Blanch 4 2 16

Gazette BLANCH

INSIDE: We ask the people what will sway their

vote at the upcoming general election Page 6

Craft beer festival: Annual event brews up a storm at the convention centre Page 19

Comedy central: Project Arts Centre abuzz with RTE stars Page 12-13

sport Soccer:

Corduff push forward in SFAI U-12 Cup Page 30

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February 4-10, 2016

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Seminar shares tips for family business

Fingal Dublin Chamber of Commerce recently held a Family Business Breakfast Seminar which aimed to identify and resolve common challenges and issues faced by family businesses. PKF-FPM managing director Feargal McCormack was the guest speaker at the event and was praised by Guy Thompson, president of Fingal Dublin Chamber of Commerce, who shared his own business experience and said that he could identify with many of the issues discussed and admired Feargal’s passion during the very informative seminar. Pictured are Michael Farrell, Fergal McCormack, Guy Thompson and Michelle Hawkins Picture: Fintan Clarke

44 new housing units for social tenants

Thirty-one three-bed and 13 four-bed high-quality houses Rossan Court

 Ian Begley

A total of 44 new housing units will be made available for social tenants in Rossan Court in Blanchardstown, as part of the Government’s updated capital programme for

housing for 2016.

The €13m investment was confirmed by Tanaiste Joan Burton, who said she looked forward to seeing the full 44 units occupied shortly by families who have a housing needs, adding that they will be

completed and occupied

by March.

T he development at Rossan Court consists of 31 three bed and 13 four bed high quality houses which embrace the latest energy efficient technologies.

Also commenting, Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF) said: “I’m sure we all know that social housing is desperately needed to alleviate the housing crisis so it’s good news all round.”

Full Story on Page 2

2 BLANCH Gazette 4 February 2016

investment | three- and four-bed high-quality homes

44 new social housing units for Rossan Court  Ian Begley

The Tanaiste at the official opening of the first 16 social housing units at Rossan Court handing the keys over to the first tenant to move in

A total of 44 new housing units will be made available for social tenants in Rossan Court in Blanchardstown, as part of the Government’s updated capital programme for housing for 2016.

The details were contained in Minister Alan Kelly’s social housing progress report for 2015 and capital plan for 2016.

The €13m investment was confirmed by Tanaiste Joan Burton, who said she looked forward to seeing the full 44 units occupied shortly by families who have a housing need.

“I was delighted to open the first 16 units at Rossan Court back in November, and I am happy that Department of Environment funding for this project is secure, so the site can be completed and the houses made available to families.

“I understand the full 44 units are on track to be completed and occupied by March.”

The Tanaiste also welcomed news in the housing progress report that a total of 2,700 formerly boarded up local authority houses have been restored to use in 2015, of which 1,050 in the Dublin City Council area.

“I’m delighted to see the scourge of void and boarded up houses reduced, and units being made available to house families.

“These boarded up

houses would of ten attract anti-social behaviour, so it’s good news too for the residents living beside them,” she said.

The development at Rossan Court consists of 31 three-bed and 13 fourbed high-quality houses which embrace the latest energy efficient technologies. The homes are well located just off the N3, close to a full range of facilities and services.

Also welcoming the news, Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF) said: “I think it’s absolutely fantastic for the area. I’m sure we all know that social housing is desperately needed to alleviate the housing crisis so it’s good news all round.”

At the end of 2015, Fingal revealed that 117 families were assessed as homeless, with the majority of these residing in emergency accommodation.

The council also recently announced that 20 modular homes will be built at Wellview Green, Mulhuddart, in the coming months, and up to 100 of these built in Fingal alone.

Cllr Donnelly added that he supports the modular homes planned for Wellview, but said he is concerned about the particular site.

He said: “They’re proposed to go through a cul-de-sac, which residents are deeply unhappy about so we’re now looking to amend the planning application to ensure that they will be developed on a new location nearby.”

FastNews

Deadline looms for St Patrick’s Day Parade applications The deadline for community organisations in Dublin West to submit their applications for this year’s Blanchardstown St Patrick’s Day Parade falls on February 25.

The theme this year is 1916 and those interested in taking part are asked, where possible, to base their entries around that era.

Encouraging people to take part, Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF) said: “The first St Patrick’s Day parade, which was held last year, was a resounding success and attracted entrants and spectators from the immediate locality as well as from the greater Dublin area and beyond.

“I believe that we can all join together in making this year’s parade an even greater success.

“Therefore, I want to remind all community groups, sports clubs, theatre groups, scout troupes and everyone else who might be interested to submit applications to Fingal County Council on or before February 25.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the Fingal County Council website at www.fingal. ie.

Open forum debate on drugs, crime and community safety Blanchardstown’s Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force and the Blanchardstown Family Support Network are inviting the public, local politicians and election candidates to an open forum debate on drugs, crime and community safety.

Taking place on Thursday, February 11 at 7.30pm in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, the forum aims to highlight these complex issues locally and to secure a commitment from politicians and the community on a local drug strategy that will feed into the National Drug and Alcohol Strategy currently being developed for launch in 2017.

The meeting will begin with a short presentation of key findings from soon to be published research, recently carried out by Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force on drug and alcohol trends in the Blanchardstown area.

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

Commenting, Philip Jennings, coordinator of Safer Blanchardstown, said: “We feel it is imperative that prospective public representatives are able to demonstrate that they not only understand the issues, but that they are committed to supporting local community services.”

4 February 2016 BLANCH Gazette 3

Election | 59,000 young people nationwide turning 18 in last year

crime

Major garda operation

Youth urged to get registered to vote  Ian Begley

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is encouraging young people in Fingal to make sure they are registered to vote, given that the General Election is just weeks away.

If the election is held at the end of February, as widely expected, the deadline for inclusion on the supplementary register could be as early as February 8.

James Doorley, NYCI deputy director said: “We are especially anxious to ensure that the 3,248 young people who have turned 18 in the last 12 months in Fingal are included in the electoral register and can exercise their democratic right.

“Excellent work was done last year to get young people on the electoral register, especially since we published our study in September 2014 showing that 30% of 18 to 25-year-olds were not registered.

“However, with over 59,000 young people nationwide turning 18 in the last 12 months, we need to work continually to ensure all are registered.

“For almost every election we get calls from young people who have missed the registration deadline and are disappointed that they cannot vote.

“We urge young people to make sure they are registered and not to leave it to the last minute, so

that they can vote in the upcoming General Election,” he said.

Any young person who is 18 years of age on or before the date of the election is eligible to vote.

If they are not currently registered, they can do so by downloading and filling in the RFA2 form at www.checktheregister.ie.

This form must be stamped at a Garda Station and returned to the local authority before close of business on the registration deadline.

Likewise, if a young person wishes to change their registration address, they need to complete an RFA3 form, get it stamped and return it to the local authority by the deadline.

remembering colleagues

St Patrick’s School Corduff, Dublin 15, recently held a reunion mass in memory of past principal Sean Cousins and teacher Roddy Day. Roddy Day, who died aged 73, was one of the most highly – and affectionately – regarded members of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation during a long and fruitful professional life.

Roddy Day was also possessed of an great tenor voice – not surprising, perhaps, since he was related to the Kerry tenor Connie Foley. Pictured at the event are teacher Mr Willeby, Louise Devlin, Mrs Tyne and Cllr David Mcguinness.

Fifty-five gardai from the Lucan, Clondalkin and Blanchardstown Districts assisted by gardai from the emergency response unit carried out a number of operations on January 27.

F o u r- t e e n h o u s e s were searched and 12 people were arrested and drugs and suspected stolen property was recovered.

Six of the 12 were brought before the Central Criminal Court on foot of bench warrants, and two were lodged in prison on penal warrants. Files have been sent to the DPP. Property recovered included, six suspected stolen mobile phones and one iPod, €250 of herbal cannabis and computer equipment.

4 BLANCH Gazette 4 February 2016

garda warning

Rise of use of key signal blockers  Ian Begley Gardai have issued a warning to car owners following a rise of criminals using key signal blockers in the Blanchardstown area.

These devices are used to block the automatic locking mechanisms of vehicles and have an effective range of 50 metres.

The Neighbourhood Garda Unit in Blanchardstown has indicated that this type of crime has risen in the past 12 months.

The driver may be distracted when leaving their car, assuming they have locked it without hearing the alarm cues.

But unknown to them, their key signal has been blocked with their car remaining unlocked. The criminal can then easily remove any valuable

property without being noticed.

Gardai have advised the public to secure all doors, close all windows and put on your car alarm even if it is only for a short period of time. Double check that your door is closed.

Take valuable property with you and do not leave any belongings in view inside your car even when parked outside your home. Park in well-lit and secure areas and be wary of people loitering in parking areas who may be operating signal blockers.

Be wary of people trying to distract you as someone else may be trying to physically block your vehicle door from locking.

Gardai have also advised to report all thefts of cars or suspicious activity to them by calling 01 6667000.

Andrew Shannon pleaded not guilty to possession of the books at his home while knowing or being reckless as to whether they were stolen on March 3, 2007

courts | identified by Fitzgerald crest

Missing antique books ‘found’ in man’s house Valuable antique books which went missing during the restoration of Carton House were identified due to the distinctive Fitzgerald family crest printed on their spines, a trial has heard.

Andrew Shannon (51) has gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court accused of unlawfully possessing 67 of the books after they were allegedly found during a search of his home. The books, including a 1660 edition of the King James Bible of which only six exist, went missing after they were put in storage during the restoration of the Kildare country house.

Mr Shannon of Willans Way, Ongar, Dublin pleaded not guilty to possession of the books at his home while knowing or being reckless as to

whether they were stolen on March 3, 2007.

Counsel for the DPP, Monika Leech BL told a jury on January 27 that it was not the State’s case that Mr Shannon stole the books himself but that he had them in his possession. She said the books were found when gardai searched Mr Shannon’s home in March 2007.

Conor Mallon gave evidence that he has worked at Carton House since 1994 overseeing its restoration after his father’s company bought the estate in 1977. He said that before restoration work began, he put all items in the house, including the library books, into storage. He said he photographed each book before storing it. The books remained in boxes until 2006 when the

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

‘Mr Mallon explained that the crest featured a monkey which according to legend saved one of the Fitzgeralds’

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

process of restoring them to the library began.

Mr Mallon said it was then he noticed the missing books and went to the gardai. He agreed with counsel that in 2007 he went to the garda station with his father to identify several books which had been found. Mr Mallon was shown three of the books in court including a large edition of the King James Bible. He told counsel he identified them by the Fitzgerald family crest which was on their spine.

