Clondalkin

Gazette CLONDALKIN

June 15 -21, 2017

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Neglected horses left to die on side of road Heartless brutes spotted dumping emaciated cobs out of a trailer

 SYLVIA POWNALL

Rescuers attending to one of the horses

GARDAI in Clondalkin are hunting a heartless duo who dumped two severely emaciated horses on the roadside.

One of the stricken animals was so malnourished it could not stand and it had to be put to sleep by a vet on the spot.

The neglected cobs were taken from

a passing trailer which stopped near the roundabout on the Fonthill Road at around 2.35pm on Monday.

In a sickening case of animal cruelty, the driver and accomplice took the animals from the vehicle and, despite their obvious distress, left them to die on the roadside.

Continued on Page 2

2 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 June 2017

FROM PAGE 1 | ANIMAL SO MALNOURISHED IT HAD TO BE PUT TO SLEEP BY A VET

Act of cruelty condemned Eye witness Anna Dolan said: “I was driving past the roundabout when I saw the car and trailer with one horse sitting on the ground that looked very sick and another one they were trying to get out of the trailer.

“The poor horse was emaciated and could not stand up and when the vet assessed it he decided it had to be put down.”

Anna, who is involved with My Lovely Horse Rescue, regularly tends to abandoned and neglected horses dumped in the green area at Fonthill which has become known as the “killing fields”.

Last month The Gazette reported how a number of MLHR volunteers were chased from the fields – where up to 20 burnt out cars have been spot-

Anna Dolan speaking on 3News Ireland with the dead horse in the background

ted at any one time - by joyriders who were speeding perilously close to distressed horses.

Anna said: “This is a regular occurrence. We are constantly taking horses out of here. A few have to be euthanised. It is very distressing.”

The surviving cob, which is severely malnourished, is now being cared for at the Rathfarnham base of the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

DSPCA spokesperson Gillian Bird said the root cause of most horse neglect was overbreeding, adding: “This is due to a lack of education.”

Cllr Mark Ward (SF) condemned the latest act of cruelty. He reiterated his call for the establishment of a horse welfare forum involving SDCC, gardai, MLHR, Clondalkin Equine Club and others.

He added: “Emaciated horses are being brought to Clondalkin and let onto waste

The surviving cob was severely malnourished

ground… left to roam without adequate food, water or shelter.

My desire to form a forum met with a lukewarm reception by SDCC.” Just last week two horses kept in deplorable conditions at St Cuthbert’s Park were seized and had to be put to sleep. Of 600 horses euthan-

ised in Dublin last year, South Dublin County Council had the highest number at 256.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses and hope CCTV or dashcam footage will give them the registration of the vehicle the horses were dumped from and lead them to the perpetrators.

Vandals wreak havoc at graveyard – again CLONDALKIN Tidy Towns has written to the manager of South Dublin County Council expressing its anger and disappointment at yet another attack on a piece of the town’s heritage.

Vandals have yet again wreaked havoc at Mount St Joseph’s Cemetery – just weeks after calls for action to secure the graveyard.

In his letter to the council Cllr Francis Timmons, who is chairman of the Tidy Towns, asked that the local authority intervene to ensure the developer which owns the land secures the site.

He added: “Mount St Joseph is of huge importance to many people in Clondalkin that this site is preserved and maintained for future generations.”

FASTNews

€50k grant set to help council tackle litter, grafitti OVER €50k in grants has been allocated to tackle the issues of litter and grafitti by the council.

A total of €51,428 will be distributed to successful projects under the grant scheme and Cllr Trevor Gilligan (FF) is encouraging all those interested to get their application in.

Following assessment successful applicants will be awarded the full amount applied for – meaning they don’t have to match the funding.

Further information at www.sdublincoco. ie and the deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday, June 29.

15 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 3

FURY | MUSICGOERS SLAM ‘ABSOLUTE CARNAGE’ AS BELONGINGS FOUND SCATTERED OUTSIDE

Outpouring of anger as bags dumped in rain at 3Arena gig  EMMA NOLAN THERE was “absolute carnage” at the 3Arena last week as concertgoers’ bags were found dumped outside in the rain after the Eddie Vedder show.

Heightened security measures at the venue saw new rules introduced where bags “bigger than an A4 page” are not allowed.

The 3Arena issued a notice ahead of the shows outlining the new rules, but many ticketholders were not aware due to the short notice given, and were told to leave their bags at security and collect them after the gig.

However, when the show ended, the bags were not where they had been left and instead the concertgoers found their bags unattended outside in the rain (left).

Gig goers at the 3 Arena look for their bags A source who was present on as heavy rain buckets down the night told The Gazette that the

bags were scattered outside under the pouring rain, saying: “It was absolute carnage.”

They added: “Peoples’ belongings strewn all over the ground in the rain; no way to determine who owned what – it was a free-for-all.”

Another person told The Gazette that she was “shocked” to find her bag left unattended outside the building.

She said: “I totally see the point [of the security measures] but I wasn’t told my bag was just going to be left outside when I left it with security.

It was a bit disrespectful.

“I was peeved at the time, but looking back, we were warned. I wasn’t

Still requirements”.

They added: “Security told they [the bags] were going to be Video weren’t looking after the bags either – litthrown out of the building though.”

The 3Arena had issued a statement erally anyone could have walked up and ahead of the gigs outlining its updated had a lucky dip.”

In response to the issues raised, a security restrictions and protocols.

It stated: “Backpacks, larger purses or spokesperson for 3Arena told The bags are not allowed; only purses or Gazette that restrictions on items were clutches measuring 4.5in/11.4cm clearly identified on its website and via x 6.5in/16.51cm or smaller will be social media posts.

The security ban on certain items is allowed.”

However, the annoyed echoed across the city, with organisers source told The Gazette that MCD warning that backpacks large while warnings were bags, and bags larger than an A4 page, issued ahead of the along with plenty of other items, won’t show, there were no be allowed at the Robbie Williams (left) warnings “about how gig at the Aviva Stadium this weekend.

Across town, similar restrictions will bags will be dumped outside in the pour- also affect what people can bring into the ing rain if you don’t The 1975 gig this weekend in Malahide. adhere to the security It also emerged this week that gardai will have a team of plain-clothes “terror Robbie Williams plays spotters” mingling amongst the crowd

the Aviva this weekend in Croke Park at next month’s U2 show.

4 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 June 2017

Pupils paint a bright future

OVER 100 primary school students from the Mid West of Dublin attended the 2017 Dublin Bus Children’s Art Competition Awards at City Services Social Club, Clondalkin.

The art competition is part of an overall campaign by Dublin Bus to promote the concept of respecting public transport amongst school children.

The theme for this year’s competition was ‘The Role of Dublin Bus In My Community’.

Arthur Kornejev, Rayhana Ameur, Blanca Gonciaerz and Eva Toner from Scoil Talbot NS, Clondalkin.

Robyn McLoughlin and Amy Wal sh Mercy National School, Clondalk from Divine in

Pictures: Colm Mahady / Fennell Photography

TALLAGHT | ‘THE HOUSE STINKS AND I HAVE TO WASH DISHES IN THE BABY BATH’

Children ‘ill from sewage fumes’, claims mother  SYLVIA POWNALL A TALLAGHT mother claims a sewage leak in the front garden of her family’s council home has caused her children to fall ill.

Gemma Maher said the constant “smell of sewage” led her and her kids to get “swollen glands and flu-like symptoms” which her GP said could be linked to inhaling

the sewage fumes over time.

She said: “The sewage was in the garden for two weeks.

We were all getting irritated with the smell in the house.

My youngest son has breathing problems.

“When the sewage happens it blocks my kitchen sink, the house stinks and I have to wash my dishes in the baby bath in the bathroom.”

Gemma’s mother-in-law

Christine Ryan highlighted the issue on FM104 and told the radio phone show she would pay for the repairs herself if she had the money.

She added: “They’ve fixed the leak but it’s an ongoing problem. They’ll be back in four weeks to fix it again.”

Christine explained that she “felt bad” for the three children having to live in that situation.

Local TD John Lahart has taken up the issue on the family’s behalf and said he had written three separate letters to South Dublin County Council requesting repairs be carried out.

He said: “I first made contact on the ninth of May, and then again on the seventeenth of May. I asked again on the seventeenth if repairs could be carried out now to avoid

future problems.”

He added that he made the council aware of the extent of the problems and that Gemma’s children had been sick.

A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council’s maintenance depar tment has said they are aware of the issue and are looking to resolve it, adding: “Obviously we want to nip this in the bud and we will get it sorted.”

FASTNews

Teens found with offensive weapons THREE teenagers who led gardai on a chase through the city last week before being arrested were carrying offensive weapons, it’s emerged.

The incident occurred at rush hour when the car they were travelling in refused to stop when prompted to do so by gardai on Bridgefoot Street in Dublin 8. The vehicle eventually crashed on the Kylemore Road, damaging several other vehicles.

A garda spokesperson said the three youths, all aged in their late teens, fled the scene of the accident, but were quickly arrested.

When arrested they were in possession of what gardai have described as “offensive weapons”.

They were released from custody and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

‘Lairy’mother ends up in court A YOUNG mother of one got “lairy” and hurled drunken abuse at gardai, a court heard.

Agne Venclovaite, 26, was arrested for public order offences after what gardai described as getting “a little lairy” when approached.

Judge Fiona Lydon left her without a criminal record when she appeared at Dublin District Court.

Venclovaite, of the Academy Building, Parkwest, pleaded guilty to public intoxication and threatening and abusive behaviour at Parkwest at 4.45am on May 13.

The defendant apologised for her behaviour and the judge applied the Probation Act.

15 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 5

FASTNews

Weekly Cash Bingo at Quarryvale Community & Leisure Centre A WEEKLY Cash Bingo starts on Tuesday, June 27 at 7.30pm in Quarryvale Community & Leisure Centre with an open invitation to all to come along.

The D22 Community Cash Bingo came about thanks to the commitment of a group of local women who enlisted the help of the centre’s management to get the event up and running.

On May 31 centre chairperson Cecil Johnston and manager David Graham attended a sitting of the district court where the event was granted a licence.

David told The Gazette: “This is a social event trying to encourage local people to come along, meet friends and have fun. The cafe will be open for refreshments and it promises to be a good night.

“This event is the brainchild of a group of local women all over 60 years of age who worked for the last few months to bring this to our area. It’s a great story of local people doing for their community.

“Another aspect of this event is that most of the money generated goes back to the community in prizes and they have also factored in a portion of the proceeds to go back to the community centre for future developments.”

For more details see Quarryvale Community and Leisure Centre’s Facebook page.

‘As a mother I’d love to take this all off him and put it on myself’ DAD-OF-ONE TOLD HE WILL DIE IF HE DOESN’T GET TREATMENT  SYLVIA POWNALL

Planning change sought at shut Liffey Valley gym site CAVVIES Limited has applied for changes to its planning permission granted to change the use of Liffey Valley Fitness gym to residential.

The application, which was granted permission last year, outlined plans for the existing threestorey building to provide 27 residential units.

