🔥 Championship Weekend: Senior, Intermediate & Junior Showdowns
The 2025 GAA Rounders Championship is entering a defining stage — and this weekend could be season-shaping. With only a few games remaining, every inning matters as clubs across the Senior, Intermediate and Junior divisions battle for top-two spots and a shot at All-Ireland glory.
From unbeaten runs to must-win deciders, we’ve previewed every match, broken down recent form, and offered predictions to help you track who’s rising, who’s chasing, and who’s running out of road.
Let’s dive into what promises to be the most competitive weekend of the championship so far. 🥎
🟢 Senior Men Rounders
Sunday, 29 June 2025
🏟️ Raheen vs Cuchulainn
🕰️ 12:30pm | 🧑⚖️ Ref: Philip
Preview:
Two sides looking to climb off the bottom. Cuchulainn picked up a confidence-boosting win over Michael Glavey’s on June 15 (9–2) and are now on 14 points after four games. Raheen are still searching for their first win, but they at least batted five in their last outing against Carrickmacross (4–18), considering they only had seven starting – that’s quite an achievement. They’ll fancy their chances at home, but they must tighten up defensively – they’ve conceded 18 and 13 in recent matches.
Form:
• Raheen: L vs Carrickmacross, L vs Breaffy
• Cuchulainn: W vs Glavey’s, L vs Glynn Barntown, L vs Breaffy
Verdict:
Raheen to use home advantage and field their strongest team of the season and get the win.
🏟️ Glynn Barntown vs Limekiln
🕰️ 2:00pm | 🧑⚖️ Ref: Michael D
Preview:
This is a crunch tie for both sides. Limekiln have completed their four matches and sit on 14 points – they need results elsewhere to go their way. Glynn Barntown, on the other hand, have a game in hand and could leapfrog Limekiln on games won. They lost narrowly to Erne Eagles but bounced back well to beat Cuchulainn (11–7). Home advantage might be key.
Form:
• Glynn Barntown: L vs Erne Eagles, W vs Cuchulainn
• Limekiln: L vs Erne Eagles, W vs Cuchulainn
Verdict:
A true four-pointer – Barntown’s home pitch might just swing it.
🏟️ Michael Glavey’s vs Erne Eagles –
Cancelled
🕰️ 4:00pm | 🧑⚖️ Ref: Iain
Preview:
A tough task ahead for Glavey’s. They’ve been on the wrong end of some heavy defeats, including a 1–17 loss to Carrickmacross and 2–9 to Cuchulainn. Erne Eagles, unbeaten with three wins from three, are hitting form at the right time. They saw off Glynn Barntown 9–5 and dominated Limekiln 14–5. Expect them to keep the pressure on top spot.
Form:
• Michael Glavey’s: L vs Carrickmacross, L vs Cuchulainn
• Erne Eagles: W vs Limekiln, W vs Glynn Barntown
Verdict:
Erne Eagles to win comfortably and stay on course for the semi-finals.
🟢 Senior Ladies Rounders
🏟️ Raheen vs Cuchulainn
🕰️ 11:00am | 🧑⚖️ Ref: Philip
📅 Sunday, 29 June 2025
Preview:
Both teams come into this clash knowing that a win keeps them in the race for the knockouts, while a loss could all but end their season.
Cuchulainn have suffered two narrow defeats so far – a 15–7 loss to Glynn Barntown and a remarkable 34–30 shootout with Erne Eagles that turned into one of the highest-scoring games in the competition’s history.
Raheen have only played once and were well beaten by Breaffy (1–15), but they’ll hope home soil gives them the spark needed to kickstart their season.
They’ve shown flashes of potential, but they’ll need to contain the aggressive Cuchulainn batters, who have posted a combined 37 runs in just two matches.
Form:
- Raheen: L vs Breaffy (1–15)
- Cuchulainn: L vs Glynn Barntown (7–15), L vs Erne Eagles (30–34)
Verdict:
If Raheen can field a full side and get their defence working, they’ll make a contest of this. But on scoring form alone, Cuchulainn’s firepower gives them the edge – especially with playoff points at stake. Expect another high-scoring battle.
🟢 Prediction: Cuchulainn to win by 6+ runs.
