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June 29 - July 5, 2017

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‘I’ve put the council on notice over local property tax’

 MARK O’BRIEN CLLR Matt Waine has vowed to fight any attempts to hike up the local property tax after saying the possibility of an increase was mooted at a recent council meeting.

He said “At the meeting I put the council on notice that if councillors voted to increase the financial burden on hard-pressed citizens, they would pay the price.”

Full Story on Page 2

2 BLANCH GAZETTE 29 June 2017

Fingal’s pride and joy Rusheeney Village has been nominated in the Housing Estates Category

Naul will be represented by the Seamus Ennis Centre in the Creative Places Category

THE annual IPB Pride of Place competition is about to kick-off in earnest and Fingal will be represented this year by the communities of Ongar, in Dublin 15, the Seamus Ennis Arts Centre in Naul and the Rusheeny Village Residents Association in Blanchardstown.

Pride of Place is an AllIreland competition which showcases the best community developments and achievements on the island.

The competition is open to every local authority, north and south, to nominate groups to represent their county.

This year, the community of Ongar will be represented by the Ongar Tidy Towns Group in the Urban Neighbourhoods category. This year the group will head up

an entry which pulls together all the elements of the community in this diverse corner of Fingal.

The Seamus Ennis Arts Centre in Naul, Nor th County Dublin, is entered in the Creative Places Category which will allow the Centre and the community of Naul to showcase the unique creativity present in the village.

The third Fingal nominee is Rusheeney Village in Dub-

lin 15. The active residents association in the estate applied to take part in this year’s competition and their ambition has been rewarded by being nominated in the Housing Estates category.

Judging in all three categories takes place over the period of July 4 and 5 and the winners will be announced at a banquet in Donegal in early December.

For more on pride of place visit www.prideofplace.ie

Ongar will be represented by the Ongar Tidy Towns Group in the Urban Neighbourhoods Category

PROPERTY TAX | LOCAL POLITICIAN ‘PUTS COUNCIL ON NOTICE’

Waine to fight tax hike  MARK O’BRIEN A LOCAL councillor has said that he will fight any moves to increase the Local Property Tax next year.

Cllr Matt Waine claims that the prospect of an increase in the tax was mooted at a recent Opera-

tional Procedure meeting of Fingal County Council.

“At a recent Council meeting, management sought to soften up members by claiming there was now significant strain on the resources of Fingal to meet its obligations and deliver the services they are expected to deliver,” he said.

“Increase in population and the number of estates to be taken in charge by the council, greater demand for housing, the unwinding of the FEMPI legislation were all factors used to justify the need for Fingal to levy the full rate.”

Fingal County Council is one of four local authorities that have voted to

reduce Local Property Tax by the maximum 15% each year since it was introduced in 2013.

Cllr Waine said that, while he appreciated that the Council was under increased financial pressure, other avenues should be explored in order to raise the revenue required.

“At the meeting I put the council on notice that if councillors voted to increase the financial burden on hard-pressed citizens, they would pay the price,” he said.

“I pointed out that there is a boom in the county and in many parts of the country but that it’s a boom for the super wealthy and big business who pay little in tax.

“Many of the multinational corporations, who make enormous profits in Fingal, enjoy generous tax breaks and subsidies from taxpayers.

“Some are paying obscenely small rates of tax, and some are paying virtually nothing.

“According to the CSO, profits have risen from €41

billion in 2010 to €75 billion in 2015.

“In 2015 alone, profits rose by €23 billion. I think it’s time these people paid their fair share.”

In response to Cllr Waine’s statement, a spokesperson for Fingal County Council said: “The Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended), makes specific provision that elected members of a local authority may pass a formal resolution to vary the basic rate of the Local Property Tax for their administrative area by a percentage known as the local adjustment factor.

“At the meeting set by Fingal County Council to consider this matter, the members may set a local adjustment factor within the range of +/- 15% of the basic rate, or, may decide not to adjust the basic rate.”

The Council will meet in September 2017 to consider adjusting the rate.

A period of public consultation on the issue will begin from Monday July 3 and will be open until Thursday, August 3.

FASTNews

Ongar fire causes ‘extensive damage over the weekend DUBLIN Fire Brigade were called to a fire in Ongar that caused “extensive damage” over the weekend.

Three fire engines and a turntable ladder from A Watch attended the scene of a fire at a house in Ongar at approximately 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon (June 24).

Dublin Fire Brigade confirmed an hour later that the fire had been extinguished but said it had caused “extensive damage” and they remained on the scene for a further two hours.

They later confirmed on Twitter that the area had been made safe and that all persons and pets had been accounted for and no one was injured in the incident.

Varadkar visits St Brigid’s annual mini league event AN TAOISEACH, Leo Varadkar was in attendance at the St Brigid’s GAA annual mini league event at Russell Park last week.

The mini leagues are a major sporting event for over 600 children aged 5 -12 years old from the Dublin 15 area and are sponsored by Brady’s Seat.

The week-long event concluded today with gaelic football finals and family activities and festivities to promote and celebrate youth sport and community endeavour.

Welcoming An Taoiseach, Mr Paddy Davey, St Brigid’s GAA club chairman said: “An Taoiseach may have joined the political big league but we are very grateful that despite his busy schedule he has again taken the time to attend our mini league celebration of young sporting endeavour just he has done as Councillor, TD and Minister.

“He has been a long-time supporter and friend to the Club over many years and we wish him every continued success in his new role”

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

29 June 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 3

away from anything.”

Jemma Flynn, aka Zola, said: “The film for me felt like years of FLY-ON-THE-WALL docu- my life. She travelled around with mentary about women’s roll- us, was there for all the barneys. er derby in Ireland is already She probably knew better than causing quite a stir ahead of its anyone what was going on. release this weekend.

“The only thing I was worried In ‘Revolutions’ Laura McGann about was coming across as a bit follows fledgling teams in Dublin of an idiot. I’m a bit of a show-off and Cork for four years as they on track.” commit to the challenges of a gruYou don’t have to be an extrovert elling full-contact sport. to play, but it helps, and most of The film starts with Dublin Roll- the women skate under alter egos er Girls’ player Zola Blood, from - Jessica Rammit, Pippy StrongGTallaght, dgfkjsgfds dfs fd kljghdfgkljdhlflg fdsfkj hgdsf.

Picture: Xxxxx Zzzzzz admitting: “I’ve alwayshlglfhgds stocking, Jane Crow. been confident, even as a child.

Jemma, below, whose skate name I’ve never been someone to shy is based on her athletics track hero

 SYLVIA POWNALL

A

Zola Budd, said: “My friend Lisa got me into it when she saw a video online.

“I liked to skate and I’d done kickboxing so I said ‘I’m totally doing this’. Because it was all women it was very empowering. I loved it from the very first session.

“It’s very physical. When people come in who haven’t played a contact sport before they’re not sure.

Then they feel great when they are able to get up after being put down.

“I broke one of my best friends’ ribs in training once, that was horrible. But I haven’t been too bad with injuries apart from tearing my

Photos: Amanda Wagner, Wicked Shamrock Photography

Roll up for the revolution NEW DOCUMENTARY SHEDS LIGHT ON WOMEN’S ROLLER DERBY IN IRELAND

shoulder muscle at the World Cup. Some people have had double breaks in their legs.”

Roller Derby is sweeping the globe since its revival in Texas over a decade ago. The fast-paced sport is played by two teams of five skating in the same direction around a track.

Each team designates a ‘jammer’ up front who scores points by lapping members of the opposition – while the ‘blockers’ try to assist and stop the competition.

It can get rough. At one point in ‘Revolutions’ DRG team coach ‘Violent Joe’ tells his players: “Don’t just nudge them, get in

there and hit them.”

Mum-of-one Jemma, who was voted Most Valuable Player for Ireland at the Toronto World Cup, said: “You get hooked. It’s a great community of people and you feel a great sense of loyalty.

“I’d love to see it at the Olympics.

If volleyball in bikinis can make it, I don’t see why roller derby can’t.

It’s very exciting to watch.”  Revolutions goes on general release tomorrow, Friday. Tickets for the Irish Film Institute’s opening night screening of Revolutions on June 30 can be booked at http://ifi.ie/revolutions/.

4 BLANCH GAZETTE 29 June 2017

Out and About

A second ASF for SFX junior school

Minister Joan Burton with John Walsh, Olivia Barrett, Principal Heidi Collins and students Jill Carroll, Ross Staunton, Sean Douglas and Ben Carroll. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

S

T FRANCIS Xavier Junior National School in Castleknock was the place to be last Thursday as local TD Joan Burton turned up to help raise a very important banner – their SECOND Active School Flag (ASF).

The super-active school also used the occassion to officially open their new astro turf pitch on the same day. The ASF is awarded to schools that strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community, and St Francis XavierJunior School is proud to do just that!

Minister Burton with John Walsh, Olivia Barrett, Principal Heidi Collins Olivia Barrett, Eddie Atkinson, Patrick Cathal, Cara Phillips, Minister Joan Burton, Angela Poenaru and John Walsh

and students Jill Carroll, Ross Staunton, Sean Douglas and Ben Carroll

29 June 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 5

ST MOCHTA’S | TEACHER STARTS FITNESS INITIATIVE

‘Daily mile run boosts health and academic performance’  MARK O’BRIEN

A CLONSILLA teacher says that having his pupils run a mile a day has proved beneficial to their health and academic performance.

Alan Kenny is a third class teacher in St Mochta’s NS. He told The Gazette that he was inspired to take up the challenge after reading about a school in Scotland that started a similar initiative.

“It just seemed like a good thing to do and it came on the back of the Sugar Crash programme,” he said.

Sugar Crash – a documentary by Dr Eva Orsmond – aired on RTE in January 2016 and explored what was described as Ireland’s “toxic relationship” with sugar.

After watching the programme, Alan resolved to bring his class out to run a mile every day for the rest of the school year.

Laps When he got a new class last September, he continued to bring the class out to run laps around the yard, regardless of the weather.

A report released last year by the Royal College of Physicians said that less than half of primary school children are receiving enough physical activity.

The report – released last October – stated that even mild forms of exercise can help reduce the risk of depression and disease in later life.

Alan said that the 15

minutes of exercise has proven to be enormously beneficial to his class.

“They are all able to run the mile now at this stage whereas at the start of the year you would have had a couple puffing and panting and struggling with it.”

Alan encourages the pupils to complete the

mile at their own pace and he says that it has proven to be beneficial to the children’s academic performance as well.

“I think it does benefit them in the classroom as well,” he said.“It gives them a bit of release.”

Alan has begun to take another class out running

as well and he said that he hopes that other classes and other schools will follow suit.

He said his class have responded brilliantly to the idea.

“They do really see the value of it and the parents appreciate it as well,” he added.

