Ireland still to gain from O’Dowda’s fringe benefits
WHEN meeting Callum O’Dowda, it is virtually impossible to conceive how he might share his name with a potentially destructive meteorological storm.
For those of a certain vintage, a ‘Callum’ reeks of polite village fêtes, church choirs and bowling greens.
Then again, a recent survey in England revealed that ‘Callum’ was a name that teachers identified as being potentially the most disruptive pupils.
There is more to Callum than meets the eye, then. More to Callum O’Dowda, too. And a sense also that Ireland under Martin O’Neill have yet to unearth his true worth.
Since impressing in a pre-Euro 2016 friendly against Belarus in Cork, to the point where he was named 24th man for that summer’s squad, O’Dowda has flitted in and out of O’Neill’s plans and, notwithstanding some injury woes, has struggled to reciprocate the manager’s obvious respect.
In a midfield sector where nobody – at least since the retirement of Wes Hoolahan – can claim since Euro 2016 to have established their role, capable of influencing the game and players around them, O’Dowda’s fringe benefits have been strangely under-utilised.
The return of Denmark to these shores reminds us not only of this, but the wider concerns of a selection and tactical approach which remains wildly inconsistent, with perhaps the only recurring trend a reversion to conservatism when pressure is applied.
In Copenhagen last year, a creditable if artless 0-0 was achieved in the first leg of the World Cup play-off, with O’Dowda as a spring-heeled outlet on the left-hand side.
We watched him closely that night and admired his toil within the restrictions of an overtly cautious display.
Keeping one eye on Pione Sisto, O’Dowda won a couple of early throws deep in Danish territory before steadily retreating, yet it was his subtle pass that created a wonderful run and set-up from Cyrus Christie late in the first half.
Yet it became obvious the longer the night went on that, with almost two-thirds of the pitch to defend, his ability to attack was limited by the system and style of the team.
Still, Ireland returned to Dublin with a job half-done; ultimately, though, the Danes would complete it for them.
O’Neill’s fug of confusion, transmitted to his players, was notable that night; so too his choice of personnel.
O’Dowda’s removal for the returning David Meyler may not have been a shock but Hoolahan’s absence certainly was.
And O’Dowda’s ability to cover space was sorely missed; having manned two-player corners just a few days earlier, Harry Arter suddenly found himself isolated at a setpiece against two Danes.
Two-one down and the game was nearly up as Ireland were forced to chase it. And then, when panic gripped the manager at half-time, O’Dowda, whose trickery, pace and energy might have re-focused the side, yielded to the less than glittering symbol of Ireland’s midfield modesty, Aiden McGeady.
A stroppy Robbie Brady remained, presumably for his consistent ability to hit near-post defenders from corner kicks, while O’Neill divined the dexterous feat of re-deploying Jeff Hendrick from one anonymous position to another.
Unused
O’Dowda remained on the bench as he watched another major tournament slip away.
He was given another opportunity against Wales last month but like the rest of his colleagues, suffered in the demoralising defeat; it was easily his most limited impact in green. A black mark.
He rebounded in the friendly against Poland but it remains to be seen if that will be enough to restore him to the forefront of O’Neill’s thoughts this evening as he seeks to establish a certain foothold in the Irish side.
“As I’m getting older I think I’m starting to grow into it a bit more,” says the 23-yearold Bristol City man. “I’m trying to become more established in the team. And I want to be involved in the major competitions. That’s what I want to do.
“You’ve got these Nations League games, the Euros and then the next World Cup – I’m already thinking towards that.
“I know I was close to the Euros when I first came in and being around the squad then was probably one of the most enjoyable times of my career.
“Just being a part of it. I didn’t even go, but I loved every minute of it.”
But to appear on the big stage, Ireland need to prove themselves off-Broadway.
A second successive chastening competitive defeat against Wales exposed shortcomings.
The Polish friendly is hardly a litmus test of revival but, for now, it is the only comfort to which O’Dowda, and his teammates, can cling.
“You have games like that against Wales. It’s football. And you have to give them credit, they were good on the night as well. But we should have been a lot better than that which was the annoying thing about it. I’m actually getting frustrated just talking about it now, if I’m being honest.
“I thought they dominated us and it hurts me to say it. I wouldn’t say we rolled over. I’d just say it was one of those games where we didn’t have much of the ball.
“They were very possession-based, they had good players and a good formation on the night. But we’ve learned from that.
“In the Poland game I thought we were a lot better. We just know in ourselves that we can’t be putting in performances like Wales.
“Against Poland, we’ve learned from it and I think it showed in the way we came out and everyone was braver on the ball and, out of possession, creating angles and stuff. It was just a better game all around.”
But tonight is the real deal. “It’s the biggest stage and that’s why you play football. These are the moments you live for.”
O’Dowda is an amiable sort, yet one senses his peripheral influence needs a defining display to really propel him into the spotlight
Can Ireland – and players like O’Dowda – show the best side of themselves?