Latest news with #Clonoulty-Rossmore
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tipp stars back in action as All-Ireland hero McCarthy nets again
Six days on from Tipperary's All-Ireland triumph, Robert Doyle captured further silverware as Clonoulty-Rossmore claimed the West Tipp SHC title. Wearing number 14 but lining out at full-back, Doyle drove forward 60 yards with the sliotar before offloading to Stephen Ferncombe for the 57th-minute clinching goal in a 2-17 to 1-16 triumph over Cashel King Cormacs. Centre-forward Ferncombe tallied 2-10 (1-3 from play) across the hour, but man-of-the-match honours went to goalkeeper Jason O'Dwyer for producing three outstanding saves. Captain Jack Ryan, son of Tipp legend Declan, clipped 0-3 before lifting the O'Dwyer Cup in Golden. Clonoulty wrapped up their ninth consecutive title, and 25th in total, while Cashel's 30-year wait for goes on. Cashel's defensive spine of brothers Eoghan and Ronan Connolly supplied two points each from play, while the Tipp senior added three long-range frees. The Eoin Cadogan-coached side jumped off to a three-point head start, but the first major turning point was a rocket-launched Ferncombe free from his own 45 which bounced to the net. O'Dwyer's low save from Cathal Quinn ensured the champions would lead 1-8 to 0-8 at the break. O'Dwyer then denied Ger Browne and David McGrath, but Adrian Cummins rattled the net in between to reignite the Cashel challenge. Eoghan Connolly finally brought them level with seven minutes to play, but the holders kicked on with a 1-2 burst. Meanwhile, Rhys Shelly saved his second penalty of the week as Moycarkey-Borris saw off Loughmore-Castleiney by 4-25 to 2-20 in the Mid Tipp quarter-final. Harty Cup final goalscorer Jack Hayes raised two green flags and Bill Flanagan netted two more. At one stage, Eddie Brennan's men took Loughmore for 2-7 without reply to avenge last year's final defeat. The dual county champions fought back with goals from Liam and Tomás McGrath, but Shelly stopped John McGrath's penalty in stoppage time to snuff out any hint of a comeback. With the semi-finals scheduled for Wednesday, Moycarkey will face Thurles Sarsfields in the last four, while JK Brackens will meet Holycross-Ballycahill, who defeated Drom & Inch by 0-35 to 3-22. Even without the injured Bryan O'Mara, Holycross began in highly impressive fashion to construct a wind-assisted 0-21 to 1-7 half-time cushion. Their long-range shooters Joe Caesar and Tiarnán Ryan finished with 0-5 each, while free-taker Darragh Woods nailed 0-11 among 13 different scorers. Drom came with a late charge as All-Ireland Schools and U20 champion Cormac Fitzpatrick picked off 1-11, while Tony Cahill and David Collins added 1-3 each to finish four adrift. Elsewhere, Darragh McCarthy scored his second penalty of the week as Toomevara fended off Lorrha-Dorrha by 2-21 to 1-21 to advance to the North Tipp semi-finals. They will meet Kiladangan, who breezed through with a 2-29 to 0-16 romp past Roscrea. John and Dan O'Meara got the goals. Kilruane MacDonaghs overhauled Nenagh Éire Óg to join them in the final four. Trailing by two at the break, the 2022 county champions turned the game with Thomas Cleary and Cian Darcy goals. Darcy ended on 1-7 from play to outlast Tommy Heffernan's late goal in a 2-22 to 1-21 success. They will play Borris-Ileigh, who received a bye. The South Tipp hurling final will be contested between holders Carrick Swan and Killenaule after respective wins over Mullinahone and St Mary's. It took the Swans just a minute to find the net through Callum Walsh, while Callum Lanigan arrowed over 0-13 (six from play). Mullinahone left it too late for Cillian Direen's consolation goal in a 1-23 to 1-15 defeat. Michael Doyle's goal before half-time was crucial in overcoming Richie Gunne's major in a 1-23 to 1-18 win for Killenaule. Goalkeeper John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer scored 0-5 (4 frees) for the victorious Robins.
