GAA Rounders Féile 2026: A Day of Outstanding Rounders in Laois

 

GAA Rounders was once again proud to be part of Féile na nGael, with Laois hosting a fantastic day of action, skill, sportsmanship and drama across the Girls, Mixed and Boys competitions.

 

Under blazing sunshine and blue skies, teams from across the country delivered a showcase of what GAA Rounders has to offer, with thrilling games and moments that will live long in the memory.

 

Girls Competition: Athenry Claim Féile Glory

 

The Girls competition culminated in a hard-fought final between The Heath of Laois and Athenry of Galway.

 

In a best-of-three format, with each match consisting of four innings, both teams battled through the heat to produce a fitting final. The quality of play, determination and composure on show was a credit to both sides.

 

After a tightly contested series, it was Athenry who emerged victorious to claim the Féile title.

Mixed Competition: Drama Until the Final Out

 

The Mixed competition provided twists and turns from the very beginning.

 

Erne Eagles of Cavan, Glynn Barntown of Wexford and Elphin of Roscommon all finished the group stage tied on points. With head-to-head results unable to separate the teams, qualification came down to average runs conceded, with Glynn Barntown missing out on a place in the final by the narrowest of margins.

 

The final raised the bar even further on what had already been a tournament full of high-quality Rounders.

 

A special mention must go to both pitchers, who were asked to pitch from the distance most adult women are required to pitch from and performed brilliantly, helping create a contest where every run had to be earned.

 

The game ebbed and flowed, with just one run separating the teams heading into the final innings.

 

Erne Eagles showed remarkable composure, scoring five runs when down to their final out and seven in total, setting Elphin a target of six to force extra innings, or seven to claim the title.

 

Elphin responded with patience and skill at the plate, getting runners on base and creating scoring opportunities. However, every score came at a cost, with excellent catches in centre outfield and a rocket throw to first base keeping the pressure on.

 

As Elphin closed in, the Erne Eagles pitcher held her nerve, drawing a third ball foul for the final out at exactly the right moment and securing the Féile title for Cavan.

Boys Competition: New Champions Crowned

 

The Boys competition had plenty to capture the imagination.

 

Michael Glaveys of Roscommon and defending champions Emo of Laois entered as early favourites, joined by last year’s Under 14 runners-up Na Fianna of Dublin, Rounders stalwarts The Heath of Laois, and newcomers St Fintans/Our Lady’s Island of Wexford.

 

The group stages were played at a blistering pace in the heat, with results not always following the form book.

 

St Fintans quickly announced themselves as a team to watch, combining explosive batting, aggressive base running and impressive pitching and fielding to record four wins.

 

The Heath continued to show the strength of their Rounders tradition, defeating Na Fianna and pushing every opponent to the limit, giving a glimpse of what is to come from their return to the game.

 

Na Fianna battled bravely throughout, but an injury to their regular pitcher in their third game made their challenge even more difficult.

 

The group stage’s defining fixture saw Emo and Michael Glaveys meet in what became a semi-final showdown for a place in the Féile final.

 

In a “blink and you’d miss it” contest, Emo secured a 4-2 victory in a game dominated by exceptional fielding from both sides.

 

Shield Final: The Heath Add Another Honour

 

The Shield Final saw Michael Glaveys face The Heath, and both teams produced a feast of Rounders.

 

Two home runs from Adam Bailey of Michael Glaveys were among the highlights, but The Heath’s consistency proved decisive as they secured the Féile Shield title and added another honour to the club’s already impressive GAA Rounders roll of honour.

Cup Final: St Fintans Make History

 

The Cup Final between Emo and St Fintans/Our Lady’s Island delivered another high-quality contest, with pressure moments, home runs and excellent pitching on display.

 

The Wexford side managed to find more gaps in the Laois defence and set Emo a target of seven runs in the final innings.

 

Scoring against St Fintans had proven difficult for every team throughout the afternoon, with precision bowling and an outfield that seemed capable of picking the ball out of the sky.

 

In the end, seven runs was enough of a cushion, as St Fintans/Our Lady’s Island completed a remarkable Féile journey, claiming the title in their first year playing Rounders.

A Celebration of Rounders

 

GAA Rounders would like to extend its thanks to the National Féile Committee, Laois GAA and everyone who contributed to making this year’s participation in Féile na nGael possible.

 

The day showcased everything that makes GAA Rounders special — skill, inclusion, competition, friendship and outstanding sportsmanship.

 

GAA Rounders is proud to be part of an event that celebrates participation and provides a stage for young players from across the country to experience the joy of the game.