UCC Express Issue 3 by University Express

Tuesday, September 30th 2014 | uccexpress.ie | Volume 18 | Issue 3

Campus bookshop to close following revenue decline Barry Aldworth | News Editor

longer sustain commercial operation.

John Smith’s Bookshop in the UCC Student Centre is set to close on November 21st after a decline in revenue meant the business was no longer viable in its current form. The news of the closure of the shop, which first began training in UCC in 2003, was first made public to staff via an email on August 22nd.

This statement was echoed by Terry Brennan, General Manager of Student Facilities and Services, who stated that the news “did not come as a surprise” as the move towards e-media has “reduced profitability for all book retailing companies, not just John Smith’s.”

Within the email members of staff were informed that after 11 years of trading the increase in online competition, along with the growth of e-books meant that John Smith’s income had dropped to a level where it could no

However, while the physical bookshop will cease to exist in two months time, it is to be replaced by a new online book service which will be run through the uccshop.ie website, in partnership with John Smith’s. As part of the change, the space left behind by the closure will be attached to the existing An Stad unit,

while also acting as a showroom area to display the top 500 academic book titles available through the website. Within the email, members of the UCC staff were informed that the intention going forward is to “provide an order kiosk within this showroom area and customers will have the option of home delivery or for their books to be sent to a collection point on campus.” Brennan highlighted that this new facility will seek to compete with existing companies such as Amazon by offering students the ability to still buy their books on campus, while doing so “at a cost that will be competitive with any online portals.”

In order to facilitate the move from the traditional shop to an online alternative, building works on the area will be carried out between John Smith’s closure and the start of the spring semester in January. While the final size and range of the new facilities are still being worked on, Brennan vowed to keep the student population informed of the changes. Despite the fact that the transition may appear logical, it appears the change has been a cause for concern among a number of people informed of the plan. “We have been contacted by a number of sources laying out their concerns and comments and we are happy to take these on board,” stated Brennan.

“Anyone who would like to offer comment or a question can email me and I will happily respond.” The email to staff outlined that the decision to close John Smith’s was disappointing, while highlighting that the company and UCC had enjoyed a positive relationship since the shop opened. It concluded by stating that “both parties believe that the new trading model offers a sustainable solution, which will continue to provide students and academic staff with effective support and access to the learning materials they need.”

Tuesday, September 30th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

Inside Today: Student Protests Page 6 Erasmus Evaluation Page 8

A 2,300-year-old mummy, which is believed to have been in the possession of UCC since the 1890s, looks set to extend its stay in Cork for the foreseeable future due to ongoing political unrest in Egypt.

The Prince of Pot Page 15

Mackey Twins Page 21

Editorial team Editor-in-Chief: Stephen Barry Deputy & News Editor: Barry Aldworth Deputy News Editor: Brian Conmy Fiction Editor: Ruth Lawlor Features Editor: Conor Shearman Deputy Features Editor: Laura Flaherty Sport Editor: Stephen Walsh Designer: Kevin Hosford

The Number Cruncher

Image by: Gerard McCarthy

UCC Advances to European Business Awards for the Environment Finals Barry Aldworth | News Editor UCC has been selected as the sole Irish representative for the final stages of the European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE). The awards, run by the European Commission, included the UCC Green Campus Programme as one of just four nominees for the environmental management category. The EBAE were established in 1987 by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment. The awards are presented every two years, and aim to recognise and honour European companies that stimulate economic growth by contributing to innovation and competitiveness, while also protecting the environment. Overall, a total of 17 European companies have been shortlisted across five different categories, which include awards for the creation of new products to assist sustainable development, as well as awards for businesses which seek to improve sustainable development in economically-developing countries. The overall winners for the awards will be announced on Monday, December 1st in Lyon, France.

14 67 The number of web-based courses offered by UCC Online, after the announcement of an online Masters in Public Health.

The percentage of students who graduate from UCC with either a 2.1 or first-class honours.

The announcement was welcomed by the President of UCC, Dr. Michael Murphy, who praised the energy, dedication and good citizenship which had been demonstrated by all those who took park in the programme. In addition, Professor John O’Halloran, UCC’s Vice President for Teaching & Learning, who was himself heavily involved in the Green Campus initiative stated that: “This achievement is reflective of UCC’s mission to remain a truly ‘Green University’ thanks to our student-led, research informed and practice focused approach.” The Green Campus Programme was selected to take part in the EBAE after the group finished as runner-up in the Environmental Management Category at the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) awards earlier this year. Since its launch in 2007, the initiative has had a number of significant achievements, including increasing the level of recycling within the university from 21% to 75%, as well as introducing an early warning system to detect leaks on the college’s main water supply. These steps alone saved

the University approximately €900,000 and 750,000 cubic metres of water. In addition to the IBEC success, over the last two years the Green Campus Programme has won numerous awards, including a Green Award, Excellence in Environment Award, Leader in Sustainable Energy Award and a Best Green Public Sector Award. The group’s constant progress was reflected in the Universitas Indonesia Greenmetric World University Rankings in January 2014, where UCC ranked 2nd out of a total of 301 competitors. The news was first announced shortly before the newly appointed CEO of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Daniel Schaffer, visited UCC on Wednesday, September 24th. The courtesy visit sought to reflect the fact that UCC was the first university in the world to be awarded the status of a ‘Green Campus’ by the FEE and An Taisce in 2010, before retaining the status in 2013. Schaffer’s time in UCC concluded with a visit to the Cork University Hospital to assess its own application for Green Flag status.

17,000 150,000 The number of people following Shane O’Donnell on Twitter, making @TownHurler UCC’s most followed sport star.

The amount of Irish people who have participated in the J1 programme over almost 50 years.

Egyptian mummy set to extend time on Leeside Barry Aldworth | News Editor

Influential Students Page 12

Laura Harmon Page 16

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, September 30th 2014

While it is unclear how UCC came to possess the mummy, it is believed to be that of a senior Egyptian official who died circa. 300BC. However, the sarcophagus in which the mummy was contained is believed to be approximately 300 years older, having been dated to between 600BC and 625BC. The mummy, which arrived in UCC towards the end of the 19th century, was first put on public display in 1903, seven years before the exportation of mummified remains out of Egypt was made illegal. For the last 23 years the mummy has remained in safe storage and is no longer on public display within the university, with Egyptian officials stating that the mummy could remain in UCC if it would be damaged by transporting it to Egypt.

However in recent years Egyptian officials have made efforts to bring the mummy back to its original home, wishing for the mummy to be put on public display at the Grand Egyptian Museum when it opens in 2015. Despite these wishes UCC administrators speaking at a meeting in the Egyptian Embassy in Dublin argued that the political fallout of the Arab Spring meant that returning the mummy to Egypt was not currently viable. In the months after the Arab Spring Egypt reported that many priceless artefacts had been stolen from several museums and were subsequently sold on the black market, a fact which means the mummy may be safer in Cork. The matter became more clouded in recent months as clashes between rival military factions have left an air of uncertainty over the future of the African state. Over the last few years the debate over the presence of Egyptian artefacts in museums across the world, such as the British Museum in London, and whether they should be returned to Egypt has grown significantly. While

the artefacts have long been featured in Western museums, Egypt feels it is losing out on tourism, as well as the ownership of its history due to the housing of the artefacts outside their country of origin.

hold exhibitions which highlighted artefacts from classic civilisations. Therefore it appears that UCC, known at the time as Queen’s College Cork, sought to mirror this pattern and bring the history of Egypt to Irish shores.

While no record of how the mummy came to wind up in UCC exists, throughout the late 19th and early 20th century there was a trend within English and Scottish universities to

As a result of the mysterious origins, conflicting stories to explain the mummy’s journey to Ireland have emerged. While some claim that the remains were brought back to Cork by

University Librarian wins Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award First Chemistry

Department app in Ireland launched

Brian Conmy | Deputy News Editor Last week John Fitzgerald, a university Librarian at UCC, was announced as the winner of the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry award. Fitzgerald only began writing poetry approximately four years ago and has never had his work appear in print as of yet.

In addition to this exciting win Fitzgerald has also been shortlisted for the Hennessy New Irish Writing Award 2015, a literary award for fiction and poetry, the shortlist for which is published on the last Saturday of every month in the Irish Independent and is open to Irish residents. Fitzgerald lives with his family in

Regardless of how the mummy came to reside in UCC, with the political situation in Egypt unlikely to cool down any time soon, it appears the artefact will remain in Cork for the foreseeable future. Trevor Carey, Technical Officer in Physical Chemistry at UCC, who co-ordinated the development of the app alongside Kieran Moloney of AppMakeIt.com, highlighted that changes in technology and how students interact with their coursework made the app a necessity.

Barry Aldworth | News Editor UCC has recently launched the first University Chemistry Department app in Ireland, entitled ‘UCC Chemistry’. The app is currently available for iPhone and iPad users through the App store, as well as Android users via the Google Play store, and seeks to make it easier for students to access key information.

The prestigious award ceremony had both winners and nominees come to read their works to those in attendance on Friday the 26th of September. This year’s attendees include President Michael D. Higgins, who gave an opening address on the night, among other prestigious guests. While previous presidents have attended the awards, this year is particularly special as President Higgins is a published poet and author in his own right. The award is run by the Patrick Kavanagh Centre in Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan where the award ceremony took place and is currently in its 31st year with previous winners including Celia de Fréine, Thomas McCarthy and Sinead Morrissey. The ceremony itself is part of the Patrick Kavanagh weekend which will include a number of readings of various literary works and other events revolving around Patrick Kavanagh’s life and work.

medicine students visiting Egypt, the prevailing thought is that the artefact was donated to UCC by a closing museum or from a private collection.

The introduction of the app will allow students easier access to timetables, Blackboard, Moodle and news from the Chemistry Department via their mobile device. The news was welcomed by Professor Martyn Pemble, Head of Chemistry, who said that “the app will be of enormous benefit to students and staff alike.” Pemble added that the app is a very positive development “which will hopefully contribute significantly to the quality of student experience in Chemistry.” Lissarda and credited his schooling at Macroom’s De La Salle College and work in UCC for imbuing him with his interest in literature: “It was and still is a great place to learn and it’s where I developed my love of literature. “As I think happens to so many people at that age, a fire is ignited in one discipline or another, which can lead to a lifetime of dedication to that cause. And of course I was fortunate in my

time immediately afterwards at UCC to encounter extraordinary people like Sean Lucey and John Montague among many others.” Fitzgerald is also a BA in English and Philosophy graduate from UCC who also attended UCD and the University of Wales at Aberstyth. He has been university librarian at UCC since 1996 and he currently is the head of the Cork University Press.