Permission is now being sought for modifications to the previous application, including the conversion and extension of the existing mezzanine plant floor to residential use, the addition of new balconies and a revised car parking layout.

A total of 48 residential units, consisting of 40 two-bed apartments, four one-bed apartments and four studios are now proposed with 52 car parking spaces.

Owners of Cavvies Limited, Vincent and Jackie Cosgrave, operate a number of businesses including the Sheldon Park Hotel, Clondalkin Towers Hotel and Oakfield Lodge Hotel.

Liffey Valley Fitness first opened in 2004 and closed for good last summer.

A decision is due from South Dublin County Council by July 9.

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

Conan was diagnosed with an aggressive form of oesophageal cancer at the age of 29

A DAD-OF-ONE diagnosed with an aggressive form of oesophageal cancer at the age of 29 has been told he will die if he doesn’t get the treatment he needs.

Conan Kelly from Clondalkin has to raise €60,000 to start his chemotherapy, and pals and supporters have so far donated €8,122 towards his medical costs.

His mother Mairead now fears her son, who was forced to move to Germany after he lost his job due to his undiagnosed illness, is running out of time.

She told The Gazette: “He has not been able to hold down solids since last November. He is skin and bone, skeletally thin. My son turns 30 in August and my biggest fear is that I’ll be burying him instead of celebrating his birthday.”

Communications engineer Conan was out of work for five months last year and went to his GP because he was suffering from constant reflux and heartburn and had lost a significant amount of weight as a result.

But his condition was not detected and due to a redtape blunder when he moved abroad to start a new job, his health insurance was cancelled. A visit to A&E there when his symptoms persisted led to an accurate diagnosis within four days.

Mairead said: “He is over there in Germany on his own, missing his three-year-old daughter Sophie, wondering if he will get the treatment he needs.

“We are all working around the clock and saving money so we can set up some kind of roster to fly out there and be with him. I can’t sleep for worrying.”

Sophie’s mother revealed: “Every day she asks ‘Where is my Daddy, I miss him’. She is too young to understand a word like cancer and a concept like death.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up in a bid to raise the €115,000 Conan needs in total.

Mairead said: “Without immediate treatment, he has limited life expectancy. Because he is short of funds, he can’t get treated until his insurance gets sorted. But time is a luxury he does not have.

“As a mother I’d love to just take this all off him and put it on myself, but I can’t.”

To donate visit https://www.gofundme.com/helpconan-conquer-cancer.

Conan with his daughter Conan with his mam Mairead and his two sisters

Sophie

A GoFundMe page has been set up

6 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 June 2017

Out and About

Celebrating 30 years in spectacular fashion H

AVING put hundreds of students through her hands, including Steve Garrigan, lead singer of Kodaline, Fair City’s Johnny Ward and TV presenter Brian Ormond, Helen Jordan is celebrating 30 years of her stage school with a spectacular show in the Olympia Theatre on Sunday, June 18. The show will feature all the students from the school aged 3 to 18 years, as well as many past students including West End singers Clodagh Long and Carol Heffernan, who will be flying in that weekend to perform. Pictures: BRIAN PATRICK GALLAGHER

15 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 7

Out and About

8 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 June 2017

CLONDALKIN | SHELTER APPEALS TO PUBLIC TO BRING IN UNWANTED ANIMALS

Local gardai rescue kittens dumped in bag on roadside  SYLVIA POWNALL FOUR tiny kittens were rescued by gardai after being dumped in a bag in Clondalkin village last week.

Gardai posted a picture (inset) of one of the adorable kittens on Twitter and used the opportunity to ask people to “paws” before they abandon helpless young animals.

The four kittens, who were left in a bag near the garda station on Thursday night, are now being cared for by Clondalkin Animal Aid. Volunteer Rachel Johnston is now caring for the tiny pets before they are put up for adoption in a few weeks and has urged people to contact the shelter rather than leaving defenceless animals on the side of the road.

She said: “We are here to help in any

way we can. These kittens could have been left directly to the station, into any vet, even a pet shop.

“There’s just no need for dumping. Also, the mother is now left wondering where her babies are and she’ll be devastated.

“They are only four weeks old so they can’t be homed for at least another four weeks. They are not even able to eat alone.

“They really need their mother. We’re trying to syringe-feed them at the moment, but they are constantly crying.

“If they hadn’t been found when they were they would never have survived the night, especially in that rain.”

Anyone interested in donating to Clondalkin Animal Aid or helping with the care of the animals should visit the charity’s Facebook page.

FASTNews

Fire brigade staff make a very special little delivery DUBLIN Fire Brigade took charge of a very special delivery at the weekend when they assisted with the arrival of a baby boy en route to the Coombe Hospital.

Units from Tallaght responded to a call from a Tallaght mother in labour and an advanced paramedic delivered the boy in the ambulance on the bridge at Kingswood over the Naas Road.

The crew collected the expectant mother from a house in Jobstown but had to stop on the way to the hospital as the baby could not wait any longer.

Both mother and child are reportedly doing well and The Gazette wishes them every happiness.

Luas survey to look at parking woes in estates near Red Line

The purrfect ending for abandoned Puss N Cutes

FELINE a bit down? Well paws for a second and read this good news story. These adorable little guys had been dumped on a bus last week and were brought in to Clondalkin Animal Aid. The pair are so friendly that their foster has now decided to adopt them. Congratulations to everyone at the shelter for all the great work they do – they’ve just given these two little rascals the best chance of enjoying the purrfect life with their new owner. Picture: Clondalkin Animal Aid/Facebook

A SURVEY will be carried out in areas along the red Luas line to assess the number of cars being parked in estates by commuters.

Sinn Féin councillor Cora McCann last month tabled a motion which asked that a survey be carried out in areas along the tram route.

The survey aims to assess the volume of cars being parked in estates and on main roads – which Cllr McCann claims is a “health and safety concern” for local residents.

South Dublin County Council confirmed it will carry out a survey and prepare a report, which will be brought to the Traffic Management meeting when finalised.

15 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 9

10 GAZETTE 15 June 2017

Out and About

Lauren Keegan, Aisha O’Keeffe and Shauna Johnston from Holy Child Community School, Sallynoggin. Picture: Rose Comiskey

Lauren Coyle, Aoife Byrne and Ciara Coates from Portmanock Community School. Picture: ALISON O’HANLON

Prebi Olobio, Yolly Okpe, Alice Minar and Niamh Farrelly from St Joseph’s College

Leaving Cert exams get underway across Dublin

T

Lucan. Picture: STEPHEN FLEMING

HE Gazette caught up with students from around the county as they headed to their school to sit the Leaving Cert exams. There were plenty of nerves on display as they joined the 120,000 students in total who will be sitting the exams across the country. English was up first and there were plenty of teachers on hand to offer last minute advice, like try to stay calm and not to get too stressed. The results of the Leaving Cert will be published on Wednesday, August 16, while the Junior Cert results will be out in September. Best of luck to one and all!

Jasmine Sheridan and Naomi Mooney from Holy Child Community School,

Roisin Dowd, Aoibhe Dillon, Lauren Tarpey, Abbie Mooney and Sarah Brennan from Portmanock Community

Sallynoggin. Picture: Rose Comiskey

School. Picture: ALISON O’HANLON

15 June 2017 GAZETTE 11

Karim Ghanem, Kasim Ali and Santiago Pompa from Ballinteer Community School.

Picture: Rose Comiskey

Holly Maglangit, Estephany Barba Matta and Sadaf Amir Kamvar from Ballinteer Community School.

Picture: Rose Comiskey

Eilidh Dunlop, Hannah O’Keeffe and Aisling Dolan from Colaiste Bride in Clondalkin. Picture: Aishling Conway

HERE WE GO: Blakestown Community School students on their way into the exam

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 15 June 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS

Telecoms firm rings up 15 jobs in €1.75m deal TELECOMS company Pure Telecom has signed a €1.75m deal with sales agency DSM Ltd, creating 15 jobs.

The deal will enable P ure to continue its opush to roll-out services across the country, with a particular focus on rural Ireland.

The Irish-owned company has been providing fixed line, broadband and cloud telecoms services since 2002 to Irish businesses and consumers.

All of the DSM positions will be field sales roles, with successful can-

didates having customerfacing experience and a track record in achieving ambitious sales targets, in addition to receiving ongoing training the company.

Anticipation With nationwide fibre roll-outs continue, and in anticipation of a decision on the National Broadband Plan, Pure Telecom is focusing on an increased presence of sales agents in key locations across the country t o h e l p it achieve an

Interviews make everyone nervous – but there are several questions you should be easily able to answer

Five top tips to help ace that interview

THE interview is the most common tool used to assess people for roles. Let’s look at five questions you may be asked and tips on responding to each ...

Pictured announcing Pure Telecom’s €1.75 million deal with DSM Ltd are Alan McGonnell and Paul Connell, Pure Telecom, and James Edinborough, DSM Ltd

aggressive growth plan.

Celebrating the deal, Paul Connell, Pure Tele-

Call for companies to seek best-managed recognition

ANYA Cummins, partner Deloitte; Nigel Owens, keynote speaker and Michael Torpey, chief executive, corporate and treasury, Bank of Ireland bounced a ball and some ideas around at the launch of Deloitte’s 10th Best Managed Companies Awards.

The trio are urging companies to enter this year’s programme, in association with new programme

sponsor Bank of Ireland, to showcase the success of indigenous companies and acknowledge the contribution that they make to the economy.

For further information, awards criteria and full details of how to enter the awards, see the site at www.deloittebestmanaged.ie, with a closing date for entries set for August 6. Picture: Jason Clarke

com chief executive, said: “This deal is part of our nationwide push to bring broadband to a lot more people and households in rural Ireland.

“We work very closely with some of Ireland’s major wholesale providers and want to ensure that we are there as soon as the broadband is – part of that means having an increased presence of sales representatives.

“We are very confident that this deal with DSM will play a significant role in helping us to grow our business and footprint outside of the major cities.”

Echoing his words, James Edinborough, DSM Ltd chief executive, added: “Pure Telecom is the kind of company that sales representatives want to work with because of its dedication to customer service and competitive pricing.

“Broadband across Ireland still has a long way to go, but we look forward to helping Pure Telecom roll out the muchneeded service across the country.

“Our relationship spans many years and we are delighted to have signed another deal with

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

‘A few years ago most people thought that the smartphone would see the demise of the landline ... but instead we are seeing huge demand for it’ --------------------------

Paul Connell, Pure Telecom

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

them. We look forward to providing Pure Telecom with sales support to help it continue on its impressive growth path.”

Connell said: ““What we have found interesting is that as more people become connected to broadband, the fixed line is making a comeback.

“A few years ago most people thought that the smartphone would see the demise of the landline, and we prepared ourselves for that, but instead we are seeing huge demand for it.

“The National Broadband Plan will only serve to increase that demand.”

What can you tell us about your career to date?

Many interviews start with this request. You should keep your answer brief and to the point.

Cover your education quickly, your general career and finish with your most recent history.

