McCarthy, Peter


It would be no exaggeration to describe the late Peter McCarthy, Greenore Road, Carlingford - who passed away on July 11th, 2012 - as a Cooley Kickhams and Louth GAA legend. As a player with club and county, Peter was a strong and uncompromising midfielder. He won SFC medals with Cooley in 1973, '76, '77 and '78 alongside his brothers Harry and Martin. Peter lined out in a total of nine senior championship finals, including his last year with the team - 1981. As well as the four SFCs, Peter also amassed a host of Cardinal O'Donnell and Old Gaels Cups. He came out of retirement in 1984 to play a key role in Cooley's success in the Centenary ACC Cup final. Peter featured on the first Cooley side to contest a Leinster club final - against UCD in 1974 - and captained the Louth U21s to victory over Dublin in the first round of the 1970 Leinster FC. By the time the Wee County captured the provincial title, however, he had emigrated to Canada. After returning home, Peter lined out regularly for Louth at senior level in the 1970s and he also served the Wee County as a selector under both Frank Lynch and Declan Smyth. Peter McCarthy worked for Cooley Kickhams in all capacities, including club chairman (when he was a driving force behind the development of the club's magnificent facilities), senior manager and juvenile coach. As an underage trainer, he led Cooley to their first-ever U14 championship in 1994, their first U16 titles in '95, '96 and '97, and their first minor crown in 1998. Cooley Kickhams GFC provided a guard of honour as a wide selection of GAA people from Louth and beyond turned out in force to bid their final farewell to Peter McCarthy. With Peter's passing, there is a void that can never be filled but the great Cooley clubman has left a legacy that will last forever.




Back to Search