Whilst the app’s primary focus is to facilitate the learning of current UCC undergraduate and postgraduate students, its availability worldwide allows new information to spread to students across the globe. As a result of this the Chemistry department is hopeful that the app may encourage a greater number of international students to consider UCC as an option for advancing their scientific careers.

“Nowadays the majority of people view information online from a tablet or a smart phone, so we have to keep up with the needs and expectations of our students, staff and visitors. Hopefully the app will groom in time into an indispensable technological tool for the entire Department, as well as helping to attract more students to study Chemistry at UCC.”

Tuesday, September 30th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

SU announces new partnership with Cork nightclubs

Cancer Society introduces BLU.C.C. Méabh Flanagan | News Writer

The Cancer Society recently took on the task of running its first ‘Dare To Go Blue Week’ during what was only the third week of term. In an attempt to encourage men to be more diligent with getting themselves checked for cancer, the week included everything from a Big Fat Blue Quiz to a screening of the movie Dodgeball. The award-winning society had already proved their worth since being launched just few years ago, with the debut of their 24-hour Relay for Life raising approximately €20,000 in 2013, before going on to raise more than twice that amount a year later. The main aim of the week was to campaign for visibility of men’s cancers. BlueSeptember.ie highlights that the initiative “seeks to tackle the fact that men are more likely to develop and die of cancer than women.” By informing the public that men are 20% more likely to get cancer than women, the campaign hopes to get men talking about their health problems. Cancer Society Auditor Ellen Desmond stated: “People are pretty much aware of cancer at this stage but no one is talking about it, or taking preventative measures, or even learning about symptoms.” A notable example is that testicular cancer, which is the most common form of cancer in men between 15 and 34, has a 95% survival rate, if caught early enough. In order to spread the message to their targeted demographic, the Cancer

Society combined traditional methods of spreading news with some more original ideas. One of their more innovative ideas was to decorate the trees on campus with blue wrappings, ribbons and Twitter hashtags. The purpose of these decorations were to catch the attention of students and get them in turn to search the hashtag and gain access to all the facts that CancerSoc have been tweeting about.

Lia Curtin | News Writer

The Keepy Uppy Tournament (Keepy Uppy the Fight against Cancer) was a huge success, with winner Conor Cremin finishing with a score of over 2,300, but for Desmond, the highlight of the week was Bodega Goes Blue.

Representatives of the Students’ Union have created a partnership with two of Cork’s bestknown nightclubs to offer UCC students the ability to have a great night out, while raising money for SU activities at the same time.

The night promised to follow on with the blue theme of the week with blue face-paint available and blue staff members present. The Facebook page for the event had over 6.2k invitees and certain posts on Cancer Soc’s own page have reached over 20,000 people, meaning their goal of having their message heard is truly being realised.

The locations involved are Havana Browns on Tuesday nights and The Bodega on Thursdays, who host the ‘Student Tuesdays’ and ‘Bodega Bangs’ events respectively. The choice of two venues ensures that a greater number of students can be accommodated on nights out, as well as providing variety.

In a time where charity fundraisers are often based on clever marketing gimmicks, the Dare to Go Blue Week had a refreshingly human-touch, with a huge variation of events organised and a strong on-campus presence from the Cancer Society. Funds raised over the week will go to Men’s Cancer Alliance (The Mater Hospital, Mercy Hospital Foundation, and Cancer Care West), and more information on prevention tips, symptoms and how to self-check can be found at Blue September.ie.

Many students have struggled financially in recent years, leading to an increase in the amount of assistance provided by the Student Union; over €20,000 last year alone. The UCCSU’s budget is subsidised by nightclubs, sponsorship and ticket sales for events.

UCC runner-up for Sunday Times gong behind UL Barry Aldworth | News Editor

UCC has claimed the ‘University of the Year’ runner-up spot in The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2015, finishing just behind the University of Limerick (UL) in the rankings which were published on September 28th. Meanwhile, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) took the title of ‘Institute of Technology of the Year’, beating competition from Carlow IT. The annual guide, now in its 13th year of publication, contains Ireland’s sole league table that measures various aspects of the performance of all thirdlevel institutions. UL’s win came after came after a significant improvement in several of the key areas of the guide’s grading metric, including graduate employability. Currently just 5% of UL graduates are still looking for jobs nine months after leaving the university, a drop from 8% one year ago. The drop in graduate unemployment comes as no surprise given the efforts made by the university to secure work placements for as many students as possible each year. Students studying in UL across all subjects spend at least six months working with one of the university’s industry partners, often meeting their future employers even before they graduate. In addition to better rates of graduate

employment, increases in research funding and academic performance facilitated UL’s rise from 6th place in the 2013 rankings to topping this year’s list.

UCC drops 20 places in QS Rankings Ross Wilson | News Writer The international reputation of UCC, as well as several other Irish universities has taken a hit recently, following a significant drop in the latest World Rankings. The World Ranking of Universities, published annually by Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd. (QS), lists the world’s top 800 Universities, with this year’s table showing that most Irish Universities have, in the eyes of QS, been less successful in 2014. Having been ranked as the 210th best university in the world in 2013, UCC dropped to 230th this year, a decline of 20 places which reflected an overall drop in score of 0.5 on the QS grading system. This follows a steady decline in recent years from 181 in 2011 to its current level. UCC now sits at its lowest ranking since 2007. Despite this UCC still stands as Ireland’s 3rd highest ranked university. Other universities that have suffered a drop in rankings include DCU, Maynooth University and Irelands flagship university, Trinity College, which dropped from 61st to 71st this year. These falls in rankings are met with a rankings climb by universities in the

Asia-Pacific region, many of which have received massive investments and developments in recent years. Recent funding cuts for Irish Universities have received criticism for helping to cause the decline in ranks by Irish universities. Breaking the trend were UCD, steady in 139th, and NUIG which climbed four places up to 280th.

“UCC now sits at its lowest ranking since 2007. Despite this UCC still stands as Ireland’s 3rd highest ranked university.” The QS world rankings are based on 5 different areas, including international orientation and academic peer review, which accounts for 40% of the overall score. Academic peer review is undertaken by sending surveys to academics across the globe, asking them about which university they think is the best in their respected field.

However this has proven to be quite controversial as surveys such as this open the door to individual bias. As a result of this many have questioned the respectability and legitimacy of the World Rankings. Following the slow descent of UCC and other Universities in Ireland in the World Ranking league, the question presented is: Why is this happening?

New Maynooth University sign lasts one night

This partnership benefits student safety by providing a direct contact for the Students’ Union to address any concerns that may arise on a night out. Additionally, it ensures that entry fees for both nightclubs will be kept at what the union considers a reasonable rate for the whole year.

“Limerick’s work placement programme makes a compelling case to prospective students in an uncertain global economy.” Having finished as runner-up for the University of the Year award, UCC finds itself in third place on the overall rankings table, the same spot it was awarded 12 months ago. However, once again, the university was a strong allrounder in the guide’s grading system, leading all Irish third-level institutions in terms of academic performance and research. established PrimeUCC, the first service of its kind in Ireland, which will assist researchers to win and manage EU Horizon 2020 research funds worth

nearly €80bn. The increase in research awards secured by UCC sees the level of research income per academic return to pre-recession levels.

Communications and Commercial Officer for the Students’ Union, Barry Nevin, has said “by attending these nightclubs, students will not only be sure of having the best nights but will also be supporting the services that we provide.”

In a speech given to a Chamber Business Group in 2012, Dr. Michael Murphy, President of UCC, claimed that the education standard is not challenging enough for highachieving students and that many high-achievers are choosing to pursue third-level education in different countries. “Surveys are now telling us that about 15 to 25% of students in our universities are not challenged or

motivated by their course.” Perhaps this is still the case 2 years on? With the Times Higher Education World Rankings being released this Wednesday, it remains to be seen if UCC, as well as its Irish competitors, will suffer another rankings fall.

Leading Law Firm calls for Student Innovation Barry Aldworth | News Editor

As nearly all union activities rely on a “very limited budget,” any money received as a result of this nightclub partnership returns directly to UCC students by ensuring that the Students’ Union can “continue to provide an excellent standard of services and support.”

Speaking of UL’s success Alastair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “Limerick is one of the country’s youngest universities and also one of the most nimble. The vision presented by the Bernal Project is a bold one; when it comes to fruition it will put Limerick on the map globally in research terms.

Over the last 12 months the number of research awards secured by UCC rose by 43%, while research monies from the industrial sector have grown by 750% since 2008. In addition the college has

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, September 30th 2014

A&L Goodbody, a leading Irish law firm based in Dublin, but with offices in New York, London and San Francisco, has issued a challenge to all university students to come up with ideas to change the way businesses interact with society as part of the 2014 Bold Ideas Student Innovation Award.

Brian Conmy | Deputy News Editor Over the course of the 2014 summer recess, NUI Maynooth was renamed Maynooth University by college officials in an attempt to strengthen the its brand identity within Ireland and abroad. To mark the change, the university erected a new sign in front of the college for the beginning of their new academic year, only to have the sign vandalised on its first night in public. The sign, possibly influenced by the famed ‘Hollywood’ sign, consisted of individual letters spelling the university’s name staked in the ground. However, while the sign initially

appeared as a worthy investment, upon the return of students to the university, the stakes failed to survive as after just one night the ‘T’ from University was removed. Things went from bad to worse as once the university’s orientation week truly got under way the majority of the remaining letters were taken over multiple nights. As a result Maynooth officials took the decision to have the sign removed in full. The institution has not made a formal comment on the event as of yet, but they have confirmed the sign was removed after being damaged and that an investigation has been launched.

Despite the obvious disappointment of the university, some local printing businesses were quick to cash in on the escapades. Just hours after the first letter was removed several companies were printing up ‘Maynooth Univesi y’ t-shirts for students to advertise their businesses. On a smaller scale UCC had seen some acts of vandalism in recent weeks; most publicly a holy statue was stolen from near the Lough area of Cork City. The Lord Mayor called for the statue to be returned, calling it a “silly prank,” before the statue was eventually found in a somewhat battered state.

Now in its third year, the Bold Ideas initiative encourages university student from all disciplines to develop new ideas which will encourage the business community to have a more meaningful and positive impact on wider society. For the 2014 incarnation of the award students have been asked to develop better ways for businesses to adopt corporate responsibility within the organisations. The winner of the competition will receive a cash prize of €3,000, an internship in one of A&L Goodbody’s offices, which will include the firm covering their travel and accommodation costs, as well as a cash donation by the company to a charity of the winner’s choosing.

