Tommy Larkin's GAA
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2020) |
| Tomás Ó Lorcáin | ||
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| Founded: | 1968 | |
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| County: | Galway | |
| Colours: | Red and black | |
| Playing kits | ||
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Tommy Larkin's Gaelic Athletic Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the Ballinakill and Woodford areas of County Galway, Ireland which competes in the Galway Senior Hurling Championship.
History
Tommy Larkin's Gaelic Athletic Club was founded in 1968 with the amalgamation of both the Woodford and Ballinakill GAA clubs.
Soon after amalgamation adult hurling flourished with the senior team winning the county title in 1971. However despite the efforts of many tireless workers the club struggled to compete in the late seventies and eighties due in the most part to emigration.
In 1990 the club was relegated to the intermediate ranks, this prompted a renewed commitment to coaching at underage level. Since the nineties the club has been one of the strongest at underage level in the county with several titles at Under 12, Under 14, and Under 16, including two Féile titles.
Name
The club is named after two local men, both named Thomas Larkin, who played separate yet significant roles in local history.
- Tom Larkin of Gurteeny, Woodford[1].
In 1886, during a week-long eviction at a premise known as Saunder's Fort in Woodford, Tom stood up to an RIC constable who was roughly treating a young girl and struck him. Tom was subsequently arrested and imprisoned in the overcrowded Kilkenny Gaol where he died of reported neglect in 1887 aged 23[2].
- Fr. Tom Larkin of Ballinakill.
Thought of locally as one of the most devoted lovers of all that was Irish: games, music and dancing. He fostered hurling in Ballinakill and in all East Galway when he was Chairman. Fr. Larkin played a leading part in G.A.A affairs in Co. Galway in the 1920’s and 1930’s and it was he who coached the great Tynagh teams which won ten Co. Galway senior championships and supplied the backbone of the Galway team which won the All-Ireland of 1923. He was also the founder of the Ballinakill Céilí Band. He died in 1949 aged 58.[3]
Crest
The clubs current crest was designed by Albert Daniels, Drimkeary in 2004[4]. The design was based on an original crest which dated back to the sixties. The only evidence remaining of the crest came from a tattered membership booklet making it impossible to fully replicate. However Albert stayed as close as he could to the original design and detail. What results is an embodiment of his great talent in both art and design.
Embedded in the crest are the letters T and L which appear in Celtic monogram lettering. The T and L represent the club name.
At the top of the letter T lies a hand and crucifix which represents one of the two patron heroes, Fr. Tom Larkin of Ballinakill.
Placed at the top of the L is a pike head which represents the other patron hero Tom Larkin of Gurteeny.
Also present in the crest are a hurl, sliotar, and a Gaelic football representing the Gaelic Games.
Achievements
- Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship (1): 1971
- Galway Senior Club Hurling Championship (1): 1971
- Connacht Intermediate Club Hurling Championship Winners 2005, 2007
Notable people
- Sean Fahy
- Jason Flynn
- Cyril Farrell
- Shane Donoghue
External links
References
- ^ "Galway Graveyards :: Grave Details". gccapps.galwaycoco.ie. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ Malone, Michael (22 November 2018). "Tommy Larkins GAA club publishes 50th anniversary book". Galway Daily. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ Molone, Michael (22 November 2018). "Tommy Larkins GAA club publishes 50th anniversary book". Galway Daily.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Tommy Larkin's Club History". tommylarkins.gaa.ie/. Tommy Larkin's GAA. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
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