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A FESTIVE DOUBLE EDITION • DECEMBER 22 & 29, 2011

INSIDE: Enjoying the music at a candlelit HERE WE GO-HO-HO: Santa and the choir service P10 Gazette team look back at 2011 Page 3

A Canning prize: Bernie scoops a year’s shopping CLONDALKIN woman Bernie Can-

Rugby: Clondalkin sure of Towns’ Cup potential Page 32

ning was delighted to collect her prize at SuperValu Palmerstown recently, where she had just won a year of free shopping, to the value of €7,200. Joined by her sisterin-law and nephew, Marie and Shane Ryan; Ruairi Francis and Stephen Cramp, Britvic Ireland, and Denis Hogan, store manager, SuperValu, Palmerstown, Bernie had a great time at the presentation, where the FM104 Roadcaster added to the day’s fun.

Picture: Conor O’Mearain

Sports Awards: December’s nominees are announced Page 29

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Newlands Cross set for major upgrade Multimillion euro Q PAUL HOSFORD

plan to transform junction in 2012

A MULTIMILLION euro project to upgrade Newlands Cross in Clondalkin will get under way next year.

Funding is set to be provided with a public-private partnership, the first such arrangement for a roads project for a

number of years.

Welcoming the announcement, Dublin Mid West Labour TD Robert Dowds said it was good news for local motorists, who have had to battle with heavy traffic congestion at the junction on a daily basis.

“I am delighted that the

Government has taken the decision to prioritise the upgrading of Newlands Cross next year. This is a junction that has been causing severe traffic problems for the residents of Clondalkin, Saggart, Newcastle and Rathcoole over many years,” said Deputy Dowds.

2 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

COUNCIL: CONSIDERING COMMUNITY SCHEME

PEOPLE West Dubliner’s role down Tallafornia way

Awards may be reinstated SOUTH Dublin County Council is to consider reinstating the South Dublin Community Awards.

Responding to a question raised by Fine Gael councillor William Lavelle, the local authority said that it “fully acknowledged and recognised the tremendous work carried out all across the county by voluntary community groups and activists, and supports those people in many practical ways”.

The council said: “The Community Department

will give consideration to the reinstatement of a South Dublin Community Awards scheme, which may incorporate the Beautiful South Dublin Awards.

“The previous model employed to select and distribute the awards needs to be revised and updated, and any reintroduction will need to be budgeted for as appropriate,” said the council, adding that it will be brought as a proposal in 2012.

Clondalkin Rugby Club’s Dave Behan (right) is putting his best foot forward in a role on new TV3 reality show, Tallafornia

TALK TO YOUR LOCAL MARKET ADVERTISE WITH YOUR LOCAL CLONDALKIN GAZETTE

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Local rugby star set to excel in his TV role Q JONNY STAPLETON

HIS try-scoring capabilities gained him notoriety in Clondalkin Rugby Club, but it seems that stardom of a different kind will ensure fame for Dave Behan in 2012.

The winger top scored for Clon seconds in their 2010 Lawlor Cupwinning campaign, and regularly brings joy to the Clondalkin faithful with his lethal finishing.

Howe ve r, n ow, “Dream Boat” looks set to entertain and shine outside of the gates of Gordon Park after

entering TV3’s version of Jersey Shore – Tallafornia, which premiered on Sunday night.

Behan’s part as a City West gym instructor was instrumental in getting him a part on the show, and, fittingly, his fitness expertise played a big role in Clondalkin’s massive improvements over the last few season.

The exciting back, who looks set to have some interesting scenes on Tallafornia, oversaw a lot of Clondalkin’s preseason gym work and, whilst he might become famous for spinning on the dance floor as the

popular show continues, he is renowned in Gordon Park for overseeing torturous spinning classes.

It’s not a subject he presumed he would be discussing when he took over the club captaincy role at the start of the season, but Kevin Cullen, who captained Behan in his most successful season for the club, claims the Clondalkin player will wow the public, just like he did the Clon faithful.

He says: “Dream Boat is an all-round genuine and nice guy, and I am sure the people of Ireland will love him as much as we do.

“We were surprised to hear he was on the show, but we are always very proud of the people from our club, and

we will be watching with interest. “ We w a n t t o b e remembered for our onthe-field antics, but we are proud to be associated with Dave,” says Cullen.

“Again, he is one of the most genuine characters you will meet.

Grabbed headlines “He is a great rugby player and of ten grabbed the headlines in a Seconds’ season, where we came second in the league and won a cup. He couldn’t stop scoring that season.

“He also played a major role in getting us fit. He oversaw a lot of our fitness and workout schedules, and always ensured we were looked after very well up in City West Gym,” says Cullen.

22 & 29 December 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 3

GREETINGS A look back at 2011, and looking forward to 2012

A very merry Xmas from all at The Gazette Q CORMAC CURTIS

THE team at the Gazette were busy this week putting together the very best in local news, features, sports and picture coverage, to give our readers the best possible insight into what is happening in your community over Christmas.

At the same time, our commercial team were bringing the best value in local advertising to the businesses of Dublin – the kind of businesses that know our industry-leading readership and circulation figures have been approved by the Audit Bureau of Circulation.

As regular readers

know, the primary focus of the Gazette is local coverage. We started this year with further news of the “big freeze”, and how it was affecting life in our local communities.

The Gazette reported on how local councils, transport services and emergency services, as well as volunteer groups, all coped with the added pressures of frozen roads, interrupted services, and shortages of salt and grit.

As the freeze gave way, and 2011 unfolded, it became clear that our political landscape was changing dramatically.

The prospect of further austerity and lack of growth meant Fianna Fail

faced an impossible battle, as the electorate prepared to send a clear message to a Government that had left the people feeling betrayed, let down and completely abandoned by its public representatives.

As a result, the General Election brought with it the end of an era for Fianna Fail, as well as the complete decimation of the Green Party.

Hand-in-hand with these changes came the rise of the Left, as many Left-leaning councillors took seats in a number of Dublin constituencies.

Moving in to springtime, Dublin entered a period of near jubilation, with the visits of Queen

The Gazette team wish all our readers a very merry Christmas. Picture: Anita Ward

Elizabeth II and US President, Barack Obama.

After a scorching April, our summer weather let us down. Dublin experienced more extreme weather in autumn, as record rainfall figures brought the capital to a flooded standstill.

However, despite a mixed bag of news in a

year that saw little or no improvement to the country’s economic standing, our local communities remain as vibrant and exciting as ever.

Community groups, schools, sports clubs and societies have not lost their appetite for activity, and The Gazette thrives on their enthusiasm.

The Gazette is an open resource for the community, and we would like to thank all of those who involve us, interact with us, and those who go as far as to write stories, take pictures and take the time to contribute material.

If it weren’t for the efforts of these people, it would make it impossible

to produce the kind of material that highlights what is bright, beautiful and unique about our area.

So, from the whole team at the Gazette, let me extend our very best wishes to you and your families this Christmas season and wish you a happy and healthy 2012.

4 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

COURTS: MAN GIVEN SUSPENDED SENTENCE

OPINION Support relatives, neighbours

Guilty of sex assault on teenager A DUBLIN man convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager has been given a four-and-ahalf year suspended sentence.

Stephen Locke (31), of Deansrath Grove, Clondalkin, was found guilty in July by a jury of one count of sexual assault after a three-day trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Cour t. He had initially denied the charge.

During the trial, the jury heard evidence that his then 16-year-old victim was asleep in bed on July 22, 2007.

The victim was awoken at 4am by someone grabbing her arm, and then felt the accused digitally penetrate her, causing her severe pain.

In her victim impact statement, the girl said as a consequence of the attack her life had been “turned upside down”, and she now suffers regularly from panic attacks

and, on one occasion, tried to take her own life.

Defence counsel, Ms Elva Duffy BL, said that Locke was a man with “considerable difficulties”, and despite having seven previous convictions, none was of a serious or sexual nature.

Severe bullying Ms Duff y told the court that Locke was subjected to severe bullying growing up in the area, due to the fact his mother, in an effort to support her family, was forced to work as a prostitute.

The court also heard that Locke, who suffers from chronic addictions, began sniffing glue at the age of 10, and abusing heroin by the age of 15.

Judge Patricia Ryan said that despite Locke being found guilty by a jury, he still maintains his innocence, which has exasperated the offence.

Living in Clondalkin, Peter Kavanagh, information and networking officer, Active Retirement Ireland, discusses older citizens’ plight

Look out for older citizens in winter This week, PETER KAVANAGH, who lives in Clondalkin and works as information and networking officer with Active Retirement Ireland, talks about the isolation that many older members of the community can feel at Christmas THE last two winters have been some of the harshest Ireland has experienced in decades.

Last Thursday and Friday, Round Towers’ GAA Club in Clondalkin reverberated to the sound of Christmas cheer as Clondalkin Active Retirement Association held not one, but two, Christmas parties.

This young-at-heart group, founded in 2010, has grown to almost 200 members.

The members meet every Tuesday morning, and enjoy a wide range of activities that are all aimed at reducing the instances of loneliness and isolation among Ireland’s older people.

However, not everyone has such a wonderful time at Christmas.

The last few winters have grown ever colder,

and many older people in Ireland feel more and more isolated each year.

While Active Retirement groups all around South Dublin do their utmost to alleviate this isolation, the gaps are there, unseen.

A study by Bournemouth University in 2010 found that 5% of older people in Britain spend every single Christmas Day alone.

An equivalent figure in Ireland – if it’s not higher here – would see 25,000 older people sitting alone on Christmas Day. For those of us lucky enough to spend the festive season with those we love, it’s a sobering thought.

A lot of the isolation suffered by older people is caused by consistent poverty.

Some 15% of older people in Ireland come under

this category of financial hardship, which means not having enough money to eat a substantial meal every day, or being forced to live without heating for some of the year.

The Government’s recent decision to shorten the Winter Fuel Allowance period by six weeks will directly affect this poorest section of society, forcing them into what’s known as fuel poverty – the inability to heat a home at the coldest time of the year.

Found dead In 1976, during a very cold spell, eight older people were found dead in their Dublin homes within the space of a few weeks.

