Veteran Meath shoe seller goes viral with over 1 million views of his Puma King sales vid

Jack Kiernans is 55 years in business on Trimgate Street in Navan.

Now the local legend has attracted the attention of sports fans worldwide with his latest video.

“Hi, great news for our young people, Puma King is in now from size three to five and a half. Just arrived, we also have it in adult sizes,” Jack begins.

The GAA super fan gives a lowdown of what is on offer to customers.

“That’s the good news for you. We also have in our old favourite Copia Mundial in by Adidas. The complete moulded boot. Very comfortable.

“Come along whenever suits you, we will measure you up and look after you.

“Thank you and goodbye,” Jack concludes.

The heart-warming video is played to the back drop of the song ‘Riptide’ by Vance Joy which adds to the sentimental feel of the piece.

“That’s it. I’m booking a flight to Ireland and buying a pair of Puma Kings from Jack Kiernan’s shop. What a man,” wrote Jack Kenmare, chief sports writer for Sport Bible.

“The absolute best thing about Irish towns is that, unlike in England, proper, independent sports shops still seems as prevalent as ever – usually run by a charismatic old boy like this who do it as a complete labour of love.

“They must be protected at all costs,” wrote Thomas Parker, from Birmingham.

Jack’s video is approaching 1.5 million views across all platforms online.

The Sunday World spoke with the main man himself on Thursday to see what he made of his new found fame.

“Sure I don’t pass any remarks to that, my daughter does that. I don’t even have a phone!” Jack laughed.

“Just an old flip phone so I don’t see anything.”

Jack began the business with his father in the late 1960s and has seen many changes.

“We are very busy, it’s a nice, independent shop. We’re here since 1968.

“I worked in Kells for four years and then myself and my dad decided we would open another branch in Navan.

“The time flew. I would tell people customer service is the most important thing. The number one thing above anything else,” he said.

Jack said that recent wins in ladies football has been a game changer for the area.

“We find in Meath here, the girls are brilliant especially since the success of the Meath ladies, intermediates and willing all-Irelands.

“They won two all-Ireland’s, it has created wonderful interest in girls sports in Meath.

“There is a huge amount of girls playing football now.

“So that’s a big change, years ago you would only have a few girls in a club, now there’s many club teams.”

Jack filmed a recent interview with his grandson, Patrick, which has also attracted attention.

“He is a first year in St.Pat’s, the local school here in Navan, where Colm O’Rourke was principle for a long time.

“I’m a gig fan of Trevor Giles, a great footballer, they were the great times from the 80s up until 2001.

“My daughter Louise does all the online stuff, she organizes everything. Puma King is a huge seller, people come from all over for it.

“It has made a big comeback, a wonderful boot. Most of the Meath teams wore them from 87-2005.”

Jack made some hilarious comments when asked about a more modern trend seen nowadays.

“The kids like the colourful boots but a lot are going back to the black boot,” he said.

“The black boots are strong. You would want to be good to be wearing the colourful boots.

“The ref would see you a bit quicker, the ref would see you leaving your foot in!

“Navan is doing good, we are delighted that Tara Mines is re-opening. 700-800 people employed there.

“I am happy to keep working, that’s what I like doing,” Jack concluded.