Basketball Ireland mourns the passing of UCC Blue Demons founding member Noel McCarthy

All at Basketball Ireland would like to pay their respects to one of the UCC Blue Demons founding members Noel McCarthy who passed away on Thursday.

Noel was a stalwart as a juvenile player with DePaul Boys Club and won his first international cap at Under 16 level in 1961, he went on to win many senior caps with Ireland and participated in the pre-Olympic tournament with the Irish senior team in Amsterdam in 1971.

In an Echolive.ie piece, McCarthy's prowess with a basketball was described. 

When the great Irish basketball players are debated one name consistently pops up to the people who had the pleasure to witness him during the 1960s and '70s. Enter the former Blue Demons ace, Noel McCarthy, one of the finest talents ever to grace a basketball court.

 Noel [back row, second from left] pictured at the 40 year reunion of the league winning 1973 UCC Blue Demons side.

He was a founding member of Blue Demons in 1966 and was the driving force behind a very committed bunch of players during those formative years. He helped to mould the club, and thereafter the team to become a major force nationally and internationally in club basketball.

The team that he led to win the inaugural National League in 1973/74 will all be of the one voice in their praise of Noel as a player, mentor, colleague, friend.

 Noel McCarthy

Ní fheicimid a leithéid arís ann.