City

Gazette DUBLIN CITY

April 6 - 12, 2017

Find us on

CALLOUS ‘CHARITY’ SCAMMERS TARGET CITY CENTRE PUB GOERS - See Page 4

FIDDLER ON THE HOOF: Dance sensation Daithi talks to The Gazette P16-17

PHOENIX RISING SPORT ‘Phill your boots so Kerry’ Pg32

HOW DUBLIN ZOO See Page 3 BECAME A GLOBAL TV STAR

Deadly flesh eating dog disease kills family pet  AISLING KENNEDY

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

First confirmed case in Dublin of ‘Black Death’ bug Alabama Rot

DOG OWNERS have been urged to be vigilant after the first confirmed case of the killer flesh-eating dog disease Alabama Rot claimed the beloved pet of a family from Ranelagh.

Full Story on Page 9

2 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 April 2017

SURVEY | ALMOST HALF OF IRISH MOTORISTS THINK WE’RE RUDE

Dublin drivers deemed nation’s worst behaved DUBLIN’s drivers are the worst in the country according to the experiences of motorists surveyed by AA Ireland.

As part of an AA Motor Insurance survey of over 7,000 motorists, drivers were asked which county had the worst behaved drivers based on their own past experiences.

Almost half of those surveyed (46.77%) stated that they believed driver behaviour was at its worst in our capital, with drivers in Donegal (19.25%) and Cork (5.34%) being ranked as the second and third worst behaved respectively.

Conor Faughnan, AA Director of ConsumerAffairs said of the results: “Every day we come across cases of dangerous overtaking, drivers failing to acknowledge the right of way and motorists ignoring many rules of the road.”

“Because we do it so often we tend to underappreciate how dangerous driving truly is and these kinds of behaviour not only put the offending motorist at greater risk of being involved in an incident, but can also increase the risk to other drivers and vulnerable road users such as cyclists

and pedestrians.”

Drivers in Sligo and Leitrim were viewed as the best behaved, with just 0.26% of respondents saying drivers there were the nation’s worst behaved.

The survey also identified a shift in commuter behaviour, with over 20% of those surveyed describing themselves as at the very least occasional cyclists. 14.44% of survey respondents stated that they were occasional cyclists, with an additional 6.11% and 2.22% describing themselves as ‘regular’ and ‘daily’ cyclists.

FASTNews

Kehoe’s on South Anne Street

Kehoe’s is named Dublin publicans’ Pub of the Year at lavish LVA bash THE CITY’s innkeepers have voted popular South Anne St boozer Kehoe’s the Publicans Pub of the Year.

The Best of the Best Pubs in Dublin Award was given to Kehoe’s owner Louis Fitzgerald at a gala event in the Mansion House to celebrate the Licensed Vintners Association’s bicentenary.

Peter’s Pub in Johnson Place was the runner up.

The new LVA annual awards are in memory of the late Oliver Hughes, founder of the Porterhouse Group, who died last year. He was a one-time LVA chairman.

Current chair Deirdre Devitt said they were celebrating the Best of the Best in memory of one of the best.

“Oliver was not so much a man of his time as a man way ahead of it,” she said. “He was just so innovative as a businessman. You can see that by counting the number of craft breweries there are now.”

“These awards are really to honour Oliver’s memory, and to celebrate as he would, excellence in the pub trade. These are the pubs that Dublin publicans themselves rate as the very best. That’s what makes these awards that bit special.”

Cycling “Cycling is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland and particularly in our city centres and with this uptake it’s important for drivers to be on the lookout for vulnerable road users and follow the rules of the road at all times.” Faughnan added.

Of those who described themselves as at least occasional cyclists, the survey found 22.09% had been involved in a collision or fall as a result of a motorist’s actions.

Need a bit of colour in your life? Hue’ve just got to try this..

COLOUR Dash – the Irish Cancer Society’s fantastic 5km family fun run – is back! Join thousands of enthusiastic walkers, joggers and runners in the Phoenix Park on June 11 and get pelted by powedered paint as you help the fight against cancer.

To find out more, visit www.cancer.ie

Car insurer seeks Dublin women for ad campaign CAR insurance firm itsforwomen.ie is looking for women to star in its TV, print, digital and outdoor ad campaign themed around finding the perfect partner.

The campaign will feature everyday women sharing their experiences and insights into what it means to look for and find the perfect partner.

The ads will be filmed/ shot in Dublin on either May 3rd, 4th or 5th, before the campaign is rolled out on screens, billboards and digital platforms across Ireland this summer.

To apply, visit www.its4womenperfectpartner. com before April 12th.

Applicants must be 21 or over and able to drive.

Charities can win €10k funding at GSK awards

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

THE GSK Ireland Impact Awards is now open for applications from small charities around Dublin.

The awards, which are now in their third year, are designed to recognise and reward community-based Irish charities which contribute to the improvement of people’s health and wellbeing.

Up to five winning charities will receive €10,000 each in funding through the awards, while five runner-up charities will receive €2,000 each. Winners also get a specially commissioned video and photography package to help them promote their work.

Visit ie.gsk.com/ie/responsibility/health-for-all/ gsk-ireland-impact-awards to apply before May 5th.

6 April 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 3

 SYLVIA POWNALL ZOOKEEPER Gerry Creighton has told how the success of RTE’s The Zoo sees him regularly stopped for selfies by visitors from all over Europe.

The head of operations at Dublin Zoo – who returned to our screens on the hit reality show last Sunday – says it is watched by millions of loyal viewers here and abroad.

Dad-of-two Gerry, a second-generation zookeeper who followed in his father Gerry Sr’s footsteps, told The Gazette: “It’s in the top three shows in Belgium.

“I’m regularly stopped by people from Belgium asking me for a photo and saying they’ve come to Ireland just to see Dublin Zoo. “It’s one of the most popular programmes on Animal Planet UK; sometimes they loop it for 24 hours.

“On a busy day I probably get stopped 100 times by people who say they were first introduced to the zoo through the show. It’s great to see that level of interest.”

The first episode of season seven featured home improvements for the meerkats, a sloth examination and exciting news of Lena’s pregnancy at

ZOO ALORS!

RTE’s hit fly-on-the-wall documentary is Belgium’s third most popular TV show

Gerry, seen here with a pair of tiger cubs, is regularly asked for selfies from tourists

the Gorilla Rainforest.

Each week, viewers will get to watch her progress right up to when she gives birth and feeds her newborn baby for the first time.

The programme clearly shows keepers’ passion for their work as the cameras follow the team around the Phoenix Park facility, which attracted 1.1 million visitors last year.

“After 33 years in this job there isn’t a single day I don’t look forward to going into work. It’s become such a wonderful place and I love that I’ve been part of its evolution,” said Gerry, who manages Dublin Zoo’s elephant programme.

“Now I travel all over the world setting up animal welfare programmes.

We’re actually world leaders in elephant wellness; it’s quite staggering.”

Gerry has nothing but praise for show producers and directors Shane Brennan and John Higgins of Moondance Productions. He added: “We’ve made sure to show the public the realities of life and how a zoo works. It’s not all cute and cuddly.

Animals die, there are births, deaths and triumphs along the way.”

The Zoo airs on RTE One this Sunday at 6.30pm.

4 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 April 2017

CRIME | CONMEN CITE PIETA HOUSE, DUBLIN FIRE BRIGADE AS THEY ‘COLLECT’

Warning as scam artists pounce on pub punters to ‘support’ worthy charities  EMMA NOLAN CON ARTISTS posing as charity collectors are trying to solicit money from customers in pubs.

On Friday, March 24, a Dublin 7 woman, Sarah (not her real name) and her friends were approached in The Grand Social on Liffey Street by a man with Pieta House-branded flyers, who said he was from the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) and was collecting money for a charity boxing match in aid of the charity.

Having recently lost a family member to suicide, and relying on the support of Pieta House, Sarah was caught off guard when he approached them.

She told The Gazette: “It sounds so obvious in hindsight, but when someone comes up to you on a night out in these circumstances, you just assume that it’s a good-hearted thing and go along with it.”

Not wanting to dismiss someone claiming to be from a charity that has proved very helpful to her and her family in recent months, Sarah and her friends all gave money to the man.

However, afterwards, Sarah felt that some of what the man was saying didn’t add up, so she asked the bouncers in the pub if he was permitted to carry out charity collections on their premises. The bouncers said that they recognised him as a regular customer.

The incident was reported to gardai, and the DFB confirmed

that they are pening again not collectthe following ing for Pieta week on SatHouse, and urday, April while they 1, in nearby do occasionFrank Ryan’s ally collect for pub at Queen charities, they Street. would never A different authorise man was going individuals to around the pub collect from saying he was customers in collecting for a pubs in this charity boxing manner. event in aid of A DFB Pieta House. spokesperCarrying fake son conlaminated flyfirmed: “Any ers the man was DFB staff attempting to involved in solicit money any charity from customers collections in the same manwould have ner Sarah witan official nessed the previpermit to do ous week. so, and they She said: “We wouldn’t go saw the same into pubs thing happenlike that.” ing again and we P i e t a Photo shows part of the laminated ‘official documentation’ used reported it to the House also by a scammer which, upon closer inspection, is clearly anything but barman.” confirmed The Gazette that they do not authorise pub or The hotel where the man said reached out to Frank Ryan’s door-to-door collections, adding the charity boxing match was management, but had not that they are not affiliated with taking place also confirmed that received a response by the time these individuals claiming to be no such event was ever planned. of going to press. collecting money on their behalf.

The fake papers (pictured) The Licensed Vintners AssociGrand Social management also featured branding from the ation confirmed to The Gazette said they were not aware that Londis franchise, who also con- that they are not affiliated with fake charity collections were firmed the use of their logo was any Pieta House fundraising. taking place on their premises, used without their permission.

LVA chief executive Donal and that they do not condone or Following the incident, Sarah O’Keefe said that that the allow such collections. witnessed the same thing hap- body are currently partnered

with charity, Alone, with funds donated through the proceeds from sales of a new beer, Dublin Amber, not collections in pubs.

He said: “We would encourage our members to be vigilant and to take steps to ensure that all charity collections on their premises are genuine.”

A similar scandal was reported two years ago in Dublin as scammers went door to door in Lucan, Leixlip, Stillorgan, Ballyfermot and Rathgar claiming to be collecting for Pieta House.

The Charities Regulator – the body that governs charities in Ireland – said that allegations of this nature fall under The Theft and Fraud Offences Act, 2001, Section 6 – Making Gain or Causing Loss by Deception.

A spokesperson advised anyone with information relating to these matters to report it to An Garda Siochana.

Sarah condemned the con artists for preying on people’s good nature, and on those willing to support a charity that provides vital services to vulnerable people.

Having experienced a loss to suicide so recently, Sarah was particularly susceptible to donating money to a cause that hit close to home. She said: “I know of the good, life-saving work that Pieta House do and how much they rely on fundraising.

“Under normal circumstances, I would never hand over money without asking to see ID, but this caught me completely off guard.”

