Jayson Molumby issues battle cry ahead of England encounter

No more excuses; that's the message from midfielder Jayson Molumby ahead of Ireland’s upcoming double-header at the Aviva Stadium.

England are first up on Saturday evening, followed by another home tie against Greece on Tuesday night as Ireland kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign under the guidance of new head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson.

It’s both a clean slate and a blank canvas for the national team following a string of underwhelming campaigns throughout the three-year Stephen Kenny era, but now it is time for the players to start delivering the results according to the West Brom midfielder.

Molumby was one of the main benefactors of the ill-fated Kenny era, which saw the Waterford native break into the squad and earn over 20 caps throughout the previous manager’s tenure.

Likewise, a host of other young emerging players have now accumulated a hefty helping of international experience, and Molumby believes that it is time that they all repaid the previous manager’s debt to the national team.

"Yeah, definitely, there’s no more excuses for us anymore," said Molumby, when asked whether it was time to create more positive memories of putting on a green jersey.

"We were young lads coming in, but now we’ve got the experience, it’s not good enough any more to say, 'Ah, you’re young or whatever, you know’.

"We’re experienced now at international level. It’s time to kick on for us."

Despite winning 24 caps since making his international debut back in September 2020, Molumby has not featured for his country throughout 2024, missing out on the four games in March and June as a result of a foot injury.

In fact, the Baggies midfielder missed the entire second half of the season since hobbling off on New Year’s Day at Swansea, and