Liam was born in Southwark, London to Irish parents who had emigrated from Ballygarvan, County Cork. His father Eoghan McCarthy was nicknamed Capall, Irish for "horse" because of his great strength. Liam grew up in a close knit Irish community.
He played hurling on Clapham Common and Irish was the first language in the family home.
After leaving school he worked as a blacksmith"s hammerman and as a railwayman. The couple had four sons. Her family owned a fancy box factory and Liam joined the family business but a few years later he struck out on his own setting up a fancy box factory in the family home.
After some years he set up a factory in Peckham which he called Saint Brigid"s works.
Liam became a leader in London"s Irish community and was elected a councilor for Peckham"s north ward. He was also elected chairman of London Gaelic Athletic Association county board, a position he held for 10 years.
In 1915, Britain introduced conscription. A crisis meeting of the London branch of the Irish volunteers was held at his home in east Dulwich to discuss conscription.
As a councilor Liam could not publicly advise men to avoid conscription but in response to question from Michael Collins he said, "If you come from Clonakilty it is obvious where you must go" - in other words advising them to return to Ireland where conscription was not in force.
This cup was offered to the Gaelic Athletic Association central council in Croke Park and was gratefully accepted. lieutenant is awarded annually and in perpetuity to the winners of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. The Gaelic Athletic Association club grounds in Ballygarvan are named after him.
Quotations: "If you come from Clonakilty it is obvious where you must go".
Michael Collins and Sam Maguire were also members of the London county board.
