 |
Kenneth CunninghamIrish footballer, defender
Date of Birth: 28.06.1971
Country:  Ireland |
Content:
Early Life and Club Career
Richard Cunningham, an Irish footballer, was born in Dublin and raised in Glasnevin. He attended O'Connell's Boys School and C. B. S. St Vincent's Secondary School, where he played Gaelic football with future star Dessie Farrell. Cunningham began his football career at Home Farm at the age of 8, later joining Tola Rovers as an amateur.
In 1989, he turned professional with Millwall, where he played until 1994. That year, he moved to Wimbledon, making over 250 appearances for the club. In 2002, Cunningham joined Birmingham City, playing 134 matches before transferring to Sunderland in 2006. He retired from playing at the end of the 2007 season.
Post-Retirement Career
After his retirement, Cunningham became a pundit for RTE Sports, covering the Irish Premier League and the Ireland national team. He also coached Nuneaton Town, guiding them to promotion in his first season. Cunningham successfully completed his UEFA Pro Licence qualification.
International Career
Cunningham played for the Ireland national team from 1996 to 2005, making 72 appearances. He was part of the squad that participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, captaining the team. In 2005, he retired from international football at the age of 34 following a draw against Switzerland that denied Ireland a place at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
