Michael Donal "Donal" McCarthy was an Irish academic, public servant, university administrator, hurler and Gaelic footballer who played as a right wing-back for the Cork senior teams. Born in Midleton, County Cork, McCarthy first played competitive hurling during his schooling at Rockwell College. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty when he first linked up with the Cork senior football team. He joined the senior panel during the 1928 championship. McCarthy later became a regular member of the hurling team as well, and won one All-Ireland medal. At club level McCarthy was a two-time championship medallist with Collegians. He also played with Carrigtwohill Throughout his career McCarthy made one championship appearances. He retired from inter-county hurling following the conclusion of the 1929 championship.
During his schooling at Rockwell College, McCarthy established himself as a key member of the senior hurling team. In 1924 he won a Harty Cup medal following a 7-3 to 3-4 defeat of Limerick CBS.
University
While studying for a Maths degree at University College Cork, McCarthy was an automatic inclusion for the Collegians hurling and football teams. In 1928 he was a key member of both senior teams. A huge 10-5 to 2-0 defeat of arch rivalsUniversity College Dublin secured a Fitzgibbon Cup medal, while the same opposition were accounted for by 3-3 to 1-5 to take the Sigerson Cup title. The following year McCarthy won a second Fitzgibbon Cup medal following a narrow 8-1 to 7-2 defeat of UCD once again.
Club
McCarthy first enjoyed success in the club championship as a member of the University College Cork senior football team. In 1927 he won his first championship medal as UCC defeated Macroom by 3-3 to 1-0. University College Cork retained their title in 1928. A 1-6 to 0-2 defeat of Duhallow United gave McCarthy a second and final championship medal.
Inter-county
McCarthy first played for Cork as a member of the senior football team. He joined the senior panel in 1928 and won a Munster medal as a non-playing substitute following a 4-3 to 0-4 defeat of Tipperary. In 1929 McCarthy was drafted onto the Cork senior hurling panel. He collected a Munster medal as a non-playing substitute as Cork made it four-in-a-row following a 4-6 to 2-3 defeat of Waterford. On 1 September 1929 Cork faced Galway in the All-Ireland final for the second successive year. Little had changed in a year as Cork were on the top of their game again. A rout ensued as "the Rebels" and McCarthy, who came on as a substitute, claimed an All-Ireland medal.
McCarthy was married to Margaret "Pearl" Mulhall and together they had four children: Fionnghuala, Donagh, Brian and Kevin. McCarthy died on 30 January 1980.
