"I have always known that these kids singing here tonight can be better than any Irish team in the past. But the difference is that now they know it.
"When Robbie got that goal there was awe in the eyes of the Irish players dancing around him. They could not believe that one of their own had scored against one of the best soccer nations in the world.
"That goal and that result are priceless for Irish football. These kids grew up with Irish teams competing at World Cup finals and at Euro '88. Now they are able to compete on the same stage and I cannot emphasise just how much that will mean.
"They are celebrating more than a draw against Germany tonight. They now know they can compete on the same terms as the Irish teams that went to Italy in 1990 and America four years later."
Quinn has seen all the good times and most of the bad times with Ireland.
He is named in the Christy Moore song that celebrates the 1988 win over England at the Neckerstadion in Stuttgart.
He was in the centre circle when Packie Bonner saved a penalty and David O'Leary scored one against Romania in Genoa back in 1990.
And he was in a commentary booth when Ray Houghton scored against Italy in 1994. As the Irish fans asked, in song, who put the ball in the German net, Quinn put it all in context.
"For me, this result is up there with the best of them. Some people will say we have only managed two draws and two goals. That does a disservice to the team and the two performances.
"The lads dug deep against Cameroon and were the dominant force against Germany.
"To play like that against a country that has won the World Cup three times speaks volumes.
"We are not there yet but we are getting there. After everything we've been through these past weeks, that's to be enjoyed."
Ireland must now beat Saudi Arabia in Yokohama next Tuesday night to keep their second phase hopes alive.
"That is for another day but I can promise these fans we will do our best," concluded Quinn.
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