Shamrock Rovers were dumped out of the FAI Cup after suffering a 1-0 loss to Drogheda United last Friday, but the game was also noteworthy for another up and coming star for the Hoops coming on the pitch.
In the second-half Stephen Bradley brought on 15-year-old Sinclair Armstrong for his senior debut.
"I was still playing with my wrestlers when I was 15," Keith Ward told Soccer Republic Extra Podcast.
"Fair play to them for giving him a chance. it's the old saying if he is old enough he is good enough. I don't know [though[. He's 15."
Former football manager Johnny McDonnell feels that the timing for Armstrong’s introduction to the game could have been better.
"They are out of the Cup now. For me you bring him on when you are 3-0 up," said McDonnell.
"You get a look at him and see what he is like mentally and physically around the squad. You get a handle on him. Then to bring him on in a match that he wasn’t going to be able to turn for you......
"It's a big physical difference, we were talking about the National League and wondering if lads would be okay going from National Under-15s league to the 17s' League and now you are jumping from 15 and straight into the senior league.
"It's a huge physical difference. I went from Belvedere to Rovers when I was 18 and I remember my first game, it was huge, you are playing against men.
"The physicality alone a 15-year-old playing in a senior game could easily get hurt. They physical side of receiving a pass, the speed of the game the tackle, the senior game will be a lot different to 15s, but look he could be in and around the senior team training with them," added McDonnell.
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On Friday Bohemians travel to Tallaght Stadium to play Shamrock Rovers and Ward is feeling confident ahead of the clash with their rivals.
"Since the break we have been decent, scoring goals and a good spread of goals. This week I think the pressure is all on them," said Ward.
"I've played for a few teams around the League and It feels like the biggest game even on the pitch you really feel it and I might even put in tackle...it brings out a little something in you."
