Shea Downey’s had enough of being Down on his injury luck – The Irish News
BEING wheeled down the corridor signing consent forms, Shea Downey wasnt even sure which hospital he was in.
Hours earlier, hed looked the cut of his uncle Henry, stationed at centre-back as Lavey overcame their old adversaries Dungiven in a first round Derry SFC match.
Nothing had happened to make him feel the pain in his stomach that he was experiencing the next day. By night, it was a quick run up the road to Antrim Area and a rapid diagnosis.
They said my appendix was about to burst and they had to operate, he recalls.
Lavey would reach the county final for the first time in 25 years but it would be the following April before Downey would play again.
Despite having been called into the senior Derry setup almost straight out of minor, he is yet to make his championship debut.
Its not for any lack of ability or application.
His appendix operation initially appeared to have gone as routine, but in the months afterwards, he was dogged by an infection that just wouldnt clear.
They did it and the doctor was happy enough how it went, but it was whatever way I reacted to it. There was still an infection there.
They sent me home but I was still getting bad pains in that area, so I had to go back into hospital. I stayed in for a good few days. It took me ages to get over it.
It was a few months before I could even run. I just couldnt get rid of it.
We ended up going to Kingsbridge [private hospital in Belfast] then to get it sorted, I got a scan done up there and they said there was a bit of an infection there and they gave me something to get rid of it.
It was just a waiting match then, you had to wait until the infection died down before you could even start. I was trying to do a bit of jogging to get back for Lavey, they were doing well, but it just wasnt happening.
I couldnt jog at all with the pain, I could barely move.
It was around the same time as Tottenham Hotspurs Eric Dier had the exact same issue. While he returned to playing, it took him many months to properly get the better of feeling sore and ill.
With his father Seamus and great-uncle John Brennan at the helm, Shea could only watch on as Lavey embarked on their run to the Derry final, in which they were left to rue a poor first half against Coleraine.
You could see about the place when we got to that final, it was a big deal in the parish. It was covered in orange and black flags, there was a scarecrow, a painted car and everything. It was hard watching that, not being able to play in it.
After every game boys were asking me and I said Id be back for the next round. But I was trying to do a bit at the pitch and it just wasnt happening.
I was still in the changing room. I togged out in the final, I dont even know why for I wasnt getting on. That was the only game I togged out.
We came back well after half-time and thats why its so hard to watch nearly, youre jumping out of your seat and you just want to go and help out. Thats just the way things happen. Hopefully we can get back and go that step further.
It was January before he hit the field in Owenbeg to resume training with Derry. But having recovered from the appendix issue, his hamstrings started playing up. They havent stopped since.
The second training session with the county side, he popped the hamstring. Its been such a regular occurrence on both sides that hes not even sure which side went first.
Turned 23 last week, it had been anticipated hed be a regular in the Derry team by now. Instead, hes still yet to make his championship debut and has only played in a handful of Allianz League games.
The injuries themselves have been unkind, but so too the timing.
He missed the whole of 2019s inter-county campaign with the hamstring issue that flared up in that first session.
Indeed, a final year Business Studies student at Ulster University, he is set to finish up without kicking a ball in the Sigerson Cup unless he goes down the post-graduate route.
Through work with S&C coaches Ollie Cummings (2019) and Peter Hughes (2020), as well as medical and physio teams, he has built his hamstrings up.
He had a good run at it during the early part of the 2020 league and the lockdown allowed him to work on at them, but a concussion suffered in the first club championship game set him back. He was only able to return for Laveys knockout game against Magherafelt, and the hamstrings were acting up again after the layoff, causing him to be pulled late from Rory Gallaghers squad for the Ulster SFC loss to Armagh.
It hasnt been an easy ride, but then if anyone has the bloodline to overcome the early setbacks, its a son of Seamus Downey.
This was the man who tore his cruciate in 1989, a time when it was a career-ending injury.
But he rebuilt the knee without an operation, doing relentless, gruelling rehab to eventually win an All-Ireland at full-forward four years later, scoring Derrys goal in the final win over Cork.
Shea Downey and his three brothers have kept each other in company over lockdown. Enda, Oran and Calum, along with cousin Matthew and the upcoming Conor, will mean the Lavey team will have six Downeys on it in a very short space of time.
Theyre sports nuts too. As he takes the call, theres just enough gap between Tottenham-West Brom and Ireland-Wales, followed by Liverpool-Man City and the late-night shift for the SuperBowl.
His soccer allegiances fall the way of Sunderland, where his mother has cousins that theyd have visited as youngsters, and ended up at the Stadium of Light for several north-east derbies with Newcastle.
Shea Downeys just about had his fill of watching and not playing, though you wouldnt quickly detect any impatience.
Whats done is done. Theres no point dwelling on it, you just have to focus on getting right and hopefully this year Ill get a clean run at it. Im just looking forward to playing games.
