The College View - February 8th 2012

Through my eyes....

A Laughing Matter

Put to the sword

Check out our new regular column in our features section Features »11

Fitzgibbon nightmare for DCU hurlers Sport » 19

Catherine Dennehy chats to some of Ireland’s comedians about life as a stand-up Flux

THE COLLEGE VIEW Have the postgrad grant cuts in budget 2012 affected your plans for when you graduate?

NO

Volume XIII - Issue 7 www.thecollegeview.com

Would you like DCU Students’ Union to lobby on your behalf with regards postgrad cuts?

DON’T KNOW

13%

Wednesday 8th February 2012

NO

YES

42%

20% YES

45%

80%

How Budget 2012 postgrad grant cuts have affected DCU students. See our survey on page 5

Second referendum could take place

By Aisling Kett Deputy News Editor Class reps will decide whether a second referendum on funding higher education will be held this semester when they vote on a motion at next Wednesday’s Class Representative Council.

The results of a similar referendum in semester one were declared null and void by SU president Ed Leamy after the voting system used was deemed to be in breach of the SU constitution.

The proportional representation (PR) system was used, but according to Article 9 of the SU constitution, “The counting procedures shall be in accordance with the system of

proportional representation by the single transferable vote [PRSTV] method”.

The second referendum would offer students a choice between the mandates with the highest number of votes in the first referendum.

These were mandates four (continuation of the status quo with student contribution) and five (free fees funded by the taxpayer). Mandate five was declared the winner after the first count.

The previous results showed that a majority of students were not in favour of free fees (41% supported mandate five, free fees). Those in favour of fees were divided on how fees should be dealt with.

Speaking to The College View, Leamy, who will support the motion

for a new referendum, explained that if PRSTV had been applied, as per the constitution, mandate four would have won. He said that mandate five was not “transfer friendly”.

Class Rep Council chairperson Sean Cassidy said: “If you look at the overall voting pattern, 60% voted for four other options. The [legal] advice would be to re-run it. But it’s up to council class reps.’’

FEE DCU (Free Education for Everyone) accused the Students’ Union of using a ‘constitutional technicality’ to change the outcome of the referendum and insisted that the students’ democratic choice was reflected after the first count.

Cassidy added: “It wasn’t one person’s mistake, council should have seen it number one, the original

proposer should have seen it, council should have seen it, exec should have seen it, FEE should have seen it. Re-run, do it again and do it properly.”

The referendum website (dcusureferendum.ie) stated however that the “funding model with the greatest first preference [PR] wins. If you wish you can also express a second, third, fourth and fifth preference.

The additional preferences will not carry, but will instead allow the Students’ Union to better measure the spectrum of opinion, strengthening our lobbying argument”.

After the referendum it was suggested that the Electoral Committee should resign for not spotting the constitutional breach. A post on the FEE website suggested this would

make it hard to find a new committee as “those on the Electoral Committee are the only ones who had an interest in the position, and it was damn difficult to fill those”.

When contacted about this issue, the returning officer and chair of the Electoral Committee, Sean Rooney, would not divulge how much was spent on running the referendum, but insisted that the committee had been “using the method outlined on the referendum website”.

An article on the FEE website dated December 15th, 2011 states that FEE DCU “decided to bring a motion to Class Rep Council to have the result of Friday’s first count respected as a ‘democratic survey’, which should now mandate DCU SU » pg 3

2 The College View 08.02.12

EDITORIAL

Students’ fears confirmed as Quinn announces fee hike Think back: Ruairi Quinn, then Labour Party spokesperson on education, signed the USI pledge promising fees would not be introduced.

Roll forward a few months, and that promise no longer meant the same thing. We’ve been through a student protest involving universities from all over the country and it would appear that those efforts have been in vain.

On February 3th, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, backed up earlier comments from the Education Minister that third-level fees need to increase. “Third level education is an expensive business, but we’ve got to have it at its best if our country is going to thrive and prosper.

Clearly the path forward for this country is research, innovation and development and that does not come cheap.”

While Kenny’s enthusiasm for ed-

ucation is evident, his concern for the financial limitations of students remains to be seen. The grant does not apply to almost 60% of students, part time jobs are increasingly difficult to come by, and the prospect of student loan repayments hanging over the heads of future graduates can be a daunting one.

Quinn had of course stated what we feared for months would be confirmed: Students will be faced with a 50% increase in the student contribution fee over the next four years. A €250 rise was announced in December’s budget, which will come into effect in September.

Some people sighed with temporary relief, others waited for an official announcement that this was just the first in a series of increases.

“We now have this €2,000 fee going up to €2,250 next year and probably increasing up to €3,000,”

Corrections?

If you have any complaints about what we’re reporting, or have spotted any factual mistakes, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant section editor, or email editor@thecollegeview.com.

This issue of the College View was produced by: Editor-in-Chief: Catherine Dennehy Production & Layout Editor: Conor Donohoe Production Deputy: Ian Goode News Editor: Aishling Phelan News Deputy Editors: Frances Mulraney, Aisling Kett, Aoife Mullen Travel Editor: Philippa Hood Features Editor: Jenny Darmody Deputy Features Editor: Hiromi Mooney Irish Editor: Derek O’Brien Deputy Irish Editor: Fiach Mac Domhnaill Sports Editor: Eoghan Cormican Deputy Sports Editors: Brendan White, Tom Rooney Arts Editor: Sinead Brennan Deputy Arts Editor: Valerie Loftus Sub-Editors: Emma-Louise Hutchinson, Tim Barnwell Images Editor: Sinead Walsh PR Team: Dervilla O’Reilly, Kim Gavin, Kacey O’Riordan The College View is a full participating member of the Press Council of Ireland and supports the Office of the Press Ombudsman. This scheme, in addition to defending the freedom of the press, offers readers a quick, fair and free method of dealing with complaints that they may have in relation to articles that appear on our pages. To contact the Office of the Press Ombudsman go to www. pressombudsman.ie or www.presscouncil.ie

Quinn said, speaking to a group of students in the University of Limerick. “There has been a squeeze on the administrative fund and that squeeze will continue for the next two years.”

Gary Redmond, president of the USI has argued that this increase in fees will not lead to an increase in the quality of our universities. “Not a single additional cent of money has gone into the universities or colleges. The reality is all the government are doing is transferring the burden on to families that are already struggling.”

It now looks almost certain that Irish students will be forced to pay €3000 annually to earn their college degrees within the next four years.

Will it end there or will promises continue to be forgotten about and rules continue to be broken? Will the extra money mean any extra

benefits for the students that pay it or will they find themselves subjected to more cuts across the education spectrum.

A year on from making his stand against fee increases, Ruairi Quinn said that he doesn’t “feel great” about breaking his word, but that the increase was just the “downside of the story”. “I still don’t feel great about it, but I have to get on with it.”

The student contribution fee only provides 10% of the education budget allocated by the state, and compared to the fees of up to £9,000 expected of those in the UK, Quinn has argued that Irish students are getting a good deal from the state.

However, comparisons aside, government officials have been testing the trust of Irish students, and trading broken promises in for election votes makes this bitter deal all the more sour.

MISSING STUDENT DCU student Paul Bunbury has been missing since last Thursday

(The below information was ac-

curate when going to print)

The 19-year-old was last seen in Eurospar on the Ballymun Road in Glasnevin at around 4.05pm.

He was captured on CCTV footage buying ‘something small’ according to Aileen Parnell, a worker in the shop.

Gardaí in Whitehall Garda Station are appealing for anyone with information to come forward and contact them on 01-6664500 or the Garda Confidential Telephone Line on 1800 666 111.

When last seen, Paul was wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans and a grey jacket. He is described as being 5ft 10in (1.78m) and has brown eyes, long brown hair, a thin build and a beard.

He is a third year student in Computer Applications.

One of his lecturers, Dr Mark Humphrys posted a message on Facebook via the Students’ Union stating, ‘‘Dear friends of Paul Bunbury I saw you on the “Find Paul Bunbury” Facebook page. I

need your assistance. I don’t use Facebook, so could you upload this information for me to that page.

I am a lecturer in Paul Bunbury’s department (Computing). We would like to reassure Paul that he passed all 6 modules comfortably. And that if Paul sees this, for him to get in touch with family or friends or the university to let us know he is okay.’’

Groups of DCU students have formed search parties over the last number of days.

Social networking sites have

been flooded with messages of support for his family and friends.

One message said,‘‘Hope Paul is found safe and well soon. My Prayers and Thoughts are with all his family and friends for his safe return home xx’’.

Welfare Officer of the Students’ Union, Collie Oliver said: ‘‘The SU is doing all it can to help in the search for Paul - actively communicating with the student media on all student mailing lists, social media platforms etc. Thankfully the message has spread virally and has generated alot of awareness on Facebook, Twitter, Boards etc.

An email has also gone out to DIT, UCD, Trinity and Maynooth students also. The Union will provide financial support to those students directly involved in managing the search process to pay for posters/ flyers etc and have helped poster and flyer campus in the local area, in the hope of finding a lead as to the whereabouts of Paul.’’

He added: ‘‘Paul and his family are in all our prayers.’’

The College View 08.02.12 3

NEWS

news@thecollegeview.com

FEE say Students’ Union won’t support free fees » continued from front to campaign for free education for everyone”.

This move was vetoed at the Class Rep Council meeting by Leamy.

Derek McKenna, leader of FEE DCU, said that after this move he was given an “official warning”.

After the article was put on the website McKenna claims he was warned by the SU president that a solicitor’s letter would be issued for “false online writings” about him. This action was not followed through, and McKenna maintains that he has not committed libel.

McKenna believes that if mandate five is declared the winning model from the first referendum or if a second referendum is held, the SU won’t support it. He believes it is public knowledge that the SU is “definitely not going to support the winning mandate” if it turns out to be mandate five.

When asked about this issue Leamy said that as chief representative of the SU he is bound to support

Why a second referendum could change the initial result The second referendum will offer students a choice between the mandates with the highest number of votes in the first referendum. This means mandate four (a continuation of the status quo with student contribution) or mandate five (a fully free system funded by the exchequer) could become the funding model that the Students’ Union executive will be mandated to lobby on. Although mandate five won the first referendum with 41% of the vote, the rest of the students voted in favour of keeping some form of fee paying model. This means almost 60% of students are not in favour of free fees.

‘‘free fees aren’t feasible in the current economic crisis but as chief representative of the SU I’m bound to support it.’’ – Ed Leamy

it. However, when asked if he personally supported free fees, Leamy said that while they are a “lovely idea”, free fees aren’t feasible in the current economic crisis.

When asked whether the referendum should have been held before the Budget last December, both McKenna and Leamy said no. If held before the Budget the SU would have had a clear mandate to lobby the government with.

However, Leamy said that “budget time was ideal” as the issue of fees was topical. McKenna said there was a reason for having the referendum after the Budget, there was “political momentum” at that time.

The referendum was held between December 7th and 9th, while the Budget was announced on December 5th and 6th. McKenna also said that though the referendum was declared null and void, it was “still relevant to have it”.

A decision on the second referendum will be made at the Class Representative Council meeting on Wednesday 15th February.

SU President considered suing FEE DCU leader for defamation

By Aishling Phelan News Editor President of the Students’ Union Ed Leamy considered suing the leader of FEE DCU for defamation shortly after the controversial results of last semester’s referendum were announced.

Leamy claimed there were “false online writings” about him on the national FEE (Free Education for Everyone) website.

The article in question, written

by Derek McKenna, was entitled ‘Democracy Suppressed in DCU’ and criticised the president for not accepting the original result as a democratic survey and referred to the referendum as a ‘farce’.

The president asked McKenna to send him his home address so he could issue him a solicitor’s letter but McKenna refused.

McKenna emailed The Col-

lege View a screenshot of the text or “threat” he had received from Leamy before Christmas.

The text said, ‘‘I need your address asap. I will be sending you a solicitor’s letter on my behalf regarding your false online writings about me.’’

McKenna maintains that he has not defamed the president online and stated: ‘‘I stand over every word of that article and I know I have not committed libel against anyone. It is my opinion and that of my legal adviser that there is nothing libellous or defamatory in those articles. They are a truthful representation of what occurred in my opinion.’’

Leamy believes that the leader of FEE DCU has defamed both him and the Students’ Union both online and in this newspaper.

He said, ‘‘I was dissatisfied with Derek’s quotes in both The College View and on the FEE website. As a result of this, before Christmas, I texted him and asked him for an ad-

dress I could send a solicitor’s letter to, if there were grounds for it.

“He would not give it to me. I had a lawyer friend read over some text I was querying. I was of the opinion the text was defamatory towards DCUSU primarily and so was he.

There were also untrue writings about me but I was far less concerned about these.’’

Leamy has decided that he will not pursue the matter any further. ‘‘There are far more important things to invest time and energy into and I am happy to move on,’’ he said.

The pair have had their differences over the last few months but Leamy insists that McKenna is “a good guy”. He suggested that their diverse attitude to politics is what often leads to them clashing on certain issues. ‘‘I think he is a good guy. He perhaps likes the limelight and headlines a bit much but I do think he is a sound man. He is certainly not

politically apathetic and stands up for what he believes in impressively and energetically. This is an admirable trait in anyone regardless of interests,” Leamy said.

