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Shane’s planes & automobileS: Exclusive interview with the new transport minister P2

WIN It’s your chance to win a pair of tickets for virtuoso violinist Vladimir Jablokov’s show at Draiocht. See P17 to enter.

gallery Look who’s back in town at the Peter Mark VIP Style Awards ...

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May 12-18, 2016

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The future is local - the future is free

it’s a g’ day for sisters meeting for the very first time

PERTH woman Joan Crawford-Murray stepped off a flight from Australia and into the waiting arms of her younger sister, Lesley Fagan, at Dublin Airport on Tuesday morning. While there’s nothing unusual about emotional airport meetings, this one was truly remarkable – it was the first time they had ever met each other, after Joan was given up for adoption as a baby more than 60 years ago. Lesley had spent almost 30 years looking in vain for her big sister, who knew nothing of her Irish sibling. Luckily, Lesley’s plea on social media went from our small island to the other side of the planet, and a big surprise for Joan ...

Full Story on Pages 24-25

Mum of one fights for life after hit and run  ian begley

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you Siobhan Geraghty

A local mother was seriously injured in a potential hit-andrun car accident in Clonsilla, Dublin 15.

Siobhan Geraghty (35) took a taxi to her home at the Lohunda Dale estate in Clonsilla from

Harcour t Street at around 3.40am on Sunday, May 8.

But the primar y school teacher never made it to her door after she was hit by a car that failed to stop at the scene.

Neighbours then discovered Siobhan lying unconscious on the road.

The young mother was rushed to Connolly Hospital and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital, where her condition is described as critical.

Her family and friends are now appealing for the driver of the car to come forward, or for anyone who knows anything

about what happened to Siobhan to contact gardai.

It is reported that neighbours heard “a thud” and then a car speeding from the scene. They then discovered Siobhan lying unconscious on the road.

Continued on Page 2

2 BLANCH Gazette 12 May 2016

exclusive | ‘it doesn’t mean i’m a fan of fine gael’

Minister Ross defiant despite a Cabinet role  emma nolan “IT DOESN’T mean I’m a fan of Fine Gael,” Shane Ross, of the Independent Alliance (IA), told The Gazette in his first interview since striking a deal with Fine Gael and gaining the title of Minister for Transport.

The new minister spoke to The Gazette about his new role, and his relationship with Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

He said: “We hammered out the best possible deal. I regard this as a vote for our programme and this was the only way to get it implemented.”

The outspoken politi-

cian and journalist was the first TD to be elected in the 2016 General Election, and made no qualms about his opinion of the Taoiseach, who he famously called a “political corpse”.

Now that they’re Cabinet colleagues, however, Minister Ross has “accepted” the Taoiseach’s leadership. Laughing as he considered his response to his “political corpse” quip, he said: “Enda Kenny is still the leader of his party, and I accept that he is the leader of the country as a result of that.

“Fine Gael was the only vehicle offering a road to radical progress who had

agreed to radical changes in the programme for government, and I would have been voting against those changes if I’d walked away from that deal.

“We were faced with a choice – either vote Enda Kenny and FG back into office, or be faced with another general election and no government.

“We decided that we would have to take our responsibilities seriously, not do what all the other small groups had done, which was to walk away from government.”

The new minister told The Gazette that he was interested in the Transport portfolio prior to

New Minister for Transport Shane Ross (IA)

being assigned it.

“It’s a challenge and it was certainly in my top three or four [ministries],” he said, while acknowledging his relief at not being assigned the dreaded Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht ministry.

“I have virtually no Irish at all – it would have been a cruel blow! I’d have to go off to learn Irish for 12 months, like poor Joe McHugh did.”

He maintained that it would have been an “unlikely and inappropriate” appointment and said that he thinks the other appointments are “pretty good”.

Speaking on his fellow IA Cabinet colleagues, he said it’s “tremendous that all five of us will be office holders”.

“The Independent Alliance is very different from Fine Gael, so I suspect we will have a somewhat disproportionate influence.”

When asked if the current situation was his ideal outcome, Minister Ross said that he is really happy with the “parts of programme for government which we put in”.

In particular, he is pleased with the possibil-

ity for the reopening of garda stations, especially his local one of Stepaside, which he has campaigned to be reopened along with locals since its closure in 2013. Minister Ross revealed to The Gazette that there is going to be a pilot scheme put in place which will “in the very near future” see six stations across the country reopened. He is confident that Stepaside will be one of them. “We had to fight really long and hard for that,” he said.

When asked if the IA would end up being accused of “propping up” Fine Gael as Labour were, Minister Ross was adamant that will not be the case for them and that he and his IA colleagues see the coalition as a “road to reform”.

During Deputy’s Ross’ campaign trail, T he Gazette accompanied him door to door where he faced many questions from his constituents regarding Irish Water, which he says is now “unlikely to resurrect”.

“Its suspension looks to me like it’s a way of giving Irish Water a decent burial.”

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

continued from page 1

Hit and run Siobhan was rushed to Connolly Hospital and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital, where her condition is described as critical.

Speaking to the media, her brother said that Siobhan has had surgery to reduce the swelling and pressure on her brain, with the first 48 hours described as critical. She had three separate injuries to her head and the one causing the most concern was at the back of her skull. Doctors have had to remove the front of her skull to reduce the pressure on the frontal lobes of her brain.

Her family and friends are appealing for the driver of the car to come forward, or for anyone who knows anything about what happened to Siobhan. A good friend of the local resident made a plea on Facebook in the hopes someone with information will come forward.

She posted: “My kind, funny and beautiful friend Siobhan was the victim of a hit and run outside her house on Saturday night.

Please share people and hopefully someone somewhere knows something.

All of our thoughts are with you and David.”

The gardai are trying to find CCTV images from Harcourt Street and the ATM location to see if they can gain any information from them.

Investigators have established that she had travelled from Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 in a taxi to the Lohunda area prior to her discovery and are seeking to identify the driver of this taxi, which is not better described.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information, particularly those who may have been in the Lohunda Estate/ Ongar Distributor Road area between 3.15am and 4.15am.

80

12 May 2016 BLANCH Gazette 3

politics

‘Unhappy’ Taoiseach returns to the Dail Upon Enda Kenny’s second nomination as Taoiseach, Dublin West TD Ruth Coppinger (SP) told him in the Dail that: “I’ve never seen an incoming Taoiseach looking so unhappy.”

Groan Coppinger added that the reason for his apparent unhappiness is because “a collective groan is going around that 75% of people didn’t want you returned as Taoiseach and Fine Gael in a position of power”.

“And I say this to Fine Fail: If you think you can ride two horses of supporting the Government and leading this opposition – think again.”

Blakestown Community Group | new walkway is launched

Taking first steps on yellow brick road  Ian Begley

local residents and representatives came out in their droves to celebrate the launch of Blakestown Community Group’s (BDCG) new walkway – The Yellow Brick Road.

This project is the symbolic fruition of BDCG’s initiative Project Vivaldi and was completed in conjunction with the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown (ITB) and Scoil Mhuire, Blakestown.

The natural path was transformed into a beauti-

ful and colourful walkway where the children and parents of Scoil Mhuire regularly walk to school.

Rachel Freeman, lecturer in horticulture in ITB, chose BDCG to be part of this Module as they have worked hard with Rachel in the past on various environmental, community and education projects and forged strong bonds with both her, ITB and Scoil Mhuire.

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP), who was champion of this project, was instrumental in bringing this

rewarding constituent of Project Vivaldi to fulfilment. Cllr O’Gorman cut the ribbon to open up the Yellow Brick Road at the launch ceremony.

The ceremony included a concert of poem reading, and singing from the school children of Scoil Mhuire in front of invited dignitaries representing the community.

A highlight of the concert was a recorder recital of Vivaldi’s “Spring” which brought tears of enchantment to the assembled guests which poignantly represented the inclusive

Councillor Roderic O’Gorman (GP), cuts the ribbon to officially launch the Yellow brick Road

investment that Project Vivaldi represents.

An important aspect at the ceremony was also the presentation of the BDCG Academy Awards – with pride of honour, the Oscars, going to the recipients for their contribution to the community.

Speaking at the celebration event, Joan Con-

way, principal of Scoil Mhuire Junior School said: “Gardens and flowers have a way of bringing people together, drawing them from their homes and us from our classrooms. Today we are here to honour and celebrate the truly magnificent hard work completed by Caitlin, Tony, Sean, the residents from Blakes-

town Drive Community Group, Rachel and her team of ITB students.

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow… the future. Our students are the future. They will walk through a bright, clean, vibrant area, across the Yellow Brick Road, their senses stimulated aware of life, growth, colour and change.”

4 BLANCH Gazette 12 May 2016

politics | twitter pours scorn on homeboy jack

Chambers in hot water over not paying his bills  Ian Begley

TD Jack Chambers (FF)

Dublin West TD Jack Chambers (FF) is on the receiving end of a bombardment of jokes on Twitter after admitting that the reason for not paying his water bills is because he still lives at home with his mother.

Speaking on the Marian Finucane show on Sunday morning, the recently elected TD was asked if he had paid the water charges. Instead of answering with an ideological motive similar to Paul Murphy’s stance, Chambers responded by saying that he actually still lives at

home so his mam is the one paying the charges.

Twitter soon exploded with many people poking fun at the young TD. Some of the Tweets included: “FF TD Jack Chambers with the best excuse for not paying water charges: “Well, I’m 25 - I still live at home.”

“Jack Chambers is earning a TD salary, lives at home with Mammy/ Daddy & doesn’t pay water charges, jaysus wept.”

“25 year olds not entitled to full jobseekers & 25 year olds who live with their ma given seats in parliament. ‘millennial’ is not a thing.”

