Lawlor played youth football for Manchester United, but was released at the age of 14, and subsequently played non-league football for Liversedge, Ossett Town and Harrogate Railway Athletic before joining Guiseley in 2013. He had a loan spell at AFC Fylde in 2018, before being released by Guiseley later that year and subsequently joining Salford City in July 2018. However, he joined Wrexham just two months later, having not made an appearance for Salford City. He was released by Wrexham in summer 2020 and joined newly promoted League Two side Harrogate Town. After only one season at Harrogate, Lawlor joined League Two club Hartlepool United, from where he had spells on loan at Bromley and Darlington before spending the next two and a half years with the latter club.
In February 2013, Lawlor signed for Guiseley of the Conference North.[5][6] He made his debut for the club against Boston United on 9 February 2013.[7][8] In summer 2013, he extended his contract with the club for the 2013–14 season.[9] On 23 March 2018, he joined AFC Fylde on loan until the end of the season.[10] He was released by Guiseley at the end of the season.[11]
Salford City and Wrexham
He joined National League club Salford City in July 2018,[12] before moving to fellow National League side Wrexham on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee in September 2018.[13] He was released by Wrexham at the beginning of July 2020.[14]
Lawlor signed for Hartlepool United on 1 August 2021 following a successful trial period, with the length of his contract not disclosed by the club.[16][17] Lawlor made his Hartlepool debut as a late substitute in a 3–2 defeat to Barrow.[18] Lawlor joined National League club Bromley on a month-long loan on 22 September 2021,[19] but remained an unused substitute through his loan spell.[7]
Darlington
On 12 November 2021, Lawlor joined National League North club Darlington on loan for two months.[20] He was a regular member of the starting eleven, and Darlington's manager, Alun Armstrong, had expected the loan to be extended to the end of the season, but this did not happen.[21] On 19 January 2022, a week after the loan expired, Lawlor's contract with Hartlepool was terminated by mutual consent.[22] The following day, he signed for Darlington for the rest of the season,[23] and remained with the club for the 2022–23 campaign.[7]
After the dismissal of manager Alun Armstrong and assistant Darren Holloway on 6 September 2023, Lawlor was one of a group of three senior players tasked with covering managerial duties until an appointment was made.[24] He was offered a new contract at the end of the season, but chose not to accept. Over nearly three years with the club, he scored six goals from 102 appearances in all competitions.[25]
^ abFor the visit to AFC Telford United on 1 November 2022, Soccerway lists the originally declared lineup, which included Lawlor;[34] however, he was injured in the warm-up and replaced in the starting eleven by Kaine Felix, so should have one league appearance fewer than listed by Soccerway.[35]
^Three appearances in FA Trophy, three in Conference North play-offs
^Three appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, three appearances and one goal in Conference North play-offs
^Lawlor made eight league appearances and one in the FA Trophy in the 2021–22 season while on loan from Hartlepool United before signing a permanent contract with Darlington.[7][23]
