THE Glenn club in county Down have paid tribute to one of its most famous stars, James McCartan snr, who passed away on Saturday.

“Glenn John Martin GAC and the Gaels of Down are saddened by the death of our former player, James McCartan. His playing career coincided with the glory days of both Glenn and Down in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

“In the black and amber of Glenn, James won many accolades beginning with our first Senior League title in 1954. James was a key member of the 1959 Senior Football Championship winning team, scoring a vital goal against Rostrevor.

“Following further league title wins, James scored four points in the 1962 championship win over Castlewellan. He collected his, and Glenn’s, third Senior Championship title in 1963 in the narrow victory over Downpatrick.

“James McCartan did not only light up the playing fields within county Down; in a spectacular intercounty career, he was known throughout Ireland for his strength, fielding and ability to take crucial scores.

“With Down, James won the Celtic Cross in 1960 in the historic win over Kerry and in 1961 in a victory over Offaly in front of the largest ever Croke Park attendance. James was honoured with the 1961 Caltex Award, the equivalent of today’s Player of the Year award.

“On behalf of Glenn GAC, we extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Marie, sons Brian, James, Charlie Pat, Daniel and Eoin, daughters Delia and Maria, grandchildren, brother, Dan, sisters Gay, Eileen and Delia and extended family and many friends throughout Ireland. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anan.”

It was an extremely sad day for the club as Michael Jennings, who played midfield alongside James when Glenn won their first Down Senior title in 1959, also passed away.

As well as his footballing prowess, Michael Jennings was also a very talented athlete as the club explained.

“Michael was an outstanding athlete, representing Glenn, the Abbey CBS, Down, Ulster and Ireland.

“In schools’ competitions, Michael won the Ulster shot, pole vault and high jump competitions and the All-Ireland shot putt title. In the British School Championships, he had victories in the shot putt and the high jump competitions. Michael dominated the Ulster Senior Championships winning four javelin titles, three high jump titles and two pole vault awards.”