How St Thomas’ became Galway hurling’s fifth modern-day dynasty

St. Thomas manager John Burke is congratulated by Kenneth Burke after the 2012 Galway SHC final, the club's first title in this remarkable spell. Picture: Ray Ryan

St Thomas’ are the fifth club dynasty to emerge in Galway since the county made its modern-day hurling breakthrough in 1975 when they won the National League.

There had been superpowers in Galway prior to that, not least Castlegar who top the roll of honour with 17 titles but have not won since 1984, while Turloughmore won six in a row in the sixties. Ardrahan, Tynagh and Liam Mellows all had great periods but the breakthrough by the league-winning team of ’75 heralded a new era for hurling in the county.