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‘Mercedes Benz ticks all the boxes with new B Class’ MOTORING: P18 RECYCLE THIS COPY. KEEP DUBLIN TIDY.

YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER

INSIDE: Love is in the Aisles for a speed-dating event with a twist P10

February 9, 2012

PLANTING PROGRESS: Councillors visit Shackleton Gardens: See Page 9

They’re on the ball: 2011 Dublin Sports Awards Castleknock:

Club reflects on Team of the Year success Page 28

SPORTS stars, players and teams were out in force for the Dublin Gazette Newspapers 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, in conjunction with Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley and Setanta Sports Ireland, which saw individual and team successes celebrated in style. Pictured are Garrett Marrinan, manager, the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley; Mountview Boys’ captain Cian McGrath and coach Vincent Fortune, and Rob Heigh, Gazette sports editor.

Picture: Geraldine Woods

Full Story on Page 29

Sports Awards:

Gala celebration of Dublin sport at Clarion Hotel Page 29

ALSOINSIDE: MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Concern over plan for new foodstore Need for sixth I LAURA WEBB

local off-licence in store queried

CONCERNS have been raised over plans to construct a large foodstore in Mulhuddart.

A planning application, received by Fingal County Council last December, seeks to demolish the old Mulhuddart National school building

in order to construct a single storey licensed convenience foodstore measuring 990 sq m for the sales area and 1,476 sq m gross floor space.

However, Labour Party councillor Mary McCamley said that there are concerns that this would be the sixth offlicence in the area, and such a

large store will further increase local traffic.

“While I welcome any potential avenue for job creation, I think the local community is right to raise questions over the nature of this potential development,” said Cllr McCamley.

Full Story on Page 6

2 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 February 2012

INVITATION TO JOIN THE FINGAL DUBLIN CHAMBER EXPORTING – OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR BUSINESS

INVITATION FROM FINGAL DUBLIN CHAMBER PRESIDENT, SIOBHAN MOORE I would like to offer you a personal invitation to join the Fingal Dublin Chamber and be part of the largest business organisation in the area that is committed to putting business first. For many businesses, Chamber membership is critical to their success and can be an enormous benefit, especially in this difficult economic climate.

This year is a new beginning for Fingal Dublin Chamber and our Members. The historic and groundbreaking coming together of the Fingal Dublin Chamber and the D15 Chamber in the past year has created a stronger and more sustainable Regional Chamber.

To me personally, what is always important is what is best for Chamber Members and their businesses. I believe that the new regional Chamber with strong local representation, providing better and highly valued services is ideal for businesses who want to increase their footprint across a wider area.

The Chamber is constantly developing new strategies and policies aimed at increasing the value of the Chamber to Members and also improving the level of services including more frequent networking events in different locations throughout the larger Chamber area.

In the coming year the Chamber will be organising monthly Business After 6 Networking Evenings and monthly Business Breakfasts as well as many other opportunities for business men and women to meet and network with their colleagues from other businesses and to be briefed on important topical issues.

Our next event is a Chamber Business Breakfast on Tuesday 28th February with Dermot O’Leary, Chief Economist with Goodbody Stockbrokers in the Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport. Other speakers include Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sports, Leo Varadkar T.D. on Thursday, 26th April.

The Chamber Directory & Yearbook will be out in May this year. This is a quality publication and is always well received throughout the business community. All Chamber Members will be listed free of charge in the Directory.

Should you require any further information on the work of the Chamber please feel free to contact the Chamber Chief Executive, Tony Lambert on 8900977 or email him on tony@fingaldublinchamber.ie I look forward to welcoming you to our events during the year which will be spread throughout the Fingal Region.

Best regards

______________________________________ Siobhan Moore President

INTERNATIONAL TRADE & EXPORT SERVICES Fingal Dublin Chamber is officially registered by the Department of Trade & Employment and Chambers Ireland to issue and certify export documentation such as Certificates of Origin (EU Certs & Arab-Irish Certs), invoices, company documents and additional documentation.

COMPANY DOCUMENTS, INVOICES AND ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION The Chamber provides a certification services for all company documents where required.

The Chamber also provides a Notary Public and Apostille service where required.

ON-LINE CERTIFICATION SYSTEM The Chamber provides a secure on-line document certification system through TradeCert. The service is currently used by exporters, shipping agents and Chambers in Ireland and the U.K. to sign, stamp and certify trade documentation using digital signatures. The system is fast, efficient, flexible and easy to use. It ensures compliance and saves time.

For further information on Certs of Origin membership contact Freda Farrell at the Chamber office on 8900977 or email freda@ fingaldublinchamber.ie

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER FOR NEW MEMBERS Fingal Dublin Chamber is the leading and most active network of businesses in the Fingal Dublin Region. In the present tough economic climate, membership of the Chamber is a cost effective investment in your business which provides access to the people, information and resources which now more than ever can help grow business.

• Micro/Sole Trader (1 - 5 Staff) Normal Membership Fee €200.00 per annum Special Introductory Offer - €100.00* • Small Businesses & New Business Start-Ups (1 – 10 Staff) Normal Membership Fee €300.00 per annum Special Introductory Offer - €150.00* • Medium Sized Businesses (10 – 50 Staff) Normal Membership Fee €500.00 per annum Special Introductory Offer - €250.00* • Large Businesses (50 + Staff) Normal Membership Fee €1,000.00 per annum Special Introductory Offer - €500.00* *(VAT is not applicable to Chamber Membership) To avail of this special introductory offer simply contact Freda Farrell on 8900977 or email: Freda@fingaldublinchamber.ie This special value for money offer confers membership of Fingal Dublin Chamber from February to November 2012 when renewal will be offered for a full year’s membership. This offer ends on 30st April 2012.

CHAMBER EVENTS - FEBRUARY

Business After 6 Networking Evening Crowne Plaza Northwood - 2nd February 2012

President Chamber, Siobhan Moore Fingal Mayor, Gerry McGuire Chamber CEO, Tony Lambert

NEXT EVENT

Eileen Timmons, Crowne Plaza Northwood, Pat Cussen, Raddison Blu Dublin Airport, Dee Whelan, Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport

Myles Flood, Limos For less, Eugene Hanies, Haines Fleet Management, Avril Donnelly, Peninsula Business Servcies, Cormac Sarsfield C+G Logistics

Business Breakfast Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, 28th February 2012

Guest Speaker: Dermot O’Leary, Chief Economist, GOODBODY STOCKBROKERS

For more information please contact Fingal Dublin Chamber, Chamber Building, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin Phone: 01 8900977 Email: info@fingaldublinchamber.ie Website: www.fingaldublinchamber.ie

9 February 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 3

COUNCIL

ST CATHERINE’S PARK: COUNCIL GET SET TO DEVELOP THEIR MASTERPLAN

Call to ensure that needs are met

Residents views on park sought RESIDENTS are being given the chance to voice their preferences on what a local park should offer its community, as Fingal County Council get set to develop a masterplan for St Catherine’s Park.

The council will, for the first time, seek to meet with local residents to get feedback on what should be included in the plan for the Lucan park located behind Westmanstown.

Once this consultation is complete, the council will draw up a masterplan for the park and then seek approval from councillors.

“It is proposed to have a public consultation this spring to get ideas and suggestions for what visitors like to get from their park. This will help to outline the plan for the park,” an FCC official said.

“We usually get it [the

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masterplan] done and show it to the public, but we felt people didn’t have an opportunity to have their say. This way we will ask them what they want to see,” the council official added.

Castleknock councillor Mags Murray (FF) welcomed the proposal, while her party colleague Mulhuddart councillor David McGuinness said what the council is putting out is “commendable” and he supported such an approach.

In a bid to highlight the great facilities already there, councillor Mags Murray suggested raising the park’s profile with a walk.

“Maybe we could organise a walk in the park to raise awareness of it and then ask people at that walk what they want to see in the park?”

Fine Gael’s Kieran Dennison also welcomed the proposal but voiced concerns about spending €60,000 so far on a Par 3 golf course at the park.

“There are numerous golf courses in the general area struggling to survive and pay their rates. These courses have to compete with the three council courses at Elmgreen, Corballis and Malahide Desmene, all of which are losing money and being subsidised by the taxpayer.

“Last year, €120,000 of capital funding went into Elmgreen and Corballis golf courses and a further €80,000 is to be spent this year. It is difficult to justify this sort of spending when local sports clubs, especially those in the less well-off areas, are barely getting by,” Dennison said.

Purr-fect pose: Georgia helps to launch first Oscars for animals GEORGIA Salpa looked simply purr-fect at Dublin Zoo recently where she was helping to launch www.animaloscars.com, a new site created by Paddy Power asking people to vote for their favourite Oscar-worthy animal. With the Academy Awards thus far refusing to recognise animals for a coveted Oscar, the bookies is instead asking people to vote for their four-legged or flippered friends in a special online poll. The nominees for the first ever Animal Oscar are: All the horses – War Horse; Crystal the monkey – Hangover II/We Bought A Zoo; Little Bart the bear – Zookeeper; All the penguins – Mr Popper’s Penguins; Nim the Chimp – Project Nim; Tai the elephant – Water For Elephants; Uggie the Jack Russell – The Artist and Winter the Dolphin – Dolphin Tale. Visit www.theanimaloscars.com from Wednesday, February 1 to vote for your favourite.

A CALL has been made to Fingal County Council to ensure existing needs of Tyrrelstown and Hollystown residents are met through the proposed Kilmartin Local Area Plan (LAP).

The call came this week through Dublin West Green Party representative, Roderic O’Gorman.

Speaking after making his submission to the public consultation on the LAP, O’Gorman said: “Tyrrelstown and Hollystown have seen huge growth in the last ten years, but this has not been matched by the provision of necessary infrastructure.

Permanent school and community facilities are only being provided now, over ten years after the Tyrrelstown was first opened.”

4 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 February 2012

FUNDS: GET ON YOUR GOGGLES TO RAISE CASH

FCC Vandals set fire to Christmas trees

Locals urged to take a dip I LAURA WEBB

SWIMMERS across Dublin are being called on by Rehab to swim 1km and take part in the organisation’s second annual Swimathon.

The nationwide initiative is looking for people to make a splash this year by swimming 1 kilometre as individuals or as part of a team to help raise vital funds for Rehab.

This swimathon gives participants the opportunity to give something back to the community.

Over 70 leisure facilities are opening their pools to help with fundraising efforts. All funds raised go to improving Rehab’s services for people with disabilities in communities across the country.

Head of fundraising for Rehab, Pauline Crowley said: “The great thing about the Rehab Swimathon is that everyone can take part – you can swim one length as part of a team, or the whole kilometre yourself. It can

be part of your normal weekly swim or you can set yourself a personal challenge and train for it.

You’ll get great exercise while raising money for Rehab’s services in your locality.

“Ever y day in our services we see people with disabilities facing personal challenges.

The money raised from the Rehab Swimathon will go towards providing new experiences that will have a profoundly positive effect on people’s lives. For example, facilities such as children’s play gardens and adapted vehicles to enable access to activities in the community.

“Every euro that swimmers raise will be put to practical use in our services,” Mary said.

For more information, and to register and receive your starter pack, log onto www.rehabswimathon.ie. Deadline for registrations is Monday, March 12.

Fires at Christmas tree recycling centres in D15 are not a new phenomenon. This was the scene at Carpenterstown Park in January 2011.

Picture courtesy of JimLacey

Fires force recycling services to be moved I LAURA WEBB

THE actions of mindless vandals, who set fire to Christmas trees at recycle sites in Dublin 15, have led Fingal County Council to seek alternative arrangements for this facility.

From next year, local residents may have to bring their used Christmas trees to the Coolmine Recycling centre, or Millennium Park, such is the extent of the vandalism at the local recycling sites.

In a report to councillors, a spokesperson for Fingal County Council said there were a number

of incidents of fire at the Christmas tree recycling sites in the Castleknock and Mulhuddart area in 2012, and, in order to prevent it from happening in the future, the council is proposing to put new arrangements in place for 2013.

“It will no longer be possible to bring trees to the existing sites, and the council will be encouraging those wishing to dispose of their Christmas trees for recycling to bring the tree to a designated point, such as the Coolmine Recycling Centre or the Millennium Park.