Many took to Twitter to make fun of Jack Chambers on why he doesn’t pay water charges

fingal Business information workshops The Fingal Local Enterprise Office (LEO) has announced plans to roll out a series of business information workshops and other business services through Fingal Libraries. This will enable small businesses in the region to access valuable information and business advice directly from their local library.

To avail of a free business advisory clinic it is necessary to make an appointment prior to attending by calling Fingal Local Enterprise Office on 01-8900 800. Workshops will be organised to assist those seeking to set up their own business and information is available from the LEO website w w w.localenterprise. ie/fingal.

R1

12 May 2016 BLANCH Gazette 5

6 BLANCH Gazette 12 May 2016

petition | over 50,000 in support of blanchardstown for facility

No drop in objection e tt ze a G to hospital site

Double delight for Castleknock on glorious week in Feile and the SFC

BLAN CH

BILLION DOLLAR MAYBE: Blanch shopping centre

WIN

on the brink of being sold to US investment firm P4

î Ž Ian Begley

“In supporting the motion (by Fingal County Council) calling on the Minister for Health to change the site from St James’s to Connolly, councillors are speaking for the children and families in their communities who have never been given a voice in this process. “It is the county councillors, tuned in to the local people, who are in a position to represent the real public sentiment. “We would urge the minority of county councils who have yet to table the motion regarding the change of site to represent their people

SEE PAGE 31 & 32

THE FUTURE IS LOCAL - THE FUTURE IS FREE

SIGNED NATHAN CARTER ALBUMS TO GIVE AWAY

in earnest in the council chamber. “Jack and Jill remains It’s your last chance to WIN a signed album from Irish country music phenomenon steadfastly convinced Opinion: Nathan Carter, courtesy of The Deputy Clare Daly Gazette.

St James’s is wrong for The music sensation’s new lambasts Ireland’s album builds on his soaring sucresponse to the EU children, and as a memto date, adding to the string cess refugee emergency of number-ones he’s already Page 10 ber of the Connolly for bagged. From albums to DVDs, his trademark modern country Kids Hospital group Tweetwise: sound has delighted music fans Some ill-advised – and now YOU can win a signed will continue to support copy of Nathan’s terrific new public messages album! the C4KH campaign in never that should To be in with a chance of have flown whatever way possible, winning, see our competition away on Page 10.

3 while re-shiftingPageour core attention back to N FASHIO some essential operations for Make waves with our families.

River Island’s summer “Most importantly, our styles Pages 18-19 families across Ireland *ONATHAN )RWIN

from Wicklow to DonEND OF A YEAR LONG DISPUTE PITAL IN "LANCHARDSTOWN DATION

 IAN BEGLEY ME ITlS A VERY WITH MANY FAMILIES AND SUCH AS THE ACRE SITE SAID m4O Decision comes at ACCESS TO THOSE SICK JOKE )lVE WORKED WITH EASIER PS CALLING egal and from Louth to CAMPAIGN GROU GRANT TO DECISION 4(% YEARS AND CHILDREN FOR EXTENSIVE OUTSIDE $UBLIN

PERMISSION FOR THE NEW FOR THE HOSPITAL TO BE BUILT end of a year-long LITIES AND THINK ) REFLECT HOW MANY west Cork and Kerry are . A T I O N A L # H I L D R E N l S AT #ONNOLLY (OSPITAL IN PARKING POSSIBI AND FASTER FAMILIES FEEL ACROSS )RE IT BEING CHEAPER INSTEAD "LANCHARDSTOWN SITE OF 3T dispute with families (OSPITAL AT THE LAND AT THE MOMENT reading, 4HEY BELIEVE THERE WERE TO BUILD IN THAT LOCATION *AMESlS (OSPITAL HAS BEEN now extensively engagedKeep keep recycling 4HE FOUNDER OF THE *ACK MANY ADVANTAGES OF DEVEL ICK JOKEn Full Story on Page 24 and campaign groups DESCRIBED AS mA S NlS &OUN – thank you !ND *ILL #HILDRE RENlS HOS OPING THE CHILD 4HE NEWS COMES AT THE in the campaign, tirelessly fighting for the best for As we reported last week, Connolly Hospital (above) was rejected for the new National Children’s Hospital, a decision which has been widely criticised their children,� he said.

New Closing Date: Friday the 13th.

Lucky for some!

De s pi t e A n B o r d Pleanala granting permission for the new National Children’s Hospital to be built on the site of St James’s hospital, opposition groups remain persistent in keeping up their campaign to convince the Government to change the site to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, instead.

Recent figures have revealed that the Connolly for Kids Hospital petition campaign, which calls on Taoiseach Enda Kenny, to build the children’s hospital in Blanchardstown has

received in excess of 50,000 signatures.

Following the establishment of the 32nd Dail, the Jack and Jill Foundation again calls o n E n d a K e n ny t o “respect the will of the people� and to co-build the National Children’s with the Rotunda at Connolly hospital in Blanchardstown.

Jack and Jill founder Jonathan Irwin said: “The hospital can yet be built more quickly and much more cheaply there in a location where, excellent in its duties of clinical care, education and research, it can best serve the children and families of Ireland.

May 5-11, 2016

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Children’s hospital at James’s a ‘sick joke’

12 May 2016 BLANCH Gazette 7

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blanch Gazettegallery | Mount Sackville Secondary school

Aimee Kearney, Elisha Shanahan, Blathnaid Nicholson and Elizabeth Hutchinson

Abbie Flannery, Saoirse Conroy, Velarie Sumuilova and Ella Brown. Pictures: Ronan O’ Sullivan

Students step back in time to mark Rising

S

tudents of Mount Sackville Secondary school celebrated and commerated the 1916 Easter Rising with performances of an original play entitled On Sackville Street written by Ms Clodagh Havel. The cast completed

its ten-performance run with over 900 students, staff and parents watching the play, which was directed by Ms Niamh Dowling. On Sackville Street is a story set in two timelines - classrooms of 1916 and 2016.

Akeksandra Krzesiak as Padraig Pearse

Molly Tiernan

Aimee Kearney and Elisha Shanahan

Morna Henehan

Georgia Rau Williams

Perri O’Neill

Abbie Flannery

12 May 2016 BLANCH Gazette 9

10 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 12 May 2016

Gazettegallery

Model, author and

| The annual Peter Mark VIP Style Awards

Model Sarah Morrissey

blogger Rosanna Davison

Personal trainer Leanne Moore Model Roz Purcell

Conor McGregor and partner Dee Devlin, who was awarded the prize of most stylish newcomer, Vogue Williams and model Louise O’Reilly.

Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Theresa Mannion, Darren Kennedy and Jodi Albert

Fashionistas flock to a night of glitz I

Sean Musnanje and Storm and Missie Keating

Chris Doyle

Grace Mongey

reland’s most glamorous grown-ups came out to play recently for the Peter Mark VIP Style Awards. As usual the red carpet was filled with stylish celebs for the celebration of Irish style. Vogue Williams took home the coveted Most Stylish Woman of the Year award. Conor McGregor arrived back in Dublin to support girlfriend Dee Devlin, who won out in the Most Stylish Newcomer category. Blogger and social media influencer Rosie Connolly picked up the Most Stylish Social Influencer award. In the Most Stylish Male category, Eurovision hopeful Nicky Byrne came out on top ahead of Baz Ashmawy, Brian McFadden, Leo Varadker and Nathan Carter among others.

Gazette

12 May 2016 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 11

dublinLIFE

Chicago: it would be a crime to miss this musical

Get set to have a razzle dazzle time  ian begley

Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery…”

T he international award-winning musical Chicago is taking to the stage in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre this week and it would be a crime a to miss it.

Starring John Partridge as Billy Flynn, Hayley Tamaddon as Roxie Hart and Sam Bailey as Mama Morton, this production is based on the 2002 Oscar winning movie.

Set in the roaring 20s,

nightclub, sensation Velma murders her philandering husband, and slick Chicago lawyer Billy Flynn is set to defend her. But when Roxie also winds up in prison, Billy takes on her case as well – turning her into a media circus of headlines. Neither woman will be outdone in their fight against each other and the public for fame and celebrity.

John Partridge is probably best known for playing the role of Christian Clarke in EastEnders.

His many musical theatre credits include Rum Tum

Tugger in Cats in the West End, on tour and the official film of the show, John in Miss Saigon on the first UK national tour and most recently Zach in A Chorus Line at the London Palladium.

John was also a judge on BBC1’s Over the Rainbow, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search to find a Dorothy for the musical The Wizard of Oz. Hayley Tamaddon has just finished playing Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street. She also played Del Dingle in Emmerdale. Her

numerous theatre credits include The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot and Janet in The Rocky Horror Show.

Sam Bailey worked as a prison officer for three years until 2013. At the end of that year Sam won the tenth series of the X-Factor receiving more than a million votes over the course of the final weekend. Following her win, her debut single Skyscraper was released and achieved the Christmas Number One. Created by the musical theatre talents of John

Hayley Tamaddon as Roxie Hart, John Partridge as Billy Flynn and Sam Bailey as Mama Morton

Kander (music), Fred Ebb (lyrics) and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, Chicago’s score includes All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle.

The musical originally opened at the Adelphi Theatre in London in November 1997 to rave

reviews, winning the 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for “Outstanding Musical Production” as well as the 1998 Critics Circle Drama Award for Best Musical, and immediately became a sell-out hit running for 15 years.

It is currently playing in

New York where it holds the record as the longest running musical revival and also the second longest running musical in Broadway history.

Running until May 21, tickets are available at bordgaisenerygtheatre. ie.

Gazette

12 Gazette 12 May 2016

dublinlife

diary

Can you take a shot worth €1,000?