With any luck, the world will see him at his best in 2021.
Visit link:
Shea Downey's had enough of being Down on his injury luck - The Irish News
- Massive Kaizer Chiefs injury boost ahead of Carling Knockout game against SuperSport United - Goal.com - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- What happens if a knockout game ends in a tie? World Cup extra time and penalty shootouts, explained - Yahoo Movies Canada - June 24th, 2024 [June 24th, 2024]
- Oregon vs Utah Odds, Prediction & Picks | How to Bet Marquee ... - The Action Network - October 30th, 2023 [October 30th, 2023]
- A Night of MADNESS! (Photo Essay) The Trend - The Trend Online - October 30th, 2023 [October 30th, 2023]
- Sporting expansionism: Tournaments are out of control - RTE.ie - October 30th, 2023 [October 30th, 2023]
- ICC World Cup 2023 points table after Netherlands beat Bangladesh - Geo Super - October 30th, 2023 [October 30th, 2023]
- New Current coach Vlatko Andonovski hopes to repay city's ... - KSHB 41 Kansas City News - October 23rd, 2023 [October 23rd, 2023]
- Womens World Cup 2023: Netherlands team guide - The Athletic - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- Who are Club Len? The best team in the region | Vancouver ... - Vancouver Whitecaps FC - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- Israel's U20 basketball team looks ahead after silver medal - The Jerusalem Post - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- "They just had all bases covered"- Shane Watson shocked with Rajasthan Royals' dip in form in IPL 2023 - Sportskeeda - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- The pressure is on Knicks Ownership to Take a Crucial Next Step to ... - otdowntown.com - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Leyds wary of Leinster response after domestic 'hit' - EPC Rugby - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Never Saw Our Dads Respect Our Mothers: Julius Randles Wife Brutally Slams Ex-NBA All-Star for Lambasting Her Husband Before Playoffs Heartbreaker -... - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- IPL 2023: That Is My Biggest Six This Season So I Will Take It ... - SportzWiki - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- T20 Blast predictions and cricket betting tips - Racing Post - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Ranking the top 5 centuries by RCB batters in the IPL - Sportskeeda - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Heineken Champions Cup Final 2023: What To Know About Rugby ... - FloRugby - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- Oilers move on to Round 2 after Kailer Yamamotos goal rescues them from Stuart Skinners blooper - The Athletic - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- UAAP: Josh Ybanez, UST regain winning ways ahead of stepladder semis - INQUIRER.net - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- Interview with James Ryan: 'We are excited to face Toulouse' - Irish Post - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- Cyril Farrell: 'There's no pressure on Henry Shefflin from Galway ... - Scoreline.ie - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- Guregian: Celtics raise major red flags by blowing chance to close out Hawks - Boston Herald - April 28th, 2023 [April 28th, 2023]
- Five Talking Points From Round 23 Of The Top 14 - Top Spot Up For ... - FloRugby - April 28th, 2023 [April 28th, 2023]
- USWNT mock roster 2.0: Projecting the 2023 World Cup team - Just Women's Sports - April 28th, 2023 [April 28th, 2023]
- Indian coaches must convey they mean business: Miranda - Hindustan Times - April 28th, 2023 [April 28th, 2023]
- 5 Takeaways From Jets 5-2 Game 2 Loss Against Golden Knights - The Hockey Writers - April 28th, 2023 [April 28th, 2023]
- Sockers' season ends with 'Knockout Game' loss to Chihuahua in ... - The San Diego Union-Tribune - April 22nd, 2023 [April 22nd, 2023]
- CF Montral Returns to MLS Action on Saturday against the New ... - OurSports Central - April 22nd, 2023 [April 22nd, 2023]
- Leinster the envy of every club in the world - Jake - SuperSport - April 22nd, 2023 [April 22nd, 2023]
- Evergreen Giroud and a club first: All the key stats from Milans draw against Napoli - Yardbarker - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Howard University Holds Annual Truth and Service Game - The Hilltop Online - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Des Buckingham buoyant ahead of exciting game vs Chennaiyin FC in Super Cup - Hindustan Times - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Duane Vermeulen and Jordi Murphy inspiring rising Ulster star ... - The Irish News - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Alves Is MASL Defender-Of-Year; Vandegriffe Also Honored as ... - OurSports Central - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Sixers vs. Nets: Philly wins 121-101 to take Game 1 after clamping down Mikal Bridges in second half - The Philadelphia Inquirer - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- This is an opportunity that weve all been waiting for: Georges Niangs Inquirer diary lifts curtain on Sixers playoff run - The Philadelphia Inquirer - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Frank Lampard: Chelsea caretaker boss insists team is not broken with 'anything possible' against Real Madrid - Sky Sports - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Tropics Force "Knockout" Game, But Fall to Blast 3-2 to End 2022-23 ... - OurSports Central - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- DeMar DeRozans screaming daughter was the key to Bulls play-in victory vs. Raptors - SB