An Focal (Vol. XXV Edition 5)

Vol. XXV • Edition 5

November 2016

Fees Protest

Week in Review

Linnane Returns

Violence and Theft on Campus

By Paul Saunders

Calls have been made to increase security around the UL campus as numerous incidents of criminal activity have been reported in recent weeks.

In the past week, three car windscreens were smashed on the north side of campus, numerous bikes stolen, a motorbike was rolled off campus by three hooded men and an elderly couple were attacked along the river footpath.

Mayor of Limerick

Kieran O’Hanlon has called for a police presence on the campus to help bolster security as the large campus can be accessed by all members of the public.

ULSU President Sarah Dunphy is worried that if we don’t combat criminal activity on the campus that it could become unmanageable: “I think some actions need to be taken because it could escalate, it’s at a point where it could be dealt with, but it could escalate. We do spend a lot of money on security

and I’m wondering if it needs to be increased, or is it being put to good use or is there something else we need to do.”

On Monday, an elderly couple were approached by a man on a mechanised skateboard with a ginger boxer dog; he proceeded to push the male victim over into a bush before taking both of their phones, smashing one and throwing the other in the river.

ULSU Academic Officer Donal Foley is concerned with security’s presence on campus: “Security seems like it has gone down for me personally since I started first year.

“That poor elderly couple who’ve probably been walking around here for years and for that to happen, I don’t think they’ll be back on campus,” he added.

Both Sabbatical officers are concerned that the rise in criminal activity on campus might make students feel unsafe and lead to students taking matters into their own hands.

“Students might start taking security measures into their own hands and then they’re the ones that will end up getting hurt.

“People with tattoos on their neck and pit bulls and big chains

swinging from around their necks shouldn’t be on campus. All the ruffians from Limerick city who come out here will be prepared to defend themselves with knifes and weapons and they are going to end up causing serious harm,” said Academic Officer Foley.

Also on Monday, three parked cars had their windscreens smashed.

Ciara Davis parked her car and came back a few hours later to see her windscreen completely broken with glass scattered all over her car.

Ms Davis said: I think during at night there is kind of a “free-forall” sense around the campus, in the evenings I sense that kind of feeling. However, it is a huge campus

and no one can cover everything all the time, but it would be nice to see more out and about at night.”

Donal Montgomery had his motorbike worth over €2000 rolled off campus last week by three hooded men.

Mr Montgomery’s motorbike was parked near underneath the Engineering Research Building, when the three men broke the bike’s lock and rolled it past Plassey House and Kilmurry Village.

Mr Montgomery was surprised at how the three men went unnoticed as breaking the padded lock and pushing the 250kg across campus would have aroused suspicion.

“I think the area could be lit up better or more cameras in the

area, I also think that if there was a secure covered area provided for motorbike parking it would be better.

If you need to stay late it’s at a huge risk, these footpaths where we can park are often poorly lit and provide a great opportunity for thieves and vandals,” he said.

The bike was eventually recovered in a ditch past the Kilmurry by man out for a walk with his dog who had seen a post by Mr Montgomery online.

Mr Montgomery said: “Luckily it was there and we could recover it with a trailer. It was due to social media and the rapid spread of my post which helped me locate it rather than the actions of the guards or security.” [continued on page 2]

November 2016

2

Campus In-Security [continued from page 1] Marketing & Communications Co-Ordinator for the SU, Killian Stone, is not happy with the amount of criminal incidents that occur on campus.

“I am sick of coming in every morning to numerous Facebook messages of my laptop was stolen from my car, my window was smashed, my motorcycle was rolled off the campus, my bike was stolen, whatever it is.”

“There has been a big increase on the amount of criminal activity on the EDITOR: Paul Saunders NEWS: Evie Kearney SPORTS: Caoimhin Reilly DESIGN: Hannah Carr-Murphy COPY: Naomi Deevy CONTRIBUTORS: Ciara Barry Mark Boylan Carrie Burns Conor Carmody Robert Culhane Noelle Donworth Muireann Duffy Nicole Glennon Ciara Maria Hayes Martin Lennon Patrick Lu Katie Martin Declan Mills Aisling Moloney Rachael Mooney Aaron Mullane Conor O’Brien Aisling O’Connor Chloe O’Keeffe Micheál O’Maolchathail Sonya Ramondino Frank Stafford Kiera Thornton Megan Thornton Aimee Wells Maeve Wrixon

campus and there has not been a visible response from UL security,” Mr Stone added.

Co-Ordinator Stone would like to see mobile foot patrols done by campus security every hour around UL’s entrances.

“I would like to see patrols; I don’t mean a huge police presence on campus, I don’t want a policed state but I’ve been here two and a half years now and it has completely picked up this semester, I just want to see something and some response,” he added.

Campus security have de-

Limericks from Limerick

By Martin Lennon

nied that there has been an increase in criminal activity on campus University security constantly liaises with An Garda Síochana regarding any criminal activity on campus.

Campus security has said: “The University operates a comprehensive security regime on campus and this includes campus mobile patrols on a 24/7 basis.

Any member of the campus community that is concerned about suspicious activity can call security at 061 234600 at any time, day or night.

Walkabout A swimming pool by the sea French New Wave is wild and free Have some fun In the sun Jenny Agutter is you and me

An Focal Crossword 1

Test your knowledge of this week’s edition!

2 3

4 5

6

7 8

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10

11

12

ACROSS ACROSS 3. Place where Karate Club are fundraising to go

DOWN

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Place where Karate Club are fundraising to go 1. Number of O’Dea siblings

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2. Out in UL will host ______ Week in Week 10 Location of Pink Party held for Irish Cancer Society

5 6 7 8

This is what a _______ looks like Cormac Linnane's county team Location of fees protest Material collected by the Environmental Society

6. First name of ULFM founder 6 First name of ULFM founder

7. Location of Pink9Party held for winter Irish Cancer An essential lipstick Society

4. Last name of Senator who received the Auditors Medal 10 lipstick Name of new organ discovered by Prof Coffey 9. An essential winter 11 Comedian who appeared at Scholars 5. This is what a _______ looks like 12 Drama Societyby play 10. Name of new organ discovered Prof Coffey 6. Cormac Linnane’s county team 11. Comedian who DOWN appeared at Scholars 7. Location of fees protest 1 Number of O'Dea siblings 12. Drama Society play 2 Out in UL will host ______ Week in Week 10 8. Material 4 Last name of Senator who received the Auditors Medal collected by the Environmental Society

@AnFocal_UL

An Focal

AnFocalUL

November 2016

3

Poor UL Turnout at Dublin Fees Protest Due to Lack of Student Awareness

By Nicole Glennon

Students from UL took to the streets of Dublin on October 19th to ask for an increase in government funding of third-level education.

Over 12,000 students took part in the “Education Is” demonstration organised by the Union of Students Ireland (USI).

The protest aimed to lobby the government for a state funded education system and to oppose the introduction of income-contingent loans.

Irish third level fees are some of the highest in Europe at €3000 annually - second only to the UK. The suggestion of a student loan scheme came as a result of the Cassells report into third-level funding, released in July 2016.

The report suggested three main solutions to the third-level funding crisis; an entirely state-funded system, an increase in state funding but the continuation of student fees or an increase in state funding but a deferral of the payment of fees to income-contingent loans.

UL Student Union President Sarah Dunphy explains that the i n c om e - c ont i n g e nt loan solution would mean a student could leave university with a loan of €20,000 or more.

“The problem is they’re basing this model on the American one but American students owe like one trillion in loans,” she said.

The ULSU President recommends the Irish government look to Germany and France’s third-level funding model where students

pay approximately €200 or €300 and the rest is state-funded.

“They are at the top of the Irish Times Higher Education list in International rankings and all the Irish Universities have dropped this year bar one.

“We want to tell the government that we need funding for Higher Level Education and we need to look at a viable solution and that is for the government to publicly fund higher

against cuts to education and the proposed student loans, the students were having fun putting their creativity and intellect to good use writing catchphrases on pickets.”

Some of these catchphrases included, “Our future isn’t set, please don’t make it full of debt,” “Cut education and I’ll cut you,” and “I can’t afford cheese, let alone fees.”

Mr Toomey said he felt the protest was im-

see so many students at the protest.

He said: “Students at the moment are seen as apolitical and not willing to challenge the status quo but I think the events of last week have proven otherwise.”

However, most of the students present at the demonstration were not from UL. Some students feel the reason for this is that the University did not promote and encourage attending the protest

drop everything I had planned for the day anyways.

I’d assignments to do and deadlines to meet.

If it had been well advertised I would have tried to free up my schedule and made an effort to go.”

UL Sinn Féin Campaign Manager Patrick Connelly said that it was hard to get their members up to the protest due to students having other priorities.

University College

body.

“I heard about the protest too late. We aren’t part of the USI who was officially running the protest. It was too late for a proposal to go before the committee to give students the day off,” she said.

Ms Dunphy also added that in many other third-level institutions the student body were only in Week 5 at the time of the protest whereas UL was in Week 7 and many stu-

education – because we are suffering,” Ms Dunphy added.

The Students Union organised a bus to and from Dublin to facilitate students attending the protest.

Fourth-year Journalism & New Media student Seamus Toomey said that although the protest was on a serious issue it was also a bit of craic.

He said: “As much as it was a serious protest

portant as there is a lot that needs to be improved in the current education system and “cuts will not allow for us to even maintain the standard that we have.

“I’d like to see the government scrap the idea of student loans which would be a huge barrier for disadvantaged young people,” he added.

UL Socialists Chairperson James Pitman said it was “fantastic” to

enough in comparison to other third-level institutions.

“I wasn’t aware that it was going on until a couple of days before the protest. I heard through my housemate,” second-year Journalism & New Media student Rebecca Laffan said.

“After searching through countless emails I finally found it but by then it was too late notice to

Dublin, University College Cork and Carlow IT students were not penalised for missing classes if they signed up to go to the protest for the day, but no such accommodation was given to UL students.

Sarah Dunphy clarified that there were a number of reasons why the Student Union did not ask for this approach, including lack of notice and lack of interest from the student

dents had mid-terms.

