In the run-up to Thursday’s clash in Slovakia, O’Donoghue praised Stephen Kenny for his attention to the new manager’s details and man’s management.

Realizing that victory is needed to sustain their quest to qualify for Euro 2020 next summer, Ireland travel to Bratislava on Thursday, with the winners advancing to the final next month in Northern Ireland or Bosnia.

O’Dwyer has recovered from an injury sustained in Ireland ‘s 1-0 defeat to Finland last month. The Bristol City forward has been re-licensed for the Euro 2020 play after taking charge of two games as the new manager. -Off.

Although the former Oxford United man has only worked briefly under Kenny and his new administration, O’Dowd acknowledges that he is already experiencing more time, details described in a short time.

“I think Gaffer is brilliant,” O’Dowa said. “The attention to detail is probably the best I’ve ever worked on.

“I think it’s hard when you go to a new camp to overcome your philosophy.

“But I have had phone calls with managers and zoom meetings and I have more and more training sessions, which will get better from now on, and I think we will be more prepared for this game.”

“Players will always love to play for a manager who believes in them,” O’Dowa said after being selected in the first game of his reign, O’Dowa said he wants Kenny to regain his confidence.

“He has put a lot of faith in me and I wanted to get it back on the pitch instantly. I want to do my best for him, for the country and for myself.

“Players thrive when you ask for a manager, so he’s great with the current manager. We have had a few conversations, and his management department was very good. I can not say bad things about him.

“We haven’t even had two weeks in total, but I feel like I’ve worked with him longer.”

O’Dowa has not played for his club since suffering that injury in September, however, the attacking midfielder believes he deserves to go to the Euro play-offs.

“I had eight or nine days of full training, so I feel completely healthy now.

“I don’t think I’ve lost a lot of fitness in the last two weeks without being injured. I’ve maintained my fitness level and got off the pitch earlier.

“I think I’ll be ready if I choose.”

Without leaving any gray areas before the trip to Slovakia, O’Dowa gave an insight into the activities of the new manager whom the player trusted, making sure the squad knew exactly what to expect.

“We’ve only been here 24 hours a day, but we’ve done a few things in Slovakia.

“We’m going to chase well, we need a win, we need to get a win no matter what.”

O’Dowd said the manager was not trying to play everyone the same way and that his players should use their personal attributes in match situations.

“A lot of it is‘ you’re good players, do whatever you do ’so that instinct still exists in the last three.

“The boys impressed me and I impressed the managers so far.”

One thing that will leave the venue in Slovakia will be Ireland’s ardent Irish fans, who remember the joy inside the stadium when Ireland beat Cardiff Wales during the World Cup qualifiers.

“There were no fans in the stadium, it’s not the same. When Jimmy McLean scored the game against Wales, it was crazy, it’s very difficult to repeat.

“They’re the twelfth, and the boys know how important this is to the country.”

The biggest match of O’Donoghue’s career, the player who said he could really remember the build-up at Euro 2016, tried too late to include the then under – 21 player in the squad, but it was lost to Martin O’Neill’s last 23 for France.

“It simply came to our notice then [game of my career]. Four years ago I had a chance to go to the Euros and the feeling around the camp back then was incredible and everyone was so happy when I got to the set.

“When I went to the campaign, I wanted to be on the plane, but I don’t think I deserved to go anyway, the squad that went deserved to go.

“So I want us to be there again. Personally, I want to go.”

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