CALLUM O’Dowda joined Twitter in March 2013 but hasn’t left much of a footprint on social media. He’s tweeted just 548 times in over six years.
The Bristol City winger has made a conscious decision not to have any social media Apps on his phone.
Recalled to the Republic of Ireland set-up for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers with Denmark and Gibraltar after injury ruled him out of the side’s two 1-0 victories over Gibraltar and Georgia in March, O’Dowda sees social media as an unnecessary distraction.
O’Dowda says there is too much negative energy on social media platforms and has witnessed how some young footballers have suffered as a result because of something that was said on Twitter.
“You see it affects them. That's why I'm not on Twitter or Instagram; I don't have them on my phone. Even if close friends message me, I won't see it. The only way they can get me is through my phone number, really... I can't remember the last time I went on twitter or anything like that.
“People don't see how it affects players. I haven't seen it this season but I have seen it in previous seasons with younger players looking at what certain people are saying. I've not seen it at international level. I keep away from it.”
“Someone said to me years ago at Oxford, you don't need to listen to anyone except your manager.”
It’s common practice for a player’s agent to run their Twitter account so that they can shelter their client from negative comments.
“I know players who have people who look after the accounts. That's the way it is nowadays,” O’Dowda says.
O’Dowda’s last tweet was on March 2 in reply to his father congratulating him for making his 100th appearance for Bristol City.
It was soon after making that century O’Dowda suffered a knee injury with his last action coming against Leeds United on March 9.
However, O’Dowda doesn’t have to be on social media to realise the rumours linking him with a move to Leeds United.
The 24-year-old refused to be drawn on his future at Bristol City and he still has a year’s contract to run at Ashton Gate.
He also rejected other rumours that there was tension between him and manager Lee Johnson because he couldn’t break into the side towards the end of the season, where Bristol finished eighth in the Championship.
“I think the relationship between myself and Lee Johnson has been healthy. I see him as someone who has improved me a lot. We're always open with each other and if I need to speak to him, I will.
“It was the last couple of games I was gaining my fitness back and training. He had his team and didn't want to unsettle it because I had been out for a significant amount of time.”
If there were creative tensions, O’Dowda maintains he’s become a better player under Johnson.
“If someone saw me who had never watched me play, they would say I'm a very direct and quick player who uses his strengths to influence the game more. I scored a couple of goals just from my pace and running in behind, whereas two years ago I would always want to go looking for the ball and who plays the final pass instead of being on the opposite end of it.”
O’Dowda earned 15 caps under O’Neill and even though he was the baby of the senior squad he was desperately close to sneaking into the Euro 2016 squad.
At the Republic’s pre-tournament training camp in Fota Island, O’Dowda turned out to be the 24th man of a 23-man squad that was bound for France.
“That was such a good experience,” he says. “I was young at the time and playing League Two football [with Oxford United]. I went to Bristol City a few weeks after that but the change in tempo was very good for me as it helped me adapt when I got to Bristol City.
“There were times when I thought: 'I could get in here' but in a way, the players who had done well on the international scene and club level deserved it more than me and Martin O'Neill had to be loyal to the players who got him there. I did understand it, but I was young at the time and desperate to go.”
O’Dowda’s versatility undoubtedly boosts his chances of getting some game-time over the next few days as he has performed in a wide role as well as part of a narrow midfield three on the international stage.
“I had a great time with Martin O'Neill and all his staff. Obviously results started to not go our way and you know what football is like, things change. It was a disappointing and frustrating year with the national side last year but things are looking positive already with the two results we've had and hopefully we can get a result on Friday [against Denmark]. I want to be part of another successful campaign.”
O’Dowda adds: “I remember when Mick was at Ipswich he was familiar with me and would have watched loads of Championship games. Mick is constantly chatting to me during and after training and although I don't know him as well as others having missed the last trip, I feel that we are all in the same boat. There is definitely a good relationship there."
