Greg Cunningham Announces His Retirement

For Greg Cunningham, home is where the heart is.

A decade and half as a professional footballer in the UK taught Cunningham many lessons. The ups and downs of sport - enjoyed and endured.

One thing Cunningham wanted to accomplish was to return to wear the Galway United jersey. That mission was accomplished.

Cregmore/Claregalway and Mervue United developed Cunningham, who signed for Manchester City as a teenager in 2007.

Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, Preston North End, Cardiff City, and Blackburn Rovers were other clubs Cunningham represented in England.

During that stint Cunningham earned four caps as a senior Republic of Ireland international. A boyhood dream fulfilled.

Cunningham remains a hugely respected figure at PNE and, fittingly, he returned in July 2024 to live in Ireland.

Galway United manager John Caulfield paid tribute to Cunningham's contribution. "It was fantastic to have Greg, he'd a massive impact on the club," Caulfield says.

"His presence, experience, knowledge, and performances were excellent. Obviously, I made him club captain and it was brilliant to have him for a year and a half.

"It was unfortunate he suffered an injury during last season which ruled him out for much of the last three months. At the same time, he'd a massive influence in the club and in the background.

"Greg is a super person. It was great for him to come back home after an outstanding career in England. It was great for everyone locally to see Greg's standard and quality."

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Mike Cubbard, Mayor of Galway City, a supporter of the club, and a genuine football person who gives service to the local game as a coach, referee, and administrator acknowledges Cunningham's contribution. "I want to thank Greg Cunningham for his years of dedicated service to the game we all love," Cubbard says.

"Greg has led with integrity and professionalism, setting an example, not only for his colleagues, but also for the young people in our city and county who look to leaders like him as role models. He has shown them the pathway from grassroots football here in Galway to the very top.

"On behalf of the people of Galway and on a personal level, I wish him the very best in a well-deserved retirement."

Family and friends gathered when Cunningham was unveiled as a Galway United player. Back amongst his own people - similar to the cherished comeback of Eamonn Deacy a couple of decades previously. Galway United vice President Bernie O'Connell highlights the connection. "Greg made an indelible mark on the Galway United story with his decision to sign for the club in 2024," O'Connell says.

"His signing was a remarkable act of faith by a Galway football international to align himself to his local League of Ireland club.

"At the time of his signing comparisons were made to the impact Eamonn Deacy’s return had for the United team of the 80s.

"Moreover, Greg was like Eamonn in that he was an absolute gentleman, always carrying himself with dignity and great humility. It meant a lot to Greg to play for Galway. Greg being Greg will probably never appreciate how much it meant to us that he wore the United jersey.

"On the cusp of the new season I’m reminded of the absolute selfless way Greg dealt with the threat of his old Preston colleague Seanie Maguire in Turners Cross in last season’s opener."

The significant link with grassroots football is important according to O'Connell. "With the forthcoming appearance of the Galway and District League in the Oscar Traynor Final I recall the outstanding contribution of Greg’s teenage uncle Derek Lee to that historic 1971 victory,". The Lee and Cunningham families served Galway football with distinction.

Donnie Farragher has too. One of the few to have played at the highest level in this country before also serving the game in a variety of administrative roles, Farragher, the former Mervue and Galway United attacker, recalls Cunningham's talent as a youngster. "Shortly after arriving from Cregmore/Claregalway, Greg and his twin brother Dan, quickly established themselves as part of a very successful Mervue team. In 2006, they captured the SFAI U14 Goodson Cup.

"Greg's performances didn't go unnoticed. He went on to sign for Manchester City. He won numerous caps for the Republic of Ireland at U17, U19, U21, and four at senior level.

"As a proud Mervue and Galway United man, I'd like to wish Greg and Caitriona, and their young family, the very best in the next chapter of their lives. Greg epitomises everything that is great in a man, on and off the pitch. We'd dearly love to see him back in some capacity for the beautiful game that is soccer in Galway, in the future."

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Conor McCormack, an inspirational and influential figure at the club in recent years, saluted Cunningham's achievements in the game. "Massive congratulations to Greg Cunningham on a fantastic professional career," McCormack says. "He achieved every young player’s dream to play for his country and to represent his hometown club, something, I'm sure, he is immensely proud of.

"I was fortunate to share the football pitch with him and see first-hand the standards he set every day. He brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to Galway United, and I wish him all the very best in the next chapter."

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Go raibh maith agat Greg.
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Cian O'Connell

Sportswriter