| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Gearóid Mac Cárthaigh | ||
| Sport | Hurling | ||
| Position | Midfield | ||
| Born |
12 September 1945 Bandon Road, Cork, Ireland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Occupation | Stonecutter, trophy maker | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
1963–1979 | St Finbarr's | ||
| Club titles | |||
| Cork titles | 4 | ||
| Munster titles | 3 | ||
| All-Ireland Titles | 2 | ||
| Inter-county(ies) | |||
| Years | County | Apps (scores) | |
1964–1979 | Cork | 41 (4–58) | |
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Munster titles | 9 | ||
| All-Irelands | 5 | ||
| NHL | 3 | ||
| All Stars | 1 | ||
Gerald McCarthy (born 12 September 1945) is an Irish former hurling manager and player. In his playing career he was known for his intelligent anticipation, his ability to find open space and his overhead striking of the ball.[1] A versatile player who lined out in no less than eight different positions, McCarthy made his name as an attacking midfielder and as a centre-forward. He is widely regarded to be one of the most skilful and stylish players of his generation and as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.[2][3]
Raised in Cork city, McCarthy came to Gaelic games prominence as a schoolboy. He joined the St Finbarr's senior team at the age of 17 in 1963 and spent the next 16 years as one of the club's key players. McCarthy's association with Cork began as a member of the minor team in 1962. He progressed through the under-21 ranks before making his senior debut in 1964. McCarthy brought his 17-season association with the red jersey to an end when he announced his club and inter-county retirement in October 1979.
McCarthy is one of the most decorated players of his era. During his time with Cork, he won five All-Ireland Championship titles - including a three-in-a-row from 1976 to 1978, nine Munster Championship titles and three National Hurling League titles. McCarthy captained Cork on several occasions, particularly in 1966 when, as captain with the Cork under-21 team also, he became the only player in history to captain two All-Ireland-winning teams in the same season.
In retirement from playing, McCarthy enjoyed success as a trainer, coach, selector and manager at club and inter-county levels. After winning numerous Cork SHC titles with St Finbarr's, he became a highly sought-after coach at inter-county level. McCarthy had three spells as coach-manager of the Cork senior team, culminating with an All-Ireland title in 1990. He later managed the Waterford senior hurling team to a first All-Ireland semi-final appearance in 35 years.