Ann Downey
Encyclopedia
Ann Downey is a retired camogie
player, winner of 12 All Ireland inter-county medals, captaining the team in 1989 and 1994, and seven All-Ireland club medals
with St Paul’s
and Lisdowney- one more than her famous sister Angela who was suspended for one final.
won an All-Ireland
medal with Kilkenny in 1947, playing in one of the greatest finals in hurling history. Her twin sister Angela
was cited in 2004 as the greatest player in the history of camogie.
before joining her sister in St Brigid’s in Callan
. During their careers in the 1970s and '80s Kilkenny completely dominated the game, including winning seven senior All-Irelands in-a-row from 1985 to 1991.
in 1986 and 1989. In 2010 the Downey sisters received a Lifetime Achievement in Sport award.
.
Camogie
Camogie is an Irish stick-and-ball team sport played by women; it is almost identical to the game of hurling played by men. Camogie is played by 100,000 women in Ireland and world wide, largely among Irish communities....
player, winner of 12 All Ireland inter-county medals, captaining the team in 1989 and 1994, and seven All-Ireland club medals
All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie Championship
The All-Ireland Club Camogie Championship is the most important competition for club teams in the Irish women’s field sport of camogie. It is contested by the senior club champions of the leading counties and organised by An Cumann Camógaíochta.-Trophy:...
with St Paul’s
St Paul’s Camogie Club
St Paul’s is a former camogie club based in Kilkenny city. Ireland, one of the most successful in the history of the game. It won the All Ireland club championship in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1974, 1976, 1987, 1988, and 1989.-Background:...
and Lisdowney- one more than her famous sister Angela who was suspended for one final.
Family Background
Her father, Shem DowneyShem Downey
Shem Downey was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Tullaroan and with the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1946 until 1954....
won an All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal with Kilkenny in 1947, playing in one of the greatest finals in hurling history. Her twin sister Angela
Angela Downey
Angela Downey-Browne is a retired Irish sportsperson. She played camogie at various times with her local clubs, St Paul’s camogie club based in Kilkenny city and Lisdowney, and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1970 until 1994...
was cited in 2004 as the greatest player in the history of camogie.
Career
She went to school in CastlecomerCastlecomer
Castlecomer is a town in the barony of Fassadinin, County Kilkenny in Ireland.The Irish name for the town translates to "The castle at the confluence of the rivers"; the "rivers" refers to the rivers Deen, Brocagh and Clohogue while the "castle" refers to the castle built by the Normans in 1171...
before joining her sister in St Brigid’s in Callan
Callan
-People:Callan is the birth place of some famous people, namely:* Edmund Ignatius Rice, founder of the Irish Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers* Callan also has links with Asa Griggs Candler's family and the Coca-Cola company....
. During their careers in the 1970s and '80s Kilkenny completely dominated the game, including winning seven senior All-Irelands in-a-row from 1985 to 1991.
Awards
She was recipient of the Player of the year award in 1991 on her own account and jointly with her sister AngelaAngela Downey
Angela Downey-Browne is a retired Irish sportsperson. She played camogie at various times with her local clubs, St Paul’s camogie club based in Kilkenny city and Lisdowney, and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1970 until 1994...
in 1986 and 1989. In 2010 the Downey sisters received a Lifetime Achievement in Sport award.
Management
In May 2007 she took over management of the Kilkenny camogie team, becoming only the second female manager in senior inter-county camogie, after Wexford's Stellah SinnottStellah Sinnott
Stellah Sinnott is a camogie manager, winner of a Manager of the Year award after she guided Wexford to their first All Ireland title in 32 years in 2007...
.
Team of the Century
In 2004 when she was overlooked for selection on the Camogie team of the century, her sister Angela snubbed the ceremony.Other Sports
A notable golfer, she also won Irish Veterans' Championship over-40 women's squash singles in 1998.External links
- Camogie.ie Official Camogie Association Website
- Irish Independent: ‘Downey's faith in vibrant Cats’ Sept 12 2009
- On The Ball Official Camogie Magazine Issue 1 and issue 2
- County and provincial websites: Antrim Armagh Clare camogie Connacht Cork Derry Down Dublin Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Leinster Limerick London Louth Meath Munster North America Offaly Tipperary Ulster Waterford Wexford Wicklow