UCC Express Issue 6

Tuesday, November 17th 2015 | uccexpress.ie | Volume 19 | Issue 6

UCC Student Wins JCI Award Pg. 5 - News

HAVE I GOT MORE BOOLE FOR YOU: UCC Staff & Students Celebrate Boole 200 Day in November

(PHOTO: Emmet Curtin Photography)

J1 Regulations Set to Hamper Students Zoë Cashman - News Editor Starting in 2016, Irish students participating in the J-1 Work & Travel USA Program will be required to have a summer job vetted and approved before travelling to the U.S. The new regulation, introduced

by J-1 visa sponsors CIEE and Interchange, will affect more than 7,000 Irish students every year. The new stipulation will affect all 38 countries currently approved by the visa waiver programme which allows visafree travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days for eligible citizens.

Ireland, however, has one of the highest J-1 issuance rates and will be among those most affected by the change.

Michael Doorley, managing director of Shandon Travel which oversees the J-1 agency SAYIT, commented that “Students should not under any circumstances think of travelling without a J-1 visa, as the penalties can be refusal at pre-clearance in Irish airports or on arrival in the U.S. or, if found working illegally, then deportation and non re-entry for 10 years”.

Doorley believed the change was positive, however, and will ensure more stability for students. “Job pre-placement is good news for students that travel to the USA on the visa programme. We have thousands of qualifying employers lined up with thousands of approved jobs and this takes the uncertainty for students of having to worry about sourcing a job on arrival”.

“They now will arrive from their flight straight into a job and earning money- a situation very much welcomed by parents as they wont have to

Reactions to Attack in Paris Pg. 6 - Features

fund them while they search for a job. It also gives the students more time in advance to source accommodation”.

While the Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to comment on the issue, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he was “not keen” on the idea of “the dramatic introduction of a requirement for preemployment”. Speaking in the Dáil last month, the Taoiseach said such an introduction could be “an abrupt end to the J-1 system as we know it”

Winter Fashion Special Edition

BYLINE Magazine

Tuesday, November 17th 2015 | UCC EXPRESS

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Inside Today: Domestic Abuse Page 4 Opinion: Paris Attack Page 6 Bernie Sanders - GOP Page 7 Letter: Suicide Page 10 Photo Page Page 12 Sports in Brief Page 14

Editorial team Editor-in-Chief: Brian Conmy Deputy & News Editor: Zoë Cashman Deputy News Editor: Chris McCahill Features Editor: Deirdre Ferriter Deputy Features Editor: Katie Jeffers Sport Editor: Neil Willoughby Photo Editor: Emmet Curtin Designer: Robert O’Sullivan Byline Editor: Xander Cosgrave Fiction Editor: Austin Dowling Humour Editor: Lauren Mulvihill Arts & Lit Editor: Colm Furlong Film & TV Editor: Olivia Brown Gaming Editor: Aoife Gleeson Music Editor: Holly Cooney Comics Editor: Dylan O Connell Fashion Editor: Jessica NiMhaolain Fashion Editor: Kenneth Nwaezeigwe

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Letters from the Editors What to Say

Brian Conmy - Editor-in-Chief

This week really sucked. As many of you may have seen or will see later in this issue, the Express received what amounted to a cry for help from a student experiencing mental health issues. While the person was responded to promptly thanks to the insane sleeping pattern of our designer Rob and then talked to again by myself when I awoke to some startling notifications, we felt it was right to honour their wish to have the thoughts and feelings they had expressed in their email published. The story was picked up under a slightly unfortunate headline by the Irish Examiner and had Apple not graciously announced so many new jobs in Cork we wonder if that day wouldn’t have seen mentions of the letter in other local or even national media.

We always want news pieces or stories from the Express to go viral, it helps our reputation and it is an ego boost I should admit. Not like this though. The thoughts and feelings expressed by this anonymous person to us at those early hours of the morning resonated with many I’m sure judging by the outpouring of sympathy and well wishes we received towards the person, both publicly and privately. On a personal level I can relate to that note in more ways than one. Seeing those deeply personal thoughts written down, not really knowing what to say to this person I didn’t know on the other end of a computer/ phone screen as they emailed me was terrifying.

Not only out of fear for what may happen but for

the constant fear I have that one day I too will fall back to that place this person found themselves in, seemingly hopeless.

But as this person noted, while things may not always get “better” we as a race have a tremendous tenacity for learning to live on. As I write this I’m still watching a 24 hour news channel, all I’ve done since the tragedy in Paris began other than work my sales job and do college work. Things seem bleak now and many of us, myself included, may be afraid of what comes next. However one need only look at the outpouring of support for that anonymous student writing an email in a time of need and see that love and support mirrored in the actions and words of so many towards France now in its hour of need.

“It will get better, but it won’t go away” Be good to one another.

My Belief in Humanity Zoë Cashman - Deputy Editor

This week I received an email from one of my lecturers from last year, stating that he really enjoyed my editorial on fear in the last issue and that he feels “it should be on the required reading list for all students and lecturers”. Drawing attention on what I mentioned in the last issue, I have many fears about writing despite it being my career goal, and to have someone go out of their way to tell me they enjoy it is truly touching.

That being said, I want to discuss humanity.

Events over the weekend have led many people around the world to question humanity right now. The world is shaken by what has occurred and again it is truly touching to see the nations standing together in these dark times and in times of fear.

Last week was mental health week and again drawing on my own experiences I met an old friend while out and we talked about secondary school experiences. When we talked about how introverted and different I was she proceeded to mention a conversation she had with her mother

in which they talked about the person I am today and said “there’s no stopping that girl now”.

Again this was truly touching to me, as for many years of my life I was truly afraid to put myself out there and be true to myself, and for someone to go out of their way to tell me they are proud of what I have achieved makes me have faith in people’s compassion.

How I want to relate this to the wider public is that, the events over the weekend have truly shocked me, but events during the week beforehand made me believe in the good will of people and their ability to be compassionate and genuinely kind towards others. Yes there are people who do awful and shocking things in this world, but it is through our following actions and in our compassion that we will all come to believe in humanity again. My message is, if you like the way someone writes, if you like someone’s jacket on a particular day, if you feel like you’ve seen someone truly change for the better in front of your eyes, tell them. There will always be tragedy and difficult times in this world, maybe by doing these little things you will help us all to once again believe in humanity.

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UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, November 17th 2015

Letter from Student Experience Office

Student Experience Survey 2015 - Tell Us | We Take Action

The UCC Student Experience Survey (SES) is part of UCC’s efforts to ensure that all students are provided with the best possible student experience. The anonymous survey gives you an opportunity to comment on your student experience including academic, social, support services and financial aspects.

The questionnaire was designed on the basis of information provided by students in focus groups and should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete.

The Student Experience Survey (SES) 2015 comprises of three parts, the UG Survey, PG Taught and PG Research.

