Laoghaire GAZET TE FREE
Eddi Reader brings her ‘Perfect’ voice back to Ireland SEE PAGE 21 February 7, 2013
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Month XX, 2012 DUN LAOGHAIRE • BLACKROCK • CORNELSCOURT • DEANSGRANGE • DALKEY • GLASTHULE • MONKSTOWN • GLENAGEARY
INSIDE: Your essential guide to make this Valentine’s Day extra special P17
WATER WORKS: Phil Hogan officially opens €98.5m Shanganagh plant Page 4
Market men: Helping out at The People’s Park Football:
Kilmacud toast minor success over Sylvester’s Page 31
KEEPING a watchful and helpful eye over things, Marcus Cassidy and Richard Majer were standing by at The People’s Park last weekend, where another highly-successful CoCo Market took place. The gloomy weather couldn’t dampen their cheery nature, as they joined lots of locals at the park, where a wide range of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown artisans and produce providers were displaying an excellent range of wares and products. See Full Gallery Next Week
Soccer:
Joey’s stunned by Dunboyne last-gasp strike Page 30
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES......................6 DUBLIN LIFE...................11 OUT&ABOUT .................20 CLASSIFIEDS ................26 SPORT ...........................27
€15m berth facility to facilitate cruise liners Stakeholder group reveal plans to bring major ships right into the harbour
BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN
PLANS are under way to open up Dun Laoghaire Harbour to accommodate the world’s largest cruise liners after a stakeholder group, which includes Dun
Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, revealed their intention to develop a €15 million berthing facility. At present, neither Dublin Bay nor Dun Laoghaire Harbour can facilitate such
large vessels, and have to rely on tenders or small boats to bring passengers ashore. The harbour is also set to welcome in at least 10 cruise liners in 2013, including the Queen Mary II on May 16. Ceann Comhairle Sean
Barrett welcomed their imminent arrival, and said: “Cruise liners, which include the Adonia, Corinthian, and Serennissima, will generate in excess of €1.5 million for the local economy.” Full Story on Page 2
2 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7 February 2013
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funding Plan to facilitate large vessels
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Passengers and crew disembarking from cruise liners and large ships berthed offshore currently use tenders (as above). However, plans to fund a €15 million state-of-the-art berth facility will make it possible for cruise liners to come right into Dun Laoghaire Harbour.
€15m berthing plan to bring in cruise liners bairbre ni Bhraonain
bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
A S TA K E H O L D E R Group, which includes Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company (DLHC) and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, intend to fund a €15 million berth facility to accommodate the largest types of cruise liners in Dun Laoghaire Harbour by 2015. DLHC and its partners have also organised for a series of at least 10 cruise liners to come into the harbour during 2013. The investment in a
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
state-of-the-art berthing system will mean that larger cruise liners will be able to come into Dun Laoghaire harbour for passengers to disembark. At present, neither Dublin Bay nor Dun Laoghaire Harbour can facilitate such large vessels, and have to rely on tenders or small boats to bring passengers ashore. The proposed new berthing system will make
the harbour more accessible and attractive for large cruise liners and increase visiting tourists to Dublin in general. According to DLHC chief executive Gerry Dunne: “The development will impact on all of South County Dublin. We will be able to accommodate next-generation cruise liners. “At the moment, big liners can’t come into Dun Laoghaire Harbour or Dublin Bay as they are too long. We can only use tender boats, which is a very old-fashioned way of disembarking passengers.” He went on to outline what work the two-year-
old stakeholder group had been doing, and who were its members. “T he stakeholders include the Dun Laoghaire Business Association, Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council, the Harbour Company and a couple of representatives in the hospitality sector. “It is a collective funding model which will cost €12 to €15 million, and we hope it will be realised by 2015. “We’ve been beavering away and the results are that there will be 10 more cruise calls, maybe even more, in 2013. The flagship visit is the Cunard Line’s Queen Mary II on
May 16, which will carry 3,500 passengers and 1,000 crew, so it’s very significant.” The Ceann Comhairle, Sean Barrett, has welcomed the DLHC’s 2013 schedule for the cruise liner visits to the harbour, especially the Queen Mary II. He said: “Cunard has a reputation of selecting only the very best destination for their world cruises, and I believe its confidence in our destination will act as a catalyst for other lines to consider adding Dun Laoghaire to their itineraries, further enhancing Dun Laoghaire’s cruise credentials.”
Works to improve local road safety DU N L a o g h a i r e - R a t h d ow n County Council (DLRCC) is proposing to improve road safety at Convent Road, Harbour Road and Loreto Avenue with a number of road works. The scheme involves the provi-
sion of speed ramps on Convent Road, a raised platform at the proposed new school warden crossing on Harbour Road, the relocation of electricity poles on Convent Road and the widening of the existing footpath on Con-
vent Road between Corrig Road and Harbour Road. This scheme was drawn up to address the safety concerns of residents and those commuting with their children to schools in the area.
7 February 2013 DUN laoghaire Gazette 3
campaign: series of actions against house AND water taxes outlined
opening
President in Balally
Anti-austerity protest staged bairbre ni Bhraonain
bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
THE Dun LaoghaireRathdown branch of the Campaign against Household and Water Ta x e s ( C A H W T ) launched their new campaign on February 2 with a meeting at the Dundrum Luas bridge. The launch was intended to outline a series of actions against the household and water charges to be undertaken in Dundrum in the coming months. The property tax will be based on house value, which will mean a very high tax rate for homeowners in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, where price houses are
among the highest in the country. Nicola Curry, a local activist and a member of People Before Profit, said: “There is a real hunger out there to fight the vicious austerity which is being mercilessly doled out to our citizens.” However, Councillor Jim O’Dea (FG) said: “If people fail to pay property tax, presumably they will face the rigours of the law, sooner or later.
‘Duties’ “People have a right to organise peaceful protests on any issue, but we also have to realise that citizens have duties as well as rights and one of those duties
must be to allow the government to provide basic services.” In a statement made this week by United Left Alliance’s (ULA) Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP), the issue of upcoming water charges, which are due to come into place in the next couple of years, was condemned. He said: “The government have told the Troika that they aim to raise €500 million a year from water charges within two years of their introduction. “Between the property tax and water charges, an average household could be faced with forking out anything from €500 to €700 a year.”
PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins last week officially opened the Balally Parish Pastoral Centre, as well as two special rooms at Queen of Angels Primary School in Sandyford. While at the school, President Higgins also planted an oak tree and an alder buckthorn tree in the Queen of Angels’ garden, and paid tribute to the centre.
A golden moment: Local takes a top honour at Special Olympics in Korea LOCAL man Gary Burton (centre, back) was joined by his numberone supporters, parents Michael and Mary and his brothers, Darragh and Dale, after claiming a gold medal in the Giant Slalom intermediate event at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. A member of Kilternan Karvers Special Olympics Club, the Stillorgan man claimed a great win for Team Ireland with his Alpine skiing skills, while his fellow club member, Katherine Daly from Dalkey, also scooped a prestigious silver medal in the Super G Novice event.
4 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7 February 2013
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property Four jobs to be created in third branch
New Hunters estate agency for Dalkey bairbre ni Bhraonain
A new branch of Hunters estate agency which is set to open in Dalkey later this spring will create four jobs. This will be the third Hunters branch to open in three years, the others being located on Pembroke Street and in Foxrock Village.
Two new staff members will start work in February, with the other new employees to join the business later in the year. According to Rowena Quinn, Hunters’ managing partner for residential sales, the business has gone from strength to strength, with the property market in the Dun LaoghaireRathdow n area seeing an
improvement of late. “We are definitely seeing market movement with many looking to take advantage of the current market to secure a family home, or investment property. The final quarter of 2012 often saw more than 50 parties at each viewing with multiple parties bidding. We see this carrying through into
2013. We see the rental market as stronger than ever with many returning home to rent or buy. “Dalkey is an ideal location in close proximity to Killiney, Dun Laoghaire, Glasthule and surrounding areas. People thinking about their next property move still like to pop into a local retail environment.”
Enterprisenews Nutgrove Enterprise Park – Workspace Available Are you seeking a professional location to base your growing business? Nutgrove Enterprise Park (beside Nutgrove Shopping Centre) provides small enterprises with professional incubation space at an affordable price. Within easy reach of the M50, Dundrum Town Centre and Dublin City Centre it is the perfect home for a growing business. The Nutgrove Enterprise Park is home to 20 businesses from a range of sectors with the Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown County Enterprise Board and FAS Local Employment Service as anchor tenants. Our office units (which range in size from 274sq/ft to 365sq/ft) are designed to meet contemporary business needs. Units are available on flexible licence basis with the start-up and growing business in mind. These four year licence agreements can be terminated with one month’s notice. The licence fee is based on the size of the unit and there are supplementary charges for rates, utilities, insurance and VAT. Tenants have access to state of the art conference rooms, together with reception facilities and a shared kitchen. Fully kitted out office share facilities are also available. Nutgrove Enterprise Park has ample secure car parking, 24/7 access to the premises with alarm and CCTV. For more information, please visit our newly launched website www.nutgrove-enterprisepark. ie or to arrange a viewing, please call Lisa Brown on 01 4948400 or email lisa@dlrceb.ie.
initiative New fund aims to promote the EU
An Cathaoirleach Councillor Tom Joyce (FG), with Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan TD, Cllr Mick Glynn (FG) and Cllr Pat Casey (FF). Picture: Jason Clarke Photography
eco-friendly: project is self-supporting
€98.5m upgraded water treatment works opened
bairbre ni Bhraonain
bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan opened the new €98.5 million Wastewater Treatment Works at Shanganagh this week. The Minister launched the Shanganagh Bray Main Drainage Scheme which will provide upgraded wastewater treatment for people living in the Dun LaoghaireRathdown South and Bray areas. The Shanganah project has lasted four years and has employed around 140 people during that time. The capital investment of €98.5 million was provided by central
government as well as both Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council and Wicklow County Council. The work involved upgrading the existing Shanganagh Wastewater Treatment Works in order to provide a high level of water treatment. A pipeline was laid from Bray Pumping Station to the new Shanganagh plant to bring wastewater for treatment. The new treatment plant has the capacity to service a population of 186,000, with the potential to increase that capacity to 248,000 in the future. It will also provide essential infrastructure for new industries in the area, thereby facilitating new jobs and the con-
struction of new homes. Speaking at the opening, Minister Hogan said: “The Shanganagh Bray Main Drainage Scheme is a modern, high quality wastewater treatment facility. It will greatly improve the water quality in the local area, will help Ireland meet EU Directive standards and should enable Blue Flag status in the future. I congratulate Dún LaoghaireRathdown County Council and their contractors and consultants on delivering a fine job.” The new treatment plant intends to reach consistently high standards and the whole project is self-supporting. The gases produced in the treatment process are captured and used to
generate power for the plant making it utterly self-sustaining and ecofriendly. An additional benefit of the project is its rainwater collection system, which allows water collected from the roof of the treatment plant to be harvested and used in the adjoining community gardens. An Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Tom Joyce, acknowledged the role the local residents played during the process: “We are grateful to the local residents and those living in the adjoining areas for their patience and co -operation during planning and construction.”.
