DONEGAL and Setanta ace Declan Coulter turned in a classy Man of the Match performance in Abu Dhabi yesterday as the 2018 PwC Hurling All-stars earned a victory over the 2019 PwC Hurling All-Stars.
Coulter lined out for the 2018 All-Stars and was the star of the show in a 9-16 to 8-9 win.
The Armagh native, who has been in top form since relocating to Donegal, scored 1-6.
“It was brilliant,” he said.
It was a great experience being from one of the weaker counties and a nice honour.
“It was about two weeks ago that I got notice so it was a matter of trying to arrange work and baby sitters but it was a trip you couldn’t turn down – and for my wife Ciara as well to get something out of it.
“It’s a brilliant set-up here. You won’t get a better surface for hurling. Hard to beat it in the sun!”
Coulter was one of several players form hurling’s lower-tier competitions to be selected – and he proved that he can compete with the best of them.
Declan Coulter is presented with the Man of the Match award by GAA President John Horan
He said: “All the players were brilliant and came over to make themselves known.
“Obviously I know them but they wouldn’t know me. There were a great couple of social nights and having a beer or two.
“At the end of the day we’re all hurlers and when the ball is thrown in, you want to do your best. It obviously wasn’t All-Ireland final pace there today but it was still tough going! You’re marking lads from Limerick and Cork and Tipperary. It’s a great honour for me.”