# Declan Coulter

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Donegal, Armagh and Setanta hurler

Declan Coulter Personal information Born 1987/8 Occupation Primary school teacher[1] Sport Sport Hurling Clubs Years Club 20??–201? 201?– Cuchulainn's Setanta Inter-county Years County 2005–2016 2017– Armagh Donegal

**Declan Coulter** (born 1987/8)[2] is a [hurler](/source/Hurling). He plays for [Setanta](/source/Setanta_Hurling_Club_(Donegal)), the [Donegal county team](/source/Donegal_county_hurling_team) and the [Ireland national team](/source/Ireland_national_hurling_team).

Coulter previously played for Cuchulainn's and the [Armagh county team](/source/Armagh_county_hurling_team).

## Playing career

### Club

Following a move to Donegal, Coulter began playing for Setanta with whom he won a [Donegal Senior Hurling Championship](/source/Donegal_Senior_Hurling_Championship)[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] and an [Ulster Junior Club Hurling Championship](/source/Ulster_Junior_Club_Hurling_Championship) in 2017, scoring 1–6 in the Ulster JCHC final against [Na Magha](/source/Na_Magha_CLG).[3][4] He won his second Donegal SHC in 2019, scoring 1–2 (including 1 free) in the final.[5] He played on the Setanta team that won the [2022 Ulster Junior Club Hurling Championship](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_All-Ireland_Junior_Club_Hurling_Championship), scoring 0–10 (0–5 of which were frees) in the final.[6] He played on the Setanta team that won the [2023 Ulster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_All-Ireland_Intermediate_Club_Hurling_Championship), thus becoming the first team from Donegal to win the competition, and scored 0–1 in the final.[7][8]

### Inter-county

Coulter made his inter-county debut for Armagh at the age of 17 in 2005.[2] He won his first [Nicky Rackard Cup](/source/Nicky_Rackard_Cup) in [2010](/source/2010_Nicky_Rackard_Cup).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] He won his second Nicky Rackard Cup with Armagh in [2012](/source/2012_Nicky_Rackard_Cup), scoring 2–2 in the final against [Louth](/source/Louth_county_hurling_team).[9] He continued to play for Armagh until 2016.[2]

Coulter began playing for Donegal in 2017.[2] He played for Donegal during the [2018 National Hurling League](/source/2018_National_Hurling_League), when the county recorded their first competitive victories over [Derry](/source/Derry_county_hurling_team) and [Down](/source/Down_county_hurling_team) (he scored 1–1 in the comprehensive defeat of Derry and 0–2 in the three-point defeat of Down).[3][10][11] Donegal also defeated Armagh in the closing game of that league campaign, with Coulter contributing 2–1 (including one penalty) to the three-point victory over his former side.[12] Donegal went on to win the [2018 Nicky Rackard Cup](/source/2018_Nicky_Rackard_Cup), Coulter's first for Donegal and third overall, with Coulter scoring 1–10 (0–4 of which were frees, 0–1 of which was a '65) in the final, a seven-point victory for Donegal.[13] He was later named Nicky Rackard Hurler of the Year.[14] He and fellow Donegal player [Stephen Gillespie](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stephen_Gillespie&action=edit&redlink=1) featured on the Nicky Rackard Team of the Year.[14]

Coulter was named as a replacement on the 2018 All-Star team for their game against the 2019 All-Star team in [Abu Dhabi](/source/Abu_Dhabi) in November 2019.[15][16] He put in a man of the match performance and scored 1–6 from play, despite not being an actual All-Star and being in the presence of hurlers from teams ranked above any across Ulster.[16][17][15] [Martin Breheny](/source/Martin_Breheny), in the *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*, wrote that Coulter, having outscored teammates of the calibre of [Séamus Harnedy](/source/S%C3%A9amus_Harnedy) (Cork) and [Graeme Mulcahy](/source/Graeme_Mulcahy) (Limerick), had "made a major statement on behalf of hurlers from lower-ranked counties".[18]

Coulter has expressed his support for the "Team Ulster" concept that would allow [Ulster](/source/Ulster_GAA) to contest the [Liam MacCarthy Cup](/source/Liam_MacCarthy_Cup).[19][20][21]

## Personal life

Having spent several years living in [Dublin](/source/Dublin), Coulter settled in the [Finn Valley](/source/River_Finn_(County_Donegal)) area of [County Donegal](/source/County_Donegal).[2] He met Ciara Cullen from Donegal while representing [Ireland](/source/Ireland_national_hurling_team) in the [Shinty-Hurling International Series](/source/Shinty-Hurling_International_Series) in Dublin in 2006.[2] Coulter later married her.[16] Cullen is the sister of Donegal player [Danny](/source/Danny_Cullen).[2] Coulter has since become a father.[13] He has a son and a daughter.[1]

