Lost and found - Cul Camps
Tops left behind after Cul Camps in Carnaun and Kenny Park . Please contact 087 781 2244 to collect asap. Tops not collected by Saturday next will be donated to charity.

It was with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that members and friends of St. Mary’s GAA Club Athenry learned of the passing of our Club President Tom Cloonan on Tuesday evening.

Tom was a towering figure within our Club for many years and indeed also in the wider

GAA community in County Galway. 

He represented the county at Minor, Under 21, Intermediate and Senior levels. He was the holder of two Fitzgibbon Cup medals won during his 3rd level college days with U.C.G. in 1970 and 1977 and a Connacht Colleges senior medal with St. Mary’s College in 1964. 

On the administrative front Tom cut his teeth as secretary of the Cumann na Bunscoil over many years and later as  Galway Juvenile County Board Chairman.

But it was with his beloved St. Mary’s that Toms’ selfless dedication and unwavering

commitment shone like a beacon for all to see. Not alone on the field of play, where he was a pivotal figure in leading the Club to its first Senior County Senior Hurling Final in 1977 but also off the field where in his role as Principal of Athenry Boy’s National School.  Tom recognised the importance of structured coaching and organised games for players at all levels and set about implementing strategies to promote and encourage the game of hurling starting at Primary school level. 

This approach would eventually culminate in St. Mary’s Club reaching the summit both at County and National hurling level, winning numerous championships in Galway and the All-Ireland Club Tommy Moore Cup on three glorious occasions at Croke Park. 

It was with great pride that Tom saw his three sons Eugene, Diarmaid and Cormac pull on the maroon and white of Athenry and play in many Juvenile and Senior County Finals over the years. Indeed many of the players on these teams will have abiding memories of the contribution made by Tom and his partner Sean McGovern to their careers while they were coaching them, driving them to games and above all encouraging them to be the best that they could be.

Off the field of play Tom and wife Ann served as officers of the club at many levels and Tom as Club Chairman for twelve consecutive years while the club strove to establish itself on the county and national stages. 

Indeed right up to his passing the Club was privileged to have Tom as our President.

We have lost a legend in our Club but we have also been privileged to call Tom a teammate, a fellow clubman but above all a friend.

Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. Ni bhfeicimid a leithead ann aris.

To his wife Ann, children Mary, Eugene, Diarmuid, Cormac, his sister Mary, brothers Jim,

Jarlath, Stevie and Gabriel and the extended Cloonan and Canavan families

we extend our deepest sympathies.

May Toms’ kind and generous soul Rest in Peace.

Athenry Under 13's edge out Monivea/Abbey in thriller despite tough conditions
Athenry produced a stirring second-half comeback to claim the Under 13 3A Football Shield Final, edging past Monivea in extremely challenging conditions. Played in persistent rain and wind, Monivea made the most of the elements in the first half. With the wind at their backs, the home side struck two well-taken goals and added three points to take a commanding more. Read More