Anthony Cunningham - Playing Career - Minor and Under-21

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.