Ian Lawlor

Lawlor's father, John, was a goalkeeper at a junior level and inspired his son, helping him with training beyond that which was scheduled for him. As part of this training, Lawlor would often watch videos of Oliver Kahn.

His first youth club was St. Malachy's in Edenmore, from which he moved to the more high-profile Home Farm academy. Here he was spotted by Manchester City scout Mick Collins.{{Cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ian-lawlor-factfile-30304281.html|title=Ian Lawlor Factfile|last=Fallon|first=John|date=26 May 2014|work=Independent.ie|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en}}

Lawlor went to school at Chanel College in Dublin, playing football for his school team.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cquinnphotography.com/v/photos/37793dms/425613610/x19-may-2010-chanel-college-team|title=Image CQU 4358|last=Quinn|first=Caroline|date=19 May 2010|website=www.cquinnphotography.com|access-date=19 September 2017}}

In Lawlor's first season he suffered a dislocated shoulder, ruling him out for most of the season.{{Cite news|url=http://www.the42.ie/ian-lawlor-interview-manchester-city-ireland-1101973-Sep2013/|title=Interview: Lawlor pulling out all the stops at Man City|last=Blake|first=Ben|date=27 September 2013|work=The42|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en}} Lawlor was a regular for Manchester City's development side, initially taking the number one spot following Eirik Johansen's loan to Scunthorpe United. He went on the club's first team tour of Austria in the pre-season of 2012–13 and continued his battle for the under-21 goalkeeping spot against Johansen and Angus Gunn. In the 2013–14 season, Lawlor was involved with the first team on the nights of some Champions League matches.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/teen-dream-comes-at-a-price-for-irish-players-in-england-253259.html|title=Teen dream comes at a price for Irish players in England|last=Fallon|first=John|date=20 December 2013|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=19 September 2017}} He also played both legs as the development side lost the Under-21 Premier League Cup final to Reading.{{Cite news|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-crowned-u21-premier-7010839|title=Reading FC crowned U21 Premier League Cup champions|last=Watts|first=Charles|date=20 April 2014|work=getreading|access-date=19 September 2017}} Lawlor was included in the squad for a 2014–15 pre-season friendly against Sporting Kansas City.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/the-full-90/article772113.html|title=Manchester City releases roster ahead of friendly with Sporting KC|last=Gooch|first=Charles|date=20 July 2014|work=The Kansas City Star|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en}}

Lawlor received his first experience of playing senior football following an emergency loan move Barnet on 13 December 2015, necessitated by injuries to Graham Stack and Jamie Stephens. He went straight into goal for a match against Yeovil Town.{{Cite web|url=http://www.times-series.co.uk/sport/14142201.Lawlor_signed_on_emergency_loan_to_cover_Stephens_injury/|title=Barnet have signed Manchester City goalkeeper Ian Lawlor on an emergency loan to deputise for the injured Jamie Stephens|last=Bodell|first=Tom|date=13 December 2015|website=Times Series|access-date=19 September 2017}} Lawlor made a total of 5 appearances, keeping one clean sheet.

His displays at Barnet and youth level then earned him a loan move Bury for the rest of the season on 7 January 2016, a side who had monitored him for some time.{{Cite news|url=https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/2016/january/keeper-lawlor-joins-bury/|title=Keeper Lawlor joins Bury|date=7 January 2016|work=Bury FC|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en-gb}} He made his debut 2 days later in an FA Cup match against Bradford City, in which he kept a clean sheet.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35211668|title=Bury 0-0 Bradford City|date=9 January 2016|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en-GB}} He made his league debut for the club on 16 January 2016 in a 3–2 loss to Walsall.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35270047|title=Bury 2-3 Walsall|date=16 January 2016|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en-GB}} In the FA Cup replay against Bradford City, Lawlor saved two penalties as a 10-man Bury emerged victorious from the shootout.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35289199|title=Bradford City 0-0 Bury (2-4 pens)|date=19 January 2016|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en-GB}} In the next round Lawlor conceded a Chuba Akpom hat-trick as Bury went out of the cup to Hull City in the fourth round.{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/bury-vs-hull-city/353757|title=Bury 1-3 Hull City: Chuba Akpom scores hat-trick|date=30 January 2016|work=Sky Sports|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en}} Lawlor went on to make 12 league appearances, keeping five clean-sheets, and three FA Cup appearances for the Shakers.

