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April 23 - 29, 2015

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Blackrock • Cornelscourt • Deansgrange • Dalkey • Glasthule • Monkstown • Glenageary

INSIDE: Louise Heraghty shoots the breeze about the busy life of a multitasker P11

Soccer:

St Joseph’s Boys looking forward to two finals Page 32

Hurling:

Kilmacud and Boden play out lively AHL1 tie Page 31

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28

gp care: Election ploy or good for your health? Both sides have their say P14-15

Plan for cruise liners in spotlight  bairbre ni bhraonain

AN €18m berth to accommodate cruise liners stopping off at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, has received a mixed reaction from locals, business interests and politicians this week.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company (DLHC) intends to submit plans for the 390m-long berth to An Bord Pleanala, following two weeks of public consultation that ended on April 13.

Dun Laoghaire Business Improve-

ment District, which, along with DLHC and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, make up the Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group, expects the berth to result in a €27m boost to the area. DLHC said the new berth would allow larger ships to visit the harbour.

Cllr Melisa Halpin (PBP) said the project was a “mad-cap” idea and criticised the council’s support of it.

Full Story on Page 3

It’s a classic: Ballerinas on their toes in tribute to dance ballerinas Simona Marsibillo,

Celine Le Grelle, Maria Ledesma and Jane Magan are pictured at Ballet Ireland’s production of Tutus and Beyond at the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire.

The performance is a tribute to

classical ballet and at the same time celebrates contemporary ballet beyond the tutu. The Dun Laoghaire production covers more than 100 years of the history of ballet from the late 19th century to today. Picture: Rose Comiskey

2 DUN laoghaire Gazette 23 April 2015

harbour Council offical flew to Miami for cruise conference

Mixed reaction to deep berth plan  bairbre ni bhraonain

news@gazettegroup.com

PLANS for an €18m berth that would accommodate luxury cruise liners in Dun Laoghaire Harbour have received mixed reaction from politicians, businesses and locals in Dun Laoghaire this week.

In recent weeks, the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company announced its intention to submit plans

to An Bord Pleanala to build the new 390m long berth in the harbour. The plans were on public display for two weeks until April 13.

The Dun Laoghaire C r u i s e S t a ke h o l d e r Group (comprising the Dun Laoghaire Buisness Improvement District, the harbour company and Dun LaoghaireRathdown Council) said the new cruise berth

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would provide a €27m boost to the area.

The business improvement group, representing more than 800 businesses, said the berth would create jobs and secure Dun Laoghaire as a marine and leisure tourism leader in Ireland.

Chairman of the business group Don McManus said: “The expansion and development of the cruise business will offer significant economic benefits to Dun Laoghaire and the surrounding areas.”

The berth would allow cruise ship passengers to disembark at Dun Laoghaire.

According to the harbour company: “Cruise ships are getting bigger... requiring deeper water and longer berths to accommodate them.”

It said more than half of all new ships now being ordered were over 300m in length, and Cobh was the only port in Ireland capable of accommodating them.

Cllr Melisa Halpin (PBP) said there was no published research on the benefits of cruise ships to Dun Laoghaire.

“I am disgusted to see the council management supporting this madcap project without any discussion at all with the councillors.

“Not only are they a partner in the Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group that is proposing the project but now it transpires that a senior official in the council flew to Miami on March 11, to look into the cruise business.”

A council spokesperson said: “The visit was made to a formal cruise convention specifically to attract cruise ships to use Dun Laoghaire Harbour as a destination to berth in Ireland and to benefit not just the harbour but also the town through the arrival of passengers and crew from same.

“Information on this matter was included in the monthly management report.”

A spokesperson for harbour company said: “Cllr Halpin was briefed

by Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company in respect of the plans.

“Her criticisms were not raised during the briefing and she has not engaged with the harbour company in the consultation process.”

Cllr Shane O’Brien (SF) said: “It’s the wrong

Supporters hope to develop deep-water berth at Dun Laoghaire

time for such a proposal as the council is in negotiations with the Department of Transport about transferring control of the harbour to the local authority. Because of this, the harbour company may not exist in a

year’s time.”

