Clondalkin

Gazette OH BABY! CLONDALKIN

Abner Browns Barbershop venue proves to be a cut above

March 2 - 8, 2017

MUSIC, P13

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INTERVIEW: The Livin’ is busy for presenter mum Lucy Kennedy P16

WE’RE GOO-GOO, GA-GAZETTE ABOUT BABIES! THIS WEEK WE LAUNCH OUR BONNIE BABY PHOTO COMPETITION. TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING A NUK BABY HAMPER WORTH €100 JUST SEND IN A PHOTO OF YOUR LITTLE CUTIE. EMAIL YOUR PIC TO COMPETITIONS@DUBLINGAZETTE.COM OR VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

SOCCER Bluebell’s dream deal P30

Local lad signs first pro contract with Liverpool  SYLVIA POWNALL

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Glen says he ‘likes scoring goals’

TALLAGHT teen Glen McAuley admitted he “likes scoring goals” as he signed his first professional contract with Liverpool FC last week – on the day he turned 17.

The former Crumlin United player, who names fellow Tallaght man Robbie Keane as his footballing idol, signed a youth contract with the Merseyside club last year.

Glen supports Shamrock Rovers but said he couldn’t

turn down the chance of a pro deal at Anfield because his dad, Jay, is a die-hard Reds fan.

He added that he felt “part of the family” and was not at all starstruck at being coached by Liverpool legend

Stephen Gerrard.

Glen said: “He’s just a normal man, funny as well.

It’s great having him around the place. It makes you want to play better; you try not to make mistakes.

Continued on Page 4

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PROTEST | KILLED LOCAL TEEN A FOCUS OF RENEWED CAMPAIGN

FASTNews

 SYLVIA POWNALL

Let’s get Clondalkin talking about better mental health

Family call for tougher hit and run sentencing THE family of a Clondalkin teenager killed by a hit and run driver joined a protest outside Leinster House last week campaigning for harsher sentencing.

Leo Leighio, together with his daughter Lia and her children, placed a photo of Marsia Lieghio with dozens more as a reminder of those killed by reckless drivers.

Marsia was just 16 years old when she was mowed down at the pedestrian lights on the Fonthill Road at 8pm on October 16, 2005.

The popular teenager from Kilcronan Grove was

Deputy Eoin O Broin (SF) with Leo Lieghio outside Dail Eireann, where a photo of Leo’s daughter, Marsia (inset) was placed. She was 16 when killed in a 2005 hit and run.

crossing the road with pals when she was hit by a car travelling at 80kph, which then sped off.

She died of her injuries in hospital a week later.

It later emerged in court

that the driver of the car – Ciara McAlinden from Dundalk – had a previous conviction for drinkdriving and had gone out to buy drugs that night.

Last week’s vigil was

organised by the Irish Road Victims Association which is backed by South Dublin County Council in its call for an immediate ban for drinkdriving, increased fines, confiscation of vehicles and improved advocacy for bereaved families.

Sinn Fein is also supporting the campaign and has called on Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald to give victims’ families a voice in reform of sentencing.

Speaking in the Dail just 24 hours after the silent protest, Deputy Eoin O Broin said: “Yesterday outside the Dail, the Irish Road Victims Association held a moving vigil displaying 188 photographs of people killed by reckless drivers.

“One of those photographs was of Marsia Lieghio, who was tragically killed in a hit and run at the Fonthill Road in 2005, aged just 16. The driver in this case had previous convictions for drunk and unlicensed driving but only served 10 months.

“One of the key asks of this group is for relatives and victims of road crashes to have a louder voice in judicial proceedings.”

Deputy O Broin called for a sentencing council to be established, as promised in the Programme for a Partnership Government.

He added: “Unfortunately, there seems to be active industry opposition to the progressive proposals already in train to amend drink-driving laws.

Sinn Fein has consistently stated that there should be a zero-alcohol limit for drink driving.”

A MENTAL health awareness event takes place at the Green Isle Hotel on April 6.

Clondalkin Talks is the second session of its kind in recent months and is being welcomed by Cllr Mark Ward (SF), who is also a behavioural therapist. He said: “Clondalkin Talks is about giving the community a voice and getting people talking about mental health. Its aim is to increase community awareness on mental health and support networks.”

Speakers on the night will include Olympic boxer Cllr Kenneth Egan (FF), ASIAM chief executive Adam Harris (pictured above, left, with Cllr Ward), DJ Keith Ward and writer Colm Keegan.

Organisers are seeking sponsors and encouraging anyone interested in getting involved to contact Clondalkin Talks via Facebook or Cllr Ward directly.

A fair fortnight to make a real difference for others CLONDALKIN Fairtrade will host three events as part of Fairtrade Fortnight which is currently taking place until March 12.

The first – a bake-off using Fair Trade items and judged by TV3’s Catherine Leydon – took place at Aras Chronain last night, March 1, and was a great success. The second is a business event at Bawnogue Enterprise Centre on March 9 at 3pm.

The third takes place in the council offices on March 10 when the finalists in an art competition will be judged, with the winners’ work to be exhibited at the library and submitted to the annual handcraft and horticulture show.

For full details of supporter events, see www. fairtrade.ie, visit www.facebook.com/FairtradeIreland, or follow @Fairtrade_ie.

Curran concerned about delay to childcare scheme

Foxy shot a winner in photo contest

MEMBERS of Palmerstown Camera Club received honourable mentions and won silver for their excellent work submitted for the national finals of the IPF Nature Photographer of the Year Competition 2016/2017. Miriam Power claimed an honourable mention in Intermediate Mono Environmental Portraiture for her image, Beach life (above); Marie Forester claimed a silver medal in Intermediate Open Projected for her image, Steven, and Nina Butler claimed an honourable mention in Intermediate Mono Print for her image, Gerald.

DELAYS to the Single Affordable Childcare Scheme will penalise low-income families, a local TD has warned.

Deputy John Curran (FF) said that while almost €30,000 has been spent on a new online system, it won’t be ready for the new school year in September. He added: “They’ll [parents] now be expected to go through a raft of paperwork to apply for the scheme and then possibly another assessment process ... I’m particularly worried about the impact these delays will have on low-income families.”

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

2 March 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 3

FASTNews

How one lucky Dub turned €1 in to €17k

A LUCKY punter scooped €17,251 on Friday’s EuroMillions with just a €1 stake thanks to two bets with BoyleSports.

The Dubliner defied odds of 33,000/1 when 3, 4, 14 and 31 were drawn to win him a whopping €16,500.50.

The lucky streak continued when another 50c netted €750.50 when the numbers 3, 4 and 31 popped out.

“We are delighted that yet another customer has won big on our Lotto betting,” BoyleSports’ Aoife Heffron said.

“The popularity of numbers betting continues and windfalls like this show you do not need to bet big to win big. A little really does go a long way.”

CODE RED | 98FM’S GLASS ACTS NEVER FAIL TO DELIVER THE IF YOU happened to see a man in a glass box giving birth on the streets of Dublin this week, don’t worry – you’re not seeing things.

It was just 98FM’s Jeremy Dixon completing a painful “challenge” for CodeRed – the hugely popular promotion which this week saw Dublin Talks presenters Dixon and Adrian Kennedy locked in a glass cube for 98 hours on South King Street and led to one lucky punter from Fairview walking away with €24,000.

During their time in the glass box, the DJs had to undertake a series of challenges ranging from taking part in a Sunday morning workout led by Ger Conroy Fitness to separating the coloured sweets in a bag of M&Ms. But the most spectacular had to be when Jeremy had to endure the pain of childbirth – and then the lads had to look after ‘baby Katie’ after the ‘birth’.

The ‘delivery’was broadcast on the station’s Facebook Live page and had both social media viewers and passers-bye in stitches as poor Jeremy suffered.

One poster quipped: “All men should try this lol this is really making my day.”

Another added: “ They should stream this into the delivery suites in The Coombe, Rotunda and Holles Street hospitals and give them a laugh and a distraction.” Now there’s a thought...

GOODS

Labour panes

4 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 2 March 2017

CONTRACT SIGNING | GLEN MCAULEY SIGNS PRO DEAL WITH LIVERPOOL FC

Contract with Liverpool FC is the best birthday present Continued from Page 1

Liverpool’s U-18 team manager Neil Critchley described McAuley as an “old-fashioned centreforward who always puts himself in goalscoring positions” in an interview with Liverpoolfc.com earlier this month.

Glen’s parents travelled to Anfield for the contract signing last week and dad Jay tweeted that he “couldn’t be prouder”.

The teen said he was relishing the chance to train with club legend Gerrard.

“I’ve just been having normal conversations with him,” he said.

“He’s told me about using my arm to hold people off in training, because I need to work on my hold-up play and he’s helping me with that.”

He added: “I just like to score goals. I wouldn’t say I’m old fashioned ... but yeah, that’s the way I like to play, to get in behind and get goals.”

Glen lives with a family near the Anfield grounds and attends school on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Prior to the move, he played for St Joseph’s, having donned a jersey for Crumlin, Cherry Orchard, Kingswood and Ireland at U-15,

U-16 and U-17 level.

He said he felt at home as soon as he arrived at Anfield, adding: “It just felt like the most family club. I felt welcome here.”

Glen said his top player this season is Diego Costa, though he likes watching Coutinho and the finishing style of striker Origi.

He said his career highlights so far were “getting a contract for Liverpool and being top scorer in the U-18s”.

And his dream?

“To play for Liverpool’s first team, that’s my main aim. Going to a World Cup with Ireland, that’d be good too.”

SF blast dental cutbacks that are hitting kids in Clondalkin Glen with his mam and dad

CUTBACKS to the HSE dental check-ups for primar y school children have been heavily criticised by a Sinn Fein councillor.

Cllr Mark Ward has called on Minister for Health Simon Harris to provide the necessary resources to reinstate the

service in Clondalkin.

He said: “I am disgusted at how primary school children are being treated in Clondalkin in relation to their primary school dental check-ups.

“Previously, children received such checkups in second, fourth and sixth class. Over

the years, austerity measures saw the fourth class check-ups stopped.

“It was brought to my attention by concerned parents that their children were no longer receiving their second class check-up. I contacted the HSE and made representations on the

parents’ behalf. The reply I got was quite shocking.

“Not only have second and fourth class checkups been eradicated, but there is a danger that due to a lack of resources children will not receive their sixth class check-up either.”

Dental ser vices in Clondalkin were restricted in 2015 and 2016, and the future looks bleak with the closure of the Boot Road and Deansrath clinics due to staff shortages.

The HSE said it was “hopeful” that checkups could be provided for sixth class pupils this year – but this could not be guaranteed.

Cllr Ward said: “This is just not good enough.

Hope alone will not fix this problem and parents are demanding action.”

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Scammer collapses in court after being jailed THE trial of three men involved in an NCT scam had to be adjourned after one of them became unwell and slumped over the dock.

