While Lux level drops Ireland's World Cup belief, brightness comes from Bazunu debut

In Stephen Kenny’s programme notes for the Republic of Ireland game against Luxembourg on Saturday, he wrote that "we know that it is 2002 since Ireland last qualified for the World Cup, the same year that Troy Parrott and Gavin Bazunu were born, and Jason Knight was just one year old." 

The task of getting to the next World Cup is even greater now after the 1-0 defeat for the Boys in Green. 

Kenny picked both Knight and Bazunu in his starting lineup last Saturday – players who had lined out at the under-21 under Stephen Kenny previously; the Ireland boss has been quick enough to promote young players into his senior team when required – albeit injuries and horrendous COVID-19 misfortune has played a part in those decisions.

While the disappointment of the 1-0 loss to Luxembourg will linger for a long time, there is hope that the young crop of talent in the Ireland squad can bring brighter days ahead and Gavan Bazunu could well be part of that story.

The 19-year-old goalkeeper is currently on loan with League One side Rochdale from Manchester City. “It was the right decisions to go to a club like Rochdale where I’m being tested every week,” said Bazunu after Saturday’s game.

“I’m getting so many different challenges in games. I’m playing week-in, week-out, often two games a week, and that is allowing me to come on leaps and bounds in my development.”

He has played 28 times in League One this season with a Rochdale side that is currently sitting in last place. However, Bazunu has been making eye catching saves and won the club’s player of the month award last month.

Academy development

Growing up in Firhouse, a five minute drive from Tallaght Stadium, he began playing football with Shamrock Rovers as a seven year old – the year he attended his first Rovers match 

when the Hoops played Real Madrid. He has become the poster boy for Shamrock Rovers’ Academy. In August 2017, Bazunu began his fifth year studies in Ashfield College as part of Rovers’ education partnership with the Dundrum school. 

That year as a 15-year-old he played matches with Rovers under-19 team and Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley brought Bazunu in and around the match day squad the following season initially to give him experience of being around the first team dressingroom and warming up out on the pitch on matchnight. 

The season saw the ‘keepers jersey being swapped back and forth between Tomer Chencinski and Kevin Horgan. Rovers struggled - managing three wins from 15 games the sequence ending with a 5-2 home loss to Dundalk and after that Bradley turned to Bazunu.

League of Ireland debut

The next match when the teamsheet for the game against Bray hit social media and the lineup announced over the PA in Tallaght Stadium, there was a bit of a surprise but also a buzz in the venue that Bazunu had been handed a senior debut by Bradley.

The 16-year-old kept a clean sheet in the 5-0 win. Consecutive 2-0 wins followed before what would turn out to be Bazunu’s final league outing for the Hoops. A game in Turner’s Cross against the previous season’s champions who had won every home league game to date that season.

After an hour Bazunu faced Kieran Sadlier’s penalty. The City striker was five from five from the penalty spot that year but Bazunu diving to his right with a strong hand palmed away Sadlier’s effort.

At the final whistle, the Hoops fans sung their new ‘keepers name with gusto and the teenager was pushed forward by his teammates to acknowledge the attention.

 “He is 16 years of age and it is actually scary what he is doing at such a young age,” said Bradley speaking after that match. “He never looks rattled. He is going to be a special player. When we put him in the team there was a lot of pressure around at that time. He dealt with it. No problem.”

Rovers played AIK Stockholm in the Europa League qualifiers the following week and even with Alan Mannus available to him having returned to the club that month, Bradley had no issue with keeping with Bazunu in between the sticks.

He conceded his first senior goal in the first leg 1-0 defeat and in the second leg played in the Swedish national stadium, it required a goal three minutes into extra-time to knock out the Hoops.

When he turned 16, Rovers signed him on a pro-contract and that allowed them to negotiate a significant transfer fee reported to be €0.5m from Manchester City. More money will be on the way to Tallaght now as part of the transfer included an additional fee should the ‘keeper play in a competitive international. 

International football

On Saturday evening extratime.com asked Bazunu about graduating to international football. “It is a big step up but I tried to use some of those previous experiences of playing in Europe with Shamrock Rovers and getting a lot of first team games with Rochdale.

"That experience gave me the confidence going into this game. I tried not overthink but stayed focussed and concentrated.”

Kenny had dropped Mark Travers from the Belgrade game – with the ‘keeper’s positioning for Serbia’s second goal called into question. When Gerson Rodrigues spotted Bazunu off his line late in the first half and drilled the ball goalwards, Bazunu didn’t panic. 

“I was happy I was in the right position, moved my feet and got two strong hands on it and focussed on getting the second ball.”

Rodrigues late second half shot did beat Bazunu but the young ‘keeper said, while disappointed with the 1-0 defeat, he was happy with his own performance.

“On a personal level it was a brilliant experience for me. I really enjoyed the game. Losing no matter what is not a nice feeling. We know as a group that sort of result is not acceptable.”

Opinion: Any Stephen Kenny departure would have detrimental effect on Irish football https://t.co/F5OumxbZibpic.twitter.com/cjOQBOACCM

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 28, 2021