6 BLANCH GAZETTE 29 June 2017

Out and About

Ruby Gibney, Andrew Rigney, Darragh O’Reilly, Sean Rigney and Damien Pointin

Latifah Akinsola

Lucy and Tamara Phillips

Sophia P Tansey

Aoibha and Chantelle Douglas

29 June 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 7

Ramal Soloman

Stephen Cashman braves a water balloon

Community fun for all in Corduff Great smiles from Alexandra and Noelia Sandoval. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

T

HERE were some great celebrations at Corduff Sports Centre at its recent community fun day, with smiles beaming as much as the sun. Great weather helped to make the day even better for everyone, with the centre’s celebrations to mark its tenth birthday drawing lots of people together for a day that pleased young and old alike. Children were particularly well catered for, with lots of fun activities that went down a treat – though not as much as the ice creams, which were guzzled all day long. The grown-ups had plenty of tasty fare to tuck into as well, with a BBQ serving up some pipinghot food under the sizzling summer sun, making it a great day in the heart of Corduff.

Feilim O’Donovan

Jamie and Joanne O’Gorman

Jamie O’Gorman

Bobo the Clown with Jessica, Layla and Danielle

8 BLANCH GAZETTE 29 June 2017

DRAIOCHT THEATRE | D15 ARTIST BRINGS HER LATEST WORK TO HER HOMETOWN  MARK O’BRIEN A Dublin 15 artist will bring her latest work to her hometown when her new exhibition opens in the Draiocht Theatre next month.

Castleknock native Aoife Dunne’s new exhibition – Limitless – opens at the theatre on Friday, July 7 until Saturday, August 26.

Limitless is a video, sound and sculptural installation that explores life in the digital age.

“I have always been interested in the complex relationships that exist between the viewer, the artist and the context in which the work is made and exhibited,” Aoife says of the inspiration behind Limitless.

“In the early stages of developing Limitless, I knew that I wanted to create an interactive piece that would potentially allow audiences to see themselves within the work – inviting them to participate in the installation, yet ultimately giving them no control over what was happening.”

Aoife says that she hopes the exhibition will be an immersive experience for

Castleknock native Aoife Dunne explores life in the digital age

The sky’s the limit visitors.

“The viewer is invited to immerse themselves in this space, enabling them to form a relationship with the video, while highlighting the ongoing dialogue between identity and technology and the fusion of our physical and digital selves,” she says.

Aoife is no stranger to digital media. At the age of just 13, she produced a short video piece that was selected to be shown at the Beijing Film Festival 2008.

Since then, she has worked in music and fashion and completed a degree in Fine Art at NCAD. Limitless is her graduate work from NCAD and has met with wide acclaim after being shown at the RDS Dublin, the Royal Academy of Arts London and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver.

“Aoife’s practice as an early career artist embodies many of the principles central to the new visual arts programme at Draiocht,” says curator in residence for Draiocht, Sharon Murphy.

“Her work fits perfectly within the ambition to make Draiocht a dynamic hub for visual culture and a platform for a new generation of artists whose crossover practices extend and enrich contemporary arts and invite new audiences to engage.”

Limitless will launch at Draiocht on Friday, July 7 from 7 to 10pm with a special exhibition launch party featuring special guests and the chance to try out some meta-perceptual helmets that allow the wearer to see what an animal sees.

WORKSHOP

Heavy backpacks inspire clever students  MARK O’BRIEN THE issue of back problems caused by heavy schoolbags has inspired a creative business idea from a group of Dublin 15 primary school students.

Fifth class students at St Mochta’s in Clonsilla invented the concept of a massaging backpack as part of an innovative two-day Bizworld workshop held in the school last recently.

As well as massaging the wearer’s back, the bag has a solar panel charge system for phones and laptops.

A revolutionary phone case, shoes with retractable in-line skate wheels, a mystery bakery, a and a new range of fashionable, waterproof and stain-proof clothing were among the other concepts formulated by the budding entrepreneurs.

The ideas were then pitched to Dragons Doireann McLoughlin from Blanchardstown Business Partnership and vice-principal Margaret O’Boyce.

Bizworld is a notfor-profit organisation, chaired by Gavin Duffy, that promotes entrepreneurship skills for children at fifth class level.

Over 40,000 children have taken part in free Bizworld workshops around the country in the past two years, with more than 200 schools hosting programmes this year.

“Our idea is not to produce products, simply to inspire and give children the confidence to say what is in their heads,” s a i d B i z wo r l d C E O Fiona McKeon.

Class teacher Kieran Mullarkey was stunned at the amount of hidden talent that emerged from the workshop.

29 June 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 9

Lights, camera, and ... action L

ocal students aged from 3 to 18 from The Cecilian Theatre Arts Group had a great time working on their annual project this year recording and shooting a music video.

The project was designed to encourage creativity, confidence and communicational skills through the medium of film.

The group would like to thank the following for their help with the project: Mother and daughter duo, directors Jennifer and Rosalind

O’Dowd, Dillion Connolly, Draiocht Theatre technical manager; Anthony White; Nigel Lombard; Stuart Gray; photographer Rob Kennedy and sponsors: Get Fresh, Gleeson Butchers, Credit Union Blanchardstown, Merrion Alarms, Jack Chambers TD (Fianna Fail), Cunninghams Funeral Directors, Crystal Jewellers, Colm Murphy & Co. Solicitors, for their continued support of the arts.

The music video is almost complete and will be uploaded onto YouTube, keep an eye out!

WATERVILLE | LUCKY SHOPPERS SCOOP €750K

Store sells two winning Lotto tickets in six months  MARK O’BRIEN

Holiday project a huge success THE Castleknock and District Lions Club are delighted to report that a super time was had by all guests on the Trabolgan Holiday Project with wet weather failing to dampen high spirirts. The week was packed with activities with everything from card playing and glamorous granny competitions to darts and bingo. RTE’s Nationwide programme were there to film as the week unfolded and a large donation was also presented Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind on behalf of the Lions Clubs of Ireland. The Castleknock and District Lions Club wish to thank Andy and Deirdre who were so very generous with their time and attention during the week.

A LOCAL shop was celebrating once again after selling their second winning Lotto ticket in the space of six months.

The €250,000-winning Lotto Plus 2 ticket was sold in Spar in Waterville last week.

In December, the store sold a ticket that won one lucky person €500,000 on the Euromillions Plus draw.

Store owner Kevin Farrelly told The Gazette that he was delighted to have sold a second winning ticket and that it more people have come in to the store hoping to strike it lucky.

“It’s great,” he said.

“There’s a few extra people coming in alright. It does create a bit of a buzz.”

Kevin added that there has been great excitement in the local area on the back of the win.

“People do get excited when they see the signs up about the big win,” he said.

Both winners have chosen to remain anonymous but have revealed their delight at winning.

The most recent winners were a couple who said that they plan to even keep their win secret from their own family.

Speaking to the Independent the husband said: “We literally haven’t told anybody about our Lotto win, including our own family.

“It’s just a lovely sum of money for us to win and it allows us to make some nice little changes in our lives.

“We love to travel so it will give us a lot of freedom and allow us to spend some time seeing more of the world together.

“We will of course help our children with deposits for houses and whatnot but I don’t think they’ll ever know that their parents are Lotto winners.”

The winner of the €500,000 jackpot in December was a father who had recently lost his job.

According to TheJornal.ie the Dublin Father said that it was a big relief to have won the money so close to Christmas.

“I recently lost my job so we have been under a lot of pressure financially with Christmas fast approaching,” he said at the time.

“This win is a huge relief for us all.

We can now enjoy the holidays with the peace of mind that we don’t have to worry about our bills for a while yet.”

The man added that he hoped to use some of the winnings to start his own business.

10 GAZETTE 29 June 2017

Out and About

A charitable journey IKEA co-workers set out from IKEA Dublin for a charity cycle, to Mullingar and back. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

IN LINE with IKEA’s vision of creating a better everyday life for everyone, 26 IKEA co-workers set out from IKEA Dublin on the morning of Saturday, June 24 on a 203km charity cycle, to Mullingar and back. Money raised will go directly to UNICEF and the ISPCC.

29 June 2017 GAZETTE 11

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 29 June 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS

Increased employee ownership ‘vital’ IRELAND’s first ever Employee Share Ownership Day has been told that increased employee financial involvement in Irish companies is vital to maintain our competitiveness.

More than 150 delegates attended ESOD17 at Dublin’s Google HQ this week, where they heard Ireland lagged its competitors when it comes to incentivising employee ownership, and that the Government needs to improve their approach by increasing the variety of Revenue-approved employee share schemes, particularly for the SME sector.

RDS is the venue for Web Summit’s MoneyConf 2018 ORGANISERS behind We b S u m m i t t o d ay announced that MoneyConf, Europe’s leading fintech event, will take place at the RDS in Dublin from June 11-13, 2018.

MoneyConf has been hosted in Madrid for two years and has become the leading place for fintech CEOs, investors and startups to meet. It will be hosted at the RDS, the venue where Web Summit grew to become the world’s largest technology event.

Over 2,500 attendees have already registered for 2018 MoneyConf. Attendees will be joined by hundreds of top names in the industry, from CEOs of global financial institutions to the founders of the world’s most disruptive startups.

Some speakers already confirmed include: Yoni Assia, Co-Founder & CEO of eToro; Jaidev Janardana, CEO of Zopa; John Sun, Co-Founder of Avant; and Ismail Ahmed, Founder & CEO of WorldRemit Amid legendary networking opportunities, attendees have access to 2 days of talks, including keynotes, fireside chats, workshops and panel discussions.

Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave said: “We are moving MoneyConf to our hometown of Dublin in 2018. Brexit has the potential to transform Dublin as a financial centre. Major banks, credit card companies and fintech startups have all signed leases in recent months. It’s an incredible moment for Dublin and it’s great to be part of it. The RDS is the perfect venue to grow an event like MoneyConf. After all, our partnership with the RDS put Web Summit on the road to where it is today.”

No such thing as a typical day or client for any recruiter THIS a r t i c l e w a s going to be entitled ‘A Day in the Life of a Recruiter’, but really there is no typical day as a recruitment consultant.

No two days are alike because you are dealing with a resource that is made out of people.

Your clients and candidates are all people with different needs – it’s your job to match the right candidate to the right client.

A recruiter’s job is part human resources, part sales, part marketing and part negotiation. The most important par t of the job though is the ability to understand the sector you’re working with.

Anyone can learn sales techniques, but it takes time to learn the ins and outs of a specific sector.

Have you considered a career in recruitment? Recruitment Plus currently has a vacancy for our hospitality desk. If you have hospitality experience and are interested in recruitment, contact RecruitmentPlus at 01 2788 610, or also see www.recruitmentplus.ie.

