DOWN star Benny Coulter will be fit to face old adversaries Kerry in the quarter-final of the All-Ireland Football Championship on Saturday.
The Mayobridge man came off injured in Down’s hammering of Sligo on Saturday, but he has declared himself fit, in today’s Democrat.
All roads lead to Croke Park for the clash against the Kingdom at 2pm. Down play Kerry in a mouth-watering double bill pairing as Tyrone take on Dublin at 4pm on Saturday.
The Mourne men hold a proud record of having never being beaten by Kerry in their previous four meetings in the Championship.
Down have enjoyed some memorable encounters with the Kingdom over the years.
The Mourne men secured their first All-Ireland title by defeating Kerry in the final in 1960 and 50 years on the sides meet again in Croke Park As was the case then, Down will go into this match as underdogs.
Victories in the finals of 1960, 1968 in addition to semi-final wins in 1991 and 1961, have seen Down triumph on every occasion.
This proud record is sure to be put to a rigorous test as the All-Ireland champions chase a record-breaking feat of seven consecutive All-Ireland final appearances.
Kerry stars Tomas O’Se and Paul Galvin are suspended and will not feature for Kerry, while Down are hoping that knocks picked up by Damien Rafferty and Kevin McKernan in the game against Sligo are nothing more than slight niggles.
Coulter will be fit to play and Down will be looking to the Mayobridge man to shine in what is Down’s second apperance in Croke Park this season.
Coulter claims that Saturday’s game is his biggest test since 1994 and there is no doubt he will be raring to go against the defending All-Ireland Champions.
It will be a major shock should James McCartan guide his side past Kerry.
McCartan had outlined at the start of the season that his aim was to reach Croke Park this summer.
He has done so. Anything beyond that now will be seen as a welcome but unexpected bonus.
Meanwhile, Armagh Minors play Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-finals in Croke Park on Saturday at 12noon. Paul McShane’s men face a difficult task but could provide an upset if they play to their potential.