Local rugby player ‘honoured and ‘privileged’ to receive prestigious award in US
Andy Quinn has been lining out for the Boston College Eagles in 2025. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
A local rugby player, now living his dream in the USA, has received a prestigious award for his work ethic and on-field excellence.
Andy Quinn from Creggs said he was “honoured and privileged” to receive the Sam Foltz Award for 2025.
Quinn has made a huge impression since joining the Boston College Eagles earlier this year, and this award is sure to enhance his burgeoning reputation as an American football kicker.
Sam Foltz was an All-American All-Star punter with the Nebraska Football Cornhuskers until tragically killed in a car accident in 2016 at 22 years of age.
A prodigious placekicker, Quinn came to the attention of American football scouts two years ago when winning “Ireland’s Kicking King” contest in front of 43,000 people at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at the Aviva Stadium.
Having come through the qualifying competitions, he was the only one to record a 100 per cent success rate.
“I hope to keep Sam's memory alive by the way I live in my pursuit of excellence our shared values, dreams, and love of punting.
“Sam's story shows all student athletes how to become a star on and off the field.
“It's an amazing humbling honour to have my name mentioned in the same sentence as Sam,” said Quinn.
The former Creggs and Buccaneers player added that he was so grateful to Kohl's Kicking and Sam's family for the trust they placed in presenting him with the 2025 Sam Foltz Award.
He went on to dedicate the award to Pail and Amy Stimpfle, who made the journey from Creggs to America possible, adding that he would do his best “on the off the field” to help Sam Foltz’s legacy live on.
