Dublin Gazette: City Edition

DublinGazette MARCH 21-27, 2019

ST PATRICK’S DAY: The craic was

mighty in the city centre – and we have a great gallery of the fun! P10-11

SPORT

SOCCER: Brilliant

Byrne catches Mick McCarthy’s eye for Irish call-up. SEE P32

motoring

THE NEW AUDI Q8 IMPRESSES AS A FLAGSHIP SUV P22

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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL AREA

National Children’s Hospital’s project director steps down RACHEL D’ARCY A SECOND senior official has resigned from the controversial National Children’s Hospital project this week, five years into the job.

The project director for the new National Children’s Hospital, engineer John Pollock, said he felt that it was an “opportune point” for him to move on, with his resignation set to see him step down in June.

Pollock is the second senior figure to leave the development project in the past few months, following on from the resignation

of the former chairperson of the board of the National Children’s Hospital, Tom Costello, who departed his post last month.

In a statement on his resignation, Pollock said he is “very proud” of what has been achieved in the development of the hospital so far. He said: “All these milestones achieved over the past five years have been hugely satisfying, and I am very proud of what has been achieved.

“The vision to build a new children’s hospital in Ireland has been planned for decades, but has become a reality since the current Board’s appointment in 2013.

“The construction of the new children’s hospital will be completed in 2022 and will open its doors to staff, patients and children in 2023.”

The construction of the National Children’s Hospital has come under intense fire for the overspend on the project, which may go on to exceed more than €1.4bn, making it one of the most expensive buildings in the world upon completion.

The Government originally approved a figure of €983m for the development in 2017. A Government-commissioned report into the overspend is due to be released next week.

Cheers!

PLENTY of glasses were raised in a fond farewell to a city centre landmark – barman Frank Boyce, retiring after 40 years of serving punters at Devitts of Camden Street.

With more than 50 years of working in the trade, news of the popular barman’s retirement saw plenty of warm tributes from near and far, with many keen to praise his diligent and pleasant SEE PAGE 3 nature.

Shifting for €40m?

THE beloved ‘Culchie embassy’ at Harcourt Street (AKA Coppers) has made headlines with the news that the owner is retiring – and so Coppers is up for sale, with a potential price tag of €40m for the legendary club.

SEE PAGE 2

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 21 March 2019

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Five-year jail term for hit-and-run incident A HIT and run driver who was banned from driving when he seriously injured a cyclist has been jailed for five years.

Jonathan Wainyae (33), of St Attracta Rd, Cabra, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing serious bodily injury and to failing to stop at the scene of a collision at Strand Road, Baldoyle, on July 9, 2016.

Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced Wainyae to six years’ imprisonment for the dangerous driving offence with the final year suspended on conditions.

She also disqualified him from driving for 25 years.

Judge Ryan also sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment for the charge of failing to stop at the scene. She backdated both sentences to July 12, 2018 and said they would

run concurrently.

Detective Sergeant David Ennis told the court that the victim was well illuminated on the night.

Jones Justino DaSilva was cycling home around midnight after finishing a shift in a restaurant in Howth when he was knocked off his bike by a car driven by Wainyae.

He suffered a spinal fracture and fractures to his right leg, and as a result he was unable to continue

working. He told the court that the effects of the injuries put a strain on his marriage and he and his wife eventually split up.

In an emotional statement to the court, Mr DaSilva, a Brazilian national, said he came to Ireland with his wife to improve his English.

He said that after the accident he thought he was going to die. He said the period afterwards was very difficult and it took him a long time to recover.

Speaking through a translator, he said he had to return to Brazil after the accident and felt depressed and suicidal at times.

“It changed my life very much. I had so many plans.

My life was turned upside down. My marriage broke

down,” he said.

In a written apology, read out in court by his defence barrister, Pieter Le Vert BL, Wainyae said: “I would like to apologise to you and your family for the hurt and pain I have caused you. I only wish that I could sit down with you and explain in person that I thoroughly regret my actions.”

Responding to this Mr DeSilva told the court that he accepted the apology.

“I have no issue against him. I would like this situation to make him think and he can have a better life in the future. From now on I can do my life and he can do a better life,” he said.

Judge Ryan said the aggravating factors in the case were Wainyae’s initially denying any involvement, his being disqualified from driving at the time, his having had 12 disqualifications in the past and the effect the collision had on the victim.

She said the mitigating factors in the case were his guilty plea, his apology, his remorse, his efforts at rehabilitation and the fact that he is using his time in custody well.

FASTNews Picture: Google Earth

at the following locations:

VICTIM SERIOUSLY INJURED; MARRIAGE BROKE DOWN

Coppers could be shifted for €40m THE most famous club in the country is up for sale, with reports that it could be sold for as much as €40 million.

The news was confirmed late last week that Copper Face Jacks on Harcourt Street is up for sale as the owner of the club, Cathal Jackson, is set to retire.

Coppers first opened its doors to Dubliners, GAA fans and tourists alike in 1996, and has become one of the most successful clubs in the country – with even a musical written about the mystical nights in the club. The club, and the adjoining Jackson Court Hotel, are on the market for immediate sale by private treaty.

Jackson said that he feels after 23 years now is the right time to retire, saying in a statement it is “time to hand over the reins”.

He said: “Over the past 23 years, I have been totally committed to setting up and establishing Copper Face Jacks as one of the most enduring and successful entertainment venues in Ireland.

“It is now time to hand over the reins to new owners who have the energy and expertise to take Coppers to the next level, and to continue to deliver the ‘best night out in Dublin’ to all our great and loyal customers.”

Sponsored 200 calls in walk fun in a night for Finglas West Fire Brigade A SPONSORED walk will be held in Finglas this Saturday, in aid of the Finglas Suicide Network.

Taking place at the Leisure Point car park on Cardiffsbridge Road in Finglas West, the event will get under way at 12pm on March 23.

The sponsored walk will take place from the grounds of Colaiste Ide through Finglas.

On the day, in addition to the sponsored walk, there will also be food and refreshments, talks from local celebrities, kids’ entertainment, performances from VINCI and the Finglas Concert Marching Band, and more to be announced.

There will also be guest speakers on the day from the Finglas Suicide Network, Community Awareness on Drugs and Crosscare.

DUBLIN Fire Brigade and the Ambulance service attended more than 200 calls on St Patrick’s Night, the fire service revealed on their Twitter account last Monday.

The annual celebration has seen a high amount of calls on the night in recent years.

This year, between 6pm on St Patrick’s Night and 6am the following morning, the Dublin Fire Brigade’s Ambulance Service responded to more than 204 calls across the capital.

A car fire in Ballyfermot was also attended by the Fire Brigade on St Patrick’s Day. In a statement posted on Twitter, Dublin Fire Brigade said: “A busy St Patrick’s Day, particularly from 6pm until 6am this morning.

“During this period our ambulance crews dealt with 204 incidents.”

21 March 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

SCHOOLS: CHILDREN DO THEIR BIT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AS THEY HELP PLANT 1,000 TREES

A tree-mendous effort by Finglas kids to help the planet RACHEL D’ARCY

A PRIMARY school in Finglas has become the latest school to join in on a global tree-planting initiative. Children from third- to sixth-class in St Malachy’s School held ‘action’ days with a Green theme throughout the St Patrick’s Festival.

Each child in the school gave a dig-out to help to complete the planting of 1,000 oak, alder, birch, holly and maple trees in Tolka Valley Park in the northside town.

The planting party, which took place last week, was preceded by a presentation by Orla Farrell from Easy Treesie to the staff of St Mala-

chy’s School and the Green Schools’ committee.

The school intends to offset the carbon it uses for energy by planting these local trees and so win their next International Green Flag.

Former councillor and teacher Orla said in her presentation: “The native Irish trees chosen here

by Dublin City Council will help improve the local amenity, combat global warming and increase biodiversity in the area. We are delighted to be affording these children the chance to be stewards of their own local environment.”

The 1,000 saplings were donated by Coillte to the school and supplemented by suitable native acers from the Dublin City Council stock.

The trees were selected to make provision for Dublin’s future climate and to ensure resilience in the new woodland.

Dublin City Council’s Tolka Valley Park and Eco-golf course is under ecological management.

Each of the children received a code to return once the golf club opens officially after St Patrick’s festival when they can claim a free game of golf – with an adult – on the par-3 course.

The Easy Treesie team were joined by many local volunteers including parents and grandparents of the school children.

Further information on the initiative can be found at www.easyTreesie.com.

The children did a great job of helping to take care of their local environment by planting trees

One of Dublin’s most loved barmen pulls his last pint

RACHEL D’ARCY

ANYONE familiar with Devitts of Camden Street is probably familiar with barman Frank Boyce, who has been behind the bar of the watering hole for over 40 years.

He originally began his bartending career in the late 1960s, before moving to a long, hardworking stint at the popular GAA pub, frequented by local businesses and residents alike.

He moved to Devitts from The Orchard in Stillorgan a month after the Camden Street haunt opened, and Frank has worked there ever since, becoming part of the fabric of the popular pub and a familiar face to punters.

Now, Frank is retiring from the long-standing pub after more than 40 years working alongside both the Devitt family, and more recently, the Mangan family, who took over ownership of the pub two years ago.

Speaking to Dublin Gazette, Deirdre Devitt, who grew up in the pub and alongside Frank, spoke remarkably highly of Frank and the work he has done in the pub over the years.

She said: “We’ve been in Devitts for years, but my dad retired two years ago, and we sold

two shares of the pub to the Mangan group, but we’re still involved in the company.

“Frank worked with us in Devitts from the start.

My dad and his cousin, Andy, were partners in business, and his cousin came across Frank in the Orchard in Stillorgan in the 1970s.

“When we opened Devitts in July 1977, Frank joined shortly afterwards.

‘Earned his retirement’ “He was, for all intents and purposes, manager for all those years. He was in the trade for probably about ten years before that, so he’s been working in the pub industry for more than 50 years, but for 41 years in Devitts.

He’s absolutely earned his retirement!

“As my dad Willie said, he never met a more loyal person – Frank was so loyal to us over the years.

“We were a family business, so often it was Frank, dad and us, so he really became part of the family; we were very close.”

The pub held a retirement party for Frank in recent weeks, which had a huge turnout of people looking to pass on their good wishes, including punters who hadn’t visited the bar in some time, all to say

As much of a landmark in Camden Street as Devitts bar itself – newly retired Frank Boyce, who has pulled his last pint after more than 40 years behind the counter in the bar, and more than 50 years in the trade.

Picture: Publin.ie

“

50 years in the trade is a long, long time to be having the same conversations with people every day, on your feet, in the same job, but it’s just a testament to the kind of man that Frank is goodbye to the familiar face.

De irdre added: “50 years in the trade is a long, long time to be having the

same conversations with people every day, on your feet, in the same job, but it’s just a testament to the kind of barman, and kind

of man, that Frank is.

“Frank is very pleasant and quiet enough, but he had a great sense of humour as well. He loved

a laugh, but he was quiet enough – an absolute gentleman.

“Nobody had a bad word to say about him.”

FASTNews

D8 residents gather again against a new hotel build ANOTHER protest was held

outside Vicar Street in the Liberties last weekend, in an attempt to prevent the building of an eight-storey hotel.

The protest was attended by a number of local residents and councillors, despite the harsh winds and rain of the weekend.

Planning permission was granted earlier in the year for the Vicar St hotel, expected to be eight storeys tall and located next to the legendary Vicar St venue on Thomas Street.

Several People Before Profit members organised last Saturday’s protest, including Deputy Brid Smith and Cllr Tina MacVeigh.

The demonstration is the latest in a string of rallies held in an attempt to “send a message” to developer Harry Crosbie, as detailed on the event’s Facebook page.

Under the #Repealthe8thStorey hashtag, the councillors and locals are holding protests in anger against the proposed height of the hotel, and the introduction of yet more temporary accommodation in the Liberties area, rather than permanent housing for residents.

