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Blanch GAZET TE FREE

An abundance of festivals and events for the Bank Holiday TRAVEL: P22 & 23 RECYCLE THIS COPY. KEEP DUBLIN TIDY.

YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER

INSIDE: Going ape over new rainforest P10

October 13, 2011

BYELECTION: Don’t miss your A to Z of local candidates: Pages 2-3

Born to be mild: Reporting for duty in D15 BROTHERS Sean and James

Hurling: Plunkett’s claim junior title at Parnell Park Page 32

Kearney were a pair of naturals as they took to two wheels at the Blanchardstown Garda open day recently.

The station opened its doors and welcomed in members of the community for a day of fun activities.

This year’s event was hosted by Superintendent Patrick Clavin and also featured the presence of the Local Drug Task Force, Fire Brigade and Ambulance services.

Full Gallery on Pages 8-9

Rugby: Coolmine thirds succumb to St Mary’s at home Page 28

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ........... 8-9, 10 MUSIC ...........................16 BUSINESS .................... 21 MOTORS ........................19 GOING OUT .................. 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Bed losses are now a byelection issue Councillor calls on Ministers to reverse cuts

Q LAURA WEBB

THE closure of 28 beds at Connolly Hospital in Dublin 15 is set to become a defining issue in the upcoming byelection, with Socialist Party candidate, Ruth Coppinger, calling local Ministers to reverse the cuts.

Coppinger described the

cuts as a “severe blow to staff who work extremely hard to maintain services”.

Staff at Blanchardstown’s Connolly Hospital were informed last week that 12 acute surgical beds of the 31 beds in the Laurel Ward, and a possible 16 beds out of 24 in the surgical day ward, will be

cut this month.

Aaron McKenna, of the Defend Connolly Hospital committee, said the “constant cuts have eroded services, degraded patients, and are now leading to unsafe conditions that will inevitably cause harm”.

Full Story on Page 5

2 BLANCH GAZETTE 13 October 2011

FCC Public invited to attend Open Days

Tyrrelstown Little

Annsbrook

Newtowncorduff

Rathartan

Baldurgan Cookstown

Saucerstown

Your A to Z byelection Barry Caesar Hunt Independent

FINGAL

BORN in Dublin city centre but raised and educated in the local area.

Barry attended Blakestown community school and then Bolton Street College on a trade apprenticeship.

He successfully ran a number of businesses from 1999 until 2008. He now owns and runs a barber shop in Blanchardstown.

Cloghran

MEATH

THE RACE With weeks to

Clonshagh

DUBLIN CITY

Eithne Loftus,Fine Gael

KILDARE

Eithne Loftus was born in Mayo, but has lived in Castleknock for the past 30 years. She is a mother of three adult children. Loftus was co-opted onto Fingal County Council in 2007, to fill the seat formerly held by Fine Gael colleague, Leo Varadkar TD. She was elected to FCC again in the 2009 local elections, securing the second seat in Castleknock. In 1987 she contested the General Election for Dublin West but was unsuccessful, and ran in the 1991 local elections for Castleknock but failed to take a seat.

Nine potential land parcels in the northern part of the Greater Dublin Area have been chosen as suitable for the proposed regional wastewater treatment plant

Nine sites identified for treatment plant Q LAURA WEBB

FINGAL County Council has identified nine potential sites for a major new wastewater treatment plant that will cater for an estimated 700,000 people when completed.

Details of the nine sites will be available for members of the public to view at a series of public consultation meetings in FCC’s head office in Swords and set to take place over the next six weeks.

This week, the local authority revealed the nine potential land parcels in the northern part of the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) suitable for the proposed regional wastewater treatment plant, along with a marine outfall and orbital drainage system.

According to the council, the new infrastructure is needed to “provide sustainable and reliable drainage and wastewater treatment for the GDA to

meet current and future economic, industrial and residential demands, to protect the environment and to meet the EU Water Framework Directive standards”.

The nine locations identified are: Annsbrook, approximately 2.5km north east of Ballyboghil; Baldurgan, approximately 1.6km south east of Ballyboghil; Cloghran, approximately 2.2km east of Dublin Airport and 3.3km south of Swords; Clonshagh (Clonshaugh), approximately 2.5km east of Dublin Air por t and 1.3km north of Belcamp and Darndale; Cookstown, approximately 2.5km south-east of Ballyboghil; Newtowncorduff, approximately 2.2km west of Lusk; Rathartan, approximately 2 km west of Rush and 3km to the east of Lusk; Saucerstown, approximately 3.3km north-west of Swords; Tyrrelstown Little, approximately

2.8km north-east of Lusk and 3.6km north-west of Rush.

Maps and details of the land parcels are available to download at: www. greaterdublindrainage. ie. The report, with the maps, is also available on display at County libraries in Balbriggan, Baldoyle, Blanchardstown, Garristown, Howth, Malahide, Rush, Skerries, and Swords, the four mobile libraries and the two planning counters: Fingal County Hall, Swords and Blanchardstown Civic Offices. CDs of the report can be purchased for €5 and hard copies for €30 from the two planning counters.

Each of the land parcels is larger than the approximately 20 hectares required for the proposed new regional wastewater treatment plant, which will cater for wastewater for an estimated 700,000 population equivalent, with the majority of the load

coming from the Fingal County Council area.

“We invite local people and all interested stakeholders to attend at any of four open days to be held by the Project Team at Fingal County Hall, Swords during October and November,” says Peter O’Reilly, project engineer, Fingal Co Council.

The dates and times for the Open Days in Fingal County Council’s Swords headquarters are: Saturday, October 22 from 11am to 4pm, Wednesday, October 26 from 2pm to 8pm, Thursday, November 3 from 2pm to 8pm and Saturday, November 5 from 11am to 4pm.

Comments and queries can be sent to info@ greaterdublindrainage.ie, the Project Team can be contacted at 1890 44 55 67 or people can write to Greater Dublin Drainage Project Manager, C/O RPS Group, West Pier Business Campus, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Patrick Nulty, Labour Party Nulty, who narrowly lost out on taking a seat in Dublin West in the last General Election, grew up in Corduff and went to St. Patrick’s National School and Riversdale Community College. He studied social policy and social science. The Labour Councillor works as a Policy Officer with a leading homeless charity. He was elected to Fingal County Council in the 2009 local elections.

Paul Donnelly, Sinn Fein Donnelly has lived in Clonsilla for 15 years. He is employed as a Project Worker with the School Completion Programme in Coolock. Paul joined Sinn Féin in Blanchardstown in 1995. He became the party’s public representative in the area in 1996. He was co-opted to Fingal County Council in 2008 to fill the seat of Felix Gallagher. He stood in the 2009 local elections but was unsuccessful. He also stood in the 2011 General Election but did not get a seat.

Benny Cooney, Independent Cooney, who hails from Westmeath, is a FAS employee. He has contested three General Elections. In 1992 he ran in Westmeath and for the same constituency in 1997 but did not secure a seat. He also contested the 2011 General Election in Dublin Central and Longford/Westmeath but was unsuccessful.

John Frank Kidd, Independent

Jim Tallon, Independent

John is from Hartstown and is a retired fire officer.

Jim is from Arklow and works as a farmer.

13 October 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 3

go before the byelection, we profile those chasing the seat

of Dublin West candidates...

David McGuinness, Fianna Fail

Ruth Coppinger, Socialist Party

Roderic O’Gorman, Green Party

McGuinness is Fianna Fail’s youngest county councillor. He contested the 2011 General Election alongside Brian Lenihan.

He was born and raised in Corduff, and went to school locally in St. Patrick’s Junior and Senior National Schools, Corduff, and Riversdale Community College. David is a secondary school teacher. He was elected to Fingal County Council in 2009

Socialist Councillor Ruth Coppinger was co-opted to Fingal County Council in 2003 replacing Joe Higgins, who gave up his seat under the dual mandate. She was elected to Fingal County Council in the 2004 local elections, taking the first seat in Mulhuddart and again in the 2009 local elections.

She contested the 2011 General Election alongside Joe Higgins.

Coppinger is also a parent living in Mulhuddart, is a secondary teacher and active member of the ASTI.

O’Gorman is originally from Mulhuddart. He has been a local Green Party representative for the last seven years.

He is a thirdlevel lecturer and recently completed a PhD in EU Law. He contested the local elections for Castleknock in 2004 and in 2009 but was unsuccessful in both. He also contested the 2007 and 2011 General Elections in Dublin West but did not secure a seat.

Vote transfer pact ruled out Q LAURA WEBB

news@gazettegroup.com

COUNCILLOR Patrick Nulty, Labour’s Dublin West byelection candidate, has ruled out a vote transfer pact with Fine Gael because he says he is “focused on winning a seat for the Labour Party”.

Councillor Nulty is considered a strong contender in the upcoming byelection but he quashed speculation this week about a possible pact between Labour and Fine Gael in terms of transfers.

It’s understood that senior members of the FG believe it makes sense to secure a seat for one of the Government parties.

Speaking to the Gazette, the Mulhuddart councillor said he won’t agree to a transfer pact with any political party.

“I am campaigning as a Labour party candidate and I want to get as many number 1votes as I can for me, based on my record as a public representative in Dublin West. For those committed to supporting any other party, I would like them to consider me for their number 2 or the highest possible preference,” he said.

When asked if anyone has approached him in relation to a vote transfer pact with FG he said: “nobody has.”

“If they did I wouldn’t be interested in a pact with any other party. I am totally focused on winning a seat for the Labour party and I believe our record in West Dublin is one we can be proud of,” Cllr Nulty said.

The Labour party had the strongest candidate in

Dublin West at the General Election with Joan Burton topping the poll. The combined votes between Burton and Nulty totalled 28.9 percent, while Fine Gael’s combined votes for their party candidates, Leo Varadkar and Kieran Dennison, was at 27.19 percent. Varadkar’s running mate in the General Election, Mulhuddart Councillor Dennison failed to secure the candidacy for Fine Gael in the upcoming byelection, instead the party chose Castleknock councillor Eithne Loftus to run.

Meanwhile, the Socialist Party’s Ruth Coppinger is also considered to be one of the stronger candidates. The byelection is taking place on October 27, the same day as the Presidential election and two referenda.

4 BLANCH GAZETTE 13 October 2011

EMPLOYMENT: SLIGHT MONTHLY DROP OF 1.2%

OPENING LauraLynn House at Children’s Sunshine Home

Fine Gael’s Eithne Loftus

Fair share of job creation next months Q LAURA WEBB news@gazettegroup.com

THE latest unemployment figures have seen a slight drop in comparison to the previous statistics for August.

Figures released by the Central Statistics Office this week showed the national figures for September indicate a slight drop of 1.2% on the previous month.

Fine Gael Dublin West byelection candidate Eithne Loftus said that although it was only a slight drop, it is a step in the right direction.

“There are now 5,400 less people on the Live Register than there were in August. While there are still over 442,000 people nationwide still unemployed, today’s figure is the first drop in unemployment figures that Ireland has seen

since April 2007,” she said.

“Undoubtedly there is a mountain to climb to create jobs; however, this news confirms that the Government’s Jobs Initiative is making an impact across the country and those vital green shoots are starting to sprout.

“In Blanchardstown, unemployment figures fell slightly over the past month. The difference is by no means dramatic, but it is moving in the right direction. Dublin West needs to elect a TD who will be part of this Government, which is making inroads into getting Ireland working again. Myself and my constituency colleague, Minister Leo Varadkar, will be working together to ensure Dublin West gets its fair share of job creation and investment,” Cllr Loftus said.

Sophia and Carol Ann Aragano with President Mary McAleese, and Michelle Fitzpatrick with Paul Ciaran Fitzpatrick. Picture: Jason Clarke

Brave parents turned personal tragedy into new children’s hospice Q LAURA WEBB

THE tragic loss of two beautiful young girls has been a heartwrenching experience that Jane and Brendan McKenna will never get over or forget but the brave couple turned their personal tragedy into an incredible journey that saw them help found Ireland’s first children’s hospice.

L a s t we e k , B l a n chardstown resident Jane stood in front of an invited crowd when President Mary McAleese officially opened the first child r e n ’s h o s p i c e , t h e LauraLynn House at the Children’s Sunshine Home in Foxrock.

Feeling nervous about speaking at such a special occasion, when it was her turn she says she suddenly lost all her nerves and said she felt her daughters’ presence and imagined them “flying with their angel wings around the place with a big smile on their faces because something so good has come from their all-too-short lives and our loss”.

