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Stars come out for the premiere of director Stephen Spielburg’s Lincoln
see page 17 January 31, 2013
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Month XX, 2012 Blanchardstown • Blakestown • Hartstown • Coolmine • Tyrrelstown • Dunboyne • Corduff • Mulhuddart • Ongar
INSIDE: Tons of fun at the new Specsavers store in Blanchardstown P6
happy anniversary: Coolmine facility gets first tranche of funding See Page 8
A whole Lotto fun: Winning ticket sold at local Spar Soccer:
HHFC announce latest link up with Dutch club Page 30
Hurling:
Peregrine’s final destiny finally known Page 31
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES.......................6 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27
a euromillions plus top prize winning ticket of €500,000 for the draw on January 22, 2013, was sold in The Spar, The Crescent, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15. Staff at The Spar, Mulhuddart are pictured celebrating the sale with National Lottery Sales Representative Graham English. The lucky winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, is originally from Poland and is now living in Dublin.
Tower slide set to be reinstated at park Repair works to vandalised equipment expected to take two weeks to complete
laura webb
The tower slide at Millennium Park, which was vandalised and set alight just weeks after it was installed last year, will be reopened
in the coming weeks. Vandals set fire to the staircase of the tower slide just two weeks after it was erected at the popular playground in Millennium Park last November.
It is understood that the contractor charged with reinstating the playground equipment was due to start work on January 28. Repair works to the slide are expected to take about
two weeks to complete. It will re-open as soon as remedial works have been completed, which is likely to be mid-February. Full Story on Page 3
2 BLANCH Gazette 31 January 2013
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Westend Shopping Park: Some Dublin 15 shoppers were shocked to find their cars clamped after returning from a few hours shopping
Westend defends its new three-hour parking limit
Westend Shopping Park has defended its decision to introduce a three-hour maximum parking limit from Monday to Friday, saying it is intended to stop outside workers from using the facility. Some Dublin 15 shoppers were shocked to find their cars clamped after returning from a few hours shopping at the Westend Shopping Park, which is adjacent to the Blanchardstown Centre, but which is not owned by the same management company. Mulhuddart councillor David McGuinness (FF) said he was concerned about the impact the
laura webb lwebb@gazettegroup.com
restrictions will have on shoppers in the area. A spokeswoman for Westend Shopping Park said they introduced it because workers in the local area “were taking advantage” and using around 150 of the 650 available spaces available every day. “It had a real impact on car parking spaces for our shoppers,” the spokeswoman said. “This was going on for
a number of months, but I think it has resolved itself. There is clamping that happens, but no genuine customer of Westend Shopping Centre will be clamped. There is a number given when the clamp goes on, [which] the customer rings. “If a shopper came in to do some shopping here and then nipped over to the [Blanchardstown] centre, if you came back and it was made known you were a genuine shopper you will not be clamped and you will not be charged. “If it did come to a case that you had been clamped by accident, a
full apology will be issued by the management here at the centre. “There are signs throughout the car park, so it is well documented,” she added. However, Cllr McGuinness says he isn’t convinced by their reasoning and he will look to have the clamping policy removed. “The general population don’t see this to be any different from the Blanchardstown Centre… the largest marketing tool of the Blanchardstown Centre is that they offer an abundance of free parking. “They may say people won’t be charged, but we
know from experience that the whole appeals procedure is so complicated and €120 out of anyone’s pocket, even if you’re going to get it back, it is so much money. “I don’t think any shopping centre is all that busy Monday to Friday and there are places closer to park than Westend, so I am not convinced of that argument. “I think members of the public are going to be really unhappy to hear about it. I will engage with the public and get their reaction. I think they [Westend Management] need to hear about it from the public,” he added.
Council and NRA consider N3 sound barriers Fingal County Council is in discussions with the NRA regarding the possibility of providing sound barriers along the N3 between Mulhuddart and Castaheany. Fingal was advised by the NRA to procure the services of a consultant to assess opera-
tional issues along this stretch of roadway. Consulting engineers have prepared a feasibility report making proposals for a phased upgrade on this road to be consistent with the remainder of the route. According to a Fingal spokes-
person, the report is currently being reviewed. It includes the provision of noise barriers, and proposes a phasing of works should funding be made available and the approval of the NRA to the works be forthcoming. No funding is currently allocated to these works.
The report came following a question by Mulhuddart councillor David McGuinness (FF), asking management for an update on the provision of sound barriers along the N3 next to Littlepace, Pheasant’s Run, Bramblefield, Archer’s Wood, Ashfield and Whitestown
31 January 2013 BLANCH Gazette 3
courts Foiled raiders charged
vandalism: repair works are expected to take two weeks
Playground slide to be reinstated laura webb lwebb@gazettegroup.com
The vandalised tower slide at Millennium Park which was damaged after just two weeks of being installed is set to be reinstated next month. Last November, vandals set fire to the staircase of the newly-installed tower slide at the popular local playground. It is understood that the contractor for reinstating the playground equipment was due to start work on January 28. Repair works to the slide are expected to take about two weeks to complete. It will re-open as soon as remedial works have been completed, which is likely to be in mid-February. Labour councillor Michael O’Donovan said he was “pleased” to see that the slide will be
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operational soon. He went on to ask Fingal management if the material being used on the slide would be “tougher” than the material that was damaged before. --------------------------
‘It has to be done to a very high specification’
--------------------------
Council spokesperson --------------------------
In response, a spokesperson for the council said the support footing will be made of steel and that is why there has been a delay in getting it reinstated. “It has to be done to a very high specification,” the spokesperson said. They added that it is “regrettable” that they have had
to replace it so soon. When asked about the cost to the council for the repair work, the manager did not have the cost on hand, but said that both the manufacture of the equipment and the contractor have insured the council that everything will be done “at cost price”. Meanwhile, the new dog-run for Millennium Park is due for completion in the coming weeks. Construction works have commenced on the dogrun, mainly in the form of perimeter fencing and gates. However, there has been a delay in the completion of the facility, which the council say, is because of “adverse weather conditions”. The council hope to have works on this facility complete and the dogrun open during February 2013.
Two men have appeared in court charged in connection with the robbery of an off-licence in Dublin 15. The men appeared before Blanchardstown District Court on Tuesday, January 22. The two men were arrested on Saturday, January 19, in relation to a robbery which occurred at an off-licence on Clonsilla Road at around 3pm on Friday, January 18.
Time to act: Seven years waiting for action on A Vision for Change
seven years to the day after the publication of the mental health
policy A Vision for Change (AVFC), Mental Health Reform has called on the Government to prioritise its implementation. Orla Barry, director of Mental Health Reform, commented: “It is striking that, despite the Government’s stated commitment to developing community mental health services, the years since the publication of A Vision for Change in 2006 have seen the proportion of spending on mental health services decrease from 7.2% to 5.3% of the overall health budget.” Pictured (l-r) holding seven clocks representing the anniversary are Mental Health Reform volunteers Hannah Ryan, Stephen Garry, Donal Browne, Aisling Concannon (centre), Kate Purcell, Andy Haughey and Christine Hynes.
Threatened
One of the men, believed to have been armed with a firearm, entered the off-licence, threatened staff and left without any cash. The second male remained outside the off-license in a waiting vehicle. No shots were fired and nobody was injured. The men were arrested in a follow-up search by gardai on the evening of Saturday, January 19.
4 BLANCH Gazette 31 January 2013
FastNews
support Funding announced for Gathering
50 spaces at Hanfield Station
event: animal attraction
Some 50 car parking spaces will be made available once Hansfield Train Station opens later this year. The station, which has been lying idle since it was built in 2010, is due to open in the summer. In response to a question by Labour councillor Michael O’Donovan, asking what car parking spaces will be available along the road at Hansfield train station when it is open, a spokesperson for Fingal County Council said: “There will be an estimated 50 car parking spaces and 11 set-down only spaces at this location.”
Love is in the air at the zoo
D15 charity offering free counselling
laura webb
A local Dublin 15 charity is offering a free counselling service to people over the age of 18. Crosscare Drug and Alcohol Programme has launched a free counselling service. The service is a oneto-one counselling service for anyone over 18 with concerns arising from drink or drug use. Anyone concerned about their own substance use, or use of drink or drugs by another person, can avail of the service. Counselling is available in Crosscare
Blanchardstown by appointment. Call 01 836 0911 to book an appointment.
Council plant 5,000 trees Over 5,000 trees were planted in the Dublin 15 area by Fingal County Council last year. The total number of trees planted in the Castleknock and Mulhuddart Ward in 2012 has been estimated to be 5,502. According to the council, 302 of these were standard trees on street parks and open spaces. The remaining 5,200 were whip plantations in Dunsink and Waterville.
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Donal Connell, chief executive, An Post, with Leo Varadkar TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and Jim Miley, project director, The Gathering 2013 at the unveiling of An Post’s new postage stamp celebrating The Gathering Ireland 2013 at the GPO
Everything from film to underwater hockey laura webb
Locals near and far are coming together to celebrate the year of the Gathering, as funding for Dublin 15 events is announced. A total of 26 Fingal Gathering events have been given financial support under the IPB Gathering Ireland Fund. Four of these events are in the Dublin 15 area and include the 2013 Fingal Film Festival in Draiocht Theatre from May 8 to 10, the Dublin Underwater Hockey Invitational Tournament in the National Aquatic Centre on June 22, The Strawberry Fair in the Strawberry Beds on June 22 and the Igbo Union 2013 Annual Convention which will be held in August, in a variety of locations including the Crowne Plaza Hotel in
Dublin 15. Local TD and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar praised the organisers of the four events in Dublin 15, as well as the other 22 events in Fingal. In total, more than 1,300 events across Ireland were selected for support under the €2 million scheme. “It’s great to see so many community Gatherings being organised, and I’m delighted that four events in Dublin 15, and 22 in Fingal, have qualified for support. It promises to be a great year in Fingal for the Gathering. I want to wish each of these Gatherings every success,” Minister Varadkar said. Several sporting events in Fingal are also being supported, including the Skerries Ras on May 26,
the Skerries Triathlon on June 23, and an international cricket match in Malahide in September. T h e t h r e e e ve n t s selected by IPB Insurance to be flagship Gathering festivals for Fingal are the St Patrick’s Day Festival in Swords; The Summer Solstice Session in the Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre in Naul in June; and the 2013 J24 World Championships Sailing Event in Howth in August. A fund of €2 million from IPB Gathering Ireland was administered by city councils, IPB Insurance and the Gathering project, based on an agreed application criteria. A key factor in the evaluation process was the capacity of each event to attract overseas visitors. Funding streams under the €2 million
IPB Gathering Ireland stream have now closed and local plans are under way to bring these events to fruition. Other events in Fingal being supported in the scheme include, St Sylvester’s Infant School’s Irish Comenius Gathering in March, Baldoyle Forum Ltd for the Baldoyle and Sutton in Art project in May, the events department in Fingal will get a grant for the Fingal 10k Road Race in July as well as a grant for the Fingal Festival of Football (Harmony Cup) in August. The Gathering will be celebrated throughout Ireland for the year of 2013. It kicked off in Dublin on New Year’s Eve with a major party. For further information on the Gathering, log onto www.thegatheringireland.ie
Love is in the air at Dublin Zoo as it gets ready to open its doors early for an exclusive Valentine Date for couples everywhere. On Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17, the Zoo is offering couples a very unique alternative date this Valentines. On this extra special date, couples will experience one of the most interesting destinations in Dublin. Ticket holders will gain entrance to the zoo from 8am. They will then collect a romantic breakfast picnic from Haughton House and go on to experience the early morning sights and sounds of the zoo. The team at Dublin Zoo will host special keeper talks on the courtship, breeding and exotic romantic rituals of some of the animals. The special keeper talks will be on Sulawesi crested macaques at 8.15am, orang-utans at 8.45am, flamingos at 9.15am, elephants at 9.30am, giraffes at 10am and gorillas at 10.30am. Romantic
Tickets for this special Valentine’s date can be purchased online at Dublinzoo.ie. There are a limited number of 100 tickets available per day to ensure that the visitor’s experience is truly romantic. Tickets cost €60 per couple. For more information on Dublin Zoo log on to their website at www.dublinzoo.ie or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ dublinzoo.
