Ireland relishes victory against Hungary with airport 'name change' and half-price zoo tickets
Troy Parrott and Séamus Coleman celebrate after their victory against Hungary in Budapest. Picture: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.
Troy Parrott is the most celebrated Irishman right now after scoring a stunning five goals for the Irish football team over the weekend.
So much so that Dublin Airport posted on Instagram that it had decided to ‘rename’ the airport as Troy Parrott Airport.
“Feck it. Doing it,” the airport joked in the caption of the post.
The celebrations came following Ireland’s victory against Hungary, which saw Parrott score a hat-trick, completed with a magnificent score in the 96th minute on Sunday.
The injury-time victory in Budapest saw Ireland secure their spot in the play-offs, and the team will find out who lies in the way of a World Cup spot on Thursday, when the play-off draw takes place.
The Boys in Green have to win two matches, and then they could be on their way to North America next summer.
The play-offs have a different look than in previous years, with the classic two-legged tie thrown away. They will be played in single-leg knockout matches, with a semi-final and a final.
Ireland will be one of 16 European teams in the play-offs, including 12 teams who finished second in the group stages and four teams from the Nations League that didn’t make the top two in their World Cup qualifying group.
Out of these 16, four teams will make it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 96-minute goal in Budapest caused an eruption of celebration across Ireland and further afield – but again, it was Dublin Airport that went viral on social media.
Dublin airport pub right now. 90+6 #Ireland off to the playoffs pic.twitter.com/KaXrz1mEOJ
— Zuzana Botikova (@zuzinuanella) November 16, 2025
Scenes of celebrations at an airport bar circulated online, as passengers waiting to take their flights from departures jumped for joy after witnessing the historic goal.
The bar erupted as the Irish team secured their spot in the World Cup play-offs.
One X user captured the moment and posted the video, saying: “Dublin airport pub right now."
Cork Airport has also marked the occasion with an addition to its collection of statues of historic figures.
Taking to Instagram on Monday morning, the airport shared a photo of the newly installed statue of Parrott sitting next to former Ireland manager and World Cup winner with England, Jack Charlton.
The airport posted the photo along with the satirical caption: “We’re pleased to say that as of this morning, Big Jack has company.”
Dublin Zoo has also jumped on the Troy Parrott craze by giving its male citron-crested cockatoo a fitting name.
The cockatoo, which is a critically endangered parrot species, has been officially christened Troy by Dublin Zoo in honour of the Irish football player.
Zookeeper Diana Farrell said, “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.” Dublin Zoo is also offering a 50% discount for anyone who wears green this weekend, on Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23.
Speaking following the victory, an emotional Parrott said: “This is why we love football – because things like this can happen.”
Irish football legend Roy Keane also chimed in on Ireland’s late comeback against Hungary, describing the win as “fantastic”.
Speaking on ITV, the former Ireland captain said: “When you think the way they started the campaign, a draw and a defeat. To win today on the back of the Portugal result, fantastic.
“Great boost for the country and the team. The manager was heavily criticised but they’ve bounced back and got some momentum now.”
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