Ian_Kirke

Ian Kirke

Ian Kirke

English rugby league footballer

Ian Kirke (born 26 December 1981) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. He played the majority of his career for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League, for whom he made over 200 appearances and won the Super League Grand Final on five occasions. He also played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the Super League, and for the York City Knights in National League Two.

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Playing career

Kirke started his career at Hull Kingston Rovers, making his senior debut in 2000. After spending a year in Hull F.C.'s Alliance side, he joined York Wasps for the 2002 season.[5] In April 2002, he signed for Dewsbury Rams.[6]

He made his Leeds début on Sunday 5 March 2006 when Leeds played Castleford. During the close season 2006 he had surgery on both his shoulders to fix a long-term injury. He was a pupil at Hornsea School and Language College.

After spells at Dewsbury, Hull FC and Hull Kingston Rovers, Kirke's breakthrough came at York City as he quietly set about laying the foundations for their National League Two triumph. Tony Rea took him on loan to London Broncos, and Leeds acted on the hint and snapped him up. His father, Bob Kirke, used to play for Hull Kingston Rovers, and as of 2011, he is a Year-3 teacher at Hornsea Community Primary School.

Kirke played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final victory over St Helens.[7]

Kirke played in the 2009 Super League Grand Final victory over St Helens at Old Trafford.[8]

Kirke played in the 2010 Challenge Cup Final defeat by Warrington at Wembley Stadium.[9][10]

In July 2011, Kirke was given a new two-year contract at Leeds.[11] Later that year he played from the substitute bench for Leeds in the 2011 Challenge Cup Final defeat by Wigan at Wembley Stadium.[12][13] Kirke played in the 2011 Super League Grand Final victory over St Helens at Old Trafford.[14][15]

Kirke played in the 2012 Challenge Cup Final defeat by Warrington at Wembley Stadium.[16][17] Kirke played in the 2012 Super League Grand Final victory over Warrington at Old Trafford.[18][19]

Kirke played in the 2014 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Castleford Tigers at Wembley Stadium.[20]

References

  1. [1]
    "Leeds Rhinos Players & Coaches 1st Team". web page. Leeds Rhinos. 2011. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  2. [2]
    RLP
  3. [3]
    "Player Summary: Ian Kirke". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  4. [4]
    Love Rugby League
  5. [5]
    "Wasps sign Kirke". York Press. 12 December 2001. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  6. [6]
    "Ben's star quest orbit". York Press. 24 April 2002. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  7. [7]
    "2008 Grand Final". BBC Sport. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  8. [8]
    Fletcher, Paul (10 October 2009). "St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  9. [9]
    Scott, Ged (28 August 2010). "Leeds 6–30 Warrington". BBC. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  10. [10]
    Wilson, Andy (28 August 2010). "Chris Hicks hat-trick leads Warrington to Challenge Cup triumph over Leeds". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 31 August 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  11. [11]
    "Prop Ian Kirke commits future to Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  12. [12]
    Scott, Ged (27 August 2011). "Leeds 18-28 Wigan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  13. [13]
    Wilson, Andy (27 August 2011). "Leeds Rhinos 18-28 Wigan Warriors – Challenge Cup final match report". The Guardian. London.
  14. [14]
    "Leeds claim Grand Final glory as inspired Rob Burrow sinks St Helens". Guardian. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  15. [15]
    "St Helens 16 Leeds 32". Daily Telegraph. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  16. [16]
    "Warrington's battered Brett Hodgson recovers to see off Leeds in final". Guardian UK. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  17. [17]
    "Leeds Rhinos 18–35 Warrington Wolves". BBC Sport. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  18. [18]
    "Grand Final: Warrington 18-26 Leeds". BBC Sport. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  19. [19]
    "Leeds' Kevin Sinfield stars in Grand Final triumph against Warrington". Guardian. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  20. [20]
    "Leeds lift Challenge Cup after Ryan Hall's double stuns Castleford". Guardian. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
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