31 January 2013 BLANCH Gazette 5
6 blanch Gazette 31 January 2013
gazetteGALLERIES
John and Harti enjoying the family fun on offer at the new Specsavers store
in the frame: specsavers open in blanch
A great spectacle
T
HE new Specsavers store in Blanchardstown arrived in style last week as they held a family fun day to show off their new premises and great range of eye wear to the local public. The eye wear specialists could clearly see that a bit of fun was needed to brighten up
Gosia Mrozowsca and Matt Bolland
January and the facepainters, clowns and jugglers certainly did just that. The opening is good news for the local community as it will offer a professional and local service from highly trained staff with high-tech facilities and state-of-the-art eye care.
Mick Brennan
Janice with children Jack and Lauren Gorman
31 January 2013 blanch Gazette 7
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Angelo De Francesco, balloon modeller
Anne Hamilton with Georgie
Members of the public get a look at the new store
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Gillian Murphy
8 BLANCH Gazette 31 January 2013
draiocht Extra date for Ronan Collins Showband Due to popular demand, an extra date for Reeling In The Showbands has been announced for this February. The Ronan Collins Showband Show will return to the stage at Draiocht with Dickie Rock the headline act, with a number of other artists on the bill. The sold-out gig takes place this Friday, but due to a huge interest, a second date on February 20 has been added and tickets are on sale now. RTE’s Ronan Collins will be MC on the night. He will also sing his tribute to Joe Dolan. Tickets for this event cost €32, log on to www. draiocht.ie for further details.
anniversary Addiction unit marks 40 years
Coolmine gets first tranche of €100,000 laura webb llwebb@gazettegroup.com
The Coolmine Therapeutic Community has marked its 40-year anniversary with news that the first instalment of the €100,000 funding allocation needed to keep its mother-andchild facility open has been received. Last week, Minister for Primary Care Alex White attended the first Coolmine graduation of 2013. The graduation ceremony was for 18 clients
who completed intensive addiction treatment programmes at Coolmine over the past year. Minister White also announced the first allocation of the Government’s €100k fund to maintain the mother and child facility, which enables mothers overcoming addiction to attend the residential therapy programme with their children. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, chief executive of the centre Paul Conlon said that without
this funding at least 35 mothers would not have been able to avail of its treatment programmes. “Last year, this vital service had to cease taking referrals due to lack of money to run it. However, thankfully, this year we can continue to provide the only mother and child residential service in Ireland with the guaranteed funding. “We at Coolmine help over 1,000 clients every year and we are very grateful to the Government for its allocation of
Minister for Primary Care Alex White attended the first Coolmine graduation of 2013
funding towards the operation costs of our mother and child facility. We are grateful to Minister White for having the foresight to allocate funds to this service. “Coolmine T herapeutic Community first opened its doors to help those with addictions in 1973. The staff and volunteers believe that the best way to mark our 40th
anniversary is to call on society to help us in our efforts to provide care for those trying to overcome addiction. After all, those we help come from every section of our society as addiction knows no barriers. So, donations make a real difference to continuing to maintaining our services,” he said. Conlon went on to say the graduation ceremony
was a testament to the treatment programme delivered by the staff and volunteers at Coolmine: “Those who graduated are now taking the brave step back into society. Anyone who has ever tried dieting or quitting smoking knows how difficult it can be, so this is a huge achievement for our clients to overcome their addiction.”
31 January 2013 BLANCH Gazette 9
ITB Three-day training course on offer
Free work analysis programme A free work analysis programme aimed at matching people to their ideal type of work or training course is being offered at Institute of Technology in Blanchardstown. ITB has developed this unique and free programme in conjunction
with the National Learning Network. The course is suitable for people who are unemployed, over 23, interested in re-training, looking to change their career path, interested in exploring their full potential or who need to update their CV.
The three-day course will cover initial skills profiling (learning styles and working styles), CV preparation, strengths and weaknesses, career history, career guidance, interview skills, selfesteem and motivation techniques, IT basics,
thinking/planning for the future, sales and communication skills. It takes place from 9am to 4pm from February 26 to 28. Anyone interested in this programme should contact Adrienne Harding at 01 885 1015, or email info@itb.ie
Just the business: Sarah takes gold pictured is Sarah Courtney from Mount Sackville Secondary School, Chapelizod, who was awarded for her outstanding achievement in Leaving Certificate business studies. Sarah was among four students from schools around the country to be awarded with gold medals for their outstanding achievements in business studies in last year’s Junior and Leaving Certificates.
st mochta’s: petition to halt traffic incidents
Parents move to ensure road safety
laura webb
A series of essential traffic measures is being considered to ensure a safer road environment for children attending St Mochta’s National School. A number of safety issues surrounds the parking of cars and heavy traffic at the school, which is located on the junction of the Porterstown Road and Clonsilla Road. S e ve r a l i n c i d e n t s involving cars have been reported, including one when a parked car rolled back and bumped a child; however, no one was injured. The school’s parents association is organising
a petition seeking support from gardai on the on-going traffic problems. They are also demanding that the safety of children and pedestrians is prioritised and that Fingal County Council (FCC) instal a fully-lighted pelican pedestrian crossing, bollards along the footpath at Porterstown Road, rumble strips to indicate the need to slow down and the repainting of the road markings that indicate the school clear zone. In a report, the council said it intends to instal bollards along the footpath to channel children towards the two uncontrolled crossing points and will also serve to stop motorists park-
ing on the footpath. The report went on to say that rumble strips are not recommended for residential areas because of the noise they generate. The school has three school wardens across all the roads leading to St Mochta’s and the council said they will examine the demand for signalled crossing outside school times. Each measure is subject to funding, however. A spokesperson said the installation of bollards and the widening of a narrow footpath “are reasonably low cost and feasible” in the short-term. Fingal also want to seek discussions with local gardai about parking enforcement: “A
greater presence would help to encourage a more responsible attitude from the parents,” a FCC spokesperson said. Mulhuddart councillor Kieran Dennison (FG) believes the bollards will make a contribution to alleviate some of the parking issues and said perhaps the school should consider “taking some sanction against the parents” who are actually “endangering the lives of other students outside the school”. Castleknock councillor Matt Waine (SP) said that parking and pick-up is a “major problem” for schools across Fingal, but that this site is the worst case in Dublin 15.
10 blanch gazette 31 January 2013
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Olympic boxing gold medallist Katie Taylor with her parents, Peter and Brigid
Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and director Steven Spielberg
Lights, camera, action! M
ANY people gathered outside the Savoy Cinema in Dublin recently to see the stars on the red carpet at the European premiere of Lincoln. World famous director Steven Spielberg and the film’s lead actor, Daniel Day-
Lewis, were joined by guests including Rosanna Davison and Olympic medallist Katie Taylor. Some of the guests later went to the Burlington Hotel where props from the film were auctioned off in aid of the Wicklow Hospice Foundation.
Rosanna Davison with her parents, Diane and Chris de Burgh
31 January 2013 Gazette 11
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Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools
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centenary: events should be marked in ‘appropriate fashion’
Descendants of 1916 heroes call for creation of museum paul hosford
The direct descendants of two of the leaders of the 1916 Rising have called on Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, the Minister for Arts and Culture, Jimmy Deenihan, and the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, to back their proposal for the the creation of a 1916 Museum at 16 Moore Street. The group is also calling for the site’s National Monument sta-
tus to be protected. The group want the premises to be ready so that the museum can be delivered in time for the 1916 centenary. The members of the descendants group include Nuala O’RahillyPrice, the granddaughter of The O’Rahilly, the only leader of the Rising to be killed in action. He died on what is now O’Rahilly Parade, just off Moore Street.