Lawlor joined the Manchester City first team again in pre-season for a match against Bayern Munich, alongside Willy Caballero and fellow youth teamers Angus Gunn and Billy O'Brien.{{Cite news|url=http://www.the42.ie/ian-lawlor-manchester-city-2882692-Jul2016/|title=Pep Guardiola gives Irish goalkeeper a chance to impress on Man City's pre-season tour|last=Costello|first=Shane|date=17 July 2016|work=The42|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en}} Lawlor was assigned the number 45 for the upcoming season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2016/september/city-announce-2016-17-squad-numbers|title=CITY'S 2016/17 SQUAD NUMBERS ANNOUNCED|last=Clayton|first=David|date=1 September 2016|website=Manchester City|language=en|access-date=19 September 2017}} Going into the January transfer window Lawlor was linked with a move to League One with Bury and Chesterfield or League Two with Doncaster Rovers and Portsmouth.{{Cite news|url=http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/01/12/clubs-hunt-manchester-city-goalkeeper-ian-lawlor/page/1/|title=Clubs hunt Manchester City goalkeeper Ian Lawlor|last=Bailey|first=Graeme|date=12 January 2017|work=Here Is The City|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en}}

Lawlor was signed by League Two leaders Doncaster Rovers on 13 January 2017 to compete with first team goalkeepers Marko Maroši and Ross Etheridge.{{Cite web|url=http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/lawlor-signs-on-3516195.aspx|title=Lawlor signs on|date=13 January 2017|website=Doncaster Rovers F.C.|access-date=13 January 2017}} He made his debut for the club a day later against former loan club Barnet, conceding once in a 3–1 away win to solidify Rovers position at the top of the table.{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/barnet-vs-doncaster/359514|title=Barnet 1-3 Doncaster: Leaders come from behind to win|date=14 January 2017|work=Sky Sports|access-date=17 September 2017|language=en}} Lawlor made his home debut a week later, again conceding once in a 3–1 win over Crewe Alexandra, a match in which he made a string of high-quality first half saves.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38620014|title=Doncaster Rovers 3-1 Crewe Alexandra|date=21 January 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2017-09-17|language=en-GB}} A week later Lawlor kept his first clean sheet for Doncaster in a 3–0 away win against Yeovil Town.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/match-report-yeovil-town-0-doncaster-rovers-3-1-8359307|title=Match report: Yeovil Town 0 Doncaster Rovers 3|last=Hoden|first=Liam|date=28 January 2017|website=www.thestar.co.uk|language=en|access-date=17 September 2017}}

