UCC Express

EXPRESS

UCC INSIDE VERGE

Friday, 07 March 2014 | www.uccexpress.net | Volume 21 | Issue 12

UCCSU ELECTION SPECIAL P 4&5

STYLE CRUSH P17

UCC’s Newest Graduate Draws Crowds

Audrey Ellard Walsh | Editor @AudreyEwalsh

Honorary Conferring: Dr Michael Murphy, UCC President, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and Táiniste Eamon Gilmore chat before Barroso’s honorary conferring on Wednesday

Online campaigning banned until eve of elections

Stephen Barry | News Editor @StphnBarry

Campaigning on social media was banned by the UCC Students’ Union until the Sunday evening before elections after a sequence of abusive tweets were not only placed online, but published at hustings as candidates engaged in debates.

The ban places a heightened importance on campaigning oncampus on Monday and Tuesday, especially given the banning of candidates from making class announcements until Monday morning. The candidates had previously been given permission to start making announcements on Wednesday morning; however the SU issued the command just before midnight the night before, after a request from the College Registrar.

The move comes as a U-turn from recent years when the Union embraced the use of a ‘Tweet Wall’ during SU sabbatical hustings.

However in a statement on the

SU Facebook page, President Padraig Haughney said that “cyberbullying” was the cause for the decision and asked people “not to target any candidates individually or launch personal attacks from fake pages on all social medias.”

Much of the bullying content came with regard to the Presidential candidates. The first incident happened last Monday when the UCC Election Memes page posted a tweet with allegations claiming Mark Stanton wants to leave the USI due to political affiliation.

However Stanton rejected these assertions as untrue, saying that he will approach the 2015 referendum with an open mind.

Then at hustings, which was attended by a crowd of over 100 people, a number of dubious tweets were made about candidates before a sexist comment about Susan Logue received a bad reaction when it appeared on screen. Thereafter the Tweet Wall was taken down for the rest of the debate.

The tweet came from a Stanton supporter and in the subsequent backlash, Stanton came out on Twitter to state that the sexist tweet does not represent his views and reiterate that he wasn’t involved in it.

Logue is the only female candidate of 13 running for a sabbatical position this year, a year after only 5 out of 28 overall candidates were female. There is some hope for future proportionate representation of both genders, as 5 of the 12 nonsabbatical candidates are female this year.

All but two of the sabbatical candidates are in final year, with the

other two in further study. However none of the part-time candidates are in their final year, Philosoph held a hustings on Thursday night, however only half of the SU candidates were able to attend, with Logue and Stanton unavailable due to other commitments.

The Communications Officer will be under some scrutiny this year after 3 of the 4 Presidential candidates identified it as the sabbatical position they would remove, should they have to choose one.

Meanwhile Education and Campaigns will all have their own challenges this year; the former with the introduction of semesterisation, and the latter with student hardship.

These are issues that the Welfare Officer will have an eye on through his case work.

Election polls open at 9am Monday morning and close at 7pm Tuesday, with winners to be announced that evening.

UCC conferred its newest graduate on Wednesday- President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso.

President Barroso received an honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws before a large audience of invited guests from the world of education, business and politics in the Aula Maxima on Wednesday evening.

Addressing the audience, President Barroso discussed the progress made by Ireland and the rest of the EU in working to come through the financial crisis.

Mr Barroso said Ireland has returned to “normal” in EU terms and that he expects it to use its influence in Europe to help shape the right policies for the post-crisis era.

Mr Barroso also insisted the European Commission is a “friend of Ireland” and that the economic policies pursued since the financial crisis have been the correct ones.

A tweet from his official account following the ceremony stated “I am deeply grateful to be awarded an honorary doctorate from such a prestigious & dynamic university”.

This was President Barroso’s second visit to UCC. He delivered an address to the university community in advance of the Lisbon Treaty in 2008.

This second visit was not entirely smooth however with around 100 antiausterity protesters gathering at barriers around the Quad to voice their discontent.

Commenting on the University’s decision to confer President Barroso, UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy said: “In recognising President Barroso, we acknowledge the vision and commitment he has demonstrated at the helm of the European Commission since 2004.”

“In honouring him, we also recognise the role that the European Union has played in the transformation of Irish universities, including UCC, over the past twenty years.”

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2

Friday March 07, 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

EDITORIALS

INSIDE TODAY

Cardio

First Ladies

Election Fever Audrey Ellard Walsh | Editor @AudreyEWalsh

Page 9

Page 8

Uganda’s Style Crush Page 17 Controversial Law

Page 10

The New Corker John Geaney Page 19

Page 20

Short Story

‘It is important that those elected are competent and trustworthy’ It is 5.30 am and there is no sign of me making it to bed any time soon.

No I haven’t been partying- even though it is in fact my birthday. I haven’t been watching House of Cards- so last week.

I have been working alongside my dutiful News Editor and Designer all week to prepare this issue of the UCC Express. Stephen and I have read and critiqued every manifesto, interviewed every sabbatical candidate, while alongside the greater UCC Express team we promoted a hashtag which trended nationally and filmed the official SU sabbatical hustings.

This issue is, as of 5.33 am incomplete but I have faith that it will come together. It always works

@StphnBarry

Features 7-11 Photography 14-15 The New Corker 19 Gaeilge 12

Fashion 16-17 Sport 20-24

Editorial Staff:

Contributors:

Editor: Audrey Ellard Walsh

Martha Ewance

Copy Editor: Rebecca Baker Deputy News Editor: Heather Steele Features Editor: Grace O’ Sullivan

David Coen Randy Marx Stephen Walsh Clara Hurley Leah Aftab Aaon Kieran Noonan

Deputy Features Editor: Claire Crowley Orthis Saha Photo Editor: Emmet Curtin Irish Editor: Rachel Ní hAodha Fashion Editor: Nicole Clinton Fiction Editor: Eoghan Scott Sport Editor: Barry Aldworth Designer: Cathal O’ Gara

believe that it is important that the student population is as informed as possible on this issue. We believe that it is our most important job each year to cover these elections fairly and accurately.

Unfortunately it is not possible to include transcripts of each interview or debate in these pages. We simply do not have the space. We have been selective in relaying what we believe is most pressing but ask that you read more widely yourself.

Manifestos for all full-time and part-time candidates are available on collegeroad.ie. We will shortly be making videos of the sabbatical debates available on our Facebook page and have set up the hashtag #uccvotes to facilitate greater debate.

I now get to turn around and complete an assignment before heading to lectures. I’ll then copy edit the pages back from design and submit them to the printers.

This is what it takes to produce the newspaper in your hands.

I wouldn’t change it for the world.

A March Miracle

Stephen Barry | Deputy Editor

Deputy Editor: Stephen Barry

out in the end. Or at least it has for the past 11 issues this year. This isn’t my first all-nighter.

We do these things because we are passionate about our work. We are passionate about providing the news and analysis that we believe is important to our readership.

On Monday and Tuesday you will be asked to cast votes for candidates in the annual Students’ Union election. Those elected will be employed to work on your behalf for the coming year. They will speak on issues that will directly affect you. They will be the faces on the opposite side of the desk when you may need support.

It is important that those elected are competent and trustworthy. It is also important that they have a solid mandate.

It may seem like the Students’ Union Executive does not impact your day to day life, but the reality is that whoever is elected will spend a year on your payroll. It is important to have your say in who that team is.

This is why we read all the manifestos, attended hustings, interviewed candidates. Because we

Sean O’ Laoighre Tim Kelly Ciara Buckley

There’s been a lot of talk about UCC media in the past week, which is always interesting for me; but then again I am a particularly direct stakeholder.

It’s notable that the media has gone from being unmentioned last year to being the centre-point of debate this year.

Hopefully we can be at the centre of election coverage too, not just here but by recording hustings and releasing them online, especially in a week in which the candidates have been given precious little access to students.

Even among the maelstrom of abuse on Twitter, the Express was the group who reported what candidates said in a balanced manner online, so that the 17,900 non-hustings-attending students in UCC can educate themselves to vote, if they so wish.

Precious few read manifestos, and questioning of as well as reporting on those manifestos is an important function which we aim to contribute to.

But in a week in which the candidates have received plenty of praise for putting their heads above the parapet, and rightly so, it’s somewhat of a miracle

that this copy of the Express will hit campus in time for elections between awkward deadlines, competing exams and all-nighters.

So a firm handshake and a thank you should be bestowed on those who helped out in any way, and

‘The victim is fair debate’ in particular my colleagues who always help fill in any blanks.

Even though we work at this part-time, or spare-time even, I think we compare to at the very least the provincial papers quite positively.

On the error count alone, I’ve seen far more mistakes, inconsistencies and blank spaces in my local paper in South Tipperary, than I have ever seen in this publication.

One issue even reported the results of the Seanad referendum wrong while a previous issue used an image ripped from the internet but still bearing the Sportsfile watermark scrawled across the picture.

But back to the elections…

As you will see on the front

page, a ban has been placed on candidates from campaigning online at a time in which they are essentially banned from visibly campaigning on campus too.

But the logic of putting campaigns on ice over the actions of the minority, contradicts the SU defence of R&G Week where any illicit behaviour is dismissed due to being down to the minority.

At hustings Padraig Haughney asked the Presedential candidates what they would do in the case of complaints against R&G Week; the roughly correct answer being to apologise, identify and discipline students and defend the integrity of the week.

It seems like a similar course of action could have been taken here; particularly in a university which has bullying policies to defend the victims.

I would contend that the victim in this case is not just the candidates, but fair debate, which seemingly has been given up on; and with that the integrity of the elections is surely damaged too.

And while we’re talking about it, imagine the reaction if the SU decided to cut R&G Week down to R&G Thursday!

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UCC EXPRESS | Friday March 07 2014

NEWS

Ents candidates reveal their NEWS proposals for coming year IN BRIEF Eoghan Lyng & Stephen Barry

Part time SU Officer hustings were held on the fourth of March. Chaired

by President Padraig Haughney, twelve candidates spoke for the seven positions available.

The outstanding topic across the College Rep debates was the issue of communication; in particular forging stronger relationships and better interaction between class representatives and students.

Markus Knuttson (first year BIS) spoke uncontested for the position of Business and Law Representative, while first and second year Arts students Kelly Doherty and Ian Hutchinson spoke for the role of CACSSS (College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Science) Rep. The SEFS (Science, Engineering and Food Science) Rep race has been noted for being sought by three

female students; Julia Cooper (second year Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds), Angela O’Connor (second year Biological Sciences) and Leigh Anne Hayes (third year Nueroscience).

Meanwhile the current Medicine and Health Representative Aidan Coffey said that contestants first year Pharmacy student Art Kelleher and third year Dentistry student Ali Khan would be the first students located outside the medical faculty to hold the position if elected. Here the debate focused much more on facilities, both in Brookfield and other satellite buildings.

Semesterisation was a topic discussed and dissected by the college rep participants, and also by Entertainment Officer candidates Paidi Brady (second year Commerce) and Grace O’Leary (third year Commerce and Hispanic Studies),

The outstanding topic across the College Rep debates was forging stronger relationships and better interaction between class representatives and students and how that would affect their roles to provide entertainment students.

Both candidates admitted that the position could be worked parttime. Brady has only considered working the position part-time, although O’Leary would consider working it full-time rather than do it alongside final year. O’Leary and Brady were also asked about their initiatives working on club deals, after UCC Student’s Union opted not to negotiate any more year-long club contracts, a move which both candidates agreed to.

In terms of new events, Brady proposed a UCC Ball, while O’Leary suggested more crossinstitutional events with CIT. O’Leary’s messages were posted virally as she is currently on an Erasmus year in Mexico, making her one of two candidates running from abroad. John Prendergast, an unopposed Irish Officer candidate, is running his campaign while studying in Montana, America.

Former Irish Officer Ruth Ní Riada spoke on his behalf.

Second year Arts student, studying Celtic Civilisation and Greek and Roman Civilisation, Robert O`Sullivan spoke unopposed for the role of Equality Officer, where the upcoming Marriage Equality referendum will be a clear issue as well accessibility around campus and in SU night club venues.

Cork Jailbreakers make it to Turkey Ellen Desmond | Entertainment Editor

On the 22nd and 23rd of February, 75 teams of Irish university students took part in “Jailbreak” - a fundraiser for Saint Vincent De Paul and Amnesty International Society.

Students were given 36 hours to get as far away as possible from their starting point, and make as raise as much money for the chosen charities.

This is the first year that the Jailbreak event has gone national, after Trinity College Dublin brought it to Ireland last year. Teams in the Jailbreak event travelled as far as Singapore, Honolulu, New York and Seattle, with no money on their person. The overall winners, Salin and Kyryll of Trinity College, made it as far as Sydney while runners up, Sean and Aoife of NUIG, made it all the way to Bali. Other destinations reached by teams included Seattle, Singapore and Hawaii.

Six teams from UCC set off from Cork City Gaol for the event and travelled throughout Europe, with the team composed of Jack Byrne and Greg Hall making it the furthest, after they ended up in Bursa, Turkey, 3,129kms from where they had started out from.

The other five teams taking part for UCC made it to Athens, Paris, London and Belfast.

UCC Amnesty International Society’s Samantha Coomey, one of the Jailbreak’s chief organisers, was quoted as saying; “it’s a super

Stephen Barry | News Editor

Tyndall settlement reached A strike, to be held on main campus last Wednesday, the 26th of February, by Tyndall workers was called off after a resolution was reached. The 70 SIPTU workers at the National Research Institute agreed to accept the binding arbitrage of the Labour Relations Court.

Speaking about the reasons for the initial strike, SIPTU Education Sector Organiser, Louise O’Reilly, explained: “The dispute concerned the pay inequity which exists between a large number of Tyndall employees and their counterparts doing the same or similar work on UCC main campus. The difference in pay is of the order of 10% to 20%. The Labour Court process should allow for these anomalies to be rectified.”

SIPTU Organiser, Bill Mulcahy, said: “Our members believe the binding resolution process will allow for a fair and equitable settlement to this dispute which will reflect their professional standing.

Since the start of this dispute all our members have requested is that their work is valued to the same extent as their colleagues in other sectors of UCC.”

QS subject boost for UCC

way to fundraise because there’s a great buzz around for the whole thing. Lots of different businesses got involved, between sponsorship of taxis and things like that and I know that on one of the flights, the pilots told the passengers about one of the teams on board and people were delighted to give them money.

“It’s a very exciting way to raise money for charity and I think it shows, with all the bad things that

can be said about students, when they put their minds to it college students are extremely innovative.”

Indeed, Twitter was afire with friendly rivalry between the colleges and the amusing search for the “Jailbreak Rat.” While the teams were allowed to plan ahead or engage in business sponsorship, they were not allowed to get help from family or friends or spend their own money. Fundraising

was allowed in relation to travel expenses, but it was kept separate from the charity fundraising.

