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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Pictured at the Tipperary Association Dublin event was the Quirke family Dan, Hazel, Shannon and Kelly.
Young Mayo athletes were among over 10,000 young people across Ireland, who have benefited from cardiac screening this year. That's because of the Dillon Quirke Foundation – the charity established to reduce the number of young people dying from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). Screenings were carried out in 37 clubs in Connaught.
In April this year, Saoirse Lally, captain of the Mayo senior ladies football team, spoke at the official launch of the Foundation at Buswells Hotel, Dublin. She shared her support for cardiac screening and spoke about her experience of being treated for a cardiac abnormality that was detected through cardiac screening:
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The Foundation was set up in honour of Dillon Quirke who collapsed and died during a hurling match at Semple Stadium in August 2022. On average, 100 young people in Ireland die each year from SADS, a rate much higher than that reported in other EU countries. In an effort to reduce this number, the Foundation aims to promote awareness of the importance of cardiac screening in preventing SADs and to provide cardiac screening for young people nationwide.
Among those who have been assessed by the Foundation’s screening provider this year, 243 people have been advised to undergo follow-up cardiology tests post-screening. This makes up 2.46% of those who have been screened by the Foundation to date. The Foundation will continue their call to make screening mandatory for young people involved in sport.
Commenting on the Foundation’s first year in operation, Dan Quirke, Founder, said: “At the start of 2024, the Foundation ambitiously set a goal of screening 5,000 individuals within the year. We are delighted to have surpassed this target by more than double. We know these screenings are helping to save lives. They can detect cardiac abnormalities and those affected can receive appropriate medical treatment and support at an early stage."
To learn more about the Dillon Quirke Foundation or to make a donation, please visit dillonquirkefoundation.com.
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