Alan Cawley believes Dawson Devoy's performances for Bohemians warrant serious consideration for a Republic of Ireland call-up.
The midfielder was one of the standout players in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division last season and has carried that form into early 2026.
The 24-year-old excelled with his combination of incisive passing and industry on Friday night as Bohs continued their unbeaten start with a 3-2 win over Dublin derby rivals Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park.
RTÉ soccer analyst Cawley acknowledged that it would be unlikely that Devoy would be in line for a call-up for this month's crucial World Cup play-off semi-final against Czech Republic in Prague even in light of the lack of depth in the Irish engine room following Josh Cullen's injury.
But the ex-Shelbourne midfielder feels - on current form and based on the physical tenacity he is developing - that the Bohs man would not look out of place within the Irish squad.
Thus, Cawley believes he should "come into the reckoning" due to the dearth of central options available to Heimir Hallgrimsson.
"For me right now at this moment in time, he's playing as well as anybody," he told this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast where he appeared alongside ex-Shamrock Rovers midfielders Richie Towell and Paul Corry.
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"Now, the Czechia game is only three weeks away. I'm not sure he'll get in the squad for that. But certainly in terms of Nations League games, summer internationals, friendlies, he's playing at such a level that I think he should be in the conversation.
"We're not blessed with midfield talent either in that national team at the moment and he's operating at such a level that I think he should be in the conversation.
"He's been outstanding and not just with the ball. Without the ball as well, he's become such a pivotal figure, almost like a leader for that club, not just the team. I'm mad about him."
Towell agreed that Devoy was unlikely to be considered for this month given the nature of the Czechia game.
However, the ex-Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers player believes he would be worthy of an opportunity in future windows and that being League of Ireland-based should not preclude him as has happened to a host of other players down through the years.
"As Alan said, we have some Nations League games coming up after (the play-offs), we have some summer friendlies. Give him a shot," he said.
"What's the worst thing that can happen? We all know he has technical ability. We can see his game is after maturing.
"Physically, he's after maturing as well. So give him a chance. I think everybody sees it always takes for a player to go to England or go to Scotland (to earn recognition) - big thing with Johnny Kenny, Liam Scales.
"Liam Scales for me was the big one where I couldn't believe that he was never getting an opportunity to go into the national team.
"He goes and signs for Celtic and then he's in the national team. It happens quite frequently.
"It would be great for a manager to have the guts to actually go and bring a player in and say, 'No, I don't care if he's playing in the League of Ireland, I don't care who he is, don't care where he's playing. Give him the opportunity and I'll take the heat for it if it doesn't work.'"
Zoning in on how Devoy proved a thorn in Shamrock Rovers' side on Friday, Corry highlighted what the midfielder brought to the occasion on and off the ball.
"You can't speak highly enough of Dawson Devoy and his game and where it's at at this moment in time," he said.
"You're right to point out for that first goal, the pass into Colm Whelan's feet was played with such pace and I love to see centre midfielders who receive the ball, look forward and play forward, and Dawson absolutely has that in his game.
"It's not just his technical ability on the ball. There were moments there where he was regaining possession, there were one or two instances with Graham Burke and Dylan Watts.
"His general strength and ability to recoup possession is something that's really playing into Bohs' hands."
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