Stephen Rooney, 37, had just been jailed for a year at the Circuit Criminal Court when he appeared to lose consciousness.

Judge Gerard Griffin rose and an ambulance was called for him. He was just about to sentence his co-accused Alan Richardson, 28, and Vincent Brunton, 34, when Rooney became ill.

The court heard that NCT inspector Richardson was contacted by his neighbour, Rooney, and asked to pass two Toyota Carinas. Both vehicles had previously failed the test and were scheduled for a re-test.

The men were to get €100 between them for their role although no money was ever exchanged. Richardson then asked NCT tester, Brunton to pass one of the vehicles as roadworthy.

Rooney, of The Paddocks Grove, Adamstown, Lucan, pleaded guilty to one charge of forgery of a NCT certificate and one charge of corruption on April 20, 2011.

Richardson, also of The Paddocks Grove, pleaded guilty to the same forgery charge and a charge of corruption in that he accepted a gift of cash from Stephen Rooney as an inducement or reward for a NCT certificate.

Br unton of Prior y Square, St Raphael’s Manor, Celbridge, pleaded guilty to one charge of forgery, making a false NCT certificate on April 20, 2011.

Judge Griffin adjourned sentencing to March 6 next and remanded each of them on continuing bail after he said he felt it was necessary considering Rooney’s “unfortunate ill health”.

2 March 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 5

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Gazettegallery

| MOYLE PARK CELEBRATES THEIR OPEN DAY WITH A HANDS-

Blobssing Armstrong with Dara Hogan, English department

French students Abiatar Sale and Hakeem Salau

Art teacher Leigh Ellis with student Aidan Whelan as his dad, Aidan, watches on. Pictures: Rita Marie Lawlor

Alex Tang and Irish Language teacher

Geography students Andrew Burke and

Lorna Conley

Jeremias Tome

Boys Andrew and James Pigott meet Dominik Maslanka and Shay Quinn in the library

A welcoming day for all at the Moyle Park Open Day M

OYLE Park held a very extensive Open Day filled with an introduction to the Science Club, views of the classrooms, a chance to throw pots in the art department and various speakers on hand to explain more about the school and what it has to offer.

2 March 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 7

ON APPROACH TO SHOW OFF THE BEST THEIR SCHOOL HAS TO OFFER

Woodwork students David Ryan and Tony Igharo

Students in the Science room

Teacher Trish Campbell with TY students Eric Keating, Oisin Douglas and Josh White

Art room student Shane Daly and David Bowie

Tommy Flynn, chair; Joshua Olaniyi, medical student, Trinity College and Niamh Cuhalane, teacher)

8 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 2 March 2017

CLONDALKIN | FOODIE BOOST FOR FLAGSHIP PROJECT

A towering success for The Happy Pear  SYLVIA POWNALL CLEAN-eating foodies will be licking their lips in anticipation of The Happy Pear cafe’s arrival in Clondalkin this summer.

Greystones-based twins David and Stephen Flynn (right) were last week announced as operators of the Round Tower visitor centre – their first permanent Dublin location.

The cafe and food shop will have seating for around 60 customers as well as a terraced dining area, public garden, exhibition and gallery spaces.

The company, which employs more than 100 staff, recently received €1.5 million funding for expansion through a

The illustrious ‘pear’ of twins, David and Stephen Flynn

Davy and BDO-managed Employment Investment Incentive Scheme (EIIS).

In a statement, cofounders David and Stephen said: “We’re really delighted to be bringing The Happy Pear to this incredible new centre, which is rich in history and culture and will pro-

vide a real focal point for the village.

“We can’t wait to open the doors and meet everyone from the community.”

Details of the deal were revealed by South Dublin County Council at its tourism strategic policy committee meeting last week.

Cllr Emer Higgins (FG)

told The Gazette: “We’ve all been sworn to secrecy but I’m delighted that we’ve secured such a highprofile catering company to run the cafe on the heritage site.

“Work is ongoing on the Round Tower site. The €3.5 million project will include a free interpretive centre, monastic gardens, this exciting new, healthy, cafe and some retail.

“This is a flagship tourism project and I’m so looking forward to see the finished product.”

Construction work on the visitor centre at the seventh-century site first settled by St Mochua is due to be completed shortly and it will open to the public in the summer.

Fun rehearsals aren’t a drag for the Some Like It Hot cast TALLAGHT man Stephen Fagan (right) looked stunning in cobalt blue as he slipped into something comfortable for the full dress rehearsal of Some Like It Hot. Together with Siobhain Clifford and Martin Fahey, Stephen – and the rest of the talented players of Naas Musical Society – are preparing for their hilarious production of the classic film, with the boys taking on the key roles of a couple of musicians who go on the run from gangsters by hiding out in a woman’s band – with both donning female-fooling disguises, of course. The show runs at The Moat Theatre in Naas from March 4 to 10. Picture: Aisling Conway

2 March 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 9

Dizzying range of groups to take part in St Patrick parade AN IMPRESSIVE 39 groups and organisations will take par t in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Clondalkin.

Up and coming singer Colm Gavin will lead the parade as Grand Marshal, and will judge the displays along with Kathleen Gill (Clondalkin Tidy Towns), Joe Mannion (Chamber of Commerce) and Mai Quade (president of Active Retirement Ireland).

The Order of Malta, South Dublin County Volunteer Centre and Tidy Towns members will all be on hand to provide a safe, family-friendly day out and singer Curtis Walsh will perform on stage with Aoife O’Connor and Hanna Paraiso on violin.

Gardai have advised that the Old Nangor Road will be closed from 2pm on the day, from the Irish school to the leisure centre.

Those taking part include Harley Davidson Bikes, The Clondalkin Youth Band, Massey’s, Emerald Garrison, Clondalkin Helping Homeless, Active Retirement’s Bright Side of Life choir with the Silver Surfers choir, Tus Nua Ambassadors/Laurels, Jamesey, Vintage Car Club, Elite Karate

Academy and Scouts.

There will also be participants from Shotokan Academy, Boom Variety Stage School, Scoil rince nic Liam, Clondalkin Fair trade Town, LD Dance school, Round Towers GA A, Anne D’arby, Civil Defence, Clondalkin Handcrafts and Hor ticultural Show, Aras Chronain, Brownies and Guides, and Funky Steps Dance School.

As if that wasn’t enough , the parade will also include Greyhound, Callum Transport, Booth Road Celtic FC, Q’s bingo, Tinseltow n Stage School, Clondalkin Drama Group, Vikings Beaga, Churchtow n School of Motoring, Avnel, Downey Lanigan school of Irish Dancing, Clondalkin Mens’ Shed, Mascot. ie, Moorefield Sho tokan Karate Group (MSKG), Ronanstown Women’s CDP, Shannon Leonard’s School of Ballroom Dancing, and South side roller hockey.

The whole community is urged to come along and enjoy what promises to be a terrific parade with something for everyone to enjoy, all in the heart of Clondalkin.

PEOPLE | LOCAL OPERATION TRANSFORMATION HERO DELIGHTED

This is the first time I got healthy and took control of food - Sean

 SYLVIA POWNALL

OPERATION Transformation hero Sean Daly has told how the RTE reality show changed his life.

The Clondalkin leader lost 2st 11lb in eight weeks by sticking religiously to its lifestyle and fitness regime.

Now retail manager Sean, 25, says he has no intention of taking his foot off the gas even though the cameras have left.

He said: “To be honest, whether someone is beside me or not I’m going to continue on. I went into Operation Transformation to change my own life.

Once you decide to do it for yourself, that’s when it changes.”

Sean says completing a 5k run in a respectable time was one of his biggest achievements. He also revealed that having kicked his smoking habit for good, his new lifestyle choices are rubbing off on the rest of the family.

He said: “My mam has now given up smoking as well; my brother is out running and my sister has lost weight. I’ve lost weight before – I’ve ‘yo-yo dieted’ but I’ve never, ever got fit.

“This is the first time I got fit and this is the first time I got healthy and took control of food.

“I hate the gym, but I love running. It’s all about finding the exercise that will work for you.”

Sean, who works at Specsavers in the Mill Shopping Centre, said he was loving the fashion choices which opened up to him as a result of losing almost 3 stone.

“At the start of the series I had one pair of jeans and three t-shirts that I was comfortable wearing,” he said. “Now, I have a new wardrobe. I think when you feel good, confidence will follow.”

Sean says the public’s positive reaction to his being gay has given him an extra boost and he’s now looking forward to dating.

“I think I will date,” he said. “I’ll probably have to get them to form a queue!

I’m going to concentrate on myself and on having fun and being 25.

“I spent 25 years worrying about what other people thought about me, and I’ve got to 24 stone because of it, so people’s comments don’t shake me any more.

“I’ve started some conversations about people’s sexuality in their homes, which I didn’t set out to do, but I’m glad it happened because I’ve received some lovely feedback.”

Used fake pic in passport scam THE “prime mover” in a passport scam has been jailed for getting his doctor to fill out a false certificate of identity. Derek Corr (31), of Killinarden Estate, Tallaght, was the main person behind an attempt to obtain a passport for an unknown person. Gardai still do not know who the false passport was intended for, despite the person’s photograph being circulated throughout the Force.

Corr was given a five-year sentence with four suspended by Judge Pauline Codd at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. This will run alongside a one-year jail term Corr is currently serving for attacking a neighbour with a knife.

He pleaded guilty to providing false information in rela-

tion to a passport application in January, 2015.

Sergeant Bill Roe told prosecuting counsel John Fitzgerald BL that in early 2015 the passport office in Balbriggan received a suspicious looking application with a photograph that seemed thicker than usual.

An examination revealed that it had been “spliced”, meaning a new photo had been pasted over the original photo of the applicant. This meant that the back of the photo displayed the required garda signature, but the photo itself was of a different person. Sgt Roe said the accused has 51 previous convictions, including an offence of grievous bodily harm in Hamburg.

TO T S HIS M T AN LO NE O R E F STO S! S THI OST 3 EEKS ALMIGHT W IN E

Clondalkin man Sean Daly is delighted with his impressive Operation Transformation weight loss and fitness outlook

10 GAZETTE 2 March 2017

Out and About

John and Caroline Molloy with Caroline and Martin Murphy

Noleen Murray and Kenneth O’Regan

Show-stopping support for Noel Jo Killalee, Noel Gentles and Tina Jones. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Dave Green and Joe Donnolly

Suzanne Mulvey and Crispin Rodwell

Marise and Edward McGill

T

HE Musical theatre world of Ireland turned out in force at The Red Cow for a night of music, dance and comedy in support of Noel Gentles. Mr Showman Noel Gentles had returned to the bosom of his family from Boston to continue his cancer treatment in Beaumont Hospital. The wealth of talent performing, which included Rebecca Storm and Simon Delaney, was truly special with Simon attributing the kick start of his love for acting under the direction of Noel over 25 years ago. This was a celebration of performance worthy of any West End Show with a single goal - to welcome home Noel.