Disability protest highlights Irish delay over treaty  AISLING KENNEDY

A LARGE protest was held outside the Dail last Thursday by a host of disability charities and rights campaigners to lobby the Government to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Ireland has been waiting 11 years for the Government to ratify the UNCRPD treaty and we are the last country, out of 122 UN member states, to fail to ratify the treaty.

The Convention is described as a treaty to “promote, protect and strengthen the human rights of all people with a disability throughout the world.”

Deputy Denise Mitchell (SF) from Dublin Bay North said from outside the Dail: “The frame-work was signed in 2007, but has still not been made legally binding.

“Minister Finian McGrath has been in his position of Minister of State with Responsibility for Disa-bilities for over 10 months now. When he took office, he said that the convention would become law within six months and we are still waiting.

“It is baffling why the Minister and his Government continue to ignore this issue and will not pro-vide the substantive rights to those with disabilities.”

FASTNews

Free course for women to quit smoking habit THE women of Crumlin are invited to get free support to quit smoking with help from a free 12-week course that’s been launched in the area.

We Can Quit – an initiative by The Irish Cancer Society – is running for the first time in Crumlin.

We Can Quit is open to all female smokers living in the Dublin 8 and 12 areas, who are over 18 and who are interested in quitting smoking.

The programme takes place on Tuesdays in the St Agnes Parish Centre, and will run from 11am to 1pm, starting on April 25.

New bridge for Poolbeg area DUBLIN is set to get a new bridge as funding for construction of a new public transport bridge between Poolbeg and the South Quays has been announced.

The new bridge will be vital to prevent the future residents of Poolbeg from being cut off from the city centre due to housing units planned for the area.

The planned Dodder Bridge will be accessible to buses, pedestrians and cyclists and will link Britain Quay on the South Quays with York Street on the Poolbeg peninsula.

Student wins a vet course place A FIFTH-year student from Chapelizod has won a place in UCD’s School of Veterinary Medicine summer school. Katie Francis, from Mount Sackville Secondary School in Chapelizod, was named as the winner of a competition hosted by the Veterinary Council of Ireland.

6 April 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 April 2017

Out and About

Reducing pupils’ fears through fun and play P

UPILS from St Patrick’s GNS Ringsend took part in the UCD Paediatric Society’s Teddy Bear Hospital last week. The aim of this fantastic outreach project is to tackle childhood anxiety towards hospitals. The children visit different interactive activity stations focused on typical situations a child may encounter on admission to hospital. These include examination, injections, MRI imaging and a plaster bay.

6 April 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 7

8 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 April 2017

PLANNING | COUNCIL PLAN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

Big revamp planned to transform Francis St  EMMA NOLAN WIDER footpaths, street furniture and pedestrian plazas are now planned for Francis Street.

Dublin City Council is currently finalising a redesign for the street and its environs and the scheme is expected to be submitted for public consultation and planning permission next week.

A recent public meeting was held for local businesses and residents to introduce them to the final design and to discuss some of the proposed changes to the street.

Changes to the street include a rebalancing of space to create more generous footpaths, while retaining existing oneway traffic on the street and providing a sufficient level of car parking and loading bays.

The carriageway is planned to be narrowed to reduce speed on the street.

This plan comes as a 30km speed limit com-

menced on the street last week.

Other environmental improvements are planned including planting and greening, new street lighting, street furniture and the “use of quality materials”.

New ‘plaza’ areas to the front of Iveagh Market and St Nicholas de Myra Church are also planned.

T he project envisages improvements to Hanover Lane and Dean Street and improved junctions at the Dean Street-end of Francis Street (retaining L and R turns), and from Thomas Street.

The Part 8 Planning Process will soon begin and locals can keep up to date on the progress of the scheme via the council’s website.

Proposals The proposals will also be on display in the atrium of Dublin City Council offices.

Meanwhile, nearby Newmarket Square is also set for a makeover. A

Calling on everyone to #Unite For Parkinson’s

VETERAN RTE broadcaster Eileen Dunne (right) joined Paula Gilmore, chief executive of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland (PAI) and lots of PAI supporters at the Ha’Penny Bridge to officially launch Parkinson’s Awareness Week.

Currently running until April 9, this year marks the 200th anniversary since the condition was first identified, with more than 12,000 people affected in Ireland today.

As the Ha’Penny bridge just turned 200 recently, it was a suitable spot to launch the #UniteForParkinsons campaign, which asks the public to come together and help support Parkinson’s patients.

Picture: Andres Poveda

FASTNews

Dub teens pencil in some success at Foroige awards

How Francis Street looks today ... and how it could look after proposed works are executed (below)

TEENS from Coolock, Ballyfermot and Finglas are all finalists of the 2017 Foroige Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

From Chanel College in Coolock, Josh Pigot and Brian Regan (above, both 16) were selected for their business Wooden Wonders, which sells wooden hand-crafted pencil-shaped pencil holders.

Over in Finglas, Aoife Cashell (16) and Alannah Kelly (15) from St Michael’s, were chosen for their business AZ; they produce tie-dye t-shirts, which they promote online and sell locally.

St Dominic’s student Siobhan Lennon (15), in Balolyfermot, also reached the finals thanks to her business, Shivvey’s Soaps – handmade soaps, which are suitable for all skin types, sold online on Facebook and locally.

Family ready to rocket off to Orlando on a prize trip

public consultation continues for this major public realm enhancement of Newmarket and its surrounding streets.

The scheme envisages

the redesign of the central market space to create a largely pedestrian space, and adjoining streets with changes to parking provision, traffic flows

and greater pedestrian priority.

Public comments are invited on the plans until April via the council’s website.

A KILLESTER family are about to blast off on a trip to the Kennedy Space Centre in Orlando.

Gerard Beechinor was a winner in Topaz’s Play or Park competition, with the Killester man and his wife, Niamh, and their two sons, Tiernan and Fiach, ready to suit up and experience life as an astronaut.

Their prize includes an exclusive tour of the launch control centre, an out of this world lunch with a real-life NASA astronaut, and €2,000 spending money.

Excited about the family’s win, Gerard said: “I have always wondered what it would be like to be an astronaut – it’s great that I will be able to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity together with my own little space cadets and wife.”

Help clean up Dublin – and maybe you can win €1,000 THE second annual Team Dublin clean-up is taking place this month on April 14, with the council encouraging all community, resident, business and environmental groups to get involved and spend a little time caring for their area.

Dublin City Council will provide clean-up equipment and the removal of all litter collected by all groups taking part.

All participating groups will also be entered into the Dublin City Neighbourhoods Competition for their efforts, with a chance to win €1,000 for their community group at the citywide awards ceremony to be held in Croke Park in September.

To get involved simply contact your local area office who will arrange for you to receive equipment and make sure that all litter and rubbish collected by your group is removed on the day.

You can find the contact details for the clean-up at dublincity.ie/teamcleanup.

6 April 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 9

ALABAMA ROT | FIRST CASE HITS IRELAND AFTER A SPATE OF CANINE DEATHS ACROSS THE UK

Rotting disease kills dog  AISLING KENNEDY

A dog afflicted with the potentially deadly disease

THE first case of the deadly dog disease Alabama Rot has been discovered in Dublin following the death of a family pet in Ranelagh.

The dog had been out for a walk with its owners in Masseys Woods in the Dublin Mountains just days prior to the onset of the flesh-eating bug.

The case was managed at the UCD Veterinary Hospital in early February, but the final post-mortem result was not received until late March.

Pete Wedderburn – AKA TV’s Pete The Vet – told The Gazette this week that the unfortunate animal was brought to the vet in Ranelagh with a number of complaints.

He said: “The dog presented with a large, necrot-

ic ventral skin lesion, lethargy, inappetence, vomiting, icterus [jaundice], azotaemia [high kidney parameters] and increased liver enzyme activities.

“These are typical of Alabama Rot, but diagnosis is complex, requiring follow-up studies including biopsies etc.”

This the first case of Alabama Rot in Dublin and the second case nationally following the death of a dog in Co Wexford in January 2015.

There are some theories that the disease may be caused by a toxin from E Coli bacteria, found in rotting woodland vegetation or in woodland water courses and ponds.

Pete said while he doesn’t welcome the news of the first case of the disease being found in

Dublin, it is important to remember that it is exceptionally rare.

He said: “I think it’s important to stress how rare this disease is – a dog is more likely to be struck by lightning than

not pose any immediate threat to dogs.

“I’ve heard some people say they’re not going to go and walk their dog in that area any more and that’s just not necessary. The risk is tiny – it is still safe to

What is Alabama Rot?

Alabama Rot (Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy/CRGV) is a condition which is often fatal in dogs, first identified in greyhounds in the US in the 80s.

The initial symptoms are skin lesions on the legs, chest and abdomen, with eventual kidney failure in about 25% of cases.

The first cases were identified in the UK in 2012 – since then, more than 90 dogs across Britain have been affected with the ‘Black Death’. There does not appear to be a breed, body weight, sex or age predilection and despite the best possible treatment, most dogs do not survive once the disease strikes.

get this disease, so people shouldn’t be worried.”

Pete urged pet owners to keep going for walks with their dogs in Masseys Woods as the area does

walk in Massey’s Woods.

“It’s really a mystery how the dog got this disease, but to me the main message to get out there is that people shouldn’t ignore it when

their dog seems sick.

“If your dog develops a strange rash or if your dog starts to behave in a way that’s unusual and not like their normal selves, then you should go to the vet, because when dogs die of this you always wonder if perhaps they had got to the vet earlier, could they have been saved.”

Pete said some dogs survive Alabama Rot, but one of the main problems is making the diagnosis.

He added: “It’s quite possible that dogs may get this, may be treated, and may recover, but the samples needed to make the diagnosis, such as kidney biopsies, are never done.

“So we’ve maybe seen this more often than we realise, but dogs may be recovering. It’s all just a bit of a mystery, really.”

10 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

Gazette babies are the cutest...

s) Amelia Carroll (9 month

sent in by Marie Carroll

by Sinead Treacy Donnacha Gillen, sent in

Grace Aher n (13 month s) sent in by Br ian Ahern

Lily Conlon (13 months) sent in

by Joan King

Send in your baby photographs and...

W

Neela, sent in by Tunde

WIN!WIN!WIN!

E’VE had a wonderful response to our Gazette Bonnie baby competition – and we’re hugely grateful to the multitude of proud mums, dads, grandparents and family friends out there who so kindly shared some of the cutest photos we’ve ever seen.

Make sure you pick up a copy of next week’s Gazette, when we’ll reveal our lucky finalists, who’ll then go forward to a public vote to see who’s the ultimate Gazette Bonny Baby.

(You’ll be able to vote for your favourite pic on our Facebook page, or by emailing competitions@dublingazette.com from this day week) We have some great prizes to give away – including two hampers worth €90 each from our friends at NUK Ireland – and one lucky winner will win a free family or newborn photoshoot worth €180 from Gazette photojournalist and expert baby photographer Ali, of Alison O’Hanlon Photography.

And keep an eye out for more great Gazette Giveaways in your free weekly Dublin Gazette – because remember folks, the future is local, the future is free!

