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Anna Iwanaga leads 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur, Asterisk Talley trails by 3

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Who will be the best player in college basketball for the 2026-27 season?

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Who is the best player in college basketball entering the 2026-27 season? Maybe a name immediately popped into your head, but if you need to ponder the question for a bit, you’re not alone. Of the 15 players named to the three CBS Sports All-American teams for the 2025-26 college basketball season, only three of them are returning to college basketball for the 2026-27 season.

One of those three, Texas Tech forward JT Toppin, faces an uncertain timeline on his way back from a torn ACL suffered in February. The other two — Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. and Vanderbilt‘s Tyler Tanner — were third-team All-Americans who will need to make jumps to reach “best player in the sport” status.

When we released our annual preseason list of the Top 100 And 1 players in college basketball ahead of the 2025-26 season, three of the top five were star freshmen who lived up to the billing. Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer and AJ Dybantsa each proceeded to meet the hype by becoming top-3 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft.

But the 2026 high school recruiting class is not regarded with the same reverence as the 2025 class, which produced the first eight picks in the 2026 NBA Draft and numerous other major contributors. Given the overall lack of talent in this year’s freshman class and the mass departure of the sport’s most impactful players, the door is open for a new wave of premier stars to make their mark.

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Against that backdrop, our writers made their picks for who the best player in college basketball will be for the 2026-27 season.

Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State

The highest-rated player at KenPom from 2025-26 who is returning this season. Fears led the nation in assists (9.4 per game) and will probably be the most valuable player in the sport next season, given how often the ball will be in his hands as a four-year senior at the same program. He put up 15.3 points in addition to the nine-plus dimes per game and is just the third high-major player in the past 30-plus years to lead the country in assists and then return to college hoops the following season. The other two were Doug Gottlieb at Oklahoma State at the end of the 1990s and T.J. Ford at Texas in 2002 and 2003, when he turned himself into a national player of the year honoree.

Fears has the potential to lead the country in assists again on a team that will compete for a No. 1 seed while also being the hub of Sparty’s wheel. There are other good candidates on this list, but nobody matches the statistical production, the veteran experience at one program and the surefire value on a proven roster like Fears. He should be the preseason pick for NPOY as far as I’m concerned. — Matt Norlander

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Top players who have sued to return to college basketball after courts rule recent seniors can play fifth year

Cameron Salerno

Top players who have sued to return to college basketball after courts rule recent seniors can play fifth year
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Juke Harris, Tennessee

Harris is a 6-foot-7 wing with NBA upside who averaged 21.4 points at Wake Forest last season. Now, he’s stepping into a program with a strong recent track record for getting the most out of marquee transfers. Dalton Knecht (2023-24), Chaz Lanier (2024-25) and Ja’Kobi Gillespie (2025-26) paved the way for a player like Harris to arrive at Tennessee and take college basketball by storm. 

Harris has the best combination of size, high-major experience and all-around game of the group, and he’s going to be the offensive engine for a team with Final Four potential. Harris will have no choice but to elevate his defensive game while playing for Rick Barnes as he works his way into the 2027 NBA Draft lottery conversation. All the ingredients are in place for Harris to rise onto the national platform in a big way and contend for National Player of the Year status. — David Cobb

Thomas Haugh, Florida

In the pre-NIL era, it would’ve been unheard of for a player of Haugh’s caliber to return to school. Haugh, had he entered the 2026 NBA Draft, was projected as a sure-fire first-round pick and had a chance to go in the top 20 if he performed well at the combine. Instead, he’s returning to school, where he projects to be the best player in college basketball. 

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Haugh is the ultimate Swiss Army Knife for Florida, capable of doing a little bit of everything. If we voted today for our preseason NPOTY, Haugh would almost certainly get the most first-place votes. Truthfully though, I think this year’s discussion about who the best player in college basketball is more wide-open than usual. Haugh has the strongest case, but you could also talk me into Kansas forward Tyran Stokes, the No. 1-ranked player from the 2026 recruiting cycle who could very well be the No. 1 overall pick next summer. For now, Haugh owns the title as the best player in college basketball. — Cameron Salerno

Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt

Do you know how good you have to be to be regarded as the best player in the country at only 6 feet tall? 