Having previous experience in that sector will make you stand out as a top recruiter.

For example, if you’ve wo r ke d i n a h o t e l before, you will have a unique insight into what a hospitality client needs and what a candidate is looking for.

One of the top reasons for job satisfaction in recruitment is the knowledge that you’ve made a difference in a candidate’s life.

There are few things better than knowing someone in in a better paid or more suitable job and you helped to get them there.

Recruiters also love their jobs because they get the opportunity to grow their professional networks and the ability to increase their take home pay each month with commission.

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

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29 June 2017 GAZETTE 13

CITY SPECTACULAR: THE NATION’S FAVOURITE TURKEY CAN’T WAIT FOR THE LAYA HEALTHCARE BASH

Dustin: This year’s City Spectacular will be bigger.. & madder.. than Eurovision!  NICK FITZGERALD DUSTIN the Turkey is the Ambassador of this year’s City Spectacular and he says this year’s bash will be bigger than Eurovision.

More than 250,000 people are expected to flock to Laya Healthcare’s free annual street festival, which runs from July 7-9 in Merrion Square.

The family-friendly festival showcases the best in international street performance, interactive family activities, delicious artisan producers and street food from around the world as well as a pet wellness area with DSPCA. And parents are being warned that the kids will be ruling the roost at the three -day event.

John Morrison, aka Dustin The Turkey told The Gazette: “It’s my biggest achievement since the Eurovision and it’s going to go slightly better than the Eurovision.

“Basically, I’ll be doing my thing that I used to do on the Den and I’ll also be doing a quiz where the adults are going

to take on their children.

“Of course, I know what will happen, the kids are going to win every time and the adults are just going to be brutal.”

“It will be a bit like Donald Trump. See I’m the boss, I’m the ambassador, I can do what I want.

“The parents will be getting custard pies and they’ll be getting ice buckets. The Happy Pear’s Dave and Steve Flynn with Dustin “Bring your doggie, your doggie can They’ll be getting all sorts of things and the kids will be get- get a make-over and they can get a ting prizes. But look, I can’t officially photo. And you can bring your cats and say that if you know what I mean, wink there’ll be a free bed there if there’s any wink, but of course that’s what’s going problems. That would be my favourite to happen. It’s going to be brilliant. And part of it, the DSPCA.” it’s all going to be free, that’s the beauty Family health, fitness and wellbeing of it. will be central to Laya Healthcare’s “It’s for all the family and that’s Greatest Place on Earth area this year. including the four legged members.

Events will include Dustin the Turkey

in this family filled area at the Dublin festival for the Birdbrain quiz where kids can challenge their parents to a battle of knowledge.

R T E ’s F r a n c i e Boylan will co-host and attempt to not let Dustin gobble off too much.

Imaginosity, Dublin’s Children Museum, allows kids to build and create stories and will also be providing a storymaking workshop at an exclusive Imagination Playground.

Just Eat Street - the international street food village - is a feast of food, fun & entertainment running the entire length of Merrion Sq South where visitors can try out over 25 different cuisines from around the world and enjoy music from international musical acts.

Asked how City Spectacular com-

pares to the Eurovision, Dustin said: “It’s a similar sort of madness. You’re going to get every walk of life, it’s going to be brilliant craic. “ I love the Eurovision, the only problem is I didn’t win it. In the Eurovision they made up countries to try and make me not win. This is true, like Azerbaijan, they started inventing places.

“When Johnny Logan won the Eurovision there was Luxembourg, Ireland and The Netherlands, there was three countries and now there’s something like 452.

“I know Europe doesn’t have that many countries. They just wanted to stop me from winning it.

“City Spectacular will have a similar sort of madness. The festival will have stilt walkers, there’s going to be the Happy Pear guys.”

Festival Director Shell Holden added: “We would love everyone - families, friends, couples and pet pooches - to come join in the celebrations and enjoy our FREE festival this July.”

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14 GAZETTE 29 June 2017

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

THINKPINK! BRING FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS TO A FUN FAMILY PARK EVENT FINGAL County Council brings the fun and excitement of Pets in the Park to Millennium Park, Blanchardstown, on Sunday July 2.

Suppor ted by the DSPCA, King of Paws and 98Fm, the event will transform Millennium Park into a pet paradise for the day.

The free, family-fun event is a guaranteed great day out for all animal lovers throughout Dublin, involving a range of activities, stalls and entertainment right through the event.

DSPCA King of Paws training team will host dog agility and dog obedience classes, where members of the public are invited to bring their four-legged friends.

A small animal farm will give visitors the opportunity to interact with, and learn about, all kinds of animals, while children’s talks and entertainment will also be featured on the day.

Pet lovers can look forward to a variety of stalls offering fantastic deals on all types of animal accessories, grooming products, novelty items and toys, while the DSPCA will offer micro-

chipping and pet health advice.

For further information, see www.petsinthepark.ie.

STEP LIVELY OVER TO DANCE AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY AS PART of the hugely anticipated programme of events marking the re-opening of the Dargan and Milltown wings of the National Gallery this summer, the acclaimed Liz Roche Company presents the world premiere of Totems, in the exquisite surrounds of the Shaw Room and The Grand Gallery.

THIS DYNAMIC DOGGY DUO ARE LOOKING TO SHARE A HOME: YOURS!

RUGBY star Shane Byrne joined breast cancer survivor Teresa Costello, broadcaster Elaine Crowley, breast cancer survivor Olivia Carpenter and blogger Rosie Connolly at the launch of the Great Pink Run, which takes place on Saturday, Septem-

A group of six dancers will come together with live musicians to respond to these historic gallery spaces with five intimate performances taking place from Thursday, July 6 to Sunday, July 9.

Totems strips Roche’s subtle and poetic choreography back to its purest essence, and will combine intricate movement patterns with live music, creating a thrilling, evocative experience.

Totems will place the living, breathing work of one of Ireland’s most innovative and inspiring choreographers into the

historic gallery space as it re-emerges to the public and arts and culture lovers.

For the full times and listings for the 55-minute show (priced €15/€13 conc), see the National Gallery of Ireland site at www.nationalgallery.ie.

HELP CELEBRATE THE VERY BEST OF THE LIBERTIES SPIRIT T H E 47 t h L i b e r t i e s Festival takes over the heart of Dublin from July 17 to 22 with more than 30 diverse events in 20 venues including parks, pubs, churches and heritage buildings in celebration of the area’s

ber 9 in the Phoenix Park. Thousands are expected at the Dublin run, which will help fundraise for and raise awareness of Breast Cancer Ireland’s pioneering research and awareness programmes around the country. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

vibrant character.

This year’s mostly free programme of events is the most expansive yet, even offering an opportunity to interact with the working horses of the Liberties, and many other free, familyfriendly events.

Guaranteed to be highlights of the summer arts calendar are Night at the Opera, featuring Opera in the Open against the stunning backdrop of St Audoen’s Church on Friday, July 21; Cirque de Comedie in the Guinness Storehouse, featuring drag duo Queens of Pop; comedic songstress Tere-

sa Livingston; Azaria Starfire; and aerial contortionist Spinal Gap on Saturday, July 22.

Tickets for Night at the Opera and Cirque de Comedie are on sale now via libertiesfestival. ie.

Tr a d i t i o n a l c o m munity favourites such as the Garda Vs Street Traders football match returns for its 27th year; the Blue Rinse Ball, and the Older Bowls competition also return in a packed programme that showcases the spirit of the area.

For the full festival programme, see www. libertiesfestival.ie.

OUR Dogs of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* are the amazing Tess and Leela, which need to find a home as a pair. Tess and Leela are inseparable, and are looking for a home together. Tess is a six-year-old female crossbreed, and Leela is a five-year-old Boxer.

Tess is very active and would enjoy living with an active family to bring her on lovely long walks and, if you’re a runner, she will run beautifully beside you. Tess has a fabulous coat and loves to be brushed.

Leela has a little heart murmur, which slows her down a bit, but she is still quite active. (Don’t worry – we will help you take care of her medical needs; we just need you to spoil her and give her all the attention she deserves.) They are both great with children, but we’d suggest sturdy children over five years of age as they can be a little over-excitable at times!

If you think you can offer this amazing pair, 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. You can also find them on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

29 June 2017 GAZETTE 15

SHELBOURNE PARK LAUNCHES LIVE RACING FOUR NIGHTS PER WEEK SHELBOURNE PARK, Ireland’s premier greyhound racing stadium has moved to four nights racing per week, making it an ideal venue for a thrilling night out. The stadium will host racing every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night to meet the growing Dublin market.

Getting to the stadium has never been easier with a complimentary return shuttle bus by Dublin Coach that leaves Burgh Quay at 7PM every Friday and Saturday night which will prove popular with after work punters and tourists.

Patrick Flynn, General Manager at Shelbourne Park added “I look forward to welcoming our patrons to Shelbourne Park as we will now be offering live racing four nights a week. The shuttle bus would not be possible were it not for our successful partnership with Dublin Coach which we will seek to build on into the future.”

MAKING A NIGHT OF IT If you are looking to make a night of it, the smart punter will pre-book online to take advantage of the great value offers of admission and fine dining combined. Mid-week restaurant bookings start at €19.50 pp while group packages can include admission, finger food and Tote vouchers.

A restaurant booking brings the extra offering of Tote wagering at your table as you watch the racing from the fantastic views of the Grandstand restaurant. The Tote offers simple wagering

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

‘I look forward to welcoming our patrons to Shelbourne Park as we will now be offering live racing four nights a week. The shuttle bus would not be possible were it not for our successful partnership with Dublin Coach which we will seek to build on into the future’

�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Patrick Flynn, General Manager

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options from as little as €1 with jackpots of up to €1,000.

Shelbourne Park will be available throughout the summer for private events in the outdoor covered BBQ area with a private bar. Events such as

family celebrations can also be held in the 400 seater grandstand restaurant or in the seven corporate suites that offer panoramic views of the track.

In recent years, charities and sports clubs have held successful fundraising nights which can gen-

erate thousands through tickets sales, restaurant packages and sponsorship for worthy causes.

Shelbourne Park will be host to some of the best known classics over the coming months including: the BoylesSports Irish Champion Stakes starting on 29 July, the Dublin Coach Puppy Derby starting 22 September and the BoylesSports Irish Greyhound Derby starting on 17 August, with the final on September 23.

Judging by the numbers attending each week, the extended racing at Shelbourne Park will become a firm favourite in the capital city.

Great value restaurant bookings can be made online at www.gogreyhoundracing.ie or by phoning 1890 269 969.

