Two second year pupils from Coláiste Iognáid have just been ranked among the top ten debating teams of their age in the world. On Saturday, 14-year-old ‘Jes’ pupils Daragh McCarthy and Eoghan Finn finished in joint ninth position in the 2011 International Competition for Young Debaters. They defeated more than 300 pupils from around the world in the event which took place in Cambridge.
The young Jes team gained their ranking by successfully proposing the retention of the British monarchy in the UK and also in condemning the US assassination of Osama Bin Laden as well as arguing successfully on other topical motions. Ultimately, they were pipped to the top spots by teams from Canada, debaters from the UK, and a side from Dublin.
Despite adjudicators, competitors, and spectators consistently finding the pronunciation of ‘Coláiste Iognáid’ a challenge, Galway is now firmly marked on the international debating map, with teams from Italy and the UK looking to visit the city to arrange a return revenge match at the school.
The Jes has also been invited on a debating tour of well-known English public schools. This latest win tops a successful debating year for this Galway establishment: Previously, members of Coláiste Iognáid Debating Society carried off three wins and two seconds in five of the most significant debating competitions for schools in Ireland.
