Absolute scenes as Troy Parrott’s sensational hat-trick sees Ireland reach World Cup play-offs

Troy Parrott said to RTE Sport:

I’m really, really emotional. They’re tears of joy. Ah, what a night, what a night.

This is why we love football, because things like this can happen. Look, I love where I’m from, so this means the world to me. My family is here…

“It’s the first time I’ve cried in years as well, I really, really can’t believe it. Everyone is crying. I said against Portugal that this is what dreams are made of, but this tonight, I don’t think I’ll ever have a better night in my whole life.

“That is really a fairy tale. You can’t even dream about something like that. Honestly, I have no words to describe my emotions right now.

“I think everyone wrote us off at the start of the group, and I couldn’t have said it enough. There’s always a chance and we’ve taken the chance.

“I think everyone should be proud of the group of players that are over there. To go down in the game twice and then to come back like that is beautiful.”

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson speaking on RTE Sport:

“It was a strange game.

“We seemed to be nervous at the beginning, struggling with movements, defending too late and not aggressive enough.

“We put in everything and threw in three strikers in the end.

“The guys deserved what happened and congratulations to the Irish nation for having the guys.

“He should enjoy this moment.

“Sadly for him he got injured for a long spell early in the season or he would have been one of the top scorers, if not the top scorer, in Europe.

“He’s just shown his quality.

“This moment shouldn’t be about finding heroes; it should be this team, the spirit, unity and hard work this team showed.”

Republic of Ireland’s Dara O’Shea speaking on RTE Sport:

“That is special, I wish I could bottle this up.

“Right now, it feels mental.

“This is special and I haven’t experienced anything like this before.

“We have suffered a lot as a group and been through a lot. We were written off and this group has learned a lot of lessons.

“We have grown as a group and those two results, I have never been part of an Irish team that have had results like that.

Here’s how fans reacted to the absolute scenes as Troy Parrott’s sensational hat-trick sees Ireland reach the World Cup play-offs…

@27khv: Magic stuff. The winner was very similar Robbie Keane against Germany in 2002. Scales with the Quinn-style header.

@pugtastrophe: Everything about it is perfect – clock ticking into overtime of added time, deafening whistles from hostile home crowd, old school last fling long ball launched, subs pouring onto the pitch to celebrate, screaming co-commentator (Ray Houghton). Just perfect.

@Joe3y6: Almost scared the wife into labour with my reaction 😂 the utter carnage if they make it to the World Cup in the states

@BeckydBecky: Ray Houghton in the background is as pure as anything 🥹

@HarbourLord: Mate honestly this is so sensational for us Irish people. I cannot put into words how big this is for us as a nation. Come on you fucking boys in green 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

@markdwelsh: an absolute miracle of monumental proportions. to beat portugal 2-0 and hungary 3-2 after being behind twice, in the space of 4 days is amazing. work to do but we have a chance to do something we havent done since 2002.

@MichaelVerity: Such a satisfying goal. The gambled run on the knockdown, the quality of the header down followed by the tiny touch of the Parrott’s studs to beat the keeper so marginally. In the last seconds of 5 added mins. DAFT 🇮🇪

@KDurack: We don’t get moments like these very often. But we do create them every decade or so 😍 What a feeling watching this live my god. This is a sensational piece of commentary – enjoy every minute 🇮🇪

@potter0075: Just watch this. I’m not even Irish and it’s making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Just unbelievable scenes. How can you not love football, man? Beautiful.

@AchtungMillwall: The rise of Troy Parrott is quite something to see. Like all at The Den, I really hoped he’d find his form with us – it wasn’t to be – but it’s certainly coming through now & the World Cup beckons. Well done to the boy, I always thought there was a strong player there 👏🏻

@chrisadonnelly: Troy Parrott crying during the post-match interview. Means so much. What every fan wants from their players.

@Phill_Loveridge: Troy Parrott won’t be paying for a pint in Ireland for a good few years I’d say. Great performance from Kelleher too though. ##COYBIG