Limerick Primary Schools Athletics

48 athletes from Herbertstown NS took to the track in UL on Wednesday at the Limerick Primary Schools athletics.

Pupils took part in a range of events from 80 metre races to 400 metre races, long jump and relays.

After all the events were completed, both our girls’ and boys’ teams finished very close second in both categories.

Well done to everyone that took part and a big thank you to all who supported the school on the day with transport.

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.

FAI Primary 5s Semi-Finals

Our boys’ and girls’ teams travelled to Corbally yesterday to take part in the semi-finals of the Limerick FAI Primary 5s competition.

The boys won their first game and drew their second game. Unfortunately, they were eliminated from the competition on goal difference despite being unbeaten throughout the whole event.

The girls won both of their games which secured their place in the County Final next Wednesday.

Well done to both teams on great performances across the whole competition.

South INTO Mini 7s Finals

Our boys’ and girls’ teams were in action in the South INTO Mini 7s finals in Glenroe and played some great hurling on the day. Below is the report which featured in the Vale Star.

Glenroe GAA Club’s fabulous new astro turf facility was the setting for the finals of the South Limerick INTO Mini hurling and camogie Sevens on Monday. The spectators who came to support the schools were treated to some very entertaining games in welcome spring sunshine.

The camogie finals were first on the agenda. In the first game, Ballylanders NS and Kilbehenny NS were in action. Ballylanders were in great form and a steady stream of scores kept daylight between them and Kilbehenny for the duration of the game.

Next was the meeting of Kilbehenny NS and Herbertstown NS. Kilbehenny NS, recent winners of the South Indoor camogie title, were much improved in their second game but a hard working Herbertstown side had scores at crucial times to send them into a winner takes all final game with Ballylanders.

With a number of players who featured for South Limerick in the Neville Cup victory earlier this month playing in the sevens decider, the standard of play was high with some excellent performances on both sides. It was the free scoring Ballylanders NS team who would deservedly take the victory.
John English of the South Limerick board was on hand to present the trophy to the Ballylanders captain, Ciara Murphy.

There was no drop in the standard of fare in the boys division and the dimensions of the Glenroe venue were ideal for the sevens game, with end to end action and scores aplenty. In the first game, Scoil Mocheallog and Herbertstown NS served up a high quality game with the Kilmallock school’s ability to find the net the deciding factor.

In the second game, Scoil Dean Cussen’s direct style of play proved very effective as they saw off a spirited Herbertstown challenge.

This set up a deciding game between Scoil Dean Cussen and Scoil Mocheallog. The Golden Era for Limerick hurling is surely filtering down to the young players in South Limerick, as the skills on show were notably high. Again, the Bruff inside forwards were the difference as they held on for a memorable win.

Congratulations to all teams involved and special thanks to Glenroe GAA Club and match referee Jack O’Reilly.

Neville Cup Success

Massive congratulations to the Herbertstown quartet who helped South Limerick to win the Neville Cup in Rathkeale yesterday. The South defeated the East in the semi-final and then overcame the challenge of Limerick City in the final.  

In an added piece of history for our school, the South’s captain was a Herbertstown NS pupil.  Eithne Neville was present in Rathkeale to present the cup named in her honour to Lucy.

Well done girls on a fantastic achievement.

INTO Mini Sevens

Well done to our boys and girls teams who have qualified for the South finals in the INTO Mini 7s hurling and camogie competitions.

Both teams had wins over Hospital NS and Knocklong NS in their groups.