 Hawkins played for the Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team in the 1996 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship finals in Luxembourg.After the 1996/97 season the Coventry management deemed Hawkins to be surplus to requirements and released him, having never played a senior game.That summer he played a starring role in the Brian Kerr managed Republic of Ireland under-20 side in the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championships, helping Ireland to 3rd place.