Tag Archive for: Junior Men

Junior Quarter-finals Review – 25 July 2026

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Great Day for Connacht & Munster Clubs at Junior Quarter-finals

Saturday 25 July saw 20 Junior Rounders teams from all over Ireland descend on Dublin 12 to play quarter-finals in Tymon Park. Just think about that for a minute – 20 teams all playing on the same day, in the same venue. Before we go any further, we need to sincerely thank Chris, Christy, Eileen and all of the Limekiln Rounders team for hosting the event and for all their help with preparation and planning. GAA Rounders is very lucky to have a club like Limekiln and a facility like Tymon Park available to us.

Junior Women

Our four 11am matches were all Junior Women and were located in close proximity to each other to facilitate spectators making the most of all games.

Carrickmacross Emmets (Monaghan) vs St. Kieran’s (Limerick)

First to start – and finish! – was Carrickmacross Emmets vs St. Kieran’s. With a clash of team colours, Carrickmacross very kindly agreed to wear white for this game. Unfortunately for them, white jerseys didn’t bring them the same luck they brought Mayo the following day. St. Kieran’s first batting innings saw three Home Runs and a total of 13 scored. Carrick were unable to come close to this, scoring just three. The Limerick side added to this in the second innings, with another Home Run and a total of five home, leaving them with 18 on the board. An under par Carrickmacross team struggled to get runners home and only managed a further one until the final innings, when they got six runners in. But it was too little too late and the final score was 18-10 to St. Kieran’s with three bats in hand.

St. Kieran’s Junior Women

Best for St. Kieran’s on the day were pitcher Deirdre Ambrose, involved in four outs, and Short Stop Emma Galvin and 3rd Base Caitríona Hough, both involved in five outs. Back Catcher Siobhán Halligan got home three times, twice on Home Runs.

The Monaghan side’s Pitcher and Catcher, Mary Lambe and Emma Fay, were each involved in two outs while Sinéad Murphy was the only Carrick player not to be put out while batting.

Referee Chris Hughes officiated this “under an hour” game which started with a minute’s silence to remember Carrickmacross Emmets’ GAA player Stephen Gallogly who passed away earlier in the week.

St. Senan’s (Limerick) vs Myshall (Carlow)

St. Senan’s Junior Women

On the other side of the same pitch, Limekiln’s Áine McLaughlin was taking charge of another Limerick side, St. Senan’s, as they took on Carlow’s Myshall. With their two recent Senior signings, eyes were on Myshall to see what difference this would make to their team dynamic and both Gillian Nolan and Margaret Simpson contributed to the game with three catches, two outs on base and four assists between them. Neither managed to get home while batting and this can largely be contributed to St. Senan’s pitcher, Louise Kelly, who, between foul outs, catches and throws to base, was involved in six outs. Other great plays from St. Senan’s included catches from Short Stop Dympna O’Brien and two outs from Back Catcher Catríona Hanlon. Low scoring until the fourth innings, St. Senan’s took off while batting, bringing 10 home to go into the fifth 12-1 up. Myshall had no answer and it ended 15-2 to the Limerick side.

Leighlinbridge (Carlow) vs Skryne (Meath)

Leighlinbridge Junior Women

Two Limerick wins in the bag on Pitch 1, the first match on Pitch 2 was always going to have a Leinster winner, being contested by Leighlinbridge of Carlow and Skryne of Meath and refereed by Galway City Rapparees’ Jay Hall. Leighlinbridge came into this match not having lost a game and were favourites to win. Batting first, they only got two home before Skryne came in but Leighlinbridge were text book perfect with three up, three out. In the second, the Carlow side’s batting power started to show with nine home. Skryne’s Back Catcher Noeleen Greally got two outs in succession with batters seven and eight. Skryne managed five home, leaving the score 11-5 going into the third. Both sides scored five this innings and after a low scoring fourth for both, the fifth started 18-11. Leighlinbridge brought four home, leaving Skryne needing 11 to bring the game to extra innings, or 12 to win. They only managed to get one home, so the final result was 22-12 to Leighlinbridge.

