At last, the Republic of Ireland rejoiced in a triumph over a strong international football team, namely Hungary, resulting in a scoreline of 2-1. The Republic’s victory was crowned by Troy Parrott’s last-minute goal in the 92nd minute, inducing a surge of exhilaration and relief, particularly within John O’Shea and the Irish coaching team.
As Hungary was on the pursuit of a winning goal, Parrott managed to seize a poorly-placed pass. His 60-yard dash with the ball reminded spectators of the eventful occasion in Hampden Park in September 2022. On that fateful night, Parrott missed the golden opportunity to secure a 2-1 lead over Scotland for Ireland, ultimately leading to their loss. However, the tables turned this time as he propelled the ball into the body of Dénes Dibusz, Hungary’s secondary goalkeeper. Miraculously, the ball found its way into the net, sparking pandemonium and immense relief.
This unexpected victory provides the manager with fodder for asserting an upward trend shown through the friendly matches against Belgium with a score of 0-0 in March, and against Switzerland, with a 1-0 defeat.
Before Parrott’s late strike, O’Shea’s provisional leadership exhibited a false gleam in the third game through a goal by Adam Idah which dodged defeat.
In the 81st minute, a resounding cheer echoed from the long deserted south terrace at Lansdowne Road, inspired by Sammie Szmodic’s successful corner acquisition. Hungary dealt with this promptly, followed by Dominik Szoboszlai’s takeover.
An interesting small-scale Merseyside derby manifested on Ireland’s right flank with Séamus Coleman and Szoboszlai locking horns. Besides a sudden spate of goals in four minutes, this was the pinnacle of enjoyment at the Aviva Stadium on that summer evening.
Although Ireland isn’t slated to appear in Stuttgart for the forthcoming major tournament in Germany, the Hungarian half is preparing to face their host as well as Scotland. This is set to be a particularly riveting experience with two matches crammed into just four days.
O’Shea selected a midfield assembly comprising Josh Cullen, Will Smallbone, Szmodics and Finn Azaz, all of whom are English-born and skilled Championship players. Smallbone, who plays for Southampton, will be stepping into Cullen’s boots in the forthcoming Premier League, who previously played for Burnley. In the earlier stages of O’Shea’s tenure, the quartet managed to score a goal for their temporary manager.
Meanwhile, Idah retained his successful run for Celtic when he successfully targeted Smallbone’s strong cross, but it was Azaz’s playmaking that elicited cheers from the home supporters. Despite the Hungarians causing continuous noise around the Havelock Square end, having endeavoured to travel for their Euro games, with half a million applying for group match tickets.
Ireland led initially, with Azaz passing the ball to Smallbone who passed it back to him, before Azaz sent an invitation to Matt Doherty to drive one along the channel. Even though Márton Dárdai allowed Smallbone too much leeway and Willi Orbán lost track of Idah in the box, it didn’t matter, because Ireland was in the lead 1-0.
The Hungarian team managed to tie the game 1-1 due to a goal gifted to them. Szoboszlai, who has been given the freedom to move around freely by Hungary’s Italian coach Marco Rossi, kicked a ball that ended up deflecting off Azaz and landing at Orbán at the back post, an opportunity he capitalised on, with Shane Duffy having lost track of Adám Lang. The crowd at the Aviva was in a state of temporary silence following Hungary’s equalizer.
Hungary could have scored earlier than they did at the 40-minute mark when Loic Négo and Milos Kerkez forced Caoimhín Kelleher to make quick saves. Kelleher’s second save was prompted by Nagy surpassing Cullen, which allowed Schäfer to sideline Smallbone and set Szoboszlai free. Regardless, the hustling Kerkez was met with resistance from the man from Cork.
The Irish had opportunities in the initial half with Szmodics having the best chance during a transitional play, but Négo stole the ball before Szmodics could make a decision to pass to either right with Idah or left with Azaz.
Szoboszlai pulled out all the stops, but his awe-inspiring attempt from within the Hungarian half dropped wide. The European championship is indeed a worthy platform for him.
Duffy portrayed sluggishness and was eternally badgered by Barnabas Varga. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t come back for the second part, and neither did Doherty, leaving many Irish supporters amongst the 29,424 spectators in dismay.
The passive mood at recent international games resonates powerfully. The FAI is pressed to appoint a long-term manager without delay. There’s no doubt that the current temporary arrangement is bad for business.
Regardless, O’Shea cannot be blamed for inactivity. The introduction of Liam Scales and Jake O’Brien, seeing his first game, made it possible for Coleman to shift from being a centre half to a right wing back. Parrott, Callum O’Dowda, and Michael Obafemi also came on field but made little difference until the crucial moment.
Rossi acknowledged the importance of the match as he swapped his goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi for Dibusz. In another 11 days, they will confront Switzerland in Cologne.
Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper, Kelleher, made another full-length save against Roland Sallai’s left-footed shot, and was needed twice more from the resulting corner kick.
As this match seemed destined to be another forgettable friendly, Coleman refused to surrender. The 35-year-old from Everton and Szoboszlai each received a yellow card from Luis Godinho after a heated exchange.
Yet, in the end, it was Parrott who got the last word.
IRELAND’S REPUBLIC TEAM: Kelleher (from Liverpool); Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Coleman (Everton), Duffy (Norwich City), O’Shea (Burnley), Brady (Preston North End); Cullen (Burnley), Smallbone (Southampton); Azaz (Middlesbrough), Idah (playing for Glasgow Celtic on a loan from Norwich City), Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers).
In the football match, substitutions were made as follows: For team Ireland, Scales from Glasgow Celtic replaced Duffy and O’Brien from Lyon came on for Doherty at 46 minutes into the game. Tottenham Hotspur’s Parrott swapped with Azaz, while Callum O’Dowda of Cardiff City subbed Brady at 62 minutes. Obafemi from Burnley replaced Idah at 71 minutes, and Cullen was replaced by Bristol City’s Knight at the 79th minute.
Hungary’s team started with Gulácsi from RB Leipzig; Dárdai of Hertha Berlin, Orbán also from RB Leipzig, Lang from Omonia Nicosia; Négo who plays for Le Harve, Nagy from Spezia Calcio, Schäfer of Union Berlin, Kerkez from Bournemouth; Szoboszlai of Liverpool, Varga from Ferencvárosi TC, and Sallai who plays for SC Freiburg.
Mid-play, replacements were made at the 46th minute when Dibusz from Ferencvárosi replaced Gulácsi and Botka also from Ferencvárosi came on for Négo. At 61 minutes, Kleinheisler of Hajduk Split arrived for Varga and 73 minutes saw Lang substituted by Balogh from Parma.
Portugal’s Luis Godinho officiated the match.