Eoin Downey will use red-card disappointment as fuel for coming season
Pictured at the launch of the Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Championships were UCC’s Eoin Downey (right) and Darragh Stakelum. Picture: Inpho/Dan Sheridan
While Eoin Downey has put behind him the disappointment of being sent off in last year’s All-Ireland SHC final, he feels it will be used as fuel for the coming season.
The 22-year-old is busy at present – he is part of the UCC team that opens its Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup campaign with a derby tie against MTU Cork on Thursday night – but he feels that Gerry Hussey, the sports psychologist brought in by new manager Ben O’Connor, is a valuable asset.
““I suppose, yeah, technically it is [a hectic time],” he says, “but it would be nothing I wouldn't be used to.
“I suppose the main thing about that timing aspect is just being organised with it. You have to be organised with it.
“I think our psychologist, Gerry Hussey, is very good at keeping us on top of things like that. It wouldn't stress me out, is the way I'd put it.”
Hussey, who succeeds Gary Keegan, brings a wide variety of experience on the performance-coaching front. While it is still early days, Downey has been encouraged.
“I think we've only met him twice, I think. In person we've only met him twice. But yeah, we've had a few texts and voice notes and this and that.”
In terms of the red card against Tipp last July, however, Downey has largely processed things and isn’t overly dwelling on it.
“Yeah, I've moved on to be honest,” he says.
“Now, I have no doubt it might come up [in discussions with Hussey], but it doesn't linger with me anymore. I won't be bringing it up on purpose, if you know what I mean.
“But look, it was a tough challenge to face, being sent off in an All-Ireland final at 22 years of age. I just think that it has to be used as fuel for the coming year, and can't be used as a negative.
“I think if I just put it that way, I'd only be going backwards. So there's no point in dwelling on the past, just use it as fuel and push on to the future.”
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