Vale John McCarthy

Vale John McCarthy    

Born 8 April 1941. Passed Away 10 August 2015
 
Illawarra Rugby League lost of one of its champions on Monday, when John McCarthy passed away, aged 74.

The former Balmain player moved to the South Coast in 1970 to become captain/coach of the Thirroul club. In his first season, John led the Butchers to the Illawarra first grade final, while in 1971 and 1972, the team reached the Grand Final.
 
The next season, John’s four goals gave Thirroul a tight 8-6 win over Wests in the 1973 Grand Final and the club’s second first grade Premiership. That was John’s final first grade match and he finished with 776 points for the club.
 
John also coached the under 18s to the Premiership in 1973. In 1974, he began as non-playing reserve grade coach, but put the boots on again midway through the year, playing with the reserves. This resulted in Thirroul taking out the 1974 Reserve Grade Premiership.
 
As non-playing coach in 1975 he guided the firsts to another Grand Final and in 1976, they reached the semi-finals. After a three year break, John was non playing coach of the firsts in 1980 and 1981.
 
After beginning his football career with Alexandria Rovers in the South Sydney Junior League, John came into grade with Balmain in 1966. In four seasons with the Tigers, he played seven first grade matches. In 1968, he captained the Balmain third grade side to the Premiership.
 
John is survived by his wife, Rosalind and the couple’s six sons, Ty, Chad, Rod, Josh, Dean and Ray His funeral will be held this Friday, 14 August at the Hansen and Cole Chapel, 634 Northcliffe Drive Kembla Grange, at midday.