All Ireland Olympic Handball Finals

Our girls travelled to Gormanstown College in County Meath last Thursday to represent Limerick at the All Ireland Olympic Handball Finals.

An early 6:30am departure from Herbertstown did not quell the excitement on the trip and the bus arrived at the venue around 10am.

In a group of three, Herbertstown first played Rush NS from Co. Dublin. The girls led at half time in this game but, as is the nature of this fast paced sport, some quick goals turned the tide and the game ended in a defeat, 6 goals to 4.

That meant that a win was required in the second group game against St. Paul’s Ratoath. This game was an excellent example of how exciting Olympic Handball can be, with end to end action and high skills on display throughout. Despite a terrific display right to final moments where the Ratoath goalkeeper blocked 2 or 3 great shots, a 3-3 draw was not enough for Herbertstown to move forward in the competition.

A bonus game against Fermoyle NS of Co. Longford, who had also been knocked out, gave us one further game where our girls ran out convincing winners.

As it happened, St. Pauls, Ratoath NS went on and won the All Ireland title later that afternoon.

The girls were fantastic ambassadors for the school and County Limerick throughout the day and deserve huge credit for their achievements this year in Olympic Handball.