Before today, we had four previous winners of this competition so to have four more in one day is fantastic.
A great achievement by the girls and the South team who needed to win two close games to claim the title, well done!
Well done to our representatives on the South Limerick team who played the City on Tuesday in Rathkeale in the semi-final of the Sarsfield Cup.
It was great to have two players involved and we also had two teachers coaching the team – Mr. Franklin and Mr. English.
A week on from claiming a first ever South Premier Football title our girls team travelled to Rathkeale for the county semi-final. The South champions’ opponents were Monaleen NS who had a formidable 58 players on their panel compared to the 16 available for Herbertstown.
Minutes into the game it was clear to everyone in attendance that these numbers mattered little as both teams contested a fantastic game of end-to-end football. Herbertstown got the better of the first half exchanges and led at the half time whistle by one point.
The second half continued to be evenly matched but the final five minutes would provide much excitement for supporters on both sides. Despite some brilliant defending, Monaleen had managed to stretch in front of Herbertstown by two points. Then, a long Herbertstown free from the middle of the field went straight to the Monaleen net with time just about up. However, there was just enough injury time for the city side to make their way back down the field where they won a free of their own. A nerveless kick from their freetaker with the last act of normal time brought the game to extra time.
In the first half of extra time Monaleen struck for a brace of goals just after Herbertstown had a goal disallowed and this proved to be the deciding of the tie.
Final score: Monaleen NS 4:06 Herbertstown NS 2:05
A fantastic effort from the Herbertstown girls and everyone at the school is very proud of what they have achieved this year.
Monaleen were crowned county champions after beating Doon Convent in the final later on the same day.
The girls in maroon led from start to finish in what was a very impressive display against the home side Scoil Dean Cussen. Playing against a strong wind in the first half, Herbertstown scored two goals before Bruff registered their first score and held a seven point lead at the break.
Then, with the wind at their backs in the second half, the girls showed great composure in front of goal to stretch ahead and secure a memorable victory in front of a very vocal group of Herbertstown supporters.
After the game, Shane Mullane of Scoil Dean Cussen presented the cup to the Herbertstown captain.
Congratulations girls!
A 5 point win over Knockainey NS secured a place in the final against Scoil Dean Cussen (Bruff NS). The final will take place after the midterm break.
Sarah met with all the pupils in the school for a brief assembly. Our school’s musicians, who have been diligently preparing for occasions such as this with Ms Barry, greeted Sarah with a lovely piece of music.
Next the children looked at some photos and videos of Sarah in action and the children from Infants to 5th got to ask her some questions.
Following this Sarah moved to the sixth class room to speak to the senior class. The sixth class pupils had been preparing for weeks ahead of the visit, learning about the Olympics and Paralympics, as well as the Olympic values – Respect & Equality, Healthy Mind & Body, Joy of Effort and Striving for Excellence. Their hard work was evident through their interactions with Sarah and their knowledge of her career.
Sarah herself gave a fantastic presentation to the class about how she got to where she is as an athlete, about what her training regime involves and how she believed in all the possibilities ahead for the boys and girls, given that she was once in a classroom the same as them and how amazingly, she only took up hurdling when she was 15 years old.
It was a wonderful day for the sixth class and no doubt a memorable one too for all the boys and girls who got to see Sarah at the assembly.
If ever a South title was earned it was earned today as the boys had to navigate their way through a very tricky division which featured footballing strongholds like Galbally and Ballylanders.
The boys weren’t phased however and four wins from four games, over Galbally NS, Ballylanders NS, Kilfinane NS and Athlacca NS, made them worthy South champions!
Congratulations to the team and well done to their coach Mr. Franklin.
We were very lucky with the weather and everyone got an opportunity to get outside and enjoy plenty of fun games based on developing agility and also getting more comfortable with the football.
Thanks very much to Gearóid for the visit and we hope to have him back again during Active School Week.
They made a donation of footballs to the school which we were very grateful for.
Preparations continued for the South Limerick Cumann na mBunscol competitions today as our girls team travelled to Ballylanders to play Bunscoil na Toirbhirte (Mitchelstown) in a challenge game.
There were excellent performances right throughout the team and the game was played in a great spirit.