Dublin Zoo has paid a uniquely feathered tribute to Ireland’s newest footballing hero, officially naming a male citron-crested cockatoo “Troy” in honour of Troy Parrott’s sensational hat-trick in Budapest’s Puskás Aréna.
The citron-crested cockatoo, a critically endangered species native to the Indonesian island of Sumba, had been without a suitable name since arriving at the Zoo. But after Parrott’s electrifying performance for the Republic of Ireland, keepers decided there was only one fitting choice.
Announcing the news, Dublin Zoo zookeeper Diana Farrell said the decision captured the national mood following Sunday’s dramatic victory. “There are very few moments that leave the people of a nation speechless, but that’s exactly what Troy Parrott’s third goal did yesterday,” she said. “It was a beautiful, joyous moment and while some might say we’re ‘Hungary’ for attention, we just want to honour Ireland’s hat-trick hero — a Dublin native born and bred — in a way that only Dublin Zoo can.”
The naming may not go quite as far as the statue some fans demanded at full-time, but Farrell believes the gesture will still give supporters something to smile about.
“We hope the original Troy sees it as another feather in his cap to go with the match ball he took home. The striker has given the country so much joy, and we’d be delighted to welcome him to Dublin Zoo to chat football with us keepers and, of course, to meet his namesake, who’s more of a winger.”
The newly christened Troy joins one of the world’s rarest cockatoo species, which is under severe threat in the wild due to habitat loss and illegal trapping. Zoo staff hope the football-inspired spotlight will also raise awareness of the conservation challenges facing the bird.
To keep the celebrations going, Dublin Zoo is inviting fans to continue the “Parrot party” with a special weekend offer. Anyone wearing green this Saturday, 22nd, or Sunday, 23rd November, will receive a 50% discount on full-price adult and child admission tickets purchased at the gate.
That is officially beyond the maximum number of dodgy puns used for this week.
Image Credit: Dublin Zoo
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Read our Sport for Business Coverage of Football
SPORT FOR BUSINESS Upcoming Events
November 20th – Playing for the Planet – A new event focused on Sustainability in Sport with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport
December 9th – Our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference in partnership with Lidl.
January – The Sporting Year Ahead 2026 in partnership with Teneo.
Sport for Business Podcasts
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT,
The FAI, Dublin City Council and and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, as well as all the leading sporting and business organisations in and around the world of sport, are among the 300+ members of the Sport for Business community.
This includes all of the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, individuals interested in our world, and an increasing number from beyond these shores taking a keen interest in Ireland.
Find out more about becoming a member today.
Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.
Sign up for our News Bulletins here.
