Mick McCarthy

Born on the 7th of February 1959 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.

"Mick would pop your head off, only in training". (Peter Grant). Made his official debut away against Borussia Dortmund in a 2-0 UEFA Cup defeat on the 29th of September in 1987.

Long-throw specialist Mick McCarthy "big physique and voice to match," was David Hay's last major signing. He played his first game for Celtic in 3-0 defeats on the Scandinavian tour versus Stromstead on July 19th 1987 then he was taken off with badly torn abdominal muscles in the 75th minute.

His appearances during the Double Season were punctuated by injury and suspension and he played only three Scottish Cup ties including the final against Dundee Utd on May 14th 1988.

When 10 goals were lost in five league games Ian Andrews and Mick McCarthy were dropped together as of September 24th 1988. Big Mick got his place back and had an immense game Werden Bremen in the European Cup 0-0 draw in Germany on November 9th. Three days later Celtic beat Rangers 3-1 in the League but not before Mick had stuck up his hand to afford Rangers the lead with a gratuitous penalty.

He repeated this same aberration against Motherwell on December 3rd.

He won a second Scottish Cup medal, against Rangers on May 20th 1989, before his departure for France.

Fans' opinion of him was very divided. Some were off the view that McCarthy (Celtic) and McCarthy (Ireland) were two different people.

Mick was never less than a rock for the Irish. He was manager when Millwall played their last game at the Den on May 8th 1993.

His early career, Mick played at club level for Barnsley for seven years from 1977, when they were promoted from the fourth to the second division, making 272 appearances with them.

In 1983 he moved to Manchester City (helping them to gain promotion to the First Division in 1984/5).

He joined Glasgow Celtic in 1987 (winning the Scottish Premier League title in 1988 and two Scottish Cup medals in 1988 and 1989).

The simple philosophy for Mick was that, if you kept a clean sheet, it meant you were doing your job.

He joined Olympique Lyonnais in 1989, following the Scottish Cup Final success against Rangers and made his final move to Milwall in 1990 where he became player-manager the following year.

From 1984, when he made his début against Poland until his last game against Portugal in 1992, he won 57 caps for the Republic of Ireland, playing in both the European Championship finals in Germany in 1988 and the World Cup finals in Italy two years later where McCarthy was captain. He scored two international goals.

In January 1996, on the retirement of Jack Charlton, 'Captain Fantastic' was appointed manager of the Republic of Ireland team. He was reappointed in 1997. As a manager he has so far failed to qualify for a major championship, losing narrowly in play-offs for places in the 1998 World Cup finals and for Euro 2000.

However Ireland qualified for the 2002 World Cup in Japan at the expense of The Netherlands and Ireland holds its breath with excitement as the World Cup looms.

Appearances:
Scottish League: 48 appearances. 0 goals.
League Cup: 3 appearances. 0 goals.
Scottish Cup: 8 appearances. 1 goal.
Europe: 5 appearances. 0 goals.
Total: 64 appearances. 1 goal.

Career:
Our Lady's Junior School Worsbrough 1964
Barnsley juniors 1970
Worsbrough High School 1970
Worsbrough Miners' Welfare
Swaithe Miners' Welfare
Worsbrough BC
Barnsley app. December 1973 pro. July 1977
Manchester City 13th December 1983
Celtic 20th May 1987
Olympique Lyon 1st July 1989
Millwall Mar 1990/care-taker manager 18th March 1992/manager 18th April 1992.

P. Sweeney (Secretary)
Parkhead House,
Dungloe,
Co.Donegal.
Ireland.