Quirke’s relief overrides euphoria

CORK’S pursuit of All-Ireland glory has frequently had a miserable outcome in recent seasons but rewriting that script last Sunday afternoon did not provoke wild euphoria.

Instead the overriding emotion for goalkeeper Alan Quirke was a palpable sense of relief and he considered his good fortune at having realised a dream that has eluded so many Cork players over the past two decades.

“We’re just very relieved,” he admitted. “A lot of great players have put a lot of work into this, not just these players. People like Conor Mac and Sean O’Brien, who just missed out by one season. Ciaran O’Sullivan, Colin Corkery and all these guys were trying for a long time as well.

“You’ve previous managers like Billy and Larry who put in huge effort. We realise that we’re very lucky to get an All-Ireland medal as we don’t get too many in Cork. You probably only get so many bites of the cherry and who’s to say whether this would have been our last? The monkey’s off our back now so we’re really happy.”

Scan through Cork’s 2010 route to All-Ireland glory and the Croke Park events of July 31 stand out as being critical. Cork may have been inactive that day but the removal of Kerry and Tyrone from the championship equation tore the Sam Maguire race wide open. Quirke recognised the significance of those results and acknowledged the pressure that ensued on Cork thereafter.

“Obviously they were the two favourites for the All-Ireland’s apart from ourselves so it was a big day. But it was a double-edged sword as it probably meant there was more pressure on us. Having two teams like that gone opened up the door for everyone really.

“Down would’ve fancied their chances as when they get to Croke Park, they generally do a good job. Kildare played brilliant football and Down were very hard to beat.

“We said ourselves this year that we weren’t under pressure but maybe deep down we did feel it. We were favourites all year including in the two games against Kerry. So it’s hard to carry the favourites tag all the time whereas last year, especially against Tyrone, we were underdogs.

“I think the Limerick game was the turning point for us. We should have put that game to bed but it went to extra-time. We realised that was a big 20 minutes but after that we knew we could get out of most situations. That was a real dogfight.”

Cork’s play did not sparkle in the early phases on Sunday afternoon, despite sourcing plenty ball around midfield. The team had also been hit by the loss of captain Graham Canty but Quirke was confident that they could cope.

“We could have had a fantastic start. We cut them open and played some really good football but we just didn’t finish. Generally we tend to do well in the possession stakes in midfield as we’ve a lot of good fielders.

“But that doesn’t always decide a game. Down tend to live off scraps of possession, as they showed against Kerry and Kildare. They’re smart footballers but at least we were within touching distance at half-time.

“We’d a fair idea that Graham wasn’t going to start. But we played half the Dublin game without him and he didn’t play in the National League this year so in fairness to the younger fellas on the panel, they’re used to leading when he’s not there. When he came in, he gave us a great shot of confidence.”

Quirke admits that the debilitating injuries that himself and other veterans have suffered could hinder their attempts to keep playing at intercounty level.

“If the body was able, I’d like to play for another season or two. I had a long summer this year with injuries. Nicholas, Anthony and Johnny had a very hard season with injuries too. If you rest over the winter and have a good pre-season, then who knows. But it’s not a decision I’d be making now anyway.”

Irrespective of his future plans, Quirke will cherish the special memories after the final whistle when the Cork players celebrated riotously on the pitch and he appreciated the grace that Down displayed in defeat.

“But I would say the couple of minutes after the game, just being able to share it with your teammates and best friends will live with me forever. I’ve nothing to compare it to because we never had a pitch invasion. But we really enjoyed it. I suppose we did the lap of honour before we got the trophy, which was a first! We might have milked it a small bit but we couldn’t help ourselves.

“It’s easy for me to say it when we’re winners that they were gracious losers, but they really were. There’s a bit of class about Down in everything they do, the way they play and the way they hold themselves. James McCartan circled their players and sent them down to meet us. I thought it was a really sporting touch and it sets the right tone for young fellas when they see that.”