Gazette blanch
PLUS:
November 5 - 11, 2015
FREE
castleknock • Blakestown • Hartstown • Tyrrelstown • Laurel Lodge • Corduff • Mulhuddart • Ongar
INSIDE: Stephanie Roche tells us how fame has been ‘weird but nice’ in The Gazette’s Big Interview P18
Football:
Castleknock’s meteoric rise continues apace Page 31
Soccer:
Celtic AUL sides produce strong league results Page 30
Find us on
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE................... 15 OUT&ABOUT.................. 19 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28
uganda: Dublin volunteers visit the children they have been sponsoring P12
Man is injured in knife attack Keith Bellew
A NUMBER of incidents occurred in Blanchardstown this Halloween, the most serious of which was a stabbing incident in Ladyswell where a young man was seriously injured. The incident occurred at a bonfire in Dromheath, Ladyswell, at around 7pm. According to reports, the man, who is in his mid-20s and has been
named locally as David Cooper was with his partner and two young children when he was allegedly attacked and stabbed. He received a number of wounds to his head and local sources say he made it to his mother’s house nearby before collapsing. He was rushed to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown and was last reported to be in a stable condition. Full Story on Page 3
Riddle me this: More questions than answers at quiz night
Jamie Connolly Browne got into the spirit of things as he jumped up to answer questions at the launch of Castleknock Educate Together National School’s Who Wants to be a Thousandaire event. It will take place at Westmanstown Garda Club on
November 13 and all money goes towards improving the school’s facilities. Eight lucky contestants will be drawn exclusively from the audience on the night and have the unique opportunity to play for a €1,000 prize.
2 BLANCH Gazette 5 November 2015
Connolly: relocation
New service for new year Keith Bellew
An outpatient gynaecological service will be provided at Connolly Hospital, in the New Year, before the Rotunda’s maternity services make the move to the Blanchardstown campus. It is proposed to develop the Rotunda gynaecology service at Connolly in two phases. Phase one will establish a one-stop outpatient gynaecology service that should support about 25% of all referrals. An estimated 410 Rotunda patients could be seen in what has been termed an ambulatory gynaecology care facility each year. The outpatient department will be sited in Cherry Ward, commencing with a four-day a week hysteroscopy service (examination of the uterus). The Rotunda will provide governance,
staffing and finance while Connolly will provide outpatient day ward facilities, access to decontamination facilities, storage and day-today bio-engineering support. Phase two will establish an additional daysurgery session in Connolly to assist in the management of women referred to Rotunda. It will not replace current Rotunda Hospital services which will continue, but will help to expedite waiting lists, and allow more patients to be treated in less time. Cllr Mary McCamley (Lab) welcomed this move saying it would help to reduce patient waiting times and alleviate some of the burden on the Rotunda, which has seen a 40% rise in benign gynaecology referrals since the Mater Hospital reduced the service in 2012.
business Vandalism costs a fortune
A businessman in Blanchardstown may be left with no alternative but to move premises as a result of ongoing anti-social behaviour around Halloween
Halloween mayhem may propel firm out of area A businessman in Blanchardstown may be left with no alternative but to move premises as a result of ongoing antisocial behaviour. The enterprise, based at the IDA business park beside Sheephill in Corduff, has been the focus of youths who initially came in search of bonfire material for Halloween, and then began to vandalise the premises. The businessman, who did not wish to be named said: “Basically we’re having a huge amount of anti-social behaviour here for the last three weeks in the lead up to Halloween. There’s 257 people employed here and we don’t know
keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com
whether we can stay. With the amount of vandalism over the last three weeks, we won’t be able to stay here if this happens again next year, we’d have to close it down. I don’t know what to do, or where to go,” he said. “They’re cutting the fence each night. The fence is fixed by the IDA security people, and they’re coming along within hours and cutting it again. The guards in
Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers
Blanchardstown are very good, they keep coming up, but we can’t keep constantly bringing them up every time. “We had them up here nine times [Tuesday 27] and four times [Wednesday 28] and it’s an ongoing thing. There’s about 12 kids, boys and girls from about seven years of age all the way up to about 19 or 20,” he said. He added that the youths had originally come in search of pallets, presumably for bonfire fuel, but had moved on to damaging vehicles and other property in the grounds. “They smashed the windscreen of a truck that was doing a delivery. The guy was reversing the truck and they lashed it with a brick. “Thankfully the windscreen held and the brick didn’t come through and hit him. “What can you do?
We’ve tried everything, kids are kids, but will it go on further after Halloween? “We don’t know. They vandalised a forklift last year and that cost us €1,800 to get a new one,” he said. On another occasion the teenagers barricaded the workers in the site by pulling down stacks of crates and scattering them around the vehicular exit of the premises. The man said they had given out 50 pumpkins to the local schools and resource centres around Corduff and Mulhuddart and fruit for a local football tournament. He said the majority of his employees lived in the area and contributed to the local economy. Cllr David McGuinness (Ind) said a company employing 257 people and giving back to the local community, was not one that he would like to
see leaving the area. “I completely condemn any activity that affects businesses in that industrial park, from youths that are hell bent on creating anti-social behaviour. “They do not represent Corduff. It’s a small minority that’s wrecking the place, and everybody is trying to think of ways to get it all stamped out,” he said Speaking to The Gazette, Blanchardstown Community Policing sergeant Anthony Twomey said they were investigating the incidents. “At this time of year we would be attending plenty of calls of youths trying to get into [premises] for bonfire materials. “To that extent, we contact the businesses in the area to advise them of the need for vigilance at this time of year in terms of the security of their premises,” he said.
5 November 2015 BLANCH Gazette 3
sports Centre gets €6.9k in funding
Ladyswell: call made for safe alternative to illegal bonfires
Man stabbed on Halloween night keith bellew
A NUMBEr of incidents occurred in Blanchardstown this Halloween, the most serious of which was a stabbing incident in Ladyswell where a young man was seriously injured. The incident occurred at a bonfire in Dromheath in Ladyswell at around 7pm. According to reports, David Cooper, who is his mid-20s, was with his partner and two young children when he was allegedly attacked and stabbed. He received a number of wounds to his head and local sources say he made it to his mother’s house before collapsing.
He was rushed to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, and he was reported to be in a stable condition. Gardai in Blanchardstown are investigating the incident and are appealing for witnesses to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 6667000. Meanwhile, Dublin Fire Brigade has reported that it was forced to withdraw from the Clonsilla area on two separate occasions on Halloween night. “Crews have experienced antisocial behaviour in Clonsilla for the second time tonight. No F/Fs [firefighters] injured. Withdrawn from scene,” the brigade said on its Twitter account. “There were a small
number of isolated incidents in which crews and appliances experienced antisocial behaviour, thankfully no firefighters were injured,” a DFB spokesperson said. According to local councillors, many residents have asked if the council could provide a safe, controlled alternative to illegal bonfires. Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF) raised the issue last year but the council disregarded idea, saying: “Requests for the council to be involved in community events at Halloween or any other time of the year can be considered but each event must be run in a safe and environmentally responsible way.”
Thumbs up, feet forward: Kids happy to get with the healthy programme pictured at at the start line of the KidsMarathon Programme were Cassandra Hew, Elisa Moore, Peig Ryan and Lana McKeon from St Francis Xavier School, Dublin 15. The programme aimed to inspire young people to run, encourage them to embrace healthy active lifestyles and over eight weeks accumulate the equivalent distance of a marathon. The programme, run in association with Fingal County Council Sports and the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon, finished with the children running their final mile at the Dublin Marathon. Picture: Orla Murray/ Ark Photography
Blakestown Community Resource Centre has received €6,974 for sports equipment as part of the National Lottery Funding scheme from the Department of Health. The centre will use the funding to buy basketball nets, boxercise gloves and pads and a tennis coaching pack among other things. Announcing the funding, Health Minister Leo Varadkar congratulated the centre on its successful application saying it was fantastic news. “[This] resource centre is a great facility which provides really important social, educational and recreational activities. I’m looking forward to seeing this equipment being used on a future visit,” he said
4 BLANCH Gazette 5 November 2015
blakestown: project quilt on display
Members of the Blakestown Drive Community Group show their recently unveiled tapestry
Group shows off tapestry of logos keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com
Blakestown Drive Community Group (BDCG) recently unveiled a tapestry of logos from organisations, businesses, community groups, and resident associations from Blakestown and Mountview, at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. Displayed at Level 1 across from Easons, Project Quilt, as it is known, is an initiative showcasing community projects around Blakestown and Mountview. It featured prominently as part of their entry in the Pride of Place Competition 2015. T he results of the competition will be announced this month. Last month the group also won the Adopt a Patch category in Fin-
gal Cleaner Communities Awards 2015 It was created by BDCG in association with Aileen Quigley, art therapist in the Daughters of Charity, Day Care Centre, Blakestown Road. Interested groups around Blakestown and Mountview submitted their logo for inclusion in the tapestry, Quigley hand-painted the logos and service users, BDCG community reps and friends helped to complete the banner. A spokesperson for the group said Project Quilt was designed to showcase the environmental social investment of the well-meaning people in the community. “The design of the project imitates a patchwork quilt – separate panels inextricably sewn together into an all-encompassing
embrace. “The Blanchardstown Centre management kindly and generously sponsored the purchase of the paints and materials. And it is with great appreciation and gratitude that the Blanchardstown Centre is the first location that the quilt is publicly displayed,” they said. Plans are in place to have it displayed a t B l a n c h a r d s t ow n Library and at various community group headquarters in a roadshow of sorts. Locals are encouraged to take photos of themselves with the banner and email them to Blakestowndrive@ eircom.net. The photos will then be posted on Blakestown Drive Community Group Facebook Page: w w w.facebook.com/ Blakestow n-DriveCommunity-Group.
