The Year in Debating

This past year has been an extremely busy and successful year for the debating society of St Angela’s College. We have seen success at all levels amongst the society; from first to sixth year, in prestigious competitions ranging from the UCC Philosoph Munster Schools Competition to City Schools and from European Youth Parliament to the Soroptimist. Under the guidance of Ms Chambers and Ms O Keeffe, we have dedicated every Monday lunch and Friday morning break to honing our skills as debaters. This year, we saw the introduction of official positions for the senior members of the society and we welcomed many new members. With our extremely hard working and dedicated Chair, Charlotte Smith, 2011/2012 was a brilliant year. We sadly bid farewell to the quintessential quintet of sixth years that is; Charlotte Smith, Catherine Noonan, Rebecca Chisolm, Emer O’ Connell and Cliodnha Ní Ghadhra but we’re eagerly anticipating the next year of debating in St Angela’s College. The following is a synopsis of the great work done this year.

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September

September saw Eimear Cahill and Kelly Doherty participating in the regional Worlds’ Trials at UCC.
October

In October, Catriona Meehan, Sian Mannion, Maeve Wrixon, Jenny Bruton and Ciara Desmond competed in the Cork Schools Junior Mace. Roisin Neville and Megan Luddy won best team in a friendly debate against Christians. Kelly Doherty went to Dublin for the national leg of Worlds’ Trials. The European Youth Parliament held its Munster conference over three days in St Angela’s and Christian Brothers’ College. Eva O’ Kelly, Eimear Cahill, Louise Coleman, Sarah Lyons, Kelly Doherty, Brigid Purcell and Niamh Shanahan all attended the conference. October also saw the first round of the UCC Philosoph Munster Schools Competition. We entered four teams comprised of Charlotte Smith and Catherine Noonan, Eva O’ Kelly and Eimear Cahill, Kelly Doherty and Louise Coleman and Clíodnha Ní Ghadhra and Emer O’ Connell.

November

On the 29^th, Jenny Bruton and Ciara Desmond were in the Grand Final of Cork City Schools. The UCC National Model UN Convention was held over three days in UCC. We entered one of the largest delegations with Louise Coleman, Sarah Lyons, Kelly Doherty, Lorna McCarthy, Alice Moloney, Michaela Murphy, Brigid Purcell, Catriona Osbourne, Lena Brien and Niamh Daly all entering. Sarah Lyons and Kelly Doherty both got an honorable mention from the weekend. Charlotte Smith, Emer O’ Connell, Eva O’ Kelly, Eimear Cahill and Clíodnha Ní Ghadhra participated in the regionals of the Soroptimist Girls’ Public Speaking Competition. Clíodnha was runner up. Clíodnha Ní Ghadhra and Emer O’Connell were in the second round of the UCC Philosoph Munster Schools Competition.

December

Eleanor Noonan and Maria Coffey won best team at the Mount Mercy Christmas Mace and Roisin Neville won best speaker. Three senior teams comprised of Charlotte Smith and Catherine Noonan, Louise Coleman and Kelly Doherty and Clíodnha Ní Ghadhra and Emer O’ Connell participated in the quarter finals of the UCC Philosoph Munster Schools Competition.

January

Charlotte Smith and Catherine Noonan, Louise Coleman and Kelly Doherty and Clíodnha Ní Ghadhra and Emer O’ Connell participated in the semi finals of the UCC Philosoph Munster Schools Competition.

February

February saw the Grand Final of the UCC Philosoph Munster Schools Competition chaired by RTE’s Bryan Dobson. Charlotte Smith and Catherine Noonan, and Louise Coleman and Kelly Doherty participated in the final and Charlotte and Catherine placed as runners-up.

March

Two teams consisting of Eleanor Noonan and Simone Hasset, and Eva O’ Kelly and Kelly Doherty participated in the Regina Mundi; Daisy Corrigan Memorial Cup first round. Eleanor and Simone won best team in the junior debate. Eva O’ Kelly, Eimear Cahill and Kelly Doherty attended the National Conference of the European Youth Parliament in Dublin. We held the inaugural Rosalie Maloney Perpetual Cup, St Angela’s first internal competition. Ciara Desmond, Megan Luddy, Roisin Neville, Catríona Meehan, Eleanor Noonan and Jenny Bruton took part in the junior debate, and Megan took first place. In the senior debate, there was; Charlotte Smith, Catherine Noonan, Eva O’Kelly, Eimear Cahill, Riona Coleman and Kelly Doherty. Charlotte claimed the victory on the night.

April

St Aloyious’ held a Junior Mace, which Nicole O’ Driscoll and Maria Coffey participated in. Catherine Noonan and Charlotte Smith competed in the All Ireland Schools’ repechage. Kelly Doherty won best individual in the Regina Mundi; Daisy Corrigan Memorial Cup final.

May

In May, we ended the year with a Christians’ Mace, with Roisin Neville, Acacia O’ Mahoney, Elinor Noonan, Megan Luddy, Holly Coughlan and Nicole O’ Driscoll participating. Megan and Roisin won best team of the debate. Roisin Neville and Megan Luddy also participated in the Pres’ Summer Mace. They reached the final and Megan went on to win runner-up individual. Eva O’ Kelly and Kelly Doherty participated in a Scoil Mhuire End of Term Mace.