Willie Bermingham, a Dublin firefighter who discovered the remains of some of these forgotten older people, distributed

posters to highlight that senior Dubliners were suffering cold, hunger, loneliness, depression and illness and dying alone.

Willie passed away in 1990, but his legacy lives on in the charity he founded, ALONE. This charity, along with Active Retirement Ireland, Age Action Ireland, Friends of the Elderly, The Third Age and many other groups, work all year long to ensure that older people in Ireland are kept healthy, happy and well looked after.

You, too, can do your bit this Christmas. If you have an older relative or neighbour it’s as simple as this: “Don’t be a stranger.”

Just one phone call or visit to see if they’re okay this Christmas would make a world of difference to someone who felt isolated and alone

before.

If you are an older person, whether living alone or not, reach out and chat to someone whenever you feel down or isolated.

The Senior Helpline is a fantastic service you can call on 1850 440 444 any morning or evening, where you can speak to someone of a similar age who knows exactly how you feel.

You could also join your local Active Retirement group, and meet with other older people on a regular basis.

The vast majority of older people in Ireland will enjoy a warm, happy and healthy Christmas in comfort, with people they love.

However, some will not be so fortunate. So, don’t be a stranger this Christmas – it could make all the difference.

22 & 29 December 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 5

6 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

SERVICES: ALLOCATION WELCOMED BY MINISTER

HEALTH Promise to postpone decision on Crooksling

Minister to review closure of home

€5k boost for youth cafes TWO local youth projects got a much-needed boost this week, following the announcement that they are to receive funding of €5,000 each.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and Dublin Mid West Fine Gael TD, Frances Fitzgerald, made the announcement. The two cafes are based in Clondalkin and Palmerstown.

Speaking to The Gazette, Minister Fitzgerald said: “I have always been supportive of youth projects in our area, and am delighted to be able to

allocate funding to invest in two local youth cafes.

“I recently visited the Clondalkin Youth Service, and met with the young people involved in the centre.

“T he Youth Cafe, which is run out of the VEC centre in the heart of the village, is a fantastic facility for young people throughout Clondalkin.

“Under the stirling leadership of Vincent Jackson, the staff at Clondalkin Youth Service offer fantastic opportunities for our young people,” she said.

Q PAUL HOSFORD clondalkin@gazettegroup.com

Labour deputy Robert Dowds welcomed news about a review of St Brigid’s closure

THE Department of Health has been forced to apologise for the “manner in which” a decision to close a nursing home in Clondalkin was announced.

That’s according to Labour TD for Dublin Mid-West, Robert Dowds, who confirmed this week that the HSE would be reconsidering its decision to close St Brigid’s Nursing Home (Crooksling).

He said: “The Department of Health also gave an apology for the manner in which the announcement was made. It was appalling, the way the original decision to announce the closure was originally made.”

Following a meeting with the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, Deputy Dowds said he had been given assurances that the decision to close Crooksling home would be reconsidered, and a decision reserved for a future date.

“I am very happy that Minister Reilly is reconsidering the decision to close Crooksling, following my meeting with him.

“I stressed to the Minister the importance of keeping the facility open, to keep the residents close to their families,” said Deputy Dowds, who said that Minister Reilly had taken on board the points raised in the meeting.

“The Minister took the points I was making, and has decided to postpone any decision on Crooksling. This is very welcome news for the residents and the community.

“I will continue to keep an eye on the situation

but, at the very least, we have a reprieve for the immediate future,” said Deputy Dowds.

The Minister also met with a local action group, who were supported by the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald.

Minister Fitzgerald said that the outcome of the campaign was pleasing.

“I was delighted to support the action group’s request to meet with my Cabinet colleague, Minister Reilly, and I was pleased to hear that the concerns of the facility and its residents were so well represented,” she said.

“In response to the concerns raised directly with Minister Reilly, the HSE agreed to suspend plans to close the facility, pending a meaningful public consultation and a review of the most recent HIQA report.

Articulate concerns “We have been given 12 weeks to comprehensively articulate our concerns on this issue and come up with proposals that will satisfy the needs of both residents and users of the service, and the HSE’s budgetary constraints.

“During this time, the HSE will engage in what they have described as ‘meaningful consultation’, and I look forward to receiving their report on this.

“I will continue to support the action group in any way that I can, and hope that a solution can be agreed upon,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

The Gazette contacted the Department of Health in relation to this story, but had not received a reply at the time of going to press.

22 & 29 December 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 7

8 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

EVENT Celebrating with family and friends

EVENTS Christmas at the Mill HUGE crowd gathered at The Mill Shopping Centre recently for The Winner Takes All Competition final with huge excitement among the finalists waiting to see who would win the grand prize. Customers at the centre entered their guess at the total value of the contents of a perspex box on display in the mall.

The overall winner was named as Philomena O’Rourke from Clondalkin who guessed €2,153. Last week also saw the lighting of the crib in Clondalkin, and the Gazette was lucky enough to grab a picture of one of the local participants.

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Dean O’Brien, Nicola Behan, Samantha Cruise and Jonathan County. Picture: Rob Love

Nicola’s night to remember HE West County Hotel was the venue for a very special night of celebrations for local girl Nicola Behan who turned 21 recently. Nicola was joined by family and friends who had come along to help her enjoy this momentous moment in her life. It was a busy night for the birthday girl as she made her way through the crowd as everyone was eager to speak with her and wish her all the best for the next twenty-one years.

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Manager of the Mill shopping centre Gerry Mulcahy, with Philomena O’Reilly and her family Sarah, Haley and Chelsea

Finalists Kathleen Cooke, Patricia Kelly, Marie Maher and Philomena O’Rourke

Rachel Smyth, Tara Brazil, Paige Luby and Katie Brazil

This week saw the lighting of the crib in Clondalkin

Marie and Nicola Behan with Lauren and Kasey Dowling

Joanna Byrne, Evan Byrne and Anto Howe

Kathleen Cooke with her guess of €2,138 Dylan Colclough, Jonathan County and Aaron Bailey Phillip Ryan, Daniel Tyrrell and Artym Niaitin

Barry Kinsella, Leah Mulryan, Jodie O’Connell, Haley O’Neill and Niamh Kelly Ciara Wilson, Jessica County and Sarah Naughton

Catherine, Natalie, Jessica and Paula County

22 & 29 December 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 9

10 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

COMMUNITY Joyfully uniting to celebrate at a candle-lit concert

Under the direction of Edel Harrington, the choirs sang delightful music at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Clondalkin, with candles (inset) adding to the festive feeling

A magical night of Christmas carols HE community was treated to a delightful evening of carol singing at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin recently, when students from Moyle Park College, and pupils at St Joseph’s Primary School pooled their talents to stage a Christmas concert.

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Entitled Carols by Candlelight, the concert saw the singers, and school musicians, joined by the Adult Chamber Quintet while, under the direction of Edel Harrington, the choir sang a variety of classic and popular Christmas carols.

Adding to the spirit of the concert,

Christmas Reflection, by Rev Tom Schade, was read by sixth-year student, Raymond Onwunali, giving everyone food for thought. Aidan Clarke, principal, Moyle Park College, paid tribute to the choirs’ concert, describing the delightful music as “a haunting and enchanting carol service”.

Locals at the concert were delighted with the music

Following the concert, Edel, centre, was presented with flowers, in recognition of her hard work in directing the musicians, choirs and music. Pictures: Paddy Barrett

22 & 29 December 2011 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

22 & 29 December 2011 GAZETTE 13

14 GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY Brides can win big, it’s wedding time!

AZETTE Group Newspapers has teamed up with T h e We d d i n g Journal Show to offer lucky readers a chance to win a pair of VIP tickets, and 10 pairs of runners-up tickets , to the Wedding Journal Show, Citywest Complex, Dublin from January 13 until January 15, 2012.

The Wedding Journal Show 2012, in association with Ireland AM, will feature over 450 exhibitors and provide brides and grooms alike with a one-stop-wedding shop, together with all the inspiration they need to plan their big day.

From venues and flowers to dresses and cars, the

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Wedding Journal Show has it all – and all under one roof!

As always, the Wedding Journal Show is pulling out all the stops for their 2012 exhibition.

Celebrating all that’s Irish, there will be an Irish Bridal Designers Area to help you find that dream gown, as well as Wedding Journal’s unrivalled international catwalk show, which takes place three times daily. This exclusive event provides a rare opportunity to see a selection of designer wedding gowns, bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and groomswear, some of which have never been seen in Ire-

land before!

Whether you are looking for the perfect dress, suit hire, an exclusive venue, flowers, stationery, entertainment, cars, photographer or a delicious cake, every aspect of your wedding planning experience will be covered.

What’s more – everyone who buys a ticket to the show – either online or on the door – will be entered into a prize draw to win a wedding work €25,000!

For more information, or to book your discounted tickets, visit www.weddingjournalonline.com See below for full details on this incredible competition.

Brides can bag a bargain at the Wedding Journal Show in Citywest next month. See our incredible competition below for your chance to win VIP passes for the inspirational event

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ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 60 10 240

22 & 29 December 2011 GAZETTE 15

GazetteNUTRITION NUTRITION GOT A STORY? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

Party time is upon us so, to make sure you keep healthy over the festive period, check out our guide

Surviving the holiday season LEILA JOHARI

THE holiday season has arrived, party time is upon us. We want to look good in that little black dress but all that fun and feasting can take its toll on our bodies.

Between late nights, eating and drinking, it is no wonder our bodies find it hard to keep functioning effectively.

Research has shown that the average person consumes up to 7,000 calories on Christmas day, and don’t forget about the festive goodies we feast on the weeks before.

Christmas is a special time of year we want to enjoy so here are some tips to keep healthy and keep our spirits up!

Don’t go to a party hungry Eat a wholesome breakfast and lunch on the day so that you are not starving when you arrive at the party. Porridge in the morning is ideal followed by a lunch of lentil soup and

whole-grain bread.

Portion Control Allow yourself to try the festive goodies you don’t have during the year but opt for small portions, this way you can try a bit of everything.

