An exceptional hurler by any standard, Ballyhooly native John McCarthy, is the latest recipient of the Castletownroche GAA Hall of Fame Award. 2015 marks the 27th anniversary of this coveted honour.

The award was presented at a very pleasant function held in The Spinning Wheel, Castletownroche on Friday night, March 6. Club chairman Tom Barrett, welcomed everyone before overseeing the presentation of a piece of crystal by club president, Dave Murphy.

Long serving secretary Bobby Hazelwood, gave a detailed breakdown of John's illustrious playing career which started in the famed hurling nursery of St Colman's College, Fermoy. He joined Castletown' in 1963 and lost no time establishing himself as an incisive and accurate corner forward. Along with Castletownroche team mates, history was created when they became the first club in Ireland to win an U21 hurling championship - an innovation by legendary GAA administrator, Derry Gowen from Fermoy. The highpoint of his club career with Castletown' came in 1964 with victory in the county intermediate hurling championship

Through his involvement with the Avondhu senior hurlers, John went on to cross camans with another legend of the game, Christy Ring of Glen Rovers fame. His scoring exploits resulted in a call up to the Cork intermediate hurling team. An engineering student at UCC in the early 60s, John was 'obliged to transfer' from Castletown' to the college and in a twist of fate, he found himself in opposition to former Castletownroche colleagues when UCC faced Avondhu in the 1966 Cork senior hurling county final - a title claimed by the North Cork men! While with UCC, John won two Fitzgibbon Cup medals. He transferred back to Castletown' in 1970 before going on to play football for both Ballyhooly and Fermoy.

In his acceptance address, John said he was delighted and extremely proud to accept the hall of fame award. He went on to say that Castletownroche always had a special place in his heart and that life-long friendships were formed with players he was honoured to be associated with - men like Christy Flynn, Bobby Sullivan, John O'Riordan, Paddy Noonan, Richie Browne, Davy Murphy, Johnny Browne, Jim Hogan, Bobby Galvin and his close friend and mentor, John McHugh.

During a hugely successful hurling career, John said Castletownroche's 1964 county final championship win over Youghal was the highlight.

Other formalities on the night included the presentation of a bouquet of flowers to John's wife, Kathryn. Newly weds, Muiris and Caroline Browne also received presentations. The event was very well organised and thoroughly enjoyed by the large crowd.

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