Another former Under 20 Captain has made his mark with the senior squad this year and for followers of the game in Tyrone it comes as no surprise that Cormac Quinn has made this step up in his career, a career that has seen progression through the Minors and U20s and being a key member of the Errigal championship winning squad last year.
Quinn, son of former club full back Conor, is relishing his time in the Tyrone line-up.
“It’s a good environment to be in, you always want to play for your County and there’s no better place to learn and players to learn of than the players in there” and the 21 year old is not overawed with some of the star names in that dressing room.
“Over the past seven or eight years I have followed the likes of those older players like Peter Harte and Matty Donnelly and then when you come in and look around you, you are in with those players but it’s important not to get starstruck” he laughs.
Three appearances in the Dr Mc Kenna Cup this year with a senior debut against Fermanagh was followed by a league debut against Roscommon and he’s held this starting place since, adding a couple of points to his tally as well. As a tough division one campaign unfolds, making his debut was a big moment for him and his family.
“It was a privilege. I have worked hard at football the whole way up but overall it was good to get that monkey of my back, a great honour to play and I suppose I haven’t looked back since”
Cormac, a Queens student currently on placement at St Ciaran’s Ballygawley, came into the squad last year but that move came ahead of the Fermanagh Ulster championship clash, there were no appearances but it was the right move for him.
“It was a weird enough time to come in, the lads were flying in the build up to that game but it gave me a chance to see what was happening, it certainly opened my eyes and gave me a bit of a head start to this year”
Yes there were the older heads in the squad when the talented defender came in but there were a few familiar faces already there, several players from the Under 20s already vying for a place.
“It was probably a unique position to be in with two or three boys already breathing down my neck for a place, there was another crop of players already there but it keeps you on your toes and you know what level you need to be at”
The same of course could be said of life at Dunmoyle, so many household names have represented Tyrone from the Errigal club and the club has a special place for Quinn, his Grandfather Mickey Mullin was a stalwart of the Ballygawley and Errigal clubs.
“I get great tips from the boys at the club and there’s no big pressure from anyone there, we are a close knit unit”
The young man has a bright future but knows he has plenty of work to do and he is determined to do just that.
“All I can do and get the head down and hopefully get a wee run but a lot of that is down to myself”
by Paddy Hunter
By Rory Cox Sun 12th Mar
