Alan Quirke
Encyclopedia
Alan Quirke is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football
with his local club Valley Rovers
and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 1999.
with his local club Valley Rovers
and has enjoyed much success. It was with UCC
, however, that he tasted his first major success on the football field. In 1999 Quirke was the goalkeeper on the university's senior football team. That year UCC qualified for the county championship final. Footballing kingpins Nemo Rangers
provided the opposition, however, that game ended in a draw. The replay saw UCC prove too strong for Nemo and a merited 1–11 to 1–8 victory gave Quirke a coveted county senior championship winners' medal. UCC later represented the county in the provincial championship and even reached the final. Doonbeg
provided the opposition, however, UCC thrashed the Clare champions by 1–17 to 1–7, giving Quirke a Munster
club winners' medal. The university's great run of success came to an ened with a 2–16 to 3–6 defeat by Crossmaglen Rangers
in the All-Ireland semi-final.
In 2008 Quirke was the goalkeeper on the Valley Rovers team that defeated Kildorrery
to take the county intermediate championship
title. It was his first major success with his home club.
in the National Football League
and was sub goalkeeper to Kevin O'Dwyer
for the subsequent championship. He made his first championship start against Waterford
in 2001, however, he was still regarded as Cork's second choice 'keeper.
In 2002 Quirke was sprung from the bench in the replay of the Munster final. On that occasion Cork defeated Tipperary
by 1–23 to 0–7, giving him his first Munster
winners' medal on the field of play.
By 2005 Quirke was still sub goalkeeper when he joined the Cork junior football team. It was a successful year as he collected a Munster
title in this grade following a 2–13 to 0–8 drubbing of Kerry
. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Meath
providing the opposition. A close game developed, however, Cork were the eventual winners by 0–10 to 1–4. This well-merited victory gave Quirke a coveted All-Ireland
winners' medal in the junior grade.
Quirke's performances for the Cork junior footballers brought his to the attention of the senior selectors. In 2006 he was picked to become the first-choice goalkeeper on the Cork senior team. After a draw and a replay with Kerry, he added a second Munster winners' medal to his collection. Both sides met again in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final, a game which saw Kerry win by 0-16 to 0-10.
In 2007 Quirke dislocated his shoulder in the first round of the championship and missed the Munster final defeat by Kerry. Cork later did well in the All-Ireland series, with Quirke recovering and reclaiming his position as goalkeeper, and qualified for the All-Ireland championship decider against Kerry. While the first-half was played on an even keel, 'the Kingdom' ran riot in the second-half and a rout ensued. At the full-time whistle Cork were trounced by 3–13 to 1–9.
In 2008 Cork gained revenge on Kerry when the sides met again in that year's Munster final. Kerry were cruising by eight points at the interval, however, Cork stormed back in the second-half. Kerry could only muster three points as Cork secured a remarkable 1–16 to 1–11 victory. It was Quirke's third Munster winners' medal. Both sides met again in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, after a thrilling draw and a replay Kerry were the team that advanced to the championship decider.
In 2009 Cork began the season well by claiming the National League Division 2 title. Quirke's side later qualified for the Munster final where Limerick
provided the opposition. Cork were the red-hot favourites going into the game, however, they wer elucky to secure a narrow 2–6 to 0–11 victory. It was Quirke's fourth Munster title on the field of play. Cork later faced Kerry in the All-Ireland final and were surprisingly named as favourites. This tag appeared to be justified when 'the Rebels' led by 1-3 to 0-1 early in the opening half. The Kerry team stuck to their gameplan, helped in no small part by a Cork side that recorded fourteen wides. At the final whistle Kerry were the champions again by 0-16 to 1-9.
In 2010 Cork were still seen as possible All-Ireland contenders. A defeat by Kerry in a replay of the provincial semi-final resulted in Quirke's side being exiled to the All-Ireland qualifiers. After negotiating their way through a difficult series of games, Cork defeated Dublin
to qualify for their third All-Ireland final in four years. Down
provided the opposition on that occasion in the first meeting between these two teams since 1994. Cork got off to a lightning start, however, they eased off and trailed by three points at the interval. Cork went ahead again in the fiftieth minute before stretching the lead to three points. At the full-time whistle Cork were the champions by 0-16 to 0-15 and Quirke picked up a coveted All-Ireland
winners' medal.
in the inter-provincial series of games. He was goalkeeper on the Munster team in 2007 and, in spite of recahing the final, Ulster
triumphed on that occasion.
winner (1) 2009
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 plays Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with his local club Valley Rovers
Valley Rovers
Valley Rovers GAA Club is a vibrant and successful Gaelic Athletic Association club in the parish of Innishannon in Co. Cork, Ireland. Formed in 1919 when the two teams in the parish, Innishannon and Knockavilla, came together. The club fields teams in hurling, Gaelic football, Camogie and Ladies'...
and has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 1999.