Speaking at the launch of the competition Berni Hosty, Partner with responsibility for the company’s trainee solicitor programme and one of the competitions judges, stated that; “bold ideas is designed to encourage the enthusiasm and creativity of the next generation of professionals, and give them a platform to express their views on how the world of business should evolve.” The closing date for entries to the competition is November 3rd, with the winner scheduled to be announced on November 20th. In addition to the opening of the competition, the firm have also announced that it will make approximately 40 graduate jobs available in the coming months as part of its Trainee Recruitment Programme.

Tuesday, September 30th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

Are modern day student protests worthwhile? Yes

their education and are unlikely to spend the time to defend their right to undervalue that education. Rather these students will stay in, attend lectures or sleep through them as is their wont.

Diarmaid Twomey | Features Writer Protests are a fundamental component of any functioning democracy and the vast majority of radical changes, throughout the more recent history of the human race, arose off the back of protests. Whether it was the storming of the Bastille or the marches against Apartheid in South Africa, it is safe to say that protests, when used correctly and organised effectively, have not only been hugely effective, but have changed the course of history for the better.

If students want to be prioritised in a time of grant cuts and fee hikes, the student population (and not just those in real financial difficulty) will have to shed its image as a group that spends large amounts of money on nights out and similar discretionary pursuits.

“In Dublin a mere 800 showed up to represent a city of over 100,000 students.”

“Society arrives at precarious places when a cosy consensus controls the agenda; Ireland has learned this the hard way”

There was a time, only a decade or two ago, when student protests were the bane of the political institutions existence in Ireland; they were the antithesis of regressive policy, the catalyst of change. In fact, from the bosom of such protest, many political stalwarts of the current day were nurtured. Admittedly Ireland of 2014 is a vastly different place than it was in our parent’s generation, but Ireland of 2014 aches for change and objection to the institutional norms as much as it did in the last century. Every new generation brings fresh eyes, enthusiastic creativity and unique ideas to the fore, therefore it is pivotal that each generation’s youth is embraced and encouraged to question, critique and protest. Society stagnates when fresh voices are not heard, and so friction, rigorous debate and conflict must be encouraged. Society arrives at precarious places when a cosy

consensus controls the agenda; Ireland has learned this the hard way in more recent times. But student movements stand for so much more than the objections they raise. They stand for the excitement of change, the resilience of youth, the dreams and aspirations of the next generation to better the world and society. The symbolism of the student movement itself becomes as meaningful and important as the objection. The development of every state relies on the voice of the youth, society yearns for their energy, and so when it is not present, a gaping hole appears; a hole that cannot be filled by any other group. Unfortunately Ireland’s lacklustre student movement of 2014 doesn’t seem to think that many issues are worthy of its voice of objection. The clichéd Celtic Tiger cubs purr contently,

no current day issue deserving of their growl. I would urge the students of today to voice objection, walk the picket line and shout in protest. The energy of youth is pivotal right now. As Ireland tries to rediscover its place in an everchanging globe, we are poorer without your protest.

No Stephen Barry | Editor-in-Chief While the right to protest is, at its core, a fundamental jigsaw piece of any democratic puzzle, when it comes to the decision of whether to protest, or not to protest, during my time in college, my answer has always been the latter.

Modern day student protests have been ineffective in bringing about change and I don’t believe this is likely to change in the near future. Last year in Cork at most 1,000 students made the ten-minute walk from college to Grand Parade in what was touted as a South of Ireland protest. In Dublin a mere 800 showed up to represent a city of over 100,000 students.

Part of governmental policy in recessionary times has been to hit those with discretionary income, and students flaunt what they have (however big or small) every Tuesday and Thursday night. Perceptions of students’ recreational activities are something the student movement will continue to fail to change so long as these public exhibitions continue. And student protests will continue to be ineffective when many show up for bottles on the bus and a day-out, rather than any real zest to be heard or make a difference.

So while there is undoubtedly increasing student hardship, the student protests have failed to present this because there is no anger or sense of injustice among the majority. Instead the protests have come to be seen as an annual ritual, going through the motions, rather than any real attempt at societal change.

So for the time being, I’ll be a cynic. In the current climate of the student movement, I value my own lectures and free-time above the futility of a day convincing people that we value our education so highly. As a whole we don’t, and the smokescreen isn’t working.

Indeed many students don’t value their education enough to attend anything approaching most of their lectures. They don’t pay much of the cost of

I’ll take my day of lectures over a trip to Grade Parade, or even Dublin for that matter.

Only rights for mothers?

The next deadline for Letters to the Editor is Wednesday, October 8th. Send your thoughts to editor@uccexpress.ie.

Dear Editor,

democracy,” I don’t know.

the products of that abortion?

Diarmaid Twomey’s piece, ‘Abortion necessary to protect lives’, seemed to think that only women are entitled to reproductive rights, notwithstanding the UN Convention on Human Rights, which makes no such gender-biased claim.

The State upholds the rights of various parties and has sought to do this through the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Act. Although repeatedly referred to incorrectly by the media as an ‘Abortion Act’, it was no such thing: the clue may perhaps be in the title. Fortunately, in the case referred to in the article, it seems to have achieved its aim: the baby’s mother, thankfully, did not commit suicide and the baby, thankfully, lived.

Are they not evidence in need of preservation, for later prosecution of a man alleged to have carried out the rape? Or are we to have a ‘two-tier’ system: one for those cases where the alleged victim of a rape is treated as a victim of a crime; the other a ‘nudgenudge, wink-wink’ class of rape, solely to act as a fig-leaf for abortion?

In this Republic there are others with rights: including fathers of unborn children and unborn children themselves. It was the sovereign people of this Republic who voted to give equal (not greater: equal) rights to the unborn child, so quite what the basis is for the contention that the pro-life people of this country are “a threat to our very

Questions to be answered about the necessary changes to both the Irish Constitution and the laws of the land include: if ‘rape’ is now to be re-defined as a magic word, the utterance of which by any pregnant woman entitles her to an immediate abortion, what then of

If the notion of an unborn child is to be replaced by some property to be disposed of, why should the property rights of the female co-producer of that property be superior to those of its male co-producer? The position of the pro-choice lobby reminds me of the state whose parliament almost voted in that the

value of the number pi was exactly three; much more convenient a number than the 3.14159… beloved of mathematicians. Had they done so, it might have been a democratic decision

but that would have had no influence on the truth of the matter. Jarlath Flynn

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, September 30th 2014

The callous face of contemporary Ireland

Diarmaid Twomey discusses Ireland’s abandonment of some of its most vulnerable citizens It is a story which has shed light on to the unpalatable truth of just how inhumane and uncaring some sections of modern Irish society have become. An elderly, ill man removed from a bus due to his violent illness, was abandoned by the side of the road en route from Tralee to Cork. Many assume this to be an isolated incident where an elderly man simply had the misfortune of sharing his difficult journey, not only with passengers, but also a driver, seemingly vacant of any shred of human compassion. To assume so would be incorrect I believe. An argument that has been put forward to justify the awful treatment this sick, elderly man received is that the lynch mob aboard the bus, as well as the driver, thought he was drunk. But even if that was the case, which it most certainly wasn’t, why should the fact that someone is intoxicated have any bearing on people’s desire to help a distressed elderly man, or any human being for that matter? Is someone’s intoxication a “get out of jail” card when it comes to displays of humanity? It seems so. We have entered an era where narcissism and a rush to prejudge seem to trump all other human qualities and prerogatives. Modern day society has become so preoccupied with selfworth, self-portrait and selfishness that the very qualities that make us human

have long been forgotten about. An ill, elderly man’s treatment at the hands of some despicable people rightly grabbed headlines, and in doing so forced Bus Eireann to issue an apology and investigate. Simply because one man’s plight has grabbed headlines let’s not assume that many more plights and instances of depraved inhumanity are not ignored by media outlets on a daily basis. A pet peeve of mine is how addicts are treated in this country, particularly notable in recent months among heroin addicts. Cork has recently experienced a massive upsurge in the use of heroin. By its very nature, heroin will create addicts, and have no doubt about it, heroin addiction is not a nice place to be. Walk any street in our beautiful city and you will encounter what have commonly become known as “junkies”. Even the use of this term shows how desensitised society has become to the plights of others. The ability to just disregard another human being as a piece of trash because of a personal addiction, many of whom have had torrid lives, is so blatantly inhumane it amazes me it is so widely accepted. Unfortunately accepted it most certainly is. The same media who embellish stories like that of the unfortunate, ill, elderly man, use the same degrading terms about addicts regularly, seemingly

ignorant to the fact that addicts are human beings also. A cursory scan through social media would show that such terms are even used by the supposed progressive and more liberal of journalists. Of course at this stage, many will imply that addicts have no one to blame but themselves. This view is completely at odds with the reality of serious drug addiction. It is no coincidence that abuse victims, the homeless and those living in abject poverty make up a sizeable portion of drug addicts across the nation of Ireland and wider humanity at large. Many experiment with drugs before they have the requisite knowledge and maturity to grasp the consequences and so never have an opportunity to make an informed decision on their future as a “junkie”. It is ironic that in a state with such a definitive and elaborate drinking culture, that we bear such attitudes to addicts and wider illegal drug

use. What is the difference between someone who has a few too many down the local every night of the week, and the addict who spends every waking hour, roaming the streets, looking for their next fix? Nothing, only the fact that one is classified as a criminal and the other a “poor crater” by society. It is not helped by a legal system that has proven itself time and again to be inept and totally incapable of dealing with modern day issues. People may think I am being overly critical. I can understand that sentiment, but this is a topic which frustrates me, I cannot dress up my dismay. It is important to note that there are charities and societies up and down the country, filled to the brim with hugely dedicated men and women who give up their time every week just to help those less fortunate. I’m sure most people encounter acts of inspiring humanity every day, but we as individuals can always do more to challenge the prejudices against those that society deems undeserving of our

humanity. Next time someone uses a term like “junkie”, “zombie” or “scumbag” think about the human being that lives with that tag. No one grows up wanting to be an addict, we are nothing if not constructs of our environment. I know this because I come from a family who share my beliefs, born to a mother who instilled my beliefs, a mother whose grace and humanity I try to emulate every day. I share classrooms in this very college with some of the most compassionate and inspiring classmates and lecturers anyone could hope to have. Neoliberalism’s grip on the Irish mind is just as strong and damaging as it has been on that of Ireland Inc. As I get older, I truly hope that the tide of humanity that makes Irish people the most charitable and humane on the face of the earth, does not recede so far that eventually it leaves us all lost at sea, undeserving of one another’s compassion.

