UCC Express Issue 9

Wednesday, February 10th 2016 | uccexpress.ie | Volume 19 | Issue 9

UCD Investigate ‘Revenge Porn’ Pg. 3 - News

VÓTÁIL 2016: Cllr.Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (SF - Cork South Central) Speaks At USI General Election Hustings

(PHOTO: Emmet Curtin)

Student Forced To Choose Between Degree & Home Chris McCahill - Deputy News Editor

her child.

UCC Criminology student and mother, Sarah Mulcahy, is being forced to choose between returning to college and keeping her home due to an error on the part of the Department of Social Protection.

Mulcahy began studying Criminology in UCC in September 2014, but was forced to defer her course as she became ill last March.

Her current situation arose when she contacted the then Community Welfare officer, Mary Neville, who advised her to fill out a one parent form application and then apply for a BTEA prior to returning to UCC. She was also advised to send her sick certificates to the Social Protection Office.

Mulcahy, originally from Ballinhassig, was informed by the department that she must de-register from UCC or else she will lose her rent supplement payment, meaning she must choose between her degree and a home for her and

After deferring from university,

Mulcahy approached the Department of Social Protection for support as she was no longer in receipt of a grant. Upon her return to university she found that she had been ill-advised by the CWO as she had been placed on the wrong social welfare payment. Mulcahy therefore could not qualify for the BTEA support and would also lose her rent allowance. Mulcahy believes she was wrongly told to apply for an illness benefit which is intended for workers and not students. This was the main cause of her problem as those on illness benefit must

Charity Shop Chic 101

Pg. 10 - Features

wait two years to become eligible for a BTEA. Sarah stated that “I received a letter from the appeals office which stated: ‘The BTEA is not a statutory scheme and decisions on applications cannot be appealed at the Social Welfare Appeals Office’.

They advised me to contact my local welfare, however, local welfare office refused to switch me and direct me back to SWA office.”

(Cont. on Page 3...)

Interview: John Kovalic

BYLINE Magazine

Wednesday, February 10th 2016 | UCC EXPRESS

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Inside Today: Labour Extinct? Page 4 RAG Week Residents Page 6 Woe & Online Dating Page 8 Charity Shop Chic Page 10 Societies Photos Page 12 UCC In Siggerson 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: Dylan O Connell Sport Editor: Aaron Casey 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 Fashion Editor: Jessica NiMhaolain Fashion Editor: Kenneth Nwaezeigwe

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Letters from the Editors General Election Talk Brian Conmy - Editor-in-Chief

I hate politics. I hate it so much. It’s a natural hatred I think, if you don’t hate politics in some form or another then I don’t trust you as a person. I’ve never affiliated to any political party in Ireland, if I ever do then assume I’ve given up on life and lost the fiery internal hatred I possess for politicking. So you can imagine that with the general election being announced and SU election time fast approaching that that internal fire is about as hot as it can possibly get.

In truth I’m finding it harder to care than usual.

I mean to me in this general election there just aren’t any good candidates or parties, there are just the lesser of several evils. We have actual terrorists, financial terrorists, social terrorist and soul terrorists running, basically, and of those I guess I choose the soul terrorists?

On the other side of the pond though we have the amazing show that is the Republican and

Democratic caucuses and at least on that side there is such a clear divide between the sides that choosing is so much easier for most voters. Even if you don’t like your presidential candidate you choose them based on their party because the Supreme Court justice they install is likely to have a more lasting and profound effect on the course of American history than they are in many cases. In Ireland though if I vote for a Fianna Fáil candidate what am I voting for? A few more years of total economic mismanagement and years of “BUT BUT FINE GAEL ARE TRYING TO CHARGE YOU TO FIX YOUR COMPLETELY UNDERFUNDED WATER SERVICES WAH WAH”.

Nah.

You Feelin’ Good About Yourself Now? Zoë Cashman - News Editor Sometimes the modern world we live in truly saddens me. As a 90s kid, like many of you, I went through the strange transition that was living in a world where playing outside was the greatest adventure ever, to technology coming into its prime.

Technology has escalated to a crazy extent over the last 20 years or so, as well as social media.

What I want to get at here is I don’t understand why we now live in a society where we constantly look to social media to validate how good we feel about ourselves.

Nowadays, and of course I’m guilty of it too, we look to Facebook and Instagram to tell us that what we’re doing with our lives is actually interesting, to tell us we’re actually beautiful, to tell us that anybody cares. It’s a sad thing really and I feel is an addiction for a lot of people.

I’ve seen people post 5-10 selfies of themselves on Instagram a day, and I can’t come to any other conclusion except to say that this is a serious insecurity issue. What more could be said for that then looking for people to tell you how great you look so you can validate yourself?

Another aspect is relationships. Yes, we all think they can be cute and like to see that our friends and family are happy, but some really take it to the extreme.

I don’t understand why some people need to post pictures of their significant other on social media daily, or have conversations with them on social media when they’re obviously texting/ calling them outside of that. The odd time is cute but, come on, do we really need to show off that much/ need that much attention?

Essentially what I’m getting at here is, we live in a world where we constantly need to be validated. Social Media continually shows us how we should look, what we should buy and how we should act. I don’t think this is a phenomenon that’s going to change anytime soon and, yes, it pretty much is part of our culture these days.

But maybe we should just be more aware of it and realise that the only person who can validate your self-worth is you.

To Send a Letter to the Editor: Email Brian on: Editor@UCCExpress.ie Email Zoë on: News@UCCExpress.ie Email Rob on: Online@UCCExpress.ie

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UCC EXPRESS | Wednesday, February 10th 2016

UCC Student Forced To Choose Between Degree & Home Cover Story - Continued “I feel I truly have a genuine case and can provide proof of everything I have stated. I’m extremely passionate about my education and I’ve had nothing but sad sleepless nights. With all my heart I cannot give up on my course, the work I’ve put in, the future I will have. It has taken me a long time to get to degree stage. I am pleading for the support of the Students’ Union in my fight to continue with my course.”

review and process. If Mulcahy is forced to drop out from her course she stated she will be forced to begin drawing the dole as she does not have a substantial amount of stamps to be eligible for job seeker’s allowance. In the long term due to the manner in which the system is set up she will be invited in by a CWO to place her in a training programme to begin the whole process all over again.

A number of other situations have arisen for Mulcahy since.

She has received a letter from the Appeals Board stating her case is being reviewed, but may take many weeks to

UCC Students’ Union Deputy President, James Upton, has been supporting Mulcahy through her ordeal and commented “this lady is asking for nothing more then what

she was previously entitled to which was the BTEA with full rent allowance. The system has failed her in the fashion that she has fallen between the cracks of an ever changing system. When presenting herself to the department for evaluation and filling in all the appropriate forms Sarah was misplaced on the spectrum and now a system is stifling her educational progression and hampering the development of her family into the future.”

Upton went on to say, “a situation like this will not be the first to occur and it is not the last. We must stop wallpapering one the cracks,

but instead fix the system to prevent circumstances such as Sarah’s where a young mother is finding it difficult to sleep because she wakes up each day with the extra worry of “will I go back to college” along with the stresses of caring for a young child.

This situation is nothing more than a compelling case which warrants immediate attention and support.”