Justin McKenna, who resigned from harbour company’s board recently and as commodore of the Royal St George Yacht club made a submission, on behalf of the club, objecting to the berth

project.

The yacht club submitted that the berth project was too large for the harbour, it would disrupt leisure and commercial activities and negatively affect sailing events.

23 April 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 3

both sides

Commuters: will have no public bus service for several days

Marriage equality debated

Travel chaos in store as talks fail  bairbre ni bhraonain

COMMUTER chaos is expected next month as SIPTU and the National Bus and Railworkers Union announced seven days of strikes by Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann drivers. The action follow a breakdown in talks with the National Transport Authority and both bus companies to discuss the tendering of 10% of routes at the Labour Relations Commission recently.

Of the 23 Dublin Bus routes proposed to go out to private tender, eight affect the Dun LaoghaireRathdown area, including the 17, 45a, 59, 63, 75, 111, 114 and 161.

SIPTU drivers will strike on May 1 and 2, and again

on May 15 and 16. The NBRU said it would join SIPTU in strike action on those days, with an additional 72-hour strike from May 29 to 31.

SIPTU’s Owen Reidy, said the decision to strike came after an unsuccessful attempt to restart negotiations with the bus companies.

Reidy said: “It is outrageous that having taken a moderate approach to prevent industrial action by seeking direct talks with both bus companies, SIPTU has met with intransigeance.”

He added that although SIPTU met with the Department of Transport, no progress could be made until the union met the bus companies.

Dermot O’Leary of the NBRU said its strike “will dovetail” with SIPTU’s with further NBRU strikes for 72 hours from May 29 to 31.

A spokesperson for Dublin Bus said it “strongly urges the trade unions not to take this industrial action which will have a negative impact” on customers and the economy.

A spokesperson for the NTA said it would have discussions about possible alternative means of transport during the strike. Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe said both bus companies were open to resuming discussions to address bus employees’ concerns.

Right moves: Tango dancers help raise awareness on cystic fibrosis pictured at the launch of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s 65 Roses

national awareness week are tango dancers Kristina Chaloir and Julian Brigatti. The public is being urged to support the charity by volunteering to sell 65-roses pins and silk purple roses, or by making a €2 donation by texting 65Roses to 50300 until April 26.

Ireland has some of the most severe types of cystic fibrosis and the highest incidence of the disease in the world per head of population. Funds raised will go towards research, the development of new health facilities, and the provision of patient grants. For more information visit www.cfireland.ie. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

AHEAD of the Marriage Equality Referendum on May 22, a debate on same sex marriage will take place at the Eblana Forum in Dun Laoghaire.

Chairing the debate will be Dun Laoghaire Cllr Michael Merrigan (Ind). Leading speakers for the introduction of same sex marriage include Pat Carey, a former Fianna Fail Junior Minister at the department of then Taoiseach Brian Cowen, and Senator Ivana Bacik.

The main speakers against are Anthony Kenny, formerly of Kenny Advertising, and John Bulfin, a former Catholic priest, now married with children.

The debate takes place at 3 Eblana Avenue at 8pm.

4 DUN laoghaire Gazette 23 April 2015

as gaeilge Taoiseach gives flag to schools TWO primary schools from Dun LaoghaireRathdown attended a special presentation ceremony this week where they were awarded an Irish language flag by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Pupils from Scoil Arailt in Glasthule and Scoil Hollypark in Foxrock joined teachers and students from more than 40 primary and secondary schools across Ireland at McKee Barracks to accept their Gaelbhratacha, or purple flags for Irish, on April 23.

The Gaelbhratacha scheme was initiated last year by Gael Linn, with the support of Foras na Gaeilge. Siomha Ni Mhuiri of Gael Linn said Gaelbhratacha was set up to enable children to use Irish with confidence.

library Users vote with their feet for facility

Praise heaped on LexIcon at official opening  bairbre ni bhraonain

news@gazettegroup.com

THE controversial Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown LexIcon central library and cultural centre officially opened last week.

There was plenty of excitement as the €36.6m library was formally opened by An Cathaoirleach Marie Baker (FG) on April 17. Locals, politicians and the media descended on the LexIcon to capture the event.