Tuesday, September 30th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

The voting age: a failure to reflect real wisdom?

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, September 30th 2014

The grim reality of Ireland’s badger culling policy Conor Shearman | Features Editor

policy.

Culling is a pleasant word. It replaces other words which might normally cause one alarm, words like killing and eradicate. Unfortunately this is precisely what occurs for a certain subset of our animal population. Ever since the bacteria which triggers Bovine TB in cattle, Mycobacterium bovis, has been the same found in the badger the species has been the victim of indiscriminate killing.

Ireland is often used as a prime example by proponents of badger culling of what the policy can achieve. The Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, pointed out in July that the prevalence of animal TB in Ireland is 0.26%, half that of the rate in Northern Ireland where badger culling is not practised. Additionally, the number of cattle testing positive for the disease, known as reactors, has fallen by nearly 50% since 2008.

Badger culling has been an inherent part of Irish agricultural policy in for the past 30 years. Annually an average of 6000 badgers are shot and killed by contractors paid by the Irish Government in order to halt the spread of Bovine TB; A policy undoubtedly well intentioned, just not particularly for the badger. If a single cattle in a herd tests positive for bTB, the remaining stock cannot be sold until they have passed two tests, often taking several months. Such difficulty can devastate small agricultural communities.

Erasmus: a worthwhile waste of time? For those debating a year abroad features writer Michelle Murphy weighs up the pros and cons of the Erasmus experience. Michelle Murphy | Features Writer It is no secret that there is higher demand among employers for language skills. An offshoot of that is resulting in more and more students making the decision to spend a year abroad in a foreign university, but just how beneficial is this Erasmus year? It has long been said that one needs to spend at least a year living in a country before they can hope to master the language. After spending the last year in France on Erasmus I completely agree; no matter how proficient you are at a language nothing compares to living in the country, immersing yourself in the culture and conversing on a daily basis. Considering all that there is to be gained, the Erasmus experience should be the best experience for any linguistics students. The actuality though might not be as promising as the intention. Many regard the year as a waste of time, an extra year of fees with little added benefit. Although they get to spend a year abroad there is the view that the improvement in their language skills won’t merit the time spent away. It isn’t hard to see why some feel this way. Living abroad is expensive and while the Erasmus grant does relieve some of the financial burden there are still plenty of costs. Returning students will always express positive sentiments about the year; how enjoyable it was, the trips they embarked on and all the friends they made from a multitude of nations. These are beneficial parts of the Erasmus year, but surely the fundamental reason for going abroad is to improve and progress one’s foreign

language skills. If the improvement isn’t significant, then why make the effort to study abroad for a year? When I questioned fellow students who have returned from overseas about the year away responses were mainly positive, but plenty did admit that they could have spoken less English. Catriona Moore, a BA International student studying French and Geography said that she definitely found the year worthwhile in terms of improving her French though that had more to do with the classes in French rather than speaking to the local French people. “In terms of the Erasmus experience itself I wouldn’t change anything at all, it’s all about experiencing a new culture, place, meeting new people and making new friends”. Another BA International student, Siobhan O’Callaghan responded similarly when asked if she found the year worthwhile; “Living out of home, budgeting, new friends, working through a whole other language and my own personal development. Yeah, absolutely worthwhile!” While every student I spoke to emphasised how amazing an experience it was, there is a valid concern among many students on how much learning is achieved. It may be that how much you profit from the year very much depends on how much effort you put in. English being one of the most widespread languages across the world means that are many who speak it too as a second language. Often foreign students are only too willing to converse in English with a native

English speaker. I myself found it shockingly hard to communicate with the natives through their language or the shop assistants who answered my queries in broken English, even when I had managed to construct a sentence in perfect French.

“Living abroad is expensive and while the Erasmus grant does relieve some of the financial burden there are still plenty

of costs.”

Rebecca Matthews, a student in the University of Hertfordshire, agrees that it can be very difficult to initiate conversation when it is abundantly clear you aren’t a native speaker. “It’s hard being the odd one out in classes or the idiot in the supermarket that can’t ask for the product she wants because of the language barrier. But the achievements that we all made together were incredible. It was most defiantly a worthwhile experience. It’s improved my language skills and make me a more rounded person.” The Erasmus year is a valuable and justifiable experience, but it does depend on the individual. It is easy to waste the year. The year is extremely justifiable and rewarding but don’t expect it to happen automatically; like all things in life it requires effort, dedication and commitment.

Laura Flaherty

adult? No.

Deputy features editor

Our legal system works on the premise that we undergo some kind of magical transformation at the age of eighteen which changes us into mature adults who are capable of deciding how their country is run. It assumes that maturity comes with age, a concept both ageist and often wrong.

In light of the impending referendum to lower the Irish voting age to sixteen the question has to be asked; does age play too large a role in our society? From the moment we are born, our age plays a fundamental part in all aspects of our lives. It decides when we first attend school regardless of our mental capacities. Why is it that a five year old with the understanding of a four, or even three year old is put into a class and expected to keep up with more advanced children simply because of age? One of the most talked about applications of age restrictions is the legal drinking age, mostly because of its variety throughout different societies. If French children can drink wine with meals and Irish teenagers are allowed consume alcohol, why is it that Americans must wait until they are twenty one? If it clearly is not to do with medical implications, why do we have legal drinking ages at all, and why are they so high? The most interesting aspect of the influence of age in society is its diversification and often oxymoronic nature. For instance in Ireland at the age of sixteen you can legally have sex and have a child. Can you vote for a government that offers the best future for your child? No, you cannot. Can you go to a shop and buy a knife to cut food for your child’s dinner? No. Can you get a part time job and pay taxes? Yes. If you stole a toy for your child, would you be tried in court as an

As Ireland is a democracy, voting plays a fundamental role in the formation of laws. This makes it even more important that younger people have a say in how our country is run, in shaping a constitution that will shape the rest of their lives. For instance, take the controversial topic of abortion. Why is it that something which affects women as young as 14 is decided by people much older, half of whom are men? Why is it that young women have rights concerning their bodies and their future decided by other people, who could have entirely different viewpoints? The example of Scottish teenagers from the age of 16 being allowed to vote in their independence referendum is a pointed one. If 16 year olds are allowed vote, there would be a more rounded, democratic system in place which would benefit everyone. A Native American chief famously said, “We do not inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children.” Is it fair to leave the future of our country up to the elderly, when it is the young people that will have to face the ramifications?

Controversy remains though regarding the effectiveness of the policy in preventing the spread of the disease. A landmark study in the UK which culled over 11’000 badgers over the course of a decade, compared designated areas of culling against areas in which no culling took place.

“Annually an average of 6000 badgers are shot and killed by contractors paid by the Irish Government in order to halt the spread of Bovine TB”

The 2007 report was unequivocal in that, “badger culling can make no meaningful contribution to cattle control in Britain. Indeed some policies under consideration are likely to make matter worse rather than better.” Whilst in the UK the policy of badger culling has only recently been restarted and limited to just two pilot projects, Ireland has unabashedly continued its

Whilst the Department of Agriculture may preach that these statistics tell the success of its policy, other factors could also explain the figures. False reactors, cattle that test positive on a skin test for bTB but later on autopsy are found not to have the disease, skew figures. Better testing methods may attribute for the sharp decline in these false positives.

Morgane Conaty | Features Writer

Europe and the idea of a shared national identity becomes far less concrete. Even amongst the so-called indigenous people of any country there will be different cultural and religious identities; clearly to be seen in Basque regions of Spain and France. Is there really such a thing as a definitive national identity anymore?

Similarly, improved bio-security, including the likes of waiting periods and cleaning, may be responsible for the reduced spread of the disease amongst cattle. Indeed if badgers do play a marginal role in the spread of TB, culling is hardly sustainable. Pilot culls in the UK have suggested that a minimum of 70% of badgers in an area of bTB infection need to be killed in order to be effective. Such an aim surely puts the future of the creature at stake. The culling of badgers is being treated

Is the crisis of national identity relevant today? The idea of belonging to a nation or a state has always been key to the concept of identity. In an increasingly globalised and multi-cultural world the meaning of national identity has become convoluted leading to the question, is it really relevant today? The idea has recently been brought to the fore by the Scottish referendum and more so in the upcoming unofficial independence referendum in Catalonia, both of which call into question the idea of a united national identity in both the UK and Spain. National identity changes constantly over time. The identity with which we associate today is a culmination of centuries of political and social history, but can we really claim that this is what makes us uniquely Irish, or French, or British? Our little island was invaded first by the Celts, then by the Vikings, followed by the Normans and lastly by the British. The British were themselves invaded by the Normans who also share ancestry with the Scandinavians. The Americans who are a very patriotic nation, all descend from European people. Add to that the significant number of immigrants who have their own cultural identities in America and

Identifying with a nation can at the same time involve a sense of nationalism, an extreme form of patriotism marked by a feeling of superiority over other countries. This leads to a lack of respect for other nationalities and can give rise to viewpoints based on ignorance and even fear, leading for example to racism or religious discrimination. Associating with a national identity can also imply the exclusion of those who do not fit the norm. While this may be a natural phenomenon, it is a slippery slope, at the bottom of which lies total exclusion and discrimination against minority groups. An example of this is in the rise of far right political parties such as the Front National in France and the Danish Peoples’ Party, both with exclusionary policies towards “non-indigenous” peoples. While this may be seen as an extreme example, the same exclusionary ideology can be said to be behind the more “benign” policies of cultural assimilation which are often a

hallmark of liberal democracies.

For example, in 2008 of a French court to uphold the decision to refuse citizenship to a Muslim woman because her “radical” religious practice (the wearing of the full face veil) was held to be incompatible with essential French values, especially gender equality. It begs the question, is encouraging a national identity fostering the hatred of difference? Having a national identity, a cultural identity and an affinity to a group of people is an integral part of living within a community. Communication with others is made easier through having shared traditions and values passed on from generation to generation. When Katie Taylor won her gold medal for Ireland in the London 2012 Olympic Games, the country almost came to a standstill, everyone was watching that fight, everyone felt enormous pride when she won. We define ourselves in relation to our traditions and values which are integral to our identity, yet the diversity of identity is what makes human beings so unique. Countries and their people are richer for their culture, heritage and traditions. In this ever changing and fragmented world national identity is often the glue that holds people together.

as a simple solution to a complex problem. Badgers are not the sole animal capable of spreading bTB, nor is it likely that they play a significant role in the spread of the disease. The culling of nearly 7000 badgers in 2012 resulted in a mere 55 less cattle being diagnosed with bTB. Alternative solutions should be made a priority, further improvement in testing and biosecurity is one step, whilst vaccinations are another. The vaccinations currently being developed to cure the disease in badgers

will be able to completely eliminate the disease, something culling could never claim to be capable of doing. Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney expressed his hope last month that vaccinations would replace culls in the “not too distant future.” In the interim, the department of Agriculture has ordered 25’000 containers to transport culled badgers, continuing its grisly policy.

