FANAD UNITED FC and Derry City reserves gave footballer Davitt Walsh a guard of honour ahead of their game this afternoon.

Walsh has been hailed as a hero after saving a four-month-old baby in the Buncrana tragedy in which Sean McGrotty, his sons Mark and Evan, his mother-in-law Ruth Daniels and her daughter Jodie Lee all lost their lives, after the family’s vehicle slipped off the pier.

Walsh, who currently plays with Fanad in the Ulster Senior League, responded after witnessing a vehicle enter the water of Lough Swilly in the town of Buncrana.

The 29-year-old, who was taken to hospital after rescuing Rionaghac-Ann McGrotty and treated for shock and cuts on his feet, has played for a number of other Irish clubs, including Bohemians, Shelbourne and Ballymena United.

And the footballer was commended for his bravery prior to today’s game.

An official club statement read: “Today we played our first match since the tragic events in Buncrana 6 weeks ago.

“It gave the club the opportunity to honour Davitt Walsh for his act of heroism that day.

It was especially poignant as the game came against Derry City, the club so closely linked to that day in the fact that Josh Daniels the uncle of little Riognach Anne plays for the club.

“Everyone at Fanad is immensely proud of Davitt and Stephanie for their actions that day.”

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