Congratulations to everyone involved in South Limerick’s win in the Mackey Cup yesterday. The South defeated Limerick City in the semi-final and then West Limerick in the final by a soliditary point.
Special congratulations to Fionn from Herbertstown NS who played a crucial role in the win.
It was lovely to have the famous cup during Christmas week and it was a great reminder of the wonderful year the Limerick hurlers gave us in 2023.
An especially great occasion for both of our infant classes as it was their first time having the Liam MacCarthy Cup at the school.
The traditional quartet of schools were in action, Hospital NS, Herbertstown NS, Caherline NS and the holders Knockainey NS. As the round robin series of games were being played by the schools, it became apparent that the four schools were very evenly matched and some excellent hurling was on display.
The traditional junior & senior infant game also took place where the stars of the future got a chance to showcase their talents.
Following respective wins over Knockainey NS and Caherline NS, Herbertstown NS and Hospital NS met in the final. Kathleen Fitzgerald of the Liam Lynch Pipe Band led the parade around the field before the final and also performed Amhrán na bhFiann.
The first half of the final was closely contested with Herbertstown holding a 2 point lead at the break. Goals were to prove crucial in the second half as Herbertstown stretched ahead and held out for a memorable win. It must be said that Hospital NS were very impressive throughout the day and did their school proud.
Well done to our team and thank you to all who supported the tournament, especially Hospital/Herbertstown Bord na n-Óg and all the parents who donated food and refreshments for the players and supporters.
Both our boys’ hurling team and girls’ camogie team captured the South Roinn A titles in Martinstown yesterday. They boys had victories over Hospital NS and Croom NS while the girls defeated Hospital NS and Ballylanders NS.
Well done to all involved and thanks to our great supporters on the day.
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.
Both teams had wins over Hospital NS and Knocklong NS in their groups.
During last June the boys won the competition for 3rd & 4th class among South Limerick Schools. They defeated Knockainey NS and were awarded the cup which is named after Harry Greensmyth.
At today’s assembly they were awarded their well deserved medals. Congratulations boys!
Our boys football team took a step further than any previous team in the school’s history to represent South Limerick in the County Football Finals. In the semi-final Herbertstown were paired with the City champions Ballybrown NS. Despite a spirited performance, a few second half goals saw the Clarina school pull away and get the win.
Our Anthony Baggott Cup hurling tournament returned on June 16th following a three year absence. The large crowd in attendance were treated to a festival of hurling from the four participating schools; Caherline NS, Hospital NS, Herbertstown NS and Knockainey NS. There was also an exhibition game featuring the junior and senior infant pupils from Herbertstown NS.
Following the round robin games, Knockainey NS and Herbertstown NS qualified for the final. This was a meeting of two of the South’s most impressive teams of 2022. Knockainey NS – the Roinn A football and hurling champions. Herbertstown NS – the Premier football champions and Premier hurling finalists.
It’s little wonder then that the final was very competitive with the standard of hurling was at a very high level. When the dust settled, Knockainey had got the crucial scores and had done enough to claim the honours. Afterwards Eileen Baggott presented the Anthony Baggott Cup to the Knockainey captain.
Sincere thanks to everyone who helped to prepare the field, who donated food and helped with the tea and refreshments on the day. Thanks also to Hospital/Herbertstown GAA for their continued support. It was a great day for the school and the community.
On Friday, our final fixture of the year took place. Our team travelled to Knockainey to play our neighbours in a competition for third and fourth class pupils. This South Limerick Primary Schools event is an opportunity for the younger pupils to showcase their talents. With numbers a little tight, our third and fourth class boys were bolstered by the addition of the boys in second class. After an exciting, sporting game with Knockainey NS, Herbertstown edged a narrow win.
In the moments after the game, Christina Greensmyth presented the Harry Greensmyth Cup to the Herbertstown captain. How fitting that a cup named after Harry is presented to many players who were playing for the first time for their school when Harry himself did so much to promote gaelic games over many decades.
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.