Tuesday, September 30th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

10 |

Global climate change march preaches now not later Tadhg Moore | Features Writer “Climate justice is what we want and we want it now,” was the chant which rang out across New York on the 21st of September as over 400’000 people united with a common goal. Their purpose to display their overwhelming desire for our governments to take drastic action against the ever growing dilemma that is Climate Change. Although it was my first time engaging in a large protest, I was lucky enough to be involved in what was the largest ever Climate March. The atmosphere amongst the protesters was electric, it was amazing to be able to share passions and connect with people who had travelled from all over the world just to be a part of this movement. The power of what we were capable of as a common force resonated with every chant we sang and with every step as we marched down Central Park West. It was a march which brought people together. People took to the streets and made their voices heard about an issue that affects people everywhere, in spite of nationality or religion. This wasn’t

The Prince of Pot For readers unfamiliar with your story, how would you introduce yourself?

My reasons for getting involved in the march were simple, as indeed it is for most of those who choose to get involved. Drastic action needs to be taken if we are going to combat the effects of climate change on the planet.

Climate Change is triggering a growing frequency of extreme weather events around the world, in places that never usually experience such extremes. I spent this summer in Mexico doing volunteer work in a tiny village, La Ventanilla, on the Pacific coast in the south of Mexico. It was a village which had been devastated in 2012. Only now, 2 years later is it becoming fully

| 11

Laura Flaherty spoke to Marc Emery during his visit to UCC last week

simply a standalone march, however, with 2,808 solidarity marches in 166 countries worldwide this was a global phenomenon. A sentiment echoed across the globe.

Changing the world for the better is something I’ve always dreamed of. By partaking in the march it really felt like we were going to change something, indeed I feel like we have changed something. Climate change and the problems it heralds is now a significant issue in the public agenda.

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, September 30th 2014

My name is Marc Emery and I am a marijuana advocate, lover of marijuana and, as a consequence of that devotion, I have been dedicating my life for the last 25 years to civil disobedience and advancement of legalisation in Canada and the US by breaking the law in support of our honest, peaceful lifestyle. re-built. If we allow climate change to continue unabashed, tropical storms and freak weather events are going to become more and more prevalent, putting communities like La Ventanilla at a higher risk of these catastrophic events. It is something that sends chills down my spine and makes me even more determined to do what I can in this fight. I hope that governments will finally realise that we the people, want to

see action taken to combat Climate Change, we need to see action taken today. If we are to preserve the planet for future generations change must be urgent. Nobody should have to pay the price for our inability to act now. Personally, I plan on becoming more involved with the movement, increasing my awareness and making a greater effort to reduce my impact on the environment.

In the words of Leonardo Di Caprio speaking before a UN Summit on the 23rd of September, “it is past the time of just simply changing your light bulbs, action needs to be taken on a much larger scale, particularly at a government level.”The Peoples’ Climate March wasn’t the pinnacle of this fight for Climate Justice, it was just the beginning. Now is the time where we work together to tackle Climate Change.

I have raised a lot of money and given it away, $5 million in a 10 year period, which attracted the attention of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) and they had me extradited to the USA. Five weeks ago I was released after a five year prison sentence that I received ostensibly for selling cannabis seeds to Americans from my desk in Vancouver, Canada. No one else has ever been imprisoned in the US for selling seeds, I mean, there’s no drug quality to seeds. On the topic of seeds, we have a law in Ireland whereby the sale of seeds and all necessary equipment is 100% legal, but once the seed germinates, the law is broken. What do you make of that? What’s happening there is a criminal intent idea. That is, if you buy those seeds for eating, then that’s okay, but if you grow pot you are breaking the law. I can see why that law is in place but there is a degree of hypocrisy and misunderstanding. I’m glad to see that seeds are sold in Ireland. You’re nicknamed the ‘Prince of Pot’; how do you feel about that? I like that nickname. It is only important to me in the sense that people I claim to be a spokesman for think I am doing a good job. If they didn’t think I was doing a good job, I would feel really depressed about being called the Prince of Pot. I take it very seriously. I didn’t call myself that, it was given to me by CNN and it’s been repeated by Time Magazine and others for the past 17 years. How does it feel to be on both sides of the law: To run for election one year and face imprisonment the next? I’ve actually been in 12 elections in Canada since 1980, including running for mayor of Canada, and I always enjoy those opportunities even though I probably won’t get elected. It’s an opportunity to educate other candidates who may get elected, as well as the voters at large.

They are very destructive things, but I do know that if you try and deny them to the people, they have their ways of getting them. It just causes more social problems when they do that.

“That’s a very nerve wracking experience, waiting to be told at any time the appeals were over and I was going to federal prison” We had it in America with prohibition; it did not stop people drinking but led to them making their own alcohol with dubious chemicals. Prohibition corrupts everyone in society; the police and the youths, who are tempted into selling drugs because it will earn them more money than a job in normal society. It makes it a worse place to live in. We are moving towards making the public understand that legalising a substance does not mean condoning it. If cannabis was legalised, do you think that the same restrictions would be placed on it as on alcohol and tobacco? Let me say that I think they probably will create a regime like that, but I don’t endorse it. I would accept it, because the most important thing is to legalize pot. It would be discriminatory to those aged 16, who will still try and access the drug. However, politically and socially, we have to go for ages 21 and over.

“Nothing that’s a genuine crime is laughable.” One of the wonderful things I envision about legalisation is that the price will plummet. Instead of $5,000 a month being spent on pot, you could pay college tuition. If it was €20 an ounce instead of 300-400, that could educate anyone. You have talked about your release from prison 5 weeks ago; how did it feel to come so far having had a life sentence staring you in the face?

25 years ago there was a complete blackout on anything to do with cannabis, like books, bongs, etc. I think we have come very far, in Vancouver, a very tolerant city, there are 50 cannabis clubs which are unscathed by the authorities. Next year we are hoping for entire legalisation and to have criminal records related to cannabis expunged.

Well, let me put it this way; it was much better to be at the end of it than the beginning, because from 2005 to 2010 there was this expectation that I would be going to jail. That’s a very nerve wracking experience, waiting to be told at any time the appeals were over and I was going to federal prison in America.

What do you think about the sale of alcohol and tobacco?

During my sentence Jodie was a very dutiful wife. She visited me 81 times for a total of 163 days. Prison only

drags when you’re not busy, so I read books and magazines and I was in a Rock ‘n’ Roll band. I did 14 concerts over three years and I was surrounded by very talented musicians, who were able to teach me bass guitar. Was there a sense of betrayal in being extradited? It wasn’t like it wasn’t expected. There was a conservative government but procedures were decided by the Liberal Party of Canada. Both parties were upset with me; not for selling seeds but because my campaign for legalisation had so much support. They kept going on about my political activity, nothing I did was dangerous. Both governments were, and continue to be, very upset with me. In any movie or show, there tends to be a kind of stoner typecast, what do you think of the stereotype? The stoner representation is present because it is amusing. You can always tell when pot is not seriously regarded as a crime because, often when people talk about it on radio or TV, we all

know it’s a crime but we all laugh about it. No one laughs about rape or murder. Things that people really consider crime, they’re not laughing about it. Nothing that’s a genuine crime is laughable. You’ve said yourself that you live and strive to disobey the law. When you have successfully legalised pot, what is next?

Hopefully pot will be real cheap and I will benefit like everyone else by getting it at $20 an ounce and spending money on more important things. Pot is important but only because it is illegal. Once it is made legal it becomes normal. Emery was speaking ahead of last Thursday’s UCC Students for Sensible Drug policy talk.

Tuesday, September 30th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

12 |

The big interview:

Laura Harmon

Conor Shearman speaks to USI President Laura Harmon on graduating from UCC, alternatives to the current fees system and where we would be without the USI.

The budget is where the current priority dwells. For the first time in three years the USI is organising a national prebudget rally in Dublin on the 8th of October, something that is hoped will maximise student engagement. The tone of the event is changing too, moving away from the negative slant of a protest, it is hoped more students will get involved as artists play on the day, whilst a number of other organisations including the TUI and IFUT are involved in the ‘Rally for Education’. The idea Laura explains is that it will be “not just about students but the contributions students make to society and the value of education to society as a whole.”

Irish culture is on the move. Ireland is moving away from being a traditional Catholic, closed, conservative society, to becoming more secular, liberal and cosmopolitan. A transition linked to a decline in the symbolic domination and moral monopoly of the Catholic Church.

Instead Harmon advocates Ireland should continue with its system of progressive taxation, promoting

It is an exciting time for the USI. Pre-budget plans are well underway in anticipation of the October the 8th nationwide rally whilst eyes are already being drawn to next spring’s referendum for marriage equality; this alongside a host of regular annual campaigns. Laura Harmon is not one to be overawed by her situation though. A confident, breezy manner reveals that for the UCC graduate, being USI president is an opportunity to be seized rather squandered. Indeed it is her time in UCC which she feels had a large part to play in where she is today, “being part of the LGBT society in particular really politicised me I feel,” she explains, “it was such a fantastic society and resource to have in the college.” It was student politics which captured her attention following graduation.

Harmon was elected equality and citizenship officer in the USI for two years, before being elected President for the current year, the first female president of the USI in twenty years. It is a point which many have been quick to criticise and one she readily acknowledges is telling; “I certainly feel that it does have to be questioned why there hasn’t been any female presidents in the last twenty years. I do think that student politics can be maybe not as representative as it should be. At times very similar to national politics, there is a gender imbalance there, but I certainly think things are improving.” Countering the trend is something the USI is addressing. A women and leadership campaign will be launched in January, aiming to promote running for elections to female students, although it may be that a more deeprooted cultural change is required.

