Plans under way for sculpture to honour Cork GAA legend Teddy McCarthy

Teddy McCarthy in action against Brian Stafford and PJ Gillic of Meath during the All-Ireland football final. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Plans are being drawn up to erect a sculpture in honour of Cork GAA legend Teddy McCarthy — the only man to win senior All-Ireland hurling and football medals in the same year.

A special fundraising committee has been formed by the many friends and clubmates of the dual star, who died unexpectedly last June at the age of 57.

The committee was supposed to launch details of the fundraiser at Teddy’s club, Sarsfield’s in Glanmire, Co Cork. However, this had to be cancelled as the club fell victim to flooding caused by Storm Babet and was forced to close for a number of days.

2 days ago , place was packed with supporters after their county final success - now how can this happen ?? pic.twitter.com/mBnoY1s202

— Tomas Mulcahy (@tomas_mulcahy) October 18, 2023

The official launch has been pencilled in for early next January, but committee members have already started fundraising for the sculpture.

The committee was formed to look at various ways of fundraising for the project while ensuring any current fundraising within the club was not impacted.

Jack French, a spokesman for the committee, said they were already starting to raise money by supplying Christmas hampers to pubs and other GAA clubs in the region, which will be raffled.

Teddy McCarthy during the All-Ireland hurling final against Galway. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile 

When the launch takes place, Mr French said sculptor Seamus Connolly will give a presentation on what he is planning to create to honour the late player.

At present, the preferred location for the sculpture is at the entrance to Sarsfield’s GAA club.

Teddy Mac, as he was known far and wide, made history in 1990 when he played in the Cork senior teams which won both the All-Ireland hurling and football titles, a feat which has not been repeated.

That year, Cork hurlers defeated Galway in the final and the Cork footballers beat Meath.

In a fitting tribute to the legendary ‘Sars’ man, the current Cork senior hurlers will take on their counterparts in Galway, while the footballers will play Meath in a double-header at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on December 9.

“A portion of the gate receipts that day will go towards the sculpture project. We also have some events booked at the Sarsfield’s clubhouse in January and February, including a Teddy Mac Quiz night,” Mr French said.

During his career, Teddy won two All-Irelands, seven Munster titles and one All-Star medal as a Cork senior footballer, and a further two All-Irelands, three Munster titles and one National League medal with the county’s senior hurlers. He also managed Sarsfield’s senior hurlers.