Joe McCarthy (rugby union)

Joe McCarthy (born 26 March 2001) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for United Rugby Championship club Leinster, and represents Ireland at international level.

Early life
McCarthy was born in Manhattan, New York to Irish parents who had moved there for work; the family returned to Ireland when McCarthy was three years old.

Leinster
McCarthy was named in the Leinster Rugby academy for the 2021–22 season. He made his debut in Round 11 of the 2021–22 United Rugby Championship against.

Ireland
In June 2022, he was included in the Ireland squad for the 2022 tour of New Zealand. He made his international debut off the bench in the 60th minute of a 13–10 win over Australia. In August 2023 he was named in the Ireland squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

McCarthy was selected for Ireland's 2024 Six Nations squad. He won the Player of the Match award in the 2024 Six Nations Championship opener in Marseille where Ireland beat France, 38–17.