Peake Villa AFC was founded in the quiet country district of Dualla, Co. Tipperary in 1967. It's founder members were John Walshe, Matthew Ryan, Willie Moloney and Jim McEntee, three of these people being from Boherlahan and the latter from Thurles.

The name was based on the combination of the townsland where the club was formed PEAKE, Gale, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Jerry Quigley of Cabragh, Thurles was first player to sign and play for Peake Villa and his family were great friends of Ron Saunders the Aston Villa manager at the time. Hence the combination of the two give the club its name of Peake Villa.

In 1967/68 Peake Villa played in the old Tipperary County Junior League Division 2 finishing runners up and also entered a youth team in the youth league. Just like the people of any other country district, the people of Boherlahan and its hinterland looked on this foreign game with suspicion, and in some cases with contempt. After many months of struggling with local GAA officials the founder members decided to break up for a while. It was shortly after this decision that John Walsh moved to Thurles and immediately realised the potential of the town to supply another good soccer club. Villa's first game was a youth's challenge against Ballingarry, which they won. 

The seeds of the present club had been planted, and it was after this game that John Walshe started to organise a club. It was now 1970 and two years since the break up in Boherlahan. A meeting was called and an open invitation was printed in the local press. There was a large turnout and a committee was formed. It consisted of John Walsh, Tommy Harris, Johnny O'Dwyer, Jimmy Cleary, Noel McGuigan, Joe OGrady and John Butler. The club then entered teams in the Tipperary league, Tipperary Youths League, Munster Youths and the usual FAI competitions. 

In its first year in the Tipperary League Villa were runners-up in the junior league and also runners-up in the Munster Youths Cup. The club spent a couple of years solely in the Tipperary League and a decision was then taken in 1972/73 to enter the junior team in the Kilkenny League. Villa started in the 2nd Division and for two seasons played exceptionally well but on each occasion were just one place short of promotion. It was in the season 1974/75 that Villa finally got promotion to the first division, which was greatly due to the outstanding efforts of Kieran Fogarty as Manager. 

Peake Villa is the only club to have won the Kilkenny Shield two years in succession, 1973/74 and 1974/75, and as a 2nd Division side on both occasions. Throughout the clubs existence a youth's policy has been earnestly practised and as a result of this, even in the early years, their youth achievements have been out standing. Villa reached the final of the Munster Youth's Cup for three years in succession, 1969/70 to be beaten by Janesboro (Limerick), in 1970/71 to be beaten by Johnsville of Waterford and in 1971/72 again fail at the final hurdle, this time to Wembley of Limerick. 

In the season 1973/74 Villa were beaten by 2-1 by Shelbourne in the quarterfinal of the FAI Youths Cup in Harolds Cross, Dublin. In the season 1974/75 Peake Villa youths won both the league and youths cup in the Kilkenny League and also won the Tipperary Youths League in the same season. During these years Peake Villa also staged some exhibition games in Thurles Greyhound Stadium to promote soccer in the town. Waterford United and Swansea were invited in the 1972/73 season and proved to be a huge success with local people and others from around the county supporting the venture. After a very enjoyable game Swansea emerged as 4-2 victors. The following season Villa themselves played Waterford and were unlucky not to win, again before a large turnout. 

Throughout the clubs time in the Kilkenny & District League there were many players who represented the club on both the junior and youth Oscar Traynor teams. Noelie Jordan, Tony Cleary, Kevin O Dwyer, Noel Whelton, Robert Stakelum, Joe Mullins, Martin(Birdie) Ryan, Jimmy Connors and Jim Turner were players who proudly represented Peake Villa on these teams. 

The following piece was printed in the Kilkenny & District League 50th Anniversary Yearbook launched in 1976 under the heading Kilkenny's Ambassadors: 

Martin Ryan (Peake Villa), a native of Thurles, Co. Tipperary who has played practically all of his soccer in the Kilkenny & District League. Martin (Birdie) came to prominence through his excellent displays for the Peake villa junior side at the time he was playing in the 2nd Division of the league. His strongest qualities are his all round skills and fantastic work rate. Accurate passing is a feature of his play.  