“The Christmas Tree Recycling scheme is an extremely important initiative, and has been hugely successful over a number of years, providing a valuable service to the citizens of Fingal while at the same time providing a sustainable means of tree disposal as the material resulting from the chipping of the trees is reused in our parks and open spaces,” the council spokesperson added.

The report came following a motion by Fine Gael Councillor Kieran Dennison, who said stacks of trees were set on fire in

can deposit their old trees.

While the council clears most trees on a daily basis they tend to accumulate over the weekends and this was when they were - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - set on fire.

“I would urge the Council in making alternative arrangements to ensure that they can be accessed in the evenings when most people will want to leave their trees out.

“The Coolmine Recycling Centre or the Millennium Park may not -------------------------be the best places so I am mulch and chippings for pleased they will look at our parks. There are six other options,” Cllr Denlocal sites where people nison added. the area and some were very close to houses.

“The Christmas Tree Recycling scheme is an important initiative and provides very useful

‘There were a number of incidents of fire in the Castleknock area in 2012’

9 February 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 5

6 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 February 2012

PLANNING Proposal would bring number of off licences to 6

Traffic and business concerns over local plan I LAURA WEBB

A LOCAL politician has voiced concern over a planning application to construct a large foodstore in Mulhuddart village, which would bring the number of off-licences in the area to six.

This week, Labour Party councillor Mary McCamley said that, while job creation is

welcomed, there are concerns that this would be the sixth offlicense in the area, and a large store will increase local traffic.

There are also concerns that it could threaten business for smaller local retailers.

The planning application seeks to demolish the old Mulhuddart National school building on Main Street, Mulhuddart, in order to construct

a single-storey licensed convenience foodstore measuring 990 sq m for the sales area and 1,476 sq m gross floor space.

Speaking to the Gazette this week, Cllr McCamley said: “While I welcome any potential avenue for job creation, I think the local community is right to raise questions over the nature of this potential development.

The off-license will be the sixth

in the area around the village itself, and one would have to ask what impact another lowcost alcohol seller will have on existing businesses and jobs in the area, as well as the potential for littering.”

“There is also concern about traffic congestion with a large supermarket being located at this site. The new Mulhuddart bridge has improved traffic

flow and safety for pedestrians and this development cannot undermine that progress”.

“As the new councillor for the Mulhuddart area I have listed the application for the next council meeting. It is essential that if this development proceeds, the concerns of local residents and existing businesses are addressed,” Mary added.

The planning application was discussed during an area committee meeting last week, where there was a consensus between councillors that the development should not go ahead. As the planning application is still a live file FCC officials said they cannot comment on it as it would be “inappropriate” but concerns will be taken into account.

DRAIOCHT: FREE EVENT

Kids ready for Van Gogh Day THIS month Draiocht is hosting an alternative to Valentine’s Day, Van Gogh Day is a kids’ funfilled art event inspired

by Van Gogh’s wild side.

The workshops are tailored for children 5–10 years of age, but Draiocht assures families that older and younger children are also welcome.

Whether the kids want to make cards or paintings with Valentine’s themes, or simply dodge the romance altogether, they’ll be inspired to create something wonderful.

There will be a host

of creative activities on offer, and participants might even win a Valentine’s prize too.

There is no need to book, just show up at any time during the event dressed “for mess” with your child/children and get ready to get stuck in!

Family Days are not designed for groups, and all children must be accompanied by an adult, and all adults must be accompanied by a child.

This free event takes place on Saturday, February 11 between 12 and 3pm.

Dublin’s Central Criminal Court

COURTS: MAN JAILED FOR EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS

Caught with a kilo of cocaine and cannabis A YOUNG man has been jailed for eight and a half years, after he was caught delivering drugs for a gang involved in the large-scale distribution of narcotics and guns in north Dublin.

Nathan Oladeru (27) was caught with a kilogram each of cocaine and cannabis and a large amount of equipment for mixing and processing drugs. His arrest led gardai to a lock-up containing around another €700,000 of cocaine and a large amount of ammunition.

Judge Martin Nolan said Oladeru was delivering the cocaine for others, but owned the cannabis himself. He imposed a total of eight and a half

years in consecutive sentences.

Oladeru, of Mount Symon Avenue, Clonsilla, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of €70,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply at the Nass Road near Kill, and €70,000 of cannabis at his parent’s home in Clonsilla, both on May 12, 2010.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of items in connection with drug dealing at his partner’s home in Finglas on April 1, 2011. He was on bail for the drugs offences at the time of his second arrest. He has 18 previous convictions, including assault and public order offences.

Garda Brian

O’Callaghan told prosecuting counsel, Ms Fiona Murphy BL, that gardai were investigating a criminal gang involved in the large-scale distribution of drugs and weapons when they were tippedoff about a planned drug handover.

They set up a surveillance operation on the Nass Road and observed two cars park beside each other, before one drove off. This car was stopped and Oladeru was found in the passenger seat. Gardai found just under a kilogram of cocaine hidden behind the back seat.

Later that day, they searched the house where he lived with his parents and found a kilogram of cannabis, along with sur-

gical masks and gloves and weighing scales.

In interview, Oladeru said he had travelled to Cork with a work colleague to drop off some cannabis and he was to deliver the cocaine on his way back up. He was to be paid €500 for this.

Cocaine Gardai later seized his keys, which led them to a lock-up containing a large amount of cocaine and ammunition. This cocaine was from the same batch as the drugs found in the car. Oladeru was not charged with the items found in the lock-up.

Oladeru was released on bail, and a year later gardai got a search warrant for a house in Finglas

where his partner lived with their two children.

They found five bags of cocaine mixing agents, two hydraulic presses and two metal moulds.

In interview Oladeru said he was holding this equipment for others because he owed them money for cocaine.

Defence counsel, Mr Paul Comiskey O’Keeffe BL, said Oladeru was cooperative and frank with gardai during his interviews.

Counsel said he has two children with his partner, who is studying to be nurse.

He said he left school at 16 and worked consistently since as a carpet fitter and broadband installer.

9 February 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 7

TYRRELSTOWN Facility offering variety of activities

Community centre a major boost for area

I LAURA WEBB

blanchardstown@gazettegroup.com

THE much-anticipated community centre for Tyrrelstown is now open, and it offers a variety of activities for everyone in the ever-growing community.

The state-of-the-art facility opened earlier this year and is already proving to be successful with a huge influx of interest from different organisations wanting to rent rooms, halls and space for many different activities.

From Bible class, dance instruction, to local football teams, the centre has room for everyone in the community.

There are nine spaces available. The impressive full-size sports hall even splits into two to be used as a half-size hall for two groups at the same time.

There are four meeting rooms, a children’s activity room, a dance studio, as well as changing rooms for males and females.

Since it opened just weeks ago, more and more organisations and groups are looking to book the facility on a regular basis, including Zumba Fitness, Tyrrelstown Karate Club, Norma Breen Theatre School,Tyrrelstown GAA, Chester School of Dance and Tina Motion – Children’s animation art.

Another advantage

of this centre is that it is shared with local schools – Tyrrelstown Educate Together and, once built, Mulhuddart National School. The schools each have an access entrance to the centre and share the main sports hall. The hall facilitates the schools until 4pm, Monday to Friday, after that the community can use it.

Speaking to the Gazette about the new centre, duty manager Eileen Cormack said it has everything a community needs.

“We have a mixture of everything. A huge number of people have already shown interest in it. This centre was needed in this area. We want to

Sarah Chester, from the Chester School of Dance, is just one ne of the many local groups who make use of the new facility. Pictures: Cormac Curtis

provide a good mix for the community, not just one thing taking over but to give variety. Tyrrelstown is a huge area, so it’s good to provide a mixture of activities.

“The Educate Together school is using it now, and later the Mulhuddart NS will use it. It’s lovely for them to have. The kids are delighted with it.”

Meeting rooms are available for anyone who needs space to talk whether it is a residents’

association or a book club.

“We can make the meeting rooms to suit the needs of the group.

It could be a meeting for just two people or an information meeting with 30 people. There are different sizes. There is no other facility like this in the area,” Eileen added.

Tyrrelstown Community Centre is part of the Fingal Schools’ Model and is a shared facility

with schools and a local community. The schools model is as an initiative between Fingal County Council and the Department of Education.

This community centre is now open to the public. Their website will be up and running shortly, but in the meantime, anyone who wants to find out more or get timetable schedules can email info@ tyrrelstowncc.ie or call 01 827 4046.

ROADS

Meeting approves names RESIDENTS and visitors will soon find it easier to navigate through parts of Dublin 15 following the naming of three roundabouts and an access road.

In a meeting of the Castleknock/Mulhuddart Area Naming Committee on January 5, the committee recommended naming an access road to Wellview Estate – Avondale Road; naming the roundabout at junction of Powerstown Road/Cruiserath Road – Powerstown Roundabout; the roundabout at junction of Bealing Boulevard/Church Road will become Bealing Roundabout, and the roundabout at the entrance to the hotel is named Tyrrelstown Roundabout.

Local councillors approved the recommended names last week during an area committee meeting in Blanchardstown.

8 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 February 2012

WORK: COUNCILLORS VISIT BEECHPARK TO SEE FIRST STAGE OF PROGRAMME

Cllr Micahel O’Donovan with FCC officials Jonh Harrington and Jimmy Connolly

Shackleton Gardens take shape I LAURA WEBB news@gazettegroup.com

LOCAL councillors we r e l u c k y e n o u g h to visit the Historic Shackleton Gardens on a bright, crisp morning last week, to see the council’s work programme kick off.

On Thursday, February 2, the councillors got an up-close look at the Beechpark gardens, also known as the Shackleton Gardens.

Labour councillor Michael O’Donovan was one of the visitors to the site, an area he wants to see refreshed with flora and fauna and made available for the public to enjoy.

Other councillors on site included Castleknock councillors Mags Murray (FF) and Eithne Loftus (FG), and Mulhuddart councillor Kieran Dennison (FG).

“A huge amount of clearing has taken place.

It’s a fine, big garden there, which I was surprised by. There is about an acre and a half within the walls. Beechpark already has 17 acres and people go to enjoy the

playground and use the football pitches there.

Once the garden is complete they can enjoy all that and then go for a walk to the garden.

“There is also talk about turning one of the buildings there into a tea-room cafe. I am quite optimistic about it.”

According to Cllr O ’ D o n ov a n , F i n g a l County Council is working with Institute of Technology, Blanchardstow n’s hor ticulture department, to get the students involved in the project and transforming the gardens.

“The students, with the help of FCC’s park department, will take on a project at the gardens.

We hope to partly replicate what was at featured in the garden before.

“This area has great historic significance in Dublin 15, and it will be a great feature to Beechpark once it is complete.

“There has been a legal tie, which is almost complete, but in the meantime the council wanted to get started and has taken possession of it on an informal basis for now,” Cllr O’Donovan said.

Cllr O’Donovan admires some snowdrops

9 February 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 9

10 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 February 2012

REPORT Facility continues to grow and develop services Figures show Blanchardstown library in the good books with locals I LAURA WEBB

THE local library is still a big hit among residents, with figures from Blanchardstown library showing 384,705 items borrowed in 2011.

Blanchardstown library is Ireland’s largest public library, measuring 2,619 sq m. It is open 54 hours a week, Monday to Saturday, and has everything a modern library has to offer a community.

By the end of 2011, the number of registered borrowers at Blanchardstown Library was 53,580. The number

of visitors recorded to the library for the year was 416,732 with a daily average of 1,427. Items borrowed for the year came to 384,705, of which 303,488 were books.

In a report to councillors recently, a spokesperson for Fingal County Council said Blanchardstown is committed to the provision of a relevant, pertinent and customer-focused service. “During recessionary times, libraries have become more important than ever and can provide a lifeline for all members of the community but in particular for parents, job seek-

ers and students. The library service of today is as much about provision of a community space as it is about books and borrowings, and throughout 2011 Blanchardstown hosted over 1,700 well-attended events.

“We continue to grow and develop our services; we offer free internet and wifi access, a comprehensive and state-of-the-art range of inclusive technology, a Europe Direct Information Relay hub, which provides a tremendous amount of information on and events and exhibitions relating to Europe. Some of our more recent

highlights have included the introduction of a self-service system, the addition of computer games for the WII, X-Box and Playstation for our younger (and not so young members!) downloadable audio books and very new to us is eBooks,” the report added.

