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{{Infobox GAA club|
club gaa = Tuam Stars|
irish = Réalta Thuama|
crest = |
founded = 1891|
province= Connacht|
county = Galway|
nickname = The Stars|
colours = Red and White|
grounds = Tuam Stadium & Tuam Star Grounds|
|}}
'''Tuam Stars''' ([[Irish language|Irish]]: '''Réalta Thuama''') is a [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] club based in the [[Tuam]] / area in [[County Galway]], [[Republic Of Ireland]]. The club is a member of the [[Galway GAA]]. Underage teams up to U-16's play in the [[Galway GAA|Galway]] league and championships. Tuam Stars are a [[Gaelic Football]] club and are the most succesful club in Galway Football's history
===Early History===
Several titles were won by Tuam Stars in the early days of their history & a number of other Clubs reigned in the Town in those days-Tuam Krugers being the most noteworthy. Tuam contributed several players to the County team from their early days to the mid 19th Century, most notably Jimmy O'Rourke, Martin Mannion, Tom Sloyan,Mick Stewart, Bill Birrell & Paddy Walsh. Championship success was scant enough during the 30's but Senior success came again in 1942, 1943 & 1947 with a Minor success in 1945 which included the young "TERRIBLE TWINS" - [[Sean Purcell]] & Frank Stockwell.
===Dominant Force===
The 50's were possibly the greatest & most successful in the history of Tuam Stars. Having won the Minor title in 1950 and 1951, the Seniors hit the top in 1952,lost in '53 but were back again in 1954 to go on to a record "7 in a row. This record sequence was the perfect evidence that the Terrible Twins were wreaking havoc amongst the ranks of Galway football. Purcell and Stockwell along with other Tuam players Jack Mangan, S.Colleran and C.Kelly would go on to win the 1956 All Ireland Football Championship for Galway, defeating Cork 2-13 to 3-7. Chairman of the Club during the 40's Joe Mooney, was instrumental with Jim Nohilly, local Adm. Fr.Killeen and local traders in setting up the Development of Tuam Stadium, which was opened in 1957. Up to that Tuam Stars headquarters were at Parkmore on the Dublin Road, which the Club now uses as a training ground & plays some of its games.
===60's & 70's===
Tuam lost again in '61 but were back again to win the Championship in 1962. As Senior Honours dried up, Juvenile/Minor Victories in 70,71,73 78 & 79 and Under-21 triumphs in 72 & 75 maintained the flow of silverware heading to Tuam. In 1971 Tuam had the honour of two Stars being selected on the first "ALL Star" team -Goalie P.J. Smyth & Right Full Back Johnny Carey of Mayo & Connacht fame. P.J.'s brother, Declan was to Star for Club & County in later years & has just finished a term as Louth Team Mgr.
===The 1980's===
While great efforts were made in the 70's by men like Pakie Walsh, Michael O'Neill, Brendan Doherty, Fr. Concannon, Neil O'Dea & the late Martin Dunleavy, Senior Honours escaped Tuam from '62 to '84. 1984 was our breakthrough year and the excitement in Tuam Stadium was overwhelming as the Cup was raised & Tuam Stars were once again County Champions. The young stock of the 70's had come through to join up with Joe Kelly, Oxy Moran, Declan Dunne & the evergreen Pat O'Neill, a member of Galways 1983 All-Ireland final team who lost to Dublin, to beat a fancied Dunmore McHales side.While the "terrible twins" had been on the '62 team, their sons were now on the '84 winning team - John Purcell & Francis Stockwell. The team was Captained by John Tobin & included Aonghus Murphy who was later killed in the Lebanon while serving with the United Nations peace keeping force. Supported by the Juveniles of the 70's, the Stars went on to be well represented on Galway County Teams during the 80's and went on to capture 2 further Senior titles in 88 & 89
===1990's - The Glory Of 94 ===
The Connacht Title eluded all our senior winning Teams & '94 saw a determination creep into the Stars. The panel was boosted the return of Paud O'Dea & Cathal McGinn,who was the captain, from America coupled with the unexpected resumption of football by Jimmy O'Dea after injury.Linking up with their Under 21 mates & blending in with the new bunch made the Stars determined not to settle for just a County title this time around. After winning the County title in style, they travelled to Aughawillan & beat the Leitrim Champions in their own back yard, coming from 5 points behind at half time. With the Connacht title secured, the Stars set their sights on an All-Ireland Title. However the Derry Champions, Bellaghy put paid to Tuam's hopes in the All-Ireland Semi Final. The success saw the rise of [[Ja Fallon]] whose displays in '98, especially in the second half of the All-Ireland final, should rank him as one of the greatest footballers ever to come out of Galway. Despite the success of that memorable year in 94, Tuam have not secured another County title since with the closest being the 1995 final defeat to Corofin
===2000 and onwards===
The year 2000 saw the Stars Juvenile (under 16) team capture the double, League and Championship, a team undefeated in over 3 years. Tuam Stars were awarded the Juvenile Club of the Year 2000 with the chairman getting the Pa Burke award for the man who did most for football in Co. Galway. The day before the 2001 All-Ireland Final in which Fallon and Galway triumphed, All Ireland success came to Tuam Stars when they captured the Kilmacud All-Ireland Seven A Side competition for the first time. Kevin Reidy managed the team to a great victory. The team played seven games in all winning every one in style, defeating Castleblaney Faughs in the Final in a thrilling game. Tony Costello captained the team. Goalkeeper Michael Ryan was also honoured as the player of the tournament and it was well deserved. These triumphs were firsts for Tuam in the new era, with many more to follow, they hope.
====Honours====
*'''[[Galway Senior Club Football Championship]]s: 25'''
**1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1994
*'''County Senior Football Leagues: 14'''
**1952, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1964, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980
*'''Galway Minor Football Club Championships: 11'''
**1945,1950,1957, 1970,1971, 1972,1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983
*''' U-21 County Championship: 7'''
**1972, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1994, 2003
*'''County Junior Football Championships: 15'''
**1907, 1911,1915, 1916, 1930, 1932, 1933, 1984, 2004
*'''North Board Junior Championship Finals: 8'''
**1915, 1916, 1930, 1932, 1933, 1984,2000, 2004
*'''Kilmacud All-Ireland 7 A Side: 1'''
**2001
===External Links===
<!-- ATTENTION! Please do not add links without discussion and consensus on the talk page. Undiscussed links will be removed. -->
{{commonscat|Tuam Stars}}
* [http://www.tuamstars.com/]
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