The Open Days also took place during Week 7 and the ULSU did not feel they could ask the University for more class pardons.

She also explained that they simply “didn’t get enough interest shown from the students.”

The Sabbatical officers are currently considering organising a Munster or Limerick protest which they hope more UL students will attend.

November 2016

4

GEMS Professor Discovers New Organ to Prompt Change in Medical Textbooks

By Evie Kearney UL’s Professor Calvin Coffey has successfully reclassified part of the digestive system as an organ.

Prof Coffey’s discovery of the mesentary as a continuous structure has also identified an emerging area of science.

The Professor of Surgery at the Graduate Entry Medical School (GEMS) says the mesentery, which connects the intestine to the abdomen, actually categorises as an organ.

His evidence was published in the November edition of top medical journal,

The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

“In the paper, which has been peer reviewed and assessed, we are now saying we have an organ in the body which hasn’t been acknowledged as such to date.

“This is relevant universally as it affects all of us,” Prof Coffey said.

Better understanding and further scientific study of the mesentery could potentially surgery that is less invasive with fewer complications, faster patient recovery and lower overall costs.

According to the Foundation Chair of Surgery, mesenteric

science is its own specific field of medical study in the same way as gastroenterology or neurology.

Previously, no such

field existed in the scientific world.

“The next step is the function. If you understand the function you can identify abnormal

function, and then you have disease.

“Put them all together and you have the field of mesenteric science… the basis for a whole

new area of science,” he added.

Prof Coffey’s research has now been included in an updated edition of Gray’s Anatomy – one of the world’s best known medical textbooks.

He said: “During the initial research, we noticed in particular that the mesentery, which connects the gut to the body, was one continuous organ. Up to that it was regarded as fragmented, present here, absent elsewhere and a very complex structure.

“The anatomic description that had been laid down over 100 years of anatomy was incorrect.”

Review of Wheelchair Services Needed

By Aisling O’Connor A University of Limerick lecturer is seeking national review of wheelchair and seating provision services.

Dr Rosie Gowran met with Minister Finian McGrath to discuss the issue at Leinster House last week.

The Occupational Therapy lecturer called for equality of access in all areas of the country, efficient and satisfactory assessment and delivery processes, appropriate and regulated reviews, repair and emergency services, more research to be conducted, and education to be provided for everyone involved.

Dr Gowran’s own research, which was funded by the Health Research Board, was

cited in the Picture of Health 2013 as “a model to address more efficient provision of wheelchair services in Ireland.”

She highlighted the health implications for wheelchair users who have to wait for assessment, such as discomfort, poor posture, pressure sores, and chest infections.

“People need to be able to access appropriate wheelchair services so they can engage in life with equality of opportunity in school, at work, at home and in the community like any other citizen. The time to address this issue is well overdue,” she said.

UL student Steven Casey, a wheelchair user, said that his chair began to fall apart recently and he was put

on an emergency waiting list. He may have to wait several months before getting a new chair.

“You need to apply for a new chair after three years otherwise you could be waiting until it’s four or five years old,” Mr Casey said.

According to Dr Gowran, as one in 100 people in Ireland are wheelchair users, citizens should be outraged and realise it is our responsibility to address this human rights issue to ensure that appropriate, safe and timely services are available to everyone.

The Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland stated that adequate occupational therapy services should be provided at every stage, regardless of the address or abil-

ity of the client to pay, to ensure clients receive prescribed seating and posture management as well as wheeled mobility.

“Having the right wheelchair so you can actually live your life is a civil rights issue, a hu-

man right, a justice and equality issue.

If you ever need a wheelchair the stark reality of getting the right wheelchair, maintaining it and ensuring that it continues to meet your needs is unwieldy and

invisible to the general public.,” Dr Gowran added.

Dr Gowran was accompanied by Eileen Daly, David Griffith, Dr Margaret Kennedy, Ann Kennedy, and Sean Byrnes who are all wheelchair users.

November 2016

5

A Letter to the Eighth Amendment

By Megan Thornton I hope reading the word feminist doesn’t turn you off reading this piece. Chances are you are probably scared or rolling your eyes, but give me a chance you might not regret it.

Firstly, I know this topic has been very well covered in the past by many different people, even in this newspaper itself, but I am going to try and give as balanced a view as I can until the end.

This topic is not black and white. I feel that both sides are using propaganda to make their points heard.

In the case of one video by “Youth Defence”, the Repeal the Eighth campaign is compared to slavery and the Holocaust which is, whatever way you look at

it, completely false and misinforming to the general public.

On the side of Repeal the Eighth, there is a video that compares the women of today to the women of the past that were branded as witches.

Although this video is very artistic and powerful, it does not include any facts about abortion in Ireland.

Both of these videos appeal strongly to our emotions as this is a very emotive issue, but I think it is necessary to know all the facts before you decide whether you are pro- choice or pro-life.

According to abortionrightscampaign.ie, abortion is technically legal in Ireland since the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Act was passed in 2013, but

only if a woman’s life is at risk (including suicide) and only if they are assessed by six doctors.

The latest national statistics from Rape Crisis Centres show that approx 197 women and girls who attended their centres in 2013 were pregnant as a result of rape. 25% of these survivors went on to terminate the pregnancy, meaning they either had to travel for an abortion or illegally take abortion pills in Ireland.

According to the Irish Times: “3,451 women gave an address in the Republic when attending clinics in England and Wales in 2015, more than nine a day.”

I’ll be honest, before I started writing this letter I didn’t know any of these facts and didn’t

know the extent of the issue and the amount of people are affected by it.

I understand the prolife’s position on the issue as well as the prochoice side. For example, there are many arguments on the basis of religion for the pro-life side.

Personally, I am prochoice and always will be. I believe in people having control over their own lives and I feel like there are some extenuating situations that people can’t control and the law at the moment is too strict and doesn’t account for these things happening.

I don’t believe that if abortion is legalised in Ireland it means the abortion rate will rise dramatically.

Abortion is, and still will be, a very big decision that will affect a women’s life.

At the moment, women are travelling abroad to have these medical procedures and when they come back they may not be able to seek the support they need for fear of being prosecuted or facing a jail sentence.

The Bill to legalise abortion has been stalled this week in the Dáil due to a pending report on abortion by the Citizen’s Assembly.

I feel this is unacceptable as this is an issue that is important to both pro-life and prochoice sides.

In a democratic country, I feel that if something is that important to people a referendum should be held. These

are people’s lives we are talking about.

I do agree both men and women have opinions on this issue.

However, women only make up 22 percent of the Dáil at the moment which means we are not being represented equally in this argument despite the fact it’s women who this will affect directly.

I do believe in the right to a choice over your own body whether you are a man, a woman, cis, transgender or anything else under the spectrum.

I believe whatever side you are on in this argument, we can all agree, a referendum is necessary because this is an issue very important to the Irish people and is something very close to all of our hearts.

Are you interested in writing a Letter to the Eight? Whether you are for or against, we want to hear from you.

Email anfocal@ul.ie for more information.

November 2016

6

Senator David Norris Receives Auditors Medal for his Contribution to Gay Rights

By Aisling O’Connor

Senator David Norris was presented with this year’s Auditors Medal from the UL Debating Union last Thursday.

Senator Norris is credited for the abolition of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993.

“The reason why David is receiving this medal today is his absolute persistence to challenge the establishment, during a time when his way of life was demonized by the majority,” said Debating Union President Christopher Irwin.

Mr Irwin compared David’s work to Michael Collins’ speech after the Treaty was signed in 1921.

“It’s like modern day stepping stones because David really took it upon himself to really help the LGBTQ society,” he said.

Senator Norris accepted the medal “on behalf of the many many people I worked with over the years who due to because of circumstance had to remain anonymous.”

Co-President LGBTQ+ society Out in UL Seán Lynch said the fight for decriminalisation went on for over a decade and was one that David Norris played a huge role in.

According to Senator Norris, his first engagement in the “gay movement” was in 1969 when he wrote a letter to The Observer about an advertisement.

He became part of the Sexual Liberation Movement in Trinity College where members wrote to the Irish Times demanding contraception.

This later turned into the Irish Gay Rights Movement, who started running discos in

Dublin.

Mr Lynch said that, as someone born after the decriminalisation of homosexuality, it is something taken for granted today but

something that was driven by people like Senator Norris.

Senator Norris explained how he grew up a criminal and, although LGBTQ peo-

ple now have the basic rights, there is still a long way to go in terms of the mind-sets of certain people.

C&S Development Manager Paul Lee, who also spoke at the event, said that hundreds of students queued up to register in the Marriage Equality Referendum last year.

Previously, he could only “count on one hand who was openly gay” in the university.

According to Mr Lynch, seeing LGBTQ people in power is rare today and seeing people like Senator Norris helps them know that it is possible to stand up and affect real change in Ireland.

Senator Norris said that he began campaigning for his own situation as a gay man but soon realised the bigger picture.

“When you look at situation the mechanism

of oppression is the same in every situation.

“You start off with one issue and find yourself being drawn into other issues because human rights an indivisible.

Gay rights are a part of human rights, but they’re not the whole thing,” he added.

He also said he looks forward to the day when people no longer have to “come out”, as sexuality should be an irrelevance.

Senator Norris suggested encouraging the governments of countries where homosexuality is still criminalised to routinely raise the question of the human rights of gay people to ambassadors, trade people, and representatives.

The Auditors Medal has previously been awarded to Chief Justice Susan Denham, the Rubberbandits, and Garrett Fitzgerald.

Huge Turnout for UL IBTS Mobile Clinic

By Chloe O’Keeffe The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) saw a huge turnout for its mobile blood donation clinic at UL as blood reserves reach an all-time low.

IBTS Area Manager Aileen Browne was delighted with the “huge response” from students, as many first time donors showed up to the clinic held in EGO-10.

Eighty percent of the students that gave blood were first time donors with some having to wait for over an hour to donate.

Ms Browne stressed

the need for a constant supply of blood.