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Here’s the list of high-major players who check in at 6-foot or shorter and have thrown down at least 17 dunks in a single season since 2008, per Bart Torvik.

1. Louisville‘s Russ Smith in 2012-13: 19

2. Auburn‘s Kenny Gabriel in 2010-11: 18

3. Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner in 2025-26: 17

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Tanner is different.

Tanner is the outlier of all outliers, but his superpowers stretch beyond just creating dunks at a historical rate. The lightning-quick point guard just does not make mistakes. He posted a 2.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover rate this past season. He creates advantages offensively in his sleep using speed and a nasty change of direction. There was a play against Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament where Tanner de-pantsed three defenders with three separate crossovers on his way to the cup.

Oh, and he defends. And rebounds. And draws fouls. And makes tough shots. And runs his team. Like Thanos (and Cameron Boozer), Tanner is inevitable. 

A massive junior season is on tap at Vanderbilt. — Isaac Trotter

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Caleb Holt, Arizona

I understand this incoming freshman class isn’t great — especially compared to last season’s that compelled roughly a third of the NBA to tank for a top pick. But I also know that each of the past two winners of the CBS Sports National Player of the Year award has been a freshman. So I wanted to at least add one to this list.

I went with Arizona freshman Caleb Holt.

The 6-foot-5 guard is a top-five prospect in the 2026 class and likely to become the next lottery pick of of the Big 12 progam. Holt is expected to star for an Arizona team that’s ranked No. 7 in the latest edition of the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1. Put another way, he should star on a legitimate Final Four contender, which, almost by definition, would at least make him a part of the NPOY conversation and a candidate to give the Wildcats’ back-to-back Big 12 Players of the Year. — Gary Parrish

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Rangers Face Katsina United as Opening-Day Fixtures Are Released

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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has released the fixtures for the opening day of the 2026/27 season following the official draw held in Ibadan on Friday.

Defending champions Rangers will begin their title defence at home against Katsina United in one of the biggest matches of the opening weekend.

In another exciting fixture, Shooting Stars will host newly promoted Inter Lagos in a South West derby at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.

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Ikorodu City will welcome Ranchers Bees, while Abia Warriors will take on newly promoted Kun Khalifa.

Bendel Insurance will face Warri Wolves in another regional clash, while Barau FC, also promoted to the NPFL, will host Nasarawa United.

Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes will entertain Enyimba, Rivers United will host Plateau United, Doma United will face Sporting Lagos, and Kwara United will welcome Kano Pillars.

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NPFL 2026/27 Opening-Day Fixtures

– Ikorodu City vs Ranchers Bees
– Abia Warriors vs Kun Khalifa
– Bendel Insurance vs Warri Wolves
– Shooting Stars vs Inter Lagos
– Barau FC vs Nasarawa United
– Niger Tornadoes vs Enyimba
– Rivers United vs Plateau United
– Doma United vs Sporting Lagos
– Rangers vs Katsina United
– Kwara United vs Kano Pillars

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Heavyweight with 100% KO ratio says he is the man to beat Moses Itauma: “He’s too small”

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A formidable puncher has suggested that Moses Itauma lacks the necessary physical attributes to win their potential tussle.

While hardly representing the most physically imposing heavyweight, Itauma nonetheless stands at 6ft 4in and typically hits the scales at around 240lbs.

More than anything, though, the 21-year old relies on speed and footwork, with both advantages contributing to his fifth-round stoppage of Jermaine Franklin in March.

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Now bidding to become the youngest heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson, Itauma is generally favoured to defeat seasoned veteran Filip Hrgovic on August 29.

Should he emerge victorious at London’s O2 Arena – and claim the vacant IBF title – then the southpaw will need to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez.

Either way, he is already progressing at a much quicker pace than Teremoana Teremoana, who returns to action against club-level fighter DeAndre Savage on August 12.

Headlining a Matchroom Boxing show in Queensland, Australia, the Olympian has crafted a flawless 100% knockout record against entirely inferior opposition, but considers himself to be on a collision course with Itauma.

