Supersub O’Dowda’s Footballing Rollercoaster
Carwyn Harris
The feeling of scoring a last-minute winner at home for a professional footballer is surely as good as it gets.
When Callum O’Dowda came on against Ipswich with a quarter of an hour of normal time remaining he would have been dreamt of helping his side to find a winner.
When Kieffer Moore scored for Ipswich five minutes later, it seemed that dream had ended.
But in the death throws of the game, O’Dowda played his part in Ryan Wintle’s equaliser before grabbing the winner in the 100th minute.
“That was special, the best moment I’ve had in a Cardiff City shirt,” said O’Dowda.
“I can’t remember the last time I had that feeling, it was probably years ago when I was at Oxford, the feeling is incredible especially going to that end and doing that with the lads is an even better feeling.
“The whole build-up and journey I’ve had, having a little set back in the last few weeks I couldn’t write it if I was going to plan out how it would be, bar next week [against Swansea] might’ve been a bit better!
“Is it the best moment of my career? It’s definitely up there.”
The release of running to the Canton Stand was increased by spending sixth months of the season on the sidelines with a groin injury with O’Dowda returning in a win against his former side Bristol City at the start of this month.
“In preseason I felt a bit of discomfort, but didn’t think too much of it,” said O’Dowda.
“I’m the type of character to get on with it but I should’ve just disclosed it to the medical team and put my foot down.
“The first four games I was playing with a bit of pain and then after the fourth it was too much, had a scan and then had an operation.”
Having “loved” the experience of playing regularly last season, making 40 appearances for Cardiff, O’Dowda found it difficult to spend so long on the sidelines.
“Mentally it was hard, it’s really testing watching the lads and itching to get back out there,” said O’Dowda.
“It does get you down, there’s more to me than football I’d like to think but it’s a massive part of my life, my bread and butter, when you’re not doing it, you feel a bit of an imposter, sat in the gym it’s hard.
“I haven’t been out that long or to that extreme before, but the belief was always there. I had a really good surgeon who filled me with a lot of confidence and the medical team here put the belief in me.”
Like most, O’Dowda turned to friends and family, but he also had the support of his cocker spaniels, Poppy and Murphy.
O’Dowda added: “I’ve got two lovely dogs who I love dearly, they’re my priority in life as well, looking after them, I sound like a dad now don’t I!”
“My family, my friends, they were there for me every step of the way but I live here on my own which makes it difficult through tough days and bad, especially early on when I was accepting how long I was going to be out for and not being able to contribute.”
Additionally, O’Dowda could turn to his life coach Jamie Edwards, someone who has been with him since the fledgling days of his professional career.
“He’s really good, available 24 hours a day and he helped massively,” said O’Dowda.
“I’ve worked with him from early on in my career, good times and bad, on and off the pitch.
“It’s a constant, he’s spent many nights in Cardiff, he’ll come and visit me, I’ll go and visit him, we have access to people here, but he’s been on this journey with me for many years and knows everything about me.
“He’s helped me massively, it’s important to look after yourself physically and mentally.”
O’Dowda’s return has coincided with a Cardiff’s recent upturn in form, unbeaten in their last five and making a late surge for the play-offs.
“I’m just glad to be able to contribute to this team and it’s looking quite positive,” said O’Dowda.
“We’re on a good wave on the moment and we need that to continue, we’ve got a really good squad and there is a belief from everyone in the dressing room and the fans as well.
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Moore Threat For Cardiff Defence
Carwyn Harris
Cardiff’s recent upturn in form faces its sternest test yet as the Bluebirds face Ipswich at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday 12:30 K.O.
The home side are on a run of three consecutive wins built on a rock-solid defence which has three clean sheets in their last four games.
That defence will be tested to its upmost when second in the table and Championship top scorers Ipswich come to town.
The Tractor Boys bolstered their attack in January with the signings of Ali Al-Hamadi, and Wales centre forward Kieffer Moore who was a Cardiff target but chose East England on loan from Premier league Bournemouth.
Since his move, Moore has already grabbed five goals in his eight games, one goal short of Cardiff’s joint top scorers in defender Perry Ng and forward Kion Etete.
Moore will surely be announced in Rob Page’s Wales squad on Wednesday for the Euro 2024 play-offs.
Fellow Ipswich players Wes Burns and Nathan Broadhead will hope to join for Wales’ game against Finland on the 21st of March, although Broadhead will need to shake off an injury picked up against Birmingham City at the end of February.
Broadhead has been in fine form this season, scoring 11 goals for Ipswich, second only to Conor Chaplin, while Burns has five.
Cardiff’s win at home to Huddersfield in midweek saw them rise back up to tenth, comfortably in mid-table.
The signing of defender Nat Phillips, on loan from Premier League leaders Liverpool, has coincided with four clean sheets in the eight games he’s played, compared to the seven in 29 games they had before his arrival.
