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May 26 -June 1, 2016

Locals live in terror as bloodbath hits streets  aishling kennedy

TENSIONS in the inner city are on a knife edge following the latest gangland murder in the escalating KinahanHutch feud, amid fears that the drugs war is about to explode into a bloodbath that could claim more innocent lives.

Local people told The City Gazette they are afraid to go to the shops and do not want to let their children play in nearby parks for fear they may be caught up in another shooting.

One man said: “I hope one of the bullets doesn’t ricochet and hit me. You’d be afraid of your life living here.”

The sense of panic comes after two gunmen ambushed 35-year-old Gareth Hutch, nephew of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, on Tuesday morning.

He was shot dead as he got into his car outside a block of flats on North Cumberland Street, barely a minute’s walk from O’Connell Street.

A 29-year-old man was being held at Mountjoy Garda Station after he handed himself in to gardai just hours after the killling. He can be detained for up to seven days under anti-gang legislation.

Another man was still on the run as The Gazette went to print.

Full Story on Page 11

2 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 26 May 2016

crisis | increase of 300-plus people in just a few weeks

Soup kitchen at the GPO sees surge in homeless  aisling kennedy news@dublingazette.com

THE number of homeless people accessing the Hope in the Darkness soup kitchen at O’Connell Street has increased by 300 people in the last number of weeks.

Hope in the Darkness is a volunteer group that runs a soup kitchen outside the GPO every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday night.

Organiser Sinead Kane told The Gazette that the number of people she is seeing is growing every week.

She said: “On Saturday night this week, we completely ran out of food.

The past two Saturdays we’ve ran out of food, and that’s never happened before.

“We’re the only ones [soup kitchen] open on a Wednesday and a Saturday, so that’s why we are crazy busy on those days. It’s gone mad busy over the last few weeks – I don’t know if it’s that more people have heard about us, or whether more people are homeless, but it’s definitely busier.

“We’re seeing 300-plus more people now than we did a few weeks ago,” she said.

Sinead told of how one of her volunteers had been away for two months as she was attending college, and when she came back last week she couldn’t believe how busy the soup kitchen had become.

“Our volunteer couldn’t believe it. She was gobsmacked when she came back – she can’t believe what’s after happening in the space of the few weeks she was gone.

“T here’s loads of requests for sleeping bags, because they’re not getting beds, and we don’t have any sleeping bags to give them. It’s like gold dust to get sleeping bags.

“I got a sleeping bag

FastNews Ballyfermot housing update THE latest Dublin City Council report shows that there are 2,850 social housing applicants currently awaiting new homes in Ballyfermot.

Cllr Daithi Doolan (SF) said that he had worked out it will take 27 years for the list to be cleared at the current rate.

Moore Street ruling in effect

The continuing drastic rise in homeless numbers is also being keenly felt by support services, who are straining to cope with demand

this morning and I went off and I met somebody in town with it today.”

Sinead said she is constantly putting out appeals for volunteers to bring food into her soup kitchen, and she praised the public for

always responding to her requests.

She added: “People are great, and we always receive more food in when we put appeals out.

“The homeless people who access our service are starving, and it’s

awful to think of them having to sleep rough and go hungry.”

Meanwhile, Focus Ireland have released figures showing 366 families and 731 children became homeless in Dublin in the first four months of 2016.

THE High Court judgement in relation to the preservation order at Moore Street finally came into effect last Friday.

The judgement was initially passed down from the High Court in March, but the order bringing the judgement into effect took a few weeks to pass.

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26 May 2016 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 3

Lotto win transport | more bikes on the go than ever before hits €5.5m  aisling kennedy THE winning €5.5m Lotto ticket for this week’s Lotto draw was bought in a Spar store at Upper Baggot Street.

The Quick Pick ticket was bought on Saturday afternoon, the same day as the draw. The identity of the winner has yet to be confirmed. The winning numbers were 8, 15, 17, 22, 34, and 38; the bonus number was 10.

Speaking to The Gazette, David Scally, the manager of the Spar, said: “I found out on Saturday night from the owner. It’s very exciting – everyone wishes they had bought it themselves!

“There’s great excitement because a lot of the regulars and locals are checking their tickets but no one knows who won it yet. We’ve sold winning tickets before, but never anything like this.”

Cyclists hit all-time high  aisling kennedy

The highly-popular Dublin Bikes scheme is just part of the overall success story for cycling in Dublin – now at its highest volume since records began

DUBLIN city centre is experiencing its highest volume of cyclists since records began almost 20 years ago.

According to the annual traffic count, which was conducted

by Dublin City Council (DCC) and the National Transport Authority (NTA), almost 11,000 cyclists crossed the canal cordon in 2015 during the morning peak period.

This represents an increase of 125% when compared with figures in 2006.

The annual traffic count measures the modes of transport used by people entering the city between 7am and 10am.

DCC began keeping these records in 1997.

The number of cyclists is increasing year on year, with the report showing that there was a 5% increase of cyclists crossing the canal cordon from 2014 to 2015.

Dublin Bikes While most people are happy about the increase of cyclists around the city and welcome the increased usage of the Dublin Bikes scheme, there are some people who are not so happy.

Last year, Newstalk presenter George Hook said he “hates cyclists with a passion”.

Appearing on Ireland AM last July, he said: “Well, I hate criminals and they [cyclists] break

the law routinely. There is no sanction. They do what the hell they like.

“They’re a threat to themselves, they’re a threat to pedestrians — and ultimately they’re a threat to motorcars, as motorcars trying to avoid these lunatics will have an accident.”

Recently elected Deputy Jack Chambers (FF) disagreed with Hook’s remarks this week, however, and said: “These numbers show the great progress the city has made in recent years encouraging people to leave their cars at home, and to walk, cycle or take public transport to work.

“I am par ticularly encouraged by the figures which show that cycling has more than

doubled over the last decade. This is a healthy, environmentally-friendly way of travelling which must continue to be supported.

Discourage “Dangerous traffic and poor-quality cycle lanes discourage the use of cycling.

“I have tabled a parliamentary question to the Minister for Transport [Shane Ross] to ask him about the initiatives he is taking to promote safer cycling, and to inform cyclists of the newly introduced penalty system for dangerous cycling.

“The issue of safety for cyclists is one I regularly have constituents contact me about,” he said.

4 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 26 May 2016

thefts | thousands worth of stock taken

City centre hit by spate of shoplifting  Aisling Kennedy A spate of shoplifting took place this week in Dublin city centre clothing boutiques with thousa nds of euros worth of clothing stock taken.

Starla Dresses on South William Street had three designer dresses worth a total of €1,500 taken from the shop but thanks to a little help from Vogue Williams and social media the dresses were returned this week.

Johanna McAleese, owner of Starla Dresses, spoke to the City Gazette this week and she explained how she used CCT V footage of the three girls who robbed her shop and put it on social media to track them down.

“The girls came in and they were probably in the shop for about 10 minutes.

“I wasn’t in the shop at the time but one of my staff members who was working that day could sense that something was a bit off with them.

“She kind of had her eye on them in the shop but there were other customers in at the time.

“One of the other customers asked her for a hand with a zip and she literally turned her back for one second and that’s when the dresses were taken.”

Ms McAleese said

when they watched the CCTV footage back in the shop they could clearly see the three girls robbing the dresses.

She decided to put the footage up on social media to track the girls down and Vogue Williams put it up on her Twitter page as she knows Ms McAleese.

“We got a great reaction when we put the video up online and a lot of people came forward with tips.

“There was a really nice sense of support because everyone was really helpful with it.”

A few days later, Ms McAleese received a telephone call in her shop and it was one of the girls calling to say they had taken the dresses and they would return them.

“I think she was quite upset by the video going up and probably didn’t think about her consequences whatsoever and she said she was going to drop them back in.

So she dropped them to a shop down the road yesterday and I went down today to collect them.”

Ms McAleese said she had reported the incident to the gardai and she has since informed them she has received the dresses back.

“I’m delighted to get the dresses back but I still want to identify them anyway because I just feel that had we not have put that video up

Final straw for shop owner

Frock n Fabulous, a high end dress rental boutique on Dublin’s Exchequer Street has also been the target of a number of shoplifting incidents since it moved premises six months ago.