Since it opened last December, the library

has played host to 174,000 visitors with an average of 10,000 using it each week. The facility includes a gallery, four meeting rooms and 200 work spaces with seating, as well as plenty of stateof-the-art IT features.

The council said the LexIcon was “the most significant piece of public infrastructure to be built in Dun Laoghaire for over 100 years and the single biggest investment by the council in a civic amenity”.

Speaking at the launch

Cathaoirleach Baker said she was honoured to officially open the LexIcon: “This amazing space embraces the modern concept of what a library should be – a key community venue where all are welcome.

“On any given day in the LexIcon you will meet a wide range of people using the spaces available; parents with young children, school children and students who need a quiet space to study, people who just want a quiet space to read a newspa-

An Cathaoirleach Marie Baker (FG), left, and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Librarian Mairead Owens at the official opening. Picture: Peter Cavanagh

per and others who don’t have access to a PC at home who may want to use the public internet facilities. This wonderful facility will be available for future generations to enjoy.”

The council said it expected more than half a million people to use

the space every year.

Close to 100,000 items have been borrowed from the LexIcon to date, which is an increase of 260% on the number of items issued from the old library in the same period last year.

More than 4,500 new members have joined the

library service since LexIcon opened last December.

The library is regarded as a world-class amenity for people to go to read, bring children, or view an exhibition. It is open 57 hours a week (20 hours longer than the old library).

23 April 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 5

don’sdublin

project Baker gives special thanks to council architects

Park House community facility opens Dublin- born Grattan  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

‘a superb orator’ He was born on July 3, 1746 in Fishamble Street and was a member of the Irish House of Commons.

Although a member of the Anglo-Irish elite, he was a lifelong advocate and campaigner for Irish legislative reform. Famous for his stirring speeches in parliament he was described by one contemporary as: “A superb orator – nervous, high-flown, romantic.

With generous enthusiasm he demanded that Ireland should be granted its rightful status, that of an independent nation, though he always insisted that Ireland would remain linked to Great Britain by a common crown and by sharing a common political tradition.”

Grattan went to Drogheda grammar school, and followed that by attending Trinity College where he developed a love of classical literature with a strong interest in the life and work of the famous orators of antiquity. This skill was to become his trademark and bring him fame and allow him pursue his desire for legislative reform. After college he studied at King’s Inns and was called to the bar in 1772, although with his growing interest in politics he hardly ever practised law.

He was elected to the Irish Parliament in 1775, and due to his drive and outstanding oratory, he soon became leader of the National Party. At that time Catholics and Presbyterians were excluded from public life under the brutal Penal Laws, while power resided in the hands of a small elite of AngloIrish families who were members of Anglican Church, and who owned most of the land. By the early 1780s, with pressure mounting for legislative independence, concessions were finally conceded by the British government and Grattan was hailed as a patriot.

As the influence of the American Revolution and later the French Revolution was felt, Grattan achieved more freedoms, and the assembly became known as Grattan’s Parliament. However, he vehemently objected to the Act of Union 1800, and spent his final years in London where he died on June 6, 1820. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Grattan Bridge, rebuilt in 1874, was named in his honour, and his statue in College Green (across from the old Irish Parliament) shows him in all his oratorical glory. .

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Henry Grattan was born in1746 in Fishamble Street and was a member of the Irish House of Commons

The official opening of Park House community facility in Dun Laoghaire took place last week. The newly refurbished Park House will now be used as a place which young and old locals can use.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council worked closely with

Central Dun Laoghaire Community Development Project to refurbish the premises on Library Road for the residents of Dun Laoghaire and the surrounding community.

Cathaoirleach Marie Baker (FG) officially opened the new community facility and said: “The council has worked hard in conjunction with

the development group in identifying the needs of the local people and I am delighted to open this newly refurbished facility.

“A special thanks must go to the council’s architects’ department who oversaw the project and to the community section who have provided management support.”

Park House is over

100-years-old and is a landmark building in Dun Laoghaire. The house was home to many caretakers and families over the years. In 1999, it was handed over to the local community for use as a resource centre for groups in the greater Dun Laoghaire area. The house is a historic building, and when the council

undertook to refurbish it, a lot of specialised work was required to restore it.