Keep it relatively simple and you’ll be off to a good start.

What aspects of your previous job did you like or dislike?

Concentrate on the ‘like’ part of your previous role. When addressing the ‘dislike’ part, it may be better to change the emphasis to what you would have changed rather than being negative.

Why should we employ you?

Outline your personal qualities as they relate to the role you are applying for and how they will benefit the company.

Yo u s h o u l d h ave established what the key aspects of the role are prior to the interview and Remember these tips, and it’ll make a huge difference in interviews. If you want to talk to someone about career opportunities, contact RecruitmentPlus at 01 2788 610, or also see www.recruitmentplus.ie.

build your answer around those key competencies.

What is a difficult situation that you handled well?

Highlight a difficult work situation and give the context, the actions you took and the result.

Don’t share confidential information; don’t dismiss the efforts of others and avoid positioning yourself as a victim or a knight in shining armour.

This question offers you the opportunity to show your reasoning skills and your ability to manage stress.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

The natural inclination for the interviewee is to focus on the strengths while the natural tendency for the interviewer is to listen more closely to the weaknesses.

As a general rule of thumb, it makes good sense to cover strengths that are essential to the role and to raise a weakness that is non-essential.

15 June 2017 GAZETTE 13

TRAVEL P21 MOTORS 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

MAYBE IT’S MAISIE WHO COULD BE A DREAM PET OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Maisie, a beautiful and very intelligent threeyear-old Collie cross.

She is an active dog and loves her daily walks and activities.

Maisie is really good at doggie brain games such as scent games, agility and obedience training, and her favourite game is Fetch.

Maisie is a typical collie and is full of beans, so she would suit an active household where she will have lots of company.

She really has huge potential and will make the perfect agility or flyball partner and a very loyal companion.

If you can be Maisie’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.

The Coronas out to take their chances



GAZETTE

CINEMA P24

JAMES Hendicott talks to The Coronas frontman Danny O’Reilly about the making of Trust The Wire, the acclaimed new album that has seen the popular indie four piece evolve from ‘Ireland’s ultimate student band”.

Danny explains how moving from the hustle and bustle of London to the remote, unspoiled beauty of West Kerry subconsciously helped to inspire a more chilled, mature and electronic style and a record that shows they’re not afraid to take risks.

See Pages 16-17

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 15 June 2017

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton chats with Aoibheann Clancy as fellow pupils from St Vincent de Paul Infant School, Griffith Avenue (Henry Cronin, Michael O’Neill and Emma Lidierth), demonstrate the old maxim about ‘Hear no evil ...’, now updated for media, advertising and fake news. Picture: Andres Poveda

NEW INITIATIVE: HELPING OUR CHILDREN TO MAKE SENSE OF THE MEDIA WORLD AROUND THEM

‘Fake news’ course for kids A NEW, free educational resource to help teach primary schoolchildren about the media, advertising and fake news has been launched.

The “MediaWise” initiative from Safefood is an eight-week programme suitable for primary school children of all ages. It has been designed to help children makes sense of the media world around them. Education Minister Richard Bruton attended the launch.

Fiona Gilligan, director, marketing and communications, safefood said: “We know from research that children are bombarded with hundreds of media messages every day, whether that’s advertising, commercial sponsorships, online gaming or social media.

Our own research has revealed that children as young as three see upwards of 1,000 TV ads for unhealthy foods over the course of a year.

“Safefood’s rem it includes the promotion of health amongst children, and with their exposure to so many messages, MediaWise is about helping them evaluate, interpret and critique these to make healthy choices.”

ACCESSIBLE BUS FOR WHEELCHAIR USER’S B OY Z O N E ’ S K e i t h Duffy launched a new accessible bus for wheelchair user’s to support the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) in Clontarf on June 7.

Duffy, along with IWA members and their families, local community sup-

porters, businesses, and Clontarf Castle assisted IWA to raise the necessary funds to purchase the bus. The launch was met by celebration afterwards which took place at IWA’s National Headquarters, in Clontarf.

customers to understand their entitlements and meet their tax and duty obligations.”

Revenue has warned users of its PAYE Anytime service that the function will no longer be available as of June 19.

MAJOR REDESIGN FOR REVENUE’S SITE

PETER PAN COMES TO POWERSCOURT

REVENUE has updated its website which is the first major redesign since 2008. Information through the website is now widely accessible through various different devices such as Android.

New features also include feedback facility which allows users to share their views and suggestions with Revenue at the click of a button.

According to their press release: “Our aim is to make it easier for

FOR one day only, on June 25, Neverland will be brought back to life with a production of Peter Pan in Powerscourt Gardens. This open air event begins at 1:30pm in Enniskerry, County Wicklow.

In association with Chapter House Theatre Company, award winning writer Laura Turner creates her own adaptation of JM Barrie’s original story.

Tickets can be booked

for €16 for children.

Adult prices are €19 and a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) are €56.

SPORTS DAY FUN FOR A WORTHY CAUSE LAW firm, Eversheds Sutherland is hosting its 7th annual Sports Day corporate fundraising event in Herbert Park from 4pm onwards on Thursday, June 15.

Eversheds Sutherland’s aim is to join the business community together and encourage donations to the children’s charity, Barretstown.

By attending you can enjoy a fun filled day of sports, along with a barbecue later on, for a good cause.

Refresh your memory and embrace nostalgia with activities including the three legged race, the

egg and spoon race and the climbing wall, among numerous others.

Irish Olympic runner, David Matthews, has even arranged a special fitness challenge for those more adventurous hopefuls.

Barretstown’s ethos is

to aid children and their families whom have been affected by serious illness, with a specific focus on cancer.

You can take part in this event by contacting Mark Hughes at sportsday@barretstown.org or by calling 045-864115.

Former Boyzone singer Keith Duffy helps to launch a new accessible bus for wheelchair users

15 June 2017 GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

FEATURE

BODY LANGUAGE: LEADING EXPERT TRACEY COX REVEALS WHAT’S BEHIND YOUR SQUEEZE

What your squeeze says about you?

AS part of the launch of the HTC U11, with a revolutionary new squeeze interaction, HTC has partnered with one of the world’s leading body language experts, Tracey Cox, to analyse our everyday “squeeze”; what it says about our personality and what that squeeze communicates to others.

The U11 brings a new age of phone interaction, where a simple squeeze allows the user to take photos, launch their favourite apps, text on the go and more.

Tracey said: “Nothing is more powerful and significant than a squeeze or touch. Even the smallest squeeze resonates so be aware of every touch and the implications it has – each has the power to make us feel loved and wanted or rejected.

“Don’t underestimate the

power of the daily squeeze – it’s needed now, more than ever. The more you touch and squeeze others and are touched and squeezed yourself, the happier and healthier we’ll all be.”

Tracey has identified eight types of everyday squeezes, the messages they communicate and the implications every squeeze has.

hold their torso away and there’s no direct eye contact.

Romantic Squeeze: This is when the upper torsos are press together. Effectively your holding the other person against your heart and saying ‘I love you’ using your entire body.

The Power Squeeze - Powerful people will shake with their palm turned down. A strong handshake from both individuals with palms parallel transmits respect and rapport.

Flirtatious Squeeze: If someone wants to let you know that they are interested in more than friendship, they will give you an extra squeeze at the end of a hug, and when pulling back make direct eye contact.

The Fake Squeeze - This squeeze is the equivalent of the air kiss: the person imitates a hug without giving one. They’ll lean forward with their shoulders but

The Sexy Squeeze - Hip hugs are naughtier and lustier than waist embraces. If the person tries to pull their torso away, they’re trying to keep the relationship platonic.

Insecure Squeeze: If we are unsure of someone’s feelings for us, we revert to the kind of hug we’d seek from our parents - we nestle our face into someone’s neck, implying a desire for security.

The Best Friend Squeeze: Most public squeezes involve embracing the shoulders, not the waist. The waist hug is often nicknamed ‘the friendly hug’.

The Dominant Squeeze: High squeezes show dominance: the person who hugs highest is nearly always the dominant one.

The HTC U11 can be purchased now, sim free on www.htc. com/ie from €749 and in a range of five colours.

15 June 2017 GAZETTE 17

DUBLINLIFE

 JAMES HENDICOTT LONG SEEN as Ireland’s ultimate student band, The Coronas’ evolution has been an odd one.

Rarely given the media credit that their sizeable sell-out shows might suggest they warrant, the lively four-piece are firmly established on our shores, having played the country’s largest indoor gig venue (the 3Arena) and headlined numerous festivals.

For much of the last few years, however, their Irish successes have been conducted from abroad, with The Coronas living together on London as they tried to break into a larger market, with mixed success.

Having now returned home – a move that, bizarrely, precedes their largest ever London show latest this year, in the Kentish Town Forum – life is moving on fast.

New album ‘Trust The Wire’ – a reference to taking chances – represents probably the band’s most substantive change in style since they started out 14 years ago, taking in a broad range of genres and instrumentation. It’ll be released on a newly-established band-run label, too.

“We didn’t sit down and decide to do things differently,” frontman Danny O’Reilly told The Gazette.

“It just evolved. We wrote the album in Dingle, instead of London like the last album, and I think there was a subconscious impact of that in the sound.

“It’s very electronic, chilled and mature, written from a place of calm. I think you can sense the change lyrically, too.”

“It’ll be our first record on the new label, and we’re excited about that,” he adds.

“It makes sense for us financially now that we’re in a place where we can promote ourselves, and really take control of what we’re doing. We’ve actually done more promotion on this album than other ones, even though we didn’t have that major label backing, so it seems to be going well.”

Label “I don’t want to say anything that sounds like I’m putting down [previous label] Universal, as they were really good to us, but this is the right move, and it’s a really exciting time. With a bit of luck, the label might outlive the band.”

The band, clearly, are growing up fast.

O’Reilly is the son of Mary Black, so he’s always been around the music scene, and recalls attending shows before his age hit double figures, and seems to live for the music.

With marriage and life commitments coming into play for other members of the band, however sharing a house all together in London wasn’t proving practical anymore.

If anything, the time apart – and separate experiences – has made The Coronas’ writing process more imaginative when they’ve come back together.

A TRIP THROUGH THE WIRE

The Coronas are back from London with a new sound, a new album, and a Dingle take on life

MUSIC

N O S ’ T A H W

E D I U G S T N EVE

with JAMES HENDICOTT

Jeff Goldblum Day

Lighthouse Cinema celebrates the American actor in the first of what it plans to be an annual day in his honour. The first offering - on June 16 - will feature The Lost World, Independence Day and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, scheduled to allow viewing of all three back to back.

Radiohead

Long since sold out, the trendy Oxford indie-stars hit up the 3Arena for a sure-to-impress show with its textured variety and nuance hits. Expect a few big tracks, an exploration of the RADIOHEAD, 3 ARENA dingy corners of the back catalogue and lots of beautifully dark rumblings to bed it all down. June 20

Redhead Fest

A whole weekend celebrating what it is to be ginger. South Park might have joked that the carrot-topped have no soul, but we beg to differ: Bar Rua’s celebration of all things ‘strawberry blonde’ on the 17th and 18th of June is in honour of MS Ireland, and features music and themed fun.

