Volume XXVI College Tribune Issue 2 by College Tribune

COLLEGE TRIBUNE Volume XXVI 25th September 2012

Issue 2 Independent Student Media Since 1989

CHRISTOPHER AHERNE INVESTIGATES THE IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF NANOTECHNOLOGy

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INSIDE

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Beijing-Dublin venture leaves questions unanswered James Grannell Editor

he Chinese government has, this month, given approval to UCD’s International College in Beijing. The venture, which is being undertaken by UCD and Beijing University of Technology (BJUT), follows a proposal by UCD first mooted after the twinning of Dublin and Beijing in July 2011. A spokesperson for UCD described the Beijing-Dublin International College as “an academic partnership designed to advance education.” They went on to state that, “The agreement between UCD and BJUT (Beijing University of Technology) is a result of a long and complex process requiring multiple stages of agreement and approval on both sides. Ultimately, the Beijing-Dublin International College will promote and encourage cultural understanding between Chinese and Irish students and staff, and also contribute to the growing positive relations between the two countries.” While many have welcomed the new project as a means of boosting UCD’s position in an increasingly competitive and globalised market, there are those who express trepidation when it comes to UCD’s links with China, a country that has come under constant criticism over reported human rights abuses. Colm O'Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, has stated that UCD ought to use their influence with the Chinese government to raise the issue of human rights in China. “It's obviously important that we build and maintain relations with a country like China,” stated O’Gorman, “but this is a government that detains thousands of

men and women in prison or under house arrest simply because of their support for human rights.” “China is the world's number one executioner. It is crucial that institutions like University College Dublin use their influence in their contacts with the Chinese government to raise the concerns of many Irish people about China's appalling human rights record. Academics and students in China have gone to prison for speaking out about human rights abuses. UCD should be a voice for them.” Amnesty’s Communications Coordinator, Justin Moran added, “nobody is going to say that UCD need to change Chinese law or policy across the entire country. I think people need to be realistic about what an institution can affect, but they do need to be making those efforts to ensure that, for example, students on this campus – are they going to have the right to free speech, are they going to have the right to protest? If students in this campus want to hold a demonstration against the forced evictions in Beijing what's going to happen, [are] the Chinese security forces going to be allowed into the college? Is UCD going to refuse to allow those protests to take place?” A number of American universities that have established campuses in China have found that they must operate within the unfamiliar boundaries of China’s restricted academic freedom and right to free speech. UCD have not confirmed whether these issues, along with that of restricted Internet access, were addressed at any time during talks with Beijing authorities.

UCD Freshers' week 2012 saw many societies break previous membership records. Picture by Philip Byrne.

Bar workers' union serve strike notice on UCD Peter Hamilton News Reporter

andate Trade Union, the trade union working on behalf of the UCD Student Bar staff, has served strike notice on UCD. The strike is due to commence on the week following the AGM, which took place on Monday 24th September. In a press release published on Friday 21st September, Mandate Trade Union announced that the staff would be striking based on “the failure to pay outstanding wages and redundancy monies to staff who were let go at the end of August.” Staff of the Student bar were advised in June that the bar could not continue to function in its current vein due to significant estimated losses of €120,000. After the staff were informed of the closure, a Human Resources Representative was appointed to the Student Club committee which runs the Student Bar.

Seán O’ Driscoll of Athrú consultancy was the HR representative given the task of negotiating on behalf of the bar committee. According to Joe Donnelly, the divisional organizer of Mandate Union, “after two meetings the issues were referred to the Labour Relations Commission and a series of meetings there culminated in an agreement being reached on 15th August in relation to redundancy terms for the staff.” Donnelly claims that the staff of the student bar reluctantly accepted the redundancy from 31st August as they were informed that the alternative was the liquidation of the entire operation. In response to the question as to why the bar staff haven’t received their redundancy yet Rachel Breslin, Student Union President and member of the Student Club Committee which runs

the Bar, said “there is no money in the account to pay that.” Breslin was unsure as to how the situation may be resolved but from the information that is before her with regard to the relationship that the committee has with the university, she believes that the money will end up coming from a university bailout. Donnelly maintains that the lack of payment to the workers from the bar is “extremely unfair to the staff concerned who have given many years of good service to UCD Students Bar, some of whom are now experiencing difficulties with mortgage payments.” In terms of the options that are now available for the premises that previously held the bar, Breslin said “there is still a place that is the best Continued on page 5

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NEWS Bar Saga Page 5

NEWS IN FOCUS

“An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.” – Confucius James Grannell Editor

he importance of Confucian ideas to modern China is paramount. Confucianism emphasises order, balance and harmony. It teaches respect for authority and concern for others. For the ordinary population of China these ideas must appear like an antidote to the downside of sudden economic growth, such as widening regional disparities, widespread corruption and rising social tension as people attempt to take to the streets but are quickly sent home. For the government of China, Confucianism must surely seem like an abundant blessing. The official communist regime has struggled for years to maintain its authority without much ideological underpinning. Confucianism provides a ready-made ideology that teaches people to accept their place and does not challenge the party rule. As a further advantage, Confucianism is home-grown, unlike

communism. It also provides the party with a useful tool for advancing soft power abroad. By branding China's overseas cultural and linguistic study centres “Confucius Institutes”, the Chinese regime can display itself as something more than simply the ideologically bankrupt administrator of the world's workshop. Indeed Mr Li Changchun who visited UCD in 2010 has, reportedly, described the Confucius Institutes as “an important part of China's overseas propaganda setup”. This of course is where eyebrows ought to be raised. Governments and indeed our own university have seemed all too reluctant to stare the Chinese government in the eye and bring up the proverbial elephant in the room: human rights abuse. In the current financial climate, China’s economic strength has afforded the regime a certain amount of global leverage when it comes to human rights abuses. China is not a country where free-speech is admired, nor indeed is freedom of the press. In March of

this year amendments were made to the Regulations on the Administration of Publications, which added a new requirement that individuals who distributed publications over the internet must be licensed, or risk criminal penalties. It has also been reported that the Chinese authorities have banned hundreds of words from mobile phone text messages, including “democracy” and “human rights”. China’s crackdown on freedom does not just extent to the world of politics and media, the regime has also actively pursued a goal of bringing all religious practice under state control. This would include state oversight over religious doctrine, appointment of religious leaders, the registration of religious groups and erection of places of worship. People practising religions banned by the state, or without state approval, risk harassment, detention, imprisonment, and in some cases, violent persecution. Banned religions include many underground Protestant house

churches along with Catholics who accept the authority of the Holy See. Around 40 Catholic bishops are as of this time unaccounted for; it is presumed they are being held by the authorities. Falun Gong practitioners have been subject to a systematic, nationwide and often violent campaign aimed at their eradication. The spiritual group have been banned since 1999, labelled a “heretical cult”. Many of those who have refused to renounce their belief in, and stop practicing, Falun Gong have alleged that they have been subject to torture. It is not, as some would suggest, some form western imperialism that drives concerns about our universities growing links with China. It is right and good that the university should expand, but that expansion ought not involve her whoring herself to anyone with a wad of cash to spare. This is an academic institution after all, not a vending machine.

Girl power at last? Page 6

FEATURES Shrinking materials Page 8

TRAVEL Copenhagen - don’t be afraid Page 10

REGULARS The Warm Welcome has been given. Now the work begins Page 15

GAEILGE Fanann Tom: Fear an Ghutha Ghairbhéil Page 16

SPORT Correspondence

UCD’s newest tenants Page 19

Dear Mr O’Gara, I thought that Sarah Doran’s article in this week’s Tribune was good. She covered the background well and brought it up-to-date with brief accounts of the lives of women who are affected by the ban on abortion. I shall nail my colours to the mast straight away and say that I think abortion should be readily available in Ireland. I find it deeply hypocritical that Irish society turns a blind eye to the thousands of women who go abroad for this service, while taking the so-called high moral ground. With impeccable timing, yesterday I found an article in the New England Journal of Medecine (NEJM) which is pertinent to this debate. It’s called ‘Recognizing Conscience in Abortion Provision’, by Lisa H. Harris, M.D., Ph.D. Dr Harris presents an argument which is rarely heard here, or in the USA either, it would seem. She puts the case for those who see it as ethically necessary to provide an abortion service, often in the face of vitriolic criticism and even physical threats. I’d recommend looking at the article. You are unlikely to hear its point-of-view anywhere in Ireland during the coming highly-charged exchanges on the subject! Yours sincerely, Audrey Mac Cready

EDITORS' CHOICE Earned not given Page 18 James and Cathal say: "We chose this article as this particular game kept us company during our production Sunday, and of course as an ode to our Deputy News Editor Thomas Cullen and past Editor Ryan Cullen who are native Donegalians. Congratulations on a great win. We hope Coppers was avoided en masse."

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE 25th September 2012

NEWS

Failing track record Ronan Coveney News Reporter

lmost one year after the UCD running track was closed due to health and safety concerns, UCD Athletics Club are still training in Ringsend. Commenting on the situation, UCD Athletics Club Captain Dan King said that the closure of the athletics track has been a “huge loss in many of [the] club members’ eyes and they feel that it’s more difficult with travelling to Ringsend... as time is wasted travelling in rush hour.” When the closure of the athletics track took place last November, UCD provided the club with buses to an off campus facility in Ringsend. There are now fears that these buses may no longer be run due to financial constraints. Speaking to the College Trib-

une, UCD Director of Sport, Brian Mullins, said “We will be providing transport comparable with last year's arrangement with the athletics club. As of yet we don’t know how long that will last because the funds to build and provide the new track aren’t completely in place.” Mr Mullins went on to say that the “new track is planned for the Richview site” and that “UCD is currently waiting for the 2013 Sports Capital Grants scheme announcements by the Government in October/November”. Full planning permission has been granted for the new running track close to the School of Architecture’s Richview building by Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council in 2009 with 12 conditions attached on the west of the Belfield

campus. Meanwhile, the location of the next years UCD Ball is as yet unknown. In previous years the ball has been held on the UCD Athletics Track, however speaking to the College Tribune, UCDSU Ents Officer, Eoin Heffernan said, “as of yet we have not received confirmation on a site for the UCD Ball 2013.” This follows speculation that the college plans on building a multi-story car park on the site which has been left vacant since last November. Mr Heffernan added that he is “currently looking into a number of options for potential sites.” A UCD spokesperson was unavailable for comment on this issue at the time of print.

UCDSU to campaign for return of library Sunday opening hours Thomas Cullen Deputy News Editor

CD Students’ Union have confirmed that they will campaign to see the return of Sunday opening hours in the James Joyce library. The campaign is in response to the plans by the university to close the library for the first seven weeks of the semester due to budgetary cutbacks. A statement released online by the Students’ Union criticized the move by university authorities to end the library’s 7-day service. The library has been open every day of the week since a successful campaign by the SU for Sunday opening hours in the 2010/2011 academic year. Shane Comer, the UCDSU Education Officer, believes that the shortening of library hours is a step in the wrong direction for UCD. He stated, “The overall reduction in funding of the library is the primary issue and this is affecting everything from book buying budgets to the opening hours. The university needs to realise that in order to produce world-class graduates and to climb back into the top 100

universities in the world, a sevenday library is paramount.” Comer also declared, “This is an extremely short sighted decision. The Students’ Union acknowledges how important a resource the Library is to students and we will campaign to see the return of Sunday opening hours.” The University authorities have stated that the lack of students who use the library on Sundays is the main reason why the library hours have been cut. This reasoning has been criticized by the SU who have pointed out that Hugh Brady envisioned a “24 hour campus” when he assumed office in 2004. The reduction of library hours is also contrary to what is laid out in the UCD Library Strategic Plan 20102014, where the plan states to “Develop and implement policies and practices that provide for optimal library opening hours.” The budget of the James Joyce library has been cut by €625,000 since 2010 and will receive another 5% cut this year.