Speeding survey for Phibblestown Fingal County Council will carry out a speed survey at Phibblestown Road with a view to the potential installation of ramps in the future. This follows a request from Cllr Jack Chambers (FF) for the ongoing problem of speeding on the road to be addressed. He made these representations on
behalf of residents of Ravenswood and Allendale who say speeding there is a major concern for them as there has been a number of accidents there. In some cases cars have breached the fencing along the path and come through to the green where local children play.
5 November 2015 BLANCH Gazette 5
coolmine McGuinness moves to allay fears of through road
No plans for crossing closure, says Irish Rail keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com
Irish Rail has dismissed the idea that Coolmine level crossing will be closed to facilitate a new bridge/road being built through Riverwood and Station Court. This follows representations from Cllr David McGuinness (Ind) on behalf of Riverwood residents who are concerned that a road will be built through their estate. The area has a pre-dominantly young population, and residents are concerned for the safety of their children in the event that a busy road is built through the area.
One reason for this concern is the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) stated policy that it wishes to remove as many level crossings on the Maynooth to Connolly line as possible. Cllr McGuinness said: “Minister Pascal Donohoe recently made a statement relating to the upgrading of the Royal Canal greenway from Dublin to Galway. One section that is constantly ignored is the section between Castleknock train station and Clonsilla station.” The Royal Canal greenway when completed will be a cycle- and walk-way which stretches the length of the canal from Dublin
to Galway. He said he had been dealing with residents in Riverwood and Station Court estate in Clonsilla who believe there is an active plan to replace Coolmine level crossing with a new bridge/road and questions whether the lack of investment in this section is down to plans to construct this road/bridge. “Is it a situation that the Government are purposely avoiding investing in this section of the canal because they have plans to build a new road here against the wishes of residents?” he said. Barry Kenny of Irish Rail said there were no
such plans as described by Cllr McGuinness. “It is established policy under the National Transport Authority’s Greater Dublin Area strategy that there should be ‘to the extent practicable and economically justifiable, removal of level crossings on the line between Maynooth and Connolly’. This is to cater for continued growth in rail services along the route, particularly in the context of future re-signalling of the line and extension of the Dart to Maynooth. He added that the NTA would be the lead authority in any such plans, and they had not at this time agreed with Fingal Coun-
Irish Rail has dismissed the idea that Coolmine level crossing will be closed to facilitate a new bridge/road being built through Riverwood and Station Court
ty Council the means by which the various level crossings – including Coolmine – would be replaced. The only crossing to date closed on the line is at Reilly’s Crossing
(Ratoath Road) near Broombridge, and there was a full public consultation and planning permission process for these works. “Further works on crossings would most
likely take place in the context of the electrification of the Maynooth line, the timing for which has not yet been confirmed but it is reasonable to assume would be some years away,” he said.
6 BLANCH Gazette 5 November 2015
competition Blanchardstown library set to display anti racist artistry
Art exhibition helps show racism the red card keith bellew
THE Show Racism the Red Card campaign’s One Race exhibition launches on Monday, November 9, and runs until Friday, November 20, in Blanchardstown Library. The exhibition will also have
a run in Balbriggan library from January 16 to 30, 2016, and will feature work from a competition that calls on young people to develop creative messages about racism and integration, through written, visual and audio-visual means. The competition is in its
seventh year. Fingal schools are well represented by Scoil Choilm CNS, Blakestown Community School and Castaheany Educate Together NS. Yvonne O’Brien, senior executive librarian, Fingal County Council, said “Blanchardstown library is honoured to
host the Show Racism the Red Card art exhibition, which recognises the excellent work that local children are doing to promote inclusion and oppose racism.” Paul Reid, council chief executive, said he was delighted to see Fingal schools repre-
sented in the exhibition, which provides a showcase for “the wonderful work of our young citizens, in the backdrop of our Blanchardstown and Balbriggan library exhibition spaces”. Garrett Mullan, executive director of Show Racism the Red Card, said he hoped the
exhibition would inspire others to be involved in promoting the anti-racism education message: “We designed the exhibition in a way that makes it easy to transfer from venue to venue, so it will be available to see in a number of different locations over the coming months.”
Review persuades council of LED lighting benefits the council believes the LED lighting in Edgewood Lawn in Blanchardstown presents no hazard for road users and controls light spill onto private property more effectively than sodium lights. This follows a request by Cllr David McGuinness (Ind) for a review of the impact of these lights to be undertaken following representation from residents who claimed the lighting was causing difficulty for motorists and affecting families because bedrooms were lit up at night as a result. A council spokesperson said these LED lights were chosen as they offered opportunities to achieve an energy sav-
ing of up to 50% per light while also providing more effective lighting and more controlled distribution onto the roads and footpaths due to its “white” light. “The council believes that installations undertaken so far are in keeping with current practice, serving to provide more energy efficient lighting while presenting no hazard for road users and controlling more effectively light spill onto private property. “There will be less spill light onto house fronts and properties in comparison to the less controlled lighting provided by sodium lights,” they said.
The annual Safer Blanchardstown Seniors Tea Dance treats seniors in the area to a free meal and music
Dublin 15: novel activities take place at centres
Go on, get out and try something new Keith Bellew
Safer Blanchardstown’s Have a Go week took place from Friday, October 16 to Friday, October 23 with many new and novel activities taking place at various community centres throughout Dublin 15. The purpose of the week was to give people the opportunity to try new activities without having to commit to paying for a course, and to give people with a skill the opportunity to try their hand at teaching.
Community centres provided the space for free and people were able to try their hand at a number of unique activities including Indian head massage, reiki and acupuncture. As a result, groups have been started for martial arts, mindfulness meditation, and short mat bowls for the elderly. Speaking to The Gazette, Philip Jennings of Safer Blanchardstow n, said another successful aspect of the week was the Cof-
fee with Cops initiative which matched local groups with community gardai. “Rather than them [gardai] going into a community centre at a particular time and hoping people turn up, we asked the community centre’s when was their busiest time, when would there be groups in there that the guards could sit and talk to. It means the guards are able to get their safety message to more people,” he said. The week coincided with the annual Safer
Blanchardstown Seniors Tea Dance, which treats seniors in the area to a free meal and music. Gardai were on hand to give a presentation on safety and Safer Blanchardstown gave personal safety alarms to everyone present. “We had a huge cake from SuperValu that went down a treat. “There was enough to feed 150 people so everyone got a slice and some even had a piece to take home. Everyone said it was a great day,” said Jennings.
5 November 2015 BLANCH Gazette 7
8 BLANCH Gazette 5 November 2015
gazetteGALLERIES
Abby Enright
Jessa O’Brien, Cian Herbert and Kevin Lawlor pictured at Peregrine’s GAA Halloween Disco held in the clubhouse on Blakestown Road.
Dean Wallace
Kyle Farrell, Reece Molloy, Nadine Farrell and Cara Flynn
Adam and Luke Kierwan
Erin Stynes and Sophie Moriarty
Isabella and Lorcan Dorill
Ella Gaffney
5 November 2015 BLANCH Gazette 9
Charlie Hopkins and Lauren Chanel
Pictures: Stephen Fleming
Alexia Kiernan and Bayvin Cullen
St Peregrine’s GAA: Ghouls come out to play
A horrible load of fun for Halloween
Janice Enright, Graham Bradley, Niall Cullen and Mervin Ciara McCrossan and Charlie Boyd
Jones
10 BLANCH Gazette 5 November 2015
R1
R1
5 November 2015 BLANCH Gazette 11
12 BLANCH gazette 5 November 2015
sponsors There are lots more children who need support
A World Vision visit to Uganda for volunteers aisling kennedy akennedy@dublingazette.com
A group of volunteers from Dublin will this month travel to Uganda to visit the children they have been sponsoring as part of the World Vision child sponsorship programme. The trip involves volunteers visiting local schools, vocational centres, health centres, and farmer/vegetable garden projects. Anne Marie Bolger, a mother of three from Malahide who is one of the volunteers, tells the Gazette how she first became involved with the child sponsorship programme. “I first began sponsoring children through World Vision in 2004. I thought it would be a good idea and I’ve always been glad that I did it. I’m sponsoring my third child at the moment. “The first child I sponsored was Claire, and I began sponsoring her in 2004 when she was seven years old. She’s 18 now so she’s moved on with her life as she’s now an adult. I also began sponsoring a young boy called Onesmus in 2006 when he was just five years
old, and this year I began sponsoring another little girl, Annah, who is five years old.” Bolger says that when she initially signed up to the World Vision programme, the organisation nominated the child she was to sponsor. She could ask for a boy or a girl or a child of a particular age but she was happy to see whoever the charity chose to link her up with. “After they linked me up with my sponsored child, I received a letter with all the details about her; her family, brothers and sisters, what she liked to do, her level of school and a photograph of her. I then sent a postcard with my details and then you keep in touch over the years. “You receive theirschool reports and more information on them as they get older. You can then send them letters or cards for their birthdays, Christmas, and you can send extra gifts if you wish to the community for school supplies, immunisation, chickens, educating people on how to use mosquito nets, and numerous other things.” She says that for the past number of years she has been sending pack-
World Vision sponsors help with education and other expenses and stay in touch through letters and other correspondence. Anne Marie Bolger (Left), a mother of three from Malahide who is one of the volunteers travelling to Uganda next month
ages to her sponsored children for birthdays and Christmas. “They’re always so delighted to receive what I send them and I always
get a photograph every year from them. “I must say I think this programme is wonderful and I’ve been involved with a lot of different sponsorships over the years. I find this one very rewarding because you get to know them and you know where your money is going. You become a big part of their lives. They rely on it and they look forward to it so much and you get the opportunity to help the rest of the community
whenever you can.” On Saturday, November 6, the group of 19 sponsors will fly out to Uganda to visit their sponsored children and Bolger is really looking forward to it. She will meet one of her sponsored children, five-year-old Annah, in the Busitema Area Development Programme. “I’m both excited and nervous about the trip. I’m very excited to meet Annah and I’m going to bring out gifts for her and
her family and for the kids in school. This has been something that I’ve always dreamed of doing but I never thought I’d get the chance to do it. It’ll also be lovely that there is a group of us going together who all have a common interest. “I don’t know exactly how much time we will get in the different communities. I think I will have about a day and a half in the particular region that Annah lives in and I will get to meet
Annah and her family, teachers of the school children, parents, the different groups involved, committees and things like that. We’ll be out there for eight days in total. I wish it was longer to be honest, but you never know what I might do afterwards.” World Vision is always looking for people to sponsor children in third world countries. For more information on how to get involved visit ww.worldvision.ie.
