eir ambassador and Cork hurler, Shane Kingston pictured at last month’s unveiling of eir as a new sponsor of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship in Croke Park. The five-year deal which was announced on November 30th further cements the long-standing relationship between eir and the GAA.
By Cian O’Connell
Shane Kingston didn’t want any fuss or fanfare. A small, but utterly thoughtful gesture, Kingston opted to return the last Tipperary jersey worn in a Munster Championship match by Dillon Quirke in May.
When news filtered through about Quirke’s tragic passing in early August playing for Clonoulty-Rossmore at FBD Semple Stadium, Kingston quietly made a decision.
“He was marking me for the game and the game ended, they were out, but it was dependent on the Kerry and Antrim game whether they'd play another game or not,” Kingston recalls.
“So we were just talking after by the dressing room, we just exchanged jerseys. Then he passed a couple of weeks later. Weirdly enough I hadn't worn the jersey yet, I saw it up in my room.
“I got on to a buddy of mine who would be close with Nicky English, I know Nicky myself. He said it would be a lovely gesture. I just said I would bring it up then.”
It was appreciated by Quirke’s family. “Absolutely, it was a bit of an awkward one, I didn't really know how to go about it,” Kingston says.
Former Tipperary hurler Dillon Quirke sadly passed away in August.
“I didn't really want it getting out there, but obviously it did. I think the family were aware I had the jersey and they were delighted to get it back. It is about Dillon and his family. If it puts them at ease in any way I said the best thing to do would be to give the jersey back to them.”
Respect still runs through one of the great rivalries in Irish sport. Under Pat Ryan’s stewardship Cork have resumed training for the 2023 inter-county campaign. “My old man was involved with Cork for eight out of the last 10 years,” Kingston says.
“Obviously it is a change for me and for everyone else too. He left in 2017, I think he felt he had something to give still.
“Now I think he was happy enough to part ways, to let a new voice come in. Obviously we are delighted to have Pat involved because we had him in 2017, he has had great success with the U20s over the last two or three years. We are happy out now.”
Significant potential exists in Cork according to Kingston. “Definitely, they won two U20s in a row so obviously the talent is there,” he says.
“Everyone develops differently so we will see how fellas get on over the next couple of months. Hopefully they can settle in, to cement a place in the team, to bring us up to that level. It is still a big stepping stone from U20 to senior too.”
