Kevin Downes (hurler)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Caoimhín Ó Dubháin | ||
| Sport | Hurling | ||
| Position | Full-forward | ||
| Born |
October 1991 Coonagh, County Limerick, Ireland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Occupation | Student | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
| 2009-present | Na Piarsaigh | ||
| Club titles | |||
| Limerick titles | 2 | ||
| Munster titles | 2 | ||
| Inter-county(ies)* | |||
| Years | County | Apps (scores) | |
| 2011-present | Limerick | 19 (3-18) | |
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Munster titles | 1 | ||
| All-Irelands | 0 | ||
| NHL | 0 | ||
| All Stars | 0 | ||
| *Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 00:17, 4 July 2011. | |||
Kevin Downes (born 14 October 1991) is an Irish hurler who currently plays as a full-forward for the Limerick senior team.[1]
Downes made his first appearance for the team during the 2011 championship and became a regular member of the starting fifteen that season. He has won a National Hurling League Division 2 medal and a Munster under-21 medal.
He is Christian (evangelical).
At club level Downes has won Munster, All Ireland and county championship medals with Na Piarsaigh.
Early life
Born in Coonagh on the Clare-Limerick border, Downes was educated at Caherdavin Boys National School before later attending Ardscoil Rís. It was here that he first came to prominence on the hurling field under the guidance of teacher and inter-county hurler Niall Moran.[2] Downes was one of the stars of the Ardscoil Rís team that secured the Harty Cup title in 2010 following an epic three-game series against reigning All-Ireland champions Thurles CBS.[3] He later lined out in the All-Ireland final against St. Kieran's College, however, Ardscoil Rís were narrowly beaten by 2-11 to 2-8.[4]
Following the completion of his Leaving Certificate Downes attended NUI Galway where he is currently studying Arts.
Playing career
Club
Downes plays his club hurling with the Na Piarsaigh club in Limerick. After developing his hurling at juvenile levels he later came to prominence as a member of the club's minor hurling team. He enjoyed little success in this grade as Na Piarsaigh lost back-to-back county minor championship finals to Patrickswell in 2008 and Kilmallock in 2009.
Downes currently plays with the club's under-21 and senior teams. He won a county under-21 championship title in 2010 following a defeat of underage rivals Kilmallock.
In 2011 he helped Na Piarsaigh to their first ever county senior championship with a 2-18 to 0-13 defeat of Ahane. Downes later won a Munster club winners' medal following a 1-13 to 0-9 victory over Crusheen in a replay.[5]
Inter-county
Downes first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Limerick minor team in 2008.[6] He enjoyed little success in this grade before joining the county's under-21 hurling side. Downes was captain of that team in 2011 and collected a Munster title following an epic extra-time win over Cork in the final.
By this stage Downes had already been called up to the Limerick senior team and made his debut in the 2011 National League. Limerick defeated Clare by 4-12 to 2-13 in the Division 2 final, giving Downes his first success in the senior grade.[7] He later made his championship debut against Waterford, scoring 2-1 in a one-point defeat.[8]
Honours
Club
- Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship (3): 2011, 2013, 2015
- [[All Ireland Senior Club Hurling
Championship]] (1): 2016
- Limerick Senior Hurling Championship (3): 2011, 2013, 2015
- Limerick Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 2010
- Limerick Under-21 Football B Championship (1): 2011
- Limerick Under-21 Football All County Championship (1): 2011
Inter-county
- Munster Senior Hurling Championship (1): 2013
- National League (Division 2) (1): 2011
- Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 2011 (c)
References
- ↑ "All change for Limerick". Hogan Stand. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
- ↑ "Downes ready for toughest test". Irish Examiner. 11 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ↑ "Ard Scoil Rís end Harty Cup marathon with historic victory". Irish Examiner. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ↑ "All-Ireland Colleges SHC: Kieran's deny brave Ardscoil". Hogan Stand. 4 April 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ↑ "Munster club SHC final replay: Historic first for Na Piarsaigh". Hogan Stand. 4 December 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
- ↑ "Minor side named". Hogan Stand. 29 April 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ↑ "Limerick 4-12 Clare 2-13". RTÉ Sport. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ↑ "Mullane's eye for goal rescues Waterford". Irish Times. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.