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Social housing unit’s sale sees call for resignation Homeless advocate Francis Timmons criticised after his vote to sell house

 SYLVIA POWNALL

THERE have been calls for homeless advocate Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind) to resign from a housing network after he voted in favour of selling a social housing unit in Clondalkin.

The house – at 1A St Patrick’s Road – was built in 2006 but has remained vacant and boarded up ever since – at a cost of more than €600,000 to the taxpayer.

The Clondalkin and Lucan Housing Network (CLHN) held an emergency meeting

on Tuesday night where several members said Cllr Timmons’ position on the committee was untenable.

After a heated debate, the committee agreed to write to him in the hope that he might reverse his decision when the issue is put to a Section 183

vote in the council chamber.

CLHN founder Sean Phelan told The Gazette: “Voting to sell a piece of social housing stock on the private market is a conflict of interest and it goes against our ethos.”

Continued on Page 4

2 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 12 January 2017

COUNCIL | FEARS OF OVER-CONCENTRATION OF SOCIAL HOUSING

Council rejected 446 NAMA-offered homes  SYLVIA POWNALL SOUTH Dublin County Council refused 446 Nama homes on the grounds that they would result in an over-concentration of social housing tenants.

It has emerged that a total of 592 houses were offered by the agency for social housing, but demand was confirmed for just 128 and 446 were rejected “for sustainable community reasons”.

In all more than 2,000 homes were offered to the four Dublin local authorities but only 776 were accepted.

South Dublin County Council had the lowest take-up of the four councils – accepting just 22 per cent of the 872 units made available. It rejected 442 apartments in one single

development in the interest of promoting a sustainable community.

None of the Dublin councils rejected housing on the grounds of a lack of demand, while a small number of homes in Dublin City, Fingal and Dun Laoghaire – fewer than 40 in total – were rejected as “unsuitable” for social housing.

Just under 6,640 homes were offered by Nama to local authorities across the State between 2011 and mid-2016. Just over one third, 2,500, have been accepted for social housing use. A number of local authorities – all rural – declined housing because of a lack of demand, but take-up was also low in the capital. The four Dublin authorities accepted just 38 per cent of the units

offered to them.

Dublin City Council had the highest take-up acquiring 47 per cent of the 872 homes offered to it.

The portfolio of Nama properties included eight units at Rosse Court in Lucan, 507 at Tallaght Cross, 10 at Exchange Hall in Tallaght, eight at Aylmer Heath in Newcastle, 18 at St Edmund’s in Lucan.

The debate over Nama properties continues this

week as the Home Sweet Home lobby group negotiates with Housing Minister Simon Coveney.

Meanwhile Sinn Fein Cllr Mark Ward has advised those who were refused mortgages to consider the House Purchase Loan Scheme provided by the council. The loan covers up to 97 per cent of the house purchase price and is capped at €200,000.

Cllr Ward said: “Since 2015 the council have

approved five of these loans and whilst the number may be small it is five families that are now homeowners who otherwise would not be.

“We are in the midst of the biggest housing crisis that this country has seen and we need to explore every avenue available to us to alleviate this crisis.”

The application form and information booklet are available at www. sdcc.ie.

Christmas FM’s €350k breaks its own fundraising record

THIS year’s Christmas FM fundraising campaign has been the most successful on record with over €350,000 raised for charity partner Focus Ireland, meaning that over 300 families will be supported out of homelessness this year. Pictured at the cheque hand over to Focus Ireland are Michael O’ Keefe, chief executive, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland; Ashley Balbirnie, chief executive, Focus Ireland; Garvan Rigby and Paul Sheppard, Christmas FM. Picture: Andres Poveda

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FASTNews

Plans lodged for new equestrian centre PLANS for a new equestrian centre in Rathcoole have been lodged with the council. Applicant Lucy McCarthy is seeking permission for a 50-stable facility at Pond Field, Rathcreedan, Rathcoole. The proposed development provides for an equestrian facility for the purpose of breeding, breaking and producing horses for own use and sale on 1.45 hectare site. The facility consists of 50 stables in two adjacent blocks, indoor exercise area, machinery park/shelter building, and a staff welfare building to include associated canteen/wc/wash area and tack room. The plans also contain proposals for an outdoor sand arena, 1,800 sqm, and an ancillary yard approximately 3320 sqm, for vehicle parking-marshalling-loadingunloading, with an access road from Tay Lane.

The council is due to make a decision on the proposal by February 6, 2017.

New 2,195-seat Tallaght stadium stand approved A NEW 2,195-seat stand at Tallaght stadium has been given the go-ahead by councillors. The proposed development was approved after architects for South Dublin County Council presented a report on the Part 8, public consultation stage – which closed before Christmas. The plans, which went on public display in Tallaght Stadium and on the council’s website, received only one formal submission which was from the council’s arts officer. Finance for the new stand at the south end (car park end) of the ground will come from a combination of surplus funds from 2015 and 2016, with the project expected to cost in the region of €1.9 million. The new stand will seat approximately 2,150 people, taking the capacity of the stadium up to 8,000 in total and one step closer to the category four status required to host Champions League qualifiers. Construction is due to begin after the 2017 season ends, with the project being put out to tender over the summer.

Clubs urged to avail of share of sports grants SPORTS clubs are being urged to register to avail of their share of the €30 million in Capital Sports Grants available nationwide in 2017.

Applications must be lodged by February 24 and Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald is among those encouraging groups in Clondalkin, Lucan, Newcastle, Palmerstown, Rathcoole and Saggart to apply. She said: “I am delighted that sports capital funding will be provided to clubs and local organisations around the country in the coming year.”

There are two steps to the application process – with clubs required to register online first and then submit a written application. See www.gov. ie for further details.

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

12 January 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 3

MUSIC: U2 are coming home to play GAA HQ in July, and locals say there’ll be no Garth Brooks fiasco LOCALS have welcomed this week’s announcement that U2 will play Croke Park this summer.

The band announced on Monday that they would celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Joshua Tree’s release with a worldwide stadium tour , which will take in Croker on July 22.

In June 1987, Bono and co held two soldout gigs at GAA headquarters, and they have played at the famous old ground several times, most recently in 2009.

Since then however, the Dublin 1 ground’s use as a musical venue has been at the centre of controversy, most notably in 2014, when country singer Garth Brooks cancelled all five

gigs he had hoped to play there after he was only granted a licences for three by Dublin City Council. That decision was believed to have

Local Councillor Nial Ring said that U2’s announcement had been “universally welcomed by the local community”.

been influenced by local objections – this time, however, residents are said to be delighted at the news of the Dubliners’ homecoming.

He told the Irish Mirror: “It’s great to see U2 coming back to the northside. . . I know they’ll get a great welcome from their fans, the local

Croke is it

community and local businesses. It’s great that the area is to be in the headlines for positive reasons and we’ll have a chance to show Ballybough in a positive light.”

He joked: “We won’t need Enda Kenny, the Mexican Ambassador or Garth Brooks to make any representations this time.”

On Monday, U2 bassist Adam Clayton said that the band couldn’t wait to play Croker again. He told RTE’s Ryan Tubridy: “We love it. It feels like home for us.”

U2 first played Croker in 1985, and Adam, who is from Malahide but now lives in Rathfarnham, recalled that gig as one of the first big milestones in the band’s 40-year history.

Bono performs on The Vertigo tour at Croke Park in June 2005

be awards The band at The Golden Glo

4 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 12 January 2017

PEOPLE | LOCALS RALLY TO SUPPORT MAN IN ‘OPERATION TRANSFORMATION’

Community weighs in behind Sean’s hopes  SYLVIA POWNALL CLONDALKIN rallied behind Operation Transformation leader Sean Daly on Monday night as Round Towers witnessed a massive turnout for its first walk of 2017.

Participants met at the clubhouse and tipped the scales at a collective 1,237st 2lbs before embarking on a brisk 5k walk as far as Newlands Cross and back via Woodford and the New Nangor Road.

Round Towers Supports Operation Transformation has organised weekly weigh-ins and a twice-weekly walk, on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm, and hopes most participants will be able to up this to a light jog by week seven.

The initiative, which will end on February 27 to coincide with the end of the RTE show, also includes weekly motivational talks from nutritionists, physiotherapists and mindfulness experts.

A spokesperson said after the first 5k event: “Great turn-out last night and a great buzz about the wplace.”

Meanwhile, Operation Transformation is teaming up with Parkrun for a

second year to help reduce the girth of the nation.

More than 60 venues will be ready for walkers and runners this Saturday, January 14, at 9.30am – including Waterstown Park in Palmerstown where Clondalkin leader Sean Daly will take part.

Sean joined the other four leaders on the Ray D’Arcy show on RTE One on Saturday night and re-vealed why he’d considered travelling to Poland for a gastric band op.

The 25-year-old said: “I just asked Google: ‘I’m fat, what do I do?’ and that [Poland] came up. I de-cided against it and said I’d just give myself an opportunity to be my own gastric band.

“I’m at a stage in my life where enough is enough. I need to change my relationship with food.”

Sean, a manager at Specsavers in the Mill Shopping Centre in Clondalkin, will step back on the scales during tonight’s (Thursday) programme to see if he met his week-one target of losing six pounds.

Some of the many people who turned out at Round Towers to join and support

See Gallery on Pages 10-11

Clondalkin man Sean Daly (top) on his Operation Transformation 5k walk

CLONDALKIN | SINN FEIN ATTACK COUNCIL DEAL DURING HOUSING CRISIS

‘Flabbergasted’ by move to sell unused housing unit Continued from Page 1

He added: “We are in the midst of a housing crisis and what he did goes against our principals.”

Cllr Timmons, who established Clondalkin Helping Homeless in 2014 and has been active in lobbying for more social housing, defended his actions.

He told The Gazette: “I, along with 21 others, voted to honour a commitment that was given to the residents. Fifteen councillors voted differently, which is their choice.

