A youngster from Killavullen, has been named as Ireland’s Brightest Star in a competition run by Centra, and got to walk out onto Croke Park minutes before the start of the All-Ireland hurling final last week.

With a twist of irony, Colm Hannon gave a rendition of Ger Canning’s commentary from the 2013 All-Ireland final, which ended – like the most recent final – in a thrilling draw.

The search for Ireland’s Brightest Star began at 16 venues around the country, with each participant having registered at their local Centra. Colm was one of 200 five to 12-year-olds selected for the Cork City event in Pairc Ui Rinn on June 7. There, Cork hurling stars Anthony Nash and Pa Horgan interviewed each participant and quizzed them on their knowledge and passion for the game.

As the winner of the regional finals, Colm won a jersey signed by Nash, Horgan and Kilkenny’s Henry Shefflin. His father John Hannon told The Avondhu they were recently notified that Colm had won the overall prize, with four Hogan Stand tickets to the All-Ireland final, an overnight stay in the Trinity Hotel and a €100 Centra voucher included.

“It was a great experience for a nine year old to run out of the Croke Park tunnel, getting to rub shoulders with the likes of Lar Corbett,” Mr Hannon said, who along with his wife Fiona and daughter Luisne, proudly supported Colm on his big day.

Presented to the crowd as Ireland’s Brightest Star by Hector O'Heochagain, the Killavullen youngster hopes to run out onto the hallowed turf in years to come in the red and white of Cork as a player.

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