Considered to be amongst the front-runners in Dublin's search for a new senior hurling manager, Anthony Cunningham has been confirmed as the new man to lead Roscommon's inter-county Gaelic footballers.
Ratified in the position at an emergency county board meeting this evening, the role vacated by Mayo's Kevin McStay earlier this year will now go to the Galway man.
Having previously led the hurlers of his native county to two All-Ireland finals during his time in charge of the Tribesmen, there is as yet no announcement regarding who will make up Cunningham's backroom team.
Roscommon Clubs ratify Anthony Cunningham as the new Roscommon GAA Manager. #rosgaa #gaa pic.twitter.com/bsiYp5HM1T
— Roscommon GAA (@RoscommonGAA) November 9, 2018
Something of a strange move given Cunningham's most recent involvement with the Dublin hurlers under Pat Gilroy's management, the nature of Gilroy's switch across two codes certainly set a precedent for Cunningham's decision.
That being said, the two-time All-Ireland winning hurler with Galway does have his fair share of experience with the big ball also.
With Garrycastle of Westmeath and St. Brigid's of Roscommon, he won provincial titles as manager of the Gaelic footballers; bringing Garrycastle to All-Ireland final defeat in a replay against Armagh's Crossmaglen.
Although any manager would be faced with the stiff prospect of building upon the good work McStay did in the role, Anthony Cunningham has plenty of well-wishes as he embarks upon this latest job.
Congrats to Anthony Cunningham - hard to replace a gentleman like Kevin Mcstay but Anthony is more than capable - pic.twitter.com/960MwcPnF4
— Dessie Dolan (@dessiedolan) November 9, 2018
Anthony Cunningham a good appointment after a most circuitous route. It may go unnoticed in his impressive managerial CV that he will now have managed both @RoscommonGAA hurlers and footballers. Make need confirmation from the great Colm Hannelly but surely a first. #rosgaa
— Noel Fallon (@fallon_noel) November 9, 2018
Best of luck to Anthony Cunningham as he takes over the Rossies- looks like a good appointment @RoscommonGAA #hontheros
— Padraig Flanagan (@padflanagan22) November 9, 2018
Anthony Cunningham ratified as the new Roscommon SF manager. A good appointment. I wish him luck. #rosgaa
— Seamus Duke (@SeamusDuke) November 9, 2018
