Keiron Cunningham extends deal at St Helens until 2018

St Helens head coach Keiron Cunningham has extended his contract with the club until the conclusion of the 2018 campaign.

Cunningham spent his first year in the role last season, guiding the club to the Super League play-off semi-finals as well as the last four of the Challenge Cup.

The 39-year-old spent his entire playing career with St Helens and is eagerly anticipating continuing his long love affair with the club.

"I really enjoyed my first year as head coach at the club and I am looking forward to the future with this great group of players," he said.

"It is an honour to coach my hometown club and we are well positioned for success in the coming seasons."

"Keiron is a young, talented and ambitious British coach who, even at the very beginning of his career, has already won the absolute respect of his team and of all at his club," added chairman Eamonn McManus.

"In his first season he took the team to within a whisker of another Grand Final and against the background of an injury-ravaged campaign. He will continue to gain experience, as will his young side.

"No one knows the club, and its standards and its expectations, better than Keiron. The extension of his contract will bring stability to the club and enable him to implement longer-term plans and strategy in addition to seeking immediate success."