🏆 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. 🏆🖤💛
