THERE’S A HUGE boost for Down fans and Gaelic Football followers in general this morning following confirmation that long-serving forward Benny Coulter has cut short his retirement.
Coulter walked away from intercounty football last year at the age of 32 but he will return to the Mourne County for the 2016 campaign.
The Mayobridge sharpshooter is a talismanic figure for his county and made his senior debut back in 2000.
He was captain in 2010 when Down contested the All-Ireland final against Cork and captured an Allstar for his exploits that season.
Coulter is a former All-Ireland minor medallist with Down and the four-time Interprovincial winner with Ulster has also represented Ireland in five International Rules series.
Here’s a reminder of what he’s all about:
I thought he done very well last night. He actually scored his first Ireland goal Vs Celtic in Scott Brown’s testimonial and the way Mick spoke about him last night he could well be promoted.
Cullen got man of the match but I thought Browne was the real MVP. His control of the ball, slowing down the game and giving himself time for an option to open up was another level to the rest of the team.
Don’t get me wrong, a few players impressed me last night, with Byrne, Long, Collins and Cullen getting all the credit but Browne deserves some too.
Would love to see him get a move out of Preston.
@Baz Harkin: Only matter of time before premier league clubs start taking an interest, top midfielder.Should be in ahead of Hourihan and Hendrick. Always seems to do the simple things right and be in the right place, just like a fellow Cork midfielder did a few years ago, but we better not talk about him for a while though!
@Baz Harkin: As a lover of PNE..I WOULD NOT!!!
Browne would walk into most midfield in the bottom half of the Premier league. So many foreign managers these days though bringing in speed demons from Africa/Germany/Brazil/France etc that it’s getting harder and harder to get the big break.
@Stanley Baggins: hence why Irish footballers need to start looking further afield and taking opportunities on the continent. Even English footballers are starting to do that more and more.
Browne should have more caps than he has. I know he’s been unlucky with injuries but his form was largely ignored by O Neill. Hopefully he gets back into the Preston team and pushes for a place with the national side. We’re not blessed with guys who can score from midfield and he certainly can if he’s played in the right position.