Thousands pay their respects at Dillian Quirk's funeral

Thousands of people have attended the funeral of Tipperary hurler Dillon Quirke in his home village of Clonoulty.

The 24-year-old died on Friday night after collapsing on the pitch at Semple Stadium, Thurles while playing for his club Clonoulty-Rossmore.

His funeral mass took place on Tuesday afternoon, where his uncle Andrew Fryday told mourners: "It's an honour for me, as Dillon's uncle to stand up here today.

"I'm going to go back to that awful night that we had in Semple Stadium last Friday. You know, Dillon was going so well in that match - a leading player, a leading captain. He was showing his ability and his skill and nightmare struck then and we all know what happened.

"It was a disaster to us to see him leave the stadium the way he left. But he left the way he wanted to leave - a shining star."

        Dillon Quirke's coffin is brought to St John the Baptist Church Church, Clonoutly

"The emotion of loss that was there that night, it has touched throughout every area of us," he concluded, paying respect to his nephew. Both young and old have been wounded by it.

"Dillon was a really nice guy. The ideal guy. He is the kind of son any mother and father would love to have. He is what any manager would want to have, I believe, if you look at the depths of his hurling career for his club or his county: a leader, an inspiration to other players nearby.

Even though he was one of our great stars, if I needed the club's grunt work done, he would go out and do it.

"Last Friday evening, Dillon made a triumphant exit from his life, doing what he loved, with his teammates and great friends he loved so much, in front of his family.

    Dillon Quirke in action for his club Clonoulty-Rossmore (Image: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton)

"He was such a role model for us, both on and off the field. Go softly into that good night, Dillon, till we cross paths again.

In addition to Larry McCarthy, officials of President Michael D. Higgins and Taoiseach Micheál Martin were also present.

Hurley, his red helmet, and shirts from both the Tipperary GAA and Clonoulty-Rossmore were among the sporting equipment offered.

His life outside of sports was also represented by a picture of his roommates, concert tickets, "lucky clothes," and an apron from his job working in a deli.

    Dillon Quirke (Image: TG4 Sport)

Andrew told a few stories and claimed that Dillon had "His father's vileness and his mother's charm. He set a great example for the two of them.

"I'll give you an illustration of the problem by going back to 2011, when the club reached the county final. Dillon was a young boy, 12 or 13 years old, who, like other young men, aspired to fly the Clonoulty flag.

"When the county council arrived, he turned around and jumped the ditch before making it to his house and across the field. He had already painted all of the county council signs yellow and green. He believed he had gotten away with it. He was brought down to wash the placards while the county councilman was in the kitchen.

"He and his housemates used superglue to stick a pile of €2 coins off the ground outside the nightclub less than two weeks ago. That sort of devilment is it.
The altar of the Church of St. John the Baptist, Clonoulty was adorned with blue and yellow flower arrangements, while flags of both Tipperary GAA and Clonoulty-Rossmore lay upon his coffin.

        Dillon Quirke Funeral on their to St John the Baptist Church Church, Clonoutly (By Brendan Gleeson)

Informing the congregation, Fr. Thomas Hearne said: "It seems as though time has stood still since Dillon's sad death was announced to our parish community. There has been such a great outpouring of sorrow and loss, not just in our community but also in the parishes nearby, throughout the nation, and even abroad.

" People are genuinely shocked, and it's hard for us all to believe that this actually happened. The silence was almost deafening as we met at the neighbourhood grounds on Saturday night, where we speculated that Dillon may have a second house. With such a sizable gathering of individuals, there was no sound. People who are united, sharing their loss and their suffering.

"When you read through the condolences, it leaves us in no doubt. Our parish, Dillon's teammates in the club and his work colleagues have lost a valued and special friend."