From hurling opponents to Ireland U20s for former CBC stars Foy and McCarthy
While they are currently contracted academy players in rival provinces, Michael Foy and team captain Eanna McCarthy have arguably the closest bond within the Ireland U20s squad.
A native of Ballygarvan in Cork, McCarthy initially stood out as skipper of the Christian Brothers College senior cup side in 2023 before he secured a spot in the Connacht Academy last summer. Although McCarthy was ruled out of their Munster schools final defeat to Presentation Brothers College two years ago because of injury, his fellow Leesider Foy featured for Christians in that game and returned 12 months later when they lost out to PBC in another senior decider.
Foy was subsequently accepted into the Munster Academy a number months after the latter showpiece and now finds himself alongside McCarthy in the Irish squad for the 2025 edition of the U20 Six Nations.
Aside from their time together in Christians, the Cork duo had also previously played with each other on a variety of provincial and international age grade sides. Yet as Foy explained in a video call to the Irish media on Wednesday, he first came to know McCarthy as an opponent in a completely different sport several years earlier.
“I was marking him in a hurling game. I played with Shamrocks and he was with Ballygarvan. I could see this big huge fella came down on top of me and I was really scared for the game! I went to Christians with him then after for fourth, fifth and sixth year,” Foy revealed.
“The two of us bounce off each other so well, because I played Munster schools, Ireland schools, Munster U19s and Ireland U19s with him along with Christians. I know we’re not exactly out-halves, but you can bounce ideas off each other and you can do extras. We make each other play better, I think, it’s fair to say. We bring out the best in each other.”
Like his fellow Munster Academy star Ben O’Connor – who he also faced on a GAA pitch in the past – Foy lined out for Cork at underage level in hurling. However, having sensed that he might have a brighter future in his preferred sport of rugby, Foy opted to place his full focus on the oval ball game and is currently reaping the rewards of that decision.
After helping Neil Doak’s outfit to bounce back from an opening round loss at home to England with a bonus point victory against Scotland last Saturday week, Foy is set to make his third consecutive start in this year’s U20 Six Nations when Ireland face Wales in Newport tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).
“I was with the Cork U16s development and all that, but I just came to a decision where I wasn’t going to be a nailed on starter for minor and I probably would be lucky to make the panel. I thought I could really back myself in rugby and that’s how the decision came along. Since I was young, I always just enjoyed rugby more,” Foy added.