FRIDAY’S LATE KICK-OFF against the All Blacks will be no problem for Joe McCarthy. While some players may struggle to while away the hours as the nervous tensions builds towards 8.10pm at Aviva Stadium, the Ireland lock admits he enjoys the longer run-in to gametime.
“I love a late Friday night game,” says McCarthy, speaking from Ireland’s training base in Portugal.
“I actually like a bit of time to have a nap, chill out and relax for the day. Some guys don’t really like having that much time, but I don’t mind. I can take my time and get my whole routine done. I’m happy out.”
You get the sense little has phased McCarthy during his rapid rise with Ireland. He won his first cap as a 21-year-old against Australia in 2022, rocketing into the Test arena having made only 13 senior appearances for Leinster at the time.
At last year’s World Cup he was pushing hard for a place in the starting XV and by the time the 2024 Six Nations rolled around, he had earned that promotion, starting all five championship fixtures and retaining the number four shirt for Ireland’s two summer Tests in South Africa.
Yet a Friday night Dublin date with New Zealand will be a new experience. McCarthy came off the bench to play the last 22 minutes of the World Cup quarter-final defeat to the All Blacks, but looks set to play a more central role this time around.
“I played a couple of New Zealand teams – the Maoris – and once against the All Blacks before. The physicality is definitely there.
“I feel like mentally you have to be quite switched on. They’re dangerous at any aspect. If you leave a short side they’ll whip back down there, or quick lineout throws. It’s going to be a very physical game, no doubt, but you’re almost mentally fatigued, because you’re trying to switch on even when you’re wrecked.
“That’s one of the biggest differences. You’re always on, ready for anything like quick taps or quick throws. They’ll see space and take it.”
They’ll also be aware that McCarthy is a player to watch closely. The former Blackrock student, who stands at 6’6″ and 112kg, has added a physical edge to the Ireland pack, but also possesses a good skillset – as demanded by any player looking to make an impact in an Andy Farrell team.
“I suppose every player feels like you always have to keep evolving your game,” McCarthy says.
“There’s a quote: ‘What gets you here won’t get you there’. You’re always trying to add simple things because the same things won’t always work. Teams will scout you, what you’re doing in the lineout, maybe if you’re carrying well you’ll have a few more double shots, you notice that.
“You’re always trying to add bits to your game, and little extra areas where you can add a difference. You see another guy in the team, with loads of world class players who are great in all different aspects of the game. Trying learn off them, always evolving.
I’d say defensively, just getting shots in, trying to derail players, getting good entries. That’s one area I’m working on, but you’re always tipping away at everything.”
The opportunity to train and play alongside RG Snyman at Leinster has also aided his ongoing development.
“Everyone knows his game, his offloading an everything like that. He’s awesome and a very smart rugby team and adds a lot around a lineout.
“He’s not just a big brute, he’s a very intelligent rugby player so he’s had a lot of impact in lineout defence and attack groups. It’s great to learn off him.
“The dark arts in South Africa, he’s bringing it in and nuances like that. He’s been great, and he’s a bit of a gamechanger, and can make an opportunity from anything. He’s exciting to play with.”
New Zealand warmed up for their Dublin visit with a thrilling two-point win over England, after opening their Autumn tour with a 64-19 thrashing of Japan a week previously. For Ireland, Friday’s game will be a first outing together since the second Test defeat of South Africa on 13 July.
“It’s an interesting one whether it’s better to be battle-hardened going into a game or be fresh. A lot of our guys have played a lot of games in the URC, which is quite competitive.
“We pride ourselves as a group on being able to come together as fast as possible. We don’t make any excuses. Even if it’s the first game up, we don’t ease ourselves into it. We expect to hit the ground running. We don’t have any excuse for not being cohesive because it’s our first game.”
Cheat
Get over it
Also go and get your facts right
He is disgrace to the nation. Bet this time sample B won’t go missing
bit severe. it was his horse. he’s the real cheat. glue factory.
Seen his horse hanging out on the boardwalk of the Liffey.
Why is it that people give out when we don’t win medals, but when we put a rider into a competition who has a really good chance of a medal, people call him a cheat, ( his horse failed a doping test ) not Cain and don’t forget he was cleared of having any involvement, plus all of cian’s horses have passed every doping test within the last four years . so why don’t you all get of your high horses . I wish Cain all the best in the qualifier maybe he’ll even bring a medal home .
Well said.
I’m disgusted that this guy is representing my country. As far as I’m concerned he’s a cheat, he shouldn’t be there. If he wins a medal I won’t be celebrating.
im the same..can’t support him.
Well said Vanessa
Humans who take drugs have control over what goes into their bodies, if you are a rider, lots of other people have access to the horse, grooms, vets, anyone passing the stable.
That last episode was all a story from “spooks” missing sample, break in to offices ect
Very strange but still stripped of gold and should not have gone his place should have been given to next in line
Where are all these stupid cheat comments coming from? From my recollection it was his horse that tested positive for a banned substance and not Cian and he was cleared of all involvement in the doping incident. Before or since Athens there hasn’t been a single concern raised about any horse ridden by O’Connor. Get your facts straight before accusing a sportsperson of something so serious.
It’s the fact that there was a real underhanded effort to get sample b to disappear. Said he had no knowledge of it. Well he would say that wouldn’t he.
Don’t we have short memories.
I am a show jumping fan 24/7. I am involved in the production of young horses and travel to shows around the country week in and week out. I do not recognise most of the people commenting on this thread. Yes you are entitled to an opion but that doesnt make you informed or correct. Well done Cian and good luck in the next round from a real Irish Show Jumping Supporter.
Eric Lamaze reigning Olympic champion was thrown out of the Canadian team on several occasions because of cocaine abuse. Now clean and forgiven and hugely popular ( as well as really brilliant ) … Why can’t Cian O’Connor benefit from a similar forgiveness? Especially since his horse tested positive for a tranquilliser?? Go on Cian! Win a medal !! Might be difficult against this English and Saudi Arabians…
Other riders and their families have suffered as a result of this guys drug history. Yet because of his connections he gets picked – whoever picked him should be fired and the committee that helped decide. It means the selectors are cheats as well as O Connor. If a family member of mine was missed out as a result of corruption and cheating I would be disgusted. It’s real Irish where the rich can buy their way out of trouble. Pat Hickey gets promoted and the honest people who compete against O Connor and his selectors must try and keep their chins up against these cheats. It’s our children who will suffer from the example given ie take drugs and you get ahead. Thank you Pat Hickey and your selectors for this sin against decent people. I hope he falls of his horse.
Irish people don’t like success in others, they just like to wallow in their own self pity and blame other people, the government, the British. Someone does well? Must be a cheat, someone earns to much? Must be corrupt. Get over yourselves, knock that large chip off your shoulder and support your country and those competing and working hard for it. Bring on the reds!
so who gave the horse the drugs?
the FEI said it was satisfied that Cian O’Connor was not involved in a deliberate attempt to influence the performance of the horse.
Although the substance was prohibited, it was not performance enhancing.
Always amuses me when i state FACTS and get red thumbs, seems people don’t like the truth.