Downeys far from out: Robert and Eoin still key pillars of Cork hurlers' defence

The Downey brothers suffered more from the All-Ireland fallout than most.

On that crushing Sunday afternoon last July, Rob missed out on the chance to lift Liam MacCarthy after an injury-disrupted campaign. Eoin was red-carded to cap off a testing season where he mixed some excellent displays with a few tricky outings at the edge of the square. It was a contrast to 12 months earlier, when their displays in the final against Clare earned them All-Stars.

And that was before the disgraceful rumours about dressing room bust-ups were circulated on WhatsApp.

They got back in the saddle and hurled well for the Glen in the club championship but with a new management team replacing Pat Ryan and co, it was hard to know where they'd be deployed this season, particularly with Darragh Fitzgibbon taking over as captain.

Was it going to be a case of the defense being overhauled completely, seeing as Cork leaked three goals in each of their last three All-Ireland final appearances? Or would the changes be more subtle?

OPTIONS

Certainly, the consensus was Cork needed an alternative at full-back and many expected Ciarán Joyce to revert to centre-back. 

Rob Downey had an excellent 2021 at full-back so it wouldn't have been outlandish for Ben O'Connor and his selectors to look at that over the league.

Instead Watergrasshill's Daire O'Leary has been given an extended audition at full-back while Downey has retained the number six geansáí for the wins over Waterford, Galway and Tipp and been a defensive bulwark. The ferocity the 26-year-old started the opener against the Déise set the tone for the league so far.

Now Joyce's return for the remaining games against Kilkenny, Limerick and Offaly could see a shake-up but for now Downey has a firm grip on the centre-back berth.

Mark Coleman, the vice-captain, has been in electric form in his customary left wing-back position and Eoin Downey, after a quiet first half in Salthill, was immense on the other flank in beating Galway and Tipp, where he arrowed over two glorious points.

Eoin Downey has hurled a lot in the half-back line for the Glen and was actually pushed up to centre-back in the 2022 quarter-final loss to Newtownshadrum. The Blackpool side needed additional firepower with Patrick Horgan injured and he landed a stunning 0-6 from play.

There has been talk from fans in recent weeks that when Joyce is available, he'll be tried out at full-back. Daire O'Leary, aside from giving away a few cheap frees here and there, has made the most of his return to the squad. He's strong in the air and no-nonsense. 

And remember in the Kieran Kingston era, he was moving well until injuries derailed him.

Joyce's natural home is centre-back, though he started a couple of championship games in 2024 at midfield. Would he have the discipline and reading of the game required at the edge of the square, having never played there before?

The second half of the league gives Cork the chance to find out. One area they need to improve is in their concession of scoreable frees and penalties.