“I have and will still

advocate and fight for the homeless. I am a strong proponent of a hostel in our area and a staunch opponent of the direct provision system.

“My decision was not a vote against the homeless, but I strongly feel that when the council gives commitments to local areas these should be honoured.”

Councillors voted by 22 to 15 in favour of selling the house on St Patrick’s Road – citing a verbal agreement to do so with residents in 2006 – after spending over €600k on construction costs, a boundary wall and

The social housing unit which has never been used since it was built, and which councillors voted to sell

protracted legal wrangling over the purchase of an adjoining strip of land.

Council officials have admitted it will not recoup

all the money spent and it will not be possible to earmark income from the sale to buy other social housing stock.

Cllr Mark Ward (SF), who voted against the sale, said he was flabbergasted that the council would sell one of their limited housing stock “during the biggest housing crisis in the history of the State”.

He told The Gazette: “This was Donald Trumplike politics – ‘I’m going to build a wall and the Mexicans are going to pay for it’ – but in this case it’s a vulnerable family on the council’s medical priority list who is going to pay for this €160,000 wall.

“The proceeds from the sale of this house will be used to furnish the debt it

cost to build it, which has now exceeded €600,000.

There is no gain for anyone on the housing list.”

Cllr Ward also voiced his disappointment with area colleagues Cllr Timmons (Ind) and Cllr Kenneth Egan (FG) for failing to take part in the debate and voting in favour of the sale.

Cllr Egan told The Gazette: “I take Mark’s comment with a pinch of salt. I was swaying toward social [housing] at the beginning of this situation until I received all information regarding the word given by the council.”

FASTNews

Man remanded for trial over assault in 2012 A MAN accused of a serious assault and other charges in a pub in Clondalkin four years ago will face trial in the Circuit Court.

Patrick Farrelly, aged 30, with an address at Mill Race Avenue, Saggart, is charged with assaulting a man causing him harm at the Village Inn, Clondalkin, on September 30, 2012.

He is also charged with damaging bottles of vodka and a picture frame and with damaging Perspex and a heat lamp at the Village Inn on the same date.

Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Judge David McHugh at Blanchardstown District Court that the DPP had directed trial on indictment.

Judge McHugh remanded Farrelly on continuing bail to a date in February for ser-vice of the book of evidence.

Toastmasters evening invite PUBLIC speaking enthusiasts Clondalkin Toastmasters are inviting everyone looking to improve their communication and leadership skills to come along to their meeting on Tuesday, January 24 at the Maldron Hotel, Newlands Cross.

Gathering at 7.45pm, and starting at 8pm, visitors are welcome to get a sense of the great friendships and skills that can be gained through the local outlet of the international organisation.

Anyone interested in attending can just come along, or speak in advance to Mary Conlon, Toastmasters VP of Membership, by calling 085 131 4032, or by sending an email to maryconlon27@gmail. com.

12 January 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 5

6 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 12 January 2017

2016 IN PICTURES A LOOK BACK AT SOME OF OUR TOP PICTURES FROM THE YEAR Picture: Aishling Conway Picture: Pearl Phelan

SDFD

HAROLDS CROSS TALLAGHT MUSICAL “HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING”

Picture: Paul O’Rourke

Picture: Pearl Phelan

day at school Lucy Osborne on her first d Vinny with parents Sharon an

Round Towers GAA Operation Transformation.

Jennifer Boyce and Orla Boyce

Corkagh Park Charity Ru n Lora Brennan and Shar on Kelly

Colaiste Bride Clondalkin Senior Awards

Sean Daly and supporters at the Operation Transformation 5k walk

12 January 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 7

8 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 12 January 2017

TRAGEDY | FRIENDS OF SLAIN TEEN SET UP A GOFUNDME PAGE

Stab victim Reece is ‘with the angels, Colm chosen as saints and his mum’ Grand Marshal  SYLVIA POWNALL STAB victim Reece Cullen is “with the angels, the saints and his mum Ann Marie”, his funeral heard yesterday.

Fr Michael Hurley told mourners at St Martin’s Church in Tallaght, where the funeral of the tragic teen’s mum took place last September: “We’re probably more aware of the pain than of the comfort this morning.”

Grieving female pals wore matching blue ribbons in their hair and t-shir ts with Reece’s image printed on them to pay homage to him.

The tragic teen was buried at Kilmashogue Cemetery in Rathfarnham – just hours after

investigating officers found a large knife suspected to be the murder weapon in a stream near the scene of the killing.

Gardai arrested a 14 -year-old boy but released him without charge on Saturday.

A file has been sent to the DPP. A 29-year-old woman was also arrested for withholding information.

Reece was fatally attacked at about 3pm last Thursday. A postmor tem examination determined that he suffered one stab wound to the heart.

He was discovered by a female neighbour bleeding at the foot of a staircase. The teen was rushed to Tallaght Hospital but he was pro-

nounced dead a short time later.

Gardai believe that the murder happened as par t of a dispute between two groups of local teenagers. It is understood that one of the groups had threatened the other with a pellet gun on at least two occasions over the past month.

Just hours after news of the tragedy emerged Jobstown parish priest Fr Pat McKinley said: “This is just shocking, especially when it involves a young person. I am on hand in the coming days to offer support to family, friends and the community as a whole.”

Reece, who lived in Bawnlea and was a former student of Mount

Seskin Community College, was involved with a number of community groups including Rainbow House, An Cosan and Citywise.

In a Facebook post Jobstown-based Citywise said it would have staff and volunteers available to support any young people who have been affected by the tragedy.

Friends of the slain t e e n h ave s e t u p a gofundme page with almost €1,000 raised to date.

Reece’s father Ken O’Flanagan told a newspaper how he’d tried to persuade his boy to move out of the area and come and live with him after his mother committed suicide last year.

He said: “It’s full of drugs. I pleaded with Reece to come with me but he wouldn’t listen.

He became a product of his environment.”

R e e c e ’s g i r l f r i e n d Sophie Evans, 17, told how he was on the phone to her arranging to meet up when he was attacked.

She said: “He said ‘I’m on the way down to you baby’ then I heard him screaming, saying ‘my heart, my heart’.”

Gardai are appealing for witnesses who were in the Kilclare area on Thursday between 2.45pm and 3.30pm to contact them at Tallaght Garda Station on 01 666 6000 or the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111.

EMERGING singer songwriter Colm Gavin has been announced as the Grand Marshal of the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Clondalkin.

Colm, who is currently signed to BEO Records, has played as support act to Hozier, Gavin James, Damien Rice and Sinead O’Connor.

He starred on opening night of the musical Once at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre in 2013 and, more recently, joined Glen Hansard and other artists for an impromptu performance on the roof of Apollo House as part of the Home Sweet Home movement.

More than 20 organisations have already signed up to take part in this year’s parade and last week The Laurel’s pub came on board as sponsor.

Organiser Cllr Francis Timmons said: “It’s great to have Colm as grand marshal. A young man who writes and sings, he is a very talented young man and his success is well earned and deserved.

“I have no doubt he is one to keep watching going forward.”

This will mark the third consecutive year of the parade through the village following its return in 2015.

Calling for volunteers to get involved Cllr Timmons said: “This is our chance to showcase the best of Clondalkin and make this one to remember.”

Further details on the Clondalkin Patrick’s Day Parade Facebook page.

A cool idea for a hot event  EMMA NOLAN

Take a (fire)walk on the wild side – and help support people living with EB, a very painful skin condition

BRAVE Southsiders are being asked to walk over burning coals for children who live their lives in chronic pain.

Irish skin charity Debra Ireland is giving them the chance to fire up their personal and business lives by undertaking a unique new year challenge.

The hottest event in town, the Debra Ireland Firewalk, takes place in Stillorgan Park Hotel on Friday, January 27.

“Far from being impossible, fire walking is truly awesome and after doing it you feel you can achieve whatever you are aiming for in life,” said Judith Gilsenan, head of fundraising for Debra Ireland.

“It’s an amazingly empower-

ing experience and a chance to ignite your passion and discover what you can really do.

“A firewalk might sound a bit scary, but it is people with EB [epidermolysis bullosa] who are the real superheroes and they need our support.”

Debra Ireland supports people in Ireland living with EB – an incredibly painful skin condition that causes the skin layers and internal body linings to blister and wound at the slightest touch.

Before undertaking the world’s shortest sponsored walk, participants undergo a two-hour training session of mental and physical preparation.

Organisers say that the skills learned to get people safely

through a firewalk are useful long after the event.

Those taking part in the firewalk are asked to pay a €50 registration fee and to raise €200 for Debra Ireland.

Clondalkin-based Rachel Connors, mum of Casey (4), who lives with the chronic pain of EB, took part in the firewalk last year.

She said: “People with EB live with constant pain, skin blisters and open wounds, and currently there is no cure – the only form of treatment is constant painful bandaging of the skin.”

To register or find out more about Debra’s Firewalk Challenge, see www.debraireland. org, email lyndsey@debraireland.org, or call 01 412 6924.

12 January 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 9

10 GAZETTE 12 January 2017

DUBLINGazetteGALLERY |

LOCAL WALKS TAKE PLACE ACROSS THE CITY

Great crowds and enthusiasm on a dark morning in Porterstown Park. Picture: Orla Murray

Fingal chief executive Paul Reid with Labour’s Joan Burton and the Mayor of Fingal Cllr David O’Connor getting warmed up for Operation Transformation at Porterstown Park. Picture: Orla Murray

Getting warmed up at Round Towers GAA for Operation Transformation launch night. Picture: Paul O’Rourke

Conor, Patrick, Sarah and Mark O’Reilly from Blackrock. Picture: Peter Cavanagh

Phoebe, Caoimhe and Max Robinson with grandmother Patsy McCann from Dalkey. Picture: Peter Cavanagh

Una, Michael and Ciara Beale from Clare O’Regan, Catriona Cuddihy and Sinead Mount Merrion. Picture: Peter Cavanagh O’Reilly from Booterstown. Picture: Peter Cavanagh

Huge crowds turn out for Operation Transformation Walking Event in Dun Laoghaire. Picture: Peter Cavanagh

20 January 2017 GAZETTE 11

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OPERATION TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME

Operation Transformation events kicked off at Lucan Sarsfields GAA

Enjoying an active and healthy start to 2017 T

HOSE looking to get 2017 off to a healthy and active start were in luck as clubs and groups prepared to take part in the Operation Transformation programme. Free public walks were held across the city to cater for all levels of fitness, but in particular those looking to start exercising again. Trained walking leaders were present on the day for a helping hand and there was a complimentary hot cuppa at the finish line for all. This event was held in conjunction with Sport Ireland and RTE’s Operation Transformation TV programme.