Renegrade

Like an open mic, but for circus performers, Renegade returns to the Dublin Circus Project on June 17 for a weird and wacky BYOB event designed to offer a showcase for any member of the audience choosing to step on stage. They’ll be rewards for participation in a lively show.

The Great Gatsby Rave

Morning Gloryville bring their weekday morning party concept to Cafe En Seine for a 6.30am ‘rave’ based on the classic novel.

That means being suited and booted for a Wednesday morning of high-class shape throwing on June 21.

Ham Sandwich at Leopardstown

The Bulmers Live at Leopardstown events continue with one of Ireland’s finest live acts. Ham Sandwich will join the horses at the racetrack for the great-value music and racing event on June 22.

Wandering Rocks: Journey Inside Ulysses

Joyce’s classic story gets a revamp for the annual Bloomsday celebrations courtesy of Happenings, who have set up a citywide exploration involving performance and interactive maps.

“We work best just locked away for a month,” O’Reilly explains of the trip to Dingle to write this record, after deciding they needed some “time off, including from the high rent,” and time to spend on their own lives. Dingle, and the album recording, was the perfect reunion.

“They’ve got the whole musical history down there, with [RTE televised festival] OtherVoices, as well as all kinds of artists, films, food, and it’s that extra hour away from Killarney, which makes it that much more out of the way. We’ve all been down to Dingle since we were

on kids’ holidays, so it feels very normal to be there, but it’s a special place.”

Initial reactions to the album have been strong, though O’Reilly admits that he’s developed a high tolerance of negative reviews and critical commentary, preferring to let fans judge.

Critical “We were never really critical darlings, and often written off as ‘just’ a student band,” O’Reilly argues.

“I’ve got pretty thick skin about it now, to the point

where, as is often the case in music, I’d worry that a good review might mean it won’t sell. But then again, this has been getting quite good reviews. We’ve played a few tracks live over the last few months, and they’ve been going down well, and the single seems popular with fans. That’s more important, really.”

The fans are certainly still buying from the band, anyhow, with The Coronas set to play their biggest headline show to date this summer, at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in front of an audience of 15,000.

“We’re sort of at different stages as a band in differ-

ent places,” O’Reilly says of the huge range of audience sizes they perform before regularly. “We play big venues in Ireland. We’d play Ulster Hall in Belfast and we’re a bit bigger in London than in the rest of the UK. It’s totally different depending on where you go.”

“We’d be looking at Coldplay and trying to take aspects of their show that we like, trying to put on a really big stage show for something like Kilmainham.

We’ve always invested in production; in our performance. Obviously you can’t do that in the same way when you’re playing in front of an audience of a few

hundred, and that would totally change your setlist, too. But for something like Kilmainham, it’s really important for us to make an effort with what we do on stage; for it to be about more than the music.”

As for their latest incarnation as a band – the more mature, evolved version of The Coronas?

“We chose the title ‘Trust The Wire’ because it represents us as a band on this album. We’re refocusing, realigning our own ambition and trying not to doubt ourselves,” O’Reilly concludes. “We’re really taking the plunge.”

GAZETTE

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 15 June 2017

Summer Solstice

Celebrate the first day of summer with a Merrion Square picnic event to feature music and yoga, a slackline, and a lot of extras yet to be announced. With a little luck, the weather will match the mood...

New album of the week

Royal Blood - How Did We Get So Dark? Fresh from supporting Guns N’ Roses at Slane, the brazen two-piece return with a short, pulsating second album that’s sure to see the Brighton pair shaking a few floorboards once again.

DUBLINLIFE Ravenscliff waterproof shell €160 Regatta Great Outdoors, hunter green

Rolex C Weir osmogra p & So ns €P h Dayton a OA

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 15 June 2017

Arnotts

Happy

ay Gif ther’s D a F s k c So

5

t Set €2

Aldi Fathers Day Glasses €4.99 per set Aldi Moccasin Slippers €7.99

PAYOT H o m m e Soin Re En e r g iz veil in g Care €36

DELAROM Homme Eau Sport €34

ALEX AND ANI create bangle in aid of Pieta House

ALEX AND ANI Charity

by Design butterfly bangle will retail at €36

MEANINGFUL jewellery brand, ALEX AND ANI have created a Charity By Design bangle in aid of Pieta House.

The bangle, which has a butterfly charm, carries the meaning of renewal, strength and rebirth.

Ten percent of every bangle sold goes directly to Pieta House – which offers free-of-charge therapy to those suffering from suicidal ideation, those who have been bereaved by suicide and people who are engaging in self-harm - with a minimum donation of €5,000 promised.

The Charity By Design Collection focuses on

organisations whose mission aligns with the three main causes that ALEX AND ANI strive to support; community development and relief, health and wellness and environmental and animal care.

“The butterfly represents change, beauty, and diversity and it’s a great symbol of hope and strength and of a future for clients of Pieta House and for all of us,” said Pieta House CEO Brian Higgins.

The ALEX AND ANI Charity by Design butterfly bangle will retail at €36 from all ALEX AND ANI stockists and from www.Arnotts.ie and via the Detail of butterfly charm Pieta House website www.pieta.ie

15 June 2017 GAZETTE 19

GAZETTE

STYLE

Aldi ELECTRIC SHAVER €19.99

AppliancesDelivered.ie Krups Nespresso Pixie Coffee Machine €149.95

Blue Solid Oxford Button-down Tailored Fit Shirt, €89, Magee 1866, www.magee1866.com

KING Treat your dad like a

Genius, Powerscourt Centre, Saddler Belt €59.95

 EMMA NOLAN, Style Editor

River Island Brown LatticeDetail Holdall €60

Arnotts Kiehls Nourishing Beard Grooming Oil €30

Sony XB10 EXTRA BASS Portable Wireless Speaker €70

WITH Father’s Day coming up next week, The Gazette has put together some great gift ideas for the dads in your life.

Put a smile on his face with some thoughtful presents for all budgets and tastes, whether he’s into gadgets, clothes, grooming or something a little more quirky.

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 15 June 2017

DUBLINLIFE

FEATURE

THEATRE : TELLING A TALE IN HOPE PEOPLE WILL BETTER UNDERSTAND REALITIES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Hard-hitting play exposes some awful, hidden abuse

 SYLVIA POWNALL

DUBLINER Fran Winston is daring to tread where few have gone before – delving into the world of domestic violence in a hard-hitting play inspired by her own experiences.

Fran’s experimental work – Arnica Was my Eyecream – will be staged at the International Bar on June 20, 21, 22 and 23 (see the Facebook page of the same title for details).

It tells the story of Nancy, a woman who finds herself masking black eyes with make-up when her new boyfriend, Marcus, turns out to be anything but Prince Charming.

Fran, originally from Ballymun but living in Rathgar, told The Gazette: “The play shows how sur prisingly ordinary the abusers are and how easy it is to fall victim.

“I decided to have Marcus appear to the audience as a virtual character, a looming shadow on the wall, because once you put a face on something it is nowhere near as terrifying as what you imagine in your head.”

Fran herself suffered domestic violence at the hands of a former partner who now lives abroad.

She recalls how despite describing herself as a “strong, intelligent woman” it took a drastic series of events for her to realise how she was being manipulated and abused.

She said: “Ironically I met him while I was rehearsing lines for MacBeth in the International Bar. I bumped into him again a few years later and he was very charm-

ing ...

“We had only been going out four weeks when he came home after having a row with someone at work and started throwing me around. The next day he was incredibly apologetic and I genuinely did think it was a one-off.

“But it got steadily worse.

There were nights when he’d pull me around by the hair and nearly pull it out of my head. He broke my eye socket one night.

“The night I graduated with my MA, gardai had to call an ambulance because he battered me so badly the whole right side of my face was swollen.

“Once they get to the point where they’ve hit you in the face and you’ve gone out in public and tried to cover it up, they think they won’t get caught and it gets more frequent.”

Fran, who plays the role of Nancy, hopes the production helps highlight the issue in the hope that others recognise the signs and victims feel better able to report it.

She also wants legislation to change to offer more protection from abusers.

She said: “[Gardai] have to take it seriously. One in five women will be victims of domestic abuse, yet nobody wants to talk about it.

“On average, a woman will be assaulted 35 times by her partner or ex before reporting it.

“This is Nancy’s story, but it is many people’s story, and it is happening to someone you know right now. She tells her tale in the hope that people will better understand the realities of domestic violence.”

Fran Winston has drawn on her own experience of being assaulted by a partner to create a play exploring the realities of hidden domestic abuse

15 June 2017 GAZETTE 21

EXPERIENCE the American dream this year for less – GoHop. ie is offering exclusive deals on USA United Airways flights booked

by June 19.

Try your luck in Las Vegas from only €580, or shop ‘til you drop at Bloomingdale’s on a weekend away in NYC from only €396.

Soak up the Californian sunshine with a visit to the home of the stars, Los Angeles, from only €388 or treat your kids to a fun-filled family getaway in the home of Disney, with flights to Orlando from only €468.

If those USA deals don’t whet your appetite, then why not head up north and explore the beautiful sights of Canada?

Explore the dynamic metropolis of Toronto from only €448 or choose a stunning city that blends cultures and landscapes with a visit to Vancouver from €326.

Make sure you book

by June 19 to avail of these amazing United Airways rates, exclusive to GoHop.ie.

Prices are subject to dates and availability.

All prices are flight only and based on return economy fares.

For more information or to book, see www.

GoHop.ie or call the experts at 01 241 2389.

Early Bird Package holiday newbies Ryanair are offering seven nights staying at the Atlantic Choice Studio 17 hotel in Portimao on the Algarve in Portugal for an amazing €188 PPS. The price is based on dates in October and includes flights, transfers, luggage and accommodation on a self-catering basis.

Spain’s hidden gems

GAZETTE

Hop to it and catch some great deals to the US, Canada

TRAVEL

HIDDEN GEM: Just an hour’s drive north from Barcelona, Besalu is a wonderful medieval town in Cataluna and is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Spain.

 SYLVIA POWNALL Travel Editor

The old prison right at the entrance to Pedraza

Arcos de la Frontera is one of Andalucia’s most dramatically positioned white villages

THE holiday map of the world is changing and fears of terror strikes mean old favourites like Egypt,Tunisia and Turkey are not looking quite as appealing.

Spain continues to top the list for Irish holidaymakers – but have you ever considered foregoing the fish bowls and foam parties of the livelier resorts in favour of some exploring off the beaten track instead?

Flights in and out of pretty much any Spanish airport have never been so affordable, and price comparison sites like Booking.com and Trivago can throw up hotel and guest house accommodation at a fraction of what you think they might cost.

Here are some of our favourite hidden gems.

Besalu Besalu might just be the most interesting Spanish village you’ve never heard of.

The moment you pass over the trademark 12th century bridge you know you’ve entered a magical medieval world.