“A lot of people think blood is only used for an accident but as much as 69% of the blood is used for cancer patients and there is very few people who haven’t been affected by cancer, be it a friend or a family member.”

Ms Browne said raising awareness is “always a challenge, especially in a college.

“We need 3,000 units of blood nationally on a weekly basis.

“It’s very important that we have a constant supply of blood available,” she added.

First year student and

first time donor Sean Kelly strongly believes it is our duty to give blood.

“I would strongly encourage and even recommend for people to donate blood in the future, it’s not as bad as people think.

“It’s only a little prick, and then it’s over really,” Mr Kelly added.

First time donor Loran Browne said she would definitely donate again as it was “a good thing to do.”

The IBTS tries to keep seven days blood in supply but supplies are running low and they are struggling to supple blood to hospitals all

over Ireland.

“Our supply is only about three days’ worth of blood, where as we’d like to have seven days, or more,” Ms Browne said.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service will return to campus next

semester, but monthly clinics are held in Kilmurry Lodge with the next clinic scheduled for November 29th from 5pm to 8pm.

Ms Browne and the IBTS can’t wait to return to campus and want to thank all the

students who donated and are hoping even more will show up next time.

“Irrespective of what blood group you are, we’re struggling with all blood groups, so we’re delighted to see everyone come in.”

November 2016

7

Call for Christmas Shoebox Appeal

By Chloe O’Keefe In collaboration with SoUL Week, the Mature Students Society held their second annual Christmas Shoebox appeal in the Student Union Hub last Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th from 124pm on both days.

The society joined forces with “Team Hope,” for the cause.

The national cut off point for collection of shoeboxes will be Friday 11th of November where the boxes will undergo a series of stages before being sent to war torn, famine stricken and insufficiently financed countries in the Middle East the following week.

The boxes have approximately four weeks to get to their destinations for Christmas, although the shoeboxes are shipped by plane they still need to go through delays such as customs.

Mature Students Soci-

ety PRO Edmund Ryan says it is a “very, very good cause.”

Ryan speaks of how the mature students of the University are more aware of this appeal from their own children taking part in primary schools.

Whereas the majority of students on campus would only hear about it from their parents, the Mature Students Society feels it is their responsibility to

consider the children abroad who won’t have a Christmas this year.

You can choose if your shoebox goes to a boy or a girl and from there choose one of the three age categories; 2-4 years, 5-9 years or 1014 years.

Mr Ryan says that people are very passionate when it comes to their own kids and this enables them to have a better understanding of what to put into each

Mr Ryan said there are “thousands and thousands of shoeboxes and nowhere to collect them all.”

These boxes go through a long process and it would be ideal for a depot within the Limerick region to be available to do this process.

They need to be sorted to ensure the requirements are met such as nothing no liquids and no books with words are included.

Though the Mature Student Society will no individual box. recipients as it hasn’t longer be taking resiShoeboxes shouldn’t ever been done before. dence in the SU Hub, cost any more than ten Although the popu- they are more than euro. larisation of this charity welcome to still take “With shops like appeal is ever increas- collections up until the Dealz, Eurostore, Pen- ing, there has been cut-off point of Noneys even, where you difficulty in trying to vember 11th. can pick up things for secure a depot for col- If you are interested in 90c or €1.50. A pair of lection within the Lim- participating don’t hesitate to contact the Masocks, multipack of un- erick region. derwear - things these The closest are in ture Students Societies children will not have,” Nenagh and Shannon Facebook page @UL Mr Ryan said.

- Nenagh mainly focus- Mature Student SocieAn idea suggested by ing on the North Tip- ty and someone from Mr Ryan was that it perary area and Shan- their committee will be would be great to inter- non more centred to on hand to meet with you. view the parents of the the Clare area.

Students Concerned with Campus Safety

By Aisling Moloney Reports of an attack on an elderly couple on campus were circulated last week.

An individual on a “mechanised skateboard” and a dog attacked the couple on the riverside walk between the Living Bridge and Road Bridge behind Dromroe Village on October 24th.

Gardaí said this was an “unprovoked” attack, in which the elderly male was pushed into a bush and “narrowly missed being pushed into the river.”

The attacker then took the couples’ phones, smashing one on the ground and throwing the other into the river.

Mayor of Limerick Kieran O’Hanlon has called for more policing in the area.

As the voice of the students, An Focal asked students about security and how safe they feel on campus.

Student Finnuala O’Sullivan said the lack of and inaccuracy of CCTV security cameras needs to be changed, especially if it’s near student accommodation.

“This is Limerick City at the end of the day,” she said.

First year Aimee Wells said: “It’s ridiculous that people should feel unsafe in such a closed area.

“It’s not that there should be more security - the security should do more.”

First year Katie Martin believes students should not have to feel fear walking around campus in the dark.

“It’s your home away from home. You should feel safe. You shouldn’t have to fear walking home at night or will

security be there to make sure I’m okay,” she said.

Student Claire Beardsley is worried about UL’s safety reputation: “You know the way Limerick has that stereotype for being rough, I always thought UL was away from all that, I suppose it’s closer than you think it is.”

Languages student Críostóir O’Faircheallaigh voiced concerns about security staff ’s actual presence on campus.

He said: “There’s not that many security

people around. You wouldn’t actually see it - I wouldn’t anyway.

Maybe they are doing their job right, but if there was more security maybe you’d feel better.”

Aimee Wells said: “People are getting attacked on campus, people getting robbed in student accommodation but at the same time security go around picking on the smallest things.”

Claire Beardsley said: “They care too much about stupid stuff like having sessions. When I think about the security in UL all I think

about is that I can’t bring my friend back to my house late.”

Críostóir O’Faircheallaigh living on student accommodation said: “I was playing music and they came up to my room and opened my room door and asked me to turn off the music.

“They make such a big deal out of the petty things instead of actually protecting the students of the campus.”

If you have concerns about your safety on campus and have any experiences to share contact anfocal@ul.ie.

November 2016

8

Record Numbers Attend Open Days

By Aaron Mullane Over 12,000 prospective students attended the UL Open Days which took place on October 20th and 21st.

Students from across the country visited the campus to explore and discover what the university has to offer.

The open day aimed to offer visiting Leaving Certificate students a taste of what their lives would be like if they chose the University of Limerick, offering short lectures on each individual programme taught at the university, as well as tours of the campus.

This was accompanied by a display of some non-academic aspects of student life, such as an in-house DJ and competitions that showed students an insight into the life of a third-level

student.

The event was promoted using #ThinkBigAtUL across Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.

Giant features such as eyeballs, books and a bench were placed around the campus to encourage social media engagement with second-level students.

Sixth year student Alannadh O’Connor said: “I definitely want to come here everyone seems so nice and helpful.”

Visitors were also impressed by the diversity seen at the event and throughout the campus.

Leaving Certificate student Megan Griffin said: “It’s really nice to see so many different types of people coming together for something like this.”

11,700 students prebooked online across

the two days, while an estimated additional 1000 parents and children attended.

P r e - r e g i s t r at i o n for the first day of the event had to be closed in advance to ensure there would not be overcrowding.

Limerick Student, Kate McCormack was keen to express her praise, explaining how “the atmosphere here warms [her] heart.”

83% of the students interviewed across the Open Days stated that the University of Limerick was their first choice college.

An estimated 2,500 prospective students followed UL’s various social media accounts following their involvement with the Open Days.

The University of Limerick will host an additional Winter Open Day on Saturday January 14th.

Pink Party Held for Irish Cancer Society

By Evie Kearney Campus Life Services held a Pink Party in aid of the Irish Cancer Society on October 18th.

The event, held in Dromroe Village Centre, included complimentary bra fittings by Vamp Lingerie.

Dromroe Village Manager Laura Carroll said that this aspect was extremely important as wearing the wrong bra size can be a factor in breast cancer.

“Simple things like wearing the right bra size can reduce the risk of breast cancer so it was great to have the free fittings for all the residents on the night,” she said.

Other activities included free hair and nail demos, pink cocktail

demonstrations, pink cupcakes, and pink goodie bags for attendees.

First year student Kathleen O’Sullivan won a beauty hamper for being the best-dressed in pink on the night.

Students donated to the Irish Cancer Society at the event and had the chance to watch a breast check demonstration video provided by the charity.

“It was a great night for a great cause,” Ms Carroll said.

“If anyone would still like to donate they can call to any village reception and pick up a pen, trolley coin keyring or a pin from €2.

“Alternatively they can text ‘CURE’ to 50300 to donate €4.”

November 2016

9

Orlando Pulse Victims Remembered in Out in UL SoUL Week Plaza Ceremony

By Kiera Thornton

Out in UL held a remembrance ceremony on October 25th for the victims of the Pulse shooting which occurred earlier this year.

The event, held as part of SoUL week, marked one of the deadliest incidents of violence against LGBTQ+ people in history, allowing people on campus to pay their respects to those who died and to stand in solidarity with UL’s queer community.

The tragedy took place in the early hours of June 12th when a lone gunman attacked Pulse, a queer nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

49 people were killed and dozens more were injured.

Pulse is particularly popular among the ‘Latinx’ (a gender neutral term meaning of Latin American descent) queer people in Orlando and over half of the victims were of

Puerto Rican descent, a fact that is sometimes overlooked from media coverage of this tragedy.

The shooting sent shockwaves through the international LGBTQ+ community and the pain and despair in Orlando was felt worldwide, with people all around the globe expressing their sympathies on social media.

It feels fresh in the minds of queer people.

The Orlando Pulse Remembrance took place in UL’s Main Plaza at 7pm with the entire ceremony aired live on campus radio.

The ceremony was opened by Out in UL Co-President Seán Lynch, who spoke about the importance of Out in UL holding such an event.

“The LGBTQ+ community is brought together by a common set of experiences and ideas and thoughts and lives, and although

something like the Orlando tragedy can have happened halfway across the world, it is something we either can all feel or can know someone else who has felt their pain,” he said.

Out in UL Campaign Officer Lorcan O’Donnell talked about his own unique experience, having been in the United States when the Pulse shooting occurred.

