TYRONE manager Mickey Harte has paid tribute to defender PJ Quinn, who has had to retire from inter-county football due to a persistent injury problem.
The Moortown defender was part of the 2008 All-Ireland SFC winning panel in his first senior season, having previously helped the Red Hands to the All-Ireland Minor title in 2004.
Quinn became a first choice defender the following season, helping Tyrone to regain the Ulster title with a final victory over Antrim. He was part of the panel that reached the 2010 All-Ireland semi-finals and has been on and off the squad in recent years due to work commitments and injuries, including a bad ankle injury in 2012.
However, Harte revealed that Quinn “has had to withdraw from the senior squad due to a persistent injury problem. With great regret I accepted his decision.
“I felt that he had a few good years in him yet, he was still very fresh, so it’s sad to see him finish with us in this way.
“If he had been able to get himself fully fit he would definitely have been figuring in the team.
“He had a hip operation last year and has been working very hard to get back to fitness but unfortunately he has been in pain after playing with his club.”
