A statement released via Dublin GAA’s official website this morning confirmed the news.
“I have decided to retire from representing Dublin GAA at intercounty level,” the statement reads. “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.”
McCarthy captained Dublin to their last All-Ireland in 2023, his ninth. McCarthy and team-mates Stephen Cluxton and Mick Fitzsimons are the only players to win nine senior All-Ireland football medals.
He was also the recipient of five All-Stars and 14 Leinster medals.
McCarthy’s legacy as one of the game’s greatest ever players is complete, having started all 11 All-Ireland finals Dublin have played in since 2011. In that time, he established himself as one of the foremost forces in the game, initially as a wing-back in Pat Gilroy’s breakthrough team, and then as a midfielder, where his partnership with Brian Fenton became one of the best ever in football.
“To the Dublin fans,” the statement goes on, “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, 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.”
Though he will be 35 next March, the news comes as something of a surprise given McCarthy represented Leinster in the interprovincial series recently to trial the FRC’s new football rule enhancements.
It leaves Dublin without arguably their most influential force for 2025.
Speaking before the 2023 All-Ireland final, Dessie Farrell – who made McCarthy captain after Stephen Cluxton left the squad in 2020 – made the assessment that the Ballymun Kickhams man was “the greatest we’ve ever had.”
“He’s…hard to describe really,” said Farrell. “He’s a special player.”
“Just, he’s all in it. It’s all about the team. He’s the most low maintenance individual you can come across. Every day he’s like a lion out there.
“He just wants to play football and be the best version he can for football. I’ve the upmost admiration for him – as do all the lads.
“I know it’s cliched – the spiritual leader, the warrior – all that type of stuff. But it would be a tough day going out without James McCarthy, that’s for sure.”
McCarthy’s statement added: “To all the Dublin senior management, support and medical teams I was fortunate to play under, I 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 the Dublin GAA community and to many of us on a personal level.”
