Callum O Dowda

Howya Mrs. Byrne, how's things? Did ye see Fair City tonight love?

johnvonp wrote: He scored the goal that saw Oxford promoted to League 1 a few days ago so he's a League 1 player now. I don't think he'll be leaving there this Summer and a year or two in that league will do him the world of good. There's no need to be getting carried away with him or dismissing him at this stage

Bitored wrote: pinkfloyd2016 wrote: A player who has spent most of the season in league 2 on the bench . Answer me this why is O' Dowda on the bench for a league 2 team if he is a good player. Jack Byrne has won man of the match awards against Ajax and PSV Einhoven. One of the games legends Patrick Viera compared him too Paul Scholes . Yes I do believe that Byrne is a better player than Hoolohan already . He is more techically gifted, has more vision , an eye for goal , can start attacks better, play the cross field pass .  IF he was put in the team he would be more influentia than Hoolohan as he can control a game from a deeper position . The kid is going to be a star for Ireland make no mistake . He can be our most influential player since Roy Keane. Because this is the first time anyone has ever compared any Irish player to Roy Keane. I seem to remember similar stuff being said about Liam Miller and Steven Reid. I wish the lad the best of luck but he has a hell of a lot to do.

richie_os wrote: pinkfloyd2016 wrote: johnvonp wrote: He scored the goal that saw Oxford promoted to League 1 a few days ago so he's a League 1 player now. I don't think he'll be leaving there this Summer and a year or two in that league will do him the world of good. There's no need to be getting carried away with him or dismissing him at this stage But people are getting carried away with him . O' Dowda has spent most of the season on the bench for a league 2 team . They are saying that all the big teams in the premier league are after him . A guy who isn't a first team player for a league 2 team.  Think about that .  You in fairness seem to be injecting a bit of realism in to this thread. You are right he will be in league one next year and he will more than likely spend a couple of years there . In my opinion because he has decent control of the ball , pace and can dribble a bit he might make the championship or perhaps a lower level team in the premier league but try telling that to people who have seen him play on this board . They think he is the future of Ireland's midfield .  I will be interested to see what Eamon Dunphy thinks about this . If he isn't baffled by O' Neill picking O' Dowd over Byrne I will be amazed. Yeah, and if Dunphy has a problem with something, it's definitely correct and certainly never hyperbole

TBF, by any logical measure Byrne should have been ahead of O'Dowda for the "wildcard" place in the squad. I really like O'Dowda, but he has been playing in L2 and hasn't even been a consistent starter for Oxford there. Byrne has been a regular starter and arguably the main player for a team playing in a better league. There's no obvious reason as to why O'Dowda would be picked ahead of Byrne unless as I speculated it's a case of O'Dowda being courted by England and they're afraid of losing him.


Edited by The O'Shea - 13 May 2016 at 12:24am

The O'Shea wrote: TBF, by any logical measure Byrne should have been ahead of O'Dowda for the "wildcard" place in the squad. I really like O'Dowda, but he has been playing in L2 and hasn't even been a consistent starter for Oxford there. Byrne is has been a regular starter and arguably the main player for a team playing in a better league. There's no obvious reason as to why O'Dowda would be picked ahead of Byrne unless as I speculated it's a case of O'Dowda being courted by England and they're afraid of losing him.

Watch now how people argue that League 2 is better than Eredivisie.

Andy_Eire wrote: The O'Shea wrote: TBF, by any logical measure Byrne should have been ahead of O'Dowda for the "wildcard" place in the squad. I really like O'Dowda, but he has been playing in L2 and hasn't even been a consistent starter for Oxford there. Byrne is has been a regular starter and arguably the main player for a team playing in a better league. There's no obvious reason as to why O'Dowda would be picked ahead of Byrne unless as I speculated it's a case of O'Dowda being courted by England and they're afraid of losing him. Watch now how people argue that League 2 is better than Eredivisie.

The problem is the quality within the Eredivisie differs greatly. I would certainly expect Oxford to beat Cambuur. Oxford United were a decent side this year. It would appear Byrne has had an OK season for them, who scored is used by a lot of scouts and journalists, hardly an exact science but it gives us a rough assessment . People are accused of being hyperbolic about O'Dowda, personally think he is further on in his developed, physically stronger and was the stand out player for the21s when I have watched them, it would appear those in position to judge would agree.
I really hope Byrne can get himself a better loan move next year and develop, especially physically, but to claim he is better than Hoolahan, who whatever my criticisms are is a good and proven footballer, is just lunacy.

pre Madonna wrote: Andy_Eire wrote: The O'Shea wrote: TBF, by any logical measure Byrne should have been ahead of O'Dowda for the "wildcard" place in the squad. I really like O'Dowda, but he has been playing in L2 and hasn't even been a consistent starter for Oxford there. Byrne is has been a regular starter and arguably the main player for a team playing in a better league. There's no obvious reason as to why O'Dowda would be picked ahead of Byrne unless as I speculated it's a case of O'Dowda being courted by England and they're afraid of losing him. Watch now how people argue that League 2 is better than Eredivisie. The problem is the quality within the Eredivisie differs greatly. I would certainly expect Oxford to beat Cambuur. Oxford United were a decent side this year. It would appear Byrne has had an OK season for them, who scored is used by a lot of scouts and journalists, hardly an exact science but it gives us a rough assessment . People are accused of being hyperbolic about O'Dowda, personally think he is further on in his developed, physically stronger and was the stand out player for the21s when I have watched them, it would appear those in position to judge would agree. I really hope Byrne can get himself a better loan move next year and develop, especially physically, but to claim he is better than Hoolahan, who whatever my criticisms are is a good and proven footballer, is just lunacy.

I know nothing about EPL clubs after him but his move to Derby fell through in January and I know Celtic were watching him. I am sure a quick google of his name and both clubs should show something up.