His speech described the reaction to the shooting in the Castro LGBTQ+ neighbourhood of San Francisco and how queer people stood together after the tragedy.

The names of those who died at Pulse were read out and the lanterns that had been laid out and were lit; 49 lanterns for each of the 49 victims.

This emotional moment was followed up by a speech from ULSU Welfare Officer Caolan O’Donnell, in which

he expressed a message of togetherness in the midst of tragedy and praised UL’s queer community.

He said: “Our LGBTQ+ community in UL are among the most welcoming you could ever meet. They do not judge a person based on how they appear or who they love, but

rather by the integrity of their character.

Time and time again we see these people as strong, vocal advocates for selflessness”.

Most of the attendees remained for at least another half an hour, reflecting on the tragedy and taking in the candlelit spectacle.

The ceremony

achieved one of the society’s fundamental aims in bringing the LGBTQ+ community and the wider community together.

People stood together – regardless of orientation, gender, race or religion – to remember those whose lives were lost in the Pulse shooting.

International Society Host Food Fair

By Carrie Burns The International Society hosted their Food Fair on Wednesday of Week Eight.

Coinciding with the event-filled SoUL week, the fair lasted from 6pm to 8pm in the Foundation Building Atrium.

The event proved popular, with a long entrance queue and fleeting supplies of food- a complimentary testament to the skills of all the students who submitted dishes.

The Food Fair is an

event held by the society every semester, and has been so for the past five years.

According to International Society Secretary Aoife Coleman, this specific fair saw 18 different students donate their time and cooking talents to the event’s success.

Students who did not cook paid €2 for entry, where they were given a plate to load up with whatever new cuisine they wanted to try.

Dishes ranged in type based on different geographic locations,

varying from Spanish tortillas espanolas and Indian chicken biryani to the more local, including classic Irish stew and crisp sandwiches.

Though definitely a fun opportunity be an attendant of, International Society members who cooked for everyone enjoyed the experience too.

“I’ve been looking for this kind of event since I came here. I’m very good at cooking, so I thought I could showcase my skills,” said Dhiraj Garg, a fourth-

year international student pursuing his Masters.

The International Society Food Fair is an excellent way to help ease homeiskcness often experienced by internaional students who attend UL. The event took place this year as part of So UL Fest - a week dedicated to showcasing the work of UL societies and allowing them to host dedicated events and activities.

All proceeds from the event were donated to charity.

November 2016

10

An Evening to Remember

By Maeve Wrixon Carz, a new and unique play produced by the UL Drama Society, is an experience unlike any other.

The main factor which differentiates Carz from other theatre productions, is that the action doesn’t take place on a stage but a car and also a mini bus.

With such a unique twist on the typical theatre format the audience is thrust into the constructed world and even becomes a part of it.

Unlike large scale theatres, only three people are able to fit in the backseat as the two front seated actors create the second around the viewer.

There are no barriers between the audience and the actors and ac-

tresses making the experience intense and intimate.

The absence of distance between the audience and characters, that the stage and

seating would usually provide, allows you to immerse yourself into the scene as though, you too are one of the characters.

Each scene in every

The scenarios deal with racism, the student accommodation crisis and death to name but a few and it does so with humour and heart.

The racism scenario is a particularly taut five minutes with the two actors spouting out lines such as: “I am French, remember.

We invented bureaucracy… Just embracing Irish culture… You better bring some international knowledge to the table.”

Nearly as quickly as you are brought into the world of the scene you are returned to reality and ushered to the vehicle tells a different next vehicle. story while also includ- The brisk walk being a thought provok- tween each car is a ing issue relevant in pleasant one which today’s society – and all allows you to process in just under 10 min- and what you’ve just utes. witnessed with the two

strangers you’re sharing the experience with.

Not only does the play’s quirky setting make this an outstanding production but the standard of acting is highly impressive.

The acting takes you on a journey but more importantly, it makes you feel something – from laugh out loud moments to tear jerking ones, in such a short time this play is certainly an emotional roller-coaster.

Every actor and actress embodied their character whole heartedly making the performance even more realistic and enjoyable.

Carz is a highly recommendable and unusually extraordinary play which manages to capture every emotion in such a short space of time.

Life Drawing Session Capturing the

By Micheál O’Maolchathail Last Thursday October 27th UL students were given the opportunity to attend a free threehour Life Drawing session hosted at the Bourn Vincent Gallery as part of SoUL Fest 2016.

The session was given ny Una Sealy RHA, one of the two judges chosen to be on the RTÉ One’s brand-new series, ‘Painting the Nation’, which tests the talents of some of the very best amateur painters in the country.

Attendees were each provided with their own easel and had the freedom to choose from a wide variety of

top quality art materials such as pencil, charcoal and pastel.

The overall session was broken down into a number of segments, the first of which started off with a number of quick, five-minute sketches in charcoal each one capturing the model in a new pose.

Ms Sealy was very encouraging to the class, explaining that artwork was merely another muscle that needed to be exercised True to her words, there was a considerable improvement in the drawings by the end of the session.

The University of Limerick Arts Office who ran the event provided a wonderful se-

lection of tea, coffee, biscuits, scones, sandwiches, and wraps, including vegetarian options.

Ms Sealy’s teaching style was the depth of her knowledge as she guided the class clear of common beginner pitfalls like the “lollipop head.”

Students were educated in great detail about the different bone structures and muscles vital to an artist’s accurate depiction of human anatomy like the spine, collarbones and trapezius.

The sketches became progressively longer in duration, with each student leaving with one final 25-minute drawing.

SoUL of Campus

By Patrick Lu UL PhotoSoc has had a brilliant week after what was an amazing SoUL Fest. Photographers were sent to many of the events run throughout the week by the societies of UL. The week kicked off with some adorable ‘Doggies and Choccy’ with UL Animal Welfare in the SU courtyard.

This was followed later in the evening by the Mad Hatter’s Tea party with Tea Appreciation in Plassey House. This was a great event with some very cool and creative costumes.

Limerick Suicide

Watch also gave a very inspiring talk, followed by a cheque presentation of funds raised by Tea Appreciation for their great cause.

Out in UL’s Orlando Pulse Remembrance took place on Tuesday evening and was a touching tribute for the victims of that tragedy.

The nature of this event provided our photographers with something different than our usual events, and a chance to get creative pictures to suit the mood and tone of the event, although the dark lighting proved a bit of a challenge.

Wednesday was the highlight of the week

with many events happening in the courtyard, and our own LinkedIn headshots in the SU Hub. People loved taking pictures with PhotoSoc’s big Instagram frame amdhad a great turn out for our LinkedIn headshots, which will be run again next semester.

If you’re interested in getting the chance to photograph events like those from this week, learn more about your camera, or even how to take better photos in general don’t hesitate to join.

You can find us on Facebook. @UL PhotoSoc

November 2016

11

Happy Fifth Birthday to ULFM

By Aisling Moloney UL FM celebrated its fifth year of broadcasting over the campus airwaves this semester, kicking off the party during SoUL week.

2011’s Communications Officer Kelly O’Brien set up UL FM with Conor Keane, who is the voice of ULFM’s advertising, and Colm Fitzgerald who built the station itself.

The station received backing from the Students Union and the Ulster Bank Enablement Fund.

With each semester the station has grown and improved, now

with 70 members and an award for Radio DJ of the year.

Station Manager William Nolan said: “The demand for shows gets bigger and bigger every year and people seem more enthusiastic than ever about the station.”

During SoUL week, UL FM had an outdoor broadcast of the Out in UL event for the Orlando victims in the Main Plaza on Tuesday night, and an outdoor broadcast of original shows in the courtyard on Wednesday.

Today FM presenter Phil Cawley came to share in the birthday celebrations on Thurs-

day in the Sports Bar. He gave the UL FM team an inspiring talk, encouraging them to find their niche and unique edge and cash in on it.

UL FM had their annual game show quiz during SoUL Week, and welcomed back some founding members of UL FM for the event such as Kelly O’Brien (founder), Kevin O’Brien (former Station Manager) and Eanna Brown (former Events Manager), who had a throwback radio show with UL FM’s current station manager William Nolan after the event.

This Is What A Feminist Looks Like

By Megan Thornton This year as part of SoUL Week, the UL Feminist Society took to the SU courtyard.

Along with a massive canvas, lollipops and Repeal the 8th badges, the society encouraged people to have their picture taken with a chalkboard that read “This is what a Feminist looks like.”

Co-president of the Feminist Society, Nollaig O’Cuill, found inspiration for the chalkboard online, “it’s a great way of showcasing the feminist community here in UL.” The UL Feminist Society is not just for women and is an intersectional society that talks about problems in the world and not just the ones facing women.

Ms O’Cuill said: “Absolutely anybody can be a feminist regardless of gender, race, sexuality or

anything else.”

The UL Feminist Society was founded last year and is in its first official year now.

“The response we got from students was amazing” said President O’Cuill.

The stall also raised money for the Abortion Rights Association by selling Repeal the 8th badges and is holding a bake sale next Wednesday for Focus Ireland, with proceeds going towards the victims of domestic violence.

During SoUL Week, the society also organised a talk on the topic of Racism and Islamophobia.

The UL Feminist Society meet every Tuesday at 7pm in the Schuman Building and everyone is encouraged to come along if they are interested in learning what intersectional feminism is all about.

November 2016

12

Joe Rooney Appears at Scholars

By Aisling Moloney Do you like Blur or Oasis? That’s like asking if you like Camembert or Wenslydale: Neither, but there is one thing I do know I like: comedy.

The night dawned on UL Comedy Society to host one of its standup nights from its seemingly endless source of comedians.

We had the pleasure of having an M.C. with a big heart, Kris Hart, our token minority Brian McCormack, internationally renowned Patrick Holl, Tipperary’s own hooligan, Niall Houlihan, and the virgin Mary of the society, Rob Flynn.

Oh yeah, there was also this guy with a guitar who has an actual IMDB page, which says he was on Father Ted and Killinaskully,

Joe Rooney, but more about him later.

We started off the night with pints in the scholars at 9pm when we awaited the arrival of our celebrity.

