Limerick continue league preparation with Dillon Quirke charity hurling game

LIMERICK'S senior hurlers are back in action this Sunday in Thurles when they face Tipperary in a charity game for the Dillon Quirke Foundation. 

John Kiely's men are at the same venue a week later for their opening game in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 where they take on Antrim.

Dillon was 24 when he collapsed during a hurling match and died of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) on August 5, 2022 in a club game at Semple Stadium.

Subsequently, the Dillon Quirke Foundation was established by his family with the aim of providing widespread cardiac screening for young people (aged 12-18) involved in sport.

Commenting in advance of the match, Dan Quirke, Dillon’s father said: "Semple Stadium is where we tragically lost Dillon to SADS in August 2022.

"But it’s also a pitch on which he played regularly and spent many very happy hours. His passion, talent, and love for the game will live on in all of our hearts, and through the life-saving work of the Foundation.

"Thanks to our generous and passionate community of supporters, over 200 children and young people have already been screened - and that number is growing fast. 

"In the coming weeks, we will be holding an official launch for the Foundation where we'll be unveiling our long-term aims and what we hope to achieve over the next decade. For now, I look forward to an exciting game on Sunday, it won’t be one to miss!”

Tickets, which are available to purchase online here or at the gate on the day, are €20 for adults and free for under-16s, who are accompanied by an adult. 

All proceeds will go directly towards the Dillon Quirke Foundation’s vital work in delivering life-saving cardiac screenings for young people involved in sport across the country.  

The Limerick panel for the game is as follows:

LIMERICK: Jamie Power (Monaleen); Emmet McEvoy (Na Piarsaigh), Fergal O’Connor (Effin), Ronan Lyons (Monaleen); Ethan Hurley (Newcastle West), Ronan Connolly (Adare), Ciaran Barry (Ahane); Micheál Houlihan (Kilmallock), Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown); Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown), Patrick O’Donovan (Effin), Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh); Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen), Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock), Adam English (Doon).

SUBS: Tomas Lynch (Doon), Donal Coughlan (Doon), Joe Fitzgerald (Monaleen), David Fitzgerald (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), Luke Flynn (Granagh-Ballingarry), Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patrick’s), Mike Keane (Adare), Darragh Langan (Monaleen), Liam Lynch (Mungret St. Paul’s), Barry Murphy (Doon), Evan O’Leary (Ahane), David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca).