He may have retired from professional football more than 14 years ago and is just a couple of months shy of his 51st birthday, but Irish soccer legend Niall Quinn was back in a pair of football boots yesterday afternoon in a Kildare club match.
The former Arsenal, Manchester City and Sunderland striker lined out for the Straffan AFC over 35s in their meeting with Woodstock FC from Athy as the two sides competed for a spot in the league shield semi-final.
After the game finished 1-1 and continued in the same vein when it went to extra-time, meaning penalties were needed to separate the sides. Quinn stepped up to take a penalty in the shootout, duly scored and his team went on to win 5-4.
@ballsdotie Quinny's is pushing 51 yet today turns out for Straffan AFC v Woodstock in Athy in Kildare League today (3 more on request) > pic.twitter.com/BIX52fPz37
— Daithi O'Laoghaire (@Cunionsandphey) August 26, 2017
Quinn has been prominent around Kildare sporting occasions ever since retiring from football in 2003, and he most recently played in the Hurling for Cancer charity match in Newbridge along side a raft of current and former intercounty hurlers.
Quinn, who scored 21 times in his Irish career, recently parted ways with Sky Sports where he worked as a pundit since 2012.
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