McCartan is new Down manager

Two-time All-Star winner James McCartan was tonight named as the new Down senior football manager after a County Committee meeting.

McCartan has been appointed for a three-year term alongside selectors Paddy Tally and Brian McIver.

McCartan takes over from his former county team-mate Ross Carr, and brings a wealth of experience with him to his new role.

As a player he won All-Ireland and Ulster SFC titles with Down in 1991 and 1994. He also claimed All-Ireland and Provincial minor winner's medals in 1987.

A holder of two Sigerson Cup medals as a player with Queen's University, McCartan also guided the Belfast students to glory in that competition as a manager in 2007.

He holds plenty of other experience as a manager and steered his own club Burren to a Down league success in 2005, and Antrim club St Gall's to a Senior Championship win in 2008. He has also managed Derry club side Ballinderry.

Selectors Tally and McIver will also bring a huge amount of experience and guile to the Down set-up.

Tally was Tyrone's trainer during their successful 2003 campaign which saw the Red Hands take All-Ireland and NFL honours.

He has coached St. Mary's University College and was the Down senior football trainer during the past season.

McIver, meanwhile, managed Ballinderry to Ulster and All-Ireland Club titles in 2002 and Donegal to the National Football League Division 1 crown in 2007.