James McCartan, Junior

Who is James McCartan, Junior?

James McCartan, Junior is a former Gaelic footballer and current manager. He played for Down between 1990 and 2000. McCartan was part of the Down team that won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1991 and 1994. McCartan also won two Ulster Senior Football Championships with the county. At underage level McCartan won Ulster Minor and All-Ireland Minor Football Championship medals. He also won two All Star awards during his career.

McCartan usually played as a corner forward. He was renowned for his speed, swerving runs at the defence and scoring ability.

McCartan is regarded as one of the Down's best ever footballers. In 2009 to mark the 125th anniversary of the Gaelic Athletic Association he was named by The Irish News as one of the all-time best 125 footballers from Ulster.

In 2009 he took charge of the Down senior team, leading them to the 2010 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final in his first season in charge.