Airport in Dublin changes its name to honour Ireland's national hero

Even though it all started as a joke and although it's only temporary, the Republic of Ireland football national team, which made a massive upset in Hungary and booked their ticket for the World Cup playoffs in the dying minutes yesterday, returned home today, landing at the "Troy Parrott International Airport".

Because the national hero, the most popular person in the country these days, and the man who bagged a brace in a 2-0 win over Portugal and a hat-trick in a splendid comeback and a 3-2 victory against Dominik Szoboszlai and Co. must be given the greatest honour.

Hence, the least AZ Alkmaar striker deserves is to have a national airport named after him! At least for some time. Now, one cannot help but wonder what will happen if the Boys in Green actually advance from the playoffs and reach their first FIFA World Cup since 2002?

Either way, with five goals in two matches, Parrott, finally brought joy to the nation that suffered so much because of football.

England perfect, Portugal ruthless and Parrott steals the night!

In the 23 years that had passed since the penalty roulette against Spain in Jeonju, South Korea, wished them goodbye from their last World Cup, Ireland lost the playoffs twice - in 2009, when William Gallas scored for Les Blues in extra time following Thierry Henry's evident handball - something the Irishmen will never forgive Arsenal's icon - and in 2017 when Denmark destroyed them 5-1 in Dublin, although Martin O'Neill's men brought a goalless draw home from Copenhagen.

In the end, despite the enormous euphoria in Ireland, the March playoffs will provide the final verdict on whether this qualifying campaign will be remembered forever or deliberately forgotten as soon as possible.

As for Parrott, the bird of a same name is known for their art of repetition. If the striker is anything like it, in four months, he'll be on a pedestal side by side with Saint Patrick, the primary patron and saint of Ireland.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - EUROPE

Monday

22.45: (1.01) Czech R. (22.0) Gibraltar (65.0)

22.45: (1.25) Germany (6.50) Slovakia (12.5)

22.45: (12.0) Malta (5.80) Poland (1.30)

22.45: (7.50) Montenegro (4.60) Croatia (1.48)

22.45: (1.60) N.Ireland (3.90) Luxembourg (6.00)

22.45: (1.05) Netherlands (14.0) Lithuania (35.0)

Tuesday

22.45: (1.38) Austria (4.70) B&H (8.50)

22.45: (10.5) Belarus (5.70) Greece (1.28)

22.45: (1.01) Belgium (20.0) Liechtenstein (70.0)

22.45: (5.60) Bulgaria (4.00) Georgia (1.60)

22.45: (6.00) Kosovo (3.90) Switzerland (1.58)

22.45: (1.01) Romania (20.0) San Marino (70.0)

22.45: (3.60) Scotland (3.25) Denmark (2.15)

22.45: (1.28) Spain (6.75) Turkey (10.5)

22.45: (1.58) Sweden (3.90) Slovenia (6.00)

22.45: (1.75) Wales (3.70) Macedonia (5.50)

***odds are subject to change***