Club
Quirke plays Gaelic footballGaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with his local club Valley Rovers
Valley Rovers
Valley Rovers GAA Club is a vibrant and successful Gaelic Athletic Association club in the parish of Innishannon in Co. Cork, Ireland. Formed in 1919 when the two teams in the parish, Innishannon and Knockavilla, came together. The club fields teams in hurling, Gaelic football, Camogie and Ladies'...
and has enjoyed much success. It was with UCC
UCC GAA
UCC is a football and hurling club associated with University College Cork. UCC teams play in the Cork Senior Football Championship and Cork Senior Hurling Championship as well as the two main third-level competitions namely the Sigerson Cup in football and the Fitzgibbon Cup in hurling...
, however, that he tasted his first major success on the football field. In 1999 Quirke was the goalkeeper on the university's senior football team. That year UCC qualified for the county championship final. Footballing kingpins Nemo Rangers
Nemo Rangers GAA
Nemo Rangers Hurling and Football Club is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club on the southside of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1922 and is primarily concerned with the game of Gaelic football, though interest in hurling has escalated in recent years.-History:Nemo Rangers...
provided the opposition, however, that game ended in a draw. The replay saw UCC prove too strong for Nemo and a merited 1–11 to 1–8 victory gave Quirke a coveted county senior championship winners' medal. UCC later represented the county in the provincial championship and even reached the final. Doonbeg
Doonbeg GAA
Doonbeg GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club from the village of Doonbeg in County Clare, Ireland.The club only plays gaelic football, and have won the Clare Senior Football Championship on eighteen occasions....
provided the opposition, however, UCC thrashed the Clare champions by 1–17 to 1–7, giving Quirke a Munster
Munster Senior Club Football Championship
The Munster Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the hundreds of senior football clubs in Munster. The winners will represent Munster in the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship. East Kerry were the first winners of the Munster senior...
club winners' medal. The university's great run of success came to an ened with a 2–16 to 3–6 defeat by Crossmaglen Rangers
Crossmaglen Rangers
Crossmaglen Rangers G.A.C is a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Armagh, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. They cater for Gaelic football and camogie. Their home football ground is St. Oliver Plunkett Park which was opened in 1959...
in the All-Ireland semi-final.
In 2008 Quirke was the goalkeeper on the Valley Rovers team that defeated Kildorrery
Kildorrery GAA
Kildorrery GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association based in the parish of Kildorrery, Cork, Ireland. The club fields teams in competitions organized by the Cork GAA county board and the Avondhu GAA divisional board. The club fields teams in both hurling and Gaelic football.-History:The club was...
to take the county intermediate championship
Cork Intermediate Football Championship
This is the Second tier Gaelic football team competition organized by the Cork GAA board. This championship was discontinued after 1938 because of a lack of clubs. From 1939 until 1964 any team that won the Junior County Football Final could go straight to Senior. The Intermediate Championship was...
title. It was his first major success with his home club.
Inter-county
Quirke first came to prominence on the football scene as a member of the Cork senior inter-county team in 1999. He made his debut against DonegalDonegal GAA
The Donegal County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Donegal GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Donegal. The county board is also responsible for the Donegal inter-county teams.Gaelic football is strongest in the...
in the National Football League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
and was sub goalkeeper to Kevin O'Dwyer
Kevin O'Dwyer
Kevin O'Dwyer is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club O'Donovan Rossa and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1995 until 2005.-References:...
for the subsequent championship. He made his first championship start against Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
in 2001, however, he was still regarded as Cork's second choice 'keeper.
In 2002 Quirke was sprung from the bench in the replay of the Munster final. On that occasion Cork defeated Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
by 1–23 to 0–7, giving him his first Munster
Munster Senior Football Championship
The Munster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council and are played during the summer months...
winners' medal on the field of play.
By 2005 Quirke was still sub goalkeeper when he joined the Cork junior football team. It was a successful year as he collected a Munster
Munster Junior Football Championship
The Munster Junior football championship is an annual Gaelic football competition between the Munster GAA counties. The rules with respect to who is eligible vary between the counties. In Cork and Kerry, the players can not play with a senior club. In the other four counties, any player who is not...
title in this grade following a 2–13 to 0–8 drubbing of Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry 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 Kerry...
. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
providing the opposition. A close game developed, however, Cork were the eventual winners by 0–10 to 1–4. This well-merited victory gave Quirke a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Junior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Junior Football Championship is a Gaelic Athletic Association competition for junior gaelic football inter-county teams in Ireland. The definition of what constitutes a junior player differs from county to county. In some, the junior team is the second team after the senior team...
winners' medal in the junior grade.
Quirke's performances for the Cork junior footballers brought his to the attention of the senior selectors. In 2006 he was picked to become the first-choice goalkeeper on the Cork senior team. After a draw and a replay with Kerry, he added a second Munster winners' medal to his collection. Both sides met again in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final, a game which saw Kerry win by 0-16 to 0-10.
