Dublin footballer Ciarán Kilkenny has been named as the 2012 Cadbury Hero of the Future at an announcement in Croke Park.

Ciarán 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 Dublin Under-21 Manager Jim Gavin. Ciarán was a key member of the Dublin Under-21 team which defeated Roscommon in the 2012 Under-21 All-Ireland Final on May 6th.

Commenting on the Cadbury Hero of the Future Award, Shane Guest, Kraft Foods Ireland said; "I am delighted to once again have this opportunity to celebrate a player whose extraordinary talents and commitment have stood out during what was another highly competitive and exciting Cadbury U21 Football Championship. The Cadbury Hero of the Future is a proven accolade and Ciarán will be joining an illustrious list of footballers who have since gone on to become household names, four of which have gone on to win Senior All Ireland titles. Ciarán's passion, commitment and skill have illuminated this championship from start to finish and Cadbury is proud to recognize his achievements here. I would like to thank our judges once again and commend them on an excellent choice. We wish Ciarán every success in the future and will follow with interest as his football career develops."

GAA Director General Paraic Duffy said: "I would like to congratulate Ciarán on his award, it is a fantastic award to receive and he stands in very good company looking at the previous winners. 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."

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 who would win this award but ultimately Ciarán's consistently impressive performances throughout the championship edged the competition out in the end. In total 16 footballers were shortlisted as part of the 'Cadbury Hero of the Future' initiative which was compiled by Cadbury Hero of the Future Judges. Ciarán who plays for his club Castleknock, was named Cadbury Hero of the Match for his performance against Louth in the Leinster Final where he scored 1-07 and he also finished overall top scorer in the Under-21 championship with 2-31. 2-31The judges gave particular mention to Cavan's Kevin Tierney and Roscommon's Donie Smith who performed well in the public vote and also performed admirably in their county's U21 championship charge and are no doubt players to look out for in the future.

Speaking on behalf of all the Cadbury Hero of the Future judges Micheál O'Domhnaill said "Ciarán was part of a very hard working and well organised Dublin team. Ciarán was a marked man in each game he played and yet managed to finish the championship with 2-31 and very often set up team mates for scores. He worked very well as part of a formidable Dublin unit and took the step up from minor football in his stride. I look forward to seeing Ciarán perform at U21 and senior level in the coming years and believe he is a worthy winner of the 2012 Cadbury Hero of the Future."

As the overall winner Ciarán received a specially commissioned bronze award, and a cheque value of €1,000. In addition to this, Ciarán's club, Castleknock GAA club, also received a grant of €500 as did the Dublin County Board. Dublin Manager Jim Gavin was also presented with an award to mark Dublin's achievement in winning the 2012 Cadbury GAA U21 Football Championship, Jim's second U21 All-Ireland in three years.

2012 Cadbury Hero of the Future nominees were: Donie Smith - Roscommon, Niall Kilroy - Roscommon, Cathal Shine - Roscommon, Niall Daly - Roscommon, Brian Egan -Sligo, Ciarán Kilkenny - Dublin, Paul Hudson - Dublin, Emmet O'Conghaile - Dublin, Jack McCaffrey - Dublin, Philip Ryan - Dublin, William Woods - Louth, Donal Óg Hodnett - Cork, Brian Hurley - Cork, James Walsh - Kerry, Kevin Tierney - Cavan, Darren McCurry -Tyrone.

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