Quinn reveals which Kerry legend left a lasting effect on his career

Former Ireland footballer Niall Quinn has revealed that Kerry legend Mick O'Dwyer had a profound impact on how he treated fans during his career.

Quinn made over 470 appearances for a variety of English clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester City, and Sunderland. He also won 92 caps for Ireland during his career.

While some footballers have little time for fans and their requests for autographs, Quinn was never one of them. He has always made time for fans, even to this day.

When asked why he felt the way he did towards fans, the former Sunderland chairman explained that a chance encounter with Kerry great Mick O'Dwyer changed his perspective on the matter.

"I made my mind up some time ago, when I was starting to get noticed and people were asking me for my autograph. I saw one or two players turning away and pushing them (autographs) away, and I thought, Jesus, I could never do that," Quinn said on Ryan Tubridy's Bookshelf Podcast.

"Because I can remember asking Mick O'Dwyer, Mick O'Connell, and these players from Kerry for their autographs on my holidays. Mick O'Dwyer was under his car in his garage, where he was a mechanic, and he wheeled out and washed his hands before he signed my book. That had an effect on me; when somebody started asking me for my autograph, I couldn't possibly say no."

Quinn also added that he never craved fame and felt that it was simply the right thing to give people time.

"Others would say that I love it and crave it. I don't, but I also think it's right to give people time. Even now, I was at the airport the other day, and I think two different people came over to me to thank me for 1990, as if it was all down to me. It's important to give those people a bit of time because I got so much out of it."

The full podcast can be heard here.