ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS! Rapparees defeat Emo to complete journey to Senior

Galway City Rapparees 13–6 Emo

Galway City Rapparees are All-Ireland Intermediate Mixed Champions after a superb 13–6 victory over Emo of Laois in Mallow on Sunday.

It is another huge moment in the short history of our club and means that in 2027, Rapparees will compete at Senior level in Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Rounders.

For a club only founded in 2021, it has been an incredible journey.

Rapparees 13–6 Emo

There was plenty of history between the two teams going into Sunday’s final.

Emo had ended our championship hopes by a single run in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, so there was certainly some unfinished business when the teams met again in Mallow.

Both sides had enjoyed excellent 2026 campaigns. Rapparees went through the Intermediate championship unbeaten and booked our place in the final with an emphatic 28–6 semi-final victory over Dublin Metropolitans in Galway.

But Sunday was the one that mattered.

Rapparees produced a brilliant all-round team performance to defeat Emo 13–6 and bring the All-Ireland trophy back to Galway.

Ryan Dennis had a fabulous day bowling, delivering when it mattered throughout the final, while captain Tomás Kenny produced a superb performance at third base.

Across the field, however, this was a team performance.

Every player contributed and the batting throughout the line-up played a major part in building the seven-run winning margin.

Our All-Ireland winning team was:

Ryan Dennis, Cathal Creaven, Tomás Kenny, Clodagh Naughton, Jenna O’Brien, Rory McGarvey, Jessie Pereira, Pakie Killilea and Alex Stewart.

A huge congratulations also goes to everyone involved with the squad throughout the season. An All-Ireland is never won by nine players alone – every training session, every league and championship game and every contribution throughout the year helped get us to Mallow.

Three Senior teams in 2027

Sunday’s result represents something even bigger for the club.

When Galway City Rapparees was formed in 2021, we started at the bottom and began building.

Five years later, our Men’s, Women’s and Mixed teams have all progressed from the lower grades to Senior Rounders.

Our Men became Intermediate All-Ireland champions in 2025 and played Senior for the first time this year.

Our Women defeated Elphin to become 2026 Intermediate All-Ireland champions in Abbotstown in August.

Now our Mixed team has completed the journey with another All-Ireland title.

That means Senior Men. Senior Women. Senior Mixed. Galway City Rapparees. 2027.

It has been some journey – and we’re only getting started.

An incredible 2026 season

The Mixed victory also puts the finishing touches on a remarkable championship campaign for the club.

All five Rapparees teams reached an All-Ireland semi-final in 2026, while three went all the way to their respective All-Ireland finals.

To come away from the season with national titles for both our Intermediate Women and Intermediate Mixed teams is something everyone associated with the club can be immensely proud of.

Thank you to our players, coaches, volunteers, supporters, sponsors and everyone who travelled around the country supporting the teams throughout another long season.

Want to play Rounders in 2027?

The championship may be finished, but we’re already looking towards next season – and new players are very welcome.

Galway City Rapparees will hold our next Open Day on Sunday, October 11 from 1pm to 3pm at Coláiste Muire Máthair – St Mary’s College, Galway City.

You don’t need to have played Rounders before.

Whether you’re coming from GAA, rugby, soccer, softball or another sport – or haven’t played competitive sport in years – come along, give it a go and meet the club.

With Senior, Intermediate and Junior opportunities available, there is a level for players at different stages of the game.

For more information about Galway City Rapparees, our teams and joining the club, visit GalwayRounders.com.

Galway City Rapparees – 2026 All-Ireland Intermediate Mixed Champions.

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All-Ireland Champions! Rapparees Women Crowned 2026 Intermediate Champions

Galway City Rapparees are 2026 GAA Rounders All-Ireland Intermediate Women’s Champions after a thrilling victory over Elphin at the National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown.

2026 ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS

What a day, what a game and what an achievement from this group of players.

We knew going into Sunday that previous results would count for very little. We had faced Elphin earlier in the season, but the team that lined out against us in Abbotstown looked a completely different outfit. They were excellent throughout and produced a performance worthy of an All-Ireland final.

An Epic All-Ireland Final

There was very little between the teams from the opening inning. Rapparees edged ahead and held a narrow 2-1 lead going into the fifth inning, but Elphin responded with two scores to move in front and suddenly the All-Ireland title was beginning to slip away.

But this Rapparees team has shown incredible determination all season and they weren’t finished.

With the game on the line, Jessie Pereira produced one of the moments of the final, connecting brilliantly and sending a huge hit out into right field as Rapparees fought their way back into the contest.

The sheer will to win from the team eventually got them over the line and sparked brilliant celebrations among the players and the travelling Rapparees support.

Galway City Rapparees were All-Ireland champions.

Cat Carty – Player of the Match

There were huge performances throughout the Rapparees team, with every player contributing to the victory.

Caitríona “Cat” Carty capped an outstanding performance by being named Player of the Match, adding another special moment to an unforgettable day.

The All-Ireland Winning Squad

Katie Jessop, Sorcha Dowd, Mel Mannion, Clodagh Naughton, Caitríona Carty, Jenna O’Brien, Hazel Kilduff, Alex Stewart, Eimear Cuddy, Laura Salvatore, Jessie Pereira, Edel Brennan, Ciara Walsh, Tríona Moran and Hazel Dwyer.

Coach: Rory McGarvey.

From Junior to Senior in Four Years

The All-Ireland title is a massive achievement in itself, but it also completes another remarkable part of the Rapparees story.

The women started their journey at Junior level just four years ago. They progressed to Intermediate and, following Sunday’s All-Ireland victory, will now make the step up to Senior Rounders in 2027.

They will join our men’s team at Senior level next season after the men completed their own journey from Junior to Senior by winning the 2025 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship.

Two More All-Ireland Finals to Come

And the Rapparees’ 2026 season isn’t finished yet.

We travel to Mallow on Sunday, September 13 with another two teams contesting All-Ireland finals.

At 11am, our Junior Mixed team face Kilmore of Roscommon before our Intermediate Mixed team take on Emo of Laois at 1pm.

Both finals will also be available to watch on TG4’s YouTube channel.

Victory for our Intermediate Mixed team would see them promoted to Senior and would make Rapparees the first club in GAA Rounders history to bring three separate teams from Junior all the way to Senior level – all in just four years.

Thank You, Elphin

A huge thank you to Elphin for an epic final. There was very little between the teams and both sides gave absolutely everything.

Thanks also to GAA Rounders for putting on a fantastic Women’s All-Ireland Finals Day at the National Games Development Centre. Playing an All-Ireland final in such a brilliant facility was special, and having the game available to watch back on YouTube makes it even better.

Finally, a big thank you to Darryl Dolan for refereeing the final brilliantly.

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