“Our loss is there every minute of every day, that will never change, and things will never be the same again, but it helps to know something good has come from it,” says Jane.

Their youngest daughter, Laura, was born with a hole in her heart.

She had two major operations that allowed her to live a relatively normal live. But during a final repair operation in 1999, Laura did not survive and died, aged just four.

The couple’s eldest daughter, Ly nn was 13-years-old when they were told she had leukaemia. In a tragic twist, the day they found out Lynn’s illness was the very day their youngest Laura died. Two years after they buried their youngest, Jane and Brendan, laid Lynn to rest, aged 15.

It was through their heartache that the couple looked to turn their pain into hope by setting up Ireland’s first children’s hospice.

“Laura died in hospital, and at the end of

--------------------------

‘Some time after that I thought about what if Lynn hadn’t got her wish, it would have been so awful for her. I am sure most people would agree that hospital is not the place to die; if at all possible it is either at home or a hospice setting.’

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Lynn’s life she got to die peacefully at home, she knew she was dying and her greatest wish was to die at home, which she did, she got her wish.

“Some time after that I thought about what if Lynn hadn’t got her wish, it would have been

so awful for her. I am sure most people would agree that hospital is not the place to die; if at all possible it is either at home or a hospice setting.

That is what put the idea into my head.

“I realised there wasn’t one here, and later realised just how there were so many in the UK, at this point its 45, probably a bit less then. It surprised me.

“They [hospices] really are about life and happiness and making the best of the life, and respite for the family that is a huge thing. The sadness and the death and the illness are there, but it is what you do around those, making the best of those and having the choice at the end. The option should be there for children as well as adults because it is a wonderful option to have,” says Jane.

Jane set up the LauraLynn Foundation in 2002 and merged with the Children’s Sunshine Home in 2006.

The sod was turned on the build of the LauraLynn House in September 2009 and officially

opened two years later on September 27, 2011.

This week the Blanchardstown mum and the team at the Children’s Sunshine Home said they wanted to thank ever yone who helped raise the €5.5 million to needed to build the state-of-theart facility. But fundraising is needed now more than ever to keep the privately funded hospice r unning. It costs €2.5 million to run each year and that is now their biggest challenge.

The Children’s Sunshine Home cares for children with life limiting conditions and their families. The LauraLynn house has eight bedrooms; four family suites will enable families to come and stay and be near their child when visiting the Children’s Sunshine Home.

T he Butter f ly Suite will provide a “resting place” for the child and family after the child has passed away.

For further information and to make donations log onto w w w. sunshinehome.ie

13 October 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 5

SERVICES Connolly Hospital group’s public meeting

Cuts in beds big election issue Q LAURA WEBB news@gazettegroup.com

THE closure of 28 beds at Connolly Hospital in Dublin 15 is set to become a major issue in the upcoming byelection, with Socialist Party candidate Ruth Coppinger calling on local Ministers Leo Varadkar and Joan Burton to reverse the cuts.

Speaking to the Gazette, Coppinger described the cuts as a “severe blow to staff who work extremely hard to maintain services”.

Staff at Blanchardstown’s James Connolly Memorial Hospital were informed last week that 12 acute surgical beds of the 31 beds in the Laurel Ward and a possible 16 beds out of 24 in the surgical day ward will be cut this month.

--------------------------

‘A severe blow to staff who work extremely hard to maintain services’ --------------------------

In a memo sent to staff, management said the Surgical Day Ward will be closed from October 24 to November 6, 2011 and again from December 19 to January 8, 2012. However, it will reopen eight beds on November 7 to “facilitate urgent day cases”. The 12 acute surgical beds will “close on a gradual basis” commencing October 5.

Recently Earlier in the year 23 consultant doctors in the hospital wrote a letter

Raising cash for local musical KICK-start Halloween with the Coolmine Musical Society when they host a fundraising fancy dress karaoke party in Dublin 15.

Members of the society have organised the ghoulish party to raise funds for the Society’s annual musical, Sweet Charity, which

to TDs declaring previous and upcoming cuts amounted “to a HSE management-sanctioned reduction of hospital services to a level that is no longer safe”.

Hospital Committee Aaron McKenna, Defend Connolly Hospital committee member, said the 23 consultants had raised concerns that previous and upcoming cuts would amount “to a HSE management-sanctioned reduction of hospital services to a level that is no longer safe”.

“Connolly Hospital serves 330,000 people in West Dublin and is a vital health facility. The constant cuts over the past three years have slowly but surely eroded services, degraded patients and are now leading to unsafe conditions that will inevitably cause harm. HSE management is telling frontline staff that they are treating too many patients. One has to wonder what sort of a coherent health policy this is a part of,” he said.

“The fear in Connolly now is of a Roscommon scenario, with safety in the hospital degraded through cuts to the point that the Government can use it as an excuse to close further services, including the Accident & Emergency Department that last year served 30,000 patients,” Mr. McKenna said.

A spokesperson for the HSE said Connolly Hospital is over budget and must comply with its statutory obligations and remain within its allocated budget for this year and “every effort is being made to do this in a way that has the least impact

CHARITY: FANCY DRESS

Joe Higgins, TD, Ruth Coppinger and Richard Boyd Barrett, TD Picture: Paula Geraghty

Connolly Hospital

on patients and clients”.

“So far this year it has delivered more services than set out in the HSE Service Plan and is ahead of its activity targets.”

The memo outlined the curtailment of activity between now and year end “to bring activity back in line with the Service Plan and to ensure the hospital remains within its allocated budget by year end”.

Candidate Meanwhile, Socialist byelection candidate Ruth Coppinger said the cuts came “on top of those already carried out, with the hospital budget plunging from €104 million in 2009 to €84 million this year.

The Minister for Health James Reilly said in Blanchardstown Hospital on Monday there would be no question of reducing A & E to a 12-hour service. “This was a cynical ploy to divert from the new cuts.”

Defend Campaign T he Defend Blanchardstown Hospital Campaign will hold a public meeting in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown on Thursday, October 13 where the candidates in the Dublin West byelection, the two Government ministers in the constituency, staff and community are invited to discuss the future of the hospital.

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‘The constant cuts over the past three years have slowly but surely eroded services, degraded patients and are now leading to unsafe conditions that will inevitably cause harm.’

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Aaron McKenna

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runs this November 15-19 at Draiocht Theatre in Blanchardstown.

The event will take place on Friday, October 21 in Roselawn Inn, Blanchardstown at 8.30pm.

There will be prizes on the night for the most imaginative costume.

Admission is €5.

6 BLANCH GAZETTE 13 October 2011

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A light-hearted moment as Paul Donnelly is introduced at the launch of his byelection campaign

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Gerry Adams signing his biography

Gerry Adams and Paul Donnelly with the President of the Congolese Community of Ireland, Edmond Lukusa. Lukusa showed his support at the Sinn Fein byelection campaign launch.

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Sinn Fein’s Donnelly launches campaign INN Fein’s Dublin West byelection candidate, Paul Donnelly, launched his election campaign at the Bell Inn in Blanchardstown last week.

Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams TD, formally launched the party’s candidate and his byelection campaign. A number of party members and local supporters were in attendance at the event, which took place on Monday, October 3 in The Bell Public House in Blanchardstown Village.

Paul has been a member of Sinn Fein

S

BlanchGazette CALL US ON 60 10 240

since 1995 and became the party’s public representative in 1996. Commenting before the event he said the formal launch was an “opportunity for me to present our position on the many difficult issues facing the people of Dublin West”.

Looking forward to the campaign he said he is “very confident” and is going to work “tirelessly” over the next few weeks to ensure that the policies of Sinn Féin are brought to every corner of the constituency, from Ongar to Swords, and from Clonsilla to Castleknock

13 October 2011 011 BLANCH GAZETTE 7

Laurel Lodge Carpenterstown

With Jim Lacey Phone: 087-2401308 Email: jimlacey@eircom.net

Library acquires old Church records I N GA L C o u n t y Council’s Blanchardstown Library has just acquired a microfilm of the Church Records of St. Brigid’s Blanchardstown from the National Library. This is great news for researchers, genealogists and people who are fascinated with local history and genealogy.

The second most popular search on the internet is genealogy – you don’t want to know the first!

People all over the world are looking up family trees and finding out what their ancestors got up to and it is a great hobby because some of the research is adding a great store of knowledge to our understanding of past events.

Indeed, many tourists are travelling to the lands of their forefathers to find out where they were living and reconnecting with their past. Ireland has in excess of 20 million people in the United States who claim Irish roots.

There are millions in Australia, the United Kingdom and South America who also claim Irish ethnicity. This can be a great driver for tourism and our economy needs tourists to visit here, spend money, enjoy themselves and return home happy and encourage their friends to come here. Our past can become out future!

The parish records for St Brigid’s Parish Blanchardstown in Blanchardstown Library date from 1773 until 1880. There are thousands of names listed and it covers a vast area of north County Dublin as the parish originally stretched from Cabra to Clonee and from Lucan to The Ward.

Betty Boardman Senior Librarian is delighted with this addition to the library’s wealth of infor-

F

mation on genealogy and local history. The library is one of Fingal County Council’s greatest treasures; it is the largest public library in the country and has a vast collection of books, CDs, DVDs, maps, documents, pictures, etc. The staff are most helpful and people calling to the library often remark on the welcoming atmosphere.

Betty Boardman mentioned that she was very appreciative of the assistance and advice received from the local Castleknock Lions Club and Fingal South West Heritage Society during the acquisition of the material.

Fingal South West Heritage Society have been

Castleknock Art group handing over a cheque for €2,700.00 to Pieta House. Pictured are Sylvia Kerr, Donna Allen, Mary Kilkenny, Cherry Stanbridge, Marie Bannister, Cindy O’Connor (Clinical Director Pieta House), Anne Valentine, Diana Hamilton, Ruby Bannister, Danny Lynch and Amanda Cunningham

Group’s generous donation Betty Boardman, Senior Librarian

lobbying for some time for the parish records to be made available in the parish where they were written.

A word of advice to readers intending to do family tree research, it is essential to book in advance as the documents are on microfilm and there are many

demands on the microreader.

I dropped in to the library on Monday and within minutes had the entry for my own grandfather, James Lacey, baptised in St Brigid’s on the 23 of November 1862 and I will be calling back to trawl for older records next week.

Castleknock Arts and Craft Group host an annual exhibition each summer in aid of charity. This year’s charity was Pieta House and the group raised €2,700.

They presented the cheque to Pieta

House recently at a reception held to celebrate their work. The group are very active and produce beautiful work and they tell me they hope to have another exhibition soon for the same charity.

Hamilton Walk In last week’s Gazette, we said that the Hamilton Walk, that takes place this Sunday, will begin between 2pm and 2.30pm. The starting time will actually

be dependent on the number of walkers taking part. To book a place, and to find out what time to start, call Fiacre O’Cairbra at 01 708 3763.

8 BLANCH GAZETTE 13 October 2011

EVENT Blanchardstown Garda Open Day offers us the chance

We report for duty in Blanch

HE Blanchardstown Garda Station played host last month to another of it’s open days, welcoming in members of the community for a day of fun and activities.

This year’s event was hosted by Superintendent Patrick Clavin and also featured the presence of the Local Drug Task Force, Fire Brigade and Ambulance services. The Garda-themed occasion was an opportunity for the public to learn about the various elements of their local force, with the dog and mounted unit proving popular amongst those in attendance.

The Garda band provided music for the event and displays by Dublin Zoo, a vintage car show and a farmer’s market made for a varied and fun afternoon.

T

Kyle and Aria Byrne know the importance of flossing

Banged up: Garda Stephen reads Rebekah and Duncan Mullen their rights

Insp Pat Kenny shares a handshake with Sean and his mother, Saraja

Sean and James Kearney audition for their role in Chips: The Sequel

Sean and Adrien Mulvey with Garda Chris

13 October 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 9

to get up close to our boys (and girls) in blue

Megan and Joe O’Reilly, Caoimhe Crowley and Sean Kearney stand to attention at Garda Open Day Pictures: Paddy Barrett

Yvonne and Amy Corcoran wonder why ‘Con’ has such a long face

It’s a fair cop, Guv’: Sean Dunne, aged 3

Abby Myles, Alannah and Cillian Pearle step back in time in an Original vintage Garda Car

Protective custody: Garda Amanda shows Adam her softer side

Sinead Tries some of Franco’s Delights

Garda Niall O’Connor and Aaron Orliuk bond over their favourite colour

10 BLANCH GAZETTE 13 October 2011

EVENT President officially opens new Zoo attraction

Going ape over new Rainforest RESIDENT Mary McAleese didn’t have far to go from her Park residence when she officially opened the much-anticipated new habitat for the gorillas at Dublin Zoo. The wonderful natural habitat for the Western Lowland gorillas will give the public the opportunity to see the animals in their natural surroundings.

