Eoin Downey profile: Why Glen Rovers defender can become a Cork stalwart

IN the past three games we’ve seen Eoin Downey in action for the Cork at full-back.

The first game against Clare was a taster of what would come, but unfortunately the yellow card against Limerick meant his chance to shine would have to wait. The third time was certainly the charm – Downey delivering an outstanding performance at full-back against Tipperary. With his older brother Robert ripping it up outside him at centre-back for good measure.

Eoin's strengths as a player were there for us all to see – and for those who have been watching him long before he made his debut for the Cork seniors, it’s hardly a surprise.

“It's a big ask, because I've seen an awful lot of young talent that doesn't always reach where the potential might lie, but in Eoin’s case, I figured he had a better chance than most,” says Liam Martin, Glen Rovers chairman and Eoin’s former coach underage.

“It's not just about talent, it's about the application of the talent as well, and he always had the application.

“It’s because of his attitude, because of that innate ability to want to compete. He always wanted to drive himself on and make himself better,” Liam explains.

“As he got to minor level and beyond, he physically developed as well which is obviously hugely important as well in terms of the inter-county game nowadays.

“I saw him doing a few things in the U21 Championship last year with the club, where he kind of took over and dominated games from the centre-back position.

He has an excellent hand, and he caught ball after ball in a couple of those championship games under pressure, while also carrying an injury, and he just wouldn’t come off.

"There was a game down in Blackrock last year, where he really showed his determination, and in the final against Douglas. You could see he was carrying the injury but he drove himself through the pain barrier.

"He showed exceptional leadership and that's the Eoin Downey I know, and that's the Eoin we had great hopes for. I’d have no doubt in my mind that he has a significant career ahead of him.” 

One of Cork’s biggest issues over the past few seasons has undeniably been the absence of an out-and-out full-back that can suit Cork’s playing style. Eoin Downey is another name in a list of players who have been tried there, but he’s definitely one of the most promising, something Liam Martin is certain of.

"He could do that, absolutely. He probably needs another year or two, because it's a big ask, but he could do that.

ADAPTABLE

"Equally, he's at home in the half-back line just as well, and he can play any of the positions. Thankfully Cork are fairly well stocked now in the half-back line at the moment, but he is a guy that is flexible when it comes to positioning and so forth, and he’s very much a team player as well.

“He's capable and able to slot into a number of positions, and at a high level as well. It’s rare enough to get a fella that can be that flexible and that adaptable, especially as you go up the grades.

“He's composed on the ball and so confident in his own ability as well,” Liam says. “They’re all prerequisites with inter-county, like any weaknesses and you’d be found out fairly rapidly.” 

Liam Martin correctly predicted that Eoin would nail down a starting position and see plenty of game time in the Munster Championship, so it will be interesting to see how he performs in the All-Ireland series now that Cork have secured passage.

For Terence McCarthy, who worked with Eoin during his time with Cork U20s, his place in the starting 15 under Pat Ryan is of little surprise.

“The world is his oyster really. I'm sure he’ll be a key player going forward because he definitely leads by example in his play. There’s probably a lot of expectation to fulfil a position that Cork have had trouble filling in the last three years, with no disrespect to Damien Cahalane, who has done well a lot of the time.

“I suppose look at the likes of Tipperary and Ronan Maher, who would have been the natural six, but has developed into a number three because the game has changed dramatically.

There’s two-man full-forward lines and full-back has become a very difficult position compared to the normal three versus three. Eoin has all the attributes to do it.

“Last year’s All-Ireland U20 final showed he can read the game. He spotted problems straight away that were happening in behind him, and he adjusted his play.

"He was cutting off the balls in behind, and you don’t have to tell the good players those kind of things a lot of the time. His reading of the game is excellent, he’s aggressive and strong. He’s got it all."