Summer Lawless: From Striker to Shot-Stopper - the Timeline of a Reluctant Goalkeeper
- Christine Allen
- Aug 9, 2025
- 4 min read
Summer Lawless was just eleven years old when she first lined out for Duleek United, followed by Duleek Rockets – leading the line as a striker.
That she’d soon be stationed at the other end of the pitch wasn’t in the script. But football, as ever, has a habit of flipping the narrative.
Following a stand in switch at Duleek United, the attacker was no longer leading the line, but guarding it.
A string of standout performances followed.
Player of the Match awards stacked up.
At the end of the 2018 season Duleek were crowned league champions.
Their reluctant goalkeeper? Central to their success.
Word quickly spread about the former strikers’ performances between the sticks and it wasn’t long before the young Hope Solo superfan was invited to join the Drogheda Emerging Talent Programme (ETP) - a grassroots initiative spearheaded by Mark Costigan.
It was within this environment that her natural talent was developed and refined, laying the groundwork for what would be a swift rise through the ranks.
In 2019, Summer broke new ground – becoming the first female goalkeeper to represent the Drogheda League in the SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup, earning ‘Save of the Day’ and ‘Player of The Match’ honours.
Two weeks later, she was back between the posts at Under 15's level at Ireland’s premier interleague tournament, the Gaynor Cup, where she stepped up to take the place of injured Bonnie McKiernan (now at Sligo Rovers.)
A series of stellar performances earned her Player of the Tournament and following further impressive spells as first-choice keeper at Duleek and Drogheda Town, she caught the eye of provincial and national selectors.
Lawless never looked back, establishing herself as the undisputed no1 across every youth level – U16, U17 and U19.
In 2020, the Duleek native was recruited to the Bohemians’ Women’s U17 team and a year later was snapped up by James O’ Callaghan’s double league title winners Peamount United where she made her senior bow.
In November of 2022 (the same year that Lawless broke into the Ireland U19 squad) she was scouted by Shamrock Rovers as part of their high-profile return to the Women’s League of Ireland under manager Collie O’Neill.
Speaking about her arrival at Tallaght, first team manager Collie O’Neill said, “I’m delighted to have Summer on board, she has all the attributes which all top keepers must have including being very comfortable on the ball which will help us play the brand of football we want to play.”
Head of Women’s Football at SRFC, Jason Carey said: “Summer is a brilliant young keeper with tremendous ability. We have been tracking her progress for quite a while now and are delighted that she has chosen us to help her take the next step in her career.”
Following her signing, Lawless made her senior debut for The Hoops in the All-Island Cup against her former club on the 17th of June 2023.
Her first league appearance followed on the 2nd of September away to Cork City when she came off the bench to replace injured Douglas native Amanda Budden.
Under the tutelage of goalkeeping coach Karl Coleman (and with Budden established as the regular starter), Lawless was forced to adapt.
Donning the number 23 jersey for two campaigns, she finished the 2023 season with seven appearances across league and cup competitions.
For her achievements at international and club level, she was then recognized as the Duleek and District Sports Person of the Year and the same tally followed in 2024.
In January 2025, Budden departed for Greenogue but a new challenge arrived soon after in the form of rising prodigy Katie Keane - straight off the back of a league win with Athlone Town and a Under 19's Euros Championship in Lithuania.
Never one to shirk a challenge – and with Keane a familiar competitor at underage international level – Lawless kicked off the year by signing a new Rovers deal and featured primarily in their All-Island Cup campaign.
But events were about to take an unexpected twist at Tallaght and Lawless was ready to rise to the occasion.
In June 2025, Keane’s spell in Dublin 24 was cut short when she accepted a three-year deal with Women’s Super League side Leicester City.
In the weeks leading up to her departure, Lawless comfortably slipped back into the Rovers Women starting XI and has since made several outstanding saves—her agility and bravery demonstrated in both her denial of Katie Lawlee at Markets Field, and her sensational dive to parry Ellen Molloy’s missile at Ferrycarrig Park.
After two seasons with The Hoops, Summer’s reclaiming of the No. 1 shirt must undoubtedly carry real personal significance.
Its about more than a number change.
This transition is a testament not only to her resilience and consistency, but a recognition of her talent, patience, loyalty and hard work.
Summer Lawless is someone whom we can all aspire to.
Christine Allen
