Double All-Ireland delight for Laois GAA Rounders club

Emo Rounders continued their underage dominance by claiming the first All-Ireland titles of 2025 last weekend, winning both the U-14 Boys and Girls Féile competitions in Monaghan.

The Emo U-14 girls entered with momentum after their Leinster final win over Glynn Barntown (Wexford) and impressed throughout. After two strong group wins, they reached the final where they comfortably defeated a Cavan side 23-4, finishing with two battings in hand.

It was a superb team display, captain Laura Meredith led the charge at shortstop, Lily Horgan starred as bowler, and Jessica Dwyer was solid at backstop. Rachel Dwyer, Katie Moore and Brianna O’Reilly were excellent on base, while outfielders Kaila Ryan, Aoileann and Sadbh Ní Chomhraidhe made key plays.

The Laois club's U-14 boys also lifted silverware, though their path was far more dramatic. After opening wins against Seán Connolly’s (Longford) and Michael Glavey’s (Roscommon), they fell to Na Fianna (Dublin) in a rematch of their recent Leinster final. That loss left Emo needing a win against Erne Eagles (Cavan) to stay alive, and they delivered. Read more below picture.

In the semi-final, Emo overwhelmed Michael Glavey’s for the second time to set up a third showdown with Na Fianna in two weeks. After playing their first game at 10am, Emo lined out again at 5.45pm in sweltering heat against a now full-strength Na Fianna side. Fielding first, Emo made key positional changes and raised their performance to a new level. With the Dubliners leading 24-15 going into the final innings, Emo needed 10 runs to win.

Despite an early out, they clawed their way back before Oscar Suda stepped up with the bases loaded and blasted a game-winning hit, securing a dramatic 26-24 win.

With U-14 Boys and Girls All-Ireland titles in hand, plus Leinster Girls and Mixed crowns, Emo will look to continue their incredible form at the U-13 competition in Roscommon on May 31.

The Emo U-14 boys panel: Tommy Murphy (Captain), Jack Gleeson, Caolán Gilliland, Seán Hyland, Charlie Merriman, Adam Riippa, Darragh Hyland, Seán Kiernan, Daragh Donnelly, Ronin Ryan, Eoin O’Connell and Oscar Suda.

The Emo U-14 girls panel: Laura Meredith (Captain), Kaila Ryan, Katie Moore, Jessica Dwyer, Sadhbh Ní Chomhraidhe, Lily Horgan, Aoileann Ní Chomhraidhe, Brianna O’Reilly and Rachel Dwyer.

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