Mulcahy commented that if she is forced to drop out of college and remain on welfare, she will be forced to study other courses: “It makes no sense whatsoever. Where do I go if I don’t obtain my degree?”. She

has brought her case to several levels of the department and has also written to Minister for State Department of Social Protection, Kevin Humphreys, to try and resolve her case.

However she is still in the same position with no solution in the meantime.

Before time of print Mulcahy’s appeal was granted and her Rent supplement restored. She has returned to her degree as of 8 February. She is reportedly “ecstatic” that she can complete her degree.

Taoiseach to Turn Sod on Cork Events Centre Zoë Cashman - News Editor

Significant progress has been made on the city’s Event Centre with an expectation that Taoiseach Enda Kenny will visit Cork this week to officially turn the sod on the 54m project. Months of discussions between the various project partners have delayed the start of the development but it is understood that the necessary funding is now in place.

The centre is a joint-venture between Bam Contractors and Heineken Ireland, with entertainment giant Live Nation set to operate the 6,000 capacity venue. Enda Kenny will likely visit on Friday, as part of Fine Gael’s election campaign and will use the visit to officially launch the project.

Senior sources, not connected

to Fine Gael, told the Evening Echo last week that the launch is not merely a photo opportunity and that the project will proceed as planned. It is also expected that the entire former Beamish & Crawford brewery site will undergo construction.

The entire site’s 150m redevelopment will include new apartments, shops, a cinema,

two new footbridges and laneways, a brewery museum and viewing tower accommodating a two-storey bar and restaurant.

Cork City Council and the Government have agreed to support the project with 20m in public funding. Minister Simon Coveney, who has been helping guide the project, has repeatedly stated an events centre

for Cork would finally come to fruition following decades of disappointment. He stated he was ‘confident’ that there will be progress on the project shortly.

UCD Investigating Alleged ‘Revenge Porn’ Image Sharing Zoë Cashman - News Editor

An investigation is under way at University College Dublin following reports that as many as 200 male students are involved in a group chat which allegedly shares explicit images of women, shares stories and rates photos of women they had sexual relations with.

The same group was suspected to be involved in similar actions last year when a Facebook page ‘Girls I’d shift if I was tipsy’ was set up. Other students are concerned about the growing ‘lad culture’ in UCD. A spokeswoman for UCD confirmed it is investigating

the alleged behaviour: “The university expects each and every one of its students to respect the dignity of all others at all times and in all circumstances”. She went on to say that “the university is doing everything it can to establish the facts around the existence of this Facebook group. This includes contacting all students in the faculty and asking anyone who has any information to come forward in confidence as a matter of urgency”.

As of now, there has been no evidence found but UCD Student’ Union President, Marcus O’ Halloran, has stated that anyone that’s found guilty

of breaching privacy or engaging in ‘revenge porn’ will be reported to the authorities.

In a Facebook post he stated that “We completely condemn this behaviour and anyone who engages in it; it is sexual violence”.

campaigns on sexual consent.

Their recent #NotAskingForIt campaign highlighted the issue of sexual assault among students.

O’ Halloran continued, saying “We continue to request that they [College Tribune] forward on all evidence to the police and would encourage anyone who has evidence of revenge porn to do the same”.

“University management have assured us of their full support for our campus-wide consent campaign and, following fundraising efforts for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre this week, we will be inviting students to participate in consent workshops as part of our year-long campaign” O’ Halloran stated.

The UCD Student’s Union have been proactive in their efforts to eliminate behaviour like this and frequently run

The alleged private Facebook group came to the College Tribune’s attention through messaging app Yik Yak. Yik

Yak’s main feature is allowing people to send short anonymous messages publicly to people within a certain radius, making it popular on college campuses.

A spokesman for the Garda Press Office said anyone who has photos used without their consent or has information about the group should contact the gardaí.

Wednesday, February 10th 2016 | UCC EXPRESS

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Labour Facing Election Wipeout According to Experts Cormac Hickey - News Writer

Labour is facing a wipeout in the upcoming General Election, according to expert tallyman.

Tánaiste Joan Burton, Environment Minister Alan Kelly and Education Minister Jan O’ Sullivan are among the predicted casualties.

the General Election. Expert political analyst Noel Whelan reckons Labour will win a paltry eight seats in the next Dáil.

He has predicted that ALL labour ministers, except Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin, will be wiped out.

While Enda Kenny’s Fine Gael party can expect some limited losses, his Labour Party coalition partners are facing electoral wipe-out when the people go to the polls on February 26 for

Whelan also believes Environment Minister Alan Kelly will be hammered in the polls and will lose his seat in Tipperary North. “I laid down the challenge Alan Kelly faces already

because of the redraw”. He went on to say “Alex White has had his territory split and he has jumped part of it into Rathdown which is highly competitive with Alan Shatter and Shane Ross.

“There have been two by-elections in Dublin west since the last General Election, that itself will have discommoded the Labour Party. Jan O’Sullivan is also in significant difficulty in Limerick”.

UCC’s Green Campus Among Best in World Zoë Cashman - News Editor

University College Cork has been ranked fourth best in the world in a list of the world’s most sustainable universities, achieving the highest result in Ireland.

University Indonesia (UI) released its UI GreenMetric Rankings of World Universities 2015, having measured the commitment made by over 400 universities across the globe in developing an ‘environmentally- friendly’ infrastructure.

UCC ranked higher than other universities in Ireland, including DCU (58th), UL (16th), UCD (111th) and NUI Maynooth (93rd). Mark Poland, Director of Buildings and Estates, commented that “We are pleased to retain such a high ranking in these metrics. We have been in the top four since 2011 despite increasing competition each year. Our Green Campus Forum continues to work on all aspects of Sustainability under out ‘Student-led, Research informed and Practice-focused’ principles”.

Poland went on to say “We are constantly striving to reduce our environmental impact through reduced energy use, waste management and sustainable commuting. The engagement of all members of the University community including students, staff, suppliers and

our subsidiary companies is important.

The Mardyke Arena recently achieved energy, environmental and safety ISO accreditation and we are working closely with Kylemore on local vegetable production for our restaurants”.

“We are all on our way to achieving our energy targets of 33% reduction by 2020. We hope to accelerate our programme of energy improvement projects through our new overall capital programme”.

University of Nottingham was named the world’s best green campus, followed by the University of Connecticut and the University of California.

UCC remains fully committed to being a world leader in the green sustainability area, according to John O’ Halloran, Vice President for Teaching and Learning and Co-Chair of the University Green Forum.

“Last week we launched a United Nations GEMS Water Centre to support sustainable water in Africa and across the globe and today we launched a new campus-wide module on sustainability, which is available to all students, staff and members of the public”.

The ranking has five indicators: Setting & Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change, Waste Management, Water Management, Eco-friendly transportation facility and Education.

Whelan based his complex analysis on the line-up of candidates, geography, retirements and past by-election results. The number cruncher explained: “Geography matters so much and the retirements make a big impact”. He went on to say “My view is that Fine Gael are heading towards 60 seats, Labour in my view are at 8 seats”.

A spokesperson for the Labour Party has said Noel Whelan’s predictions are way off the

mark: “His predictions represent one point of view from one person, our own internal polls would have far in excess of eight”.

Labour are rumoured to be in for a painful election. Joan Burton is elected, she may be leading a very depleted Labour regiment into the Dáil come March.

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UCC EXPRESS | Wednesday, February 10th 2016

Alleged Homophobia on College Road Zoë Cashman - News Editor

It was alleged that two men were asked to leave a house party on College Road on January 28 after kissing in front of other guests.

