Coulter desperate to make ‘miracle’ return

Benny Coulter has vowed to play through the pain barrier in order to fulfil his dream of winning an Ulster SFC title.

The Down star missed the first championship match of his career on Sunday, due to the ankle break he suffered five weeks ago.

Coulter, who turns 30 on Thursday, is in a race against time to be fit for the provincial semi-final against Monaghan on Jun 24.

“I am hoping for a miracle,” said Coulter after Down beat Fermanagh on Sunday. “I’m meant to be going back to the surgeon in Belfast on June 16 to get the cast off and see if the ankle is healed but we’re hoping to move it forward a few days. I hope to see him at the end of this week and if there is any chance I can get to play in the semi-final, I’ll push for it. If the physio tells me I’ll do a bit of damage by playing, I’ll play anyway. I’ve played with injuries throughout my career and I’m not going to stop now.”

Coulter, who admitted he is “not a good spectator” felt his team mates were always in control against Peter Canavan’s side.

“If the game had been tight it would have been harder to watch. But Down were never in any trouble, they were comfortable throughout the game, so we didn’t have to get too excited up in the stands. The first experience of missing out wasn’t too bad, but I wouldn’t like it if the game was a lot closer.”

Down were far from their best in Enniskillen on Sunday, but with Danny Hughes returning from a long injury lay-off and Ambrose Rogers playing his first championship game since 2010, there are plenty of positives for manager James McCartan.

Coulter said: “We’re 70 minutes away from the Ulster final and it’s the result that counts, not the performance. We’re in the semi-final in three weeks and we know we have to step it up a bit. The lads will know that themselves. They are their own worst critics and they will be in much better shape in three weeks time.”

Coulter also expects Dan Gordon to be back in the selection frame as he overcomes a foot injury. “Dan is moving a step closer; he is probably a good bit ahead of me. He will be on the field this week so we will certainly have Dan back for the semi-final, and young Niall McParland as well.

“We should have a full quota for the semi-final, bar myself, but I will be doing everything I can to play some part in that game.”