Kilkenny's Ann Downey features in the first episode of Season Three of the ‘GAA Minor Moments’ podcast.
Electric Ireland, proud sponsor of the Electric Ireland Camogie Minor Championships and the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championships, has today released the first episode of Season Three of the ‘GAA Minor Moments’ podcast, featuring Kilkenny Camogie legend, Ann Downey.
Ann opens the episode speaking on her coaching career to date which she began in 2002 when she was still playing. Over the years, Ann has had massive success on the management side, helping Kilkenny to win the All-Ireland Camogie Final in 2016, 22 years after Ann herself was a part of the 1994 All-Ireland Camogie winning team. Downey also guided WIT to an Ashbourne Cup win in 2015 and is now the camogie manager in SETU Carlow.
Throughout the podcast Ann reminisces on the minor moments that have stuck with her from her playing career. Downey reflects on growing up in a GAA-mad household alongside her twin sister, Angela - camogie and running were their two main outlets growing up. The twins went on to win 12 senior inter-county All-Ireland finals each, following in the footsteps of their father James ‘Shem’ Downey, who won an All-Ireland medal with Kilkenny in 1947.
Speaking to the podcast host, Fergal O’Keefe, Ann emphasises how important the support from sponsors like Electric Ireland is in Gaelic Games, to document and record the minor and major moments on and off the pitch for the players involved. It is these moments that stand out most to Ann in her memories from her playing days.
Looking back, Ann gives recognition to how far the game of camogie has come over the years and how the level of professionalism has grown rapidly. She emphasises the huge commitment shown by players and managers these days. She offers the advice to any young players coming up through the underage system and playing minor to listen to those leading you, keep learning and asking questions as you are never a ‘finished article’.
Electric Ireland’s ‘GAA Minor Moments’ Podcast will air on Tuesdays throughout the Electric Ireland Camogie & GAA Minor Championships as well-known Irish stars share memories from their early sporting careers, reflecting on the defining moments from playing Minor and how it shaped them, both on and off the pitch.
This season, Fergal will once again be joined by a host of excellent guests including Eimear Ryan, Alan Brogan, Richie Hogan and many more as they reflect on their time spent playing Minor and shed light on some great personal stories.
Links to podcast:
- Web link: https://www.electricireland.ie/residential/helpful-links/our-sponsorships/gaa-minor-championships#podcast
- Acast link: https://shows.acast.com/gaa-minor-moments
- Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/0eR5edt47YzZlEuTQ7GEGF
- Apple link: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/gaa-minor-moments/id1621714393
- Google Link: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5hY2FzdC5jb20vcHVibGljL3Nob3dzL2dhYS1taW5vci1tb21lbnRz
For more information on the Electric Ireland Camogie Minor Championships go to https://www.electricireland.ie/camogie-minor-championships.
For more information on the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championships go to https://www.electricireland.ie/gaa-minor-championships.
You can also follow the campaign on social media @ElectricIreland and via the hashtag #ThisIsMajor.