The story arose following a Facebook status posted on the same night by user Sean King.

The status stated that “after an hour of being at this party my friends were kicked out for kissing each other in the kitchen”. It is alleged that UCC Surf Club were in attendance.

The status went on to say that “When I confronted the owner of the house about this, he replied with ‘I don’t care’, he informed me that people there were not okay with it”.

King continued that “When confronting other people in the house they gave blasé answers like ‘Oh. Ok. Nothing to do

with us’ before closing the doors in our faces”. The status concluded, “I would like you all to share this status please, people need to know that this kind of prejudice still exists”.

When interviewed, King stated that “There were obviously affectionate towards each other, but nothing to wince and cringe about - just as much as a guy and a girl who would be kissing and flirting at a party. All of a sudden a guy said ‘Lads ye’re going to have to leave if you’re getting up to ‘that sort of thing’. We were shocked with what we had heard”.

On the other side of things, it is alleged that the men were in fact not invited to the house party at all. Team captain, Tom Roche, stated that “The Surf Club is confident that there

has been no wrongdoing from the allegations made against members. The gathering at the house was a reunion for club members who were on our Morocco trip during the Christmas break. The gentleman who made said allegations was not present on the trip and was not part of the group invited”.

Roche went on to comment that “They were asked to leave as they were behaving inappropriately. Had this been a male-female couple acting in the same way, the same course of action would have been taken. We feel the status on Facebook casts the Club and its members in an unfair light.

As a Club, we are welcoming to all students who share a common interest in our sport”.

King went on to comment that “We had friends and connec-

tions there and I don’t believe that this is the reason the couple were asked to leave”.

King urged that “the people who said those things are not a representation of that club as a whole, I do not want it to have a knock on effect with the society’s reputation”. He concluded in the interview that this is about spreading awareness of homophobia and not implicating groups of people: “I wanted to share this because people should destroy discrimination when they see it and we should not have events like this pass us every day without them being acknowledged”. The status gained 133 likes and 200 shares on Facebook.

matter, stating that “what the incident does highlight is that despite the overwhelming support we saw last year for marriage equality there is still a culture of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia evident in our society. As an individual I am very strident in the opinion that a culture of phobia aimed at the LGBT* community should not be allowed to propagate in any corner of our communities”.

Upton concluded that “however, there is very little you can do when the law clearly states that you reserve the right to eject anyone from your home”.

Students’ Union Deputy President, James Upton, expressed his own personal views on the

Michael J. Verling Speaker at ÉireMUN Opening Ceremony Olivia Brown - Film & Television Editor

Former senior officer with the Irish Defence forces, Michael J. Verling, was the guest speaker at this year’s ÉireMUN opening ceremony, which took place in the Brookfield Health and Science Complex on Friday, 22 January. The event marked the beginning of the second Irish Model United Nations conference which was hosted by UCC’s International Relations Society.

Mr. Verling, who was previously a human rights monitor in Croatia for the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and a UN

Municipal Administrator in Kosovo, served 40 years with the Irish Army on a number of peacekeeping missions including in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel and Lebanon. He spoke to the delegates about his lengthy career, recounting many stories from his vast experiences abroad and the lessons which he learned along the way.

While serving in Croatia in the early days of his career the retired officer learned the importance of connecting with the local communities during peacekeeping operations. Verling recalled how a

simple football match between the UN mission and the local police force helped to improve relations between the two sides. This example was used to underscore the importance of knowing where you come from, “so others can know and learn from you”.

perspectives; “ I dare you to learn something new. I dare you to meet someone who challenges the way you think”.

He also hoped the attendees would leave the weekend long event “dissatisfied”, as “dissatisfied people change the world for the better”.

Other speakers at the event included Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Stephen Cunningham and ÉireMUN Secretary-General, Andre Neto-Bradley. The Secretary- General thanked Verling for his “very insightful” speech and encouraged the delegates to adopt different

ÉireMUN director, Ben Harrington, also spoke at the event, officially welcoming the visiting delegates. Harrington also thanked the conference sponsor, the National Space Centre and his secretariat who had been working tirelessly in the months leading up to the

event. ÉireMUN is Ireland’s only Model United Nations Conference. The three day event encourages university students from around the world to employ their diplomatic and creative skills through a series of debates.

Topics range from current issues, historical events and issues of international policy relating to security, development and women’s issues.

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Wednesday, February 10th 2016 | UCC EXPRESS

Students and Residents in Conflict over RAG Week Chris McCahill - Deputy News Editor

RAG week is almost upon us and that means the annual conflict between local residents and UCC students is almost upon us too. Following on from a series of complaints from residents after Fresher’s week in September some residents have voiced their concerns in the lead up to RAG week.

The major concerns of residents from Fresher’s week were street drinking, late night parties as well as the litter associated with such parties and street drinking, in particular the broken glass and rubbish which is left on the street afterwards. When asked about any reoccurring problems residents highlighted that reoccurring parties and rubbish were a major problem up until the party on Magazine road, a video of which was posted onto YouTube. Residents have noted a decline in night time activities in the area, despite no increase in Garda patrols except for the week immediately after the video was posted online. However in recent weeks there has been a particular increase in parties in the area. SU president Aiden Coffey when asked about this suggested that this may be because of students having exams at Christmas in addition to the usual Summer exams as has become the norm with semesterisation. Coffey pointed out that as a result there has been a front-loading of social activity around Fresher’s week and other concentrations around RAG week and other occasions during the year.

“...this is not a student area as it is sometimes termed and used to negate the existence of us, the residents...”

The main expectations of residents of residents is support for their community, in the words of one resident “this is not a student area as it is sometimes termed and used to negate the existence of us, the residents. As residents we are the only constant element that ensures the area does not fall into chaos. This statement may sound extreme but after experiencing many events for the past twelve years we now unfortunately only expect the worst. We would like to live in an area where residents and students can live and co-exist in harmony.” Such a statement may strike many as being odd as students are a constant presence in such areas albeit a much smaller presence during the Summer months. However it is of course important to note that residents do too have rights as resident, property owners and in some cases as landlords. However as SU president Coffey argued in order for there to be harmony between residents landlords must recognise that they have responsibilities and a role in the community and must take action to ensure that their tenants are behaving responsibility in the community.

‘Residents claim that the Gardaí now “do not have the resources and do not patrol”’ One problem that has been identified is the issue of blame and lack of communication between the relevant parties, the Gardaí, UCC, landlords, residents and students etc. This lack of communication one resident claims has “Polarised the situation more” and attributes the breakdown in communication to the last Head of Student Experience who “actively dismantled the community forums established by Dr Michael Byrne”. On this topic SU President Aiden Coffey did admit this was an issue took seriously and was working hard to re-establish communication forums again. He also pointed out some of the problems with punishing UCC students responsible for any illegal acts or anti-social behaviour, if the Gardaí don’t act or punish those responsible then that makes it very difficult for UCC to take any action.

Residents claim that the Gardaí now “do not have the resources and do not patrol” for example “on the night of the video there were six calls to the Guards before 11.30pm (a Garda who took the call told us this and the party had been going on since 8:00pm) yet it wasn’t till after this that a patrol arrived. On arrival with the crowds still in the area no arrests took place

(this too is on video) it is hard to have faith in the Guards.

