Archive RTÉ footage shows Ireland ace Troy Parrott once captained Mayo to a mini All-Ireland victory
Ireland striker Troy Parrott may be preparing for the biggest week of his international career, but a resurfaced clip from the RTÉ archives has offered an unexpected glimpse into his sporting past, the day he put on a Mayo jersey and captained his team to victory.
The footage, dating back to 2013, shows an 11-year-old Parrott, who hails from inner city Dublin, lining out in green and red alongside his classmates from O’Connell National School in a mini All‑Ireland Football Final.
Pupils from the national school were divided into Mayo and Dublin sides and went head‑to‑head for the mini Sam Maguire.
The match was staged just two days before the senior All-Ireland Final at Croke Park, in which Mayo took on Dublin and were defeated by a single point.
Parrott captained his Mayo team to a 03-03 to 01-07 victory. The future Republic of Ireland player can be seen lifting the cup and celebrating with his classmates.
Despite the result, the Dublin native’s loyalties didn’t shift as he confidently predicted the outcome of the real final, saying: “Dublin are a better team.”
Fast forward more than a decade, the now 24-year-old is preparing for his country’s biggest match in years as Ireland travels to Prague to face Crezchia on Thursday, March 26.
With expectations building across the country, the stakes are clear. A win would see the boys in green return to the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, to face either Denmark or North Macedonia for a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Last November, the nation watched with hearts in mouths as Ireland headed into the final 10 minutes trailing Hungary 2-1. Parrott had secured the team's first goal with a penalty in the 15th minute.
Parrott then scored in the 80th minute and revived the nations hopes, before adding a third goal in the 96th minute to secure a hat-trick, send the country into a frenzied celebration, and earn himself man of the match.
The AZ Alkmaar player also scored two goals against Portugal in the previous World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium.
From lifting a mini Sam Maguire in a Mayo jersey to carrying Ireland’s hopes on his shoulders, Parrott’s ability to deliver in big moments is a trait Ireland will be hoping can take them to their first World Cup since 2002.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.