Down stalwart Benny Coulter has announced his retirement from inter-county football at the age of 32.
Coulter, who was so often a talismanic figure for the Mourne men, made his senior debut in 2000.
The Mayobridge forward captained Down in the 2010 All-Ireland final, where they lost to Cork by a single point, and won his only All Star award in the same year.
Eleven years earlier, Coulter played a star role in the minor decider as the county saw off the challenge of Mayo.
Coulter also represented Ireland in the International Rules series in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008, while Railway Cup success came with Ulster in 2003, 2007, 2009 and 2012.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to retire from inter-county football,” Coulter said in a statement.
“I have enjoyed immensely my time as an inter-county footballer, but after 15 seasons I have decided that the time has come to allow a younger breed of Down footballer the chance to make their mark.
“I would like to thank a number of people from the bottom of my heart for the support that they have given me over the years.
“My club Mayobridge first gave me my love of Gaelic football, and to all the mentors who spent time over the years moulding me into the player and person I became, I am most grateful. I will continue to give of my best in the sky blue of Mayobridge for as long as team mentors feel I can make a positive contribution.
“My minor manager Gerry Dougherty brought me to All-Ireland minor glory and allowed me to sample what it was like to win an All-Ireland minor medal.
“Peter McGrath gave me my first taste of senior inter-county football and I will always thank Pete for that opportunity.
"After 15 seasons I have decided that the time has come to allow a younger breed of Down footballer the chance to make their mark"
“Paddy O Rourke was a great help to me in football terms and on a personal level, and I have many fond memories of my time working with Paddy and his management team.
“Ross Carr and DJ Kane were my next managers and we too had many good days, especially the victory over Tyrone in Newry in 2008.
“In 2010, I was privileged and honoured to lead my county in the All-Ireland final and I will always regret that we failed to deliver on the day. I am indebted to James McCartan for the support he gave me in the five years that he was team manager. I had played with James and it was an absolute honour to have worked with him as manager.
“I would like to place on record my thanks to the Down County Board for supporting me throughout my playing career I was looked after at all times in the best possible manner.
“To the medical teams over the years, I thank you all for the care and attention given to me.
“I thank the Down supporters who always were there for me and lifted my spirits many times at crucial stages in games or when I was preparing to enter the fray.
“To my family, and in particular my mother and father who supported me all through my county career, I offer a heartfelt thanks. You certainly helped make it easy for me to be an inter-county footballer.
“I wish the present Down panel and manager Jim McCorry every success in the season ahead, those boys are like my brothers and I will be supporting them fully throughout the year ahead.”
