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He only played sporadically for the Quakers though and eventually left the North-East when then Blues boss Roddy Collins brought him to Carlisle on a free transfer in January 2003. At Brunton Park, Rundle played a bit more often and was regarded as a decent prospect for the future, although he often flattered to decieve with some of his runs down the left-wing. However, after failing to agree contract terms with the Cumbrians, Rundle was released by then United manager Paul Simpson at the end of May 2004, after making 30 starts, plus 20 as a substitute, for the Blues, Rundle bagging just three goals in the process.
Having failed to get another playing contract in England, Rundle resurrected his career in July 2004 over the Irish Sea with Eircom Premier League outfit Dublin City, where he became a team-mate of former England international Carlton Palmer. When Palmer left the Emerald Isle to be named the new manager of Mansfield Town in November 2004 he went back to Dublin City to sign Rundle for the Stags just two months later.
Rundle played regularly for Mansfield, and scored nine goals for the Nottinghamshire outfit in 49 starts at Field Mill over 16 months. However, like fans at all the clubs Rundle has played for, opinions were divided about his quality. His supporters seeing him as a brilliant player on his best days, and his critics believing he was far too inconsistent and played too many bad games in-between the occasional good performance to defend a place in the starting lineup. His contract expired with the Stags at the end of the 2005-06 season, and manager Peter Shirtliff subsequently decided not to renew the contract. Rundle then not being on the scrapheap for long though as Rochdale boss Steve Parkin looked to improve his options on the left and signed up the 21-year old, who turns 22 in eight days time, on a 12-month deal.
In other Spotland news, Rochdale have appointed Steve Dunphy as their new chairman, Dunphy replacing David Kilpatrick who resigned as chairman after 22 years in office in the post. Meanwhile, midfielder Ernie Cooksey and defender Simon Ramsden have both agreed new one-year deals ahead of their return to pre-season training at the 'Dale.