After eight incredible years at the helm of the Maigh Cuilinn Senior Men’s Superleague team, Coach John Cunningham is stepping down. A true pillar of the club, John has served Maigh Cuilinn both as one of its standout generational players and most recently as head coach of the club’s flagship team. His tenure was marked by memorable moments, hard-fought games, and a strong sense of camaraderie within the team. We sat down with Coach Cunningham to reflect on his journey, his coaching philosophy, and what’s next for him in the club.
Reflecting on the Journey
What are you most proud of from your eight years coaching Superleague?
John Cunningham:
“I’m proud of how the players always respected who and what they represented every night. Regardless of the strength of the opposition, our standing in the league, or injuries, they gave their all in every game. I never came away from a game feeling the team didn’t try.”
Is there a particular game, season, or moment that you’ll never forget?
John Cunningham:
“Honestly, I don’t think there’s one standout. When you’ve been involved for as long as I have, without a major trophy to mark it, games tend to blur. I live in the moment, always focusing on the next game. That said, some of the near misses stand out more. Beating Sligo last season was special, and the National Cup quarter-final wins over Star early in my tenure—those were great battles.”
Coaching Philosophy and Impact
What has been your coaching philosophy, and how did it shape the team over the years?
John Cunningham:
“I’d say I’m more of a ‘defense-first’ coach, but when I took over, I knew we weren’t scoring enough. I focused a lot on shooting and taking more shots, even at the risk of some bad shot selection. I think it worked initially, but we never got our shooting percentages where I would’ve liked them. That was the gap we couldn’t close to become a consistently winning Superleague team.”
What’s the most memorable piece of advice you received that influenced your coaching career?
John Cunningham:
“Two pieces of advice come to mind. First, Brendan Hynes said after we lost an early National League final in the ‘90s, ‘Win when you can – you may not be back again.’ Second, Gerry Nihill once told me, ‘Trust in youth – they don’t fear what they don’t know.’ Both those ideas have stuck with me.”
Farewell and Future Plans
What will you miss most about coaching Superleague?
John Cunningham:
“Game day, without a doubt. It brings the same buzz as playing, in a different way. Also, the team environment—there’s always a moment, in every session or game, where you share a laugh, whether it’s something positive or negative.”
What’s your focus now in terms of your role in the club?
John Cunningham:
“I’m still the Chairperson, so I have plenty to keep me busy. The big focus now is finally getting a home gym built in the parish. It’s a huge challenge, balancing the ongoing costs and commitments of running the club day-to-day, but we’ve made progress with an energetic group of committee members. My goal is to guide the ship and keep everyone motivated and moving in the same direction.”
Any message for the players and the club community as you step away from coaching?
John Cunningham:
“I’ve always believed in having a ‘Flagship Team’ that inspires the club and community. While we’re no longer in Superleague, I encourage the players to continue being that flagship—give everything you have to the team, regardless of the circumstances. And to the community, keep supporting the team as you have over the past eight years. Maigh Cuilinn Abú!”
If you could give one piece of parting advice to the new coach, what would it be?
John Cunningham:
“Don’t stay as long as I did! Just kidding. Paul knows the game well, and he doesn’t need advice from me. My biggest learning has been to communicate regularly with everyone, especially the new players. You don’t have the luxury of years of familiarity with imports or recent recruits, so you need to quickly figure out what makes them tick. The better you know your players, the better you can coach them.”
Though he’s stepping away from the head coaching role, John’s impact on Maigh Cuilinn continues. He remains Chairperson of the club and is deeply involved in ensuring its continued success. With plans for a home gym in the works and a vibrant community behind him, John will no doubt be cheering on the lads from the sidelines at National League home games this season. His legacy as a player, coach, and leader within the club will endure for years to come. Maigh Cuilinn Abú!
