Over 40 pupils travelled to Ennis to take part in the Limerick Primary school athletics while our school’s hurlers competed in the South Cumann na mBunscol hurling blitz in Martinstown.
Local club hurler Michael Whelan was on hand yesterday to assist in after school hurling training and as a result 30 pupils where hurling on a nice spring afternoon.
A welcome visitor to the training session was the County Under 21 Cup which Michael won with Hospital/Herbertstown on the previous Saturday night.
Our boys team from 4th class competed in the finals of the South Cumann na mBunscol Indoor Hurling competition today in Martinstown. The boys lost out in keenly contested games against Kilmallock, Kilbehenny and Martinstown. It was a great experience for all involved.
Our fourth class made the short journey into Limerick today to exhibit their project at the RDS Primary Science Fair in Mary Immaculate College. The children have been working on the project since October. Elements of the investigation involved a fieldtrip to hurley maker Ed Shanahan, identifying alternate woods for hurleys, testing the ‘new’ hurleys and interpreting the results.
The project was very well received by visitors to the Fair and huge credit is due to the pupils both for the effort they put into completing the investigation and also for the way they represented their school today. In a nice co-incidence, the judge assigned to our school was 18 time All Ireland winning camogie and football player Rena Buckley. The Cork legend gave some feedback to the class on the project and presented the pupils with an award for their hard work.
Here is the feedback received by the class:
The research question was both clear and catchy. The class predicted that the traditional timber, ash, would be best. It was obvious that huge thought was put into the design of this project, to test the various timbers in every aspect of the game of hurling/camogie. This was very impressive. The results of the tests were presented very clearly using a bar chart and the use of different colours to combine results of all the tests meant patterns were very easy to follow. The hurleys on display also contributed positively to the project. The discussion of the results and the preferences students relayed showed how each student contributed and enjoyed the project. This was a really impressive project which was excellent from both a science and interesting point of view – well done to all.
Limerick players Colin Ryan and Conor O’Grady (past pupil of Herbertstown NS) called to the school today with the Munster and All Ireland cups won by Limerick in 2017. There was great excitement as the pupils had an opportunity to ask questions and hold the cups.
Thank you to Limerick GAA for facilitating the visit.
On Monday, Pádraig O’Dea and Shane Markham of Hospital/Herbertstown Bord na N-Óg called to the school to promote the local GAA club. Of course, there are many of our pupils already playing GAA with Hospital/Herbertstown, and also Kilteely/Dromkeen, but Padraig and Shane both wished to tell the children that any new players would be most welcome. As part of their visit, Pádraig and Shane also made a presentation of sports equipment to the school.
On Tuesday, Orlaith O’Donoghue and Niamh Holland, two key members of the St Brigid’s Ladies Football team which won the County Intermediate title recently called into the school with the cup. St. Brigid’s have a vibrant underage system in place with many of our girls playing with them at various grades. It was great for our pupils to see the local club having success and the winning panel contained five past pupils of the school, Gráinne & Niamh Kennedy, Nina Winship, Keeley Baggott and Eimear Daly. Orlaith and Niamh spoke to the whole school and outlined the benefits of playing sport and how playing with St. Brigid’s has helped them form great friendships with team mates off the field.
The 2017 installment of the Anthony Baggott Memorial Cup was full of excitement as Herbertstown NS, Hospital NS, Knockainey NS and Caherline NS produced some wonderful hurling. Caherline NS, participating in the event for the first time, claimed early wins against Hospital NS and Knockainey NS which booked them passage to the final. The holders, Herbertstown NS, also claimed a spot in the final thanks to victories over the same opposition.
There was a fantastic atmosphere during the final as both teams played out a thrilling contest. Many of those present mentioned the high skill level amongst the players and also the sporting nature of the game. Herbertstown looked to be on their way to victory but two late goals from Caherline swung the contest in their favour. Shortly after the final whistle Eileen Baggott presented the cup to the Caherline captain.
Thank you to all those who helped to make the day a success.
For a gallery of fantastic photographs, please visit Sport Action Photography’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.840700189425608.1073742493.602015663294063&type=3
Herbertstown NS welcomed members of the All Ireland Féile winning panel to the school on Tuesday. The Hospital/Herbertstown team, which includes current and past pupils of the school, beat Conahy Shamrocks in the final in Nowlan Park last Sunday. Congratulations to all involved in the victory.
Friday marked the last coaching session of the year for our club connect coach Michael Whelan. The children have really enjoyed hurling with Michael during the last term and hopefully we will be back out on the playing pitch when we return in September.
Victories over East Limerick in the semi-final and West Limerick in the title ensured the Mackey Cup remained in the South for a second year in a row. Well done to Jack, Ross and everyone involved!