Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / GAELIC GAMES
Graphics Version | Change to International Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Olympics | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | 606 | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Northern Ireland Contents:  Gaelic Games | The Championship | Season Ticket | Irish Football | Irish Rugby | Ireland Cricket

Tuesday, 7 November 2006, 09:02 GMT

Coulter ends his Ireland career

Benny Coulter (left) in action for Ireland Down footballer Benny Coulter has said that he will not play International Rules again.

The Mayobridge clubman was angered by the Australian tactics in Sunday's Second Test and he has joined the calls for the series to be abandoned.

"I think they should call it off. I'll not be back near it," Coulter told the Irish News.

Coulter was elbowed in Sunday's game at Croke Park but he was more upset by the injury sustained by Graham Geraghty.

The Meath man was left unconscious after a heavy challenge by Australia's Danyle Pearce during the chaotic first quarter and he had to be taken to hospital before being released on Sunday evening.

"I was 100 per cent behind the game. I didn't think it was too bad but after seeing Graham lying on the ground.

"I was the first one over to him. He couldn't breathe and there was stuff coming out of his mouth. I thought to myself:'This isn't on'."

"I would hate to see the bully boys win"
Sean Boylan

GAA president Nickey Brennan appears to share Coulter's believe that the series has run its course.

Brennan said the GAA will consult with managers, players and committees but the series "is hanging by a thread".

He described the second test against Australia as "a major embarrassment to the organisation".

He apologised on behalf of the GAA to all who attended the match, especially the 20,000 children who were in Croke.

The GAA's Central Council is scheduled to discuss the series next month and there are certain to be vocal calls for the discontinuation of the hybrid game.

Ireland manager Sean Boylan said on Monday that he would "hate to see the bully boys win" and would like to think that "everyone had done everything they can to rescue the series".

However his predecessor Pete McGrath said he believed those calling for the series to continue were "defending the indefensible".




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Brennan questions series future (06 Nov 06 |  Gaelic Games )
Boylan slams 'thuggish' Aussies (05 Nov 06 |  Gaelic Games )
Australia 69-31 Ireland (05 Nov 06 |  Gaelic Games )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Official GAA website
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Olympics | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | 606 | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Northern Ireland Contents:  Gaelic Games | The Championship | Season Ticket | Irish Football | Irish Rugby | Ireland Cricket

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©