Eoin Harrington reporting from Ireland camp at FAI HQ
Bosun Lawal could become an Ireland senior international this weekend, with the 22-year-old named in an Irish squad for the second time.
The Stoke City youngster can play in both defence and midfield, and could be in line to feature against Hungary on Saturday in the opening game of the World Cup qualifiers.
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First called up in the summer of 2024, Lawal was also a late call-up to the squad for this June’s friendly against Luxembourg but ultimately did not feature off the bench.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Lawal said that the camp had been a hugely valuable experience, even if he did not get any game time.
He also revealed that a last-gasp phone call from assistant head coach John O’Shea had made sure a scheduled holiday to Malta did not get in the way.
I spent a lot of time in Ireland before I got the call up but then I booked a flight for theFriday that I got called up.
I was about to get on a flight [to Malta] in a couple of hours and then John O’Shea rang me. I just said, ‘Yeah I’ll come in!’ It was a no brainer.
It’s always an honour to play for Ireland, to get called up for Ireland and any opportunity that comes around for playing or getting called up for Ireland, I’ll always take it, no matter what.
That call-up came after a fiercely difficult season, during which Lawal made only six senior club appearances.
However, he credited Heimir HallgrÃmsson for helping him through the mental battle of spending so much time on the sidelines.
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Bosun Lawal reflects on injury layoff ahead of mega World Cup window
It’s been 15 months since Bosun Lawal donned a green jersey, and he was gutted to miss out on the heartbreaking end to Jim Crawford’s U21 team’s Euro qualifying campaign.
A stress fracture in his back stunted his progress last season at Stoke, with Lawal only managing to return to regular action in the closing weeks of the season.
“It was tough missing out on the 21s campaign,” Lawal said on Tuesday.
“It was the business end of trying to qualify but there’s nothing I could have done really, I’m just happy to be back in the set-up, I’ve worked very hard and thank God I’m back.”
A senior call-up for Ireland immediately after returning from that injury layoff was a massive boost in his confidence.
“I think it helped me mentally,” Lawal said of his call-up in June.
Things probably weren’t going as well as I wanted them to go but I obviously got the call-up. It made me realise that I am still a good player. It was good that he showed faith in me to call me up after the tough season I had last year. It really goes help me mentally, to keep going.
Heimir HallgrÃmsson’s treatment of young players in the Ireland setup has been greatly appreciated by Lawal.
“He’s great. Straightway made me feel welcome,” Lawal said.
“Told me what he was looking for in me. Told me the qualities I have, the stuff I need to improve in, which always makes a good manager. He’s top with the young lads and everyone around him.”
Faith was also pivotal for Lawal during his battles with injury and falling out of favour at Stoke.
I’ve always had this since I was young. My mum’s very… I came from a very Christian background. Parents are both very heavy on God. So I think it’s been installed in me. And then over time, I’ve just kind of seen different things happen in my life, just around. And then, yeah, it’s just made my faith go stronger.
At the end of the day… There’s some things that are just out of your control that you can’t do. You can’t control. You can only control what you can control. That’s what it was, really.
Bosun Lawal has come through one of the most difficult periods of his career stronger than ever, and stands on the verge of an Ireland debut this weekend.
The Boys in Green face Hungary in a pivotal World Cup qualifier on Saturday night, with kick-off at 7:45pm. The game is live on RTÉ 2 and limited tickets are still available.
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