Also in the group is John Connolly, the son of Roddy Connolly, a former Labour TD for Louth and grandson of James Connolly, who was the de facto leader of the rising. The O’Rahilly and both Connollys were present in the GPO in Easter 1916. John Connolly said that the museum would be a lasting legacy of a pivotal moment in Irish history. “We want the centenary of 1916 to be marked with
a lasting legacy, not just another passing parade. The proposed museum will be the centrepiece of an enduring legacy for our citizens and for visitors alike.” Ms O’Rahilly-Price added; “The pivotal events of 1916 need to be marked in an appropriate and fitting fashion.” The group also launched a newwebsite www.1916rebellion museum.com
Nuala O’Rahilly Price and John Connolly, grandson of James Connolly, with members of the Save No 16 Committee and Moore Street Traders’ Association at the launch of a new website and virtual tour for a proposed museum. Photograph: Eric Luke
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12 Gazette 31 January 2013
dublinlife
diary
Healthy way to cook and eat
Students from across Dublin have been invited to take part in the Takeaway My Way contest once again this year. T he nationwide schools cookery competition, which was launched by awardwinning chef Neven Maguire, along with Safefood and St Angela’s College in Sligo, challenges post-primary students to cook a healthier version of their favourite takeaway dishes. Now in its third year, the competition is open t o a l l p o s t- p r i m a r y school students, including students in Youthreach centres. Launching the competition, Fiona Gilligan, director, marketing and
communications Safefood, said: “Learning to cook and eat healthily are skills that can last students a lifetime and we would encourage all students, whether studying home economics or not, to grab an apron, pick their favourite takeaway dish, show us their passion for food and enter the competition.” To enter, students can submit their recipe online at www.safefood. eu/takeawaymyway or complete and return by post the entry form sent to their school before February 22.
jigs and reels guaranteed to get you moving If you are looking for
Award-winning chef Neven Maguire was joined by Sophie Sherlock from Collegiate Grammar School and Tully Irvine from Portora Royal School, Enniskillen, to launch safefood’s Take Away My Way cookery competition for postprimary students
something a little different and bit more energetic this Valentine’s Day, then a Gathering event called Ceili for
Valentine’s could be just up your street. You and your beloved can dance the night away to a live ceili band and, whether you are a set dancing aficionado or just like to leap around, the craic is sure to be mighty. As well as live music from Traditional Arts Collective (TAC), there will also be sean nos dancing displays on the night. TAC’s aim is to bring ceili back with jigs and reels guaranteed to get you moving. Special guest for the night will be Amaliya Morgan-Brown from Bandon, Oregon in the USA – named after Bandon in Co Cork. The entrance fee is €10 at The Grand Social, 35 Lower Liffey Street on Valentine’s night from 8pm to 11.55pm.
Calling all volunteers for Lollipop Day With just one month to go until the 12th annual Lollipop Day, the Oesophageal Can-
cer Fund (OCF) is calling for the help of volunteers across Dublin this February. Lollipop Day sees thousands of people selling lollipops for €2 nationwide every year, in an effort to raise vital funds for oesophageal cancer research, and the OCF are seeking the help of volunteers on Friday, February 22 and Saturday 23, 2013. “We are very fortunate to have an everincreasing number of dedicated volunteers, all of whom make Lollipop Day a success every year,” said Noelle Ryan, chairperson of the OCF. “But we still need more volunteers, so if anyone or any group is interested in helping out, please contact us on www.lollipopday.ie or on Lollipop Day’s Facebook or Twitter page.” For more information on Lollipop Day, to volunteer or to make a donation, go to www. lollipopday.ie or, to volunteer in Dublin call Sara on 087-2320970.
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31 January 2013 Gazette 13
C o m m e r c i a l F e at u r e
Tifco Group Photo – Mary Buckley (Group Operations Manager, Tifco Hotels), Pius Furlong (GM, Crowne Plaza Northwood), Niamh Murphy (GM, Crowne Plaza Dundalk), Garret O’Neill (General Manager, Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown), Magda Rybka (Deputy General Manager, Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown), Enda O’Meara (Managing Director, Tifco Hotels)
blanchardstown: EUROPEAN HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Prestigious award for the Crowne Plaza THE annual Hotel Stars Awards for Crow ne Plaza Hotels in Europe were recently held in Dublin for the first time, and at this annual event, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) recognised hotels and people for their outstanding performance and contribution to the business and the local community in which they operate. The winners are the best performing IHG hotels and individuals across Europe. At the awards ceremony, Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown was awarded both the Torchbearer Award and more importantly, the Crowne Plaza Hotel of the Year award for the Europe Region.
Hotel of the Year Award This category recognises hotels that have achieved outstanding results and have gone the extra mile to exceed expectations and bring their brand to life when looking after guests, employees and the local community.
Receiving the Award – Angela Brav, CEO of IHG Europe, Garret O’Neill (General Manager, Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown), Richard Solomons (CEO IHG Worldwide) at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
Torchbearer Award T h e To r c h b e a r e r Award recognises hotels that have achieved the highest levels of excellence through outstanding service. The guests at these hotels have responded with extremely high guest satisfaction scores.
Garret O’Neill, General Manager, of Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown accepted the award at the IHG European Conference which was held in Dublin for the first time and said “I was very proud to accept these awards as it recognises all the hard work and team effort we’ve put in
this year. “We’re constantly striving to go the extra mile so guests can expect a consistently high standard when visiting our hotel and we’ll continue to work together to keep delivering the same experience year on year”. Angela Brav, CEO Europe said, “Our hotels are only as good as the people working in them, so we are fully committed to supporting and developing our people. “We aim to provide the right environment, support and inspiration they need to fulfil their capability and these awards are a reflection of the fantastic talent we have working in our hotels across Europe”. Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown is based at the Blanchardstown Centre with 188 guestrooms and conference facilities for up to 600 guests. For more information please contact: Jennifer McKenna, Director of Sales & Marketing, Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown, Phone (01) 897 7741; email – jmckenna@ crowneplazadublin.ie.
All of the staff at the Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown were delighted to learn that the hotel has been awarded the acclaimed European Hotel of the Year Award by the InterContinental Hotels Group
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14 Gazette 31 January 2013
dublinlife FEATURE From Pirates to Porter, Praed’s played them all theatre: high society star talks to the gazette
bairbre ni Bhraonain
bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
WHAT a swell party this is! The stage version of Hollywood musical, High Society, is coming to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre for five nights this February with a cast that includes Michael Praed – one of the heroes of 1980s TV show, Robin of Sherwood. The show is packed with well-loved Cole Porter songs such as True Love and Did You Evah, and also stars Sophie Bould as Tracy Lord, Daniel Boys as Mike Connor, and Keiron Crook as George Kittredge. Ahead of its Dublin run, The Gazette spoke to Praed, who plays Dexter in the musical. He started by reminiscing about his love for the city. “It’s been a long time since I was in Dublin, and that was for the musical, Carousel – it must be 19 years ago now. I can’t wait, because Dublin is my all-time favourite venue and I really don’t give false praise.” He discussed the genesis of the current stage musical version of High Society. “It’s very similar to the 1956 film version, but its true origin was a play called The Philadelphia Story in the 1930s. “It was commissioned for Kathryn Hepburn on Broadway, and was then made into an awardwinning film with Jimmy Stewart. “Then, 17 years later, High Society was made and some changes were made to the original
story, such as the Bing Crosby character – that I play – had been a yacht builder in the original, but is a jazz pianist now in High Society.” For Praed, who has been in a string of musicals throughout his career, the music in High Society is the main star. “It has such a beautiful score. Now, when I say that, I mean that there are very few composers who are truly iconic, and Cole Porter is one of them.” Praed has been performing in plays and musicals since the 1980s. “I got my lucky break with the Pirates of Penzance years ago. I love musicals, because there is a certain alchemy that can happen with them – when the music is good and the production is well done – that goes to the heart of truth. Magic
“There is a magic in music that is different; it moves people in a different way, and with an evocative scenario, can have a huge impact on an audience.” Harking back to his TV days, he recalled his time as Robin of Sherwood in the mid-1980s show. “There were two seasons of it and, to be absolutely truthful with you, it was incredibly hard work. We’d to be up at dawn and doing a fight scene, and work right through till evening. Yet, it was unbelievably rewarding, too, and the talented people I worked with were extraordinary. “There was no time
When talking to The Gazette about his upcoming role in the musical, High Society at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Michael Praed was happy to reminisce about his roles in some of the smash-hit TV shows of the 1980s
for a private life though. It was brutal going but, having said that, it wasn’t like coal mining or fighting the Taliban or even driving a bus.” Praed then went on to play Prince Michael of Moldavia in the smashhit television show, Dynasty. “It was the numberone show in the world,
and was a very well-oiled machine. I was welcomed with open arms and the crew was delightful.” Special buzz
He does not have a preference between TV work and stage work. “I like them both, and you can’t really compare them. Yet, theatre does give you that special
buzz, thanks to the presence of an audience, and I can’t wait to feel that with a Dublin audience again.” High Society runs in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre from Tuesday, February 5 until Saturday, February 9. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster at 0818 719 377, and cost €20.
31 January 2013 Gazette 15
DublinGazetteNewspapers cub reporters and photographers: december 2012 winners
H Reporter
Photo
of the
of the H
conor white
clara kinsella
Conor White from St Conleth’s College proved neither shaken nor stirred when he told us all about the school’s Build A Bank challenge which was given a special agent sheen with a James Bond theme. The mission was achieved and the project a big success, as was Conor’s article about the event, which wins him this month’s prize.
Clara Kinsella from St Finian’s Community College in Swords snapped a very jolly Michael Carruth when the Olympic gold medallist visited the school for its annual awards evening. Michael encouraged the students in a motivational speech that included the wise words, “if you believe, you achieve”. Well, Clara must have believed in her skills as a snapper, as she has achieved glory with this month’s prize picture.
MONTH
MONTH
Gazette
schools Get involved with our Gazette Schools pages
Dublin Gazette Newspapers are continuing to reach out to all the schools in our catchment areas to become a closer part of our community than ever before. Schools are the beating hearts of communities, one of the last places around which a community can gather. We are calling on budding writers and photographers from all of our schools to help fill the schools pages and, in order to encourage the next generation of journalists and snappers to get involved, we are partnering with Harvey Norman to present the Dublin Gazette Newspapers’ Cub Reporter and Cub Photographer of the Year awards. For more details, contact rheigh@gazettegroup.com, or on 01 601 0240.
Gazette
16 Gazette 31 January 2013
dublinlife
Q&A
business
Each life stage needs a plan CONTINUING my examination of financial planning for each stage of your life, this week, I start by looking at where you may be after the “Young and free” stage (as detailed last week).
GWEN O’Donoghue, Fresh Images
The beauty of caring for your customers GWEN O’Donoghue of Fresh Images beauty salon in Churchtown is set to celebrate 20 years in business next month. She qualified in 1989 at Loriam Beauty Therapy College in Dawson Street, with ITEC, CIBTEC and CIDESCO qualifications. When she spoke to Gazette BusiHow long have you been in business?
It’s hard to believe but it’s 20 years this year. I opened my doors in 1993.
What makes your business successful?
I think it’s the personal touch. I’ve always worked in my business. There are so many salons where you are just a name. We get to know our clients, remember what treatments they like and how they like them done. We remember their birthdays and get to know all about their families. It’s a friendship as well as a business.
What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?
We offer value for money and very competitive prices. We try to keep up with all of the latest trends and give the best customer care. We really do care what our customers think about us. We want them to feel that their hard-earned money is well spent at our salon.
How has the recession affected your business?
Yes, I don’t think that any business hasn’t been affected. The spending power of people has decreased, so we have to make sure that they feel that they are getting value for their money.
What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of the recession?
