Injury time equaliser finished me - Quinn

Quinn resigned as boss following discussions with chairman Adrian Teer on Saturday evening after almost three years in charge.

Quinn’s reign began with a miraculous survival as he took the club from two points adrift at the foot of the table at the end of January 2009, to a ninth placed finish.

However, the club failed to progress after that and didn’t manage a top six finish in the following two seasons.

And this term has brought them back to square one as they remain rooted to the foot of the table.

They were so close to hauling themselves off bottom spot on Saturday but McCaffrey’s late equaliser denied them a vital three points, and so it proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back for Quinn.

“I think their goal going in cost me the job basically,” said the former boss.

“How far and how long can it continue? I had a chat with the chairman on Saturday night and we agreed by mutual consent to call it a day. I’m disappointed in the way things turned out, obviously. Things didn’t work out the way I wanted them to.

“We were so near and yet so far to getting ourselves off the bottom of the table. Conceding a corner like we did in the 92nd minute and then conceding the goal like we did was like a knife in my heart.

“It was bad defending again. McCaffrey was unmarked at the back post but that’s the way it goes.

“If Niall Henderson’s effort had gone under the bar it was 2-0 and probably game over. We had enough chances to win the game and we’ve nobody to blame only ourselves. Up to now, missing chances has been the story of our season.”

It was Jay Magee’s opener that had almost brought the side’s third win of the Carling Premiership season. After that goal, Magee and a host of Blues’ players rushed to celebrate with the under fire Quinn, a show of support to their boss that ultimately couldn’t save his job.

“We were all in it together,” said a saddened Quinn.

“I don’t know what brought it all on with Jay’s celebration but it was nice. We had a lot of togetherness but at the end of the day, it didn’t do us much good.

“They’re a good bunch of lads and I got on with them all. Unfortunately, we didn’t come up to the mark. The fear factor had come in. Maybe a new approach to them might turn things around.

“There’s a massive game against Carrick on Saturday which we can win and hopefully that could kick-start the season again. I’m quite positive that they won’t be relegated. I know that when the confidence comes in and when they get a break that things will go for us.

“Most of the players have been in touch with me expressing deep regret that I’ve gone but that’s the way it goes in football. The manager carries the can and I’ve no problems with that. That’s football.

“I think certain players didn’t come up to the mark this season. I brought in seven players and I thought they would have done better for me. Unfortunately, in some cases, they failed miserably.

“We’ve been unlucky with injuries to Peter McCann, Mark Haughey and Alan Davidson as well. They’re quality players and things like that happening didn’t help us.”

Quinn was also keen to extend his thanks to those at the club after his tenure came to an end.

“There are quite a lot of people at the club I would like to thank for their help,” he said.

“I want to thank the supporters as well, for their patience and understanding. There are great backroom staff at the club too and everything about it is very good. I felt very comfortable there.”

But what now for the League and Cup winning manager?

“Some turkey and ham, maybe a nice cognac brandy to wash it down? Relaxation? I’ll see my grandchildren a bit more often than I thought I would as well.

“My wife will probably be kicking me out after a couple of Saturdays but we’ll see how it goes!”

And so if Mrs. Quinn does get sick of him on a Saturday afternoon, could we see him back in Irish League management anytime soon?

“I’m not sickened of management or bitter about anything. Maybe something will come up that will appeal to me,” he said.

If Quinn does return to Mourneview at any time, he will surely get a warm welcome thanks to the respect and friendship of many he earned during his time at the club.