Tipp’s teen superstar reveals how teammates helped his ‘red card’ redemption arc
Darragh McCarthy had a less than ideal start to his 2025 Munster SHC, getting sent off in Tipperary’s second game, against Cork, for striking Seán O’Donoghue with his hurl before the sliotar had even been thrown-in.
There is a fine line between making your mark and going overboard, and unfortunately for the 19-year-old, he stepped over.
And it seemed again like he had not yet learned how to control his physicality, when two yellow cards saw him sent off at a crucial second-half period in Tipp’s All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny.
But none of that matters now.
McCarthy is an All-Ireland champion after producing a magnificent performance in the final, scoring 1-13 to help the Premier overcome their Rebel rivals.
That sending off earlier in the summer had the youngster leaving the field visibly distressed, and he had to watch from the sidelines as his side were hammered, 4-27 to 0-24.
Following Sunday’s All-Ireland final win, McCarthy hailed his teammates for helping him through that difficult period after the sending off.
Speaking with RTÉ, he said: “It’s all a mind game, really. If you let it get to you, you’re going to be curled up in a ball at home in bed.
“[Tipperary performance coach] Cathal Sheridan, our man, played a big part in that. I went in for a few chats to try sort the head out. You have to steel the mind and just forget about it.
“[My team-mates] are the best in the world. What they’ve done for me the last 12 months, and even after the first sending off against Cork, I’d say all 40 men on the panel texted me after it. Jake Morris texted me the following morning, saying ‘we’ll go for a coffee’. Just to get back around the lads again.
“They’re all so good. The last day, again, they looked after me there… I’ve no words for them.
“Noel McGrath, my favourite hurler of all time. Jason [Forde] and John [McGrath] are unreal to play with. No better man to pass to than Noel (for the last point). He thanked me. No need to thank me. I am so grateful to him.”
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