As part of the European Integration Project Southside Partnership English language classes for migrant women living in the are will be run there. Classes started on April 20 and run until June 22, from 9.30am until 11am.

6 DUN laoghaire Gazette 23 April 2015

grainstore Printmaking and alternative techniques used in works on display

Young artists in limelight at Selfies exhibition  bairbre ni bhraonain

A NEW exhibition, Selfies, which was created by young people in the county, goes on display by Dun Laoghaire– Rathdown County Council this week at the Grainstore in

Cabinteely Park.

The show features printmaking techniques and alternative approaches to drawing, all of which have been explored by young participants at the Grainstore, the council’s youth arts facility.

Up to 90 young people are involved in the Selfies’ project, including members of Crosscare, Southside Travellers Action Group, St Augustine’s school and Canvas, the council’s youth arts committee.

The young artists identified

values important to them that they most connect with to create individual drypoint etchings using these themes.

The young people were encouraged to put a modern twist on printmaking and portraiture by using collage,

pattern, emboss and pinhole drawing to create unique pieces of artwork.

The Selfies’ project is supported by the council’s youth arts development worker, Aine Crowley, who is based at the Grainstore.

An Cathaoirleach Marie Baker (FG) officially opened the exhibition on April 22 and the show will run until May 8.

For more information about the Grainstore visit www. dlrgrainstore.ie or phone 01 2047978.

bookstore: grant from leading author

Novel way to get kids reading

 Bairbre ni Bhraonain

bnibhraonain@dublingazette.com

A BOOKSHOP owner in Blackrock will be hiring a new children’s book club facilitator in September thanks to a grant she is due to get from bestselling author James Patterson.

Owner Louisa Cameron runs two clubs for children aged between nine and 12 at Raven Books in Blackrock, which celebrates its seventh birthday in May. Cameron does not yet know how much money she will get from Patterson’s grant, but those available range from €340 to €6,900.

Last year, Patterson extended his grant aid beyond America to Irish and British bookshops to encourage children to read. Last week he announced an allocation of £500,000 (€695,000) to 68 Irish and British bookshops, of which Raven Books is one.

Cameron now plans to expand the shop’s junior book clubs and take on another facilitator.

She told The Gazette: “We haven’t actually got the cash in the bank yet.

We’re not sure yet how much it is, as we haven’t been given the exact amount, but our particular project won’t be kicking off until September

anyway, so we’re not concerned. Whatever we’re allocated will certainly be used.”

She said of Patterson, “He’s putting his money where his mouth is.

“An awful lot of authors say lovely things about independent bookshops, but he is really backing that up with a very solid plan.

“We already facilitate two children’s reading groups at Raven and are getting ready to do a third junior book club.

“Now we’re going to be able to do an additional two book clubs and have been offered space in the local library.

“We’re getting the community involved on several different levels; we’re a very communityorientated bookshop. It feels really good to give back to the people who support us.

“With one of the groups I do at the moment, I’ve been with them two years now and it gives me a lump in my throat to see how they’ve developed in that time.

“It really is phenomenal…the funding will allow for a second facilitator.

“It’s really nice to be creating a job. It’s a win all round and I’m absolutely delighted with it.”

23 April 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 7

8 DUN laoghaire Gazette 23 April 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Volunteers Anne Corri, Jenny Duffy and Geraldine O’Kennedy

Joyce Richardson and Maryann O’Donovan

Orla Byrne-Kelly and Aislinn Kelly

Suzanne Mulcahy and Julie Breen

Shona Henneberry and Alec Ward

Ruth and Laura Smyth

23 April 2015 DUN laoghaire Gazette 9

pavilion theatre: TUTUS AND BEYOND performance

History of ballet Alice Hunter

Mary Boyd with granddaughter, Patricia O’Reilly

Ballerinas Simona Marsibillo, Celine Le Grelle , Maria Ledesma and Jane Magan at Ballet Ireland’s production Tutus and Beyond at Pavilion Theatre Dun Laoghaire. The performance pays tribute to the purity of classical ballet, while looking forward to contemporary ballet beyond the tutu. This production charts the art’s journey from the late 19th into the 21st century. Picture: Rose Comiskey

