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October 20 - 26, 2016

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CINEMA Cruising by with an okay sequel 24

Tragic Donna’s brother begs for safer bike lanes  SYLVIA POWNALL

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Neil Fox pleads with THE brother of a woman down and killed council to reconsider knocked off her bike has begged the council to reconsider its decision to reject decision not to provide safe routes to schools. school cycling plan cycling Fingal County Coun-

cil last week voted 19-16 against a proposal that cycle paths and walkways for new schools be written into the draft development plan.

But Neil Fox from Balbriggan, whose 30-yearold sister Donna died after being hit by a truck as she

cycled to work last month, is calling for a rethink.

He told The Gazette: “I would urge the council to perhaps meet with a family like ours to hear the effects of a cyclist being killed.

“I think it is only when you experience such shock

and loss that the urgency to improve cycling conditions in Ireland really comes home.”

Raymond Ryan, chairperson of Skerries Cycling Initiative, said: “Naturally we’re very disappointed.”

Continued on Page 2

2 BLANCH GAZETTE 20 October 2016

SAFETY | TRAGIC CYCLIST’S DEVASTATED FAMILY CALLS FOR ACTION

‘Council should put lives over economics’ Continued from Page 1

Councillors who voted against writing the condition into the development plan for what is Ireland’s youngest and fastest growing population said they feared it could delay school building projects.

Opposers – including Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, Labour and Renua en bloc – said compulsory purchase orders to acquire the additional land needed could prove tricky.

But Neil Fox said the move should be “overwhelmingly endorsed”, adding: “I would be hopeful that this decision

will change. We can only hope that nobody loses their life awaiting it.

“Anything that saves another family from going through the absolute trauma and utter devastation we are going through should be done.

“Every effort to make our roads safer for children and adults alike should be a real priority.

Lives should matter over economics.

“We love and miss Donna beyond expression. I hope no family goes through this again.”

Raymond Ryan said the practice of ferrying kids to school by car had to change, or traffic jams, accidents, pollution and

childhood obesity would continue.

Mike McK illen, spokesperson for Dublin Cycling Campaign, told The Gazette: “They don’t know what they’re doing.

They need to have regard for the national policy on childhood obesity.

Children have got to get active.

“Parents drive their kids to school even though they know it’s wrong, but they’re scared to let them walk or cycle to school.

“You have to have segregated pathways so the children will be safe cycling to school. Anything else just doesn’t make sense.”

Cllr David Healy (GP) had proposed the motion committing to providing foot- and cycle paths when developing land for new schools.

The council’s own planners warned against it on the grounds that it could delay school projects, and Mayor Cllr Butler (FF) expressed concern that it could “potentially hold us to hostage in terms of the price we pay [for land]”.

The issue of safe school routes has been raised by Portmarnock Community Development Association and other community groups in Lusk and Rush.

Cllr Natalie Treacy (SF)

FASTNews Fair City star on hand to open new stage school in Huntstown

FAIR City’s Ryan Andrews has opened up a new stage school at Huntstown Community Centre in Blanchardstown.

Together with his partner Michaela O’Neill their new school offers dancing, drama and musical theatre to children aged 4 to 15.

Officially opening their doors on October 1 they say their aim for the school is to offer quality training for the children at a low price.

The school is on Saturday mornings from 10 to 2pm with three different classes.

For more information, call Huntstown Community Centre on (01) 822 084.

Council, DIT in tourism project The late Donna Fox, who was killed while cycling

said it was a “no-brainer”, adding: “Why would anyone vote against it? As a mother I would always put the safety of children first.”

FINGAL County Council and the School of Hospitality Management & Tourism DIT launched Fingal’s Collaboration with the Students in Action Initiative in St Laurence, on the DIT Grangegorman Campus, on Monday. The council looks forward to the collaboration potentially resulting in some great destination management proposals for Castleknock/ Blanchardstown, rural villages and Balbriggan.

20 October 2016 BLANCH GAZETTE 3

GIBSON IS LOOKING FOR IRISH WOMEN TO STAR IN HIS NEW FILM

What Mel wants NO SHAVED HEADS

NO VISABLE TATOOS

 AISLING KENNEDY IN hit comedy What Women Want Mel Gibson played an advertising executive who starts a crash program to research being a woman.

This leads him to experiment with lip gloss, eye shadow, pantyhose and defoliation.

Now the Hollywood legend is looking for Irish women to come forward to join him on the set of his new movie, The Professor and the Madman, in Dublin.

NO FAKE TAN

The production company behind the movie, Icon Entertainment, is looking for ladies with specific qualities, or as they say in the movies, ‘a very particular set of skills,’ to take part as extras.

They’re looking for women who are 5’3- 5’8 in height with a waist size of 26-28’, a bust size of 34-36’ and a dress size between 8 and 10. So just about everyone then..?

Fake tan is out, as are fake nails, and hair should be natu-

NO DYED HAIR

ral in colour and of medium or long length – no shaved heads or undercuts. Plucked/shaved eyebrows are also not accepted, nor are obvious tattoos.

If you’re a woman between the ages of 20 to 60 years old that fits the above description, then log onto MovieExtras.ie for more information.

The movie will begin shooting at the start of October in the Dublin/Wicklow areas and it will run right through to the end of November. Break a leg ladies!

Requirements

4 Gender: Female 4 Height 5’3- 5’8 4 Dress size 8-10 4 Waist: 26-28

4 4 4 4

Bust 34-36’ Age: 20 - 60 Ethnicity: Caucasian

4 BLANCH GAZETTE 20 October 2016

20 October 2016 BLANCH GAZETTE 5

6 BLANCH GAZETTE 20 October 2016

GazetteGALLERY

| 2016 FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL CLEANER COMMUNITY AWARDS

It’s the double for tidy champ S

KERRIES scooped its second award in a month last week with recognition from Fingal County Council backing up its national Tidy Towns win in September. The 2016 Fingal County Council Cleaner Community Awards – presented at a ceremony in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown – saw 39 prizes in 21 categories handed out including Overall Winner which went to Skerries Tidy Towns.

Mayor Darragh Butler was happy to give out the prizes, assisted by director of services Gilbert Power.

Cllr Butler said: This is a very special evening for all communities the length and breadth of Fingal. I congratulate all of this year’s entrants and sincerely thank all for their time and dedication.

“This competition and tonight’s ceremony recognises not only the commitment and voluntary effort made by individuals and businesses in our towns and villages but also the pride that they all have in their local communities.”

The winners for best presented front garden were Ramor Park, Blanchardstown; The Country Garden, Lusk and Island View, Malahide.

Best presented community garden went to Baldoyle Community Garden while best presented thatched cottage was Anne Pegram, Yellow Walls Road.

Ongar Green in Blanchardstown shared the honours for best presented large management company estate with Cityside, Meakstown and Robswall, Malahide.

Best presented small management company estate went to Oaktree Property Management Ltd, Martello Towers, Portrane.

The same award for a non-

management company estate was presented to St Patrick’s Park Residents’ Association, Woodland Park, Rush and The Moorings Resident’s Association.

Woodvale Resident’s Association came out tops in the best presented large non-management company estate category, sharing the title with Rathbeale Resident’s Association, Swords and Ardilaun Resident’s Association.

Best presented village was Ballyboughal Hedgerow Society, while best presented town went to Skerries Tidy Towns committee.

Best presented community centre was shared by Parslickstown House and Garristown Community Centre.

There were three winners in the best example of community environmental initiative category – Blakestown Drive Community Group, Skerries Tidy Towns committee and Seabury Tidy District Group.

Blakestown Drive Community Group was also merited with special example of community effort, along with Balbriggan Tidy Towns. Best biodiversity projects were NYP Blanchardstown and Swords Tidy Towns.

Best presented apartment complex went to Castleland Court Management Company, while best example of business waste management initiative was the Pavilions Shopping Centre.

Other winners were: Fortlawn Development Group, Orlynn Park Resident’s Association and Millview Resident’s Association (best adopt a patch project); Powers Family Butchers and Kelly’s Garage (best presented business premises); Green Property Management and Pavilions SC (best shopping centre).

Skerrie’s Town was the overall winner in the Cleaner Communities Awards 2016. Pictured is Gilbert Power, Director of Services Environment & Water; Anne Doyle, Frances Owens and Mayor of Fingal Cllr Darragh Butler. Picture: Kevin Mcfeely

Best Adopt a Patch Project is Millview Resident’s Association: Paula Brennan and Carmel Halpin

Best Presented Community Garden: Heidi Bedell

Best Example of Community Environmental Initiative is Blakestown Drive Community Group: Maria Tormey and Jessie Lu with Mayor of

Best Presented Front Garden is The Country

Fingal Cllr Darragh Butler

Garden, Lusk: Michael and Sarah Sweetman

20 October 2016 BLANCH GAZETTE 7

HARTSTOWN | PARK NAMED AFTER PARISH PRIEST

St Ciaran’s celebrate opening of new park  IAN BEGLEY

Getting the family cooking LEARNING lifelong cooking skills sure isn’t just a flash in the pan idea for sixyear-old Jack as he helped launch Cook & Play with the help of his mam and TV personality Lucy Kennedy. New research reveals parents are missing the chance to teach their children lifelong cooking skills with 59% not knowing what a vegetable peeler is used for. Cook & Play is a new, free online course which helps develop kids cooking skills while supporting motor, maths and teamwork learning – visit www.bensbeginners.ie to get your family cooking.

Picture: Andres Poveda

ST Ciaran’s National School, Hartstown, celebrated the opening of its new park, which is named after the founding father of the community and former Parish Priest Fr Liam Hickey.

The beautifully landscaped park beside the school boasts a playing field, mature trees, flowers, plants and a nature path.

Fr Joe Coyne blessed the park and Fr Liam Hickey was invited to cut the ribbon and open the gates.

Principal of St Ciaran’s Tim Mc Auliffe said: “It has also become a very impor-

Dreaded junction set for upgrade in bid to cut delays A JUNCTION in Blanchardstow n dreaded by motorists is to be upgraded in a bid to cut delays.

Fingal County Council has enlisted the help of two separate firms of engineering consultants to draw up a new proposal for the Snugborough Interchange.

Submissions Now the local authority wants the public to have their say – and is inviting submissions before they finalise the plans.

Cllr David McGuinness (IND) said: “I and others raised issues with the junctions at previous council meetings.

“The main problems that emerged were long queuing times, specifically with traffic leaving Blanchardstown village.”

T he proposal was put on the table by the

The hated junction in Blanchardstown is known for its long delays could be getting a make-over

council’s engineering department in collaboration with Clifton Scannel Emerson Civil and Structural Consulting Engineers.

The council is due to

publish its draft proposal and open it up for submissions shortly.

Cllr McGuinness said: “People in general have welcomed the proposal coming forward.

The time frame suggests that it will be 2019 at the earliest before the works are concluded, but this is normal under tendering and planning in Ireland.”