“Our beliefs are very different. He lies to the left of the political compass while I lie to the right. Derek believes in campaigning and fighting for the rights of working class people while my views represent the views of a broad range of people from all social classes, with the belief in the coincidence of economic growth with social progress,’’ he continued.

He added, ‘‘If Derek ever wanted to debate these views with me I’d be happy to oblige him.’’

When referring to Leamy’s call for a recount after the last referendum, the article on the website stated: “the action by DCU SU President Ed Leamy cast further suspicion on a process that has been tainted by a constitutional screw-up by the ref-

erendum Electoral Committee and the Students’ Union Executive.’’

It also stated: “The facts of the case show an amazing level of arrogance from some members of the DCU Students’ Union insofar as they feel they can disrespect the democratic choice of their students.’’

McKenna also made claims in this newspaper that it was “obvious that certain people who do not wish to accept funding model five and free fees as the union’s mandate” attempted to use a constitutional technicality to change the result.

Leamy explained that if the referendum had been carried out in accordance to the SU constitution, mandate 4 (continuation of the status quo with student contribution) would have won.

He insisted that mandate 5 was not “transfer friendly” and therefore was not supported under the governance of the SU constitution. He said a recount was necessary.

4 The College View 08.02.12

NEWS

Young Fine Gael supports post grad cuts, Labour say YFG fail to criticise senior party

By Aishling Phelan News Editor Labour DCU believes Young Fine Gael is merely “cheering on” its parliamentary party and is failing to come up with its own independent ideas.

Chairman of DCU Labour Youth, David Healion, said: ‘‘It does seem that Young Fine Gael are just cheering on their senior party members which is a bit ridiculous, they really should be coming up with new ideas for students.’’

DCU Young Fine Gael recently announced that it firmly supports the abolition of postgraduate supports announced in Budget 2012. ‘‘The state is already providing you to get your qualification. We believe if you want to further your education, you may want to see your own means to do that,” said Ryan Hunt, chairman of DCU YFG. ‘‘Personally I think that there should be ways that, if there are people who don’t have the financial means to do a (a postgrad) course, there should be provisions put a side,” he added.

A survey carried out by The College View found that almost half of final year DCU students who responded and are not applying for a postgraduate course next year had

intended to do so before the scrapping of the grants. ‘‘It’s definitely a Fine Gael policy.

If Labour were in government on their own I believe that wouldn’t be the case,” Healion said. He added that the youth wings of Ireland’s political parties should challenge their senior party members. ‘‘I know ourselves, with Labour Youth nationally, we’re always arguing with the senior party members in Labour. A lot of what Labour is doing at the moment is not acceptable, cutting the SNAs [special needs assistants], cuts in the grant, increasing the fees. We’ve no problem going against our parties on the issues.’’

However, YFG, like many rebel Fine Gael backbenchers, is calling on the government to scrap the Croke Park deal and introduce pay cuts for public servants (including public representatives) earning over €80,000 annually. ‘‘It’s obviously not competitive enough and very expensive to run. If you look in line with other European countries our civil servants are very highly paid in comparison and it’s something that has to be revisited and negotiated,” Hunt said.

Labour DCU remains undecided on the Croke Park Agreement.

Healion admitted that he personally didn’t know enough about it to cast

Taoiseach and Minister for Health with YFG members Image from YFG Facebook judgment.

Both parties are in favour of the government holding a referendum on the EU Fiscal Compact Treaty. ‘‘It’s such an important topic, I think that we should have a referendum because it gives the people their opinion on it all,’’ Hunt said.

When asked whether the coalition

was trying to avoid putting the decision in the hands of the Irish public, Hunt said: ‘‘The way they’re looking at it is that people will use the referendum as a bit of a platform to express their views on other issues.

Pperhaps they’re not talking about the real issue at hand.’’

Healion is confident the treaty

will eventually pass. ‘‘If it doesn’t pass, it will be the same thing that happened with Nice and the Lisbon Treaty, we’ll vote until they get the right one,’’ he said.

Both parties also defended some of the recent public hiccups made

by Fine Gael.

In relation to Finance Minister Michael Noonan’s claim that young people were leaving the country for ‘lifestyle choices’, Healion said, ‘‘My understanding [is that] he was taken out of context, still in the media that was terrible. It’s shocking that he would even say something like that. It’s throwing it in the face of all the families and a lot of people who have left the country.’’

Hunt agreed the comments were taken out of context but said, ‘‘there’s a lot of ill-feeling at the moment from people who have to emigrate”.

Commenting on Enda Kenny’s remarks that “people went mad borrowing”, Healion stressed that there was a lot of other elements in the Irish economy that triggered the financial crash. ‘‘[Kenny] was blaming the banks recklessly handing out the money, people thought that they could keep getting this money. To a certain extent he’s right, people were borrowing money recklessly but you don’t blame the Irish people,’’ he said.

No increase in food prices on campus after Budget 2012

By Sam Griffin News Reporter Students who eat at restaurant facilities on campus will not be affected by the rise in VAT following December’s budget.

Trispace, the DCU owned catering company which operates seven restaurants and cafes on campus, confirmed to The College View that the recent changes in VAT will not affect students as catering within the education sector operates at a VAT rate of zero.

At present, a 9% VAT rate applies to the hospitality and tourism sector. Budget 2012 resulted in a two per cent increase in VAT on point of sale items, and it was feared this would result in price increases on food sold on campus.

A spokesperson for Trispace said: “The 9% VAT rate applies to the hospitality and tourism sector. For student catering within the education sector, purchases made by

students are at the VAT rate of zero.

Trispace is approved by Revenue to have this zero rate status for student purchases.”

Siobhan Murphy, business and operations manager of Trispace, said that the recent VAT changes do affect business buying from suppliers but that students will not suffer as a result.

“Within the food sector, VAT applies to luxury goods like minerals, chocolate, cakes and biscuits, and this is embedded into the cost of the product. The recent VAT increase of 2% has not been passed onto customers. It is a tax on consumer spending as opposed to a tax on a business and should in effect be passed on seamlessly,” she said.

At a recent meeting of the Class Rep Council, a point was raised that the food prices in the various restaurants on campus were too high, and the Students’ Union was called on to look into the matter.

Trispace has defended its prices, saying it is in regular contact with

the SU regarding the issue of pricing and that it is aware that some of its customers are likely to be struggling financially.

However, Trispace admitted it was finding it difficult to maintain this position, citing the challenging economic times and the need to import a lot of its foods which are not

available in Ireland.

“We are in regular contact with the Students’ Union and we are mindful that our customers are finding it particularly difficult to make ends meet over the last few years,” Murphy said.

“However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain this posi-

tion as many of the foodstuffs that we need are by nature not available in our climate and are imported from all over the world. As a result our costs are influenced by currency fluctuations, commodity market prices and of course rising oil prices.”

The College View 08.02.12 5

NEWS

news@thecollegeview.com

No chance of postgrad study for many DCU students Calls for SU to lobby the government against grant cuts Aoife Mullen Deputy News Editor Almost half of final year students in DCU who won’t be applying for a postgraduate degree next year had intended to, but had to change their plans after the grant cuts announced in Budget 2012.

A survey carried out by The College View found that 45% of students will not apply for a postgraduate degree next year. It discovered that half of these would like to study at fourth level but can’t because of financial constraints.

One student said, “post-grad education has been made impossible by these changes”.

Over 40% of students said the cuts in postgrad supports had affected their overall plans for after they graduate.

Over half of students surveyed think the nature of their course requires them to do a postgraduate. A final year student of Contemporary Culture and Society told The College View: “I sincerely hope the postgrad cuts won’t affect my plans for next year. In order for me to get a decent job out of this degree, it would be required for me to do a postgrad or I am not sure what else I could do.”

Only 11 pc of students said that DCU’s Students’ Union has lobbied the government effectively on their behalf with regards postgrad cuts, with 38% answering ‘no’ and 51% answering ‘don’t know’.

One student felt: “the SU [Students’ Union] have been very lazy with regards to keeping students informed on what they are doing.

This may be due to the negligible impact a single university can have in changing this decision.”

80% of students surveyed said they would like the Students’ Union

Dean of Graduate Studies’ view Aoife Mullen Deputy News Editor

to lobby on their behalf with regards postgrad cuts.

Education Officer of the SU, Cillian Byrne told The College View: “no lobbying has yet occurred but hopes and plans to start applying pressure are in the pipeline.

“In terms of plans to lobby, the survey will be a huge starting point.

We also have plans of advising students to put pressure on their own TDs to highlight how many potential future members of the workforce they are hindering from further study in light of the SMART economy that they are continuously promoting.”

The consensus among many students is that it is necessary to do a postgraduate after doing an Arts or Humanities undergraduate course.

One student said that “students are not qualified at anything after they finish an arts degree and it is essential that they further their studies as they have no other alternative”.

Many survey participants believe the cuts will result in students being more cautious when choosing their undergraduate degree; “I believe that with the proposed budget cuts people will be more careful when selecting their undergraduate discipline as some courses are almost unusable without a masters. This is particularly evident in the humanities subjects”.

EPL final year student, Keith Hoare told us: “There needs to be a radical overhaul of the nature of undergraduate degrees which should see more demanding and career focused courses offered as opposed to general open-ended degrees. Such undergraduate degrees specifically arts courses simply have to be changed to provide value-for money and real career possibilities as opposed to leaving students uncertain

as to their future.”

In response to these comments, Dr Lisa Looney, Head of Graduate Studies at DCU told The College View that students in second level are sometimes advised to do a course that is considered to be general (when they are unsure of what they want to do) and there is a need to offer such undergraduate degrees.

She said three year degrees tend to be more general than four year degrees and because “employers look for specialised performance in niche areas”, students from certain disciplines will need to do a postgraduate to specialise.

Despite the negativity surrounding cuts to postgraduate grants, some students have looked on the cuts positively; “I believe that these cuts will perhaps place more value on education as a whole and people will be less inclined to take it for granted”.

DCU Young Fine Gael announced last week that they fully support the abolition of postgrad supports.

Chairman of DCU Labour Youth said, ‘‘We would fully support the SU if they began lobbying the government on this issue.’’ He said that it ‘seems a bit ridiculous to support’ the scrapping of postgrad grants.

A third of final year students surveyed are planning to do a postgraduate degree. This figure is in line with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) figures from their annual survey of graduates, ‘First Destinations’, which in recent years has revealed a third of graduates go on to do a postgraduate degree.

The survey was conducted online with final year students in 28 courses from all schools and faculties in DCU and 178 students took part in the survey.

The Dean of Graduate Studies in DCU will be monitoring the number of students who go on to postgraduate study ‘carefully’, following the cuts made to postgrad grants in December’s budget.

Dr Lisa Looney said that usually a third of graduates go on to do a postgraduate course. Her department will be keeping a close eye to see if this figure changes in the First Destinations survey released in March 2013 by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

This annual survey indicates the number of postgraduate students that have gained employment or are unemployed. The graduates surveyed for 2013 will be the first to be affected by the cuts.

Dr Looney also stated that of all the DCU graduates that do a postgraduate degree, half of them stay in DCU, which shows the strength and quality of DCU’s postgraduate courses.

Dr Looney’s own concern over the government’s decision to scrap

1. Have you applied / will you apply to do a postgrad?

DON’T KNOW

22%

YES

33%

2. If no, were you planning to BEFORE the postgrad grant cuts in budget 2012?

NO

53%

YES

47%

NO

45%

3. Have the postgrad grant cuts in budget 2012 affected your plans for when you graduate?

4. Do you think the nature of your course requires you to do a postgrad?

DON’T KNOW

13%

YES

42% NO

NO

47%

YES

53%

45%

5. Do you think DCU's Students' Union has lobbied the government effectively on your behalf with regards postgrad cuts?

YES

11% DON’T KNOW

51%

6. Would you like the DCU Student's Union to lobby on your behalf with regards postgrad cuts?

NO

20%

NO

38%

postgrad grants is that it will have a particular effect on students from a disadvantaged background and students in certain disciplines.

She regrets that “the cuts came first and there were no mechanisms put in place to help students get the funds they need, such as a loan scheme”.

She also added that the government’s decision “completely goes against the last ten years of government policies” promoting Ireland’s highly qualified workforce.

YES

80%

6 The College View 08.02.12

NEWS

Business student faces thousands in legal fees, real taxi fare evader found

DCU student Eoin McKeogh, centre publicised High Court case last month.

News Reporter McKeogh attempted to have a super-injunction imposed on six naDCU student Eoin McKeogh faces tional newspapers that would prehuge legal fees after he lost his well- vent them from naming him after he

By Sam Griffin

was wrongly alleged to have evaded paying a taxi fare.

McKeogh, a Japanese and Business student, was able to prove he was out of the country at the time when video footage was taken showing someone of the same name run off on a taxi without paying the fare.

The video went viral and when one YouTube viewer mistakenly identified the individual as McKeogh, the 22-year old began receiving texts and Facebook comments labelling him a “scumbag” and a “thief”.

