Nick McCarthy (born 25 March 1995) is an Irish rugby union player, currently playing for Major League Rugby side Chicago Hounds and formerly for Leinster and Munster. He plays as a scrum-half.
Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States, McCarthy first began playing rugby aged 6 for Old Belvedere, and went on to attend St Michael's College, Dublin and represent the school in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup. McCarthy is studying engineering at University College Dublin and plays for UCD in the All-Ireland League. His father, Conor, was a scrum-half for Connacht, and his sister, Lisa, won a hockey scholarship in the United States, having represented Ireland at various age-grade levels.
Having represented Leinster at under-16 and under-18 level, McCarthy joined the provinces sub-academy in 2013, before entering the full academy ahead of the 2014âÂÂ15 season. He was promoted to the senior squad ahead of the 2017âÂÂ18 season, and featured for the team in the semi-final and final during their victorious 2017âÂÂ18 Pro14 season, as well as featuring in the quarter-final and semi-final for the province on their way to winning the 2017âÂÂ18 European Rugby Champions Cup. During the following season, McCarthy again experienced domestic success, featuring off the bench during Leinster's 18âÂÂ15 win against Glasgow Warriors in the final of the 2018âÂÂ19 Pro14.
McCarthy joined Leinster's provincial rivals Munster on a two-year contract after the completion of the 2018âÂÂ19 season, and made his competitive debut for the province in their opening 2019âÂÂ20 Pro14 39âÂÂ9 win against Welsh side Dragons on 28 September 2019. His final appearance for the province was in their 54âÂÂ11 away win against Zebre in round 6 of the Pro14 Rainbow Cup on 11 June 2021.
McCarthy rejoined Leinster from the 2021âÂÂ22 season.
McCarthy first represented Ireland at under-18 level in 2013, before going on to win selection for the under-20s in 2014, winning 18 caps and captaining the side in 2015.
McCarthy came out as gay in June 2022, joining a small number of men to do so during their playing career.