He made his debut at league representative level on the Kilkenny Youth's side last season and has held his place since. In fact, Martin is captain of this year's youth's team, who are in the last eight of the FAI Youth's inter-league cup. Martin has not gained an International Cap yet but he certainly made an impact on the Leinster selectors during a Leinster trial this season at Chapelizod in Dublin. Having been only given 45 minutes to prove his worth he was automatically selected to play for Leinster against the Republic of Ireland Youth's team the following week at Tolka Park, Dublin, and a game incidentally Leinster won. Though small in stature, Martin is very big in terms of heart and ability and must surely have a bright future ahead of him and with a player like him at Peake Villa they will surely come straight back to the dominant force they have been in the past. Martin, still a youth, is now a member of the Oscar Traynor Junior squad. 

In another section of the same publication the following statement appears: "Over the past ten years particular tribute must be paid to clubs like Ormonde Villa, Emfa, Peake Villa and Bagnelstown who have constantly kept youth sides going in the league. The one major problem at youth's (under 18) level is that junior clubs find it very difficult to finance the running of an under-age side. But surely the sooner the vast majority of junior clubs realise that "an investment in youth is an investment for the future" the sooner their own junior sides will benefit." 
 

From its very inception Peake Villa has shown a commitment to youths football and in 1988/89 Peake Villa entered its first schools underage team in the TSSDL league at u12 and won the u12-Cup that season. They were managed by Pat Kelly (native of Waterford), current vice-chairman of SFAI who was working in the Thurles TAX Office at the time. In September 2013 we established our Schoolgirls section after one of our own girls who had played with the boys was called to represent Ireland at u15. 

International Under-Age Representatives:

Ireland Boys u15 and u17 - Timmy Purcell , James O’Sullivan (Current Manager of Junior Team)

​Ireland Boys u14 Kevin Fogarty, Conor O'Brien, Michael Ryan, Brian OToole, Shane Donnelly

Munster Girls u13 Chloe Shorley

Munster Girls u13 and u15 - Marian 'Missy" Condon

Munster Girls u15 and u17​ - Jane Anne McKevitt

Ireland Girls u15 and u17 - Sarah McKevitt

History in FAI Junior Cup:

In 1987-88 lost to Keadue Rovers (Donegal) in the Last 32 - Manager: Padraig ODwyer

Squad: Mark OConnell, Paddy Ryan, John Seymour, Sean Byrne, Noel Keane, Martin (Birdie) Ryan, Danny Butler, Danny Hickey, Tony Lanigan, Padraig ODwyer, Jackie McCormack, Michael OBrien, Paddy Butler, Pat Lanigan

In 2000-01 lost to Mervue United (Galway) in the ¼ Final - Manager: Tommy Gaynor

Squad: Jim McDonnell, Alan Leahy, David Horan, Liam England, Liam Dwyer, PJ Moloney, Donal Duggan, Jonathan Connors, Ken Ryan, Barry Ryan, Eddie OBrien, Conor Walsh, Martin Darmody, Padraic Fogarty, Robert Jordan, Trevor Connors, Sam Walsh

In 2001-02 lost to Fairview Rangers (Limerick) in the Semi-Final - Manager: Tommy Gaynor

Squad: Jim McDonnell, Alan Leahy, David Horan, Liam England, Liam Dwyer, PJ Moloney, Donal Duggan, Jonathan Connors, Ken Ryan, Barry Ryan, Eddie OBrien, Conor Walsh, Martin Darmody, Padraic Fogarty, Robert Jordan, Trevor Connors, Sam Walsh​, Derek Loughnane

In 2011-12 lost to Sandyhill Celtic (Dublin) in the last 16 - Manager: Noel Byrne

