Most people still think of Rounders as a game played in primary school yards. The reality is very different.

Every weekend during the summer, around 100 adult teams travel the length and breadth of Ireland to compete in national championships. Men, women and mixed teams take to the field from Mayo to Wexford, Galway to Monaghan, in a sport that has quietly become one of the most inclusive and community-driven success stories within the GAA.

Across Ireland, hundreds of adults are discovering the sport for the first time.

Many never played Rounders as children. Many never played any GAA sport at all. In clubs across Galway, Dublin, Waterford, Limerick and beyond, players from every corner of the world are pulling on club jerseys and becoming part of their local communities through Rounders.

Few sports offer such an easy entry point. A person can arrive in Ireland having never kicked a football or picked up a hurl and, within weeks, be playing championship sport alongside Irish teammates. In an increasingly diverse Ireland, Rounders has become one of the GAA’s most effective integration sports.

The growth in women’s participation has been equally impressive. Women’s and Mixed competitions continue to expand, creating opportunities for women to remain involved in competitive sport long after many traditional pathways disappear. Mixed Rounders, where men and women compete together on the same team, remains one of the most unique and successful participation models in Irish sport.

Another remarkable statistic is that 60% of adult members are over the age of 35. At a time when many sports struggle to retain participants beyond their twenties, Rounders has quietly become a lifelong sport. Players continue competing well into their thirties, forties and beyond, drawn by a combination of competition, friendship and community.

That sense of community is perhaps the sport’s greatest strength.

For many players, Rounders becomes far more than a weekly fixture. Clubs become social networks, support systems and friendship groups. New residents find connections. Families play together. Entire communities are built around a shared love of the game.

Yet behind this success story lies a challenge that cannot be ignored.

The Volunteer Strain Behind the Growth

The sport’s growth has been achieved almost entirely through volunteers.

Every championship fixture, every juvenile blitz, every social media post, every referee appointment and every development initiative depends on people giving up their time because they care about the future of the game. Nationally, Rounders now operates approximately 400 matches annually, placing increasing demands on a relatively small group of volunteers, referees and administrators.

Travel remains another major obstacle. Unlike larger sports with established regional structures, Rounders clubs often face significant journeys to fulfil fixtures. Volunteers regularly spend entire weekends travelling to support their teams, while referees cover huge distances to ensure games can proceed.

Facilities present an equally significant challenge. As participation grows, access to suitable playing venues is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly in urban areas where demand for pitches continues to rise. Many clubs are thriving despite having no permanent home of their own.

What Rounders Needs Next

The sport’s future will depend on addressing these pressures. Greater investment in development officers, stronger support for volunteers, improved facilities and increased visibility could help unlock the next phase of growth.

There is also a growing belief within the game that reaching 100 active clubs nationwide would be transformative. More clubs would reduce travel, strengthen regional competitions and create a more sustainable championship structure for everyone involved.

The foundations are already in place.

Participation is growing. New clubs continue to emerge. Women’s involvement is increasing. Juvenile programmes are expanding. More people from different backgrounds are discovering the sport every year.

For a game that many still mistakenly view as a childhood pastime, the reality is that Rounders has evolved into one of the most welcoming, inclusive and community-focused sports in Ireland.

The challenge now is ensuring the structures, resources and support systems grow as quickly as the game itself.

Because if they do, the next chapter of the Rounders story could be its most exciting yet.

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Irish sports fans will have wall-to-wall coverage from midday right through to late-night boxing, with Leinster’s huge showdown against Bordeaux expected to dominate the afternoon viewing figures.

Leinster Face Bordeaux in Massive Champions Cup Final

The standout fixture of the day sees Leinster take on Bordeaux in the Champions Cup Final at 2:45pm live on Premier Sport 1.

Leinster are chasing another European title, but they face a dangerous Bordeaux side packed with attacking quality. With temperatures expected to be extremely high in Bilbao, conditions could play a major role in determining the outcome.

The game is one of the most anticipated rugby finals in recent years and is expected to attract massive Irish television audiences.

Huge Day for GAA Fans

GAA supporters are spoiled for choice across the afternoon and evening schedule.

The action begins at 12pm with two Ulster Minor Football Championship clashes as Derry face Donegal and Tyrone take on Cavan live on TG4 YouTube.

At 1pm, Dublin meet Clare in the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship before Cork take on Wexford at 3pm.

The senior football championship also takes centre stage with Kerry against Donegal at 3pm on GAA+, followed by Cork versus Meath at 5:30pm.

The headline evening fixture sees Galway host Kildare at 7:30pm live on RTÉ in what promises to be a major test for Pádraic Joyce’s side following their Connacht Final defeat to Roscommon.

Women’s Champions League Final Takes Centre Stage

Football fans can also look forward to the Women’s Champions League Final at 5pm as Barcelona face OL Lyonnais live on RTÉ2.

Barcelona continue to dominate European women’s football, but Lyon remain one of the biggest names in the competition’s history.

Earlier in the afternoon, Celtic face Dunfermline in the SPL Cup Final at 3pm, while Bayern Munich meet Stuttgart in the German Cup Final at 7pm.

