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The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Dublin GAA legend and nine-time All-Ireland winner reveals ‘tough love' from dad led to them ‘not talking for months'
He explained why it made him a better player TOUGH TALK Dublin GAA legend and nine-time All-Ireland winner reveals 'tough love' from dad led to them 'not talking for months' JAMES McCARTHY revealed an episode of tough love from his dad led to them "not talking for a couple of months". However, the nine-time All-Ireland winner believes his dad's high standards counted in his favour later in his career. 2 James McCarthy revealed an incident of tough love from his dad inspired his high standards with Dublin Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 2 James McCarthy, Stephen Cluxton and Michael Fitzsimons are the only men to win the All-Ireland SFC nine times Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile McCarthy, 35, sat down with Bernard Dunne on an episode of Dunne Talks to reflect on his GAA career. And he revealed an incident where his dad gave him a fierce talking to after a club game in which he scored a goal. The Ballymun Kickhams man said: "He said 'You were an embarrassment... you were a disgrace today. You actually embarrassed me and your brother. You weren't going for the ball, you weren't tackling. You were swanning around, thought you were great.'" While it led to a temporary falling-out between the two, the five-time All-Star admitted it made him a better player down the line. He added: "I got real thick. Told him to F off. "We didn't talk for a couple months after. But he was dead right. "We had a little bit of that in the first few years but once he felt I was on the right path, probably about 21, he said 'I'll let him off and let him figure it out himself.'" The career James McCarthy forged speaks for itself. He is one of only three Dublin players to win the Sam Maguire nine times, the others being Stephen Cluxton and Michael Fitzsimons. McCarthy captained Dessie Farrell's men to the milestone when they beat then-defending champions Kerry in 2023. Inside Sharlene Mawdsley's 'delicious' yet atypical Tenerife holiday with GAA star boyfriend Mikey Breen Meanwhile, his CV boasts 14 Leinster titles and five National Leagues, alongside a provincial and All-Ireland medal with the U21s. McCarthy is also distinguished with Ballymun Kickhams, with whom he has won two Dublin SFC crowns and the 2012 Leinster club championship. Off the field, his life as been blossoming, having welcomed the birth of his first son back in February 2024. He announced his inter-county retirement in November 2024 with an emotional statement which prompted tributes aplenty. He said: "I have decided to retire from representing Dublin GAA at intercounty level. "This decision hasn't been an easy one to make but I feel it's the right time. "I have been very fortunate to be involved in a golden period for Dublin GAA and I have played with the most incredible group of players. "It really has been some of the best days of my life and I have memories to last a lifetime. "The loyalty and friendship we have built is something I will always be thankful for. "To the Dublin fans thank you for the support of the team throughout the years. "Walking around Croke Park and passing Hill 16 is a memory that I will never forget. "To my parents John and Marian, my family, my close friends, and my wife Clodagh, thank you for supporting me throughout my football career. "Your unwavering belief in me has helped more than you will ever know."
Irish Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Leinster fans discover their team is only human as pundits left stunned by Northampton upset
'Are they human or are they Leinster ?' asked Jacqui Hurley when she welcomed us to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, quoting that quirky little tune that's being doing the rounds. By full-time came the realisation that, well, they're a bit of both. As part of a research project into the Leinster faithful's confidence levels ahead of their Champions Cup semi-final, this couch checked the availability and pricing of early morning flights from Dublin to Cardiff on May 24th. They were either sold out or cost roughly about the price of a two-bed duplex with an A BER rating in south Dublin. Our RTÉ panel attempted to be more cautious, none of them dismissing Northampton's chances of springing a surprise, but when Jacqui suggested that 'it would feel catastrophic if Leinster didn't win today', Fiona Coghlan, Jamie Heaslip and Donal Lenihan all nodded violently. 'Leinster have 358 caps on their bench, Northampton have 115 in their whole 23,' Donal told us, just to emphasise the experience contrast. While he stopped short of suggesting that Jordie Barrett , Andrew Porter , Jack Conan , Rabah Slimani, Rónan Kelleher , Ryan Baird , Luke McGrath and Ross Byrne could beat the Northampton starting XV all by themselves, you'd a notion he was thinking it. READ MORE And when Miles Harrison, over on Premier Sports, ran his eye over Leinster's list of replacements, all he could conclude was that 'it's just silly', reckoning that Barrett must have been 'the superest sub this competition has ever seen'. So, that was the scene set, none of our pundits on either channel – Lawrence Dallaglio, Rob Kearney and Pat Lam making up the Premier Sports crew – forecasting anything but a home win. Thereafter? Well, mad and quite glorious stuff, really, 'one of the most incredible games I've ever seen', as Donal put it. And, alas, 'an absolute disaster for Leinster'. Leinster players look dejected during defeat to Northampton Saints at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph:It was too, Tommy Freeman and Henry Pollock among their chief tormentors, the pair helping put Northampton 27-15 up at half-time. 'It has not gone quite as you might have expected,' said Jacqui, with Fiona, Jamie and Donal all shaking their heads violently. Pollock's 28th-minute try, when he tiptoed his way past Sam Prendergast, had Jamie lost in his analogy quest. 'He made Sam look like, like . . . like a slug or a snail, something incredibly slow . . . the gas from the fella is ridiculous.' [ Tommy Freeman overcomes adversity to become a standout Northampton Saints player Opens in new window ] The second half? Ah here. The gas from Northampton was ridiculous. Until that last moment when Ross Byrne scored the winning try for Leinster. Except he didn't . The wait for officialdom to rule on the moment? Interminable. 'One of the most bizarre finishes you'd ever see,' said Bernard Jackman. Please send your explanations to mystifiedbytherulesofrugby@ Thanks. Come full-time? The price of the last remaining Dublin to Cardiff flights were tumbling, those trying to flog ones already purchased discovering that the name-change fee would buy a three-bed duplex with an A++ BER rating in south Dublin. Leinster's Jordie Barrett is tackled by Northampton's Henry Pollock and Fraser Dingwall. Photograph:Our panels? Stumped. 'Leinster didn't turn up like a team that wanted to win the match and get to the final,' said Rob, which you'd imagine wasn't actually true, Jacqui's description of Northampton's display as 'a performance for the ages' probably closer to the mark. Freeman was tremendous, Pollock was too. 'What's he like?' Jamie asked Northampton's Alex Mitchell when he joined the panel pitchside for a chat. 'He's quality,' he said, 'although he can, sometimes, be a bit of a knob'. As tributes go, that was touching. [ Leinster continue to find new ways to lose big games Opens in new window ] If Leinster captain Caelan Doris thought his day couldn't get any tougher, he still had to talk to Clare MacNamara. 'But there's always the URC,' she didn't say. 'Your season now is, I suppose, in tatters,' she suggested. 'How gutting is this defeat, given the resources you had this year and adding those big-name players?' Caelan's sad eyes never looked sadder. 'How many times can you say I'm disappointed, I'm gutted, I'm in pain,' said Premier Sports' Martin Bayfield, although, in fairness, Leinster captains should be well practised in the art at this stage. Northampton v Bordeaux it is then in the final, a contest that will warm the hearts of Leinster-loving, Cardiff-flight-owning folk much like a home with a G BER rating will toast your toes. They've discovered, once more, that their team is only human.