The troop is made up of silverback male Harry (25), mum Lena (27), son Alf (10), daughter Evindi (5), and son Kituba (6 months).

There is also ten-year-old Mayani, who is not related to the group.

However, not only is the troop celebrating moving to their new home, but also the birth of a beautiful baby girl to Mayani just two weeks ago.

P

Gorilla mother and son having a fruit diet. Pictures: Patrick Bolger

Mayani with her baby girl

Kituba venturing alone

President Mary McAleese speaking at the opening

Alf enjoying an orange

13 October 2011 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 13 October 2011

GazetteNUTRITION NUTRITION It’s true don’t skip breakfast

Healthy eating habits in the morning are just as important as you think

LEILA JOHARI

WE HAVE all heard it said, breakfast is the most important meal of the day yet many of us still cram most of our food intake from lunchtime until a big burst in the evening. Breakfast… it is what it says. A meal that breaks the fast your body has been enduring overnight.

Why do we need breakfast?

When you wake up, your blood sugar levels are low and need to be topped up. Eating breakfast will give you the fuel that you need to start the day.

Skipping breakfast can lead to a lack of concentration, weakness, and headaches.

Breakfast is an ideal opportunity to get certain nutrients into your diet that you may not find space for later in the day-yoghurt and milk provide calcium, many people only take these foods at breakfast with their cereal. Having fresh or dried fruits, and natural fruit juices, can help you attain your ‘5 a day’ and boost your vitamin C levels.

Those who don’t eat breakfast are more likely to have a mid morning snack. Usually people crave something sweet.

This is your body telling you off for not giving it breakfast and it needs glucose fast! Highly refined sweet food will provide you with that within minutes, so you eat a sugary snack like a biscuit that contains no nutrition.

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‘A healthy breakfast will kick-start all the body’s functions’

-------------------------What is a healthy breakfast?

A healthy breakfast should provide your body with enough calories protein, complex carbohydrates, a little fat and a variety of vitamins and minerals that will kick-start all the body’s functions.

Here are some healthy breakfast options to help you prepare a nutritious breakfast that will keep you going all day.

Porridge and berries; This is a great way to start the day as the oats have a low glycaemic index (GI) which means that they realise energy slowly throughout the day and help stabilize the appetite.

Just go easy on the honey!

Beans on toast; Beans are full of soluble fibre and have a low GI like oats so keep you fuller for longer. To ensure this is a healthy breakfast, serve the beans with whole grain brown bread and avoid butter.

Poached Egg on rye; Eggs are an excellent source of protein.

Poached eggs are an especially healthy option as there is no fat added.

Rye bread is a tasty alternative to brown bread-a much better choice than a fried egg and soldiers!

Many people claim that they simply do not have time to prepare breakfast in the morning and prefer

to get that extra shut eye in bed! That’s fair enough but it doesn’t mean that you need to skip breakfast altogether. There are several options for a quick and healthy breakfast.

Fruit and a small tub of natural low fat yogurt will provide you with vitamins and the dairy you need to maintain strong bones and teeth. It is easy to add a selection of mixed berries such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries to a tub of natural low fat yogurt. What would make this breakfast even more nutritious would be a sprinkling of chopped hazelnuts or almonds on top!

Fortified breakfast cereal and low fat milk will take seconds to prepare. Fortified breakfast cereals are the ideal way to get a good helping of vital vitamins and minerals, especially calcium, iron and folic acid and the B group vitamins. Served with a glass of pure fruit juice they will contribute to your ‘5 a day’.

One mashed banana on wholemeal toast will also satisfy your stomach and help prevent those mid morning cravings.

What about the Sunday brunch?

Ironically, after not eating any breakfast at all throughout the week, a lot us then eat a huge breakfast on Sunday!

This weekend, why not try a healthier twist on the traditional fry-up?

Grilled bacon, tomatoes, flat field mushrooms and beans served with wholemeal toast is a nutritious and delicious alternative.

13 October 2011 GAZETTE 13

EDUCATION School children get to bring home the basics of DIY

Building for the future with B&Q B&Q IRELAND is giving school children as young as five the chance to learn basic DIY skills in the classroom thanks to Job Done!

Job Done! is a national curriculum-linked programme run in partnership with National Schools Partnership and Department of Education and Skills.

The Job Done! programme revolves around six units, Decorate It, Build It, Fix It Grow It, Health & Safety and Rethink It, with the aim of improving the practical skills of young people.

Repairs Students from 5–11 years will be introduced to many basic aspects of DIY, with lesson plans including using basic tools safely, making repairs, hanging wallpapers, growing flowers and vegetables and saving energy.

The programme is delivered through a teaching pack for schools and a complementary teacher website, www. diyjobdone.com, and is designed to complement the existing schools curriculum, such as Citizenship, Science, DT Art, DT,

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‘Students are encouraged to design an edible or wildlife-friendly container’ --------------------------

Visual Art and Maths.

The programme also includes a fantastic online competition giving schools and students the chance to win prizes including a €300 gift card. Students from 5-16 years can enter and are encouraged to design an edible or wildlife friendly container.

Secondary Schools also have the opportunity to benefit from in-store sessions at B&Q, where they get the chance to come in to the store and complete the Decorate It module, in which they learn different painting and decorating techniques.

Meadbh McCabe, from Colaiste Pobail Sentana, who was involved in Job Done! last year, commented: “Our students thoroughly enjoyed taking part in Job Done! The programme was hugely useful and the students

really enjoyed getting stuck in.

“They par ticularly enjoyed the visit to B&Q Swords, where the staff were excellent in guiding the children and giving them the confidence to try out their new found skills. I would encourage schools to get behind this very worthwhile project and we certainly look forward to taking part this year.”

Research Mark Gould, director for B&Q Ireland, said: “We know from our research there is a lack of DIY skills being passed down to young people and we want to show them how easy it is to build, fix, decorate and grow. We want everyone to feel confident about their DIY skills, and with this programme, that’s available to primary and secondary schools, we’re giving them skills they’ll be able to use again and again.”

Primary and secondary schools across Ireland have the opportunity to sign up to Job Done! now at www.diyjobdone.com and to download the lesson plans for each of the different units.

Glen Foran from Colaiste Pobail Sentana at B&Q Swords Job Done! last year

MUSIC

Hand up for local talent SINGER/SONGWRITER Sinead McNally, with help from Dublin radio presenter, Keith McLoughlin, are setting up The Songwriter Club.

The idea behind the club is to bring songwriters together every couple of months to talk about all sorts of songwriting stuff, share ideas, set up collaborating groups, and to have fun getting to know each other. There will also be special guests from the music industry.

All songwriters are welcome to attend.

The first meeting takes place on Saturday, October 15, at 2pm in The Village on Wexford Street in Dublin 2. For more informatinon, contact Sinead or Keith at mcnallysinead@hotmail.com or keitho89@hotmail.com.

14 GAZETTE 13 October 2011

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY Get lippy with new VERYONE’S favourite, can’tlive-without beauty essential Carmex™ has combined its famous moisturising power with a gorgeous sheer light colour with its new Carmex Moisture Plus lip balms.

Loved by celebrities such as Holly Willoughby and Kate Winslet, they are perfect for any occasion, from putting the finishing touch to a makeup look, to adding a tinted lip to an otherwise natural face, Carmex Moisture Plus™ is sure to be an essential in every girl’s handbag.

Containing Vitamin E, aloe, shea butter and all important SPF 15, Carmex Moisture Plus’ u l t r a - hy d r a t i n g f o rmulation will give you

E

Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm

moisture, shine and colour all in one stylish slim line package, its slanted tip ensuring perfect application-no mirror required!

C a r m e x Mo i s t u r e Plus™ is an ultrahydrating lip balm that provides moisture, with a hint of colour and shine.

Available in a sheer tint finish in both pink and peach and a clear satin gloss finish, Carmex Moisture Plus™ will ensure your lips look smooth, supple and kissably soft!

RRP Price: €5.99

Pamper your face throughout the winter with The Handmade Soap Company’s two facial moisturising creams QUENCH thirsty facial skin with The Handmade Soap Company’s two facial moisturising creams. Every skin type needs to be kept hydrat-

ed to avoid fine lines and wrinkles and ensure it stays looking radiant.

These one-of-a-kind, handmade beauty treats perform and pamper ensuring your face feels comfortable when the cold winds blow and temperatures start falling.

Moisturising Cream (for Dry Skin Types) Ideal for normal to dry skin types, The Moisturising Cream for dry skin is a beautiful, rich cream, which has been specially formulated to revitalise and replenish dry skin, using a specially selected blend of hydrating ingredients, like apricot kernel and evening primrose oils, and is fragrantly scented with patchouli, palmarosa, lavender and sweet orange. This deeply nourishing cream will leave even the driest of skin feeling soft and smooth.

Meanwhile, T he Moisturising Cream for Oily & Combina-

tion Skin Types is a light, delicate cream which both hydrates and purifies. Containing gentle calendula and sweet almond oils, it is scented with the floral/fruity tones of bergomot, ylangylang and palmarosa essential oils. This is a wonderful, lightweight, non-greasy moisturiser that sinks in leaving no greasy residue.

The Handmade Soap Co. Moisturisers are priced at €24.95

13 October 2011 GAZETTE 15

GOT A STORY? Edited by Dawn Love

WE WANT TO KNOW!

Carmex lip balm Health and beauty event all set for Blanchardstown A TEAM of skincare experts will be on hand to provide free tips and advice at McCabe’s Pharmacy at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre on Friday, October 14.

The team will be led by skincare expert, Suzanne Hayes, who has been nominated for Vichy Adviser of the Year. sdgdsfgdsfgsdf

Be kind to yourself with the latest from Carmex and The Handmade Soap

Style The event will take place in the Style Lounge on Level Two in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre from 11am to 3pm on Friday 14th of October The skincare seminar will have a specific focus on skincare and health checks for women. “We’ll be looking at antiaging creams and reviewing products such as Vichy’s new Normaderm anti-age

Company

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cream,” says Suzanne.

The event is part of a nationwide series of health and beauty events being organized by McCabe’s Pharmacy.

Health The pharmacy chain provides 13 health screening tests in the pharmacy including cholesterol levels, cardiovascular health, thyroid, bone density, food intolerance and lifestyle and dietary advice.

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

16 GAZETTE 13 October 2011

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes THE CRANBERRIES are set to release their new album, Roses, on Valentine’s Day, 2011.

The reunited band recorded the 11-track LP in Toronto, after a recent tour, as lead singer Dolores O’Riordan now lives in Canada.

The epic album, Rome, from legendary producer Dangermouse and Daniele Luppi, is to form the basis for a new film. The record, which featured contributions from the likes of White Stripes’ Jack White, was based on a sci-fi novel by Aiden Bell, and has been optioned for filming by innovative video director Chris Milk. Milk was responsible for the interactive video for Arcade Fire’s We Used To Wait, which you can still take part in at www. thewildernessdowntown.com.

Competition time: Win special editions of The Overtones’ LP Singing sensations, the Overtones, are on the march and recently brought their doo-wop stylings to the National Concert Hall. For the uninitiated, we have special Platinum Editions of their recent album, which features three new tracks, in our great competition.

To win a copy of Good Ol Fashioned Love, simply answer the following question: Where does band member Timmy Matley come from?

Send your answer to competition@ gazettegroup.com, with the subject line “Overtones”, before Friday, October 21.

REVIEW: A WELCOME RETURN FOR CANADIAN SONGWRITER

Speaking of interactivity, the ever-creative Bjork this week releases Bilophilia, her new album, as iPad and iPhone apps. The project, that was premiered in Manchester earlier this year, is a wholly interactive experience, with listeners/users able to navigate a 3D universe in which the songs are located. Each has its own essay on the song, games to play that open up new parts of the songs, and is narrated by David Attenborough. Oh, and the music is some of the best of her career...

Feist takes a feisty fresh direction on Metals

The music world was a little more empty last week with the death of folk legend, Bert Jansch. The guitarist, who was a huge influence on a generation of artists including Johnny Marr, Neil Young and Jimmy Page, passed away at the too-young age of 67.

