Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Sun 17 May 2026 12:00, UK

Jayson Molumby was in action on Saturday as the West Bromwich Albion midfielder played 74 minutes in Republic of Ireland’s 5-0 win over Grenada.

The friendly in Murcia was held outside of a FIFA-recognised window, meaning Ireland had to put together a squad largely made up of EFL players.

That meant Molumby and fellow West Brom player Max O’Leary, whose future is up in the air, returning to action a couple of weeks on from their club campaigns ending.

The pair will likely feature for Republic of Ireland again in their two friendlies next month, before resuming their summer breaks.

And on the basis of the media reaction to Molumby, the West Brom midfielder was his usual self for his national side.

Jayson Molumby puts in solid display for Republic of Ireland

Molumby showed his commitment to the cause by turning up for the warm-weather training camp at a time when he would no doubt have preferred to be on holiday.

If nothing else, you know what you will get from Molumby every time, and that is a fully-committed performance.

And that was indeed the case once again on Saturday judging by Balls.ie‘s player ratings, as they gave Molumby an 8/10.

“Jayson Molumby produced a typically energetic display in the middle third, allowing very little time on the ball to the Grenada midfielders,” the report added.

“He also produced a couple of impressive driving runs forward. Continued to impress in the second half and produced an excellent overall display.”

The Irish Mirror, meanwhile, gave Molumby a 6/10 and wrote: “Saw plenty of the ball in midfield but, particularly in the first half, was sometimes slow to get it forward.”

Molumby is in contention to become West Brom captain following the confirmed exit of Jed Wallace, and his leadership was clearly on display in this low-profile friendly.

How did Max O’Leary perform for Republic of Ireland?

While Molumby will have a big role to play at The Hawthorns next season, it is less clear where O’Leary will be plying his trade.

The goalkeeper performed well after coming in from Bristol City on a short-term deal in the winter transfer window.

O’Leary will now ponder what is right for him, but he will surely not be light on options from fellow Championship clubs given his status as a free agent.

It was a very quiet game for O’Leary against Grenada in a game Republic of Ireland dominated from the first whistle.

Indeed, the general consensus is that the only qualities O’Leary were able to show was his ability to gather crosses into the box.

A solid day’s work, nonetheless, and O’Leary is clearly keeping himself ticking over ahead of the new season.