Owner Kara Maher told us that she recently posted pictures to Facebook of a number of gypsy women who tried to rob her shop of €4,000 worth of stock as she is tired of the constant robberies.

“Last Sunday was the final straw for me because I had a group of Romani women come into the shop and I had to have a tug-of-war with one of them to get my dresses back. I took two dresses off them worth €4,000. It’s getting crazy now, it’s just happening too regularly and it’s affecting the business.”

Ms Maher said many of the shoplifters are blatant in how they rob her shop.

“A shoplifter will come in and discreetly try and steal something but these guys come in and pull the dresses off the hangers and walk right out the door, right in front of me. I literally had to fight with the woman to get the dress back.”

Ms Maher decided to post pictures of the women on Facebook to alert other businesses in the area.

“I don’t know if that was the right thing to do but I was so mad and I just said well at least my neighbours in the business will know who they are and then hopefully we can get together like a neighbourhood kind of thing and just stop it because it’s killing our businesses.”

Ms Maher said that she has a buzzer system on the door of the shop but that she hasn’t used it before.

“I do have a buzzer but I don’t want to use it because I want people to be able to walk into the shop whenever they want. Now I’m going to have to look at that but it’s not what I’m about.

It’s going to affect my footfall because I don’t care what anyone says it does put people off.”

I’d still be down €1,500 of stock.

“There’s no way those dresses would’ve ever come back.

“I’m sick of it, people can’t go around doing that and getting away

with it and that’s what’s been happening.

“So that’s why I felt like I needed to do something myself to try and prevent this from happening again.”

26 May 2016 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 5

6 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 26 May 2016

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Highly-skilled ballet dancers Anthony White, Victoria Young, Megan Mullen and Alana Borza. Picture: Keith Dixon

rathgar | girl off to prestigious institute

Ballerina twirls away to Russia  aisling kennedy and emma nolan

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A YOUNG ballerina from Rathgar is one of three to have earned an Irish place in a leading Russian dance school in more than 20 years.

Victoria Young (15) from Rathgar, and Alana Borza (15) from Dalkey, were amongst students from all across the world who auditioned for the prestigious Perm State Choreographic Institute.

They were informed earlier this month that they had each secured a place, along with 14-year-old Megan Mullen from Dundalk.

In August, the three ballerinas will leave their families, for at least one year, to train at Perm State Choreographic Institute in the

hope of pursuing their dream of a full-time career in ballet.

Victoria has been dancing since she was three years old and is currently a student at Monica Loughman Elite Ballet in Dublin 12.

Speaking to The City Gazette, Victoria said that she is “ecstatic” that she has been accepted to the Perm.

Despite her excitement at being accepted, Victoria said she will of course miss her family.

“I’m a little bit nervous, but I don’t mind – I’m going to live my dream.”

The young ballerina said she is most looking to the hard training and the discipline.

“Russian ballet is very tough. I would definitely say it’s among the hardest work you can do. It

will be fun too though, I hope.

“My ultimate goal is to be a prima ballerina someday. My idols are Monica Loughman and Svetlana Zakharova – Svetlana has danced nearly every dance, so she is amazing.”

Victoria has been with Monica Loughman for three years and she has been to Russia once before for training. While in Russia, she realised her real passion for ballet and how committed she was to it.

With the extensive training she has received over the last three years she says she feels prepared and happy to go to Perm in Russia.

She said she feels very lucky to have had so much help and support from her family.

Another of Monica’s

students, Anthony White (16), from Rathmines, will find out in June if he too has been accepted to the prestigious school.

Monica, one of the few Westerners to dance for Perm, says she is very proud of her young proteges.

She said: “I am so proud of these young ladies who have earned this amazing opportunity through sheer hard work and an allencompassing passion for ballet.

“I have no doubt they will face challenges during this experience, but the resilience and commitment they have shown over the last few years will serve them well.”

“T hey know I am always here to advise and support them as they spread their wings.”

26 May 2016 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 7

Bloomsday schools | restaurant serves up crash course on nutrition Vintage bus trip To mark Bloomsday on June 16 a free Bloomsday vintage tour bus will take a trip around Dublin to showcase locations around the city centre that featured in James Joyce’s Ulysses. People who would like to take a trip on the bus are encouraged to wear a James Joyce boater hat, a Molly Bloom dress or any type of clothing associated with the time.

The tour bus will depart from the Hugh Lane Gallery and travel through the heart of Dublin city centre including a stop at Glasnevin Cemetery – the setting of Hades from Joyce’s Dubliners. The bus tour departs from The Hugh Lane Gallery, (City Sightseeing Bus Stop 23a) at 10:15 and 12:15 on Bloomsday. For more information see www. facebook.com/csdublin

Children turn to Jamie Oliver tips for health

 ian begley

PRIMARY school students took a break from their classrooms recently to take a crash course on how to make tasty, nutritious food, as concerns grow that childhood obesity is becoming a major issue in Ireland.

A recent report showed that one in four children are now overweight in Ireland, which spurred the Government to launch Healthy Weight For Ireland – an initiative to make a 5% reduction in our average weight over

the next decade.

Children from Lios Na Nog and Holy Cross travelled to Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant in Dundrum this week and had a fun day touring the kitchens and getting hands-on experience with natural, non-processed foods, guided by the restaurant’s professional chefs.

The day was inspired

by Oliver’s “food revolution”, a global initiative that inspires positive, meaningful change in the way people all over the world access, consume and understand food.

H owe ve r, i n t h e Government’s plan on tackling obesity, disadvantaged areas will be encouraged to shed the most as the plan aims to reduce the gap in obesity levels between the richest and poorest sections of society by 10%.

The national obesity strategy, expected before the Cabinet soon, aims to ensure Ireland does not become the fattest country in Europe, as predicted in international studies.

A sustained loss of 0.5% a year in excess

ABC CERTIFIED 52,958 COPIES EACH WEEK (ABC: Group MFD, Jan- Dec 2015).

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Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant in Dundrum proved a perfect setting to pass on expert advice about eating well

weight (averaged across all adults) is targeted in the first five years of the plan.

A similar target has been set for reducing excess weight in children.

These overall targets will be reviewed every two years to take account of evidence on the likely impact of specific interventions to reduce obesity.

The way to achieve these objectives are set out as Ten Steps Forward in the plan. These envisage a sugar levy this year, as well as a whole-school approach to health.

Legislation requiring food establishments to post the calorie content of their meals is also planned for this year. Other priorities include agreements with the food industry on

reducing fat, sugar and salt in their products, and a code of practice for food and drink marketing.

Groups who need the most support will be prioritised, with an emphasis on families and children in the first 1,000 days of life.

To find out more about Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, see www.jamiesfoodrevolution.org.

8 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 26 May 2016

Gazettegallery

| national Arch Clubs celebrate their 40th

Marking a milestone in group’s history T

he sun shone brightly on the Regency Hotel as members of The National Arch Clubs gathered from all corners of Ireland to celebrate their 40th Anniversary in style. Members and volunteers of the network of friendship clubs for people with special needs started the day with lunch which was followed by dancing to the wonderful music from Gorey band, Thunderbirds, who said once again it was the best gig they had played at and did encore after encore as members chanted, one more tune. The talents of the members were on view as an arts and crafts exhibition was set up to display some of the work that goes on at the clubs during the year.

26 May 2016 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 9

anniversary in style at The Regency Hotel in Dublin

ABC CERTIFIED 52,958 COPIES EACH WEEK (ABC: Group MFD, Jan- Dec 2015).

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10 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 26 May 2016

Gazettegallery

| screening of X-Men: Apocalypse at the Savoy Cinema

Patrick Murphy and Ciara McDonnell

Manuel Yoachan, Ciaran McStay and Cormack Fitzgerald. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Aisling Small

Great X-citement at a film’s launch

Caira Rushe and Caroline Edwards

Bernard Dunne and Caoimhe Dunne

Hilary Johnson and Brent Raynor

Ali Ryan and Edward Smith

26 May 2016 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 11

 aisling kennedy THE city centre was the scene of another gangland shooting this week which occurred a mere 100 yards from Larkin Community College at Cathal Brugha Street, where children were attending school.

