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!
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!
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.
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.
In what is becoming an incredible year for the school in Cumann na mBunscol competitions, our girls team captured the South Roinn A camogie title today in Martinstown. This is the first time the school has won the Roinn A division and only its second camogie title.
The girls had three tough fixtures to negotiate on the route to the title. Against Hospital NS scores from Molly, Sinéad and Lucy helped the school get off to a confidence building start.
The second game against Kilfinane NS saw the team produce another commanding display all over the field. On the scoresheet in this game were; Molly, Lucy, Róisín and Katie.
The final game of the day was against the camogie stronghold of Galbally. Herbertstown rose to the challenge and ran out convincing winners with scores from Molly, Lucy, Róisín and Katie.
Massive congratulations to the girls on a fantastic achievement. Well done to Mr. Franklin and Ms Mann who put in a huge amount of work coaching these girls all year.
The school’s hurlers travelled to Kilmallock on May 24th to participate in the top hurling division of the South for the first time in 34 years. Any thought that this talented bunch of players would not be able to compete at this level was quickly dispelled after a quality performance in the semi-final. Herbertstown ran out convincing winners over Bruree NS to set up a meeting with Kilmallock in the final.
Kilmallock NS 1.07
Herbertstown NS 1.06
Fitzgerald Park in Kilmallock was in immaculate condition for the final and shortly after referee Josh Dineen threw in the ball, all in attendance quickly realised that the teams were very evenly matched. Points were exchanged in the early stages and midway through the first half the scores were level at 3 points each. Kilmallock then edged in front and looked to be headed into the break with a two point lead. A long delivery from their goalkeeper managed to split the Herbertstown defence and a Kilmallock forward pounced to rattle the net. The two point deficit had suddenly become 5 and Herbertstown were left with a minor mountain to climb. H/T: Kilmallock 1.05 Herbertstown 0.03
Such has been the belief of this bunch all through the year, the team in maroon came roaring back into the game in the second half. The Kilmallock lead was chipped away and with only moments remaining the scores were level. The game would be decided when a Kilmallock defender won a free and their freetaker, to his credit, held his nerve to split the posts. The final whistle would sound shortly afterwards.
Herbertstown scorers: Ciarán 1.03, Jack 0.02, Darragh 0.01
Tremendous credit is due to the Herbertstown team who came within a whisker of completing a South Premier double.
Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach.
Pupils from Herbertstown NS took part in races ranging from 80metres to 400 metres, as well as relays and long jumps. Everybody gave their all in their events and did their school proud.
The Herbertstown girls reached the South final after wins over Knockainey, Ballylanders and Emly. Despite a spirited display in the final, Bruree NS claimed the South title.
Our boys’ team reached the semi-final of the competition following wins over Ballylanders NS and Hospital NS. In a tight and tense game with Emly NS, Herbertstown went agonising close to getting through, with a fine save denying Herbertstown a goal with the final kick of the game as Emly won by 2 points.
In the camogie, Herbertstown had wins over Knocklong and Kilfinane. Hospital NS edged an exciting clash of neighbours and this was enough to send them through to the final.
Herbertstown and Knockainey met in the opening round of the competition and all that separated two evenly matched teams at the end of the game was 1 goal, which was scored by the boys in black in the final minute. Herbertstown regrouped to record a win over Hospital NS but Knockainey had done enough to secure passage to the South Final where they beat Kilmallock NS.
Attention now turns to the main Cumann na mBunscol competitions in the coming weeks.
It is fantastic to have James with us to promote hurling and the boys and girls are showing great enthusiasm during their sessions.