FOUR years ago, Leslie Feist found herself in the unenviable position that many alternative acts have experienced.

Her single, 1234, had found itself on a playlist at Apple, and it became the backbone of a marketing campaign that helped the iPod Nano sell an awful lot of units.

It also led her to selling an awful lot of records and concer t tickets as the underground acknowledgement of Feist as one of the foremost artists of a generation came into the col-

Bert Jansch (right) with Johnny Marr

Q ROB HEIGH

lective consciousness.

And, as is often the case where someone of such talent has immense fame land on them, so Feist took herself off for an extended sabbatical, albeit one in which she was able to appear occasionally with Broken Social Scene, the Canadian collective whose rotating line-up has also included Metric’s Emily Haines.

Feist was also kept on the radar when James Blake memorably covered Limit To Your Love.

Four years later, she is back in the game with

Leslie Feist returns after the success of 2007’s The Reminder

a new record to follow up the incredible The Reminder album.

Reinvention Metals is a reinvention of sorts, moving away from the previously hook-laden melodies of her previous recordings, and focusing more on mood and tone, while retaining the lilting way with a melody that has always been present in her work since 1999’s debut, Monarch.

T h a t ’s n o t t o s ay that this is a complete depar ture from the canon of work Feist has

built up to this stage, just that what appears on Metals is a more considered and textural approach to the songs, especially on the likes of the string-propelled A Commotion.

And the focus on the musicality extends to Feist’s vocals, which have never sounded so assured or smooth.

The production, by regular collaborators Chilly Gonzales and Mocky, allow the vocals space to claim their prominence in the mix, and they really benefit from the focus that

allows the listener to put on them, especially on the sparse introduction to Undiscovered First.

It is as though Feist has decided to step back from the pop-driven stylings on classic tracks from her last release, and let her voice wander through the music, as torch songs and almost ambient backings get an extra layer of shimmer from her impressive and expressive voice.

W hich, all in all, makes this album less Metals, and more velvet and smoke.

13 October 2011 GAZETTE 17

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY ATHBOY: A FOUR-BEDROOM FAMILY HOME IN COUNTY MEATH FOR €196,000

Meadows welcome in the country CARTY Property Advisors are bringing No 44 Turry Meadows, in Athboy, Co Meath, a large family home with three bedrooms, to the market for €196,000, a significantly reduced asking price.

The property is a large 230 sq mt family home set in a soughtafter residential estate on the Oldcastle Road out of Athboy.

This fine family home, which was constructed to an exceptionally high standard, provides wellproportioned accommodation throughout.

The property comprises an entrance hall with a pine staircase, coving and features stained glass window in ceiling. The lounge has a laminate floor, and a feature fireplace with wood surround.

There is a fitted kitchen with tiled floor and part-tiled walls, a window overlooking the rear garden, and built-in oven and hob. The utility room has a door

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‘The ground floor features a WC and shower room with an electric shower’

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to the rear of the property and is plumbed for a washing machine and dryer.

The ground floor also features a ground floor wc and shower room, with a fully tiled shower unit with electric shower, wc, whb, as well as a window to the side and a door to the groundfloor bedroom.

Upstairs, the landing has a feature stained-glass window and hot press, and the family bathroom, which has a tiled floor, part-tiled walls, white suite, a window to the side, and a separate fully-tiled shower unit with electric shower.

The master bedroom has a

wooden floor and built-in wardrobes, with an en suite, which contains a separate, fully tiled shower with electric shower and Velux window.

The other bedrooms also have wooden floors and built-in wardrobes.

The property is approached by a cobbled driveway and has a large front and rear landscaped garden and has a garden shed, and a gated side entrance.

The property, which has been stylishly decorated and maintained in good condition throughout, benefits from its quiet cul-desac location.

It also has a maintenance-free exterior, as well as a burglar alarm system.

Viewing is highly recommended and appointments to see Turry Meadows can be arranged by contacting Carty Property Advisors in Trim on 04694 86860 or 086 382 8044.

Number 44 Turry Meadows, Athboy, is on the market with an asking price of €196,000

18 GAZETTE 13 October 2011

Gazette Contacts Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 6010240 Fax: 01 6010251 General Manager: Michael McGovern email: mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com Editor: Cormac Curtis email: ccurtis@gazettegroup.com News Editor: Dawn Love email: dlove@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile email: jmaile@gazettegroup.com Sports Editor: Rob Heigh email: sport@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch email: clynch@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Anita Ward email: ads@gazettegroup.com Advertising Sales: 01 6010240 email: sales@gazettegroup.com

Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications.

We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

ENTERPRISE Getting down to business at CORKMEET DUBLIN 2011

Hold 3,000 meetings in one day CORKMEET, organisers of Ireland’s largest business-tobusiness networking event, has announced that it is to hold its annual networking forum in Dublin for the first time on November 10, 2011 at Croke Park Conference Centre.

Approximately 300 Irish businesses will conduct over 3,000 one-to-one business meetings in just one day as part of CORKMEET DUBLIN 2011.

The event will provide Cork and Dublin businesses with the opportunity to network and explore business opportunities in the Irish marketplace.

For a nominal participation fee of just €60, businesses can take part in the event,

that provides a real opportunity to develop meaningful business relationships with potential clients and partners. Places are booking up fast and the organisers are encouraging businesses to register early at www.corkmeet.ie.

Speaking at the launch of the CORKMEET Dublin Forum 2011, Ger Power, head of finance and economic development, Cork County Council, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Cork and Dublin businesses to network and communicate at very low cost and affords them a great opportunity to do business.”

Sean O’Sullivan, chairman of the CORKMEET Committee, added: “CORK-

Meabh Ring, CORKMEET event coordinator; Greg Swift, chief executive of the Dublin City Enterprise Board; Mark Richardson, MD of Instant Marketing and Marion Walsh, event coordinator at the announcement of CORKMEET DUBLIN 2011

MEET DUBLIN 2011 has seen a significant increase in interest among national businesses this year. The number and calibre of businessess that are registering is hugely promising and means that the trading and networking dynamic this year will be very exciting.”

In addition to the minimum of 50 Cork companies participating, up to 250 Dublin companies will get the chance to meet with other Dublin companies attending, as part of the day-long programme of pre-scheduled, one-to-one meetings at

Croke Park.

Chief executive of the Dublin City Enterprise Board, Greg Swift said: “Small businesses are the life-blood of any city. The CORKMEET DUBLIN 2011 event is suited to innovative SME’s looking to trade or partner with relevant companies from the Dublin and Cork regions. Dublin is delighted to partner with CORKMEET 2011 in hosting the event to strengthen enterprise links between Cork and Dublin.”

Marion Walshe, event coordinator in Dublin said: “In the current climate, busi-

ness networking has never been more important for SME’s to identify opportunities and build lasting relationships. What sets CORKMEET DUBLIN 2011 apart from other networking events, is that delegates can pre-schedule meetings with the businesses they are most interested in meeting.”

Registration for CORKMEET DUBLIN 2011 is now open and delegates are encouraged to visit www. corkmeet.ie to register and download information about this year’s exciting business networking event.

13 October 2011 GAZETTE 19

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs

NISSAN PUMPING UP THE JUKE:

Jeep has a new 4x4 entry-level Compass model on the market, powered by a 2.2 litre turbo-diesel engine that’s a shade noisy. The entry price is €30,000

Fine tuning the Compass The Fiat-owned Jeep brand is making inroads in the off-road market with the new entry-level Compass, as MICHAEL MORONEY discovered TOOK the Jeep Compass for the week of the recent farming festival that is the National Ploughing Championships. Unlike the typical conditions, this year the weather was kind, with little rainfall.

That meant that, even though I was prepared, I didn’t need to put the Jeep Compass to the ultimate test.

There was never a hint of unease as the Compass drove by the rear of the stands each day. So, do we really need a 4x4 all of the time, or would the likes of the 4x2 or twowheel drive Compass do

I

SPECS: JEEP COMPASS 2.2 CRD 4X2 Top speed: 201 km/hr 0 – 100km/hr: 11.5 secs Economy: 18.5 km/litre (5.4l/100km) CO2 emissions: 161g/km Road Tax Band: D (€104) Price: €30,000 approx

the trick in most conditions?

The test car was a twowheel drive version of the Compass. It came with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that feels trucky, and so I expected it to deliver the full 4x4 abil-

ity. The engine is 136bhp, which is lower in power and torque than the Toyota RAV4 and Land Rover Freelander competition.

The Compass seemed sluggish, noisy and a little harsh in terms of driving.

It was not as smooth as some of the competition from an ease-of-driving point of view. I found the clutch pedal a shade heavy in everyday shoes, which I drove in half of the time.

The six-speed manual gearbox is a little chunky to use and not as smooth as the RAV4 or Freelander.

Despite this, the Compass engine delivered good acceleration and economy levels. While I didn’t achieve the rated economy level of 16.4 km/litre (6.1l/100km or 46.3mpg), I was operating in that ballpark over a long driving test of 1,250km.

This two-wheel drive Jeep has allowed the CO2 levels to be seen as more acceptable at 161g/ km. That’s 12g/km lower than the four-wheel drive version, and helps to keep the price competitive as well as the economy and running costs.

The Compass fuel tank is also on the small size,

just 51 litres, when the likes of the Freelander has a 68-litre capacity. And the smaller tank made for more regular fuel stops and reduced the driving range, leading one to feel that the economy was poor even if it wasn’t.

In an overall sense there is a solid feel to the Compass. The only trouble for me was that the solid feel also translated into a solid ride, not always comfortable on rural roads. Granted, the suspension has been tweaked under Fiat guidance, but it’s still not as smooth and forgiving as

the competition.

The Compass comes with lots of features, including climate control, four electric windows, keyless entry and sunscreen glass. The seats are solid and easily adjustable. The standard safety equipment deal includes stability control (ESC), roll mitigation, brake traction control, hill-holder, six airbags.

The Compass is competitive for its sector with an entry price of €30,000.

Add about €3,000 for the 4x4 version and you get genuine Jeep that you need if we get another snow-filled winter.

Motorists begin to get ready for the Big Chill of 2011 MOTORISTS are preparing for the worst this winter, and are stocking up on products designed to battle the big chill.

Following predictions for another long, harsh winter for Ireland from longrange forecasters, car accessories and leisure retailers Halfords has increased its range of severe weather merchandise and has launched snow chains, salt and shovels earlier than ever.

The company has increased its stock of ice scrapers by 123% on last year, bought in 143% more night before de-

icer, 109% more Decosol Power de-icer and has even included a new minus 20 degrees readymix screenwash – able to cope with the severest frosts.

According to Irishweatheronline. com, which is displaying a, “severe winter weather warning for 2011-2012” message: “The advisory has been issued following one of the coldest winters experienced in Ireland and Britain for more than 45 years.”

Last year, hundreds of motorists and homeowners were stranded as tem-

peratures plummeted and snow and ice left some roads impassable. Following the recent weather predictions, Halfords responded swiftly by adding 18 extra products to their winter range and stocking up early on severe weather items, while other retailers are already selling snow boots and winter clothes.

Halfords Ireland country manager, Carl Ezard said: “Many people were caught out by the sudden, freezing weather conditions last year. Now we have had these early, long-range forecasts, we

want to ensure that our 24 stores in the Republic have as many products as possible that could help people prepare for everything winter might throw at us.”

The Road Safety Authority has issued advice to remove all snow from vehicles: “Snow left on the roof will become loose and can drop onto the windscreen during braking, thereby causing sudden and severe restriction to your vision. It can also fall off during your drive and cause injury to pedestrians or a reflex action by another driver.”

NISSAN could soon be offering a new, more powerful version of the Juke called the Juke-R, with the claim of being the first ever super crossover.

With the addition of flared wheel arches, revised front and rear bumpers, plus a unique split rear wing, this is no standard crossover.

The car is not for production and is a one-off, road-legal concept car, developed

by Nissan and built by leading motorsports outfit RML. Under the bonnet is a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine adopted directly from Nissan’s flagship supercar. But don’t expect to see one on a road near you and, if you do, stay well away!

20 GAZETTE 13 October 2011

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: HALLOWEEN CAN BE A DANGEROUS AND STRESSFUL TIME FOR YOUR PET

Fireworks and bangers drive your pets nuts A L L OW E E N is a fun time for humans, but, for pets, it can be a nightmare!

