A Derry schoolgirl has realised a once in a lifetime opportunity by leading Liverpool out at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
Millions of TV viewers watched Hannah O’Carolan, 11, emerge from the tunnel at Wembley Stadium hand-in-hand with Reds captain Virgil Van Dijk.
Hannah could be seen smiling throughout as she stood in front of 90,000 Liverpool and Newcastle fans at fever-pitch.
Walking in front of Van Dijk she shook the hands of the Newcastle players.
It’s understood Hannah arrived at Wembley a few hours before the match to meet the first team and to get pictures with the players before watching them warm up.
The die-hard Liverpool fan 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.
Another inspiration was her aunt Sinead who played for the Northern Ireland ladies’ team.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 16: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) 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 on March 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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 previously told the BBC.
Hannah was filled with emotion after receiving the news by email at the end of February.
Her mother Shauna said they initially thought it was a scam.
She told the BBC: “To be picked out of so many children across the UK and Hannah’s been picked all the way from Derry.
“You can only imagine the excitement, there were a few tears and a few squeals, she was just so excited.”
Hannah’s dad Steve has taken Hannah to Liverpool games and was excited about the occasion.
“If you think of the millions of fans worldwide, to be picked, someone was looking down on us or really wanted it for Hannah,” he said.
“It’s stuff you dream of, it’s something you can’t buy.”