Molumby’s triumph of will crucial in his resurgence

Jayson Molumby’s U21 Republic of Ireland debut is a triumph of skill and will. A serious knee injury derailed his career for 15 months but the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder has overcome that trauma to line out for Stephen Kenny’s side tomorrow evening against Luxembourg (eir Sport, 5pm).

“I dislocated my kneecap,” says Molumby, with a deep breath. "The medics said I’d have been better off snapping my cruciate because the research is so good these days that players always get back from that one. I had played on for six months after I’d first felt it. Aaron Connolly, another Irish lad at Brighton, tackled me in training and the club believed I was young enough to allow it to heal itself through rehab. Then came the set-back and I really wondered if I’d ever play again. Mentally, that was very tough.”