Oscar Mullally
‘In the 81st minute Parrott took advantage of a goalkeeping error to make it 1-0 and announce himself to Spain. It would prove to be the winner, against the great Real Madrid’
Republic of Ireland striker Troy Parrott has had a year he won’t soon forget. In November of 2025, he scored five goals in two games for the Republic of Ireland (including his famous hat-trick away to Hungary). Since then, the interest around Parrott grew and grew until on August 20th of this year, he signed for Real Betis. Since signing for them, he’s scored two goals in four games (at time of writing).
In August 2023, Parrott joined Dutch club Excelsior Rotterdam on loan from Tottenham. During this season-long loan period he scored an eye-catching 17 goals in 29 appearances, impressive enough for one of the biggest clubs in The Eredivisie, AZ Alkmaar, to sign him for €8m in July of 2024. In his two seasons at AZ, Parrott netted 51 goals in 97 appearances, with 31 of those coming in his second campaign at the club (the 2025-26 season). Noteworthy as Parrott’s excellent club form during the 25-26 season was, it was his performances for the Republic of Ireland that really put his name into the wider public sphere.
On November 13th 2025, Portugal travelled to Dublin, with Ireland needing a positive result to stay in contention for the World Cup play-offs. It seemed hopeless. There was a near-unanimous feeling that this was the end of the World Cup road for the Boys in Green. However, Troy scored twice before the half-time whistle, and those goals plus a strong second-half defensive display, saw a shock 2-0 Ireland win. But there was no time to dwell on this success as to qualify for the play-offs, Ireland then had to beat Hungary away from home.
Hungary took the lead in the fourth minute of the game, but the man of the moment Troy Parrott buried a penalty just over ten minutes later. Hungarian striker Barnabás Varga unleashed a super strike before the break to restore Hungary’s lead. The score stayed at 2-1 until the 81st minute, meaning Ireland needed two goals. Then, a lifeline. When Finn Azaz played a ball over the top of Hungary’s backline, Parrott was on hand to finish.
Then, just when it seemed as if Ireland would make an honourable exit, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher played a last-minute ‘Hail Mary ‘ ball up the field which was headed on by Liam Scales and finished beautifully by Troy (for his hat-trick) – sending the country into hysterics.
Despite Ireland losing in the subsequent play-offs (which Parrott also scored in), no one in the country will forget his performance over those two games.
These displays for club and country saw Troy at the top of several clubs’ shopping list, with West Ham coming very close to getting him before Spanish club Real Betis landed the emerging star on a five-year deal, with €20m going the way of AZ Alkmaar. He has continued his goal-scoring form this season, netting the winner against Lille, marking his first ever Champions League goal.
Even more impressive was his first league goal for Betis. Real Madrid came calling on September 4th. In the 81st minute Parrott took advantage of a goalkeeping error to make it 1-0 and announce himself to Spain. It would prove to be the winner, against the great Real Madrid.
Troy Parrott has long been regarded as a player with huge potential. He is now really living up to these expectations – to the delight of Ireland and Betis fans alike!
*Oscar Mullally, a Transition Year student at Roscommon CBS, is on work experience with the Roscommon People
