The Sydney Roosters are saddened to hear of the passing of Rooster No. 455, Ian McCarthy, at the age of 89, in Wollongong on December 30.
The Police Boys junior played 15 first-grade games for the Club in 1956 and 1957 and was the Roosters first choice hooker prior to the emergence of Ken Ashcroft.
McCarthy also played a season with the Balmain Tigers 1959, before playing a further five seasons in Wollongong with the Western Suburbs and Thirroul clubs. A prolific ball winner, McCarthy played alongside names such as Ferris Ashton, Jack Gibson, Brian Allsop and Tony Paskins at the Roosters.
A long-time Bondi Junction resident, McCarthy’s two loves in life were the Sydney Roosters and the North Bondi Surf Club. A highly successful businessman, McCarthy will be greatly missed.