Ok, as a pet parent you know and understand your companion best but, in my experience of working with animals, noise and unaccustomed activity will certainly

H

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www.

Some animals are teased and even tortured over the Halloween periods

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prove a menace to any dog or cat, especially if the source is something he’s unable to control.

Yep, it’s true, loud whistles and bangs, a kaleidoscope of flashing lights from fireworks and continuous knocking at the door by little trick or treaters wearing strange costumes can make this holiday a traumatic time for all animals, particularly cats, dogs, bunnies, cows and horses.

We’ve all heard the stories of those who will tease, torment or even torture animals over the Halloween period. In fact, last year in the run-up to the festival, I was called to the scene of one of the most disturbing and horrifying cases of cruelty I’ve ever witnessed– the rescue of a beautiful terrier who was subjected to an unnecessary act of violence when three heartless, mindless thugs forced her to eat a banger. When we arrived at the scene, so horrific were the poor animal’s injuries, our veterinary team had no option but to humanely euthanise her on the spot.

So, with that in mind, I’ve put together some hints and tips that should help readers keep their pets safe this Halloween.

It’s never a good idea to leave your pet in the garden all day and I strongly advise against it, but most especially so at Halloween. I would recommend that as soon as it starts to get dark, (around 4.30pm) keep your pet indoors.

Animals have a heightened sense of smell, sight and sound, and once they

--------------------------

‘It’s never a good idea to leave your pet in the garden all day, but most especially so at Halloween.

I would recommend that as soon as it starts to get dark, keep your pet indoors. ’ --------------------------

hear a loud bang, will often panic, become disorientated, bolt out the door and be unable to find their way home. (Make sure your pet is micro-chipped because, in the event they get lost, you have a greater chance of being reunited with them).

When indoors, keep your pet in an interior room – i.e. a bathroom, utility room or cloakroom and draw the blinds. Keep a radio or TV on in order to distract from loud bangs and leave a light on so that flashing lights aren’t as noticeable.

If your pet looks for reassurance due to being scared of loud noises, please don’t do this! I know it goes against our humane nature, but it’s best to carry on in a matter-of-fact manner, as if nothing is out of the ordinary, as your pet may feed off your anxiety, making the situation worse.

Sweets and chocolates are not good for pets; in fact, chocolate is toxic to animals so please don’t feed them unsuitable treats. Sweet paper, cellophane and tin foil are also a choking hazard if swallowed.

Take care around lit pumpkins and candles as curious pets may knock them over, running the risk of being burned and/ or causing a house fire.

You may think placing a pair of fluffy ears on your dog is great craic but it’s likely he won’t.

So, unless your pet loves being dressed up, don’t put him in a costume as this can add to his stress and anxiety. Some costumes can often become so tight there’s a danger your pet’s circulation may be cut off; low-lying parts on costumes can cause pets to trip or dangly bits can be ingested resulting in possible choking.

Remember, large animals living in nearby fields, such as cows and horses hate scary noises. So, if you’re planning on having a firework display, and have secured your own companion pets, please be sure to take other animals into consideration.

Ta Oiche Shamhna ag teacht, so talk to your local vet about different medications on offer to help ease your pet’s distress.

For more information, log on to our website at www.dspca.ie or email me at Miriam.kerins@ dspca.ie

13 October 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Declan Curtis, general manager, Carlton Hotel Blanchardstown

Destined for a life in the hotel game!

DECLAN Curtis is the general manager of the Carlton Hotel in Blanchardstown. By his own admission, he was always destined to work in hospitality. This week, he spoke to the Gazette about his life and career.

“I was born on Carlow in 197………! One of nine children, I have four brothers and four sisters located all over the world, some as far away as New Zealand and China.

“I was always destined to work in a catering or hospitality role. I learned to cook from my mother (when cooking for a family of our size, she needed an assistant). I can remember having to stand on a chair in order to reach the kitchen counter to peel potatoes or slice and place the apples in the tarts we made when I was a child.

“I could cook Shepherd’s pie while still needing to stand on a chair to reach the hob.

My brother and I converted our garage into a preparation kitchen where we made tea cakes and sold them to local shops – he was the delivery driver and I was the baker. We also made jam, raspberry was our specialty.”

It wasn’t all early entrepreneurialism for Declan, there was also the small issue of sport. “I played every sport I could fit in to my day, Gaelic football, rugby, hurling, soccer, squash, tennis and rowing. I tried it all. I had a real passion for both rugby and GAA and, to this day, these are the codes

Declan Curtis, Carlton Hotel Blanchardstown

that I follow the most. I represented Carlow underage in Gaelic football and rugby. I love sport and I still run and bike a lot. I take part in adventure racing and triathlons and I will run the Dublin City marathon again later this year.

“I studied hotel and catering for four years in Galway (GMIT ). I worked in Germany for a year in the Black Forest as part of my

college course. It was the steepest learning curve I ever encountered. It taught me to be organised, flexible and gave me the ability to think on my feet.

“I am married to Linda, who is also in the hotel business, and I have two daughters – aged five and three – both of whom want to work in hotels!

“When I holiday at home, it’s the west of Ireland, Galway or Mayo (in a Carlton Hotel of course). I have strong Galway connections and Mayo appeals to my adventurous side.

“If I go abroad, Italy is my destination of choice; the weather, the food, the style, the focus on the family, again, the food. I love the Amalfi coast, it is a completely different world with something for everyone.

“Hospitality and food are two cornerstones in the Carlton philosophy and they are two things that are very close to my heart. I believe hospitality is something that every guest is entitled to no matter what part of the hotel they are using. I believe that at every opportunity we should extend hospitality in whatever we do. Working for Carlton gives me an opportunity to extend that hospitality every day. I get to work with food every day, which ignites passion and energy into every working day and allows for expression and creativity.

ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS WORKING IN THE NORTH Q – I am going to work in the North of Ireland and will be staying there five days a week.

What are the tax implications and do I have to make any return to the Revenue in Ireland?

Thanks. Terry – Sutton D 13 A - There are many people working in the North but domiciled in Ireland. Unfortunately, many do not make returns to the Revenue as they should do.

You MUST pay income tax in the country where you earn your income but your ultimate responsibility in paying tax on your employment is with the country where you live.

This means that you MUST submit an annual selfassessment return in your country of residence each year. As a resident of the Irish Republic working in the north, you will: Pay tax directly to HM Revenue and Customs in the north Submit an annual Self-Assessment return to the Irish Revenue Commissioners Then be eligible for Trans-border Workers Relief Trans-border Workers Relief can be claimed by persons who are resident in the Republic of Ireland, commute daily/weekly to their place of work in the other jurisdiction and pay tax in Northern Ireland (NI) on the income from that employment.

Basically, this allows a frontier worker to have a credit or relief in respect of the income tax that

Q&A Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

A: Bigger! I wanted to play professional rugby, even though it was only an amateur game when I played

Q: What was your first job?

A: I sorted bottles in a local guest house at the age of 12, but I had difficulty in getting paid, so I began baking cakes for local shops and picking fruit

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: I think everything I earned was paid cash-in-hand until I was about 18

Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?

A: Yes, I did. It had a knock-on effect on future choices I made and it’s an awful predicament to be in

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: Summer, 2011 Q: What is the best thing about your job?

is paid in the country of employment. Revenue Commissioners then take into account the tax

A: I work in a positive, progressive environment, where the team I work with make the difference to the guests who are in my care

Q: Have you ever achieved anything that you once thought you could not pull off?

A: I began to take part in event running about 12 months ago, and to keep me motivated I set a target to complete my first triathlon; I thought I would never achieve it

Q: What part of your working day do you ‘delegate’?

A: Everything before 10 am. I’m not a morning person... at all

Q: What’s currently on your desk that shouldn’t be?

A: A set of questions from a

looking forward to?

A: Ireland’s journey in the Rugby World Cup

Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? A: Most of my music is modern and high-tempo as I only use my I pod for training.

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: Simple Italian food served in Italy with family and friends

Q: Who would you rather have dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?

A: This question took the most time but I think it would be Enda Kenny

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: Food in general, food shops

local newspaper

like delis and kitchen suppliers

Q: What sport do you follow?

A: Rugby, hurling and football

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: 12 – and I need every pair

Q: What sport can you play?

A: I run and bike a lot Q: Recently, what were you

Q: What was your worst holiday experience?

A: I stayed in a hotel near Paris

Airport when my onward flight was delayed for my honeymoon. The airline checked me into a hotel with my wife, the room had a single bed, with a pull-out bed underneath. It was not exactly the most romantic start to a honeymoon. Between the delay, the accommodation and the airline’s attitude, it was the worst customer service I have ever experienced

paid in Northern Ireland and, depending on the

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: The Amalfi coast in Italy

ance contributions to the UK authorities. If you

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: Chocolate dessert tester, I

tion all social insurance contributions you have

have a very sweet tooth.

alongside any PRSI contributions, soon to be

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?

A: Nothing, I have no plans

incorporated into the Universal Social Charge,

to retire. I would like to think that I would always be involved with the hospitality business in some format. I enjoy what I do and I would hate to think that I would have to stop someday

tax rates, you may only have a marginal amount to pay or receive back by way of a tax refund.

You must apply for a National Insurance number BEFORE starting work in Northern Ireland, otherwise your tax and National Insurance contributions will not be recorded. National Insurance Numbers are issued by the UK Social Security Agency and can be applied for at any local Jobs and Benefits Office.

If you are employed in Northern Ireland, you do not have to pay PRSI. You make National Insurwish to claim social welfare benefits now or in the future, the authorities will take into considerapaid. That means National Insurance contributions paid in Northern Ireland will be considered

paid in the south.

Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

22 GAZETTE 13 October 2011

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Spoilt for choice this Bank Holiday Start planning your October Bank Holiday weekend away now GoHop.ie have some hot offers to the following destinations: Iceland from €617

Includes: Return direct flights from Dublin to Iceland, 4 nights in 4* Loftleider hotel on B&B basis, return airport transfers and taxes as well as an experienced tour leader. www.gohop.ie/3330/Cheap-Holidays/IcelandAutumn-Breaks/holiday.html Tunisia from €649 pps

Includes: Return flights with in-flight meal and 20kg baggage allowance, 7 nights in a 5* hotel on a B&B basis, transfers and rep service. www.gohop.ie/3165/Cheap-Holidays/TunisiaLuxury-For-Less/holiday.html New York from €799pps

Includes: Return direct flights from Dublin to NYC, airline taxes, hotel accommodation based on 2 sharing on a room-only basis. www.gohop.ie/3429/American-Holidays/NewYork-Winter-Autumn-Breaks/holiday.html Offers are subject to availability.

GoHop.ie offers the lowest airfares on all airlines out of Ireland. GoHop.ie is fully bonded and licensed with the IATA. For more information visit www.gohop.ie

Book your winter ski holiday with Crystal Ski for great deals €100 off all bookings: applicable for all new package bookings made with minimum of two sharing for all departure dates except December 31, 2011 / February 11 / March 31, 2012. Discount is per booking and not per person. €200 off “double discount for Christmas”: Make a new booking to any Ski destination for departure on the December 24 and avail of €200 off the total price of your booking 2 for 1 lift Pass in Andorra: Valid for all new bookings to Andorra, selected properties only travelling 2nd - 22nd January, 2012 Buy 1 lift pass AND get one half price at Val D’Isere & Tignes: valid for all new bookings with departure of January 21/ March 17 and 24, 2012 to Val d’Isere and for departures to Tignes December 17, 2011 / January 14 and 21/ March 17 and 24, 2012.

Offers shown are applicable for new bookings only. Terms and conditions apply. Limited availability. For more details, call 01 4331080 or visit www.crystalski.ie.

COME hail, rain or shine this Bank Holiday weekend, there is an abundance of festivals and events taking place all over the country.

The only problem is deciding which ones to go to!

For full details, listings and amazing offers on accommodation, visit www.discoverireland. ie, but, for now, here are some of our favourites to get you started.

Sligo Live is back with a bang this year with a stellar line-up of live music over six days (October 26–31), all located in warm, intimate venues dotted around the beautiful town of Sligo.

Visitors will be treated to performances from living legend Elvis Costello and BRIT award-winner, KT Tunstall.

Support acts come in the form of Scottish band Admiral Follow, upbeat reggae stars – Barley Mob, Hayseed Dixie

and the beautiful Rachel Semanni and Band.

