Sincere thanks to Shane Markham and Padraig O’ Dea from Hospital-Herbertstown Bord Na Nóg, who visited the Junior classes today and presented the school with hurleys, footballs and sliotars.
Herbertstown NS would like to wish past pupil Conor O’Grady and the Limerick minor hurling team the best of luck in the All Ireland minor hurling final against neighbours Tipperary.
Conor captained the school to a south title during his time in Herbertstown NS and visited the school last year to promote Gaelic Games. He bids to become the first player from Herbertstown to collect an All Ireland minor hurling medal since J.J. Bresnan in 1958. Bresnan played at full back on that Limerick team which defeated Galway.
Herbertstown NS were represented in Croke Park on Sunday last by Adam who was the ‘Young Whistler’ on duty for the INTO Cumann na mBunscol GAA Respect Exhibition Go Games. Well done Adam!
The exhibition game took place during half time in the All Ireland minor hurling semi-final between Limerick and Dublin. Limerick, who have Herbertstown NS past pupil Conor O’Grady in their panel, emerged victorious and will now compete in the final in September.
A large crowd turned out to support this year’s Anthony Baggott Cup. Despite the damp conditions, the crowd were treated to a very competitive tournament which featured Herbertstown NS, Hospital NS, Barna NS and the holders Knockainey NS.
The round robin portion of the tournament went as follows:
Round 1
Knockainey NS edged a closely fought encounter with Herbertstown NS to emerge as 2 point victors.
In the other game, Hospital NS produced a clinical display to defeat Barna NS.
Round 2
Herbertstown picked up their first victory of the day with a win over Barna NS.
Knockainey NS had too much firepower for a gallant Hospital NS team in their game.
Round 3
Barna NS produced their best performance in the last round of the group and picked up a 1 point win against Knockainey NS.
In what was effectively a ‘semi-final’, Herbertstown NS had to fight to the very last minute to see off Hospital NS and set up a final meeting with Knockainey.
Final
A couple of early Knockainey NS points gave them the advantage but when Herbertstown captain Adam Boyle powered home a goal his side went into the lead. Adam, Seán Murnane and Aaron Hanley were now fighting hard in the middle third and their ability to win possession was setting up attacks further up the field. One such attack was finished to the net following great build up play by Patrick Bermingham and Aisling Farrell. At half time, Herbertstown NS held a 4 point advantage.
In the second half Knockainey NS battled hard to try to retain their title, but with Jack O’Sullivan, Ross Winship and Declan Ryan McNamara in fine form, Herbertstown were holding on. Some cool moments under pressure from goalkeeper Ryan Hanley in the closing stages ensured Herbertstown would see out the game and secure what was a memorable victory.
Full time: Herbertstown NS 2.06 Knockainey 2.02
Full Herbertstown squad, with all players featuring during the tournament: Ryan Hanley, Jack O’Sullivan, Ross Winship, Declan Ryan McNamara, Aaron Hanley, Sean Murnane, Aisling Farrell, Adam Boyle, Euan Hickey, Jack Gleeson, Stephen Ryan, Michael Keane, Colm Bermingham, Liam Bermingham, Tadhg O’Connell, Ryan Siebert, Sean Hennessy, Liam Gleeson
A number of prizes were given out following the game. The prizes were kindly donated by Hospital/Herbertstown GAA.
Rising Star Award
This award went to a Darragh O’Sullivan, who played in the junior & senior infant game at half time in the final.
Give Respect, Get Respect Award
David Curtin – Barna NS
Most Improved Player Award
Scott Sheehan – Hospital NS
Best Young Player
Declan Ryan McNamara- Herbertstown NS
Player of the Tournament
Eoin Cleary – Knockainey NS
Man of the Match (final)
Adam Boyle – Herbertstown NS
Eileen Baggott then presented the Anthony Baggott Cup to her grandson and Herbertstown NS captain Adam Boyle.
All players and supporters enjoyed the vast array of cakes, buns and sandwiches which were provided by the Parents’ Association. Sincere thanks to everyone who made the day a success.
Two teams travelled to Corbally today to take part in the UEFA Grass Roots soccer 5 a side competition. Our girls team performed admirably, picking up a win,a draw and a loss in their three games.
The boys qualified out of a tough group which included Roxborough N.S., St. Nicholas and Christ the King, Caherdavin. This set up a semi-final meeting with Milford NS and with confidence building among the group they advanced to the final.
In the final Herbertstown faced a formidable Bilbao NS side. In a tense affair the scores were tied on a number of occasions including at half time where the game was finely poised at 2-2. With Ross pulling off some vital saves and captain Patrick Bermingham leading by example our team produced a memorable victory with a goal in the dying moments to win 4 -3.
Huge congratulations to the team who displayed tremendous team work throughout. Well done to Mike Bermingham who gave up his time to guide the team through the day.
Team: Ross, Seán, Adam, Aaron, Patrick, Euan, Ryan
Herbertstown NS 4.04 Ballyagran NS 2.02
This game was played in glorious sunshine in Martinstown with both teams supported by a large crowd. The first half started off tentatively, with a couple of early well taken frees by Seán Murnane and Aaron Hanley settling nerves. Herbertstown started to take control of proceedings and the first goal of the game came courtesy of a long delivery from midfield which ended up in the Ballyagran net. Following this a barnstorming run from Adam Boyle rattled the net once again. The backs too were playing their part and an outstanding save from Ryan Hanley ensured Herbertstown kept a clean sheet in the first half. Some tenacious defending from corner back Declan Ryan McNamara was also key to this.
Halt time score 3.03 to 0.00.
In the second half Ballyagran upped the ante and came back into the game with a well taken goal from play and a penalty. Herbertstown were not to be outdone and a strong defensive performance from Ross Winship, coupled with the hard work of forwards Patrick Bermingham and Euan Hickey stemmed the Ballyagran tide. Aisling Farrell was introduced in the second half which brought renewed energy to the team at a vital stage. With Ballyagran pressing in the final moments, full back Jack O’Sullivan made two telling blocks when a goal looked like the more likely outcome. The influential Seán Murnane worked tirelessly alongside captain Aaron Hanley right to the final whistle.
There were great scenes of celebration as Aaron lifted the cup, which was presented by a gracious Ballyagran principal Diarmuid Carroll. Well done to all the team and squad who have been training since February and today’s win was just reward for their efforts.
Squad:
Aaron Hanley, Ross Winship, Jack O’Sullivan, Declan Ryan McNamara, Seán Murnane, Aaron Hanley, Euan Hickey, Adam Boyle, Patrick Bermingham, Aisling Farrell, Jack Gleeson, Stephen Ryan, Colm Bermingham, Liam Bermingham, Michael Keane, Ryan Siebert,
Well done to everyone who participated in the U.L. Sport Kids Run and the Great Limerick Run. The school was very well represented between pupils, staff and family members taking part. A huge thank you also to our pupils who, thanks to their participation in the kids run, raised €245 for the school!
Congratulations to Seán Murnane and Aaron Hanley who played on the South Limerick team which won the Mackey Cup in the Gaelic Grounds recently. The boys played in both the semi-final (where the South defeated the East) and final (where the South edged a close game with the City).
They join a select group of past pupils of the school with Mackey Cup medals. (that group includes Killian O’Shea, Oisín O’Grady, Dermot Breen and Mike Bermingham)
If anyone knows of other past pupils who have won Mackey Cup medals, we would love to give them a mention here.
Third & Fourth Hurling Blitz in John the Baptist C.S.
Members of our third & fourth classes represented the school in a hurling blitz in John the Baptist C.S. in Hospital recently.