Quinn: Vin’s title win would boost Dubs

ST VINCENT’S and Dublin forward Tomás Quinn would like to believe that his club’s All-Ireland championship run could have some positive effects in the county’s 12-year wait for the Sam Maguire.

‘Mossie’, fellow attacker Diarmuid Connolly and centre-back Ger Brennan were all on Paul Caffrey’s Dublin panel last year but none played pivotal roles in the Leinster Championship success and subsequent run to the All-Ireland semi-final.

All three will be hoping that can change in 2008 and, with the Vincent’s side back-boned by players from the club’s U21 Dublin Championship-winning squad, it isn’t beyond reason that one or two more could also be called up for county duty.

“I’d like to think (the two) would be connected because I’d like to think I’d be part of two successful teams,” said Quinn ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against holders Crossmaglen in Navan. “Last year there were three of us on the county panel and we’ll go in again after Paddy’s Day hopefully.

“Whether there’s many more lads there with us I don’t know. It can’t do any harm to have a successful club. If we’re successful we’re positive and in good form. If we were to bring that back to the Dublin setup and add even another 2% it might help.”

County aspirations will be far from his mind at the weekend. Vincent’s broke a 23-year wait in capturing the county championship last year but demonstrated their rediscovered appetite for success by going on to claim provincial honours too.

Their return to the summit of club football is well overdue considering the club’s history.

Their 25 county senior titles, four Leinster Championships and one All-Ireland title are just part of the reason why the Vincent’s name carries such weight.

The backbone of Dublin county teams in the 1960s and 1970s thanks to men like Lar Foley, Brian Mullins and Jimmy Keaveney, the club’s supporters would dearly love to see another dynasty arise in Marino but Quinn is anxious for the team to walk before it runs.

“I don’t think one championship or one Leinster could be dared call a dynasty. If I’m here again in two or three years’ time then maybe. Vin’s were very good in the 70’s but, at the same time, they have only one All-Ireland and Cross have four so there’s a big difference there.”

In Crossmaglen they face the games’s acknowledged club championship specialists and, added to the Dublin side’s inexperience at this level and doubts lingering over the quality of teams in Leinster last year, Vin’s will start as outsiders.

“I don’t think there’s anything I can say that Crossmaglen haven’t said with their results on the pitch,” said Quinn. “We just need to worry about ourselves. That’s what we’ve done over the last few weeks. We’ve focused on what’s got us here and on trying to make sure we produce that and produce a performance on the day.”