“The USI has been overall as effective as it could be given that we’ve gone through one of the greatest recessions that we’ve seen in this society.”

education as the means by which the economy can lift itself out of the recession. It may be that the changing of the guard in terms of Education minister may also provide an impetus to the ailing third level system, there is a sense that third level was neglected by Ruairi Quinn in favour of secondary and primary education. Jan O’ Sullivan Harmon believes, “has a huge opportunity now to really make an impact in third level education” Although the USI’s main aim, the protection of the maintenance grant

Female identity and position in society is one such aspect where this change is being noted. The Catholic Church’s teaching that women should be like Our Lady, virgins or chaste mothers, increasingly has to compete with media and market images of sexually liberated and assertive women. Data collected over the past 10 years on teenage pregnancy has highlighted this change; it is a sexual behaviour which transgresses the teachings of the Catholic church. It is not the only area in which such a change has been noted, struggles most keenly expressed are around family structural issues including contraception, divorce and abortion. Although progress has been made, such a change in culture does not happen overnight. Research from UCC has noted that a majority of study participants regretted becoming sexually active when they did, and that it took a long time before they learnt how to enjoy sex. Furthermore there was a reliance on emergency was realised last year, a vague sense of disenfranchisement still greets its leadership. UCD’s disaffiliation from the USI in 2013 was a major blow to the organisation whilst UCC plans to hold a referendum on USI membership in spring 2015. For Laura it is a divisive topic, “If the USI didn’t exist what kind of situation would we be in now? I believe that things would be a lot worse for students if we didn’t have a national organisation to represent them to Government and to lobby on their behalf. The USI has been overall as effective as it could be given that we’ve gone through one of the greatest recessions that we’ve seen in this society.” It may be that small scale adjustment rather than widespread reform is in need for the USI. Informing students of the role of the USI and how it impacts on them personally will be key to creating a better dialogue. Fresher’s packs provided to 30,000 students highlighting exactly this, is an attempt to remedy this situation. The referendum in UCC she believes is a challenge to be engaged with and is optimistic that the college will remain part of the USI. It is well represented she believes, pointing to the college’s close ties with the union in terms of producing officers, alongside having a relatively large vote in its annual congress and national council. In spite of the negativity surrounding

students’ financial woes, the USI hopes to bring a positive sense of purpose around campuses this year. The upcoming referendum for marriage equality is a chance for students to act as a force of positive change, “I think we’ve a huge opportunity, not just to pass marriage equality but to show the Government that students can get out and vote in high numbers. We’ll be coming up to a general election in 2016 that will really show the Government that students are a force to be reckoned with.”A large part of the USI’s campaign will focus on getting students to register to vote, something which is already well underway.

“I do think that student politics can be maybe not as representative as it should be”

For Laura Harmon a sense of possibility dawns for the year ahead. A year may be a short time is make your leadership count but she hopes that it will be a campaign to remember.

| 13

Knowledge is power: Owning our own sexuality Dr Maria Dempsey School of Applied Psychology

Questions remain though over the effectiveness of protesting, challenged on whether she believed lobbying to be a better alternative she remained balanced. “The two approaches work well together; it maximises student engagement this way. A public event allows for students who may not directly lobby their TD to get involved.” The desperate nature of finances amongst students is something which may prompt more to take to the streets this year. The student maintenance grant which was not cut for the first time in five years last year is a worrying target for students this time around. The issue of falling third level funding is another budgetary concern of great significance. Directly impacting on the quality of Irish education; it has triggered a widespread decline in the global rankings of Irish universities. Alternative approaches touted for funding such as full fee student loan schemes and graduate taxes are dismissed, “people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more debt averse, so they’d be less likely to take on the burden of a loan.” The pragmatic reality of the situation she explains is that “neither student loans or graduate taxes will provide any immediate funding into the system.”

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, September 30th 2014

contraception as a chosen form of birth control without awareness of its health implications.

“Research from UCC has noted that a majority of study participants regretted becoming sexually active when they did, and that it took a long time before they learnt how to enjoy sex”

An underlying thread of this was an inability to talk clearly about needs and wants in relation to sexual information and activity with a partner. Additional research from UCC investigating teenagers’ sexual knowledge has also flagged communication difficulties as an issue. Parents acknowledged awkwardness in talking about sex and birth control with their adolescent; linked to a fear that they would cause embarrassment, concern that they would not have all the answers, or worry that they would not be taken

History Expressed: Students bring end to public hangings

Emmet Curtin examines the old Cork County Gaol site on UCC main campus and why public executions came to an end. Designed and built by the brothers, James and George Pain, construction of the Cork County Gaol began in 1818 and finished in 1823. The Gaol was designed in the Greek Revival style. Inside there was a central building with radiating cell-block wings, a Governor’s house, a chapel and a series of other buildings and yards, including homes for the families of some prison officials. The Gaol served the county area outside of Cork City, which had its own Gaol located nearby in Sunday’s Well. During the first half of the 19th century, the County Gaol served as a temporary prison for convicts who had been sentenced to be transported to Australia. From the 1870s onwards, the Gaol was used to hold male prisoners only, as female prisoners were being held in the former City Gaol.

The site for UCC was eventually selected to be in close proximity to the Gaol, with only a wall separating the two. The site was chosen for the wonderful view of Cork and at the time the Gaol was the only other major feature in the area. Back then, the Gaol was considered an embarrassing neighbour and the first professor of Quenn’s College Cork expressed their distaste for other unwholesome residents in the area. The proximity of the Gaol to the college would be an issue with college authorities from the opening of the college. One of the main problems would be that the road leading from Western Road to the County Gaol (now known as Gaol Cross) was very close to QCC and was unsuitable. It would add to the distance to the college from town

seriously. Results from both studies suggested that for the most part sexual health information is forged in a diverse and incomplete manner. It would seem that current education might be lagging behind young peoples’ information needs. There were gaps in knowledge that pose risks to young peoples’ sexual health (e.g. STIs, consequences of high-risk sexual activity) and these gaps prevent a full understanding of sexual activity. Two important gaps that exist relate to the menstrual cycle and female orgasm.

Currently Dr. O’Brien and I are looking at attitudes about the management of the menstrual cycle experience and reproductive health from the male perspective, a perspective often side-lined. Specifically, how do men understand a process that they can only experience second hand?

other researchers at the range of female sexual response and how this is tied to partner characteristics and behaviour. A greater understanding of the nature and function of female orgasm should contribute to knowledge on sexual fulfilment as well as fertility related issues.

For men, engaging with the issue is mediated by comfort levels and influences their sense of identity. It is a study which should offer significant insights into why the menstrual cycle retains taboo and symbolic elements for males. In relation to female orgasm, Dr. Robert King, another researcher at UCC, has looked with

Clearly we have made much progress in Ireland around owning our sexuality. Equally, there is still much to be done in learning how to verbalise our sexual needs and wants without fear of shame or being seen as anything other than normal.

and could be closed at any time by jail authorities. The atmosphere of this area was perceived as very undesirable. Concern over public order as well as class squeamishness was frequently expressed by middle-class Victorians. From early on in its history, the college professed itself shocked by the scene of public hangings on its doorstep.

“the college professed itself shocked by the scene of public hangings on its doorstep.”

The college tried numerous times in the 1850s to have the executions stopped from being in front of the college. In one resolution by the College Council to the Lord Lieutenant in 1851, they reference that: “The great crowd that would probably be collected on occasion must both shock the students and greatly interfere with the proceedings of the college.” In essence one of the reasons why QCC authorities wanted the executions moved or stopped was the disruption they caused to students on their way to classes, as these crowds would congregate at the entrance to the college, and delay students.

Eventually, the hangings were stopped outside the college gates but they continued to happen inside the confines of the Gaol, with the final execution taking place in the early 20th century. The Gaol was used for republican prisoners during the War of Independence and the Emergency, and it was the site of the execution of a number of republican prisoners in 1921, who were also buried there. Their burial plot is marked by a carved stone memorial, which is located outside the Kane Building. By the late 1940s the Gaol was in poor condition and was only used to detain

boys. Alfred O’Rahilly, President of the College, succeeded in getting the site transferred to UCC. The final part of the Gaol was closed in 1957 and the old gaol was demolished, with the exception of its external facade, and replaced with two buildings. The first was the Electrical Engineering Building, built in 1954, and the second was the Kane Building, built in 1971.

Thanks to JP Quinn, from the Visitors’ Centre, for his help with this article.

14 |

Tuesday, September 30th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, September 30th 2014

| 15

Images by: Emmet Curtin

Tuesday, September 30th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

16 |

Lecturers making sport smart Stephen Walsh | Sport Editor Down in a corner of UCC behind the Food Science Building is the Áras na Laoi building that holds both the Economics and Law departments. In the top two floors of this impressive building the founders of a website, SportsEconomics.org, are located. To explain what the website does one just has to look at the sites blurb: “This website examines the economics of sports, or more accurately it is an analysis of issues in sport by those with an economic perspective.” Some topics the website has covered in the past include: “Why do more people buy jerseys with smaller names on the back” and “Why do underage sports teams tend to win more games because they have more people born in January, whereas those teams with people born in December fail to get the same type of results.” The website was set up in July 2013 by five UCC economics lecturers, John Considine, Robbie and David Butler, Declan Jordan and Ed Valentine (now with Opta), with Maynooth’s Paul O’Sullivan also chipping in with pieces. They originally set up the website and said they’d run it for a year

Yet when asked was there a definite tipping point (to borrow Malcolm Gladwell’s phrase) for the website, Considine believed it was more of a steady growth.

The Return of the King

Gerard Duffy | Sport Writer “Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio.” With those opening words in an essay entitled I’m coming home, LeBron James shocked and delighted the basketball world as it was confirmed that he was returning to his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. There was no hoopla, no televised ESPN special, no grandiose promises of success; in short, everything his move to the Miami Heat four years ago wasn’t. Over that time LeBron has grown as a basketball player, but more importantly he has grown as a man. The narrative of his career so far has

been the quest for championships. It’s the sole reason he left for Miami in the first place. Critics have constantly pointed to Jordan’s six championship rings and Kobe’s five as an indicator that James doesn’t belong with such rarefied company. However, with James’ move back to Cleveland, that narrative has changed. One championship in a success starved city such as Cleveland will suffice. Can he do it? Can he match the success that he experienced in Miami: four straight trips to the NBA finals, two championships, two regular season MVP (Most Valuable Player) awards and two finals MVPs? With his experience he knows that talented players don’t necessarily make for championship calibre teams.

Cork’s camogie twins “Surreal, it just feels unbelievable” says Pamela Mackey, the half-back on the Cork camogie side to sum up Cork’s recent win in the All-Ireland final for the first time since 2009.

much evident in the game when a strong second half performance was the backbone of the team’s eventual victory over Kilkenny on a score-line of 2-12 to 1-9.

Sitting down with Pamela and her sister Katrina, a corner forward on the same team, in the days after the historic victory, they spoke about the sense of relief at relief and joy at the final whistle.

Katrina explained her side’s improvement in the second half by saying that they followed the plan better while also adapting to the weather conditions more effectively than they had in the previous half.

