Burke was raised in the Ballintemple, Cork and was a talented junior hurler, playing with Blackrock.
[1] During the Second World War, Burke played for a very successful Cork United team.
His United teammates included, among others, Jack O'Reilly, Bill Hayes, Owen Madden, Jackie O'Driscoll, Frank O'Farrell and Tommy Moroney.
[2] On 17 October 1951, while playing for Cork Athletic, he also helped Ireland to a 3-2 win against West Germany at Dalymount Park.
[3][4][5] 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.