Feather in his cap as Dublin Zoo names parrot after World Cup qualifier hero
By Cillian Sherlock, PA
Dublin Zoo has named a parrot after a forward who has kept the men’s national team’s football World Cup dream alive.
Troy Parrott scored a hat-trick as the Republic of Ireland snatched a World Cup play-off place from Hungary’s grasp with a dramatic 3-2 win in Budapest on Sunday.
He brought the sides back to level twice, with one goal from the penalty spot, before securing a last-gasp victory in the sixth minute of stoppage time on a day when only three points were enough to keep the campaign alive.
After the thrilling win, some fans were quick to call for a statue of the 23-year-old in his native Dublin.
For now, though, they may have to settle with Dublin Zoo naming a parrot after him.
The male citron-crested cockatoo, which is a critically endangered parrot species, previously had no name.
However, following Ireland’s triumph at Budapest’s Puskas Arena, the zoo has called him Troy in honour of the Dubliner.
Making the announcement, Diana Farrell, zookeeper at Dublin Zoo, said: “There are very few moments that leave the people of a nation speechless but that’s exactly what Troy Parrott’s third goal did yesterday.
“It was a beautiful, joyous moment and while some might say we’re Hungary for attention, we just want to honour Ireland’s hat-trick hero – a Dublin native born and bred – in a way that only Dublin Zoo can.
“It’s not quite the statue many fans were calling for at full-time yesterday, but we hope the original Troy sees it as another feather in his cap to go with the match ball he took home.
“The striker has given the country so much joy and we’d be delighted to welcome him to Dublin Zoo to chat football with us keepers and of course to meet his namesake, who’s more of a winger.”
The zoo is also offering a 50% discount to visitors wearing green this Saturday and Sunday in recognition of Ireland’s victory, for tickets purchased at the gate.
