Eoin Harrington reporting from the Aviva Stadium
Bosun Lawal said he was “over the moon” to make his first appearance for Ireland at long last in Tuesday’s friendly stalemate against North Macedonia.
The 22-year-old replaced Jayson Molumby on the hour mark of Tuesday’s game, finally making his international debut during his fourth camp with the team.
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Lawal had previously been called up for the June 2024 friendlies against Hungary and Portugal, for last June’s friendly against Luxembourg, and for the September 2025 window of qualifiers against Hungary and Armenia, without playing a single minute.
He explained his pride at a long-awaited international bow, admitted he had been put in an unusual situation, making his bow in a game that nobody wanted to play, and played down club manager Mark Robins’ concerns he was not fully fit for this window.
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Bosun Lawal on Ireland debut
“Over the moon, really, to finally make my Ireland debut,” Bosun Lawal said in the mixed zone after Tuesday evening’s 0-0 draw against North Macedonia.
“It’s a dream come true to make my Ireland debut, playing from U15s all the way up. So yeah, just over the moon.”
Lawal said that he had members of his family in the stands for Tuesday’s game, and he greeted 10-11 of them as he left the field at full-time.
It was an unusual scenario to be plunged into for a maiden Ireland cap, after the heartbreak of Prague.
This was undoubtedly a game all players involved would have preferred not to play in, but Lawal said it was still an honour to be trusted in an Irish jersey.
Obviously, a very different type of game. Obviously, both teams don’t want to play this game, but I think everyone stuck to the plan and we managed to get ourselves into the game.
For me, of course, massive experience, and I’m grateful for it. But I just mean in terms of, obviously, we wanted it to be a final, but it is what it is.
Every game is the same, really. It’s just how you apply yourself to it. And that’s all that matters.
Lawal’s inclusion in this Ireland squad was something of a controversial topic, with his Stoke manager Mark Robins slating Heimir HallgrÃmsson for calling up Lawal before he had played a minute of club football upon returning from injury.
The midfielder would play down his manager’s concerns over his fitness.
“Yeah, I’m fit, raring to go,” Lawal said.
“I think it’s more about just easing me in and not letting me get too strenuous and get into the game.”
The above categorisation of Lawal as a “midfielder” is one some may contend is unfair, given the amount of club football he has played from centre-back.
However, he says he is happy to play anywhere once he is getting regular minutes at club and international level.
That eagerness to play is palpable from the way Lawal speaks, and he said he would be keen to be involved in May’s training camp in Spain with the Ireland team.
“My plan is just to get as many games as I can, hopefully now to the end of the season,” Lawal said.
“Then go into the camp, hopefully get called up. As I said, every time I wear that Ireland jersey, you just have to give it your all, so that’s what I’ll do.”
An admirable desire to play for his country, one that many fans will echo after his impressive debut off the bench on Tuesday night.
When asked if this will be the first of many Ireland caps, though, Lawal’s response spoke volumes.
I’ll leave that up to God. If God wants me to make many more, I’ll make many more.
Feet firmly planted on the ground. There could yet be a long career in green ahead for Bosun Lawal.
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