Donegal veteran Declan Coulter as hungry as ever for success ahead of league final

Declan Coulter might be pushing 40 but the Setanta ace was instrumental in propelling Donegal into the NHL Division 3 decider.

And he has a unique record, having two Nicky Rackard Cup medals with Armagh in 2010 and 2012 as well as a NHL Division Three medal, and three Rackard Cup medals with Donegal in 2018, 2020 and 2024.

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Donegal saw off Roscommon at Dr Hyde Park last Saturday, 3-20 to 0-19, with Coulter clipping of those from play.

And he’s called the Cross home now since 2017 where he’s well settled with wife Ciara and children Lara and Thomas. But he has fond memories of the seasons of his youth in his native county.

Coulter was playing with Cuchulainns and made his debut for Armagh in 2005 when he was just 18. He played 13 years for Armagh and joined Donegal almost a decade ago now.

Coulter added that he was “lucky to be walking into a team that had Danny Cullen, Ronan McDermott, Davin Flynn, Gerard Gilmore and Christoper and Enda McDermott.

“Donegal were on the up and had learned from narrow defeats and knew how to see out games and that was evident in us beating Warwickshire in 2018 and Mayo in 2020 and 2024.

“There is a very strong squad at present, and Mickey McCann is a brilliant manager.

“Mickey is top class and he has his homework done on all the other teams long before we even start thinking about them.

“He is very well organised and very well set up and he is a player’s man too and he wants things to be player-led, which brings out the best in lads too when they know they have to work on things for themselves.

“We are very lucky to have Mickey on board, along with Gabriel O’Kane and Cian Waldron, an ex-Cuala player who won two All-Ireland medals.”

Donegal now take on Wicklow in this afternoon's NHL Division Three final in Aughrim.

They got there by emphatically beating the Rossies on their own patch in what was effectively an NHL semi-final.

Coulter said that even though Donegal once again hit fourteen wides, this was a much-improved display from the Wicklow debacle of a few weeks ago.

“Roscommon may have more natural hurlers than Wicklow, but they did not appear to have the same work rate.

“And that is something that we have really focused on for the past week or so.

“We had a good session on St Patrick’s morning, and we really upped the intensity as we were not happy with the way we played against Armagh and especially against Wicklow.

“We were winning dirty ball and rucked ball today with that little bit of nastiness that you need to get over the line.”
And Coulter also saluted the team’s more clinical finishing in front of goals.

“Our shot efficiency was generally good and I know we had the wides again, but if you are not creating those chances, you are in bother. It was not about getting it perfect this week.

“It is about getting over the line and going again next week and then into the championship.”

Donegal created a lot of goal chances, unlike the last two previous games.

“Yes, and the pairing of Richie Ryan and Josh Cronolly McGee inside is a real physical strike force.”
“And the return of Steven McBride from overseas ia a huge boost for us. We are just so lucky to have him and he is just so difficult to get away from.

“His hurling and his strength is very good and with Danny Cullen sitting back as a sweeper, we were very well set up.

“It was a very good display all round and our keeper Luke White made some great saves and his puck outs are massive.”

But the return to form of Richie Ryan is also a huge factor, according to Coulter.

“Richie is so strong and skilful and he is playing some great hurling this year. He took the goals very well and he is truly formidable.”

Coulter retains a consuming passion for the game.

“Yes, I am keeping going for as long as I can and maybe when the legs go, you can throw in a bit of craft to compensate.

“Next week is a big week with the final against Wicklow and we also play them in the Christy Ring Cup in a few week’s time. But regardless of next Saturday, we are still promoted.”