Mr Mallon explained

that the crest featured a monkey which according to legend saved one of the Fitzgeralds after waking him up in a burning building. Mr Mallon said some of the books dated from the middle of the 17th century “and beyond”.

He told counsel that his family had never sold or lent out any of the 67 books nor had they given anyone permission to remove them from the house aside from the storage company.

The trial continues before Judge Petria McDonnell.

4 February 2016 BLANCH Gazette 5

crime m50 | motorway is a constant disturbance for residents Gardai seek help following thefts Gardai are currently investigating the theft of €190,000 from Blanchardstown Shopping Centre following an armed robbery last week.

Two men aggressively threatened the staff of a cash-in-transit who had collected money from an ATM outside the shopping premises shortly after 12.30pm on Sunday, January 24. The men were wearing balaclavas and dressed in blue boiler suits. One of them was carrying a handgun, while the second threatened the staff with a hammer, according to gardai.

It is understood the men fled the scene with €190,000 in cash from the van. There were no injuries during the incident.

Meanwhile, an armed robbery was committed by two masked men at the Centra store in Corduff on January 23. Three female employees and a security guard were held up. The robbers fled with more than €500.

Gardai are calling on witnesses to contact Blanchardstown Garda station on 6667000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Call for a commitment to reduce noise levels  Ian Begley

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) has called on Transpor t Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to take steps to commit to residents living along the M50 that it will reduce noise pollution coming from the Motorway.

TII is the body that has taken over responsibility for roads and motor ways from the National Roads Authority in the last six months.

Speaking to The Gazette this week, Cllr O’Gorman said: “Firstly, I want Fingal to secure a commitment from TII that when they are next resurfacing the M50, they will use a noise reducing surface, such as is used at the

School offers an opportunity of a funded studio space The Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) School in partnership with Fingal Arts are offering an opportunity of a funded studio space for a professional artist for one year.

The award offers an artist the opportunity to develop their practice within the institutional framework of the RHA and covers the cost of studio rental and administration.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must: have been born, have studied, or currently reside in the Fingal administrative area.

Artists wishing to be considered should apply by completing the application form on the RHA’s website including: a current CV, a brief description of your artist practice, a covering letter detailing your intentions for the allocated period at the Fingal County Council Studio Award, including an artist statement and work plan, giving details of what materials and processes you use and any other requirements you have.

Application forms must be in by February 29 and can be downloaded by visiting www.rhagallery.eu

Newlands Cross bridge, along the entire Dublin 15 section.

“Secondly, I have a motion down to insert an objective in the new Fingal Development Plan, which is currently being drafted, that noise reduction barriers would be installed along the Laurel Lodge boundary. “ Tr a n s p o r t I n f r a structure Ireland must ta ke ba sic steps to reduce the noise levels for people living along the most noisy sections, particularly at Laurel Lodge and Diswellstown,” he said.

A resident living in Laurel Lodge spoke to The Gazette, saying that the noise from the busy motorway is a constant disturbance for him.

He said: “Inside my

house the noise from the M50 doesn’t bother us too much, but if a window or door is left open the sound of the moving traffic is very obvious. You really notice it at night if a window is open and I often find it very difficult to sleep because of it. Out my garden it’s the worst because there’s no escape from it and it’s very annoying during the summer when I spend a lot of time out there.

“It would be great if more was done to ease the noise from the motorway and I can imagine that the houses in the area would increase in value if noise pollution wasn’t an issue.”

Responding to Cllr O’Gorman’s request,

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) has called for steps to reduce noise pollution coming from the M50

Ethna Felten, director of operations in Fingal County Council said: “We have been in contact with TII to seek their commitment to address these noise abatement requirements. It has been clari-

fied to us however, that the TII undertake these works only as part of upgrading of existing roads or building of new roads.

“Based on this and your further request that we investigate the main-

tenance programme of the M50, I will be seeking to clarify the timeframe for the next available opportunity to have noise abatement works tied into this maintenance programme,” she said.

6 BLANCH Gazette 4 February 2016

vox pops | the gazette newspaper asks people about their main concerns Question: What is the most important General Election issue to you?

The health service needs improvements

One of the main things is the water charges and pay restoration

The national debt is a big issue, as is the national pension fund

 Paula

 peter barry, lucan

Geraghty,

THE big issue for me would be the national debt. They’re talking about getting rid of the universal social charge, and spending money here and there, but yet we have a huge national debt disservice. The national pension fund is being dipped into over and over again by the Government, which is putting many hard-working people into a state of uncertainty. I also have big concerns about who is going to replace the Taoiseach.

blanchardstown

One of the main things is the water charges and pay restoration in the public sector, particularly with newly qualified teachers who face a lot of barriers to getting paid when they start working.

 ken healy, dundrum

THERE isn’t one thing in particular that is most important, but I would like to see improvements made to the health service. They [the Government] need to completely change the local property tax, as the current system is badly implemented.

I’d like to see more jobs for graduates, such as those who’ve left

Garda stations, the HSE and bankers should all be focused on more  Delphine Dillon,

Wexford

I WOULD like to see closed garda stations reopened, and an overhaul of the HSE. I would like the politicians and bankers to be held accountable for their failures. And, of course, the water tax and the local property tax [to be changed].

 Lynda Espey,

Rathfarnham

PRIMARILY, I would like to see more jobs available for graduates, especially for those who have moved abroad because they can’t find work here. That would be a big concern I’d have.

4 February 2016 BLANCH Gazette 7

and issues in the run up to the general election 2016

The water charges are my main concern

Cost of third-level education to expensive

 daniel grant, blanchardstown

 Anne Trant, lucan

MY biggest concern is the water charges. I think the Government have no right to tax us on something that’s basically a human right. The fact that they put fluoride in the water is bad enough but now that we have to pay for water, I think it’s just too much to ask.

I think the cost of third-level education is getting more and more expensive and while there are grants available to students, transport causes a big problem for them. Going to the likes of DCU and Maynooth is very inaccessible if you’re from Lucan, and the day-to-day costs of transport alone is extremely expensive.

Keeping the country The cost of medication on the right track, and and the USC are both homelessness, matter big concerns for me

Homelessness is such a big concern  Marie Butler, lucan

 pat sheehan

blanchardstown

 Damien

Bracken,

MY MAIN concern would be to keep the country on the right track. Homelessness would be a big issue to me. I think the Government are trying to get a grip with the homeless crisis, but I still think a lot more should be done, and there is a lot more that they can do. This will take time and money so, hopefully, the next government will head in the right direction.

Water and household charges would be my major concerns  John Cummins

lucan

The water and household charges would be my major concerns as many people just can’t afford to pay them.

The [general] election is coming up, and of course they’re promising us many things.

But [An Taoiseach] Enda Kenny once said that he would never put a tax on someone’s home, saying that it would be immoral. He lost his morals very quick once he got elected.

lucan

MY WIFE is on medication for the rest of her life, so receiving a medication card is something we’re really trying to fight for at the moment.

It’s proven difficult now with all of these cuts, and it’s one of the issues that I’m raising to politicians calling at my door. The universal social charge is another big concern of mine, which I think is an absolutely ridiculous tax – I think it’s an insult to the workers of Ireland.

Homelessness is a big concern to me because it’s on the rise  Ruby Lawlor

and Sean Durack

Homelessness is a big concern to us because it’s on the rise, which is horrible – it’s getting worse and worse.

We noticed that some premises are putting up homeless barriers, which are very inhumane – they should be putting money towards shelters instead.

The fact that homelessness is on the rise is such a big concern of mine. I know someone who lost their home and she went on TV to highlight what she was going through, and eventually she was given a house.

There are people on the housing list for a very long time, and I think it’s people-power which gets things done. The Government just needs constant pushing.

8 BLANCH Gazette 4 February 2016

opinion | Minister Richard Bruton unveils plans to keep recovery going

A three step plan to grow the economy There is hardly a family in Dublin that was not been affected by the collapse in employment in the crash.

90,000 jobs were lost in the capital over the three years 2008-2010.

That’s 90,000 pay-packets which stopped coming into communities, 90,000 families who faced uncer-

tainty about their future, 90,000 individuals who took a huge hit to their living standards and in many cases were forced to emigrate.

I saw the terrible impact first-hand around Dublin Bay North, the area that I represent, with hundreds of families directly affected by unemployment and

emigration.

That is why we in Fine Gael and Labour unashamedly said from the day we took office in 2011 that job-creation would be our absolute top-priority.

Reflecting this priority we put in place a comprehensive action plan for jobs to mobilise the efforts of the whole of Government

towards this one goal.

The aim was to rebuild a new economy based on enterprise and exports, to replace the failed model based on property and debt which collapsed in the crash.

The thinking behind this plan is that only an economy based on real, sustainable economic activities will be growing steadily over the medium term – real businesses, developing products and services in Ireland and selling them abroad – supporting the living standards that we all aspire to.

We implemented thousands of job-supporting measures through this plan – we doubled the number of trade missions, we put extra IDA and Enterprise Ireland staff in overseas countries where the jobs projects are won, we abolished the travel tax and reduced VAT on hospitality industry to boost the number of tourists coming to Ireland.

And these measures produced real results, with 64,100 extra people at work in Dublin since we launched and started implementing our plan in early 2012, according to the independent Central Statistics Office.

The parts of the economy that are growing most strongly are the sustainable, exporting areas which we specifically targeted in the plan – particularly tourism and exporting businesses in manufacturing and services supported by IDA and Enterprise

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton

Ireland.

Dublin saw hundreds of major jobs projects – for example the northside gained from companies like Mylan (500 manufacturing jobs) and Oracle (400 jobs); the financial services and technology hubs in the city centre grew rapidly with thousands of new jobs announced; West Dublin benefited from rapid growth in pharma particularly (eg Alexion 400 jobs, Bristol Myers Squibb 400 jobs); and South Dublin has also benefited from major announcements like Sage (300 jobs) and CarTrawler (400 jobs).

More recently areas of the domestic economy like construction and retail have started to bounce back strongly also.

Contrary to false and dishonest claims coming from some quarters, the evidence shows that most of these jobs are full-time, well-paying jobs.

IDA and Enterprise Ireland companies, who pay well above the average, account for nearly half of them.

Only a tiny proportion

of the extra jobs (around 7%) can be accounted for by schemes like Gateway and community employment schemes. An even more tiny percentage are part-time.

These 64,100 extra Dublin jobs mark real progress. However, there are still far too many people unemployed in the capital.

That is why we are putting in place a new series of plans to drive on and keep the recovery going in Dublin – and the whole country – over the coming years.

If we are re-elected to Government in the coming weeks, we will implement our long-term economic plan, which is aimed at securing that recovery – which as we all know is not guaranteed, but could very easily be destroyed if the wrong policies are implemented.