We invested in a new skincare brand called Guinot from Paris two years ago, and that has a large follow-
ness this week, she said: “I worked in a couple of salons before running a salon in Rathgar for three years, before opening my own in Churchtown. “I started with just a couple of rooms out the back of a tanning salon, and, after three years, I took it over. And here I am today, 20 years on.” ing. We felt that people were looking for more results . There was a time when they just wanted a massage – now, they want technology coupled with pampering. We all want to look and feel good, and especially in a recession, morale can be low, but if you look good, you feel good too, and it reflects on in all aspects of your life. We constantly run special offers which keep clients interested. We also have a loyalty programme that returns free treatments to our clients to thank them. This is very popular, because when you get something for free, it always feels sweeter. Old loyalty programmes meant you had to wait forever before getting your free treatment but with ours, you see results after just a few treatments. What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?
I would like to see a set standard of training across the board. When I was at college, you had to have several top qualifications to get a job; they allowed you to work all over Europe. During the Celtic Tiger era, there were numerous beauty schools setting up and running courses, but they are only pieces of the courses instead of the full thing. It means that not every salon has the same level of qualified staff performing treatments, but they are charging the same. That is why you get such a variation in therapists – some aren’t as qualified others.
Relationship and children If you settle down with a partner, your financial priorities will almost certainly alter, especially if you have children. The financial actions you may want to be thinking about include such thrills as: • Creating an emergency fund. • Protecting both your incomes (if relevant) in case you are unable to work. • Life insurance for both you and your partner. • Buying a home with the help of a mortgage. • Whether you should be saving money, in case you want to send one or more child to private school, and/ or in case one or more goes on to further education. • Retirement planning. • Short-term saving for cars, holidays and so forth. If you have built up any debt, then becoming debtfree should be a priority. The Middle Years Financial priorities in your middle years will vary according to how much money you have earned during your 20s and 30s – and how you have spent or invested it. For some, it can be a period of relative affluence with a higher level of disposable income
becoming available; for others, it is a period of worry as retirement looms. Your priorities may include any or all of the following: • Creating an emergency fund. • Protecting both your incomes (if relevant) in case you are unable to work. • Life insurance for both you and your partner. • Paying off your mortgage and any other debts. • Retirement planning. • Short-term saving for cars, holidays and so forth. • Planning for long-term care if you are worried that your pension and/or the State may not provide for you sufficiently. Although pension planning should have been a priority as soon as you started work, the truth is it is not until many people are in their 40s or even their 50s that they begin to consider their retirement. Providing for a comfortable old age, therefore, may be the most pressing need. Next week: retirement. Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor
technology: storymap tells capital’s stories
Reasons to be ’appy when uncovering Dublin’s story laura webb
EXPLORING Dublin has taken on a whole new dimension, thanks to two film-makers who are behind a new smartphone app that sets out to tell the capital’s hidden stories. The Storymap App was launched last week and aims to rejuvenate the old tradition of storytelling, while combining the latest technology in film and mobile apps to capture a portrait of Dublin life, past and present. The app includes a library of 80 stories, presented in audio or HD video, each tied to a particular location in the city and told by a differ-
ent Dubliner. C o - f o u n d e r s To m Rowley and Andrew Flaherty first launched the project in 2011 as a website, www.storymap.ie. They discussed how they came up with the idea. “We both arrived back from working abroad and we were really frustrated with the way the city was being represented – bleak, empty and finished,” says Flaherty. “For us, the things that made Dublin truly special were still there to be celebrated – its people, its stories, its humour and its charm. “We couldn’t find work, and so we began Storymap as a way to use our skills to showcase the real cultural wealth
Tom Rowley and Andrew Flaherty are pictured at the launch of Storymap. Picture: Dominic Ledwidge O’Reilly
of Dublin, in a way noone had ever seen before. The support we got from people amazed us.” Co-founder Rowley says: “For a local person, it gives them a chance to see the city with fresh eyes. “By using the app and seeing a well-told story on the spot, you get to see it in a whole new light, and build a new
connection with it.” Stories include The Spire by Roddy Doyle, The Gap In The Map with Ciaran Wallace, and The Liberty Boys by Colm Keegan. The app was developed in DIT by Jamie Osler and Eoin Rogers, and overseen by Bryan Duggan, and is on sale in the Android and iPhone app stores for €2.59.
31 January 2013 Gazette 17
asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl P24
MOTORS P23
OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week
Gazette
style P18
Pets can you give faye a new home?
A remarkable line-up: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Stephen Spielberg at the premiere of Lincoln at the Savoy
red carpet: legends of cinema come to dublin for lincoln fundraiser
A Presidential premiere
rob heigh
A bitterly cold Sunday in January was brightened considerably last week when the stars and director of the acclaimed new movie, Lincoln, came to town to support a cause close to the heart of lead actor Daniel DayLewis. The European premiere of Lincoln at the Savoy Theatre on O’Connell Street, and a special post-screening dinner and charity auction, were held in aid of the Wicklow Hospice Foundation, a fundraising organisation of which Day-Lewis, Katie Taylor and Chris de Burgh are among the patrons. Wicklow-resident Daniel’s mother passed away in a palliative care cen-
tre in England and was moved to support the campaign for the creation of a similar facility in his adopted county. Speaking at the premiere, Day-Lewis said: “I’m really grateful people turned out for this. We’ve been doing benefits like this for a while, but with the economic situation at the moment, we were not sure an event like this would be possible. But we explored it a little bit and it turned out we could do it. Hospices are vital facilities that every county needs. We need these places, and we need to take care of people in the late stages of their lives.” The screening and gala event afterwards are believed to have raised over €250,000 for the foundation, bringing it ever closer to its fundraising target of €3 million.
Director Stephen Spielberg explained how he came to debut his latest film in Dublin. “Daniel really believed in the cause, and once he explained it to me, I believed in it as well. I’m very close to Ireland. I made Private Ryan here, and it’s a film close to my and Tom Hanks’ heart, and that was my introduction to the culture. It was such a wonderful experience; we have come back to Ireland time and again ourselves, myself and my wife and children. “Daniel didn’t have to convince me for long to bring the European premiere here. He threw it out as a possibility, and I said we should commit to it now, it was a great idea.” The film tells the story of the passing of the 13th Amendment to the
Constitution that abolished slavery at a time when the country was in the midst of the Civil War, which lasted for four years and claimed the lives of 750,000 citizens. Lincoln himself was committed to the reunification of the country at a time of extreme division, and his belief in democracy, the constitution and America helped to deliver peace and emancipation to the nation. Sadly, he only lived to see a few days beyond the end of the civil war before he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. The film has been roundly hailed as another Spielberg masterpiece, and the lead role appears to have been one that Day-Lewis was born to play. continued on Page 22
DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dogs Trust, Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity, to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is Faye, a three-year-old Lurcher cross. This lovely lady was abandoned because she was pregnant and went on to break records in Dogs Trust having the largest ever litter, 15 puppies. All of her puppies have found their forever homes and we now hope its Faye’s turn to finally get a chance to relax and look after herself for a while. Faye is polite, sweetnatured, affectionate with a beautiful soul. This supermom just wants to snuggle up on a big sofa with plenty of toys to occupy her. If you think you can provide a good home for Faye, contact Dogs Trust at 01 879 1000. Further information about their work can be found at www. dogstrust.ie. All dogs that are adopted from Dogs Trust are vet-checked, vaccinated, neutered and micro-chipped before being re-homed.
GAZETTE
18 GAZETTE 31 January 2013
OUT&ABOUT Dressing right LAURA WEBB
LIFE STYLE SPORTS recently launched its first Men’s Fitness and Running Campaign – No Excuses. No Regrets. This campaign is dedicated to men’s running and fitness and is supported by the store’s top brands Nike, Adidas, Asics and Under Armour. Basically the message to everyone that as we all decide to get fit, following some overindulgence over Christmas, the one thing we need to make sure is that we train in the right clothing. With this in mind, the retail giant is also launching Fitness
Accessorize Leather Driving Gloves €34 NOW €16.90 Nike Steady €50 Miss Selfridge Zip Detail Embellished Dress €85 NOW €32 rs: wea penterNOW Accessorize Mod Egyptian Study Belt €10.90 Car€23.50 el Holl
(Life Style Sports Exclusive), Adidas Prime Zip Hoody - €46 €35 , Adidas TF Perfect ¾ Pant Adidas Clima Long Tank - €30
Under Armour Coldgear Compression Mock €55
Adidas 3 Stripe Fitness Track Top €52 NOW €35
Nike Shape Medium Support Bra Top €35 NOW €25
Adidas Kanadia €70
Nike slim shorts €28 Adidas Clima Core 3/4 tight €35
31 January 2013 GAZETTE 19
when getting fit Product Experts in store. Their job is to advise customers on the right footwear and clothing to wear for each sport. Mark Stafford, chief executive, Life Style Sports said: “More and more Irish people are looking to fitness and outdoor training to give them a release from the pressures of modern life. We know that participation levels are at a record high as people take to the streets, beaches, roads and bootcamps everywhere, determined to get active and be social. At Life Style Sports we are confident we have the best running and fitness range on the high street.” All items featured are available at Life Style Sports.
NIke Flex €65
Adidas Adiviz Jacket €65
Adidas Response 7in Shorts €32 €25
Under Armour Coldgear Compression Mock €50
Adidas Duramo 4 €50
NIke Dri Fit Cotton Sleeveless Tee €22
Acc essStyle orize Egy Life Sports ptian StuTeam d Belt Member €23.50 NOWAlvaro €10.90wears: Under Armour Storm Hoodie - €48, Under Armour Tech SS Tee - €22, Under Armour HG Mirage Short - €22 Adidas Clima 365 pants €45
GAZETTE
STYLE
Gazette
20 gazette 31 January 2013
OUT&ABOUT
CINEMA
Theatre
THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 David Meade- Mind Reader
BBC’s fastest rising star is returning to the stage hot on the heels of his smash hit record-breaking TV series Make Believe, after three years of unprecedented success on BBC One. With a show that is as hilarious as it is jaw dropping, Meade has just returned from a US tour February 4, tickets €20.
Draiocht 01 885 2622 Beckett X 3
GODOT Theatre Company London are back with three more short Beckett plays on Wednesday, February 6 at 8.15pm in the Draiocht Studio. Tickets are priced at €10.
CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 WAG
Former Fair City actress Gemma Doorly makes her directorial debut with her play WAG starring her former Fair City colleague and good friend Sorcha Furlong. Following its sell-out tour, WAG is a black comedy and modern fable. Set in the lavish surroundings of a sports star’s mansion while he is away, his wife has invited a guest around for a drink and a chat – his mistress. Running from Thursday, January 31 until Sunday, February 2, tickets are priced at €16 with €12 concessions.
