Callum O'Dowda does not believe that there is any issue with Ireland’s confidence levels following a tough week for the national team.
Ireland were beaten by Norway in Dublin on Thursday and failed to impress in Malta on Sunday night as they struggled past their hosts, winning by the slenderest of margins.
O’Dowda was one of the positives to take from the international window as he impressed in the left wing-back role against Norway, while providing an eye-catching cameo against Malta, hitting the woodwork late in the game.
"I think every international game is a tough one," said O’Dowda, speaking to RTÉ Sport after the game.
"It was a tough game and I think we dominated the ball well and credit to Robbo [Callum Robinson], he was brilliant to sniff out the ball and it was good finish.
"I wouldn’t say lacking in confidence, I didn’t see that personally," added O’Dowda, when asked if that was the case with the team underperforming in Malta.
"When you play against teams with a solid 5-4-1 formation, it is tough when you try to break teams down."
Looking ahead to the start of the Euro 2024 campaign, O’Dowda felt that it will stand to him by getting to play in the two friendly encounters, however, he knows that team selection will mostly be dictated by club form ahead of the vital France match.
"I think a lot of it is dictated by how you are playing at your club, because that is where you are week in week out
"I think it was good for me to get the run out with the two friendlies, because it would have been easy to have the time off. So it was just to get the lads in, the culture, the principles, keep going and stuff, leading into the game in March."
Player of the match Jamie McGrath, meanwhile, admitted that it was great to be back involved with the international side following a tough nine months at club level.
The creative midfielder’s move to Wigan in January led to a prolonged spell on the sidelines, failing to break into the team at his new club, however, he has found his form again in Scotland this season since going on loan to Dundee United.
"It was tough. We tried to break the lines as much as we could - it’s something we’ve been working on," said McGrath, speaking to RTÉ Sport after the narrow win in Malta.
"We know we have to get better at it. They made it tough for us. They’re compact. We had to move the ball a bit quicker and we knew if we were patient enough, our time would come.
"Our goal was probably fortunate enough but I think we deserved it.
"I could always do better, key passes, turn more on the ball, be more positive," added McGrath, when asked about his hopes of being involved in March. "But it’s been a year since I’ve been in the green shirt so it’s great to be back."
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