This we will do by implementing our three step plan – first of all create full employment for Dublin and for the entire country.

Last week I published our Dublin jobs plan at an event in Butlers Choc-

olate factory in Clonshaugh, which is aimed at creating 66,000 extra jobs in the capital over the coming years.

Secondly we will ensure that work pays, by reducing taxes on work and ensuring that the entrepreneurs and workers who get out of bed in the morning and drive the economic recovery are properly rewarded.

And thirdly we will invest the taxes that are produced by the growing recovery in improving the services the families depend on – the gardai, the health services, education, the transport network and the childcare services.

Twice in my lifetime I have seen the opportunity for sustainable full employment destroyed, and each time it was by parties who had no plan to grow the economy but plenty of plans for how to spend the resources that a growing economy produced.

I’m hoping that in a few weeks time the people will re-elect Fine Gael and Labour and make sure we keep the recovery going this time.

4 February 2016 BLANCH Gazette 9

fundraising | raising money to get parents help that they require

Amy aims to get care for cousin  Ian Begley

A 16-year-old student from Blanchardstown is on a mission to raise money for her young cousin who has a very rare, life-limiting condition.

Amy Fay, a student from Castleknock Community College, is organising an under 18s charity ball at Westmanstown Sports and Conference Centre for her cousin Cian, who has Cri Du Chat and Mosiac Down Syndrome.

Cri Du Chat is a very rare condition and there are only 14 known cases of it between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Since his birth, Cian has been on 24-hour oxygen and has two holes in his heart.

Sadly, Cian’s conditions are life limiting and require round-theclock care. This presents a great challenge to his family, as Cian needs carers who have been professionally trained in caring for him.

As well as day time care, nights are also very difficult and challenging, as medication, feeding and suctioning has to take place at various times throughout the day; 10pm, 12am, 1am, 3am and 6am.

Speaking to The Gazette, Fay said that

she takes care of her cousin whenever she can and is tr ying to raise money so that a nurse can come out to the house and help his parent’s look after him too.

“I want to raise this money so that Cian’s mum and dad get the help that they require.

“I go up to his house for a couple of hours during the week to try and give his parents and brother a break. I really don’t mind doing it at all.

“Cian really needs 24 -hour care and is very active. He can’t walk and is only starting to manage to sit up

by himself - you can’t take your eyes off him for a second.

“He often gets silently sick and since he cannot swallow by himself it can be very dangerous.

Whenever this happens you have to make sure you’re right beside him to clear his airway.”

Fay went onto say that she is hoping to raise more than €4,000 through the ball she is organising, adding that many of her friends and family are helping out.

She said: “T here’s going to be a raffle on the night and some of the local pharmacies are donating prizes. We have 300 tickets going

Amy Fay her cousin Cian Oliver Byrne

on sale for €20 each and they are already selling very well. Hopefully, we’ll manage to raise in excess of €4,000.

“All my friends from school will be there and

we also will have a DJ and band performing on the night.”

The under 18s ball will take place in Westmanstown Sports and Conference Centre on

Saturday, March 19 from 8 to 12am For more information about this campaign, visit the Care for Cian Facebook page or www. careforcian.ie.

10 BLANCH Gazette 4 February 2016

BLANCHGazettegallery |

Tanaiste Joan Burton picks the name of the winner of the car with Denis Carty

Luck of the draw at blanchardstown centre

A

n eager crowd gathered at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre recently as Tanaiste Joan Burton was on hand to draw the lucky winner for a fantastic prize of a new car in aid of St Francis Hospice. Lucky Una Walshe then received a phone call from the leader of the Labour Party who informed her of the great news. Minister Burton was joined by Justice Peter Kelly and representatives from the Hospice to help draw the winners of all the other great prizes up for grabs. The draw eventually raised €97,500. Joan Burton is pictured with Ciaran O’Riordan.

Inspiring great colourful works Teacher Sarah Moloney

MC Michael Kilcranin

Cllr Jack Chambers gets in on the draw

Sean Dyer, Craig Kennedy, Gabi McGrath, Michael Halpin

Joan Burton with Jessica and Mia McDonald-Agu Dalan Beveridge and Mitchell Hand

Emily Kelly, Sally Dunne and Seanagh Carton

Justice Peter Kelly, The Tanaiste, Sr Margaret Cashman, Alan Brogan and Fr Dan Joe O’Mahony. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston First-year students with their sculptured orb

4 February 2016 BLANCH Gazette 11

Coolmine Community School engages and develops creativity at art week

Adam Little and Mollie Weafer

and Jemma Austin. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan

Caoimhe Hennessy and Kirsten Hennessy

12 BLANCH Gazette 4 February 2016

Gazettegallery

| RTE Radio’s first ever radio comedy festival

Comedy extravaganza comes to arts centre Deirdre O’Kane, Gearoid Farrell, Amy Huberman, Fred Cooke, Colm O’Regan and Maxine Jones. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Amy Huberman and Deirdre O’Kane

T Comedians The Nualas

he Project Arts Centre in Dublin was buzzing with laughter recently as RTE Radio 1’s Comedy Showhouse got up and running, it is due to finish on February 7.

The first of its kind, the event is a new festival of

Irish comedy, featuring Sean Hughes, Deirdre O’Kane, Andrew Maxwell, Al Porter, Colm O’Regan, Fred Cooke, Amy Huberman, John Colleary, Foil, Arms and Hog and many more. The live comedy recordings will be broadcast on RTE Radio 1 across 2016.

Good things...

ALL NEW SPORTAGE

4 February 2016 BLANCH Gazette 13

Gazettegallery

| launching Team Dublin Clean-Up initiative

Katie Delaney from St Brigids National School with

Megan McLoughlin from St Brigids National

broadcaster Joe Duffy and An tArdmheara Criona Ni

School

Tidying up the capital Go team: launching litter initiative. Pictures: Conor McCabe

Dhalaigh

A

n tArdmheara Criona Ni Dhalaigh and broadcaster Joe Duffy launched Dublin City Council’s inaugural Team Dublin Clean-Up initiative recently outside St Catherine’s Church, Thomas Street, Dublin 8. Team Dublin Clean- Up calls on residents, community groups

and businesses in Dublin to come out and support a special clean-up effort in their local area ahead of the 1916 Centenary Commemorations.

The collaborative clean-up will take place in various locations around the city on Easter Saturday,

March 26 from 11am to 1pm. Individuals and groups can register on www.teamdublincleanup.ie. Dublin City Council’s Waste Management Division will be providing all clean up equipment to those who register and will remove litter collected for disposal on the day.

Pupils from St Brigids National School Lexie, Lee and Zoe Ecock

kia.com

...come in twos

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Test drive these new models, or any car in the equally exciting Kia range, at your local Kia dealership today!

Fuel consumption figures in l/100km for the Kia Optima and Sportage range are: Urban 5.2 - 10.6, Extra Urban 3.7 - 5.9, Combined 4.2 - 7.5. The official CO2 emissions are between 247 - 110 g/ km. Warranty is 7 years/150,000km full warranty. Terms and conditions available in warranty and service handbook. Model shown may not be to Irish specification. Detailed Irish specifications can be found on our website. Please check with your dealer that your chosen model has your required specification. www.kia.com

14 Gazette 4 February 2016

music | massive attack live at the olympia theatre, january

Old energies, passions to the fore in new tour  colm murray

MASSIVE Attack’s last visit to these shores was a near perfect performance on a near perfect summer’s evening, closing 2014’s Longitude festival in Marlay Park in the south of the city.

Prior to that, it was (akin to this evening)

at the beginning of their European tour showcasing new material.

Opening the set amid a swirl of fog with new track Dead Editors, the tone was set for the evening.

The following four numbers mirrored that of their Marlay Park set – Battle Box, Unit-

ed Snakes, Rising Son – introducing “living legend” Horace Andy for his first number, the brooding Girl I love You – all portraying the claustrophobic atmospherics associated with a Massive Attack show.

Their trademark visuals still provided a backdrop of pulsating

images and dates from the current Syrian conlict.

On this night, they chose to rely on new material for the bulk of their set and left out many classics such as Safe From Harm and Unfinished Sympathy.

Perhaps they felt tracks like these wouldn’t have been in keeping with the overtly ominous overtones of the rest of the set, and the socio-political commentary being screened behind them.

Even the hits they did choose to perform – such as Teardrop – just didn’t have the impact that was expected (vocalist Martina Topley Bird does not have the strength to pull this off convincingly), but instead sounded a little weak (this may have been the fault of the mix), although the return of Horace Andy with Angel was definitely the highlight of the show.

Massive Attack can

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

‘Their trademark visuals still provided a backdrop of pulsating images, from binary to flashing logs, and images and dates from the current Syrian conlict’

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be forgiven for areas of the set which appeared rusty, given this was the opening night of the tour.

Certainly, as the tour picks up momentum and the release of further material becomes more familiar, this will definitely be a must-see show in the year ahead – it’s always a pleasure to see these guys, warts and all.

Massive Attack started their new tour off with a spin to the Olympia Theatre

Ritual Spirit feels infused with talent MASSIVE Attack’s long awaited new material has dropped in the form of a new EP, Ritual Spirit (Virgin/EMI), with a stellar cast of guest vocalists.

The four-track EP takes you on a journey that begins with Dead Editors – an opening track nearing five minutes long, featuring acclaimed rapper Roots Manuva at the fore.

The record takes a sonic shift to a more melodic realm with Ritual Spirit, introducing East Londoner Azekel on vocals. Atmospherically, it’s the lightest of the four tunes.

New outfit (lauded by Massive Attack leader, Robert Del Naja

as “the best band in the world”) Young Fathers’ collaboration on Voodoo in My Blood feels like a climactic moment for the EP, with traits reminiscent of Heligoland pushed into fresh new territory.

Driving it home is Take It There, and Tricky kills it. Since his acrimonious split from the group after the release of the Protection album, his presence is an embellishment that feels like he never left as he wraps the track around his rasping vocals. (Tip: listen to this on a decent sound system and turn up the bass!)

Rumour has it that a full-length album is set to come later in the year, but if Ritual Spirit doesn’t

keep you sated, take comfort in knowing the group have another EP on the way.

Written and co-produced by Grant Marshall, the next release is pencilled in for spring – bring it on!

4 February 2016 Gazette 15

asdfsdaf finances P27 P18

feature P17

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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diary P16

a day in the life: author ava mccarthy balances writing with work and family life

Maintaining the write attitude  emma nolan

INTERNATIONAL best-selling crime author Ava McCarthy has just released her latest novel: Dead Secret.

