Richard McCarthy (born 11 October 1987) is an Irish hurler who plays for Limerick Senior Championship club Blackrock. He played for the Limerick senior hurling team for 10 years, during which time he usually lined out as a full-back. A defender who was noted for his swashbuckling style, McCarthy was considered a "Limerick hurling fans favourite".
McCarthy began his hurling career at club level with Blackrock. After breaking onto the club's top adult team, he enjoyed his greatest success in 2010 when the club won the All-Ireland Junior Club Championship. Almost a decade later, McCarthy enjoyed further success when he won a Premier Intermediate Championship medal and promotion.
At inter-county level, McCarthy was part of the Limerick minor team that were All-Ireland Championship runners-up in 2005. He later lined out for Limerick at under-21 and intermediate levels before joining the Limerick senior team in 2009. From his debut, McCarthy lined out in a variety of positions in both defence and attack and made a combined total of 75 National League and Championship appearances in a career that ended with his last game in 2018. During that time he was part of the All-Ireland Championship-winning team in 2018. McCarthy also secured a Munster Championship medal in 2013. He announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 25 November 2019.
McCarthy was named Munster Hurler of the Year in 2013 while he also won his only All-Star that year. He claimed a further two All-Star nominations at various stages in his career. At inter-provincial level, McCarthy was also selected to play for Munster but ended his career without a Railway Cup medal.
Playing career
Blackrock
McCarthy joined the Blackrock club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels before joining the club's top adult team in the junior grade.
On 8 November 2009, McCarthy enjoyed his first success at adult level when he was part of the Blackrock team that secured the Limerick Junior Championship after a 2–18 to 1–16 defeat of Effin in the final. On 13 December 2009, he lined out at left wing-forward when Blackrock faced Fermoy in the Munster final. McCarthy top scored for the team with 0-06 and ended the game with a winners' medal following the 1–12 to 0–14 victory. Blackrock subsequently qualified for the All-Ireland final on 13 February 2010, with McCarthy once again lining out in attack. He top scored with 0-07 and claimed an All-Ireland medal after the 1–19 to 0–09 defeat of Naomh Colum Cille.
On 6 October 2019, McCarthy lined out at full-back when Blackrock drew 0-18 apiece with Kildimo-Pallaskenry in the Premier Intermediate Championship final. He retained his position for the replay on 26 October 2019 and ended the game with a winners' medal following the 1–18 to 0–16 victory.
Limerick
Minor and under-21
McCarthy first played for Limerick as a member of the minor team during the 2005 Munster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 4 May 2005 when he came on as a substitute in Limerick's 2–14 to 1–06 defeat of Tipperary in the Munster semi-final. On 26 June 2005, McCarthy was an unused substitute when Limerick suffered a 2018 to 1–12 defeat by Cork in the Munster final. He was again an unused substitute when Limerick suffered a 3–12 to 0–17 defeat by Galway in the All-Ireland final on 11 September 2005.
McCarthy was drafted onto the Limerick under-21 starting fifteen in advance of the 2008 Munster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 5 June 2008 when he lined out at full-forward in Limerick's 2–17 to 1–07 defeat of Waterford in the Munster quarter-final. Limerick's subsequent defeat by Tipperary in the semi-final was his last game in the grade.
Intermediate
McCarthy was added to the Limerick intermediate team prior to the start of the 2007 Munster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 10 June 2007 in a 0–17 to 0–15 defeat of Tipperary. On 7 July 2007, McCarthy lined out at full-back when Limerick suffered a 5–12 to 1–12 defeat by Waterford in the Munster final.