Paul McCarthy: Former Brighton, Wycombe & Oxford Utd defender dies

Paul McCarthy made 259 appearances for Wycombe Wanderers

Former Brighton, Wycombe Wanderers and Oxford United defender Paul McCarthy has died at the age of 45.

McCarthy began his career at Brighton and made more than 200 appearances before joining Wycombe in 1996.

He spent seven years at Adams Park, and was a member of the team that reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 2001, scoring in the quarter-final against Leicester.

McCarthy later went on to play for Oxford and Ebbsfleet United, where he lifted the 2008 FA Trophy.

The cause of the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international's death has not yet been disclosed.

Paul McCarthy (right) celebrates at the final whistle after scoring the first goal in Wycombe's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win at Leicester, alongside fellow goalscorer Roy Essandoh

Daniel Senda played alongside Paul McCarthy at Wycombe between 1999 and 2003

Paul McCarthy captained Ebbsfleet United, then managed by Liam Daish, to the FA Trophy in 2008

Paul McCarthy played for Oxford between March 2003 and June 2004