McCartan’s men still believe they can be high kings of Ulster

He’ll always be Wee James to us and nearly anyone who saw him play, but when it comes to inter-county management there’s a case a certain Mr McCartan could be termed Old James.

Next Sunday, he and his Down team come up against the longest serving manager in senior inter-county football. Mickey Harte’s first championship over the Tyrone seniors was back in 2003, McCartan’s own last as a player.

But after Harte, McCartan is the longest-serving manager in his current post. He took up the Down gig in 2010. Jim McGuinness and James Horan didn’t assume duties in their respective counties until 2011.