qualities as a player are easy to see. From day one he has been a great influence. He is a talker on the pitch, he organises the players around him, and off the pitch he is a calm influence. He retired from international football after achieving 72 caps at the age of 34 on 12 October 2005, following Ireland's draw with Switzerland at Lansdowne Road, which resulted in his team's failure to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Cunningham urged caution following a FIFA rule change allowing players over the age of 21 to switch their international allegiance. Commenting in relation to Ireland's qualifying campaign ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he said: "It wouldn't be something I'd be hugely in favour of" and "I'd be very disappointed if I was a player in that squad to miss out on the World Cup for somebody who was jumping on board at the last minute". After football Cunningham has worked as a pundit on the Premier League and Champions League for both Setanta Ireland and Premier Sports, on RTÉ Sport's coverage of the League of Ireland and for Sky Sports's coverage of Ireland matches. He coached at English non-league club Nuneaton Town, who won promotion in his first year there. before completing his UEFA Pro Licence in Ireland. He was appointed assistant to the League of Ireland XI manager Damien Richardson for the Dublin Super Cup tournament in 2011. He covered tournaments including the 2013 Confederations Cup, 2014 World Cup, Euro 2016, and Euro 2020. Honours Sunderland Football League Championship: 2006–07 Individual FAI Senior International Player of the Year: 1998 Wimbledon Player of the Season: 1999–2000, 2001–02 Career statistics Club Source: References External links 1971 births Living people Dublin Gaelic footballers Gaelic footballers who switched code Association football defenders Association footballers from County Dublin Republic of Ireland association footballers Republic of Ireland international footballers Republic of Ireland B international footballers Republic of Ireland under-21 international footballers Home Farm F.C. players Tolka Rovers F.C. players Millwall F.C. players Wimbledon F.C. players Birmingham City F.C. players Sunderland A.F.C. players Premier League players English Football League players 2002 FIFA World Cup players Republic of Ireland football managers