Debut: Vs Castleford Tigers (H) 5th March 2006

Honours: Grand Final (Winner: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012), Challenge Cup (Winner: 2014; Finalist: 2010, 2011, 2012), World Club Challenge (Finalist: 2009, 2010, 2013), League Leaders' Shield (Winner: 2009)

Kirke joined the Rhinos from York City Knights in 2006 and went on to compete for every domestic trophy over eight years, winning five Super League Grand Finals, the 2014 Challenge Cup Final and a League Leaders' Shield.

After only a year at the club, the forward was already a Grand Final winner, featuring 25 times during the 2007 season and came off the bench to lift his first Super League trophy. During Leeds' 'three in a row' Grand Final victories, Kirke was one of fourteen players to play in all three games. Despite spending most of the 2008 season on the sidelines with a back injury, he was rewarded for his contributions on his return; Brian McClennan offering him a new two year contract. Shortly after, he suffered a leg break against Huddersfield Giants but returned in time to secure a third Grand Final ring.

For the World Club Challenge, Kirke was unlucky not to pick up a winners medal, playing a part of McClennan's Leeds side that was edged 28-20 by Manly in 2009 and then 18-10 by the Storm a year later. A 30-8 defeat at Wembley in the 2010 Challenge Cup Final and Play Off defeat to Wigan later in 2010 left the Rhinos camp determined for more silverware and in 2011, under Brian McDermott, Leeds reached both major finals; Kirke playing a part in both as the Rhinos missed out on a Cup win but were crowned five time Super League champions after finishing fifth in the League table.

The forward would repeat his 2011 feat a year later, playing and scoring in another Cup defeat to Warrington before coming off the bench at Old Trafford to stop the Wolves doing the double. After missing the Rhinos' World Club win over the Sea Eagles, he came off the bench a year later against Melbourne but couldn't stop the Storm taking away the Rhinos' World Champions crown.

In his penultimate year, like many of his team mates, the Challenge Cup was a priority and thanks to a 23-14 win over Castleford in the Final, Kirke finally lifted his the Cup at Wembley. Finishing in premature fashion against Catalans Dragons, it was announced that Kirke was released from the final year of his contract by the club and he joined rivals Wakefield Trinity, but only made four appearances before leaving the club.

After Leeds had completed their historic 2015 season, Kirke returned as part of the Rhinos' back room staff as the first team conditioner for the 2016 season and he later went on to be Head of Strength and Conditioning for Yorkshire Carnegie in 2019.