We were fumbling with the reserved sign trying to decide which seat our famous comedian would like better, when something shiny jumped onto the stage and dazzled us all.

It was Kris, our MC, who started us off with a few jokes about what was in store, as well as speaking about Comedy Societies 80s ball in partnership with the Film Society, Fan Forum and ULFM on Thursday November 10th in the Pavilion.

Our homegrown UL Com Soc comedians were warming up the crowd for Father Damo (aka Joe Rooney).

gears until the main event, stand-up from the stand-up maestro himself, Joe Rooney.

Brushing off his old Leaving Cert French to engage with international students, Joe gave us all diaphragm-spasms of laughter when he tried to sing a ‘diddle-idle’ Irish folk song rhyming with the words ‘Gerry Adams’, a welcomed suggestion from the crowd.

Joe got up there to silence the hecklers, he heckled us back and we did nothing but laugh.

Joe Rooney said after his hour long stand-up routine that the Scholars is a great room for comedy gigs and that All of our comedians everyone was offended. he enjoyed the crowd. did us proud, Jedi capes So hat’s off to UL Com- However he had his were donned, pints edy Society. eye on one heckler were supped, chairs The whole night was to single out but they were mounted and just a slow change in had left before he got a

chance to get on stage.

Comedy Society President Lee Brogan said: “This is my first year as President so there were some hurdles we had to overcome to organise the gig, but it was easy with the help of all the committee and past members who helped me out when going about booking a professional comedian.

“We worked really hard trying to bring Joe in with our budget and the Scholars. I had two newer comedians and two oldies come and preform before we put Joe on stage, I think that was fair to show the best of what the society has to offer and what we’re making.

“Joe came on and performed a good hour. It was an overall pretty good night, I think it was a success”.

Games Society Invites New Members

By Rachael Mooney

If there’s anything here that strikes your Ever since our founding fancy, or if there’s a in 1989, Games Society game you’d like to play, has tried to get better feel free to drop in any and bigger each year.

Monday night and see “But what do you even if we have it – if we do, Games Soc? Play don’t, we’ll try to get it!

Monopoly?” I hear you We also host a console ask. Well, what don’t we games day on Wednesdo? days in SU Room 3 (if To be honest with you’re not sure where you… we don’t let our that is, just go into the members play Monop- SU and listen for people oly any more – it ruined yelling). Things can get too many friendships. pretty noisy, especialBut we do play board ly when members are games every Monday playing fighting games night in EGO 10 (in the like Smash, MorMain Building) from tal Kombat, or Street 6.00pm until late.

Fighter.

We have a wide varie- However, if fighting ty of board games, from games aren’t your thing, fan favourites like Set- don’t despair – we have tlers of Catan and Ap- a wide selection of othples to Apples, to tradi- er games, including tional games like Jenga, Fifa, Halo, and Mario as well as Cards Against Kart, among many othHumanity and others. ers.

For those of you who like fighting games, we have recently begun fighting game workshops on Thursdays from 3-6pm in SU Room 3. It’s a great way to learn how to play competitively, and there are a variety of members around who are happy to show people the ropes.

If you are particularly interested in Super Smash Bros, we have the event for you. Every Friday, from 5.00pm until 11.00pm in SU Room 3, we have both casual and competitive games of Smash 4, Project: M and Melee throughout the evening.

Many of our members also run weekly pen and paper RPGs, including Pathfinder,

Dragon Age, and Dungeons and Dragons.

In addition to weekly events, we have monthly Lock-Ins, which are on the last Friday of each month.

Beginning at 8pm on the Friday and running straight through until 8am Saturday, Lock-Ins are one of our most fun and interactive nights.

These nights usually have a bit of everything from our weekly events – some people are playing board games, others are playing League of Legends, still others are playing PS4 or Xbox, and some people are just hanging out and chatting.

Lock-Ins are a great opportunity to meet a wider variety of Games Soc members than you would usually meet at

weekly events, as everyone is together in the one place.

Throughout the night we run tournaments and competitions, and usually order pizza or take-out of some kind.

We have a variety of other events which we run throughout the year, including Assassins (where you murder your friends), and gaming tournaments of all kinds.

We’re hoping to start a weekly workshop slot, where we will be covering a variety of different games: chess for beginners, an introduction to tabletop RPGs, competitive Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering and YuGiOh, and many more.

If any of the above appeals to you, or, if

there’s any kind of game that I haven’t mentioned here but you are a fan of, shoot us an email or contact us on Facebook, and we’ll let you know if we have it.

If we don’t have it, we’ll do our best to get it for you, and connect you with other fans of the game.

Last week we sent out a survey looking for your opinions, and we were delighted with the responses that we got.

We love hearing from members, whether online or in person.

If you spot a committee member in the wild, do pull them aside and tell them your ideas – they can pass them on to the rest of us, and we can see what can be done to make them happen!

November 2016

13

Soc Dems Take Part in First SoUL Fest

By Declan Mills

freebies such as sweets and badges to give The UL Social Dem- away. ocrats took part in its We supported the first SoUL Fest this past UL Feminist Society week, with all of our by having our picture events taking place in taken with the “This is one long mad, enjoy- what a feminist looks able and hectic eight- like” chalkboard. hour window that We featured on ULworked out pretty well FM’s political talk in the end. show Crossing the Line We started our run of (hosted by ULFM Presevents at 12.30 with a stall in the SU Courtyard alongside many other societies who were out there showcasing themselves.

We were running a suggestion box, asking students to write down the biggest issue in Irish society or politics that concerned them.

Those issues will be complied into a report that will be sent back to our party.

We had all sorts of

ident Rob Cross and our very own Declan).

We managed to obtain an interview from Tom Heneghan, a member of the Social Democrats, who has been fighting to lift the ban on gay men donating blood.

To showcase our society’s interest in new styles of politics and

Games Society Host Campus Zombie Run

By Ciara Maria Hayes part, who will have orange bands tied Amidst the madness around their arms. of SoUL week, Games Whenever a survivor Society continued its is caught, a picture is yearly tradition of the taken and posted to zombie tournament - the event’s Facebook a survival game which page as proof. ran from October 25th Each survivor caught to 27th. remains in the game, Games Soc Com- except they too are mittee Member Aoife now a zombie.

Power described the Throughout campus, event. ammo and cures may “It starts with the randomly be dropped. introduction of one “Ammo drops are zombie, a partaker done randomly to give recognised by the or- survivors ammo to ange coloured band escape zombies and tied around their cures for any zombies head.” to turn them back into She said this zombie’s survivors,” Aoife said. objective is to chase There are also safe down the ‘survivors’ zones, including the – other people taking Students’ Union and

around bodies of water, where survivors cannot be captured.

However, the maximum time that can be spent in a safe zone is one hour.

At the end of the event prizes were awarded for the zombie with the most survivors caught, the longest survivor and the best photo taken during the event.

“It’s super fun and makes people paranoid the entire time to avoid the zombies or hunt down the survivors,” she added.

The event cost three euro with all funds raised being donated to charity.

in bringing new voices onto the Irish political scene, we held a public panel discussion on being LGBTQ in Irish politics.

With Ciarán acting as our host and Sarah Jane Hennelly – Chair of the Limerick City branch of the Social Democrats and the party’s Limerick City candidate – we

settled in for nearly two hours of friendly debate and discussion.

Our panel – made up of UL Social Democrats Events Officer Declan Mills, alongside Tom Heneghan (a journalist, member of Social Democrats Galway West and LGBTQ rights campaigner), Sharon Nolan (also of

Social Democrats Galway West as well as Bi+ Ireland) and Ciara Gordon (Co-President of Out in UL).

The panel touched on a number of important issues including abortion rights, legal gender recognition and how Ireland can become a better advocate for LGBTQ rights on the world stage.

The discussion, which was recorded by ULFM for their SoUL Arts Fest highlight show, was followed by the all-important tea and biscuits.

With that over, it was time to finish up for the night and reflect on our first ever SoUL Arts Fest.

It was a fantastic experience for us as a committee and a society, and we can’t wait to do it again.

Young Fine Gael Quiz Night for Pieta

By Evie Kearney The UL branch of Young Fine Gael (YFG) hosted a political quiz night for SoUL Week in aid of Pieta House.

The quiz night held on October 18th involved guessing the names, parties and locations of various figureheads and politicians, ranging from

acted as quizmaster for the evening.

She said: “It was a great night enjoyed by all and was fantastic for us to be able raise some money for Pieta House which is such a worthy cause.

“Raising money like this is definitely something which UL Young Fine Gael would like to do more of in the future.”

Enda Kenny to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

UL YFG Chairperson Vivienne Nagle Hanife

Refreshments were sponsored on the night by Pizza Galaxy of Ellen Street, Limerick, and the winners

and runners-up chose from a selection of prizes available.

Members of YFG from around the country were also present at the event, which took place in the Kemmy Business School, in preparation for the society’s busiest months that lie ahead.

The Annual YFG National Conference takes place over the last weekend of November in Ballinasloe, Galway, where members will elect a new National Executive to govern the organisation.

UL YFG will host its National Conference Hustings on November 22nd at 7pm, venue TBC.

November 2016

14

Out in UL’s Rainbow Week Lineup

By Robert Culhane This year’s Rainbow Week falls on Week 10 of the semester, starting on Monday November 7th.

The idea of Rainbow Week is to celebrate the LGBTQ community in its entirety through a fun and educational way.

It is hosted during the autumn semester of every year and is one of Out in UL’s biggest events.

The week involves a lot of work and dedication by all committee members as it takes a substantial amount of time and coordination to organise, but the finished product should be an amazing week on campus.

The aim of Rainbow Week is also to provide visibility of the LGBTQ community in the wider society in an inclusive manner whereby anyone can partake in

the events organised by Out in UL throughout the week.

It is our week as a society to showcase what we do and what we stand for in a fun, interactional way while also educating people on LGBTQ topics.

Rainbow Week starts with ‘Queer in the Courtyard’ from 1pm to 3pm.