Best on the day for Skryne were Zita Harris who got home twice and caught one out and Caoimhe McKenna who was involved in six outs, three of them clean catches! Leighlinbridge notables were Tracy McNally with a Home Run, Louise Riddell involved in three outs and Tara Roche involved in five outs.

Gusserane (Wexford) vs Kilmore (Roscommon)

The fourth Women’s match of the morning was between Wexford’s Gusserane and Roscommon’s Kilmore. Both sides had teams involved in Junior Finals in 2025 and both have been ones to watch all season, so this had the makings of a great match and the honour of refereeing it was given to National Secretary Shirley Lennon. Both sides were slow to start, and nerves got the better on a few occasions, but it was Kilmore who made the most of their opportunities in the first innings, leading 8-1 going into the second. Gusserane had a much better showing here, bringing nine home, to Kilmore’s seven. However, in the third innings, Gusserane got nobody past 3rd base while Kilmore got 12 home. When Gusserane failed to bring anyone home in the fourth, they elected to bat on but unfortunately that was their lot for the day, and the match ended 27-10 with two bats in hand for Kilmore.

Kilmore Junior Women

Although on the wrong side of the scoresheet, Gusserane’s pitcher, Mairéad Tubritt, 3rd Base Amy Ryan, Back Catcher Jenny McNamara and 1st Base Joanne Whitty all had great games. Kilmore’s star was Ruth McElhone with involvement in five outs, two of them from excellent catches, as well as getting home four times. Irene Reynolds’ pitching was spot on, leading to several foul outs while Nicola Craughwell at Back Catcher had three spectacular catches and got home four times. Also home four times was Clodagh Sheerin, with involvement in three outs.

Next up for the four winning teams is All-Ireland Semi-finals Day on 9 August in Edenderry GAA where the pairings will be

  • 11am – Kilmore vs St. Kieran’s
  • 1pm – St. Senan’s vs Leighlinbridge

Junior Men

With the top teams in each of the two Junior Men’s groups – Galway City Rapparees and Myshall – going straight to Semi-finals, there were only two Quarter-finals to be decided on Saturday. Yes, we know that mathematically that makes them not quite Quarter-finals but roll with it!

Na Gaeil Nua (Dublin) vs Na Piarsaigh (Limerick)

Both games were scheduled for 1pm and the ever-efficient Chris Hughes got his match started at 1.06pm and finished within an hour again! This featured Na Gaeil Nua from Dublin against Na Piarsaigh from Limerick in a test of experience vs enthusiasm.

With a scoreless first innings from both sides, Na Gaeil Nua got off the blocks with two home in the second while it took Na Piarsaigh until the third to get a score on the board, by which time Na Gaeil Nua were four ahead. The third innings saw the Dubliners bring 11 home, while Na Piarsaigh’s lone run in both the fourth and the fifth just weren’t enough to get them through and it ended 19-5 to Na Gaeil Nua with a bat in hand.

Na Piarsaigh Short Stop Ian Jennings and Pitcher Alan Healy both had a great game, being involved in four outs each. For Na Gaeil Nua, Javier Isern on 2nd Base, Emilio Piccione on 3rd and Short Stop Ryota Yamaguchi were each involved in multiple outs as well as making it home multiple times. Top run scorer was Robin Figueira who got home four times.

Gusserane (Wexford) vs Inniskeen Grattans (Monaghan)

The second Men’s game was between Wexford’s Gusserane and Monaghan’s Inniskeen Grattans. Gusserane’s Women had played earlier in the day while Inniskeen’s Mixed were playing at 3pm. The Heath’s Danielle Keane was in charge here and it got off to an impressive start with Gusserane leading 19-15 by the end of the second. Inniskeen had a great third and fourth innings and were behind by one going into the last. Batting first, they got one home in the fifth, leaving the score level and with all to do to make sure that Gusserane didn’t score in their final batting innings. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and with Mark Molloy and Conor Murphy both making it home, the game ended 31-29 to Gusserane, sending them through to the semi-finals.

