Intermediate & Junior All Ireland Finals – GAA Rounders Preview – August 31st Meath
All-Ireland Intermediate & Junior Finals Day Preview
On Sunday, 31st August, all eyes will be on the Meath Centre of Excellence in Dunganny as six All-Ireland Finals are decided across the Intermediate and Junior grades. It promises to be a landmark day for the sport, with titles on the line in Intermediate Men’s, Intermediate Ladies, Intermediate Mixed, Junior Men’s, Junior Ladies, and Junior Mixed.
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The championship journey to this point has been full of drama — upsets, late comebacks, and breakthrough wins from emerging clubs. Of the 12 finalists, half of the clubs have only been playing adult Rounders since 2020 — a remarkable sign of how quickly the sport is growing.
That mix of established contenders and ambitious newcomers guarantees a day of high tension and high-quality action in Dunganny.
Intermediate Men’s All-Ireland Final Preview
The Intermediate Men’s Championship signs off with a cracker. Emo of Laois meet a transformed Galway City Rapparees side. History gives Emo the edge — they’ve had a hoodoo over Galway in recent seasons — but 2025 Rapparees look a different animal.
Form Snapshot
| Team | Group Record | Runs For | Runs Against | Notable Results | Route to Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galway City Rapparees | 3W–0D–1L | 79 | 55 | Beat St Clares twice (25–17 & 23–11), lost to Emo by 1 when under-strength (25–26) | Semi-final: beat St Clares 23–11 |
| Emo | 2W–0D–2L | 85 | 94 | Edged Galway by 1 (26–25), loss to Kilmeena (18–34) | Semi-final: beat Kilmeena 24–22 |
Galway City Rapparees
Sharper in the field and far more clinical at the plate, Galway’s 2025 leap is obvious. They matched Kilmeena at the top of the group on points, with a strong +24 run differential. The only blemish was that one-run loss to Emo — a game they led for long spells while missing key players. Momentum is good after a composed 23–11 semi-final win over St Clare’s.
Emo
Resilient and stubborn, Emo have made a habit of surviving tight ones. Their semi versus Kilmeena looked gone, but they stuck in and pinched it by two, 24–22. They may not have Galway’s consistency, yet they keep finding ways — especially late in games — and they’ve beaten Rapparees in each of the last four seasons.
Rivalry & Storylines
- Hoodoo factor: Emo hold a multi-season winning streak over Galway.
- This year feels different: Galway’s balance (+24 group differential) and discipline suggest a breakthrough is coming.
- Clutch time: If Emo keep it within a run into the last innings, the Laois men are dangerous.
Key Match-Up
Galway’s depth through the order v Emo’s late-inning grit. If Rapparees build a cushion by the early innings, they can control the tempo. If Emo drag it into a dogfight, history leans their way.
Prediction
Verdict: Galway City Rapparees. The form line and improved game management point to the hoodoo finally being broken — but expect nerves to the last out.
Galway Rapparees after beating St Clare’s in the semi-final
Emo men’s team
Intermediate Mixed All-Ireland Final Preview
The Intermediate Mixed Championship reaches its climax this Sunday, 31st August – 4pm
Emo and Erne Eagles set to battle it out for the All-Ireland title and a tilt at senior men’s for Emo. Both teams arrive full of confidence, promising a thrilling encounter to close out the 2025 campaign.
Road to the Final
Emo have been the standout force in Group B, recording emphatic wins over Raheen, Glynn Barntown, and Na Fianna. Their semi-final against Galway City Rapparees was a stern test, however, edging through 16–15 after holding their nerve in the closing stages. It was a performance that showed both their power and their resilience — even as the Rapparees pressed late, Emo had the composure to finish strong.
Erne Eagles, meanwhile, topped Group A after a superb run, including victories over Galway City Rapparees and St Clares. Their semi-final against Raheen was a tighter affair than many expected, finishing 12–10, with both sides guilty of missed opportunities. While it’s harder to judge the Eagles’ form based on that performance, their ability to grind out results is a sign of champions.
Form Guide
- Emo – W vs Glynn Barntown (37–17), W vs Raheen (40–23), W vs Na Fianna (45–7), SF: W vs Galway City Rapparees (16–15).
- Erne Eagles – W vs Michael Glaveys (16–19), W vs Galway City Rapparees (17–14), W vs St Clares (15–13), SF: W vs Raheen (12–10).
Key Battle
This final will likely be decided in the middle innings. Emo’s batting strength, with their ability to rack up runs quickly, has been their trademark all season. Erne Eagles will look to contain that power with disciplined fielding and sharp pitching. If the Eagles can keep Emo’s hitters quiet early, they’ll fancy their chances of edging another tight finish.
Verdict
Emo come into the final with momentum, especially after their composed semi-final win over the Rapparees. Erne Eagles are proven at this level and won’t be fazed by the occasion, but they may need to find another gear with the bat. Expect a close contest — but Emo’s firepower might just see them over the line.
Prediction: Emo
Erne Eagles intermediate mixed team
Intermediate Ladies Final – Carrickmacross Emmets v The Heath
The Intermediate Ladies Championship is a mouth-watering final between Carrickmacross Emmets and The Heath at 2pm.
Both sides have produced big performances throughout the summer, but only one will be crowned champions, but, hopefully we see both in senior next summer.
