Shem Downey

Shem Downey, born James Downey and living from 5 January 1922 to 22 December 2013, was an Irish hurler from Conahy, County Kilkenny, who played as a midfielder for the Kilkenny senior team. He joined the Kilkenny minor team at seventeen and made his senior debut in the 1946 championship, playing a key part for Kilkenny over the following eight years and winning one All-Ireland medal and three Leinster medals, with two All-Ireland runner-up finishes. He was a member of the Leinster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions without winning a Railway Cup medal, and at club level won one championship medal with Tullaroan. He retired following Kilkenny's defeat by Wexford in the 1954 championship. His daughters Angela and Ann are regarded as two of the greatest camogie players of all time and won twelve All-Ireland medals with Kilkenny.