Ann Downey
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=October 2020}}
{{Short description|Irish camogie player}}
{{Infobox Gaelic Athletic Association player
|image =
| name = Ann Downey
| irish = Áine Nic Giolla Domhnaigh
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1957}}
| birth_place = Kilkenny, Ireland
| sport = Camogie
| code = Camogie
| county = Kilkenny
| province = Leinster
| club = St Paul’s and Lisdowney
| clyears =
| clapps(points) =
| clcounty =
| clprovince =
| clposition = Centre field
| icyears =
| icapps(points) =
| counties = Kilkenny
| icprovince =
| icallireland = 12
| allstars =
| icposition = Centre field
| clupdate = (16:31, 30 June 2010 (UTC))
| icupdate = (16:31, 30 June 2010 (UTC))
}}
Ann Downey (born 1957 in Castlecomer, Ireland) 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 (1) – one more than her sister Angela who was suspended for one final.
Family background
Her father, Shem Downey won an All-Ireland medal with Kilkenny in 1947. Her twin sister Angela was cited in 2004 as the greatest player in the history of camogie.
Career
She went to school in Castlecomer 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.
Awards
She was recipient of the Player of the year award in 1991 on her own account and jointly with her sister Angela in 1986 and 1989.{{cite book | last = Moran | first = Mary | title = A Game of Our Own: The History of Camogie | publisher = Cumann Camógaíochta | year = 2011 | location = Dublin, Ireland | page = 460}} In 2010 the Downey sisters received a Lifetime Achievement in Sport award.{{cite web|url=http://www.camogie.ie/News/tabid/56/mid/412/newsid412/1085/Default.aspx |title=Lifetime achievement for Downey sisters |accessdate=2010-07-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726064045/http://www.camogie.ie/News/tabid/56/mid/412/newsid412/1085/Default.aspx |archivedate=2011-07-26 }}. Camogie.ie (2010-01-22)
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 Sinnott.[https://archive.today/20120802151936/http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/around-the-counties-893428.html AROUND THE COUNTIES]. Independent.ie (2007-05-30). Retrieved on 2013-02-09.
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.[http://www.independent.ie/sport/angela-lashes-gala-team-178367.html Irish Independent: ‘Angela lashes gala team’]. Independent.ie (2004-03-01). Retrieved on 2013-02-09.
Other sports
A notable golfer, she also won Irish Veterans' Championship over-40 women's squash singles in 1998.Hickey, Paddy (1998-12-02) [https://archive.today/20120804144953/http://www.independent.ie/sport/ireland-face-euro-drop-422818.html Ireland face Euro drop]. Independent.ie. Retrieved on 2013-02-09.