Paul Downey is best known for his sports paintings. He has a unique ability to capture the great power and bone-crashing movement of the heart-stopping, split-second moment that lifts the heart of a nation. His watercolours also freeze a special moment in nature - sky, light and colour in his impressionistic landscape paintings. Paul Downey's first solo exhibition 'The Games People Play' at the Frank Lewis Gallery in 1988 was highly acclaimed - paintings were reproduced in colour in the Irish Times, Cork Examiner and on the cover the the All Ireland Football Final programme. 'Horses, Hurlers and Hookers', Downeys next exhibition was opened by former Taoiseach Jack Lynch and presented by the Frank Lewis Gallery in Cork in May 1990. 'Split Second', his third exhibition was opened by Garda Commissioner Paddy Culligan in 1992. His painting of the 6th Killeen Killarney was featured on the front of the 1991 & 1992 Carrolls Irish Open Programme. `Heat to Haze', Downey's 1994 exhibition was opened by sports broadcaster Micheal O Muircheartaigh. His painting of Down and Dublin from this exhibition was used on the cover of the 1994 All Ireland Football Final Programme. 'Freeze', Paul Downey's 1996 exhibition was opened by sports commentator and former Kerry footballer Pat Spillane. 'Schemozzles', his 1998 exhibition was opened by sports commentator Weeshie Fogarty.