TY TALK: Marist College, Athlone

ON FLOODING IN ATHLONE

Scott Flanagan:

“The army were bringing food and supplies to houses in Athlone. A lot of people were cut off, and many more evacuated. Some houses have been ruined. Now the St Vincent de Paul and the Simon Community are looking for donations. There needs to be one agency to coordinate defences, and this didn’t happen.

“There was a huge amount of residential and commercial building on the flood plain of the Shannon. There are families homeless, sewerage in people’s rooms, nowhere to go for Christmas.

“It’s difficult to blame it on anybody in particular; so many people are responsible. We had been filling shoeboxes with shoes and toys for local children. Now, I think a lot of those will go to families affected by the flooding. But even without floods, there will still be people on the streets.”

ON THE IRISH RUGBY TEAM

Ben Carty:"There are a lot of new young players on the team, like Johnny Sexton, who recently started ahead of Ronan O'Gara. I think Sexton needs some experience under his belt before we head into the Six Nations."

SF:"O'Gara might improve. He's held the same position for the past few years, but now he's got competition and it might spur him on. You always have to prove yourself in rugby."

ON THE X FACTOR

Chistopher McGloin: "It's very popular with people my age. It's become more relevant to people in Ireland in recent years, possibly because Eoghan Quigg was on it last year and John and Edward this year. And it's hugely influential: an appearance on The X Factor, whether as a guest or contestant, gives singers great publicity, and many of them go straight to Number One."

ON 125 YEARS OF SCHOOL

Eric McGann:"The Marist College opened in 1884. It's been 125 years, and the school has marked it in a few ways. We held a rugby blitz against Marian College in Dublin, with every rugby player in school taking part. We also held an open day and had a mass said by one of the brothers. A former teacher also wrote a book detailing the history of the school."

ON TRANSITION YEAR

EMcG:"We went on work experience recently. I went to Athlone Laboratories and got to see what an analyst does every day. We're also going for the bronze Gaisce [President's] award. For us, this has involved a 25km walk, learning a personal skill, and getting involved in the community. I'm volunteering for the Simon Community."

ON ‘MOVEMBER’

BC:"A month-long celebration of the moustache, this promotes awareness of, and raises money for, men's cancers. Irish rugby players Jamie Heaslip, Tony Buckley, and Cian Healy have all grown a moustache for the month. It's a great idea: once you see the symbol you know what it's all about."

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