Armagh GAA star, Joe McElroy made a surprise visit to a young fan after he was hit by the ball at the blow of the final whistle during the opening game of the All-Ireland series against Derry on Saturday (May 24).
Five-year-old Lochlainn McParland from Armagh had been patiently waiting with his mum, Ursula at the sidelines to get onto the pitch to congratulate the Orchard County team on their four point win against Derry when the hooter sounded and an errant ball – kicked by the half forward – hit him square in the face.
Initially, Joe was unaware that the young fan had been injured but it didn’t take long for it to come to his attention.
Speaking to Armagh I, mum Ursula explained: “The hooter had gone and the children were standing along the edge to get onto the pitch and Joe was obviously kicking the ball out of play and had kicked it out into the crowd. It hit Lochlainn right in the face. Joe didn’t even know though – it was just one of those things in the heat of the moment.
“Niall Grimley and Jarly Óg Burns had come over to the side lines to make sure he was OK. It was a shock and it was just a reaction.
“All was grand then and the boys were very helpful and a Derry player came over as well and got him settled but nothing would do that he had to get seeing Joe on the pitch.”
Ursula said Armagh-based property agent Art O’Hagan MBE then appeared by her side with Joe in tow after he had made him aware of little Lochlainn’s tears.
Added Ursula: “Joe had been over signing jerseys and seeing people on the pitch and when he came over he just felt awful”.
About an hour after the match, when the family were home, they received an unexpected knock at the door… It was Joe, with a very special surprise for Lochlainn.
“Joe, God love him, was standing with a football as a wee gift and for ‘taking it as a warrior’, as he said,” continued Ursula.
“He got all the boys in the changing room to sign the ball. Lochlainn was all bizz! It was an accidental thing and it happens at football matches but we were so grateful. It was so lovely of him to take the time to come out to the house.
“He said he just couldn’t stop thinking of the child and wanted to check in with him. He was a hero in my child’s eyes.”
After the redeemed Armagh player had left the house the starstruck Lochlainn was beyond encouraged.
Inspired by Joe’s generosity and sportsmanship, he turned to his mum and proclaimed: “I’m going to play for Armagh and be like Joe McElroy!”
The next day in football training, young Lochlainn was awarded Player of the Week. Still buzzing from his experience, he told Ursula, “I think that happened because Joe came to our house last night.”
And while he’s football mad and eager to play, the special ball is now “locked up in a cabinet where all his wee medals are” says Ursula… so no one will be playing with that!
