Viral video star, 10, receives phone call from Northern Ireland players

A young boy who burst into tears as he received a Euro 2016 ticket for his birthday has received a special phone call from the Northern Ireland players.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Jun 2016, 14:17 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 18:59 BST
BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Screen grabbed image taken from footage issued courtesy of Richard McGall of his son Zak nearly bursting into tears as he received a Euro 2016 ticket for his birthdayBEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Screen grabbed image taken from footage issued courtesy of Richard McGall of his son Zak nearly bursting into tears as he received a Euro 2016 ticket for his birthday
BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Screen grabbed image taken from footage issued courtesy of Richard McGall of his son Zak nearly bursting into tears as he received a Euro 2016 ticket for his birthday

Zak McGall, 10, from Ballymena in Co Antrim, was given the precious present by his father the day before the team played Ukraine. His family videoed the moment and it has since gone viral on social media.

Zak and his father Richard are back in Northern Ireland after watching the victory in Lyon last Thursday.

Striker Kyle Lafferty and team mates called him on Sunday.

Screen grabbed image taken from footage issued courtesy of Richard McGall of his son Zak nearly bursting into tears as he received a Euro 2016 ticket for his birthdayScreen grabbed image taken from footage issued courtesy of Richard McGall of his son Zak nearly bursting into tears as he received a Euro 2016 ticket for his birthday
Screen grabbed image taken from footage issued courtesy of Richard McGall of his son Zak nearly bursting into tears as he received a Euro 2016 ticket for his birthday

Mr McGall said: “It makes me proud but it is a bit surreal.

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“I am happy that a video clip of me doing something for my son has had this effect on the Northern Ireland team and the fans at this time.”

He said the deaths of Darren Rodgers from Ballymena after a fall from a promenade in Nice and Archie Rainey during the game had been a low point.

“It is brilliant to be part of a good news story.”

Screen grabbed image taken from footage issued courtesy of Richard McGall of his son Zak nearly bursting into tears as he received a Euro 2016 ticket for his birthdayScreen grabbed image taken from footage issued courtesy of Richard McGall of his son Zak nearly bursting into tears as he received a Euro 2016 ticket for his birthday
Screen grabbed image taken from footage issued courtesy of Richard McGall of his son Zak nearly bursting into tears as he received a Euro 2016 ticket for his birthday

He said Lafferty was deeply affected by the video, which illustrated the impact the team was having on the children and supporters.

The star player also promised to send them a couple of signed shirts.

Related topics:Northern IrelandKyle LaffertyBallymenaUkraine