Sadness at passing of Billy McCarthy

THE death occurred unexpectedly at his residence 10 St Bernard’s Place Fermoy on March 26 of Billy McCarthy.

The late Billy in his 52nd year was very well known in GAA circles. In 1994 he was seriously ill in hospital where I had the occasions to visit him while visiting another patient.

He made a great recovery and was on the Avondhu senior hurling panel that won the County SHC in 1996. In his early playing days he lined out with Avondhu in the Under 16 Dick Barrett Shield tournament and also the Under 16 Football side.

He played Minor hurling and football with Cork in 1990 and played with Cork Under 21 hurlers in 1993. In 1994 he was on the Cork Junior Hurling panel v Galway and also a member of the Cork senior squad for their National Hurling League games v Antrim and Wexford.

In 1993 Avondhu senior hurlers reached the county semi-final. At 21 he was a member of that side. He was a coach to many underage hurling teams in Fermoy and also assisted with the Ladies Football teams.

He contributed to the Fermoy club at all levels. Being a mentor and a coach and was very well known for his passion and knowledge of the game. He was a great hurler of his generation being fearless.

In the 80s he was very much to the fore in underage hurling and football in Fermoy.

The late Billy a great family man could turn his hand to any sport being an outstanding athlete in his young days winning many cross country titles.

In the 1990 JAHC final at the age of 18 against Milford he came on as a sub and scored 0-1. He won his second Avondhu JAHC medal the following year when they defeated Castletownroche in the final.

Billy’s third JAHC medal was in 1994 against Kilworth in Glanworth before he became ill.

His popularity was borne out in the very large and represented attendance at his funeral on Sunday evening in Neligan’s Funeral Home Fermoy and also at the Requiem Mass and burial on Monday.

Interment took place to Kilcrumper New Cemetery.

There was a guard of honour of Fermoy GAA, Ladies Football and other sporting bodies as the cortege made it was to the Church on Monday morning. Club colours were borne on his coffin.

To his wife Claudine, son Steph, sisters, brothers, Mary, Thomas, Dianne, James, families and partners, In laws Christy & Breda Kennedy, sisters in law Michelle, Nicole and their families, Tara, Cassie, a wide circle of relatives, neighbours and friends we tender our sincere sympathy.