First look at Sarsfields' 'really, really right' Teddy McCarthy statue
Taoiseach Micheál Martin delivers a speech to a packed crowd during the unveiling of Teddy McCarthy’s statue at the Sarsfields club in Riverstown. The heartfelt words reflected the pride Cork holds in one of its most gifted and beloved athletes. PICTURE: Chani Anderson
Sarsfields hurling club on Saturday unveiled the new statue to club and Cork legend Teddy McCarthy, on the day the club's base in Riverstown was officialy renamed in his honour as Páirc Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and GAA president Jarlath Burns were among those present for the unveiling, as the iconic dual star was remembered in stories and song.
The statue, crafted by sculptor Séamus Connolly, portrays Teddy in familiar flight, soaring to field a sliotar in his distinctive style. The image is based on photo taken by Irish ExaminerEcho/photographer Des Barry during the 1993 National Hurling League final replay against Wexford.
Wexford's Larry O'Gorman, similarly immortalised for providing the back Teddy used to launch himself skyward, was also present for the unveiling. As were the likes of former Cork captain Tomás Mulcahy, football great Niall Cahalane and long-serving Cork medic Dr Con Murphy.
The Taoiseach paid tribute to the spirit of Teddy.
"Sport has that great capacity to lift us from the darkness, from the doom and the gloom. And the Cork teams of the 1980s and early 90s did that for us. And Teddy McCarthy in particular did it for us.
"To the young players of this great club, always celebrate and be proud of Teddy McCarthy's achievements, his spirit, his commitment to this club, as a player, coach, mentor, a volunteer or just a paying supporter.
"Sarsfields and Glanmire embody the spirit of the GAA, a wonderful community, as evidenced by winning the Munster Hurling Club championship and All-Ireland final this year.
"It is a very proud moment today. You have inherited a great tradition. Teddy McCarthy was one of your greatest. He brought disctinction to your club. Because of his achievments you will be forever chronicled in the annals of Gaelic games."
Club chairman Keith Mulcahy told the Echo the club was delighted with the final product.
“I'll be honest, I hadn't seen it until the curtain was pulled off. The resemblance of Teddy is just so, so like him – even the facial expression, it's so accurate.
“In fairness to Séamus Connolly, the sculptor, he got it really, really right. Anyone that was there when it was unveiled, it gave them a shock to see how close it was to him.
"Jarlath Burns came from Mick O’Dwyer’s funeral to be there for a while and so we got some photographs with him, it was lovely to see him there.
“Micheál Martin as well, he gave a great speech. He was obviously at the funeral as well and then he was heading off to the Cork football match. It was a lovely day.”
As well as the statue, the pitch where Teddy McCarthy spent so many of his days honing his skills will now serve as permanent tribute to his legacy.
"We’ll be able to say that we're going down to Teddy McCarthy Park. It's a lovely thing for his family as well.”
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