In a post on Facebook ahead of the protest, Cllr MacVeigh said: “We are out once again to make our voices heard. Let’s make this another determined, vibrant protest. The needs of our community will not be ignored.”

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 21 March 2019

CRUMLIN: RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION SLAMS ISSUES – BUT COUNCIL DEFENDS SITE’S UPKEEP

Unflappable DCC rejects criticisms over Seagull House’s maintenance PADRAIG CONLON

ALLEGED victim blaming of tenants by Dublin City Council has been described as “lunacy” by a local advocate.

This follows a response from the counc il to requests made by residents of Seagull House in Crumlin to address a range of issues they raised.

Two months ago, the residents, with the support of Peter Dooley, People Before Profit Kimmage/ Rathmines representative, came together and founded the Seagull House Residents’ Association.

Dooley told Dublin Gazette: “The conditions can only be described as disgraceful.

“ T h e t e n a n t s a re l i v i n g w i t h d a m p, mould, overcrowding, rat infestation and other maintenance issues.

The health and social implications are massive.

“Seagull House residents, just like many DCC flat complexes all across Dublin, are being deliberately underfunded and run down by Government policy.”

Having made countless complaints to the council i n d iv i d u a l l y, i t wa s dec ided the tenants would come together and collectively try to get their problems sorted.

After forming their residents’ association, they petitioned DCC with a list of demands

Seagull House, Crumlin.

Picture: Google Maps

including to address such issues as rat infestation, mould, dampness, d ra i n a ge, s ewe ra ge, general maintenance, overcrowding and anti-

social behaviour.

However, in response, a DCC spokesperson told Dublin Gazette: “DCC rejects allegations that tenants are being neglected in Seagull House.

“We endeavour to

respond to issues in our complexes as effectively as possible and are aware that improvements are needed in some of our complexes.

“That is why we are currently undertaking an audit of our complexes,

with a view to informing a city-wide plan to deal with issues in our older complexes.”

With regard to general m a i n t e n a n c e, t h e y said: “The stairwells are washed down weekly; bins are collected twice weekly; broken bulbs are replaced, and leaks are fixed.”

They also said situations of overcrowding can be sorted by residents a p p l y i n g fo r l a rg e r accommodation.

“Once they are accepted on the transfer or housing list, they will be given a position on that list and will move up the lists as other applicants are housed.”

In response, Dooley told Dublin Gazette: “I reject these comments from the council – they

haven’t addressed any of the problems the tenants pointed out.

“After a survey was done in February, the council tried to blame the damp and mould on the tenants washing, breathing and cooking.

“It’s lunacy to blame victims, but that’s what the council are doing,” said Dooley.

He added: “The issues with general maintenance haven’t been sorted either.

The stairways are rotten, and there are ongoing problems with flytipping.

“Everyone deserves to live in decent accommodation, not just the privileged.

“This is all part of the Government’s agenda to force low- or middleearners out of the city centre,” said Dooley.

Family renew appeal to help find missing Icelandic man RACHEL D’ARCY

THE family of missing Icelandic poker player Jon Jonsson have renewed their appeal for the missing 41-year-old.

Jonsson was visiting D u b l i n fo r a p o ke r tournament with his partner, when he went missing from the

Bonnington Hotel where he was staying on the northside of the city.

One month after his disappearance, the family are renewing the appeal for the missing man with the ‘Have You Seen My Brother’ campaign.

The family are said to be confident that Jonsson (inset) is alive in Ireland,

but may no longer be in Dublin.

They have issued a p o s te r w i t h t h e m i s si ng man’s image and relevant information, alongside the number for Ballymun Garda Station.

A popular online gambling site, PokerScout. com, have also issued a note of caution to players to be aware following Jonsson’s appearance, just one and a half days into a visit to Dublin for a poker tournament at the Bonnington Hotel.

A statement from the site said: “While theft or robbery may not have been the cause of Jonsson’s disappearance, the case is a good reminder for poker players.

“Poker players necessarily carry generous amounts of cash, which can make them an inviting target for criminals.”

Jonsson was last seen in Whitehall on February 9 at 11:05am on CCTV footage at McGettigan’s bar, exiting onto the Swords Road and heading north past Highfield Hospital.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballymun Garda Station at 01 6664400, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

21 March 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

POLICING: GARDAI PRAISED, BUT LACK OF PERMANENT SENIOR CHIEF FOR AREA IS BLASTED

Garda management in Crumlin ‘not good enough’ – Senator RACHEL D’ARCY

THE Minister for Justice has been called upon to ensure that a permanent, full-time Chief Superintendent is appointed to the Crumlin area as a matter of urgency.

Senator Catherine Ardagh made the call in the Seanad this week, following a meeting of the Community Advisory Group in Dublin 12.

She said: “All those living locally [in Crumlin] are all too sadly aware that there is a prevalence

of serious crime associated with organised gangland operations.

“However, it’s very important we acknowledge that the vast majority of people in our community are proud Dubliners and law-abiding citizens who deserve to feel safe.

“In the past six years, more than half a dozen Garda Superintendents have been and gone [in Crumlin]. It’s my understanding that at present, there is a person acting in the position, but this is not good enough.

“There were more than 280 burglaries reported in the area last year – a rise on the previous 12 months, while there were increases too in the number of incidents of domestic violence, robbery and muggings.

Escalation “There has been an escalation in anti-social behaviour in the south inner city that has filtered out into the city’s suburbs as of late.

“An aspect of this is that there are too few

Bronagh gets to grips with some of the Texaco children’s art entries

Support for jobseekers at a Pathways to Progression fair in Finglas THE Department of Employment and Social Protection will be holding a Pathways to Progression fair in Finglas Resource Centre on Wednesday, March 27.

The fair will be held in conjunction with the EmployAbility service and is open to anyone suffering from an illness or disability and in need of help and support in their search for employment or further education.

Representatives from the National Learning Network, Educational Training Boards, Community Employment Services, the DCU Ability Programme, Northwest Area Partnership, Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed and Hail Housing will all be present at the fair to assist with any questions.

Support options Those looking to attend will be able to avail of training, CV advice, educational courses, employment advice and information on a wide range of support options.

An Irish Sign Language interpreter will also be in attendance for any deaf visitors to the fair.

The Pathways to Progression Fair will open for business at 10am on March 27 in the resource centre at Mellowes Road, and remains open until 12.30pm.

gardai policing our streets or working to prevent crime of other natures when the overarching focus in the district is on handling and investigating gangland criminality.

“That tends to absorb all of the already overstretched garda resources in our community.

“Gardai stationed in Crumlin and Sundrive Road are no doubt working hard, but without a permanent chief in place to drive a systematic, proactive response, residents will continue to be intimidated,” said Senator Ardagh.

BRONAGH Carron is pictured during the judging of entries in this year’s Texaco Children’s Art competition – the results of which will be announced mid-April.

In her hand is an entry by 10-year old Dervla Wai, from Loreto College Junior School, entitled Self Portrait – Flower Kiss; and another by 13-year old Laura Holloway, from Loreto College, entitled My Friend Alice.

The creative works by the Stephen’s Green school students were among the thousands of entries submitted from all parts of Ireland for the competition, which this year marks its 65th year.

Prizes will be presented at a ceremony in May. Picture: MacInnes Photography

Cabra to trial policing support for deaf people RACHEL D’ARCY

AN GARDA Siochana has announced that Cabra Garda Station will take part in a pilot initiative aimed at supporting the deaf community.

In partnership with the Centre for Deaf Studies at Trinity College, and the Sign Language Interpreting Service, the new initiative is aimed at helping members of the deaf community who need to attend the station.

Speaking about the initiative that was launched on March 1, Chief Superintendent Matthew

“

The initiative will allow video-link access to Irish Sign Language interpretation through to the Irish Remote Interpreting Service

Nyland, who heads up An Garda Siochana’s Human Rights section, said: “This initiative is part of the ongoing commitment of [the Force] to respect the human, constitutional, and equality of treatment rights of the deaf community in Ireland.

“It aims to provide enhanced

access to Garda services for members of the deaf community in these pilot areas where they will be able to speak and be understood in their own language – Irish Sign Language.”

T h e i n i t i a t ive w i l l b e delivered through a webcam-

enabled computer in Cabra Garda Station, and also in Tralee Garda Station.

It will allow video-link access to Irish Sign Language interpretation through to the Irish Remote Interpreting Service (IRIS).

John Stewart, national manager of the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), which provides the service, said: “The interpreter is based in the SLIS/IRIS offices and will interpret the conversation through Irish Sign Language.

“This additional service enhances access for the deaf

community and will facilitate initial and routine enquiries, while face-to-face interpreting will still be provided by An Garda Siochana for other needs.”

Welcoming the initiative, Professor Lorraine Leeson from the Centre for Deaf Studies, TCD said: “We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in An Garda Siochana and Sign Language Interpreting Services to identify how best the Force can be ready to service the Irish Sign Language needs of the deaf community nationally.”

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 21 March 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Brian Pennie and Saoirse Duffy

Sarah Smartt and Samatha Stewart

Emer Sheehan and Aoife Honohan

Fiona Brennan with husband Ciaran Hyde. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Jacintha McCarthy and Stephanie Leroux

Mental health expert’s new book launch T

OP mental health expert Fiona Brennan launched her new book The Positive Habit recently. She launched it to a packed room of friends and family at Fumbally Lane café including

Rory, Fiona and Fionnuala Brennan

TodayFM’s Dermot and Dave. The Positive Habit focuses on the six emotions that tip our mindset in favour of a positive outlook, Love, calmness, confidence, gratitude, hope and happiness.

Caoimhe Fox and Doaa Baker

Lorraine Tucker, Jane McDaid and Adele Curran

21 March 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 21 March 2019

CHARITY : 150 PEOPLE NEEDED TO HIT A MILLION -EURO TARGET

FASTNews

Parade casualty is paw-fectly OK now

Although based in Clondalkin, The Laurels Charity Crew is calling on Dubs everywhere to help it hit a major milestone for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin in their latest fundraiser – a cross-country cycle in April that will help two children’s charities

On yer bike ... for a cycle for sick kids PADRAIG CONLON

A CHARITY that helps children with severe spinal conditions is inviting supporters back onto their bikes to help hit a magic €1m fundraising mark.

The Laurels Charity Crew, established in 2009 by two barmen and a group of friends in Clondalkin, has already raised €945,000 for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and is its single biggest noncorporate donor.

Laurels bar manager Damien Long and head barman Denis McCarthy set up the charity after a local child’s successful spinal operation by Straight Ahead.

That charity sees a group of surgeons and nursing staff work free of charge to provide lifechanging operations for children

with severe spinal conditions.

Only for the generosity of Straight Ahead, the children would face long waits for surgery and the risk of scoliosis, a more severe spinal curvature.

For their latest fundraiser, the Laurels Cycle crew is cycling from Galway to Dublin from April 5-7 for the two children’s charities – CMRF Crumlin, and Straight Ahead, aiming to hit the €1 million mark with their latest bout of fundraising.

They are calling for another 150 people to join them on their cycle across Ireland to reach the million-euro milestone.

CMRF Crumlin provides vital funding for Crumlin hospital and the National Children’s Research Centre (NCRC).

On average, 150,000 children walk through the doors of

Crumlin hospital every year.

Laurels Charity co-founder Damien Long is really looking forward to the epic spin. Talking to Dublin Gazette, he said: “We’re so excited for the Galway to Dublin cycle this year. “ It ’ l l b e p hys i ca l l y a n d mentally tough, but it’s all to raise vital funds for two extremely important causes. And it’ll be a lovely few days full of craic!

“We’re calling on the public to join and support us for a day full of enjoyment, with one common goal – to do whatever it takes to help some of Ireland’s sickest children. “ We a r e a b s o l u t e l y overwhelmed by the support we have received from the Laurels Cycle crew.”