Local groups are being encouraged to apply for funding under the government’s new Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI). The application process for the funding has officially commenced, and groups eligible to apply for funding include voluntary organisations, education bodies and civil groups. The funding will g o t ow a r d s f i n a n cing projects which are aimed at increasing public awareness about the role the EU plays in our daily lives. The funding was welcomed by Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor, who called on eligible groups in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown to apply for the funding during this year of Ireland’s EU Presidency. “I am encouraging all voluntary organisations, education bodies and civil groups to submit proposals to the Communicating Europe Initiative for funding of projects aimed at increasing public awareness about the role that the EU plays in our daily lives.” Those wishing to apply for CEI funding should log on to www. merrionstreet.ie/index. php/2013/01/communicating-europe-initiative2013-announced
7 February 2013 DUN laoghaire Gazette 5
6 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7 February 2013
gazetteGALLERIES
Councillor Lettie McCarthy (Lab, centre) hands out leaflets about the protest to some concerned locals
stop: Concerned locals resist the closure of Sandyford Garda Station
A
CAMPAIGN to save the Garda station in Stepaside was launched recently, with Councillor Lettie McCarthy (Lab) handing out flyers with Cllr John Byrne (FF) in St Mary’s, Sandyford village about the demonstration on Sunday, February 3. Those who want the local station to remain open include priests, teachers, local residents and businesspeople from Sandyford Industrial Estate.
Many of the children wore wellington boots to walk through the mud and grass
This young girl had a fit
The children’s parents also took part in the
of giggles
sponsored walk
The Blackrock Community
Frances Doran
This young girl wrapped
Charlotte Leonard and Antoinette Traynor
Siobhan Kilmurray with Meabh Humphreys
The group walked through a park
Ailish Coughlan with her children, Aine and Conor Jordan The sponsored walk also helped raise awareness about the group
up to keep warm
7 February 2013 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7
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The children walked hand in hand
Playgroup recently held their sponsored walk. Pictures: Geraldine Woods
play time: BLACKROCK GROUP HOSTS SPONSORED WALK
Taking big steps for childcare services T
HE Blackrock Community Playgroup recently braved the cold weather and embarked on a sponsored walk. They donned the high-vis jackets and warm clothes, and had fun walking around the local area. The group formed over 30 years ago, and aim to pro-
The children had fun at the walk
vide an affordable pre-school and early years childcare service to families in the locality. They believe in the importance of providing a comfortable, safe environment for children to learn and grow at their own pace. For more information about the group, log on to www.blackrock-playgroup.com.
The adults guided the children on the walk
8 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7 February 2013
NON COMPLIANCE Penalties include fine of up to €5,000 and no grant access
Septic tank registrations 30% behind national average Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown residents are behind the national average by almost 30% when it comes to registering their septic tanks. Last week, Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan announced that 400,000 households, or almost 80% of those eligible, had regis-
FastNews
A new vicar for Christ Church in Dun Laoghaire A new woman vicar was inducted into the parish of Christ Church in Dun Laoghaire at a special Church of Ireland ceremony last week. The Reverend Asa Bjork Olafsdottir was inducted by the Archbishop of Dublin, Michael Jackson. Councillors Jane Dillon Byrne (Lab) and Victor Boyhan (Ind) both congratulated the new vicar and attended the induction service. The service was held in Christ Church on January 31 and was also attended by religious representatives of many denominations, as well as the Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett (FG), Cllrs Cormac Devlin (FG) and Patricia Stewart and deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG).
One fatality on DLR roads in 2012 Recent road safety figures released by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Siochana show that one person was killed on DLR roads in 2012. According to DLRCC: “There has been an 80% reduction in the number of fatalities on our roads since 2007. This figure is well within the target set out in the current National Road Safety Strategy.”
tered their septic tanks and domestic waste water treatment systems by the February 1 deadline. However, compliance in this area has not been as strong in DLR as it was for the household charge. In a statement given last week, a spokesperson for Dun
Laoghaire-Rathdown said: “The latest figures we have received for the Domestic Wastewater Registrations is 989 properties, or 51%, as of February 4, according to figures received from the Office for the Local Authority Management.” The legislation regarding
registration of septic tanks allows local authorities to request householders to produce evidence of registration and, if a householder has not registered, the penalty is a fine of up to €5,000. Last month, Minister Hogan announced the introduction of a grant scheme of
up to €4,000 for householders’ whose systems were deemed in need of upgrade following inspection. This grant is only available to qualifying, means tested householders which registered their systems before the deadline of February 1. Owners of systems selected for inspection will be notified
at least 10 working days before an inspection. Councils are urging householders not to admit any person onto their property to examine their treatment system unless they have received prior notification in writing from their local authority that their system is to be inspected.
great war: the prodger inspired by uncle who survived battle of the somme
Playwright’s thrilled with first outing in Temple Bar bairbre ni Bhraonain
bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
A Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown native is making a name for herself in the theatre world having written a play, The Prodger, due to be staged in The New Theatre in Temple Bar. Tina Noonan is still in her day job, but is thrilled to see her first play being produced on stage, as she explained when she spoke to the Gazette last week. “The Prodger is inspired by stories I have heard all my life about my great uncle who survived the Battle of the Somme but lost a leg. He spent many years coming to terms with what he had experienced as well as returning to a very different, new Ireland. “I believe it’s time we all took the 200,000 Irish men who signed up for The Great War out of the closet and gave them [the attention they deserve]. The play is already attracting attention from the Centenary Committee for the Great War.” Tina is very passionate about not letting the memory of those Irish soldiers who fought in WWI die out and her play also acts as a
memorial to them. “So many Irish men signed up for WW1 and they are not spoken of again. 50,000 died and another 50,000 were injured and ended up in these soldiers’ homes around the country. We shouldn’t sweep them under the carpet, there’s nearly one in every family. Encouraged
“ Un f o r t u n a t e l y, I never knew my great uncle, John, as he died a year after I was born. My father always talked about him so I heard about him a lot as he was his own man and a very good uncle to my father. Much later, when I was in my 20s, I read Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong, and his story really began to make sense to me. “I initially wrote the play in a few days and then left it alone for a good while. Then I did a playwriting course in Listowel with Mark O’Rowe who liked it and encouraged me to get it produced.” The Prodger is a true story with particular resonance for the DLR region as John stayed in the Leopardstown Park Hospital for years. It is being hailed by many as a fitting tribute to
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown native Tina Noonan is thrilled to see her first play being produced on stage
the sacrifice made by so many of these Irish veterans of World War I and a work of significance to Irish history. The play re-imagines the life of her great-uncle Johnny, who lost a leg in
battle. Like many in his situation, Johnny met with prejudice when he finally returned home to Ireland, having fought for the British army. He never married and suffered from combat
flashbacks throughout his life. Cast members include some famous Irish actors including Seamus Moran, Brendan Conroy, Joe Moylan and Frank Melia.
Tickets are priced at €12 and can be bought from The New Theatre’s Box Office at 01 670 3361. The play runs at The New Theatre in Temple Bar from Feb 25 to March 2.
7 February 2013 DUN laoghaire Gazette 9
it’s your story Special Olympics Torch at school
Sharing the feeling of pride in our athletes Liam McLoughlin Guidance Councellor, St Benildus College
AN EXTRAORDINARY welcome greeted the Law Enforcement Torch Run in St Benildus College on the morning of Thursday, January 24. An enthusiastic student guard of honour led the runners carrying the Torch of Hope all the way to the school’s sports hall and to a rapturous but dignified reception from more than 800 students and staff.
The Torch Run was organised by the PSNI, and An Garda Siochana visited Kilmacud to raise awareness of the Special Olympic World Winter Games taking place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, this month. The rain stayed away for the torch runners as, resplendent in their red t-shirts, and carrying the precious flame aloft, they moved steadily from Goatstown up onto the Upper K ilmacud Road and into the school grounds, flanked by Garda motor-
cycle outriders. The arrival of the torch run in the school was quite remarkable, as visually the procession creates an amazing sight and, coupled with the symbolism of the Olympic Flame and the very genuine respect shown by the students, the overall effect was both moving and awe-inspiring. In a brief ceremony, the torch – which was lit at Mount Olympus, the site of the original Games – was handed over to the school prin-
youth
Free new course is launched bairbre ni Bhraonain
Special Olympian Gary Bruton From Sallynoggin with members of the Law Enforcement Torch Run
cipal, Sean Mulvihill, by the lead runner. In his short address, Mr Mulvihill expressed our feeling of shared pride in the achievements of the Special Olympians and said how privileged St Benildus was to host the Torch Run. A special presentation was then made by the student council to South
Dublin Special Olympics athlete Gary Bruton, who was setting off to represent the country at the World Winter Sports in South Korea shortly thereafter. Liz Callery, regional director of Special Olympics, highlighted the relationship between the school and the Special Olympics – a solid bond
that has been developed through the college’s annual Integration Through Sport Day initiative, and its fundraising. Garda Alan Murphy of the Law Enforcement Torch Run thanked the students for the warmth of their welcome, thus concluding a very memorable morning in the life of St Benildus College.
