'It just isn't something that appeals to me' - Katie Quirke won't follow Cork stars Down Under

ENERGETIC: Kerry All-Star Joe O’Connor Cork’s Katie Quirke, Niamh Mallon of Galway and Limerick hurler Tom Morrissey at Croke Park as Solgar, Official Vitamin Partner of the GAA and GPA unveiled its newest brand ambassadors. Pic: Damien Eagers

Cork star forward Katie Quirke has no intention of joining the exodus from Gaelic football to Australian Rules.

Recently chosen in the Lidl team of the league after the county’s Division 1 success, Quirke has little interest in the game Down Under unlike her county team-mates Aoife Healy who has signed for Fremantle and Hawthorn-bound Hannah Looney.

“I think it is a massive opportunity, and we have two girls going now that were with us last year, and they'll be massive losses for us,” admitted Quirke.

“Like, Aoife played all the league for us, and she'll be going now in a couple of weeks. And she'll just leave a massive hole there to be filled.

“But I don't think you could begrudge anyone going over either the opportunity. They're all over playing a professional sport, just something that isn't here for us in Ireland. So, I think it is a huge thing.

“Personally, I don't think I'd be massively attracted to it. It just isn't really something that appeals to me. But like that I wouldn't begrudge the girls going over. I hope they'll get on really well, and I think they will, and I wish them all the best.

“But just for me, it's not really calling me, to be honest. I think the physicality of it, and you'd hear the girls going over, and how tough it is. Like, that it's extreme.”

The brain-drain to AFLW from elite ladies football is very real, Quirke accepted.

“Up until this year, we haven't been too affected by it. But now when we have kind of two girls going, it would take from your panel, obviously.

“Maybe other counties were a bit more affected than we were. You kind of just have to regroup at the end of the year and try to move on with who you have.”

The recent rule changes have certainly made the native game more appealing and the Bride Rovers forward feels there will be further opportunity to exploit them in the better weather months.

“I think they've been huge positive for the games. I was watching the league games that were on TG4, and they are a lot more exciting to watch and even to play as well. I think it did take a bit of getting used to, but it's made big improvements on the game.”

Quirke’s favourite change? “When it's used well, the mark for the kick-outs. It's not a huge part of the ladies game, but I think when you see it happening in real time, it is.

“We haven't had any, but the two pointers could be a massive gamechanger. Maybe in the summer, we'll probably see it more. It adds a bit of excitement to it as well.”

Backing up a league title with a provincial crown is the next objective for Cork. Ahead of their first game against Tipperary this weekend, it is shaping up to be one of the most competitive championships in years.

“I think putting in a good performance in Munster will really set us up for the rest of the year,” said Quirke.

“Obviously, we'd be looking to make a Munster final again. We didn’t do done that last year, and we haven't won one in a couple of years.”

* Katie Quirke was speaking as an ambassador of Solgar, the official vitamin partner of the GAA and Gaelic Players Association. Celebrating their 40th year in Ireland, the company has announced the player’s choice bundle, six specific supplements to power the training and playing schedules this season. Products are available in health food stores and pharmacies all over Ireland and online.