Fiona O’Malley, head of communications at CMRF

Crumlin, also called on the public’s support for the cycle.

She said: “Every year, [the charity and cyclists] arrange amazing fundraisers to help some of Ireland’s sickest children, and this year is no different.

“Everyone who takes part in this cycle comes home with an amazing experience and a real feeling of accomplishment.

“We’re so appreciative of anyone who fundraises for us, because every sick child deserves every chance.”

The cycle route of more than 210 km will be split into three days, covering an average of 70km per day, starting on Friday, April 5 and finishing on Sunday, April 7.

If you would like to sign up and take part in the cycle, email laurelscyclecrew@gmail.com.

A MEMBER of the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) pipe band had to make an early exit from the St Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday – after injuring his paw.

Cu, the Irish Wolf Hound mascot for the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band, had to make a swift exit after stepping on a stone.

DFB shared pictures of the decorated pooch as he was assisted by the Tallaght Unit of the Civil Defence Force, enjoying some emergency provisions at Abbey Street (above) as his paw was tended to.

DFB wrote: “Unfortunately, Cu picked up a paw injury during the parade and had to make an early exit. He is being looked after by his owners.”

On Monday afternoon, following a flood of concerns about his wellbeing, DFB shared an update on Twitter about the poorly pooch, saying he hurt the pads of one of his paws.

“We are delighted to say that Cu is running around his farmland today. We believe he may have stood on a stone and hurt the pads of a paw. Thanks for all the messages.”

An emergency call leads to a top award DUBLIN Fire Brigade (FDB) Emergency Services Controller, Darragh Clarke, has been awarded the top title of International Academy of Emergency Dispatchers (IAED) Navigator Dispatcher of the year.

The award was announced at a ceremony in Blanchardstown last week, with Darragh nominated for his role in guiding a 999/112 caller through bystander CPR which led to the full recovery of the patient. His calm instructions to the caller ensured that the patient was given the best possible chance of recovery.

At the time, Darragh did not know that the patient was Dominic McNabb, a retired DFB firefighter and senior instructor of the IAED programme in DFB. The caller was Dominic’s daughter, Cora. Dominic had trained Darragh in dispatch and control, prior to him starting in the Eastern Regional Control Centre.

Darragh was presented with the award by Pam Stewart, chair of the board of certification of IAED.

€35m to be invested in major new cycleway projects across Dublin RACHEL D’ARCY

Artist’s render of The Royal Canal Cycleway project

THERE’S good news for cyclists, as more than €35 million is expected to be invested in major cycleway projects in the city centre in 2019.

Works have already begun on one of three cycleways – a mostly offroad, segregated cycling

route from Sheriff Street to Ashtown, billed as the Royal Canal Way project.

In August, works will begin on a cycleway from Clontarf to the city centre – one of the capital’s busiest routes for cyclists.

It is believed that around Fairview and Clontarf, the cycle lanes will be separated from the road,

and slightly elevated, and will finish construction in 2021.

This Summer will also see work begin on the Fitzwilliam Street cycleway, which will see a cycle lane constructed next to the footpath, with plans to move car parking spaces to act as a barricade between moving cars and

bicycles.

Cllr Ciaran Cuffe (GP), chairperson of the DCC transport committee, told Dublin Gazette: “It is great to see projects like this get the green light, but we need to do so much more to improve cycling infrastructure in Dublin.

“We’ll be unveiling new plans for the Liffey

Cycleway at the end of the month, but all of these projects are dependent on Central Government for funding. “ I ’m h o p i n g t h a t Minister [for Transport] Shane Ross will put his money where his mouth is and provide the funding we need to move these projects forward.”

21 March 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

ENVIRONMENT: YOUNG CITIZENS GATHERED BY THEIR THOUSANDS TO MAKE FEARS HEARD

Some of the sights and signs as the young protestors gathered outside Dail Eireann. Pictures: Justin Farrelly

Anti-climate change kids reach a boiling point as they take to the Dail with protest RACHEL D’ARCY

LAST Friday, thousands of young people from across the county took to the city’s streets in the latest strike for climate change in an effort to encourage Irish lawmakers to battle climate change.

It’s thought that up to 10,000 people took part, which was part of a globally co-ordinated protest, originally kickstarted by Swedish teenager Greta Thunburg outside parliamentary buildings in Sweden eight months ago.

More than 2,000 events took place across the planet in more than 105 countries as part of the global movement.

Each month on an allocated Friday, thousands of young people are asked to pound the pavements in an attempt to make their governments listen to their concerns about the future of the planet.

At last Friday’s march, colourful signs lined the streets as crowds amassed to demand change in Dublin that would allow Ireland to become a world leader in combatting climate change.

The strikes were organised by volunteers using social media, most of whom were second level students.

St Stephen’s Green began filling up with protesters half an hour before the strike got underway, around midday, with many young people turning up to march alongside their classmates, teachers and parents.

Marchers then proceeded to the Dail, where students from all across the country addressed the crowd.

The Minister for the Environment, Richard Bruton, met with protesters outside Leinster House and praised the “passion and

engagement” of the crowd.

However, the demonstrators said they do not want words, but action to be taken by the Government.

The Minister admitted in 2018 that Ireland is far off course to meet environmental targets, and that a “huge step-up” is needed from the Government to avoid missing vital emissions targets, and to evade paying huge fines.

Fianna Fail Dublin Spokesperson, John Lahart has said the Government needs to examine how young people’s views can be more widely heard.

Deputy Lahart said: “Young people growing up in Dublin deserve to know that climate change ranks high on our public agenda.

“Collective action is crucial to making a difference and young people in the Capital are the very best suited to lead the way.”

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 21 March 2019

Grand Marshals Jason Byrne and Deirdre O’Kane

Patrick D’Avenzac has a great view

These great kids were certainly sharing the spirit of the day as they waited for the parade to pass their way

Having a whale of a time with this float at O’Connell Street

St Patrick’s (AKA Johnny Murphy) dancing with gardai Edel Greer and Deirdre O’Neill proved an arresting sight

President Michael D Higgins greets a young citizen at the viewing stand

These Americans were among the many guests with colourful displays

Tourists Fiona Harrison, Alex Ihncu and Amy Griffin

21 March 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

ST PATRICK’S PARADE FUN

Parade performers Hayley Browne and Orla Friel

Parade participant Tamara Shannon

Julia O’Toole and fellow onlookers taking in the sights of a particularly great St Patrick’s Day Parade. Pictures: Robbie Reynolds Photography

What a Pat-icularly fun celebration for a national holiday E

VEN by the standards of the revitalised St Patrick’s Day parade in recent years, 2019 has to go down as one of the best ever, attracting a noticably huge crowd to the city centre. Dubs of all ages from all parts of the city and county flooded into town for the popular parade, with a large amount of tourists also

cramming into town to take in the sights.

The fun, energy and passion of everyone involved was enough to leave onlookers from the rest of the world green with envy. But sure, with the day that was in it, everyone was welcome to be Irish for a day, and to share in the craic agus ceol in the heart of our fair city.

Vincent Dolan, band director, Clondalkin Youth Band

Lord Mayor Nial Ring reassures his niece, Katie Mulvey, that the parade will be starting very soon

A Tri-mendous look for Jill Collins

Jodie Bell and Niamh Foley

That’s a fairy good look for this parade participant

Saoirse Mahon jumps with joy

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 March 2019

Tributes flow to honour the late actor, Pat Laffan PADRAIG CONLON

FAMOUS for playing two of the most memorable characters in Irish comedy history, legendary Irish actor Pat Laffan will be sadly missed, following his death last Thursday.

Best known for playing Georgie Burgess and Pat Mustard in The Snapper and Father Ted respectively, the late Pat Laffan (79) was born in 1940 and grew up on a farm in Meath before going to UCD to study Engineering.

Following his graduation, he joined the Abbey Theatre in 1961. A spell as director of the Peacock Theatre was followed by a similar role in the Gate Theatre from 1979 to 1982.

In a statement on social media, the Lisa Richards Agency, which represented Laffan, said it was with “tremendous sadness” that they announced his death.

They said: “All here will remember him first and foremost as our friend and mentor and we will miss him terribly.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.”

Graham Linehan, one of the creators of Father Ted, posted his condolences on Twitter: “Just heard the sad news that Pat Laffan, who played

Pat Mustard in Father Ted, has died. Rest in peace, Pat, a pleasure to work with you.”

Throughout his distinguished career, Laffan appeared in almost 40 films and made 30 TV appearances in shows such as Moone Boy, EastEnders, Ripper Street and the Clinic.

His big screen credits include roles in Steven Spielberg’s War Horse, Intermission, The General, Leap Year and The Queen.

Pauline McLynn, who played Mrs Doyle in the hit Father Ted show, also played tribute to Laffan on Twitter, saying: “RIP the wonderful Pat Laffan”.

In a statement, the Gate Theatre said: “Over the years, Pat was an incredible force in the Irish theatre community and was no stranger to the Gate throughout his prolific career as an actor and director.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

The Abbey Theatre also expressed their sadness at his passing: “Very sad to hear that Pat Laffan has passed away. His career at the Abbey started in 1961 and spanned five decades. He will be sorely missed.”

He had also served on the board at the Gaiety School of Acting.

The late Pat Laffan, whose comedy chops were well exercised with a small but memorable role on Father Ted (above) – just one of a significant body of work by the talented actor and director

DUBLINERS: THE STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WHO CALL THIS CITY THEIR HOME

Ariane Tighe (pictured with Quinlan Cumiskey, above) is delighted to pursue her ballet-dancing dream

Talented dancer Ariane Tighe on her passion for ballet – and Dublin

Swanning about I’M 18 years old and I’ve lived in Dublin all my life. I began dancing at the age of four at Debbie Allen’s Dance School in Dundrum.

It was always a huge passion of mine but not something I wanted to pursue until I was about 11 or 12.

I was accepted to the Irish National Youth Ballet company and this was when I really fell in love with dance and I just really couldn’t see myself doing anything else in the future.

After my Junior Cert, I was accepted to The College of Dance in Dublin – one of the only thirdlevel dance colleges in Ireland.

There is one particular exercise I remember doing in ballet class really early on; it was called ‘Good toes, bad toes’.

We would all sit on the floor with our legs stretched out and pretend we were dipping our toes in a pond.

Bad toes were when our feet were flexed up out of the water and good toes were when we had them

pointed into the water. away from my family here in IreThis was my first introduction land. to the ballet world and the preciI really wish there was a fullsion and discipline it entailed. time performing arts college in As I got older, I was introduced Ireland. to many other styles of dance and Being a member of the Irish my passion just grew stronger and National Youth Ballet has been an stronger. unforgettable life experience that I I was cast as Cinderella in our will always cherish.

2018 Christmas production in the I have made wonderful Pavilion Theatre in Dun friends and been given Laoghaire – a really the opportunity Being a valuable experito work with so member of the Irish ence for me as a m a ny i n s p i rNational Youth Ballet has growing dancer. ing teachers been an unforgettable life It showed me experience that I will always and choreograthe excitement phers. cherish. I have learned so of having a lead I have learned many valuable lessons in so many valuable role, but also the both ballet and life. pressures that come lessons in both balwith it. let and life from my It is my ultimate dream to time in the company that study dance and performing arts have shaped me as a person and abroad in the UK and still a sur- as a dancer. real thought for me; leaving home, What I love most about being leaving Dublin, and the reality part of INYB is the lifelong friends I hadn’t completely dawned on me have made – I have developed such until a few months ago that I will a strong bond with them. be living independently so far Dancers battle through a lot in

their life and it’s very important to have people around you that support you and I was blessed to have so many people around me that I could depend on.

Simply, my dream career is to perform and to dance. Any opportunity I am given to perform I will take, whether it’s in [London’s] West End, a cruise ship, with a company, or as a back-up dancer.

