St Thomas' GAA

History

The club was formed in 1968 when Peterswell and Kilchreest amalgamated. Peterswell had enjoyed early success in the late 1800s and early 1900 with them winning the Galway Senior Hurling Championship title in 1889, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1904, 1905 and 1907. They were a major force in Galway GAA throughout this period. The club name derives from Thomas the Apostle, to whom the Catholic church in Peterswell is dedicated.

Both adjoining parishes were associated with hurling since its foundation but due to emigration and lack of numbers the parishes decided to amalgamate.

The first year in competitive hurling was a successful one. The under-14 team brought the club its first success by winning the county title. The team would follow this up by winning the county under-16 title in 1970.

Construction began on their current clubhouse which is located on the main Gort to Loughrea Road in 1976. That along with a brand new pitch were finally officially opened in 1983 by Paddy Buggy, President of the GAA.

In 1978 another milestone was reached when the club was promoted to senior ranks after reaching the county intermediate final, however they were defeated by close neighbours Kilbeacanty.

Following the promotion to senior ranks the club endured a chequered existence in senior hurling. Having been relegated on a number of occasions they secured promotion with Intermediate Championship victories in 1996 and 2004.

They were crowned Galway Senior Champions for the first time in 2012 by defeating Loughrea in the final on a scoreline of 3–11 to 2–11 in Pearse Stadium. They followed this up by taking the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship by defeating Kilcormac-Killoughy on St Patrick's Day. In 2016, the secured a second Galway Senior Hurling Championship by beating Gort in the final on a scoreline of 1–11 0–10.

2013 All Ireland victory

Path to county final

In the quarter-finals St Thomas' were 2–20 to 0–10 winners over Galway club Castlegar. Centre-forward Conor Cooney lead the way scoring 1–6 (6fs). In the semi-final St Thomas' met county champions Gort. St Thomas' led at half time however Gort rallied, scoring two late points to secure a replay. Gort's Aidan Harte scored the equalising point from a 65 in the third minute of additional time. They overcame Gort in the replay in Kenny Park Athenry. St Thomas' won their first senior county title in November 2012 defeating Loughrea in the final.

Semi-final

They faced Antrim side and Ulster Champions Loughgiel Shamrocks in the All Ireland semi-final in Parnell Park. St. Thomas' were leading by four points in injury time. However, Liam Watson tipped over a twenty-metre free and scored a goal from a free in the last puck of the dramatic game to secure a draw for Loughgiel. St Thomas' were victorious in the replay played in Clones, winning on a scoreline of 0–15 to 0–7.

All-Ireland final

St Thomas' won their first All-Ireland Club Championship title on 17 March 2013 after defeating Kilcormac-Killoughey of Offaly on a scoreline of 1–11 to 1–09.

2024 All Ireland victory

Semi-final

On 16 December 2023, the club reached a second All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship final after defeating Ballygunner on penalties in the semi-final.

All-Ireland final

On 21 January 2024, St Thomas' won the final by 0-18 to 0-17 against O'Loughlin Gaels in Croke Park to win their second All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship title. Éanna Burke scored the winning point for St. Thomas' in added time with an over the shoulder point from out on the left near the touchline at the hill 16 end. James Regan had been sent-off for St. Thomas' two minutes into the second half for a shoulder charge. O'Loughlin Gaels appeared to have scored a goal in the first half when a low shot from Owen Wall looked to have gone over the goal-line before being cleared by Fintan Burke.

Hurling titles

• All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship (2): 2013, 2024
• Galway Senior Hurling Championship (8): 2012, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• Galway Intermediate Hurling Championship (1): 2004
• Galway Junior Hurling Championship (1): 1972
• Galway Under-21 Hurling Championship (3): 1980, 1995, 2013
• Galway Minor Hurling Championship (1): 2008

Notable hurlers

• Anthony Cunningham
• David Burke
• Kenneth Burke
• Conor Cooney
• James Regan
• Richie Murray
• Éanna Burke

References

References

1. (17 March 2013). "St Thomas claim their first ever All-Ireland title against 13-man Kilcormac-Killoughey". [[Irish Independent]].
2. (17 January 2024). "Fintan Burke on Thomas' run to final - 'You'd head snippets of podcasts writing us off'". RTE Sport.
3. "Saint Thomas's Catholic Church, GARDENBLAKE, Peterswell, GALWAY".
4. "Ardrahan, Kilchreest, & Peterswell | Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh & Kilfenora".
5. Silke, Ray. "St Thomas tipped to oust champions in hurling semi-final". [[Galway Advertiser]].
6. Rooney, Declan. "St Thomas let Gort off the hook". [[Galway Independent]].
7. "St Thomas end Gort's reign". [[The Irish Times]].
8. Stephen, Glennon. (14 March 2013). "Glory beckons for Galway champs". Lifestyle & Tribune Sport [[Connacht Tribune]].
9. "St Thomas' and Loughghiel must meet again". [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]].
10. "St Thomas through to hurling decider". GAA website.
11. (17 March 2013). "St Thomas' 1–11 Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-09". RTÉ Sport.
12. (17 March 2013). "All-Ireland Club SHC final: St Thomas' make history". Hogan Stand.
13. (17 March 2013). "St Thomas' crowned All-Ireland Club Hurling Champions". GAA.ie.
14. (16 December 2023). "St Thomas reach All-Ireland final after dramatic Ballygunner shoot-out win". RTE Sport.
15. (16 December 2023). "Ballygunner pay penalty as St Thomas' upset the odds to reach All-Ireland club SHC final". Irish Independent.
16. (21 January 2024). "14-man St Thomas' snatch dramatic All-Ireland club glory". RTE Sport.
17. (21 January 2024). "St Thomas v O'Loughlin Gaels final score and highlights". Galwaybeo.ie.
18. (21 January 2024). "Club final recap: St Thomas' 0-18 O'Loughlin Gaels 0-17". RTE Sport.
19. (21 January 2024). "AIB ALL-IRELAND CLUB SHC FINAL: ST. THOMAS' WIN THRILLER". GAA.ie.
20. (21 January 2024). "Eanna Burke produces last-gasp moment of magic to seal stunning All-Ireland win for St Thomas'". Irish Independent.
21. (21 January 2024). "Éanna Burke's magical point captures All-Ireland club title for 14-man St Thomas'". Irish Examiner.
22. (17 October 2016). "St Thomas' targeting more glory". Irish Examiner.
23. (18 November 2018). "Burke stars as Thomas' mark 50th anniversary with Galway title glory". Irish Independent.
24. (10 November 2019). "Burke clan are key as St Thomas retain Galway hurling crown against Liam Mellows". The 42.
25. (4 October 2020). "Galway SHC: Conor Cooney inspires St Thomas' to third title". Irish Examiner.
26. (27 November 2022). "St Thomas' claim fifth Galway title in a row with win over Loughrea". Irish Examiner.
27. (29 October 2023). "Six-in-a-row for St Thomas'". GAA.ie.