The highest team fundraiser was €1300 from Michael and John of NUIG, with UCC team Hannah and PJ coming a second with €1062. In total over €36,000 has been raised by students from UCC, Trinity College, UCD and NUIG while the 75 teams have travelled over 190,000kms in combined distance.

In a similar result to last year, ten subject areas were ranked as being in the top 200 globally by the QS Rankings by Subject 2014.

The Cork college has ranked particularly strongly on the Environmental Sciences and Education, with both categories seeing a rise in ranking.

UCC remains in the top 100 (50th to 100th) universities in the world for Modern Languages and Law. In addition Electrical Engineering and Biological Sciences are ranked in the top 150, with Chemical Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy and Pharmacology and Geography all coming in the top 200.

English Language and Literature has dropped from a top 150 ranking in 2013, to outside the top 200 this year.

Last September UCC placed 210th, after a drop of 20 places, however they have remained steady in the subject rankings.

n

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Friday March 07, 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

ELECTION SPECIAL

Over the course of the evenings of Monday and Tuesday the 3rd and 4th of March The Express conducted individual interviews with all sabbatical candidates. The content of these interviews, carried out by Stephen Barry and Audrey Ellard Walsh, have been combined with reports from the official Students’ Union hustings on the 5th of March and the contents of the candidates manifestos. These reports have been compiled by Barry Aldworth, Stephen Barry, Ellen Desmond, Eoghan Lyng and Audrey Ellard Walsh.

Student Media the Hot Topic in Communication and Commercial Debate

he three candidates have very different backgrounds.

Nevin comes from the Societies Guild where he has spent the last year serving as Events and Entertainments Officer. McCarthy is the only candidate of the three currently sitting on the SU Executive where he currently serves as Post-Graduate Officer while Lawless is a member of the UCC Soccer team.

Each candidate’s manifesto proposes the introduction of an app as a means of communication but propose different methods for its introduction. Nevin has already developed an app which can be used for connecting students with jobs. He doesn’t envision it as a revenue generator in the short term, but there is potential in the future. Lawless plans to rely heavily on an app as a means to generate revenue through advertising while promoting events and communicating with students. He has not costed For further the implementation of it but content, including proposes working with BIS video of hustings, students in its development, and coverage of or outsourcing if required. the upcoming polls McCarthy would also use his app for free job advertisements please see www. and would tender the contract facebook.com/ to a company or students uccexpress and follow our Twitter should they be interested.

Student media became the @UCCExpress focus of the Communications #uccvotes and Commercial debate at SU Hustings on Wednesday. Key

Student involvement takes centre stage in Deputy President debate

issues which were raised by candidates included failings in the current structure of the Media Executive and a lack of true autonomy of the campus print media from the Students’ Union.

McCarthy feels that Media Exec need to meet more often, placing an emphasis on building up a strong relationship between the media and SU through teamwork. He believes that meeting regularly allows for small problems to be caught before they develop into large problems.

Nevin’s vision of the relationship between campus print media and the Union is that the SU would serve purely as administrators for the media budget, with no input into editorial or budgetary decisions.

He also proposes allowing the editors to sell advertising citing the fact that a mere €3700 was raised through advertising sold by the current Communications and Commercial Officer, a figure which he argues should be vastly increased.

Lawless’s manifesto makes no mention of student media, but when questioned on this in hustings he proposed the ring fencing of the media budget at the beginning of the year so that editorial teams are aware of their budgets. He would also introduce written contracts for paid editors to ensure that they are guaranteed set wages and free from reprisal should they publish negative stories about the Students’ Union.

students. Furthermore, both candidates highlighted the need for the Deputy President to establish better relations with all societies in the future, but in particular those which deal with student related espite both candidates for the issues or organise their own position of Deputy President campaigns such as UCC’s and Campaigns Officer having Amnesty Society. However, drastically different aims within despite this common ground election manifestos, a common the candidates differed greatly thread emerged during the when asked on the issues they sabbatical hustings. felt needed to be targeted.

With the issue of student For Murphy education is the involvement taking on a key most pressing issue, as he role in shaping this race both argued that the absence of a James Upton and Richard work placement within many Murphy argued that campaigns courses left certain UCC needed to concentrate more students unprepared for the on the issues which truly affect jobs market. He claimed that

Presedential Report

UCCSU ELECTION SPECIAL

the introduction of a work placement system would increase the likelihood of students “having a job lined up” for when the leave UCC. Whilst Upton also spoke in depth about education, he focused exclusively on the negative impact of austerity measures on the average college student. On the same day as Jose Manuel Barroso received an honorary degree from UCC Upton argued that students couldn’t simply “bow down to austerity” and give up their right to education.

Following their speeches the floor was opened to questions, with the first coming from Annie Hoey, the current

Deputy President/ Campaigns debate: Richard Murphy (left) vs James Upton (right)

USI affiliation a ith just days left before voting polls open, the UCCSU presidential election campaigns are well underway for the four potential candidates. TThis year sees Mark Stanton (final year Economics), Luke Field (Masters in Social Policy), Diarmuid Collins (final year Government) and Susan Logue (final year Biomedical Science) in battle for the prime position With the introduction of semesterisation occurring next year, it was Field and Collins who gave over considerable time to this issue in their manifestos; Field going so far as to guarantee up to date feedback from continuous assessments for students before they sit exams.

For Stanton, this is the second

consecutive year running for UCCSU President and at SU hustings on the 5th of March he highlighted the experience he has attained since he last ran for the position. However, Collins stood forward to say he himself is the better candidate, due to experience outside of college. Current Gender Equality Officer, Field pointed to experience working with SU and the University. While Logue highlighted a need for change, in so much as there has not been a female UCCSU president since 2003.

All four candidates were unanimous in their concern for the increasing student contribution fee, which is set to increase to €3000 by 2015, exactly

Deputy President, who asked the candidates what new campaign they would bring to UCC. Whilst both candidates praised Hoey for her work, Upton argued that the Healthy Body, Healthy Mind campaign needed to consider a food element, teaching UCC students about the advantages of eating healthy and how to do so on a budget. Meanwhile, Murphy argued that a new focus on improving links with colleges around the world, particularly in areas where Irish students are likely to emigrate, was needed to help ease the change in life which comes with the decision to leave your home country.

Next up the candidates were asked by current UCCSU President Podge Haughney why they felt they would be able to fill in for the president in cases of emergency. Murphy, answering first, highlighted the face that he is an average student and knows what students want and need, whilst Upton spoke of his ability to work well with people, and role in organising campaigns this year. The responses led to a member of the audience asking both candidates who their preferred President was and in one word answers Murphy and Upton chose Mark Stanton and Luke Field respectively.

5

UCC EXPRESS | Friday March 07, 2014

hot-topic for future President double what it was in 2009. Three of the four candidates highlighted the issue in their hustings speech.

The four also agreed that they would each campaign for marriage equality and condemn the nurse’s pay issue.

The position of the USI too was brought into consideration by all candidates, with Collins calling for the USI to give more value for money. Stanton echoed the idea that the USI doesn’t communicate well what it does. However Logue and Field were more positive about the USI and both spoke in favour of affiliation, although both also want to see more of the Southern Area Officer.

Logue voiced her concerns about the Health Service in UCC, aiming to teach students

of the services available to them and potentially abolish the contraceptive consultation charge. However she would rather see the charge retained than have a flat-rate charge for all appointments take its place.

Field’s manifesto promises to follow-up on the guarantee of a Common Room for student in the Brookfield Health Complex by the end of 2015 and called for town-hall style meetings where students could lobby TDs. Stanton was clear in his intentions to publish UCCSU officers expenses and would introduce a student survey about USI services before Christmas.

Collins will seek to increase library opening hours and purchase bicycle shelters for campus. He

hasn’t costed them but a phaseby-phase introduction would work sufficiently well as a trial, he believes.

At Hustings, current President Padraig Haughney asked the candidates their ‘dream team’ for the incoming SU. Stanton, Field and Collins all agreed on the line up of Kennedy for Education, Nevin for Comms, Upton for Deputy and Power for Welfare.

Logue’s only change of tone was McCarthy for Comms.

When questioned as to which of their opposition they give their vote to, were they not to run for election, Field and Collins gave Logue a vote to end the drought of female Presidents, while Stanton opted for Collins and Logue for Field.

he only race to feature two current part time officers, the position of Education Officer is sought

by Science, Engineering and Food Science Rep David Magee and Business and Law Rep Joe Kennedy.

Both spoke about how their experiences as college reps benefitted them for such a position, particularly in light of the introduction of semesterisation and Class Rep Training.

On the latter topic, both candidates spoke favourably about an overnight Class Rep Training, on the grounds that it provided a forum

for students to bond and focus on their roles as class representatives. Both stated they felt that the overnight training was a strong idea, although Kennedy claimed he felt training needed tweaking, while Magee said that he would look into a cheaper venue to save costs further.

Magee said that college reps should be given the power to elect class reps, and that the inclusion of peer supporters helped elect reps this year.

Magee commented that he would include relevant academic societies in the election of class reps.

Kennedy claimed that at Class Rep Training he would

put a greater emphasis on Class Council, hypothesising on joke motions, to elicit less panic in College Council upon giving motions. Kennedy also stated that he felt that Council needed to be tightened and more readily guillotined to avoid menial extended time lengths.

Both candidates readily spoke about semesterisation.

Kennedy claimed that he wants to set up a committee to overlook such a transition, before emphasising that the class rep system needs to be efficient if such a committee could work effectively. Magee talked about mending the fact the system currently lacks an

Potential Welfare Officers emphasise campaigns

ELECTION SPECIAL

oth candidates vying for the outgoing David Berry’s role, Cian Power (final year Politics and Philosophy) and Kyros Stavrianos (final year Economics and Applied Psychology) have placed a large focus on campaigns in their election manifestos.

Power sees campaigns as his forte, having initiated a letter writing campaign about student hardship which spread across Ireland. He prioritises sexual health and homeless week as two to develop, while also suggesting a cancer awareness week.

Stavrianos wants to see a greater awareness of mental health problems and to remove the stigma around it. He would like to see more students see the Welfare Officer as being approachable for such issues.

He also proposes Culture and Financial Campaigns.

Neither candidate would fear that such an emphasis would detract from their casework.

Mental health is the priority for Stavrianos, who emphasised his personal experience in dealing with people with such issues.

SUSI grant reform has to happen according to Power, something he sees as a personal priority. He aims to further look at the treatment of homeless or independent students and students on the threshold levels of income or distance.

Also speaking about finance, Stavrianos would like to see the introduction of two payments from the Student Assistance Fund and the removal of the first come, first served aspect.

Power would like to see the Fund being more visible. However he sees the first come, first served basis as being a reasonably good way to do it, and given the Union has a separate Student Hardship Fund for those who miss out.

Stavrianos was reluctant to disclose his personal position on abortion in interview, however at hustings he disclosed that he was pro-choice, as is Power.

Both candidates touch on accommodation issues and student safety, particularly with regard to alcohol consumption, in their manifestos.

At hustings both candidates were criticised for ignoring the access issue to the Exams and Records Office in talking about access to the Old Bar and other buildings.

The counselling service was raised as an issue, with the 6-week wait criticised by both candidates. Power brought up the provision for only one emergency appointment each day, and called for more staff.

Stavrianos also saw the issue as being a staffing problem, something he would also address.

Both criticised the Student Health Services’ contraception charge, with Power branding it discriminatory and Stavrianos seeking to see it lowered. Power also felt the USI need to focus more on local issues.

Both candidates were complimentary of the other, however Power criticised Stavrianos’ SU experience and Stavrianos saw himself having the better satellite campus plans, something Power disputed.

appeal system, therefore he wants to bring a temporary exam board after Christmas, before a permanent one takes over after the debut year, to amend such an action.

The pair spoke about library matters, but differed on their topic of focus. Kennedy talked about library reform, while Magee talked about library modules.

Magee criticised the poor advertising for Library Workshops, claiming that the majority of students upon reading such a title would

deviate from a workshop. He would like to see it promoted it as a five credit module, similar to the University-wide one.

His opponent emphasised practical library reform, claiming that the university and the library have welcomed such ideas. Kennedy acknowledged that it would cost money to put in a book vending machine, as he listed in his manifesto, but feels that if the Union claimed that it is beneficial for students, they would have a good shot of pushing that forward.

Close Education contest focuses on class reps

6

Friday March 07, 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

NEWS

UCC launch of Cycle Against Suicide first in nationwide rollout

Audrey Ellard Walsh | Editor

The Cycle Against Suicide University Programme launch took place last week in UCC. The first in a series of such events to be held on campuses throughout the country, the event held on Thursday the 27th of February was aimed at promoting Cycle Against Suicide’s core message that “it’s ok not to feel ok, and it’s absolutely ok to ask for help.”

The main driver and organiser behind bringing the initiative to UCC is MSc in Government student and Volunteers Officer Colin Bradley.

“My idea for the University Programme stems from the very successful programme from last year’s cycle, which culminated in a Student Leaders Congress attended by 4000 secondary school

students in the RDS in Dublin last month. I want university students throughout the country to feel empowered to end this epidemic that is taking over the nation. The launch taking place in UCC this Thursday is a continuation of that

effort to reach young people all around Ireland.”

An information stand on campus provided information about the campaign and was followed by an official launch. The line-up of speakers featured Dr Michael

Byrne, Head of Student Health at UCC; Marian Browne, from Student Counselling and Development; and David Berry, Welfare Officer with UCC Students’ Union.

In a series of emotional speeches, the speakers discussed the impact that suicide had had in their own personal lives, recalling personal losses and experiences supporting those who have struggled with depression.

The key message conveyed by all was that it is crucially important for people to discuss the topic of mental health openly and work to break down the stigma which remains around speaking about depression and suicide.

In 2013, the inaugural Cycle attracted 2,500 people on to the roads of Ireland over the course of the two-week trip around the country.

Film Society host Film Festival Disability in society highlighted

David Coen | News Writer

The first International Film Festival at University College Cork was held from Monday the 24th until Friday the 28th of February. The Film Festival, hosted by the UCC Film Society, was held in association with the Students Union’s International Officer (Kevin Devey).

This week long event was organised in collaboration with the German, Japanese, French, Europa, Hispanic, Chinese and Africa societies. One European film and one International film were shown on each night of the festival’s duration.

Highlights of the showcase included the Irish film ‘Jack and Ralph plan a murder’. Following this screening the Director, Jeff Doyle, as well as two Lead Actors from the production took part in a Question and Answer session.

Another highlight of the festival was the screening of German film

‘Die Welle’, which was attended by the head of the German department Dr. Manfred Schewe.

