'It was the best day of the life to be honest, it was like a movie' - Limerick Irish fans in Budapest re-live Parrott's World Cup heroics

TROY Parrott gave Republic of Ireland fans a moment they will never forget on Sunday, November 16 2025.

The Dublin native poked home at the death in Budapest to give Ireland a stunning 3-2 win over Hungary in their World Cup qualifier, thus granting them a place in the 2026 World Cup Play-Offs next March against Czechia. 

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Castletroy native Conor Treacy, was one of the lucky fans to be in the stadium for one of the most memorable days in Irish football. 

Treaty describes what it was like inside the stadium and how he and some friends ended up in Budapest in the first place.

"I was over on a group holiday. We hadn’t planned to be there the weekend of the game originally so it was a coincidence that Ireland were playing there while we were there. I have a first cousin who is the captain for QPR on the Ireland squad and knew there was a chance that he could get me a couple of tickets even though it was last Thursday I asked after he made an appearance off the bench against Portugal in their 2-0 win.

"The morning of the game we got up early for pints and because I only managed to get two tickets, some of the lads joined us with cardboard signs asking for tickets. When we got inside, we were sat beside the father of Finn Azaz and brother in law and best friend of Josh Cullen which was class."

Tracy says the home crowd was among the loudest he has ever heard in a stadium. 

"The Hungary home crowd and ultras were one of the loudest crowds I’ve ever heard. I don’t know how Ireland scored 3 goals against them because I thought they would influence the game but the Irish players clearly didn’t let it bother them. The Irish fans were really loud too considering the number of us. There was a lot of belief after the first equaliser and even also when we went 2-1 down."

Tracy says there was a sense within the stadium that Ireland would get a chance to win the game late on, as Hungarian nerves grew inside the stadium and describes the elation at seeing Parrott's effort hit the back of the net.

"When we equalised to make it 2-2, you could sense that there was always going to be another big chance and the noise of the Irish supporters showed that. Even though I was expecting us to have another big chance the winner still shocking.

"I’ve never felt that kind of energy and happiness in my life. Everyone celebrated and grabbed onto each-other it was just mad.

"We stayed for about 40 minutes in the stadium after the game and got to even briefly chat to some of the players and even got Ryan Manning's jersey. It was the best day of the life to be honest, it was like a movie but the best one I’ve ever seen.

"The other lads who couldn’t get a ticket watch the match in a pub called Jack Doyle’s. They told us the place went insane too. The owner recorded the reaction of the lads and posted it on his Instagram page. We eventually met up with them in the pub and the atmosphere inside was just class."