View source for Ger Cunningham

{{Short description|Irish hurler and Gaelic football player}}
{{distinguish|Ger Cunningham (Limerick hurler)}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox Gaelic games player
| code= Hurling
| sport = Hurling
| image = 
| name = Ger Cunningham
| irish = Gearóid Mac Cuinneagáin
| feet = 6
| inches = 1
| occupation = Sports sponsorship manager
| county = Cork
| province = Munster
| club = 
| clposition = Goalkeeper
| clubs = [[St Finbarr's National Hurling & Football Club|St Finbarr's]]
| clyears = 1979–1999
| clapps(points) = 
| clcounty = 6
| clprovince= 1
| clallireland = 0
| counties = [[Cork GAA|Cork]]
| icposition = Goalkeeper
| icyears = 1981–1999
| icapps(points) = 50 (0-00)
| icprovince = 7
| icallireland = 3
| nhl = 3
| allstars = 4
| clupdate = 
| icupdate =
| birth_date={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1961|8|30}}
| birth_place=[[Togher, Cork|Togher]], [[Cork (city)|Cork]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
}}
'''Gerard Cunningham''' (born 30 August 1961) is an Irish [[hurling]] manager and former player who played for [[Cork Senior Hurling Championship|Cork Senior Championship]] club [[St Finbarr's National Hurling & Football Club|St Finbarr's]]. He played for the [[Cork senior hurling team]] for 20 years, during which time he lined out as a goalkeeper. Unchallenged in the number one position for his entire career, Cunningham is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Cork/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=5586|title=Ger Cunningham|publisher=Hogan Stand website|date=1 January 2001|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munster-express.ie/sports/studsup/cunningham-was-a-class-act/|title=Cunningham was a class act|publisher=The Munster Express|date=30 January 2009|access-date=11 November 2013|first=Jamie|last=O'Keeffe}}</ref>

Cunningham began his hurling career at club level with St Finbarr's. He broke onto the club's top adult team as a 17-year-old in [[1979 Cork Senior Hurling Championship|1979]] and had his first success the following year when the club won the [[1980 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship|1980 Munster Club Championship]]. Cunningham was the St Finbarr's first-choice goalkeeper for almost twenty years, during which time he also won six Cork Championship titles.

At inter-county level, Cunningham was part of the successful Cork minor team that won back-to-back [[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|All-Ireland Championships]] in [[1978 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|1978]] and [[1979 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|1979]] before later winning an [[All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship|All-Ireland Championship]] with the under-21 team in [[1982 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship|1982]]. He joined the Cork senior team in [[1979-80 National Hurling League|1979]]. From his debut, Cunningham was ever-present as a goalkeeper and made a combined total of 161 National League and Championship appearances in a career that ended with his last game in [[1998 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1998]]. During that time he was part of three [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland Championship]]-winning teams – in [[1984 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1984]], [[1986 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1986]] and [[1990 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1990]]. Cunningham also secured seven [[Munster Senior Hurling Championship|Munster Championship]] medals and three [[National Hurling League]] medals. He announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 15 January 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Cork/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=5595|title=Ger Cunningham announces his retirement|publisher=Hogan Stand website|date=1 January 2001|access-date=11 November 2013|first=Randal|last=Scally}}</ref>

At inter-provincial level, Cunningham was selected to play in eight championship campaigns with [[Munster GAA|Munster]], winning [[Railway Cup]] medals in 1984, 1985 and 1992. He won his first [[GAA All Stars Awards|All-Star]] in [[List of All Stars Awards winners (hurling)#1984|1984]], before claiming a further three All-Stars in [[List of All Stars Awards winners (hurling)#1985|1985]], [[List of All Stars Awards winners (hurling)#1986|1986]] and [[List of All Stars Awards winners (hurling)#1990|1990]]. After being named [[Texaco Hurler of the Year|Hurler of the Year]] in 1986, Cunningham has been repeatedly voted onto teams made up of the sport's greats, including as goalkeeper on the Cork Hurling Team of the Millennium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=116190|title=Best Munster team of last 25 years named|publisher=Hogan Stand website|date=10 August 2009|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref>

In retirement from playing Cunningham became involved in team management and coaching. At club level he has taken charge of St Finbarr's and [[UCC GAA|University College Cork]] and guided [[Ballygunner GAA|Ballygunner]] to [[Waterford Senior Hurling Championship|Waterford Senior Championship]] success in Waterford. He is also an All-Ireland-winning goalkeeping coach and selector with the Cork senior team, while he served as manager of the [[Dublin senior hurling team]] for three seasons.