Drivers refuse to stop at flyover after 10pm Sarah Doran Chief Writer

ublin Bus drivers have voted to refuse to stop and collect passengers at the UCD flyover on the Stillorgan dual carriageway after 10pm. A source at Dublin Bus claimed that a large number of passengers who boarded buses at the UCD stop over the first two weeks of term displayed anti social behaviour and caused damage to several vehicles. The withdrawal applies to all bus routes servicing the flyover via the northbound slip road after 10pm and came into effect on Monday September 24. It is unclear whether southbound services will be affected. Some students on campus said they were angry that the actions of a few individuals had led to the complete withdrawal of the bus service. “I’m annoyed but I’m not surprised that drivers have refused to stop at UCD. I’ve been on those buses with friends heading to town

and the behaviour of some UCD students is just unreal”, one final year student said. UCDSU Campaigns and Communications Officer Paddy Guiney said he was concerned about the impact that the decision would have on students who relied on the service. “Due to this measure students will have a significantly longer distance to travel home and unfortunately this further shows the cuts faced on services for students,” he said. “We will be contacting Dublin bus to resolve this matter very quickly.” This is not the first time Dublin Bus drivers have voted to withdraw services due to the behaviour of passengers collected at the stop. In September 2011 Dublin Bus discontinued their evening services from the campus on Black Monday due to students’ anti-social behaviour. There were reports of objects

being thrown at buses as students made their way to the city centre. At the time a representative for Dublin Bus stated that students’ actions had unnerved the bus drivers and led them to fear for their own safety. In January 2010 services on the number 10 bus were withdrawn from campus after 11pm due to reports of violence, intolerable levels of drinking and anti-social behaviour on board some buses. “This has happened every year since I started in UCD”, one third year student claimed. “I would like to think that I could visit friends on campus or in the area and still make my way home without having to walk down the dual carriageway in the dark. The same few take it too far and ruin things for the majority”.

NEWS

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE

25th September 2012

NEWS IN BRIEF

Residential negotiations A Fresh Approach for CTN

Sinéad Slattery

Matthew H. Farrelly

EAIE Encouraged to Think About Self-organised Learning

The European Association for International Education is being asked to consider that “Given access to a single computer with internet access, groups of children can learn anything by themselves.” by Professor Sugata Mitra, the Newcastle University and visiting professor to MIT who gave the keynote lecture at the EAIE conference in Dublin recently. Professor Mitra conducted an experiment whereby he put a high-tech computer in the wall that separated his office from a slum in Delhi. He connected it to the Internet, and waited to see if anyone would use it, and how. Without being told what to do, children living in the slums began browsing the Internet and teaching themselves how to use the computer. UCD is the University Partner of the EAIE 2012 Dublin. The UCD Volunteers Overseas (UCDVO) is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2012. During the summer, 100 volunteers who took part in the 2011/12 UCDVO programme continued working on community development projects in India, Haiti, Nicaragua and Tanzania. Projects undertaken included building houses, schools, agricultural centres and latrines; teaching in schools, starting physiotherapy projects in shelters and care homes for the disabled and marginalised; setting up computer labs and starting a teacher computer training programme and running summer camps for children living in disadvantaged areas. UCDVO has long-running relationships with partner organisations in each of the countries where projects are carried out – this means that the local communities say what they need most and careful planning means that they get it. QS rankings UCD was one of only two Irish universities to move up in the QS rankings rising from 134 in 2011 to 131. “Great credit is due to staff who not only deliver a quality education experience to students, to also rank among the world’s elite researchers – despite budgetary pressures,” said Hugh Brady.

Rachel Carey Reporter

Reporter

egotiations are currently ongoing between the Students’ Union and UCD over Residential Assistants now being allowed to bring recording equipment into residence dwellings. Mícheál Gallagher, Welfare Officer for UCDSU, has told the College Tribune that UCD is responding positively to talks, “The negotiations are going quite well at the moment so we hope to have some breakthrough now next week”. The introduction of Clause 23 into the License to Reside Act 2012-2013,which must be signed by the student before the beginning of the semester, had led to anger from UCDSU who were not informed of the changes made until 3 September. The main issue to highlight, according to Campaigns and Communications Officer Paddy Guiney, “is that no indication or warning was given to the Students' Union on the introduction of cameras. We were assured last year that this wouldn't occur”. Mr Gallagher states that, “Although the Students’ Union was promised to be updated on any kind of developments into the situation, we were blatantly lied to by the col-

lege and that’s why they’ve agreed to come back to the negotiation’s table over this particular issue”. However a spokesperson for UCD has explained that while the Licence to Reside Act for 2011 / 2012 did remain visible on the college’s website over the summer months, the 2012 / 2013 Act which includes Clause 23 had not been changed since becoming available to potential residence candidates during the summer, “No changes were made to the 2012 / 2013 License after bookings were opened in June”. UCD hopes to ease the fears over entry into residence held by students and UCDSU stating that, “Staff and Residential Assistants must clearly alert everyone in the vicinity of the student apartment when their recording equipment is in use”. They have also stressed that the recorded incidents are only viewed and used as support materials when incidents are investigated under the license to reside or the student code. Mr Gallagher has stated that as of yet, “There hasn’t been any official complaints to the Students’ Union on the usage of recording equipment”.

Painting the campus pink

James Grannell Editor

Reporter

Along with producing shows the main goal of CTN this year is to introduce their members to a new set of skills and knowledge. They will run workshops every Monday, in the hope that these workshops will benefit the society as a whole and also those who wish to have a career in media and broadcasting. Boosting the profile of CTN around UCD seems to be a strong objective for this years’ committee. They plan to do this by utilizing social media outlets and running events throughout the year. They have already welcomed former auditor and RTÉ presenter Sean Regan back to UCD to run a presenting workshop. Although plans have not been put in place, the new student centre told the College Tribune that “the Student Centre aims to support all campus media so it would be our intention to show CTN ... where possible and on appropriate TV locations”. Having only been set up in 2006 this year marks the first big change CTN has undertaken to boost its society. Harris told the College Tribune, “the committee and I have a clear vision of the kind of society we want to hand over to next year’s committee and we are determined to succeed”.

USI launch Student Finance Guide

Peter Hamilton ink day, hosted by the UCD Students’ Union in association with the Irish Cancer Society, is taking place on 27th September. The Students’ Union have been involved in fundraising for other charitable organisations such as the Marie Keating foundation and this year chose to create awareness about breast cancer. UCDSU Gender Equality coordinator, Ciara Johnson, described the day by saying, "Pink day is a day that brings attention to female health issues whilst at the same time raising money for such a deserving cause - the Irish Cancer Society.” As October is breast cancer awareness month UCDSU have decided to continue in their support for the Irish cancer society for the second year in a row. While the aim of the day is to give students a greater understanding of breast cancer, another endeavor of UCDSU is to make the day enjoyable for students. “We want the day

his year UCD’s Campus Television Network, better known as CTN, are adopting a fresh approach to the running of their society. A formerly small and quiet society, CTN is planning somewhat of a revival this year with the introduction of new shows and workshops. The society plan on running a number of new shows throughout the year focusing mainly, in semester one, on re-establishing their news show. It is hoped this show will give other societies and the Students’ Union the opportunity to send in their news stories while also covering general news from UCD. Produced by CTN’s Head of News, Diarmuid Burke, auditor Thelma Harris told the College Tribune that it “promises to be a really worthwhile project”. There are also plans to introduce a drama series in the second semester, which will showcase CTN member’s writing and acting abilities. A current affairs show is being planned to run alongside the news show and introduce topical debate to UCD. Productions at CTN will be carefully handled with Head of Cinematography, Dónal McElwaine and Head of Photography, Brian O Leary producing and editing CTN shows to a high standard.

to be enjoyable and fun but also to get female students thinking about their health and to always be proactive about looking after ourselves,” said Johnson. A bucket collection for the Irish cancer society will begin at 8am until 2pm and will take place all around campus. The ‘Pink Breakfast’ will be open to students from 10am until Midday in the Student centre while a duvet day will be organised for the day in the Blue room. Lunchtime will see the Students Union linking up with Trad Soc for a Traditional Music session to be held in the music centre. An information stand will be in place all day in the Student Centre. UCDSU Welfare officer, Mícheál Gallagher, says that promotion of cancer awareness is essential, “It’s important that women are aware of the female health issues that can develop and check themselves regularly.”

he Union of Students in Ireland launched the first ever Student Finance Guide entitled ‘Money Matters: USI Student Finance Guide’ in IT Tallaght yesterday, September 24. The guide has been produced with the help of the National Consumer Agency. With many new students managing their own finances for the first time and the rapidly increasing cost of living in Ireland, the USI hope that the guide will prove an invaluable resource for students and their families. Unemployment and economic hardship has put a heavy strain on many. One of the key findings of the ‘My World Survey’, a national study of youth mental health published earlier this year, was that young adults’ experiences of financial stress are strongly related to their mental health and well-being. It is envisioned that the guide will help those who are feeling this strain, offering guidance and advice on what financial supports are available to students and families, as well as a best practice guide on choosing financial services that meet the individual needs of a student. Budget sheets are included in

the guide to allow students to keep track of their income and expenditure while in college. USI Vice President for Welfare Denise McCarthy commented, “As students and families struggle to cope with the ever-increasing cost of college and brace themselves for a harsh Budget, USI’s Student Finance Guide is intended to provide information on how they can best manage college finances.” “USI strives to make college as affordable as possible for its members and this guide will help students and their families get through college despite increasing fees and grant cuts,” she continued. These sentiments were echoed by Karen O’Leary, Director of Public Awareness and Financial Education at the National Consumer Agency. O’Leary noted that while this is an exciting time for many students, it also brings its challenges. “This guide tells you what to look out for, the questions to ask, how to avoid getting into unmanageable debt and where to go if things go wrong.”

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE

25th September 2012

Bar license not to be renewed Peter Hamilton News Reporter

he License of the Student Bar is to run out on Friday 28th September and may not be renewed according to UCD Students’ Union president Rachel Breslin. “At present we haven’t renewed the license because we are not in a financial position to renew the license,” commented Breslin. The license of the Student Bar differs to a typical bar license in that a bar license may be purchased and does not have to be constantly renewed. The UCD Student Bar however had a license that resembled that of a sporting club license. This means that the license must be renewed on an annual basis and the number of late nights that the bar may have is

must be paid and staff must be paid.” The new bar in the Student Centre, which has an expected opening date of early 2013, will also possess a club license rather than purchasing a bar license, again restricting the number of late night events that the venue may have.

Bar Workers union serve strike notice on UCD Continued from front

restricted. The cost of renewing a license is quite expensive according to Breslin due to legal fees, however she went on to say that the reason they’re not renewing it is not down to “a cost issue...it’s that this bar is not sustainable.” She says that you can’t apply for a license for something that doesn’t exist, “creditors

NEWS

place on campus for holding concerts, faculty days and quizzes and we as a Students’ Union are not willing to stand for the disappearance of that facility.” She discussed options with the Bursar of UCD, Gerry O’ Brien, including, “how the redundancy can be paid, how the creditors can be paid and how the debt to the SU can be settled.” Breslin sees that failure to pay redundancy to the staff as a large issue restricting the progress of discussing bar issues. “Students want to socialize but we also have staff who have been agreed redundancy and who haven’t had it. Who’s more important? I wouldn’t automatical-

ly say it’s the students in terms of real need.” Mr. Donnelly of the Mandate Union has written to the President of UCD, Dr. Hugh Brady, requesting his intervention. Donnelly concluded, “In the meantime, the redundant staff have voted unanimously for industrial action as they appear to have been left with no alternative form of action at this stage.”

Bar Saga

UCD home of largest student LGBT society James Grannell Editor

ollowing a phenomenally successful Freshers week, UCD LGBT remains the largest student LGBT society in Ireland with almost 400 members signed up so far. The society, which was more active than ever during Freshers week this year, has been the largest student LGBT society for a number of years now. Their growth in numbers follows an active summer during which they participated in both Pride and the March for Marriage. David Healy, auditor of UCD LGBT, explained that much of the membership increase is due to heterosexual friends joining the society. The LGBT has, this year, promoted heterosexual students joining the LGBT to become allies. “We’re not LGBT exclusive, just like any other society on campus isn’t heterosexual exclusive,” said Healy. “A lot of straight friends joined and a lot of people who have gay friends; events have never been as well attended.” The society will continue this week with a busy schedule, includ-

ing coffee mornings and film nights. A “coming out” day will also be held during the week and will include workshops for people who haven’t yet “come out” and for those who have already talked to some people about their sexuality or gender identity. People can also share their experiences, offering insights and advise in an informal manner. “You can read a lot about coming out online, but when you actually hear it from people you’re friends with or who you mightn’t know, I think you learn a lot more; stuff you mightn’t think about,” commented Healy. Healy went on to say that the LGBT society intend to continue their recruitment on campus and hope to boost their numbers further by the end of the year. “The aim is still to break 500 [members] before the end of the year, which would be colossal if we done it.” For more information about UCD LGBT society, check out their website: http://www.ucd.ie/lgb/

21 August 2011

17 August 2012

The Sunday Independent reports that UCD has called in external auditors to investigate the finances of the Forum Bar after it failed to publish accounts since 2004.

