
Everybody ready to get started
This was the motion the TY students were preparing over the last few weeks. Gormanston hosted the debate as our students were proposing the motion. Their opponents were a super team from Swords – St Finian’s Community College.
On the day of the debate, Gormanston met with a minor hitch. One of our speakers was unable to turn up for the debate on the night. With a small feeling of panic, everyone did their best to find a replacement. At 1pm on the day of the debate, we called on a fifth year student who was one of our strongest TY debaters last year. He is such a star and true to form, he did not let us down. With only a few hours’ notice, Matthew Mollahan stepped in as captain of the debating team and effortlessly opened and closed the debate for the night. Saoirse Lynch, Ronan McGrathand Tristan Parker were tremendously grateful to Matthew as it allowed them to feel confident having a full team for the debate.
The debate was a great success for Gormanston. We won! Our four speakers were convincing, polished, calm and suitably challenging towards our opponents. To tell the truth, we had a double advantage – a fantastic team led by the brilliant Matthew, and the fact of facing a team who ironically were one speaker down – how lucky we were that it wasn’t us. Despite their handicap, St Finian’s were very impressive in their style and knowledge.
Nevertheless, Gormanston are delighted to have a victory under our belts.

Our wonderful team
Three TY’s and one 5th year was the perfect blend for success. Many thanks to Kate Brennan(5th Year) who undertook the role of chairperson extremely well and to Stephen Weir(TY) for his super time-keeping skills. Well done to all the debaters and particular and heartfelt thanks to Matthew who took us out of the woods and led us on the path to triumph.