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 11

Gazette competition

Maia (23 months) sent in

by Tomasz Kurkowski

Aneta Patriak shared this thoughtful shot of Maia Kurkowska

Zack sent in by

Karolina Ga sinska

onnell Cami-Li sent in by J McD

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS

Taxi app Lynk motors along to a merger deal with Blackrock Cabs CONTINUING its growth, Dublin taxi app Lynk (www. lynk.ie) has merged with the prominent South Dublin firm with Blackrock Cabs.

With a history of working together, their merger was finalised recently, with the move expanding Lynk’s availability, particularly in the south Dublin area, meaning further availability of vetted drivers through the unique app and online booking technology.

The merger see more than 100 new drivers added to Lynk’s southeast Dublin fleet, with the merger just one of many that Lynk is focusing on finalising in the coming months as part of its planned ongoing expansion in Dublin and nationwide.

Noel Ebbs, chief executive of Lynk, said: “It’s great to be focusing our attention in new local areas and expanding our driver network. It’s important we continue to grow in Dublin before fully rolling out nationwide in the coming months.”

Dublin Chamber president Brendan Foster and chief executive Mary Rose Burke. Picture: Jason Clarke

Quote happy with Dublin Babriggan Subway wins Store of the Year award Chamber’s new rebrand THE Balbriggan Subway branch served up a big slice of success after claiming the national title of Subway Store of the Year.

The eaterie’s Nadine Vickers and Bastian Wiebenga (right) accepted the prestigious award on behalf of the Balbriggan team, acknowledging the hard work to come out first ahead of 170 other Subway stores in Ireland.

One of 45 Subway outlets situated within an Applegreen site, the Balbriggan outlet was judged on a combination of in-store operational performance and year-on-year sales growth, with Balbriggan excelling in both fields. Neil Black, development agent for Subway Ireland, said the achievement “is a testament to the Balbriggan store’s dedication to their service and to their customers that they won this year’s Store of the Year award”.

DUBLIN Chamber, the organisation which represents the interests of businesses in the Dublin region, has unveiled its new corporate brand and logo.

Following a five-month rebranding process, the Chamber will drop the words ‘of commerce’ from its logo, which sees a return to the colour blue that is so synonymous with Dublin.

The rebrand has been

overseen by the Chamber’s chief executive, Mary Rose Burke, who took up the role in October last year. The design work was carried out by Evolve Design.

Burke said the new look perfectly captures what Dublin Chamber is all about – listening to its 1,300 members and speaking out on their behalf to make Dublin a better city for all.

She said: “The new

the naming convention reflects how our members and the people of Dublin know us: Dublin Chamber.”

As part of the rebrand, Dublin Chamber has adopted the new tagline of ‘Dublin is our business’. This tagline reflects the Chamber’s core aims of improving the reputation of Dublin, making sure it is a competitive and attractive place to businesses, visitors and

locals alike.

Burke added: “This is a very exciting time to be in business in Dublin. Our goal in Dublin Chamber is to enable companies to do business better and to help them to grow and create jobs in a successful Dublin.

“Our new brand is reflective of the ambition to further Dublin’s credentials as a smart, liveable and competitive capital city.”

Funding shares from €70,000 Energia, Grow It Yourself partnership revealed

Extra push for broadband DUBLIN schools are set to get superfast broadband through the 100Mbs for Schools project.

Irish internet provider enet has announced it have started a contract to supply the schools in conjunction with educational and research network HEAnet on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.

In total, over 150 post primary schools are now connected to enet networks in Dublin City, Blanchardstown, Clondalkin and Rathfarnham.

brand is a reflection of the Chamber’s position as the business voice for Dublin.

The Chamber’s aim is to ensure that Dublin is a modern, welcoming and vibrant place in which to live, work and do business.

“Our new brand represents the modern and dynamic organisation that Dublin Chamber is.

We will always be Dublin Chamber of Commerce, but the change in

Alison Canavan, wellness coach; Liz O’Rourke and Karen O’Donohoe, GIY, and Amy O’Shaughnessy, Energia

THE Get Ireland Growing Fund run by GIY (Grow It Yourself) in partnership with Energia has announced the winners of the grants from a fund of €70,000 for 2017. Grants will be awarded to the successful food growing projects planned by community groups, schools and notfor-profit organisations all across the country.

In Dublin, a funding award goes to the Ballymun Job Centre for the Ballymun Adult Read and Write Scheme.

The team there says: “A group of adult

students are studying the QQI L2 Life Science: Horticulture module during January to May. Students will undertake practical horticulture skills to complete gardening tasks and learn basic principles about plants and trees.

“We will undertake field trips to Santry Community Garden and the new Ballymun Boiler House Eco Project, and this grant will be spent for the purchase of tools, plants, tubs and materials to enable students to complete practical skills required for certification.”

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 13

GAZETTE

TRAVEL: PARTY? YES WE CANCUN P23

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



MOTORING: TESTING THE NEW MAZDA6 P20

CINEMA: FREE FIRE IS A CULT MOVIE IN THE MAKING P24

MUSIC: CLARE MUSICIAN DAITHI O’DRONAI IS A HARD MAN TO PIN DOWN

Going back to his rural roots  JAMES HENDICOTT AT 27 YEARS of age, Clare musician Daithi O’Dronai has already been through more phases of his career than many manage in a lifetime.

Developing from a young fiddle player to a reality TV show star, then onwards to a Sony-signed, offbeat-pop performer and finally a unique and soulful dance act, he’s a

hard man to pin down.

Recently relocated to Dublin, the man who simply uses the stage name Daithi’s latest incarnation is nevertheless a profound tribute to the rural roots that connect him tightly with the Burren, and the Irish landscape.

“When I was writing the pop stuff I was doing my best to write these perfectly little three minute pop songs,” Daithi explains of his Sony album, and subsequent departure

FINE FILLY IS LOOKING FOR A DEDICATED FAMILY HOME

from the label.

“I lost my angles. I enjoyed it at the time, but I kind of lost my identity,” he recalls.

The departure from a major outlet like Sony was, no doubt, a tough call, but one Daithi made on the basis that he didn’t feel able to create things with purely commercial aims like radioplay in mind.

His next single – a sentimental track called ‘Mary Keane’s Introduction,’ based around a dance

remix of an interview with his 90-year-old grandmother – ironically turned out to be his most acclaimed.

“It was a sign,” he said.

“The new record leans more heavily into that idea. I was at a point where I wasn’t even sure I was going to keep making music after Sony to be honest. The thing I fell into was the idea that I was working towards a success of some kind.”

Continued on pages 16-17

OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Filly, a beautiful eightmonth-old female Collie cross who unfortunately missed out on vital socialisation as a puppy.

She loves to play with her toys, and with other dogs and people, but is still quite worried about sudden movements and hands approaching her head, so she is looking for a dedicated and understanding family who will let her take things at her own pace.

In the time Filly has been in a foster home recently, she has shown herself to the a very sweet, affectionate and playful dog who will blossom in the right home.

If you can be Filly’s #SpecialSomeone*, then 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, at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

SCHOOLS: NEW PROGRAMME TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO RECYCLE IN EVER BETTER WAYS

Repack it in, lads!

RECYCLING company Repak has launched a nationwide Recycle And Change For The Better schools programme, starting in Dublin.

The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, and Repak chief executive Seamus Clancy launched the programme at O’Connell CBS Primary School in Drumcondra.

The nationwide education programme will target First to Sixth class pupils across 3,300 primary schools, reaching a total of 398,812 children.

It will endeavour to educate students about the benefits of best recycling practices to change b e h av i o u r s t ow a r d s recycling and ultimately reduce recycling bin contamination.

Commenting on the launch of the new programme, Minister Naughten said: “I am delighted to launch this excellent programme.

“How and what to recycle is something we probably all need to work harder on. Education is key to this and if every child here today brings home the message of any of the engaging characters that form part of this programme, it will be a good start.

“I would like to thank Repak for taking this initiative and wish them the best with the roll-out.”

YOU’RE GROWING TO LOVE THIS CAMPAIGN AWA R D -W I N N I N G garden designer Diarmuid Gavin joined forces with TV3’s Anna Daly to launch GroMor 2017, a

nament to Ireland as it is due to return after being held here in 2011, in Killarney.

Would-be karaoke kings or queens should see karaokeworldchampionships.com.

GIVE DANCE FESTIVAL A WHIRL IN MAY

Minister Denis Naughten with Joseph Delaney and Daniel She, O’Connell CBS Primary School pupils, launching Repak’s Recycle And Change For The Better schools programme. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

nationwide campaign to get the country growing.

GroMor is an initiative by Retail Excellence garden centres and growers across Ireland, in association with Bord Bia, and sponsored

by Bord Na Mona and Westland Horticulture.

The aim of the campaign is to give clear and useful advice on how to best grow plants, herbs, flowers, fruits, vegetables and to highlight the health benefits of gar-

dening.

T he GroMor 2017 campaign encourages people to visit their local garden centre for expert advice on how to enhance their living space with nature.

A series of 50 free gardening demonstrations will take place in throughout the nation in GroMor Garden Centres from April to September offering a whole variety of themes.

For those who can’t

attend the events, www. gromor.ie contains easyto-follow guides and videos on how to grow a wide range of plans, whether on your windowsill, balcony or in the garden, as well as offering a taste of what you can expect to find in a GroMor centre near you.

KARAOKE KINGS AND QUEENS TO DO BATTLE KAR AOKE fans are celebrating 30 years of karaoke in Dublin, with

the singing sensation having made its debut in Ireland with Doug Murray of Starmaker on The Late Late Show in November, 1987.

T h a t ’s w h e n G ay Byrne and his crew left the RTE studio for a live outside broadcast from the nearby Merrion Inn. N o w, D o u g h a s teamed up with KWC to give two lucky people – one male and one female – the chance to represent Ireland in the karaoke

world championships in Helsinki this November, where they’ll battle to win $50,000 against 20 countries from around the world.

At last year’s finals in Vancouver, Ireland was not represented; however we have previously won the competition, with Rachel Brown winning in 2005 and more recently Adrian Kenny in 2009.

Doug is also in negotiation to bring the tour-

THE Dublin Dance Festival is back this May with an eclectic multinational line-up to look forward to.

Acts from around the globe and across Ireland will take place, ranging from a baroque feast to a Hip-Hop dance battle, from world-class dance on the stages of the Abbey Theatre to a baby boogie in Merrion Square Park.

The 2017 programme features more than 40 events by artists from 11 countries, with more than 50 dancers performing in venues across Dublin.

They will be accompanied by three DJs, an opera singer and a graffiti artist, with props including 18 wine glasses, two portions of brine shrimps, a cauliflower and a pomegranate.

Leading traditional Irish dance artist Colin Dunne will open the festival with his highlyanticipated new solo show, Concert, performing alongside the music of fiddle player Tommie Potts’ iconic album The Liffey Bank.

Tickets for the events can be booked online now at dublindancefestival.ie. or from May 2 at the Dublin Dance Festival Box Office located at Festival House, No 12 East Essex Street, in Temple Bar.