Lawlor suffered a minor groin injury against Leyton Orient on 18 March 2017 which resulted in him being substituted at half time. However, he was passed fit for the next match against top of the table rivals Plymouth Argyle.{{Cite news|url=http://www.doncaster.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=484664|title=DRFC Ian Lawlor Injury Update|last=Ltd|first=Vitalnetwork|date=19 March 2017|work=VitalFootball.co.uk|access-date=17 September 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/our-towns-and-cities/doncaster/doncaster-rovers-v-plymouth-argyle-motivation-is-easy-for-this-one-ferguson-1-8458821|title=Doncaster Rovers v Plymouth Argyle: Motivation is easy for this one - Ferguson|last=Hoden|first=Liam|date=25 March 2017|website=www.thestar.co.uk|language=en|access-date=17 September 2017}} Promotion was confirmed as Lawlor kept a clean sheet against Mansfield Town on 8 April.{{Cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/fergie-time-how-doncaster-rovers-have-made-an-immediate-return-to-league-one-1-8483291|title=Fergie time: How Doncaster Rovers have made an immediate return to League One|last=Harle|first=Tom|date=8 April 2017|website=www.yorkshirepost.co.uk|language=en|access-date=17 September 2017}} He missed 2 matches in mid-April due to a chest injury but reclaimed the starting spot on his return.{{Cite news|url=http://www.doncaster.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=488089|title=DRFC Rovers Set To Miss Key Duo For The Rest Of The Season|last=Ltd|first=Vitalnetwork|date=15 April 2017|work=VitalFootball.co.uk|access-date=17 September 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/darren-ferguson-s-focus-on-wycombe-as-doncaster-rovers-seek-silver-lining-1-8504016|title=Darren Ferguson's focus on Wycombe as Doncaster Rovers seek silver lining|last=Wobschall|first=Leon|date=21 April 2017|website=www.yorkshirepost.co.uk|language=en|access-date=17 September 2017}}

Due to Marko Maroši's injury issues and Ross Etheridge's poor form, and subsequent loan spell with Lincoln City, Lawlor established himself as first choice goalkeeper for the remainder of the season, starting a total of 19 league matches from a possible 21 and keeping clean sheets in 5 of those matches. The season ended with promotion, although a poor run of form towards the end of the season saw the club finish third.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/39784039|title=League Two: Pools relegated, Pompey champions as it happened|last=Woodcock|first=Ian|date=6 May 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 September 2017|last2=Phillips|first2=Owen|language=en-GB}}

Lawlor started his first full season with Doncaster Rovers as the first choice goalkeeper, keeping a clean sheet in the season opener against Gillingham.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40760930|title=Doncaster Rovers 0-0 Gillingham|date=5 August 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en-GB}} He played his first cup match for the club in an EFL Cup tie against Bradford City on 8 August 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/big-match-verdict-doncaster-rovers-send-bradford-city-spinning-out-in-old-fashioned-cup-tie-1-8692818|title=Big Match Verdict: Doncaster Rovers send Bradford City spinning out in 'old fashioned cup tie'|last=Sutcliffe|first=Richard|date=8 August 2017|website=www.yorkshirepost.co.uk|language=en|access-date=19 September 2017}}

On 19 July 2021, Lawlor signed a two-year deal with Scottish Premiership side Dundee.{{Cite web|date=19 July 2021|title=Ian joins|url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/ian-joins/|access-date=19 July 2021|website=dundeefc.co.uk}} Lawlor made a debut of sorts for the team in the Scottish Challenge Cup, playing for Dundee B as the one designated 'overage' player in the side.{{Cite web|last=Cran|first=George|title=Dundee B 1-2 Peterhead: Blue Toon come from behind to knock Dee youngsters out of Challenge Cup|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/2449165/dundee-b-1-2-peterhead-blue-toon-come-from-behind-to-knock-dee-youngsters-out-of-challenge-cup/|access-date=2021-10-20|website=The Courier|language=en-GB}} Lawlor would make his debut for Dundee in a Scottish Cup victory over Dumbarton.{{Cite news|title=Griffiths' penalty as Dundee progress|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60005930|access-date=2022-01-22}} Lawlor would make his league debut for Dundee in February 2022, in an away victory against Heart of Midlothian.{{Cite news|title=Dundee fight back to move off bottom|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60225005|access-date=2022-02-09}}

Lawlor kept a clean sheet in his first game of the 2022–23 season, in a league game against Greenock Morton.{{Cite news |title=Stalemate between Dundee & Morton at Dens Park |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63267370 |access-date=2022-10-22}} He would remain Dundee's starting keeper until suffering a concussion during Dundee's Scottish Cup win over Airdrieonians.{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Neil |title=Gary Bowyer reveals goalkeeper concussion blow for Dundee ahead of crucial Inverness CT clash |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/3933100/gary-bowyer-reveals-goalkeeper-concussion-blow-for-dundee-ahead-of-crucial-inverness-ct-clash/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}} Lawlor would win the Scottish Championship with Dundee at the end of the season.{{Cite news |title=Dundee back in Premiership after eight-goal epic |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65420805 |access-date=2023-05-05}}