The UG Survey opened on 9 November 2015, the PG Taught Survey on 16 November 2015 and the PG Research Survey will open on 23 November

2015. The link to the survey has been/ will be emailed to all students in UCC to complete in November and is available on www.ucc.ie/studentsurvey There is an opportunity for students to win some great prizes including an iPad and tickets to the Clubs & Socs Ball in March 2016.

The results of previous surveys (2009, 2011, 2013) have proved invaluable to our work in facilitating a world class student experience. Of particular note have been the wishes of students to see a greater focus on development of personal and professional skills. This has been at the forefront of our work in developing UCC Works, new placement opportunities for students in CACSSS and within the design of the new student

hub – set for completion in 2017/18.

The Student Experience Office is liaising closely with the UCC Students’ Union on the promotion of this survey and it should also be noted that a donation will be given to the Students’ Union Raise & Give Charity Fund for each completed survey returned.

For the first 10% of all students

a donation of €0.25 For the next 10% of all students

a donation of €0.50 For the next 5% of all students

a donation of €0.75 For any student after that

a donation of €1.00

The Head of Student Experience, Dr. Ian Pickup, says ‘I am working closely with the Students’ Union Officers to share analysis and feedback following this survey. We are planning to hold a feedback workshop in the new semester, where we would like to work with students and staff to create an action plan as a result of what the results tell us.’

We very much look forward to hearing all of your views and continuing to identify ways in which we can make the UCC student experience even better!

UCC Students’ Union Elect New Postgrad Officer Zoë Cashman - News Editor

UCC students have elected Eileen O’ Donovan as the new Postgraduate representative for the Students’ Union. O’ Donovan beat out eight other candidates in the election and said “I decided to put my name forward as I felt the role would be particularly interesting and rewarding; by being able to represent the views of postgrad students across a number of groups from Council, to the Executive and other committees.

Whilst I was daunted about the prospect of running, I nevertheless felt it was an opportunity

that I wanted to go for”.

The SU Postgrad Rep is responsible for representing all postgraduate level students, Diplomas, Masters and PhDs alike. O’Donovan is excited for the future ahead in this new role saying she is “delighted to have been elected, especially given the high calibre of the other candidates, who have raised a number of important points throughout the election process which need to be taken into consideration. The issues of restricted library hours and

the need for more class rep elections was raised and these are issues which I will focus on to make it a smoother and less stressful time for UCC postgrads”.

When asked what she hopes to achieve in the future through this important role, O’Donovan stated “there are a number of issues which need fundamental reform and I aim to address these in the coming months.

One fundamental issue relates to the process of electing class reps for postgrad classes.

Unfortunately, many classes are without an SU class rep, resulting in classes not being represented at Student Council or Class Clinics, which means that the SU are unable to address and potentially resolve issues if they are not brought to their attention. I am beginning to work on trying to ensure that more class reps will be elected at the start of semester 2 and that a better process will be in place for the next academic year. I will hold a number of clinics throughout the year so that any postgrads will be able

to raise any issues or concerns with myself so that they can be addressed”.

If you have any questions or concerns Eileen O’Donovan can be contacted at postgrad@uccsu.ie

UCC SU Help End Mature Student’s Nightmare Zoë Cashman - News Editor

A UCC mature student revealed she had been sleeping under a bridge by night in a bid to secure an education and to make life better for her and her daughter.

Dorothea Mages, 41, had been living in rented accommodation near Blarney with her husband and 17 month old daughter Katrina. After a car crash that left her husband unable to work because of neck injuries,

Dorothea and her family were unable to afford the rent and moved to Bantry last July to find cheaper accommodation.

Dorothea, originally from Canada, thought she would have to put her university dreams on hold due to her financial crisis, but she was determined not to give up and vowed to continue with her Biological and Environmental Sciences Degree no matter what. This meant stud-

ying in the UCC library until 2am before going to a bridge near the Mardyke to sleep away the remaining hours before college each day.

However, head of security Pat Cotter was alerted to her situation by Catríona Twomey of Penny Dinners, and contacted UCC Students’ Union. The Students’ Union have put an end to her nightmare with help on a student assistance grant.

An officer of the SU stated that

“Dorothea’s case is very severe, but there are still a lot of people staying on couches, hostels or in cars”.

This case has highlighted the accommodation crisis in Cork and the SU have urged students facing such uncertainty to come

forward and contact the Students’ Union.

If you have any concerns or questions you can contact the UCCSU Welfare Officer at 0863836794 or at welfare@ uccsu.ie

Tuesday, November 17th 2015 | UCC EXPRESS

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Calls For Intervention to Tackle Root of Domestic Abuse Zoë Cashman - News Editor

Ireland is failing victims of domestic abuse by not adequately intervening with the perpetrators, international experts will urge at UCC this Friday. a conference hosted by the School of Law at UCC will suggest existing state responses to domestic abuse are typically reactive and under-resourced. The need for a domestic abuse intervention system which seeks to effect change in the behaviour of the perpetrator in order to improve the lives of the victims will be explored.

ble, tackle the root of abuse”.

Dr Louise Crowley of the School of Law commented that “Whilst priority is rightly given to providing for and protecting vulnerable women and children, we must now seek to break the cycle of gender-based violence and where at all possi-

Research shows domestic abuse is estimated to affect one in every five women, with an underreporting of crime both by victims and statistics in Ireland. Whilst domestic violence affects men and women; both research and the everyday ex-

The potential value of an integrated approach to the complexities of domestic violence has been recognised nationally and internationally. The capacity for change amongst perpetrators may be limited to the minority, but where possible change must be encouraged stated Crowley. “Developing a holistic response which includes a targeted intervention for perpetrators can reduce the risk of re-offending”.

periences of domestic violence services demonstrate the undeniable gendered dimensions of domestic abuse.

Few targeted services are available for men who seek to address their own aggressive behaviour. Crowley continued saying “For those who seek help, it must be available. For those who need help, perhaps it ought to be mandatory. Without behavioural change, how can we improve the lives of women and children?”.

The success of perpetrator intervention programmes depends upon the effectiveness of the systems in which they operate, and the ability to establish a co-ordinated, comprehensive community response, involving the Courts, An Garda Siochána,

the Probation Service, Tusla and women’s support services, to reinforce the message that violence against women and children will not be tolerated and that the strongest sanctions will apply.

Dr Crowley said however “there must co-exist a willingness to provide the opportunity for abusers to tackle their own behaviour, where such intervention provides a possibility for reduced incidents of abuse”. Reference will be made to preliminary research data developed between Dr Crowley and MOVE (Men Overcoming Violence) Cork.

Research conducted by Dr Crowley and MOVE found that 50% of the interviewees had never appeared before the civil

or criminal courts for domestic violence. The majority of interviewees viewed the legal system as too lenient and according to one participant “if the victim doesn’t push it there isn’t a conviction”.

The conference will take place in Brookfield complex from 9.30 to 13.30, free of charge and open to the public. Dr Crowley “hopes this sharing of knowledge and experience will direct the future of Irish law and policy reform and ultimately better safeguard those in abusive intimate relationships”.