“It is a relief to everybody that we won this. I’d say if you asked everybody they’d probably say this is the best All Ireland they won and some of them have won so much in the game with many playing since 2002.”

“There is no certain tipping point for the site but we have found that the articles that appeal to a cult following, like League of Ireland pieces, tend to get more than some of the other articles.”

The site doesn’t earn any money as it’s too small, but its size is what makes it unique and enables its contributors to maintain an independent voice. This voice has become very popular

| 17

After their All-Ireland win, Pamela and Katrina Mackey tell Stephen Walsh that hard work beats talent

and evaluate then as to how the site progressed. Considine summed it up as follows: “We said we’d commit to it for a year, writing one piece a day for six days of the week. We hoped to get a readership of 100 but we are now hitting the 1,000 mark most days.” As recently as the end of August they were put in the ‘10 blogs to follow this year’ by SportsforBusiness.com.

Among that cult following is the site’s most well-known follower, Rodney Fort, a Professor of Sports Management in Michigan, who regularly retweets articles, while Ken Early of the Irish Times has also tweeted and engaged with Robbie Butler’s pieces.

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, September 30th 2014

The Mackey twins have both been on the Cork panel since 2009 and have been unlucky not to win much silverware yet. In the mean time the two sisters have just recently begun there first year of a PhD in Organic Chemistry here in UCC, having graduated from chemical science. with media organisations, with RTÉ, Newstalk and the BBC all asking for their opinions on various matters. Most recently, Robbie Butler appeared on the Marian Finucane show on RTÉ, in which he discussed the economic benefits of Dublin being awarded four Euro 2020 matches. “We’re not ready right now,” he states bluntly. However the acquisition of fellow All-Star and Olympic gold medallist, Kevin Love, as well as wily veterans Mike Miller and Shawn Marion, to compliment incumbent point guard Kyrie Irving has surely made Cleveland a contender. Only the Chicago Bulls, with a fit again Derrick Rose, look capable of challenging the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. The West is a different story; with an array of teams, most notably NBA champions the San Antonio Spurs, looking capable of winning it all. Of course, at this point in time any talk of championships is a little premature. James, Love, Irving and the rest haven’t played a minute of competitive action together and a number of questions remain to be answered. Will this star trio have the chemistry that James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh had in Miami? How will Irving and Love react to being second and third options on offence for the first time in their careers? Who will protect the rim against the inside play of the league’s most savvy big men? How these questions are answered will determine the next chapter of LeBron’s legacy; and this particular kid from Northeast Ohio has a knack of answering difficult questions in the only way he knows how: by winning basketball games. King James has returned to where he truly belongs and once again we can bear witness to his quest to bring glory to Cleveland.

A recent move in the development of the site has seen students write their own articles and these get put up on Sunday, which is the “rest day” for the main contributors, according to Considine. He continued that any students who think they have a suitable article should send it to one of them and they’ll check over it and get back

to them. The area of sports economics is an area that is constantly growing, with NUIM now having a module dedicated to it for students. Meanwhile Declan Jordan is proposing an Adult Education course on the topic for next year in UCC, so watch this space.

But last Sunday week college was far from their minds, with the sisters both acknowledging that some words of wisdom from their fellow Douglas club person Matthew Twomey at half time was the source of inspiration for the team: “He said a few strong words, which is out of character for him, but it appeared to work well as we drove on to win.” Those words of wisdom were very

“It is a relief to everybody that we won this. I’d say if you asked everybody they’d probably say this is the best All Ireland they won”

“In the second half we stuck to the game plan a bit more and we dealt with the wind, which was very strong, and thankfully we were successful.” They had a few days off celebrating with a huge homecoming on the South Mall, followed by Rob Heffernan joining them for the festivities. They then resumed club action last Sunday where they defeated Barryroe to progress to the next round of the County Championship.

Both sisters won All-Stars in 2012, becoming the first set of twins in camogie to win All-Stars in the same year. In a 2013 interview with Daragh Ó Conchúir for the camogie magazine On the Ball, Katrina said she was shocked to have been awarded an AllStar: “It was a massive surprise, but I’d prefer an All-Ireland.” Two years later that dream became a reality. Of course, with the two sisters being so successful with sport, they must find it hard to balance their time when it comes to studying in college. Yet for Pamela it’s something she takes in her stride.

“Balancing college and sport is easy enough, like you need a break from the books anyway and training is our break.” When asked would she have any advice for any Freshers who may be wondering about combining college and inter county sport, she replied with a grin, saying “go ahead and just do it. It’s a lot of hard work and focus but if you stick at it through hard work, you’ll be fine.” Katrina added that they were given a few “wise words from John Grainger,” the current Gaelic Games Development Officer in the college, on entering

college back in 2011. Both players will be the backbone of UCC’s Ashbourne Cup bid this year and they believe they have a good chance of success. “We think the Ashbourne Cup team will be strong enough this year, as we only lost two players from last year.” The team will play NUIG before exams start in a qualifier for this tournament. That team will stand a chance so long as they abide by the Mackey’s motto: “Hard work beats talent, if talent doesn’t work hard enough.”

The Arc: Europe’s premier race Jordan McCarthy | Sport Writer The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe takes place at Longchamp on Sunday. The Group 1 showpiece in Paris is arguably the leading race in the European and, indeed, world racing calendar, given the interest that has been shown by Japanese trainers. With over €4.8 million up for grabs in the French feature, it is easy to see why the top horses are aimed at this one and a half mile contest.

“A big field, likely soft ground, a false home straight and the hustle and bustle of Longchamp are all key factors”

The race is steeped in history, given the fact that it this year sees the 93rd running of the event. Plans for the race had been in the pipeline for some time and two years after the Great War ended, the race took its place in the first Sunday of October. Established over 100 years after the monument it shares its name with, the

title given to the race was evidently influenced by the French/ Allied victory in World War 1. The influence of global conflict did not end there, however, as two editions of the Arc had to be cancelled during the Second World War and the racecourse was bombed in 1945. That did not stop French Racing’s most valuable asset though. Redevelopment took place during the 1960s and the race continued to grow. 2014 has brought yet another chapter to the legacy of the race as a new

grandstand will be built after this year’s edition of the Arc. Speaking of which, this season’s renewal looks wide open and should be a very intriguing contest. Last year’s runaway victor, Treve, is back to defend her crown. The filly has failed to hit the target on her three runs this season, however, and that is a stark contrast to last year’s unbeaten campaign. Among the challengers that are aiming to dethrone the filly is Taghrooda, the Oaks winner. No Oaks winner has ever won the Arc but the daughter of Sea the

Stars is fancied to go close. She will be aiming to emulate her Dad by winning the race, who incidentally is the last Irish winner of the race from 2009. Ruler of the World could be this year’s Irish Challenger, while the Japanese are still aiming for their big race win after a series of near misses. Just A Way, Harp Star and Gold Ship look to be the main contenders from the Far East. Avenir Certain and Ectot will be aiming to give France a third win in a row, while Australia, The Grey Gatsby and Kingston Hill are still possibilities for Britain and Ireland.

It is a hard race to win. A big field, likely soft ground, a false home straight and the hustle and bustle of Longchamp are all key factors of the Qatar sponsored contest. Some greats have found success (Dancing Brave, Urban Sea, Montjeu and Danedream), but many have failed also (Nijinsky and Camelot). Whoever gets their neck in front in Paris, will certainly become a perpetual part of this glorious race and an historical event.

Tuesday, September 30th 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

18 |

Legendary motorcycle photographer gives Cork talk

Gregg Frost | Sport Writer The Western Gateway Building gave welcome to renowned Motor Cross News photo journalist Stephen Davison last Wednesday night. An intelligent, charming individual who has spent his life documenting the world of motorcycle racing through photography; in particular, the legendary Isle of Man TT races. While the races themselves can be spectacular to watch, Davison admits “it’s the people I’m really interested in.”

Let’s talk NFL

Throughout the evening the crowd was treated to an array of incredible photographs. These included motorbikes going around corners where the rider’s knee was touching the ground and photographs that showed motorbikes flying through the air. But it was the photos of the drivers themselves which he was most proud of. Davison’s whole philosophy is to try to tell a story through photographs, something which he achieves very well. One story in particular stands out amongst the rest. Joey Dunlop, one of

the sport’s most successful riders of all time, had just won a race and he wanted to cool off. He stripped down to his boxers, grabbed a sandwich and a cup of tea and strolled into the back of a lorry which was full of reporters. He took his seat, without a care in the world, and left the journalists gobsmacked. While others sat in disbelief, Davison managed to compose himself and take a photo and to this day it’s still his favourite. Unfortunately Dunlop died in Tallinn, Estonia in 2000 while leading a race. He lost control of his bike in the wet and was killed instantly on impact with trees. Davison has known many riders who have lost their lives to motor racing, including Martin Finnegan,another Irish racer, who was a good friend.

UCC 24

Bective Rangers 16

After it all it may surprise you to know that Geaney was on the verge of being dropped before the final, but it was a call he wouldn’t enable Fitzmaurice to make.

“It’s not my call,” said Davison, “the drivers know the risks. If you race at 120 miles per hour people are going to die.” Davison does confess though that the hardest thing is “what’s left behind.”

“My form dipped a small bit as college work and the Dip got the better of me for about two weeks. I had to take a week off before the final to refocus. I played well in training and I nailed my spot then.”

The event was organised between the Photography Society and the Motorcycle Club, who are the only college based motorcycle club in Ireland. They rebuild and restore motorbikes and participate in runs and ride-outs throughout the year.

Geaney shares a lot of the traits of his mentor, with their common will to win and prove others wrong shining through in one closing exchange: Stephen Barry: It’s been said that teams don’t defend All-Irelands. Is it tough now knowing you won’t win next year’s All-Ireland!? Paul Geaney: I don’t know - we were written off this year and we came up trumps! It’s great winning an All-Ireland but come December it’s forgotten about in Kerry because it’s only another number. This is 37 and it’s all about number 38 in December.

What is the pitch layout and structure of the game?

Back-to-back is something we definitely want to do. I know it’s odd hearing this from a fellow but you’re not remembered in Kerry with one AllIreland, so it’d be nice to put back-tobacks together and take it home again next year.

Football is played on a field that is 120 yards long and 53 yards wide. There are two end zones where a touchdown can be achieved, which make up 10 yards at each end of the field. There are two teams with eleven players on each side. Both teams throughout the game take turns in being the offense, the team with possession of the ball, or the defensive, the team who trys to stop the offense from scoring a touchdown.

