In early October, senior members of the debating society participated in the first round of the Philosoph Debating Competition, in University College Cork.
Ciarán Meers, Aidan Mamo Cooney, Leo Callanan, Dylan O’Toole, Robert Palmer and Michael Keohane represented C.S.N.
They were divided into three teams and each team was given a different motion. They were required to research the motion beforehand and prepare their debate.
Ciarán and Michael received TTHB That First World Countries Should Use Economic Sanctions to Encourage Better Environmental Practices, Aidan and Robert debated TTHW Colonize Mars and Dylan and Leo received TTHW Pay Known Gang Members to Not Commit Crimes.
Of the three teams, Michael and Ciarán advanced through to the quarter finals, which will take place in January, while the other teams will participate in a backdoor round, which will take place in November.
Everyone present made a valiant effort and all involved performed admirably in the name of the school.
- Robert Palmer, Recording Secretary
On Wednesday May 1st, the Debating Society held the third annual Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh Junior Debating Mace.
Over 40 debaters participated in the debate, with juniors and senior adjudicators coming from schools all over Cork, including Presentation Brothers College, St Aloysius Carrigtwohill, Coláiste Dáibhead, St Aloysius College Cork, Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál Blarney, Scoil Mhuire, and Rochestown College.
Six of our own debaters participated in the event as well. Michael Keohane, Robert Palmer, David Cronin, as well as first years John O’Leary, Diarmuid O’Halloran, and Michael O’Neill gave an excellent account of themselves and their speaking abilities as they represented the school in the competition.
The participants debated two motions, “That This House Believes All News Should Be Media State Owned” and “That This House Would Restrict Immigration Laws”.
The prize for Best Team went to Eabha Murphy and Alice Neligan of Scoil Mhuire, and Runner Up Best Team went to Brian Sweeney and Matthew Kingston of P.B.C.
Best Speaker went to Arbaz Khan of P.B.C, and Runner Up Best Speaker went to Eabha Murphy of Scoil Mhuire.
We would like to thank those from C.S.N. who volunteered to help out on the day, both as adjudicators and organisers; Aaron McGee, Cian Morey, Tony O’Halloran, Jason Scully, Ciarán Meers, Aidan Mamo Cooney, Oscar Walsh, Dylan O’Toole, Leo Callanan, and Thomas Otway.
In addition, we would also like to thank the teachers who gave up their afternoon to ensure the debate ran smoothly; Ms Callanan, Ms Fallon, and the society co-ordinator Ms Barry.
The C.S.N. Debating Society meets every Friday. All are welcome and invited in the coming year.
Two of our junior debaters recently participated in the national final of the Matheson Junior Debating Competition in St. Conleth’s College Dublin.
Michael Keohane (2nd Year) and David Cronin (1st Year) debated a variety of topics, including the divide in sports coverage among men and women, and secularity in schools.
The two debated against 90 of the top debaters from around the island (North and South), out of over 500 total entrants. While they did not win anything, they represented the school excellently at the national level.
They were accompanied to Dublin by Aaron McGee and Ciarán Meers, who adjudicated several of the debates, and Ms Barry, the debating co-ordinator.
Congratulations to Michael and David for an excellent performance.
Ciarán Meers – 4th Year
Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh’s Annual Junior Mace Debating Competition took place on Wednesday 25th April this year.
The debate featured over twenty teams from schools across Cork who gathered at C.S.N. to tackle motions such as “TTHW Decline All Foreign Aid” and “TTHW Not Commemorate Those Who Die For Their Country”.
Congratulations to the prize-winning students from Rochestown College (David Leahy and Oisin McSweeney, Best Team), from Christian Brothers’ College (Fearghal Desmond and Oliver McKenna, Runner-Up Team), from St Aloysius’ College Carrigtwohill (Loulou McHale, Best Speaker) and from our very own C.S.N. (David Cronin, Runner-Up Speaker).
The event was organised almost entirely by the students themselves, from the collection of the registration fees to the layout of the rooms on the day in question, and the Committee of the Society would like to sincerely thank all of those members who helped out and ensured that the day ran smoothly.
Many thanks also to Ms Barry and Ms McGee who supported us every step of the way, to Mr Skally for his great help, and to Mr Foley for allowing us to take over half the school one afternoon so that sixty opinionated teenagers could get a bit shouty about stuff.
The 2018 Mace was a great success and was tremendously enjoyable for all, and we look forward to hosting another exceptional debate next year.
Cian Morey,
Chairman of the Debating Society
