Former Republic of Ireland international Niall Quinn has underlined the urgent need to support professionals experiencing health and financial issues in retirement.

His comments come ahead of his taking part in the Three Wise Men event at Vicar Street on Monday, April 28. The striker will be appearing alongside Liam Brady and John Giles in aid of Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association (IPFBA), an organisation established last year by – and in aid of – former players.

"Trying to twist the political system is very difficult but I think there is a need now to highlight the issues that ex-players are going through," Quinn said at an IPFBA press event in Abbotstown earlier this month.

The retired Man City and Sunderland star emphasised the importance of helping League of Ireland players in particular, who he credits with keeping soccer alive during a turbulent time for the sport in Ireland.

"I think the debt that the government owes football has stood there for a long, long time," Quinn said. "The guys and ladies who are struggling from the League of Ireland in the 70s, the game is nothing if we forget about them, simple as. They kept the game strong when it was under attack from every angle in this country - from politics, from the church, from the GAA. It's time to pay back the people who kept that going. So being asked to do this was the easiest 'yes' in the world.

"Right now, there is something here that's starting, that's making its way and that can really help. The foundation and the benevolent fund are well placed to capitalise, but there's a lot of work to be done."

Quinn flagged an all-Ireland friendly match between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as a potential fundraising idea.

"I'm of a bit of a dreamer, always have been," he said. "John [Giles] took part in an amazing game, Ireland against Northern Ireland over 50 years ago. It captured the imagination and got everybody behind it. It's a thing that that 50 years later people still talk about - I still have the programme from that day. Could we try and re-enact that between both countries for the benevolent funds of both?"

Multiple studies show that ex-pros have been disproportionally struggling with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia.

"I was speaking to [my former coach at Man City] Peter Reid," Quinn said in a recent interview with Hot Press, set to be published soon. "It is happening. There's no point in denying it.

"My wife deserves a bit of credit here, because as this started to to gain ground in the news over the last 10 years or so, she really pushed me into a pattern of doing quizzes and crosswords. I went back and got my education again. I went back to college there in the pandemic, just to keep the brain active and to keep everything going.

"But I wouldn't lie to you and say I'm not bothered about it."

The Dubliner - who scored 21 goals for Ireland in 92 senior appearances between 1986 and 2002 - joins fellow ROI legends John Giles and Liam Brady in a star-studded bill at Vicar Street.

The trio have a long history with Irish football as well as each other, and fans can expect an evening of great craic and football tales on April 28, all in the name of a good cause.

"There is something here that's starting that can really help," Quinn added. "I'm here to join the guys in a having a great night, getting the message out there and creating bigger public awareness of what's happening.

"There are so many avenues this can go down with the right encouragement. Being asked to do this was the easiest yes in the world."

Tickets for Three Wise Men at Vicar Street on sale now via ticketmaster.ie.