Make food swaps and limit high-fat foods • Choose open-topped mince pies to reduce the amount of pastry • Serve whole-grain bread sticks with salsa instead of potato crisps and sour cream dip • Swap ice cream for fresh fruit sorbet • Swap salted nuts and chocolates for unsalted nuts and dried fruit dipped in dark chocolate • Ser ve marinaded chicken, beef and fish instead of breaded versions • Avoid the egg nog as this is made with sugar and cream!

Choose your drink carefully Instead of beer, cider

and Bailey’s tr y dr y wine, Bloody Marys or spirits with diet mixer, which has fewer calories.

Choose organic drinks where possible, as they have less additives, sweeteners and chemicals.

Don’t forget that people who are overweight gain weight more easily when they consume alcohol.

Drink plenty of water to rehydrate your body and avoid a hangover.

Don’t let others refill your glass and only top up when your glass is empty.

morning is unbearable, there are some cures that may help.

Fried Breakfast: Yep, believe it or not this is the one time a fried breakfast should be on the menu.

Fried foods such as eggs, bacon, mushrooms

that tiredness.

Fresh Fruit Smoothie: This will provide Vitamin C which helps the liver to process the last of the alcohol and the liquid content helps you rehydrate.

A glass of warm water with freshly squeezed

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‘Research has shown that the average person consumes up to 7,000 calories on Christmas day, and don’t forget about the festive goodies we feast on the weeks before’

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Holiday Hangover The main symptoms of a hangover are a banging headache and extreme fatigue.

Alcohol robs your brain of water resulting in your brain shrinking from the inside of your skull, giving you that throbbing pain.

This is best avoided but, if the glare of the sunlight and the crashing sound of cutlery in the kitchen the next

and toast contain lots of salt and amino acids.

Your body needs salt after weeing and sweating so much as a result of alcohol, which is a diuretic.

The amino acids help to get the liver back on track after it has worked hard to expel the alcohol.

A big breakfast will boost your glucose, helping you shake off

lemon juice and grated root ginger flushes out the digestive system and a bowl of pure porridge with mixed berries and cinnamon will stimulate digestion.

Finally, get out, get moving and get some fresh air.

Take the dog for a walk to look at the Christmas lights and soak up some more of that festive atmosphere.

16 GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods X FACTOR, Glee, Justin Bieber...somewhere there’s a production line spitting out shiny, singing puppets to destroy the brains and ears of young people.

Why not give the gift of real music this Christmas? Some of this year’s best albums make great stocking fillers.

The Foo Fighters generated earth tremors at a gig in New Zealand recently; see if you can do the same with their great album, Wasting Light, from earlier this year — your neighbours would love you for it!

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ I’m With You will get you in the mood for next year’s gig, as will Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, with Noel announced as support for RHCP. Or, and here’s a few words I never thought would be in the same sentence, Pearl Jam leader Eddie Vedder’s subtle and lilting Ukelele Songs.

The Chinese said 2011 was the year of the rabbit.

2012 should definitely be the year of the gig. Huge acts are gracing our shores next year, including The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, who will bring his E Street Band back to the RDS, albeit without the master of sax, the late Clarence Clemons, who died earlier this year.

Croker will be the setting for the Red Hot Chili Peppers with support from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, while Van Morrison and Tom Petty both have gigs lined up at The O2. Rock n’ Roll on the New Year!

Billy Joel may be off Bono’s Christmas card list.

He told music fans in Massachusetts last week that when he was at a U2 concert in New York, he found another band under the stage adding to their live sound. I think he may have found what U2 were looking for...

Listen to Dee Woods from Radio Nova every weeknight from 7pm to 12am on 100.3FM

NEW ARTIST FORUM: HELPFUL WEBSITE FOR EMERGING ACTS

MRU ready to listen to the new breed?

IF YOU turn on national radio at any time of the day, you will likely hear Rhianna, Coldplay or whatever it was that won The X Factor, all of which have the financial backing of major record labels.

But what becomes of our Irish home-grown t a l e n t ? R i g h t n ow, according to ukairplaychar t.com, the Irish Radio Airplay Chart consists of a top 10 list of artists who all are international.

According to the website, the top 10 list was compiled over 99.7% of the general audience in Ireland.

If 99.7% of the general public are currently listening to international artists in Ireland, it means an industry rich with talented musicians don’t have an opportunity to create a platform for themselves and get to the level they truly deserve.

However, local artists have now a voice in the media. Music Review Unsigned (MRU) was set up in 2006 by Ballyfermot man, Trevor Halpin.

The website reviews unsigned musicians from all over the world, and has set up a social side to their site, attracting many unsigned artists to set up profiles for free and share their music and get reviews from MRU users.

Dave Duggan, David Spain (WDAR), Keith McLoughlin supporting Music Review Unsigned

The website is involved with local r a d i o s t a t i o n , We s t Dublin Access Radio (WDAR) 96FM, which runs a weekly char t show every Thursday at 4pm.

They also play all the latest unsigned music on the show. One of the ideas behind putting on such a show was to give more airtime to local talent.

Keith McLoughlin, a local radio presenter with West Dublin Access Radio 96fm and Dublin South FM, is on the front line in the battle to create this platform for many artists.

“I have been going to gigs and watching unsigned acts for

many years, and I go home feeling buzzed by watching new talent,” said Keith.

“But when I turn on the radio, all I can think is why are these artists not getting the recognition they deserve?”

For almost six years, Music Review Unsigned has quietly built a strong following in Ireland and now around the world.

With over 1.5 million views per month on their website, together with an online magazine that is published every month, the company has now become a staple in the Irish music industry, and has given many artists another platform to showcase their music.

David Duggan, online design editor for musicreviewunsigned said: “We could blame it on the government not putting proper legislation in place to force commercial stations to play unsigned music, but if we have a strong s t r u c t u r e t o m a ke musicians and bands aware of the financial and bureaucratic system that exists in the Irish music industry, we could see a 50/50 share of listenership in Ireland for existing and unsigned acts.”

Trevor Halpin, the editor of MRU, is equally enthusiastic about the site’s potential.

“It could be many years before such art-

ists as The Barley Mob, Autonomous I, T he Slick Hippy’s and many more local acts reach the ears of the general public on prime-time radio.

“We should be trying to put the proper infrastructure into the Irish music scene where our artists could work alongside promoters, venues and industr y insiders to build the knowledge that would help new acts to succeed.

“If we were honest, money can buy you success, and a number one single or album, but we know the real listeners would prefer to hear real Irish home-grown talent on their radios.”

22 & 29 December 2011 GAZETTE 17

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: LAST YEAR, THE DSPCA HELPED OVER 4,400 ANIMALS, AND THEY NEED YOUR HELP

Support the DSPCA this Christmas HIS Christmas it’s business as usual for the good folk at Ireland’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, the Dublin SPCA and our wonderful staff and volunteers are all bracing themselves, not just for the cold snap, because, let’s face it, the conditions are practically arctic up here in the Dublin mountains, but for the surge in the many rescue requests we’ll no doubt receive.

Last year, the Dublin SPCA helped in excess of 4,400 animals, an amazing feat when you realise it costs us €2m to run the shelter and we do all of this without Government funding; depending heavily upon donations from kind members of the public.

So, while most of you will be opening your presents and tucking into the turkey and ham, our frontline staff will be on full alert, helping animals in need.

And, even though we all adore Christmas at the shelter, animal welfare, just as it is every other day of the year, remains our top priority.

However, the great part is we arrive at work to cheerful barks, luscious licks and energetic tail wags and every animal gets their visit from Santa, who puts lots of animalfriendly treats and toys into their stockings… now, how many of you reading this gets to experience that type of yuletide pleasure? How lucky are we?

So, in order to help rescued animals and support the country’s favourite charity this holiday season, take a quick look at my hints below.

T

A few coppers This yuletide, designate a day where co-workers, family members, schoolmates, etc., donate their small change to the Dublin SPCA. Make it a Puurrrfect

Christmas We’re always looking for foster families to socialise our cats and kittens throughout the year.

Why not become a “feline friend” this Christmas and give a cat a home over festive season.

New Year/New You Throw a New Year’s Eve party at your house and ask guests to make a resolution to become more animal friendly in 2012.

Adopt the Perfect Partner Visit us and adopt your forever friend. We have lots of wonderful animals, all deserving good homes, just waiting for their new families to love and cherish them.

Our adoption consultants are all expert at placing the right animal with the right family using their unique, “meet your match” programme.

Animal welfare remains the DSPCA’s top priority even on Christmas Day

Go Online: www. dspca.ie The Dublin SPCA’s gift shop has lots of gifts for this holiday season, from Christmas cards to wrapping paper, from 2012 calendars to cute, cuddly teddies, complete with full veterinary scrubs, from stationary to novelty mugs and aprons, etc.,

You could even Sponsor a Pet by going online at www.dspca.ie and sponsoring one of our much-deserving shelter animals as a goodwill gift for a friend or family member.

A Symbolic Gift Gesture: Why not support us

by becoming a monthly member?

By donating a small amount each month, you could provide our charity with a sustainable income that will help us give sick, Injured, cruelly treated, abandoned and forgotten animals a happy ending. For example: If you donate €5 per month you will enable us to buy vaccines for 30 dogs and cats. If you donate €9 per month you will help us provide special milk to bottle feed 40 orphaned kittens.

If you donate €21 per month, or more, this will qualify for tax relief,

which means your annual gift will be increased from 20-42% (depending on your tax bracket) at no additional cost to you.

If you donate €32 per month you will save a life. Let me explain. The average cost of a rescue, veterinary treatment and boarding of each animal we take care of is €475.

When we re-home an animal, having rescued, treated, rehabilitated, spayed/ neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated, de-flead and de-wormed him, and after adoption fees are paid, there is still a deficit of €379 on each animal, or €32 per month.

Too Much Stuff Take a look at our wish list on www.dspca.ie and see if you have anything in your home you no longer want that you can donate to us.

Lobby for Legislation Contact your local TD and lobby him/her to get legislation passed at local and national level and join us in the fight to save animals’ lives.