Gusserane Junior Men

For Inniskeen, Short Stop Trevor Hilliard had five outs from clean catches while Back Catcher Ciarán McArdle was involved in four outs of his own. Gusserane’s Morgan Nash Colfer, Matthew Flynn and pitcher Carel van der Merwe had the lion’s share of their side’s outs while Conor Murphy got home an impressive six times.

Men’s Semi-finals will also be on 9 August in Edenderry GAA where Gusserane will meet Galway City Rapparees at 11am and Na Gaeil Nua will play Myshall at 1pm.

Junior Mixed

Eight of our Semi-finalists decided, it was time to turn attentions to Junior Mixed and fill the final four slots available in Offaly on 9 August.

Emo (Laois) vs Galway City Rapparees (Galway)

First up at 1pm was the clash of Emo and Galway City Rapparees. Both sides have Intermediate Mixed teams – so the coaching strength is there; Rapparees have Senior Men – so the depth of panel is there; and Emo have been outstanding at underage for years – so the fundamental training is there. This was another fascinating match with Shirley Lennon in charge for her second game of the day.

Galway City Rapparees Junior Mixed

Emo batted first and managed to get one home and bases loaded before Rapparees got their first out from a super catch by Back Catcher Sorcha Dowd. The next batter was fouled out and, the following caught out as well. Rapparees got two home from their first batting but a very impressive one-handed catch from Emo’s Barry Ryan as well as a great high ball catch from Back Catcher Padraig Langford kept the scores low. Innings two and three were similarly low scoring for both teams and the fourth started 5-3 to Rapparees. Emo didn’t get anyone home. With bases loaded, Rapparees’ Ajay Kumar came to bat, sent the ball way out over second, cleared the bases and scored a Home Run. From there, Rapparees kept the momentum going and scored 10 before their first out. Great work by Emo’s Darragh Meredith on 2nd Base saw him get an out on base and then a great catch to finish the innings. Emo managed to get three home from their final batting, leaving Rapparees not needing to bat their final innings. The game ended 15-3 to Galway Rapparees with a bat in hand.

Other notable performances from both sides were Greg Mannion with three great catches and two further assists. Not content with a Home Run, Ajay Kumar was also involved in three outs while Mel Mannion on 1st Base was super composed and got two great outs on base.

Emo’s Padraig Langford had the bulk of their outs with super catches and throws. Darragh Meredith on 2nd was impressive while Niamh Horgan on 1st Base was involved in two outs.

Carrickmacross Emmets (Monaghan) vs Na Piarsaigh (Limerick)

In his longest match of the day, Chris Hughes took charge of the next Mixed game between Monaghan’s Carrickmacross Emmets and Limerick’s Na Piarsaigh. Carrick’s ladies and Na Piarsaigh’s men were both playing their second game of the day. Na Piarsaigh started strong with a 5-2 lead after the first, but Carrick pulled back and were leading 10-9 going into the fourth. Both sides were evenly matched and Carrick went into their last bat needing at least one to draw or two to pull ahead. Pull ahead they did, by the narrowest of margins, giving themselves the task of getting three outs before Na Piarsaigh got anyone home. They almost managed it with three outs but before the ball made it back into home base from a super outfield catch by Val Wallace, Miriam Kearns just ran in to claim the victory 14-13 and put Na Piarsaigh into the Junior Mixed semi-final.

Na Piarsaigh Junior Mixed

Outstanding for Na Piarsaigh were Short Stop Ian Jennings, Pitcher Alan Healy, Patrick Fitzgerald outfield and Back Catcher Sarah Stanley. Carrickmacross had some brilliant play from Pitcher Paul Boylan, Catcher Darren Hughes and infielders Rachel Boylan and Sinéad Murphy but it just wasn’t to be their day. Still in the running in the Senior Championship, all three Junior sides are now out of the competition for 2026.

Kilmore (Roscommon) vs Myshall (Carlow)

Meanwhile, on Pitch 3 Danielle Keane was presiding over the third quarter-final between Kilmore and Myshall. Again, both sides’ ladies had played that morning, Kilmore’s taking the victory while Myshall’s weren’t successful. But this was a new game and a new start and there was all to play for. In another ‘uneventful until the fourth innings’ game, it was 12-9 to Kilmore after the third. And then Kilmore found their stride, getting an incredible 18 home in that innings. Myshall could only answer with two and so elected to bat on but their fifth only yielded one home so it ended 30-12 with a bat in hand for Kilmore.

