under-21 side. He joined the senior panel during the 2012 league.
McCarthy spent a number of years as sub-goalkeeper before beings witched to the forwards.
At club level McCarthy is an All-Ireland medalist in the intermediate grade with Ballymartle. Club
McCarthy plays his club hurling with Ballymartle and has enjoyed much success.
A decisive 2-14 to 0-13 victory gave McCarthy a championship medal in that grade. Ballymartle later represented the county in the provincial series of games and faced Borrisokane in the decider.
A 2-14 to 0-8 thrashing gave McCarthy a Munster medal.
Dicksboro provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland decider and McCarthy played a key role in securing a last-minute goal. A 3-15 to 1-20 victory gave him a coveted All-Ireland medal. Inter-county
That year he lined out in his provincial decider against Tipperary.
An 0-18 to 1-11 defeat was the result on that occasion.
Cork remained in the championship and took the "back door" route to the All-Ireland final where they faced Tipp once again. A 3-14 to 2-11 defeat was the result on that occasion.
In 2008 McCarthy lined out in a second consecutive provincial decider with Tipperary providing the opposition once again. A narrow 0-19 to 0-18 victory resulted in a first Munster medal for McCarthy.
