Springsteen presents Mayo fan with harmonica during concert

A BRUCE Springsteen fan from Mayo is buzzing today after The Boss presented him with his harmonica during last night's concert in the RDS.

Springsteen was singing 'Thunder Road' when he reached into his back pocket and handed his harmonica to David Niland.

David (23), who hails from Barnacarroll, was at the concert with his mum Mary.

Speaking today from home, where the pair confessed to be 'still absolutely buzzing', David said of his unexpected gift: “It's a national treasure and so is Bruce himself.”

David and Mary ended up at the concert in the RDS after receiving tickets from a friend who couldn't make it themselves.

They didn't expect that they would get into the pit but succeeded in getting bands and making their way to the front of the crowd.

A superfan friend, who has attended Springsteen concerts all over the world, had David lifted up when he caught the eye of The Boss.

Springsteen then put his hand into his back pocket, retrieved his harmonica, and popped it into David's hand.

David later also appeared on the big screen during 'Dancing in the Dark'.

A huge music fan, this was David's first time at a Springsteen concert.

“It's all come full circle,” said mum Mary. “I am a big fan and the last time I was at a Bruce Springsteen concert was back in 1999 when I was expecting David.”

She added: “We were buzzing at the concert, as everyone would be. But after this special moment we'll be buzzing for another while yet!”

It's fitting, perhaps, that a piece of Springsteen memorabilia now lies in very safe hands in Mayo in the week where it was revealed that the singer's roots are in the county.

As reported in our print edition, Springsteen's family, the McNicholas's, hailed from Treenagleragh in Kiltimagh.