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

FEATURE SURVEY: DATA SUGGESTS ALMOST HALF OF ALL DUBS TURNING OUT JUST LIKE THEIR MUM

Have you turned into Mammy yet? positive and makes for a happy relationship for 1 in 2 (48%) adults.

Conversely, 1 in 3 (30%) cl a i m t h a t having some similarities to mum can make for a happy relationship.

In terms of what adults in Dublin still rely upon their mothers for, advice (38%) ranked highest, followed by a home-cooked dinner (24%) from time-to-time.

Even as adults, the research find-

ing to their mum.

Following the cl o c k s c h a n g ing to mark the start of the summer, “There’s a grand stretch in the evening” has b e e n r e ve a l e d as one of Dubliners’ top-three favourite Irish Mammy phrases (44%), along with, ‘ T h e r e ’s g r e a t dr ying in that weather’ (50%), and, ‘Take off your coat or you won’t feel the benefit when you go outside’ (44%) finalizing the top three.

Shane Kelly, sales and marketing manager for Beko, said: “Beko Graphic: Beko

NEARLY half of all Dubliners think they are turning into their mammies, it has been revealed.

Research commissioned by the appliance company Beko to celebrate the launch of The Woman’s Way and Beko Mum Of The Year awards has uncovered some interesting insights into the much-loved ‘Irish Mammy’.

The influence of the Irish Mammy remains strong, with 1 in 2 (48%) adults in Dublin having experienced a moment when they realised they had turned into their mother!

When it comes to relationships, “mother knows best” still rings true for most, with 3 out of 5 (58%) Dubliners admitting that their mother’s approval of their other half was important to them.

Despite craving their mother’s approval, finding a partner who is different to their mum is viewed as a

ings show that we still rely on our mums for our favourite creature comforts, with (14%) of Dubs admitting to bringing home their washing and iron-

is delighted to be involved with the Woman’s Way Mum of the Year award.

“As part of the partnership we wanted to commission quirky research to celebrate Irish mothers, who play a huge part in our lives.

“Beko has been part of Irish families for over 25 years and are extremely proud to help recognise the fantastic role Ireland’s mums play in their home and communities right across the country.

“The courage and strength of character from last year’s nominees was nothing short of amazing, and it is so important we recognise their role in our society.”

If you know a mum who deserves recognition, complete the nomination form in the current issue of Woman’s Way, or see www.womansway.ie, before the closing date of May 5.

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 17

DUBLINLIFE

MUSIC

Built From The Land

N O S ’ T A H W

E D I U G S T N E EV

Daithi’s Journey from Reality TV musician to unique dance star

Rock Against Homelessness

The Olympia host a Focus Ireland event featuring a homeless musician performing alongside local stars The Blizzards, Ham Sandwich and Delorentos, with profits going to the charity. April 7.

from page 13 I’VE started releasing what makes me excited after that track. That seems really simple, but it was a revelation to me.”

Daithi’s work is truly built from scratch. More specifically, it’s built from countless, heavily layered building blocks of ambient and atmospheric sounds that he’s recorded across the country.

They include anything from the sound of the wind whistling through a gate up a Donegal mountain (a recording that took hours of battering by Irish winter weather, and one that’s his current musical plaything), to the subtle texture of the family fire, or the clang of pieces of cutlery bashing against each other in a rented room in Achill.

Sri Rama Navami

A free event exploring Hindu traditions, and introducing one of the David McSavage oldest incarnations of Vishnu. A rare glance at Indian culture in the city, hosted at Alexandra college, Milltown Road on April 8.

David McSavage Live

The Savage Eye comic brings a rare live show to the Olympia Theatre, no doubt primed to attack the political status quo with a sling of witty quips. April 8.

The Game

A theatrical production themed around prostitution and the act of buying sex, The Game was produced by TheatreCLUB, who got input from those who’ve really experienced the industry. They bring their show to The Blanchardstown Centre on April 8.

Untypical Villains

Daithi performing at the Body And Soul Festival

Picture: Ruth Medjber

Dr Jason McElligott - the keeper at the Marsh Library gives a talk on his expansive niche research into areas like the history of propaganda and censorship, and three-century-old white collar crime. The Little Museum, April 12.

The Furrow Collective

Delorentos

Winning folk band take to one of the city’s less likely stages for a one off show at the Little Museum, to play before just 100 people. April 12.

MusicTown 2017

A citywide festival of music heritage running from April 7-17, featuring cross-city performances from the likes of Richie Egan (Jape), Mel C, Chelsea Wolfe, Katie Kim, and the International Choral Festival.

Fawlty Towers: The Dining Experience

Re-live John Cleese’s short-lived but fantastically memorable car crash hotel in an event recreating its less-thanimpressive dining rooms themes. The Clarion Hotel promise everything that can go wrong will on April 8.

New album of the week: Father John Misty returns with ‘Pure Comedy’, which if past form is anything to go by will be anything but comic. Expect a dark, catchy and at times sarcastic exploration of the modern landscape set against a beautiful soundscape.

GAZETTE

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

“If I run out of inspiration, I just go outside and take a walk and it hits me.

I end up with all those elements layered in”

Picture: Ruth Medjber

Layers He takes these recordings home, isolates the sounds and slowly builds up the layers of texture, throwing in some fiddle along the way, and adding numerous loops to give a form of dance that’s highly innovative in its origins.

The mixing process is reproduced live on stage every time he performs.

“I’ve been renting AirBnBs for periods of several weeks around Ireland,” Daithi said of his recent recording process, “and adapting them into studios while I’m there. If I run out of inspiration, I just go outside and take a walk and it hits me. I end up with all those elements layered in.”

His current role as a fiddleyielding, live-mixing outsider artist on a burgeoning Irish dance scene is all a very long way from a start that saw the teenage Daithi compete in the All Ireland Talent Show, and then go on to play Wembley Arena in front of a crowd of 10,000 for Sky’s Must Be The

Music.

While crammed with traditional elements, the current incarnation is also nothing close to trad, but nevertheless could hardly be more proudly and uniquely Irish.

“I think my grandfather [acclaimed concertina player Chris Droney, who still tours internationally at the age of 92] might be upset if he saw it my music as trad,” Daithi explains.

“He’s the kind of guy who’d get upset if you play a reel at the wrong speed, but he doesn’t really equate the two styles.

“I think he’s just proud I’m working as a musician, as that was hard in his day, too.

“I do more than 150 shows a year. That’s what I need to do to keep myself doing this full time, and I’m lucky, as it’s easier to get 150 shows a year from my [solo] set up than it would be from a band. I get rid of everything I use to build my live shows and start against every six months, to keep things interesting.

“The first couple of shows are always really stressful, but it challenges me, and avoids me getting into a rut when it comes to how I play live. It’s intense, but it’s how I want it to be.”

With his constant push for innovation and love of integrating his field recordings, Daithi has a very real claim to be Ireland’s most unique current performer.

Tapping into the very heart of rural Irish soundscapes, he’s bringing the subtly layered and carefully gathered moments straight to the dancefloor.

Daithi’s latest Holiday Home - inspired by solitary post-show, late-night drives down winding country roads - came out last Friday.

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

DUBLINLIFE

STYLE I US

CL EX VE !

The Donegal woman behind Powder ‘n’ Pout

 EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

POWDER ‘n’ Pout is the brainchild of Irish girl boss and successful make-up artist, Aisling Cunningham. She started in the industry aged 16, enrolling in a local college where she trained in hair and beauty.

After finishing three years of college and working in three local salons, she moved to Liverpool and trained under a senior make-up artist in MAC. As well as launching her own range of make-up brushes, Aisling also runs an incredibly successful salon under the same name in Donegal.

A testament to her hard work and product offering, Aisling recently won IBYE Best Established Business in Donegal and Young Business Person of the Year Inishowen. (For more information, see https://www.powdernpout.com)

IT’S everywhere at the moment – gingham, that is – and since we’re all after buying numerous gingham pieces, we may as well embrace the trend a little longer.

Shoppers can’t get enough of this latest take on the usually twee print, and with the creative way the high street keeps reimagining it, I say keep it coming!

Feathered Brows Brushing your brow hairs upward and outward gives them a full, feathered look. Your arches will look more natural and fuller when you groom them this way.

The small cut fibres of the Angled Liner P410 allows for exact control, while its firmly bristled,

The very sight of gingham evokes images of wholesome springtime picnics, triangle sandwiches and freshly-cut grass. A delightful image to transition us into summer.

Every high street shop in Dublin has an abundance of this trend at the moment – so, why not opt for gingham with statement sleeves or a Bardot neckline for a double whammy of SS17 goodness.

Topshop Shirt €52

LUSCIOUSBRUSHES HERE ARE Aisling’s tips for brushing up on some of the latest make-up trends, using a range of Powder ‘n’ Pout brushes ...

Square up to the latest trends in Gingham style

flat shape applies colour cleanly and precisely.

To get your brows to look full, lightly shade the hairs above and below your brow to create a slight shadow. When using either a brow gel, or powder, go for a colour that is the same shade as your brows or one shade darker.

supersoft hair and structured shape achieves flawless dimension along the cheekbones, forehead, and jawline for targeted contouring.

This is ideal for using with pressed or loose bronzer powder, liquids, and creams to create beautiful sculpting all over.

and larger because the focus falls on the centre of the eye.

Take the Fluffy Blender (P310) and place a medium to dark colour on the inner and outer corner creases, then add a light shimmery eyeshadow in the centre portion of the eye to create a popping effect.

Sculpted Cheeks We aren’t all lucky enough to have naturally chiselled cheekbones!

The Flat Contour’s (P050) densely-packed

Spotlight Eyes With summer on way, it’s time to start embracing colour and shimmer.

Spotlighting makes the eyes appear more round

Pared back skin for Spring/Summer ’17 Light up the room with a natural and beautiful glow. Stippling brushes are great for powder, liq-

uid, or cream highlighters. The Duo Tapered Powder (P210) will give you a different application strength depending on the formula used.

For powders, this will offer a sheerer application because the bristles won’t pick up as much product as other brushes, leaving an iridescent spring glow.

However, with liquid and cream highlighters you can create a medium to intense application due to its ability to easily blend without absorbing the product.

New Look Midi dress €40

Penneys Jacket €15; Bralette €13

M50MOTORING The Dublin Gazette drives you through the motoring world on a tour of the latest models, technology & industry news

ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR HELPS CHARITY CROSSCARE ENTERPRISE Rent-A-Car plans to invest €120,000 in Crosscare over the next six years.

The social support agency Crosscare has just received the first of six €20,000 annual donations to help fight food poverty in Ireland.

This grant will help to increase Crosscare’s capacity to redistribute surplus food to people in need throughout the country and to supply the



GAZETTE

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 19

Kia reveals Stinger’s European specs

charity’s cafés.

The donation is part of a wider initiative by the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation called Fill Your Tank, which has been designed to celebrate the company’s 60th global anniversary this year and its 20th anniversary in Ireland.

Dublin-based Crosscare operates food banks which distribute food to those most in need. In addition to running food banks and community cafés, the charity provides a range of social care, homeless services, community and youth work.

