Cunningham skippered Saints to Challenge Cup wins in 2007 and 2008

St Helens skipper Keiron Cunningham admits he "wants to be missed" after scoring the last try at Knowsley Road to help set up a Grand Final farewell.

"I wanted to leave a legacy and I think I've done that," he said after the 42-22 semi-final win over Huddersfield.

"I'm happy to go out with a bang. It's been a fantastic last few weeks."

Saints are leaving Knowsley Road after 120 years while match-winner Cunningham, 33, will retire after next Saturday's final at Old Trafford.

And Wigan will be the opposition in Cunningham's 495th and final match for the club.

The hooker, who made his debut in 1994, is in a rich vein of scoring form after tries in Saints' last three games.

He ran in a crucial late try against Castleford to earn home advantage for the qualifying semi-final win over Warrington, in which he also scored in Saints' 28-12 victory.

"I want to be missed," he added.

"I can't remember the last time I scored in three games in a row. I feel like I'm 18 again.

"It was a fitting finish for me to get that final try and it will be nice to look back on."

Cunningham's final season almost came to an early end when it was feared he had broken his jaw in the win over Crusaders in August.

But he recovered to play a crucial part as Saints' attempt to go one better in the competition after three successive final losses to Leeds.

"He seems to keep on doing it," said vice-captain Paul Wellens.

606: DEBATE His try last night was a fitting end to an outstanding career and a ground with so much RL history Will the Wigan supporter

"So many words have been said about Keiron. He's just a legend. You can never say enough about the guy."

After being voted the club's greatest ever player earlier this year, Cunningham has already been honoured with a statue in St Helens town centre, which will be moved to the club's new 18,000-seat home when it opens in 2011.

The sale of Knowsley Road is needed to fund the move and Friday's watch was delayed by 10 minutes as 13,510 fans packed in to see the venue's last competitive match.

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