## Honours

**Armagh**

- [Nicky Rackard Cup](/source/Nicky_Rackard_Cup): [2010](/source/2010_Nicky_Rackard_Cup),[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] [2012](/source/2012_Nicky_Rackard_Cup)[9]

**Donegal**

- [Nicky Rackard Cup](/source/Nicky_Rackard_Cup): [2018](/source/2018_Nicky_Rackard_Cup)[13]

**Setanta**

- [Ulster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship](/source/Ulster_Intermediate_Club_Hurling_Championship): 2023[8]

- [Ulster Junior Club Hurling Championship](/source/Ulster_Junior_Club_Hurling_Championship): 2017,[4] 2022[6]

- [Donegal Senior Hurling Championship](/source/Donegal_Senior_Hurling_Championship): 2017,[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] 2019[5]

**Individual**

- Nicky Rackard Hurler of the Year: 2018[14]

- Nicky Rackard Team of the Year: 2018[14]

- All-Stars Man of the Match, Abu Dhabi: 2019[16]

- *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)* Sports Personality winner: March 2020[1]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dn_07052020_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dn_07052020_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-dn_07052020_1-2) Ferry, Ryan (7 May 2020). ["Coulter is March Sports Personality of the Month"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200609010923/https://donegalnews.com/2020/05/coulter-is-march-sports-personality-of-the-month/). *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. p. 54. Archived from [the original](https://donegalnews.com/2020/05/coulter-is-march-sports-personality-of-the-month/) on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020. However the Dromore NS teacher did receive a boost late last year when he was selected to go on the All Star trip to Abu Dhabi. Original print title was "Coulter collects league title in Carrickmore".

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-in_04092019_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-in_04092019_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-in_04092019_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-in_04092019_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-in_04092019_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-in_04092019_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-in_04092019_2-6) McLaughlin, Gerry (4 September 2019). ["Declan Coulter: Setanta focusing on Ulster and Keady tussle"](https://www.irishnews.com/sport/hurlingandcamogie/2019/09/04/news/declan-coulter-setanta-focusing-on-ulster-and-keady-tussle-1702361/). *[The Irish News](/source/The_Irish_News)*. Retrieved 4 September 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-gaa_20062018_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-gaa_20062018_3-1) Devlin, Michael (20 June 2018). ["The Cullen family continues to deliver for Donegal hurling"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180702185228/http://gaa.ie/news-archive/news/the-cullen-family-continues-to-deliver-for-donegal-hurling/). GAA. Archived from [the original](https://www.gaa.ie/news-archive/news/the-cullen-family-continues-to-deliver-for-donegal-hurling/) on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ii_06112017_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ii_06112017_4-1) ["Coulter's strike drives Setanta to glory"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/coulters-strike-drives-setanta-to-glory-36292496.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-hs_02092019_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-hs_02092019_5-1) ["Donegal SHC final: Setanta goals sink St Eunan's"](http://www.hoganstand.com/Article/Index/303510). *[Hogan Stand](/source/Hogan_Stand)*. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-daily_27112022_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-daily_27112022_6-1) Bonnar, Dáire (27 November 2022). ["Super Setanta soar clear to win another Ulster JHC title"](https://www.donegaldaily.com/2022/11/27/super-setanta-soar-clear-to-win-another-ulster-jhc-title/). Retrieved 27 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Setanta create history as they win the Ulster IHC title"](https://donegalnews.com/setanta-create-history-to-win-ulster-ihc-title1/). *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-inews_03122023_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-inews_03122023_8-1) Mooney, Francis (3 December 2023). ["Donegal's Setanta see off game Eire Og in Ulster IHC Final"](https://www.irishnews.com/sport/hurlingandcamogie/2023/12/03/news/ulster_ihc_final_report-3820376/). *[The Irish News](/source/The_Irish_News)*. Retrieved 3 December 2023. Declan Coulter and Danny Cullen were the experienced heads behind the flourish which saw Gilmore add another three scores…

