Florrie Burke

Who was Florrie Burke?

Florrie Burke is a former Irish footballer who played for Cork United, Cork Athletic and Evergreen United. He also played for both Ireland and the League of Ireland XI. Burke was raised in the Ballintemple, Cork and was a talented junior hurler, playing with Blackrock. During the Second World War, Burke played for a very successful Cork United team. His United team mates included, among others, Jack O'Reilly, Bill Hayes, Owen Madden, Jackie O'Driscoll, Frank O'Farrell and Tommy Moroney. Burke helped United win several League of Ireland titles and in 1942 they won an FAI Cup / League double. On October 17, 1951, while playing for Cork Athletic, he also helped Ireland to a 3-2 win against West Germany at Dalymount Park. Despite playing a starring role in the game, this was Burke’s only international cap. He subsequently joined Evergreen United after a contract dispute and in 1953 played for them in the first all-Cork FAI Cup final against Athletic.