The only unusual thing about that party was it was filmed by residents. If this incident happened in Patrick Street there would have been multiple arrests.”

“...the SU is doing what is can and is planning numerous awareness campaigns designed for providing advice to students and residents alike...”

On the UCC side the SU is doing what is can and is planning numerous awareness campaigns designed for providing advice to students and residents alike on suitable precautions and actions to take in the build-up to and during RAG week. President Coffey also advised that the Student Community Support group would be out during RAG week. Overall President Coffey is hoping for a RAG week that is safe for everyone above all else and also enjoyable for students and is working hard to make that happen.

In the longer term of the conflict between residents and students over social activities and RAG week seems unlikely to be resolved this year and will certainly require a great deal of work and co-operation over the coming weeks and months.

UCC EXPRESS | Wednesday, February 10th 2016

1916 Commemorations A Symptom of Oversized Government

Opinion | 7

Eoin Perry - Features Writer

By the end of 2016 Fine Gael and Labour will have spent €26 million and countless civil servant hours on an expansive program of events to mark the centenary of 1916. The program has proved uncontroversial thus far. Scanning through the media coverage I get the impression that I am the lone anti-craic shaking his fist in opposition to the whole thing. Perhaps a Scrooge would be a more fitting characterization as I object to the program not on the basis of any historical sensitivities, but rather because I am opposed to wasteful and unnecessary governmental activities. Of course even if Fine Gael agreed with me, they need to commemorate 1916 to avoid a public outcry and ensure re-election. Nonetheless, from a grander perspective this and indeed more routine ceremonial functions of the government such as the Office of the President are an unfair use of public resources and should be scrapped.

“These men were deeply invested in a notion of self-governance as an embodiment of national identity” Of course my misgivings come from a perspective at odds with that of the Easters Rising’s leaders. These men were deeply invested in a notion of self-governance as an embodiment of national identity. It is on the basis of this politicized sense of nationalism that for the celebrations of 1916 to be divorced from the very entity the rising’s leaders proclaimed would be ironic in a way deeply unpalatable to many. Certainly the legal autonomy that they helped to procure has preserved the national identity which we now celebrate from the corrosive influence of British rule. But for me at least, this legal autonomy is of no relevance to our national identity as it exists now. This is because I don’t tend to conceptualize the government as anything more than the organization who hold political power at a given time. Obviously a nation is nothing more than an arbitrarily defined landmass, and the notion that the government somehow ‘acts on the behalf’ of the people who inhabit this landmass is one that is of value only to those people who believe in it. There is absolutely no reason why anyone’s sense of national pride needs to be connected with a government which defines their nation in legal terms only. And there is no reason why someone can’t celebrate their nation’s culture and history without expecting that the group of people who happen to administer its governance should organize the party. If the Troika had permanently taken over the country during the last recession, would this change what it means to be Irish? I can only speak for myself when I say that it wouldn’t.

“In this case, Fine Gael have quite literally taken money from everyone to pay for a party that only some of us want to attend.

1916 commemoration is not a product that is needed in any reasonable sense of the word...”

If more people took this kind of view however the world would be a much wealthier and fairer place, because it is this politicized sense of nationalism which has throughout history been the justification for frivolous and sometimes sinister spending by governments all over the world. In this case, Fine Gael have quite literally taken money from everyone to pay for a party that only some of us want to attend. 1916 commemoration is not a product that is needed in any reasonable sense of the word and it should therefore

be left to the private market to determine how much of it, if any, should be produced. You might believe that it will be a national disgrace if 1916 is not widely and thoroughly celebrated, but this personal preference does not justify forcing everyone to pay for it. If in some utopian world, that €25 million were left in the hands of the countries’ citizens, the type of events provided by private companies would cater more effectively to the interests of more people (except for their interest in having the government organize it of course) and the amount of commemoration would reflect more appropriately the level of interest. A lot less than €26 million would probably be spent, with the remainder put towards things that people want more than some extra 1916 commemoration. Those who criticize the quality of public services in this country should consider if this sort of thing is really worth diverting funds away from other projects, and those who want lower taxes should consider if they’d prefer that the government spend money on this or allow them to keep that money themselves.

“The idea that it is possible for them to ‘equally respect all traditions’ during the celebrations as they have promised to do is absurd. Obviously by celebrating 1916 in any capacity they are implying that it merits celebration, and in doing so they are not equally respecting the beliefs of those who disagree that it does” There are I believe, some parallels between this issue and that of churchstate separation. The dictates of a historical anniversary are just as arbitrary a motivation for governmental activity as those of religion, and also, when the state celebrates a historical ceremony they are promoting certain beliefs over others. The idea that it is possible for them to ‘equally respect all traditions’ during the celebrations as they have promised to do is absurd. Obviously by celebrating 1916 in any capacity they are implying that it merits celebration, and in doing so they are not equally respecting the beliefs of those who disagree that it does. If the majority of the nation were once again Catholic and were happy to go along with it, would it be fair for the government to spend €26 million celebrating a jubilee year?

What if they promised to ‘equally respect all traditions’ during the jubilee celebrations? If you agree that it would be wrong for the government to do that then the question is, how is this any different?

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Wednesday, February 10th 2016 | UCC EXPRESS

O.K., Cupid…

Aisling Coleman - Features Writer

What’s a girl to do, when she’s a categoric, if somewhat unenthusiastic, resident of the 21st Century, is in search for a spot o’ spooning, and is not even remotely fabulous at flirting in real life situations, such as in ‘da club’, as (one of) her (many) talk show queen idol(s), Ricki Lake, says (can I get a “Hey Ricki, hey Ricki…” up in here?!). Oh God, I fear I have lost my audience already. Fear not, Aisling. If you have learned anything from the loquacious Ms. Lake, it’s that you can always throw a few shapes on ‘Dancing With The Stars’ and inflate the life back in to your ailing chat show… err… article?

“Uploads several selfies, in which, to reference Beyonce, she’s both ‘feelin’ herself ’ and in which she most definitely did not ‘wake up like this’” She signs herself up for internet dating, is what. Uploads several selfies, in which, to reference Beyonce, she’s both ‘feelin’ herself’ and in which she most definitely did not ‘wake up like this’. Even a luddite in the app-heavy century of our time has to admit that there are both pros and cons to the front-facing cameras that are now all but ubiquitous on our mobile devices, and which make knowing your selfie angles as easy as Kim Kardashian’s ‘Selfish’ book. Shade? Why, it makes for an over-lit selfie, duh. She then fills out a profile, answers a fuck tonne of questions (to better one’s odds of matching with the Romeo or Juliet of their dreams, minus the whole deathby-dagger-in-a-crypt thing, preferably) and, obviously, then narrows her search parameters to mere millimetres, to have a nose and to see if there’s anyone she knows on the site. Sleuthing over, and firmly ensconced in pyjamas, hair scraped back, face scrubbed of make-up, glug of Tesco ‘Everyday Value’ gin in hand, she logs on, good and proper.

“Eugh. 21st Century girl I may be, but the love-land before time of twee telegrams, twinkly telephone lines, wirelesses that had nothing to do with the wheres and whens of Wi-Fi...”

