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Ballynoe native Dan McCarthy, East Cork Athletic Club, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the recent Munster Star Awards, held in Blarney.

Ballynoe native Dan McCarthy has been inducted into the Munster Athletics Hall of Fame in recognition of his sporting work throughout the county for well over four decades. Mr McCarthy was recognised at the Munster Star Awards on January 31, at the Blarney Golf Resort Hotel.

His initial involvement with St Catherine’s AC led him to becoming vice-chairman of the East Cork Athletics Board. In September 1979, he was elected to the role of chairperson, a position he held until August 2009.

During his tenure as chairperson, Mr McCarthy was responsible for the introduction of a road race championship and for re-introducing a number of perpetual trophies that had lapsed. Also, during his three decades at the helm, a number of well-known athletes – including two Olympians, Sonia O’Sullivan and Liam O’Brien – emerged from the East Cork region.

Mr McCarthy also served for many years as vice-chairperson of the Cork County Board, and was elected president of St Catherine’s AC following its revival in 2009.

He was described at the awards by Munster Athletics as ‘the unmistakable figure who fires the starting gun at virtually every race in East Cork’. Mr McCarthy has been the starter at the renowned ‘Ballycotton 10’ race on around 35 occasions, and has sent an estimated 45,000 runners on their way for the famous ten-mile journey.

“There is no doubt that not one of those 45,000 could say they didn’t get a fair start – because impartially, fairness and a willingness to help others have been the hallmark of Dan McCarthy’s sporting life. He is indeed a worthy recipient of this Hall of Fame award,” according to a Munster Athletics spokesperson.

Many congratulations to Dan.

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