Tipperary school takes home trophy from Munster debating final

A Tipperary school have taken home a Munster title for debating this week, for the first time since 2011.

Two Rockwell College students, Anastasia Mazur and Cillian Carey O’Dwyer, successfully won the UCC Philosoph Munster Schools’ Debating Final with their motion, That This House Believes Privacy is Dead.

Rockwell College previously won the Munster title on two occasions, with back-to-back wins in 2010 and 2011.

Apart from the Tipperary school, the event was an all-Cork affair, with teams and individuals from CBC, St Al’s Carrigtwohill, Bruce College and Bandon Grammar.

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This year’s competition, which is hosted each year by UCC's prestigious Philosoph Debating Society involved 64 schools from across the province and is one of Ireland’s longest running debating competitions.

Principal of Rockwell College and debating coach Ms Audrey O’Byrne commented: “Cillian and Anastasia have been debating competitively at this level for the last three years. Debating successfully takes a lot of unseen time and commitment and I'm delighted to see their hard work rewarded with this win. They are building on and continuing the legacy of strong debating talent here at Rockwell College."

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"A competition on this scale only happens because the students in the Philosoph put in the time and effort to make sure it happens. The result is that young debaters across Munster can test and develop their talents and I’m grateful they are given that opportunity," Ms O'Byrne added.