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GAA Rounders Preview: Full Fixtures and Predictions for 31 May 2026

Preview – 31 May 2026

It’s the June Bank Holiday Weekend and, while the rest of the country’s thoughts are turning to barbeques and an extra day off work, true Rounders fans are planning how many matches we can take in and what’s the quickest way to get from Athlone GAA to Clann na nGael and back again to catch as much of the action as possible in the seven games taking place between both venues on Sunday afternoon.

With multiple matches in Monaghan and Carlow, and one each in Mayo and Wexford, there’s no excuse not to be on your nearest pitch watching Bank Holiday Rounders this weekend.

Before we dive in, just a reminder that our U14 Mixed All-Ireland Competition will take place in Clann na nGael, Athlone, on Saturday, 30 May, from 10am, with the promise of some excellent Rounders from the stars of the future.

Clubs from Ulster, Connacht and Leinster will be vying for the title of U14 Champion – will Cavan’s Erne Eagles retain their title, or will the cup be going home with underage superstars Emo, newly formed Galway club Clontuskert, Roscommon contenders Elphin, or recent U14 Girls’ All-Ireland title winners Cúchulainn of Carlow?

Midlands Medley

With two pitches – one each for Senior and Intermediate games – on the go in Athlone GAA for the day, it will be a busy afternoon.

Starting proceedings at 12pm will be last year’s Intermediate Mixed winners, Erne Eagles, taking on newly promoted Intermediate side and last year’s Junior Mixed winners, St. Senan’s.

With rumours that Darryl Dolan was hoping to play Intermediate this year firmly quashed after his substitution onto the Senior team last weekend, we’ll have to wait until Sunday to see who lines out for the Cavan side.

While St. Senan’s were powerfully impressive at Junior last year, will they find the jump to playing what should now be a Senior-standard side a step too far?

Prediction: Erne Eagles

Our second Intermediate match will feature St. Senan’s Men, this time taking on Roscommon side Kilmore, also in their first year at Intermediate.

Kilmore have performed strongly so far this year. Having beaten Dublin Metropolitans on opening weekend and narrowly losing 14-10 to last year’s Intermediate Men’s finalists, Emo, their move to Intermediate is going well.

St. Senan’s have also played twice this season – losing to Dublin Mets and beating St. Clare’s – and both sides will be keen to make their way into top position on the league table heading into June.

Prediction: Kilmore

Athlone’s Intermediate games will be refereed by Myshall’s PJ Lalor.

Also in Athlone, two Senior games – both involving Cavan’s Erne Eagles and Wexford’s Raheen – will take place from 1.30pm.

First up will be both sides’ Senior Men. Raheen played last Sunday and lost to Cúchulainn, while Erne Eagles also played last Sunday and beat reigning All-Ireland Champions Carrickmacross Emmets – no prizes for guessing who will go into the game more confident.

Prediction – Erne Eagles

Final game in Athlone, at 3pm, will be the two Senior teams’ Women. Raheen will be bruised following a comprehensive defeat to Cúchulainn, while Eagles, who also lost to Carrickmacross’ Women last weekend, will be keen to get back to winning ways and take the victory.

Prediction – Erne Eagles

Our Senior Referee in Athlone GAA will be Galway City Rapparees’ Craig Davis.

Still in Athlone, but moving from Co. Westmeath to Co. Roscommon, Clann na nGael will host three more Senior games, this time between Breaffy and Glynn Barntown.

Starting at 12.30pm with a replay of the 2025 Senior Women’s final, followed at 2pm by the Senior Mixed clash and ending the day at 3.30pm when the men of both clubs square up on the pitch.

So far this season, in all three grades, Breaffy are the team to beat, and Glynn Barntown will need to be at their best to upset the Mayo side in their quest to continue to top the groups and make three All-Ireland finals.

Prediction – Breaffy to win all three

Refereeing in Clann na nGael will be The Heath’s Danielle Keane.

Junior Games

Starting at 11am in Leighlinbridge is the first of three Junior matches being hosted by the Carlow club. To start, they will take on Emo. With neither side yet suffering a defeat in a Junior Mixed match in 2026, nobody will want to lose that perfect record.

Prediction – Emo

At 1pm, Leighlinbridge’s Women will take on Wexford side Castletown Liam Mellows.

As a newly formed team this year, Castletown are finding their feet and will be hoping this is the day they manage to get their first win. Leighlinbridge, who beat Kilanerin Ballyfad by 29 runs in their opening Women’s game, are aiming to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Prediction – Leighlinbridge

Finally in Leighlinbridge on Sunday, the hosts can take a break and watch Naomh Pól take on Oulart The Ballagh in a Junior Mixed game between two “new to the Championship” sides.

