Quinny gets his gong

Niall Quinn has today received his honourary MBE in a ceremony in Ireland - click here for photograph from Thomas Crosbie Media and here for a photograph from BBC News.

The Sunderland legend received his gong from the British Ambassador to Ireland, Stuart Eldon, at the Ambassador's residence in Ballsbridge, Dublin (reports that the Ambassador served Ferrero Rocher are, as yet, unsubstantiated). He was accompanied to the ceremony by his wife Gillian, children Aisling and Mikey, his parents Mary and Billy, and Gillian's father Michael Roe.

The Big Man said after the ceremony, "I was very surprised and very humbled really.

“It coincided with my move back to Ireland. I’d had such a good time in the UK. It was a smashing end to almost 20 years there.

"England was very good to me, I had some great times there, and my children were born there. I had a wonderful life in England."

Niall added that he knew many sportsmens' careers had faded in their final playing years, but said "I was absolutely sure that wasn't going to happen to me.

"I left Sunderland before they got relegated. It would have been hard, I think, to stay for that year so may be that was a good decision", but followed up that statement by saying it had been a "wrench" to leave Sunderland, and he'd returned to his native Ireland proud of what he achieved in the north-east, adding that while playing for Sunderland he saw a passion and a pride that he hadn't seen at any other club.

Eldon said "I was delighted to be able to present this award to Niall Quinn.

"It has been said that sportsmen don’t build character – they reveal it.

"Today, we congratulate a sportsman widely admired throughout these islands whose character and achievements are a real example to us all.”

Niall - Ireland's all time top scorer, donated the entire £1m+ proceeds of his 2002 testimonial match to hospitals in Dublin and Sunderland and some to childrens' charities in Calcutta, was described at the ceremony as "an ambassador for football".