Hugh Jackman takes Anne Hathaway’s Fantine to safety
review: les miserables hits the screen, led by hathaway
Not revolutionary IT IS one of the most famous stage musicals in the world. It has continued to thrill audiences across the globe and has been the subject of countless school plays. It is odd then, that Les Miserables would still, to this day, be without a definitive screen version. It has been seen as unfilmable and a 1998 adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel, sans musical numbers, limped to a paltry $14 million at the US box office. The difficulty comes from a number of different factors. Firstly, it is a story that jumps forward in time of ten and suddenly. Secondly, it is a story that is not about any one thing. It is ostensibly the story of Jean Valjean ( Hu g h J a c k m a n ) , a convict attempting to
Film of the Week: Les Miserables h h h (12) 158 mins Director: Tom Hooper Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen
Paul Hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com
make a better life while evading the clutches of police inspector Javert (Russell Crowe). But the story of Valjean is weak as a central strand for a film that clocks in at two and a half hours. Jackman does an admirable job, particularly vocally, in infusing his Valjean with whatever humanity he can, but the film is so scattergun, the exposition so wanting that he just doesn’t have the room to be a character on which to hitch such a large film. It is a shame, ultimately, because Jackman does
OUR VERDICT: AMBITION is not a problem here, as Hooper takes on a massive task. He tries to capture a definitive screen version of one of the most famous musicals ever. Unfortunately, he comes up short, with excellent performances and some nice visual flourishes not enough to compensate for a weak script, muddled scenes and rushed characterisation making for a film that feels more like a missed opportunity.
his best and takes the film on Valjean’s famously broad shoulders. He is aided by a star turn by Anne Hathaway, all blotched skin and short hair. As her Fantine becomes more and more desperate, selling her hair, teeth and body, Hathaway excels and her version of I Dreamed a Dream, shot in one extended close-up, is spine tingling. In one take, she claims the song as her own, demanding that hers be the definitive touchstone for the performance going forward.
It is incredible to see, particularly given that there were some who thought that Catwoman could not play the heroine of Les Mis. There are less good performances, though. Russell Crowe’s Javert is purposely rigid and inflexible, but Crowe’s complete lack of humanity makes any late character changes completely pointless. Amanda Seyfried is another who, while obviously talented, is hobbled by the script’s inability to nail down a central narrative.
Her Cosette, essentially the most important character in the film, is lost in the maelstrom of songs, revolution and characters. Another criminally underused is Samantha Barks, the British actress making her film debut. Her Eponine is excellent, but underutilised. With the popularity of Glee, there is a weariness of musical film and television and much of that comes down to autotune and the lack of authenticity it brings. Luckily, Hooper kept a dedication to live performance throughout the shoot and the results are mixed, but at least they are authentic. Jackman str uggles occassionally and Crowe slips into rock power balladeer, but Hathaway, Barks and the surprisingly good Cohen and Carter lift the film as close to definitive as possible.
31 January 2013 GAZETTE 21
GAZETTE
GAMING BYTES&PIECES
NIKE+ KINECT FITNESS: STEP UP TO EXERCISE
Plenty of help to fight the flab FOLLOWING Christmas over-indulgences, I’m probably not the only person wishing to ditch a few, um, unexpected kilos that have mysteriously jumped onto my weight. How did that happen? Why do I suddenly resemble Homer Simpson? Well, step forward an interesting and well-developed Kinect title that should get that unwanted flab moving. Nike+ Kinect Fitness for the XBox 360 is something that seems tailor-made not just for the New Year (and all those resolutions to get fit and healthy that we all tend to make, and then ditch by the time February rolls around), but for the whole year round. Certainly, given our generally miserable weather,
A COLLAPSE OF NOTE
HMV vouchers anger many AT THE time of writing, HMV’s recent collapse in Ireland has stung a lot of consumers, angered at the now worthless HMV vouchers they have. As was seen with the GAME chain’s collapse last year, the Irish wing of the international chain has been shut and shuttered, although the British stores have remained open and trading, as the Irish stores were placed into receivership, while the British stores entered administration – both procedures are disastrous for any company to face, yet have very different operations. Of course, the most regrettable collapse of HMV in Ireland is the loss of hundreds of jobs across its 16 stores here (and the knock-on impact on local economies and sub-contractors). However, as extensive media coverage has shown, consumers have felt stung by its collapse, with the decision not to honour any gift vouchers sold in Ireland up to the point the chain closed its stores angering many. This decision was not helped by the announcement that the still trading British HMV stores are honouring vouchers sold up to its administration, there. With the news that restructuring firm Hilco has bought HMV’s debts, thus stabilising the firm – in Britain, at least, thus giving some breathing room to attempt to rescue the chain – HMV’s 90-year history isn’t fully concluded. Unfortunately, for now, it seems likely that HMV Ireland’s legacy has struck a sour note with many ... Although I’m not normally a fan of such home exercise titles, there’s no denying that Nike+ Kinect Fitness is a very well put together title – with ubiquitous Nike branding here and there, of course – and will reward those who want to get fit and will make an effort. As always with such titles, a decent amount of exercise space
SHANE DILLON
sdillon@gazettegroup.com
and the continuing budgetary pinch of the recession, anything to help you exercise at a more than affordable price all year round at home is to be welcomed. Enough wittering – what, exactly, is Nike+ Kinect Fitness about? Well, as the name suggests, it’s all about getting fit, courtesy of a wide variety of programmes devised with Nike. By picking a virtual fitness instructor, an initial fitness assessment then determines your general
BYTES&PIECES THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME
is advised to help get the best results from Nike+ Kinect Fitness.
fitness etc, right now. From that starting point, the title – you couldn’t call it a “game”, – then puts you through your paces over the following weeks, with a wide variety of exercises to put you through your paces. And, believe me, there’s plenty there to face up to, as you’d be surprised how much you can do at home, and how challenging it can be. While we’ve seen plenty of similar titles before – the entertaining Wii Fit on the Nintendo Wii
springs to mind – there’s no doubting that Nike+ Kinect Fitness is a step beyond (no pun intended), as the range of exercises, challenging goals, genuine sense of achievement should be enough to motivate you towards becoming healthier. Obviously enough, for such an all-round fitness title, you’ll need a decent amount of space for some of the more challenging exercises (just as you would at a gym, or exercise spot), and also for the required Kinect sensor
WITHOUT more solid details, I’m not delving too much into this just yet, but given all the smoke signals, wild speculation and pure gossip here and there, it looks very likely indeed that 2013 will see the successors to the PlayStation 3 and XBox 360 released, following on the heels of the recently released Wii U. All of the current-gen consoles (well, really, that just leaves the PS3 and the 360, now) have enjoyed
attachment to properly track exactly what you’re doing. And, of course, the biggest “flaw” with Nike+ Kinect Fitness is you, the user – it’s a great title that’s very polished and pretty comprehensive, but, not unlike learning Latin, it’s either something you want to do, or you don’t. However, as a welldesigned title with a consistently good use of the Kinect sensor, and a genuinely motivating feeling of progress, it’s to be recommended.
the longest lifecycle of any console, to date, and both consoles continue to see remarkable games and franchises being rolled out – 2013 has some outstanding titles on the way for both consoles. However, it’s no secret that both Sony and Microsoft are keen to release their next consoles, and given the evidence to date, 2013 looks set to be a lucky year for gamers (with deep pockets, of course). Watch this space ...
Gazette
22 Gazette 31 January 2013
OUT&ABOUT
Interview
stephen spielberg from p17 In the movie, Day-Lewis utterly inhabits the title role as the iconic leader Abraham Lincoln, which has led to him being tipped for more Oscar glory come February 24. Spielberg was fulsome in his praise of the actor. “I’m so grateful Daniel agreed to play Abraham Lincoln. I never imagined anyone could play Lincoln other than Daniel. I approached him three times over a five-year period, and, eventually, he said yes. “We had to get the research right. Lincoln is the most compelling figure on the American national landscape. He saved the American experiment in democracy, and pretty much saved the constitution. He didn’t do it alone, a lot of people helped him do what he did. “We’re only telling a small part of the gigantic Lincoln story, on the last four months of his life, but it’s enough of an intimate focus to give you a real idea who he was as a human being,” said Spielberg. Although the movie documents a very specific and significant moment in American history, Spielberg said that he felt there was a message in the movie for an international audience. “The film is really about the power and responsibility of personal, intimate leadership. It’s about a leader who was one of the people. There was no firewall between him and the people who elected him, and no firewall between him and the compassion he had for the people of the United States of America, and the tremendous anguish and mourning [he felt] for the war that took more lives than all of the American wars combined. “I think it’s a great story, he’s one of the most amazing characters in global history. Every country has a Lincolnian figure who was inspirational and did great things in its formation or during a crisis, and everyone can relate to Lincoln, based on figures from their own nation.”
Stephen Spielberg at the European premiere
MUSIC
MUSIC REVIEW: sophomore release from welsh power trio
Utterly Formidable and Joyous effort ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com
THERE are some things about music that are indesputable. That Prince will always test your patience as a fan. That you will never completely get Captain Beefheart. That there are some people whose lives you’ll change when you introduce them to Tom Waits. Another indisputable truth is the enduring appeal of the power trio. Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, The Jam, Husker Du, Nirvana, Muse, the original PJ Harvey lineup — legends all. Get set to reserve a place on that list for The Joy Formidable, who have just released their second album, Wolf’s Law, and who last weekend demolished The Academy with an astonishing live set. The Welsh trio began to stake their claim for a place on rock’s pedestal with a couple of EPs and their debut release, The Big Roar, which collected some of the stand-out tracks from their initial releases. Their studio incarnation, though, is only a small part of the story — live, The Joy Formidable truly soar with an energy and ferocity few current acts in any genre can muster, and they have thrilled and awed crowds
The Joy Formidable: Matt Thomas, Ritzy Bryan and Rhydian Dafydd
at festivals internationally over the last two years since the release of The Big Roar. You don’t get an opening slot for Foo Fighters without being a little bit special, and TJF are way more than just a little special. Some of that lightnng has been caught in the bottle of Wolf’s Law. From the dramatic, operatic strings that open the record and lead into their explosive lead single,
This Ladder Is Ours, this is a stadium-sized statement of intent. From Cholla onward, there is a progression through the record as TJF seem to be intent to document their growing maturity and confidence as a band. Drawing on what they have learned on stages across the globe and in the studio, the dynamic and drama that fill this record are unparalleled. Recording
in Maine in winter obviously agreed with the band, and the fruits of those sessions have made for something that could well be high on the lists of the albums of 2013. Even the beautiful acoustic Silent Treatment is filled with wisdom and power. When Matt, Ritzy and Rhydian play together, their unity of purpose comes out in the glorious rock noise they create. Wolf’s Law is a pretty
amazing achievement for a second album. The kinds of heights achieved here are usually reserved for bands much further down their career paths. Hopefully, this will lead to an absolutely legendary third record, which will have the added ingredients that the experience of loftier slots on festival bills will bring. They are truly Formidable indeed.