The film, which was directed by Dennis Gansel in 2008, depicts a high school teacher’s unusual experiment to demonstrate life under a dictatorship to his students.

Other examples of Films shown at the event include Amour (which won the prestigious Palme d’Or Award at Cannes), Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom (directed

by Justin Chadwick in 2013 and nominated for an Academy Award at this year’s Oscars) and Caesar Must Die, which won the Golden Bear at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival in February 2012.

Furthermore all of the films were shown with audio in their original languages, with English subtitles.

Mike Murphy, the auditor of the UCC Film Society, was happy to “to celebrate various cultures from all around the world through the media of film.”

David Coen | News Writer

The UCC Students Union, the UCC Disability Activism and Awareness Society and the UCC Disability Support Service combined on February the 24th to create Disability Awareness Week. The week-long event featured various talks centred on developing more awareness about disability’s role in society.

On the first day of the initiative Kate O Reilly spoke about disability in the media. Various disabilities and impairments were also simulated to give University students a sense of life with such disadvantages.

‘Blind Lunch’, for example, allowed students to attempt to make a sandwich with goggles on. Another event established to give students a sense of life impaired by disability was ‘Wheelchair Nightmare’; a challenge whereby students had to navigate their way through UCC’s campus and complete a number of tasks whilst in a wheelchair.

SU Disability Rights Officer Anna Ahern believed that the events were successful in terms of raising

awareness of disability. “The events in most cases were actually much more successful than I’d dared to hope,” said Ahern. “In general it can feel like issues relating to disabilities and rights associated with these impairments can take a back seat to issues such as Marriage Equality.

It was really nice to have students, following events like ‘Wheelchair Nightmare’, going to General Services to complain about manholes in front of ramps and curbs.”

Karen Underwood, chairperson of ‘Bounce Back Cork’, performed in the Main Restaurant on the Thursday of Disability Awareness Week.

Ahern mentioned Underwood’s performance as one of her favourite moments of the event’s duration.

“She herself (Karen) said ‘let’s do away with the word disability. We all have challenges. I wear glasses, I’m black and I’m a Lesbian. Look at all my challenges’. She created such a good atmosphere and the student’s standing ovation at the end of the performance made me so proud of my University and the student community I’m a part of.”

Controversy at annual Model Dáil Martha Ewance | News Writer There certainly wasn’t a lack of controversy at Model Dáil on Tuesday night, Ireland’s only University Dáil simulation, organised by UCC’s International Relations society. The Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Catherine Clancy, acted as Cheann Comhairle on the night.

There was wide consensus that there was a need for change from the floor with regards to the first motion of the Gender Recognition Bill. Deputies spoke movingly of the struggle for trans-gender and inter-sex persons as one of Ireland’s most marginalised groups and the shame that Ireland has not moved sooner to accommodate its own citizens.

The bill was broadly acknowledged as being one of the most progressive in Europe and passed with a large majority.

The Private Member’s Bill proved to be a far more contentious motion, sparking cross talk and heckling from many party members. Fianna Fail Deputy, Jessica Ni Mhaolain outlined the problems with the existing Public Accounts Committee turning to recent events like the G-Soc and Irish Water scandals in order to propose Fianna Fail’s reform.

Much was made of Fianna Fail’s proposals being wordy and vague, with one deputy remarking that; if Fianna Fail were so intent on investigating corruption and misspending of public money, they should have endeavoured to do so during their time in Government.

The main tension of the debate lay in the clear need for accountability, coupled with the checks and balances necessary for a liberal democracy and Fianna Fail’s proposals were duly voted down by the house.

In her closing remarks, the Lord Major said she was heartened to see young people take such an interest and speak so passionately on political issues and thanked the organisers of the event. Best speaker on the night went to Enda O’ Riordan who spoke as an independent of behalf of the Pirate Party and the award for best party went to Labour.

UCC Express | Friday March 07, 2014

7

FEATURES

With online dating becoming the number one method for meeting ‘the one’, Randy Marx recounts his experiences and advises on the world of digital romance

ONLINE DATING

en years ago, when I was graduated high school, I recall my stepsister telling me how she met her boyfriend: “on J-date” was her reply. J-date, if you’re uninitiated, is a dating site for Jewish singles. Online dating was hardly new ten years ago, yet the stigma was fairly prominent.

Sites like e-harmony were respected, even if relatively few people openly admitted to dating online. Over the years, sites like this have become incredibly commonplace, and while many of these require radiation suits or full-body condoms--I’m looking at you, Craigslist--many are now widely respected. Moreover, the use of these sites is considered acceptable, even if there is a sometimes appalling double-standard as to who “ought” to use them. That said, over the years online dating has evolved, and with it a unique and generally liberating culture has emerged to change how people approach dating, sex, sexuality, sexual identities, gender identity, and even community itself.

I used to think online dating best suited those whose professional lives or personality types made traditional dating scenes untenable. I believed it was the province of the shy, reserved, overworked, socially awkward, or sexually frustrated. The alternative, it seemed, was seedy back-alley websites whose sole purpose was for no-strings-

‘Are you dark, mysterious, or snarky? Put that out there, because there’s someone who’s into it’ attached casual sex. (Before you jump at my throat, note my use of the past tense throughout). I held this fairly snobbish and dismissive opinion until very recently, when my engagement ended. Newly single after a few years in a committed relationship, I resolved to get back in the game by trying something new: online dating. I came into it with low expectations and more than a little skepticism, but I decided that if I was going to do it I would make a sincere effort to do it right. I found a site that seemed user-friendly and was well respected (OKCupid, for disclosure’s sake). After experimenting with my profile, finding the justright pictures (the ones that make me look less like a hobbit), and generally screwing around I was ready to go.

It was several months later that I finally found my rhythm. I even landed a few dates. More importantly, I learned a lot about myself, and discovered just how much things have changed in my lifetime when it comes to sex and dating. It’s a brave new world. (No, not

the shit novel they forced you to read in school.) Growing up, popular parlance when it came to sexual preferences, sexual identities, and gender norms was fairly limited. Transgenderism existed, mind you, but it was not wellunderstood or discussed, and was too often dismissed as something freakish and loathsome. Polyamorism was a thing, but it was rare to hear people openly identify as polyamorous.

Bisexuality has always occupied a place in the discussion of sexuality, even if it is as a specific concept fairly modern (the term itself was coined in the 19th century). Today, bisexuality is more prevalent and socially acceptable than it’s ever been. Transgenderism is widely discussed in school and in the media, and the rights of transgender and transexual persons are expanding, albeit slowly. Terms like “poly” or “sex-positive” are commonplace, and these terms are increasingly embraced by those seeking to expand beyond the boundaries of traditional sexual and relational lines.

And this was the most incredible thing I discovered in my experience of online dating: there’s always someone out there for you (or many someones) if you know where to look and what to look for. I am bisexual.

I once imagined that the spectrum of men and women I would ever be attracted to was fairly limited, but I was wrong. Having really made an honest go of online dating, I can truthfully say that there are so many beautiful, brilliant, fascinating people out there. If you are a pescatarian, bisexual, sex-positive, polyamorous bibliophile with a passion for Tolkien who collects beer steins and sleeps in the nude, there is someone (likely many someones) out there for you who will totally take you quirks and all. The world is becoming more open and accessible. The things that once seemed elusive are now within reach. More importantly, those of you who think that you’ll never find what you’re looking for relationally or sexually are just plain wrong.

My advice to those of you interested in trying online dating is as follows; Put your best characteristics forward. Are you dark, mysterious, or snarky? Put that out there, because there’s someone who’s into it. Are you fun, adventurous, or spontaneous? Make sure your profile highlights that. My sense of humor is one of my best assets, and my profile reflects that. Yes,

my profile references They Might Be Giants,”Dr. Horrible’s SingAlong Blog” and my love of sushi.

It works, though. Don’t overshare.

No one needs to know that you wet the bed until you were ten. It’s not sexy, it’s not helpful, and it’s offputting. Less is more, and if you can keep the tone light, positive, and fairly innocuous your chances of success skyrocket. Make sure you are clear about what you want.

That assumes you know, which you may not. If you do, it helps to say, “I am a bisexual, polyamorous, feminist, sex-positive, misanthrope who’s looking for the same.” (Fill in your own descriptors, obviously.)

Don’t take it personally if someone you like doesn’t reciprocate. The downside of online dating is you can’t look them in the eyes, and you can’t gauge interpersonal chemistry via email. If needs be, ask a friend to look at your profile to make sure you’re really selling yourself well.

It can boost your confidence when someone you like likes you back, but don’t expect too much. Have fun with it, but consider it more of a longterm investment. Finally, and most importantly, don’t be embarrassed or worry about the stigma. Own it.

There’s no shame in utilizing today’s technology to find someone, whether you’re looking for a one-night stand or the love of your life.

Who knows? You just might succeed.

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Friday March 07, 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

FEATURES

CARDIO Leah Aftab | Feature Writer

Cardio. For some it’s that run walk to and from the gym, for others it’s a passion they can’t get enough of.

Either way you look at it though, cardiovascular exercise is one of the key components that should never be left out of a fitness plan.

“Cardio”, short for “cardiovascular”, is any movement that gets your heart rate up and increases blood circulation throughout the body.

There are various forms and methods of performing cardio exercises, each with it’s own specific benefits and instructions. For the majority of people, it is used to maintain their weight or for weight loss; however there are many other health benefits of cardiovascular exercise.

First and foremost, cardio improves your heart rate, which is a vital muscle in your body. By getting your heart to pump at a faster rate during exercise will keep it fit and healthy.

Consider if you find yourself getting out of breath walking up stairs, the main reason for this is neglecting to care for your heart muscle. Simple ways to improve your heart rate are by walking at a fast pace for several

As assignments and exam stress hangs over you, it is easy to become burdened down and to ditch the gym in favor of the couch and biscuits.

minutes instead of at a slow pace; taking the stairs as opposed to the lift, and walking to the shop instead of taking the car for a walk.

Cardio exercises also benefit your metabolism; the process of breaking down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to take the energy your body needs to maintain itself. The rate of your metabolism is dependent on the relationship between the number of calories you consume, the number of calories you burn while eating and exercising, and the calories you burn based on your individual genetic composition. While some people have naturally faster metabolism than others, consuming a lot of food without gaining weight, others are not so blessed. However, although your metabolism may function in a certain way, it can be reformed with cardiovascular fitness. Generally speaking, the more intense the cardio session, the more noticeable increase you will see with regards to your metabolic rate. Benefits of increasing your metabolism include burning more fat even at rest than when your preform slow paced exercises.

As assignments and exam stress hangs over you, it is easy to become burdened down and to ditch the gym in favor of the couch and biscuits.

Many use food to cope with stressful life events, but food should never be used as your stress-busting

THOSE LITTLE PERKS Raise and Give Week is well and truly over, with many students left broke, with a phone full of photos, and a cold/flu of some sort. It’s that time of year, where everybody seems to be coughing and sneezing in any direction. If you come to college with a cold or flu, I have respect for you, braving the elements for your education. However, when you are sick, sitting through day or lectures or tutorials is hardly ideal. You know how it is when you’re sick; you’re hot one minute, cold the next. Your lungs feel like they are about to burst. You have a headache and a raw sore throat.

All you want to do is sleep, and mope and feel sorry for yourself.

But I have noticed some upsides to being sick. Perks, you could say.

1. If you don’t feel like going to lectures/doing work…you can reassure yourself with the simple phrase “I’m sick”. The constant coughing and sneezing will back up this reassurance, and if you do actually go to college, you might just end up infecting other students, and you wouldn’t want that, would you?

2. People can clearly see that you are sick and will not judge for skipping aforementioned lectures. You have a

strategy. Instead, going for a jog or run can help release endorphins and target stress more efficiently than an episode of Breaking Bad, which could prove to leaving you feel more anxious than before! Long hectic days spent sitting in a lecture theatre or infront of a laptop can leave you feeling tired with tension in your back and shoulders. De-stressing and energizing through cardiovascular fitness will also result in improved sleep quality, which will help in your general health.

Types Of Cardiovascular Activity

body warm, after five minutes you can increase the level, and as such, build up your stamina and endurance level. If you feel as though you as plateauing in your cardio go between levels every two minute, giving yourself a rest and then working your heart rate back up is a sure way to enhance your fitness level whilst burning calories.

Circuit Training This involves a range of cardiovascular exercises, such as burpees, mountain climbers and jumping jacks for a short period of time consecutively to shed excess fat and tone the body. Exercises mainly use your own body weight and as such can be performed virtually anywhere, and do not require any equipment, just some motivational music to keep you going.

Go Outside. Yes, that cold air and dark atmosphere may not seem the most attractive condition to exercise in, however it is free, never closes, and can help clear your head without the constant noise of a gym or indoor activity. Wrap up well and start at a slow pace, building up to a faster speed with intervals of jogging to These are just a few of the benefits truly get your heart rate up. that you will see with regular cardiovascular exercise. If you are The Gym just getting started, first focus on simply finding an activity that gets The indoor exercisers haven, you moving and gets your heart rate with a room filled with all your up. Those are the two key parts to cardiovascular needs and wants. For cardiovascular activity. Cardio may those who want to do a light walk or seem boring but it should form a interval training, the treadmill, cross- part of any exercise program and trainer and bike can accommodate is helpful to anyone seeking to all. Begin with a quick stretch before transform their figure and become starting on a low level to get your fitter.

Deputy Features Editor Claire Crowley discusses the perks of being sick six hour day looming in front of you, and you’re already late. You feel weak and you’re temperature is definitely not normal. Your parents and siblings can clearly see that you’re sick. Going back to bed is the only option 3. Being sick an excuse to drink plenty of tea. Tea is an amazing drink when you’re not sick, so it’s even better when you’re feeling under the weather.

If you’re one of those people who don’t drink tea, I have no words for you.

but when you’re sick, you just don’t care about anything. Diet and exercise plans die quickly. Reaching for the tub of Pringles or slice of chocolate cake, you know you can resume eating healthy when you’re better.

8. You can test “cures for the flu” that you find online (not recommended). I did this once, when I was desperate, and just wanted to get better, at any cost. I made some concoction with different drinks and syrups. I didn’t die, but I don’t think it helped in the 4. It allows you to be lazy. Need I say recovery process. Stick to the tried and more? You have to rest to begin the tested Lemsip. recovery process. You can lie in bed all day or curl up on the couch watching 9. You know that if you do badly in an re-runs of The Big Bang Theory. exam….it wasn’t your fault. You’re not at your academic best when you’re 5. It’s an excuse to drink whiskey. Hot under the weather. So, having exams toddies are the Irish Grandmother’s in December next year is going to be cure for everything, and if all else fails, a challenge for those who can’t escape it is worth trying a hot toddy, just once. the Winter Season without a cold or flu or some sort.

