 This victory gave Cork their first All-Ireland title in this grade and gave McCarthy an All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship medal while also the honour of collecting the cup.McCarthy made his senior debut for Cork during the 1964–65 National Hurling League, however, it was 1966 before he made his championship debut in a Munster quarter-final draw with Clare.McCarthy remained on the starting fifteen for the rest of the season and also took over the captaincy from Peter Doolan.