SDCC Mayor Guss O’Connell and his wife Cait with Clondalkin man, Sean Daly

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 12 January 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS

House prices MEDIA | FIRM PLUGS INTO CHANGING TV VIEWING TRENDS may soar 8% DUBLIN house prices are set to accelerate by 8% or more in 2017.

According to the latest house price survey from MyHome.ie, in association with Davy, the combined impact of the Help-to-Buy scheme, and looser lending rules, means that double-digit house price inflation is a distinct possibility in the coming year.

The median asking price across all property types rose by 8% year on year in Dublin North to €270K, by 2.7% to €225K in Dublin West, and by 1.5% to €330K in Dublin South, while it remained unchanged at €250K in Dublin South City.

Telco’s customer base rocketed during 2016  IAN BEGLEY

CITYWEST-based company Pure Telecom has surpassed the 40,000 customer mark after adding more than 10,000 new customers in 2016.

Pure Telecom, an Irishowned company, has been providing fixed-line, broadband and Cloud telecoms services since 2002 to Irish businesses and consumers.

The company now has 42,500 customers and is aiming to more than double its customer base to

100,000 in the next three years.

The telco’s growth will be achieved through the acquisition of other telecommunications companies, competitive wins and overall market growth, with the landline becoming the preferred mode of internet communications.

Paul Connell, director and co-founder, Pure Telecom, said: “Pure Telecom has become a firm leader in the Irish telecoms and broadband market and as a result, last year was our most successful, to date.

“The Irish telecoms industry is rapidly evolving and we have always made sure that we were at the forefront of that change; allowing us to capitalise on the digital age, rather than lose out.

“2017 is going to be another exciting year for the industry and we look forward to celebrating many more successes along the way.”

Outlining his plans for 2017, Paul said he hopes to double their customer based by the end of 2019.

“This will be achieved by

continuing to have the best competitive offering on the market, while also looking at the selective acquisition of smaller broadband and telecommunications companies, which would allow us the scale to continue to offer the most competitive packages on the market.”

Last May, Pure Telecom commissioned a survey, carried out by iReach, into the internet habits of Irish adults. The survey found that of the households currently paying for a TV licence, 9% plan to ditch their licence in the

Paul Connell, director, Pure Telecom

next five years, in favour of streaming and watching TV online.

“I expect the arrival of Amazon Prime in Ireland

will intensify that trend.

As a result, we will see pressure coming on the TV licence as people ditch their TV sets,” Paul added.

12 January 2017 GAZETTE 13

FEATURE P16

STYLE P22

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

BIG, BOUNCY BANE COULD BE PERFECT FOR YOU

Hey babe, see the zoo’s new oryx yet?

OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Bane, a a male oneyear-old crossbreed.

He’s a big, bouncy bundle of love seeking an active home where

Born in early December at Dublin Zoo, the male scimitarhorned oryx has yet to be named

 EMMA NOLAN DUBLIN Zoo welcomed its newest arrival last week with the birth of a male scimitar-horned oryx.

Born on December 8, the newest addition to the herd brings its total to four.

Though he hasn’t been named yet, the new baby is said to be getting on well the rest of the herd.

Classified as extinct in the wild, the scimitarhorned oryx was once

widespread across northern Africa, but due to overhunting, habitat loss and competition with domestic livestock, they have gradually disappeared from the wild.

T h e s p e c i e s h ave now been classified as extinct in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as there has been no definitive evidence of their presence in the wild for more than 15 years.

Since 2013, Dublin Zoo

has financially supported the reintroduction programme for the scimitarhorned oryx in Tunisia.

Through conservation breeding programmes, zoo-bred oryx have been reintroduced into semiwild areas in four national parks across Tunisia.

Currently, there are more than 200 oryx in such semi-wild areas.

Speaking on the birth, team leader Helen ClarkeBennet said that zoo staff are “absolutely thrilled”

with the new baby oryx.

She said: “We recognise the significance of this birth in the conservation of the scimitar-horned oryx. The calf has shown strong signs of settling into its new surroundings and is mixing extremely well with the rest of the herd.”

Dublin Zoo is open seven days a week, from 9.30am to 4.30pm this month. For further information, see www.facebook.com/dublinzoo, or www.dublinzoo.ie.

he will get lots of exercise and an adopter who won’t mind his penchant for rolling in mud. Bane does love showers to remove the mud, so cleaning up after his adventures shouldn’t be too difficult



GAZETTE

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– and he also loves to cuddle on the couch!

If you can be Bane’s #SpecialSomeone*, then please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off Exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website, www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

14 GAZETTE 12 January 2017

DIARY

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE

A celebration of six iconic Irish women

Amy De Bhrun at the launch of HerStory. Picture: Andres Poveda

 EMMA NOLAN The one – or two – and only hotelier brothers John and Francis Brennan

Dubliners invited to be at their service in new show HOTEL hotshots John and Francis Brennan are looking for businesses to be featured in the new series of their smash-hit RTE show, At Your Service.

The dynamic duo are on the look-out for Dubliners to step forward if they’re looking for a little help to turn their Fawlty Towers into a fabulous getaway, with everyone from hoteliers to B&B owners to campsite owners in or around Dublin invited to bring John and Francis in to work their magic.

This series, the Brennans are ready to bring their suite dreams to bear on a range of other businesses, from tearooms to salons or start-ups.

If you’re interested, email zoe@waddellmedia.com.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR EYESIGHT’S LEVELS

JEAN BUTLER TO STEP LIVELY IN NEW SHOW

DUE an eye test? Opticians Vision Express is bringing its high-tech mobile Vision Van to Dublin as part of Healthy Eyes Awareness Week which runs from January 16 to 22.

The Vision Van is open from 9am to 5pm, and free 30-minute appointments can be made from 10am to 4.30pm on the day.

In Dublin, the van will visit three locations: Wolftone Square, off Henry Street on Monday, January 16; The Square in Tallaght on Tuesday 17, and then at Blue Bus Lane in Blanchardstown on Wednesday 18.

For more information, see www.visionexpress.ie

AN IRISH Dancing show that was hugely successful in the US is coming to Dublin next month.

“This is an Irish Dance” features Jean Butler of Riverdance fame and is composed by Belfast-born composer and musician, Neil Martin.

This duet for dancer and cellist will take to the stage in the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar from February 8 to 11.

Inspired by the interdependent relationship between traditional music and dance, and the formal spatial relationship between dancer and musician that characterises Butler’s expe-

rience from competition to stage, this is an Irish dance explores the often invisible interplay between dancer and musician in live performance.

Tickets can be purchased on projectartscentre.ie.

A CELEBRATION OF 350 YEARS OF SWIFT A NEW exhibition is set to open in Pearse Library to mark the 350th anniversary of the birth of Jonathan Swift.

The exhibition will form part of the wider Dublin celebrations of Swift’s anniversary, and is running all through January.

It will then go on tour to various Dublin City Council Libraries around the city.

DUBLIN lit up last week in a celebration of HerStory. The Palace Street Offices on Dame Street in the heart of Dublin lit up with images of six iconic Irish women to launch the inaugural Illuminate HerStory festival.

Countess Markievicz and Queen Maeve are household names but the truth is there are hundreds if not thousands of life stories that are equally fascinating and remarkable.

The four-day event celebrated remarkable women throughout history during Nolliag na mBan (Women’s Little Christmas).

Created by illustrator Sean Branigan from Storyboard Workshop, this first illumination told the story of world renowned aviatrix, Lady Mary Heath, astronomer Agnes Clerke, Queen of Paraguay Eliza Lynch, St Brigid, the High Queen of Ireland, Gormlaith and mathematician and world renowned computer programmer, Kay McNulty.

The light instillation also featured archival and contemporary photographs along with Celtic art by Jim Fitzpatrick and Courtney Davis.

The Christmas lights may have gone out but HerStory brought women’s stories from the shadows into the light, sharing the lost tales of national heroines, women from our own towns, cities and families,

and women admired across the world to the fore.

Event organisers say they want to start a new annual event where Ireland inspires the world to celebrate women, just like the global greening on St Patrick’s Day. The objective is to light up homes, town squares, theatres, libraries, museums and iconic buildings. As well as every classroom and boardroom joining in and decorating for the occasion.

The event is produced by the HerStory Team and Lesley Tully, head of design thinking at Bank of Ireland and founder of Illuminate Dublin.

Founder and director of HerStory, Melanie Lynch said that the festival was a way to start the year with optimism and light.

“Nollaig na mBan is a treasured Irish tradition, especially in rural Ireland.

“In the dark month of January we chose the theme of light. We want to start the year with optimism and hope, as we strive for equality for all.

“The Irish are known as the best storytellers in the world, but until now we have only told half the story. Illuminate Herstory is an event for the people, and it’s really easy to get involved and pay tribute to the women you love.” #IlluminateHerStory

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DUBLIN DUBLINLIFE

Some of the happy couple’s shots from travelling around Ireland

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16 GAZETTE 12 January 2017

ERIN GO BRAZIL

IRELAND.