Facility boasts a playing field, mature trees, flowers, plants and a nature path.

tant resource for teaching and learning in the school where pupils can use the space for physical education and training for gaelic games and for learning about and looking after the environment.

Many tributes were paid to all those who contributed to the development of the commu-

nity and to all those who continue to do so.

In particular, Fr Liam was praised for the 40 years he has spent building a community in Hartstown which started as a green field site and has become what it is today – a vibrant community.

A mural was unveiled depicting the first

church in Hartstown 1979-1987 which was the centre of the community at the time serving as a church, a community centre and a meeting place for the first residents of Hartstown.

The mural is dedicated to all those who contributed to the development of the community.

During the official opening, the audience were treated to a recorder recital by the senior pupils of St Ciaran’s and the singing of the school anthem. This was followed by a rousing rendition of the “Lord of the Dance”, one of Father Liam’s favorite hymns.

8 BLANCH GAZETTE 20 October 2016

BARBERSTOWN | SMASH CAUSED ‘SIGNIFICANT DELAYS’ FOR COMMUTERS ON WAY TO WORK

Hit-and-run driver damages level crossing

 IAN BEGLEY A HIT-and-run driver smashed through the level crossing near Clonee, causing significant delays to morning commuters.

The incident which occurred on the Maynooth rail line on October 12 saw a 4x4 with a trailer holding a digger crash through the barriers at Barberstown just as they were coming down at 8.50am CCTV footage of the scene was posted online

by Irish Rail, which you can see by going to The Gazette’s Facebook page.

A statement from Iarnrod Eireann said that the “reckless driver” did not react to the lights sequence before the barriers lowered by slowing down and instead sped up and fled the scene after causing significant damage to the barrier.

Irish Rail has called on anybody with information to contact gardai as the driver has not yet been identified.

Following the incident there was delays of up to 30 minutes while workers repaired the crossing.

The cost of the repair work has not been identified, but according to

Irish Rail “the “real cost to us is the significant delay in services caused by the incident. These kinds of incidents do not happen too frequently, but bridge strikes by large trucks are becoming more common.”

In a statement released

by Irish Rail last month entitled “Dumb Truckers” the authority have recorded 68 incidents of trucks hitting bridges so far this year compared to 72 for the whole of 2012.

Bridge strikes are most frequent in the Dart area where there have been 25 incidents of bridges being hit already so far this year.

Happy snapping with some of our great reader shots

THE Gazette is always delighted to show and share your shots – and just take a look at these great pics! Although the shy snappers forgot to tell us who they were, we’re happy to be able to show how you see our great city.

First up, one eagle-eyed reader spotted the Christmas lights going up in Grafton Street on Tuesday night (although we have yet to get through Halloween), while our second reader had a nice, contrasting night study of a certain nearby college.

Don’t forget – we’re always on the look-out for any cool, quirky or pretty shots of Dublin city, your neighbourhood or what you are up to, so send in your shots with as much information as you can (along with your name too, of course)! Just email picturedesk@dublingazette.com – and happy snapping!

20 October 2016 BLANCH GAZETTE 9

COURTS | PAUL WAS HIT BY CAR AS IT SWERVED

Learner was speeding when teen was killed A 21-YEAR-OLD unaccompanied learner driver who was speeding when he hit and killed a teenager on Tolka Valley Road will be sentenced next week.

Gareth Jones swerved to avoid three of the boy’s friends as they crossed the road but hit Paul McCormack (16) who had changed direction to try and get back to the path.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard there was a fault with the ABS braking system in his Toyota Avensis but that there was no indication Jones was aware of this.

Jones, of Mellowes Park, Finglas, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of Paul McCormack at Tolka Valley Road on June 26, 2015. He has two minor previous convictions.

The court heard Jones told gardai he was doing 70 to 80 kmph in the area which had a speed limit of 50 kmph. After the collision Jones remained at the scene, accepted responsibility and called an ambulance.

Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing until October 20 next to allow her to consider the case.

The maximum term of imprisonment for this offence is two years.

Garda Aidan McHugh told Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting, that Paul McCormack and three of his friends were crossing the road towards Tolka Valley Park when they saw a car coming from the left which looked to be “ages away”.

One of the group said he saw the car “rocking” over the ramps with the lights going up in the air and the car got so close that they had to run.

He said the car was driving “flat out” and three of the group made it across the road but

Paul changed direction and went back towards the other side of the road as he was closer to the kerb.

The car swerved to the right, the direction Paul had gone, and there was a loud bang and clatter as the car hit him.

It carried him for a while and he was thrown into the air and hit the ground.

The car windscreen was smashed and the registration plate had come off.

Paul was taken to the Mater hospital where he was pronounced dead due to catastrophic brain injuries.

Gda McHugh said he spoke to Jones at the scene and he said

he had been driving on Tolka Valley Road when he saw the four friends crossing the road.

He said he took evasive action and three males continued across the road but one turned back in the opposite direction.

All drug and alcohol tests were clear.

During Garda interview, Jones said he was a provisional licence holder and accepted he did not have a qualified driver with him in the car.

T he car was fully insured, taxed and covered by NCT. He said he did not know the speed limit on the road and said he was doing about 70 to 80 kmph.

The forensic collision examiner attended at the scene and inspected the vehicle.

The car was in good condition apart from a fault in the ABS braking system which rendered it inoperable, leaving the car with only conventional braking.

As a result of this, during extreme braking the wheels would tend to lock and steering would not be possible.

The examiner found the speed on impact with Paul McCormack was 62 kmph.

He said if the ABS had been operational the driver would have had limited steering and been able to change direction.

Graham Norton’s new book launch is a right page-turner TV star Graham Norton was at Dublin’s Mansion House this week to speak about his new book, Holding, a brilliantly crafted Irish story of love, secrets and loss. The evening featured a Q&A session and each attendee received a signed copy of the book. Pictured at the event are LJ and Amy Hyland. Picture: Andres Poveda

10 GAZETTE 20 October 2016

GazetteGALLERY

| LEINSTER TAKE TOP

POINTS IN THE RDS

Leinster fans Zac Thomas from Castleknock and Thomas Early from Lucan

Noah O’Leary from Cabinteely. Picture: Cody Glenn/Sportsfile

Liam Reddan, James O’Dwyer, Joe Reddan, Matthew Fox and Shane O’Dea

A perfect start T

HESE young Leinster fans had plenty to cheer about as their team took maximum points in their European Rugby Champions Cup opener against Castres on Saturday.

The three-time European champions beat the French side 33-15 at the RDS. On Sunday, the Irish rugby world was in shock at the news of the tragic passing of Munster head coach

Jennifer Malone from Clane, Co Kildare

Anthony Foley. Leinster CEO Michael Dawson praised Foley as a “fierce competitor” on the pitch and a “gentleman away from the field”. He added: “The thoughts of everyone at Leinster Rugby are with Anthony Foley’s family on this very sad day. Munster and Irish Rugby have lost a great captain, leader, and one of the finest young coaches in the game.”

20 October 2016 GAZETTE 11

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 20 October 2016

DUBLINBUSINESS

Osborne marks 20 years of driving recruitment DUBLIN-BASED Osborne, one of Ireland’s leading recruitment consultancies, celebrates 20 years in business and two decades as one of the country’s foremost recruitment consultancies.

To mark the milestone, Osborne held an employer conference at The Marker Hotel.

Presented by Osborne chief executive and owner, Shona Mc Manus, guest speakers included footballing legend and former Republic of Ireland soccer manager Brian Kerr; and leading psychologist and author, Dr Maureen Gaffney.

The conference

INNOVATIONS | FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THINKTECH

Using tech to drive a positive social impact  EMMA NOLAN

Brian Kerr, author and psychologist Dr Maureen Gaffney and Osborne chief executive, Shona Mc Manus

focused on developing talent and high-performance teams, employee engagement and wellbeing and establishing

FIVE companies located in the capital have been shortlisted for Thinktech – a €1 million project to develop ideas for a better Ireland, with social innovation and a community focus at its heart. The five finalists are ...

Change X team ChangeX - an online database for proven social innovation projects, providing projects the mechanism to scale and maximise their impact while also providing local solutions that are proven to work for communities who want them.

an effective corporate culture. Osborne has also recently launched a new website; see www. osborne.ie.

Niamh O’Reilly

Marianne Chekley AONTAS/ An Cosan Virtual College Community (VCC) - a

iScoil - an online learning community that offers

social enterprise set up to scale the work of An Cosan,

an alternative path to learning, accreditation

a community education centre that has served the

and progression for young people.

community of Tallaght West for over 30 years.

MANAGEMENT | STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Success is a cert for Windsor Motor Group AS PART of its ongoing investment in all employees, Windsor Motor Group has presented eight employees with a QQI Level 6 Management Development Certificate after completing a specifically designed programme.

Delivered by Dublin firm Optimum and supported by Skillnets, the highimpact programme was specifically tailored to the retail motor industry, and focused on developing the skills that lead to successful teams and business management.

It enabled the aftersales employees to develop their skills in fostering an environment for innovation and continuous improvement – two of the key components in driving the Windsor

Motor Group’s success, to date.

Modules in the programme included communication, self-management, organisational skills, managing teams for high performance, leadership, legislation and strategic planning.

Pictured are Mark Morrison and James Browne, Windsor Airside Nissan; Padraig Foran, Windsor Belgard Nissan; Carl Miller, Windsor Raheny Nissan; Robbie O’Neill, Windsor Motor Group; Garry Hobson, chief executive, Windsor Motor Group; Alan Buckley, Windsor Liffey Valley Opel; Daniel Davies, Windsor Deansgrange Nissan; Brenda Byrne, Windsor Clonee Nissan, and Derek Flynn, Windsor Dundrum Nissan.

Peter Mangan Kate Morris The Freebird Club – operates as a peer-to-peer Student Volunteer - an online resource that aims to

homestay club, offering a new way of travelling

become the one-stop shop for matching students with

for older adults, a new source of income and a

volunteering opportunities.

unique way to promote companionship.

The finalists will take part in a development programme devised by Social Innovation Fund Ireland, and supported

by Google.org and the

Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

The overall award recipients will be announced in Decem-

ber at a special awards ceremony at Google’s EMEA HQ in Dublin.

The initiative is a collaboration between Social Innovation Fund

Ireland and Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google which invests in teams with bold ideas that create a lasting global impact.

20 October 2016 GAZETTE 13

ASDFSDAF P27 STYLE P22

FOOD & DRINK P21

DUBLINLIFE Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week

have a fangtastic time at the Bram Stoker Festival

 IAN BEGLEY

GET ready to celebrate Dublin’s darker side this October Bank Holiday weekend as Bram Stoker Festival, October 28 to 31, returns with four days of living stories and four nights of deadly events.

By day, the Bram Stoker Festival programme presents gothic intrigue at family-friendly events, talks and interactive experiences.

At night, the city will embrace the darkness as a host of venues deliver deadly adventures for festival goers in search of macabre thrills and late-night parties.

