All Ireland preview: ‘Colossal’ Downey was always a leader
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Robert Downey of Cork celebrates with his mother Angela after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Cork and Dublin at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo: David Fitzgerald/SportsfileImage 2 of 3
Cork captain Robert Downey celebrates with the Mick Mackey Cup alongside team-mate Ciarán Joyce in the dressing room after his side’s victory in the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match between Limerick and Cork at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Piaras Ó MídheachImage 3 of 3
Cian Lynch of Limerick is tackled by Robert Downey during the Munster Hurling Senior Championship final at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile TOP OF PAGE: Cork captain Robert Downey celebrates with the Mick Mackey Cup alongside Ciarán Joyce in the dressing room after his side’s victory in the Munster final. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/SportsfileAll going well, this time next week Cork hurler Robert Downey will be looking back at an incredible first year as captain of the Rebel County.
So far, the 25 year old All-Star defender has led Cork to victory in both the Munster Senior Championship and the National Hurling League, but one piece of silverware remains.
This Sunday, the Glen Rovers star who was named Cork captain in November, will lead the team out in front of an 80,000-stong crowd at Croke Park to face Tipperary in the 2025 All-Ireland Senior Hurling final.
If the clash goes Cork’s way, Downey and his teammates will be the first Cork hurlers to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup since the legendary Cork team of 2005.
As anticipation grows ahead of the big game, Mary Newman, head of communications at Downey’s club, Glen Rovers, said he always had leadership qualities about him.
“He would have captained the club to win a minor championship a couple of years ago,” said Ms Newman.
“He was a colossal player in the minor team and a brilliant captain that year, so his leadership qualities were there from a young age,” she added.
As well as Robert Downey, Glen Rovers players Patrick ‘Hoggie’ Horgan, Micheál Mullins, and Eoin Downey (Robert’s younger brother), are also on the Cork senior panel this season.
Following Cork’s dramatic Munster final win over Limerick earlier this month, the team visited Glen Rovers on Cork city’s northside with the Mick Mackey Cup in tow, and Ms Newman is hoping for a similar visit after Sunday’s final.
She said: “It was absolutely electric, and the buzz has been there since then.
“To have four of them on the panel is absolutely fantastic. There are no airs or graces about any of them; they’re very grounded.
“They are great role models for all the kids at the club.
“We're hoping to see Robert coming in the gates next Tuesday with the MacCarthy Cup,” added Ms Newman.
One man who will certainly be watching Sunday’s game at the edge of his seat is former Cork and Glen Rovers star Jimmy Lynam who turns 100 years old this year.
Jimmy Lynam is believed to be the oldest living All-Ireland medal holder in Cork, and maybe even Ireland.
“All he wants to see is Downey lift the cup,” said Ms Newman.
She continued: “Every child in the county is going around with a hurley in their hands.
“We must remember it’s 20 years since we won, so there’s a whole generation of people who have never seen a Cork win an All-Ireland.”
With the likes of Kilkenny and more recently Limerick largely dominating inter-county hurling for the past 20 years, Ms Newman said it would be good for hurling to see a team like Cork win.
She said: “You need change and it’s good to see another county other than Limerick winning it.”
“The girls are playing the semi-final in two weeks’ time. It could be the first leg of a Cork double, and wouldn’t it be fantastic?”