IRELAND Alive has been announced as the theme for this year’s Top Oil Amateur Photo Competition.

Top Oil are calling on Dublin’s talented amateur photographers to grab their cameras and capture what they believe represents the life and soul of Ireland through the theme.

For the 2016 competition, Ireland Alive encourages Dublin’s amateur photographers to capture Ireland in all its glory, full of life and bursting with spirit.

From the indigenous flora and fauna found from The Burren to Dublin Bay, to the spectacular coastal views on offer along The Wild Atlantic

Way, snap and send it in.

The overall winner of the Top Oil Amateur Photography Competition will feature on the coveted calendar cover, as well as winning a €1,000 voucher. The 11 runner-up winners will each receive a €200 voucher.

To keep up to date with the competition, see Top Oil’s Facebook page www.facebook/topoilfuelingireland. The closing date is May 31.

win one of 20,000 holidays abroad THIS summer, Walkers is giving crisp and sunshine lovers alike the chance to win one of 20,000 holidays.

With 26 worldwide

destinations up for grabs, Walkers will be sending winners and three friends on a 4-star, seven-night holiday.

To enter, find a code inside every promotional pack of Walkers Crisps and just enter it online at www.walkers.co.uk/ spellandgo to unveil a letter.

Keep collecting letters to spell one of 26 destinations and win a holiday to that destination.

To i n c r e a s e y o u r chances, get family and friends to register online and swap letters to bag a dream trip.

Walkers are also currently hosting one of the biggest letter hunts that Dublin has ever seen. Each day, Walkers

are asking the people of Dublin to hunt for one giant letter in the city centre in a different location – but hurry to the hunt, as it ends this Friday, May 13.

For further information, see www.walkers. co.uk/spellandgo.

no codding – it’s fish and chips day The 131-year tradition of fish and chips in Ireland will be celebrated later this month with half-price fish and chips at participating eateries.

Organised by The Irish Traditional Italian Chippers Association (ITICA), National Fish And Chips Day takes place on Wednesday, May 25.

Established in Decem-

ber, 2009, and now with more than 180 members throughout the country, ITICA was created to promote and build on the traditional values and ethos of the Irish-Italian chipper community.

In their first six months, I T ICA s u c c e s s f u l l y launched the national day to celebrate the tradition of fish and chips.

The Irish-Italian chipper culture was started by members of the IrishItalian community who arrived in Ireland in the 1880s. All members of this community come from the villages in Val Di Comino in Southern Italy.

To find out what chippers will be taking part, see itica.ie.

Brooke Briscoe was happy to help launch this year’s Top Oil Amateur Photo Competition. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

12 May 2016 Gazette 13

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Entertainment broadcaster Colum McCormack Crowe: “With live radio, you just do not know what’s going to happen”

a day in the life: Colum McCormack CROWE

Happy to face the random nature of live radio work  ian begley

CORK native Colum McCormack Crowe is a rising star when it comes to entertainment news.

Presenting as an entertainment presenter on Dublin’s Classic Hits 4FM on the Niall Boylan Show, and also as a freelance journalist, every day for the media all-rounder is very different.

Colum said that there is no such thing as an average day for him.

He said: “I usually get up around 6.30am and sit on the sofa for a while, then head out for a walk before I start working.

“Because I’m a freelance journalist, I never know what the next day might throw at me.

“One day I could be doing nothing but drinking coffee, but the next could have me bogged dow n with multiple assignments.

“I have also a barbershop and a hairdresser in Cork, but on Fridays when I’m doing the Niall

Boylan Show I have to travel three and a half hours from Cork to Dublin by bus.

“I would consider the bus as my office, because I have the opportunity to get a lot of my research done for the show while travelling to Dublin.

“I actually love taking the bus because it’s certainly a lot more relaxing and easier than driving.”

Colum added that up until recently he ran his own magazine in Cork, but decided to “lay it to rest” due to the stress and undivided commitment involved.

“I much prefer working for someone else because when you’re running your own publication you have no time at all to do anything else.

“It was literally a 24 hour a day job, and didn’t offer any variation. I prefer freelancing a whole lot more because of the versatility involved.

“If you’re in the media industry, it’s very important to enjoy your job

and all the variations that come with it.”

Asked if anything out of the ordinary every happened while live on air, Colum said: “All the time.

With live radio, you just do not know what’s going to happen. Only two weeks ago when we were just about to go on air my computer just crashed.

“I went completely blank because I didn’t have my notes in front of me, but luckily Niall had a couple of his notes on his computer so he just turned it around so I could have an idea what I was supposed to talk about, which was gas!

“After the show, and after the long journey home to Cork, I would usually get in the door around 7.40pm. From then on I get into something more comfortable, maybe order a Chinese and just chill out.

“I’m not as young as I used to be, and usually find myself getting tired by 10,” said the 39-yearold.

Gazette

FEATURE

Gazette

14 Gazette 12 May 2016

dublinlife

business

tie-in: imma connection announced

Art partnership at Dean Hotel  emma nolan

ULTR A-trendy hotel Dean Dublin say they are thrilled to announce that they are IMMA’s major hotel partner for 2016.

Since first opening its doors in 2014, Dean Dublin say they have strived to create a fun and vibrant space for their guests, right in the heart of the city.

T he Dean Dublin IMMA partnership begins with the opening of a new work by Simon Fujiwara, opening at IMMA on Friday, May 20.

Entitled The Humanizer, this new commission is an imagined Hollywood biopic of Roger Casement, with contributions from scriptwriter Michael Lesslie (Macbeth, 2015; Assassin’s Creed, 2016) and Oscarwinning designer Annie Atkins (Grand Budapest Hotel, 2013).

This partnership will also allow Dean Dublin to offer their guests the unique opportunity to engage with IMMA’s creative and experimental programmes, while it

enables IMMA to invite some of the most influential figures in the Irish and international art world.

IMMA director Sarah Glennie said: “IMMA’s partnership with Dean Dublin is one of our most important and significant relationships for 2016.

“A major factor in the delivery of our ambitious programme is the ability to offer hospitality to our artists, enabling us to host some of the most influential figures in the Irish and International art world here in Dublin.”

Optimism returning to businesses – survey SOME 81% of Irish employees are looking to change jobs within the next two years, according to a new salary survey by Hays, Ireland’s recruitment specialist.

The Hays Salary and Recruiting Trends Guide 2016 found that less than half (47%) of all employees were satisfied with their salaries, but almost two-thirds (62%) expect to receive a pay rise in the next 12 months.

The report, which surveyed 1,300 employers and employees, suggests that Irish businesses are increasingly optimistic about the future.

It noted that 79% of organisations expect increased business activity in 2016, and 86% plan to recruit in the coming 12 months.

This positive outlook is particularly apparent across sectors such as IT, construction, life sciences, financial services and insurance.

awards: prestigious aib win for dublin 12 firm

Nasal Medical founder knows a good product

 emma nolan

MARTIN O’Connell, founder of Dublin 12-based company Nasal Medical, was celebrating this week after being named the winner of the 2016 AIB Start-up Academy.

O’Connell will receive a prize valued at €250,000, which includes a cash injection of €20,000, an advertising and marketing package, as well as business development support and PR training.

The final, which was held in front of a packed crowd in Dublin’s Sugar Club, saw 11 start-ups deliver a five-minute business pitch to an expert judging panel.

T he AIB Star t-up Academy, which is run in conjunction with The Irish Times, invited entre-

preneurs from all across Ireland to apply for an intensive eight-week training programme.

From the start-ups, eleven were selected to take part in the Academy, the search culminated with a final pitch.

The finalists, drawn from varying sectors, all delivered outstanding pitches which left the judging panel with the unenviable task of selecting a winner.

O’Connell, a native of Kerry, has developed a medical device which e n c o u r a g e s h e a l t hy breathing and helps people who suffer from snoring or sleep apnoea.

The unique device fits inside the nasal cavity and is both comfortable and discreet. His pitch displayed a depth of knowledge of the medical device industry, an

Martin O’Connell celebrates after being named as the winner of the 2016 AIB Start-up Academy

understanding of his target market, and a strong desire to develop his product and business.

Speaking after his win, O’Connell said: “I really can’t believe it! The last few weeks with the AIB Start-up Academy have been an invaluable experience and I would recommend any start-up to apply for it.

“A lot of hard work

has gone into this company and I’m delighted that the judging panel believes in its potential.”

Brian Keating, group brands director of AIB, and a member of the judging panel, said: “The standard of the presentations was incredible.

We heard from some brilliant companies who are absolutely passionate about their products.”

12 May 2016 Gazette 15

Gazette

16 Gazette 12 May 2016

dublinlife

memories: commemorating 60 years of great work

Write your chapter in the story of hospital

ibegley@dublingazette.com

Crumlin Hospital have started a campaign that invites the nation to share any stories of their time in the hospital since it first opened 60 years ago.

Crumlin’s Big Book of Memories is an initiative that aims to commemorate all of the great work Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin has done through their virtual memory book – crumlinmemories.ie.

This designated web-

site will enable members of the public to share and read the touching stories which illustrate the hospital’s 60-year existence.

From past patients and their loved ones to hospital workers and donors - anyone with a memory of the hospital can get involved, share their memories and help to shape the hospital’s future by donating online.

Funds raised through this campaign will be used to make urgent renovations to the outpatients depar tment

which was built in the 1960s to accommodate 500 patients per week.

Today, three times that amount (1,500 children) pass through its doors every week, leading to considerable overcrowding and insufficient resources.

Another area of focus for campaign donations will be the refurbishment of The Nazareth Ward which treats the hospital’s youngest and sickest babies, many of whom have never left the hospital since birth.

A portion of the funds

will also cover a range of equipment wor th over €2 million which is urgently required by the hospital, including cancer detection equipment, CF detection equipment and cardiac echo machines.

