Troy Parrott at it again for Ireland

Heimir Hallgrímsson had admitted that he was concerned about the reception his players might receive at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday evening. “He need not have worried,” writes Gavin Cooney, “for all the fraught forecasts and queasy concerns” in advance of the game, the focus was firmly on football. And while the surrendering of a two-goal lead saw the occasion end in frustration, the crowd were at least treated to “as close to a perfect goal as you will see”, as Ken Early describes Troy Parrott’s opener.

Parrott is having “the season of his dreams”, says Gavin Cummiskey in his match report, his two goals against Austria bringing his tally to nine in his last six competitive caps. Hallgrímsson was left purring over that first goal, but exasperated by the game ending in a draw. He put that down to fatigue. “This week has not only been difficult physically, but it has been mentally difficult as well.