YOU CAN’T REST FOR A SECOND

OISÍN DOHERTY

BY MIDFIELDER Jayson Molumby felt Ireland’s slow start to the second half was their downfall in defeat to Scotland.

Stephen Kenny’s men started the game excellently and deservedly took the lead through a smart finish from John Egan.

But Scotland flew out the blocks in the second half and scored just five minutes after the restart. The pressure piled on by the Scots as the game wore on eventually paid off, with Ryan Christie’s late penalty sealing the win.

“It’s obviously disappointing. I haven’t really had the chance to process that defeat,” said Molumby (above, with John Mcginn).

“We went in 1-0 ahead at half time and I thought we were very comfortable. But we just didn’t start quick enough second half and it ended up costing us.”

Ireland’s inability to keep up the intensity levels in the first half was the most frustrating aspect of the defeat for the West Brom star.

“I don’t know to be honest, it’s obviously still fresh and we need to look at it and analyse it.

“For me I just don’t think we started quick enough, we knew they were going to come out quick at the start of the second half. It’s disappointing for us.”

Ireland had their moments in the second half and actually responded quite well to Scotland’s equalizer. But the away side were left to rue their missed chances with Troy Parrott shooting tamely at Craig Gordon with the goal at his mercy when the score was 1-1.

A dispiriting defeat leaves Ireland in what amounts to a relegation play-off with Armenia next Tuesday. Despite this, Molumby believes the squad have made huge progress.

“The last three games, Scotland 3-0, Ukraine we should win that game I feel one nil ahead. Here tonight we should win. One nil, should be two nil, maybe cruising

“It’s disappointing, but we’ll take a lot of positives and try again against Armenia.”