Dan McCartan
Northern Irish Gaelic footballer (1939–2024
| 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
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
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
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
Player
- St Colman's college
- MacRory Cup: 1957, 1958
- Glenn
- Down Senior Football Championship: 1959, 1962, 1963
- Down
- All-Ireland Senior Football Championship: 1960, 1961, 1968
- Ulster Senior Football Championship: 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1971
- National Football League: 1959–60, 1961–62, 1967–68
Management
- Down
- Ulster Senior Football Championship: 1978
- National Football League: 1982–83
- All-Ireland Minor Football Championship: 1987
- Ulster Minor Football Championship: 1987
References
- ^ "Former 1968 All Ireland winning Down GAA team reunite for 80th birthday celebrations". The Irish News. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Death of Down GAA legend Dan McCartan snr". RTÉ Sport. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "50th anniversary of St. Nathy's historic All-Ireland triumph". Irish Independent. 21 March 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Glenn John Martins GFC". Club Info website. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "GAA: Then and now". Irish Independent. 29 June 2003. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "The Late Dan McCartan". Down GAA website. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Which team is under greater psychological pressure?". Irish Examiner. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Tributes paid as James McCartan Snr, the King of Down football, is laid to rest". Irish Examiner. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Football mourns Down great Dan McCartan". Irish Examiner. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
