Gary Connaughton reporting from the Aviva Stadium
Imagine being 15-years old, but already being labelled by some as the potential future saviour of Irish football? That is a pressure that Troy Parrott has been dealing with since his formative years.
For quite a while now, he has been seen as the most promising talent in what is a deep group of young Irish players. He would be the first to admit he probably hasn't lived up to that billing as of yet. He struggled during loan spells at Millwall and Ipswich Town last season, failing to hit a sustained run of form at either club.
At international level, his two goals against Andorra aside, he hasn't had much impact under Stephen Kenny. In fact, a number of those players who Parrott had been the shining light among had seemingly passed him in the pecking order. Questions about his attitude inevitably came from some corners.
Something has changed in recent times.
While there was a sense that his loan at MK Dons could go the way of his other switches earlier in the campaign, a switch has flicked in recent months. As the player himself put it a couple of weeks ago, a bit of perspective was perhaps needed at this early stage in his career.
I was doing well at the start of the season, and if I’m being honest, I fell off a little bit into the middle of the season. There was no one thing that changed..
But I just realised I couldn’t sit around and let it go by. I needed to make every time I was on the pitch count, and give it 110% every game
Ultimately, you get one shot at it, and I want to be a footballer. I want to play at a high level, and I realised that I couldn’t just let it go by.
Many expected Parrott to start tonight's friendly against Lithuania, although he would have to be content with half an hour off the bench.
With Ireland struggling to find a breakthrough, he was the one that took the impetus upon himself to go and win the game. He showed a number of flashes throughout his cameo appearance, forcing a brilliant save from the Lithuania goalkeeper in injury time.
While it felt as though the opportunity to win the game may have gone at that point, there was no stopping his effort a few moments later.
WHO DOESN'T LOVE A 96TH MINUTE WINNER STRUCK FROM 30 YARDS OUT?🦜pic.twitter.com/PrwCp1s6CN
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 29, 2022
For the first time at senior international level, Troy Parrott looked like the player that many hoped he would become.
Among all of the conversation about his apparent struggles, it was easy to forget that he only turned 20-years old last month.
Stephen Kenny will be hoping this is a catalyst for the player to push on in the coming months. MK Dons are pushing for promotion in League One, with his key role in pushing for that honour set to be an invaluable experience over the remainder of the campaign.
If all goes to plan, he will be in top form coming into Ireland's UEFA Nations League games in June. With four games likely to be played in the space of ten days, he should get another opportunity to show what he can do at this level.
You could see what this moment meant to him at the end of the game, sharing a brilliant moment with the Irish supporters as he made his way around the pitch.
All we can now is hope that this is just a glimpse at the Troy Parrott we hoped we would be seeing in a green jersey.
SEE ALSO: Ireland Player Ratings As Troy Parrott Goal Hands Ireland Last Gasp Lithuania Win