31 January 2013 BLANCH GAZETTE 23
GAZETTE
MOTORS road
NOISE Fiesta, a stylish mobile workshop
The Audi A3 has a top speed of 216 km/h and goes from 0-100kmh in 8.6 seconds
AUDI: ENTRY-LEVEL MODEL WITH THE FEEL OF AN EXECUTIVE MODEL
Awe-inspiring A3 is a cut above the rest CORMAC CURTIS
AS a rule, I don’t like to know too much about a vehicle I am testing until I’ve been behind the wheel for a few days. I have even gone so far as to avoid walking behind the car entirely in case I see what size engine is under the hood. So, a few weeks back, while I was waiting for the keys of the Audi A3 that the dealer was trusting me with for a week, I happened to glance at the spec sheet of the model in question. The car was packing a 4-cylinder, 2-litre diesel engine pumping out 150bhp (almost as much pulling power as my first 6-cylinder, 2.5-litre petrol saloon), it was going
to go from 0 to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds, top out at 216km/h and produce a paltry 106g of carbon per km (combined). But that’s not all. On top of all that, this little beauty was going to sip an average of just 4.1 litres of diesel per 100km driven (combined). If you’re anything like me, the first time you sit in this car, the build quality alone will give you pause for thought. Combine that with an exceptional driver’s cockpit, and you begin to feel that you are about to drive something very special indeed. Frankly, I get the distinct feeling that the tens of thousands of euros more spent on each of Audi’s executive models
somehow trickles down to each of the A3s. I was told that the air vents alone contain 42 moving parts, just so the driver can adjust the “shape” of the airflow – to me, that sounds like the kind of R&D reserved for the A8 fleet, but somehow makes it to this incredible entry-level model. Even in the base-level trim, the driver is treated to a clean, uncluttered and incredibly intuitive set of controls. T h e n ow- f a m i l i a r “i-drive” style wheel just rear of the gear stick takes care of much of the adjustments and settings of the sat nav, stereo and phone – there is even an option that gives the surface of the controller a touchsensitive feature that ena-
bles the driver to write letters and numbers in order to prompt and control sat nav, telephone and stereo functions without taking their eyes off the road. I will fess-up that it took me at least a day to figure out how to make the LCD screen disappear back into its housing in the dash, but when I did, it was a delight. I’m not a fan of the new big screens that seem to be in every car, the ones that stick straight up out of the console I find particularly annoying as most drivers only use them occasionally. Going to the trouble of making this feature available in the A3 speaks volumes of the attention to detail that Audi have committed here.
T he test model I enjoyed was in Glacial White Metallic and is just so well-proportioned it almost seems a shame to offer it in a four-door version. The front grille is almost disproportionately large… almost. In reality it, along with the gorgeous, slightly jaunty headlights, gives the front end of this car a perfect look and expression. The body looks strong without resorting to an overly “muscular” look, so it really offers something different and attractive. I’m not sure what I was expecting from the A3, but what I drove was something special, and I would gladly sit in it every morning for many years and never get bored.
THE new Ford Fiesta Van, which has just arrived in Ireland, delivers class-leading fuel efficiency and segment-first technologies for both large and small businesses. All diesel engines in the new van achieve sub-100 g/km CO2 emissions and 3.7 l/100 km (76.4 mpg) or better. “The new Fiesta Van is a stylish mobile workshop for light duty tools and equipment that makes great business sense,” said Eddie Murphy, chairman and managing director of Ford Ireland. “Both local tradesmen and urban delivery fleets will appreciate its sharp, professional looks, while relying on its versatility, dependability and exceptionally low running costs.” Fiesta Van powertrain choice now includes the new 75 PS 1.5-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel, alongside the 95 PS 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel and 82 PS 1.25-litre Duratec petrol units. The van’s package of leading Ford driver assistance and safety features includes a number of important segment-first technologies. In Ireland, the vehicle is available in three series: Fiesta Van, Trend Van and the really stylish Sport Van. Prices start at €14,620 excluding delivery and related costs.
CUTTING OUT THE NONSENSE ABOUT INSURANCE: LOW-COST car insurance company, No Nonsense, has announced the launch of SmartDriver – an innovative technology aimed at cutting out the nonsense in the car insurance market by offering cash back based on individual driver behaviour. This state-of-the-art telematics technology aims to
cut out the nonsense in the car insurance market by rewarding safe drivers for their behaviour on the roads. The news comes as the EU gender directive has banned insurance discounts based on gender and will be seen by many younger women as an ideal way to avoid the significant increase in premiums and instead get cash back of up to 30% with No Nonsense.
Kate Cepeola and Darragh Griffin (both four) and Jackie McMahon, general manager of No Nonsense, pictured at the launch of SmartDriver
24 BLANCH gazette 31 January 2013
Gazette
&ABOUT OUT fast TRAVEL NEWS Set your heart on a romantic getaway for two Valentine’s Day: perfect escape for two
Hotels.com have it all for a city break
If you plan on spending this year’s Valentine’s Day enjoying a romantic city break, choosing the right place to stay isn’t as complicated as you may think. Since love is in the air, Hotels. com are offering some great offers on some of their top hotels in some of Europe’s most romantic city destinations. If it’s passion in Paris you’re looking for, the Platine Hotel is situated in the heart of this romantic city. The Art Deco hotel is in easy reach of the Eiffel Tower and plays homage to the life of Marilyn Monroe with pictures adorning every bedroom. Prices start from €252 per room, per night. Love can also be found in Rome and staying at the Eurostar’s International Palace means you’re within easy walking distance of some of Rome’s most popular tourist hotspots. Prices start from €84 per room per night. For more information, visit www.hotels.com.
Make haste north with great offers Heading up north this Valentines? If so, Hastings Hotels have some great offers to help ensure your romantic getaway is one to remember. With Valentine offers available from Thursday, February 14 until Saturday, February 16, why not enjoy a luxurious overnight stay, a romantic dinner for two, a glass of bubbly, as well as a full Irish breakfast (and an exclusive Valentine’s duck) from just £65pps. Choose to stay at the Everglades Hotel in Derry from £65pps, Ballygally Castle in Antrim from £70pps, Europa Hotel in Belfast from £80pps or the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle from £85pps. Culloden Estate and Spa in Belfast is also available to book from £110pps. Luxury extras are available at each hotel including champagne and chocolates in your room on arrival, or why not surprise your other half with a luxury spa treatment at the Culloden or Slieve Donard. See www.hastingshotels.com or call 048 9047 1066.
Loved-up couples everywhere have plenty of choice when it comes to planning a romantic getaway this Valentine’s. W hether you’re tempted to fly abroad for a romantic city break, or fancy making the most of the Emerald Isle, there are plenty of special offers and idyllic escapes to choose from.
Romantic Escapes Whisking your one and only off to west Cork will mean you find the perfect spot to enjoy long romantic walks at The Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery. From February 15-17, visitors will enjoy two nights’ accommodation with a full Irish breakfast and a romantic dinner in
Druid’s Restaurant. The Valentine’s and Romance package includes some extra treats such as wine, chocolates, a love-heart balloon as well as a late check out. One night stays are available at €179. For more information, visit www.selecthotels. ie For those interested in spreading the love while still keeping it within the budget, the Clarion Hotel in Sligo is offering the perfect escape for two. The hotel is offering one night’s B&B on either February 15 or 16, with the addition of some subtle romantic touches. Offering Valentine
dates a free upgrade to a suite – the package also includes a mini-spa treatment per person, a four-course dinner with a glass of bubbly and chocolates, as well as a complimentary drink. Plus, the check-out time is extended to 2pm. Available at just €99 per person. Details: 071 9119000; www.clarionhotelsligo. com If it’s that something extra you’re looking for, The Twelve Hotel in Bearna leaves no stone unturned with its special Lovebomb package. In keeping with its name, the hotel is offering 12 special Valentine specialities. First, you check into a suite. Next, petals are
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The Twelve Hotel in Bearna is offering 12 special Valentine specialities
strewn across the bed and you enjoy some bubbly, two red-iced muffins from the hotel bakers, a packed picnic for a romantic stroll and a candlelit dinner. Then comes the pampering in-room treatments, Love Potion cocktails, fun framed caricatures of you and your other half, as well as a discount gift voucher for Hartman’s Jewellers (just in case the need to drop to one knee suddenly presents itself!) and a wrapped rose on checkout… And as for the twelfth? “The wonderful 12th itself!”. At €450 per couple, the package is available from February 13-15. Details: 091 597000; www.thetwelvehotel.ie
There is plenty of choice
Loved-up chic While the infamous Irish countryside pulls at most heartstrings, city chic can also spell romance. A getaway to the fourstar Pembroke Hotel, located in the heart of Kilkenny City, promises a two-night escape with chocolates and champagne on arrival. Couples can enjoy dinner in Statham’s Restaurant on the evening of their choice, as well as breakfast each morning. And since it’s just a twominute walk from Kilkenny Castle, the stunning canal walk and the city’s renowned nightlife can ensure you see some of the local sights on the second day. Priced at €149pp. Details: 056 7783500; www.pembrokekilkenny.com Whites of Wexford has the ideal package to help couples unwind
31 January 2013 BLANCH gazette 25
Gazette
Travel
fast
TRAVEL NEWS The Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery in west Cork
Cayo Coco in northern Cuba
Cliff House Hote in Ardmore, west Waterford
in romantic getaways this Valentine’s Day. Picture: Karolina Laser
this Valentine’s. The four-star luxury hotel is located in the heart of Wexford Town and its Valentine’s offer includes an overnight break with dinner and a glass of bubbly on arrival for just €69 per person. Relish the time out with a treatment in the Tranquillity Spa followed by afternoon tea or candle-lit dinner in the Terrace Restaurant. For more information, visit www.selecthotels. ie.
Sultry Spa Break If you really want to spoil your loved one, adding a special spa treatment to the romantic night away will win y o u m a j o r b r ow n i e points. Just minutes from Dublin, Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa is the perfect setting for a romantic getaway.