Treat yourself to a cultural feast in Wexford, with two of Ireland’s finest festivals. The Wexford Fringe Festival and Opera Festival (October 20– November 6) transform the town into a melting pot of cultural delights with a heady mix of exhibitions, music, dance, theatre, tours, markets, fairs and sports as well as superb opera concerts and recitals.

Jazz Jazz things up a bit with a visit to Cork for the annual Guinness Cork Jazz Festival and let yourself loose at any of over 90 pubs, clubs and hotels that play host to non–stop music, master classes and fringe events.

With over 90% of the entertainment being free, there really is no excuse not to get involved!

Make a meal out of it

dsfgsdfgsdfgd

Colourful performances at the Virginia Pumpkin festival (left), and Cork gets in the

at the Savour Kilkenny Food Festival (October 27–31). Indulge at the free open-air food market on the plaza and a design yard where only the best in local produce

will be found. While you’re there, rediscover your childhood (and your competitive streak!) at the Irish Conker Championship (October 30).

Blow those cobwebs

away with a walking weekend in some of the most beautiful scenery that Ireland has to offer.

The Westport October Bank Holiday Walking Weekend takes in the

It’s ferry travel, but not as we know it! Stena Line

Passengers will soon be able to relax at Stena Line’s Nordic Spa

IT’S ferry travel, but not as we know it. Stena Line has just confirmed that its two new Superfast vessels, which will be introduced on the company’s new Cairnryan to Belfast route in November, will have a Nordic Spa on board to offer passengers a totally unique travel experience.

Stena Superfast VII and Superfast VIII will be the largest ferries ever to sail between Scotland and Northern Ireland and are currently undergoing extensive upgrades in Poland by specialist cruise ship outfitters.

When complete the ships will be the first on the Irish Sea to offer passengers the opportunity to relax and indulge in a Pure Nordic Spa during the two-hour, 15-minute crossing.

The spa will contain a sauna and jacuzzi which will be exclusively available to Stena Plus and Premium fare passengers.

“We have established a reputation for providing a very high level of customer service so the prospect of offering our customers the opportunity to unwind in a Pure Nordic Spa at sea has

13 October 2011 BLANCHARDSTOWN GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

TravelBriefs... TravelBriefs...

Things to entertain you in Northen Ireland STUCK for something to do? If so, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of exciting things to do in Northern Ireland this month. For more details on these and other events, Callsave 1850 230 230, visit Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Information Office at Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 or click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/ events

Armagh Autumn/Winter Fashion & Beauty Event, Armagh City Hotel, Co. Armagh, October 14

This annual event is a showcase of the best of Armagh’s fashion and beauty, with a sensational catwalk, local designers, boutique shops and accessory stores, ensuring a night not to be missed.

Belfast Festival at Queen’s, various locations, Belfast, October 14–30

Audiences and artists from around the world converge on Belfast for 16 days of Ireland’s biggest international arts festival. groove with the annual Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, above

rugged beauty of the Mayo Mountains as well as Connacht’s highest peak – Mweelrea, while the Footfalls Wicklow Walking Festival explores the beauty of the garden

of Ireland and includes a range of walks suited to varying abilities.

A storybook full of new memories are just waiting to be made this October Bank Holiday,

so why not book now and treat yourself to the Bank Holiday of a lifetime. For more details and inspiration for your trip, log on to www.discoverireland.ie.

On the Mammal Trail, Lough Navar Forest, Co. Fermanagh, October 15

Join the staff to search for clues and hear the sounds of red squirrels and red deer that live in the forest.

A performer of the Cirque Eloize

Apple Day, Ballance House, Crumlin, Co. Antrim, October 15

of circus arts and urban dance, breakdance, hip-hop and more.

A great day out with crafts, food stalls, children’s entertainment and a celebration of the traditional varieties of apple.

Seapark Fireworks & Family Fun, Seapark Recreation Ground, Holywood, Co. Down, October 22

Tyrone Farmers’ Market, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, October 15

A market offering a range of food produced on local farms including seasonal products and home-baked produce as well as local craft items and a selection of fresh fish.

Cirque Eloize, Grand Opera House, Belfast, October 19 –22

Cirque Eloize’s brand new creation positively crackles with daring and modernity. A blend

Bring the family along to enjoy a children’s fun fair, live music by ‘The Jukes’, delicious refreshments and a themed fireworks display.

Ghosts and Gourds Weekend, Rowallane Garden, Saintfield, Co. Down, October 22–23

Carve a pumpkin, follow the ghost trail and hear a scary story while watching your little ones transformed with scary face painting. Family Hallowe’en fun for all.

introduces luxurious spa facilities ---------------------------------

‘We plan to make the facility available to out Stena Plus customers and are confident that it will enhance our service’ ---------------------------------

really got our staff excited about giving our customers an even better travel experience,” said Stena Line Route Director Paul Grant.

“We plan to make the facility available to our Stena Plus customers and are confident that it will enhance our premium service offering even further.

Although the new Superfast ships will have a crossing time of just 2hr 15mins, our customers will still have enough time to relax and unwind and enjoy their journey even more than before.

“We are always looking at innovative ideas to help improve our offering to customers to ensure that their journey with us is a truly enjoyable experi-

ence in itself. The introduction of our Pure Nordic Spas is one such idea and one of a host of onboard facilities dedicated to leisure and business passengers,” he said.

Stena Line‘s new Cairnryan to Belfast service is scheduled to launch on November 21. The new Superfast vessels will make 12 crossings per day and are now available to book online at www. stenaline.ie.

Each of the ten-deck ships can carry up to 1,200 passengers, 660 cars or 110 freight units.

The spa will feature both a sauna and a Jacuzzi for passengers to indulge in

24 BLANCHARDSTOWN GAZETTE 13 October 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 Dance Celebration Pavilion Theatre welcomes back the inimitable John O’Conor. Following on from the enormous success of his recital at the Pavilion last year, Ireland’s foremost concert pianist returns with a programme to inspire and delight.

October 16, 19:30. Prices €17 - €19.

SEAMUS ENNIS CULTURAL CENTRE 01 802 0898 Nick Kelly - See : Hear Legendary singer/songwriter and award-winning film maker Nick Kelly is bringing his unique new See:Hear show to The Centre.

It combines a live gig (accompanied by The Softly Swelling String Quartet); a screening of Nick’s three highly-acclaimed short films (including the recently Oscar-shortlisted “Shoe”); and an entertaining and insightful talk on the fascinating crossover between making music and making movies.

Friday, October 14, 8:30pm. Admission: €16.

THE HELIX 01 700 7000 Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo The third of The Helix concerts in The Six String Sessions sees performances by Frank Rignola and Vinny Raniola.

Ex Les Paul and David Grisman Band, both these guitar players are master tremelo pickers.

Sunday, October 16, 8:30pm. Tickets: TICKETS: €15/€12.50.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Faulty Towers -The Dining Experience Enter the snobbish world of manic Basil; his domineering wife, Sybil; and their hopeless languagechallenged waiter, Manuel.

Be one of the steady stream of bemused guests trying to make Manuel understand what it is you want. Asking for an ice bucket ends up with you being presented with a ‘nice bucket’. A simple procedure like opening a bottle of wine can become a huge drama. And, maybe, just maybe, in the middle of all these events, you might get some service, Faulty-style, of course.

October 18, 7:30. Admission: €45.

A Basket of Bennett Sandyford Little Theatre present their latest studio showA Basket of Bennett - featuring: A Woman of Letters, Bed Among The Lentils, A Visit From Miss Prothero; something not to be missed, a funny yet real portrayal of lives on the edge.

October 18 - 22, 8pm. Admission: €15/€12

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Egg What really happens when you put all your eggs in one basket? Not always what you would expect it seems if this particular show is to be believed. Witness the madcap adventures of our unexpected heroes as they explore the humble egg and try to resolve age-old problems, such as which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Saturday, October 15, 1pm and 3pm. Tickets €5.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 4627477 The Hen Night Epiphany A week before the wedding of her dreams, a woman wonders if some secrets should never be kept no matter what the cost. The Hen Night Epiphany is a heart-lifting tale of five women who take to the countryside for a night of fun and laughter that leaves their lives turned upside down.

October 18 – 22 at 8pm. Admission: €20 and €16.

Faith Bernie struggles with her faith and is displeased with the feckless attitude of her only son, Joey. October 20 to 22 at 8.15pm. Admission: €10

Leads Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough get footloose in a dance scene from the new movie

Kick off your shoes And your cynical frown as Craig Brewer reinvents Eighties’ classic guilty pleasure, Footloose, for a new generation IT SEEMS at the moment that there is a definite disrespect of anything resembling a classic movie, with the necessity for a “reboot” or “re-imagining” being far easier for producers and studios than, God forbid, actually coming up with original story ideas or models for future franchises.

With Sam Raimi’s Spiderman franchise not even cold before Columbia and Marvel felt the need to return to the same origin story AGAIN, with Andrew Gar field and Emma Stone in the leads, and local boy Colin Farell returning to Mars to reprise the role of Quaid in the Total Recall remake, there is a sense that really, nothing, nothing at all, is sacred.

Scare stories about the likelihood of remakes of Robocop, Evil Dead, and (for goodness sake,

nooooooooo...) Don’t Look Now, make you wonder what on earth is going on...

But there are times when the remake formula does come good - Scarface, The Thing, The Departed - it creates something special.

However, when what is being remade is regarded as something of an guilty pleasure, you wonder if it was wor th the effor t. In the case of Footloose, it seems that they have remade not only the movie, but the guilty pleasure aspect, too.

Like the 1984 original that starred Kevin Bacon, the premise is the same, with Ren MacCormack being dropped in small-town America (this time in the south, which allows for a country slant and southern hip-hop and R&B stylings to be dropped into proceedings), where puritanical

lawmakers have outlawed public dancing and loud music.

The cityboy is not one to shy away from a confrontation, and he starts in motion a chain of events that will revitalise the town, set it’s people free, and, of course, make the local preacher’s daughter fall for him.

Former dancer with J u s t i n T i m b e r l a ke , Kenny Wormald, steps into Kevin Bacon’s role with ease, and he is more than ably backed up by Miles Teller, who owns the role of Willard, Ren’s

sidekick and avowed non-dancer, previously played so memorably by the late Chris Penn in the original.

All very familiar to film fans and fans of the original, but there are enough subtle details and rougher edges that puts the 2011 incarnation slightly more in tune with the times than

the f luffier nature of the original.

Director Craig Brewer has previous

in the music-enriched movie world, having delivered Hustle and Flow in 2005, and he appears to have a genuine love of the original Footloose, which seeps into every frame.

Again, it is a guilty pleasure watching Footloose, and there is the added bonus of it having some of the original tunes from the first movie in place, thus appealing to it’s original audience, as well as updating it for 2011 sensibilities.

The same warm hear t and drama are present, and, for that, it stands perhaps alone as a remake that was wor th the effort. Let’s hope it’s a template that the movie re-makers will follow from now on...

13 October 2011 BLANCHARDSTOWN GAZETTE 25

GazetteFITNESS FITNESS

Brought to you by Derry Temple

PILATES: KEEP YOUR CORE STRONG TO STEER CLEAR OF BACK PAIN

Get in shape with the power of pilates PILATES is a low-impact workout with a history stretching back almost 100 years, since its development by Joseph Pilates in 1917.

More than 20 million people around the world currently practice it. Pilates is a unique system of exercises designed to improve strength, control and endurance of your core muscles. The core muscles of the body include your abdominals, pelvic floor and low back.

Pilates has seen an explosion of popularity in the last few years, and is now often prescribed by Physiotherapists to those suffering from back pain.

The reason for its growing popularity is due to the fact that it tackles an ever-increasing problem in our society.

Our modern-day living has resulted in increased hours spent sitting in front of the television, or at a desk in work or school, along with added time commuting to or from our jobs. This has caused an adverse effect on our posture.

Upper and lower cross syndromes are prevalent in today’s society and many people can be seen to suffer the effects to some degree. Being seat-

ed all day causes the hip flexor muscles to shorten, abdominals to weaken, lower back to tighten and hamstrings to become weak and overstretched.

This is known as lower cross syndrome, and while it is not necessarily a dangerous affliction, if left unchecked, it can lead to lower back pain.

Over time, the effects eventually work their way up the kinetic chain causing the same patterns of dysfunction in the upper body.

Upper cross syndrome mirrors the muscular effects of the lower body causing tight chest or pectoral muscles, a weak upper back and forward head posture often leading to chronic neck and shoulder pain.

