Laoghaire Gazette FREE
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Month XX, 2012 Dun laoghaire • Blackrock • Cornelscourt • Deansgrange • Dalkey • Glasthule • Monkstown • Glenageary
INSIDE: Meet the 10-year-old local who’s been on The Late Late Show, and sung with Whitney Houston P2
making a splash: Excitement as new 25m pool to open in Loughlinstown P8
Animated praise: Congratulating festival winners Football:
Cuala claim intermediate county title Page 31 and 32
THE second annual Blackrock
Animation Film Festival saw a great increase in entries this year, with 146 films submitted from all over the world. Michael Johnson, chief executive, Enterprise Board, congratulated Graham Tormey and Fiona Healy when he presented them with the award for Best Irish Student Candidate for their film, Spiders.
See Gallery on Page 6-7
Soccer:
Cabinteely play their part in eight-goal tie Page 30
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES.......................6 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27
Cuts force overnight respite care to cease St John of God’s Carmona stops service following funding withdrawal
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
ST JOHN of God’s Carmona for the severely disabled has had to terminate its Angels Quest overnight respite service, due to funding cuts by the HSE.
The Glenageary facility was the subject of a bitter exchange during Leader’s Questions in the Dail last week, when Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP) asked Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore to make a commit-
ment to reverse the cuts. Deputy Boyd Barrett said the families of Angels Quest, some of whom were present in the Dail gallery, needed: “A commitment that the staffing and resources will be provided
in order to maintain the Angels Quest 24-7 respite service for these people who desperately need it, and whose lives will be devastated if the cuts go ahead.” Full Story on Page 5
2 DUN laoghaire Gazette 25 October 2012
dublin GAZETTe newspapers i n f o r m at i o n Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publish eight weekly quality free titles, covering the greater Dublin area from Swords to Dun Laoghaire
people 10-year-old singer’s star rises
Zena gets ready to storm Royal Jubilee Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
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AT 10 years old, Blackrock girl Zena Donnelly has scaled dizzier heights than most of us ever will. She has sung with the late Whitney Houston, has appeared on The Late Late Show, and is lined up to give a Royal Jubilee performance next month. Zena’s mother, Darina, has helped her daughter every step of the way to achieve her dreams while also running a charity called Baby Max Wings of Love (www.babymax. ie), dedicated to Zena’s brother, Max, who died at 10 months old. Zena had her first taste of fame on The Late Late Toy Show when she was seven after Darina videotaped her singing in the back of the car and sent it into RTE. Darina then got tickets to a Whitney Houston show in America, and brought along her daughter, who she knew adored the late singer. Once there, Darina helped to get the seven-year-old Zena on stage with Whitney. Videos of her singing with Houston went viral as millions watched it on YouTube, and Zena described the circumstances of how the duet came about when she spoke to The Gazette last week. She said: “We made a
Zena Donnelly: “[Whitney] asked me if I wanted to sing with her”
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
poster saying: ‘I love you, can I sing with you?’ My mum asked security if she could please take a photo of me holding up
my poster with Whitney in the background. They agreed, and that’s how Whitney saw the poster. “She asked me if I wanted to sing with her and, before I knew it, I was being lifted up by the bodyguards. I was speechless and she whispered to me if I wanted to sing The Greatest Love of All with her. “So, we sang it together,
and she called out to the crowd afterwards: ‘Give it up for Zena!’,” she said. Her next gig is no less awe-inspiring, and is the result of Zena winning a competition to sing as part of the Royal Diamond Jubilee in London in November. “I’ll be performing in the Royal Gala Show for members of the royal family, and Jason Dono-
van and Tess Daly will host it on November 4. “Then, on November 16, I’ll be singing for the Orphans’ Christmas Wish in Derry, and then at Wembley in March next year.” Though Whitney might be a hard act to follow, Zena would like to sing with other stars such as Andrea Bocelli and Justin Bieber in the future.
Inaugural awards celebrate volunteers’ work Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
THE inaugural Valuing Volunteers Awards were held in the Stillorgan Park Hotel last week, with An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Tom Joyce (FG), presiding. The awards are run by Dun
Laoghaire-Rathdown Volunteer Centre, in recognition of charities and community groups and all the voluntary work they do in the community. The three winners on the night were the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Making Connections and the Rosemount Fam-
ily Resource Centre. Presenting the awards, Cllr Joyce said: “Volunteers are a scarce but wonderful resource in society, and they need to be looked after and valued. “I would like to congratulate Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Volunteer Centre for introducing
this new award. “Not only are they highlighting the huge contribution that volunteers make in the community, but they are also highlighting the importance of looking after, valuing and giving due recognition to volunteers,” he said.
25 October 2012 DUN laoghaire Gazette 3
schools
council: concern over use of levy
Property tax plan divides opinion Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
D I S AG R E E M E N T S arose at a Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council (DLRCC) meeting about the form and implementation of a proposed new property tax in the county due to be rolled out early next year. The new property taxes will be part of an overall reform of local government announced last week by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan. Minister Hogan outlined that property taxes were to be set by individual councils in the future for the provision of services in that region. Councillors expressed their concerns about
--------------------------
‘Councillors expressed their concerns about using taxes on property to fund services’ --------------------------
using taxes on property to fund services, and how this would give advantage to more built-up areas, while also recognising that DLR would be one of those privileged areas under such a scheme. An Leas Cathaoirleach, Councillor Stephen Fitzpatrick (Lab) said: “In Britain, €50 million is collected by local authorities. “It’s a lot more straightforward and transparent for residents to see the
money they’re paying in taxes go directly to their local authority for the provision of services.” Fellow Labour councillor Niamh Bhreathnach, agreed with the idea of funding services with property taxes. In contrast, Cllr Gerry Horkan (FF) was not in favour of a site valuation tax, saying it would penalise people for owning land, and that such a system favoured urban areas. Cllr Melissa Halpin of People Before Profit said that Ireland should not follow the British example of council taxation, as it produced unequal service provision among rich and poor areas and had “created a huge disparity in conditions in some areas”.
€3,000 raised by show Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
What truly matters: Local writer makes Powers Whiskey anthology Pictured at the launch of Celebrating What Truly Matters Powers Irish Whiskey Short Story Collection, is Leah Williams from Dalkey, whose story was selected for the book (from over 4,000 submitted). Leah is pictured with author Sheila O’Flanagan, ambassador of the project, who launched the book in Finnegans in Dalkey last week. All proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Irish Hospice Foundation, which hope to make €30,000 from sales of the anthology. Leah’s story is entitled How are you feeling today? and is one of 26 that are featured in the second volume of the book.
T R A N S I T IO N Ye a r students in Sion Hill’s Dominican College came up with a very stylish fundraising alternative recently when they put on a fashion show, in association with the Serena boutique in Blackrock. The Gala Fashion Show was held in the school’s concert hall, with RTE’s Diana Bunici acting as compere. Models showed more than 80 different outfits during the event and the students were joined on the catwalk by their teachers and parents. The fashion show, which was in aid of the LauraLynn Foundation and Pieta House, raised more than €3,000 on the night.
4 DUN laoghaire Gazette 25 October 2012
Got a story? Call our news team on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com
community Initiative could become an annual event
New health fair launched at council concourse Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
A NEW community health fair, organised by the HSE, was launched recently by journalist John Waters at the concourse of the county council
Enterprisenews
Need advice on how to get going? Are you thinking of starting a business or are you already in business and looking towards expanding? The County Enterprise Board can help you! Every week we hold Business Advice sessions where you can meet an experienced Business Advisor who will be able to give you information about all of the services the Enterprise Board can provide and will be able to point you in the right direction so that you can avail of the supports which are available to you. The Enterprise Board has four key support areas – Training, Mentoring, Networking and – in qualifying cases – Funding. These are available to all small businesses in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area. The Business Advice sessions are the best way to learn about how best you can be helped in your business. The Enterprise Boards are funded by the Dept. of Enterprise, Jobs & Innovation and there is no cost to anyone attending these meetings. So how to get involved? It’s easy – all you have to do is call us on (01) 494 8400 or email: info@ dlrceb.ie . You can also find out about all of our activities and current courses and network activity on our website – www.dlrceb.ie . The Enterprise Board has a number of publications which might be helpful to you – Business Start Up, Social Media for Business, Business Marketing, Managing Business Finances and Your Business & the Law. If you would like a copy of all or any of these – free of charge – please contact us on the above phone number or email address.
building on Marine Road in Dun Laoghaire. The Dun Laoghaire Health Fair was organised as part of this year’s Social Inclusion Week to raise awareness of health issues, services and the promotion of good health
standards in the community. The organisers hope the health fair will become an annual event, as it offered an opportunity for locals to engage with health professionals and access information on the wide
range of health services and community support schemes available. A selection of HSE community services’ staff and community groups and agencies were on hand to offer advice and information.
Representatives included the local Primary Health Care teams, Southside Partnership, Southside TravellerAction Group, Dun LaoghaireRathdown Sports Partnership, and other specialised organisations.
A treat: Topping up at Tesco ALFIE Byrne was happy to join his grandmother, Edel Murray, to go shopping at the new Tesco Express Cabinteely outlet recently, where the store’s Martin McCloskey gave them a warm welcome as they topped up on some tasty Halloween treats. With the opening of the new outlet, – Tesco’s 29th Express store here – the area has been given a jobs boost, thanks to its creation of 12 jobs, bringing to more than 4,180 the amount employed by the retailer in Co Dublin.
politics: disapproval for increase in representatives
Councillors criticise local government reforms
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
A MAJORIT Y of local politicians in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) have criticised Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan’s local Government reforms, which will see councils set their own property tax for services and increase the number of councillors for Dublin. The new reforms also outlined a reduction in the number of local authorities, from 114 to 31, the abolition of town councils, and an increase in DLRCC councillors,
from 28 to 40. Councillor Gerry Horkan (FF) responded to the minister’s announcement by saying: “28 [councillors] is sufficient for DLR, and to have 40 councillors would create a disproportionate imbalance in the county. “[The Government] already took the water and planning functions away from councils, so why would we need 40 councillors? “There is no evidence of reform [in the report] for the council in policing, education and business, and renaming the county manager ‘chief executive’ [instead] doesn’t achieve anything.
“If wards are going to change, and we are either going to lose or gain territory, that should be made clear to us next year in March,” said Cllr Horkan. He went on to criticise the proposed property tax collections for each area’s services budget, and said: “As to the property tax, I don’t know how places like Donegal, with an enormous road structure but very few properties, will manage.” On the other side of the political spectrum, Cllr Patricia Stewart (FG) welcomed the new reforms, and said: “I welcome the efficiencies in the reduction of duplica-
tion of representation – it will be more streamlined and efficient. I am also pleased to see that local councillors can expect greater autonomy in the raising of local taxes.” Another Fine Gael councillor, Barry Saul, objected to the increase in councillors for the county, and said that 28 were more than enough for the region, while fellow Fine Gael councillor John Bailey called the decision: “a good day for local democracy”. Of the new property tax collection system for each council, People Before Profit councillor Melisa Halpin said: “Some areas, such as Dun
Laoghaire-Rathdown, which is one of the more affluent areas in the country, could afford decent services and amenities, but an area that is more disadvantaged would find itself without any swimming pool or short of emergency services in the case of flooding, for example.” Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Lab) questioned the decision to increase the number of councillors. “Is it wise to have an extra 12 councillors? We haven’t much resources, and it could prove to be ineffective. The public, too, won’t welcome more councillors in the Dublin area,” she said.
