Cooney makes history as first to captain a side to six Galway SHC titles in a row

Since then they have constantly kept refreshing their side despite the limited resources of their catchment area but success has bred success and there has been no shortage of young hurlers coming through.

WINNING CAPTAIN: St Thomas captain Conor Cooney lifts the cup after the Galway County Senior Club Hurling Championship final match. Pic: Ray Ryan/Sportsfile

The remarkable way in which St Thomas’, operating along a narrow stretch of south Galway between Loughrea and Gort with only around 200 houses, have managed to keep regenerating themselves to become the dominant force in the county in the past decade, was summed up by their inspirational captain Conor Cooney when he pointed out that lads he taught in national school were now on the squad.

The 32-year old created his own bit of history when he became the first to captain a side to six Galway SHC titles in a row as they maintained their unbeaten run in eight county finals since reaching their first one in 2012.