Callum O’Dowda dreaming of making World Cup Russia trip

From supporting Ireland at Euro fanzones last summer to being part of the squad aiming for World Cup qualification, Callum O’Dowda has enjoyed quite a year.

This time 12 months ago, the pacey winger had left Cork having earned his first cap against Belarus and heartened by Martin O’Neill’s promise of further action after the Euros.

O’Dowda has since made himself a mainstay of the squad, earning his competitive breakthrough in Moldova last October when Ireland needed a spark to avoid an upset, and can be depended on by his manager to change a game when required.