Thurles students prepare for this week's Concern Debates final

The Ursuline Concern Debating team of Fiona Maher, Aisling Flynn, Kate Fitzgerald, Clodagh Twomey, Jane Collins and Nora Kilrane were busy last week preparing for the National Final of the renowned Concern Debating, which has been running for almost forty years.

On Thursday, May 2 they will go head to head with Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher opposing the motion Achieving World Peace is the defining task of the 21st Century.

They were interviewed by Tipp FM’s Fran Curry this week and met with Deidre Lanigan, a member of the Ursuline Thurles All Ireland winning Concern Debate team of 1995.

She shared her memories of the event, as well as giving this year’s team some valuable advice and insights into her experience of the competition.

She still had her speech notes and the research the team had done in advance of the final which the girls poured over.

They were able to ask her questions and took on board her tips and suggestions which will help them with their own preparations.

Best wishes to the team and their coach Ms Downey.

Contributed to School Days in the Tipperary Star by the Ursuline Secondary School

CAPTION: Concern Debates finalists from Ursuline Secondary School, county Tipperary Jane Collins, Fiona Maher, Kate Fitzgerald and Nora Kilrane after they won their semi final in Dublin