The All Ireland Cluiche Corr Championships commenced in March, a little earlier than previous years. A new format was put forward for the year which saw the championship run on a league basis with senior ladies and men as well as mixed competitions continuing throughout the summer months. The championship saw some very close and highly competitive games, with great improvement in playing skills evident in all categories.
The minor men, ladies and mixed finals were held in Clara, County Offaly. This year, The Heath of Laois won all minor titles.
The senior finals were held in Newbridge Sarsfields GAA Club, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. On August 28th, St. Clares Rounders Club of Cavan brought home the title of All Ireland Senior Ladies Champions after a 6-3 victory over Bagenalstown Rounders Club of Carlow. This was St. Clares' second senior ladies title having won in 2010.
Senior Ladies Champions: St Clare's Rounders Club, County Cavan.
In the Senior Men’s final, Limekiln of Dublin 2008 took on The Heath of Laois. This was very tightly fought game which resulted in extra innings. Limekiln finally winning out with a score line of 25 to 27. This was Limekilns first time to win the Senior Men’s Championship after decades of participation.
Senior Men's Champions: Limekiln Rounders Club, Dublin. The Senior Mixed All Ireland finals were also held in the grounds of Newbridge Sarsfields, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Saturday, 3rd September. The Heath Rounders Club of Laois played Cúchulainn Rounders Club of Carlow. The Heath played a very strong game and were victorious over the reigning champions Cúchulainn. The score finished Cúchulainn 12, The Heath 37.
Senior Mixed Champions: Limekiln Rounders Club, Dublin.
Féile Cluiche Corr, our annual competition for our juvenile players was held in Clara GAA Club, Offaly on the August Bank Holiday weekend. This year saw yet another increase in the number of clubs participating. The Heath of Laois claimed all titles. The weekend was greatly supported and the younger members of GAA Rounders expressed their immense enjoyment of the competitions.
Féile also served as an opportunity for players to be selected to take part in a GAA Rounders exhibition games which took place in Croke Park on August 20th. The game saw 18 children getting the opportunity to play Rounders in the GAA headquarters, whilst other juveniles umpired and refereed. Our senior players were also given an opportunity to demonstrate their sport on the same day with a senior game on one end of the field and a juvenile game on the other. It is hoped that there will be an increasing number of exhibition games played across the country through 2012 to enhance awareness and participation in our game.
The GAA Rounders All Stars for 2011 have been selected and will be awarded at a ceremony in the Green Isle Hotel in November.
The All Stars recipients for 2011 are as follows:
MEN
|
Position
|
Player
|
Club
|
|
Pitcher
|
Colm Brennan
|
Cúchulainn
|
|
Catcher
|
Shane Murtagh
|
Limekiln
|
|
Short Stop
|
Eddie Healy
|
Limekiln
|
|
First Base
|
Kenneth Nolan
|
Cúchulainn
|
|
Second Base
|
Michael O' Connell
|
Limekiln
|
|
Third Base
|
Philip Keane
|
The Heath
|
|
Left Outfield
|
Matthew Dowling
|
Cúchulainn
|
|
Centre Outfield
|
James Farrell
|
The Heath
|
|
Right Outfield
|
John Paul Tynan
|
The Heath
|
|
Roaming Fielder
|
Christopher Hughes
|
Limekiln
|
|
Roaming Fielder
|
Gary Kett
|
Limekiln
|
|
Roaming Fielder
|
Darren Goode
|
Limekiln |
LADIES
|
Position
|
Player
|
Club
|
|
Pitcher
|
Nicola Clarke
|
Bagenalstown
|
|
Catcher
|
Shirley Roche
|
Glynn Barntown
|
|
Short Stop
|
Aoife Boyle
|
The Heath
|
|
First Base
|
Dympna Loughman
|
St. Clares
|
|
Second Base
|
Sharon Brady
|
St. Clares
|
|
Third Base
|
Elaine Clarke
|
Bagenalstown
|
|
Left Outfield
|
Colette McCaul
|
St. Clares
|
|
Centre Outfield
|
Laura Lynch
|
St. Clares
|
|
Right Outfield
|
Thomasina Quirke
|
Bagenalstown
|
|
Roaming Fielder
|
Christine Kelly
|
Limekiln
|
|
Roaming Fielder
|
Emma Reddy
|
Glynn Barntown
|
|
Roaming Fielder
|
Julie Ann Brady
|
Erne Eagles |