“To win my first All-Ireland and to score a goal in the final was unbelievable”

IN the latest of our features on players’ careers, Aaron Cunningham takes a look back…

Teams played for – Crossmaglen Rangers, UUJ, Longford NW, Armagh, New York

Current involvement – Haven’t kicked a ball since 2018 so I would say retired.

Which club game, that you played in, will you never forget and why?

2011 All-Ireland Senior Club final. St Patricks Day in Croke Park, representing my family and my town was very special. To win my first club All-Ireland and to score a goal in the final was unbelievable. I’ll remember that until the day I die.

Which club game, that you watched, will you never forget and why?

I would have to say the 2016 All-Ireland Club semi-final were we faced Castlebar Mitchells and were beaten. I was out injured, and that was the last time I would be involved with Crossmaglen Rangers as a player. That was a particularly tough year for myself personally, so always will be lefts with what ifs. But such is life.

Which county game, that you played in, will you never forget and why?

The first county game I was involved in was Armagh v Down in the Athletic Grounds. The atmosphere that night was something special. Although I never made the field of play, it was something that will stay with me having gone to school in Newry. A lot of rivalries both with family and friends.

Which county game, that you watched, will you never forget and why?

The 2002 All-Ireland Final. Armagh lifting Sam for the first time was something special. I remember sitting with my Dad in the Hogan, and then running through the stadium to enter the pitch when the final whistle blew.

What was the funniest thing you ever saw in a game?

I wasn’t playing, but Tony McEntee ‘escorting’ a stray dog off the pitch in Parnell Park was particularly funny.

What was the strangest thing you ever saw in a game?

The strangest thing I ever seen was when Dromintee lined out in their Wrangler Jeans for a championship game. That one will be hard to beat, if ever!

What was the most memorable performance from a player in a game that you watched?

The one standout performance for me was Stephen O’Neill for Tyrone against Kildare in Croke Park. It was an exhibition of forward play. His movement and finishing was phenomenal that day.

What was the most memorable performance from a player in a game that you played?

There are so many performances I could choose from. I’ve seen big performances from Jamie Clarke, David McKenna, Paul McKeown to name but a few.

What did you love about the games you played in?

I really enjoyed the intensity and pressure of playing and performing in those games. Playing in front of thousands of people in the stand or on national TV was a real thrill. Testing myself against some of the best players around, you got a real sense of competition and achievement when successful against them.

What did you hate about the games you played in?

I didn’t really hate anything about the games I played in. I really enjoyed them. I did find the length of the season very frustrating. From we started pre-season in January 2010, it took almost 15 months to win the All-Ireland in 2011. We won it again the following year in 2012, and were beaten in the All-Ireland semi-final the third year in February 2013. A very successful 37 month spell, but a very long one too.