5 November 2015 BLANCH gazette 13
R1
Castleknock Christmas is coming and thieves are about
Residents urged to be alert for burglars Keith Bellew
Castleknock residents have raised concerns about burglars posing as charity clothes collection companies attempting to gain entry to their properties in the early hours of the morning under the guise of dropping off stickers for clothes bags. Two weeks ago, The Gazette covered the issue of a rise in reports of burglaries in the area in the run-up to Christmas. In the piece, Cllr David McGuinness (Ind) said residents reported seeing a man trying door handles and checking under flower pots/door mats
presumably for keys to the houses while delivering leaflets in Pecks Lane. Cllr McGuinness said that since sharing the article online, he has been contacted by numerous residents reporting suspicious activity. Gardai in Blanchardstown are currently investigating reports of a man acting suspiciously while delivering leaflets in Castleknock. Responding to a Facebook post by Cllr McGuinness, one resident raised the issue of these clothing collections describing them as scams. “We had stopped getting those clothing stick-
ers in the door for months and I’ve just noticed they are back in my letterbox again at 6.30am. “Apparently those who deliver these do so in the early hours of the morning and check door handles at the same time too, be aware,” she said. Cllr McGuinness said that he had been contacted by residents around Dublin 15 who claimed to have seen these collection vans seven or eight times in the last two weeks. “It seems like a bit of a coincidence that you have this activity going on again in the run-up to Christmas and then people’s homes are burgled. A house in Stockton [Castleknock]
was burgled the other day. People are saying there’s more activity in the last few weeks, more people are being hit by burglars,” he said. He urged people to be extra vigilant in the runup to Christmas. Meanwhile, a special Garda operation which targets burglary was launched recently. Operation Thor as it is known will entail a broad range of activities to tackle burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders as well as working with communities to prevent crime. These activities include extra high-visibility patrols in identified burglary hot-
A special Garda operation which targets burglary was launched recently
spots; increased use of checkpoints to tackle the criminal gangs using the national road network; the use of new high powered vehicles by the armed Regional Response Units; efforts to disrupt the stolen goods market; pro-
grammes to help reduce re-offending by prolific offenders; a high-profile national crime prevention awareness campaign to be launched later this month; targeted crime prevention advice for local communities; and enhanced sup-
ports for victims. Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said: “We are all acutely aware of the terrible impact that burglaries have on families and communities nationwide, both urban and rural.”
14 Gazette 5 November 2015
gazetteGALLERY
Sean Montague and Romy Carroll
Hayley Ryan and Faye Rooney happy out at the launch of Bronze Bar and Lounge on Dublin’s Baggot Street where a party went on until late. Hosted by manager Gareth Downey, guests enjoyed cocktails, live music and an even livelier crowd! Luminaries included Ivan Yates, Noelle Campbell Sharpe, former Mr Ireland Kamal Ibrahim and former Miss Ireland Aoife Walsh. Pictures: Patrick O’Leary
Baggot Street parties as new venue opens up Lauren Walsh and Karl Bowe
Jodie O’Connor and Rachel Kean
Yasmin Hamouda and Michael Sharp
Jessica Banaghan and Wayne Law
Roz and Vicky Flanagan
5 November 2015 Gazette 15
generation energy P17
asdfsdaf P27 the big interview P18
dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week
a day in the life: never a dull moment for highflying presenter
Busy dedicated follower of fabulous fashion Ian Begley
Popular TV presenter, style entrepreneur and columnist Darren Kennedy often finds himself attending highprofile fashion shows, making TV appearances and occasionally hopping on a plane to London, so there’s never a dull moment throughout the day. The alarm clock isn’t always set at the same time for Kennedy, who lives in Dublin with his partner, Aidan, and Yorkshire terrier Harry. “I usually get up around 7.30am, but it really depends because I may have to be up as early as 4am to start filming or if I have to go to the
airport. “Every day starts with at least two mugs of coffee because I can’t function unless I have a nice dose of caffeine. “I also try and give my self time to have something to eat before I leave the house like a few eggs and maybe some fruit. “It sounds completely cliched, but very few days are similar to one another. “Yesterday, I got up at 7.30am, filed a piece for a column I write, ran to the gym, and went to Dublin airport to fly to London. I had a few meetings back-to-back, then a quick dash to my place in south London. “Afterwards, I headed to a very swanky dinner
hosted by John Lewis in Berry Brothers in St James.” A f ter a long day, Kennedy likes to chill out and spend some quality time at home. “When I get home, I often take my little dog Harry out for a walk and play with him for a bit. “I also catch up with my partner and maybe get a bite to eat or just chill out and watch TV. “I usually tr y and head to bed around 11pm, but the odd time I wouldn’t hit the hay until about 4am.” Kennedy will be releasing his much-anticipated AW15 collection with Louis Copeland at the beginning of November.
LocalMatters S u p p o r t l o c a l b u s i n e ss
Advertise with the Gazette call 60 10 240
Darren Kennedy: “Every day starts with at least two mugs of coffee.”
Gazette
diary P16
16 Gazette 5 November 2015
Gazette
dublinlife Gogglebox duo get off the sofa to visit Dublin STEPH and Dom, those lovable lushes from TV’s Gogglebox, will be gracing Eason’s on O’Connell Street on Saturday, November 7, to sign copies of their new book, Steph and Dom’s guide to life. The guide reflects on their own eccentric life experiences and includes some humorous tales and liquor-soaked lessons they’ve learnt along the way. From tips on how to mix a liberally, if not excessively, measured Long Island Iced Tea to the real reason they’re always holding hands (so
Dom can prevent Steph from darting into shops) and wedding etiquette, the plastered pair say the book covers every issue imaginable, and with no “long words”. The couple, who are vaguely reminiscent of characters in a Monty Python sketch or guests from Fawlty Towers, will be in Eason’s from noon. For more information visit: www.easons.com
Radio DJ’s health tip for seniors RTE radio presenter Ronan Collins recently launched the Pneumococcal Winter Awareness
campaign, aimed at those aged 65 and over, who are at increased risk of contracting the disease. Pneumococcal disease refers to a range of illnesses caused by streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. It is a major cause of serious infection that can lead to death, particularly among the elderly, and the very young. This year’s campaign, led by a number of organisations, including the Asthma Society and Age Action, encourages those over 65 to talk to their GP or healthcare professional about vaccination this winter.
diary
Steph and Dom Parker from TV’s Gogglebox, will be gracing Eason’s on O’Connell Street
The DSPCA is shaking its collection buckets in the direction of people with spare 1c and 2c coins
According to research, 57% of over-65s had not heard of the disease let alone how to protect themselves from it. Collins said it was “critical for people to learn about the pneumo bug and how you can help protect yourself”. For more information see www.pneumo.ie
free maths help on offer at DCU SECONDARY students in Dublin northeast have the opportunity to avail of free weekly drop-in mathematics support sessions at the DCU maths learning centre.
The sessions will take place on Monday from 6pm-9pm, November 9 to December 7, and will be delivered by DCU students training to be maths teachers. Students work alone or in small groups, asking the tutors for help if they need it. Students from any school, year and mathematics level are welcome. For more information visit: http://www.dcu.ie/ maths-support-sessions. shtml.
Dublin a top spot to visit in 2016 THE Lonely Planet has
named Dublin as the third best city in the world to visit next year, and it’s all down to the centenary celebrations of the 1916 Rising. Second only to the coastal town of Kotor, in Montenegro, and the capital of Ecuador, Quito, the €22m that has been invested in the centenary celebrations clinched the bronze medal for Dublin. According to the Lonely Planet, the top things to do in Dublin include: St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Literary Pub Crawl, Kilmainham Gaol, the Chester Beatty Library and Hugh Lane Gallery.
