Down captain Benny Coulter has set his sights on an Ulster title.

Coulter has been a talismanic presence in the Mourne County attack for 13 years now but has yet to collect a meaningful medal with Down. Speaking to hoganstand.com, he says the goal for 2012 is to get his hands on the Anglo-Celt Cup. While some might feel that the back-door system has devalued the provincial championships, the often-unplayable Mayobridge veteran is of a different mindset entirely:

"Our goal for the year is to stay in Division One of the league and to win an Ulster title. I'm not going to say to you that we want to do well in Ulster because that's not enough for Down anymore. We want to win the Ulster title this year and we'll do everything we can to achieve that. It would be the first medal I've won with the county, so it would mean a lot.

"It's very important to Down to win Ulster because we haven't managed to win it since 1994. That's a long time ago, so the provincial championship means more to us than it might to the likes of Tyrone or Armagh, who have been winning it regularly. For our development and for the benefit of the lads we have coming through, an Ulster title to Down would be as big as an All-Ireland to Tyrone or Armagh. That's how much we want it. It would be absolutely fantastic for this county and for the young lads."

How big a challenge is it for Down to get back to where they were at in 2010, when they streaked through the Qualifiers to appear in the All-Ireland final against Cork? "I suppose it's going to be tough, especially with Marty [Clarke] and the lads moving away, but at the same time we have a few good young lads coming through and they are all keen and they've started their intercounty careers well. They are all big, strong lads too, which helps. Training is going very well and I can see a very bright future for Down."

The Down team this year will be in some ways unrecognisable from the one that played in the All-Ireland only 16 months ago. A lot has changed for the Mourne County in a short space of time… "We've had about seven or eight retirements since 2010," Coulter muses. "But, again, the young lads have fitted in really well and I have been very impressed by them in the first few games in the McKenna Cup. They are all big, big lads - 6'2" or more - and that helps a lot."

Is this move towards the bigger, more physical player a conscious strategy from the management team or has it come about more so by chance? "I don't know if James [McCartan, manager] was actively looking for big players but he has found them! It has happened and he has picked them and their presence has benefited us enormously. We are dominating possession around the middle of the pitch and that's a big help to any team."

The new faces have blended in well during the early-season Dr McKenna Cup but Coulter admits that he's not necessarily a big fan of the currently-ongoing subsidiary competition. "It's not that important to us. We won't be bothered whether we win it or not," he confesses.

"We are going to get a minimum of four games out of it and that's all we wanted. To win it would be of absolutely no relevance whatsoever. It's all about getting good performances out of the lads and blending the young lads into the team. From that point of view, it has been good for Down and the new lads have played well.

"We have played Armagh and Monaghan and we have Derry to come in the semi-final at the weekend. Those are three decent games against very good teams and that sets us up nicely for Donegal in the first round of the national football league on February 4th. That's when the season starts."

Coulter isn't slow to admit that 2011 was a disastrous championship year for the Mournemen: "It was very, very disappointing. All the boys were dejected afterwards. We carried a lot of injuries throughout the year and it just seemed to be one thing after the other. Thankfully, this season all the boys are injury-free."

Was complacency a factor last year? "Absolutely. We took our eye off the ball. Boys were going through the motions and were taking games for a bit of a ride because they thought they could get away with it. Maybe they thought James was a soft touch because he gets on so well with us all, but he has tightened up this year and I can't see there being a repeat of that."

From a personal perspective, Benny endured further disappointment towards the end of the year when injury - or more accurately, rehabilitation - forced him to miss the International Rules series in Australia. The Down man has been a long-serving Irish international but a decision was taken to stay at home to allow his body to recover fully ahead of the rigours of the 2012 intercounty season. He admits this was tough to take but also concedes that it was the right choice:

"I suppose it was a bit of both, really. I went through a hard time in my mind over that. I wanted to go but I didn't want to go and, in the end, I was down in the dumps because every footballer wants to play in those games.

"But, looking back now, I'm glad I didn't go. When you see the likes of Michael Murphy missing the league because he needs an operation on his groin, it makes you think you made the right decision." Who actually made the decision, though? "James left it down to me entirely. It was my choice."

One of the most gifted footballers of his generation, Benny Coulter has been a tremendous servant to Down GAA. No doubt, he still has plenty more to offer on the playing field but, at the same time, there's no denying that he is approaching the twilight of his career. Does he find that he now appreciates playing more than he did when he was younger? Does the time become more precious?

"There's no doubt about it. A couple of years ago, I wouldn't have been one to love or even enjoy training, but this past two or three years going to training has been brilliant and I have cherished every game I play. I know there mightn't be too many more seasons left as an intercounty player and you do appreciate it more and enjoy it more.

"However, enjoying it is one thing but actually being able to perform is another. If I felt that I no longer have anything to offer, I would step aside."

That would be a sad day for Ulster GAA, indeed, but fortunately, there's no sign of such a scenario materialising just yet as Benny is relishing the challenge of testing himself alongside and against the rising young stars in the county - even if it is becoming increasing-hard to keep up with them!

"It's difficult to keep up but I always give it my all. I train hard and push on. A lot of people might not realise this but I've been with Down since I was 18 and this is my 13th year on the county team, so yes it's tough to keep going. I wouldn't beat any of them in a long-distance run - but I don't have to!"

Older players, of course, can rely more and more on using their brain, experience and positional sense to compensate for any lack of pace or stamina (and I'm not suggesting for a second that Benny has either!) that might creep into their game, but the Down captain says cuteness will only get you so far on the playing field and that, at the end of the day, you need to be fit enough to keep motoring for 70:

"You can't rely on the brain to do everything for you," he concludes. "All footballers need a very high level of fitness but I suppose when you play in the full-forward line you're not expected to go tramping all over the pitch. It's much harder for midfielders, for example, but I feel I can still cover the ground when I have to."

With a fresh and fit Benny Coulter on board as well as a raft of experienced players and a sprinkling of fresh faces, Down are certainly a team to keep an eye on in 2012. Tweet

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