==Biography==
Ger Cunningham was born in [[Cork (city)|Cork]] in 1961. He was educated locally at Sullivan's Quay [[National school (Ireland)|national school]] where he was first introduced to the game of hurling by Brother Moloughney, a hurling enthusiast from [[County Tipperary]]. Cunningham later attended Colaiste Íognáid Rís where [[Billy Morgan (Gaelic footballer)|Billy Morgan]] nurtured his Gaelic football skills. He currently works as a sales representative with [[Bord Gáis]], an Irish energy company.<ref name="hoganstand.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Cork/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=5595|title=Ger Cunningham announces his retirement|publisher=Hoganstand|access-date=25 October 2008}}</ref>

==Playing career==
===St Finbarr's===
Cunningham joined the [[St Finbarr's National Hurling & Football Club|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 Cork Senior Hurling Championship|1979 Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stfinbarrsnhf.ie/history/ |title=St. Finbarr's: a history |publisher=St. Finbarr's GAA website |access-date=1 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705063325/http://stfinbarrsnhf.ie/history/ |archive-date= 5 July 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref> On 7 October 1979, Cunningham lined out in goal when St Finbarr's faced [[Blackrock GAA|Blackrock]] in the [[1979 Cork Senior Hurling Championship#Final|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 [[1980 Cork Senior Hurling Championship#Final|final]] when St Finbarr's faced [[Glen Rovers GAA|Glen Rovers]]. He ended the game with his first [[Cork Senior Hurling Championship|winners' medal]] following a 1-09 to 2-04 victory. Cunningham claimed a [[Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship|Munster Championship]] medal on 12 October 1980 after a 2-12 to 1-14 defeat of [[Roscrea GAA|Roscrea]] in the [[1980-81 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship|Munster final]]. The [[1981 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final|All-Ireland final]] on 17 May 1981 saw St Finbarr's suffer a 1-15 to 1-11 defeat by [[Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA|Ballyhale Shamrocks]], with Cunningham once again lining out in goal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/cha-signals-ballyhales-ambition-for-famous-five-26587248.html|title='Cha' signals Ballyhale's ambition for famous five|publisher=Irish Independent|date=1 December 2009|access-date=25 July 2015|first=Cliona|last=Foley}}</ref>

St Finbarr's qualified for a third successive [[1981 Cork Senior Hurling Championship#Final|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 [[1982 Cork Senior Hurling Championship#Final|final]] when St Finbarr's faced Blackrock. He ended the game with a third successive winners' medal as well as being named [[Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship#Man of the match|man of the match]] after the 2-17 to 3-09 victory.

For the fifth successive season, St Finbarr's qualified for the [[1983 Cork Senior Hurling Championship#Final|final]] with Cunningham lining out in goal against [[Midleton GAA|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 [[1984 Cork Senior Hurling Championship#Final|final]] on 30 September 1984 when St Finbarr's faced [[Ballyhea GAA|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 Cork Senior Hurling Championship|1988 Championship]]. On 16 October 1988, he captained the team to a [[1988 Cork Senior Hurling Championship#Final|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 the honour of lifting the [[Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship#Trophy|Seán Óg Murphy Cup]] on behalf of the team.

On 14 October 1990, Cunningham made his eighth [[1990 Cork Senior Hurling Championship#Final|final]] appearance when he lined out in goal in a 3-06 to 1-12 draw with [[Na Piarsaigh GAA|Na Piarsaigh]]. The replay a week later saw Cunningham end up on the losing side after a 2-07 to 1-08 defeat.

Cunningham assumed the captaincy of the team for the [[1993 Cork Senior Hurling Championship|1993 Championship]]. On 10 October 1993, he lined out in goal in a 10th [[1993 Cork Senior Hurling Championship#Final|county final]], with first-time finalists [[Carbery GAA|Carbery]] holding St Finbarr's to a 1-17 apiece draw. The replay a week later saw Cunningham selected as man of the match as he claimed his sixth winners' medal following a 1-14 to 1-13 victory.

===Cork===
====Minor and under-21====
Cunningham first played for Cork as a [[dual player]] during the 1978 Munster Championships; however, it was with the hurling team that he had his greatest successes. On 30 July 1978, he won a [[Munster Minor Hurling Championship|Munster Championship]] medal after lining out in goal in the 1-14 to 3-06 defeat of [[Tipperary GAA|Tipperary]] in the final. On 3 September 1978, Cunningham was again selected in goal when Cork faced [[Kilkenny GAA|Kilkenny]] in the [[1978 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|All-Ireland final]]. He ended the game with a [[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|winners' medal]] after the 1-15 to 1-08 victory.

On 8 July 1979, Cunningham won a second successive Munster Championship medal, however, an injury ruled him out of the 3-17 to 4-04 defeat of [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]] in the final. For the second year in succession, Cork qualified to play Kilkenny in the [[1979 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|All-Ireland final]]. Cunningham - who was restored to the starting fifteen - ended the game with a second successive All-Ireland medal after the 2-11 to 1-09 victory.

Cunningham subsequently joined both the Cork under-21 hurling and football teams. He collected a set of [[Munster Under-21 Football Championship|Munster]] and [[All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship|All-Ireland]] medals with the under-21 footballers as an unused substitute in 1981, following respective provincial and All-Ireland decider defeats of [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] and [[Galway GAA|Galway]].

The following year Cunningham added a [[Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship|Munster]] medal with the under-21 hurlers to his collection. Galway were the opponents in the subsequent All-Ireland decider on a day when both defences gave superb displays. Cork came from behind in the closing stages to win by a single point, scored from long range by [[Kevin Hennessy]]. It was yet another underage [[All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] medal for Cunningham.

====Senior====
In 1979 Cunningham was still a member of the Cork minor hurling team when he joined the county senior panel.  He made his senior debut in May 1980, lining out against Kilkenny in a challenge match.  Cunningham replaced [[Timmy Murphy]] as Cork's first-choice goalkeeper the following year and remained an ever-present fixture for the best part of twenty years.

In 1981 Cunningham enjoyed his first major success at senior level when he won a [[National Hurling League]] medal following a victory over [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]].<ref>''The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games'' p. 69</ref> Success in the championship eluded him until 1982 when he collected his first senior [[Munster Senior Hurling Championship|Munster]] title following a 5–31 to 3–6 drubbing of [[Waterford GAA|Waterford]].  The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Kilkenny, with 'the Rebels' installed as the red-hot favourites.  All did not go to plan as Kilkenny dominated.  [[Christy Heffernan]] was the hero of the day as he scored two goals in a forty-second spell just before half-time.  [[Ger Fennelly]] captured a third goal in the second half as Kilkenny completely trounced 'the Rebels' by 3–18 to 1–15.<ref name="The GAA Book of Lists p. 361">''The GAA Book of Lists'' p. 361</ref>

Cunningham claimed a second Munster title in 1983 as Waterford fell heavily by 3–22 to 0–12 for the second consecutive year.  After defeating Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final Cork squared up to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final for the second year in-a-row.  Once again Kilkenny dominated the game, assisted by a strong wind in the first-half, and hung on in the face of a great fight-back by Cork.  At the full-time whistle Kilkenny emerged victorious by 2–14 to 2–12.<ref name="The GAA Book of Lists p. 361"/> For the second consecutive year Cunningham had ended up on the losing side on All-Ireland final day.

These two defeats only made Cunningham and Cork more determined to bounce back in 1984.  That year he claimed a third Munster title in-a-row following a classic victory over an unlucky Tipperary side.  This victory allowed Cork to advance to a third consecutive All-Ireland final.  It was a special year for followers of hurling and football as the [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] was celebrating its centenary year.  As a gesture to [[Thurles]], the cradle town of the association, the All-Ireland final was played in [[Semple Stadium]] that year.  [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]] provided the opposition and, ironically, it was the first meeting of these two sides in one hundred years of Gaelic games.  The game was a triumph for Cork, who won by 3–16 to 1–12 courtesy of second-half goals by [[Kevin Hennessy]] and [[Seánie O'Leary]].<ref name="The GAA Book of Lists p. 361"/> At the third time of asking Cunningham had finally collected his first senior [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] medal.  He was later presented with his first [[GAA All Stars Awards|All-Star]] award.

In 1985 Cunningham was appointed [[List of Cork senior hurling team captains|captain]] of the Cork senior hurling team for the first time.  That year he guided his team to a fourth successive Munster [[1985 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final|title]] as Tipp were defeated once again.  Cork were subsequently caught on-the-hop by Galway in a rain-soaked All-Ireland semi-final.  In spite of this he was later presented with second All-Star award.

Cork continued their dominance in Munster in 1986 with Cunningham capturing a record-equalling fifth Munster medal in-a-row as [[Clare GAA|Clare]] were accounted for.  A subsequent defeat of [[Antrim GAA|Antrim]] allowed Cork to advance directly to the All-Ireland final where Galway provided the opposition.   Galway were the red hot favourites to take the title and defeat Cork for the first time in a championship decider.  The pundits and commentators got it wrong as an open game of hurling saw Cork score 4–13 to Galway's 2–15.<ref>''The GAA Book of Lists'' p. 362</ref> A four-point win gave Cork the title and gave Cunningham a second All-Ireland medal.  He was later presented with a third consecutive All-Star.  Cunningham was also honoured by being named [[Texaco Hurler of the Year]].

Over the next three years Tipperary re-emerged as the kingpins of Munster hurling as Cork's fortunes took a downturn.  One of the lowest points in Cunningham's career happened during this drought for Cork hurling.  Playing against Waterford in 1989 Cunningham received a heavy knock to the head and spent the remainder of the game in a daze, conceding three goals.<ref name="hoganstand.com"/>

Cork were back in 1990 and, against all the odds, they wrestled the Munster title from Tipperary after [[Babs Keating]]'s famous 'donkeys don't win derbies' remark.  It was Cunningham's seventh provincial title.  The subsequent All-Ireland final that year pitted Cork against Galway for the second time in four years.  Once again, Galway were the bookies favourites and justified this tag by going seven points ahead in the opening thirty-five minutes thanks to a masterful display by [[Joe Cooney]].  Cork fought back with an equally expert display by [[Tomás Mulcahy]].  The game was effectively decided on an incident which occurred midway through the second half when Cunningham blocked a point-blank shot from [[Martin Naughton (hurler)|Martin Naughton]] with his nose. The umpires gave no 65-metre free, even though he clearly deflected it out wide. Cork went on to win a high-scoring and open game of hurling by 5–15 to 2–21.<ref name="The GAA Book of Lists p. 363">''The GAA Book of Lists'' p. 363</ref> It was Cunningham's third All-Ireland medal and the first of a remarkable hurling and football double for Cork.

Cunningham claimed his seventh Munster medal in 1992, however, Cork faced the old enemy Kilkenny in another All-Ireland final.  Prior to the game Kilkenny won the toss, however, 'the Cats' chose to play against the wind.  At half-time his side were only two points in arrears thanks to a [[D.J. Carey]] goal four minutes before the interval.  [[John Power (John Locke's hurler)|John Power]] and [[Michael Phelan (hurler)|Michael Phelan]] added two second-half goals to give Kilkenny a 3–10 to 1–12 win.<ref name="The GAA Book of Lists p. 363"/> It was the third time in his hurling career that Cunningham had been beaten by Kilkenny in a championship decider.

