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Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
How Greg Cunningham's goals changed at Man City when ‘the door slowly shut'
Greg Cunningham has some happy Cup memories - a Manchester City debut in the FA Cup and a narrow defeat to Arsenal in 2017 while at Preston. But now he wants to create some new memories on this side of the Irish Sea with his hometown club, Galway United. Cunningham was born in 1991, the year the Tribesmen claimed their first and only success in the competition, when they beat Shamrock Rovers in the final at Lansdowne Road. A win on Friday against neighbours Salthill, who had a brief spell in the League of Ireland, and they are into the quarter-finals. '1991, yeah,' he said. 'It's a case now where, without getting ahead of ourselves, we look to Salthill on Friday, and once that's done we look to the next game and we take every game as they come. 'When you look at the Cup and who's left and what draws could be made, you lose focus and you take your eye off the ball. 'So it's important to approach this game on Friday night with a mindset and professionalism and we go from there.' Cunningham's only cup winners' medal to date came in the Football League Trophy in 2015 with Bristol Rovers. 'Players can go through their careers without winning trophies, so it's nice to have that medal at home,' he said. 'When it comes to the FA Cup, we had a nice one, Arsenal at home, when I was at Preston at the time. It was an early January evening kick-off under the lights at Deepdale. 'Although we didn't win the game, it was a great occasion having a packed out Deepdale there. 'There were a few occasions over the years that kind of stick with you. But now I'm here, I'm hoping to create some memories.' Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . As for his City debut in January 2010, he recalled: 'I came on as a half-time sub against Scunthorpe away, which was a fond memory many years ago now.' Cunningham featured in the same team on that occasion as Sylvinho, Vincent Kompany, Martin Petrov, Stephen Ireland and Robinho. He made two Premier League appearances off the bench after that, against Birmingham City and West Ham, but the writing was on the wall as the money poured into the club and City's big spending began in earnest. Cunningham moved on loan to Leicester and Nottingham Forest, before he cut ties with City in the summer of 2012 and left for Bristol Rovers. But he made the most of his time on the training ground with the club's star players. 'When I signed for City, it was a case of going over there because they had a great track record at getting academy players into the first-team set-up,' Cunningham revealed. 'Then the money came and these big players came in and it was a case where the door slowly shut. 'But at the same time, you approach it in a manner of trying to soak up as much experience from these world-class players, and I've got some very fond memories from being there and learning so much, and that put me in good stead moving forward in my career at a young age.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Leeds star suffers heart attack as club release update
Ex-Leeds United and Swansea City ace Andy Robinson was in hospital on Thursday after suffering a heart attack but appears to be in a stable condition after updates from his former clubs Former Leeds United and Swansea City ace Andy Robinson has been hospitalised after suffering a heart attack. The winger was in hospital on Thursday afternoon after being taken ill earlier in the day. Robinson, 45, spent five years with the Swans from 2003 until 2008 as they earned two promotions before making the move to play for Leeds United. Spells with Tranmere Rovers, Shrewsbury Town, Stockport County and Ammanford - where he linked up with former team-mate Lee Trundle - followed before he featured for Rock Ferry Social. The Swans legend has maintained a presence around the club having become a pundit for BBC Sport Wales in the aftermath of his professional career. The Welsh side were first to confirm the news. " Swansea City is wishing the club's former player Andy Robinson a full and speedy recovery after suffering a heart attack earlier today," Swansea said on social media. "Andy is currently in a stable condition in hospital. We're all with you Robbo." Leeds said: "Now in a stable condition, everyone at #LUFC wishes former player Andy Robinson a speedy recovery, after he suffered a heart attack earlier today." Tranmere posted: "Everyone at Tranmere Rovers wishes our former player Andy Robinson a speedy recovery after he suffered a heart attack this morning. "He's now in a stable condition in hospital. All the best, Robbo." Robinson played 226 times for Swansea and scored 54 goals on his way to becoming a crucial part of the club's folklore. The attacker helped the Swans achieve promotion from League Two in 2004/05, their final season at Vetch Field. And Robinson became the last player to score at the ground in important circumstances. He netted the winning goal in the FAW Premier Cup final against Wrexham. The club legend then helped the club earn Football League Trophy honours in 2006 before being a central part of the team under Roberto Martinez. Robinson was key in helping Swansea win the League One title in 2007/08. However, Robinson left Swansea to join Leeds United that summer but missed out on Championship football. After accepting an offer from the Yorkshire club, Leeds failed to overcome Doncaster in the play-off final and as a result remained in League One. Robinson played 50 times for Leeds in a tough period after a number of injuries in his first season with the club. Two loan spells at Tranmere Rovers followed before he made the move to Prenton Park on a permanent basis in 2011 - he made more than 100 appearances and scored 19 goals for the Wirral club.