Crumlin ambassador and Irish rugby player Rob Kearney said: “Having the opportunity to visit CMRF Crumlin has opened my eyes to the fantastic care that Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin provides the 150,000 children who pass through its doors every year.

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CMRF Crumlin ambassador and Irish Rugby player Rob Kearney joined Ollie O’Connell

“The hospital and its staff have touched so many lives over the past 60 years so Crumlin’s

Big Book of Memories is a fantastic way for those people to honour the work of the hospital

and contribute positively to its future by sharing their own stories and donating online.”

12 May 2016 Gazette 17

travel P20

asdfsdaf style P27 P21

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

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Gazette

cinema P18

Vladimir, the virtuoso violinist Pets

Draiocht is delighted to announce the return of Vladimir Jablokov’s warmly received classical show, One Night In Vienna, to their main stage on Thursday, May 26 at 8pm.

Join Vladimir as he plays some of the most beautiful classical melodies from the Romantic era of the Strauss family.

Expect to hear The Blue Danube, The Voices of Spring, the Merry Widow Waltz and many more favourites you know and love.

As well as being a showcase for Vladimir’s virtuoso violin skills, One Night in Vienna also features an ensemble of hand-picked musicians, including Vladimir’s sister, Olga, and his father, Alexander.

With a growing reputation, Vladimir has now played some of Ireland’s most prestigious venues, including The Mansion House, The Gaiety Theatre, The Olympia Theatre, Marlay Park, Cork Opera House, Limerick University Concert Hall and Wexford Opera House. He has headlined the National Concert Hall on seven separate occasions.

He said: “I am in Ireland for nearly 12 years now. Starting from busking in Grafton Street and progressing to playing the National Concert Hall in Dublin, I want to thank all my fans and supporters. The Irish people have been really good to me, and so welcoming.

“So this show, One Night in Vienna, takes me back to my early days in Dublin 12 years ago, and is a way for me to thank all my fans. Myself and my brother, Anton, have now signed with United Talent Agency in London and will soon begin touring in the UK. “I owe my extended Irish family, friends and Irish fans a huge thankyou – without their support I could still be busking on Grafton Street!”

Tickets are €25/€23 conc and can be booked from Draiocht’s Box Office at 01 8852622, or online at www. draiocht.ie.

this foxy lady would love a home with company most of the time

However you catch him performing, Vladimir Jablokov’s skill as a violinist is terrific, as his upcoming Draiocht show will show

win win win A pair of tickets to Vladimir Jablokov’s spectacular show at Draiocht, as well as a CD To win, just “like” and “share” our Facebook Vladimir post. That’s it!

Winner announced on Friday, May 20 on our Facebook page! Ready steady SHARE!

The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs.

Our Dog of the Week is Foxy, a five-year-old female Labrador cross.

She is a very affectionate dog and has lived with young children, is housetrained and loves to play.

Foxy would love a home where she will have company for most of the day as she can find being alone quite overwhelming.

If you think you could offer Foxy a loving home 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.

Gazette

18 Gazette 12 May 2016

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

ReelReviews

florence foster

By Jenkins, it’s fun

WHILE not exactly a name that rolls off the tongue, Florence Foster Jenkins (Cert PG, 110 mins) sees Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant star in a kindly film about the one and only Jenkins. With her place in history secured as being, quite possibly, the world’s worst singer, the New York heiress and would-be star from the early days of the 20th century gets an affectionate film treatment.

i saw the lIght Hanks, but no thanks

STAYING with the bigscreen biopic theme, and Hank Williams gets a film about him in I Saw The Light (Cert 15A, 124 mins).

Unfortunately, it’s a dull tale with even more flat notes than the one about Florence Foster Jenkins, above. Tom Hiddleston takes a decent stab at playing the early country music legend, but the film never rises above madefor-television mediocrity.

demolition

The story falls apart HERE comes another film with an only-in-Hollywood premise. In Demoliltion, (Cert 15A, 101 mins) Jake Gyllenhaal’s life falls apart after the tragic loss of his wife. However, he learns to rebuild himself – largely be tearing down (literally) plenty of ties to his old life, and past. Gyllenhaal’s as good as always, but the central premise of the story is just way too flimsy to build a solid film on.

While set in 1980, the timeless themes of bromance and jock obsessions make Everybody Wants Some!! just as relatable today as it will be to those who lived in the era

everybody wants some!! linklater’s latest is another affectionate tale

A juvenile film with heart

IT’S hard to believe that Richard Linklater’s coming of age classic, Dazed And Confused, is 23 years old this year.

Laden with low-brow humour and some very high philosophy, Linklater’s seminal film foggily explored that frontier between adolescence and adulthood.

What made it such a success was that it captured so poignantly a rich and vibrant stage of life.

Adolescence is a time that is full of existential musing, trying out roles and beliefs, testing boundaries, and learning about where we might fit into the world.

In a way, it is a shame that coming of age films like Dazed And Confused, that were watched by many of us as a rite of

 Dave phillips

passage in our teenage years, tend to become synonymous with that time and stay mentally relegated to a shelf that we’re unlikely to visit very often.

Evidently (and thankfully), that adolescent part of Linklater is alive and well – and after the much deeper masterpiece that was Boyhood, he is returning to some wilder and more familiar ground with Everybody Wants Some!!

(Cert 15A, 116 mins).

W hile Dazed And Confused focused on the

last day of high school, Everybody Wants Some!! chronicles the weekend before class begins in college for a group of freshman students in Texas in 1980.

Linklater may have a tendency to focus on the freak and geek fringes, but this time around we are thrust into the alphamale world of college baseball.

Despite the more macho surrounds, we still maintain the outsider’s perspective through Jake (Glee’s Blake Jenner), who is new to the team and must find his footing amid his ultracompetitive housemates, who are concerned above all else with three things: training hard, partying, and hooking up with women.

The hours pass by in

the weekend, and we follow Jake through night clubs, house parties, baseball practice and eventually into class.

At each step we are meeting the motley crew that makes up the social scene in college. There’s a throwaway love interest for Jake, some necessary boundary setting among the housemates, and a couple of moments for him to prove himself.

But like most of Linklater’s work, this is a film that is thin on plot points, where the beauty is to be found in the casual interactions and conversations between characters.

While the bulk of the story follows Jake, there is time given to each member of the team – who each in their own distinctive way develops

a solution to the perennial problem of trying to get laid.

If you’re expecting a more refined portrayal of women (or men) to develop as the film moves on, you’ll be disappointed.

Eve r y b o d y Wa n t s Some!! is unrepentantly a film about the singlemindedness of people at a certain age. Linklater is content to let the juvenile, testosteronefuelled environment play out with little nuance and without any moral rebuke.

That will inevitably be a stumbling block for viewers, but if you can embrace the laddish nature, you’ll find some pearls of wisdom amid the jockstraps and sweat socks.

Think of this as an

incredibly well-written sport comedy with some heart and insight, and you’ll be close to the mark.

The comedy is helped along by a tight cast, and by characters who may never develop, but who seem oddly perfect and instantly relatable.

Eve r y b o d y Wa n t s Some!! is Linklater laying aside the deeper issues explored in films such as Boyhood, and Before Midnight, and instead embracing the gleeful freedom of youth – with all the stupidity and wonder that it entails.

Sitting through a screening is like taking a journey back to simpler times, and for that reason it’s a highly recommended watch.

Verdict: 8/10

commercial feature

12 May 2016 Gazette 19

Beat the heat!

Windows provide our home with light, warmth and ventilation but they can also have a massive impact on your homes energy efficiency.

We spend thousands of euro every year to try and keep our houses warm. The high price of electricity, gas and other home heating sources means that consumers are now looking into other effective methods of temperature control.

That is why it is so important to understand the impact that healthy windows can have on our homes energy efficiency.

There are a few very obvious signs that a window is broken down and needs to be either replaced or repaired. These signs include; condensation or fogging between glass panes, difficulty opening or closing the windows, black mould forming on the frame and chipping or rotting of the frame. You can reduce energy costs and the above problems by installing energy efficient windows in your home.

Budget

If your budget is tight you may be able to make repairs to the existing windows. Windows let in light and let people see out but they also interact with the environment around them.

Windows react with the outside temperatures, sunlight and wind and also react with indoor temperature and occupant use.

One of the best ways to measure the efficiency of a window is through its thermal efficiency or U-Value. The U-Value refers to the units of heat transferred through a product and is measured in watt per metre squared per kelvin (W m-2 K-1). The lower the U-Value the more thermally efficient the product is. Triple glazed units can give you a U-Value as low as 0.7 W m-2 K-1*, while double glazed units will give a U-value between 1.2 W m-2 K-1 and 1.3 W m-2 K-1.

U-Values take into account the airflow around the window and the solar emissivity of the glass into account. Emissivity is the ability of a product to absorb energy and radiate the same energy through itself and out into the room.

A single pane of glass contains high emissivity and therefore will transfer approximately 84% of the heat in a room to outside. This is why is is important to minimise heat loss by adding panes to become either double or triple glazed units, thereby lowering the U-Value.

The technology and engineering for windows and doors has advanced dramatically over the last 15 years. Glass units typically come either double glazed or triple glazed, if you’re trying to achieve a more energy efficient home.

In addition glass units are argon filled and have a low-e coating on them. Argon is a gas that is denser then the atmosphere. It is a colourless, odourless and non-toxic gas that fills the space between the panes.

Argon gas prevents frost forming at the bottom of the glass as well as adding extra insula-

escape through the glass.

All of the glass in our windows and doors are argon filled and low-e coated as standard. Our windows and doors can be chosen in either triple or double glazed and all of our windows and doors are sealed with specific expanding foam or silicone to ensure that the window or door is air tight throughout the entire frame.

