ROXLEY Snare believes the Wynyard Football Club has lost an icon following the death of his former teammate Kevin “General” McCarthy last week.
ROXLEY Snare believes the Wynyard Football Club has lost an icon following the death of his former teammate Kevin “General” McCarthy last week.
Snare described McCarthy , who died last week at the age of 82, as being a “larrikin” and the sort of player and person that every team needs.
But it wasn’t just on-field where he was able to have an impact in the club that he loved.
“He went to St Virgils College for boarding school and came back to Wynyard at the end of 1951 before playing as a 17-year-old in the 1952 premiership team,’’ said Snare, who read the eulogy at McCarthy’s funeral this week.
“From 1952 he played right through until 1964 and played 190 games.
“As a footballer, while he wasn’t the best player in the team, he was reliable and consistent.
“He was a winger or an onballer and very dedicated. Snare said McCarthy was a “real character” and someone that constantly brought a smile to the face of those around him.
“He was really the life of the club at that time and was a real practical joker.
“The club gave him a sporting life and socially it had a big impact.
“He married a local girl
“In 1966 he was made a life member of the club, around the same time that he moved onto the club’s committee.
“He was on the committee in 1967 when he won that premiership and played off in the infamous “goal post” game.
“He had a big impact on the club and he just an amazing person.”
[Pam] who was on the ladies’ committee and his father-inlaw [Allan] was the secretary, so he spent a lot of his time at the club.”
Away from football he worked Goodyear Tyres in Burnie later as a Manager.
He also spent 14 years at Dowling McCarthy Tyres and then at Bridgestone Earth Moving Tyres until 1993 when he retired due to health reasons.
His greatest achievement was his marriage to Pam, which lasted for 59 years.
He was the loving father and father-in-law of Craig and Josie, and Tony and Annette and loving grandfather and great-grandfather of Jake, Elissa, Jayden and families
With thanks to The Advocate
