News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
By COYSDC
February 4 2010
Northampton Saints will announce today that James Downey is staying at Franklin's Gardens. In doing so, the 28-year-old Irishman becomes the seventh Saint to re-affirm his commitment to the club by putting pen to paper in recent weeks.
February 4 2010
Northampton Saints will announce today that James Downey is staying at Franklin's Gardens. In doing so, the 28-year-old Irishman becomes the seventh Saint to re-affirm his commitment to the club by putting pen to paper in recent weeks.
DOWNEY BECOMES LATEST SAINT TO SIGN AGAIN
James has been the lynchpin of the first team midfield since he arrived in the summer of 2007 and so far he has made 73 appearances, scoring seven tries. A defensive leader, his two-and-a-half years at Franklin's Gardens have seen him develop other aspects of his game under the tutelage of the Saints coaches.
"I think I've come up a lot under Jim, Dorian and Paul and I've grown with all the players around me," he said. "They trust the players to make decisions on the field and with quick lads out wide we can get the ball out to them or keep it tight. A lot of the other guys have got better as well.
"You can always improve. This is only our second year back in the Premiership, and as the young lads get older we can only get better. We're playing big teams and that's where we want to be, winning some silverware."
A European Challenge Cup winner in 2009, Downey also won the Churchill Cup with Ireland ‘A' later that summer, which he said was a bonus on what had happened at club level.
"We were playing a good brand of rugby last year," he added. "I was chuffed to bits when I got involved with the Churchill Cup. It was the last thing on my mind when I came here. I just wanted to play and still want to do my best for Northampton. I've been here longer than any other clubs, and I'm really settled here with all the lads. If I can do well and help the team it will be brilliant."
"Our outside backs have been receiving the headlines, but they cannot function if the guys like James don't do their work in midfield," said director of rugby Jim Mallinder. "James puts in plenty of hard yards in attack and defence, and has been one of the most consistent players in the squad since he joined us.
"He is a person who thrives on competition, and he has increased his performance level time and again to keep his place in the first team. He has improved a lot in his time here and I believe there is more to come, which is why I am delighted that James is staying with us."
Bookmark or share this story with:
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleuponRelated Articles:
News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 06:14
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Chris Hoddle (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 06:33
A good start to the weekend. Now lets hope for the win as well
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: alan_t (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 06:40
More good news. Obviously a timetable for these anouncements.
Gordon Terrace C Block
Please sponsor me for SWH8
Gordon Terrace C Block
Please sponsor me for SWH8
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: hoddros (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 06:40
Excellent news. Mind you he looks a bit bored with it all in that photo!
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Toulousian Firefighter (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 07:33
Wey hey! These announcements are becoming my new alarm clock. Definitely news worth getting out of bed for!
A true Saintsman, 100% effort, 100% understated. Just gets on and does his job. At the start of the season there were questions on how often he would play with Shane's arrival but we clearly know the answer now.
Thank you James!
A true Saintsman, 100% effort, 100% understated. Just gets on and does his job. At the start of the season there were questions on how often he would play with Shane's arrival but we clearly know the answer now.
Thank you James!
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: St Francis (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 07:45
Jolly, jolly good. With Clarkey signing as well, that bodes very well for the defensive line next year.
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Saint Tim (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 07:56
Good news.
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Wee Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 08:01
Excellent news! The back line is looked very settled going into next season.
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Shaddo (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 08:15
That is all of our current first-choice back division signed up for the next season at least. A very good position to be in at this stage of the year.
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: john benson (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 08:18
Splendid news. If it wasn't morning time i'd Down-ey a 'JD' to celebrate!
coat...
in Jim we trust
coat...
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Saintsby (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 08:19
Me too TF! first thing I do is log on to COYSDC. Great news another guy who like Wilson gets on with the hard graft often unnoticed....... Tiny who?
Brucie benefit please
Brucie benefit please
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: St Owen (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 08:36
Fandabydozey. Again.
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Saint Morrissey (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 09:07
Saints should run out to Jimmy Jimmy by The Undertones! It's better than Metallica. (Another discussion me thinks!)
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: smurfomatic (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 09:12
Another great piece of news to brighten my week.
WestMidsSaint poetry book on sale now
Photo Gallery...Smurf's Swindle rules
WestMidsSaint poetry book on sale now
Photo Gallery...Smurf's Swindle rules
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Stockers (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 09:49
Great for the Club and good to see this continuity (in the backs division at least).
Benefit for Bruiser
Benefit for Bruiser
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: DaventrySaint (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 09:56
Probably my favourite re-signing, so I'm a very happy bunny!
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: undercoverposter1 (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 10:27
Well that should shut that pillock Richmond up....another example of how little he actually knows. Downey was a dead cert for Munster according to him!
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: OldPete (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 11:02
on this board we are a bit old fashioned - we prefer to disagree with people without calling them names !!
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Robby Richmond (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 11:04
eh?
The scrumcast radio show, a visceral and apoplectic rugby show featuring an idiot well known to many rugbynetwork regulars, now completely free of swears
download or subscribe here!
Join the facebook group and embrace the rugby madness with us!
The scrumcast radio show, a visceral and apoplectic rugby show featuring an idiot well known to many rugbynetwork regulars, now completely free of swears
download or subscribe here!
Join the facebook group and embrace the rugby madness with us!
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Lloydie (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 11:14
Good decision by both the club and Mr Downey. Fabulous!
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Big Bird© (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 11:24
Quote:undercoverposter1
Downey was a dead cert for Munster according to him!
He is, isn't he?
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: saintian (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 11:33
Top banana (both the player and the news that he has signed on the dotted line). The number and quality of players staying put just get better and betterer...
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Ben_D (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 16:42
Elastico Fantastico! Brilliant news, another of the hard grafters secured for a mission at the coal face. Well done Jim you know it makes sense.
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: Saint Dom (IP Logged)
Date: 05/02/2010 19:13
I am pleased. Well pleased...
Re: News: a Jimmie for Jimmies
Posted by: SaintPaddy (IP Logged)
Date: 06/02/2010 12:52
Excellent News he is at the heart of our backs defence. Jame Downey's Mom and Dad came to say hello to us when we were in a Limerick restaurant just prior to the Munster game in January. The parting comment from his Dad was please get him a (nice) girl friend.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:06:12:53:33 by SaintPaddy.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:06:12:53:33 by SaintPaddy.
More Northampton Saints headlines
- News: Thoughts from the Chron 18th March 2010
- News: LV= CUP FINAL: Saints vs Gloucester - Match Preview
- News: Saints Seal Semi, Send Sarries South Seeking Salvation
- News: Thoughts from the Chron 11th March 2010
- News: LV= Cup (SF): Northampton Saints vs Saracens - Preview
- Supporting on all fronts
- News: Life's a Beach as Saints leave Sale Dune and Out
- News: Thoughts from the Chron 4th March 2010
- News: GP: Sale Sharks vs Northampton Saints - Match Preview