Patrick Quinlan (cricketer)

Patrick Francis Quinlan (17 March 1891 – 15 August 1935) was an Australian cricketer and lawyer. The son of Timothy Quinlan, an Irish-born politician, Quinlan was educated in Ireland where he played cricket for Dublin University and the Irish national team. He returned to Western Australia in 1920 to practise law, and also played several cricket matches for Western Australia. He died in 1935 after a long illness.

Quinlan was born on 17 March 1891 in Perth, Western Australia, to Timothy Francis Quinlan and Teresa Connor. His father had served as Speaker of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, while his maternal grandfather, Daniel Connor, was a noted businessman. Quinlan was sent to Ireland at age 15 to attend Clongowes Wood College, along with his older brother, Bernard Gerald Quinlan, who was studying medicine at the University of Dublin. He was accepted into Trinity College at Dublin University in 1910. His education was interrupted by the First World War, and he returned to Perth, but Quinlan returned to Dublin to finish his degree after the war's conclusion, subsequently graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1920. Quinlan took up playing cricket while in Ireland, making his debut for the Dublin University Cricket Club in 1911. He soon established himself in the first XI, and played for the club against a full Hampshire side in May 1911, alongside his brother. Playing mainly as an opening batsman, he was also a useful medium-pace bowler in his early days, with a best of 7/20 from 15.3 overs against a team from County Cork. Quinlan made his first-class debut for a Woodbrook Club and Ground side against the touring South Africans. Three days later, he was selected to make his debut for the Irish cricket team against the South Africans, scoring two runs and a duck in the first and second innings, respectively, playing as an opener. He also played for Ireland in the traditional match against Scotland in 1912, 1913 and 1914.