Galway United’s Women’s LOI clash against Athlone Town at 7:45pm on TG4 also adds to a strong evening football schedule.

Formula One, Golf and Boxing Also on the Schedule

Motor racing fans can tune into Canadian Grand Prix qualifying at 4pm on Sky Sports F1.

Golf viewers have two major options with the Soudal Open at 12:30pm and The CJ Cup Byron Nelson at 5pm, both on Sky Sports Golf.

Horse racing fans will also be focused on The Curragh at 1:45pm, featuring the prestigious 2000 Guineas live on RTÉ2.

The sporting day concludes with heavyweight boxing action at 10pm as Oleksandr Usyk faces Verhoeven live on DAZN.

Full Saturday 23rd May Live Sports Schedule

• 12pm — Derry v Donegal (Ulster MFC)
• 12pm — Tyrone v Cavan (Ulster MFC)
• 12:30pm — Soudal Open
• 1pm — Dublin v Clare (All-Ireland MHC)
• 1:45pm — Racing from The Curragh – 2000 Guineas
• 2:45pm — Leinster v Bordeaux (Champions Cup Final)
• 3pm — Cork v Wexford (All-Ireland MHC)
• 3pm — Kerry v Donegal (All-Ireland SFC)
• 3pm — Celtic v Dunfermline (SPL Cup Final)
• 3:30pm — Hull v Middlesbrough (EFL Championship)
• 4pm — Canadian GP Qualifying
• 5pm — Barcelona v OL Lyonnais (Women’s Champions League Final)
• 5pm — The CJ Cup Byron Nelson
• 5:30pm — Cork v Meath (All-Ireland SFC)
• 7pm — Bayern Munich v Stuttgart (German Cup Final)
• 7:30pm — Galway v Kildare (All-Ireland SFC)
• 7:45pm — Galway United v Athlone Town (Women’s LOI)
• 9:30pm — The Saturday Game
• 10pm — Usyk v Verhoeven

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By Daragh Ó Conchúir

Sarah Gillane may be relatively new to the Limerick camogie squad, but the Patrickswell goalkeeper is already comfortable taking on a leadership role.

Now completing her first year in full-time teaching at Árd Scoil Rís, the all-boys secondary school where her older brothers Aaron and Jason, along with many Limerick hurlers past and present, developed their skills, Gillane is a natural mentor.

German may be her official subject, but helping and developing young players is also a passion. She is currently helping with the U6s at Patrickswell, coaching the first-year hurling team at school, and is also involved with the hockey squad.

From Patrickswell To The Limerick Senior Squad

Gillane was part of the Limerick junior panel that reached the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland final in her Leaving Cert year in 2019. However, the 25-year-old did not receive her senior call-up until last season.

She had captained Patrickswell in 2024 and played a key role as the club claimed both the Limerick Intermediate Championship title and, last November, the Munster junior cup.

Gillane has carried that form into this season. Her performance in the Munster semi-final defeat to eventual champions Tipperary drew huge praise, particularly for the quality of her shot-stopping.

“We knew going into the Tipperary game that they bring huge intensity and huge experience,” Gillane said.

“They always do, but it was great to be able to match their energy and their workrate for periods of the game, especially when we’re looking at them being a Division 1A team.

“That is the goal. That’s what you’re looking to achieve, and it’s great to get the chance to play teams like that to see where you are at.”

Inspired By Jason Gillane And Nickie Quaid

Goalkeeping has changed hugely in recent years, and Gillane has obvious role models close to home in her brother Jason and Limerick legend Nickie Quaid.

Jason’s drive has pushed Quaid to keep improving, while both men’s commitment to excellence continues to inspire Sarah.

“Looking at Jason in goals and Nickie Quaid with the hurlers, it’s great. It’s motivation behind it all.”

“You can see what these goalies put in, in order to get the results, because inevitably it’s an important role as well.”

Limerick Camogie Building Belief

Gillane has also seen the impact of Limerick hurling’s golden era at close quarters, with Aaron Gillane central to a team that has won five of the last eight All-Ireland senior hurling titles.

Rather than seeing that success as a burden, she views it as motivation for Limerick camogie.

“At home, seeing what Aaron and Jason put into it, and what they offer to their teams, and what they sacrifice, it’s really a motivation.”

She believes there has been a major mindset shift within Limerick camogie in recent years.

“I think it’s all really positive now, and there’s a serious drive in the group. We know what we can do and it’s a matter of putting that across in all these games.”

Kilkenny Challenge Opens Championship Campaign

Limerick begin their All-Ireland Championship campaign tomorrow with a trip to UPMC Nowlan Park to face Kilkenny at 3.30pm.

Kilkenny narrowly missed out on a place in the Division 1A League final on score difference to eventual winners Galway, so Limerick face a serious test from the opening round.

Gillane, however, welcomes the new championship structure, which gives teams a run of games and a clear route towards the quarter-finals.

“Championship is what you train all year for, so we’re really excited to get going.”

For Gillane and Limerick, the challenge is clear. They want to set their standards, embrace the occasion and continue building towards the level they believe they can reach.