Jay Stutter and Laura Bankert

10 gazette 23 April 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Ciara Cramer and Katie Davenport

Declan Cantwell, Oonagh Desire and David O’Sullivan. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Kelly Phelan and Poldark star Aidan Turner

Hedda Gabler launch at the Abbey Theatre

T

HE ABBEY Theatre celebrated the opening of Mark O’Rowe’s new version of the iconic Henrik Ibsen play Hedda Gabler recently. He has teamed up with Director Annabelle Comyn to bring the highly anticipated version to the stage this month.

The play stars Catherine Walker as the

Oisin Murphy and Megan Nolan

title character and includes an ensemble cast including Declan Conlon, Peter Gaynor and members of the Brennan acting dynasty, Jane Brennan and her niece, Kate Stanley Brennan.

Designer Peter O’Brien is on board as costume designer, bringing a neo contemporary take on 19th century

Fiach Mac Conghail and Jonathan Irwin

fashion while Paul O’Mahony and Chahine Yavroyan have made their mark with set and lighting designs.

Enjoying the launch were celebrities including Eamon and Ann Morrissey, Paul Cusack, Julian Erskine and Anita Reeves. The play will run at The Abbey Theatre until Saturday May 16th.

Olivia O’Leary and Olive Braiden

23 April 2015 Gazette 11

Opinion P14

asdfsdaf business P27 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



Gazette

diary P12

what’son a Lennon and beatles treat:

Louise Heraghty is a weather presenter for RTE, a radio presenter for 98FM and a fitness instructor for pregnant and post-pregnant women

day in the life: multitasker enjoys eating out and is a netflix junkie

Forecasting a busy future  ian begley

HAVING a thriving career as a weather presenter for RTE, a radio presenter for 98FM and a fitness instructor for pregnant and post-pregnant women, it is no guess that Louise Heraghty’s dayto-day life is full of variety.

This week The Gazette caught up with Heraghty to see what a day in her life entails.

“Depending on my day ahead, it would really vary on the time I’d wake up at, but it would never be after 8am.

“I love having breakfast, but very often I would be in such a rush to get out the door that all I’d have time to grab is a smoothie.

“A cup of coffee in the mornings is

always a must.

“But I wouldn’t have it before I do the weather or before I teach a fitness class because I like to sit down and just enjoy it.

“With the lovely weather we’ve being having lately I’d usually go for a walk around lunch time because it’s really nice to get out of the studio.

“I also teach a running class sometimes in the evenings with a few core girls that I’ve been training for the past year.

“We would go to the Phoenix Park and do 5km, which is really fun and rewarding.

“Since I first met them over a year ago they’ve become really good friends and we always have the craic.”

Hegarty said she usually gets back to her home in Clontarf at about 6pm or 7pm to relax and unwind after her busy day.

“I love to cook when I get home and since I’m really into fitness I try my best to prepare healthy food.

“On the weekends I really love eating out, but then there are times when I just like to pig out.

“I’m also a big Netflix junkie and I watch everything including, House of Cards, Breaking Bad and Orange is the New Black.

“I’m also a huge movie fan but these days I don’t usually go out to the cinema because I’m so busy.

“I’m usually so exhausted at the end of the day that I would fall asleep

before 11pm.

“I don’t even get a lie in on a Sunday morning because I have to be on 98FM from 9am to12 noon.”

Louise Heraghty is part of the VHI Support Team, providing fitness support and advice to women training for the 2015 VHI Women’s Mini Marathon on June 1.

You can follow Louise’s weekly training plans for walkers, beginners and improvers on the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon 2015 app, which is available free from the App Store and Playstore.

Entries for the 2015 VHI Women’s Mini Marathon will close very soon.

It is possible to register to enter online at www.vhiwomensminimarathon.

A SPECIAL treat is in store for all fans of John Lennon and The Beatles in a special concert at the National Concert Hall on April 30.

