Death of legendary Down footballer Dan McCartan

March 04, 2024

The Down team that won the Sam Maguire Cup in 1960, front l/r: Eamonn McKay, Patsy O Hagan, Paddy Doherty, Kevin Mussen, George Lavery, Tony Hadden, Brian Morgan. Back: James McCartan, Joe Lennon, Jarlath Carey, Leo Murphy, Dan McCartan, Sean O Neill, Kevin O Neill, Pat Rice.

Down GAA is mourning the passing of football legend Dan McCartan.

Aged 84, the Carryduff clubman is regarded as one of the greatest defenders the Mourne County has ever produced and was part of the trailblazing team that won three All-Ireland SFC titles in 1960, ’61 and ’68. He also won eight Ulster SFC medals, three National League and four Railway Cup medals in a highly-decorated inter-county career.

Dan played his club football with Glenn and Tullylish before throwing in his lot with Carryduff. He played into his fifties alongside his son Mark, who was part of Down’s 1991 All-Ireland SFC winning squad.

Dan is survived by his wife Betty, son Mark and daughter-in-law Joan, as well as his grandsons Daniel, Seán and Ross.


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