Denise Brady, Serena Mallon and Lisa Delaney

Emma Jane Reilly and Catherine Dunphy

2 March 2017 GAZETTE 11

Out and About

Eoin Cannon, Simon Delaney, Tony Finnegan and Jimmy Dickson Deirdre Browne (Centre) with her dancers Sharon Murphy, Lorraine Murphy, Fiona Shirran, Victoria Guthrie, Ema-Mae West, Ruth Maher, Maria Fowler and Caitriona Browne

Martina Moore and Derek Wallace

Amy Fidgeon

Sean Gilligan and his show girls

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 2 March 2017

DUBLINBUSINESS

Want to help solve social problems?  EMMA NOLAN

A NATIONAL competition which is looking for ideas to solve social problems by ambitious thinkers has just launched.

“Don’t let a good idea go to waste” is the call from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland which seeks the most innovative ideas and energetic entrepreneurs to solve social problems in Ireland.

Speaking at the launch of the competition, Darren Ryan, CEO of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland said: “We support people who have an entrepreneurial drive, people who think big and have the ambition and energy to see

their ideas realised, so that the social problem they are tackling may one day be a thing of the past.

“If you have an idea or project to make a positive impact, apply to us. If we believe in it, we’ll back you.”

Previous winners include Iseult Ward and Aoibheann O’Brien who had the idea for FoodCloud – an app that connects shops with too much food with charities who need it; John Evoy who had the idea for the Irish Men’s Sheds Association and Dara Connolly with the idea for ReCreate which takes unwanted materials from busi-

nesses and turns them into art materials for schools and families that couldn’t afford them.

The eight award winners will join Ireland’s largest network of social entrepreneurs. As well as an immediate 10,000 euro in unrestricted funding, they will receive a place on an accelerator programme worth €15,000, with access to over 150 pro-bono supporters, coaches and mentors.

The call is for people with early-stage ideas right through to people who are ready to grow and scale their existing organisations, to apply at socialentrepreneurs.ie. Applications close on March 29.

Twins Devin and Alex Cawley helping Darren Ryan, CEO of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and Tommy Breen CEO of DCC plc, to launch the 2017 Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards, at the ReCreate Warehouse. Picture: Naoise Culhane

Irish tech firm reveals record revenues IT Alliance Group, one of Ireland’s largest indigenous technology firms, has announced two heavyweight appointments to its senior management team following record revenues of €36m in 2016.

The group increased employee numbers in 2016 by 80 from 470 to 550.

Sean Kennedy has been appointed to a newly created position as group chief operations officer.

Kennedy previously held senior IT and transformation roles with Vodafone, HP, Friends First, Irish Life & Permanent and most recently Coillte where he was head of ICT and Transformation Programme director.

Former software client leader at IBM, Matt Leighton has been appointed to a new position as UK sales director.

“Despite and partly because of Brexit, we see major potential in the UK and Irish technology markets and are making these senior appointments at this time to fuel our next wave of growth,” commented Philip Maguire, CEO and founder, I.T. Alliance Group, which now employs 550 people across its Irish and UK operations.

Let The Gazette take you on a tour of what’s on across the county this week



GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE

THE BIG INTERVIEW P16 STYLE P18 MOTORING P22

MUSIC | ABNER BROWNS IN RATHMINES IS A CUT ABOVE THE REST

GORGEOUS AMBER HAS SO MUCH AFFECTION TO GIVE YOU OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone is awesome Amber, a six-year-old female Pitbull terrier. She is a big favourite amongst the staff and volunteers in Dogs Trust.

She is such an affectionate dog and wants to smother people with affection.

Due to her bouncy nature, she recently needed to have her cruciate ligament repaired, and she is recovering at the moment. Although she is receiving great care and attention, she is on restricted exercise, and this is getting her down, so we really want to find her the perfect home that has so far eluded this amazing dog.

If you can be Amber’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/ ogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

Ash playing at Abner Browns last year

Top barbershops OF THE

 JAMES HENDICOTT

AN UNLIKELY and in many ways unintended success story in the heart of Rathmines, Abner Browns Barbershop – opened just five years ago – has become a fairytale at the heart of Dublin music.

Today, the venue hosts regular bringyour-own-beer events and is expanding into festivals and documentaries, but the musicallythemed barbers started out as owner Dave Judge’s post-crash last resort.

“I’d been a businessman for 20 years, and I lost everything in the crash,” he said.

“Everything except the shop. I didn’t have a penny, and I picked up some records on sale in a local shop in Rathmines, hung a guitar above an old couch, and opened up the barbers.

“The first gig happened really quickly. It was a Canadian singer called Blair Packham, who came in for a hair cut, talked about his music and we decided he’d play sat on the couch the next Saturday. Another

guy saw him, and came in the next week.

Within four weeks, I had people in every weekend playing music. It started so fast, and to this day I’ve never asked anyone to play. They always come to me.”

Judge himself used to play in bands, but describes himself as “a general businessman”who left music behind years ago: “I’m organised and good with people.”

The process has been entirely organic – “it’s great marketing,” Judge admits, “but that’s not why I do it. I love it.

Almost every gig someone will come up to me with an idea about monetising the shows, but it’s a community thing. I don’t want to turn it into something else.”

In the few years that it’s been going,Abner’s – currently temporarily shifted a few doors down from its normal location on Rathgar Road for the duration of a roof replacement on what Judge jokingly calls “the mouldy green room” – has had some serious highs. Michael Stipe of REM dropped in a couple of years ago having heard about the place, while Northern

Irish pop-rockers Ash are amongst the acts to have played for free on a floor cleared of its hairdressing equipment.

A film about the barbers entitled ‘More Than A Barbershop’ – actually the third to be released, alongside regular footage of inhouse gigs – is currently doing the rounds at film festivals ahead of public release next year, and Judge’s influence is quickly growing beyond his own walls.

A Rathmines based festival called Canalaphonic launched in 2015 underJudge’s stewardship, featuring over a dozen venues and a host of local acts in its 2016 incarnation.

The businessman turned music aficionado has been appointed as booker at Rathmine’s newest (and, bizarrely, pirate-themed) venue The Bowery. He’s also been involved in managing several acts, including rising starlet Sinead White and his son’s act Military Road.

“There’s no agenda, and no money, but I’ve made some great friends through this, and the last few years I’ve been happier than I ever was before it all happened,” Judge says, speaking the day after being nominat-

ed against far larger and more established venues for IMRO’s ‘Irish Venue of the Year’.

“It’s never VIP, though I do try to look after the regulars. It’s there for people to enjoy, and because it’s something I enjoy doing. We might have to bring in more tickets, as I’ve had to start turning people away, and I hate doing that.”

“I think people like what it is, and it’s given me so much. I’ve been speaking to [The Pogues’] Cait O’Riordan and Niamh Farrell from Ham Sandwich. I’m bringing Maverick Sabre over [to the Bowery] in a few weeks. It’s been such a great journey.”

Michael Stipe at Abner’s with barber Peter Meade

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 2 March 2017

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

A host of celebs, including Jenny Dixon and Gerald Keane (centre), will go head to head for Breast Cancer Ireland’s fun-filled Battle of the Stars fundraiser

Celebs put best feet forward to help top charity BREAST Cancer Ireland’s Battle of the Stars gala event will see Strictly-styled dance offs, lip-sync battles and group performances to raise funds for pioneering research into breast cancer in the Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday, April 8.

T he all-celeb cast includes 2FM’s Eoghan McDermott, broadcaster Jenny Buckley, solicitor Gerald Kean, Fair City’s Jenny Dixon and Dave O’Sullivan, comic Eric Lawlor as well as beauty expert Triona McCarthy & model Karena Graham.

A celebrity judging panel including broadcaster Elaine Crowley and rugby commentator Brent Pope will be on hand and MC Nicky Byrne will keep the judges on track as well as keeping over 350 guests entertained.

Tickets, which include a four-course meal and a feast of entertainment, are on sale at €150 each at

go to the MHT post on the Gazette Facebook page.

FREE EVENTS AT GPO FOR ST PATRICK’S DAY

Music Hall Tavern is a riot from start to finish

breastcancerireland.com.

A TASTE SUMMER AS WINTER DRAGS ON THE nights may be cold and dark but theatre goers can get a taste of the summer when one of the most popular shows in the Canary Islands returns to the Dublin for one night only with their brand new show for 2017.

The Music Hall Tavern theatre show comes to the Helix on Saturday, March 11 and a limited number of seats are still available.

Billed as The Funniest Night Out of the Year, the popular family-themed

musical drag review has been playing in the Canary Islands for more than 20 years and has established itself as a firm favourite.

The side-splitting show, which boasts lavishly dazzling costumes, has become one of the hottest tourist attractions in the Canaries with more than 120,000 holidaymakers paying to watch the performers each year.

Anyone interested in experiencing the feel good sound of the summer should book in advance at MusicHallTavern.com/uk.

To win a pair of tickets to this hilarious Helix show,

A NUMBER of free events are taking place at the GPO Witness History visitor centre for the St Patrick’s Day festival.

On Thursday, March 16, the public are invited to bring in letters and photographs that relate to 1916, the Civil War, and meet the in-house archivist.

On March 17, GPO Witness History will be open from 2pm to 5.30pm, while on March 18, Lorcan MacMathuna and Daire Bracken will perform a special piece called From Amergin to Pearse, created especially the festival.

Finally, on March 19, from 10am to 1pm, the public are invited to bring in Rising-related objects to have them appraised for free. See gpowitnesshistory.ie for more.

2 March 2017 GAZETTE 15

2 March 2017 GAZETTE 17

DUBLINLIFE

FEATURES

HANGING OUT WITH THE STARS ISN’T THE WORST WAY TO MAKE A LIVIN’

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16 GAZETTE 2 March 2017

Picture: Chris Bellew/Fennell Photography

INTERVIEW: TV3’S LUCY KENNEDY TALKS ABOUT NEW BABY, WORK - AND ENDA KENNY  EMMA NOLAN The one and only Gloria Hunniford

Hunni’s top tips to make saving feel a bit sweeter for you  EMMA NOLAN

TV LEGEND Gloria Hunniford was in town last week teaching Dubliners her guide to staying happy – with key financial advice driving some of her consumer-focused insights.

The Loose Woman star, who is famous for her straight talking, was on hand to share her top tips on saving, budgets and bills for 2017.

Having teamed up with Electric Ireland, Gloria outlined the importance of being aware of what contracts you sign as a consumer.

Speaking in Dublin, she said: “Suppliers seem to be offering great deals with extremely low rates and money-off to entice consumers.

“However, these deals can be short lived and at the end of the deal, prices can rise.”

Gloria’s Guide To Staying Happy has three key points ...

