James McCarthy Announces Inter-County Retirement

James McCarthy has announced his retirement from inter-county football.

The 9-time Celtic Cross winner has decided to hang up his boots after an illustrious 15-year career with the Dublin Senior Footballers.

In that time McCarthy has been a colossus in blue, playing a leading role in Dublin’s incredible era of success- which included the record-breaking six-in-a-row of All-Ireland wins between 2015 and 2020.

Alongside his nine All-Ireland Senior Football winners medals- a record he shares with his long-time teammates Stephen Cluxton and Michael Fitzsimons- the Ballymun Kickhams man also won 14 Leinster SFC titles, six National Leagues and five All-Stars.

He also won one U21 All-Ireland title and two U21 Leinster winners medals in Blue.

McCarthy also captained Dublin to All-Ireland glory in 2023.

James made his announcement via a statement this morning. 

I have decided to retire from representing Dublin GAA at intercounty level. This decision hasn’t been an easy one to make but I feel it’s the right time.

I have been very fortunate to be involved in a golden period for Dublin GAA and I have played with the most incredible group of players. It really has been some of the best days of my life and I have memories to last a lifetime. The loyalty and friendship we have built is something I will always be thankful for. To the Dublin fans thank you for the support of the team throughout the years. Walking around Croke park and passing Hill 16 is a memory that I will never forget.

To my parents John and Marian, my family, my close friends, and my wife Clodagh, thank you for supporting me throughout my football career. Your unwavering belief in me has helped more than you will ever know.

I would like to thank my club Ballymun Kickhams and the Dublin County board for the opportunity to play with Dublin at both underage and senior level. I will look forward to many years still ahead with my club and I hope to give back all the support I received when I was growing up.

To all the Dublin senior management, support, and medical teams I was fortunate to play under, I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you. I’m trying to avoid names as there are too many to thank but I feel it would be amiss of me not to mention Shane O’Hanlon. What an incredible loss you have been to Dublin GAA community and to many of us on a personal level.

Finally, to Dessie and DSF group for 2025 best of luck for the season ahead. Time flies, grasp every opportunity that comes your way, you will never get this time back.

Thank you.

James McCarthy

“On behalf of the Dublin County Board, I would like to congratulate James on his incredible contribution to the success of Dublin GAA during his playing career”, said Dublin County Board Chairman Mick Seavers.

“James steps away as one of the most decorated and inspirational footballers ever to play the game.

“We thank James for his dedication to the blue jersey and we wish him and his family every happiness going forward.”