London Irish Player diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease

09 July 2002. In a statement issued yesterday London Irish have confirmed that Jarrod Cunningham has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

The 33-year-old former New Zealand Maori and Auckland Blue joined London Irish in July 1998 after a successful career playing rugby in his native New Zealand.

Cunningham has played 82 games for London Irish since he joined the club in July 1998 and has accumulated a scoring tally of 18 tries and 848 points.

Such is his impressive scoring ability; he was the leading point’s scorer in the Premiership in 1999/2000 with 324 points. Jarrod played both in the out-half and full back position.

In a statement issued London Irish have pledged their support to Jarrod at what is a most difficult time for him and his family. The club’s Director of Rugby, Conor O’Shea, said “All of us who played and worked with Jarrod are shocked at the news. That he competed in the Premiership with this illness less than twelve months ago shows what an outstanding rugby player he was”.