Now that our Championship season is over and we’ve had our three fantastic All-Ireland Finals weekends, we get a break from Rounders until next April 😉…we do not! And nor do we want one! The four weekends since our Mixed All-Ireland Finals have been busy and Rounders-filled and it’s time to have a look at the action that’s taken place, nationwide, in September and October.

20 September

Rounders took over Mallow GAA on Sunday 13 September for our three All-Ireland Mixed finals and Munster Rounders were back in Cork the following Sunday for their Provincial Cup. In glorious late summer sunshine, the Mixed Final was held between Naomh Pól of Waterford and Sporting Limerick. Following a closely fought game, Naomh Pól took the victory 15:14 and the title of Munster Mixed Champions for 2026 made its way to the Déise for the first time. Meanwhile, the Women’s final was won by another Waterford side, Passage, newcomers to GAA Rounders this year. A fantastic achievement for both Waterford teams in their first year of competitive Rounders action – we look forward to seeing both grow and develop as Rounders clubs.

Well done to Munster Ard Chomhairle Representative Michael Sheahan for organising such a great day of Rounders, to Michael and Hazel Hartigan for refereeing and for all the clubs who attended and players who took part. Thanks to Mallow GAA for their hospitality and for their generosity with allowing GAA Rounders to use their excellent facilities.

On the same day, Clontuskert GAA Rounders – another new club, based in Co. Galway – held a Club Open Day which ended with an Exhibition Game between their players and a side comprising players from Galway City Rapparees, Breaffy and Athenry. Showcasing all that is good about our sport, the game featured some excellent displays of Rounders skills from seasoned players and newcomers alike. Clontuskert have had a brilliant first year as part of the GAA Rounders family with teams entered in underage competitions, Go Games days hosted and a team in the upcoming Connacht Cup. We can’t wait to see how they get on in their second year in competitive action! Maith sibh!

27 September

Our InterProvincial Competition, not played since 2023, had been scheduled for March but, due to bad weather, had to be cancelled at short notice. It was postponed to 27 September and was highly anticipated and planned for. This year was to be the first time we held Men’s and Women’s InterPros and teams from all four provinces, of both genders, were training and getting ready to represent their province on a national stage. Unfortunately, bad weather once again caused a problem for us and the original venue, Athlone GAA, had to cancel at very short notice when a yellow weather warning for rain was issued. The Rounders gods were smiling down on us though and the legends that are Chris and Christy Hughes and Limekiln Rounders stepped in to save the day, offering us their pitches for the following day. Players from all seven teams (Munster Men were unable to field) stepped up and agreed to travel to the new venue – although this added to many of their journeys and we are grateful for their last minute flexibility – and we were ready to go. Our Women’s semi-finals were Connacht vs Munster, won by Connacht, followed by Leinster vs Ulster, where Leinster took the win. In the Men’s competition, the only semi-final was between Leinster and Ulster and, although close, it was Leinster who marched on to the Final against Connacht.

Our two finals were excellent displays of our game at its best with Connacht ultimately coming out on top in both matches. Our Referees for the day were Danielle Keane, Áine McLaughlin and Michael Dowling and Players of the Match for the two finals were Tommy Hoban of Connacht (Kilmeena) and Leah Mullins of Leinster (Cúchulainn).

GAA Rounders President Paula Doherty was on hand to present medals to the runners-up and winners, and plaques to the Referees. It was another fantastic day of Rounders and we extend our thanks to anyone involved

• players from all seven teams
• managers – Connacht Men – Martin Hoban, Aidan Lynskey and Stephen Cox; Connacht Women – Craig Davis, Jenna O’Brien, Gwen Redmond, Caitríona Cox & Séamus Keegan; Leinster Men – Carmel Moloney & Caroline Waters; Leinster Women – Serena Lewis & Grace Salmon; both Leinster teams – PJ Lalor & Peadar Waters; Munster Women – Michael Sheahan; Ulster Women – Shane Dolan; Ulster Men – Shane Sheridan & Darryl Dolan
• referees
• Limekiln Rounders
• GAA Rounders Ard Chomhairle members who attended on the day

3 October

Saturday 3 October dawned bright and sunny and for the 80 Rounders players who had signed up for the Clew Bay Bash it was a highly anticipated morning with a very early start for some! It had also been a very late night for some others who had ventured to Clare Island the evening before 😉 Planned and organised by Kilmeena Rounders’ Will Fahy, with Stephen Cox, Darragh McDonnell and Martin Hoban, this genius idea involved bringing Rounders players from Connacht teams, and beyond – some brave Ulster players and the Leinster-based National Secretary were also signed up! – to Clare Island. Famous as the home of legendary pirate queen Grace O’Malley, this 140 inhabitant island didn’t know what hit it when a ferry load of Rounders players descended on it on Saturday morning! With two Rounders pitches (sketchily) marked on the island’s GAA pitch (which had been more or less under water the previous day!), teams were given coloured jerseys and sent off to play Round Robin games to see who could overcome tiredness, slight hangovers and the after effects of seasickness to become the Clew Bay Bash Champions for 2026!

The very snazzy pink team, captained by Galway City Rapparees’ Pakie Killilea, were overall Champions and Cup winners while the Blue team, captained by fellow Rapparee Edel Brennan, took the shield. Male MVP was Owen Roe “Ditch” O’Reilly of Erne Eagles who took chasing the ball down to a whole new level, while Female MVP was another Rapparee, Cat Carty. I was honoured to be given my own Rounders G.O.A.T. medal which was a lovely, unexpected surprise. The return ferry left the island at 5.30pm bringing a group of tired but delighted and happy Rounders players back to Roonagh to make their way home. The organisation and planning that went into the event was phenomenal and Will and his team should be commended for their hard work. Plans are already afoot for next year’s event and the advice is…book early!