The College Tribune reports that the bar staff at the Student Club will be accepting redundancy. Rachel Breslin, UCDSU president, comments “The Committee…embarked on a process of closing the bar for the summer and tasking an appointed representative to make the bar viable. The process hasn’t been finished yet. We’re trying to resolve a difficult situation. It’s not an easy one for any bar, particularly this bar, because everyone’s seen from the figures already, that it’s making a big loss.”

4 April 2012 The College Tribune reports that Pat de Brún, President of UCD Students’ Union, has stated that he is working with the Student Club committee on solutions for the future of the student bar; including hiring a bar industry consultant to assist in the creation of a long-term business plan. The committee plans on examining every aspect of the bar’s activities in an attempt to make it profitable again. De Brún’s aim is to deliver a lower-cost model in time for the beginning of the next academic term and to re-launch the bar completely from the first week back. 15 June 2012 The College Tribune reports that Pat de Brún, president of UCD Students’ Union, has informed the paper that the Student Club (the Bar) will close June 15 “pending restructuring negotiations”. He went on to state that it “should all be resolved by the end of the month”. The Bar was reported to be running on a loss of €90,ooo per anum. 24 June 2012 The Sunday Independent reports that UCD Student Club - once Ireland's busiest bar - has losses of almost €100,000 and is set to close by the end of this month, unless radical cost saving measures can be agreed within days. They also raise the issue of long standing bar bills dating back several years, including a bill of almost €90,000 relating to the Students' Union.

12 September 2012 The College Tribune reports that doubt has been cast over the official opening date of the new UCD Clubhouse Bar, located by the Student Centre, as the building company that was carrying out the construction work has allegedly been declared insolvent. 19 September 2012 The University Observer report that UCDSU is owed in excess of €120,000 by the Student Club. 21 September 2012 Mandate Trade Union announces that it will be serving strike notice on UCD Students Bar, Belfield, on Monday, 24 September next. Strike action will commence the following week over the failure to pay outstanding wages and redundancy monies to staff who were let go at the end of August. 24 September 2012 Student Club Committee AGM held in new Student Centre.

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE

25th September 2012

Girl power at last? Dawn Lonergan examines the new era of powerful women at UCD

t's not long ago that women in Ireland were second class citizens who were patronized and pitied. In particular, we had the marriage bar which forbid women to work after marriage. Women could also not attend university, and did not have the right to vote either. With the auditor of the L&H, the auditor of Law Soc and the President of UCDSU all being women, for the first time ever, are we entering a new era of girl power at UCD?

“Women earn on average 73% of what men earn for example (2009 CSO statistics), women are less likely to be in senior management positions, and in political life the situation isn't any better - women occupy 15% of the Dáil seats.” It’s on this basis that third year Law student Rebek’ah Mc Kinney Perry believes that the three women in power is “a step in the right direction but not enough”. The Electoral Bill 2012 is controversially looking to introduce

“A condom does not encourage either of these things. Instead, it says conform, be the same as everyone else. Do the same things and prescribe to the same values.” It was less than a hundred years ago that women were first allowed to attend UCD, let alone be auditors and Presidents. In 1908, with the Establishment of The National University of Ireland, women were first allowed to attend all NUI universities, even,shockingly enough, without a chaperone. Even then women sat together, and did not socialise with men too often. Trinity College allowed women into the university even earlier (1904) and even had its first female professor in 1934. With regards to politics, Countess Markievicz was the first woman to be elected to the British House of Commons in 1918. However, it wasn't until 1922 that women were given universal suffrage in Ireland which is a surprise as it meant that it was all men that voted for the Countess. Mary Robinson followed that tradition, becoming the first female president of Ireland in 1990. She felt it to be a large step for the women in Ireland, stating “I was elected by the women of Ireland, who instead of rocking the cradle, rocked the system.” Mary Robinson was replaced by Mary McAleese at the end of her tenure. Unfortunately, this trend is not continuing into our current political sphere. According to the Journal, Ireland is 77th out of 113 countries in female political representation. Furthermore, only half of Ireland's 43 constituencies have a female representative. Rwanda, for example, boasts a parliament where over 50% is made up of women. According to Rachel Breslin

gender quotas. According to the Irish Government News Service, Minister Hogan has said that it is an “incentive to encourage the selection of a greater number of women candidates.... the new legislation includes a provision that political parties will face a cut of half their State political funding if they do not have at least 30% women and 30% men candidates at the next General election. This will then rise to 40% after 7 years. This initiative is a groundbreaking political opportunity to incentivize a shift towards gender balance in Irish politics. I have received legal

hard work: If you work for it, you'll earn it and achieve and I don't worry ever about my sex holding me back. However she too has received backlash over being a women in power:”I have met people in UCD and outside who have treated me differently because I'm a girl. These people are in the minority though.” Ciara Johnson,Gender Equality Officer at UCD thinks slightly differently about gender quotas-”I think the rationale behind gender quotas in politics is very well meaning – it aims to increase female representation, to add another perspective to political argument, to add balance to decision making etc. I fully agree that there is a dearth of women in Irish politics and we need to strive to change this, I am just not fully convinced that gender quotas are the best possible way.” On one hand it is excellent to have so many female leaders, but we do need to strike a balance. Gender Equality Officer Ciara Johnston agrees, “It is extremely important to have a balance of male and female leaders in the University. Both genders bring different perspectives and experiences to the table and it is vital that both are represented in UCD so that our policies reflect the wide diversity of life experiences of our student body.” Ciara believes it should be further examined why women are not in politics. Are we raised from a young age to be told that its a “man's Job” or, as James Brown

Irish Woman Firsts Mary Ryan: First Irish female professor. Appointed Professor of Romance Languages at Cork in 1910.

Constance Georgine, Countess Markievicz: First Irish woman to be elected to Parliament in 1918.

Meave Kyle: First female Olympic athlete to represent Ireland. She ran the 100 and 200 meters at the 1956 Games in Melbourne.

“I fully agree that there is a dearth of women in Irish politics and we need to strive to change this, I am just not fully convinced that gender quotas are the best possible way” advice in respect of these intended provisions and don’t envisage any constitutional difficulties arising.” This would put extreme pressure on political parties to put forward women candidates, or lose a lot of funding. Could gender quotas be the answer? Rachel Breslin is against the idea, even though she is the first Female president since 1999 - “I think that, to be truly equal, women have to reach the top positions without any sort of procedural or technical interventions”. She believes it should be more based on

put it “This is a Man's World?” Are we lacking national powerful women figures? We still haven't seen a female president of the United States, and it looks like we won't until -at earliest- the next election after this one. Johnston has begun work on a gender equality report which will investigate the ratio of male to female students in UCD and examine the gender differences for each faculty. It will also examine the gender of all elected Union representatives and draw comparisons between the faculties and their reps.

Mary Robinson: First woman to become president of Ireland in 1990.

Mary Harney: First woman to lead an Irish political party when she became leader of the Progressive Democrats in 1993.

Katie Taylor: Frist Irish woman to represent Ireland in Olympic boxing in 2012.

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE

25th September 2012

FEATURES

Condoms – the solution or the problem? Laura Cullen analyses contraceptive culture and its place within UCD

s troops of fresh faced first year students trundle through the gates of UCD, the atmosphere around campus is one of excitement, anticipation and potential. Many of these first year students have taken on the arduous struggle of the Irish Leaving Cert and have successfully come out the other end. Their hopes are unbounded as they try to digest such a vast new step in their lives – the step into University. Fresher’s week has just ended, and it is universally regarded as a wonderful week of vibrancy. Societies come out of the dark, and desperate for a higher grant this year, they try and sell themselves. Most societies offer students a goody bag with various free items in it, like pens, leaflets, t-shirts and... condoms. Yes, those small rubbers that makes life so much easier. But are the widespread availability of condoms, especially to first year’s, such a good idea? Are they really a necessary initiation into college life? And are they doing more harm then good? The amount of free condoms that are given out during Fresher's week is quite unbelievable. Undoubtedly, most students remember emptying out their first year goody bags and seeing about ten condoms, if not more, fall out. This means students are being inundated with reminders of sex. Their university hopes are quickly being warped into a cauldron in which sex is placed at the epicentre. What kind of a message is this giving first year students? How can anyone

under? The message is pretty clear. It is go out and have sex. A condom does not say ‘safe sex’ as much as it says ‘sex’! The pressure it is putting young 17 and 18 year olds under is crippling. And the message is succinct - if you are a virgin – go out and lose your virginity quick, but use a condom while you are at it. This, of coarse, is a very topical subject at the moment. Especially, with the introduction of the 'Affordable Healthcare Act' in the United States. The story of the distribution of free condoms to 12 year old students in the US School – Springfield MA, also received wide coverage. It seems as though the way to solve the problems that sex is creating is to throw condoms at people, and even children. Instead of talking to students about the pressures of sex and how all encompassing this pressure can weigh down upon an 18 year old, and alerting them to their choice when it comes to sex, UCD aims to provide free condoms to students in order to eliminate any unfortunate accidents and to essentially tell students abstinence is not really regarded. It is assumed all first year students will be having rampant sex. It also paints this erroneous picture as a right and appropriate advocacy. It is clear that the wrong problem is being focused on. If the problem of the pressures of sex as well as the disproportionate level of importance with which sex is given within university cultural life could be addressed, then students could really have more choice in the matter. Maybe then they would be in a

“A condom does not encourage either of these things. Instead, it says conform, be the same as everyone else. Do the same things and prescribe to the same values.” argue that this kind of overtly explicit message is not harmful? It is objectively telling students how they should behave on a night out. It is shoving drink under their noses and condoms into their pockets. This is their initiation into the brilliant hallmark of university life. Their first tastes of so called ‘higher education’. Many will now raise the objection of ‘Safe Sex’. What is wrong with providing first year students with free condoms if it is prompting safe sex? Surely it is better that condoms are used so pregnancies will be prevented and STI’s will not spread. Let us scrutinise that particular argument. The question must be asked – what kind of message are all these free condoms sending first year students? And what kind of pressure is it putting them

better situation to refuse a free condom that is hauled at them. At the moment unfortunately, they are not being allowed to make their own minds up. It seems as though everyone has already thought this one through, and the answer is in the bottom of your Fresher’s bag. A recent survey done by the ‘International journal of STD and AIDS’ showed that 79% of young adults entering university are not sexually active. What this means is that this 79% will feel under over-whelming amounts of pressure during Fresher's week and afterwards when condoms are being flung at them from every direction. Would it not be a better idea to distribute condoms in a particular part of campus, a place where students can purposely go to attain them if wanted. That way, they do not have to be placed in every

student’s fresher’s bag. The flippant disposal of condoms also points to a deeper societal problem. We are living in a ‘Contraceptive Culture’ at the moment. Every problem has a quick get out clause and each pestering inconvenience contains an easy escape route. It seems as though contraception is just another ‘escape route’ among the many that are blinding us to responsibility. There is always an easy way out, and a quick fix in order to shirk all responsibility. While many will disagree with this article, and will say that a university is the one place on earth where condoms are needed most urgently, the argument needs to be regarded from another angle and turned in on it-self. Perhaps the ‘hook up’ culture we have here in UCD is accentuated considerably by these little initiatives that the societies have going. Initiatives like free condoms. They provide a milieu of these to first year students and then pioneer campaigns about how dangerous the hook up culture on campus is becoming. There is an innate contradiction there. We are telling students to be careful of STI’s yet condoms are only 80% effective against these. Freshers Week places a superfluous emphasis on sex. A university as big and vast as UCD will undoubtedly place an enormous amount of pressure on students as it is. Let’s not place any more pressure on them than what is necessary. Each student grows into his or her own university experience, and each student will have a unique path to follow. For some, obtaining a hand- full of free condoms is exactly what they are looking for. But for others, it may present itself as a pressure.

First year students are impressionable and easily lead. These statements are not meant to be derogatory or condescending, but it is the truth. It seems as though this vulnerability is being exploited cynically. The early influences a university has on a student can be lasting and can endure. If these first influences are all centred on sex, the whole university experience, or at least the social side of it, will thus be centred on sex. To sum up, this article would like to ask the question - are the free condoms so widely available during Fresher's week really an inspiring start to a students university life? Is a university not a place where creativity should be encouraged and uniqueness embraced? A condom does not encourage either of these things. Instead, it says conform, be the same as everyone else. Do the same things and prescribe to the same values. For a first year student these messages can be very memorable. Instead of instilling the idea of sex into their minds, perhaps more ambitious ideas like creativity, challenging the norms, and broadening their horizons should be propagated. Instead of reminders of sex, shouldn’t students be told that a university can be a wonderful environment where change can be achieved, new viewpoints ignited, where the status quo can be challenged, where each student has the unbridled opportunity to discover who they are as people and who they want to be. It is a place where dreams and lofty ambitions are cultivated. The slogan of UCD is ‘ad astra’ and this means ‘to the stars’. One would like to think, as Ireland’s leading university, perhaps we could think more innovatively and try and emanate this slogan in a more imaginative way than handing out free condoms.

