Seanie McCarthy has given a lifetime of service to the GAA with his club Mayfield and division Seandun

The Christmas festivities are over.

The small well-earned break is finished.

Now it's time again for Mayfield GAA stalwart Seanie McCarthy to look forward to the New Year and what lies ahead for his beloved Mayfield GAA Club.

It began for Seanie as a raw six- year-old when his love of GAA saw him join his lifelong club - Mayfield.

“At that time playing in the street leagues at Forde’s Field was natural for every kid in the area and when you loved sport and GAA as much as I did, I played for five years in the U12 grade, and I have never looked back.  

"I'm still loving it and involved 69 years later,” Seanie McCarthy said.

Over seven decades involved Seanie has witnessed the highs and lows of the sport at Mayfield as he reflected on his time at the club.

“Sadly, we are in a mature area and in recent years we have had no development other than Newtown court and the recent housing project in the Dominicans, so in reality, I think it’s going to take some time to get the golden days of easy recruitment back,” added McCarthy.

Mayfield were relegated from the intermediate hurling championship last season, something that really hurt Seanie and many involved within the club.

“It was hugely disappointing to get relegated from the intermediate grade and while we went to four semi-finals in that championship we never got over the line.

“Some people may suggest it is good to reassess, but on the other side of the coin, it's very disappointing, because getting back there is going to be a tough task.” 

Winning the All-Ireland junior hurling championship in 2017 was a huge boost for the Mayfield community, but McCarthy feels lack of talent coming through the club at underage level hurt them.

“Our team of 2017 was a superb squad, but when the elder lemons like Kieran Brosnan and Dan Lucey retired, the supply chain to replace them wasn’t there and in my book, you need to be getting at least three players coming through on annual basis to compete with the elite.” 

The work that’s been done at many levels at the Mayfield club was commended by McCarthy.

“Our juvenile committee work very hard to keep the show on the road and I have been privileged to have worked with so many great people in my lifetime at our club.” 

Next season Mayfield have recruited a new coaching duo for the forthcoming premier junior hurling championship and Seanie is hopeful they can help the team get back promoted again.

“We have brought one of our own, Donal Hurley, who went to live in Ovens and fell in with Eire Og, but he is back to help us with Jim McCarthy.” Outside of Mayfield, McCarthy’s work with the Seandun Division over many years is incredible, as he looked back on his time with the division.

“I started as a 17 year-old going to meetings in Cook Street and as the division got bigger the meetings went to Pairc Ui Chaoimh, but I also was a delegate to the Cork County Board and Bord na Nog for many years, so it was the full package.” 

Over 50 years plus with Seandun McCarthy has a unique record.

“The only position I have never held was PRO, as I was chairman, vice chairman (twice), secretary (twice) and treasurer, so you could say I was a man for all seasons.” 

There is little doubt the present Seandun committee have really upped their game over the past two seasons.

“The committee have just come off a truly great season as the pitch at Ballinlough is an iconic venue in the city and the improvement to the surrounds and dressing rooms is just magnificent.

“Credit to the gentlemen and ladies who have done a great job and I would argue with no disrespect to previous committees that this group is one of the best I have ever sat with.” 

This year Seandun celebrated 100 years with a dinner and book launch and Sean got a huge surprise when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his incredible work.

“It was totally the last thing on my mind, as I was in shock and for the committee to have the foresight to contact my family, so my wife Ann and my son and daughter, along with my two brothers were all there at the dinner to share the occasion with me.” 

Positivity is the way forward for Sean and his love for his club and division doesn’t look like waning anytime soon.

“I do believe we all need to be positive as it's tough going to keeping the show on the road, but as long as have the energy I will keep working for Mayfield as they have given me a lifetime of truly wonderful memories.”