Speak Out

Leinster U21FC quarter-final roundup

“Shout For Your County”:

Earlier this month Cadbury launched its first in-store activity to support the sponsorship with their “Shout for Your County” promotion asking the Irish public to show their support for their county to be in with a chance to win €1000 or a top class training session for their county team. There’s €1000 up for grabs in each of the 32 counties across the island of Ireland meaning a total of €32,000 will be given out by the end of the promotion. The promotion is supported by a large scale media campaign and experiential activity.

Online interaction

This season Cadbury has introduced a greater level of on-line interactivity for the U21 Championship which will allow fans and media to keep up to date with the latest news, fixtures and results.
To mark the 2010 season Cadbury are asking fans who they think have been the best U21 players of the past five years. Fans can simply log on to www.cadburygaau21.com and vote for their players to make up the Cadbury 15. At the end of this year’s Championship Cadbury will reveal the 15 players who receive the most votes and make the cut to be on the Cadbury 15!’

Promising footballers Donal Shine (Roscommon), Barry John Walsh (Kerry), and Rory O’Carroll (Dublin) joined Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Críostóir Ó Cuana and Cadbury Hero of the Future (HOTF) Judges Paul Caffrey, Dermot Earley and Micheal Ó Domhnaill to launch the 2010 Cadbury GAA Under 21 Football Championship in Croke Park today.

Speaking at the launch Shane Guest from Cadbury Ireland said “This is Cadbury Ireland’s sixth year as sponsor of the Cadbury GAA Football U21 Championship and I am delighted to say that it continues to go from strength to strength. This year we are bringing even more support to the sponsorship with in-store activity, digital interaction, and on-street activity as well as looking at innovative transport solutions to bring supporters across the country to Under 21 games.”

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Críostóir Ó Cuana said: “I am delighted to note that our involvement of our partners and GAA U21 Football Championship sponsors Cadbury enters its sixth year and I fully expect this year’s competition to be every bit as exciting as other years, and indeed last year when my native Cork pipped Down in a Portlaoise final thriller.

“I have seen the exciting initiatives that Cadbury has planned for our 2010 championship and I have no doubt that it will bring energy and passion to the competition and generate even more interest in a championship that is keenly followed by football lovers on the lookout for emerging talent.”
After last year’s thrilling contest which saw Cork reign supreme after a last minute goal against Ulster Champions Down, the 2010 championship promises to be packed full of excitement. The Cadbury GAA Under 21 Football Championship is widely regarded as an important stepping stone to senior success with a large number of Under 21 players already starring for their senior county teams in the National League.

Throughout the 2010 season The Cadbury GAA team will provide you with all the fixtures and results news, Heroes of the Future updates, Video footage of all selected games as well as looking for your views over the course of the Championship.

For 2010 we also want you to help us select the best 15 players of the Cadbury U21 Football Championship era 2005 – 2010. Click here to select.

As always you can follow all of the Championship developments right here or on our Twitter page or Facebook Fan Page.

The Cadbury GAA Team

Current All-Ireland U21 football winning captain, Colm O’Neill, has been named as the 2009 Cadbury Hero of the Future at an awards ceremony in Croke Park. Colm 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 Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Criostóir Ó Cuana and Shane Guest, Senior Brand Manager Cadbury Ireland.

Colm, who plays his club football with Ballyclough, was named as a Cadbury Hero of the Match for his performance against Waterford in the Munster semi final. Colm captained the winning Cork side all the way to final where a last minute goal saw them defeat a very strong Down side and was presented with the Clarke cup by GAA president Christy Cooney. Colm was crowned the overall Cadbury Hero of the Future, as voted by members of the public and an expert judging panel, which included senior Kildare footballer Dermot Early, former Dublin manager Paul Caffrey and TG4 journalist Michael O’Domhnaill.

Cork v Dublin, Semple Stadium, Thurles. Throw in 3.30pm
Mayo v Down, Pearse Park, Longford. Throw in 5.00pm

None of last years finalists have made it as far as the semi finals in the 2009 Cadbury GAA Football U21 Final with Kildare having been knocked out by Laois and Cork beating old rivals Kerry. As Cork prepare to take on Dublin in Semple Stadium this weekend and Mayo will face Down in Longford, here are a few thoughts from those involved in advance of the game.

