Kilkenny take the spoils as Dillon Quirke is remembered

GAA: Dillon Quirke Foundation game

Kilkenny 4-20

Tipperary 0-25

Report: Liam Hogan at FBD Semple Stadium

MATCH DIGEST

SCORERS - Kilkenny: Gearoid Dunne 3-1; Martin Keoghan 1-3; James Bergin 0-3 frees; Paddy Deegan, Tom Phelan, Cian Kenny 0-2 each; Billy Ryan, Conor Delaney, John Donnelly, Daire Brennan, Padraig Walsh, Paddy Mullen, Shane Murphy 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Mark Kehoe 0-7; Sean Ryan 0-4 frees; Jack Ryan (frees), Kian O'Kelly 0-3 each; Ronan Maher 0-2 frees; Cian O'Dwyer, Eoghan Connolly, Paddy Creedon, Patrick Maher, Johnny Ryan, Noel McGrath 0-1 each.

It was a day of mixed emotions, one of sadness and one of limited joy as hurlers from two of the best teams in Ireland served up an enjoyable game in memory of the late Dillon Quirke as Kilkenny beat Tipperary on Sunday as a fundraiser for the Foundation set-up in memory of the late Tipperary hurler, in front of over 4,500 people.

More about the hurling match later because this was a day when the GAA celebrated the life of young Dillon Quirke who left this world far too soon when he passed away from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) when playing for his club Clonoulty/Rossmore against Kilruane MacDonaghs in the County Senior Hurling championship in Semple Stadium on August 5th 2022.

Dillon Quirke’s death left a huge void, not alone for his family, parents Hazel, Dan and his sisters Shannon and Kellie, but also his club Clonoulty/Rossmore, as well as the many hurlers he played with and against as well as the many many GAA followers around the country. Time has moved on and his friends and relations have ensured his name won’t be forgotten and came up with ideas to celebrate his life, resulting in the Dillon Quirke Foundation which has was set up to help young players by raising awareness of SADS to help screen GAA players across the country and will help save the lives of many people in future years.

The setting for Sunday’s game began with both teams entering the fray wearing distinguishable new jerseys with iconic image of Dillon’s raised red helmet on both with the jerseys available to purchase next month.

Before the game commenced, the teams marched behind the Sean Treacy Pipe Band before the national anthem was perfectly sung by Dillon’ aunt Noirin Ryan from Clonoulty/Rossmore.

After thirty-five minutes of hurling, the half time whistle told us that Kilkenny were leading 3-12 to 0-13 and during the twenty-five minute interval there were a number of presentations made, starting with the Tipperary Supporters Club Hurler of the Year for 2022 with Dillon Quirke was chosen by the supports, and his sister Kellie accepted the Tony Reddin Perpetual Cup.

A video of the 1989 All-Ireland Under 21 hurling final between Tipperary and Offaly was made to Dillon’s father Dan who scored three goals to help Tipp to victory that day. In addition, a cheque of €18,400 was made towards the foundation. The money was raised from the County Under 21 ‘A’ and ‘B’ Hurling Tournaments which were organised by the four Tipperary divisions.

With the presentations complete, the attendance were treated to an exciting Long Puck final. The competition that was organised over the last few weeks for participants in Tipperary and Kilkenny. Four players reached the final including former Tipperary goalkeeper Darren Mooney (Eire Og Annacarty) plus Cathal Dillon of Aherlow with Paddy Lyng (Rower-Inistioge) and Mikey Kirwan of Glenmore, the later who won the competition.

When play resumed the teams produced a much closer second half with Kilkenny emerging winners. After the final whistle, Kilkenny captain Paddy Mullen received the Dillon Quirke Cup while Gearoid Dunne received the man of the match award for his 3-1 contribution.

Andrew Friday, Chairperson of the Clonoulty/Rossmore club addressed the attendance and he thanked both Kilkenny and Tipperary for agreeing to play the fixture in memory of Dillon.

The Game

A week after the sides met in the National League at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny lined out with a vastly more experienced team with Huw Lawlor at left wing back and Padraig Walsh at full back as well as Danny Blanchfield, Conor Fogarty, Paddy Deegan, John Donnelly and Martin Keoghan

Tipp included just four players that saw action in the league with Barry Hogan, Enda Heffernan, the only starters Pauric Campion along with Mark Kehoe who came off the bench and he was one of the bright sparks for Tipperary in the game, scoring seven points from play, six in the first half.

One week after Tipp had beaten them, the Nore-siders were not interested in losing to Tipperary for the second time in seven days and raced into a 0-6 to nil before Tipperary finally raised a white flag through Mark Kehoe. Kilkenny continued to press on and Gearoid Dunne scored two goals in the 13th & 16th minutes to go 2-7 to 0-3 in front.

There was more trouble to come for Tipp as Martin Keoghan had Kilkenny’s third goal in the 29th minute giving Kilkenny a twelve-point lead.

It was time for Tipp to make a match of it. Both Sean Ryan and Eoghan Connolly were called from the bench with Jerry Kelly and Shane Neville called ashore as the home side finished the half strongly to reduce the deficit to seven at half time.

Liam Cahill made sweeping changes for the second half with Seamus Kennedy, Ronan Maher and Patrick Maher introduced. For a while Tipp held the upper-hand, outscoring Kilkenny 0-5 to 0-1 in the opening ten minutes with Sean Ryan (frees), Kian O’Kelly (who played very well), Patrick Maher and Mark Kehoe on target.

But Kilkenny hit back with 1-2 with Gearoid Dunne completing his hat-trick of goals in the 50th minute.

Tipp fought back and won the remainder of the game 0-7 to 0-5 and created a number of goal chances with Dan McCormack’s effort in the 64th minute the more clearcut but Kilkenny keeper Aidan Tallis producing a great save.

By that stage Noel McGrath had made his entrance but Kilkenny’s lead was too great and the laurels headed to the Marble County.

TEAMS – Tipperary: Barry Hogan (Kiladangan); Conor McCarthy (Nenagh Eire Og), Enda Heffernan (Clonoulty/Rossmore), James Quigley (Kiladangan); Gavin Ryan (Upperchurch/Drombane), Pauric Campion (Drom & Inch), Shane Neville (Cratloe); John Campion (Drom & Inch), Cian O’Dwyer (Clonakenny); Joe Fogarty (Moneygall), Jerry Kelly (Borris-Ileigh), Kian O’Kelly (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields), Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Jack Ryan (Clonoulty/Rossmore).

Subs: Sean Ryan (Templederry Kenyons) for Kelly (26 inj); Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs) for Neville (29), Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers) for Fogarty (31); Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields) for P Campion (HT), Patrick Maher (Lorrha) for Jack Ryan (HT); Seamus Kennedy for O’Dwyer (HT); Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh) for J Campion (43); Noel McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney) for Creedon (55); Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) for O’Kelly (67); Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) for McCarthy (69).

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Conor Delaney, Padraig Walsh, Des Dunne; Conor Heary, David Blanchfield, Huw Lawlor; Conor Fogarty, Paddy Mullen; Paddy Deegan, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan; James Bergin, Martin Keoghan, Gearoid Dunne.

Subs: Tom Phelan for Ryan (10 inj); Walter Walsh for Donnelly, Evan Shefflin for Heary, Ronan Corcoran for Fogarty, Daire O’Neill for Lawlor, Niall Brennan for Deegan (all HT), Cian Kenny for Bergin (44); Aidan Tallis for Murphy (48), Padraig Moylan for P Walsh (52), Shane Murphy for Delaney; Paul Cody for Keoghan, James Bergin for Mullen (all 53).

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams).