SEASON HOTS UP FOR McCARTHY
IT SAYS a lot about the power of television, and perhaps also the anonymity created by hurling’s facial guards, that Jason McCarthy is more recognisable around Clare as a member of ‘Ireland’s Fittest Family’ than an intercounty GAA player. McCarthy, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Saturday, came into the Clare senior squad in Davy Fitzgerald’s final season in 2016, making his debut in the League last year after Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney took charge. But while his Championship debut followed last summer in the Munster semi-final win over Limerick, McCarthy finds himself being recognised for participating in the television show with his parents Pat and Patricia and brothers Aidan, who is on this year’s Clare Under 21 team with him, and David. ‘It’s two years ago now. You would always have young lads coming up on the street and you would be wondering, and then you see them smiling and then you just know. ‘They come up to mam and the brothers as well. You could be doing a Cúl camp or something, and they would be over and they would be laughing and they know. ‘We went all the way to the final. It was a great experience. Stephen Hunt, the soccer player, was our coach. ‘He is some character. We were in stitches listening to him. Himself and Davy Fitzgerald used to be egging each other on. ‘Davy wanted us — he was over Clare seniors when I was involved in his last year — but as soon as Davy said he wanted us Stephen gave him a nudge and said he wanted to get in there.’ Hurling is back as his main focus and this evening he will hope to get a hectic summer off to a glorious start by dethroning Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 champions Limerick in their Munster championship opener. And with Cusack Park in Ennis set to stage Munster senior hurling championship games this summer for the first time in over two decades, thousands are expected to attend this evening’s mouthwatering clash (5.45pm). ‘There is going to be some build-up now with the U21s on Monday. If the sun is shining at all, the crowd will have saffron and blues flags and they will be going mad. That’s what we really want. And then it will be building up to the senior a couple of weeks later. ‘With the [U21 championship] you know all of your eggs are in the one basket. It’s straight knockout. Last year we didn’t do ourselves justice losing by 13 points to Limerick. ‘This year we’ve a new bunch of lads in. We know it is going to be a huge job to overturn Limerick. But we have every chance of doing it.’