Johnny Quirke

Infobox GAA player
code= Hurling
sport = Hurling


name = Johnny Quirke
irish = Seán Ó Coirc
fullname = Johnny Quirke
placeofbirth = Milltown
countryofbirth = County Kerry
dob =
height =
nickname = Quirkey
county = Cork
province = Munster
club = Blackrock
clposition = Forward
clubs =
clyears =
clapps(points) =
clcounty =
clprovince=
clallireland =
counties = Cork
icposition = Forward
icyears = 1930s-1940s
icapps(points) =
icprovince = 4
icallireland = 4
nhl = 2
allstars =
clupdate =
icupdate = Johnny Quirke (1911-1983) was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and with the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1930s and 1940s. Quirke is regarded as one of Cork's greatest-ever playersFact|date=April 2008 and is one of only nine players to have won four consecutive All-Ireland medals.

Playing career

Club

Quirke played his club hurling with the famous Blackrock club in Cork. Unfortunately, he came to prominence at a time when 'the Rockies' faced a twenty-five year dry spell in terms of county honours. In spite of this Quirke made his debut on the Blackrock team that captured a three-in-a-row of county victories in 1929, 1930 and 1931.

Inter-county

Quirke first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork senior team in the late 1930s. He captured a Munster title in 1939 befor elater lining out in his first All-Ireland final. Kilkenny provided the opposition on the day of the famous 'thunder and lightning final', however, it was 'the Cats' who emerged victorious. In 1940 Quirke added a National Hurling League title to his collection, however, Cork were defeated in the provincial championship. He captured a second National League medal in 1941, however, the championship was severely hampered due to an outbreak of foot-and-mount disease. As a result of this Cork were nominated to represent Munster in the All-Ireland series. They proved too strong for all the other teams in the championship and defeated Dublin in the final. Quirke scored a goal after three minutes and started the rout which resulted in him collectin his first All-Ireland medal. He added a second Munster title to his collection in 1942 before lining out in a third championship decider. Once again Dublin were the opponents and once again Quirke scored a goal. Cork won giving him a second All-Ireland medal. Quirke won a third Munster medla in 1943 before lining out against Antrim in the All-Ireland final. The Ulstermen surprisingly defeated Galway and Kilkenny on their way to the final, however, they wer eno match for Cork. Another rout ensued giving Quirke a third All-Ireland medal in-a-row. In 1944 more success came his way as he colelcted a fourth Munster title. In his fifth All-Ireland final appearance Cork defeated Dublin for the third time in four years giving Quirke and eight of his team mates an unprecedented fourth All-Ireland medal in-a-row. It is a record that has not been equalled since. Cork were defeated in the 1945 championship and Quirke decided to retire from inter-county hurling.

Inter-provincial

Quirke also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured eight Railway Cup medals in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945.

References

* [http://munster.gaa.ie/teams/seniorhurling.html Munster final winning teams]
* [http://www.hoganstand.com/Cork/Profile.aspx Cork GAA honours]