TRIBUTES were coming in on Sunday night for Dan McCartan after the death of the legendary Down Gael.
A member of the all-conquering Down team of the 1960s along with his brother James, McCartan lined out at defence for the Mourne men when they captured All-Ireland SFC titles in 1960, ‘61 and ‘68.
McCartan was just 19 when he won his first Celtic Cross in 1960, and he went on to win eight Ulster Championships with the Mourne men, along with three National League titles and four Railway Cup medals in a glittering career.
He originally played his club football for Glenn and Tullylish, but later became involved with the young Carryduff club and would continue to play for them until he was well into his 50s. His son Mark, who Dan lined out alongside with Carryduff, was on the Down panel which won the All-Ireland in 1991.
Dan is survived by his wife Betty, son Mark and daughter-in-law Joan, as well as his grandsons Daniel, Seán and Ross.
The Carryduff club, South Down MP Chris Hazzard and South Belfast MLA Matthew O’Toole were among those paying tribute to Dan on Sunday night.