The student successfully took out an injunction preventing Facebook, Google and several other internet companies from broadcasting the defamatory video.

McKeogh wanted to prevent newspapers from revealing his identity as he believed it would affect his

chances of finding employment in the future, as well as causing him further embarrassment.

However, he now faces legal fees described by one newspaper as enough to buy “any sufficient house” after the High Court ruled McKeogh’s right to privacy did not outweigh the media’s obligation to report on the functioning of the legal system.

DCU School of Law and Government lecturer Dr Michael Doherty told The College View he was not surprised the court ruled the way it did, noting the tendency of the law to protect the freedom of the press.

“The courts view restrictions on reporting cases as a massive interference with the proper administration of justice, as without fair and truthful reporting of court proceedings it is impossible for the general

public to be satisfied that the justice system is functioning correctly,” he said.

He added: “It is clear that the Judge in the case was sympathetic to the student’s plight, but to obtain an order restricting press freedom in this manner, the student would have needed to demonstrate that the invasion of his privacy would have had totally exceptional adverse consequences. It seems that he was unable to meet this threshold of proof.”

The real culprit has since come forward after being tracked down by one Sunday newspaper. Eoin Black, from Blackrock, Co. Dublin, confessed that he was the individual in the video and apologised to Eoin McKeogh for the trouble he caused.

He intends to seek legal advice on how to further clear the DCU student’s name.

Seven Deadly Sins to hit the Helix

By Claire Corrigan News Reporter

DCU’s Dance Society will compete in the third annual All Ireland Dance Experiment against other third level institutions, choreographers, and dance institutions from across the country at the Helix on February 15th.

The theme of the event is the Seven Deadly Sins, meaning performers must fuse different types of dance into routines of six or seven minutes in order to convey themes of greed, sloth, lust, envy and so on.

Chairperson of the Dance Society Gráinne Ní Chuinn told The College View: ‘‘We just wanted to make it bigger and better [than last year] and make sure it is a great event.’’

Gráinne said of DCU’s entry: “We are fusing ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, and Irish dancing. Each team has a theme that they wish to convey and they fuse it together. ‘‘We’ve being rehearsing since well before Christmas. It does take an enormous amount of dedication what with the choreography and costumes. We really think it’s a great show with very high calibre talent.’’

NUI Maynooth and Queens College will also be taking part along with a host of professional performers from across the country including Celtic Rhythm, top choreographer and dancer Robin Byrne, and many others.

The event is for charity and 60% of the proceeds will be donated to the Ross Nugent Foundation. The foun-

dation was set up in order to buy ogy Ward in Beaumont Hospital and visiting relations, and nursing staff. €10 for children and students, and equipment for the St. Clare Oncol- to improve conditions for patients, Tickets for the Experiment cost €12 for adults.

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Niteline recruits more volunteers to cope with increase in calls News Reporter

Niteline, the confidential and anonymous listening service for students of DCU and other colleges, experienced such an increase in the number of calls last semester that it had to recruit a second wave of volunteers to cope with the increased demand.

Due to the confidential nature of Niteline, the service cannot confirm an exact figure for the increase in calls. But a rep for the mental health hotline confirmed to The College View that it had received “an increase in calls over the last semester. We cater for any type of issue, big or small.”

SU Welfare Officer Collie Oliver said that there could be a number of reasons why the volume of calls may have increased.

“It may suggest an increase in mental health pressures in the student body in semester one leading up to the Christmas period but it could also suggest an improvement in the reach of the service throughout the student population as a result of increased promotion and awareness of the Niteline service,” said Collie.

Some of the issues which students contact Niteline about include academic concerns, addiction, body image issues, loneliness, rape and abuse, relationships, and family issues.

Niteline is a student-run initiative that aims to look after the mental health of students at DCU, Trinity, UCD, RCSI, and NCAD. The ser-

vice is available every day expect Wednesdays between 9pm and 2.30am.

“Niteline is a non-directive call line, we don’t give advice. We try to help callers reach their own conclusions,” said the rep.

The service always wants people to get involved, especially as the volume of calls increases. Recruitment happens at the start of each academic year and volunteers are sourced from the student body.

All volunteers must keep their involvement with the service confidential, even from family and friends. “One of the main things is that a Niteline volunteer can’t put it on their CV so they do it out of the goodness of their hearts,” said the rep. She stressed that for the volunteers, working for Niteline is a deeply personal commitment.

Training is based on the Samaritans model. Volunteers go through an intensive eight week training process before they can answer the phone to a caller, in order to ensure that no volunteer is unprepared for the calls they might receive.

The Niteline rep recommends that anyone who wants to get involved but does not think they could be a listener should instead get involved in the publicity side of the initiative.

Niteline’s key short term goal is to get its E-listening service up and running. The rep said that it would have the same basis as the phone service, but that some callers might feel more comfortable using an internet-based service.

“The most important thing is

that people on the other end of the phone are students. The students understand every issue as they are in college themselves,” said the rep.

Niteline is funded by the Students’ Union of each participating university. The SU pays a subscription at the start of each year and this fund goes towards making the calls to Niteline free to all students.

At a Class Rep Council meeting last semester it was suggested that a decision should be taken “to take a more active role and demand

preconditions to make them more open, to make the administrators more accessible and known, [and to ensure]that the Welfare officers be pulled into either the administrative team or that they have monthly meetings.”

“Transparency has been improved this year with Niteline through ongoing communication with the DCU Niteline rep and DCUSU is happy with the progress of the service on campus in the first semester,” said Oliver, who reiterat-

ed the SU’s support for the initiative.

“The SU is fully behind the Niteline support service and believes non – judgmental, non- directive peer to peer support is one of the best ways to support students who are in need,” he said.

“In semester two we will continue the push to find Niteline volunteers to help in the struggle to protect student mental health in the face of ongoing financial strain,” he said.

Contact Niteline on 1800 793 793 or visit http://www.niteline.ie/

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TV producer mocks ad sound quality

By Frances Mulraney Deputy News Editor

A new radio advertisement aimed at prospective DCU students attracted criticism on Twitter recently for its production quality, which many listeners felt was substandard.

TV producer Colm Tobin tweeted: “Fittingly, that DCU radio advert sounds like it was written and recorded by a first year communications student”.

The ad also attracted criticism

from DCU students themselves.

Alumnus Sarah Whiteacre tweeted: “The radio ad for DCU is rubbish.

The amount of talent in @DCUfm and they’d never think of asking one of them to edit. Embarrassing. #DCU”.

Sound levels fluctuate greatly throughout the ad, which features the voices of a young girl and an older man commenting on the benefits of choosing a degree in the university.

It was released in the lead up to 6th year secondary school students filling out their CAO forms.

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TV3 shows filmed on campus, DCU students work behind the scenes

By Catherine Dennehy Editor-in-chief

The Helix hosted recordings of several TV3 series throughout January as Sideline Productions filmed ‘Take Me Out’ series three and four along with the first series of ‘Alan Hughes’ Family Fortunes’.

Today FM’s Ray Foley hosted the 20 episodes of ‘Take Me Out’, which he calls the “alternative to ‘The Late Late Show’”. A 50+ strong cast of contestants joined Foley daily

throughout the show’s recording, which has already opened to strong viewer figures. The opening episode drew an average 237,000, while its Friday night competitor ‘Tallafornia’ attracted only 162,000.

Casting for ‘Take Me Out’ concluded in early January, after applicants were sought from around Ireland. Producers handpicked others during nights out in Dublin.

One contestant, Serena Woods, originally from California, met a producer in a nightclub.

“At first, I was a little sceptical

having seen the show from last year, but I moved to Ireland to go on adventures,” she said. “I figured, why not? I knew it would at the very least make for a great story.”

Cora Murphy, who had previously taken part in TV3’s ‘Come Dine With Me’, said: “The filming is long and hard but all the girls support each other and we pull each other along as the time goes on. The best part of it is meeting new people and it’s also nice for someone to pamper you as you get your hair and make-up done everyday and you are made feel like

a film star.”

‘Alan Hughes’ Family Fortunes’ is the first time the ‘Family Feud’ format has been adapted for Irish TV in its 35 year run. Morning Ireland’s Alan Hughes hosted 25 episodes of the show, mixing episodes featuring ordinary Irish families with 10 celebrity specials.

Guests included television presenter Brian Dowling, musician Sharon Shannon, weatherman Martin King, and Paddy Doherty from Channel 4’s ‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’.

The celebrity teams were playing

Permanent work for seasonal student staff

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for charity, aiming to win a possible €5,000. Father Eugene O’Hagan, from singing group The Priests, competed against Amanda Brunker and her family and “both teams enjoyed the experience”.

Sideline Productions offered a number of internships to DCU students throughout filming, and several hundred free audience tickets were given to the public each day of filming. ‘Take Me Out’ airs every Friday at 9pm. ‘Alan Hughes’ Family Fortunes’ commences on Saturday, February 11th on TV3.

Many students who found temporary work over the Christmas period have since been offered permanent contracts by their employers.

During the busy festive period, many well known retailers, restaurants and pubs offer temporary contracts, and students across the country apply for these positions.

David Fitzsimons, chief executive of Retail Excellence, outlined why retailers take on such a vast workforce coming up to Christmas.

“The need for seasonal temporary workers has in fact grown over this period as many retailers have shed jobs but need extra resources coming into the crucial Christmas period... it is our estimation that the retail industry hires 30,000 seasonal temporary positions every Christmas,” he said.

He believes that students more so than others avail of these jobs, noting that “many of these positions are taken up by unemployed people seeking additional income over Christmas, however as we have a very inflexible social welfare system many unemployed people don’t apply. Thus many of the roles are taken up by students.”

Tony Donohue, head of educa-

tion policy at the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC), also believes many Irish students gain employment during this time because they are “generally… very flexible and this is very attractive to the employer”.

He does not feel students are at a disadvantage to other working groups. “I don’t think employers are more or less likely to take on students, in essence they are looking for someone with experience,” he said.

Donohue believes that sometimes the biggest problem for students struggling to gain employment can be a lack of experience, adding, “even if students have just a few months of experience this can make all the difference”.

DCU student Sarah O’Brien said: “I found some Christmas work in a bar in the city centre, I was working twenty to thirty hours a week during the busy period. I didn’t think my position was going to be made permanent but I was offered a contract. I now work about twelve hours a week as I am back at college.”

Alan Harris, a student in Carlow IT, also found permanent employment. “I applied for a Christmas job in my local supermarket, they were offering a few permanent roles after Christmas and luckily enough I got one,” he said.

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Future looks bleak for the Old Bar

By Aisling Kett

Deputy News Editor The results of a survey on the safety of the Old Bar will determine whether or not the building can be reopened after it was closed in November due to serious health and safety concerns.

After the closure, Hub manager Damien West “instructed Estates to

do a full survey of the fire safety system along with emergency lighting”, with results due to be announced soon.

“The Old Bar can only be reopened when all safety concerns have been addressed as the safety of all students and staff is the main concern in this matter,” said West.

A lack of smoke detectors and a locked and chained exit door beside the ladies toilets were among 23 rea-

RTÉ and DCU join for fitness challenge

Professor Niall Moyna, right | Image credit: dcu.ie

By Adam Higgins News Reporter

DCU and RTÉ are teaming up to help the teenagers of Ireland get fit with the First Year Fitness Challenge, a joint venture between Professor Niall Moyna of DCU’s School of Health and Human Performance and The John Murray Show on RTÉ Radio 1.

The initiative aims to transform the fitness of secondary school children and to encourage them to adopt a healthy lifestyle from a young age.

Speaking on the John Murray Show on January 25th, Professor Moyna revealed that “the two biggest killers in Ireland are heart disease and cancer, the risk factors that cause these diseases such as obesity, inactivity, high blood pressure and diabetes can all be positively affected by regular exercise”.

He went on to explain that “the best predictor of how healthy you are and how long you’re going to live is your aerobic fitness level”. It’s for these reasons that Professor Moyna

and The John Murray show have set out to get young people into a fit way of living early in order to launch a pre-emptive strike on health conditions later in life.

As part of RTÉ’s ‘Operation Transformation’ Professor Moyna ran a blip test challenge with a fifth year class from Athlone Community College. The test consisted of a series of timed 20 metre shuttle runs in the school hall and aimed to determine the cardiovascular fitness of the students.

The First Year Fitness Challenge has been extended to schools all over Ireland in order to establish the fitness levels of first year secondary school students and show how cardiovascular exercise can go a long way to preventing health problems such as heart disease or obesity.

You can keep up with how the challenge is progressing by tuning into The John Murray Show on Radio 1 from 9am to 10am every Monday to Friday. See how the Athlone fifth years got on by accessing the RTÉ player and scrolling back to January 25th.

sons cited for the closure.

When asked about the reopening of the Old Bar, SU President Ed Leamy said the SU was “in the dark” regarding the matter. He added that the SU only dealt with bookings in The Venue, not the management of the building itself. Michael Kelly, director of Estates, the body charged with the recent survey of the building, had no comment on the matter when contacted.