Michael McDonagh, manager Crosscare with George O’Connor, managing director Enterprise Rent-ACar Ireland. Picture: Finbarr O’Rourke

Annalise’s Tokyo journey powered

by Mercedes-Benz

Kia Motors has revealed the full European specification for the new Kia Stinger, a sporty type saloon car. The new closely follows the design and engineering blueprint laid down by the 2011 Kia GT Concept, and is the highest-performance production vehicle in the company’s history.

The Stinger channels the spirit of historic grand tourers – powerful, elegant vehicles capable of moving their owners in style, at speed. At every stage of development, the Stinger has been designed and engineered to be the perfect gran turismo.

The car features a head-turning design with claims of ample room to accommodate five occupants and their luggage. The Stinger was inspired by the GT4 Stinger concept

AS she begins preparations for the next Olympic Games in Tokyo, Irish silver medal winner Annalise Murphy has taken delivery of a new, topof-the-range Mercedes-Benz Vito Mixto.

Supplied under an exclusive sponsorship arrangement, the extra-long 190bhp Vito is equipped with features fit for an Olympic star.

Wrapped in a subtle silver and grey

revealed at NAIAS 2014. While the car is a true GT in nature, the Stinger name evokes speed and excitement, two key characteristics found in the production car.

In Ireland, the Stinger will be available with a choice of three engines: a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, a powerful 3.3litre twin-turbo V6, and a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine which is expected to account for the majority of European sales.

The Stinger is the result of years of impassioned design and development work at Kia. Six years after the company revealed its powerful statement of intent in the GT Concept, the Stinger will enter production and go on sale in Europe during the fourth quarter of 2017.

livery, the Vito Mixto will be an asset to Annalise as she prepares for glory at the games in 2020.

Commenting, Annalise said: “I am delighted to have renewed my association with Mercedes-Benz and excited to get my new Mixto on the road.

“The continued support gives a major boost to my training regime and ensures that my plans for success in Tokyo are off to a wonderful start”.

Want to reach an audience in excess of 300,000 people in Dublin each week?

Annalise Murphy has taken delivery of a new Mercedes to support her preparation for the Olympic Games

To advertise in our new Motoring section, contact sales@dublingazette.com or call

01 601 0240

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

M50MOTORING

Mazda adds new comfort FASTNews levels in its 6 upgrade

Appointments at Renault Group announced PATRICK Magee,

MAZDA’S range topping Mazda6 model has received some mid-life updates to make the car more driver friendly, while not significantly impacting on its already modern styling appearance.

You won’t notice much change in terms of how the car looks, while there is perceptible changes with it comes to the driving performance.

I’ve had the upgraded Mazda6 on the road in recent weeks and I came away with the feeling that this car deserves to be considered a slight bit higher in terms of the company in the luxury pecking order.

The Mazda6 continues to look very well, it has a high performing 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that allows it to deliver pace that’s comparable with its good looks.

My test drive was shorter than that of other cars, but that did not take away from the good impression that became obvious. The car is powerful in terms of styling and its engine ensures that you can capitalise on that feeling.

The 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine that powers the Mazda6 was rated at 175bhp, which is a high level of power for a car in this class. More modest versions with the same engine deliver 150bhp and it’s against that type of performance you have to compare the Mazda6 with the obvious competition of the Volkswagen Passat, Ford Mondeo and Toyota Avensis.

This upgraded Mazda6 comes with what Mazda claims are two key improvements designed to increase responsiveness and reduce engine noise, Transient Control and Mazda’s Natural Sound Smoother Technology

country operations

manager of Renault Group has announced a number of key appointments within the Group in Ireland.

LIZ O’GORMAN has been appointed marketing manager at Renault Group. Liz is a senior level brand and digital marketing strategist with extensive experience. Liz joined Renault Group in 2016 after spending two years in digital marketing at The new generation upgraded Mazda6 comes with engine and driving improvements to give a smoother and more comfortable ride

Mazda has upgraded the Mazda6 model as part of a mid-life change with enhanced driving features SPECIFICATIONS to add more comfort and ease of Engine 2.2 litre driving, while still delivering power Engine power 175hp and style. Michael Moroney drove 0 – 100km/hr 8.4 seconds Economy 20.8km/litre the new Mazda6 and feels it’s entitled to jump a

(4.8/100km or 59mpg) notch into the premium brand league.

Allied Irish Bank (GB).

Mazda6 2.2 Skyactiv-D

Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Main Service Euro NCAP Rating Warranty Entry Price

(NSS).

By reducing turbo lag and boosting torque, Transient Control reduces turbo lag while boosting torque to an impressive 380Nm and it claims to provide a more positive throttle response. Mazda

62 litres 127g/km B1 €270 15,000km/12 months 5 star (2013) 3 years /100,000km €28,995

claims that this means that the engine reacts better to the driver’s intentions.

Mazda’s Natural Sound Smoother (NSS) technology aims to reduce diesel knock noise during starting and low-speed acceleration. Mazda claims

that this NSS system is complimented by an improvement in sound insulation.

This has been achieved by the use of upgraded door seals, tighter tolerances between panels and sound deadening materials added to the underbody, rear console, headliner and doors. Mazda also claims that using laminated front side windows helps to further suppress wind noise.

The result of using these twin technologies is that the Mazda6 is a very smooth and comfortable car to drive. The acceleration pace is very impressive at 8.4 seconds and the six speed automatic gearbox meant smooth power flow.

The only downside was the marginal impact on fuel economy from the bigger engine.

Mazda claims a figure of 20.8km/litre (4.8/100km or 59mpg), which is very respectable. I found that the engine performance is so good that temptation led me to another less thrifty place.

That’s probably because the Mazda6 is fitted with the new G-Vectoring Control (GVC) a system that integrates the control of the engine, transmission and chassis. Mazda claims that it enhances the connection between car and driver, varies engine torque to optimise the load on each wheel.

The overall specification of the Mazda6 is

impressive. I liked the multimedia commander unit that operated the large central information screen. The system has navigation, communication, entertainment, applications and settings features that are easy to use. Setting the mobile phone Bluetooth connection was easy and the reception clear.

The entry price for the Mazda6 is €29,995, which is keener than the equivalent Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat orToyota Avensis pricing. The Mazda6 styling is distinctive and strong, the paintwork is flawless and the overall package deserves to put the car up a notch on the ladder to premium league status.

LYNNE BOUCHER has been appointed sales & network business manager for Renault Ireland operating from Renault Group HQ in Dundrum.

Lynne previously held the position of marketing manager at Renault Group for over three years and was product manager there for 18 months prior to that appointment.

BRIAN QUINLAN has been appointed used vehicle and business development manager at Renault Ireland.

Brian joined Renault Ireland as Zone Manager in 2014.

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 6 April 2017

M50MOTORING

Pedestrian Detection tech gets night vision WORRIES over night blindness, and fear of hitting someone, or something, top a new poll of night-time driving fears, in a new survey commissioned by Ford.

And for the latter at least, there is now a solution that goes beyond simply eating more carrots.

Ford is introducing new technology that is designed to detect pedestrians at night and then automatically apply the brakes if the driver does not respond to initial warnings.

The Ford Pedestrian Detection system processes information from a radar

such as trees and road signs.

Day and night, Pedestrian Detec-

Detection technology, now able to

roads in busy cities including Paris

work at night for the first time, the

and Amsterdam.

Tips to make driving at night easier

located in the bumper, and a

tion is designed to help identify

development team worked at night,

windshield-mounted cam-

people already in – or about to step

sending life-sized dummies into the

era. The system can distin-

into – the road ahead.

path of vehicles on closed tracks,

guish people from objects

For the improved Pedestrian

and testing the system on public

• Ensure windows and mirrors are clean and free of ice and condensation • Clean all exterior lights and check

they work, keep spare bulbs in the car • On unlit roads, put headlights on full beam and dip them on seeing oncoming vehicles • Don’t drive tired or for more than two hours without a break

6 April 2017 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE fast

There’s Mojito Mexico than cocktails, sun and sandy beaches

TRAVEL NEWS

Wander through beautiful landscapes TO celebrate the launch of three new self-guided walking trips, Explore is offering some great deals with a free activity tracker (worth €46) for the first 200 customers to book.

The new eight day Self-Guided Walking the French Riviera follows a network of village trails between Grasses and Menton. On this moderate graded trip, admire the summits and passes of the Mercantour, enjoy the superb views over Cannes, Nice and Monaco and discover the old town of Menton. Departures run from March – November 2017 and cost from €847 per person.

 SYLVIA POWNALL

French Riviera

This price includes six nights’ hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, three other meals and the services of a luggage transfer.

Explore’s new Self-Guided Walking in Madeira offers moderate graded walking on the lush volcanic island off the coast of West Africa.

Discover some of the island’s best walking trails, from the footpaths that follow its ‘levadas’ to coastal paths overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Climb to the summit of Pico Ruivo (1862m) and explore the eastern side of the island, including Porto da Cruz. Departures run from April – December 2017 and cost from €690 per person. This price includes seven nights’ hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, six other meals and the services of a luggage transfer. Prices are based on departures from the UK but flights from Dublin can be arranged on request.

For more information, or to book visit www. explore.co.uk or call 0044 1252 884 723.

TRAVEL

CA N C U N h a s b e e n one of Mexico’s hottest destinations for years because the party never seems to stop.

It is home to an almost endless array of bars, dining venues, and nightclubs each offering a unique guest experience.

The popular resort, which is on the coast of the Yucatan peninsula, is one of Mexico’s leading tourist destinations and the gateway to the resorts in Riviera Maya to the south.

Over the last number of years Cancun has grown significantly in popularity with Irish long haul holidaymak-

ers and is now one of the popular long haul destinations.

Falcon offer 14 nights all-inclusive holiday packages to Cancun which include return non-stop direct flights to Mexico.

Picture perfect beaches, ancient sites and a choice of resorts are just some of the reasons discerning holidaymakers have been returning to Mexico’s Caribbean Coast year after year.

Along the Yucatan Peninsula, purpose built resorts edge tropical beaches while jungle tours and water sport opportunities are easy to come by.

You can also engage in a once in a life time

oppor tunity to swim with dolphins at XelHa, the largest natural aquarium in the world.

The eco-park on the Riviera Maya has created a series of natural under water habitats and offers visitors the chance to swim with dolphins, stingrays and turtles.

Body paint On top of all that holidaymakers can also explore Mayan ruins, taste Mexican food and wine and watch cultural shows where dancers perform in brightly coloured body paint.

For those looking to take in some cultural sites, why not visit the

ancient settlement of Tulum?

The site was one of the last Mayan cities to be taken over by the Spanish and is set on headland that offers spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. For a glamorous, urban-style experience on a well-developed beach, Cancun really is the resort to visit. Its strip is famous for highrise hotels and a vast collection of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Dance to authentic Latin sounds as live bands play salsa and merengue at the Grand Mambo Cafe, or visit The City venue which has live shows featuring acrobatics.

Sizzling Sunway summer offer to save you €200 SUNWAY Travel are guaranteeing to put a spring in your step with a number of special summer offers – including a sizzling €200 moneyoff deal for sun seekers, but only if booked by April 8.