INSIGHT SOUTH AMERICANS GO NUTS FOR IRISH LIFE

BRAZIL

BRAZILIANS have beome a familiar sight all around Dublin, bringing a little Latin flavour to our busy city. Reader Rachel Duarte Larentis tells us all about her life-changing move ...

EVEN after being in Ireland for almost two years, it was necessary to leave the country to understand how important Irish culture is.

I was not born in Ireland, and I also have no roots within Irish culture. However, since I arrived at the Emerald Island – in May of 2015 – I have been living as a native’s wife!

Despite the fact of being a typical Brazilian woman, with brown eyes and black hair, my marriage has given me some experience of

‘how to be Irish’.

This is because my husband looks like an Irishman! He is also Brazilian, with an Italian background, but his eyes are green, his skin is very white, and he has a ginger beard, which makes him easily look like an Irishman!

So, it has been always very easy to us start a conversation with a neighbour or a native Irish person at the supermarket, bus stop, public service or anywhere in Ireland. The people just react, and everything happens so naturally.

I have told you this to help describe the next scenes that I’m going to tell you about.

First of all, it is necessary to say that we decided

to come to Ireland for the same reasons that bring thousands of Brazilians here every single year: to learn English, and to try a new life.

I also must tell you how grateful I am for this decision. We were greeted with open arms by an island which never asked for a DNA test to offer us a job, a house or any other opportunity.

With a full-time job, and a good effort to save money for 12 months, it was possible to start to travel around Ireland.

After being in all the counties of this gorgeous island, we decided to go further and travel all over Europe. The decision was not easy.

We had already left our family in Brazil, and our jobs and friends to come to Ireland, and to do a journey around the continent would be to leave everything behind again. But, we did it, and it was the best decision of our lives.

We have travelled around 27 countries in Europe – with our Irish car – and this experience showed us more than beautiful landscapes and good food. We travelled for 72 days, crossing more than 18,000km!

It was a great journey, and gave us an amazing collection of pictures and memories of people that we will never forget.

Furthermore, we found out how huge is to wear

‘Irish’ shoes around the European community!

I think that the Irish spirit got into our souls; ‘let’s live the friendly life’, something as simple as that.

And everybody could see this during our travels.

I don’t know if it was our Irish car, my husband’s profile, or our souls that felt so Irish during this road trip – but even as we avoided pretending to be actually Irish, everybody received us with a big smile.

Some of the positive things we heard about Ireland on our trip included: “Oh, you are from Ireland.

Really good people!”; “Amazing country”; or “Where were you, there?”

‘From France to Kosovo, people in every single country that we have been to opened their arms to us. We have met people who dream about going to Ireland.’

It was impossible not to correct this ‘Irish misunderstanding’ on our travel!

We had fun driving our car with the steering wheel on the different side, and a leprechaun at the front screen.

We found out that the love for Irish people is something even bigger than anything we could have expected.

From France to Kosovo, people in every single country that we have been

to opened their arms to us.

We have met people who dream about going to Ireland, and others who have relatives or good friends on the island of Ireland, and others who have a natural love for the

country.

In Serbia, a local very proudly told us that the Serbs and Irish have similar Celtic genes. In Scotland, people invited us to say which whiskey is best: Scotch or Irish. Of course, we assumed that it was ‘our’ Irish whiskey!

And, when we were in Amsterdam, we asked locals to forgive us because, as ‘good Irish people’, we voted for black Guinness instead of their Heineken.

Our lucky leprechaun protected us and collected smiles wherever we were.

Children from Portugal, and a police officer at the UK border, made some jokes about it.

In Germany, we felt the yearning of a father whose

daughter lives in Kilkenny.

After recognising us as coming from the country where his daughter is, he remained for a long time watching us and our Irish car. It was a bittersweet moment.

Finally, we have never felt so happy at not being ‘Brazilian’ when travelling out of Brazil. Let me explain: we are always, always very proud of being friendly people from Brazil, in South America – but to be a friendly person in Europe means you must come from Ireland!

Being very honest, during our three months on the road, we missed Ireland more than Brazil.

When we arrived in Ireland, it was like coming

home again.

From our experiences, we proved how much the island of Ireland is loved, and we found a second meaning for the expression, Cead mile failte.

After all, it’s the traditional Irish way to say ‘Welcome’ to people coming to the country, but it could also describe the friendly way that Irish people behave when they’re out of it.

Before coming here, we has one big question on our minds: Why so much love for Ireland, and the Irish? But now, we know!

HAVE you got a life story you’d like to tell us? We’d love to share it! Email us: news@dublingazette.com

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DUBLINLIFE fast

TRAVEL

TRAVEL

Like a chance to land your dream job?

THE only question you’ll have at the end of this is “where do I sign up?”

Royal Caribbean Cruises is offering one lucky candidate the chance to land their dream job – travelling the world on a cruise ship and getting paid for it.

Got your attention?

We thought so…

The cruise firm is looking for an “extraordinary explorer” to be part of their team and manage their Instagram account.

The job is for three weeks on an internship basis – but they are still willing to pay €3,500 with flights, accommodation and expenses thrown in.

During your time on their award-winning boats – floating five-star villages would be more accurate – you’ll get to enjoy what’s on offer and highlight the best bits on social media.

According to Royal Caribbean the successful candidate will be “responsible for finding and documenting the extraordinary on a daily basis via Instagram”.

To enter you need to share photos on Instagram, showing Royal Caribbean what you can offer.

You must be over 21 to apply and the closing date is January 31.

Sabbatical, anyone?

The Canary Islands really has it all with stunning beaches, rugged mountain terrain and the Jardin de Cactus just some of the highlights

THE CANARY ISLANDS: GREAT OFFERS FOR THOSE FEELING A LITTLE SUN-DEPRIVED

Some winter warmers to beat the January blues

 SYLVIA POWNALL

WE MAY have been spared a white Christmas but odds are most of us are feeling pretty sun-deprived right about now.

The good news for those who crave a bit of heat on their bones is that there are plenty of lastminute deals to warmer climes to be had.

The Canary Islands ticks all the boxes when it comes to a lazy winter warmer break – traditional cuisine, outdoor markets, duty free shopping and, of course, sunshine.

Lanzarote is the perfect destination for foodies who want to try something new. Try their famous wrinkled potatoes (cooked in salt with their skins left on and served with a variety of delicious sauces) before walking it off around the

Jardin de Cactus.

The manmade cactus garden with truly spectacular scenery was the last work of famous artist Cesar Manrique and features more than 1,100 species of the prickly plants.

If that’s not laid back enough for you how about a film under the stars at Europe’s only permanent outdoor cinema on Gran Canaria? The Moonlight Cinema is just 40 minutes by car from the popular resort of Playa del Ingles and is bang up to date with the latest blockbusters.

Waiting staff will serve you at your seat and there are duvets for snuggling under on chillier nights.

Tenerife is known for its rugged mountain terrain – and there’s no better way to explore it than on horseback. But if you don’t fancy saddling up you can

spend an afternoon at one of the island’s many local markets.

Whether you want to find special trinkets or experience the buzz of outdoor Spanish food stalls, La Recova is full of treasures from local produce to freshly cut flowers and a flea market.

The market – an hour by bus from Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos – is frequented by locals and tourists alike.

Not forgetting the lesserknown member of the archipelago off the north western coast of Africa, Fuerteventura. It may be small, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in charm.

The entire island was designated a Biosphere Reserve

by Unesco in 2009 and a local goats cheese (queso Majorero) is a delicacy which has gained

protected DOP status.

It’s the perfect spot for perfume shopping, but check dutyfree allowances on Revenue’s website to make sure you don’t get caught out.

Spoil yourself with a cocktail at the El Mirador bar at the Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real, after all it won best mixology bar in Canary Islands at the Coaster Awards 2016.

And if you fancy a boat trip, the nature reserve on Lobos Island is a short hop across the water and features a 200-yearold dwelling built from volcanic rock which is home to the island’s last remaining inhabitant.

Thomson are offering seven nights Dublin to Lanzarote from February 12, staying at the Hotel Natura Palace, Playa Blanca, half board from €669pps.

Seven nights at Sensimar Los Gigantes, Los Gigantes (ex Dublin flying out on February 3) is from €689pps half board, also with Thompson.

Their last-minute deals include seven nights at the Barcelo Santiago in Tenerife, half board from €459pps.

Meanwhile Sunway Holidays are offering winter sun package holidays to the five-star Grand Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real in Fuerteventura starting from €1026pp.

Packages include flights from Dublin, seven nights on a bed and breakfast basis, transfers, 20kg baggage and services of a Sunway representative.

Further information on Thomson deals via Falcon Holidays (www.falconholidays. ie) and for Sunway see www. sunway.ie.

12 January 2017 GAZETTE 19

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DUBLINLIFE FASTNews The sky is the limit with the latest Mazda3 Volvo’s new XC60 will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show and on sale in Ireland by for the 172 registration period in July

Volvo Car reports best Irish sales since 2008 VOLVO Car Ireland reported a 28.3% increase in

retail sales for 2016, selling 2004 cars, which repre-

sents Volvo Car Ireland’s best sales year since 2008.

Volvo Car Ireland is targeting further sales increase for 2017 as Volvo continue to release its planned

product line up for the next three years. The V40 and XC60 were the best-selling Volvo models in Ireland,

while growth was driven mainly by the XC90 model,

which became the brands third bestselling car last year.

Adrian Yeates, managing director of Volvo Car Ireland, said: “2017 is set to be equally as exciting with the arrival of the new XC60 and XC40. The XC60 is a very important car for Volvo. The consistently popular XC60 is Volvo’s five-seat, mid-size premium SUV and has been Volvo’s best-selling model since 2009. It is the only car in its segment that has seen year on year growth since it first launched. The new XC60 is due to be available in Ireland in time for the 172 registration period.”

