Coulter: ‘The first goal gave us a cushion’

For veteran Declan Coulter, this was a welcome return to winning ways in the Donegal jersey, following their 3-16 to 0-8 win over London.

He and his equally skilled brother-in-law Danny Cullen were back for the first time since last year’s disappointing Rackard Cup defeat to Tyrone and both made quite a big impression in trying conditions. 

“There was a strong breeze there and it was a feeling out process for the first 10 minutes and we got it judged and we had plenty of good players behind the ball in Danny Cullen, Sean McVeigh and Barney Lafferty,” he said.

“It took us a while and it was a deceptive breeze but I thought we handled it quite well. London had a long trip so it was not too easy for them, but we just focus on our own game and every score could be vital in this very competitive league. 

“I started centre back today so maybe it is a sign the legs are slowing. It was hard playing against the breeze in the first half and Josh Cronnolly McGee’s first half goal was vital for us as it gave us a bit of a cushion going into the second half. 

“I thought Davin Flynn and Ritchie Ryan were in great form up front for us and we do have some very good scoring forwards. 
Coulter also paid tribute to Ronan McDermott, the Donegal skipper, who was lining out for the county for the 98th time.

“Ronan McDermott always puts in a great shift,” Coulter added. “He is captain this year and deservedly so and is a real inspiration to all of us.  “The most important thing was to get a victory today”. 

And now Donegal have a testing away match with Sligo next Saturday.  “This is a young, fit and fast Sligo team and they are in the Christy Ring Cup for a good reason,” Coulter added. “They will present quite a challenge to us and we will have to be really prepared for them”.