A FREE new course aimed at getting young unemployed people in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown back to work was launched by Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore last week. The course is targeting 18- to 25-year-olds who have been unemployed for at least a year, and is being run in conjunction with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) and Southside Partnership. T he Tanaiste said: “The priority for this g ove r n m e n t i s j o b s and getting people into employment.” For further information, contact NALA on 1800 202065.
DublinGazetteNewspapers Advertising Sales Professionals
Dublin Gazette Newspapers is Dublin’s fastest growing community weekly regional publisher, with 8 titles covering the M50 from Swords to Dun Laoghaire. We are currently looking to recruit: We are now seeking experienced media sales executives to work in our advertising dept in our Lucan head office on a number of Dublin Gazette titles. Experience in newspaper advertising sales is preferable. Full clean driving licence and own car required; fluent written and oral English essential. Excellent package on offer to suitable candidates. If you can work on your own initiative within a team environment, are motivated, enthusiastic with an excellent work ethic, please send your cv to: mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com
10 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7 February 2013
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Meg Halligan and Holly Creedon
Cathy O’Connor
Sean Munsanje
Kris Tykier, Rafe Spall and Dan Mazer at the premiere of ‘I give it a year’
Laughter in the aisles at newly-wed doubts M
ANY people turned out for the Irish premiere of ‘I Give It a Year’ at Cineworld on Parnell Street. The film was created by Borat writer Dan Mazer and features stars including Anna Faris, Simon Baker and Stephen Merchant. It is a comedic portrayal of
Eve Birch and Rebecca Wynne-Walsh
a newly-wed couple’s experience of their first year of marriage, and the many trials that come with it. The film looks at their first nine months of marriage, and how the couple have doubts about whether they really are destined to be together or not.
Donna and Patrick Robinson
Robert Rhattigan and Sarah Murphy
Eva McCarthy and Ciara O’Brien
7 February 2013 Gazette 11
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asdfsdaf businessP27 P16
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
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RDS: sencity a multi-sensory music event
Come fill up your senses at dance extravaganza A unique music and dance experience is being held this weekend at the RDS. Sencity is a multi-sensory music event with a difference as the whole show is created by talented young people with hearing difficulties. The Dublin Sencity show will feature a team of 16 deaf and hard-ofhearing young people from the capital who were trained for the show
by the Sencity organisers from Holland. This music and dance extravaganza first originated in the Netherlands and is unusual in that the audience has all its senses explored and stimulated in time with the music. Not only do you hear the music or feel the rhythm but you see, smell and taste the whole experience too. Sencity attempts to capture the music’s pas-
sion and spirit through many different sensory channels. On stage there will be expressive sign dancers translating lyrics and emotions into Irish Sign Language, video projections, light effects, taste sensations, hairdressers and an incredible vibrating sense dance floor which responds to the music’s bass frequency. Live artists on the night include Signmark, Kormac’s Big Band, The
Wonder Villains, Torann Drums and Gavxmas. As well as this multisensory action, there will also be laser and light shows turning the music into colours, shapes and pictures. Sencity will take place on Saturday, February 9 in the RDS Concert Hall from 9am until 3pm. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster for €17.50, or can be purchased at the door for €24.
Sencity is a multi-sensory music event with a difference as the whole show is created by talented young people with hearing difficulties
Gazette
12 Gazette 7 February 2013
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Show the nation what you’ve got
For any talented musical acts looking for a chance to show the nation what they’ve got, following in the footsteps of the likes of Imelda May and Boyzone could be just the boost they need to make it big. The Late Late Show is launching a brand new initiative giving emerging Irish acts a chance to appear on the biggest show on Irish television. In recent years artists such as The Coronas, Maverick Sabre and The Strypes have used the show as a launch pad for their careers. Now this opportunity has been made even more accessible for
emerging talent. To apply, email a YouTube link of one song to thelatelateshowcase@rte.ie with a brief description and contact details.
Bram Stoker Experience A brand new museum dedicated to all things Dracula opened its doors to the public last week in Clontarf, the home of Irish author Bram Stoker. The museum takes you on a visual journey through the life and times of the Victorian Gothic writer. There is live narration by historian Dennis McIntyre and a display of first editions of the
classic novel and notes in Stoker’s own hand. Every Thursday night at 9pm is film night at the museum, with tickets costing €5 and booking is essential. T h e B r a m S t o ke r Museum is located at 225 Clontar f Road, Dublin 3 and is open from 10am until 4.30pm. To book tickets, contact Dennis McIntyre on 086 236 4829.
anti-cyber bullying talks This month, An Garda Siochana will deliver a series of anti-cyber bullying talks in Dublin schools to promote Safer Internet Day, a global internet safety initiative. The Talks In Schools
programme will be delivered during the month of February to secondary school pupils throughout the country. It will promote positive interventions by witnesses of online bullying situations and appropriate coping strategies for victims. The programme also aims to help students to understand the impact that cyber bullying can have on different people, and to recognise that cyber bullying is not acceptable. Lists of local schools that will be taking part in the programme are available from your local Garda Division. For more information, see www. watchyourspace.ie
The Late Late Show is giving talented musicians a chance to appear on television where Imelda May (above) and Boyzone hit it big
7 February 2013 Gazette 13
FEATURE Skillnets training fund
eu directive: changeover begins
Driving licence credit-card style cruises into view Wave goodbye to the pink paper and say hello to the new credit card style driving licence, which was officially launched last week. Two new drivers were the first people to be presented with the new driving licence card by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varakdar last week. Almost 6,000 new plastic card licences have been issued to drivers this week following the changeover from paper licences to plastic card licences on
January 19. The new plastic card licence is one aspect of an EU Directive to upgrade and standardise all licences across the EU. Previously, as many as 100 different types of licence were in operation throughout Europe. According to Minister Varadkar, the new licence is more secure and more convenient than the existing paper version. “It will help to eliminate licence fraud, ensure that motorists are properly trained and licensed,
and keep unlicensed drivers off our roads. It’s more modern and more convenient. It’s also recognised throughout the EU, so Irish road users will enjoy the benefits and protections which drivers already have in other EU countries. “The RSA and the Motor Tax Offices have done sterling work in making the new application process as easy as possible for motorists. I want to thank the RSA for their hard work, and for meeting the EU dead-
The new-look licence is more secure and more convenient than the old version
line on schedule, without requiring additional Exchequer funding,” he added. Noel Brett, chief executive of the Road Safety Authority, said: “Since the new licence card was introduced, we have received some really positive feedback from people
who have been among the first to receive one. “Among the ben efits they see in the new licence is that it’s more durable, modern and easier to carry around, as well as being recognised throughout the EU. Because it cannot be easily replicated, it will also
act as a key road safety tool to keep those who are illegally driving a vehicle off our roads.” For details on the new licence, to download an application form or for more information the changes to some driver licensing rules, log on to www.ndls.ie
Private sector companies in Dublin are being encouraged to apply to a new training fund, announced this week by Skillnets. The €500,000 fund is open for applications until April 30. Groups of companies must join together to form a network to apply for funding, with groups permitted to be formed on a geographical or sectoral basis, once member companies have identified common training needs amongst their employees. A seminar for Dublin businesses interested in applying for funding to Skillnets will take place on March 12 at 8am in the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley. Visit www.skillnets.ie.
14 Gazette 7 February 2013
Gazette
dublinlife schools schoolLife My week at the Gazette work experience: a step into the real world
Get involved with our new Gazette schools pages
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 and, 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 more details, contact rheigh@gazettegroup.com, or on 01 601 0240.
Jen Maguire Donohoe
Colaiste Brid, Clondalkin
As part of the Fifth Year LCVP module, every student must leave the safe cocoon of school for a week and experience life in “the real world”. The thoughts of a full week off school sounded ideal, but first I had to find somewhere to go. In school, I was told that I should go somewhere that interests me and I should think long and hard about my future career choices before applying anywhere. Having never worked before, this all seemed like a daunt-
ing task but surprisingly it wasn’t. I sent an email of enquiry to the Gazette and they promptly emailed me with good news – I had my first work experience placement. My first day of work experience arrived and I was both an xious and delighted, anxious because the thoughts of being in a professional work environment was slightly terrifying. I, of course, had nothing to be fearful of. I quickly got used to the constant tapping of keyboards and the terrifyingly loud phone calls that admittedly made me jump out
Jennifer Maguire Donohoe : Fifth year student at Colaiste Brid in Clondalkin
of my skin the first few times I heard the shrilling ringing tone. I learned how to “be a journalist”. This involved
grasping how to convert a press release into an article that, I as a reader, would be interested in and mastering the art
of gaining information from time-restrained sources. I also visited a local school ceremony and learned how to recognise what the key points of a news story should be. I always thought of journalism as a solitary career, but after being in the Gazette, I realised that it takes more than one person to make a story come alive. Not only did the Gazette show me what I could be doing in a few years if I did pursue journalism, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the office. Overall, I think for my first venture into the real world, the Gazette was the perfect place to go.
SCHOOl
Matters p romote yo u r e v e n ts
CONTACT US WITH YOUR NEWS
6010240
7 February 2013 Gazette 15
Gazette
16 Gazette 7 February 2013
dublinlife
initiative: developing healthcare solutions
Q&A
€15,000 opportunity for digital entrepreneurs
Garret o’neill, general manager
Exceeding expectations at the Crowne Plaza Garret O’Neill, originally from Galway City worked in the hotel industry from the age of 15 where he started out as a waiter in the Jameson Hotel in Salthill. From there, he decided that a career in the hotel industry was for him. He graduated with a degree in hotel management from GMIT. Having spent some time in Frankfurt and the Black Forest in Germany, he returned to Galway where he held
the position of senior manager in the Corrib Great Southern Hotel. In 2008, he joined the pre-opening team as the deputy general manager at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown. Shortly after opening he was promoted to general manager of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk. In 2011, he returned to the Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown as the general manager.