For more information, log onto www.dspca.ie or email miriam.kerins@ dspca.ie

18 GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs HONDA TOP OF THE CLASS IN RELIABILITY: THE latest Car Reliability from Which?

Car said: “Not only did Honda owners respond in the largest numbers to the 2011 Which? Car Survey, they also reported that Honda was the most reliable of all 34 brands we covered.

“That’s no mean feat, and it makes Honda one name that’s worth remembering when it’s time to replace your car.”

That is praise indeed from the biggest survey of car reliability and owner satisfaction in the UK. The Which? Car Reliability survey,

that asks car owners to rate their own cars, is calculated from the number of breakdown, faults and niggles suffered by all models in the last 12 months. The score for each of these are then combined to provide an overall reliability score for each manufacturer.

As breakdowns are more serious than faults or niggles, they are given a heavier weighting than the other two areas.

Frank Kennedy, of Universal Honda, was delighted with the result: “The Which? Car Survey is very comprehensive in that car owners who live with their cars are the people who rate the cars.

This means that potential buyers will be able to make an informed decision as how good it is to own a Honda which has been rated so highly.”

Honda is up one place from last year when it came second.

Back in black, but she’s laden in red Pretty as a picture, but it’s not a case of style over substance with Skoda’s Fabia Monte Carlo – there is some real fun to be had here too, says Cormac Curtis LAST WEEK, the eco credentials and mind-blowing economy of the Skoda Fabia Greenline were at the centre of the Gazette motoring pages.

This week, without wanting to be too repetitive, we’re going to take a look at another Fabia, but this time, it’s something that brings a lot more fun to the table.

Enter the Fabia Monte Carlo 1.2TSI. It’s an interesting experience when you get two different versions of the same car to drive back-to-back, and that is what happened to me with the Fabia Greenline and Monte Carlo last month.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Skoda are hitting all the right notes in the looks department these days.

From the time I picked it up, this car made me smile.

I find the overall look of Skoda cars very easy on the eye, and the designers kept it simple when they were styling the Monte Carlo.

Sporting a bold red body, “sunset” tinted windows, and enhanced by a black roof, black boot spoiler and black painted body parts, the car stands out with the addition of a set of 17” black alloy wheels.

Eye-catching interior details include stainless steel pedals

and “Monte Carlo” inscribed sill strips.

The red and black upholstery lent an exciting feel to the cabin, even if the dash is a little less imaginative.

So far, so Skoda – ticking all the right aesthetic boxes.

But does it have enough of the fun-factor to back up its impressive looks?

The short answer is yes – within reason.

The car I drove was the 1.2TSI version, working off 105 bhp.

Let’s just say it never ceases to surprise me just how much poke car manufacturers can get out of such modest engines.

SPECS Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 1.2TSI 0-100 km/h:

11.7 sec

Max speed:

177 km/h

CO2:

121 g/km

Price:

€16,775

This is a driving car, and its turbocharged petrol engine, with direct petrol injection and just delivers a wonderful level of performance to a car that isn’t weighed down by anything as superfluous as air conditioning.

But, being honest, I would

have liked a few buttons on the steering wheel to avoid being distracted by music that didn’t fit the driving experience.

The week I spent with this car saw me travel to and from Dundalk on a number of occasions, detouring through Drogheda twice.

The mix of off-peak motorway driving and some fun secondary roads really let me have some fun with this car, and it didn’t disappoint - and, as far as I am aware, my driving licence is still clean.

It’s also worth noting that Skoda are currently offering zero per cent credit terms on the Fabia range.

22 & 29 December 2011 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs Renault create 47 jobs in six months MOTOR company, Renault, generated 47 jobs in Ireland over the last six months. The jobs were as a result of the launch of Renault Finance, the introduction of ZE ambassadors and the opening of two new dealerships.

In August, Renault Finance saw 15 new jobs created in their operations, finance and marketing roles.

In September, Renault announced eight new recruits. These ambassadors are dedicated to the Renault range of electric vehicles and will help to build awareness and assist customers in making informed choices.

November saw the opening of two brand new premises; Tullamore Motors in Offaly and Dennehy Motors in Limerick. The two new premises will see 24 new jobs created over the next 12 months, which is great news for both counties.

The Clondalkin-based AD Dublin have opened in the former Capital Brake & Clutch building

New premises a fresh start for AD Dublin THIS month sees AD Dublin motor factors move into a new location in the former Capital Brake & Clutch building in Clondalkin.

AD Dublin is a branch of AD Ireland, that has a network of 19 branches countrywide.

From this strategic location, the firm plans to further develop and expand their quality parts delivery service to their existing, as well as their new, customer base.

In addition to the Clondalkin branch, AD Dublin also have a branch in Stadium Business Park in Ballycoolin, which services their cus-

tomers on the northside of the city.

Traditionally, AD Dublin was a car and lightvehicle parts business, but this move sees the company becoming the first one-stop-shop for car, van, comercial vehicle and body repair parts in the Dublin area.

They have a fully equipped diesel fuelinjection workshop on site, with full capability to diagnose and repair any diesel pump and injector problems.

AD Dublin’s new location supports 30 jobs in the locality, and they hope to grow this as the business expands.

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

‘The company boasts a wealth of experience to help customers’ --------------------------

The company boasts a wealth of experience to help customers with all of their requirements.

They carry a full range of car, van and commercial vehicle parts, as well as a full range of auto body repair shop requirements.

Diagnostic equipment is becoming more prevalent in the auto repair business.

AD Dublin are the

distributors for Delphi, Denso, Bosch And Texa diagnostic equipment, to which they have dedicated staff to answer any questions or queries their customers may in relation to auto diagnostics.

For the company’s full range of products and services, visit their website at www.adireland.ie The AD Dublin team can be contacted at 01- 4613400 and are located at Unit 15/3 and 15/4 Crag Terrace, Clondalkin, D22.

They can be emailed at addublin@adirl.ie, and their Ballycoolin number is 01 8975210.

22 & 29 December 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

AVIATION NEWS: Airline’s first flights to Dubai depart Dublin in January

The HTC Radar, running Windows’ Mango OS, is available from a number of outlets

Emirates cabin crew Zana Greer, from Australia; Kristina von Heideman, from Sweden; Emma Allen, from Cork, and, inset, Thierry Antinori

Emirates gear up for a new takeoff WITH Emirates’ inaugural flight from Dublin to Dubai just around the corner, senior executives from the award-winning airline arrived in Dublin recently to meet the media and host a gala dinner at the Convention Centre.

Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ executive vice-president, passenger sales worldwide, said that Emirates had made a considerable investment in the Irish market, and was confident of the success of the new route, following unprecedented bookings for the first weeks of service.

“We can see unusually high demand for the first two weeks after launch,” Mr Antinori said.

“This is an excellent response from the Irish market, and we have not witnessed this level of bookings, nor such strong interest in a new route, for many years.

This gives us huge confidence in Ireland and the figures support the commercial research that precedes any decision we take to launch a new service.”

From January 9, daily flights will connect Dublin to Dubai, the airline’s intercontinental

hub. The new route will be served by an Airbus A330-200 with a combination of Irish and multinational cabin crew.

By January, passengers will be able to conveniently connect from Dubai to more than 100 onward destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Emirates has 70 flights per week to the key Ireland market of Australia, including an A380 service to Sydney.

The airline is also the largest A380 operator in the world with 19 double-deckers in the fleet and 71 on order.

“We are in the process of establishing our new office in Dublin, employing 25 staff on the ground in Ireland in the areas of management, sales, cargo and airport services,” Mr Antinori said.

“Emirates has demonstrated just how committed it is to the new Dublin–Dubai service, supported by a high-profile national marketing and advertising campaign, which extends around our route network,” Mr Antinori added.

In the four years to 2010, Irish

nationals made almost 170,000 visits to Dubai hotels, according to Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). Amongst that figure will be those who travelled via the UK to join the Emirates’ network.

“Dublin has always been on our radar, and there are already strong levels of trade and tourism activity between Ireland and the UAE, not to mention the important equine affiliations,” said Mr Antinori.

“Equally, Emiratis like to travel to Europe, particularly during the hot UAE summer and, with its rich cultural heritage and reputation for hospitality, we think that Emirates will have a role to play in encouraging inward tourism to Ireland,” added Mr Antinori.

The direct daily service will open new business opportunities for trade and commercial relations between the two countries and Ireland’s direct export capacity will be expanded with 15 tonnes of bellyhold space on each Emirates’ passenger flight, leaving the capital city. Emirates

SkyCargo, the air freight division of Emirates, is already active in Ireland and will have a dedicated team in Dublin supporting the new route.

Exports trade is expected to flourish as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the fastest-growing markets for Irish companies in the Gulf region, with sales by indigenous Irish companies growing by 23% in 2010 to €58.5m, according to Enterprise Ireland. An estimated 5,000 Irish nationals live in the UAE. More than 250 Irish staff are employed across the Emirates Group in areas such as cabin crew, flight deck crew, sales and cargo. Recently, nearly 500 candidates showed up across four separate cabin crew recruitment days held in Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Cork. Successful cabin crew applicants will be brought to Dubai for seven weeks of training.

The new Emirates’ team for Ireland will be headed up by country manager, Margaret Shannon. For further information, see www.emirates.com

Microsoft put a ‘cloud’ in pockets WITH Christmas around the corner, many business owners and professionals are considering their next move, keen to upgrade their phones for the New Year to help maximise their working day in the current, challenging economic climate.

Step forward Microsoft, in partnership with HTC, with their working relationship proving a natural fit in making a mobile office a practical reality on a mid-range smartphone.

In addition to a wide range of the “usual” social and casual programs found on smartphones these days, and sporting Microsoft’s colourful Windows 7.5 (or Mango) OS, the HTC Radar features a fully integrated office hub, presenting a full suite of office applications.

This free software – Excel, Word and PowerPoint – puts mobile working on the go in the palm of the hand, cleverly using the SkyDrive system to make cloud computing a

mobile reality.

With this ability to easily edit and synchronise data when out and about via what Microsoft have cleverly dubbed “a Cloud in your pocket”, it’s hard not to be impressed by the flexibilty of seeing “mobile computing” now expanded to being truly “mobile working”, as well.