The centrepiece of this event is a canvas with the word ‘queer’ which will be placed in the Students’ Union courtyard.

Anyone is welcome to write on the canvas whatever they feel the word queer means to them.

Despite using the word ‘queer’, it is not just open to LGBTQ people and everyone is invited to take part.

On Monday evening from 7pm uto 9pm we will be hosting our ‘Past, Present, Future’ event in Scholars which

is a mixer for past, present and future Out in UL members.

We will be showcasing past events and achievements as well as looking at how we hope to advance as a society and move forward in the future.

Then, on Tuesday we have our ‘Gender Spectrum Workshop’ with GOSHH in SU Room 3 from 1pm to 2pm.

Enviro Soc Urge Students to Recycle

By Nicole Glennon After many long nights, hard at work, UL’s Environmental Society finally unveiled their UL Plastic Bottle Collector as part of the SoUL Week Arts Festival.

The two structures made of wood & wire mesh were sculpted into the shape of a U and a L and were designed to collect plastic bottles that might otherwise have been dumped in the general waste bins around campus.

The sculptures were

on display between 12pm and 2pm daily in the student courtyard.

Many students used the structures to recycle their plastic bottles – even Wolfie threw in his empty plastic water bottle!

The society also visited some key spots around the campus to pick up plastic bottles that had been left lying around on tables.

The aim of the plastic bottle collector was to highlight the amount of plastic bottles that are thrown away weekly on campus.

The society hopes to encourage people to recycle their plastic bottles in future by giving students a visual reminder of how quickly our waste can build up.

The plastic bottles collected in the last week will be used in another project in the near future.

If you would like to get involved in this project or join us for other fun activities and important initiatives, please come along to our weekly Monday meetings at 6pm in AM067.

GOSHH are a charity based in Limerick city who provide information on sexual health and LGBTQ+ topics, and this workshop will focus on gender variance.

In the evening we are holding our ‘Big Night In’ event in Plassey Hall from 7pm onwards where we will enjoy a relaxing evening with games, takeaway and

music. All members are welcome.

On Wednesday in the SU courtyard from 12pm to 3pm we will be hosting our ‘Gender and Sexuality’ event where we will provide a board for people to paint different colours which will represent the different genders and sexualities of the LGBTQ community.

In the evening, our good friends in UL’s Drama Society are holding Stigma, a performance in which monologues about mental health are read out. Some of our members have submitted pieces to Stigma to give a much-needed queer slant on the mental health issue.

Thursday will see us holding another collaboration event, this time with the Feminist Society which will be a workshop on the LGBTQ’s place within the feminist movement.

As queer people on all parts of the spectrum have for a long time played a major role in feminism, this should be an incredibly interesting workshop.

In the evening we will be holding our ‘Big Night Out’ event, which is one of the most anticipated events during Rainbow Week every year.

This will take place in Strokers on Upper William Street – Limerick’s only LGBTQ-specific venue – and will feature performances from some of our fantastic members and friends.

Doors open at 9pm and it should be a fantastic night for all!

Finally, on Friday we will be hosting Recovery Tea with the Tea Appreciation Society from 1pm to 3pm in SU Room 3 where we will all sit around and relax, drinking tea and playing games to recover from the busy week.

Doggies and Choccie

By Aimee Wells As part of SoUL week, the Animal Welfare society organised their ‘Doggies and Choccie’ offering hugs and rubs from pups in the hope of donations.

The event was a massive hit among students, with people queueing up for a chance to meet the animals.

Though the event caused a stir in the courtyard, its primary motive was to raise awareness for the Limerick Animal Welfare society.

The UL Animal Welfare Event Coordinator said: “With the dogs and chocolate event

we are looking to raise awareness about the Limerick Animal Welfare society because they have multiple different animals that they will house until they can be adopted.

The idea of the event was to raise students’ endorphins and bring down their stress levels, leaving everyone calm and ready for the Monday ahead, and all students present agreed it was a raging success.

“I’m so ecstatic and happy and excited,” said one first year, holding the most popular attraction – Pebbles the Pug. Others said it was “the best feeling in the

world,” and that their stress levels had completely gone down.

The event was so well received with students requesting a repeat in the near future.

“I need this every Monday, they make any day better,” another student said.

The Animal Welfare President said: “I’m so happy with what a success its been, I was so nervous beforehand that the dogs wouldn’t come, or that we would run out of chocolate.

“And people are donating, which is what its all about.”

All donations for the event will be going to Limerick Animal Welfare.

November 2016

15

Special thanks to Patrick Lu, Bailey Beltramo, Caoimhín O’Ceallaigh and the Photographic Society!

November 2016

16

Scientists Find Jägerbombs Could Be as Harmful for You as Cocaine

“Probably not. I’d only have one anyway, they’re too expensive.”

– Shane Ryan

“I still would. It puts me off a little but but I know I’d still end up drinking them.”

– Esther Ryan

“I heard it recently. I wouldn’t have had the in the first place but it would stop me if I did drink them.”

– James Dore

“I don’t mind at all. It said it could be as bad but I don’t think it actually is.”

– John Leonard

We asked students if they would still drink Jägerbombs after learning this.

Here’s what they had to say . . .

“I don’t really like them. If someone buys them for me I would but I probably won’t get them ever again.”

– Áine Leonard

“Obviously it would stop me.”

– Savitha Jodhee “Yeah it would put me off.”

– James Bradshaw

“There’s a lot of things I know aren’t good anyway and I still do them. It’s complicated.”

– Siobhán O’Connor

November 2016

17

Five Essential Winter Fashion Items

By Maeve Wrixon

not compromise our love for fashion because Often dressing for win- of winter, we should ter can be a complex embrace it. and sometimes daunt- Here are five essential ing task due to the items for winter that unpredictable winter can’t go wrong. weather.

Sometimes, OOTW 1) The Statement Coat (outfit of the week) worthy outfits can be Who said coats forced to hide beneath couldn’t be practical a practical yet not so and stylish? stylish winter coat, With a statement coat or even dressing for a you can be protected night out can be trou- from the wild elements blesome in order not and look seriously stylto freeze when the tem- ish. perature drops.

In winter, outwear is However, we should the most important as-

pect of your wardrobe.

Why not add some chic fur or a pop of colour to bring any outfit alive while at the same time keeping you nice and toasty-warm.

However, this eye shadow solves all problems.

The long lasting glitter is bound to make any outfit dressy, allowing you to venture into the winter weather with a 2) Ingot’s Glitter Pig- suitable outfit choice ment Eye Shadow and still look your best.

tights or jeans, these will finish off any look.

4) MAC Matte ‘Whirl’ Lipstick

worlds.

5) Black Skinny Jeans

Black skinny jeans are perfect for winter beThis reliable go-to lip- cause of their versatilistick is an essential for ty. any makeup bag.

You can dress them up Its rosey-brown un- with a pair of heels, or dertone suits all skin dress them down with a Deciding what to wear 3) Ankle boots tones and the matte ef- pair of ankle boots. on a night out in winter fect is perfect for winter Black is an easy colour can be problematic.

Ankle boots are a as it is long lasting. that matches nearly anYou don’t want to wardrobe staple.

It compliments a dark ything and these jeans seem under-dressed They come in a range smokey-eye as well as allow for multiple laybut you are also aware of colours and are suit- suiting a more natural ers on top to keep you of the freezing temper- able for any occasion. look. warm this winter. atures you will encoun- Whether you pair With this lipstick you Black skinny jeans can ter as the night goes on. them with a dress and can get the best of both do no wrong.

Outfits of the Week

By Maeve Wrixon

Cruelty-Free Make Up Items

By Aisling O’Connor

Julie-Anne Murphy

Alex Sidhom

Aicha Yabre

Jumper – Penneys Scarf – Penneys Jeans – New Look Shoes – schuh

Jumper – Vintage Pants – Nike Shoes – Adidas Glasses – Versace

Hat – Ali – Express Jumper – H&M Leggings Missguided

Fashion Icon Pixie Lott

Fashion Icon Kanye West

Fashion Icon Myself

Favourite Shop Pretty Little Thing

Favourite Shop Polo Ralph Lauren

Favourite Shop Missguided

Monthly Fashion Spend - € 70

Monthly Fashion Spend - €100

Monthly Fashion Spend - €50

NYX Lip-liner Pencil:

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Wet n’ Wild Mega Protein Mascara: Seventeen Define & Conquer Contour Kit: This was so cheap, and there is absoluteI’ve had awful con- ly nothing worse than tour kits that just would bad mascara that leaves not blend so had stupid your eyelashes clumpy bronze lines all over so I was a bit nervous my face, but this blends about it at first. The risk great and does the job at paid off though because fashioning those cheek my lashes are enhanced, bones. there are no clumps, and it stays on all day.

November 2016

18

Students and Alcohol - It’s Complicated

By Katie Martin

nights out would either be between €20 and €30 According to Alcohol or €70 and €100.

Ireland, the average Aoife Mulrennan said: Irish person aged 15 “I definitely spend less and over drank 10.93 than €20 a week.” litres of pure alcohol in Mark said, “If I’m go2015. ing out two nights in The Health Research the week, I’d probably Board (HRB) has disspend up on €70, incovered that our per cluding pre-drinks and capita alcohol cona kebab.” sumption in 2015 was The students all agreed equal to 41 litres of that alcohol is an imvodka, 116 bottles of portant aspect to havwine or 445 pints of ing a good night out. beer per person over Aoife said that alcohol the age of 15. gives people a bit more “My drinking habits “I’m somewhere in “Pre drinks are im- confidence in a nighthave worsened since the middle, if I feel like mensely important, club. coming to college be- I’ve drank too much you can’t afford to be “I think it’s easier to cause now I can go out for a couple of nights, drinking in the club all start conversations,” on school nights,” said I could go a few weeks night and there’s a big said Brian. student Brian Murray. without drinking,” said social aspect to it too,” Gearoid said, “You The students’ relation- Mark Fullham. don’t have to drink all said Patrick Tuite. ships with alcohol vary Students noted that “New profile, new ins- the time but it does from person to person, pre-drinks are very im- ta, new friends,” added help.” with some being open portant before a night Mark.