Gareth Hutch (35) was shot dead at around 10am on Tuesday at the Avondale flats complex at North Cumberland Street in the north inner city.

Witnesses reported a large number of shots being fired by two men in a black BMW. The dead man was a cousin of Gary Hutch, who was gunned down in Spain last year, and was also the nephew of murdered taxi driver Eddie Hutch.

He was also the nephew of Gerry Hutch, also known as The Monk.

The murder is believed to be linked to the ongoing Kinahan-Hutch feud.

This is the seventh murder in the capital since the feud began last September following the murder of Gary Hutch, who was shot dead in Spain by the Kinahan cartel.

Locals in the north inner city are now living in fear following six shootings in the last few months, including one that resulted in the murder of innocent man Martin O’Rourke at Sherriff Street.

‘Getting worse’ On the day of Gareth Hutch’s murder this week, one local woman, who lives around the corner from where the shooting took place, told The Gazette: “You’d be afraid of your life living here now. It’s getting worse.

I’m afraid to let the kids play in the park across the road.

“My kids play in those flats and I go in there looking for them at night.

They were in school this morning, thank God, otherwise they’d probably be playing in those flats.

“I have to tell them tonight when they come home that they can’t play over there now.”

The woman said she knew the Hutch family when she was growing

up, and said: “They were always a nice family when we were kids, but things are getting bad now.

“At the end of the day, someone has died, and it’s someone’s child..”

A teacher at Larkin Community College, which is situated across the road from the scene of the shooting, told The Gazette that “you can get a sense of fear here today; it’s not a nice day for the area”.

Oksana Kutcyulim, restaurant manager at The Admiral restaurant, which is located about 200 yards from the scene of the shooting, said she is worried for her staff because many of them walk by the flats every day on their way to work.

‘Feel scared’ “I live in Mountjoy Square and I do feel scared living here, now.

It’s a worry for us because you never know what people might have hidden in their pockets.

“A few times, the gardai have come in here because fights have come into the restaurant from the street.

“The guys fighting will lock themselves in the toilets, and gardai will try to get in through the door.

Things like that would happen about once a month.

“If I had the business in Dublin 4, this wouldn’t happen – it’s the location.

We would like to have more Irish customers, but they are scared to come [here], they prefer to go for a dinner in other parts of Dublin.”

Meanwhile, a convicted armed robber believed to be the intended target in the Sherriff Street murder last month was injured in a shooting in Ballyfermot at the weekend.

Keith Murtagh, 32, is believed to be linked to the Hutch gang and was targeted for that reason.

T h e 3 2 - y e a r- o l d escaped with his life after up to nine rounds were fired into the window of a house in Ballyfermot.

He was hospitalised along with a woman in her 30s after the incident, which happened in Cherry Orchard.

Hutch nephew gunned down in broad daylight

The scene at Cumberland Street on Tuesday as gardai and forensic officers cordon off the scene beside the Avondale House complex (inset) where Gareth Hutch was murdered that morning. Inset picture: Google Maps

A timeline of terror as feud escalates

September 24, 2015: Gary Hutch is gunned down in Marbella. An associate of the Kinahan cartel, it is believed that they suspected – wrongly – that he was a Garda informer and decided to kill him.

February 5: David Byrne is shot during a boxing tournament weigh-in at the Regency Hotel in Drumcondra. Byrne was a member of the Kinahan cartel and was believed to be a gangland killer.

February 8: Just days after the Regency shooting, Eddie Hutch Senior is shot dead at his home in Poplar Row in the north inner city. Gardai believe the 59-year-old father of five was gunned down simply for being a relation of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch.

March 23: Noel Duggan, 55, is gunned down right outside his home on a housing estate in Ratoath in Co Meath. Known as Mr Kingsize because of his

involvement in cigarette smuggling, Duggan was killed because of his association with Hutch.

April 14: Innocent father of three Martin O’Rourke, 24, was shot dead on Sherriff Street in the north inner city in a case of mistaken identity. It is believed that the intended target was Hutch gang associate and convicted arm robber Keith Murtagh.

April 25: Dissident Republican

Michael Barr, 35, is shot dead by a Kinahan gang gunmen at the Sunset House pub in Summerhill Parade in the north inner city. It is believed that the gunmen were looking to shoot a Hutch family member in the pub.

May 24: Gareth Hutch is shot dead. A nephew of Gerry Hutch, he was well-known to gardai but was not believd to be a major crime player. His brother, Derek Hutch, is serving time for a gangland murder attempt.

Gazette

12 Gazette 26 May 2016

dublinlife

diary

Ed North for a new TV3 show TRAVEL journalist Ed Finn is much closer to home than usual in his latest travel show, which sees him exploring Northern Ireland.

This new TV3 special takes viewers on a journey around many of the North’s distinctive attractions, ranging from historic Derry to

the majestic Mourne, as well as Game of Throne attractions.

Never Been North airs on Friday, May 27 at 8.30pm on TV3.

a bloom-ing good literary week

THIS year’s James Joyce Centre’s Bloomsday Festival runs from June 11 to 16.

Highlights of the celebration are set to be The Bloomsday Interview, featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabonand and New York Times best-seller Ayelet Waldman in conversation with Rick O’Shea, and an evening of political ballads from Joyce at The Stag’s Head.

The Bizarre Bloomsday Brunch and Street Party on North Great George’s Street will be on again, and there will be annual Bloomsday Readings hosted by RTE presenter Keelin Shanley.

For full programme details, see bloomsdayfestival.ie.

Travel journalist Ed Finn makes his mark on a colourful peace wall in Derry

fund launched for new festivals FAILTE Ireland have launched a new festival support fund to help new innovative festivals.

Thanks to the What’s the Big Idea? fund, successful ideas will receive support from Failte Ire-

land in the sum of €5k to €10k, to explore the viability of the idea and its potential to become a reality.

The money can be put towards feasibility studies, research, learning journeys and accessing expert advice.

26 May 2016 Gazette 13

Gazette

FEATURE

Charles Chipperfield Circus set to delight ALL the family will be delighted by the Charles Chipperfield Circus, which is returning to Ireland after its last visit, 25 years ago.

The 2016 non-animal production is full of fun, laughter and excitement, with everything from a flying trapeze act, a wheel of death, a hilarious clown and lots more all set to thrill audiences.

Adding to the excitement, Irish dance sensation Celtic Storm are also performing with the Charles Chipperfield Circus on the full Irish tour.

For full details of the tour dates and venues, see www.charleschipperfieldcircus.ie; the booking line is now open at 085 148 3850.

The Circus of Horrors offers audiences a devilishly entertaining performance, thanks to perfomers that include the likes of a Guinness World Record-holding sword swallower and a girl in a bottle. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

What a horribly entertaining show REVELLERS heading to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre are sure to have a bloody good evening thanks to the Circus Of Horrors, which is bringing its unique brand of murder, mayhem and top-notch circus skills to Dublin on May 31 as part of a nationwide tour.

The last few of years has seen the profile of The Circus of Horrors jump tremendously after making it to the finals of Britain’s Got Talent – to this day, making it still the only circus ever to reach the finals.

Its appearances on various subsequent TV shows have turned what set out as a cult show into a household name, with TV credits that include The X-Factor, Daybreak, Fairground Attractions, Who Wants To Be A Million-

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

‘The Carnevil’s story twists and turns with sensational shocks – all interwoven with some of the greatest and most bizarre circus acts on earth’

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

aire, Body Shockers, This Morning, Ant & Dec, The One Show and A Royal Command Performance.

With a string of accolades and praise from around the world, and having impressed the likes of Simon Cowell, David Hasselhoff and Graham Norton, the circus is sure to impress.

The Circus of Horrors started at the 1995 Glastonbury Festival and became an instant hit, touring all over the world, including festival appearances with Alice Cooper,

Eminem, Motley Crue, Oasis, Iron Maiden, The Manic St Preachers, Foo Fighters and many more.

Now, Dubliners can be thrilled and chilled by their latest unforgettable show, Welcome to the Carnevil.

