Danny Quinn with his children Amy, Dara and Conor
This week’s GAA Social podcast features Danny Quinn, the 1993 All-Ireland winner with Derry, in conversation with Thomas and Oisin. Quinn’s life took an unexpected turn in May 2011 with the passing of his wife, Catherine, at the age of 42.
Danny and Catherine married between Derry’s Ulster final victory over Donegal and their All-Ireland semi-final win against Dublin, later welcoming three children: Amy, Conor, and Dara.
Weeks after Dara’s birth, Catherine fell ill and was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, a terminal lung disorder treatable only through transplant, leading Quinn to acknowledge that “life went down a different path.”
Despite finding a donor, a double transplant at Royal Papworth Hospital in England proved unsuccessful, leading the couple to return home to share the difficult news with their children on Christmas Eve.
“That was some kick in the teeth,” Quinn, who serves as Principal of Anahorish Primary School, shared on the podcast.
“We knew after the biopsy it wasn’t a great result, but then to go home and tell everybody…”
Quinn with his late wife Catherine on their wedding day in 1993
Following his wife’s passing, the Bellaghy native found solace in his work, friends, family, GAA club, and community.
Quinn faced challenges as his life, once heavily focused on Gaelic football, shifted to raising his children and managing household responsibilities. He continues to embody Catherine’s resilient spirit, stating he was “very lucky to meet Catherine and I’m a better person to have met her”.
“This has not been easy. A mother going home to tell three children she is going to die is not easy. Sitting down to explain it hasn’t gone well is the worst experience of your life, but we came out the other side of it.
“It’s not a great experience and not one I want anyone to have to deal with, but it forms your character and makes you who you are. Life is to be enjoyed, so get out there and get on with it – that was Catherine’s attitude to it.
“Catherine never felt sorry for herself, just said it was one of the challenges you get and that’s how she was throughout the illness.
“What I’ve learned from this is the importance of life.”
Listen to the GAA Social podcast with Danny Quinn here