Ireland’s football history has had more than its share of “glorious defeats” and close things. After an extraordinary victory against Portugal last Thursday it seemed, heading into the final stage of the vital game against Hungary on Sunday needing two goals to win, that another brave effort was going to come up short.
Then came 10 minutes which will go down in Irish football history, with Troy Parrott – the hero against Portugal – at its centre. First he floated a lovely finish over the Hungarian goalkeeper to equalise. And then, as time was running out, a high ball into the Hungarian box was won by Liam Scales and Parrott poached the winner.
It will go down in the history of Irish football alongside a handful of other famous goals in qualifying and championship play. And it was, as the saying goes, a good time to score.
Heimir Hallgrímsson and his players deserve enormous credit for an extraordinary finish to the campaign. The manager transmitted a calmness in the midst of chaos. The players showed the resilience to keep going even when it looked like the chance was gone.
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There is a long way to go yet in the route to qualification. Ireland would first have to win a play-off semi-final next March and then a final. But the team and its fans will know that a trip to the World Cup finals is possible. The draw for the play-offs next Thursday will be eagerly awaited. For now, the dream lives on.
A generation of young football fans have not had much to cheer in recent years. The last few days have finally given them a taste of success and a connection with a winning team. Whatever happens now, they have made an extraordinary comeback from a stuttering start to the campaign when, after a couple of matches, all seemed lost. They have a chance to finish the job.
With the women’s team securing a vital recent win against Belgium – thanks to another late goal – thus securing promotion to Nations League A – and the Under-17 team facing a last 16 World Cup game with Switzerland tomorrow, Irish football is in a good place. Long may it continue.
