‘Staying in moment’ got Treaty over hurdle – McCarthy
IT SAYS a lot about the endearment which Limerick hurling supporters hold for him that a song is dedicated in his honour, and there’s no doubt that chants of ‘Oh, Richie McCarthy’ to the tune of ‘Seven Nation Army’ by The White Stripes are still ringing around the Treaty.
While it happened in unfortunate circumstances, with Mike Casey being forced off injured in the 50th minute, it was fitting that McCarthy should be manning the full-back line as their 45-year famine was lifted.
The Blackrock defender has already assumed legendary status on Shannonside for his combative style throughout his 10-season Limerick career (he debuted in 2009) and an All-Ireland medal was his just desserts.
Throughout the build-up, the 30-year-old had an image ingrained in his mind. All he could think about was running in front of Hill 16 with the Liam MacCarthy Cup in his hands and going “absolutely nuts”. And it was even sweeter than he had imagined.
“It felt way better. Visualisation is not used enough in GAA. All week I had it in my head, I didn’t want to be thinking too far ahead because if you’re thinking of future things, you’re lost,” McCarthy said.
“But all week I was just thinking it, whether I come on or not. This panel is so tight with the 36 panel members that we have, it didn’t really make a difference if I started or not, everyone is the same really on that panel.”
While Caroline Currid has shied away from the spotlight, McCarthy has no hesitation in highlighting the influence which the renowned sports psychologist had within their squad.
With Limerick now her fourth All-Ireland winning county to be involved with – after Tyrone’s footballers (2008), Tipperary’s hurlers (2010) and Dublin’s footballers (2011) – she brought a wealth of experience to their camp.
When their lead was slipping away in the final heart-stopping minutes with history in sight, the former All Star remembered one valuable lesson that Currid shared and he feels her input in their preparation was crucial.
FLIP
“When I came on I was thinking we had a good lead. In my head I was thinking that if a fella is coming through you have to take him down because if you give away a point, what about it, you have a lead,” he said.
“We did a lot with our psychologist and you just have to keep in the moment I suppose – she always says that. In the Cork game we were on the flip side of it coming from six points down, but you just have to keep calm.
“Being honest, as a player you do look up at the clock and you’re thinking ‘please, time, come on, come on, be on our side’, but you keep realistic, keep playing the ball out, keep playing through the lines, don’t panic. “And I don’t think we did, I know they eked away at the lead, but at the end of the day we kept our heads. The management and ourselves were a bit raw getting to an All-Ireland final, but she had the experience.
“She told us about it. Even the day before, she said if you don’t pick up the hurley the day before a game, don’t do it, don’t change your routine – which is a big thing for us.”
With his holy grail reached and huge competition for places in the full-back line, with Seán Finn, Richie English and Casey nailing down positions, there may be question marks over McCarthy’s future. That’s for another day, however, and he sees no reason why their youthful squad can’t push on.
“The full-back line are only 22-23 and they’re going to be there for years to come, they’re absolutely unbelieva- ble. I have a lot more experience than them, but I learned a lot from them.
“Even chatting at half-time about what they’re doing well, what they’re doing wrong, we learn off each other, we’d be hopping questions off each other. I wasn’t starting but myself and Mikey (Casey) were asking each other ‘what’s the best way to mark Johnny Glynn?’
“Even winning on Sunday, we expected it. In years gone by, if we won a big game it was kind of like a relief. But these lads are just so used to it.
“If we won a big game before, we’d maybe celebrate for too long, but they’re just so used to winning and we’re living off them really, they’re the heroes really.”