Ten Questions with Benny Coulter

This week's player under the spotlight is Down forward and 2010 GAA All Star Benny Coulter.

Q: When you are taking frees, do you have a particular routine or specific techniques?A: No. I don't buy into that. You just stick the ball over the bar I think.

Q: Have you ever shown any talent in a sport other than Gaelic football and would you like to have pursued it?A: I played a bit of soccer but I had to quit when I was brought on to the county team. I played for Newry Town in the Irish League.

Q: Who is your sporting idol?A: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool). I think he is so inspirational as a captain. He led the club to the European Cup in 2005 and he is such an inspirational leader.

Q: Would you rather see Liverpool win their first League title since 1989-'90 or Ireland win Euro 2012?A: Ireland to win Euro 2012 just because it would bring some buzz to the island if we won it.

Q: What's your favourite inter-county jersey?A: It would probably be the Kerry jersey. There's just something about Kerry that I've always liked.

Q: Is there any moment in your career that you would like to revisit and change?A: Possibly the 2010 All-Ireland final against Cork. In the last minute the ball came in and when I turned around I didn't realise there was that much space. I should have gone for goal. If I had the chance to do it again, I would have gone for goal. I did put it over, but I didn't think I had much room.

Q: What's the biggest sacrifice you've had to make to be an inter-county player?A: Probably the main is when your mates are all going out you have to sit in. It's not too often you get out nowadays, so it's probably the social life end of things that suffers.

Q: If you could have one particular skill or attribute from a particular player, what would be the skill and who would be the player?A: Probably Brian Dooher's all-round fitness and his ability to get up and down the pitch. He never stops, never looks tired, just always on the go. So, I'll go for his lungs and his pure fitness.

Q: What's the most you have ever scored in any game you played in, from U12 all the way up?A: It was 8-4 for my club (Mayobridge) in a league match at U12 or U14s, I'm not sure which.

Q: What do you think would be tougher, a five-foot putt to win the US Masters or a 21-yard free to win Sam Maguire for Down?A: Hitting a 21-yard free out there (Croke Park) to win the All-Ireland. It's a team game and you have your whole team and your whole county involved. The free rests on your shoulders, whereas with the golfer it's just you.