1) Make every penny count: Make sure to keep a household budget and keep on top of it weekly to get a grasp of what you’re spending and where you could be saving.

If it isn’t necessary, cut it!

You could buy one less coffee from your local coffee shop, or maybe there’s a subscription you didn’t realise you had?

Household budgeting is key to keeping your finances in check and ensuring you have enough left for the things that really matter.

2) Savvy savings: Keep an eye on money-saver blogs and websites that offer discount codes and insights into where to get the best value.

There’s lots of deals to be had, so make sure to avail of these before purchasing.

Also make sure to sign up to loyalty schemes, as many brands like Electric Ireland offer great rewards and savings for customers.

3) Understand T&Cs: It’s very competitive out there, and it’s easy to be enticed by short-term low rates or money-off incentives.

These deals often come with a catch after a period of time when the initial offer runs out and you’re left paying a bill that’s well above market price.

Sometimes, the best deal is right under your nose; with Electric Ireland, you can save this year, next year and every year.

POPULAR TV3 presenter Lucy Kenndy had her third child recently, but her latest round of motherhood hasn’t slowed her down from doing what she loves – not a bit of it – as she cheerfully sat down with The Gazette to talk about bringing up her new baby, working while pregnant, and her crush on Enda Kenny.

Lucy told Dublin Life: “People always say that the third [baby] is the easiest, and so far that’s true – she’s just great; it’s like she’s always been here.”

Now just 10 weeks old, baby Jess is thriving as she gets used to living with Lucy. Her other children, Jack and Holly, are also settling into their roles as the older siblings.

“They’re loving their new roles as big brother and sister. Jack goes and

gets the nappies – Holly checks what’s in Jess’ nappies!”

After a mostly comfortable pregnancy, the birth in December was “intense”, Lucy said.

“Jess was breached, so I ended up having to have an elected section, which I wasn’t planning on, so I was in a bit of a panic to get home for Christmas.”

Luckily, everything worked out okay though, and Jess and Lucy made it home on time for Christmas.

Now the busy mum and TV3 star is an ambassador for Nurofen for Children, and she’s happy to help raise awareness and educate new mums on what to do when their baby is sick.

She said: “I really hope that they find the information from the campaign helpful and feel a little more confident

when caring for their babies when they are ill – mummies united!”

Speaking of illness, The 6 O’Clock Show presenter said that the first 14 weeks of her pregnancy were “hideous”.

as Lucy continued to film her popular show, Livin’ with Lucy.

“I was able to go and live with all my famous friends and travel to Lanzarote and pull Finbar Fury around on a camel,

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

‘I had morning sickness, and working on the show, I had to be in the kitchen watching the chefs cutting things like raw tuna while thinking I was going to vomit – the amount of times I tried not to!’

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

She said: “I had morning sickness, and working on the show, I had to be in the kitchen watching the chefts cutting things like raw tuna while thinking I was going to vomit – the amount of times I tried not to!”

But overall, the rest of the pregnancy was easier,

so I had a lot of energy.”

Lucy said the advice she would give to anyone considering getting pregnant is to work as much as you can during the pregnancy, because it’s a good distraction.

“If I didn’t get up and do my normal routine, I’d sit at home thinking is the

baby [the size of] a grape or a kiwi, over-analysing everything,” she joked.

“But Livin’ with Lucy is my baby, so there was no way in the world I was missing out on that.”

While she was still able to enjoy filming the series, Lucy admitted she was more tired this time around.

On the most difficult part of filming, she said: “It was falling asleep – but everybody took that into consideration, and I think the celebs were quite relieved, because they would get a break when I did.

“It was weird not being able to have a glass of wine though!

“I was so lucky this season, everyone was so nice – Al Porter nearly finished me off; he’s hilarious!”

Now another season of the show is in the works, with filming due to start in

May, and Lucy joked she intends to make up for lost time and “tuck into the booze!”

As far as her dream guests for the show, Lucy listed the likes of Graham Norton, Dermot O’Leary, Kim Woodburn, Marco Pierre White, Brendan O’Carroll, Daniel and Majella O’Donnell and her number-one crush ...

Enda Kenny.

For her final Seven O’Clock Show, Lucy’s colleagues arranged for the Taoiseach to leave her a message. “It made my life,” she said.

Lucy recalled Mr Kenny’s message, giving it her best Enda impression: “Hi Lucy, I hear you’re off to have a baby ...”

“He said something like: ‘I hope your new baby is as beautiful as you’, and I nearly fell off the couch – I nearly went into labour!”

I, LUCY, LOVE...

SOME DREAM GUESTS TV3 PRESENTER WOULD LOVE TO GET ON LIVIN’ WITH LUCY ot! rm De Br en da n!

l! nie Da En da !

! m ha a Gr

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DUBLINLIFE

DON’T RULES  EMMA NOLAN Style Editor

FASHION week in London and New York saw designers pay attention to the details when it came to jewellery.

The trends for this season are difficult to pin down as such a wide variety is being presented across all brands at the moment. Their one unifying feature, however, is colour.

Jeweller y designers have embraced colour and the high street has taken note. Colourful jewellery is a godsend for people who want to introduce colour to their wardrobe but can’t commit to buying bright clothes.

From shoulder-grazing earrings and bright gemstones to fabrics and rose gold, the rule for jewellery this season is: there are no rules.

APPLY ivia Burton Weir & Sons Ol ch €109 Butterfly Dial Wat

Pandora Mint bangle €79

ra Pando 179 € Band Chupi at Powerscourt Townhouse Centre Print gold bracelet €189

Hope is at hand for a great toner, no matter what your skin is like THERE’S nothing like a good toner to make your skin feel refreshed – but finding the right one for your skin type can be a bit confusing.

Sensitive skincare brand, La Roche-Posay have introduced a new range of micellar waters. These unique formulas are tailored for three different skin-types that combine both water and oil to effectively remove even waterproof make-up.

The range will suit a number of skin types, including sensitive, oily and reactive skin, meaning each solution is tailored for optimal efficacy, as follows ...

Micellar Water Ultra Soothing:

For sensitive skin, prone to itchy, stinging or prickling sensations.

Skin is left feeling clean, clear and soft without drying.

Micellar Water Ultra Anti-Tightness, Anti-Redness: For reactive skin that can become tight and prone to redness. A boosted glycerin content of up to 5%, for an ultracomfortable, smooth-glide texture.

Micellar Water Ultra Purifying: Enriched with zinc to purify oily, spot-prone skin of dirt, impurities and excess oil, without drying.

With a RRP of €15.50, the range are available from pharmacies nationwide.

ize ssor Acce ring €6 al Orbit

Thomas Sabo 2 X Shoulder duster earrings €398

Weir & S ons 2 X A lex Hummingb ird earring Monroe s €165

H&M Chok e €4.9 r 9

2 March 2017 GAZETTE 19

NEW STYLE AT

& OTHER STORIES

GRAFTON Street’s & Other Stories, which arrived less than three months ago, has just introduced a new co-lab collection created by Shoplifter – an Icelandic NYC-based visual artist known for her artwork with synthetic and human hair such as braided murals and tufted hair in multicoloured mossy pieces.

This collection transforms Shoplifter’s visual artwork into wearables – it includes ready-to-wear, accessories, jewellery and make-up that encourage a style “filled with playfulness and humour, exploring comfort zones and elevating moods”.

Stand-out pieces include furry characters turned into bags and brightly coloured synthetic hair added to garments.

Prices vary from a €7 nail colour, €19 earrings and a €39 bag to a €59 sweater and a €89 anorak.

The collection will be available for Dublin customers to shop online at stories.com.

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STYLE

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DUBLINLIFE

What’s included in an all-inclusive holiday?

THINKING of booking an all inclusive holiday, but want to check if it really is as good value for money as people say?

Here’s the lowdown on what’s actually included on a Falcon all-inclusive holiday.

Your flights, transfers, hotels, food, drink and some activities are included in the fixed price you pay for your holiday. It means you don’t have to worry about budgeting your spending money or digging deep for change for another ice-cream every five minutes. In fact, going all inclusive can often be kinder on your wallet.

Most Falcon drink packages include beer, wine, soft drinks and local spirits as standard. But what you get varies by hotel, so you should always check what’s on offer before you go.

At most hotels offering all-inclusive board options, you’ll be able to let loose at a buffet or two for your three meals a day. Some hotels have a la carte restaurants included, others have special extras like beach barbecues or late-night crepes etc.

You’ll find some daytime activities like tennis and aqua aerobics are available at most Falcon all-inclusive hotels, but some holidays include other things that break away from the norm – from high rope adventures and to unlimited access to ever y waterslide imaginable at first-rate waterparks at Splashworld.

Deal

10-Mar-17, Dublin to Tenerife, Gran Muthu Golf Plaza Hotel, Golf De Sur, 3*, AI, 7 nights from €769pps.

TRAVEL

HOLIDAY VILLAGE KOS RESORT: PERFECT RECIPE FOR HAPPY KIDS ON HOLIDAY

Football is very popular with the resort’s fabulous pitch open day and night

It’s child’s play  SYLVIA POWNALL

IF YOUR kids are having the time of their lives, the chances are you will be too.

Sometimes it’s hard to get the balance right – lazing on a sun lounger tops the wish list for mam and dad, but the younger generation fancy something far more active.

That’s where Holiday Villages step up to the plate, with activities for kids of all ages that are on a different level to your typical resort kids’ club.

We’re not talking ping pong tournaments or arts and crafts. What we’re looking at are the academies you can sign your little ones up to – whether you’ve got a budding Beyonce or a wannabe Robbie Brady on your hands.

There are three academies to choose from – stage, football or swim - so you can set your kids free to enjoy themselves while you grab a cold beer from the all-inclusive bar.

The Holiday Village has three pools: a piratethemed splash park for under-eights with water slides and sprinklers; a family pool where staff run daily activities including water polo; and a deeper adult pool to keep teenagers happy.

The swim academy offers daily lessons from ASA-qualified teachers for kids aged three or over and even adults who might struggle with their swimming are welcome to join the classes.

The complex offers plenty of other activities too – football being one of the most popular with the resort’s fabulous pitch open day and night.

There are regular sessions with FA and Uefaqualified coaches and the football academy is open to all children aged between five and 16.

If you have a head for heights, you and your kids are sure to love the Aerial Adventure, an overhead obstacle course where children build confidence and work as a team.

And if you manage to get any me time there’s a spa, gym and a sauna, as well as an adults-only bar.

The island has a rich history and the best place to discover its past is in the museums and ruins of Kos Town, a 15-minute drive away.

For boutique shopping and laid-back cafes Eleftherias Square is the place to go.

The all-inclusive deal means beers, wines and soft drinks are on tap as well as all your meals.

And if you miss dinner or fancy something informal, snacks and ice-cream are served daily from 2.30pm to 4pm.

Evening entertainment includes karaoke, discos, cabaret nights, bingo and even a late-night kids’ club. Memories aplenty in the making!

