Emo Crowned Kings and Queens of Underage Rounders with 10 All-Ireland Titles in 2025

Emo Rounders have completed a truly remarkable year, sweeping the boards to win 10 All-Ireland underage titles across boys, girls, and mixed competitions in 2025. From windswept Féile weekends to scorching finals days, the Laois club has set a new benchmark for youth development in Irish Rounders.

The Roll of Honour

U13 Boys Féile – Roscommon, 31st May (June Bank Holiday Weekend)
U14 Boys – Monaghan, 17th May
U14 Girls – Monaghan, 17th May
U15 Boys (Féile) – National Féile, Ferns, Co. Wexford, 22nd June
U15 Girls (Féile) – National Féile, Ferns, Co. Wexford, 22nd June
U16 Boys – Emo, 5th July
U16 Girls – Emo, 5th July
U16 Mixed – Roscommon, 13th September
Minor Men – Carlow, 28th September
Minor Mixed – Carlow, 28th September

A Year on the Road (and at Home)

The journey began in Monaghan on 17th May, a blistering hot day that saw Emo’s U14 boys and girls deliver commanding performances to secure an early double. Just two weeks later, the focus turned to Roscommon for the U13 Boys Féile, where Emo showed grit and resilience in challenging conditions.

In June, attention shifted to the National Féile in Wexford. Competing against the best young teams from across the country, Emo’s U15 boys and girls both triumphed in Ferns on 22nd June, proving the strength in depth across the club.

July marked a landmark moment as Emo played host to the U16 boys and girls competitions. The club’s facilities were filled with colour, energy, and excitement — and their teams delivered again, lifting both titles on home soil in front of a proud local crowd.

September brought high-stakes drama. On the 13th, the U16 Mixed side edged past Erne Eagles in a heart-stopping final in Roscommon. Just two weeks later, the club sealed its 9th and 10th crowns with a stunning double victory over long-time rivals St. Martins of Wexford in Carlow — first in Minor Men, then in Minor Mixed after a thrilling finale.

Michael Slevin & the Power of Teamwork

This unprecedented run of success would not have been possible without the incredible work of Michael Slevin. His years of dedication to underage development have laid the foundations for Emo’s golden generation. But just as importantly, Michael hasn’t done it alone.

He has brought together a brilliant group of fellow coaches and volunteers — all of whom give their time based on their own children’s age groups. Rather than siloed teams, Emo’s coaching setup is a shared, collective effort, built on community, commitment, and care. That unity is visible in how the players perform, support one another, and carry themselves on and off the pitch.

“When you add them all up, 10 titles is beyond our wildest expectations. But the best part is not what we’ve done this year, but what we are doing for our future. There’s around six or seven players eligible to play adult next year – maybe I’ll get to hang up my boots soon and watch some top-class rounders.”
— Michael Slevin, Emo Rounders

Setting the Standard for Youth Development

What Emo have achieved in 2025 is nothing short of historic. But more importantly, they have built a system that works — not just for winning, but for developing young people, growing the game, and strengthening their club from the ground up.

With ten titles in the bag, a united coaching team, and a stream of young players ready to step up to adult level, Emo Rounders are not just enjoying the moment — they’re building a legacy.

Emo’s Golden Generation: The Michael Slevin Effect Driving Rounders Glory

There’s something very special happening in Emo right now. Across all underage grades, the club is dominating the national Rounders scene — and at the heart of it all is one man: Michael Slevin.

Emo’s first All-Ireland success — U13 Girls in 2016. Four of these players now line out at adult level.

The numbers speak for themselves. Seven All-Ireland titles already secured in 2025 — including U14, U15 and U16 Girls, U13 Féile Boys, and U14, U15 and U16 Boys — with four more still up for grabs in the Minor grades and U16 Mixed. It’s a staggering haul that no other club in the country can match.

