Mighty Quinn waves goodbye

THANKS a million big fella! Ireland and Sunderland soccer star Niall Quinn announced his retirement from club football yesterday with the farewell message that he has reached the target of raising stg£1m (€1.56m) from his testimonial match last May.

During half-time at yesterday's Premiership game between Sunderland and Spurs at the Stadium of Light the 36-year-old was greeted with a standing ovation when he confirmed the decision to hang up his boots. "There have been some wonderful times and wonderful memories, and the luck I've had has been quite incredible," he said last night.

''I don't know what I'm going to do, but I feel so grateful for the life football has given me."