It’s hard to remember a better debut or a faster rise than Gus McCarthy’s.
At the start of the 2024/25 season, the 21-year-old hooker had made a solitary bench appearance for Leinster on their tour of South Africa and, were it not for injury, he’d have likely lined out for their ‘A’ side against Munster on Friday night.
Instead, he has propelled himself into Andy Farrell’s Ireland thoughts after making the most of others’ misfortune.
That, in essence, is the game. He came into this season as Leinster’s fifth-choice hooker, but injuries to the other four opened the door in pre-season.
He impressed and earned the No.2 jersey for the season opener, making such an impact that he was called up to the Emerging Ireland tour and then called home early to start at Croke Park against Munster.
Still in the Academy, he earned a spot in Ireland’s squad as a ‘training panellist’ and was ready to go back to Leinster until he got a tap on the shoulder.
He teared up when singing the anthem and his first lineout went astray, but when the whistle blew, he was the picture of calm. He threw his first assist for Caelan Doris’ opening try, followed it up with a pre-assist a few minutes later and then offloaded out of the tackle for Craig Casey’s score.
Ireland’s Gus McCarthy wins a lineout during his side’s victory over Fiji at the Aviva Stadium
After half-time, he got over for a try of his own and set up Bundee Aki for his score. Aki got Man of the Match, but the hooker was hard done by.
He may have been nervous, but the 2023 Ireland Under-20s captain delivered an excellent performance – one that is rooted in his days playing minis rugby at Old Belvedere and his school days at Blackrock College.
“Growing up, I’ve always played with the rugby ball in my hands, always messing around with mates, whether it be at school or in the garden or at home,” he reflected. “I’d just see where the space is and kind of scan up.
“That is something I have to keep working on. Faz (Andy Farrell) is massive on scanning early, so that is something I have to keep working on. I was kind of happy. There’s a few chances that I saw an opportunity to give it early.”
Read more
McCarthy wasn’t expecting to make the step up so soon.
“When Faz named the team on Monday, I was incredibly surprised,” he said. “I only got the call on Sunday evening at around 7pm that I was coming back in on Monday. I thought I was going to be back in Leinster this week.
“I thought I’d maybe get the chance to be 24th man and experience the matchday experience.
“Then when I saw Faz put up the team and I was starting, I was full of emotions. I was incredibly excited but also nervous.
“I was pretty emotional (during the anthems) just because it’s always been a dream of mine growing up.
“I’ve always come to the games and sang the anthems. It was just a really, really proud moment, not only for myself but more thinking of my family and the journey to get there. It was just a really, really proud moment for me and my family.”
Gus McCarthy celebrates scoring Ireland’s sixth try during his side’s win against Fiji
Already there is a rush to get McCarthy out of Leinster where Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher are established options.
Kelleher is set to start against Australia and Sheehan is back after Christmas, while Lee Barron and John McKee have chances to shine in McCarthy’s absence against Ulster.
He knows he’s in a battle for game-time, but you sense he’ll back himself to get into that matchday 23.
“As well as Dan and Ronan, there’s two other great hookers in John McKee and Lee Barron at Leinster, so I’m still competing with a lot,” he said.
“With the five of us, it’s very competitive, anyone can step up and perform, as we’ve seen with the lads.
“So, I’ve just said to myself or when I’m speaking to my parents, and my dad especially, any opportunity I get, I have to try and take it. I can’t wait around, especially in training.
“I just have to try and put my best foot forward and impress the coaches when I get a chance.”