But this success hasn’t happened by accident. It’s the result of years of dedication, structure, and relentless work, much of it driven by Slevin. From chilly spring evenings to long summer sessions, he’s been the consistent force behind the scenes — coaching, guiding, and leading by example.

Leinster U14 GAA Rounder’s Champions Emo

A big part of Emo’s strength lies in the coaching team Michael has built around him. JP Tynan, Claire Suda, and Niamh Horgan are all central to the underage coaching effort, while Eva Lawlor has also played a big role in previous seasons. It’s not a case of separate coaches for separate teams — instead, it’s a collective effort, with parents and volunteers stepping in depending on their own kids’ ages. That shared responsibility, camaraderie, and teamwork among coaches has been vital. It creates consistency across all age groups and a strong community bond that shines through on the pitch.

“Also one of the main reasons for our underage success is the kids’ willingness to listen and learn,” Michael says.
“They take instruction on board and are a joy to coach. They’ve travelled all around the country playing Rounders and always play with a steely determination — but they also accept that they can lose matches too.”

Slevin is also quick to recognise the work done off the pitch.

“Our parents must be thanked for sacrificing many weekends to travel to matches,” he adds.
“Without that support, none of this would be possible.”

On the field, Slevin’s influence is clear. He’s helped create an environment where young players learn, improve, and enjoy the game. The results are obvious: disciplined fielding, clever batting, quick decision-making — and an unshakeable sense of togetherness.

Looking ahead, the club’s ambitions are crystal clear.

“Our main goal is to bring through as many underage players as possible into the adult ranks,” says Slevin.
“We’ve six or seven youngsters eligible for adult next year, with similar numbers in the years ahead.
The hope is they’ll take ownership of the club, drive it forward, and eventually send old dinosaurs like myself out to pasture —
or at least onto the sidelines, happily cheering them on.”

With four more All-Irelands still to play for, this could yet be a once-in-a-lifetime season for Emo. But win or lose from here, one thing is certain: Michael Slevin’s vision, drive, and ability to bring people with him has built something truly special in Emo — and the best may still be yet to come.

All-Ireland U16 Rounders: Emo Dominate as Girls and Boys Teams Claim Glory

🏆 All-Ireland U16 Rounders: Emo Dominate as Girls and Boys Teams Claim Glory

It was a golden day for Emo GAA Rounders as both their Girls and Boys teams claimed All-Ireland Under 16 titles, underlining the club’s incredible strength at underage level.

👱‍♀️ U16 Girls: Emo Continue Their Streak

In the girls competition, Emo continued their remarkable run of form with yet another title, adding the U16 crown to their earlier victories at U14 and U15 level, as well as the Leinster U14 Girls title. The Laois side looked sharp throughout the day, topping the Round Robin and delivering a composed, clinical display in the final.

But it was the Erne Eagles who created the biggest shock of the day. After a shaky group stage, where they struggled for form, the Cavan side rallied brilliantly in the semi-final to defeat a strong and well-organised Athenry outfit. It was a game that swung in the closing innings, with the Eagles showing grit and determination to turn things around when it mattered most.

A standout performer was Megan Harrington, who impressed while playing out of position at first base. Her smart defensive work and calm presence under pressure earned her the Player of the Tournament award — a fitting reward for a pivotal role in her team’s surprise run to the final.

Despite their momentum, the Erne Eagles couldn’t find a way past Emo in the final, as the champions showed their full range of quality to secure yet another All-Ireland title.

👦 U16 Boys: Emo Seal the Double

In the boys competition, Emo made it a day to remember for the club. They faced a determined Na Fianna side from Dublin, who pushed them all the way with some excellent outfield catches and impressive hitting. Na Fianna showed flashes of brilliance and never made it easy — but Emo’s all-round strength told in the end. Over the course of two well-contested matches, the Laois side proved too strong and took the spoils.

With both U16 titles secured, Emo’s golden generation continues to blaze a trail through underage Rounders — a club on a historic roll, and showing no signs of slowing down.