Olympic Handball – Herbertstown NS Girls Qualify for National Finals

We had boys and girls teams representing the school at the Olympic Handball Limerick Finals in Croom on Wednesday. Well done to our boys who played in some terrific games and finished in third place. 

Our girls were crowned county champions after winning all their games and they will now go forward to represent Limerick at the National Olympic Handball Finals in either April or May.

Dare to Believe

Congratulations to Sixth Class who have completed the Dare to Believe Olympics Schools programme.

Following the very successful visit of Limerick Olympian Sarah Lavin to the school, sixth class had to complete their Dare to Believe log books. Once this was completed, their hard work led them to being awarded a Olympic Ireland Dare to Believe Flag. We look forward to raising this flag in 2023. The class also received commemorative Irish Olympic pins as a memento of their work in the programme.

Well done to all the class.

Larkin Shield

Congratulations to Herbertstown NS’s four girls who helped the South win the Larkin Shield today in Rathkeale.

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!

Herbertstown Girls Win South Premier Title

A small piece of history was made today in Bruff as Herbertstown NS joined the list of schools who have won the South Premier Girls’ Football title.

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!

pic Declan Hehir

Olympian Sarah Lavin Visits Herbertstown NS

Limerick hurdler Sarah Lavin visited the school on Friday as part of the Dare to Believe Schools Programme.

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.

Girls Football

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.

Girls Complete South Double

Our girls have added a camogie title to the football title won earlier this month.

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.

Premier Hurling Final

South Limerick Primary Schools Premier Division 2022

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.