McCarthy first played for Cork as a member of the minor team and was an unused substitute in the 1967 All-Ireland minor final defeat of Laois. He never played with the under-21 team but earned selection on the junior team that won the Munster JFC title in 1972.[3] McCarthy's performances in this grade resulted in an immediate call-up to the senior team and he was at left wing-forward when Cork beat Galway in the 1973 All-Ireland final.[4][5] He also won consecutive Munster SFC titles, four consecutive Railway Cup medals with Munster and was included on the All-Star team in 1976.[6][7] A car accident in 1979 brought McCarthy's inter-county career to an end.
Personal life
McCarthy's uncle, Humphrey O'Neill, was part of the Cork team that won the 1945 All-Ireland SFC.[8] He qualified with a degree in agricultural science and worked as a secondary school teacher in Clonakilty Community College while also running the family newsagent.[9]