SCIENCE

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE 25th September 2012

Shrinking materials Christopher Aherne investigates the impact of the development of nanotechnology

f you ever find yourself in the city centre with some time to spare, I might dare to recommend a walk down Pearse Street where you can find a small gallery with big ideas. The Science Gallery, “a place where ideas meet opinions and collide”, located just inside Trinity College (thankfully not too far past the gates) is a modern, open plan building which since its opening in 2008 has housed some of Dublin’s quirkiest and most exciting exhibitions. From the “Crochet Coral Reef”, an entire study on these ecosystems through examples made of wool, to “Love Lab: The Science of Desire” the Science Gallery has seen its fair share of eccentric science.

“This is science on a tiny scale and as a result, its influence pervades, ranging to cover everything from electronics to medicines.” Their current exhibition focuses on the world of nanotechnology, an area of massive interest in modern science. Nanotechnology, as I recently learned, deals with materials on a scale from 1 to 100 nanometres. To put that into perspective, a human hair is 100,000 nanometres thick. This is science on a tiny scale and as a result, its influence pervades, ranging to cover everything from electronics to medicines. Nanotechnology is involved everywhere in modern products: whether it be sun cream to your mobile phone, look and you will discover that nanotechnology has a played a part in its creation. Nanotechnology involves modifying structures on an atomic level. When you are able

to operate and experiment on this small a level it creates an almost endless list of possibilities. It is now possible to create materials with extraordinary dynamics, from extremely light and strong materials to designing actual human tissues to be used in medical procedures. While Nanotechnology is mostly a modern science, ancient civilisations were using its products while the elements were still thought to be earth, wind, fire and water. The Damascans were master craftsmen whose swords were known to be stronger and sharper than any other. While they achieved this through trial and error it was the molecular structure of the metals they mixed for their swords at an atomic level, which gave their swords the reputation. The ideas that led to Nanotechnology as it is now known were born in 1959 when Richard Feyman introduced the idea of machines which could function at an atomic level. While it was a massive announcement and well ahead of its time, there was already proof of the existence of such devices. Although machines that operate on such a small level may seem quite eccentric, they had already existed in nature for a long, long time. The living world is packed with machines that function on this scale routinely with enormous efficiency. Be it from chloroplasts in plant cells creating food from light, to ribosomes building proteins at an astronomic rate in all cells, nano-machines have existed since the beginning of life and the idea that scientists could create machines on a par with these was a revolutionary idea. The field then went into hiding, and was heard of only lurking on the pages of science fiction novels until the 1980’s when the tools needed for exploring this new world were developed and the field of nanotechnology was officially created. Nanotechnology is an exciting and fast moving field, creating materials which wouldn’t have seemed possible 10 years ago. This is proved by a quick walk through the exhibits on show at the science gallery. One

of the more eye catching exhibits is the next revolutionary concept phone called the Nokia Morph. Due for release in 2015, the Morph phone hopes to use nanotechnology’s latest advances to create a phone which is both flexible and transparent while maintaining all the mod cons of an everyday phone. If you thought the Iphone had created an intolerable bunch, the Nokia morph will create a new breed. Designed to be worn around the wrist the morph would be a foldable device which can adapt in size and shape for whatever function the user needs it for. It is also believed that the phone itself will function as a form of solar cell and so charge when in sunlight. This phone is a great example of what nanotechnology is capable of but it only scratches the surface. A great interactive exhibit at the gallery and one of the pinnacles of nanotechnology are molecules called carbon nanotubules. These strange molecules are tubes of carbon which are 50-100 times stronger than steel at only a quarter of steel’s density. This discovery has aerospace engineers massively excited as it creates a huge broadening of the range of craft they can develop. One of the more prominent ideas is the creation of a space elevator, which as science fiction based as it sounds, has been receiving a massive amount of attention recently, especially now that it is possible to create these lighter and stronger materials which are necessary for such structures. While the possibilities of discoveries in this area are great, there have been some reservations as to the morality of such discoveries and to the legislation regulating this

new nano-world. Arguments from the effects of nano-particles in modern day products haven’t been fully tested, to the potential nano-science creates for new biological weapons are all valid and so far have not been fully dealt with by any government or the scientific community as a whole. As many critics have observed the time for the conversation on the regulation of nanotechnology should be now and not when the science has gone too far to be regulated, examples like the global presence of nuclear weapons is a clear example of failed regulation. The debate on regulating

“The time for the conversation on the regulation of nanotechnology should be now.” this new science should be now and not before the science goes too far. Regardless Nanotechnology has become a huge sector in Ireland, in 2008 it was estimated that nanotechnology products made up to 10% of the €150 billion Ireland made in exports that year. UCD have made moves to take their cut of this market with the opening of NTERA ltd. in 1997, a company which creates interactive packaging through nanotechnology advances. Whatever results from nanotechnology it is most definitely going to be an ever more present in our day-to-day lives. http://sciencegallery.com/

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE

11th September 2012

FEATURES

Make an impact, change a life UCD Volunteers Overseas continued their work in Haiti, Nicaragua, South India, Delhi and Tanzania over the last year. Kate O'Donnell discusses the impact made during these projects.

his summer over 100 UCD students, alumni and staff volunteered in five different parts of the world: Haiti, Nicaragua, South India, Delhi and Tanzania, with UCD Volunteers Overseas (UCDVO). This year is UCDVO’s 10 year anniversary. Each project lasted four weeks and was centered around the main goal of community development. Within the projects the goal was pursued either through teaching English and other skills such as computer literacy and construction, or health education workshops mainly focused on HIV/AIDs. A major part of UCDVO’s ethos is a close connection with local partners and local people, therefore each project is based around the requirements and recommendations of the local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). In each of these 5 places across the world there are undoubted structural barriers to development. But as we, who have volunteered with VO, have learned it is not a case of utter destitution with no hope or possibil-

"You may live in an imperfect world but the frontiers are not closed and the doors are not all shut." ity for progress. We all met amazing people who are working with a concentrated vision aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty; and although our work is only a small element of this, I believe it is a contribution of value. In Delhi, our volunteers worked alongside local Indian volunteers inside the cities slums. They concentrated on three main areas: education, construction and physiotherapy. During the Nicaraguan project the UCD volunteers took part in teaching and construction projects and in Haiti similar projects were organised, along with the development of infrastructure such as flood prevention walls. When our volunteers go to Vijayawada in India they live in an orphanage for children who have been either orphaned or abandoned due to HIV/AIDs and extreme poverty. They teach, work in youth clubs and organise local awareness-raising campaigns. The final project is in Tanzania and focuses on incorporating computers into the education system. I took part in this project. A very important part of UCDVO is sustainability. Therefore at each project we, along with our local partners, decide on projects which build on the previous’ years efforts. The local NGOs play invaluable an role in UCDVO’s work, as they ensure that the schools, orphanages, local health providers and shelters are committed and have a vision

for the future and for their people, but also that the work we carry out is beneficial and necessary. They provide drive and direction. From my time in Tanzania, my highlight was seeing the impact of our work in the school. It is clear that our work is a small element within the overall movement towards the emancipation of people from poverty and the creation of a more equal world. As a result there were times when many of us felt somewhat helpless in the face of the enormity of the task and goal and the fact that there is so much to do. We could only focus on very particular areas, but, by the end of our project I think most of us felt that, through computer literacy and improved English skills, many of the people we worked with may have a better chance in the future; I also hope that through our friendship and interaction both we, as Irish people, and the Tanzanian people we met have developed a better attitude and understanding of the wider world and the challenges that face us. Little things can make huge differences to the individual. Some of the main achievements of our time in Tanzania were that 80 computers were installed between three new schools, and 20 added to schools from previous years’ projects, giving entirely new populations access to computers for the first time. We also held refresher courses for more than 30 teachers from past UCDVO schools, enabling the sustainability aspect of the project to gain momentum. The experience I had in Tanzania with UCDVO was unforgettable and I would encourage others to consider applying to volunteer with UCDVO. Not only are you working to make a difference and learning about the world, but you also make some great friends along the way. It is a great opportunity to work with people who share your outlook on the world and the challenges which are posed during the projects, result in teams returning to Ireland even closer and more motivated to stay involved. "You may live in an imperfect world but the frontiers are not closed and the doors are not all shut." This quote by Maxwell Maltz describes the feeling I took from volunteering through UCDVO. Not only do you experience the huge challenges which many people face, but also that it is possible to play your part in making the world more equal. UCD Chaplain Father Tony Coote set up UCDVO to give students a chance to contribute to a wider community overseas. From my time away it is clear to me that our work with UCDVO is beneficial to the communities in which we work; yet it cannot be denied that there is a huge benefit for the volunteers too. Applications open on the 24th September 2012 and close on the 8th October 2012. Website: "http://www.ucdvo.org/ Facebook: UCD Volunteers Overseas

10 TRAVEL

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE 25th September 2012

Copenhagen - don’t be afraid Couchsurfing reveals itself to Michael Phoenix in Denmark’s capital city

aulí was awkward. Often it takes a while to figure out a persons characteristics, but awkwardness is an exception, it’s worn like a colour. We met him at a cafe in the heart of Denmark. He saw us and we saw him, it was obvious and as that moment of recognition was born he put his head down, walked clean past us and on for about twenty paces, then stopped, held his back to us for a moment, then spun round like a wound up top, and grinned. We waved out to him and in reply he threw his head back first, then forward, leant his eyes towards us across the distance, threw a pale hand up at the air, and shook it furiously. Our first ever couchsurfing host. Adorned with with the geekish flair of a 12-year old comic book explorer. He our stranger for the weekend, we his. Couchsurfing began as an experiment and has continued as such through the eight

"If it is it is an incentive of a different deﬁnition: there are no winners or losers here, instead there is a balance." years of its existence. Within that time it has changed from a not-for-profit to a for-profit company sparking ethical revolts among its most loyal users; faced and withstood and defeated heinous propaganda in its early days and still now; dealt with the demands of accelerated growth and exploding popularity; survived irrevocable data loss that threatened the entire project with the falling of a fatal blow; and mourned one sad incident in a cold English town that contradicted everything couchsurfing is about. Its self professed goal is to create inspiring experiences. Paulí shifted his feet nervously and filled the space between us with his own rapid fire version of perfect english. We smiled and replied and searched around us for conductors as the subway reached its destination. Free riding on the metro should be neither recommended or frowned upon, it is as foolish as it is defiant. The glass doors parted silently and Copenhagen air rushed. Denmark’s capital is a slow explosion that pulls you in until you seem part of its evolving action. It’s full of cobbles and bars mixed as cafés and crowds surging quietly. Each district is different; most are beautiful. By 2015, municipal policy dictates

that all Copenhagen citizens must be able to reach a park or beach by foot in less than 15 minutes - like much of northern Europe, things are done differently. We spent three nights at Paulí’s as we explored the city. He wasn’t a local, but he was close. As he told us, he was born in Greenland, but Denmark was his home. We arrived at his apartment. Couchsurfing opens doors. Paulí disappeared into the kitchen and we heard him pull at the fridge to widen its window; grabbed at bottles clinked then and there was a bang amongst a frame as something slammed shut. He returned and placed three cold local beers before us, we cracked open and held up for a toast to all being here tonight as everything relaxed. We were to have the double bed, he was going to take the couch. He was a good person, like every couchsurfer I’ve come across. The concept and reasoning is simple. One of the most significant barriers to traveling are expenses. One of the main reasons why it is so expensive are accommodation costs. Despite its recent change to a ‘for-profit’ company, there are essentially no fees in couchsurfing. People offer up their couch or bed or mattress or floor, for free. There is a prevalent modern assumption that people must have an incentive for doing something, that the selfless act is a fallacy. The belief that this is not the case, which is held amongst couchsurfers, creates a pre existing thread between host and surfer upon which the relationship is based. This grounding allows couchsurfing to work; it allows you to engage with a new culture in your living room; it allows you to express your own culture. It could be said that this is the incentive, but if it is it is an incentive of a different definition: there are no winners or losers here, instead there is a balance. Couchsurfers are a minority, but within that minority the belief is held that there is something very valuable within the very act of offering, as it may appear, something for nothing. I stirred the pasta whilst she worked on the sauce, Paulí was singing in the living room. Big foreign operatic words. I set the table and she served the food. The three of us sat down with the open window selling us the sounds of Copenhagen streets. She jumped up and to the fridge for the forgotten bottle. In a second there are glasses and a smell and the sound of pouring. During t h e

days Paulí gave us space, and in that we all grew more comfortable and so when we came together again in the evenings it was with racing plans for the night ahead, and with

"there is something very valuable within the very act of offering, as it may appear, something for nothing." stories of mad places in our lives we would each describe for ears that had never heard that sort before. It seemed like the whole of the city was there on that street. An endless snaking weave of bodies pressed in every direction between crackling open door bars and pseudo-shut up blockaded hotels. Crazy danish slang mixed with fever pitch youth tourism amongst the shattering down of beer bottles and the absolute ease

of it all. Paulí guided us along grinning that same grin he had met us with. He knew it all as normal, as a Copenhagen saturday night, and he knew that for us it was all but that. Within the frenzy he stuck out a hand and signaled to the right toward wide unforgettable doors that towered. We followed him through them - couchsurfers trust. There was a long posh hotel after midnight type of corridor and at the end a much smaller set of doors. We went through and Copenhagen’s furious raging underbelly stood before us. It was every brilliant bit of the rampant street condensed and shining. There was music and movement and echoing closeness that fitted us into its jigsaw as if we were natural pieces all along. Paulí is welcome in Ireland any time. Couchsurfing represents a unique form of organic innovation. What it does, in actuality, is much more than provide an accommodation service, rather, it reinvents the web of travel. In its most ordinary cases, couchsurfing allows you to go beyond visiting a city; in its best cases it drags you within it and sets you cascading in unreal bounces between its boundaries.