6. You don’t have to worry about your appearance…the “flu glow” shines 10. At one point, during the recovering through multiple layers of make-up. process, your voice sounds cool and Your eyes show how miserable you Scarlett Johansson-like. Who wouldn’t are, no matter how much mascara you want to sound like Scarlett Johansson? apply. It’s crazy but it’s true.

If you are one of those students 7. You can eat a lot of junk food and suffering with a cold or flu, feel better not feel guilty. I might be alone in this, soon!

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UCC EXPRESS | Friday March 07, 2014

FEATURES

Clara Hurley questions whether a shallow society has subsumed our beloved First Ladies’ Identities

THE FIRST LADY FASCINATION ecent years have seen an unprecedented media focus on politicians’ wives or “First Ladies” as they have been dubbed. It could even be said that coverage of women such as Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron often eclipses that of their husband. However, the objective of this reporting starkly contrasts with the media portrayal of the men they share their lives with. One thing is blatantly obvious; the world today clearly has an overt fascination with the woman behind a powerful man.

Yet, this forces us to confront some uncomfortable questions.

Has this resulted in these women’s identities becoming subsumed into their husbands?

Is our shallow society really to blame? Perhaps, most importantly – what price will be exacted?

It seems evident that Michelle Obama is one woman who personifies the media’s view of an ideal “First Lady”.

Much attention is garnered by her faultless appearance; her clothing always appears to be carefully chosen with both the American people and the American media in mind. Indeed, she endeavours to send out the correct message; one that is both patriotic and conscious of the current economic climate.

Moreover, reporting is fixated on only discussing her arguably “lightweight” activities rather than other more serious and decidedly less glamorous work.

It must be noted that this occurs despite the fact that Ms Obama is remarkably accomplished, holding both an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a law degree from Harvard Law School.

Britain’s Samantha Cameron has been subjected to a similar if far lesser experience than Michelle Obama. Although Ms Cameron held the position of creative director of Smythsons of Bond Street for part of her husband’s term, the media preferred to view and discuss her in terms of David Cameron’s achievements and failures. Her entire media identity seems to have been subsumed into David’s; she is portrayed firstly as wife, then mother, then fashion

facet to both celebrity interest and reporting, these women are marketed to fit within this niche. That is, the entire media focus on these women revolves around beauty and appearance rather than personality and work ethic. In a rather paradoxical and oxymoronic twist, seeing as this celebrity gossip is marketed at women, “First Ladies” are only viewed in this manner to satisfy the perceived needs of other women.

Above: Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron; Right: Sabina Higgins, Michelle Obama and Fionnuala Kenny after a production of Riverdance

‘Ms Obama is remarkably accomplished, holding both an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a law degree from Harvard Law School’ icon and only then (at a stretch) as a person in her own right with worthwhile accomplishments of her own.

It is incredibly worrying that Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron are not two isolated cases. Indeed the reality is quite shocking and the list is startlingly lengthy. To name but a few women whose identities have, at one point or another, been eclipsed by a powerful spouses, wives such as Sarah Brown, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Laura Bush, Justine Thornton and Asma al-Assad spring to mind. All of these women are extraordinary in some form (although it must be

noted that not all of these have made a positive impact on the lives of others) but are viewed as merely a “Mrs” in the eyes of the world today.

Society is almost certainly to blame for this gross mistreatment of politician’s wives because of an increasingly insatiable appetite for so called “celebrity” gossip. Although it could be argued that women in this situation did not directly choose to be in the public eye, (after all they did not put themselves forward for public office) the definition of celebrity has evolved and expanded include them. Thus, given the superficial

‘Society is almost certainly to blame for this gross mistreatment of politician’s wives because of an increasingly insatiable appetite for so called “celebrity” gossip’

owever, the situation is not all doom and gloom, at least certainly not for women married to Irish figureheads. Indeed, the wives of the President and the Taoiseach, Sabina Higgins and Fionnuala Kenny respectively, rarely feature in Irish journalism.

Moreover, any brief mention of them is nearly always focused on their individual merits – they are not riding on the coattails of their husbands. You could say that both of the Irish media and the Irish people have a great deal of respect for these women.

Ironically, for a country that is often portrayed as being archaic and backwards, Ireland is one of the only places to exhibit a modern view of the duties and the identity of a leader’s wife.

Neither Sabina Higgins nor Fionnuala Kenny are subjected to a critical analysis (which, it must be noted, is often quite derogatory) of what they wore or how they looked following an official engagement, a rarity compared to our international counterparts. This lack of degrading behaviour definitely heightens the respect we, as a people, have for both the leader and their spouse. In my opinion, the unwarranted criticism and superficial media appearance of these spouses, comes at a costly price – a lack of dignity.

The current fascination and focus geared towards the so called “First Ladies” is disturbing and worrying. It appears that certain traditionalist mindsets, that is, the passive role of a wife, are ingrained into our worldwide society. As we move forwards, it seems we are always destined to fall back.

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Friday March 07, 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

FEATURES

Aaron Kieran Noonan discusses the recent anti-homosexual law that was passed in Uganda

Uganda Passes Anti-Homosexuality Law n Monday, February 24th Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed into law a new antihomosexuality bill that essentially removed rights and protections for homosexuals in the deeply conservative country. Although homosexuality was already illegal in Uganda, the new law calls for life imprisonment terms for having gay sex, seven years for “attempting to commit homosexuality”, and up to seven years in prison for speaking about homosexuality without condemning it. The law is the product of almost five years of intense anti-homosexuality campaigning by the Ugandan government and has been condemned internationally, with several countries threatening to withdraw aid donations to a nation that requires outside help to survive.

Regardless, both the Ugandan President and the parliament have defied their Western critics, believing that passing the hateful law to be worth the risk of losing face and aid internationally.

The law itself is horrifying, but just as horrifying is the domestic support that it receives. A 2013 survey by the United States’ think tank Pew Research, shows that upward of 96% of Ugandans are against homosexuality. Uganda is deeply conservative, and deeply religious. 84% of Ugandans are Christian, and Pew’s research also showed a direct correlation between religiosity and a disapproval of homosexuality.

The illegality of homosexuality in Uganda is one of the many hangovers of British colonialism in Uganda - it only became an independent nation in 1962 and since then has endured years of civil war and widespread unrest.

Its human rights abuses extend much deeper than criminalising homosexuality. The country is extremely poor and its citizens enjoy little personal freedoms. Its President is essentially a dictator, holding power since 1986 and long suspected of corruption. A 2013 survey on corruption by Transparency International placed Uganda at 130 - scoring 29 out of 100. By comparison, Denmark, placed at number 1 and the least corrupt country, scored 91.

The day after the bill was signed into law, a Ugandan tabloid

Above: A Ugandan citizen shows the infamous Rolling Stone newspaper which recently ‘exposed’ a list of possible homosexuals. The Red Pepper, another tabloid and alleged ‘newspaper of the year’, published a similar list the day after the bill’s introduction.

Right: Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni signed the anti-gay bill in the glare of the country’s media.

Photograph: Stringer/Reuters Top Right: One of many Ugandans who are dissatisfied with the bill and taking to the streets to protest. newspaper, The Red Pepper, published a list of what it called the “200 Top Homosexuals,” a list attempting to out prominent figures in the country. A shameful attack on gay people in itself, but even more so when one considers the real physical danger gay people now find themselves in after Monday’s law passage. In 2010 a similar list was published in another tabloid along with names and addresses of people the newspaper asserted to be gay. David Kato, a prominent gay rights activist and likely Uganda’s first openly gay man, was subsequently murdered.

The bill has been knocking around parliament since 2009, when it

was first tabled by MP David Bahati. Originally, it called for the death penalty for those who took part in “aggravated” homosexual acts, such as those with HIV and repeat “offenders”. After review, and under intense international pressure, this was reduced to life imprisonment. In early 2010, Barack Obama described the bill as “odious,” an opinion that was echoed by leaders across the western world who also threatened to cut financial aid to the third world country. Now that the law has been passed, this is likely to become a reality. Even in the face of financial repercussions, President Museveni has been defiant,

‘The law itself is horrifying, but just as horrifying is the domestic support that it receives’

describing the west’s threat as an attempt at “social imperialism.”

Unfortunately, Western threats in the face of this abhorrent law could arguably bolster its credibility among Ugandans. In a country where over nine out of ten people are anti-homosexuality, it is unlikely that Museveni would ever bow to international pressure as it could damage his legitimacy domestically.

Regardless, the new law is a major setback for gay rights in East Africa. There is a fear among human rights organisations that the law could legitimise witch hunts against members of the LGBT community. Those who suspect someone of homosexual activity are required to report it to the authorities within twenty-hours.

Furthermore, it is now illegal to even speak about homosexuality without condemning it, leaving the prospect of equal and fair debate on the issue impossibility.

The world is increasingly learning to accept same-sex relationships.

Countries such as the United States, Scotland and Ireland are increasingly taking important steps afford to members of the LGBT community civil rights. Next year, Ireland will hold a referendum on the issue of same-sex marriage. A recent survey suggests that 76% of Irish citizens are in favour of such a proposal. If the referendum passes, Ireland will become the nineteenth country worldwide to afford this right to the LGBT community.

Yet in East Africa and Uganda in particular, the trend is going the other way. Western countries’ threat to deny economic aid on the back of the anti-homosexuality law won’t change the fact that Ugandans overwhelmingly support the law. Education on the issue is the only true answer. In a nation ravaged by poverty, corruption and where eleven is the median age of school-leavers, it is unlikely that public opinion on homosexuality will change soon.

UCC EXPRESS | Friday March 07, 2014

11

FEATURES

“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”

– Dr. Maya Angelou

his quote seems a pretty straightforward a proposition.

However, not many of us do actually get a chance to render ourselves to a cause we strongly believe in. As I stand here on the threshold of yet another transition in my life, I look back at the past 5 months and I contemplate as to how fortunate I have been able to be attached to a worthy cause. I do not wish to make this sound something akin a panegyric about myself. I just wish to merely convey as to how fulfilling and enriching an experience it has been.

Five months back, it was pretty daunting to book a one-way ticket back home to Calcutta after having lived in Cork, Ireland for nearly five years. I do not mean to sound disrespectful to the city of my birth by calling the return home as daunting. Daunting it was, because I did not know what lay next in terms of career plans. Hence, it was a period of much fluidity and much uncertainty. However, amidst all the confusion in my head, I always had the thought at the back of my mind about approaching The Hope Foundation for a volunteering opportunity, once I was back home. Being a Cork-based organization, Hope seemed a good choice in helping me bridge my links between Cork and Calcutta.

However, the last few weeks in Cork went by in a blur with packing my belongings to make the move back home as well as wrapping up my work. And there I was on the flight back home, having not been able to establish contact with Hope.

However, fate definitely is rather strange and lands you your very wishes into your lap, every now and then. So, there I was on the connecting flight from Dubai to Calcutta; well, that’s where I met JP, the Programmes Director of Hope. And from thereon began my journey with Hope. I have had the good fortune of meeting many people affiliated with Hope - Gora Da, Geeta, Jenny, Alokeparna, Debashri, Abhijit, Suman Da amongst other staff members and some of the volunteers from the UK and Ireland who have come visiting in the past few months as well as friends of Hope such as Mark and Sam. I am no teacher in the truest sense of the word. Neither do I have a degree to teach. I have only

state of my throat every passing day to try and maintain some decorum while I tried to teach these kids.

So, here I am 5 months hence.

And if I were to describe what I take with me from this experience, well here is what I have learnt. Yes, learnt. It’s been a learning process for me as much as for the kids I taught. I have learnt that teaching kids is no easy job and definitely requires immense patience. The fact that one plus one equals two might be clear to an adult but the real challenge is to explain the rationale to a questioning kid in the taught my cousins high school best possible way. To figure out the biology and that is the extent to most conducive teaching method which my teaching experience is a challenge especially when was limited. Hence, to be given there is a good mix of slow and the charge of teaching kids at the fast learners. To keep at two paces kindergarten level, I am meeting with the two groups of learners is for the first time in my life and no easy feat and try as I may have; that too boys (between the ages I would often get muddled in my of 5 -9 years old) posed a bit of a head as to which kid was doing challenge for me. Well, boys will what. This experience helped give be boys. At their age none can keep some direction to my life when their limbs to themselves for more other things seemed uncertain than 2 minutes. There would be and vague. There was a purpose an inordinate kick, shove, nudge and meaning to a life in the inor poke after two minutes or so. between-jobs phase rather than And then, let’s not forget the fist be sitting at home and vegetating fights and the other petty fights for and probably mulling on the what a pencil or an eraser. I felt like a ifs and what if nots. I guess this ringmaster in a circus who played teaching experience helped a out his part for five days of the nearly stationary stone get rolling week between 6 and 9 PM. Let us once more and thereby gather no not even get into the rather sorry moss. And probably it was worth

Above: Some of the aims of HOPE is to encourage self development, build confidence and self esteem, teach new skills, andenhance creativity.

‘fate definitely is rather strange and lands you your very wishes into your lap, every now and then’

and definitely the best followers of the ‘forgive and forget’ policy.

So much so, there was a particular boy whom I refused to teach for a while in the middle as he disturbed the study group way too much that things were steering out of control. However, I took this lad back in the study groups in the last 1 month and being one of the fast learners, he made up for all the while he had not been taught by me. And as I finished my last class with the boys on the 17th of January, 2014, this boy came up to me and said,”Sir! You can have this from me.” And he took out a strip of what probably was his favourite Doraemon stickers from his pencil box; placing it in my hand, he smiled and took leave of me.

Something deep down tells me that these boys will do just fine – not just as students but as fine human beings despite many of their traumatic and rather horrifying backgrounds. And as their teacher, I can certainly say that it has indeed been my honour and privilege to know, teach, and learn from the boys of Be Kind Home the while as this was probably a for these past few months. small befitting way to give back As I take leave of these boys, to the city of my birth, a city I I am suddenly reminded of this call home, a city that has seen me quote by the American adventurer grow from a mere school boy to a and author, Jack London, that post-graduate student, a city that I once came across when I was has nurtured many of my dreams probably in middle school, all of and helped me develop wings to fly 12 or 13 years of age; which seems away from its safe cocoon so as to more pertinent now than ever enable me to pursue a career path before. of my choice and a city that has “A bone to the dog is not always welcomed me every time I charity. Charity is the bone shared have come back to it. Thank you, with the dog, when you are just as Calcutta. You have been very kind hungry as the dog.” to me.