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Speaking with DAZN, Teremoana highlighted Itauma’s size as a glaring weakness in the land of the giants.

“He’s too small. He won’t be able to match me; my attributes are better. I’m a real heavyweight – 120kg [265lbs]. I walk around trying to lose weight, basically.

“He’s a good fighter – there’s a lot of good fighters in this world – but, eventually, when we come to the point where we clash, I believe I’m going to be on top.”

While having faced a string of limited opponents – stopping them all inside two rounds – the 28-year-old Teremoana must elevate his level of competition if he is to justify a showdown with Itauma.

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How to Watch 2026 INDYCAR Portland: Start Time, Date, TV Channel, Streaming, Schedule

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The 2026 INDYCAR season resumes at Portland International Raceway for the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland. The road-course race airs Sunday, Aug. 9 on FOX and FOX One, with practice and qualifying coverage beginning Friday on FS1 and FOX One.

Here is how to watch the 2026 INDYCAR Grand Prix of Portland, including the start time, TV channel, streaming information and weekend schedule.

2026 INDYCAR Portland Schedule

All times Eastern.

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Friday, Aug. 7

  • Practice 1: 5:30 p.m. ET (FS1, FOX One)

Saturday, Aug. 8

  • Practice 2: 1 p.m. ET (FS1, FOX One)
  • Qualifying: 7 p.m. ET (FS1, FOX One)

Sunday, Aug. 9

  • Warmup: 1 p.m. ET (INDYCAR Radio)
  • OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland: 4 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One)
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When Is the 2026 INDYCAR Grand Prix of Portland?

The 2026 OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland is Sunday, Aug. 9. Race coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET.

What Channel Is the 2026 INDYCAR Grand Prix of Portland On?

The race airs live on FOX. Practice and qualifying sessions air on FS1 throughout the weekend.

How Can I Stream the 2026 INDYCAR Grand Prix of Portland?

Fans can stream the race, practices and qualifying live and watch three days free on FOX One. Coverage is also available through FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App.

Where Is the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Portland?

The race takes place at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon. The permanent road course is 1.964 miles long and features 12 turns, including a quick chicane at the end of the frontstretch and multiple heavy-braking passing zones.

How Long Is the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Portland?

The Grand Prix of Portland is scheduled for 110 laps and approximately 216 miles around Portland International Raceway.

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Who Won the 2025 INDYCAR Grand Prix of Portland?

Will Power won the 2025 Grand Prix of Portland. Alex Palou finished third to clinch his fourth INDYCAR championship and third consecutive series title.

Who Should I Watch at INDYCAR Portland?

Palou enters Portland atop the championship standings after winning five of the first 12 races. David Malukas, Kyle Kirkwood, Christian Lundgaard and Pato O’Ward round out the top five heading into the final six races of the season.

Follow the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland on FOX Sports for live race information and results.

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Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra joins UBS Athletics Kids Cup as co-owner | Other Sports News

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Two-time Indian Olympic medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Friday became the co-owner of the UBS Athletics Kids Cup having already served as the programme’s Ambassador for the past two seasons.


The UBS Athletics Kids Cup is one of a grassroots initiatives, designed to introduce children to sports through fun, inclusive and accessible competition. It has engaged more than 250,000 children across 2,500 plus schools in five cities.


“Over the last two seasons, I have seen the impact that UBS Athletics Kids Cup has created for children across schools,” said Chopra, who added a Commonwealth Games silver to his crowded cabinet last month, in a release.

 

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“Every child deserves an opportunity to discover and showcase their talent, and becoming Co-owner felt like the natural next step because I truly believe in the vision we’re building together.


“Our ambition is to reach one million children and inspire many more youngsters to embrace sport. I look forward to sharing my own experiences with the kids, teachers and schools, because the more children play, the greater the chance of creating future champions.” 


 
With Chopra joining the initiative as co-owner, the programme now enters its next phase of growth with an ambition to reach one million children across India.


