He is the brother of Clinton, Alan, Oscar and Jack Quinlivan - who were also rugby league players.
Quinlivan made his rugby league debut in round 4 of the 1940 season against St. George.
[1] Quinlivan made one more appearance for the season in a low-scoring win over Western Suburbs in Round 8.
In Round 3, Quinlivan scored a try in his first game of the 1941 season in a lobsidded 15-41 loss to St. George.
In Round 12, Quinlivan kicked his first and last goal of his career in a win over North Sydney.