Cork Manager John Cleary - “We’re looking forward to game on Saturday in Thurles now, we saw Dublin in the Leinster final and they looked impressive. Thurles is a wide open pitch for football and the spectators will be in for a treat. We know we are up against it but will give it our best shot. It will be an even contest but we hope we will come out with a one point victory. We faced Dublin earlier in the season in a challenge game and it was a very competitive game.”

Michael O Domhnaill, Cadbury Hero of the Future judge and TG4 analyst - “We’re delighted to have expanded our coverage of the Cadbury U-21 Championship further, reflecting the quality of the football on offer this year. Both All Ireland semi finals will be televised live on Saturday, and highlights from the provincial finals have also been shown. The four remaining teams will all feel they have a chance of taking the ultimate prize, and these may yet prove to be among the most competitive final stages in years.”

Paul Caffrey, Cadbury Hero of the Future judge and former U21 Football selector - “Obviously whoever beat Kerry- the holders of the U21 Championship, were going to take on the mantle of favourite’s to win the competition outright, however Dublin have been making steady progress and are improving in each game. The most positive aspect of Dublin’s performances so far has been the emergence of strong leaders within the group. In their wins over Louth, Meath, Westmeath & Laois there have been strong and consistent performances spread throughout the Team, they are Leinster Champion’s on merit.
Cork’s win over Kerry by a large margin was very impressive and while they struggled against Tipperary in the Munster Final they still prevailed and won out in the end, that reality check will stand to them and it has the makings of a fantastic semi-final.”

Mayo Manager, Pat Holmes commented: “This is our first year playing Down so we relish the challenge. Down always produce fine footballers who play a very attractive style of football, they have come out of a very strong Ulster championship having beaten Tyrone, Armagh and Fermanagh. We know it will be a difficult task but we are looking forward to the game.”

12 Cadbury Hero of the Match Awards have been presented to the players below to date. Another 2 will be presented this weekend at the semi finals, with a further one being presented at the Final. The 15 shortlisted players will be invited to the Players Lounge on 19th May where the 2009 Cadbury Hero of the Future Award will be presented to one deserving player. Former winners include Keith Higgins from Mayo (2006), Fintan Goold from Cork, (2007) and Killian Young from Kerry (2008). Members of the public can vote for their favourite player at www.cadburygaau21.com

2009 Cadbury Hero of the Match players to date:

· Gary Gaughan, Sligo

· Tom Parsons, Mayo

· Aidan O Shea, Mayo

· Sean Carey, Tipperary

· Colm O Neill, Cork

· Brian Fox, Tipperary

· Ger Reddin, Laois

· Paddy Andrews, Dublin

· Dean Kelly, Dublin

· Stefan Forker, Armagh

· Paul McComiskey, Down

· Peter Fitzpatrick, Down

Congratulations to Thomas Harrison, Joanne O’Sullivan and Helen Murphy who took part in our Connacht and Leinster Finals prediction competition. Cadbury Beanie Hats are on the way to you.

This weekend will decide who the champions of Leinster and Connacht will be. Laois face Dublin on Sunday while Sligo play Mayo on Saturday.
As with the Munster final we are offering fans the chance to win one of 6 limited edition Cadbury GAA Beanie hats. All you have to do is post your score prediction for either final on the Speak out section of the website. The 6 fans with the closest score predictions win. Simple!
If there are more than 5 correct guesses or closest scores the names will go into a draw. One prediction per person.

This weekend sees the meeting of Cork and Tipperary in the Cadbury GAA Football U21 Munster Final. Cork have overcome a strong Kerry side on their way to a second Munster final since 2007 while the footballers of Tipperary will be looking to win their first U21 Munster Final after overcoming Clare in their semi final.

As part of the build up we are offering fans the chance to win one of five limited edition Cadbury GAA Beanie hats. All you have to do is post your score predictions on the Speak out section of the website. The 5 fans with the closest score predictions win. Simple!

If there are more than 5 correct guesses or closest scores the names will go into a draw. One prediction per person.