29 June 2017 GAZETTE 17

DUBLINLIFE

N O S ’ T A H W

E D I U G S T N E EV with JAMES HENDICOTT

Trinity Summer Gig Series

A new series of concerts comes to life at Trinity College, with Gregory Porter opening on July 6. He’ll be followed by appearances from Pixies, Two Door Cinema Club, Alt-J, Bell X1 and James Vincent McMorrow in the illustrious city-centre surrounds..

Late blooming Flowers MUSIC

ONE OF DUBLIN’S BEST LOVED BANDS ON FAMILY, MALI AND GOING VIRAL BEFORE THE

INTERNET EXISTED

MCM Comic Com

The RDS hosts the latest round of the annual, costume-laden event for comic fans. Hosted over the weekend of July 1 and 2, the event is run by MCM, the company currently bringing the Comic Con concept to life around the UK and Ireland, with some events topping 100,000 visitors.

MCM’S COMIC CON HITS THE

RDS

United Against Racism Solidarity Picnic

A family-friendly event with a BBQ in Phoenix Park aims to discuss issues around racism and the direct provision system.

United Against Racism will reveal specific details via their website ahead of the midday meeting on July 3.

The Coronas

Having just released their number one album ‘Trust The Wire’, Danny O’Reilly and co return to the stage at Kilmainham Hospital for their biggest ever headline show. In our recent interview, they promised on-stage fireworks.

The Sad and Beautiful World of Sparklehorse

Whelan’s dedicates a Sunday night in the main venue to this heart-wrenching documentary about the tragic indie band, together with an hour long cover performance of their greatest hits. One for an emotive Sunday night.

Macy Gray

The distinctive vocals of the American R&B legend are best known for how they’re delivered on the stunning hit single ‘I Try’, but Gray’s genre-spanning music has won her broad acclaim outside of the pop world, too. She appears at the National Concert Hall, July 2.

Chapelizod Community Festival

The summer party gets underway down near Phoenix Park, with a week of entertainment ranging from local musicians and comedy to kids and sporting events. The festival runs from July 2 to July 9, and aims to bring the area together.

Stars and Stripes Forever

The American national day gets a bold celebration in St Patrick’s Cathedral, where all things American-music themed are celebrated in a free one-off organ concert, expected to touch on film sounds from Indiana Jones to Star Wars. July 4, naturally.

New album of the week

TLC - TLC. Forever associated amongst those of us of a certain vintage with ‘Pure Shores’ and it’s perfect soundtracking of ‘The Beach’, TLC remain on the comeback trail with the release of their first album since 2013, bought out via their new ‘852 Muziq’ label.

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16 GAZETTE 29 June 2017

 JAMES HENDICOTT TO THE UNINITIATED, it seems like Hothouse Flowers have been on the wind-down for quite sometime.

Despite regular shows, there hasn’t been an album released formally in well over a decade.

The band that emerged from Colaiste Eoin in Booterstown so powerfully that they never had to get real jobs after school might appear to have gone a little quiet. Not for long.

“What’s going on with us is a bit like those people who starting tiling a bathroom in 2002 and still haven’t finished,” Fiachna O’Braonain explains.

“There hasn’t been an album in ten years, yet it feels like we haven’t stopped gigging. We all have very different lives outside the band. I have three children under five. It’s hard to get out of the house.”

“I’ve been doing different projects with different people,” Liam O’Maonlai adds. “I think it was about three years ago we got invited to play in Windmill Lane for Culture Night. In payment for that we got eight days studio time. We didn’t actually avail of it until a year ago. Those eight days really facilitated us.

“Often you can get these gigs where you have to put a lot of money in to set things up, but they wanted us to make a record there.

“And we did, we made a record. We narrowed it down to eleven pieces of music. Maybe towards the end of the summer, maybe earlier, it’ll be here. There’s just a couple of little things to address.”

“There is already an album called ‘Let’s Do This Thing’. It’s on the website but nowhere else. I had a listen to it and decided it didn’t sound quite as good as the rough mixes, so we’ll be putting it out again.

“Everyone who already bought it will get it a sec-

ond time for free, but they’ll be getting anotherversion, another part of the project.”

To many, it must have felt like that album would never arrive.

“Pete [O’Toole]’s return to the band was the missing link in terms of making a record,” O’Maonlai explains of the bassist’s return to the band in 2015 after an eleven year absence. “He’s a musical tour de force.”

Hothouse Flowers date back to shared, musicobsessed 70s school days in south Dublin, a time in which O’Maonlai played in a band alongside My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields, having pushed through his first forays into music slightly against the will of his parents.

“We went viral before the internet,” he recalls. “We were having a ball coming in every day and busking in Dublin. People were getting obsessed with record deals back then, with U2 doing so well. You could tell

people’s heads were getting turned.”

“I only recently heard that Chris Blackwell [the key Island Records man who worked with U2 and The Cranberries] said in interview that his only regret is not signing us. That would have been a great deal. But we were cocksure of ourselves back then. We were bringing houses down, we’d been playing live since we were nine or ten years old in different bands. If you’d try to invent it, you couldn’t have.”

More recently, Hothouse Flowers have been very much about the live outings, but their sound has also been adapted by some impressively outthere experiences exploring other aspects of music.

While O’Braonain has leaned more on family life, O’Maonlai has been seriously exotic in his outlook.

“Africa’s one of the seedbeds of rock and roll,” O’Maonlai says of his exploration of music in Mali.

“The 6/8 rhythm is all over Irish music as well as rock

and roll. It’s such a rich tapestry. It’s tough seeing these countries almost being censored from the world when there’s so much richness in them.”

“In Mali, you meet somebody and they’ll teach you something. I met a guitarist nearTimbuktu, and you’d literally sit next to him and he’d teach you these mad Malian riffs. It was amazing, there’s always that formula between people. The one with something to give and the one with something to receive.”

O’Braonain, who was living in France a few years ago, worked with Belinda Carlisle on her pronunciation for an entire French language album, and ended up dueting with the singer “kind of by accident. I was a placeholder for other singers, but she ended up using my vocal,” he explains.

The band also got involved in the Apollo House movement, after Glen Hansard got in touch.

“He told us to keep our ears to the ground; he called

together mates to be the musical face of the thing. Eyes were on it because there’s a relationship to music, and music’s an in-between territory that doesn’t label anyone. Music is not capitalist, or black, or white,” O’Maonlai says. “Musicians can be involved in very important things just by being present sometimes. It’s a very elemental force.

As for the future? “I think we’d stop if we weren’t enjoying it.” O’Braonain says.

“We still have that love for finding the heart of a room. It doesn’t really matter which room.

“A tough room can bring out great music. When we went out to play, we never did not knowwhat we were going to do. Our career has hinged on that, on those days. We’ll keep going as long as it’s still there.”

Hothouse Flowers bring their powerful live show to Live at Leopardstown on July 13.

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DUBLINLIFE

Mules Rule!

H&M flat slider mules €39.99

 EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

ONE shoe trend is dominating this season and that’s the mule.

This oft forgotten style represents a certain aloofness that can’t be got from other summer sandals.

While it takes a certain type of person to pull off high heeled mules, their lower heeled and flat counter parts are the ideal summer shoe.

Effortlessly elegant, there’s something incredibly feminine about ‘clip-clopping’ around in a pair of mules and the high street has every shape, size, colour and fabric available.

Dune London Meera €125

littlewoodsireland V by Very Floral tapestry mule €41

Topshop NOVEL square toe mules €77

A new home for Bow & Pearl  EMMA NOLAN, Style Editor

DUBLIN boutique Bow & Pearl has moved to Rathmines.

Now taking up residence in the Swan Centre, the brand is going in an “edgier direction” after seven successful years in business.

“We’ll be offering customers unique, high end yet affordable items and we hope they enjoy the selection,” owner Bronagh

O’Sullivan said.

The brand caters for the fashion conscious customer, with Bronagh focusing on buying high-end, unique styles available at a realistic price-tag.

“The store itself has turned out beautifully, we worked with creative director and retail expert Lara

Bronagh O’Sullivan

Curry on the aesthetic of the space and we can’t wait for customers to come in and enjoy the shopping experience,” Bronagh added.

The newly located Bow & Pearl can be found in unit 33 in the Swan Centre, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Their latest collection is also available on www.bowandpearl.com

29 June 2017 GAZETTE 19

New Look pastel blue floral brocade mules €29.99

Ne w lea Loo the r h k ros e e €3 eled m gold 9.9 9 ules

H&M tan ruffle mules €19.99

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DUBLINLIFE

FOOD&DRINK

CITY CENTRE: THE GAZETTE DROPS IN TO CHECK OUT 98FM’S ‘BEST BAR’ WINNER

We confess – this bar is pretty great!  NICK FITZGERALD

THE Confession Box at No 88, Marlborough Street has scooped the title of Dublin’s Best Bar for the second year running, coming out tops in 98FM’s Best of Dublin search.

Proud owners Pauline and Monica Keenan will have owned the bar for seven years by the end of July. The award-winning sisters know Dublin city very well, having worked here for 30 years.

Hailing from The Liberties, the Keenans have now claimed four awards from 98FM – in 2014 and 2015, they also snapped up Dublin’s Best Pint awards.

On winning for the fourth time running, Monica said: “The reason we’ve won is because of our customers, the loyalty we have with them and

the craic we have together!

“It’s like a home from home. It’s real friendly here, with great pint of Guinness.”

One of the smallest pubs across Dublin, The Confession Box sits in the shadow of the Pro-Cathedral – a place which had a big impact on the bar.

Original name During the 1919-1921 War of Independence, the public house was known to locals as The Maid of Erin. At the time, rebel Volunteers, under the leadership of Michael Collins, would often occupy the pub and use it as a refuge.

Sympathetic priests from the Pro-Cathedral established a holding in The Confession Box to listen to the rebels’ confessions, and also provide communion.

Their actions, along

with the size of the pub and its closeness to the Pro-Cathedral, led to The Maid of Erin being nicknamed The Confession Box, as we now know it.

Today, the rebels are long gone, replaced by the sight of three awards placed proudly against the glass of the bar’s frontfacing window. As you step in, you immediately encounter a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Monica told T he Gazette: “Half of them [the customers] wouldn’t know each other, but that’s what it’s like here – once one starts talking, they all start talking! It’s always like that.”

She added: “There’s great enter tainment.

There’s live music all the time and everyone gets on with each other. You could have an 80-year-old sitting with an 18-year-old and they’d still have things

There’s a lot of history inside The Confession Box – not to mention one of the best pints in Dublin

in common; everyone has something in common.”

Locals come from all over the world to visit – yes, locals, usually calling in a few times per year.

People come back from Florida, various parts of America, and Sweden, to name but a few places, actively staying in touch with Pauline and Monica by sending them postcards and emails, even sending presents.