Set in Victorian London in 1899, the Carnevil features Killer Klowns, sword swallowers, demon death-“deifying” aerialists, a Guinness World Recordholding sword swallower, back-flipping and firelimboing acrobats, and much, much more.

The Carnevil’s story twists and turns with grisly murders and sensational shocks – all interwoven with some of the greatest and most bizarre circus acts on earth, performed by a devilishly-talented cast.

With rock ’n’roll from Dr Haze & The Interceptors from Hell, the Carnevil promises a terrific evening for audiences.

As an adult-based show with strong adult language and some nudity, the show is not suitable for children.

As such, those aged from three to 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Make your way to the Circus of Horrors at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre on May 31, with tickets for the 7.30pm show priced €18-38.

Gazette

14 Gazette 26 May 2016

dublinlife

business

Trade mission to promote SMES  emma nolan

MINISTER for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor went on a two-day trade and investment mission last week.

The Minister from Dun Laoghaire went to Athlone, Sligo and Limerick for the event, which was organised by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland as part of their joint Global Sourcing initiative.

Highlighting the strong links that exist between multinational companies based in Ireland and their Irish supplier base, the trade mission also aimed to introduce

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor

innovative Irish SMEs to the global multinational base here.

Over the two days and three locations, a range of networking events, panel discussions and 356 one-to-one meetings took place between 180 Enterprise Ireland cli-

ents and 64 IDA clients.

Since the Global Sourcing initiative began in 2012, 21 new contracts have been secured by Irish companies, valued at €10.5m.

Speaking from Athlone at the start of the trade mission, Minister Mitchell O’Connor said: ““Ireland is a world-class location for overseas companies and we have a thriving global multinational base here.

“Regionally-based Irish companies are successfully exporting their products and services globally, and are well positioned to service these companies.”

A Moreish office idea  emma nolan

70,000 thanks for KBC Bank’s help THE Jack & Jill Foundation is set to gain to the tune of €70,000, courtesy of funding from KBC Bank. The newly announced partnership sees the bank matching €35,000 raised by its employees for the Irish children’s charity, with the funds to support a new pilot scheme to extend home nursing care to 4-6 year olds.

Pictured at the announcement

were some of the employees who had raised the funds, together with (centre) Jonathan Irwin, chief executive, The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation; Wim Verbraeken, chief executive, KBC Bank Ireland and Conor McGowan, chair of KBC’s community team, which drives employee fundraising for the foundation.

Picture: Colm Mahady/Fennell Photography

FAMILY-owned forecour t convenience retailer Maxol is creating a “culture of innovation” at its IFSC company headquarters.

The company has just finished refurbishing its offices and implementing its cafe design and food concept, Moreish, by installing a replica Moreish cafe for staff.

Moreish is Maxol’s own food brand, which offers customers a variety of on-the-go or eat-in fresh food options, selfserve and barista coffee, and specialty teas.

The cafe concept was hailed by the company as an engaging hub and meeting point for its head office staff.

26 May 2016 Gazette 15

FEATURE

AMAZING DEALS STARTING FRIDAY Cast members from Belvedere College’s production of West Side Story, which won an award

Plenty to teach about great shows  ian begley

SIX Dublin schools were among the winners at the 2016 Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards.

T he winners were announced at a special awards ceremony at the venue on Thursday, May 5 hosted by RTE Two Tube presenters Blathnaid Treacy and Stephen Byrne.

More than 1,500 primary and secondary school students representing 64 schools from across Ireland attended the event, where a number of shortlisted schools performed live on stage. There was a surprise performance by boy band, HomeTown.

Now in its third year, the awards were set up

by Bord Gais Energy to recognise and reward participation in schools drama. This year, 2,888 entries were received from 349 primary and secondary schools.

Special guests at the awards ceremony included Sabina Higgins and the members of the Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards judging panel – actress Amy Huberman; playwright Marina Carr; author Sarah Webb; set and costume designer

Maree Kearns; Bord Gais Energy Theatre manager Stephen Faloon and Bord Gais Energy communications manager, Irene Gowing.

Sixth year student Lainey O’Sullivan from Skerries Community College took away the best female performance in a leading role for her turn as Gertrude in the play Hamlet.

Belvedere College SJ Great Denmark St, Dublin 1 took the best choreography award for its production of West Side Story.

S t F i n t a n ’s H i g h School in Sutton was awarded the secondary school judges’ choice award for its production of Avenue Q, and St Joseph’s Boys National School from Terenure East Road picked up the primary school judges choice award for their original production, Hide & Seek.

Commenting on the awards, Dave Kirwan, managing director, Bord Gais Energy said: “The talent this year has been exceptional and the energy, enthusiasm, creativity and team work displayed by the students, teachers and parents is to be commended.”

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Gazette

16 Gazette 26 May 2016

dublinlife

bowel disease: ‘invest in resources minister’

Services are not up to scratch says society

 ian begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

As part of world inflammatory bowel disease day, an Irish organisation has called for more services for those who suffer with bowel disease.

According to the Irish Society for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease (ISCC) , Ireland has one of the highest rates of people living with either Crohn’s diseases or ulcerative colitis in the world.

Clara Caslin, a 22-year-old who suf-

fers from Crohn’s disease was diagnosed when she was 18 but had been suffering from symptoms since the age of 12.

She had bowel resection surgery in the past few years and attends Beaumont Hospital for her disease.

Talking about her condition, Clara said: “For me, living with Crohn’s disease has become a daily reality.

“At first, when I experienced my symptoms, I didn’t want to acknowledge that there was an official problem.

“I put it off until I was at the stage where I couldn’t walk properly or eat.

“I was in constant pain and tried to pretend that nothing was wrong but it was clear to see that I was rapidly deteriorating.

“If I didn’t have the suppor t of my IBD nurse Mar y Forr y, I would feel a lot more vulnerable.

“There is a huge need for more IBD awareness in Ireland. The number of people suffering from IBD is increasing and I feel that there are

so many undiagnosed cases because of the lack of awareness.

“I had never heard o f C r o h n ’s d i s e a s e before I was diagnosed and I think if I had any knowledge about it that I wouldn’t have been so afraid to address my illness in the beginning.”

Resources The ISCC has launched a campaign urging Minister for Health Simon Harris to invest in resources for sufferers of the disease.

Chairperson of the ISCC, Br uno Lucas

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Pictured at the launch of the IBD Manifesto 2016-2018 by the Irish Society for Colitis and Crohn’s disease (ISCC) is IBD patient, Clara Caslin. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

said: “All Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients should have acces s to a specialist nurse who understands their needs and can provide

the right kind of support when they most need it.

“With the new Government’s commitment to a fresh approach to

the health service, it is time for a priority to be placed, for the first time, on the 20,000 people in Ireland who live with Crohn’s or colitis.”

OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week

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Gazette

26 May 2016 Gazette 17

street fest: encouraging neighbours to meet in a fun setting

Get out for a street party  ian begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

A public street fest where neighbours are encouraged to get together and enjoy some great food is taking place again on June 12.

Street Feast is Ireland’s annual day of street parties and community lunches.

T hey can be anywhere really — out on the street, in a local park or in your front garden.

The idea of breaking bread as an act of friendship and kinship is as old as time.

Milestones It’s how you mark special milestones in life, from births to deaths to

marriages.

That’s why Samuel Bishop, founder of Ireland’s Street Feast, thought that a neighbourhood could really get together by sitting down and eating together.

Street Feast is an opportunity for people in the same community, but with very different cultural backgrounds to

get to know about one another in a way that is friendly and fun.

It’s a colourful, delicious day, perfect for families to bond, kids to make pals, and for young people to become friendly with the older people in the community.

Have a few more people to say hello to when you’re on the morning

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milk run, get to know your neighbours.

There are lots of good reasons to have a Street Feast, but it’s really just a great excuse to eat great food, celebrate your local community and meet new people who live near you.

To host a street feast or to find one taking place in your area visit www.streetfeast.ie.

Street Feast is a great excuse to eat great food, celebrate your community and meet new people

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Gazette

18 Gazette 26 May 2016

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

Look out for a wonderful time

The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin city centre is running a beautiful Alice in Wonderland style afternoon tea to coincide with the new movie Alice Through the Looking Glass.