The festival programme includes theatre, spectacle, visual arts and music in haunting locations across the city celebrating Dublin’s gothic and supernatural traditions, the city itself and gothic architecture, and links

to Samhain festival.

Thrill-seekers are invited to Glasnevin’s Botanic Gardens for Nightmare Plants (Fri 28), an immersive performance and after-dark experience like no other seen this year; master-storytellers and creators of stunning, brilliant chaos, and big, bold, visual spectacles.

Macnas – Spectacle and Street Performance Company, will summon spirits and awaken the ghosts with Sleep No More (Mon 31), a new parade like no other on Henry St and Moore St; Bleedin’ Deadly (Oct 28 – 31) in the atmospheric Pillar Room of the Rotunda Hospital is a raucous celebration of a time when the Freak Show dominated in all its shocking glory.

The culturally curious will enjoy Dracula Live (Sat 29) at National Concert Hall which sees leading Irish musicians

David Meyler, Daniel Moran, Lexie and Lily Barry behind the walls of a North Great Georges Street gothic pile to launch the programme for Bram Stoker Festival 2016. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/ Photocall Ireland

Matthew Nolan and Sean MacErlaine perform a specially created deathly new score for Todd Browning’s 1931 classic movie Dracula.

Horror Expo (Sun 30) in the stunning surroundings of Freemasons Grand

Lodge will deliver a one of a kind event which promises to please the most ardent of horror fans.

There’s lots of fun for families too. Stokerland (Oct 29 & 30) will see St Patrick’s Park transform into a pop-up gothic fun

park with the macabre talents of world class street-performers alongside rides and attractions to ensure a fangtastic time for all.

The magnificent Marsh’s Library plays host to Tales From the Shadows: Gothic Tales (Sat 29), a beautiful shadow puppet show with devious devils, vengeful vampires, gloating goblins and sorrowful spectres to name but a few.

While spooktacular events for kids at The Ark in Temple Bar include The Bram Jam (Oct 30 & 31), Dracula’s Spooky Underground Sound Lab (Sun 30)and Dracula’s Disco (Mon 31) where Dracula’s very own DJ Will Softly will be spinning the decks and scratching vinyl at an energetic set for young zombies, ghosts and musicloving monsters.

For events information and tickets sink your teeth into www.bramstokerfestival.com



GAZETTE

DIARY P14

SIMPSON IS A DELIGHT THE Gazette has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

Our dog of the week is Simpson, a five-year-old male Labrador crossbreed who has been at Dogs Trust for some time now, and really, really wants his new home!

He is one of the brightest dogs in the rehoming centre, and is looking for an adult-only home with patient and loving adopters who will love and cherish him for the rest of his days.

Please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000.

They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found at www.dogstrust.ie.

The new Dogs Trust campaign - See Page 20

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 20 October 2016

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

Get ready because MoRunning is back DON a tash and dash for charity – MoRunning returns to Dublin this November!

Last year saw more than 1,000 runners from across Dublin and beyond donning fancy dress and digging deep to help raise awareness and funds for Movember. And it was such as success that MoRunning has announced it is back next month.

Hosted at the Phoenix Park on Saturday, November 5, MoRunning is calling on Dublin to rock everything and anything from a flamboyant facial hair to a wacky wig and get involved with its 2016 fun run.

With both 5k and 10k races on offer, and all ages and abilities welcome, participants will kick-start the race at 10:00am complete with moustaches, fancy dress and raise funds for the Movember Foundation.

Now in its eighth year, MoRunning has also announced Mr Motivator as its 2016 Ambassador, who will help to motivate thousands of runners across Dublin ahead of the runs.

CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE TOUR MEMBERS of the public will have the opportunity to take a tour of the longest-running community-based cancer

ning from 11am on Friday, October 21.

During the event the public can take a tour of Purple House and meet the centre’s staff, volunteers, counsellors and therapists.

All are welcome to join Purple House for a tea or coffee and learn more about the cancer support services on offer.

A dedicated website – cancerweek.ie – has been set up to allow everyone to upload and promote their event to a wide audience.

GETTING OUR KIDS FIGHTING FIT

Mr Motivator will help to motivate thousands of runners across Dublin

support centre in Ireland as part of a range of events taking place across the country for Cancer Week Ireland 2016 (October 17 - 23).

Purple House Cancer Support will give the public access to their centre in Aubrey Court, Parnell Road, Bray, in an Open Morning run-

NOW in its third year, Super Troopers with Laya Healthcare, is being rolled out to 197 Dublin schools with 43,547 Dublin students taking part.

For the coming school year 1,250 primary schools and almost 200,000 children will complete the enhanced Super Troopers health homework programme which aims to encourage more physical activity and healthy eating in children, parents and teachers.

Super Troopers encourages children and their families to have a positive attitude towards physical activity, wellbeing and nutrition and aims to change practical lifestyle habits to help children and families lead healthy lifestyles.

Visit www.supertroopers.ie for lots of ideas and tips on physical activity and wellbeing activities.

FESTIVAL A MUST FOR TECH LOVERS EUROPE’S biggest Start-Up/Tech Festival UPRISE is coming to Dublin’s RDS and will give tech lovers an opportunity to network.

Taking place on Thursday, October 20 from 9am to 6.30pm, the unique festival will host 150 crazy start-ups, 15 workshops, buskers, games, music, DJ’s, entertainment, jobs and much more.

Uprise also adds Irish buskers and food stalls to a relaxed environment of CEO’s and talent, helping to make new business ideas more approachable, investable and connected.

An epic start-up Pitch Battle will see six international start-ups pit their strengths against six Irish based start-ups, after local heats were held in Europe and the USA in earlier this year.

To a frenzy of audience questions, answers and reactions, the audience will decide which company wins (no judging panel required).

Dublin City Local Enterprise Office will award a prize fund of €5,000 to the winning entrepreneur.

Visit www.uprisefestival.co to book tickets.

20 October 2016 GAZETTE 15

20 October 2016 GAZETTE 17

DUBLINLIFE

DON’S DUBLIN A pigeon that has left its mark on the city for centuries

BY THE mid-1750s, entry to and from Dublin Bay was a hazardous operation and the city governors decided something drastic needed to be done to improve the situation.

And so, a plan was drawn up to construct a wall into the bay that would stop the silting up of channels, and provide a safe place for passengers to board. This work to build the Great South Wall took over 30 years and was complete in 1795 with safer passage for travellers and an improvement in trade.

During the lengthy construction, John Pidgeon was the caretaker of the storehouse for the equipment used during the building, and he began selling refreshments to travellers, who often waited for days until the weather improved to travel. As a smart businessman, he also offered trips around the long wall, which was one of the longest in the world when completed.

Business improved, and Pidgeon (the ‘d’ in his name was dropped a long time ago) built a small hotel to

THE BIG INTERVIEW

SHANE ON THE BUS STRIKES, TRAINS, RIO, ABORTION & BUDGET

Minister Ross out for a constitutional in his constituency with fellow Independents – councillors Seamas O’Neill, Deirdre Donnelly and Kevin Daly

EXCLUSIVE

MINISTER SHANE ROSS ON THE BIG TOPICS

cater for the needs of the growing number of travel-

MINISTER for Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross has a particularly busy portfolio, which keeps him constantly moving across the city and country.

However, EMMA NOLAN was able

lers. In 1793, years after John Pidgeon had died, a new building was erected and operated for many years.

This building still stands, and lies in the shadow of the twin towers of the Poolbeg Power Station. Not long afterwards, with the whiff of revolution in the air (and the 1798 Rebellion a recent memory), a fort was

to shadow Minister Ross one day last week as he went about his official business, during which he gave her his unique insider views on a range of the main issues affecting the city and the country ...

Sharing a cuppa, an ear and a word with a constituent

constructed near the hotel. It became known as ‘the Pigeon House Fort’. Today, the canon guns outside the entrance to the ESB power station were originally facing out to sea anticipating a possible French invasion that never came.

The place also made its literary mark on a young James Joyce. In his first great work, Dubliners, he tells of two boys playing truant (no doubt he was one of them) as they went to the exotic building and the long wall that stretched, seemingly forever into the bay, in his short story, An Encounter.

“We arranged to go along the Wharf Road until we came to the ships, then to cross in the ferryboat and walk out to see the Pigeon House.”

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Pigeon House – a legacy of the canny business that grew up around the city’s Great South Wall

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16 GAZETTE 20 October 2016

On those Dublin Bus strikes ...

“I wasn’t involved – that was the point.”

Minister Ross defended his lack of involvement in the strikes which saw widespread disruption in the city for a number of days in September.

The Dublin-Rathdown TD said that he was “firm in [his] resolve” and would not have backed down, even if the strikes had continued until Christmas.

Minister Ross said that he wasn’t prepared to fund Dublin Bus management at the expense of the taxpayer – especially with the possibility of further potential strikes from Bus Eireann and Irish Rail.

He said that when he made it clear he wasn’t going to just sign a cheque, that this comment wasn’t intended for

the workers.

“T he people who annoyed me most were the Dublin Bus management – not the workers or the unions.

“It was important that when the management went into negotiations that they got the message that they were on

every day, criticising us. “[Deputy] Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP), who is a friend of mine, was outside my office with a huge sign that said: ‘Where is the Minister?’, but I thought that was quite funny, actually!”

However, Minister Ross said that the widespread

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‘The Minister said that he was “firm in [his] resolve” and would not have backed down, even if the bus strikes had continued until Christmas’ --------------------------------------------------------

their own, and that the Department wasn’t just behind them waiting to sign a cheque.

“It worked – we weren’t going to sign a cheque for them, and it was difficult not to, because we could have done it and both sides were annoying us

criticism didn’t bother him, and he is satisfied that he set a precedent for future industrial action in the transport sector.

What did cause problems, though, was the bus lane issue, which Minister Ross says he wanted to keep open for use by

drivers, but he was prevented from doing so by the Road Safety Authority who ruled that it was “too dangerous”.

On Budget 2017 ...

This was the first budget that Minister Ross had much involvement in at Cabinet level – an experience which he described as “a very interesting time”.

“It was my first time involved at that level, and I think that was marked down as being a point of difficulty, but we came to an agreement and the Government worked well on the budget, actually.”

Minister Ross said that he feels his Independent Alliance “got a lot into the Budget,” and cites the old age pension bonus as a particular success that

Minister for Sport Shane Ross hoists the mighty Sam Maguire trophy aloft during a visit to Stillorgan Shopping

Metro Nor th and Dart Underground to be completed until around 2025. “They’re being planned, but the funds aren’t there yet.”

Centre as part of its 50th birthday celebrations Pictures: Peter Cavanagh

they brought to the table.

On parts of the Budget he was not happy with, Minister Ross said that he was annoyed with pension payments being delayed.

“I would have liked to have given a bit more away in other areas, but we couldn’t do it – it was very thinly spread.