IT makes cents to help animal group TO mark the end of the circulation of 1c and 2c coins, the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is appealing to people to donate their old coins to it. The society is celebrating 175 years of helping animals and every cent can make a difference to its work. Shoppers can now volunteer to receive change in cash, rounded up or down to the nearest 5c. For more information, visit www.dspca.ie or email info@dspca.ie
5 November 2015 GAZETTE 17
GAZETTE
GENERATION ENERGY: ‘THESE GROUPS ARE ADDRESSING CRITICAL NATIONAL ISSUES’
Suas, Soar and Sheds net funding FUNDING of €150,986 has been shared between 21 Dublin-based community and voluntary organisations as part of the autumn 2015 round of the Energy for Generations community fund. Three of the groups received their cheques at a presentation at ESB Networks offices in Leopardstown recently. Educational development charity Suas received funding for its literacy suppor t programmes in Deis schools, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association netted funds for a series of local network wellbeing events for 6,000 “shedders”, and youth outreach movement Soar will now be able to deliver workshops for young women in the areas of self-confidence,
sexuality, media and body image. The ceremony sought to highlight the partnership between ESB and the charities, focusing on the positive impact of the three organisations. The fund supports the work of not-for-profit organisations, charities, and community and voluntary organisations, whose work falls under the areas of educational access and support, suicide prevention and care of the homeless. Managing director of ESB Networks Marguerite Sayers said: “We are delighted to be able to support the great work of fantastic community and voluntary organisations ...we are pleased to recognise the educational work of Suas
and Soar and to support Irish Men’s Sheds’ work in the area of wellbeing. These organisations are addressing critical local and national issues and ESB is proud to be able to ensure that they can continue to provide their much needed services.” T he remaining 18 Dublin-based organisations will receive funding for projects including counselling services, educational activities for adults with intellectual disabilities, programmes promoting science, technology, engineering and maths at second level, and an arts festival with a mental health theme. For details on applying to the fund see here: https://www.esb. ie/main/communitysponsorship/energy-forgenerations-fund.jsp
Orlagh Reilly from The Soar Foundation, Barry Sheridan from Irish Men’s Sheds Association, Marguerite Sayers, managing director of ESB Networks and Adelaide Nic Chartaigh from Suas Educational Development. Picture: Chris Bellew Fennell Photography
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OVER 200,000* READERS EACH WEEK *Publishers statement
CALL 01 60 10 240
GAZETTE
18 GAZETTE 5 November 2015
DUBLINLIFE
THE BIG INTERVIEW
FACE OF FOOTBALL: LIFE AFTER SCORING A TOP THREE GOAL
Fame has been ‘weird but nice’ for Stephanie
AISLING KENNEDY
akennedy@dublingazette.com
AFTER being thrust into the spotlight a year ago when she scored one of the top three goals in the world, Stephanie Roche has slowly come to terms with her new found fame. “It’s been weird,” she says. “But it has been really nice.” Her name first hit headlines when she was one of three football players in the world to be shortlisted for the Puskas award after she scored an incredible goal for Peamount United in 2014. The other two footballers nominated in the same category as her were international football star’s Robin van Persie and James Rodriguez. While Roche scored her goal in front of a crowd of 95 people, the winner of the award, James Rodriguez, scored his goal in front of a crowd of thousands while playing for Columbia against Uruguay during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Roche had hoped to win the award but came an impressive second to Rodriguez with a total of 1.1m votes worldwide.
A photograph of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi looking at her as she walked past went viral and since then she has achieved a level of stardom that she never dreamed of. “It has been a strange time with everything going on and especially when I think about how much --------------------------
‘I’ve said before I’m not the only girl who can play football in the world or in Ireland so it was just a lucky break that one of my goals got caught on camera’ --------------------------
my life has changed in the last few years. It’s strange to think about how many people recognise me and it’s still odd to me that when I’m walking around that people are taking a second look at me. “I was in the shop yesterday buying something
and the guy behind the till said ‘Do I know you from somewhere?’ and I kind of felt really awkward because I didn’t want to say how he knew me. So I just kind of said ‘Oh I play football’, and then he said ‘Oh I know who you are now!’ “So it can be a little bit strange and a little bit weird because I’m not used to it but I’m enjoying it and I’m just happy that everything worked out the way it did.” Roche explained that meeting Ronaldo and Messi was an exciting moment for her and she said that she enjoyed the whole awards ceremony. “I got to speak to Ronaldo and Rodriguez and pretty much anyone who was there. So I got to say hello to them at least. I said before the awards I would be as professional as I could. I was there as a nominee not as a fan even though it was a strange thing for me to be there. I tried to handle myself in the best way I could which I’m happy I was able to do.” Roche now plays for Sunderland Ladies and she divides her time between England and
Stephanie Roche hit the headlines when she was one of three football players in the world to be shortlisted for the Puskas award after she scored an incredible goal for Peamount United in 2014. She is also participating in a campaign called Let’s Talk which is a teen-focused YouTube campaign by Lil-Lets
Ireland. “Our season finished up on October 4 and then we had an Ireland match against Portugal on Tuesday. Our season is over, but I’ve been continuing my training because we have an important game for Ireland coming up. “We play this month and we play next month at home against Spain so I’m keeping myself fit for that. I live in England when I’m playing over there but I get back for one or two weekends when I can.” Roche is now one of the most famous, if not the most famous, face in women’s football, and an ambassador for women
in sports but she remains modest about her huge achievement. “I feel privileged really. A lot of people were ringing looking for interviews after the awards and it was a bit hectic. I said at the time I wanted to do everything I could to promote women’s football while I was in the spotlight and I think I did everything I could with what I was given. “However, I’ve said before I’m not the only girl who can play football in the world or in Ireland so it was just a lucky break that one of my goals got caught on camera. So I was happy to do what-
ever I could while I could. I’m happy to help out women’s football and if I see women’s football grow because of that I’m happy.” Let’s Talk
Roche is currently participating in a campaign called Let’s Talk which is a teen-focused YouTube campaign by Lil-Lets. The aim of the campaign is to help teen girls through the most important transitional time in their lives and to ensure that they are getting the right answers to their questions. “I’m sharing my experiences of what it was like
for me growing up, when I hit puberty and how my teenage years went. “It’s a great campaign to get young girls to talk about what they’re feeling, what happens to their bodies and to show them that they do not have to be ashamed to talk about it. “I think it is a bit of a taboo subject in Ireland still but it shouldn’t be because it’s natural and every woman goes through it so I’m really happy to be part of the campaign.” For more information on the Let’s Talk campaign log onto www. becomingateen.ie
5 November 2015 Gazette 19
asdfsdaf P27 cinema P24
health P22
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
travel P21
on your toes: bord Gais stage is set for stunning swan lake and Romeo & Juliet
Russia’s prima ballerina on way Keith Bellew
T H E wo r l d f a m o u s Tchaikovsky Perm State Ballet returns to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre this month to perform Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake. R e n ow n e d p r i m a ballerina Natalia Domracheva will star in both productions accompanied by the RTE National Sy mphony Orchestra. Romeo and Juliet will be staged on November 18 and 19 and Swan Lake from November 20 to 22. Domracheva is a
prizewinner at many international competitions, including the prestigious Krai Prize for Culture and Art for her interpretation of Juliet. She last performed in Ireland the role w i t h t h e Tc h a i ko vsky Perm State Ballet in 2013, receiving a standing ovation every night. Speaking to the Gazette, Simon Walton of Ballet and Opera Ireland, said Domracheva was one of the best performers he had ever seen since becoming involved in bringing ballet to Ire-
land. “She is brilliant, she is delicate, she is strong, which is very important in a ballerina, but she’s also not only a ballerina, she’s an actress as well. “Half the battle of ballet is that the people can act as well, so they are playing their part. “In a piece like Romeo and Juliet, for example, it’s very important that she shows true emotions and responds to the situation and people around her,” he said. He said that, along w i t h D o m r a c h e v a ’s prowess and Sergei Prokofiev’s score per-
THE Tchaikovsky Perm State Ballet returns to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre
formed by the National Symphony Orchestra, another aspect of the production of Romeo and Juliet, which makes it special is the fact that
the choreography used was designed by the late UK choreographer Kenneth MacMillan. “His is now considered the ultimate version
of Romeo and Juliet. For example, the Royal Ballet in London and the Bolshoi in Moscow both use MacMillan’s version. “They premiered it in Perm in 2013 and Lady MacMillan went over to Perm and enjoyed it so much that when we put it on in Dublin in November 2013, she came across to watch it at the Bord Gais and stayed for two nights, just to see it twice.” He added that the show would be the biggest ballet production ever to come to Ireland. The Swan Lake pro-
duction will feature 60 world-class dancers, romantic themes, sets, costumes and around 20 local young people as extras. “Swan Lake is the world’s most popular ballet. It’s beautiful, Tchaikovsky’s music is really something. There are two versions of Swan Lake, one is when the heroine dies and the other one is when she lives, but I’m not going to say which one it is. You’ll have to come and see it.” For more information, visit: www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/
GAZETTE
20 GAZETTE 5 November 2015
OUT&ABOUT
STYLE
BEAUTYnews The smooth and refreshing effects of daily use of La Roche-Posay PEARL PHELAN
MY new skincare ritual has made a real difference. Using La Roche-Posay purifying foaming gel to wash my face, followed by the clarifying toner and finished with corrective unclogging cream has cleared up the problems I was having with my oily t-zone. I am way too old for teenage pimples and am pleased to report that these products have cleared the little breakouts I was experiencing. As I grow out the fringe I have worn for nearly 10 years, I became concerned about my oily forehead. This La RochePosay trio has mattified the skin there and even improved the bumpy texture of the drier skin on my cheeks. Combination skin can be difficult to treat but with Effaclar you can tone done oily areas without making the dry patches worse. The cleansing gel feels smooth and refreshing, which is just what you want first thing in the morning and at the end of a long day. The Effaclar fragrance is light and the products leave your face feeling squeaky-clean. Available in most pharmacies.
Luxury lacquers: A chance to marvel at Louboutin FOR THOSE OF YOU who like to blow the budget and money is no object, this ridiculously over
Fight dull, rough winter skin with Ziaja WINTER is swiftly approaching, along with all those annoying skin issues that come with it – dry patches, flaky skin, dullness, broken capillaries, chapped hands and lips. The combination of cold weather, indoor heating and seasonal irritants can cause skin to lose moisture, tonicity and elasticity. Ensure your skin is prepared for the colder season with Ziaja’s moisture-infused and revitalising argan oil range. Argan oil, has been used for centuries to transform the skin, thanks to its high content of omega fatty acids and antioxidants. Extract-
ed from the kernels found in the fruit of Moroccan argan trees, argan oil has high levels of vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. In simple terms, it improves the skin’s barrier function, protects against ageing free radicals and improves elasticity in one hit. All Ziaja argan oil products are easily absorbed to leave skin feeling hydrated and nourished, and are boosted with Vitamin A and provitamin B5 (D-panthenol) to ensure skin is 100% winter proofed. Available at selected pharmacies.
