St Declan's Community College in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, and St Mary's Secondary School in Mallow, Co Cork, are the overall winners of this year's Irish Times SchoolMag competition. At the prize-giving in Dublin yesterday, St Declan's took the top award in the senior category; St Mary's won the junior category.

The contest inspired more than 500 groups to publish magazines. The panel of judges, expanded this year to deal with an explosion of entries, read through thousands of articles to get to the best.

We chose our five favourite magazines in the senior and junior categories, as well as searching out the highest standards of writing and design in every publication that came across the table. We awarded five writing awards and three creative awards in each age group.

Many a glossy production was passed over in favour of innovative design and creativity - once again, students proved themselves capable of producing miracles of imagination on limited budgets.

Today we are offering a flavour of the winning entries in the senior category. Come back next Wednesday to see the junior winners.

SENIOR WINNER

'SIDE SHOW'

St Declan's Community College, Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford

What the judges say: 'Combines witty, sophisticated design with great writing'

SENIOR CREATIVE (Our three winners, in no particular order)

'RANSOM'

Coláiste Iognáid, Galway

What the judges say about its cover: 'Great montage sets the tone. We want to read it!'

'SIDE SHOW'

St Declan's Community School, Co Waterford

What the judges say about all of its design: 'Classy and sophisticated layout, great use of white space"

'CELLAR DOOR'

Mount Anville Secondary School, Dublin

What the judges say about its centre spread: 'Clever and witty with strong original shots'

REST OF THE SENIOR TOP FIVE (In no particular order)

'BRINK'

St Louis Grammar, Co Antrim

'THE PLOUGH'

Coláiste Cois Life, Dublin

'THE ALTERNATIVE'

Presentation College, Bray

'WAT'S DA STORY'

St Vincent's Secondary, Cork