It's a new chapter in an old dynasty

DAN IS NEXT IN SUCCESSION TO DOWN'S MCCARTAN THRONE

- BY GARRY DOYLE

IN Down football, bloodlines are more than sentiment; they are currency.

And if you trace the thread of the county's story, from the breakthrough days of the 1960s to the rebirths of the 1990s and 2010s, one name stitches it all together. McCartan.

Before Down became synonymous with daring footballers who played with a swagger more imported from Argentina rather than Armagh, there were the brothers.

First James and Dan senior, two men who walked into the 1960 All-Ireland final as underdogs and walked out as icons. James senior playing in both the '60 and '61 wins, Dan senior joining him for the 1960 and 1961 triumphs before adding another in '68.

And it didn't stop there. James went on to manage Down to the 1983 National League title — the last time the Mourne men lifted that particular piece of silverware.

Dan senior stayed close too, serving as selector when Down won the Ulster SFC in 1978 and again when the minors won the All-Ireland in 1987. Two of Dan's nephews sons, James and Brian, stood on the pitch that day as champions.