Bernard P. Cunningham (1939 – 19 January 2023) was an Irish Gaelic footballer. At club level played with Ballivor and at inter-county level with the Meath senior football team. Cunningham usually lined out as a centre-back.

Playing career

Cunningham first played Gaelic football and hurling at Killyon NS before later attending both Trim CBS and Trim Vocational School.^[2] He won an All-Ireland Vocational Schools' medal with a Meath selection in 1956. At club level, Cunningham won county championship medals with the Ballivor juveniles in 1952 and 1954, before winning a Meath IFC title in 1971.

Cunningham first appeared on the inter-county scene with the Meath minor team that won the All-Ireland MFC title in 1957.^[3] He immediately progressed to the junior team before making his senior team debut in an O'Byrne Cup game in 1958. Cunningham won the first of four Leinster SFC medals in 1964.^[4] After losing the 1966 All-Ireland final to Galway, he was again at centre-back when Meath defeated Cork in the 1967 final.^[5] Cunningham ended the All-Ireland-winning season by being named Texaco Footballer of the Year.

Coaching career

In retirement from playing, Cunningham was involved in coaching at all levels with Ballivor. He also spent a period as a selector with the Meath senior team.

Death

Cunningham died on 19 January 2023, at the age of 83.^[6][7]

Honours

Ballivor

• Meath Intermediate Football Championship: 1971

Meath

• All-Ireland Senior Football Championship: 1967
• Leinster Senior Football Championship: 1964, 1966, 1967, 1970
• All-Ireland Minor Football Championship: 1957
• Leinster Minor Football Championship: 1957

References