"For Tommy Shields, the moment of magic was a blur. It was the dying seconds of Ireland's must-win match against Hungary on Sunday and he was high up in the third tier of Budapest's Puskás Aréna, roaring himself hoarse in the hope that the unexpected might, somehow, materialise. It did. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher launched the ball towards goal."
"In the sixth minute of stoppage time, goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher launched the ball towards goal. Liam Scales rose high to get a head to it. Troy Parrott gave his marker the slip, stretching his body to the limit, his studs just about connecting with the ball. Goal! A hat-trick for the 23-year-old from Dublin's north inner city. Cue one of the most delirious celebration in Irish football history."
Ireland achieved a dramatic stoppage-time victory in Budapest to keep hopes of qualification alive. Caoimhín Kelleher launched a long ball that Liam Scales headed on and Troy Parrott met with a stretched, studs-first connection to score in the sixth minute of added time. Parrott completed a hat-trick and the crowd erupted in one of the most delirious celebrations in Irish football history. The result sets up a play-off semi-final against Czechia. Qualification for next year's tournament would deliver national euphoria, reinforce collective identity, reward player resilience, and boost public pride and momentum for Irish football.
Read at Independent
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