Tag Archive for: All-Ireland

GAA Rounders – Meet the Referees – Men’s All-Ireland Finals

With our three Women’s Finals Referees revealed on Tuesday, today focus turns to Kilcormac, Co. Offaly where our Men’s Finals will take place on Sunday 6 September. With matches at 11am, 1pm and 3.30pm, this will be an action-packed day of Rounders in the midlands.

Junior Men

Our Junior Men’s final is a south Leinster clash between Wexford’s Gusserane and Carlow’s Myshall and will be refereed by Mayo man and Breaffy stalwart Mark Jennings.

Mark Jennings

After taking a break from refereeing in 2025, Mark has taken back up his Ref Book this year and covered games in Connacht and Limerick. No stranger to All-Ireland Finals -with two wins in Mixed Finals over the past two years – Mark will take on refereeing his first All-Ireland final this year.

Fun Fact: Mark is the creative talent behind our GAA Rounders branded batting, pitching and base mats. Thanks to Mark and his stencil and spray paint can, Rounders mats have never looked so uniform and fancy!

Intermediate Men

In the clash of the Saints, our Intermediate Men’s final is between Cavan’s St. Clare’s and Limerick’s St. Senan’s and the man in charge of this decider will be The Heath’s Philip Keane.

Philip Keane

One of our most experienced and Senior Referees, Philip has taken charge of numerous finals at all grades and competitions. Not playing this year, but training underage players in his Laois club, Philip has travelled all over this season to referee Rounders games.

Fun Fact: Currently Chairperson of GAA Rounders Hearings Committee, Philip knows our Rule Book better than most, so any teams hoping to get away with breaking a rule or sneaking through on a technicality might want to think twice 😉

Senior Men

A rematch of the 2025 All-Ireland Senior Men’s Final between Carrickmacross Emmets and Erne Eagles, this senior game deserves a Senior Referee and will get one in the form of Danielle Keane.

Danielle Keane

Having most recently won her own All-Ireland medal in the 2025 Intermediate Women’s Final, playing for The Heath, Danielle has balanced refereeing with playing Senior Women this year. With no end of refereeing experience, and an excellent knowledge of our rules and our sport, Danielle will manage this game with skill and control…and multi-coloured pens!

Fun Fact: Not many sports can boast having two consecutive All-Ireland finals refereed by siblings but that is just what we will have on 6 September when Danielle follows her brother Philip onto the pitch after his Intermediate final finishes.

With top-tier officiating locked in across Junior, Intermediate, and Senior grades, Kilcormac is set for an unforgettable day of championship deciders. Our final article on Thursday will reveal the three Referees who have been appointed for our Mixed games in Mallow GAA on 13 September.

GAA Rounders Championship – Final Preview of 2026

On this, our last Semi-finals weekend of 2026, we thought it would be a good idea to take a slightly different approach this week… for lots of different reasons!

Predictions

It was brought to my attention last week that some clubs have reportedly expressed frustration throughout the season regarding the preview articles. While no official complaints were submitted to our email or social media channels, I was told that concerns had been raised informally by clubs who felt that match predictions placed unnecessary pressure on their teams.

These articles were never intended to cause upset, single anyone out, or create negativity. If any club or player felt disadvantaged by what was written, I offer an unreserved apology. At the same time, it is worth remembering that predictions were wrong  as much as they were right! None of us has a crystal ball. We looked at the numbers, analysed recent form, and took a guess – it’s sport, and sometimes you get it right, sometimes you don’t!

In fact, the predictions were only ever a very small part of the reason why these articles existed in the first place.

Behind the Byline

Which brings me to the next point. “We” is actually me: Shirley, National Secretary.

I took over writing previews this year from Joe Naughton, our former Communications Officer. Before I did that, he explained to me why he had started them in the first place. It was a simple idea – but a genius one. With nine Championship divisions, most of us know plenty about the other teams and players we come up against, but very little about the other divisions. The previews were his way of trying to change that, to give people a little knowledge about players and teams they might never actually play against, to highlight good performances throughout the Championship and hopefully get people interested in what was happening outside their own division. Most importantly, the idea was to highlight everyone and every team – Junior, Intermediate and Senior, Women, Men and Mixed.

