Coulter doubtful for Saturday's Qualifier clash with Donegal - 22/07/03

Article from Irish News

Benny Coulter is in danger of missing Down's win-or-bust clash against Donegal at Clones on Saturday (4.15pm) for a place in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals. The versatile young front man, who switched to a midfield role last weekend due to Gregory McCartan's ban, reported to hospital after the Ulster final replay roasting from Tyrone with concussion.

He is rated doubtful for the Qualifier and boss Paddy O'Rourke is unlikely to finalise his team until tomorrow at the earliest. Coulter sustained a heavy, accidental blow to the head and, while he continued to play for a spell, was substituted and later examined by hospital staff. "He'd be a major concern at the moment. He suffered a head injury, suffered concussion, so we will have to wait until later in the week to see how he is," said team spokesman, Sean Og McAteer.

He confirmed that Coulter was taken to hospital after the replay, but that doctors decided not to keep him in for observation. "Benny was released from hospital on Sunday night and it is now a case of seeing how he is this week. No decision will be taken with him regarding Saturday's match against Donegal for a day or two yet. It's been policy, up until the Ulster final, to finalise the team on the Tuesday night before a game, but it is unlikely, given Benny's situation, that a team will be selected before Wednesday night."

Apart from Coulter's ability to recover and gain permission to take part in the All-Ireland SFC eliminator, Down report no other injuries bar bruised pride after Sunday's ruthless punishment of limitations. Suspensions have already weakened their chances of turning things around against Brian McEniff's Donegal. "It was quite a contrast in fortunes in a week for us alright, but we've now got to pick ourselves up against Donegal on Saturday. Normally you have to wait 12 months for the chance from something like this. We've six days to do it in," said McAteer. "The boys have a chance to show to themselves, to show to everybody else, that the form produced in the drawn Ulster final is more of a true reflection of their potential, their football ability, than what happened in the replay."

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