Pauline modestly said: “It’s a typical Irish pub

with friendly banter, it’s what Dublin’s really about – people mixing and chatting and talking, telling their stories; listening, laughing and joking, being there for each other at some stage.

Rallies together “There’s always someone down there that’s less fortunate than yourself, so when that happens everyone rallies together.”

Monica said: “One particular time, a customer of

ours passed away and his daughter hadn’t got the money [for his funeral]. “ Eve r y o n e r a l l i e d around like a community, got the money to bury him, got the money to lay him to rest because everyone gets on and it’s like a big community.”

Micheal O’Nuallain, brother of famous Irish writer Flann O’Brien, frequently graced The Confession Box with his presence. The jack-of-alltrades had one unusual

request: that the staff would heat up his pint of Guinness to room temperature.

Today, punters can enjoy live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, including on Bank Holiday Mondays.

The Confession Box is open from MondayThursday from 11am to 11:30pm; Friday and Saturday from 11am to 1:30am, and on Sunday from 11am to 11:30pm; telephone 01 874 7339.

Neven Maguire cooks up a storm with Dunnes Stores ONE of Ireland’s best loved chefs and Brand

The Simply Better collection is one of the

said: “Through our Simply Better Collection,

Ambassador for Dunnes Stores’ Simply Bet-

most successful food brands in Ireland, with

we want people to have the best ingredients

ter Collection, Neven Maguire, launched a new

over 250 food awards since it was established

to cook restaurant quality food at home. The

magazine COOK with Neven Maguire, devel-

in 2013. At present there are 350 products

Summer edition of COOK with Neven Maguire

oped to nurture people’s passion for cooking

in the collection with plans to introduce 100

will make this even easier, with a magazine

at home with easy to follow recipes devised

new and exciting products this year. All of the

packed full of mouthwatering dishes that

exclusively by Neven for Simply Better.

products are chosen for their provenance,

even the most culinary challenged could

many from small producers, and all with a

master!”

As well as an abundance of delicious Pictured at the launch is Dermot Murphy, Simply Better

recipes, the magazine will feature the Simply

nod to the past, where food was made “in the

brand manager, Neven Maguire and Daragh Lawles,

Better ‘Food Heroes’ - stories of some of the

right way”.

Simply Better marketing and design brand manager.

food producers involved in bringing the best

Picture Andres Poveda

quality food to homes across Ireland.

Speaking about COOK with Neven, Diarmuid Murphy, Simply Better brand manager

The magazine which will be available in Dunnes Stores nationwide and online, was launched in Dunnes Stores, Swan Shopping Centre, Rathmines.

DUBLINLIFE

TRAVEL

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29 June 2017 GAZETTE 21

STAYCATIONS: WHY JET OUT WHEN YOU CAN LIVE THE HIGH LIFE RIGHT HERE IN IRELAND

HaveaRadtimebythebanksof theShannoninancientAthlone PACK up the family for a fun-filled summer break at the newly refurbished Radisson Blu Hotel,Athlone.

Enjoy a family break for two adults and two kids including breakfast on both mornings, a delicious dinner on the evening of your choice in Element’s Bistro and a choice of either a family visit to Glendeer Pet Farm or a family pass to Athlone Castle so you can make the most of the summer sun.

The kids will be kept more than

happy with plenty of activities in the hotel’s Kids Camp while mum and dad can explore the maritime town of Athlone, fit in some exercise in Synergy Health & Leisure Club or simply enjoy a drink in the Quayside Bar & Lounge or out on the terrace overlooking Athlone Marina.

The summer family break packages are available from €255 so trade in the daily grind for some leisure time at Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone. Call 090 644 2600 to book.

EIRE GO BREAK Luxury on Ice

WHATEVER your perfect Wild Atlantic Way break is, the sumptuous Ice House in north Mayo is the perfect base.

Overlooking the River Moy and the woodlands beyond, the Ice House is in the perfect location to wrap yourself in the wilderness of the West Coast of Ireland, all the while enjoying the fantastic food, soothing spa, bubbling hot tubs and

DON’T fancy queuing at check-in desks and waiting for bags for hours on end? Well there’s no need, with beautiful scenery and wonderful accommodation on offer right here at home. Treat yourself, your better half, or the entire family to a staycation in the most wonderful place on earth – our own little island of Ireland.

super service that this award winning boutique hotel offers.

With a two night break starting from €284 per person sharing including dinner on one evening, the Ice House can also book their guests in with Rachel’s Irish Adventures (www. rachelsirishadventures. com)for hiking, tours, watersports and other adventures.

Faithlegg House Hotel has it all MAKE a change this summer and embrace the great outdoors from the picturesque haven of Faithlegg House Hotel and Golf Resort in Co Waterford.

The hotel’s central location makes it the ideal base to discover the coastal county’s hidden gems. Explore the ancient east through the Waterford Greenway, a spectacular 46km off-road cycling trail along an old railway line between Waterford and Dungarvan.

And after a long day exploring, head back to Faithlegg, slip down to the Estuary Spa for a treatment, a dip in the jacuzzi or retreat to a cosy armchair in the Aylward Lounge.

That evening savour a delicious meal in the award winning Roseville Rooms Restaurant prepared by head chef Jenny Flynn using the finest ingredients from local producers you may have passed on your cycle!

The Get and Go Greenway package at Faithlegg House Hotel is available from €179 per person sharing and includes a two-night stay in luxurious accommodation, breakfast on both mornings and dinner on the night of your choice in the Roseville Rooms Restaurant. To book, call 051 382000 orvisit www.faithlegg.com.

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DUBLINLIFE

FASTNews

Taking the crew to

Van drivers have extra choices with the crew cab offers that allow for comfort and safety for all passengers along with a decent carrying load area, as MICHAEL MORONEY discovered when he loaded up the Renault Trafic crew cab for a lengthy test run.

The new larger Polo claims to bring the future to the compact car class with more space and more technology as standard

Volkswagen’s Sixth generation bigger Polo is on the way VOLKSWAGEN has a new sixth generation car on the way, following the model success which has clocked up more than 14 million units sold. One of the world’s best selling compact cars is undergoing an entirely new exterior design change.

The new model will have a longer wheelbase for more comfort, and more interior space as well as a bigger and 25% bigger boot. The interior will be more spacious and comes with a new cockpit layout structured for the digital world. The car will be offered with front assist, blind spot detection, adaptive cruise control and LED headlights like in the Golf class.

There will be a choice of efficient TSI (petrol), TGI (natural gas) and TDI (diesel) engines in the new Polo.

The car will be offered with an array of assistance systems which previously was only familiar in larger Volkswagen cars.

Most drivers under-prepared after passing driving test NEW research by Liberty Insurance shows that 61%

RENAULT offers van drivers a wide choice in the mid-range sector vans based around its popular Trafic van. For those van drivers who need the flexibility to combine load space with people carrying capacity, the crew cab van ensures that all passengers are safe and secure.

When it comes to describing the new generation of Renault Trafic crew cab, you can also add passenger comfort and space.

From a driver’s point of view crew cab vans like the Renault Trafic crew cab, no longer present a daunting driving prospect because there is scope to add fittings that help with manoeuvrability and ease of driving.

That was my experience when I recently took the long wheelbase version of the Renault Trafic crew cab for a

thankfully, those days are gone for van drivers.

The high seating posiSPECIFICATIONS tion in the Renault Trafic Enginesize (litre) 1.6

crew cab gives the driver Engine power (hp) 145 and passengers great road visibility. Entry to the van Engine Torque(Nm) 340 could be helped with some 0 – 100km/hr (seconds) 10.2 grab handles, which were Economy (km/litre) 16 an obvious omission, as

(6.3/100km or 45mpg) the entry height requires Fuel Tank Capacity (litres) 80 a significant lift compared AdBlue Capacity (litres) 20 with a car or SUV. Setting up for comfort CO2 emissions(g/km) 164 after that was easy, with Road Tax Band Commercial €333 great seat adjustment Main Service 30,000km/24 months and the added comfort of Towing rating(kg) 2,000 driver armrests. The rear Warranty 5 years (200,000km) passengers were not forPayload (kg) 1,040 gotten and they too were provided with armrest, Entry Price €29,495 full seatbelts and for those lengthy 1,160km test run. pay their way. Noise lev- with family transport Once behind the wheel els are better controlled needs, there are two ISOthe comfortable seating than in the past, so that fix couplings for reliable position in modern vans with a crew on board, child seat fitting. you can actually hold a became obvious.

The van is a working Modern vans like the conversation. That might area for many users – it Renault Trafic crew cab seem a strange remark, combines the transport are built for comfort, for but vans of old were more role with that of a worklengthy days behind the functional than comfort- shop and mobile office. wheel, as vans have to able or sound proof and, There needs to be lot of

Renault Trafic dCi 145 Crew Cab

small item storage as well as the flexibility to convert for larger items. Here the Renault Trafic crew cab excels with deep side door storage, under-seat storage was well as lots of room to deter drivers from filling the windscreen area.

Out on the road the Renault Trafic crew cab drives with confidence as its twin-turbo diesel 1.6litre engine pumps out 145bhp of power. That was more than adequate for me with a partial load and some passengers.

That engine size may look small, while it delivers 340Nm of torque enough to allow it to tow a two tonne load, as well.

This modern design van engine comes with Stop & Start technology and the new regenerative braking system, called Energy Smart Management. Renault claims that this helps the Trafic to

of drivers feel under-prepared for the road even after passing their practical test. The research has also shown that half of all drivers under 30 do not feel confident when driving in certain places or performing particular manoeuvres, like reverse parallel parking and using major roundabouts with multiple exits. Only two-in-five of all drivers claim to be ‘very confident’ in these areas.

In addition to a lack of confidence in their own ability, seven-in-10 drivers think that Irish roads are more hazardous than they were a decade ago. This opinion is higher among females (81%), older drivers aged 55-64 (76%) and residents of Connacht/Ulster (79%).

Deirdre Ashe, director of Personal Lines at Liberty Insurance, said: “In many ways, this isn’t entirely surprising. Our roads are busier than ever before, with more distractions for drivers, like smart phones. Adding to the danger is the huge number of uninsured private vehicles on Irish roads, estimated by the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) to be over 151,000.

“In light of these findings, we all as drivers have a duty in taking greater personal responsibility for our actions on the road,” she said. “In short, our findings demonstrate the importance of the ongoing collaboration between government and industry in the promotion of safer driving, particularly among younger drivers and in regional areas with less developed infrastructure.”

Colour campaign for Jeep 172 offers JEEP is now offering the option of any colour shade in a new complimentary colour offer available on the range of SUV’s from Jeep Renegade to the Grand Cherokee for 172 registrations. In addition, they are offering three years’ free servicing, competitive financing and upgrade offers designed to appeal to anyone looking for a new 172 model.