The report came following a motion

by Fine Gael councillor Kieran Dennison, who wanted to highlight Blanchardstown Library as being a great facility in the area.

“The library staff are always very helpful and professional. With over 416,732 visitors the library must rank

Get the best on your big day EVERY bride wants her wedding to be the most beautiful and memorable experience she will ever have and the wedding team at the new four-star deluxe Carlton Hotel in Blanchardstown are doing everything they can to ensure your big day is everything you hoped for, and more.

Whether it’s an intimate gathering of your closest friends, or a spectacular party for over 300 guests, the wedding coordinator and experienced staff at the Carlton Hotel will help with all the details of the day, offering a unique combination of the warm familiarity of Irish hospitality and the charm of one of the most elegant hotels in the country.

The Carlton are celebrating the launch of their new and exclusive wedding package, Old, New, Borrowed, Blue, which is priced at only €5,999 for 100 guests.

This package includes everything needed for your special day – from an arrival drinks’ reception, a four-course meal, evening food, chair covers, house sashes and even a complimentary bar extension.

For enquiries, please feel free to contact Wedding Co-ordinator, Julie Foster Kidd, at 01 725 5600 or visit their website at www.carlton.ie/ blanchardstown.

with the larger visitor attractions in Dublin. It is also one of the most modern with the introduction last year of a self-service system, downloadable audio books and soon we will be able to borrow eBooks for use on kindle and similar electronic book readers.

“I am very conscious that the library is also a community space where people can use the desks there to read and study. The availability of meeting rooms for community use has seen over 1,700 event, held throughout the year. We should be very proud of our library service.”

FCC: TEMPORARY CAR PARK

Decision is due on appeal I LAURA WEBB

blanchardstown@gazettegroup.com

Love is in the Aisles: Launch of a speed-dating event with a twist

TESCO launched its most romantic event to date, Love is in the Aisles, an exclusive Singles Night which will take place in Tesco Cabra on Monday, February 13, just in time to find love for Valentine’s Day. Love is in the Aisles will take the format of a speed-dating event with a twist, with 40 exclusive places available for males and females looking for love. Participants will be sent on missions around the store to find products that best represent their personalities, along with a variety of other match-making games, with the most compatible couple at the end of the night winning a romantic dinner for two to the value of €200 in top Dublin restaurant, Pichet, on Valentine’s Night. All those taking part in the event will receive a Valentine’s goodie bag of romance to take home. Tesco Cabra will also be Ireland’s most romantic supermarket on the night with music, champagne and chocolate tasting and much more.

AN Bord Pleanala is due to make a decision on an appeal against Fingal County Council’s decision to include a temporary car park at Hansfield Train station.

L a s t y e a r, F i n g a l County Council sought to amend the SDZ planning scheme for the area to allow a temporary car park be built in the vicinity of the railway station.

This amendment was approved by the council during a meeting in September 2011, but it was later appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

The planning authority is due to make its decision on February 21.

However, in a report to councillors a council official said the appellant, Mr P Browne is “seeking leave in the High Court to judicially review the amendment approved by the council”.

Meanwhile, legal processes to finalise agree-

ments for delivery of the new connecting road and a new temporary car park (between the landowners, Fingal and Iarnrod Eireann) have recommenced following a temporary impasse following the appointment of a receiver to Manor Park Homes.

The multimillion euro state-of-the-art building has been lying idle since it was completed in 2010 because no access road was built.

According to the repor t, the opening of the rail station is “dependent on the construction of the access road. The entire access road currently has the full benefit of planning permission”. “ Ia r n r o d E i r e a n n has sought tenders for the construction of the road and temporary car park.

“The awarding of the contract is on hold pending the conclusion of the planning and legal processes,” the report added.

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9 February 2012 GAZETTE 11

GazetteFITNESS FITNESS

Brought to you by Derry Temple personal trainer and pilates instructor

TRANSFORMATION: POSITIVE THINKING CAN HELP TRANSFORM YOUR BODY FOR THE BETTER

Prepare for success with nutrition and training

OOKING at transforming your body for the better?

There are three key elements within your control that will determine a successful transformation.

It is not the purpose of the transformation that matters; it can be focused on any goal, such as weight loss, muscle gain, improved body shape, or improved spor ts per formance.

What really counts are the three vital elements that are essential if your goal is to physically improve oneself. These three elements are the quality of your thoughts, your fuel (nutrition) and your training.

Vital to the success of these three components is being prepared. Fail to prepare then prepare to fail.

But when you successfully prepare, you can prepare for success. This principle of preparation is at the core of all body transformations.

First you should

L

ensure that your mental state is rock solid and you are ready for the road to transformation.

With this foundation of a strong and positive mental outlook your chances of success increase significantly. Set clear goals and use positive affirmations and visualisations to help you achieve them. As all transformation experts agree “the power of the positive mind is exponential”.

The importance of what you consume should not be underestimated. There are many misconceptions about what constitutes a healthy diet. However, all agree that what you fuel your body with is of the utmost importance.

You cannot run a petrol car on diesel. The same principle applies to your body. If you fuel your body with the wrong foods you can expect your body to perform poorly. Prepare for success by being aware of the foods you eat. The importance of Omega

3,6 and 9, saturated and trans fats, and realise how they affect your body.

Understand the role of protein in the body and of issues such as acid and calcium balance and how they effect bone health. Recognise food allergies, toxins, stimulants and sugar and how these affect your body in a negative way. Whether you want to detoxify, rejuvenate, shed body fat or slow down the ageing process, it is vital to learn the role of nutrition so you can make food work for you.

If you are training, ensure your choice of exercise is the one best suited to your goal. If you are training for fat loss, and concentrating on cardio, then you are missing out on all the benefits of using resistance training to help you shed body fat.

If you are in a sport that requires a lot of power then you should be training to build the explosive strength required.

Educate yourself about

The three vital elements essential to physically improve oneself are the quality of your thoughts, your fuel (nutrition) and your training

the training process and choose the right training package from the beginning.

Remember, to achieve your body transformation goal, it is when you successfully prepare, that you prepare for success.

Know how training, food and mindset will affect your goal and help you achieve it.

Temple Training begins a new lifestyle and nutri-

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

‘The importance of what you consume should not be underestimated. There are many misconceptions about what constitutes a healthy diet’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

tion workshop in February. This “Complete Lifestyle System” will empower you to “attain a lean body, healthy mind and an abundance of

energy for life”.

A lifestyle and nutrition course begins on Tuesday, February 21, at 8pm in the Le Cheile Community Centre,

Donnycarney. Gazette readers receive a discounted rate of €140 for the seven-week course (usually €165). Visit us www.templetraining.ie

12 GAZETTE 9 February 2012

Gazette Contacts

THEATRE Farrell’s play back at the Abbey

Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 6010240 Fax: 01 6010251

Managing Director: Michael McGovern email: mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com

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Editor: Cormac Curtis email: ccurtis@gazettegroup.com

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Advertising Production: Anita Ward email: ads@gazettegroup.com

Production Editor: Jessica Maile email: jmaile@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.

Phelim Drew and Marion O’Dwyer star in Bookworms

Popular play makes a return I BAIRBRE NI

BHRAONAIN

THE Abbey T heatre sees the return of Bookworms, by Bernard Farrell, on Thursday, February 9.

It is back by popular demand and was first premiered at the Abbey in 2010.

The Abbey has a new, life-extending policy regarding plays it has commissioned for itself.

Previous revivals include The Seafarrer, by Conor McPherson; Terminus, by Mark O’Rowe, and The Playboy of the

Western World, in a new version, by Bisi Adigun and Roddy Doyle.

To that end Bookworms is back for a fiveweek run.

Bookworms is Bernard Farrell’s 21st play and is described as “a laugh-a-minute romp”.

The Abbey has a long history and very strong relationship with the playwright stretching back to 1982 when the Abbey first produced his play, I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell.

Subsequent to this, the national theatre has staged 11 world

premieres of this Irish playwright’s work.

T hose involved in the current production are no strangers to the Abbey.

Jim Culleton, of Fishamble, directs the cast of the New Play Company and Donna Dent.

The story of Bookworms is set on the night of a monthly book club meeting.

T he hostess, however, proceeds to set her sights on expanding the experience by inviting all of the members’ husbands. Her dreams

of perfection, classical debate and elegant canape nibbling are soon annihilated as the personal lives of the couples are exposed.

What transpires is an unravelling of decorum more shocking and revelatory than any novel up for possible discussion.

Jim Culleton does a great job by giving such a cleverly, humorous play the deft treatment it deserves. The cast includes Donna Dent, Liz Fitzgibbon, Louis Lovett, Michael Glen Murphy and Marion O’Dwyer.

9 February 2012 GAZETTE 13

CHARITY: CALL FOR ANY UNWANTED INSTRUMENTS

CHILDREN

Call for Texaco artists

Give kids a musical goal THE Musical Youth Foundation children’s charity is asking people to help it in its mission to provide every child on the island of Ireland with access to a musical education by donating any old, unused or even damaged musical instruments they have.

As part of a new project designed to raise awareness for the life-changing benefits of music education, and the work the Musical Youth Foundation is doing, the charity hopes people will dig out old, unused, or even broken, instruments that are cluttering up attics, garages and other storage spaces in order to donate them to the charity.

The charity’s founder and CEO, Chris Maher, says: “There are hundreds, if not thousands, of old, unused and unwanted instruments all over the country, and we’re ask-

ing people to help us give every child on the island of Ireland the opportunity to access music education by supporting our call for instruments.”

He said: “We promise to find new homes for all instruments donated, and everyone who donates will be invited to a special, topsecret event taking place as part of the sixth annual Dublin City Soul Festival, from May 24-27.”

Musical Youth Foundation provides instruments, weekly tuition, practise sessions and supporting workshops in live performance, including singing and songwriting as part of its “guitars for kids” programme, which is running in local community centres and schools in Dublin.

If you have an instrument that you would like to donate, email saoirse@ soul.ie.

Turn to them: People in Dublin the largest group availing of a mental support website THEIR cardboard model laptop is only of

use for publicising their service, but, luckily, the online mental health support offered by brothers Oisin and Diarmuid Scollard, and their website, Turn2Me.org, is a much sturdier affair, helping to support thousands of people across Ireland with its services.

The Scollards were promoting the significant increase in the number of users on their site over the past six months, with its latest user figures revealing that membership of Turn2me has increased by 51% over the past

six months – the site now has 3,000 unique visits per month – which includes almost 29,000 visits to the website from Dublin in 2011, comprising the greatest proportion of users visiting the site.

The Turn2me website is staffed by 30 moderators, who comprise a mix of people with professional psychology training, and others who bring the benefit of their life experience, with visitors to the website able to access support forums, group support, one-to-one counselling, and a wide range of information.

THE search is under way to find the young students who will win awards in this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition, in this, the 38th year of the contest.

Brochures setting out details of the competition have been sent to all primary and second-level schools throughout Co Dublin, with the closing date for entries Friday, February 24.

Copies of the brochure are also available through Texaco service stations, and online at www.texacochildrensart.com.

Judging will take place throughout March, and winners will be announced in mid-April, with prize-giving to follow in mid-May. Annually, some 30,000 students compete for the 161 top prizes awarded across seven age categories, including one exclusively devoted to special needs students.

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14 GAZETTE 9 February 2012

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY Beauty is at the heart of it all at Karora GIVE more heart this month by being mindful of how your tanning regime can help the Irish Heart Foundation. Irish beauty brand, Karora, is donating €2 to the Irish Heart Foundation from every product sold during February. Shop online at www.karoracosmetics.com or find the product in McCabes Pharmacy Dundrum, Unicare pharmacies and select salons nationwide. For participating salons and pharmacies supporting the IHF campaign call 01-9022333

A smoky, sultry look for Valentine’s I LAURA WEBB

IT only comes around once a year, and even though many think l’amour has been overshadowed by cheesy cards and overpriced flowers, it still hasn’t stopped us from wanting to look our best on Cupid’s busy day.

Be on trend this February and get the best Valentine’s Day look, courtesy of Avon’s limited addition Smoke and Mirrors collection. The fresh tones of this collection radiate that new inlove glow that many feel

around this time of year.

