Hallgrimsson's Ireland rise from early turmoil to play-off berth

PLAY OFF: Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher celebrate their last ditch win in Budapest. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Heimir Hallgrimsson hailed by Irish heroes, hoping their Budapest bombshell can reverberate for an age.

Troy Parrott’s hat-trick against Hungary completed an epic turnaround in the World Cup qualifying group for the Icelander and his team, sealing entry into Thursday’s draw for the playoffs.

Hallgrimsson maintained his calm persona throughout the campaign which seemed to hit rock bottom after just two games with defeat in Armenia.

Back-to-back wins over the top seeds in the space of three days contributed to what the manager predicted as the miracle necessary to usurp the Magyars for second spot.

“I hope we can look back in 10 years saying these players started something special for Irish football,” said Hallgrimsson about the prospect of ending a 24-year wait for a World Cup appearance.

“I know where we are as a team and what this means, not only for this group.

“This is an opportunity for growth. I think if we keep on growing by the team winning, that will help the FAI financially. It, in turn, helps all Irish football, including the women's team.

“Success is not that we won this game here, it’s a constant journey in the right direction.

“It's not a place and a moment and. Let's enjoy this moment but don't forget where we are and where we're going.” 

Ireland are going into Thursday’s draw in Zurich alongside 15 other nations.

Four will emerge from the semis and finals next March with golden tickets to the expanded 48-nation showpiece co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.

How they got there was still being absorbed in the bowels of the Puskás Arena by players but the part-time dentist has a clinical take on a match that saw Ireland twice come from behind before finally leading when it mattered.

“Hungary got scared in the end, so they dropped off,” said Hallgrimsson about the late drama.

“Hungary were probably better than us on the day today, especially in the first half when we struggled.

“Our players kept on believing and we kept on knocking and took chances.

“When you take chances sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.

“We had three strikers up front in the end, and sometimes you're punished for doing things like this, but luckily for us we weren't today.” 

After three wins on the bounce, his team has momentum as they move within two games of the World Cup.

“We are in a positive spiral and have the weapons to qualify,” asserted the former Iceland and Jamaica manager.

“Portugal was the biggest game in an Ireland shirt for these players but this was bigger. The playoff will be the biggest.

“We need to use this moment to understand what created this, to look back on everything and give thanks to the people that have supported these players along the journey.

“In these moments, you will have a lot of friends but that's not the friends that will call you and pick you up and give you energy when you lose games. They deserve the credit.”