Jeep’s most compact model, the Renegade, is available from €22,950 and with PCP or HP finance offers.

The Jeep brand is always distinctive, and the wide stance 4x4’s come with exceptional glass-to- wheel proportions. The Jeep range is immediately recognisable as a Jeep thanks to characteristic traditional design cues, such as the seven-slot grille and Jeep has included a host of colour options for new 172 Jeep orders and the new Jeep Compass is on the way for later this year the trapezoidal wheel arches.

29 June 2017 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

MOTORING

the Trafic in comfort and style

The Renault Trafic crew cab van has an impressive specification that blends practical load space with driver and passenger comfort for the full crew or family. Entry prices start at €29,495.

achieve fuel economy of up to 16 (6.3/100km or 45mpg).

During my test drive I

was typically about 30% off that rated figure, while the overall performance still gave me an impres-

sive range of 945km on a full diesel tank. That to me is economical driving performance for a big van

with passenger and load capacity.

Renault drivers have the option of using the

Eco system by pressing a dash mounted button for enhanced economy. I noted the economy difference when put to the test.

I found it a useful feature that will save fuel on longer runs, while it was difficult to be exact on the level of fuel saving.

The Renault Trafic crew cab uses the AdBlue fuel system to give lower CO2 and NOx levels, essentially a cleaner exhaust.

Entry prices for the shorter Renault Trafic crew cab van start at €29,495 and that’s about €6,000 more than the standard van. The advantages of the extra seats to allow six to travel in comfort and safety are obvious when you have to carry people as well as gear.

The dash design on the Renault Trafic crew cab is modern and car-like with easy access controls and a steering wheel that’s comfortable to use and not too big and (below) the side doors slide open wide on the long wheelbase to give great second row seat access

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DUBLINLIFE ReelReviews

BABY DRIVER

Fast-paced thrills galore ANSEL Elgort makes a great impression in Baby Driver (Cert 15A, 113 mins) – not easy to do, when the rest of the film is such a blast. He’s great as the titular getaway driver caught in an increasingly murky job, but the film itself is pretty captivating, with some top-notch visuals and its excellent soundtrack making it one of most engaging films of the summer. Worth racing over to catch.

WONDER WOMAN

A welcome introduction

Hopefully, the last one There’s no denying that the film can look pretty spectacular, with some top-notch special effects and often great cinematography. However, its eye-popping visuals aside, there’s little to recommend or even like here, with its turgid plot, awkward sexism and generally dire script likely to bore and annoy in equal measure.

 SHANE DILLON WHAT can you say about this latest Transformers film (Transformers: The Last Knight; Cert 12A, 150 mins) which hasn’t already been said about all of its predecessors?

When you get into the nuts and bolts of it, T5 – the fifth in the interminable series – shifts things around a bit, but in essence it’s just a variation on the Transformers theme.

Were it not for the addition of Anthony Hopkins delivering key exposition dumps (slumming it big-time after his charismatic turn in TV’s superb Westworld) and an almost Monty Pythonian sledgehammering of King Arthur into the franchise’s lore, you’d be hardpressed to spot the difference between this and director Michael Bay’s previous Transformer films.

This time round, Bay throws the Trans-

former multiverse wide open, lobbing in a plot McGuffin to send the film careening along from spectacle to spectacle.

Turns out that the Transformers have been fighting their interminable war for a very long time, with Merry Olde Englande – courtesy of King Arfurr and pals – also playing a key role in their age-old battle of the planets.

That McGuffin I just mentioned?

Some ancient Transformer high-tech gadgetry (in effect, a magic staff) which could change the fate of the Transformer civil war in our time – but which proved very handy back then when given to Arthur, and his bumbling Merlin, to get their act together and forge their legend.

Flash forward to today, and we return to Cade Yeager (a scruffy and often confused-looking Mark Wahlberg) as the regular joe (and awesome all-American-hero) mechanic-inventor

once again at the centre of everything.

After decimating Chicago, the Transformers are hiding out at Yeager’s junkyard, as they’re now regarded as dangerous and illegal aliens by the powers that be. Still, they’re continuing to fight against the evil Decepticon robots, and keep trying to protect Earth.

Out of nowhere, said high-tech but hidden staff is now the key to winning the Transformers war (because, y’know, plot McGuffin), and so the race is on to find it, with twists and scraps a-plenty along the way.

There’s more to the plot than that, of course – much, much more, with the film’s bum-numbing run time dragging things on and on and on – but if you’re looking for an engrossing plot in a Transformers tale, brother, this ain’t the film for you.

Instead, director Bay has just followed his usual shtick, creating anoth-

er film that couldn’t be anything but a Transformers tale, with everything from admittedly terrific special effects to casual sexism, product placements and endless slo-mo shots and explosions to get through.

As such, as a two hour-plus FX reel, Transformers rocks! But as an actual film with a compelling plot, a strong narrative, likeable characters, sharp dialogue or cohesive editing, however ... not so much.

Ultimately it’s almost impossible to score a Transformers tale like this – people know they’re truly terrible films, but will still go to see it in their droves.

So, I’ll give it one mark for Tony Hopkins, one for some terrific special effects, one for its mildly entertaining King Arthur stuff, and one for the merciful arrival of the end credits. That gives us .. 4/10

WONDER Woman (Cert 12A, 141 mins) is still wowing on the big screen in her first big-budget blockbuster. The film gets a few things wrong, with some stodgy pacing making the first act drag on, but Gal Gadot is pretty great as the titular Amazonian princess, bringing some understated wit, empathy and the requisite physical prowess to the role. Look out for a Wonder-ful sequel!

CARDBOARD GANGSTERS Unfolding Dublin drama

CARDBOARD Gangsters (Cert 18, 92 mins) definitely impresses with a slice of Irish life you won’t see in any glossy tourism ads.

The gritty film could have been set in half a dozen deprived Dublin places, not just Darndale. Lead John Connors impresses, as a group of young thugs try to move up the criminal ladder. It’s fairly grim stuff, but it’s well made, and a decent modern Irish film.

29 June 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

CINEMA

Sophie Glligan, Amelia Devlin, Loriane Keane and Romy Devlin

Ryan O’Dwyer Dublin GAA hurler is pictured with family Oisin, Lucy and wife Cliona. Pictures: Andres Poveda Baz Ashmawy with daughters Mahy and

Felix, Arlo and Casper Quick from

Hanna

Ringsend

Three times the Despicable charm T

HE Universal Pictures Irish premiere screening of Despicable Me 3 was held at the Savoy Cinema at the weekend, much to the delight of Minion fans, young and old. Steve Carell brings Gru back to life for the third epic delight full of super villians, lots of bubble gum, a priceless diamond and maybe even a long lost twin brother...?

Twins Leo and Lucy Olivia Ruberton, Lucy and Abbie Donnelly from Finglas

Mellon from Sandyford

Twins Ben and Nahan Coyle from Rathfarnham

Conor Stynes from Lucan

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 29 June 2017

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28 BLANCH GAZETTE 29 June 2017

SPORT

FastSport GYMNASTICS SUMMER CAMPS: OLYMPIAN Gymnastics’ recreational summer camps will get underway next week for the first of seven weeks which give gymnasts a chance to progress their gymnastics in a fun and encouraging environment over a one week period.

The camps will take place at Templeogue College St. Colmcille’s Community School, Knocklyon and Alexandra College, Milltown, running from 9.30am to 2.30pm daily.

The cost of the camps are €100 for a five-day Camp while there is a €10 sibling/ additional camp discount.

Week one of the camps runs from Monday, July 3 to Friday, July 7 with further camps beginning on July 10, 17, 24, 31 and August 7 and 14.

To register your child for Summer Camps, log on to www.olympiangymnastics.com with online registration open now.

For further queries or information. contact info@olympiangymnastics.com or 086 082 5737.

BOXING: BALLYFERMOT MAN BEATS CRUISE TO CLAIM MIDDLEWEIGHT BELT

Cool Hand Keeler takes Irish title by narrowest margin

 KARL GRAHAM sport@dublingazette.com

LUKE Keeler shrugged off a broken hand to become the new Irish middleweight champion at the National Boxing Stadium in Dublin on Saturday night after securing a narrow one point win over Darren Cruise.

The 30-year-old from Ballyfermot and Roscommon’s Cruise were competing in the headline fight of Red Corner’s ‘For Honour and Pride’ card as both looked to leave the ring with the previously vacant title wrapped around their waist.

The fight got off to a cagey start but both fighters managed to land a big shot during the opening exchanges. Keeler was looking busier in the ring but Cruise was picking his punches well.

Round two saw Keeler take a front step in the fight but Cruise hit back at the Dubliner during the third.

“Cool Hand” Keeler dominated the fourth round with some good work to his opponent’s body but the Roscrea man hit back in the next round as he pushed the Ballyfermot

Luke Keeler piles on the punishment on Darren Cruise. Picture: Laszlo Geczo

man onto the ropes.

The damage to Keeler’s right hand became noticeable during the sixth as he held back on launching hooks in favour of more jab work. Cruise took advantage to make a good start but Keeler eventually got back into the swing of things and finished the round stronger.

Cruise started the seventh

with a big right followed by a hook to the body in an attempt to slow down Keeler. The Celtic Warrior man was then reprimanded by the referee for a low shot that seemed to have little negative effect on Cruise.

Accuracy In round eight, Cruise once again started well to land some accurate jabs that Keeler sim-

ply had no answer for, and took the round easily.

Keeler was knocked back during the ninth as the trend of Cruise dominating the opening exchanges of the round continued. However, Keeler got his jab back into the mix and finished well to take the round.

The fight was tight as the final round got underway and

it was evident that both fighters knew they still had every chance of seeing their hand lifted into the air upon completion.

Shots were exchanged but it was Keeler who seemed to have the cleaner of them. The mid-section of the round saw a lull as both tired but Cruise was determined to have the last say and landed with a big straight.

Neither fighter deserved to lose the bout but Keeler managed to pip it with a final score of 96-95 to take his first title and give his European ranking a boost. Talks of a rematch are beginning to circulate but Keeler is likely to turn his attentions towards earning a shot at a European title.

There was no such luck for Castleknock’s Stephen Collins as he came unstuck against Mullingar’s Paddy McDonagh in the battle for the vacant light heavyweight title on the same card.

Collins was dropped in the first round and eventually went on to lose 97-94 on referee David Irvine’s scorecard, recording the first defeat of his professional career.

Net gains for Republic of Ireland side at Quad series  BERNARD DUFF sport@dublingazette.com

The Republic of Ireland netball team ahead of their game with Barbados in Lisburn last weekend. Picture: Michael Lowther

THE Republic of Ireland netball team season came to a close last weekend in Lisburn. Six fixtures in seven days was a grueling workload for an amateur organisation but the Irish ladies could look back on their efforts with immense appreciation.