When coupled with particularly well-adapted calendar integration, which, again, can synch data with ease, and it’s clear that Microsoft has faced the challenge of creating a mobile offce – and succeeded, with ease.

With such useful office heavyweight programs sitting under the bonnet, the HTC Radar, running Microsoft’s Mango, lays down a serious challenge for rivals to match, with the phone potentially proving a must-have for business people and professionals – and even students – in 2012.

The HTC Radar, running Microsoft’s Mango OS, is available now at a range of outlets.

22 GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Why not join the Scots or Danes on New Year’s Eve ...

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Black and White style at the Burlington

RING in 2012 in style this December 31 at the Burlington Hotel’s New Year’s Eve Black and White Gala Ball, where New Year dreams and wishes can be made for the year ahead.

Taking place in the hotel’s stunning ballroom, which will be decorated in accordance with the Black and White theme, the Ball is sure to draw Ireland’s finest to say goodbye to 2011 and welcome in 2012.

The party starts at 7.30pm with a prosecco reception, followed by a mouth-watering four-course dinner, expertly prepared by executive chef, Tony O’Donnell, and his experienced team.

Revellers can enjoy a delicious organic curedsalmon starter, followed by curried parsnip soup, a choice between sirloin of Irish beef, grilled sea bass or spinach and asparagus tartlet for the main course, followed by a wintery wild berry tart, and tea or coffee.

Live music The celebrations will continue into the night with a late bar extension, as well as music performed by The Camembert Quartet and a DJ until 2am.

When the clock finally strikes midnight, attendees and their table will enjoy a complimentary bottle of prosecco to toast the New Year.

Tickets for the Burlington Hotel’s NewYear’s Eve Black and White Gala Ball are available for €75 per person.

Take the stress out of travelling home once the party is over – overnight accommodation with breakfast the following morning, and a ticket to the Gala Ball, costs €149, or, for two people sharing, including a pair of tickets to the Ball, prices are from €229.

Alternatively, a package, including overnight accommodation for three people sharing, with full Irish breakfast the following morning and a ticket each to the Ball, is available from €299.

For further information, contact The Burlington Hotel on 01 618 5600, email reservations@burlingtonhotel.ie, or see www.burlingtonhotel.ie.

LOCAL

FOR those looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve in memorable style, a trip to nearby neighbours, Scotland or Denmark, could be just the ticket.

Ring in 2012 with one of the world’s best New Year celebrations – Hogmanay A key event in the Scottish calendar, Hogmanay celebrations on December 31 will be taking place across Scotland.

Events included in this year’s line-up are sure to surprise visitors, as Scotland will play host to incredible bands and entertainment from every corner of the globe.

You could join some 80,000 party goers at the Edinburgh’s worldfamous Hogmanay festival.

Set beneath the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, Mark Ron-

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

‘Whether interested to head to sublime Scotland, or delightful Denmark, there’s lots of choice for holidaying on New Year’s Eve’

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

son, electro-pop band Friendly Fires, Primal Scream and Bombay Bicycle Club will be one of many bands to ensure that Edinburgh hosts a night to remember.

Alternatively, one of the most surprising sites to see in the New Year is the “The Fireballs” – known as Stonehaven’s

most unique festival, and which attracts thousands of spectators each year.

Swinging fireballs around their heads in a spectacular style, participants parade 175 yards up and down the High Street in the Old Town, illuminating the dark skies as they walk.

The event is finished off by throwing each fireball into the sea at the harbour as the New Year sets in.

Meanwhile, over in Stirling, and adding to the appeal of one of the brightest and best Hogmanay parties, and set against the stunning backdrop of Stirling Castle, Scots singer and songwriter, Eddi Reader, and the emphatic rock ‘n’ roll bagpipers – the Red Hot Chilli Pipers – are sure to bring 2012 in with style.

The combination of fantastic live music, a

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Historic Hollyrood House Palace is just one of the many stunning sights to take in on a Scottish visit, whether for New Year’s Eve or at any time of the year

friendly atmosphere and a great firework finale is set to make Stirling the place to be as the bells peal.

As another destination to delight, and widely recognised as a fantastic destination for bagpipers and lovers of the bagpipes, but also for its diverse and busy music scene, Inverness will have you jiving this New Year’s Eve. S t i r l i n g ’s m u s i c a l extravaganza takes place from 8pm, right through to the wee hours of the morning.

Scottish bands, Skerryvore, Hoodja, Bags of Rock and Wolfstone, and renowned Scottish comedian, Craig Hill, will be in attendance on the night to ensure that visitors are entertained, right through to 2012’s arrival and beyond.

To help visitors plan a New Year break in Scotland, VisitScotland has put together more than 300 offers on places to stay, and things to see and do.

For further information on Scotland’s many New Year celebrations and destinations, see www. visitscotland.com/surprise.

Meanwhile, if you still haven’t decided how to ring in the New Year, or feel like taking to a further afield destination, then why not consider a romantic, seaside gourmet getaway, nestled

The delightful sights of the

amid giant sand dunes, or a sky-high designer dining experience above one of the world’s liveliest cities?

Denmark, the country that lays claim to having the happiest inhabitants in the world, has it all for your New Year’s Eve experience.

Check out the following fantastic events taking place this New Year’s Eve around Denmark.

Join thousands of people on the lawn of Ame-

22 & 29 December 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

TravelBriefs

A steam train ride with mince pies is just one imaginative New Year’s event in Northern Ireland

So much to help celebrate New Year’s around Northern Ireland

rising ranks of Edinburgh’s historic streets and buildings, rising to the imposing silhouette of the castle

lienborg, the winter residence of the monarch of Denmark.

The Danish equivalent of Times Square in New York will ring in the New Year with a boisterous crowd and fireworks, after Queen Margrethe II gives her New Year speech.

Fireworks in Tivoli Gardens is an exciting way of celebrating New Year’s Eve in Denmark. In fact, they offer a full five-day festival of fireworks right after Christmas, and all

the way through to New Year’s Eve. The fireworks are also accompanied by music, which makes the event even sweeter.

If your idea of a New Year’s celebration is being at one with nature, then Denmark’s northernmost town, Skagnen, may be the perfect location for you.

Book into a historic hotel and sample their gourmet offerings as you enjoy the surrounding

sand dunes, wide open beaches and the roaring sea.

Alternatively, you could celebrate the arrival of 2012 at one of Copenhagen’s designer sky restaurants, and watch the fireworks light up the night sky.

Take in the city views from Hotel Bella Sky Comwell – Scandinavia’s largest design hotel – or Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, the world’s first design hotel.

Of course, Copenhagen isn’t just a city of design, it’s also a city of music.

Start your New Year’s Eve celebration with a classic music extravaganza at the city’s heritage Royal Danish Theatre.

Clubbers and nightowls will enjoy the New Year’s Eve party in one of Copenhagen’s top nightclubs, Culture Box. This event started in 2005, and has grown since then. This year promises to be the best

yet, with a massive DJ line-up, featuring the likes of Tom Collins and DJ Bjarke.

Don’t miss out on any of the action – SAS fly direct from Dublin to Copenhagen, twice daily, from as little as €69 one way, including all taxes and charges.

So, whether you head to sublime Scotland, or delightful Denmark, there’s lots of choice for holidaying New Year’s Eve revellers.

NORTHERN Ireland has a host of activities for the New Year period that are not all that far from Dublin.

Belfast’s wackiest winter event – Penguin Curling – returns to W5, and all the family can have a go from Tuesday, December 27 to Tuesday, January 3.

The aim of the game is to freeze out your opponent by knocking their penguin away, and get the points to snatch the match.

For a different start to the year, why not make a trip to the New Year’s Day Dip in Antrim?

CLIC Sargent, the leading children’s and young people’s cancer charity, is calling for people to brave the elements and sign up for a sponsored dip in Portrush East Strand Beach to help raise money.

Meanwhile, Christmas on Ice at Lisburn Leisure Park is guaranteed fun for everyone.

Not only is the 2,500 sq ft fully-enclosed synthetic ice rink in place until Sunday, January 8, but a brand-new activity is also available – Water Ball.

Here, you can get in a watertight Zorb-like ball and walk, roll or run on water.

Alternatively, board a steam train at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway on New Year’s Day for the popular Mince Pie Special.

The same steam train used by Santa will coast through the County Down countryside while all guests enjoy free mince or apple pies, and some festive mulled wine or winter punch.

Why not walk the woods with an experienced guide? Take part in the New Year’s Day Walk at Mount Stewart. Dogs are also welcome, so no member of the family has to stay at home.

People planning a festive visit to Northern Ireland can take advantage of the exclusive accommodation offers available from the Tourist Information Centre, which include a two-night break with breakfast and one evening meal from £64.50 pps at the Ramada Encore, Belfast; £99 pps at the Ramada Portrush; £89 pps at the Armagh City Hotel; £79 pps at the Tower Hotel, Derry; £85 pps in the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, Bangor; £89 pps at the Killyhevlin Hotel in Fermanagh, and £89 pps at the Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh.

For further information on these and many other events and offers, contact the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on Callsave 1850 230 230; visit the Tourist Information Centre, Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 to avail of its free advice and booking service, or see www.discovernorthernireland.com.

24 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 47 Roses

DESPITE Christmas being upon us, The Pavilion is showing no sign in slowing down its line of great shows for arts and theatre fans, with a number of terrific acts heading to The Pavilion right after Christmas. For example, in mid-January, 47 Roses will bring the sights and sounds of 1960s’ Dublin to life, in a coming-of-age tale that recreates the bygone era.

This tale of the past is definitely one to look out for – in the very near future! For more, see www.paviliontheatre.ie.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Rainbow’s End

WHAT a colourful way to prepare for the end of the year!

