Ex-Premier League striker caught in off-air outburst after Ireland win
Hungary began the evening with a straightforward objective: a draw would secure their route to the 2026 World Cup play-offs. According to reporting from The Liverpool Echo, goals from Daniel Lukacs and Barnabas Varga had the home side positioned to accomplish exactly that.
Ireland, however, refused to fade. Troy Parrott pulled a goal back entering the final ten minutes, and tension rippled through the Puskas Arena. As the clock crept into stoppage time, Parrott struck again, completing his hat-trick and stunning the home crowd. The 3–2 result sent Ireland into the play-offs and left Hungary eliminated on their own turf.
Viral clip steals the spotlight
While players celebrated on the pitch, another moment began fueling conversation online. A clip highlighted by The Liverpool Echo showed former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Reading striker Kevin Doyle reacting inside the RTÉ Sport studio.
The footage captured Doyle racing excitedly around the set before saying off-camera: “Suck on that, you Liverpool c*.”** He immediately apologized to colleague Didi Hamann — himself a former Liverpool midfielder — who was seated nearby.
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RTÉ later published an edited version of the celebration. However, the full unedited clip was circulated by a user under the handle @Liam_D79. The intended target of Doyle’s remark wasn’t identified; Hungary’s squad did feature two Liverpool players, captain Dominik Szoboszlai and defender Milos Kerkez.
Reactions and request for comment
Doyle — a 62-cap international who scored 14 goals for Ireland and featured in the 2011 Nations Cup victory — has not publicly addressed the clip. SPORTbible has reported that RTÉ has been contacted for comment.
Parrott calls the moment a “fairytale”
In the aftermath, Parrott struggled to put the magnitude of the night into perspective. Speaking to RTÉ, he said:
“I said against Portugal that this is what dreams are made of, but I think tonight, I will never have a better night in my whole life… It is a fairytale… I have no words to describe the emotions right now.”
Ireland now move into the play-offs with momentum — and a viral studio moment adding an unexpected layer to an already unforgettable night.
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Sources: The Liverpool Echo, RTÉ Sport, SPORTbible