The movie will begin screening on Friday, May 27 in Dublin and The Shelbourne have taken some of the iconic images from the Alice books and movies and created “Wonderland Afternoon Tea”.

One of the things that really caught our attention is that among some of the tasty afternoon tea treats is an edible pocket watch! A

must try.

The Wonderland Afternoon Tea is available daily at The Shelbourne from now until September 4 and 24 hours booking notice is essential.

It costs €45.00 per person for Classic Afternoon Tea, €57.00 for Champagne Afternoon Tea, and the Kids Afternoon Tea is €20.00 per person.

The banoffi pie and spectacular views are a major attraction at The Vue, Castleknock Golf Course

The Picky Eater

When you think of a nice Sunday dinner you usually imagine a local restaurant or pub some where nearby.

You don’t generally think of a golf club.

But the Vue Restaurant at Castleknock Golf Club is a restaurant that is aching to be explored as an option.

Located in the middle of beautifully landscaped scenery, Castleknock Golf Club stands separately from the Castleknock Hotel and Country Club but it is located on the same grounds, a mere five-minute walk from the main hotel.

The fact that it stands separately, however, means it offers a more secluded and unique restaurant experience.

On the day myself and my friend visited the restaurant, we were seated at a window that overlooked a breathtaking view of Liffey Valley, the Dublin Mountains and the golf course.

It happened to be a beautiful sunny day and we were lucky enough to enjoy dinner while watching the sunset, a truly beautiful moment that we were not expecting at a golf club.

The menu we ate from was the early bird menu which worked out at a very reasonable €22.50 per person for three courses. The menu had a good mix of food on offer, I had the chicken and bacon Caesar salad for starters, penne pasta for my main course and banoffi pie for my dessert.

A word of warning, they are very generous with their starter portion sizes so make sure you are hungry if you are going for the Caesar salad!

The penne pasta came with chicken, chorizo sausage and sun dried tomato smothered in a white wine cream sauce and topped with parmesan shavings. It was full of flavour and quite simply delicious. The banoffi pie

The Vue Restaurant A la carte

Porterstown Road was a tasty after dinner delight.

My friend had the smoked salmon tartar for starters, the roast rib of beef for a main course and we shared the banoffi pie for our dessert. The smoked salmon was beautifully light and delicate and was served with a superb malt bread.

The beef looked and tasted particularly good.

It had been slow cooked in a larger joint that day so it was only available as a well done dish but nonetheless it was a beautiful plate of food.

Along with the early bird menu, we indulged in a 750ml carafe of house wine which cost €20.

It was the perfect accompaniment to our meal and we sipped over it while we watched the sun go down over the spectacular view outside the window. It was a meal to remember, highly recommended.

The Vue Restaurant is located at the Castleknock Golf Club, Porterstown Road, Castleknock, Dublin 15; tel 01 6408736 or see www.castleknockgolfclub.ie

Conclusion The Vue Restaurant (at Castleknock Golf Club), has a good mix of food which you can enjoy while enjoying spectacular views of beautifully landscaped scenery.

26 May 2016 Gazette 19

Gazette

20 Gazette 26 May 2016

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE

Give your skin a boost for summer  emma nolan

Missguided Blazer €49; Shorts €28

Missguided Top €16.80; Skirt €21

Sensitive skin types Moving on, and waking with puffy, irritated skin is common for those with sensitive and allergy-prone skin. Specialising in products for sensitive skin, La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Ultra Overnight Cream is formulated to soothe and hydrate sensitive skin during the night.

Working with the skin’s natural nocturnal self-repair system, it helps the skin improve its natural barrier properties, so it can become stronger and better able to defend itself against irritation, reactivity and sensitivity.

When applying it initially, it immediately feels soothing on the skin, reducing that tight feeling that can occur in sensitive types.

Toleriane Ultra Overnight Cream is available from pharmacies nationwide, priced €18.50.

Missguided Top €25.20; Pants €30.80

SOMETIMES the contradictions that foundation imposes is bothersome – after all, we apply it to give the appearance of perfect skin, but in doing so we damage it.

Vichy’s new Dermablend 3D Correction Foundation is formulated to conceal blemishes and break-outs, provide immediate texture correction and improve the skin’s appearance, day after day.

Texture-wise, it is almost mousselike, but it feels very light on the skin and provides as much coverage as my usual foundation, so only a small amount is needed. It is thick in texture and looked quite dark on the back of my hand, but the Nude shade was a good match for my skin.

Using Alligel technology, it works to reduce the skin’s redness and improve texture. It also eliminates the need for a primer and concealer, so it’s a great quick-fix on days when time is limited.

Vichy’s Dermablend 3D Correction Foundation is available in pharmacies nationwide, and costs €23.

SETCO-ORDINATES

 emma nolan Style Editor

CO-ORDINATES, or matching sets, burst on to the scene this time last year, bringing with them a certain level of chic.

While somewhat reminiscent of matching separates from child-

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They can be worn as an all-inone outfit, ready to go, or they can be mixed and matched – t e appeal of a dress or jumpsuit

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Gazette

22 dublin city gazette 26 May 2016

OUT&ABOUT

money monster: an increasingly daft thriller

A film without much cents and sensibility  dave phillips

A SLICK feature directed

by Jodie Foster, Money Monster (Cert 15A, 98 mins) is a David and Goliath story, telling a story of the clash between the rich and the poor in America.

Income inequality is a hot topic, and last year’s The Big Short demonstrated that there is an appetite for usurping “the 1%” in the cinema.

Clooney stars as Lee, a garish stock guru who

hosts the network TV show, Money Monster – an over-the-top weekly show where Lee tells viewers when and where to invest.

The show gets interr upted when a distressed viewer, Kyle (Jack O’Connell) storms the studio and holds the host at gunpoint.

After a computer glitch caused the stock he had invested in to plummet, Kyle suspects someone is to blame, and with nobody able to give him

an answer, he’s been forced to pursue the most violent customer-care enquiry on record.

So the live-broadcasting episode of Money Monster becomes a life and death race to try to find out who is to blame.

While the bulk of the action takes place in the to-and-fro between Clooney and O’Connell, d o n ’t e x p e c t m u c h nuance – Clooney’s Lee is hammed up and glammed up; a schmaltzy coward who is always

looking for an opportunity to squirm his way out of the situation.

O’Connell remains in a perma-spittled state of desperation, angrily trying to comprehend the enormity of the system that has made his cash disappear.

While both actors have produced great performances in their careers, the stand-off between the two plays out like a cinematic Punch And Judy show.

Lee’s ego consistently gets in the way of any

Smarmy financial TV presenter Lee (George Clooney) has an unexpected problem when a desperate viewer (Jack O’Connell) takes him hostage

sense of atonement, while Kyle’s blood pressure hits new peaks.

Some policing is done

by Julia Roberts, who plays Lee’s producer, who stays in contact through his earpiece and attempts to be the diffusing voice of reason.

The saving grace of the outlandish film is that it has a sense of humour. The comic element becomes more pronounced as the pressure mounts and the scenario becomes increasingly convoluted, until the film transitions into an old-

fashioned story of good guys and bad guys.

Money Monster may not be the confined thriller that the trailer might suggest, but it’s a cinematic slug-fest that might prove a nice distraction from financial woes.

Verdict: 6/10

26 May 2016 dublin city gazette 23

24 dublin city gazette 26 May 2016

Tanaiste and Minster for Justice Frances Fitzgerald

opinion: tanaiste looks towards the future of ireland

A just and caring society with equal opportunities for all As we begin the work of the Partnership Government, it is a good opportunity to look towards the future. This partnership Government is not just new; it is profoundly and radically different.

As everybody knows, it has taken time, commitment, energy and effort to reach this point.

This Government is unique in the history of our country. Though we are of different political backgrounds, we are united in our ambition to have Ireland’s economy and society prosper.

We are committed to supporting people who have not yet benefited from the economic recovery, who are unsure about their future, who are ill or suffer from a disability or have been swept to the margins of Irish life.

Fine Gael’s commitment to a just and fair society is deep and the difficult decisions we have taken over the past five years, mean that we now have the foundations in place to do just that: to create a just and caring society which gives equal opportunity to all.

