Former Republic of Ireland international Greg Cunningham has announced his retirement from professional football.
The Galway man made his senior debut for Manchester City in 2010 and went on to play for Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, Preston North End, Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers before returning to Ireland to line out with Galway United in 2024 and 2025.
The 34-year-old won four Ireland caps between 2010 and 2013, making his debut in a friendly against Algeria (below) under former manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
The former Mervue United player suffered a number of serious injuries but still racked up over 300 senior games throughout his career.
"What started as a dream became my life's work," Cunningham wrote on Instagram.
"I left home at 16 - a journey that shaped me, gave me purpose, direction and a platform to grow. The highs, the lows, the sacrifices, the injuries, the wins and the lessons - every moment paving the path to the person I have become.
"Thank you to my family, in particular my parents for your unwavering support! Without such a strong foundation and grounded upbringing, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am and will always be forever grateful for the endless sacrifices made to allow me to chase my dream."
"To my wife and children, your love and unconditional support has helped me beyond belief. Thank you for your selflessness, devotion and patience you've shown throughout our time in football.
"To the coaches in Galway who invested their voluntary time, nurtured my growth and developed my ability. Thank you for giving me every opportunity to get across the water.
"To the teammates, managers, coaches, physios, backroom staff, fans and friends I am indebted to your impact on my life. To the clubs I proudly represented, thank you for allowing me to continue playing over these years.
"The road shapes us more than the place it leads to. I leave the game proud of the player I was, the battles I fought and the moments I lived for.
"I was fortunate to fulfil my childhood dream and I’ll always be grateful for the game and everyone who was part of it."
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