Benny Retires

[Any craic]

The great Benny Coulter has retired from playing for Down. This is classic Benny Coulter with a black eye & a goal in Ballybofey after his best game for Down, well that was according to Sean O'Neill who would know.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC0mB0pQcWE

[Aristo 60]

Go raibh maith agat Benny for all the memories.

http://www.u.tv/Sport/Down-legend-Benny-Coulter-retires/393fb2d7-c251-4c37-90a6-6bbc821929c3

Our hearts are heavy too.

[snoopdog]

A True Down Legend who never got the medals he craved in the red and black.
Best of luck in your retirement Benny

[Rossfan]

Yet another good man hanging up the County boots.
Best wishes on retirement.

[SHEEDY]

STATEMENT FROM DOWN CO BOARD ON BEHALF OF BENNY COULTER
It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to retire from Inter County Football. I have enjoyed immensely my time as an Inter County Football but after 15 Seasons I have decided that the time has come to allow a younger breed of Down Footballer the chance to make their mark.
I would like to thank a number of people from the bottom of my heart for the support that they have given me over the years.
My Club Mayobridge first gave me my love of Gaelic Football and to all the mentors who spent time over the years moulding me into the player and person I became I am most grateful. I will continue to give of my best in the Sky Blue of Mayobridge for as long as Team Mentors feel I can make a positive contribution.
My Minor Manager Gerry Dougherty brought me to All Ireland Minor Glory and allowed me to sample what it was like to win an All Ireland Minor Medal.
Peter McGrath gave me my first taste of Senior Inter County Football and I will always thank Pete for that opportunity.
Paddy O Rourke was a great help to me in football terms and on a personal level and I have many fond memories of my time working with Paddy and his Management Team.
Ross Carr and DJ Kane were my next Managers and we too had many good days especially the victory over Tyrone in Newry in 2008.
In 2010 I was privileged and honoured to lead my County in the All Ireland Final and I will always regret that we failed to deliver on the day, I am indebted to James McCartan for the support he gave me in the five years that he was Team Manager. I had played with James and it was an absolute honour to have worked with him as Manager.
I would like to place on record my thanks to the Down County Board for supporting me throughout my playing career I was looked after at all times in the best possible manner.
To the Medical Teams over the years I thank you all for the care and attention given to me.
I thank the Down Supporters who always were there for me and lifted my spirits many times at crucial stages in games or when I was preparing to enter the fray.
To My family and in particular my mother and father who supported me all through my County career I offer a heartfelt thanks you certainly helped make it easy for me to be an Inter County Footballer.
I wish the present Down panel and Manager Jim McCorry every success in the season ahead, those boys are like my brothers and I will be supporting them fully throughout the year ahead

[armaghniac]

Great player, it is a pity he wasn't from the righteous side of the Clanrye.

[macdanger2]

Class player

[Captain Obvious]

The over the top training nowadays has made it a young mans game. Happy retirement Benny.

[Pangurban]

One of the greats of Down football, has given his all ,and has now made the right decision to retire.

[seafoid]

STATEMENT FROM DOWN CO BOARD ON BEHALF OF BENNY COULTER
It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to retire from Inter County Football. I have enjoyed immensely my time as an Inter County Football but after 15 Seasons I have decided that the time has come to allow a younger breed of Down Footballer the chance to make their mark.
I would like to thank a number of people from the bottom of my heart for the support that they have given me over the years.
My Club Mayobridge first gave me my love of Gaelic Football and to all the mentors who spent time over the years moulding me into the player and person I became I am most grateful. I will continue to give of my best in the Sky Blue of Mayobridge for as long as Team Mentors feel I can make a positive contribution.
My Minor Manager Gerry Dougherty brought me to All Ireland Minor Glory and allowed me to sample what it was like to win an All Ireland Minor Medal.
Peter McGrath gave me my first taste of Senior Inter County Football and I will always thank Pete for that opportunity.
Paddy O Rourke was a great help to me in football terms and on a personal level and I have many fond memories of my time working with Paddy and his Management Team.
Ross Carr and DJ Kane were my next Managers and we too had many good days especially the victory over Tyrone in Newry in 2008.
In 2010 I was privileged and honoured to lead my County in the All Ireland Final and I will always regret that we failed to deliver on the day, I am indebted to James McCartan for the support he gave me in the five years that he was Team Manager. I had played with James and it was an absolute honour to have worked with him as Manager.
I would like to place on record my thanks to the Down County Board for supporting me throughout my playing career I was looked after at all times in the best possible manner.
To the Medical Teams over the years I thank you all for the care and attention given to me.
I thank the Down Supporters who always were there for me and lifted my spirits many times at crucial stages in games or when I was preparing to enter the fray.
To My family and in particular my mother and father who supported me all through my County career I offer a heartfelt thanks you certainly helped make it easy for me to be an Inter County Footballer.
I wish the present Down panel and Manager Jim McCorry every success in the season ahead, those boys are like my brothers and I will be supporting them fully throughout the year ahead

