LARGY COLLEGE DEBATERS CROWNED ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS

Students from Largy College in Clones have been crowned the All-Ireland Concern Debates champions. The team of Amy-Jo Kierans, Aoibheann McLoughlin, Katie Mc- Caffrey and Deirdre Smith carried home the perpetual trophy after triumphing in the final against Rathgar High School at The Helix in Dublin last week, succeeding in a debate about international support for the world’s poorest countries. 175 schools took part in the 39th final of the competition, which was created in 1984 by the humanitarian organisation Concern Worldwide to encourage further debate about global issues among young people. Well-known past participants of the competition include Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, RTÉ broadcaster Claire Byrne and Virgin Media presenter Karen Koster.

In the final, Largy College argued for the motion that ‘For the Global South, the international community is a mirage’. “All the hard work has paid off,” said Largy’s team captain Amy- Jo Kierans, who is also a successful athlete who represents Ireland and is a medal hopeful at this summer’s European Youth Olympic Festival in Slovenia. “I am so proud of my team mates, our researchers and teachers like Sascha Cumiskey and the whole school. This means so much to us. To get this far and to win is just amazing. Our opponents the High School were incredible.” The win represents a hat-trick in the competition for Largy, who also tasted All-Ireland debating success in 2014 and in 2019. Concern will bring the winning team, all aged 16, to New York for a tour of the United…