This is both teams’ third fixture of the season, but Oulart are ahead on points having received a walkover in their first game.

Oulart performed well on Junior Day, reaching a Shield Final, but Naomh Pól also showed great promise in the Munster Winter League. This should be an exciting game between two well-matched teams.

Prediction – Oulart The Ballagh

Our Leighlinbridge Referee for the day will be Glynn Barntown’s Sarah McGuinness.

Staying in the South East, Gusserane and Na Gaeil Nua’s Junior Men’s teams both start their Championship campaigns when they travel to Castletown Liam Mellows to play at 12pm.

At Junior Day, Gusserane’s Men’s team came away with the Cup, while Na Gaeil Nua, a brand-new team formed this year, played Mixed and showed that they have great potential.

Prediction – Gusserane

Cathy Kearns of Glynn Barntown will be in charge for this game.

Much further north, in Carrickmacross, three more exciting Junior games will take place in Platinum Tanks Park, starting at 11am when the hosts take on Slaughtneil.

After a few years away from Championship action, the Derry side have returned this year and played their first match last Sunday in Inniskeen. Although they lost, the experience gained will stand to them against this Carrick side, who will be keen to put their opening defeat by Kilmore behind them and get some winning points on the scoreboard.

Prediction – Carrickmacross Emmets

Next up, at 1pm, the hosts will welcome Elphin for another Junior Mixed game.

Elphin have played twice this season and lost both games – to Inniskeen and Kilmore – and will want to ensure they break the cycle. Will Carrick’s second game of the day mean they’re finely tuned and ready to win, or will Elphin’s fresh legs give them the advantage?

Prediction – Carrickmacross Emmets

The final Junior Mixed game in Monaghan on Sunday will be between Elphin and Antrim side Wolfe Tones.

For the second week in a row, Wolfe Tones will be making the journey to Monaghan, but will their narrow defeat to Inniskeen last Sunday have them ready to take it up a notch this week and win? Or will Elphin, with their Intermediate Women players, have the edge in their second match of the day?

Prediction – Elphin

Refereeing all three matches in Carrickmacross will be National Secretary Shirley Lennon.

Not far away, in Inniskeen, there will be another Junior Mixed game at 11am when Inniskeen Grattans once again welcome a Derry team, Naomh Trea, in Junior Mixed.

While Inniskeen have three wins already under their belt this season, Naomh Trea have yet to play a competitive match.

Prediction – Inniskeen Grattans

Longford’s Clonguish will take to the pitch at 1pm to play Inniskeen’s Junior Women.

Clonguish lost to Skryne midweek in their first game of the season and will be aiming to reverse the result for this match. Inniskeen’s Junior Women are a newly formed side with lots of potential and, if they can get their fielding in order, this could be an interesting game.

Prediction – Inniskeen Grattans

Local legend, Carrickmacross Emmets’ Colm Birdy, will referee this match.

Our final venue for the day will be our most westerly when Athenry travel to Garrymore in Mayo to play a Junior Mixed game.

This will be Garrymore’s first time to play this season, while Athenry lost narrowly to Galway City Rapparees in their first outing.

Prediction – Garrymore

Galway City Rapparees’ Jay Hall will be in charge of this match.

With all except one of last week’s predictions correct – and the very surprising revelation that people actually read these articles! – the pressure is on to see if all 16 of this week’s winners will have been revealed in advance!

You know what you have to do to prove us wrong!! Final scores will be on our website and socials on Sunday evening.

Enjoy the long weekend and go out and support our players if you can.

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Crunch Time: Key Fixtures Set to Shape the Championship This Sunday

📅 Sunday’s Championship Action

All eyes turn to Athlone, Tymon Park, and Mullahoran this Sunday as the Rounders Championship edges closer to the knockout stages.
 
With games running out, every result now carries weight — whether it’s for top spot, survival, or momentum. Breaffy’s Senior squads return to action aiming to extend their unbeaten runs, while Cuchulainn, Kilmeena, and Erne Eagles look to shake up the standings. It’s also a big day for the intermediate championship in Galway. Run rates, head-to-heads, and weather could all come into play.
 

Senior Ladies

Breaffy vs Cuchulainn 📍Athlone GAA | 🕧 12:30pm | 🧍‍♂️Ref: Jack All eyes will be on Athlone as defending All-Ireland champions Breaffy return to action for just their second match of the campaign. The Mayo side have lifted the last three national titles and opened their 2025 account with a dominant 15–1 win over Raheen, showcasing their depth, power, and ruthless streak.