How long have you been in business?
want and deliver it. We put them at the very heart of everything we do. We have a great team here who possess a genuine interest in our guests. They constantly deliver a warm welcome and exceptional service.
evolving to suit our guests’ needs. We aim to exceed expectations by taking guests by surprise – going beyond what they expect, so that they stay with us again and recommend us to others.
What makes your business successful?
What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?
How has the recession impacted your business?
The Crowne Plaza Hotel, DublinBlanchardstown opened its doors on the October 1, 2008, so we will be celebrating our fifth birthday later this year!
“The customer is always right!” We listen to what our clients
business
We are constantly
As with all businesses in Ireland, the recession has certainly made things more challenging. People became a lot more value conscious and demanded quality for their money. We ensured that we provided this, delivering an exceptional product for great value.
What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?
I would like to see the lowered rate of VAT extended to 2014 and beyond. It was an initiative welcomed by the whole hospitality sector and our consumers alike.
Digital entrepreneurs have been offered the chance to secure €15,000 in funding, as well as free office space and enterprise development support thanks to a new digital health project. Connected Health – a joint initiative between the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) and St James’s Hospital – is aimed at supporting digital technology companies to develop solutions to common healthcare challenges. According to Dr Stephen Brennan, chief strategy officer with the DHDA, Connected Health is the culmination of over a year of planning and collaboration between staff at St James’s Hospital and The Digital Hub. “We’re calling on digital entrepreneurs and innovators to submit proposals, outlining how they could resolve the challenges identified by St James’s staff. “Successful companies will not only receive seed funding and free office space at The Digital Hub. “They will also be able
Dr Gerard Boyle, principle physicist at St James’s Hospital; Dorothy Ellen White, project manager, Connected Health; Dr Stephen Brennan, chief strategy officer with the Digital Hub Development Agency and Dr David Robinson, consultant physician in geriatric medicine
to work directly with clinicians at St James’s, drawing on their expertise and on the data being captured by the hospital in developing new digital solutions. “In addition, The Digital Hub will provide free enterprise development supports for successful applicants,” said Dr Brennan who added that the problems that were being worked on had been identified by staff in the hospitals. “The beauty of this approach is that entre-
preneurs will be developing solutions for real-life problems that have been identified by healthcare professionals. “This means that the market for potential solutions is already defined, a big help to companies looking to invest in product and service development.” The first call for proposals from Connected Health will focus on local asset mapping. Digital enterprises have until February 15 to submit applications out-
lining how they would develop a website and mobile app using local data to document all health-related services in the vicinity of St James’s Hospital. One successful applicant will be selected to receive the €15,000 seed funding and package of support mechanisms. For further information, and to apply online, go to: http://www.thedigitalhub.com/move-to-thehub/connected-health/ apply-to-participate-inlamp-here/1206.
There is no shame in ‘signing on’ Unemployment is a great leveller. We’ve all heard the stories about solicitors in the dole queue and architects working in McDonald’s. Many professional people are resistant to signing on. This is particularly true of men. I’m encountering an increasing number of men in the 40-60plus age bracket who are finding themselves in financial straits because they’re basically too proud to ask for State help. Their savings are running out; creditors are stepping up the pressure; they’re borrowing from friends and family – often without the knowledge of their spouses. Something has to give. In the minds of many men, signing on carries a stigma. Whereas previously, saying that you’d “never asked the State for anything” was worn as a badge of honour; these days – depending on your circumstances – it can be downright foolhardy.
Going to the social welfare office for the first time can be daunting, but it’s just like any other bureaucratic process. You have to provide them with the correct information in a timely and responsible manner. If you are overly anxious about going, bring a family member or friend with you. Times have changed. If you are doing your best to obtain work, being in receipt of a temporary weekly payment does not make you a scrounger or a waster. Give yourself some breathing space, there’s no shame in it anymore. Contact Rachael at hello@thecareerhub.ie or visit www. thecareerhub.ie. Rachael Kilgallon is a FETAC qualified career coach and founder of The Career Hub.
Valentine’s Day
Gazette
7 February 2013 Gazette 17
The essential guide to finding that extra special something for that special someone
l val enti n e’ s day i d e as l
30 steps to love
WANT to make your love life more romantic? Even the most ardent lover can use romantic inspiration from time to time, especially when the pressure’s on with St Valentine’s day just around the corner. Whether you’re about to go on a romantic getaway, or you are going to be spending time alone together at home, adding some romantic touches will help to put both of you in a cheerful mood and bring you closer together. Try some of these 30 romantic ideas and ignite romance with your loved one. And these ideas aren’t confined to February 14! 1. Get away from it all 2. Celebrate an anniversary — any anniversary — with an anniversary trip 3. Expect the best — but get it for less, especially in these tough times 4. If you’re going away together for a romantic weekend, request the honeymoon suite 5. Schedule a romantic dinner — and make it a surprise 6. Tell her how beautiful she is or how handsome he looks 7. Turn off the TV in your room; better yet, don’t turn it on at all. Better still, throw it out of the room altogether! 8. Make a big deal — a really big deal — out of a birthday 9. Go window shopping, then circle back and buy something your better
half admired
sion to celebrate
candles
where and indulge
10. If you’re on a romantic
15. Inspired by a hotel
19. Pack a picnic, and
25. Watch a romantic film
break, ask the concierge
room? Redecorate your
don’t forget the wine
or DVD
to plan the day for you
bed at home with new
20. Enjoy a barefoot din-
26. Take better travel
11.Use the Do Not Disturb
sheets and pillows to
ner on the beach
pictures — and frame
sign — and bring it home
match the decor you
21. Go out just for dessert
your favourites
with you
enjoyed there
22. Find out what long-
27. Sleep out all night on
12.Share a secret no one
16. Steal a kiss in a public
married couples do to
the beach
else knows
place
keep it real
28. Take an overnight
13. Write a love letter and
17. Count the stars
23. Pack a book of classic
train and ride in a com-
seal it with a love stamp
together
love poems
partment just for two
14. Give roses when
18. Save energy: Shut
24. Bring chocolate, any
29. Propose
there’s no special occa-
off the lights and light
time, in any form, any-
30. Elope
Take the time to make your love life even more romantic
Valentine’s Day
GAZETTE
18 GAZETTE 7 February 2013
Miss Selfridge NOW €39
Miss Selfridge €85
Awear €25
Miss Selfridge €65
Valentine’s
Dress to impress this LAURA WEBB
CUPID is getting ready for his busiest day of the year, and so are women across Dublin. This week, Gazette Style is on the look-out for the perfect dress that will impress lovers old or new. Don’t be shy when it comes to picking a dress for date night this Valentine’s Day. Be bold and beautiful with red. Whether you want to go all out with a statement red dress, or be a little more demure with a hint of red mixed in, now is the time to get adventurous and play with red on Valentine’s Day.
NEXT €52
Miss Selfridge €85
Dunnes Stores €22
7 February 2013 Gazette 19
Say ‘I will’ at Carton House
l tem pt i n g fo o d s l
Romantic menu at Royal Marine
HEAD chef Darrin Parrish, at the Royal Marine Hotel, has developed a special Valentine’s Day menu, using some unique and special foods appropriate to the spirit of the day. Here are some fascinating facts about some of the components of the dishes on offer, which make up the sensuous seductive offering at the Dun Laoghaire hotel. Oysters: This seafood speciality was documented by the Romans in the second century to have
aphrodisiac qualities.
tion — if you dare.
Nutmeg: This spice is highly prized by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac, and it is said that large quantities can produce a hallucinogenic effect.
Broccoli: Everyone’s favourite vegetable is said to increase virility.
Truff les: The musky scent of this delicacy is said to stimulate and sensitise the skin to touch.
Liquorice: This sweet is said to enhance love, more so in women.
Avocado: The Aztecs called the avocado tree “ahuacuati”. Chef Parrish suggests that you ask your waiter for transla-
Fennel: This was used as a libido enhancement by the Egyptians.
If all this is whetting your appetite, than call the Royal Marine Hotel on 01 230 0030 for a reservation, or see www. royalmarine.ie for more information.
Gazette
The essential guide to finding that extra special something for that special someone
Animal attraction: Love is in the air love is in the air at Dublin Zoo as it gets ready to open its doors
early for an exclusive Valentine Date for couples everywhere. From 8am on Saturday and Sunday, February 16 and 17, the zoo is offering couples a unique alternative date at one of the most interesting destinations in Dublin, with special keeper talks on the courtship, breeding and the exotic mating rituals of some of the animals. There are a limited number of 100 tickets, which cost €60, available to ensure that the experience is truly romantic. For more information, log on to www.dublinzoo.ie.
Carton House is inviting couples to say “I will” this Valentine’s Day on their romantic grounds. T he venue, which was shortlisted for 2012 Leinster Wedding Venue of the Year, has created the Carton House Perfect Proposal package which can include overnight accommodation, use of the Shell Cottage which overlooks the River Rye, or a romantic boat ride, champagne and flowers. For more information on the Perfect Proposal package, visit www.cartonhouse.com or call 01 505 2000.