T he Dublin-based writer took time out of her hectic schedule to talk to The Gazette about a typical day in her life, which sees her as not only a prolific writer, but a full-time financial services IT project manager at Bloomberg, and a mother of two.

Speaking on her newly published work, she said: “It’s about a young woman who discovers her husband has murdered their only child, so she decides to kill him and kill herself – but it doesn’t quite go to plan, and she learns things about her husband that she didn’t really want to.”

McCar thy resisted writing Dead Secret for a while, due to the dark and uncomfortable themes that it deals with, but she couldn’t get the story out of her head so she finally built up the courage to begin it.

On juggling writing and work, she said: “I work full time as well as writing, so it’s a challenge – it’s pretty hectic.”

Having taken a few years off work to write her

first three novels, McCarthy didn’t think she’d write another book, and she returned to work, but she said she decided to “use every spare moment” and finally wrote Dead Secret.

McCarthy, who has degrees in physics and nuclear medicine, credited her writing skills with her logical approach to fiction writing, and said that she is “particularly proud” of this book.

A typical day in the writer’s life starts at “the hideous hour of 5am” when she gets up to shower, wake the dogs, have a

cup of tea and sit down at the kitchen table when everyone else is asleep, where she can write for two hours before leaving for work.

“It has to be every day, otherwise I’d lose momentum, even if it’s only for half an hour, but it adds up.”

McCarthy said that her morning writing session flies by before it’s time to hop on the Luas to work, where she continues to jot down notes.

Her 9-to-1 routine consists of a busy work day, and then McCarthy finds a quiet place at lunch to

sit with her laptop to continue writing.

She said that there’re not many quiet places to sit in her busy office.

“Sometimes, the only alternative is to go into the ladies [toilets], put the lid down, lock myself in, put my laptop on my knees and just click away on the keyboard,” she laughed.

“You learn to tune out all the flushing, although I don’t know what the ladies in the other cubicles thought I was doing!”

McCarthy’s evenings are reserved for family time with her two teen-

Author, financial services IT project manager and mother of two, Ava McCarthy

age children, her husband and two dogs. While she often does a little work then, she uses this time to unwind and prepare for

the next day.

“My family are around then and the last thing I want is for my books to affect them in any way.

Once we’re all back in the house together, I don’t want to be locking myself in a room to write,” she said.

Gazette

16 Gazette 4 February 2016

dublinlife

diary

Sample a taste of Dublin with culinary delights

Foodies mark your calendars as Dublin’s favourite food festival, Dine in Dublin, returns this February for the eighth year running.

Taking place from Monday, February 22, to Sunday, February 28, the capital will come alive with a feast of culinary delights. Brought to you by DublinTown,

Dine in Dublin sees the biggest names in the Dublin foodie scene offer a tasty dining experience over the course of seven days.

Over 50 of Dublin’s most famed restaurants will participate, offering the very best of fresh local produce. The 2016 line-up includes Dublin hot spots Pichet,

San Lorenzo’s, Saba, The Church, Fallon & Byrne, Zaragoza, Red Torch Ginger, Le Bon Crubeen and Flanagans to name but a few.

Those shopping and socialising in the city centre can soak up the f lavours of the festival at Dine in Dublin’s Dine Pavilion; an exciting outdoor kitchen sit-

uated on the city centre streets throughout the week of Dine in Dublin.

Here the city’s top chefs will host live demonstrations showcasing the very best of their most loved Dublin dishes.

For more information and the latest news, including confirmed restaurants, activities and booking information, visit www.dineindublin.ie.

developing coding skills with fun Schools all over Ireland are invited to register to take part in this year’s National Scratch Competition.

Scratch is a visual programming language that encourages children to develop coding skills through fun and interactive learning. An educational tool that fosters creativity, critical thinking and problem solving and communication skills in children, participants can create their own interactive stories, animations, games and music which can then be shared on the web.

Since the inaugural competition in 2010, Scratch has established itself among students and teachers as a leading platform and showcase for Ireland’s aspiring digital creators.

T he 2016 Scratch National Final will take place in the RDS during Tech Week 2016 (24 to 30 April). The closing date for registrations is Friday, February 12.

Top Dublin chef Temple Garner of San Lorenzo is pictured with Minister of Tourism, Transport and Sport Paschal Donohoe and Kerri Nicole Blanc announcing the dates for the 2016 Dine in Dublin festival

Irish Student Summit 2016 This year’s Irish Student Summit 2016 will take place on February 4 in Dublin Castle.

The event will host over 600 students, over 40 start-ups, 22 workshops and powerhouse business speakers from Twitter, Paddy Power, the American Embassy, the Indian Embassy, Silicon Republic, Ireland AM, Mor Gin, Cool Beans and Humans of Dublin.

One Student Start-up will walk away with a €1,500 investment from Enterprise Ireland in their business idea. A panel of judges will narrow down applications to the ten best from the online submissions and the public will be able to vote for their favourite two on Twitter and Facebook.

At the Summit, the final two applicants will go head-to-head in front of an audience and a panel of judges, who will vote for the winner.

Find out more at studentsummit.ie.

ridesharing not a popular option Four out of five passengers in Ireland feel safest

in a licensed taxi and a large majority would be against paying a stranger for a lift under a controversial ridesharing plan, according to a survey carried out for taxi company Hailo.

The survey, carried out by iReach, sampled 1,000 people nationwide.

It found that 85% of passengers do not feel they will come to harm in a taxi, with 64% saying they feel “safe” and 21% saying they feel “very safe”.

The survey found very low levels of public support for ridesharing in Dublin- a practice, illegal in Ireland but operating in some parts of the US and Europe, which allows motorists to offer lifts to the public for payment.

experience a digital career The Digital Hub in Dublin 8 is continuing its Future Creators Programme in conjunction with TV3 to give young people a chance to experience what a digital career would be like.

The programme offers young people the opportunity to hone their digital media skills in one of Ireland’s leading media

environments.

The programme aims to equip young people (aged 13 to 16) from Dublin 8 with digital skills, including coding, app development, digital photography, filmmaking, and website development.

47% have not yet made a will A national survey, published by end of life planning provider Once I’ve Gone, looked at the public’s opinions towards wills, and revealed that 47% of respondents have not yet made a will.

The survey showed that apathy is the number one reason for not making a will with two thirds (66%) of those without a will, claiming that it was down to “not getting around to it”. 8% felt that they were still “too young to make a will”, while 3% did not want to think about dying. These opinions were voiced despite the fact that 92% of those taking part in the survey were aged between 36 and 65+ years of age with loved ones to provide for once they have gone.

For more information about the service visit www.onceivegone.com.

4 February 2016 Gazette 17

FEATURE charity: annual fundraising harbour2harbour event to support depression

Walking to help beat the blues

THOUSANDS are expected to turn out for the eleventh annual Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk from Dun Laoghaire to Howth, or Howth to Dun Laoghaire, on St Patrick’s Day. The aim of the event is to raise vital funds for Aware’s support, information and education services about depression and bipolar disorder, which are available throughout Dublin.

The Harbour2Harbour Walk is a fundraising event that raises approximately €40,000 for the organisation’s services each year. Participants can start at

Howth Harbour and walk to Dun Laoghaire Harbour, or start at Dun Laoghaire and walk to Howth.

The 16.2-mile route showcases the beauty of Dublin Bay and offers a great alternative to mark our national holiday. It’s a great way to spend time with friends or family, and is also ideal as a solo challenge.

The route starts in Dun Laoghaire at the Harbour Plaza behind Dun Laoghaire Dart Station, and at the Bloody Stream Pub in Howth.

The Dun Laoghaire BID company is organ-

ising a family fun day in the Harbour Plaza to coincide with the walk, with food stalls, music, children’s entertainment and fairground rides.

Dublin Port Company sponsors the event for the second time this year, and will provide a fun-filled halfway stop at Ber th 18, Dublin Port, close to the East Link toll bridge.

Aw a r e r e l i e s o n events like this as well as public and corporate donations for 85% of its annual funding. Participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship through online platforms such as just-

giving.com, and some supporters have walked this route many times for Aware over the past decade.

Aw a r e s e r v i c e s include support groups, support line, support mail, Beat the Blues programmes (28,000 students each year) , and free life skills programmes based on cognitive behavioural therapy for 3,000 people each year.

More information on all of Aware’s services and this fundraising event is at aware.ie. The Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk 2016 is supported by Dublin Port Company and 98FM.

Jane Clancy and Ingrid Trant taking part in last year’s Harbour2Harbour walk, in aid of Aware

Choccy treats at Nutgrove

NUTGROVE Shopping Centre in Rathfarnham is celebrating Valentine’s Day this year with special musical entertainment and delicious chocolate truffles for visitors.

From 12-3pm on Saturday, February 13, customers can enjoy the musical stylings of David Mooney, who will be bringing his jazz renditions of classic love songs to the food court to serenade shoppers and celebrate the season of love.

The Nutgrove promo guys and girls will also be on hand to share a Valentine’s classic – chocolates – with visitors as a thankyou for all the love shown to Nutgrove Shopping Centre over the past year.

Gazette

18 Gazette 4 February 2016

dublinlife

FEATURES

the money doctor: making a financial plan - part 1

Save this advice – it could make a huge difference  john lowe

A PRIEST once told his congregation he had good news and bad news.

“The good news,” he said, “is we have finally enough money to build our much needed community centre this year.

The bad news it’s still out there in your pockets !”

Completing a financial plan for any project is essential, let alone your own personal plan, and the first part of that task is to actually start it.

Here’s how to do it in just 15 minutes – in my humble view this is a must read ...

I used to be a dreadful worrier. (Stick with me on this, because it is rel-

evant.) I would lie awake at two in the morning asking myself where I had gone wrong, and a voice would answer back: “This is going to take more than one night.”

Then I had the good fortune to work with a successful entrepreneur who, for the purposes of this article, I shall call Peter, because that hap-

pens to be his name.

The thing I noticed straight away about Peter was that he had elevated list-making to an art form.

Before he wanted to achieve something important – start a business, raise millions of euro a year for charity, launch a takeover – he would prepare a list of all the different steps involved.

Anyway, as someone who has elevated plagiarism to an art form, I copied him and, although I cheat (I often write down things I have already done for the satisfaction of being able to cross them off), I have found that the simple process of listing has dealt a deathblow to my nocturnal fretting.

What does this have to do with the subject on the card? If more people realised that financial planning was nothing more than a bit of glorified list-making, they might be keener to take it on.

est possible return.

• Give you enough money to retire early.

• Protect you and your dependants against financial hardship.

• Offer you financial freedom.

• Make you wealthy enough to never have to worry about the future, whatever it may bring.