It was certainly a summer that could be divided into two phases for a side based predominantly in south Dublin. Ireland dominated the European Championships second tier competition in Aber-

deen in May. In that tournament, they put together four back-toback victories as they dominated.

In truth though, the 24th world ranked ladies were really looking forward to the challenge at last week’s Summer Quad Series in Lisburn, competing with Northern Ireland (ranked 12), Barbados (11th) and Singapore (19th).

For Republic of Ireland, the standard meant their panel of 12 was tested to the limit. Wins against Barbados and Northern Ireland were not expected and the team lost by some margin in both games; 55-21 and 68-20

respectively.

But Irish Goal Defense Gen Slater explained: “Against each team there was a specific goal.

For three of the four quarters against Barbados, we met our goals of losing by a quarter by five or less. We rarely played as well as we did against Barbados.

“The really poor quarter was the next day in the last quarter.

By then, against Northern Ireland, we were gassed”.

Slater was among Ireland’s best performers across the week: “I have the experience of playing the hard games where it’s

just go all the time but a lot of the younger girls are only getting that experience by playing here in these games.”

Playing with a swollen knee, goal keeper Kate Bermingham had the least enviable job of marking a superstar Goal Shooter for each nation. Barbados’ Shonica Wharton (39 goals from 41 shots), Northern Ireland’s Lisa Bowman (45 from 47) and the player of the tournament Singapore’s Charmaine Soh (72 from 77 combined in the group game and third/fourth place game) showed no mercy.

29 June 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Ice man Turner turns up heat for Channel record North Dublin man joins up with Infinity team to be part of the first group to swim from the Isle of Man to Ireland, fighting through sea sickness and fog to reach Ardglass

Top tier Para-Badminton comes to Blanchardstown

 JAMES HENDICOTT

 BERNARD DUFF

sport@dublingazette.com

THE FZ Forza Irish Para-Badminton International 2017 took place in the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown last weekend with Paralympic motivation very much on the mind.

Now in its third year, the large space of the new venue proved to be favourable with competitors having been moved from the smaller Antrim Forum.

With para-badminton recently included for its maiden outing at the 2020 Toyko Summer Olympics, it meant that some of the 132 athletes participating from 28 countries had a real chance of gaining a dream ticket to Tokyo.

Para-badminton has six different categories and the eight strong Irish playing team were represented in five. Over the four days of the tournament, an incredible 21 different competitions took place.

In Wheelchair 1 & 2 (WH1-WH2) Ireland were represented by Michael Curry and Chris Stewart in the men’s and in the women’s Laura Lee Jenkins teamed up with Scotland’s Fiona Christie in doubles.

It was the Jenkins/Christie pairing who gained a bronze medal. They won two of three matches in their group before losing in the semi-final to Swiss pair Mathez/Suther-Erath (21-13, 21-14).

The wheelchair categories are played on a wooden floor rather than the familiar matting and the court is half as wide as a standard court.

In Standing Lower (SL4), which is played on a full court, Stephen Halpin and Wayne Brerenton didn’t qualify out of their group. Likewise, in Standing Upper (SU4), Owen Casey found the going tough.

In the final category, Short Stature 6 (SS6), Ireland had the most success, winning two bronze medals bringing the weekend’s tally to three bronze medals.

In the men’s singles, Niall McVeigh lost in the semi-final to eventual champion England’s Krysten Coombs (19-21, 10-21). After winning two and losing two, Emma Farnham did enough to also claim a coveted bronze medal.

Ireland manager Eugene McVeigh said: “This is really eight years work to get where we are. The national badminton centre in Lisburn is our base and Ulster Badminton has been really supportive.

Next stop now is the World Champs in Korea in November”.

ICE swimmer Conor Turner took on a new challenge earlier this month, as part of the first team ever to swim from the Isle of the Man to Ireland, a step away from his usual challenges in terms of distance, environment and practical difficulties.

Turner came to the fore in the rarefied world of ice swimming this winter, when he came second in the world championship in Germany, and very much focuses his swimming career on the winter event these days.

Having been invited to participate in the international team crossing the distance of just under 70km in the Irish Sea, Turner arrived somewhat

blind.

“Every other member of the team has been involved in an [English] channel crossing,” Turner told the Gazette. “I got the invite from Infinity Channel Swimming, whose baby it is, and pretty much just turned up and swam. They did the research, organisation, worked out the detail and all that.”

Turner’s team are the first ever to complete the distance, taking 18 hours, eight minutes and 32 seconds. the six members rotated on hourlong stints and Turner set off from the Isle of Man end. The finishing time enabled the Dubliner to personally complete the swim in Ardglass, County Down. His team consisted of Turner himself, Carole Laport

Conor Turner on the swim between the Isle of Man and Ardglass .

(France), Anna Carin Nordin (Sweden), Rory Fitzgerald (GB/Ireland), and Elina Makïnen (Finland).

“We swam alongside a rig,” Turner explained.

“People gave us instructions and direction, and we swam for an hour each time. It was daylight for all but three or four hours but the first parts were very rough.

“I tried to treat my section of the swim like a 5km, which takes about an hour, and is a distance I’d be quite used to. I swam at about 85% to account for it being an hour of effort. Then you change over which means one swimmer dropping back and the next getting in the water and swimming past them.”

The toughest stages

for Turner were actually in the boat, however, though he admitted the best bit of each hour was “getting back out”.

“I got quite seasick, which isn’t something I’ve had to worry about before,” he said. “The second shift, I was getting into the water between 1 and 2am, and because I’d been sick, I

though I probably will.

You learn from this, and I prefer to learn my own lessons, as something that works for someone else might not work for me, and vice versa.

“There’s definitely big adaptions necessary in the preparation: how to eat, how to rest, that kind of thing if I’m going to do something like this

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

‘I don’t find the temperature difficult; 12 or 13 degrees is tropical compared to ice swimming.’ - Conor Turner

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was running on fumes.

That was pretty difficult.

“There was plenty of wildlife, lots of jellyfish stings. But I didn’t find the temperature particularly difficult, at 12-13 degrees. That’s tropical compared to the ice swimming.”

The swim ended with some modest drama, as fog descended and the team struggled with navigation into the planned finish in Ardglass harbour. “We ended up a kilometre or so off course,” Turner recalled.

“But we just went in to the shore, stood up on the rocks and marked the finish. Then got back in the boat to go to the harbour. You couldn’t see 20 metres in front of you face; the fog just came in from nowhere in the last hour and a half.

“I’m not sure I’d do something like this again,

again. It’s a different kind of thing to the swimming I’ve done before and I’m not sure I understand the motivation behind it, if I’m honest.

“It’s very tough and not always that enjoyable.

“But it was some feeling standing at the end knowing that your team is the first to ever do that swim.”

Turner’s main goals this season remain with the ice swimming championship, with his training ramping up in Autumn for next year’s event in Estonia, though he is a little concerned by the reduced distance – 450 metres instead of 1,000.

In the meantime, he’ll be competing in a range of sea swims, ramping up to five and 10km towards the end of the summer.

“For fun,” as you do.

GAZETTE

30 BLANCH GAZETTE 29 June 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

BOXING: EARLY STUMBLE PROVES COSTLY AT THE NATIONAL STADIUM

Wonderful Ward strike puts Celts into final four CASTLEKNOCK Celtic’s Under-11A1 side beat Esker Celtic in the quarter-final of the Paul Fitzgerald Cup in Porterstown Park last weekend in fine fashion.

An overcast day greeted the sides, providing a big contrast to recent weeks when the weather had been Mediterranean and sun-block was an essential part of your kit.

Nonetheless, the dull skies did not dampen the spirits of Castleknock for an evenly contested tie early on. But, as it progressed, Castleknock gained the upper hand though they were unable to break through in the first half.

The second half was largely more of the same. Castleknock were going close, with Callum Ward, Dillion George and Stephen Kane seeing their efforts bravely saved by the Esker keeper or off target.

Esker were creating chances too, but Sam Morris in the home team’s goal was in sparkling form, commanding his box, sweeping and distributing like a player of much greater experience.

In defence, Castleknock had Cillian Clark, Joe Barker, Finn O’Neill, Jack Reid and Shay Daly, all of whom formed a rock solid rearguard with little from Esker penetrating through them.

In midfield, Joshua Young and Stephen Kane were posing major problems for Esker, which formed a launch pad for numerous attacks.

Kane’s energy level and skill-set are a driving force for many of the team’s attacks while frustrating opponents as they try to counter.

Up front, Ward was a real danger man, demonstrating a great touch and finesse, while Dillion George showed great energy and, on another day, would have been rewarded with a goal.

While Castleknock had the lion’s share of the play and chances, there was always the danger of Esker finding the target. It was still 0-0 at full time and extra time followed.

A minute into the first period, the ball found its way to Ward who let fly from 12 metres, beating the excellent Esker keeper with the power of his shot. Esker fought for an equaliser, and they did go close in the final minute. But the ref blew his final whistle which gives Castleknock a deserved place in the semi-final.

Steve Collins Junior lines up a punch against Paddy McDonagh last Saturday evening. Picture: Laszlo Geczo

Collins’ title hopes dashed IRISH TITLE FIGHT  KARL GRAHAM sport@dublingazette.com

STEVE Collins Jr missed out on becoming the new Irish light-heavyweight champion at the National Boxing Stadium in Dublin on Saturday night after a three point loss to Paddy McDonagh.

The 27-year-old from Castleknock, and Mullingar’s McDonagh, were competing on the card of Red Corner’s For Honour and Pride event as both looked to leave the ring with the previously vacant title wrapped around their waist.

Collins was undefeated

going into the fight having secured victory in 10 of his first 11 bouts, after turning his back on a promising career in rugby to follow in the footsteps of his two-weight world champion father.

The Dubliner went into the bout as the bookies’ favourite against an opponent that was the last man to hold the title after winning it back in 2012. He was eventually stripped of the belt due to inactivity.

Round one was not ideal for Collins as he hit the canvas following a straight left from McDonagh but the damage seemed minimal as

PREMIER PERFORMANCE Eleventh straight win for Corduff Under-14s CORDUFF’S Under-14 Premier side earned a 2-0 win over Swords Celtic last weekend, continuing their perfect record after 11 games in their division.

They took the lead inside five minutes when Ross Douglas connected on to a through ball to slot the ball past the keeper. Corduff made it 2-0 on 30 minutes when Brandon Hennessy caught a cross from Jaye Fitzgerald sweet in to the top corner. Swords showed up well, though, and caused plenty of problems with Corduff keeper Sean Farrell named man of the match.

he rose to his feet quickly. He was visibly angry at being knocked down so early but his anger proved detrimental as McDonagh stunned him with another big shot moments before the bell.

