New Ballyragget intermediate hurling coach Ann Downey has spoken of her pride in her new job and about the scandal that engulfed the club in 2017.

Downey won 12 All-Ireland senior camogie medals with Kilkenny, alongside her sister Angela, and managed the side to the O'Duffy Cup four years ago.

She stepped aside as Kilkenny camogie manager in 2019, and spoke to Nathan Murphy about deciding to leave the Cats because "she couldn't give any more."

The appointment wasn't part of a concerted plan for Downey.

"It wasn't an ambition. When I finished with the camogie team after Galway beat us last year, the plan was to go and play a bit of golf and spend some time in Kerry," she said.

"But when the lads came knocking, it was very hard to say no. It was a great privilege to be asked."

The story is of particular note due to the lack of female head coaches in charge of male GAA sides, but Downey believes the differences are few and far between.

"With regard to putting structures together, it is exactly the same. They have to be fit, they have to have their diet right and they have to apply themselves.

"My mindset won't be any different once I start working with the guys."

Ballyragget scandal

Downey spoke about the situation that made Ballyragget national news in 2017, when several players were pictured with strippers, celebrating a county final win.

"We've moved on from it, to be quite honest. Everyone makes a mistake. There is not one person in the country that hasn't made a mistake.

"The lads recognise that it was something that shouldn't have happened. Going forward, we will hopefully put Ballyragget on the map for the right reasons."

Downey also believes that she will not be the last female coach to take charge of a male team.

"There are a lot of good female coaches in every grade; maybe it is just the name this time around that has stirred the interest at this point in time.

"Mindsets have changed."

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