Dublin's Rory O'Carroll was named 2010 Cadbury Hero of the Future at an awards ceremony in Croke Park last night.

The Kilmacud Crokes clubman has been honoured in recognition of his passion, excellence and commitment to the sport and was presented with his Cadbury Hero of the Future Award by GAA president Christy Cooney and Shane Guest from Cadbury Ireland.

O'Carroll was full back on the Dublin Under-21 team which won a hard fought final against Donegal in Cavan on May 1, and is also a member of the Dublin senior panel which will open their campaign against Wexford on Sunday week.

Commenting on the Cadbury Hero of the Future Award last night Shane Guest, Cadbury Ireland said; "I am delighted to once again have this opportunity to recognise some of the most talented young footballers in the country, their passion, commitment and skill have illuminated this championship from start to finish and Cadbury is proud to continue the sponsorship of the Cadbury GAA U21 Football Championship.

"This year we brought even more support to the sponsorship from in-store promotions to the introduction of free Cadbury busses to and from games, the response has been nothing short of phenomenal with attendances for the All Ireland final alone well over double previous years, we look forward to continuing to support this sponsorship with innovative and engaging activation plans in the years to come."

GAA president Christy Cooney said: "It is a privilege to be here once again and to be surrounded by so many wonderful young players and their families', it has been a fantastic championship with thrilling contests and excellent attendances throughout.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cadbury for their continued support and congratulate them on their innovative sponsorship activation which has seen them bring the Cadbury GAA U21 Football Championship to the widest possible audience in the most engaging manner possible."

In total 14 footballers were shortlisted as part of the 'Cadbury Hero of the Future' initiative which ran in tandem with the Championship to highlight the achievements of individuals for outstanding teamwork, passion and performance on the field.

A Cadbury Hero of the Match award was presented to a player at each provincial semi-final, each provincial final and the national semi-finals with the last Cadbury Hero of the Match selected at the Cadbury GAA Football U21 All Ireland Final in Cavan on May 1.

Rory, who plays his club football with Kilmacud Crokes, was named as a Cadbury Hero of the Match for his performance against Donegal in the All Ireland Final. The judging panel which consisted of senior Kildare footballer Dermot Earley, former Dublin manager Paul Caffrey and TG4 journalist Michael O'Domhnaill, gave serious consideration to the public vote which saw over 5,000 votes cast on cadburygaau21.com and Donegal's Michael Murphy and Carlow's Brendan Murphy finishing neck and neck, but ultimately Rory O'Carroll's heroic performances in both the semi-final against Roscommon and the final against Donegal, where he faced two of the Ireland's most talented footballers meant he edged the competition out in the end.

As the overall winner Rory received a specially commissioned bronze award, and a holiday voucher to the value of €1,000. In addition to this, Rory's club, Kilmacud Crokes, also received a grant of €1,000 as did the Dublin County Board. This year Cadbury once again supplied each of the 14 Hero's of the Match a training kit for their club.

Dublin Manager Jim Gavin was also presented with an award to mark Dublin's achievement in winning the 2010 Cadbury GAA U21 Football Championship.

2010 Cadbury Heroes of the Match were:
Rory O'Carroll - County: Dublin - Club: Kilmacud Crokes
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Donegal (All-Ireland Final)
Dean Rock - County: Dublin - Club: Ballymun Kickhams
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Roscommon (All-Ireland Semi Final)
Michael Murphy - County: Donegal - Club: Glenswilly GAA Club
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Cavan (Ulster Final)
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Tipperary (All-Ireland Semi Final)
Leo McLoone - County: Donegal - Club: Naomh Conaill
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Derry (Ulster Semi Final)
David Givney - County: Cavan - Club: Mountnugent
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Monaghan (Ulster Semi Final)
Nicky Devereux - County: Dublin - Club: Ballinteer St Johns
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Westmeath (Leinster Final)
Brendan Murphy - County: Carlow - Club: Rathvilly
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Dublin (Leinster Semi Final)
Ian Coffey - County: Westmeath - Club: Tubberclair
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Laois (Leinster Semi Final)
Neil Collins - County: Roscommon - Club: Castlerea St Kevins
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Sligo (Connacht Semi Final)
Michael Higgins - County: Roscommon - Club: Western Gaels
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Mayo (Connacht Semi Final)
David Maye - County: Sligo - Club: Curry - Position: Forward
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Galway (Connacht Semi Final)
Peter Acheson - County: Tipperary - Club: Moyle Rovers
Cadbury Hero of the Match a v Kerry (Munster Final)
Paul Geaney - County: Kerry - Club: Dingle
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Waterford (Munster Semi-Final)
Seán Carey - County: Tipperary - Club: Moyle Rovers
Cadbury Hero of the Match v Limerick (Munster Semi Final) Tweet

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