Cunningham enjoying new challenge in ladies football

Mark Cunningham has been involved in big football days before but this weekend will be a different experience as he leads Crosserlough into the Senior Ladies Championship final against Lurgan. The former Swanlinbar and Cavan minor forward is in his first season managing the Kilnaleck-based club.

“I suppose it started closer to home with Kinawley in 2022 and that kind of started my involvement with the ladies football side of things,” Cunningham explained.

“I did a couple of years there, and last year through work connections I got an opportunity to work with Na Fíanna ladies in Dublin, which was a brilliant experience for one year. I enjoyed it there, and had lots of hands-on coaching experience and managing a top-quality senior team as well.

“So that kind of took me to a different part of the world in Crosserlough, but it’s been a great experience this year as well. It’s a team full of talent, experience, youth, and yeah, I’ve really enjoyed this year.”

Cunningham has been struck by some of the nuances of the ladies game compared to the men’s code.

“Yeah, I suppose it was always something that I would have watched over the years on TV, the ladies finals, the triple headers,” he said.

“And yeah, I think the big thing is probably skills and I’m kind of interested in working on that side of things. Obviously it takes a bit more time, a bit more development work is needed, kind of the foundation with ladies, but I’ve seen good progress, good development with the team over the course of the year in that regard.

“I did a course a couple of years ago in skill acquisition so that kind of transfers well across to ladies football.”

The season hasn’t been without its challenges. Losing players to the county set-up and to injury and emigrations meant the team has been reshuffled somewhat since last year’s defeat in the final.

“Every year is different. It’s no secret that we’ve lost a couple of massive players from last year, with travelling and long-term injuries as well. That’s no secret,” he said.

“I suppose it’s been an opportunity for other girls to step up to it. Some girls kind of stepped up from minor, we’ve lost a couple, it’s hard to know whether those things balance out or we’re in a stronger position than last year or not. It’s hard to tell. But from what I’ve seen so far from the start of year, I’ve seen some promising signs that the team has grown and has got better.”

He doesn’t feel the absence of inter-county players in the Spring harmed their preparations.

“No, I wouldn’t think it did. I suppose it gave us an opportunity at the start of the year to kind of look at everyone else and put more time into younger players and give girls qn opportunity really,” Cunningham said.

“Obviously I knew that Lauren, Shauna and Christina with the county, I was dealing with those girls, I knew that coming back they would be at the level we needed. And I think that’s proven to be the case.

“So from the point of view, I suppose, the first year, and getting to know everyone, that gave me time with the girls. Ideally you would like everyone from day one but it’s not realistic, it’s never going to happen. And the other thing, I suppose, is the girls are busy, they are playing camogie as well, so there’s the dual aspect of it as well. But yeah, you have to get on with it the nights you have them and don’t have them.”

The Crosserlough club itself, he says, has provided every possible support.

“Yeah, absolutely. They don’t shy away from hard work, their appetite is top class. But yeah, I mean, from the club in general, everything I’ve asked for, it’s been given, they give big support and big backing to the ladies side of things as well, which is great.”

When the interview took place in a back-room at the stadium, Cunningham’s home club Swanlinbar were in action in a Junior Championship semi-final on the main pitch and he admitted he still follows their progress closely.

“Absolutely. Yeah. And we were just saying there, they are a young team, but they’re on the right track. They’re trending upwards.

“We probably need to be a bit patient. There’s a lot of 17, 18-year-old lads there on the team, but they are going the right direction after a couple of slow years, things are going well.”

Does he miss playing?

“I kind of always had a few hamstring issues, and because I was based in Dublin, it was always difficult coming down and travelling like that. But yeah, once you stop for some period of time, it’s difficult to get back. It’s a different game. It’s a different game than it was five, six, seven years ago.”