The former Blues and Republic of Ireland forward celebrates his landmark 60th birthday today.
Over the course of a memorable six years at City between 1990 and 1996, Quinn endeared himself to a generation of fans, going on to make 244 appearances in total, scoring 77 goals.
Quinn also more than made his mark on the international stage too with the Republic of Ireland, never more so that at the 1990 World Cup finals staged in Italy, in particular the Republic’s Group F game with the Netherlands which was staged at Palermo’s magnificent Stadio Renzo Barbera.
A star-studded Dutch side had taken an early lead through Ruud Gullit and seemed set fair for victory – and so spell the end of Ireland’s chances of progressing to the knockout stages – when with 18 minutes left Quinn took centre stage.
Seeking to latch on to an errant attempted Dutch clearance, Quinn then seized the moment as goalkeeper Hans van Breukelen uncharacteristically spilt the ball, sliding in to rifle home a leveller and so earn Jack Charlton’s side a precious 1-1 draw.
It was enough to propel Quinn and Co into the last 16 of Italia ‘90, with Charlton’s squad eventually going on to reach the quarter-finals - and remains one of the Republic’s most memorable achievements on the World Cup stage.
By way of both celebrating and marking the moment, officials from Palermo FC – a member of the City Football Group family – invited Niall and his extended family over to Sicily to revisit the stadium and relive a goal that still resonates more than 36 years on.
As well as taking Niall on a guided tour of the ground and facilities, officials also presented him with a Quinn 17 Palermo shirt – referencing the number the former City favourite wore for the Republic throughout Italia ’90.
Looking to the modern day, he referenced the huge fillip for Palermo of now being part of the wider CFG family and their close links with City, as well as reflecting on what it meant to revisit the scene of one the proudest moments in his career.
“What you see here is a stadium with heart,” Niall said.
“The passion and the noise here I know and I remember. This is football at its purest.
“I’m delighted [at the close connection between Palermo and City] and given time I’m sure you will see a lot of advancements.”