Phillips is known for his defensive heading ability and has experienced at higher levels having played in the Champions League for Liverpool and Celtic.
With Moore standing at 6”5, Phillips’ aerial prowess will be needed to keep the Wales striker quiet when the two meet for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
Moore, Burns and Broadhead won’t be the only three players hoping to be part of Rob Page’s squad with Cardiff pairing of Aaron Ramsey and Rubin Colwill also hoping to be included.
As Wales captain, Ramsey would be almost guaranteed selection, were it not for his continued injury problems.
The former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder spent five months out with a knee injury suffered against Swansea in September, but upon his return suffered a further set back with a calf injury.
The injury seems to leave him in a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of Wales’ play-off qualifiers.
Ramsey’s Cardiff teammate Rubin Colwill will also be out to prove a point having flittered in and out of Rob Page’s squads in recent times.
The 21-year-old has made 29 appearances for Carduff this season, with the majority as a substitute and will be hoping to be involved again this Saturday.
Elsewhere, Swansea City, unbeaten in their last three, travel to Bristol City on Sunday, while Wrexham and Newport travel to Morecambe and Stockport on Saturday respectively.
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Lake - How Wales Beat France
Carwyn Harris
Wales host France this weekend hoping to get off the mark with a first win in this year’s Six Nations after successive losses against Scotland, England and Ireland respectively.
While there has been a lot of positives from Wales youngsters’ performances so far, the results are yet to follow, but Wales World Cup co-captain Dewi Lake believes that could change this Sunday.
Before the Six Nations Lake backed Wales to get two wins in the competition, with only home games against France on Sunday and Italy on the 16th of March, the pressure is on to make that prediction come true.
France labelled “a wounded animal” are without the injure Romain Ntamack and his replacement Matthieu Jalibert while talismanic nine Antoine Dupont is on sevens duty.
On this week’s Sportin Wales podcast, Lake maps out the key areas where Wales will need to perform to get their first win against France since the 2019 World Cup.
“You know what the French are like, they’ll go scrum, penalty, kick to the corner, then maul, penalty, kick to the corner, try,” said Lake.
“It can be as easy as that sometimes with a huge pack, Uini Atonio alone is 150kg!
“Set-piece will be massive! If you can get a solid foundation and give your backs a chance to play then you have a chance.”
French sides of old are known for their ‘jouez, jouez’ style, although the current team under Fabien Galthié and defence coach Shaun Edwards are used to more pragmatism.
Under former Wales coach Edwards, defence has become a focus, with France adopting a policy of not playing too much rugby in their own half.
“In the documentary, Edwards says if we’re in our own half, kick the ball,” said Lake.
“That kick tennis is where France will want to get on top. Edwards is a coach who often says defending is easier than attacking.
“The more rugby we can play in their half, build the scoreboard and hopefully we can end up on top.”
So can Wales win?
In short, Lake says yes! For that to happen the Principality Stadium crowd as always will have to play its part.
“We always do well against France, we play a similar game,” said Lake.
“The crowd behind you at the Principality is a boost, especially against a team like France who are a momentum team and have lost a bit of momentum at the minute.
“If you were playing in France, it might generate some momentum for them.”
Despite the home crowd, and France’s injury list Lake is still fearful of a French backlash.
“The problem with a wounded animal is they fight back and they’ll be coming for us,” said Lake.
“I think the boys will be up for it, a chance to play against a team who, before the World Cup, were probably the best in the world.
“We’ve got close the last couple of years and the best opportunity to take them to the sword will be this weekend.”
You can catch Lake’s full interview on episode 10 of the Sportin Wales podcast.
Winnett; Adams, Roberts, Watkin, Dyer; Costelow, Williams; Thomas, Elias, Assiratti, Rowlands, Beard, Jenkins (capt), Reffell, Wainwright.
Replacements: Dee, Domachowski, Lewis, Mann, Martin, Davies, Lloyd, Grady.
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How To Win At Cheltenham: From The ‘Horses’ Mouths
Carwyn Harris
Cheltenham festival starts next week with the expectation of punters descending to bet on their favourite fillies.
The festival begins on Tuesday March 12th and finishes on Friday 15th.
If you are planning on going down or fancy a flutter from the sofa, here are our pundits’ tips for Cheltenham from Episode 11 of this weeks Sport in Wales podcast.
The Trainer – Tim Vaughan
Tim Vaughan is a horse trainer based in Cowbridge.
Vaughan has trained more than 800 winners including 10 graded winners from the Pant Wilkin Stables.
He tips Fact to File to win in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase which is on at 14:10 on March 13th.
Vaughan: “Fact to File ran well in Ireland, only a two runner race that day, but by God was he impressive.
“The timing of it, he looks like a very nice horse.”