Holiday deal Book Holiday Village Kos now for 2 adults and 1 child from just €2,199 all inclusive.

Stage Academy: Prices from €46 for three 2-hour slots.

Runs from 20 July to 31 August.

There’s also Mini Razzamataz, free sessions especially for under-5s.

Football Academy: Prices from €39 (2 days x 2 hour sessions) Swim Academy: Prices from €39 (5x 30 min sessions (group) Visit www.falconholidays.ie or call 1850 453 545 for further details.

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M50MOTORING FASTNews Thumbs up! for The new Kia Rio launched in Ireland last week comes with an entry price of €€15,950 for the petrol engine models

New Kia Rio offers even more style and safety KIA has launched its updated Rio for the Irish market with new styling for the fourth generation of Kia’s popular supermini car. In Ireland, the Rio has been an important car for Kia and sales topped 550 in 2016.

Kia believes that the new Rio stands out thanks to its progressive design, class-leasing practicality and safety technologies, new connectivity features and more engaging ride and handling.

Kia will offer six models from launch with one 1.2-litre (85bhp) petrol engine and two 1.4-litre diesel units (77bhp and 90bhp). Kia will introduce a new 100bhp, one litre turbo-petrol engine later in the year.

The petrol engine variants range from the entry level L model priced at €15,950, to the volume model EX model costing €18,150, and a top of the line Platinum model costing €20,450 and which comes with Sat Nav and Android Auto.

The two diesel models on offer are the LX costing €17,750 and the EXE model priced at €19,950 powered respectively by 77bhp and 90bhp 1.4 turbo-diesel engines. The 1.2 petrol unit has a CO2 emission figure of 109g/km and an annual road tax charge of €190 while the diesel models are rated at 92g/km and 98g/ km each with €180 annual road tax charge.

Hybrid sales jump 128% says Toyota Ireland TOYOTA in Ireland claims another significant

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

‘The up! comes with an impressive Euro NCAP 5 star safety rating putting it in top of the class position in the small city car segment’ --------------------------

to see where you’re driving, especially in tight spaces. The overall shape indicates height as much as length and the rear passengers get a reasonable deal, as long as it’s not a long journey drive.

The car left me with a lasting impression in terms of its driveability.

Importantly, this new up!

has been given an engine transplant or perhaps a boosted pacemaker as Volkswagen has upped (excuse the pun) its performance by adding a turbo-charger to the neat three cylinder petrol engine.

The upgraded engine with Volkswagen’s TSI format means that the new up! is a lively car to drive. The High version that I drove was fitted with 17in alloy wheels and that combination with Goodyear 195/40 R17 tyres gave the car great performance and stability over a 1013km weekly test run.

T he petrol engine comes with a relatively efficient fuel rating. The official figures are rated at 21m/litre (4.7/100km or 60mpg) and my driving performance came in about 25% below that rating. That meant that while

Over 70% of orders for Toyota’s new C-SUV,

Ireland in 2017, signifying

the C-HR which launched

that hybrid is now moving

in the Irish market in

towards mainstream

November 2016 are hybrid

popularity. The hybrid

while 40% of Toyota Auris

technology that, unlike

and 35% of Toyota Yaris

electric vehicles, you

sales in 2017 have been

don’t have to plug in, has

hybrid vehicles, according

seen Toyota experience

to the company.

This latest announce-

of hybrid vehicles in 2017

ment comes a week after

compared to last year.

Toyota revealed that

Toyota claims to have

VOL K S WAGE N refreshed the up! mini car during the middle of 2016 by boosting its engine power options and adding more styling features. For the up! its unusual name becomes the first talking point about the car. As soon as you get comfortable with its identity its performance will already have impressed you.

I took the four-door up! on tour recently and brought it on some drives that the car was probably not really designed for. This is a city type car that’s compact and nippy and designed for city driving flexibility and agility to be parked in tight spaces.

The overall length of the up! at 3.6 metres confirms that is compact and with minimal overhangs.

This means that the wheels are placed almost at each corner, so it’s easy

to 66% of the market.

increase in hybrid sales in

a 128% increase in sales

Volkswagen has breathed new life and energy in the up! city car by transforming its engine performance and offering a host of new styling options. Michael Moroney has driven the new VW mini-car and it’s a great big winner!

global sales of hybrid

sold more than 1,300

cars has surpassed 10

hybrid vehicles since the

million units, further

start of 2017. It is report-

enhancing Toyota’s

ing that diesel car sales

leadership in hybrid

The dash on the new up! is simple and clear with a mounting for a small phone to

have dropped from 71%

technology.

allow for the use of the Volkswagen integration system and there was also a very neat reversing camera system included in the test car

Volkswagen data claims that the car can cover up to 800km on a full 35 litre fuel tank, my driving experience was closer to 700km, which is reasonable given the extent of my varied test drive.

There are some minor re-style features to the new generation up! that the existing owners will spot instantly. The new up! comes with new bumpers, a new rear diffuser, door mirrors with integrated indicator lights, new headlights with LED daytime running lights, as well as new rear lights.

More importantly the new up! comes with a host of styling and colour choice options so that you can totally personalise the car to your taste. The range is vast, 13 body colours, nine exterior decals, 10 new dash pad designs, three roof colours, three design packs, two colour packs and two basic colours for the interior trim,

coloured alloy wheels and individualised-colour ambient light available for the top-of-the-range models.

I liked the neat smart phone holder on the dash to make simple the Volkswagen integration system. You just connect the smart phone above the dash pad, pair easily via Bluetooth and it becomes an infotainment system with navigation system and on-board computer functions, by using the downloaded Volkswagen app.

The up! comes with an impressive Euro NCAP five-star safety rating putting it in top of the class position in the small city car segment. There are four airbags included along with Volkswagen’s city emergency braking system.

The boot is reasonable in capacity at 251 litres and can be split using a simple shelf system. I

2 March 2017 GAZETTE 23

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mini Volkswagen

M50MOTORING

FASTNews

Volkswagen High up!

SPECIFICATIONS Engine Engine power 0 – 100km/hr Economy

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

1.0 litre 90hp 9.9 seconds 21m/litre (4.7/100km or 60mpg) 35 litres 108g/km A3 €190 15,000km/12 mon 5 star 2011 3 years €12,650

Dublin City Council has shown no evidence of its commitment to implement European best practice to establish an e-vehicles network in the Dublin city region,” says Nissan CEO, James McCarthy.

€6 billion fine looms for Ireland as EV policy not in gear IRELAND is facing EU fines of up to €6 billion for failing to reduce carbon emissions and to put a coherent

The new generation Volkswagen up! comes with the option of a turbo-boosted petrol engine that gives great performance with a host of modern styling options. The High up! version have the highest specification, while the entry models come with a very keen starting price of €12,650.

strategy into place to achieve its target of having 50,000 electric vehicles on Irish roads by 2020, according to Nissan CEO, James McCarthy. “The The test car was powered by an impressive 1.0 litre three-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine

initial target set in 2010 was to have 230,000 electric vehicles (EV’s) on our roads by 2020. It was re-set to 50,000 EVs in 2014 and a new target of 20,000 EVs

liked the fact that Volkswagen fits a steel spare wheel in the boot and given that it’s a small city car, and I found it interesting that some of the larger cars that are expected to be used for longer drive, don’t get that option.

Volkswagen claims that this new 90bhp engine has a performance that is on a par with that of the first Golf GTI, but with a

more impressive fuel consumption figure. That was certainly how the car felt under my control and that road holding was solid throughout.

I took the up! for a mix of runs, some lengthy across the country and always felt that it was up to the task. While motorway speeds pushed the rev counter into the less efficient zone, the over-

all driving impression was that of a solid small car that I would have no hesitation in recommending for cost-effective commuting.

With a list price range from €12,650 for the base model to €17,840 for the High up! that I drove there are three engine power options from the same three-cylinder petrol engine. My owner-

ship cost calculations give me a running cost figure of close to €0.29 per kilometre, given a reasonable depreciation rate of almost 30% based on current used car values.

That’s reasonably costeffective motoring with good performance.

For shorter commutes the new generation electric cars are now proving a real challenge; these

are the new competition for city cars such as the up!. Volkswagen has responded to that challenge and now offers a new e-up! with full electric but it’s not year shown on the Irish price lists. It’s the one to watch for the future for city drivers for those with a longer drive the 90bhp performance of the High up! gives a solid driving experience.

is now proposed. How do you hit a moving target?” says Nissan CEO. Nissan, who are Ireland’s biggest seller of EVs, said that cumulative sales of EVs in Ireland is unlikely to exceed 7,000 units by 2020 without the speedy delivery of a well maintained national charging infrastructure with a sensible tariff structure and policies to encourage and reward EV adoption. EVs accounted for 618 of the 218,000 new car sales and used imports into Ireland in 2016, along with a series of policy proposals from Nissan to put 20,000 EVs, like its zero emissions Nissan LEAF, onto Irish roads by 2020.

He proposed the introduction of policy requiring 20% of the car fleets purchased by the State,

Top driving tips to save fuel and stay safe THIS week we give you some easy-to-follow tips to help you to save fuel are petrol prices are getting precariously close to the €1.40 per litre price level. These tips will also reduce your risk on the road.

For all driving situations, fuel-efficient driving goes hand in hand with improving your driving skills and boosting road

safety, as well as reducing emissions and pollution.

Efficient driving strategies are also less stressful.

Here are some useful driving tips: 1. Choose a more relaxed approach to acceleration. Using brakes wastes fuel, so try to anticipate what’s happening as far ahead as possible. Try to make the best use of your car’s ener-

gy by adopting a safer, lower-risk style of driving.

2. Slow down. Most cars are at their most efficient around 80km/hr (50mph), and for every ten kilometres an hour over 95km/hr (60mph) that you drive, you will lose around six per cent of your fuel economy.

3. Use the gears. Aim to get into a high gear promptly (but not so

quickly that you strain the engine). This helps reduce your car engine’s thirst.

4. Check your tyres.

Keep them properly inflated and make regular checks on their condition.

Even a slight reduction in pressure will lead to greater resistance on the road, meaning you will spend more on fuel and on tyres.

5. Switch it off. Don’t let your engine sit running

on idle If you’re sitting in a queue or waiting for someone for more than 30 seconds, switch the engine off.

6. Treat your car well. A properly maintained car will drive more economically.

7. Know where you’re going. Don’t waste fuel by being lost in your car.

Journeys will take less time if you plan a route.

public bodies and local authorities to be EVs, levying fines against local authorities who fail to achieve EV targets and a BIK exemption for those driving EVs for business.

“Local authorities have no skin the game. Dublin, with about 40% of the national car fleet should have a minimum of 8,000 EVs registered by 2020. The Dublin taxi fleet should be mandated to go EV from 2018 with the support of a scrappage scheme,” said McCarthy.