To register contact n.delea@ ucc.ie. More information can be found at www.ucc.ie/en/ lawsite/eventsandnews/title608505-en.html.

Cork Newspapers Battled as ‘Actors and Reporters’ Post-1916 Chris McCahill - Deputy News Editor

Recent research by a UCC history PhD student investigates the suppression of newspapers in Cork post-1916 period and highlights a devastating restriction of freedom of speech during a pivotal period in history.

The Southern Star, Skibbereen Eagle, Cork Examiner and Cork Constitution acted as central actors and reporters in the battle for hearts and minds between 1916 and 1923, in the face of intense censorship ‘According to Alan McCarthy’ from The Skibbereen Eagle, which “would become radicalised during the period,” was the first publication to publish a poetic verse by famed Fenian Jeremiah Donovan Rossa. The

Eagle’s first taste of repression came in 1917, with company secretary James O’Driscoll recalling that “the Eagle office was raided by armed and disguised men, the machinery broken and consider damage and confusion caused. P. Sheehy, the “brilliant poet editor of the Eagle” suffered the indignity of being tarred and feathered, and the paper had a boycott imposed upon it during 1920, with copies of the weekly paper stolen and burned in some instances.

The article written by McCarthy was originally published as one of 39 articles in the fifth Volume of “The Boolean” which had been launched by

UCC president Dr. Michael Murphy, an online journal aimed at representing the areas of research by postgraduate students within the college. Other articles published in the journal explore why life improved so dramatically for people over 50 in Limerick between 1875 and 1925, why the Shaky Bridge is so shaky, the secret lives of postnatal depressed dads and the use of micro-needle technology to deliver smarter, faster and better vaccines.

To have their articles considered for inclusion in The Boolean, which promotes the calibre of digital thinking and diverse research projects at UCC, authors were required to

describe their research using non-specialist language, to ensure the wider community can understand it.

The work of George Boole was the inspiration for three PhD students as a foundation for their research. Niamh Kavanagh centred her PhD on the development of high-capacity optical communications systems based on new types of optical fibres, while Fiona Murphy proposes to create a system for monitoring beehives remotely using wireless sensor networks, together with cloud storage and signal processing through her research. Shane Duggan is designing and building parts of circuits for comput-

er chips to simultaneously give them greater power and smaller size while using less energy.

However, “it is not only the work of George Boole that is inspiring current Research Students, with a wide range of research being carried out from investigating the use of technology by teenagers at night to the humour of saints in the middle ages,” comments Professor Liam Marnane, Dean of Graduate Studies, UCC. The Boolean is available online through the UCC website and at: http://publish.ucc.ie/ boolean/current

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UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, November 17th 2015

Joanne O’ Riordan an Ambassador for Young People Siobhan Maire O’Donnell - News Writer

Joanne O’ Riordan, a criminology student in UCC was honoured last week with the title of TOYP the “outstanding young person of the world.”

She was invited to travel to the Junior Chambers International (JCI) World Congress at Kanazawa, Japan from November 3-8. A formal awards ceremony was organized to present trophies to 10 Outstanding Young Persons of the World, Joanne included.

“The JCI Awards program aims

to recognise the achievements of young people between 1840 in categories ranging from business accomplishments and humanitarian efforts to outstanding leadership, medical and cultural achievements” according to Mary-Kate Portley President of JCI Cork.

She was shortlisted for the award after receiving a wave of support; almost half of the 26,000 votes were given to Joanne by the public. Joanne has said that she was “absolute-

ly over the moon to be picked for such a prestigious event.”

Joanne received the award for her achievements as an activist for young people and disability rights. She first grabbed public attention when she challenged the government on cuts to disability allowance in 2011.

She has given many inspiring speeches on both national television and radio, in TED Talks, Irish secondary schools and even addressing the UN at the

International Telecommunication Union’s conference ‘Girls in Technology’ in New York in 2012.

Recognising the key role technology plays in her life she is currently working alongside Trinity College to create a robot to help her with everyday tasks. Her life story was captured in the 2014 documentary No limbs no limits, directed by her brother Stephen.

JCI has been the starting point for many global leaders

including President John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Howard Hughes and Kofi Annan to name but a few. Past winners have included Jackie Chan and Condelezza Rice when they were in their 20’s and 30’s, before they achieved National and global recognition for their work. On that basis, this is clearly just the beginning for Joanne and we can expect great things to come.

A Touch of Hogwarts: Quad Wins Most Beautiful Building Siobhan Maire O’Donnell - News Writer

UCC’s Quadrangle now holds the title of Cork’s most beautiful building after the annual Cork Business Association (CBA) Better Building Awards.

Having won the People’s Choice award it is very clear Corkonians take great pride in their venerable University.

The competition encourages businesses to take care of their building which has the effect of enhancing the city’s appearance. Mark Poland Director of Buildings and Estates and

Rónán Ó Dubhghaill Vice President for External Relations accepted the award for the Quad on behalf of UCC in Hayfield Manor recently. The ceremony was attended by many winners from various categories and the awards were presented by Claire Nash, President of the Cork Business Association.

UCC also triumphed in the Best in Heritage & Conservation category. This award went to UCC’s new building on the South Mall.

The stone-faced quadrangle (“The Quad”) was built between 1847 and 1849. Within the wings you will find lecture halls, administrative offices including the president’s office, a collection of stones inscribed with Ogham writing, a visitors centre, and the Aula Maxima or Great Hall where formal events take place. It is the first place one walks through as a new student and realise that you’re entering somewhere special.

The Quad contains subtle touches not many know about:

the stone gargoyles on either side of the entrance which smile as you enter the grounds, and on the opposite side as you’re leaving, the stone faces wear a frown, sad to see you go; to the more modern myths of not walking on the crest, or the unspeakable walk through the centre of the quad pre graduation. And so, it is where you stand with pride on your grads, hat flying in the air as you celebrate your achievements and the UCC experience.

The Quad is Hogwarts-esque.

It is grand. It is imposing. It is an inspiring part of the City as Winston Churchill once said- “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”

or email Editor@UCCExpress.ie

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Tuesday, November 17th 2015 | UCC EXPRESS

What Do These Attacks Actually Achieve?

Joe Cunningham - Features Writer

I was sitting in bed at about 10 o clock on the evening of the 13th of November 2015. Ireland had just done well in Bosnia and I was looking forward to a nice lie-in after a week of hard work. Suddenly my phone vibrated on the bedside table.

“There’s been a shooting in Paris” read the message. My thoughts turned immediately to the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January and I hurriedly logged onto the BBC News app. What unfolded in the next few hours served not only to shock and sadden me, but also to convince me of the horrific futility of acts like those that occurred in Paris.

‘Now 128 people lie dead across the city and another 200 are wounded’ Now 128 people lie dead across the city and another 200 are wounded. For what?