STATISICS

No. of Couchsurfers: 4.8 millions Active cities: 93,355 Average Couchsurfer Age: 28 Couchsurfers in Ireland: Around 17 000 www.couchsurﬁng.org

11 Poetry

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE

25th September 2012

Page 11

After Kansinsky

Chicken Run

Untitled

Lines, circles, squares, tableaux, Interconnected, Unconnected; Extreme light Dancing across imaginary boundaries And intersecting with luminous heartfelt splodges; Mysterious intergalactic shifts of natural rhythms Forged into a new dawn backwards Through incoherent spaces; Burning blue violets In a wave of overwhelming darkness that circles And hovers unconditionally over a rumbling facade; Remarkable escapades in learning, in unlearning, Dripping in a haphazard manner Into pools of strange metals; Weighted deftness Slipping intermittently between gauges, Lofted and dropped in broken parameters - outside; Deja vu angles Crossed with diverse riddles in a precise manner, Overlapping and underlapping; Reduced masses of compressed air Redirected through prisms of white heat Evaporating in black circles; Patterned nowheres Gliding fabulously, effortlessly, past hoops of wild fire, Reddened with the knowledge of birth; Untouched vertical lines Fight for position With parallel right angles.

Discovering more and more who I am what makes me tick

Wandering through jagged trees: Twisted, angular, wound like corkscrews and Beautiful. Weaving through the cold air Jagged in your throat. A curl of fingers in the sleeves of a coat, and a bird, Lonely, Flits, and flits again, Searching for an ease of Conscious living. Survives.

Reading to expand and breathing to calm a thundering heart still wary of strangers But I do not want that half-gasp watchful life To realise I am scared of what? to realise I am scared but I do not have to be Fear’s all in the mind As Mr. Tweedy from Chicken Run was always reminded “It’s all in your head” (even though he was wrong) JH

Michael Donohue

Father Every now and again I dream about my father. We walk up tall hills and down deep valleys, through forests and fields which cover the earth like skin. The air is cold, stingy and I can see our breath turn to steam as it escapes our mouths, and then rise in clouds, up, above our heads, through the tangled limbs of trees. We rest, and through an opening we see the glow of settlement. Why do the Dublin city lights flicker, Dad? I don’t know. I’ve never been. Again we go and as we walk we do not speak, and when we happen to speak we do not talk. We are cowards, him and I. The leaves aren’t afraid and when they die under our big black boots they do not scream. They murmur stories of the fresh spring winds and the pleasant sun to which they were born, the innocence and the joy. The summer which came after, oh how pleasant! Full of energy, animated, yes, by a gentle breeze, yes,

they whisper. The leaves do not tell of Autumn. It is too sad. Their energy fills me. I channel their courage now. I can see the lights out my window, Dad. Sometimes I look out and I think of that Christmas when you told me to look up at the moon and the stars, do you remember, Dad? You said our gaze would cross, because eyes see further than the feet can bring, but I couldn’t see any stars that night, Dad, and the moon was hiding too. So I looked at the city lights, Dad, and they flickered just like that, but I knew you couldn’t see them, so was that good enough Dad? Was that good enough? Most of the time I wake up before he answers and that is a good thing.

Dewdrops like beaded crystals Are strewn among the hoary frosts. Wait, quivering and terrified To be bound in the encroaching Mass of stillness. Their quivering slowed, their eyes lethargic, To wait once more For the release of photons, A transfer of energy And a re-instilled fear of Confinement. I stomp through Taking pictures, Avoiding the frosts for the sake of my toes. Champing and steaming, Releasing frost bait And unaware of that symmetry. The fragile tank of air, Our reserve, stirs fretfully As I photograph my mother. Turned away, her arms outstretched; A scarecrow with nothing to scare, Embracing the tank That stirs fretfully. I watch as she grows smaller Through my lens, Trees either side growing, Aspiring upwards. Draped in signs of the Purity of the air That stirs fretfully. Maybe I should not be there. Maybe I should not be here, Disturbing the air Already disturbed By a child, Curious, Making ripples in a goldfish bowl. I look to calm with my camera; To create stillness with a frame. To capture a moment Between two movements Or to show what would otherwise not be seen By those who are not me. Liv Carrington

Amadeusz Kepinski

Blur Play me some feverish music and kiss me oh-so-sweetly; Rolling waves of subtle sensuousness. A flurry of staccato pulse beats and hot soft lips.

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BUSINESS

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE 25th September 2012

Turbulent Future for Aer Lingus Eoin Callaghan

Deputy News Editor: Thomas Cullen News In Focus Editor: Dawn Lonergan Features Editor: Michael Phoenix features@collegetribune.ie Turbine Editor: Candi Wilde

cludes routes that are operated solely by Aer Lingus and Ryanair. Unconfirmed reports suggest that both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are the main players in the remedy package, with a specific interest in acquiring Aer Lingus’s valuable slots at Heathrow. It would seem sensible for Ryanair to sell these high value routes should the takeover go ahead, as the higher costs associated with operating into Heathrow would encourage the budget airline to focus on its routes into Stanstead and Gatwick. Indeed, Ryanair clarified last week that they are looking at taking a stake in a new proposed operator for Stanstead airport, solidifying further their commitment to this European hub. It is unlikely that Ryanair will pursue another takeover bid should the Commission rule against them once again. O’Leary has hinted that the airline may sell its 30% share in Aer Lingus to some financial institutions

if an unfavourable ruling is laid down. This will certainly leave the shamrock emblem open to international players. Not only will Ryanair be looking to sell 30%, the Irish Government are looking at selling the 25% share it still owns following privatisation a number of years ago. These are significant portions to be sold in single tranches, which gives credibility to Michael O’Leary’s forecast of Aer Lingus being broken up. Etihad expressed an interest last month in relieving Ryanair of its stake in Aer Lingus, as it looks to expand internationally by acquiring relatively smaller operators. Such a larger player as Etihad could potentially end up with a 55% controlling interest. In order to maximize the return on their investment, it is very likely they will strip the Aer Lingus routes down – retaining the most profitable ones while selling off the others. In either case, whether Ryanair is successful or not, a significant shake-up is in store for the former state carrier.

Budget uncertainty reduces confidence Niall Conroy

Irish Editor: Cormac Breathnach Daire Brennan Sports Editors: Conall Devlin Amy Eustace sport@collegetribune.ie Chief Writer: Sarah Doran sarah@collegetribune.ie

The Siren Music Editor: Ciaran Breslin music@collegetribune.ie Fashion Editor: Róisín Sweeney fashion@collegetribune.ie Arts Editor: Conor Fox arts@collegetribune.ie

Regulars Designer: Cheryl Flood design@collegetribune.ie

ndoubtedly the focus of Governments and macroeconomists alike is on the upcoming budget. Understandably, there is quite a large amount of media speculation on what cuts and tax hikes will be introduced. Given that all of this is about things that will affect people negatively e.g. paying a property tax, losing free travel etc. people are naturally filled with anxiety and fear about what will happen to them on 5th December. People’s expectations for the future are revised downwards and people start spending less and saving more (when possible). This fear of the next and future budgets can help to explain why savings rate have rocketed recently (now 15% of disposable income). This uncertainty or fear of the next budget also extends to firms who have heard rumours about paying for sick pay and changes to PSRI contributions. Naturally firms are going to be a little cagey about investing in Ireland if they believe the budget has some nasty surprises for them. This has some implications about the pace at which the deficit should be reduced. To eliminate uncertainty in the country you could decide to eliminate the deficit pretty much straight away (as advocated by Prof Morgan Kelly). This would mean a huge adjustment (circa €17bn) in one single budget. This would be

Editors: Cathal O'Gara James Grannell editor@collegetribune.ie News Editor: James Grannell news@collegetribune.ie

Mergers & Acquisitions According to Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary, a number of large international airlines have expressed interest in operating routes currently serviced by the former state carrier, Aer Lingus. Speaking following his airline’s AGM last week, O’Leary said he would be happy to dump a number of routes currently operated by Aer Lingus in order to secure his coveted take-over. In June Ryanair offered to pay €694million for the remaining 71% of Aer Lingus Shares which it did not already own, representing a 38% premium on the quoted price of these shares at the time. The budget carrier had previously made two cash for shares offers at an even higher price. However, the European Commission launched an inquiry into the latest offer, on the grounds that merging the two Irish carriers would restrict competition. Aer Lingus say they expect the Commission’s ruling in mid-January will not allow the takeover to go ahead. The board issued a letter to it’s shareholders following the offer, instructing them not to sell their shares. The Irish flag-carrier say that they now operate an even larger number of routes in competition with Ryanair than when the Commission last rejected a similar takeover bid, which leads them to expect a similar blocking again. In a move to assure regulators, Ryanair have begun discussions to package up Aer Lingus routes and sell them to a number of international operators. "They have said that they want to take up the packages of the routes and flights and traffic that we have laid on the table. None of them can formally commit until they sit down and discuss it with the European Commission," O’Leary said last week following the AGM. This remedy package in-

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

Contributors List

politically difficult to say the least, however it would restore some consumer confidence as they know that the next budget will not have too much for them to fear. You wouldn’t have the persistent speculation and kite flying in the lead up to budget time and the anxiety that fills people with. Coming up with such a huge level of savings immediately would certainly be difficult, in fact impossible with the three current constraints the Government has imposed on it-

self (Public sector pay, Social welfare rates and Income tax rates). Finding these levels of savings immediately would be politically unpalatable and would have a negative effect on incomes and unemployment (at least in the short term), but a slower adjustment may lead to a death by a thousand cuts over a long period of time as people are constantly living in fear of the next round of cuts and tax hikes.

Chris Becton, Kathryn Toolan, Lisa Gorry, Peter Hamilton, Sinead Slattery, Niamh Kelly, Lauren Tracey, Joseph Gallagher, Stephen West, Eoin Callaghan, Thomas Hobbs, Niall Conroy, Michael Donohoe, Liv Currington, Amadeusz Kepinski, Elizabeth Coote, Kate O' Donnell, Christopher Aherne, Laura Cullen, Ronan Coveney, Ciarán Carey, Anthony Strogen, Shane O' hAonghusa,

Hi Everyone,

It’s great to get back in the swing of things and have students back on campus. Last week I worked on the bar and trying to ﬁnd a resolution to its ﬁnancial crisis, planning our campaign strategies for the Library, Student Assistance Fund and against the use of cameras in Residents’ homes, the class rep campaign and lots of other things involved in the day-to-day running of the SU. I’ll be continuing work on all of these this week and so you can expect some updates and action over the coming days and weeks. Hopefully Donegal will have taken Sam back home by the time you read this! See you around,

Rach

Hi Guys.