Irish Examiner
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'It was lovely to do that before the game' - Conor Stakelum on visit to Dillon Quirke's parents
From visiting Dillon Quirke's parents two days before the All-Ireland final to cracking jokes in the pre-match parade, Conor Stakelum has lifted the lid on some of Tipperary's preparations. Along with Quirke, Stakelum was a member of Liam Cahill's U21s that beat Cork in the 2018 All-Ireland final. Stakelum came off the bench to score the winning for a group featuring Jake Morris, Eoghan Connolly, Craig Morgan, Barry Hogan and Brian McGrath. A number of them remembered their late team-mate who passed away playing for his beloved Clonoulty-Rossmore in August 2022. 'A couple of us, we were out with Dan and Hazel Quirke during the week,' said Stakelum. 'We were just chatting about that match and when we were on the bus yesterday, and it started to rain… it was raining that day too. A lot of us were there that day, a lot of those great Cork players were playing that day and we just said we'd have another crack at them. 'We'd be close to Dan and Hazel. A couple of us went down before training, we had a cup of tea and a scone. They were just buzzing for the game. It's obviously very hard for Dan and Hazel, Kelly and Shannon… if things were different, Dillon would be here today and no better man to enjoy it with us as well if he was here. So that was something we decided to do on Friday and it was lovely to do that before the game.' For Stakelum, his younger brother Darragh and 15 others on the match-day panel, it was a first All-Ireland senior final experience. The other nine including Noel McGrath, Ronan Maher, Jason Forde as well as their manager told them to soak it all in. 'We were there having the craic trying on the suits and we were thinking, 'Should we be enjoying this as much as we are' but Noel, Ronan, Jayo all these boys, they were enjoying it as well. We didn't put ourselves under too much pressure. We kept to the same routine. 'Parents, friends and all of the rest soaked it all in as well. The world stays spinning. It's just another game. You don't get caught up in the hype too much. That's for friends and family and we just took it as another job, and now I suppose, we'll tap into the bit of craic and soaking it in and looking at the videos and clips and so on.' The light-heartedness continued into the parade on Sunday. 'Ah, we'd be sneering away. Willie [Connors] had his few jokes as we walked around in a line. It was calm, it was chill. 'There was such a big crowd at the semi-final that it was like a dry-run for the final, for lads who weren't there before, to soak in the atmosphere. The semi-final was a bit of a shock, but we were kind of used to the ringing noise then by yesterday, even though it was a huge spectacle. But you're so focused as well. I was nearly like, 'Will you just throw in the fecking ball?' That's it. You're waiting for that moment then.' After their father Conor in 1991 and Richard two years earlier, the number of All-Ireland medals in the Stakelum family doubled on Sunday. 'People see the really nice bits now but what's gone on, there's been a lot of dark days behind the scenes but they've always been in our corner,' said Conor. 'There's been plenty of stories about their (Richie and Conor's) successes growing up along but it was never a burden.'
RTÉ News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Dillon Quirke's father pays tribute to Tipp after victory
The father of late Tipperary player Dillon Quirke said that he was "on their shoulders yesterday" at Croke Park as they won the All-Ireland hurling final. Dillon, who played for Tipperary and captained his club Clonoulty-Rossmore, collapsed on the pitch and died three years ago. Since his death, his family have worked to raise awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome and to fund cardiac screening for young people involved in sport. Dillon's father Dan and his mother Hazel watched Tipperary win from their home, opting not to travel to Dublin for the game. Amid the celebrations at Croker yesterday, both Tipperary captain Ronan Maher and manager Liam Cahill paid tribute to Dillon. Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Mr Quirke said it was a day of "mixed emotions". He said he was delighted that the team performed so well. "[They] gave a super exhibition of hurling in the second half. I don't know did we see that coming earlier on in the year, but God they've been magnificent and hats off to Liam Cahill for what he's done with all these young men," he said. "They're great young guys. We actually had a few of them out to us here on Friday evening, they visited Dillon's grave after. They are lovely young men. "We are delighted with what has happened, it's great for Tipperary. Obviously we have mixed emotions. "I shed a tear on Saturday night when I went to bed and it wasn't that Dillon wasn't in Croke Park yesterday. It was more a case that Dillion wasn't with us today, and he won't be with us tomorrow. "So it's been difficult, but it's been great for Tipperary." He said they opted not to travel to Croke Park for the final as, they found the semi final "very emotional and very difficult". "We just felt it to be easier to watch it on TV, even though we were shouting our heads off while watching it," Mr Quirke said. "Dillon was a great friend of all these young guys and I think he was on their shoulders yesterday. Liam Cahill mentioned that everywhere he went, he felt Dillon was with him. "We probably felt it too as a family to watch these guys perform at the best it meant an awful lot to us and we're thrilled as a family, both Hazel and the two girls and myself are very proud. "I'm proud that Dillon maybe had some little bit to do with it something to do from upstairs, as I call it."
