County Derry boy leads Liverpool out as mascot in important away victory

A County Derry boy lived his dream, and probably the dream of half the County, when he led the football team he supports out on the pitch as they secured an important three points.

Adam O’Conor (9) from Dungiven was selected to be a mascot as Liverpool played away at Sheffield United.

Adam led captain Virgil Van Dijk out onto the pitch and must have had some words of inspiration for the Dutch man who scored his first goal of the season to put Liverpool ahead.

Adam was delighted with the experience and said he got the chance to interact with two Liverpool stars.

“I got to speak to Virgil Van Dijk and Harvey Elliot,” he said “When I went into the tunnel Virgil Van Dijk handed me a coat.”

While the club had already sent out a full kit, the former Celtic man gave the current Dungiven Celtic man the coat as a gift on the cold December afternoon.

Adam said he wasn't all that nervous walking out in front of over 32,000 fans at Sheffield United’s home ground. However, his mother Arlene O’Donnell admitted 'I think I was more nervous for him'.

Adam and Harvey Elliot having a chat before the game

At home games mascots are given a choice between a few players to walk out with but as Adam explained 'at an away game there's only one mascot and they walk out with the captain'. Adam was happy to walk out with the fan favourite centre half and two of the Sheffield United mascots would have been as well, given that they were secret Liverpool fans as well.

Adam was ‘Buzzing’ as he returned to his parents after walking the team out, and the first thing he excitedly told them was ‘Virgil gave me a shoulder massage!’

“Virgil was just great with him - such a gentleman. It was an amazing experience - it all went so fast - we wish we could do it all over again,” Arlene said.

Adam said they got good seats to watch the match after walking them out, with his mum adding:

“We got in with the Liverpool fans this time, which was great. We were pretty much in the front row, just behind the section for wheelchair users, with some very vocal Liverpool away fans.”

Last time they went to watch Liverpool they were also with the away fans, only their team was playing at home!

“We were able to get any away tickets to any Bournemouth sort of game so took the opportunity to try and get to Anfeild, albeit we couldn't shout for Liverpool but it was still really good.

“Our seats were actually pretty good in the Bournemouth end. Right behind the goal where Salah and Diaz scored – we just couldn't celebrate.”

Arlene explained that when she signed up for a Liverpool membership she had no idea this could be in store for them.

“I got the official Liverpool membership for myself and Adam – it's only 30 quid a year or something like that – just to enter into a ballot to potentially try and get tickets to the matches because it's so hard to get them.

“I was quite surprised when, two weeks before the match, I got an email from them to say congratulations, Adam has been selected to be a mascot and to walk on with one of the Liverpool players.”

Adam showing what he's learned at Dungiven Celtic on the big stage

Both Adam and his mum are Liverpool fans while his dad supports Arsenal. Arlene grew up in a Liverpool family with all her brothers and her dad supporting The Reds. Adam started supporting Liverpool in 2019 at the age of 5.

Adam must be something of a good luck charm for the The Reds who have not only won both matches he’s attended but have had an impressive run since he got behind them. In 2019, the year he started supporting the club, they won the Champions League (2018/19 season) and were on their way to winning their first English top division title in three decades (2019/20).