Beyond introducing young people to sports, the initiative aims to encourage confidence, discipline and lifelong participation in sport, helping build a stronger sporting culture from the grassroots up.

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Daniel Schenker, CEO of Dspowerparts and Co-Founder of the initiative, said: “The strongest validation any programme can receive is when someone who knows the field better than anyone else chooses to invest personally in its future.


“Neeraj has seen the impact, met the children and understands the vision. His decision to become a Partner is a powerful signal of what we can achieve together in the years ahead.” 
The UBS Athletics Kids Cup has rapidly grown into one of India’s leading grassroots sports programmes, creating opportunities for children to participate in fun, inclusive and accessible events. Nearly 50 per cent of all participants have been girls, underlining the initiative’s focus on making sport accessible to every child.

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Leicester City: Premier League title moments – a decade on

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It was a dream then, it is a dream now – especially as Leicester prepare for League One.

Ten years ago the Foxes were preparing to defend their Premier League title and looking forward to Champions League football.

At 5,000-1, they had pulled off the most improbable, the most stunning, the most incredible feat to shock the world.

But now, after back-to-back relegations, those days seem almost as surreal as when they actually happened.

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New manager Russell Martin will be expected to take the club back to the Championship at the first attempt, something that sounds nowhere near as impossible as what the Foxes previously managed.

A decade on, the ‘pinch-me’ moments live on for those who were there, and some have shared them with BBC Sport.

Spoiler: they might not be the ones you knew about.

Leicester had won the title without kicking a ball on 2 May 2016 when nearest challengers Tottenham Hotspur could only manage a 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

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The next day, there was only one group of men the media wanted to speak to.

The trouble was they were hard to find.

Crowds gathered at the club’s former training ground at Belvoir Drive, a few miles outside the centre of Leicester.

Journalists and fans waited – one cameraman persuaded a neighbour to allow him in to film from their bathroom window as he aimed to get footage of the celebrating Foxes.

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The media were finally instructed to head to King Power Stadium where the press room would be opened.

A five-minute drive took 30 minutes through revelling fans and it was a battle to get to there but, inside, the world’s media edged in, hoping to hear from those who made this miracle possible.

But only eight reporters would receive a secret invitation to head back to Belvoir Drive.

Quietly, one-by-one, the handpicked members of the British press who regularly covered the club, slipped out of the packed room and made their way back.

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This time, they were let in and ushered into the family room, just to the right of reception.

When manager Claudio Ranieri walked in, he received an immediate, impromptu, standing ovation and shook hands with those who had watched the astounding season unfold.

The man the world wanted to speak to gave an engaging audience to a few writers for 45 minutes.

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PH needs big win vs Malaysia to reach semis

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–The Philippine men’s football team will need every luck it could get in order to sneak a semifinals berth in the Asean Hyundai Cup as it takes on Malaysia–The Philippine men’s football team will need every luck it could get in order to sneak a semifinals berth in the Asean Hyundai Cup as it takes on Malaysia

The Philippine men’s football team during the match vs Thailand in the 2026 Asean Hyundai Cup at New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine men’s football team will need every luck it can get in order to sneak a semifinals berth in the Asean Hyundai Cup as it takes on Malaysia at the conclusion of the group stage on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur.

To get out of Group B as one of the two best teams, the Philippines must beat Malaysia by at least six goals at 9 p.m. inside Kuala Lumpur Stadium and hope for a Myanmar loss to Thailand in their match in Bangkok.

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READ: Asean Cup: PH’s semifinals hopes take hit after loss to Thailand

“Hopefully we can do something special and we go from there,” said goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad.

Odds are stacked heavily against coach Carles Cuadrat’s side, currently sitting fourth in the group with three points on one win and two defeats.

Thailand leads on nine points, while Malaysia and Myanmar are tied at six points each.

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Behind the Philippines is Laos, which has dropped all four of its matches to become the first team to get eliminated.

The Philippines’ chances of making the semis for the second straight time dimmed last Tuesday when it lost 1-0 to Thailand at New Clark City Athletics Stadium after conceding a goal in the 84th minute.



