Dublin GAA legend Jason Sherlock says the response to his surprise New York St Patrick’s Day appearance highlights “all that’s good about our country”.
Speaking to The Hard Shoulder this evening as part of the show’s Boston tour, Sherlock said he is “really appreciative” of the Gardaí that plucked him from the crowd to join the parade.
A video showing the 47-year-old being lifted from the crowd by the gardaí as the parade made its way down 5th Avenue went viral almost as soon as it happened – and Sherlock said the views are now in the millions.
The Gardaí can be heard chanting ‘Jayo’ as they make their way down the street.
Sherlock told Kieran Cuddihy how it all went down.
“I was in New York for a couple of days, we had a DCU alum event and just before I went to the airport, I decided to meet a few of my DCU colleagues and watch a bit of the parade,” he said.
“I suppose the rest is history after that. It was very interesting. I suppose it just shows you the power of social media.
“A couple of our An Garda Síochána recognized me. One of my colleagues, Caroline, had the foresight to film the whole thing and literally in the space of minutes, it seemed to go viral and again, I think the views of it now are in the millions.
“There hasn’t been many people I've met over the last few weeks and days that haven’t seen it, so I’m now known as the person in the video.”
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He said he really appreciates the Gardaí who scooped him out of the crowd.
“Looking back, obviously, it is wholesome contact and the reception I have received since has been great,” he said. “I am really appreciative.”
“Obviously, An Garda Síochána, they were there and it was a special day for them and it was so spontaneous the way they saw me and what they did – and I suppose I am very lucky from a sporting context and from an Irish context.
“I don’t look Irish, you know? My father moved to Ireland to build a future for his family and here I am, whatever, 20-odd years after playing for Dublin, and I’m being recognised in New York.
“To me, it kind of brings and harnesses all that's good about our country and if it means someone had a smile on their face watching a video over the last few days, I’m delighted I was involved in that.”
Our members are never off duty!
An Garda Síochána’s contingent that travelled to NYC to proudly take part in today’s parade scoped out well known @officialgaa star, @boomjayo in the crowd.
He’s now been taken in for questioning on his crimes against football!#StPatricksDay pic.twitter.com/wehWQrklC9
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) March 17, 2023
Sherlock was speaking to the show alongside fellow Dublin legend Bernard Brogan who quipped, “more people saw that than the goals you got in 95' I think”.
You can listen back to the full segment here:
