Momentum grows behind GAA Rounders ahead of All-Ireland Finals

By John Harrington

It’s been another year of growth for GAA Rounders as more people discover the sport for the first time or rediscover it as adults having played it in their youth.

That opportunity to play a team-sport at an age when doing so on a football or hurling pitch might no longer be possible is proving hugely attractive for people who still want to compete in that sort of environment and have all the other social benefits of the community that comes with it.

The increased visibility of GAA Rounders will get another big boost over the course of the next three weekends when TG4 Sport’s YouTube channel live-streams the Women’s, Men’s, and Mixed Junior, Intermediate, and Senior All-Ireland Finals.

For GAA Rounders President, Paula Doherty, that level of exposure is invaluable in raising the profile of the sport and reaching new audiences.

“It just feels like there's a lot of momentum around GAA Rounders at the moment and that's what I wanted to help generate during my term, to drive things on and unlock the potential that I know the sport has,” she told GAA.ie.

"We're seeing strong growth within our existing clubs, with more teams taking to the field each year. The next stage is to bring Rounders into new communities and establish clubs in areas where we know there is an appetite for the game.

“Definitely over the last year, the feedback I’ve gotten is that there’s greater visibility around GAA Rounders, and that was always the aim, that we would make our presence felt a little more.

“I always said that would be the key measure of success for my term as President. We’re moving in the right direction, and now it’s about continuing to build on that progress.

“To have all nine All-Ireland Finals live-streamed is really important. Not only does it help us reach a wider audience and generate greater awareness of the sport, but it also means a huge amount to the players that all grades, Junior, Intermediate and Senior, are being given the same platform. In the past, it was mainly the Senior Finals that received that level of exposure.”

Since 2020, the number of GAA rounders clubs has more than doubled and there’s no sign of that growth slowing down.

It’s a very simple process for GAA clubs to add Rounders as a code, and GAA Rounders also make it very easy to set up standalone Rounders clubs.

It’s also an inexpensive sport to get started, all you need initially is a bat, a few sliotars, and some base-mats.

GAA Rounders this year started a pilot programme that saw equipment packs distributed to clubs in 10 different counties which allowed them to give hundreds of children in the Go Games age-bracket the opportunity to play the game in an inclusive, non-competitive environment.

Inclusivity is arguably the sport’s greatest strength because age is just a number, and it’s the only Gaelic game that gives boys and girls, men and women, the opportunity to play together.

“It has the potential to be one of the most inclusive sports because there are no barriers to anyone being part of it,” says Doherty.

“I was looking at the group photo taken at the launch of our All-Ireland Finals and it really highlighted the inclusivity of our sport. You could see players from different backgrounds and at different stages of life, all coming together to compete and be part of a team, and that's something we should celebrate.

“There's a niche window there where it offers people the chance to stay involved in a competitive team sport for longer and to continue enjoying the social side of being part of a club.

“The competitive element of team sport and the opportunity to compete for an All-Ireland medal are a huge draw for many of our players, as is the chance to be part of a social sport and simply enjoy the game.

“That’s why we’ve seen so many clubs grow their numbers and field multiple teams through all the grades.

“We have clubs there that started out with one team, but now maybe have four or five teams because once people get involved, they quickly see the sense of community and enjoyment that the sport offers.

“Our existing clubs are growing their numbers, and now it’s about getting the message out that Rounders is a natural addition for GAA clubs looking to broaden their offering and engage more members.”

The presence of Galway City Rapparee in both the Intermediate Women’s All-Ireland Final this Sunday and the Junior Mixed Final on Sunday, September 13 highlights just how quickly new clubs can make significant strides in GAA Rounders.

Since starting with a single men’s team in 2021, Rapparees now fields five teams across the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior grades and have won two All-Ireland titles to date.

“It shows that many clubs may start out simply looking for a social outlet, but before long develop the ambition to compete and become part of our championship competitions,” says Doherty.

“And once you've done that clubs will quickly develop that appetite to want to succeed and want to do more.

“The Rapparees are one of many clubs that demonstrate what can be achieved in a relatively short space of time and underline the appeal of Rounders to new players and communities.

"Many of their members wouldn't have come from a traditional GAA background, and Rounders has provided a pathway into the wider GAA community. It's fantastic to see, and they're just one example of how Rounders can bring people together and help clubs build strong communities in a relatively short space of time.”

This time last year three-time All-Star Doherty was part of the Breaffy team that won Senior Women’s All-Ireland title.

On Sunday, her former team-mates will bid to make it five-in-a-row. She’d love nothing more than to be out there with them but handing over the Senior Women’s Trophy to them would surely be a sweet experience too.

"It’s a chance to achieve something very special," says Doherty. "No team has ever completed five-in-a-row in the Senior Women’s Championship, and I know the commitment and drive within the Breaffy squad will be as strong as ever. ” says Doherty.

“Limekiln will be very tough opponents, though. They have been there before, they've done three in a row previously, but it’s 2016 since they last won the women's title.

“What they’ve achieved this year is especially impressive when you consider where they were twelve months ago. Last year they didn’t have the numbers to field a women’s team, so to see them back competing in an All-Ireland Final this season says a lot about the resilience and commitment within the club.

“They’re back in the final this year, which is a tremendous achievement, and they’re sure to provide a stern test for Breaffy.

“Whatever happens over the next three weekends, the Finals are a celebration of the progress rounders continues to make. The players, clubs and volunteers have put in a tremendous amount of work to get to this stage, and I’m looking forward to seeing all nine finalists showcase the very best of GAA Rounders.”

Sunday 30 August, NGDC Abbotstown, Dublin 15

• Junior Women’s Final (11am): St. Kieran’s (Limerick) vs St. Senan’s (Limerick)
• Intermediate Women’s Final (1pm): Elphin(Roscommon) vs Galway City Rapparees (Galway)
• Senior Women’s Final (3.30pm): Breaffy (Mayo) vs Limekiln (Dublin)

Sunday 6 September, Offaly GAA Centre of Excellence, Offaly

• Junior Men’s Final (11am): Gusserane (Wexford) vs Myshall (Carlow)
• Intermediate Men’s Final (1pm): St. Clare’s (Cavan) vs St. Senan’s (Limerick)
• Senior Men’s Final (3.30pm): Carrickmacross Emmets (Monaghan) vs Erne Eagles (Cavan)

Sunday 13 September, Mallow GAA, Cork

• Junior Mixed Final (11am): Galway City Rapparees (Galway) vs Kilmore (Roscommon)
• Intermediate Mixed Final (1pm): Emo (Laois) vs Galway City Rapparees (Galway)
• Senior Mixed Final (3.30pm): Breaffy (Mayo) vs Glynn Barntown (Wexford)