We only had about €800 million, which seems like a lot – but it’s not – to spread around the different interest groups.

“So yes, I was unhappy we couldn’t do more, but I hope we can do more next year. It all depends

on Brexit now, that could knock us for six.”

On Brexit, he added: “things could really kick off”, and said: “It’ll affect our exports, and tourism could go down because of exchange rates. We’re in a precarious position.”

On repealing the Eighth Amendment ...

Minister Ross is personally in favour of repealing it, and wants there to be a free vote on the matter in the Dail.

“There should be a free vote on it,” he added, but stated that not all members of the Independent

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‘[Enda Kenny and I] didn’t really see eye to eye, but now we have conversations. We have to talk and reach agreements, but we don’t have to go for a pint together or anything like that.’

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Alliance are in favour of repealing it.

“I’m in favour of repeal – absolutely, as is Finian McGrath and John Halligan.” However, the two rural TDs in the IA Cabinet, Kevin “Boxer” Moran and Sean Canney, are against such a move.

“Our view has always been that it is a matter of conscience and up to the

individual – we’re going to have to sort out our differences at some stage.”

On Dublin’s key transport projects ...

Minister Ross said that the Luas Cross City line will be completed next year. “It’s on target and it’s within budget,” he said, insisting that it will be up and running by next

Autumn. “I don’t think there will be any delay on it, it’s been on target the whole time, so there’s no reason why it should be.”

He said that the Luas Cross City will be “a bit of a monument to transport in this country”, once completed.

However, he confirmed that we can’t expect other major projects such as

On the Rio Olympics and Pat Hickey ...

The minister, who also has Sport on his portfolio, says that the Olympics was “quite the event”.

“We were meant to be going over to encourage the athletes and to be there as a presence and show support from the Government, and it was overshadowed by Pat Hickey. We were meant to be there for a fortnight and we came back after three days. It was very dramatic.”

Minister Ross said that he has not spoken to Pat Hickey since Rio, adding: “We didn’t get on very well!” But he admitted that he feels sorry for the

former president of the Olympic Council of Ireland.

“He’s only available on the phone anyway. I do feel terrible for him, stuck over there – he could be there for another 18 months or more. “On a personal level, we didn’t get on at all, but he’s not a young man; he’s stuck out there without his family.

It’s tough for him.”

On his relationship with Enda Kenny ...

“Relationships between the different people in government are actually rather good at the moment,” Minister Ross revealed, after a “catastrophic” first few months.

“There’s no point in trying to pretend otherwise, they [the first few months of the new government this year] were incredible – we were working on completely different

agendas.

“We [the IA] believe that we should have a free vote [in the Dail], and Fine Gael had never heard of free votes, so it was very difficult.”

Minister Ross said that he and An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, are now beginning to understand each other.

“The relationships have improved – they were bad – Enda and I didn’t even have conversations. It was almost impossible; we didn’t really see eye to eye, but now we have conversations.

“We have to talk and reach agreements, but we don’t have to go for a pint together or anything like that, but the relationships are getting better.

“We’re getting on quite well now – as partners in government, we’re beginning to work better together.”

18 GAZETTE 20 October 2016

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN Spooktacular Gazette contest THE Gazette’s Halloween reader pix competition is up and running and we have some fire-cracking prizes to give away over the next five weeks.

This week’s winners are the Egans from Blanchardstown, who sent us this cuter than cute pic of their little girls Alisha and Ayla (left) and another of their fangtastically ghostly garden.

The adorable Disney princesses win a Swizzels Halloween Hamper choc-abloc with bewitching treats. A special

DUE to phenomenal public demand, Russia’s Ice Vision have announced extra dates for both Alice In Wonderland and the eagerly awaited Dracula On Ice, The Story Of Eternal Love at the National Show Centre in Swords next month.

And to celebrate the extra dates, The Gazette has THREE family passes to give away for BOTH spectacular productions.

To win a special day out for your family, all you have to do is visit The Gazette’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/DublinGazetteNewspapers, Like and Share our Ice Vision competition post and write which of the two shows you’d prefer to see in the Comments section.

So if you’d like to win four tickets to see Alice in Wonderland on November 24, just write “Alice” in the comments section, or if you’d prefer tickets to see Dracula on Ice the

mention also goes out to Oisin Murphy, who sent in a lovely photo (below) of his dog Coco, sitting next to the pumpkin he grew and carved himself.

Keep those spooktacular snaps coming in folks – we have great prizes for the best decorated Halloween garden, and we’ll have more for the best – and worst – dressed trick-or-treaters.

Just email competitions@dublingazette.com or upload your pix to our Facebook page. Happy snapping!

GET YOUR SKATES ON

following day, just write “Dracula”.

Featuring top professional Russian skaters, the unique productions are sure to thrill audiences of both children and adults.

The beloved tale of Alice in Wonderland is transformed in a new and amazing spectacle for all the family.

Musical numbers in union with the art of dance on ice creates an unforgettable impression and enchanting show, permeating the soul of audiences of all ages.

The performance takes place on large-scale video scenery that plunge the viewer into the picture so spectators can experience the effect of following Alice through the rabbit hole.

Dracula On Ice retells Bram Alice in Wonderland Stoker’s classic novel featuring

Jonathan Harker, his beloved Mina, young Lucy, courageous and brave Van Helsing who devoted his life to fight dark forces; hungry and ruthless vampires and, of course, ominous Count Dracula.

Dracula On Ice includes acrobatic elements, air gymnastics, fire juggling and much more. Visitors will see large scale video-installations, exquisite costumes, interactive decorations, lighting and mirror balls incorporating the entire venue.

The mystical show features fog, red steam, flying vampires, fire on ice and extremely demanding ice skating elements: high support, death spirals, triple jumps – all complemented by charming music.

Visit www.mcaevents.ie for full details on the productions.

Dracula on Ice

Seeking talented BASE tour guides BASE Entertainment Centre want to let parents know about the fun things kids can do at the centre so they are recording a series of videos (to be posted on Facebook) to showcase their themed party rooms and activity areas.

They are seeking expert help from young people who can talk on camera about the fun that can be had at Base Enter tainment and show off the different rooms.

If there is a young person in your life who is a natural in front of camera, a comedian or just an all-round show-off, they want to hear from you.

To apply, please Facebook message them a clip of your child in action or email it to marketing@baseentertainment.ie To record the guided tour video clips on-site at Base, each competition winner will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

And at the end of it all, they will invite your superstar back to Base Entertainment with nine friends for a party on them valued at €250.

Entry deadline date Friday, November 4.

Swizzels launches spooky selection of sweet treats for Halloween Swizzels, has launched a variety of fun Halloween themed sweets that are perfect for Halloween sharing occasions, from ghoulish parties with friends and family to trick or treating.

20 October 2016 GAZETTE 19

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Let’s talk TTIP/ CETA SO what’s this TTIP/ CETA business that’s causing so such much concern to so many people across the EU? TTIP and CETA are two transatlantic trade deals. CETA is the trade deal between the EU and Canada and is fully negotiated. TTIP is a trade deal between the US and the EU and negotiations are still underway. Under the Lisbon Treaty, Ireland handed over trade negotiating rights to the EU Commission.

TRANSPARENCY:

NOBODY can see the details of these negotiations. Whether you’re an MEP or a TD you can only read the details about the ongoing TTIP negotiations in special Reading Rooms in the European Parliament or Leinster House.

ISDS MECHANISMS:

The information that we do have on what is up for negotiation is deeply concerning.

PRIVATE COURTS:

UNDER both CETA and TTIP, there is a proposal for a mechanism called Investor State Dispute Settlement.

Its name has changed over the course of the negotiations to make it more palatable but effectively it is a private court system that puts multi-national corporations’ rights before citizens.

Multi-national corporations can and do sue governments for trying to pass laws that offer protection for citizens from harmful chemicals, laws that attempt to ban harmful products.

Corporations can even sue governments for passing laws that might cause these corporations to make a bit less money such as laws that raise the minimum wage.

THINK I’M JOKING? HERE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES:

Following the nuclear disaster at Fukishima in Japan 2011, Germany decided that it wanted to end its use of nuclear energy, Vattenfall, the Swedish company operating two nuclear power plants in Germany decided to sue for €3.7 billion compensation.

Ah that’s an extreme example you say?

On the contrary, there are many examples of how insidious this investor dispute mechanism is.

In June 2012, French company

Veolia sued Egypt. One of Veolia’s claims was that Egypt’s decision to introduce a national minimum wage harmed Veolia’s investments.

In 2012 Ecuador was ordered to pay a petroleum company $1.77 billion in damages for terminating the oil giant’s contract when the company broke Ecuadorian law! That settlement amounted to the entire health budget for one year in Ecuador.

Theses ‘special courts’ are so bad that one of their judges is quoted as saying: “When I wake up at night and think about arbitration, it never ceases to amaze me that sovereign states have agreed to investment arbitration at all.”

Ireland is a small open economy that has traded with countries across the world including the US and Canada without the need for an Investor dispute settlement. Yet now, our Government under Fine Gael have, in fact become cheerleaders for these undemocratic courts.

In a letter to the EU Commission in 2014, then Minister for Trade and Enterprise, Richard Bruton actually endorsed their inclusion!

OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN: JOBS

THERE will be job losses or ‘job dislocation’.

The European Commission itself has said that TTIP is likely to bring “prolonged and substantial” dislocation to European workers, as companies will be encouraged to source goods and services from US states where standards are lower and trade union rights are non-existent.

HEALTH

THOSE in favour of TTIP and CETA constantly tell us to trust them that health and food regulations won’t drop, however, the evidence to date shows otherwise.

Let’s take the example of Endocrine Disrupters, chemicals that have been proven to harm health and which the World Health Organisation refer to as a global threat. The EU Commission had an explicit deadline of December 2013 to regulate these chemicals. In June 2013 the American Chamber

MEPs Matt Carthy and Lynn Boylan (above) and all four Sinn Féin MEPs, Matt Carthy, Liadh Ní Ríada, Lynn Boylan and Martin Anderson protesting about TTIP in the European Parliament (below). food. Ractopamine is banned in 160 countries including the EU 28 due to impacts on human health.

Concerned?

Thought so and I have only touched on some of the risks of these trade deals. It is not too late to act though.

Last week, the Seanad voted on a motion rejecting CETA. The message was clear – we don’t want CETA, just as we don’t want TTIP. But rejection by the Seanad is only a start. Both TTIP and CETA should be put to the people in a referendum. A referendum would put of Commerce met the EU Commis- faith before trade deal negotiations the decision on the future of our sion and requested that they wanted began with the US, giving a strong democracy in the hands of those the regulation of these chemicals indication that the EU is willing to that matter – the people. dropped. Lo and behold in July, the lower its food standards to accommoLET’S FIGHT TTIP & CETA EU Commission announced that they date these trade deals.

