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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