A moment of silence was held at Croke Park before the GlenDimplex All-Ireland camogie final on Sunday, in memory of Tipperary hurler Dillon Quirke, who died after collapsing on the pitch during a game on Friday.
Quirke was playing for his club, Clonoulty Rossmore, in a game against Kilruane MacDonaghs at Semple Stadium in Thurles. The FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship game was abandoned after the 24-year-old player collapsed. He was stretchered off the field and taken to hospital, but died later.
His funeral Mass is to take place in St John the Baptist Church, Clonoulty, at noon on Tuesday. A death notice posted by his family says the hurler is survived by his parents, Dan and Hazel, his sisters Shannon and Kellie, extended family, team-mates and friends.
Among those who paid tribute to the young player was President Michael D Higgins, who said his death was an “inestimable loss not only to his family and friends but to his entire community to which he was making such a contribution”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “shocked and saddened” by the death of Quirke, extending his sympathies to his family, friends and team-mates.
In 2020 Quirke spoke publicly about being diagnosed with a heart condition, myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle.
Speaking to the sports website Pundit Arena at the time he said on a number of occasions he collapsed, and had to take a break from hurling for a year due to his health issues. “I collapsed and then I came back after three months and I collapsed again and was taken down in the ambulance again. That’s why I had to take a break,” he said during the interview.
The 24 year old made his Tipp senior debut against Limerick in January 2020, having won All-Ireland minor and under-21 medals with the county in 2016 and 2018 respectively. He started all four of Tipperary’s Munster Hurling Championship games this year. All hurling championship games scheduled for this weekend in Tipperary were postponed as a mark of respect.
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GAA president Larry McCarthy also offered his sympathies to the family and friends of the young hurler.
“There is a huge sense of shock across the GAA community at the tragic loss of Dillon, who had already achieved so much in his young life,” Mr McCarthy said.
In a statement, Tipperary GAA said it “extends its heartfelt and sincere sympathies to Dan, Hazel, Shannon, Kellie and the extended Quirke family. Also, to the Clonoulty Rossmore GAA Club and his team-mates on the sad and tragic passing of Clonoulty Rossmore and Tipperary hurler Dillon Quirke.
“Dillon became ill during Friday evening’s County Senior Hurling Championship game between Clonoulty Rossmore and Kilruane MacDonaghs in Semple Stadium and was taken to Tipperary University Hospital in Clonmel where he passed away,” it said.
“Tipperary GAA wish to thank all those who attended to Dillon in Semple Stadium and in Tipperary University Hospital this evening. As a mark of respect to Dillon, Tipperary GAA have called off all games due to take place in the County Hurling Championships this weekend,” the statement said.
Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers described Quirke as an “incredible sporting talent taken far too young”.
The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) said Quirke would be “forever young” and his family, friends and team-mates were foremost in the thoughts of all players across Ireland.
“We can’t imagine your pain but will walk with you and support you in any way we can. Rest easy Dillon. We mourn your loss and celebrate your life,” the GPA stated in a tweet.
The former Tipperary All-Ireland-winning manager Liam Sheedy described the dead player as a “smashing person on and off the pitch and all of the GAA family are numb at the news”.