25 October 2012 DUN laoghaire Gazette 5
health HSE decision halts overnight care
Funding cut sees respite service reduced Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
ST JOHN of God’s Carmona Angels Quest respite service in Glenageary, which provides respite care for the families of 150 profoundly intellectually and physicallydisabled children, has had to cease its overnight respite service from Monday to Thursday, due to a cut in its funding from the HSE. During Leader’s Questions in the Dail last week, Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP) called on Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore to reverse the cuts to the Angels Quest respite services. Deputy Boyd Barrett had arrived at Government House with many of the parents of children reliant on Carmona’s services. “What they [the families] need is a commitment that the staffing and
resources will be provided in order to maintain the Angels Quest 24-7 respite service for these people who desperately need it, and whose lives will be devastated if the cuts go ahead.” He cited the case of a mother who, because of the cuts to her respite care, has had to cancel a serious medical procedure because there was no one to mind her daughter. Deputy Gilmore responded by calling Boyd Barrett’s use of the Carmona cuts as “rank political opportunism”, and said that management at St John Of God Carmona Services had agreed to meet the parents of children who receive the service. Phil Gray, director of Carmona, said: “We are currently working with families to address their concerns raised. We still offer a respite care to chil-
Free lecture on digital piracy AS PART of the Innovation Dublin festival, The Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire (IADT) is holding a free lecture on technology and psychology this week. Digital Piracy and Psychology will explore the notion that digital piracy, such as downloading music, is criminal behaviour. Organiser Dr Grainne Kirwan is a psychology lecturer at IADT and has written extensively on the internet’s effect on psychology. The lecture takes place at 5pm this Friday, October 26, in the Atrium Building at IADT.
Local man named area rep Sallynoggin man James McCann has been named as a local area representative for Fianna Fail in the Dun Laoghaire electoral area. McCann is a former soldier and chairperson of the Sallynoggin Neighbourhood Watch, and is also a board member of the National Youth Council of Ireland. “I am deeply honoured to have been selected by Micheal Martin (FF) as a new Local Area Representative for the Dun Laoghaire area,” said McCann. Richard Boyd Barrett called on the Tainaiste to reverse the cuts
dren up until 6.30pm, and on weekends from Friday afternoon to Monday, 24 hours a day. “We have met with the families, and are working with them and supporting them as best we can within the resources we have.” When contacted by The Gazette, a spokesperson for the HSE said: “The HSE Service Plan 2012 sets out a reduction of 3.7% in funding to disability services. “However, the Service Plan states that at least 2% of this should not impact on frontline services and need to be generated from other savings and increased efficiencies. “The HSE has worked closely with St John of God Carmona Services for many years, providing
funding and services to adults and children and their families catered for by the organisation. “Local management at St John of God’s Carmona Service, having reviewed the respite service, have proposed to close the premises for overnight respite from Monday to Thursday, commencing in November. “A meeting between St John of God management and a number of families has been scheduled for next week. “The HSE will continue to work closely with St John of God’s Carmona Service to ensure available resources are used in a creative and flexible manner, in order to be responsive to the needs that present,” said the spokesperson.
Plaque honours top statistician Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
A COMMEMORATIVE plaque to the memory of statistician William Sealy Gosset was unveiled at St Patrick’s Boys’ National School in Blackrock in a recent ceremony by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the Irish Statistical Association.
FastNews
Gosset, who died on October 16, 1937, is regarded as one of the world’s greatest statisticians, best known for his Student t-distribution, one of the most commonly used statistical formulas. His name is not associated with his work because, as a Guinness employee, he was prohibited from publishing any papers, and so wrote under the pseudonym, “Student”.
An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Tom Joyce (FG), said: “This is the second of what we hope will be many plaques that will be erected in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown to commemorate outstanding people and important events. “We hope that by erecting this plaque to Gosset, we will help raise awareness for his contribution to statistics.”
6 DUN laoghaire Gazette 25 October 2012
gazetteGALLERIES
Owen and Elena Lorigan
The winners gather for a group shot. Pictures: Geraldine Woods
Dr Annie Doona, President, IADT presents the award for Best International Student Graduate Film to Camile Yaberek
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy
An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Tom Joyce (FG), presents the award for Best Irish Film to James Stacey and Craig Kane, from Soul Jamb
Deenihan with Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG)
Productions, for their Film, Origin
25 October 2012 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7
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Councillors Jane Dillon-Byrne and Stephen Fitzpatrick (Lab) Arthur Lappin, film producer and director of The Ark, Temple Bar with Michael Algar, producer, Keg Kartoonz
Gerry Dunne, chief exective, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company and MEP Emer Costello (Lab) examine the diaspora centre proposals
An image of the proposed centre
Heritage: Examining the proposals for a harbour diaspora centre
M
EP Emer Costello recently met Gerry Dunne, chief executive, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company; Councillor Jane DillonByrne (Lab) and Cllr Stephen Fitzpatrick (Lab) to discuss the proposed diaspora centre for Dun Laoghaire. She said that this project is particularly special to her as previously she had worked in the Dun Laoghaire Heritage Society, and worked closely with FAS students to produce a series of booklets examining and celebrating the area’s rich heritage features. All agreed that the proposal could make a wonderful addition to the town, as well as paying tribute to the Irish, worldwide. Aiden Fitzgerald, Blackrock Business Association with Councillor Marie Baker (Lab)
ARTS: ANIMATION AWARDS IN BLACKROCK
Festival draws in competitors
M
INISTER for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan was special guest of honour at the recent Blackrock Animation Film Festival awards ceremony, held at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School in Blackrock. There was an impressive total of 146 competition entries from around the world this year – an increase of 101 from last year’s inaugural event. Minister Deenihan was delighted to be involved in the night, and offered his congratulations to all involved, saying that the festival, and awards, showcased the creative skills of many young people – something that he was happy to see, and help celebrate.
One of the attractive awards
The members of the Celtic Grace Choir sang beautifully
8 DUN laoghaire Gazette 25 October 2012
FastNews
enterprise €450m for three-year plan
planning: decision
€3m urban beach to go ahead
Staff celebrate the new pool’s imminent opening
New 25m pool set to make a splash in Loughlinstown THE long-awaited new 25m pool in Loughlinstown Leisure Centre is due to open to the public this November. The six-lane swimming pool cost Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport €6.8 million, and will be managed by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Leisure Centre (DLRLS). Loughlinstown has been without a pool for 29 years. According to DLRLS, the pool will service the community in the council administrative areas, which include Dun Laoghaire, Loughlinstown and Ballybrack. Those areas also extend to Dundrum, Glencullen, Stillorgan, and Blackrock, with a population of approximately 190,000 people. Twenty-six people were employed during the construction phase, and the pool itself will create 10 to 15 jobs in management, fitness programmes, teaching and life-saving positions. There is complete access for people with disabilities, including a poolside hoist, and the facilities are designed to be accessible to people with a range of abilities.
Playwrights gather for Pavilion show
Monkstown Church hosts classical night
A free reading of eight 10-minute plays by eight local playwrights will be staged at the Pavilion Theatre this November. 8 X10 is a collection of readings which will be directed by Conall Morrison and performed by professional actors from stage and screen. The playwrights involved have set all of their new pieces in the Dun LaoghaireRathdown region. 8X10 will take place on Saturday, November 24 at 2pm. Admission is free, but booking is advised on 01 231 2929.
An evening of classical music and song is being hosted at the Monkstown Parish Church next month. The concert will feature the talents of pianist John Shera, the Quintessentially Brass Quintet, The Brook Singers, soprano Janet de Vigne and alto Jane Lawrence. All proceeds will go to Blackrock Hospice and the Smylie Trust Orphanage. The show will be on Friday, November 9 at 7.30pm in Monkstown Parish Church and admission is €15, payable at the door.
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
Councillor Neale Richmond (FG): “It is essential we support new business”
Credit plan launched for small businesses Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
A NEW credit guarantee scheme to make it easier for small businesses to borrow money was launched by Richard Bruton, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation last week as part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs – a strategy to create an additional 100,000 jobs by 2016. The new plan, which was published last February, includes 270 measures to help clear the way for small businesses to access credit.
Minister Bruton said that the Credit Guarantee Scheme is expected to provide an extra €150 million in lending for small business per year over the next three years, with a 75% State guarantee to banks for losses on loans to qualifying companies. The Minister added that for ever y €150 million of additional lending, the scheme is expected to benefit more than 1,800 businesses and create more than 1,300 jobs. He said: “Access to credit remains a key issue for many busi-
nesses, and if we are to see the growth and jobs we need, the Government must act to fill gaps where specific market failures exist.” Local politician councillor Neale Richmond (FG) who was at the launch of the Credit Guarantee Scheme, said: “Our jobs market is in a transitional phase where we are moving [on] from the failed, old economy of the past [and] are moving to a more sustainable situation where the focus is on innovation, enterprise and exports. “It is essential, therefore, that we have the
systems in place to support new business, especially those in sectors with whom banking institutions may not be familiar.” However, there was some dissension from the Irish Exporters Association (IEA) about the scheme, because of the set-up costs involved and limitations on the type of loans that the guarantee covers. IEA chief executive John Whelan called the scheme: “A very disappointing response to one of the most pressing issues for the export industry.”
GERRY Dunne, of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, last week announced that plans for the €3 million urban beach (or “badeschiff”) are going ahead, and that the tender has now gone out for its design and construction. The project will be paid for by DLR Harbour Company and Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council equally, and is part of DLR Harbour’s masterplan for the area. Submissions for the tender to construct the urban beach are being invited from qualified engineers and architects. The project tender, which is online at etenders.ie, is described as being for an engineeringled multi-discipline design team to create an urban beach facility with a floating swimming pool. The team will comprise a civil engineer, an architect, a mechanical engineer and a quantity surveyor. The deadline for application for the tender is November 22 at 5pm, and all information is available at www.etenders.gov.ie.
Councillors urge Shankill Dart changes Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown C o u n t y c o u n c i l l o r s h ave urged the county manager, Owen Keegan, to amend a proposed new plan for a car park at the Shankill Dart station to include low charges for the pay and display facility and to ensure that the site includes
the provision of a juvenile pitch for the nearby Scoil Mhuire National School. Despite the council receiving 10 submissions to alter the plan during its display period, the county manager recommended its adoption by councillors. Cllr Denis O’Callaghan (Lab) said: “I have tabled two amendments to the scheme;
one is in relation to the open space where I think it’s reasonable and big enough to accommodate the local national school in Rathsallagh. “The other amendment is for a low-charging pay and display regime to be installed to allow the scheme to bed in.” Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) said the council had made promises to keep the space an
open one for the benefit of the people of Shankill. County manager Keegan agreed to councillors’ suggestions by saying: “We are well disposed to the amendments; to a juvenile pitch of juvenile size. “As to the low-charging regime, that’s a matter the council will have to decide,” he concluded.
