first introduced to the game of hurling by Brother Moloughney, a hurling enthusiast from Tipperary. Cunningham later attended Colaiste Íognáid Rís where Billy Morgan nurtured his Gaelic football skills. He currently works as a sales representative with Bord Gáis, an Irish energy company. Playing career St Finbarr's Cunningham joined the St Finbarr's club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels without success. He was just 18-years-old when he joined the St Finbarr's senior team as first-choice goalkeeper in advance of the 1979 Championship. On 7 October 1979, Cunningham lined out in goal when St Finbarr's faced Blackrock in the final; however, he ended the game on the losing side after a 2-14 to 2-06 defeat. On 12 October 1980, Cunningham lined out in a second successive final when St Finbarr's faced Glen Rovers. He ended the game with his first winners' medal following a 1-09 to 2-04 victory. Cunningham claimed a Munster Championship medal on 12 October 1980 after a 2-12 to 1-14 defeat of Roscrea in the Munster final. The All-Ireland final on 17 May 1981 saw St Finbarr's suffer a 1-15 to 1-11 defeat by Ballyhale Shamrocks, with Cunningham once again lining out in goal. St Finbarr's qualified for a third successive final on 13 September 1981, with Cunningham once again lining out in goal against Glen Rovers. He ended the game with a second successive championship medal following the 1-12 to 1-09 victory. On 10 October 1982, Cunningham played in his fourth successive final when St Finbarr's faced Blackrock. He ended the game with a third successive winners' medal as well as being named man of the match after the 2-17 to 3-09 victory. For the fifth successive season, St Finbarr's qualified for the final with Cunningham lining out in goal against Midleton. For the second time in his career he ended on the losing side after a 1-18 to 2-09 defeat. Cunningham lined out in a sixth successive final on 30 September 1984 when St Finbarr's faced Ballyhea. He claimed a fourth championship winners' medal overall after the 1-15 to 2-04 victory. Cunningham was appointed captain of the team in advance of the 1988 Championship. On 16 October 1988, he captained the team to a final appearance against Glen Rovers. Cunningham ended the game with a fifth winners' medal after the 3-18 to 2-14 victory, while he also had