I also have a passion for teaching, and would love to one day pass on what I have learned.

One of the many things I love about Dublin is undoubtedly the people.

There is something so welcoming about the people here and the vast sense of pride in the streets of Dublin is heartwarming.

I am so lucky to have grown up here in Dublin.  What’s your story? Do you have an interesting connection to Dublin and why you call it home? Please email your story to news@dublingazette.com.

21 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

DUBLIN

NEW AUDI Q8, WHERE LUXURY MEETS PERFORMANCE P15

Utility takes a fashionable turn in latest trend P19

MAGAZINE DAVID GRAY STEPS OUT OF HIS SHADOW P20

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE NEWS AND EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY

SPORTING HEROES LAUNCH VISION WALK

IRISH charity Fighting Blindness is launching its second annual Vision Walk. The event is supported by Fighting Blindness’ ambassadors; former Irish and Lions rugby star Shane Byrne, former Offaly GAA hero Seamus Darby and Darndale community worker and football enthusiast Tommy Daly.

Vision Walk is a four day walking festival taking place from Thursday 17th October until Sunday 20th October in Marbella, Spain. If you are interested in signing up to participate in Vision Walk Marbella 2019 please contact Tim in the Fighting Blindness fundraising department on 01-6789004 or by email at tim.ocarroll@fightingblindness.ie. Picture: GARY ASHE

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 March 2019

FOOD&DRINK

MORSELS OF NEWS IN THE CAPITAL

Odlums Bake Off finalists from St Joseph’s College Lucan with Home EC teacher and judges: Michelle Regan, Heather Burke, judge Catherine Leyden, Ella Byrne and judge Imelda McCarron

Veggies on the rise REBECCA RYAN

ACCORDING to The Irish Food Board, some 9% of the population identify as a vegetarian while 3% are vegans.

This is a rise of at least 1% over the past year and illustrates a trend that has risen over the past decade or so.

The growing popularity of a plant-based diet coincides with a general movement away from the consumption of meat and dairy products.

The National Dairy Council estimates that 42% of women and 30% of men are avoiding or limiting consumption of dairy products.

There is also a steady drift towards ‘flexitarian-

ism’ whereby many consumers, while not moving totally to vegetarian, are reducing consumption of animal products.

Being a vegetarian or vegan has its benefits, such as a lowered risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers.

Howeve r, i n so m e instances, a plant-based diet can be difficult to keep up due to the absence of nutrients often found in animal products.

This week we have some top tips from Beeline Healthcare for a healthy vegetarian, vegan or flexitarian diet ...

1) Being vegan or vegetarian doesn’t always equal healthy or thin:

Chips are vegan.

So are certain chocolate bars, peanut butters, biscuits and more.

If a majority of your diet is processed food and sugar, you aren’t going to be any healthier or thinner.

In fact, you could possibly gain weight.

Instead, aim to eat a plant-based diet that’s high in fibre, protein, and a variety of whole foods.

colours.

Think red tomatoes, green kale, purple aubergine.

2) Make it colourful: It’s important to make sure that you eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, since they all contain different nutrients.

A simple way to do this is to make sure that you’re eating fruits and vegetables that are all different

4) Get fat: It’s important that you get healthy fat in your diet to maintain a healthy hormonal balance.

Try avocados, nuts, and o i l s

3) Drink a lot of water: Because vegans and vegetarians consume more plant-based foods, they have a high fibre intake.

It’s even more important that you drink enough water to help promote healthy digestion of that fibre.

from red palm fruit, olive, walnut, avocado, and coconut.

5) Break monotony: Make sure you’re not eating the same foods day after day.

Doing this can cause you to develop food sensitivities. Instead, keep lots of options on hand.

6) Supplements are your friend: Vegetarians and vegans always need to supplement vitamin B12 because it’s generally not found in plant foods.

Iron deficiency can also be a problem for those on plant-based diets. Iron deficiency can lead to tiredness, fatigue and anaemia.

Young Lucan bakers impress with skills at national bake-off TWO Lucan students were among the contestants in the final of CEIST’s All Ireland Bake-Off, supported by Odlums.

The competition, held in Ardscoil na Trionoide in Athy, Co Kildare, saw 14 students from around the country compete to see who would be crowned Ireland’s Best Student Baker.

Heather Burke and Ella Byrne, both students of St Joseph’s College, competed in the Junior Section of the bake-off, comprising students from first- to third-year.

The pair went whisk to whisk with five other bakers but unfortunately, after three hours of mixing, baking, decorating and rising to the occasion, were served out of first place.

The judges of the contest were Odlum’s Catherine Leydon and Great British Bake-Off contestant Imelda McCarron.

Irish Restaurant of the Year Awards reveal Dublin finalists THE Dublin shortlist for the Irish Restaurant of the Year Awards has been announced by the Restaurant Association of Ireland.

The shortlist comprises the best restaurants, cafes and gastropubs that Dublin has to offer.

The nominees, which were voted for by the public, were selected under 12 categories including Best Gastro Pub, Best Casual Dining, Best Chef and Best Restaurant.

Among the contenders were the famous Chapter One at Parnell Square, Cafe en Seine at Dawson Street, and PI on George’s Street.

All of the establishments on the Dublin shortlist will contend for the regional and All-Ireland titles at the Irish Restaurant Awards, to be held at the Clayton Hotel on Monday, May 13.

Keeping it

local and traditional

A MEATH STREET institution, the Lark Inn has recently undergone a complete revamp. With almost no windows, its previous incarnation didn’t allow much light in and was a decent place to hide away. The front of the pub has been completely transformed though and two big windows have brightened it up significantly. Inside, the pub has kept its local and traditional feel with an old school wooden counter splitting the lounge and the bar. Complete with the full suite of toastie options, it’s a good place for a few day time pints or for the livelier weekend music sessions. While not the leader in the area, the pint is a decent one, served at the right temperature with a good taste. However, it did regress a bit during the second half, when the cream and volume fell away a little.

The Lark Inn @guinnessadvisor

81 Meath Street Dublin 8

21 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

DUBLIN GAZETTE TURNS 15 AND IT ALL STARTED HERE... our editor on the gazette story – so far PATRICK FINNEGAN GAZETTE GROUP EDITOR

INSIDE

THIS week marks a major milestone in the history of Dublin Gazette Newspaper Group, as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Dublin’s most-loved local free newspaper.

The group, which was founded by our present-day Managing Director Michael McGovern and Ireland on Sunday founder Liam Hayes, began trading on March 24, 2004 as The Lucan Gazette, paving the way to grow into a group that would incorporate the wider Dublin area.

As well as the trail-blazing Lucan Gazette, many readers and advertisers will fondly remember the Blanch, Castleknock, Clondalkin, Dundrum, Dun Laoghaire, Swords and Malahide Gazettes.

2017 saw a major change for Dublin’s No.1 free local newspaper group – repositioning our titles in line with the local authorities has allowed us to cater for audiences that in many cases did not have a local source of news directly related to them.

This consolidation has led to an increased weekly distribution of 75,000 copies, catering for Dublin Gazette’s larger catchment area.

As we celebrate the success of our first 15 years, may I take this opportunity to thank our loyal readers and advertisers for their continuing support, as we look forward to serving our wonderful communities in the upcoming years. Go raibh maith agat ...

SEE the cover that saw news companies all over the world get in touch, thanks to two sisters finally meeting each other for the first time P16

A president comes to DUBLIN ... almost!

READ all about the group’s most popular story which made headlines up and down the country, courtesy of several thousand copies that went missing P17

LIKE him or loathe him, the one and only Conor McGregor’s early media coverage started with us – just part of our long and rich coverage of Sport P18

DUBLIN GAZETTE’S first big story, in the launch issue of the Lucan Gazette (above), was about the then expected visit of President George W Bush to Lucan. Alas, it was never a mission accomplished, as Mr Bush never did stop by for a pint in the village ...

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 March 2019

ANNIVERSARY

AS DUBLIN GAZETTE HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH TO S THIS particular human interest story was a hit all around the world, with news organisations from as far away as Australia loving our story.

We revealed how two overjoyed sisters met each other for the first time at Dublin Airport (one was given up for adoption at birth). It was a heartwarming end to a 28-year search for each other.

15 years of bringing readers the best in community news ...

FROM little acorns great things grow – and the small but dedicated Gazette team (above) crammed into a Lucan office 15 years ago laid the groundwork for what would become Dublin’s best local community newspaper group, Dublin Gazette.

Like the diverse communities we serve, Dublin Gazette has shared the ups and downs of Dublin’s life, bringing together people in the towns and

EVEN six years later, we find this cover to be a little gross, but fascinating.

A Dublin 15 resident was shocked and disgusted to spot raw meat dangling on a neighbour’s washing line, with the unique sight prompting health and safety fears in the area. It also prompted an investigation from the council’s environmental health unit of the suspected venison.

villages that collectively comprise our reach in 2019.

We’ve had some fantastic stories down the years – with many of them thanks to you, our terrific readers, and we’re delighted to share here just a smattering of some of Dublin Gazette’s favourite stories and front covers from down the years.

We’re looking all ahead to the best that’s yet to come ...

WE WERE proud to help the city mark the 100-year anniversary of The Rising in 2016, with Rising-related articles and features drawing a lot of attention from readers.

Our commemorative issue and cover was one of the most popular we’ve ever had, with Dublin Gazette paying our respect along with the country to the birth of the modern nation.

timeline

WHILE we cover the best in local news in all the areas we cover, our feature writing is also a hit with our readers – and our investigative campaigns have also drawn huge responses.

Our exploration of the HPV vaccine was one of the most popular pieces ever in the group’s history, with our readers only too happy to discuss it.

DC 16-17.indd 1

Lucan Gazette March 24, 2004

Blanch Gazette June 5, 2004

Clondalkin Gazette October 23, 2005

Dundrum Gazette

Dun Laoghaire Gazette

May 6, 2007

December 9, 2007

20/03/2019 14:42:22

21 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

TO STRENGTH, HERE ARE SOME OF OUR TOP COVERS

ANNIVERSARY

ANOTHER cover which drew a great reader reaction was this one, with a blaze at a recyling plant providing a burning topic of conversation in west Dublin.

While the fire was alarming, and by no means the only environmentally harmful event in Dublin in recent years, at least such incidents have proven thankfully rare in the city.

WHEN The X Factor came to town, lots of Dubs and would-be hopefuls wanted to get in the smash-hit show – but we had a starring role too.

When the producers wanted to feature the best Dublin-based newspaper in some shots, they knew to turn to Dublin Gazette – and we were delighted to make our own noteworthy appearance in the show.

WE COULDN’T take a look back at some of our front covers without our most famous cover of all – a Gazette story which made national print, radio and media waves.

The Busted cover.

As summed up by a typically sharp-witted Irish Times cartoon (left), our Busted cover in 2013 (right) saw the mysterious disappearance of thousands and thousands of copies of an issue of the Lucan Gazette solved when CCTV footage and tip-offs showed someone taking substantial numbers of the paper from several outlets around the area.

Not just anyone – it was Tommy Morris, parliamentary assistant to Deputy Derek Keating (FG), who was the subject of the cover story in the ‘missing’ edition.

Deputy Keating insisted that Mr Morris had acted on his own accord, taking it upon himself to visit many shops to seize the issues and their negative cover story about Deputy Keating.

To this day, the fate of the thousands of missing Gazette newspapers is still unknown ...

COVERS CONTINUE OVERLEAF

Castleknock Gazette

Malahide Gazette

March 30, 2008

March 16, 2008

Swords Gazette March 2, 2008

DC 16-17.indd 2

City Gazette February 27, 2014

Dublin Gazettes CITY, FINGAL, SOUTH and WEST October 14, 2017

20/03/2019 14:42:30

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 March 2019

ANNIVERSARY

WHILE we’re proud of all of our front pages, we love giving readers a striking cover when we can – and with the great and good, and sad and terrible stories that comprise the news cycle, we always have the best in local news stories guaranteed for the cover.