25 October 2012 DUN laoghaire Gazette 9
10 DUN laoghaire Gazette 25 October 2012
gazetteGALLERY
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BJ Jackson, from Iowa, prepares for his next shot at Portmarnock, with Ireland’s Eye behind. Pictures: Caroline Quinn
US veterans putt their golf skills to the test
T
HE pleasure of golfing in Ireland was to the fore recently when a group of US servicemen and women took part in a 12-day visit to the island of Ireland, with international media coverage following their trip. Comprising seriously wounded vet-
erans, the guests received the legendary Irish welcome for which we are world famous, as the guests were met with generosity and warmth throughout the Golf Digest Irish Tours US Wounded Warriors Tour. A highlight of the trip occured
when they played at Portmarnock Golf Club. Despite the range of golf handicaps within the group, a great round was played, with the magnificient backdrop of the sea and coastal areas captured for Stateside audiences.
Brian Donarski strikes
Ramon Padilla, from DC/Maryland; Diane Trevino, from Virginia; Brian Donarski, from Arizona, and James
out of the rough
Stuck, from Oklahoma
Dust off ... With a little effort, Danielle Green-Byrd, Illinois, chipped a nice shot onto the green
Ramon Padilla, DC/Maryland switches clubs
25 October 2012 Gazette 11
schools P14
dublinlife
Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools
business P16
Gazette
diary P12
scary words: funtime at the ark, temple bar
Tall tales and spellbinding stories for kids of all ages THE children’s cultural centre, The Ark, in Temple Bar, is holding interactive book experiences every weekend in November called Telling Tall and Tiny Tales. There will be stories, activities and fun, as well as original artwork from well-known children’s books on display. Children can learn how to make up their own stories by choosing any one
of a selection of workshops on offer, and there will also be Halloweenthemed storytelling at the Ark every day throughout the mid-term break, with ghost stories to read. The workshops and special events start on Wednesday, October 31, with a Halloween special storytelling event with Niall de Burca. Children are encouraged to come dressed up
in their spookiest Halloween costumes. On the same day, at the National Gallery of Ireland, a Skulduggery Pleasant Extravanza takes place, where author of the acclaimed series, Derek Landy, its illustrator, Tom Percival, and editor Nick Lake will talk about the Skulduggery Pleasant books. Children are asked to come along as one of the
Skulduggery characters. In November, there are gigantic illustration workshops with Niamh Sharkey on November 3 at the Ark and, on November 9 and 16, there will be workshops for toddlers with Kate Wilson. On November 10 and 17, Jole Bortoli will host Plant a Book workshops, and on November 24 PJ Lynch is giving workshops for budding illustrators.
Niall de Burca will host the spookiest Halloween storytelling event
Gazette
12 Gazette 25 October 2012
dublinlife
diary
Travel fun day raises €35,000
THE inaugural Travel Trade Fun Day surpassed its fundraising target recently, when it successfully raised a massive €35,000 for Pieta House and the Irish Cancer Society. The fun day, which took place last month in the ALSAA Sports Club in Dublin Airport, was the first of its kind in Ireland and saw over 400 people attend. The Travel Trade Fun Day committee includes
Blue Insurances, Etihad Airways, Travelport, Royal Caribbean, Sunway and United Airlines, who presented the charities with a cheque on Thursday, October 11. Each charity received €17,500. Commenting on the event, the Travel Trade Fun Day committee said: “We would like to thank everyone in the travel trade who supported us in hosting this inaugural event. We are very grateful for all of the donations
Advertise with the G a z e tt e c a l l 6 0 1 0 2 4 0
received, big and small, and we hope the funds raised go a long way in helping both of these worthwhile charities.”
Sports classes kick off for little champs AWARD-winning ClapHandies, which runs play and developmental classes for babies and toddlers, has joined forces with exercise experts Fit For Life to provide an exciting sport and fitness experi-
Local
Matters
ence for children aged three to eight in venues across the city. PlayFit classes are designed to develop the crucial basic movement skills, building the key elements of physical fitness endurance, strength and flexibility. The earlier these skills are learned, the more likely children are to develop an active lifestyle and love of sport. Mark Sweeny of Fit for Life says: “If a child does not learn how to run, jump and kick a ball adequately
The two cheques of €17,500 each were presented to Pieta House and the Irish Cancer Society after a fund-raising day organised by the travel trade
at an early age, their skill levels soon fail to match those of their peers, and they increasingly participate in sports and physical activity less.”
Play-Fit classes will start in October in a number of locations across Dublin before being rolled out to 10 new venues in January
2013. For further information, see www.playfit.ie.
Dublin taxi drivers voted fifth friendliest in the world HAILING a taxi this week could put more of a smile on your face than usual after the Diary found out that Dublin taxis have been ranked fifth in the world for their friendliness. The question of our Irish taxi drivers, “Are you bus y tonight?” clearly enhances the Irish charm, with Dublin drivers receiving 5% of the overall vote, in a survey compiled by Hotels. com. London topped the poll for the fifth consecutive year as the best cabs in the world, with Dublin sitting in 13th place, while New York were named as being the most available. Hugh Cregan, director of Transport Investment and Taxi Regulation, commented: “It’s great to see that Dublin’s taxi drivers continue to make such a good impression on visitors to our country and I congratulate them on that. “The taxi industr y nationwide is a vital part of our public-transport network, and good customer service benefits everyone.”
25 October 2012 Gazette 13
Gazette
14 Gazette 25 October 2012
dublinlife
schoolLife
Get involved with the Gazette As part of the relaunch of the Dublin Gazette Newspapers, we are reaching out to all the schools in our catchment areas to become a closer part of our community than ever before. Schools are the beating hearts of communities – one of the last places around which a community can gather. We are calling on budding writers and photographers from all of our schools to help fill the pages. In order to encourage the next generation of journalists and snappers to get involved, we are partnering with Harvey Norman to present the Dublin Gazette Newspapers Cub Reporter and Cub Photographer of the Year awards. For further details, contact me, Rob Heigh, news editor at rheigh@gazettegroup.com, or telephone me at 01 601 0240.
opinion: new junior cycle approach is to be welcomed
A refreshing change of direction mary slator
Colaiste Bride, Presentation School, Clondalkin
AS A student who has just recently completed my Junior Cycle of postprimary school, and who was also one of the thousands of students to be the last to take the Junior Cert exams, I, myself, was deeply interested in the fate of the next Junior Cycle nationwide. R ua iri Quinn, the Minister for Education, believes that if the whole
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‘This new programme offers teachers and students alike a flexible approach to learning and teaching’
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programme was changed, there would be a lessened likelihood of pressurised students dropping out of school at such a young age, because of the stress that comes with the exams.
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn examining a project at the annual BT Young Scientist competition. There are hopes that the revised Junior Cycle at schools will see an improvement in academic results nationwide
The majority of settings that provided the JCSP are secondary schools, but it is also available in numerous other facilities,
such as special schools, children detention schools, Traveller training centres, and also Youth Encounter Projects.
I believe that Ruairi Quinn is worried, due to the fact that, countrywide, literacy levels have declined dramatically. This new programme offers teachers and students alike a flexible approach to learning and teaching, instead of a traditional, subject-based curriculum to follow. I’ve been told that the majority of the work to be done for the new programme is quite a lot of hands-on and group work. This, personally, sounds like a refreshing development in Irish education. The two major purposes of this programme statement are: to outline the nature and content of the JCSP, and to present examples of good practice changing for the JCSP. This new programme is completely different from the previous Junior Cert programme, as a certain percentage of your overall grade can be achieved through regular class tests, unlike just having exams at the end of three years in your junior cycle. As the quality of education and levels of basic literacy has faltered, there is only hope that the Minister for Education’s new techniques will turn the whole thing around and bring a brighter, more intelligent Ireland.
25 October 2012 Gazette 15
Gazette
schools talks: local issues
schoolLife
Students praise DLR Comhairle charlotte kennedy St Raphaela’s Secondary School, Stillorgan
S T R A P H A E L A’ S Secondary School in Stillorgan, along with other local schools, has taken part in Comhairle na nOg in [the] Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown [region]. The Comhairle, which can have up to two representatives per school or youth club, is a place
where discussions and solutions to problems are made for young people, by young people. This year, the focus of the Comhairle is on the Lost Years – the years between childhood and being an adult (basically, us moody teenagers). Many things are being discussed in this topic, for instance, voting at 16, and the fact that there are no student fares on public transport.
Fingal fifth years get a lot out of great Siemens talk
erica o’sullivan Fifth Year, Fingal Community College
Examining the Comhairle na nOg report
A simpler way to explain the Comhairle is by its slogan: Young Voices, Local Issues. Charlotte Kennedy, a furth year student at St Raphaela’s, said: “I had
never heard of the Comhairle before, but it was something I was immediately drawn to, as I love to argue and wanted to make my voice heard. “T he DLR Com-
hairle is a great place to make a change for young people. I have loved my experience so far, and can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings.”
SIEMENS Diagnostics came to Fingal Community College last week and students in Fifth Year LCVP were treated to a talk by Michael Farrell, of Siemens, as part of [the] Enterprise Education [initiative]. He engaged the fifth years in a very interesting talk on the production of highquality and accurate products for the medical industry.
The students were especially impressed by a short film that brought the manufacturing process to life. All members of LCVP gained an insight into enterprise in the Swords area, learning that Siemens employs 300 people in the town.
Opportunity The fifth years were delighted with the opportunity to learn more about this local industry, and look forward to working with Siemens later in the year.
GAZETTE
16 GAZETTE 25 October 2012
DUBLINLIFE
Q&A
BUSINESS
Supported by AIB
Financial Planning – Part 3 Continued from last week
THE following is a checklist to help decide what you want from your financial planning. What should your financial objectives be? Here are some options:
TOM NAUGHTON, PW THERMAL BUILDING SOLUTIONS
Insulating against the impact of recession TOM Naughton is the general manager at Pw Thermal Building Solutions Ltd, which provide thermal solutions for the energy retrofit market, specialising in powerwall external insulation systems for homes and businesses nationwide. He studied construction management at GMIT in Galway, and spent the first seven years of his career working in both the residential and commercial construction sector in
both Britain and Ireland Tom joined Pw Thermal Building Solutions Ltd in 2009, having made the internal move from its parent company, The Sherling Group, based in Inchicore, and became general manager in January 2011. For further information, find them on Facebook at Powerwall External Insulation, email info@pwthermalsolutions.com, or see pwthermalsolutions.com.
How long have you been in business? We formed our company in early 2009
taken hold when we started our company, we never got too big for our boots and are constantly trying new angles and avenues in search of new business.
