He was getting better year on year

By Shane Brophy

Liam Cahill was one of the first to see the potential in Dillon Quirke as Tipperary minor hurling manager in 2015.

He was part of the Tipperary minor squad for two years, making three appearances in their 2016 campaign as they swept to All-Ireland glory.

“I have had the real good fortune to have him since he was a minor, watching him at under 16 and seeing him come up along the ranks,” he said.

“He was a lovely young man, a very respectful young fella that was mad to learn, really keen to learn all the time.

“He came onto a minor panel in 2015, didn’t make the starting team but came on the following year and played a part in the All-Ireland Final.

“I can distinctly remember him saying to me he was going to do everything in his power to make a Tipp Under 21 squad and a senior panel down the road and he was true to his word. He was a major player for me in 2018 when we won the Under 21 All-Ireland.”

Cahill became emotional thinking about the times they had together at underage level but also the hurt at not being able for him to see his full potential.

“Obviously, he was going to be a major part of my plans for next year,” he continued.

“As he was getting older and more mature, he was driving standards. I know for a fact he was driving unbelievable standards in his club. Having spoken to a number of players at the wake for the first time since I was appointed they told me he was a massive leader in the Tipperary dressing room over the past year or two.

“He had a real likeable way about him, leading but be able to bring fella’s with him with seriousness when needed and a bit of humour when needed as well. He was showing all the signs of a guy that was getting it as a player, a leader and as a proper Tipperary player.”

Sometimes the best senior players are the ones that have to fight their way to the top and Dillon was one of those who never shied away from trying to get better.

“He was always a chap I felt was going to take him a while to adjust,” Cahill added.

“He had all the raw materials and all the attributes you look for in the modern day player. You could see would be rangy, big, committed, very brave, he was a really brave player. He really worked on his athleticism and it was starting to come together for him.

“Early on he was being tried in the forwards a bit. There was a lot going on up there but wasn’t ready yet as a forward. We felt putting him back facing the ball transformed him and got his confidence up.

“As the years went on and the more I was looking at him, he was the type of a player that could play anywhere really. Clonoulty really used his power and physique up front and it paid dividends. Even last Friday evening, he was creating havoc against Kilruane with his sheer ability to win his own ball.”

When Liam Cahill does get his Tipperary panel together for the first time in the coming months, Dillon Quirke will be to the forefront of their minds in everything they do going forward.

“We are in unchartered waters as regards a tragedy like this. It’s incredible,” he added.

“It is going to take a lot of time for everybody to get their head around it.

“It’s just a disaster really and no one knew how good this fella was going to be.

“He’ll be doing his best for everybody up there to help things progress and hopefully deliver as time goes on.”