Freakishly Good Hair set 13.50
Revitalising Argan Face Cream 6.99
Moisturising Argan Oil Shower Soap 3.99
Protective Argan Oil Body Butter 7.99
Soothing Argan Oil Hand Cream 100ml (rrp€3.99)
Get it On... Get it Off nail set 13.50
Shine On Face & Body Illuminator 17
the top Christian Louboutin Limited Edition Nail Collection is a thing to behold. The luxury lacquer-like box featuring the architectural design of Loubiville – the concept envisioned by Christian Louboutin to host his beauty creations in stores is available in the Marvel Room in Brown Thomas. It includes all three nail colour collections (30 shades), plus three iconic rouge Louboutin’s, a total of 33 lacquers. This limited edition collection is available in The Marvel Room at an eye-watering €1,900. You would want to paint the town every colour under sun at that price. This is definitely one for Santa’s list. asdf sda fdsa fdsathe fsf saf
My Favourites 54
The Joystick, a True Stick of Joy eyeliner and smudger brush 10
Clever Claudia at M&S MARKS and Spencer is about to launch Claudia Winkleman’s first ever beauty gift range: Claudia. Capturing her signature look, Claudia covers all the elements to help you pull off the dark, smoky kohl-lined eyes, nude lips and glossy fringe, ensuring you are party-season ready. Stocking fillers and gift ideas include an eyeliner and smudger brush, conditioner and comb set, lipstick and nail polish. Launching on November 21, 2015 in time for the Christmas season, the debut collection includes nine beauty sets to help you look as red carpet fabulous as Claudia. Claudia says:“The key to happiness – pale lips, a serious amount of eyeliner and freakishly shiny hair.
I am so excited to be working with M&S, such a great British icon. I really hope you have as much fun using the range as I did creating it. Let me know what you think immediately.” Personally involved every inch of the way and at all levels including design, packaging, product selection and naming, each gift set also includes quotes from Claudia in her own inimitable, quirky style. For example: Claudia Freakishly Good Hair Set “Yes, this is it. You know when you just meet the one? You lock eyes and know that life will never be the same. That’s the deal with this. I’d have children with this conditioner if I could.”
5 November 2015 GAZETTE 21
GAZETTE
TRAVEL HAWAII: THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN AMERICA’S 50TH STATE
Do some research before your big trip
Hawaii boasts white sandy beaches, palm trees, stupendous sunsets and amazing wildlife
Fall in love with the breathtaking beauty of Pacific coast paradise SUZANNE SHEEHY
HAWAII – land of white sandy beaches, palm trees, stupendous sunsets, Pacific warm as a heated pool, the “lei” flower necklace, beloved by Elvis, of course, and home of Barack Obama. Who hasn’t heard of aloha, the islands’ happy hello? There’s something for everyone in Hawaii. More usually the setting for an unforgettable honeymoon or anniversary trip, my recent visit was neither. But it was still unforgettable – not least the eyewatering travel costs. The special occasion that demanded shelling out by my mum and me was the Ironman World Championships. My brother was participating this year and so we sallied forth for Kona, the
Big Island. Autumn is a great time of year to visit. And being surrounded by world class athletes added to the vibe. I intended acting as support crew for Ironman and this turned out to be a major highlight of the trip. The hype leading up to the event was electric. If you could bottle it, you’d be rich. But enough of Ironman and on to the holiday. Top picks of the Big island for me were the following: Snorkelling kept me busy for a long time and cost me nothing. Kona’s calm clear waters are perfect for seeing sea turtles and other marine life. A highlight was the Manta Ray Night Snorkel (€70) – This bargain night out (who needs nightclubs when you can snorkel?) had me within inches of
enormous manta rays as they slowly swam beneath us. A night that won’t be forgotten in a hurry. Do rent a car because that way you’ll have more flexibility getting around. Public transportation is virtually non-existent and taxis atrociously priced. If you’re of a mind to do rent a car or book a tour consider visiting Mauna Kea Summit, Kohala Zipline. Don’t forget the option of a volcano heli-
copter tour with Safari where you’ll see flowing lava and the last house standing as the lava flows around it. Seeing the sights depends on your budget. But, boy, is Hawaii worth the outlay. I fell in love with the island’s beauty and most importantly the hospitality of its people. With so much more to do I hope one day to return and say: Aloha, I’m back!
TheEssentials Travelling to Hawaii: You cannot fly direct to Hawaii from Ireland. We flew with Aer Lingus to San Francisco, CA (non-stop flight is 11 hours, average economy return flights are €700pp). To help with jet lag we stayed overnight in San Francisco. We stayed in a hostel, the Adelaide, which cost around $44 a night. For other hostels, visit http://www.hostelworld.com/ hostels/San-Francisco. Connecting flights to Kona were booked with Expedia.ie, again these averaged out at $770. The site was user friendly and offered the best prices. VISA/currency: All visitors must obtain ESTA US visa waiver pre-authorisation before travelling. For more information visit www. esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta. Hawaii’s currency is the US dollar. Top tip before you go is to download foreign exchange app- XE currency so you know how much you’re paying for goods and services. Accommodation can be expensive. I used Booking.ie but another option is www.airbnb.com. The cheaper the hotel/hostel, the more you have for activities, experiences and meals.
Swimming with manta rays is unforgettable
THE transatlantic flight to San Francisco meant we were ready for the overnight, leaving us two full days to discover the city. However short your trip, do your research before you set out and check things out so you’re ready to hit the ground running... literally! And don’t forget some comfortable footwear. Runners were certainly needed to get me up all those hills in San Fran! I’m a big fan of staying in hostels when I’m away when the occasion is right. And that goes for all ages. My mother and I proved how easy it is for younger and older to use these facilities. Hostels don’t necessarily mean dormitory living and 20 travellers to a room. Pay a few dollars more and upgrade to a smaller dorm or private room. Communal areas mean you can chat to fellow travellers who can also provide you with information on the area if they have arrived days before you. I stayed in the Adelaide hostel. It ticked all the boxes we needed for our stay which include free wi-fi, security, location, friendly staff, even breakfast! Don’t forget to leave a review and let fellow travellers know your take on the place. It’s the kind of information that helps me out – so I always feel a duty to return the favour.
Gazette
22 Gazette 5 November 2015
OUT&ABOUT
HEALTH
IrishCancerSociety Limiting intake of processed meat to reduce cancer risk Dr Robert O’Connor Head of research at the Irish Cancer Society
Avoiding or limiting dietary intake of processed meat can help to reduce the risk of certain cancers, according to the Irish Cancer Society. The society was responding to a report by the World Health Organisation which has classified processed meats as carcinogenic. There is strong scientific evidence, the society said, to support avoiding or limiting consumption of processed meat, which has been linked to colorectal cancer. The society maintains that a diet high in red and processed meat is linked to bowel cancer and recommends avoiding the latter and reducing consumption of cooked red meat to 500 grams a week. As part of a balanced diet, the society advocates eating more fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and pulses, cutting down on foods high in calories, fat and sugar, reducing alcohol consumption, and cutting down on salt. Eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and being a healthy weight, the society says, can reduce cancer risk by a third.
One route to a healthy life is including more fruit and vegetables in your daily diet
Code to adhere to in your campaign to stay in shape The European Code Against Cancer outlines healthier lifestyle choices that can help you reduce your risk of certain cancers and improve your general health. This includes not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, eating a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.
Examples of processed meat include hot dogs, ham, sausages, pudding, salami, corned beef, beef jerky and canned meat
A varied balanced diet key to healthy lifestyle With cancer being linked to eating red meat last week, people had yet another carcinogenic to worry about. This week Ellen Roche, who is a registered dietician and member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute gives readers advice on what to do. A varied balanced diet is key to a healthy lifestyle. Last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) examined more than 800 human studies which confirmed previous knowledge on the association between diet and cancer risks. The WHO found that small increases in the risk of several cancers may be associated with high consumption of red meat or processed meat. It’s estimated that 34,000 cancer deaths per year worldwide are attributable to diets high in processed meat. Now, you might begin to think twice about the choice of sandwich filler for your child’s lunchbox or reconsider the types of
Ellen Roche
founder and owner of NutriVive
protein sources placed in the shopping trolley each week.
Processed Meat Processed meat was classified as Group 1 carcinogenic to humans. This category is used when there is convincing evidence that an agent causes cancer. There is sufficient research from epidemiological studies (observing large populations) that eating processed meat causes bowel cancer. T h e r i s k g e n e rally increased with the amount of meat consumed, that is for every 50 gram (2oz) portion of processed meat eaten daily (the equivalent of two sausages), it increases the risk of colorectal cancer by a whopping 18%.
Processed meat refers to meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavour or improve preservation. Examples of processed meat include hot dogs, ham, sausages, pudding, salami, corned beef, beef jerky and canned meat. The nitrites and nitrates used to preserve ham and sausages may explain why some studies find that processed meat increases the risk of cancer to a greater extent than red meat. In the bowel, nitrites are thought to convert into N-nitroso compounds, which can spark cancerous cells.
Red meat Red meat was classified as Group 2A, probably carcinogenic to humans. The classification is based on limited evidence from studies showing positive associations between eating red meat and developing colorectal cancer as well as links with pan-
creatic cancer and prostate cancer. Red meat is defined as all mammalian muscle meat including, beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, horse and goat. Red meat contains a red pigment called haem, which potentially irritates the cells in the bowel. These cells divide much more than normal to compensate for this damage, which stimulates a cancer growth. There is some evidence that the effects of haem could be countered by chlorophyll, found in green vegetables so try to include plenty of green veggies with dinner. Almost all red and processed meats contain more haem than white meats. This may explain why red and processed meats increase bowel cancer risk while white meats do not (chicken or turkey).