I’m still not used to walking along a busy concourse after the quiet summer but it’s so great to see all the students back. For the last week I’ve been working on trying to have the library reopen on Sundays and I’ve a campaign in place to ensure we get our Sundays back. I’m also working hard to see that the 24 hour study area in the new Student Centre comes into effect. With no Sunday library this is even more important.

On a lighter note, I’m trying something different by setting up an SU Book Club, more details to follow. Also there was a great turnout for UCR nominations and good luck in your upcoming elections! As always email education@ ucdsu.ie if you’ve any issues!

Shane

Hey all!

Hope you’re settling in well and don’t hesitate to pop into me if you’re not! Make sure you email welfarecrew@ucdsu. ie if you’re interested in getting involved with UCD’s most progressive crew striving for social change. Next week is LGBT ally week, where people are encouraged to become allies of the LGBT cause 1st– 5th Oct! And the week after is mental health week 8th–12th Oct. We’re bringing in Suicide Awareness for Everyone (SAFE Talk) training. If you’re interested in the training and helping make UCD a safe space to talk about suicide then email welfare@ucdss.ie. Grá,

Mícheál How’s it going?

It’s been a busy couple of weeks on the Ents front. DJ Rankin on Black Monday followed by the sold out Freshers Ball, I was working like mad but chuffed that they both went well! There’s a big week ahead with the mystery tour taking place this Wednesday. Places are limited and tickets are ﬂying out so make sure to grab yours fast. They’re available online at www.ucdents.com or in all SU Shops. It's gonna be a long day of debauchery and anything could happen so don't forget to pack your passport and a spare pair of socks! Chat to ye soon!

Heffo

Hey everyone, It’s been a mad couple of weeks but it’s nice to see students back and all the eager ﬁrst years around too. I’ve been focused mainly on the UCR campaign and we got record breaking numbers of nominations so I’m delighted. I’ve been working on Pink Day with the Gender Equality Coordinator, Healthy Eating week, Res Week and forming the Campaigns crew as well so send me an email campaigns@ ucdsu.ie in you want to get involved. I’ll see you around campus at some stage. Talk later!

Paddy

It’s Satire, STUPID!

INSIDE "Luas collision results in Hamilton rushed to hospital"

"Suicide awareness day results in mass suicide"

"Leprechaun musueum suffering from staff shortage"

"Jokes about German sausages are the 'wurst'"

"3D porn resulting in many ‘accidental rape’ incidents'"

"Bowling Alley goes on strike'"

Ph ot

Chairman Brady has big plans.

CD are set to curb academic freedom in order to bring the Belfield campus into line with its new International College in Beijing. It has recently come to light that the management of UCD under Chairman Brady have sought advice from the Chinese political regime regarding the renegotiation of academic contracts for its staff in Belfield. In an aim to appease the Chinese Communist Party, UCD have embarked on a radical restructuring of the Dublin based university. Changes include the weakening of any notions of academic freedom among professors, lectures and students in the university coupled with a crackdown of free press on campus. It is understood that those who attempt to speak out against these changes will be sent to a re-education through labour camp that is currently under construction

in front of the Engineering building. The camp will house dissident academics and students who dare speak against the party line and is set for completion in the next month. Meanwhile, student-run societies have been rounded up and imprisoned behind locked doors in the new Student Centre. This ambitious move will mean that students will find it harder to organise and communicate with the wider campus thus ensuring there is no Belfield version of the Tiananmen Square protests on campus. The success of UCD’s venture with the Chinese government has resulted in interest from other despotic regimes around the globe that would also like to go into partnership with university. The North Korean Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un, has voiced his interest in developing a closer partnership with Chairman Brady and his university. In return , UCD

o Of

The W eek 2

are reported to be very excited about the potential a North Korean campus could provide in cheap labour and foreign investment. Talks concerning the founding of a Kim Jong-il memorial academy on the

Belfield campus are under way in what has been described as a greater appreciation of the cultural and political similarities between the two regimes.

features@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE

REGULARS

25th September 2012

The Warm Welcome has been given. Now the work begins Elizabeth Coote

incere thanks to all who read my last article. I have been asked by the College Tribune to write again as they believe I have memories of UCD that I should share with current students. It is only fair to begin with a little bit of background to my place within the college. I have known every inch of the grounds of what is now UCD since I was a small child. I lived in Donnybrook and my family worked on the many estates that later became the university. I grew up playing in the fields that would later become the college. At the time I did not get a third level education, instead I emigrated with no qualifications to the UK where I was lucky to get employment and able to develop my skills through hard work and common sense. I worked in London Savings Bank, Sloane Square Telephone Exchange, an accountancy firm, and finally Shipping Co.

in Mincing Lane. I then married my husband, had my children and settled to family life. In 1971-1972 tragedy struck my family in Ireland and my husband and I returned to help rear my brother and sister-inlaw’s children, as their parents had died within 5 months of each other. On our return to Ireland in 1973 there was very little work and the Troubles in Northern Ireland were at their height. My English born husband was so lucky to get work on the security staff in Belfield and shortly afterwards I was employed as a part time telephonist working in University College Dublin Earlsfort Tce, Merrion Street, as well as the new campus of Belfield. At the time I had young children and was unable to take full time employment when it was offered to me by the University. However, I saw an advertisement for part time employment in the Students’ Union Shop in the Belfield campus; I ap-

plied and was given employment by the students and remained in their employment from 1973/4 till 2003. I managed the shops with the help of a fantastic UCD employed administrator, the Students’ Union President and officers, the staff employed in the shops, office and copy bureau staff - my success came with all of their support. The College authorities were supportive by having their administrator control the day-to-day running of the SU and there was accountability at the end of each year. This gave employees such as me much greater security, as each year the President of SU was re-elected and a new employer was put in place. Controlling the finances was of the utmost importance, both for the employees and students elected to the SU. The SU represents all students and I felt that I was employed by all the students of UCD. I retired 2003, leaving the shops in sound and strong

financial position. Like a ‘bad penny’ however I turned up again at the gates. This time I had acquired a place in first Arts, so began my education in the college I love. I was 68 years of age when I returned in 2008. It was a life long ambition for me to see if I could achieve my dream of a university education. I did reach that wonderful dream, I have my BA and HDip under my belt and the hunger to continue is still within me at the age of 72. What a wonderful life. With all that off my chest, I want to give you as much encouragement as I can. You are now in the third week of your studies. You are, I hope, settling down and attending your lectures and tutorials. The system is very different to school and everything is in your hands. The modules you have picked, I hope, will be the ones that will best suit you. You can change your courses, however my advice is to give your-

self a chance to settle down before you drop anything. Remember that each lecturer has their own style, but they are imparting their knowledge to you and you must decipher it yourself. Tutorials are fantastic and the staff teaching these classes are all so good and willing to go the extra mile to help you. Keep in mind if this ‘old lady’ who is sometimes called a ‘mad old dear’ by those who don’t know her, who fights for students and workers rights, can achieve her goal, it will be a doddle for you. Till next time, good luck, work hard and keep in mind how wonderful it will be to have your degree at the end of all the work. Make sure you relax, enjoy your student days and please encourage your fellow students to read the College Tribune newspaper; it is after all the best paper on campus.

Overheard in the College Tribune ofﬁce

Cathal - "I don't know, Cork; It's the real capital city." Cheryl - "A woman wrote that article right?" James - "Yes" Cheryl - "Of course it was..." Cheryl - "The College Tribune doesn't do 'right', we do it wrong.... but FASTER!" James - "I hear a frog. That's the last thing we need right now, a frog in the house."

TRIBOKU Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.53)

2 2

8 4

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1 7

goldfishgraveyard.wordpress.com

2 9

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Fri Sep 21 14:26:22 2012 GMT. Enjoy!

16 GAEILGE

gaelige@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE 25th September 2012

Fanann Tom: Fear an Ghutha Ghairbhéil Irish Editor

ugadh Tom Waits, dar leis, i gcúl tacsaí i gCalifornia sa bhliain 1949. Deir sé gur tháinig sé amach, bearradh de dhíth air, is dúirt leis an tiománaí é a thabhairt go Times Square. Dóibh siúd a bhfuil cur amach acu ar phearsantacht éalárnach Waits ní bheadh ionadh orthu sin a chloisteáil; roinnt acu chreidfidís é! Turas fada atá taobh thiar d’fhear an ghuta ghairbhéil, ní thar oíche a tháinig sé chun cinn. D’fhás sé aníos i gCalifornia ag éisteacht le Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong agus Charles Bukowski. D’fhoghlaim sé seinm an phianó leis féin agus thosaigh sé ag canadh is ag scríobh ceoil agus é fós ina dhéagóir. Tá sé ráite ag Waits an iliomad uair, go ndeachaigh filí agus scríbhneoirí na Beats, Jack Kerouac ach go háirithe, go mór i bhfeidhm air, is go raibh tionchar mór acu air agus ar a chuid ceoil. Is spéisiúil go raibh Kerouac agus a chomhghleacaithe mar ionspráid ag ár bhfilí féin, Michael Davitt agus lucht na hirise Innti sna 70aí chomh maith. Shínigh Waits lena chéad lipéad ceoil ag aois 21, agus le Asylum Records ansin ag aois 22. D’éirigh leis a chéad cheirnín, Closing Time, a eisiúnt an bhliain dar gcionn. Cé nár éirigh thar na beartha leis an iarracht seo rinne cúpla ceoltóir níos cáilúla clúdaigh ar roinnt amhráin air. Ó shin tá os cionn 23 albaim eisithe ag Waits. Tá dhá dhuais

Grammy buaite aige do na halbaim Bone Machine agus Mule Variations. D’ainmníodh é do Dhuais an Acadaimh sa bhliain 1982 mar aitheantas ar a chuid oibre ar fhuaimrian an scannáin One from the Heart, agus ar bharr sin uilig, bhain sé áit in Halla na Laoch amach sa bhliain 2011. Is deacair cur síos beacht a dhéanamh ar cheol Tom Waits. Tá guth sainiúil, spéisiúil aige a thugann dúshlán don éisteoir; ‘blas sealbhaithe’ is ea é, d’fhéadfá a rá. Is minic dó uirlisí éagsúla, neamhghnácha a úsáid. I measc na núirlisí atá úsáidte ag Waits thar na blianta tá an phíb mhór, an mhairimbe, an basún, agus an feagorgán. Is minic dó cnaguirlisí glóracha, cumhachtacha a úsáid chomh maith. An bealach is fearr chun aithne a chur ar Waits ná triail a bhaint as. Tá an t-uafás bailéad scríofa aige; cuardaigh Martha, Jersey Girl, Hold On, nó Closing Time. Má theastaíonn uait blaiseadh den aisteachas agus den éalárnacht a fháil cuardaigh Singapore, What’s He Building, nó a cheann nua Hell Broke Luce. Inseoidh aon duine de lucht leanúna Waits gur duine ansuimiúil é, chomh maith le bheith ina shár-cheoltóir. Is éasca sin a thuiscint nuair a fhéachtar ar aon agallamh leis. Is iomaí agallamh spéisiúil atá déanta aige le Letterman thar na blianta ach tá agallamh amháin a sheasann amach do gach

éinne. Chuir an láithreoir teilifíse Astrálach, Don Lane, Waits faoi agallamh sa bhliain 1979 agus deirtear gurb ón agallamh seo a bhfuair Heath Ledger a ionspráid dá ról sa scannán The Dark Knight. Bhuaigh Ledger Duais an Acadaimh agus Duais Golden Globe don léiriú seo, ceann de léirithe móra scannáin ár linne. Is deacair na cosúlachtaí idir Joker Heath Ledger agus Waits a

shéanadh san agallamh seo. Is féidir an Joker a fheiceáil go soiléir in iompar aisteach agus i gcaint Waits ann. Muna gcreideann tú mé, cuardaigh an t-agallamh ar Youtube! Cad atá i ndán do Waits amach anseo mar sin? D’eisigh sé albam nua cúpla mí ó shin dar teideal Bad As Me. Albam é seo atá níos polaitiúla ná an chuid is mó dá albaim go dtí seo, a bhfuil clár frith-

chogaíochta an cheoltóra le cloisteáil go soiléir air. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh Waits ar ais ar an mbóthar go luath chomh maith, n’fheadar an mbeidh Éire mar cheann scribe aige. Le cúnamh Dé beidh sé anseo agus molaim go mór duit ticéad a cheannach agus tumadh isteach i ndomhain aisteach, draíochtúil, áiféiseach, dorcha an fhir seo.