Squad: Ian Barnes, Micheal Byrne, Stephen Carroll, Jonathan Coleman, Michael Coleman, Mark Cromwell, Donal Duggan, Jody Harkins, Noel Kent, John Lawlor, Alan Leahy, Graeme Loughman, Derek Loughnane, Garry Lyons, David Maher, James Maher, John McLoughlin, PJ Mooney, Ted OConnor, Jody OGrady, Jonathan Prizeman, Aaron Ryan, Michael Ryan, David Shannon, Nigel Stanley, Conor Walsh

In 2016-17 lost to Sherrif YC (Dublin) in the ¼ Final - Manager: James OSullivan, Jody Brolan, Martin Turner and Leanne Fogarty

2017-18 2nd Round  Cahir Park        0-6  Peake Villa

              3rd  Round  Clonmel Town  2-1  Peake Villa

2018-19 2nd Round   Killmanahan United  1-5  Peake Villa

              3rd Round  Peake Villa               5-0  Holycross FC

              4th Round  Moneygall                 0-7  Peake Villa

              5th Round  Peake Villa               3-0  Carrig Celtic (Limerick)

              6th Round  Greencastle (Donegal)  1-1  Peake Villa, AET 1-1, Penalties 2-4

              Last 16       Peake Villa               0-0 Westport United (Mayo), AET 0-0, Penalties 3-3, Penalty Sudden Death 2-3

2019-20 1st Round  Peake Villa 2-0 Clonmel Town

              2nd Round Peake Villa 0-2 St. Michael's

History in Munster Junior Cup:

1986-87 lost to Temple United (Cork) in Last 16

2002-03 lost 2-0 to Pike Rovers (Limeric) in Final

Squad: Jim McDonnell, Shane Fogarty, Ian Barnes, David Horan, Alan Leahy, PJ Mooney, Ted O’Connor, Donal Duggan, Paul Kirwan, Padraic Fogarty, Michael Ryan, Barry Ryan, Gavin Morrissey, Eddie O’Brien.

2012-13 1st Round   Peake Villa  1-2  Ballypatrick

2013-14 1st Round   Peake Villa  3-1  Two Mile Borris/St Kevin

              2nd Round  Peake Villa  3-1  Slieveardagh

              3rd Round   Peake Villa  5-1  Cullen-Lattin

              4th Round   Park Utd      3-2  Peake Villa

2014-15 1st Round   Peake Villa  3-1  Cullen-Lattin

              2nd Round  Peake Villa  3-1  Slieveardagh

              3rd Round   St Michael's 7-0  Peake Villa

2015-16 Preliminary Round   Peake Villa  0-1  St Michael's

2016-17 1st Round   Two Mile Borris/St Kevins  1-7  Peake Villa

              2nd Round  Peake Villa  3-2  Glengoole Utd

              3rd Round   Peake Villa  2-1  Clonmel Celtic

              4th Round   Peake Villa  1-5  St Michael's

2017-18 1st Round   Galbally             0-5  Peake Villa

              2nd Round  Peake Villa        6-0  Killmanahan United

              3rd Round   Clonmel Town   1-2  Peake Villa

              4th Round    Nenagh Celtic  1-1  Peake Villa, AET Nenagh Celtic 1-2 Peake Villa

              5th Round    Peake Villa       2-2  Thurles Town, AET Peake Villa 3-2 Thurles Town

2018-19 1st Round  Glengoole United  1-3  Peake Villa

             2nd Round  Peake Villa            2-1  Slieveardagh United

              3rd Round  Peake Villa            3-0  Lattin Cullen

              4th Round  Peake Villa             0-2  Regional United (Limerick)

2019-20 

History in FAI Youth Cup:

​1973-74 lost to Shelbourne (Dublin) in 1/4 Final

1999-2000 lost to Cork City (Cork) in Final - Manager Martin Coleman

Squad: Eoin Costello, Ted OConnor, Ian Kilroy, Shane Fogarty, Richie Ryan, Derek Breen, Donal Duggan, Shane Donnelly, Paul Breen, Derek Loughnane, Lorcan Kelly, Trevor Downey, PJ Moloney, Kevin Fogarty, Conor Walsh, Paraic Fogarty (captain), Martin Darmody, Eoin Maher, David Horan