4 October

Sunday, 4 October, was the Limekiln Rounders Memorial Cup Day in honour of Amy Haverty. Another fantastic summer’s day in Limekiln with sunshine and smiles all around as three teams – Limekiln, St. Clare’s and a team made up of players from Galway City Rapparees, Na Gaeil Nua and Kevin’s Hurling & Camogie as well as some softballers-turned-Rounders-players for the day – played to see who would take home the Cup for 2026. Following three great games played with good humour and craic, and watched over by a cygnet from the park pond, the final was played between home team Limekiln and St. Clare’s. Won by one run by Limekiln, it was a fantastic day of Rounders enjoyed by all who took part. Thanks to Limekiln Rounders for organising such a great day, to all who played and took part and to Referees Niamh, Áine and Shirley.

10 October

The following Saturday it was the turn of Ulster to host their Provincial Cup and, while the weather wasn’t quite as kind as it had been the previous weekend, Cloghan in Monaghan was the destination for teams from all over Ulster and two from Connacht. In a change to previous years, the 2026 event was open to clubs from all grades and only featured a Mixed Competition. With nine teams entered and three pitches on the go, the action started at 10.30am and each team played two games over the morning league action. After lunch there were semi-finals culminating in a Cup and Shield final. The Cup final was between Erne Eagles of Cavan and Kilmore of Roscommon – the 2025 title holders – while the Shield was contested by St. Clare’s of Cavan and Slaughtneil of Derry.

The two Cavan sides came out on top in two excellent games and Players of the Match were Slaughtneil’s Mark Farran and Erne Eagles’ Justin Perrin. Referees on the day were Adam, Shirley and Emma. Thank you to Michael Dowling who came on the day to shadow Trainee Referees Matthew, David, Alex, Justin and Arleen and to Ulster Representative Arleen Ramsey who organised a very enjoyable day of Rounders.

11 October

And in our second double-header weekend of October, and Limekiln’s third Sunday in a row to host a Rounders event, Tymon Park was, once again, the place to be for a Junior Women’s End of Year Blitz. Teams from Meath – Nobber, Monaghan – Carrickmacross Emmets, Tipperary – Moneygall and Roscommon – Kilmore, arrived in Dublin 12 bright and early and action started at 12pm. With each team playing all the others in the morning we had some close and competitive games with Kilmore and Carrickmacross Emmets both making it to the final which was won by the Roscommon ladies, captained by Sameen Oates.

Special mention to Rachel and Sinéad from Carrickmacross who sustained injuries in their first game and we’d like to wish both ladies a speedy recovery. The remaining seven women on their team put in some work to play four games while down two players and are to be commended for their never say die attitude. Moneygall, in their first competitive Rounders event, were fantastic and, as each game progressed, the improvement in their play could be seen. Another side to watch for the 2027 Championship, it was a pleasure to have them involved. Nobber also played some great games with some clever batting and strong fielding – for another team only formed in early 2026, the future is exceptionally bright for these committed Meath-women. But the day belonged to Kilmore and their excellent teamwork, smart base running and brilliant fielding and batting were a pleasure to watch. For Annie and Sorcha, who had their first outings with the team on Sunday, congratulations and we hope you were both bitten by the Rounders bug and will continue to play and enjoy our game for many years to comes. Thanks again to the ever-willing-to-assist Chris and Christy Hughes of Limekiln. Chris reffed all day while Christy marked both pitches. We are very grateful for all your help over the entire year!

Looking Ahead

17 October

Saturday 17 October is the date of our third Provincial Cup of the year, the Connacht Cup, hosted this year by Liam Mellows GAA in Galway. With nine teams competing for the title of Connacht Cup winner, there will be interest from Connacht and Ulster teams with St. Clare’s and Erne Eagles making the trip from Cavan to Galway while Elphin, Kilmore, Clontuskert, Athenry, Kilmeena and two Galway City Rapparees teams will represent the home province. A review of the day will be published next week but the best of luck to all teams and players taking part.

18 October

The “getting bigger and better every year” CWL kicked off their 2026-27 season on 4 October and will hold their second Sunday of the year on 18 October in Myshall. With Women’s, Men’s, Mixed and Social Women’s categories, there will be multiple games over the day and anyone in the vicinity on Sunday will be treated to some excellent rounders!

7 November

On 7 November we swap the football boots for high heels and the jerseys for tuxedos and the Osprey Hotel in Naas will be the place to be for our GAA Rounders All Stars night. With 240 Rounders players and fans ready to party, we cannot wait for the brightest night in our calendar when 30 All Star winners will be revealed and when our prestigious Club of the Year will be announced. Tickets are limited and can be purchased at  GAA Rounders All-Stars Night 2026 – Universe

15 November

Our last big event of the year will be our AGM or Annual Congress, held this year in Breaffy Resort in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Our constitution stipulates that the AGM should move between provinces each year and 2026 is Connacht’s turn. Nominations for Ard Chomhairle positions have been received – more on that next week – and motions from clubs have been written and will be considered by the Motions Committee next week. The AGM booklet and documents will be circulated to all clubs at the end of October and we would urge all clubs to exercise their voting rights and to send two delegates to the AGM which will commence at 2pm on 15 November.

That’s some amount of Rounders excitement for the off-season and long may it continue – it’s just brilliant to see our game being extended beyond the traditional summer season and players getting to enjoy our sport into the autumn and winter months.

Best of luck to anyone playing this weekend – bainigí sult as na cluichí!