At the time of the closure, plans were mentioned to build another storey on the Old Bar and possibly turn it into a shopping centre.

However, West said that “any plans for the future development of The Hub are only at a very early stage and anything else at this moment is speculation.”

“Any development can only take place after discussion with all interested parties,” he added.

The building was formerly used as a rehearsal space by DCU societies such as DanceSoc and DramaSoc, which have been forced to find alternative rehearsal spaces as a result of the closure.

Events manager Shea McNelis said that this will present a problem as no replacement space is available and The Venue in the Hub is booked up in advance. It is up to the university to provide a replacement space.

10 The College View 08.02.12

NEWS Former SU president auditions for RTE talent show Former DCU Students’ Union President, Megan O’Riordan auditioned for RTE’s talent show, The Voice of Ireland.

During the Blind Auditions, she sang ‘Price Tag’ by Jessie J mixed with Black Eyed Peas ‘Where is the love’ in front of the four celebrity judges.

The coaches are seated with their backs to the singers so their decisions are based solely on the voice. The coaches press the ‘I Want You’ button to turn their chair if they would like to choose the singer for their team on the show.

Brian Kennedy said O’Riordan’s performance ‘‘was a competent vocal performance but I didn’t love it enough to hit the button. The outfit is working.’’

Egan was booed when he told her, ‘‘It feels a bit too try hard including the outfit.’’

Bressie interrupted and said, ‘‘I love the outfit.’’ Egan then added, ‘‘you probably could’ve done a really good job with something else.’’

O’Riordan didn’t make it on to the next round of the competition.

Oscar nomination for DCU graduate DCU graduate, Eimear O’Kane has been nominated for an Oscar in the Short Film (Live Action) Category for her short film entitled “Pentecost”.

Eimear completed the MA in Film and Television in the School of Communications in 2007.

Since founding EMU productions in 2007, O’Kane has produced two feature films (Satellites & Meteorites & The Looking Glass), two series of a television mockumentary (Fran Series 1 & 2) and three short films (Pentecost, Corduroy & Up for Air).

The productions have been successful both in Ireland and abroad and many have screened at a number of major festivals around the globe. The television series Fran has been broadcast in Ireland, Australia and North America.

Pentecost picked up the award for ‘Best Irish Short Film’ at the premiere of the film at the Corona Cork Film Festival in November 2010 and was nominated for an IFTA (Irish Film and Television Awards) in February 2011.

TCD lecturers break with Croke Park Agreement

Image by Kieran Lynam (obtained through Flickr Creative Commons)

By Aoife Mullen

Deputy News Editor Negotiations relating to the Croke Park Agreement have been put on hold by The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT), following compulsory redundancies made in Trinity College.

Two lecturers represented by the union were made involuntarily redundant last year while another union member from the library staff was also issued a notice of dismissal.

All three members of staff were long serving and on contracts of indefinite duration (CIDs).

According to Trinity College’s student newspaper, ‘The University Times’, both lecturers had been members of staff for more than 10 years.

In a statement on IFUT’s website, Mike Jennings, General Secretary of IFUT, said: “last year IFUT members, with considerable reluctance, voted to endorse the Croke Park Agreement following detailed clarifications from the Department of

Education as to how its provisions would apply in the university sector.

“The authorities in TCD have, in spectacular fashion, broken this agreement. No party to an agreement could be expected to continue to honour it when the other party so blatantly welshes on their commitments.”

The Croke Park Agreement was a deal between the government and public sector unions, including IFUT. IFUT agreed to be involved in the agreement after clarifying the im-

plications of the documents with the Department of Education last year. IFUT initially did not sign up because of the document’s ‘loose wording’.

One of the main agreements was the government’s promise not to serve permanent public sector staff with notices of compulsory redundancy. CIDs, according to previous labour court rulings and employment guidelines, are permanent contracts.

Following the redundancies, Head of the School for Social Policy, Eoin O’Sullivan, emailed the school’s staff members to inform them he and his predecessor had repeatedly told staff that CIDS were permanent because this was what Trinity College had told them.

The dispute will be investigated by the Labour Court in March, at IFUT’s request. According to ‘The University Times’, IFUT are expected to argue that the college was obliged to provide an alternative position to permanent staff should their current position expire.

Trinity College may attempt to draw a distinction between permanent contracts inside the university.

Until the dispute has been dealt with, Jennings said: “IFUT is putting its participation in Croke Park on hold.”

UCD SU €1 million in debt

By Aisling Kett

Deputy News Editor UCD Students’ Union are €1 million in debt, forcing the union to make cuts of 40% across the board.

This debt has also forced the union to make redundant two employees in the Copy Bureau, a photocopying service for UCD students.

UCD SU President, Pat de Brún, released an open letter detailing the debt issue and the decision to close the bureau following a protest at the closure on January 25th.

Roughly 300 people attended the protest during which both de Brún and Campaigns and Communications Officer, Brendan Lace, were pulled from their respective offices to speak to the crowd.

An anonymous employee from the Student Centre said the protest was “more like a riot” with students yelling and swearing.

Two weeks prior to the protest a motion was put to the Union Council to rehire the two Copy Bureau employees. The motion was defeated by a vast majority.

The open letter was sent out on January 27th as de Brún “felt it was necessary to engage a bit more directly with students on the ground about the current financial

The UCD Students’ Union situation”.

The letter states that closing the Copy Bureau was a “complete last resort due to the unsustainable losses it was making”.

According to an independent accountant’s report the bureau was making losses of on average €30,000-40,000 per annum in the past few years.

The letter also outlined the SU’s plans to reduce their debt. These plans include the 40% cuts in each SU budget, introducing a new

constitution and forming a private limited company.

The formation of a company means that the SU will have legal and financial obligations. The union are also applying for a bank loan to repay the debt.

The amount of debt accumulated by the SU became clear after de Brún “undertook a comprehensive investigation of the union accounts, with the support of the Union Executive” on taking office last year.

After the investigation “it has

become clear that we [UCD SU] are in significant debt, and that our services are operating at a significant loss.”

The SU has ruled out approaching the university for financial support, an idea suggested at the protest.

The SU stated that it was an independent union which works for the rights of UCD students “without restraint”. De Brún said that even if the university were to supply support, “the cutbacks would have to occur”.

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Through my Eyes…

I didn’t mean to

By Jenny Darmody Features Editor I am not that girl. I am not the type that waits for couples to break up so that I can swoop in. I don’t do that.

I didn’t do it this time either - or at least I didn’t mean to. I cannot be the only one who has been in a kind of incestuous group of friends who spend so much time together they end up hooking up. Then if you hang out with the same group of people for long enough there’s bound to be cross over. But then that’s when problems start.

My boyfriend and I got together at the end of August, right before sixth year started. It was also roughly two months after he and his ex-girlfriend, who is also my best friend, Tara*, broke up. When he asked me out, I told him I needed to go to Tara first to make sure there wasn’t a problem. So the next day, I told her what was going on and she said she was fine with it and I could go for it. Everything went smoothly, and Mark* and I ‘officially’ got together that day. The next few days were not so smooth.

Four days passed in which nothing unusual happened, but my other friends in the group started acting weird towards me. I knew something was going on, and then it eventually surfaced that Tara realised that the situation wasn’t really ok with her. It was just a shock and hadn’t sunk in for a while. But now it had, and she was not happy about it at all.

Looking back on it now, it didn’t need to be as dramatic as it was.

But hindsight is 20:20 vision, and most people know how dramatic a situation can feel when you’re in the thick of it. There were several days of talking things out and trying to understand each other, but in the end we reached an impasse.

She knew that she couldn’t tell us to break up and I knew she might not ever be ok with it. So Tara and I gave each other a wide berth for a while

before we went back to hanging out in our usual circle of friends. All of that happened in a very short space of time, but the way I felt about the situation lasted a lot longer.

Mark and I spent the first two months of our relationship avoiding each other when we were around her. That part was really on us. It was actually on me. No situation could illustrate the phrase “that awkward moment when” any better. I felt so self-conscious around her that Mark and I nearly behaved like we weren’t even friends, let alone together.

“It wasn’t for her.

It was really so that I could ease my own guilt.”

There were no goodbye hugs, we stood at opposite ends of the group, and we would barely even look at each other. She didn’t ask us to do any of that; I was just trying to make it easier for her. I was also trying to make myself feel better. I was trying to convince myself that I really wasn’t that girl. Even a long time after all of the drama seemed to have blown over, I had deluded myself into a state of paranoia, thinking that every time she would sit beside one of her friends outside our own group, she was talking about what I did.

Like I said, in this lovely realm of hindsight, it sounds crazy to think that everyone was talking about him and I, how we got together, when they broke up, weren’t we best friends, and so on. But that is how I felt. I had no evidence to support this; Tara wasn’t the type to spread stories and the truth is, nobody would care about things like that in the big scheme of things. All of it was

Image credit: Trevor Hurlbut, Flickr Creative Commons in my own head, which was nearly worse because I didn’t know how to make that go away. There was a lot more separating from the group to get any time to be a couple and I kept that up for so long that it’s a blur as to when we stopped doing that. All the while I was convincing myself that it was all for Tara; she was the one who needed time to get used to it and I had done nothing wrong because she broke up with him and I didn’t like him when they were still together.

Of course the reality was that if I really believed she would have to get used to it, then ensuring she didn’t see us as a couple was the wrong approach. Furthermore, it wasn’t for her. It was really so that I could ease my own guilt. All of this stuff is a grey area and I know there is a huge num-

ber of people who will say that I did the worst thing in the world. “Girls don‘t date their best friend‘s ex.” But there will also be a huge number of people who will say that I did nothing wrong. The problem is, most of the problems we face are grey areas, so it often comes down to how we feel. I felt guilty, even though I didn’t really believe I should. I felt like I had to compensate. I thought: “I’ve done this terrible thing, the least I can do is avoid reminding her at all costs.”

Even now, I’d almost be afraid to say I was too hard on myself in case I end up letting myself off the hook.

Every time I decide I did nothing wrong, I take it back just as quickly. The main thing I learned was to make sure not to bury feelings in other feelings. I felt guilty deep

down, but I ended up making myself feel victimised. By extension I ended up creating more drama than there actually was for myself and not getting to enjoy the first few months of a new relationship. I’m not going to say now in hindsight whether I was right or wrong, but I can say that I made everything much harder for myself. I think that is so easy to do when you’re in a situation where you hear opinion after opinion and then you feel completely different to all of them. I ended up doubting my own beliefs, and like I said, I don’t really know for sure if it was right or wrong. But I know if I had the choice to go back and avoid it all by not going out with Mark, I wouldn’t change a thing. * Names changed

12 The College View 08.02.12

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Top 5...

Date ideas

By Hiromi Mooney

Deputy Features Editor

D

o you want to take someone out on a fun and memorable date? With Valentine’s Day around the corner, why not surprise them by trying something other than the cinema, bowling or restaurants? For some alternative and affordable dating ideas, read on.

1. The Stay-at-Home Date It’s a typical student date, but why not? Impress that special someone with your culinary skills – if you are confident enough in the kitchen.

Have some pizza ready on standby just in case. For a romantic evening, create the atmosphere in the room with a candle lit table and music of your choice. Just try not to pick something that they won’t like. After dinner, you can sit down and watch a movie together. If it’s for her, maybe try a rom-com to keep up the mood.

If it’s for him, maybe try a comedy

to keep it light-hearted, or a horror why not try a surfing or scuba diving movie so that you have an excuse to lesson together. cuddle – but only if you’re not too scared of horror movies yourself.

2. Gigs For a more casual night out, try going to a comedy gig or a band night. If it’s a gig that you’re both interested in, you can both enjoy it and be yourselves and have a few drinks together there. If it’s your first night out together, it’s a great way to get to know each other because the gig can help break the ice between you. But be warned – make sure you pick a gig that you would both enjoy, and don’t drag them to something that you love but you know they hate. A clashing sense of humour or taste in music can sometimes make things that little bit awkward.

3. The Adventurous Date A date can be exciting if you try an outdoor activity. In the Dublin area there are many outdoor thrills like paintballing, go-karting, quadbiking or zorbing. If you live near the coast,

4. Zoo / Farm / Aquarium

Going to see animals is not an activity exclusive for primary school kids. The zoo, farm and aquarium can all give you both a chance to release your inner child and have Image by Daniel Moyle (obtained through Flickr Creative Commons) some fun. It’s cheap and cheerful for students, and it’s somewhere you can stay all day.

5. Golf Go to a driving range or play pitch and putt for a relaxing date. If your date hasn’t played golf before, you can teach them something new and get to know each other at the same time. Don’t be afraid to get close to your date when you’re teaching them how to use and control the golf club. It can be a bit flirty and you can both have a few laughs. If you are both complete beginners, have some fun at a Crazy Golf course instead.

Digital Arts and Humanities (DAH) structured PhD programme Information Evening 6-7pm Thursday 8th March 2012 ATRL building (corner of Macken St and Pearse St, Dublin 2)

Breaking out of monogamy

By James Martin

Being single again after serving your time in a long-term relationship can seem like a daunting prospect. Like a death row convict released after having made peace with your fate, you may be at a loss as to what to do with your newly restored life.

