For centuries the potato was the staple diet of the Irish people. It was brought to the country around 1550 from the New World. The potato survived and thrived in the damp Irish climate. Unfortunately for the people of the country the dreaded potato blight was brought to Ireland by cargo ships in 1845 and the disease spread quickly with the result that one third of the crop was lost that year. Three quarters of the crop was lost the following year and this was replicated in 1847, the year of the Great Famine. This led to the deaths of thousands from starvation and disease and the destruction of the Irish economy. The economic ruin left by the famine had taken its toll and led to mass emigration, homelessness and depression. The morale of the people had been sapped and led to a decline in Gaelic culture and heritage. Michael Cusack, a Clare man with close links to Galway raised the spirit and morale of the people. He spent a number of years reorganising athletics and following a meeting of the Irish Republican Brotherhood in October 1884, Cusack was selected to launch a new movement, the Gaelic Athletic Association. A week later on November 1st 1884, Cusack together with Maurice Davin and John Wyse Power called a meeting in Hayes Hotel, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and founded the GAA. Maurice Davin was elected first President of the Association.

In 1887 Galway County was divided into baronies. Each barony had jurisdiction over a set number of clubs.The barony of Ballymoe encompassed teams from Kilcroan, Drimatemple, Ballinaheglish and Glenamaddy plus Knockmaskehill and Creggs from the Glinsk area. Each barony was entitled to a representative at the county committee. Edward O’Connor represented the Ballymoe barony. By now there was practically a team in every village. Tournaments were organised in Ballymoe, Clonberne and Kilkerrin between local teams.

In 1889, Peter Kelly from Kilnadeema near Loughrea was elected President of the GAA. On May 16th 1890, a football tournament was hosted in Ballymoe by Ballymoe Mitchells GAA club. Knockmaskehill defeated Drimatemple, Kilkerrin defeated Creggs and Lisheenaheltia were victors over Kilcroan.

On June 29th 1890 a tournament was held in Kilkerrin. Among the teams to take part were Ballymoe, Williamstown, Creggs and Ballinakill (Glinsk )

On November 7th 1890, delegates Edwards O’Connor, Edward McCormack, and James Moran attended the County Convention from the Ballymoe  Barony.

In 1891 over one thousand  people attended a football tournament in Ballymoe. The teams involved were Creggs, Williamstown, Kilcroan, Drimatemple , Four Roads and Ballintubber.

In 1900 the parish rule was introduced and the division of the county into baronies was discontinued.