Cuchulainn, meanwhile, have already played three matches, narrowly beating Raheen and losing tight encounters to both Erne Eagles (30–34) and Glynn Barntown (7–15). Despite sitting second in the table, their run rate is negative—an issue they’ll need to address quickly. Last year’s meeting between these two sides was a cracker, and Cuchulainn pushed Breaffy hard before ultimately falling short.

With scoring difference and final placings still on the line, Cuchulainn will be desperate to cause an upset. But they’ll need to produce their most disciplined performance yet to overcome a Breaffy team that knows how to finish games with precision.
🔮 Verdict: Breaffy by 6



Senior Mixed

Breaffy vs Cuchulainn 📍Athlone GAA | 🕑 2:00pm | 🧍‍♂️Ref: Jack

 

It’s a heavyweight clash as reigning All-Ireland champions Breaffy face high-flying Cuchulainn in a game that could define the top of the table. Breaffy may be sitting in sixth due to games in hand, but with a perfect 3–0 record and the best run rate in the group (+2.7), they’re still the team to beat.

Cuchulainn, meanwhile, have racked up some serious scores and sit second with three wins from five. Their recent 24–21 victory over The Heath showed their threat with the bat, but their defence will be tested by a ruthless Breaffy side. A win here for Breaffy keeps their title defence firmly on track. Cuchulainn will be out to prove they belong in that top bracket.
🔮 Verdict: Breaffy by 3 ⸻

 

Erne Eagles vs The Heath 📍Mullahoran | 🕚 11:00am | 🧍‍♂️Ref: Philip

 

Quietly effective, Erne Eagles are sitting third with a game in hand and a strong run rate of +1.0. Their dominant wins over Limekiln and Kilmeena have underlined their status as serious semi-final contenders.

The Heath have had a patchy campaign, with one win and three defeats. They’ve shown glimpses of promise but conceded 68 runs in four matches—far too many at this level. Erne Eagles look sharper, more consistent, and better equipped to handle pressure. The Heath will need to pull something special out of the bag to avoid slipping further down the table.

🔮 Verdict: Erne Eagles by 7 ⸻

 

Limekiln vs Kilmeena 📍Tymon Park | 🕚 11:00am | 🧍‍♀️Ref: Sarah

Two teams with 1–4 records, 17 points each, and almost nothing between them. This is make-or-break. Limekiln have been involved in multiple close games but struggled to close them out.

Kilmeena, meanwhile, got a huge morale boost last round with a shock 9–7 win over Glynn Barntown. This is the first time the two sides meet in senior championship action—and it’s a true knockout scenario. The winner stays alive in the semi-final hunt. The loser almost certainly exits.

🔮 Verdict: Draw 

 

Carrickmacross Emmets vs Kilmeena 📍Tymon Park | 🕧 12:30pm | 🧍‍♀️Ref: Aine

 

Carrickmacross are bottom of the table but showed huge improvement in their last outing with a 22–16 win over The Heath. They’ll be hoping to carry that form into this one and pull off another upset.

Kilmeena play earlier in the day against Limekiln, and the quick turnaround could challenge their depth and stamina. If they win the first, this becomes a must-win. If they lose it, this becomes a lifeline. Carrickmacross are fresh and finally finding their rhythm—Kilmeena could be caught cold late in the day.

🔮 Verdict: Carrickmacross by 1  

 

Senior Men

Breaffy vs Cuchulainn 📍Athlone GAA | 🕞 3:30pm | 🧍‍♂️Ref: Jack

Last year’s beaten finalists Breaffy are on a mission—and they’re doing it with style. Unbeaten in three, they boast a staggering +4.3 run rate, having brushed aside the likes of Michael Glavey’s (31–6) and Limekiln (21–11). Sitting just outside the top four due to games played, a win here would put them firmly back in the picture for top spot.

Cuchulainn are fourth, but their path is anything but secure. With losses to Erne Eagles and Glynn Barntown on their record, they’ll need something special to hold off the chasing pack. Their 2-run win over The Heath earlier in the season showed grit, but they’ll need much more to stop a Breaffy side in full flow. Cuchulainn are fighting to stay in the hunt so expect intensity.
🔮 Verdict: Breaffy by 5  

 

Limekiln vs Michael Glavey’s 📍Tymon Park | 🕧 12:30pm | 🧍‍♀️Ref: Sarah After conceding two walkovers in a row, Michael Glavey’s are set to line out again—but they’ll need to rediscover their form quickly. Bottom of the table with –9 points and a –4.2 run rate, their season has unravelled fast. But if they can put in a full performance, they could at least restore some pride. Limekiln haven’t had the season they hoped for either. Just one win from five has them stuck on 17 points, and while qualification nearly is now out of reach, a win here would ensure they finish the campaign on a high. Both sides are wounded. One will leave with a much-needed boost.
🔮 Verdict: Limekiln by 9  



Intermediate Mixed

Galway City Rapparees vs St. Clare’s 📍Galway | 🕧 12:30pm | 🧍‍♀️Ref: Shirley

 

Last year’s Junior champions Galway City Rapparees have stormed into Intermediate mixed with real intent, boasting two wins from two and the best run rate in the group (+2.4). A third win here would seal qualification and set up a winner-takes-all clash with Erne Eagles for top spot in early August.

