Bohs retain Devoy for LOI fixtures but Ireland debut against Canada beckons

Alan Reynolds has made the call after consultation with the Boys in Green boys. 

Bohs' Dawson Devoy is challenged by Ronan Teahan of Dundalk. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher

Dawson Devoy won’t make his Ireland debut until they travel to Canada for a June 5 friendly, after Bohemians decided to keep hold of him for two league games.

Next Thursday’s first friendly against Qatar at Lansdowne Road falls before the Fifa window and either of Bohs’ games against Shamrock Rovers on Monday and Sligo Rovers on Friday.

That left Bohs boss Alan Reynolds in a quandary but the fact the League of Ireland wouldn’t postpone either of the games meant he was unwilling to be without his playmaker.

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson had said he would leave it up to clubs to make the call. Shamrock Rovers duo Ed McGinty and Adam Brennan, along with Cork City goalkeeper Conor Brann, are the other members of the domestic quartet to be handed maiden call-ups.

“Whenever a player gets international recognition, as a club we want to put their name up in lights because it’s a huge honour and one they have really worked hard for,” said Reynolds.

“You want them to enjoy the moment and to enjoy the deserved praise that comes with it.

“But when the Ireland squad was named on Monday, we had to pause and check what the implications were for everyone - ourselves as a team and club, Dawson himself and obviously the international set-up and manager as well.

“I have said repeatedly that I never want to stand in any player’s way when it comes to representing their country - we want our players getting international recognition. But the Qatar game falling outside the international window added a complication.” He added about the uncapped midfielder: “It was the right thing to do to take a breath and see what that meant for everyone and whether disruption to our own fixtures could be avoided.

“Thankfully we have spoken to Heimir who respects our league and knows how important it is for us to have Dawson available for us for two big league games next week.

“The correct decision was made that he will link up with the Ireland squad after those games and we are really looking forward now to our own games ahead, and looking forward to Dawson showing what he can do with the Ireland set-up afterwards.

“This isn’t a token call-up either. It’s something he deserves. He has been in and around the conversations for previous squads and has been in provisional squads, I’ve had the pleasure of working with him previously with the U21s and I think he has the talent, the skillset and the mentality to make the step up to senior level.” 

Devoy himself said: “This is a proud moment for me and my family. It has been a dream of mine since I was a kid to play for my country, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity of linking up with the squad, showing the manager what I can do in training, and hopefully getting an opportunity.”