Player hailed from one of football’s most distinguished families and transpired to be a formative influence on the county’s 1960s breakthrough
Family and friends attend the funeral of Down football legend Dan McCartan at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Carryduff, Co Down. Photograph: PacemakerA member of one of football’s most distinguished families, he and brother Jim, who predeceased him in 2021, were big influences on the county’s memorable breakthrough in the 1960s.
The Down GAA tribute noted that McCartan's death had 'robbed us of one of our greatest sons'. Photograph: Tommy Dickson/Inpho The 1960 win over Cavan attracted a then-record for a league final of 49,451. This was followed by further records for All-Ireland finals, later that year against Kerry, 87,768, and in 1961 the figure that will presumably never be beaten, 90,556.
He mastered the number three jersey to telling effect in that year’s league final — a prelude to another double — and his influence on the match was profound. When his playing career ended — he and Seán O’Neill retired in 1975 after playing in 16 Ulster finals — Dan McCartan joined his brother Jim in overseeing senior success with an Ulster title in 1978.
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