The Irish Sun
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Tipperary GAA pay ultimate tribute to Dillon Quirke on All-Ireland final day as Liam Cahill achieves hurling redemption
LIAM CAHILL looked to the sky with tears in his eyes when Ronan Maher honoured Dillon Quirke from the steps of the Hogan Stand. Maher was in the moment he dreamt of, with the 5 Tipperary won the All-Ireland hurling title Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 5 Ronan Maher dedicated the victory to Dillon Quirke Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 5 Tipperary players and brothers, from left, Brian McGrath, Noel McGrath and John McGrath celebrate with family and the Liam MacCarthy Cup Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile These days create memories for a lifetime, but conjure a painful grief for those we've lost. And Tipp lost one of their own. Since then he's been the silent driver for those left behind. Maher had to pause when he mentioned his friend as Read More on GAA He said: '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.' Most read in GAA Hurling Cahill looked down at the Dillon Quirke Foundation logo on his chest when Cahill said: 'Dillon is with us every day. Liam Cahill speaks to RTE after Tipperary GAA win All-Ireland final 'When we started out on this journey in 2023, we were all hit with that devastating tragedy of what happened to Dillon. 'I was 50 yards from it, the day it happened in Semple Stadium, and I'll never forget it and it had a huge effect on our dressing room. 'It had a huge effect and it was a really difficult year, 2023 and 2024, everybody trying to cope with it in their own way. Today I got a text from Dan, his dad, coming up the road to wish me luck and I just said that Dillon will be on all our shoulders today, regardless of the result. 'He should be with us today, but the legacy he's leaving and the work that he's doing to save lives across Ireland at the moment through his name and the foundation is just incredible. 'And today I never flinched at any stage on the line. 'Once he was across my chest, I knew that we would be battling right to the end. 'I'm just so proud to have had an input into his life for the short time he was with us.' TEEN TITAN An hour before throw-in, Noel McGrath wandered on to the Croke Park pitch with Quirke's name and the No 24 on his jersey . A reminder of just how young the Clonoulty-Rossmore man was. The crowds weren't in yet when their stalwart went through an imaginary play in front of the Davin Stand. Just over two hours later, he nailed the insurance score between the same posts to bag his fourth Celtic Cross. Darragh McCarthy, 19, fired 1-13 on a day of redemption, as he banished memories of his Cahill's trust in the Toomevara teenager was richly repaid, while John McGrath, 30, did his thing all over again and netted twice. Tipp have been through so many nightmares that few believed in fairytales. The script for this final was written well in advance and Cork's ascendancy to the throne was seemingly set in stone. The 20-year famine would end, and all-time Championship scorer Patrick Horgan would finally get his All-Ireland medal at 37. Cahill looked down at the Dillon Quirke Foundation logo on his chest when Cork raced six points ahead on the stroke of half-time and knew his men would fight until the end. Jason Byrne This would be Cork's day, their time was now. They said Tipp would give them a game. Instead, they gave them a walloping. Alan Connolly and Brian Hayes only got a point each as Maher shackled the latter to perfection. Shane Barrett lit up HQ with a dazzling first half that yielded 1-3, but the show was over after that as Cork self-combusted, failing to get their hitmen on the ball. Barrett's goal, right on half-time, felt like a suckerpunch for Tipp, as he lashed the ball past Rhys Shelly into the bottom corner. John McGrath had hit the net a minute earlier but it was chalked off for a square ball — and the six-point swing seemed decisive. Shelly exchanged heated words with Horgan after the goal, and at half-time there were outbreaks of handbags in the tunnel. 