Mike McCarthy was educated at two famous rugby nurseries - Sedbergh School and Brunel University. While at Brunel he was an Academy player with Wasps and played for the England Under-21s in the IRB World Championship.
McCarthy subsequently moved to Connacht and his ability to play either at lock or blindside flanker has made him a valuable asset and brought him into contention for the Ireland senior squad. McCarthy has signed with Leinster Rugby for the 2013/14 season
McCarthy suffered a concussion in the 6 Nations away defeat to France in 2016. An injury that would rule the Leinster second row out of action for 9 months. Once McCarthy had completed the return to play protocols and had been given the green light to resume full-contact training, he suffered another setback; this time in the form of a foot injury. Nine months later and the 34-year-old has featured in just five games since as he continues to work his way back to full fitness.
McCarthy’s first focus is returning to full fitness with the aim of hitting the peak form which saw him become an integral part of Joe Schmidt’s Irish set-up.
In May 2017, Mike McCarthy's move to Narbonne was scuppered due to an elbow injury that forced him to retire with immediate effect.
The 35-year-old has won 75 caps for Leinster since joining in 2013 from Connacht and won a PRO12 title in his first campaign lining out in the number five jersey in a 34-12 win against Glasgow at the RDS.
McCarthy has also won 19 Ireland caps since his debut in August 2011 against Scotland in a Rugby World Cup warm-up game and was a late call-up to the Ireland squad in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
(17/5/17)
AC
Career
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Irish Wolfhounds No 5 Lock |
2015 - present |
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Wasps Openside Flanker |
2002 - 2003 |
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Newcastle Falcons Openside Flanker |
2004 - 2007 |
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Connacht Rugby No 5 Lock |
2003 - 2013 |
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Ireland No 5 Lock |
2011 - 2017 |
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Leinster Rugby No 5 Lock |
2013 - 2017 |