A TRIP DOWN DUBLIN GAZETTE’S MEMORY LANE

THIS upsetting cover from 2014 of the plight of just one family turned out to summarise an endless story we never thought we’d still be covering – that of the city’s housing and homelessness crisis. Damningly, five years later, things have grown much, much worse ...

THIS perky pig was a favourite shot of our photographer Peter Doyle, who along with another deceased colleague, sports journalist Denis Byrne, helped lay the foundations for the papers’ successes. Thank you to all our former and present colleagues for their work down the years.

BACK in 2008, Katie Taylor admitted to the Gazette she gets far more nervous when journalists come calling around than she does facing up to her next opponent. At the time, she was preparing more in hope than expectation for women’s boxing to be included on the agenda for the 2012 Olympic Games. Four years later, she was in London with gold around her neck.

ICONIC rugby star Brian O’Driscoll spoke to the Gazette in the wake of Danny Cipriani and Josh Lewsey’s high profile training bust-up at Wasps, revealing that high standards in the Leinster camp meant there was regularly tension with the potential to spill over at Leinster, stating it “just shows you’re passionate about what you do”

Getting there first, supporting our local dublin sports heroes AT THE heart of Dublin Gazette’s sports pages has been the belief that no sporting achievement is too small to celebrate in style.

We take pride in getting there first at the start of many sports stars on their journeys to greatness, covering them from the ground up.

The Gazette was first to report on the prodigious talents of Conor McGregor as far back as 2011 before

he became “The Notorious” figure he is today.

We were there in Katie Taylor’s home gym before women’s boxing was even included on the Olympic list of sports.

And we also pick up the odd exclusive with some of the sports biggest names like Brian O’Driscoll, Phil “The Power” Taylor and many more over the past 15 years.

RATHFARNHAM sailing star Annalise Murphy - like Conor McGregor - is another of the Dublin Gazette’s sport stars of the year nominees from back in the day - who ended up making huge waves on the global stage when she landed Olympic silver in Rio in 2016, leading to hero’s welcome in her home city with a flotilla of boats welcoming her into Dun Laoghaire harbour.

Previously, the Gazette had covered her exploits in finishing fourth at the London Games in agonising fashion and kept tabs on her progress throughout the qualifying campaign.

21 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR WARDROBE

STYLE

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE | KEY PIECES TO BRING UTILITY INTO YOUR WARDROBE

Utility takes a fashionable turn in latest trend

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Denim Zip Jumpsuit, €25, Penneys New Look Cargo trousers, €34, Boohoo

Rachel D’Arcy

PLANNING A GETAWAY? Looking for something L practical, yet incredibly fashionable?

Fear not - the utility trend has your back.

Seen all over the high street in recent weeks, the light linens and durable denims promise long lasting fashions that are easy t o m e s h in t o yo u r existing wardrobe in a

number of styles.

The patterns are packed with a Spring/ Summer punch, delivering grungier florals and army prints in traditionally feminine items - think army print cargo pants with a delicate white linen bardotstyle top.

Don’t fear the utility trend - embrace it, and revel in it as we enter the holiday season.

Floral jumpsuit, €20, Penneys

Linen utility jacket, €41, Boohoo

Get Clay-ative with new Nivea shower range

NIVEA is bringing the power of natural clays right to the comfort of your own shower.

The new Clay Fresh range comes in an array of delectable scents - the sophisticated Ginger and Basil, delicate and floral Hibiscus and White Sage and an intense and aromatic Blue Agave and Lavender - and promises a perfect shower, with balanced freshness, care and deep cleansing. In a study by the beauty giants, 8 out of 10 women expressed an interest in a shower products with the proven benefits of clay. The texture of the cleanser comes with the quality that Nivea has become known for, but in an innovative clay format, leaving skin feeling pure, soft and fresh - like a reviving, post spa experience!

The three scents are available now, priced at €3.39 from leading retailers.

Care for your nails on the go with innovative pens

Linen Utility Dress, €18, Penneys Dress, €73.50, Principles at Debenhams

Beauty Review

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NAIL CARE has been made even easier, as CND have released new, handy to use pens to fix your nails on the go.

The new pens have been released in their signature keratin treatment, RescueRXX, and in their cult classic Solar Oil to take care of their cuticles.

You simply twist the top of the pen to release the formula, swipe the brush over your nails and away you go, with prescise application and no mess.

The RescueRXX pen is a daily keratin treatment with a blend of jojoba oil to care for and condition the nails, whilst keratin restores moisture and helps to heal damaged nails.

SolarOil is a must have for tip top cuticles, with a rejuvenating blend of jojoba, rice bran and sweet

almond infused with Vitamin E to promote healthy nail growth.

Both pens are available from salons nationwide at €14.95 each, or €27.95 for both.

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 March 2019

GOINGOUTOUT

Moving on: David Gray steps out of his shadow

PICK WEEK OF THE

MARCH 25 (MONDAY) THE WORLD OF HANS ZIMMER @ 3Arena, €48+ AND now for something completely different to our usual gig of the week – but something that’s very familiar. You might not know the name of Hans Zimmer – but even your granny can sing or hum along to some of his work.

No matter what age you are, you’ll know the busy film composer’s work – and having scored everything from The Lion King to Gladiator, Inception to the recent Batman films, his powerful, brilliant work crosses all kinds of genres.

A live orchestra are playing Dublin as part of an international tour, bringing much of his best work to brilliant life. See Ticketmaster for tickets.

MARCH 21 (THURSDAY)

Drake @ 3Arena, €76+ The Absolute Eagles @ The Sugar Club, €25 Alice Merton @ Whelan’s, €16 Upcoming rock vocalist Alice Merton plays what’s sure to be one of her smallest dates for some time – a possible future ‘I was there’ moment

MARCH 22 (FRIDAY)

Ye Vagabonds @ Whelan’s, €17 Drake @ 3Arena, €76+ Gabrielle @ Olympia Theatre, SOLD OUT Molly Sterling @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), SOLD OUT Tadgh @ The Grand Social, Free

MARCH 23 (SATURDAY)

UB40 @ 3Arena, €52+ Wild Youth @ Olympia Theatre, SOLD OUT Sharon Van Etten @ Vicar Street, SOLD OUT Ultan Conlon @ Whelan’s, €15 Ivan Nicolas @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €11 Toucan @ The Grand Social, €19

DAVID GRAY’S 1998 album White Ladder – a whopping seven-million seller that features smash hits Babylon, Sail Away, and This Year’s Love – is Ireland’s best-selling record of all time, and given changes in the music industry, is likely to remain so for some time.

Gray is still profoundly grateful for Ireland’s role in his breakthrough, in fact.

“Ireland embraced me in such a big way before anyone else did,” he recalls. “It was unbelievable, really.

Looking back, I still can’t quite take in what happened.

“It was an unforgettable time for me, and I’ll always love the Irish because of it.”

Naturally, though, the Cheshire-born folk-pop singer has long been ready to move past his major commercial breakthrough on that fourth album.

His eleventh studio album, Gold In A Brass Age, was released earlier this month, and offers something really quite different.

“I was never going to just keep remaking White Ladder; it’s important to experiment and stay interested,” Gray said of the new record, which is layered with some complex electronic aspects, producing an organic, delicate element.

It also sees Gray explore falsetto vocals across several tracks.

MARCH 24 (SUNDAY)

MARCH 25 (MONDAY)

The Cinematic Orchestra @ Vicar Street, SOLD OUT The Internet @ Olympia Theatre, €30 The Brother Brothers @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €13

MARCH 27 (WEDNESDAY)

Picture This @ 3Arena, €52+ The biggest rising band on the Irish music scene commence an astonishing run of shows at the 3Arena Finbar Furey @ Vicar Street, €38

In many ways, Gold In A Brass Age is a stylistic throwback to Gray’s early, art-school days.

The singer very much goes for melody and song construction first this time around, with the lyrics, delivered in a voice barely recognisable as Gray, added later.

“I guess it’s a bit more abstract in the way it’s done,” he says. “It’s a kind of montage. I felt like moving away from telling a story too obviously.

“I wanted it to be a little more instinctive, and to move away from the idea of writing anything too directly about my life.

“The [recent] best-of album was really a business decision. People like to hear the hits, and I’m trying to operate a record label at a time when records don’t sell that well, so it made sense to do it.

“I have a lot of running costs, including staff to pay, and you have to think about that.”

Much of the musical side of the album will be reproduced using a computer live, with Gray’s voice straying outside of his instinctive range, and his style displaying something

YOU love Fair City, and we love Fair City – so look out for our great new preview column every week giving you the lowdown on what’s happening over in Carrigstown ‘somewhere on the north side’ ...

NAO @ Vicar Street, €25 Holy Moly and the Crackers @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €15 Hover Trout @ The Workman’s Club, €10

MARCH 26 (TUESDAY)

 JAMES HENDICOTT

Doug is horrified when Pete reveals he and Jackie kissed

PETE is on edge as Jackie discusses their potential family trip to Galway.

Doug is horrified when Pete reveals he and Jackie kissed. Jackie is forced to set things straight with Pete.

Paul is financially stressed. With a lot of outgoings, he grows more

entirely new – though the old classics will be on display, too, naturally.

“It’ll be more like a live studio on stage,” he explains. “I won’t be bringing the big band I had on my last tour.

“It’ll be a slightly different experience, and more complicated to do in some ways. I’ve had to get used to playing these tracks.

“You have to give people what they want, too” he jokes, though not before confirming that he’ll be working hard on getting plenty of the new album into the live arena.

As for the future?

“I already have the material for another album that will come out after this one,” he laughs.

Gold In A Brass Age is out now, and David Gray plays two nights at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre next month, April 5 and 6. Tickets start at €42.

See the fulllength article on our website at www. dublingazette.com

and more frustrated at his financial circumstances.

Will agrees to relax about Phoebe’s plans for the future. Aaron gives Damien an idea for a surprise at Phoebe’s party, but his attempts backfire. Could Will’s quick-thinking save the day?

Meanwhile, Orla’s determination to get pregnant leads to an unexpected solution while Junior’s condition gives cause for alarm.

Watch Fair City on RTE One on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Dolores is alarmed at the deterioration of Junior

21 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

WHAT’S BIG IN MUSIC, CINEMA, TV AND BOOKS

ENTERTAINMENT

TELEVISION | DUBLIN SOAP IS CELEBRATING ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Things are heating up for Carrigstown’s latest avenger is a fine addition to the favourite couple

CINEMA CAPTAIN MARVEL

established series SHANE DILLON

I HAVE a confession to make – I’m pretty much all Avengered out, given the seemingly endless waves of Avengers films breaking upon Cinema’s shores in recent years.

The franchise is beginning to need something genuinely new, something fresh, to make me interested in yet another Avengers film.

Enter Captain Marvel (Cert 12A, 124 mins) with its hook: a retro-set origins film about one of the most powerful (but untapped) characters in Marvel’s range of characters and Avengers heroes.

Mostly set in the 1990s (as an origins story – and also as an excellent use of CG polishing to de-age Samuel L Jackson, as well as eventually explaining how he/Nick Fury lost an eye), Captain Marvel packs a lot into its run time.

Similarly to most densely-plotted Avengers films, there’s a lot of off-planet and Earth-set content to keep up with.

Long story short: Carol Danvers (Oscar-winner Brie Larson), who would go on to become known as Captain Marvel, is a pawn in a war between two alien races and eventually finds herself on Earth, in 1990s Los Angeles, where the war has found a new battlefront.

However, Carol has her own, very personal war to fight – the resurfacing of what seem to be forgotten or repressed memories, which suggest that she

had a life on earth.