T hink I am overpromising or exaggerating? If anything, I am erring on the side of caution.

A good financial plan can make you invincible.

What a financial plan will do for you I’ll cut to the chase.

Financial plans are powerful amulets. This is what a good, well-executed financial plan could do for you: • Wipe out all your personal debts.

• Help you pay off your mortgage early.

• Make sure you never have to borrow again.

• Help you build up plenty of savings.

• Ensure that your money achieves the high-

Financial planning in a nutshell W hat exactly is a financial plan? Perhaps the easiest way to explain how they work is to use an analogy ...

If you were driving from Copenhagen to Zagreb – heaven knows why, but you are – and you don’t have one of those wizard satellite navigation systems, you would not choose a road at random and hope for the best, would you? No, you wouldn’t.

Making a financial plan probably seems daunting.

However, the Money Doctor – John Lowe (inset) – has lots of sound advice to help you along the way.

You would plan your journey. If you encountered diversions, you would get out the map and decide on a new route. Throughout the journey, you would check on your progress.

Your financial plan should have the same qualities. That is to say, it should help you reach your destination, make your journey as fast as possible and stop you from wasting time, energy and, of course, money.

Getting started: think holistically Most financial products are bought on a one-off basis. Suddenly, you need a mortgage or you fall into the clutches of a life insurance salesman and – bang – you are making major financial decisions before you have time to think.

The result is that you may not get the best product for your needs ... or the best value. Every major financial decision you make should be part of an overall plan.

Thus, a particular product – such as a mortgage, loan, insurance policy or investment – should be judged not just on its individual merits but also in terms of how it moves you closer to where you want to be.

Dream, dream, dream, dream, dream, dream The Everly Brothers had a point. Dreaming has a huge role to play in financial planning. Consider what you’d like to be doing in, say, five years, ten years and 20 years.

Consider what work (if any) you’ll be doing, where you’ll be living and how you’ll be spending your leisure time. What will your family situation be? What – and this is key – will your financial situation be?

Once you have a clear picture of the future life you’d like to have, you can start expressing it in financial terms and working out how to get there.

See Part 2 next week

OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week

Pets spencer is a playful pet who loves his toys and time with his carer The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week this week is Spencer – a male three-year-old playful pitbull cross who simply adores spending time with his carers.

He isn’t too keen on other dogs at the moment, so needs to be the only pet in the home, so he can have all of the attention for himself.

Spencer loves to play with his toys and will keep himself busy with them all day long.

Snuggle He’s a real creature of comforts and likes to snuggle into his soft, squishy bed.

If you’re looking for an active dog who excels in agility and other training, please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie.

You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

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Gazette

4 February 2016 Gazette 19

cuisine: annual three-day fair to once again highlight popular niche

Brewing up a lot of interest in craft drinks  ian begley

THE annual Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fair – Ireland’s largest craft beer festival – is back once again and is taking place in The National Convention Centre.

The three-day event will host the best of Irish and International craft breweries and distilleries, from Friday, February 5 to Sunday, February 7.

The 2016 fair will host more than 50 Irish and international breweries, cider producers, distilleries and craft brew distributors who will be sampling in excess of 300 craft brews from all across the world, including many seasonal and once-off brews created just for the event.

Last year, more than 10,000 people attended the event, which will also offer a selection of the best of Irish foods including cheeses, baked goods and hot food options, such as pies and crepes.

Conor Farrell, of Alltech’s Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company, said: “We are incredibly excited about this year’s event, which will show-

case the best of Irish and International craft brewers and distillers, allowing consumers to sample the range of brews being produced both in Ireland and overseas.

“The event also provides an opportunity for craft distributors and producers to network and share insights and innovations within this ever growing sector.”

Six Nations rugby will be aired on three of the biggest screens in Dublin throughout the weekend, and live musical acts will include the Camembert Quartet, DJ Aidan Kavanagh, Pump up the Jam, We Banjo 3 and Booka Brass Band.

Broadcaster and craft beer aficionado Rick O’Shea will entertain crowds attending Sunday’s fair with live interviews with exhibitors.

The day will also see the annual Craft Beer Grand Slam, which will warm up the crowd before the Ireland v Wales rugby clash, testing the taste buds of a team of Irish and Welsh fans.

The winners of the Dublin Craft Beer Cup competition will be

announced on the first day of the event by Dr Gearoid Cahill, European director of brewing science at Alltech.

This international competition was launched by Alltech in 2013 and allows craft brewers to showcase their beers and have them rated, tasted and analysed by an expert independent panel of beer judges.

Award-winning brewers receive prestigious gold, silver and bronze medals in eight different categories of beer and cider, establishing the best examples of each style.

At 2pm on Saturday, February 6, Alltech will attempt to break the current Guinness World Record for the Largest Beer Tasting at the event.

The current record of 714 people was set in Mexico in November, 2014. To set a new record, a gathering larger than this need to taste a minimum of three beers in the same room.

Tickets are available from www.tickets.ie and can be purchased from €15. For further information, see eu.alltechbrewsandfood. com.

Broadcaster Rick O’Shea and Conor Farrell, European sales manager, Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co, announcing the upcoming Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fair

Gazette

20 Gazette 4 February 2016

OUT&ABOUT New Look Dress €29.99

Pandora Interlocking heart bracelet €179

The Nuxuriance Ultra range, from Nuxe

 emma nolan

€120

ANTI-AGING skin care brand Nuxe has introduced its innovative new botanical formulation, Nuxuriance Ultra, to Arnotts this month and will roll the range out nationwide from February 20.

The French company’s first line of global anti-aging replenishing skincare is formulated on the basis of millions o f n e w- g e n e r a t i o n botanical cells from the saffron and bougainvillea bi-floral cell, which contain active molecules to create an extra-effective, targeted and continuous anti-aging action.

Studies carried out on more than 300 women revealed global anti-aging efficacy on all signs of skin aging, including a reduction in the number of wrinkles (even deep wrinkles), denser skin, enhanced radiance, along with seeing the oval of the face reshaped and lifted facial features.

The Nuxuriance Ultra range consists, firstly, of a replenishing serum containing crocus extract, which evens out the complexion.

There are two daytime moisturiser options for different skin types. For normal to combination skin, the fluid cream –

which contains sebum trapping ingredients – promises to mattify oily patches and makes pores appear smaller.

T he rich texture cream contains meadowfoam oil and organic poppy petal extract to nourish dry patches and aid cell nutrition.

The Night Magic moisturiser contains prickly pear extract, which stimulates the skin’s desquamation enzymes to create a rested appearance.

The collection also contains an eye and lip contour serum which targets wrinkles, slackening skin, dark spots, puffiness and dark circles.

Some 80% of women who tested this product found that the skin around their eyes appeared energised after use.

The final product is a re-plumping roll-on mask which resulted in firmer facial skin on 81% of women tested.

Thanks to maca root extract and the novel ultra-cool metal massaging applicator (which helps to create a stimulating and draining effect), this strengthens the formula’s action on skin radiance.

Nuxe’s products contain a selection of natural active, paraben-free ingredients, without mineral oils or animal origin ingredients.

New Look Skirt €14.99

t on Skir Monso

Nuxe ready to introduce its botanically-formulated Nuxuriance Ultra range

LOVE PINK WITH St Valentine’s Day just around the corner, now’s the time to get the colours just right in your latest look, and to drop some subtle (or not so subtle) visual hints that love is in the air ... and you might like some extra, well-deserved attention from your other half!

However, even if you’re not dressing up to get in the mood for February

14, pink is a wonderful, fresh colour to banish the freezing February winds, and to help brighten up and lighten up your spring wardrobe.

With pink jumping into many big name labels (see box, right), here are some simmilar high street designs that won’t break your (credit card’s) heart.

Next Coat €82

Accessorize Wallet €6

Littlewoods Ireland Bag €56

4 February 2016 Gazette 21

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Yours for a pretty pink penny AS ALWAYS, one turns to Brown Thomas for some of the top designer threads and on-trend label launches.

While the high street mir-

rors and mimics some of the latest looks from international designers, there’s just nothing like the original – and, while these items from a number

of high-end labels will set you back more than a pretty penny or two, we think you’ll agree that they’re more than worth it!

Littlewoods Ireland Skirt €48

Roksanda Rylett Short Sleeve Dress €1,295

Victoria Beckham Twisted shoulder drape midi dress €1,995

Roland Mouret Ivy wool crepe dress €1,535

Lanvin Single shoulder beaded tassel dress €995

Gazette

STYLE

Gazette

22 Gazette 4 February 2016

R1

OUT&ABOUT

TRAVEL

See for yourself why Hayfield Manor attracts couples to Cork from all across the country, with a great Valentine’s package

With luxurious rooms like the Bartra suite at the Ice Hotel, Ballina, Valentine’s Day couples won’t want to leave their home from home

february 14: lots of great getaways across the country

You’ll both love these St Valentine’s Day breaks  ian begley

WITH the festive season behind us, Valentine’s Day is on the horizon and this year there are a bounty of romantic getaways for lovers who need a well-deserved break.

Rathmullan Hotel in Co Donegal is offering a Valentine’s escape for €230pp from February 13 – 16.

Enjoy morning strolls on the beach, an afternoon seat by a roaring open fire, a classic love story from the comfort of your bed in late afternoon and a long bubble bath soak after dinner.

This package includes two nights bed and breakfast with a romantic evening meal in the Cook & Gardener restaurant, with a movie each evening, and staying in a standard room.

Before dinner each evening, find popcorn and a sweet romantic treat in your bedroom, and spend two hours in the company of Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart and other stars of the big screen.

At the other end of the country, Ballymaloe House in Cork is also offering a romantic two night getaway from February 12 – 15, for €260pp.

You will be welcomed with a glass of pink bubbly, and during your stay take a romantic stroll through the extensive 300-acre farm and gardens.

Relax by the fire in the drawing room or enjoy afternoon tea in the house’s conservatory.

Enjoy an intimate dinner for two in the Ballymaloe restaurant, romantically decorated with red

tulips.

Over in Wexford, love is a long, lazy lie-in at Dunbrody House, who are offering their very own “Love Is” package.

From €290pps, you will

with pre-dinner canapes and cocktails.

Spoil the one you love this Valentine’s Day with a one-night stay in luxurious Castle Leslie Estate, Co Monaghan.

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

‘Treat your sweetheart this lover’s weekend by taking a stroll through Longueville House’s walled gardens, cosy up by the roaring open fire, enjoy a drink or two and a three-course meal in the award-winning restaurant --------------------------------------------------------

get midweek accommodation throughout February in one of Dunbrody’s luxury rooms or suites.