In Rainbow’s End, The Mill presents a delightful family show, as the tale of a lost Crown Prince and missing rainbows is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Can Wendy, a student witch, get the rainbows back and save the day? And did anybody say they heard pirates? All will be revealed with Wendy to the rescue ... Catch Rainbow’s End on Wednesday, December 28 at 2.30pm. For full ticketing and performance details, see www.milltheatre.ie.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Caroline Donohue

A LONG-term exhibition, Caroline Donohue’s body of work has been fascinating visitors to the first-floor gallery since its installation in November. Her selected works, to date, examine the point where Man and the natural world co-exist, or in some cases, collide. By examining these spaces, and their occasional paradoxes, Caroline provides glimpses of places to think, and dream, as internal and external worlds collide. You can see Caroline’s thoughtful body of work at Draiocht until her exhibition closes on Saturday, February 25.

Some films for your consideration this Christmas season ... Puss in Boots, Arthur Christmas, Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn and New Year’s Eve – all competing for your attention, adding to the diverse range of films out this festive season

Xmas crackers ...?

Some may be duds, while others will entertain, in Kate’s seasonal roundup of some films on release this season Q KATE CROWLEY

’TIS the season to be jolly – jolly glad that the only turkey I’ll be going near for the next couple of weeks will be the one located close to the Crowley household’s Aga, rather than the type of turkey I see all year round on a big screen in the city centre, quietly driving me gaga.

Turkeys – of the cinematic variety, at least – well, those turkeys can live on to fight (for the remaining Recessionist buttons and fluff clattering around in my Hermes purse) another day.

However, as much as I love cinema – despite being nicknamed TwoStars back at Gazette Towers, on account of my harsh-but-fair ratings – I imagine that most readers will be celebrating the joys of Christmas by concentrating on the small screen at home, rather than the big screen, over the next

FILM OF THE WEEK: Various +++ (G to 12A) Directors: Various Starring: An adventurer cat, Santa’s son, angsty vampires and Stock Characters – though not, sadly, all in the same film

OUR VERDICT: ALTHOUGH not a collection of true Christmas crackers, a selection of some of the (previously unreviewed) films on current release features some interesting choices for cinema fans, this Christmas.

Children and families are well-served with these, and other choices, while, although new blockbusters are as thin as snow on the ground, there’s still an interesting choice of films on release for all audiences.

couple of weeks.

Still, should the delights of turkey-surprise for approximately 18 days, or the comforting glow of an Eastenders Christmas Special somehow fail to keep you at home, let me point you at a few Christmas crackers to catch, if you haven’t already.

(Note that I use the term “crackers”with more dryness than the Crowley turkey if Mr Crowley is allowed near the Aga, but let’s proceed.)

For families, there’s a bunch of child-friendly films to take in, such as Puss in Boots (G, 90min,

+++), which sees Antonio Banderas return to voice the popular Shrek character, who gets his own adventure.

If you ever wanted to learn more about the talking cat adventurer, and how he came to be so well-known, this is the one for you.

Meanwhile, Arthur Christmas (G, 97mins, +++) sees Wallace and Gromit makers, Aardman, present the definitive version of how Santa Claus’ annual Christmas operation really works, courtesy of his blabbermouth son, Arthur.

I can’t say I knew very much about one Arthur Christmas beforehand, but this cheerfully daft film takes an interesting approach to the iconic figure, making it okay family fare, and at least there are no vampires around.

I spoke too soon. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (12A, 117min, +) continues the love affair between bland Bella and drippy Edward.

Personally, I think the Twilight saga would be somewhat livened up if only someone would call for Buffy, the girl with an oft-remarked-upon dislike for vampires. Alas, but no.

Still, as relentlessly awful as all of the Twilight films have been, I’d stake my Christmas dinner on this being a massive hit, even though I still insist – fangs, but no fangs.

Sticking with the 12A slot – and comparable levels of quality – New Year’s Eve (117min, ++)

is another one of those American rom-coms that appear a couple of times of year, typically when one’s resistance is lowered by seasonal celebrations.

You all know the drill by now – a big cast, comprising stock characters (The Beautiful But Sad One, The One With Ishhoos, The Bad One With A Heart Of Gold, etc), with disparate paths and life journeys and lessons to be learned, all colliding on – well, as I love saying – the clue’s in the title, folks!

Seeing as it’s Christmas, the kindest thing I can say is that it’s not totally awful. (New Year’s Eve, you owe me...)

And that’s yer lot, as I doubt many are so interested in cinema for the next week or two. That said, ol’ Two-Stars here would like to wish all my readers (yes, both of you) the very best this Christmas, and a Happy New Year, both at home and at the cinema. Humbug!

22 & 29 December 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Trigger memories of great 2011 games SHANE DILLON

IT’S been another great year for games, with some superb titles appearing on all formats, and giving lots of choice for great Christmas presents.

Regardless of gamers’ platform of choice, and whether or not titles were platform-exclusive or multi-platform, some vintage titles came out in 2011.

Starting off, Microsoft had plenty of terrific titles, with some enormously popular franchises seeing very strong additions.

Although “hardcore” gamers were busy tackling the Locust menace in Gears of War 3 and the like, it was interesting to see how Microsoft’s Kinect began to make inroads into mainstream gaming.

While I expect there’ll be lots of people having fun with Kinect Dance Central 2 this Christmas, and a number of other cool Kinect-enabled titles, it was seeing

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‘Regardless of gamers’ platform of choice, some vintage titles came out in 2011’

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

Kinect enabled in racing title, Forza 4, that was a bit of an eye opener for the XBox 360.

Meanwhile, while Microsoft had some outstanding titles, Sony were hardly a slouch in the games department either, with recently-released Uncharted 3 proving a particularly strong contender for Game of the Year.

The PlayStation 3 was also well served by a number of exclusive titles, with Killzone 3 proving another big winner.

In fact, virtually anything with a “3” in the title served both the 360 and the PS3 well, as did

other sequels and iterations.

Unfor tunately, “3” wasn’t quite as lucky for Nintendo, as its 3DS underperformed for a variety of reasons - and, to be fair, 3D hasn’t quite caught on with people as had been expected.

With the 3DS somewhat floundering, Nintendo seemed somewhat adrift this year, leaving the bigger games’ battles to be slugged out – as usual – by the two biggest contenders.

Still, a late return for Link, in the latest, highly-imaginative Zelda adventure, and notable other titles, showed that Nintendo still has plenty of life, whether on the Wii or the DS. However, the biggest gaming story of the year was also one that was somewhat under-reported – the rise and rise of Apple as a major gaming force to be reckoned with.

Main street retailers, and international com-

panies, continued to report on declining sales, and issue profit warnings, as the industry seemed to contract more than ever before, with key titles propping up otherwise slack returns, and with several games companies going under this year.

Lots of theories were bandied about, from digital distribution channels siphoning away customers to consumers having less money.

Few paid much heed to the idea that lots of casual gamers – the kind who’d never think of spending €40 on a game, but easily snapped up iPhone games from €0.79 a pop – were suddenly focusing on Apple products, and eating into mainstream gaming markets in this way.

Meanwhile, PC titles continued to flail around this year, with few titles of note, and with nowhere near the same level of public interest as on the more “mainstream” platforms.

Eve n t h e m i g h t y World of Warcraft lost some lustre, with its intermittent official magazine folding – pun intended – after just five issues.

And so, despite some superb titles, but considering the volatility of the gaming sector, it’ll be interesting to see how the markets develop in 2012, and to see what these platforms have lined up.

Still, looking ahead, gamers have lots to look out for in the near future.

Gotham City Imposters , Final Fantasy 13-2, Metal Gear Solid HD collection, Binary Domain, Max Payne 3, Silent Hill: Downpour, The Secret World , Diablo 3 and many more titles are on the way, helping to show that, no matter what’s going on in the rest of the increasingly poor world, at least gamers’ worlds will be as rich, imaginative and varied as ever.

Here’s to a happy new year of great games, on great consoles ...

Bytesandpieces Crazy Dave’s Xmas bid to help Concern IT’S not often that zombies can be counted on for help, but this year, they’re doing their bit to help fundraise for Concern.

Or, rather, Crazy Dave – the oddball shopkeeper with a saucepan on his head from the hit comical strategy game, Plants vs Zombies – has temporarily taken a break from selling garden rakes, bacon strips and compost to make a fundraising Christmas single.

Ignoring the peril of nearby garden-invading zombies, Crazy Dave – or “Cray-Z”, as he’s renamed himself – has released Wabby Wabbo,

with games developers, PopCap donating all PopCap proceeds earned from the single’s sale, before December 22, to Concern Worldwide.

With more than 465,000 views of his single on YouTube, and with almost 5.5 million followers of Plants vs Zombies’ Facebook page, Cray-Z is looking for lots of his fans to purchase the track, and help to support Concern.

Wabby Wabbo is available on iTunes, priced €0.99.

Kinect prize giveaway competition for the XBox 360.

With the chance to win a copy of the games, Kinect Sports 1 and Kinect Sports 2, lots of readers emailed in the correct answer to the following question:

Winners picked for Kinect competition

The correct answer was Darts. Under the strictest of conditions (involving a hat), all correct answers (with one per entrant) were put into the hat, with five winners then

THE Gazette had a great response from readers for our

Which of the following sports can you play on Kinect Sports 2?

A. Darts B. Rugby C. Water Polo

Five Fi e readers eaders ha have e won o a co copy of Kinect Sports 2, for the XBox 360

selected at random.

The five winners are: Patrick Kavanagh; Rita McTague, Blanchardstown; Michael Wisely, Navan Road; Mary Doyle, Windy Arbour and Ann Crowley, Glenageary.

Prizes will be posted out at the start of the New Year. Congratulations to all the winners!

A modern-day cross between Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, Nelson Drake’s continuing adventures proved a 2011 gaming highlight in Uncharted 3, on the PS3

GAZETTE

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GazetteSPORT

SPORT STARS: December’s nominees are revealed: Page 29

CYCLING: COOLMINE MAN BELIEVES LATEST TRANSFER WILL SUIT HIS RIDING STYLE

Lavery switches to new British Giordana outfit sport@gazettegroup.com

COOLMINE cyclist Phil Lavery has made the switch from the Irish-owned An Post Grant T hornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly professional team to race instead for the new Node4 Giordana squad in 2012.

Speaking this week about the move, Lavery said the new team is likely to provide him with a better fit. “I felt

that An Post was not the right team for me. The kind of race programme like the [An Post] Ras, Tour of Britain, Tour of Norway and stage races in France, Spain and Portugal suits me more than a lot of the Belgian races.