And what have I learnt from [P.S.: A sincere word of gratitude the kids. The great camaraderie once more to family and friends, between all the kids amazed me. for their overwhelming response Every time I asked one of the boys in coming forward to help raise a question, the others would pitch money for the purposes of the in to help him and prod him with Durga Puja celebrations, 2013, for the answer. This ‘esprit de corps’ the benefit of the kids of Hope. amongst them, particularly caught You know who you are. You all my attention, despite they probably have been exceptionally generous. fighting amongst themselves over Many, many thanks!] something petty like an eraser or a pencil. Kids will be kids and - Orthis Saha despite my being firm with them in terms of adopting a no nonsense policy while I taught, I have always been welcomed by them, each passing day. The frequent The Author holds a doctoral degree segregation from the group or in Biochemistry from University often the refusal to teach some College Cork, Ireland and of them often did bring about a Volunteered with HOPE in Kolkata change in their maverick ways.

And I always knew that they would from September 2013 – January 2014 before moving to Paris come around, for children will be children - simple in their thoughts accepting a post-doctoral position.

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Friday March 07 04, 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

GAEILGE

Priests, Scholars and Artists -The Irish in Paris Seán Ó Laoghaire | Scríbhneoir

í mór a rá go bhfuil stair fhada d’ eisimirce ag na hÉireannaigh, agus ceann de na tionchair atá bainteach leis an feiniméan seo, ná an tslí ina cruthaítear gaol idir Éireannaigh (agus a slíocht) agus cathracha faoi leith. Sa lá atá againn inniú is mór an méid é líon na ndaoine atá tar éis bogadh thall go dtí an Astráil, agus ní hiad an chéad ghluain chun an turas fada sin a dhéanamh. Roimhe seo radhach go leor Éireannach thall go Sasana agus Meiriceá chun saol nua a chruthú dóibh féin agus dá gclann i gcathracha ar nós Learpholl, Manchain, Bostún agus Nua Eabhrac. An chúis is mó a roghnaítear na háiteanna seo ná, go labhartar an teanga cheanna iontu is a labhartar sa tír seo, nó a foghlaimíodh sa tír seo ó lár na naoú aoise déag. Ach téann stair eisimirce na hÉireann siar a bhfad roimhe sin go dtí an séú aois déag, agus ní thall go Londain a theadh muintir na hÉireann ach trasna na farraige go dtí an Mór-Roinn, go dtí an Spáinn agus an Fhrainc, agus go dtí cathracha ar nós Lováin sa Bheilig, agus an Róimh.

Sagairt is mó a bhí sa ghluain seo, a bhfuilim ag tagairt dóibh, ag fágaint leis an bhfeidhm chun seiminéirí Caitilicigh a bhúnú mar chuid den bhogadh Frith-Réifeirméisean ach cuireadh a thuilleadh brú ar shagairt agus manaigh an tír a fagaint tar éis géarleanúint ó na Sasanaigh ina dhiaidh a cuireadh na Péindlíthe i bhfeidhm san seachtú aois déag.

Más caillúint a bhí ann do phobail na tíre, is mó an bhúntáiste a bhí ann dos na deoraithe a bhí le teacht, agus is í príomhcathair na Fraince, Páras féin, a chuirim an béim uirthi. ******* I 1578, deirtear, gur bhunaigh an tAthair Eoin Ó Laoi, ó Contae Port Láirge, Coláiste na nÉireannach i Collège de Montaigu in Ollscoil Páras le sé mic léinn ina gcuideachta. Idir an bhliain seo agus Réabhlóid na Fraince i 1789, do forbraíodh gaol maith idir an chathair agus na hÉireannaigh a thaisteal ann; soláthraigh Rí Louis XIV suíomh buan do Coláiste na nÉireannach i 1677, agus tar éis sin togadh mic léinn agus sagairt páirt an-ghníomhach i saol acadúil na cathrach agus glacadh líon mór dóibh páirt i reisimintí de Bhriogóid na nGael ag freastal ar shon na Fraince. Tógadh an dara forgnimh le haghaidh loistín do mhic léinn roimh briseadh amach na reabhlóide

Above:Centre Culturel Irlandais; Right: Rue des Irlandais

ach gabhadh é agus an príomhfhoirgnimh i 1793, agus cailleadh bailiucháin luachmhar leabharlann an choláiste in san am seo. Ní gheobhfar an príomhfhoirgnimh ar ais riamh, ach fuair na hÉireannaigh an foirgneamh eile ar ais i 1795. In 1805 bogadh líon mór de láimhscríbhinní agus leabhair luachmhara eile go dtí Coláiste na nÉireannach agus i 1807 d’athraigh Napoleon an bóthar ar a shuíonn an foirgneamh seo ó Rue du Cheval Vert go dtí Rue des Irlandais. Lean an coláiste ag feidhmiú mar sheimineár tríd an naoú aois deag agus an fichiú aois agus chaith sé seal mar oispidéal i rith an Chogaidh Franc-Phrúiseach agus mar lóistín do shaighdúirí Méiriceánacha i 1945. Ó 1945 go dtí 1997 bhí seimineár Polannach bunaithe sa Choláiste chomh maith, agus tar éis sin athchoraíodh an foirgneamh agus ón mbliain 2002 suas go dtí an lá inniu feidhmíonn sé mar Ionad Cultúir Éireannach.

Ní sagairt agus mic léinn amháin a d’fhag rian ar phríomhchathair na Fraince agus in san fichiú aois mealladh roinnt de na héalaíontóirí is mó ón tír seo go dtí an Fhrainc. Is

iad an bheirt is mó a thagann chun aigne ná James Joyce agus Samuel Beckett. Is é an Seoigeach is túisce a tháinig go dtí an chathair seo i 1920 agus chónaigh sé i bPáras i gcomhair fiche bliain tar éis tráth dá shaoil a chaitheamh i Zurich, agus is ann a chríochnaigh sé a mhórshaothar Ulysses. Tá tábhacht faoi leith ag an gcathair seo don leabhar féin, mar is inti amháin a foilsíodh an leabhar, tríd an siopa Shakespeare and Company, nuair nach bhfoilseofar é i Meiricea, Sasana nó Éire, de bhárr go meastar go raibh an téacs ró-gháirsiúl, go dtí 1934 ar a luaithe.

Scríobhadh sé saothar eile i bPáras, Finnegans Wake, nuair a bhí a chuid sláinte ag teip air. Fuair sé cabhair ó

‘I 1578, deirtear, gur bhunaigh an tAthair Eoin Ó Laoi, ó Contae Port Láirge, Coláiste na nÉireannach i Collège de Montaigu in Ollscoil Páras le sé mic léinn ina gcuideachta’

dhaoine faoi leith agus é ag cumadh an leabhair seo agus ina measc bhí Éireannach eile, Samuel Beckett, ina óige, a tháinig go dtí an chathair mar léachtóir ar an mBéarla tar éis a bhain sé a chéim amach i 1927. Fear maith taisteal a bhí i Beckett, ach is i bPáras a shocraigh sé roimh tús an Dara Chogaidh Domhanda agus fad is a lean an cogadh, ghlac sé páírt i bhFrithbheartaiocht na Fraince in aghaidh na Naitsí. Is mar éalaíontóir nó drámadóir is mó a aithnítear Beckett agus fad is a chónaigh sé i bpríomhchathair na Fraince chum sé cuid mhaith dá shaothair is cáiliúla (trí Fhraincís agus trí Bhéarla), ina measc En attendant Godot, Fin de Partie agus Krapp’s Last Tape.

Más í seo stair na nÉireannach i bPáras, is dócha gur fiú an cheist a chur- conas atá cursaí inniú?

Bhuel, táid fós ann. Na sagairt, na mic léinn agus na héalaíontóirí. Tá an Ionad cultúir ar oscailt fós, agus taispéantar saothar ó phobal na hÉireann sa chathair agus éalaíontóirí a thagann go dtí an chathair chun fanacht mar éalaíontóir conaithe san ionad cultúir. I rith na Nollag mar shampla, tháinig grupa d’áisteoirí amaitéaracha Éireannacha (ina measc beirt, ó dhá ghluain difrúil, a d’fhreastal ar UCC) le chéile chun táispeantas a dhéanamh ar dhráma darbh ainm Distant music, dráma tras-scríofa ó shaothar James Joyce, The Dead agus Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Tháinig meascán d’Fhrancaigh agus d’Éireannaigh chun an ionad a líonadh dhá oíche as a chéile le haghaidh an dráma seo. Faightear a thuilleadh éalaíontóirí Éireannacha ag tarraingt pobal Francach/Éireannach chun éisteacht le nó féachaint ar a gcuid saothar. Tá ailéar beag neamhspléach i croí lár na cathrach (cúig nóiméad siúl ó An Louvre ar Rue Rivoli) agus ar cheann de na cúig urláir a thaispeánann éalaíon nuaaoiseach, faightear taispeántas ag péintéar Éireannach ann, agus cloistear ceol ó cheoltóirí Éireannacha trí na cathrach, a thugann leo slua meascaithe pé áit ina bhfuil siad. Is éalaíontóirí iad seo a bhfuil tar éis a dtír dúchais a fhagaint tamall fada ó shin agus ó labhairt leo, níl aon chuma orthu go bhfillfidh said ar Éirinn ró-luath.

B’fhéidir nach í an Róimh nó nach bhfuil fuil Éireannach i gceannairí na tíre/cathrach, ach tá sé soléir go bhfuil caidreamh faoi leith fós ag Páras le mic léinn, sagairt agus ealaíontóirí na hÉireann. (not that I am any of the above)

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UCC EXPRESS | Friday March 07, 2014

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City of Sprezzatura!

Cathal O’ Gara Esq.

Whether you’re sartorially savvy or the polar opposite of a fashionista, the high drama and sheer talent at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC—both inside and outside the tents—is a sight to behold. As designers from around the world prepare to debut their fall 2013 collections at Lincoln Center between Feb. 7 and 14, editor Cathal O’ Gara has been curating his own collection of the best things to do and eat if you’re heading there to be part of the glitz and glamour.

Fashion Week is a massive event that brings 100,000 people to Lincoln Centre’s Damrosch Park for eight days of style and spectacle. Shows are invite-only, but even if you don’t score a golden ticket, it’s worth a stop by the plaza for the ultimate only-inNew-York people watching.

The Fashion…

This year, more than 75 designers V will showcase their handiwork at official Fashion Week events; O L

the roster includes legendary designers, will present fall and names (Ralph Lauren, Diane winter collections at Pier 59 on Von Furstenberg and emerging Feb. 13, with other events—from a brands (MM6 by Maison Martin bloggers’ brunch to after parties— Margiela, Monika Chiang). running from Feb. 11 to 14.

Small Boutique Fashion Week, Among the labels to watch this season are ICB by Prabal meanwhile, presents its runway Gurung—often worn by first show and market on Feb. 10 at lady Michelle Obama—and Metropolitan Pavilion. The event American designers Trina Turk connects emerging designers with and Steven Alan. While the three boutique owners, but because it’s have participated in previous open to the public, you can snag a Fashion Weeks, Turk and Gurung ticket and enjoy the show as well. will present their first live runway Immediately following MercedesBenz Fashion Week, Couture shows at Lincoln Center.

Beyond the formal shows of Fashion Week (Feb. 15 to 17) Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the focuses on luxury pieces from arrival of the worldwide fashion international designers. The often industry in New York spawns over-the-top designs are displayed many spin-off events. Often more with gusto; the event closed intimate—and typically easier to last season with a collaborative get into—these celebrations are mural-painting exercise. This year good bets for an up-close look at marks the first time that Couture models working the runway.

PAFashion Week moves from the M Nolcha Fashion Week is the city’s L other official Fashion Week. The platform, created to help launch the careers of independent p x b O L W

Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Waldorf Astoria to its new home in the New Yorker Hotel.

One-off, niche runway shows provide more opportunities to sit in the front row. Reality TV fans should check out the first Reality of FASHION The Reality of AIDS fundraiser show, taking place Feb. 9 in The Altman Building. With models plucked from programs like Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise, this open event guarantees more than a smattering of reality-star sightings. And on Feb. 12 at downtown hot spot Tenjune, Fashion Meets Music teams up with Camp Couture NYC for a show that melds fashionL and

entertainment; artists slated to perform include Amanda Brown of The Voice. General admission tickets are available.

Shopping is, of course, synonymous with fashion shows, and even if your wardrobe is more prêt-à-porter than haute couture, you can still fill a bag or two with cutting-edge ensembles thanks to the pop-up shops that proliferate during Fashion Week. Head to Nordstrom-owned Treasure & Bond in Soho for the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund pop-up that spotlights designs from this year’s 10 Fashion Fund finalists.

The featured designers join an illustrious club of past winners like Proenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung,

3.1 Phillip Lim and Thom Browne, designer of first lady Michelle Obama’s 2013 inauguration coat and dress. This Fashion Fund popup opens on Feb. 6 Where to Eat… Fortuitously, a number of the chic eateries around Lincoln Centre are participating in NYC Restaurant Week during Fashion Week (the two overlap on Feb. 7 and 8). On the third floor of theTime Warner Centre, the Italian restaurant ‘A Voce’ will offer a $25, threecourse, prix-fixe lunch—along with sweeping views of Central Park and a buzzing fashion crowd inside.

The swanky Ed’s Chowder House Hotel, just W L at The SEmpire

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EXPRESS PHOTOS

Friday March 07, 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

UCC EXPRESS | Friday March 07, 2014

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Friday March 07, 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

FASHION

MODEL BEHAVIOUR Fashion Editor, Nicole Clinton, interviews successful model and UCC Alumnus, Jennifer Foley

ennifer Foley has come a long way since she was first discovered on the RTE show ‘The Model Agent’ back in 2009. Raised here in Cork, Jennifer was named one of the model faces to watch by Vogue.com in 2010 and is currently enjoying an international modelling career signing with Elite Model Management in London, Ford Models in Paris and Lab Models in Milan. At present, the blue-eyed beauty is living in London and has just returned to modelling after taking 3 months out before Christmas to work at the Burberry Head Office in London. I found out about her experiences as a model, her attitudes towards fashion and her time at UCC. I had the privilege of watching Jennifer model in the flesh at the Cork Fashion Week Design Awards last October and I was struck by how professional she seemed compared to the other models .