With destinations including the Algarve, Lanzarote, Costa Del Sol, Sicily, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, there’s something for everyone, with packages including flights, transfers, accommodation, all taxes and charges, 20kg checked

in baggage per person and the services of a Sunway representative.

To get €200 off your Algarve holiday, you can fly from Dublin from June 16 to September 1 (Friday flights). For Lanzarote, fly from Dublin from June 3 to October 21. For the Costa Del Sol, fly from Dublin, Cork or Shannon from June 3 to September 23.

For Sicily, fly from Dublin, Cork or Shannon from June 3 to September 23. For Fuerteventura, fly

from Dublin from June 3 to September 6. Lastly, for Gran Canaria, fly from Dublin from June 24 to October 21.

T&Cs include the €200 off per booking applies to bookings for seven nights; minimum of two adults sharing per booking; selected properties are excluded; you must book by April 8, and the offer is subject to availability.

For reservations, contact Sunway at 01 2311 800, or book online

Grand Bahia Principe Coba

Those looking to escape the crowds should head south to the undeveloped shores of Riviera Maya and the upmarket resort of Playacar.

Tulum, an off-thegrid beach town, has a boho vibe and is set on a headland that offers spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. Dublin to Mexico, Grand Bahia Principe Coba, Riviera Maya, 4*, AI, 14 nights departing June 14 from €1,569 per person sharing. *USE CODE LH100 to get €100 off per booking.

V i s i t w w w. f a l c o n holidays.ie or call 1850 453545 for bookings and information.

GAZETTE

24 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 April 2017

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA

Set in the 1970s, there’s no way out of a Boston warehouse for a disparate group of characters when a shady gun deal does explosively wrong – entertaining mayhem ensues

FREE FIRE: A COOL CAST AIM GREAT ZINGERS AT EACH OTHER IN THIS VIOLENT BUT WITTY FILM

Takes a shot at greatness WITH six feature films under his belt since his 2009 debut Down Terrace, Ben Wheatley is one of the most prolific directors of our time.

Each of his wildly different projects has been met with considerable critical praise (from those who could stomach his proclivity toward excessive violence and enigmatic narratives), each creeping closer toward the mainstream without sacrificing the director’s unique idiosyncrasy.

Last year’s JG Ballard adaptation, High-Rise, was a further jump away from the fringes of filmmaking, packing a highprofile cast with big names such as Tom Hiddleston and Sienna Miller.

Still, based as it was on a Ballard novel, High-Rise was all kinds of crazy: violent, perverse, frantic in narrative and occasionally a chore to follow.

With yet another starladen cast, Free Fire (Cert 18, 90 mins) maintains that trademark penchant for violence and grit, but pushes affairs more into the mainstream than ever before.

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

Wheatley offers up a (relatively) straightforward crime flick, set in Boston in the 1970s and localised entirely in a single location in real time: a secluded warehouse in the aftermath of an arms deal gone south.

An executive producer credit for Martin Scorsese in the opening credits should hint at where Wheatley is drawing inspiration.

With a toe-tapping classic rock soundtrack, starting with The Real Kid’s Do the Boob, there’s a tone here that recalls the sarcastic wit of Scorsese’s later era crime-classics, partnered with the grit of Peter Yates’ 1973 gem, The Friend of Eddie Coyle.

However, for all its violence, Free Fire is a much more light-hearted affair – slick, simple and seriously funny.

Justine (Brie Larson)

arrives at a warehouse with two Irishmen, Chris (Cillian Murphy) and Frank (Michael Smiley), to broker an arms deal with a gang led by Vernon (Sharlto Copley) and Ord (Armie Hammer).

When a disagreement escalates, shots are fired and chaos erupts.

Once the action begins, the shooting rarely abates for the entirety of Free Fire’s run time. The gunshots are mercilessly loud, invariably ringing out like bomb blasts with every squeeze of a trigger.

At first the effect is alarming, refreshing even – as are the effects those gunshots have on their victims, who spend most of the action crawling from cover to cover rather than running about beneath a hail of bullets.

The enthusiastic cast turn in enormously watchable performances – of particular note are Smiley and Copley, as a grizzled, uptight IRA man and an eccentric, former Rhodesian special forces figure, respectively.

Both men are two ends of a tightly round length of barbed-wire, ready to snap

at any point and incredibly fun to watch.

The script, co-written with Wheatley’s writing partner and wife, Amy Jump, is laden with perverse wit, profanity and biting sarcasm – infinitely quotable and, if the Gods are good, likely to afford Free Fire some sort of cultstatus in the near future.

The chaotic nature of the film, along with the realism instilled in the gunshot wounds, allow Free Fire to meander and lose focus around the beginning of its third act.

When the narrative begins to ramble, the loss of focus is accompanied with a perfectly suited free-jazz score from composers Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow.

Accordingly, everything feels natural and intentional – very Wheatley.

This may not be Wheatley at his best; indeed, it’s perhaps his most unremarkable film. Regardless, at its loudest chaos and quietest respite, Free Fire is an excellently composed film from a director who is steadily becoming a modern master of the form.

Verdict: 8/10

6 April 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

TECH

The Internet’s Dad YouTube turns into defends user data NoTube as annoyed advertisers halt ads around the planet YOUTUBE , a n d s i s ter company Google, are splashing through some choppy waters at the moment as several major advertisers, via their marketing firms, are continuing their current boycott of the platforms over concerns about their ads being inadvertently linked to extremist material.

The brands have been alarmed that ads for their products or services have been popping up within or alongside videos or content posted by hate groups or extremist figures, such as religious fundamentalists, white nationalist groups, and so on.

Flaring up throughout March, the row has now spread around the world as companies in countries from America to Ireland to Australia have halted their advertising on YouTube and Google (with both platforms part of the same parent company, Alphabet Inc).

Of course, neither YouTube or Google or the advertisers themselves chose this outcome, which is a result of the platforms’ complex algorithms curating and matching up content – very badly, in this case.

Like a string of dominoes, once one big company halted their advertising spend, others took note and halted theirs, with the row growing exponentially and seeming to catch the

platforms by surprise at the scale and speed of the boycott.

At the time of writing, a wide range of bigname brands around the world have paused their YouTube and/ or Google advertising, with Irish social media and internet users closer to home also seeing how some big brandname ads have quietly disappeared, for the moment.

A common theme in the brands’ complaints has been that not only are they very annoyed about their products appearing anywhere near extremist content, but that such figures or groups can also potentially profit financially from visitor-count revenue streams and the like – something they won’t support.

Given the evolving media landscape, this bump in the road for YouTube echoes the growing pressure for it – and other social media platforms – to seriously consider its role as a content-providing platform.

Initial steps to dampen down the disquiet by adding new controls for marketers did little to calm the mood, with Google and YouTube subsequently ramping up attempts to eradicate such content and increase ‘brand safety’ avenues.

A bit like YouTube itself, this issue is one to keep watching ...

I HAD written a neat piece about US President Donald Trump’s recent attacks on internet privacy with worrying global implications (see below), but when Tim BernersLee (AKA ‘the guy who invented the internet’, AKA The Internet’s Dad) weighed in on the move with a suitably Trumpian soundbyte (“disgusting”), well, a late night rewrite was the least I could do.

But first, some backstory, and an insight into what has brought a true Titan of technology into the fray ...

As part of his ongoing whirlwind of attacks on everything, President Trump has set his sights on internet users’ browsing history, clearing the way for ISPs (internet service providers) to sell their browsing history.

After all, whether you’re searching for a new job, a hotel, medicine or whatever, there’s a potentially

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

useful commercial aspect to at least some of that data – an aspect which has previously been largely reigned in by a number of checks and balances by governments and watchdogs around the world, with most tending to try to balance consumer and individual privacy rights against other matters.

Not so in the States any more, where President Trump has now cleared the way for ISPs to turn their users’ data into commercially viable data – needless to say, if your ISP suddenly starts actively recording everything you see and do on the internet, you’re creating a perfect profile of who you are,

what you like, want, think and feel.

That’s not to say that internet users all around the world will now start unwittingly creating perfect dossiers of info for The Man and shadowy corporations to exploit, but the move to allow such data mining sets a worrying precedent, potentially creating a domino line of tumbling user rights and a slow whittling away of civil liberties around the world.

In this context, it’s no wonder that The Internet’s Dad is so annoyed about the move.

Speaking about the internet for many years, Berners-Lee has always been a tireless advocate of the positive change for humanity as a whole than the internet, and free access to information, can make.

To see users then potentially even further turned into a commodity, open-

Tim Berners-Lee, credited with inventing the modern internet as we know it, has weighed in on the potentially escalating row over users’ automatic right to privacy versus companies looking to monetise their browsing data

ing up a can of worms about the loss of privacy – well, it’s no wonder Berners-Lee thinks it’s a terrible move, and one to oppose.

Speaking to The Guardian, Berners-Lee discussed a number of potential pitfalls that an increased commercial exploitation of users could engender, just part of his worries about the drift of certain aspects of the Internet in recent years.

He said: “There are things that people do on the web that reveal absolutely everything, more about them than they know themselves sometimes.

“Because so much if what we do in our lives that actually goes through those left-clicks, it can be ridiculously revealing.

“You have the right to go to a doctor in privacy where it’s just between you and the doctor. And similarly you have to be able

to go to the web. Privacy, a core American value, is not a partisan thing.”

Still, all is not lost for consumers – in America, at least, as just because the ISPs have been given a green light to flog user data doesn’t mean that they will.

Verizon AT&T, and Comcast – big players in the US – have said that they won’t sell customers’ individual browsing data, despite the green light to do so.

If telecoms giants settle into a gentlemen’s agreement – particularly under public and political pressure to respect user wishes about privacy and data – then all is not lost.

Ultimately, Irish, US and global internet users alike should take a greater interest in such battles and tussles for the internet’s soul – not least as The Internet’s Dad won’t always be there to try and keep things in order ...

26 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 April 2017

DUBLIN CITYCLASSIFIEDS ANIMALS

ROOFING

LANDSCAPING

CLEANING

DRIVEWAYS/PATIOS RECRUITMENT

WINDOWS

ROOFING

DVDS

DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPER HAVE OVER 280,000* READERS EACH WEEK

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

*Publishers Statement

GOT A PHOTO? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 2 email news@dublingazette.com



ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 01 60 10 240

6 April 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 27

DUBLIN CITYCLASSIFIEDS

GOT A STORY? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 2 email news@dublingazette.com

GazetteClassifieds To place a classified ad call us on 60 10 240

.... Find your local businesses .... advertise locally .... Local Matters



GAZETTE

28 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 April 2017

SPORT

FastSport SHIELS INSPIRES BELVO SEMI WIN: OLD Belvedere earned a place in the women’s All-Ireland rugby final with a 13-12 win over Railway Union at Willow Lodge.

Railway built a ninepoint lead midway through the second half thanks to tries from Niamh Byrne and Kim Flood but the defending champions, who were hunting for a fourth final appearance in a row, showed the benefit of their nous and experience to pull off an improbable triumph.

The tension was ratcheted up when a serious neck injury to Old Belvedere’s young scrum half Kathryn Dane led to a half hour delay as an ambulance was summoned.