2001-02 lost to Bohemians in Final

2017-18 1st Round Peake Villa 6-1 BT Harps

              2nd Round Cahir Park 2-1 Peake Villa

2019-20 2nd Round Southend United 9-2 Peake Villa

​History in Munster Youth Cup:

1969-70 lost to Johnsville (Waterford) in Semi-Final

1971-72 lost to Janesboro (Limerick) in Semi-Final

1972-73 lost to Janesboro (Limerick) in Final

1973-74 lost to Wembley (Limerick) in Final

1995-96 lost to Casement Celtic (Cork) in Semi-Final - Manager Willie Mulcaire

Squad: Vincent Coughlan, Derek Treacy, David Duggan, Frank Roche, Keith Phillips, John Walshe, Jason Kavanagh, Michael Butler, Emmet Maher, David Williams, Paul Egan, Padraig ODwyer, Wayne Keane, David Molumby, Ger OGrady, Ollie Geoghegan, Joe Clarke

2000-01 Won the final against Doughlas Hall (Cork) in Final

2001-02 Won the final against Doughlas Hall (Cork) in Final

2012-13 1st Round   Galbally Utd  0-1  Peake Villa

              2nd Round  Peake Villa   1-2  Two Mile Borris/St Kevins

2013-14 1st Round   Received a Bye

              2nd Round  Peake Villa  2-3  Bansha Celtic                             

2014-15 1st Round   Received a Bye

              2nd Round  Clonmel Town 1-1  Peake Villa (Clonmel 4-2 on pens)

2015-16 1st Round   Received a Bye

              2nd Round  Peake Villa  7-3  Clerihan

              3rd Round   Cahir Park   6-5  Peake Villa

2016-17 1st Round   Received a Bye

              2nd Round  Cahir Park   7-0  Peake Villa

2017-18 1st Round   Peake Villa      3-0  Cahir Park

              2nd Round  Mullinahone     2-6  Peake Villa

              3rd Round  Clonmel Celtic  5-3  Peake Villa

2018-19 1st Round   Peake Villa      4-1  Kilsheelan United

              2nd Round  Bansha Celtic  3-2  Peake Villa

2019-20 1st Round Full Time: Bohemians (Waterford) 0-0 Peake Villa Youths
                 ExtraTime: Bohemians (Waterford) 1-1 Peake Villa Youths
                 Penalties: Bohemians (Waterford) 4-5 Peake Villa Youths

History in FAI u17 Challenge Cup:

2017-18 1st Round   Received a Bye

              2nd Round  Bohemians FC (Waterford) 1-2  Peake Villa​

              3rd Round   Peake Villa 1-1 Drogheda Boys FT & AET, Villa won 4-3 on penalties

              4th Round   Peake Villa 3-2 Manulla FC (Mayo)

              5th Round   Peake Villa 3-2 Springfield Ramblers (Cork)

              6th Round   Corduff FC (Dublin) 2-0 Peake Villa - Semi-Final

2018-19 1st Round   Tramore 4-1  Peake Villa

History in T.S.D.L League:

1984-85 Division 4 Winners - promoted to Division 3

1985-86 Division 3 Winners - promoted to Division 2

1985-86 Tipperary Youth Cup beaten Finalists

1986-87 Division 2 Winners - promoted to Division 1

1986-87 Tipperary Junior Cup beaten Finalists

1986-87 Tipperary Youth Cup beaten Finalists

1997-98 Tipperary Third Division League Winners - Junior B

1997-98 Tipperary Youth Cup Winners

1999-00 Tipperary Junior Division 1 Shield Winners

1999-00 Tipperary Youth Cup Winners

1999-00 Tipperary Youth Division 1 League Winners

1999-00 Tipperary Youth Cup Winners

2000-01 Tipperary Junior Challenge Cup Winners

2000-01 Tipperary Junior Premier Division Winners

2000-01 Tipperary Youth Cup Winners

2000-01 Tipperary Youth Division 1 League Winners

2001-02 Tipperary Youth Cup Winners

2001-02 Tipperary Youth Division 1 Runners-Up

2002-03 Tipperary Youth Cup Winners

2002-03 Tipperary Youth Division 1 Winners

2005-06 Tipperary Junior Cup Runners-up

2006-07 Tipperary Junior Division 4 Shield Runners-up

2008-09 Tipperary Junior Premier Division Runners-up

2008-09 Tipperary Junior Division 4 Shield Runners-up

2009-10 Tipperary Junior Premier Division Winners

2009-10 Tipperary Junior Peter O'Reilly Cup Runners-up

2009-10 Tipperary Youth Cup Runners-up

2010-11 Tipperary Youths Division 2 League Runners-Up

2011-12 Tipperary Junior (B) Peter O'Reilly Cup Winners

2011-12 Tipperary Youth Division 2 League Runners-Up - Manager: Kevin Cummins, Coach: Shane McGuire

2011-12 Tipperary Youth Cup Division 2 Winners - Manager: Kevin Cummins, Coach: Shane McGuire

Squad: Stephen Ryan, Jack OConnell, Jonas Braum, Shane Dunne, Jack Lineen, Stephen Cahill, Sean Wade, Kevin Slattery, Kevin Dunne, Shane McCormack, Seamus Healy, Cillian Cooke, Casper Wysocki, Aidan Ryan, Sean Murphy, Brian Bourke

2012-13 Tipperary Junior Challenge Cup Winners

2012-13 Tipperary Youth Cup Winners - Manager: David McGuire, Coach: Robert Mellow

2012/13 Tipperary Youth Cup Division 2 Winners - Manager: David McGuire, Coach: Robert Mellow

2012-13 Tipperary Youth League Division 2 Winners promoted to Division 1 - Manager: David McGuire, Coach: Robert Mellow

2013-14 Tipperary Youth Cup Winners - Manager: David McGuire, Coach: Robert Mellow

2013-14 Tipperary Youth League Division 1 Winners - Manager: David McGuire, Coach: Robert Mellow

2014-15 Tipperary Junior Peter O'Reilly Cup Winners

2014-15 Tipperary Youth League Division 1 Winners

2014-15 Tipperary Youth Cup Runners-up

2016-17 Tipperary Junior B Division 3 Cup Winners - Manager: Tomasz Rykala, Coach: T.J. Quinlan

Squad: David Bannon, David Bourke, Christie Burke, Darragh Byrne, David Carroll, Greg Culley, Shane Dempsey, Damien Grimes, Andrew Halloran, Seamie Hanafin, Seamie Healy, Cormac Lanigan, David Mahonry, Jodie Mahoney, Shane McGuire, Darren McGuire, Tommy McGuire, Ronan McGuire, Kevin Quinn, Damian Walczak

2016-17 Tipperary Junior B Division 3 League Winners - promoted to Division 2

2017-18 Tipperary Junior B Division 2 League Runners-up - promoted to Division 1

2017-18 Tipperary Junior B Paddy Purtil Cup Runners-up

2018-19 Tipperary Youths Division 1 League Runners-up

2018-19 Tipperary Junior B Paddy Purtil Cup Winners

2019-20 Tipperary Junior A John Delaney Cup Winners

2019-20 Tipperary Junior A Cup Winners

2019-20 Tipperary Junior A Premier Division Runners-up

History in Kilkenny League:

1973-74 Junior Shield Cup Winners

1974-75 Junior Shield Cup Winners - Manager Ciaran Fogarty

Squad: Dan Brosnan (goalkeeper), Noel McGuigan (reserve goalkeeper), Martin Turner (right back), Christy Hewitt (sweeper), Jim Turner (right winger), Martin (Birdie) Ryan (centreforward), Joe Mullins (winger), Denis Kelly (centreforward), Noel Jordan (midfield), Tony Cleary (midfield), Patrick Moore (midfield), Willie Mulcaire (midfield), Paddy Coppinger (centrehalf), Noel Whelton (left back), Liam Ryan (defender), Kevin ODwyer (reserve centerhalf)