In the US and Canada, ractopa- Contact Minister for Trade would carry out an impact assessment of the regulation plans thereby delay- mine, a growth stimulant, is used as & Enterprise Mary Mitchell ing the process by a further two years. a veterinary drug that is injected in O’Connor and your government When it comes to food, history cattle, swine and turkeys. The stimu- TDs and insist that CETA and TTIP shows that trade agreements put food lant is injected before slaughter result- be brought before the people of safety at risk by harmonizing stand- ing in residue levels remaining in the Ireland to decide. ards and reducing regulations to the lowest common denominator. In the EU there is a strict farm to fork policy, this is not the case in the US or Canada.

Canadian and US regulations allow beef and chicken to be washed and Please feel free to processed with chlorinated water, a process that is banned in the EU. In contact me: 2013 the EU dropped its ban on beef rinsed in lactic acid as a sign of good

Got an issue for me or want to join Sinn Féin?

lynn.boylan@europarl.europa.eu

20 GAZETTE 20 October 2016

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE Rolling out the ‘yellow brick road’ to help rescue dogs

L AU N C H I N G t h e i r t h o u g h t p r o vo k i n g new campaign entitled There’s No Place Like Home, Dogs Trust hopes to highlight the plight of hundreds of rescue dogs currently in their care who need a new home.

As part of the init i a t i ve , t h e c h a r i t y have transformed their rehoming centre in Finglas with a “yellow brick road” and have released a short video, filmed almost entirely from a dog’s point of view.

The clip, which you can see by visiting The G a z e t t e ’s F a c e b o o k

page, shows one little pooch’s journey as she is rescued and makes her way along the “yellow brick road”, meeting the specialist carers who help her along the way.

Irish rock band Kodaline have kindly lent their support with the track “The One” which plays beautifully as we observe the beginning of a new friendship between “Dorothy” and the little dog.

Dogs Trust’s Suzie Carley said: “We believe there is the per fect home for every dog in our care, some of which have been overlooked

many times through no fault of their own since being rescued.

“One particular dog, Buddy (pictured below), has been overlooked 26,000 times since being rescued which is so hard to believe as he is such an incredible dog.

“We do our very best for each and every dog we save but really there is ‘No Place Like Home’ for these amazing dogs and it’s our mission to find their rainbow at the end of their yellow brick road, that they can call home.”

Home Tweet Home is a digital element of

FEATURE

the campaign from Dogs Trust, where the charity are asking dog lovers to go on to their website’s rehoming gallery, choose a dog and click on the Twitter icon beside the dog to share him/her with their friends to highlight them even further. It’s a ‘pay it forward’ for the dogs, so to speak.

The charity has also taken a stand at this y e a r s Id e a l Ho m e s exhibition at the RDS during the October bank holiday weekend, which they’ll transform into the Ideal Home for a dog.

Grace Toohey, from Ashbourne, dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz to help launch “There’s No Place Like Home,” a new campaign by Dogs Trust.

Picture: Fran Veale

20 October 2016 GAZETTE 21

l

GAZETTE

FOOD&DRINK

Bayin Tomato Salad

The new two-story restaurant features cream leather seating, a parquet floor, iroko wood and subtle accents of grey with bolts of red

Amazing sushi has arrived at the IFSC  EMMA NOLAN

DUBLIN sushi speciallists Michie have just opened a new restaurant at the IFSC. The Japanese eatery known for its fresh sushi opened first in Ranelagh in 2007 by proprietors Michel Piare and Anna van Exel.

It initially opened as a small takeaway but has since expanded and they now have four restaurant loca-

tions in Ranelagh, Dun Laoghaire, Sandyford and IFSC and two Sushi Bars in Avoca Rathcoole and Avoca K ilmacanougue.

The menu offers hand-rolled, quality sushi and fresh Japanese cuisine. The new menu for the IFSC has been expanded to include tempura, teppanyaki, and additional desserts.

Michie IFSC is located at Unit 3, Georges Dock, Dublin.

PEANUT oil isn’t used that often at home but it has many health benefits and a high smoke point, meaning it’s great for cooking with. It’s also good for drizzling over salads.

New Irish company Bayin has launched a range of oils including a peanut oil which is used in their recipe for tomato salad.

Ingredients l l l l l l l l

Two to three ripe tomatoes Two teaspoons Bayin Peanut oil One teaspoon fish sauce 1/2 red onion 1 garlic clove minced 1 lime (juice) Two tablespoons crushed peanuts bunch of coriander chopped

Method l Cut the tomatoes into slices and place in bowl. l In a jug mix the Bayin peanut oil, fish sauce, minced garlic and lime juice. Pour dressing over tomatoes. l Add crushed peanuts and chopped coriander and mix well.

Available in Supervalu and independent retailers nationwide. RRP €4.99

Stopping heartburn before it hits

Dr Ciara Kelly

OVER half of Irish adults suffer from heartburn – so National Heartburn Awareness week is back this month to highlight the condition.

Starting on October 24, the nation is being advised to be mindful of the condition and its lifestyle effects, and to seek more information from a pharmacist if suffering regularly with heartburn symptoms.

With one in three Irish people suffering from heartburn more

than once a week, Dr Ciara Kelly is encouraging people to consult with their local pharmacist on how best to manage the ailment, reminding us that heartburn is something easily treated.

The pharmacist should be the first choice for advice, as many heartburn cases can be solved over the counter without a visit to the GP required.

In addition to speaking with phar-

macists, Dr Kelly advises those suffering with heartburn symptoms to: Keep a food diary and listen to your body. Pay heed to what causes your heartburn to flare up, monitor and avoid these foods. l Don’t eat late at night before you’re about to go to bed, having a full stomach before you lie down will increase acid backflow and put pressure on digestion. l Avoid spicy foods that effect

your stomach balance, especially anything with lots of chilli. l Consciously add acid neutralising foods to the diet, such as almond milk, bananas, ginger, porridge. l Keep your alcohol intake within recommended limits (17 units for a man, 11 units for a woman per week, or less!) l Reduce your tea and coffee intake, again especially before you go to bed.

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22 GAZETTE 20 October 2016

DUBLINLIFE

Massimo Dutti Bomber €129; Finders Keepers Harvey Nichols Dress €160; House of Fraser Bagpack €40; River Island Shoes €65

(Left:) Harvey Nichols DKNY blue jumper €420; LK Bennett Dress €795; River Island Boots €100; (Right:) House of Fraser Therapy Coat €220; BT2 DVF shirt dress €467; French Connection Boots €139; Accessorize Pop pom scarf €45.90

Gray and Willow House of Fraser Faux fur coat €219; River Island Top €55; Philip Lim BT2 Skirt €760; M&S Boots €82

Three Floor Dress €395; Accessorise Clutch €65; River Island Shoes €65

Turn over a new leaf in Dundrum Town Centre’s Autumn/Winter styles delight  EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

Acne BT2 Coat €950; Sandro BT2 Jumper €245; Selected Skirt €69.95; LK Bennett Trainers €200

(Left:) Biba House of Fraser Faux fur coat €229; DVF BT2 Polo neck €308; Karen Millen Skirt €160; (Right:) Alice & Olivia Harvey Nichols Dress €402; Accessorise Stole €37.90

DUNDRUM Town Centre has unveiled its Autumn/Winter 2016 ladies wear collections, showcasing some of this season’s popular trends available in the centre, from luxury to high-end brands.

Curated by stylist Corina Gaffey, the presentation offers a look at what’s available in the 1,000 fashion brands found in the centre.

Key trends of the colourful season include Shades of Pale: soft pinks, camels, creams; Renais-

sance: Victorian influences, frills and embroidery; Winter boho: maxi dresses, faux fur and chunky boots, and Tinsel: Sequins, metallics and velvet.

Speaking at the shoot, Corina said: “Dundrum Town Centre is a stylist’s dream, and after pulling this collection together, I’m even more excited for the winter months ahead.”

20 October 2016 GAZETTE 23

Pinko Harvey Nichols Military Jacket €678 and Dress €621

GAZETTE

STYLE

Nail the right make-up for winter with these nourishing products  EMMA NOLAN

AS THE winter chill creeps into the air, choosing products with nourishing properties becomes all the more important.

This season, make sure your skin, lips and nails are ready to brace the winter months with cold weather essentials. Available in Penneys stores and pharmacies nationwide, Catrice has a range of inexpensive winter products to keep chapped lips and dry skin at bay ...

(Left:) Sandro BT2 Coat €650; Therapy House of Fraser Polo neck €65; Acne BT2 Skirt €350; M&S Boots €82; (Right:) Pinko Harvey Nichols Coat €815 and Dress €413; Dune Stole €45; Therapy House of Fraser Bag €55; Office Shoes €77

Catrice Prime & Fine Beautifying Primer €4.95 KEEP make-up in place without drying out the skin with a nurturing primer. The product contains nourishing Vitamin E and light-reflecting pearl pigments that create a natural glow and soft shimmer on your skin while delivering long-lasting staying power for your make-up.

Catrice Iron Strength Nail Hardener €3.50 A NEW arrival for Autumn/Winter, the Iron Strength Nail Hardener forms a protective barrier on the surface of the nails to make them more resistant. For best results, apply twice weekly to clean nails.

Pinko Harvey Nichols Military Coat €815 and Dress €413

Catrice Vitamin Lip Treatment €3.95 GIVE lips a vitamin boost with the Vitamin Lip Treatment from Catrice. Available in three shades, this lipgloss is enriched with Vitamin E and Q10, designed to pamper lips with their regenerative properties. The lipgloss also offers a fruity fragrance and beautifully shiny finish.

Catrice Volumizing Lip Booster €3.95 FORMULATED with jojoba and almond oil, the Catrice Volumizing Lip Booster is a great all-round product.

While helping to hide fine lines, the ingredients – including menthol – naturally plump up the lip, adding lusciousness with a rose finish while the oils soothe and nourish lips.

(Left:) Pinko Harvey Nichols Coat €413; River Island Dress €60; French Connection Boots €139; (Right:) River Island Jumper €45; Linea House of Fraser Skirt €89; River Island Boots €100

Catrice Wellnails Regenerating Care Pen €3.95 FOR fast and effective nail and cuticle care, look no further than the newWellnails Regenerating Care Pen. Enriched with caring ingredients such as olive and jojoba oil, shea butter, aloe vera, Vitamin E and bamboo extract, this pen provides targeted nourishment for dry and stressed nails and cuticles.

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24 BLANCH GAZETTE 20 October 2016

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA ReelReviews

INFERNO

It’s flaming awful TOM Hanks takes the money and runs, thanks to the hellishly bad Inferno (Cert 12A, 121 mins), the latest film based on Dan Brown’s clever-clever books. This time round, the globe-trotting academic is in a race against time to stop a plague wiping out half the world before you can shout: “Dante do it!”

Any ‘Da Vinci Code’ and Tom Hanks fans may enjoy this, but everybody else ...

