Versatility John Joe’s single greatest asset
KERRY handball has produced some of the greatest and most talented exponents of the games over the decades. When the history of the sport in Kerry is finally written, prominent on the Roll of Honour will be John Joe Quirke, one of the most versatile players in the modern game. The Glenbeigh native has tasted hard won championship success at County, Munster, All Ireland and World grades.
A very modest and unassuming sports man, Quirke enjoyed his first success in 1991 when he helped his club, Glenbeigh, to Feile na nGael success. Now almost 30 years later his love of the game, his desire for perfection and his instincts for success are as powerful as ever.
“I enjoy handball, the competition, the friends you make and the thrill of competition. It’s an incredible sport where fitness levels are high and the need to train is important. It keeps you on your toes, improves flexibility, enhances mobility and fine tunes your coordination and ability to think on the court,” said John Joe.
“We are currently in the middle of our handball season but due to Covid 19 the handball facilities are closed and competition is suspended. Handball is part of our lives and with no training and competition we feel we are missing out on something very close to our hearts. However at the end of the day it’s just sport and it’s far more important to stay safe and ensure our community is safe,” John Joe said.
In 1993 the Glenbeigh teenager began to take the sport seriously following his Under 16 Doubles 40 x 20 success. A student at Killorglin Community College, he won the 1996 Munster Colleges title with Pa Murphy. That year John Joe showed his sporting versatility and was selected on the Kerry minor football team.
Munster championship success came fast and furious with Quirke teaming up with a number of partners including Noel Raymond (Tralee), Raymond Griffin (Lispole) and Joe Creedon (Dingle) to win provincial crowns. However All Ireland success eluded him.
“I finally tasted All-Ireland success in the 2008 Junior Hardball Doubles 40 x 20 final. On that occasion I partnered my club mate Dominick Lynch and this was the start of some memorable All Ireland victories for both of us. In 2014 we won the Over 35 Doubles 40 x 20 title. 2015 saw us take a hard fought Intermediate Doubles Hardball 60 x 30 title followed in
2016 and 2017 by the Over 35 Doubles 40 x 20 championship winners. We added the 2018 Masters Doubles 40 x 20 title to our list of accolades however we lost the Senior Doubles Hardball 60 x 30 finals in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2019.”
Quirke took on the world and came away smiling in 1996. The World Handball Championships were held in Chicago with some of the top names in the World taking part. Quirke surprised many of his opponents coming home having finished 4th overall.
He returned to the World Championships in 2018 when the event was hosted in Minnesota. This time he played with passion and feared no one in the world class field. Teaming up with Dominick Lynch, the Glenbeigh duo created a sensation winning the Master One Wall Doubles title. However Quirke was not finished and added to his medal haul winning a bronze medal in the Masters 40x20 Singles competition.
In 2019 he added to his Munster championship list of titles winning the One Wall Junior title which took place in the Spa GAA facility Killarney.
“I put in a lot of training for the 2020 season which was going to be very busy on the handball circuit. Just before the Covid-19 lockdown I competed at the European One Wall tour in London where I reached the semi finals. This event saw my European ranking status move from 64th to 18th. My aim for the year was to move up to first or second on the ranking list. I was due to play in Spain next September but this event has been cancelled.”
There is still a lot of domestic handball for Quirke when the season finally opens. Along with Dominick Lynch, they are due to play the All Ireland Masters Doubles semi final.
“Part of my priority in the sport is to coach our younger players in Glenbeigh. This is important for the sport and will ensure the continued development and success in Mid and South Kerry. We have some very talented young players at the moment and I look forward to watching them mature in the sport and bring more success to Kerry.”
Handball is an important element of life in the Quirke household. His daughters Clodagh and Maggie are Kerry and Munster Juvenile champions while his wife, Evelyn, won the All Ireland 60 x 30 title in 1998. She also won the All Ireland Colleges championship representing Tralee IT with Annette Rochford of Meath. “She came out of retirement to take on the youngsters at the One Wall National championships in Mayo in 2018 and won the plate. Handball is a major topic of conversation in our household and is part of our life in more ways than one.”