Carrickmacross Emmets
The Monaghan outfit have been the standout side in this year’s Intermediate Ladies competition. They finished top of their group before powering past Michael Glaveys in the semi-finals, running up a 29–10 scoreline. Their batting strength has been a key weapon all season, with scores spread right across the order. Emmets also boast a solid defence that has restricted opponents from building momentum. Having already beaten The Heath earlier in the campaign, they will enter the final as favourites.
The Heath
The Heath have grown into the competition and showed real composure to overcome Glynn Barntown 20–12 in their semi-final. They possess a mix of experience and youth, and their ability to rally late in games has been a feature of their season. While their earlier defeat to Carrickmacross shows the size of the challenge ahead, The Heath are a dangerous side capable of making this a much tighter contest if their batting unit fires from the start.
Head-to-Head
The sides met in the group stages, with Carrickmacross running out comfortable winners, 14–7. However, finals often take on a life of their own, and The Heath will be determined to turn the tables when it matters most.
Prediction
Carrickmacross Emmets have been ruthless in attack and well-organised in the field. Unless The Heath can unsettle them early, it is hard to see the Monaghan side being stopped. Expect The Heath to battle hard, but Emmets look set to lift the trophy.
Verdict: Carrickmacross Emmets
The two Monaghan ladies rounders teams. Inniskeen and Carrickmacross both into their finals
All-Ireland Junior Men’s Final Preview
The Junior Men’s Championship comes down to two excellent sides who have been neck-and-neck all year. Kilmore topped Group A on scoring, while St Senans matched them for wins and powered through a dramatic semi-final. Expect fine margins in the decider.
Form Snapshot
| Team | Group Record | Runs For | Runs Against | Semi-Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilmore | 5W–0D–1L (Group A leaders) | 102 | 86 | Beat Inniskeen Grattans 11–9 |
| St Senans | 5W–0D–1L (2nd on scoring) | 93 | 70 | Beat Myshall 13–12 |
Kilmore
Kilmore have been the most clinical attacking outfit in the grade, regularly producing a big innings to swing momentum. Their semi-final win over Inniskeen (11–9) showed game management under pressure. If they set a platform early, their power hitting can open the final up.
St Senans
St Senans combine tidy defence with sharp base running. Conceding just 70 in the group speaks to their discipline in the field, while the 13–12 semi over Myshall underlined their composure when it’s tight. They will happily go deep into a close contest.
Key Match-Up
Kilmore’s middle-order power vs St Senans’ infield discipline. If Senans keep the ball on the deck and limit extra bases, they can drag this into a one- or two-run game. If Kilmore find the gaps early, Senans will be forced to chase.
Prediction
Verdict: Kilmore
Kilmore men’s team before the All-Ireland semi-final
St Senan’s men’s team
All-Ireland Junior Mixed Final Preview
The Junior Mixed Championship wraps with unbeaten Gusserane of Wexford up against tournament favourites St Senans of Limerick. Both arrive in form; Senans have looked the class of the grade since the groups, while Gusserane have gathered serious momentum through the knockouts.
Form Snapshot
| Team | Group Record | Runs For | Runs Against | Route to Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Senans (Group B) | 6W–0D–0L | 106 | 61 | QF: beat Wolfe Tones 14–9 • SF: beat Dublin Metropolitans 14–13 |
| Gusserane (Group C) | 4W–0D–0L | 50 | 25 | QF: beat Kilmeena 24–6 • SF: beat Galway City Rapparees 18–10 |
Gusserane
Perfect through Group C and ruthless in the knockouts, Gusserane mix clean fielding with punchy hitting. The quarter-final rout of Kilmeena (24–6) and an 18–10 semi over Rapparees underline their ability to post a big inning and protect it. If they settle early, they will make this a live contest all the way.
St Senans
Senans have looked destined for the final since topping Group B with six wins from six. Their balance stands out: disciplined infield, reliable pitching, and batters who keep pressure on. They handled Wolfe Tones in the quarters and then showed composure to edge the Dubs Mets 14–13 in a thriller.
Key Match-Up
Gusserane’s power innings v Senans’ infield control. If Senans keep traffic off the bases, they can dictate pace. If Gusserane find gaps early, they can turn it into a shoot-out. But this will ultimately be decided by the two bowlers.
Prediction
Verdict: St Senans
All-Ireland Junior Ladies Final Preview
From 22 teams down to two. The Junior Ladies Championship reaches its decider with Elphin of Roscommon facing Inniskeen Grattans of Monaghan. Elphin have looked a step above the grade, while Inniskeen bring explosive scoring and momentum.
Form Snapshot
| Team | Group Record | Runs For | Runs Against | Route to Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elphin (Group B winners) | 6 Pld • 5W–1D–0L | 92 | 52 | QF: beat Carrickmacross Emmets 13–6 • SF: beat Castletown Liam Mellows 11–2 |
| Inniskeen Grattans (Group A winners) | 6 Pld • 5W–0D–1L | 92 | 56 | QF: beat Kilmore 14–8 • SF: beat Dublin Metropolitans 29–19 |
Elphin
Balanced, clinical, and consistent. Elphin topped Group B and have controlled both knockout ties with composed fielding and depth through the order. They rarely allow teams back into games and arrive as deserved favourites.
Inniskeen Grattans
Top of Group A and box-office with the bat, Inniskeen can turn any contest into a shoot-out. Their semi-final win over the Metropolitans (29–19) showed the ceiling of their offence. If they catch fire early, this final gets spicy.
Key Match-Up
Elphin’s control and infield discipline v Inniskeen’s power innings. Keep traffic off the bases and Elphin dictate. Give Inniskeen chances and they’ll cash in.
Prediction
Verdict: Elphin