🟢 Senior Mixed Rounders
Sunday, 29 June 2025
🏟️ Carrickmacross Emmets vs The Heath
🕰️ 11:00am | 🧑⚖️ Ref: Not confirmed
Preview:
Carrickmacross are bottom of the table after narrow losses to Limekiln and Glynn Barntown. But they’ve batted well in patches and are improving game by game. The Heath, meanwhile, have a win and a loss – including a hard-fought win over Kilmeena and a heavy loss to Breaffy last time out. This is a must-win for both teams if they want to keep semi-final hopes alive.
Form:
• Carrickmacross: L vs Glynn Barntown (5–12), L vs Limekiln (6–7)
• The Heath: W vs Kilmeena, L vs Breaffy (4–11)
Verdict:
This will be a close encounter but Carrickmacross should get their first win of the campaign by a narrow margin.
🏟️ Glynn Barntown vs Limekiln
🕰️ 3:30pm | 🧑⚖️ Ref: Michael D
Preview:
One of the biggest clashes of the round. Glynn Barntown are unbeaten with three wins from three and sit just one point off top. Limekiln have already played four and need this one to have a chance of finishing in the top four. Glynn’s defence has been rock solid, while Limekiln have conceded 42 in four games – they’ll need a big turnaround.
Form:
• Glynn Barntown: W vs Erne Eagles (10–6), W vs Carrickmacross (12–5), W vs Cuchulainn (22–17)
• Limekiln: L vs Erne Eagles (8–21), L vs Cuchulainn (7–8), W vs Carrickmacross (7–6), W vs Kilmeena (5–4)
Verdict:
Barntown to win and potentially go top – but they’ll be made work for it.
🏟️ Kilmeena vs Erne Eagles
🕰️ 12:00pm | 🧑⚖️ Ref: Jack
Preview:
Erne Eagles have found form after an opening-day loss to Glynn Barntown and have put up big scores in wins over Limekiln and The Heath. Kilmeena, by contrast, are bottom of the table with three losses from three and a -39 run difference. This could be a tough afternoon if the Eagles get going early, but don’t underestimate Kilmeena who will be well up for this home game.
Form:
• Kilmeena: L vs Breaffy (13–28), L vs Cuchulainn (0–22), L vs The Heath
• Erne Eagles: L vs Glynn Barntown (6–10), W vs Limekiln (21–8), W vs The Heath (13–4)
Verdict:
Erne Eagles to win, but it might be closer than people expect.
🟡 Intermediate Men Rounders – Week 8 Preview
Sunday, 29 June 2025
🏟️ Kilmeena vs Galway City Rapparees
🕰️ 3:00pm | 🧑⚖️ Ref: Jack
Preview: This could easily be this years All-Ireland final pairing, Table-toppers Kilmeena have been unstoppable so far – three wins from three and 82 runs scored in the process. They’ve already racked up big wins over St. Clare’s, Emo, and Dublin Mets, with a +53 run difference and 15 points to show for it.
The Galway City Rapparees are a much tougher test, though. They ran Emo close (25–26) when they were severely under strength and hammered Dublin Mets (20–6). A win here would put them firmly in the conversation for top spot.
Form:
• Kilmeena: W vs Dublin (30–8), W vs St Clare’s (22–15), W vs Emo (30–6)
• Rapparees: W vs Dublin (20–6), L vs Emo (25–26)
Verdict:
Kilmeena are favourites, but this is their biggest test yet. Expect a high-scoring thriller – edge to Kilmeena by a couple of runs.
🏟️ St. Clare’s vs Dublin Metropolitans
🕰️ 10:30am | 🧑⚖️ Ref: Iain
Preview:
Dublin Metropolitans have been wildly inconsistent – they stunned Emo in Round 1 but were hammered by Kilmeena and outclassed by the Rapparees. A lot of their performance depends on how well their bowler settles early in the game.
St. Clare’s have only played once so far – a spirited loss to Kilmeena (15–22) – and will be eager to make a statement at home. If they can avoid early errors, they’re more than capable of controlling this game.