What makes your business successful? I believe the success of our company can be directly attributed to the people working within our company. They’re hard-working, innovative and hands-on dedicated staff with one common goal: a successful company with satisfied customers! What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors? Some of our competitors are part of large multinational companies, supplying products and services all over Europe. We are a much smaller homegrown company, dealing with people on the ground locally and in a manner that is much easier for them to understand. Our customers find us much more approachable because of this. How has the recession impacted your business? We, like everyone else have taken a serious blow as a result of the economic downturn. Sales are down, confidence is down but we are still here, fighting. What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of the recession? We are constantly changing and evolving as a result of the recession, but because the recession had already
What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business? There is a lot of talk at the moment about the residential property tax, which is going to be introduced at some stage in the near future. Our products and systems are aimed at making homes and businesses more energy-efficient, so I would like to see homes and businesses that are more energy-efficient paying less tax. This would provide an incentive to carry out this type of work, and would create more business and employment, benefiting all involved. How do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, etc) to help your business? We have a Facebook-like page which we use to keep people up to date with our special offers, as well as changes within the industry. We also upload project photos and details to show people what can be achieved with our products. What is your ambition for the business? To survive the current economic turmoil first and foremost, but to also see our company grow into a successful, proud business with satisfied clients.
• Having an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. • Paying off any personal loans, credit-card debt, overdrafts, store cards, hire purchase, leases or other debts. • Building up short-term savings. • Protecting your most valuable asset – your income – in case you are unable to earn money for any reason. • Protecting yourself (and, if relevant, your partner) with life cover. • Starting a pension plan. • Buying a home. • Saving for major purchases. • Planning for education fees. • Building up your personal investments. To this, I suppose we could add planning for longterm care. Bear in mind the following principles when deciding what your financial priorities should be: 1. For most people, their greatest asset is their income. Under the circumstances, you don’t want to risk it, and you don’t want to waste it. There are all sorts of inexpensive insurance policies designed to protect your income.
2. Personal debt, by which I mean everything from store cards to mortgages, will be the biggest drain on your income. If you’ve borrowed money, then you should make it a priority to repay your loans as quickly as possible. 3. It’s vital to have a safety net or emergency fund to deal with those trials and extra expenses that life often throws our way. Also, you want to make as big a return as possible from your investments. 4. If you’ve got a good, secure income, it doesn’t actually matter what other assets you possess. Emotionally, it’s nice to have the security of owning your own home. But an investment that is just as good and maybe better is a really decent pension plan. 5. Know thyself. There’s no point in setting financial objectives that you’re going to find impossible to attain. Your financial objectives may involve modest changes to your behaviour, but they shouldn’t require a complete change in your personality. Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor
SEARCH: BEST MANAGED COMPANIES COMPETITION
Dublin businesses go on to top Deloitte contest
NATALIE BURKE
EIGHTEEN Dublinbased companies have been shortlisted to be among Ireland’s Best Managed Companies, according to a recent announcement by Deloitte, the business advisory firm. Now in its fifth year, the Best Managed Companies Awards recognise Irish companies across the country that are operating at the highest levels of business performance. Local companies through to the second phase of the competition include Dublin 15 companies, Blue Insurances Limited, NPP Group Limited, and Java Republic Roasting Company, the Now Factory in Sandy-
ford, and Noonan, located in Swords. For the next stage of the competition, the shortlisted companies will demonstrate to a judging panel how their organisations are meeting their strategic objectives and adding value to their business. The companies will work closely with coaches from Deloitte and Irish Life Corporate Business and will receive customised feedback, benefiting from the business advice and expertise. Kevin Sheehan, a partner at Deloitte, said it is “extremely positive” that the competition has such strong contenders this year. He said: “Feedback we have received from previous winners is that they
Judging panel members David Harney, chief executive, Irish Life Corporate Business; Siobhan McAleer, head of strategic partnerships, Irish Management Institute and Kevin Sheehan, partner, Deloitte
have found this process to be extremely beneficial and practical in relation to their company’s future strategy and it is a considerable benefit of participating in the programme.” The awards are open to companies from all 32 counties of the island of Ireland. It is the only awards programme that consid-
ers a business performance from every perspective, not just financial. The companies that have been awarded the Deloitte Best Managed Company accolade, to date, have total revenues of more than €10 billion, and employ more than 24,000 people. The winners of this year’s awards will be announced next March.
25 October 2012 Gazette 17
MOTORS P22
asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl P24
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
Gazette
MUSIC P19
Pets dog’s trust dog of the week
Witching hour can be a lot of fun for all ages
halloween: enjoy ghoulish action with spooky tours, parades and crafts
City fun will be a scream LAURA WEBB
GETTING spooky this Halloween? Are you attending one of the attractions around the city this All Hollow’s Eve? Out & About has trawled through the pumpkins and cobwebs to find out what’s on this Halloween mid-term. From ghostly tours to spooky arts and craft classes, from a horror farm to parades of ghouls, Dublin and its surroundings have every scare covered. Samhain 2012 is taking place at Marlay Park on Sunday, October 28. Each year, families flock to the park where, for one night only, it comes alive with freaky fog, ghastly spiders, skeletons, creepy pumpkins, chilling witches and demons. Residents are invited to walk in the Haunted Forest in their scariest cos-
tumes. This is a free event for those with wristbands which will be distributed on Saturday, October 27, at CoCo Market in Marlay Park from 10am to 4pm and on Sunday, October 28, from 10am until 3pm behind Marlay House. The Samhain 2012 sessions will take place that Sunday, October 28, at 3.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 6.30pm and 7.30pm. Check out www.dlrevents.ie. Hidden Dublin Walks presents the Halloween Northside Ghost Walk every Friday and Saturday until November 1 from 8pm to 10pm. According to the organisers, Dublin is one of the most haunted cities in the world and these walks take visitors through one of the oldest parts of Dublin once know as Oxmanstown. Participants will have the chance to see
sites such as Saint Mary’s Abbey, one of the most powerful monastic settlements in Ireland in medieval times, now just a small ruin down an alleyway, and hear the story of Lord Norbury, the infamous and sadistic hanging judge who presided over the trial of Robert Emmet. Hated in life, in death he returns to continue his reign of terror, so the story goes. You will also hear tell of the mummies of Saint Michan’s Church, surely the most macabre tourist attraction in Ireland, and a major inspiration to the young Bram Stoker, native of Clontarf and author of Dracula. Tickets cost €13. Check out www.hiddenwalks.com. Threshold, the national housing charity, is hosting a Wacky Witches and Wizards Walk on Sunday, October 28, in Tibradden, South County Dublin. Start-
ing at 5pm, this three-hour walk is suitable for adults and children. Everyone is being asked to dress up and there will be prizes for the most whimsical wizard and wackiest witch among others. Registration is €50 for one adult and up to three children. Check out www.threshold.ie South Dublin County Council is celebrating Halloween on Wednesday, October 31 with a fun-filled spectacle for families in a safe environment. Over 200 young people from Tallaght and Clondalkin will create artistic pieces in arts and performance workshops to display on Halloween night from 5pm to 7pm. There will be a parade in Tallaght and a pageant in north Clondalkin with music, dance and games at both events. Continued on Page 23
Dublin Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dog’s Trust, Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity, to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. This week’s dog is Herbie, a 12-year-old crossbreed. This distinguished older gentleman adores his creature comforts and at this ripe age would love a home with a nice big soft bed to put his paws up and relax in. This independent little man is quite happy to potter around doing his own thing or in the company of other doggies and big kids. If you think you can give Herbie a loving home for his twilight years then contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. More information about their work can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie All dogs that are adopted from Dogs Trust are vet-checked, vaccinated, neutered and micro-chipped before being rehomed.
Gazette
18 Gazette 25 October 2012
OUT&ABOUT
MUSIC
FASTtunes
New night in Tallaght proves hotbed of fresh local talent Two new acts, Lora & Amy and Cash Is King, will be appearing at Brady’s Pub in Terenure next Friday, October 26 as the first showcase of new acts managed by Keith McLoughlin. Lora & Amy are a songwriting duo from Balbriggan and veterans of the Ballyfermot Rocks festival, while Cash Is King are a four-piece with members from Dublin, Wicklow and Kilkenny. McLoughlin is involved with community radio and promoting unsigned artists, and this event is an official launch night at the home of The Brady’s Sessions, which is a monthly singer/ songwriter night.
Allo Darlin’ - guitarist Paul Rains, drummer Michael Collins, bassist Bill Botting and singer Elizabeth Morris
MUSIC REVIEW: pop perfection from london-based four-piece
Allo, allo, allo... AN INVESTIGATION of the current state of the musical firmament would tend to point t ow a r d a c o m p l e t e dearth of new ideas and fresh talent. Some would say we’ve heard it all before. Anyone who has listened to the Jake Bugg album would certainly agree. T i m e s l i ke t h e s e require ear bleach and a sense of perspective... and then, you hear a band who take all the elements that you love from all the bands you adore, and you really don’t mind a bit of nostalgia-tinged tunesmithery. Allo Darlin’, a fourpiece based in London, released their second
ROB HEIGH rheigh@gazettegroup.com
album proper, Europe, earlier this year and, damn, if I’m not annoyed I didn’t know about it before, because it would have been the soundtrack to the summer. Led by former Tender Trap member, Elizabeth Morris, the band have released a number of top-notch EPs - including the brilliantly titled Henry Rollins Don’t Dance - and their eponomously titled debut
album in 2010, which was singled out as a record of the year by several cognoscenti of the scene. Written around Morris’ ukelele and guitar, the record holds your attention utterly from start to finish, the combination of the classic tropes of jangle pop with lashings of ginger-beer flavoured slide guitar lines and string sections on the side create something that simultaneously transports you back to a more innocent and shinier time while being completely contemporary and excellent. Taking the shimmering girl guitar pop of the likes of BMX Bandits, the album contains 10
perfectly crafted songs that are infused with a lyrical wit and mastery of harmony and melody. Imagine if you will the best moments of the likes of The Magnetic Fields, Sufjan Stephens, The Vaselines, The Pipettes and Teenage Fanclub and you are someway close to what Allo Darlin’ are capable of, but even those comparisons are faint praise. The songs, from bubbly and wry opener Neil Armstrong to bittersweet closer My Sweet Friend, are uniformly straightfor ward and emotionally genuine, while underpinned by the band’s clearly innate understanding of how to craft a pop classic.
You’re held enraptured listening to where Morris is going to take you next with her words, which are never anything less than beguiling. Going all Louis Walsh for a moment, she reminds me of a young Billy Bragg, when he wrote songs like New England, full of charm and hope and love and disappointment and everything else that great pop music needs to understand as essential. There’s nothing revolutionary here, except four individuals creating a record that everyone with a pulse and a love of good music ought to hear. Which, in this pop day and age, is pretty revolutionary.
25 October 2012 Gazette 19
GAZETTE
20 GAZETTE 25 October 2012
R1
OUT&ABOUT
STYLE
Marks & Spencer from €15
Accessorize €5.50
BEAUTY news
Spooky Halloween Makeup Tutorial
! s e m u t s o C C r e e py
e for n is a fun tim ee w lo al H s, d to little ki from Tesco From big kids witch’s outf it y k o o sp is th like €10 dressing up star ting from
LAURA WEBB
Marks & Spencer from €13
Seeing that it’s the season of dressing up, Gazette Style is dedicating this week’s section to all things spooky. Make-up Forever is sharing one of their best looks - The Ventriloquist Doll, which is easy to re-create and is suitable for adults and children.
