Paddy Quinn, the Tyrone man who donned the sky blue jersey
The All-Ireland quarter-final between Dublin and Tyrone on Saturday is a fixture that may leave some unsure as to who will prevail, and place themselves in the frame as Sam Maguire contenders, given the rollercoaster nature of both side's seasons so far
Both inter-county sides have had mixed seasons, by all accounts, but one man who surprisingly isn't feeling mixed, is Tyrone-born-and-bred ex-Dublin player, Paddy Quinn, who says his hopes firmly lie with his home county despite being 'adopted' into the Dublin fold in 2013.
"I'm a Tyrone man at heart, that's what I'd say," Quinn told RTÉ Sport.
Despite strong connections to the capital, and several players from his club in the place he now calls home, Na Fianna, on the panel, Quinn makes his intentions clear for when the ball throws-in at Croke Park on Saturday at 6:15pm.
"Tyrone is still where the heart would be, my wife and kids, they can wear the Dublin jerseys at the weekend, but I'll be a Tyrone man."
Tyrone native Quinn has donned the sky blue but admits it wasn't an achievement he envisioned when playing for Derrylaughan Kevin Barrys, before work pulled him to Dublin in 2008.
"You have to put the emotions to one side, when you're at that level, you just buy into it 100%, you're part of a team, part of a panel as normal, it does feel a bit strange.
"I have a Tyrone accent and when you're in a huddle with lots of Dublin lads, you can feel it a little bit.
"When you're putting on the Dublin jersey for the first time, I can't deny it did feel a bit strange putting that on, because I would have grown up supporting Tyrone all my life."
The chartered accountant remained with the Tyrone-based club, also the home of the county's current captain Brian Kennedy, and travelled the three-hour journey multiple times a week before the time in the car took its toll.
Quinn transferred to Na Fianna, which he admits wasn't an easy decision, but following a family connection he found league success and ended up with a long stint on the senior squad, finishing up just last year.
"I decided to transfer clubs, which was a very difficult decision to make at the time... I ended up captaining Na Fianna for three or four years, and won a couple of league titles."
It was during the the 2012 season, when Na Fianna won the Dublin league, that Quinn caught the eye of newly-minted Dublin manager, Jim Gavin, which he says wasn't a complete surprise.
"I just got a call one day to ask if I'd be interested in joining the Dublin panel, that was Jim Gavin, I started his term.
"I knew I was kind of in the conversation... But you just don't know whether someone would be willing to call somebody who's not from the county, so I can't say it was completely out of the blue.
"When the call comes in, it still catches you by surprise at the time, I suppose, but it didn't take me long to come to my decision."
Is Quinn a fan of Gavin's FRC rule changes? He says his ex-manager seems to have approached the task in the same way he approached his coaching roles, methodical to a tee.
"I think, what he's done there with the rules, it's just been so methodically thought out, and you've got good people around him as well to help iron out any sort of issues.
"Everything is based on facts and evidence, and so I'm sure his approach to these rules, they've been looking at the games and looking at the statistics and looking at it in the cool light of day rather than getting swayed by emotions too much, and that's kind of the way it was in his coaching methods as well."
There was a similar approach used when Quinn was dropped from the panel in 2013 just before the championship season, he remained around the squad but didn't tog out again but explained being dropped is difficult for any player.
"It's tough for a manager to release a player, it's tough him making that call, but it's tough receiving the call.
"In fairness to Jim, he gave me a call at the time when I was first dropped off the panel and we had a good conversation about it, and he was frank and honest and I could have no qualms about it really.
"Every player who's received that call at the end of the season is tired of that, but ultimately players receive it at some part of their journey and that's just part and parcel of it."
Quinn never played for his home county and described himself as a "late developer", receiving the call for the county he probably never expected to play for at 31, and he of course received some expected "stick" togging out in sky blue.
"I never played Tyrone minor, or was on development squad, so I was probably a bit of a late developer.
"Once you're in Dublin, you're kind of out of sight, out of mind.
"Plenty of stick from lads back home, that's for sure."
The Tyrone man has been "following both teams closely" and thinks the Red Hands could have the edge in a closely-fought battle, with their "firepower" up front a possible difference maker in Saturday's quarter-final fixture.
"It's set up fairly evenly, the two teams have been up and down in different parts of the season.
"Tyrone obviously disappointed at getting relegated, but there was a lot of green shoots in the league, they beat Dublin convincingly on that last day, and they've shown good form in the group stages of the Sam Maguire... Tyrone have got the firepower up front for sure.
"McCurry has been playing so well this year, he's been a great foil for Darragh Canavan, and the two of them are big major threats.
"They're a strong attacking threat, probably their half-forward line hasn't really kicked into gear as much as we might have hoped."
The other edge his home county have is the two-week break they have been afforded for their league-topping win in the round robin.