Following the massive popularity of the preview series in 2025, I stepped up to keep the momentum going this year. While I could never replicate Joe’s analytical depth and writing skills, I wanted to bring my own perspective to the previews: celebrating great play, highlighting club milestones, introducing readers to players and teams they might not otherwise know much about, and keeping it light hearted with a touch of good humour. Nobody knows our clubs and players better than I do, and I hope that some of that came across in what I wrote.

I know poor Joe has still been getting the “credit” for these pieces – and while I’m flattered anyone thought they were his, it’s time to set the record straight!

It was me!!

I have had an absolute ball writing these articles each week. It unlocked a creative side I didn’t know I had, and I hope they brought some joy to our players and supporters. To everyone who reached out over the season with kind words and encouragement – and to the people who sent me bits of information, corrected me when I got something wrong or wondered how on earth I knew something (mostly Joe by the way 😉) – thank you so much!

Given the recent feedback over something that takes the best part of a day per week to research and write, voluntarily, it is unlikely that weekly previews will return in 2027. While it is disappointing when a small minority dictates the outcome, sometimes you just have to pick your battles and channel your energy elsewhere!

So there will be no preview or predictions for this weekend’s Senior Mixed Semi-Finals or for our Women’s, Men’s or Mixed All-Ireland Finals. This, then, is my final preview article of 2026. And seeing as I’ve spent the season writing about everyone else, I think I’m allowed to use the rest of this one to say thank you!

Senior Mixed Semi-Finals

Our Senior Mixed Semi-finals will take place at the Monaghan GAA Centre of Excellence in Cloghan on Sunday, 23 August:

  • 1pm Breaffy (Mayo) vs Carrickmacross Emmets (Monaghan)
  • 3pm Cúchulainn (Carlow) vs Glynn Barntown (Wexford)

Best of luck to all four teams!

The winners will advance to the Senior Mixed All-Ireland Final in Mallow GAA on Sunday, 13 September at 3:30pm.

Thank You to Our Rounders Community

To every single team that entered the 2026 Championship: thank you for giving those of us who love this game an incredible season.

We have seen spectacular catches, amazing hits, lightning-fast base running, fearless fielding, injuries, tears, laughter, joy, and unforgettable celebrations. We have gathered every Sunday, countless Saturdays, and midweek evenings – and really, where else would any of us rather be than pitchside on a summer evening?

We have seen draws, runaway wins, nail-biting finishes, spirited debates, post-match handshakes, and warm hugs. We’ve brewed hundreds of cups of tea, eaten our weight in sandwiches and cakes, and made lifelong friends across every county border. We’ve driven miles, crisscrossed the country, travelled to places new and familiar, and played in rain, blistering sun, and freezing winds – sometimes all in the same afternoon!

We’ve celebrated brilliant wins and spent long journeys home wondering how on earth we managed to lose that one.

And then we got up the following week and did it all over again.

Because that’s Rounders!

Whether this was your club’s debut campaign or your twentieth, whether your journey ended in the group stages or you are heading into an All-Ireland Final – you are the heartbeat of GAA Rounders. This is our sport, our community, our game and I am immensely proud to play a small part in it.

2026 All-Ireland Finals Schedule

What we’ve been working towards all season is just around the corner and now we need everyone to come out and support our finalists and make those three Finals days as amazing as possible! And since I’m not allowed to predict them, you’ll just have to come along and find out who wins for yourselves! Tickets are available via the links below:

Sunday, 30 August – NGDC, Abbotstown, Dublin 15, D15 K4PP https://www.universe.com/events/gaa-rounders-womens-all-ireland-finals-2026-tickets-GP4DRF

  • 11am – Junior Women: Kieran’s (Limerick) vs St. Senan’s (Limerick)
  • 1pm – Intermediate Women: Galway City Rapparees (Galway) vs Elphin (Roscommon)
  • 3:30pm – Senior Women: Breaffy (Mayo) vs Limekiln (Dublin)

Sunday, 6 September – Offaly GAA Centre of Excellence, Kilcormac, Co. Offaly, R42 FX97 https://www.universe.com/events/gaa-rounders-mens-all-ireland-finals-2026-tickets-3KJS9B

