Dean Lawrence
Quick Facts
Biography
Dean Lawrence (born 16 June 1988 in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish footballer.
Career
Lawrence plays as a defender with experience in every position along the backline. He has spent the majority of his schoolboy days with Shamrock Rovers since he was 12 years of age. His performances at schoolboy level for the Hoops resulted in Lawrence making his Under-21 debut at 17 years of age. His breakthrough to Rovers' first team was at 19 years of age when he made his debut in a League of Ireland Cup tie against Drogheda United on 8 May 2007. His league debut came in the next game in Derry on 14 May 2007.
Lawrence remained a regular fixture in the Rovers team during the 2007 season making a total of 16 appearances but with intense competition in Rovers defence for the 2008 season, Lawrence was loaned to rivals Shelbourne for the 2008 campaign to aid his development and to gain vital first team experience. He made his Shelbourne debut during a League of Ireland Cup first-round tie on 24 March 2008 against Sporting Fingal at Morton Stadium, a match Shelbourne won 6–5 on penalties after a 2–2 draw after extra-time. Due to intense competition amongst Shelbourne's experienced backline, Lawrence was limited to five league and cup appearances during his season-long loan at Tolka Park. Lawrence was released by Shamrock Rovers following the conclusion of the 2008 season.
In May 2009, new Kildare County manager Joey Somerville brought Lawrence to Station Road to bolster up a defence that had already leaked 30 goals plus in the first 9 games of the season. Lawrence wore the captain's armband for his debut against Waterford United at the RSC on 9 May 2009. Lawrence made a total of 19 league and cup appearances with no goals before Kildare County went into liquidation at the end of the 2009 season.
Honours
- SRFC Young Player of the Year:
- Shamrock Rovers – 2007