text: Ian overcame stiff competition from fellow Hero of the Future nominees; teammates Fiontán Ó Curraoin and Shane Walsh as well as Brian Hurley (Cork), Paul Cribbin (Kildare) and Jack Brady (Cavan).
  Ian was selected as winner after a tough deliberation between the Cadbury Hero of the Future judges former Kildare Senior Footballer Dermot Earley, former Dublin Manager Paul Caffrey and TG4 journalist Micheal Ó Domhnaill.
  The judges kept a close eye on the entire Cadbury GAA Football U21 All-Ireland Championship and six nominees were named earlier this year. Ian was part of the winning Galway team who beat Cork in a terrific battle in the final of the championship, with Ian himself scoring four points.
  The Cadbury Hero of the Future initiative began in 2006 to recognise and highlight the skill and commitment of U21 footballers. Ian, who is currently in America for the summer playing for the Connemara Gaels in Boston, will receive a trophy and €1,000 upon his return home at the end of the summer. In addition, Ian's club, Corofin GAA Club, will also receive a grant of €1,000.
  Commenting on the Cadbury Hero of the Future Award 2013, Shane Guest, Cadbury Ireland, Senior Brand Manager, commented; "I would like to congratulate Ian on being named Cadbury Hero of the Future 2013. This is a great honour for him and one he thoroughly deserves. Ian joins a list of well established names in GAA including Dublin's Ciarán Kilkenny and Cork's Colm O'Neil and no doubt we will see plenty of him in the future. Cadbury Ireland is delighted to sponsor such a great championship and we look forward to next year to witness some new future county stars in action."
  Tune in to TG4 on Sunday 14th July at 6.25pm to watch a 30 minute programme focusing on the Cadbury GAA Football U21 All-Ireland Championship as well as the Cadbury Hero of the Future Award.