In 2007 Quirke dislocated his shoulder in the first round of the championship and missed the Munster final defeat by Kerry. Cork later did well in the All-Ireland series, with Quirke recovering and reclaiming his position as goalkeeper, and qualified for the All-Ireland championship decider against Kerry. While the first-half was played on an even keel, 'the Kingdom' ran riot in the second-half and a rout ensued. At the full-time whistle Cork were trounced by 3–13 to 1–9.
In 2008 Cork gained revenge on Kerry when the sides met again in that year's Munster final. Kerry were cruising by eight points at the interval, however, Cork stormed back in the second-half. Kerry could only muster three points as Cork secured a remarkable 1–16 to 1–11 victory. It was Quirke's third Munster winners' medal. Both sides met again in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, after a thrilling draw and a replay Kerry were the team that advanced to the championship decider.
In 2009 Cork began the season well by claiming the National League Division 2 title. Quirke's side later qualified for the Munster final where Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
provided the opposition. Cork were the red-hot favourites going into the game, however, they wer elucky to secure a narrow 2–6 to 0–11 victory. It was Quirke's fourth Munster title on the field of play. Cork later faced Kerry in the All-Ireland final and were surprisingly named as favourites. This tag appeared to be justified when 'the Rebels' led by 1-3 to 0-1 early in the opening half. The Kerry team stuck to their gameplan, helped in no small part by a Cork side that recorded fourteen wides. At the final whistle Kerry were the champions again by 0-16 to 1-9.
In 2010 Cork were still seen as possible All-Ireland contenders. A defeat by Kerry in a replay of the provincial semi-final resulted in Quirke's side being exiled to the All-Ireland qualifiers. After negotiating their way through a difficult series of games, Cork 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...
to qualify for their third All-Ireland final in four years. Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
provided the opposition on that occasion in the first meeting between these two teams since 1994. Cork got off to a lightning start, however, they eased off and trailed by three points at the interval. Cork went ahead again in the fiftieth minute before stretching the lead to three points. At the full-time whistle Cork were the champions by 0-16 to 0-15 and Quirke picked up a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
winners' medal.
Inter-provincial
Quirke has 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 series of games. He was goalkeeper on the Munster team in 2007 and, in spite of recahing the final, Ulster
Ulster GAA
The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball in the province of Ulster. The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City....
triumphed on that occasion.
International Rules
In 2006 Quirke was picked for duty with the Irish International Rules team. He was the only goalkeeper on the panel and played both tests as Ireland were trounced by Australia.Valley Rovers/UCC
- Munster Senior Club Football ChampionshipMunster Senior Club Football ChampionshipThe Munster Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the hundreds of senior football clubs in Munster. The winners will represent Munster in the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship. East Kerry were the first winners of the Munster senior...
:- Winner (1): 1999
- Cork Senior Football Championship:
- Winner (1): 1999
- Cork Intermediate Football ChampionshipCork Intermediate Football ChampionshipThis is the Second tier Gaelic football team competition organized by the Cork GAA board. This championship was discontinued after 1938 because of a lack of clubs. From 1939 until 1964 any team that won the Junior County Football Final could go straight to Senior. The Intermediate Championship was...
:- Winner (1): 2008
Cork
- All-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
:- Winner (1): 2010All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2010-Leinster Senior Football Championship:---------------------------------------------Connacht Senior Football Championship:-----------------------------Ulster Senior Football Championship:------------------------...
- Runner-up (3): 1999All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1999The 1999 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was the 113th edition of the GAA's premier gaelic football competition. It was played between May and September 1999. The final was contested between Meath and Cork...
(sub), 2007All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2007The 2007 Bank of Ireland All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, was a Gaelic football competition in Ireland, and was the most significant and prestigious competition in the sport held that year. It began on 13 May 2007, with the final game took place for Sunday, 16 September. Kerry were the...
, 2009All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2009The 2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship is the inter-county Gaelic football tournament played between 31 counties of Ireland, London and New York. The draw for the 2009 championship took place on October 9, 2008. The tournament kicked off on May 10, 2009...
- Winner (1): 2010
- Munster Senior Football ChampionshipMunster Senior Football ChampionshipThe Munster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council and are played during the summer months...
:- Winner (5): 1999 (sub), 2002, 2006, 2008, 2009
- Runner-up (3): 2001, (sub), 2005 (sub), 2007 (sub)
- National Football LeagueNational Football League (Ireland)The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
: - National Football League division 2
winner (1) 2009
-
- Winner (3): 1999 2010 2011
- All-Ireland Junior Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Junior Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Junior Football Championship is a Gaelic Athletic Association competition for junior gaelic football inter-county teams in Ireland. The definition of what constitutes a junior player differs from county to county. In some, the junior team is the second team after the senior team...
:- Winner (1): 2005
- Munster Junior Football ChampionshipMunster Junior Football ChampionshipThe Munster Junior football championship is an annual Gaelic football competition between the Munster GAA counties. The rules with respect to who is eligible vary between the counties. In Cork and Kerry, the players can not play with a senior club. In the other four counties, any player who is not...
:- Winner (1): 2005