"I was informed on Sunday that George was retiring from international football," said boss Nigel Worthington.
The defender, 29, previously quit Northern Ireland duty during Lawrie Sanchez's reign but was coaxed back by Worthington.
McCartney opted out in 2005 after having a disagreement with Sanchez but was convinced to return to the Northern Ireland fold after Worthington's appointment in the summer of 2007.
Worthington said today that he had to "respect" McCartney's latest decision.
Feeney and Evans both have pulled out of the squad for Nations Cup game at Dublin's Aviva Stadium after suffering ankle injuries in training.
Already ruled out by injury and illness are captain Aaron Hughes, Chris Brunt, Kyle Lafferty, Maik Taylor, Craig Cathcart, Sammy Clingan and Jonny Gorman.
Northern Ireland squad: Goalkeepers -Tuffey (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Blayney (Linfield) Defenders - Craigan (Motherwell), McArdle (Aberdeen), McAuley (Ipswich), Baird (Fulham), Hodson (Watford), Thompson (Watford) Midfielders - McCann (Peterborough United), C Evans (Manchester United - on loan at Hull), Davis (Rangers), McGinn (Celtic), McCourt (Celtic), Norwood (Manchester United) Forwards - Healy (Rangers), R Patterson (Plymouth), Boyce (Werder Bremen)
Source: BBC Sport