Marks & Spencer from €15
HERE IS A STEP BY STEP GUIDE: Step One: Complexion Use pale foundation in Mat Velvet No.15 to whiten the face creating the base for the Zombie look. Seal your foundation with a white powder in Velvet Finish No.21.
Accessorize €6 Tesco from €10 Accessorize €5.50
Step Two: Eyes Use eyeliner in Aqua Black Liner to create shape and widen the eyes for a doll-like effect. Build up your eyeshadow colour into solid blocks to create the false doll look using colours in White Matte in No.00, Pink Matte in No.75, Purple Matte in No.92 and Black Matte in No.40. Recreate the lower lash line using your eyeliner about 1-2 cm lower than your natural bottom lash line and then fill in with white eyeshadow in No.00. Finally add faux lashes to the upper and lower lashes along the false eyeliner line, the more exaggerated the lashes the better the doll effect. Faux Top Lashes: No.110 Bottom Faux Lashes: No.150. Step 3: Eyebrows Draw in the eyebrows with the same product and extend out the end of the eyebrow using Aqua Black for a very false look.
Accessorize €15 Accessorize €12.50
Marks & Spencer from €13 Accessorize €5.50
Accessorize €6
Step 4: Cheeks Use a pink or red blush in circular motions to apply the colour in Pink Matte in No.75. Add Strass Diamonds to create a speckled diamante finish in Pink Diamonds No.18, Red Diamonds No.19, Black Diamonds No.23 using Due Glue. Step 5: Chin Using your eyeliner, lightly mark the corner of your mouth down to your chin then once it is straight, take the eyeliner and draw a line down. This creates the effect of the doll’s mouth enabling it to move up and down. Add depth to the false chin look using Sculpting Kit in No.3. Step 6: Lips Apply lipstick as normal using N31 Bright Pink Lipstick, use a darker lipliner to outline the lips in 12C Aqua Lip liner and finish with Diamond Powder No.09 on top for added effect and sparkle.
Marks & Spencer €3.25
All make up is available at Make-Up Forever, 38 Clarendon St, Dublin, 01 6799043.
25 October 2012 Gazette 21
Gazette
GAMING BYTES&PIECES
A dashing design
XBox 360 interface gets a subtle revamp
In the rapidly deteriorating battle for earth, this team of pumped-up super-soldiers are potentially just a few moves away from mission failure – and being turned into a pile of ashes – in the challenging multi-platform title, XCOM: Enemy Unknown
XCOM Enemy Unknown: strategy classic’s excellent update
Challenging, but a blast shane dillon
GAMERS and techheads have a busy couple of months ahead, as the predictable deluge of end-of-year goodies has begun. Indeed, there are some terrific gaming titles due out in the very near future, as the crucial Christmas wars start between all manner of steely-eyed games developers, with a Darwinian battle of survival ahead between several triple-A titles. It’s hard to think of a harsher battle for survival than the one found in the wonderful multi-platform title, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which was released very recently.
shane dillon sdillon@gazettegroup.com
It’s a reboot of a fondlyremembered (and deeply challenging) old strategy game from 1994. Here, aliens have started invading, with Earth belatedly waking up to the everincreasing threat of distinctly hostile foes. So, it’s time for a secret organisation to organise a crack team of elite soldiers with state-of-the-art secret weapons at a revolutionary base ... Only to watch them
BYTES&PIECES a starkly stylish work of beauty flies onto psn
die swiftly, and messily, at a variety of locations around the world, as this is a strategy title that demands brains a lot more than brawn. One wrong move; one step too far; one foolish oversight of a seemingly harmless alien out on the battlefield – which ranges from train stations to garage forecourts – can instantly turn the tide of battle, seeing not just one soldier, but your entire squad swiftly wiped out. Horribly. Assuming they survive the mission to hand, your soldiers can level up, gaining new abilities and increasing importance – all of which will make you curse your bad luck, and
miss their specialist skills, if they come a cropper a few missions later ... Wonderfully detailed presentation, and lots of gameplay flourishes (ranging from base expansion to research), add to the wide-ranging depth and fun of the title. The main gameplay is also pretty interesting, as you and the aliens take turns to position and attack with troops. Repeat such moves, until someone – or something – has won the mission, with great rewards to be claimed by the humans, or bitter regret if things don’t go so well. And if you mess up, entire countries begin to
SONY have a very creative title available now via PSN, in the stylish form of The Unfinished Swan. Developed by Giant Sparrow, this visually striking title is something of a melancholy treat. Starting with a blank canvas, the world is revealed by liberally splashing black paint around, with the paint’s splatters and tracks giving form and depth. More colours, and gameplay mechanics, eventually come into play through its brief life. As its name suggests, although it’s stark and not very long, this is a beautiful title indeed.
go dark ... As someone who’s routinely saved the world before breakfast, I have to say that XCOM isn’t remotely an easy prospect, which is great, as this is a strategy game, after all – immersive, engaging and explosive in equal amounts, but still something where planning, and thinking five steps ahead, is key. While there are certainly bigger titles coming out in the next couple of weeks, and months, XCOM deserves to be a hit. It’s definitely challenging and unforgiving, but that only adds to its appeal, making the outof-this-world title a true star on the retail shelves.
MANY people may have already noticed that their 360’s dashboard looks a little different – that’s because an update is rolling out to millions of consoles around the world as I type, with all consoles expected to be upgraded to the new format within a two-week period or so. The new dash has a number of interesting features, such as its Internet Explorer functionality, the new XBox Music service (with a monthly fee), a merging and reorganisation of tabs, and so on – all within the nowfamiliar Metro tiled format. Perhaps most interestingly, you can now pin favourite content to the dash, to allow quicker access to favourite games, sites, and so on. There are plenty of changes that you can all Google to your heart’s content – or simply wait for your console to update itself, if it hasn’t already – with the move a welcome one for the console and entertainment hub.
digging the new stuff
Game-changing update finally hits Minecraft STICKING with the 360, and presenting about my 1,278th nod at Minecraft, if you’re one of the literally millions of people who’ve been burning up the internet with impatient questions about when the long-awaited Update 1.8.2 (AKA the Adventure update, mate) would arrive – relax. It’s here, and deserves the hype. Apart from offering lots of new content, its most keenly-awaited feature is the new Creative mode, placing flight – and infinite blocks – at your blocky fingertips. There’s never been a better time to start building a giant gold statue of yourself, methinks ...
22 GAZETTE 25 October 2012
GAZETTE
& OUT ABOUT road
MOTORS
NOISE
Rob Kearney with the Audi A6 Avant S Line
Try out the 2013 Audi collection AUDI brand ambassador and rugby star Rob Kearney launched the Audi Future Now Sales event recently. Rob was on hand to launch the event as he received the keys to his stylish new Audi A6 Avant S Line. The Audi Future Now Sales event is effective until December 31st, and offers both existing and prospective customers the opportunity to enjoy the very latest award-winning 2013 Audi collection with significant savings of up to €8,344. Customers can now choose from a range of unique offers available on selected models across the range. From the Audi A1 right up to the exclusive A8, features such as xenon lights, automatic transmission and quattro four-wheel drive will now be available at unbeatable prices to those who place their order before the end of December. The Audi North Dublin event took place on October 20 and 21 where existing and potential Audi customers got the opportunity to experience the Future Now Audi range while families, adults and kids alike, were treated to a few hours of fun. A cooking demonstration was provided by Bon Appétit Dublin, where guests sampled the very best from Oliver Dunne’s award-winning Michelin Star Kitchen. Other events are being hosted around the country in Kilkenny, Galway and Offaly. Anyone that takes part in the Future Now test drive at these events will be in with a chance to win an Audi Sportscar Experience where customers will have the opportunity to experience the thrills of one of the world’s most exciting cars, the Audi R8 V10 Coupe, World Performance Car of the Year 2010. Customers wishing to experience Future Now and test drive the 2013 Audi collection can do so at their local Audi dealer. For information on a Future Now event in your area, visit www. audi.ie/futurenow
The Volkswagen Cross Polo in a shade of Magma Orange which makes it hard to ignore
VOLKSWAGEN: NEW BEEFED-UP CROSS POLO IS A REVELATION
Turning a ‘nice’ car into a mean machine
CORMAC CURTIS
I DON’T know who came up with the idea of bringing out a beefed-up version of the Volkswagen Cross Polo - but whoever it was, they should be given a corner office and made vice-president in charge of coolness. Seriously. W h o wo u l d h ave guessed that VW could take a car as downright ordinary as the Polo and make it so cool? To be fair, I’m pretty sure that the target audience probably don’t even use the word cool , and if they do they most likely spell it k-e-w-l or some such nonsense. B u t t h a t d o e s n ’t change the fact that the car has been given a huge new lease of life with
its latest incarnation. I spent a week with the Cross Polo recently and really had a blast. To be honest, an eyegrabbing motor like this always gives me a kick, but sometimes the highprofile can work against you a bit. L a t e o n e S u n d ay evening, I needed to get home quickly from the office, which involved some pretty erratic driving from yours truly. There may have been a few red lights broken, there is a chance I lost my patience with some other drivers, and it is quite possible that I may have even disregarded a speed limit or two. Despite my questionable driving that particular evening, I remain convinced that the gardai
who pulled me over only noticed me because I was driving the most orange car of all time. Yes, orange. VW refers to it as Magma Orange, and it’s so bright it doesn’t even need the metallic treatment. Did Xzibit bring this car to his paint shop for a little pimpin’? It wouldn’t surprise me if he did.
Styling Colour is one thing, but the styling of this car is absolutely spot one. Take a Polo, stretch it, pull it, and pump it up until it starts to bulge. Next, grab some very nifty alloys and give the body a few hunks of matt-finished dark grey plastic panels for a proper urban look and,
finally, give the interior some nice touches so the outside look is also carried inside. Not forgetting the silver anodised roof rails – there’s nothing I like more than when form and function are brought together with such a stylish approach. It all sounds so simple, but it’s amazing how many car manufacturers make a right pig’s ear of a model upgrade. The Cross Polo is also very well powered by a nicely tuned 70hp 1.2l diesel engine that’s matched to a solid 5-speed transmission. For the size of the car, 70hp might sound a little on the light side, but I found it to be a nice little mover, albeit not laden down with any extra
weight like the family or luggage. Like any car that stands out from the crowd, you do pay extra for the privilege. In this case, it’s a little over €17,000 but for the money, you do get plenty of kit, including: 17” Budapest alloys, climatic manual air conditioning, electric windows front and rear, ABS with brake assistant, ASR, EDL and EDTC, front fog lights sports front seats, silver anodised roof rails, bumpers in unique ‘cross’ design, silverpainted external mirrors, the ground clearance is increased by 15mm and it has hill-hold control. Volkswagen should be proud of this latest entry to the Polo family, and I hope we see plenty of them on the road.