Gazette
20 Gazette 7 February 2013
OUT&ABOUT
HOMES
HOME: ideal standard’s style predictions
Key to a great home is a great bathroom A crucial element to a great home is a great bathroom, and Brussels-based bathroom solution company, Ideal Standard, are intent on helping people create their ideal salle de bain. One of Europe’s leading bathroom brands, Ideal Standard’s goal is stated to be “to create a life space that reflects personalised well-being”. The brand follows three main philosophies: design, functionality and innovation, and Ideal Standard international designer Robin Levien is certain that those values will still apply throughout 2013 when he recently gave his bathroom predictions for this year. “Whilst these straitened times won’t be changing soon, it’s not all bad. We are learning to value what’s really important in life - family, friends, good food and a comfortable home. “I see the bathroom as a key element of our homes over the coming years. “Over one-in-four people use their bathroom as a place to relax and this trend will continue to become more and more popular throughout 2013. Luxury bathing
options provide the ultimate way to unwind after a busy day and get some peace and quiet.” Robin went on to detail the kinds of themes that he expects to see prevalent in bathroom design and fittings this year. “We will continue to look back to more optimistic times and mid 20th century vintage is where it’s at. This will manifest in shapely accessories in the bathroom, a collection of 60s glass vases for example to provide an optimistic note. “Blocks of colour will brighten up
the bathroom, it’s very easy to fit a sheet of painted plywood for a bath panel then play off the colour with complementary soft elements like towels and bath mats – they don’t all have to be the same colour. “Besides vintage stylings, we are wanting to get back to nature. This is a great trend for the bathroom as ceramics already have a natural quality that provides a perfect foil for softer natural materials like wood. “We are celebrating the handmade again too so things don’t have to be perfect, the pristine quality of the pieces of ceramic in the bathroom can be complemented by hand thrown porcelain accessories.” Robin also suggests that you take the natural theme to its logical extreme in your bathroom redesign. “What better place to grow some plants than the bathroom, plenty of moisture to keep them happy. There are some very clever plant pots that hang upside down from the ceiling. This is a great solution for using the unused space above the bath and you can lie in the bath under an Amazonian rainforest canopy.”
Over one-in-four people use their bathroom as a place to relax
7 February 2013 Gazette 21
Gazette
MUSIC interVIEW: a great voice returns to Ireland
It’s got to be perfect for singer Eddi Reader Eddi Reader once sang that “It’s got to be perfect...”, and she is bringing her perfect voice and folk stylings back to Ireland later this month. Gazette Music caught up with Eddi as she prepared to take the stage at the BBC Radio 2 British Folk Awards, held in Glasgow last week, and she was thrilled and looking forward to sharing the stage with one of her inspirations. “I’ll be on stage singing Caledonia with my
ROB heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com
heroine, Barbara Dickson. She’s a remarkable inspiration to lassies like me growing up, she was one of the few women standing on a stage with a microphone and a guitar. She was the queen of the folk scene, so it will
be great to hear her singing tonight.” Bringing the show back to Ireland, Eddi will be honing some of the songs that may form the foundations of her upcoming album, which she will be going into the studio to record in the coming months, a process she is looking forward to. “I’ve been working on the new album, spending the last two years collecting ideas, and it’s time to go into the studio now. I’ve booked the time and
it’ll all work out. There’s a point when you need to invest yourself and get involved in the record. The songs will dictate the sound – you don’t know sometimes where they’ll be going, until they start talking to you.” Eddi says that one of the things she enjoys the most about performing is connecting with an audience on a personal level. “What I do has to be in the moment, and I enjoy it so much. I’m delighted when someone comes up
Eddi Reader is bringing her perfect voice and folk stylings back to Ireland
to me after a show saying that they were blown away when they only knew me from Perfect and Fairground Attraction.” Asked about what she likes the most about coming to perform in Ireland, Eddi was unequivo-
cal about the reasons. “The fact that the audience listening are as musical as me. They know what they like, and they share the moments with me. Irish audiences are very open people in a way that I recognise from where I come from, that
people are musical and sing songs at the drop of a hat.” Eddi brings her Irish tour to the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire on February 15, Draiocht in Blanchardstown on February 15, and Whelan’s on February 20.
Gazette
22 gazette 7 February 2013
OUT&ABOUT
CINEMA
Theatre
THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 Beckett X 3
GODOT Theatre Company London are back with three more short Beckett plays on Friday and Saturday, February 8 and 9 at 8.15pm in the Pavilion. Tickets are priced at €17/€15.
Draiocht 01 885 2622 Singlehood
ARE you single? Have you never been single? Do you wish you were single? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the show for you. Singlehood is a funny and uplifting theatre documentary exploring the art of being single. Renowned for her documentary theatre practice, Una McKevitt in collaboration with writer David Coffey (Dan & Becs, Fade St) interviewed over 50 singletons to bring their raw and revealing stories to the stage. February 14, tickets €16/€12.
Mill THEATRE 01 296 9340 David O’Doherty
Life is a marathon, not a sprint. But it is a sort of marathon that you really have to sprint. And there are hurdles and weights to lift. And swimming. And shooting. Life is basically The Olympics. But at the end you don’t get a medal, you die. Catch David on Saturday, February 16, tickets are priced at €18/€14.
Even in the rain, Denzel is the coolest man on the planet
review: with washington at the controls, this movie soars
Denzel takes off I have something of a confession, dear readers. In the year or so that I have been writing movie reviews for The Gazette, I have never particularly taken to one aspect of the place; the five-star movie rating system. It eliminates grey areas and leaves reviews to define something as either awful, mediocre, average, great or excellent. This system panders to a modern need to have everything fit into a neatly labelled box and removes nuance. And, as is so often the case in my life, it has taken Denzel Washington to show me the way. It is Flight that has me pondering this existential gap in the human ability to judge relative merits. For, it is not an average film nor is it a great film. In the aforementioned
Film of the Week: Flight h h h h (15) 138 mins Director: Robert Zemeckis Starring: Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly, Bruce Greenwood, Don Cheadle, John Goodman
Paul Hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com
five-star system, three is too little, four is too generous. Which is why I am implementing the half star, the seven out of 10 in this case. Because, this is definitely a film worth seeing. Is it a life-changer? Not really. Will it feature in many best of the year lists? Unlikely. Will it entertain you for just north of two hours? Almost certainly. The bulk of the entertainment is carried in the first 40 minutes, as we get acquainted with Washington’s pilot Whip Whitaker. By get acquainted I
OUR VERDICT: WHILE it is good to see Zemeckis back doing live action, after many years trying to make motion-capture relevant, he falls just short of a great comeback. The actual crash sequences are excellent, but after that the story struggles to find a consistent tone and relies on a lazily written, albeit wildly fun, sidekick in John Goodman and a relationship that feels just too convenient for the tone of the first hour.
mean see him do drugs and have sex in a cheap motel room a couple of hours before taking control of a plane carrying 112 people. So first impressions aren’t great, but when the mess hits the fan, only one person keeps their cool. As a storm, a nervous co-pilot and his own drunkeness conspire against him, Whitaker manages to guide the plan out of a perilous situation into a field. First anninted a hero, Whitaker must face pub-
lic and political scrutiny into his condition on the day of the crash. It is here that the film feels strained. At 138 minutes long, it is probably bloated by about 20 minutes and the weight given to the various relationships in the film is out of kilter. Why spend so long on a marriage of convenience with fellow addict Kelly Reilly (who is excellent, notwithstanding), and leave us so bereft of screen time with Whip’s son and ex wife? W hen confronting
these relationships, Jason Gatins script, which has been nominated for an Oscar, falls a little short. But, what it does exceptionally well is pose an important question; why do we always need a hero? Here is a man who took charge of a plane drunk, yet the audience wants him to prevail because of how well he landed the plane and, let’s be honest, just how goddamn cool he is. It is an interesting moral conundrum that will have many in disagreement afterwards. Of course, this is Denzel’s movie. He is on screen for almost every scene and absolutely dominates every last one, playing Whitaker with arrogance, coolness and vulnerability. His Oscar nomination is richly deserved and his performance more than reason enough to give Flight a whirl.
7 February 2013 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 23
Gazette
GAMING a spellbinding playstation 3 game: Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
BYTES&PIECES kicking 4K into the public eye
It’s magical ONCE again, the PlayStation 3 lays claim to a beautiful title as a platform-exclusive game, in the fascinating new title, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. An innovative tie-in with famed Japanese anime company, Studio Ghibli, and acclaimed role-playing game (RPG) masters Level-5, Wrath tells the story of Oliver, a young boy whose mother has just passed away. The upset boy’s tears bring a toy doll to life, as Drippy, the King of the Fairies (apparently a
Welsh spirit) takes pity on Oliver, resolving to help him with his determination to bring his dead mother back. It isn’t long before the two new friends are wandering through a parallel universe, with Oliver developing magic spells and special abilities along the way, as well as mastering the use of Familiars in battle. So, in essence, Wrath is presented as a vast RPG with standard magic/ Pokemon-ish undertones, making it a challenging yet fun tale with some
Japan to broadcast 2014 World Cup in super-fidelity ALTHOUGH it’s yet to register in the public consciousness in the same way that HD, or even Blu-Ray, has, 4K – image fidelity that is several times clearer than even HD – could well be the future of all our viewing. (Yes, yes, we all know that some people said that about 3D televisions, too.) Now, Japan is set to broadcast several 2014 World Cup matches in 4K – an on-the-ball move by the tech-savvy nation, or something of an own goal? We’ll find out, in 2014 ...
a portable new office
Microsoft updates suite to suite modern tastes OFFICE, Microsoft’s stalwart software collection familiar to bazillions of people everywhere, has been updated, with its rejigged suite having a particular relevancy for touch-screen devices. As to be expected, you shouldn’t expect to see Office appearing on rival devices, but it seems like a logical facility for Microsoft’s Surface tablet, as well as being a welcome, if not overdue, update of the classic suite.
shane dillon sdillon@gazettegroup.com
unusual themes of loss, acceptance, courage and so on. However, what makes it of particular note – apart from its great score – is how beautiful it looks, with the Studio Ghibli connection making Wrath one of the best-looking games out there, and easily one to recommend.
an appealing move? Apple unveils 128GB iPad
Despite being a child, Oliver has enough courage and heart to put many an adult to shame, as he searches for a way to bring his deceased mother back to life, and makes new friends along the way
FOR those of you with a need to cram an awful lot of content onto your tablets, Apple have unveiled a 128GB iPad, which is enough to hold – oh, lots and lots of stuff, given that it’s double the storage space of what was previously available. However, the natural price hike you’ll face for such extra space may not be the most tempting of things for cash-strapped consumers to sink their teeth into.