Quinn thinks Tyrone's defence will survive without Michael McKernan who came off clutching his shoulder in their 13-point win over Cavan to top the table.
"The two-week break is massive for Tyrone, just to clear a couple of niggles they might have had, now McKernan I think is going to be out, which is a huge blow defensively, but they have a bit of cover in defence.
"I'm looking forward to watching them all, but I'd be quietly hopeful, I suppose, of a Tyrone win."
Follow a live blog on the All-Ireland Football Championship quarter-finals on Saturday on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to commentaries on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Saturday Game at 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Watch two All-Ireland Football Championship quarter-finals, Meath v Galway and Armagh v Kerry, from 1.15pm on Sunday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to commentaries on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game at 10.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
12 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Alan Reynolds shrugs off ‘title challengers' label and insists Bohs ‘can't compete in the market with some clubs'
ALAN Reynolds revealed he plans to strengthen Bohemians in order to make them title challengers — just not with a title challenger's budget. Bohs moved up to second place on Monday night with their 2 Reynolds appears to have won the Bohs fans back over after recent results 2 Bohs have won all three games against league leaders Shamrock Rovers this season It leaves them nine points behind the Hoops with two games in hand and one more meeting with the Dublin rivals they keep on beating. But Rennie insisted that it is too early to call his side — that had lost five of their opening seven games before winning ten of the last 14 — title challengers after their 2-0 win. The gaffer said: 'To be honest, I haven't thought about it. I know you want to hear, 'We're challengers', but what, are we nine points behind them? 'Give me another couple of months and I'll tell you. We Read more on league of Ireland But with the transfer window opening next week, Reynolds is Yet he acknowledged that his budget is tight, with the Phibsborough club preparing for life away from Dalymount Park when it is redeveloped — most likely begin in 2027. Reynolds said: 'Well, we'll try and flex our muscles a bit, but they have to be the right players. But we can't get into the market with some of the clubs here. That's the problem. 'I spoke to players over the off-season . . . close to coming, next minute, between whatever, an hour or two, somebody makes a call, and we're blown out of the water. So that's the way it is.' Most read in Football Reynolds' squad should be strengthened by the return to fitness of Connor Parsons this week, though Alex Lacey will be out for another month. Saipan film trailer splits opinion as Irish football fans voice concern about Roy Keane portrayal And striker The gaffer is pleased with where his side are and hailed their first half against Rovers — when they went 2-0 up — as their best 45 minutes in years. And that is not just his view, but the view of coach and former defender Derek Pender — now in his 13th year at Dalymount. NEVER IN 13 YEARS Reynolds said: 'He said he hasn't seen such a good 45 and he's here a long time. I thought it was the best I've seen us without the ball but I'm not surprised. 'It's about consistency because it's hard to play like that in every game to be fair. 'Not many teams play like Shamrock Rovers either so you must have a game-plan for them. 'All credit to us. I know Rovers are outstanding but we looked a proper team.' Hoops boss Stephen Bradley agreed that Bohemians were good but his side did not meet their standards. Bradley said: 'First half we were miles off the game, a million miles off what's required in any game but especially in this type of game. 'So as a result, they were two-up and could have been three or four to be honest, we were that far off the level but that's football, that's Dublin derbies. 'You've got to credit Bohs, they were good but we were a million miles off it. You don't win games of football in this league if you're that far off the levels.' BOHS ARE BACK IN TOWN The victory continued Bohemians' remarkable turnaround this season following a slow start that had fans calling for Reynolds' head. The boss always had the support of the players with Ross Tierney celebrating a goal against Sligo Rovers that kick-started their recovery by running to his manager. But the supporters' backing has come more recently and Tierney was the one pushing his manager forward to get the acclaim from the Jodi Stand on Monday night. Reynolds said: 'I think that's a running joke, you see, because of what was going on here before. But hey, look, we enjoyed the moment. And if you can't enjoy news like this, what's the point? 'So I know our relationship has been fractured at times, but look, we're in a good place now. 'I think the dressing room is really good, and I don't have any doubts that the dressing room's been behind me, even last year, when the results weren't going well. 'We're a good, solid group and staff are really tight, so I don't doubt that. We're tight with all players. We care about them, but they see what we're trying to do. 'I'm sure if Ross Tierney thought I wasn't good at my job or I wasn't giving them proper information, he wouldn't be long telling me that either.'