Not only will this look get you through Valentine’s Day, but it’s going to big this Spring/Summer season.

“Smouldering greys and subtle apricots are big news this season.

Make a smoky eye in dusky-skied tones your secret weapon, to take your look from sunrise to sunset in just a stroke and a smudge,” commented Liz Pugh, Avon’s professional make-up artist.

To achieve the spring look this February use SuperShock gel eyeliner (€8). This super-soft for-

mula is Avon’s best selling gel eyeliner and is available in two limited edition spring-inspired shades – Blackberry and Golden Fawn. The gorgeous tones leave an intense colour finish that lasts all day.

Use Avon’s True Colour limited edition Smoke and Mirrors and Myster y Eyeshadow Quad (€11) to create a smouldering, smoky eye.

Pucker up for the Valentine’s Day kiss with help from Ultra Colour Rich Lipstick (€9). The fresh, spring look is floral-inspired with hues of apricot, nude and lilac making lips naturally pretty. This lipstick contains jojoba and vitamin

Avon’s limited addition Smoke and Mirrors collection

E leaving lips feeling fully hydrated and moisturised.

Nails should also be treated with care by using Nailwear Pro Nail Enamel (€8), available in Star and Apricot Mystery. Giving salon quality results, this nail varnish

lasts for up to 10 days, with its fortified acrylic for strength and protection, and high-gloss formula.

More information about Avon can be found at www.avon.ie. Visit Avon Ireland’s Facebook page at www.facebook.

com/Avonie. Avon product lines include Avon make-up, Avon fragrance, ANEW skincare, Skin So Soft and Advance Techniques. Avon also sells an extensive range of wellbeing products, jewellery, lingerie, accessories and gifts.

WE HAVE 146,000* READERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 60 10 240

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9 February 2012 GAZETTE 15

16 GAZETTE 9 February 2011

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: LACK OF EXERCISE CAN CAUSE STUNTED GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Best care for your pocket-sized pets HANDBAG dogs, the once must-have accessory for many a fickle, fake tanned, gel-nailwearing celebrity are becoming so last season dahling, it now appears many of Ireland’s fashionistas, like the rest of Europe, are bucking the trend, aping the likes of Paris Hilton and ditching the pocket-sized pooches in favour of, oh, well, who cares. The point is, these dogs are being dumped.

That means animal shelters like the Dublin SPCA are being left to pick up the pieces… literally. I wonder, does Ms Hilton et al, realise they’re fuelling this phenomenon? If so, would they care?

Once seen donning dia-

mond-studded style collars and little pink sweaters, these cutsie-pie dogs are no longer the canine companion of choice for Ladies who Launch.

No more the favourite novelty accessory for almost anyone who owns a fake Dolce and Gabbana or Gucci handbag or, sorry, dog carrier, the brutal irony of it all is these poor animals look and smell like dogs but don’t act like dogs because they, er, don’t know that they actually are dogs.

Let me explain.

Tea-cup dogs come into the rescue shelter not knowing how to walk, act or behave like a dog, in short, they’re lacking in doggy skills.

Sure who could blame the poor things; they’ve

Chihuahua

spent their lives sitting in handbags or sleeping on sofas, never having been walked or trained or fed an appropriate diet, or even been given the basic veterinary care they deserve.

Did you know that lack of exercise can cause stunted growth and devel-

opment in your dog and mollycoddling them too much can result in behavioural problems?

Every week I come into contact with pet parents who’ve paid hundreds for these throwaway, novelty pets only to complain when they’ve to cough up the meagre, highly afford-

able cost for their subsidised veterinary care; or who baulk at the thought of walking, socialising or training them.

So why is this happening?

Well, it’s a question of economics you see – a supply and demand situation.

Not by reputable, registered breeders I hasten to add, they are not the cause of this problem, but by back street puppy farmers and the people who do business with them.

I am certain that if these people were aware of the facts then surely they wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole.

Then again, maybe I’m wrong, I mean one lady told me, (as I stood in my

Dublin SPCA uniform) that she got rid of her dog because she had re-decorated the house and the animal didn’t fit in with her colour scheme.

So, for those of you who’ve bought a tea-cup dog, here’s a few basic tips in order to provide them with the best possible care, specific to their breeds’ needs.

• Exercise every day.

This breed has quick bursts of energy so short walks are best.

• Provide a diet specific for her breed. Consult your vet for advice.

• Socialise early with children and other dogs.

• Use a body harness rather than a lead to protect their delicate neck. It will also help to prevent damage to the trachea

and soft palate.

• Pet her often; this breed needs lots of attention.

• When bathing take care not to get water in her ears, this can cause infections. Brush long-haired Chihuahuas daily.

• This breed may suffer from the following: Weak knees, colds, corneal dryness, secondary glaucoma • Check with your breeder to see what/ if at all any, screening has been carried out for these health problems.

A good breeder will not mind you asking this question.

For more

information log onto www.dspca.ie or email me miriam.kerins@dspca.ie

9 February 2012 GAZETTE 17

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC

ROCK REPORT: FAMILIAR NAMES ARE COMING BACK

New year, old talents I DEE WOODS

HAPPY Chinese New Year! So 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, and it’s breathing new life into some classic artists.

Van Halen and Bruce Springsteen have new albums, and we can also look forward to new music from Alice In Chains, AC/DC and Meatloaf, to name but a few.

In suppor t of the wo r l d w i d e O c c u p y movement, keep an eye out for the “Occupy This” album. A host of famous voc al i sts, i ncl u d i ng David Crosby, Graham Nash and Debbie Harry, are joining together to put the movement on the map.

New music is always good, but I’m also looking forward to seeing some of the bands we thought we’d never see again (well, almost).

The Aussie Pink Floyd play the Olympia at the end of this month, and if you think cover bands

are just well-dressed karaoke singers, did you know Pink Floyd frontman Dave Gilmour asked Aussie Pink Floyd to play his wedding?

Not only that, but Nick Mason said the cover band were “probably better than we were”?

Nuff said!

And if you’re excited about The Doors’ last --------------------------

‘New music is always good, but I’m also looking forward to seeing some of the bands we thought we’d never see again’ --------------------------

album, LA Woman, being reissued for its 40th anniversary this year, then get along to The Doors Alive at The Academy in March.

The lads called into the Nova studios when

Super-news as Dublin radio goes super-Nova DUBLIN-based broadcaster Radio Nova has surged ahead in the latest JNLR radio ratings, passing out some of its major competitors in key demographics for the first time.

The latest ratings show that the station has consolidated an 11% weekly and 6% daily reach in the Greater Dublin area after only 16 months on air.

CEO, Kevin Branigan, said: “We’ve now overtaken major competitors 2FM, Today FM, 98FM and Q102 in key demographics in the city, and we now have more than half the daily audience of 98FM. This is our fifth JNLR survey since we launched and it is by far our best yet; we’ve shown strong continued growth in our 25-54 demographic.

“In addition to major gains in ABC1s and Housekeepers, we have passed out 2FM in 25-34s, Q102 in 25-34s and Today FM in 15-34s daily in Dublin – a terrific result for a radio station that has been on air less than 18 months.

“Nova offers a unique mix of some of the best guitar songs every made and well-known on-air personalities - and, judging from these figures, we are clearly striking a chord with listeners in Dublin and the commuter belt,” said Branigan.

they played the Academy last year. Lead singer, Willie, is a lovely, sof t-spoken Scottish lad who turns into a leather pants-wearing sex god (aka Jim Morrison) when on stage, and sounds uncannily like him too!

I can’t wait to check out these bands, if only to be reminded of the good old days...you know – when if you were reading about a worldwide economic disaster, a crash or a bond you were probably holding an Ian Fleming novel!

The Australian Pink Floyd are bringing their amazing show to the Olympia

18 GAZETTE 9 February 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs GET MORE FUN AND VALUE WITH THE MAZDA2: EVERYBODY needs a little more fun in their lives, but we recognise the need for more value, too. The good news for drivers is that Mazda is helping their customers out with making the Mazda2 incredibly easy to afford.

During February and March, Mazda is offering the Mazda2 from only €13,495.

The Mazda2 represents some of the best value for money in the segment, in terms of low retail price and generous levels of standard equipment.

In addition, Mazda Ireland is running a promotion where one lucky customer who purchases a new Mazda during February and March will win the retail price of their car back in cash.

Mazda is also offering low-rate finance of just 5.9% with a low deposit of only 20% up to a period of four years through Mazda Finance.

From its launch, the Mazda2 has been ground-breaking. It set the benchmark for lightweight construction, helping the Mazda2 to scoop the World Car of the Year award. Less weight means more fun, with a supple chassis that will put a smile on any driver’s face.

In Ireland, the best-selling Mazda2 Sensu model now costs only €14,995.

Standard equipment includes 15” alloy wheels, air conditioning, leather steering wheel and gear knob, and side and curtain airbags.

Mercedes-Benz main dealer, Chris Germaine, from Grange Motors, Deansgrange, pictured giving thumbs up to the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class which has just arrived on the Irish market

Quantum leap for B-Class I CORMAC CURTIS

Motoring Correspondent

MERCEDES have begun their roll-out of three new models being introduced in 2012, and the new B-Class can now be seen at Irish dealer showrooms.

The new M-Class and SL follow in March/April, but the B-Class is the larger of their two compact models, fitting into the range ahead of the wellknown A-Class.

Said to represent “a quantum leap” in the compact class given its billing as the first model change in their history

to have so many new features introduced at one time, it comes on the market with a vastly improved range of standard specifications and an entry-level price that Mercedes-Benz says is 11% lower than the model it replaces.

Amongst its most striking aspects are its reduced height, lower centre of gravity, generous interior space and high standard of safety. Its redesigned electromechanical steering, new four-link rear axle and upgraded electronic stability system make it, what MercedesBenz says is, “fascinatingly agile” without cost

in comfort terms.

Arguably, its most impressive selling point and the feature most likely to appeal to potential B-Class buyers will be its high quality and spacious interior. Seats are more upright and set lower to the road with the result that headroom has been improved. Its extra interior spaciousness can be made more valuable by an optional feature that allows the rear seats to be adjusted forwards/backwards to facilitate the carriage of bulky items.

In its driving and handling characteristics, the

new B-Class outshines its predecessor. An optional lower sports suspension and direct-steer system emphasise its sporty character. Outstanding aerodynamics help to deliver low fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions, while a standard item on all B-Class models is an ECO start/ stop function.

In Ireland, the model likely to account for the bulk of B-Class sales is the 109bhp entry-level B180 CDI which comes on the market at €29,330 (ex works) with road tax of €160 per annum. A second diesel, also with four-

cylinder, common rail, direct-injection, is a 2.0litre/136bhp unit whose price will be announced later.

In petrol form, the first version to go on sale is the 122bhp B180BlueEFFICIENCY selling at €29,890 (ex works) with road tax of €225 per annum. A 2.0litre/156bhp BlueEFFICIENCY version will be added to the range at a later date, the price of which will be announced at the time.

Driving the new B-Class is a completely new six-speed manual transmission, notable for

its extremely easy gear change and low shift forces. Also available as an option is a 7G dual-clutch transmission system that combines the comfort of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual.

Described by their sales manager, Ciaran Allen, as a car that “ticks all the boxes”, its lower price, reduced running costs, interior spaciousness and exceptional range of comfort and safety features are elements he believes come together to give the B-Class a wide appeal amongst those seeking to match prestige to practicality.

Is parallel parking more stressful than going to the dentist?

It’s arguably the most frustrating part of the driving experience, parallel parking, and it has the potential to drive even the most level-headed motorist around the bend.

Enter Ford’s Active Park Assist. With more than 100,000 cars having been ordered with this feature, the appetite for this kind of technology speaks for

itself.

Ford has now tripled production levels for the technology, which calculates the optimal steering angle and quickly steers the vehicle hands-free into a parking spot.

“Ford Active Park Assist takes all the stress out of parking,” said Ford engineer Kay Müller. “At the touch of a button, it

enables you to park in the smallest of spaces, while at the same time reducing the risk of accidental damage to your vehicle and those surrounding it.”