I listened to what you said during the election campaign, your experiences, concerns and sometimes frustrations and I feel positive that the programme for Government reflects that.

At its core is one simple objective: to make people’s lives better across Dublin Mid-West and the country.

As a mother, I know the importance of investing in facilities and supports for families. From my discussions with residents throughout the campaign, I see the need for greater investment in services across the Clondalkin and Lucan areas, including housing, health ser vices, community facilities, childcare and supports for families.

My f i r s t p r i o r i t y, and the priority of this Government, is to help working families. Our Programme for Government contains ambitious plans for more affordable childcare, more and better jobs, lower taxes on workers, a remedy to the housing and homelessness crisis, new investment in hospital and primary care

centres with a focus specifically on improving the disability and mental health services, help for low paid workers and safer streets.

For every challenge, the new Government will ensure that a balance is struck between addressing urgent priorities and engaging in long-term planning and thinking, rather than shor t-term solutions and parish pump politics, and to ensure that lasting solutions with broad based support are implemented.

As Tanaiste, local TD and a member of this Government, I am eager to tackle the many challenges faced by the country and I am mindful of my duty to put you, the people of Lucan, Clondalkin, Saggar t, Rathcoole, Brittas, Palmerstown and Newcastle, first. I want everyone to have the peace of mind that comes from feeling safe and secure in their lives and I am committed to working every day to achieve that goal.

I joined politics at a later stage than most, motivated by a desire to make a difference

and deliver real change to people’s lives. The work to make a positive contribution in Leinster House and in our communities still drives me on and motivates all my work.

This Government can deliver justice and a real change to society.

The Marriage Equality Referendum which gripped the country last year showed us this. The referendum was an illustration of how politics can deliver real equality for our society.

T h i s G ove r n m e n t is ambitious and optimistic. Success for us will be measured by an improved quality of life for our people and by the opportunities a fair society provides for every single citizen.

We want to ensure we have thriving communities, and a country that looks after its people from the time they come into the world, to the time they leave.

We want to ensure that everyone is given the opportunity to succeed, nobody is left behind and the best life opportunities are possible for all our people.

Ha’ppeny Birthday Pic: Conor McCabe

The most loved little bridge in town turns 200

It was a landmark birthday for one of the city’s best known and most loved landmarks this week as the Ha’penny Bridge celebrated its 200th birthday. An estimated 30,000 people use the old iron structure to cross the River Liffey every day, and the famous bridge has been used in videos and photoshoots by famous Dubliners including Phil Lynot and U2. Lord Mayor of Dublin Criona Ni Dhalaigh celebrated the bi-centenary of the bridge, which was erected in 1816, with a ceremonial crossing of the bridge with descendents of Lord Mayor John Claudius Beresford who commissioned the bridge and descendents of John Windsor who designed the bridge in Coalbrookdale in Shropshire.

Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

26 May 2016 dublin city Gazette 25

26 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 26 May 2016

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28 DUBLIN CITY Gazette 26 May 2016

SPORT

FastSport duggan on crest of a wave after award: UCD Waves’ Karen Duggan was rewarded for her superb season as she was named as the 2015/16 Continental Tyres Women’s National Awards in the Marker Hotel.

She took the award as the Player of the Year ahead of both team-mate Aine O’Gorman and Wexford captain Kylie Murphy.

The Young Player of the Year award went to Peamount United midfielder Roma McLaughlin, who edged out Cork City WFC’s Evelyn Daly and Shelbourne’s Keeva Keenan.

The Irish Daily Mail Golden Boot award was presented to UCD striker O’Gorman, who finished the regular season with 17 goals to cap off another fine campaign.

The Services to Women’s Football Award was given to Peter Doyle, who will be presented with his award at the FAI AGM in July.

badminton: dundrum man confirmed for third olympic games

Rio ticket stamped for Evans  stephen findlater sport@dublingazette.com

DUNDRUM man Scott Evans is bound for his third Olympic Games in Rio in August following formal rubber-stamping of his ticket this week to take part in the men’s badminton competition.

Following top class performances toward the back-end of 2014 and early in 2015, Evans told GazetteSport that he has long been in the frame for an Olympic berth but was delighted to have his place officially confirmed.

His performances had seen him rise to 23rd in the world and, during the first seven months of the qualification period – which ran from May 1,

2015 to May 1, 2016 – he put himself comfortably in position to win the Rio ticket.

“Because I had a great year [in 2014], it pre-qualified me for a number of good tournaments,” he said. “They are where you want to be to get the best out of your game. They are more fun and bring with it more ranking points.”

It is just as well that he got his points in the bag early. Most of those tournaments are on the other side of the world, meaning huge issues for Evans in terms of funding.

So much so that, after four tournaments in the 2015 season, the guts of his support from Badminton Ireland (€6,000) and the Irish Sports

Council (€12,000) had been eaten up between flights and hotel rooms.

It meant that Evans has been restricted in the events that he could afford to go to since the turn of the year.

“First in June, I was in Australia and then Indonesia. The third tournament was in Jakarta [again in Indonesia] after which I got an email saying that my funding was almost up and that the remainder would be held back. Every tournament after that, I would have to cover myself.”

Further elite events were in Japan and Korea rather than the lower quality tournaments in Europe.

Evans receives further sponsorship from Rack-

Badminton star Scott Evans

ets.ie – run by his father – and Hegarty Financial Management but, with limited prize money for a first or second round exit from the top level tournaments, a real risk exists each time that expenses would not be covered.

As such, with a couple of injuries thrown into the mix, Evans has limited his long haul travel since the turn of the year.

Playing in lesser tournaments has had an effect on his world ranking – he now sits at 61 – and he

plans to stay local for the build-up to Rio, taking in training camps in Dublin, London and Paris with, possibly, match practice coming at the US and Canadian Open in July should funds allow.

It is the regular challenge of being an Irish athlete in Olympic sport.

Evans is a former Wesley College, Ballinteer student, a school from which there are potentially three other Rio Olympians in the hockey team – Mitch Darling, Kyle Good and Kirk

Shimmins – who recently launched a crowd-funding campaign to address a €225,000 shortfall in their programme.

“A lot of athletes are in the same boat; it’s nothing new. We are lucky to get what we get from the Sports Council and there is no chance we could compete on the world stage without it.”

But more financial support could see athletes like him more than just enter, competing closer to their full potential.

North county sides going strong in Irish Senior Cup  sport@dublingazette.com

The Hills will be hoping to progress their hopes of winning back the Irish Senior Cup

NORTH County, Merrion and The Hills were the Dublin sides to get home draws in cricket’s Irish Senior Cup following the draw last Monday following the conclusion of the first round.

The competition’s most successful side, North County – five time winners – have a derby encounter with Malahide, after their fellow Fingal side – winners in 2002 – scraped their way into the second round in dramatic fashion

with a last over victory over Strabane last weekend.

The villagers won by nine runs in their refixed tie with Neil Boyne hitting 52 not out in their total of 149 from a reduced 26 overs.

Peter Saville bowled a key spell of three wickets for 20 runs from his four overs to play a crucial role in protecting their total. Peter Chase also bowled a very economical spell, conceding just 14 runs from his spell.

Arguably the tie of the second round draw sees The Hills

– winners in 2012 and 2014 – playing CIYMS. The NCU side’s professional is former South African Test player Justin Kemp, who took four wickets in their win over Brigade last Sunday.

YMCA will go north to Fox Lodge as do Pembroke who go to Instonians.

Merrion beat Coleraine 3-2 in a sudden-death bowl-out after the day’s play was washed out to take up their place in the next round.

Railway Union fell via the same method to Cork County

2-1 to deny them a chance of advancing.

Merrion will next face Ulster side Carrickfergus at Anglesea Road while Cork County will host Phoenix next Sunday.

In the National Cup, holders Rush travel to south Dublin side Dundrum, Ballaghaderreen take on former finalists Balbriggan, and North Kildare have a home tie against Co Kerry. Newbuildings entertain Terenure.

All second round ties take place on this Sunday, May 29, with the reserve date June 19.