Irish Independent
17 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Frustration for Tipperary fans as ladies football game to clash with men's All-Ireland semi-final
The Ladies All-Ireland quarter-final has been scheduled for Sunday July 6, at 5.15pm, which clashes directly with the Tipperary Senior hurling team's All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny in Croke Park, which throws in at 4pm. In correspondence received by independent Deputy Michael Lowry, a frustrated player on the ladies team said: 'This decision is not only inconsiderate to the dual supporters of both codes, but also makes it practically impossible for players, families, and fans to support both teams – something that means a great deal to Tipperary fans.' Several of those who have contacted Deputy Lowry say that the issue isn't just the clash of dates, which is frustrating enough, but the close timing of the games adds to the frustration as it removes the possibility of attending both games. While both players and supporters understand that fixture congestion is a challenge and that some overlap in scheduling is inevitable, it is noted that three of the four quarter-final games are already scheduled for Saturday. One aggrieved fan said: 'Surely the most reasonable and respectful solution would have been to place the Ladies game on the Saturday to allow supporters the opportunity to be present for both massive occasions in Tipperary sport.' Follow Independent Tipperary on Facebook Another feels that this kind of scheduling sends a message that is hard to ignore - that consideration for the players and fans of Ladies Football remains secondary. It's been over 40 years since Tipperary reached an All-Ireland quarter-final in the senior grade, so it is a huge achievement, said Deputy Lowry. 'This squad works just as hard, prepares just as much, and deserves the same opportunity to showcase Ladies Football in front of full stands, not to be hidden away in a scheduling conflict that could easily have been avoided. 'Fixtures should be scheduled with respect and common sense. This is not just a clash of calendars - it's a failure in planning that actively damages the growth and visibility of Ladies Football in Tipperary and beyond.'
Irish Daily Mirror
36 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Joe Canning makes All-Ireland title prediction and his hope for Patrick Horgan
Joe Canning would love to see Patrick Horgan break his All-Ireland title duck - but he believes Kilkenny are the smart bet to lift the Liam MacCarthy. Canning can empathise with Cork's ultra-prolific sharpshooter Horgan, who is still searching for his first All-Ireland winner's medal after 17 years with the Rebels. The former Galway great once had that tag of best hurler not to have won the All-Ireland - it was nine years into Canning's stint with the Tribesmen before he got to experience the joy of the ultimate victory at Croke Park. "Personally I hope it happens for him because it can't be easy," said Canning, who retired in 2021. "People with that tag, it's not a nice tag. But there's loads of players down through the years that haven't won All-Irelands, and I think it's an unfair kind of (label). "I've always said it, if he was playing an individual sport, fair enough. But great players like Ken McGrath, Dan Shanahan, John Mullane, loads of lads in Galway that haven't won All-Irelands that just because maybe they weren't lucky enough to be on a team on a certain year good enough to win - or lucky enough to win in some cases - it doesn't make them out to be any less of a hurler. "It's an easy tag. It sounds like (a failure). But hopefully they (Cork) are looking good this year so far, but obviously Dublin will have something to say about it next week. "And obviously Kilkenny and Tipp on the other side, it opens it up, especially with Limerick gone, who were people's favourites and stuff like that." Cork are favourites to win their first All-Ireland crown since 2005, but Canning believes it's the county that has waited 10 long years by their standards that can prevail. "Honestly, I think if I had 20 quid now I'd put it on Kilkenny," Canning said on RTÉ Radio. "Everybody thinks Cork and fair enough, yes, they are the form team. "But this Kilkenny team is around for a while and the danger is that they're coming in a little bit under the radar, so that's always a danger with Kilkenny. "And obviously Dublin, it's brilliant for them, to beat Limerick and have a chance against Cork now in All-reland semi-final. Where else would you want to be?". Canning, who is involved with the Galway under-20s as a selector, was disappointed to see the county's seniors bow out to Tipp last Saturday. That Canning-inspired 2017 success remains the Tribesmen's last since 1988. "It's so long ago now, it's a bit crazy," said the Portumna man of the victory over Waterford. "The years just fly by. It was historic either way. And it was one of those finals where the neutral probably didn't mind who won. But luckily enough it was in our favour for once. "People still kind of bring it up every now and again, but you're almost like, when's the next kind of victory going to go? But unfortunately in Galway, last weekend it wasn't great." Now living in Limerick, Canning says that locals still bring up that the 2018 All-Ireland final, when the Treatysiders enjoyed their own long-awaited breakthrough by beating Galway by a point. "Yeah, a lot of people thanked me for missing a free," he said. "That's how they kind of approach me in Limerick now, 'Jeez, thanks for missing that free'. In your own mind you want to say something but at this stage you're kind of just laughing off. "It's always one of those things that if I had one moment back in my career to just retake something, that's probably it. I'd love to take that free again and try and score it. "I think that's probably the competitive nature of sports people. You kind of more dwell on things that probably didn't go well and see how you can improve on that and how you look back, 'Jesus, if I'd only done this or only done that, maybe it might have been more successful'. "But that's the competitive nature of sports people. They always look at maybe some of the bad things and reflect on how can I get better."