And how! Well, with a laptop, or a (shudder!) tablet, or (actual jitters, and not in the fluttery-of-heart way) an app. Eugh. 21st Century girl I may be, but the love-land before time of twee telegrams, twinkly telephone lines, wirelesses that had nothing to do with the wheres and whens of Wi-Fi, and sacks of mail written both in ink and sent with a stamp, not with the click of a mouse, does all but call my name. Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! It’s just not the same as the sound of a perfume-scented love letter coming through the post box, is it?!

Spooning needs must, though.

Going by a two second-ago search through my messages (I do nothing if not thorough research for you, Express readers), I currently have almost 300 message threads sitting pretty, if mostly neglected, in my inbox. By rights, there should be (and were) tonnes more, but I had to delete lots of late, as I am an impoverished student-type, and do not yet have the luxury of a luxe-like, unlimited, fee-acquisitioning mailbox. I’d hate to know how more model-esque types get on, on the dating on the internets, because, it seems that if you’re at all in possession of a vagina, that you will get mail. Lots of mail. Having clicked through the multitude of messages I’ve received over my eons online, I’ve come to the distinct and researched conclusion that there’s a fair few sorts of senders that you’ll stumble across, and a fair few types of messages that you’ll receive on your travels within the weird, world wide web of internet dating.

Let me begin with the guy I call Wants A Now-Shag.

This (tends-to-be) male of the species is likely to have much-o macho pictures on his profile showing his toned, torso. F.Y.I.: it’s an oft-orange one.

Strangely enough, these pictures tend to often, but not always, come cropped of head. There may be boxers in view, though - Wants A Now-Shag works out, and wants you to see his equipment, ladies. He’ll also have ticked the option of both being up for one night stands and for casual sexy-times. Wants A Now-Shag will most likely message you in the wee hours of the morning, when you’re likeliest to be wanting the spoon. He might begin with a casual ‘hi’, or a ‘hello’, but will very quickly come to the point, and ask outright if you “want to fuck, tonight?” Despite the impersonality of the message thread thus far, he will almost always end it with an ol’ ‘x’ at the end, which languishes, out of sync with the rest of his words, at the footer of said thread. Ladies, no matter how much you want the spoon, ignore, ignore, ignore. Unless you’re into this type. Then, you do you. Or, him, I suppose. As for me, Wants A Now-Shag is just not my cup of tea - I prefer spooners without a propensity for staining the sheets all shades of Rimmel’s ‘Sun Shimmer’.

“They send out a generic message, en masse, with minus a reference to either your photos or profile” Probably the most prolific out of all the profiles typed up in these sort of joints are written by what I like to refer to as ‘Copy and Paste Paddies’.

They probably annoy me more so than the ‘Wants A Now-Shaggers’. Crass and all at they are, at least they’re honest. These guys, though? Not so much. They send out a generic message, en masse, with minus a reference to either your photos or profile. Copy and Paste Paddies tend to all say the same things, and in as many (read: few) words. They will type something along the lines of ‘You’re beautiful/pretty/hot’, with nary an introduction, or even a hello. Messages of substance they are certainly not. I’ve even gotten the exact same message off of a few guys more than once, with not even a mention of their previous message/s; and from a guy who had started up a new profile page, only to send and repeat himself. They were blissful in their unawareness of the messages that they had previously sent. Most of the messages don’t even require clicking into to read, so short are they, as they can be seen in their totality via an inbox’s preview feature. Total time wasters, they are, and it’s only a girl truly wet ‘round the ears that would reply to any of them.

“Suffice to say, copy-and-paste jobs certainly won’t result in a job of any kind from me, on their end. Chances of spooning?

Slim to none...” …Apart from when I actually did. And got told, in no uncertain terms, that the message was sent only to me, you see. I believed him just about as much as I did when I heard that Russia could be seen from Alaska, and I’m not even S.N.L.-spoofing you.

Suffice to say, copy-and-paste jobs certainly won’t result in a job of any kind from me, on their end. Chances of spooning? Slim to none, if he can’t even ‘say my name, say my name’. Also: the third Beyonce reference in an online dating-based article gets a prize, right?!

Facsimile Frank is another type that you may meet within the environs of digital dating. He has a couple of different profiles, all with photos attached, and, who, when he’s not come to any success messaging you from

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UCC EXPRESS | Wednesday, February 10th 2016

his primary account; moves on to his secondary account; followed, then, by his tertiary one. He repeats on you, basically. All the while starting the message thread afresh and anew, as if he’s never before put finger to keyboard and previously taken multiple, terrible stabs at talking to you.

He’s probably got aspirations of being a ‘playa’ (to use more Lake-ian lexicon), what with the multiple profile pages he’s registered under. Or, is amazingly amnesiatic. Either way, this type fairly transparent to anyone with a pair of eyelashes.

My personal opinion on him, to be frank? Not playing with this would-be-playa’.

“You’ll maybe have a funny feeling about him at the outset of messaging, and, if you’re like me, you’ll say “Feck it” and mumble “Carpe Diem, seize the day!” into your ever-loyal glass of gin...”

I can’t really write an article on the trope-y types of internet dating without mentioning the most well-known trope of all: the catfish. This is a guy who is not who he says he is, if you’re at all unfamiliar with the M.T.V. series of the same name.

You’ll maybe have a funny feeling about him at the outset of messaging, and, if you’re like me, you’ll say “Feck it” and mumble “Carpe Diem, seize the day!” into your ever-loyal glass of gin.

Although, this may lead to seizing the carp (it’s a type of fish. And a play on ‘Carpe’). And, to get all meta on ones’ bi-monthly readership, this here is an instance in which you know your comparisons are crap-ola, when you’re having to explain them in parentheses to your befuddled reader. My apologies.

“Stubborn as, I don’t know, a carp, this charlatan will insist that he is not said moderately successful actor; that the photos are definitely of him...”

Eventually, you Google the dude’s pictures, and find out that the snaps he’s uploaded are those of a moderately successful actor from foreign shores. Stubborn as, I don’t know, a carp, this

charlatan will insist that he is not said moderately successful actor; that the photos are definitely of him; and, quite frankly my dear, could you not give him a chance? 50 shades of charlatan, with a side of emotional blackmail? I don’t give a damn for it, thanks. These stubborn, fictional aqua-dwellers are best left to their deluded, fishbowl-swimming selves. They get a firm ‘nada’ from me. I’ll take lungs over gills any wet day of the week.

“This guy will message you, and message you, and message you. The amount of notifications that you receive from him will be of an ungodly amount.”

Another dude that you might come across is The Repeat Offender. This guy will message you, and message you, and message you. The amount of notifications that you receive from him will be of an ungodly amount. Seemingly not in the slightest bit self-aware, and with a neck made of the finest brass, The Repeat Offender has not a single ounce of shame. He’ll even tell you that he spotted you in his local shop (way to a girl’s heart, ya know: creeping the fuck out of her) and/or have his bum blocked by the object of his incessant typing. Or both, in my case. Chances of spooning? Not in a million messages, or supermarket sweeps.

“I suppose it wouldn’t be fair to end this article without assuring you that there are some good types to be found within the realms of online dating” I suppose it wouldn’t be fair to end this article without assuring you that there are some good types to be found within the realms of online

dating. I can attest to that. The truckload of gutter-based messages that you’ll no doubt receive make reading the good ‘uns akin to gazing at the stars, to terribly paraphrase Oscar Wilde.

The good ‘uns can’t be quite as easily defined as the troupe of tropes detailed above, though, so I won’t even try to. Plus, the person who I fancy the pants off might not make you raise even a smile. Different strokes for different folks and all that jazz… But, there are good ‘uns, both in people and message form.

