About Dan McCartan
Lived 1939 – 2024 (aged 84–85). Dan McCartan was an association football coach.
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. McCartan began his adult club career with Glenna round this time, and won Down SFC titles in 1959, 1962 and 1963. He later transferred to the Tullylish club before ending his career with Carryduff.
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. 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.
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.
Personal life and death His brother, James McCartan, was a teammate on Down's All-Ireland SFC-winning teams in 1960 and 1961. His nephews, James McCartan Jnr and Daniel McCartan, also played with Down. 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.
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
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Dan McCartan's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Dan McCartan's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Dan McCartan?
Northern Irish Gaelic footballer (1939–2024
When was Dan McCartan born?
Dan McCartan was born in 1939.
When did Dan McCartan die?
Dan McCartan died in 2024.
What was Dan McCartan's occupation?
Dan McCartan was an association football coach.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Dan McCartan. https://biography.guide/dan-mccartan/
MLA: "Dan McCartan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/dan-mccartan/.
Chicago: "Dan McCartan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/dan-mccartan/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:22 UTC