Downey, Jim


Jim 'Skinner' Downey from Ship Street played underage football with the Marsh Road Street League team before being invited by Jacko Smith to join Newtown Blues in 1966. At that time, the Blues were very much the dominant force in Louth football. Displaying scorching pace and a bullet of a shot, Jim quickly made the No.10 jersey his own and it was he who slotted home the decisive goal against St Marys in the 1970 county SFC final. In total, Jim collected four county medals with the Blues and he also represented the Newfoundwell club at Croke Park - in the 1971 Leinster club final. Jim was very proud of the nickname 'Skinner', which he inherited from two of the Blues' great players of the 1930s - Skinner McDonnell and Skinner Caffrey. Jim's legacy with the Blues continues: his grandson Ciaran 'Ciza' Downey was Man of the Match on the side that won this year's Louth U16 FC final.




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