You may have become institutionalised in the bonds of monogamy.

The dreadful hours that were once spent gathering dust and holding your girlfriend’s bags while she checked out the latest offers in River Island now need to be filled.

Likewise, if you are of the female persuasion you may get the sense of a black hole opening up in your week that was once filled with pretending to be interested in football and watching how many doughnuts your partner could consume in one hour (24 on my best day).

But seriously, after the initial period of tears, self-evaluation and maybe even celebrating, that fol-

lows a breakup, the sense of being out on your own again can be massive. People respond to this differently. We all have friends who have suffered from what I like to call, “The I’m going to die alones” despite only being in their early twenties.

The comforts that you adapted to in your relationship are now gone, like the knowledge that there is a person there for support at all times.

The end of simple daily routines like sending texts or calling your partner, knowing they are just a phone call away, can cause a strange sense of isolation.

However, just as a person adapts to a relationship they must adapt again to single life. This can open up a wide range of opportunities for self-improvement and experimentation. Always wanted to learn Italian but your girlfriend would always laugh and point and tell you you’re shit whenever you brought it up?

Now’s your chance.

I’ve noticed that I weigh on average about a stone more when I’m in a relationship as opposed to when

I’m single. When I’m single I need to look my best, hit the gym, go out and be interesting in the hopes of bagging someone. When I’m in a relationship it’s job done. Time to grow a beard and stop washing. She’ll be forced to talk to me anyway.

I highlight this because it’s an integral part of the single life. Doing things to make yourself feel better.

Initially you may begin to do things to get a routine going. Reading more, going for runs, going out more, all aimed toward moving on. What you may find however is that you begin to really enjoy these practices. The new routine may stop being something to make you feel better and will simply be something that makes you feel good.

A word of warning for newly single people. Think of your new life as a restaurant. The menu is varied and available to you now. Start slow however, with the sample menu before hitting the all you can eat buffet that is Coppers.

You wouldn’t want to end up making yourself sick.

• If you have completed an undergraduate degree in arts or humanities and would like to step into the digital world come along and speak to current DAH students and staff • Part-time options will be available for full time employees who wish to take part in this programme • Part-time schedules can be discussed with management (private and public sector) who may consider placing an employee on the programme For more information please visit www.tcd.ie/longroomhub/DAH/

An Roinn Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

An Roinn Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta European Regional Development Fund

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

An Roinn Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta The Digital Arts and Humanities structured PhD programme is funded by the HEA Programme for Research in Department Jobs, Third Level Institutions (PRTLI CycleofV) and co funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Enterprise and Innovation

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They’re only a plane ride away

By Sarah Doran

G

oing on Erasmus? Planning your J1? Your next big adventure can be an incredibly exciting prospect but when you’re leaving your other half behind things can get a little more complicated.

Long distance relationships some try them, some avoid them, some revel in them. Take it from the one who was left behind, they’re not easy. I’d been seeing my boyfriend for eight months when he headed off for a summer working in Vancouver with a few of his best friends.

The plan had been to break up when the plane left the runway at Dublin airport, but things don’t always work out the way you’ve planned.

Three months later I was standing in arrivals, welcoming him home with the rest of the family and the girlfriend label still intact, but the story didn’t end there. Less than a fortnight later I was on a plane to Sweden, helping him move his life to Stockholm for an Erasmus year.

Talk about bad timing.

Thanks to cheap Ryanair flights and generous parents I made no less than four trips to Stockholm that year. Nothing says I love you quite like an early morning jaunt to an airport 60 miles outside the city in the heavy Swedish winter snow.

There were ups, there were downs and there were plenty of tears and laughter, but almost a year after he left for Canada, he finally arrived home. Almost two years later, we’ve

“The general consensus seems to be that your Erasmus year can only consist of eating the face off as many members of the opposite sex who aren’t from your own country as is physically possible.”

Image credit: Flickr Creative Commons never looked back.

Our story isn’t the norm, in fact it seems to be far from it. The general consensus seems to be that your Erasmus year can only consist of eating the face off as many members of the opposite sex who aren’t from your own country as is physically possible. STIs are an optional extra.

If your idea of a good night out

is eating face then you probably shouldn’t be in a relationship, never mind a long distance one.

Now there’s no harm in windowshopping. Just because you’re not planning to ride the bike it doesn’t mean you can’t look at the wheels but if you’re after the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, then it’s probably not such a good idea.

If you or your other half is the jealous type, don’t even bother trying to make long distance happen, all it will take is one arm around someone in a photo on Facebook.

Don’t ever try to stop them going.

If it’s what they want to do, it’s what they want to do. And never hold it against them. Nothing says dump me like “well I stayed with you even

though you went off to America”.

If you want to survive a long distance relationship, communication is key. Drop Delilah a line and ask her what life is like in New York City. And don’t fret if your other half is abroad this Valentine’s Day. Sure you can always set up a Skype date or watch a movie on Netflix together to keep the love alive.

How to… Ask someone out

By Hiromi Mooney Deputy Features Editor

W

ill you go out with me?

Six simple words, but they are probably the hardest words to spit out in front of the person you like.

You hope their answer is yes, but you know that there’s a 50/50 chance of it being no. So what can you do to give the question your best shot?

1. Break the ice

Get to know each other first before you make a move. Keep the conversation casual, relaxed and funny, and try finding things that you both have in common. To show that you’re interested in them, ask them

“If you appear as if you expect the answer to be ‘yes’, chances are they will be put off and say ‘no’.”

about themselves rather than keeping the conversation topic about you. But be careful not to go delving into personal matters, and choose your jokes wisely. A mismatched sense of humour can lead to awkward silences and forced laughs. On the same note, make good eye contact, but don’t stare at them. Read their body language, and watch yours too. Try complimenting them, and you can start flirting once you’re both relaxed.

2. Plan the Moment

Don’t rush into it. Asking them out on day one can make you look desperate. But leaving it too late can lose the spark between you. Location is also important – do it some place you feel comfortable. Asking them out in front of people can add pressure to both of you, and can end

up in embarrassment if it doesn’t work out. Asking someone out while drunk will also impact on your chances of getting a yes. Alcohol may give you that extra boost of confidence, but can you imagine what you look like when saying “I really like you” while looking bleary-eyed?

3. Look Your Best

Dress to impress.

4. Confidence

Be calm and confident, but not cocky. If you appear as if you expect the answer to be yes, chances are they will be put off and say no. Most people don’t like people who are full of themselves, but they don’t want Nervous Nellies either. Rehearse what you’re going to say so that your mind won’t blank out at the crucial moment. Most importantly, smile

and be yourself. Don’t try acting as someone that you’re not, and scowling will just scare them away.

5. Ask

It’s now or never; it’s time to ask them out. Make sure that you tell them exactly how you feel about them. Be careful with your choice of words and how you phrase things, and don’t be forceful. Begging is not a good idea either. Even though you did your best, be mentally prepared for both acceptance and rejection.

If the answer is yes, great! But if it’s not, try not to feel too heartbroken.

At least you were brave enough to ask in the first place and you gave it your best shot – that’s an achievement in itself. The main thing is that you have no regrets and you let them know how you feel. Good luck.

14 The College View 08.02.12

FEATURES

SOPA; so wha?

By Méabh McDonnell

T

hose of you who haven’t been living under a wifideprived rock will have had some experience with the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy) bill.

Between the Wikipedia blackout, the activity of online organisation, Anonymous, and countless online protestors, the anti-piracy bill has spread around all four corners of the world wide web.

Despite the fact that almost everyone who procrastinates knows of the SOPA and PIPA (Protect your IP Address) bills, not many people know what the bills actually entail. The message being put about the internet is that SOPA will censor the web beyond recognition, destroying free content and the integrity of websites such as Wikipedia, Twitter and YouTube. If we were to believe some of the articles floating around online, then SOPA is heralding the ‘Would you steal a car?’ ads making good on their promises.

The reality is more complex.

SOPA has had a rocky introduction to the world, but the legislation was in fact designed to protect intellectual property. The internet, as we all know, has a nasty habit of making copyrighted material available without the user having to part with any of their hard earned cash.

Unfortunately, people aren’t so fond of their content being released for free. Unless you became a hermit and never let anyone see your material, everything is up for grabs.

SOPA’s aim was to remedy this.

The SOPA bill was introduced in the US congress along with a companion bill, PIPA. Both bills aim to control the distribution of free online content by removing access to websites which distribute copyrighted material illegally.

The legislation has been championed by members of the entertainment industry, being seen as a method of protection for their intellectual property.

Despite all of the activity about the bills online, neither one has been introduced. In fact, they are closer to being defeated. The US House of Representatives has heard objections to the SOPA bill in particular, and has been forced to withdraw the legislation for now. But it is not dead yet. US senators have revised the bill in accordance with recommendations from the Obama administration. The legislation is to be amended so that it doesn’t impede upon small businesses or new

Wikipedia blacked out their site for a day in protest against the proposed SOPA bill innovations in internet technology.

The SOPA legislation defines itself as: “A bill to promote prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating the theft of U.S. property, and for other purposes.”

According to the bill, access would be removed to sites which display copyrighted material, both from the US and abroad to US viewers. The aim is stated over and over again: to protect the intellectual property of US citizens. However, the bill puts up the proviso that if the illegal content has already been removed, then the site would not be in violation of the law.

There has been a well publicised backlash from internet sites all over the world. Wikipedia’s blackout on January 18th received international coverage and crippled those who regularly use the site as a research tool. Google went black in solidarity and online group Anonymous decided to shut down the website of the US Department of Justice. Arguably, Anonymous have taken their protesting to a new, illegal level.

Anonymous are protesting more than just the SOPA and PIPA bills.

They are also protesting against the FBI injunction which shut down popular uploading site Megaupload.com.

A common misconception seems

to have developed online - namely that SOPA is the cause of Megaupload’s destruction. In fact, the injunction that shut down the site had been the result of a two-year investigation by the FBI. Anonymous’ pro-

“On days the world’s fiscal crisis gets boring, governments across the world have been sitting down trying to discover how to deal with online piracy.” tests have blurred the lines between the demise of Megavideo and the potential introduction of SOPA in reader’s minds. The international investigation foreshadowing what may occur under the introduction

of SOPA and PIPA. According to The Wall Street Journal, the site had cost copyright holders over $500 million dollars.

SOPA isn’t the first piece of online monitoring legislation. In 2010 the US signed the ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) - a treaty made across six countries to, once again, protect against online piracy. ACTA has been in the news recently because the EU has signed up to the legislation. The European Commission website maintains that ACTA will not affect any existing laws, but will protect users against online piracy and intellectual theft.

The website says that ACTA is not a replacement for SOPA. The internet community seems unconvinced, drawing many similarities between the two pieces of legislation and calling ACTA ‘SOPA by any other name’ and ‘SOPA through the backdoor’. According to the European Commission: “ACTA ensures people everywhere can continue to share non-pirated material and information on the web.”

According to the site: “ACTA does not restrict freedom of the internet. ACTA will not censor or shut down websites.” While not a definite replacement of SOPA, this trade agreement has been signed by the EU at a time when a number of oth-

er governments are opposing piracy too. Because, not unlike the many online fads that sweep the online universe, the SOPA, PIPA and ACTA legislation are the buzz words on every government’s lips. On the days the fiscal crisis gets boring, governments across the world have been sitting down trying to discover how to deal with online piracy. Since the ‘thank you’ message at the beginning of DVDs never worked, it was time for another attempt: online legislation.

SOPA has sparked the change.

Governments have finally given in to the entertainment industry’s pleas to rescue it. It is a day that all internet users knew would eventually come; the day where every entertaining aspect of online activity was not available at the push of a button. SOPA may not have been enacted, but it has scared enough internet sites underground.

Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook have been granted immunity by ACTA, but anyone that shares fully copyrighted television shows and movies has been told to run and hide. We could be witnessing the future. International governments may not be winning the war against online piracy, but at least they now have a fighter against it.

The College View 08.02.12 15

GAEILGE

GAEILGE@thecollegeview.com

Cé atá ag faire ar na Fir Faire?

Rob Ó Conchúir

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s iomaí duine a bhfuil máistirsaothar Alan Moore “Watchmen” léite acu. Seans anmhaith go bhfuil an scannán feicthe acu chomh maith. Is sárobair amach is amach atá sa scéal, a bhí de chumas aige stádas leabhar-ghreannáin a iompar ó shiamsaíocht do pháistí go foirm ardealaíona sofaisticiúil chomh maith le foirm dháiríre litríochta. Murab ionann le an-chuid d’ard-saothar greannáin na 80í, is féidir an argóint a dhéanamh go bhfuil “Watchmen” cuí i sochaí paranóideach, ró-chumhachtach na linne seo.