Performance

tion, as argon is heavier than air. Due to argon being used to fill the space between each glass pane triple glazing offers huge benefits over double glazed units.

Argon gas is often used in conjunction with low-emissivity or low-e coatings. A low-e coating is a microscopic coating that reflects long wave heat. In other words it reflects the room’s heat back into the room instead of allowing it to

With Low-e glass, combined with argon filled units and an air tight frame you can be sure that your windows and doors will perform at their very best against Ireland’s harsh elements.

In addition, you will save money by reducing your energy bills by up to 30%! Drop into our 5000sq ft showroom, just off the Nangor road, where we have over 100 products on display including Timber, Aluclad, Aluminium and PVC windows and doors and composite doors.

Our talented project managers will be able to show you how you can make your home energy efficient and save money!

Visit our showroom at Unit C, Westland Business Park, Willow Road (off Nangor Rd), Dublin 12 or contact us on T: 01 424 2067 or E:sales@dkwindows.ie

Gazette

20 Gazette 12 May 2016

OUT&ABOUT

fast

TRAVEL NEWS

TRAVEL

Game of Thrones: visit some key locations from top tv show

The thatched restroom is nestled in the stunning 1,000-acre County Cork forest park

Cork bog voted No 1 for number twos If the magnificent scenery of Gougane Barra in Cork doesn’t appeal to you then maybe you would be more impressed with visiting one of the world’s top 100 toilets at the site.

Travel bible Lonely Planet has singled out the thatched restroom, nestled in the stunning 1,000-acre County Cork forest park, as one of the planet’s most “stunning lavatories” in its new publication, Toilets: A Spotter’s Guide.

The book highlights the most memorable outdoor public lavatories in the world, including a remote toilet island in Belize, a waterfall washroom in Taiwan, and an Arctic outhouse in Lapland.

The book’s introduction states: “As any experienced traveller knows, you can tell a whole lot about a place by its bathrooms.

Whatever you prefer to call them — lavatory, loo, bog, khasi, thunderbox, dunny, washroom, or water closet — toilets are a window into the soul of a destination.”

When describing Gourgane Barra’s eye-

catching restroom, which is the only Irish toilet to make it in the coveted list, Lonely Planet’s writers say: “Gougane Barra in Cork has been a retreat from the cruel world and a spot for quiet contemplation — since St Finbarr established an island monastery on the lake during the sixth century. These thatched toilets, tucked away in the forest park, continue that tradition.”

Lonely Planet adds: “The lavatory is a great leveller.”

Other global recommendations over where to spend a penny include the lobster loos in Wellington, New Zealand, a prototype space toilet, the Tardis in Warmley in Gloucestershire, a hi-tech interactive loo in Tokyo, and a remote jungle toilet in Laos.

Globe-trotting toilet enthusiasts are also urged to check out an ultra-remote outhouse in British Columbia, which “features an automatic flush, powered by the moon, which washes away all waste twice a day”.

The intertwining beech trees of the Dark Hedges date back to the 18th century. Inset: The famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge

Go North for an epic tour  Ian Begley

Travel Editor

If you’re from Ireland and also a massive Game of Thrones fan there is no excuse for not travelling to the North of Ireland this summer and taking part in the official Game of Thrones tour.

T hanks to HBO’s adaptation of George RR Martin’s epic tale, Northern Ireland’s stunning mountains, forests, lakes and countryside are now familiar to millions of people around the world, having helped create the magical backdrop that much of the show’s action is filmed against.

Below is a list of destinations you can visit which have helped create some of the most noteworthy and remarkable scenes from the show.

County Down From the home of Ned Stark to the formidable Haunted Forest, what better place to start your Game of Thrones adventure than in County Down with its ancient gothic forests and historic ruins.

The Haunted Forest Tollymore Forest Park holds the honour of being host to the first ever Game of Thrones scene aired in 2011 when some Night Watchmen deserters were killed by a White Walker in the snow.

Other famous scenes filmed in the forest include Ramsey Snow’s chase and recapture of Theon Greyjoy as well as many forest scenes North of Winterfell.

The Riverlands Close by you’ll find the historic ruins of Inch Abbey, dating from 1193.

The abbey provided the backdrop to the Twins, two identical castles joined by a bridge which are the seat of House Frey. It is here that Catelyn Stark crosses the bridge to agree a treaty with Walder Frey which resulted in an arranged marriage proposal between Robb Stark and one of his daughters.

Causeway Coastal Route Hailed as one of the world’s most spectacular road journeys, this stretch

of coastline plays host to some of the most dramatic scenery seen in Game of Thrones due to its rugged cliffs and sweeping valleys.

Iron Islands This quaint coastal nook was used in the show to depict Lordsport Harbour in the Iron Islands – home to the Greyjoys.

Stormlands The headlands leading down to the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge are better known in the show as The Stormlands – Renly Baratheon’s camp.

This is where we are first introduced to Brienne of Tarth.

King’s Road Although only in the show for a few seconds, the Dark Hedges has become one of the most recognisable Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland.

This intertwining beech tree lined avenue dating back to the 18th century features as King’s Road where Arya Stark makes her escape from King’s

Landing with Gendry.

Dragonstone One of Northern Ireland’s most stunning beaches, Downhill Beach in Derry is the spot where Melissandre burned the seven old golds as a sacrifice to The Lord of the Light and prompted Stannis Baratheon to draw a sword from the flames at Dragonstone.

Dothraki Camp Set against Slemish Mountain in County Antrim and with its green grassy hills, Shillanavogy Valley provided the perfect camp for Daenerys Targaryen, Ser Jorah Mormont and the Dorthraki horsemen to pitch camp on their journey to Vaes Dothrak.

Beric Dondarrion’s Hideout You may recognise Pollnagollum Cave, found in the picturesque Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, from series three of the hit TV show.

The waterfall cave was used by Beric Dondarrion’s Brotherhood Without Banners as their secret

hideout where Arya Stark discovers Beric’s resurrecting powers.

For more information on the official Game of Thrones tour and to book, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com/ gameofthrones.

Robb’s Camp Found within the grounds of Castle Ward Estate, beside Strangford Lough, you may recognise Audley’s Field and Castle as the backdrop to Robb Stark’s camp where he first met his future wife, Talisa. It was here that Robb caught and imprisoned Jamie Lannister.

Winterfell Overlooking Strangford Lough, the grounds of Castle Ward were used as the backdrop of Winterfell, affectionately known as the home to House Stark.

Surrounded by acres of forest, one of the most memorable scenes filmed within the walled courtyard is when Rob Stark and Jon Snow taught a young Brandon Stark how to shoot a bow and arrow.

12 May 2016 Gazette 21

Gazette

STYLE interview: designer Conaill O’Dwyer on his vision for a wardrobe staple

Updating some classic style to suit his identity

 emma nolan

Style Editor

COMING of age, masculinity and gay identity are the themes behind one young designer’s collection ahead of his graduation from NCAD this month.

The Gazette spoke to Dublin designer Conaill O’Dwyer about his degree collection, Default Man, which was showcased at the NCAD graduate fashion show this week.

“My menswear collection is inspired by my own coming of age and coming out story,” he says.

Using the traditional tailored suit as a catalyst, Conaill’s aim was to create a “new masculine identity” using the ultimate symbol of masculinity – the suit – to represent a different kind of masculinity.

Originally from Firhouse, Conaill’s fam-

ily moved to Enniscorthy when he was seven, but the 24-year-old has been back living in Dublin for the last six years.

“I used to wear loads of suits so I did the collection in a way that within this ‘Default Man’, there can be a gay identity as well.

“Growing up, any ideas of a gay man I had were always quite feminine, so with this collection I’m moving away from that and saying, just because you’re a gay man doesn’t mean you have to be a certain way.”

Conaill’s collection consists of three different suits. “I looked at how to use the suit and looked at different fabrication methods and patterns.

“All the suits are quite big and oversized; the first one consists of bonded wool and I used printing and dying methods to get the desired look.”

Traditional tailoring methods and menswear staples underpin the collection, yet Conaill has reinvented them and added a sense of freedom to the rigid perception of the suit.

Texture is a key element of his work, and the unusual use of materials are typical of his style, including his use of handknitted plastic bags to create jumpers.

“It’s amazing how many different types of plastic bags there are,” he joked.

“It takes the suit one step further, and provides a new layered language of masculinity and the gay identity.”

Having previously interned with Irish designers Sean Byrne and Zoe Carroll, Conaill plan to eventually take his skill further and hopes to work in London in the coming years.

Your chance to go for a scholarship  emma nolan

Part of the Default Man collection showcased by designer Conaill O’Dwyer (inset) at the recent NCAD graduate fashion show

WHO’S-WHO OF DESIGNERS GATHER TO HELP SUPPORT FIRST DEMENTIA VILLAGE  emma nolan

IRELAND’S rich design heritage was celebrated last week at Trinity College.

The Lexus Irish Fashion Collective brought together collections from Ireland’s leading designers, including Philip Treacy, Simone Rocha, Orla Kiely, Deborah Veale and Sharon Hoey.

The collective also includ-

ed designers such as Mariad Whisker, Umit Kutluk, Helen Steele, Aideen Bodkin and Mary Donoghue for Ireland’s Eye Knitwear, and Roisin Linnane featuring Melissa Curry Jewellery.

Each designer showcased their seasonal collections, with the support of Lexus, to raise funds towards the vision of creating Ireland’s first dementia village at Saint

Joseph’s Shankill.

Speaking at the event, designer Deborah Veale said: “I am very happy that some of Ireland’s most talented designers have generously agreed to show at this amazing event.

