Loreto Convent, Letterkenny crowned Gael Linn Junior All-Ireland Final debate champs

Hugely talented speakers from Loreto Convent, Letterkenny have been crowned debating champions at the Junior All-Ireland Final of Comórtas an Phiarsaigh 2022. 

This annual debating competition, is organised by Gael Linn for non-Irish medium post-primary schools, with up to 100 teams taking part since the beginning of this school year and was held in the Radisson Blu, Athlone.

In the junior final the teams discussed the motion ‘Tá tionchar maith ag laochra spóirt ar an aos óg’ (‘Sports stars have a positive influence on young people’).

Teams from Loreto Convent, Letterkenny; Belvedere College, Great Denmark Street, Co. Dublin; Loreto Abbey, Dalkey and Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles involved.

The senior final consisted of students from St. Leo's College, Carlow; St. Brendan's College, Belmullet; St. Raphael’s College, Loughrea and Sandford Park School, Ranelagh. Their motion was ‘‘Tá comhar na gcomharsan fós lárnach inár sochaí’ (‘Community spirit remains central in our society’).  

A panel of five judges were present on the night: Áine Hensey, Áine Ní Ghlinn, Féilim Mac Donncha, Fergus Ó Conghaile and Sinéad Ní Ghuidhir and after a long debate between them Katie Nic Giolla Chomhaill, Emily Ní Chrosáin and Ellen Ní Ghríofa were chosen from Loreto Convent, Letterkenny as the winners of the Junior Championship. Sandford Park School, Ranelagh took the top prize in the Senior Championship with Rohan Tewari, Oisín Bhoja and Kate O'Mahony speaking against the motion.  

The winning teams, in both the junior and senior sections of the competition, were presented with a perpetual trophy and a cheque for €1,000, and all the other participating teams received prizes of €250 each.