Cunningham plotting St Brigid’s demise behind enemy lines

He’s a member of Saturday’s opponents, as are the rest of his immediate family, but Anthony Cunningham admits he never asked his club St Brigid’s about taking over neighbours Garrycastle.

The Galway hurling manager lives in the Brigid’s stronghold of Kiltoom and is neighbours with St Brigid’s captain Darragh Donnelly.

He’s managed the club to three county titles and a Connacht crown in 2006 but didn’t run it by them when he accepted a switch over the Shannon to Garrycastle in late 2008.

“I never asked them!”, he laughed. “I had three or four years with Brigid’s and there were others there with me at the time. There were no problems whatsoever. Over the past number of years, there was huge support and backing from Brigid’s for how well we’ve done.

“They’re hugely interested in football and they wish each other the best. There is no acrimony. There will be good will on both sides.”

Cunningham naturally plays down the significance of having a foot in both camps. “I live there and have been with the club for the last 20 years nearly so yeah, I know all these lads from when they were young.

“But the Brigid’s lads know all these players too — they all went to school together. They’d know each other very well.”

With Cunningham set to step down as soon as Garrycastle’s interest finishes and a number of players expected to retire from senior level, he knows it’s a swan-song. Brigid’s start as favourites but Garrycastle won’t make life easy.

“Experience helps but we’re not an inexperienced team.

“Nemo Rangers last year went a couple of points ahead with 10 minutes to go and Brigids probably produced their best football to win that match. We won’t have them beaten until the final whistle goes, we know that much.”