What’s she doing in the middle of an alien war, and more importantly, who is she – or rather, who was she?

The film is thus set for two major plots to run in tandem with each other: Carol’s need to fight in the ever worsening war, and her need to rediscover her own identity, which are both more directly tied to each other than you might think ...

Like I said earlier on, there’s a lot to keep up with here, with a dense plot that zig-zags about more than The Flash zipping across Manhattan.

Captain Marvel Brie does a decent job of fleshing out Captain Marvel’s story arc from fed-up footsoldier to an almost godly Captain Marvel once she unlocks her full potential and powers.

She’s ably assisted by the ‘young’ Samuel L Jackson (and a scenestealing cat), while the rest of the cast provide a solid crew, with everyone from Annette Bening to Jude Law popping up.

With its fusion of the Avengers universe with Top Gun (trust me – that nod will make sense), there are certainly some sky-high possibilities for Captain Marvel’s future here, and while the film is a bit hit and miss, it’s a decent, welcome introduction to a significant new hero.

Maybe the next Avengers films won’t be too samey after all...

Verdict: 7/10

REBECCA RYAN

IT’S a big year for one of Ireland’s favourite TV soaps, as Fair City is celebrating their 30th anniversary.

Dublin Gazette caught up with two of the soap’s most loved characters, Bryan Murray and Una Crawford O’Brien, AKA Bob and Renee, to chat love on and off screen, tense storylines and their highlights of the RTE drama.

The real-life couple, who live in Rathgar, began their romance in Carrigstown 13 years ago. Bryan recalled the moment on set when sparks started flying with Una. “We were [filming] a funeral in Sandymount church. I had only done a couple of scenes with Una. I was getting on the bus from RTE and there was only one free seat and it was beside Una. “I sat down beside her, and we started talking and we didn’t stop talking until we got off the bus and went into rehearsal.

“Looking back that was the beginning of it. I thought “that was very interesting, what a nice woman”.

We talked like we’d known each other for years. She said afterwards that she felt the same.”

Una, who has been on the show for 20 years revealed one of the highlights of her time on Fair City was also meeting Bryan.

The loved-up couple have also just finished doing a play together, and she spoke to us about how they make their work and

home relationship work so well.

“Sometimes we do bring our work home with us and we’ll rehearse something if [a scene] is a bit difficult.

“I have my own friends, he has his own friends, we do our own thing.

“We don’t spend 24 hours a day together. But we love going out for walks together. We talk about everything, and he makes me laugh!”

Apart from meeting each other on set, the couple also have other highlights of their many years on Fair City.

Una said: “I joined the company 20 years last November. I have loved it. I have lots of highlights.

“My first entrance into it was terrific. Joan O’Hara was playing my mother in law.

“My very first scene, I’ll never forget it, Tomo had run away from home because he owed so much money and he opened the door and I just slapped him across the face and that was my introduction to Fair City!

“And then finding my long-lost daughter Heather who I had given up for adoption when she was 16, that was another highlight.”

Bryan said his highlights also include the reaction he gets from viewers on the streets.

“I joined the show in 2005. It doesn’t feel anything like that… time seems to go by faster and faster the older we get!

“I love it! It’s one of my favourite jobs. It’s not very often that an actor has a situation where they have a job that goes on as long

Una Crawford O’Brien and Bryan Murray, AKA Bob and Renee

as that.

“Most of all I love the reaction we get from people on the streets whether it be in Dublin or down the country.”

Bryan is also celebrating a big anniversary, as Brookside celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.

He played a completely different character in the Channel 4 soap, where he played the role of the abusive and violent husband, Trevor Jordache.

Looking back at his time on the show, he said: “It was the first time that we

saw domestic violence on our screens in our front room and it shocked and amazed people.

“I think it made some kind of a difference. It started the discussion of women being abused and that was a positive step.”

Back in Carrigstown, the story line is heating up for Bryan and Una’s characters, Bob and Renee.

Bryan said: “Bob was looking forward to a relationship with Renee, getting married and getting old together but now they find themselves taking care of a very feisty

teenager.

“Bob may appear to be sort of alright about it, but I can imagine Bob thinking “I didn’t sign up to this, where’s my honeymoon, where’s my time alone with my lover.

“I think he’s been very even handed about it now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s backlash from that further down the line, where he’s not prepared to put up with it any longer.”

To watch the exciting drama unfold you can catch Fair City on RTE One every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 March 2019

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT

The late Sergio Marchionne wins World Car Person of the Year MORE than 80 World Car Awards (WCA) jurors from 24 countries collectively decided by secret ballot that the automotive industry titan, Sergio Marchionne, who tragically passed away in the summer of 2018, should be declared the winner of the prestigious World Car Person of the Year award presented at the Geneva Motor Show last week.

At the time of his passing in July, Mr Marchionne was CEO, FCA; Chairman, CNH Industrial; and Chairman and CEO, Ferrari.

World Car jurors voted for ItalianCanadian Marchionne over several other hugely impressive motor industry executives, engineers, designers and entrepreneurs from all corners of the globe.

His prestigious World Car Person of the Year award recognizes his accomplishment in taking two declining, regionallyfocused companies and forging them into one profitable global entity.

Equally important, Sergio Marchionne was - and still is - widely regarded as one of the ultimate ‘car guys’ of the modern motoring era.

MOTORS

New AUDI Q8 – Where luxury meets performance DECLAN GLYNN

THE stunning Audi Q8 is the iconic German manufacturer’s new flagship luxury large-SUV, and is a close relative of Audi’s more conventional Q7.

Audi’s mission statement for the Q8 was to combine the elegance of a large coupé with the comfort, convenience and versatility of a large, allwheel-drive, SUV. It is clear to see that, with the Q8, Audi’s engineers and designers have admirably succeeded in achieving their intended goal.

Dynamic Road Presence In terms of overall size, the Q8 is 66mm shorter, and 35mm lower than its Q7 sister car.

It has a body that is 27mm wider than that of the Q7, but it uses the same axle track widths and the same wheelbase.

As a result, the new Q8 cuts a striking dash on the road, and is a very imposing car which oozes outright confidence – and desirability.

At the front of the car is an exaggerated ‘singleframe’ radiator grille, which provides the Q8 with plenty of road presence.

Engine & Specification; Only one engine is available in the Q8 for now - Audi’s 286bhp, 3.0litre ‘50 TDI’ turbo- diesel, which is paired up with a 48V electrical architecture featuring a mild-hybrid large-capacity battery, and advanced engine startergenerator for excellent real-world fuel efficiency.

Presently, just one spec-

ification is available – the lavishly-equipped S-Line Quattro Tip-Tronic – but a suite of optional extras are available in order to create the ultimate in personalisation.

Audi’s standard TipTronic (8-speed) automatic gearbox provides seemless gear changing ability, and improves fuel efficiency in the process too.

Car On Review The car I drove this week was an Audi Q8 S-Line Quattro (4WD) Tip-Tronic (automatic) finished in delightful Daytona Grey pearlescent paint, which really highlighted the car’s standard 21” V-spoke alloy wheels to great effect.

The standard 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine produces 286bhp and a whopping 600Nm of torque, allowing the car to complete the 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.3-seconds.

Based on new WLTP efficiency and emissions testing procedures, the Q8 returns fuel efficiency as low as 8.4l/100km.

As would be expected in a flagship model, the standard equipment level in the new Q8 is extremely comprehensive, while the cabin of the car is luxuriously appointed and very user friendly.

Brushed metal and gloss-black panelling are

used liberally throughout the Q8’s interior, creating an ambience that’s entirely upmarket and desirable.

U n c l u t t e re d C a b i n Design Situated on the dashboard fascia is Audi’s dualscreen MMI infotainment system, which comprises a primary 10.2-inch screen above a smaller 8.6-inch unit.

The upper screen controls all of the Q8’s features and functions, such as the satellite navigation, vehicle settings and telephone connectivity, while the lower screen is intended to display those features you interact with most often, such as the air conditioning, radio and seat heating.

By incorporating the vast majority of vehicle controls within the twin screens, physical dials and buttons are limited in number, lending the Q8 an interior that feels uncluttered and logically designed.

Pricing The new Audi Q8 is priced from €103,250, or from €1,069pm on PCP. With its athletic and muscular profile, stunning looks, ultimate refinement and terrific driving dynamics, the new Audi Q8 is a super-cool, and super-desirable, flagship SUV.

FACT BOX

1) Striking New Design Language 2) Ultimate Luxury & Refinement 3) Powerful 3.0-litre V6 TDI Engine 4) 0-100km/h in 6.3-seconds 5) Priced from €103,250

Audi’s mission statement for the Q8 was to combine the elegance of a large coupé with the comfort, convenience and versatility of a large, all-wheel-drive, SUV

New Opel Zafira Life ready to hit the road

THE new Opel Zafira Life made its world premiere at the Brussels Motor Show in January and will be available to order from local Opel dealerships nationwide from Q2 this year.

Available in two lengths, it covers multiple vehicle segments and makes it easy for customers to find the perfect model.

In addition, innovative technologies ranging from IntelliGrip traction control to camera and radar-based assistance systems, and features such as sensorcontrolled sliding doors can also now be

ordered.

The new Zafira Life is available in the 4.95 metre “Medium” and the 5.30 metre “Large” version, and is further enhanced by safety and assistance systems such as Hill Start Assist, Cruise Control and Speed Limiter as well as traction control with engine and brake intervention.

The new Zafira Life is well equipped for all applications with its engine portfolio. The range comprises of diesel engines for now, with electrification coming in 2021.

21 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

CODEWORDS

You could advertise here

PUZZLES

SUDOKU EASY

MODERATE

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLES

WORD SEARCH

HOW TO SOLVE Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues! Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle.

All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number!

To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters.

As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid.

Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS ANALYST ANTOINE BRENTFORD CARESSED CLASP CONICAL CRUISING DAMNING DRAINS EZRA GEODESIC

HASTY MIMICKING MINNOW PHARAOH PLANETS PLIED READ SIENNA STATESMAN WINIFRED WISEST

To advertise here please contact sales@dublingazette.com or call 01 6010240

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 21 March 2019

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21 March 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

CITY  DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS TV SERVICES

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21 March 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

HOCKEY P30

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

LATE LATE SHOW: SOCCER: REBECCA Creagh scored a

second-half hat-trick as Shelbourne continued their 100% start to the Women’s National League season with a 5-0 victory over Limerick.

Alex Kavanagh and substitute Fiona Donnelly were both on target in the latter stages as Dave Bell’s side maintained their position at the top of the table on goal difference.



GAZETTE

LADIES FOOTBALL P31

PAGE 28

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS BOXING | TAYLOR WINS WELL OVER ROSE VOLANTE IN PHILLY

Katie takes next big step to unification  sport@dublingazette.com

KATIE Taylor took the third step on her relentless march towards the ‘undisputed’ title, as she stopped Rose Valante in Philadelphia to unite the IBF, WBA and WBO titles.

The tough contest took Taylor nine rounds to finish, as she battered Volante on Friday night, coming into her own as the fight progressed after a tough opening couple of rounds.

The Brazilian had been in the fight in the early stages, even edging ahead as she forced Taylor back in the opening rounds.

But once Taylor wrestled control from her opponent, she took evermore control, leaving Volante in noticeable physical difficulty by the time the referee called a halt to the fight as the Brazilian’s tight guard started to fail her.

In taking the WBO title, Taylor becomes the first Irish fighter to

simultaneously hold three world belts in the four-belt era, and will now be looking to Delfine Persoon’s WBC lightweight title in the hope of unifying the division.

Though nothing official has been announced at the time of writing, the fight looks likely to take place in early June in New York, with Taylor herself highlighting the Anthony Joshua undercard.

“This was a great stepping stone for me,” Taylor said of the fight.

“There was a lot of talk about big fights for the last few months but I knew I had to get over this fight first.

