Memorable day as Longford schoolgirl stars at Croke Park on All-Ireland hurling semi-final day

Kilkenny may have been all the rage on Sunday in booking an All-Ireland final rematch with Limerick, but for Longford schoolgirl Willow Parker it was a day that will be forever etched in her memory.

The talented 11-year-old was among a select few and the flagbearer for Co Longford in a Cumann na mBunscol match which was held during half time of the encounter between Kilkenny and Clare.

Aside from representing her home county, Willow's achievements was made all the more noteworthy in that she took to the field with 20 other children from different counties in Ireland.

The fifth class St Mary's, Edgeworthstown National School pupil who is the daughter of proud mammy, Joanne, is no stranger to the local underage GAA scene.

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Joanne, in heaping praise on the impressive feat of her daughter, reserved a special mention for the unstinting efforts of Edgeworthstown's Mick McCormack in making Sunday's aspirations a momentous reality.

“Mick is over 50 years teaching boys and girls hurling and is someone who like myself, loves nothing more than seeing people getting recognised for their efforts rather than who they are,” she said.

“Mick gave Willow the knowledge and determination to go out and do what she loves and I could not be more proud of her achievements.

“She puts her heart and soul into everything she does and I am just delighted to see her finally getting acknowledged for her efforts because the future is looking very bright for her.”

Despite her tender years, Willow's rising stock within the game locally has seen her claim an U15 John West Feile shield winner's medal with Wolfe Tones Mostrim.

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The gifted youngster also plays at u14 level, something which saw her win the county final.

What's more, Willow is heading to the U12 All-Ireland regional finals in August.

For now though, this accomplished sportstar of the future is quite rightly, together with her family, reflecting on a day and sequence of events that will take some emulating.