A total of 102,460 European customers have specified Active Park Assist since it was introduced on the new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX at the end of 2010, with one-in-three buyers speci-

fying it on those cars alone. A further one-in-five have ordered it on the new Ford Focus, which went on sale last year.

A third of European drivers surveyed

by Ford last year said they struggled to parallel park. Many confessed to finding it more stressful than a trip to the dentist.

9 February 2012 GAZETTE 19

Gazetteh Valentines

20 GAZETTE 9 February 2012

RETAIL: AVOID ANY HEARTACHE OVER THE SPECIAL DAY’S COST

You could share a romantic movie treat at Brooks

Share a romantic film stay at Brooks Hotel BROOKS Hotel in the heart of Dublin has a range of Valentine offers for couples – with its romantic movie offering in the Drury Street hotel’s 26-seater private cinema just one of a number of notable features at the hotel.

This is just one feature of a number of special Valentine packages, with others including such delights as a range of overnight and two-night packages that include the chefs’ signature chocolate treats and Prosecco on arrival, a complimentary room upgrade, a rose petal bed, and dinner in Francesca’s restaurant.

However, the cinema feature stands out as a special Valentine’s treat, and is exclusive to diners on Valentine’s night, with the movie a complimentary treat for the first 26 guest bookings – and with dinner and the cinema available for €39.95 per person. For further details, and package info, see www.brookshotel.ie, or phone 01 670 4000.

Bake to your heart’s content with M&S IT’S said that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, with Marks & Spencer taking this advice to prepare a range of offers that won’t bust the budget, and let you bake to your heart’s content.

The M&S range of Valentine’s wares are too tempting to pass up, providing some wonderful ways to help cook up a delicious treat for your loved one (or even for yourself).

12 Mini Heart Silicone

Le Creuset Heart

Cases, €7

Casserole dish, €47.50

Heart Springform Cake Pan, €10

Hearts Mixing Bowl, €27

Get a Lidl bit of help for a wonderful time LIDL has been busy preparing for St Valentine’s Day with a wide range of special offers, all designed to complement the special mood, but without any heartbreaking cost.

Whether preparing for an unforgettable homecooked meal, or looking for the perfect gift to show you care, Lidl stores are stocking up with just what you need.

For starters, look no further than Lidl for flowers, with its luxury deluxe grand prix roses. Sourced from Westland, in south Holland, which is famous for its greenhouses and mastery of all floral horticultural skills, the deluxe grand prix roses sport large flower heads and are, say Lidl, typically the heaviest and highestquality Dutch roses available on the market.

Howe ve r, t h e s e delightful roses are just part of Lidl’s Valentine

range, with other flowers including valentine tulips, luxury oriental lillies, luxury bouquets, the classic arrangement of a dozen red roses and, from Saturday, February 11, a single red rose, with prices starting from €2.99.

Celebrate the romance of the day with a sparkling champagne, with Lidl’s Comte de Brismand Champagne Brut, available for €12.99 (Super Saturday offer on Saturday, February 11). A special pink Caca – the Freixenet Cava Brut Rose – is available for €9.99.

With chocolate proving a delicious partner for champagne, make a perfect match with Lidl’s luxury brand, JD Gross, and Belgian Chocolate Sea Shells for €1.49 (also on Saturday, February 11).

Looking to sniff out a special offer? Lidl’s scentsational fragrance, Sud-

Roz Purcell and Kevin McLaughlin fill up with

denly Madame Glamour, with citrus and floral notes incorporating bergamot and jasmine, has topped blind tests carried out on the Tom Dunne Show, Newstalk and Ray D’Arcy Show, Today FM – with this remarkable level of quality available at just €3.49.

Other gifts include Valentine’s wrapping paper,

Lidl’s wares before February 14

for €1.49; heart- and roseshaped baking moulds, for €4.99; a satin negligee, for €5.99, and Valentine’s stay-up tights, for €2.99.

Last, but not least, bone up on your cooking skills with a delicious steak, with all the ingredients for a simple, yet delicious, deluxe Angus striploin steak recipe, with wilted spinach and a porcini

mushroom and garlic cream sauce, and with all ingredients available from your local Lidl store to provide a restaurantquality meal for under €24.

For these, and other special Lidl Valentine’s in-store offers, see www. lidl.ie, www.facebook. com/lidlireland or visit your nearest Lidl store.

PAMPERING: MAKE-UP TREATS TO LOOK YOUR BEST

Star treatment at LA Academy “ROSES are red, and violets are blue. Come to LA Make-Up Academy, and we will look after you!”

So says the well-known leading make-up academy, based on Chatham Street, Dublin 2, which is busy preparing for Cupid’s arrival with a range of lovely offers.

For this Valentine’s Day, ladies are invited to give themselves the pampering they deserve, with the academy marrying all of Cupid’s ideas of love to create unique packages that are designed to cater for all Valentines needs.

LA Academy’s “Love to Me” Valentine’s packages includes everything a girl could desire, such as rouge-red lips, sultry

eyes and luscious locks to make their Valentine’s Day perfect.

All of these pampering packages to look your best come with five-star treatment, such as sipping on a glass of bubbly and availing of delicious nibbles in the LA lounge, in preparation for an unforgettable experience.

Packages A number of packages and options are on offer, such as the Love To Me package, preparing you for your big night out with sultry eyes and lashes to flutter, coupled with devilishly red lips, for €35.

Alternatively, T he

Secret Sweetheart package, featues smouldering smoky eyes with individual or strip lashes and a luxurious pout.

And, for an unforgettable entrance, you could go for bouncy, waved Brigitte Bardot-style hair, for just €45.

These glamorous offers are for anyone who is dear to you, or would be ideal as a treat for yourself – after all, you deserve it, and you deserve the LA Make-Up Academy five-star treatment.

For further information, contact LA MakeUp Academy on 01 675 1999, or visit w w w. lamakeupacademy.com.

LA Academy has some special Valentine packages to draw you in, including sultry eyes and luscious locks

9 February 2012 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Mark McGarvey, of cheapstorage.ie

Cheap storage with priceless service

years left, that’s SAVING € 40,000 a year! While property bargains currently abound, there is enormous hassle from finding tenants, continuous repairs, rent reduction requests and slow payments. Add the fact that interest rates eventually can only go one way – UP. Do you really want this hassle? You can earn 5.04% gross each year by just placing it on deposit… hassle-free. Also, one lender would deduct € 36,000 from your annual income to fund your family needs – that leaves € 4,000 income availability which will get you a loan of precisely € 18,000. That’s an expensive doll house ! That € 40,000 will act as a handy Rainy Day Fund – my recommendation is that you should have at least three to six months annual income in a RDF for emergencies, sudden loss of income or that investment opportunity.

The Money Doctor’s Tip of the Week BUDGETING

Mark McGarvey, of cheapstorage.ie

on business development and management end of things.

yourself that you would like to set the record straight on?

A: I think one of my best traits,

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

A: Starting up business during

Q: What music/pictures/ movies do you have on your iPod/iPad? A: The National, Bruce Spring-

the height of the recession was difficult and there were times when I was worried, but, with hard work and dedication, we got our name out there and business is now booming.

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: A variety of Irish businesses.

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: Having the opportunity to develop my own ideas and the ability to challenge myself daily.

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

A: As more work comes in, I need to delegate the operational side of the business to others so I can focus more

work next year. Peter – Churchtown D 14

– source : LV Insurance ) so, if you have 25 working

counts, so lots of paper work.

two years ago.

pre-school, but she may look for part-time

( from birth to completion of third-level education

nese takeaway

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: I set up cheapstorage.ie over

does not work financially, as the children are

you are looking at close to € 1,000,000 to rear them

in business and personally, is that I’m an honest guy, so I really would have no need to.

Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?

A: A few, when I was teenager.

annum, am married with four children. My wife

number one asset and with those four children,

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

A: Doing my month-end ac-

chicken balls.

now as an investment ? I earn € 50,000 per

kids and a … to quote Kenny Rogers. Income is your

Q: What was your first job?

A: A kitchen porter in a ChiQ: And your first pay cheque?

A: Thirty pounds and a bag of

ings of € 40,000. Should I buy another property

A – Let us look at the facts – married, four hungry

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

A: A footballer.

Q – I have paid off my mortgage and have sav-

Q: What sport do you follow?

A: Soccer mainly, started

steen, Tom Petty, Arcade Fire, Johnny Cash and lots of 80’s music.

Q: What was your last Tweet/ status update?

A: A picture I put up of Blar-

watching a bit of MMA recently.

ney Castle on a trip to Cork.

Q: What sport can you play?

A: I currently play for Mount

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: Anything without mayon-

do you own?

A: Six. Q: What habits would you like to lose?

A: None, I think, but my wife would like me to tidy up more!

Q: At the moment, what are you looking forward to?

A: A number of good friends of ours are getting married this year, so I am looking forward to celebrating with all of them.

Q: What was your worst holiday experience?

A: Food poisoning in Thailand, so that wasn’t nice.

If you have not undertaken a budget exercise, call or email me to bring you through the consultation process. See web site for details.

Contact John with your money questions at

jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at

Canada and do lots of outdoor activities.

director of Money Doctor

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: Professional footballer

band called The National.

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: In antique shops.

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

A: Relax and travel with my

Q: Is there anything about

Q: How many pairs of shoes

wife.

Q: What is your guilty music/ TV or movie pleasure?

A: Music, and it has to be a

1. Do I need this item of expenditure ?

2. Is there a better or cheaper alternative ?

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: I’d like to travel around

naise, with the company of my family and friends!

Merrion FC.

Only 45% of people in a recent survey stated they had completed an annual household budget exercise. One of the most important chores at the start of any year should be the completion of such budgets. Only when you know what your expenditure is can you plan on the surplus ( or deficit ! ), or even ask those two important questions

www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing

146,000* PEOPLE IN DUBLIN READ OUR PAPERS EACH WEEK

MARK was born in Stillorgan, the youngest in a family of six, and spent most of his early years playing sports, especially football. He attended Oatlands College in Stillorgan and received his third-level qualifications in business and computers.

After college, he developed his sales skills in the telecommunications industry in Dublin and later moved to Sydney, Australia, where he headed up teams of telesales agents.This is where he really began to develop his flair for management and entrepreneurship.

Mark decided to return home to Ireland in 2010 to take over the directorship of his family warehousing business and opportunity arose when two of his units became available. Rather than pursue the route of finding new tenants during the global recession, Mark decided to use these offices and warehouses to start his own business and, from this, cheapstorage.ie was born.

The company has recently expanded into a removals service, which offers customers an extra security knowing that their goods will be handled with care and consideration and, of course, offering that personal touch throughout the entire storage process.

In 2012, Mark plans to expand the business more by offering a service to and from the UK, and also expanding into national wide storage units. In the past two years, Mark and his company have seen exceptional growth during this economic downturn, yet has not compromised his high standards of customer loyalty and service.

BUY PROPERTY NOW ?

*based on standard industry measurements

TO ADVERTISE CALL 60 10 240

22 GAZETTE 9 February 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Abbey Travel launch new Over 50s’ brochures ABBEY Travel has just launched two new brochures for the Over 50s’ market for 2012 – Portugal for Over 50s’ and Canary Islands for Over 50s.

In these brochures, you will find great value seven- and 14-night packages to popular hotels in the Algarve, Lisbon Coast, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.

Seven night packages start from €499 per person.

Direct flights and airport transfers, seven- or 14-nights hotel accommodation, B and B basis in Portugal and half board basis in Canary Islands and local representation is all included.

Abbey Travel also offers holidays for Over 50s to popular resorts in Spain, including Costa del Sol, Catalan Coast and Majorca and a range of walking and cycling holidays in their Adventure Holidays for Over 50s’ brochure.

Call Abbey Travel on 01 804 7100 or visit www.abbeytravel.ie for more information.

WE HAVE 146,000* READERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

Cheer on the boys in green when they take on Croatia at the spectacular Stadion Miejski in vibrant Poznan

Making your UEFA Euro 2012 dreams come true ARE you a diehard soccer fan dreaming of following Ireland to the UEFA Euro 2012 championship? If so, Thompson Sport can make your dreams come true.

