While the result finished at the Aviva last night, it was a triumphant evening for Stephen Kenny and the young Ireland team. A star-studded Portugal team had been nullified. The result felt like another step forward in the evolution of Ireland's football identity under Kenny. One of the highlights of the night came after the final whistle. A girl ran onto the pitch to embrace Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ronaldo was kind enough to give her his jersey. She trains out of the Corinthians Boxing Club in the north east inner city, the same club where Olympic gold medalist Kellie Harrington trains. I ran towards the halfway line but then they caught me.

VIDEO: Cristiano Ronaldo gives his shirt to young fan

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Published , 11 November GMT. Cristiano Ronaldo gave his shirt to a young fan at the end of Ireland vs Portugal - despite already promising it to teenager goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu. The two sides played out a draw in their World Cup qualifier and it was Ireland's first contest in Dublin since before the pandemic. Following the game, a girl decided to go on the Aviva Stadium turf and meet her idol Ronaldo despite stewards being close. The Manchester United man gave the visibly emotional youngster a hug and his shirt, before she then reached in for another hug. Cameras then captured Bazunu in the background, who appeared to be the only one in the stadium feeling a little let down.
Bazunu appeared gutted after missing out on Ronaldo's shirt
Want all the latest Sports news direct to your inbox? Share your email for the biggest headlines, transfer news and more. Addison Whelan, 11, who plays for Shelbourne's U13s, sprinted towards Ronaldo after the full-time whistle after Ireland's draw with Portugal, and was greeted by the Manchester United star, who gave her a hug as well as his shirt.
Addison Whelan, aged 11, ran onto the pitch at Aviva Stadium Thursday night in a dash to speak to her football hero Cristiano Ronaldo with the girl receiving his jersey. Football fans were stunned Thursday night when they saw a young girl run across the pitch at the Aviva Stadium. Addison Whelan, aged 11, outran security guards in an effort to speak to her football hero Cristiano Ronaldo. She was seen running towards the legendary footballer after the full-time whistle blew on Ireland's draw with Portugal. My dad's going to pay it. As a player on Shelbourne's U13s with dreams of playing for Ireland and Arsenal in the future, she says it was worth it. I jumped over the first row and over the barrier. He came over to me. I was just in shock and crying and I was like 'Can I have your jersey?