Tipp Trio Paid Touching Tribute To Dillon Quirke That Wasn't Caught On Camera

As Tipperary celebrated their remarkable triumph in Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final, the memory of Dillon Quirke loomed large over the occasion.

Quirke passed away after collapsing during a Tipperary club championship game in 2022. His death left an enormous mark not only on his club Clonoulty-Rossmore and his native county, but on hurling as a whole.

Only 24 at the time of his passing and having just established himself as a core member of the Tipperary senior setup, there is no doubt Quirke would have been on the field on Sunday.

In the aftermath of Tipp's 29th All-Ireland triumph, three players who shared the pitch with Quirke shared a beautiful moment in memory of their late teammate.

READ HERE: All-Ireland Football Final Team News: O'Connor Back As Donegal Unchanged

READ HERE: History To Be Made As All-Ireland Football Final Will Be Broadcast In French For The First Time

The Nenagh Guardian have brought to light a wonderful story from All-Ireland final day.

The Tipperary newspaper revealed that Tipperary trio Conor Stakelum, Craig Morgan, and Brian McGrath shared a quiet moment in memory of Dillon Quirke on the Croke Park pitch after the dust had settled.

Some time after the game had concluded, Stakelum, Morgan, and McGrath returned to the pitch with a Dillon Quirke Foundation bainisteoir bib, and stood in the centre circle soaking up the weight of the occasion.

All three players played alongside Quirke on the Tipperary under-21 team that claimed All-Ireland final glory in 2018 under the stewardship of Liam Cahill.

It's a poignant story that sums up just how much the pain of Quirke's absence was a defining part of Sunday for all associated with Tipperary hurling.

Stakelum spoke after Sunday's final about a visit some of the players paid to Quirke's family the Friday prior.

"A couple of us, we were out with Dan and Hazel Quirke during the week," Stakelum told the Irish Examiner after Tipperary's victory over Cork.

"We were just chatting about that [2018] 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.

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.

Another of the trio who took to the pitch after the final, Craig Morgan, was playing opposite Quirke on the day that he passed for Kilruane McDonagh's.

Morgan played alongside Quirke for the Tipperary seniors and on that 2018 team, and spoke in the build-up to Sunday's final about the presence Quirke still holds within the group.

"He’s still there in the dressing room, he’s still running out the tunnel with us and I know he’ll be there next Sunday as well," Morgan told the Irish News.

He’s in our minds every time we take the field. It’s a privilege to go out and still wear the jersey, and to still play for him.

Even the last day, I was wearing the number five jersey with him as well. It’s nice to bring it back to earth, that he’s there with you. He definitely is. He’s still a huge part for us on this journey.

Morgan was wearing Quirke's number five jersey on Sunday, no doubt an emotional moment for the Tipperary man.

Quirke was also remembered in captain Ronan Maher's speech after he lifted Liam MacCarthy atop the Hogan Stand steps.

To one player who is no longer with us, but is so much a part of what we are - Dillon Quirke.

We carried your spirit with us every step of the way. You were in the dressing room, you were on the field playing, you were in our hearts.

We hope we did you and your family proud today.

Through a desperately sad tragedy, Tipperary have kept the memory of Dillon Quirke burning.

Another hat-tip goes to the Nenagh Guardian for unearthing this poignant moment on a special day for Tipperary hurling.