It’s a picture postcard adventure at every turn from the narrow alleyways of the Jewish district adorned with Romanesque engravings to the seductive tapas bars boasting some of the best regional cuisine in Cataluna.

For a town with a population of just 2,500 it has plenty to offer – including the quirky Museum of Miniatures and the ruins of the 13th century Jewish baths. It’s a one-hour drive north from Barcelona, and well worth the visit.

Galicia Home to three islands off northwest Spain which were voted No 3 in Lonely Planet’s top 10 best up-andcoming destinations to visit in 2017.

And with their white sands, turquoise waters, rich marine life and laid-back pace it’s easy to see why.

The Romans referred to them as the “islands of the Gods” but more recently they’ve become known as the Galician Caribbean or Seychelles.

Rodas has been named as one of the 10 best beaches in the world and a strict limit of 2,200 tourists a day keeps the crowds away.

The islands are a ferry ride from the nearest airport in Vigo.

However the only accommodation is camping, so if you prefer things a little less rustic head for the rural hotel of Quinta de San Amaro just two miles inland in the O Salnes area of western Galicia. Here you can enjoy the gastronomic delights, unspoilt beaches and water sports with rooms from just €80 a night.

Arcos de la Frontera This is undisputedly the reigning king of Andalucia’s famous White Villages, though it has stiff competition from Frigiliana whose cluster of white washed homes and picturesque courtyards give it a good run for its money.

Arcos de la Frontera is a charming cliff-top hamlet only an hour’s drive from Cadiz.

Widely considered one of Spain’s most beautiful villages, its charm lies in its narrow streets and immaculate white walls decorated with flowering vines and colourful tilework.

One of this village’s main draws its location with the beach, the spectacular Donana National Park, the Grazalema Mountains, and the splendours of Seville all little more than an hour’s drive away.

Pedraza Drive 90 minutes north of Madrid and you will find one of the jewels of central Spain.

While the regional capital, Segovia, has attracted international travellers for years, Pedraza is a favourite among locals due to its imposing 2castle, impressive views, and an atmosphere steeped in 16th century history.

Photo ops abound and there is plenty of striking architecture to see, but Pedraza is most famous for its hearty cuisine based on local specialties like lamb and suckling pig roasted in wood-fire ovens.

Best of the rest: The sleepy village of Banyalbufar is nestled in the Tramontana Mountains of western Mallorca surrounded by countryside which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The tiny white village of Casares lies just 45 minutes west of the bustling tourist hub of Marbella, offering stunning views of the Straits of Gibraltar from its 12th century castle.

The fishing village of Cudillero boasts splendid views of mountain and sea, and a lively marina area.

The famous village of Ronda, best known for its bull fights and unrivalled scenery, recalls a regal era and is regarded as one of Spain’s most beautiful destinations.

GAZETTE

22 GAZETTE 15 June 2017

DUBLINLIFE

FASTNews

Dacia’s 5th birthday celebrations will take place at Dublin dealerships until this weekend, where there will be a test drive competition to win a new Sandero Stepway SE Summit Edition 1.5 dCi90 to the value of €17,290

Success Story – Duster wipes the floor with SUV competitors WITH over 14,000 cars registered since its launch in July 2012, Dacia has proved itself a massive success story in the Irish motor industry.

The Renault owned brand is now outperforming some well-established names that have been around for over 40 years.

Dacia has sold more than 8,000 versions of the Duster, with its chunky SUV style appealing to Irish motorists at its affordable price of €16,690. The first Dacia to arrive on Irish soil was Duster, followed by Sandero, then Sandero Stepway and finally the Logan MCV. The full range now includes new versions of all models as well as Stepway versions of Sandero and a newly launched Logan MCV Stepway.

To celebrate five years in Ireland, Dacia will offer zero deposit and 4.9% APR PCP finance across the range for all orders taken and registered by July 31.

Fiat dropping prices for 500X across the range FIAT is now offering a 172 registration guaranteed scrappage bonus of €3,000 for Pop Star and Cross versions of the Fiat 500X, plus price reductions of up to 12% across the range. The 500X comes in four trim levels and off-road versions are also available.

The Pop Star trim replaces Pop and prices start from €19,995, reduced from €22,250. It features 16” alloy wheels, 5” touchscreen radio with Bluetooth, Uconnect live services, body-coloured wing mirrors, leather steering wheel, rear parking sensors, electric windows, electric handbrake, cruise control with speed limiter, air-conditioning, fog lights with cornering function, space saver spare wheel and six speakers.

Fiat has dropped prices for the 500X range by 12% to stimulate demand for the Italian brand compact SUV

BMW bounces back with latest 5 series

BMW’s latest 5 Series models bounce back on the market with new levels of performance, economy and enhanced driver features. The 5 Series has always been a great driver’s car and the new generation brings that to a new level, as MICHAEL MORONEY found out when he pushed the BMW 520d M Sport saloon metal to the floor.

BMW’s new 520d M Sport saloon bounces back in the market with improved styling and a host of driver features designed to make the car an even better driving experience. The styling changes for the new BMW 5 Series are subtle, you’ll still not mistake the car for being a 5 Series, it’s just that the design is sharper and more modern, giving kind of faster look to it.

Almost every aspect of the new BMW 5 Series has been re-engineered for a level of performance that still keeps a focus on economy. The new car is lighter while being more powerful than before and marginally more spacious.

BMW rate the car in terms of power to weight and given that they have shaved over 100kg from the car’s weight and added more power, the figure of 11kg per kW of engine power, is impressive.

When you drive the seventh generation 520d M Sport saloon, the styling and optional features ensure that the driving experience is a good one.

The new 520d M Sport saloon is very much a driver’s car. The engine performance is such that irrespective of which of the performance settings chosen, Sport Comfort, EcoPro or Comfort, you’ll still enjoy the driving experience.

The four-cylinder twinturbo diesel engine powering the BMW 520d M Sport has an output of 190hp at 4,000rpm and that’s a match for the

The new BMW 520d M Sport saloon is impressive in performance and economy for such a large car. The entry prices start from €56,980 and the extra option list is extensive and sometime expensive adding over €16,000 to the cost of the test car driven.

BMW 520d M Sport Saloon

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine 2.0 litre Engine power 190hp 0 – 100km/hr 7.5 seconds Economy 21km/litre

(4.7/100km or 60mpg) Fuel Tank Capacity 66 litres CO2 emissions 114g/km Road Tax Band A4 €200 Main Service 20,000km/12 months Euro NCAP Rating 5 star (2017) Warranty 3 years (100,000km) Entry Price €56,980 competition in terms of the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E220d. And the torque performance is a match too with all three coming in at a maximum torque figure of 400Nm. For the BMW 520d M Sport that converts to impressive range with the full 66 litre capacity fuel tank. While I recorded an economy figure of close to

40% off the rated figure of 23km/litre (4.3/100km or 65mpg), I was still getting over 950km on the tank.

That’s impressive economy for a big car and a car that can perform on the road, if and when needed.

The automatic gearbox is smooth running through an eight-speed Steptronic system. This helps to achieve the good fuel economy figures and

with the EcoPro setting you can maximise your economy targets.

BMW has put a lot of effort into reducing the overall weight of the new 5 Series as well as the drag co-efficient. They claim that the lower weight is achieved by using more aluminium including the boot lid, which alone shaved 4.2kg from the car’s weight.

This new car comes with a SIM card built in as standard for the ConnectedDrive Services.

The system brings new levels of connectivity and access to the portfolio of BMW services without being dependent on the customer’s own smartphone.

These services include the Concierge Service, Online Entertainment, and the RTTI (Real Time Traffic Information) that allows BMW 5 Series drivers to avoid traffic

jams. There’s also the Intelligent Emergency Call system.

There is a host of automatic safety features in the new BMW 520d M Sport saloon, including traffic sign recognition and the lane departure system that comes close to giving autonomous driving. The lane departure system took a little getting used to, and it’s a sign of what’s coming in future generations.

The new BMW 520d M Sport is a solidly impressive driver’s car that’s competitive at €56,980 with the A6 and E220d.

All three come with significant extras available in their options listing making it so easy to push up the price of your final choice of car.

This is a great driver’s car that should be costeffective to own due to its impressive economy and low CO2 rating.

15 June 2017 GAZETTE 23

SUPER STONIC

KIA has provided some teaser images of the new Kia Stonic compact crossover that will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new car will go on sale in Ireland at the end of October.

The Stonic is comes with European design flair, inspired by the form and function of larger Kia SUV’s. The name ‘Stonic’ combines ‘Speedy’ and ‘Tonic’, which refers to the first and last note in the musical scale.

Kia claims that the Stonic suggests will offers something new and fresh in the compact SUV segment.

Kia claims that the Stonic will be the most customisable Kia ever – inside and out. The new car has unique tail lamp graphics to amplify Stonic’s young and futuristic appearance. It combines compact dimensions with a low centre of gravity.

The European-designed cabin echoes the appearance of the exterior, with straight lines, smooth surfaces and geometric design forms. The Stonic’s comes with claims of smart packaging to maximise space for all occupants.

GAZETTE

MOTORING

New Irish national sales manager for Citroen & DS IM European Motors Ltd, importers of the Citroen and DS brands in Ireland, has appointed Kevin Hilliard as national sales manager. With over 30 years’ experience in the motor industry in the UK and Ireland, Kevin has worked with several leading marques, including Ford, Honda, BMW and Mazda.

Kevin’s most recent role was national sales and after sales manager for Mazda Ireland. Previous to this, Kevin was director of operations for a large privately-owned group in the UK with 40 dealerships, responsible for Honda and BMW dealerships.

Kevin was also dealer principal for Inchcape BMW, running the flagship dealership of the division, in Kent.

On his relocation to Ireland in 2009, Kevin held the roles of BMW dealer principal and head of group and after sales with the Keary Motor Group, Cork. Kevin is married with three children.

In his spare time, he enjoys football Kevin Hilliard and Formula One.

GAZETTE

24 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 June 2017

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA

WONDER WOMAN: IT’S FLAWED AND TOO LONG – BUT A GOOD INTRODUCTION FILM

ReelReviews

It’s almost a wonder that it’s a fun DC film

FINALLY, at long last, the DC “Expanded Universe” gives us a superhero worth rooting for – a worthy response to the boys club dominating top billing in Marvel’s pen, and a breath of fresh air after all the other brooding, dreary offerings in DC’s canon.

Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman (Cert 12A, 141 mins) is a hero we’re happy to follow into battle: powerful without inhabiting Superman’s tiresome god-mode; deep enough to provoke genuine empathy without all the sulkiness of Ben Affleck’s Batman.

Wonder Woman is a wonderfully well-rounded character, kicking ass while maintaining an optimism that always has us cheering from her corner, eager for the next battle.

Unfortunately, Wonder Woman, realised by filmmaker Patty Jenkins (director of 2003’s award-winning Monster), isn’t quite a strong enough vehicle to carry its titular heroine, suffer-

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

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

‘We’re very fortunate that ... Wonder Woman is as good as it is’

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

ing from a bloated running time and some poor supporting characterisation.

