MOLUMBY KEEN TO GET OFF MARK

FOR some reason, Irish players tend to bristle when it’s pointed out that they’ve yet to score a goal, no matter what their position. Even Séamus Coleman, a gent to his fingertips, was briefly tetchy when asked about the oversight a few years back — he finally got off the mark on his 40th appearance against Georgia in 2016. Of those available for selection to Stephen Kenny for the upcoming Nations League games against Scotland and Armenia, Callum O’Dowda is on 23 games without a goal, Josh Cullen 20, and Jayson Molumby 14. The numbers are not flashing red but they’re heading for amber. Molumby, now a regular at West Brom, acknowledged as much. ‘14 caps, no goals, absolutely due a goal, yeah,’ he said. While chances may be tight in Glasgow on Saturday, Ireland should have nothing to fear against Armenia next Tuesday where a goal rush would be timely for Kenny’s side. Molumby, 23 last month, was one of the unlikely lads thrust forward by Kenny two years ago and started his first game in Dublin, against Finland in the Nations League. It was, he recalled, not quite what he had been expecting growing up in Cappoquin, Waterford. ‘Since I was a kid, the goal was only playing for your country. You had a vision of a packedout Aviva. ‘When I first came in to play for Ireland against Finland there were no fans. ‘I ended up playing 10 or 11 games, with no fans. It was horrible. ‘The fans are massive. They can get the best out of you. ‘It’s an unbelievable feeling having fans at game, it gives you that extra boost as a player,’ he added. Packing a punch: Jayson Molumby