Guests will also avail of the dinner-for-two menu from the Harvest Room, which includes a fivecourse seasonal menu

For €320pps, you can enjoy one night’s accommodation with a romantic candlelit dinner, along with a glass of bubbly in Snaffles restaurant.

Chocolates and a single red rose will await you in your bedroom, followed

by a fabulous full Irish breakfast the following morning. This offer is valid until February 25.

Steal away with your loved one for a romantic one-night stay in Longueville House, Co Cork this Valentine’s Day, from €169pps.

Treat your sweetheart this lover’s weekend by taking a stroll through Longueville’s walled gardens, cosy up by the roaring open fire, enjoy a drink or two and a three-course meal in the house’s award-winning restaurant, and enjoy a lazy lie-in the next morning.

This offer is valid from February 12 – 14, and includes a bottle of bubbly and chocolates in your room on arrival, dinner for two, and complementary late check out the next morning.

Welcoming Wexford invites you to Dunbrody House, where its ‘Love Is’ package offers plenty to give lovers a well-deserved break from city stresses

Castle Leslie Estate in Co Monaghan successfully marries old-world touches with modern luxuries, making a stay at its historic setting certain to delight

At Hayfield Manor, Cork, you can treat your better-half to one night of luxurious accommodation in a manor room, where you can enjoy a gourmet dinner in the romantic ambiance of either Orchids Gourmet restaurant, or Perrotts Garden Bistro.

On the morning of your departure, enjoy Hayfield Manor’s famous full Irish breakfast. This offer is valid from February 11 – 17, and is priced from €258pps.

Couples can also avail of a heart-to-heart one night break at the Ice House, Ballina, Co Mayo,

from €240 per night.

From February 11 – 14, enjoy a one-night stay in a luxurious river view room, and bubbles on ice in your room on arrival, along with a chocolate treat.

Your stay is complete with a themed table d’hote dinner in the Ice House’s restaurant.

Enjoy unlimited access to the Chill Spa thermal area throughout your stay and you can have a lazy breakfast the following morning.

For further information on all of these offers, see www.irelandsbluebook. com.

R1

4 February 2016 Gazette 23

SALE EXTENDED TO NEXT SUNDAY 7TH FEB

Gazette

24 Gazette 4 February 2016

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

ReelReviews

room

Well worth venturing into CRITICS around the world have been falling over themselves to praise The Room (Cert 15A, 118 mins), and it’s not hard to see why, thanks to the mesmerising performances at the heart of the film. A woman lives with her young son in a single room where they’re both being held captive by a man. She hatches a daring escape plan, so that her son can see the outside world for the first time ...

the 5th wave

Makes a bit of a splash ANOTHER film in the burgeoning ‘young adult’ genre, The 5th Wave (Cert 12A, 112 mins) sees likeable lead Chloe Grace Moretz star in the latest apocalyptic tale where only a plucky teenager can win the day. When aliens invade, unleashing waves of attack designed to exterminate us pesky humans, a young woman gets caught up in the fight back. Deftly told, and daftly entertaining.

dirty grandpa

Simply a mess to avoid HERE’S another truly terrible film for Robert de Niro to besmirch his legacy with. Here, he teams up with cinema albatross Zac Effron for Dirty Grandpa (Cert 18, 102 mins), which delivers exactly what the title suggests: a young man is confronted with his grandfater’s grubby, sleazy side on a long road trip together. Can they bond on the trip? Can you last to the end of the film?

Michael Keaton and Mark Ruffalo are among the leads fleshing out Spotlight, which largely follows a newspaper team’s efforts to report on corruption and child abuse

spotlight: A church sex abuse scandal is meticulously unravelled

Reveals disturbing darkness BASED on the Boston Globe’s early 2000s uncovering of Catholic Church sex abuse scandals, Spotlight (Cert 15A, 129 mins) is a sobering, enlightening, and fundamentally important film.

Given the difficult subject matter, Spotlight seems oddly out of place when placed next to The Martian, and Mad Max: Fury Road, on the Oscar nomination lists but, if anything, it goes to highlight some of the diversity that is creeping into the awards ceremony (though, as director Spike Lee pointed out last week, the academy is not quite there yet).

Named after the “Spotlight” investigative team at the newspaper, the film follows the behind-the-scenes work-

 Dave phillips

ings that led to a series of reports that exposed massive corruption in the Boston archdiocese, and beyond.

It is a harrowing story that we are all unfortunately familiar with from similar exposes in Ireland and around the world – a story that tells of that recognisable pattern of victims cowed into silence, priests moved on to new parishes, and the church as an organisation trying to save face at all costs.

And, while the focus remains for the most

par t on the church, Spotlight is really a film about the darker side of institutions – religious or secular – and how it takes someone from the inside to break the circle of silence which allows such corruption to occur systemically.

The “insiders” in this case are the Boston journalists who can sense the importance of uncovering the truth, while also being aware of the devastation within their community that will follow in the wake of their reports.

Set mainly in the bustling newsrooms of the Globe, Spotlight features an impressive ensemble cast including Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, and Liev Schreiber.

Schreiber plays

Marty Baron, the newly appointed editor, who is enough of an outsider to let the Spotlight team loose on the topic.

Chief among these is Walter “Robby” Robinson (Keaton) who, as a Boston local, is fully aware of the domino effect of blame – implicating everyone from school officials to lawyers – that come as part and parcel of pursuing the story.

“This is how it starts” Keaton’s characters says to a prominent local official who is pushing him to not run with it; “one guy leans on another guy, and soon everyone ends up turning a blind eye”.

There is an air of truth in the statement, which runs through the entire film. Spotlight feels

authentic in part because of the huge effort made to mirror the real journalists’ personalities with the characters presented on screen.

Nothing here seems overly scripted or filmic; instead, we get a genuine feel for the anguish of the voiceless victims, the vastness of the implications of the exposure, and the sheer ardour of the investigative work.

It is, in its tone and setting, reminiscent of the newsroom storyline of the final season of HBO’s The Wire (which, fittingly, director and writer Tom McCarthy starred in).

And, as in The Wire, the audience feels dropped into the deep end of a real, fast-paced world replete with its own jargon and rules of

engagement.

Spotlight is the kind of film that immediately forces you to sit forward and pay attention because it smacks of something that feels authentic and significant.

There is simply not enough space to do justice to Spotlight – a film that is crammed full of strong and memorable performances (Ruffalo and McAdams are nominated for Best Supporting Oscars), and which never once flags during its two hours of screen time, and which imbues such a powerful and important message.

This is how stories should be told, and this is how films should be made.

Verdict: 10/10

4 February 2016 Gazette 25

26 blanch gazette 4 February 2016

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300'*/( (655&3*/( $0/53"$503 Ĺą 41&$*"-*45 */ 300'*/( 3&1"*34 "/% 3&1-"$&.&/5 Ĺą "-- '-"5 300'4 3&1"*3&% "/% 3&1-"$&% Ĺą "-- 5:1&4 0' 7"--&: "/% $)*./&: 803, $"33*&% 065 Ĺą "-Ĺą "-- 5:1&4 0' 3*%(& 10*/5*/( 1-"45&3*/( Ĺą 41&$*"-*454 /&8 617$ '"4$*"4 40''*54 Ĺą (655&3*/( "/% %08/1*1&4

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Fingal COUNTY COUNCIL

Ann-Marie Donohoe & Andrew Vavasour intend to apply for planning permission and retention permission for works to No 1 Limelawn Rise, Clonsilla, Dublin 15.

The development will consist of the construction of a 2 storey side extension providing 1 additional bedroom, enlargement of an existing bedroom, relocation of the main bathroom, while maintaining access to the rear garden via a ventilated access route, and the conversion of the attic space to provide a home office and playroom. Retention Permission is also being sought for a single storey rear extension to the dining room. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (20 Euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of this application 26059

4 February 2016 blanch gazette 27

blanchCLASSIFIEDS

Gazette

28 gazette 4 February 2016

SPORT

FastSport Mercy pipped at post in U-18 National cup: DCU Mercy missed out on the Hula Hoops Under-18 women’s National Cup title to SuperValu Brunell 72-69 after over-time.

The first half was truly a shooting showcase at either end and as Alex Macheta continued to be a thorn in DCU Mercy’s side, it was the introduction of Aoife Maguire for Mercy that proved to be crucial, as she helped drive the Dublin side to a 32-31 point lead at the break.

The second half was nail-biting, as Amy Murphy and Laura Morrissey helped put Brunell back into the lead, but determined play from Anna Brennan and Elizabeth Black kept the game neck-and-neck.

The teams were level on six separate occasions to see the game tied on 61-apiece on the final buzzer.

In over-time, it was Alex Macheta who was Brunell’s inspiration to nick a dramatic victory.

basketball: southsiders prevail in thrilling endgame over Swords

Temple of glory for Keenan men’s national cup Templeogue GCD Swords Thunder  sport@dublingazette.com

78 75

TEMPLEOGUE beat GCD Swords Thunder to claim their first Hula Hoops Men’s National

Cup Trophy with a 78-75 win at the National Basketball Arena.

It was a maiden final appearance for both sides, but a classic decider. The lead swung four times before Thunder missed a three-pointer on the

MVP Michael Bonaparte takes on Dan Nelms

final buzzer to send the Templeogue faithful into rapture.

“The way we came out in the third quarter and did our best to lose it in the fourth, it’s a special night,” said Templeogue Coach Mark Keenan with a fourth Cup medal around his neck. “You see the spirit within the group. We always believe we can do it.”

It was an adrenaline fuelled opening quarter. Michael Bonaparte showed no ill effects of the injury that prompted rumours of an American recruit being parachuted into the Templeogue lineup.

Sean Flood was the early scorer though. Having shot at just 13% in the semi-final, the 19 year old

Templeogue celebrate their National Cup success. Picture: Cathal Noonan/Inpho

landed three from four triples as Templeogue led 24-16 after 10 minutes.

From Swords Thunder’s American quartet, it was Dan Nelms who got the nod to start. The Davidson alumnus set about neutralising Jason Killeen on the offensive boards, before Mike Garrow added more penetration into the mix. Then Thunder took over altogether.

The second quarter was a write off for Templeogue, managing just four points and turning the ball over six times.

Isaac Westbrooks upped his steal count and Alex Dolenko contributed a pair of three-pointers to a 10-0 run for a 39-28 lead at the break.

Ex-Ireland International Paul Cummins was

heating up in the second quarter of his first game in 11 weeks. His outside shooting topped up second chance scores from Michael Bonaparte to level the sides at 49-49 late in the third. Stephen James followed up with a couple of downtown three-pointers and it took Westbrooks to snap a 13-0 run with the last shot of the third.