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Football world splits as Argentina, Mexico back FIFA president Infantino amid World Cup rights row | Football News

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Football world splits as Argentina, Mexico back FIFA president Infantino amid World Cup rights row
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, left, and Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia clap before the World Cup round of 32 match between Argentina and Cape Verde, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo)

Football’s growing divide over FIFA president Gianni Infantino showed no sign of easing on Friday, with some of his supporters publicly backing him while UEFA stood by its threat to boycott FIFA competitions.The disagreement comes a week after Infantino withdrew his proposal to raise around $4.2 billion by selling a stake in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup and other tournaments.Football bodies around the world continued to take sides. Mexico and Argentina’s football associations became the latest to support Infantino, following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) unanimous backing of his leadership on Thursday.Argentina’s Football Association (AFA) also praised FIFA for admitting mistakes in the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.Infantino has been under pressure after abandoning a plan, reportedly worth $20 billion, to sell part of the commercial rights of the World Cup through a subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise.In an open letter to Infantino, AFA president Claudio Tapia wrote: “On behalf of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and its Executive Committee, we write to you, dear president, and through your esteemed good offices to the FIFA Executive Committee, to express our support for the work carried out over the last 10 years, which has centred on the development of football worldwide and institutional strength based on a clear, stable and transparent governance model.”Calls for Infantino to step down have increased since the proposal collapsed. On Wednesday, FIFA apologised for mistakes made in the handling of the plan involving private investors.Tapia welcomed FIFA’s decision to admit that errors had been made and that “the process should have been handled differently.”“With respect to the recent events that are now public knowledge, we must acknowledge the Administration’s decision to withdraw a proposal which, from the outset, generated far more uncertainty than certainty within the football family,” the letter said. “That is why it is worth highlighting the acknowledgement of the mistakes made during that process and the apology expressed in the thoughtful message sent to FIFA’s 211 member associations.South American football body CONMEBOL, however, raised concerns over the “repeated unilateral actions taken without resorting to dialogue”.The Mexican Football Federation (FMF), one of the hosts of the recently concluded World Cup, also backed Infantino despite its regional governing body CONCACAF earlier calling for a “comprehensive reckoning” with his presidency.CONCACAF, which governs football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, has been one of FIFA’s strongest critics, along with UEFA.On Thursday, UEFA said the conditions it had set for returning to FIFA competitions had still not been met.European football’s governing body said it remained committed to boycotting FIFA events until it received assurances that “such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again”.UEFA has not yet confirmed whether its teams will skip FIFA’s next tournament, the Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Poland next month.The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it “stood in solidarity” with UEFA and CONCACAF. At the same time, some of its 47 member associations, including Indonesia, the Philippines and 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, have publicly backed Infantino.

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The Decade That Changed GAA Rounders

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There are certain years in every sport that, with the benefit of hindsight, become defining moments.

For GAA Rounders, 2016 and 2026 may prove to be two of them.

Just ten years ago, there were only 25 adult championship teams competing across the entire country.

Today, there are 98.

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That remarkable increase tells the story of a sport that has transformed itself in just a decade.

Looking Back to 2016

The championship structure in 2016 was very different to the one we know today.

There were no Intermediate Championships.

There were no Junior Championships.

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Every club, regardless of experience or playing numbers, entered the Senior Championship.

The adult competitions consisted of:

  • Senior Men – 6 teams
  • Senior Women – 10 teams
  • Senior Mixed – 9 teams

Just 25 championship entries in total.

Those teams came from only fourteen clubs:

  • Bagenalstown (Carlow)
  • Ballinagore (Westmeath)
  • Ballintubber (Roscommon)
  • Borris-in-Ossory (Laois)
  • Carrickmacross Emmets (Monaghan)
  • Clonaslee (Laois)
  • Cork
  • Cuchulainn
  • Erne Eagles (Cavan)
  • Glynn-Barntown (Wexford)
  • Greenhills (Dublin)
  • Limekiln (Dublin)
  • Na Fianna (Dublin)
  • The Heath (Laois)

Many of those clubs remain among the strongest names in the sport today. Some competed in all three championships, while others fielded just a single team.