“There was a lot of pressure on me tonight.

Pressure “To actually overcome that pressure, those nerves, is perfect preparation for those kind of fights coming up.

“I knew all along she was going

Katie Taylor continued her perfect start to her professional career

to come to fight. She is a very proud champion.

“She was everything I expected.

I think she definitely came to fight and that got the best out of me as well.

“I don’t know whether it was the toughest fight of my career. I guess all the fights are tough.

“She definitely had a bit of pop in her right hand early on for sure.

“It was the icing on the cake to get the stoppage at the end. I knew she was on her way out and sometimes it is very, very tough to stop these opponents at this level but definitely it was great to get the early stoppage.”

SPORT CONTACT INFO SPORTS EDITOR: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@dublingazette.com Phone: 01 601 0240

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 21 March 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2 1

LUCAN SARSFIELDS BALLYMUN KICKHAMS OUR Under-8 WELL done to the andJunior 9 boysAhad la a brilliant day on Saturday showcasing their skills against NaFianna and putting on a fabulous display, despite the inclement weather! Well done all concerned, we hope you had warm showers and hot drinks after!

A reminder that our nurseries will return to normal next Saturday after the sabbatical for the bank holiday weekend.

St. Kevins school this year celebrate their 50th anniversary, and to mark the event, they will host a mass in Ballygall on April 5 at 7pm and then adjourn back to the school for light refreshments at 8pm, where they eill also launch a book detailing stories from past pupils over the last 50 years.

Reminder, your annual membership fee is now due, please contact Linda Parnell ASAP. All info required here on our website: http:// www.ballymunkickhams.com/juvenile-minormembership/ We would like to remind all members, that under no circumstances are dogs allowed on our pitches and surrounds, and that smoking is not allowed on our pitches and surrounds. This is an executive order, and will be strictly enforced.

Congratulations to the Dublin ladies footballers and Dublin senior hurlers on their respective wins over the weekend, in particular the hurlers with a terrific win away to Tipperary. Commiserations to Jim Gavin’s men on their defeat to Tyrone.

For more information on all our news snippets, go to our website, FaceBook, Twitter or Instagram page, where you can find a myriad of facts about the club!

ST PAT’S, PALMERSTOWN NEARLY all matches were off this weekend.

However, there was no holding back the Under12 boys who played a great game of football in very tough conditions on Saturday morning away to St Sylvesters.

A special mention for Cian Devitt, Lucas Collendar, Alex Villena and Sean McDonagh who were strong throughout the game.

Well done to Jack O’Leary who lined out for the Dublin U15s against Tyrone.

The senior hurlers are away to Round Towers of Clondalkin on Sunday morning at 10.30am. All support welcome.

Fixture details will be posted for all matches during the week.

Our Easter camps will run from 15 - 18 April for football, and 23 - 26 April for Hurling and Camogie.

On-line booking now

open.

Hurling skills for our younger players is on every Friday from 6 to 7pm.

The Lotto jackpot this week was €10,000. The numbers in the draw were 6, 12, 13 and 22.

No jackpot winner but we had five match 3 winners in Edward & Luke, Elyssa Heneghan, Alicia Keegan, Robert Dunne, and Noel Higgins who won €40 each.

There will be two jackpot prizes next week - €10,000 and €1,000.

The draw takes place on Sunday night in the Palmerstown House at 10pm.

Lotto tickets are available online at https://www.locallotto. ie/play_newa.asp?ll_ id=1483#Anchor and from SuperValu, Palmerstown House, and Manor Hair Studios. Thank you all for your support.

SOCCER: SHELBOURNE RACK UP 15 GOALS IN OPENING ROUNDS

Creagh on the treble as Shels sweep aside Limerick WOMEN’S NAT. LEAGUE Shelbourne Limerick  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

5 0

REBECCA Creagh scored a second-half hat-trick as Shelbourne continued their 100% start to the Women’s National League season with a 5-0 victory over Limerick.

Alex Kavanagh and substitute Fiona Donnelly were both on target in the latter stages as Dave Bell’s side maintained their position at the top of the table on goal difference.

The Reds opened with a 10-1 demolition of Kilkenny United on the opening day of the season but were made to work for the three points at home to Dave Rooney’s Blues.

Shels were playing in Tolka Park for the first time since confirming their return to the Drumcondra venue following full integration between women’s and men’s operations at

the club.

The game was still delicately poised at 0-0 heading into the final half hour, however, before Creagh broke the deadlock with her first of the game.

Kate Mooney picked the striker out with a pinpoint pass and Creagh slotted the ball past Limerick keeper Karen Connolly to break the deadlock.

Kavanagh doubled the home side’s advantage just four minutes later as the midfielder broke through on goal and drilled the ball past Connolly.

Creagh got her second four minutes, tapping home from close range to all but end Limerick’s stubborn resistance.

She got her hat-trick with ten minutes remaining as she stretched to turn home a loose ball after Donnelly had been denied

by Connolly.

And Donnelly got on the scoresheet herself late on, making it 5-0 as she turned home a cross from Alan-

nah McEvoy.

Bell brought on former DLR Waves captain Chloe Mustaki for an unexpected debut midway through the second half.

The midfielder hadn’t expected to make her bow until May due to her studies, but with only three available substitutes, she answered the call to sit on the bench.

“The last time I played [in Tolka] was against Denmark in an Under19s qualifier with Ireland, so it’s funny to be back,”

Mustaki told the Dublin Gazette.

“It’s a nice environment and a nice pitch and we’re lucky to be able to play there. I’m actually in Lisbon for the start of the season and was actually just lucky to be home this weekend.

“That’s actually the reason I got my debut so early on in the season. I wasn’t expecting to get it until late May because I won’t be back until then.

“I’m just home for a flying visit halfway through

the semester. It was just by chance they needed me for numbers.

“It was great and I’ll have to prove myself even more coming in at a late stage. I’d like to make it into the starting eleven at some stage but I’ll have to work hard and prove myself.”

Mustaki won’t be around for Saturday’s game, which will see her former side Waves travel to Tolka for the first Dublin derby of the season (kick-off 4pm).

Cummins an extreme champ

Joseph Cummins, centre, following his victory. Picture: Anton Geyser/EFC Worldwide

BLANCH man Joseph Cummins produced an outstanding performance in the Extreme Fighting Championship 77 in Johannesburg last weekend to beat home favourite Martin van Staden to the lightweight title.

Cummins grew up in Hartstown, with family also in Finglas and Ballymun, before moving to the UK. His victory came in the lightweight class in what was just his seventh bout against a vastly more experienced opponent from South Africa in his 40th contest.

Cummins fought with skill, precision, and iron will, making no mistakes. Despite absorbing what seemed an illegal knee, and the curious decision to be stood up in the fourth, he takes the title and deservedly so. Cummins is the new force in the lightweight division.

“This is more than a world title,” said an emotional Cummins in his post fight interview. “It’s karma. All this time I’ve been helping others, and finally it’s come back to me. Thank you to every person that has ever shared the mat with me.”

21 March 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

OF WOMEN’S LEAGUE

Shelbourne’s Rebecca Creagh celebrates her side’s first goal against Limerick.

Picture: Piaras O Midheach

SOCCER: FORMER ST FRANCIS SCHOOLBOY WINS TOP HONOUR

Shields lands LOI player of the year FAI PLAYER OF THE YEAR  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

HIGHER LEARNING

UCD’s O’Connor gets top gong for CUFL year

UCD’S Daire O’Connor was awarded the Colleges & Universities Player of the Year award from Emma Yourell of RUSTLERS during the Three FAI International Awards at RTE Studios in Donnybrook on Saturday evening following his exceptional appearances in the third level competition.

Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

DUBLINER Chris Shields hailed the influence of Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Stephen Kenny as he collected the SSE Airtricity League player of the year gong at the FAI Awards on Sunday.

Shields fought off competition from his Dundalk teammates Michael Duffy and Patrick Hoban, the league’s top scorer, to lift the award at the annual gala at RTÉ Studios in Montrose.

It capped off a momentous year for the Lilywhites which saw them lift their fourth title in five years as well as the FAI Cup, while Kenny was rewarded with the international job.

Kenny will take charge of Ireland under-21s’ European Championship qualifying campaign before taking the senior job from Mick McCarthy after Euro 2020.

The former St Francis schoolboy, who spent three years with Bray Wanderers before signing for Dundalk in 2012, was one of two players left over from the side that avoided relegation in a play-off before Kenny assumed the reins.

“He [Kenny] was entirely crucial to myself and to the group along with Vinny [Perth], who was with him and has now taken Stephen’s role,” said Shields upon accepting the award.

“He helped me, he’s a great man manager. A lot of players will tell you the same, he can fill you with confidence and he can give you a kick up the backside when you need it.”

The Lilywhites have had a relatively inconsistent start to the season under Killinarden man Perth, drawing two of their opening three games with Sligo Rovers and Shamrock Rovers.

They currently sit four points behind firstplaced Rovers, albeit with a game in hand, but Shields says nobody is prepared to rest on their laurels.

“It’s funny, four or five games into a new season, you’re trying to focus on that and you’re brought back to the success of last year which

SSE Airtricity League Player of the Year Chris Shields with his award during the Three FAI International Awards. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

was a great year for the club.

“It’s a credit being up there myself, Mickey [Duffy] and Pat [Hoban] being up for most of the awards, it’s kind of unheard of so it’s a credit to the group and the three of us.”

After ceding the league to Cork City last year, Dundalk faced a difficult task in the Europa League qualifiers.

They shook off the challenge of Levadia Tallinn with home and away wins but, despite a scoreless draw in the first leg at home, were humbled 4-0 away to AEK Larnaca.

With a minimum of four guaranteed games

in Europe this year, Shields says there’s a determination for the return to the form that saw them become the second Irish side to reach the group stages of the Europa League in 2016.

“We want to be retaining the trophies that we won last year and then obviously, we had a disappointing European campaign last year so we want to put that right. “[We’re] back in the Champions League qualifications this year so we’re fully focused on that and it’s only the start for us now at the minute.”

Saints and Killester’s mixed weekends SUPER LEAGUE  sport@dublingazette.com

DCU Saints overcame near neighbours Pyrobel Killester in a cracking derby game in Dublin, winning out 92-74 in the end behind a 22-point game from Eoin Darling in the men’s basketball Super League on Monday evening, rounding out a busy weekend in the competition.

For both Dublin clubs, it meant a weekend of mixed fortunes with Killester run-

ning up an 82-70 win over Belfast Star while DCU’s first game ended in a 98-77 loss to Maree.

Sean Sellers and Niels Bunschoten were the stars for the Galway men, scoring 31 points each. Maree went ahead early and continued their run throughout the game, despite DCU’s best efforts to fight back through a stand out display from Mike Bonaparte.

The results leave both clubs in mid-table with Kil-

lester in fifth place and DCU one spot and three points behind in sixth.

On the women’s side, Pyrobel Killester saw off Ambassador UCC Glanmire in a thriller in Dublin on Saturday that finished 93-87.

Louise Scannell showed why Glanmire have a bright future ahead of them by totalling 31 points, but it wasn’t enough to topple Killester who were led by Christa Reed and Miah Spencer, both finishing with 27.

Killester and DCU in action. Picture: Martin Doherty

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 21 March 2019

HURLING

The Dublin senior hurlers are through to the league semis. Picture: Deryck Vincent

Dublin end 73-year wait for win over Tipperary in national league DUBLIN recorded their first competitive victory over the Premier County in Tipperary since 1946 when battling to a great victory in this HL Division 1 quarter-final in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday evening.

The Dubs will face All-Ireland champions, Limerick, next Sunday (Nowlan Park, 1.30) in their semi-final (followed by the other semi-final: Galway v Waterford) buoyed by this success against the odds as the team showed great resilience to respond to Tipp’s early second half scoring surge in front of an attendance of 3,503 “Their character was really tested in the second half,” said Dublin manager Mattie Kenny afterwards.