1974-75 Kilkenny Cup lost in Final

1974-75 Division 2 Winners - promoted to Division 1

1974-75 Winners Kilkenny Youth League - Manager

Squad: Noel McGuigan, T. Hayes, D. Bourke, Paddy Mulcaire, V. Crowe, Sean Byrne, Des OMalley, A. Callaghan, T. Saunders, Martin (Birdie) Ryan, T. Sweeney, Francis Turner

History in Tipperary County League:

1969-70 Runners-up in Division 2

1974-75 Winners Tipperary Youth League

History in SFAI National Cup

1990-91 u14 National Cup Lost to Ballyhaunis (Mayo) in Last 16

1991-92 u15 National Cup Lost to Rangers (Dublin) in 1/4 Final

2017-18 u15 National Cup Lost to St. Kevin's Boys (Dublin) in 1/4 Final

2019-20 u13 National Cup Lost to Cherry Orchard (Dublin) in Last 32

History in T.S.S.D.L League:

1988-89 Tipperary Boys Cup u12 Winners

1989-90 Tipperary Boys Cup u13 Winners, Tipperary u13 League Winners

1990-91 Tipperary Boys u14 League Winners, u14 South-East Championship Winners over Johnsville (Waterford)

1991-92 Tipperary Boys u15 League Winners, u15 South-East Championship Winners over Tramore (Waterford)

2008-09 Tipperary Boys u13 Shield Cup Winners

2008-09 Tipperary Boys u12 League and Cup Runners-up

2009-10 Tipperary Boys u13 League and Cup Winners

2010-11 Tipperary Boys u15 Cup Runners-up

2010-11 Tipperary Boys u14 League Winners

2012-13 Tipperary Boys u13 Premier League Runners-up

2012-13 Tipperary Girls u16 Cup Winners

2013-14 Tipperary Girls u16 Cup Winners

2014-15 Tipperary Boys u12 Premier League Winners

2014-15 Tipperary Girls u16 Cup Winners

2015-16 Tipperary Boys u15 Premier Cup Runners-up

2015-16 Tipperary Boys u14 Premier Cup Winners

2015-16 Tipperary Boys u13 Premier Cup Runners-up

2015-16 Tipperary Boys u12 Premier Cup Runners-up

2015-16 Tipperary Boys u13 Championship League Runners-up

2015-16 Tipperary Boys u12 Premier League Runners-up

2016-17 Tipperary Boys u16 Premier Cup Runners-up

2016-17 Tipperary Girls u16 Championship League Runners-up

2016-17 Tipperary Girls u12 Premier Cup Winners

2017-18 Tipperary Boys u15 Premier League Winners

2017-18 Tipperary Boys u14 Premier League Winners

2017-18 Tipperary Boys u14 Premier Cup Winners

2017-18 Tipperary Boys u13 Championship League Runners-up

2017-18 Tipperary Boys u12 Premier League Winners

2017-18 Tipperary Boys u12 Premier Cup Runners-up

2017-18 Tipperary Girls u18 Premier Cup Runners-up

2017-18 Tipperary Girls u16 Championship League Winners

2017-18 Tipperary Girls u16 Championship Shield Runners-up

2017-18 Tipperary Girls u12 Premier Cup Winners

2019 Tipperary Boys u16 Premier Cup Winners

2019 Tipperary Boys u16 Premier Cup Runners-up (3 Way Tie)

2019 Tipperary Boys u13 Division 1 Cup Runners-up

History in Overseas Competitions:

1999-00 Boys u15 Bradford Invitational Cup Winners

1999-00 Boys u16 Bradford Invitational Cup Winners

2011-12 Boys u17 International Keele Cup Plate Winners

2011-12 Boys u16 International Keele Cup Plate Winners