Debating

Debating 2015

Debating in St. Brendan’s College

In November 2014, St. Brendan’s were given the opportunity to enter the Bray Lions Debating competition. At the time, St. Brendan’s did not have any team, so the search was on for some willing, confident and enthusiastic speakers to take up this mantel. Fortune favours the brave and luckily four keen individuals from fifth year stepped up to the mark; Callum Brierton, Eóin Barnes, Owen Duffy and Eldhose Allias.

Preparation time for their first round encounter was tight and the boys gave up their lunchtimes to research topics, develop presentation skills and find unique angles to attack their opposition.

Our first round opponents were Presentation College, Bray and the motion was “The Lotto encourages gambling and greed” with the boys opposing.  Although anxious and somewhat apprehensive, this did not show in their speeches. Initially, Presentation advanced with some excellent speakers who drove home some interesting points however St. Brendan’s responded with spirit, skilfully timed retorts and were able to match their opposition point for point.  Deliberation took a considerable time and with tension mounting the adjudicators returned to the room to announce St. Brendan’s as victors to the delight of the home crowd who responded with an uproarious cheer.

Onto the semi – finals and the race was on to prepare a competitive debate opposing the motion “Overseas aid does more harm than good”.  Our competition this time was a young team from Coláiste Chraobh Abhann. As first time debaters they put up a good fight however St. Brendan’s proved their abilities and worth with exceptional speeches form all four members. Callum opened the debate with calm reserve, setting the tone with his excellent wit and language. Eldhose’s charismatic and energetic performance not only delighted the crowd but came with an arsenal of facts and logic.  Owen’s clear and concise delivery and rebuttals shook the reserve of the opposition as he set up the final attack from Eóin Barnes who redefined the title,  included  some powerful  metaphorical  language and proved that St. Brendan’s were an oratorical  force to be reckoned with!  St. Brendan’s triumphed and ascended effortlessly to the final of the Bray Lion’s Debating Final – the first for the boys and the first for St. Brendan’s.

The final is yet to come and will take place on Tuesday 12th May in The Martello in Bray. Their opponents are reigning champions St. Gerard’s; experienced debaters eager to retain their title. The motion is “Every citizen who has reached the age of twenty-one years is eligible for election to the office of President" and this time round, St Brendan’s are proposing the motion.

Preparations are underway and excitement is mounting on this extremely topical debate. Arguments are being devised and whatever the outcome, it can be said that Callum , Eldhose, Eóin and Owen have all shown great strength of character and have proven time and again that young people have strong,  powerful voices and have made themselves and St. Brendan’s proud.