As one of two licensed tour operators in Ireland, Thompson Sport are in a great position to guarantee a match ticket. By booking this package, this means you have been assigned a ticket by UEFA and have a guaranteed right to purchase. Once you secure your travel package with Thompson, UEFA will contact you directly to take payment for the face-value of your ticket. This means you’ll be getting your ticket sent direct to your home address from UEFA. Ireland V Croatia

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 60 10 240

You will depart from Dublin for Poznan on Saturday, June 9, the day before the match. Experience the thrill of the build-up to the big match.

Then cheer on the boys in green as they take on Croatia at the spectacular Stadion Miejski in vibrant Poznan.

Stay at the three-star Polonez Hotel from €1,549pp, which is superbly located in the centre of Poznan where you can explore the sights and sounds of everything Poznan has to offer.

Price includes access to a licensed match ticket through UEFA, plus three nights accommodation, return flights from Dublin Airport and all transfers. You will also have the services of a Thomson Sport host with a local representative for the duration of your trip to make sure things run smoothly.

Travel from June 9 to June 12.

Alternatively, stay at the three-star HP Park Hotel from €1,699pp. This hotel is located along the picturesque Malta Lake shore in Poznan, with

an artificial ski slope, cycle track and luge track within walking distance and plenty of outdoor space to explore.

Ireland V Spain

There will be nothing quite like the electric atmosphere in the PGE Arena, where Ireland meet defending European and World Champions Spain. The excitement will begin on your daytime flight from Dublin to Gdansk on Tuesday, June 12. You will have an opportunity on Wednesday to explore all that Gdansk has to offer. Then, on Thursday, enjoy the build-up to the match and also the aftermatch party.

Stay at the three-star Novotel Centrum Hotel from only €1,549pp. The Novotel Centrum Hotel is located in the culturerich Granar y Island region of Gdansk, a short walk from the Old Town.

Travel June 12 to 16.

Or stay at the four-star Mercure Hotel, from only €1,699pp.

The Mercure Hotel is set in the picturesque surroundings of the historic Gdansk Shipyard and other historic monuments.

Ireland V Italy

Trappatoni’s squad are back in the Stadion Miejski to take on the Azzuri. Both teams have a lot to prove after Italy’s 2-0 defeat in the friendly against Ireland last summer. Travel on June 16 and return on June 19.

Stay at the three-star HP Park Hotel, from only €1,699pp or the Polonez Hotel from €1,549pp.

For a 10-night trip and access to all three matches, stay at the three-star Novotel Malta Hotel from only €2,899pp.

Price includes access to a licensed match ticket through UEFA for the matches against Croatia, Spain and Italy, 10 nights

accommodation, return f lights from Dublin Airport and all transfers, including a coach transfer from Poznan to Gdansk for the match against Spain.

You will also have the services of a Thomson Sport host with a local representative for the duration of your trip to make sure things run smoothly, plus some nice little extras. Travel on June 9 and return on June 19.

For more information on the Euro 2012 packages, visit www.thompsonsports.ie or call 01 4331013.

Day trips

Joe Walsh Tours are also giving diehard soccer fans a chance to watch Ireland battle against some of Europe’s top teams.

Joe Walsh Tours have launched their Euro 2012 packages with day trips to each of the group stages

matches in Poland.

So, be there in the flesh to see the boys in green take on Croatia, Spain and Italy in what promises to be a nail-biting experience.

Ireland v Croatia on the June 10, 2012 from only €494 (including tax).

Ireland v Spain on the June 14, 2012 from only €524 (including tax).

Ireland v Italy on the June 18, 2012 from only €494 (including tax).

Offer includes direct return flights from Dublin to Poznan or Gdansk, return airport-stadium transfers in Poland, one small piece of hand luggage per person, the assistance of a Joe Walsh Tours representative throughout the duration of the trip and all airport taxes and charges. Match tickets are not included.

For further information, or to book your Euro 2012 package, visit www. joewalshtours.ie

9 February 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

TravelBriefs

The Giant’s Causeway

Escape to the coast and stay in the charming Ballygally Castle ESCAPE to the coast with a castle retreat and overnight stay for two at the Ballygally Castle, with an evening main course from only £80 per couple.

This enchanting hotel is regarded as one of the most luxurious hotels in Antrim and is full of character and charm, boasting 44 beautiful bedrooms and many of the castle’s original features and antique furnishings, which give the hotel a unique, welcoming atmosphere.

The famous Glens of Antrim and the Giant’s Causeway are located close to the hotel and the superb scenery can be enjoyed from many coastal and glen walks.

To book or for further information, go to www.hastingshotels.com/ballygally-castle or call 048 2858 1066 and quote CASTLE RETREAT.

WEDDINGS Trim Castle is a place of legendary beauty

The perfect venue for the perfect day TRIM Castle Hotel, located in the Boyne Valley Region, is steeped in legendary beauty and is the perfect venue for the perfect wedding day.

Every woman dreams of a fairytale experience for their big day, and Trim Castle Hotel is one of the most beautiful and historic locations in Ireland in which to get married.

It sits with quiet authority overlooking the mystical Trim Castle and the adjoining rolling lawns of St Patrick’s Church.

Looking onto the Castle, alight in romantic colour amongst the evening sky, is a breathtaking scene. It brings elegance and charm to an already very special day.

Trim Castle Hotel is a registered venue for civil ceremonies.

The hotel’s Wedding Fair will take place on Sunday, February 19, 2012 from 2-5pm and, is the perfect day to view the venue.

The Great Hall banqueting suite will be fully set for a wedding on the

day and there will be an array of suppliers in attendance.

Modern couples don’t settle for just any venue, and Trim Castle Hotel possesses the old-world charisma of the historical Anglo-Norman castle, and the contemporary standards of magnificent food and stunning decor.

The floor-to-ceiling windows of the Great Hall banqueting suite and wonderful pre-function area allow a view of the castle and church lawns that is unique.

The roof-top garden, located on the third floor, provides the ultimate backdrop for wedding photography, with spectacular views over the grounds of the castle and the surrounding area.

The team aspire to achieving the highest standards of personal and professional attention in the planning and preparation of your special celebration.

All wedding packages offer a number of complimentary features, such

Trim Castle Hotel is located in the breathtaking Boyne Valley Region

as consultancy and planning with one of their experienced wedding coordinators, red carpet and champagne reception for the bridal party and complimentary stay

for the bride and groom in one of the deluxe rooms with champagne breakfast the following morning, For further information, please contact the

hotel’s wedding co-ordinators on 046-9483000 or email info@trimcastlehotel.com. Web: www. trimcastleweddings.com or www.trimcastlehotel. com

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24 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 February 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 How Do Actors Play

THIS workshop for children and accompanying adults will see Louis Lovett and Muireann Ahern take you through the actor’s journey on stage, with topics looking at how to take hold of the moment you’re in, how to look forward to the moment coming next and, most importantly, how to look back, presented in the mischievous but educational spirit of play. The workshop is at 10.30am on Saturday, February 11, with tickets priced €8 for children, and €10 for accompanying adults.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 David O’Doherty

LISTING David’s many comedy awards and nominations would fill half this page and so, instead, David is happy to simply list some of his modest achievements, including being the founder member of Destiny’s Child, inventing the iPad, and, most impressively, being the 1990 East Leinster under-14 triple jump bronze medallist. The Irish triple jump legend (and occasional comedy festival-winning comedian) returns to The Mill on Friday, February 10, with tickets for his 8pm show priced at €16.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Alternative Self Portraits

DRAIOCHT has a number of fascinating courses running at the moment, including Genevieve Harden’s alternative selfportraits eight-week course, running on Thursday mornings from 11am to 1pm until Thursday, March 29. Genevieve will guide and encourage students in experimenting and creating alternative self-portraits, drawing on the inner artist’s eye. Priced €80/€65 conc/OAP €40, contact Draiocht at 01 885 2622, or email emer@draiocht.ie

Human Muppet fan, Gary (Jason Segel) teams up with his Muppet brother, Walter (far right) to help make The Muppets famous again, as they join the Swedish Chef, Gonzo, Beaker and Doctor Bunsen Honeydew, Sam, Sweetums, Fozzie and Rizzo for a new, lively, big screen adventure

A fur-ly good film The Muppets return, infused with the spirit of classic Muppet madness, but with a dash of modern humour I KATE CROWLEY

LET history judge me on my solemn decree – The Muppets delivered the definitive version of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, and that’s a fact, Jack.

No, not you, Jack Black – although I’ll get to you, later – but I’m merely tipping my hand at being somewhat kindly predisposed towards The Muppets, in general.

Why, many a night I spent in front of our magnificent, wooden television in the living room, back in 197(cough, cough, no need to start pondering my age, dear readers), watching The Muppets on the small screen, while I also watched their bigscreen excursions in subsequent years.

Despite the premature death of their creator, Jim Henson, the characters have endured – and this is an endear-

FILM OF THE WEEK: The Muppets #### (G) 109 mins Director: James Bobin Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Peter Linz, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzy, Gonzo, and a cast of thousands

OUR VERDICT: NOT quite up there with the very best of earlier Muppet films, and the long-running classic television show, The Muppets still makes a pleasant return, as behind the occasional schmaltz (and outright mayhem) it’s got something rarely seen these days in family films – heart. So, while it’s not the very best of Muppet madness, it’s still fun to hang out with this raggle-taggle group of characters ...

ing return to form for our furry friends.

But first – the humans.

Gary (Segel) and his girlfriend, Mary (Adams) live in Smalltown, and, as huge Muppet fans, it seems like a great idea for them to head off to LA, to see the legendary Muppet Theatre – with Gary’s Muppet brother, Walter (Linz) in tow.

Unfortunately, the Smalltown trio soon find that the big Muppet stars they grew up with are, effectively, washed-up

nobodies, forgotten by, well, pretty much everybody, while the theatre itself is a wreck.

Not only that, but the theatre’s up for grabs, with a greedy oilman all set to buy and demolish it.

(Ten guesses why, folks.)

Goodness! Is this the ignominious end for T he Muppets?

E r r, no, of

course not.

Gary, Mary and Walter are soon on the case, as a standard round-up-theold-gang plot plays out, with them seeking out all the big Muppet stars of old, determined to stage one helluva show to raise the necessary $10,000,000 needed to buy and save the Muppet theatre (and also, basically, put the Muppets back in the public eye again).

Also of course, things don’t go according to plan, with a certain stunning, headstrong, porcine princess getting her nose out of joint, and refusing to team up with Kermee and co.

But the show must go on, and it’s not long before The Muppets are back in action, with everything going well until – Well, t h a t ’s

enough. Either you’re a fan of those furball goofballs and bug-eyed antics, or you’re not, in which case this is definitely either a one- or a four-star film for you to consider.

It’s not quite up there with classic, vintage Muppet madness of old – but then, without Jim Henson at the helm, those dizzy heights of comic wackiness are unlikely to ever be scaled by The Muppets again.

Still, this film has plenty of heart, and daftness, while the human cast – including Jack Black, Whoopi Goldberg, and a few other well-known faces as Themselves – provide able support for the inevitable pratfalls, mugging, insults and calamity that come to pass.

To paraphrase The Muppets’ Statler and Waldorf – my critic spirit guides for umpteen years – it’s great for The Muppets to be here. (It’s great for them to be anywhere.)

9 February 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces Tiny titles spark copyright debate

With flagship launch titles such as Uncharted: Golden Abyss offering this level of graphic fidelity, Sony’s PlayStation Vita handheld device (inset) is likely to have lots of gamers reaching for it once it hits the market here

Should be plenty of Vita-lity in this one SHANE DILLON

REMEMBER the PlayStation Portable? The PSP was pretty popular for a while, but never quite set gaming markets alight for a variety of reasons.

I had one, but although I amassed a sizable collection of games, I never had the feeling that it reached its potential, with increasingly lacklustre

support from the gaming industry, and, certainly, the PSP never had anywhere near the kind of “legs” that Nintendo’s DS had.

Step forward Sony’s spiritual successor to the PSP, the VITA, which has been performing reasonably well overseas, with our Japanese friends having the advantage of early access.

As hand-held consoles

go, the Vita is taking an interesting approach, being what one gaming pundit described as “a PSP with bells on”, as in many ways it’s a straightforward evolution of Sony’s earlier piece of kit.

Of course, it’s a handheld console with greatly souped-up power and abilities, compared to its predecessor and, in a nod to modern gaming inter-

Anotherweebyte...