“It’s just fun to drink,” about having an abu- out.

“Pre-drinks give you said Patrick. sive relationship to oth- Alcohol bought when a better laugh in town,” A night of drinkers considering their out can cost twice the said Gearoid Brennan ing ultimately leads to relationship to be per- price of alcohol from Students indicated a hangover the next fectly fine. an off licence. their average spend on morning.

The students in general did not seem bothered by this, all agreeing that it is worth it.

“I don’t get a lot of hangovers but if it’s for the craic or the sesh, then yes, it’s worth it,” said Brian.

“Yes and no, the next morning isn’t great but at the time it’s totally worth it,” said Aoife.

“Six pints of water, a slice of toast, you go to bed, sleep in and you’re fine,” said Mark.

The question of feeling under pressure to drink got a mixed reaction from the students.

“You would sometimes, when all the lads are going to town, you kind of feel like you have to,” said Gearoid.

“It depends who you’re with. If I’m with my friends then no,” said Aoife.

“I’ve never felt pressure to drink, even since a young age. If I

go out, I’ll drink,” said Brian.

“They’re not your friends if they pressure you to drink,” said Patrick.

“You can go out and be called dry but after a while, that dies down.

It’s the lads just having a laugh,” said Mark.

Interestingly, in the middle of this discourse around student drinking, it was actually possible to find one student who stated that he does not drink.

Chandler McGuinness said: “I never feel under pressure to drink. My friends have tried and failed multiple times, I’m a pioneer.

“I never feel left out for not drinking because I feel my personality does the job.

“I can have an even better night out because I know my surroundings and I know what I’m doing.”

Reasons to Be Glad Halloween is Over

By Ciara Barry 1. The Costumes Now that it’s November, I can officially put my cat ears away for another year. When it comes to Halloween costumes, you either go hard, you go home, or you go half naked.

I tend to skew towards home, resigning myself to the fact that realistically, I’m going to half-ass it, and throw something together on the day.

Maybe you go all out, and spend a fortune on your costume, but to what end?

It’s a lot of effort for the one day that’s in it,

and I for one, am glad horror flick myself, but ick is stressful enough to be rid of the stress, there’s more to October without the fear of beand the incessant ques- than Halloween, lads. ing egged. tion, “what are you And while we’re on While I’m busy trying

dressing up as?

2. The Scary Movies

the subject of being original, why are 90 percent of horror movies sequels now? Get some new ideas.

Scary movies are marmite, you either love ‘em, or you hate 3. The Pranks ‘em.

I’m partial to a good A night out in Limer-

to navigate the cobbles in a pair of stilettos, I don’t need the added bonus of lads getting up to divilment at my expense.

Nothing worse than spending hours perfecting my halloween

makeup, only to have it ruined by an egg I’ve had smashed over my head. No thanks!

4. The Sweets, and the Trick or Treaters

loween treats is almost too much. And as a grumpy college student, I don’t take too kindly to kids knocking on my door demanding sweets.

Mostly because I want to eat them all myself, but also because I try to avoid unnecessary social interaction at all costs. I am no stranger to hiding in my house with the lights off.

5. Christmas

All things considered, I do actually quite enThe Freshman 15 does joy Halloween. not need any help be- But I am glad it’s over, coming the Freshman because that means 20. The temptation to Christmas is just gorge myself on Hal- around the corner!

November 2016

Schedule of Programmes:

19

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November 2016

20

Dance UL Release First Film

By Sonya Ramondino

In March 2016, Dance UL sent four teams to the All Ireland Intervarsity Dance Competition at Trinity College in Dublin.

For the first time in seven years, this included a team that fulfilled the “mixed” category— an amalgamation of genres including Hip Hop, Contemporary, Irish, and Jazz.

The dancers collaborated under the expert direction of Conor O’Brien to create powerful chore-ography reflecting their various styles, personalities and dynamics in order to tell one fluid story.

The choreography was set to an original score of music, created

by the fantastically talented Scott Robinson, which further added to the unique quality of the piece.

The performance wove a strong sense of familial celebration through a period of mourning, cul-minating in an epic battle for dominance and justice.

The final roar of the music coupled with the audience’s tumultuous applause echoed the eupho-ria of the performance, such that a month later, all involved felt the piece should live on through a more permanent forum.

Thus began Dance UL’s partnership with Crooked Teeth, an independent film company headed by Conor

the coming release of project:ULTIMATE on October 28th.

Crooked Teeth and Dance UL would like to extend an enormous thank you to those who gener-ously donated to project:ULTIMATE. It is with great pride and anticipation that we enter the final countdown to the release, which has stemmed from an extremely strong family bond shared by the O’Brien, Evan Fanning funding, costume dancers and the crew.

Follow Dance UL and Scott Robinson. and makeup artistry, The mixed piece scheduling, food and and Crooked Teeth on was to live forever as morale for the cast and Facebook to catch the a short film, and the crew, and hours of dai- film’s release - You will whole operation was ly filming in brisk Irish not want to miss the opportunity to experihenceforth donned tem-peratures. project:ULTIMATE. After immense ence the whirlwind of A massive effort en- amounts of editing, action, artistry, precisued: location scout- Crooked Teeth is sion, emotion and pasing, advertising, proud to announce sion that ensues!

Getting the Competitive Edge

By Conor O’Brien & and obey the marFrank Stafford shal’s instructions.

The culmination of UL Archery kicked our beginner trainoff the Autumn se- ing sessions takes mester with a suc- place during SoUL cessful recruitment Week with our annudrive, taking on ap- al Pro Am shooting proximately 120 new competition. members.

For this compeWe started back tition, we had one into shooting right of our experienced away with our be- archers go with a ginner training ses- team of four new sions. These consist members and teach of weekly sessions them about the baon Wednesday sics of how a compenights, with three tition works includsessions taking place ing scoring and other each night between rules.

7:30pm and 10:30pm. The actual competiA key aspect of tion started off with this training is the everyone shooting emphasis placed on six arrows to warm proper shooting pro- up and get the bows cedure to ensure safe- sights set up property; all archers shoot ly. from the same line, After this, the real

competition started with everyone shooting ten ends of three arrows making a total of 30 arrows, which would make up half a full intervarsity.

There were two categories in the Pro Am for everyone to compete in, these were the main competitions between the individual teams for the highest combined scores for the 4 new members and the experienced archer and the highest score beginner score. d afterwards with pizza for all their progress over the 6-week beginner course.

Our first intervarsity competition is on the 12th of November in DCU.

Airsoft Society SoUL Skirmish

By Conor Carmody

name around walking around posing for phoOn October 19th the tos even giving a lesson Airsoft Society travelled on how the guns operto The Hive Inferno ate to the hopefully new C.Q.B. Airsoft site for a first years next term.

Skirmish.

The society are planThe society’s second ning a fundraiser on trip was a lot different Thursday November

from their first event in that they had to ditch the woodland camo and switch their gameplay to indoor close quarters.

The society didn’t stop there and took advantage of the two open days to spread their

3rd in which there will be a shooting range on campus where students will have the opportunity a to shoot down six empty cans to be with a chance to win vouchers for Aldi.

Happy shooting!

Great SoUL Week For ULRM

By Katlyn Daly SoUL week was upon us last week and here in ULRM we were looking forward to holding some very exciting activities throughout the week.

In true ULRM spirit we held two events which were motor and speed related of course!

Wednesday had us reliving our childhoods with our Scalextric racing game which took place in the Courtyard.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better than that, Thursday was our sim racing competition where we would award the fastest driver of the day with a free entry pass to our drift karting night which will be taking place in Week 9.

We got to use some very fancy force feedback wheels running on Forza Motorsport 6 with some very impressive times being achieved.

ULRM have also been keeping eyes peeled over the past few karting nights for potential and upcoming talent regarding the leagues with it being very tight between the A and B teams.

As a result, many people have been short listed for when we take to the track again in the national competitions.

A big thank you from all here in ULRM and we love seeing new faces each week so why not join and tag along!

We promise you won’t regret you did.

November 2016

21

O’Dea Family Set for GAA Success

By Muireann Duffy To play in Croke Park is a dream for many, but a reality for few. To play where so many greats have played before, where so much history has been made, is not something to take for granted.

Sharing such an occasion with your teammates is what every GAA player wishes for, but what if you could share the occasion with your brother or sister?

Going from kicking ball in the back garden, to representing your county in the most iconic stadium in Ireland.

Niamh, Jack, Cian and Eva O’Dea are four of five siblings from Kilfenora, County Clare, and current UL students, who have each earned the opportunity to represent Clare in Croke Park this year. In what has been a momentous year for Clare football, the O’Deas have been at the forefront of the Banner’s latest successes.

But rewind ten years, before the family was

divided in their sporting exploits by gender.

At underage, all five O’Dea’s, including older sister Caoimhe, played for Kilfenora together.

Their teams were managed by their father, JJ, and their mother Joan was always at every match.

“At under 12, myself, Jack and Cian all got to play for Kilfenora in a blitz in Croke Park.

That’s probably my favourite memory from playing with Kilfenora, my first time playing in Croke Park” remembers Eva. Having such grounded roots in their local club has had a huge impact on each of them.

“When I was growing up, my father, JJ, and David Connole, a former Clare Senior footballer [from Kilfenora], were big influences on me. As I got older, Aidan O’Keeffe [also from Kilfenora] became more of an influence as he had coached me every year since I was fifteen and really helped me become the footballer I am today,” said Cian.

Despite having to travel to Ennis to play club football with Banner once they reached under-14, Niamh and Eva’s loyalty to their home club can’t be disputed. On the eve of the Ladies’ Intermediate All-Ireland final, in which Niamh was starting, she ran the line for the Kilfenora men during their drawn Intermediate county final against Kildysart.

The Clare men’s first trip to Croker this year saw them defeat Kildare in the Allianz Division Three League Final by just a single point. Both Jack and Cian took to the pitch that day and amidst all the post-game excitement, still managed to don the club colours, remembering the club that started it all.