This led me to ask her whether she believes that one can learn to be a good model . She disagrees, stating “ I don't think you can 'learn' to be a model but I definitely feel that once your confidence grows it helps you so much to succeed. Practice makes perfect!”. However, she does think that a model should strive to be multi-talented in order to thrive in the industry: “it does help if you have the ability to work in different markets. If you are able to runway, editorial and more commercial gigs then it only increase the amount of work you available to be booked for.” Jennifer is proof of this theory with her ability to book high-profile runway shows as well as cutting edge editorials. But she finds it difficult to select which type of modelling she prefers. “I like them both for different reasons, I don't think I could choose. Fashion Shows are fun because they are really exciting and there is so much anticipation, but with an editorial you get to spend the whole day/a few days with a team and you get to see a finished product.” She reveals that it is the lack of predictability and the wide range of collaborators that she finds the most appealing about modelling; “I love how no

day is the same. You are working with different people every day so its never boring”, and follows on by citing her career highlights so far; “I am lucky that I have had so many fun experiences. Shooting on a private jet for Wallpaper Magazine was fun and I really enjoyed my time in Paris. I shot for Elle with Damon Baker and he is one of my personal favourite photographers so that was a personal highlight for me.” I was curious as to whether her experience as a model has taught her anything that she can apply to her life outside of the fashion sphere and apparently it has toughened her up a bit. She discloses “I have become less sensitive to criticism, in all aspects of my life. Before I started modelling I was embarrassingly over sensitive, so working in this industry has definitely given me a thicker skin.”

One of the things that I find most appealing and unusual about Jennifer is that she is quite unique in being an Irish model who has cracked the overseas market. I personally believe that this is due to the fact that the Irish agents tend to focus on beauty pageant/lingerie types of models rather than the high-fashion models that flourish in Europe. I put this question to Jennifer , inquiring if this is the case or if there are there plenty of Irish fashion models making their mark abroad. She finds this amusing, explaining “Its so funny because I know quite a few Irish models that no one hears about in Ireland. I think its because they never worked the Irish market that people aren't aware of them. I think Elite has 4/5 Irish models on their books.

One of my best friends Aine from Tipperary is signed with Elite and I never see anything about her in the Irish Press even though she is doing amazing. Last season she walked for Louis Vuitton.”

Intrigued about an industry insider’s attitude to fashion, I quiz her on how hers has changed over the years. “My attitude has changed a great deal since I was a teenager.

I've realised, while it is an amazing industry which has given me loads of opportunities, It is definitely not as glamorous as people imagine.”

As someone who splits their time between Cork and London, she reveals that her sense of style slightly alters depending on which one of the cities she is spending time in; “That is one thing I love about London. You don't have the small town mentality and you can express

yourself through fashion a lot easier. I love all the vintage stores and markets over here. I wouldn't say I dress differently when I'm over here, but probably more casual if anything. The bars and nightclubs can be a lot more laid back then in Cork. I love coming home and getting dressed up for a night out with my friends.” But Jennifer is not the only fashion professional in her family. Her sister, Marie Clair Foley, is a designer and the model divulges that her “sister was a huge influence on [her] and introduced [her] to fashion.”

I was keen to uncover the depth of truth behind the criticisms of the fashion industry surrounding the pressure on models to stay thin so I asked Jennifer if this is evident or is it something that is exaggerated by the media for sensationalism.

She responds by relating to her own experiences; “ I think its completely exaggerated and its frustrating.

Yes models do have to be thin and have a certain physique and that is just the way it is. Like athletes, gymnasts or Ballet dancers. I can't speak for all agencies but Elite have never made me feel pressured about my weight. I just have a certain size to stick to and I can do that in a healthy way. Obviously I have seen girls that look underweight but not very often.”

I have become less sensitive to criticism, in all aspects of my life. Before I started modelling I was embarrassingly over sensitive, so working in this industry has definitely given me a thicker skin

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ask her about her time at UCC, from which she obtained the BSc in Government, and whether she learned anything here that she could apply to her fashion career. She gave me an affirmative response and it seems that her experience of the college was a positive one; “My time at UCC helped me hone my organisational skills. My course had a lot of continuous assessment so I had to bring my books on the road If I had a modelling job. Also my course made me realise I had a strong interests in certain subjects I had never even thought of before and I went on to study for Masters in Marketing. I loved my time at UCC so much. I miss the social side of it as well and seeing my friends everyday.”

Finally, while her modelling career is blooming now, she tells me that she would “definitely” like to explore other aspects of the fashion industry in the future; “ I have already explored fashion marketing and I worked part-time at Hunger Magazine as a fashion assistant. I know whatever I do after modelling will be in the fashion industry, I just have not decided exactly what that will be!”

Be sure to check out Jennifer’s blog ‘Across the Pond’ at: acrosstheponduk.wordpress.com

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UCC EXPRESS | Friday March 07, 2014

FASHION

STYLE CRUSH Words: Nicole Clinton

e may have only recently officially forayed into the world of fashion by landing a gig as one of the faces of Burberry’s spring/summer 2014 campaign, but actor Jamie Campbell Bower has exuded a captivating sense of style since his arrival into the public sphere. With his tousled blonde locks and his reckless dress sense, his overall look is reminiscent of the nineties grunge era but remains more chic at the same time. He manages to compensate for his reliability on black by demonstrating an ability to freshen up the safe colour with an eclectic arsenal of accessories. His most prominent staples include torn jeans, doc marten boots, stretched, baggy t-shirts, chains and hats of all kinds.

Last summer, the British actor sat front row at a Diesel Black Gold show in Milan and donned an outfit that corresponds to what he could be seen wearing on a daily basis . His grey, washed-out denim shirt with rolled up sleeves and buttoned down neck oozed a carefree demeanor and the pair of tight leather pants that he paired with it helped to further emphasise the rocker attitude. The ensemble was characterised by the chain that hung from the trousers and a fedora.

The Madrid premiere of last summer’s The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones saw the 25 year old mix sophisticated with rebel by channelling a Don Johnson-esque pale blue suit and crisp white dress-shirt but added a few personal touches to the Alexander McQueen creation.

Refusing to conform to traditionalism, he opted for a silver chain rather than a tie around the neck of the shirt and he accessorised the pants with his signature chain and a printed scarf, both hanging from the pocket. And if that didn’t cement the cool negligence, the unbuckled leather boots and sunglasses gave it the extra push into alternative style territory.

A few weeks ago, Bower attended his patron Burberry’s A/W 14 London Fashion Week show and gave cosmopolitan elegance an edgy makeover. His smart, double-breasted, camel pea coat may have produced a preppy effect but its teaming with skinny jeans (complete with his favourite pocket chain), sunglasses and a nose ring loans the look a punk vibe.

Bower’s taste illustrates that one doesn’t have to adhere to current trends to appear fashionable. He proves that a look that was popular twenty years ago can transcend seamlessly into the modern wardrobe and that traditional glamour can always benefit from a touch of personalised style.

Queens of Fashion Brian Conmy reflects on drag queen style lot of attention has been drawn to Ireland’s most famous drag queen, Panti, lately. Initially caused by what a lot of us would call censorship of what even more of us would call fair accusations of homophobia, the legend of Panti has grown in stature following what’s been dubbed “Panti’s Noble Call”. If you haven’t checked it out then please, take a couple minutes out of your day to Youtube one of the better speeches about LGBT people’s lives in recent memory.

What makes the speech and Panti (or Rory O’ Neill if you catch him out of drag) so much better though is this basic fact: when speaking about a tremendously important topic that so many people take so seriously, Panti did it on Panti’s terms. Fabulously.

So in honour of Panti here’s a brief highlight of drag culture and fashion.

Despite the arguments over the origin of the term drag (either short for dressed as a girl or a theatre slang from the idea of skirts dragging along a stage) we know the first use of the term shows

up in 1941. Despite how recent this seems the tradition of men performing as women dates back much further, but this isn’t a history lesson.

Drag comes in all shapes and sizes, for those loyal viewers of Ru Pauls Drag Race (America’s Next Top Drag Queen basically) you’ll have seen plenty of queens over the years who call themselves ‘pageant queens’, ‘high drag artists’, ‘comedy queens ‘or any other variety of terms. In recent years, the drag culture has evolved beyond men trying to accentuate stereotypical female features to a point where androgynous queens are now common. This has paved the way for a lot of younger queens to come up with a unique style all their own, for instance Sharon Needles is often characterised as a goth or horror queen. Taking inspiration from trashy horror movies of yesteryear and such role models as Elvira, Sharon Needles is an often outrageous figure in drag renowned for her dark styling as well as her performance art. Contrary to this

are impersonator queens with Cher being a particularly common inspiration for imitation. Here, accurate representations are valued above originality.

Again on the opposite end of the spectrum to goth/horror queens are the high fashion queens. These are more often very well put together with outfits and make -up you could expect to see on a runway or red carpet at a Hollywood event. Ru Paul, perhaps the most famous drag queen in the world, could be categorised this way. Even looking at Ru’s recent performance with Lady Gaga during the Muppet’s Holiday Special, Ru outshone Gaga in a blue feathered gown pulled together with black belt, matching evening gloves and larger than life blonde volumised wig. Then again Gaga was effectively wearing a brown condom for a hat so maybe that’s an unfair competition for Ru. While Ru is known for her style and very well put together look she has a huge team to assist her with her looks, which means the high fashion label may come easier to

“In recent years, the drag culture has evolved beyond men trying to accentuate stereotypical female features” her . Other up and comers may not have as much money or assistance in their looks so pageant queens (yes there are drag queen pageants and they are as amazing as they sound) are an extremely dedicated group in terms of attention to detail. Whereas pageant queens are going for a particular look to please the judges of a given competition, an equally dedicated group are those who attempt to look as close as possible to passing as a woman. These “fishy” queens you could sometimes see in a club and never think twice about their gender, an impressive feat not just in crafting a female look but in suppressing male characteristics.

While I’ve only gotten to mention a few types and examples of drag fashion and personalities here the culture is as diverse and interesting as any other. For those looking for a crash course in tucking, make up, styling, lingo and more , then I can recommend Ru Paul’s Drag Race .

Or you could always jump in and try it for yourself. Never know, you may like it!

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HUMOUR

Friday March 07, 2014 | UCC EXPRESS

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UCC EXPRESS | Friday March 07, 2014

THE NEW CORKER

THE NEW CORKER

A Summer Sunset

By Ciara Buckley emember when we took those pictures of us at sunset? I cleaned the couch the other day and found those polaroids shoved down there, mixed up with old receipts and lost coins. I sat on the floor after that holding them tightly, afraid to let them go and black tears from my mascara stained eyes began to spill onto my checks. I was afraid I would smudge the ink but our images had already begun to fade. The four of us, backs sunk into the tarp of my trampoline, the leaves above us changing as we are changed now.

The trampoline had been our place of refuge, of secrets, of life changing crushes whispered through the twinkling summer leaves, of Polaroid cameras and easy snap shots of life, of friendship and youth. I remember those hot days of bad influences, the discovery of vodka, of my parents drinks cabinet, of hair dye and tan sold from shelves; I remember the mistakes we made.

When school is called back to session, the usual events of summer are forgotten, perhaps ignored, but not that summer, that summer was one destined to be remembered, to immortalize our pure contentment and the moment

when it all dissolved into nothing.

Even though the pictures fade, the smell of rain in the warm air, the sounds of children’s laughter, and the acidic taste of vodka are forever seared into my mind as part of those moments when the loss of our innocence had been accelerating, unknowingly.

I wondered for an instant if I could simply crumple those pictures up and stuff them back into the black space from which they had so unwillingly been retrieved. But it was too late, I had already begun to remember and the pain washed over me as you tore my world apart again.

The very last summer sunset, you had come over early and we all got ready together. We strolled out and wandered deep into the nearby forest far out of view to where we had pulled my trampoline with so much effort weeks before.

We sat. Backs supported by the static material. We giggled as our hair stuck out at odd angles and crackled with the electricity trapped within the elastic. Polaroid camera in hand we snapped picture after picture as the sun began to set, laughed hysterically as we drank and stuffed the pictures unconcernedly into our pockets and gulped once again from the bottle. We drank a cocktail of

liquors and spirits taken from my parent’s drinks cabinet, a little from each so they wouldn’t notice the drop in volume. The boys sat opposite drinking whatever beer they could lay their hands on.

When the last empty can dropped to the ground with a light thud, they hopped one by one down from the trampoline. Graham fetched his rugby ball and started passing it around, spinning it and kicking it high into the warm night air and catching it with practiced skill. We floundered and flirted among the boys asking to be shown how to do the tricks we already knew. Our confidence grew and co-ordination lessened as the level of alcohol in our bloodstream reached a peak we had never before experienced.

I know now, looking back on it that if there was one moment that set our separate actions into motion it was hearing that undeniable squeak of distant brakes on the gravel and assuming my parents were on the prowl. If only we hadn’t picked that spot or that night, if only that car had pulled up half an hour earlier, if only I had looked to see if you were with me when I ran, if only you had gone straight home after, if only you hadn’t blamed it all on me. If only.

But it doesn’t work like that,

and biting my lip against the pain, I called out. I could hear the whimper in my voice. I waited for you to come and find me. You never did.

Even as the night grew colder and I slid deeper into the folds of alcohol and tiredness, you never came. My vision blurred a little, black spots appeared in places and maybe it was the alcohol or the fall that had knocked me semi senseless but I knew then that what we had was a summer thing and that you would leave me as the leaves changed and the days grew shorter and everything fell from me.

I crawled home close to sun rise, my hair stuck to my forehead with dried blood and sweat, my baby green summer dress, ripped up past my thighs and stained brown. I had to face a blaring rant from my parents alone. They were worried about me, I knew that, I knew they would forgive me but the phone rang in the kitchen and I picked up the extension in the next room to hear the muttered words of your Aunt telling my parents that I was a bad influence. Her voice had been vicious but for a moment it faded out and I imagined her turning to you and smiling. I heard you in the background agree in a gruff voice that made no attempt to defend me or to plead in my honor

I panicked, terrified of what my parents would say or think and leave unsaid, terrified of seeing that look of disappointment flash in their eyes.

I ran. I stumbled. I crawled. not really. Not when stomachs drop and adrenaline and alcohol begin to soar in veins. I panicked, terrified of what my parents would say or think and leave unsaid, terrified of seeing that look of disappointment flash in their eyes. I ran. I stumbled. I crawled.

Only when the brambles cut deep into my shins did I wonder where you were. I thought I saw you or maybe it was a shadow seen through alcohol misted eyes. A figure. Not an animal yet it darted quickly between the branches.

Unable to see the ground through the growth, I tripped over a rock and fell backward. I smacked my head. Swallowing back my tears

that it wasn’t my fault.

And your Aunt broke my world in two by finishing with, ‘Your daughter is despicable and Laura knows the consequences for associating with her from now on.’

She spoke to you again asking ‘You agrees it’s for the best, don’t you Laura?’

‘Yes, please just stop. . .’, I heard whisper quieter than before but loud enough to ricochet through my world and crush everything in it.

It was only then that I began to cry, when I realized I was truly abandoned. It had been the four of us but we two had been like sisters,

so alike, so in tune, you understood me and you loved me. You did love me didn’t you? To this day I still wonder and perhaps that’s what hurts the most, just simply not knowing if it was all I lie. That first day of the new autumn term did I imagine a silent tear brushed quickly away and did your heart ache as mine did when we sat in class in silence?