5 Noel McGrath of Tipperary celebrates a late point after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship final Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Tipp returned to the pitch to the sound of AC/DC blaring over the tannoy and were kept waiting a good three minutes by the Rebels. But Cork were about to be thunderstruck as Tipp went from six down to seven up in a flash. It was an awesome half of hurling, beyond Tipp fans' wildest dreams. They reeled off 1-5 without reply to take the lead and never looked back. John McGrath's luck changed when Patrick Collins stopped a long-range Jake Morris effort for a point and the Loughmore-Castleiney man pounced on the loose ball and calmly ushered it into the net. It seemed to take him an eternity to lift the ball as Cork's players looked on in horror but, for anyone who has seen this guy play, the outcome was never in doubt. DOWNEY 'N' OUT The dream Rebel day turned into a nightmare when Eoin Downey fouled McGrath and was sent off for a second yellow. McCarthy converted from the spot, glanced at Cahill and smiled. Three minutes later, Horgan trudged off and was replaced by Conor Lehane as another summer without the big one slipped away. A tale of two legends saw Noel McGrath enter the fray, and an already ravenous Tipp attack was sharpened. Fans of both teams could not quite believe what they were seeing. The roars of 'Tipp, Tipp, Tipp' grew even louder when John McGrath, outside the square this time, outjumped Seán O'Donoghue and flicked home their third goal. 5 Michael Breen of Tipperary celebrates with his girlfriend, Irish Olympian, Sharlene Mawdsley and the Liam MacCarthy Cup Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile The red tide headed for the exits, and many of them were gone when goalkeeper Shelly got in on the act with a point from 100 yards before lapping up the moment. To make things even worse for Cork, Shelly then saved Lehane's stoppage-time penalty after Hayes was fouled by Maher. It summed up Cork's day. Noel McGrath provided the perfect ending for Tipp, teenager McCarthy setting up his childhood hero for a classy point. Cork will be back, but losing five finals on the bounce is a pain that will be hard to heal. The 2025 showpiece joins their losing efforts in 2006, 2013, 2021 and 2024 — and the famine ticks into year 21. They spoke about Pat Ryan walking on the River Lee but Cahill is the Messiah now, and has proved them all wrong once for all. The Tipp gaffer was under enormous pressure a year ago after his beloved Premier had failed to win a single game in the Munster Championship. The locals had turned away in droves. A dark winter ensued, filled with sleepless nights, as the public questioned if he was the man to lead this team forward. The critics have been silenced, the doubts have been banished. And his players can sleep soundly, safe in the knowledge that they did their departed friend proud.
Irish Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Liam Cahill opens up on inspiring message received from Dillon Quirke's father
Liam Cahill has revealed how an emotional message from Dillon Quirke's father inspired Tipp to today's All-Ireland win Former Tipp hurler Quirke, 24, died suddenly in 2022 when playing for his club Clonoulty-Rossmore - devastating Cahill and the wider Tipp hurling community. And this morning Dillon's father - Dan Quirke - messaged Cahill, inspiring the manager to mastermind one of the great hurling comeback stories of all time. Tipp trailed by six points at half time and then ended up winning 3-27 to 1-18, with Cork scoring a paltry two points in the second half. After their 15-point win, Cahill said: 'Dillon is with us every day. When we started out on this journey in 2023, we were all hit with the devastating tragedy of what happened to him. 'I was 50 yards from it, the day it happened in Semple Stadium, and I'll never forget it. And it had a huge effect on our dressing-room. 'It was a really difficult year, 2023 - and 2024 - around everybody trying to cope with it in their own way. Like today, I got a text from Dan, his Dad, coming up the road to wish me luck. And I just said that Dillon will be on all our shoulders today, regardless of what happens in the result. 'And, you know, he should be with us today. But the legacy he's leaving and the work that he's doing to save lives across Ireland at the moment through his name and the foundation is just incredible. 'And today I never flinched at any stage on the line. Once he was across my chest, I knew that we would be battling right to the end. And I'm just so proud to have had an input into his life for the short number of years he was with us.' Dillon Quirke Cahill paid tribute to 19-year-old Darragh McCarthy, who scored 1-13 just two weeks after he picked up the second red card of his season. 'That's the class of the man,' said Cahill. 'You know, we produce legendary players like Jason (Forde) and Eoin Kelly and (Seamus) Callanan. 'And you realise they can't be hanging around forever and you'll say 'where are you going to find the next one'? And suddenly up pops McCarthy, 19 years of age. 'But from a serious club up there in Toomevara – them fellas up there would eat you alive. So, there was never going to be a case of Darragh's character being questioned or him doubting himself. 'That's the resilience he has. And he just loves his hurling. And when you love hurling like that, you get your rewards - and he got his just reward today and I'm really, really happy for him.'
