Joe McCarthy (rugby union)

Joe McCarthy (born 26 March 2001) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for United Rugby Championship club Leinster, and represents Ireland at international level.[1]

Date of birth (2001-03-26) 26 March 2001 (age 23)
Place of birthManhattan, New York, U.S.
Height1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Weight124 kg (273 lb; 19 st 7 lb)
SchoolBlackrock College
UniversityTrinity College, Dublin
Notable relative(s)Paddy McCarthy
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Current team Leinster
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022– Leinster 31 (15)
Correct as of 24 February 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020 Ireland U20 3 (0)
2022 Ireland Wolfhounds 1 (0)
2022– Ireland 15 (10)
Correct as of 30 November 2024

Early life

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McCarthy was born in Manhattan, New York to Irish parents who had moved there for work; the family returned to Ireland when McCarthy was three years old.[2]

Professional career

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Leinster

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McCarthy was named in the Leinster Rugby academy for the 2021–22 season.[3] He made his debut in Round 11 of the 2021–22 United Rugby Championship against Cardiff.[4]

Ireland

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In June 2022, he was included in the Ireland squad for the 2022 tour of New Zealand.[5] He made his international debut off the bench in the 60th minute of a 13–10 win over Australia.[6] In August 2023 he was named in the Ireland squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[7]

McCarthy was selected for Ireland's 2024 Six Nations squad. He won the Player of the Match award in the 2024 Six Nations Championship opener in Marseille where Ireland beat France, 38–17.[8]

Personal life

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His younger brother is fellow rugby union player Paddy McCarthy.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "The Leinster lock with Munster roots ready to make a dent for Ireland". 5 September 2023.
  2. ^ Scully, Michael (26 December 2022). "A year on from Christmas chilling, Joe McCarthy relishes Thomond Park cauldron". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Leinster Rugby Academy for 2021/22 Confirmed". Leinster Rugby. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  4. ^ "United Rugby Championship: Cardiff 29-27 Leinster". BBC Sport. 29 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Andy Farrell includes 5 uncapped players in 40-man Ireland squad to tour New Zealand". The 42. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Byrne's late penalty sees Ireland scrape past Wallabies in Dublin". the42. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  7. ^ "'I'd never have thought I'd be able to represent Ireland at a World Cup. It's seriously cool' – Irish lock Joe McCarthy". Irish Independent. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Ireland stun France with best ever Six Nations victory on French soil". Irish Times. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  9. ^ Magliocco, Sarah (3 February 2024). "Leinster star Joe McCarthy's family life and rugby playing brothers following in his footsteps". RSVPlive.ie. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
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