I learnt a valuable life lesson in the months that followed our summer, how to smile through the pain and tell people that everything was ok when I just simply wanted to cry and when the leaves began to bloom again in spring I learnt to trust again, but never as deeply as before. If nothing else, you left that mark on me, that fear of trusting someone entirely, pouring out my soul secrets to them and being hurt in spite or perhaps because of it.

I could have hated you, you know; they say there is a thin line between love and hate after all, but instead I found that life moves on and it was easier to simply smile at you and nod as I passed you in the hallway even though there was so much I wanted to say. Like how graham had kissed me under the old oak tree and how the beach house felt so empty without you. These things I left unsaid because after my mum slammed the phone down on your Aunt she found me wrapped in the arms of the couch. I didn’t move.

I didn’t wail hysterically or call out for her to hold me. Perhaps, she saw the pain in my expression or perhaps, as I suspect, she felt her own heart break upon seeing my swollen eyes but I knew she understood. She did not berate me for the fright I had given her or try to comfort me with me with empty words, she simply held out her arms and let my tears fall slowly onto her shoulder. It is something that amazes me to this day how a mother knows how to comfort their child even when the words hang in the air unsaid.

We always thought we’d look back on our tears and laugh but we never thought we’d look back on our laughter and cry. Now all I have is the faded photos that are tear stained from the loss of a good friend because you are a different person. I am a soul shakedown party and these are good vibrations.

So what else is there for me to do but to stand up, wipe my eyes and go back to cleaning the couch?

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Backing himself to win from the front

Stephen Barry | News Editor

It was only three days before the Sigerson weekend that UCC captain Paul Geaney turned things around.

A year beforehand, he suffered a hamstring strain in the first round against UUJ, and when he found out that that recurring injury was linked to a broken vertebra, his hopes of Sigerson glory were quenched.

Surgery in April got him back on the right track, but another spasm ruled him out of Kerry’s All-Ireland semi-final too. Kerry manager, Eamonn Fitzmaurice came up and told him he would be back again, but it was a tough road.

“The hamstrings weren’t great at Christmas time again so I’d a tough January. Performances were tough to come by and I only found my form the Tuesday before the Sigerson weekend inside in Kerry training.

“I was delighted; my whole body just felt perfect. It was great timing and against Maynooth I felt on fire.”

That was Geaney’s personal turning point; however the team met their watershed three months earlier. Coming out for the second half ten points down against DIT and facing into the wind, UCC were on a low ebb.

Yet they pulled the gap back to three points and missed a handful of goal chances too. “We should have won it and we were disappointed leaving there that we didn’t.

“There was a massive transition period after last year and Carlow scored four goals against us in the first round [of the league],” says Geaney with a laugh.

“After the DIT game we bucked up big time and we knew what style of football we were going to play. Before that we were forcing things by playing the longer ball, which didn’t suit us. But in that second half we played the running game and then kicking the ball from midfield or the 45; and in the end it was the running game that won us the Sigerson.”

It may have only been 2011 when UCC last won, however it felt like a long time coming for Geaney.

Sitting on the bench as UCC

Above and Right: Paul Geaney celebrating Sigerson victory with fellow UCC teammates

‘We bucked up big time and knew what style of football we were going to play. Before that we were forcing things by playing the longer ball, which didn’t suit us.’ were wiped out in last year’s final left a sour taste, especially as Geaney, ineligible as a first year in 2011, knew the prize for winning.

“I had a good few buddies playing in 2011 so I joined in a bit of the celebrations. I got a good taste for it and the quest started to win a Sigerson then.

“It depressed me a small bit though because I thought; ‘they’ve won one now so the players there mightn’t have the drive to go on and win one again.’”

That much rang true as Eoin O’Mahony proved the only

player to collect a second medal, although Geaney will have that chance as the Sports Studies student faces into teaching practice next year.

UCC never trailed at any point in this year’s Sigerson, but never has a campaign of leading from the front looked so much like a backs to the wall job.

The finals weekend saw them clinging onto the cliff edge, with Conor Dorman hauling them over with a last minute winner in the final; however the semi-final was where UCC gathered the momentum and got to know the true depths of their psychological

Billy was excellent to me and did everything he could for me, and the same for the rest of the lads. We have fierce admiration for him and we love the guy.

toughness.

“The Maynooth game was where we won the Sigerson. It was just ferocious. We were a point up with only 13 men and we absolutely annihilated them in the final 10 minutes, whereas a lot of teams would have folded.

Coming out of that game, we knew we wouldn’t be fazed by anything, and that really showed going in against UUJ. “We never thought we were going to lose. When they scored the leveller, the feeling in the stomach dropped a bit, but we knew that we had the capability of going up and scoring. We wouldn’t have held out for extra time. It wouldn’t have been like us. We always drive forward.”

Geaney though played in a more withdrawn role than usual in the final, something that he was given the leeway to do by Billy Morgan, who told Geaney to play his own game.

“Billy was excellent to me and did everything he could for me, and the same for the rest of the lads. We have fierce admiration for him and we love the guy.

“He loves the college too. He’d be saying a speech in the hotel beforehand and he’d be welling up. He’s a bit of a nutter, but everybody needs a nutter like that!”

Morgan’s legend will live on in the college, while the story of the victorious bus journey home will prove one for the annals too.

With the game ending in Belfast after 8pm, the players travelled to Newry for the first few hours of celebrations. At 2am they had the “fierce bother” of trying to get everyone back onto the bus for the 5 hour journey to Leeside, with Geaney doing his captain’s duties by singing ‘Dingle Bay’ to a bus of celebrating and sleeping players.

Back in Cork at 7am, they got a taxi to an early morning pub. But finding it to be closed on Sundays, they were forced to retire to Geaney’s front room to re-watch their final success and the winning sound that will stay with Geaney long after his college days are over; “that buzzer; it’s our new favourite sound at this stage!”

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Unbeaten Corinthians too good for UCC Barry Aldworth | Sport Editor

UCC A 1 – 4 College Corinthians

later the league leaders scored the game’s opening goal, as Ricky Kenny’s screamer from the edge of the box sailed past UCC keeper Diarmuid Long.

At this point the game was still wide open, and on the 28th minute UCC almost drew equal. A great pass by Phil Ryan put Kevin O’Connor though in space, but the forward’s effort was brilliantly blocked by a last-ditch tackle by Chris Drennan.

At the break UCC were fortunate to only trail by one after Darragh O’Sullivan beat his marker just before half-time, before passing an inch perfect ball to Madden. This time the Corinthians’ forward was on target with his effort only to be brilliantly denied by the outstretched fingertips of Long.

As the second half began UCC came out of the break as the better side. With the defences now dominating at both ends of the pitch it appeared as if the match was set to conclude as a close-knit affair.

On the 71st minute UCC got the goal their efforts deserved when John Ryan prodded the ball home after a goal-mouth scramble to tie the game at 1-1. However, as UCC pressed forward for a winner

A convincing 4-1 victory over UCC at the Mardyke allowed College Corinthians to maintain their 100% record in the Junior Premier League.

From the outset Corinthians were the far superior side, continually finding gaps in the UCC defence. Whilst manager Alan Crowley will be pleased with the number of early chances his side created they were also guilty of wasting several opportunities to end the game as a contest much earlier than they did.

On the other end of the pitch the away side were equally dominant, as defenders Chris Drennan and Denis O’Mahony stifled the UCC forwards. Truth-be-told, however, the lack of quality ball from the UCC midfield meant the forwards were always fighting an up-hill battle.

Seven minutes into the match Corinthians should have taken the lead. A great cross from just outside the box by O’Mahony found Kevin Madden in space, but from just 12 yards out the striker put his effort wide of the post. However, four minutes

Corinthians took advantage of some slack defending, regaining the lead less than 60 seconds later after a brilliant individual run by substitute Dave McCarthy.

On the 75th minute Corinthians ended the game as a contest when Philip Brady got on the end of a corner to put the ball beyond the reach of Diarmuid Long. As UCC continued to push forward Corinthians added a fourth in the 89th minute, as Madden finally got the goal his efforts deserved.

UCC A: D. Long, M. O’Sullivan, K. Murphy, J. Madden, J. Ryan, P. Karg, P. Ryan, D. Rea, D. Hooley, K. O’Connor, M. Bevin.

Subs: S. Hegarty for M. Bevin (45) College Corinthians: R. O’Neill, D. O’Mahony, I. Tobin, C. Drennan, P. Brady, J. French, M. Parks, T. O’Connell, K. Madden, D. O’Sullivan, R. Kenny.

Subs: J. Quirke for J. French (53) D. McCarthy for D. O’Sullivan (57), I. James for M. Parks (74).

Late Dorman score brings Sigerson back to UCC Barry Aldworth | Sport Editor

UCC 0-10 – 0-09 UUJ In a late goal-mouth scramble both Paul Geaney and Conor Cox saw their opportunities to secure a UCC Sigerson Cup victory shut down by a resilient UUJ defence. However, with UCC’s small number of supporters fearing the prospect of extra time it was left to Conor Dorman to secure the victory, and in doing so secure his place in UCC sporting lore.

As Cox was being surrounded by an increasing number of UUJ jerseys the Listowel Emmetts star showed great vision to spot Dorman unmarked, before scrambling free to get possession to the centre-back. With just 40 seconds left in the match, Dorman took one last glimpse at the clock before putting the ball over the bar to secure a victory for UCC over the favourites.

The score not only secured a Sigerson victory for UCC but also the Man of the Match award for Dorman, who acknowledged after the match that he had looked to offload the fateful ball but could find no friendly jersey nearby. “I was never so happy to see a ball go over the bar.

I had to take the shot, there was no-one else I could really throw it off to, I had to go for it and I was just willing it over,” Dorman said following the win.

Despite entering the match as the underdogs UCC certainly deserved their victory, going toe-to-toe with UUJ throughout.

With the wind in their favour for the first half UCC were surprisingly reliant on the dead ball for points as, apart from a 16th minute effort by Tom Clancy, Conor Cox’s free kicks accounted for UCC’s first half tally. However, whilst the Cork side were unable to truly capitalise on the

favourites were able to fight back into the match.

On the 44th minute a Conor McAliskey point ignited the UUJ effort, and over the next 15 minutes points began to flow in from all number of locations on the pitch. Ronan O’Neill and Kieran Hughes combined for five points between them, with a huge score from distance by O’Neill levelling the match with just two minutes to go.

However, with extra time seemingly on the cards it was left to Dorman to secure a famous UCC victory. Whilst UCC deserved to bring the silverware back to Lee-side, UUJ will be left to rue the total of 17 wides they accrued throughout the game, including 10 in a dominant second half performance.

advantage the wind game them, the weather proved a telling force in hampering the efforts of UUJ. In the first half the favourites kicked a total of seven wides, before being forced to wait until the 21st minute to secure their first score.

On that occasion Tyrone’s Mattie Donnelly finished off a great team move, but at the break UCC held the advantage leading 0-06 to 0-02.

Despite holding the lead the general consensus amongst those watching the match was that a four-point margin was not enough for UUJ at bay as the game entered the second half. However, despite this sentiment, and the difficulty of

UCC: Brian Kelly (Kerry); David Culhane (Kerry), Eoin O’Mahony (Cork), Fergal McNamara (Kerry); Tom Clancy (Cork), Conor Dorman (Cork), Brian Shanahan (Cork); David Nation (Cork), Ian Maguire (Cork); Luke Connolly (Cork), Sean Keane (Kerry), Brian O’Driscoll (Cork); Conor Cox (Kerry), Michael playing into the heavy wind it was UCC who Quinlivan (Tipperary), Paul Geaney (Kerry). were the better side immediately after the break.

Cox added his fifth free kick to begin UUJ: Rory Beggan (Monaghan); Barry the half, before Luke Connolly and Michael Tierney (Tyrone), Chrissy McKaigue (Derry), Quinlivan scored in quick succession to extend Dean McNally (Tyrone); Luke Keaney UCC’s lead to seven points.

(Donegal), Colin Walshe (Monaghan), Killian Whilst much of the praise for the first half Clarke (Cavan); Matthew Donnelly (Tyrone), effort, and the early second half dominance Nial McKeever (Antrim); Kieran Hughes will be heaped on the forwards, the midfield (Monaghan), Ronan O’Neill (Tyrone), Danny and in particular the half-back line were crucial Savage (Down); Jamie Clarke (Armagh), to the UCC success. Probing runs by Dorman, Caolan O’Boyle (Derry), Conor McAlliskey Tom Clancy, David Nation and Ian McQuire (Tyrone). routinely pried the UUJ defence apart, and it was only when this effort began to wane that he Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)

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UCC rugby keep promotion hopes alive Barry Aldworth | Sport Editor

UCC 47 – Old Crescent 3 In a matchup of two teams at opposite ends of the table a comfortable victory at the Mardyke kept alive UCC’s hopes of securing promotion out of Division 2A of the Ulster Bank League.

Following their seven try scoring spree, combined with both Barnhall and Queen’s University failing to win their respective matches UCC lies just four points off promotion, with a game in hand. However, despite the one-sided nature of the scoreboard it was the away side which started the game the better.

Early on it appeared as if Old Crescent would do everything they could to shed their underdogs’ label as centres Larry and Will Hanly constantly attacked the UCC defence.

Ultimately, however, the UCC defence refused to bend and despite the great play by the centres, alongside scrum-half Alan Bennie and number eight Eoghan Cross the game remained scoreless.

Crescent’s early dominance served as the warning that the home side needed, and a series of great play within the maul allowed UCC to push into the opposition’s 22. From

their fly-half Sean Óg Murphy fooled the Crescent defence with a quick inside pass to centre Ned Hodson, who in turn ran in for an easy try.

To their credit Crescent responded quickly with John O’Dwyer’s quick thinking setting Sean Monaghan free, but the lock was judged to have put a foot in touch before grounding the ball for the try.

That proved to be as close as Old Crescent came to making this match a contest as UCC immediately went on the offensive again. First Murphy missed a 20th minute penalty before UCC doubled their advantage six minutes later. From Crescent’s five-metre line the UCC maul powered their way over the line before hooker Brian Vaughan touched the ball down, before Murphy added the conversion.

Six minutes later the score stood at 21-0, after a great individual effort by Joe Holland put Conor Barry in for the easy try. With five minutes left in the half Crescent finally got on the board when Sean Monaghan put a penalty over the bar, before missing from directly in front of the posts just before half-time.

Shortly after the break UCC secured the bonus point as Cian O’Halloran won the race

to a deft chip over Crescent’s defence, before adding UCC’s fourth try of the day.