Wales Online
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Swansea City legend Andy Robinson suffers heart attack as club issue statement
Swansea City legend Andy Robinson suffers heart attack as club issue statement The 45-year-old is currently in hospital after the incident Swansea City legend Andy Robinson (Image: Swansea City FC ) Swansea City legend Andy Robinson is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack on Thursday. The 45-year-old is believed to be in a stable condition, with the news sparking an outpouring of support from Swans fans and beyond. Robinson remains a hugely popular figure with the Jack Army, having served the club with distinction during a five-year spell with the club, whom he joined from Tranmere Rovers in 2003. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. 'Robbo' would make 231 appearances for the Swans, and would win two promotions, as well as the Football League Trophy, during his time in south Wales. He would later go on to make 50 appearances for Leeds United, before returning to Tranmere and then enjoying short stints at Stockport County and Shrewsbury Town. In a statement, Swansea City said: "Swansea City is wishing the club's former player Andy Robinson a full and speedy recovery after suffering a heart attack earlier today. Article continues below "Andy is currently in a stable condition in hospital. Content cannot be displayed without consent "We're all with you Robbo" Since hanging up his boots, Robinson has been working as a commentator and pundit. He has frequently given his views on the Swans, whom he still clearly has a massive affinity for, and hasn't always shied away from speaking his mind. Swansea, it seems, is still considered a special part of the Birkenhead native's career. Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone. "The atmosphere was unbelievable at the Vetch," he once said when looking back on his career. "It was always a special place for me. Article continues below "It is the place that I class as home as a footballer."
The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Martin O'Neill fires hilarious dig at ‘vitriolic critic' Keith Andrews amid rumoured Brentford appointment
MARTIN O'Neill has hit out at pundit-turned-coach Keith Andrews who was previously critical of O'Neill during his management career. Keith Andrews looks in line to make the 2 The 44-year-old is in line for his first management position 2 Andrews' comments have left a lasting impact on the former Celtic and Aston Villa boss Despite having no previous management experience, the former Ireland star looks set to land the Premier League head coach position. Andrews coached at MK Dons, Sheffield United, the Republic of Ireland and Brentford since his punditry during the O'Neill Ireland era. O'Neill recalls Andrews' time as a pundit which overlapped his Ireland tenure. Speaking to Read more on Irish football "He was really dead against me trying to use set-pieces to try to win games. "The irony is he becomes the set-piece coach. Really I say good luck to him. Brentford have decided, if it is the case, that he should get it. "I hope he does get it because then he will realise what management is all about. While Andrews was a Sky Sports pundit, he was particularly critical of O'Neill's tactics and put the entirety of the blame on him for Ireland's poor form following Euro 2016. Most read in Football The two-time European Cup winner took a sly dig at Andrews' inferior footballing career. While Andrews boasts an impressive CV including Premier League football, his biggest honours arguably came in the 2007/08 season with MK Dons when he won the Football League Trophy as well as topping League Two. Saipan film trailer splits opinion as Irish football fans voice concern about Roy Keane portrayal The eight-time Premier League Manager of the Month gloated: "It's not as easy to be sitting in a pundit's chair sitting to criticise someone who in all honesty had a much better career than he had. "He was dealing at the bottom end of it when I was winning the European Cup. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be criticising. Everyone to their own. But it'll be a different ball game now. It wasn't only negativity from O'Neill for the mastermind behind Brentford's 13 set-piece goals this season. He praised some of Andrews' work throughout the season which helped Brentford to a 10th place finish in the Premier League. The 73-year-old added: "In terms of some of the decisions he has made, I think he has done very well as the set-piece coach. A lot of credit has gone to him for the fast starts Brentford have made in games. "He is stepping into an unknown. It's all very well when you can be the friend of the players. "You can have the set-pieces, you can be the coach sitting there in the room. It's a different ball game when you're making the big decisions." The Bees' 13 set-piece goals puts them in the top five in the Premier League in that category - behind just Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and level with Arsenal. Andrews will be hoping to transfer some of his set-piece successes into a successful time in charge of Brentford, if he is to get the role.