Leading 57-51 with ten minutes left gave no cause for comfort. Michael Bonaparte did. A threepoint play and a massive block on Sergi Guardia gave them their first double-digit lead.

Thunder hadn’t clapped out just yet. Alex Dolenko finished defiantly off his own steal and Dan Nelms’ dunk edged them

closer and a Westbrooks jump-shot brought it back to 67-70 with 90 seconds left.

Jason Killeen completed a double-double with his most precious rebound of the evening to prevent Thunder from an equalising opportunity.

Fouled in the process, they also iced the freethrows at the other end.

There were just 22 seconds and it was the first time the crowd felt they were looking at champions.

It was of no consolation to GCD Swords Thunder Head Coach Dave Baker that he was part of a thriller. It was a spectacle, but obviously we’re disappointed. We’re proud to have come so far and we can enjoy that much.”

Killester burned by Team Montenotte in women’s final  sport@dublingazette.com

Claire Rockall scores a basket despite the efforts of Killester’s Ali Maguire. Picture: Cathal Noonan/Inpho

PYROBEL Killester found Team Montenotte Hotel too hot to handle in the women’s Hula Hoops National Cup final last Sunday at the National Basketball Arena, falling 96-64 in a one-sided affair.

Killester had lost none of the grace or steel that has seen them fight for silverware on two fronts this season. They were simply overpowered by a side peaking when it mattered most.

Aine McKenna was the big

gun and revelled in her captain’s role. The MVP had 10 points in four minutes and the Glanmire club still had time for a 12-0 run, becoming just the second side of the national cup weekend to hit a 30-point quarter.

Killester coach Karl Kilbride gave his bench the opportunity to get to grips and put three Under-20 women’s cup champions on the floor from earlier in the weekend.

Aoibheann Byrne and Aisling McCann rewarded his faith with baskets as Killester managed a considerable 20-point quarter.

The only problem was that Glanmire repeated their first quarter trick and put up another 31 points.

One by one they stepped up to hit their shots. Marie Breen hit a pair and Chantell Alford refused to miss.

They’d hit the half-century in 17 minutes of basketball, shooting at 67% on both sides of the three-point line.

When the sides met in the 2015 decider, Team Montenotte Hotel won 62-36 on the back of a one-point lead at half time.

This time around, they were

already 62-34 clear at the break.

In 32 years of national cup basketball, only two women’s clubs have scored 80 points or more in 40 minutes.

I n 19 91, B l a r n e y b e a t Snowcream Wildcats 86-56 and were back at the Arena as part of their 25 year jubilee celebrations.

Glanmire’s first National Cup win was courtesy of an 89-75 win over UL Aughinish. Marie Breen scored 29 points that day in 2007 and had a double-double in 2016.

4 February 2016 gazette 29

Gazette

Humble Brandon’s family inspiration Former Moyle Park College and Lucan United man Brandon Payne says family roots are keeping him grounded as he looks to make the leap forward with Glasgow Celtic in 2016  adam doherty

sport@dublingazette.com

MOST young talents, when asked, would point to the greats like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo as their main source of inspiration.

For former Moyle Park College and Lucan United man Brandon Payne, his inspiration comes from much closer to home. He cites his uncle Philip Sheppard – a former St Pat’s, Shamrock Rovers and Cherry Orchard striker – as the key motivator in his footballing career.

It is indicative of his humble approach – saying he is just a “normal lad from Bawnogue” – and the importance of family to Payne who is making waves since his move to Glasgow Celtic.

The 18-year-old says he is living the profes-

sional footballers dream at the moment, saying it is something he was: “just brought into as soon as I could basically play!

“Growing up, my idol was my uncle [Sheppard], he played and brought me into football so he was someone who I looked up to as a kid.”

Indeed, family is especially important to him, saying the struggles of being away from his family and, especially, his younger brother Jordan being the hardest part.

“It is tough being away from the family, I only get to come home every so often.

“I have grown up with Jordan; he is a good person and a great footballer so hopefully he can push on and do well for himself, but I do keep in touch with him daily through Facetime”.

Payne’s career started with Ashwood before moving on to Lucan where he linked up with an incredibly productive side, one which has seen Irish underage international team mates Conor Masterson signed up

by Liverpool and Sean Whelan moving to Preston.

At Lucan, he rapidly rose to earn an Under15 call-up for Ireland but suffered a careerthreatening injury when he broke his leg against Dundalk.

“The injury was horrible, I was out for about a year so it took me ages to get back fit and I thought I wouldn’t be able to play again.”

Nonetheless, he worked his way through many doctor and physio sessions and came back to his best to get his first deal in January 2014 with

Brandon Payne in Lucan United action. Picture: Stephen Findlater

Glasgow Celtic.

It saw him follow in the footsteps of Roy Keane, a player very much in his mould as a combative midfielder with a keen relish for the tackle allied to an eye for a pass.

When part of the Irish underage set-up, the FAI

its after my injury; he did not have to meet and speak to me but he did so I was really grateful he did.”

When asked about the lifestyle and adapting to the life as a full-time footballer, Payne says he is certainly in his element.

“The lifestyle is unbeliev-

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

“Many people said [Roy Keane] would be scary but he told me straight out what I need to do” - Brandon Payne --------------------------------------------------------

arranged for Payne to meet Keane in Malahide.

Keane spoke to him about his experience of being rejected so many times as a youth and this provided much motivation for the youth.

This talk rung true for Payne in the wake of his injury issues that set him back. The motivational effect was immediate and he scored in a match later that evening.

When speaking about this experience of meeting Keane, Payne said: “He was unbelievable; many people said he would be scary, but he was real down to earth and he was straight out by telling me what I needed to do to make it.

“He won’t tell you lies, he really is an idol to so many people and he is also a great person to talk to. It lifted my spir-

able, but you cannot get too carried away with it.

“Adapting to it is obviously tough but, at the end of the day, you are getting paid so you cannot complain or give out too much.”

Speaking of his time at Celtic, Payne has endured a couple of injuries but has been a regular for their development side in the 2015-16 season to date and is back with the Republic of Ireland Under-19 side, lining out against Hungary and Croatia.

Speaking of his goals for the future, Payne adds: “I aim to push on and make a good living, so hopefully I don’t have to come back to Ireland and work!

“In five to ten years, I feel I will still be playing football or will definitely still be involved with it.”

FastSport

Smith steps away after stellar Irish amateur stint GERRY Smith has announced his decision to step down from his role as Republic of Ireland amateur international team manager.

Smith has opted to stand down after 20 years in the role following the fantastic high of leading the Eastern Region to the UEFA Regions Cup title last summer.

The Dubliner previously led the Irish representatives to the UEFA Regions Cup Final in 2011 when they were beaten by hosts Braga from Portugal.

Smith, 60, also managed the Republic of Ireland at the World Under-20 championships finals in the UAE in 2003. He also worked with Brian Kerr in a scouting and analysis role at the successful 1998 Under-18 UEFA championships finals in Cyprus.

His time with the junior international side included winning the Quadrangular tournament four times and securing runners-up places six times. Smith and his squad also won the Davie Pocock Cup twice against the Netherlands.

Smith’s 35 games as manager in the UEFA Regions Cup saw his Irish representatives qualify for final tournaments five times. His Irish side’s last 10 competitive games were all victories.

“I feel the time is right for me to step down from the role having reached the pinnacle by winning the UEFA Regions Cup in 2015,” said Smith.

“I have enjoyed the job immensely and wish to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the secretary Denis Cruise, the committee, council members and all past Presidents for the help and cooperation in making my job that much easier over the years.

“I would also like to place on record my thanks to all my own backroom staff and all the players who have played under me as a manager over the years. I have made great friends and will be eternally grateful to the FAI for the opportunity to manage such a great group of people.

“It is my intention to stay involved in football in the future but for now I’ll be recharging the batteries. So for the next weeks and months I’ll be at games and trying to enjoy them in a different way.

We got out on a high and that’s all you can ask for.”

Gazette

30 BLANCH gazette 4 February 2016

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: manzambi strikes dublin 15 club into sfai last 16

Mochta’s bow out of Metropolitan Cup SAINT Mochta’s bowed out of the Metropolitan Cup at the hands of Liffey Wanderers 2-1 on a rough day for Brian McCarthy’s side.

To add to his woes, a red card for Warren Fee means he will face a three game suspension following his second half dismissal.

Lee Dixon a threat on the left as the Saints enjoyed some good possession in the opening exchanges. However it was the home side who broke the deadlock.

Conor Riddick opened the scoring for Wanderers on 15 minutes with a beautifully hit shot that flew into the corner of the net.

David Somers equalised on the half hour mark pouncing on a sloppy back pass, he poked the ball home past the advancing goalkeeper.

Fee made a fine save on 32 minutes, parrying a shot away from outside the penalty area.

Keith Dunne was denied a goalscoring chance with a superb last ditch tackle on 35 minutes.

Somers’s delightful ball over the top of the Wanderers defence sent Dunne away but the defender did well to block the danger, keeping it 1-1 at the break Wanderers retook the lead, however, early in the second half. Lee Roche’s free kick sailed over the wall and nestled in the top corner.

Craig Sheridan was withdrawn through injury three minutes later. Mark O’ Neill slotted in to centre half with John Reilly entering the fray. Dunne was denied with a header from O’ Reilly’s delivery on the hour mark.

The keeper made a fine point blank save, although Dunne will be disappointed not to have hit the back of the net. Wanderers spurned a great chance to make it 3-1 on 64 minutes, a free header from a corner went high over the crossbar.

The game’s major talking point arrived on 66 minutes when Fee was shown a straight red card. The advancing Saints goalkeeper collided with the striker in the penalty area.

The referee appeared to point for a free kick out, then a penalty.

Finally, he produced a yellow card for the Liffey Wanderers player and then dismissed Fee though the kick out remained the decision. It stunted Mochta’s ability to fight back and Wanderers ultimately prevailed.

The Corduff Under-12 Premier side that reached the SFAI Cup last 16

Herbert hails Duff steel

 nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

WHILE the Dublin senior football team were busy beating Kerry in Croke Park on Saturday night in the return of the National Football League, a young Corduff side were just arriving home from the Kingdom having enjoyed their own success in the southwest.

The Blanch club’s Under-12 Premier side made the four-hour trip to the Ring of Kerry on Saturday morning to take on local side Killorglin in the U-12 SFAI Cup. After an early start,

they arrived at the ground labelled locally as the Dragon’s Den but left it having slayed the hosts and advancing to the last 16 in the country.

Corduff went ahead relatively early in the first half when Leon McGuinness wrapped up a neat move with a fine leftfooted finish.