It came with Belvo leading by one point with six minutes remaining and Belvedere held out a series of Railway attacks on the resumption to set up a final date with UL Bohemians.

Jackie Shiels instigated their fightback, scoring all of Belvo’s points.They trailed 12-3 before she crossed to inspire the comeback

RUGBY: DUBLIN 4 SCHOOL PROVE TOO STRONG FOR BLACKROCK IN QUALITY FINAL

Five-star Michael’s sweep to Leinster Junior Cup title

LEINSTER JUNIOR CUP FINAL St Michael’s Blackrock College  sport@dublingazette.com

31 17

WILLIAM Hickey led St Michael’s College to their fourth Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Junior Cup title at Donnybrook last weekend.

They prevailed with an electric five-try performance that matched the atmosphere at the venue.

After both sides made big inroads in a frantic and physical opening period with Michael’s being the first to make a breakthrough.

It came from a scrum inside their own half, the ball was shifted right for Chris Cosgrave to simply take off, chip Shane Murray and collect on the far side for a stunning try.

He had the composure to convert from wide right for 7-0 in the 10th minute.

At this stage. Blackrock were using wing John Campbell to get over the gain-line from the scrum and Michael Lowey was never too far away from the ball.

Their ingenuity was eyecatching, Lowey almost getting around Cosgrave while their

St Michael’s celebrate their Leinster Schools Junior Cup title. Picture: Paul Lundy

forwards set up a clever maul in midfield to draw a penalty and, almost more, as prop Scott Barron went within a foot of the line.

There was the consolation of Adam Dixon’s penalty to make it 7-3 in the 19th minute.

They backed this up with strong carrying up the guts, a smart lineout and thrust from lock Mark Morrissey, destroyed

by Jack Boyle’s superb poach.

St Michael’s moved with menace from the work of wing Simon O’Kelly and full-back

Eddie Kelly until stunted by a Rock solid defence.

In return, the Williamstown school looked to their maul for profit and it was moving well when captain Hugh O’Malley gave away a needless penalty Out of the blue, St Michael’s narrowed their focus to crank up the pick-and-go relentlessly for number eight Jack Boyle to blast to the line for 12-3 in the final minute of the first-half.

There was a frantic re-opening as Blackrock came calling, wing

Lowey taken down by Kelly and scrum-half Jeffrey Woods launching the ball forward for a footrace.

It was good enough for a St Michael’s lineout which Kelly threatened to turn into five points were it not for the vigilance of Campbell.

Rock centre Small almost got away down the right and wing Lowey had to be cut down by Kelly again.

St Michael’s couldn’t escape and their eagerness to rush up in

defence onto Dixon cost them a penalty, but not the points.

Then, the winners simply moved into top gear as they took the ball through three phases and the best part of 60 metres for out-half Niall Carroll to finish into the left corner.

Cosgrave converted from the touchline for 19-3 in the 44th minute.

When Rock pushed the passes, Hickey picked one off, replacement Hugo McWade was in support and Cosgrave took it home ahead of his conversion.

Rock were not going to roll over and they rebounded in direct fashion, their number eight Liam Heylin somehow managing to ground the ball for replacement Michael Moloney to convert in the 50th minute.

Full-back Kelly’s well-judged kick and Lee Barron’s rescue of an overthrown lineout put St Michael’s back on the front foot for Harrison to cut back against the grain for their fifth try.

The game concluded with Blackrock applying sustained pressure to create space on the left for replacement Seb Lowe to exploit, Moloney converting as the final whistle sounded.

Ballymun Patriots edge out DVC to volleyball league  sport@dublingazette.com

The Ballymun Patriots volleyball team

BALLYMUN Patriots claimed the win they needed last weekend to claim the men’s Premier Division title ahead of Clondalkin-based Dublin Volleyball Club Bravo.

Going into the final round of fixtures in the national volleyball leagues, the pair were the two sides in the frame for the title with Ballymun leading DVC by one point and were first in action on Saturday at home to Garda VC. There, they proved too strong in a fixture that swung both directions. The first set was a tense

30-28 with Ballymun getting their noses in front. They went two up after a 25-16 second set before Garda fought back in the third winning 25-21 but an emotionally charged fourth set was won by Ballymun 25-21.

The result was greeted with joy and relief too in the Ballymun Comprehensive School sports hall.

The men’s team is a vibrant mix of nationalities including players originally from Estonia, Poland, Brazil and Slovakia.

Slovakian native and Ireland All-Star Lubor Halanda said after-

wards of the win: “It’s a great feeling because we came close a couple of times over the last six years so we finally made it. We’ve been waiting for a long time.”

Halanda has previously played professionally in Slovakia, Switzerland and Austria before knee injuries stopped his pro career.

He continued: “It’s basically for fun this league. There are no funds so clubs struggle to get any funds in but we have fun together on court.”

Ballymun Patriots were first formed in the mid-1980s were part of DCU’s sporting network before

going solo in 2006, moving the short distance to Ballymun.

Though in recent years the clubs has won the end of season showpiece event, the National Cup, on several occasions it had been some years since they were league champions.

In the women’s Premier, two sides were also in the mix, Garda VC and Galway VC. On Saturday, Garda beat Ballymun Patriots ladies team 3-0 to keep the pressure on. However, Galway didn’t falter, beating DVC ladies 3-0 in Colaiste Bride to take the title.

6 April 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

UCD’s Duke leads way in Irish Senior Cup victory UCD claimed their fourth Irish Senior Cup title since 2009 as Deirdre Duke’s late winner saw the students snatch a 1-0 victory over Cork Harlequins at Belfield.

While just one goal separated the sides, it was end to end throughout with chances a plenty, all played at a break-neck speed with buckets of quality on display from two well-matched sides.

When the sides met earlier in March, UCD won out 4-3 and while there was not the volume of goals, there was no shortage of incident, attacking intent and moments of magic.

Duke went closest in the first half when she drew a brilliantly athletic boot from Buckley and her side kept out a trio of UCD penalty corners.

Quins’ major chance came when Roycroft’s incisive through ball located Michelle Barry and her perfect touch set her through one-on-one but she blazed a wild shot over the students’ crossbar.

Another couple of corners came and went for UCD as Gillian Pinder’s floating runs gathered momentum. Roisin Upton, though, was bossing the Cork side’s defence with a series of robust tackles while Yvonne O’Byrne’s speedy runs from right back provided plenty of inspiration.

The second half was much more structured with chances less frequent with both sides holding the balance of power at different stages.

Quins had three corners which Cassin coped with well while there was almost a bizarre goal with 16 minutes to go from Roycroft’s shot. Cassin left the ball, believing it to be off target, but it duly bounced off the base of the post and across the goal line.

UCD had their spell on top, particularly when both Upton and Rebecca Barry were sent to the sin-bin.

But it was when Mullan was sent to the bin with three minutes left that the Dublin side duly struck gold with Duke laying off for Clarke. Facing Buckley, she selflessly laid off for Duke to take her time and pot the winner with little time left to build a counter-punch.

Speaking afterwards, Duke said of the tie: “Player for player there was no difference between the two sides. We got our chance and we executed. I don’t really mind [if we win] by one goal, two goals or whatever so long as it’s a win.”

Sheridan speeding up in race against time

Dundrum South Dublin man becomes first Irish sprinter to medal at world athletics masters championships since 2010 despite only taking up athletics when he was in his early 50s  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

DUNDRUM South Dublin Athletic’s Club athlete Shane Sheridan brought home a silver medal from the 200 metres at the World Master’s Indoor Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea late last month, as well as reaching the finals in the 60 metres and men’s 4 x 200 metre contests.

Sheridan’s achievements are particularly astonishing, however, given he only took up the sport at the age of 53. At the age of 58, is one of the oldest competitors at the sharp end of his M55 category for those aged 55 and over.

“I’m unusual,” Sheri-

dan told GazetteSport, “in that I’m still getting faster. I played rugby and tennis into my mid30s. I’ve also done a lot of hiking in my life – places like Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro – that has kept me fit. I joined Dundrum South Dublin as I was looking for a way to keep fit. At the time, I knew nothing about Masters Athletics, so it’s been quite a journey.”

Sheridan found a Masters scene made up largely of lifelong athletes.

“Naturally, they’re getting slower, but I’m still getting quicker,” the Dundrum athlete explained. “Obviously, I’m going to start slowing down at some point but

I haven’t had a year yet where I didn’t improve.

“I hadn’t even planned to go to Daegu, but we had a relay team of three people and they needed a fourth. I decided to go along, and seeing as I was there, compete in the other events, too.”

The relay team Sheridan’s referring to, incredibly, is a team running in the M35 (male over 35) category, one that made the finals despite the presence of Sheridan, a man 23 years older than the minimum.

“I’m about a second slower than the other runners. They’d be running around 25.5, and I’m at around 26.5,” he said. “It’s not a huge gap.”

B e i n g c o m p e t i t i ve

at the M35 age group, then, it’s no surprise that Sheridan powered to a big personal best and a silver medal in the individual M55 category.

I’d come about seventh based on the line ups.”

The results, clearly, are very promising when it comes to Sheridan’s move up to M60 in a

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

‘Obviously, I’m going to start slowing down at some point but I haven’t had a year yet where I didn’t improve’ Shane Sheridan

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

“I believe it’s only the second Masters medal by an Irish male sprinter. It’s certainly the first since 2010,” he told us.

“It was a great experience. I ran pretty much every day from the Monday to the relay final on Sunday, with the various rounds. I was a little surprised how well I did; I had hoped to make the 200 final, but thought

Shane Sheridan, left, with his fellow competitors following the M55 60m final and, right, in action in the M35 4x200m relay

couple of years’ time.

“I think the thing people can take from my story is that running doesn’t have to be about long distance when you get a bit older,” Sheridan told us. “So many people start running marathons, things like that, and it really doesn’t suit everyone, every type of body.

Track and field might be better.”

GAZETTE

30 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 6 April 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: INCREDIBLE LOB FROM BYRNE UNDERPINS BIG ST PAT’S WIN

Carbery the Ambassador for Clontarf’s latest team JOEY Carbery has taken on the role of ambassador to Clontarf rugby club’s newest team, the Clontarf Bulls, a side for local children aged six to 14 with intellectual additional needs.

Many of the children involved have challenges such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, visual or hearing impairments, or other learning needs.

The Clontarf Bulls is being led by a group of rugby coaches and volunteers with a particular interest in promoting the abilities of these children and rightfully including them in Clontarf Rugby.

Sunday mornings on the new all-weather pitch in Clontarf consist of drills, games and training that are pre-planned and aimed at being easy to follow for players and coaches. Michael Dreelan is a parent of one of the players, Tom, who is aged 11 and said of the initiative: “Sunday morning is the highpoint of our weekend.

“First thing, and often ridiculously early, Tom bounces in, demanding his Clontarf gear. Then it’s all go until he hits the turf without a backward glance – rugby takes over. Such a pleasure to see him totally focus on playing, giving his all and really developing.