Back then, the idea of clubs entering four, five or even six adult teams would have seemed almost unimaginable.

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The 2016 Champions

2016 Senior Men’s Championship

Club P W D L GWO FP Pts
The Heath (Laois) 6 5 0 1 18 28
Greenhills (Dublin) 6 5 0 1 18 28
Carrickmacross Emmets (Monaghan) 6 4 0 2 18 26
Limekiln (Dublin) 6 4 0 2 18 26
Na Fianna (Dublin) 6 2 0 4 18 22
Cork 1 0 0 1 1 0 -3

 

2016 Senior Women’s Championship

Club P W D L FF FP Pts
Bagenalstown (Carlow) 9 9 0 0 0 27 45
Limekiln (Dublin) 9 8 0 1 0 27 43
Cuchulainn (Carlow) 9 7 0 2 0 27 41
Glynn-Barntown (Wexford) 9 6 0 3 0 27 39
Greenhills (Dublin) 9 4 1 4 0 27 36
Na Fianna (Dublin) 9 2 0 7 0 27 31
Clonaslee (Laois) 9 3 1 4 1 24 28
Ballintubber (Roscommon) 9 5 0 2 2 21 25
Cork 2 0 0 1 1 3 0
Erne Eagles (Cavan) 3 0 0 0 3 0 -9

 

2016 Senior Mixed Championship

Club P W D L FF FP Pts
Limekiln (Dublin) 8 7 0 1 0 24 38
The Heath (Laois) 8 7 0 1 0 24 38
Cuchulainn 8 6 0 2 0 24 36
Greenhills (Dublin) 8 5 0 3 0 24 34
Ballinagore (Westmeath) 8 2 1 5 0 24 29
Na Fianna (Dublin) 8 2 1 5 0 24 29
Borris-in-Ossory (Laois) 8 2 0 5 1 21 22
Cork 2 1 0 1 1 3 0
Erne Eagles (Cavan) 5 2 0 0 3 3 -1

 

The All-Ireland Champions were:

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  • Senior Men: The Heath (Laois)
  • Senior Women: Glynn-Barntown (Wexford)
  • Senior Mixed: Limekiln (Dublin)

Those clubs helped carry the game through a period when participation numbers were still relatively modest.

A Decade of Growth

Fast forward ten years and the landscape has changed dramatically.

The introduction of Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships has given clubs the opportunity to develop at the appropriate level while providing players with a genuine pathway through the game.

The 2026 Championships feature:

  • 23 Men’s teams
  • 39 Women’s teams
  • 36 Mixed teams

A total of 98 championship entries.

Competition 2016 2026
Men’s 6 23
Women’s 10 39
Mixed 9 36
Total 25  98

That represents an increase of 292% in just ten years.

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Perhaps the most impressive statistic is the growth of the Women’s game, rising from ten teams in 2016 to thirty-nine today.

Mixed participation has quadrupled, while the Men’s Championship has grown almost four-fold.

Those are extraordinary figures for any amateur sport.

More Than Numbers

The figures only tell part of the story.

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The standard of coaching has improved enormously. Clubs now operate websites, online membership systems and sophisticated social media platforms. Livestreaming, coach education, referee development and improved communications have all helped modernise the sport.

Many clubs now field multiple adult teams across different grades.

What was once a handful of Senior teams has become a genuine player pathway where new clubs can begin at Junior level, progress through Intermediate and ultimately compete at Senior level.

Without that structure, it is difficult to imagine the sport experiencing the growth it has over the past decade.

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The Next Chapter

After several years of exceptional growth, participation has levelled off slightly in 2026.

That should not be mistaken for decline.

New clubs continue to emerge around the country, while others established during recent years have unfortunately struggled to survive. That is a natural challenge faced by many developing sports and reflects the reality that building a sustainable club takes years of commitment.

The next phase of growth will not simply be about creating new clubs.

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It will be about helping those clubs survive.

Supporting volunteers.

Developing coaches and referees.

Building sustainable club structures.

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Helping counties establish new competitions.

