From mascot to key player: Mo Nerney hoping for another Croke Park day to remember for Laois

'I was seven years old... my Mam had died earlier that year. On a personal level, it was really tough and the Laois ladies became a second family to me'

Mo Nerney of Laois shoots to score her side's first goal, under pressure from Laoise Lenehan of Kildare. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Twenty years after she proved a lucky mascot for Laois in the TG4 All-Ireland senior final, Mo Nerney is again to the forefront as the O’Moore County bid for a national crown — only this time she is one of the key players.

Countless small children grow up all across Ireland dreaming of the same thing – to emulate their local inter-county stars. Whether it’s Joe Canning, Denise Gaule, David Clifford or Aimee Macken, every child has their own hero that they imagine togging out alongside for a big game at Croke Park.