Another factor that can cause low back pain, is pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the pelvic floor is put under large amounts of stress to hold and support the enlarged uterus and increasing size and weight of the growing baby. If not strong enough, the pelvic floor weakens and you can become susceptible to pelvic instability, low back pain and incontinence. A Course of Pilates to help rebalance the body after

--------------------------

‘Pilates has seen an explosion of popularity in the last few years and is now often prescribed for back pain’ --------------------------

pregnancy could save you from these uncomfortable side effects.

The core muscles, when weak or damaged, will very often encourage poor posture causing the spine

to arch and contributing to aches and pains in the lower back. To combat poor postural patterns, we need to strengthen those muscles that are weak and stretch the muscles that are tight. Pilates is a formulated plan; a series of exercises and stretches to counteract the daily stresses put on our body.

By exercising your core muscles through Pilates you will begin to restore joint mobility and flexibility to middle and lower back while also strengthening this region. This in turn will improve your posture and body shape.

By participating in a class,

you can expect to see a noticeable increase in muscular strength, flexibility and energy levels.

Derry Temple runs DT Fitness in Artane, Dublin 5, and specialises in helping people achieve their health and fitness goals.

He runs morning and evening classes in Pilates and Bootcamp. This month dtfitness is offering two-forone on its morning classes to all Gazette readers. Simply mention this article when bringing a friend along, and one of you can train for free!

Visit www.dtfitness.ie or email derry@dtfitness. ie for more details.

personal trainer and pilates instructor

GAZETTE

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 13 October 2011

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13 October 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

DESCENT DESCENT: Delayed canoe extravaganza sees top performances Page 29

DUBLIN MARATHON: NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR MEDAL RECOGNISING ACHIEVEMENT

Lord Mayor to honour 2011’s special athletes sport@gazettegroup.com

ORGANISERS of the National Lottery Dublin Marathon and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Andrew Montague, are seeking nominations for the inaugural Lord Mayor’s Medal, which will be presented before the start of this year’s National Lottery Dublin Marathon on Monday, October 31.

T he Lord Mayor ’s

Medal was introduced earlier this year by the previous Lord Mayor, Gerry Breen, as a way for the Lord Mayor’s o f f i c e t o a c k n ow l edge the outstanding achievement of everyone who takes part in the Dublin marathon.

The specially-commissioned medal will be presented from this year onwards to an individual or individuals who are deemed to have either overcome incred-

ible odds to take part in the Dublin Marathon or have an unusual marathon story to tell.

Organisers are looking for nominations to be sent by email to marathon@whpr.ie before Wednesday, October 19.

Marvellous Martin Lord Mayor Gerr y Breen presented a special medal earlier this year to 2009 Dublin M a r a t h o n f i n i s h e r,

Former Dublin Mayor, Gerry Breen, presents the first Lord Mayor’s Medal to Martin Codyre

Martin Codyre, whose brother and friend pushed him around the 26.2 miles of the course.

Codyre was involved in a tragic accident in 2008 which left him paralysed for life and

needing 24-hour care.

Entry for this year’s Dublin Marathon closed on October 3, and a record entry of over 14,000 runners, joggers and walkers will take part this year.

This year marks not only the first year of sponsorship under the National Lottery banner, but also a return to live television for the first time in 20 years, with coverage starting

on RTE2 from 9.15am on October 31.

For further information on the Lord Mayor’s Medal, go to www. dublinmarathon.ie or w w w.facebook.com/ dublinmarathon.

28 BLANCH GAZETTE 13 October 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

RUGBY: DEPLETED SIDE TAKE HEART FROM SECOND HALF

Leinster’s second-half heroics seal victory Coolmine RFC’s thirds started their 2011 campaign with defeat at home to St Mary’s

LEINSTER pulled off a great escape at the RDS last weekend when they came back from a 12-point deficit against Connacht to claim the points in their RaboDirect PRO12 encounter.

Castleknock College old boy Devin Toner had opened the Blues’ account with a try in the first half, but a pair of tries from Ray Ofisa and Brian Tuohy put Connacht into what appeared to be a commanding lead, with the teams turning around with the scores 20-8 in the visitor’s favour.

Eric Elwood’s side looked to be on course for their first win over the Lions since September 2002, but a second-half recovery saw Leinster take on board their half-time team talk, and they utterly dominated the remainder of the match.

Just as they had done against Aironi in the Magners League the previous weekend, Leinster powered to victory with a determined and ruthless approach in the second period.

They held Connacht scoreless for the duration, with Isa Nacewa scoring penalty after penalty, Luke Fitzgerald putting any kind of disappointment from the morning’s international result behind him with a try, and a last-minute drop goal from Ian Madigan completed the shut-out and saw Leinster over the line.

Cillian Willis proved to be an immense influence on the outcome, setting up Toner’s try and providing the pass that saw Fitzgerald cross the whitewash.

Leinster’s next outing will be an away visit to Murrayfield stadium, where they will face Edinburgh on October 28.

Thirds open with loss LEINSTER LEAGUE DIV 2 Coolmine RFC St Mary’s RFC

22 38

sport@gazettegroup.com

COOLMINE’S thirds opened their 2011 league campaign with a defeat at home to St Mary’s RFC last Saturday.

The line-up was markedly different than previous seasons, with many of the established regulars having retiured at the end of last season, leaving the management and coaching staff the unenviable task replacing the wealth of experience and talent that has graced the Super Threes over recent years.

It was the visitors who got off to an ideal start with a try in the opening minute, and they kept their momentum going, following up a chip-andchase ball for their second try nine minutes later.

Coolmine eventually settled and worked their way back into the game through the rest of the second half, which started with period of sustained pressure, rewarded with a converted penalty.

However, St Mary’s superiority out wide proved decisive and two more tries followed within the following two minutes, with Coolmine failing to protect against an intercepted ball on the first, and leaving themselves exposed out wide.

But St Mary’s didn’t have it all their own way, with Coolmine counterattacking at every opportunity. The half-back pairing of Eoin Carbury and Morgan Smyth looked dangerous, and Smyth had several line-breaks that gained precious metres for the Ashbrook men.

With the seconds ticking away for the half-time whistle, the home side finally pushed over the line with Martin Chambers touching down.

A couple of positional changes settled the side down, and Coolmine played a tighter game in the second half, but after 13 minutes, St Mary’s ran in for the first of another two tries.

A converted penalty put the visitors even further ahead, but Coolmine never let their heads drop, and on the 24th minute, Alan Gibbons touched down after securing good lineout ball.

Ten minutes later, Smyth secured a third try for Coolmine with a quick tap-and-go penalty deep inside the visitors 22.

Although the game was out of reach, there was a chance of a bonus

point for a fourth try, but the clock was against Coolmine and the game finished 22-38 to the visitors.

The team is a work-inprogress, but it was clear from the improvements made in the latter stages of the game that the future is looking bright for the Super Threes.

Elsewhere, the news

was equally hard for Coolmine’s Under-21s,who fell to an away loss against UCD on Sunday.

Saturday night lights come to Ashbrook next weekend when the firsts take on table-toppers Newbridge. The late kickoff is at 7pm, followed by the first club draw of the season, and live music in the bar afterwards.

13 October 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 29

in association with

A fine descent on Liffey weirs

FastSport

Local paddlers Peter Egan and Neil Fleming were the big winners at the rescheduled Liffey Descent that went ahead last weekend Sam and Kevin pop in to

LAST weekend, the 52 n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l Liffey Descent canoe races took place on the traditional course, starting at the K Club in Straffan, Co Kildare, and finishing at Trinity Boat Club, a distance of 17.5 miles.

The race had to be rescheduled from its original date of September 10 due to a shortage of water, plus maintenance being carried out on the ESB hydro station at Poolaphuca.

Almost 800 competitors entered the race, with entrants from South Africa, Australia, Spain, Denmark, Canada and, of course, the traditional big entr y from England, Wales and Scotland. A big Irish contingent made

for a very exciting day’s racing.

On a beautiful sunny Saturday the scene was set for the athletes all set to challenge the 11 weirs, one set of rapids

and, with over 50 crews it promised to be very competitive.

As the boats approached Straffan Weir, know n as the Beecher’s Brook of the

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‘This was our goal, to win the three K2 titles - the Liffey Descent, and the British and Irish championships - in one season.’

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and a 500-metre portage around the dam at Leixlip, where the athletes must exit the canoe and run 500 metres carrying thir boat before reentering the river below the dam.

The Senior Racing K2 class was the first start

Liffey Descent, the Irish crew of Peter Egan and Neil Fleming, the current British and Irish K2 champions, set a blistering place and were first dow n the weir, closely followed by the South African crew of Brett Irvine and

Peter Egan and Neil Fleming on their way to victory in the K2 class

Ken Murray, the British crew of O’Regan and Boyton, and another Irish crew, comprising Malcolm Banks and Jason Briody.

By Celbridge, Egan and Fleming had opened up a lead of 55 seconds with the chasing group still trying to keep in touch.

By L u c a n , i t w a s obvious that they were really powering down this tough course having increased their lead to over three minutes and were going all out to make it three championship victories in 2011.

The chasing group was now down to two crews, with Banks and Briody having difficulty at Cromers Weir.

Safely over the next two big weirs, namely Wren’s Nest and Palmerston, victory was now in sight for Egan and Fleming and so, after 17.5 miles, they crossed the finish line at Trinity Boat Club in one of the fastest times for this course - 1hr 49mins 10secs - 5mins 55secs ahead of second-place crew O’Regan and Boyton, with Irvine and Murray taking third place.

Egan and Fleming were absolutely delighted with their victory, stating: “This was our goal, to win the three K2 titles in one season.”

The pair will compete at the World Marathon championships in Singapore on October 23 and 24.

T he K1 class saw Gary Mawer, winner of this race on numerous occasions looking for another victory. Stiff opposition from Dermot Hudson and Stuart West was on the cards.

Hudson showed he meant business, leading over Straffan Weir, with Mawer and West taking a safer shoot.

These three athletes broke away from the rest of the field and Mawer, with his vast experience, showed he still is the man to beat, coming home in first position in a time of 1hr 58mins 25secs with Dermot Hudson second and Stuart West in third.

In the Master K1 Deaglan O’Drisceoil won gold adding to his seasons achievements having won the Sella Descent in Spain in August.

In the Junior K1, Sean McCarthy won his second junior title from Matt Burke and Iomhar Mac Giollaphradaig.

The Senior Wild Water Class was won by Adam Sweeney, while the junior Wild Water class was won by Aisling Smith.

Full results can be found on the Canoeing Ireland website.

wish Paddy a happy 98th STARS of Erin GAA Club were celebrating the contribution of a very special clubman last week when Paddy Walsh turned 98 years old.

Paddy has worked tirelessly for the club over the last seven decades, and club members of all different age groups turned out to wish him a very happy birthday at the celebrations that took place in the Step Inn. Paddy had the added surprise of senior Dublin footballer, Kevin McManamon, and the Sam Maguire trophy dropping in to wish him a happy birthday.

Croke Park celebrate year of success CROKE Park Community Liaison Officer Ger Dorgan was on hand recently to present to Mark Candon and Theresa McMahon, from ASESP Crinan Strand, a cheque for their annual festival, as the Community team outlined their successes over the last two years at a meeting at the stadium.

The President of

the GAA, Christy Cooney, thanked the community for their co-operation during the past season which, he said, had a fitting finale with Dublin winning the football final.

The Croke Park Community Fund has allocated €210,000 to 57 qualifying projects since 2009.

Following two local employment drives during the 2011 season, 81 additional local people were given seasonal employment at Croke Park events.

30 BLANCH GAZETTE 13 October 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Moore support: Local family cheer on Blues LEINSTER supporters, Derek, Shane, Reina and Robert Moore from Blanchardstown, were on the sidelines cheering on Leinster against Connacht at the RDS last week.

The match saw a win for the Blues, who came from 12 points down at half-time to register a 30-20 victory. Three penalties and a Luke Fitzgerald try put Leinster back in the game as they held Connacht scoreless in the second half.

Dunboyne AFC claim scalp of Glebe North

SOCCER: THRILLER AT PORTERSTOWN SEES SHARE OF POINTS

VERNOM McAllorum’s Dunboyne produced one of the shocks of the first round of the FAI Intermediate Cup when they nicked a late goal to dump Glebe North out of the competition.

Ciaran Carr’s corner proved the winner, swinging the ball directly into the goal in the 88th minute at Market Green to put paid to the hopes of a side who currently reside two divisions above them.

