Jeffrey in national debating win

Winners of Concern 2013 DebateThe Newbridge College debating team of which Kilcullen's Jeffrey Hovenden Keane is a member won the All Ireland Concern National Debate 2013 last week, writes Brian Byrne.

The College spoke for the motion that 'The international community must now take military action to topple the regime in Syria'.

Jeffrey's other team members were Grainne Carr, Chloe O'Reilly, and Ciara Maher.

The other finalist team was Ardscoil Mhuire from Corbally. 

Some 120 schools around the country entered the competition, and the final was held last Thursday in the City North Hotel in Dublin.

"There was great support for the team at the event," says proud mum Anamaria. "Jeffrey felt very much at home with all the teddy bears and flags in Newbridge College black and white waved by the supporters, as they are also the colours of Kilcullen."

Also cheering him on was his grandmother Birdie Hovenden.

It's not Jeffrey's first time in the limelight. In 2009 he won the RTE ‘It’s My Show’ contest to find a young TV presenter, and subsequently hosted an episode of ‘ICE’ on the station.