Chances of spooning this indefinable, except to say that they have-something-to-type-and-something-to-say type? If they don’t murder-kill me in real life, moderate-to-altogether-possible.

So, if you want to date in your pyjamas whilst getting sozzled on the cheapest of gins, perhaps give this online business a whirl. Or, just send me a love letter. We’d totally be an offline match. com, or something.

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Fashion

Wednesday, February 10th 2016 | UCC EXPRESS

Going Vintage-Charity Shops 101 Mary Collins - Staff Writer

You’re a poor student who is tired of wearing the same jeans you had in transition year. You’re looking for some new threads to wow that absolute ride in your course but you’re down to twenty euro a week and clothing is expensive, right? WRONG! Here is your comprehensive guide to the seemingly little known treasure trove that is charity shops:

How Do I Go About It?

This can be as easy or as difficult as you want it to be, but as with shopping in general, the more thorough you are the more deals you will get. First off, identify where the shops in your city/town are. In Cork City, for example, there is a good selection on North Main Street, and a few more dotted around the city centre. Oliver Plunkett has a few options too.

What I like to do is take an hour or two and go through every charity shop on North Main St. twice. Go up the street, do a loop and come back down. If you see something you like but aren’t sure of, this is a good way to see if it’s worth it. It gives you a chance to hit the ATM if you need to and you might catch a deal you missed the first time around.

The shops are generally organised in two ways: by item. e.g. tops on one rail, jeans on another, etc (this is most common) or by colour, e.g. reds together, blues together, and so on. If you have time and inclination, going through every rack is by far the best option, though if you are looking for something specific even random browsing can be good. It’s a bit like being a Disney princess; you might have to shift a few frogs before you find your prince, and you might have to elbow your way through a few racks before you find something stunning.

Tricks of the Trade Things to Know Before You Hit the (Charity) Shops 1. The Irish Cancer Society is one of the better ones, as is St Vincent De Paul. General rules are; the more known the charity, the better the options.

Some shops are more expensive than others, but everything is still cheaper than retail.

2. The first time you go, it can be overwhelming; “Oh My God, all this stuff is so cheap! I MUST HAVE THEM ALL!” Fun fact: It is ridiculously easy to spend much more than intended when everything is less than a fiver.

Make a budget and stick with it. Keep track of how much you’re spending along your trip and stop when you hit your limit.

3.

It’s also easy to buy things you will never wear because they’re so cheap, but this tends not to be particularly cost effective. When the inevitable happens and you open your bag to find a hideous excuse for a cocktail dress staring back at you, remember that one person’s trash is another person’s going out outfit. Donate it back and try not to smile when you see a fresher wearing it at the Arts ball two weeks later.

4. The thing about charity shops is that there is no back up of a certain item. Each thing you get is a one off, so going frequently is key to getting the good stuff. Good times to go are usually about three weeks after the sales are on; by then everyone will be getting rid of their older clothes or new clothes that they have decided they don’t want. KER-CHING!

5.

Do NOT ask for a discount or haggle with the cashiers. There are normally signs to this effect near the registers but allow me to reiterate; it’s phenomenally cheeky to ask for a discount on clothing when you’re getting it cheaply and the proceeds go to charity. Don’t be that guy. No-one likes that guy.

6.

In the same vein, do not ask to return an item for a refund. If you’re giving something back, donate it again. Remember, the money goes to charity and the people working are volunteers.

7.

Charity shops have sales and special offers too. Barnardos on North Main Street offers a loyalty card that you get when you spend €5 and it works like the stamp cards you get in Starbucks; fill it and get €5 credit instore. Most shops have a sales rack for discounted items up all the time, in addition to regular sales.

8.

Not all charity shops accept card, so be sure to hit the ATM before you go!

9.

Don’t buy for the sake of buying! If something is falling apart or full of holes then don’t pick it up, even if it is €3.

It’s not just clothes, either. You can get just about anything you want in a charity shop, shoes, home wares, books, I found an ice cream maker once! It’s hard being a student with little to no cash flow, but that doesn’t mean you have to look it. Get out, treat yourself to something new (ish) and wear it with pride. You’ve earned it.

UCC EXPRESS | Wednesday, February 10th 2016

Why Women Don’t Speak Up for Themselves

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Sarah Dunphy - Staff Writer

This week, while out with friends, I was told by a man that “it was a fact of life that strange men will come up to you in a bar and want to touch you”.

According to this man, it is a fact of life that I will be sexually harassed when I go out, and that I should just deal with it. My response at the time was to question why it had to be a fact of life, ultimately defeated by the fact that he walked away without stopping to think that what he had just said to me was inappropriate.

This got me thinking of all the other times I have listened to someone say something that I disagreed with but did not question it or speak up; I started to wonder why is it that I had been so afraid to speak out against things that I did not like? I realised that it is because I have been told, all my life, that I should be seen and not heard. I have been told that there are more important things in life, so I shouldn’t cry over spilled milk. I have been told to not make a mess, and sure, who would believe me anyway?

I am learning to be more open about things that I disagree with, I am slowly figuring out that it’s okay to have an opinion, but it should not have taken me to my 22nd year of life to figure that out. As a child, I should have been told that if someone has the bravery to speak up for themselves then that is something that should be applauded. Society will tell you that you do not matter; that you are a speck, that your feelings aren’t legitimate, especially if they deviate from the norm.

Society will also compare suffering in order to see who has it worse, but in the world of oppression, nobody wins the race to the bottom. As a woman, conveying your experiences and helping people understand is difficult. People will tell you that your life isn’t so bad, because you aren’t being used

as fodder in a war somewhere in the Middle East, that you take issue with “micro-aggressions” and then brush them off like they don’t matter.

Please don’t call me a speck and tell me that I don’t matter, because I do.

When I take it upon myself to be a voice for those who can’t speak, then I matter ever more, because I am trying to change things. I want to make it easier for a young girl to stand up and have her opinion heard, to feel like she can make a difference in this world. I can’t do that if you keep telling her to sit and be pretty.

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Wednesday, February 10th 2015 | UCC EXPRESS

Wednesday, February 10th 2015 | UCC EXPRESS

Photos Courtesy of: Emmet Curtin Photography

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Sport

Wednesday, February 10th 2016 | UCC EXPRESS

UCC Fall to UCD in Fitzgibbon Cup Dylan O Connell - Sports Editor In the first game of their Fitzgibbon Cup group UCC fell to a measured UCD performance on a misty and overcast Thursday afternoon in the Mardyke; with the Dublin college in the winning column due to their dominating second half display. It wasn’t like that at the beginning however, as from throw-in UCC adopted the a-good-start-is-half-thebattle approach.

And a good start it was; being the Fitzgibbon Cup there was numerous rucks as both sides tussled for possession of the sliotar – the result of these rucks tends to show which team is hungrier and up for the battle – and the Mardyke XV proved themselves commanding in these early exchanges. Inter-county veteran Niall McCarthy an ideal asset for the College in such situations.

Rob O’ Shea in UCC’s half-forward line gave an exhibition of linkmanship as he created opportunity after opportunity with deft control and short passes.

He was also on song with his frees, not being put off by the breeze or speckles of rain alike.

