One of Ireland’s most successful and best loved footballers, Niall Quinn, tells Gay how a mixture of faith, family and luck enabled him to “swim in the river without getting wet” in a sport that was rife with drink and gambling. Quinn admits he found the transition from player to ex-player tough, but hid his depression from all but his family. The death, last year, of Quinn’s close friend, Gary Speed – who hanged himself in his garage – clearly shook Niall to the core, especially given his own similar reputation as one of the game’s great optimists and gentlemen. An occasion when Niall undoubtedly demonstrated that his own priorities were in order was his testimonial, when he famously donated all the £1m+ proceeds to Crumlin Children’s Hospital, GOAL and to Sunderland-based charities. Tellingly, he reveals that, though the gesture wouldn’t have happened without his wife Gillian’s support and encouragement, the inspiration came from his Mum.