Ireland football fans all make same point after Troy Parrott's magical winner in Budapest

Troy Parrott's winner at the death in Budapest in the World Cup qualifier was one of the most memorable moments in Irish football history . There have been a number of famous goals and saves over the years, like Ray Houghton scoring against England in their opening match of the Euro 88 tournament. We had Packie Bonner's save against Romania to reach the World Cup quarter-finals at Italia '90. Houghton was at it again in '94 against Italy at Giants Stadium. The well ran dry somewhat before we reached the World Cup again in 2002. The Euros in 2016 brought us a heroic win over Italy to reach the knockout stages, with Robbie Brady's late winner a real highlight. Shane Long's goal 10 years ago against Germany to win 1-0 in Dublin was a special moment also. While the victory over Portugal in Dublin this week was a huge morale-booster for the country, a win in Hungary in the final group game to reach a play-off was still a long shot. Enter Troy Parrott. The Dubliner bagged five goals in two games for two of the best days any Irish football fan has had in living memory. The AZ Alkmaar striker was on his toes to race onto Liam Scales' knockdown in the Hungary box in the 96th minute and stab the ball in under the goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick and seal a 3-2 win which gives Ireland a World Cup play-off place. The celebrations will live long in the memory, with Ray Houghton himself even losing it in the RTE commentary box. Ireland fans of a certain age were transported back in time, however. The Parrott winner had eerie similarities to one of the other great days in modern Irish football. The big man up front has been a go-to for Irish teams for generations and why not? For Scales in 2025 v Hungary, see Niall Quinn v Germany in 2002. And for Troy Parrott, see fellow Dubliner Robbie Keane. Just as it looked as though Germany had done enough to seal the win and a spot in the last 16 in 2002 in Japan and South Korea, up popped Keane with the equaliser in the 92 nd minute. Substitute Quinn leapt above Christoph Metzelder to flick a Steve Finnan ball into the path of Keane, who evaded Thomas Linke and Carsten Ramelow before firing home off Kahn. The goal sent the stadium — and a nation — into raptures. "Down by a goal (check). Into injury-time (check). Hopeful punt forward (check). Flick-on (check). On-rushing striker (check). Robbie Keane 2002 v Troy Parrott 2025," said one fan on social media. Another targetman from a different sport, Kerry's Kieran Donaghy, was quick to see the similarity also. "Unreal. Quinn flick to Robbie Keane - Liam Scales flick to Troy Parrott . I’ve always said it , can’t bate a high ball into the box," tweeted the GAA legend. Des Walsh tweeted: "So similar to Robbie Keane v Germany at the 2002 World Cup!! Brilliant scenes." "Shades of Robbie Keane vs Germany 2002, what a header from Scales," said another fan. William Ryland said: "Is it just me or was that goal was very reminiscent of the Niall Quinn knockdown to Robbie Keane against Germany in 2002? Unbelievable!" Stiofán Mac Fhilib tweeted: "Real ‘Robbie Keane against Germany in the 2002 World Cup’ vibes to that goal." The hat-trick also meant Parrott is just the fourth Ireland player to score two or more goals in back-to-back apps - after Jimmy Dunne in 1936, Robbie Keane in 2013 & Callum Robinson in 2021. Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond