Galway City Rapparees defeated Emo 13-6 to be crowned All-Ireland Intermediate Mixed champions last Sunday.
The victory completes a remarkable rise for the club who will now have three teams competing at senior level in 2027 - men's, women's, and mixed. It also capped off a memorable season as they celebrated an All-Ireland Intermediate Women's title two weeks earlier.
Rapparees reached the final following an emphatic 28-6 semi-final victory over Dublin Metropolitans. Emo overcame the Erne Eagles 17-10. Rapparees weren't short of motivation to defeat an Emo team that denied them a place in the All-Ireland Intermediate Mixed final one year prior.
The Laois side had defeated Rapparees by a single run when the teams met in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final. There was to be no repeat.
Ryan Dennis rose to the occasion, showcasing his prowess from the bowling square. He produced a composed performance throughout the final, while club president and Mixed captain Tomás Kenny had a superb game at third base.
However, this was very much a team victory, with every player contributing and Rapparees getting important hits throughout the batting order as they built towards an impressive seven-run victory. The 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, Jay Hall, and Eimear Cuddy.
All three of Galway City Rapparees' senior teams will compete at senior next year. Established only in 2021, Rapparees began life with a small group of players and have expanded season by season, adding teams and progressing rapidly through the national grades.
The men’s team won the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship in 2025 and competed at senior level for the first time this season, reaching the All-Ireland semi-final in their debut campaign at the highest grade. The women's team followed by becoming Intermediate All-Ireland champions in August and will make their senior debut in 2027.
Now Sunday’s mixed victory means all three sections of the club will compete at senior level next season.
Galway City Rapparees will hold an Open Day on Sunday, October 11 from 1pm to 3pm at Coláiste Muire Máthair as the club turns its attentions towards 2027.
The open day is open to everyone, with no previous Rounders experience required. The club caters for men’s, women’s and mixed teams and welcomes both complete beginners and players coming from other sports.
Anyone interested in trying GAA Rounders, joining the club or finding out more can visit galwayrounders.com, where information on the open day and a new-player sign-up form are available.
