Tag Archive for: Youth Development

Emo Crowned Kings and Queens of Underage Rounders with 10 All-Ireland Titles in 2025

Emo Crowned Kings and Queens of Underage Rounders with 10 All-Ireland Titles in 2025

Emo Rounders have completed a truly remarkable year, sweeping the boards to win 10 All-Ireland underage titles across boys, girls, and mixed competitions in 2025. From windswept Féile weekends to scorching finals days, the Laois club has set a new benchmark for youth development in Irish Rounders.

The Roll of Honour

  • U13 Boys Féile – Roscommon, 31st May (June Bank Holiday Weekend)
  • U14 Boys – Monaghan, 17th May
  • U14 Girls – Monaghan, 17th May
  • U15 Boys (Féile) – National Féile, Ferns, Co. Wexford, 22nd June
  • U15 Girls (Féile) – National Féile, Ferns, Co. Wexford, 22nd June
  • U16 Boys – Emo, 5th July
  • U16 Girls – Emo, 5th July
  • U16 Mixed – Roscommon, 13th September
  • Minor Men – Carlow, 28th September
  • Minor Mixed – Carlow, 28th September

A Year on the Road (and at Home)

The journey began in Monaghan on 17th May, a blistering hot day that saw Emo’s U14 boys and girls deliver commanding performances to secure an early double. Just two weeks later, the focus turned to Roscommon for the U13 Boys Féile, where Emo showed grit and resilience in challenging conditions.

In June, attention shifted to the National Féile in Wexford. Competing against the best young teams from across the country, Emo’s U15 boys and girls both triumphed in Ferns on 22nd June, proving the strength in depth across the club.

July marked a landmark moment as Emo played host to the U16 boys and girls competitions. The club’s facilities were filled with colour, energy, and excitement — and their teams delivered again, lifting both titles on home soil in front of a proud local crowd.

September brought high-stakes drama. On the 13th, the U16 Mixed side edged past Erne Eagles in a heart-stopping final in Roscommon. Just two weeks later, the club sealed its 9th and 10th crowns with a stunning double victory over long-time rivals St. Martins of Wexford in Carlow — first in Minor Men, then in Minor Mixed after a thrilling finale.

Michael Slevin & the Power of Teamwork

This unprecedented run of success would not have been possible without the incredible work of Michael Slevin. His years of dedication to underage development have laid the foundations for Emo’s golden generation. But just as importantly, Michael hasn’t done it alone.

He has brought together a brilliant group of fellow coaches and volunteers — all of whom give their time based on their own children’s age groups. Rather than siloed teams, Emo’s coaching setup is a shared, collective effort, built on community, commitment, and care. That unity is visible in how the players perform, support one another, and carry themselves on and off the pitch.

“When you add them all up, 10 titles is beyond our wildest expectations. But the best part is not what we’ve done this year, but what we are doing for our future. There’s around six or seven players eligible to play adult next year – maybe I’ll get to hang up my boots soon and watch some top-class rounders.”
— Michael Slevin, Emo Rounders

Setting the Standard for Youth Development

What Emo have achieved in 2025 is nothing short of historic. But more importantly, they have built a system that works — not just for winning, but for developing young people, growing the game, and strengthening their club from the ground up.

With ten titles in the bag, a united coaching team, and a stream of young players ready to step up to adult level, Emo Rounders are not just enjoying the moment — they’re building a legacy.

 

Darryl Dolan: “Enough hard work will take you anywhere”

Darryl Dolan: “Enough hard work will take you anywhere”

There’s no hesitation when Darryl Dolan is asked about the greatest ever player.

If it’s a question of the Greatest, then Dolan doesn’t hesitate. “I’m going Damien McArdle,” he says. “He just wasn’t a power hitter for a home run. Damien has 15 men’s titles, 9 All-Stars. Retired for almost a decade in the middle and had 4 All-Ireland titles before the All-Stars were introduced — so really he should have about 15.”

He pauses only briefly before adding another name that rarely comes up. “Mick Cullen always gets forgotten about in big conversations because of the lack of All-Star accolades, but many years he’s been the best or one of the best players on the field in nearly every game.”

When it comes to memories, Dolan refuses to single just one out. “Really can’t single out a single one,” he admits, “but getting to share the field with some of the legends I watched train and play. And then the 2024 season was special as a new-look Eagles team after losing so many familiar faces. To see Fionn get man of the match and hoisted in the air after years of watching us play without an underage team — to see it reward him for his work — that was special.”

For Dolan, Erne Eagles is more than a club. “Home. It has been my home away from home and my club mates like family. Even when there’s disagreements 🤣 there’s always someone there if you need anything. And when everyone is there at an event, it feels like one big family reunion.”

He is quick to point towards the next generation. “So many to say at the underage brackets, I could name one in each team and the potential of them is almost limitless, just depends how far they push themselves — Adam, Alice, Aoibhe, Louis, I could go on and on. For the young players coming into senior this year? I’ll have to say Fainche Higgins has really made her mark on the game.”

The battles, he says, come in cycles. “It has come in waves and each year different teams. In men’s it was The Heath and then it transitioned to Carrickmacross. In the mixed, I’d have to say the battles with Glynn Barntown have been epic.”

But asked if any player ever truly dominated Erne, he’s dismissive. “No. I feel like we always adapt and we can ‘figure out’ players and adapt to them, so someone might be good on a day against us but we’ll be ready for them the next day.”

The greatest comeback? He doesn’t hesitate. “Too many to count — 2018 men’s final, 2019 final, the 2020 mixed final. But I’ll probably have to go with the 2021 mixed semi-final against Glynn Barntown. It was the greatest comeback I’ve ever witnessed.”

As for the toughest opponent? “Probably Ruairí Tracey, because we’ve gone head to head since underage so many times and I only ever got the better of him in senior. Now it’s the other lads on the team fighting to get a place 😅.”

He is quick to credit Carrickmacross too. “Without a doubt, the way they gradually learned, watched, and improved over the years. Starting slow and growing is very impressive and a lot of clubs could learn from them.”

And despite his own reputation, Dolan keeps returning to his teammates. “That I’m very lucky to have the teammates I have. They put up with me and temper me — trying to funnel my passion and energy for the game while making it enjoyable for others at the same time.”

Rounders has given him more than medals. “There’s something outside of Rounders??? Ah, I think coaching and teaching has been very interchangeable on and off the field, but the sport has definitely helped me hone those skills for other aspects of my life.”

For the younger players coming through, the advice is simple. “Just keep working hard and practice. Enough hard work will take you anywhere. Just because someone isn’t naturally gifted from the start doesn’t mean they can’t leave others in the dust with enough work.”

And if you ask him who the best nine he played with or against? “I am working on list,  I’ll send it on soon.”

Darryl can be found on Instagram: gaarounderscoach