Sarsfields to unveil Teddy Mac statue with great support from clubs across Cork
This iconic picture of Teddy McCarthy in action against Wexford in 1993 is being used for the statue in his honour. Picture: Des Barry
It's been a difficult few years for Sarsfields Hurling Club off the field.
Only last week they were rocked by the shock death of minor manager and former county-winner Ray Ryan while their home in Riverstown has been revamped following extensive flooding damage.
They will be saluting another stalwart who was taken too soon in the coming weeks when a statue of the late Cork icon Teddy McCarthy will be unveiled.
One of the main men behind the project, which took 21 months of work is Barry Myers.
“Initially I met Teddy for a coffee in April 2023 and I suggested to him that a few of us were interested in doing a statue for him to commemorate his achievements in the GAA,” said Myers.
At the time McCarthy was a little unsure about the idea.
“Teddy was never a guy for fuss but I had the statue booklet with me from the sculptor Seamus Connolly and when he looked through it he became interested.
McCarthy was always a straight talker and he asked for one stipulation.
“He basically told me that any project would have to commemorate the double achievement of 1990 "
Teddy’s sudden passing put a halt to immediate plans but Myers and his committee were determined to continue.
“We put a proposal together and I got the green light from the McCarthy family and Sarsfields. As the majority of the committee were all great friends of Teddy, getting the wheels in motion was made a little easier.”
Raising the funds was always going to be the toughest hurdle and the fundraising committee had to be stringent with their approach.
“We had to put a solid plan into place that began at the end of September 2023 and I would like to pay tribute to all my fellow committee members for their incredible work.”
Sarsfields GAA pitch was flooded the same year.
“The sign over the pitch will be called Páirc Tadgh Mac Carthaigh but I suppose it will be widely known as the Teddy McCarthy Park and that was unanimously passed at our club AGM before Christmas."
It will certainly be a huge day for Sarsfield’s and Cork GAA.
“We will also have a plaque that will show his notable achievements so you could day it will be a great day to pay homage to the great man.”
The funding of the statue has taken months of hard work.
“In relation to the funding we received a grant from the Cork County Board following the double header game in December 2023.
“We also received grants from Croke Park and the Munster Council and I must pay special thanks to Christy Cooney the former president of the GAA and Bob Ryan of the Munster Council both great friends of Teddy.”
Cork City Council weighed in with €10,000 which was down to the hard work of councilors Sean Martin and Kenneth Collins as many of their fellow councilors contributed from their ward funds. The Cork County Council, under Frank O’Flynn, will also be contributing €10,000, pivotal in ensuring its completion.
Businesses like the O’Connell Group, MSL Engineering, Woodland Print and Rossini’s restaurant, along with Pat and Noelle Murphy, parents of Eoghan and Killian, gave generous contributions.
“There are too many to name but lots of people have given contributions as well as having various fundraisers in the club and at the Castle Bar so there is many people who have ensured this venture could actually happen."
A total of 65 clubs made contributions, but two clubs close to Sars came in for a special mention.
A major lunch will be held at Vienna Woods on Saturday, April 5, attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the President of the GAA Jarlath Burns as well as many leading lights in the GAA.
“It will be a day to pay homage to a man who gave his life to Sars and the GAA and I am sure he will get the reception he deserves on this wonderful occasion.”
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