Thomas St George McCarthy facts for kids

Thomas St George McCarthy (1862–1943) was an important figure in Irish sports history. He played rugby union for Ireland and was one of the people who helped start the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). This famous sports organization began at Hayes Hotel in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland on November 1, 1884.

Early Life and Family

Thomas St George McCarthy was born in 1862 in Bansha, a village in County Tipperary. His father, George McCarthy, was a police officer and later a judge. The family originally came from County Kerry.

Starting the GAA

When the GAA was founded, McCarthy was a police officer, a District Inspector with the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), working in Templemore, County Tipperary. He had moved to Dublin in 1877 and became good friends with Michael Cusack. Cusack ran a special school that helped students prepare for important exams. McCarthy was coached by Cusack for his RIC police exam in 1882, and he did so well that he came in first place!

A Talented Sportsman

McCarthy was a very active sportsman. In 1881, he joined the Dublin University Football Club. He played rugby for Ireland against Wales in 1882. Later that same year, his Dublin University team won the Leinster Senior Cup, which was the very first time this competition was held.

He also enjoyed playing other sports. In 1888, while stationed in Limavady, he played soccer for Limavady FC. He even became the captain of both the town's football and cricket teams. He won two major cups that year: the County Londonderry senior cup in football and the first ever County Londonderry Senior cricket cup. He later became a vice-president of the North West of Ireland Football Association and captained the County Londonderry cricket team.

Love for Hurling

Thomas St George McCarthy especially loved the game of hurling. He often watched local players in his home village, who later formed the Galtee Rovers GAA Hurling and Football club. He regularly attended hurling matches at Croke Park in Dublin, traveling from his home in the Ranelagh area.

Legacy and Recognition

Thomas St George McCarthy passed away in 1943. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Deansgrange Cemetery in Dublin. Unlike some of the other founders of the GAA, his contributions were not widely recognized for a long time. However, there is a family burial plot in Bansha village where his sister, Kathleen McCarthy, is buried.

To honor his role in starting the GAA, a special gravestone was placed at Deansgrange Cemetery. It was unveiled on November 18, 2009, as part of a program to mark the 125th Anniversary of the GAA's founding. Many people believe he deserves even more recognition for his important work.

Today, the police forces in Ireland and Northern Ireland, the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, honor McCarthy. They present the Thomas St George McCarthy Cup for a competition between their sports teams, the Garda GAA and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.