There’s a huge amount of promise here, but despite its stellar central turn, Wonder Woman fails to bring the fight on all fronts.

T h e f i l m ’s l a b o r i ous first act takes place entirely on the island paradise of Themiskira, where the Amazons – a race of warrior women created by the Gods of Olympus – live in peace.

Diana, princess of the Amazons, learns the way

of the warrior from her aunt, General Antiope (Robin Wright) , ever ready for the return of Ares, God of War. When American spy Steve Trevor ’s plane crash lands off the island’s coast, he is saved from drowning

by Diana, setting off a chain of events that will find her leaving home to fight alongside a rag-tag group of mercenaries in the First World War. It’s here that Wonder Woman really finds its feet. The second act plays out much like Marvel’s Captain America: The First Avenger, with its alternative history narrative of superheroes vs war-mongering Germans (the WWI setting is a nice change, leaving plenty of room of dynamic alternate history-building).

Wonder Women really evokes a space somewhere between the fishout-of-water fantasy of Thor and the man-outof-time adventure of Captain America.

The resultant humour in Wonder Woman is

THE MUMMY

So pharaoh, so bad FOR those of you looking to see what’s already being widely described as Tom Cruise’s worst film, here’s The Mummy (Cert 15A, 110 mins). The harshly received creature reboot hasn’t done Tom any favours, with its tired plot, unlikely setpieces and Russell Crowe’s scenerychewing hamminess about as welcome as sand in your sandwich. Mummy, let’s hope Universal finds a better franchise to reboot.

GUARDIANS 2

A colourful sequel indeed YES, Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 (Cert 12A, 136 mins) is still playing at the cinema, bringing some technicolour cheer to the masses. Sure, it’s a bit of a derivative sequel, but it’s presented with such fan-pleasing confidence – and has Kurt Russell’s cheerfully hammy turn providing some fun laughs – that it’s hard not to like the Guardian’s latest adventure, with a small dash of soul searching too.

Israeli actress Gal Gadot brings the requisite beauty to the role of a princess, Diana (AKA Wonder Woman), as well as fleshing out Diana’s intelligence and humanity

arguably better than both, and the star gets to deliver all the film’s best lines.

Chris Pine does a great job as the film’s love interest, again turning things on their head as the dude in distress, rather than the damsel.

In fact, it’s Pine that shows the most skin in Wonder Woman – which leads us to another of the film’s finer points.

The camera never sexually aestheticises Diana; it never ogles her or lingers in the places a jaded,

more cynical moviegoer would expect it to.

This is a movie that needed to be made and we’re very fortunate that, given the state of DC’s cinematic output thus far, Wonder Woman is as good as it is.

However, following that wonderful middle act, Wonder Woman just isn’t good enough.

It drags on way too long, introduces characters that do little to further the plot or provide dramatic depth, and gets bogged down with an

over-abundance of slowmotion – without which Wonder Woman’s run time would have been a lot more bearable (Zach Snyder’s stylistic legacy is very much felt here).

Regardless, Wonder Woman inspires hope for future DC instalments – for an inevitable sequel, in particular.

DC may be beginning to hit its stride and it’s Wonder Woman leading the pack, rather than the Man of Steel ... an exciting prospect indeed!

Verdict: 6/10

BAYWATCH

Gives a sinking feeling NOW dropping out of cinemas quicker than an anchor chucked overboard, Baywatch (Cert 15A, 116 mins) looks set to hold onto its early title as one of the worst films of the year.

The foul-mouthed remake of the fondly-remembered (by some) silly old TV show hasn’t gone down well at all, with The Rock and Zac Efron pretty mismatched as a pair of would-be crimefighting lifeguards.

15 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 25

Feeling un’appy after IOS change I HOPE all you Apple fans out there have enjoyed all the IOSdriven apps you’ve been using over the past few years – because several of them are probably about to stop working, if they haven’t already.

A major coding shift behind the scenes to take advantage of current processing power means lots of older apps are now incompatible with IOS 11.

Your apps are probably fine if they come from a large company with a dedicated support team to upgrade their app – but if it or they were created by a smaller team (or by that rare beast, a lone programmer), well, they may not have had the time or resources to update their app.

Many older app developers have also long since quit, gone bust or been assimilated into bigger companies.

While most people will just upgrade and roll the dice on whether all tehir apps will still work, others may be hesitant about the upgrade, afraid to ‘kill’ some apps.

(And that’s not to mention that older tech, such as the iPhone 5 or

5C, and iPad 4, will also be cold-shouldered for any new features and security updates from now on.)

No matter what, you’ll probably still have to upgrade in the end anyway – but for now, you can easily check on your IOS phone or tablet which apps are probably on ‘the Dodo list’. Just navigate to:

GAZETTE

TECH

Scorpio is dead – but long live the XBox One X?

Settings > General > About > Applications > App Compatibility and, if your app is listed there, there’s a good chance that it either no longer works, still works (but not very well any more), or will soon stop working. Either way, they’re in trouble.

It’s the nature of tech that once in a while it gives its master an unexpected bite, but on the whole these occasionally painful upgrades create a better-behaved beast that can do more tricks and perform better.

Good luck with the new lease of life your apps may be about to get – and my commiserations for those you could be about to lose ...

TCD talk on how tech affects us

THERE’S an interesting public lecture coming up at TCD next Monday, June 19, on tech and its increasing impact on our day-to-day lives.

Professor Shannon Vallor – a well-known awardwinning Silicon Valley figure with particular expertise in philosophy and ethics with a robotics and technology bent – is jetting over to Trinity for a lecture on Technomoral Virtues and the Future of Human Flourishing.

The fancy title is an overall way to describe her talk, which will discuss new technologies from digital media and surveillance to robotics and artificial intelligence, and how they are reshaping human institutions, providing lots of food for thought.

It’s on at the Trinity Long Room Hub in TCD, from 12.30pm to 2pm.

PROVING that Sony don’t have the monopoly of unimaginative platform names, Microsoft have followed its rival’s PlayStation 4 Pro by just announcing the sequel to its XBox One console: the XBox One X. Previously widely known as the coolersounding Scorpio, a souped-up sequel to the XBO has been in the works for some time, with arch nemesis Sony stealing a march with its PS4 Pro – itself a more powerful (but not otherwise terribly different) version of its hugely successful PS4 console.

However, the XBOX – ah, now I see what they did there – that Microsoft announced just before E3 (see panel below)

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

hopes to build on several advances that have begun making inroads into consumer tech in recent years and, one hopes, will have learned some big lessons from where the XBO went wrong.

For starters, the XBOX will ship on November 7 with an slightly steep initial price – $499/£449, which one can only imagine will have a striking euro price.

I n

Gathered in LA for the planet’s top games expo

development for quite a while, the new XBOX is smaller than the previous Xbox One models, with its refined build packing in much greater power, while (in a big win for Microsoft) being compatible with all current games – something which even Sony can’t boast.

Your eyes would glaze over as much as mine if I started blathering about its teraflop processing power and CPU speeds, so let’s just say that it’s significantly more powerful than the XBO or even the impressive PS4 Pro, packing in a lot of extra power under the hood.

Interestingly, it also features a UHD BluRay player, and will play games in native 4K resolution alongside HDR lighting effects,

THE greatest gaming show on Earth – E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) – is taking place right now in downtown Los Angeles, putting the likes of other events to shame.

At the time of writing, many of the world’s top games devel-

and beefy Dolby Atmos surround sound.

With 4K TVs and channels slowly but surely beginning to make some inroads into consumer territory, this puts it on a great footing to help futureproof its growth.

While the vast majority of us still don’t have 4K-anything, those without such high-end screens and TVs will still see some smoke and mirrors processing give their graphics a noticeable boost.

There’s much more that can be said about the XBOX, and no doubt I’ll be returning to it in coming months.

For now, the initial reactions h ave been

opers, companies and businesspeople are gathered in LA for the biggest annual international games and tech expo on the planet.

Every year, E3 sees all the next top titles, new tech, trends and deals unveiled to the indus-

warm, with its impressive specs garnering plenty of interest. However, the new console’s name has already been criticised, prompting fears of consumer confusion, as the almost identical name doesn’t quite move the brand along enough.

More than that, given Microsoft’s blunders when launching the XBO – spooking gamers by plugging it as an all-round entertainment hub rather than an impressive games console (which it is) – many are hoping the new console will be marketed and promoted with a purer, games-driven focus this time round.

Ultimately, it’s a welcome move by MIcrosoft that could be gamechanging for the sector – pun intended ...

try, gamers and media alike, along with plenty of surprises and all the usual shenanigans, fights, feuds and fun that the huge expo always brings.

Look out for my E3 special and analysis of its biggest stories in my next issue ...

26 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 June 2017

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28 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 June 2017

SPORT

FastSport IRISH DUO SIGN TERMS WITH BELGIAN CLUBS: JEREMY Duncan and Lee Cole will both play their hockey in Belgium next season, switching to Herakles and Royal Oree, respectively, for the 2017/18 season.

Duncan moves from UCD following four seasons at Belfield having previously played with Railway Union.

He has linked up with the Lier-based club from the outskirts of Antwerp, signing terms with a club on the rise following their second place finish in the Audi Hockey League.

Cole, meanwhile, switches to Brusselsbased Oree from Monkstown where he has played his entire career to date.

Both players have been major parts of the Irish team since the turn of the year, lining out in the gold medal run at Hockey World League Round 2 in Stormont and in the series victory over Pakistan last week in Lisnagarvey. Next on the agenda is the Hamburg Masters in a fortnight’s time.

PENTATHLON: DUNDRUM STAR ADDING TO IRISH GROWTH IN FIVE-PRONG SPORT

Coleman Lenehan gunning for Dublin Laser-Run battle

 sport@dublingazette.com

DUNDRUM’s Kate Coleman Lenehan is hoping to raise her profile as one of Ireland’s rising pentathlon stars when Dublin hosts a major international event – the Laser-Run World Championships – in the unique city-centre location of Smithfield next year.

Laser-Run, a combination of running 800m loops and target-shooting with laser pistols, is usually the fifth element of modern pentathlon but is also a standalone sport.

The championships will take place in September 2018 and will attract 450 athletes from over 20 countries to Dublin and will also include a new competition for Irish schools.

And Coleman Lenehan was on hand to launch the event, saying: “I’m delighted to see this event come to Ireland.

We never had the opportunity to try out a dynamic sport like the laser-run when I was in school so I think it’s fantastic that children across Ireland can now have a go and even compete in a nationwide competition. The track will be

Kate Coleman Lenehan at the Laser-Run world championship announcement. Picture: Morgan Treacy./Inpho

open to the public on the eve of the 2018 World Championships so it’s an ideal opportunity for anyone to try it out!”

She recently qualified for the World Cup finals, joining the likes of Donnybrookbased Arthur LaniganO’Keeffe and former King’s

Hospital student Natalya Coyle in the upper realms of the sport.

