The retired Irish footballer Niall Quinn is to be awarded an honorary MBE in recognition of his contributions to UK charities and services to international football.
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Niall Quinn is to be honoured with a MBE
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The 36-year-old Dubliner started his career at Arsenal in 1983 before moving to Manchester City and finally Sunderland. He made his last league appearance on October 19th last year.
Quinn, who was capped 91 times, won widespread acclaim when he donated the proceeds from his testimonial match to charity last season.
At the time the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair said: "It is absolutely typical of the individual. In circumstances where people in sport often get a lot of bad publicity, this is an example we can hold up to everybody".
Quinn is patron of The Glass Slipper Appeal which raises money for hospitals in the Sunderland area in an effort to help their fight against breast cancer. He also has close association with the Ladies Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.
The award will be presented by the British Ambassador, Mr Stewart Eldon on Wednesday.
