Tom Mohan's Republic of Ireland Uner 19 side host the UEFA Under 19 European Championship Qualifying Round with Azerbaijan, Cyprus and Serbia visiting the South-East this week.
First up for Mohan's side is a battle with Azerbaijan on Wednesday, before they take on Cyprus on October 7 followed by Serbia on October 10 - all in Waterford RSC.
An ever-present in last season's Elite Round, Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby returns for this year's campaign with Head Coach Tom Mohan confirming the Waterford man as his new captain.
Progression is something that Jayson Molumby has become accustomed to over the past few years as he is repeatedly forced to set new targets for himself.
The Cappoquin native hasn't even had the chance to defy expectations because every time he moves close to a position where someone can take the time to assess his current level he smashes through another glass ceiling.
Ahead of the current season, talk amongst the players and coaches at Brighton & Hove Albion was that Molumby was someone to keep an eye on for the future. Few predicted that he would be making his senior debut just three games into the campaign.
Yet, for those who have been watching the talented teenager closely they will not be surprised at how quickly he has climbed the ladder from promising academy player to substitute in the English Premier League - as he was in the game against Arsenal last weekend.
For Molumby, he is simply taking it all in his stride with the knowledge that he is only starting out on his professional adventure.
"It's been unbelievable hard work...just working every day trying to improve and I'm glad to see the results at the end of it," gushes a modest Molumby.
While things have gone really well at club level - appearing in the EFL Cup victories over Barnet and Bournemouth - Molumby now has international football on his mind. It is a different challenge but one that he is excited by.
Having stepped up from the Under 17s, Molumby is hoping to play a key role in Tom Mohan's U19s side as they take on three opponents in the RSC over the course of a week in their UEFA European Championship Qualifying Round.
A place at next summer's finals in Finland is at stake and there can be no room for error in any of the games.
"It's difficult with the Under 19s as only one team goes through in the Elite Phase to the finals, so you need to really graft to get through. Physically (it's more demanding), the ball moves quicker and everything is a step up," stated Molumby.
"Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Serbia...when you look at all of them they are all have fight in them and they are all passionate about their country. They are going to come in with a point to prove and they have nothing to lose, so we have to be ready."
Home advantage is something that Mohan will be eager to make the most of in these games and that is something that means even more to local lad Molumby.
He knows that when he walks out at the RSC, his heart will thump a little faster and his focus will be a little sterner as he will want to represent everyone who knows him in the best way possible.
"I'll have an army there, I'd say," smiled Molumby in reference to his family and friends turning up.
"It's only about a 35-minute drive from my hometown so I'm presuming a lot of them will turn up and support. Hopefully we can get a few wins and go through."
As ever, Molumby is keeping his concentration on the job at hand. That is why he has made such strides in his career to date and why a promising future lies ahead of him.
Republic of Ireland U19 Squad
Goalkeepers: Mark Travers (Bournemouth - On Loan at Weymouth), Brian Maher (St Patrick’s Athletic)
Defenders: Tyreke Wilson (Manchester City), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion - On loan at Hereford United), Canice Carroll (Oxford United), Warren O’Hora (Bohemians), Lee O’Connor (Manchester United), Jordan Doherty (Sheffield United)
Midfielders: Daniel McKenna (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rian O’Sullivan (Brighton & Hove Albion - On loan at Worthing), Jayson Molumby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Aaron Bolger (Shamrock Rovers), Thomas O’Connor (Southampton), Kian Flanagan (Crystal Palace), Anthony Scully (West Ham United)
Forwards: Michael Obafemi (Southampton), John Martin (Waterford), Thomas Byrne (Drogheda United), Jonathan Afolabi (Southampton), Neil Farrugia (UCD)
Fixtures
UEFA Under-19 Championship 2018 Qualifying Round Group 7
Wednesday, October 4
Azerbaijan v Republic of Ireland, RSC, KO 15:00
Saturday, October 7
Republic of Ireland v Cyprus, RSC, 19:00
Tuesday, October 10
Republic of Ireland v Serbia, RSC, 13:00