Jonathan Cooper was one of two recipients of Cadbury Football Scholarships in Dublin City University earlier this month. The Cadbury Football Scholarships are awarded in recognition of the sporting potential of U-21 footballers attending various third-level institutes in Ireland as part of the Cadbury sponsorship of the GAA Football U-21 Championship. Jonathon Cooper, a second year Sports Science and Health student, has represented Dublin at minor and U-21 level and made his inter-county debut at senior level in 2008. He plays his club football with Na Fianna where he is currently a member of the senior panel and captain of the U-21 team. He is part of this season's Sigerson Cup team and won the Fresher's All- Ireland college's football championship with DCU in 2009. Jonathan was captain of the U-14, U-16 and minor teams with his school St.Vincents C.B.S. where he was twice named Sportsperson of the Year. Commenting at the scholarship presentation, Shane Guest, Senior Brand Manager, Cadbury Ireland said. "This is Cadbury Ireland's fifth year as sponsor of the Football U-21 Championship and we regard it as an honour to sponsor the U-21 Championship. Cadbury Ireland is fully committed to supporting GAA in Ireland, and I am delighted to say that the Championship goes from strength to strength. The Cadbury Scholarships highlight the importance of the game to these young players, their commitment to training and their hard work, skill, passion and dedication in pursuit of sporting excellence." Aaron Clogher, GAA Secretary at DCU said: "We are delighted that Cadbury have remained committed to the football scholarships and continue to help us promote GAA in DCU. We hope that this will be an ongoing development and we are delighted to be associated with the Cadbury scholarship." Cadbury Ireland are sponsoring football scholarships in NUI Galway, University of Limerick, University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, University College Cork, Jordanstown campus of the University of Ulster and for the first time this year Cork Institute of Technology. The scholarship programme demonstrates Cadbury's commitment to developing and nurturing the players to provide for the future of football from a young age. Cadbury want to recognise the skill of the U-21 Footballers who are attending and representing their college. Tweet

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