While the first film was a little different for the action genre, ‘Jack Reacher 2’ is a more conventional affair, and subsequently a much less interesting sequel

JACK REACHER - NEVER GO BACK: THIS MEDIOCRE SEQUEL IS A BIT OF A REACH

Passes by on Cruise control TOM Cruise returns to break limbs and bust heads as the world’s best-looking vagrant in Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (Cert 12A, 118 mins).

Thanks to Christopher McQuarrie’s lean direction and Cruise’s undeniable magnetism, 2012’s original Reacher film was a surprisingly witty, straight-shooting action thriller with few pretensions.

Never Go Back carries over much of the hardboiled, gritty action of the original, with each punch delivered with a signature Cruise wink and smile.

Unfortunately, not even the superstar’s charm can save this sequel from the realms of mediocrity.

Attempting to layer a little emotional depth

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

into the mix, Never Go Back overcomplicates and omits that which allowed Jack Reacher to lift its head above other average, contemporary action movies.

Based on the bestselling books by Lee Child, the film starts four years after the first film.

An ex-army investigator, Reacher has been awarded every military honour there is; in fact, he’s so good, “they ran out of medals to give him”.

Our introduction to Reacher in the first film was a shameless delight:

he’s the kind of guy you don’t go looking for – “he finds you”.

Stripped of this initial charm, Never Go Back fails to deliver on the introductory excitement of the original and lacks an instigating narrative punch. We’re not so much dropped into the action here, as slowly, laboriously eased into it.

Having continued his vagrant lifestyle, moving from state to state, Reacher decides to meet up with Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders) – an army officer at his old military unit who’s helped him to solve cases across the country.

When he discovers that she’s been accused of treason, he sets out to prove her innocence, naturally unearthing the odd government conspiracy along the way.

The original’s most glaring fault was its alpha-male oriented narrative. This time around, that’s balanced out by the inclusion of Major Turner; a female co-lead just as fiercely capable in combat as Reacher.

This is certainly a step up from the damsel in distress dynamic of the original.

As a sequel, then, Never Go Back attempts to compensate for the originals’ o v e r whelmi n g machismo with a

few depthless dialogues on gender roles, particularly within the military.

While this is a commendable effort, the theme is underdeveloped and ultimately proves a shallow attempt at progression. Further attempts to develop Reacher as a character are made with a subplot centring on his possible daughter, Samantha (Danika Yarosh).

While watching Reacher struggle with responsibility and manners has a certain charm, this attempt at injecting some human emotion is a relatively drab affair, and slows the narrative down to a torpid pace around the halfway

mark.

Of course, the action here is again expertly choreographed, maintaining a grounded realism; every punch is well and truly felt. The poorly developed plot, however, only really serves to tenuously link these action segments together.

The only real compelling mystery here is how Cruise manages to disguise himself snugly in the uniform of a man twice his size.

U l t i m a t e l y, J a c k Reacher: Never Go Back is a lifeless, mediocre retread of the original. Even the biggest action fans will find this one distinctly lacking in thrills.

There’s strong support from Cobie Smulders as Major Turner. However, the strong female lead doesn’t change the fact that this film is still very much an adventure for the boys.

DON’T BREATHE

House about a twist?

FOR most of this film you’re never quite sure who to root for, as Don’t Breathe (Cert 16, 88 mins) ratchets up the tension when three teens decide to rob a blind man in his decrepit house.

The wrong blind man, it turns out, as he’s anything but helpless, in this tensionfilled film that soon turns the tables on the young hoods. Shot and edited with skill, it’s a daft but deftly delivered tale.

GIRL WITH THE GIFTS Presents a decent film

TO USE its full title, The Girl With All The Gifts (Cert 15A, 111 mins) staggers into the zombie genre with something a little different.

Glenn Close leads an evershrinking group of survivors in a near future world that’s been devastated by, in effect, a zombie plague – with one young infected girl the potential key to a cure. It’s an interesting film, bringing a little brains to the zombie genre.

20 October 2016 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

TECH WeeBytes

Would-be Cockney geezer types can have a go at criminal capers, with VR successfully planting you in the seat of a getaway van

SONY PLAYSTATION VR HITS THE STREETS

Major move to get in on totally new consumer sector

Whether climbing through dusty desert tombs or gunning through abandoned Soviet strongholds, Lara Croft’s latest game delivers a worthy addition to the Tomb Raider series. Screengrabs: Shane Dillon

TOMB RAIDER | FROZEN SETTING HELPS TO CREATE A COOL GAME

LARA-KING ABOUT IN SIBERIA YOU know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men and tech/games editors …

I had a piece on virtual reality (VR) in the bag, but a last minute change of plans involving an upcoming extensive look at Sony’s new PlayStation VR headset (see preview, right) meant substituting another player onto the pitch – this review of Rise of the Tomb Raider

(PlayStation 4, Cert 18, c. €60).

Eagle-eyed and sharpwitted Gazette readers will recall that this isn’t Lara Croft’s first outing with this game in the Gazette, as she and it previously graced our pages just over a year ago.

However, following her year-long sojourn on Microsoft’s impressive XBox One console, that timed exclusivity has now expired, setting Ms Croft (right) free on the PS4.

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

Not only that, but she’s packed all kinds of extra goodies into her satchel, bringing with her all of the extra downloadable content, additional features and bonus items released on the XBO platform over the past year, creating an ultimate package.

As before, the very successful reboot of what had become a tired, stale franchise sees a young Lara choosing to set off on her first proper adventure, with snowbound Siberia playing host to much of her adventure as she chases a McGuffin extraneous plot device, pitting her against Trinity – a group of religious fanatics try-

ing to complete a mission started centuries earlier.

Lara runs, climbs, jumps and swims her way through one icy locale after another, constantly on the look-out for loot and items to gradually upgrade her abilities and weapons alike, such that it isn’t too long before she’s more like Rambo Croft, laying waste to the local wildlife and not-so-local bad guys with aplomb.

It’s a very pretty game; not quite up there with Uncharted 4 – then again, what is – but it’s quite a looker in its own right, packed once again with the same gradual unlocking of skills and character/weapon upgrading which made her precious adventure so enjoyable.

However, it’s the extra content that really puts the icing on this particular frosted cake, with a more than generous amount of features and extra story

beats bolted on to create a subtly different game than before.

While these extra features don’t change the core essence of the game, having them all in one neat package elevates it substantially above the XBO original release, helping to validate a return to the game.

In extra content, completionists will enjoy nosing around t h e somew h a t dilapidated Croft manor, while a de rigeur zombie mode, of sorts, further ups the ante for Lara’s action credentials as she zips about the family home-

stead, gunning down hordes of the undead.

Not terribly ladylike behaviour, perhaps, but worthy of the Croft adventurer name.

With its great mix of frantic action and quieter moments, a nicely scripted and believable Lara Croft (courtesy of Rihanna Pratchett’s, daughter of Terry, input as lead writer), great graphics and its comprehensive set of extra material, Lara’s latest has raised the bar yet again for the reinvigorated series.

I POPPED over to a pop-up unit (below) at Dame Lane last week, where Sony were giving punters a hands-on (or should I say, heads-on) look at the PlayStation VR (virtual reality) headset as it hit the retail market.

The newly launched PS VR marks Sony’s entry into the burgeoning consumer VR market, which has finally become a tangible, physical reality after decades of delayed promise.

I trialled a number of games and visual demos, and while the results were varying, the VR experience just worked, and worked well.

Whether riding shotgun in a Cockney crime caper (top), looking all around as I flew a fighter through a debris-littered asteroid field, or ignoring my instinctive desire to grip the bars in a dive cage being attacked by a hungry shark, the PS VR, and unit, worked as well as I’d hoped.

With the headset adjusting the image in time with my head movements as I looked about in 360 degrees, I didn’t notice any lag, or delay, in display or input reactions, and the tech was fine to wear and use.

As with all early tech, it ain’t cheap – it’s still something of a rich man’s toy, running from €400 to €800, depending on whether you need the base PS4 as well.

Still, dedicated gamers and media users are likely to lap it up, with a good year of development ahead sure to grow up some great titles and experiences as developers, and content creators, get to grips with its capabilities. Look out for my more in-depth exploration of the PS VR, and VR in general, soon – it’s virtually assured to go ahead ...

HACK YOUR WAY TO A €5,000 CASH PRIZE

ESB event looking to create energy-efficient solutions CALLING all hackers – ESB is on the hunt for the best and brightest minds in the country to take part in Ireland’s first ever “hackathon”.

The Big Eneregy Hack is bringing great minds together for over 48 hours to disrupt, invent and innovate, with the aim of developing solutions for a low-carbon future. Taking place from October 21 to 23 in Dogpatch Labs at Customs House Quay, organisers are on the look out for 150 of the best and brightest minds in Ireland.

They are looking for hackers from a diverse range of fields, including IT, innovation, marketing, design, finance and entrepreneurship, to help unearth Smart ideas that could help lower carbon emissions and combat climate change through such initiatives as Smarter energy efficiency in the home, enhancing the eCar experience, and optimising the electricity network.

Participants will be tasked with three energy-focused challenges, with cash prizes of €5,000, €3,000 and €2,000 for the most innovative ideas.

Hackers with the top ground-breaking creations and concepts will also have the opportunity to bring their ideas to the next level at ESB’s innovation hub, X_Site.

Spaces are limited, so would-be hackers and winners should register today at bigenergyhack.ie.

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 20 October 2016

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28 BLANCH GAZETTE 20 October 2016

SPORT

FastSport WESLEY TO HOST CONCUSSION SEMINAR: LEINSTER Rugby, in conjunction with the IRFU, will be hosting a series of concussion awareness workshops throughout the coming weeks.

All club and school coaches, players, parents and officials are encouraged to attend the workshops which are free of charge.

Shane Mooney, the IRFU’s First Aid and Injury Prevention coordinator, hosts all of the workshops which include modules relating to concussion recognition, initial management and return to play protocols followed by a question and answer session.

The content has been designed to educate coaches, parents, players and referees on the dangers of concussion and how to recognise it.

Old Wesley will host one of the nights on November 30 at 7pm while Ashbourne RFC hosts another one on November 16 at 7.30pm.

BOXING: WEST DUBLIN CLUB HOST BIGGEST WOMEN’S EVENT IN EUROPE

Esker BC hail best ever Cup  KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

ESKER Celtic Boxing Club enjoyed yet another hugely successful All Female Box Cup last week with 340 boxers from Ireland, Poland, Canada, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom registered to take part at Lucan CBS Sports Hall.

It makes the tournament the biggest femaleonly event in Europe and club secretary Ed Griffin told GazetteSport it was another triumph for the club.

“It was brilliant,” he said. “The best one we’ve ever had because there were two international rings in operation. Every county in Ireland was represented and we have

The crowds flocked to Lucan CBS

already had inquiries from a team in South America and a team in Los Angeles about coming next year.

“We had girls that have boxed twice at the World Championships for the seniors, European medallists and Irish medallists as well as three Canadian champions and a Swedish champion.”

