WHETHER HE actually starts is not certain, but Benny Coulter has pronounced himself fit for Sunday’s Ulster football final against Donegal, and that’s good enough for now.
A severe ankle injury sustained in May threatened to end Coulter’s championship summer yet he has trained on through the pain, and made a surprise appearance in the semi-final win over Monaghan – coming off the bench for the last five minutes, splitting the posts with stunning accuracy, and with that helping Down to a one-point victory.
Although still a little short of full match fitness, it remains to be seen whether or not manager James McCartan decides to start Coulter and see how long he’ll last, or else wait and see how long Down might last before calling him in.
Dan Gordon is back to full fitness after missing out so far and Aidan Brannigan also returns from suspension, although Conor Garvey is suspended this time around.
Opponents Donegal will be without Neil Gallagher, as the midfielder has been ruled out for four weeks, due to knee ligament damage.
Both Meath and Dublin will be without at least one first-choice pick for their Leinster final showdown in Croke Park.
Dublin’s Diarmuid Connolly is serving a one-match suspension for the red card he received in the semi-final win over Wexford, with Eoghan O’Gara the front-runner to take Connolly’s starting place.
Meath’s Kevin Reilly and Stephen Bray are expected to be match fit after recent injury scares, although Paddy Gilsenan is once again ruled out with a hamstring injury.
TV3 has confirmed Saturday’s Kerry-Tyrone football qualifier as their live pick, and will be on air at 4.30 from Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, ahead of the 5pm throw-in.
Former stars Darragh Ó Sé and Peter Canavan will analyse the action alongside Matt Cooper.
On Sunday, from 1.30pm, TV3 will also televise the Ulster senior football final between Donegal and Down.
Both games will also be streamed live on the 3player ( www.tv3.ie/3player).
GAA FIXTURES
TODAY
Munster U-21 HC semi-final: Limerick v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 7.30pm.
Ulster U-21 HC semi-finals: Down v Derry, Casement Park, 7.30, Antrim v Armagh, Páirc Esler, 7.30.
TOMORROW
Munster U21 HC semi-final: Clare v Waterford, Cusack Park, 7.30pm
SATURDAY
All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 3: Tipperary v Antrim, Semple Stadium Thurles 3pm; Kerry v Tyrone, Killarney 5.00pm; Kildare v Limerick , Portlaoise 7.00pm; Leitrim v Laois, Carrick-on- Shannon 7.00pm.
SUNDAY
Ulster SFC Final: Down v Donegal, Clones, 2pm.
Ulster MFC Final: Monaghan v Tyrone, Clones 12.0pm
Leinster SFC Final: Dublin v Meath, Croke Park, 4pm.
Leinster MFC Final: Dublin v Meath, Croke Park, 2pm.
