McCarthy hungry to tame his former employers

However, those notable feats were achieved in the colours of home-town club Warrington Wolves and he wants to add a new experience this year – actually leading a side, namely Rovers, to that iconic trophy.

Back-row McCarthy, in his first season with the East Yorkshire club, unexpectedly finds himself as captain of the Robins ahead of Saturday’s semi-final against his former employers.

After Australian stand-off Terry Campese suffered a season-ending knee injury last month, the industrious and reliable forward was handed the key leadership role.

Would winning the cup for a third time but as a captain make it all the more special?

“I’d not thought about it, to be honest,” said the 27 year-old, who prospered with Warrington in 2009 and again in 2012 versus Leeds Rhinos. “But it would probably add to the occasion leading the team out at Wembley and, if you do win, you do get to lift that trophy.

“I think as a young lad that’s the image you think of – lifting that cup.

“It’d be amazing, but there’s a long way to go before that. We just have to concentrate on that Warrington game – and, hopefully, go to Wembley the month after.”

His story is remarkable.

Tony Smith, still in charge at Warrington, was the man who gave him that incredulous opportunity against Huddersfield Giants six years ago after just two Super League games, both of which were also losses against Wigan and Wakefield.

McCarthy recalled: “It was only my third match.

“I’d just come out of university and stepped up to full-time and there were a couple of injuries leading up to it, the boys trying to look after themselves as they knew a cup final was coming.

“It was fortunate for me and unfortunate for Jon Clarke, as he dropped out, but it created the pathway for me to get on the bench there.

“He (Smith) gave me the biggest opportunity in my career.

“It was really special to play in two Challenge Cup finals. It was what dreams are made of, making your debut and within two weeks coming through and playing a final like that.

“That first one was surreal and it blew past. The year after we got there again. I didn’t play but it was nice to watch it; I don’t think many would say it, but it was nice to see what I was a part of.

“I was more influential in the team the second time I did play in 2012 and it was nice to play an important part in that squad.

“I was fortunate to get over the whitewash, too; it’s always a special occasion when a forward scores let alone in a cup final.

“They are memories that will last forever, something you really look forward to, and it’d be fantastic to do it all again with Hull KR.”

That will be tough considering Rovers have suffered four successive defeats, including Friday’s 52-12 hammering at champions St Helens. But the Ireland international, who joined after a champion year with Melbourne Pride in the Queensland Cup, insisted: “We’ve had to lick our wounds, put all that behind us and start looking forward.

“It’s easier to say it than do it but we have had to put things to bed. We can’t dwell on things. What’s happened has happened.

“The biggest frustration for us is we know with players on the park we are a good team and we can perform. There’s no better place to do it than in that semi-final but we know Warrington will be tough.”

McCarthy, who left Warrington at the end of 2013, frustrated by a lack of regular first-team football, will lock horns at Headingley with former back-row colleague Ben Harrison, whom he knows particularly well.

“Benny was best man at my wedding last November,” revealed the player, who has scored four tries in 23 games for the Robins.

“He came to my mum and dad’s when he was 15 or 16, right from the juniors. He moved down from Cumbria and we took him in and looked after him.

“Everyone knows he’s a bit of a character – a joker – and he’s someone who probably brought out my mischievous side more than my mum and dad would have liked.

“It was like having another brother around the place. But seeing what he did fairly early in his career inspired me to do the same.

“He’s a fantastic bloke and great player, a pleasure to call as one of my best mates. I’m still mates with plenty there – Benny, Chris Bridge, Simon Grix...

“When you’ve played that long with players you’ve grown up with then you do get to know each other really well – the best and worst traits – so it’ll be nice to catch up. But over 80 minutes we’ll be the best of enemies.”