DAN'S THE MAN TO LEAD OUT IRELAND; 2 DAYS TO CROKER CRUNCHER Brave youngster to inspire rugby heroes.

Byline: By NIALL O'CONNOR

A BRAVE little boy's dream will come true at Saturday's historic Six Nations rugby clash between Ireland and England.

Seven-year-old Daniel Moloney, who suffers from the rare condition Cystic Hygroma, is from the same town as Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

But at the start of the epic Croke Park match, Eddie will take a back seat to Daniel as the Munster fan leads out the Triple Crown favourites.

And Daniel, from Youghal, Co Cork, can't wait to again meet his hero Ronan O'Gara as well as Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll.

Daniel's dad Will said it will be a special day for his son.

He added: "We go to most of the Munster and Ireland games as well as Waterford's hurling matches.

"Daniel has met many players over the years but we never dreamed he'd ever have a day like this.

"He's absolutely thrilled. He absolutely loves sport - and rugby and hurling are two of his favourites."

Daniel is no stranger to leading big teams out - he has already marched Munster on to the field of battle in a Heineken Cup clash.

However, Croker is his ultimate dream and will be a day never to forget.

Daniel is just like any schoolboy and lives a full life even though he is battling a difficult condition.

Cystic Hygroma affects only three children in the whole country and results in severe facial disfigurement.

But Daniel's story should be a real inspiration to the Irish squad.

After he was born, he had to have emergency surgery to help him to breath.

Since then he has endured more than a dozen surgical procedures.

Will, owner of The Usual Place pub in Youghal with wife Ann, said his son's life was saved because doctors spotted the condition before birth.

He added: "We have learned a lot about Daniel over the years and there is a support group worldwide."

Cystic Hygroma has resulted in a large tumour developing on Daniel's face and head.

While this is benign, it can grow to the point where it interferes with his respiratory functions and movement.

If this happens then surgeons are forced to operate to try and remove as much of the tumour as possible.

Despite this, Daniel's bravery is unrelenting and he believes he is a lucky child because he has met other children with more aggressive disfigurement.

Will said: "I suppose we just take it one day at a time. We are there for Daniel and to support him in whatever he decides to do in the future.

"Daniel's facial features can be distorted and we have to watch his breathing.

"However, he is not sick and he gets on with his life. He really is a typical little boy" And with the honour of leading out Ireland looming, Will added that Daniel can't wait for Saturday.

He said: "He was totally thrilled - he is absolutely over the moon.

"Daniel knows precisely what this is all about because he already was a mascot for the Munster team when they played the semi-final of the Heineken Cup in Landsdowne Road a couple of years ago."

Daniel will travel to Dublin with relatives and friends but such is the scarcity of tickets that his brother Gary, 13, and 16-year-old sister Niamh will not be there to watch him take to the field.

Will added: "They would both have loved to be there for Daniel but it was impossible to get tickets. I have never seen demand for any match like this one."

But Dan has promised to give a special wave to his family and his classmates in Gortroe School.

As for the result on the big day, Will said: "A win for Ireland would be the icing on the cake."

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CAPTION(S):

LOVING: Dan with mum Ann and dad Will; Pictures: DARAGH MAC SWEENEY/PROVISION; WHAT A PASS: Daniel shows his mascot ticket at home in Youghal yesterday; KICKS: With Ronan O'Gara; LEGEND: Keith Wood meets Dan; PROUD: With winger David Wallace; OLD PALS: Dan & Paul O'Connell