A hooker, similar to his dad, Cunningham was once at all times conscious comparisons along with his father had been inevitable.
And that was once at all times going to be tricky.
Wales and Nice Britain world Keiron was once a one-club guy, making 496 appearances in a trophy-laden profession that integrated 5 Tremendous League titles and 7 Problem Cup wins.
He then went directly to grow to be Saints head trainer, taking price of 76 video games in a two-and-a-half-year spell that led to April 2017.
“He was once some of the very best avid gamers within the membership’s historical past. There is a statue of him out of doors the stadium and sadly I simply determined to select the very same place as him,” Cunningham mentioned.
Through his personal admission, Cunningham’s profession “dropped off so much quicker” than his dad’s, and despite the fact that he stepped forward during the academy at Saints and was once promoted into the first-team squad in 2017 as a 17-year-old, the leap forward by no means got here.
After a number of mortgage spells that integrated stints with Leigh, Oldham and Rochdale, Cunningham give up the sport to “construct a profession moderately than looking to push my approach into game”.
Then got here the transfer clear of St Helens – and rugby league – to start with to Suffolk, the place he ended up taking part in rugby union for Southwold.
That transfer introduced now not just a contemporary problem however some welcome anonymity.
“One of the most in point of fact great issues that came about to me on that [first] day was once a just right few lads got here as much as me and requested if I have ever performed rugby earlier than,” he mentioned.
“The 12 months earlier than I used to be clearly in a qualified set-up so it was once in point of fact great not to be Jonah Cunningham. I used to be simply Jonah.
“Other folks simply knew me as me, moderately than my dad or that determine above me.”
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