Naomh Pól CLG earn first All-Ireland Championship win
Naomh Pól CLG team that earned the first All-Ireland Rounders Championship win.
Naomh Pól CLG recorded a memorable breakthrough as they secured their first-ever All-Ireland Championship victory, overcoming Wexford side Oulart the Ballagh in an entertaining Junior Mixed Group C clash.
Facing a strong Oulart the Ballagh outfit, Naomh Pól made an explosive start after being sent in to bat. The Waterford side were quick out of the blocks, with Cian Reinhardt and captain Thomas Myler setting the tone early. Jeremy Fields proved pivotal in the opening inning, driving home key scores as Naomh Pól racked up an impressive 10-run tally to take early control.
Oulart the Ballagh responded in kind, showing their quality and resilience. The Wexford side struck back with seven runs of their own and tightened up defensively to keep Naomh Pól scoreless in the second inning. Building momentum, they added a further five runs to edge ahead, leading 12-10 by the end of the third inning.
The contest became increasingly tight as both teams traded blows. Naomh Pól displayed strong defensive organisation in the third inning, with Thomas Carroll delivering an assured performance on the mound. His pitching helped shut out Oulart the Ballagh in the bottom of the inning, allowing Naomh Pól to level the game after picking up two crucial runs.
The fourth inning continued in the same competitive vein, with both sides adding to their tallies in a high-scoring encounter. Oulart the Ballagh managed to maintain a slender advantage, leading 19-18 as the game headed into the fifth and final inning.
With the pressure mounting, Naomh Pól produced a decisive response. Demonstrating composure and attacking intent, they put up eight runs in the top of the fifth inning to seize a 26-19 lead and put themselves within touching distance of a landmark win.
However, there was still late drama to come. Oulart the Ballagh refused to go down without a fight and mounted a spirited comeback in the closing stages, narrowing the gap to just a single run. With runners on first and second and only one out remaining, the game hung in the balance.
In a tense finish, Thomas Carroll once again stepped up, delivering a crucial play. The Oulart batter sent a pop-fly back towards the pitcher, which Carroll confidently caught before linking up with Jeremy Fields, who completed the tag at home to seal the victory.
The final whistle confirmed a narrow but well-earned 26-25 win for Naomh Pól, marking a historic first championship success for the club. The result sees them move into second place in Group C after three rounds of fixtures, putting them in a strong position heading into the next phase.
Naomh Pól will look to build on this momentum when they face Dublin side Na Fianna in their next championship outing. That game is scheduled to take place at Manor St John on Sunday, June 14, with throw-in time yet to be confirmed.
Cian Reinhardt (3), Thomas Myler (captain) (4), Jeremy Fields (4), Patrice Halloran (2), McKenzie Pautz (2), Déan Griffin (3), Carrie Roberts (3), Thomas Carroll (3), Hayley Fields (1), Jasmin Shaw, Jacinta McLawrence, Mark Hayes (1).
