Martin Cunningham ready for European stage

Martin Cunningham steps into a whole new world next week.

The Carrick man goes to the European Masters Athletics Championships in Braga, Portugal, where he’ll compete in the 1500m and , possibly, the 3000m.

In the M40 category, Cunningham, now living in Dunkineely, will line out with the continent’s best masters athletes.

It has been a whirlwind return to athletics after over 20 years away, during which time he was better known as the Naomh Columba full-back.

Mark English returns with exciting win in 400m

English edged out fellow Olympian Marcus Lawlor at the National Indoor Arena

“I didn’t think it would lead this far,” Cunningham tells Donegal Live.

“I just went back in to keep ticking over the winter. When I got in, I didn’t want to stop and it just sort of snowballed.

“It was about three-and-a-half or four years ago, the football just finished and I was dropping the wee boys off to Tir Chonaill AC. I started doing a bit of jogging a few evenings. I ran a good enough 5k and realised I could improve a bit with some work.

“I played a bit more football that year, but then I decided to give the running a go.”

Cunningham also lined out for Dunkineely Celtic in the Donegal League as well as playing for his native Naomh Columba.

He had a ‘good enough’ career as a junior athlete, finishing second in an Irish schools final, competing in the steeplechase while representing Coláiste na Carraige.

Initially on his return to Tir Chonaill AC, he joined up with the Fit4Life group and then joined in with a middle distance gang under David Doherty’s direction.

“I found there was a bit of speed in the legs,” he says.

“If you had told me then that I’d be going to the Europeans I’d have said you were mad.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I didn’t think I’d be back to running these kind of times. I’ve always kept myself in good enough shape and been consistent with the training.

“It’s a different element training like this than with a football team. You really have to motivate yourself. I enjoy it, the training, and there’s a good buzz at the minute.”

Keith Cowan: ‘I’m a Drogheda United player and I have to put sentiment to bed’

The former Finn Harps captain returns to Finn Park on Friday night - as a Drogheda United player

In September 2020, Cunningham won the 1500m at the Irish Masters Championships in Santry. Last month, he added the indoor 1500m to his list.

“That first one was just great,” he says. “I was nervous going into that and I actually surprised myself on the last lap. I just didn’t think that I’d get to those levels.

“This season, I ran a few cross country races and then myself and David got chatting and said we’d have a look at the Europeans.”

His sons, Pauric, Niall and Evan, all compete in the Tir Chonaill vest. His own return happened more by chance than design, but now he stands poised for his biggest task yet.

He says: “This is a first for me. I know going out that there are a few guys there who have faster times than me. I’m going more for experience. I have a good block of training done and hope to show that next week.”