“There are also the Premier Calendar events and I will be released to ride the midweek Nation’s Cup Under-23 races for Ireland. At the start I plan to remain in

Dublin but will move across during the season.”

Lavery is one of seven new riders, with James Moss, K ieran Frend, Matt Higgins, Dave Clarke, Matt Cronshaw and Rico Rogers to join the new team.

Rogers won a stage on the Tour of China – where Nicolas Roche picked up his maiden win – and will be the t e a m ’s m a i n s p r i n t option.

Phil Lavery, in international action, has switched from Sean Kelly’s team to a new British pro outfit

The Blanch man could make his debut in the Australian Criterium championships early in the New Year, a competition in which he finished fourth last time around.

It has not yet been announced when Lavery will begin his season. He finished second in the Under-23 classification at the Irish road race championships last year and rode solidly in

Europe.

He adds that this new team can provide the springboard to pushing on in the professional world.

“I still have plenty of international ambitions

and would like to get on a ProTour team in the next couple of years. I know I have the ability, it is a question of showing the confidence and getting the right results.”

28 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

RUGBY: BLUE BULLS MAINTAIN POSITIVE SEASON

Weston fall to indoor defeat in Loughlinstown WESTON endured a tough introduction to indoor hockey as their maiden entry into the men’s National Indoor Trophy saw them fall to three defeats in Loughlinstown on the first weekend of competition.

As one of just a couple of division two outdoor sides in the competition, the Lucan club were always going into the competition as outsiders against some more experienced operators.

Their baptism into the short form of the game could not have been tougher, falling to reigning national champions, Three Rock Rovers, 6-0 on Saturday.

But the experience served them reasonably well for the most part of their tie with Corinthian, with Simon Pearson and Phil Baron both on the mark.

NUIM Barnhall closed their 2011 campaign with a convincing win over Sunday’s Well

Barnhall drain Well to end on UBL high ULSTER BANK DIV 2B NUIM Barnhall Sunday’s Well

24 9

sport@gazettegroup.com

N U I M BA R N H A L L closed out the first half of the Ulster Bank Division 2B season with their fifth successive victory to move right into promotion contention when the league gets back into gear in the New Year.

They go into the Christmas break in fourth spot, six points off top-ranked Cashel but, more importantly, a single point off second-placed Rainey OB in what is shaping up to be a strong battle to get back into the third tier of All-Ireland rugby.

Injury-riddled Sunday’s Well came to Parsonstown to take on an on-form Blue Bulls’ side

who are riding high with wins over Ards, Nenagh, Armagh and Suttonians powering their festive cheer.

And they carried that momentum into the early collisions, picking up their first try of the day within six minutes.

Great back play from R y a n Ho p k i n s a n d Dave Stewart saw them break the Sundays Well defence and allow Mark Kavanagh to power over the line in the corner to make it 5-0.

Simon Gillespie was unlucky not to convert while the visitors r e s p o n d e d we l l b u t could not break down the Barnhall defence to cross the whitewash.

Nonetheless, they did scramble nine points with three successful penalties as indiscipline was the name of the

game, with three yellow cards dished out.

But Barnhall reorganised and were back in front when captain Barry Dunne add another try to his already high count this season.

Rob McGrath also got over the line and, with the ever true boot of Gillespie, the lead was extended out to a more comfortable victory 15-point margin.

It leaves the side in good stead with four weeks to go until they are in action next as they get a day out at the back pitch of the Aviva stadium to play basement side Wanderers on January 28 at 2.30pm

Babes in the Cup Elsewhere, the Barnhall Babes are looking forward to their second season in the Paul Flood

Cup after drawing Old Belvedere, Galwegians, Portlaoise and Navan in the newly structured cup.

Last year, the Babes played fantastic rugby against a strong Blackrock side that featured three Irish international players, but ultimately came up short and were knocked out of the Flood Cup when Blackrock’s experience saw them go through.

Old Belvedere, currently sitting in fourth position in the All Ireland League division 1A, are the highest ranked team in Leinster while Galwegians are just one place below them and are the top Connacht side in women’s rugby.

The competition gets underway on January 15 against Navan.

22 & 29 December 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 29

in association with

2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - DECEMBER NOMINEES

FastSport

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

+ STARof the

Railway Union join voices to salute Leinster effort

MONTH

BARRY MURPHY

ANNALISE MURPHY

JOE SWEENEY

THE Swords swimmer claimed eight national titles in one weekend and broke two national records in the 100m butterfly and the 50m butterfly at the Irish national short course championships at Lisburn this month.

THE National Yacht Club member was in rare form in Perth, Australia, this month, qualifying for the 2012 London Olympic Games with impressive performances in the Laser Radial class that saw her challenge for a medal.

THE Dublin South Dublin athletic star showed his growing maturity on the international stage with a fifth-place placing in Slovenia at the European Cross-Country championships this month against top class opposition.

+ TEAMof the MONTH

ST BRIGID’S

OLD WESLEY

LUCAN UNITED

THE Russell Park side exceeded expectations and came within seconds of a heroic comeback in the Leinster final against Garrycastle, but were denied a deserved win by a free late on in the match.

DONNYBROOK’S finest were crowned Leinster Senior League Shield winners at home this month, winning their first Leinster senior title since 1985 when they defeated Greystones in the final in a thrilling match.

UNITED reached the fourth round of the FAI intermediate cup in spite of being in a league four divisions below the teams that they faced in the competition, impressing with their determination and fearlessness.

WELCOME to the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, as we mark our local sportsmen and women’s December sporting achievements across the capital and, indeed, across the nation.

We’re delighted to once again be able to celebrate the finest achievements in Dub-

lin sport, with some huge efforts at local levels coming to our attention in a variety of well-known, and some, less prominent, sports.

Ever y form of sporting achievement, at any level and in any sport, is valuable and gives an indication of the diversity of sporting commit-

ment there is around our fair city at all times of the year.

Let us know!

Let us know about your achievements in sport, so that the Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin — and give you, or your team, a chance of being one of our monthly stars.

Contact us on 01 601 0240 or sport@gazettegroup.com to tell us all about your successes, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ gazettesport.

You can also check out the latest stories from GazetteSport at our new website, www.gazettegroup.com

PLAYERS from Railway Union Rugby Football Club got Heineken Cup match-goers into the festive spirit last weekend when they serenaded Leinster and Bath fans on their way to the Aviva stadium.

The Sandymount club were raising funds for much-needed floodlights for their Park Avenue pitch, and impressed the fans with their carolling.

With many sports clubs struggling in recent times to secure funding for necessary facility additions and repairs, several have turned to innovative ways of raising the funds. Railway Union RFC decided to flex their vocal chords and the players were put through their paces in the changing rooms every night after training.

Leinster fans were treated to the dulcet sounds of the Railway Union choir at two locations in the hours leading up to the important Cup showdown.

Brennan race set for Phoenix Park launch LIFFEYValley’s Athletic Club annual Tom Brennan Trophy 5k Race will launch the Office of Public Works’ celebration of the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the Phoenix Park on NewYear’s Day. The Minister of State at The Department of Finance, Brian Hayes will formally launch the year of celebrations by starting the race at 12 noon.

The Phoenix Park was established in 1662 by one

of Ireland’s most illustrious viceroys, James Butler Duke of Ormond, on behalf of King Charles 11.

The race will start at 12 noon on the Furze Road and will consist of two laps of the Ordnance Survey Road and Chesterfield Avenue lap. A relatively flat course which will enable runners to get their NewYear off to a good start with a new personal best for 5k provided, of course, they have not been celebrating too much on NewYears Eve. European Cross Country Champion Fionnuala Britton set a new women’s course record last year of 16.39.

30 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 22 & 29 December 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

SOCCER: LOCAL GIRLS CALLED UP TO IRELAND YOUTH SQUAD

Clarke honoured at Lucan boxing awards LUCAN boxing club celebrated a fantastic year at its annual awards night and Christmas party in Kenny’s in Lucan village.

The event saw 16 awards presented at the event with the biggest cheer going to Liam Clarke who was honoured for his outstanding contribution to the club.

One of the original founders of the club, the award was duly accepted by several members of his family, including senior Boxer of the Year, Mick Clarke.

Aaron McGrane took the overall Boxer of the Year gong, while Senan Kelly was named the Junior Boxer.

In the younger age groups, Anthonu Guiney (juvenile), Charmaine Reilly (female) and Hughie Nevin (Mighty Mouse and U-7) all went home with prizes.

Stephen Hannigan was named the club’s most improved member while Darren Choi took the award for best newcomer. Luke Byrne (junior) and Robbie Coyle (senior) were rewarded for taking part in respective bouts of the year.

Peamount FC’s Stephanie Roche who has been named as the first-ever winner of the Women’s Player Of The Month award

Peamount U-15s get call sport@gazettegroup.com

PEAMOUNT United Under-15A stars Brooke Dunne, Chloe Murphy, Eleanor Ryan-Doyle and Lauren Kealy have been rewarded for a sensational season so far by earning a place in this season’s Ireland Under-15 Girls’ Schools original training squad.

The quartet were part of the Leinster side that impressed at the FAI Schools’ InterProvincial Tournament in Athlone recently alongside Peamount club-mates Hayley Nolan and Olivia Flanagan.

Dunne, Mur phy

Ryan-Doyle and Kealy have advanced onto the international stage and will now look to impress international manager, Jason Carey - also Head of Coaching at Peamount United - ahead of the Bob Docherty Tournament.

Ireland are hosting this year’s tournament, which involves games against Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland to be played in venues to be decided in Dublin in February and the four Peas will be hoping to do enough between now and than to stay in Carey’s completed final squad when the numbers are whittled down.

Elsewhere, the club’s

Christmas Mile for Goal: Lu-can good LUCAN Harriers will host their

annual Christmas Goal Mile on the club’s track on Christmas Day. The event gets underway at 10am and runs until 12 noon on the Newcastle Road. For more information, contact Gerry Martin on 0872132244.

The Mile will be run at a record 109 different venues this year with more entrants than ever.