“Saint Joseph’s Shankill is an amazing facility and myself and my family are very grateful for the loving care my father receives [there].”

Milliner Philip Treacy puts the finishing touch to model Sarah Morrissey’s look at Trinity College. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

LEAVING Cert students looking to pursue a career in the beauty industry have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship with one of Ireland’s leading beauty schools.

The Galligan College of Hair and Beauty have launched a scholarship for school leavers to create the next generation of top Irish beauty professionals.

The scholarship offers a coveted place on the CIDESCO Beauty Diploma course, ensuring graduates are among the elite of their profession.

The college combines in class curricula with an on-site commercial salon with spa on Grafton Street, so students can gain essential first-hand and practical experience.

Commenting on the scholarship Launch, Careena Galligan said that a qualification in beauty is a “passport to a lifetime career and gives a wide choice of potential professional pathways”.

The scholarship will pay the private fees for CIDESCO Beauty Diploma course, which would usually cost €5,800, plus €1,270 in exam fees.

Entrants must submit a video application. For further information, see The Galligan College of Hair and Beauty Facebook page.

Gazette

22 Gazette 12 May 2016

OUT&ABOUT

MOTORING

The Nissan Qashqai offers a very comfortable road position, with an interior designed to put you at ease as you take in a number of its refined features

Nissan: the compact crossover builds on the popular model’s strengths

Updated Qashqai adds even more to an impressive range

 dave phillips

THE Nissan Qashqai is a trend-setter, effectively popularising the compact crossover movement with its introduction to roads in 2007.

But not only did it spark a demand, it has managed to keep up with the pack, remaining one of the best-selling cars of recent years.

This second generation of the car beefs out the exterior, making the Qashqai sit well alongside Nissan’s larger X-Trail.

The new generation brought along a wider range of engines too, with 1.2- and 1.6-litre options in petrol, and 1.5- and 1.6-litre options in diesel.

With lower emissions and fuel costs, it is no surprise that the diesel con-

figurations have turned out being so popular, with the 1.5-litre model promising the best fuel economy across the range – so that was the model we took out for a test (with the SV Premium trim, it retails from €32,470, but with the standard trim this starts at €27,520).

The first thing to notice from the car is the incredibly comfortable road position. From the moment you sit in it, the Qashqai instantly makes you feel at ease.

The interior, fitted out with sturdy soft plastic and leather, is unfussy and you can tell it has been designed with function in mind.

As well as feeling clean and simple, the Qashqai also feels safe – part of the upgraded trim includes a

camera pack and parking sensors that provides an easy-to-read, top-down display.

If there’s one niggle, design-wise, it is the thick pillars at the rear – while they don’t make much difference to your driving, they can be an impediment when reversing in tight spots, so the cameras can really come into play here.

Storage-wise, the Qashqai’s got a decent amount of room. There’s a slightly smaller boot than rivals such as the Sportage, but there’s a greater amount of versatility.

A false floor in the boot opens up extra storage configurations, and the back row is easily dropped down.

Seating in the back row

While offering a little less storage than rivals, the Qashqai offers plenty of versatility to meet your needs

is simple and comfortable – while the Qashqai offers ample head and leg space, the back row seems a little basic.

The lack of little features such as rear climate control, or extra charging points for the back seats,

seems out of sorts, given the higher-spec trim.

Any quibbles with the set-up tend to fade away once you get the Qashqai out on the road, where the diesel engine, combined with a well-insulated cabin, give one of the

quietest rides in the class.

Nissan have hit a fine balance with this engine, with an unhurried, wellpaced feel. Motorway cruising is relaxed, while the Qashqai feels great on tighter country roads where the superb for-

ward visibility and solid handling combine perfectly.

There’s a reason so many people have invested in the Qashqai, and the newest generation cements an already solid legacy.

12 May 2016 Gazette 23

Gazette

24 blanch gazette 12 May 2016

OUT&ABOUT

EXCLUSIVE: the gazette

Cloud Lesley TWO sisters from other sides of the planet ended a lifelong search for each other with an emotional first meeting at Dublin Airport.

Ian Begley reports on their unforgettable reunion, ending more than 60 years of being apart after one was given up for adoption soon after being born.

Tears of joy ... Sisters Joan Crawford-Murray and Lesley Fagan, moments after meeting each other for the first time at Dublin Airport

DUBLIN Airport was bursting with emotion this week after two sisters from opposite ends of the earth finally met each other for the first time after a 28-year search.

Lesley Fagan (64) arrived in Dublin Airport on Tuesday morning with her husband, Steve, to meet her older sister, Joan Crawford-Murray (67), who was put up for adoption shortly after she was born.

Joan, who had travelled all the way from Perth to meet her sister, who lives in Enniskillen, never even knew she had a sibling until Lesley tracked her down using social media.

Speaking exclusively to The Gazette, Lesley described the fascinating story about her extensive search.

“In 1989, whilst still living in Warrington, my mum said that she had something to tell me. She said I have a half-sister which she had to give up for adoption in 1948.

“Although my mum was not a teenager at the time, she belonged to a very

devout Catholic family of six daughters. One of her sisters put my mum under a lot of pressure, saying that if her dad was to find out about her pregnancy, it would bring great shame upon the family.

“She then decided to hide the pregnancy and put the child into a Catholic Mother and Babies home in Prestwich, Manchester,” said Lesley.

Documents “She stayed with her baby for six weeks, which must have been awful, knowing that she would have to give her up. When the day finally came, she had to sign some documents to authorise the adoption.

“At this point, the nun left the room and mum saw on the desk the name and address of the prospective parents. She never forgot this information. Mum was able to recite exactly both parent’s names and their address, which was unbelievable, after 50 years.

“With this information, I immediately began

12 May 2016 blanch Gazette 25

is on hand for an extra-special reunion at dublin airport

nine delight as finds her sister

FROM nervous anticipation to tearful delight, here are the moments around when Lesley and Joan finally met.

From the continent of Australia to the island of Ireland - Joan crossed the planet to meet Lesley

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‘In 2015, Lesley read a story about how Chinese twins separated at birth found each other via Facebook. This inspired her to publish an online appeal with the hopes that someone would lead her in the right direction.’

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Lesley Fagan and her husband, Steve. Pictures and video: Ian Begley

my search, starting with The Salvation Army, but unfortunately they were unable to help me track her down.

“I eventually started searching every adoption facility to find my sister, and upon checking the electoral records, I discovered that the family disappeared off the electoral roll in 1958.

“In hindsight, I probably should have known that they emigrated, but at the time I didn’t follow it up because I was so busy with my career and raising a family,” she said.

In October, 2015, Lesley, who has two daugh-

of a lady who looked like myself, but also the model of our mother.

“With the help of Terri O’Neill, I was talking to her on the telephone by the end of that very week.

“My sister always wondered about her natural family in England, and her husband, Les, had been recently badgering her to start the search. Now, she doesn’t have to!

“Steve and I are blessed with two wonderful daughters, and an 11-yearold grandchild, Emily.

“Jo has two children from her first marriage, and two granddaughters that I’m very much look-

ters and a granddaughter, read a story about how Chinese twins separated at birth found each other via Facebook.

This inspired her to continue her search and publish an online appeal on the social networking site with the hopes that someone would lead her in the right direction.

Eventually, two genealogists – Jill Harrington, in the UK, and Terri O’Neill, in Perth – managed to track her sister down in just one week.

“The search was difficult and complicated, but eventually I found myself staring at a photograph

ing forward to getting to know,” said Lesley.

Despite her jetlag, Joan was delighted to talk to The Gazette about meeting Lesley. She said: “It was just such an incredible feeling, meeting Lesley for the very first time.

“The moment I walked through the departure gates I immediately recognised her and started to cry with tears of joy.

“Embracing her at last after all this time was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I felt an immediate connection to her and her husband, who I’ve been dying to meet.

“The build-up over the

past couple of weeks has been just so emotional and surreal. I never even realised that I even had a sister until Lesley managed to contact me on Facebook.

“They actually messaged my daughter, who then broke the news to me that I have a sister!

“We’re now staying with Lesley and her family for 20 days, which will give us plenty of time to catch up and learn all about each other.

“It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I know both of our families will have a wonderful relationship into the future.”

Gazette

FEATURE

For our exclusive video of their meeting, see the Dublin Gazette Newspapers Facebook page.

26 blanch Gazette 12 May 2016

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28 blanch gazette 12 May 2016

SPORT

FastSport Coolmine to host first ever long pass bid: COOLMINE rugby club are hosting the world’s first longest pass competition at their Ashbrook home, an event that is being run for players of all levels from Under-6s right the way up to senior.

It takes place on Sunday, May 15 with the action getting under way at 12pm.

The competition coincides with the club’s end of season party featuring awards, music, food and fun activities for all the family.

There will be prizes for all levels and a cup to the player with the overall longest pass.

All welcome to join in on the day.

You can register in advance online or register on the day.

Pass must be completed and between two players and it cannot be “a throw.

That’s NFL!” For full details and registration go to www.coolminerugby.com or email coolmineinfo@ gmail.com.

rugby: coach andy wood hails high skill level in ubl final victory

Tarf Bulls’ first half rampage ubl division 1a final Clontarf Cork Constitution  sport@dublingazette.com

28 25

CLONTARF survived a second half onslaught to claim their second Ulster Bank League title in three years, ultimately prevailing 28-25 in a cracking final at the Aviva Stadium last Sunday.

The Bulls raced into a 21-3 half-time lead with player of the match Joey Carbery landing 11 points before the break to go with tries from Matt D’Arcy and Tony Ryan in a helter-skelter run up to the break.

But 10 quick points from Cork Con in the second half suddenly closed the gap. Mick

McGrath, the league’s top try scorer, raced through for a classy try to re-establish Tarf’s control but further tries from Rob Jermyn and Darren Sweetnam made for a nervy last 20 minutes.

