Michaela Downey scored 25 points and was named Ireland’s player of the match in Saturday afternoon’s Master’s International Rules first leg clash with Australia in Mayo.
Down’s first LGFA Allstar registered a goal, five overs and four behinds in the 65-9 success in Charlestown, giving the Irish a healthy advantage approaching this weekend’s second test in Denn, Co Cavan.
One of three Mourne natives involved across the programme, which also included the men’s over 40s and over 50s sides, Conor McShane and Paul Gallagher were also answering Ireland’s call.
Though Downey, who played in the only female International Rules series back in 2006, stole the show with a complete display and had a large local entourage along to support her, including her mother Phil, sister Aoibheann and niece Caoimhe.
A teacher in St Paul’s, Bessbrook, the Newry woman starred for the Bosco club either side of a stint with Clonduff, winning 13 county senior championship medals and, in more recent seasons, a junior one.
In her county’s colours, she claimed an All-Ireland JFC honour alongside her sister in 2000 and spent more than a decade in the red and black, captaining Down to the Division 2 title and promotion to the National League’s top-flight in 2008.
A serial member of the Ulster interprovincial team as well over the years, she was also instrumental in the Mourne women’s run to the 2005 All-Ireland intermediate decider.