Keeper Quirke to miss Cork’s league campaign

Cork goalkeeper Alan Quirke will miss the early rounds of the NFL as he will be in Lebanon on peace-keeping duty with the Defence Forces.

The veteran Valley Rovers clubman is due to travel to the Lebanon next month and he could be there until next April which would rule him out of all seven league games. The Division One champions open their campaign on Februay 2 away to Dublin and conclude their programme on April 7 with the visit of Mayo.

His absence is somewhat of a blow, but tempered by the amount of talented goalkeepers emerging within the county. Bishopstown’s Ken O’Halloran has been involved in the panel for a few years, having played for the county at minor and U21 level, while Ballincollig’s David Lordan was involved this year as third-choice.