The John Lennon Songbook will see the RTE Concert Orchestra conducted by John Wilson perform a collection of classics from Lennon’s catalogue, including Imagine, A Day in the Life, Ticket to Ride and Strawberry Fields Forever.

The orchestra will be joined by musicians Claire Martin, Charlie Wood and Mark McGann.

McGann has r e c e i ve d c r i t i c a l acclaim for his portrayal of Lennon on stage in the play Lennon, and on screen in John and Yoko.

The show was a sellout when it last visited Dublin, and has been praised by Lennon’s family.

“It’s always a comfort to know Dad’s words and music are in the hands of an artist such as Mark McGann,” said Julian Lennon.

For more information about the show and booking tickets visi: www.nch.ie

Gazette

12 Gazette 23 April 2015

dublinlife

DIARY

TDs get a taste of what life on the dole is like

ARGUABLY the best idea for a TV show ever is the newTV3 Dail on the Dole series, where TDs get a chance to spend time with an unemployed person and witness how they make ends meet.

The four TDs taking part are Willie O’Dea (FF), Catherine Byrne (FG), Joanna Tuffy (Lab) and John Halligan (Ind).

T he genius of the show, which began on April 20, is that we get to see the TDs’ eyes prised open to the reality of those who have to scrimp and save on what the Government, which they represent, has deemed a liveable wage.

The new Landmark produced documentary show is broadcast for four weeks on TV3, with a different deputy taking part each Monday.

Audience figures are expected to be huge for the series, which is an Irish TV first. The show gives us the opportunity to see how our politicians react to the harsh reality of their policies.

Dail on the Dole on April 27, features Deputy Willie O’Dea shadowing homeless Limerick man Jamie O’Sullivan.

On May 4, Dublin MidWest TD Joanna Tuffy will meet Lucan resident Mandy Boggans, whose lone parent allowance is due to be cut this July.

Let’s see them spin their way out of these situations!

Get on side for Soccer challenge for kids DON Bosco Care staff are

issuing an open challenge to any group of friends or co-workers to take them on in a five-a-side soccer game in Clontarf.

T he football challenge takes place at 5pm on Thursday evenings at the Clontarf all-weather pitches, Clontarf Road Dart station.

Male, female or mixed teams are welcome to take part.

The challenge costs €100 per team. This money goes to cover the hire of the football pitch for the challenge match plus the regular weekly football session as well as some light refreshment afterwards.

Don Bosco Care’s football team is made up of young adults who have grown up in care.

T hey have all come from extremely difficult backgrounds and were unable to remain living in the family home.

T he football pro gramme plays a key role in rebuilding their lives.

To arrange a date for your team to take on Don Bosco Care contact Saoirse at fundraising@donboscocare.ie

REnua TD talks about ‘that’ radio interview D E P U T Y Te r e n c e Flanagan (Renua), now famous for his infamous inter view with Mary Wilson on RTE Radio One’s Drivetime programme, has finally spoken out about the experience.

Flanagan froze during the exchange and was unable to answer any of the questions put to him

The four TDs taking part in the new TV3 Dail on the Dole are Joanna Tuffy (Lab), Willie O’Dea (FF), Catherine Byrne (FG) and John Halligan (Ind). Picture: Brian McEvoy

about the new party’s policies.

He recently told Miriam O’Callaghan, again on Radio One, that the interview with Wilson had felt like an out of body experience.

He said he felt he had let his colleagues and his family down.

Flanagan blamed his abysmal performance on tiredness, saying he had been awake from 5am on the morning of the interview. He said he had not been feeling 100% because of a hectic day and that his adrenaline was low. The result was that he gave a dismal account of himself, which still haunts him. “I was searching for the words and they just weren’t there,” he said.

Since then, he has been reviewing his work-life balance.

The experience has not been all bad, as many people have since stopped him in the street to sympathise and to share their own embarrassing moments.

Fast cars take a break ahead of championship THE world’s oldest motorsport, speed hillclimbing, took centre stage in Dublin City recently when a selection of Ireland’s fastest cars and drivers were on hand to mark the launch of the Naylor Engineering Hillclimb Championship 2015.

