Paul Hurley (3) led out Drogs at Dalymount Park

GOLDEN-HAIRED Paul Hurley clung carefully with one hand to his father, club secretary Charlie Hurley, as the 16,000 Dalymount crowd spilled out onto the streets without incident.

Thoughfully nibbling at an oversized apple which filled the other hand, he gazed at the moving mass of humanity before him, faces drained of emotion and mirroring the frustrations of two weary teams.

Just two hours earlier this cool little three-year-old, all 2 ft. 6 ins. of him had walked out the tunnel and onto the pitch to take part in the pre-match antics of posing for pictures and waving to the crowd. Rigged out in a perfect mini replica of the Drogheda team colours, he mingled with the two teams as they walked nervously to the middle of the field to the thunderous cheers of their fans.

But as if to stress the fact that he was above it all and not really too concerned about the whole thing, he wandered across the pitch staring impassively at the packed stands as the National Anthem was played. A forgiveable breach of tradition.