By Shaun Casey

BENNY Coulter’s Attical side are heading into their round two clash with Clann na Banna as massive outsiders but the former Down forward says his side will “give it a rattle” as they look to advance to the next stage.

Clann na Banna were beaten in last year’s Intermediate Championship final and defeated Attical twice throughout the league on their way to gaining promotion from Division Three. They remain one of the top contenders for the WJ Farrell Cup.

Getting over the first hurdle was the main thing for Coulter’s charges and they saw off St Paul’s in convincing fashion to qualify for round two of the winners’ group.

“We were probably big favourites for the game, St Paul’s were a Division Four team and in fairness they didn’t have a great league campaign, I’d seen them play twice. I was confident going into the game that we’d get a result,” said the 2010 All-Star winner.

“We had a brilliant first half, went in 13 or 14 up and then took the foot off the gas which is a wee bit disappointing in the second half, but we had our five subs on and got the win, that’s the main thing and we’re out of the relegation match.”

On the subject of underdogs, Coulter doesn’t attempt to downplay their position as they come up against Clann na Banna. In fact, he is full of praise for the consistency that Paddy Feeney’s team have produced over the last number of years.

“I’d say no matter who we got, from here on in, we’re going to be underdogs because a lot of teams would see us as the weakest team left and we’re probably the lowest ranked team left in the winners’ side,” the Mayobridge clubman added.

“We’re definitely underdogs. Clann na Banna are a good side, they’ve beat us twice already this year and it’s going to be a real tough test. They’re a good team, they’re very young but they have a couple of experienced boys too.

“Liam Devlin is back playing full-forward, Mal Magee, the Scullions (Dara, Eoin, Donal and Niall), and they’re an up-and-coming team. They had a real consistent year last year; they finished third in Division Three and reached the Intermediate final.

“They are definitely a team on the up and they’re a very consistent team, that’s one thing you could say about them in the last number of years, they’re very, very consistent.”

Coulter will have a full hand to pick from as Attical, who last won the Intermediate back in 2004, eye up a second successive championship win.

“We have a full bill of health, no injuries at all. We’re in great shape, we had a real good league campaign this year, the boys are going well. The club is buzzing at the minute, we’re going in as underdogs, but we’ll give it a rattle and see what happens.”