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Derry girl becomes Liverpool's official mascot for cup final

Ashleigh Swan
BBC News NI
Getty Images Hannah walking next to Virgil van Dijk, in a stadium with fans in the stands behind them. Another girl is on the other side of them. All three are wearing Liverpool kitsGetty Images
Hannah (right) accompanied Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool and a Carabao Cup mascot onto the pitch before the final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium

A Londonderry schoolgirl has lived out a lifetime dream as she led Liverpool out at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on Sunday.

Millions of TV viewers watched Hannah O'Carolan, 11, emerge from the tunnel at one of the most famous football stadiums in the world with Reds captain Virgil Van Dijk.

Hannah, a member of Liverpool's Red Squad programme, a fan membership for young supporters, was chosen as the club's only official mascot from thousands of hopefuls.

"I am so excited to be mascot for Liverpool and getting to walk out with Virgil Van Dijk as he is a defender - the same as me," Hannah said before the game.

Shauna O’Carolan Girl with blonde hair wearing a red and black Liverpool Football Club jacket. She has blue eyes. She is getting a Liverpool football shirt signed by Liverpool player Mo Salah who is wearing the team's red coloursShauna O’Carolan
Hannah got to meet Liverpool legend Mo Salah who signed a football shirt for her

Hannah was bowled over with emotion when the news came through by email at the end of February.

Mum Shauna said they initially thought it was a scam but the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was confirmed when they contacted Anfield.

"To be picked out of so many children across the UK and Hannah's been picked all the way from Derry," she said.

"You can only imagine the excitement, there were a few tears and a few squeals, she was just so excited."

Girl with blonde hair hold a Liverpool Football Club poster. In the background is a kitchen. Pink and white balloons are to the left of her along with a mirror behind her.
Hannah has been sent a full kit by Liverpool for the game, along with autographs from the first team, other photographs and full mascot badge

Walking out with Virgil Van Dijk

Hannah arrived at Wembley a few hours before the match where she met the first team, got pictures with them before watching them warm up and then walked out with Van Dijk.

"If you think of the millions of fans worldwide, to be picked, someone was looking down on us or really wanted it for Hannah," said Hannah's dad Steve.

"It's stuff you dream of, it's something you can't buy."

From the left a women with dark hair wearing a white shirt. In the middle, a girl with blonde hair wearing a grey uniform and on the right a man with dark hair and glasses wearing a black shirt. A Liverpool Football Club flag is behind them, along with a Liverpool FC wallpaper.
Hannah with her mum and dad, Shauna and Steve O'Carolan

Football in the family

The die-hard Reds fan also plays for her local side Maiden City as a defender.

She was inspired by her great uncle Brendan Bradley, who remains the League of Ireland's record goal-scorer with 235 goals in a career that spanned 20 years.

Another inspiration was her auntie Sinead, who played for the Northern Ireland ladies' team.

Getty Images Ibrahima Konate, Caoimhin Kelleher, Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot, Manger of Liverpool, line up with their mascots prior to the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are wearing the Liverpool FC kits with bomber jackets, Caoimhin Kelleher is wearing a green goalkeeper kit. Arne Slot is wearing a black coat, black trouser and black half-zip with white shirt underneath. Hannah is in between Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk.Getty Images
Ibrahima Konate, Caoimhin Kelleher, Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool line up with their mascots prior to the Carabao Cup Final

Hannah's aunts Sinead and Jillian will fly to London with her ahead of the big match.

"I think Sinead is actually more excited than Hannah at this stage," said Shauna,

Hannah said she was also over the moon about her friends watching her on TV.

"They will see how happy I am," she said.

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