24 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 7 February 2013
Gazette
& OUT ABOUT road
Citroen C-Zero: comfortable, quick, quiet and cheap to run
NOISE
Ford Fiesta sold every two minutes in Europe in 2012 Consumers bought a new Ford Fiesta every two minutes on average last year, making it the bestselling small car in Europe, according to automotive data intelligence provider JATO Dynamics. Last year, Ford sold 953,174 cars in the 30 European markets monitored by JATO, including 306,405 Fiestas. The Fiesta also was the best-selling B-car (sub-compact) globally for the first nine months of 2012, with more than 560,000 Fiestas sold worldwide, according to the latest Polk new vehicle registration data. Ford has sold more than 15 million Fiestas worldwide since the vehicle first went into production in 1976.
MOTORS
The Fiesta now has been the top-selling small car in Europe for three out of the past four years. The new Fiesta also offers MyKey, a Fordexclusive technology that allows parents to encourage safer driving and limit their teenager’s exposure to risk at the wheel. Ford also has equipped new Fiesta with Ford SYNC, a voice-activated in-car connectivity system, and SYNC emergency assistance, which directly connects vehicle occupants to local emergency services operators after an accident. The new 2013 Fiesta is now available from Ford dealers across Dublin. For more details, see: www.dub linford.ie.
It’s an electric time for the motor industry n Cormac Curtis
One of the loudest voices in electric vehicles this week claimed that there is revolution under way in the motoring world. In an interview with Liz Claman at Fox Business in America, Renault-Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn said the moment of the electric car is now. “It is a revolution,” he said. Despite the fact that the Renault Leaf fell way short of its ambitious 2012 sales target, Ghosn says the future of the auto industry is all about fuelefficient cars. The C-Zero is comfortable, quick, quiet and cheap to run. It has an accurate display of how long a distance it will cover, and that adjusts itself if you have the air conditioning on or off or any other features that might drain the battery.
It produces zero emissions, is almost completely silent in operation and now benefits from up to almost €10,000 of grants including a VRT rebate and SEAI electric vehicle grant – very attractive facts all round. Using advanced new technology, the car has high energ y density lithium-ion batteries to provide greater range. It can be charged at any time, whatever the initial charge state of the battery, via an ordinary domestic 13amp electricity socket. It is nimble and lively, boasting a tiny turning circle of just 9m. It does offer decent enough room, accommodation up to for four people plus some luggage space. At the C-Zero’s heart is a compact, ultra-efficient permanent magnet synchronous 49kW electric motor, which has a peak
The C-Zero has lively acceleration in urban operation, it can hold its own on main roads or motorways, with a maximum speed of 128km
torque rating of 180Nm. Thanks to the electric motor’s intrinsic ability to provide peak torque from standstill, the C-Zero has lively acceleration in urban operation – and out on the open road, it can hold its own on main roads or motorways, with a maximum speed of 128km. With its advanced battery technology and the regenerative capability of its electric motor during
braking, the C-Zero provides an extended range of up to 93 miles Research has shown that the average daily urban journey is only 23 miles, so it can fit into the everyday lives of many busy families. Using standard 13 amp domestic electricity supply, the C-Zero can be fully charged in around eight hours, so this operation can be carried out overnight or while parked
at work. There is also an alternative quick charge system, which enables up to 80% of the C-Zero’s battery charge to be replenished in just 30 minutes. The C-Zero has stateof-the-art safety and security features as well as comfort and convenience features including leather steering wheel and leather gear knob. The sticker price is €25,975.
7 February 2013 DUN LAOGHAIRE GAZETTE 25
CANARY ISLANDS: A LITTLE EXOTIC OPULENCE ON THE ISLAND OF LANZAROTE
Embracing all things volcanic in Playa Blanca With Thomas Cook Ireland flying direct to Lanzarote from Dublin all year round, the popular Canary Island is one destination we’re hoping to set our sights on this summer. Recently, our reporter DAVE PHILLIPS opted for a little exotic opulence on the island of Lanzarote and will be certainly returning this year… FOR those of a migratory mind, Lanzarote is an ideal refuge from the chill during the winter, as well as the summer months, but the weather isn’t the only draw here. Distinct from the other Canary Islands, Lanzarote has always cultivated and maintained a gentler approach to tourism and development. Much of this is directly linked to César Manrique, an artist and architect who had great influence in the development of the island for tourism. The complete lack of billboards, the absence of any high-rise structures and the uniform simplicity of colours used to paint walls and windows of homes across the island all contribute towards the sense of calmness that Lanzarote seems to exude. On a recent trip, I spent a day with Marcelo from Canary Trekking, a tour company that specialises in taking small
groups trekking across the island’s volcanic landscape. The coarse lapilli – pea-sized fragments of volcanic rock ejected during eruptions – which crunches underfoot, has transformed the landscape into otherworldly shades of black, grey, and orange. A trip through Timanfaya National Park showcases some of the most impressive volcanic peaks and craters. The ground here is fragmented, jutting at odd angles, and in several places still very hot. Layers of magma at a shallow depth release intense heat through small crevices, or “chimneys” around the park. Some of these are so hot you could cook food on them. That’s exactly what you’ll find on offer at the El Diablo restaurant perched high in the centre of the park. The stunning restaurant, designed by Manrique, offers an unparalleled view of the
park, and probably one of the only chances you’ll have to try geo-thermally cooked chicken. If you’re looking to completely embrace the volcanic theme, you can stay at Hotel Volcan, at Playa Blanca. Volcan is a beautiful five-star hotel with generous rooms and an impressive façade incorporating a large replica volcano. The hotel overlooks a harbour and the Playa Blanca marina, which can be accessed through the hotel gardens. Taking the gentle ethos of the island to heart, the hotel serves as a sanctuary. With spa treatments available and a choice of six pools to lounge in, there’s always plenty to do. During my stay there
Hotel Volcan in Playa Blanca is a five-star hotel with generous rooms and an impressive facade incorporating a large replica volcano
The volcanic landscape of Playa Blanca
was a healthy mix of families and couples. A separate club area at the hotel provides room and relaxation areas exclusively for adults, especially useful perhaps if you’re looking to leave the kids at home. There are plenty of great places to eat at Playa Blanca, but for something special make the trip to La Era, which serves delicious authentic Canarian food. Given the soil conditions on Lanzarote, it is not surpris-
ing that the local dishes are relatively simple, but we’ve seen from Manrique’s vision, that keeping things simple is by no means a bad thing. Much of Manrique’s work as an artist involved complementing what nature has already provided and the wholehearted extension of that philosophy to tourism and development throughout the island has created a space naturally warm in every sense of the word.
GETTING THERE: LANZAROTE The five-star Hotel Volcan in
Prices include flights, transfers
Playa Blanca is available in May
and accommodation.
from €829 pps on a half board basis, or from €2,553 for a family of four
Call Thomas Cook on (01) 514 0328,
for seven nights.
or go to www.thomascook.ie
GAZETTE
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26 dun Laoghaire gazette 7 February 2013
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planning Notice dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council We,Tadhg Kelly & Caroline Boland intend to apply for permission for development at this site 2A BraemorAvenue, Churchtown, Dublin 14. The development consists of the demolition of the existing pedestrian gate and piers and construction of a new driveway and vehicular entrance with piers and gates. Dishing of the public footpath and kerb and all associated site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, County Hall, Dun Laoghaire during its public opening hours. A submission/observation may be made on payment of â‚Ź20 within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning authority. 17526
planning Notice dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
Permission is sought for demolition of existing garage and shed to side and construction of a new single-storey extension to front, side and rear of existing dwelling with new shed to side and all associated works at 36 Gledswood Park, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14 by Sarah Connolly & Brian Mullan. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, County Hall, DĂşn Laoghaire during its public opening hours. A submission/observation may be made on payment of â‚Ź20 within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning authority. 17528
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60 10 240 planning Notice dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
David and Niamh Vickery Of Derrynane, No. 3,Wynnsward Drive, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14.Permission is sought for development consisting of Demolition of attendant garage.and single story kitchen to rear. 2 story extension of 137.16sq.m incorporating: new kitchen/diningroom, laundry, WC, sunroom and Study at ground level. New Master bedroom ensuite, one additional bedroom and Airing cupboard at second level plus attic conversion providing games room and bathroom. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority, County Hall, DĂşn Laoghaire during its public opening hours. A submission/observation may be made on payment of â‚Ź20 within a period of 5 weeks from the date the application is received by the planning authority. 17529
planning Notice dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council We, Annette Mink & Michael Lowsley, intend to apply for permission for a development at Lackentoney House, Golf Road, Carrickmines, Dublin 18. The development will consist of the removal of two vehicular entrance gates previously granted under planning reference number D05A/1338 and for replacement with one vehicular entrance including new piers,walls and railings and for associated siteworks. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Marine Road, DĂşn Laoghaire, County Dublin during its public opening hours of Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 4.00pm. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority, on payment of a prescribed fee of â‚Ź 20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt of the application by the Planning Authority and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: Sean Kerr, A1 Design Services 086-2273425. 17521
7 February 2013 DUN LAOGHAIRE Gazette 27
gaelic games P31
P27 sportsasdfsdaf awards P28
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
athletics P28
FastSport Glenville refix Beggs’ cup tie:
Sixteen-time world champion Phl “The Power” Taylor will play a special exhibition against Denis Priestly in the Red Cow Moran Hotel on February 17
darts: win the chance to throw a leg against the legendary phil taylor
The Power set to light up the Red Cow at exhibition event HOT on the heels of his record breaking 16th world championships, Phil “The Power” Taylor, the greatest darts player of all time, is set to face off against two time world champion Denis “The Menace” Priestly on Sunday February 17 at the Red Cow Moran Hotel. The eagerly anticipated event is sure to prove as popular as ever knowing the support of Stoke’s favourite son and the Red Cow are looking forward to hosting the talented tungsten warriors according to their hotel’s Sara Farrell. “We are extremely excited to see
Phil and Denis in action,” said Farrell. “There are a lot of people looking forward to the night and with Phil coming off another world championship win, it’s even bigger. “The Red Cow Moran is well used to putting on top sporting events but, I think the darts is something a little more special – it’s a real people’s sport. “Every time we have a darts event the crowds turn out in their droves and they really participate in the show and it only helps that Phil and Denis have
such a special relationship with all of the fans.” The event is to be run in partnership with Pieta House, a suicide awareness group who have close ties with the Moran Hotel Group, with Glen Moran, Limerick’s Man of the Year, walking from Treaty City to Dublin to raise €200,000 for the charity. “It’s great that we can put on such a good show for the benefit of such a worthy cause and the top fundraisers on the night will be able to play a leg of darts against Phil or Denis.”