Some X-cellent titles on the way MICROSOFT are about to push out some interesting XBox 360 downloadable titles, with XBox LIVE Arcade House Party! seeing a number of titles hitting the XBox Live Arcade every Wednesday from February 15 until March 7.

And, as an incen-

tive for those who buy all four downloadable titles, Microsoft will give gamers 800 Microsoft Points (MP) in return.

Two titles in particular stand out – Alan Wake’s American Nightmare (February 22, 1200MP), which sees a return to the surprisingly involving survival horror game’s setting, involving a Stephen King-ish writer and the horrors

he finds in Bright Falls’ dense woods. This time, Alan finds trouble in Arizona, and should prove pretty entertaining again.

Later, I Am Alive (March 7, 1200MP) sees a long-delayed game of survival in a destroyed city finally arrive, boasting a strong narrative and an interesting setting – both adding to the XBox party experience.

ests, its “touch-enabled” functions lend it an interesting adaptability to add an extra dimension to games, including its curious rear touch pad.

So, how has the Vita been doing since its recent release, and how do they bode for its upcoming release within our own regional territory?

Well, since hitting the market in Japan in December, the Vita has performed ... okay. Sales figures haven’t been fully disclosed just yet – in fairness, it’s a little too soon to start racking up the figures, ahead of Sony’s quarterly accounts – but all accounts are that its performing solidly, if not spectacularly.

Here, there has been much focus on the impressive power of the console, which Sony have been showcasing to great effect with the Vita spinoff from one of its flagship titles, Uncharted: Golden Abyss.

With sales of 350,000

units in Japan during its first week, followed by a tailing-off but solid sales, Sony CFO Masaru Kato has said that the company had “a good start” for hitting 500,000 units within three weeks.

Will Dublin gamers take to the Vita with as much early-adopter enthusiasm as we’ve seen overseas, and which we can expect to see from the Vita’s (expected) release here in late February?

Perhaps, as, despite the recession, gamers and tech-heads still seem to find the money for the latest gadget, and Sony’s Vita certainly lays down quite a challenge for the iPhone generation, many of whom will undoubtedly be looking for something more than just an Angry Birds machine.

Despite the challenging times we live in, it’s good to see progression in the portable gaming market, and the Vita could have plenty of life once it hits its stride.

THERE’S an interesting row simmering away regarding content and intellectual property (IP), and what constitutes a publisher’s title adding to an already established genre, or being, perhaps, more similar than one may expect.

Given the stakes involved with publishing on Apple’s formats, the issues of how strongly IP is defined, and subsequently protected, are beginning to become ever more prominent.

Nimblebit, publisher of Tiny Tower, has been busy exchanging broadsides with Zynga, publisher of Dream Heights, in a continuing case that’s fascinating the gaming industry.

Launched last year, Tiny Tower’s core gameplay mechanics – building a tower block floor by floor, choosing what types of use each floor would be put to, and then filling staff positions, ordering stock, and so on – are now also on show in Dream Heights, which looks ... similar, and shares many of the same core gameplay mechanics, such as the number of employees per floor, stocking systems, express elevators, and so on.

Zynga has rejected any claims of plagiarism, and stuck to its guns that the titles merely resemble each other, and some core details coincidentally match. Still, it’ll be interesting if the renewed industry interest focuses attention on identifying greater ways to define, and then control, IP rights.

GAZETTE

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 February 2012

BLANCHclassifieds

BATHROOMS

PLANNING NOTICE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning permission is being sought

by Eric and Olive Dwyer for a domestic extension at 57 Castleknock Park, Castlek n o c k , D u b l i n 15 consisting of a single and two storey extension to the rear and a single storey extension to the front The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (â‚Ź20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of this application.

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9 February 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

JANUARY JOY:

Last month’s 2012 Sports Awards winners are announced: Page 29

SWIMMING: UNIQUE CLUB TAKES MORE HONOURS IN MASTERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT

Atlantis rises to the top as Bardi claims records

sport@gazettegroup.com

ATLANTIS swimming club celebrated another milestone in their short existence last week when club member Rodrigo Bardi set a new Irish record in the 50m and 100m breastroke in the Masters’ category at the Masters’ Championships in Derry.

It provided another medal in the fledgling club’s history since they formed with just seven

members last autumn, basing themselves in the Markievicz pool on Townsend Street.

Since then, numbers have swelled to 19 but treble those numbers could be accommodated as they are in a unique position as one of the only competitive clubs based in a Dublin City Council pool.

As such, the club is grateful to the Markievicz staff who have allowed them to open the centre at 5am for morning swims

without members having to become leisure club members.

The club was formed in the wake of the change in structure at a leisure centre in Clontarf, which saw club coach Nicky Barker moving on from his management role.

A number of the children he coached there wanted to continue training under the Cabinteely resident, leading to the formation of Atlantis.

And the switch has

Members of the Atlantic Swim Club, with club coach Nicky Barker far right

given him a new lease of life, he told GazetteSport.

“When you are responsible for running a centre and a lot of staff, you can get distracted easily.

While I was there, we had plenty of national champions. Now we can just concentrate on the task at hand.

“Back in January 2011,

we looked for a new facility to train in. We looked at 22 or 23 places around Dublin, but couldn’t find space. The management at the Markieviz were incredibly amenable.”

For him, the philosophy of the club is simple: “If I was to say ‘swim fast and have fun’, it would be plagiarising too many people but, basically, it’s that sim-

ple. The committee have put an awful lot into getting the club organised.”

He brings with him a wealth of experience, working for five years at the Kilternan Sports Hotel. He has also coached a series of national champions like Leo Delaney, William Ensor and Maria Schaler.

The parents are delight-

ed he will be continuing to work with their children: “The consistency is the coach. You can swim in any pool, but it was the coach who was important to us and our children.”

The club currently is looking for new recruits of all ages. For more information, contact Irene Clonan on ireneclonan@ gmail.com.

28 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 February 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastGAA

SPORTS AWARDS: SOMERTON CLUB CLAIM OVERALL TITLE with Setanta’s Senan Connell

Learning curve in place for Gilroy’s Dublin DUBLIN manager Pat Gilroy kept his players in the dressing room for quite some time on Saturday night and, having seen the way he went about the game against Kerry, there may well be a part of him that is happy with the way they performed and ultimately lost.

Little indicators, like leaving Diarmuid Connolly on frees and having Alan and Bernard Brogan on the bench for the whole game, would indicate to me that the Kerry game was a great opportunity to try things out, and Pat was happy to do just that.

If this was a league final, or indeed a championship game, Stephen Cluxton would have been on the frees and the two lads above would have played some part.

What will have disappointed him was the manner of the defeat and that is why a few home truths were no doubt spelled out in the dressing room. They have nowhere near the amount of work done that they had at this time in 2010, or 2011, and there are cobwebs. The physicality just was not there.

Dublin are on a pedestal. All-Ireland champions, every team will raise their game to beat them and when Kerry raise their game, you know you’ll be in trouble.

Dublin will find it very difficult on the road to Mayo. I do expect a backlash from the team but going back West to get a result is not easy and I even remember being on the end of one hammering myself as a player. They will need to step it up a gear or two.

Senan Connell is a pundit with Setanta Sports, broadcasting 14 exclusively live Allianz League matches this season.

Setanta Sports Satellite customers can subscribe for just €8.49 per month to get this great GAA plus 33 Premier League games, FA Cup, European soccer and World Class Rugby. Subscribe at Setanta.com/gaaoffer or call 0818 20 30 40.

Members of the Castleknock GAA club, including players, mentors and chairman Niall Tutty, at the Dublin Sports Awards

Castleknock champs sport@gazettegroup.com

CASTLEKNOCK GAA club were crowned the Sports Team of the Year at the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, hosted by Dublin Gazette Newspapers and the Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley last Friday night.

The club received the award in recognition of their achievements both on the field of play and in the community.

The Somerton Parkbased side have become Dublin’s fastest-growing GA A club and their chairman, Niall Tutty, was delighted to receive the award.

“This award means an awful lot to the club.

Castleknock is a very young club, only formed in 1998, and we only opened our new grounds in April last year. We are coming up against some

of the best, long-established clubs in the city and we are beginning to hold our own against them.

“We won the Dublin Minor A championship in October, which was a huge achievement.

“We have a great set of lads who have come through the ranks of the club over the years, winning the Feile title in 2007, and who are now breaking through on the county representative panels.

“As well as that, we have had our senior footballers and hurlers go from junior to intermediate level for the first time, which is a big step up.

“It’s important that the lads coming through are doing so at the highest level possible, and the promotions are important for them and for the club,” said Tutty.

The attitude of the club

to the grass roots, and development of players from the academy level upwards, was another significant factor in their nomination for the overall award, and one which Tutty has complete faith in.

“The key part of the club and its growth is the fact that we built it from the bottom up. The focus on the club is on the nursery section; we will have about 200 kids from the ages of four to eight playing football and hurling every weekend.

“We reach a wide range of people throughout the community, and we want to get parents and families involved throughout the club, at all levels. We are seeing the adult sections growing as fast as the rest of the club.”

The club’s significance was cemented in 2011

with the inclusion of a number of representatives on various Dublin panels, proof that the sporting ethos at the club is as strong as its sense of community.

“We had players on the Dublin minor A hurling panel, and the Dublin minor football panel, and we had two or three starters on each team. They all do the club proud.

“Of course, we also had Rory Corcoran, who joined the Dublin senior panel this year, and he has been a leading light in spite of us playing at junior level.”

The plans for the club for 2012 include the launch of a bond scheme to assist with raising the funds to build a stateof-the-art clubhouse at Somerton, and they plan to start the build in April, with a view to completing

the project over the next two years.

“The ambition is there to achieve as much as we can in the coming years.

With the help of the local community and the members of the club, there’s no end to what we can achieve,” said Tutty.

Niall Tutty

9 February 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 29

in association with

DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS 2011: A CELEBRATION

2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS NOVEMBER WINNERS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

STARof theMONTH

AVA HUTCHINSON THE DSDAC athlete was in sparkling form in Montreal in January to claim the Olympic qualifying standard in the marathon, joining teammate Linda Byrne as one more Dundrum South Dublin athlete competing for a place at London 2012. Her showing in the prestigious event was further proof of the talent pool at the club.

TEAMof theMONTH

SWORDS JUDO CLUB

THE Swords club claimed an incredible nine AllIreland titles at the National schools dojo in Finglas in January, with another victory in the shape of the Nikita Levchenko in the 41kg minor men’s section and Eddie McLoughlin in the junior mens’ 55kg section at NUI Galway last week to underline the quality of the fighters and the coaches at the North Dublin club.

ANOTHER sports awards year over, and a new one just begun!

Time flies when you’re having fun and it was a huge delight to present the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards at the Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley last week in the presence of the cameras of Setanta Ireland.

But sport goes on as we know, and we’re delighted to present the first winners of the 2012 awards.

Ava Hutchinson added herself to the roster of impressive athletes from Dundrun South Dublin likely to appear at London 2012 with a qualifying performance in Montreal last month.

Castleknock GAA’s Niall Nulty receiving the team award on behalf of the club with Clarion Hotel’s Garrett Marrinan and GazetteSport editor, Rob Heigh

Dublin’s finest at Gazette celebration sport@gazettegroup.com

THE 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, in conjunction with Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley and Setanta Sports Ireland proved to be the best-ever celebration of the finest in Dublin sports, when the 24 monthly stars and teams named throughout the year were honoured last weekend.

In front of a packed house, compere Paul Dempsey, the esteemed sports journalist and presenter on Setanta, exper tly steered the evening that saw the main awards being presented to Dundr um

South Dublin high-jump expert Deirdre Ryan and the fastest-growing club in Dublin GAA, Castleknock.

Speaking after the event, GazetteSpor t editor, Rob Heigh, said: “Every year, it is a privilege to report on Dublin sport, and to have the opportunity to give something back to the people who make sport in the city so vibrant and diverse is an honour in itself.

“The variety and scope of the awards, that mean we have the chance to honour individuals, clubs, schools and teams across the myriad of

sports in the city, allows us the chance to thank not only the people who recieved the awards, but all of those whose great achievements appear in the sports pages of the eight Gazette newspapers every week of the year.”

