The Black Cats continue to grow in popularity in the Emerald Isle as a result of Dubliner Quinn leading a predominantly Irish consortium in a buy-out of the club before appointing Cork legend Roy Keane as manager.

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The current squad also includes nine men who have senior caps for the Republic of Ireland, while this summer's transfer rumour mill has spun stories of interest in Eire internationals Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle, Stephen Ireland, Damian Duff, Aiden McGeady and Richard Dunne.

Quinn (right) admits Sunderland are keen to further nurture their links with his homeland, with the first team again playing three pre-season games there this summer, visiting Cobh Ramblers (July 28), Athlone Town (August 7) and Shamrock Rovers (August 9).

But he stressed: "We do have a big Irish connection, but we don't purposely go out to sign Irish players.

"If there were two players, we'd 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'll 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've 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're not relying on people within 20 miles of us."

Sunderland had a successful three-match tour of Ireland last summer and have attracted hundreds of season tickets from the country.

The headline-grabbing game of this summer's visit sees Keane take his side to play the club where it all started for him – Cobh Ramblers.

Having long-ago patched up the differences between them that came about as a result of Keane's controversial exit from the 2002 World Cup, Quinn hopes both he and his manager are welcomed with open arms when the Black Cats play Cobh at Cork City's Turner's Cross next month.

"They helped bring Roy to the stage and we respect that," said Quinn.

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

"I've been down to Cork many times; I've 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're 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."