The game on the surface looks very hard to follow but, in truth, it is much easier. The task of the offensive team is to move the ball as close to the end zone to achieve a touchdown. The offensive team has to move the ball a minimum of ten yards in four attempts; each attempt is known as a ‘down’, the first of each series being ‘first down’ and so on. For the viewer it is easy to know if the offense are successful in gaining territory or the ten yards as

Ansboro’s duo sees college cross for first win

“Éamonn is 60% of the reason why we won and the rest is just made up of little bits of good players, experience and then luck.”

It’s not long coming around again, and so the NFL season is once again upon us. For many, the rules of American football are tough to comprehend, so here are some basics that will at least get you through this season.

How is the game played?

Geaney driven to become a Kerry great

| 19

Contd. from Back Page

Shane O’ Sullivan

The time of play for each game is 60 minutes; this is split up into four 15 minute quarters. If the game ends as a draw there is 15 minutes of overtime, known as sudden death. Both teams are allowed three time outs per half, a team may opt to take one in order to make a play.

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, September 30th 2014

SB: Is that the goal; to be remembered in the end?

every ten yards is marked out on the field in the form of thick white lines. In the sometimes likely event that the offense does not move the ball forward the required ten yards, possession of the ball is awarded to the opposing team. The defence then becomes the offense in the same place the ball was turned over. The game is not restarted with a kick-off. On fourth down, the offense has option of kicking the ball to the opponent when they have failed to make the required ten yards and have too far to go to take a chance of making it

on the remaining down. The issue for the offense is to ensure that they don’t give away possession near their own end zone; something which can have a huge impact on the game. What are the rules for scoring points during the game? A touchdown is worth six points to the offense. This can be achieved when the offensive team crosses the opposing team’s goal line with the ball or catches/ collects the ball in the end zone. A touchdown may also be awarded to the offense when a player who is inbounds catches or recovers a loose ball behind

the defensive team’s goal line. A point after a touchdown or an ‘extra point’, as the names suggests is an opportunity to score an additional point by kicking the ball between the goal posts in the end zone after a touchdown. Throwing or carrying the ball into the end zone from two yards away, known as ‘the two yard line’, will result in an additional two points. A safety occurs when an offensive player who has the ball in his possession gets caught in his own end zone, and is tackled there by a defensive player. The defence is then awarded two points.

A field goal is worth three points to the offense. If the offensive team fails to reach the end zone by the fourth play, the team may choose to kick if the posts are within the range of their kicker.

These basics should get you at least as far as January’s playoffs. But remember, just because the ball in in play for 60 minutes doesn’t stop the game going on for about three hours, between pauses, timeouts and adverts. This is an American sport after all!

PG: Absolutely, there’s no point in adding to that. What you want to be remembered as is one of the best players to put on a Kerry jersey. That’s a very difficult thing to do but that’s the ambition and that’s what I’ll drive for. SB: There were a few quotes against ye during the year that have come up again. Were they plastered on the dressing room walls? PG: They weren’t at all but it’s nice to be able to look back and have a laugh at them afterwards. There were quite a few alright this year. I think Brolly called us ‘a limited group of players’ after the Mayo game so it’s great to be able to sit here today and metaphorically stick up the finger!

Image by: Marc Moylan

Charlie O’Regan puts Bective on the back foot. Gregg Frost | Sport Writer A good home debut resulted in UCC’s first win of the rugby season, as winger Killian Ansboro crossed the line before and after the break during a bonus point win. The conditions in the Mardyke were near perfect with only a hint of a breeze in the air as they welcomed Dublin’s Bective Rangers. Given that UCC had lost their opening fixture in the league, this was a big match early in the season. From the opening minute UCC showed their intent when they won a scrum against the head, taking over a Bective put in. After a number of phases UCC won a penalty on the 22-metre line but full-back Brendan Monahan missed the target. Bective Rangers won a penalty of their own after six minutes and from 40 yards out their fly-half, Barry Lynn, converted to put the visitors in the lead. On the tenth minute Bective were put down to 14 as their tighthead prop, Simon O’Shea, was yellow carded. Monahan missed the resulting penalty. But after numerous scrums on Bective’s 5-metre line just before the half-hour, UCC were awarded a penalty try which UCC out half Kevin Kidney converted for a four-point lead. Four minutes later UCC scrum half

Charlie O’Regan darted up the pitch and gained ten valuable meters. He offloaded in the tackle to Ansboro, who used all of his strength to score in the corner as he was tackled. Kidney missed the resulting conversion.

Ansboro, Cian O’Halloran, Cian Murphy, James Kieran; Kevin Kidney, Charlie O’Regan; Charlie Slowey, Brian Vaughan, David Hartnett; David O’Connell, Owen Linnell; Edward Earle, Dean Nolan, Richard Moran.

At half-time the score stood at 12-3 in the college’s favour, after a half in which UCC had the majority of possession but failed to take real control of a game which was littered with simple errors on both sides.

Replacements: Ben Burns, Stephen Randles, Connor Barry, Benjamin Nugent, Paul Kieran.

The opening ten minutes of the second half belonged to Bective, with Lynn kicking two penalties to cut the deficit to three. On the 63 minute O’Regan was again able to offload in the tackle to Ansboro, who broke through two tackles along the touchline to score for UCC. It was a similar combination to the second try, although Monahan again missed the conversion. rd

Late on UCC scored from a driving maul with hooker Brian Vaughan touching down and Monahan converting. Then, in the dying seconds, Bective’s Mark O’Driscoll scored a try in the corner, which Lynn converted. However it was just too little to save a losing bonus point. UCC:

Brendan

Monahan;

Killian

Basketball

Bective Rangers: Rob O’Beirne; Mark Joyce, Conor Treacy, Alex Kelliher, Conor McCarthy; Barry Lynn, Mark O’Driscoll; Emmet Ferron, Ryan Ecock , Simon O’Shea; Oisin Lennon, Rory Kenneally; Mark Haes, Ian Cullinane, John O’Byrne. Replacements: Matt Quinlivan, Dave Barron, Eoin Heffernan, Jer Moore, Ian McDonnell.

Rugby

Men’s Premier League: Sat 4 Oct: Neptune vs C&S UCC Demons @ 7pm in Neptune Stadium. th

Hockey (Mens)

Munster League Division 1: Limerick 2 UCC 5 (Adam O’Callaghan 2, Fionn O’Leary, Gary Wilkinson, Andrew McGregor); UCC 1 Harlequins 1 (Shrew Power); Sat 4th Oct: Ashton vs UCC in Ashton School. Irish Hockey League Pool A: Sat 11th Oct: Instonians vs UCC @ 2.30pm in Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast.

Hockey (Ladies)

Munster League Division 1: UCC 1 Limerick 0 (Emma Dobson). Irish Hockey League Pool A: Sat 11th Oct: Lurgan vs UCC @ 2pm in JHS.

Ulster Bank League Division 2A: Naas 29 UCC 6 (Ben Nugent 2 pens); UCC 24 Bective Rangers 16 (Killian Ansboro 2 tries; Brian Vaughan try; Penalty try; Kevin Kidney, Brendan Monahan 1 con each); Sat 4th Oct: Skerries vs UCC @ 2.30pm in Holmpatrick.

Soccer Munster Senior League Premier Division: Sat 11th Oct: UCC vs St Mary’s in The Farm.

UCC

SPORT

Tuesday, September 30th 2014 | uccexpress.ie | Volume 18 | Issue 3

“I feel like I can finally call myself a Kerry footballer” Stephen Barry | Editor-in-Chief It was an All-Ireland final which provided vindication by the bucketload. Not only was there vindication for Kerry football as a whole, but personal vindication for many of the individual players. Paul Geaney ranked among them. Despite a promising underage career, Geaney lacked an All-Ireland underage medal in the green and gold – with the surprising exception of an U21 B hurling medal. But now he has the one medal he needed to feel considered a Kerry footballer. However it was an even more personal justification due to the leading contribution Geaney made to the success. With 18 points to his name in championship action coming in to the final, Geaney produced his first ever championship goal within a minute of the throw-in.

“I knew I had to get a goal at some stage this year so no better time to get it,” says the final year trainee teacher with a grin. “I think it might have set us up for the day really because Donegal are a team you don’t want to leave get in front. It got us off on a good foot and it drew them out to play football; they couldn’t really sit back.” It was a goal which Colm O’Rourke described as: “Geaney got his arse in under [Paddy] McGrath and kept him off;” a description Geaney is happy enough with: “I’m known for sticking my arse in alright!” That mismatch was one Kieran Donaghy called attention to three days before the game, and it almost yielded a second goal for the powerful cornerforward, only to narrowly blaze his shot over the bar. However the 1-1 garnered from the tactic was ultimately

the difference between winning and losing.

most out of the well of talent of the bench.

“Paddy McGrath isn’t the tallest guy in the world and I’d fancy myself over my head against midfielders; it’d be one of my strong points. So we singled it out and worked on it a small bit, not much, but Kieran just went on walkabout around the 21 and left me inside. Stephen [O’Brien]’s shot just dropped short in the first minute and it worked out there, but it was planned to have it done at some stage.”

“You’d trust every single player to do as well as the next. Marc Ó Sé was dropped this year. Killian Young was dropped. Star [Kieran Donaghy] couldn’t get into the team this year until he won us the All-Ireland in the end! My cousin Mikey got dropped for the final; it was harsh on him but that just shows how hard getting onto the team was.”

Geaney scored 1-2 and assisted the other score in Kerry’s first half tally of 1-3, as he enjoyed the feeling of being able to step up when the talismanic James O’Donoghue was drawn away from goal. However Geaney also kicked four wides and came off with 21 minutes to go. Yet Geaney attributes such a ruthless streak on the sideline as getting the

Mikey Geaney would come on for the second half, something which only added to the emotion on the steps of the Hogan Stand: “All my life dreaming about it and to lift Sam with my first cousin… We’d be clannish out in Dingle – we’d be a tight-knit family, so that was a nice moment as well.” Tight-knit is a way of describing Geaney’s relationship with Éamonn Fitzmaurice too. Although to call

Fitzmaurice a manager would underestimate his role in Geaney’s life; after all he did teach Geaney for his A in Junior Cert geography. However he was also there for Geaney when injury denied him his chance to make an impact in last year’s AllIreland semi-final. “He’s given me my chance and I’d do anything for Éamonn. He’s a great guy and if he says something, he stands up to his word. He shared my disappointment last year. He had a lot of faith in me and he said it to me that I’d get my just reward yet, which has come through this year. “That means an awful lot to a player, when you have a man that’s going to back you. That’s all you can ask for in a manager and when you have that, it’s up to you to do the rest.”

Contd. on Page 23