Toyota remains sceptical about self-driving hype TOYOTA says that it plans to continue to produce cars in which humans retain a large measure of control. It believes that the idea of turning all driving decisions over to computers seems too dangerous for now.

“None of us in the automobile or IT industries are close to achieving true Level 5 autonomy,” said Gill Pratt, CEO of the Toyota Research Institute, referring to the ability of a car to drive itself without any human intervention.

“It will take many years of machine learning and many more miles than anyone has logged of both simulated and real-world testing to achieve the perfection required,” Pratt said in a speech at CES, previously known as the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas.

Pratt said he didn’t know for sure or when Toyota and other car makers may skip directly to driving autonomy. At this level, computers retain control of all driving decisions, but only on roadways specifically designed and approved for this purpose, he added.

Toyota is focussing on Level 2 autonomy where computers have some control over steering, braking and acceleration, with humans remaining in overall command.

Mazda is using its Skyactive engine technology to boost the performance and economy from its mid-range Mazda3 hatchback.

Michael Moroney has been driving the new 2.0-litre engine version of Mazda petrol offering and remains to be convinced THERE has a been a very slight upwards movement towards petrol engine cars in recent years and the latest motor industry figures show that petrol car sales increasing by 0.6% in 2016 compared with 2015. Petrol car sales are also being boosted by the arrival of efficient hybrid petrol cars, which are also helping to bring petrol engines back into favour.

Mazda gave me a petrol surprise towards the end of 2016 when I took the new Mazda3 with its equally new 2.0-litre petrol engine for a test drive in wintery Irish conditions. The Mazda3 is the Japanese brand’s most popular car in Ireland and up to now was dominated by diesel sales.

What a surprise it was for me to get behind the wheel of a new Mazda3 with a 2.0-litre petrol

engine under the bonnet.

This size petrol engine would be rare in some respects as car companies strive to downsize their petrol engine offerings by using new turbocharging and fuel injection technology.

T his bigger petrol engine uses what Mazda calls its Skyactive engine technology with claims to give new levels of fuel efficiency for mid-range family cars. This engine option is only available in the GT versions of the car, so it’s aimed at particular and niche market.

The Mazda3 is one of the more attractive midrange hatchback cars on the market. Mazda has an enviable reputation in terms of paint quality and many older Mazda cars retain their good looks longer after others are displaying fading shades.

The Mazda3 in Soul Red

colour stood out, while externally at least, the GT specification was understated.

Out on the road the Mazda3 was lively and petrol engine was smooth in terms of acceleration.

The six-speed gearbox and light clutch pedal made for easy driving.

The engine push button start and start/stop system for city driving were both impressively smooth.

While I was driving I was trying to access the value of the petrol over Mazda’s new 1.5-litre turbo -diesel version.

This latter car is much more economical, even if slower in terms of acceleration.

But it was the fuel economy performance that made me think deeper. While this petrol engine car is smooth and sweet to drive, it’s still

The Mazda3 hatchback has a modern and sporty look with relatively low seating position that delivers good comfort for the GT version on test. All Mazdas are now manufactured in Japan and there is a reliable and quality feel to the car. Entry prices start at €23,295 before delivery charges

Mazda3 2.0 Skyactiv petrol

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine 2.0 litre Engine power 120hp 0 – 100km/hr 8.8 seconds Economy 19.6km/litre

(5.1/100km or 55mpg) Fuel Tank Capacity 51 litres CO2 emissions 119g/km Road Tax Band A4 €200 Main Service 20,000km/12 mon Euro NCAP Rating 5 star (2015) Warranty 3 years/100,000km Entry Price €23,295 The dash layout on the Mazda3 is relatively simple if not too understated and includes a push button keyless start and multifunction steering wheel

not real world competition for the diesel version, which in truth I had expected to be driving.

Mazda’s diesel engine performance is that good that I expect my preference would not sway me to petrol power.

While the Mazda message is that the Mazda3

with the 2.0-litre petrol engine is economical, the numbers simply don’t add up when you compare it with the diesel option. The officially rated economy figure is 19.6km/litre (5.1/100km or 55mpg), while in practice I found this very difficult to match. With a mix

12 January 2017 GAZETTE 21

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MOTORING

Expansion for Citroen is on the cards

The front doors have a wider opening feel to the rear ones and rear headroom can be a little compromised for larger passengers

Mazda claims that the 2.0 litre Skyactive petrol engine is economical and rated to deliver 19.6km/litre (5.1/100km or 55mpg), which is impressive for such an engine

of city and longer national drives my performance was off by 40% relative to the quoted figure.

Modern family cars need to deliver a range on a full tank that’s close to 1,000km; that won’t be possible with this petrol engine Mazda3. Mazda’s other petrol engine option; the entry-level 1.5-litre car is no better in terms of economy so for me Mazda’s diesels are still the most practical option.

Rather than dwell sole-

ly on the Mazda3’s economy performance, even though that’s critically important, the car has some other very attractive driving features.

There is an improved Active Driving Display in full-colour display that makes for easier driving and improved steering wheel ergonomics.

I liked the Multi-Media Commander system with its large centre console display and neat controlled placed between the front seats. I found it

was easy to get comfortable with the system and setting my mobile phone to Bluetooth was also fast and logical.

The car scores well in terms of safety and it has two ISO-Fix couplings in the rear seats. The new Mazda3 marks the world debut of what Mazda calls G-Vectoring Control (GVC). This is an automated system that provides integrated control of the engine, transmission, chassis and body. GVC claims to vary the engine

torque to optimise the load on each wheel, providing more precise handling as well as a smoother ride under virtually any driving conditions.

Mazda is fitting an advanced active and pre-crash safety system that includes Advanced Smart City Brake Support (Advanced SCBS) to the new Mazda3. With this a forward-sensing camera expands the speed range for detecting other vehicles and adds pedestrian detection capabilities.

The new versions of the Mazda3 come with LED Headlights and an adaptive front lighting system that adjusts the angle of the headlights when cornering.

The Mazda3 is a midrange family hatchback that compares well in space terms with the likes of the popular Ford Focus. The boot space is almost identical, but lacks a space saver spare wheel, which I consider a must have feature. The Mazda3 is marginally

longer while narrower.

Entry prices for the Mazda3 range start at €23,295 and that’s more expensive than Ford’s entry price on the more economical 1.0-litre petrol powered Ecoboost model. For me the diesel option is the only choice with all of the style and most of the safety and driver comfort features of the GT model in a package that remains one of the most attractive in terms of hatchback style for the mid-range market.

The history behind Ford Motor Company

Ciaran McMahon, chairman and managing director of Ford Ireland with an early Model T Ford and the latest Ford Mustang at the ancestral home of the Ford family at Ballinascarty in Co Cork

THE Ford Motor Company was set up in Michigan by Henry Ford in 1903. True to his roots, just 14 years later Henry opened the first purpose-built Ford factory to be located outside of North America at the Marina in Cork. In his own words, he hoped that the new Ford plant ‘would start Ireland along the road to industry’. The setting up of the Ford plant in Cork was the first example of foreign direct investment in Ireland, many decades before the term

was even coined.

Henry Ford’s father, William Ford, emigrated from Ballinascarty in Co. Cork (50km from Cork City) with his parents and siblings in 1847 during the Famine; Henry was born in Michigan in 1863.

Growing up on the family farm, Henry developed a strong interest in mechanics. At first, he concentrated his efforts on making work easier for farmers but he soon came to realise the potential of the motor car as a

force for good for the development of societies across the globe.

Although he cannot be credited with inventing the motor car, Henry Ford was the man who brought motoring to the masses thanks to the affordable yet rugged vehicles he produced through his newly-invented production-line manufacturing technique, which has since been copied by practically every vehicle and machinery manufacturer across the globe.

IM Group, the importer of Citroen in Ireland, has announced a network expansion project for 2017, as it seeks to appoint up to seven new dealerships to its expanding network.

Currently, the group has a network of 20 authorised sales dealerships and a further six authorised repairers across the country for Citroen.

The initial focus for new dealer appointments will be aimed at South Dublin, Cork East and Wicklow, with the group seeking to secure partners also in South Tipperary; Cavan/ Monaghan; Longford/ Roscommon and Sligo/Leitrim.

The announcement of this network expansion project comes in the wake of the major launch of its new C3, the new eight-seater Spacetourer, alongside the new Dispatch van.

The late Doug McCoy LAST week the motor industry lost one of its true and knowledgeable gentlemen with the passing of Doug McCoy of the OHM Group. Doug McCoy worked throughout the motor industry over the past 40 years.

Doug passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at his Dublin home. He will be greatly missed by his wife Judy, his children, Graeme and Amy, and his immediate family as well as his many friends who had the great privilege of working with him over four decades in the motor industry.

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DUBLINLIFE

& Other Stories  EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

WELL, it’s finally here – & Other Stories opened the doors to its Grafton Street store in December and Dublin shoppers can’t get enough of it.

With its refined yet fun aesthetic, the brand – which is owned by fashion giant H&M – brings a much-needed new clothes shop to Grafton Street and, indeed, Dublin.

Managing director Samuel Fernstrom said: “We’re very happy to reach Dublin, and find new inspiration from the innovative and creative atmosphere here.

We feel right at home already and can’t wait to get to know more of our Irish fashionloving customers.”

With a three-storey location of approximately 650 square metres, customers can browse through endless styling choices including accessories, bags, jewellery, beauty products, shoes and ready-to-wear.

Ateliers in Paris and Stockholm design the diversified fashion and beauty collections with great attention to detail and quality at an affordable price point. & Other Stories is a little pricier than the likes of H&M and Zara, but it’s worth it for the quality and interesting pieces they stock – think Cos with more personality and prints.

And, with the recent closure of American Apparel (sob!) on Grafton Street, this shop is definitely filling the void – and more!

