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Dan McCartan

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Dan McCartan
Personal information
Irish name Dónall Mac Artáin
Sport Gaelic football
Position Centre-back
Born May 1939 (1939-05)[1]
Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland
Died (aged 84)
Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Nickname Big Dan[2]
Occupation Dentist
Club(s)
Years Club
Glenn
Tullylish
Carryduff
Club titles
Down titles 3
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
1958–1976
Down
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 8
All-Irelands 3
NFL 3
All Stars 0

Daniel McCartan (May 1939 – 3 March 2024) was a Northern Irish Gaelic footballer, selector and manager. He played at club level with Glenn, Tullylish and Carryduff and at inter-county level with the Down senior football team.

Playing career

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McCartan had his first Gaelic football successes as a student at St Colman's College in Newry. He won consecutive MacRory Cups in his last two years as a student, as well as being a Hogan Cup runner-up in 1957.[3] McCartan began his adult club career with Glenna round this time, and won Down SFC titles in 1959, 1962 and 1963.[4] He later transferred to the Tullylish club before ending his career with Carryduff.[5]

McCartan was just 19-years-old when he was drafted onto the Down senior football team. His career coincided with Down's most successful era ever, and he won All-Ireland SFC medals in 1960, 1961 and 1968.[6] McCartan was also part of eight Ulster SFC-winning teams and collected three National League titles. He also won four Railway Cup medals with Ulster. McCartan's inter-county career was brought to an end when he was dropped from the Down team in January 1976.[7]

Management career

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When his playing career ended, McCartan became involved in team management and coaching. He was a selector when the Down senior team won the Ulster SFC title in 1978 . McCartan was also a selector when the Down minor team beat Cork to win the All-Ireland MFC title in 1987.[8]

Personal life and death

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His brother, James McCartan, was a teammate on Down's All-Ireland SFC-winning teams in 1960 and 1961.[9] His nephews, James McCartan Jnr and Daniel McCartan, also played with Down.[10] McCartan qualified as a dentist and practiced for many years on the Andersonstown Road in west Belfast.

McCartan died in the Downe Hospital on 3 March 2024, at the age of 84.[11]

Honours

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Player

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St Colman's college
Glenn
Down

Management

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Down

References

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  1. ^ "Former 1968 All Ireland winning Down GAA team reunite for 80th birthday celebrations". The Irish News. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Death of Down GAA legend Dan McCartan snr". RTÉ Sport. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  3. ^ "50th anniversary of St. Nathy's historic All-Ireland triumph". Irish Independent. 21 March 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Glenn John Martins GFC". Club Info website. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  5. ^ "GAA: Then and now". Irish Independent. 29 June 2003. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  6. ^ "The boys of summer: Down's 1968 heroes recall glorious All-Ireland triumph 50 years on". The Irish News. 21 September 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  7. ^ "The Late Dan McCartan". Down GAA website. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Which team is under greater psychological pressure?". Irish Examiner. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Tributes paid as James McCartan Snr, the King of Down football, is laid to rest". Irish Examiner. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  10. ^ "James McCartan is facing one of the stiffest challenges of his career as he seeks to steer Down away from the threat of relegation". Belfast Telegraph. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Football mourns Down great Dan McCartan". Irish Examiner. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.