On 22 May 2023 following the end of his contract with Dundee, Lawlor would return to Doncaster Rovers on a two-year deal.{{Cite web |title=Ian Lawlor returns to Rovers |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2023/may/lawlor-signs/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk |language=en-gb}} He made his debut on 5 August in the league against Harrogate Town.{{Cite news |title=Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Harrogate Town |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66345832 |access-date=2023-08-05}}

Despite being a regular squad player for the Republic of Ireland's youth teams, it was not until he reached under-19 level that he established himself. He made a total of six appearances as an under-19 and made his under-21 debut against Qatar.{{Cite news|url=https://www.balls.ie/football/you-need-to-know-ian-lawlor-96803|title=So About The Irish keeper On The City Bench Tonight|last=Fogarty|first=Eugene|date=17 September 2013|work=Balls.ie|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/ireland/player/250023237|title=Ian Lawlor|website=www.fai.ie|language=en|access-date=19 September 2017}}

In May 2014, he was called up to the senior squad due to Rob Elliot's unavailability, appearing on the bench for friendlies against Italy, Costa Rica and Portugal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27585472|title=Ian Lawlor: Teenage Man City keeper called up by Republic|date=27 May 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=20 September 2017|language=en-GB}} In October 2016, Lawlor was called into the senior squad again for World Cup qualifying following an injury to Keiren Westwood.{{Cite news|url=http://www.the42.ie/ireland-georgia-squad-martin-oneill-world-cup-qualifier-3008347-Oct2016/|title=Uncapped pair called up as Ireland hit with a string of injuries ahead of World Cup qualifier|last=Blake|first=Ben|date=3 October 2016|work=The42|access-date=20 September 2017|language=en}}

In May 2018, Lawlor was one of six goalkeepers called up to a provisional squad for matches against Celtic, France and United States.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44071359|title=Graham Burke named in extended Republic of Ireland squad|date=10 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=11 May 2018|language=en-GB}}

According to Doncaster Rovers former manager Darren Ferguson, Lawlor is "quick, he's agile for a big lad....He plays at a good tempo and if he has to kick, he kicks a hell of a way. He's got good accuracy....He's got a lot of potential, he's a good size, good with his feet."{{Cite web|url=http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-rovers-darren-ferguson-grabbed-the-chance-to-sign-ian-lawlor-with-both-hands-1-8354744|title=Doncaster Rovers: Darren Ferguson grabbed the chance to sign Ian Lawlor with both hands|date=27 January 2017|website=www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk|language=en|access-date=19 September 2017}}

Lawlor struck up a good relationship with fellow Irish goalkeeper Shay Given during their time together at Manchester City, often receiving advice from him. He has also developed a good working relationship with Joe Hart.{{Cite news|url=http://www.the42.ie/adam-rooney-ian-lawlor-ireland-3009546-Oct2016/|title=All you need to know about the latest 2 uncapped players called up to Ireland's squad|last=Fennessy|first=Paul|date=4 October 2016|work=The42|access-date=19 September 2017|language=en}}

{{Updated|match played 10 December 2024}}

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Dundee

• Scottish Championship: 2022–23

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{{Doncaster Rovers F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawlor, Ian}}

Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Association footballers from Dublin (city)

Category:Men's association football goalkeepers

Category:Home Farm F.C. players

Category:Manchester City F.C. players

Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players

Category:Scunthorpe United F.C. players

Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players

Category:Barnet F.C. players

Category:Bury F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Republic of Ireland expatriate men's association footballers

Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Dundee F.C. players

Category:People educated at Chanel College, Dublin

Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen