Minor and Under-21
Cunningham first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Galway minor hurling team as a sixteen year-old in 1981. He made his debut that year as Galway reached the All-Ireland final for the first time in eight years. Kilkenny were the opponents and went on to win the game by 1-20 to 3-9.
Galway were back in a second successive All-Ireland minor decider again in 1982 as Tipperary provided the opposition. A complete collapse by Galway resulted in a 2-7 to 0-4 defeat.
In 1983 Cunningham was in his final year on the minor team when he was appointed captain. Galway reached a third consecutive All-Ireland decider, this time with Dublin providing the opposition. A 0-10 to 0-7 victory spared Galway the unwanted distinction of losing three successive championship deciders, while it also gave Cunningham a coveted All-Ireland medal as captain.
Cunningham subsequently joined the Galway under-21 hurling team. After a few unsuccessful seasons he was appointed captain in his final year on the team in 1986. Galway qualified for the All-Ireland final that year with Wexford providing the opposition. A 1-14 to 2-5 victory gave Galway the title and gave Cunningham an All-Ireland medal in the under-21 grade.
Read more about this topic: Anthony Cunningham, Playing Career
Famous quotes containing the word minor:
“If, for instance, they have heard something from the postman, they attribute it to “a semi-official statement”; if they have fallen into conversation with a stranger at a bar, they can conscientiously describe him as “a source that has hitherto proved unimpeachable.” It is only when the journalist is reporting a whim of his own, and one to which he attaches minor importance, that he defines it as the opinion of “well-informed circles.””
—Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966)