Teddy Mac's passing left a huge void in the lives of everyone

THE date June 6, 2023, will long live in the minds of many people in this city and county.  It's exactly 12 months ago to the day.

It was the day when the news filtered through that the great GAA Cork star Teddy McCarthy had passed away.

There is little doubt Teddy had many friends but in life there is usually one person that one can form a special bond with you and in Teddy’s case it was his clubmate Seanie Farrell who he soldiered with for many years.

A visit to Glanmire for a chat with Seanie to reminisce of his many years of friendship with Teddy was interesting.

“I was always very friendly with Teddy’s family as he was a very promising U14 player that stood out as a real prospect for our club,” he said.

Teddy always wanted to attend the North Monastery but there was a hurdle that Seanie stepped in to sort out.

“He mixed up the dates for the entrance examination and it broke his heart as all he wanted to do was to play hurling with the Mon.

“Teddy’s mother Mary and sister Breda visited me to see if I could sort something out for him and from there I visited Brother Barry and told him I didn’t know about him academically but I knew he was a serious player and the rest was history as he got into the Mon.” 

PROUD

Sadly, Teddy’s father passed away when he was very young and his mother Mary reared the family and always looked out for Teddy.

“Mary always washed his gear and encouraged but I don’t think she ever saw him play but I do know the McCarthy family were very proud of him,” he added.

Watching Teddy’s career gave Seanie a huge buzz as he explained what he saw in him as an athlete.

He had incredible strength particularly in his legs with every match he played he stood out and he once mentioned to me that the two medals he wanted to win was a Harty Cup medal and a Senior County with Sars.

“Teddy didn’t achieve his dream with Sars but he absolutely loved his club more than anybody I knew in our community and he went to his grave with that love in his heart.

“At one time he remarked to me that when his father died young Sars and the Barry family were good to his family and he could never forget that loyalty.” 

Looking back to the day of his removal and funeral Seanie said it was day he will personally never forget.

“I honestly think that Teddy never realised how popular he was as there were thousands of people in Glanmire over two days but for me when most stars retire they go to the background Teddy didn’t follow suit.

“On the June weekend before he died he was in Thurles for the U21 All Ireland final and then it was a visit to take in the Cork and Kerry game before visiting Ballinlough on Monday to see his sons Cian and Niall play with Passage.” 

SPECIAL

There are friends and there are special friends and Seanie believes Teddy was in a class of his own.

“You wouldn’t always agree with him but rightly or wrongly what he said he believed in and stuck by it through thick and thin but I can honestly tell you as we remember him he was one of most loyal men I have ever had the pleasure to soldier with.

“To me that feat of being the only player to win All-Ireland titles in one year (1990) never went to his head as he put it down to all in a good day’s work.” 

Before Teddy sadly passed away he got involved with Seanie in Horse Racing as he recalled his introduction.

“When he retired he absolutely loved horses as we had a few together and he loved going to see the various trainers. We had a horse one time called An Ghlaise Bhui and he actually won at Galway and I never witnessed him jump as good as he did on that particular day.

“Teddy was ecstatic and in his usual dry wit after the race we ended up back in the National Tavern in Dillon's Cross.

“As proud of punch he walked through the doors with the trophy and when asked what the trophy was all about his reply was sharp.

“I got the best turned out at the Galway Races,” said Teddy.

Seanie continues with his love of horses and in memory of his late friend he will try to keep his name in the sport.

“We have a horse at the moment and we tried to register him as Teddy Mac but the name was already gone so we have gone with Ted the Head.” 

If she can jump as good as Teddy McCarthy the Glanmire syndicate will have some fun at the races.

You will never be forgotten Teddy Mac!