The Dillon Quirke Foundation launched its first cardiac screening initiative with athletes from Cycling Ireland in at St Oliver’s National School on Thursday.

Every year, Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) takes 100 young lives in Ireland, deaths which could be prevented by early identification of heart conditions via cardiac screening.

Over the course of two days, the Dillon Quirke Foundation, founded by the family of the young Tipperary hurler who collapsed and died during a match in 2022, will screen young cycling athletes from the Munster region Kerry for potential cardiac abnormalities.

Dan Quirke, father of Dillon Quirke and founder of the Foundation stated today:
“We’re proud to be in Killarney to kick off cardiac screenings for young athletes from Cycling Ireland. Today, we're screening more than half of the eligible athletes in Munster, with 90 out of 168 cyclists aged 14 to 18 participating.

“Since starting the Foundation, we’ve seen remarkable progress in the level of cardiac screening across GAA, soccer, rugby, boxing and performing arts and sports clubs nationwide. We are committed to broadening our reach and expertise across more clubs and sporting bodies and expanding into the cycling community marks a crucial step in raising awareness of the prevalence of SADS and the serious heart conditions that often go undetected.

“It’s vitally important for young people, regardless of their sporting and fitness abilities, to understand their heart health and screening is a simple, quick and painless way to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

The screening is part of the Foundation’s wider campaign to raise awareness of SADS and to increase the number of people getting themselves screened in Ireland. Many of the 100 young deaths a year attributed to SADS could be prevented by identifying heart conditions at an early stage through cardiac screening. Last year the Foundation caught cardiac abnormalities in 243 of the 10,128 young people it screened. These individuals were advised to undergo follow-up cardiology tests post-screening which can include echocardiograms, cardiac electrophysiologist reviews, cardiology reviews and stress tests.

The effective screenings allow for early detection of potentially life-threatening conditions, which has led to timely interventions, including surgeries, which may have saved lives.

Commenting on the screening, Stephen Griffin, Munster Regional Development Officer for Cycling Ireland, said: “At Cycling Ireland we are dedicated to promoting and enhancing the sport of cycling by supporting the health and wellbeing of all our members, especially our junior and youth athletes.

“Cardiac screening is a quick and easy way to keep young cyclists safe – and can cost less than the price of a new helmet. Cycling Ireland is pleased to work alongside the Dillon Quirke Foundation to offer cardiac screening to our youth and junior cyclists today in Killarney.

“Initiatives like this play an important role in raising awareness about the value of early cardiac screening in helping to prevent Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. We support all young athletes taking proactive steps in monitoring their heart health and we are encouraged by the work The Dillon Quirke Foundation does.”

Cycling Ireland has 1,793 youth and junior members across the country, under the age of 18, with approximately 370 registered with Cycling Munster.