James McCartan, Senior

Who is James McCartan, Senior?

James McCartan, Senior is a retired Northern Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local Tullylish club and was a member of the Down senior inter-county team from the 1950s until the 1960s. He is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.

McCartan is regarded as one of Gaelic football's outstanding forwards, and was a major figure in Down's All-Ireland victories of 1960 and 1961. McCartan's credits include Ulster senior football medals and Railway Cup medals, He won two National League medals, in 1960 and 1962. He was also Texaco Footballer of the Year two years in a row in 1960 and 1961.

His son, James McCartan, Junior, won All-Ireland medals with Down in 1991 and 1994, he is also the current Down senior football team manager and led them to the 2010 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final. His younger son Daniel plays with the Down team at present and played in the 2010 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final.

Once his playing days came to an end he managed the Down team during the 1980s when there won the 1983 National Football League.