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Troy Parrott scored two first-half goals as the Republic of Ireland drew 2-2 with Austria at the Aviva Stadium, with Austria scoring twice in five late minutes through substitutes Alexander Prass and Michael Gregoritsch.
Troy Parrott scored two first-half goals as the Republic of Ireland drew 2-2 with Austria at the Aviva Stadium, with the visitors scoring twice in a five-minute collapse late in the game.
Ireland had been on course for an emphatic Nations League victory before substitutes Alexander Prass and Michael Gregoritsch earned Austria a point. Until that point this was a performance that felt like the ultimate in coherence, with the defence organised, midfield composed and the front two working in perfect unison. Ireland were putting on a show against the group favourites, a team that reached the last 32 of the summer's World Cup.
Ireland Fans Face FAI Protests
The evening began with a sombre tone as Richie Sadlier and Didi Hamann discussed the FAI's handling of last Sunday's game against Israel. Protests took place before and during the game, with tennis balls thrown onto the pitch twice and one fan evading security to stand in front of the Ireland bench with a Palestine flag. The Gardaí removed him.
Joanne Cantwell said at the break that the Stop the Game group stated this would be the end of their protests. The FAI will await a Uefa report as this fixture was a test event for Euro 2028. The FAI also faced a grilling in the Oireachtas on Wednesday.
Parrott Goal Stuns Austria
Ireland fans had reason to clap from the first whistle due to a mixture of the attacking awareness and intricate play of Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan as well as a determination to simply pressure Austria in their own box and not let them settle. Conor Coventry was comfortable on the half turn, James Abankwah showed adventure, and Idah was a torment, hounding the channels and holding the ball up.
Kelleher made one fingertip save from Patrick Wimmer on 40 minutes but was mostly untroubled. Parrott's first goal on 12 minutes will go down in lore. The Dubliner spun past three defenders, nutmegged Philipp Lienhart and David Affengruber, and slotted the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Florian Wiegele, who stands 6ft 9ins and is reportedly the tallest player ever to appear in the World Cup. The goal came from a Caoimhín Kelleher clearance to Adam Idah.
Lienhart was last man and exposed, and Parrott, initially isolated near the centre circle, realised he had to go it alone. His low, side-footed finish opened the scoring. Richie Sadlier called it the best goal he had seen at the stadium. He said: This is the best we have seen in this stadium in my view.
That fella is absolutely on fire. And we needed a moment like that to get everyone smiling. Des Curran described it as: That. Is.
Troy. Parrott. That. Is.
Parrott Doubles Ireland Lead
Sensational. Stephen Kelly noted the goal came from the pitches of Fairview, where Parrott honed his skills with his schoolboy club. From Belvo to Betis, said Des. Ireland doubled their lead within five minutes through Parrott's precise penalty, his ninth goal in his last six competitive games for Ireland.
After a deep cross from Ryan Manning, Jack Moylan's scuffed attempt was misshit by Phillipp Mwene with Manning clipped by Nicolas Seiwald. Parrott sent the keeper the wrong way and the ball clipped the left post on its way in. At half-time, Richie Sadlier called it one of the most commanding first 45 performances we have seen from Ireland in a long, long time.
Didi Hamann said it was the most creative he had seen in 10 years, with Ireland playing with a freedom he had rarely witnessed. Heimir Hallgrímsson was seen hugging John O'Shea and burying his face in his hands in disbelief after the first goal. Ireland were in control after the break until substitutes from both teams changed the game. Between the 72nd and 77th minutes, Austria scored twice.
Austria Rescue Nations League Point
Liam Kitchin had just replaced Liam Scales when he was caught in possession by Patrick Wimmer. Wimmer fizzed the ball across and Jayson Molumby nicked it at the front post but could only direct it back to Wimmer, who teed up Alexander Prass to finish high into the net. Austria then had their second wind and soon had Ireland on the ropes. Michael Gregoritsch scored the equaliser.
Ireland had been top of the Nations League group before the collapse. From being so close to producing an emphatic victory, Hallgrímsson must now help rejuvenate his players for the testing encounter to come behind closed doors against Israel. The international window will shut on Sunday in Serbia, where Ireland play behind closed doors in Bačka Topola.
However it shapes up, Parrott's goal will warm Irish fans through the winter. The match ended 2-2.
IrishTimes 
The42_ie:Troy Parrott lights up Aviva Stadium but Ireland are pegged back by Austria in second halfThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Troy Parrott Republic Of Ireland Austria Football International Match Ireland Vs Austria Nations League Aviva Stadium Stop The Game Protests
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