“Dublin City Council has shown no evidence of its commitment to implement European best practice to establish an e-vehicles network in the Dublin city region. Best practice requires the provision of a comprehensive charging infrastructure and ‘soft benefits’ such as free parking, free road tolls and access to bus lanes for EV drivers,” he added.

GAZETTE

24 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 2 March 2017

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA

Stephen Marcus, Valerie Egan, Patrick Becker and Amy Joyce Hastings

SANCTUARY: ONE OF THE MOST ORIGINAL AND FUNNY ROMANTIC COMEDIES IN YEARS

An auspicious debut

Cast members at The Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire

THE Audi Dublin International Film Festival brought one of the most original, freshest and funny Irish romantic comedies of recent years to the Light House Cinema as part of the main festival last week.

Len Collin’s Sanctuary is a big screen adaptation of a hit play from Blue Teapot Theatre Company, Performing Arts School & Outreach programme for people with intellectual disabilities at the forefront of arts and disability in Ireland. The film premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2016 where it won the Best First Irish Feature Award.

Larry and Sophie are in love. They bribe the feck-

less Tom to book them into a hotel for an afternoon tryst and look forward to getting to know each other, like countless couples before them. But Larry and Sophie aren’t any couple; they both have intellectual disabilities and Tom is their care worker. By attempting to be intimate, they aren’t just breaking the rules – they’re breaking the law.

Commenting on the shifting legal situation Inclusion Ireland Campaigns and Policy Lead Sarah Lennon said: “The current criminal law (1993 Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act has created an uncertain legal landscape for people with intellectual disabilities

who wish to have intimate relationships.

“The law can appear to criminalise even consensual relationship, while offering little protection and has created a ‘chilling effect’ on people with disabilities accessing information, education and support.

“Law reform in the guise of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 is expected in the next week and will create improved legal certainty about who can and cannot have intimate, sexual relationships.

“Even with the lifting of a legal threat, there remains a lot of work to be done to remove the taboo surrounding sexuality and disability.”

2 March 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

TECH COMMUNICATIONS: IT’S BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR A TRULY CLASSIC DESIGN

Dialling up the excitement for this ‘new’ Nokia phone IN A bid to stave off my excitement at the longawaited release this week of the stunning PS4 exclusive, Horizon Zero Dawn (see full review next time) as well as the imminent release of Nintendo’s quirky new console, the Switch, I’ve been fiddling about with upgrades for my phone.

Or, rather, I’ve been feeling like bouncing my phone off the nearest wall, thanks to irritated frustration over its endless ‘Hey Shane, there are lots of app updates available to install – but you don’t have enough space for them, you plonker’ messages, or words to that effect.

It’s all enough to make you wish for a simpler time, back when phones were, well, pretty much just phones, when dinosaurs roamed the earth

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

and Nokia was still pretty much the leader of the pack and the top name for phones.

Well, while almost extinct in the wild, the Nokia brand looks set to make a bullish return to the market – and it’s all thanks to a rerelease and update of the ludicrously simple (by today’s standards) mobile phone, the classic Nokia 3310.

First released in late 2000, the 3310 was an instant hit – I had one as my first mobile phone in the then burgeoning mobile phone market, as had pretty much everyone

else at the time.

You could text, make phone calls, text, errr... that was pretty much it for the 3310, but that was enough for ye olden days, with the 3310’s simple but effective stylings, coupled with its cheap and cheerful build and a famously long-lasting battery, making it a real winner.

Flash forward, and with Nokia’s cultural relevance having taken quite a dive since then, HMD Global – a company with a lot of former Nokia staff which has acquired the Nokia brand rights – has had a brilliant idea: to update the ancient phone for today’s market, release it and see what happens.

T he end result: a revised 3310, which now comes with a larger screen (now in colour), a 2MP camera (completely out of the question, back in

the day), and a slimmer yet ergonomic ‘biscuit’ build – but that’s about all, although its makers have also managed to add a headphone jack, FM radio and a SD card slot.

It’s a clever move by HMD Global, as there are lots of people who just want a basic p h o n e – and I do mean basic.

No army of apps, no sat-nav, no 3G – just by and large a basic, simple phone with a cheap-aschips price point to match upon its Q2 release: €50.

Yes, fifty quid.

As a no-bells-or-whistles second phone, a holiday phone, a child’s phone, or whatever, there’s a definite market out there for such a cheap, bluntly practical and reliable phone.

It goes without saying that in emerging markets such an affordable phone also could be a real winn e r, a n d an attractive alternative to costly contract phones, or similar luxury items out of

reach to ordinar y people.

A n d , considering that its predecessor had a standby time of up to two w e e k s almost 20 years ago – good luck getting almost any modern phone to the 20-hour mark on one charge – its interesting claimed one-month standby charge for the new version of the 3310 also impresses.

It’s a shrewd move by HMD Global, presenting Nokia (which is now focused on more techni-

cal telecoms work) with a win-win situation: it’ll collect royalties on the new phone’s sales.

So, who would have thunk it? Sometimes, the things we look forward to the most are things from the past. Expect to see lots of just-a-phone 3310s before the year’s end ...

Not shown here to scale, the new 3310 (above) is quite similar in size to the classic 3310 (left), but will be available in several colours

There’ll be everything to play for at this year’s eclectic GamerCon over at the NCC  SHANE DILLON

From VR to the latest hits to classic games, GamerCon promises plenty of great content for gamers of all ages

GAMERS of all ages and abilities are in for a real treat in just a couple of weeks thanks to the upcoming GamerCon 2017 at the National Convention Centre, right after St Patrick’s Day. The high-profile venue is needed for the notable event, which should draw in an impressive 20,000-plus people during its two-day run.

It promises plenty of content for everyone, from old-skool gamers like myself to the more casual gamers who’ve had a huge impact on the industry in recent years.

Despite the title, GamerCon has more than ‘just’ games to bring you over to the Docklands NCC, as you’ll see below.

First things first, and of course, gamers can try out some of the biggest games out there, courtesy of a lot of dedicated gaming posts.

Speaking of old-skool, a curated collection of retro games should be pretty fun to try for anyone who Kong put their skills to the test. That should Pac them in.

Back to the present, and if you’ve never tried virtual reality, a VR section will give a great look at the fascinating new tech, which could be brilliant for some games and media browsing – a number of titles already showcase the terrific tech, so be sure to give it a try.

It’s good to see that there’ll also be plenty of age-appropriate titles for younger gamers, too, making it a family-friendly event.

There’ll also be several You-

Tubers there – the likes of AliA, Uberdanger, Clare Siobhan, Minevengers, and lots of other high-profile names will be there.

I’m happy to see an esports section – I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen, say, American, Hong Kongese or South Korean gamers playing their games for prizes of up to a million dollars-plus while truly huge audiences watch.

Would-be esports winners can compete in one tournament of their choice, with hefty prizes (not a million bucks, sorry) up for grabs in titles such as Rocket League, Street Fighter, League of Legends and Counter Strike: Global Offensive.

Cosplayers can dress up as their favourite character or show

off their gaming-inspired outfits, with prizes for the best. (Personally, I hope somebody will take a stab at going as one of the Metal Gear cardboard box disguises, but we’ll see.)

There’ll also be plenty of merchandise with lots of hardware, software, and gaming-related goodies to get your hands on, with well-known sponsors in tow.

I’m impressed by the GamerCon line-up; it seems like a comprehensive, well thought out event. Go along and see for yourself; it runs at the NCC on March 18 and 19 from 9.30am to 6.30pm, with admission priced €25, or family tickets €80.

For further information and related event charges, see https:// gamer-con.com/.

26 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 2 March 2017

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28 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 2 March 2017

SPORT

FastSport CARBERY AMONG SEVEN TO GET NEW CONTRACT: CLONTARF’S Joey Carbery’s rapid ascent has seen him formally signed up to a Leinster and IRFU senior contract this week along with six other players from the province’s academy.

Ross Byrne, Nick McCarthy, Rory O’Loughlin, Andrew Porter, James Ryan and Peadar Timmins are the other players in question, adding to Carbery who already has three Irish senior caps to his name.

Between them, they have played 55 times for Leinster in the Champions Cup and Guinness PRO12 this season, contributing 15 tries and 142 points.

Commenting on the news, Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen said: “We invest a huge amount of time and resources into our Academy system in Leinster and we very much see these players and this model as the future of this club. I am excited by the challenge that lies ahead of them as they look to kick on in their careers.”

HOCKEY: THREE ROCK WIN SIXTH EY LEAGUE GAME IN SUCCESSION AT GRANGE ROAD

Madeley’s magic week sees Rovers stay in mix for title

 STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@dublingazette.com

LUKE Madeley’s pair of penalty corners saw Three Rock Rovers come from two goals down to win their sixth EY Hockey League game in succession, keeping them within a couple of points of league leaders Banbridge.

It formed part of a huge week for the young defender. Two days later, Madeley received a call-up to the Irish team, named in their extended panel of 24 for the World League Round 2 which takes place in Stormont in March. He subsequently turned 21 on Wednesday.

In an open game throughout, Rovers had a couple of gilt-edged chances inside the first minute as Mitch Darling’s cross-shot skimmed past the right post while Harry Morris won a corner that Max Maguire saved off the line. Nick Dee also deflected away another drag off the line but, for the most part, Monkstown were the side in greater control of possession and had the majority of the attacks.

They went in front in the tenth minute when Lee Cole’s

Three Rock Rovers’ Luke Madeley celebrates his winning goal. Picture: Adrian Boehm

45 degree pass from left back found Kyle Good on the right of the circle and he powered home a very impressive opening goal.

They also had corner chances to extend their advantage but Jamie Carr kept them out, keeping the gap at the minimum going into half-time.

Town did, however, double up in the 43rd minute via Gareth Watkins as he posted up at the

top of the circle and boomed home a brilliant reverse-stick effort into the top corner for a 2-0 lead. Rovers responded with greater control over the ball with Jody Hosking getting things moving on his return from illness. They got one back via Kevin Mullins’ fifth league goal of the season, finishing off from a Hosking cross after the diminutive midfielder robbed

possession and squared.

On the three quarter time whistle, Town got pinged for a deliberate foot in the 23m area which handed Rovers a corner chance which Madeley nailed into the bottom corner. And he duly scored the winner with six minutes remaining, this time going the high road to continue Rovers’ strong recent run. For Town, they are playing catch-

up for the playoff places after a fourth successive league defeat.

Rovers also have an Irish Junior Cup final to look forward to thanks to their second team’s 3-0 win Cork side Bandon with Shane Madeley, Dylan Shirley and Peter Lynch scoring the goals. They will meet Cork C of I in the final on March 26 in Belfield.

Elsewhere in the EY league, UCD won the other Dublin derby to give their chances of avoiding the relegation playoff place a huge boost, beating Railway Union 3-2.