25 October 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 23
Gazette
activities halloween: devilish plans are afoot for spine-tingling entertainment for all
Share the scares with lots of ghoulish and ghostly fun THERE is no excuse for anyone to be at home this Halloween thanks to the many events that are on offer. If your kids enjoy art, why not make some spooky arts and crafts with Imelda at Clondalkin Library on Tuesday, October 30, at 3pm? This is suitable for children aged eight to 12 and booking is essential. Contact Clondalkin Library at 01 459 3315. Most libraries have events happening throughout the Halloween mid-term to keep the kids happy, or to show them that making a costume themselves can be 10 times more fun than buying a readymade one in stores. So why not go into your nearest library to find out what’s on this Halloween? Elsewhere, the GAA Museum is being transformed into a spooky den,
with witches, ghouls and wizards there to welcome visitors. Activities include the Trick or Treat Trail, Terrifying Treats, Halloween Crafts, a Halloween Costume Competition and more. Visit www. crokepark.ie for further information. Even the animals at Dublin Zoo are getting involved this Halloween, but let’s hope all the visitors’ costumes don’t scare them too much. As part of the celebrations, the team at the zoo have organised the annual Boo at the Zoo which takes place this year on Sunday, October 28, and Wednesday, October 31, from 12 noon to 3pm on both days. Visitors will enjoy festive face painting, scary arts and crafts as well as spooky Halloween keeper talks. A monster disco will also take place on the lawn for young visitors to
Don’t look now: Drive In Movies at Halloween Horror Nights at Tattersalls Country House, in
Youngsters having fun at last year’s
Co Meath, may leave you feeling a wee bit uneasy in your car
Samhain event in Marlay Park, Dublin
enjoy. Meanwhile, the Haunted Spooktacular Horror Farm located deep in the Meath countryside is said to be Ireland’s biggest scare attraction and definitely worth the trek. This is the seventh year of an event that leaves people screaming with fright. With a devilish
plan to create 10 acres of fear, the scream team plan to push the boundaries this year even more with scenarios to produce new frights and claustrophobia. State-of-the-art special effects will also help to create an extreme scream experience. It combines live actors, special effects sounds
that help to create a fourdimensional attack on the senses. This will take place from Friday, October 26, to Wednesday, October 31, starting at 6.30pm and finishing at 10pm. Prebooking is essential and it’s priced at €25. Check out www.hiddendublinwalks.com. Finally, park your fear
at the door as Tattersalls Ireland presents Drive In Movies at Halloween Horror Nights featuring a haunted village with live actors, Halloween props, graveyards, spooky characters, and a spine-chilling selection of classic horror movies at Tattersalls Country House, Ratoath, Co Meath.
Enjoy a selection of Hollywood’s iconic horror movies while sitting in the comfort of your own car. Park in the best seats of the house for €20 per car, with two screenings per night to choose from. Tickets are available from the Tattersalls House on 01 886 4300, or visit www. tattersalls.ie/house.
Gazette
24 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 25 October 2012
OUT&ABOUT
fast
TRAVEL
A bold and interesting menu at the Courtyard paul hosford
GETTING away from the hustle of Dublin can seem a lengthy enterprise. Planning, driving and organising for a night away isn’t exactly the most appealing to those with busy lifestyles. Luckily for me, the surrounds of Co Kildare are just on my doorstep and, 10 minutes drive from Clonsilla is the Courtyard Hotel in Leixlip. Conveniently located in the heart of Leixlip, the Courtyard is a beautifully laid-out hotel which features, unsurprisingly, a large courtyard which is used as an outdoor bar and, as was the case when we visited, is absolutely perfect for a warm day with friends. Sitting on the River Liffey, the area around the hotel is a great place to take a short walk. Hotel restaurants can often seem to go one of two ways. Either they play it safe, accept their lot as a convenient eatery for the weary traveller, or they try to be bolder and do something new and genuinely attempt to do excellent food. Luckily for me, the RiverBank restaurant in the Courtyard falls firmly into the latter category. My rabbit and ham hock terrine starter set the tone for a beautiful meal, while my girlfriend’s duck spring rolls left me wishing I could have had more than one starter. For mains, I opted for a herb-crusted cod with bacon and tomato salsa which was fresh and full of flavour, while the girlfriend went for a chickpea masala that was a revelation for a carnivore such as myself. Dessert consisted of a pavlova for the lady and sticky toffee pudding for myself, both of which perfectly rounded off an excellent meal and an ever better short break.
kinnitty castle: offaly hotel and restaurant is taste of excellence
Step back in time to luxurious grandeur Hiromi mooney news@gazettegroup.com
IF you’re thinking about organising a weekend staycation, why not travel to the midlands and enjoy some of the countryside the Emerald Isle has to offer? One such place to stay is Kinnitty Castle in the quaint town of Kinnitty, just outside Birr in Co Offaly. The castle has a deep history which dates back to 1209, so not only do you have a chance to relax here, but it is a chance to
get away from the busy real world and feel as if you’re travelling back in time. Plus, it’s nestled at the foothills of the picturesque Slieve Bloom Mountains, so you can enjoy some breathtaking scenery along the way. Kinnitty Castle is a completely different experience from the modern hotels that we are more used to these days. From the moment my partner and I drove up the long driveway through the forest to
A beautiful seated area in Kinnitty Castle
the hotel entrance, we felt like we had travelled through to a different era. This feeling continued as we stepped inside the front door and were welcomed by stone steps which were lined with candles and two knights in shining armour. The walls were decorated with stuffed deer heads, large paintings and mirrors. The hotel houses 37 distinctively styled bedrooms, so your stay will be a unique experience each time. My partner
One of the distinctive bedrooms at Kinnitty Castle
and I stayed in the lavish Hutchinson Suite, which was an extremely large room that overlooked the entire front lawn. We were told that Kinnitty Castle is a popular wedding destination, and it is rightly so. There was a wedding planned for the next night, so we had a quick peek at the banquet hall which was set up beautifully. It was quite a romantic setting for the bride and groom’s special day. It also seemed like a perfect venue to celebrate any other impor tant occasion like a birthday or communion. We enjoyed a nice m e a l i n t h e d r awing room, and as the evening progressed and it grew darker outside, the candles glowed more brightly and gave the room a completely different atmosphere.
We later went to the bar in the old dungeons where there was some traditional Irish music playing. Countryside
After a good night’s rest, we were up bright and early to avail of two of the activities available on site. We first went pony trekking around the grounds, which gave us a chance to explore the area and enjoy the fresh countryside air. We later tried clay pigeon shooting, which I discovered is not for the faint-hearted like myself. But my other half literally had a blast, shooting most of the clay pigeons that were fired out. If you’re the adventurous type, you should definitely take a shot, quite literally, and experience it for yourself. But if you are prone to
25 October 2012 DUN Laoghaire gazette 25
Gazette
Travel fast
TRAVEL
Five-star city style at a friendly price
THE Dylan hotel, one of Dublin’s leading five-star boutique hotels, is offering guests the perfect opportunity to spoil themselves as the winter temperatures begin to set in. The sophisticated urban retreat just 15 minutes’ walk from the heart of Dublin’s shopping street, Grafton St, is located on Eastmoreland Place off Upper Baggot Street and is set in an original Victorian building housing 44 bedrooms. A new package from the stylish hotel includes overnight accommodation, complimentary full Irish breakfast, complimentary valet parking and free wi-fi, with rooms available from €179 per night. With two Experience Suites, three Experience rooms and one Signature suite, guests are offered a unique experience, with each room individually designed in warm, autumnal colours. Bedroom accessories include Belleek pottery, REN products and a Bose sound dock with an iPod. For more information or to book an overnight city break, visit www.dylan.ie.
be easily startled like me, you are better off just watching from a safe distance – it’s just as enjoyable! There is plenty to do nearby as well, like walking or cycling through the nearby mountains. But if you’re looking to learn about some of the local heritage, Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre should be your next stop to visit. It’s only a 20 minute drive from the hotel and it’s easy enough to find. The centre was recently refurbished, and the displays were very impressive. Our tour began with a video in the auditorium which explained the history of Tullamore Dew whiskey and the story of Daniel E Williams. From here, we were given a guided walk through the process of making whiskey – from
harvesting the crops to the distilling process to when it’s finally made and bottled. In short, a weekend break in the midlands is a chance to unwind and enjoy the fresh air and countryside activities. For more information about Kinnitty Castle and nearby activities, v i s i t w w w. k i n n i t t y castlehotel.com. T he Cosy Castle Comforts package at Kinnitty Castle Hotel offers two nights’ accommodation with a full Irish breakfast each morning, dinner at Sli Dala Restaurant on the evening of your choice, followed by a complimentary night cap at the traditional library bar as well as a Cosy Comforts Hamper on arrival. The special offer is available from just €149 per person sharing.
The majestic Kinnitty Castle at dusk
A magnificent bedroom with a four-poster bed
26 Dun laoghaire gazette 25 October 2012
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25 October 2012 dun laoghaire Gazette 27
monthly awards P28
asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31
dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community
Gazette
MOTORSPORT P29
FastSport taylor named boxer of year:
Members of the Lucan Boxing Club that met the Irish ambassador to Denmark following their exploits at the HSK Cup last week
boxing: local club claims six medals from international tournament
Brabazon hails epic showing from Lucan boxing’s octet EIGHT Lucan boxing club members last week took on one of the biggest competitions in Europe, competing against 330 boxers from 11 nations at the HSK Box Cup in Denmark. In the process, they claimed three gold and three silver medals, making for an historic couple of days for the west Dublin club with club coach Karl Brabazon proclaiming: “Sometimes the higher the standards are set, the higher we reach to achieve them.” Team captain Mick Clarke led the way pulling off a sensational knock-out in the first round of his heavyweight
final, a right hook that left his opponent face first on the canvas. It will provide a memorable part of his highlight reel as he intends to hang up the gloves this year. Luke Byrne produced the fight of the competition by hammering his opponents with his tight skills, regularly using guts, bravery and will to slip big heavy right crosses, brilliantly slipping six inches either way before landing power shots Conor Burke brought controlled work rate to his wins and a gold medal to boot. Brian Haskins and Petru Ursu
brought home silver in close fights that could have gone their way. Robbie Coyle and John Joyce showed heart, courage and toughness and came into touching distance of that silver medal. Then Adam Cross stepped up to finish off the tournament with the very last fight with a hometown favourite in opposition. As the shouts came in for the home lad from his supporters, the 10-strong Lucan team around the ring responded “ole, ole, ole, ole” to a thunderous noise that echoed and deafened any other sound in the sports hall. Cross
lost by split decision and one point. The Lucan team were subsequently hosted by the Irish ambassador to Denmark at the Irish embassy before returning home. Speaking about his club’s involvement in the competition, Brabazon added: “A quick rundown of these fights doesn’t do these lads justice, the skill, effort and determination put in warmed the hearts of each of us trainers. “Each of the lads put in all that hard work and dedication; this was a big moment for Lucan sport that they pulled off.”