Motorsport enthusiasts from across the city

were drawn to the Mansion House to check out the rare machinery on display. These cars are usually seen racing up steep country roads during the Naylor championship, which starts in Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, on Saturday, April 25.

Four-time Irish champion, Dubliner Simon McKinley, presented his Lant RT4 racing car on the day.

Rory Stephens was also on hand to present his 460HP Radical SR8, LeMans Style car, along with Deirdre McKinley, whose purple Reynard Opel Lotus was also on show.

The championship will draw together competitors from all over Ireland for round one in

Ballyvaughan on April 25.

your home plan can help the homeless THE Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Simon Community have launched the 11th annual RIAI Simon Open Door campaign, which takes place on Saturday 9 and Sunday, 10 May. Architects in Dublin and nationwide will offer one-hour consultations to the public for a donation of €55, every cent of which goes directly to the Simon Community in Ireland.

To date, €400,000 has been raised by the initiative.

Niamh Randall,

national spokesperson for the Simon Comm unity, said: “RIAI Simon Open Door is a wonderful initiative which raises much needed funds for the Simon communities, and supports our work addressing the housing and homelessness crisis all around Ireland.

“Homelessness and rough sleeping are growing rapidly; if we don’t move quickly and wisely long-term homelessness will become an epidemic.”

L o g o n t o w w w. simonopendoor.ie to book your one-hour consultation with an RIAI registered architect in your area.

All architects give their time and expertise for free.

23 April 2015 Gazette 13

14 Gazette 23 April 2015

Gazette

dublinlife Free GP care plan is good for families for: most important development since the 1970s

An extra 270,000 children now entitled to free GP care, says Minister Kathleen Lynch THE announcement last week that the Government has agreed a free GP care service with doctors for children under six years is good news for families across Dublin.

It means that, in a short few months, parents of children in this age group can go to their doctor and

not have to worry about paying for the visit.

When the scheme is rolled out, it will mean that more than 62,000 Dublin children under six will have access to free GP care. See panel for breakdown.

These figures include those children who are already on medical

cards.

It is expected that the free service will be available in July.

Parents wishing to sign their child up will be able to do so in the coming weeks, when the HSE will have an online registration facility up and running.

Local people aged over 70 who don’t have medical cards will also now be entitled to attend their GP free of charge.

I know it will make a massive difference to the lives of the youngest and the oldest in our local community.

In further good news, specific programmes for asthma and diabetes

patients have been agreed because they cater for people struggling with these often difficult conditions.

As part of the agreement for the under-sixes, GPs who have diagnosed asthma must carry out an annual review. Similarly, patients with a medical card or GP visit card and who have type 2 diabetes will be able to avail of two free annual visits to their GP practice.

These are significant steps forward, which will each in their own way deliver real savings for Dublin families and pensioners, while also helping to promote health and well-being in com-

Minister for Primary Care Kathleen Lynch on the merits of the free GP care plan

munities.

The scheme is the most important development in primary care since the introduction of medical cards in the 1970s.

This Government is the first in history of the State to have committed itself to implementing a universal GP service for the entire population.

As Labour Minister for Primary Care, I was pleased to play a key role in delivering this agreement and helping to make this long-held Labour Party vision a reality.

As a party, we have campaigned for this measure for some time.

The net result is that, nationally, 270,000 additional children are now entitled to free GP care.

Overall, 436,000 children under six years will have either free GP care or a medical card when this scheme is delivered.

The success of this initiative will now see families able to bring their sick child to the doctor free of charge from this

summer.

For a family with a child who suffers from any condition that require sfrequent GP care but not hospitalisation, this will make a real difference.

This measure is also part of a wider plan to provide universal GP care for all Irish people.

We are introducing this on a phased basis, looking after the most vulnerable groups of people as our priority.

That is why we have prioritised free GP care for children aged six and under and those aged over 70 in the first instance.

This means not only that pensioners and families will make real savings, but also that we are removing cost as one of the factors in accessing vital healthcare.

W hen we first announced that we were going to introduce free GP care, many doubted our capacity to deliver.

Yes, it was an ambitious programme. And negotiations have taken longer than we would have liked. But very soon

families and pensioners will be the first to feel the benefits of our vision.

