'The church is a little outdated and out of touch'

The Boys of Castleknock College, Dublin 15: 1 Cormac Fagan 2 Patrick Pardy Legend 3 David Baigel 4 Rory Gleeson

The Boys of Castleknock College, Dublin 15: 1 Cormac Fagan 2 Patrick Pardy Legend 3 David Baigel 4 Rory Gleeson

On Michael Jackson’s death

Rory Gleeson: "He was a great artist. He's wasn't really as relevant to people our age, but his music had a huge influence."

Patrick Pardy Legend: "It sounds terrible, but in some ways his death was almost a relief, because he lived a very sad life."

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On Sport

RG: "There's a lot to admire in Irish rugby at the moment. The Irish team have won the Grand Slam, Leinster has done well, and the Lions have done us proud."

Patrick: "We're also doing quite well in athletics. David Gillick is one to watch."

On Transition Year

PPL: "I did Transition Year last year. It was a real eye-opener and a great character-builder. I went on a two-week exchange to France and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro."

RG: "I'm looking forward to taking on different subjects, trying out new interests, having new experiences, and going on more school trips."

David Baige: "I'm really looking forward to work experience and seeing what life is like out there."

On Religion

PPL: "The church is a little outdated and out of touch. I doubt I'll continue going to mass when I'm older."

DB: "I'll probably still go to Mass. There may not be a huge amount about it to like, but I do get some benefit from it."

On Caster Semanya’s Athletic Gender Controversy

Cormac Fagan: "Testing should be carried out in all sports."

DB: "She had to be tested; even the South African team thought to test her."

PPL: "It was all dragged out in front of the world's media, and this seemed a little unfair."

RG: "It's odd that she wasn't tested before. Surely they knew she may have a natural advantage."

On Recession Talk

CF: "It can be a bit harder for us to find part-time jobs. At our age, you're lucky to have occasional work, but it doesn't matter too much if you don't."

PPL: "I was thinking of becoming an architect, but with so many out of work, I'm having second thoughts."

Street Safety and Knife Crime

DB: "Knives are certainly a problem, but if you crack down on them, people will find something else to use as a weapon."

RG: "It's important to keep your wits about you, but if trouble arises, the best thing to do is walk away."

CF: "When you hear on the news about people being stabbed, you always wonder if the attacker took the knife with them in case trouble arose, or if they meant to use it. I don't know anybody who carries a knife."


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