Cunningham commits to Galway for the 2016 season

Galway United have announced that striker Padraic Cunningham has signed a new contract to keep him at the club for the 2016 season.

18-year-old Cunningham made 25 appearances for the Tribesmen during 2015, contributing seven goals and eight assists, before his season was cut short as the result of a serious knee injury.

Cunningham is a product of local club Mervue United, from whom he joined United midway through the 2014 season.

“When I met with the club, I was delighted to get things sorted so quickly,” Cunningham said.

“I knew my injury was long-term, so it’s a relief that I can now concentrate on my rehabilitation and look to come back even stronger next year.

“I really came into the frame this season. I didn’t expect to be playing as much football as I did. It was a huge step up for me, the standard of opposition was a lot higher and I enjoyed the challenge.

“The knee injury came at a bad time. I felt I was building up momentum, but that’s football.

“I’ve been working hard with Emmett Hartigan (physio). I’m back doing light training now. I did the warm-up against St Patrick’s Athletic so I feel I’m making progress. I should be fit for pre-season and hopefully I can come back firing.”

Manager Tommy Dunne welcomed Cunningham's signing and earmarked the striker as an important player for the club's future.

“Podge is an up-and-coming player for us. He’s still got a lot of learning to do.

“He’s only 18. He’s still learning his trade, but we do think that he has a lot of capabilities and possibilities. He’s a very exciting young player. I’m hoping that when he returns that he will be even fitter and stronger next season after he goes through a thorough pre-season.

“We want to push him on even further, he’s a dynamic striker who gave some very experienced centre-halves torrid times this season.

“You can see the progression in him since he joined the club. The level of training that he is doing is paying off and he was really enjoying his football. Now he’s got to knuckle down and continue to work hard with us.

“I’ve no doubt that if he works with our staff and listens to the advice he receives, he will make a career for himself in the game. We’re very pleased to retain him for 2016.”