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AFTER REPORTS EARLIER that Benny Coulter had changed his mind on his inter-county return, it seems it was all a hoax.
Coulter got the Mourne pulses racing with the announcement last month that he was returning to inter-county football. But a tweet from the Down legend’s account yesterday suggested that was no longer the case.
However, it has since emerged that the post was all a prank, allowing Down fans, who are in need of a boost, to breathe easy again.
Excitement started brewing in the county only last month when manager Eamon Burns confirmed that the former county captain was making a return to the fold following his retirement in 2014.
“I was speaking to Benny and he’s started a wee bit of prep work on his own, so hopefully we’ll see him before Christmas, all being well,” Burns said at the time.
While now 33 years of age and likely past his best, it was felt that Coulter, an AllStar in 2010, could add a much-needed spark to a Down side that has failed to win a championship game in Ulster since 2013.
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Coulter was one of the game’s most exciting forwards in recent memory and played 15 seasons at the highest level, the highlight of which was reaching the All-Ireland final in 2010. He also represented Ireland in international rules in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 and won an All-Ireland minor title in 1999.
Coulter’s return would be a timely one, especially considering the likes of the towering Dan Gordon and the gifted Marty Clarke are also still believed to be open to playing inter-county football next year.