Coyle hailed her protege, Coleman Lenehan, for her efforts: “It’s her first time to qualify for that and it’s really great to see that there’s more people coming through. She’ll

be competing in the individual event and is part of our high-performance squad who all train together.”

Coyle and LaniganO’Keeffe recently won gold on the World Cup mixed doubles circuit but their hopes of this variation of the sport

were dashed last week with news that the International Olympic Committee would not be adding it to the schedule of events for Tokyo 2020.

Individually, Coyle – who also swims with the NAC club – was ninth on her Olympic debut in London 2012 and has just been upgraded to sixth in Rio 2016 after the fourth-placed Chinese finisher was disqualified for doping.

Lanigan-O’Keeffe won the European title in 2015 and finished eighth in Rio yet they are even better as a pair.

The won relay gold at pentathlon’s World Cup Finals in America last year and travel to Lithuania on June 22-25 to defend that title after topping the relay podium again at the latest World Cup, in Poland.

“We are really well suited to relay because it is half the distance that we usually do individually and we’re both naturally ‘power athletes’ who are best suited to shorter, sprint distances,” Coyle explained.

Pentathlon Ireland is offering free training programmes for Irish schools. For more details see: www.pentathlon. ie.

Leinster Lightning blitz Knights with batting display  BERNARD DUFF sport@dublingazette.com

Leinster Lightning captain John Anderson saw his side home against the Northern Knights.

FOR Leinster Lighting, it was back to T20 cricket action on Friday evening in Merrion Cricket Club with the second round of games in the Hanley Interpro T20 Trophy.

Leinster had completed out a drawn first class fixture just 48 hours earlier in Belfast against the Northern Knights and it was the same opposition who did battle on Friday.

The Knights chose to bat and were given a head start by Leinster opening bowler Eddie Richardson

who gifted five separate wides in the first over leaving Knights, 13/0. The rest of the powerplay was a struggle as the Lightning claimed a wicket in each of the next three overs.

The Knights reached 48/3 at the end of the powerplay but next ball Shane Getkate (on four) drove the ball high into the hands of fellow Malahide product Peter Chase at mid-off off Bobby Gamble’s pace bowling. Gamble ended with figures of 3 for 25.

The Knights fought back through a hard hitting 40-run partnership by Knights’ cap-

tain James Shannon and Greg Thompson before recent Ireland debutant Simi Singh spun out Shannon on 51.

With four sixes in his 51, the Knights skipper had done his work. At 88/5 Nik Smith came to bat. A partnership was 57 runs resulted before Singh claimed his second wicket.

The tail didn’t wag for the Knights though and through unhittable spin from Singh, the Knights scored just 16 runs off their last three overs. Singh finished with match best figures of 3 for 19.

The Leinster reply, chasing 158 was swift and at times brutal.

Andrew Balbirnie opened the innings and powered to 71 not out off just 44 deliveries. Short cameos by Railway Union’s Kevin O’Brien and all-rounder Simi Singh kept Leinster ticking along.

Balbirnie was joined by Leinster captain John Anderson in the 10th over. Anderson, with a more crafty style of batting than Balbirnie, placed the ball impeccably.

He finished on 41 not out as Leinster reached 158 with a massive six at the start of the 18th over with seven wickets to spare.

15 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

McIlroy offers unique Irish Open experience THE Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation is teaming up with VOX Golf and Rory McIlroy to offer golfers a unique experience ahead of the prestigious Rolex Series event, which takes place from July 6-9.

Golf Sixes with Rory is a six-hole competition throughout the island of Ireland, with the qualifying events running until Wednesday, June 28.

The lucky winners of a six-hole competition will walk six holes inside the ropes with Rory McIlroy during this year’s tournament.

To compete, golfers need to download the VoxGolf app, select their course and enter the “Golf Sixes with Rory” competition by playing any run of six holes – it must be the first six, middle six or final six holes of any course of your choice.

After you have played your six holes, simply submit your score and view a live leaderboard.

The best six scores from each course will qualify into a draw to win a special six-hole walk inside the ropes with Rory during the opening two rounds of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

Entry is completely free and golfers can enter as many times as they wish, with their best score counting. Entry is open to all GUI registered club members and MyGolf Group society players.

All golfers who enter the six-hole competition will receive the opportunity to purchase a discounted Dubai Duty Free Irish Open ticket and, in addition to that, will have the chance to win Nike apparel, Taylor Made equipment and tickets to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this year forms part of the Rolex Series events, a premium category of eight European Tour events, with a record prize fund of $7 million.

As well as McIlroy, numerous golfing superstars have been already announced for the historic championship, including World Number Nine Jon Rahm and World Number 11 Justin Rose, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

More details can be found at http://www. dubaidutyfreeirishopen.com/competition.

Joeys and Bray plot new pathway to elite football |Nestled in the foothills of the Dublin mountains, the SJB academy is looking to streamline the development of top young players at their new, high quality Carrickmines home  STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@dublingazette.com

BLINK and you will miss it. Tucked away on the Glenamuck Road, St Joseph’s Boys and Bray Wanderers’ ambitious incubator for youth talent got the grand opening last week with John Delaney and FAI high performance director Ruud Dokter negotiating the narrow, tree-lined country lane midway up the Dublin mountains.

It opens out to reveal the new training base, the SJB academy. For Joeys Director of Club Operations Will Clarke, the reclusive nature of the venue is a key benefit that lends itself to high performance.

Previously a training ground for Bective Rangers rugby club, the venue now comprises a fully floodlit grass pitch, a goalkeeper training area, two

fully floodlit small sided training pitches, dressing rooms, a medical room, a gym area, a performance analysis suite and meeting rooms.

It has been designed with an express purpose to streamline the pathway from schoolboy football at St Joseph’s Boys through to senior, professional football with Bray, working in line with the recently introduced League of Ireland Under-17 and 19 divisions with Under-15 and 13 leagues in the pipeline.

“It’s the nearest thing he has come to an English training ground in Ireland,” Clarke told GazetteSport. “It’s so isolated and you can do everything you want here. You have your goalkeeper’s areas, your striker’s areas, strength and conditioning, gym and video analysis all in one place.”

Speaking at the launch, St Joseph’s Niall O’Driscoll added: “We’d like to think this is the first dedicated academy for elite football in Ireland.

“We have a facility and an academy with the exclusive purpose of developing youth players in line with UEFA and the FAI directives.

“It is about the best of the best and developing kids into adults. If football is that medium through which they contribute to society, then so be it. If they want to be footballers, fantastic. Developing them as people is core to it.”

The facility will be used by the SJB Academy teams who will take part in the new League of Ireland underage divisions while Bray’s senior teams have been in situ since early 2017.

“The relationship with

Dennis O’Callaghan, Niall O’Driscoll, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, John Delaney, Ruud Dokter and Paul Osam at the SJB Academy launch. Picture: Karen Morgan

Bray and Joes is one which goes back a long way,” Clarke said of the link-up.

“We’ve had upwards of 70 players who have come through Joes and played professionally for Bray.

There’s a natural fit for the two clubs.

“Elite football in the country has undergone fundamental change and that effects the mindset in the club. We still have our schoolboy side of the club but there is now an elite pathway all the way through to Bray. For those who maybe aren’t yet on the elite pathway, they can continue with the grassroots of the club and enjoy the game. We’d like to think we will cater for all kids.

“It’s great that the academy guys are at the same venue as the senior side and, over a period of time, there will be a full integration of the four teams in the structure.

“We’d like to think the programme is of a standard that will allow us to achieve our objectives and be the number one academy in the country.”

It is part of a push in Irish football to raise the standard of facilities in Ireland, promoting the idea that players can reach the elite level without necessarily having to move to England in their midteens.

Shamrock Rovers have recently developed the Roadstone grounds while other schoolboy clubs are linking up with League of Ireland outfits to get their

ducks in a row for the increased League of Ireland campaigns.

“That’s what competition does,” Clarke adds. “I am sure Rovers will want to have the best academy.

We certainly want that too.

“We feel the facilities here are second to none.

Roadstone is a fantastic facility and it’s great to see clubs taking development so seriously. To be fair to the FAI, that’s what these new structures have done.”

St Kevin’s boys, meanwhile, have found their bid to link up with a League of Ireland club stymied to date which has left them worried that they will not be able to compete in the new structures.

It is a problem Clarke is thankful he does not have to deal with.

“We are lucky to have that ongoing link with Bray. It’s more of a natural hinterland; we’ve always had players from Bray and north Wicklow and vice versa. It’s just a good fit. We’re delighted to be involved with one of the best senior clubs in the country and they are delighted to be in with one of the best schoolboy clubs.

“You want everything to be as seamless as possible and that the guys don’t just play for a team but for a club.

“There will be movement between age groups, especially if we see moving someone up to aid their development. That really is the benefit of being here.”

GAZETTE

30 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 15 June 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

Esker finally get green light for boxing base AFTER a long struggle, Esker Boxing Club’s campaign to build their own clubhouse in Lucan has finally been given the go ahead in the past week.

The ongoing campaign has faced several hiccups along the way, and while it’ll be some time before the building is in action, the club sees the development as critical to their future, with club secretary Ed Griffin already in full celebratory mode.

“Well folks, after nearly 6 years campaigning for a permanent clubhouse we got fantastic news this week as we received full planning permission to build in Lucan,” Griffin explained.

“As part of our plans we will have a drop off/ pick up point for the primary school beside us to help alleviate school peak hours traffic.”

“We couldn’t have got this far without a massive amount of people helping us out and supporting us over the years and we’d like to thank you all so much.”

“We will be putting together a financial plan in the next few weeks to build the clubhouse and will be meeting with all local representatives and South Dublin County Council in that respect to try and move as fast as possible,” Griffin said of plans for the progression of the building.

“We’d like to thank all of the local representatives that have helped us out so far and SDCC.” “Finally, we’d like to thank all of the boxers past and present who have stuck it out with us over the years, when built this will be your clubhouse. Thank all of the local community and sports groups that forwarded on letters of support to us at the start of this process, it really made the difference.”

Esker Boxing Club will be hosting Europe’s largest female boxing competition late in 2017, with the tournament taking place from October 13 to 15 at the CBS Sports Hall. The Esker All Female BoxCup is currently open for registration.

SOCCER: CARMODY REFLECTS ON EYE-OPENING END TO THE SEASON

Liffey Valley Rangers award winners, from left to right, Derek Laffan (Saturday’s Player’s Player of the year, Jack McDonnell (Sunday top scorer) and TJ O’Brien (Sunday Player’s Player)

Reformed LVR finish on high KEVIN NUGENT CUP Liffey Valley Rangers FC Transylvania  KARL GRAHAM

2 0

sport@dublingazette.com

LIFFEY Valley Rangers manager Gary Carmody was delighted to end a difficult season on a high by lifting the Kevin Nugent Cup thanks to a 2-0 win over FC Transylvania.

The Sunday side was reformed at the start of this season after the club only entered a Saturday side during the previous two years.

Carmody was the main man behind the reformation but he started the season as part of a three-

man management team.

After losing their first league game, the team then won the next six to leave their promotion hopes looking positive.

