Benny Coulter has indicated that this will be his final season with Down.

The Mayobridge clubman, who has been a mainstay of the Mourne County team since making his debut as a sub against Antrim in 2000, admitted at the launch of his new range of gloves in Belfast last night that he is contemplating retirement.

"I'd be 90 per cent sure that this is my last year, but you just never know," he is quoted in the Irish News.

"I sort of have my mind made up, but things can change. I'll see how it goes between now and the end of the year, with the next four or five games or whatever is left.

"If I perform in them, or even if I get playing in them, I'll see. But obviously if I don't get playing or don't play well it'll certainly be the end of me.

"As you get older, strains just take it out of you, but I'll be fully fit on Sunday (for the All-Ireland qualifier against Leitrim), no niggles, no injuries.

"I had a couple of hamstring injuries about three weeks ago, but they have all cleared up and I am feeling fresh and hope that James (McCartan) will give me a start on Sunday." Tweet

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