  • 11am – Junior Men: Gusserane (Wexford) vs Myshall (Carlow)
  • 1pm – Intermediate Men: Clare’s (Cavan) vs St. Senan’s (Limerick)
  • 3:30pm – Senior Men: Carrickmacross Emmets (Monaghan) vs Erne Eagles (Cavan)

Sunday, 13 September – Mallow GAA, Mallow, Co. Cork, P51 XV58 https://www.universe.com/events/gaa-rounders-mixed-all-ireland-finals-2026-tickets-9S8MP1

  • 11am – Junior Mixed: Galway City Rapparees (Galway) vs Kilmore (Roscommon)
  • 1pm – Intermediate Mixed: Emo (Laois) vs Galway City Rapparees (Galway)
  • 3:30pm – Senior Mixed: Finalists TBC

Nine All-Ireland Finals. Three Sundays. Plenty more tea and sandwiches. And a little sunshine wouldn’t go astray either!

To every player, coach, referee, volunteer, supporter and long-suffering family member who has spent their summer following us around the country – míle buíochas!

The previews might be finished, but thankfully the Rounders isn’t.

See you all at the Finals!

Club Focus: How Galway City Rapparees Built a Club from the Ground Up

Club Focus: Galway City Rapparees’ Five-Year Surge to Five Semi-Finals

Rounders thrives on feel-good stories, inspiring anecdotes and tales of rapid growth, but the trajectory of Galway City Rapparees over the past five years stands out as one of the most remarkable developments in recent seasons.

From initial conversations in late 2021 about transitioning from softball to fielding teams in five All-Ireland semi-finals in August 2026, the club’s progress reflects strategic vision, community spirit and immense work behind the scenes.

Founded by Joe Naughton, Eoin Wood, Gavin Mulhall and Tomás Kenny, Galway City Rapparees has expanded from an initial roster of 14 players to more than 50 registered members.

Since entering a single Men’s team at the 2021 Junior Day, the club has grown to field five teams across Junior, Intermediate and Senior grades in Men’s, Women’s and Mixed competitions, collecting two All-Ireland titles, three All-Stars and numerous regional honours along the way.

Senior & Intermediate Ranks

That debut outing at the 2021 Junior Day – and winning their first title – in Tymon Park laid the foundation for the club’s current Senior Men’s setup, who contest their All-Ireland semi-final in Monaghan on 16 August.

Galway Rapparees Junior day champion's 2021

Galway Rapparees Junior Day Men’s Winners 2021

Core players such as Cathal Creavan, Ryan Dennis, Jay Hall, Tomás Kenny, Pakie Killilea and Rory McGarvey have transitioned from newcomers to established Senior performers.

Strengthened by players like Tomás Callanan, Dave Gannon, Ajay Kumar, Greg Mannion, Vishal Pathare, and Ili Tuimauga, the unit has proved in its debut Senior season that it belongs among the top four Men’s sides in the country.

At Intermediate level, Rapparees field both Women’s and Mixed teams in 2026.

Intermediate Women

The club’s sole dedicated Women’s squad reached the Junior All-Ireland Final in 2024 before earning promotion to Intermediate for 2025. Currently managed by Rory McGarvey, the team navigated a steep learning curve last year before going unbeaten in their 2026 group.

Galway Rapparees women’s team

Galway Rapparees Women’s Team

They now face 2025 Junior champions Inniskeen Grattans in the All-Ireland semi-final on 15 August. The panel features long-standing members Edel Brennan, Cat Carty, Mel Mannion, Clodagh Naughton, Jenna O’Brien, Jessie Pereira, Laura Salvatore and Alex Stewart, alongside softball recruits Hazel Kilduff and Katie Jessop.

Intermediate Mixed

Drawing players from both higher-grade panels, the Mixed side also enters the knockout stages unbeaten. They meet Dublin Metropolitans in their All-Ireland semi-final on 15 August, looking to build on an impressive group campaign where they overcame some tough teams earlier in the season.