Stephanie Roche became the very first player to win a Bus Eireann Women’s National League Player of the Month title after a blistering start to life in the newly formed league.

Roche netted eight times in just five appearances, with triples against Wexford Youths and Cork, along with a string of assists as the Greenogue club have propelled themselves toward the top of the fledgling division.

Women’s Senior Team manager Sue Ronan said of the award: “The Bus Eireann Women’s National League has already proven ver y exciting, with some great

games and individual performances on show in the first month.

“None more so than those of Stephanie Roche, who is a deserving winner of the first Player of the Month award. Not only has Stephanie scored eight goals for her club, but her overall play has been exceptional.

“With all of our homebased elite players playing in the league, and with the games so competitive at such a high level, this can only have a positive effect for the women’s national squad in the years to come.”

Roche is a product of the girl’s system at Cab-

inteely FC having initially been introduced to the game with Valeview in Shankill’s boys section.

From there, she went on to play with Stella Maris and then on to Dundalk City and Raheny United before going on trial with English WSL side Doncaster Belles, playing in a 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers.

She stayed in Ireland for the inauguration of the Women’s League while also playing her par t in Peamount’s ground-breaking run in the 2011–12 UEFA Women’s Champions League, becoming the first side to reach the group stages.

22 & 29 December 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 31

in association with

HURLING: SHOWCASE TO FEATURE LOCAL TALENT

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ROUND TOWERS MEMBERSHIP is now due. Renewal forms available on the club website or in reception in the clubrooms.

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 7, 9, 11 and 14; Bonus ball 22. There was

A huge thanks to all sponsors,

no winner of this week’s jackpot

the organising committee, all who

of €5,300. Congratulations to Ger

helped out and bought and sold

Hodgins, Joan Woulfe and Eammon

tickets for the Christmas draw

Brennan who were the three €100

and a special thanks as always to

winners.

the Cosgrove family for their huge efforts.

Match 3 + Bonus Ball: N/A. Next Week’s Jackpot €5,400.

The annual married v singles

The night itself takes place on

match will be held in Moyle Park at

March 9, 2012, and training will begin

12.30pm on St Stephen’s Day, with a

the first or second week of January.

juvenile match for U9-11 at 11.30am.

For more information please con-

Light refreshments will be served in

tact Niall, Damien, Mark or Matt.

the club afterwards.

Music will be on in the club rooms St Stephen’s Night, and the Trilogy Band play in the clubrooms on New Year’s Eve, and tickets cost €10.

The racing will be shown on the big screen all week long from St

St Pat’s Palmerstown’s Shane Stapleton was named as one of the local starters for the Dubs Stars

Stephen’s Day onwards.

White Collar Boxing 2012 will take place in the Red Cow on March 2, 2012.

Anyone interested in taking part should contact Mark, Niall, Damian or Matt, who organised this year’s event.

LUCAN SARSFIELDS CONGRATULATIONS to Emer Maloney

fundraiser for the club. A big push

Stapleton claims a place with the stars

and Clodagh Flanagan on being

is needed from all mentors. Tickets

selected to play for the Dublin U-17

can also be purchased online at

team.

www.sportspersonsdream.com.

U-16 mentors who have brought

Deepest sympathy to the family of

per Road as they take on the best of Anthony Daly’s Dublin team in the annual kick-start to the year’s action.

The football side is dominated by players from the Navan Road with seven of the starting line-up coming from St Brigid’s including Player of the Year Barry Cahill.

Beaten finalists St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh have four more in the selection while the two clubs contribute a further quartet to the subs bench.

Both sides take on Dublin on New Year’s Day at Thomas Davis’ grounds in what will be, for the footballers, a first appearance on a playing field for Pat Gilroy’s Dubs since winning the All-Ireland in September, adding to the sense of anticipation.

The hurlers throw-in at 1.30pm on the day while the footballers follow-up at 3.15pm.

their teams all the way from nurs-

Colm Moran on his death. Colm has

ery to the end of their juvenile sta-

been a great supporter of the club

tus.

since moving to Lucan in the early

sport@gazettegroup.com

ST PAT’S, Palmerstown’s Shane Stapleton will have the perfect opportunity to push his name back into the thinking of Anthony Daly and the Dublin senior hurling panel.

He is among a number of local starters on New Year’s Day at the annual celebration of the best in Dublin GAA as he plays for the Dubs’ Stars against Daly’s Dublin selection.

It follows an impressive season in club colours after over a year out with a cruciate injury that came in the 2010 Dublin U-21 campaign.

During that run, Stapleton was the county’s top-scorer in the leadup to the Leinster final before the injury cruelly set back his progress that had seen him join club-mate Liam Rushe as one of the best up and coming prospects in the county.

He bounced back brilliantly, though, to help Pat’s get back into the Senior A championship and he joins a healthy contingent from West Dublin in the line-up for the marquee day out.

Lucan Sarsfields were rewarded for decent championships campaigns in both football and hurling with two nominees in both codes in the Dublin Bus Dubs Stars list.

L i ve l y f r o n t m a n Tommy Brennan was placed in the footballers’ full-forward line along with St Brigid’s key man Ken Darcy, and 2010 footballer of the year, Bernard Brogan.

And a resurgent Stephen O’Shaughnessy, after a couple of seasons marked by injury, was particularly bright to earn a half-back slot.

With Kevin O’Reilly in the hurling starting forward list, and towering defender Peter Kelly taking one of the subs’

places, it represents a strong local showing to take part in the marquee day out to be played in Kiltipper.

They were all honoured at a gala lunch at the Westin Hotel last Friday. At the event, Ballyboden St Enda’s halfback Stephen Nolan scooped the top prize as he was named Hurler of the Year.

The Wexford man was among seven Boden players from the five in-a-row winners to be named in the team of the Dublin senior hurling championship.

But the centre-back took the top honour with a series of towering peformances alongside regular talisman, Malachy Tar vers, as Liam Hogan’s men continued their hold over the county title for a famous fifth year.

It means he is now in position to lead out the Dubs’ Stars selection on January 1 in Kiltip-

We welcome our new senior hurl-

Our club history book Na Sairseal-

ing manager, Damien Fox, and look

aigh Abu, looking back at our 125

forward to the coming season with

year past is now available online .It

him.

can be purchased by going to www.

Best wishes to all our outgoing

Camogie- A: Joe Why te, B: Bill

ilivephotos.com.

70s.

Ryan. Boys’ Football- A: Paul Quinn

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 3,

and Brian Flynn, B: John Mullen and

15, 16 and 21. There was no winner.

Mike Hanley; and Hurling: Brian

Esther Keenan’s team will be in

Flynn and Mike Hanley.

charge next week. The jackpot will

All mentors have now been issued with tickets for the Spor tspersons’ Dream draw. This is a vital

be €9000 Euro.

Our sponsor will be Lucan Village Pharmacy.

ST PAT’S, PALMERSTOWN OUR thanks to all who helped out

a prosperous new year.

with the bag pack at the week-

Lotto sellers: Please note as Sun-

end and our sincere thanks to the

day next is Christmas Day the lotto

Moriarty Group (Supervalu, Palm-

draw will now take place this Friday

erstown ) for the opportunity to

23rd at 10pm.

bag-pack.

Tuesday, December 27, is the date for the annual Paul Hegarty Tro-

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 5, 14, 22 and 26. There was no winner of the €6,600 jackpot.

phy encounter between the Golden

Match any three numbers win-

Oldies and the Pretenders at 2pm.

ners were Daithí Ó Cinnéide, Andy

with all proceeds on the day going

Slater and Betty Walker and each

to cancer research.

receive €70.

We wish all our players, members,

Next Friday’s jackpot draw for

volunteers, sporsors, supporters

€6,800 will take place at 10pm in the

and friends a happy Christmas and

Palmerstown House.

Follow GazetteSport on Facebook and Twitter, and at www.gazettegroup.com

ALL OF YOUR CLONDALKIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

ROCHE’S POINT: Stephanie honoured for amazing eight goals in a month P30

DECEMBER 22 & 29, 2011

DECEMBER’S STARS All the nominees for the final month of 2011 P29

Q clondalkinsport@gazettegroup.com

CLONDALK IN r ugby club boss Eamon Stapleton says his side will fear no one when the Provincial Towns’ Cup kicks off in late January.

The Kingswood club have been paired with Gorey in the first round of the competition, meaning a trip to Wexford on January 29, a side residing two divisions below the West Dublin outfit.

It is one that Stapleton was pleased with, though he admits he does not have much recent experience of them in terms of a direct battle between the sides.

At the draw, which took place in the Lansdowne RFC clubhouse, he told the Gazette: “I’m not sure exactly why it’s a good draw but Gorey are in division three this year so, in theory, we should be in good shape so we’d be reasonably confident. It’s an away fixture, so we’re not sure how we’ll go.”

His confidence comes off the back of a reasonably strong first half of the campaign in the Leinster League Divi-

sion 1B. He readily admits that Clon missed out on a couple of recent results, falling by four points at Gordon Park to Cill Dara in their last outing, and by three to Wicklow, to leave them in fourth place in the division over the Christmas break.

But the league is incredibly tight, with just one of their games to date being won or lost by more than seven points.

As such, any run of form could quickly close the gap on the leaders, while the bottom two sides in the division are still to be played.

This situation gives Stapleton confidence his side can make a push in the Towns’ Cup when it comes around.

“We would be stronger than we were last year so there would be very few teams that we wouldn’t be afraid of beating but it just depends on how it works out, whether we get a few home draws.

“We won the Towns’ Plate a few years ago and it would have been one of our biggest victories. Again, we beat some

Clondalkin rugby club received a decent Towns Cup draw last Saturday

good teams along the way. In previous years, this was a new competition to us but, at this stage, we wouldn’t fear any team.”

Leinster and Ireland star Shane Horgan conducted the draws alongside Leinster Branch President Stuart Bayley, with representatives from each

of the other competing clubs in attendance.

The provincial Seconds Cup, due to be played on February 12 sees Clondalkin on the road once again as they were confirmed to play Athy in the opening round of the competition.

GazetteSPORT

Clon confident of Towns’ push