Defining moderation Red meat is an important source of iron and vitamin B12 in the diet, particularly since one in
five Irish women under 50 years of age have iron deficiency anaemia. The key messages from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland are to consume red meat to a maximum of three times per week and in small portions (no bigger than the palm of your hand). Include chicken, turkey and fish on other days for main meals. Cook meats gently by steaming, poaching or stewing at lower temperatures and serve with large portions of vegetables. Try to include more plant based proteins, lentils, beans, pulses, nuts and seeds, when finding the balance with red and processed meats. Limit processed meats as much as possible, by varying sandwich fillers for lunch and leave the traditional Irish grill to occasional. Ellen Roche owns Nutri Vive. They hold private clinics throughout Leinster. For consultations and seminars, contact the office (087) 680 2248 www.nutrivive.ie
5 November 2015 GAZETTE 23
FOOD&DRINK CAFE: A NOURISHING MIXTURE OF ART AND CALORIES
Abbey preens itself as Peacock cafe food is a hit
THE Abbey Theatre has launched its latest production, the Peacock cafe, serving Irish food in a modern and contemporary way. The cafe serves breakfast lunch and dinner. Examples of breakfast includes – Llewellyn’s apple juice; porridge with Highbank Irish apple syrup and toasted sunflower seeds; breakfast bun with bacon, sausage and baked egg. Lunch has things like artisan roll filled with Ardsallagh goats cheese, radish, cucumber and
beetroot relish; warm pulled brisket and pickled cucumber roll with Irish rapeseed mayo. Supper/pre-theatre includes a salad of broccoli, pea, cucumber, alfalfa, toasted seeds, guacamole and mint or beef and Guinness stew.
As you can see a big push is being put on the healthy option. In the cafe itself, eyes are drawn towards a feature wall that displays a provocative quote from Bertolt Brecht, unashamedly bold and bright red. The artwork here will be updated regularly to reflect current productions, events or even the general mood or feeling of a particular time – a statement as much as a feature wall. Other design elements include an exhibition showcasing the creativity
behind a play’s journey from the playwright’s mind to the stage. “At the Abbey Theatre, we place our artists and our audiences at heart of everything we do. Theatre more than any other artform, encourages a lively exchange between artists and audiences. We conducted customer research in 2013 and found that our audiences wanted a food offering before attending a play. This venture is our response to that feedback. “Also, we want to encourage our artists and
The Abbey Theatre has launched the Peacock cafe, serving Irish food from breakfast to dinner, with, inset, the cafe’s feature wall
staff to collaborate and work on–site in a space that is inviting and inspiring. Our motto is simple dishes, the best of Irish produce, great service. We look forward to welcoming our audiences and some new customers into the space,” said Eileen Collins, head of customer service at the
Abbey Theatre. A list of wine and Irish craft beer has been assembled to complement lunch and evening menus, while Barry’s tea, coffee and a selection of freshly baked scones, brownies and flapjacks are served throughout the day. The creativity behind the Peacock cafe includes
Hugo Arnold, whose list of previous clients features Harrods and Conran Restaurants, Eileen Collins, head of sales and customer service at the Abbey Theatre, cafe manager Bob Mansour and the Abbey’s own technical director, Aisling Mooney, who collaborated on the design for the cafe.
Gazette
24 Gazette 5 November 2015
OUT&ABOUT
CINEMA
ReelReviews
the martian
Red-dy to thrill viewers SCIENCE be damned – Matt Damon is trapped on Mars in The Martian (Cert 12A, 141 mins), and nothing is going to stop the astronaut from getting rescued, after being presumed dead in a mission gone awry. He puts his science skills to the test, while a rescue mission is launched – but who will triumph: the determined man or the hostile red planet? It’s an entertainingly exciting tale.
crimson peak
Could leave you cold AUDIENCES haven’t exactly warmed to Crimson Peak (Cert 15A, 119 mins), with it making headlines as a flop. The Gothic tale mixes horror and romance with unsuccesful results, despite strong turns from leads Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, all rattling around a crumbling house full of dark secrets. Guillermo del Toro’s film looks great, but it’s style over substance.
PAN
Critically panned EVER wondered about the origins of Peter Pan? Well, Pan (Cert PG, 111 mins) explores the origins of the evergreen boy who never grew up, and how he came to make the friends – and enemies – he did. Alas, it doesn’t take long to see why Pan has been one of 2015’s biggest box office bombs, with a chaotic plot and unlikeable leads making it one for Never Neverland.
Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) is offered an opportunity to escape her life in rural Enniscorthy for a new life in glitzy, urban New York
brooklyn: colm toibin’s story gives more than that Sunday matinee feel
A choice between two worlds
We all know that particular vision of small town Ireland in the 1950s, where the men were all full of clout and stout, the women kept hushed tones while baking slabs of saccharine bread, and the children roamed free with bare feet and grubby faces. It is a cinematic setting that has become staid in its familiarity – and more importantly, so synonymous with utter misery – that even the fleeting glimpse of a plaid skirt, or the tremulous rise of an angelus bell can trigger a cascading wave of panic in otherwise sound-minded and stalwart viewers. But fear not, because Brooklyn has a lot more going on than its buttoned-down exterior suggests.
Dave phillips
Based on Colm Toibin’s award-winning novel, Brooklyn tells the story of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) who is offered an opportunity to escape the predetermined drudgery of Enniscorthy life when her local priest lines up a job for her in New York. With the blessings of her sister and despite the protestations of her mother she makes the long trip across the Atlantic and begins to create a new life for herself. When a tragedy forces
her to temporarily return to her home in Wexford, she finds herself having to choose between slotting back into the groove of her old life in Ireland, or leaving the past behind for good by continuing with her newly forged life in America. The set-up is simple and effective enough to keep the viewer interested by itself, but what makes Brooklyn stand out is that there is some real substance built around that framework. There is the sense that Toibin’s source material has been skilfully tapped, as we quickly move away from the safe and secure stereotypes of rural Ireland. The fast-paced banter among Eilis and her fellow boarders in the half-
way-house they share in Brooklyn allows us to see a side of a parochial Irish sorority that we have rarely been afforded a look at on screen. The dialogue – whatever the subject - is sharp and engaging, which is unsurprising given that the task of adapting Toibin’s source material for the screen was given to novelist and screenwriter Nick Hornby (High Fidelity, About a Boy). Pushing close to two hours, Intermission director John Crowley ensures that Brooklyn keeps a very consistent pace. Crowley is adept at keeping the focus steady despite the flip-flopping that we do between worlds. Part of what makes Brooklyn shine is the movement between the
cowed and seemingly dead-end world offered to Eilis in Enniscorthy, and the initially glitzy and grand world offered in New York. The juxtaposition between these two extremes builds a stage for Saoirse Ronan to give a strong and well-developed performance. Eilis is constantly facing a choice between extremes – yes, there are rival love interests on either side of the ocean, but while that story element may seem run-ofthe-mill, it never feels it. Much more interesting are the choices that are built around those love interests, such as choosing between family and individual interests, between seeking adventure and maintaining tradition, and ultimately between
being a child and being an adult. You cannot escape the Sunday matinee feel that comes with the setting, and certainly there are some twee moments in Brooklyn – the ethereal slow motion sing-song in the second act being one that stands out. But overshadowing that there is also a substantial story, with some nice comic elements – a great performance by Saoirse Ronan, and a really rock solid supporting cast (including Domhnall Gleeson and Emory Cohen as the love interests). Who would have thought you’d get a breath of fresh air in Brooklyn?
Brooklyn (Cert 12A, 111 mins) Verdict: 8/10
5 November 2015 Gazette 25
26 BLANCH GAZETTE 5 November 2015
BLANCHCLASSIFIEDS HEATING
DVD TRANSFERS
Advanced Skin Care and Laser Clinic
DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPER HAVE OVER 280,000* READERS EACH WEEK
Video & Camera Tapes CineFilms Photos & Slides converted to DVD Music & Titles added
HOMES GARDENING
*Publishers Statement
Present this ad when booking for a FREE Blowdry or File and Polish when you book in for ANY service.
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 01 60 10 240
*T&C Apply
Contact: ENVY Dunboyne 01 8018080 Email: Info@Envy.ie www.envy.ie
LOCAL SPORTS?
WE’RE ON
Visit: Facebook: www.facebook.com/DublinGazetteNewspapers Twitter: @DublinGazette
Call our SPORTS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email sport@dublingazette.com
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOCAL COMPETITIONS, EVENTS OR WINNERS!
GOT A STORY? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 2 email news@dublingazette.com
5 November 2015 BLANCH GAZETTE 27
BLANCHCLASSIFIEDS PAVING
ACTIVE PAVING
SHEDS
ROOFING
• Specialist in ROOFING REPAIRS and replacement • All flat roofs REPAIRED and REPLACED • All types of valley and chimney work carried out • All types of ridge POINTING & PLASTERING • Specialists New UPVC Fascia’s & Soffits ALL AREAS COVERED • Guttering and Downpipes Ph: 01 6971791 / 01 9036952 M: 087 3905264
WINDOWS Gutters cleaned & sealed from
€45
Our fascias and cladding are available in a wide range of colours and styles to match your property. You can choose from decorative Ogee guttering and fascias or a plain style, we can supply all.
RECRUITMENT
Our roofline components protect your home from the elements, our high quality range will restore your home to its former glory while preventing further damage due ingress of water, bird nesting or rotten wood. New roofs, Flat roofs, Roof repairs, Chimneys rebuilt or repointed, UPVC fascias and soffits, Guttering and downpipes - Cladding.
ABC CERTIFIED 51,340 COPIES EACH WEEK
Southside: Raglan road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4 01-6856722 / 01-5138923 / 085 7130028 Northside: Fairview Strand Road, Dublin 3 01-5138922 / 01-9036815 / 085 7130028 / 085 1386821
dL `jd djG& z `L 6RL&d y9j z GG ÷ jj9 9MdnG j9RM `&#n & Rn` 6& j9M1 Rdjd ƢƢü
Ƽƾ Ƅ ƍ 1Ə ƍ ƎƄƄ GG Ƒ ƍƈ ^ƈƅƊ Ɛ Ɔ ƍƏ ƇƆ ƈ Ƌ Ɨ ƒƆ Ɔ ƆƏ ƕ ÷ ƌ Ɔƕ
CREPE MAKER/CATERING We are looking for an experienced person with a catering background to run a crepe stall at an ice skating rink in Blanchardstown from November 5th until January 31st.