Hopes were high in the county as Cian explains: “After we overcame Roscommon, we had a flag up in the dressing room with our aims up on it - with reaching the quarter final being one of them.

One of the lads pulled the flag down as soon

as we came in after the match and said we’re going all the way.

“That really typified our drive and belief that we could go all the way. We knew that we played badly against Kerry in [the] Munster [Championship], and we could only improve.

So yes, there was great belief that we could overcome Kerry.”

Although the Clare Senior’s second game in Croke Park wasn’t as successful as the first, resulting in a 2-16 to 0-11 defeat at the hands of the Kingdom, the feeling of pride in Clare was palpable.

It had been a long time since the Clare footballers scaled the heights of an All-Ireland Quarter Final, but now there is a lot of hope for the future.

“We were delighted to have gotten so far, but the lads didn’t perform on the day, and obviously you’re going to be disappointed when you lose an All-Ireland Quarter Final- but it was a great achievement to get there and hopefully we’ll have a lot more of them in the next few years,” Jack said.

“There are good footballers in Clare and last year we showed that.

There are always lads pushing for places and younger lads coming up, so we can defiantly push on this year and show it wasn’t a once off.,” he added.

Not ones to let the boys steal their thunder, Niamh and Eva played pivotal roles in the Clare Intermediate Ladies’ success this year. Playing at centre forward and corner back respectively, the O’Dea sisters came tantalisingly close to winning an All-Ireland with the Banner County on the last Sunday of September.

After sustaining a knee injury in the semi-final against Tipperary, Eva’s involvement in the Championship was brought to a premature end, but despite not lining-out, Eva remained a huge part of the team.

In spite of watching the final from the Hogan stand, the dedication and hard work Eva displayed all season is testament to the player she is, which will no doubt see her return to Croke Park again.

Unfortunately, in a match that could have gone either way, Kildare emerged victorious, winning the Intermediate title by a single point- ironic consider-

ing the result between their male counterparts a few months before.

But even though it was evident that a lot of Clare hearts were broken when the final buzzer sounded, the Clare ladies desire to win has never been stronger- making the prospect of next year’s championship even more exciting.

The whole O’Dea family was in Croke Park in some way that Sunday.

Whether it was Niamh and Eva in the team huddle on the pitch, Jack, Cian and their parents sitting in the Hogan stand, or Caoimhe listening to the live stream on Clare FM while sitting in her house in Toronto, Canada. All united in disappointment, but also in anticipation- that the next day the result would be different.

Like so many families around the country, GAA for the O’Deas is a family affair.

Whether it be at the club pitch, aptly named ‘Croke Park Béag’, in Kilfenora, or under the bright lights in Croke Park. Days out in GAA HQ don’t come around too often, but rest assured, the O’Deas are only just getting started.

November 2016

22

UL’s Hughes Helps St Rynagh’s to End Twenty-Three Year Drought

By Mark Boylan After twenty-three years and eight county final defeats, St Rynagh’s were crowned Offaly Senior Hurling Champions with a late goal from UL student and man of the match, Ronan Hughes.

The Sean Robbins cup returned Shannonside as the Banagher-based club overcame a determined Birr team, in a 2-16 to 1-15 victory in O’Connor Park, Tullamore.

Hughes – who captained the UL Fresher

2 hurling team to All Ireland success last semester – posted an impressive tally of 1-4 for St. Rynagh’s, and spoke of his delight at ending the twenty-three-year famine for the Offaly club.

“When the final whistle had blown and the supporters came on to the pitch, you could see how much the victory meant to so many people and their emotions. – it was an unbelievable day.

“It was only my second senior county final and I was thrilled

to come up with a few scores, but everyone performed on the day,” he said.

The UL civil engineering student followed in the footsteps of his father, David; former Offaly goalkeeper and last man to captain St. Rynagh’s to Championship success in 1993.

“It was a really special one, dad was as proud as Punch and hugely enjoyed it – he lets you know when things go wrong, but his encouragement is always constructive.”

With the Leinster Hurling Championship and a date with Wexford champions Oulart the Ballagh beckoning, the twenty-year-old forward is keen to continue the club’s success after breaking their twentythree-year duck.

“Our aim at the start of the year was to win the county championship, but now that we’re here we want to keep our season going.

“We’ve made it this far, now we want to push on and go as far as possible.”

Karate Club Prepares for Japan Trip

By Noelle Donworth Every two years the UL Shotokan Karate Club goes to Japan, the Home of Karate.

While there, club members explore Japan’s capital and experience the Japanese culture.

Members have the amazing opportunity to train in the Hombu Dojo which is the Headquarters of Shotokan Karate, under the guidance of some of the best karate teachers in the world.

It is not all about training and karate though. Part of the trip is to learn and explore Japan. A few of the favourite places to visit are Shibuya and Ginza for shopping, the zoo, Disneyland Tokyo, the Sky Tree and wandering around the Tokyo in general because there is so much to see.

While there we also try some Japanese cuisine such as sushi and strawberry and cream sandwiches.

Then the club also makes a few trips out the country side to visit some of Japan’s temples and shrines and the big Buda, which is a Buda the size of a two story house.

So whether you love anime and manga, shopping, karate or travelling and experiencing new cultures there is something for everyone in Japan.

To get to Japan the club must fundraise for the trip. We do this by having bake sales and bag packing in local supermarkets. UL Karate Club will be having a bake sale in front of t he library Wednesday Week 10 for any students looking for a little treat while studying.

We will also be holding

our M&M chop-stick competition, which is a fun little game to see how many M&M’s you can grab with chopsticks in a minute!

However it is not all business with the Kara-

te Club. We have pizza nights or we head to The Stables after training.

It is important to us that we get to know our new members and that everyone in the club

gets to know each other and have fun.

We always welcome new members and if anyone is at all interested and thinks they might like to give karate a try, they are more

than welcome to watch a training session or jump right in.

We train every Tuesday 6:15-8:15pm and Thursday 8:15-10:15pm in the PESS building across from the Arena.

November 2016

23

Linnane Back after Injury Hell

By Caoimhín Reilly Scoring a point in an All-Ireland Final must be a highlight of any GAA player’s career.

However, in Cormac Linnane’s case his late point in this year’s minor decider becomes even more satisfying when you consider the long road that he has taken back to full fitness after suffering a horrendous knee injury 16 months ago.

“That was nice and a personal highlight. It put a gloss on the end of the year to get over the line having missed out last year,” Linnane told An Focal in the aftermath of last Tuesday’s Fresher football victory over IT Carlow, which saw Cormac register six-points.

The UL GAA scholar had scored 1-1 in the opening half of the 2015 Munster minor final before disaster struck for him in the minutes leading into half-time, an innocuous fall saw him rupture the ACL in his right knee which meant 11 arduous months on the sideline.

Kerry u18’s went on to win the All-Ireland in 2015, a second title in consecutive years, however, Cormac missed out on a medal due to his injury, something which epitomises the cruelty of sport at times.

Linnane though doesn’t reflect someone who is bitter about the agonising experience and instead is thankful for all of those who helped the Beale clubman to get back to full fitness.

“It was a bit of bad luck (the injury). I got a ball and went to turn and it was the way that I twisted my knee. I did my cruciate although I didn’t realise it at the time and nobody was sure and nobody wanted to tell me to put a downer on the day having won the Munster Championship.

“It was a big disappointment but I had a lot of help around me.

I was nearly 11 months out but the Kerry County Board helped with physios and getting up to Santry Clinic and to the surgeon Ray Moran. I really can’t

thank them all enough, my family, my friends and my team mates.

I don’t think I would have been able to do it all without them.”

Following the injury, the then Kerry manager Jack O’Connor spoke

that he (Jack O’Connor) did, bringing in Declan O’Sullivan, that made Jack a brilliant manager much like Peter Keane.

They wouldn’t say a lot to you but the little things that they would say you would pick-up

football with the 2016 Kerry minors in time to be part of their historic ‘three-in-a-row’ title win over Galway in September.

That team has been heralded in many quarters as the best minor

football that we wanted to play, to play in Croke Park and it’s a joy to play with Kerry.”

Cormac is currently studying Business in UL while also benefitting from the UL GAA’s Scholarship pro-

of Cormac in glowing terms, saying that “he epitomised the heart and spirit of the team.”

Many would gloat at being held in such high regard by a manager who has delivered All-Irelands at ease for Kerry over the past decade, however, Cormac being as modest as ever played down O’Connor’s remarks and professed his graciousness at the level of support that he has received in recovering from his injury, from both O’Connor and this year’s winning manager Peter Keane.

“They are two great managers and a lot of it (my recovery) was down to what they told me to do.

“It was the little things

on and they help your game an awful lot.

“This year’s management were very good to me as well. I was at every training session while I was injured doing rehab with the physios. Getting fitness up and football into me was hard but they gradually reintroduced me back into playing football because it’s a hard thing to do.

“Your instincts on the pitch don’t come back straight away and you have to do a lot of work on it, sadly I didn’t get into the starting team but they had a role for me off the bench and I was happy to do it,” Linnane added.

Having recovered mid-season, Cormac returned to playing

team ever. Flattering praise by all accounts, but Cormac insists that the support that the team got in their efforts was phenomenal.

“To win it with the lads was very special and even in the aftermath being with my family, it was all a bit surreal and to be honest it really hasn’t sunk in yet.

“They were two great teams (2015 & 2016 panels) with two great sets of managers and we can’t thank the County Board and our sponsors enough because they gave us everything that we wanted and needed to do what we did so we’ll be forever grateful for that.

“They gave us the opportunity to play the

gramme which allows the 18-year-old to profit from the UL Arena’s High Performance facilities.

“It’s a massive course but I’m enjoying it and there aren’t too many hours in it so I’ve plenty of time to tip away at the football.”

There could yet be further success for Linnane in the coming weeks with his club scheduled to replay their Kerry Junior Football Championship final following their drawn encounter with Fossa two weeks ago.

He admits that they’re “excited” about the prospect of winning the title and who could begrudge Cormac another medal after all his recent injury hell.