Nation - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Wave Takes on Utica in Game One of MASL Eastern Conference ... - OurSports Central - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- What happened to Zion Williamson? All-Star forward wants to be fit 'mentally' before playing again - Sportskeeda - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Prometey overcomes Hamburg Towers to move to quarterfinals - Eurohoops - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- HURLING: Mid Tipperary hurling championship draws throw up ... - Tipperary Live - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Ricky Ponting: When you lose a player like Pant, it obviously leaves a void - Sportstar - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Blades look to close out series, while Pats try to stay alive in Game 6 - 650 CKOM News Talk Sports - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- AIFF likely to fine Kerala Blasters Rs 5 crore for walkout, no disqualification or points deduction - Times of India - March 30th, 2023 [March 30th, 2023]
- ICC Mulling Hybrid World Cup 2023 Model, Pakistan Likely To Play Its Matches In Bangladesh - ABP Live - March 30th, 2023 [March 30th, 2023]
- Real Madrid aiming to sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in ... - PlanetSport - March 30th, 2023 [March 30th, 2023]
- DHL Stormers ready for Quins 'spectacle' in Cape Town - EPC Rugby - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- Sprint to Post-Season Features Three Home Games, Starting ... - OurSports Central - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- Newcastle Uniteds wonderkind Garang Kuol scores debut international goal - The Top Flight - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- Who's hot and who's not: Freddie Steward call, Glasgow and All Blacks - planetrugby.com - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- Ex-England international identifies RWC game Ireland 'want to lose' - RugbyPass - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- Nine young midfielders that could dominate the game for the next ... - The Football Faithful - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- 5 impressive records held by Erling Haaland - Sportskeeda - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- Real Madrid aiming to sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in 2024 - report - Yahoo Eurosport UK - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- Mancini willing to "mix things up" against England - VAVEL.com - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- Im thoroughly impressed by Indias domestic players: Grace Harris - Hindustan Times - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- There is only one person I blame for Arsenals exit from the Europa league - Yardbarker - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- Papa Johns pulls out of EFL Trophy: A slice of bad news for English ... - Daily Cannon - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- "We have to avenge the 2011 defeat"- Shoaib Akhtar wants an India-Pakistan final in 2023 World Cup - Sportskeeda - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- Fantasy: Another Devine, Matthews show on the cards | Fantasy - Cricket.com - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- Gareth Southgate could win Euro 2024 and still not sway his ... - inews - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- India vs Hong Kong China: Where to watch Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2023 knockout game on OTT in India - Ottplay - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- Punks apparently playing 'knockout game' wallop wrong victim a ... - November 22nd, 2022 [November 22nd, 2022]
- The Perennial Panic of the 'Knockout Game' Is Back in Headlines - November 22nd, 2022 [November 22nd, 2022]
- Brazen knockout game back in NYC, expert warns - October 12th, 2022 [October 12th, 2022]
- Inter push Barcelona to brink of Champions League exit - World Soccer Talk - October 12th, 2022 [October 12th, 2022]
- 0-3: A win that sends them through to the next round of the Youth League - Real Madrid - October 12th, 2022 [October 12th, 2022]
- Orlando City vs. Inter Miami CF: Final Score 4-1 as Lions in Free Fall with Another Loss - The Mane Land - October 12th, 2022 [October 12th, 2022]
- Brazen Knockout Game Back in NYC, Expert Warns - American Renaissance - October 1st, 2022 [October 1st, 2022]
- Week 7: Short And Sweet, Heading For The 'Stretch' - Press Pros Magazine - October 1st, 2022 [October 1st, 2022]
- Gary Nevilleov Man Utd legend Neville reveals former team-mates used to call him a little Bulgarian we... - The US Sun - October 1st, 2022 [October 1st, 2022]
- Who are the favourites for the 2022 World Cup? England remain really quite high on the list - Football365 - October 1st, 2022 [October 1st, 2022]
- IND vs SA: Indian Bowlers Need to Find the Killer Instinct to Choke Out Oppositions After Terrific Starts - News18 - October 1st, 2022 [October 1st, 2022]
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymars history at the World Cup: Goals, assists and awards as P... - talkSPORT - October 1st, 2022 [October 1st, 2022]
- Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout Game Review | Common Sense Media - September 22nd, 2022 [September 22nd, 2022]
- 'If we're playing chess at home, we'd want to win that' - Padraig Doherty - Donegal Live - September 18th, 2022 [September 18th, 2022]
- EFL and National League clubs to be allowed to call off matches if they clash with England or Wales World... - The US Sun - September 18th, 2022 [September 18th, 2022]