Quinn plays down Irish connection

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn insists his club will not buy Irish players for the sake of it.

Quinn and manager Roy Keane are currently working to strengthen a squad which battled hard to stay in the Barclays Premier League last season.

The two former Republic of Ireland internationals, backed by the mainly Irish Drumaville consortium, have helped Sunderland establish a new fan-base in Ireland.

In addition, Keane's current squad includes nine men who have been capped at senior international level by Ireland - while the Sunderland boss is also linked with moves for Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle, Stephen Ireland, Damian Duff, Aiden McGeady and Richard Dunne this summer.

But the Wearsiders, who will head across the Irish Sea as they step up their pre-season preparations with games against Cobh Ramblers, Athlone Town and Shamrock Rovers, are determined to recruit the best players they can - regardless of their nationality.

Quinn told the Sunderland Echo: "We do have a big Irish connection but we don't purposely go out to sign Irish players.

"If there were two players, we would go for the one we wanted the most - not the Irish one.

"We have scouting systems in Ireland at all levels, which we did not have before, and we think we will see the benefit of that in years to come.

"It's respecting the clubs, the young players, the parents, the FAI.

"We have a close relationship with football in Ireland. We have paid a record fee for an Irish player (from the Eircom League).

"We would like to continue to nourish the link between Ireland and Sunderland. It makes us a bigger international club, because we are not relying on people within 20 miles of us."

A sizeable Irish contingent heads for the Stadium of Light for each home game, and that is a link Quinn is keen to strengthen.

But it will be Keane who heads home when he sends his team out against Cobh, the club with which he started his distinguished career.

The manager has his supporters and his critics in Ireland after his infamous return from the 2002 World Cup finals, although his chairman is confident they will both receive warm welcomes.

He said: "They (Cobh) helped bring Roy to the stage, and we respect that. Maybe they were not rewarded as much as they should have been.

"Their place in history is assured, because people will always talk about Roy Keane. I just hope their place in the future is assured; if we can help, great.

"I have had some great times in Cork. I played hurling in Cork as a young lad.

"I have been down to Cork many times; I have some friends there, mostly hurling people from years ago.

"In truth, after the World Cup in 2002, there was a bit of hostility in the air - but in the last couple of years, I think people respect what we are trying to do.

"Cork is a great sporting place. It's a passionate place that loves sport - that's me, I like that too. People have overcome that sticky period, and I love going down there now."

The Black Cats are yet to make their first summer signing amid fresh speculation linking them with Tottenham striker Darren Bent. But Keane will hope for a breakthrough soon as he and his players prepare to return for pre-season training on July 11th.