An rud is tábhachtaí faoi “Watchmen” i gcomparáid le scéalta agus carachtair eile a eascraíonn ó mheán na ngreannán, ná gur scéal iomlán atá sa leabhar 12-caibidil, le tús, lár agus deireadh. Bhí sé mar aidhm ag Alan Moore agus Dave Gibbons scéal iomlán a scríobh, seachas treoirphlean a leagadh amach do scéal a rachadh ar aghaidh ar feadh na mblianta fada (féach leithéidí Batman, Justice League, X-Men, srl.). Thuig DC Comics é seo ag an am agus chlóigh siad nach mór in iomlán le tuiscint an scéil - nach leanadh sé ar aghaidh i ndiaidh na caibidle deireanaí. Ar feadh breis is fiche bliain, bhí “Watchmen” sábháilte ó aon chuid nó caibidil breise scríofa ag scríbhneoirí difriúla.

Ach le tús na míosa seo, tá sé

fógartha ag DC Comics go bhfuil sé mar aidhm acu “réamhscéalta” (prequels; scéalta nua bunaithe roimh thús an chéad scéil) a chur amach scríofa agus tarraingthe ag foireann do scríbhneoirí difriúla.

Ar fud an idirlín, tá rí-rá ag titim amach i measc lucht leanúna Alan Moore agus Dave Gibbons, atá go huile is go hiomlán i gcoinne caibidil bhreise don scéal. Mar is gnáth, tá daoine eile ina gcoinne siúd, ag rá nár chomhair a bheith ródháiríre faoi chumhacht an scéil sa chéad áit, agus gur chomhair pé sult a fháil as na scéalta nua seo is gur féidir; mura bhfuil maitheas leo, is cuma, tá “Watchmen” ann go fóill agus tá sé fós go hiontach.

Tá sé de nós ag Alan Moore a bheith an-mhíchabhrach nuair atá daoine ag iarraidh splanc nua a fháil óna shaothair. Tá an-ghráin aige ar na scannáin a déanadh as a scéalta (From Hell, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, V for Vendetta agus Watchmen) cé go ndeir sé nach bhfuil oiread is ceann amháin feicthe aige; an chúis atá aige i gcoinne na scannán seo ná nach maith leis an meán sin! Ar an dóigh céanna, is fuath leis nuair a dhéanann daoine iarracht leanúint lena gcuid scéalta ar shlí nach raibh i gceist aige. Nuair a chuala sé cad a bhí beartaithe ag DC i leith “Before Watchmen”, labhair sé amach ina gcoinne, ach rá “[Nach] raibh aon scéal leantach nó réamhscéalta i ndiaidh Moby Dick!”.

I ndáiríre, níl sé de cheart ag Moore teacht amach le ráiteas mar seo. Le

bheith féaráilte, tá “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” bunaithe in iomlán ar scéalta dhaoine eile, chomh maith le “The Lost Girls” (sraith an-ait ar fad).

B’fhéidir an fhadhb is mó atá ag lucht freasúra “Before Watchmen” ná go bhfuil an tsraith á chur chun cinn ag DC Comics ag am ina bhfuil siad dírithe i bhfad níos mó ar thuilleadh airgid seachas ar scéalta iontacha a scríobh. Le déanaí tá DC tar éis gach sraith atá acu a thosú arís le tuilleadh léitheoirí a mhealladh. Tá ag éirí go maith leis na hiarrachtaí seo don chuid is mó, ach tá an-chuid daoine den tuairim nach bhfuil mórán mianaigh leis na scéalta nua. Níl aon dabht ach go bhfuil DC ag táirgeadh scéalta nua “Watchmen” toisc an airgead; an ionann é seo agus cúis réasúnta leis na carachtair áirithe sin a chur os ár gcomhair arís?

An cosaint is láidre atá ag DC faoi láthair ná go bhfuil foireann den chéad scoth i bhfeighil ar na scéalta nua. Ina measc, J. Michael Straczynski, Brian Azzarello agus Darwyn Cooke ag scríobh agus Andy Kubert, Joe Kubert agus Lee Bermejo ag tarraingt. Ag an bpointe seo, is é an t-aon rogha atá ag Moore, Dave Gibbons agus lucht leanúna uile na ngreannán ná fanacht go dtí go mbíonn na scéalta seo ar fáil le léamh, agus tuairimí a fhorbairt bunaithe ar an obair críochnaithe. Níl aon mhaitheas a bheith ag troid faoi rud nach bhfuil ar fáil go fóill.

Image credit: Kell Bailey, Flickr Creative Commons

Gluais Paranóideach [paranoid] Eascair [derided from] Treoirphlean [blueprint] Mianach [quality] I bhfeighil [In charge]

Eolaí na dTeangacha Gráinne Ní Aodha

A

n gcuimhin leat an teanga iasachta a rinne tú staidéar uirthi le haghaidh na hArdteistiméireachta? An gcuimhin leat conas comhrá a thosú agus a coimeád, mar shampla? Go dtí gur chuaigh sé go dtí an Spáinn, ní raibh Benny Lewis in ann í seo a dhéanamh. B’innealtóir leictreonach é a fuair C2 ina scrúdú Gearmáinise san Ardteist. Anois, is féidir leis an teanga sin, chomh maith le cúig nó sé chinn eile, a labhairt go líofa.

Thosaigh rudaí ag athrú do Benny agus é thall sa Spáinn ag lorg poist, ag íoc as cúrsa costasach a mhúineadh Spáinnis dó. Ach níorbh aon mhaitheas ann. Mar sin thug sé dúshlán dó féin; gan Bhéarla a labhairt ar feadh míosa. Bhí sé mar thús do shraith de dhúshláin teangacha

aige, agus tús den tslí bheatha nua mar chainteoir proifisiúnta. “Níorbh é an ghramadach nó an stór focal an fhadhb is mó atá agam, ach an eagla a bhí agam agus ag fáil réidh leis,” a deir Benny, “Déanaim iarracht taitneamh a bhaint as, agus déantar é seo trí chumarsáid a dhéanamh le daoine eile.” Cur chuige fíor-Éireannach, nach ea?

Anois, is féidir leis seacht nó ocht dteangacha a labhairt go líofa, agus 16 nó 17 gcinn eile a úsáid go réasúnta. Tá treoirleabhair foilsithe aige darb ainm, ‘The Language Hacking Guide’. Tá blag aige le haghaidh dhá bhliain anuas, agus é ag tarraingt 400,000 cuairteoir nua gach mí agus é mar an blag teanga is gnóthaí ar domhan.

Thug an Cabhánach cuairt ar cheantair Ghaeltachta chun tabhairt faoin Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim. I dtuairim Lewis, tá an córas atá againn le teangacha a fhoghlaim róchriticiúil.

Déanann sé comparáid suimiúil idir foghlaim na scoile agus foghlaim le daoine ; “ Nuair atá tú ag labhairt le daoine eile agus ag déanamh botún, faigheann tú misniú agus aiseolas deimhneach uathu, in ionad X mór dearg.”

Faoi láthair tá Lewis ag tabhairt faoin dúshlán is deacra atá aige go dtí seo; Sínis Mhandairín a fhoghlaim laistigh de 3 mhí. Má tá suim agat i cad atá le rá ag Benny Lewis, is é 29 Ceachtanna Foghlaimthe Tríd an Domhain a Taisteal ar Feadh 8 Bhliain, an t-alt is clúití aige.Is féidir é a leanúint ar a shuíomh idirlín fluentin3months.com, Twitter nó ar Facebook, ar ndóigh, agus é ag tabhairt leideanna dá leanúnaithe ar conas teanga a fhoghlaim níos fusa. Léiríonn rath an fhir seo dúinn gur féidir teanga a fhoghlaim as do stuaim féin, seachas a bheith ag íoc as.

Image credit: analternativeeducation.com

16 The College View

08.02.12

GAEILGE

Foclóir nua Foras Derek O’Brien Eagarthóir Gaeilge

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’fhógair Foras na Gaeilge ag tús na bliana go bhfuil siad chun €6 milliún a chaitheamh ar fhoclóir nua Gaeilge-Béarla, agus go mbeidh sé foilsithe roimh dheireadh 2012. Is é seo an chéad fhoclóir den sórt seo le 50 bliain anuas agus deirtear go bhfuiltear chun breis is 1,000 focal nua a chur leis. Beidh béim ar fhocail atá bainteach le teicneolaíocht áfach. Foclóir dátheangach timpeall 40,000 ceannfhocal is ea an Foclóir Nua Béarla-Gaeilge, a bheidh foilsithe i riocht leabhair agus i bhformáid leictreonach chomh maith le sin.

Dúirt Cathal Convery, bainisteoir tionscadail ar an bhfoclóir nua: “In ainneoin go raibh na rudaí a chuimsigh an foclóir 50 bliain ó shin thar barr ag an am, níor chuimsigh sé rudaí cosúil le húsáid Éireannach an Bhéarla. Bhí nós ag foclóirí úsáid a bhaint as caighdeán an Bhéarla Sasanaigh mar thúsphointe, de bharr an tslí a labhraítear. Bhí foclóirí i bh-

fad níos foirmiúla ag an am ina theannta sin agus d’fhágadh rudaí níos coitianta sa ghnáthchaint amach de dheasca”.

Bhí an tionscadal briste amach i gcéimeanna agus thosaigh Céim a hAon i 2006, a dhírigh ar dhearadh teicniúil agus phleanáil an fhoclóra.

I measc tréithe na céime tá NuaCorpas na hÉireann le 30 milliún focal Gaeilge agus 25 milliún focal de Bhéarla na hÉireann. Beidh Sainiú Cineál Doiciméid, a dhéanann cur síor ar struchtúr, eilimintí agus shaintréithe de bhunachar sonraí an fhoclóra agus dréacht cuimsitheach den Treoir Stíle, ina leagtar síos na rialacha agus na polasaithe maidir le scríobh an fhoclóra. Díríonn Céim a Dó ar an téacs féin agus leis an aistriúchán agus an eagarthóireacht.

Thosaigh céim an aistriúcháin in 2009 agus faoi dheireadh Aibreáin 2010, bhí 6,400 ciall aistrithe acu (thart ar 6% den ábhar iomlán) Thosaigh obair na heagarthóireachta i mí Mheán Fómhair 2010. Ó thaobh litrithe, gramadaí agus téarmaíochta, úsáidfear an Gaeilge chaighdeánach san Fhoclóir. Tabharfar áit chun tosaí do mhór-

Image credit: forasnagaeilge.ie chanúintí na hÉireann i gcásanna nais agus bhíothas á gearán faoi. seartha in easnamh sa seanfhoclóir áirithe agus tabharfar rogha aist- Ach do phobal na Gaeilge, tuigtear agus go bhfuil gá leis an gceann nua. riúcháin i gcásanna eile eile, ach go bhfuil an iomarca rudaí nua-aimcuirfear nodaireacht chuí isteach mar áis don úsáideoir.

Is é Béarla chomhaimseartha na hÉireann go príomha a bheidh san Fhoclóir ach beidh leaganacha Riocht [shape, form] coitianta as canúintí eile an Bhéarla san áireamh freisin, go háirithe BéDearadh Teicniúil [Technical design] arla na Breataine agus Mheiriceá.

Sainiú Cineál Doiciméid [Document Type Definition] Gan amhras, is am saghas ait é foBunachar sonraí [database] clóir Gaeilge-Béarla nua a fhoilsiú, i measc dífhostaíochta agus bochtaDréacht cuimsitheach [comprehensive draft]

Gluais

Téarma na seachtaine

Espresso láidir agus gloine bainne chúraigh ina shlaod ann [A strong espresso layered with glass of frothy milk]

Gaeilge ag fás sa Tuaisceart…agus ag fulaingt sa Deisceart?

Fiach Mac Domhnaill Leas-Eagarthóir Gaeilge

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hailigh grúpa agóideoirí os comhair na Dalá an tseachtain seo caite chun a míshástacht a léiriú i leith ciorraithe ar scoileanna beaga sna Gaeltachtaí. Bhí na hagóideoirí ag súil go dtiocfadh an tAire Oideachais Ruairí Quinn amach chun labhairt leo faoi na ciorraithe.

Bhí siad ag iarraidh a bhfrustrachas a léiriú ar an gcinneadh atá déanta faoin méid múinteoirí a mbeadh ar fáil do scoileanna Gaeltachta.

Leis na ciorraithe seo, tá 83 dalta

de dhíth ag scoileanna chun ceathrú múinteoir a fhostú, seachas 81 mar a bhí. Ach má tá ceathrú múinteoir de dhíth ag scoil sa Ghaeltacht, tá gá go mbeadh 83 dalta ag freastal ar an scoil, in ionad 76 dalta mar a bhí cheana. Dar le Mícheál S. Mac Donnacha, urlabhraí Chumann Múinteoirí Éireann, gurb í aidhm na hagóide ná go dtarraingeofar “na ciorraithe damanta atá déanta ar scoileanna beaga siar”. Dúirt sé go raibh an Rialtas ag díriú ar ghrúpa áirithe scoileanna agus i dtuairim na hagóideoirí, níl rud ar bith cothrom faoi.

Ní hé seo an chéad uair gur

Image credit: gaelport.com

thaispeáin an rialtas easpa tacaíochta d’oideachas trí mheáin na Gaeilge. Anuraidh, i mí Feabhra, d’fhógair an Taoiseach Enda Kenny go raibh sé mar pholasaí ag Fine Gael an Ghaeilge a athrú ó ábhar éigeantach go hábhar roghnach do scrúdú na hardteistiméireachta.

