For the second time in a week, Kilkenny will go head-to-head with Tipperary on a hurling pitch.
This time Kilkenny have to go the long long way to Tipperary, to face their old rivals once again in FBD Semple Stadium. The Premier County came away from UPMC Nowlan Park with their first victory over The Cats on their home patch since 2008. Liam Cahill’s men lead by 12 points at halftime, with Kilkenny battling back to reduce that deficit in half by the time the full-time whistle was blown.
See also: For the first time since 2008, Tipperary get the win over Kilkenny in UMPC Nowlan Park
Kilkenny now has the chance to right that wrong once again though, all in aid of a good cause. A packed crowd is expected to attend with the intention being to raise funds for the Dillon Quirke Foundation.
This foundation was set up in honour of the late Dillon Quirke who collapsed and died of SADS on the 5th of August 2022 in Semple Stadium Thurles. He was playing hurling for his club Clonoulty-Rossmore in the Tipperary championship.
Sudden adult death syndrome (SADS) takes 100 young lives in Ireland every year. Our aim is to raise awareness and save lives by screening every GAA player both male and female from the age of 12 upwards.
From Dillon Quirke Foundation Go Fund Me Page
See also: Kilkenny and Tipperary’s Dillon Quirke Foundation fundraiser tickets
A hugely worthy cause, which has resonated heavily with the GAA community around the world. Just looking at the donations page, you can clearly see it has struck a chord with the public and organizations all over the globe. Speaking to KCLR Scoreline, Tipp Fm’s commentator and sports broadcaster Paul O’Carroll filled us in on the sentiment around the county;
“In fairness, all the clubs in Tipperary have really gotten behind it. There is brilliant unity around the county, after that tragedy. “
“I was on commentary that unfortunate day in Semple Stadium. It is something you will never forget. It really brought people in the county together.”
“It is a brilliant initiative, it is brilliant what the Quirke family is doing. They have been so brave with everything that happened in the last year.”
“Please God, there will be a big crowd in Semple Stadium next Sunday, and help raise some much-needed funds.”
If you cannot make the game, you can still donate via the official Go Fund Me page found here, Dillon Quirke Foundation. You can also tune into the game live on KCLR from 2 pm this Sunday.
Listen back to the post-match reaction of managers Liam Cahill and Derek Lyng after last Sundays game:
