Bernard O'Dowda explained

Bernard O'Dowda
Full Name:Bernard Clement O'Dowda
Birth Date:23 March 1874
Birth Place:India
Death Place:New Plymouth, New Zealand
Height:91 kg
Occupation:Brewer / Oil driller
School:Christ's College, Finchley
Position:Forward
Provinceyears1:1895–02
Repyears1:1901

Bernard Clement O'Dowda (23 March 1874 — 26 July 1954) was a New Zealand international rugby union player.[1]

Born in India, O'Dowda received his education at Christ's College, a school in London. He was a forward and played his early rugby with Brighton, from where he earned Sussex representative honours.[2]

O'Dowda immigrated to New Zealand in 1895 and two years later was called up by the All Blacks for an Australian tour, although he proved unable to make the trip.[3] His next opportunity came in 1901 and he made two uncapped appearances for his adopted country, a practice match against Wellington and a fixture against the visiting New South Wales team.[2]

A Taranaki player, O'Dowda was the first of three generations to play for the province, preceding son Clem and two grandchildren. He was also the father-in-law of All Black Ces Badeley.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Stir In Rugby Circles . . 4 July 1935.
  2. Web site: Barney O'Dowda #88 . stats.allblacks.com.
  3. News: Football . . 11 June 1897.