Football

Benny Coulter can help bring out the best of Down says Paddy Tally

Former Down forward Benny Coulter will be part of Paddy Tally's backroom team, having worked with the new Mourne County boss around the turn of the decade, Picture by Philip Walsh
Former Down forward Benny Coulter will be part of Paddy Tally's backroom team, having worked with the new Mourne County boss around the turn of the decade, Picture by Philip Walsh Former Down forward Benny Coulter will be part of Paddy Tally's backroom team, having worked with the new Mourne County boss around the turn of the decade, Picture by Philip Walsh

BENNY Coulter’s legendary status within Down football, as well as his knowledge of the emerging talent in the county, made him an obvious choice when Paddy Tally was putting together his backroom team.

Along with Gavin McGilly and Stephen Beattie, both of whom he has worked with at St Mary’s University College, Tally opted to call upon former Mayobridge star Coulter after being approached about taking the Down job.

Tally had worked with Coulter during his previous stint in the Mourne County – from 2009 until 2011 – and believes it was vital to maintain that link between the last generation of Down footballers and this.

“It was really important, for a lot of reasons,” said Tally.

“Benny was not only a great player for Down but he’s also been managing his own club team for a number of years and been involved in the coaching structures in Down, so he has a fair idea of the players and what’s going on.

“He’s watched a lot of players coming through, he has a good football brain, he recognises a good player and if you look down the last 20 years of Down football, Benny’s one of the more recognised players.

“He represented his county and his country with great distinction so it was an easy enough choice for me when it came to asking someone to be involved. Benny was the man I wanted and I’m delighted he’s here.”

And Coulter’s fearless approach to the game on the field is also something Tally hopes he can bring to the class of 2019 as they bid to bounce back from a disappointing 12 months.

“Benny’s very easy to work with, he loved playing the game, he was a very exciting footballer, a talismanic figure, a good leader within the group and played with real passion for the team,” said the Galbally man of the 2010 Allstar.

“He sort of epitomises what Down football was about at that time; just someone who really wanted to represent the county well.

“Those traits are very important going forward, especially those younger players that are coming into the squad now, they will remember looking up to Benny Coulter when he was playing. He’s a real good role model for the players.”