Rivalries Renewed and First Wins Targeted – Intermediate Rounders Previews
Some teams are chasing top spots, others are only getting started—but one thing’s certain: this weekend’s Intermediate Rounders action will shape the season.
🔹 Intermediate Ladies – Sunday 1 June 2025
🏟️ Emo – 11:00am
The Heath vs Kilmeena
The Heath opened with a statement win over Michael Glavey’s, 24–12, powered by a dominant batting display and sharp infield communication. They come in rested and high on confidence.
Kilmeena, meanwhile, are on the ropes. Three games, three defeats – but all close affairs. They lost 10–9 to Glavey’s, 11–10 to St. Clare’s, and heartbreakingly 22–21 to Carrick. Their scoring is consistent, but they’ve fallen short in the crunch.
Key Battle: Can Kilmeena finally close out a tight one? Or will The Heath’s polish prove too much?
Form Guide: Heath W1, Kilmeena L3
Prediction: The Heath by 4
🏟️ Emo – 12:30pm
Emo vs Galway City Rapparees
This isn’t just any fixture – it’s a rematch of the 2024 Junior Ladies All-Ireland Final, where Emo outplayed Rapparees to lift the title. But a year is a long time in Rounders.
Emo are off to a sluggish Intermediate start, with heavy defeats to Carrickmacross (16–8) and Glynn Barntown (17–7). Their batting hasn’t clicked, and they’ll be desperate to rediscover the intensity that brought them glory last season.
Galway City Rapparees debut at this grade, but don’t let that fool you. Their squad has matured, and they’ll be laser-focused on exacting revenge for last year’s final. Expect a fast start and plenty of edge.
Key Battle: Old wounds vs fresh fire – Emo’s pride vs Rapparees’ hunger.
Form Guide: Emo L2, Rapparees debut
Prediction: Draw
🏟️ Denn GAA – 10:30am
St. Clare’s vs Michael Glavey’s
St. Clare’s edged Kilmeena 11–10 in one of the most intense games of the season so far. They looked composed and balanced, and will feel this is a winnable clash to keep pace in a very open group.
Michael Glavey’s shocked Kilmeena in their opener and remain a dangerous side, despite their heavy defeat to The Heath last time out. Their pitching has been solid, but errors in the field cost them dearly in that last game.
Key Battle: Glavey’s experience vs St. Clare’s momentum.
Form Guide: Both W1 L1
Prediction: St. Clare’s by 1 in another thriller
🏟️ Na Fianna – Time
Glynn Barntown vs Carrickmacross Emmets
Carrickmacross Emmets remain one of the few unbeaten teams in the Intermediate Ladies grade after edging Kilmeena and Emo in two high-scoring shootouts. They’re adaptable and composed in the big moments.
But Glynn Barntown may be their toughest challenge yet. Barntown were electric in their 17–7 demolition of Emo and boast the highest RR in the group. With power right through the order and a backstop who can shut down innings, they’ll fancy this.
Key Battle: Barntown’s explosive hitting vs Carrick’s late-game calm
Form Guide: Carrick W2, Barntown W1
Prediction: Carrickmacross Emmets by 1–2 runs – but only just
🔹 Intermediate Men – Sunday 1 June 2025
🏟️ Emo – 2:30pm
Emo vs Galway City Rapparees
The Rapparees arrive in Emo brimming with confidence after a dominant 20–6 victory over Dublin Metropolitans. Their blend of aggressive batting and clinical base play was on full display, with a deep lineup that punished every defensive error.
Emo, on the other hand, had a tough opener, falling 14–19 at home to Dublin. While they showed flashes of promise, particularly in their backstop and 3rd base fielding, their inability to extend batting innings cost them dearly. The pressure is now firmly on them, as another loss would make qualification difficult. Emo easily beat the Rapparees in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final.
Key Battle: Galway’s top order vs Emo’s outfield. If Emo can limit early scoring, this could get interesting.
Form Guide: Galway W1, Emo L1
Prediction: Emo by 6–8
🔹 Intermediate Mixed
🏟️ Na Fianna
Na Fianna vs Glynn Barntown
Glynn Barntown come into this tie after a humbling 37–17 defeat to Emo in their opener. While they started brightly, they were overpowered by Emo’s relentless hitting and pace between the bases. Barntown now sit second from bottom in Group B and will need a much sharper defensive performance to get back on track.
Na Fianna haven’t played since their 29–7 loss to Emo in early May and currently sit bottom of the group. Their challenge will be not just tactical, but psychological—how do they bounce back after such a heavy defeat?
Key Battle: Barntown’s bounce-back vs Na Fianna’s reset
Form Guide: Na Fianna L1, Barntown L1
Table Position: Emo runaway leaders – this is a battle for second
Prediction: Glynn Barntown by 3
🏟️ Denn GAA
St. Clare’s vs Michael Glavey’s
Michael Glavey’s head into this away fixture on the back of a solid 19–16 victory over Erne Eagles. Their batting depth, especially through innings 3 and 4, turned the tide after a shaky start. With one win from one, they sit level with Galway City Rapparees atop Group A and have one eye on qualification.
St. Clare’s, meanwhile, are the only team in the group yet to play. This opener is crucial, and home advantage might steady early nerves—but they face a side with match sharpness and early momentum.
Key Battle: Glavey’s in-form hitters vs Clare’s fresh legs
Form Guide: Glavey’s W1, Clare’s debut
Table Position: Glavey’s joint-top, Clare’s yet to play
Prediction: Michael Glavey’s by 2
