Daniel McDonnell: With Budapest boys hailing from nine counties, Ireland squad truly represents the nation

The Ireland team, back row, from left to right, Troy Parrott, Nathan Collins, Caoimhín Kelleher, Liam Scales, Dara O’Shea, Finn Azaz and Jake O’Brien; front row, from left to right, Josh Cullen, Séamus Coleman, Chiedozie Ogbene and Jayson Molumby; before their World Cup 2026 Group F qualifier against Hungary at Puskas Arena in Budapest. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Talk about striking the right tone. Heimir Hallgrimsson’s delivery of his thoughts after the memorable mayhem in the Puskas Arena hit on so many points that it made sense when he admitted that he had prepared them beforehand in case of victory.

After speaking about the need for his players to remember who stuck by them in the difficult times and expanding on his own attitude towards the fickle nature of outside noise, Hallgrimsson spoke about the wider importance of Troy Parrott’s moment for Irish football.