By Niall McCoy

DOWN legend Benny Coulter believes that Mourne u-20 star Charlie Smyth will be the county’s goalkeeper in 2022 regardless of who replaces Paddy Tally.

Of all the players that stood out in Down’s successful Ulster u-20 campaign, perhaps it was the Mayobridge man who got fans most excited. He was also named as the province’s Eirgrid Player of the Tournament after their All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Roscommon.

That loss also did show the dangers that came with Smyth’s modern role, but the benefits far outweighed the negatives as manager Conor Laverty handed him a goalkeeping brief that was anything but traditional.

The Mayobridge youngster had already made an impression at midfield for his club under current manager Ciaran McKeever, with his long-range striking proving a valuable asset in particular.

Laverty, sensing an opportunity, decided that he was more suited to nets – a position he had played a couple of times for St Colman’s at MacRory level.

As well as his place kicking, Smyth was given license to roam up the pitch, join attacks and generally act as a hybrid between net-minder and outfielder.

For clubmate Coulter, the success of the move ensures that he must be catapulted into the senior Down position next season.

“He’ll be in nets for the ‘Bridge’ and I think he’ll be Down’s ‘keeper in next year’s National League,” said Coulter.

“It’s just the fact that he can kick the ball 70, 80 yards, he doesn’t need a tee, doesn’t need a run-up. He has the height, he can deal with high balls and he can kick balls from 65 yards over the bar.”

It’s that last attribute – the shooting – that seems like it is becoming increasingly important in the number one position. Stephen Cluxton, Shaun Patton, Niall Morgan and Rory Beggan have scaled barriers, and now every county will be looking for their own version.

In Down’s four u-20 games this season, Smyth scored nine points.

“He’s a great addition not only as a goalkeeper but if a team gets two or three 45s a game then Charlie is going to knock it over,” Coulter continued. “If they get a free around 60 metres, he’s going to fire it over the bar. I do think he’s a cert to be in goals for Mayobridge and I do believe he will be in nets for Down next year. He’s good for three or four points a game.”

Coulter also was keen to stress that it’s not only his shooting that makes him stand out, but that his kick-outs have a chance to elevate Mayobridge and Down further.

“His kick-outs are outstanding. He can clear that whole defensive area and midfield area with the long kick-out. He can reach the far 45 with his kick-outs.”

Critics of the new-age style of goalkeeping may point out to Smyth being caught from goal in the All-Ireland semi-final loss, but that was more down to circumstances than an individual error.

With the game six minutes into additional time and the Mourne county trailing the Rossies by a goal, Smyth pushed all the way into full-forward to try and help engineer a match-saving goal.

The ball was turned over though through a tired pass from a teammate and with all 14 Down players (they had already received a red card) in the Roscommon half, the Connacht side quickly worked the ball up the field for an open goal finish.

Still, it seems almost certain that Smyth will be in the Down squad next year, regardless of who takes over, to battle it out with Rory Burns – who had a very strong 2021 season – and Marc Reid for that starting berth.

Also speaking to Gaelic Life, Down 1994 All-Ireland winner Miceal Magill also said that he expected a number of the u-20 team to be asked into the Down panel for the 2022 season.

“Strong lads, good attitudes, they want to be successful, and now that they have tasted it they’ll want to taste more of it,” Magill said.

“With a new management team, it’s like everyone is starting fresh. It’s like everyone has got their A-Level results, and this team got top marks, and they’re off to college on a level playing field.

“There will be eight, nine or 10 players wondering will they get the call in September or October to see if they are on board. Ten or 12 of them would be well fit for it.”