logo
'We carried your spirit with us' - All-Ireland champions Tipperary remember Dillon Quirke

'We carried your spirit with us' - All-Ireland champions Tipperary remember Dillon Quirke

The 426 days ago
TIPPERARY ARE REMEMBERING the late Dillon Quirke as they celebrate All-Ireland senior hurling glory.
The Premier county stormed to a 3-27 to 1-18 win over Cork after an astonishing second half at Croke Park this evening.
After captain Ronan Maher lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup, he paid tribute to his former team-mate Quirke, who passed away in August 2022.
'To one player who is no longer with us but is so much a part of what we are — Dillon Quirke,' said Maher to an emotional round of applause.
Advertisement
'We carried your spirit with us every step of the way. You were in the dressing room, you were on the field of play, you were in our hearts, and we hope we did you and your family proud today.'
'To one player who is no longer with us but is so much a part of what we are,
- Dillon Quirke.'
Lovely tribute from @TipperaryGAA captain Ronan Maher.
'We carried your spirit with us every step of the way.' #Tipperary #AllIreland #hurling #AllIrelandHurlingFinal pic.twitter.com/JrLL54rCRA — Darran Marshall (@DarranMarshall) July 20, 2025
Tipperary manager Liam Cahill was in tears on the field watching on, while former boss Liam Sheedy paid tribute to Quirke and his family on RTÉ afterwards.
The Premier produced a sensational second-half surge to reign supreme for the first time since 2019, and inflict a second consecutive decider defeat on Cork.
They outscored the Rebels 3-14 to 0-2 in the second period, John McGrath grabbing two goals as he finished with 2-2. Darragh McCarthy scored the other from a penalty, the Toomevara youngster hitting 1-13 (0-8 frees).
'Jesus, it's hard to put it into words even now,' McGrath told RTÉ. 'It's a long way we've come in 12 months. We were long gone this time 12 months ago — it's more like 15 or 16 months.
'It's hard to put words, or describe, what exactly changed. It's not one single magic thing or anything. The talent and that was always there, it was just about fine tuning it. My God, we've gone from strength to strength as the year has gone on. Jesus, that second half was . . . oh my God.'
'Savage work was done, even into January, February, training was so intense, we just really went back to basics,' he continued.
'(We) built a real squad unity, a real belief as the year went on. Everyone was out on their feet there at the end but lads were still throwing everything in the way just to get over the line.'
*****
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Cork hurling captain Robert Downey praised for selfless act amid All-Ireland heartbreak and WhatsApp rumour storm
Cork hurling captain Robert Downey praised for selfless act amid All-Ireland heartbreak and WhatsApp rumour storm

The Irish Sun

time24 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

Cork hurling captain Robert Downey praised for selfless act amid All-Ireland heartbreak and WhatsApp rumour storm

FOR the second year running Cork returned from an All-Ireland hurling final without silverware. But the manner of this year's second-half shocking collapse against Tipperary has only added to the deep pain for their 2 Robert Downey of Cork showed up at a kid's hurling camp to help out after a heartbreaking loss in last Sunday's All-Ireland final 2 A post was shared of the Cork skipper on social media at the camp earlier this week Credit: INSTA @tomken81 The Rebel county boards also During the week, speculation swirled on WhatsApp, suggesting a significant dressing-room bust-up at half-time. Amid the noise and rumours, Rebels captain Robert Downey has earned praise for a classy gesture during what must be a difficult week. The skipper turned up to help coach at a local kids' Cúl Camp. read more on hurling A photo was posted to Instagram by former Cork star Tom Kenny from the Grenagh GAA Cúl Camp. The snap showed Downey chatting and coaching the next generation of hurlers - despite the heartbreak of the previous weekend. A caption on the "Thanks to Rob Downey for calling after a tough sporting week for him. Well done boys and girls. Thanks to all the coaches, assistants and volunteers." Most read in GAA Hurling One particularly touching image shows Downey in deep conversation with a group of children as they don hurleys in their hands. The post was later shared by O'Connor Hurleys – a company co-owned by two-time All-Ireland winner Ben O'Connor – who used the moment to condemn the unfounded dressing-room claims circulating online. Liam Cahill's BBC interview gatecrashed by Tipperary GAA stars after All-Ireland final A further post stated: "To anybody ignorant or stupid enough that helped spread a rumour this week, what have you done to promote the game this week?" "This is what Rob Downey did this week after the heartache of losing an All-Ireland final. "Shame on anyone that promoted those horrible stories about our young men this week. You're not supporters, nor are you good opponent. You're lower than low.' It's not clear who runs the O'Connor Hurleys social media page, but the message pulled no punches. Regardless, Downey's decision to attend the camp was a powerful and selfless gesture that hasn't gone unnoticed in many quarters after such a challenging week for the Cork skipper.

Hugo Keenan savours ‘special moment' as his try clinches Lions series win
Hugo Keenan savours ‘special moment' as his try clinches Lions series win

Irish Times

time29 minutes ago

  • Irish Times

Hugo Keenan savours ‘special moment' as his try clinches Lions series win

As long as he lives, Hugo Keenan will always have the MCG and his last minute to seal a Lions Test series win. It was so good, so historic and the picture of him being held shoulder high by team-mates so iconic, that the players had him re-enact his finish when they congregated on the pitch long after the final whistle. It was a better try than it even seemed at the time, beginning with Jamison Gibson-Park deciding and executing a sharp pass to his Leinster and Irish team-mate, and Keenan standing Len Ikitau up with his footwork to create the space on the outside – helped by Jack Conan holding is width – for the finish. This won't be the only night in his life Keenan will get to celebrate this try. 'It's a bit surreal,' he admitted afterwards. 'It was a class moment. It was off the back two minutes of phase attack, the lads digging deep. It meant the world to myself and everybody that was out there, the 23, the lads who weren't playing, the backroom staff, the 50,000 Lions supporters out there and everyone at home. It's a really special moment.' READ MORE HUGO KEENAN WINS IT FOR THE LIONS! 🦁 — Sky Sports (@SkySports) Andy Farrell had earlier admitted he had been imploring Keenan to pass to Conan. 'I was screaming: 'Pass it. Pass it. Pass it!' And knowing Hugo, he was never going to pass it! He was always going to back himself. I spoke to his dad [Paul] after the game and he was never going to pass it. He backs himself in those types of situations.' Keenan laughed when this was put to him. 'He [Farrell] mentioned it after. I think he backed me at the end. Jack was outside and I think he would have finished it himself, but where there is a will there is a way.' The high point of Keenan's highlights reel was all the more satisfying given he'd been laid low for 10 days and lost several kilos due to a stomach bug which also led to a delayed and off-colour Lions debut against the Waratahs three weeks ago. 'It's been a mad whole trip. It's not how I imagined it going, getting sick for two weeks and coming in to camp a bit injured. It's been a rollercoaster, but I suppose these things happen for a reason, and thankfully I was in full health come the last two Tests. 'I'm delighted to be involved and delighted that we got the result today. It's special moments having our family and friends out on the pitch with us at the end. It's those moments you play rugby for and you dream of.' Lions Hugo Keenan and Ellis Genge celebrate in the dressingroom after the match. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Admittedly, there had been a few moments when it seemed Keenan's try might be over-ruled as the officials reviewed Jac Morgan's clearout on Carlo Tizzano, but the try-scorer maintained otherwise. 'To be honest, once I saw the clearout, I was pretty confident. I don't think there was any foul play in it and I was confident that the refs would make the right call. It was just relief, delighted and ecstatic that we got over the line. A cool moment.' Afterwards, before re-enacting his try, Keenan could also be seen jumping into a section of the crowd. 'I jumped in a few times! It was unbelievable walking around the stadium. My parents were there, my brother, my uncle and aunt, my girlfriend. I've about ten friends over from Ireland who have spent a bomb to be here but they are all saying it is absolutely worth it. Really cool moments which make it extra special.' As for it being the highlight of his career so far? 'It's definitely up there. How could it not be? The Lions is the pinnacle for a Britain and Ireland rugby player, and to win a series is incredibly special. It's there or thereabouts. I'm absolutely delighted and it is extra special to do it with such a good bunch and so many familiar faces in the crowd.' Talk of winning the series three-nil could wait, for 24 hours anyway. 'I think we'll enjoy tonight and celebrate what we have achieved so far. I'm sure come Monday morning, when we turn the page, it'll all be about finishing it the right way.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store