“We brought a bit of an advantage in to the dressing room at half-time but Tipperary came out and blew that advantage away in three or four minutes.

“The next 30 minutes or so they had to dig deep, playing into a breeze, but our guys worked some nice scores.

“To be able to come down to Thurles, after seeing last week the quality of the Tipperary side, and get a good performance from our guys, it will stand to them.”

Dublin were playing with a substantial wind in the first half, something that clearly benefited the outsiders. While Tipperary’s finishing was curiously poor, including a tally of no less than nine first half wides, Dublin needed no second invitations, scoring a series of extreme-distance strikes from well inside their own half.

Wides were a huge problem for Tipperary, however. The home side were 1-10 to 0-9 behind at half time, but could easily have been ahead on a better day, having swung nine wide of the mark. They misfired the same number in the second period, though Dublin will point to credit due to their defensive interference game.

Kenny’s side faced the same wind problem in the second half, and were always likely to be simply trying to keep their noses in front following the restart, and so it proved.

Three times Tipperary leveled up in the second period, but Dublin’s better use of the puck stood to them. Sean Moran and O’Rorke shared free duty, and Dillon looked consistently dangerous amongst the Tipperary backline.

The game was tit for tat for much of the second half, with Tipp slowly closing the gap. To their credit, Dublin stepped up when it mattered, showing some great game management to see Paul Ryan - off the bench - add to a Moran 65 to edge them two in front as time added on loomed.

Danny Sutcliffe saw himself sent from the park for a second yellow, and the Dubs nearly conceded a late equaliser to Ronan Maher, but they held on by a point, to take their first really major scalp of the Kenny era.

HOCKEY: SANDYMOUNT CLUB IN DREAMLAND

Railway celebrate fantastic four wins JACQUI POTTER CUP FINAL Railway Union 2 Old Alex 1  STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@dublingazette.com

KATE McKenna’s goal out of nothing continued Railway Union’s dominance in the Jacqui Potter Cup as they won for the sixth time in nine years, making it four trophies in one day for the Park Avenue club on St Patrick’s Day. They just about prevailed against an Old Alex side inspired by the brilliant Aine Connery and Lisa Jacob who agonisingly missed last-ditch chances to send the tie to a shootout.

As it was, McKenna’s snap-shot from breaking ball in the 45th minute – following a hopeful ball from Niamh Shaw that was miscontrolled – decided the day. She was one of two All-Ireland ladies football senior champions on show along with Molly Lamb and showed her relish for the big stage.

Recent years have seen Railway benefit in this final from opponents missing due to international commitments but they were the ones down key players this time with Sarah Hawkshaw and

Railway Union celebrate their Jacqui Potter Cup success.

Anna May Whelan on the sidelines.

Nonetheless, the Sandymount side started the better with Zara Delany bounding forward at every opportunity. They hit the front in the 21stminute from a penalty stroke, awarded for an Alex body blocking a shot on goal, Hannah de Burgh Whyte doing the necessary.

Alex bossed the second half, however, and were level following Jacob’s beautiful spin to lay off to Emma Russell whose nudge was finished off by Connery.

Ra i l way go t t h e i r instant reply before spending much of the last

MUCKROSS MAGIC O’Donnell saves the day for Park MUCKROSS Park goalkeeper

Kate O’Donnell stepped up in incredible fashion in the Leinster Schoolgirls hockey Senior Premier final as she saved three times in a shoot-out.

It saw the Donnybrook school win the title after normal time had ended 1-1 at Grange Road.

O’Donnell was usually the back-up keeper but stepped in due to injury to usual number one Ava Russell.

Picture: adrian Boehm

Dublin’s Danny Sutcliffe. Picture: Deryck Vincent

25 minutes on the back foot, including a last second chance for Spanish exchange student Paula Pena.

The holders clung on, however, to continue their brilliant run in this competition and an awesome day for Railway in general as the club won four trophies from four games on St Patrick’s Day. Their second team took the Jacqui Potter Shield with a shoot-out win over Loreto II. Cliona McCullough bounced in for Railway to take a 1-0 lead at half-time but Loreto fought back to equalise when Caitriona O’Kelly returned to the pitch after

an injury to score from a deflected penalty corner.

That came with four minutes to go, forcing the shoot-out where scores from Lucy Crowe, Martha McCready and McCullough earned the victory with Riona Norton making the vital saves.

It was an eventful day for Crowe who scored the only goal of the Junior Jacqui Potter Shield final as Railway won 1-0 against Old Alex.

On the men’s side, Railway won the Neville Davin Cup with a 5-1 success against Portrane with Michael McKenzie, Rob Devlin, Fergal Keaveney and Daragh Curley scoring.

21 March 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

LADIES FOOTBALL: SKY BLUES MOMENTUM BUILDS IN NATIONAL LEAGUE

FOOTBALL

League reign over for Gavin’s blues

Siobhan Killeen continued her excellent start to the season.

Picture: Piaras O Midheach/Sportsfile

Dubs go goal crazy to close in on semis LGFA NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE Dublin Monaghan  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

5-14 3-10

THE DUBLIN ladies footballers continued their progress in the league, as a much-changed side got the better of Monaghan following a frantic opening stage assault on the visitor’s goal at DCU on Saturday afternoon.

A strange game saw goals galore from one side and then the other, with in-form player of the year Sinead Aherne – who finished with 3-3 – hitting all her goals in little more than the first quarter of the contest.

In fact, Dublin were rampant in the early stages and looked like they might put Monaghan to the sword in a far bigger way than they ultimately did.

Monaghan had scored the first couple of points but that was quickly forgotten when Aherne slammed home with just three minutes on the clock, and Siobhan Woods added another three pointer almost immediately.

The goal glut came thick and fast from there. Noelle Healy played in Aherne for her second goal, a palmed finish from close range, before Siobhan

Killeen poached a fourth goal.

The rampaging Jackies added a fifth quickly afterwards through Aherne – a speculative finish from wide on the right – to put Mick Bohan’s side a barely credible 5-3 to 0-3 ahead with just over a quarter of the game gone.

Dublin had exposed the Monaghan defence in a big way, but that early charge slowed from then on, with Monaghan going on to have the better of the remainder of the contest.

Ciara McAnespie pulled a goal back for the Ulster side before the break, though the Dubs lead of 5-7 to 1-6 was still substantial enough to justify a little tinkering from Bohan, and a little loosening of the foot on the pedal in the second half.

Muireann Atkinson and Leanne Maguire’s goals, both coming within ten minute of the restart, did briefly bring look like reopening the game as an unlikely contest, however, with the 15 points gap closing to as little as eight points with a quarter of the game remaining.

Monaghan have not had a good start to 2019, however, with a straight losing record since the year began, and the experience of Lyndsey Davey and Aherne ensured the visitors never

really got within touching distance of Dublin, as the game petered out late on.

The Jackies remain on target for a league final with two games of division one still to play.

Bohan’s side have now won four games on the trot since their early season loss to Donegal.

The Jackies have a challenging run in, however, with high-flying Galway and perennial threat Cork still to come as they look to cement their place in

the league knockout stages.

“Next week, it’s a different level now. Galway and Cork are the last two league games,” said manager Mick Bohan.

“Obviously Galway are top of the table and Cork had a smashing win today against Donegal.

“We know the quality is going to step up. Ultimately now we’ve two games where again we can have a little bit of a look, but still it becomes more serious.”

Dublin manager Mick Bohan.

Picture: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

DUBLIN will not appear in this year’s FL Division 1 final after being deservedly beaten by an energetic Tyrone in Saturday night’s clash at Croke Park.

Despite scoring an early goal when Cormac Costello’s pace and finish, following great defensive work by Paul Mannion, in the fourth minute gave Dublin a great start they played second fiddle for most of the game.

Tyrone also saw the game out in comfortable fashion despite the dismissal of forward Niall Sludden (yellow/black) in the 50th minute.

The Ulster side defended in numbers but broke forward will telling conviction while Cathal McShane and Mattie Donnelly caused problems for Dublin’s defence who were left exposed on several occasions.

Dublin might have had a second goal in the opening half but Costello was denied by the influential Niall Morgan in the 28th minute.

Costello’s night was over before half-time when he hobbled off injured and he was not the only Dublin player that had to be replaced with injury as John Small and Paddy Andrews added to the number of Dublin troops in casualty.

“That level of performance from the Dublin players certainly is not good enough, at this level you’ll be found out,” said Dublin manager Jim Gavin afterwards.

“Our passing was certainly off in many phases of play. Our shot selection was very poor.”

GazetteSPORT MARCH 21-27, 2019

ALL OF YOUR DUBLIN CITY SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

SHELS SUPER START IN WNL

SOCCER: Creagh

captures the imagination with hat trick to see Shelbourne dominated the early season WNL rankings. SEE P28

RUNAWAY UNION TRAIN HOCKEY: Six Jacqui Potter Cup successes in nine seasons for Railway Union as Old Alex defeated in this years’s final SEE P30

PREMIER CLASS FROM DUBLIN

GAELIC GAMES: ST

PATRICK’S weekend saw the Dublin hurlers end their 73-year wait for a win over Tipp as the ladies footballers went goal crazy. SEE P30-31

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Brilliant Byrne rewarded for top form at Rovers  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

FORMER St Kevin’s Boys man Jack Byrne has received a surprise callup for Ireland’s opening Euro 2020 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia this week.

Mick McCarthy’s first game in charge of the national team for 17 years will see the Boys in Green travel to Gibraltar for the first time on Saturday before hosting Georgia three days later.

Former Manchester City underage star Jack Byrne wasn’t included in McCarthy’s 38-man provisional squad, nor in the cut-sized 23-man squad, but was drafted following an injury to Callum O’Dowda.

The Bristol City man has been in blistering form in the Cherries’ promotion push but has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Uncapped 22-year-old Byrne, who previously linked up with the senior team in a training squad under Martin O’Ne ill ahead of Euro 2016, has been called up in his stead.

Byrne has endured a tough spell at club level with unhappy spells at Oldham Athletic and Kilmarnock, but he’s back enjoying his football under Hoops boss Stephen Bradley.

McCarthy was in Tallaght Stadium, along with assistants Terry C o n n o r a n d Ro b b i e Keane, and witnessed a m a n - o f- t h e - m a tc h

Former St Kevin’s Boys man Jack Byrne has enjoyed a brilliant return to Dublin

“I just go to the games and look at the players and [Byrne] was outstanding the other night.“ - Mick McCarthy performance from the former St Kevin’s Boys talent.

That culminated in a stunning strike from Byrne, his first for the club, to cap off a 3-0 victory over Sligo Rovers, and the performance was enough to convince McCarthy he had the right qualities.

McCarthy neglected to call up any League of Ireland players during

his previous seven-year stint from 1996 to 2003, but he says things have changed considerably in the interim.

“Before was 17 years ago and it was pretty much semi-pro and not full time as they are now,” McCarthy said.

“I just go to the games and look at the players and [Byrne] was outstanding the other night.

“I think he’ll have a harder time in terms of opposition, but even in training this morning, you can see he is more than capable of mixing it with the lads there.”

“I guess if I’d have seen him the last time, and he’d have played like that, I’d have had confidence in him then, but I didn’t see anybody like that.

“So I guess that is the

benefit of going to watch the games.

“He had an excellent performance on Friday night.”

Byrne’s boss at club level, Bradley, was similarly measured in his assessment of the midfielder, who has taken a few knocks along the way since emerging in the City underage sides.

“The pleasing thing for me is that Jack looks

really happy in his game and in himself,” said the Jobstown native.

“He is getting fitter and stronger. Gearóid Morrissey scored an unbelievable goal last week but that is every bit as good.

“The two of those goals are contenders for goal of the season.

He is working hard and his quality is coming through.”