Timmy Mac Retires

[Reillers]

Old(ish) news but it's confirmed here so I thought it deserved a topic of it's own.

McCarthy retirement confirmed

12 January 2010

Cork boss Denis Walsh has confirmed Timmy McCarthy's retirement from inter-county hurling.

The Castlelyons farmer was one of the most decorated hurlers in the modern game, winning All-Ireland titles at senior, under 21, minor and intermediate level. He also won a National League medal in his debut season of 1998 and an Inter-provincial medal with Munster in 2007.

McCarthy, who represented the Rebels in both hurling and football up to under 21 level, first came to prominence with the famed hurling nursery St. Colman's, Fermoy before going on to win an All-Ireland minor medal in 1995 with Donal Og Cusack and Sean Og O hAilpin among his team-mates.
The flying half forward, who often came in for unfair criticism from Cork fans, won back-to-back All-Ireland under 21 titles in 1997 and '98 before helping the Rebels to Liam McCarthy Cup glory in 1999.

McCarthy garnered two more All-Ireland senior medals in 2004 and 2005. In all, he won five Munster SHC medals and was a key player for divisional side Imokilly in their 1997 and '98 Cork SHC successes.

"Timmy has been a fantastic servant to Cork over 10 years or so," fellow East Corkman Walsh said.

"I was always a big fan of his and his style of play and he's a player that owes Cork hurling nothing."




...He has been an absolute legend and a half, he is a complete gent and the work (for some unknown reason) was never fully appreciated by a lot of the Cork supporters, he was such a work horse and gave so much and sacrificed so much over the years. And for whatever reason, made the scapegoat when the blame wouldn't belong on his shoulders.

A magnificent servant to Cork hurling over the years, he was never the most skilfull of players, but he gave himself for the team and he'd run himself into the ground for that extra inch. Gave 110% all of the time. And whenever asked he gave more.
He'll always be remembered for the great days.
For me, it'll always be his performance in 99 final after he moved to midfield, without him we mightn't have won that day, the goal off the bench against Tipp in Kilarney in 04, keeping Tommy Walsh in his pocket that year..and oh so many more days out. Oh and that terrible white bird cage he had on his head, efficient, but terrible looking. Legendary though.

He owes Cork absolutey nothing and will always be remembered for the work, the run yourself to the bone, work that he put in and all he has done for Cork over the many years he's served the jersey with the passion and determination that he has done.

Thanks for the memories lad.

[Minder]

Great pace but tookthe wrong option too often. Always worked hard though.0

[Ash Smoker]

He was a player who could really do damage when he got going.
Especially on the big day.
He did exactly what your half forward to do, even if he wasn't gifted with skill.

Why did Cork fans generally not take to him though?

[Reillers]

He was a player who could really do damage when he got going.
Especially on the big day.
He did exactly what your half forward to do, even if he wasn't gifted with skill.

Why did Cork fans generally not take to him though?

They did, but his work just wasn't as obvious as say Ben/Jerry/Sean Og's..etc. But it was very well valued by the other players.
He became a scape goat on more then a few occasions but the fact that was picked consistantely over the yeras under different managements says a lot.

[Asal Mor]

Well done on a great career Timmy. Best of the luck for the future. Its sad to see a great warrior leave the battle.

[AZOffaly]

Timmy Mac always took abuse from Cork fans and was usually the scapegoat first man substituted. I think he was underrated, and certainly wasn't flashy, but he's had a great career with Cork, and scored some vital points for the Rebels, so congratulations to him on his career, and I hope he enjoys the rest. He's earned it.

[orangeman]

Cork fans were always calling for him to be subbed - if it was going wrong, it was nearly always Timmy that they called for.

Was never afraid to get stuck in and gave all he had for the cause.

A very strong man who gave great service and as has been said already, owes the red jersey nothing.

[INDIANA]

Timmy Mac always took abuse from Cork fans and was usually the scapegoat first man substituted. I think he was underrated, and certainly wasn't flashy, but he's had a great career with Cork, and scored some vital points for the Rebels, so congratulations to him on his career, and I hope he enjoys the rest. He's earned it.

owes cork nothing. Never merited the unwarranted abuse his own fans gave them. Was appalled at times sitting at games in Croker listening to it.

[johnneycool]

took a fair bit of abuse from the Cork faithful any time i've been down to see them play and may have done some weird things but also stopped a fair few defenders from dominating the game when in their presence, a buster up of play but every team needs one.

Three AI's is no bad return for most mere mortals.

[gallsman]

Over the course of his career Timmy Mac missed chance after chance after chance. Always worked his arse off though and had the game of his life in the 99 final where conditions suited him and he was probably Cork's best player.

Always remember the big white bucket helmet he used to wear.

[cicfada]

I hear Jerry O'Connor might be about to  hang up the boots as well! Did you hear anything like that Reillers..........seeing as you are so close to the team and all!!

[Premier Emperor]

Aye, Farmer used to look like he had accidentally got his head stuck in one of those white enamel buckets that you give the calves their milk in!

[Reillers]

I hear Jerry O'Connor might be about to  hang up the boots as well! Did you hear anything like that Reillers..........seeing as you are so close to the team and all!!

Heard the rumours, a few weeks ago they surfaced and went away pretty quickly and they're after resurfacing again now, but I don't know how true it is. On one sense he's only 31, and the way he's playing for the club at the moment is great he's on excellent form, but on the other hand, he's lost a yard or two of pace and I think he'd be the first to admit it if asked, which is no surprise seeing as he's 31 like, and he's taken (both of the twins have) some serious punishment and pain over the years because of all the hurlig they played, they played themselves to a standstill with the club and county and it was only a matter a time before they got injured, but they had a serious amount of games played over the last few years.
For now it seems it's nothing more than a rumour. A rumour that's gathering more momentum but a rumour.
I hope not, but it wouldn't be that shocking if it was true. He's a lot of miles on that clock and I don't know if the same hunger is there.

They played, (Newtown) Cork in a challenge game and Ben Jerry and Cathal among many of the Newtown players were excellent. Hope they go on to beat Ballyhale, they've got the players, a mix of youth and experience to do so. If they don't concede then I think they'll go out for a win. An incredibly good team they have.