Cian McCarthy happy to be at Sarsfields and helping out as a selector

The return of former Sarsfield’s star Cian McCarthy to the role of coach/selector with their Senior hurling team has been welcomed by the faithful at the Riverstown club.

In recent years after a two-year spell with Douglas he moved to his hometown at Passage where he helped them win the Seandun Junior A hurling championship in 2021 for the first time in the club’s history.

“Although I left Sarsfield’s the bond with the guys that I grew up will always be there and winning four hurling Senior county medals will always be dear to my heart,” McCarthy said.

For Cian son of the legendary Teddy it was time to reflect on the early years with his beloved club.

“At that time, we had a gentleman called James Barry who looked after kids from 5 to 10 and it was the perfect start for me with a great club,” Cian added.

When you are a son of Teddy Mac surely there was pressure to do the business in games?

“My dad was always there but it wasn’t until I got older that he really started giving me advice but in reality it was a toss- up between him and my grandmother Phil O’Neill who was my biggest encourager and critic.” 

When the news filtered through in 2023 that his father had suddenly passed away it was a period of grief for the family.

“It was a tough time as we had seen a lot more of him in the years leading up to his death in comparison to his younger days when he was pulled from pillar to post.

“I remember going to games as a ten- year- old and it could take one hour to get from one side of the ground to the other as guys wanted to speak with him.

“To be honest for about 10 to 12 years before he passed he mellowed in the grandfather role and it was then we saw the real Teddy when he reminisced about games.” 

The recent death of Ray Ryan was another tough blow for the Ryan family, club and friends and Cian was saddened when the news broke.

“Ray was a big part of the club in many wany ways not just his playing career, but he was massively a great man for the younger players coming through the club.

“When I was younger Ray would have been seven years older than I and he was always a very open character that you could talk too.

“Amazingly he kept that going for many years right up to his untimely death and even now there are many players in Sarsfield’s that hold him dear to their hearts as he was the ultimate clubman.” 

In the words of Cian the loss of Ray is a huge void to fill.

“Everything he done was for the club to get quality players and I remember him one time telling me stories of when my dad was still playing, and he was only a young boy waiting for Teddy to run off the training pitch so he could get a handshake.” 

The forthcoming unveiling of the Teddy McCarthy statue will take place in April and with the club pitch at Riverstown also been named after the great man it is going to be an emotional day for the family.

“It is a massive honour as Sars have had some wonderful people represent them over many years but in reality, doing what Teddy done in winning football and hurling medals in the space of a fortnight will most likely be never achieved again.

“To be honest it will be a memorable day for the all the McCarthy family and even going forward that my own children will be able to go down and see it and tell their own few stories what they remember about him.” 

The present Cork intercounty team are going in the right direction and Cian believes Pat Ryan and his management team have some quality players at their disposal.

“Pat Ryan has always been a good guy and he has assembled a good squad with a solid backroom team and I will be surprised if they do not have a major say in this year’s championship.

“For when I played not winning a Senior All Ireland was disappointing but there is a lot more factors in winning at this level as you could have five or six players and win a county but in the present intercounty level you need 20 quality players.” 

Married to Ciara, they were blessed with sons Tiernan and Joey and they presently reside in Passage.

On his return to Sars Cian is hoping he can make a contribution.

“Looking I have experienced coaching at U21 level but I know Teddy will be pleased that I have returned to give something back to the great club he loved to his death.”