Local team praised for reaching last four of Concern Debates competition

A Westmeath school debating team were praised for their efforts after a semi-final defeat in one of Ireland’s largest secondary school debating competitions.

Students from Moate Community School made it to the last four out of over 175 teams that took part in this year’s Concern Debates, a competition that dates back to 1984 with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and RTÉ broadcaster Claire Byrne among its well-known past participants.

The Moate team were runners-up in a debate with students from Monaghan’s Largy College after proposing the motion ‘Schools in Ireland are developing strong and caring global citizens’ at Dublin’s Camden Court Hotel.

The 16-year old semi-finalists; TJ Fakeye from Ballymore, Katie Molloy from Clara, Alexandra Roche from Moate and Grace O’Flaherty from Mount Temple will compete for third or fourth place in a debate with the other semi-finalist runner-up Bandon Grammar School from Cork.

“We have learned so much from the debate competition as a whole and are proud of ourselves for getting so far,” said the debating team following the semi-final.

“There are various attributes of this competition we will bring with us through life. It has been a fantastic experience and while we are disappointed, we are also thrilled for Largy College and we wish them the best of luck in the final.”

Their teacher and mentor Kirsten McCormack, added: “I am disappointed for the team as they have put in so much work, but they have learned so much from this competition and thoroughly enjoyed it.”

The Westmeath debaters were also praised by the competition’s organisers, the humanitarian organisation Concern Worldwide.

“Well done to Moate Community School who showed incredible skill and intelligence in their debate,” said Concern’s Head of Active Citizenship, Michael Doorly.

“We applaud them and all who participated in Concern Debates this year. It is our hope that Concern debaters become lifelong advocates on behalf of the most disadvantaged people in the world.

“Through debating, they learn how to put their points across in a respectful, dignified and convincing way. It also helps students with their confidence, especially when it comes to public speaking.

“We also express our gratitude to the many people in communities around the country who volunteer to judge each debate in their local schools. They provide great feedback to the debaters and help us to keep this great competition going.”

This was the furthest that Moate Community School had ever reached in Concern Debates while another Westmeath school, Athlone Community College, previously won it three times in 2007, 2008 and in 2010.

Concern created the competition in 1984 to encourage further debate about global issues and welcomes school teams from all 32 counties.

This year’s Concern Debates final between Dublin’s The High School and Monaghan’s Largy College takes place on Thursday, May 4 at The Helix in Dublin with the motion, 'For the Global South, the international community is a mirage.'

The winner of the competition will receive a trophy from Concern and travel to the United Nation’s headquarters in New York while the runners-up will travel to Brussels and The Hague.

The event will be broadcast live on Concern Worldwide’s You Tube channel and anyone who would like their school to take part in next year’s competition is asked to ring 01 417 7733 or email debates@concern.net.