However, a dip in form saw them win just two of their next eight meaning a change had to be made.

With instructions and ideas coming from three different people, understandably, proving confusing for the players, the three-man management became one as Carmody took sole responsibility for the team.

From mid-April on, their form took an upswing which saw them eventually finish in fifth,

PLAYER OF THE SEASON Bluebell’s McNulty gets top Sunday Senior gong BLUEBELL United’s Andy McNulty was named the Leinster Senior League’s intermediate player of the year last Friday evening.

The goalkeeper was a key man for the Red Cow club in their bid to win three Sunday Senior titles in succession, one which came just short of fruition on the final day of the season when they were pipped to the title by St Mochta’s on goal difference.

Bell were also denied in the final of the Charlie Cahill Cup by Crumlin.

three points off the promotion places. They were disappointed to miss out on promotion but they can at least end the season on a happy note having won some silverware.

The final saw top scorer Jack McDonnell strike in each half for Liffey Valley but it was his teammate in goal Mark Carmody who walked away with the man of the match award after pulling off a string of top saves; including one from the spot with just ten minutes remaining.

“We only missed out on promotion by three points in the end,” Carmody told GazetteSport. “We started the season well and

finished the season well; it was just around Christmas that messed us up.

“We’ve had to use 18 lads over the season so it wasn’t just the ones who played in the cup final.

We had players away during parts of the season and had to call in other lads, so everybody played their part.”

Carmody also praised the players who continued to give their all for the team throughout the season. “When things got tough around Christmas, a couple of the lads packed it in so the lads who finished the season out deserve a lot of credit.”

The team may disappointed at not been promoted this season but they are fully determined and confident of securing their goal next season.

“The team we beat in the final defeated the team who won our league 4-1 in the semi-final, and we have beaten all the teams who are going up. It was just a few silly, stupid games that have cost us but the lads know themselves we were very, very unfortunate not to go up with the team we have.

“The lads are disappointed but the way we finished has been an eye opener for them,” Carmody concluded.

15 June 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

CUMAN NA MBUNSCOL

CLUB NOTICEBOARD

St Mary’s BNS storm to Division One title

LUCAN SARSFIELDS CALLING on all members for a big push on

lier in the week, the junior A Hurlers had

ST MARY’S BNS enjoyed success at the

selling the car draw tickets. Sold tickets

a win over Commercials.

Cuman na mBunscol hurling finals in Croke Park on Tuesday afternoon as they took the Division One schools title.

It was their second time in the final in the past three years and went some way toward making up for defeat in the 2015 edition of the annual primary schools competition.

The school has seen over 100 boys take part in hurling matches in the past month.

can be returned to the club bar asap.

Emma Flanagan for their part in Dublin

€5,000 lotto and the numbers were 6, 13,

senior camogie win over Clare at the

21 and 27. This week’s €5,400 draw will be

weekend.

managed by Team Edel Mooney and is

The ladies footballers are continuing

sponsored by Colaiste Laichtin, Inis Oirr.

their winning ways with a league win

Tickets can be purchased online, at the

over Croi Ro Naofa.

club, in Carey’s Newsagents or in Vesey Arms or Kenny’s Bar.

HURLING: CARYSFORT PROVE TOO STRONG IN DECIDER

Congratulations to Ali Twomey and

Last week, there was no winner of the

Lucan Sarsfields Golf Society’s next event is the annual golf classic on Fri-

One of the standout juvenile games

day, June 16 in Lucan Golf Club. This is a

of the weekend was the U-14 football-

key fundraiser for the club so all support

ers who were up against the unbeaten

welcome. To book a tee time, phone Sea-

Erin’s Isle. Playing into a wind, Lucan had

mus Fagan on 086 8168984.

a poor start, trailing by seven points

Bingo continues on Wednesday at

before clawing their way back to lead by

8pm in the club bar. This week’s jackpot

two at the half.

is nearing €1,600.

The second half was a different affair

The club shop opening times are Sat-

as Lucan increased their lead by a few

urday from 10.30am to 12.30pm and

goals; they all seemed to grow a foot

Thursdays from 7pm-8.30pm.

taller and finished with a 27-point margin, 7-18 to 0-12.

Lucan District Credit Union Academy: Saturday 9.30am for camogie and girls

The senior hurlers fell short by two

football, 10am for boys football and hurl-

points away to Kilmacud Crokes while

ing; for boys and girls born in 2010, 2011

the junior Hurlers fell further short

and 2012 – 12th Lock.

against Na Fianna. Next up for the sen-

The academy’s last session before

iors is a home encounter against St Oli-

the summer break will be on June 24. The

ver Plunketts on June 24 at 6.30pm. Ear-

club’s family fun day is planned for July 1.

ST PAT’S, PALMERSTOWN SUPER performance from our U-8 girls

Oran Christie who was presented with

on Sunday morning; great football from

his cheque after his lotto win earlier this

both sides but St Pat’s girls worked hard

week.

to ensure the win.

The U-13s won again, 8-6 to 3-15,

Palmerstown festival family fun day hosted by St Patrick’s GAA Club takes place on July 1.

Lucan ET contest Croker grand final

against Raheny away on Saturday; they

CUMAN NA MBUNSCOL

against Kilmacud Crokes; after a good

Lotto numbers were 14, 16, 17 and 19;

first half, Kilmacud came back to win the

There was no winner. Next week’s jack-

game.

pot is €1,400. Thanks to all our sellers and

The Lucan Educate Together side that played in the Sciath Oideachas final last Monday

 sport@dublingazette.com

LUCAN Educate Together produced a superb run of form to reach the final of the Cuman na mBunscoil Sciath Oideachas which took place in Croke Park on Monday afternoon.

In a rematch of an earlier group fixture, the game started off as a tight and tense affair.

The teams exchanged scores early on with a point for Lucan Educate Together National School coming from

Freddie Harren as he superbly struck the sliotar over his shoulder.

As the first half progressed, Carysfort National School edged in front but the gap could have been much wider if it wasn’t for the heroics of goalkeeper James Scott who pulled off a string of outstanding saves and the determination of the tenacious Harry Geoghegan and Oscar Brennan in the full back line.

Lucan star ted the second half on the front foot with Aidan

Barry going very close to scoring a point with a free. He would make no mistake with a latter effort that sailed straight between the uprights.

Carysfort were not to be denied as they started to add to their lead with two well taken goals.

Lucan Educate Together National School are not ones to throw in the towel and captain Alex Kelly drove the team on from the half backline and Daragh Donoghue tirelessly racing up and down the pitch covering every blade of grass.

Conor Greally went agonisingly close to reducing the gap with a fantastic effort from a tight angle. Stephen Geoghegan very nearly bagged a goal for himself in the dying minutes of the game as he latched onto a long ball however it was not to be a very young Lucan team’s day.

Car ysfor t National School ran out deserving winners in the end but the boys from Lucan fought right to the death and can be immensely proud of their effort.

were down by four points at half time but got three goals in the last five minutes to win it.

The Cul Camp is on July 10-14. St Pat’s camp is July 17-21.

Our OsKars fundraiser takes place on

Well done to the U-10s in their blitz

Saturday, June 17 in the Red Cow Morans

on Saturday against Good Counsel and

Hotel; doors open at 6.30pm with show

Stars of Erin.

starting at 7.30pm.

Great play by the U-9 hurlers in their match against Crumlin.

The senior hurlers were in action

Well done and congratulations to

Limited tickets available. Thanks to all the actors for their time and commitment over the past few weeks.

supporters.

NA GAEIL OGA HELP Na Gaeil Oga get a permanent home!

Na Gaeil Oga are an all-Irish Lucanbased GAA club catering for adult teams

A. Sign up for a monthly subscription with us by filling in this form www. bit.ly/NGOFoirm and sending it to us at cumannclg@gmail.com.

in football, hurling, and camogie. We

B. Make a one-off payment. You can

have over 300 active members includ-

do this through your online banking or

ing over 100 in our underage structure.

by going in to your bank with this info.

We aim to give anyone who wants to the

Acc name CLG Na Gaeil Óga IBAN: IE

opportunity to play our native games

34AIBK932221085851 24 BIC: AIBKIE2D

through our native language. We are

C. Otherwise enter your details on

currently fundraising to get ourselves

www.bit.ly/NGOFoirm. If you want

a permanent home.

some further information or would like

How can you help? You have a choice of three things!

to chat to us about any other ideas you have. You can get us on 086 1954176.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR CLONDALKIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

RANGERS REFORMATION: Liffey Valley’s Sunday side ends return year with brilliant cup final victory P30

JUNE 15 - 21, 2017

SJB ACADEMY’S BIG LAUNCH: Joeys and Bray come together with superb new facility P29

Liam Rushe at Aer Lingus’s launch of their Autumn transatlantic offers . Picture: Brendan Moran

Rushe’s Dublin defence St Pat’s man says public only seeing one side of the story currently as the senior hurlers turn their attentions to the qualifier route in July

 DARRAGH MCKIERNAN

sport@dublingazette.com

ST PAT’S Palmerstown’s Liam Rushe has come out in defence of his side amid growing concern surrounding the future of Dublin hurling.

Rumours of discontent in the camp along with criticism of the management team have plagued the side in recent weeks. A heavy 14-point defeat to Galway in the Leinster SHC at the end of last month has only made matters worse.

Speaking in Parnell Park as Aer Lingus launched their Dublin GAA Autumn Transatlantic Offers, Rushe was quick to defend the defeat against Galway: “At half-time, I thought it was going well and

then came a sending off with 40 minutes gone.”

“Galway were just too good to play against for a whole half a man down.”

Dublin displayed some encouraging patches throughout the game, but ultimately lacked experience.

Younger panel members such as Eoghan O’Donnell and Donal Burke, who is just fresh out of the minor ranks, found themselves out of their depth at times.

Many high-profile players have opted out Ger Cunningham’s panel recently, with names such as Danny Sutcliffe and Mark and Paul Schutte leaving a considerable hole in the strength of the Dublin squad.

Last year, defender Michael Carton was

extremely vocal about life under Ger Cunnigham, telling Newstalk’s Off The Ball that “it was a toxic environment”.

“It just wasn’t a nice atmosphere. You could see tension within the management team and that’s going to filter down the ranks” he said in the interview.

However, Rushe jumped to defend the management team, playing down the recent rumours of trouble in the camp: “That was the first championship game for a really new panel. We had a couple of debutants and it was the first time this year we’ve been able to put that team out” Rushe said.

“Selection decisions are obviously the management’s and they live and die by those. Different

players left for different reasons, they fell out over different things.

“You’re only ever getting one side of the story.

That’s just the nature of it.”

Former Dublin manager Anthony Daly believes that Dublin have to continue with youth, but that they have a tough few months ahead: “You’re looking at the likes of Donal Burke inside on Daithi Burke, just out of minor probably facing the best full-back in the game at the moment.

That’s hard going” he said after the Galway defeat.

“It will take time with Dublin now. You have to stick with these younger lads now. Some of the lads who may have still been around would be nearly gone off the scene now anyway.”