Category : Front Page News | Sub Category : Front Page Posted on 2023-03-31 13:08:13
Excitement is building as the 2023 rounders fixtures have been released. With 52 clubs and with 92 teams entered from Senior men to Junior Ladies it will be the biggest year for the sport.
The season kicks off in earnest on the third weekend of April Sunday the 16th with old foes kicking off the season with The Heath of Laois playing off against Limekiln of Dublin in both men and mixed which is not to be missed as these two clubs have thrown up classics in recent years.
Also on that Sunday, Erne Eagles begin their quest for their third mens title in a row when they face the men from Wexford in Glynn/Barntown.
The opening weekend should be a blockbuster of rounders with Kevins from Dublin making their senior Intermediate debut against Skyrne of Meath along with a host of junior mixed and junior ladies games.
Other notable fixtures throughout the season throw up fascinating battles including last years mens final Carrick and Erne Eagles, in the ladies section Breaffy of Mayo against Bagenalstown of Carlow and in the senior mixed Cuchulainn of Carlow against Glynn/Barntown. These are sure to be great encounters, but can the results be reversed.
In the mens intermediate section, Michael Glaveys will be looking to go one better this year and get promoted after falling at the last hurdle against Emo last year.
In the womens side of things Skyrne will look to put recent heartbreak behind them after losing the last three finals and start their campaign against Kevin’s in the first game week.
St Clares of Cavan will be looking to advance to senior level in the mixed but have a tough group as this face off against Dublin sides Na Fianna and Limekiln and also face Ballinagore, Erne Eagles, Carrick and Sean Connollys.
It is the junior mixed competition that is most intriguing with a quarter final stage for the very first time with a record number of teams that have entered.
St Senans of Limerick will start out favourites to win the title as they just fell short to an up-and-coming Emo team in the final last year.
Lastly and not least we welcome back the junior ladies championship once again, this year it is split into two groups and it is very hard to pick a winner from either group. It should be interesting.
Rounders President Michael Dowling is looking forward to the season he said: “This is going to be the biggest and best season yet in the history of GAA Rounders. We have more clubs and competition entries than ever before.
“While the blue riband competitions in the senior ladies, men’s and mixed will be as keenly fought as ever, it’s at the junior and intermediate level where the game is really growing.
“With new junior start up clubs competing for the first time with last years crop there is going to be some really interesting games throughout the season. Who would bet on a newcomer winning the All-Ireland at the end of the summer.
“The intermediate section is going to be intriguing with the leagues a mixture of seasoned clubs and some newly promoted teams. Honourable mention must go to the Skryne intermediate ladies who have lost the last three All-Ireland finals.â€