A feeling lost to Irish football for the last eight years has returned

Since Ireland suffered a 5-1 defeat to Denmark in 2017, the international team has either stagnated or plummeted.

Troy Parrott has scored 19 goals for club and country this season. Pic: Sportsfile

World Cup qualifier: Hungary 2 Ireland 3

MIRACLES do happen, it transpires. Heimir Hallgrímsson reckoned they were necessary after losing to Armenia in September but beating a Portugal side ranked 100 places ahead of the minnows triggered a shot at redemption.