 "The Rebels" were less than convincing in that match and McCarthy was surprised on his return to Ireland to find that he was to make his championship debut in the All-Ireland final against Galway.Galway were favourites to take the title and defeat Cork for the first time in a championship decider.The pundits and commentators got it wrong as an open game of hurling saw Cork score 4–13 to Galway's 2–15.