Shane Ó hAonghusa

mic léinn ag caitheamh t-léinte Mr Men & Little Miss an tseachtain seo le Gaeilge orthu - b’shin iad t-léinte an Chumainn! Chas muid le Ryan Tubridy chomh maith in RTÉ agus tá an grianghraf leis ag caitheamh tléinte an chumainn le feiceáil ar ár suíomh facebook: facebook.com/ CumannGaelachUCD. Bí cinnte bheith i dteagmháil linn i rith na bliana seo ar an leathanach, nó ar twitter.com/cumanng_ucd, nó ar an suíomh idirlíne cumanngaelach.ie! Mura bhfuair tú do bhallraíocht go dtí seo, ná bíodh imní ort, is féidir clárú linn ag aon cheann dár nimeachtaí i mbliana! Tá neart imeachtaí iontacha fós le teacht, an Turas Mistéireach ar an 4 Deireadh Fómhair agus an turas chuig Oireachtas na Gaeilge ach go háirithe. Is é an t-Oireachtas an deireadh seachtaine is fearr a bheidh agat ar an gcoláiste, agus is i Leitir Ceannainn a thárlóidh sé i mbliana. Is féilé é a chéiliúrann an cultúr Gaelach, agus má fhiafraíonn tú ar éinne a d’fhreastail air, deirfidh siad a rud céanna leat - níl aon rud cosúil leis.

An tseachtain seo beidh Dioscó á chur ar siúl againn i gClub Chonradh na Gaeilge ar Shráid Fhearchair. Tá an t-eolas uilig ar an leathanach Facebook agus beidh saorchead isteach roimh a 10 do bhaill an Chumainn. Coinnigh i dteagmháil linn maidir le himeachtaí a bhéas á

gcur ar siúl againn, ina measc siúd Díospóireachtaí, Rós UCD, Tóg Amach Mé, Bál na Gaeilge, Peilfield, Seó Talún, Cóisir Cásca, Bronnadh Ghradam de hÍde, agus tuilleadh imeachtaí eile. Má tá tú ag iarraidh a bheith páirteach i gCoiste na Chéad Bliana nó le Criú an Chumainn,

seol ríomhphost chuig runai@ cumanngaelach.ie le do chuid sonraí agus beidh tú i gcroílár an Chumainn. Bainigí sult as an mbliain seo romhaibh agus bígí chomh páirteach sa Chumann agus is féidir libh!

Writer

A chairde, Fáilte chuig COBÁC, bíodh sibh ag teacht thar n-ais chugainn nó ag teacht den chéad uair. Is mise Shane agus tá mé i mo Reachtaire ar an gCumann Gaelach i gCOBÁC. An sprioc atá againn sa Chumann ná teanga na Gaeilge agus an cultúr Gaelach a chur chun cinn i measc phobal na hOllscoile ins an chaoi is taitneamhaí, is spraoiúla agus is spleodraí agus ar féidir linn! Go dtí seo i mbliana d’eagraíomar céilí in Ionad Cónaithe Merville, Caifé agus Comhrá (a bheidh ar siúl gach Céadaoin ag a haon sa Seomra Caidrimh - Newman B207), agus neart imeachtaí i rith Sheachtain na bhFreisear. Bhí an draíodóir RUA linn Dé Máirt ag taifead a chlár nua ar TG4, bhí na seisiúin Trad for Trócaire ar siúl thart an champais, bhí fáiltiú in Ionad na Mac Léinn dos na baill nua, agus Oíche Chraiceáilte (agus fíor-dhéanach) i gClub Chonradh na Gaeilge (d’fhág muid ar a 6am!!). Seans maith go bhfaca sibh

sport@collegetribune.ie

COLLEGE TRIBUNE 25th September 2012

SPORT

Vettel’s Catch 22 Keeps Hamilton At Bay Thomas Hobbs Writer

he Formula 1 season entered its 14th round this weekend with the unique Marina Bay Circuit hosting the fifth successive year of the Singapore Grand Prix. It took organisers over four months to unpack and prepare the 1,600 light projectors used to illuminate the 310km glittering and futuristic street circuit which has hosted F1’s inaugural night races since 2008. With racing magnate Bernie Ecclestone having recently secured the circuit’s F1 future until 2017, observers have suggested that the Singaporean circuit could challenge the prestige of the legendary Monaco street race but drivers have yet to be convinced. The track is physically demanding: high kerbs and bumps from past seasons have been eradicated but chicanes continue to punish drivers where their attention wobbles. Lewis Hamilton also characteristically found time to moan about the heat this year so one hoped that perhaps the petite Brit would find the time to drink his weight in liquid. Hamilton, despite his ego, has in recent weeks reiterated to the world his outstanding driving ability. In a discord comparable to that

of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, the McLaren driver has seen to it that speculation has called into doubt his future with the Surreybased outfit. Like Ronaldo, Hamilton can’t expect to find a better team but he might find a better pay day at Mercedes by replacing veteran Michael Schumacher. After a record-breaking seven different winners from the opening seven races, the season has finally settled down with some consistent performances as exemplified by Championship-leading Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and more lately by closest-challenger Hamilton with two wins from the last three races. Hamilton once again headed into Sunday’s race in pole position having pipped Red Bull’s ‘disco’ helmet wearing Sebastian Vettel and Lotus’ early pace setter Romain Grosjean in qualifying. Unfortunately for McLaren, Marina Bay 2012 was a tale of two halves, the second of which Lewis Hamilton did not take part. Having led the early stages of the race ahead of Button and Vettel, Hamilton experienced a gearbox failure and lost drive in lap 22. This left dual champion Vettel with the lead

ahead of Button and Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado in the Williams. Further back, crashes and withdrawals triggered considerable traffic both on-track and pit-side. HRT’s Narain Karthikeyan has displayed some sporadic driving this year (branded an ‘idiot’ by Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner) and on this occasion perhaps found himself distracted by the unique design of the sub-grandstand tunnel as he crashed straight into the bend in it. On the bright side, the crash brought the Indian closer to his fans. Following this, Pastor Maldonado was forced to retire with a hydraulics problem having put up

an impressive fight with Alonso until lap 37. Next to leave the party was Schumacher and Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne as the former ploughed into the back of Vergne’s Toro Rosso. The seven-time world champion later blamed a deceleration restraint for the crash. With this mess out of the way, Vettel continued to lead Button by 0.7 seconds with Alonso seemingly content in third on the 44th lap with seventeen to go. The next ten laps would see the top three maintain their positions and, further back, impressive drives from Ferrari’s under-pressure Felipe Massa as well as lap record-holder Kimi Raikonnen in the other Lotus. By lap 54, race organisers switched to

time remaining leaving Vettel in a comfortable lead with roughly 10 laps to go. With three laps left and a 6.7 second cushion, Sebastian Vettel did not lose. Button and Alonso should be content with 18 and 15 points respectively while Scot Paul di Resta put in an impressive shift in the Force India, coming in a careerhigh fourth place. This triumph puts Vettel 29 points behind Alonso and 26 ahead of third-placed Raikkonen whom Lewis Hamilton now trails by 7 points. Red Bull’s advantage over McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship now stretches to 37 points.

another title. The White Sox have gone about their business efficiently and their well-rounded roster mean they are the sexy sleeper pick among pundits. The Oakland A’s will be content with securing a playoff berth and will happily enter the race with no pressure. However, the dominant story entering October is undoubtedly the Baltimore Orioles. Their wild and exciting journey to the post season has electrified the sport and sparked a fantastic reaction from their city and fan base. After decades of almost continuous futility the Orioles have a chance at

greatness. Their home run accumulating batting attack and excellent bullpen have taken them this far, but the question remains whether they can mix it with the big boys in a real dogfight. October is when legends are made, dynasties are built and infamy is gained, and the magic and folklore around the baseball postseason make it part of American culture . With no overwhelming favourite, I’ll go for the Rangers to topple the Reds in a tight World Series and finally cash in on the potential bubbling in Texas for the last few years. Let the games begin.

MLB playoff fever Anthony Strogen Writer

ith the Major League Baseball regular season hurtling towards its late September conclusion, the minds of fans are beginning to turn towards October and the glory of the play-offs. This year will be a unique experience as the new post-season format of MLB will be in use for the first time ever, with the big dance extended from 8 to 10 teams. This expansion gives extra spice to the last weeks of regulation games and adds even more volatility to an already wild ride. The National League has had one of its stranger seasons this year. Unexpected challengers have emerged, teams expected to compete have struggled and a sense of transition has prevailed overall. Out in front, the team with the most wins in all of the Majors, are the Washington Nationals. The Nats have had one of the all-time breakout seasons, with a young and hungry team fired by the dominance of their rotation and brutal consistency on offense.

Major clouds have appeared in recent weeks however over the decision to shut down pitching ace Stephen Strasbourg and how the Nats cope with the scrutiny of this move and the unfamiliarity of October baseball will decide if they convert regular season dominance into a pennant. Shadowing the Nats closely are the Cincinnati Reds, led by Joey Votto. The Reds are coming in under the radar and this may prove to be a big advantage, as their supremely talented roster will easily knock off any team not fully prepared for them. Out West, San Francisco have surged to prominence off the back of Buster Posey’s phenomenal year and the 2010 champs will be hard to beat, although their frankly horrendous bullpen could well scupper their chances. Elsewhere, the romantics in sport will be rooting for the Atlanta Braves as Chipper Jones continues his retirement/last hurrah adventure, hoping he can cap his legendary career with a ring. The defend-

ing champion Cardinals cannot be discounted either but their below par pitching make a repeat hard to see. Meanwhile in the American League it has largely been business as usual apart from one exception. The well-oiled machine of the Texas Rangers have been the pick of the AL again this year. Nothing short of a World Series win will be acceptable, and they will be hell bent on atoning for the heartbreak of the last two seasons. They have no glaring weaknesses and have the requisite experience to win it all. Indeed, you could say the only thing that might stop them is haunting tag of chokers that has been bandied about due to past failures. The Yankees, as expected, put together a season that was good, if not outstanding. They have the capability to either blow opponents away or implode. The mid-season acquisition of Ichiro Suzuki has proved a great move and solidifies their tilt at yet

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE 25th September 2012

Earned not given Donegal - 2-11 Mayo - 0-13 Conall Devlin Sports Editor

omance was well and truly alive no matter who prevailed from this year’s All Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, but as an absorbing game between Donegal and Mayo came and went, the inevitability that it was Donegal’s year and that they would realise manager Jim McGuinness’ greatest ambitions for the county was palpable as soon as captain Michael Murphy unleashed a ferocious strike beyond Mayo goalkeeper David Clarke in the second minute. For the first time since 1992, the All Ireland will be brought back to Donegal and deservedly so after the scalp of Tyrone, Down, Kerry and Cork this year on their way to Sam. It was abject misery for luckless Mayo once more, but as the scoreline of 2-11 0-13 showed, the Connaught champions showed greater character than in any previous final defeats in recent years. It was a wholly scripted victory

for Jim McGuinness’ men. Counter attack at pace through marquee men Karl Lacey, Mark McHugh and Rory Kavanagh, kick the ball long to the elusive Colm McFadden and the aforementioned Murphy, and protect the house through Neil McGee, Frank McGlynn and whoever else it took. Mayo got their marking wrong in their full back line in the first 15 minutes, with Murphy dominant against corner back Kevin Keane. The favourites raced into a 2-1 0-0 lead, the second goal coming from McFadden, and were crisper to the ball in the opening exchanges and ruthless when opportunities presented themselves. For Mayo fans, it was a case of déjà vu after a similarly disastrous start in the 2006 final against Kerry was the catalyst to a comprehensive drubbing, however James Horan’s charges responded well in a second quarter onslaught. UCD student Kevin McLoughlin and Aidan O’Shea were inspirational in leading the recovery, and exceptional scores from Michael Conroy and placed kicking from Cillian O’Connor left a 3 point 2-4 0-7 half time deficit. Unforced errors, panic-stricken foot passing and a strange tactical move from Donegal to manoeuvre Michael Murphy

nearer the middle of the field also aided this. However, 3 points was as close a deficit as Mayo could manage as Donegal effectively held them off without being hugely impressive in the second half. Colm McFadden profited from being the final chain in Donegal’s patient hand passing game, helping himself to 1-4. Wayward shooting and tired legs from Mayo meant that their challenged petered out despite the best efforts

of centre half back Donal Vaughan and Aidan O’Shea in particular. It was a magnificent half of endto-end football, but Donegal consolidated their lead whenever they needed to and were content to win by 3 or 4 points. Murphy also ended up with 1-4 and midfielder Neil Gallagher’s point after 60 minutes a neatly choreographed move was the last nail in the coffin. As with all ends to a barren run, the Sam Maguire trophy will bring

with it an emotional tsunami set to sweep over the hills of Donegal in the coming weeks and with some justification. Jim McGuinness deservedly takes most of the plaudits after reinvigorating this group of men and always accentuating the positive. As the team’s young leader Michael Murphy has now immortalised in a gracious victory speech, “Jimmy’s Winning Matches” and is set to do so for some time to come.

way of response. Rafael, picking the ball up about 15 yards inside the Liverpool half, made a run down the right to the edge of the box and laid the ball off to Antonio Valencia. Valencia’s cross found Shinji Kagawa who chested perfectly into the path of Rafael and, controlling the ball with his right foot, hit a perfect curling shot with his left which went in off the far post. Liverpool opted not to simply retreat and attempt to hold on for a point. Indeed, the home side directed much of the play in the secondhalf and they were unfortunate not to get a penalty when Suarez went down after contact from Evans.