Lovely sentiment.
He must have been inspired by Mickey Linden as a gasur.

[Mourne Rover]

Benny said earlier this year that his body was taking several days to recover after big games, and he did not know how much longer he could keep going, so we should probably not be too surprised by today's announcement. However, when we remember how he completely changed the game from midfield after coming on at half-time against Tyrone in the championship this summer, and the way he dragged us back into the contest when he switched to full forward in the qualifier against Kildare, it is pretty clear that he was still our most important player. He was brilliant for Down throughout his career, from a match-winning performance in the 1999 AI minor final right through to the Kildare swansong, and we can only thank him for everything.  However, if he gets a long rest, and bangs in a few goals for Mayobridge in the spring, Jim McCorry should make sure he keeps his number handy.

[5 Sams]

STATEMENT FROM DOWN CO BOARD ON BEHALF OF BENNY COULTER
It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to retire from Inter County Football. I have enjoyed immensely my time as an Inter County Football but after 15 Seasons I have decided that the time has come to allow a younger breed of Down Footballer the chance to make their mark.
I would like to thank a number of people from the bottom of my heart for the support that they have given me over the years.
My Club Mayobridge first gave me my love of Gaelic Football and to all the mentors who spent time over the years moulding me into the player and person I became I am most grateful. I will continue to give of my best in the Sky Blue of Mayobridge for as long as Team Mentors feel I can make a positive contribution.
My Minor Manager Gerry Dougherty brought me to All Ireland Minor Glory and allowed me to sample what it was like to win an All Ireland Minor Medal.
Peter McGrath gave me my first taste of Senior Inter County Football and I will always thank Pete for that opportunity.
Paddy O Rourke was a great help to me in football terms and on a personal level and I have many fond memories of my time working with Paddy and his Management Team.
Ross Carr and DJ Kane were my next Managers and we too had many good days especially the victory over Tyrone in Newry in 2008.
In 2010 I was privileged and honoured to lead my County in the All Ireland Final and I will always regret that we failed to deliver on the day, I am indebted to James McCartan for the support he gave me in the five years that he was Team Manager. I had played with James and it was an absolute honour to have worked with him as Manager.
I would like to place on record my thanks to the Down County Board for supporting me throughout my playing career I was looked after at all times in the best possible manner.
To the Medical Teams over the years I thank you all for the care and attention given to me.
I thank the Down Supporters who always were there for me and lifted my spirits many times at crucial stages in games or when I was preparing to enter the fray.
To My family and in particular my mother and father who supported me all through my County career I offer a heartfelt thanks you certainly helped make it easy for me to be an Inter County Footballer.
I wish the present Down panel and Manager Jim McCorry every success in the season ahead, those boys are like my brothers and I will be supporting them fully throughout the year ahead

Lovely sentiment.
He must have been inspired by Mickey Linden as a gasur.

Who wouldn't be Seafóid....him and Mickey would be close.

[NP 76]

The word legend is fired about to much in these times but I have to say Benny Coulter was a legend. An absolute gentleman both on and off the field. He can hold his head up high for he never let us down. When times were bleak he carried us on his back numerous times. A real pity he left without the big medal he truly deserved. Good luck Benny

[John o connor]

Great great player ! Just such a pity we didn't get him an all Ireland in 2010. Could have walked onto any county side in most positions but in full forward I don't think anyone was better at getting you a goal . Never forget the replay in Newry with Tyrone when he punched in a goal near the end , magical night some atmosphere . Thanks Benny ,legend .

[rrhf]

Wonderful player. Always great excitement in the championship air when Coulter went for broke.