Well done to our Senior Mixed Rounders squad have qualified for the clubs first ever Senior All-Ireland Semi-Final last Sunday in what was a cracking performance by all involved. Kevins played Glynn-Barntown of Wexford in their last game of the league series and needed a win to qualify. While Kevins had got their campaign off to a good start in the league series winning their first 3 games, they then fell to Limekiln, (Dublin), Breaffy (Mayo) and Erne Eagle (Cavan). While their last 3 games have been against high performing squads who qualified early for the semi-finals, it meant that this last game was basically a quarter-final. A loss to the experienced Glynn Barntown club was likely to mean no semi-final.
Kevins opened the game by giving a master class in fielding holding the Wexford squad to 1 run. Catches from Serena Costelloe-Scott and Salvador Rizo was followed by a chaotic scene of cat and mouse around the bases with Katie Glynn eventually sealing of 2nd base to catch Glynn Barntowns’ last runner out. In reply, Glynn Barntowns pitcher Emma Reddy was sharp, firing low balls at a fast pace, but Miguel Lazcano stepped up to the plate first and got on base to settle the teams nerves and Kevins ran in 6 to lead heading into the top of the 2nd.
Glynn Barntown tried some tactical batting to counteract the Kevins outfield with a bunt down the left field, but Erica Meslin handled the low ball with ease and a quick throw to Olwyn Barret on 1st base caught the batter out and Kevins quickly ended Glynn Barntowns 2nd innings with a duck (ie. zero runs). The Wexford bowler was flinging balls in the Kevins batters even faster in the 2nd innings, but Kevins managed to reply with 2 runs from Erica Meslin and Wayne Cullen.
Then Kevins got Glynn Barntown out for a duck again. Jack Shallow was excellent in right outfield with his second catch of the morning which was recognised by the Wexford batter as he whispered some complementary expletives in Jacks direction and walked off shaking his head. Kevins then nudged ahead in the 3rd innings with runs from Miguel, Erica and Fergal. Then a moment of controversy struck when an eager Jack Shallow stepped into the batters box early and was ruled out by the referee. A deep breath was taken as Jack simmered quietly in his deck chair waiting to take the field again!
Kevins fielders held Glynn-Barntown to 2 runs in the 4th and got in for 4 more runs themselves, mainly thanks to a superb hit from Fergal who managed to get to 3rd base, but had to stop to give himself some air. Fergal managed to get home on the next ball before being given a well deserved break. Glynn Barntown needed 12 runs at the top of the 5th innings to level the game but true to form Kevins got 3 quick outs to finish the game 15-3. Scores by innings : 1-6, 0-2, 0-3, 2-4, 0-X.
We await details of the Senior Mixed All-Ireland Semi-Final, but we expect it to be on the week-end of the 24/25 August against our neighbours Limekiln, which we understand will be a rare Dublin derby at this stage of the competition. Limekiln go into the semi-finals having topped the table and are unbeaten, so no doubt will go into the knock out stages as favourites. It is also a rare Senior All-Ireland Semi-Final for the Kevins club in general which was established in 1902.
Later that day Kevins fielded a second mixed team in the Junior Championship. This time it was against an experienced Ballinagore of Westmeath. The last time we played Ballinagore it was in Westmeath when we got special permission to travel during COVID-19 and knocked them out of the Intermediate Mixed championship and they have since dropped a division. However, last Sundays Kevins Junior Mixed side included 6 debutants from the panel of 12, so the day was all about learning the rules and having fun. In the pep talk everyone was given an objective of making a few mistakes in order to learn from them and we are glad to report that our objective was met. As a bonus there was also some excellent plays. Greg Masterson caught some good balls at Centre Outfield and Louise Gleeson made some good outs as Catcher, before been given the opportunity to play on 2nd base. David Corrigan had some mighty hits, but was foiled by a very good outfielder who was under his hits every time. Louise Keane and Rick Seery took a slightly different approach on bat with some tender but tactical hits which got them on base and eventually led to runs scored. Greg Masterson also got on the scoreboard in his debut game for the club. Tea and biscuits was organised by some young supporters who took orders from the players. The results didn’t go our way, but our objectives were met and everyone left happy… except for Adrian Scott who was disappointed that there was no fig rolls on offer. Our next game is against Dublin Metropolitans on Friday the 19th July and we also plan to host some social games against other Dublin clubs. We are in the process of contacting a catering company from the 1980s who will hopefully have some fig rolls for the next game!
From the 22 players who played across the 2 squads last Sunday, we had 9 players who were parents of children in the club. This is a great way to get to know people, and if you are interested in taking up rounders you can email pro.kevins.dublin@gaa.ie.
Senior Mixed Squad
Junior Mixed Squad
