It’s the business end of the season now, knockout rounders from here on in.
Clonguish GAA club, Co. Longford was where the stage would be set as the senior and intermediate competitions reached their semi finals. On Saturday, senior clubs from around the country would do battle to try and book their place, whilst on Sunday the intermediate competitions would reach the same stage. Connacht was to be well represented on both days.

Breaffy show class in senior grade 

Saturday, Breaffy GAA Rounders would be flying the flag for the province as all three of their senior teams, their men’s, ladies and mixed had all qualified for the semi finals. No mean feat at any grade, but to do it at senior was already a major accomplishment by the Mayo club.
First up on Saturday, their men’s team would face off against the reigning senior all Ireland champions, Erne Eagles of Cavan.
From the get go, it was apparent that this was going to be no easy task, one made all the harder for Breaffy in the first innings, when their talisman, Colm Jordan sustained an injury as he tried to make for third, ruling him out for the day.

The Mayo men battled hard, but scores were hard to come by in the first four innings whilst the Cavan outfit pulled away. Despite rallying at the end and finally getting the scoreboard to move, Breaffy had left themselves too much to do, missing out on a spot in the final by a scoreline of 19-12. Nonetheless, a fantastic season for the men of Breaffy, exceeding all the expectations they had of themselves at the beginning of the year.

We look forward to seeing how far they can take their journey next season.
Breaffy would have to bury their disappointment for now though, as next up, their senior mixed team would face The Heath, of Laois. A team who themselves had just witnessed their men’s team exit the competition at the same venue.
This game was always going to be tight and indeed many of the neutrals around the venue gathered for what was set to be a cracker. It didn’t disappoint.

The game flipped this way and that, with the lead changing hands several times. Ultimately, after seven innings that seemed to go by in the blink of an eye, the score was tied at 12 scores each.

Two extra innings were going to be needed to see who would be heading to the championship decider in two weeks time.

Breaffy took the early initiative, taking the first of the two innings 2-1. In the second innings Breaffy were unable to get a runner home though, meaning they would have to defend the slenderest of leads in the last bat of the day. Probably the biggest hit of the day in any competition from The Heath’s first batter saw him get to second comfortably, which enabled the Laois team to build bases, some big hits outfield may have brought an out, but at the cost of runners being able to advance, eventually the tide turn in favour of The Heath and two runners home to steal the win from Breaffy.

There’s serious quality running through that Breaffy mixed team, whilst this year might not have been theirs, it’s only a matter of time we are sure before they have their day.

The day was not over though, not by the longest chalk. Next up, the ladies of Breaffy had a semi final of their own to play. Bagenalstown of Carlow would be their opponents in a repeat of last year’s decider. Breaffy took the spoils eleven months ago, but nothing is a given when these two quality ladies teams face each other.

Breaffy took command early on in this one and they showed no intention of letting that lead slip. They continued to go through the innings, tightening their grip on the game as each inning passed. Bagenalstown are a top class team and they really dug deep in the final innings and pressed Breaffy as best they could. But the Mayo ladies refused to panic when Bagenalstown started to close the gap, stuck to their game plan and held fast. Taking the win 20-17 and with it a spot in the All Ireland Final, where they will take on Glynn Barntown of Wexford on September 10th. We wish them the very best of luck in the final.

After a tumultuous day of senior rounders on the Saturday, Sunday saw the Intermediate teams gather for their own semi finals. Once again, Connacht was to be well represented.

Michael Glavey’s men into final

Michael Glaveys Intermediate Men’s team would face St Clare’s of Cavan, in a repeat of last year’s semi final. Last year’s match was a high scoring affair, but it was clear from early on that this wasn’t going to be. After two innings the score was just 2-1 to the Cavan team. The men of Glaveys found a bit in the third though, taking a lead that they would be able to defend to the end. The game was even enough in the last two innings, but the Rossies had done enough and took the win, and a spot in the final with a scoreline of 15-10.

The inclement weather over the weekend had meant that the Galway City Rapparees semi final against Fenagh of Carlow had to be moved. Shroid GAA just 10km away would be the venue for this one.

Galway City Rapparrees into final

Galway Rapparees had already been involved in one final this year and it would appear they are getting the taste for it. They took command of this encounter from the get go and never let their foot off the gas. A strong batting performance, coupled with some determined and solid fielding saw them take the win 15-4.

