Cardiff City: Life coach helping Callum O'Dowda as Bluebirds hero revels in 'special' goal
- Published
Callum O'Dowda joined Cardiff City in June 2022 after being released by Bristol City
Following a torrid six months on the sidelines, Callum O'Dowda can be forgiven for fully enjoying his time in the spotlight.
The Cardiff City man made his long-awaited return from a groin injury earlier this month and scored a dramatic injury-time winner against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
And O'Dowda says his 100th-minute goal against the Tractor Boys will live long in the memory.
"That was special," he said.
"It's probably the best moment I have had in a Cardiff City shirt, 100%.
"It makes it even more special after being out for six months or so.
"The build-up, the whole journey I have had, coming back from the injury and having a little setback, I couldn't write it."
O'Dowda's elation following the Bluebirds' 2-1 triumph over Kieran McKenna's side came after a prolonged period of injury struggles.
Even before undergoing surgery earlier this season, the 28-year-old had been feeling pain.
"In pre-season I felt a bit of discomfort," explained the Irishman.
"I didn't really think anything of it. I am probably the type just to get on with it, but I probably should have disclosed it to the medical team and put my foot down.
"After the first four games, playing in a lot of pain, I had a scan and had an operation on a couple of things. It was hard, quite testing.
"But credit to the medical team. They have been really diligent with me, very persistent, dealing with my mood swings."
In addition to his Cardiff team-mates and the club's staff and medics, O'Dowda is grateful to his family, friends and two dogs Poppy and Murphy for supporting him through his rehabilitation.
But the former Bristol City and Oxford United man has also opened up on the pivotal influence of life coach Jamie Edwards, who has helped him throughout his career.
"Mentally it was hard watching the lads and itching to get back out there, so I am just happy I can contribute to this team," said the 27-cap international.
"There's more to me than football I'd like to think, but it is a massive part of my life.
"When you are not doing it, you feel like an impostor. Mentally it was testing.
"I live here on my own. That makes it difficult, especially early on when I was accepting how long I was going to be out for.
"It was tough. But I am open and honest. I express my feelings. I work with a really good life coach 24 hours a day and he has helped massively.
"I have worked with him in good times and bad, on the field and off the field. He will come and visit me or I will visit him.
"I think it's important. He has been with me on this journey all these years and he knows everything about me.
"He has helped me massively. I think it's important you look after yourself physically and you look after yourself mentally."
Having inspired Cardiff to a fourth successive win in only his third outing since returning from his lay-off, O'Dowda is now looking up.
Erol Bulut's team sit just five points adrift of the Championship's top six with nine matches of the regular season still to play.
And O'Dowda says Cardiff can relish their trip to Swansea City next weekend as they bid to continue their push for a play-off spot.
Cardiff City ended a run of four successive defeats against Swansea City with a 2-0 derby win in September 2023
"We are on a good wave at the moment and we need that to continue," he concluded.
"We have a really good squad. I think the foundations have been set and there is definitely a belief from everyone in the dressing room and hopefully the fans as well.
"We need to be consistent. We can't take our foot off it.
"It's a massive game on Saturday. I definitely know how much that means to this city, this club.
"The full focus is to get that one ticked off and I guess you never know."