The 2026 rounders All‑Stars ceremony crowned Galway City Rapparees as Club of the Year and unveiled thirty elite players across senior, intermediate and junior levels.
The 2026 GAA Rounders All-Stars ceremony wrapped up a season of intense competition and community pride. Held after a year filled with provincial championships and national finals, the awards night recognised the finest talent in senior, intermediate and junior categories, as well as special contributions that helped the sport thrive.
For anyone tracking the evolution of rounders in Ireland, the list of winners offers a clear snapshot of which clubs and counties dominated the landscape.
In total, the awards featured 30 individual All-Stars, four provincial club honours, three Teams of the Year and a series of special recognitions.
The structure mirrors the traditional GAA approach: each player is named to a specific position, and clubs receive collective accolades for overall performance. This year, the distribution of awards highlighted a blend of established powerhouses and emerging forces, reinforcing the regional depth of the sport.
Club of the Year and provincial accolades
The top honour, Club of the Year, was bestowed upon Galway City Rapparees. Their achievement was two-fold, as the club also secured the Connacht Club of the Year title, cementing Galway’s dominance in the western province. Alongside Galway, the remaining provincial clubs of the year were Emo Laois (Leinster), St Senan’s Limerick (Munster) and Erne Eagles (Ulster). These clubs demonstrated consistent excellence throughout the season, from league play to knockout stages.
Senior and mixed All-Stars breakdown
Senior men positions
The senior men’s lineup featured seasoned veterans and rising stars. Darryl Dolan of Erne Eagles guarded the mound as the premier pitcher, while Glenn Shier from Cúchulainn took charge behind the plate as catcher. Defensive spots were filled by Shane Sheridan (first base, Erne Eagles), Ronan Kiernan (second base, Carrickmacross Emmets), Tomás Kenny (third base, Galway City Rapparees) and Eddie Healy (short stop, Limekiln). In the outfield, Declan Finnegan (left), Victor del Rosal (center) and Nathan McHale (right) represented Carrickmacross, Breaffy and Breaffy respectively, while Ciarán Weldon earned the roaming position for Limekiln.
Senior women positions
The senior women’s squad showcased talent from across the country. Serena Costelloe (Limekiln) anchored the pitching role, and Katie Groonell (Breaffy) served as the back catcher. Infield duties fell to Amanda Kealy (first base, Limekiln), Aisling Ginnitty (second, Carrickmacross Emmets), Maggie Brady (third, Erne Eagles) and Gráinne Gavin (short stop, Breaffy). The outfield featured Katie Jordan and Colette McCaul from Breaffy and Limekiln respectively, while Emma Hudson covered right field for Limekiln. The roaming slot was claimed by Yvonne Healy, also of Limekiln.
Junior and intermediate stand-outs
At the junior level, Kilmore of Roscommon captured both the junior men’s and junior women’s titles, reflecting the club’s depth in nurturing young talent. The intermediate division highlighted a mix of experience and freshness: Katie Jessop (Galway City Rapparees) and Jason Cawley (St Clare’s Cavan) earned the women’s and men’s spots, while Clodagh Naughton (Galway City Rapparees) and Liam Horgan (Emo Laois) represented the mixed categories.
Special recognitions and communication honours
Beyond on-field performance, the ceremony honoured contributors who enhance the sport’s profile. The Communications Award went to Carrickmacross Emmets from Monaghan for exemplary media outreach, while the President’s Award was presented to Michael Dowling of The Heath, Laois, acknowledging his dedication to grassroots development.
When the numbers are tallied, Limekiln leads with eight senior All-Stars, followed closely by Breaffy with six, and Erne Eagles and Carrickmacross Emmets each supplying three. Galway City Rapparees, despite winning Club of the Year, contributed a single senior All-Star, underscoring that collective club success does not always translate directly to individual accolades. The distribution of awards this year paints a picture of a sport where excellence can emerge from any corner of the island, be it a well-established senior squad or a vibrant junior side.
Looking ahead, the 2026 All-Stars set a benchmark for the next season. Clubs will study the winning line-ups, players will aspire to emulate the highlighted performances, and administrators will build on the special recognitions to further promote rounders across Ireland. The ceremony not only celebrated achievements but also laid a roadmap for the continued growth of the game.
