'Ode to Troy' - A November week to remember

Updated / Friday, 26 Dec 2025 15:45 Troy Parrott with the match ball after his heroics in Budapest Tony O\u0027Donoghue By Tony O'Donoghue RTÉ Soccer Correspondent For the season that's in it this is a magical fairytale about bringing joy to the world. It’s a true story but it’s also a Troy story. And this fairytale awaits a happy ending with Troy Parrott and his Republic of Ireland team-mates making it to next summer’s World Cup for the first time in over two decades. His hat-trick in Budapest was unforgettable; the sporting moment of the year without a doubt. Ireland’s three wins in a row against Armenia, Portugal and Hungary were as unlikely and as unexpected as a Troy Parrott hat-trick away from home against a higher ranked team. If Evan Ferguson had not been injured Parrott might not even have been on the pitch against Portugal in Dublin. "The stuff you dream about as a kid" - Troy Parrott We need your consent to load this Facebook content We use Facebook to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences But mystic Troy Parrott predicted it was going to happen. In the first of what would become three Troy Parrott interviews in five days, the AZ Alkmaar striker was presented as the player put forward for the pre-match feature interview for RTÉ following Ireland training in Abbotstown the day before the Portugal match. Match day minus one in FIFA speak! Ronaldo and some of the best footballers in the world were coming to town and in truth nobody gave Ireland much hope although a narrow defeat in Lisbon the previous month followed by a win against Armenia left a tiny chink of light shining on our dwindling expectations. The scene was the vast indoor arena at the Sport Campus National Training Centre and Troy arrived with FAI media officer Kieran Crowley. Cameras and lights had already been set but often these opportunities have to be rushed with training schedules so tight. However Troy Parrott was in no hurry and assured us that he had plenty of time. He had been absent through injury for the early part of the campaign but was back in the squad and fully fit. Heimir Hallgrimsson had made the point that he was the top scorer in Europe when he got injured and he was glad to welcome him back especially because injury was to deprive him of the services of Evan Ferguson up front. During the lengthy chat Troy was thoughtful and considered. He took his time to think about the questions and to answer without a hint of footballer cliché. "I’m in a good place right now. I’m feeling good, feeling sharp, feeling fit - feeling really confident." He spoke about the difference in mindset from a players point of view - knowing you are going to be a starter rather...

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