In 1922, Dowdall was a member of the St James's Gate team that won the first ever League of Ireland title and the first ever FAI Cup.
During the FAI Cup final against Shamrock Rovers, his skirmishes with Bob Fullam helped provoke post-match disturbances involving players and supporters.
[2] Together with Paddy Duncan, Thomas Murphy, Ernest MacKay and Michael Farrell, Dowdall was one of five players from St James's Gate, included in the Irish Free State squad for the 1924 Olympic Games.
After a spell with Fordsons, Dowdall played for both Barnsley and Swindon Town in the English League.
However, after the Irish were knocked out of the competition, they arranged to play a friendly with Estonia on 3 June at the Stade Olympique.