Sean McCarthy was born in Blennerville just outside Tralee in 1898 but later moved to Strand Street in the town. He was one of the founders of the great Kerins O Rahillys GAA club. As a footballer he was midfield with his friend John Joe Sheehy when the Kerry senior team were beaten by Galway in the All Ireland Semifinal replay of 1919. In 1924 he captained the Kerry Junior team that beat Longford in the All Ireland final.
He was the trainer of that legendary Kerry senior football team that won Four All Irelands in a row from 1929-1932. He was also manager of the Kerry team that toured America in 1931. He was also a well known referee and officiated in the senior football finals of 1934-36.

As an administrator in the GAA he holds a record that will probably never be surpassed. He was appointed Chairman of the Kerry County Board in 1927. He represented Kerry for six years on the Munster Council before becoming secretary in 1931, a position he held until his death in 1977. So all in all, Sean served for over fifty one years on the Munster Council. During his life long service to the Association he was always known for his humility and kindness. He died on the 24th July 1977 on the day that the Munster football final between Cork and Kerry was played in Killarney.

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