‘It’s been such a whirlwind week after wee Dan’s pic went viral...’

Family’s shock as toddler’s reaction during All-ireland semi-final is seen across world

THE mother of a young Armagh GAA fan has described her family’s “whirlwind week” after a photo of her son at the All-ireland semi-final went viral.

Two-year-old Dan Mcgarry from Portadown was photographed at Croke Park on the steps of the Cusack Stand during the tense win over Kerry last Saturday.

Dan’s mother Jenna explained his reaction was “nothing unusual” as he and his brothers are “football mad”.

“That photo is just typical Dan,” she said.

“At the game, Dan was going absolutely bananas on the steps as he usually does. He was just in the thick of it. He was cheering for Jason Duffy, who is his favourite player.

“Seb Daly from Sportsfile approached us and showed us the photo. At the time we could just identify the photo as Dan, but it was a small thumbnail on the camera, so we didn’t think much at that point. I gave the photographer my email at full time, so he could send it.”

After the match, the family made their way across to the Croke Park Hotel, to celebrate.

“We lingered around the ground for a good while afterwards, as the boys bumped into their cousins and friends.

“By the time we got over to the hotel, the photo was published on social media. Everyone was coming up to us saying ‘did you see Dan?’ and I was thinking ‘he is in the pram, what do you mean?’” she laughed.

“Then it clicked, it had been posted online. Everyone was sending it to us. Our phones were chaotic pretty much right away, firstly about the win and secondly about the photo.”

Since the photo went viral, people in Armagh have recognised Dan — his older brothers say the situation is “so funny”.

“Dan hasn’t got a clue what is going on. He is enjoying all the sweets and all that carry on, but he is sort of oblivious. I showed him the photo and he recognised himself and he was laughing at it saying ‘Croke Park, Croke Park’,” she added.

“His older brothers keep thinking it’s hilarious, and saying things like, ‘Oh my God, Dan is famous’. Dan is a character — he loves the craic with his brothers.”

Eight-year-old Jack, the eldest brother of Dan, Ben and Fionn, said, “We think it’s really cool.”

The family have attended every Armagh senior men’s game this season.

“People always say to us ‘We can’t believe that you bring all your children to the games’, but they all absolutely love it,” added Jenna.

“Even the youngest, who is only one, has a little flag and will sit clapping. They will watch the whole game and at the semi-final, fans behind us even remarked that they’ve ‘never seen children sit at a football game like that’. They are football-mad.

“We have had the flags up since the quarter-final. We never miss a game. The boys are just so excited. We have been watching the old games.

“They are counting down the days to get back to Croke Park again. They believe that Sam Maguire is coming this way, so fingers crossed they’re right.”