In the corner of the inside-line was Alan Cadogan. His runs were causing problems for UCD as time and time again he won the footrace for low balls pinged in. The heavy underfoot conditions made for tough work in trying to get the sliotar into hand however. If the ground was a bit harder the Douglas man would have plundered a lot more than the five excellent points he struck, driving UCC ahead on the scoreboard.

The Dublin side’s centre-forward Ciaran Prendergast looked dangerous, as the rangy Kilkenny man won multiple balls, but UCC’s defence were remarkably

composed and tenacious in preventing any havoc being wrecked on their posts.

Oisín O’Rourke proved as accurate from free-shots for the Leinster college as O’Shea was for the skulland-crossbones.

True to one of sport’s most oft-used clichés, UCC could not shine their dominance onto the scoreboard -- never getting more than a few points ahead of the sky-blues of Belfield. A goal from their opponents would devastate all UCC’s good work and bring an under-performing UCD back into the game.

Indeed the worst-case scenario did occur before the half-time intermission, as O’Rourke goaled after some intricate lead-up play. This was the pivot point of the game’s plot, as UCC began to deflate and they could never reel back the rhythm they’d built-up.

Referee Gavin Quilty shrilled the short whistle and both sides retreated back to the dressing-rooms at halftime with the score UCC 0-7 to UCD’s 1-7. UCD surely buoyed by their lead, not having hurled at all. While the crowd present predicted a strong second-half showing from the Cork side.

The first play of the second period was ominous for the Leesiders as the ball was quickly worked up the lines of UCD, who pointed. Centre-forward Michael Breen fought against the tide for UCC as he began to make an impact on the game – notching a nice score.

O’ Rourke extended UCD’s advantage with his accurate free-taking, as UCC struggled. Any hope of a comeback victory was knelled on 44 minutes, as UCD rattled the net through a ground shot from Colm Cronin, rebounding in after an excel-

lent save from UCC keeper Keith Hogan.

Cadogan continued to show his class up front, but gooses began to cook as UCC launched high-balls into the full-forward line. A scenario that the UCD backs dealt with well, as their confidence grew as the game went on.

The game petered out to the final scoreline of UCC 0-13 UCD 2-12. Not exactly an ideal start to UCC’s Fitzgibbon Cup campaign as their status of favourites begins to fade. Getting out of the group is now a tougher task, with LIT waiting around the corner.

The blows of the Mardyke where soothed however last Thursday, with the Leesiders maintaining momentum on

their campaign following a 4-18 0-10 trouncing of Maynooth University.

Praise must be given to Nicky English and his UCD side however - chalking up two goals and twelve points on a January afternoon is no mean feat. It would be no surprise now to see them in CIT for the Fitzgibbon Finals weekend of February 26th and 27th.

The question now though is whether UCC can improve enough to be there themselves? They need to be more clinical, spread the scoring burden more evenly across the forward line and most vitally play for a whole sixty minutes.

All roads lead back to the Mardyke on Wednesday February 10th as LIT are

the visitors in the last group game. Not getting out of their group again this year will be a devastating blow to the college, hopefully with all the talent on the panel, that fate will be avoided and the short-trip can be made down the Model Farm Road to the Fitzgibbon Cup Finals weekend.

2016

Monday 7th March 2016

UCC EXPRESS | Wednesday, February 10th 2016

Sigerson Cup 1st Round: UCC 2-23 v GMIT 2-08

Sport

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Kevin Galvin - Sports Writer

Billy Morgan’s University College Cork had little difficulty dispatching Galway/Mayo IT at the Mardyke, coming out on the right side of a 2-13 to 2-8 score line which in all honesty flattered the visitors.

Last year’s beaten finalists scored two quick-fire goals in the middle of the first half to create some distance between the teams, before a strong ten-minute spell halfway through the second secured the win.

At a seemingly sub-zero venue on the banks of the Lee the hosts made better use of the bitter wind blowing across the field, and Conor Cox drew first blood from a free before Jordan Kiely expertly pointed from a tight angle off the right boot; the highlight of college’s opening spell.

The visitors were finding it difficult to break down a well-disciplined UCC full-back line, and were restricted to pot-shots from tight angles which goalkeeper Mícheál Aodh Martin was alert to; their first score took 15 minutes to arrive with Damian Brennan putting over a relatively comfortable free.

It came as little consolation however as five minutes later the Cork side had the ball in the back of the net. Ian Maguire provided the pass from the right-hand side, and Kerry star Kiely turned his man before deftly finishing past Conor Nolan into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

UCC were playing a direct, ball-to-boot game, and were overpowering their Western opponents down the flanks.

Two minutes later it was again a move created down the right wing that led to a major; this time Kevin Davis the supplier and David Harrington showing no mercy thumping the ball into the back of the net, smashing the umpire’s flag in the process.

It left the visitors shell-shocked as they desperately tried to find a foothold in the game, the hosts pointed again through Harrington before Martin Farragher put in a high ball which Andy Glennon fisted in to give GMIT some hope before the half.

The sides swapped points following the game’s resumption, but UCC were consistently

dominating in midfield, capitalising on any breaking ball and winning the physical battle.

GMIT Manager Val Daly introduced Martin Shaughnessy and Michael Mangan early in the second to attempt to stem the red and black tide, but Listry’s Gary O’Sullivan and St Finbarr’s Maguire were proving just too strong for the visiting midfield.

That domination began to reflect on the scoreboard, as a flurry of points midway through the second left GMIT behind by 12 at one stage, and unquestionably facing defeat and a long trip back to the west coast.

Val Daly’s men weren’t going to go quietly however. Victory in hand UCC began to make changes with an eye on the next round, and GMIT capitalised. Glennon kicked two frees before the visitors got their second goal just before the final whistle when after some intricate handball play Martin Farragher had his shot well saved by Martin in the home goal, before Shaughnessy capitalised, hacking home the rebound to put some respectability on the scoreline.

All-in-all Billy Morgan’s men surrendered an unanswered 1-4 in the closing stages which would have given the UCC boss plenty to ponder ahead of this week’s Quarter Final against UCD/NUIG at the Mardyke, and he’ll be looking for more consistent performances if his charges are to go one step further from last year.

Scorers for UCC: D Harrington (1-3); C Cox (06, 0-4 frees); J Kiely (1-2); C Horgan, K Davis (0-1 each).

Scorers for GMIT: A Glennon (1-3, 0-2 frees); Martin Farragher (0-3); M Shaughnessy (1-0); D Brennan (0-2, 0-1 free).

UCC: MA Martin (Nemo Rangers); C Hyde (Naomh Abán), J McGuire (Listowel Emmets), K Fulignati (Nemo Rangers); S White (Clonakilty), B O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh), J Walsh (Knocknagoshel); G O’Sullivan (Listry), I Maguire (St Finbarr’s); K Davis (O’Donovan Rossa), L Connolly (Nemo Rangers), S Kiely (Ballincollig); J Kiely

(Dr Crokes), C Cox (Listowel Emmets), D Harrington (Adrigole).

Subs: K Crowley (Millstreet) for White (44 mins), C Horgan (Nemo Rangers) for K Davis (47), C Murphy (Rathmore) for Walsh (50), I Galvin (Seem/ Derrynane) for J Kiely (52), J Davis (Douglas) for Hyde (53), S Oakes (Bishopstown) for O’Driscoll (58).