The exteri or of the & Other S slap bang tories sto in the mid re dle of Gra fton Stre et

12 January 2017 GAZETTE 23

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STYLE

Top €5, Leggings €7, Crop top €4, Jacket €15

A new wardrobe to help inspire you to shape up for 2017  EMMA NOLAN

inside THE new STORE

AN ONSLAUGHT of New Year’s resolution articles are inevitable at this time of year, of course, but that’s not going to stop me from adding this one!

If you managed to stick to your gym routine over the Christmas period, then fair play to you – but, if like me, you haven’t even seen your gym gear since long before December 1, then now feels like the right time to go back. Fresh start, and all that.

Fitness Instagrammers and bloggers say it all the time: new gym gear can give you the motivation to get up

and go. And it’s true – your old leggings and sports bra probably look very unappealing in the drawer right now, so maybe buying yourself a new set is just what you need to get motivated.

If you look forward to putting it on, then that’s the first step; sure, once you’re wearing the damned things, you might as well do some exercise!

But as it’s January and we’re all broke, here are some inexpensive ideas from Penneys to update your gym wardrobe. The hard work now is worth being back in shape in a few months’ time ... No, really, it is!

T-Shirt €4.50, Cuffed joggers €18, Hoodie €18

Crop top €6, Zip top €14, Shorts €5, Bag €12

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24 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 12 January 2017

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA

ReelReviews

A MONSTER CALLS Fantastical fare

(Cert 12A, 109 mins) A visually spectacular drama from acclaimed director Juan Antonio Bayona (“The Impossible”), based on the award-winning children’s fantasy novel. 12-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall) attempts to deal with his mother’s (Felicity Jones) illness and the bullying of his classmates by escaping into a fantastical world of monsters and fairy tales that explore courage, loss, and faith.

LA LA LAND

Magical musical (Cert PG, 128 mins), Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a jazz musician, scrapes by playing cocktail party gigs in dingy bars, but as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.

THE BYE BYE MAN Horrific goings on

(Cert 16, 94 mins), When three college friends stumble upon the horrific origins of the Bye Bye Man, they discover that there is only one way to avoid his curse: don’t think it, don’t say it. But once the Bye Bye Man gets inside your head, he takes control. Is there a way to survive his possession?

Ben Affleck plays ambitious young gangster Joe Coughlin in this Boston-set mob drama which explores the fight for territory – and profits – between Irish and Italian gangs

LIVE BY NIGHT: THE WORLD OF ORGANISED CRIME SET IN THE PROHIBITION ERA

Could be a little darker LIVE By Night (Cert 15A, 128 mins) sees director Ben A ff leck return to Boston and the work of writer Dennis Lehane, who Affleck also worked with on his adaptation of Lehane’s Gone Baby Gone.

This time, however, the drama unfolds in the time of Prohibition.

While it retains Affleck’s solid, structured direction and a picture-perfect surface aesthetic, Live by Night lacks the substance of his previous work.

A f f l e c k p l ay s J o e Coughlan, the son of a Boston police captain (Brendan Gleeson).

Returning from the First World War, Joe resolves to “never

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

take orders again” and instead makes a living as a petty criminal on the outskirts of a “tit for tat” war between the Italian and Irish mobs.

W hen a risky love affair leads to tragedy, Joe begins working with the Italians and is sent to work in Tampa, Florida.

T here, he puts his mind to cornering the rum market for the mob and, in the process, aims to settle an old score.

As a film about bad

men doing dirty work, Live By Night would greatly benefit from a little more grit under the fingernails and a little less polish on top.

Certainly, Affleck has crafted a sumptuous, wonderful looking film – a vintage dream of prohibition America. Unfortunately, all that dreamy Americana spawns an impossibly perfect, postcard vision of the past: it all looks great, but very little of it feels real.

Still, Live By Night is a pleasure to behold.

Of particular note is a high-speed car chase/ shoot out in gorgeous 1920’s Fords through the streets of Boston.

Bursts of light ring the muzzles of tommy guns

while shotgun shells fly out of car windows – the whole affair thrills and delights the eye in equal measure.

Outside these thrilling set pieces, Live By Night rarely takes the time to slow down.

Affleck packs a huge amount into the film’s two-hour run time. With varying scope, the director’s previous works told relatively concise stories – this one spans a lifetime.

Consequently, things move very fast, too fast for the viewer to grab a hold of anything concrete.

Joe tells us that he went to war a soldier, but “came home an outlaw,” one willing to be “cruel”

when necessary.

However, we never really catch Joe’s dark side; in an underworld populated by gangsters dressed in black, he’s always the knight in the shiny white suit. We hear about Joe’s duality, but rarely get a glimpse of it.

As a character then, Joe is nearly impossible to nail down. First he broods, then he jokes; one minute he’s humble, the next he gloats.

It’s easy watching Joe rise through the ranks, but without any real consistency or concrete motivation, it’s occasionally hard to care what happens to him.

It’s unlikely that Live

By Night will garner the awards season atten-

tion of Argo; it’s missing that endearing human element that has surprised and delighted in A ff leck’s previous works.

Still, there’s plenty to enjoy here: bar a few weak accents, Live By Night packs an incredible cast, which also features Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper, Elle Fanning and Sienna Miller.

Affleck strives to craft a deeply human gangster epic – with a slightly more concise scope and a little less sheen, Live

by Night could have been that film. Lavish, wonderfully acted and often thrilling; it’s a shame it never truly manages to engage.

Verdict: 7/10

12 January 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 25

26 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 12 January 2017

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12 January 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 27

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GAZETTE

28 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 12 January 2017

SPORT

FastSport SHELS DOMINATE AWARD SHORTLIST: SHELBOURNE dominate the nominations for the Women’s National League prizes – which will be confirmed on Thursday, January 12 at the Guinness Storehouse – following their superb season.

Leanne Kiernan scored a hat trick in the Continental FAI Women’s Senior Cup final against Wexford Youths and takes her place next to teammate Noelle Murray and Republic of Ireland international Karen Duggan for the prestigious award.

Galway WFC’s Sadhbh Doyle and Peamount United’s Roma McLaughlin go up against Kiernan for the Young Player of the Year award, whilst Peamount striker Amber Barrett will be presented with the Irish Daily Mail Golden Boot award after scoring 16 goals during the 2016 campaign.

The 2016 Team of the Year features five Shelbourne players, as well as three UCD Waves players along with Roma McLaughlin and Amber Barrett from Peamount.

HOCKEY: THREE ROCK AND MONKSTOWN AMONG FIVE SIDES IN TITLE CONTENTION

Rovers end Bann’s run in EY league

 STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@dublingazette.com

THREE Rock Rovers became the first side to beat Banbridge this season as the Rathfarnham took advantage of an understrength visiting side to Grange Road.

The result saw Rovers stay in fifth place in the men’s EY Hockey League but they are now within two points of the leaders with a game in hand on some of their rivals – a back match against bottom side Instonians.

Rovers took the lead inside three minutes when Ravin Nair’s ball into the circle where Jody Hosking got a slight touch off Gareth Lennox’s pads for an early advantage.

Bann, for the most part, held more of the possession and territory

but found many of their attacks stymied down the flanks by a compact Rovers defence.

When they did break in, they won plenty of corners but Jamie Carr produced a fine game in goals, keeping out Eugene Magee on a number of occasions.

Rovers countered to go 2-0 up by the half-time break with an excellent team goal, working the ball from right to left where Conor Empey picked out Ben Walker who beautifully lifted the ball into the goal.

From there, the hosts were in strong shape for the most part until the closing ten minutes when Garry Ringwood was shown a yellow card.

Within 13 seconds, Jonny McKee punished the indiscretion with a sweet

action on the top of the circle before shooting home.

Ross Canning and Eugene Magee were both shown yellow while Bann pushed forward in the closing stages, winning a number of corners – including one on the final hooter – but Carr kept them all out to preserve the home side’s win.

Monkstown missed out on the chance to go top as they fell 4-3 to Cork C of I in an entertaining fare at Garryduff.

In a thrilling first quarter, the hosts took the lead when a powerful right-wing run and cross from Andrew Power was turned in by a Monkstown defender.

Philip Brownlow had a second chalked off for crossing soon after before Richard Sykes got the

TRR’s James Walker on the attack. Picture: Adrian Boehm

first of his two goals from Town’s second corner in the 17th minute.

The relentless pace continued in the second quarter. C of I went back in front from their first corner – won by Simon Wolfe – with John Jermyn flicking home. Monkstown hit back when they robbed possession on the 23m line and Davy Carson was on hand at the back post to knock the second equaliser.

But the hosts were in front for a third time

before half-time from the stand-out moment of the game.

Wolfe picked the ball up wide on the left and, thanks to a combination of great skills and even greater determination, he managed to force a shot under the on-rushing Max Maguire for a 3-2 lead.

The third quarter provided some room to take a breath with Monkstown surviving a spell down to nine players. They did fall further behind with 15 minutes to go when Jer-

myn making no mistake from another corner for 4-2. The tie was not dead yet, though, as former C of I man Jason Lynch won a corner which also drew a yellow card for Philip Smith.

Sykes beat Billy Lynch to reduce the deficit to the minimum and set up a big closing phase. The Dubliners had another corner on the final whistle but Sykes’ high flick was deflected away to safety.

C of I stay in fourth while Town dropped to third.

St Pat’s bring in trio of top signings for 2017 league  sport@dublingazette.com

St Pat’s Athletic won the EA Sports Cup last season

ST PATRICK’S Athletic confirmed the signings of goalkeeper Barry Murphy, Republic of Ireland Under-19 international Alex O’Hanlon and attacker Kurtis Byrne this week ahead of the 2017 SSE Airtricity League season.

The trio join Gavin Peers and Patrick Cregg as new signings for the Saints ahead of the new league season which the Inchicore side get underway with a home fixture against Bray Wanderers on February 24.

“I’m delighted to add the three

lads to our squad as we continue our preparations for the news season and our opening fixture against Bray,” Saints’ manager Liam Buckley confirmed.

