BILLY Quinn, father of Irish soccer legend Niall and a former Tipperary and Dublin hurler, passed away on Sunday at the age of 80.
Quinn won two All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship medals with the Premier County during his time with Rahelty.
An accomplished dual-player, he also represented Tipperary in football at underage level before winning a senior county title with Loughmore in 1955.
Quinn moved to London shortly after, but would eventually settle in Dublin, with whom he finished his inter-county career in 1960.
His son Niall played in a Minor All-Ireland final for Dublin before forging a successful career in soccer, scoring 21 goals in 92 caps for Ireland.
Tipperary County Board Chairman Michael Bourke said: “Men of the quality and calibre of Billy Quinn are unique in the GAA and his arrival on the Tipperary hurling scene at such a young age speaks volumes of his ability.
“On behalf of Tipperary County Board we extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Mary, sons and daughters Rosaleen, Gerry, Anne Marie and Niall and the extended Quinn family on the sad passing of their beloved Billy.”
