A young Co Antrim boy has his sights set on a return to Croke Park for the All-Ireland Hurling Final after his image went around the world following last Sunday's clash between Kilkenny and Clare.
Fionn McGivern (2), from Glengormley, was pictured in the aisle of a packed Croker as he attended the game with his father Brendan, a one-time Ulster Minor Championship winner with Antrim.
"Fionn would love a ticket for the final and maybe one for his Da," his club Naomh Eanna wrote on social media after the image was posted on Twitter by Inpho Sports photographer James Crombie.
Our u6 hurler, Fionn McGivern is the boy in the photo. He comes from great hurling stock, father Brendan has an Ulster minor medal with Antrim, and uncles, Niall and Mícheál are current senior hurlers in the club
— Naomh Éanna CLG (@NaomhEannaCLG) July 10, 2023
Fionn would love a ticket for the final and maybe one for his da! https://t.co/qApHRUQqlh
It was the boy's first visit to the Dublin sporting venue, but would not be his last, dad Brendan said.
The club also revealed that the young fellow is already playing hurling for the St Enda's under 6 team, not surprising given his hurling pedigree.
Brendan described his "delight" after the image went viral with hundreds of thousands of views within hours of Kilkenny's semi-final victory and 3.4 million as of early on Wednesday.
“It was incredible, the past few days everyone has been texting and ringing about it, it’s a good feeling, it’s a class picture, you are never going to get a shot like that again,” Brendan said.
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Dad of young Kilkenny hurling fan speaks of 'incredible' response to viral Croke Park picture
Brendan won a provincial minor medal with Antrim in 2008, while uncles Niall and Micheál are current members of the senior hurling team.
"And perhaps the best hurler in the house is Fionn’s auntie, Dearbhla, our senior camog," the club noted.
His sister Molly (11) plays camogie and football for the club.
Brendan told the Belfast Telegraph: "“He loves going to the matches, just loves every minute of it.
"This was his first time at Croke Park but I take him to matches around home all the time, he watches with his sister and his auntie and uncles,
“Fionn is mad about it all, from the minute he wakes up he is saying to me ‘ball’ so we are always playing football or hurling.
"He’s just fantastic, he’s well clued in, especially because he’s just two, none of my friends can get over him."
Brendan said Kilkenny was the best team when he was growing up, so he has supported the black and amber Cats from an early age.
“He’s a big supporter now, so I’d say he will keep going that way, I can’t see him not being a fan when he’s older, we all support them together," he added.
Father and son hope to be cheering on Kilkenny as they seek revenge for last year's defeat against current champions Limerick on Sunday week.