Form:
• St. Clare’s: L vs Kilmeena (15–22)
• Dublin: W vs Emo (19–14), L vs Rapparees (6–20), L vs Kilmeena (8–30)
Verdict:
St. Clare’s should take this one. Dublin Met’s chances will hinge on their bowler’s control and rhythm, but the hosts look more settled.
🟡 Intermediate Ladies Rounders – Week 8 Preview
Sunday, 29 June 2025
🏟️ Carrickmacross Emmets vs The Heath
🕰️ 1:00pm | 🧑⚖️ Ref: Not confirmed
Preview:
Carrickmacross are the standout team in the group – five wins from five, 89 runs scored, and already qualified. But don’t expect them to ease off. They’re a well-balanced side, and they’ll want to maintain momentum heading into the knockout stages.
The Heath, though, have been quietly impressive – two wins from two, including a 27–25 thriller against Kilmeena. If they pull off another upset here, they’ll announce themselves as serious contenders.
Verdict:
Carrick look too strong – but The Heath will push them all the way.
🏟️ Kilmeena vs Galway City Rapparees
🕰️ 1:30pm | 🧑⚖️ Ref: Jack
Preview:
Kilmeena need the win to keep their top-four hopes alive. They’ve posted massive scores this season – 95 runs in total – but they’ve also leaked 76, including heavy losses to The Heath and Carrickmacross. Galway City Rapparees, meanwhile, are out of form but not out of fight. They’ve been boosted by the return of some key players this week and could be a very different proposition.
Verdict:
Kilmeena should take it – but Galway could snatch an unlikely win if their returning players click.
🏟️ Emo vs Michael Glavey’s
🕰️ 11:00am | 🧑⚖️ Ref: PJ
Preview:
This one is vital for both. Glavey’s are in the top four on 16 points, but with Carrickmacross and Kilmeena already ahead, they need to win to stay in the mix. Emo are just two points behind and have been wildly unpredictable – beaten heavily by Carrickmacross but competitive in others. This will come down to who makes fewer errors in the early innings but Emo are a completely different team at home and should have enough fire power.
Verdict:
If this game was in Michael Glavey’s, you would fancy them to win, but Emo are a different team at home and should just about edge it.
🟡 Intermediate Mixed
Sunday, 29 June 2025
🏟️ St. Clare’s vs Athenry
🕰️ 12:00pm | 🧑⚖️ Ref: Iain
Preview:
With only the top two in the group qualifying for the semi-finals, this clash carries huge weight. Both sides have ground to make up — and defeat here could all but end a team’s season.
St. Clare’s looked strong early on, edging out Michael Glavey’s, but had a heavy defeat against Erne Eagles despite how close it looked on the scoreboard 22–20. They’re consistent and well-structured, with a balanced attack and a sharp infield.
Athenry, despite sitting on two losses, have shown real grit. They came within two runs of beating Michael Glavey’s (15–13) and have improved defensively since their earlier loss to Galway City Rapparees. They’ll know a win puts them right back in the mix — but a loss likely ends their hopes and puts them in relegation danger.
Verdict: St. Clare’s have the edge on form and structure, but Athenry won’t go quietly. Clare’s to take it — just.
🟡 Group D – Junior Ladies Championship
Leighlinbridge have secured a top two in the group and will qualify for the knockout stages if they turn up on Sunday. A win over Kilaneran earlier in the group shows they can mix it with anyone, but falling short against Castletown Liam Mellows means they’re still learning. The big result was their 34–8 demolition of Ferns which gives them hope in the run rate department.
Castletown Liam Mellows are already safely through after three impressive wins, including that 10-run victory over Leighlinbridge. Kilaneran sit level on points but are finished their games, and having lost to Leighlinbridge and drawn with Glynn Barntown, they may get edged out on head-to-head or run rate.
This is Glynn Barntown third ladies team, which in itself is a phenomenal achievement. They’ll finish out their campaign against Leighlinbridge – and while silverware might not be on the cards, the Wexford outfit have already won in numbers. Leighlinbridge may not lift the trophy this year – but when it comes to social media presence, they’re head and shoulders above the rest.
🔮 Qualification:
- Castletown Liam Mellows – Qualified ✅
- Leighlinbridge – Qualifed for quarter-final if they turn up on Sunday. ✅
