[2] McCarthy first appeared on the inter-county scene for Cork as a dual player at minor level.
[5] His performances earned his selection for the Munster team in 1957 and he became the first Kerryman to win a Railway Cup medal following a defeat of Leinster in the final.
[6][7] After adding the first of two National Hurling League Division 2 medal to his collection, McCarthy was called up to the Kerry senior football team for a period.
[9] McCarthy won a Kerry SHC medal with St Brendan's, Ardfert in 1967.
By that stage McCarthy won a second Kerry SHC with St Brendan's as player-manager in 1975.