James McCartan is an Irish Gaelic football manager and former player who played at senior level for the Down county team between 1990 and 2000. McCartan was part of the Down team that won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1991 and 1994. McCartan also won two Ulster Senior Football Championships with the county. At underage level McCartan won Ulster Minor and All-Ireland Minor Football Championship medals. He also won two All Star awards during his career. McCartan usually played as a corner forward. He was renowned for his speed, swerving runs at the defence and scoring ability.