Scottish Sun
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Legendary Peterborough chief tells Rangers why they'd love Kwame Poku – even though he DOESN'T want him to go to Ibrox
He's also spoken about his connection to Russell Martin FAN FAVOURITE Legendary Peterborough chief tells Rangers why they'd love Kwame Poku – even though he DOESN'T want him to go to Ibrox Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LEGENDARY Peterborough United chief Barry Fry reckons Kwame Poku is destined for the Premier League. He just hopes he DOESN'T go to Rangers on the way. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Kwame Poku is a player Rangers fans would love, says Barry Fry Credit: Getty 2 The Peterborough legend has been talking about his club's prized asset Credit: PA And that's not a slight on the Ibrox club, but rather that he wants the club to bag top dollar for their prized asset. SunSport revealed that Posh winger Poku (and Bournemouth full-back Max Aarons) are on the brink completing deals to move to Gers. Ghana international Poku, 23, was a standout for Peterborough last season with 12 goals and eight assists. He was named in the League One team of the year and ahead of the transfer window opening he was attracting interest from England, Scotland and the continent. Posh director of football Fry, 80, is one of Poku's biggest fans. And he's told the Rangers supporters why they'd love him too. Even if it means his team missing out on a bigger cheque. In an interview with the Daily Record, Fry said: 'Kwame's top drawer. The Rangers fans would absolutely love him if he went up to Scotland. 'He's a very, very skilful player. A very exciting player. He gets the ball and you get on the end of your seat. You expect things to happen when he is in possession. 'I think wherever he goes, he'll be a fan's favourite because he's such an exciting player. 'He scores goals too and creates them. He's a lovely lad and I've really enjoyed him being at the club. 'In truth I could have sold him on January 1. There was a dozen top clubs in the Championship, wanted him then to push forward, but he was injured. He never played until the end of March. 'He still got in the League One Team of the Year, and he missed almost half the games through injury. 'So it just shows you what an outstanding player he is at our level.' Due to FIFA rules on compensation fees between clubs for players they have developed, only a move to another English side would see Peterborough max out the money they could receive for Poku. Big-spending Birmingham City - who Poku helped tear apart in the Football League Trophy final - have been one of the teams most keen on him as they prepare for their assault on the Championship. If Poku was to move to Rangers (or abroad) then they would only be entitled to around £300,000. Gers followed a similar path when bringing Joe Aribo to Glasgow from Charlton Athletic in 2018. That's why Fry hopes he'll choose another English club. He said: 'Well, I would (want him to choose an English club), but then again, it's not up to me. It's up to his agent and what Kwame wants to do. 'I know Russell Martin very well, because we bought him from Wycombe, and we sold him to Norwich, before he helped Norwich get up to the Premier League. 'I haven't seen much of Rangers, but I know Russell likes football players. And Kwame is a very good football player. 'I've not heard from Russell. But he's got no need to ring me, in all honesty. I'd heard before that Celtic were in for him too. 'But I know Brendan very well, and I know Gavin Strachan, who used to be Darren's assistant down here. None of them phoned me about him.' Peterborough signed Poku from Colchester United in 2021 and Fry reckons he's grown into a player capable of playing in the Premier League. Asked about the chances of that happening, Fry said: 'One million percent. 'He's only 23 so I've no doubt he'll get there. 'He's a lovely boy, and he's got tremendous potential to go to the top. But wherever he goes next, he's got to play.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