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It is with great sadness that the Camogie Association has announced the passing of Iar-Uachtarán an Chumainn Camógaíochta, Liz Howard.

Liz served the Association and the sport of camogie with distinction across several decades and leaves behind an extraordinary legacy within Gaelic games.

A Trailblazer For Camogie And Women In Sport

The first Tipperary woman to hold the top post, Liz was elected President of the Camogie Association in 2006.

Born in Carrick-on-Suir into a family steeped in Gaelic games tradition, Liz developed a lifelong passion for camogie and hurling. Her father, Garrett, won All-Ireland senior hurling medals with both Limerick and Dublin.

Liz later moved to County Clare, where her parents established Feakle camogie club. During her playing career, she represented Feakle in Clare, Roscrea and Knockshegowna in Tipperary, and Celtic and Phoenix in Dublin.

She won a National Senior League medal with Tipperary and an All-Ireland junior medal with Dublin.

Decades Of Service To Gaelic Games

Liz was appointed National PRO of the Camogie Association in 1979 and also served as Tipperary GAA PRO from 1981 to 2003.

She was also a media pioneer, becoming the first female analyst on The Sunday Game on RTÉ.

Liz played a major role in the preparations for the Camogie Association’s centenary celebrations in 2004 before being elected President of the Association in 2006.

Her contribution was recognised with the Tipperary Personality of the Year award and the National Administrator of the Year award at the Volunteers in Irish Sport Awards in 2009.

She remained closely involved in camogie administration in the years that followed, continuing to serve the game in several different roles.

Tributes Paid By Camogie President Brian Molloy

Uachtarán an Chumainn Camógaíochta, Brian Molloy, expressed his condolences following Liz’s passing.

“On behalf of the Camogie Association, I would like to share my sympathies with Liz’s family, her many friends, former colleagues and the wider Gaelic games community on her passing.

“Liz Howard was one of the great servants of our Association, someone who dedicated decades of her life to the promotion and development of camogie at club, county and national level. Her contribution to our sport was immense.

“Liz brought passion, intelligence and enormous energy to every role she held. She was a proud advocate for camogie and for women in sport, and her leadership helped strengthen and modernise the Association during an important period in its history.

“She will also be remembered as a deeply respected figure within Gaelic games, whose love for camogie and hurling shone through in everything she did.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.”

Funeral arrangements will follow.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá hanam.

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With the new knockout-style system now firmly in place, counties face a relentless route to Sam Maguire — with no room for slow starts.

All-Ireland SFC 2026 – Round 1 Draw

The opening round sees provincial finalists handed home advantage against the next-best ranked teams based on league standings.

Round 1 Fixtures:

• Dublin v Louth
• Cork v Meath
• Monaghan v Mayo
• Westmeath v Cavan
• Kerry v Donegal
• Galway v Kildare
• Armagh v Derry
• Roscommon v Tyrone

These ties promise serious intrigue, with several heavyweight clashes that could shape the championship early.

Key Dates for Provincial Finals

Before Round 1 action begins, the remaining provincial finals will be played across two weekends:

• Munster & Connacht Finals: 23–24 May
• Leinster & Ulster Finals: 30–31 May

These results will confirm the final seedings heading into the All-Ireland series.

All-Ireland SFC Format Explained (2026)

The structure is designed to reward winners while still giving teams a second chance — but only just.

Round 1

• 16 teams compete (8 provincial finalists + 8 next-best league teams)
• Provincial finalists play at home
• Winners advance to Round 2A
• Losers drop to Round 2B

Round 2A (Winners Path)

• 8 Round 1 winners face each other
• 4 winners go straight to the All-Ireland quarter-finals
• Draw avoids repeat provincial final pairings
• First team drawn gets home advantage

Round 2B (Backdoor Survival)

• 8 Round 1 losers face off
• 4 teams eliminated from the championship
• 4 winners move on to Round 3
• Same draw restrictions apply

Round 3 (Last Chance Saloon)

• 4 Round 2A losers vs 4 Round 2B winners
• Home venues decided by draw
• Avoid repeat provincial final pairings and, where possible, Round 1 rematches
• 4 winners qualify for the quarter-finals

Quarter-Finals

• 4 Round 2A winners vs 4 Round 3 winners
• Straight knockout from here to the All-Ireland Final

What This Format Means

This structure is brutally simple:

• Win early → shorter route to the quarter-finals
• Lose once → still alive
• Lose twice → you’re out

There’s pressure from Day 1, and counties can’t afford to ease into the championship anymore.

For teams like Kerry, Dublin, Galway and Armagh, the expectation is clear — push straight through Round 2A and avoid the chaos of the backdoor.

For others, Round 2B and Round 3 become a dogfight just to stay alive.

Big Talking Points from the Draw

• Kerry v Donegal is the standout tie — a serious early test for both
• Galway v Kildare offers a tricky opener for the Connacht champions
• Roscommon v Tyrone could be one of the most competitive games of the round
• Dublin v Louth renews a growing Leinster rivalry

Final Word

There’s no soft entry point anymore. The All-Ireland series has become a sprint, not a marathon.

Counties either hit the ground running — or spend the summer chasing survival.

And that’s exactly how the GAA want it.

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