Priceless memories that money simply cannot buy

As I looked over my shoulder, a proud Irish supporter cried with emotions of delight and disbelief. This was inside a football stadium in central Europe, where dreams were ultimately made. That, right there, is what makes sports so unique and special.

Before I continue writing about an incredible Irish sporting moment, let me rewind the clock three days prior and set the scene.

It’s a Thursday afternoon, and I sit on the train on the way to the capital – Ireland are set to host a star-studded Portuguese outfit at the Aviva Stadium. My mind is racing. Another huge night at Lansdowne Road awaits our nation.

U2’s ‘Beautiful Day’ is playing through my earphones and the feelings of hope and belief have suddenly filled my mind.

I think back to Shane Long’s goal against Germany, along with Bosnia in 2015, my second ever away day following the Boys in Green. The scenes of joy and elation were to follow over the coming days, after Martin O’Neill’s side qualified for UEFA Euro 2016.

10 years on, and I am only starting to digest another special week for our national team.

“That will be a highlight for Reeling in the Years,” one supporter shouted as Troy Parrott gave Ireland the lead against Portugal. By the end of the week, there would be shouts for a new show – ‘Reeling in the Weeks’.

The sounds of ‘Put 'em Under Pressure’ and 'Ole Ole Ole' echoed through Ballsbridge after our country’s shock 2-0 victory over the fifth-best national team in the world. The surreal scenes of witnessing one of football’s all-time greats, Cristiano Ronaldo, getting sent off just added to the occasion.

The buzz was back. There was no other way to describe it.

We now had something to play for as we travelled to Budapest; I could look forward to my third Irish away World Cup 2026 qualifying fixture in three months – attending every game of this campaign. And it was worth every penny.

Off the pitch, the brilliant Irish fan stories were just getting started; our supporters rightly deserve the tag of being up there with the best.

In Ryan's Beggars Bush after the Portugal win, one fan spent a small fortune booking his way to Budapest – a flight which was taking off seven hours later. No doubt, he wasn’t the only one to do it!

Anyway, off I travelled to Budapest the following evening. A few pints were had, and the talk of the great days of Irish football were back.

I won’t lie, I have previously written about Heimir Hallgrímsson’s managerial reign after the away defeat to Armenia, wishing him the best of luck in picking up his side for crucial games against Portugal.

Last month’s encounter in Lisbon suggested we were learning how to compete, as well as the crucial call to bring back a leader in Séamus Coleman into the team. Those major doubts have now suddenly disappeared, and fair play to our Icelandic dentist – he and our five-goal hero Parrott have created a little bit of history for themselves.

On Saturday, I attended my ritual walking tour around a great city before I caught up with friends who were beginning to take over the Hungarian capital. It has been a long time since tickets were in demand for such an important fixture; it rightly had the feeling of being Ireland’s biggest international game in years.

Onto Sunday, and matchday had arrived. In our taxi en route to the stadium, ABBA’s ‘The Winner Takes It All’ started blasting on the radio. I couldn’t have described the occasion better – to secure a play-off spot, Ireland had to win in Budapest.

The Puskás Aréna is impressive, a venue which will deservingly host the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final, and a venue that will live long in the memory of Irish fans who were in attendance that magical day.

The game, wow, the game. I’m still struggling to process what materialised that sensational Sunday. It seemed apparent that Hungary had control of the match-ups; we didn’t look likely to score again when we went 2-1 down. But up popped Parrott, after a fantastic Finn Azaz assist, to give us a lifeline. The momentum was with us, and the Irish fans were back to believing.

“That was the chance,” I agonisingly gasped when Johnny Kenny’s late effort was brilliantly stopped, but thankfully, I was mistaken.

Caoimhín Kelleher demonstrated his importance once again, with key saves and also his final boot of a ball into the box. Liam Scales showed heart and athleticism to beat his opposition defender in the air before the man of the moment, Troy Parrott, got the slightest of touches to find the net, and earn Ireland a 3-2 victory.

I’ll never forget the scenes that followed – you can’t buy these priceless memories.

Hugs galore, people hanging off the away end net, and just utmost joy that is beyond belief. This was the rewarding moment for the most passionate of fans. ‘The Fields of Athenry’ bellowed in Budapest as Ireland had just pulled off two miracle-like results.

I was there when James McClean scored winning goals in Austria (2016) and Wales (2017), but this topped the lot.

I held my Irish flag up with pride, thinking of my late father who inspired me to support the Boys in Green. He would have loved to have seen such a week for Irish football. I know he was looking down with a smile.

Back home, videos were going viral of local bars celebrating the winner, and the suggestions of where to put a Troy Parrott statue were merrily discussed. I’ve always imagined what the nights following momentous results at Italia ‘90 were like, but we got a taste of it thanks to Budapest. Talks of missed flights followed the day after as supporters sat on cloud nine.

I arrived back in Shannon Airport on Monday evening and scrolled through social media to see how one goal could have such a significant impact on a nation. It felt like the occasion was our World Cup Final; the whole country came to a standstill that very moment Kelleher delivered the last-gasp ball into the Hungarian box.

Football unites people, and players of this Irish squad have achieved legendary status in the space of four days.

I’m struggling to find the words to convey the feelings of being there in person, but I can guarantee that Troy Parrott's goals will bring a wave of new Irish supporters on board. I can’t downplay the importance of these two results.

We can now look forward to the play-offs in March as the belief is truly back, and all those years of hurt vanished thanks to the studs of Troy Parrott.

“We're on a journey,” Hallgrímsson said to his squad after the win. Let’s hope it’s the start of a journey to next summer’s World Cup.

Come on you boys in green.