Sadly for the Uruguayan, his apparent reputation and exaggeration conspired against him. Recent woes were greatly exacerbated when Daniel Agger failed at an attempted backheel after a pass from Suso inside United’s half. Agger chased the loose ball, as did Johnson and Valencia but it was the latter who won it as the two Liverpool players collided with each other as they both slid for the ball. As Agger lay on the ground, Valencia broke with Johnson in pursuit. The Liverpool defender made impressive ground to catch him but apparently took him down in the process. Replays showed the con-

tact was minimal and the penalty was harsh. Agger left on a stretcher after 4 minutes on the pitch and with minutes left on the clock Robin van Persie scored the delayed penalty to Pepe Reina’s left. Though Liverpool can feel hard done by with regard to some of the referee’s decisions, the fact that they tend to create more chances than their opponent and still lose is perhaps the most significant characteristic of their recent form. Two seasons ago, Luis Suarez came in at the end of January. That transfer window is months away but they cannot afford to let it pass without the purchase of another striker.

Rodgers misfortune continues as Liverpool dominate but lose Jonny Baxter Writer

s they exited the playing area and stands of an emotional Anfield, Liverpool players and fans will have been met with a reality that has become agonisingly familiar over the previous two seasons. Having controlled much of the game against Manchester United, the first at Anfield since the Hillsborough Disaster Inquiry Report findings, proceedings finished 2-1 to the away side leaving them still sat in the bottom four. The club has had to deal with an unusually frequent turnover of management and the growing pains are there for all to see. This struggle has frequently been with results rather than performances as Liverpool were asserting the sort of dominance in possession that Brendan Rodgers craves while also creating a number of openings. Then, in the 38th minute, Jonjo Shelvey knocked the ball out of the possession of Ryan Giggs, which then rolled in the direction of Jonny Evans. Both players went into the challenge with both feet raised and it was Evans who came out worse. While he went to the sideline to have his injury assessed, Shelvey went to the sideline and into the

tunnel after receiving his marching orders. In this transitional period under Rodgers’ stewardship, Liverpool have not done well in coping with such blows mid-game. While in full-flow, as they were until the sending off, they are a team that appear on the cusp of achieving the quality they and their supporters desire; but when they concede against the run of play, suffer an injury or, in this case, the sending off of a player, they have a tendency towards capitulation. They made it to half-time on level terms and returned with the introduction of Fernandez Suso for Fabio Borini. With just 1 minute gone in the second-half the 18 year-old Spaniard beat Paul Scholes on the left and crossed into the box. The United clearance fell to Glen Johnson who nicked it over a challenge from Rafael only for Scholes to get a toe to the ball. Unfortunately for Scholes, it looped perfectly to Steven Gerrard, who took it on his chest and hit a left-foot volley into the bottom corner. The Kop was rocking and it seemed the capitulation might not be coming. United didn’t wait around by

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE 25th September 2012

The world’s most gentlemanly rivalry

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Clubhouse Amy Eustace Sports Editor

Anthony Strogen previews this year’s Ryder Cup action

Soccer

This weekend, the eyes of the golfing world will be fixed on the Medinah Country Club in Illinois for the 39th edition of the Ryder Cup between the USA and Europe. The Ryder Cup is unique on the golfing calendar as no other tournament attracts as much outside interest or inspires as much excitement in dedicated golf fans. Europe will enter the tournament as defending champions, knowing that a tie will be sufficient to see them retain the trophy. The team, headed by the big names of Rory McIlroy (the in-form golfer in the world now and the sport’s newly crowned poster boy), Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell, are expected to perform at their best. On the other side of the coin, there is no doubt that there are some suspect members of the team who will have to be on top form to hold their own. Players like Peter Lawrie, Nicolas Coelsaerts and Peter Hanson have either been absent from the top table for years or have never truly marked themselves down as members of golfs elite, and these will be the men captain Jose Maria Olazabel will have to be watching

Aside from the senior team’s 2-1 win in Derry, it was a good weekend all round for UCD AFC’s various strings. The under 19s side beat Cobh Ramblers 4-2 at the Bowl on Sunday, courtesy of two Darren O’Donoghue strikes and a goal each from Ayman Ben Mohamed and Sean Coyne. The win sees them go top of the table and is their fifth victory in a row. They face Waterford United at 2pm this Sunday at home. There were also wins for both Leinster Senior League teams to cap off a stellar few days for the college soccer set-up.

closest. The American team will be keen to banish the memory of the missed opportunity at Celtic Manor last time out. Davis Love III must be happy with how his team has come together, with a plethora of big names and proven big stage performers. The only question mark that might be raised is the lack of Ryder Cup experience in the team. With 4 debutants mixed in with the experienced campaigners of Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk, how the American rookies settle will be a key factor. However, any team including the likes of Woods, Mickelson and Watson among its ranks is bound to give a good account of itself. This is one of the most evenly matched editions of the Ryder Cup ever and picking a winner with confidence is almost impossible. The Americans will look to start well and combine points in the Fourballs and Foursomes with their renowned pedigree in the Sunday matchups, while Europe’s more adventurous team can be expected to milk Medinah’s risk and reward opportunities. Home advantage may prove to be the

Basketball

difference, as the American crowd tend to be rapturously patriotic, something normally foreign to golf. The infamously hostile atmosphere at Brookline in 1999 and the unforgettable crowd at the “War on the Shore” in 1991 at Kiawah tipped

the scales for America those years, and a home crowd may once again prove to be the difference between these two superstar-laden teams. Whatever the outcome, there’s certainly an intense five days of golf on the horizon.

UCD’s newest tenants Ciarán Carey takes a look at Leinster Rugby’s new home

he first thing that strikes you is the cup. Not that the Heineken Cup is especially pretty as cups go, or, even, that cups are especially pretty generally speaking but there it is; the highest honour any European Rugby Club can hope to achieve, sitting behind glass, beside the receptionist’s desk in one of the quieter corners of University College Dubin. Over near Richview, beside the civil engineers – far away from female admirers – in what was once known as the Phillips building is the new home of Leinster Rugby. “We were over the National Irish Bank in Donnybrook, directly opposite the Bective gate; that’s where the administration side was,” says Leinster Rugby’s chief executive Mick Dawson. “The team was based in Riverview. Now we’re all on site here, all under the one roof.” Quite a modest roof at that, at least from the outside. Nothing particularly special. There are, nonetheless, a few tell tale signs that something different is going on here. For one, the cars are a step or two above your usual student fare and as you approach the building the beat of music reverberates through the windows. Then of course, there is the inordinate

number of broad, muscle bound men making their way about the place, some of whom are rather famous. “There’s the senior squad and the academy so we’re talking sixty professional rugby players. Then there is the coaching staff, the strength and conditioning guys, physios, doctor, bag men and managers; about twenty in all. Then on our side of things there are approximately twenty people so around one hundred all in.” The building Leinster rugby took over was basically a shell for them to do with what they would. The funding for the move was €2.5 million, with €2.2m of that coming from just one donor. “We could not have afforded the move without that money,” says Dawson. It has given them a purpose built space. “On the non-administrative side of the building is the main gymnasium which has room for ballwork, it’s the main weights room, there’s a running track, you could do line out work and things like that, it’s a huge area. Of course there are changing rooms, there’s a restroom, a kitchen where they can relax and watch TV, a physio room with 4 beds, a wet room for showers and ice baths and a hydrotherapy unit. Above that are the offices of the coaching staff. The

UCD Marian have been busy in the first weekend of the U18 Men’s National Cup in Castleisland, with their under 18s squad beating Dublin Lions 45-25 and defeating Letterkenny Blaze 45-38 on Saturday, before falling 41-36 to hosts St. Mary’s on Sunday. Ad Astra Elite Athletes Olympian Arthur LaniganO’Keefe jetted off to Poland for the start of term to compete in the Modern Pentathlon Junior World Championships in Drzonkow and returned this week with a bronze medal. Having won the fencing phase and finished sixth in swim, the Sport and Exercise Management student was first overall but failed to clear two fences in the show jumping phase and slipped to third place on the podium. In rowing, Claire Lambe took silver in the lightweight single skulls class at the World University Championships in Kazan, Russia. Her medal comes at the end of a tough but rewarding season in which she finished fourth in the World U23 Championships and eleventh in the Senior World Championships. Hockey

agreement we have with U.C.D. is for twenty five years.” Twenty five years is at least three generations in sport and to college students, it’s a lifetime, so this new UCD Leinster Rugby symbiosis is in its infancy but there are many possibilities as to where it’s headed in the future. “We have two relationships with the college. One is commercial; the renting of this building and pitches. Then the other is a partnership where our athletes can

work with sports science and sports medicine and our doctors as well. Then there is the support of the college for any of our players taking courses where they can spread their courses out over time.” If anything tangible will come from that side of the relationship we will have to see. For now, Leinster Rugby are settling rather nicely in their new home in UCD; one better suited to showing off the silverware.

Ireland’s senior hockey team played a warm up game against Australia on Sunday afternoon in UCD’s National Hockey Arena ahead of the FIH Champions Challenge taking place in the arena from next Saturday. Despite a strong performance, the match finished 3-0 to the visitors. For the Champions Challenge, UCD will host matches between competing teams Ireland, USA, Australia, India, Scotland, South Africa, Belgium and Wales. Further details can be found at www.hockey.ie

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COLLEGE TRIBUNE 25th September 2012

THE WORLD’S MOST GENTLEMANLy RIVALRy

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Anthony Strogen previews this year’s Ryder Cup action PAGE 19

Above: Colm McFadden of Donegal celebrates the win over Mayo in Croke Park

Students take City spoils Derry City - 1 UCD - 2 Amy Eustace Sports Editor

CD were the victors in the Brandywell on Friday, securing their fifth win in six games and cementing a firm foothold above the danger zone. A 2-1 win courtesy of goals from David McMillan and Barry McCabe sees

the Students go ten points clear of bottom-feeders Dundalk and two points above Bray Wanderers in tenth. UCD enjoyed the lion’s share of chances early on. Shane McEleney carelessly misplaced a pass allowing Robbie Benson to proceed on goal. Benson gave the ball to McMillan who blazed over from 15 yards. Danny Ledwith cut in from left hand side shortly after and had his shot parried by Doherty leading to a corner. Derry had an opportunity on five minutes, when some great work on left by Mark Brolly let him beat

Hugh Douglas. Unfortunately for the home side, his square pass to Barry McNamee flew wide of the target. Before the half hour mark, Derry’s Ruaidhri Higgins picked Barry Molloy out with a cross-field pass. Molloy, advancing from right back, cut inside but his shot soared over the bar. UCD broke the deadlock with 36 minutes on the clock. McCabe timed an excellent run behind the Derry defence. Slipped through by Ledwith and faced with a one on one with Doherty. McCabe struck the ball across the keeper and in off the post from twelve yards out.

It was 2-0 to the Students within 15 seconds of the restart with David McMillan capitalising expertly on a superb pass from Benson. Daniel Ledwith could have made it three when he cut inside and had his shot well saved by the Derry custodian. Derry pulled one back through half-time substitute Kevin Deery. Deery profited from poor marking at the back post as he headed in from a corner. The home side had another chance through Duffy, who controlled the ball on his chest on the right hand side of the penalty area before snatching at his shot which flew wide of the left post.

UCD keeper Ger Barron, freshly returned from a toe injury, put in a decent performance to snuff out a late flurry from the Candystripes. Stewart Greacen could and should have equalised late on, but volleyed wide from inside the box and the three points headed back to Belfield late on Friday night. The Students’ recent surge of form has seen them claw themselves back from a precarious position at the foot of the table. Next up, they face Bohemians in the Bowl on Friday the 28th of September with the hope of continuing their hot streak.