Kilmore Junior Mixed

Despite the scoreline, Myshall had some great play and Matthew Roberts, at Back Catcher, had a great game with five outs and got home three times. Also strong at bat were Gillian Nolan and PJ Lalor.

Kilmore’s stars were the ever-reliable Mark Harrington at Short Stop with four outs and home five times. Pitcher, Aidan Carr, was involved in five outs and Ana Carr on 1st Base got home three times and got the first out of the match with a great catch. Eli Harrington as Back Catcher was also impressive and is certainly one to watch for the future.

Leighlinbridge (Carlow) vs Inniskeen Grattans (Monaghan)

The final match of the day started late due to the overrun of the Men’s game between Gusserane and Inniskeen Grattans but Leighlinbridge waited patiently and it got started late but was well worth the wait. Limekiln’s Áine McLaughlin refereed this and, from the start, it was a tense affair that could have gone either way. Leighlinbridge took an early lead, which Inniskeen closed down well in the second. Leighlinbridge pulled ahead again slightly but by the bottom of the fourth Inniskeen had increased their lead to four runs. With nobody getting home in their fifth batting, the Monaghan side took the game 21-17 with a bat in hand.

Leighlinbridge great plays came from multiple players. Back Catcher Drew Dedula got his name on five outs. Louise Riddell who started the game on 1st Base but moved to pitching was also involved in five outs while Jason Curran, Chiara Trench and Skylar Bryska also all caught some impressive balls to get outs.

Inniskeen’s Trevor Hilliard, not content with five outs in the earlier Men’s game, was involved in a further eight outs in this game! Sinéad Hilliard was responsible for three outs while JJ Smith got involved in four outs. Pitcher Seán O’Connor, pitching for the second game in a row, was impressive with just one walk-on in the entire match.

Our Junior Mixed games on 9 August will both be at 3pm and will feature

  • Kilmore vs Na Piarsiagh
  • Galway City Rapparees vs Inniskeen Grattans

Summary

We’re slightly biased but Saturday was an incredible day of Rounders. The skill, the sportsmanship, the batting and fielding, the craic that was had…and that was just the quarter-finals! The future is bright for our sport if this is what our Junior teams can produce.

Before we finish up, a few words of thanks

  • To our Referees – Chris, Áine, Danielle, Jay and Shirley – as always, super job and none of these days would run without you and your hard work
  • Our Umpires – Colin, Serena C, Serena L, Grace, Cat, Seán and Shirley – thank you for making our Referees’ jobs just a bit easier
  • Limekiln Rounders – for an excellent hosting job as always
  • Our President – Paula Doherty, who was there to watch matches and support our players
  • And especially to our Quarter-finalists – thank you for your dedication and commitment, for training all year, for organising and playing your league matches and for coming to Tymon Park last Saturday and giving it your all. To the players, managers, coaches and Club Secretaries, míle buíochas – we hope that, whatever the result, you enjoyed the day!

There will be Intermediate and Senior League games for the next two Sundays but for our Junior Semi-finalists the next stop is Edenderry in Offaly on Sunday 9 August. Keep an eye on our website for the previews for all those games 😉

 

 

 

Junior Men’s Quarter-final Previews – 25 July 2026

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Saturday, 25 July 2026 | Tymon Park, Dublin

Our Junior Men’s competition began this year with ten teams split across two groups. Group A featured Carrickmacross Emmets, Gusserane, Inniskeen Grattans, Myshall, Na Gaeil Nua, and Castleknock (who unfortunately withdrew in May). Group B comprised Connacht and Munster sides Elphin, Galway City Rapparees, Na Piarsaigh, and Sporting Limerick (who also withdrew prior to the end of the league campaign).

