Welcome to GAA Rounders
Rounders will be part of Feile na nGael this year. Any clubs interested are requested to make contact with the rounders secretary, details below. GAA Rounders is one of the four official GAA sports, along with Gaelic Football, Hurling and Handball. Rounders has been a GAA Sport from the origin of the GAA and was included in the original GAA Charter back in 1884.
It is played by all age groups, from national school children all the way to and including senior level. There are both mixed teams where Boys and Girls, as well as Men and Women can play on the same team, as well as seperate teams for Males & Females. As Rounders is a limited contact sport, it is perfect for both recreational and competitive play. It also draws on a different set of skills than the conventional GAA games and is very good for developing hand-eye coordination.
The History
GAA Rounders was included in the original GAA charter back in 1884, along with Gaelic Football, Hurling and Handball. Until 1958, no initiatives were evident in clubs to play Rounders despite the availability of written rules in An Chlár Oifigiúil, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. Antrim club Erins Own approved the running and funding of a Rounders match under the rules in the Official guide.
Over the next twelve years one member of the Erins Own club, Peadar Ó’ Túatain kept the initiative alive with efforts which led to the formation of teams in the Air Corps in Baldonnell, Co. Dublin and in St. Joseph’s Teacher Training College in Belfast.
In 1970, Erins Own club were again to the fore, supporting the launch of the Primary Schools Rounders Championships in the Toomebridge area of County Antrim and County Derry . Those championships have continued yearly since then and have become more widely played in Derry , Antrim & Tyrone Schools. Senior & Minor Championships are played across Ireland and there is an annual Féile weekend for juvenile players. In 2008, GAA Rounders celebrated 50 years since its revival.
The History of our All Ireland Trophies
Corn Gael Linn: The Corn Gael Linn trophy was the very first GAA Rounders trophy on record, it started as the Ladies top prize in 1970! It was later replaced by the C J Haughey cup in 1976. The trophy then was introduced to the Senior Men’s championship in the tournaments inaugural year. However it only lasted one year with the Senior Men untill taking it’s place as the GAA Minor Men’s trophy in 1977. Ard Comhairle replaced the trophy in 2009 but decided to keep it’s name.
Corn Betsi Gre: The Corn Betsi Gre was introduced in 1977, purchased by Ard Comhairle after the first Minor Ladie’s blitz the year prior was such a success. The trophy is named after the Co.Down 1798 heroine. It was first raised high by Antrim’s Erin’s Own & is still played for till this day. 9 Countys and 15 different clubs have had the privilege to hold it. Ard Comhairle also decided to replace the trophy in 2010 along with the Senior men, women, mixed & the minor mixed.
The Minor Mixed Trophy: The unnamed trophy is the youngest Gaa Rounders trophy making its debut in 1998, following the success from feile under 16 mixed, it was decided to intraduce an under 18 mixed tournament. The first final proved why Ard Comhairle took the chance as Rathdowney battled Glynn/Barntown in what went down as the lowest scoring rounders final ever ending 3-2 in favour of the Wexford natives
Corn Aodh Rua: Introduced to the game in 1977 it took its rightfull place as the Senior Men’s most prestigious prize. The very first winner was again Erin’s Own, however I think this trophy will always be linked to Cavan team Erne Eagles who won it ten year’s in a row(98-07) & eleven years in total, a record that will be difficult to break.
C J Haughhey Cup: This trophy was donated to the association in 1976 by Charles J Haughey, and presented to the winners Erin’s Own who beat Lavey Derry. The 7 innings match and presentation all happened in under fiftyfive minutes. It has been won by 9 different countys but 15 different clubs and counting.
The Syntax Cup: The first Senior Mixed tournament took place in 1990 & was won by SynDodgers from the Syntax factory in Clarecastle. At the time there was no trophy untill the following year’s final which was won by Lakelands. The Syntax factory then donated a cup named after them.
How to Play
The Rules
Start Your Own Team
Coaching Manual
Why do we coach Rounders? In answer there are several reasons. Firstly, Rounders develops and uses all the ball skills together with co-ordination of hand and eye. It teaches how to catch and throw, using both underarm and overarm throwing; how to stop and field balls which fly through the air and come as direct catches. It teaches how to run, both when fielding and when batting. It also develops the ability to judge and hit balls pitched at a variety of heights and speeds. Secondly, Rounders is a team game. Each player’s skills must be put together with those of eight other players and they must combine to get the best overall performance. When the side is fielding they all have to work as a unit. When the team is batting, each batter knows that how he/she hits will affect the others on his/her team. Thirdly, Rounders appeals to both male and female and can be played as a mixed game. It is not a contact sport: ladies and girls can often compete strongly with men and boys.
Download the Official GAA Rounders Coaching Manual below
Contact
secretary.rounders@gaa.ie
or post:
National Rounders Secretary,
Croke Park Stadium,
Jones’ Road, Dublin 3.
Rounders Skill Cards & Downloads
THROWING AND CATCHING RUNNING,
Comhairle Cluiche Corr Na h Eireann Official Constitution
Links to GAA Rounders
GAA Rounders Click here
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