Railway led twice thanks to goals from Rob Devlin and Peter Catchpole but Ben Campbell’s surge from the back and a Ben McCrea effort made it 2-2 going into the closing stages.

T h e n , J e r e my D u n c a n popped up with the winning goal late in the gam, netting against his former club.

Tallaght side Glenanne also moved away from the relegation places with a superb second half performance to beat Instonians 4-0 with Olympian Shane O’Donoghue firing home twice, adding to efforts from Gary Shaw and Richard Couse after a scoreless first half.

Pembroke and KADCA Killers advance final hopes  sport@dublingazette.com

Ailesbury Falcons take a drinks break from the action last Friday evening in Terenure. Picture: Austin Crowe

TEEN sensation Nhat Nguyen was among the stars last Friday on match night four of the Badminton Premier League took place in Terenure.

The BPL is in its second season and comprises five clubs. The format is for mixed teams which teams using a mixture of four men and women for each tie.

The clubs are bolstered by the allocation of a half dozen Badminton Ireland Academy players including the likes of Nguyen and Terenure’s Paul Reynolds.

Leading the table are South Dublin Spartans who had the bye. This meant that the other four clubs had the chance to fight for that all important second place slot with the ultimate aim of a final will take place in May featuring the top two.

Two fixtures took place Friday and both were comprehensive wins. Northside club KADCA Killers were comfortable 8-1 winners over Ailesbury Falcons.

Returning from injury, BI Academy’s Sara Boyle had two quick wins as did the reliable Norma McIntrye. Three doubles’

matches went to the last point of the deciding set were all won by KADCA. Lauren Au held her nerve to win two of these. The score otherwise might easily have been 5-4. The only match won by Ailesbury was a mixed doubles tie by Eddie Cousins and Moya Ryan.

Pembroke Panthers, meanwhile, beat Mount Pleasant Mavericks 7-2 in the second fixture.

Pembroke got off to a flying start with Nguyen winning 3-0 in the men’s singles and doubles where he teamed up with Dan Magee.

Speaking afterwards about the BPL season, Nguyen said: “I was asked very early to join Pembroke so of course I said yes. I know Dan very well. He is my former coach so we get along very well”.

Their partnership is very strong and they also won 3-0 in their previous men’s doubles match v KADCA Killers back in January.

This was Pembroke’s last group fixture as they have the bye in the last round of group games. Although they moved to second in the table, it is likely that KADCA Killers will leapfrog them and make the final.

2 March 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Pemberton teaches UCD painful last ditch lesson UCD MARIAN fell to an agonising 93-90 loss to Garvey’s Tralee Dynamos in the men’s basketball Super League last Saturday evening.

With just five seconds left on the clock, you could have heard a pin drop in the UCD Sports Hall on Saturday evening. Five seconds can be the longest time in a basketball game, but for the Warriors, it was five seconds where players became leaders, and two free throw shots carved a historic victory for the Kingdom.

Trae Pemberton was standing at that free throw line – a player who had already netted 35 points for Tralee during a game that had everything; thrills, dunks, blocks, super shooting and above all – the comeback of all comebacks.

The crowd had packed into the hall for a game that lived up to – and exceeded – the promise of its billing as third place UCD Marian faced off to the warriors of Tralee.

From early on, it looked like Ioannis Liapakis’ charges had the better of proceedings. Blocking off Pemberton early on, the frustration of not having the freedom of the key to shoot could have annoyed any other player but as already stated – Saturday night was a night where players became leaders and Pemberton, Kieran Donaghy and Dusan Bogdanovic took that leadership mantle firmly.

Trailing 25-16 at the end of the first quarter, and indeed, trailing the whole way up to the start of the fourth quarter, it took serious belief to drive on a Kerry side who brought with them some of their most loyal supporters.

A murmur was rippling round UCD though as the end of quarter buzzer sounded on the third with just eight points between the sides, 68-60 - a murmur of discontent from UCD fans, and one of excitement from Tralee.

The comeback was on - and what a spectacular one it was. UCD were not giving up without a fight though with Dan James, Mike Garrow and Scott Kinevane just some of the players that stood up and made themselves counted for.

But it all came down to those five seconds however, as just one point separated the teams, 91-90, and Pemberton gave a masterclass in keeping a cool head on the free throw line to add to Warriors’ memorable season.

Lansdowne lads make it three wins from three Dublin-based players continue starring in Irish Under-20s run in the RBS 6 Nations championship as Dowling, McElroy and O’Brien score key tries while Larmour makes a big impact  sport@dublingazette.com

L A N S D OW N E d u o Oisin Dowling and Tadgh McElroy along with UCD’s Tommy O’Brien all crossed for key tries for the Ireland Under-20s as they showed their canny knack to win tight games.

They prevailed 27-22 in a pacy U-20 Six Nations contest with France at Donnybrook, running up their third win of the campaign.

Nigel Carolan’s side killed off France’s second half revival with a closing 74th-minute penalty from stellar out-half Bill Johnston who had a 100% return off the tee for a 12-point haul.

Three first half tries f had the hosts leading 21-10 at half-time, with Faraj Fartass responding for the French.

Johnston book-ended an attritional second half with two crucial penalties, and although the visitors did set up a grandstand finish with Fartass’ second effort and a penalty try, Carolan’s charges stayed in front to seal their third 2017 win and make it a record-equalling six successive Six Nations victories for Ireland at this agegrade.

The visitors got off to an electric start in front of the 4,521-strong crowd but had no points to show for it as Ireland forged their way out of trouble Calvin Nash’s influential replacement Alex McHenry, due to a third minute injury, blocked a kick to give Ireland their first serious attacking opportunity and they took full advantage, excellent winger Jordan Larmour –

formerly of St Andrew’s – weaving up close to the line before hooker McElroy barged over from a metre out.

Johnston converted for good measure and Larmour popped up in a free-flowing move soon after, while Ireland almost ended the first quarter with another try.

William Iraguha had to react quickly to bring down McElroy after great combination work at a lineout by Jack Regan, Jonny Stewart and McElroy.

Good French build-up play was rewarded with a penalty goal from Romain Ntamack, but Ireland cancelled those three points out with a neatly-taken seven-pointer from centre O’Brien who was fed off a scrum and neatly gathered his own grubber kick to dot down.

St Mary’s man Jordan Larmour escapes a French tackle. Picture: Deryck Vincent

Ireland blew another try-scoring opportunity when Larmour’s pass to McElroy was ruled forward with the whitewash in his sights. There was some great work beforehand from out-half Johnston - both with his boot and with ball in hand.

However, second row Dowling showed his alertness to get his hand on a ball that had gone over the French line and force a try which TMO Stuart Terheege confirmed. Johnston converted for a 21-3 scoreline.

France, though, succeeded in hitting back before half-time with numbers wide on the left creating a simple finish for winger Fartass. Ntamack’s conversion went over with the aid of the post and Ireland had to defend smartly to avoid conceding again just before the break.

Larmour increased his inf luence on the resumption, his strong r unning causing the French defence plenty of headaches, and Johnston followed up with a wellstruck penalty for 24-10.

Ireland’s structures and character were tested once more as full-back Lyttle went out for a HIA and flanker Marcus Rea had to be replaced. French dangerman Iraguha showed his ability in defence when he hoovered up a tricky grubber kick, and his wing colleague Fartass was soon charging down the left wing.

Ireland could not hold out on the hour mark

when their defence was sucked in during a bout of French pressure - aided by their powerful bench - and Fartass did well to finish past Frawley for a try by the left corner flag.

Ntamack missed the difficult conversion and following a speedy burst by Iraguha into the Irish 22, replacement Sean Masterson saw yellow for an obvious ruck offence.

The departure of solid tighthead Charlie Connolly and Masterson’s sin-binning left the Irish scrum under pressure and three successive set piece penalties saw referee Tom Foley award a 72ndminute penalty try to les Bleuets.

Importantly, Ireland gave themselves a fivepoint cushion just a couple of minutes later.

A terrific kick from Johnston forced Iraguha to play the ball in his 22 and a subsequent offside allowed the Munster Academy starlet to send over his second successful penalty.

Another probing kick, this time from Larmour, gained vital territory for Ireland in the dying minutes and the forwards, including Joey Conway, Caelan Doris and standin skipper Paul Boyle – another from the Lansdowne contingent – who all put in impressive shifts, held possession right to the final whistle as Carolan’s youngsters kept hold of second place (behind England) in the Championship table.

GAZETTE

30 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 2 March 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

SOCCER: RED COW CLUB LAND SPECTACULAR COUP FOR JUST €10

Keeler makes mark at Unfinished Business LUKE Keeler’s boxing career took an upward swing after he defeated Lewis Taylor on points decision in Red Corner Promotion’s ‘Unfinished Business’ headline fight at the National Stadium last weekend.

It was an impressive win for the Ballyfermot middleweight who, by defeating Englishman Taylor, took his record to 12 wins in 14 fights.

The final scorecard read 80:72 but the Dubliner admitted after the fight that he felt it was a lot closer than the scorecard suggests. “It was a lot closer than that in fairness to him. He was a tough lad. A couple of rounds was all it was.

“That doesn’t do him any justice, he’s a nice guy, and that scorecard doesn’t reflect the fight at all. I knew I won it, but at the same time I didn’t feel one million percent either.”

The fight was Keeler’s first since he defeated Welshman Bradley Pryce last November but he knows this time around was a step up in opponent.

“He was a lot faster than Pryce. He was a lot physically stronger. He didn’t punch as hard but he was catching me clean and he shouldn’t have been.

“I got the win, a good eight rounds, and I’ll build on that, keep the momentum going, and keep the shows in Dublin.”

Keeler is now expecting to jump up the rankings and hopes to fight for the European blue belt this year.

“That should push me up the rankings and I’ll just keep building on that. I want a good opponent [next], we’re not going to step back. I want a tough fight and I’ll take it serious, put the camp in, take a couple of weeks off work.

“With tough fights like that, learning fights like that, two or three more of them, and you can’t be far off [the European title].

“I need to up my game as well, otherwise it’s not going to happen. I just have to get into the gym and work harder to make it that bit easier next time.”

The new land purchased by Bluebell United in the foreground, adjacent to the club’s Red Cow home; Anto O’Brien and Gerry Kelly sign the deal

Bell’s deal of the century sport@dublingazette.com

BLUEBELL United are celebrating after landing the deal of a lifetime by spending just €10 to purchase a piece of land reported to be worth €450,000.

The land in question is situated opposite the Red Cow Roundabout but, conveniently, right beside the one and only pitch the club already owned. It was formerly owned by Capel Developments who agreed to sell it to South Dublin County Council.

Capel went into receivership five years ago with the council

still owing €450,000 on the land, meaning a receiver was appointed

by NAMA. Bluebell’s PRO Anthony O’Brien spotted an opportunity to finally secure a significantly extended home for his team and set about trying to get his hands on the land.