“We’ve retained a large amount of our squad from last season and coupled with our new signings and talented players from our underage sides, we’re looking forward to the year ahead.”

Murphy joins the club for a second spell having spent time at Shamrock Rovers while Byrne joins the Saints after spending a season at Bohemian FC in which he scored 10 league goals.

20-year-old O’Hanlon is a former St Kevins Boys youth and joins the club having spent five years at English Premier League side Liverpool. The Dubliner featured in the club’s underage sides before being released last year and has previously starred for the Republic of Ireland Under-19 side.

Commenting on each of the new signings, Buckley admitted his delight at getting each of their signatures and believes each player can play a big part in the Saints’ season ahead.

“Barry will be a great signing for the club. We know Barry well

from his time with us previously and it’s great to have him back.

He’s a terrific keeper and will be a great addition to our group.

“Kurtis is technically one of the best players in the league so to add him to our squad is a huge plus. He is another player our supporters will know well as he has a reputation of scoring some superb goals over the past few seasons and we hope that he can continue that trend with us.

“Alex is a hugely talented player, with an excellent left foot that our supporters can look forward to seeing in the colours of St Pat’s.”

12 January 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

Doherty delivers as Wolves devour Stoke Swords man produces one of the highlights of the FA Cup third round with delicious free kick for Wolverhampton as they beat Premier League side with something to spare SWORDS man Matt Doherty admitted he surprised even himself when he scored a spectacular free-kick for Wolves to beat Premier League side Stoke City 2-0 in the 3rd round of the Emirates FA Cup. It was the former Bohemians’ defenders first time on free-kicks in the last six years but he whipped home a venomous rightfooted effort into the top left corner in the 80th minute to hand the midlands club the win.

“I haven’t been on free kicks for years,” Doherty said about the moment.

“We did some set-pieces in training and I said I’ll take one, I put it right in the top corner. I went over there trying to get it but I didn’t expecting the boys to actually give it to me.

“I wasn’t meant to be on free-kicks but I just ran over and asked to take it. When I took it, I was just thinking I’m going to put it in and then the keeper made a step and once they’ve made a step they’ve got no chance.”

He added that his celebration is something that will live with him for a long time. Stoke’s stadium was far from full except for the away end behind the goal which Doherty scored into and he duly stormed toward the enraptured fans.

“As a defender scoring a goal is the best feeling ever and yeah it felt pretty good. It was a pretty good celebration, I was already halfway through my knee slide before the ball went in.

“I think the whole

team was on top of me, I couldn’t breathe!”

Doherty was quick to praise the travelling support of the Wolves fans as over 4,600 made the trip.

“They’ve travelled in numbers, it’s the least they deserve. They’ve stuck with us all season even though our form hasn’t been great, they always travel with us.

“At home, they’ve been superb, fair play to them.”

Wolves are currently sitting in 16th place in the championship and so went into the tie against Stoke as serious underdogs but proved to be worthy winners of the tie.

“We didn’t take the chances early on but we didn’t concede which was the important thing as we have made a habit of conceding goals early in the

Swords man Matt Doherty produced a stunning free-kick for Wolves

Championship.

“Conceding early doors against a Premier League side wouldn’t have been the best. We deserved the goal in the first half and I thought we deserved to get the second goal and keep a clean sheet.

“The result was what we wanted.”

The 24-year-old praised the strength in depth of the

Liverpool or Plymouth in the next round.

“It just goes to show the strength in depth of our squad,” explained Doherty before adding: “The FA Cup is pretty special.

“Look at the support we took for the third round so it will be the same again – we want to go as far as we can no doubt.”

Chris Forrester was

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‘I haven’t been on free kicks in years. I didn’t expect the boys to actually give the free kick to me.’ - Matt Doherty

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Wolves squad and believes that the win has given the team confidence that they could now beat anyone in the next round. They will face the winner of either

another Dubliner to use the FA Cup stage to bring his skills to a wider audience in Peterborough’s tie with Chelsea.

Despite a 4-1 loss, the former St Pat’s man looked assured on the ball in midfield and his club chairman Darragh MacAnthony believes he can go on to better things.

“Chris Forrester is the best midfielder by a mile in League One and plenty of big clubs are after him right now” MacAnthony told the Independent.

“Against a Scunthorpe team that was sitting at the top of League One, he basically ran the show from midfield on his own.

“He was that good and I’m sure he would dominate games if he was playing in the Championship as well. Chris will go on and be sold for millions and millions and good luck to him.”

FASTSport

Crumlin club trio win big at Wado Ryu world event THREE members of the Irish Wado Ryu Federation produced powerful performances at the WKC Karate and Kickboxing world championships that were held in Albufeira, Portugal.

Daniel Donohue Jr, Dane Walton – who both hail from Crumlin – and Jake Jackson, from Rialto, have being training with each other for the last 20 years under the watchful eye of Sensei Dan Donohue Sr at St Bernadette’s parish centre in Crumlin.

The trio were training seven days a week after and before work coming in to the championships and were in great shape for the intense competition. After three gruelling days of action, the longawaited world titles started to flow in. First in was Walton, stepping up in weight to take the -90kg kickboxing world title.

He subsequently dropped down to his own weight of -85 kg to win the Kumite world title. If that wasn’t enough, he then fought in the unified Kumite weight class and took a third world title in that section.

Next up was Jackson who fought his way to the kickboxing world finals for the third year in a row.

He faced the five time world champion from England, Alex Barrowman, narrowly losing out on a split decision to take the silver.

Donohue Jr also fought his way to the kickboxing final, only missing out on a split decision to his opponent from Northern Ireland. Donohue also fought in the unified Kumite weight class taking gold in that section.

Those results boded well for the three-man team Kata. Led by Jackson, they were looking to defend the world title they won last year.

They took on teams from Scotland, Germany, England and Spain and once again took the world title back to Ireland, bringing their tally to seven world titles along with five silver and a number of bronze.

The trio have started training for 2017’s world championships. Jackson has his eye on Barrowman and feels he will get the win over him.

The not for profit club is also welcoming anyone who would like to join them in training on Tuesdays from 8pm to 9.30pm and Friday from 7.30 to 9.30pm at our(Dojo)club in Crumlin.For further information go to www.irishwadoryufederation.jimdo.com.

GAZETTE

30 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 12 January 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: BLUEBELL PLAY KEY ROLE IN PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Liffey Celtics hold Court with historic win in Cork COURTYARD Liffey Celtics led from start to finish as they produced an excellent performance to beat DCU Mercy 83-72 in the semi-final of the women’s Hula Hoops national cup at the Neptune Stadium, Cork, booking their place in the final for the first time.

Jazmen Boone was undoubtedly the stand out performer in the game as she netted an outstanding 26 points, with Emma O’Connor and Karen Mealy, playing as point guard, also hitting double figures.

Liffey Celtics finished the first quarter ahead 21-16 and had managed to stretch their lead to 40-32 by the halfway point.

DCU tried valiantly to keep pace with the Celtics, with Sarah Fairbanks in particular putting in another impressive performance as she scored 19 points, but it proved in vain as Boone continued to net scores at important junctures of the game.

Liffey Celtics looked composed throughout the game until the closing stages of the game saw them concede some unnecessary fouls. It was too little too later for DCU, however, as the deficit proved insurmountable.

Speaking after the game, head coach Mark Byrne struggled to hide his delight at an excellent win for his team: “It feels fantastic. I don’t really know what to say, everybody played their part.

“We had an injury early on to Emma [O’Connor], who has been fantastic for us all year, and Aine [O’Connor] doing an exam this morning, so to come through all that and show great composure, especially after losing to them three weeks ago, I’m really delighted with the girls.”

The two sides had met in the league before Christmas as they battle it out for second place behind runaway leaders Ambassador UCC Glanmire but it was their fellow Dubs who got the better of them on that particular day.

“We were really smart today, we were composed. One of the things that happened to us three weeks ago was we settled for poor shots but, today, we were super smart and super patient. We also did a great job defensively,” said Byrne.

Liffey Celtics will now go up against defending champions UCC Glanmire in the final at the end of the month as reward for their heroics – the latter having blown away their opponents Singleton Supervalu Brunell 84-47 in the other semi-final at the same venue.

Dean Ebbe rises highest for Bluebell in a recent LSL Sunday Senior game

Inverness calling for Ebbe  KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

DEAN Ebbe will be hoping that he will soon be lining out for new club Inverness Caledonian Thistle, while life must go on back at Bluebell United.

Ebbe recently made the move from the Leinster Senior League leaders to join the Highlands side currently propping up the Scottish Premier League table.

Former Irish Under21 player, and fellow Dubliner, Richie Foran manages the Scottish side and believes that Ebbe has what it takes

to make it in the league.

This is a view that Ebbe’s former manager at Bluebell Andy Noonan concurs with: “He will do well because he’s not one of these lads that let it go to their head.

“He’s known for a long time about Inverness and I haven’t seen him change in his attitude or application in any way since we knew about it. He is a talented kid who can change a game or win it on his own.”

Ebbe joined the club after spells with Cabinteely and Collinstown and built his confidence, setting up a

LEINSTER LEAGUE Clon storm past North Kildare challenge CLONDALKIN Rugby Club started 2017 with

an impressive 36-25 bonus-point win over North Kildare in Leinster League Division 1B to keep the pressure on the top two in the table.

They sit third, a point behind their next opponents Tullow whom they meet next Sunday at the Black Gates.

Clon’s seconds also swept aside North Kildare 66-5 to remain in a share of top spot in their league. Picture: Sharon Flanagan

chance to go on and play at a higher level, something which Noonan says the club is ideal for.

“We’ve built ourselves up over the last couple of years as being a club that can facilitate players on the bounce up, the likes of Ishmahil Akinade, Brandon Melia and Richie Towell.

“You catch these lads early and have an agreement with them early on that the move is to progress the player rather than the club. It just so happens that both benefit from it when it goes well,” said Noonan to GazetteSport.

