Downey's first year as a senior ended with defeat by St Flannan's College in the 2020 Harty Cup final.
[2] He captained CBC to the Dr O'Callaghan Cup title after a 3–13 to 1–12 defeat of Gaelcholáiste Mhuire an Mhainistir Thuaidh in March 2022, in what was his last game for the school.
[6] Downey won a Seandún U21B FC title with the Glen's sister club St Nick's in 2024.
Success in this grade was immediate with Downey claiming Munster and All-Ireland U20HC medals in 2021 after respective defeats of Limerick and Galway.
[14] Downey was still a school student when he was called into the Cork senior hurling team by manager Kieran Kingston in 2022.