Career
He plays as a Centre. Downey made his debut for his home province on 10 October 2003, against Cardiff Blues. He scored his first try for on 2 April 2004 against Warriors.
He left the province to join for the start of the 2004-2005 season.
Downey struggled to gain game time at due to injuries, managing only three games during the 2005-2006 season, and was released from his contract. He made his debut against Cardiff Blues in the Celtic League on 1 September 2006.
He played two more games for, against Border Reivers and Warriors, but left when offered more game time with Italian club Rugby The lure of Heineken Cup rugby led to Downey joining Italian Super 10 (now National Championship of Excellence) side The club were in Pool 3 of the 2006-2007 Heineken Cup and, after releasing one of their centres, were looking for a new player. Then coach, Marc Delpoux, had been impressed by Downey when played Narbonne in October 2004, and brought him to Brescia.
Downey signed for Saints in June 2007.
He made his debut for the club against London Welsh in National Division 1 on 1 September 2007, and scored his first try against Bedford Blues on 22 September. He was part of the Saints team that secured promotion to the Guinness Premiership in 2008. He rejoined on a two-year deal from the 2012-2013 season.
He arrived in Cork to join up with the squad in May 2012, after playing his last game for Downey played his first game of his return to on 1 September 2012, starting at Inside Centre in their opening league fixture against Edinburgh.
He scored his first try for in their league fixture against Ospreys on 23 February 2014. On 27 June 2014, it was announced that Downey had signed a two-year contract with Warriors.
On 10 February 2015, it was announced that Downey had joined Aviva Premiership side Wasps on loan for the remainder on the 2014-2015 season. lieutenant was announced on the 22nd of May that Downey is signing to Wasps on a permanent contract Downey"s form for saw him earn a place in the A team for the 2009 Churchill Cup.
He came off the bench in the opening fixture on 10 June 2009 against Canada, before starting against Georgia on 14 June.
Downey was added to the senior squad to tour North America on 2 June 2013. He made his senior debut for on 15 June 2013, starting against Canada.