What do these killings achieve? Absolutely nothing is the truthful answer, other than to scare, anger and horrify the people of a sheltered Western World. And yet, in the eyes of the terrorists, they have succeeded. They have created panic and renewed terror in a country that has only just recovered from the shocking attacks on the Charlie Hebdo offices earlier this year. They have left a lasting impression on those they see as “infidels”. Their justification? On the surface, it seems to be religion. Terrorists such as ISIS are very quick to label their atrocities as “religious justice” or some other meaningless assertion. In reality, this has little to do with actual religion. Religion is simply the gun in the hand of the serial killer: a tool used to manipulate and brainwash the vulnerable and disillusioned in the already persecuted society that is the Muslim community in Europe. By giving these young people something to follow in a world that seems uncaring and hostile, those behind the attacks can recruit a seemingly endless supply of people who will, quite willingly, walk to their ultimately pointless deaths.

‘There is nothing remotely religious about these acts of hate’ There is nothing remotely religious about these acts of hate. The vast majority of Muslim men and women are just as appalled by these attacks as non-Muslims, perhaps more so as these events can only serve to heighten the already endemic Islamophobia in France and the Western World. Let us not forget that over 100,000 of the people slaughtered by ISIS in Syria were Muslim. Sights such as white fanatics torching refugee camps in Northern France in supposed response to the events in Paris can serve only to drive the young into the arms of ISIS and other hate-groups, and widen the gulf that exists between the Muslim and non-Muslim community at a time when unity and co-operation are desperately needed.

But let us not forget what has occurred. Dozens on innocent people, enjoying a Friday night out at concerts, restaurants and football matches now lie dead, accessories to an agenda based solely on hate and terror. Needless to say, standing strong and united in the face of these attacks is essential. In times of crisis, unity is the most important tool in rebuilding and coming to terms with events. Sadly, it is only

by Dylan O Connell

in times of crisis that we see how great society can be. Scores of people lining up to donate blood at centres across Paris, taxi services offering free rides to citizens affected and an otherwise ineffective French President doing his upmost to stay strong and support his people through a difficult time. If only we could see this unity all of the time, perhaps we would deprive ISIS of the brainwashed soldiers that their cowardly leaders rely on to pursue their twisted ideology. If it was possible to sit the rank and file of these terror organisations down and explain to them that they are not fighting for God or Islam, they are fighting for the twisted and perverted ideals of a small group of cowards who would just as quickly murder them and their comrades if they thought it would benefit their cause, then perhaps we could avoid these atrocities altogether.

‘But alas, society does not always serve everyone and has driven many past this point already’ These debates will be of no use to the families of those lost in the shootings and bombings in Paris. As I sat in bed and watched with growing horror as events unfolded, I was struck again by the shocking futility of the attacks. Two men, once children with hopes and dreams, walked into a concert hall full of what under different circumstances could have been their friends, took over 100 hostages and proceeded to blow up 87 of them. I ask again, for what? Certainly not for any God, if there is a God out there that approves of this then the world is a better place without his influence. Even if religious ideology plays no part, the leaders of hate-groups must know deep-down, that their “glorious war” is ultimately futile. No matter how many innocent people they kill, they can never succeed with more than the creation of temporary discord. Indeed, if they are truly fighting for the good of all Muslims, they are doing more harm than good. Why is it that so many people are fleeing Syria for a better, safer life? Why is it that they feel the need to gruesomely execute those “brothers” who try to escape and return to their homes? If they ever succeed in controlling more than a few hundred square miles of desert in a Caliphate that is safe from constant bombing and drone strikes, then what? Once the fight is over do they truly believe that their followers and soldiers, many of whom are used to a life of luxury and indulgence that the West offers, will stay happy and content in a country where every aspect of daily life is controlled and regulated with an iron fist?

‘There needs to be a fundamental shift in public attitude and world views for anything better to rise from the ashes of Friday’s carnage’ At the end, all I can conclude is how useless it all is. I can sit and pontificate and give my views along with a thousand others but it will change nothing. There needs to be a fundamental shift in public attitude and world views for anything better to rise from the ashes of Friday’s carnage. Thoughts go out to those who have lost loved ones, and the pain and anguish they feel can only be imagined by many. But we must stay strong, move on and face each new challenge as it comes. I speak to people of all faiths when I say we must aspire to live in a world where attacks, racial and religious hatred and brutal murders are a thing of the past and although we are far off from achieving this goal, the one thing that separates us from the extremists who seek to rip our lives apart is our endless hope that things will be better.

Hope is the one thing that is not so futile.

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UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, November 17th 2015

Sanders: The GOP’s Best Friend?

Eoin Doyle - Features Writer

In the current candidate selection campaign for next year’s United States Presidential election, the race for the Democratic nomination has been subject to one of the most shocking developments in modern US history, the possibility of Bernie Sanders being chosen to run for the Democrats. The independent Senator for Vermont has had an incredible campaign over the last few months, proving to be a much aggravating thorn in the side of Hillary Clinton. Clinton was the presumed favourite going into the selection process for the 2008 election and much like 7 years ago, she once again was the initial front runner for next year’s election. However, history could be looking to repeat itself as Hillary could well lose out again to the 74 year old Senator. Sanders is a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist who wishes to enact some radical reform to some of the most central beliefs in the United States, including breaking up the big banks to prevent situations like those which set up the financial crash almost a decade ago. Sanders has been branded a lefty by many in the Republican due to his belief in regulating Wall St and his demanding of free third level education, all of which goes against the staunch capitalist views of the GOP but equally is attracting younger and more liberal voters.

‘Bernie Sanders has done something that many pundits would have never believed possible in the US since the start of the Cold War, Bernie Sanders has popularised the idea of a more socially liberal, a more economically social and a less capitalism-based United States’ Could Bernie Sanders’ success be a hindrance to the Democrats as a whole however? It has been seen in polls that while Bernie has the lead in New Hampshire, Iowa is a far closer contest with Clinton still holding more than 50% of support in a poll of likely voters in the Democratic primary. In South Carolina, after MSNBC’s sitdown debate with the Democratic frontrunners, a poll taken by Winthrop University showed that in the southern state, Hillary Clinton led by a large distance over the self-proclaimed Democratic socialist Senator for Vermont. What all of these polls seem to be indicating is that Clinton will be the candidate for the Democrats come next November’s election, this is reflected in what the potential candidates for the GOP have also been saying in many of their public appearances over the last few months. Hillary Clinton has been personally addressed by many in the Republican field. In the 3 televised debates for the Republicans, on Fox, CNN and CNBC respectively, there is an evident belief that in the eyes of the Republican frontrunners, Hillary is the opponent that they are going to face come 2016. However, there are still 3 months between now and the Iowa Caucus and in previous elections there has been a stark difference between who wins in Iowa and who wins the candidacy.

A Hillary win could lead to a mass mobilisation of Sanders supporters to get out and vote, something that might be key as US elections generally low turnout levels.

