ONE OF IRELAND’S most promising goalkeepers made his debut at senior level yesterday.
Man City’s Ian Lawlor, who has only just signed on loan at Barnet, made his debut for the League Two side yesterday.
Lawlor has played for Ireland at U19 and U21 level, while he joined up with the senior squad ahead of a series of friendlies in May of last year.
The 21-year-old Dubliner also made the headlines when he was named in Man City’s Champions League squad in the 2013-14 season.
Lawlor joined Barnet on emergency loan after goalkeeper Jamie Stephens picked up an injury, while Stephens himself was only in the team after former Ireland U21 goalkeeper Graham Stack got sidelined.
Football League rules state that the loan can only be renewed for another week if a medical certification is provided.
Speaking on the deal, Brenford boss Martin Allen told reporters: “We couldn’t find another goalkeeper because every team wants to have four or five nowadays. Manchester City have got five so we managed to get in their fourth choice because I know someone there quite well.”
Of Lawlor’s display in yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Yeovil, the Western Gazette reported:
There were some nerves early on from the visiting defence and in particular their emergency on loan goalkeeper Ian Lawlor from Manchester City, who flapped early at a Wes Foden cross before almost allowing a Dickson corner to sneak straight in at the near post.
“However, Lawlor redeemed himself shortly after when a Zoko cross eventually found Matty Dolan on the edge of the box and despite the midfielder’s low shot being deflected the young ‘keeper did well to get his body behind it.”
Having not made any of Ireland’s squads for competitive matches, his chances of being selected in the Euros squad are remote.
However, with Shay Given, Darren Randolph and David Forde all struggling for first-team football this season, if Lawlor can put a run of games together, he may have an outside chance of putting himself in the reckoning.
Shay Given / Twitter
Shay Given / Twitter / Twitter
