Troy Parrott’s winding road from Dublin hardship to Ireland’s play-off saviour | OneFootball

Once a leading prospect for Ireland and Tottenham, the 23-year-old has propelled Ireland into the 2026 World Cup play-offs. Now with AZ Alkmaar, he is a national hero.

Three days after a vital brace in a 2-0 win over Portugal, Troy Parrott went one better in Budapest. His 90+6 finish sealed Ireland’s 3-2 victory over Hungary.

"It is the first time I have cried in years, I really cannot believe it. I do not think I will live a better night in my whole life," he told RTE.

Parrott grew up in a deprived north Dublin area blighted by gangs and drugs. His first coach at Belvedere, Austin Skelly, credits mother Jennifer and Parrott’s own choices for keeping him away from trouble.

Touted as Robbie Keane’s heir, he left for Tottenham at 15. Mauricio Pochettino gave him a League Cup debut in September 2019, José Mourinho a Premier League bow, before loans and injuries stalled his progress.

Excelsior Rotterdam reignited him with 17 goals in 32 games, then a 2024 move to AZ followed, where he has 36 in 69. His last Spurs outing was on 4 March 2020.

That week relit the country’s footballing spark. Ireland face the Czech Republic on 26 March and, if they win, play on 31 March against the winners of Denmark v North Macedonia. Two matches from a first World Cup in 23 years.

Source: L'Équipe