McDonagh had the better of the early exchanges in round two by landing a number of big hits but Collins responded well to quell the tide of blows coming his way.

The third round was a much more even affair as the two big men traded big shots in a round that was tough to call.

McDonagh seemed to wane a little in the fourth

and Collins looked like he was finally getting to grips with the fight.

However, a strong finish from the Westmeath man looked to have seen him nick the round.

The Mullingar man had a big round in the fifth as Collins’ plan of luring him onto the ropes backfired and resulted in the former landing two huge rights.

The sixth round was one of the fight’s best as McDonagh continued to land big hits but his opponent chose to work by numbers. Shots were exchanged throughout and both unleashed on each other during the

final 30 seconds of the bout.

McDonagh continued the trend of landing big shots early on as the seventh round got underway and he survived a midround surge from Collins to finish well and take the round.

The next two were scrappy affairs before Collins came out in the tenth looking for a knockout blow. He pressed hard but McDonagh was still capable of landing the big shots at important times and when the final bell was rung, his hand was lifted in the air following a final score line of 97-94.

29 June 2017 BLANCH GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

FOOTBALL: BACK-TO-BACK UNDER-14 NATIONAL GLORY

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST BRIGID’S DON’T miss out on St Brigid’s summer

en-year-olds welcome. Our nursery will

camps; the club camp is July 24-28 (age

then take a summer break.

four to 12), Kellogg’s Cul Camp is August

Big hurling week just gone by with a

14-18 (age six to 12) and the nursery

great championship win for our junior

camp is August 21-25 (age four to six),

team.

you can book place and pay via the button on the website.

Keep up with all our news on our website, www.stbrigidsgaa.com.

Congratulations to Dublin and the St Brigid’s panellists Paddy Andrews, Noe-

Roselawn Inn on Thursday, June 29 with

lle Healy, Ciara Trant and Deirdre Mur-

a jackpot of €3,600. Thanks to all our

phy on Leinster semi-final wins at the

members and friends who support St

weekend.

The nursery continues this Saturday,

NATIONAL FEILE DIV 3  PADDY HEWSON sport@dublingazette.com

FOR the second year running, Castleknock collected a national football Feile title with a win over Mungret St Paul’s to capture the Division 3 trophy in Fermanagh last weekend.

With a scoreline of 4-5 to 0-4, the Limerick champions were beaten by the Dublin 15 club whose winning ways have been the stuff of dreams.

When Ciaran Kilkenny lifted Castleknock’s first Feile title 10 years ago this month, it sowed the seeds for further success which in recent years has borne major fruit.

Castleknock’s winning formula brought Division 1 success last year and this successful run shows little sign of abating.

Having taken this year’s Dublin title with notable scoring ability, Castleknock’s superior fire power was again evident from early in the competition.

In their opening game, two goals from Reuban

Cahill and a goal from Gavin Murphy Kane helped the Somerton side to a 3-7 to 1-6 win over Tipperary side Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams.

With further decisive wins over Cavan Gaels and Drumlane, Castleknock earned a quarter final match up with Sarfields of Wexford.

A penalty for the Wexford side ensured this game was brought to the wire but a Finn Woodger goal and a Cahill point put three points between the sides at the final whistle to give Castleknock a semi-final place.

Westmeath provided the semi-final opposition in the shape of Coralstown-Kinnegad. In this encounter, Knock keeper Alex Conroy showed his worth with some fine saves and Michael Ryan impressed with a well taken goal.

With Kinnegad restricted to two scores, the west Dublin side were propelled into the final on a score line of 2-2 to 0-2 The final, played at a breezy Derrygonnelly in

Fermanagh, saw the Dubliners hit the ground running.

Two quickfire goals from Gavin MurphyKane and Roman Lakhman started Castleknock smartly. It was a first-class game of football where both teams showed why they had reached the final.

A couple of frees brought Mungret into the game but Castleknock scoring prowess added a couple of fine points to

lead at half time by 2-2 to 0-3.

The second half saw the Castleknock lads play some of their best football of the competition as they dominated the exchanges and won all the breaking ball.

Castleknock proved their finishing quality as the clock ran down with Ryan McCormack rounding off the scoring by rattling the Mungret net to claim the honours of the day.

Jude’s on Saturday by the same margin.

lotto jackpot; the next draw is in the

lotto committee.

Castleknock’s Feile Kings strike again

macud Crokes by a point and a loss to St

There was no winner of last week’s

Brigid’s club lotto and to our brilliant

Castleknock with their Dublin and national John West GAA Féile Peile na nÓg Boys Division 3 Cups. Picture: Michael Cryan

The senior hurlers had mixed fortunes, an excellent win midweek over Kil-

July 1, from 9.30 to 11am. All four to sev-

CASTLEKNOCK

St Brigid’s would like to express their sincere sympathy to the Tobin family, the O’Byrne family and the Tuite family who have suffered recent bereavements.

OUR nursery, with thanks to Tigers

land Feile Peil champions! Big thank you

Childcare, continues next Saturday at

to mentors and parents for their hard

Tir na nOg/Somerton/CCC. New mem-

work throughout the year and to Drum-

bers always welcome. Nursery enquiries

lane GFC for the warm welcome.

to lisakiernan1@gmail.com.

There was no winner of our lotto jack-

Congratulations to Ciaran and the Dubs on a great win over Westmeath.

pot in association with Rialto Ford. The

Hard luck to the minor A footballers

numbers drawn were 13, 16, 24 and 26

lost out in their last league game of the

and there was five match three winners,

season to ultimate league winners St

each getting €60.

Jude’s in a close game in Tymon North.

The lucky dip winner was Mick Hagan.

The club would like to wish its deep-

The next draw is on June 29 in DeBruns

est sympathies to Murray family on the

with a jackpot of €4,400.

death of Colm’s mother Carmel, Claire,

Massive congratulations to our U-14 boys on being crowned Division 3 All-Ire-

NAOMH PEREGRINE

HUGE congratulations to St Peregrine’s

Ciara, Conor and Mark’s grandmother.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

Leinster final.

ladies’ darts team who finished third in

We look forward to seeing some more

the North Dublin League after winning

of the same on the big screen in the club

their playoff match. Well done ladies, a

in just a few weeks’ time. Will be a great

well-deserved accomplishment. We look

day out for the whole family.

forward to hearing more great results.

Mary Murtagh will be taking ticket

If you didn’t see the Dublin game on

orders shortly for the upcoming final in

Sunday, you missed our very own Eric

Croke Park. Keep an eye on our Facebook

Lowndes make a perfect pass to Dean

page for further details.

Rock to score the first goal of the game.

Cul camps: six to 11-year-olds, July

Could Eric of scored himself? Possibly

10-14, 10am to 2.30pm. The fee is €60 per

but he used his many years of experi-

child (reduced family rates available)

ence and made a great judgement call

Club summer camps: four to sev-

and it paid off. Eric had another fan-

en-year-olds, August 14-18, 10am to

tastic game and aided Dublin’s win over

12.30pm, €30 per child; eight to 11-year-

Westmeath and progress to another

olds, August 14-18, €50 per child.

GARDA/WESTMANSTOWN PRIDE of place this week to our U-14 girls’

Ladies lost to Lucan Sarsfields away

Feile squad who represented Dublin

in a cup match last week and our minors

at the National Feile Division 4 finals in

went down narrowly to Cuala on by 3-12

Monaghan. The girls who were gener-

to 1-15. Congratulations to Peter McNa-

ously hosted by Tyholland GAA Club per-

mara on being selected for the Dublin

formed with great distinction but bowed

U-17 squad.

out at the quarter final stage to a very good team.

Busy week coming up for our adult teams with lots of activity on the playing

Well done to the players, coaches and

fields. On Saturday evening, the action

parents who made the weekend possible

is away at St Sylvester’s in Broomfield

The Castleknock Under-14 football management team.

and a big thank you to Tyholland for being

starting at 6.30pm. The juniors are away

Picture: Michael Cryan

superb hosts.

to St Peregrine’s on Sunday at 11am.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR BLANCH SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

FEILE KINGS: Castleknock win national Under-14 title for second successive year after brilliant weekend P31

JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017

COOL HAND LUKE KEELER: Ballyfermot man shows class to win Irish senior belt P28

Damien Dunne has taken on the first team manager’s job with Hartstown Huntstown

Hart of the community Dublin 15 club looking forward to continuing their progress with a new senior manager and a new streamlined strategy for the youth section

 KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

HARTSTOWN Huntstown FC have appointed Damien Dunne as the new manager of their LSL Senior Sunday 1B side as the ambitious club from Dublin 15 look to take the next step forward in their development.

“We’ve looked to bring in a bit of experience to help us grow through the intermediate ranks,” co-founder David Byrne told GazetteSport. “We went through a bit of a recruitment process and identified Damien, given his previous experience with Beggsboro and Dingle, as someone ideal to bring the club on.

“It was very hard to get someone who was with a typically well-known club like Beggsboro but the balance between what the club’s values are

and what his values as a coach are was a big factor.

“Also, he wanted a fresh challenge and, although we play in the division under Beggsboro, he liked the facility, the club’s ambition, and what we do at grassroots level.”

The club have been successful since making the move from the AUL three years ago but after an eighth place finish last season, the management team felt they had taken the team as far as they could.

“Tommy McGuirk and Darren McGrath did a very good job, taking us from the early divisions of the AUL up to Premier B before we made the move to the Leinster Senior League, where we won promotion two seasons in a row.

“However, the lads felt they couldn’t bring it on much further. Both guys are still involved with

the club, coaching in different roles so we are delighted that they stayed with us,” said Byrne.

Dunne’s appointment is just one part of a grand plan by Byrne and his colleagues to grow the club substantially by engraining itself in the community and offering everybody the chance to play.

The club are also investing a huge amount of time, energy and resources into the coaching structure, with ex-League of Ireland duo John Byrne and Dermot O’Neill brought in to help facilitate their growth.

“We’ve made the transition and our Under8s through to Under-12s all play in the DDSL now and the Under-13s to Under-17s play in the NDSL. “We made that strategic decision to ensure that we get a balance of teams competing and teams

participating.

“There is also a massive change in the facility at the minute, with the work Fingal County Council has done to bring main water and sewage into Hartstown park meaning we can upgrade our facilities.

“We have installed picnic benches to make it more inclusive and with the toilets and showers being put into the club it allows our Football For All team to come up and use the facility in Hartstown Park rather than off site, so that is big news for us which we are delighted with.

“While the senior appointment is great, the ambition and the plans behind the scenes with the other 21 teams is starting to bear fruit now and we are delighted with the progress, so anyone wishing to get involved is always welcome to contact me.”