GazetteSport is offering a lucky reader the unique opportunity of going toe-totoe with Taylor. All you have to do is answer in 20 words or less, why should you be the lucky person to face world champion Phil Taylor? To enter, send your answer to competitions@gazettegroup.com. The best answers receive entry to the event and a once in a lifetime opportunity to play against either Taylor; the second best answer will play a leg against Priestly while there are also four pairs of tickets to the event up for grabs.
GLENVILLE’S FAI intermediate cup fourth round tie with Beggsboro has been refixed for Sunday, February 10 in Palmerstown school at 11am following the postponement last week due to the inclement weather. They are hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow local sides Phoenix and Bluebell United, both of whom advanced last week. The former gained revenge on Everton for their defeat last year with John Brophy and Keith Gleeson netting twice while Derek Swan was also on the mark in a 5-0 win. Bluebell saw off Bandon as Trevor Molloy got the first before Glen Madden grabbed the other to make it 2-0.
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 7 February 2013
SPORT
DublinGazetteNewspapers
soccer: dublin man to detail his life in football
2013 dublin sports awards january winners
H STARof the MONTH
Dublin Bus are set to feature heavily in Paul O’Brien’s new book Fairplay
james cluskey THE SWORDS tennis club member had a month to remember, claiming a doubles title in Germany before reaching two other ITF Futures event finals. His month was capped off with a Davis Cup call-up which saw Ireland defeat Estonia.
O’Brien hails local soccer’s stories sport@gazettegroup.com
TEAMof the MONTH H st joseph’s college, lucan THE LUCAN College broke their A championship duck in incredible fashion as they won the junior title just days before landing the biggest honour in the county at senior level, both first time victories as they saw off St MacDara’s and Maryfield, respectively.
AFTER a life in local soccer, Dubliner Paul O’Brien is currently collating some of his favourite memoirs for his upcoming book, Fairplay. It comes after a long association with the sport in west Dublin, starting off in Ballyfermot as a 17-year-old coach of small-sided games before going on to link up with Palmerstown Rangers, St Pat’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers over the next 30 years.
Speaking about the book, O’Brien said: “It has been my intention for a long time to have a book published that would highlight and acknowledge the efforts, achievements and talent of local people that I have been fortunate to work with and befriend over the years. “The book will incorporate my involvement in local five-a-sides, seven-a-sides and league teams and will feature well-known players, personalities, photos along
with testimonials and interviews.” To this end, he has no shortage of material with the likes of Celtic man Paul Byrne – whose formative years were with Bluebell – League of Ireland stalwart John Cleary who played in Europe with Dundalk before managing Galway United and St Pat’s. His brother, Mick, meanwhile, provides tales of exciting times at Athlone Town in the mid1970s when he was the goalkeeper for the club in
the UEFA Cup, keeping a clean sheet against Italian giants AC Milan in the first leg of their tie in St Mel’s Park and lining out in the San Siro stadium. Dublin Bus hero Paul Doyle also lends his local knowledge to the mix for what looks set to be a fine publication. The author is seeking sponsorship and donations from people in the area to help finalise the project. If you would like to get in contact and support O’Brien, call 085 285 6402.
DSDAC teenager continues rise on national stage sport@gazettegroup.com
UCD’s Ciara Everard takes a tumble as Siofra Cleirigh-Buttner (18) closes the gap in the 800m
DSDAC’S Siofra Cleirigh Buttner finished third at the women’s 800m race at the Woodie’s DIY AAI Games in the new Athlone IT indoor arena last week in a fantastic time of 2.05.26. It was a big personal best for her, bettering Ciara Mageean’s Irish junior record of 2.07.79. It came in a dramatic race as long time leader Ciara Everard hit the deck just metres from the line, and a fraction of a second later Laura Crowe also came tumbling down to leave Germany’s
Jana Hartman the winner in 2.04.14 from Siobhan Eviston in 2.04.35. It came on a weekend that produced a long list of new personal bests and one new record. David Sharpe’s 1986 GB junior 1,500m indoor record went by the new Athlone boards when Matthew McLaughlin ran the race of his life to win in a time of 3.42.87, and in the process smashed his own best by taking almost five seconds off his outdoor best. Kelly Proper showed she is getting back into the swing of
things when she won the 60m in a time of 7.55 from clubmate Niamh Whelan in 7.57. She made it a double when she won the long jump with 6.04m to make her doubly happy in this amazing arena. Whelan later won the 20m in 24.43 from Fingallians’ Louise Kiernan in 24.76. Brian Gregan was never threatened in the 400m, cruising through 200m in 21.9 and then holding his form brilliantly to cross the line in 46.07 to smash his previous best of 46.66 and record one of the fastest 400m
times in the world this year. His time is also well inside the standard for the European Indoor championships, and is the fastest time ever run for an indoors 400m in Ireland. The previous best was held by Grenada’s Alleyne Fancique who clocked 46.19 in Belfast in 2006. Olympian Robert Heffernan put in another amazing performance when he won the 3,000m walk in a time of 11.13.92, his second fastest time ever for the distance behind his 11.10.02 Irish record achieved in Cardiff 11 years ago.
7 February 2013 dun laoghaire Gazette 29
Gazette
30 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 7 February 2013
SPORT
FastSport
soccer: dunboyne sink saints with last-gasp winner
Ingram shows Irish quality for Leinster FORMER Oatlands College student Mark Ingram continued to push his case for an inclusion in the Irish senior men’s hockey panel with a strong showing for the Leinster U-21 side that claimed the interprovincial crown last weekend in Hillsborough. The tournament was being used as a scouting tournament for some of Ireland’s up and coming players with Leinster captain Shane O’Donoghue and sweeper David Cole already full internationals. And Ingram produced two fine showings, keeping a clean sheet during last Friday’s win during his time between the posts against Munster while he pulled off a slew of saves in Leinster’s 3-2 win over Ulster to confirm the title. He was joined in the team by fellow local players Cole and Jake Beirne, both of whom play for Monkstown.
Murphy edged out of Miami medal race NATIONAL Yacht Club’s Annalise Murphy narrowly missed out on becoming Ireland’s first ever winner of an ISAF world level sailing event last weekend in Florida in her first regatta since the London Olympics. She admitted to having a “disastrous” final day in the medal race on Saturday after a consistent initial week of competition had her well in contention as the 23-year-old starts her campaign leading to Rio de Janeiro in 2016. She was forced to
make do with fourth overall as American laser radial sailor Paige Railey took gold on Biscayne Bay. Murphy picked up a penalty in the second race of that final day while leading, a result which ultimately gave Railey a big advantage. And she pushed home the advantage to finish with a tally of 14 points, coming in ahead of world number five Tuula Tenkanen of Finland, and Canadian Isabella Bertold secured the bronze medal. Murphy had to make do with scores of 10, 16, 14 on the final day under the new scoring system which pushed her out of the medal places.
St Joseph’s Boys LSL Sunday Senior 1A side were left to rue a late goal at Dunboyne last weekend
Connellan confounds Joey’s lsl sunday senior 1a Dunboyne AFC St Joseph’s Boys carl duffy
3 2
sport@gazettegroup.com
NIALL Connellan’s dramatic injury time header sealed all three points for Dunboyne last Sunday morning, leaving St Joseph’s Boys shellshocked. Both sides were looking to bounce from disappointing results and this was clearly evident in the opening stages. After 10 minutes, the home side were rewarded for their efforts when a Joey’s clearance was
gathered by Ciaran Carr, whose lofted pass was met by Dunboyne captain, Terry McAuley, whose run went untracked as he rose highest to power home a header. The game continued to be an open affair for the remainder of the first half, with the visitors unlucky not to equalise when McAuley’s slip allowed winger Luke McWilliams to charge in on goal but his shot was superbly saved by Justin O’Neill. Moments later, McWilliams played a short corner to the edge of the
sean gael awards Houlihan and McCann pick up lifetime honour kilmacud Crokes Kevin Houlihan and Seamus McCann, received Sean Gael awards at Erin’s Isle last week. Houlihan is pictured with Andy Kettle, Dublin county board chairman, at the ceremony. They were honoured with Cumann Luthcleas Gael merit awards for over 60 years of service to Kilmacud Crokes. The Sean Gael awards is a method of paying tribute to GAA members by the county board for their lifetime of service.
box towards Kevin Thurwachter who blasted a shot off the upright. Joseph’s got the equalising goal their play deserved minutes before half-time when McWilliams outjumped his marker and buried an unstoppable header past O’Neill. Dunboyne boss Vernon McAllorum rallied his team at half time and at times they were utterly dominant with midfield pair Carr and Colin Richardson taking control, linking up superbly Keith O’Neill and Connellan on several occasions only to find a well organised
Joseph’s defence difficult to break down. The south Dublin side’s resilience was eventually breached when Richardson won a challenge in midfield and cut a pass behind the defence towards Connellan, who raced in on goal and unselfishly set up O’Neill who was able to side foot a simple finish despite the protests of the Joseph’s players who felt there was a foul in the build up to the goal and a hint of offside. The last 10 minutes proved to be dramatic with both sides counter attacking.