From €112 per person sharing, guests can enjoy an overnight stay with a chocolate and rose-petal turn down, dinner in the hotel’s Ivy Brasserie restaurant with a complimentary glass of bubbly and access to the award-winning Seoid Spa, offering a range of Valentine’s treatments, including couples massages. See www.dunboynecastlehotel.com or call 01 8013500. Nothing else says I love you quite like a fivestar escape and where better than luxury on our own doorstep at The Shelbourne Hotel. Enjoy an Elemis facial for her and an indulgent hot-towel shave for him, plus full use of the hotel’s fitness and thermal suites. To round off your pampering treat, cosy up in the Saddle Room
Restaurant for a gourmet dinner by candlelight before ending the evening with a night cap at the popular Shelbourne Bar. This overnight break is priced from €370 per room per night, and the package is available until February 17, 2013. Details: 01 663 4500; www.theshelbourne.ie
Food Lovers Food is the language of love this Valentine’s Day, according to the Cliff House Hotel, a five-star hotel overlooking the historic village of Ardmore, west Waterford. And what other way to spend a romantic V-day evening then a feast at Martijn Kaiuiter’s award-winning, Michelin-starred cuisine. The House Restaurant showcases the best produce to be found on Irish land and sea and
The luxurious spa at The Shelbourne Hotel
guests can savour the applauded delights of the prestigious chef. To complete the gourmet experience, wake in the morning to a full Irish breakfast before depart-
Whites of Wexford
ing for home. The Valentine’s Gourmet package is priced from €360 per room. Details: 024 87 800; www.thecliffhousehotel.com
Pack your bags and enjoy an exotic Valentine destination Telling your loved one on the evening of Valentine’s Day to pack their bags for a flight the next day can only prove one thing – that your partner is clearly on to a winner. For those looking to really spoil their partner this year, Thomas Cook Far and Away has two exotic Valentine destinations to offer. Whisk your special someone off to the West Coast of Africa and stay in the threestar Hotel Seaview Gardens in gorgeous Gambia, just a short stroll from Kololi beach. A 14-night stay is priced at €1,249 per person sharing, departing on February 15 from Gatwick. Or how about celebrating Valentine’s Day itself on a romantic beach on the sundrenched island of Cayo Coco in northern Cuba? A hideout by buccaneers in the early colonial period, Cayo Coco is part of a chain of beautiful islands called King’s Gardens. Thomas Cook is offering 14 nights on an all-inclusive basis at the three-star-plus Tryp Hotel, with all meals and drinks included from just €989 per person sharing, including transfers from Gatwick, departing 15 February. Connecting flights from Irish airports can be arranged. Call the Thomas Cook Far and Away team in Dublin on (01) 514 0316, log onto www. thomascook.ie or visit your travel agent.
26 blanch Gazette 31 January 2013
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planning Notice Fingal County Council We,James & Carmel Dowd, inte nd to apply for permission for development at 31 Orchard Court, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. The development will consist of proposed demolition of existing attached domestic garage and construction of new single storey side extension together with internal alterations and all associated site works.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 and a submission or observation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (â‚Ź20) within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of this application. 17426
planning Notice Fingal County Council
The Board of Management of Sacred Heart of Jesus Primary School, Huntstown Way, Dublin 15, wish to apply for planning permission for construction of 1x 80sq. metre classroom and 2 x 16 sq. metre SET rooms as a stand alone structure all located to the east side of the existing school. 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 the public opening hours of 9.30 – 16.30 Monday to Friday at Fingal Co Council, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Co. Dublin. 17420
31 January 2013 BLANCH Gazette 27
athletics P28
asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31
dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community
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FastSport lucan make dream debut:
Michael Darragh MacAuley was on hand to launch Setanta Sports’ coverage of the Allianz National Leagues in Dublin city centre last week
football: ballyboden man admits 2012 league form did not reach full intensity
MacAuley hoping for fresh Dubs’ outlook for new year BALLYBODEN St Enda’s man Michael Darragh MacAuley believes there is a much stronger resolve around the Dublin senior football panel going into 2013 after a tepid reign as All-Ireland senior football champions. Speaking at the launch of Setanta Ireland’s live coverage of the Allianz league last week, he admitted that the sky-blues “didn’t reach the intensity levels required last year in the league and consequently didn’t get results. “In 2011 we reached the league final on the back of our high intensity levels
and this gave us a great platform for our successful championship campaign.” But 2012 was a lower key affair in the league and it permeated into the championship campaign. “I think we didn’t realise it at the time, but lads’ heads just weren’t as clued in as much as the year before, simple as that. “I knew we’d struggle with that early in the year, but thought we’d get our heads together. But in talking to people, all the panel, everyone’s heads weren’t in the right place at the right time. Eve-
rything has to be 100%. “If one player is off, and we had a few players not hitting full whack last year, that’s all it takes. It’s only a matter of inches in winning in All-Ireland, it really is,” he added. But the Boden man says that, with the fresh impetus of Jim Gavin at the helm, the mood is confident. “With Jim in place there is a blank canvas for all the players, consequently new players will want to show the new management team just what they can do and Cork will offer a great test first
day out.” He is speaking of the opening day clash against the Rebel county on February 2 at 7pm in Croke Park. The clash of the Dubs and Cork is not the only action from headquarters and at 5pm Kildare and Donegal throw in for what should be a great curtain raiser between the newly promoted Lilywhites and of course the reigning All-Ireland champions. The third and final televised game of the opening weekend is the all-Ulster clash between Down and Tyrone.
CHESS teams from St Jude’s, Skerries, Lucan and Malahide all took part in the first community games event of the year in Jobstown last Friday night. At U-12 level, Lucan were competing for the very first time and claimed the gold with former national champions taking silver with the former, featuring Muhtarim Ul Haiq, Jordan Maldianu, Andrei Buda, Mustakim Ul Haiq and Brandon Amerai, making it through to the Leinster finals. Malahide took gold at U-16 level with a team featuring David Deneher, Killan Burke, Aaron Cummins, Alessio Roselli, Jacob Flynn, David Kearney. The Leinster finals will take place in Longford on Sunday, April 7.
c o n ta c t s Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@gazettegroup.com
For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205
Gazette
28 BLANCH Gazette 31 January 2013
SPORT
DublinGazetteNewspapers 2013 dublin sports awards january nominees
AMID the winter weather and a glut of cancelled fixtures, local stars from around the city braved the elements to produce some truly stunning sporting feats, starting off the New Year in breathtaking fashion. Conor McGregor saw in the year with one of the earliest victories, further announcing himself on the world stage. A number of Dublin’s young stars made strong impacts in the O’Byrne Cup with Eric Lowndes, stepping straight up from minor into the senior ranks, chief among them while Swords man James Cluskey is in the form of his life on the tennis circuit. On the team front, January means basketball’s cup finals with Palmerstown CS shading out a number of other Dublin schools for this month’s nomination. Malahide United claimed All-Ireland glory to add to their 26-county title of last summer while St Joseph’s, Lucan made a significant camogie breakthrough.
H STARof the MONTH
james cluskey
eric Lowndes
conor mcgregor
THE Swords LTC club member had an amazing January, winning an ITF Futures doubles title in Germany before finishing as runner-up at another event in Germany and also in France, making for the perfect warmup for the Davis Cup
THE Naomh Peregrine tyro enjoyed a hugely impressive month as he made a smooth transition from minor level to Jim Gavin’s senior set-up, lining out to great effect in Dublin’s run to the O’Byrne cup final despite his tender years
LUCAN resident Conor McGregor became just the second double weight world champion in the history of mixed martial arts with a first round knock-out against Ivan Buchinger at Cage Warriors fighting championship on New Year’s Eve
st joseph’s college, Lucan
malahide united
palmerstown CS
IN QUICK succession, St Joseph’s College in Lucan landed the school’s first and second A camogie titles with their juniors starting the run with victory over St MacDara’s. Their senior side followed up with a win over Maryfield to match the feat.
MALAHIDE United’s U-16 side added an All-Ireland title to the SFAI crown they won last summer when they defeated St Oliver Plunkett’s from Belfast at the inaugural DB Sports Tour national cup finals in Dundalk’s Oriel Park
A BREATHTAKING display in the middle stages of their All-Ireland U-19B final at the National Basketball Arena saw Palmerstown claim the national honours with Cyril Kwan scooping the most valuable player title into the bargain
TEAMof the MONTH H
Sweeney and Cullen the Raheny star attractions sport@gazettegroup.com
DSDAC’S Joseph Sweeney in the lead Picture: Peter Mooney /flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets
DSDAC’S Joe Sweeney stormed to another decisive win in last weekend’s AXA 29th annual Raheny 5 road race but the star of the show was undoubtedly North Sligo AC’s Mary Cullen who lives in nearby Santry. Her career has been blighted by injury and illness in the last two years but, in her first serious competitive race in over 15 months, she smashed the women’s course record finishing a remarkable 12th overall in the race in 25:55.
The magnitude of her achievement is underlined by the fact that she is the first Irish female athlete to dip under 26 minutes for five miles on Irish soil. The defending title holder and Olympic marathoner Linda Byrne, another DSD club member, stayed with Cullen in the early stages of the race but eventually had to give way. She finished second in the women’s race in 26:35. The standard at the top of the field is underlined by the fact that 119 athletes finished under 30 minutes. At the head
of affairs Sweeney and his Tallaght AC rival Tom Fitzpatrick had broken away from the rest of the field by the one-mile marker while Kilkenny’s Brian Maher was alone in third spot. In the end Sweeney prevailed in 23:53; Fitzpatrick was second in 24:02 while Maher took third place in 25:00. Simon Ryan was the host club’s top finisher taking fifth place in 25:11 just ahead of Cillian O’Leary while Ian Conroy was eighth. Notable too was the performance of 47-year-old Mick Traynor who finished a remark-
able 17th overall and won the O-45 category in 26:10; his clubmate Damien Martin was second in O-45 in 26:46. Of the other local clubs involved, 17 athletes from Lucan Harriers took on the race. In the men’s field, First home for Lucan was Derek Taylor, in 29:40 ahead of Patrick Holden in 32:13. On the women’s side, Lucan’s first home was Bernie Stapleton in 37:01, she was quickly followed by Lisa Convey in 37:26 and Deirdre Counihan was seconds behind them in 37:50.