The diversity of the event saw representatives of 14 different sports, from underage soccer to senior golf, receiving awards on the stage from the affable Dempsey.

This was the first year that the event was covered by Setanta Sports Ireland, and a pro gramme based on the events of the evening

will go out on the cable channel in the next few weeks.

“We are looking forward to another year of incredible achievement on the sporting calendar,” said Rob Heigh.

“With London 2012 and Euro 2012 on the horizon, as well as the Six Nations just started, it certainly looks like 2012 will be as packed with excitement, drama and Irish success on a local, national, and international stage to look forward to.

“These awards are about the best of our sporting communities, and the best of Dublin.”

Swords Judo Club showed the small-club ethos of grass-roots development with nine titles at the All-Ireland Schools Judo event last month.

Let us know!

Let us know about your achievements in sport, so that the Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin — and give you, or your team, a chance to be one of our monthly stars.

Contact us on 01 601 0240 or sport@gazettegroup.com to tell us all about your successes, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ gazettesportII. PJ, proud father of Deirdre Ryan

Host Paul Dempsey, of Setanta, with Insaka FC

30 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 February 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

CYCLING: LOCAL RIDER PREPARED FOR LIFE WITH NEW CLUB

Coolmine U-9s Rock on in series of top ties COOLMINE’S Under-9s travelled south-side last week to face Blackrock at Stradbrook in one of the few fixtures in the metro section to survive the weather conditions.

The heavy overnight rain, though, could not deter the Blackrock and Coolmine packs in what was the Dublin 15 club’s third outing of 2012 having already accounted for Clontarf in Ashbrook and Virginia in Cavan.

With 28 registered U-9 players, a great turn-out of 22 faced off against Rock, fielding two teams -the Blues and the Sharks - both unbeaten thus far, against four teams from Blackrock.

Coolmine started the brighter of the two, scoring frequently in the early stages of their games as the Blues and Sharks each played four 15-minute games in succession.

But, with underfoot conditions sticky, both teams tired as the morning went on so all the subs came on to play their part.

Corduff push Verona to play on in SFAI cup LSL giants CORUDFF continued their fine recent history in the SFAI cup competitions with two sides still riding high in the competitions.

Their U-14 side progressed to the last 16 of the competition last weekend when they showed a clean pair of heels to Parkvillla, running up a 7-2 victory.

Their U-11 side is still in their competition, too, with a last-32 date with Louth’s Glenmuir to come.

Mountview Boys, meanwhile, set up a date with DDSL U-13 Premier rivals Malahide United in the last 16 after they won a thrilling 4-3 tie against St Columban’s.

VERONA’S reward for their stunning win in Donegal against Dr umkeen in the fourth round of the FAI Intermediate Cup is a Dublin derby date at either Killester United or Crumlin United.

It is an imposing challenge against whichever side prevails in their replay this weekend as Verona continue to break new ground. In reaching the quarters, they have progressed further than ever before.

Phoenix, meanwhile, will play their replay at Airlie Heights on Sunday morning against LSL Sunday Senior 1B side Lucan United at 11am.

Dublin Mayor Andrew Montague, Michelle Geoghan, Sean Lally and Phil Lavery at the launch of the Irish Cycling Show 2012

Lavery set for 2012 season I sport@gazettegroup.com

COOLMINE man Phil Lavery says that he is approaching the 2012 UCI Pro-cycling tour with much more positivity as he looks to make his mark with new team Node 4 Giordana.

He made the switch to the Staffordshire-based club, moving from the Irish-backed An Post, with the aim of pushing forward his credentials in the major stage races.

This time, he was shaking off the after-effects of glandular fever which left the early phases of his pre-season training short on mileage.

The 21-year-old did hit the road for one-day races in Belgium but was forced to rest by April, making it tough to garner any momentum in the season.

Lavery did recover to ride strongly in the world U-23 championships in Copenhagen last September and, with support from his new team, he is going in aggressive pursuit in UCI points after a good run of training.

“I’m just back from Lanzarote and Staffordshire after training stints and it is going much better than last year,” he told the Gazette at the launch of the Ireland’s first cycling

Leaping ahead: Coolmine club hosts Dublin event GYMNASTS from Coolmine Gymnastics

Club were all smiles when they competed in the Level 2-10 All Around North Dublin final last month. The competition was hosted by the club at Coolmine Sports and Leisure Centre where 140 gymnasts from all over north Dublin took part, and personal bests and medals were the order of the day.

Eight girls from the club have progressed to the National finals next month.

show, which is set to take place in the RDS on May 19 and 20.

Explaining his switch away from the Irish An Post team, he says there was “not any real, specific reason, it just didn’t work out” but he says the new club suits his aspirations perfectly “With Node 4 Giordana, I’m likely to be more of a protected rider.

It does take a bit of pressure off not being in an Irish team and being able to take on a more protected status, which will help getting UCI points. To get into a bigger team, they aren’t going to take on a neo-pro, they need UCI

points and so I’ll have to be selfish.”

Lavery will pursue a schedule of more weeklong stage races all over Europe to push himself forward, rather than a diet of Belgian semi-classics, saying: “The kind of race programme like the Ras, Tour of Britain, Tour of Norway and stage races in France, Spain and Portugal suit me more than a lot of the Belgian races. There are also the Premiers and I will be released to ride the midweek Nation’s Cup Under-23 races for Ireland. At the start I plan to remain in Dublin but will move across during

the season.

“Another big motivation to sign was having a rider like Malcolm Elliot in the team car. I met him several years ago when he rode the Ras and my mother was a masseur on the race. Just seeing how he looked after his bike was an inspiration to me as a young rider.”

Lavery joins a team that also includes New Zealander Rico Rogers, a devastating finisher who recently won a stage in the Tour of China, who will make his debut for the team next month in the Australian Criterium Championships in which he came fourth last year.

9 February 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 31

in association with

DUBLIN GAA: SENIOR SIDES RETURN TO LEAGUE

.

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST BRIGID’S ST BRIGID’S wish to ex tend our

final takes place this Saturday at

deepest sympathy to the Boyle

2.30pm in Russell Park.

Family on the sad passing of Gail

Adult football cups begins this

Boyle, wife of former senior goal-

week, fixtures on website. Presen-

keeper, Colm Boyle, and mother of

tation night on February 18, details

Dylan, Caolan, Rhian and Morgan.

on website.

Volunteers needed for work on

Juvenile camogie training from

new gym - meeting on Monday, Feb-

U-8s

ruary 13, see website for details.

from 6pm and juvenile handball for

Membership for 2012 is now due and should be paid online or by using the traditional forms ASAP.

upwards, every Tuesda y

all ages, Wednesdays at 7.15pm. New players welcome.

Loan contributions for our new

Well done to Anne Marie Troy and

state-of-the-art grass pitch are

Niamh O’Neill, who were selected

still needed. The club lotto is in the

for Dublin Ladies’ U-16s champion-

Roselawn Inn this Thursday, with

ship panel.

the jackpot still €15,000.

Setanta Sports will be in Russell Park this week to film our senior football team taking part in the 45shot challenge.

U-21 hurlers’ championship semi-

The annual club Mass takes place this Saturday at 8pm in the club.

New players are always welcome, please contact our club coach, Paul on 087 915 4748.

ST PEREGRINE’S Dublin ladies were in ruthless form against Kildare in their first outing of 2012. Pictures: GAAPics.com

Jackies jubilant on return to Division 1 LADIES’ NFL DIVISION 1 Kildare Dublin

0-6 5-18

I sport@gazettegroup.com

ST BRIGID’S Ailish McKenna and Colleen Barrett both played their as the Dublin ladies’ footballers got their year off to the perfect start as they returned to NFL division one in serious style.

They helped the side run up an emphatic 27-point victory over a hapless Kildare, to get new manager Peter Clarke’s tenure in the hot-seat off to the perfect start.

From the throw-in, Dublin looked like they meant business, with the Kildare goalkeeper making a fine save after just 40 seconds.

This was a sign of things to come, with Niamh McEvoy and Sinead Aherne netting for the Jackies with two goals in the first eight minutes, along with points from Olivia Leonard and Nata-

lia Hyland to build a lead of 2-4 to no score after 15 minutes.

Kildare, to their credit, fought hard and began to win more possession, but with Siobhan McGrath marshalling a well-organised defence, the Lilywhites only managed a point from their possession before Dublin midfielder Goldrick netted the third goal for the Jackies in the 20th minute.

Points from Aherne, Ciara Murphy and Siobhan Woods, left the score 3-8 to 0-1 in favour of Dublin when referee Pat Kehoe blew for half-time.

Kildare started the second half brightly, kicking the first score of the half and began to settle into the game.

Dublin, however, driven from midfield by the elusive Goldrick, rallied again, with points from McEvoy, Hyland and Woods.

Kildare never gave up and kicked four points,

but goals from Leonard and Aherne polished off a fine performance from Dublin, which gets their campaign of to a great start.

Next up, they travel to play in Meath next Sunday.

Meanwhile, on the men’s side, Kilmacud Crokes’ Craig Dias made his senior competitive debut but there was to be no repeat of the Dubs’ victory of last September as they fell 1-14 to 0-11 to Kerry in Croke Park.

The Kingdom dominated the second half of the first round of the Allianz NFL Division 1 clash on Saturday night to give them the spoils over a lacklustre Dublin.

Darran O’Sullivan netted the killer goal 15 minutes from time after top-class build-up play to extend his side’s lead to five points.

It was a rusty start for the Dubs who might have been further down in the final tally had Kerry con-

verted some of their 17 wides.

Early on, Kevin McManamon’s point made it five points each in the 20th minute and the lead was taken when Stephen Cluxton’s ’45 and another effort from Mossie Quinn made it 0-7 to 0-5 at half-time.

But Kerry bossed the second half and Dublin’s cause was also not helped by the sending off of Eamon Fennell in the 67th minutes as the home side’s challenge petered out before the finish.

Dublin face Mayo this Saturday night in Castlebar in their next outing.

WELL done to all who helped out with

Membership for the year is now

the Paisti Scoile, held in the club last

due; please make sure membership

Sunday.

is paid, as you cannot take the field

Adult footballers back this Sunday

without it being paid.

in the cup, seniors at home to Trin-

Any member not buying lotto tick-

ity, 11am; junior A away to St Maur’s,

ets visit CNP.ie and support your

11am; junior B home to Anne’s, 3pm;

club for only €2 a week, and is also

and junior C away to Tyrrelstown,

available to play on-line using the

3pm.

link on the club website.

Club fundraising draw is now up

Foundation award coaching course

and running, and all members should

in football continues this Saturday

now have their tickets. Tickets to be

in club at 10am.

returned to club by March 21.

The nursery is being re-launched,

Lotto wa s not won. Number s

please see clubhouse for details.

drawn were 8, 11, 12 and 17. Next

Entertainment in the club this Sat-

week’s jackpot is €4,400.

urday from ‘Chardonnay’’

ERIN GO BRAGH Well done to our U-12 footballers who

lotto draw in the Vineyard. Numbers

came out on top against our local

drawn were 14, 18, 23 and 27. Next

rivals, St Peregrine’s, last Saturday.

week’s jackpot is €3,900, to be held in

Our U-11s (kids born in 2001) are

The Paddocks. Roster as follows; John

looking for new players for both

Kinsella, Niall O’Hara, John Vickers and

football and hurling (boys and girls).

Wayne McGlynn and Tom Madigan.

Training takes place in St Benedict’s

Annual membership is now due.

Hall every Tuesday from 6 to 7pm.

Please note all members fees go

Contact Karl at 087 235 2074 for more

directly to insurance, the day-to-day

information.

running of the club and to the long-

There was no winner of last week’s

term development of the club.

TYRRELSTOWN TRAINING has moved to our new

junior teams are as follows: Nurs-

facility in the Tyrrelstown Commu-

ery, U-7, U-8 - Wednesday from 6 to

nity Centre. This is located in the

7pm and Saturday from 10 to 11am.

new Tyrrelstown Educate Together

U-9, U-11 - Wednesday from 7 to 8pm

school. The training times for the

and Saturday from 11am to 12 noon.

Follow GazetteSport on Facebook and Twitter, and at www.gazettegroup.com

32 BLANCH GAZETTE 9 February 2012