Setting up an all Connacht final in the Intermediate Men’s Competition against Michael Glaveys. That one looks set to be a cracker on September 9th.

Michael Glavey’s Ladies team reach final

Later that afternoon it would fall on the intermediate ladies team of Michael Glaveys to round off the day in Longford. They faced reigning intermediate champions, Glynn Barntown of Wexford, a team Glaveys had met just two short weeks ago in the league. Some steadfast pitching by Glaveys, backed up by some great infield plays saw the Wexford team find it very difficult to score and in the third a fine innings by the Roscommon batting order saw Glaveys extend a lead that was going to be difficult to catch.

The Glaveys ladies kept the pressure on the Glynn Barntown batters and ran out winners on a scoreline of 19-4. They will now face Kevin’s of Dublin on September 9th to battle it out for the Intermediate Ladies title. We wish the the very best of luck in the final.

Youth Rounders

Now, most other provinces would be happy with that. Six semi finals, four all Ireland final spots booked. But we roll differently here in Connacht. Whilst the adults were off doing their thing in Longford on Sunday, the real action was taking place down in SETU, Carlow in the Community Games Finals. The young ladies of Athenry Rounders Club and the young men of Breaffy Rounders would be representing Connacht in four competitions.

The U13 boys of Breaffy would do things the hard way, coming from 9 runs down against Clontibret of Monaghan in their semi final, they forced an extra inning before taking the win and their spot in the final. There they would meet Monaleen of Limerick. The Limerick side were heavy with the bat and scored big in the first innings in the final. Breaffy battled back, but just couldn’t get their noses in front. A very commendable silver medal for the Breaffy lads though, not something to turn your nose up at in the slightest.

In the Under 15 boys, defending champions Breaffy would face Inniskeen of Monaghan in their semi final. In difficult weather conditions, this was to be a very tight affair. Inniskeen were to lead going in to the third and final innings on a scoreline of 1-0. Breaffy though, were again able to keep Inniskeen scoreless, then dug deep and found two scores of their own, to also reach the final.

Bagenalstown of Carlow would be the boys opposition in a very competitive final. The weather improved and with it, so did the scoring. Another tight game played out, and once again an extra inning was required to decide a winner. Breaffy scored three with their bat in the deciding innings and some sharp fielding enabled them to keep Bagenalstown to just one score, meaning the U15 title would be returning to Breaffy again this year. Huge congratulations to all the players and coaches at Breaffy, truly well done.

It was early to rise too for the young ladies of Athenry as their U13 and U15 girls teams also headed to Carlow for the Community Games Finals with both excited with the opportunity to try and follow up their Feile wins from earlier in the year with community games titles.

First up, the U13 would take on Erne Valley of Cavan. A tough match to start, but with some smart play, especially between bowler catcher and first base, Athenry would take the win 9-3. They would face Monaleen of Limerick in the final. The Limerick team would be strong with the bat with their hurling pedigree, but the Athenry outfield were more than able for it making some fine catches, taking the win 20-7 and with it another title.

The U15 girls would also face Erne Valley in their semi final, Athenry looked to be in complete control leading 6-0, but a nervy finish and a strong last innings by the Cavan team almost saw them slip up, just holding on to take the win. 6-4. Another Final for Athenry.

The final would see them take on Glynn Barntown of Wexford.who, as anyone in rounders will attest will always give you a good game at any age group. Athenry were to hold their nerve though and take the win. 13-3 in a thrilling final.

It’s fair to say that, when all the hype around this Prime dies down. There’s a good chance that the next thing they’ll be bottling will be the tap water in and around Athenry, because there’s definitely something in it.

There’ll be no weekend Roundup next week, we all need a breather I think, we look forward to the next one which will follow the All Ireland finals weekend of September 9th and 10th. Keep an eye out over the next week or so for information on all of that.

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Well now, only one game involving Connacht teams the last weekend, so not much to report really. Unless of course we mention another All Ireland Title coming back to the province.

Before the weekend there was one thing for certain, with Kilmeena and Galway City Rapparees facing each other in the Junior Mixed final, the title would definitely be heading back West, but would it be Galway or Mayo bound? The answer to that would play out in a thriller of a final.

Kilmeena won the toss and elected to field, some sharp fielding by both teams kept the score low, this was going to be nip and tuck all the way. 2-1 to the Mayo side after the first innings.
The second innings would see Kilmeena keep Galway Rapparees scoreless whilst adding four more, 6-1 Top of the third.

Rapparees were now starting to figure things out with the bat, they would take the third innings by three to one. Top of the fourth and Kilmeenas lead was starting to diminish, 7-4 to Kilmeena going into the fourth.

Galway again managed to close the gap, keeping Kilmeena scoreless for the first time in the fourth, they added two of their own. It was starting to get tense now. Going into the final innings, Kilmeena still had the lead, but only just now. 7-6 to Kilmeena, this game was going to go down to the wire.

Galway needed to find something now, up to bat first they had to score to keep their hopes of a championship on their maiden season alive. Score they did too, adding three hard fought runs to their tally they would have a two point lead to protect as Kilmeena stepped up for their final scheduled innings.

Three needed for a win, or two for extra innings, Kilmeena would need to dig deep to keep their quest for the trophy alive. Gaps in Galway’s field were now proving difficult to come by, but, at the expense of two outs, Kilmeena had managed to find two scores and bring the game level. The scores were tied and, with a runner on third any decent contact would surely be enough to bring home the winning run.

But this match had been anything but straightforward all afternoon, with plenty of twists and turns. A pop up ball going just foul on the Kilmeena batters second good ball sent the Galway catcher scurrying to make a catch that would be just beyond his grasp. The Kilmeena batter made to go to first, leaving the batters box, he was surely now out and the game would be a tie. Or it would have, had the runner on third base not had the presence of mind to asses the situation, take off sharply and make the 25 metres needed to get himself home, steal the winning score and with it the Junior Mixed Championship. Kilmeena for the title.

A breathtaking final, with an equally breathtaking finale, coming down to the final ball, on the final out in the final innings. That’s how GAA all Ireland finals are meant to be.
A massive congratulations to both teams, to Galway City Rapparees, who have taken home an All Ireland Silver Medal on their very first season playing GAA Rounders a fantastic achievement and something to take enormous pride in. Also, to Kilmeena for bringing home the title and much joy and celebration to their parish we are very sure. Apparently, a bus has never taken so long to make the journey from Dublin to Westport, but luckily, we are assured it made it just in time for last orders at the local bar.

There’s another action packed weekend ahead this coming weekend, as six teams from the province do battle in the Intermediate and senior championships semi finals. Keep an eye out for our preview of these fixtures over the coming days. #ConnachtAbu

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Inniskeen, of Co. Monaghan were the team standing in the way of Kilmeena and their hopes of improving on last year’s semi final exit in the same competition. The Mayo outfit gained invaluable experience from their run last year, and this was evident from the start. They took a 4-1 lead in the first innings and a firm grip on the game. Three quick outs for the first four batters up in the second, whilst adding five more runs of their own set Inniskeen a big hill to climb to get back in the game. To their credit, Inniskeen never rolled over. Some fine catches outfield and great plays from their backstop stopped Kilmeena from running riot, but Kilmeena kept the opposition at bay, taking the victory 19-8 and with it, securing their first All Ireland final.

Over on the next pitch at the same time, Galway City Rapparees were to face last year’s beaten finalists, St Senans of Limerick. From the first innings, this was going to be a thriller. Rapparees had the best of the first two innings, leading 7-4 going into the third. Senans added three in third and kept the Galway team scoreless, honours even after three. This game would be going to the wire and the tension was starting to crank up.

Six runs by St Senans and only three by Galway, this game had turned on its head and the Limerick team now had the upper hand going into the last with a three run advantage, 13-10 to St Senans going into the final innings. A change of pitcher and therefore a change of pace by Galway in the fifth was a bold move, and it paid dividends. St Senans could only add one to their lead in the fifth, leading now by four runs.

Galway managed four, but at cost of two outs, the score was tied and the game was on a knife edge, the bases were loaded and it fell to Galway’s Clodagh Naughton to find a way to bring third base home and win the game. It takes guts not to swing in this situation, but Galway’s batter had them and she managed to force a walk on from the St Senans pitcher and thus, win the game.

With both Connacht teams through, the junior mixed title will definitely be coming to the province, we wish both Kilmeena and Galway City Rapparees all the very best in the final. All roads lead to Abbotstown, Dublin this Saturday. It’s gonna be a cracker.

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