The north Dubliners held on, however, and claimed the top flight crown to add to their 2013/14 success by virtue of finishing at the top of the Division 1A table.

While acknowledging that it has been a long time for the club to win via the play-off route, Tarf head coach Andy Wood was delighted that his side were able to get over the line.

“It’s been a long time coming to win it through the play-offs. It’s very satisfying, in fairness. If

you sum up the game, the fact that we continued to play stood to us in the end. Regardless of the situation and the match points we backed our skills, and took one very important chance in the second half just after they’d scored,” he Wood.

“We knew Con would come back after halftime. We knew they’d get close. I didn’t quite expect them to get that close, if I’m 100% honest. They went after our breakdown on the first two phases and really messed up our momentum on two or three occasions, which got them back into the game.

“Some of the skills on display from both teams,

Joseph Carbery, Clontarf, being presented with the Man of the Match award by Gary Prior from Ulster Bank, Malahide. Picture: David Maher/Sportsfile

particularly in our backline, came to the fore.

That is literally what got us the result in the end.

Some really good work in the first half and then being able to punch it 10 minutes into the second half. Very, very pleasing.”

This was the second year in succession that ‘Ta r f were contes ting the Ulster Bank League decider, and

although many would have seen their defeat to Lansdowne in that game 12 months ago as a motivational factor, Wood revealed that there was not much reference to it in the build-up to last Sunday’s encounter.

“There wasn’t a lot of reference to last year’s game because you don’t want to dwell on negatives. Again, we had a lead in that one which

didn’t come to a good finish. We must like doing it because Con almost caught up with us.

“It would be easier on the heart if we managed to extend our lead and left the ground running at the start of the second half.

“Look, that’s rugby.

Con are an excellent side with super young talents themselves.”

Castle’s Gleeson breaks top ten at Royal Dublin  sport@dublingazette.com

Castle GC’s Alex Gleeson on the eighth hole at Royal Dublin last weekend. Picture: Pat Cashman

CASTLE Golf Club’s Alex Gleeson on five under par, ended the week inside the top 10 thanks to a final round 71, at the Flogas Irish Amateur Open Championship at Royal Dublin last Sunday.

He was among a number of fine finishers. His club mate, Daniel Holland, posted a final round 72 to finish in a tie for 31st on one over. Edmondstown’s Barry Daly was in contention after an opening round 69 but he failed to make the cut after rounds of 78 and 76.

Indeed, there was an Irish one-two as Warrenpoint’s Colm Campbell edged out Walker Cup star Jack Hume.

A final round 70 left Campbell on 16 under for the tournament, a record winning total at Royal Dublin, yet he had just one shot to spare. Hume, the world number 10, mounted a back-nine charge to push Campbell all the way but not even a 60-foot birdie at the last could deny the Ulsterman.

“It was a very, very hard fought victory I can tell you,” said Campbell, who was six shots clear after

just five holes of the final round.

Hume’s back-nine charge featured birdies at 13, 14 and 16 but Campbell sank a crucial birdie putt on 17 to restore a two-shot cushion heading down the 18th.

Hume produced a stunning birdie at the last, holing from 60 feet, but Campbell made two putts for victory.

“I knew Jack was going to come hard at me on the back nine. I stayed patient, kept trying to make good swings and picked good targets,” said 29-year-old Campbell. “It shows I’m heading in the right direction. If you

can hold guys like Jack off, who’s a phenomenal player and a guy that I really respect, who knows what can happen in the near future.”

This was Campbell’s second major victory, having won the East of Ireland in 2014 when he beat Paul Dunne to the title.

“It’s good to get another win under the belt.

“It’s been two years nearly and you sort or always doubt yourself that will you ever get another championship because they’re so hard to come by,” said Campbell.

12 May 2016 blanch gazette 29

Gazette

FootGolf Open for all for second edition FootGolf’s Irish Open going from strength to strength with the Highfield golf course welcoming all-comers for the second edition of the innovative and developing sport THE second ever Irish FootGolf Open will take place this weekend, May 13-15, at the Highfield Golf Course, Co Kildare.

FootGolf, a game that brings together the sports of football and golf, has been on the rise since it was first introduced into Ireland back in 2013. Since then, the popularity of the sport has grown massively with a further 18 FootGolf courses opening throughout the country.

Now, after the success of the inaugural 2015 Irish Open which was won by Nick Iron from Britain, the 2016 tournament, sponsored

by Carzone.ie, will take

place with over one hundred players from 17 countries already registered.

This year the event will be staged at an upgraded Highfield Golf Course that has invested in new championship tees and redesigned holes that have incorporated challenging new water hazards and a unique first tee off from the roof of the clubhouse which will provide a real test to participants.

President of the Irish FootGolf Association Ronan Cunningham was the first to introduce the game to Irish shores back in 2013 when he opened the Footee course in Tal-

laght, and he has seen it grow at an impressive rate ever since.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s event, Cunningham said: “The game has been growing at a great rate nationally.

“Last year we had 16 registered players for the National League and this season we have increased that to 58. We play twice a month on the Irish tour and we are increasing the numbers all the time.”

Cunningham is looking forward to a successful tournament with an increased level of participants from around the world.

“Last year was the first ever Irish Open

The Irish FootGolf team that will form a large part of the field at next weekend’s Irish Open in Kildare.

and we staged the event at Footee in Tallaght with 68 players from eight countries.

“This year we already have close to double the amount of players and we will have 17 countries represented.

This year’s event will be totally different with an

“Anyone of all ages and ability can enter the Irish Open but they should also be aware that they will be mixing it with some of the best in the business including Irish champion Gary Mullin who recently came 14th in the world, and European cham-

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

‘FootGolf can be seen as a bit of craic but there is also a competitive side to the game’ - Ronan Cunningham --------------------------------------------------------

increased level of Irish players too.”

In regular golf, players who par ticipate in an Irish Open are always at an elite level but, at the Irish FootGolf Open, any level of player can enter and play alongside the top stars.

“FootGolf can be seen as a bit of craic and a kick about for a lot of people but there is also a different, competitive side to the game.

“We don’t want to move away from the craic side of the game but we also want people to know that they can compete at a higher level in the game.

“This tournament is part of the European FootGolf Tour so there will be really good players on show.

pion Lionel Jacot.”

This weekend’s tournament will be staged ove r t wo d ay s a n d Cunningham is hopeful of getting more participants involved, and more spectators to attend the fun filled days out.

“We are still accepting entries for players up until Friday at 6pm and it costs just €50 for an Irish player.

“We are hoping for some good weather so hopefully we will see good numbers out to watch the action and suppor t the players as they go around the course.

“Our sponsors Carzone have been brilliant and have helped us put on what we hope will be a brilliant two days of FootGolf.”

FastSport

Gillick continuing to roll back years in Belfast DAVID Gillick continued to roll back the years with a big season’s best at the Belfast International for a second place finish on Saturday, May 7.

The Dundrum South Dublin AC man has been adopting a “one race at a time” approach to his comeback and posted an impressive 47.24 behind England’s Theo Campbell in 46.24.

In Belfast, Clonliffe Harriers’ Timmy Crowe rounded out the top three with a 47.37 second clocking.

For Gillick, the Beijing Olympian retired from athletics back in July 2012 but returned to competitive action in the past few weeks and could have an outside chance of running at his second games as part of the 4x400m Irish relay team in Rio de Janeiro.

The 32-year-old began his comeback in Pavia, Italy, running 48.05 to finish fifth in the 400m.

Gillick’s 47.24 improved significantly on his this opener in damp and inclement conditions at the Mary Peters Track.

There were a number of good performances in Belfast despite the less than favourable track weather.

John Travers (Donore Harriers) coasted to victory in the men’s 3,000m in 8:03.69 but led home three World junior qualifying times.

Pierre Murchan (DCH), Jack O’Leary and James Edgar all clocked world junior B qualifiers for the 5,000m – a 3,000m time is taken for qualification.

Murchan finished third overall in 8.11.77, O’Leary was fifth in 8.14.13 and Edgar was a place behind in 8:14.55.

Ciara Mageean (UCD) was first woman home in the mixed 3,000m in 9.07.47. Laura Crowe (An Riocht) was just pipped for second in the women’s 800m by Scotland’s Katy Brown – Crowe running 2.04.21 to Brown’s 2.04.05.

Carla Sweeney (WSAF) clocked her second world junior B qualifier which should seal her selection – she finished 10th in 2.08.47 with Rose Finnegan (Bohermeen) running her first B qualifying time with a personal best of 2.08.93.

Gazette

30 BLANCH gazette 12 May 2016

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: dublin 15 side eventually prevail in ndsl cup decider

Celtic go the distance to claim Joe O’Leary Cup CASTLEKNOCK Celtic toasted DDSL Under13 Joe O’Leary Cup success after they got the best of Lourdes Celtic last Saturday with a penalty shoot-out victory in Clonshaugh in the final.

Castleknock had beaten their opponents twice already this season and things looked bright for them when they made the breakthrough midway through the first half.

Team captain Klevis Malaj found Fabian Wolski with his pass and the latter weaved his way through before he shot to the back of the net to make it 1-0.

Castleknock could have doubled their lead before half time, but Brendan Stangu was denied by the Lourdes goalkeeper and captain who made a tremendous save minutes before the break.

After the break, Castleknock continued to look untroubled with Tristan Girss, Kacem Touihri, Brendan Stangu and Dino Dervisic commanding the midfield.

Full backs Darren Samson, Alasdair Thom and Liam Hosford were tireless and faultless in their defensive duties and playing effective supporting roles for the wide players.

