The long wait for Stephen’s day

Quinn is a name that’s synonymous with the last time Ireland played England at Wembley, Niall being the hero of the night in 1991 when his superbly taken goal ensured a share of the points in one of the most celebrated games of the Jack Charlton era.

So it seems appropriate, on the occasion of Ireland’s return to English football’s spiritual home 22 years later, that the famous surname should surface once again in the visitors’ squad. And making its appearance even more special for Hull City’s Stephen Quinn — a player who last featured in an Irish squad all of six years ago — is that he was an unexpected late addition, only getting word of his call-up when the rest of the players had already begun training in London at the weekend and it became clear that Paul Green would have to withdraw through injury.

“I was back in Dublin, sitting with my family having Sunday lunch, when the phone call came,” says Stephen. “I didn’t know if it was a wind-up or not because I did not think that I was close. But the call did come and I don’t think I even finished my dinner. I was ready to go, I left my Sunday lunch and went back home to get my passport so I could fly over first thing Monday morning. It’s not sunk in yet because it all happened so fast, I’m still trying to get my bearings.”