I KNEW WE'D GET A GRAN STAND FINISH FROM TROY

Emotional pensioner reveals she 'had a feeling' striker would fire Ireland to glory

- BY ROBERT HYNES

TROY Parrott's grandmother paid an emotional tribute to the striker after his hat-trick heroics booked Ireland's place in the World Cup playoffs.

The 23-year-old's 96th minute winner secured second place in Group F and means the Boys in Green will be in the hat for Thursday's draw.

Parrott's treble came just three days after he scored both goals in Ireland's 2-0 win over Portugal.

His gran Josie Parrott told RTE: "Do you ever get a lump in your throat? He's just doing so good.

"Five goals in a few days? Who does that? I knew he was going to do it. I just had a feeling. He deserves everything he got. I'm so proud of him. He knows I love him to bits."

Parrott, who also scored a 15th-minute penalty and equalised with 10 minutes of normal time remaining on Sunday, said: "I'm really, really emotional. They're tears of joy. Ah, what a night, what a night.

FAMILY