Roscommon hurler makes league debut two weeks shy of his 39th birthday
Brendan Quinn and Seán Canning who made their senior league debuts for the Roscommon senior hurlers against London on Sunday last.
It’s supposed to be a young person’s game — try telling that to Brendan Quinn.
Two weeks before his 39th birthday, the Roscommon Gaels goalkeeper made his National Hurling League debut for Roscommon on Sunday (yesterday) as the Kevin Sammon era got off to a winning start with an impressive 0-24 to 1-15 victory against London at Waldron Park, Athleague.
While it was an impressive team performance, two league debutantes — with almost 20 years between then — at opposite ends of the field added to the feel-good factor that engulfed the panel afterwards.
Gort native Quinn has been playing his club hurling with Roscommon Gaels for a number of years. He was redeployed as the team’s goalkeeper two years ago, due to injuries and other players becoming unavailable due to travelling commitments.
He subsequently produced a number of impressive performances for Roscommon Gaels during last year’s senior hurling championship, leading to his call-up to the county squad and resulting in his league debut on Sunday at 38 years of age.
For Seán Canning, hurling is in the blood. The 19-year-old Pádraig Pearses forward is the nephew of Galway hurling legend, Joe Canning, and was one of the key players on last year’s county U-20 team that reached the All-Ireland final in Croke Park.
He marked his senior league debut with three points from play, showcasing his speed and hurling prowess.
Roscommon's Division 2B League campaign continues with a trip to Omagh to face Tyrone on Sunday next.