THE AIBA confirmed that Katie Taylor will receive the 2012 AIBA World Elite Female Boxer of the Year Award for a historic third time. The 2012 AIBA Award Ceremony will take place in Armenia on December 7. Taylor scooped the prestigious award in 2008 and 2010. This year, the 26-year-old claimed the Olympic, world, European and European Union lightweight titles, picking up the best boxer award in China and London. “Katie has won the award three times now and that has never been done before. It’s a great honour and we’re absolutely delighted,” said Taylor’s coach and dad, Peter Taylor.
c o n ta c t s Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@gazettegroup.com
For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205
Gazette
28 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 25 October 2012
SPORT
DublinGazetteNewspapers 2012 dublin sports awards october nominees
A WET and wild October proved a happy hunting ground for local GAA clubs as near neighbours Kilmacud Crokes and Cuala claimed two of the biggest prizes in the county game, finally ending their respective hoodoos in the senior hurling and inter football championships, respectively, and have Leinster campaigns to look forward to. On the individual front, the local stars have very much been looking to Europe as jiu jitsu star Darragh O’Conaill claimed a European title while Kenneth Egan showed class is permanent with a fourth gold medal from four trips to Finland. John Brophy, meanwhile, is hoping that he can play his way into the Republic of Ireland amateur squad on a more regular basis as they build toward a European championship in San Marino. November has the promise of plenty of other Leinster campaigns with Castlkenock also flying the GazetteSport flag.
H STARof the MONTH
darragh o’conaill
john brophy
kenneth egan
IRELAND’S youngest Brazillian jiu jitsu brown belt continued his fantastic form by claiming two gold medals in the middleweight division – one at the London Open and the other at the Nogi European Championships, which was also held in the English capital
THE Phoenix striker’s recent form with his club and with the Leinster senior league panel was good enough to earn him a first-ever Republic of Ireland amateur call-up, a just reward for his excellent start to the season with the Scribblestown club
BEIJING silver medallist Kenneth Egan showed there is plenty of life left in his career as he swept to a gold medal at the Tammer tournament in Finland. In a superb Irish showing, Egan was one of four gold medallists at the multi-nation event
kilmacud crokes
cuala
Round tower
THE Glenalbyn club bridged a 27-year gap to claim the Dublin senior hurling championship in excellent style. It could be the first half of a rare double as the club’s senior footballers are a step away from their third Dublin title in five years
AFTER two painful final defeats, the Dalkey club finally claimed the Dublin intermediate football championship title with a fine victory over Fingallians in Chanel College, winning out by four points off the back of a great first half showing
THE Clondalkin club made incredible strides this year at junior football level with both their AFL5 and AFL9 teams earning promotion this month. The latter did so despite being in danger of folding the team at the turn of the 2012 season
TEAMof the MONTH H
5k event draws huge crowds to Kilbogget Park sport@gazettegroup.com
Over 800 people took to the startline of the annual DLR Community 5k last week
THIS year’s DLR Community 5K in Kilbogget Park saw over 800 participants of all ages and fitness levels taking part. The event, once again kicked off Social Inclusion Week in the county. A great family atmosphere was brewing before the start with a mass warm-up run by an instructor from the DLR Leisure Services that had everyone set to go when An Cathaoirleach, CllrTom Joyce (Fine Gael) sounded the starter hooter. A constant stream of people,
from seasoned athletes to babies in prams, from 80-year-olds to teenagers, past the start line to do the 5km route at their own pace. Everyone who made it around the picturesque Kilbogget Park to the finish line was a winner with some groups using the event to fundraise for their chosen charity. With an entry fee of just €5 for adults (children were free) all participants received a t-shirt, medal and goodie bag as well as refreshments to keep energy levels up. Shane McArdle, co-ordinator with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
sports partnership, commented: “Our key aim was to have an event that was open to everyone, from wheelchair users to joggers, to complete the course and have fun. “We are delighted to have had such a huge turnout and most importantly wide range of abilities take part and enjoy the family atmosphere.” The DLR Community 5K is organised by Dún LaoghaireRathdown sports partnership in conjunction with a number of partner agencies to provide a fun, inclusive event for everyone.
McArdle also added “a huge thank you has to go to Cabinteely FC for the use of their facilities, the Parks Department in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for their assistance, the Community Gardai and Dublin Civil Defence for their help on the day and of course the large number of volunteers who ensured that everyone was safe and had fun. “With their help, and for the fourth year in a row the appearance of the sun, the DLR Community 5k continues to become bigger every year.”
25 October 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 29
Gazette
Cruel twist of fate for D15’s Kennedy Jack Kennedy endured a traumatic end to his second season in the British Supersport championship when his bike gave way and he was denied the title seven laps from the finish CLONSILLA man Jack Kennedy is learning not to beat himself up after round 12 of the British Supersport championships, where a technical glitch forced him to retire, when he only needed a finish to claim the series title. As soon as championship leader Glen Richards went off the track on that fateful day, a seventh place finish was all Kennedy needed to seal the championship but, on lap eight the Blanchardstow n resident’s bike gave way and the despair of the pilot was seen as he was forced to roll the Martrain Yamaha into the pits.
peter carroll sport@gazettegroup.com
“I remember seeing my clipboard and knowing that Glen had gone off around the third lap,” said Kennedy. “I wasn’t trying to go hell for leather, I took it easy and I was thinking about challenging for a podium, but I definitely didn’t want to get involved in any scraps at the top of the field. “Then I just noticed the bike getting slower, the back brake seemed
to be interfering with the speed and I just knew it was finished then. “It’s been a tough time since it happened, but I’ve to learn not to beat myself up. “I had the championship won and it was the first mechanical failure of the year for the team. It was just very unlucky,” said the Supersport ace. Martrain had invested faith in the young Irishman after seeing him recover from a big injury the year before, with the rider’s comeback being a win at Brand’s Hatch. Kennedy admits that in signing him,
Jack Kennedy produced an excellent campaign only to fall short at the final hurdle
Martrain knew he was capable of some wins, but the Northern Irish team probably didn’t think that he would be in contention for the title. “They knew I had won races, they were probably expecting a
even though it didn’t work out in my favour. “We were the only team that challenged for a large part of the season on a bike that wasn’t running on a Triumph engine and that shows the skill and determination that was
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‘I’m hungrier, more determined and faster than ever. I’ll be up there looking for podiums. I certainly won’t be making up the numbers’ - Jack Kennedy
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fifth place finish in the championship, so it was great to be involved in a championship run,
present throughout the whole team. “To perform the way they did is a big deal for a small team for Northern Ireland, and the fact that the first mechanical fault came in the last race of the year shows how good the team are,” said Kennedy. Without the finances to re-enter the Supersport stakes for next year, Kennedy is now eyeing a ride in the main event, the British Superbikes championship, as Martrain are in talks to represent Yamaha on their R1. “I’m hungrier, more determined and faster than ever. If it’s superbikes I’ll be up there looking for podiums, I certainly won’t be there to make up the numbers,” said the confident 24-year-old.
FastSport
French side in driving seat in Leinster group FORMER Ireland and Lions manager Donal Lenihan believes Clermont Auvergne are looking an ominous force ahead of their double showdown with Leinster. The blues got over the challenge of Scarlets in Wales last Saturday but have still yet to hit top form in the Heineken Cup despite winning twice in succession. Churchtown resident Isa Nacewa got the blues’ only try of the game while Johnny Sexton kicked the rest of the points in the 20-13 result. Also included in the side were former Blackrock College men Ian Madigan, Brian O’Driscoll and Leo Cullen, Rathfarnham native Shane Jennings while Castleknock College alumni Devin Toner came off the bench. But Lenihan says Clermont will be a level above the offering of Scarlets and Exeter Chiefs in the past fortnight: “Clermont look in a league of their own at the moment. Their performance is on a different level. Clermont versus Leinster is the place to be for round three. “It’s not going to be easy for Leinster to click into gear as they will be handicapped by the autumn internationals. They will probably only have one more match together before Clermont. It’s a big ask. After two rounds you would have to say they [Clermont] are the team in the driving seat.” He was speaking about Leinster’s hopes in connection with the Heineken Star Predictor, a competition in which members of the public compete against high profile pundits to see who can predict the outcomes from this season’s Heineken Cup matches. Among the prizes are Heineken Cup match tickets while the ultimate prize of an exclusive VIP package to the Heineken Cup final at Aviva Stadium. Among those playing the game are Irish cricket star Niall O’Brien, Newstalk’s Ger Gilroy, rugby pundit Brent Pope, former Dublinstar Jason Sherlock and broadcaster Tom Dunne. To be in with a chance of winning Heineken Cup match tickets, and an opportunity of beating George Hook, play Heineken Star Predictor; log on to www.heineken.ie/heinekencup and register for round three by 5pm on Friday, December 7.
Gazette
30 dUN LAOGHAIRe gazette 25 October 2012
SPORT
FastSport
soccer: young stars serve up cracking tussle in DDSL
Blackrock to play host to South African visitors BLACKROCK RFC’s Stradbrook grounds will play host to a South African training session on Monday, November 5 from 2.30pm to 4pm as part of the annual autumn international series. This is an open session and anybody can come along and watch them train and possibly snag an autograph or two. The likes of Zane Kirchner, Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers, Ruan Pienaar and the Beast Tendai Mtawarira will be training. Elsewhere, the club’s Ulster Bank League teams gets back into action this weekend after a two-week break when they travel to Deramore Park to Belfast Harlequins hoping to bounce back after defeat to Buccaneers.
Wesley women make tag rugby debut A PIECE of history was created at Old Wesley last week when they played their first ever women’s rugby match. The ladies braved the inclement weather to play a tag rugby match against Terenure at Donnybrook. Old Wesley came away with a 7-6 win but the emphasis was on fun and participation. Women’s rugby directorAvril Poff and coach AndrewAdams have been central in achieving this milestone. Women’s rugby training takes place every Monday evening in Donnybrook at 7pm with a second night planned for the future
with new players welcome. The club are also in the process of setting up U-16 and U-18 girls’ teams with training every Sunday at 12pm in Ballycorus grounds. For more info, contact Avril Poff on 083 1423851 or email avril.poff@ oldwesley.ie.
Meteors fall at the hands of Brunell METEORS were undone 58-55 by Singleton SuperValu Brunell in the women’s basketball SuperLeague last weekend despite 12 points from Rebecca Nagle and 10 from Beth Meany. It leaves the southside club sixth in the standings after three rounds of matches to date.