Another horse tipped for success by Vaughan is Teeshan in the Champion Bumper 17:30 March 13th.
The Jockey – Lorcan Williams
“He’s wrong about Teeshan,” said Williams.
“Paul Nichols has another horse in the Champion Bumper called Quebecois.
“Teeshan’s got a lot of hype around him because he won first time in a point to point very impressively and was bought for quite a bit of money.
“But Quebecois won in just as good style, who’s just got a lesser profile and I might be riding him in the Champion Bumper.”
The Bookie – DragonBet’s James Lovell
“Everyone thinks Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup [15th March at 15:30] is going to win, but I think it’s going to get beat.”
“This horse is obviously unbelievable, won last year and been brilliant.
“He ran around Christmas time and was absolutely awesome, the next time he ran, not quite as good.
“Although he’s a better horse than the rest in the field I think he might have peaked and won’t win the Gold Cup on Friday.”
Lorcan Williams – “I don’t know what he’s talking about to be honest! I think Galopin Des Champ will win.”
“Also, there’s a horse I’m riding in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle called Golden Ace, 16:50 on March 14th.
“I finished second on her in a grade two last year when she was a young horse and she’s developed and grown.
“She’s a lot stronger this year. Won her two only starts over the hurdles and in the mares’ hurdles so has a great chance.”
James Lovell: “Jockeys are notorious for being bad tipsters though!”
All three of our experts were speaking on this week’s Sport in Wales Cheltenham Special Podcast sponsored by DragonBet.
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Wales’ Six Nations According To Dewi Lake
Carwyn Harris
Dewi Lake may not be able to be on the pitch during this Six Nations as he recovers from a hamstring and groin tear, but it doesn’t mean he hasn’t been watching avidly.
Wales’ World Cup co-captain admits he doesn’t know “how to stop” being an avid fan despite finding it “tough” not being a part of Warren Gatland’s side.
Speaking on this week’s Sportin Wales podcast, Dewi Lake speaks about captaincy, the future of Welsh rugby and the players that have stood out for him.
‘Unlucky’ Wales
Wales’ first two losses, by a point to Scotland and two to England left them ruing missed opportunities but balancing that with the prospect of an exciting young team.
In Lake’s opinion, Wales have been “unlucky” to be zero from three so far in the Six Nations.
“Wales have put some really nice stuff together, but it’s just been that final hurdle,” said Lake.
“The Scotland game it was that first hurdle, the first half, but the second was great, Scotland just had enough points on the board.
“It was the opposite in the England game, incredible first half, but the final 20 minutes they let England back into the game.”
Wales then travelled to Dublin in week three to face an Irish side aiming to make history as the first side to record back-to-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations era.
“Against Ireland it was more like the Scotland game, 17-0 down that first half, but Wales had their chances,” said Lake.
“The defence stood out in that game against probably the best team on the world stage right now.”
Youngsters shining bright
With the international retirements of Dan Biggar, Leigh Halfpenny, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric in 2023 and the injuries to Jac Morgan and Taulupe Faletau, Wales have been forced to look for alternative options.
This has seen Wales field some young players, with half an eye to the next World Cup cycle.
Speaking on the podcast, Lake was full of praise for two players who made their debuts this Six Nations.
“Against England, Cam Winnett was outstanding again,” said Lake.
“He’s been a real gem in this Six Nations.
“Also, Alex Mann, he’s been awesome in the jersey so far.”
Lake also said the performance of forwards Gareth Thomas and Tommy Reffell in their backs to the wall display against Ireland was “class”, a game where Reffell was the top tackler with 21.
Experience crucial to bring youngsters through
For Winnett, Mann and Mackenzie Martin, who made his debut against Ireland, this year has been a real whirlwind in their first full professional seasons.
All three have since received contract extensions at their region Cardiff, seeing them extend their progress in Welsh rugby.
Lake is at pains to stress the role experienced players such as Gareth Davies, Adam Beard and Tomos Williams have in bringing the youngsters through.
“You look at the talent in that squad at a very young age, it is a group that has a lot of potential,” said Lake.
“International rugby is a step up from regional rugby, so having those boys there as well will really help guide the young players at the minute.
“In a couple of years’ time, if the young boys keep developing at the rate they are, they’ll be incredible.”
While patience is the word for such a young team, international rugby is a results-based business.
Having spent the last three games watching as a supporter, Lake understands the appetite for immediate success.
“It’s tough as a fan to watch because you always want to win,” said Lake.
“That’s always the tough bridge to cross, watching and thinking ‘In a couple of years you’ll be incredible’ but you want to win now from a selfish fan perspective.”
Hopefully, Wales can return to winning ways at the Principality Stadium against France on Sunday.
Dewi Lake was speaking on Episode 10 of Sportin Wales’ podcast which is out now.