The home side looked to have done enough when McWilliams’ precise corner kick was converted home by the glancing header of centre back Colm Harmon and looked to have rescued a valuable point for his team. Dunboy ne rallied quickly though and forced a Joey’s into conceding a corner which was subsequently taken by Carr and hit precisely towards Connellan who jumped highest to steer his header into the roof of the net and ensure a vital win for Dunboyne in their promotion bid.
7 February 2013 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 31
Gazette
Mannion cleared after Flynn collision sport@gazettegroup.com
PAUL Mannion was relieved after it was confirmed he is only likely to be out of action for three weeks following a concussion sustained in his National League debut for Dublin’s senior footballers last Saturday evening in Croke Park. The Kilmacud Crokes
forward and Paul Flynn collided in the Dubs win over Cork, an incident that saw play stopped for over six minutes while Mannion was being tended to before being taken to hospital. He was kept under observation overnight but was cleared on Sunday to be released from hospital.
It came late in the first half as Dublin made an assured start in the competition. Paddy Andrews was in fine form, kicking five points from play while Bernard Brogan led the line well with a half dozen points as the Dubs ran up a 1-18 to 2-9 success. The hurlers, meanwhile, started their competitive year with a 2-19 to 1-21
victory over Galway in the Walsh Cup with Ballyboden St Enda’s Paul Ryan doing the bulk of the scoring with a 1-7 haul. Cuala brothers Paul and Mark Schutte both took up places in the starting line-up to good effect as Anthony Daly’s side got their year up and running in confident fashion at Parnell Park.
football: kilmacud edge out st sylvester’s
Club Noticeboard cuala WELL done to our U-14 footballers who
comes to fundraising this year.
got to the final of the always excellent
Gaelic for Mothers and Others will
Mick O’Brien Memorial tournament at
be resuming training in the first week
Nemo Rangers over the weekend. The
of March. The aim is to provide mums
lads came up against the hosts on
and friends an opportunity to play
Sunday but went down in the final by
Ladies Gaelic Football in a fun, non-
2-5 to 1-5, that despite a late barrage
competitive, social environment. As
of pressure on the Nemo goal. Great
well as keeping fit and having a laugh,
preparation for the season.
new members are very welcome, no
Congratulations also to our own
experience necessary and no need to
dynasty of Paul and Mark Schutte
be a mum either. For further informa-
who lined out for the Dublin senior
tion, please contact Frances Burns on
hurlers and helped ensure a place in
087 9942389 or email burnsgahan@
the Walsh Cup final with an impressive
gmail.com The Cuala activation fitness classes
2-19 to 1-21 win over Galway. The senior teams are shaking off the
take place this Wednesday, Friday and
cobwebs and Cuala is in action this
Sunday. The place is simply bursting
Sunday morning in the AIB Cup with
with fitness. The work on the hall and club build-
an 11am throw in away to Balinteer. The Cuala awards night is on Satur-
ings is almost done with the floor
day, February 16 and details of tick-
looking a picture. Those who used to
ets and all that stuff will be filtering
come when the hall was a boxing club
through teams and on the website
back in the 1970s would not know the
and social media over the coming
place. The academy recycling initiative got
days. With all that happened last year it promises to be a great night. The following week is the Cuala Take Me Out fundraiser. You can check out
off to a good start on Saturday with boots, hurleys and gear all coming in to clad the next generation.
all those who have made this a winner
It’s a handy way to take the sting
before the night by following the Cuala
out of the expenses that we all have
Facebook page.
to bear at this time of year.
After the smooth talking of that,
The Cuala recycling centre – oth-
there will be the smooth moves of
erwise known as Ionad Athchursala
Crokes cling on in epic minor finale
the Cuala Strictly Dancers who con-
Cuala – will be at IADT from 10.15–
tinue to hone their flicks and kicks.
10.45am every Saturday over the
No shortage of imagination when it
coming weeks.
MAFC final
Ring popped up with 10 minutes to go
Kilmacud’s Brian Campbell, centre, enjoys the final whistle as his side claimed minor glory
Kilmacud Crokes 0-10 St Sylvester’s 0-8 sport@gazettegroup.com
THE FINAL whistle celebrations proved a measure of the shock St Sylvester’s gave Kilmacud Crokes last Sunday in Chanel as they almost pulled off one of the unlikeliest of comebacks. Dara Mullin and David Campbell’s combined efforts in the early stages of the second half looked to have drained the life from the Malahide side, the latter proving a go-to totem in full-forward, making plenty of ball
stick despite the slippery conditions. They helped build a 0-10 to 0-3 lead with less than six minutes of normal time remaining of a tempestuous match, filled with commitment and aggression. But Syl’s piled forward in the closing phases with Mark Hazley often the guiding light while David Sexton started to slot the scores as his side won a slew of late frees in inviting positions. He nailed three of them along with a 45 from Eoin O’Byrne to reduce the gap to within three by the turn of the hour.
And they had two more chances to drop in dangerous ball into the square from frees but Conor Ferries remained unmoved between the posts while the defensive numbers only conceded a fortuitously pointed effort from the fist of Jack Hazley in the last melee, kick-starting Crokes’ wild celebrations. It was a conclusion that scarcely looked in the offing as Kilmacud controlled much of the middle phases of the game. Oisin O’Rorke provided some neat incisions while Shane Cunningham’s raking diagonal passes
were a feature throughout. But defences were primarily on top in the first half, one which ended 0-5 to 0-2 in Crokes’ favour. Mark Hazley’s powerful point started the second period in an upbeat mode but it took another 24 minutes for his side to score again while Mullin and Campbell made hay. They shared the next five points to move into what looked an unassailable position. They clung on in the end, fulfilling the promise that saw them follow-through on Feile success four years ago.
foxrock cabinteely DUBLIN ladies commenced their
Leaving Cert student Emma McDon-
division one league campaign with
agh has also made the panel this
a win over Meath last Sunday in St
year.
Brigid’s. Dublin were playing catch up for most of the match until our own Amy with an excellently struck goal.
Congratulations to Ellen Curran, Ciara Crotty and Hannah O’Neill who made the Dublin U-16 panel. They commence the Leinster championship on March 2, playing Meath.
Elsewhere, Sinead Goldrick was
The U-14 Dublin trials commenced last
her usual vibrant self playing at full
Sunday. Sarah Currivan, Shania Ewke,
back and making bursting runs up
Eanna Fitzgerald, Ciara Healy,Rachel
the field.
Mahon, Doireann Shaffrey and Jes-
Last year’s Dublin minor captain,
sica Whelan all took part.
naomh olaf CLUB membership is now due. You can
of the Pastoral Centre presented four
now pay for your membership online
books to the President on the occa-
through a link on the website just go
sion.
to naomholaf.ie and click the link for
Naomh Olaf was honoured by the fact
myclubfinance.com and follow the sim-
that one of the books presented was
ple steps or by filling out the member-
Treasured Memories, a 30-year his-
ship forms that can be found behind
tory of the club compiled by Brendan
the bar or from team mentors.
McGlynn. President O’Higgins was
President Michael D Higgins, offi-
accompanied by his wife Sabina. Her
cially opened the new Balally Pastoral
nephew Stephen Duff, Balally Avenue,
Centre, on January 31. The committee
was photographed in the book.
GazetteSPORT all of your dun laoghaire sports coverage from page 27-31
crokes conquer: Kilmacud the minor kings as they claimed a dramatic win over St Sylvester’s P31
february 7, 2013
Fight the power: Win a chance to play a leg against Phil Taylor P27
Paul Schutte, along with brother Mark, are flying the Cuala flag high in the Dublin senior hurling side
Cuala’s brothers in arms Paul and Mark Schutte put their best foot forward for Dublin senior hurlers as Anthony Daly’s side get 2013 up and running with strong Galway win peter carroll
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PAUL and Mark Schutte have been hailed as “fantastic club ambassadors” for Cuala by club PRO Rob Hartnett as they both lined out for the Dublin senior hurlers starting 15 in their opening game of 2013, the Bord na Mona Walsh Cup semi-final win over Galway in Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon. A late Paul Ryan free has put Anthony Daly’s men through to the final against Wexford who they are scheduled to meet next weekend in Bellefield, a game in which Hartnett believes the brothers should feature.
“It’s great to see the two lads lining out for the seniors after so many years of playing in the juvenile ranks with the Dublin set-up,” said the Cuala man. “Fortunately we have always been well represented on the intercounty panels with the likes of Oisin Gough and David Treacy and now that tradition is continued with Paul and Mark. “We truly have a great pipeline of players, both girls and boys, that we hope can go on to senior success in the future and I think that was evident in the Dublin minor side that won the Leinster and made it to the All Ireland semi-finals last year – with five of the side being from Cuala.
“Our senior hurlers will take a big boost from the lads being so heavily involved too, and we’re looking to go one better from last year when we lost out to Kilmacud in the final. “We have a great committee and management team and we feel fully prepared for the task at hand in 2013.
Strength “If anything the loss in the final last year made us stronger and we can’t wait to get going again this year,” said Hartnett. The Dalkey club man also shared his delight with the brothers’ performances and his hope that the Dublin hurlers can go fur-
ther this year, to make up for 2012’s disappointing exit. “The lads did great; to be part of the team that have taken out Galway, who were absolutely brilliant last season, is a huge achievement for them and they can be very proud of themselves. “There are obviously only 15 places up for grabs and there are so many players vying for the positions that it can make it difficult to get into the starting line up, but the Schuttes are definitely capable of it. “They’ve always shown great dedication and pushed themselves that extra yard in training and I think that’s what separates them from a lot of other players.”