New All-Ireland Concern Debates champions are crowned

A Monaghan secondary school team won the All-Ireland Concern Debates final last night after a debate about international support for the world’s poorest countries.  

The Largy College debaters from Clones lifted the Concern Debates Perpetual trophy at The Helix venue in Dublin after the final against The High School from Rathgar – who were the last two out of over 175 participating school teams.

It was 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.

The debating champions 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.”

This is the third time a team from Largy College won Concern Debates after they previously won it in 2014 and in 2019, while The High School were hoping this would be their school’s first time winning it.

The High School captain Jake O’Loughlin congratulated the Largy team and thanked his team, family teachers and school for their support.

“Congratulations to Largy. It was a fierce debate and we definitely met our match,” said Jake, who is also a stage and voice actor.

“I am really proud of how far we have come as a team and I would like to thank so everyone who supported us.”

Concern will bring the winning team - Amy-Jo Kierans, Katie McCaffery, Aoibheann McLoughlin and Deirdre Smith, all aged 16 – to New York for a tour of the United Nation’s headquarters as part of their prize.

The runners-up from The High School - Jake O'Loughlin (17), Daniel Tallon (17), Barry Kennedy (17) and Eoin Kelly (18) - will travel to the EU headquarters in Brussels and to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Bandon Grammar School from Cork separately won a third place play-off in the competition against Moate Community School, Westmeath.

Concern praised the finalists and other schools that participated this year.

“The Concern debates touched over 175 schools across Ireland providing our young people the opportunity to passionately voice their concerns over the injustices in the world leading to extreme poverty,” said Concern’s Chief Executive David Regan.

“The teachers and adjudicators provide the platform which builds young people’s confidence while they learn new skills in listening and debating. 

“These young advocates will bring new energy and insights as we all seek to achieve Concern’s goal of eliminating extreme poverty in the world.”

Concern’s Head of Active Citizenship, Michael Doorly, said it is hoped the Concern debaters will become life-long 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,” he said.

“It helps students with their confidence, especially when it comes to public speaking.

"We are also very grateful to our volunteer adjudicators who support our young debaters by judging each debate and we are always looking for more people to help us."

Anyone who would like their school to take part in next year’s competition or who would like to become a Concern Debates adjudicator is asked to ring 01 417 7733 or email debates@concern.net.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Kevin Jenkinson by email: kevin.jenkinson@concern.net.