It was the only goal of the game, earning a 1-0 win at one of the toughest venues to get a result in the Leinster leagues.

Summerfest set for next weekend THE 2011 Tesco mobile SARI Summerfest, the largest intercultural soccer tournament in Ireland, is set to take part this year at the Garda and Camogie Sports Grounds, in Phoenix Park on September 10 and 11 from 11am to 5pm each day.

The Summerfest will also coinciude with the CONCERN kitefest, where kite flyers from around the world will display their kites and give kite workshops for children.

The two-day festival also includes a wide array of entertainment for all the family.

For more information, see www. facebook.com/sarireland.

Castleknock Celtic seeking ladies talent CASTLEKNOCK Celtic FC’s ladies and girls section are recruiting new talent to the cllub for the soccer season starting later this month.

If you were born in 1996 or earlier, visit the club’s website at www.castleknockceltic.com, and pass on your name and contact details in the How To Join section provided on the site.

The club are also looking to recruit girls born in 2001/2002 to play soccer in the DubliGirls Soccer League.

Castleknock Celtic’s Under-13Cs were held to a draw at home by Darndale in their NDSL encounter this weekend

Darndale hold U-13 Celts sport@gazettegroup.com

CASTLEKNOCK Celtic’s NDSL Under-13Cs played out a dramatic 4-4 draw against Darndale in a roller-coaster of a match played at Porterstown Park last weekend.

Playing host to Darndale FC, it took the visitors only three minutes to register their first score and set the tone for the match four minutes later when they doubled their lead.

The management team decided that there had to be a change of approach and, with a slightly reshaped team,

Celtic took up their new positions and kept their heads high in spite of the early setback.

Signs were emerging that Castleknock’s James Yeskerski would score, coming painfully close on two occasions in the early exchanges, but Celtic’s opening goal came after 14 minutes, from the boot of James Smith.

The Celtic defence were now wise to the Darndale tactics, and did not concede again in the first half, leaving them only a goal behind at half time.

The second half started with an extraordi-

nary run from Caoimhe Lynam, whose speed ripped apart the Darndale defence and almost resulted in an exceptional individual goal.

Celtic continued to pile on the pressure on the Darndale goal, and Lynam scored the goal that her earlier form had warranted, scoring 14 minutes into the second half from a corner. The in-form Caoimhe struck hard and fast, bringing the scores level and registering her first goal of the season.

Darndale replied almost immediately, turning defence into attack, and scoring from a fast

breaking movement.

Unbowed at having relinquished parity, Celtic’s Smith advanced on the goal at the other end only to be taken down in the box by the Darndale goalkeeper. The keeper was yellow carded and the penalty was slotted home calmly by Sean Ryan to bring the scores level once again.

The final few minutes proved to be a tense affair, when, on the 28th minute, Yeskerski broke through again and slotted home what the home support thought would surely be the winner.

However, Darndale lifted themselves one last

time and scored from close range to claim a share of the points.

Elsewhere, Celtic’s U-8s won a a thriller of their own at the seaside when tney came out one goal the better in a sevengoal thriller against Rush Athletic. Excellent performances all round and a never-say-die attitude earned the side a merited victory.

A goal behind early on, Celtic went ahead, only to be pegged back twice before sealing victory with just two minutes to go. Braces from Killian Hegarty and Ben McDonagh gave Celtic the win.

13 October 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 31

in association with

HURLING: FAB FIRST-HALF SEES SAINTS THROUGH .

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST BRIGID’S SAM MAGUIRE will come to the club

Round Towers on Sunday at 11am in

nursery on October 22 from 9 to

Clondalkin.

11am.

ballers who gained promotion after

on October 22 and 23. Any old metal

beating Fingal Ravens. Our U-13A

items would be greatly appreci-

footballers also beat Na Fianna and

ated. This is a great fundraising

U-13Bs are on track to win their

opportunity. Check out the website

league. The U-15 footballers were

for more information.

edged out by Syl’s in the shield

Club night at the dogs will take

semi-final. Minor footballers beat

place on Frida y, Oc tober 2 1 in

Mearnog. Senior hurlers reached

Harolds Cross.

their semi-final with a win over

Senior 2 footballers face Cuala in O’Toole Park on Saturday, 2.30pm.

New opening hours for our new club shop are Friday from 7 to 8pm

Inter footballers face Man O’War in

and Saturday from 10 to 11.30am.

U-16 hurlers face Jude’s this Saturday at 3.30pm in Russell Park in their semi-final. Minor hurlers face

DUBLIN SHC A Q-FINAL St Brigid’s St Vincent’s

2-14 2-10

sport@gazettegroup.com

ST BRIGID’S senior hurlers progressed to the final four of the Dublin SHC A championship last Friday in Parnell Park with a brilliant first-half performance to add another notable scalp to their collection following their first-round elimination of Craobh Chiarain.

They built a 2-9 to 0-5 lead in the first half and, while they shipped a pair of Diarmuid Connolly goals in the second half, they had enough to spare to coast over the finish line.

Paddy McAvinue was the scorer-in-chief, crushing 1-6 from frees including a long-range effort which snuck its way into the net, for a huge halftime lead.

They had a patchy start, with Alan Nolan producing a marvellous save early on, before an

excellent point from the wing from Connolly had handed Vinnies a 0-2 to 0-1 lead.

But Brendan McEnerney soon turned it around, before McAvinue’s high ball found the netting to extend the margin to four points.

Another McAvinue free and a monster score from Mick Cussen kept the pressure up, while Daire Plunkett chipped in to build a 1-8 to 0-5 lead, as Vincent’s found the life squeezed out of their attacks.

Kieran Kellett popped up with the second goal just prior to the break to establish an imposing tenpoint lead, and another McAvinue point saw the margin reach eleven points.

To their credit, the Marino men fought back in their endeavours to recover a desperate situation, and footballing AllStar nominee Connolly lighting the touch-paper.

A 1-1 burst was coun-

tered by McAvinue and John O’Loughlin points, while Shane O’Neill reduced the gap to seven with a couple of minutes left of normal time.

Again McAvinue was on hand to ease the nerves before Connolly closed out the tie with the final score of the game, goaling to bring his personal tally to 1-3.

But it was not enough to spoil the Russell Park men’s party, and they had plundered another big win from Donnycarney against one of its most local clubs.

ST BRIGID’S: A Nolan; M Cussen, C Kenny, S Brady; C Ryan, A McEnerney, A O’Leary; C Doyle, D Plunkett; P McAvinue, J O’Loughlin, B McEnerney; K Kellett, S Callanan, J Winters. Subs: C O’Mahony for Callanan (ht); P Winters for J Winters (42).

ST VINCENT’S - T Carroll; R Pocock, S Donnelly, R Drumgoole; R Trainor, D Qualter, I Fleming; D Russell, E Drumgoole; T Connolly, C Billings, J Hetherton; N Bishop, C Harney, D Connolly. Subs: D Rogers for Carroll (ht); N Billings for Bishop (35); T McGrane for E Drumgoole (35).

beat Barrog in championship.

Saturday at 5.15pm in Parnell Park.

day at 2.15pm in Parnell Park.

Vincent’s vanquished by brilliant Brigid’s

Vincent’s. Ladies’ minor footballers

Senior footballers face Crokes this

their junior A semi-final this Sun-

St Brigid’s reached the semi-final of the Dublin senior championship with an impressive win against Vincent’s

Congratulations to the U-14 foot-

Scrap weekend will also take place

Club lotto takes place in The Vineyard this Thursday, with a jackpot of €15,000.

We have collect 140 old mobile phones so far. We need 60 more.

ERIN GO BRAGH THIS coming Sunda y, our junior

As our club grows we need more

footballers travel to St Anne’s Park

and more parents to get involved

to play Clontarf in what is a key

with teams, PR, fundraising and

match in their drive for promo-

club lotto. Please contact John on

tion. Throw-in is 11am and the team

087 754 1948.

would appreciate as much support as possible.

Annual club dinner-dance is taking place on Saturday, November

Our U-14 boys came out on top

5 in Park Plaza, Tyrrelstown. Tick-

against St Maur’s in a top-three

ets are €60 per person (Strictly

play-off in Hunter’s Run last Sat-

over 18s). Five-course meal, band,

urday.

DJ, and bar extension until 2am.

Our U-13 girls were asked to be

Contact Natasha on 087 959 50 48,

mini-match officials in Croke Park

Maria on 087 238 0741 or Carol-Ann

last Sunday, and pics will be on

on 087 629 20 24.

Facebook.

No lotto jackpot winner. Num-

Good luck to our U-13 and U-15

bers drawn were 7, 12, 15 and 23. No

girls in their Shield finals over the

Jackpot winner. Next jackpot will be

coming weeks.

€2,300, to be held in The Paddocks.

ST PEREGRINE’S COMMISERATIONS to our senior

available to play online using the

camogie and minor footballers who

link on the club website.

suffered defeats in championship action last weekend.

En ter t ainmen t this S atur da y from Blindside.

All roads lead to Parnell Park this

There is a quiz this Thursday in the

Sunday, where our senior football-

club in aid of the Niall Mellon trust,

ers are in action at 3.45pm against

which starts at 8.30pm and a table

Ballyboden or Fingal Ravens in the

of four is €40. If anybody has any

Dublin senior football champion-

submissions for this year’s year-

ship.

book, could you email pro.stper-

Junior A footballers have league game against Templeogue this Sun-

egrines.dublin@gaa.ie, no matter how small or big the reports are.

day on main pitch at 11am, and the

Annual race night will take place

minor hurlers play Skerries, also at

at Shelbourne Park on October 29;

home at 11am.

tickets available from bar.

Club lotto was not won; numbers

Peregrine’s Christmas ball is on

drawn were 1, 8, 21 and 23. Next

the December 3. Details and con-

week’s jackpot is €5,400. Any mem-

tacts on the club website, cnp.ie.

ber not buying lotto tickets, please

There is a Christmas fair on in the

visit cnp.ie and support your club

club on December 10, contact Cara

for only €2 a week. Lotto is also

for futher details.

ALL OF YOUR BLANCHARDSTOWN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

SAINTS MARCH IN: Coolmine suffer defeat at home to St Mary’s in league P28

OCTOBER 13, 2011

DESCENT AT LAST Annual canoe event takes place P29

Q blanchardstownsport@gazettegroup.com

ST OLIVER Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh held off a spirited St Sylvester’s comeback to claim their first ever junior hurling title in Parnell Park last Sunday when a late salvo carried the day in a 3-14 to 4-7 success.

Paul Beecher’s goal with the last puck of the game, added to a point by Mick Doyle, gave the scoreboard a slightly comfortable look, but that was illusory.

A storming early spell saw Plunkett’s build a 1-5 to 0-1 lead — Mick Malone to the fore with an early goal — and they went on to establish a ten-point margin.

But the Malahide men went goal crazy with Colm O’Connor’s double and Claud Scully and Kevin McLoughney also weighing in to tie the game up going into the closing stages.

Plunkett’s summoned one last effort, though, to end their wait for a junior crown and keep the side’s double ambitions alive.

For manager Derek Brennan it was a significant occasion for the club as their emerging youth section collided with

experienced heads at just the right time.

“We’ve never won a junior hurling championship so this is an absolutely huge moment,” he told GazetteSport.

“The team has come together through the nursery in the club, but also through country lads, who in turn have brought in more country lads. There’s actually nine counties represented – nearly every major hurling county is in there.

“The younger lads are beginning to come through, last year’s Under-21s and that kind of thing. The likes of Andy Lestrange — the man of the match — was part of that team, so there is that mixture. We’ve two extremes; a lot of our guys — and maybe that’s why we ran out of steam — like, the captain is 40, and there are a lot in them in the mid-30s, but the mix worked.”

Brennan added that a change in approach in the winter snow was the platform, his side working with Terry O’Brien’s senior set-up to give them a jump on their opposition.

“That has been the secret of our success, if you were to ask for one main reason. We have been training with the

St Oliver Pliunkett’s were celebrating last weekend after a closely-fought win over St Sylvester’s for the junior championship title

seniors all year and that’s the singular biggest difference.

“This year has been the culmination of huge efforts, training since January in Coolmine under the floodlights and a final effort from a lot of the older lads who have brought the young lads along with them.”

And it could get even better for the side as they have two AHL7 games to complete where a couple of favourable results could ensure a final to go with promotion.

Given the side has lost just once in 20 outings, it is an acheivement well within their grasp.

GazetteSPORT

Plunkett’s take prize at Parnell