The home side pulled one back with a couple of minutes remaining in the half after some rare sloppy defending from the Dublin 15 side.

The second half saw little in the way of chances as the game turned scrappy and extra-time looked to be looming. But, the

premier victory Coolmine win Leinster Under-15 league title coolmine won the Leinster Under-15 school/youth league premier division last weekend when they saw off nearest rivals 35-14 on Merrion Road.

It saw them leap-frog the Dublin 4 side on the final day of action in the group, making it four wins from five, lifting them to 17 points overall. The side earlier beat Clontarf, Cill Dara and MU Barnhall in the earlier phases of the competition before being edged out 7-5 by Greystones.

Corduff lads obviously didn’t fancy hanging around as, with five minutes left to play, Darragh Keane and Sean Matondo combined down the left, playing in Belguy Manzambi who netted the winner.

“It was great to get the win,” said manager Daniel Herbert. “It’s always nice to get a big trip like this and nicer to get the win, it makes the bus journey home a much happier place.

“We started really well and in the opening 10 minutes it looked like it was going to be straightforward but Killorglin settled into it and created

chances of their own to be fair.

“We scored two really good goals and showed some real steel at the back which is always pleasing,” added the young manager.

Up next for Corduff is a trip to DDSL giants Cherry Orchard and the manager recognises how tough that will be. “It will be a hard game for sure and we’ll go in as the underdogs,” he said.

“Clubs such as Cherry Orchard attract players from all over Dublin whereas our squad would be all locally-based, but we’ve got quality and we’ll see what happens on the

day. I’m just glad we don’t have a similar journey again as it can affect your start to a game.”

It hasn’t all been good news for the side in the past week, with Herbert issuing a nice message to one of his players who unfortunately missed out on the action in Kerry.

“One of our players, Adam Johnston, suffered a broken leg last Thursday which is unfortunate.

He’s a great lad who loves his football and will be missed while out.

“From myself, Andy Keane and all the players, we wish him luck on his recovery and can’t wait for him to comeback.”

4 February 2016 BLANCH gazette 31

Gazette

handball heroes

Carolan comes out tops in 40x20 trial matches

Club Noticeboard st brigid’s

st brigid’s Conor Carolan was the even-

tual winner of the recent Dublin Under-13 40x20 handball final trials to decide the representative for Dublin in the forthcoming Leinster championships.

In a fine showing by the club, he saw off club mate Andrew Waldron in the final with Brigid’s Tom Mohan and Na Fianna’s Fiachra Cooney and Liam Fay also battling it out for the Dublin place.

THE St Brigid’s nursery runs every

Congratulations to Noelle on this great

Saturday in Russell Park from 9.30am

honour and achievement.

to 11am. We welcome all four- to sev-

St Brigid’s Conor Carolan will rep-

en-year-olds in the Castleknock and

resent Dublin at U-13 handball in the

Blanchardstown area and new mem-

Leinster championships following

bers and families are always welcome.

recent trials. Best of luck to Conor.

For further information and queries contact David on 085 8340169.

football: jackies too good for the kingdom

Congratulations to Mark Byrne, the winner of our 1 to 2,500 cent draw.

St Brigid’s member registration

Thank you to Tim O’Mahony and his

is now open for the 2016 season. The

team for all their work on this fund-

deadline for registrations is March 31,

raising initiative.

2016. All memberships must be regis-

There was no jackpot winner in last

tered and finalised by this date. Full

Thursday’s lotto draw. The jackpot

details and online payment are avail-

remains at €15,000 for this week’s

able on club website.

draw in Myo’s on Friday, February 5.

On behalf of chairman, Paddy Davey,

The reserve jackpot rises to €12,400.

thank you to all members who turned

Thank you to our lotto team and to all

out on Friday evening to make our first

our lotto supporters.

social night of 2016 a great success. A

Join our senior footballers for

special thanks to all the organisers

live music and entertainment in the

and helpers on the night.

clubhouse this Saturday, February 6.

Noelle Healy has been named as Dublin senior ladies captain for 2016.

George Murphy and his band will perform live from 9pm.

castleknock THE club celebration night was a great

ing at 10am. We look forward to wel-

success and well done to all the organ-

coming all our young nursery boys and

isers and sincere thanks to all who

girls back for some Sport agus Spraoi,

attended. Well done to all who picked

fun and encouragement.

up well deserved awards and congrats

A special visitor this Saturday, Feb-

to all our teams for their achievements

ruary 6 when Sam comes to Somer-

in 2015 and very best wishes for 2016.

ton, so get your cameras ready and

Congrats to hurler Paul Bourke and Niamh McEvoy scored two goals in Dublin’s victory over Kerry. Picture: Peter Hickey/GAAPics.com

Healy captaincy of Dubs starts in style

lidl nfl division 1 Dublin 2-14 Kerry 1-6  sport@dublingazette.com

NEW captain Noelle Healy, from St Brigid’s, led the Dublin Ladies to an emphatic win over Kerry by 11 points in the opening round of the Lidl Ladies National Football League.

It was clear that the Dublin team were up for the fight with Healy, Ly ndsey Davey and Sinead Aherne scoring three points within three minutes for the Dubs.

Former Kerry captain Bernie Breen responded

for Kerry with a welltaken point in the fourth minute. The Beaufort player’s kick was helped on its way with the aid of a strong wind which was blowing into the railway end of Parnell Park.

Dublin’s movement upfront was impressive with the inside line of Aherne, Niamh McEvoy and Amy Ring all showing well. Dublin’s first goal came in the 18th minute following a penetrative run from Davey, who laid off a brilliant pass to McEvoy who finished the ball to the back of the Kerry net with aplomb.

Further points from Ring and Healy pushed Dublin’s lead out to nine points with 22 minutes gone. Kerry kept plugging away but were guilty of some poor shooting and their wide tally was starting to mount.

The Kingdom got a fortunate break in the 29th minute when a speculative cross field pass by Anna Galvin dipped over the head of Dublin keeper Ciara Trant and into the back of the Dubs’ net.

The goal lifted Kerry and they reduced the gap to 1-8 to 1-3 at the break.

It was Dublin who once again started the

second half in spritely fashion with four unanswered points courtesy of Carla Rowe, Aherne, Siobhan Woods and Aherne again.

With 42 minutes gone on the clock, McEvoy once again broke Kerry hearts with another well taken goal. The pass for McEvoy’s score came at the end of a well worked passage of play involving Aherne and Davey.

Dublin introduced a number of players with Rebecca McDonnell, Amy Conroy and Niamh Ryan making their senior debuts when brought in near the closing stages.

footballer Shane Boland who were called up to the DubsStars squad for the games at the weekend.

why not bring a friend for a special picture.

A basic club referee training course for new adult referees will commence

Now that Spring is in the air, it’s time

on Monday, February 8 and continues

to clear out old clothes etc and drop

on Monday February 15 – the venue is

them down to the green container in

Parnell Park, 7.30pm with registration

Somerton for the clubs Cash for Clob-

at 7.15pm. Please note that intending

ber initiative. It’s a great way to clear

participants must be over 18. Further

the clutter and get some cash for the

details if required from Aidan Shiells

club.

on 087 2442764.

The nursery on Saturday takes

The GAA national club draw is now

place on the all-weather in Somerton

an annual event following its success

(beside the Castleknock Hotel) start-

over the past two years.

Naomh Peregrine BEST wishes to all the teams as they

The senior hurlers are running a

start the season especially the two

table quiz on Friday, February 5 at

new teams (boys and girls U-8s and

8.30pm loads of prizes on the night;

the U-9 girls).

tables are €40, please support what

New players are always welcome by

should be a great night.

all teams; please check the club web-

Please return all sold or unsold

site – www.cnp.ie – for team details,

national draw tickets to the club this

training times and mentors contact

week.

details if interested. Best wishes to

Membership fees are now due for

Eric Lowndes and the Dubs as they

2016; contact Michelle Kavanagh to

start the league campaign. Congrat-

make a payment. The club shop has a

ulations to Rachael Brennan on been

new line of St Peregrine’s sportswear

named Dublin U-16 captain; it’s a great

in stock.

honour for Rachael and her family;

For a brochure or order form,

everyone at St Peregrine’s are proud

please email Dermot at shop.stper-

of your achievement.

egrine@gmail.com.

GazetteSPORT all of your blanch sports coverage from page 28-31

kingdom conquered: Corduff continue winning ways in SFAI Under-12 Cup competition in Kerry P30

february 4-10, 2016

pursuing the celtic dream: Brandon Payne on his rising career with Glasgow club P29

Robert Harvey has been added to the FIFA International Referees list

Harvey at world level Castleknock College teacher elevated to FIFA International Referees list as he continues his pathway to officiating at the highest level

 nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

AS WELL as keeping his students in-line, Castleknock College teacher Robert Harvey looks set to be the man in charge of international footballers in the near future after the promising referee was promoted to the FIFA International Referees list this week.

The 27-year-old is a regular in the in the SSE Airtricity League and now joins Neil Doyle, Paul McLaughlin and Padraig Sutton on the international list. The English teacher has said how refereeing has taken him to a level of football that otherwise would have been out of reach.

“I’ve had the pleasure of refereeing at a stand-

ard I wouldn’t have played, and probably would never have reached if I’d have been playing,” he said.

“Being part of the national league, I would have gone and watched a lot of national league games when I was younger but I wouldn’t have reached it as a player. As a referee, I’ve fortunately ticked a few boxes along the way and done well and as a result have made it somewhere that you might not have made it as a player.”

Harvey spoke while in Limassol, Cyprus where he attended the 25th UEFA Introductory Course for new international referees which will test his ability at an elite level. While at the course, he also advised young referees in

Ireland to be patient in their goals to climb the refereeing ladder.

“If you’re starting out as a young referee, you’ve got all the time in front of you to try and reach that,” he said.

“We’re a country where our league essentially is still growing, our referees are combining refereeing with a full-time job and we’re coming up in Europe against referees who can commit full-time.

“You do have aims and targets but you need to be realistic in the right balance between work and refereeing.”

The former St Kevin’s Boy’s club member gave an insight into his own progression through the refereeing ranks and spoke of his excitement of

the steps that lie ahead.

“Once I got onto the national league and began refereeing I had a clear aim to be on the international list,” said Harvey.

“Only four people in Ireland at any given time for male refereeing can get there, and then obviously you have to be at the right age and a lot of things have to fall in your favour. But this course is the beginning of what I hope will be a long successful career.

“It’s where every referee wants to be, I started out as a 16-year-old referee and to think that in 11 years, I’m now on the international panel of referees, albeit at the very beginning of it with a tough challenge ahead, it’s where you want to be and it’s very very exciting.”