91 Caps added to 102 Caps makes 193 Caps. And thats what Niall Quinn and Steve Staunton have contributed to the Republic of Ireland National Soccer Team over a period of eighteen and fourteen years respectively. What is now a heartbreaking time for Iirsh soccer fans, from Quinny and Stan's point of view, the future looks very promising. Quinny and Stan feel that the time is now right to move on, as Richard Sadlier (Quinns long term replacement) and Andy O'Brien and Richard Dunne (Stans possible replacements), can now make their claim on the first team shirts for the Republic of Ireland. Combined, the pair have set records which will be difficult to beat. Quinny is our all time record goal scorer with 21 goals. Incedently he scored the record goal in our 4-0 demolishing of Cyprus in the World Cup Qualifiers in Lansdowne Road 6th October 2002, on his 35th Birthday. If you were there, you too joined in the chorus of "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Quinny, Happy Birthday to you".
Quinn, a gentleman and an honorary doctor of sport at Sunderland University. Niall Quinn set another record which will take some beating, and that was his benefit match between Sunderland AFC and the Republic of Ireland which raised GBP£1mil for Charity. We beat Sunderland 0-3 on the night, but the real winners were the children of Our Ladys' Hospital Crumlin Dublin, the Kids of Sunderland Royal Hospital for sick children, and children as far away as Calcutta in India. These were the people who benefited as a direct affect of Quinnys' generosity with the assistance of Peter Reid and Mick McCarthy, the FAI and S.A.F.C.. Niall knows that his 21 goal record will be slashed very shortly, and probably by the Tallaght Tiger, Robbie Keane, or the new 'Keano'
Stan on the other hand set a record which will take some beating. For no man has come near to his record of 102 appearances for the Republic of Ireland. He has featured in all of the Republic of Ireland's three World Cup adventures of Italia 1990, USA94 and Japan/Korea 2002. And he is the only Irish man to feature in every match played at a World Cup Finals. The defender was given his debut by Jack Charlton in a 4-0 win over Tunisia in October 1998. Such a versatile player, he began his career at left back, before moving to play as a left winger in the latter years of Charlton's reign. In recent years, he has been redeployed as a centre back, but he has also been used as a central midfielder and sweeper by Ireland. Stan finished his international career as Captain of the Republic of Ireland. The nick-name "Stan" came from his playing days at Liverpool when he was once compared to having a resemblance to Stan Laurel!
Niall Quinn and Steve Staunton. You are Heros to us all, and we all have a memorable moment of "WHY" we view you this way. Quinny, for me it was topped upon meeting you after you were crowned the record goal scorer. You signed my "Opel Ireland Home Jersey" and my "Cyprus Ticket Stub", at the Stadium of Light. You also signed my Star newspaper in Teeside Airport when we were both returning back to the North-East. Although I've never met Stan, my highlight was when he took the Captains armband from Roy Keane. Mick McCarthy handed it to him without a shadow of a doubt. And you saw my country to the last sixteen of the 2002 World Cup Finals. Without Roy Keane, Both you and Mick McCarthy re-assured me, as the Boys always do, to "Go ahead with the Plan, and not to forget, to be a proud Irish man".
Quinny agus Stan,"Go Raibh Mile Mhaith Agaibh" for what you have contributed to the Republic of Ireland National Soccer Team. Agus Sean agaibh!
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