Hat-trick hero's last-gasp winner seals play-off spot

Who would have thought, in those dark moments after the defeat in Yerevan, when even Heimir Hallgrímsson struggled to see the light at the end of the tunnel, that their Group F campaign would end like this?

- BY MARK McCADDEN

It looked like another chapter would be written in the book of glorious Irish failures.

Until Parrott etched his name into the history books with a hat-trick for the ages — an ice-cold penalty, a beautiful chip and a poacher’s special.

The chance, it seemed, had passed, when Hungary goalkeeper Denes Dibusz made an outstanding 90th-minute save to deny Johnny Kenny a debut winning goal.

The Celtic man did every thing right with his angled shot, but it clipped Dibusz's armpit, bounced down and was hacked clear.

But Ireland continued to press deep into injury-time and had one last opportunity when Caoimhin Kelleher on halfway, the only player outside the Hungarian defensive third, launched the ball towards the box.

Liam Scales flicked it on and Parrott stretched out his right boot to poke the ball beyond Dibusz.

Between the flick and the finish on the stretch, there were shades of Niall Quinn to Robbie Keane against Germany during Ireland's last World Cup appearance.

Almost 24 years on and the chance is there to once again grace the biggest stage.

Hoping for a repeat of last Thursday's performance, Hallgrímsson opted for just one change to his 11, with Jayson Molumby returning from suspension to partner Josh Cullen in midfield.