The tournament started four years ago and the rise in stature it has received in such a short space of time has been remarkable.

“It is the biggest event in Europe but a guy who was over from Canada asked if it was the biggest in the world because he had never been at an event before where there

Winners in various categories, above, and a Dutch boxer, below, receives advice

were just all females boxing at it.

“We started it up four years ago because there was no outlet for female boxing in Dublin whatsoever. You have to rely on Leinster and then go further afield. We set it up just for our own girls initially but then said we might as well grow it because it is a great for the profile of the club,” said Griffin.

On a personal note for the club, there was success for both of their

fighters competing.

Rebecca Toohey defeated her English opponent to win gold with Shannon Kelly also taking home a gold medal for Esker.

Over 1,000 spectators turned up to produce a fantastic atmosphere and Griffin believes that the vast amount of support they have obtained has been invaluable.

“We couldn’t have done it without South Dublin County Council, IPB Insurance, and Failte Ireland, as well as all our

other sponsors. I would also like to thank Mick Kelly, Eileen Toohey and Paschal Joyce, and everybody else who helps us out.”

Despite this success for the club, they still have no permanent facilities to box out of but they are working closely with the council to remedy the situation as soon as possible so they can concentrate on taking their tournament – and their other training groups – to even loftier heights.

Railway men fluff their lines in EY Hockey League  sport@dublingazette.com

Railway Union’s Mark English tackles Cork C of I’s Alex Burns. Picture: Adrian Boehm

RAILWAY Union’s men’s and women’s hockey teams had wildly contrasting fortunes as the former fell 6-2 to Cork C of I in the EY Hockey League while the women advance with a massive 7-0 Irish Senior Cup win over reigning champions Ulster Elks.

For the men, the Sandymount side had opened brightly forcing two short corners without success as they welcomed back Mark English, Kenny Carroll and Fergal Keaveney.

But the in-form Cork outfit

soon got on top with Stephen Sweetnam banging home a corner shot.

One became two in the second quarter from turnover ball with Stephen Parker slapping into the roof of the net. C of I were beginning to dominate in midfield and their pressure led to a penalty stroke, given for a deliberate back-stick in the circle, which Olympian John Jermyn put away.

Railway did get one back with their first meaningful attack of the second quarter with English scoring a low drag-flick into the

corner for 3-1 at the break. They got further into the tie in the third quarter with Richard Forrest’s left post shot going across the face of goal before English scored again from a corner.

But a second goal each from Jermyn and Sweetnam stretched out a 5-2 lead. Jermyn was subsequently given his marching orders for a second yellow card.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, C of I continued to aggressively pounce on Railway loose ball, Julian Dale scoring on 66 minutes to complete the rout.

On the women’s side, big

scores were the order of the day.

For the Ulster Elks, their twoyear reign came to an end in ignominious fashion, falling 7-0 on home turf to Railway Union.

Niamh Carey and Emma Smyth both scored doubles while Cecelia Joyce, Zara Delany and Sinead Dooley all on the mark.

Hermes-Monkstown were 5-0 winners over Corinthian in a Dublin derby with Chloe Watkins scoring a brace.

Loreto won 4-1 at Dungannon while Evie McCullough scored the only goal for Trinity as they saw off Lisnagarvey.

20 October 2016 BLANCH GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

Gavin’s 5,300-strong Ark brings hope to east Africa Dublin manager travels to Rwanda for a very special Bothar project just days after guiding Dublin to a third All-Ireland senior football championship title under his stewardship  JAMES HENDICOTT

sport@dublingazette.com

FRESH from leading Dublin to their second consecutive All-Ireland title, manager Jim Gavin curtailed celebrations in order to accompany 5,300 farm animals to Rwanda on behalf of charity Bothar.

It is part of the charity’s work in the country, particularly in helping the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide which still hovers over many aspects of life.

Gavin left just 11 days after securing his third All-Ireland title in charge of the boys in blue, flying out of Shannon to the poverty-stricken, land-locked east African country after collecting the livestock in Tipperary and Clare.

T h e t r i p b r o ke a record as the largest delivery of multi-species cargo ever to take place.

Gavin - who works in the aviation sector when he’s not working with the county side – said: “I’ve been fortunate to have flown around the world but this is a unique experience.”

Bothar has long specialised in sending dairy cows, goats and other livestock out to some of the poorest parts of Africa in order to create sustainable farming conditions and help families out of poverty. “ Tr a n s p o r t i n g 41 tonnes of quality Irish livestock through the night from Ireland to deepest Africa, including a fuelling stop in Cairo, was unprecedented for me,” Gavin said of the

Jim Gavin with some of the pigs he transported to Rwanda

trip.

“Most important was knowing at the end of it we were bringing this precious cargo, donated

by Irish farmers and other Bothar supporters, to change the lives of almost 800 of the world’s poorest people.”

Gavin told the charity’s blog of his experiences, explaining some of the mechanisms and going into details about the delivery.

“The Bothar Ark carrying the animals is a very special 25th anniversary airlift of 37 incalf heifers, three bulls for the Rwandan government’s National Bovine Breeding Scheme, 260 pigs, 100 goats and 5,000 chicks,” he added.

“Also on board were 5,000 doses of bovine semen for the Rwandan

Breeding Programme run by Bothar’s sister agency Heifer International.”

Gavin went on to talk about his personal connections to the mission, including some of the farmers who have donated, before outlining the financial scale of the offering.

“All in all, the cargo

explained.

Rwanda suffered the worst genocide since the holocaust 22 years ago, when Gavin was still turning out for the boys in blue. The country’s population of 12 million was decimated, with the genocide having aimed to wipe out the Tutsis from the population.

Many of the animals

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

‘There were many widows... one who only got her husband’s torso to bury’ Jim Gavin

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

is worth just short of €350,000,” he explained.

“It’s essentially a donation by the people of Ireland to what are among the poorest people in the world, and most of them have been affected by genocide.”

As well as delivering the thousands of animals to Rwanda, Gavin has also met with widows of the genocide during his trip.

The Dublin boss had written to Bothar to offer his support earlier this year, and after being invited to join the 25th anniversary trip, said that the end of his journey was particularly important to him.

“Local volunteers could be heard chopping up elephant grass for the animals when we arrived. I’m assured they’ll be treated like a family member,” he

delivered on the trip went directly to families impacted on by the events of 1994.

“There were many genoicide victims, and one story was as tragic as the next,” Gavin said of the trip. “There were many widows, like a mother whose five children and her husband was butchered in the bloodlust. She only got her husband’s torso to bury, but none of her children’s remains were returned.”

“We also heard stories of hope,” he continued, “thanks in no small part to NGOs like Bothar who have given these genocide widows hope and enabled them to put their lives back together as best they can in these tragic circumstances.”

You can follow Gavin’s Rwandan experience online at Bothar.ie.

FASTSport

Parkrun going strong for runners of all ages FREE, volunteer-led and tailored to all comers, Marlay Park’s parkrun – and the broader parkrun concept – is going from strength to strength as it draws on its community and invites everyone to get involved.

The weekly Saturday-morning jaunt is a timed run across five kilometres and typically attracts 450 to 500 runners, ranging from competitive club runners to joggers in their 80s and parents pushing buggys.

“We’ll stay until the very last person crosses the line,” organiser Liam McCambridge explains of the concept.

“It’s important that parkrun is a timed run, rather than a race. It’s about running against yourself. Of the people who turn up every Sunday, probably about one third are first timers.

“Another third are occasional runners, and we have a final third who will be there at very nearly every run, and have made it a part of their weekend.”

Originally from County Antrim, McCambridge helped set up the Marlay Park edition of parkrun – Ireland’s largest – after seeing the success of the concept in Malahide. Having originated in Bushy Park, London, the event has grown rapidly in Ireland, with 56 separate parkruns now taking place regularly in the Republic.

In the early days, though, running the event on a weekly basis required plenty of persuasion.

Runners are encouraged to volunteer at one of every 10 events, rather than actually run, though McCambridge says that some enjoy the volunteering aspect so much that they never actually run the route themselves.

“It was a little difficult to set up,” McCambridge admits. “You need permission of the landlord and the set up costs are around €7,000; parkrun contributes half of that.

“Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, who own Marlay Park, were a little apprehensive at first, and after a few discussions, gave us permission for a few months. They also gave us the half of the funds we had to raise. It proved popular, and the feedback was excellent, so it wasn’t difficult to extend the time after that.”

If you’d like to take part in parkrun, you can find further information or sign up at parkrun.ie/ marlay.

GAZETTE

30 BLANCH GAZETTE 20 October 2016

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: BLANCH BOYS COME UP TRUMPS IN TRIP TO THE POTTERIES

Camara switch powers Castleknock comeback CASTLEKNOCK Celtic’s Under-17 Premier side made it two wins on the spin with a 5-2 success against Malahide United at Porterstown Park.

As on previous victory, they went a goal down from a corner following a lapse in concentration. And the visitors had a chance to go two up from a free kick just outside the box only being denied by a great save by Stephen Mason.

After 30 minutes, it was still 1-0 to the visitors when a series of tactical changes were made with, crucially, Abasse Camara put up front.

This brought an extra edge to the attack and five minutes later Morgan Kynes scored the equaliser. Two minutes after that Celtic were 2-1 ahead with a fine strike from Adam Russell who timed his strike perfectly over the keeper’s head.

The second half brought more pressure on the visitors when Jabari Crichlow scored from close range.

He scored a fantastic second from 30 yards after spotting the keeper off his line and took his chance.

It stayed 4-1 to the home team until 15 minutes from time when Malahide pulled one back but Jeremy Mputu hit a perfect cross into the box onto the head of Camara who is on top form lately and he struck the back of the net.

This result helps Celtic climb a few places in the premier league and the team are quite capable of matching any other in this league.

Elsewhere, Castleknock’s Under-14 Major 1 side ran up a 3-1 win over Peamount United to continue their fruitful start to the campaign, losing just one game to date.

They were a goal down at the half-time break but they showed enough in the first half to suggest they could get something from the game.

Castleknock started the second half all guns blazing and within 15 minutes were level with a superb run by Scott Daly on the left, beating his marker and cutting inside to strike the equaliser.

Midway through the second half, James Caffrey was given a chance from midfield, from which he dribbled by a couple of defenders and slotted the ball past the opposition goalkeeperl.

Minutes later Caffrey was once again through at the back four and he did not hesitate to compose himself again to grab his second to clinch the tie.

Verona’s Under-13 side during their tour to Stoke last week

Fair Verona stun Stoke

U-13 CHALLENGE MATCH

Stoke City 1 Verona 5  sport@dublingazette.com

VERONA’S Under-13 Major side produced a five-star performance to get the better of Stoke City’s Under-14 development side to cap a great tour for the Dublin 15 club.

Having received coaching session on the previous two days from the Stoke academy, it was now their chance to showcase their talents in the impressive indoor dome facility.