He initially approached local Sinn Fein councillor Eoin O’Broin who approached NAMA on his behalf and the ball was officially set in motion. It was, however, rolling slowly so O’Brien went to the council offices looking

TUNNEL RUN Going underground in aid of Focus Ireland OLYMPIANS Natalya Coyle and Bryan Keane

were both on hand to launch the 10km Underground Run which will take place on Sunday, March 26 at 9.30am.

The race will make the 10th anniversary of the Dublin Tunnel with all monies raised from the event going toward Focus Ireland with the aim of raising €150,000.

Registration is €32 and all participants will receive a race t-shirt and medal. For more info, go to https://www.undergroundruns.com Picture: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

to set up a direct line of communication with a manager.

A decision was finally made in June of last year when council members voted to pass the land over to the club. However, it wasn’t simply a matter of passing direct control over to Bluebell.

The council then had to strike a deal with NAMA – which they did for a payment of €250,000 for the land, with an additional payment of €200,000 paid in lieu of the council’s obligation to remediate the land and remove a spoil heap.

The council were then

free to transfer the land over to the club and did so through a sub-sale that would see the land used as playing pitches and exchange hands for a nominal fee of just €10.

A condition of the deal is that the club are not allowed to sell on the land but they are already planning to install an all-weather pitch and floodlights.

They will now seek to raise the finance necessary to build facilities that will help their teams immensely.

A fter four years of negotiations with solicitors, receivers, NAMA

and the council, the club finally have a way to improve their home ground thanks to the hard work and dedication of O’Brien.

The club also took the time to praise O’Brien for what he has achieved for them in a statement that said: “Full credit goes to Anto for the work he put in over the last four years dealing with NAMA, the receivers, South Dublin CC, and all their solicitors.

“The cost of the land w a s € 10 , a n d A n t o proudly paid the money and now can say he bought the property for the club as well.”

2 March 2017 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

CLUB NOTICEBOARD

Tower’s give thanks to Chapman’s long support

ROUND TOWER, CLONDALKIN A QUIET weekend on the playing front.

checked within 45 numbers; €20 for full

ROUND Tower’s paid tribute to Chapmans of

Our senior hurlers defeated St Sylvest-

house. All in €2 to buy in, with a game

er’s 2-10 to 1-7 away from home in the

usually being €90 to €150. Raffle €2 or

Corn Ceitin.

three for €5.

Castle Crescent this week after their longterm support of the local GAA club.

The company closed its doors recently and the club’s vice chairman Ed O’Malley made a special presentation to Chapman’s Jim and Mary on behalf of the club, adding: “On behalf of Round Tower GAA Club we thank Jim, Mary and family for their excellent support of the club down through the years.”

FOOTBALL: FOUR WINS FROM FOUR IN DIVISION THREE

All are reminded the grass playing

If the Round Tower lotto jackpot of

surface at Monastery Road remains

€10,000 is not won on or before the draw

closed for settlement works and there

on Monday, March 6, a special draw

is no activity permitted on it.

will be made for 10 prizes of €1,000. All

On Thursday, March 9, we will host

tickets purchased between February

a coaching workshop: Transition from

6 and March 6 draws will be entered.

Defence to Attack. Former Dublin foot-

Play lotto online via our website - www.

baller and Na Fianna manager Mick Gal-

roundtower.ie.

vin will deliver it from 7.30pm to 9pm.

February 20 lotto: the jackpot was

Congratulations and thank you to all

€10,000; numbers drawn were 2, 4, 16

our Operation Transformation partici-

and 22, the bonus ball was 3. There was

pants who rounded off the programme

no overall winner and one bonus ball

this week. Particular thanks to the

winner: Orla Baldwin. Three €100 win-

leaders who stepped forward and the

ners: Denis Kelly, Betty Tebay, John and

organisers for bringing together an

Cormac and Breda Whelan. Thank you

excellent series of talks and activities.

to all for your continued support of the

Bingo jackpot this week is €10,000 if

lotto.

ST PAT’S, PALMERSTOWN CONGRATULATIONS to St Pat’s Cian

Welcome to our new executive com-

McGrane who was named Man of the

mittee and best wishes to all involved.

Match on Saturday when Dublin met

Thanks to our outgoing committee

Wicklow with Dublin winning by two

members for all your efforts and com-

points.

mitment over your term.

The U-14s had a great 5-12 to 6-8 win over Trinity Gaels. Well done to the play-

Round Tower’s Under-16s have started the season in perfect style. Picture: Niall Connaughton

O’Neill goal seals the deal for Tower’s 16s UNDER-16 DIVISION 3 St Pat’s, Donabate Round Tower  sport@dublingazette.com

2-7 1-17

ROUND Tower, Clondalkin made it four wins from four in the Under16 Division 3 campaign, taking the spoils from their trip to St Pat’s, Donabate.

On a wet and windy day with the pitch just about playable, the conditions would be a huge factor of the outcome of the game.

Winning the toss, Tower’s decided to play with the wind in the first half hoping to get off

to a good start. That’s exactly what happened with the first score coming after two minutes from Tower’s centre forward Lu Heffernan.

The Clondalkin club charged on from there with more scores coming from Joe Murray, Joey Leech and full forward Tom Cannon putting the side well ahead with only 20 minutes gone.

Top defence E xc e l l e n t d e f e n d ing from full back Alex Judge and some fantastic goalkeeping from Oisin Douglas kept the

home team scoreless for 30 minutes until St Pat’s slotted together a well taken point in injury time to make the score 0-11 to 0-1 at the break.

As expected, St Pat’s came out all guns blazing in the second half scoring the first five out of six points.

Mo r e p o i n t s we r e exchanged but, with 25 minutes left, the home team launched an attack from their half-back line with the wing-back running up the right sideline.

He handed it off to the full forward and slotting it into the top left corner

reducing the gap to just four points.

However, this didn’t shake Tower’s with the reliable Alex O’Neill hitting the back of the net two minutes later to seal the game.

Pat’s once again hit back with a penalty late on but, by then, the damage was done as Tower’s came out on top 1-17 to 2-7.

It capped their fine start to the season with a date against Naomh Barrog on the horizon on March 11 before the focus turns to the championship toward the end of March.

Our lotto numbers for this week were 4, 10, 15 and 29.

ers and management. The U-16s were

Thanks to our ticket sellers and buy-

unlucky this Saturday with Skerries

ers alike. Your support is greatly appre-

Harps B getting the win.

ciated.

St Pat’s U-12 girls played their first

Tickets are available from Palmers-

ever match on Saturday, away to Crum-

town House, Moriarty’s SuperValu and

lin at Pearse Park. Well done to team and

Manor Hair Studios.

mentors.

The club AGM was held on Tuesday with a great turnout from members.

LUCAN SARSFIELDS

The lotto draw is held every Sunday at 10pm in Palmerstown House; next week’s March 5 jackpot is at €3,800.

LIAM Mulhall is our new juvenile chair-

ballers played their second Boland Cup

man. Liam has been associated with the

fixture on Sunday and overcame Plun-

club all his life and, indeed, has genetic

kett’s 5-8 to 1-16.

connections with the club. Liam now has a key role in overseeing the implementation of the club strategy throughout the juvenile section.

In addition, Paul Stapleton has agreed

April 1 is the date for a club dinner dance. Tickets available at the club.

On the juvenile side, wins in football for the U-13A, U-14A, U-16A sides and for the U-15A ladies footballers.

to take on the role of PRO for adult hurl-

St Patrick’s week is fast approaching

ing in the club. Paul will be the point of

and this includes Seachtain Na Gaeilge,

contact for all matters relating to fix-

Beigh trath na gceist sa club oiche 14

tures, results, match reports etc and

Marta.

he will liaise with the club’s PRO to have

LastManStanding is struggling to

these published in the club notes, web-

eliminate participants. Be sure to get

site, social media platforms.

your entry in by 5pm on Friday.

By now, you will see many of the new roles being populated as part of the

The 25 Card Drive is on Friday and the Cupla Focal Club continues on Monday.

strategy, some more still need to be

Date for your Diary: Lucan Sarsfields

filled including Director of Football; any

Golf Society 2017 AGM will be held in the

expressions of interest? Make yourself

clubhouse on Tuesday, March 7 at 9pm.

known!

All are very welcome.

On a weekend more noted for bad

The set dancing is also on Wednesdays

weather, closed pitches and games that

at 8.30pm in the function room while the

need to be rescheduled, our senior foot-

bar hosts bingo.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR CLONDALKIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

DREAM DEAL: Bluebell sign historic agreement for just €10, giving them scope to extend facilities P30

MARCH 2-8, 2017

YOUNG GUNS ON A ROLL: Dubliners lead way in Irish U-20s winning streak P29

Round Tower’s senior footballers start their AFL Division 2 campaign on Sunday against Naomh Mearnog

Tower’s top tier target

Clondalkin club bid to finally break back into AFL Division 1 following three near misses in the promotion playoffs, starting next Sunday morning

 KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

ROUND Tower’s will go into the opening game of their AFL division 1 league campaign with Naomh Mearnog at Monastery Road on Sunday hoping that this will be the year that finally sees them return to the top division of Dublin football.

This season sees a new management team put in place as Paul Lanigan moves from one trio to another.

“We have a new a management team in place now. One of the players, Mark Gahan, has retired so I brought him on board with me, and a third cog of the wheel will join in

April,” Lanigan told GazetteSport.

As well as changes at management level, there have also been several enforced in the panel.

“We’ve lost a few lads from the panel through retirement, work commitments, family commitments, and lads going to play other sports. We are bringing through some of the younger lads who were playing minor or with the second team last year, to hopefully fill the void that has been left,” said Lanigan.

Tower’s have reached the promotion playoffs during the last three seasons but have frustratingly missed out each time. Lanigan has brought the players back to training later this year and used the pre-season to

help them be as prepared as possible for this weekend.

“If you take last year, we started back training on January 5 and didn’t finish until November 30 so, obviously, it was a very long season for the lads so I was very conscious not to bring them back as early. This year, we didn’t come back officially until January 12.”

Some of their players are, however, still suffering with injuries from last season.

“We’ve had a bit of a torturous pre-season in that sense because we’ve had lads who had long seasons last year come back with injuries, with the likes of Simon McGuinness and Jason Murphy not back training yet.

“Also, Eric Finn has been a massive loss to

us since he got injured playing hurling last March and won’t be back until May or June.

On the plus side, Conor L’Estrange had a serious injury last year when he broke a bone in his leg and dislocated his ankle.

“He got the all-clear last Thursday so he has been doing a little bit of light training with us. It will take him a while to get back up to the pace but it is great to have him back in the fold.

“We feel good going into the first game against Naomh Mearnog. They will have a bit of bite in their teeth with us beating them in the semi-final playoff of the league last season so it is going to be a tough game,” Lanigan concluded.