How County captain Quinn rose to occasion after tragic twist of fate
IT WAS the very darkest moment in Paul Quinn’s career but also the one that made him as a footballer – and as a man.
The new Ross County captain was only 22 years old when he first fulfilled the role that has instructed and defined his career ever since.
The tragic death of Motherwell’s much-loved Phil O’Donnell, after collapsing with heart failure in a match against Dundee United on December 29, 2007, left a club and national game in mourning.
Mark McGhee, Motherwell manager at the time, could easily have turned to seasoned stalwart Steven Craigan to shoulder the burden of filling O’Donnell’s shoes and carrying the team through the desperate days and weeks of grieving.
Instead, McGhee saw something in the callow Quinn and elevated him to the position of responsibility in the toughest of circumstances.
It was one he grew into impressively, later taking those natural leadership qualities with him through successful spells at Cardiff City and Doncaster.
It was no surprise, then, that Ross County manager Jim McIntyre yesterday announced Quinn, now 30 and revelling in his second stint in Dingwall, would inherit the captain’s armband from unsettled team-mate Andrew Davies.
Quinn’s brief and unfulfilling spell with Aberdeen only served to cement his conviction that County was the club he wanted see out the remainder of his days with.
Recalling those heart-breaking days at Motherwell yesterday, Quinn said: "My first spell as a captain came after the tragedy of Phil O’Donnell passing away. My manager, Mark McGhee chose me to take on the captain’s position, which was humbling.
"It was obviously a terribly difficult time for everybody and one where we all had to rally round and help each other. I’d also learned so much from Phil himself.
"I didn’t realise just how big it was at the time. It was probably the biggest learning curve of my career and I have been left in far better stead for having experienced that journey.
"It was certainly character building at the age of 22, given the circumstances. And that’s why Mark McGhee and Scott Leitch made that decision.
"Steven Craigan had been the captain when Phil wasn’t fit, and he was also vice-captain, but credit to the club that they chose to develop a younger player, on and off the pitch, and mature me into a man.
"While it did that to me, on reflection I made a lot of mistakes back then. That’s why, today, I know the role of a captain and how to handle it."
Quinn has set up home in Dingwall itself, where many County players prefer to base themselves in the nearby city of Inverness.
He has not only embraced the club wholeheartedly, but also the area – and is known around the club as a motivator not only to first team players, but to club staff, youth coaches, and young players.
Quinn admitted: "The off-field element is really important, but of course I still need to be doing my bit on the pitch.
"That’s the most important part and that’s what I am primarily looking forward to.
"To come here and be given that honour by the manager, staff and chairman gives you pride.
"You always have pride in your workplace, no matter how small or big. Any promotion, especially as an individual, makes you burst with pride and you want to repay that faith as soon, and as quickly, as you can.
"If that takes one month, two months or five years then that’s what I will do.
"I said when I came back here before the League Cup semi-final win against Celtic that my intention was for the manager and chairman to be able to say by the end of the season that prising me back from Aberdeen was a good decision.
"I am sure I have done that, with the season we have had. Now I need to do the same over the next few years."
Quinn, for all his love of Ross County, feared the worst when he first flitted north from Doncaster in October 2014.
He recalled: "I remember driving up when I came here after leaving Doncaster. As I passed Perth, it said over 100 miles to Inverness on the road sign!
"I thought I have to get beyond that to get to Dingwall. That seems like 10 years ago but I settled here.
"I don’t regret leaving here, but I don’t regret leaving Aberdeen to return here. I felt affection for this club after a month or so and after a few days when I came back in January. That happens very rarely.
"It’s probably the only club in my career where that’s happened where I have enjoyed every aspect of the game and the club, the training and the people.
"I’m just happy to have stumbled across the last 18 to 20 months somewhere where I am happy and my wife is happy, and where I am enjoying my football more than ever in a 15 to16 year career."
• Inside this week's Ross-shire Journal: Schalk puts trust in Staggies; Davies seeks return to England and McIntyre on lessons from Hungary