Bhí dhá agóid eile ar siúl ar an Déardaoin seo caite chomh maith.

Rinne daltaí ó Ghaelscoil Bharra, an Chabhrach, Baile Átha Cliath, agóid lasmuigh den Roinn Oideachais mar gheall ar chóiríocht na scoile.

Tá an scoil ag baint úsáid as tithe réamhdhéanta le cúig bliana déag anuas agus tá foirgneamh scoile nua

á theastáil uathu. Rinne caoga daltaí ó ‘Old Borough National School’, Sord, agóid faoi athrú ar sheirbhísí tacaíochta do mhúinteoirí.

Beidh ról an mhúinteora a thugann tacaíocht foghlama do dhaltaí anois mar ról páirt-aimsire in ionad ról lán-aimsire.

An tseachtain seo caite, d’eisigh an tAire Oideachais i dTuaisceart na hÉireann, John O’Dowd, go bhfuil fás mór tagtha ar líon na ndaltaí le hoideachas á chur orthu trí mheáin na Gaeilge le deich mbliana anuas.

Tá méadú 54.2% tagtha ar líon na bpáistí atá ag freastal ar bhunscoileanna Gaelacha agus tá mé-

adú 60.8% tagtha ar líon na ndaltaí atá meánscolaíocht a fháil acu trí mheáin na Gaeilge. Dúirt Mícheál Ó Duibh, príomh-fheidhmeannach Chomhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, gur léirigh na figiúirí an t-éileamh ar an nGaelscolaíocht. “Sílim go bhfuil sé tábhachtach go ndéanfaí forbairt ar an iar-bhunscolaíocht Ghaeilge.

Más ann don éileamh, tá an dúshlán sin romhainn.” Is staid íorónta í go deimhin, go bhfuil agóidí i gcoinne chiorrú an rialtais ar Ghaelscoileanna sa Deisceart agus ag an am céanna go bhfuil fás agus tacaíocht á fháil ag scolaíocht trí Ghaeilge sa Tuaisceart.

The College View 08.02.12 17

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Millrose invite for DCU athletes

By Brendan White Deputy Sports Editor

The DCU Mercy side which were defeated in Friday’s National Cup final | Image by Sportsfile

Dreams of Cup glory end in despair Prior to Friday’s Women’s Superleague National Cup final DCU Mercy coach Mark Ingle wanted fans to expect the unexpected, but the formbook was to ring true as UL recorded a comfortable 64-27 victory at the National Basketball arena.

Mercy were attempting to secure a third National Cup title on the trot, but were ruthlessly dethroned by a more clinical UL outfit.

UL have undoubtedly taken over the mantle as the best side in the country, and this crucial 28th vic-

tory of a staggering unbeaten run, stretching back to December of 2010, saw them deservedly crowned National Cup Champions.

DCU, who overcame Killester to reach the decider, curbed UL’s renowned attacking threat in the opening exchanges, but were left frustrated at some unforgivable misses at the other end.

The first quarter ended 10-7 in favour of UL, with Mercy’s Lindsay Peat landing a three pointer seconds out. That said, UL forged ahead ear-

ly in the second quarter thanks in the main to Rachel Vanderwal and Louise Galvin, extending their advantage to ten by the interval.

DCU desperately needed a positive start to the third quarter, but they were unable to reduce the deficit. Indeed, Michelle Fahy, MVP on the night, pushed UL out to a fourteen point lead to effectively kill the game as a contest.

The final quarter was something of a foregone conclusion, with James Weldon’s troops displaying far too

much focus and determination for the outcome to ever be in doubt.

DCU Mercy will now turn their attention to the Women’s Superleague, a title they last won in 2007.

Mark Ingle’s side currently lie in third place, five points adrift of second placed TM Hotel Cork and seven off leaders UL. There was some joy for the Mercy club with the U20 side, led by Sarah Woods, capturing the U20 National Cup at the expense of Tralee Imperials, 53-51 the final scoreline.

Ireland can complete championship checklist

By Will Slattery

A

nd so it all begins again.

Another four-year cycle that will lead us to another World Cup. And it all starts with this 6 Nations. The last World Cup is now the distant past with the next one being the tantalising future.

What’s great about rugby’s life cycle is that each team basically has four years together. Sure, there are some holdovers but new players are introduced, along with fresh ideas to right the wrongs of the previous World Cup. We used to think that 2003-2007 team was our pinnacle but the 20072011 golden generation reboot was even stronger. In retrospect the difference in quality was similar to how Christian Bale and George Clooney played Batman. So where does this leave the current side?

A clichéd question that is beaten into the ground is how should you approach the 6 Nations? Should

you blood a host of new players or should you play to win?

You need to earn the right to represent your country and caps shouldn’t be sent out like a spam email just to show the fans that you are rebuilding. Ireland’s squad is as nice a mix of tried and untested as our playing pool will allow.

That brings us onto the goals for this campaign. For Ireland to win this competition, and at 5-1 give punters a tasty payout, there is a checklist of things they need to accomplish.

This Irish group is far too good never to have won a 6 Nations game in France. The Irish mindset when playing in Paris is similar to the Irish mindset regarding French wine: It’s French therefore it must be good.

Twice in Eddie O’Sullivan’s reign Ireland spotted France’s huge leads before realising that these are the same players that they routinely beat in provincial clashes. And while the intensity from provincial to international isn’t exactly like for like, it certainly isn’t chalk and cheese either.

Unfortunately for Ireland this new look French team have fixed some of their recent flaws by putting more Clermont players in the backline and having their first coach in twelve years that isn’t borderline insane. That being the case it’s time for Ireland to compete properly in France rather than claw back a few late scores after the French start to nod off.

Another chief order of business is to make Lansdowne Road the fortress that it has been for the provinces. Only once in the last five 6 Nations have Ireland won all their home games, a measly figure considering we have been upset by both Wales and Scotland during that time. The best sides have a huge home advantage and unfortunately for Ireland that has not been the case in recent times. Sure, they can get up for the England game but that is for reasons that have little to do with rugby.

Some players also need to reprove themselves after a disappointing World Cup. Ireland’s ball carrying backrow of Heaslip, O’Brien and

Ferris were completely shutdown in the quarter-final and the onus is on them and Ireland’s new attack coaches Les Kiss and Mark Tainton to give them a back up plan. The problem with being as good as they are, is that they feel they don’t need a plan b and that what works for them at club level will work at international level. But as we saw against Wales, it is important to have variety in your attack.

With England and France away this is meant to be one of Ireland’s off years but all five of Ireland’s games are winnable.

We have lost two games in the last two campaigns, and another outing like that will leave the players searching for answers as to why the international game vexes them in a way that the Heineken Cup never has.

England at Twickenham is the final game and it could well come down to Ireland playing for both the championship and championship respectability. At least we shouldn’t have to worry about them being motivated.

Four up-and-coming DCU athletes have been chosen to compete at the prestigious Millrose Games in New York.

The world famous distance relay event takes place in February every year and DCU have been invited to partake alongside the top six college teams on America’s East Coast. Joe Warne (1200 metre), Brian Gregan (400 meter), Mark English (800 meter) and John Coghlan will represent the college in the event.

After nearly a 100-year run at Madison Square Garden, the Millrose Games will be contested at The Armory this year, widely regarded as one of the premier indoor track and field venues in the world.

The unprecedented invite into the distance-relay team at the legendary New York event follows on from the rising reputation of athletes from DCU with Fionnuala Britton, Linda Byrne and Mark Christie all profiting from the DCU athletics academy, run by Enda Fitzpatrick.

“Ray Flynn is the meet director which, I’m sure, had something to do with the invite,” DCU athletics director Enda Fitzpatrick told the Irish Independent. “But maybe it also signals that people from outside are noticing what we are doing here, which is very encouraging.”

With just four to pick from, many promising athletes have missed out, with Darren McBrearty and Paul Robinson missing out due to their unavailability.

400 metre athlete Mark English won a silver medal at the European U-23 championships while 800 metre athlete Brian Gregan has been in flying form in breaking the Irish junior 800 metre record.

18 The College View 08.02.12

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DCU bailed out of trouble by late goal

DCU 1-12 GMIT 0-15 after extra time

By Eoghan Cormican At St. Clare’s Substitute Peter Corry came to the rescue of DCU’s freshers hurling outfit just as outsiders GMIT had one eye on a second round date on February 9.

The Westerners appeared poised for victory until Corry, who had been earlier introduced as a substitute, profited amid a goalmouth scramble in the 79th minute to force a replay with the game’s only goal.

This opening round fixture mightn’t always have been open and flowing fare but there was no denying the honesty and spirit from two sides which simply refused to die.

Over the course of the normal time span, DCU looked to have just done enough to see them through only to be caught in injury time when a 60th minute Shane Lawless point nudged GMIT in front. The visitors’ timing looked to have been perfect but an epilogue was to follow.

There was still time for a reprieve and in the 61st minute DCU launched one last attack – the sliotar broke to Cormac Ryan and the full forward drove it between the posts.

That tied the sides at 0-10 apiece as the referee blew for full time allowing both teams to recharge.

GMIT finished the game the stronger team, but credit must be afforded to DCU for keeping the tie alive at the death.

GMIT kept up the pressure in the first period of extra time and by the break, led 0-14 to 0-11 thanks in the main to Galway senior Tadgh Haran and Paul Hoban with Shane Boland

Donie Breathnach tallied 0-8 for DCU in their opening round clash with GMIT posting DCU’s sole response.

A further Hoban minor at the start of the second period of extra time seemed to sound the death knell for the home side, considering it arrived directly after DCU squandered two guilt edge scoring chances.

Crucially though, GMIT failed to add to their tally in the remaining minutes as DCU gained the upper hand, due in no small part to the absence of GMIT sharpshooter Tadgh Haran who was forced off with an injury.

A foul on Padraig Brehony subsequently allowed Donie Breathnach reduce arrears to three. Thereafter Brehony’s dissecting run split open the GMIT defence, before the Gal-

way man offloaded possession to Breathnach who was upended just outside the ’21.

Breathnach’s free was excellently saved, but in the ensuing scavenge Peter Corry pulled to the net to complete the miracle recovery.

While, overall, the skill levels of this first round clash were disappointing the contest itself lacked nothing by the way of excitement.

Simply, every ball was fought for with great intensity and possession won was hard earned.

In many ways, this contributed to the low scoring nature of the first half which saw the sides deadlocked at 0-2 apiece.

Haran registered the game’s

opening score in the 15th minute, doubling GMIT’s advantage soonafter. Twenty six minutes had elapsed before DCU raised a white flag and though they clocked seven first half wides, DCU were fortunate to be on level terms as GMIT haemorrhaged two goal openings.

Firstly, Shane Lawless, having breached the DCU rearguard, dropped the prized possession yards from goal, while ‘keeper Adam McGrane advanced smartly from his line to deny Conor Kennedy thereafter.

The home side couldn’t have asked for a better start at the change of ends hitting four points in a highly productive ten minute spell.

Image by Sportsfile All of those scores came from the stick of Breathnach who began the sequence with a pair of free’s and though Haran responded, DCU were edging out tussles all over the field.

Flowing moves were very scarce in this match but out of nothing, Breathnach conjured up a piece of magic when controlling McGrane’s puck out and pilfering a superb point.

Further Breathnach free’s put them 0-9 to 0-5 ahead with eight minutes remaining, but three Tadgh Haran points and a well taken effort from Shane Liddy drew GMIT level before the late exchange of scores between Lawless and Ryan.

Freshers survive late fightback DCU opened well with Oates a last ditch block to scupper the rare goal opening.

It appeared the solitary margin would carry to the interval but for Shane Carey followed their team the individual brilliance of Shane mate onto the scoresheet in that Carey, who threw over three suopening quarter. preme efforts in first half stoppages, Tom Flynn and Leitrim’s Don- to hand Ross Munnelly’s side a 0-8 nie Wrynn were shading it in mid- to 0-4 lead. field, the roaming John Small and On the restart, St. Mary’s came Shane Carey motored through the out and scored three unanswered exchanges, and most importantly points to completely put DCU on DCU exuded a sense of purpose and the back foot. focus on the task at hand.

Conor Clarke, Thomas Canavan St. Mary’s were being asked ques- (free) and Aidan Forker all raised tions about their ability and resolve white flags as DCU began to lose to remain in the game, but they de- their way somewhat. livered the right answers kicking Tensions between the sides, three points through Conor Clarke which had been simmering all afand Aidan Forker to reduce the defi- ternoon, boiled over on 41 minutes cit to the minimum. when Michael Hynes landed a hefty Indeed, they were desperately challenge on Scott Oates. A melee unlucky not to find the net, but for ensued in which a spectator lashed

DCU 0-9 pointing inside two minutes and though St. Mary’s levelled matters, St. Mary’s 0-8 Enda O’Reilly, Andrew O’Brien and

By Eoghan Cormican At St. Clare’s Wing back Conor Daly proved an unlikely hero as the Freshers football side were pushed all the way in this fractious first round clash with St. Mary’s.

