Callum keen to take leaf out of sister’s book
CALLUM O’DOWDA was in Birmingham over the summer to see his sister Jade win heptathlon bronze at the Commonwealth Games.
It was her most significant breakthrough on the international stage to date and another proud moment for a family well accustomed to elite-level sporting prowess.
The 23-year-old then progressed to the European Championships in Munich, where she finished seventh and is hoping her achievements this summer are a launchpad for future success.
“They say she’s the proper athlete,” said her brother yesterday, as he looks to take a leaf out of her book by making his own impression on his return to the international fold with Ireland.
“She has worked extremely hard to get into this position and is exceptionally good at all of the events. I noticed it because I spent lockdown with her.”
O’Dowda, now a
Cardiff City player having left Bristol City over the summer, is back in the Ireland squad ahead of the Nations League games against Scotland and Armenia.
The last of his 23 caps came almost two years ago in a forgettable 1-0 defeat away to Wales, in the previous Nations League campaign.
Setbacks
Since then, the attacking wide man has been dogged by a series of injury setbacks and required surgery on a troublesome hamstring issue.
But having been a starter in Stephen Kenny’s first games as senior boss, he knew the Ireland boss wouldn’t give up on him.
O’Dowda (27) returned to the fold in late 2021 but was an unused sub in the World Cup qualifiers against Portugal in Dublin and Luxembourg away.
He then wasn’t in the squad for the six games to date this year but, buoyed by a new lease of life at Cardiff, is refusing to settle for just being back to make up the numbers.
O’Dowda wants to reclaim his starting berth in the Ireland team after admitting that he has not delivered on his international potential up to this point.
“I think that’s a fair comment,” he said last night. “I feel like I’ve a lot to offer and in club football as well.
“Whenever I really got going, I’d be hit down with an injury so I feel as though I’ve unfinished business in a way and the gaffer here (Kenny) has been great with me.
Loyalty
“There’s been phone calls and he was checking up on me to see how I am. I want to repay that loyalty he has had in me as I did start quite a few of his early games.”
O’Dowda continued: “I’m grateful to still be around the setup but I still feel I’ve a lot to offer.
“I don’t want to be one of those guys when I retire and people say injuries tarnished his career or he didn’t fulfil his potential because of injuries.
“Hopefully, touch wood, this is the season I can kick on and truly just get back to being at my best playing regular football.”
After nearly cracking Martin O’Neill’s Euro 2016 squad, despite only making his debut in the final warm-up game against Belarus, he wants to be on the big stage.
“Even though 2016 was such a long time ago, I could feel the buzz around the place with the excitement of going to a major tournament,” he added.
“Those are the things you thrive on. If we can get that back again, that’s what dreams are made of. It would be massive to be part of that.”