Clara’s design becomes the U17 Euros Mascot!
A young Wexford girl has well and truly done her bit to drum up support for the 2019 UEFA U17 European Championships, having designed the winning mascot - Barry the Bodhrán.
Eleven year-old Clara Hogan, daughter of Therese and Brian who own the Faythe Pharmacy in town, managed to come out on top of a nationwide search, where primary school students in 5th and 6th class were tasked with designing the official mascot for the tournament.
Showing a combination of artistic flair and imagination, Clara, a 6th class student at Scoil Mhuire in Barntown, came up with the concept of Barry the Bodhrán and she was delighted to see her vision come to life as she visited Tallaght Stadium on Wednesday for the launch.
Republic of Ireland U17 head coach Colin O’Brien was on hand to congratulate Clara on her winning design and to invite her to escort the players onto the pitch for Ireland’s opening game of the tournament in May.
In the coming weeks, Barry the Bodhrán will visit each of the tournament venues, as well as local schools to spread the message of tomorrow’s stars coming to Ireland with the tournament which kicks off at venues in Dublin, Longford and Waterford on May 3.
Barry the Bodhrán is the latest team member to be announced after John O’Shea was confirmed as tournament ambassador.