Like father like son as Luke Downey signs professional terms with Cork City FC

Footballer Luke Downey is following in his father’s footsteps by playing with Cork City.

Downey recently signed his first professional contract with Cork City. He joined five others on the same day to commit their future to the club.

They are midfielder Cillian Murphy, follow defenders Donal O’Connor and Ike Manjor- Ceorgewill, winger Brody Lee and ex-Avondale United striker Charlie Hanover after impressing City manager Ger Nash this season.

Luke’s father Len had a stellar career where he played centre forward with Cork City, Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, and then went on to win multiple trophies with Munster Senior League sides Avondale United, College Corinthians and his boyhood club Rockmount. 

Len also went on to wear the green jersey with Ireland at underage level with ex-Manchester United legend Roy Keane, Damien Martin, Alan O’Sullivan and the late Paul McCarthy, all who were part of a Rockmount side that went unbeaten for years and he went on to win nine caps for his country.

“I started off playing for Castleview U12 team as I lived in locally in Gurranabraher,” Len said.

“After one season I then joined Rockmount where I played all the rest of my schoolboy football with them.

"There we went on to win the league and cup double every year. 

"We had a superb side, but Roy Keane, Damien Martin, Alan O’Sullivan, the late Paul McCarthy and myself represented Ireland and I went on to win nine caps up to U18 level.

“I then joined Cork City as a 17 year-old and played a couple of seasons with them and was on the team that was runners up to Dundalk in the League in 1990. 

"I then went on to play with Cobh Ramblers, then back to City before I then finished my playing career with Munster Senior League sides Avondale United, College Corinthians and Rockmount,” Len added.

As for Luke, who has a very bright future in the game, he started out with his local club Leeside as a five year-old. 

He then moved to Cork City to join their U13 team and has played there ever since. 

However, he plays on the other side of the pitch from where his dad Len played.

He e plays in the heart to his team’s defence. 

Luke now plays with the City U20 side and has been involved with the senior squad five times this season.

“I started playing with Leeside, my local club when I was five year- old,” Luke said.

“I played with them right up until U13 level where we won the league and cup double which I captained. 

"I also played for Cork Schoolboys U12 and U13 side that won the Munster and All-Ireland title in both years.

“I signed for Cork City U13 side in 2019, along with my Leeside team mate Cathal O'Sullivan, who is now a rising star in the League of Ireland with our first team, however, he is out injured at the moment. 

"I have played every level all the way up with City and now play with the U20 side and have been in the first team squad five times this season, however, with hard work and dedication I hope to make the breakthrough into the first team in the coming seasons.

“I recently just signed my professional contract in July which I was really excited and proud to do.

 "It’s great that I can follow my father’s footsteps by lining out with City in the League of Ireland.

“I have been lucky to have played in some brilliant teams with unreal players while playing at City, but the highlight so far was playing for the first team in the Munster Senior Cup against Carrigaline in which I scored and we won the game 2-0.

“Playing with Cork City can be very challenging because of the standard everyone expects from each other, which gives us the hunger and desire to win in every age group.

“My main goal at the moment is to play well for the U20 team and hopefully make my way into the first team in the future, however, the ultimate goal is to hopefully be good enough to play professional in England one day.

“I would like to take this chance to thank all my coaches that I’ve played under, starting from Leeside all the way through to every coach I played under at Cork City, as they have all helped me become the player I am today.

“However, obviously, I can’t forget my father Len, my mother Frankie and my brother Alex for all their support also.

 "They have always been at my side to help me through the good day and the bad, times,” Luke concluded.