Cabinteely FC shared an eight-goal epic with Mountview Boys at Kilbogget Park last weekend Picture: www.cabinteelyfc.com
Cabo play part in thriller ddsl u-10 d1 Cabinteely Mountview Boys sport@gazettegroup.com
4 4
DESPITE dominating the majority of play on a wet and windy Sunday morning, Cabinteely’s high flying U-10s had to take a draw from their league encounter with Mountview Boys, after the Dublin 15 men grabbed two late goals to help them claim a point on the day. Jake Keogh and Jamie O’Connor started the quick passing movem e n t s s y n o ny m o u s with Declan Allen and
Keith Mahon’s style of management and Cabinteely were putting the Blanch’s boys on the back foot early, creating chances that would surely lead to goals in the later stages of the match. Alex Menton was as energetic as ever and gave the opposition no time to rest on it as he chased the ball down effortlessly. His energetic runs led to the first Cabo goal when Jake Keogh forced a save out of Mountview’s stopper but the goalkeeper wasn’t quick enough to the breaking ball which
padel launch New form of tennis comes to Rockbrook padel tennis, one of the world’s fastest grow-
ing sports, was launched in Ireland last week when Minister of State for Sport Michael Ring, centre, opened the first purpose-built court at Rockbrook Park School in Rathfarnham. A sport for all the family, Padel is similar to tennis or squash and is played in an enclosed court. More popular than football in Argentina, it is played throughout Spain, and is becoming increasingly popular in Britain.
was slotted away with style by Menton. It wasn’t long before the lead was doubled and it was after a fine clearance from Jack Mahon that Jamie O’Connor got on the end of the ball to slip a pass to the adventurous Keogh. Menton was in the wings for support but Keogh rifled home with a fantastic effort that found the top corner of the Mountview net. A move that started with Tadhg Mulvey making a fantastic save put half time substitute, Glen Browne through
on goal. However, the well touted striker was in a very selfless mood and despite looking likely to convert, he laid the ball off for Keogh who was only too happy to grab a second to make it 3-0. Two goals in two minutes put Mountview back within striking distance of claiming points, and to their credit the Blanch side attacked well and used the full width of the pitch to stretch the Cabo backline. Even though the clean sheet disappeared, the efforts of Menton were a constant and despite
moving back into a more defensive position, it was he who slipped the ball underneath the keeper to restore a twogoal lead. However, another quick fire double put the Mountview men back on terms and despite a late shout of a penalty, Cabinteely had to share the spoils on the day. The confidence, movement and enthusiasm of the young U-10 outfit will surely see them go on to big things as they continue to claim fantastic results in their final season before going fully competitive.
25 October 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 31
sport@gazettegroup.com
K ILMACUD Crokes produced an immense second half performance on Sunday to end St Brigid’s reign as Dublin senior football champions, claiming a 2-18 to 2-12 in the semi-final. It followed hot on the heels of a messy 1-6 to 0-6 win over St Syl-
vester’s four days earlier, played out in atrocious conditions. That night, Paul Mannion was key, scoring 1-2 including an all-important second half goal to see off the Malahide side after half-time when the sides were locked at three points each. Sunday’s battle with Brigid’s at the same venue
was a much more freeflowing affair, something which initially did not suit Crokes as they feel behind 2-9 to 0-7 lead at the break. Craig Kilmurray and Paddy Andrews both netted in quick succession to build a commanding lead But half-time saw a sea-change in fortunes as
Mark Coughlan curtailed Cahill’s influence and it took barely five minutes to reduce the gap as Pat Burke and Cian O’Sullivan combined to bring the sides level. And further scores from Barry O’Rorke, Adrian Morrissey and Mannion saw Kilmacud home by six points in an amazing turnaround.
Football: dalkey club land coveted title
Gazette
ASDFASDSAF Crokes stun SFC holders Brigid’s Club Noticeboard cuala WHAT a great weekend for so many
ing when they took the D champion-
teams within the club. Pride of place
ship title via a 0-8 to 1-4 victory over
goes to the senior footballers who
Ballyboughal.
secured the Dublin intermediate
Our two minor hurling teams also
championship by beating Fingallians
came up with big wins against Bal-
on Saturday afternoon at Parnell’s
lyboden and Naomh Olaf’s. The minor
ground in Coolock.
attention swings back to the big ball
The weather tried to intervene in
next weekend. The As are home to Na
forcing the switch of venue and time
Fianna at Shankhill at 11am on Sunday
but Derek Dunne’s team was focused
with the Bs and Cs taking on Whitehall
only on the ball and after two years
and Na Fianna at their level.
of missing out at the final hurdle, this year was important.
The U-14A hurlers have a game at home to St Sylvester’s on Saturday
The team included two All-Ireland
afternoon as they continue their late
winners in Mick Fitzsimons and Conor
surge towards promotion back to
Mulally but it was high quality from
division one.
one to 20-plus that got us back to the
Well done to our juvenile girls’ teams
summit and with scores contributed
who gave a good account in their finals
from all of the pitch, including four
across the city on Sunday.
45s from goalie Darren MacBrien, the
We will be adding full match reports
result looked secure from early in the
to the website over the course of
game.
the week and you can also follow us
Niall Carthy raised the green flag and the celebrations after the game were
through the club’s fast growing profiles on Twitter and Facebook.
only tempered by the need now to pre-
The academy groups that normally
pare for next weekend’s clash with the
play in the Cuala Hall on Saturday
Longford champions St Mary’s at Par-
mornings are switching around the
nell Park.
corner to Castlepark for the next
Our junior footballers added to the party atmosphere on Sunday morn-
three weeks while maintenance works take place at the club.
naomh olaf Cuala celebrate winning the intermediate football championship after back-to-back final losses Picture: Colin Behan
Third time lucky as Cuala claim the IFC dublin ifc final
Cuala 1-15 Fingallians 1-11 sport@gazettegroup.com
AFTER two years of painful final memories, Cuala finally achieved what they have been threatening for a long while, claiming the intermediate championship in Chanel last Saturday. It was a big relief for Derek Dunne and his charges in a game moved at short notice from Parnell Park due to the buildup of a week’s deluge of rain at the county venue. Cuala showed a liking for the relocation and
their more incisive nature and sharper edge carried the day over the course of the hour while their ability to bring in high quality dual players Paul Schutte, and David Treacy in the latter phases was critical. Fingallians had the best of the early chances in the opening minutes but once Cuala settled they were not long in building a healthy lead. With Luke Troy and Conor O’Brien showing well on this inside forward line, the Dalkey men led 0-7 to 0-1 after 20 minutes. Matters worsened for Fingallians in the
21st minute when Niall Carthy fired clinically to the net at the end of a superbly executed pitch long movement that was initiated by Dublin minor centre-back, Conor Mulally, who was prominent throughout. By the interval Fingallians, were showing signs of a fightback with Donal Farrell on target and in the early passages of the second half they cut further into the deficit to trail by four points, 1-7 to 0-6. With Dublin senior, Paul Flynn, deployed as a target man full-forward Fingallians went route
one but Mark Schutte did a good job of frustrating the Fingallians’ star turn. However, Flynn did get a couple of sightings of goal but Cuala netminder Darren MacBrien was equal to his efforts. MacBrien’s contribution to Cuala’s victory did not end there as he also brilliantly converted four second half 45s as Cuala fended off the Fingallians comeback. In the dying minutes Fingallians’ wing-forward David Killeen dropkicked a 20m free to the net but at that stage the score was of mere consolation.
CONGRATULATIONS to our U-15 ladies
Our intermediate footballers are
footballers who secured their first
in contention for promotion from
ever championship title with a fan-
AFL3.
tastic win over Round Tower by a margin of 11 points on Saturday, October 20. The following day our U-14 ladies
Our U-15 camogie team reached their championship final. A mass for deceased members takes place on November 17 at 7pm.
footballers had a decisive win over
Tr e a s u r e d m e m o r i e s o f t h e
St Pat’s (Donabate) in the final of the
30-year history of Naomh Olaf is
U-14 football division three champi-
now to be found in the homes of
onship to win 4–4 to nil.
almost 700 members and former
The clubhouse was alive last Sunday night when Dublin minor AllIreland winning team with the Tom Markham cup came along to honour
club members, including some in New York and Melbourne. Copies ma y be obtained from Eileen Hickey on 01 2953969.
team captain Naomh Olaf’s David
Bingo, lotto draw, music and dance
Byrne and medal winner Steven
every Sunday night at the club-
Mulranny.
house.
stars of erin SATURDAY saw a large number of children taking part in our weekly nursery. The nursery alternates between hurling and football every Satur-
is very welcome. There was a clean sweep recorded on the football front at juvenile level with U-8s, U-10s and U-12s all winning their games.
day morning from 10am in Glen-
Really wonderful skills on display
cullen and continues to grow and
in this game from both sides in the
the club would like to thank all the
U-8s win against St Pat’s.
club coaches who make the special effort to attend. The nursery is open to all children from three to seven and everyone
Special mentions to Liam, Ciara, Noah and Joe who played superbly. Joe scored a wonderful 45 to start the fightback.
GazetteSPORT all of your dun laoghaire sports coverage from page 27-31
october 25, 2012
county challenge: Kilmacud hoping to make it three kennedy’s devastation: Clonsilla man within SFC titles in five years on bank holiday Monday P31 seven laps of glory P29
Cuala’s Mick Fitzsimons was among the club’s stars last Saturday in Chanel College as the Dalkey club overcame Fingallians in the IFC final. Picture: Colin Behan
Third time lucky for Cuala Derek Dunne’s side produce superb first half performance to finally break their intermediate championship hoodoo and win senior status peter carroll
sport@gazettegroup.com
DEREK Dunne finally brought the Dublin intermediate football championship to Cuala after two final defeats in two years before overcoming Fingallians in convincing fashion last Saturday, with the score line of 1-15 to 1-11 slightly flattering the Swords side who scored a late goal to bridge the gap. “We are all delighted,” Dunne told GazetteSport. “We’ve been knocking on the door for three years now. The first year we didn’t show up, last year we lost it in the last second to a free from Skerries Harps. “This year the lads executed the game plan
fantastically well and they were selective with their distribution; it was a well-deserved win,” said the Dalkey coach. With a very strong panel, Dunne was able to bring on serious quality from the sideline which made a big difference on the day according to Dunne. “Having experienced players on the bench like that is something that we really haven’t had in the last few years, the lads are usually on duty for Dublin and we’ve also had a few injuries. “Losing big players like Jack McKenna would usually have detrimental effects on the team, but by having such a strong group waiting to come on we were able to keep intensity about us throughout the game.
“Footballers of that calibre will always make a difference; we haven’t been able to do it in the previous years. Everyone wanted to get us back in the senior championship, it’s been 20 years since we’ve been in amongst it and it took a real team effort,” said Dunne. With an eye on next year’s senior championship, Derek Dunne believes the most important thing to do now is to consolidate the new rank. However, the coach believes if a few results go their way they could be onto a good run, but it may take three years before the side will be ready to challenge for the coveted county title. “The best thing we can do now is consolidate ourselves in the senior championship, I’m sure the lads can get a few results and if a run
is put together they could cause anyone a few problems. But, we certainly aren’t in the same league as Ballymun Kickhams or Kilmacud Crokes just yet. “But, give it about three or four years – we have a young side and we have some great minors coming through – that’ll be a team that will be in contention,” said Dunne. Cuala begin their Leinster assault this weekend when they take on St Mary’s of Longford. “I don’t know a lot about the side, but they must be well drilled if they won their championship. This might be the lads’ last chance to win a Leinster for the club for a couple of years so they definitely want to keep the momentum up,” he finished.