In 1993 Cunningham won a second [[National Hurling League]] medal with Cork.  Although he would remain as Cork [[Goalkeeper (Gaelic games)|goalkeeper]] for another few seasons Cunningham would never win another Munster or All-Ireland title.  His final winners' medal came in 1998 when he claimed a third National League medal.  Following Cork's defeat in the early stages of the championship Cunningham decided to retire from inter-county hurling.  At the age of 37 he had donned the famed red and white hooped jersey for almost 20 years, during which time he made 50 consecutive championship appearances while also playing in 111 National League games.<ref name="hoganstand.com"/>

===Munster===
Cunningham also lined out with [[Munster GAA|Munster]] in the inter-provincial hurling championship where he played alongside his championship rivals from Tipperary, Limerick, Clare and Waterford.  He first played for his province in 1983 as Munster were defeated by [[Connacht GAA|Connacht]] in the semi-final of the competition.  Cunningham was the Munster custodian again in 1984.  That year his province were successful in defeating [[Leinster GAA|Leinster]] to take the [[Railway Cup]] title.  Cunningham added a second consecutive Railway Cup medal to his collection in 1985 as Connacht were accounted for by 3–6 to 1–11. After defeats by Leinster and Connacht over the next few years Cunningham surrendered his place on the team to Tipperary's [[Ken Hogan]].  He was back on the team in 1991, however, it wasn't until 1992 when Cunningham collected his third Railway Cup title.  His last outing with the province was in 1994 when Connacht were victorious in the semi-final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://munster.gaa.ie/teams/railwaycuphurling.html |title=Munster Railway Cup Hurling Teams |publisher=[[Munster GAA]] |access-date=24 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719201124/http://munster.gaa.ie/teams/railwaycuphurling.html |archive-date=19 July 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

==Coaching career==
In retirement from play Cunningham maintained a keen interest in the game. The year after he quit the inter-county scene the hurling experts were charged with picking a Team of the Millennium. Cunningham was Cork's best prospect for the goalkeeping position; however, he faced still opposition from such legends as Kilkenny duo [[Ollie Walsh]] and [[Noel Skehan]] and Wexford's [[Art Foley]]. In the end the honour went to Tipperary's three in-a-row winning 'keeper [[Tony Reddin]].

===Cork (2003–2006)===
Cunningham later served as a selector and goalkeeping coach to the Cork team under the managerial reigns of both [[Dónal O'Grady]] and [[John Allen (hurling manager)|John Allen]] from 2003 until 2006.  During this time Cork captured three Munster titles and appeared in four consecutive All-Ireland finals, winning two.  Cunningham was even the favourite to succeed Allen as manager when he stepped down in 2006, however, the position went to [[Gerald McCarthy (hurler)|Gerald McCarthy]] instead, without Cunningham even being approached about his intentions.  Since retiring from playing he has also coached various [[St. Finbarr's GAA|St. Finbarr's]] teams.

===Ballygunner===
In January 2009 Cunningham succeeded [[Peter Queally (hurler)|Peter Queally]] as manager of the [[Ballygunner GAA|Ballygunner]] senior club team in Waterford.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2009/0122/ireland/rebel-legend-cunningham-set-to-land-ballygunner-job-82495.html|title=Rebel legend Cunningham set to land Ballygunner job|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=22 January 2009|access-date=16 November 2013|first=Jackie & O'Toole, Fintan|last=Cahill}}</ref> His one-year tenure saw the club return to success. A narrow 1–17 to 0–19 replay defeat of [[Lismore GAA|Lismore]] secured the club's first [[Waterford Senior Hurling Championship|championship]] crown in four years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Waterford/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=118916|title=Flynn rescues replay for Ballygunner|publisher=Hogan Stand website|date=12 October 2009|access-date=16 November 2013}}</ref>

===Cork (2011–2013)===
In September 2011 Cunningham was named as a selector, and later as coach, in [[Jimmy Barry-Murphy]]'s new Cork senior hurling management team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/gaa/cunningham-privileged-to-be-cork-selector-519701.html|title=Cunningham 'privileged' to be Cork selector|publisher=Breaking News website|date=8 September 2011|access-date=16 November 2013}}</ref> During Cunningham's tenure, Cork reached their first All-Ireland final in seven years. An exciting 3–16 apiece draw with [[Clare GAA|Clare]] was followed by a 5–16 to 3–16 defeat in the replay.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2013/0909/ireland/an-emotional-riveting-roller-coaster-242435.html|title=An emotional, riveting roller-coaster|date=9 September 2013|publisher=Irish Examiner|access-date=22 September 2013|first=Diarmuid|last=O'Flynn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2013/0930/ireland/a-day-borrowed-from-the-hurling-gods-244741.html|title=A day borrowed from the hurling gods|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=30 September 2013|access-date=1 October 2013|first=Diarmuid|last=O'Flynn}}</ref> Cunningham stepped down as a selector on 5 November 2013, while his name was linked to the then vacant managerial post with Limerick.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thescore.ie/cunningham-cork-limerick-1162036-Nov2013/|title=Ger Cunningham resigns after two years as Cork hurling selector|publisher=The Score website|date=5 November 2013|access-date=16 November 2013|first=Seán|last=Farrell|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113055932/http://www.thescore.ie/cunningham-cork-limerick-1162036-Nov2013/|archive-date=13 November 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/cork-selector-cunningham-resigns-as-name-linked-with-limerick-job-248686.html|title=Cork selector Cunningham resigns as name linked with Limerick job|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=6 November 2013|access-date=16 November 2013|first=John & Hurley, Denis|last=Fogarty}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/ger-cunningham-poised-to-take-treaty-reins-after-parting-with-rebels-29729799.html|title=Ger Cunningham poised to take Treaty reins after parting with Rebels|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=6 November 2013|access-date=16 November 2013|first=Donnchadh|last=Boyle}}</ref>

===Dublin===
In October 2014, Cunningham was named as the new [[Dublin county hurling team]] manager on a three-year term.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/ger-cunningham-becomes-latest-munster-man-leaving-for-dublin-as-he-takes-over-from-anthony-daly-30650569.html|title= Ger Cunningham becomes latest Munster man leaving for Dublin as he takes over from Anthony Daly|date= 9 October 2014|work=Irish Independent |access-date=9 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/cunninghams-capital-delight-290562.html|title= Cunningham's capital delight|date= 9 October 2014|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=9 October 2014}}</ref>
In July 2017, Cunningham stepped down as Dublin manager after three years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/ger-cunningham-steps-down-as-dublin-hurling-manager-35956983.html|title= Ger Cunningham steps down as Dublin hurling manager|date=22 July 2017|work=Irish Independent|access-date=24 July 2017}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Manager===
{{updated|match played 9 July 2017.}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="4"|[[Walsh Cup (hurling)|Walsh Cup]]
!colspan="4"|[[National Hurling League|National League]]
!colspan="4"|[[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster]]
!colspan="4"|[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]]
!colspan="5"|Total
|-
!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}!!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}!!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}!!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}!!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}!!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}!!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}!!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}!!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}!!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}!!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}!!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}!!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}!!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}!!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}!!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}!!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}!!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}!!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}!!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}!!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}
|-
|rowspan="1"|[[Dublin county hurling team|Dublin]]
|8 October 2014
|8 July 2017
|9||8||0||1||13||7||0||6||4||1||0||3||5||2||0||3||26||17||0||9||65
|}

==Honours==
===Player===
;Participant
*[[All-Ireland Poc Fada Championship]] (7): 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990

;St Finbarr's
*[[Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1980-81 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship|1980]]
*[[Cork Senior Hurling Championship]] (6): [[1980 Cork Senior Hurling Championship|1980]], [[1981 Cork Senior Hurling Championship|1981]], [[1982 Cork Senior Hurling Championship|1982]], [[1984 Cork Senior Hurling Championship|1984]], [[1988 Cork Senior Hurling Championship|1988]], [[1993 Cork Senior Hurling Championship|1993]]

;Cork
*[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] (3): [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1984|1984]], [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1986|1986]], [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1990|1990]]
*[[Munster Senior Hurling Championship]] (7): [[1982 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1982]], [[1983 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1983]], [[1984 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1984]], [[1985 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1985]] (c), [[1986 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1986]], [[1990 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1990]], [[1992 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1992]]
*[[National Hurling League]] (3): [[National Hurling League 1980-81|1980–81]], [[National Hurling League 1992-93|1992–93]], [[1998 National Hurling League|1998]]
*[[All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1982 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship|1982]]
*[[Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1982 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship|1982]]
*[[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship]] (2): [[1978 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|1978]], [[1979 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|1979]]
*[[Munster Minor Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1978 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#Munster Minor Hurling Championship|1978]]