Daly’s 58th minute minor proved to be DCU’s sole score of the second half, but was just enough to see them advance beyond a dogged and determined Mary’s outfit.

There wasn’t much to excite the small crowd in the opening half, with forwards Scott Oates and Aidan Forker the stand out players for their respective sides.

out at the St. Mary’s wing back.

In any event, the home side, despite edging the possession stakes, just couldn’t find the range with Tom Flynn, John Small and Conor Moyna spurning opportunities.

With five minutes to go there was still just a point between the sides and DCU’s cause wasn’t helped when substitute Conor McGraynor and Scott Oates registered further wides which would have given the league champions much need breathing space.

Thereafter, a surging run from McGraynor dissected the Mary’s rearguard and the Wicklow man cleverly offloaded to Conor Daly who showed terrific composure to slot DCU’s first score in over thirty minutes.

But tension mounted when Thomas Canavan pointed a short

range free subsequently after Niall Ward was dragged to the ground. It was a frustrating score to concede as DCU cheaply coughed up possession, allowing Mary’s break up the field and reduce the gap to the minimum.

A game that was slow to catch fire finished in a welter of excitement and the six minutes of injury time allotted only added to the dramatic conclusion.

Niall Ward was perfectly poised to deliver the equalising score in the 64th minute, but for a superb tackle.

The visitors almost snatched a draw from the resultant ’45 but Conor Clarke’s delivery was fisted wide The referee afforded Mary’s one final chance, DCU however, were not to be breached securing passage to the second round, although not as comfortable as many pre-empted.

The College View 08.02.12 19

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Crunch time for GAA sides

MIXED FORTUNES FOR DCU HANDBALLERS

By Tom Rooney Deputy Sports Editor The month of February marks a busy period for DCU’s footballers and hurlers as they enter the business end of the season. Their respective league campaigns proved a mix bag last year, but the slate has been wiped clean and the championship awaits.

The senior hurlers will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing league campaign when they take on GMIT at St. Clare’s on Valentine’s Day (throw-in 2pm). In addition to a place in the quarter final being at stake, Paul O’Brien’s side have the added incentive of settling the score after the Connacht men condemned them to Ryan Cup hurling after a razor thin relegation battle. Having already been trounced by UCC by 7-18 to 0-10 in their opening game, the outcome of this fixture will be season defining.

The Intermediate hurlers entertain St. Pats in the first round of the championship on February 16th, the winner of which will meet LIT in the quarter final.

After winning the league, the Intermediate footballers are now on the hunt for the double, but before thinking about adding to the trophy cabinet, they’ll have to navigate St. Pats on February 9th at St. Clare’s. Whoever progresses will face the winner of GMIT v IT Carlow in the quarter final.

The Freshers footballers got their championship campaign off to a winning start by overcoming St. Mary’s last Thursday in a fractious contest; they now advance to the quarter final where they will meet UUJ. The Fresher B footballers begin the defence of their All Ireland title in the quarter final against UUC at the Mardyke on February 16th.

By Tom Rooney Deputy Sports Editor

Emmet Kent, pictured here in the Wexford colours, was DCU’s top scorer against UCC | Image by Sportsfile

Deadly Mahony puts DCU to the sword

liam Egan, Pauric Mahony and Tip- lose posting an unanswered 1-7 in an ultra-productive ten minute period to effectively end the game as a contest. Pauric Mahony raised the second half as the goals poured in first green flag of proceedings when from all angles. lifting the net with a powerful strike.

Stephen Moylan notched UCC’s Further minors from the stick of second major in the 37th minute, af- Emmet Kent (free) and the hardter Willie Griffin offloaded to the full working Wes O’Brien left DCU trailforward, and therein the UCC for- ing by ten at the interval, but in truth wards had an unobstructed view of they were chasing a lost cause from Bill McCormack’s goal as the DCU a long way out. defence was torn asunder by the Willie Griffin turned provider for speed, power and precision of the UCC’s third major, latching onto attackers. a probing Dean Brosnan delivery, Indeed, was it not for McCormack before Waterford senior Pauric Ma– one of DCU’s more impressive hony whipped to the net after John performers on the evening – UCC’s Whelan blocked Griffin’s initial effinal goal tally would have been far fort. Similar strikes from Dean Brosgreater. nan and Griffin ensued and all of a That said, DCU opened brightly sudden DCU were twenty five points with Emmet Kent firing over an in arrears. early free and though UCC hit three Not surprisingly, the tempo depoints in quick succession, Kent creased dramatically in the closing converted a second placed ball ef- stages with the sides exchanging fort to leave only the minimum be- efforts before UCC struck for their tween the sides by the close of the seventh goal on 55 minutes when first quarter.

Mahony drove home, taking his perHowever, UCC subsequently cut sonal return to 3-3.

UCC 7-18 perary’s Shane Burke, held a 1-12 to 0-5 interval advantage and the DCU 0-10 home side were unrelenting in the

By Eoghan Cormican At the Mardyke The scoreline says it all. A tale of two teams at either end of the of the Fitzgibbon spectrum.

On a bitterly cold night at the Mardyke, neither side learned a whole pile from this mismatch encounter which in truth, was of no benefit to anyone.

As to where DCU go from here is anyone’s guess. They can allow their season to be smothered under the ache of Wednesday’s horrible experience and exit tamely from the Fitzgibbon Cup, or they can regroup and tackle a GMIT side that they are more than capable of toppling.

They will certainly attempt the latter, but it will be exceedingly tough after suffering this 29 point drubbing.

UCC, led by the outstanding Wil-

Sheehan braced for Cork challenge

By Eoghan Cormican Sports Editor Having already secured a semi-final berth, DCU’s camogie side will seek the prize of top spot in Group A when they travel to face CIT in today’s crucial Purcell Cup fixture.

DCU opened their Purcell Cup campaign with a comprehensive 3-13 to 1-3 win over QUB, avenging last year’s decider in which the Northerners emerged victorious.

Victory this evening would guar-

antee DCU top spot in their group and, although the Dubliners have already claimed the scalp of CIT this season, goalkeeper Aisleen Sheehan is under no illusions as to the task in hand.

“To be honest we are looking forward to the challenge of CIT and we’re under no illusions of the challenge ahead. We’ve trained hard since the Queens game and are well prepared going down to Cork.”

CIT caused something of an upset when getting the better of Queens

last week (3-13 to 3-8), so today’s clash is all about heading the group and landing a more negotiable semi-final draw. Sheehan however is quick to dispel any talk beyond that of this evening’s fixture.

“We certainly won’t get ahead of ourselves in any way, we will be taking each game as it comes and being as prepared and motivated as we can to get the best from the team is a priority. We’re trying not to look too far past the CIT game but each team on the other side will be a chal-

lenge and we will take every game as it comes.”

Sheehan acknowledges that it has been a terrific year thus far, with the side turning more than a few heads in qualifying for the Division 1 league final on February 29.

“So far the year has been great for us but we are well aware that the biggest challenges have yet to come.

I have every confidence in the set up and the girls’ commitment that we will contest every challenge as it comes.”

The DCU B handball team captured the B Plate title as the A team were defeated in the final of the 40x20 team intervarsity tournament at St. Joseph Centre in Wexford. The two day event saw 230 games contested by 23 teams from nine colleges.

The B team were in action first as they looked to begin their title defence against second seeded UL. It proved to be a tight affair, with excellent displays from both sides, but the Limerick side managed to edge it by 97-81. The loss sent DCU into the B Plate Final.

The A team, consisting of Ciaran Neary, Peter Hughes, John Horgan and Terry Mc Elvaney were up next, taking on IT Tralee in the Semi-Finals. Again the standard of skill on display was top drawer, with some mesmerising rallies being contested in all areas of the court. In the end DCU had too much for the Kerrymen, winning 87-65 and progressing to the A Final.

The B side took on the UL second team in the B Plate final at a packed St. Joseph’s on Saturday evening. John Walsh drew first blood for DCU by winning his singles match and giving the first time double pairing of Gavin Cawley and Ciaran O’ Sullivan a six point lead to build upon.

Cathal Wash then won the final singles match clinching the title for DCU with a comfortable 7858 finish.

DCU were matched with the top seeded and highly favored UCD in the main event. In the first singles match DCU’s Peter Hughes was beaten in both games by Mark McGowan. In the doubles, Ciaran Neary and John Horgan took on Diarmuid Nash and Michael Busher. UCD won the first game but Horgan and Neary handed DCU a lifeline by taking the second.

In the final singles match, UCD’s Martin Mulkerins beat Terry Mc Elvaney in both games by 21-14 and 21-4 respectively.

The Southsiders lived up to the pre-game hype with an impressive 126-66 finish.

20 The College View 08.02.12

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Fitzgibbon nightmare Page 19

This is no ordinary opportunity It’s an opportunity to transform your career prospects.

DCU’s Fionn O‘Shea in control against Meaths Cormac McGuiness in the O’ Byrne Cup semi-final Image by Sportsfile

Mixing it with the big boys

By Eoghan Cormican Sports Editor DCU will have it all to do when they meet Kildare in what should be a humdinger of an O’Byrne Cup final at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise on Friday, February 17.

The final was originally fixed for Sunday January 29, but was called off following two pitch inspections at a waterlogged St. Conleth’s Park.

Robert Hennelly, joint-chairman of DCU’s football club, said the last minute decision to call off the game beggared belief.

“It’s a joke that it was called off.

We had lads travel to Dublin from all over the country and then to get told at 11 O’clock that morning that it was called off due to pitch flooding was very frustrating. It was the only game in the country called off that weekend.

“The Leinster council had our Sigerson Game which was due to be played the following Tuesday put back a week to accommodate this game, so when the O’Byrne cup final was called off it left a week off for us we weren’t expecting.”

Kildare declined to play the game the following day (Monday 30th) which resulted in the Leinster Council rescheduling the fixture for Friday week, which could impinge

on DCU’s Sigerson campaign with the quarter finals provisionally fixed for February 15th and 16th.

In any event, the decider promises to be a riveting encounter as DCU feature Dublin’s’ Philly McMahon, Eoghan O’Gara, Paul Flynn and James McCarthy not to mention Sligo’s David Kelly who has been in fine fettle during the opening rounds.

Kildare, meanwhile, issued a real statement of intent to football’s ‘big three’ with their rout of the All Ireland champions in a one sided semi-final clash.

Hennelly acknowledges the obstacle Kildare pose, but feels that DCU will give this game a real go.

“It’s going to be very tough. Kildare are a well established senior intercounty side with some very good players. However we won’t be giving them any respect in the final, if we did they would walk all over us. We know if we play to our ability, with the players we have we can beat them.

“Kildare have a lot of experienced players who have been playing for Kildare for years but if you look in our panel there are All Ireland under 21 winners, Senior Provincial winners and even All Ireland winners.”

DCU’s march to the final is punc-

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tuRegister today at smurfitschool.ie ated by a string of impressive This is no ordinary place per for mances with Wicklow easily disUCD Michael Smurfit Learn today patched in the Graduate Business School Lead tomorrow opening round before two fortuitous second half goals helped Niall Moyna’s men it is better than any challenge game. advance to the penultimate stage, Last year we got knocked out by fending off Glen Ryan’s Longford Kildare and it meant there was a big by 2-11 to 0-12. gap between our last competitive The students continued that rich game and Sigerson, and no amount vein of form in their semi-final of training can get you ready for against a hapless Meath side – Da- Sigerson.” vid Kelly netting twice to see DCU With such an array of talent comfortably over the line. amidst their ranks, Hennelly – who The last time DCU annexed the played in Mayo’s successful ConO’Byrne Cup was the same year nacht championship campaign of in which the Sigerson Cup also 2011-, admits their only goal with headed Northside. It’s not exactly regard to the Sigerson Cup is to win the most lucrative of prizes on the it outright.

GAA calendar, but Hennelly realis“After last year and all the lessons es the importance of the competi- we learned we know to take it one tion in terms of building of a head game at a time. There are always of steam in their quest to recapture big shocks in Sigerson so if you’re the Sigerson Cup. not totally concentrated on every “The O’Byrne cup has always game you’re as well off not togging, been a really important competi- that’s the great thing about it. We tion for DCU, especially as a lead have a great panel this year again up to Sigerson. The pace and the and a great team spirit that rivals physicality of it are as close as you’ll 2010 so I hope we can go out now get to Sigerson and for that reason and do ourselves and the college

justice.

“We have beef with almost every team in the competition so can’t really single any (rivals) out. CIT beat us three years ago in the Sigerson and they went on to win it and I know a few of the lads were playing that day so that hurt them.

“If we do overcome CIT we’d be meeting DIT who are probably our biggest Dublin rival. Outside of that, there are Jordanstown who we’ve always had a healthy rivalry with and then UCC from last year’s beating. College rivalry is unreal, it’s so intense and the atmosphere at games can be the same. Hopefully some our old rivalries will be renewed in this year’s Sigerson, but sure we’ll take it one at a time.”

Regardless, DCU eyes remain firmly on the prize. They may have a date with Kildare, but it is O’Byrne Cup they hope will be escorting them home.