31 January 2013 BLANCH Gazette 29
Gazette
30 BLANCH gazette 31 January 2013
SPORT
FastSport
basketball: clonee school crowded out by St Mary’s
Hartstown Huntstown embrace total football ONLY a year and half since the amalgamation of Huntstown Villa and Hartstown United, director of football Dave Byrne has announced another ground-breaking moment in the club’s history, linking up with European powerhouse, AFC Ajax, after “nine months of very hard work”. With over 30 teams now competing under the HHFC banner, the securing of a UEFAapproved all-weather pitch and 50 young prospects in their nursery ranks, the Blanchardstown club have become the first team in Ireland to be officially linked to the Dutch side that created the style of “total football”. The Hartstown Park club will now adopt the AFC Ajax football coaching and player development philosophy through their new link. “Being the first club in Ireland to introduce this model is a really exciting opportunity to develop our players to a standard and benchmark set by the best,” Byrne said of the partnership. “Our coaches have welcomed the new venture and the club and community and all the players are thrilled by the news and what it means. “Grassroots footballers deserve the chance, regardless of ability, to be coached by the best and using the best methods, so why not us? We are the biggest club now in Dublin 15 and this will only add to it “The system itself allows master coaches to set session planners online and measure and assess each team according to the system. During the year, our coaches will visit AFC Ajax, watch and learn and study the AFC Ajax ‘way’ and in turn the Ajax guys will come to HHFC and do some sessions here to,” said the charismatic Byrne. The Blanchardstown club, on cementing their place alongside Ajax, received a message from 1995 Champions League winner with the Amsterdam club and former Barcelona man, Frank de Boer, who is now manager of the Ajax first team. “With access to the Ajax Online Academy Hartstown Huntstown FC will be ideally equipped with all the resources necessary to improve players and the club to emulate the world famous AFC Ajax,” said de Boer.
Carl Pagayonan, Colaiste Pobail Setanta, in action against Tobias Brockmann, St. Mary’s Ballysadare
Setanta denied All-Ireland u-19c schools final St Mary’s, Ballysadare Colaiste Pobail Setanta sport@gazettegroup.com
54 45
COLAISTE Pobail Setanta were denied AllIreland glory last week at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght as a Karolia Gunka-inspired St Mary’s edged a thriller and the Sligo school prevailed by nine points. The game got off to a rip-roaring start as neither team looked to be intimidated by the deafening atmosphere. Indeed, the early exchanges saw a barrage of three point shots
landed. On target for the boys from Clonee were the deadly backcourt combination of Venz and Carl Pagayonan while St Mary’s Gunka clearly stated his intentions for the game, knocking down a shot from well behind the arc. The free-flowing start continued throughout the quarter as the teams traded blows before the lads from Ballysadare began to edge in front with Oliver Brockman’s penetration a key factor in this. Leading 17-12 entering the second quarter, St
sean gael awards Keane and Galvin pick up lifetime GAA honour st brigid’s Mattie Keane and Phil
Galvin received Sean Gael awards at Erin’s Isle last weekend. Keane is pictured with Andy Kettle, Dublin county board chairman, at the ceremony. They were honoured with Cumann Luthcleas Gael Merit awards for over 60 years of service to Lucan Sarsfields. The Sean Gael awards is a method of paying tribute to GAA members by the county board for their lifetime of service.
Mary’s were beginning to look the better team and when Dominikyas Kutar switched into the post on offence, they began to find increasing holes in the Pobail Setanta defence. The easy scores found in the first period were drying up for both teams however and, perhaps seduced by early successes, players began settling for shots from distance without testing their opponents first. St Mary’s fared better in this stretch and despite foul trouble that sent Brockman to the bench, extended their lead to
32-20 by half-time. Pobail Setanta had become quite reliant on both Pagayonans to create chances and with the lads from Ballysadare well aware of this fact, Setanta began finding it increasingly difficult to source scores. Despite this, the Dublin-based school came out fighting in the third quarter and with Urosh Kutijevac, George Chis and Furuq Idris stayed in contention. They could never truly get close however and St Mary’s always continued to hold a double digit lead for most of the sec-
ond half. There was some late drama after Pobail Setanta narrowed the gap to nine with three minutes remaining. Buoyed by the large support, they found momentum after Matteo Da Ponte nailed a huge three to leave just six between them and it looked like an epic comeback could be on the cards. Up stepped Brockman for St Mary’s who was truly immense when his team needed him most, scoring eight of the last nine points to seal the game.
31 January 2013 BLANCH gazette 31
Gazette
Local Dubs trio unable to see off Kildare sport@gazettegroup.com
ST BRIGID’S Shane Supple and Paddy Andrews, along with St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh Bernard Brogan, were unable to turn the tide as Dublin fell to Kildare 1-16 to 0-17 after extratime last Saturday night in the Bord na Mona O’Byrne Cup final at Par-
nell Park. The tie was ultimately decided by Tomas O’Connor’s 1-2 in the second half of extra-time as the Lilywhites came back from three points in arrears. Kildare struck for the decisive goal in the first minute of the second half of extra-time when a scramble in the square
concluded with the powerful Clane man firing past Shane Supple from close range. The Dubs had put themselves in a winning position by half-time in extra-time when points from Paul Hudson (two, one free) and Crokes’ Pat Burke had carved out a three-point advantage for the home side.
Kildare had also closed out the concluding moments of normal time on the up when points from John Doyle (free) and Padraig O’Neill forced extra-time. In normal time, Dublin threatened early on but squandered several simple point-scoring opportunites that cost them dear in the endgame.
football: thomas davis confirmed as opposition
Club Noticeboard st brigid’s THE 2013 memberships are now due.
Our club calendar for 2013 is now
Any member with issues regarding
available in the club shop, from behind
membership can contact our club
the bar or by contacting Cathy on 086
Secretary Mary O’Connor at mar-
821 0502.
yaoc@hotmail.com.
The club are still collecting your old
The club are hosting Strictly Come
or broken mobile phones. Please leave
Dancing on Saturday, February 16 in
them in the collection box behind the
the clubhouse with its own members
bar.
taking to the dance floor. Tickets are €20 and are now on sale.
The annual club Mass takes place on February 1 at 8pm in the club.
Club nursery for four- to seven-
Our junior ladies footballers are on
year- olds continues every Saturday
the lookout for a new manager/coach.
morning from 9.30-11am. New mem-
If interested, email info@stbrigidsgaa.
bers and families welcome. Contact
com.
Paul on 087 9154748 or see the website for more info.
The St Brigid’s coaching development programme for 2013 has been laid out,
New adult members, male and female
the programme has four months of
also welcome as training for 2013 sea-
courses and workshops that will be of
son begins soon. Please email info@
value to people looking to start from
stbrigidsgaa.com.
scratch, with no GAA background
Congrats to Phil Galvin and Mattie
and there will also be more advanced
Keane on receiving their Ciste Shean
courses for people looking to improve
Gael awards on Saturday.
on their already vast knowledge.
The club lotto this Thursday in the Roselawn Inn, the jackpot is €14,200.
All details, dates and times are on the club website!
naomh peregrine HARD luck to Robbie and Eric and
O’Neill. Numbers drawn were 6, 9, 17
the Dublin senior footballers in their
and 22. Next week’s jackpot is €2,000.
defeat in the O’Byrne Cup final. The minor hurling championship final is on this Sunday details to follow. The St Peregrine’s minor hurlers are hoping they will play their C championship final this weekend
Peregrine’s ready for minor destiny peter carroll sport@gazettegroup.com
ST Peregrine’s minor hurling boss Cillian Byrnes was hoping for a midJanuary clash at worst when his side confirmed their place in the minor C championship final against Round Towers in mid-November. However, they only found out on Monday night they would meet Thomas Davis after they saw off Raheny in the other semi-final after a spate of postponements. The final was subsequently confirmed for Russell Park on Sunday
morrning, finally giving Peregrine’s a date to work towards. Byrnes knows all too well about poor conditions determining the status of games as he found it very tough to get his side any challenge matches to keep them ticking over, but he is still adamant his men have kept their pace up over the break. “We didn’t get a single challenge game. We did have one planned but it was called off. “It was probably to be expected with the weather, but the lads have been kept busy with training sessions with the seniors
and they’re more than ready for the game,” said the manager. With Eric Lowndes on duty with Jim Gavin’s Dublin footballers, Byrnes hopes that the young starlet will be released to take part in the final. But semi-final goal scorer Cian Donnelly has been ruled out due to a broken thumb. “It’s very unfortunate for Cian. He had a big part to play in getting here and the opportunity to play in a county final does not come around every year. “We still don’t really know if Eric will be made available for us, but I’m
sure he’ll want to play because it’s the last chance for half of the squad to win a minor championship,” said Byrnes. “We beat Thomas Davis by a point in the league, and although we haven’t played Raheny for a while, we know they are a great team too. “I am confident in our side, they want it more than anyone and I think if they stick to their game plan and take their scores, they can take the championship. “It would be a fantastic way to cap off the journey seven or eight of these lads have had as minors.”
The executive committee would like to request that members willing to act as mentors with the various club
The spring series is upon us again;
minor and adult hurling, football, cam-
please contact Mary Murtagh if you
ogie and ladies football teams and also
want to order tickets by tomorrow
on the various club sub-committees
morning. A bus is leaving the club at
for the 2013 season contact the club
6pm on Satrday for the Cork game.
secretary for full details.
Membership is now due, please con-
Entertainment this Saturday in the
tact your mentor or attend one of the
clubhouse from Afterdawn. Bingo on
registration membership days.
Wednesday at 8.30pm, the jackpot is
The club lotto was won by John
€500.
erin go bragh ERIN Go Bragh would like to pay trib-
day evenings at 7pm in Mary Mother
ute to Kevin Heffernan, the godfa-
of Hope School. This is for children
ther of Dublin football. We extend
born in 2004; we are looking for new
our sincere sympathy to Kevin’s wife,
members as always. Contact Wayne
Mary, daughter, Orla and family, the
McGlynn 087 6966 275 or wayne.mcg-
extended Heffernan family and to his
lynn@gmail.com for further details.
club St Vincent’s on his passing.
If you are interested in purchasing
The ladies AGM will take place this
any of our club merchandise please
Thursday, February 7 at 8.30pm.
contact Finbarr Barrett by e-mail
Please note only paid-up members
Finbarr.Barrett@kepak.com
are entitled to vote.
Finbarr also has a wide selection of
The club annual membership and
hurleys to suit all sizes for sale at the
facilities fee is now due for the 2013
club shop and also O’Neills Helmets
season. This is the club’s lifeline so
at €60 each.
please ensure that you pay it as
We will shortly be having a sale of
soon as possible. There are several
old Erin go Bragh merchandise that
payment plans that can be agreed
is currently in the club shop. details
with the club, please contact Sinead
will follow soon.
Edgely (edgelys@gmail.com) for more info. U-9s training resumes on Wednes-
Erin Go Bragh will be soon launching our brand new website more details to follow soon.
32 blanch gazette 31 January 2013