The centre has decided to take the reigns as back’s coach with Ulster Bank league side Clontarf

Andy Wood, head coach of last year’s beaten UBL finalists, Clontarf, has added the Dublin man to his coaching set up.

The former Munster centre, who enjoyed a very prosperous 2012/13 season which culminated in a European cup semi final loss to Clermont, retired from the professional game in 2016 after spending his last few season with English side Wasps and Scottish side Glasgow Warriors.

This isn’t Downey’s first taste of coaching however, as he had a player-coach role with Monkstown last season. Downey will be replacing Simon Broughton who has taken up a role with Leinster.

Our favourite memory of Downey is this huge on Mike Brown during that epic 2013 Heineken Cup 1/4 Final at the Stoop.