James McCartan is poised to return as manager of the Down senior footballers.
He will be ratified tonight, according to the Irish News.
Andy Watters also reports that former Armagh All-Ireland winner Aidan O'Rourke will be head coach.
News: @OfficialDownGAA are to appoint James McCartan as senior team manager with @Armagh_GAA All-Ireland winner Aidan O’Rourke in as assistant. McCartan won Sam in 1991 and 94 and took Down to 2010 final in his previous spell pic.twitter.com/w5Is2Qnx1g
— Andy Watters (@andyirishnews) November 24, 2021
A two-time All-Ireland winner as a player with the Mourne men, McCartan previously had a stint in charge.
During that period, he guided the county to the 2010 All-Ireland final where they lost by a single point to Cork.
McCartan is steeped in the county's GAA history, with his Dad James Snr a three-time All-Ireland medallist.
His return follows a lengthy process to fill the managerial vacancy left following Paddy Tally's departure earlier this year.
There were reports that Jim McGuinness was set to be part of a prospective management team led by Conor Laverty, the county's U-20 boss.
But McGuinness soon distanced himself from those rumours, stating his intention was to work in soccer.
McCartan's appointment is due to be ratified at a county board meeting this evening.
Down will play in Division Two of the National League next year having retained their status this term.
They then suffered a heavy defeat to Donegal in the Ulster Championship.
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