Ensuring every new club has the best possible chance of still being here ten years from now.

The Biggest Opportunity

Perhaps the most astonishing aspect of the last decade is that almost all of this has been achieved through volunteers.

In 2026, GAA Rounders has 98 adult championship teams, championships across three grades, livestreamed finals, national coach and referee education programmes, international representation and clubs spread throughout much of Ireland.

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Yet the Association still has no full-time, year-round employees whose sole responsibility is the long-term development of GAA Rounders.

That is not a criticism of the volunteers who have built the sport. Quite the opposite. It is a testament to what they have achieved with limited resources and an enormous commitment of time.

Every developing sport eventually reaches a point where volunteers alone find it increasingly difficult to sustain the same pace of growth.

The remarkable rise of Ladies Gaelic Football over recent decades demonstrated what can happen when passionate volunteers are supported by professional staff who spend every day growing the game.

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Volunteers will always remain the heart of GAA Rounders. However, dedicated year-round staff would provide continuity, strategic planning and the day-to-day capacity to establish new clubs, support existing ones, develop coaches and referees, strengthen county structures and promote the game nationally.

One can only hope there are people within Croke Park with the vision to recognise that GAA Rounders is approaching that point.

The sport has demonstrated what can be achieved through volunteer commitment alone. Imagine what could be possible if those volunteers were backed by people whose full-time role was to understand the game, work alongside clubs and counties, and drive participation every day of the year.

If the ambition is to see another decade of growth—from today’s 98 championship teams to perhaps 200 or even 400—the next great investment may not simply be in facilities or competitions.

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It may be in people.

Looking Ahead

The journey from 22 championship entries in 2016 to 98 in 2026 is something everyone involved in GAA Rounders can be immensely proud of.

It reflects the work of countless players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers who have dedicated thousands of hours to developing the game over the past decade.

The foundations have been laid by an extraordinary generation of volunteers.

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The opportunity now is to give them the support they deserve so that the next chapter in the history of GAA Rounders is even more remarkable than the last.

If that happens, perhaps ten years from now another article will be written—not comparing 22 teams with 98, but looking back on 2026 as the year GAA Rounders truly unlocked its potential.


LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

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Terrafirma hands NLEX first loss of Governors’ Cup

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Terrafirma Dyip's Justin Strings during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.Terrafirma Dyip's Justin Strings during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.

Terrafirma Dyip’s Justin Strings during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—NLEX’s perfect start to the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup came to an end Friday after Terrafirma stunned the Road Warriors, 114-109, at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Dyip put an end to the Road Warriors’ perfect 6-0 record and gave coach Jimmy Alapag his first official loss as a PBA coach, while improving to 3-4 in Group A.

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“We got lucky in this game,” Terrfima coach Ronald Tubid said in Filipino.

“In the last few games, we ran out of energy and we collapsed in the endgame so in this one, we told them that we can match up against NLEX even if they’re 6-0. Matchup-wise, we can go up against them. All we need to do is compete.”

After trailing a 109-105 deficit with 3:11 left, Geo Chiu took matters into his own hands for the Dyip with two straight baskets to tie the game at 109-all with 1:38 remaining.

Terrafirma Dyip's Geo Chiu during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.Terrafirma Dyip's Geo Chiu during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.

Terrafirma Dyip’s Geo Chiu during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

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Just when NLEX thought it could return to the driver’s seat, Brent Paraiso converted a crucial and-one play with 1:01 left in the quarter to give Terrafirma the pivotal 111-109 advantage.

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Paraiso, who finished with 18 points, missed his freebie, but it didn’t seem to matter as the Road Warriors committed multiple fumbles on the ensuing possession, ultimately failing to keep their record unblemished.

Justin Strings led for Terrafirma with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Mav Ahanmisi also had 16 points and 10 rebounds while Juami Tiongson and JM Bravo posted 20 and 16 points, respectively.

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Robert Bolick and JB Bahio scored 20 each in the Road Warriors’ loss that dropped them to 6-1. Import DeQuan Jones finished with 19 points while Schonny Winston and LJ Gonzales tallied 16 and 15.



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