GMIT: C Nolan (Galway); J Kinahan (Offaly), A Farrell (Longford), C Reilly (Galway); K Nally (Galway), P Holloway (Westmeath), J Downes (Galway); D Brennan (Galway), R Steed (Galway); A Glennon (Roscommon), Mike Farragher (Galway), P Prendergast (Mayo); A Molloy (Corofin), Martin Farragher (Galway), J Donnellan (Galway).

Subs: H Boyle (Donegal) for Kinahan (23 mins), M Shaughnessy (Galway) for Prendergast, M Mangan (Mayo) for Boyle (40), C Donnellan (Galway) for J Donnellan (54).

Hula Hoops Women’s National Cup Final: TMH 96, PK 64 Aaron Casey - Sports Editor

Team Montenotte Hotel cemented their place in Irish basketball history with a record sixth Hula Hoops Women’s National Cup win at the National Basketball Arena. The Glanmire club completed a second three-in-arow by beating Pyrobel Killester 96-64 in a one-sided affair.

Killester had lost none of the grace or steel that has seen them fight for silverware on two fronts this season. They were simply overpowered by a side peaking when it mattered most.

“What I loved was the freedom we played with offensively,” said Coach Mark Scannell. “We shot the ball well we weren’t trying to force it. And we had so many weapons on the floor and

on the bench.”

Aine McKenna was the big gun and revelled in her captain’s role. The MVP had 10 points in four minutes and the Glanmire club still had time for a 12-0 run, becoming just the second side of the Hula Hoops National Cup weekend to hit a 30 point quarter.

Claire Rockall was also firing on all cylinders. The Galway women was marauding down the court after an injury hampered 2015 finale. The one player who brought Killester’s form into the first half was Rae Contreras.

While the robust defending of Casey Grace was keeping others at bay, the American was pouring in points at will.

Killester Coach Karl Kilbride gave his bench the opportunity to get to grips and put three U20 Women’s Cup Champions on the floor. Aoibheann Byrne and Aisling McCann rewarded his faith with baskets as Killester managed a considerable 20-point quarter.

The only problem was that Glanmire repeated their first quarter trick and put up another 31 points. One by one they stepped up to hit their shots. Marie Breen hit a pair and Chantell Alford refused to miss. They’d hit the half-century in 17 minutes of basketball, shooting at 67% on both sides of the three-point line.

When the sides met in the 2015 decider, Team Montenotte Hotel

won 62-36 on the back of a onepoint lead at half time. This time around, they were already 62-34 clear at the break.

In 32 years of National Cup basketball, only two women’s clubs have scored 80 points or more in 40 minutes. In 1991, Blarney beat Snowcream Wildcats 8656 and were back at the Arena as part of their 25 year jubilee celebrations. Glanmire’s first National Cup win was courtesy of an 89-75 win over UL Aughinish. Marie Breen scored 29 points that day in 2007 and had a double-double in 2016. A pure winner.

“You play the game not the occasion,” she said. “There would have been no history if

we hadn’t won the game and that came to down to a team performance.”

Team Hotel Montenotte Hotel: Aine McKenna 18, Claire Rockall 11, Chantell Alford 21, Grainne Dwyer 11, Marie Breen 10. Substitutes: Amanda O’Regan 4, Hanna McCarthy, Eve O’Mahony, Lesley Ann Wilkinson, Miriam Byrne 5, Haley Lenihan 5, Casey Grace 5, Niamh O’Dwyer, Lauren Falvey, Sarah Kenny 6 Pyrobel Killester: Raeshel Contreras 35, Aisling Sullivan 7, Aoibheann Byrne 4, Rebecca Nagle 7, Anna Pupin 2. Substitutes: Ali Maguire 5, Michelle Clarke, Ally McGrath, Aisling McCann 3, Aine McDonnell 1, Emma Sherwood, Alex Troy.

MVP: Aine McKenna HT: Team Hotel Montenotte 62, Pyrobel Killester 34

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Wednesday February 10th 2016 | uccexpress.ie | Volume 19 | Issue 9

POWERLIFTING RAISE THE BAR IN UCC

DO YOU EVEN LIFT, BRO?: UCC Powerlifting celebrate a successful season so far

(PHOTO: Kenneth Nwaezeigwe)

Successful Year For UCC Powerlifting So Far James Heffernan - Sports Writer

With the majority of the national powerlifting events having been held for this college year, like our athletes post comp, it is time to binge eat, re-coup and review.

In short, it’s been a damn good year. First off we claimed the “best overall club” at the intervarsity’s competition, this is our third year in a row doing so mind you. This feat was achieved through the development of lifters that only joined our club early 2015 and is a testament to our trainer Deirdre in the Mardyke, our previous captain Jamie Sullivan and our current Darren Horgan.

Secondly our intra-club leader board has only increased, the results of which can be checked out on the “UCC powerlifting” FB page or the UCC sports page, do so, but embrace them, let them be today’s motivator for you. A taster of such results include the females full power results being topped by Nicole

Fraser with a total of 390kg @ 68.4kg BW and the males being topped by our previous member Barry Pigott with a total of 745kg @ 89.9kg BW, followed by our current member Kenneth Nwaezeigwe totalling 647.5Kg @95.6. Competition wise there have been three main ones, intervarsities in October, full power novice IPF mid-January and single lifts IDFPA late January.

Intervarsities took place in Thurles in Limerick Institute of Technology’s new sports facility. This was a full power competition meaning all athletes had to compete in all three lifts.

Amongst the female lifters a tally of 3 came in first, 1 second and 2 third. The greatest overall total being achieved by Claire Kelly of 292.5Kg. Amongst the males 4 came in first, 3 came in second and 2 came in third. The highest total being achieved by Kenneth Nwaezeigwe of 647.5Kg beating

his Trinity competitor by 37.5Kg . This was a significant total for Ken as not only was this his first comp back from injury but it was also a significant PB. More recently taking place in ABS gym Dublin was the IPF novice full power, this comp was attended by our more experienced lifters. The highlight of the day was Sean Hickey our resident “friendly giant”, competing in the 120Kg weight class. Returning from injury Sean was hungry and produced a 200Kg sq and 215Kg DL up from his previous 175kg sq and 180kg DL at intervarsity’s 4 months previous. Club captain Darren Horgan also setting a new PB with a 500kg total in the 83Kg class quoting him “I think I could have done more but I like the sound of 500”, each onto their own for pacing themselves I guess. Darren has run through various training programmes over the years but is

currently following the “Sheiko” 3 day program with a “Fun-day Friday” session of accessories.

For those that don’t know Shieko was the Russian powerlifting coach, his training systems have the athletes increasing their efficiency of lifting by training around the 68-72% of their 1 rep max.

However this weekend stepping away from full powers our lifters entered the IDFPA national single lifts where 6 of our athletes competed. On the day Roisin Merz attempted a national record in the bench of 50Kg however failing the lift she finished with a respectable 45.We also saw Jack O’Dwyer come in 1st with a saucy PB of 5 kg in the squat, squatting 180Kg. Now to finish the year with the IDFPA national combined lifts, the IPF nationals and maybe an international competition.

Club Results Ashbourne Cup: UCC 1.09-1.06 WIT O Conner Cup: UCC 1-06 0-07 UCD Ladies Harding Cup: UCC A 1-2 LIT UCC B 0-8 UCD PREVIEW: Inside Round-ups of Women’s BasketballCup Final, Fitzgibbon & Siggerson Cup First Rounds