JASON'S FAITH IN HIS OWN ABILITY

JAYSON MOLUMBY was back at home in Waterford watching Ireland's World Cup meltdown in Armenia unfold on television.

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

Given the chance, he would have swapped home comforts for another international jaunt - even if circumstances were growing more and more dire by the minute.

Sitting at a desk in FAI headquarters yesterday, ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Portugal, Molumby (above) was never going to slate teammates for that debacle.

But the recalled West Brom midfielder feels he could have made a difference in a game where Armenia drove a truck through Ireland's soft centre.

After all, Molumby was once identified by Heimir Hallgrimsson (right) as being the “bastard” he craved - that player every team needs who brings energy and competitiveness.

So that's why Molumby found it strange to be on the outside looking in for the start of a big qualifying campaign against Hungary and Armenia last month.

In fact, he hasn't played for Ireland at all this year. He was suspended for the first Nations League game against Bulgaria in March, so was left out of both matches.

And with Hallgrimsson resting - or overlooking - a host of out-of-season Championship players in June, he wasn't involved in the friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg.