A hurling challenge match between neighbouring rivals Tipperary and Kilkenny is taking place at Semple Stadium in Thurles in honour of Dillon Quirke, a 24-year-old Tipperary hurler who collapsed and died suddenly while playing at Semple Stadium last August.
The match is to raise funds for the Dillon Quirke foundation, established by his family after his tragic death on 5 August last from sudden adult death syndrome (SADS).
He was playing as Captain of Clonoulty Rossmore against Kilruane MacDonaghs in a senior championship club game when he collapsed.
He was a skilled player at minor and senior level, a winner of a SHC with his Tipperary club in 2018, and an all-Ireland Minor winner in 2016.
He was a member of the Tipperary senior team in the 2021/2022 season.
The foundation plans to raise awareness about the syndrome, which claims 100 young lives each year in Ireland.
The foundation also aims to reduce those figures significantly, by initiating a cardiac-screening programme for GAA players.
It is intended to screen all GAA players from the age of 12 upwards in every county for SADS.
The estimated cost of screening for just three counties is €1m, according to Tipperary GAA, which is backing the programme.
