Johnny Quirke
Encyclopedia
Johnny Quirke was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Blackrock
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1932 until 1946. Quirke's selection on the Cork Hurling Team of the Century cements his reputation as one of his county's greatest-ever players.
He was from a family of five brothers and two sisters, one of whom Dolly(Leahy) was a member the Cork senior winning Camoige team of 1936.
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.
title in 1939 before later 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 collecting 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.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured eight Railway Cup medals in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Blackrock
Blackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1932 until 1946. Quirke's selection on the Cork Hurling Team of the Century cements his reputation as one of his county's greatest-ever players.
He was from a family of five brothers and two sisters, one of whom Dolly(Leahy) was a member the Cork senior winning Camoige team of 1936.
Club
Quirke played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with the famous Blackrock
Blackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
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 MunsterMunster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
title in 1939 before later lining out in his first All-Ireland final. Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
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
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
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
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
in the final. Quirke scored a goal after three minutes and started the rout which resulted in him collecting his first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in 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
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
in the All-Ireland final. The Ulstermen surprisingly defeated Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
and Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
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 MunsterMunster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured eight Railway Cup medals in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945.