Straight from the kick off, it was Verona

who looked the sharper and pressed the Stoke defence with some beautiful flowing football.

T he opening goal arrived when the Stoke City goalkeeper unfortunately put the ball into his own net under pressure from the tireless Mark Hughes. With confidence booming, the visiting team started to perform like men possessed.

A great ball from captain Keith Obaseki in defence set up a wonderful move between David Ubor and Ben Hilliard with the latter placing a beautiful shot into the bottom corner, leaving

BUSINESS LUNCH Coolmine set the date for top class event COOLMINE RFC will host their 12th annual

business lunch on Friday, December 2 at the Dunboynce Castle Hotel with with a drinks reception from 1–2pm beginning the event before enjoying a five-course meal with wine following by a series of excellent speakers.

The cost is €1,250 for a table of 10 people. Contact Pat-Ann on 086 8076677 or patannw@eircom.net for reservations and queries.

the hosts shell shocked.

The two goal lead didn’t last long as the ever impressive Conor Duke, assisted by Sean Emmett, powered home the third having seen his wonderful volley cannon off the crossbar moments earlier.

Parents, coaches and players needed to pinch themselves with the scoreline reading 3-0 to Verona at half time.

The second period began with a wounded Stoke pushing to get back into the game and gave themselves a chance with a great powerful header direct from a corner.

However, an unlikely comeback wasn’t to be when the game was put to bed five minutes later with the magical left foot of Aidan Grzan having received a clear path at goal from the work of Lee Brennan.

The final nail in the coffin arrived when Daniel Hardy found space in a packed midfield and played a neat pass to Eric Yoro on the right wing who rifled home a low drive from a tight angle.

The precious lead was protected at different times throughout the game with our two keepers Byron Cortez and Jake McKenna deliver-

ing solid performances, helped enormously by Calum Lawless, Ross Mullen, Daire McMillen and the rock solid Gary Whelan in defence.

The score could have been a lot worse but for an outstanding performance from the Stoke goalkeeper however the score was irrelevant compared to the experience gained in a unique environment.

For manager Alan Hardy, he added: “The game was only the tip of the iceberg from an amazing weekend. The boys did themselves, their parents, their team and Verona very proud.”

20 October 2016 BLANCH GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

SAFETY FOR SAINTS

Brigid’s avoid relegation scrap with AFL4 win

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST BRIGID’S CONGRATULATIONS to the players,

ST BRIGID’S picked up an important victory

in their final AFL4 match of the regular season as they saw off St Vincent’s 0-14 to 0-12 at Russell Park.

The result lifted them a couple of places in the rankings and out of a share of last place. They are level with a number of teams on nine points in 14th overall but avoid the relegation playoff.

families are always welcome. For fur-

minor ladies football team and U-13

ther information and queries, contact

girls football team who each won their

David on 085 8340169.

championship finals on Saturday afternoon.

Picture: Martin Doherty

CAMOGIE: FOUR SECOND HALF GOALS PROVE CRUCIAL

stown area and new members and

management and parents of our

St Brigid’s GAA will be hosting a foundation coaching course in the

Well done to our AFL11 footballers

coming weeks. The theory side of the

on a great win over Erin’s Isle in the

course will be delivered online with

league final on Sunday afternoon. The

one face to face session to cover

lads have also secured promotion for

the practical element. If interested,

next year.

please contact club GPO, David Gal-

Best of luck to our U-14 camogie team in the shield final this Saturday,

way: david.galway.gpo.dublin@gaa.ie / 085 8340169.

October 22 and to our U-15 camogie

Our lotto jackpot remains at €15,000

team in the championship final this

with the reserve now also at €15,000.

Sunday, October 23. See the club web-

There was no jackpot winner in last

site for confirmed fixture details.

week’s draw. This week’s draw will

The St Brigid’s nursery runs every

take place in Russell Park on Thursday,

Saturday in Russell Park from 9.30am

October 20. Many thanks to everyone

to 11am. We welcome all 4-7 year olds

who supports our club lotto and to our

in the Castleknock and Blanchard-

great lotto committee.

CASTLEKNOCK

HARD luck to our senior hurlers who

Well done to the U-15 and U-16 girls

lost out by the narrowest of margins

who won their championship and

against Naomh Olaf in the champion-

shield finals respectively. Hard luck to

ship.

the U-13 and U-14 girls who lost their

Great commitment and skill demon-

finals but played heroically. Best wish-

strated by all the team and manage-

es to all involved in camogie finals next

ment. Sincere thanks to all involved.

weekend.

Hard luck also to our minor B hurlers who have put in a great year.

Our nursery, in association with Tiger Childcare, for 4 to 7 year olds is

The Division 5 league play off is

back in full swing and new members

Jade’s final puck wins shield for EGB

against Thomas Davis on Sunday,

are very welcome. Just come down to

October 23 at 11am. Please support

Tir na nOg, beside Castleknock Com-

these cracking games.

munity College, this Saturday at 10am,

Erin Go Bragh Whitehall Colmcilles  sport@dublingazette.com

WELL done to the U-16 boys on a great

and academy (born 2009 and 2010)

win against Ros-Lusca; best wishes

kids train every Thursday (5-6pm for

for your hurling B shield final away to

all) and Saturday (9.30am nursery

St Brigid’s on Saturday.

and 10.30am academy). Newcomers

The Erin Go Bragh Under-15 side celebrate their victory

U-15C SHIELD FINAL

6-1 4-4

A QUARTET of second half goals saw Erin Go Bragh soar to victory in the Under-15 C camogie championship shield final and claim the silverware on their home patch.

Whitehall made the brighter start and were two points up in the first few minutes but EGB showed their eye for goal quickly, too, and Niamh Maher got them on the board six minutes in to settle their nerves.

After that initial flurry of scores, defences got

on top for a time before Whitehall restored their lead with a quickfire 1-1 salvo to lead by three points.

EGB were showing flashes of great skill with Aoife O’Sullivan plucking a few balls out of the clouds and resolute defending from Aoibhinn Burke, Amy Carroll, Leah Ivory, Anna and Jade Omotayo kept them in touch along with great goalkeeping from Gemma Padden.

In the middle, Ellen Gribben, captain Keri Redmond and Amy Daly were battling hard while Amy Flanagan founding the net with a bullet shot.

Gribben’s point was counter-acted by Whitehall’s second goal, however, to make it 2-3 to 2-1 at the break.

The late goal was a blow for EGB girls but they started the second half with great determination. Crucially, they scored two goals in the first eight minutes with Flanagan and Maher both grabbing their second, the latter a free guided to the top corner.

There was also tremendous work from other forwards Rachel Murray, Aoibhe Kearney, Ellie Manning, Katie Kearney and Megan Owens and EGB held a four-point

advantage coming into the final 10 minutes.

Whitehall, however, retook the initiative and got level with another goal and a point.

With the game in the balance and potential extra time on the cards, it set up a rip-roaring finale.

Flanagan summoned another rocket for her hat trick only for Whitehall to score a fourth goal from a close range rebound.

There was one final p l a y, t h o u g h , a n d O’Sullivan reached for a high ball and cleared to Jade Omotayo in the forwards. She fired home with the last puck to start the celebrations.

The U-14 boys have won the Division 1 hurling cup final against Lucan. It’s

say hello to one of our friendly coaches and enjoy the sport and fun.

not over yet as the boys are in anoth-

Congrats to Eilish Andrews who won

er league final next Saturday in Por-

the Capturethecrest photographic

terstown at 3.30pm against Kilmacud

competition and will receive the prize

for the Division 1 football league title.

of a Canon Camera from Conns Cam-

Please support.

eras.

NAOMH PEREGRINE

Congratulations to the senior

always welcome.

camogie team on their big win in the

Bring gum shields, helmets, hurls,

shield final; their win completed a

water and subs. Details on Facebook

really good weekend for the ladies

“Naomh Peregrines GAA Academy” or

section of the club which saw the

parents can register for the What-

Gaelic 4 Mams win three and draw one

sapp group. For further details, con-

of their four games in their blitz.

tact Niall on 086 607 3190 or Barry on

Unfortunately, the U-15s girls lost their football shield final against Raheny; best wishes for your camo-

087 618 3868.

The juvenile Halloween disco is on Friday, October 28 from 6.30-9pm.

gie championship final against Naomh

Night at the Dogs, Saturda y,

Brid this Sunday. Well done to the U-13

November 12 in Shelbourne Park; €20

girls who showed great resilience and

for return bus from club, admission,

teamwork to come back from an eight

race card, sausage and chips; €2

point deficit at half time to win their

drinks voucher and €1 free on the tote.

football shield final against Raheny.

Our nursery (born 2011 and 2012)

The bus departs at 6pm; first race at 7pm. Live music in the clubhouse.

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Brilliant Brigid’s sink Erin’s Isle  sport@dublingazette.com

ST BRIGID’S added the AFL11 league title to the promotion they won a few weeks ago as they won a goal-fest against Erin’s Isle 5-6 to 2-14 in Finglas.

They did so in fighting fashion, coming from six points down – despite playing with a stiff breeze in the first half – and almost being out of sight. Isles struck for two early goals and only for some brave defending by Stephen Dunning, it could have been worse.

From there, Rory Thyne and JP Costigan shored up the halfback line, and Sean McGeady used all his experience.

Jonny Cooper kicked two massive scores to help Brigid’s find their feet before James Campbell and John Dalton added scores but the gap was six points at the break.

But after a couple of switches, notably moving Kevin Bonfil to midfield, Brigid’s began to shift the momentum. A driving run inside by the impressive Cooper led to a penalty but James Campbell’s penalty was well saved.

The resulting 45 was recycled and Jonny Dalton’s low shot hung over the square and Campbell pounced to punch the ball home, and make amends.

From the resulting kick out, Cormac Kelly fed Brian Donovan

who played Cooper in, and he blasted home from close range.

It was one-way traffic at this point; an Erin’s Isle short kick out was intercepted and Dalton made no mistake from 14 yards as he drove home the third goal.

The two sides exchanged further scores, with Kelly popping up from 30 yards to seemingly all but seal the game. But, encouraged by a large home crowd, Isles kicked two huge points inside stoppage time, and forced extra time.

Isles then went on to outscore Brigid’s by four points to zero in the first period of extra time to force another major shift in momentum.

Brigid’s needed something special and they got it via an inspired change with David Dempsey returning to the field.

His runs from deep created havoc. He tore through the middle and laid the ball inside to Dalton, who was tripped, as he was about the pull the trigger.

The referee awarded a second penalty, and this time Campbell made no mistake. Brigid’s, amazingly, then took the lead when they added a fifth goal as Dalton punched a high ball to the net.

An Isles free threatened more drama but Brigid’s managed to keep ball long enough to close out a thrilling win and the league title.

St Brigid’s Sean McGeady lifts the league trophy after a brilliant extra time win over Erin’s Isle