Bernie Sanders has done something that many pundits would have never believed possible in the US since the start of the Cold War, Bernie Sanders has popularised the idea of a more socially liberal, a more economically social and a less capitalism-based United States. This was done through what many have branded as his ‘genuinity’ when addressing the people. Much has been said of Clinton’s socialising with the upper class, her support from Wall St and the mainstream media and, as many opponents of Clinton have pointed out, the way by which she changes her accent depending on where she is speaking; take for example the slight southern drawl the Chicago born politician spoke with whilst canvassing in South Carolina. All of this, on top of the consistency Sanders has shown in his activism and voting record as a Senator, has led for many younger and more liberal voters to see him as a viable alternative to the largely homogenous nature of many in federal politics. Much in the way the GOP has gradually drawn itself more to the right over the last 7 years, Bernie could well drag many in the Democratic party more to the left. Bernie has shown that there is a huge voter base that perhaps hasn’t been tapped into before. His campaign, funded solely by individuals, is unlike anyone else he is running against who relies on large sums of funding from large corporations and the likes.

‘Bernie has given an option that veers away from the traditional lines of Democrat/Republican’ Bernie Sanders is by no means a popular figure in the eyes of Republicans, and for that matter neither is Hillary, but in the eyes of this voter-base that was previously untouched by his fellow candidates, Bernie has given an option that veers away from the traditional lines of Democrat/Republican. If Hillary is chosen over Bernie to represent the Democrat party next year, there is the risk that many of these voters will once again be turned away from the polling booth. Bernie Sanders is a candidate who may have given the Democrats an unseen advantage that it could be argued cannot give. Traditional Democrats may well have supported Bernie for the sake of not having a Republican president for the next 4 years but it is very uncertain if Bernie supporters will lend their votes to Hillary Clinton in the event she is the candidate chosen to contest the election next November. The Republican Party has been fractured as of late, Bernie Sanders may well be the person whose popularity may well have done the same for the Democrats. It could easily be the case that Bernie Sanders’ rise could be the entryway to the White House for a GOP candidate.

Other Outsider Candidates for 2016 David Sponheim

Caesar Saint Augustine de Buonaparte Emperor of the United States of Turtle Island

Vermin Supreme

The “America’s Third Party” candidate who famously published a video of him dressed as President Obama under the title “Odombus Boogie” to Youtube, including full blackface.

A perennial candidate since 1996, most notable for blaming the lack of outsider candidate coverage for the Presidential race for “so much crazy violence continuing in the world”

Chances to win: 2/10, racism seems to be working for Donald Trump

Chances to win: 3/10, the turtle vote can never be ruled out

You’ve likely seen a video or two of this man over the years, recognisable by his impressive beard and distinctive wellington hat. His main platforms include free ponies for all Americans and a fully funded time-travel research effort Chances to win: 10/10, that time travel funding is a guaranteed win… eventually

Tuesday, November 17th 2015 | UCC EXPRESS

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Goodbye Old Friend….

Bull Nakano* - Features Writer

You know how people generally have 4 different careers over a lifetime? I think I’ve already used up three. This sounds fair, right? Until I tell you that I’m 24. If you had asked me at 17 what would I be, I would say doctor. At 21 I would have said scientist. At 24 I’m saying psychologist. Why? I did my undergraduate here in UCC, in neuroscience. I never set out for a science degree, I just….fell into it. Isn’t that what everyone does at 17/18? After deciding medicine wasn’t for me, I thought science would be a good idea, and I adored it….for a while. I began to grow bored of different lecturers telling me the same things in different ways. I was interested in the topics we covered, but never the same parts relevant to my degree. Eventually, a combination of growing disillusion, multiple surgeries and chronic illness robbed what little inclination I had left to study, and I took a year out to regroup. When I returned, I got my degree and promptly entered the psychology conversion course in UCC. But I feel like I never got to say goodbye to a huge part of my life. This is my farewell letter to my original love, science.

Dear Science, I didn’t really believe that you would ever not be a part of my life. But when I logged into blackboard and saw that the last of my neuroscience courses had been removed, I went cold. You were such a huge part of my life for when feels like an age. I can’t believe you aren’t truly in it anymore.

I used to be so excited to dig my teeth into whatever papers or assignments you had to offer. I used to be so happy to see you, so proud to tell people I had you. I miss the way you used to make me feel, so intelligent, like I was a part of something that truly mattered. I miss the respect people would bestow on me when they asked what I was doing in college and I would reply “neuroscience”. Psychology just doesn’t command the same awe somehow, and even some of my friends look at me differently.

I am practically the only one of my SEFS friends to leave science. Everyone else is doing masters, PhDs, exploring the untapped realms of your being. I am the only student in my hDip class with a hard science background (to the best of my knowledge, at least). Everyone else is used to the different way arts do things, from writing reports to finding references; it’s all new to me. I find myself caught between two worlds that do not naturally collide and though I don’t regret my decision for an instant, I miss you all the more for it.

Oh, there were times when I hated you, hated myself for not being accomplished at what you had to offer, hated others who seemed to sail along and get the grades I knew I should be getting but wasn’t. I’m sorry. I thought that

you putting me under extreme stress was what pushed me to breaking point. I thought if I left, I would be free of my black dog. I was wrong. She trots at my heels, no longer a danger but ever present. She is a part of me now, but because of you I am better equipped to deal with her than most, knowing as I do the underlying mechanisms of mental disorders. I have you to thank for that.

I grieve, not for what we had but what could have been.

Science was all I imagined myself doing, for such a long time. To turn my back on you is terrifying. I think of myself in a lab coat pipetting and wonder; what if I stayed?

But I know these thoughts are out of fear for a future as yet unplanned, the first time ever I don’t have a hard plan of where my life would go.

I thought breakups were just between people. I didn’t realize turning my back on a dream was a break up too. We won’t be apart forever, I know that. I don’t hunger for you as I used to, but I find myself reading articles, papers from the journals I used to curse when doing my lit reviews.

You make me smile. I feel for you as one feels for an old flame, a fondness for the times we shared, but an understanding that we have both moved on, for now. Who knows what the future holds? I don’t, but I look forward to seeing where we both end up.

From Arts with love, -M

*We have supplied the writer with a pseudonym

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UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, November 17th 2015

Irish Society & the Travelling Community Deirdre Ferriter - Features Editor

The Travelling Community have featured heavily in the media recently due to the tragic fire in Carrickmines where ten people lost their lives. Closely followed by controversy regarding the relocation of the grieving community after the fire. Irish society was very quickly divided into two camps, those who argued that the community should be shown compassion and allowed to move into a nearby housing estate and those who supported resident’s resistance to a new halting site.

‘This conflict is indicative of a larger divide between the settled and Travelling community’ Support for this resistance is largely bolstered by anecdotal ‘evidence’ regarding the Traveller way of life and antisocial behavior. This conflict is indicative of a larger divide between the settled and Travelling community which has existed in our society for decades and appears to be worsening.

‘The general view of the Commission was that Travellers were not an ethnic minority but a symptom of English occupation who had ‘fallen out’ of Irish society’ Last week a submission by Sinn Fein to have Travellers recognized as an ethnic minority was rejected but this is not a new issue. Government policy pertaining to the Travelling community began in 1963 in the form of a ‘Commission on Itinerancy’.