Intermediate mixed team

Galway Rapparees Intermediate Mixed Team

Hosting

All six GAA Rounders All-Ireland Intermediate semi-finals will be hosted by Galway City Rapparees at Coláiste Muire Máthair in Galway City – the second consecutive year All-Ireland knockout fixtures have been staged in the city following a successful Junior hosting in 2025.

GAA Rounders is very grateful to the Board of Galway City Rapparees for allowing us to use their venue and for their assistance and hospitality on the day.

Junior Campaign

Rapparees also hold two spots in the Junior grade knockout stages on Sunday, 9 August, in Edenderry.

Junior Men

Top of their group with an impressive run rate, captain and pitcher Séamus Keegan leads an unbeaten side into their All-Ireland semi-final against Wexford’s Gusserane. The squad has shown tremendous consistency throughout the campaign and will be aiming to continue that form on Sunday.

Junior Mixed

Drawing from across the club’s growing panel depth, the Junior Mixed team secured their semi-final place with a convincing quarter-final victory over Emo. Captained by Eimear Cuddy, they now face a formidable Inniskeen Grattans side, with pitcher/back catcher pairing Séamus Keegan and Sorcha Dowd hoping to reproduce their excellent quarter-final performance.

Rapparees Junior mixed team

Rapparees Junior mixed team

Beyond the Pitch

The club’s growth on the scoreboard has been matched by its success away from the playing field. Over the past 12 months, Rapparees players have earned selections for Connacht Interprovincial squads, five Senior Men represented GAA Rounders at the World Games in Waterford, with Tomás Kenny serving as Vice-Captain of one of the Mixed teams, while the club was also named the 2025 Connacht Club of the Year alongside Ili Tuimauga‘s Intermediate Men’s All-Star award.

Tomas Kenny, Ili Tuimauga & Ryan Dennis at the World GAA Games in Waterford

Tomas Kenny, Ili Tuimauga & Ryan Dennis at the World GAA Games in Waterford

Galway City Rapparees has also placed a strong emphasis on promoting the game within the local community. Through its standalone club website, regular appearances on Galway Bay FM, coverage in the Galway Advertiser and Connacht Tribune, and an active presence across social media, the club has consistently raised the profile of rounders while attracting new members from a wide variety of backgrounds. That commitment to promotion and community engagement has played a significant role in the club’s remarkable growth over the past five years.

Rapparees is also one of the Association’s most diverse clubs, with players from Samoa, New Zealand, India, Canada, Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland. That international experience has enriched the club’s playing style while creating a welcoming environment that reflects the modern face of GAA Rounders.

Members also contribute significantly away from the field, serving across Ard Chomhairle, Coiste na nÓg and the National Referees Panel, helping to develop and strengthen the game nationally as well as locally.

Club Chairperson Tomás Kenny believes the club’s success has been built on putting people first

“The key to our success lies in the fact that we prioritise the club as a community over success on the field. By making the Rapparees an enjoyable and rewarding place to be, we’ve ensured that numbers keep going up, which in turn has transitioned into better teams. We’ve also learned so much each year from playing other fantastic teams, which in turn has allowed us to play and coach our teams better year on year.”

Club Secretary Joe Naughton says the club’s success is built on the countless volunteer hours that most people never see

“Running five teams is a huge undertaking. Match days require huge organisation and planning while, behind the scenes there’s training to organise, fixtures to plan and a club of over 50 members to look after. 

When you step back and look at what this club has achieved, though, it’s hard not to feel incredibly proud. Reaching five All-Ireland semi-finals is a remarkable achievement and a credit to every player, coach, volunteer and supporter who has played their part. It’s already been an amazing season, and if we can bring home another All-Ireland title, it would simply be the icing on the cake.”

A Club Built for the Future

As the 2026 Championship reaches its penultimate stages on 9, 15 and 16 August, Galway City Rapparees have firmly established themselves as an integral part of the GAA Rounders community. In just five years, they have grown from a small group of former softball players into a thriving community club competing across five teams at Junior, Intermediate and Senior level.

Whatever the outcome over the coming weeks, the club’s remarkable rise has already left a lasting mark on GAA Rounders. Judging by the progress made since 2021, the next chapter in the Rapparees story promises to be every bit as exciting as the first.