Jayson Molumby: 'I’m still broken from Prague'

The West Brom midfielder still watches the playoff semi-final back, each pivotal moment reran to ponder what might, and should, have been in June.

Jayson Molumby of Republic of Ireland in action against Myles Hippolyte of Grenada during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Grenada at Estadio Nueva Condomina in Murcia, Spain. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

As Jayson Molumby ambles down Clonea Strand on his first week off of the year, the angst of an upcoming World Cup without Ireland will bite.

The midfielder from Cappoquin in Waterford may only be 26 but as an established regular he’s morphed into a senior figurehead for manager Heimir Hallgrímsson.

Once West Bromwich Albion’s season finished on the May bank holiday weekend, he was soon into camp with Ireland for a training week that ended with Saturday's 5-0 stroll over Grenada in Murcia.

A belated week back in his hometown is planned before he reassembles as one of only three survivors from the first squad for the upcoming friendlies against Qatar and Canada.

Molumby likes the congestion. Otherwise, his mind wanders back to Prague on March 26.

He still watches the playoff semi-final back, each pivotal moment reran to ponder what might, and should, have been in June.

He’ll have no choice but to be reminded when he watches Ireland’s conquerors occupy the spot they yearned for at the summer showpiece.

“I’m still broken from Prague,” he confessed after Saturday’s facile win in Spain, which was intended to act as the first step of the lead-up to the opener in Guadalajara against South Korea on June 11.

"I still watch the game back on the Hudl programme and just overthink things. That's just the way I am with all my games.

“Every now and again I'll watch it back. The Hungary win too.

"The big games are such incredible moments to be involved in."

Moments mattered against Czechia.

“Watching Czechia at the World Cup will sting but they’ve earned it,” he reasoned with tinges of regret.

"I had a chance that hit the post. If that goes in we are 3-1 up.” 

Czechia were fortunate to even have one by that stage but Molumby attributes no blame to Ryan Manning for gifting the penalty that Patrik Schick converted to half their deficit.

“I've had it throughout my career, where you lose concentration for a split second and don't even know why you did it,” he empathised about Manning’s blunder.

“It was just his reaction. You can't even comprehend why you've done it. It could've happened to anyone. Ryan is a great lad and he always does his best."

Molumby, Hallgrímsson and Ireland can only attempt to move on but the playmaker believes the team are finally flourishing a couple of years into this managerial reign.

Ireland were four minutes away from completing a hat-trick of wins over Portugal, Hungary and Czechia, all higher seeded teams.

"I think we know who we are now,” noted the former Brighton and Hove Albion trainee.

“We had to figure out what we were as a team, what suited us, but I feel like it is all clear to see the route we are going down."

"The formation and style took a little getting used to. You must focus on keeping your shape whereas previously you'd be running around here, there and everywhere.

“There is more discipline in the team now. Keep your position and ensure we are difficult to beat."

That’s the mission for the Uefa Nations League series against Austria, Israel and Kosovo later in the year, followed by the Euro 2028 qualifiers determined by the draw on December 6.

Hallgrímsson flagged these bunch of friendlies as ripe for blooding newcomers who can push the regulars for spots up to his contract duration of the Euro finals, co-hosted by Ireland, in June 2028.

“It was good and strange being one of the senior lads,” he said after a week guiding a glut of uncapped players on a week-long training camp at the La Finca resort.

“I don’t see myself as too old yet so that’s strange. It’s been refreshing for new lads to come in and see what it means, get to know them and try to help them wherever we can.

“When I came into camp first, there were lots of role models to lean on. I came into a squad with Séamus Coleman, Shane Long, Jeff Hendrick and Shane Duffy. They were great to learn off and I was lucky.

"It's about making these lads feel comfortable so they ease in.”