The centre of defence had the rock-like pair of Chuck Obianyo and Hammad Siddiqui, who were in commanding form. Up front, Castleknock were creating chances. Danny O’Mahony was producing menacing runs – two of his crosses almost led to goals.

Scott Doyle was on the right wing and proving a handful for the full back. Brendan Stangu went close with his efforts on goal, while Craig Hughes was threatening with his runs up front.

Despite all of this, the margin remained 1-0.

This can be a very precarious advantage, and so it proved. With seve minutes remaining, man of the match, Chuck Obianyo, left the ball for his keeper but, alas, a misunderstanding let in the Lourdes striker, Aaron Burke, who smashed home his effort that was too powerful for the excellent Sabin Ghet to stop.

It earned Lourdes an extra time shot but no winner could be found and so the shoot-out ensued.

Malaj, Dervisic, Stangu and Obianyo all converted their efforts before Ghet made the save that crucially claimed the laurels.

Corduff’s Under-14s celebrate their winning goal against St Kevin’s Boys

Nzekune the Duff hero

mckenna cup final Corduff St Kevin’s Boys after extra time  derek mckenna

3 2

sport@dublingazette.com

IN A game filled with action, drama, excitement and some great goals, Corduff’s Under14s claimed the NDSL Brendan McKenna Cup with an extra time victory over St Kevin’s Boys at the Oscar Traynor Centre on Sunday afternoon.

Corduff had looked to be coasting to a deserved victory with a goal in either half giving them a two goal lead

with just nine minutes left to play.

St Kevin’s however pulled one back before late drama ensued when Corduff goalkeeper Sean Farrell was forced to go off injured. Lee Rowe Richardson heroically stepped into the breach but was cruelly beaten with a late leveller that forced the game into extra time.

Corduff through showed their resolve and deservedly snatched the winner in the first period of extra time to claim a famous victory.

In the first half both sides settled early but it was Corduff who drew

bring a buddy Westmanstown celebrate end of fine season in style westmanstown RFC’s season drew to a

close last weekend with a busy final day last Sunday with two pitches full of boys and girls from Under-6 up to Under-18.

The theme was Bring a Buddy with plenty of new faces trying out a new sport.

One face that was very recognizable though was Sophie Spence, Irish International and World Player of the Year Nominee who was on hand to hand out some medals and awards.

first blood when full back Evan Murphy put a ball into the box that Kevin’s keeper Sean Martin punched off his own defender and the ball spilled into the net.

Soon after, St Kevin’s came close to an equaliser when Ruban Marques’ cross picked out Ethan Delaney but he lost control of the ball and Farrell made the save.

As the half progressed, both sides had their chances to add to the scoring with Tony Kamara twice coming close for Corduff before, up the other end, Farrell saved well from both Marques and Colin Elemide to

maintain Duff’s lead going into the break.

After the turn, the Dublin 15 side had a long period of dominance and looked well in control. They deservedly doubled their advantage 10 minutes into the half when Rabby Tabu Minzamra headed home from a corner and they looked to be coasting to victory.

They came close to making it three with a wonder strike from David Butnaru from the centre circle but it cannoned off the crossbar.

St Kevin’s gave themselves hope with nine minutes left in the game

when Delaney hit a belter from the edge of the box that Farrell got a hand to but the power took it over the line.

Late in the game disaster struck for Corduff with Farrell going off injured and deep in injury time Marques struck from distance to beat Rowe Richardson and force the game into extra time.

Corduff though regrouped and in the first period of extra time Ugo Anny Nzekuue waltzed through the Kevin’s defence and poked home to claim what proved to be the winner.

12 May 2016 BLANCH gazette 31

Gazette

top of the league

Castleknock draw with Ballinteer in minor clash

Club Noticeboard st brigid’s

castleknock maintained their lead at

the top of Group 2 of the Dublin minor football league Division 2 thanks to a 0-13 to 1-10 draw with Ballinteer St John’s in Somerton last Sunday.

They hold a narrow two-points lead over Lucan Sarsfields – who have a game in hand – and St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh after six rounds of matches.

WELL done to our U-16 footballers

information, see the club website or

who are through to the championship

contact Neill Plunkett on 086 8891789.

semi-final after a great win over Bally-

All new members and guests are very

mun Kickhams on Saturday afternoon.

welcome.

St Brigid’s will play Raheny in the final

The lotto jackpot carries over at

on Saturday, May 21. Venue and Time

€15,000 for this week’s draw in Myos

to be confirmed.

on Friday, May 13. Make sure to have

See all St Brigids’ fixtures on our club website: www.stbrigidsgaa.com.

Best of luck to all our teams.

Picture: Martin Doherty

Hurling: somerton side see off whitehall

your tickets in the draw or you can purchase on-line via our website.

Well done to the U-12 Camogie Team

The St Brigid’s nursery runs every

who took part in the Caman to Lein-

Saturday in Russell Park from 9.30am

ster event in the national GAA games

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

development centre in Abbotstown on

en-year-olds in the Castleknock and

Saturday.

Blanchardstown area and new members and families are always welcome.

For further information and queries contact David on 085 8340169.

This was a participation event for U-12 clubs in the province.

The trustees and members of St Brigid’s wish to extend our deepest

The next outing for the St Brigid’s

sympathies to the Tully family on the

77 golf society is on May 14 in Palm-

death of Bernard. Ar dheis De go raibh

erstown House Golf Club. For further

a anam uasal.

castleknock SUPER win for our adult hurlers in the

ness into Light walk over the weekend.

senior B championship away against

If you can volunteer to be a steward at

Whitehall. Great performance by all

the Virgin Media Night Run on Sunday,

including the large travelling support.

May 22, please contact Breda on 086

Hard luck to second team who lost

Castleknock battle their way through the midfield exchanges. Picture: Niall O’Connell

Lynch leads way as Knock bounce back

senior bHC group 2

Whitehall Colmcille 2-13 Castleknock 2-16  sport@dublingazette.com

CASTLEKNOCK made an important statement, both to themselves and the rest of the Senior B championship, that they are up for the challenge with a three-point win over Whitehall Colmcille.

Knock had slumped to defeat to Naomh Barrog in their opening tie but bounced back in rude health in their second group game. Using the breeze in the first half, they worked some fine early scores with Colly

Lynch and Kieran Duggan in lively form.

Eoghan Quinn continued his return with a great battle with Dublin senior player Eoin O’Donnell.

Luke Whelan took over free-taking duties and struck them well despite having to start a couple in tricky positions.

The real platform for all the forward play was the Castleknock half-back line and midfield, establishing a dominance and stability that was needed.

Ciaran Kilkenny provided a wonderful outlet from puck outs whilst Conal Purcell kept himself very busy until he had to retire

injured.

Despite some confusion as the scoreline, Castleknock went in a point down at the short whistle 1-6 to 0-8.

Whitehall’s free-taking was keeping their noses in front but Castleknock replied superbly. Lynch took the game by the scruff and, after winning a ball in the corner, beat his man and rifled a shot to the bottom left of the goalkeeper from 16 metres.

Whitehall retaliated with a goal from a 21 yard free that was as good as any that will be seen this year.

But the Somerton outfit stuck to the task manfully and were rewarded for their pressure when Ian Cleary reacted swiftly to a goalmouth break to put his side three up heading into injury time.

The game was in the melting pot from then until the final whistle but the Castleknock defence was not to be breached again.

Declan Tobin, Paul Bourke, Tadhg Kelleher and Ed Forrest were all steadfast in their defending whilst Liam Quinn, Shane Coffey and Aaron O’Gara all added impetus and commitment

8416431.

out to Civil Service. The U-15 camogie

The club nursery, thanks to Tiger

team had a great win over Skerries

Childcare, takes place of Saturdays

and they have a big game v Peregrine’s

at 10am at Tir na nOg (beside Castle-

this week. Great win for our U-15 foot-

knock Community College). We look

ballers in the A championship against

forward to welcoming all new boys

Round Tower.

and girls for some sport agus spraoi,

The minor footballers drew against

fun and encouragement. New mem-

Ballinteer St John’s in Division 2 and

bers always welcome, just turn up and

had a good win over St Jude’s in Divi-

introduce yourself to one of the many

sion 5. Sincere best wishes to all our

friendly mentors.

players and their families who are

Congrats to Niall Monahan who won

gearing up for the junior and leaving

the club lotto, in association with Riv-

cert exams.

erwood Construction, with a jackpot

Well done to our Castleknock GAA stewards who helped out at the Dark-

of €2,400. Numbers drawn were 2, 4, 7 and 9.

garda/westmanstown A QUIET week on the playing fields

to Seamus, his coaches and players

for our adult teams with only our

and of course the great support on

ladies having a league outing against

the sideline.

O’Toole’s losing by 2-15 to 2-10 but put in a very good performance.

The U-12 hurlers hosted St Peregrine’s on Saturday afternoon with

Ladies training continues at the

both teams playing great hurling with

usual times of 7.30pm on Mondays and

the Gaels coming out on top after a

8.30am on Saturdays. Please come

great second half.

out and support both teams in their championship efforts.

The U-10 hurlers had two home games against played in poor con-

Another busy week for our expand-

ditions. Unfortunately, they didn’t

ing juvenile section with lots of action

win this time but played well and the

in football, hurling and camogie.

future is bright. The U-14 girls lost to

Pride of place goes this week to our U-16s who beat Fingal Ravens by a

Erin’s Isle on Sunday-hard luck girls and look forward to next outing.

single point to reach the shield final.

From now on a quarterly newsletter

In a pulsating game, the result was

will be produced by the communica-

in doubt right to the end but our boys

tions committee and circulated both

held out for a great victory. Well done

online and in paper form.

32 BLANCH Gazette 12 May 2016