The View- Heartbreak; heart screening; and hearty fare – all in a week’s work in Tipp
By Noel Dundon
Clonoulty Rossmore GAA club has been changed forever over the last twelve months arising out of the tragedy that was the passing of Dillon Quirke on the field of play in Semple Stadium on that fateful Friday evening.
And, just over a year later, the magnificent Dillon Quirke foundation will begin screening children for possible heart defects in the parish of Clonoulty and Rossmore, in a bid to ensure that no other family has to endure the trauma and tragedy which the extended Quirke and their many friends have had to undergo.
It is entirely fitting that Dillon’s home parish should be the first to be screened considering that the foundation has its origins in that fine west Tipperary community. It is true to say that out of something really awful, something really awesome has grown. The national campaign to have all children under 12 years of age screened is an ambitious one, but considering the huge weight which has been thrown behind the foundation and with Dillon’s parents Dan and Hazel, and his sisters Shannon and Kelly driving it on, it has surpassed their expectations.
The real tragedy here is that this screening has not been a feature of Irish life for many years – why is it that private funds have to be raised through card nights, sponsored walks, golf classics and every other form of fundraiser imaginable, while the government stands idly by and applauds the effort but does not commend hand to pocket to help out. Surely, going forward, a very tiny portion of the enormous health budget should be allocated to such screening – the Dillon Quirke Foundation has shown how to do it and what can be done when there is a will, a desire and a cause.
It will be a very significant occasion when the first child is screened in Clonoulty. And, it was a very significant occasion at the GAA grounds last Saturday too when the first anniversary of Dillon’s passing was marked by the renaming of the venue as Dillon Quirke GAA Grounds. This very well attended event culminated with Mass and also featured the attendance by GAA President, Larry McCarthy and Tipperary senior hurling Manager Liam Cahill.
There was a very strange atmosphere on that evening. The welcome was as warm as ever but while the order of the day should have been one of celebration, it just seemed too raw yet to celebrate. The clouds still hovered overhead and the heavy rain shower which sent everyone seeking shelter midway through the President’s address was a reminder that there are still plenty of tears to be shed for the bereaved. A year is a long time in politics they say, but when you are mourning the loss of a loved one, it is nothing at all. That loss still remains and the hurt doesn’t lessen, it simply becomes more acceptable, perhaps.
The Quirke family and the Clonoulty Rossmore GAA family and community have carried themselves with tremendous dignity. They have done things right. The family has been carried along by the outstanding level of support received from the moment Dillon fell to the ground in Semple Stadium a year ago. They have been embraced and cared for; they have been given the space and time required for private grief; and they have been partnered in their determination and drive to establish the Dillon Quirke Foundation and to see it flourish and make an impact. The Foundation and the Quirke’s deserve enormous thanks for thinking of other parents and children despite the darkness which has visited them. Their fortitude and resilience have been inspirational -truly, they are remarkable people.
To the action
Football weekend brought some decent fare, with the surprise result perhaps being the defeat of Loughmore Castleiney by fellow mid club Moycarkey Borris. Not many would have seen that coming and the Loughmore Castleiney men must now turn their attention back to hurling next weekend when they face Holycross Ballycahill in the FBD Insurance County senior hurling championship round 2 at Boherlahan. Having already defeated Templederry in round 1, Loughmore Castleiney are in a decent position but they had better beware of their opponents who had a very solid win in their opening tie against Upperchurch Drombane. Moycarkey Borris will hope to bring their football form to the hurling code when they face Toomevara on Friday evening – an interesting one for their Coach Willie Ryan.
Speaking of the Church, perhaps their victory over Cahir can kick start their season. Having worked their way into the Centenary Agri mid Tipperary senior hurling final, they fell narrowly to Thurles Sarsfields after a mighty battle. Then, a week later they lost to Holycross Ballycahill with a very flat showing. They will want to get themselves back on track against Templederry next weekend – an easier said than done prospect.
Defending county champions Clonmel Commercials had an early scare in their tie against Kilsheelan Kilcash, conceding two goals in quick succession at the start. But, true to form they recovered and got the job done by the narrowest of margins after a teak tough battle – the Kilsheelan lads were very unfortunate not to have gotten something from that tie.
JK Brackens had a good win over Moyle Rovers and must now turn to hurling next weekend when they take on north champions Nenagh Éire Óg in Dolla on Saturday.
Drom-Inch lost to Éire Óg Anacarty in one of the lowest scoring games in recent times – 0-7 to 0-6. The mid men know that they will have to significantly increase that scoreline if they are to defeat Mullinahone in Littleton on Saturday in the hurling championship.
In other results, there were wins for Killenaule and Ballyporeen as well as the eye-catching 6-11 which Ballina managed as they downed Ardfinnan – the lakesiders are getting quite a reputation for the big ball in recent years.
On the hurling front next weekend there are few other tasty dishes on the menu – defending champions Kilruane MacDonagh against Roscrea in Nenagh on Sunday will be a right match, while BorrisIleigh and Kiladangan will be equally as appealing. Then, you have Sarsfields and Clonoulty Rossmore in Templemore on Sunday evening to round off a great weekend of hurling. Can’t get to them all – check out Clubber to catch up with what you don’t see in the flesh.
Girls Allowed
Or perhaps that should read girls not allowed following the All-Ireland camogie finals at the weekend. Tipperary were heartbroken to have fallen to a fancied Clare outfit with some refereeing decisions being questioned on TV afterwards. Again, it’s the inconsistency which really baffles with some refereeing to the letter of the law and pulling for everything, and others letting a lot of stuff go. Sunday saw charging allowed in some instances and not allowed in other instances. Shoulder charges and high tackles resulted in cards on some occasions and not more than frees on other occasions. It is very frustrating to watch, so you can only imagine what it is like to be involved – Ciara Brennan’s second yellow card in the 42nd minute perfectly illustrating the inconsistency and with a player short for the rest of the game, Tipperary’s goose was cooked.
The Premier County had good support in Croke Park on one of the noisiest days of the year at Headquarters, but sadly the elements consigned to ensure that the fare across the three games would not be of the highest order. Considering the outcome of the senior decider and the extent of the Cork victory, Tipperary’s girls must really be kicking themselves that their semi-final showing went so badly wrong in the second half.
Ah well, there’s always next year.
By Jonathan Cullen Fri 11th Aug