0`&& _nRj j9RMd
ƋƋ Ɠ ƏƊ ƅ ƏƏƈƆƗ ƑƐ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƈ Ɔ Ɛ Ɛ Ɨ ƏƗ L ƂƆƉƄë ƞƢơ ơƟƽ ƼƼƾƠ ƞƾƟ ÕƽƾƟơÕ ƑƑƑê Ɗ ƍƎ ƃ ƎƉƄƑ ƍƊ ƊƄ êƆƄ Ɔ ƅ Ɗ ƍƎ ƃ ƎƉƄƑ ƍƊ ƊƄ êƆƄ
Experience in crepe making an advantage but not n essential as training will be given. The ideal candidate must be motivated, hard working and honest. Good hours, top rates for the successful person. If you have the necessary experience please forward your C.V. with references to:
info@greenhillfruitfarm.com Or phone Eamonn on 086 82 57389.
Serving 7 thriving communities of suburban Dublin. For up to date news follow us on Twitter @DublinGazette
ơƠü #9d RnMj ƓƈƐ Ɛ ƈ ƗƒƆƏƐ
(ABC: Group MFD, March- April 2014).
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 01 60 10 240
Gazette
28 gazette 5 November 2015
SPORT
FastSport
It’s a cracker - annual Alone 5km aims to help the lonely at Christmas
ALONE – a charity focused on supporting lonely older people – has announced the first Christmas Cracker Run, a post-Christmas 5km race it hopes to host annually. Running club Clonliffe Harriers will partner with the charity for the event, which takes place on December 27, and starts and finishes at the Morton Stadium, Santry. It costs €20 to participate, with €5 going directly to Alone. Competitors will receive a goody bag on race day, with the first 500 also receiving Christmas Cracker T-shirts. Runners are encouraged to appear in costume. Alone chief executive Sean Moynihan said: “We hope that lots of people will join us for a fun morning out to shake off the post-Christmas slump and support older people in need. We’ll have spot prizes, refreshments and a few surprises to help get you moving.” Olympian and world cross country medallist Catherina McKiernan is also getting behind the event, saying: “The Alone Christmas Cracker run is a great opportunity to get out with your family, enjoy some fresh air and help a good cause at the same time. “We all like to do that extra bit for charity around Christmastime and I think this is a lovely way to support the older people that Alone works with. “I can see this becoming an annual tradition for many families.” Registration is open now on www.alone. ie, which also offers help for vulnerable older people in the community.
Women back on the ball for joust in July ‘Huge news’ and excitement as national league basketballers gear up to play – and win – in next year’s European Championships for Small Nations, writes JAMES HENDICOTT
IRELAND WOMEN’S international basketball team have reformed, and are set to play their first serious competitive tournament in six years next year. The side will play at the European Championships for Small Nations in July, and will be looking to self-fund the reinstated side, after their previous funding was withdrawn in 2009. “It’s clear there was a massive demand to give our best senior players the opportunity to represent their country again,” said Women’s National League commissioner Matthew Hall. “T he invitation to compete in Division C in Europe is an ideal
pathway back to where we want to be. “This time, we’ll have to use the self-funded model to get there but with the right support, our players can dream again of playing basketball for Ireland,” he said. The European Championships of Small Countries is due to take place in July 2016 with a host nation to be announced by FIBA Europe this November. Ireland are one of 18 Division C nations eligible to take part. Brid Kenny, chair of the Women’s Senior Clubs Committee, said: “Now that this decision has been made, we’ll be setting up the framework for this programme
to succeed in 2016. “T his will include selection of a management and coaching team as well as drawing on the resources of Basketball Ireland in terms of technical and fundraising support.” Sarah Woods was a junior player in the last senior Irish side to compete at a major tournament back in 2009, a side which finished a EuroBasket qualifying campaign with six wins and four losses, defeating the Netherlands at their last game at the National Basketball Arena. The Ireland women have played just two games since, defeating Scotland and losing narrowly to Luxembourg
Ireland women’s international basketball team are set to play their first serious competitive tournament in six years
with teams put together specifically for the oneoff games, which took place in 2013, and earlier this year. “Some of us are professional basketball players, and some are not,” Woods told GazetteSport. “But the trip to Lux-
with five months to wait for our next competitive game. “With the new side, we’ll be playing through, and training regularly. There hasn’t been a regular senior or under20 side since 2009, so it’s huge news.” T h e p l ay e r s o n l y
--------------------------------------------------------
‘It was disheartening not having the international side. We spent five months of the year without picking up a ball in anger’ – Sarah Woods
--------------------------------------------------------
embourg really showed what we can do. We formed our team and coaches six weeks ahead of the game, and we only lost by a couple of baskets to a team that train to a professional standard all year around. There’s a lot of potential there, it’s great to have the chance to show it. “It was disheartening not having the international side,” she continues. “ We s p e n t f i ve months of the year without picking up a ball in anger, after the season ends in March. “We would aim to peak in Januar y for the cup final, which is a major thing in Irish basketball, and again in March for the league finals, and then after that we’d be at our peak
found out about the reformation of the side at the same time as the general public. Woods says “there’s a real noticeable excitement” around her side DCU Mercy’s training, in anticipation of the national squad. “We’re really thrilled,” she explains. “We have the potential to be a very good side, and this gives everyone something to aim for. “We don’t know the set up yet, the coaches or the panel, but if past experiences are anything to go by, they’ll be an extended training panel to account for injuries, and then we’ll narrow it down for tournaments. “But we have until July to sort it out. Above all, it’s really exciting.”
5 November 2015 gazette 29
Gazette
athletics: glenageary woman produces superb run in us marathon
O’Riordan is tops in Arkansas
james hendicott sport@dublingazette.com
GLENAGEARY runner Helen O’Riordan was the first female runner home at the Arkansas Marathon on October
3, finishing in a time of 3 hours 34 minutes and 54 seconds, an outstanding achievement for a woman who didn’t take to running until her late 30s. O’R iordan, now
52, began running in 2003 as a way to deal with the hard-hitting grief that followed her brother’s passing away. She told GazetteSport of an unlikely match: “I remember running
O’Riordan presented with her medal by Booneville Mayor Jerry Wilkins
FastSport town open new pitch in style with 4-0 win:
Helen O’Riordan following completion of the Arkansas Marathon
on a treadmill to start out, and telling all my friends when I made it to 3kms; being absolutely elated. I started to like running, but also the people. I haven’t met a runner yet without a story.” O’Riordan took part in the Women’s Mini Marathon in 2003, finishing in 43 minutes for the 10km, and then experienced a kind of friendly peer pressure that’s pushed her to the challenging full distance race. The Arkansas event is part of an American trip for the athlete, who added the race as her 12th marathon, in part to combine the experience with a meet up with an old friend from her J1 visa days. The race marked her first marathon in two years, and she finished in fourth place overall. “There was a woman
standing next to me on the start line who was maybe five years my junior, and I had my eye on her,” O’Riordan jokes. “During the first half, I was running seven minute 40 second miles. I couldn’t maintain it, because of the hills. “ I j o ke d w i t h my friend afterwards that he should have stayed in Chicago [rather than moving to Arkansas], where we met, rather than moving somew h e r e l i ke t h i s . I n Arkansas, what goes up must go up!” While the final three miles “destroyed the time,” according to O’Riordan, due to “pain like a bullet in the calves,” she came in just six minutes behind the second fastest man, and just over a minute ahead of the next woman. It’s clear, though, that for O’Riordan running
has become about more than the physical act. When she talks about her impressive progression, she identifies a moment 10 years ago, clutching a heavy oldstyle mobile phone in the rain, when she decided not to call for help. “ I c o m p l e t e d 18 miles for the first time that day, having denied myself a lif t from a service station half way through. “I just decided ‘no’,” she recalls. “I signed up for the Dublin Marathon that night, and finished in 3 hours 37 minutes. “Since then I’ve qualified for and completed the New York race, and run in London and Paris. I’ve run for breast cancer and autism. I can’t keep hitting up the same people, though, so now I just run for myself.”
MONKSTOWN Hockey Club continued their imperious form on all fronts with a big 4-0 win over Pembroke in their refixed EY Hockey League tie last Sunday. The game was the first top tier game to be played at the newly opened Merrion Fleet Arena in Rathdown with the sky blues enjoying the day against what would have been seen as one of their main title rivals. Gareth Watkins opened the scoring late in the first half when he got a fine touch to Stephen Cole’s shot on goal. The second half saw the floodgates open with Kyle Good volleying home the second of the day after good approach work from Lee Cole and Jonny Bruton. Andrew Ward bundled in the third from close range before Watkins completed the rout from the penalty spot after a Nick Burns foul. The win sees Monkstown move top of the men’s division, equal with Cork C of I after three rounds of matches.
Gazette
30 BLANCH gazette 5 November 2015
SPORT
FastSport
Soccer: Castleknock push on in both senior divisions
Coolmine riding wave in Leinster Division 1B COOLMINE RFC continue to cut swathes through Leinster at all levels with the senior firsts now sitting top of Division 1B after winning all four of their opening league matches. Last weekend saw them come out on top of a scrappy match against Longford. The game finished with a score of 22-14 with tries from Myles Deegan, Russ Short and Dave Howard with further points from the boot of Ruairi Farrell. The highlight of the league campaign so far was a remarkable comeback while playing away to Mullingar RFC. Adrift by 15 points after the first half, the Ashbrook team dug deep to pull off a hard earned 22-21 win. The club have also recorded wins against Cill Dara RFC and Tullow RFC. The next two league games are crucial with Coolmine playing away this Sunday to Wicklow and then home next week to Malahide. Elsewhere, the club are hosing one of their key events with their business lunch which takes place this year on December 4 in Dunboyne Castle Hotel. The afternoon events will commence with a drinks reception from 1-2pm followed by some fine dining and entertainment. The event costs €1,250 for a table of 10 persons and is a great opportunity for businesses to network in a relaxed atmosphere. Contact Pat-Ann Wood on patannw@eircom.net for reservations/queries. Meanwhile, players from Coolmine took part in Mazda’s rugby roadshow at Carton House last week, receiving expert tips from Connacht players Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Ben Marshall, John Cooney and Dave McSharry.
