Sarsfields GAA (County Galway)


Sarsfields Galway is a GAA club consisting of the parish of Bullaun, New Inn and Woodlawn in East County Galway, Ireland. Winners of two All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship's.
The club was founded in 1966 and is almost exclusively concerned with the game of hurling. And in 2016 Sarsfields Hurling Club celebrated it's 50th year.
Sarsfields Galway were the first club to defend their All-Ireland Club Hurling title. In 1993 Sarsfields defeated opponents Kilmallock, County Limerick in their first All-Ireland club final. In 1994, Sarsfields retained their club title with a victory over Toomevara, County Tipperary.

History

Prior to 1966, two clubs St. Killians, and Bullaun existed in the parish. During 1966 a ruling known as "The Parish Rule" allowed only one club per parish, which forced the decision to amalgamate the two clubs together, thus Sarsfields Galway was in 1966.
The reason for choosing the name Sarsfields is not precisely known, however the name is linked to Patrick Sarsfield where verbal history tells that Sarsfield and his Irish Jacobite army passed through the parish while retreating from the Battle of Aughrim in 1691.
The name "Sarsfields" is almost certainly influenced by Thurles Sarsfields who were kingpins of Tipperary, Ireland hurling at that time.

Notable players

This is a list of club players that have won All-Ireland medals with the Club and/or Galway Inter-County senior hurling teams.
PlayerGalway SeniorGalway U-21Galway MinorClub
Joe Cooney1987, 1988198619831993, 1994
Michael 'Hopper' McGrath1987, 198819831993, 1994
Michael Kenney198819861994
Peter Kelly19931992-
Paraic Forde19961994-
Michael Conneely1980-
Jimmy Cooney1980-
Michael Mulkerins1980-
Mattie Conneely1978-
Joe McGrath1993-
Gerry McGrath1991-
Patrick McMahon1999-
Tommy Kenny1983-
Brendan Cooney1986-
John Cooney2019-
Alex Connaire2019-

Hurling honours