Callum O’Dowda has ‘unfinished business’ ahead of Ireland’s Nations League games
Callum O’Dowda does not want to be remembered as a footballer who could have had a great international career.
The Cardiff midfielder only just missed out on a place in the Republic of Ireland squad which went to Euro 2016 as a 21-year-old, but established himself as a regular in the years that followed.
However, now 27, he has not represented his country since a 1-0 Nations League defeat in Wales in November 2020 with a succession of injuries proving a frustrating obstacle to his progression.
As he prepared for what he hopes will be his comeback against Scotland on Saturday, O’Dowda said: “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’.
“Touch wood, this is the season I can kick on and truly just get back to being at my best playing regular football.”
He is doing just that in Wales having ended his six-year stay at Bristol City this summer at the behest of Cardiff boss Steve Morison, only to see him sacked at the weekend after a 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield.
O’Dowda said: “I’m disappointed. I felt we as players owed a lot to Steve Morison. He was the one that did it for me, he was the one that got it over the line.
“I need to be careful what I say, but I’m quite disappointed with it all. But I guess, that’s football.”
Asked if he had not achieved his potential with Ireland, he said: “I think that is a fair comment.
“I feel as though I have unfinished business in a way, and the gaffer here [Stephen Kenny] has been great with me with phone calls and 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 also has ground to make up on his younger sister Jade, who won bronze for England behind compatriot Katarina Johnson-Thompson in the heptathlon at this summer’s Commonwealth Games.
He said: “I was extremely proud. It was lovely. I went to watch her in Birmingham and she did fantastically.”
He added with a smile: “They say she is the proper athlete.”