THE All-Ireland senior football and hurling champions will both play on a double bill for the inaugural ‘Champions Under Lights’ event in aid of the Dillon Quirke Foundation.
Tipperary hurlers, whom Quirke represented before his death due to SADS in 2022, will take on their Munster rivals Limerick, while football kingpins Kerry will also face a provincial battle against the footballers of the Premier County.
The games will be the centrepiece of an evening of sport and community spirit at Fethard Town Park on Saturday December 13.
The event was established in honour of the late Dillon Quirke who collapsed and died of sudden adult death syndrome (SADS) on August 5, 2022 in Semple Stadium Thurles.
Through Champions Under Lights, Fethard Town Park aims to raise much-needed funds to raise awareness of SADS and fund widespread cardiac screening for young people (aged 13-17) involved in sport.
Under the glow of the floodlights, Tipperary’s senior football and hurling teams will take to the field, first at 4pm in football against Kerry, then at 6pm when the hurlers will meet Limerick.
Dan Quirke, father of Dillon Quirke and founder of the Dillon Quirke Foundation, said: “It’s vitally important for young people to understand their heart health and this event gives us the opportunity to shine a light on the importance of screening.
“We’re grateful for the continued support shown by our local community, including our friends at Fethard Town Park and Clonmel Credit Union.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome these fantastic teams to Fethard Town Park for what promises to be an incredible evening of sport and solidarity,” said Tommy Sheehan, manager of Fethard Town Park.
“It’s a chance to celebrate champions, light up the pitch, and make a real difference in memory of Dillon.”
“We’re honoured to support the Dillon Quirke Foundation through this fantastic community event,” said Padraig Enright, CEO of Clonmel Credit Union.
“Sport unites us, and initiatives like this remind us how powerful that unity can be in protecting young lives.”
Alongside the on-field action, spectators can look forward to a pop-up shop selling Dillon Quirke Foundation County GAA Jerseys, souvenir match programme, and a chance to see The Liam McCarthy and Sam Maguire Cups up close, with proceeds supporting the Dillon Quirke Foundation.
To ensure safety and manage attendance, all tickets must be booked online in advance via Eventbrite. Tickets are priced at €50 for a family (2 adults and 2 children).
Tickets via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/champions-under-lights-in-aid-of-the-dillon-quirke-foundation-tickets-1819100441389 Family €50 | Adults €25 | Kids U14 €5, must be accompanied by an adult.
Quirke’s family – his parents Dan and Hazel, and his sisters Shannon and Kellie – with the aim of funding widespread cardiac screening for young people (aged 13-17) involved in sport. Dillon’s family want to prevent other families from going through what they have experienced and, in the process, save lives.
On average, Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) takes 100 young lives in Ireland every year. Cardiac screening can help prevent SADS by identifying heart conditions at an early stage – before they cause symptoms. With your help, our aim is to raise awareness and save lives through a cardiac screening programme.
The screening programme, delivered by Advanced Medical Services and funded by the Dillon Quirke Foundation, will perform cardiac screening in sports clubs nationwide with the aim of reducing the incidence of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.