“Training is the most amazing fun – he crashes into tackle pads – chases his coach to poach the ball and charges for the line – he always looks to me once the ball is grounded - those moments of joy are priceless.

“My beautiful boy is not always the chattiest with other kids – it’s hard for him – but at the Bulls he is with his ‘rugby friends’. When I see him in the huddle, shouting out that he is a boy from Clontarf FC, I know we are part of something very special and he has a place to belong.”

Clontarf, Leinster and Ireland International Carbery was at training on Sunday to meet and greet the players.

Speaking at Sunday’s event, Carbery said: “Seeing how much excitement and joy the players get down here on a Sunday morning, being part of a team, learning lots of new skills and getting some great exercise is just really positive and I’m looking forward to seeing how the players all develop over the coming season.”

Parents interested in getting their child with intellectual needs involved with the Clontarf Bulls should contact 01-8336214 or email crfc@ indigo.ie for further information.

Conan Byrne celebrates his wonder goal for St Patrick’s Athletic last Friday. Picture: Martin Doherty

Conan’s strike for the ages SSE PREMIER DIVISION Bohemians 0 St Pat’s Athletic 4  DARYL GERAGHTY sport@dublingazette.com

CONAN Byrne produced a moment of utter magic that will live long in the memories of a jampacked Dalymount Park, which included President Michael D. Higgins, for one of the first major Dublin derbies of the season.

On a glorious evening, the hosts started the brighter but were dealt a massive blow when Jamie Doyle lunged in late on Michael Barker. It was the Bohs man who seemed to come off worse with the stretcher being called

immediately and was subsequently replaced by Dean Casey.

Despite the break in play Bohs continued in the ascendancy with Paddy Kavanagh volleying over just before last week’s match winner Dan Byrne saw his effort from 12 yards out rise just over at the last second.

This sparked the game into life and both sides took turns of decent spells of possession.

Pat’s duly started to create the big chances. A long ball over the top found its way to ex-Bohs man Kurtis Byrne who found himself clear one on one.

Shane Supple stood tall to deny the winger and some-

MUAY THAI MAGIC Cherry Orchard gym produces the goods HORI’S Muay Thai gym and coach Gabor Hortobagyi’s charges from Cherry Orchard produced the goods at Mayhem’s Showtime 5 show in Derry last Saturday.

Hori’s Liam Hand, pictured, eventually saw off faced Dean Gallagher from Rath Mor Warriors in a fourth round after they were inseparable in three initial fast and furious rounds to retain his junior belt. His team mate Gergo Bodos beat Erla Paplauskas in a very impressive second round knock-out to become the new 74kg champion.

how the game remained 0-0.

Ten minutes later, the deadlock was broken as Pat’s good work was rewarded when Conan Byrne raced down the right and picked out Christy Fagan at the edge of the box.

Despite having his first effort blocked, the sharp number nine reacted first to volley home, sending the rapturous away end into hysteria.

On the stroke of half time, the Saints doubled their lead with a goal of the season contender. Conan Byrne spotted Supple off his line and with an audacious effort, lobbed the Bohs number one from

just inside his own half.

Amazingly, there was still time for a miss of the season contender from Fagan, who blasted over from just three yards out with the goal at his mercy, following Kurtis Byrne’s low cross.

Fagan and his teammates were not left to rue the missed chance and two became three just minutes into the second half. A terrible mix up at the back from the normally reliable Lorcan Fitzgerald allowed man of the moment Byrne to grab his second, cleverly poking the ball home and, in turn, sapping every ounce of optimism the Gyspsies’ faithful had of a comeback

in the process.

Try as they might, the home side never recovered from the loss of Doyle early on, who was shaping up to be to the focal point in their attack, proving again that the loss of Izzy Akinade and Dinny Corcoran up front is just too much for a small squad to cope with.

Keith Long’s miserable night went from bad to worse when Supple was then forced off in the 71st minute.

To compound the misery around Phibsborough, ex-hero Kurtis Byrne got in on the action, notching the fourth in the 91st minute getting the goal his performance deserved.

6 April 2017 DUBLIN CITY GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

MAN OF THE MATCH

FEILEFinal

Byrne lauded for role in huge Dublin victory NA FIANNA’S Aaron Byrne received the man of the match award from John Fitzgerald, Director, Grid Development & Interconnection at EirGrid after the EirGrid Leinster GAA football Under-21 championship final match between Dublin and Offaly at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.

He scored four points in the 2-14 to 0-8 victory for Dessie Farrell’s side.

Picture: Piaras O’Midheach/Sportsfile

LADIES FOOTBALL: FINGLAS SIDE PRODUCE EPIC COMEBACK O’Toole’s were Division 5 winners. Picture: Maurice Grehan/GAAPics.com

Efficient O’Toole’s the Division 5 champions  JAMES HENDICOTT

Erin’s Isle celebrate their AIG Division 3 Feile glory. Picture: Peter Hickey/GAAPics.com

Shannon inspires Isles’ Feile dream

AIG DIV 3 FEILE FINAL Erin’s Isle Ballyboden St Enda’s  DAIRE WALSH

3-1 1-2

sport@dublingazette.com

SHANNON Russell produced a star performance at Blakestown on Sunday morning as Erin’s Isle were crowned Dublin Feile Division Three champions with a five-point victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s.

Boden were in pole position at the midway point in the contest but, following a dominant second-half display, it was Isles who ultimately claimed the silverware.

The Finglas side booked their place in this show-

piece with a determined 3-3 to 2-2 win at the expense of Ballyboughal on Saturday in the semi final.

Boden got the early momentum, though, with the first two scores from Lucy Horan. Elena McDonagh subsequently added to her advantage with a fine goal for a 1-2 to 0-0 half-time lead.

Isles were creating a number of opportunities but were struggling to break down a rigid opposition defence.

It left a crucial 15 minutes of action ahead but inside the opening 60 seconds of the restart, Isles had significantly reduced

their deficit. The elusive Russell gathered the ball inside the Boden 45 and she subsequently found the left-hand corner of the net with a sweet left-footed strike.

This helped to bring the game to life and, with Russell’s influence growing as the half wore on, Isles started to grow in confidence. She cut the gap to a minimum with a 19thminute free and, although she was off-target from another placed-ball effort moments later, the Finglas outfit continued to persist with their challenge.

The Boden attack were finding clear-cut opportunities hard to come by

in the second period, and they breathed a sigh of relief when a 25th-minute Russell free was flicked onto the crossbar. Yet, Isles maintained their offensive threat and, after a Jade Callery delivery dropped in towards the Boden goal, Shauna Delaney was in the right place to register her team’s second goal.

This put Gavin Hoey’s charges into the ascendancy for the very first time, and when she was picked out in space in stoppagetime, Russell made certain of Erin’s Isle’s triumph by firing beyond the reach of Boden netminder Emer Worthington from a tightangle.

O’TOOLE’S saw off St Anne’s at Lawless Park, Swords on Sunday with a narrow AIG Division Five Feile win with a hugely efficient performance.

Their 1-3 to 1-2 margin over the 40 minutes reflected a game that could have gone either way with Anne’s having much of the possession and territory but O’Toole’s got the reward for their fast breaks and classy finishing.

The northside club dominated the first period with roving midfielder Amber Bergin to the fore. It was Bergin who put O’Toole’s in front, a point that took a while to come after the Ayrfield club had seen a couple of decent chances fly wide, or straight into the arms of St Anne’s keeper Katie Butler.

A free got St Anne’s level, scored by their own impressive forward-running playmaker, Jessica Perry, who popped up all over the half forwards.

Grace Mahon also played a key role but it was O’Toole’s who were to go in with the lead thanks to two swift attacks from their centre. The second – courtesy of a weaving run and confidently-taken finish by Brook Campbell just before half time – was the most cutting and skilful move of the contest and, arguably, eventually proved conclusive.

The low-scoring nature meant every point was critical, yet the second half started boisterously, particularly for a determined Anne’s.

The Bohernabreena club were to go ahead briefly, first through Perry blasting through the O’Toole’s defence to net and then through a Heather Jones’ free, that left them looking the more likely winners.

O’Toole’s had a string in the tail, though, and it was Sophie Handbridge’s goal that ultimately won the day. A long, dropping free from Campbell was scrambled clear by Butler only to fall straight at the feet of Handbridge who calmly slotted into the net.

St Anne’s had a number of chances to level things up, some more difficult than others, and will feel they could have snatched a draw in the closing stages.

O’Toole’s, though, will point to their effective use of the ball going forward. Their passages of play often saw the ball played into space and effectively pulled the defence out of shape and took their chances for Division 5 Feile glory.



GOT A STORY? WE WANT TO KNOW!

Call our SPORT TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3

or email sport@dublingazette.com

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR DUBLIN CITY SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

CONAN THE BARNSTORMER: St Pat’s scores an early contender for LOI’s goal of the season P30

APRIL 6-12, 2017

MICHAEL’S REJOYCE IN REPLAY: Dublin 4 school finally see off Rock in Junior Cup final P28

Philly McMahon says he was surprised by the talk of Kerry’s physical approach at the National Football League final media day. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Dubs’ winning mentality Philly McMahon says no matter what is thrown at the county’s senior footballers, they will adapt and fight to the end to keep their run going

 KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

PHILLY McMahon says the mental toughness of his Dublin teammates will once again be critical as he looks forward to the Allianz Football League Division 1 final against Kerry at Croke Park on Sunday.

Dublin extended their unbeaten run to 36 games last weekend after Jack McCaffrey scored an injury time goal in a 2-15 to 1-15 victory over Monaghan in Clones.

It was the third time the Dubs have produced late comebacks in the league this season and the Ballymun Kickhams star believes it shows the ever-present character within the

squad to embark on their historic unbeaten run.

“I think mentally, we are tough and we know that we are going to play right until the end.

We played Monaghan there at the weekend and before we scored the goal you have players running up to your face and celebrating.

But you think ‘hold on a second, you think this game is over?’ For us, it’s not.”

Dublin last played Kerry in an ill-tempered draw in Tralee during St Patrick’s weekend.

The boys in blue also had to make a late comeback then but most of the post-match talk was about how physical the Kerry players were.

“I was surprised with the amount of talk after it because we probably expected it, with

it being Kerry down in Tralee,” said McMahon. “There was a lot of talk and hype about this unbeaten run and the Dublin fans all travelled so the atmosphere was electric.

“There was always going to be that physicality. If that’s the way they have to play to beat us then that is what they have to do. We can only control what we do. It is probably not the orthodox way Kerry is known for.”

McMahon also spoke about how he enjoys the new challenges each season brings in terms of how the opposition set up against Dublin.

“Every year, you are going to get different challenges. It was the mass defence a couple of seasons ago. Now it has changed. You’ve

got to be open to all these challenges because if one team put it up to the team that is successful then the other teams will look at what they have done.

“You look at Barcelona and Chelsea in the Champions League a few years ago when Chelsea played real defensively. Other teams were looking at that and thinking if Chelsea have done that and played really well then that is how we should be playing against Barcelona.

“I’m not saying we are Barcelona but what I am saying is that when something works for an opposing team then, generally, there is a phase of that style sinking through to other counties.”