With Group B consisting of only four teams, sides played each other twice in home-and-away fixtures. The group winners—Myshall and Galway City Rapparees—advance directly to the semi-finals on 9 August in Edenderry. Meanwhile, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th placed teams from Group A, along with the 2nd placed team from Group B, head to Tymon Park this Saturday to battle it out for those final two semi-final spots.

Here is how our two Junior Men’s quarter-finals shape up!

Quarter-final 1: Gusserane (Wexford) vs Inniskeen Grattans (Monaghan)

  • Time: 1pm
  • Referee: Danielle Keane (Laois)

Although Gusserane finished level on points with Myshall at the top of Group A, Myshall claimed top spot via their head-to-head victory. Nevertheless, Gusserane finished all three of their league wins with a bat in hand, boasting an impressive 2.5 Run Rate—by far the highest in their group. Having also captured the Junior Men’s title at Junior Day in May, there is no doubting the Wexford side’s pedigree.

Opposing them are Inniskeen Grattans—Junior Men’s semi-finalists in 2025 and finalists in 2024—who have been a consistent power at this grade for years. With their Women’s squad earning promotion to Intermediate this season, the Men will be eager to stake their own claim for 2027. Following a steady campaign of two wins and two losses, Inniskeen have been reliable, though perhaps not yet peaking. The combination of pitcher Seán O’Connor and catcher Ciarán McArdle works seamlessly to create opportunities for outs on first base and off foul tips, while Trevor Hilliard brings relentless work rate and lightning speed to the Short-stop position.

For Gusserane, pitcher Karel van der Merwe has been in fine form, while Morgan Nash Colfer in the outfield and Conor Murphy at Short-stop form an intimidating defensive barrier.

While this tie could easily go either way on the day, Gusserane’s players gaining extra sharpness through Intermediate Mixed play, alongside their strong group form, gives them a razor-thin edge… though we are fully prepared to be proven wrong!

Prediction: Gusserane

Quarter-final 2: Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) vs Na Gaeil Nua (Dublin)

  • Time: 1pm
  • Referee: Chris Hughes (Dublin)

Group B was always expected to be a tussle between Galway City Rapparees and Na Piarsaigh for top spot. After the Rapparees took a convincing victory in the first leg and the sides drew their second encounter, the Connacht club secured automatic semi-final qualification. Na Piarsaigh defeated Elphin at home and were awarded a walkover in the reverse fixture, meaning they come into the knockouts with one played win under their belts.

Dublin newcomers Na Gaeil Nua also hold one win, having dramatically defeated Carrickmacross Emmets with a bat in hand. While both sides mirror each other in overall league wins, Na Piarsaigh bring vastly superior competitive experience. The Limerick club fields teams across all three Junior grades, with their Mixed squad also featuring at Tymon Park this Saturday.

Na Gaeil Nua boast plenty of athletic raw talent—hitting, catching, and batting with real power—though they are still navigating the finer tactical nuances of the game. Na Piarsaigh, on the other hand, feature game-smart veterans who know every inch of a Rounders pitch.

This match promises to be a thrilling battle of experience and tactical composure vs raw talent and enthusiasm—definitely one not to be missed!

Prediction: Na Piarsaigh

That wraps up our Junior Men’s preview! Our final piece—analysing the Junior Mixed Quarter-finalists—will be released tomorrow evening.

 

Kilmore men’s team before the All-Ireland semi-final

Intermediate & Junior All Ireland Finals – GAA Rounders Preview – August 31st Meath

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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

Emo v Galway City Rapparees — Sunday, 31 August 2025 – 12pm

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

Galway Rapparees after beating St Clare’s in the semi-final

Emo men’s team

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

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 teams. Innishkeen and Carrickmacross

The two Monaghan ladies rounders teams. Inniskeen and Carrickmacross both into their finals


All-Ireland Junior Men’s Final Preview

Kilmore vs St Senans — Sunday, 31 August 2025 – 12pm

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

Kilmore men’s team before the All-Ireland semi-final

St Senan’s men’s team

St Senan’s men’s team


All-Ireland Junior Mixed Final Preview

Gusserane v St Senans — Sunday, 31 August 2025 – 4pm

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

Elphin v Inniskeen Grattans — Sunday, 31 August 2025 – 2pm

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