The wording of this report is truly shocking; the general view of the Commission was that Travellers were not an ethnic minority but a symptom of English occupation who had ‘fallen out’ of Irish society. The Commission proposed a ‘final solution’ to the ‘problem’ of itinerancy and it was envisioned that the ‘problem’ would be solved within one generation. Commission members consisted completely of members of the settled community such as a High Court judge and the only effort to consult the Travelling Community was to send a member of Dublin (blah) whose ordinary role was moving Travellers on from halting sites. It’s difficult to do justice to the blatant prejudice in this report. Two proposals which were considered but rejected by the commission were firstly to give all Travellers identity cards to track and discourage crime and secondly to take Traveller children from their parents and keep them in institutions as a way to educate them.

‘Fifty two years on Government language has become more politically correct but the Dail has just last week rejected a proposal to recognize Travellers as an ethnic minority which is symbolic of a widespread rejection of Travellers in our society. This refusal is also shocking in light of the UN recommendation that Travellers be recognized as an ethnic group’ A recent health report entitled ‘Our Geels’ into the Travelling community which had an 80% participation rate found some extremely worrying health issues in the

community. The gap in life expectancy for Traveller women compared to settled women is 11 years and for men it is 15 years. The suicide rate in the Travelling community is six times as much as the settled and amounts for approx. 11% of Traveller deaths. This amounts to an excess of 154 Traveller deaths per annum.

Despite the avalanche of stories supporting protests about the Carrickmines relocation, no logical person could argue that these health statistics are proof that Travelling community are largely neglected by our Government.

In my opinion it is clear that structural and societal injustice has been done to the Travelling Community ever since the first policy intervention in 1963. Rather than base our perception of Travellers on negative anecdotal evidence and a largely negative or whimsical portrayals in the media, we should examine historical Government intervention and the resulting living standards and health status of the Travelling Community.

‘The study also found that three quarters of people would be reluctant to buy a house beside a Traveller family’ A recent study by Fr Michael Mac Greil into the Travelling community entitled ‘Emancipation of the Travelling People’ which studies attitudes towards Travellers found that one in five Irish people would deny Travellers citizenship. The study also found that three quarters of people would be reluctant to buy a house beside a Traveller family. The report showed that attitudes have largely not improved over 20 years.

‘Although the language has changed in Government policy towards Travellers, it has been 52 years and travellers are still not recognised as an ethnic minority despite campaigns and UN recommendations’ I believe it is clear from early policy interventions that all efforts were made to eradicate the Travelling way of life. Although the language has changed in Government policy towards Travellers, it has been 52 years and travellers are still not recognised as an ethnic minority despite campaigns and UN recommendations. More worrying perhaps is that Social Policy pertaining to the Travelling Community has not improved relations with the settled community, if anything it has made them worse. This in my opinion is a result of ineffective social policy which is socially unjust and favours one section of society.

11% 154 x6 -15 x3.5 -11 of Traveller deaths are caused by suicide

years of life expectancy for Traveller men

excess Traveller deaths per annum

the infant mortality rate

the suicide rate of settled communities

years of life expectancy for Traveller women

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Letters

Tuesday, November 17th 2015 | UCC EXPRESS

Letter: Suicide, and Mental Health Week (Reprint) Anonymous Student

If you are affected by any of the content discussed in this piece then please talk to someone. The UCC Counselling Service can be emailed on “counselling@ucc.ie,” the Samaritans can be called on their 24hr free-call number, 116 123, and Pieta House Cork can be reached on (021) 434 1400. If you feel in any way suicidal in the immediate, then please call 999.

It’s mental health week in UCC at the moment (but not anywhere else, that was last month) and it’s the annual time for people to write articles and stories about their struggles & experiences with mental health. Every time someone writes something they’re heralded as a hero, as doing something brave that no one has done before. As they should, but despite the fact that everyone’s experiences with mental health are different every story seems the same: because it has to. Every story ends on the same vague note of “but I got through it all and look at me now you can do it too don’t give up” and that’s damaging because sometimes it doesn’t end.

I have crippling anxiety. That’s not self-declared (I can show you my doctors note), that’s not exaggerated: weeks would go by when I couldn’t leave my bed, couldn’t leave my room; lecturers were missed, food went uneaten, friends were lost. This is the part of the narrative where I would say “but then X happened” or “I did X” and say it got better, but it hasn’t. Every day I wake up disappointed that I didn’t somehow die in my sleep. I stare at Facebook, consider messaging someone to meet up but decide against it, convinced they’re not really my friends but just humour me out of politeness or pity. Same response typically if someone messages me. And I know that’s not necessarily true, and that makes it worse, that makes it a constant internal battle of weighing and measuring my perceived worth to friends and family against the effect it would have if I didn’t exist. My worst day was probably one last year. I spent days curled up in a ball wanting it all to end when I decided finally that it would. 30-40 tablets later and to a deep sleep I drifted. Finally at rest.

Until the next day when I woke up like nothing happened. There is no sadder moment than the moment after a failed suicide attempt; when the knot in the noose came undone, when the car didn’t keep driving, when I woke up that morning. At this point I knew what I should probably do and that was to see a doctor. I went to the UCC Health Centre and told the person behind the desk I needed to see a doctor. I told the person I had tried to kill myself and nothing had changed with the failed attempt.

Shortly thereafter I walked out the door and on to College Road not with an appointment, not with having seen a counsellor but with nothing. There were no appointments, no emergency appointments and the person could do nothing for me but direct me to the Mercy A&E. I’ve used UCC services before, the DSS in particular being helpful but that day there was no one for me. I walked home and went to bed.

Life doesn’t get better but it does get bearable, it does have its good moments. The rhetoric that goes around this time of year, the advice given to people going through hard times, that you may be at the start of the one-way journey that leads to happiness and brightness. That may seem like the best thing to say to someone who’s in the place I was that day I walked into the health centre, but it served only to make me feel more isolated from everyone else. I mean, how long is that fucking road because it has been years in the darkness. So this is to you who feels like it’ll never get better: it will. It will get better, but it won’t go away. To say otherwise would be patronizing. If you felt great yesterday but crap today you’re not alone in the dark, we’re all just making it up as we go along.

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, November 17th 2015

Letters from the Editors

Editorial | 11

Why I Have Insomnia Robert O’Sullivan - Designer

It’s not usual to have an editorial in the middle of the paper, but this is a situation that requires some unusual things. I asked Brian, the Editor, for this space to discuss the letter on the page opposite.

You may well have read this before. This letter we published on our website last week. It garned some amount of attention, and was even covered by the Irish Examiner (although I have serious issues with that article). We received this at 4am one day last week. I have insomnia, frequently going two to three days on-the-trott without sleep. This day I was at the end of the three days being awake, decided to schedule the Facebook posts for the Express, check my emails then go to sleep. Insomnia, or even sleeplessness, if you’ve not had it before, is not a fun experience; but I will be forever thankful for insomnia because, if not for it, I don’t think I’d ever be able to forgive myself. Through our online submission portal we received the letter opposite with a few notes for its publication, one of which will haunt me forever:

“Can you please publish this as soon as possible i might not be alive when this is up, just want to get this off my chest before i go” We got some criticism for publishing that article as is, that it wasn’t a helpful message to put out there on Mental Health Week, but I honestly don’t care about any of them; even after talking to the student for hours (from about 4am until 8:30) and they seemed genuinely better, I was publishing this article no matter what.