St. Clare’s were unbeaten until they ran into an on-fire Erne Eagles side. They still sit second on 13 points, but their fate now hinges on this trip to Galway. A big win could book their place in the semis. A loss, and they will most likely be leapfrogged by both Galway and Erne. This is effectively a knockout game for St Clare’s . Expect fireworks in Galway.

🔮 Verdict: Galway City Rapparees by 4

 

Athenry vs Erne Eagles 📍Athenry | 🕛 12:00pm | 🧍‍♂️Ref: Peter

After a slow start, Erne Eagles are suddenly back in the mix. A commanding win over St. Clare’s has boosted their confidence and run rate—and if they beat Athenry here, they’ll leap to 14 points and set up a massive final game with Galway.

Athenry have been competitive, but a leaky defence (conceding 62 runs) has cost them. Even with three games played, they’re out of the running—but they’d love to spoil Erne’s charge and grab a statement win at home. Erne need this to stay alive. Expect them to show up.
🔮 Verdict: Erne Eagles by 6

 

Intermediate men 

🔵 Galway City Rapparees vs St Clare’s 📍 Galway | 🕑 2:00pm | 🧍‍♀️ Referee: Shirley

It’s a high-stakes finish in the Intermediate Men’s group as Galway City Rapparees take on St Clare’s, with top spot and semi-final pairings hanging in the balance. The Rapparees have turned things around brilliantly in 2025. After failing to win a single game last year—including a heavy defeat to St Clare’s in this corresponding fixture—they’ve emerged as one of the form teams of this season. A statement win over Kilmeena and a dominant performance against the Dublin Mets show just how far they’ve come. Their only blemish was a one-run loss to Emo in a thriller.

St Clare’s have also secured their semi-final place after seeing off the Mets and holding a valuable head-to-head edge over them. However, inconsistency has been an issue, with defeats to both Kilmeena and Emo. A win here could lift them as high as second depending on run rate, while a loss would likely see them finish fourth.

For Galway, it’s simple: win and they top the group. Lose, and they risk dropping to third—setting up a rematch with Clare’s in the semi-final. A full-circle showdown either way.

🔮 Verdict: Galway by 3

Junior Men

Galway City Rapparees vs St Senans 📍 Galway | 🕜 Throw-in 11am Junior Men – Group A

It all comes down to this for Galway City Rapparees, who host St Senans in the final game of Group A. But despite still being mathematically alive, the odds are stacked against them in a brutal run rate scenario that may yet punish one of the form teams of the group.

Galway come into this clash with 16 points and a run rate of –0.4, having won two of their four matches and received a walkover win against Elphin—crucially, walkovers carry no run rate gain.

St Senans, by contrast, sit on 18 points with a run rate of 2.1, and have already beaten Na Piarsaigh and Sporting Limerick convincingly. Even in last week’s narrow defeat to Kilmore (16–15), they showed they could mix it with the best. The Rapparees are now in the unenviable position of needing to beat St Senans by around 30 runs to leapfrog them and Na Pairsaigh on run rate. A win by 9 or 10 would have been enough in a normal situation, but the lack of a run rate boost from their walkover against Elphin means Galway are carrying a deficit both mathematically and psychologically.

To make matters even more frustrating, Galway already beat Kilmore, who are top finishers in the group, earlier in the campaign. If they manage to beat St Senans here, they could beat both of the group’s top qualifiers—but could still finish fourth and miss out on the semis. That would be an extraordinary and rare outcome in a six-team group format in rounders.

St Senans, with their current run rate cushion, can afford a close loss and still go through. Their 18(2)-10(5) win over Elphin earlier in the campaign did wonders for their run rate.

Expect Galway to come out swinging—they’ve no choice. For St Senans, this is all about scoreboard management. Even a loss could be enough… just as long as it’s not historic.

🔮 Verdict: St Senans by 4

Thanks to all the referees officiating this weekend.   It’s never an easy task, without refs we have no games.