26 May 2016 dublin city gazette 29

Gazette

McGrath embracing life as an Ireland fan Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland’s legendary centre half looks forward to Euro 2016 with JAMES HENDICOTT and admits he is “envious” of the current vintage in the build-up IRELAND legend Paul McGrath spoke in bullish terms on Irish prospects at Euro 2016, backing the side to get out of a tough group if they can match their recent form when they arrive in France.

The legendary centre back, a product of Pearse Rovers and Dalkey United, told GazetteSport: “My honest opinion would be [the team need to prepare by] bringing what they brought to the qualifiers.

“They played like a team in the qualifiers rather than individuals and if they can keep that team work going they will get out of this group.”

McGrath was one of the stars of the legendary Irish side of the 1988 Euros and the 90 and 94

World Cups, and his feelings about the national team shine through even decades on.

“I loved my life as a footballer so I’m envious of these young men who can go out on the pitch and express themselves the way I tried to do for my country and my club,” he said.

“I wish them such success as a supporter now.

I’m so proud they have got into the finals.”

“I think [Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane’s management is] nothing short of a miracle,” McGrath adds. “I think they are both very strong minded men and that has shown in the qualifiers.

“It was their enthusiasm that had the team performing as well as they

did. Ireland always seem to do slightly better when they are faced with this type of pressure. To get out of this group alone would be a big achievement.”

McGrath will be heading out for the tournament, as well as watching a game with prizewinning Ireland fans [see below], and still enjoys the love of the green-clad fans.

“I have been invited to watch a few of the games which I will really enjoy as it’s great to get out and meet the supporters and people that have watched my career.

“To this day, people are still very kind and supportive of me and it’s very much appreciated,” he adds, joking about

Paul McGrath, right, has hailed Martin O’Neill’s work with the Republic of Ireland as nothing short of a miracle. Picture: Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE

Villa fans’ tendency to call him ‘God’ with a joking: “What do you mean?

I am God!” McGrath admits getting quite invested in games and finds he’s still able to think like a footballer.

“I get very into it when I’m watching games these

take” by the player.

“I’m very optimistic,” he says. “There are so many good Irish players out there like Cyrus Christie and Jeff Hendrick.

“Shane Long impresses me the most as he has improved the most over the last three years above anyone else, without a

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‘It’s great out to get out and meet supporters, the people that have watched my whole career ’ - Paul McGrath

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days as I can still read the games and generally preempt things happening before other people see them if indeed they see them at all,” he explains.

When it comes to taking home the title in France, McGrath has particular assets in mind. “I’m going to say I would love it to be a hard-working team. Ireland are obviously going to be in the mix but you would have to look at France, Spain, Belgium and Wales too.”

W i t h ke y p l ay e r s including Robbie Keane, Shay Given and Kevin Doyle unlikely to see another major tournament for the boys in green, McGrath is also keen to talk up the future, despite the loss of Jack Grealish to England, which he calls a “mis-

shadow of a doubt. I hope Robbie gets some playing time in this competition as I think he has been one of Ireland’s best ever players.”

A success for Ireland?

McGrath would settle for getting out of the group.

By the sounds of it, he’ll be watching every match with that same fire that burnt through his tournament appearances in Ireland’s footballing hay day. ** Paul McGrath is supporting Curry’s PC World Ultimate Home of Football tour this summer.

If you want to experience all the footy action in the latest 4K TV and Audio tech and fancy watching Belgium v Rep. of Ireland on-board with Paul in Dublin, visit www.currys. co.uk/footballwin

FastSport

Tanui and Byrne lead the field at Virgin Night Run DAN Tanui and Deirdre Byrne led home a sea of red at the Virgin Media 10km Night Run in the streets of Dublin.

Tanui led home a trio of Kenyans in 29.24 ahead of Peter Somba in 30:01 and Eric Koech in 31.17. Sli Cualann’s Deirdre Byrne was an impressive winner of the women’s race in 34.47 with Orla Drumm (Crusaders) second in 35.16 and Kate Purcell (Raheny Shamrocks) in 37.57 – making it an Irish triumvirate to match the Kenyans in the men’s race.

The event was about a lot more than the head of the field with thousands of runners taking to the streets and enjoying the buzz of running at night with 98fm’s Steve Cooper generating a carnival atmosphere.

The event was organised by Athletics Ireland and Titan Experience with some of the money generated going to the Dublin Simon Community.

Tarplee hits Euro standard at Ostrava meet DUNDRUM South Dublin’s Claire Tarplee was one of three Irish athletes to reach the European standard over the weekend at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava on Friday night.

Tarplee recorded a 1,500m best of 4.10.65 to run a European B standard while Ballymena’s Christine McMahon ran 57.85 for the 400m hurdles to run her second B standard.

Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole)

continued her Rio preparations with fifth place finish over 10k at the Great Manchester Run in 32:23 – a new road personal best for the distance.

At the Leiden Half Marathon, Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers) finished third in 67:14. North Belfast’s Gladys Ganiel won the women’s race in 78:28.

Raheny Shamrock’s Mick Clohisey and Leevale’s Lizzie Lee were the best of the Irish at the Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m in London on Saturday night.

Clohisey finished sixth in the men’s race in 29.24.4, Lee was 13th.

Gazette

30 dublin city gazette 26 May 2016

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: nine man celtic survive scare in elastoplast final

Bohs’ Ben Mohamed shock as he earns Tunisia call-up BOHEMIAN FC winger Aymen Ben Mohamed has been speaking of his shock at being calledup to the senior Tunisia squad.

The 21-year-old, who qualifies for the country through his father, put in a man-of-the-match performance as Bohs progressed to the third round of the FAI Cup by beating Galway United at Dalymount Park.

The Gypsies ran out 2-0 victors after a firsthalf goal from Paddy Kavanagh and a secondhalf penalty converted by substitute Mark Quigley ensured Keith Long’s men would be in the draw for the next round.

Ben Mohamed was involved in both goals and has been in scintillating form for the Gypsies this season. He will now be looking forward to the possibility of taking on Djibouti in an African Cup of Nations qualifier on June 3.

The winger spoke to GazetteSport after a performance which sent the Bohs fans home satisfied but perhaps disappointed that their team didn’t score more goals.

“It was a bit of a shock. Obviously I’m looking forward to it, it’s going to be very challenging but it’s going to be a good indication of where I’m at and how much I need to improve.

“This is the first time they’ve got in contact. It’s happened fairly fast. Of course I’m proud and delighted. I just hope it goes well.”

Ben Mohamed’s work ethic this season has particularly impressed Long and the Gypsies manager was full of praise for the former Longford Town man who has had to balance his football with his education.

“Overall, I’ve been really pleased with Aymen.

He’s a credit to himself. He’s hungry and wants to do well from a football perspective but also with his study. He’s a Trinity College student and he’s had exams over the last couple of weeks.

“We’ve probably seen somewhat of a plateau in terms of his performance because of the demands he puts on himself. I thought he was better tonight.”

While happy for Ben Mohamed, Long will have to come to terms with his loss as he joins up with his new international team-mates. The 42-year-old manager will be hoping that other players can fill the void during his absence as he looks to build on the positive result and performance against Galway.

The Aungier Celtic side that completed the league and cup double last weekend.

Aungier avert Kippure danger elastoplast cup final Aungier Celtic Kippure Park  sport@dublingazette.com

4 2

JUST a couple of weeks since claiming the AUL Division 1 league title, Aungier Celtic completed the double last weekend when they captured the AUL’s Elastoplast Cup with victory over Kippure Park at the AUL Complex.

The young side, who made the latter stages of this season’s FAI Junior Cup, were on fire as they raced into a fourgoal lead in the final but

were made to sweat after a couple of sending offs and two late Kippure goals ensured a tense finish to the game. Aungier though showed the grit required to claim the trophy.

Aungier started Friday night’s game in electric fashion and were a goal to the good within a minute.

Captain Michael Plunkett broke up the wing and fizzed a ball across the box that picked out former Shelbourne star Jake Donnelly who slid in to poke home.

Kippure grew into

cleaning up Tarf, Lansdowne and Trinity win big awards clonatrf, Lansdowne and Trinity were all on the winning card at the fourth annual Ulster Bank League Awards at the Aviva.

