 At St. Pats he linked up with Ireland teammates Colin Hawkins and Thomas Morgan, who had been added to the nucleus of the squad that had won the 1995–96 League of Ireland Premier Division, and a lot was expected of the obviously talented squad.All three players made an immediate impact with Molloy enjoying a terrific partnership with Ian Gilzean as St. Pats won the league with a dramatic last day win in Kilkenny while arch-rivals Shelbourne lost to Dundalk.During this season Molloy won the first of his Under 21 caps.