;Munster
*[[Railway Cup]] (3): 1984, 1985 (c), 1992

===Individual===
;Honours
*Cork Hurling Team of the Century: Goalkeeper
*Munster Hurling Team of the Last 25 Years (1984–2009): Goalkeeper
*[[Texaco Hurler of the Year]] (1): 1986
*[[GAA GPA All Stars Awards|All-Stars]] (4): 1984, 1985, 1986, 1990

===Coach/Selector===
;Ballygunner
*[[Waterford Senior Hurling Championship]] (1): 2009

;St. Finbarr's
* [[Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship]] (1): [[2022 Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship|2022]]

;Cork
*[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] (2): [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2004|2004]], [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2005|2005]]
*[[Munster Senior Hurling Championship]] (3): [[2003 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|2003]], [[2005 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|2005]], [[2006 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|2006]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box
| before=[[John Fenton (hurler)|John Fenton]]
| title=[[List of Cork senior hurling team captains|Cork Senior Hurling Captain]]
| years=1985
| after=[[Tom Cashman]]
}}
{{succession box
 | before=[[Denis Mulcahy]]
 | title=[[List of Cork senior hurling team captains|Cork Senior Hurling Captain]]
 | years=1989
 | after=[[Kieran McGuckin]]
}}
{{succession box
 | before=[[Brian Corcoran]]
 | title=[[List of Cork senior hurling team captains|Cork Senior Hurling Captain]]
 | years=1994
 | after=[[Pat Kenneally]]
}}
{{succession box
 | before = [[Anthony Daly (hurler)|Anthony Daly]]
 | title  = [[Dublin GAA|Dublin Senior Hurling Manager]]
 | years  = 2014–2017
 | after  = [[Pat Gilroy]]
}}
{{s-ach|ach}}
{{succession box
| after=[[Noel Lane (Galway hurler)|Noel Lane]]<br>([[Connacht GAA|Connacht]])
| title=[[List of Interprovincial Hurling Championship finals|Interprovincial Hurling Final]]<br>winning [[Captain (sport)|captain]]
| years=1985
| before=[[John Fenton (hurler)|John Fenton]]<br>([[Munster GAA|Munster]])
}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{succession box
 | before=[[Eugene Coughlan]]<br>([[Offaly GAA|Offaly]])
 | title=[[Texaco Hurler of the Year]]
 | years=1986
 | after=[[Joe Cooney]]<br>([[Galway GAA|Galway]])
}}
{{s-end}}

{{St Finbarr's Hurling Team 1981}}
{{Cork Minor Hurling Team 1978}}
{{Cork Minor Hurling Team 1979}}
{{Cork Under-21 Football Team 1981}}
{{Cork Under-21 Hurling Team 1982}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1982}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1983}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1984}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1986}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1990}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1992}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 2005}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 2006}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 2013}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 2021}}
{{Munster Hurling Team 1984}}
{{Munster Hurling Team 1985}}
{{Munster Hurling Team 1992}}
{{1984 Hurling All Stars}}
{{1985 Hurling All Stars}}
{{1986 Hurling All Stars}}
{{1990 Hurling All Stars}}
{{Dublin county hurling team managers}}
{{Texaco Hurler of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cunningham, Ger}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:St Finbarr's hurlers]]
[[Category:Cork inter-county hurlers]]
[[Category:Dual players]]
[[Category:Munster inter-provincial hurlers]]
[[Category:St Finbarr's Gaelic footballers]]
[[Category:Cork inter-county Gaelic footballers]]
[[Category:Hurling coaches]]
[[Category:Hurling goalkeepers]]
[[Category:Hurling managers]]
[[Category:Hurling selectors]]
[[Category:All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winners]]
[[Category:20th-century Irish sportsmen]]