Tarf won three awards with Joey Carbery named Division 1A Rising Star of the Year Andy Wood winning Division 1A Head Coach of the Year and Mick McGrath, right, the top try-scorer. Lansdowne playmaker, Scott Deasy, left, was the Division 1A Top Points scorer award while Trinity College student, Angus Lloyd, claimed the Division 1B Player of the Year award.

the game as the half progressed and came close twice through the ever dangerous Graham McEvoy but he failed to convert.

The Finglas side were made to pay for their missed chances late in the first half when Donnelly’s free kick was cleared only as far Kyle Dunphy who struck a belter into the top corner.

After the break, the Ronnie Kelly managed Aungier continued to look the hungrier of the two sides and appeared to be cruising to victory

on the hour mark when Donnelly clipped the ball into Dylan Whelan and he lifted it over the Kippure keeper into the net.

Soon after, both sides were reduced to ten men before Aungier added their fourth of the night.

Donnelly played a neat ball out wide to Ryan Plunkett who fed the ball back before Donnelly skipped past a defender and the keeper to pass it into the net. Game over it seemed.

Not so however. Donnelly also saw red and, with Aungier down to nine men, Kippure began

to press home the advantage.

David Redmond popped up for the Plunkett Avenue based outfit and smashed home an absolute cracker before Robbie Monaghan added a second with a composed finish and the Aungier Celtic heart rates began to beat a little bit faster.

Despite the late push, however, Kippure could not break the Celtic rearguard further and at the final whistle, inner-city side Aungier had claimed their second piece of silverware this season.

26 May 2016 DUBLIN CITY gazette 31

Gazette

hurling: whitehall man’s rapid rise up ranks

Eoghan O’Donnell looking to build momentum with the Dublin Under-21 side. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

O’Donnell bouyed by Dublin seniors start

leinster u-21hc  james hendicott sport@dublingazette.com

EOGHAN O’Donnell says this season has an “added impetus” for Dublin’s Under-21 hurlers, after they crashed out in the first round last time around.

The talented Whitehall Colmcille defender turned down a place on the Under-21 football panel to focus all his efforts on hurling this season, and was rewarded at the weekend with a place on the senior hurling side that demolished Wexford at Croke Park over the weekend. Now, he’s keen to set the record straight at the younger age level.

“I guess that’s what great about the Bord Gais Energy Championship,” O’Donnell said of the minor level. “It’s knock out and anything can happen on the day, it’s all about performing on the night.

“Last year we lost in the first round and, the year before that, we lost in the Leinster final, so

this year we need to step up. Personally, for me it’s my last year [at under-21 level], so it’s important we step up.

“There’s a lot of talent there, a lot of good young players. We’ll use that feeling from last year [Dublin lost to Kilkenny in the dying seconds] to drive us on.”

He also said that building a “winning mentality is absolutely key” and building momentum as the championship goes forward, something Dublin haven’t really had the chance to do in recent years.

“I think you see it with Kilkenny every year, that’s why they get so much success. They come back in the death of the game. I think if a team genuinely believes they are going to win, it’s very hard to stop them.”

Dublin face a tough task, with Wexford – AllIreland finalists in 2015 – awaiting in the first round.

“We’re playing Wexford, who’ve won the last four Leinster titles on the trot, but you want to face

yourself against the best.

“If we can overcome that we’ll take a lot of momentum forward and throw a marker down, tell people the Dubs are here to stay,” O’Donnell said. “It could give us good momentum going forward. We’ll take every match as it comes.”

“Everybody wants to be hurling at this time of year,” O’Donnell concluded as he looked at his rush of high level matches, adding that he

believes Dublin have a real chance of winning the Under-21 titles.

“You get yourself peaking at the right time. It’s ideal, the way the two games fell.

“We genuinely believe we can complete our aim from the start this year, and win the under-21 championship.”

Dublin play Wexford in the opening round of the Leinster under-21 championship at Parnell Park on June 1.

FastGAA

Doyle and Colmcilles too strong for Boden LUKE Doyle’s excellent 1-4 salvo saw Whitehall Colmcilles get the best of Ballyboden St Enda’s to claim the Dublin Under-16A football championship title last Saturday at Parnell Park.

The win backed up their victory at Under-15 level a year ago, continuing Whitehall’s rise through the ranks as they were 3-11 to 0-12 victors against a strong Boden side playing in their third successive Under-16 championship final.

The football from both sides was of the highest quality throughout.

The qualities of determination, bravery, and intelligence alongside wonderful skill, excellent score taking and hard work were on show in abundance through this close encounter.

The game ebbed and flowed and both sides experienced periods of dominance and pressure. Ultimately the difference came down to goals. Whitehall got three while Boden’s chances for goals were minimal.

Doyle snapped up the first with a flicked finish in the 23rd minute.

He also played a key role in the second goal when Paddy Moloney got on the end of a dropping ball into the danger zone, ekeing out a 2-4 to 0-7 lead at half-time.

It over-turned Boden’s early advantage with well taken points from John McGinn, Dylan Dunleavy, Ciaran O’Reilly and Enda Cashman.

Boden came out in the second half determined to get back into the game. Following a Whitehall point, Ciaran O Reilly, Jack Daly and John McGinn kicked three from play and it was game on.

Despite a couple of injury enforced changes, Conor Lowe came off the bench to land another point but Whitehall got the critical goal with 18 minutes to go.

They hit the net again following a lucky floating kick which ended in the top corner from the boot of Adam MacDermott.

Two more points from Doyle as well as a couple from Jordan Leonard and one each from MacDermott and Moloney kept them flying high and out of range of Boden’s brave clutches.

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Tipperary’s Ronan Maher, Wexford’s Conor McDonald, Limerick’s Cian Lynch and O’Donnell launch the Under21 hurling championship

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may 26 - june 1, 2016

pearls of wisdom: Irish legend Paul McGrath looks forward to Euros P29

Raheny’s Mick Clohisey had his ticket to August’s Olympic Games confirmed on Monday evening

Rio calling for Clohisey Raheny Shamrocks man has place at Olympic Games confirmed by Athletics Ireland as his improved run in Seville proves crucial factor

 derek mckenna

sport@dublingazette.com

RAHENY Shamrocks’ Mick Clohisey had his ticket to August’s OIympic Games rubberstamped on Monday evening to take part in the marathon as Athletics Ireland confirmed their line-up.

After a 17-month qualification period where the competition for the three Irish places was extremely tight, Clohisey got the nod for one of Ireland’s qualification places when the selection committee announced their choices.

The Shamrocks’ long distance runner had posted a time of 2.15.35 in Berlin last September that had given him the third-fastest qualifying

time in the Irish race to Rio. Clohisey, however, went into February’s Seville marathon knowing that his place on the plane was far from secure and registered an impressive personal best of 2.15.11, finishing tenth and shaving 24 seconds off his previous best time.

That result moved the Raheny runner up to second place on the qualifying time table ahead of the selection committee’s decision.

The decision to run in Seville and the time that Clohisey recorded seems to have played a major role in securing his ticket to Brazil after the third-fastest time holder Sergiu Ciobanu was placed on the standby list and fourth-fastest Paul Pollock controversially getting the nod for

one of the three places in the team.

Speaking to the Dublin City Gazette after hearing of his selection for Team Ireland, Clohisey said he was overjoyed at the decision.

“I’m of course delighted to be selected for the team and it is a great honour for me and my family. I have being showing good form in my running of late and it has paid off with the selection” said the Raheny Shamrocks runner.

Clohisey believes that he made the right choice to run in the Seville marathon in February instead of the London race in April as it has allowed him more recovery time ahead of the trip to Rio. “There was some pressure leading up to the Seville race as I knew my place was far from

secure but I felt strong and I have been progressing well with each race. It was the right decision to run there.”

Now, just over two months away from the 31st summer Olympics, the Shamrocks man is in full preparation mode with the backing of his club and sponsors.

“My preparations are going well and I will go to Portugal for a training camp to get used to running in the heat. There is also the European half marathon in Amsterdam in July and I will be taking part in that race too.

“My club Raheny Shamrocks have been great in helping me with funding and also Spar Ireland have helped me out too so I’m grateful for that.”