Ann Downey made the big call and Malone delivered the goods for Kilkenny camogie team

One of the first phone calls Ann Downey made upon returning as Kilkenny camogie manager earlier this year was to 21-year old Julie Ann Malone.

Downey had coached Malone at WIT and despite the latter’s prominence when picking up four county senior medals with her native Mullinavat, Malone had been overlooked by recent Kilkenny managements both at senior and intermediate level.

Downey brought the student nurse into the senior squad and made her a permanent fixture in the half-forward line. On Sunday after noon, the young forward repaid the faith shown in her — Malone hit four points from play on her Croke Park debut to garner the player of the match crystal.