Latest news with #CyclingIreland
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Kerry launch of Dillon Quirke Foundation heart screenings
Kerryman Killarney was chosen as the important venue this week by The Dillon Quirke Foundation when it launched its first cardiac screening initiative with athletes from Cycling Ireland. Over the course of two days in Killarney, the Foundation – founded by the family of the young Tipperary hurler who collapsed and died during a match in 2022 – screened young cycling athletes for potential cardiac abnormalities from the Munster. Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) takes 100 young lives in Ireland every year – deaths which could be prevented by early identification of heart conditions via cardiac screening. Dan Quirke, father of Dillon and founder of the Foundation, stated the organisation is proud to be in Killarney to kick off cardiac screenings for Cycling Ireland athletes. The screening is part of the Foundation's wider campaign to raise awareness of SADS and to increase the number of people getting themselves screened in Ireland. 'Since starting the Foundation, we've seen remarkable progress in the level of cardiac screening across GAA, soccer, rugby, boxing and performing arts and sports clubs nationwide,' said Dan. 'We are committed to broadening our reach and expertise across more clubs and sporting bodies and expanding into the cycling community marks a crucial step in raising awareness of the prevalence of SADS and the serious heart conditions that often go undetected,' he added. 'It's vitally important for young people, regardless of their sporting and fitness abilities, to understand their heart health and screening is a simple, quick and painless way to protect yourself and your loved ones,' Dan said. In 2024, the Dillon Quirke Foundation caught cardiac abnormalities in 243 of the 10,128 young people it screened. These individuals were advised to undergo follow-up cardiology tests post-screening which can include echocardiograms, cardiac electrophysiologist reviews, cardiology reviews and stress tests. The effective screenings allow for early detection of potentially life-threatening conditions, which has led to timely interventions, including surgeries, which may have saved lives. Stephen Griffin, Munster Regional Development Officer for Cycling Ireland, said cardiac screening is a quick and easy way to keep young cyclists safe, and can cost less than the price of a new helmet. 'Initiatives like this play an important role in raising awareness about the value of early cardiac screening in helping to prevent Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. We support all young athletes taking proactive steps in monitoring their heart health and we are encouraged by the work The Dillon Quirke Foundation does,' Stephen said.
Irish Independent
10-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
‘It's vitally important' – Dillon Quirke Foundation launches cardiac screening for young cyclists in bid to prevent SADS
Screenings by the charity last year detected cardiac abnormalities in 243 of 10,128 athletes A cardiac screening initiative has been launched today in Killarney, Co Kerry, to assess the heart health of young athletes in a bid to prevent Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). Every year, 100 young people under 40 die of SADS in Ireland due to an undetected heart defect. The Dillon Quirke Foundation – set up in honour of the 24-year-old Tipperary hurler who collapsed and died during a match in 2022 – is launching the initiative which will screen 90 of Munster's 168 young cyclists aged between 14 and 18 for cardiac abnormalities. 'Since starting the Foundation, we've seen remarkable progress in the level of cardiac screening across GAA, soccer, rugby, boxing and performing arts and sports clubs nationwide,' said Dan Quirke, father of the late Dillon. 'We are committed to broadening our reach and expertise across more clubs and sporting bodies and expanding into the cycling community marks a crucial step in raising awareness of the prevalence of SADS and the serious heart conditions that often go undetected. 'It's vitally important for young people, regardless of their sporting and fitness abilities, to understand their heart health and screening is a simple, quick and painless way to protect yourself and your loved ones.' Last year, the Foundation managed to detect cardiac abnormalities in 243 of the 10,128 young people it screened. The individuals in question were advised to undergo follow-up cardiology tests including echocardiograms, cardiac electrophysiologist reviews, cardiology reviews and stress tests. Stephen Griffin, Munster Regional Development Officer for Cycling Ireland, said: 'At Cycling Ireland, we are dedicated to promoting and enhancing the sport of cycling by supporting the health and wellbeing of all our members, especially our junior and youth athletes. Describing the process as 'a quick and easy' method that 'can cost less than the price of a new helmet', Griffin continued: 'Initiatives like this play an important role in raising awareness about the value of early cardiac screening in helping to prevent Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. "We support all young athletes taking proactive steps in monitoring their heart health and we are encouraged by the work The Dillon Quirke Foundation does.'
The 42
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Rory Townsend regains national champion jersey
RORY TOWNSEND WILL once again wear the National Champion jersey after the 29-year-old took the win in the Elite Men's race today, having previously been champion in 2022. The rain that drenched the course for yesterday's Women and Junior Men's races abated but the air remained warm and heavy, making conditions tough for all riders in the race hosted by Navan Road Club and Yellow Furze Road Club. Townsend takes home another Road National Championship 🏆 Read the full report👇 — Cycling Ireland (@CyclingIreland) June 29, 2025 Advertisement Local rider Sean Nolan made an early attack on his home roads but was shut down. The race saw attack after attack for the rest of the race, until a breakaway group of 10 riders got away. The group increased to 20 riders, and saw repeated attacks from Conn McDunphy and both Adam and Darren Rafferty. The sharp climbs on every lap began taking victims, and the average pace of almost 50km/h was too much for many. By the time the last lap came, a lead group of just four riders left the title to be decided by a sprint. Q36.5 rider Townsend got the jump on Jamie Meehan, and took the win ahead of Meehan in second and Patrick Casey in third. Townsend said afterwards: 'It sounds crazy but this just means so much, it's the biggest thing for me, it means everything. 'A National Championship is something you always want to win as a kid, and it makes you feel like a kid when you come back here. It's the only race I come to with my family where they're my support crew, and they have to put up with me the morning of the race, so it's a big relief to pull it off.' Along with taking silver in the overall, Meehan also took the U23 title. The AVC Aix Provence Dole rider took to the top step of the podium, ahead of Casey in second and Bahrain Victorious rider Seth Dunwoody in third. Meehan said afterwards: 'I knew if I could have went one more time, one more move, that that'd be the move, but I just didn't have it. Disappointed to lose out to Townsend in the sprint but still delighted to take home the U23 title.'
