Clare girl lines out as mascot at Euro 2016 semi-final

Even though Ireland was knocked out of  Euro 2016, the country was well represented at Wednesday night's semi-final between Wales and Portugal in Lyon.

Rose Carter from Kilmaney, Co Clare lined out as a mascot with the Welsh team just before kick-off.

The ten-year old found herself in front of almost 60,000 spectators, and millions of viewers worldwide after Kylie Carter, who works in McDonald's in Ennis, entered her daughter into a company competition for a chance to line out at the semi-finals.

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Welsh players line up before the UEFA Euro 2016, semi-final match at the Stade de Lyon, Lyon. Rose is pictured behind the flag bearers, at the very end of the of the line-up of mascots in yellow and red strips, on the right. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Speaking to The Irish Times, Rose’s father Luke said his daughter “was over the moon” with the opportunity.

“Just looking at the screen last night, she had a huge grin on her face, it was absolutely fantastic, she had a great time,” he said.

Rose and Kylie flew to Lille on Tuesday and had a jam-packed schedule on arrival.

“On Wednesday she had football training camp while Kylie and the adults were brought on a boat and walking tour of Lyons. The next day it was more football camp training and then the kids went off to the stadium for rehearsals. Kylie didn’t see her again until after kick-off. ”

Rose, who is a big sports fan, spent five hours rehearsing in the Stade de Lyon with chaperones, so she knew exactly where to stand and what to do when the big moment came for her to line up with Chris Gunter.

While she had originally been picked to walk out with Portugal, Rose asked if she could walk out with the Dragons instead.

"She had asked me who I was supporting and I said 'Wales of course, now that England and Ireland are out', so I think that was in her head, that she wanted to walk out with them. She is really outgoing, so well done to her for speaking up and asking to be moved," Mr Carter said.

Rose, who has just finished fourth class at Kilmaley national school returned home on Thursday with a suitcase full of football goodies, including the kit she wore at the match ceremony.