James Downey (rugby union)

James Downey (born 23 March 1981) is a former Irish rugby union player. He played as a centre. In May 2016, Downey announced his retirement from rugby.[1]

James Downey
Date of birth (1981-03-23) 23 March 1981
Place of birthDublin, Ireland
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight105 kg (16.5 st; 231 lb)
SchoolBelvedere College
UniversityUniversity College Dublin
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Clontarf ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003–2004
2004–2006
2006
2006–2007
2007–2012
2012–2014
2014–2015
2015–2016		 Leinster
Connacht
Munster
Calvisano
Northampton Saints
Munster
Glasgow Warriors
Wasps		 9
26
3
18
148
44
7
9		 (5)
(10)
(0)
(5)
(65)
(10)
(0)
(0)
Correct as of 19 May 2016
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009
2013		 Ireland Wolfhounds
Ireland		 3
1		 (0)
(0)
Correct as of 21 March 2015

Early life

Downey was educated at Belvedere College, where he won the Leinster Schools Junior Cup.

Leinster

Downey made his debut for his home province on 10 October 2003, against Cardiff Blues. He scored his first try for Leinster on 2 April 2004 against Glasgow Warriors. Downey left the province to join Connacht for the start of the 2004–05 season.

Connacht

Downey struggled to gain game time at Connacht due to injuries, managing only three games during the 2005–06 season, and was released from his contract.[2]

Munster

In an effort to find more game time, Downey accepted a trial at the then Heineken Cup champions Munster. He made his debut against Cardiff Blues in the Celtic League on 1 September 2006.[3] Downey played two more games for Munster, against Border Reivers and Glasgow Warriors, but left Munster when offered more game time with Italian club Rugby Calvisano.

Calvisano

The lure of Heineken Cup rugby led to Downey joining Italian Super 10 (now Top12) side Calvisano. The club were in Pool 3 of the 2006–07 Heineken Cup and, after releasing one of their centres, were looking for a new player. Then coach, Marc Delpoux, had been impressed by Downey when Connacht played Narbonne in October 2004, and brought him to Brescia.

Northampton

Downey signed for Saints in June 2007.[4] He made his debut for the club against London Welsh in National Division 1 on 1 September 2007,[5] and scored his first try against Bedford Blues on 22 September. He was part of the Saints team that secured promotion to the Guinness Premiership in 2008. In the 2008–09 season, Downey helped Saints secure European silverware when they beat CS Bourgoin-Jallieu to secure the 2008–09 European Challenge Cup.[6]

Return to Munster

Downey rejoined Munster on a two-year deal from the 2012–13 season.[7][8][9] He arrived in Cork to join up with the Munster squad in May 2012, after playing his last game for Northampton.[10]

Downey played his first game of his return to Munster on 1 September 2012, starting at Inside Centre in their opening league fixture against Edinburgh.[11] He scored his first try for Munster in their league fixture against Ospreys on 23 February 2014.[12]

Glasgow

On 27 June 2014, it was announced that Downey had signed a two-year contract with Glasgow Warriors.[13]

Loan to Wasps

On 10 February 2015, it was announced that Downey had joined Aviva Premiership side Wasps on loan for the remainder on the 2014-15 season.[14]

Ireland

Downey's form for Northampton saw him earn a place in the Ireland A team for the 2009 Churchill Cup. He came off the bench in the opening fixture on 10 June 2009 against Canada,[15] before starting against Georgia on 14 June.[16] Downey had to settle for an appearance off the bench again as Ireland A beat England Saxons 22–49 to win the 2009 Churchill Cup Final.[17] On 2 June 2013, Downey was added to the senior Ireland squad to tour North America.[18] He made his senior debut for Ireland on 15 June 2013, starting against Canada.[19]

Honours
Northampton Saints
Ireland Wolfhounds

References
  1. "Downey calls it a day". planetrugby.com. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  2. "Interview: James Downey". irishrugby.ie. 2 October 2006.
  3. "Munster make Blues work for their win". munsterrugby.ie. 1 September 2006. Archived from the original on 5 October 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  4. "Saints add Downey to centre roster". northamptonsaints.co.uk. 28 June 2007. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  5. "Six-try Saints secure full points". northamptonsaints.co.uk. 1 September 2007. Archived from the original on 4 January 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  6. "Saints take home the trophy and head into the Heineken Cup". northamptonsaints.co.uk. 22 May 2009. Archived from the original on 4 January 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  7. "Downey Deal Done". munsterrugby.ie. 1 February 2012. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  8. "Munster sign Northampton Saints centre James Downey". BBC Sport. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  9. "Munster bring back Downey". planetrugby.com. 2 February 2012. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  10. "Downey and Laulala in Cork". munsterrugby.ie. 17 May 2012. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  11. "Munster Show True Grit". munsterrugby.ie. 1 September 2012. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  12. "Munster Overcome Ospreys Challenge". munsterrugby.ie. 23 February 2014. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  13. "Glasgow sign Downey from Munster". planetrugby.com. 27 June 2014. Archived from the original on 10 July 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  14. "Wasps sign Downey on loan". planetrugby.com. 10 February 2015. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  15. "Ireland 'A' Leave It Late Against Canada". irishrugby.ie. 10 June 2009. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  16. "Ireland 'A' Qualify For Churchill Cup Final". irishrugby.ie. 14 June 2009. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  17. "Ireland 'A' Cap Off Stunning Season With Churchill Cup Success". irishrugby.ie. 21 June 2009. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  18. "James Downey added to Ireland squad". irishtimes.com. 2 June 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  19. "McFadden Hat-Trick Helps Ireland Surge Clear of Canada". irishrugby.ie. 16 June 2013. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
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