Athenry Camogie Club was founded in 1973.
Gilbert McCarthy, a teacher in the Presentation school, steered the commencement of camogie in Athenry. A native of Kerry, Gilbert was training the successful Presentation College team at the time and observed firsthand the talent and skill available in the locality.
Gilbert was the first secretary of the club and retained that position for several years.
Without any shadow of a doubt in the early years of Athenry Camogie Club, Gilbert did most to put Athenry Camogie Club “on the map”, and got great assistance from Christy Kelly and Anthony Poniard.
Undoubtedly the club initial accolades were incredible and in their first 10 years, Athenry had won no less than eight Senior Galway and Connacht titles and appeared in six All-Ireland Finals. The highlight of this golden era was winning a Senior Club All-Ireland in 1977.
Three more senior county titles followed during the 80’s with two more appearances in All-Ireland club finals.
As the club saw a decline in numbers at adult level, Athenry first fielded at the juvenile level in 1992, winning the under 10 county title. Following on in 1997 with a county U14 title, the club soon became a strong competitor at underage within Galway, winning many notable honours at this level, including All-Ireland Div 1 Feile title and All-Ireland Community games titles.
Runners up in Intermediate final in 1999, Athenry went on to win the 2000 final with a fine mix of stalwart players and up and coming players. This win saw Athenry regain their senior statues for the first time in over a decade.
Returning to Senior domination in 2006, Athenry won four senior titles in a row and contested two All-Ireland club finals. The club regained Senior status for the second time in 2017, winning the Intermediate championship and contesting the Intermediate All Ireland final that year.
Today, Athenry Camogie Club continues to grow in numbers, competing successfully at all underage levels as well as fielding two adult teams.