In August 2008, Longford’s Michael Quinn went on a two-week trial as an 18 year-old with AFL side Essendon.
In November of that year, he signed for the club as an international rookie.
He soon set the record for the quickest debut of a GAA player in the AFL and spent three years with the club.
In October 2011, Quinn returned to Ireland and has emerged as a key player in the Longford side that gets set to play Wicklow tomorrow in the Leinster championship.
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1. Back studying in college
“I did Civil Engineering before I went away. But after being away for three years, things had changed a lot in that department when I came back. This is my second year back in Ireland. After doing a year of coaching with Leinster GAA in schools, I really enjoyed it and thought that teaching would be something for me.
“That’s why I chose the course I did, training to be a PE and Maths teacher in DCU. The convenience of it being in Dublin was also a thing as it’s close to Longford. You’re always thinking of going back for training and where is best for your football in that regard.”
2. Comparing it to the professional lifestyle in Australia
“It just takes time to adjust. It’s time management. Over there you get up to train in the morning, come home and you’re done. Now you’re getting up for college and you’ve to fit in training as well. You need to be more organized. That’s the main thing.
“I enjoyed the full focus on sport in Oz. It’s still very focused over here as well but it’s good to get sidetracked with the college work.
“Over there, you’d catch up with friends or lads outside the club or go for a spot of golf. You needed to do something with your days off to keep things ticking over and get away from the club for a break.”
3. Keeping in touch with former Essendon teammates
“I don’t know is it an Irish thing or a lads thing, I’m just bad at keeping in touch. It’s hard with the time difference and training to fit it in. I’d still show an interest, in those guys out there to see how they are getting on.
“I’d be looking for scores and to see how Irish guys are getting on. You’d watch good highlights of games but I’d still prefer what’s shown in a Gaelic football match a lot more.”
4. Winning a county senior medal with Emmet Og Killoe last year
It was great to win the club championship and progress reasonably well with the club in Leinster. I think we have 8 lads who finished the Leinster semi-final against Portlaoise from our club who are U21.
“The future is looking good so it’s just a matter of holding onto lads and bringing them through.”
Michael Quinn in action for Emmett Og.
Pic: INPHO/Ken Sutton
5. Playing International Rules for Ireland
“I’d love to. It’s something I’d definitely put my name in the hat for. Last year it was probably unfortunate that it wasn’t on. But definitely I’m looking forward to it.
“Hopefully there will be a few guys I know might get picked for the Australian team as well. We can catch up with them. I’d be hoping it would be something to do in October. It’s great for Cavan, local enough too, it’s good the mix up the venues for both games.”
6. Regrets at coming back?
Definitely not. People have said that to me do you’ve any regrets about coming home? But looking at last year, if you’d any regrets you’d be in trouble.
“It was a good year in that we won the Division 3 with Longford, won the club and then progressed in Leinster. We’d be hoping to go again this year. If you were having any regrets last year changed them, so I’m happy to be back.”
