Dave McCarthy

Dave McCarthy (born 1949 in Clonakilty, County Cork) is a former Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Clonakilty and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1972 until 1979.

Club

McCarthy played his club football with his local club in Clonakilty, however, he enjoyed little success.

Inter-county

McCarthy first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor football team in the late 1960s. He was a non playing substitute as Cork claimed both Munster and All-Ireland titles in 1967.

By 1973 McCarthy was a key member of the Cork senior football team and he duly won his first Munster title on the field of play. The 5-12 to 1-15 defeat of arch-rivals Kerry showed the traditional football powers that Cork were coming. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Galway. Teenager Jimmy Barry-Murphy scored the first of his two goals after just two minutes before scored a third for Cork after switching to left wing-forward. At full-time Cork were the champions by 3-17 to 2-13. This victory gave McCarthy an All-Ireland winners' medal.

Cork continued their provincial dominance in 1974. A 1-11 to 0-7 defeat of Kerry gave McCarthy a second Munster winners' medal. This victory resulted in Cork being installed as the favourites to retain their All-Ireland title. An air of overconfidence crept into the side as McCarthy’s side were defeated by eventual champions Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final. He continued playing with Cork for another few years, however, Kerry dominated provincial football for the next decade.

Inter-provincial

McCarthy also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial football competition. He first played with his province in 1975 and success was immediate. That year he captured a Railway Cup winners' medal following a high-scoring victory over Ulster. It was the first of four Railway Cup victories as Munster also recorded victories in 1976, 1977 and 1978.