Noonan has already

turned his attentions to strengthening his squad as they attempt to win the league for the third year in a row and after already signing one player over the winter, has his eye on a couple of others.

“We’ve been working away knowing that he [Ebbe] was going to go and I have been actively looking at bringing in one or two players by the end of the week. We have quality in depth in the squad so it is about adding to it.

“I’ve brought Gar y Seery in from Greenhills who is a similar type of player and looks like a

really good prospect. I’m actually excited about what he could bring to the squad.”

Things have to move on quickly for Bluebell as they have a big tie coming up against third placed St Mochta’s this weekend that could prove vital come the end of the season.

“It’s a massive game.

Yo u l o o k a t w h e r e Mochta’s are in the league and the massive result they had recently against Crumlin United.

“They are going to be up there [come the end of the season] and they have a really good manager in Brian McCarthy.”

12 January 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

LADIES FOOTBALL: NEW BOSS RUNS RULE OVER DUB STARS

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ROUND TOWER, CLONDALKIN MEMBERSHIP for 2017 is now due. Paying

at the Round Tower follows Operations

your membership is a formal recognition

Transformation Facebook page.

of your involvement/participation in the

Round Tower Gaelic for Mothers are

club and as such all players, including

looking for players for the season ahead.

social Gaelic footballers, team men-

If you are interested in joining this team

tors and committee members must pay

focused on fun and fitness contact Anne

membership.

at 086 2608280.

All members involved directly in our

Round Tower GAA Club Dinner Dance

games are reminded that the GAA injury

2017 will be hosted Friday, February 24

scheme only extends to fully paid up GAA

at the Red Cow Moran Hotel.

members. Please be aware of notice

Club favourite Laurie Hartz is lined up

issued by the executive with regard to

to perform on the night. Further detail

membership – featured on our website.

will follow and for now we ask you note

Membership can be paid online in-full or

this date in your diary.

in instalments.

The 2016 Dub Stars who lined out at DCU last Sunday. Picture: Peter Hickey/GAApics.com

Tower’s Conroy makes strong case for defence DLGFA DUB STARS Dublin 3-12 Dub Stars 2016 3-11  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

A PACEY and entertaining Dub Stars ladies senior football match at DCU on Sunday displayed none of the usual early season jitters, as two strong sides went all-out to impress new senior boss Mick Bohan.

A swathe of last year’s All Ireland final panel were present across the Dublin and Stars sides, and several made early assertions on their roles for the coming year, with Round Towers Clondalkin’s Amy Conroy putting in a strong defensive showing for the Dubs.

She was joined in the blues’ panel by Olwen Carey and Ciara McGuigan of Thomas Davis, both of whom looked comfortable at county level, while Emily Flanagan of Ballyboden St Enda’s got a brief run out for the Stars.

The challenging Stars looked off the pace in the very early stages, but came into the game rapidly midway through the first half,

with Lauren Magee playing a key role in both the quick-fire goals that saw them briefly take charge.

Magee first fed Niamh McGoldrick after a winding run from midfield for the opening goal, then played in Olivia Leonard just a minute later, to have the Stars five points clear early in the game.

Dublin were more consistent over the bar, however, and grew into the second half.

The evergreen Davey hit their first with a composed finish on 18 minutes, and the goal glut continued in first half injury time, as the Dubs added two more, giving them a 3-9 to 2-4 half time lead.

The first came through Clann Mhuire’s Carla Rowe, who made the most of a run by Hannah O’Neill to slot into an empty net at the back post, before Kelli Taite lashed in a third against a Stars side that suddenly looked overrun, deep into added on time.That particular period was to prove crucial: Ciara Trant in the Dublin goal had twice denied the Stars at the other end, both with a double save from

Leonard at point blank range, and from Siobhan Kennedy.

The second half was slightly less exciting: the accuracy of St Sylvester’s Sinead Aherne and ability of players like Clare and Noelle Healy to push forward drove Dublin’s score up, while McGoldrick netted a second goal for the Dub Stars, and narrowly missed out on a third. A cameo by Kate McKenna on top of McGoldrick’s

late goal wasn’t quite enough, as the Dubs beat the Stars by 3-12 to 3-11.

What was abundantly clear, however, was that both sides were out to make some noise before Bohan names his first official Dublin squad.

The new boss – who might be expected to experiment after a succession of All-Ireland nearlys under Greg McGonigle – will have plenty of food for thought.

every Tuesday. First call is 8.30pm; €20

mencement of Round Tower follows

for a full house and game prize money is

Operation Transformation 2017; 3km

usually €90 - €150. All in to buy is €2 and

and 5km walks will take place around

prizes are available in the weekly raffle.

Clondalkin village every Monday and

All welcome for a fun night.

Wednesday evenings. Options to run will also be available.

Leaders are available to follow and a

and 23; the bonus ball was 21. No overall winner and no bonus ball winner. Three

ness professionals will provide short,

€100 winners: Hilda Hetherington, John

sharp talks on their area of expertise.

D & K Paul x 2. Thanks to all who partici-

You can also register online for €20 – all

pated.

participants must be registered.

We wish the leaders and all participating the very best. Find out full detail

The lotto committee would like to apologise for late delivery of this week’s tickets due to a family bereavement.

LUCAN SARSFIELDS DRONES and more Drones appeared

complimentary buses to/from the race-

over Lucan Sarsfields and around the

course. A great way for your company to

canal on Saturday morning. No, it was

entertain clients or else get your friends

not the set of a new Chariots of Fire

together at a table for a special day out

remake! Just RTE’s Operation Transfor-

and for what promises to be another

mation.

social event to remember.

Several hundred turned out for the

Contact Eoin Dunne (086 273 4114), Jim

initial 5k walk on Saturday, hosted by

Mulqueen (086 238 7585), Joe Lavin or

South Dublin County Council in associa-

Ciaran Dunne to book your place now.

tion with Lucan Sarsfields GAA Club. ing with more and more activity on the all weather pitch every night.

The annual awards night is on Saturday, February 4.

The volunteers night will be on Saturday, January 28.

Following its spectacular launch last year, the 2017 Lucan Sarsfields Race Day

The 25 card drive returns to the club on Fridays and the Cupla Focal Club returns on Mondays.

The set dancing also returns on Wednesday next at 8.30pm in the function room.

Seamus Clandillon is organising a charity table quiz for January 27; tables of four for €20, all donations of spot prizes gratefully accepted.

at Leopardstown Racecourse is tak-

The full list of Christmas draw win-

ing place again on Sunday, January 22.

ners, including Hugh Collander to whom

Tables of 10 for €1,000 or individual tick-

Gerry McAndrew sold the €2,000 winning

ets are €100 each.

ticket, are available online or at the club;

This includes admission to the racecourse, race card, four course gourmet lunch including wine, professional tipster, and a great day’s jumps racing.

A roaring success last year, a superb

do check as many prizes are yet to be collected.

There was no winner of the €19,000 lotto where the numbers were 8, 14, 20 and 25.

day was had by all who attended and it

The sponsor was Newcastle Golf Cen-

was the talk of the club for weeks after.

tre and next week’s €19,500 draw will be

All proceeds from the race day going

managed by Team Diarmuid Dawson.

towards the club’s development.

Picture: Peter Hickey/GAApics.com

The January 2 lotto jackpot was €10,000. Numbers drawn were 9, 12, 20

range of motivational speakers and fit-

Training activity is gradually return-

Carla Rowe in action for Dublin against the Dub Stars.

Bingo takes place in the clubhouse

Monday, January 9 saw the com-

Prosecco reception in clubhouse beforehand to get you in the mood with

Tickets can be purchased online, at the club, in Carey’s Newsagents or in Vesey Arms or Kenny’s Bar.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR CLONDALKIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

HIGHLANDS HERO: Bluebell boss Andy Noonan pays tribute to Ebbe following his Inverness signing P30

JANUARY 12-18, 2017

HUNGRY LIKE A WOLF: Doherty steps up to deliver rare but brilliant goal P29

Leavy adds to St Francis’s Irish crew  KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

ST FRANCIS’S Kian Leavy will pull on an Irish jersey for the first time as part of a trio of players from the club who have been named in the Republic of Ireland Under-15 panel.

Conor Carty and Cormac Moore will rejoin the squad they played in for two friendly games away to Poland last November.

They will play two friendly matches with the Netherlands in Zeist at the end of this and the start of next month with the first one on January 31 at the KNVB training centre, with the second

fixture at the same venue two days later.

Speaking about the upcoming trip, head coach Jason Donohue made agreements with the clubs to bring the players in for training every weekend of January in order to ensure they are fully prepared for the upcoming fixtures “With most of the players’ club seasons transitioning to operating in the calendar year format from now on, we had to put a plan in place to keep the players ticking over during January in particular,” said Donohue.

“With the cooperation of the clubs, leagues and the SFAI’s assistance with All-Ireland cup

fixtures, we’re bringing them in each weekend in January in preparation for the double-header against the Netherlands.”

The squad played their only two fixtures away to Poland in November of last year, drawing the first 0-0 and losing the second 2-1. Donohue is trying to breed into the players that they shouldn’t get disheartened if they do not make one of the squads as there will always be more openings for them.

“We are using this as an opportunity to further look at players who played against Poland and after a centre of excellence assessment day over Christmas we have

also made six changes from the squad that played in those games.

Players were rewarded for good performances in the ETP programme.

“Within the weekends training in January we’ve analysed the Netherlands and we’re working on applying our principles of play within the four functions - defending, attacking and the transitions.

“Within that, we’ve organised a training game against Paul Osam’s Ireland Under-16 squad and they will help us by setting up to play as we expect the Netherlands to play.

“That’ll help the players prepare for the demands of the games they’ll face in the double-header.”

St Francis’s Kian Leavy has joined Cormac Moore and Conor Carty in the Republic of Ireland squad