Cavan sides clinch All-Ireland rounders glory

By Shirley Uí Leannáin

2026 All-Ireland Men’s Rounders Finals Day featured three teams from the region – Senior Men’s defending champions, Monaghan’s Carrickmacross Emmets, Senior Cavan side Erne Eagles from Mullahoran and Cavan town’s St. Clare’s, competing for the Intermediate title.

Intermediate Final: St. Clare’s vs St. Senan’s

Winning the toss, St. Clare’s elected to field and, in a slight change from normal service, PJ Kelly headed out to second base, leaving his usual back catcher position to Jason Cawley. So far, so unusual but St. Clare’s put faith in managers Shane Dolan and Louise McAndrew.

Declan Rattigan came up to bat first for St. Senan’s and in a display of very smart fielding, pitcher Darragh Johnston got the ball to Steve Deyarmin on first to get the first out of the game and the start that St. Clare’s were looking for.

With the next two batters making it to base, St. Senan’s Captain Kevin Doody came to bat and hit the ball straight into the hands of Chaz Solomon. Next up was Niall Sheehy whose hit went to short stop Wayne Gerber and with another fast throw to Steve Daryarmin, secured the third out and no runs scored.

St. Clare’s came to bat meaning business. Two excellent catches from Dean Hogan outfield and one from Ian Sheehy on third showed St. Senan’s ability to field but the Cavan men batted smart and got nine runs home in that first innings leaving the score 9-0 going into the second.

More excellent fielding with clean catches from Jason Cawley and Wayne Gerber as well as an out on second led to the Limerick lads being contained to one run home.

The third and fourth innings saw St. Senan’s get more home than St. Clare’s each time and, heading into the final innings the score was 19-12. Needing to get at least seven home the pressure was on St. Senan’s for their final turn at bat.

For full report pick up this week's Anglo-Celt.