CALLUM O’DOWDA, one of Irish football’s brightest prospects, has been signed on a three-year deal by Championship club Bristol City.
21-year-old winger O’Dowda moves to Ashton Gate from Oxford United, where he made 50 appearances last season as they clinched promotion to League One as runners-up.
English-born O’Dowda is a regular for Ireland’s U21s and received his first call-up to the senior squad for the friendly game against the Netherlands back in May.
Although he didn’t feature at the Aviva Stadium, manager Martin O’Neill was impressed by the youngster and allowed him to remain with the team for their week-long pre-Euro 2016 training camp in Cork.
In the warm-up match against Belarus at Turner’s Cross, O’Dowda was handed his senior debut and showed glimpses of his potential during a 15-minute cameo.
He joins former Ireland U21 defender Derrick Williams at the Robins, who finished 18th in England’s second tier last term.
“He’s a real emerging talent,” said Bristol head coach Lee Johnson. “He’s very mobile, comfortable on the ball and hungry to improve. He’s got a great personality, which is conducive to having a very good career.
“Callum isn’t exactly under the radar because there was a lot of interest in him, so we’re delighted he’s joined us; we believe he can continue the progression he has already shown.
He’s only just broken into the Republic of Ireland squad and is being spoken about as one for the future. I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback in terms of his quality and personality.
“I think if you asked him, he’d say he’s best cutting in from the right-hand side, but he can operate in a ball-carrying number ten role and is also an accomplished left-sided midfielder. I like being fluid and Callum offers us versatility.”
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R.I.P. gone to that Grandstand in the sky.
The voice of many moments of sports history.
To be honest A question of Sport was never the same without him when he left .
Class Commentator with a strong Irish connection – called some great and famous events – set such a high standard for his craft !
A fantastic voice to listen to,one of those unique ones that you would pick out in an instant without seeing a face. may he RIP.Ya kinda know you’re getting old yourself when you remember all these fantastic commentators from the pre SKY Sports era,the likes of Dickie Davis,John Motson,Jimmy Hill,Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves. Used to love the Saint and Greavsie show,ah happy memories come flooding back to simpler times. I’ll finish with one of his legendary gaffes,made me smile,hope it does the same for you. “And here’s Moses Kiptanui – the 19-year-old Kenyan who turned 20 a few weeks ago”.
Don’t forget oul harry carpenter. .another with a remarkably distinctive voice.
And Bill Mc Laren, and Peter O Sullivan. The BBC produced sone great commentators.
RIP shur we all grew up with him.
He was a great commentator, he could make a boring match exciting.
My dad says he remembers watching a program in 1964 called sportsnight on BBC and the TV picture was very fuzzy the host was David Coleman.
A word way over used these days but he is a true legend
Class act. R.I.P.
RIP another ledgendary BBC commentator….
His name lives on in Colmanballs at the Private Eye
Very distinctive commentator. Reminded me of Brian Moore, another class act.
The BBC/ITV have been blessed with some great commentators down through the years, Dan Maskell, David Coleman, Brian Moore, Ted Lowe, John Motson, Barry Davies, David Vine, Tony Gubba, and Murray Walker to name a few. David Coleman was one of the greats, and is yet another one of the great commentators now no longer with us, may he rest in peace. Finally for those who know their commentators, this is a list of the top ten commentators of all time as voted by readers of the Daily Mail in 2009.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1131862/THE-LIST-10-1-favourite-sports-commentators-time.html.
Grandstand on Saturday was brilliant,a great commentator,rest In peace.
“Don’t tell those coming in on the final result of that fantastic match, but let’s just have another look at Italy’s winning goal.”
R.I.P David, many great commentaries over the years.