Well this is interesting.
Former Derry u20 star Oran Downey could be on the verge of switching allegiances and trade in his Oakleaf jersey for an Antrim one.
Downey took part in an Antrim select team that played county champions Cargin in a friendly last week to help them prepare for their upcoming game against Glen in the Ulster club championship.
The Downey clan that includes Oran, his brothers Shea, Enda and Callum and cousin Matthew, all left their club Lavey following a family dispute that resulted in them moving to St Brigid’s in Belfast.
The fall-out has been well documented at this stage and is even more complicated by the fact that it involved Henry Downey, the former Derry captain who guided them to their only All-Ireland win back in 1993.
A father and uncle to the boys who left, the whole situation is very messy, but like life, the football must go on, and they fired into the St Brigid’s team seamlessly, even helping them reach an Antrim senior championship final.
All five have represented Derry at different stages with Shea being a part of the senior side that won back to back Ulster titles, while Matthew was also on the senior squad last year.
Oran played in the Derry u20 team back in 2020, while Enda played at u20 level in 2022, even making the senior squad after his performances.
As it stands, it looks like Oran is the only one with flirting with the idea of representing Antrim, but Andy McEntee will no doubt be keeping a close eye on the lads, and how they progress at senior level.
It could be a case soon where you see brothers, who play for the same club, lining out against each other for different counties.
Related links:
- Derry legend has one major doubt about Mickey Harte appointment
- North Antrim locals claim that Alexis Mac Allister is from hurling town
- Former Tyrone star Kyle Coney reacts to’surrea’; Mickey Harte Derry switch
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