I mentioned the Irish Examiner article earlier. I didn’t like that article because it took one point and made it the headline, about the UCC Health Centre. That’s not, from talking to the person over emails, what this was about. I know from experience that the Health Centre & Counselling Service are ran by wonderful people, but frankly they’re drastically underfunded and are put under intense pressure to cut costs repeatedly. And it’s not good enough.

But here’s to another statue of George Boole.

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Tuesday, November 17th 2015 | UCC EXPRESS

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, November 17th 2015

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Sport

Tuesday, November 17th 2015 | UCC EXPRESS

SPORTS NEWS IN BRIEF Neil Willoughby - Sports Editor

Darts UCC’s first team lost out last Monday to rivals The Rock 3-2 in a closely fought encounter. Mark O’Shea and Jamie O’Driscoll’s wins were not enough as their teammates all lost out. The defeat sees UCC placed in third in the League. UCC will need to finish the season strongly as they need to ensure a top four finish in order to guarantee their presence in the League Semi-Finals. The Men’s first team will face Forde’s on Monday night while the Second’s will play Deanrock’s first team.

Ultimate - UCC Win Big at IFDA Awards UCC Ultimate enjoyed a successful evening at the Irish Flying Disc Awards earlier this month with the club receving several nominations as well as awards. Three members of the club took home silverware from the awards ceremony in Dublin while UCC Ultimate won the award for ‘College of the Year’. Aoife Blake was honoured as both the Club and College Player of the Year while Mary McKee took home the award for ‘Most Spirited Female Player’. Matthew Feely also was given a special award for ‘Contribution to the Development of Irish Ultimate’ to round off an impressive haul for the UCC representatives.

Fixtures Round-Up 16/11/15 - UCC Senior Men’s Basketball, in League -14:00 at The Mardyke Arena.

16/11/15 - UCC Darts, 1st team, in CDPA Premier Division League - 21:30 at Forde’s.

16/11/15 - UCC Darts, 2nd team, in CDPA 1st Division - 21:20 at New Bar, UCC. 18/11/15 - UCC Women’s Rugby v CIT in SSI Division One - 7pm at The Mardyke Arena 21/11/15 - UCC Women’s Hockey(1st XV) v Ards in the Irish Hockey League - 14:20 at Ards, County Down 22/11/15 - UCC Women’s Hockey(1st XV) v Pegasus in the Irish Hockey League - 13:00 at QUB, Belfast 28/11/15 - UCC Men’s Rugby(1st XV) v Corinthians in AIL Division 2A - 14:30 at Corinthians RFC, Galway 29/11/15 - UCC Men’s Rugby(2nd XV) v Midleton in Munster Senior Seconds League Section B - 14:30 at The Farm, UCC

Ulster Bank AIL Division 2A League Table

Rugby - League Update: Men’s 1st XV UCC RFC’s 1st team currently lay in 6th in the table following last weekend’s last grasp one point win over second placed Banbridge.

AIL Division 2A is currently on a three-week break and will return on the 28th of November when UCC travel to Galway to take on second last Corinthians. A win is crucial as UCC look to join the many sides competing at the top of the League.

Position

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Team

Points

Malone Banbridge Cashel RFC Naas Queen’s University U.C.C. Skerries Thomond Corinthians RFC Nenagh Ormond

25 22 22 20 18 18 16 13 13 9

Sport

UCC EXPRESS | Tuesday, November 17th 2015

UCC Lose Out in Tough Encounters

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Fred McElroy - Sports Writer

As the Men’s first XI had a by week following last weekends 5-0 victory over Limerick Hockey Club in the Peard Cup so all eyes turned to the seconds. They made the trip to Pembroke Wanderers in Dublin for the first round of the Irish Junior Cup. After a poor performance that saw them fall 4-1 to a strong Cork Harlequins team last Sunday UCC were looking to rectify things against the Leinster Division 2 leaders.

College opened the stronger of the two sides creating several good chances at goal.

UCC however failed to break the deadlock despite putting good pressure on the Wanderers defence throughout the opening exchanges. Against the run of play and after a nice passing move Pembroke went one ahead before capitalising on their sudden dominance

by doubling their lead with a very similar goal soon after.

College kept themselves in the game and got one goal back.

A fortitious deflection from a Greg Chambers attempt on goal bringing the scoreline within a goal at 2-1 to Wanderers.

Shortly after the Dublin side regained their 2 goal advantage taking a 3-1 lead in at the break.

The second half saw the goals continue as Greg Chambers’ cross-come-shot across the face of the goal was skillfully finished by David Whitaker to narrow the gap to just one goal again. Chambers again found himself involved just minutes later when he dispossessed the centre back in a dangerous position before coolly finishing one-on-one with the keeper to tie the game at 3-3 with 30 minutes left on

the clock.

Pembroke Wanderers won a short corner soon after but the drag flick at goal was taken off the line by Fred McElroy.

However, the students couldn’t withhold the pressure as Wanderers continued to threaten UCC. The UCC defence eventually relented and Wanderers took the advantage by scoring two well taken goals in quick succession to see the 2013 League champions again enjoy a two goal lead at 5-3.

UCC were again the stronger team as they had been in the opening fifteen minutes in the last fifteen minutes. The best opportunity came with twelve minutes left from a short corner. Sam Grace hit the post with a drag flick. UCC proving to be unable to find the goal with the game ending with a final score line of 5-3.

Greg Chambers, David O’Farrell and Andy McGregor all put in notable performances and played key roles in keeping UCC in the game at times. Fred McElroy reflected on the game, ‘‘We’re happy with the performance and (there have been) many improvements from last week, despite the scoreline.

(We’re) looking forward to concentrating on the Munster League and to secure a top place before Christmas to play in Division 1B..’’

The Ladies first XI were on the road as well but only at Farmers Cross against Cork Harlequins. They lost out 2-0 to Harlequins who have solidified their position in the top four. UCC remain second from bottom above Greenfields with only one win coming from their opening six Irish Hockey League fixtures. The Ladies

first XI now head into a pivotal weekend as they travel up to Northern Ireland to play two matches in one weekend. The Ladies will play Ards in County Down on Saturday before facing Pegasus at Queen’s University Sportsgrounds on Sunday.

The double header will prove key to any ambitions UCC harbour for this season as both Ards and Pegasus are placed just above them in the League.

Ards are currently placed in seventh while Pegasus rest in eighth. Both sides, like UCC, have just one win to their name.

Two victories for UCC will go a long way in demonstrating that they are up to the tough challenge of competing in the newly created Irish Hockey League.

Opinion: Does Ireland Have a Reliance on Foreign Talent?

