Tyrone McCarthy makes rugby league return with coaching role

Josh McAllister
Tyrone McCarthy

Tyrone McCarthy played for Leigh last season

Former Super League forward and Ireland international Tyrone McCarthy has returned to the game with a new coaching role.

McCarthy, 32, made his Super League debut in 2009 for Warrington, before going on to represent Northern Pride, Hull Kingston Rovers, Salford, Leigh and St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL.

He called time on his career in September 2021, racking up almost 300 career appearances. McCarthy won 19 caps for Ireland on the international stage and played in two World Cups for the Wolfhounds.

The back-rower or loose forward has made a return to the sport with hometown amateur club Woolston Rovers as coaching consultant.

Woolston currently have two teams, with their top team featuring in the National Conference League.

Club chairman Steve Moore said: “Our new look coaching team will continue to be headed up by Mal Holt. Alongside him will be Rob Campbell and Billy Sheen, leading our NCL team.

“The NWML team will be led by Liam Lawton and Mal Mason. The Under-18s will move into the open age set up and will be led by Dom Ball and assisted by Rob Griffiths.

“We are also excited to welcome former Super League player, Irish international and ex-Woolston junior Tyrone McCarthy to the coaching team, as coaching consultant.

“The addition of Tyrone and Billy, with their vast experience of the professional game, plus Dom and Rob, two current players, who are Woolston through and through, to lead the Under-18s certainly more than bolster our already established coaching team.”

More on McCarthy

McCarthy won two Challenge Cups with hometown club Warrington (2009, 2012) and was also part of the Hull KR squad that reached the Challenge Cup final in 2015. He also enjoyed success Down Under, helping Northern Pride win the Queensland Cup in 2014.

Ireland’s Tyrone McCarthy applauds the fans at the final whistle