Cillian Maxwell for Castleknock Celtic Under-12s
Celtic flying high in AUL sport@dublingazette.com
BOTH Castleknock Celtic’s senior sides came out on top last weekend as they won their respective AUL ties in fine form. In the Friday fixture, the much-fancied Hardwick FC found themselves 2-0 down at half time to a brace from the in-form Jamie Traynor in the AUL Premier B game. Hardwicke fought back, however, and it looked like they had done enough for a deserved draw when David Costello popped up with the winner in injury time to give his side a valuable 3-2 win.
In the Saturday afternoon AUL Division 2 fixture, Celtic were dominant in the unseasonally warm sunshine, with Nick Smuts and Kevin Keane getting Celtic’s goals in their 2-0 win against Valley Park United. Elsewhere, the DDSL Under-14 Major division, after last week’s defeat, it was evident that the honeymoon period for Celtic in the Major was over. The boys had played well in their last two games but, despite dominating both games, had one point from six to show for their efforts. After a poor start to the campaign, Finglas
under-19 success St Mochta’s Cullinan fires brace for Saints st mochta’s Under-19s picked up three
vital points with an impressive 4-1 win over Dundrum in the DDSL. Ryan Cullinan opened the scoring with a brilliant finish in the first half before Paul Dactu made it 2-0. Dundrum got one back before the break but further goals from Cullinan and Joshua Wanzio ensured the Clonsilla club ran up the away victory, their second of the campaign to date.
had enjoyed back-toback wins and sat a point behind Celtic, so a tight encounter was expected. Following a scrappy opening period, Celtic took the lead with one of the goals of the season thus far. Evan Nolan out right found Leigh Reilly and the rest was pure magic as the player produced some early Halloween fireworks as he bewitched the two Finglas defenders before volleying in from 10 yards. Soon after, it was two and again another excellent goal. Mark Hughes battled and won the ball deep in his own half before from just inside
his half made a 40-yard defence splitting pass into the path of Kiano Ryan who in turn played a first time intelligent pass to Reilly who supplied the finish from six yards out. With 25 minutes on the clock, it was 3-0 when Hughes’s curling shot was taken by the keeper who momentarily lost his concentration to allow the ball drop into the net. In what was proving to be a scrappy game, Celtic were living dangerously in the second half as Finglas bravely battled their way back into the game and, with a bit more luck, could have pulled the
game back to 3-2 as they hit the crossbar twice. It’s small margins that make a difference and, having weathered a storm, Celtic secured the points when Nolan finished with ease from a Reilly pass. Five minutes from time, Dylan McDonagh made it five. Ironically, McDonagh, who had not scored in two seasons had fluffed two earlier opportunities and then, with his most difficult chance, danced through the Finglas defence to score a wonderful individual goal. A final score of 5-0 to Celtic keeps them wellpositioned in the top half of the table.
5 November 2015 BLANCH gazette 31
Gazette
football: somerton club moving up once again
Club Noticeboard st brigid’s THIS week sees the start of the U-21
There was no lotto jackpot winner
championship. Best of luck to our
on Thursday. Next week’s draw is in
footballers against Clontarf in Russell
Russell Park with our €15,000 jackpot
Park on Saturday.
still in place.
Well done to our senior footballers
Our reserve is now €10,600. See the
on a great win in the league on Sun-
club website to see were you one of the
day.
10 lucky dip winners.
Hard luck to our minor hurlers who
Twist Fitness are running two excel-
were beaten by a strong Na Fianna
lent challenges in St Brigid’s, start-
team in the championship final on
ing this week. See the club website
Sunday.
and Twist Facebook page for further
The coaching resources and slides
St Brigid’s/Spleodar Irish club runs
club GPO David Galway are now avail-
on Thursdays in the club hall from 7pm-
able on the club website.
9pm. Open for all teenagers between
The St Brigid’s nursery runs every
Castleknock celebrate with the AFL Division 2 trophy last Sunday. Picture: Niall O’Connell
Castleknock continue meteoric AFL ascent
afl division 2
james hendicott sport@dublingazette.com
A DR A MATIC l ate equaliser for Castleknock GAA under floodlights in Somerton last week completed a meteoric rise for the club, as they secured the result they needed against Ballinteer to win the AFL2 title, and secure promotion to AFL1 for 2016. For the game that secured top-table competition, Castleknock were eight points down with 20 minutes left on the clock, but the Hollywood finish was not to be denied. After a goal tightened up the game, Castleknock eventually squared things up at 2-11 each through a last minute Ciaran Kilkenny finish, after the county forward out-jumped the Ballinteer defence to knock in a high ball. The promotion clinching move was as dramatic as finishes come, and one that chairman Niall Tutty described as “fitting, given Ciaran’s our star player and with him having come back from Australia,
with taking the ball in the air being such a key part of Aussie rules”. The club have been promoted almost every season over the last few years, with an incredible rise that Tutty says is down to “having the right players to get through every level, and a sense of ambition in the club that has only grown over the last few years.” As well as Kilkenny, Dublin and Dublin agegroup players Shane Boland, Tom Quinn, Graham Hannigan and Rory Corcoran have starred. The latest league win sees the club complete an exceptional few years during which consecutive promotions have seen them promoted from AFL8 all the way to Dublin’s top tier. “We always knew we’d make the top level eventually,” Tutty says. “It was more a question of when. This was definitely the hardest tier to get through, as the top of AFL2 is seriously competitive.” In fact, last year marked a rare stall in Castleknock’s ascent, as they
fell just short in their first shot at AFL2 promotion. Tutty thanks a sequence of successful managers, from current man Enda Murphy to former coaches Tom McCormack, Donal Cunningham, Willie Brennan and Fionnan McDonagh. “We made an AFL2 playoff last year,” Tutty says, “and lost in the semifinal to Lucan. This year, our focus was early wins, as the standard is very challenging, as Clontarf demonstrated by reaching the championship semi-final. We wanted to avoid the play-off route, as it’s such a lottery.” Castleknock were pre-
sented with the AFL2 trophy at their final home game on Sunday but are already putting plans in place for Dublin’s top division, as well as hoping their AHL2 hurling side can secure a similar promotion shortly, after they graduated from intermediate hurling to senior competition recently. “We’re looking forward to having the likes of Dermot Connolly and the other county players at Somerton next year,” Tutty said. “The first year will be about establishing ourselves. In two or three years, we can start thinking about trophies.”
Ballinteer St John’s. Picture: Niall O’Connell
12-18 and cost is €3 per week.
Saturday in Russell Park from 9.30 to
A great opportunity to practise
11am. We welcome all four- to seven-
Irish for important exams and for
year-olds in the Castleknock and
enjoyment. More information avail-
Blanchardstown area and new mem-
able on the club website.
bers and families are always welcome.
The full range of St Brigid’s gear is
For further information and queries,
available on our online shop on the club
contact David 085 8340169.
website.
castleknock BIG congratulations to our adult
too late and voting has commenced
footballers who clinched the AFL2
– check the website for details.
title and promotion to AFL1. The
This year’s CHFC AGM is sched-
hard work paid off lads, well done
uled for Monday, November 16 in the
and thanks to all involved.
Castleknock Hotel. All club members
Great achievement for our U-13
are asked to attend.
boys who retained their Division
The annual juvenile awards night
1 football title; great wins also for
takes place on Thursday, November
our U-13 girls and U-15 boys who
12 in Westmanstown – details to fol-
both won their shield finals again.
low on the website.
Congrats and sincere thanks to all involved. Big game for the minor footballers this week in the championship semifinal away against Clontarf.
The Club Nursery this Saturday and every Saturday morning at Tir na nOg (beside Castleknock Community College) from 10-11.30am. All new players (aged four and
Strictly Castleknock is back and
upwards) and families welcome -
takes place in Westmanstown on
for further info, contact Jason (086
Saturday, November 21. Good luck
3459089) or Louise (085 1534270).
to all involved as they prepare for the big night. Get your tickets now before it’s
The Castleknock GAA club shop is open every Saturday morning from 10am to 11.30 at the nursery in CCC.
Naomh Peregrine DEEPEST sympathies to Pat Heffern-
on their semi-final win against local
an and family on the recent death of
rivals Erin go Bragh and best wishes
his father Patrick.
for your league final against Scoil Ui
Great win by the senior football-
Ciaran Kilkenny rises highest to score a key goal against
details.
from the recent workshops held by
Chonaill this Saturday.
ers over St Pat’s, Palmerstown. Well
Well done to the U-12 boys on win-
done to the junior B footballers on
ning their hurling league and who are
their excellent win in the semi-final
now looking forward to playing in the
promotion playoff game against St
football league final.
Colmcille’s, wishing you all the best
Best wishes to Tony Higgins and all
for your promotion final next week-
involved with the U-16s boys as you
end.
make the move up to minor level.
Best of luck to the minor football-
A big thank you to all involved
ers in their championship semi-final
in organising the Halloween juve-
v Skerries this Sunday on the club
nile fancy dress disco; there was a
pitch at 11am.
huge turnout and all the kids really
Congratulations to the U-14 boys
enjoyed themselves.
32 BLANCH gazette 5 November 2015