Neil Willoughby - Sports Editor

The World Cup final on the 31st of October went by in Ireland as merely a spectical.

Ireland had crashed out in the Quarter-Finals following injuries and suspensions to several key players. In the aftermath of Ireland’s disappointing exit all eyes have looked to the future.

Usually the end of a World Cup is marked several former stalwarts moving on while others fastly approach their sell-bydate and a rush of new talent emerges to fill the void in time for the next global tournament.

For this Irish side it is different.

The indescribable towering figure of Paul O’Connell will no longer leer in the dressing rooms of the Aviva Stadium in the Green jersey. But, the vast majority of the players Schmidt has used during his two-year tenure remain. The question now is who will breakthrough into the existing unit of players playing for Ireland?

The 30th of October, the day before the World Cup Final, was perhaps a much more significant day for Irish Rugby

for one reason. CJ Stander, a former South African U-20 Captain, qualified to play for Ireland under World Rugby’s three-year eligibility rule.

Stander has lived in Ireland for three years and is now available to be capped at international level for his adopted nation.

Stander has been one of Munster’s most important players since he arrived at Thomond Park. He dominated physically and carries consistently over the gainline to name just a few of his qualities. He has also recently taken up the captain’s armband at Munster in O’Mahony’s absence. After revealing last week that Schmidt had been in contact with him, Stander looks set to play for Ireland.

He is certainly not unique in opting to bide his time and represent a country other than where he was born. In the Irish squad he could potentially play alongside fellow South African Richardt Strauss as well as New Zealanders Nathan White and Jared Payne. South African

Rob Herring was also involved in Ireland’s pre-World Cup squad, New Zealander Rodney Ah You was capped in 2013.

The list goes on.

The sudden emergence of foreign born rugby players earning the right to represent Ireland through residency is part a strategy the IRFU adopted following the 2007 World Cup. The term ‘Special Project players’ was born and so far it has seen many foreign players join the pool of Irish talent in fighting for a green jersey. Now Ireland has come to a crossroads in their policy.

The continuation of this policy is evident across all of Ireland’s four professional teams; Munster have Stander and potentially Bleyendaal, Ulster have Herring, Diack and Payne while Connacht have Bundee Aki and Leinster have Ben Te’o to name a few.

The recruitments all make sense and are tactically chosen to cover positions where Ireland are perceived to have a

weakness and where no young talent is though to be emerging. When Bleyendaal joined up with Munster Ireland were anything but certain of Sexton’s understudy. Aki and Te’o both arrived in Ireland in the immediate aftermath of the centre void of O’Driscoll’s retirement.

Jared Payne was re-accustomed to the role of outside-centre from Full-Back to fill this void too. The IRFU are employing a rational recruitment policy in accordance with its resources and desire to keep competing near the top of World Rugby.

However, at what point do you consider the value of a national jersey when the person wearing it has more than likely reached the conclusion that they are not good enough to get capped by their native country and so look to get capped by another?

It has become a problem not only for Irish rugby, but for a lot of other nations. France have several players such as Kockott, Spedding and Le Roux in their ranks, Wales have Anscombe among others, Scot-

land have WP Nel and Hardie to name just a few. England perhaps pioneered in the recent movement with Gloucester’s Vanikolo, Henry Paul and Hape.

The three-year residency rule is the fundamental issue and the countries and players involved cannot be blamed, they are simply choosing the strategic path that is best for them. Under the rules of World Rugby they are entitled to do so. The issue lies at headquarters and a debate needs to begin on it. Surely the right to represent a country should lay solely in the hands of that countries government? When a person is deemed a national and receives their passport then they should be allowed play for that country. Richardt Strauss would have been eligible for this World Cup having received his citizenship just before the tournament alongside Joe Schmidt.

A value needs to re-attached to playing international rugby and it is up to World Rugby to act.

ucc

sport

Tuesday, November 17th 2015 | uccexpress.ie | Volume 19 | Issue 6

UCC’S GAA All-Stars Honoured

HEY NOW YOU’RE AN ALL-STAR: UCC’s Tadhg de Burca playing for Waterford during the All-Ireland campaign

UCC Students Honoured at All-Star Awards Neil Willoughby - Sports Editor The annual GAA/GPA Opel All-Star awards took place last Friday night at the Convention Centre in Dublin seeing representatives of Dublin in particular dominating proceedings in line with their All-Ireland victory. The Blues had seven representatives in the 2015 All Stars GAA/GPA Football Team of the Year. This year’s All-Ireland runnersup, Kerry, were the only side the come close to Dublin’s impressive total, having four representatives of their own.

Football Player of the Year went to Dublin’s Jack McCaffrey while Mayo’s Diarmuid O’Connor received the Young Players award.

UCC’s Tadhg de Burca earned the coveted Young Hurler of the Year award for his sterling displays for Waterford over the last season. De Burca impressed

massively in Division One B this year and was part of the Waterford team which won the division, earning promotion to Division One A in the process.

De Burca also earned his place in the 2015 All Stars GAA/GPA Hurling Team of the Year at no.6 in the pivotal Centre Half-Back position. De Burca will be a key asset to UCC as they look ahead to the Fitzgibbon Cup in the new year and look sets to dominate the competition on the back of a very impressive year. CIT will host the 2016 event, giving UCC a great chance to enjoy home city advantage. This is the first time since UCC hosted in 2012 that the competition has returned to the Rebel County and is only the second time that CIT have hosted the event.

Elsewhere Cork’s Rebelettes, along with fellow finalists Galway, dominated the

Camogie All-Stars. Eventual winners Cork and Runner-up Galway both recieved a total of seven nominations on the Liberty Insurance 2015 All Star Camogie Team of the Year.

UCC had two representatives in the Team of the Year including Pamela Mackey in the defensive line and Orla Cotter in the forward line. Both players played a key role for Cork who have dominated the ladies game since the early 2000‘s. This year’s victory saw Cork win their fifth All-Ireland title in as many years and their tenth in the last eleven years.

UCC’s sides have continued to impress over the last week with both the Men’s Hurling and Football sides earning significant victories in their Senior League Quarter-Finals.

The Hurlers put in a dominant display against an unusually

ineffective UCD in Dublin to progress to the League SemiFinals. They earned a 5-18 to 0-16 victory over UCD on Tuesday to place them as the clear favourites to take the League title this year. The Men’s GAA side also enjoyed an important victory in their League Quarter-Final, but by a much finer margin. The Footballers won out by just a point as their accuracy over the bar earned them a 1-11 to 2-07 win over St. Mary’s on Thursday. They will face DCU at home next week for a chance to compete for the Division 1 title and a chance to end the season by continuing their rich recent form. UCC also defeated CIT 2-15 to 1-11 at the start of the month to lead them into the knock-out stages of the competition.

(PHOTO:Waterford

Inside Sport Page 14

PREVIEW: EXPRESS INTERVIEWS CORK CITY BOSS JOHN CAULFIELD AHEAD OF FAI CUP FINAL CLASH