Richie Towell says it's crucial Dawson Devoy looks to be assertive once he links up with the Republic of Ireland squad after earning his maiden senior call-up for the upcoming friendlies against Qatar and Canada.
The Boys in Green just completed the Murcia training camp which culminated in a 5-0 win over minnows Grenada on Saturday.
No League of Ireland players were named in that squad, but Heimir Hallgrimsson has moved to bring in four domestic-based players for the 28 May game against Qatar at Aviva Stadium and the trip to Montreal for a 6 June fixture.
Along with Bohemians captain Devoy, Shamrock Rovers duo Ed McGinty and Adam Brennan have also been given the nod, as has Cork City goalkeeper Conor Brann.
But it's Devoy who has had the most spotlight in recent months, with Alan Cawley among those most vocal in urging Hallgrimsson to give the midfielder a chance that has now come.
Cawley and Towell joined the RTÉ Soccer Podcast this week to dissect the Grenada game and the next Irish squad and the former was particularly delighted to see Devoy recognised at senior international level.
"His talent that I see on a weekly basis, he absolutely deserves to be called up to this squad," Cawley said.
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"He looks like he's knuckled down. People speak about his technical ability but he runs harder than anyone on the pitch when you watch him on a Friday night.
"I was in Dalymount for the game on Friday and he's become that talisman figure for them. He's absolutely brilliant and they wouldn't be the same team without him.
"He's carried the fight for a lot of the season so far. So for the senior manager to acknowledge that and get him involved in the squad, it's a no-brainer for me and I'm absolutely delighted for him."
With a chance to impress before him, Towell said Devoy needs to bring the confidence and assurance he's built up at Bohs into the international environment.
"He needs to go in and stamp his authority I think when he goes into the camp, not go in and feel like it's a bit of a token gesture," he said.
"For me, if I was going in, I'd be thinking, 'I'm the main man at Bohemians, I want to go in and be the main man here'.
"Look, realistically he's not going to be the main man when you've got the likes of Troy Parrott and these superstars in the team.
.@AlanCaw and Richie Towell will be reacting to Dawson Devoy's Ireland call-up on today's #RTESoccer Podcast
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 18, 2026
Back at January's @LeagueofIreland launch, the Bohemians captain did touch on the possibility of Irish senior recognition w/ @RafDLeitrim #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/n71iTMGLAR
"But go in and assert that confidence and (think), 'I'm not just here to make up the numbers'. Alan's right. He's a top player, not just technically.
"I've loved his work ethic, he looks physically really commanding. So take that into the international games. The games that are lined up might suit him as well. It's not against opposition that you look at and think this is a big step up for him and he won't be able for it.
"I've no doubt if Dawson gets the opportunity to play, he'll go in and he'll do brilliant."
Within camp, the training pitch can be the 24-year-old's oyster primarily, Towell added.
"I think it'll be hard for Dawson to go in and be really vocal during meetings. You'll obviously have your senior players there that will have that role within the team," he said.
"But when you go out onto the training pitch, put a few tackles in, demand the ball off players. Just show 'I'm here and I want to impress and I'm a good player.'"
Cawley echoed that point, suggesting that much of the talking can be done with Devoy's feet.
"Show your personality, that's the thing. I don't know the lad but people tell me he's a good lad but fairly shy and quiet," he said.
"So as Richie said, he's not going to be going in and barking orders and being vocal, but certainly you look at him on a Friday night, he's the one getting after people, demanding the ball, wanting the ball, taking responsibility.
"And that's the same, go into those training sessions with those players. No disrespect to the Bohemians lads, but he'll be even better amongst better players as well.
"So it will be no problem to him. No step up, no issues whatsoever and hopefully he can have the impact that we all want him to have as well."
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