Dec 02,2024
Joe McCarthy says there's a lot more to come from him after a breakthrough international season.
The 23-year-old played every game for Andy Farrell’s side in 2024 and has established himself as a first-choice second row since the Rugby World Cup.
The Leinster lock isn't necessarily a rookie - Saturday’s win against Australia marked two years since his debut against the same opposition but, after his explosive Six Nations debut against France in February, it feels as if McCarthy has finished his first full season in Test rugby.
"It has been unreal," he said after Saturday's 22-19 win against Australia. "I think I was involved in every game. It's been huge.
"Such an enjoyable season. So many good highs: winning the Six Nations, winning in South Africa, but it definitely feels like there is a lot more to come. A few games slipped away from us that we look back on with a bit of regret.
"They were all tough. No international games are easy, I've noticed that this year. The Argentina game at the end, holding them out for a few phases was up there. They're all tough but I was wrecked after that."
McCarthy admitted he was a relieved man when he had a TMO scare early on in Saturday’s win over the Wallabies, when his head-on-head tackle on Rob Valetini was checked on the big screen, but fortunately the force was deemed low enough that just a penalty was the sanction.
"I wasn’t sure to be honest because it happened so quick and I did feel a bit of head-on-head.
"I was a bit relieved but I wasn’t trying to hit him on the head or anything, it just happened in the moment."
Ireland came from behind twice to eventually see off a stubborn Australian side, with Gus McCarthy’s try in the final eight minutes eventually getting them over the line.
They trailed 13-5 at half-time after what had been a poor first-half display, and McCarthy (below) says they were on the receiving end of some stern words from head coach Andy Farrell, which put them back on track.
"We thought there was a lot more in us. We were a bit off. We had the ball a lot of the time. We got turnover a few times, they read our set-piece plays well. So we definitely felt we had a lot more in us and coming out after half-time, I thought we responded well at the start of the half anyway.
"We were just saying that people were a bit in their own way, in their own head a bit. We were making errors and compounding errors. I just thought we were a small bit off.
"We knew if we could get back on track, we could definitely win the game. It was honest enough.
"It was the forwards with our carry trying to dominate, maybe with our tip passes opening up on the back of that and the space would open up. That was very much a message at half-time, the forwards being direct and trying to get a bit of momentum with our carries."
With McCarthy establishing himself as a first choice for Ireland this year, it’s only natural that he will be in the discussion for selection when the British and Irish Lions tour rolls around next summer.
And even though Ireland head coach Farrell will be leading the Lions management, McCarthy isn’t allowing his mind wander towards a call-up for the tour of Australia.
"Yeah, I'd say most players would like to be there. That's a lot of rugby to be played until then, I know that's a clichéd answer but I try to focus on the now.
"That'll definitely be an aim but lots of rugby to be played for Leinster and Ireland, hopefully."
Defence coach Simon Easterby is poised to lead the upcoming Six Nations campaign, albeit Farrell will remain a presence.
Asked about the head coach's parting message, McCarthy replied: "He said he’s still living in Sandymount, which is only around the corner (from the Aviva Stadium), so he’s not completely gone.
"He just challenged us when we go back to our provinces to make sure we keeping getting better.
"We need to be ready first up in the Six Nations when we are back, so making sure we stick to good habits to be in tip top shape coming back in."
