Down plump for Coulter
Former player Gerard Coulter has been ratified as Down's new senior hurling manager, taking over from the departed Sean Farrell.
Coulter is a member of the Ballygalget club and along with Kevin Bell, was part of Farrell's backroom staff during his term in charge.
Corkman Farrell quit in July after Down's shock 2-19 to 5-8 Christy Ring Cup semi-final defeat to Carlow.
The highpoint of Farrell's reign came in April when Down beat Laois 2-16 to 0-19 to stave off relegation from Division One of the National League.
In recent seasons, Coulter has managed the Down minor and Under-21 hurlers and his experience with the county's young players was key to his appointment.
Meanwhile, last night's monthly meeting of the Down County Board in Newcastle ended without a new senior football manager being named.
The saga over who will replace Paddy O'Rourke, who was voted out of the position by the county's clubs in August, will continue for another month.
There is mounting speculation that former team-mates Ross Carr and DJ Kane, who won All-Irelands with Down in both 1991 and 1994, will come on board as a managerial double act.
However, another of Down's All-Ireland-winning contingent, James McCartan could also be tempted into making a late bid. October 13 or 14 will be decision day for the Down County Board.
They set up a five-man special committee, headed by County Board chairman Jerry Quinn, to seek out O'Rourke's replacement. The ongoing county championships in Ulster have hampered their search.