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-hs_09062012_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-hs_09062012_9-1) ["Nicky Rackard final: Orchard blooms against Louth"](http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=170850). *[Hogan Stand](/source/Hogan_Stand)*. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Donegal make their own history: Donegal 4–17 Derry 2–9"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/donegal-make-their-own-history-36566987.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Comack, Tom (25 February 2018). ["Donegal hurlers pull off an historic first win over Down in Letterkenny"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaelic-games/299024/donegal-pull-off-a-historic-first-win-over-downj.html). Retrieved 25 February 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Fired-up Coulter burns Orchard: Donegal 2–17 Armagh 1–17"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/allianz-hl-div-2b-fired-up-coulter-burns-orchard-36694202.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ii_23062018_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ii_23062018_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ii_23062018_13-2) ["Donegal win the Nicky Rackard Cup for the first time since 2013"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/donegal-win-the-nicky-rackard-cup-for-the-first-time-since-2013-37041773.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. 23 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018. The photograph is captioned: "Declan Coulter of Donegal celebrates with his daughter Lara, age 1, following the Nicky Rackard Cup Final match between Donegal and Warwickshire at Croke Park in Dublin".

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dsh_03112018_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dsh_03112018_14-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-dsh_03112018_14-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-dsh_03112018_14-3) McNulty, Chris (3 November 2018). ["Donegal star Declan Coulter is Nicky Rackard Hurler of the Year"](https://www.donegalsporthub.com/donegal-star-declan-coulter-nicky-rackard-hurler-year/). Retrieved 3 November 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dsh_19112019_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dsh_19112019_15-1) McNulty, Chris (19 November 2019). ["Declan Coulter to feature in All-Stars trip to Abu Dhabi"](http://www.donegalsporthub.com/declan-coulter-to-feature-in-all-stars-trip-to-abu-dhabi/). Retrieved 19 November 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-hr_30112019_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-hr_30112019_16-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-hr_30112019_16-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-hr_30112019_16-3) ["Declan Coulter shines in PwC All Star game in Abu Dhabi"](https://www.highlandradio.com/2019/11/30/declan-coulter-shines-in-pwc-all-star-game-in-abu-dhabi/). [Highland Radio](/source/Highland_Radio). 30 November 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019. 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.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Moran, Seán (29 November 2019). ["Declan Coulter takes opportunity to shine in Abu Dhabi: Donegal and former Armagh hurler scores 1–6 and is named Man of the Match"](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/declan-coulter-takes-opportunity-to-shine-in-abu-dhabi-1.4099686). *[The Irish Times](/source/The_Irish_Times)*. Retrieved 29 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [Breheny, Martin](/source/Martin_Breheny) (30 November 2019). ["Donegal's Coulter top man in All-Star shoot-out"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/donegals-coulter-top-man-in-all-star-shoot-out-38740300.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. Retrieved 30 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Video: eleven top hurling people discuss the Team Ulster proposal"](https://www.hoganstand.com/Article/Index/310636). *[Hogan Stand](/source/Hogan_Stand)*. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["'We have to do something — we're standing still' — Players and managers support idea of Ulster hurling team"](https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/0601/1144810-we-have-to-do-something-were-standing-still/). [RTÉ Sport](/source/RT%C3%89_Sport). 1 June 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Video: Highlighting the merits or otherwise of a 'Team Ulster' hurling initiative"](https://www.irishnews.com/sport/hurlingandcamogie/2020/06/02/news/highlighting-the-merits-or-otherwise-of-a-team-ulster-hurling-initiative-1959905/). *[The Irish News](/source/The_Irish_News)*. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.

Ireland squads v t e Ireland national hurling team | 2006 Shinty–Hurling International Series Team: 1 G. Clarke 2 G. Bermingham 3 D. Coulter 4 C. Cunniffe 5 K. Divilly; 6 P. Gannon 7 A. Gaul 8 J. Glancy 9 J. Griffin 10 M. Kettle 11 T. Lennon 12 P. McCormack 13 K. McGarry 14 R. Mulry Subs: M. O'Neill P. Reidy G. Savage D. Shaw Coach: S. Silke (Team at 5 November 2006 versus Scotland) v t e Ireland national hurling team | 2008 Shinty–Hurling International Series Team: 1 G. Clarke 2 D. Shaw 3 E. Coady 4 T. Walsh 5 S. Cavanagh (c) 6 G. Bermingham 7 D. Clarke 8 S. Óg Ó hAilpín 9 D. Lyng 10 P Braniff 11 M. Burke 12 E. Brennan 13 B. McGourty 14 B. Murtagh Subs: J. Shaw J. Glancy S. Kelly M. Gilmartin D. Coulter Coach: L. Ryan (Team at 18 October 2008 versus Scotland)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Declan Coulter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declan_Coulter) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declan_Coulter?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.