With the bonus point secured UCC began to play a more open game as they went for Crescent’s jugular. Tries by Tom O’Hare and a second by O’Halloran extended the lead to 40-3, before UCC finally began to ease off.

With Crescent seeing more of the ball in the

closing minutes Paddy Sullivan almost got the away side the try their effort deserved, but just like their first one this score was ruled out by the officials, this time due to a knock-on. As the game drew to a close Joe Holland added a seventh try for the home side, rubbing salt into the wounds of the away side.

This year we have a new type of player in the league something that hasn’t been around in years and that is former internationals coming back to play in the league. Keith Fahey is returning to old stomping ground of Inchicore to line out with St. Pats after leaving England due to personal problems. One must remember that were it not for his goal against Armenia in the Euro 2012 qualifiers then it is very likely Ireland would not have qualified for Euro 2012. He’s a top class player who I would

expect to be back in England in the summer if he produces the form everybody knows he’s capable of producing.

Secondly Stephen McPhail formerly of Leeds United and Cardiff City is returning back to play with Shamrock Rovers. McPhail is a holder of 10 international caps under Mick McCarthy back in the early 00’s. He famously captained Cardiff City to the FA Cup final back in 2008 and is something he’s fondly remembered for over in Wales.

But enough of talking about these players who are returning from abroad, many players from this league have left our shores to make successful careers across the water in recent years. One only has to look at Cork City in recent years to see the level of talent that has crossed the Irish Sea with Shane Long, Dave Meyler and Kevin Doyle being at the tip of every football fans tongue. Even outside of Leeside the quality of player going abroad is improving such as Seamus Coleman who is rumoured to be signing for United in the summer while James McClean is another to have done very well over the past few years.

After all these points will I convince you to go out to Turners Cross on Friday to watch a match between two passionate sides with no shortage of quality soccer on offer for €10 in a stadium of over 3,000 people watching future international players playing with a passion and heart that one doesn’t always see on the tv?. Take a break from your study and go out and watch the game. Jackie Lennox’s never tastes better than after a game in which Cork City has won with a last minute goal.

Football on your doorstep Stephen Walsh | Sport Writer

Last April in an attempt to persuade more young fans to go to their games Portsmouth F.C launched an advertising campaign for season tickets that caught the attention of the whole British media with a simple slogan “Don’t let your kids grow up thinking football is a TV show”, The response was very positive with an increase of 4% in season tickets sold for a club that many favoured for relegation at the time.

You may now be wondering what Pompey has to do with your doorstep well I will now explain it in this piece. Next week the SSE Airtricity league premier and first division comprising of 19 clubs will start of its 2014 campaign with minimal media coverage throughout the country while at the same time Crystal Palace and Southampton will get more media coverage.

Cork City will kick of their league campaign on Friday the 7th of March in Turner’s Cross against current league champions St. Patricks Athletic. Tickets for this game will cost €10 and will be available from UCC soccer club who will have a stand outside the library next week. You might say €10 is expensive to watch a match and if so fair enough but for those of you who want a comparison on the money spent then I will do that for you. €10 will get you into Savoy on a Friday night but would it be as good as cheering on your local team with players from your locality to success with 3,000 other fans. Think about it.

Secondly I constantly hear from my friends that the standard of football is useless in Ireland, well how I’d respond to that is

by saying yes I know it’s not the same as watching Manchester City vs. Chelsea but it often has more action than many of those games. For example the last 4 home games of last season ended up with over 21 goals being scored. For less than €2 a goal that is good value in my book. But in all seriousness I would estimate the league of Ireland being of mid league 1 standard which is a good level when one considers the resources our clubs have in comparison to the English clubs.

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Demons keep double hopes alive Barry Aldworth | Sport Editor

C&S UCC Demons 95 – 72 Belfast Star A hard fought victory over a spirited Belfast side kept UCC’s hopes of a league and cup double alive and well. However, despite securing another victory the tactical decisions of player/coach Colin O’Reilly will once again spark debate.

After a sparkling first quarter which saw O’Reilly put 25 of the team’s 40 points on the board, the team lost shape in the second, as O’Reilly abandoned his usual strategy of using different rotations to keep fresh players on the court. Against Belfast the coach kept several clearly fatigued players in the game for far longer than he should have, and if UCC are to secure the historic double O’Reilly will have to acknowledge that it was this decision which allowed Belfast back into the game.

The Demons boss put up six three-pointers early in the first quarter to help his side to a 15 point lead, before adding his seventh immediately after the break. However, after a Lehmon Colbert score put UCC ahead 5237 with just over three minutes left in the first half things took a sour turn for the home side.

After an altercation with Belfast’s Paul Dick Kyle Hosford was sent off, a deision

which cost the Demons one of their key players. Whilst Hosford certainly wasn’t the aggressor in the incident at this level players simply can’t retaliate, and Hosford’s rash decision left the officials with no other choice as both players were ejected from the game.

By this stage several UCC players were struggling to maintain control of the match, as the lack of rotations visibly hurt UCC. Buoyed by this Belfast fought their way back into the competition and when Fergal Toner hit a three-pointer with a Hail Mary shot from the half-way line on the buzzer the gap between the sides was reduced to just six points.

Luckily for UCC, however, the break came at the right time and upon the restart the home side went out reasserting their dominance over the Belfast side. A key difference for the Demons in the second half was the play of Daniel O’Sullivan, whose intensity began to rub off on his team-mates as UCC opened up a 14 point lead by the end of the third quarter.

With victory seemingly secured UCC brought Shane Coughlan and Ciaran O’Sullivan into the game, with both players proving instrumental to keeping Belfast’s hopes of a comeback at bay.

Whilst a UCC loss was never a likely outcome O’Reilly must take several key lessons from this game if the Demons are to continue their success going forward. Key among these is the importance of recognising when players can stay in the game and when they need to come out. However, if this year’s league and cup form is anything to go by the future looks bright for UCC.

C & S UCC Demons: S. Coughlan, K. Hosford, C. Anon, B. O’Neil, C. O’Sullivan, D. O’Sullivan, M. O’Leary, N. O’Reilly, A. O’Sullivan, L. Colbert, C. O’Reilly.

Belfast Star: C. Quinn, M. Jackson, A. Quinn, P. Dick, C. Johnston, L. Pettigrew, F. Toner, D. Morriera, M. McKillop, N. Mullan, F. Otis

Demons dominant UCC Judo steal the in Dublin show in NUIG

Barry Aldworth | Sport Editor

DCU Saints 64 – 78 UCC Demons In a tough weekend for the UCC Demons the side were forced to play two away games in as many days in Dublin as the hunt for the league title draws to a close.

After being pushed hard by Templeogue before securing a 102-80 victory on the back of a late scoring frenzy the Demons were hoping for an easier match when they squared off with the DCU Saints.

With the belief rampant that this game, because of both its timing and the stubborn nature of the opposition, could have been a potential banana skin for the UCC side the Demons went about setting up the victory early on.

In the opening quarter it was immediately evident that neither side would be content with a defeat, as the lead changed hands on several occasions. However, despite the excellent shooting of James Donnelly severely hampering the UCC effort the sides entered the second quarter tied at 15 points a pieces, thanks in no small part to the work-rate of Lehmon Colbert.

As the second quarter got underway DCU must have been wondering what was in the water at the UCC bench as the Demons began to dominate in defence, limiting

Tim Kelly | Sport Writer

their opponents to just seven second quarter points. As the defensive effort increased so too did that of the offence, as Colin O’Reilly and Shane Coughlan combined to begin a scoring surge for UCC as the away side opened up a 40-22 point lead at half-time.

After the break it was the turn of the Saints offence to put the pressure on UCC. However, unlike their opposite numbers both Kyle Hosford and Adrian O’Sullivan worked well to cap DCU’s scoring.

With the Demons holding a 12 point lead as the final quarter got underway the result was never in doubt. The victory no sets up the possibility of a winner takes all bout with Killester as the Demons seek to secure a league and cup double.

C & S UCC Demons: Shane Coughlan, Christian Anon, Kyle Hosford, Brian O’Neill, Ciaran O’Sullivan, Daniel O’Sullivan, Mark O’Leary, Niall O’Reilly, Adrian O’Sullivan, Lehmon Colbert, Colin O’Reilly.

DCU Saints: James Harding, Philip Neary, Eoin Darling, Sam Kiernan, James Donnelly, Peter Lynch, Arkadijs Makarenko, Eoin Quill, Mike Trimmer, Conor Gilligan.

Last weekend on the 22nd of February, the Judo Intervarsities were hosted by NUIG in the Lawn Tennis Club Galway. There was a huge turnout at the event from all across Ireland with the competition being split into categories based on gender, grade and weight. Nine medals were achieved on the day across various categories by twelve of our members.

Congratulations to both Jim Malone and Klara Sarkovska who both achieved Gold at their very first competition. Silver medalists were Paul Sweeney, Mark O’ Sullivan and Marie Laignel. And finally Bronze medalist winners were Katie O’ Donovan, Tima Jefisov, Jack Corbett and Tim Kelly. Also a tremendous effort was put in by Enda O’Riordan, Claire Dupuis and Matt French.

There was a huge overall effort but in particular Jim Malone who achieved Gold in the Novice -73kg category where he won all of his four fights. Tima Jefisov also received a Bronze in -66Kg competition where there was over 16 competitors especially with a strong finished where he threw his opponent spectacularly by using his own momentum against him.

A narrow loss for Tim Kelly for a Bronze medal in the Men’s Open Category where unfortunately after a tough gruelling fight,

he lost by only the slimmest of margins.

Another great performance include Katie O’Donovan who successfully achieved Bronze in the -63Kg in where she managed to beat her opponents using both holddowns, arm-bars and throws.

The club would like to thank both David Holmes and Len Browne for their contribution in both coaching and facilitating the Club to achieve greater things. The club is also preparing for the possibility of hosting the 2015 Intervarsities.

SPORT

24 UCC EXPRESS Friday March 07, 2014

Backing himself to win from the front SEE PAGE 15 P 20 -PAUL GEANEY

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SMILING SUCCESS

The Irish Universities played the Irish Exiles U23s in Ealing, winning 55-5. UCC players included Charlie Slowey, Peter Mc Cabe, Dave O’Connell, Charlie O’Regan and Ned Hodson

UCC Fitzgibbon hopes ended by CIT Barry Aldworth | Sport Editor

CIT 1-17 – 0-19 UCC In a thrilling Friday night encounter UCC had their hopes of securing a third consecutive Fitzgibbon crown dashed as marginal underdogs CIT gained revenge from cup defeats in previous years.

Having been responsible for CIT’s exit in the last two seasons UCC were hoping that it wouldn’t be a case of third time lucky for their local rival. However, a poor start to the second half left UCC trailing 1-13 to 0-07 midway through the half, with the gap simply proving to be too big for the favourites to close.

Despite playing into the wind for the first half it was UCC who started the game the brighter. Early scores by Alan Cadogan, Cormac Murphy and a brace from Conor Lehane left UCC ahead by four points to two.

However, Cit quickly found their footing in the match before beginning a scoring frenzy which left the UCC troops shocked. Over the remaining 15 minutes of the first half CIT put up CIT 1-17 – 0-19 UCC a total of 1-7 to UCC’s paltry three points.

Six of CIT’s points came from the stick of John O’Dwyer, with the rapid rate of scoring giving the umpire’s little time to return the white flag to its resting spot before being

forced to raise it once again. By the time CIT captain Kevin O’Connor scored the game’s only game on the 28th minute it appeared as if UCC’s Fitzgibbon hopes were dead and buried.

Having been on the wrong end of a scoring rush UCC was left with a monumental task as the second half got under way. However, a great deal of credit must be paid to the team for their determination as they slowly chipped away at CIT’s advantage.

Once again it was Lehane who led the way as 10 unanswered points left UCC leading 0-17 to 1-13. At this point of the game the next score would prove to be crucial, with CIT manager Pat Mulcahy acknowledging after the match that had UCC opened up a two score lead his team would have struggled to get back into the contest.

“We knew they would have their purple patch and we knew as long as we didn’t concede a goal we stood a great chance of holding out,” Mulcahy said. He added “Once they didn’t go two scores ahead of us I thought we always stood a chance, especially in the Fitzgibbon Cup where the margins are always so fine.

However, as UCC continued to push forward in the hopes of extending their lead the game’s decisive moment occurred at the opposite end of the pitch. After being held

Inside today Demons Dominant in Dublin Page 23

scoreless for 20 minutes CIT substitute Kevin O’Connor scored a well taken point to level the sides, and more importantly for the underdogs halt the UCC momentum.

From there both sides continued to exchange points before an untimely foul gave CIT’s John O’Dwyer the opportunity to secure his team’s passage to the final. O’Dwyer easily put the ball over the bar, and whilst a late chance did come UCC’s way James Barron was unable to split the posts, putting his effort just wide.

The victory meant CIT would go on to face Waterford IT in the 2014 Fitzgibbon Final the following day for the opportunity to win their first ever crown. However, despite putting in a resilient perforce the Cork side trailed from start to finish, losing by a score of 0-17 to 0-12.

Whilst WIT can now celebrate their ninth Fitzgibbon title both Cork teams will be forced to spend the next year wondering “what if” before doing it all over again in 2015.

0-2, Kevin O’Connor, Kevin Hallissey 0-1 each.

Scorers for UCC: Conor Lehane 0-11 (0-9f), Alan Cadogan, Seamus Harnedy 0-2 each, Pat Sullivan, Paudie Prendergast, Colm Spillane, Jamie Barron 0-1 each.

CIT (Cork unless stated): Stephen Nyhan; Stephen Murphy, Alan Dennehy, Tomás Lawrence; Eoin Keane, Mark Ellis, Pádraig Butler; Jamie Coughlan, Michael O’Sullivan; John O’Dwyer (Tipperary), John Cronin, Conor Hammersley (Tipperary); Bill Cooper, Daniel Dooley, David Drake.

Subs: Kevin O’Connor for Dooley (46), William Murphy for O’Sullivan (51), Kevin Hallissey for Coughlan (56)

UCC (Cork unless stated): Darren McCarthy; Stephen Maher (Tipperary), David Glynn (Kilkenny), Patrick O’Sullivan; James Barry (Tipperary), Paudie Prendergast (Waterford), Cormac Murphy; Brian Murray, Alan Cadogan; Seamus Harnedy, Dan McCormack (Tipperary), Rob O’Shea; Willie Griffin (Limerick), Conor Lehane, Jamie Barron (Waterford).

Subs: Colm Spillane for Maher (37), Shane Scorers for Cork IT: John O’Dwyer 0-11 (0- O’Donnell (Clare) for Griffin (46), Brian 7f, one ‘65’), John Cronin 1-2, David Drake Lawton for McCormack (53).