At the outset of 2015, the Labour Party promised that we would help working families share in the economic recovery that is now under way, and ensure that people feel a turnaround in their everyday lives.

Introducing free GP care ser vice for the under-sixes and over-70s is one clear example of how Labour can deliver better living standards for people when resources permit.

breakdown: healthcare for dublin children under age of 6

Number of AREA Children Dublin Bay North.............6,300 Dublin Bay South.............3,400 Dublin Central..................2,800 Dublin Fingal....................9,000 Dublin Mid-West.............. 7,000 Dublin North West............ 4,100 Dublin Rathdown..............4,000 Dublin South Central........4,700 Dublin South West............8,000 Dublin West..................... 7,500 Dun Laoghaire.................4,800

23 April 2015 Gazette 15

Gazette

opinion against: plan is easy but not right

This initiative is a naked appeal to the electorate It is unjust to fund a healthy four-year-old rather than an ill eight-year-old , argues Chris Goodey WHEN GPs refuse to back the Government’s feel-good election plan of providing free GP care for children under six, the public has a right to know why.

Free care sounds like something wonderful, and when it’s for children, who could possibly oppose that?

Why would GPs be almost unanimously against it?

The truth is that this is about doing what is right rather than what is easy.

The provision of care to all children under-six comes with the promise of an extra €67m a year for GPs, at a time when general practice is in dire need of investment.

The easy thing would be for GPs to accept this money and move on.

The right thing to do is for them to stand together and demand that vulnerable and sick patients are given priority.

On a daily basis, GPs all over the country see seriously ill people who are already struggling financially in the wake of the recession and are suddenly faced with a health crisis, which brings with it the added burden of medical bills.

They see cancer patients who are being forced to pay for expensive medication.

They are seeing suicidal patients who simply can-

not afford to see a counsellor.

They see families who may be €20 over the medical card threshold but have a child with a disability and are sacrificing other essentials to pay medical costs.

In many cases, GPs are already providing free visits to these patients because they have been abandoned by our public health system.

Even for those patients who do have medical cards, the service is woefully under-resourced.

Slashed

Over the past few years, the funding provided by Government to deliver a general practice service to medical card patients has been slashed by €220m a year.

The Government and the Health Service Executive have discouraged GPs from providing house calls to medical card patients by making the GP meet the travel cost.

GPs are being required to put patients on lengthy waiting lists for simple tests because the Government will not provide GPs with the equipment necessary to carry out these tests in general practice.

Patients are waiting months to go to a hospital for minor surgery or joint injections which, again, GPs are not being sup-

ported to do even though they are trained and experienced.

In contrast, a private patient can often get these tests and treatments in private centres within days because they can afford to pay for health insurance.

They say a society is judged by how it cares for its most vulnerable. Those who have a life-threatening illness; those who cannot afford to pay for their own health care and medication; those who have chronic conditions that require frequent doctor visits – these are our vulnerable.

It is simply unjust to spend scarce health funds on free care for a healthy four-year-old when an eight-year-old with leukaemia cannot get a medical card.

It is unjust to have one diabetic patient waiting 12 months to see a consultant because they are on minimum wage when another can be seen within a week because they can afford to go privately.

Providing free care to all citizens is a commendable goal.

Reality

The reality is that it requires major increases in staff and other essential resources.

The evidence shows that when people have access to free care, they attend their doctor more often – sometimes up to five times more often.

General practice simply cannot absorb that level of additional workload in its current state.

For the past number of years it has fallen on GPs to shelter patients from the effects of unprecedented cuts to the medical card system.

GPs have striven to deliver the same highquality, same-day service regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. This has come at enormous personal and financial cost for many GPs. Sustainable

That situation was only ever going to be sustainable for so long. Doctors have shouldered the Government’s responsibilities for long enough.

GPs cannot allow the Government to spend money on a scheme that not only will not benefit patients, but will seriously lower the overall standard of care.

This under-sixes initiative has more to do with optics and elections than genuine reform and improvement in the health service.

It is based on a naked appeal to the electorate rather than health need.

We must remember in all of this that already 50% of our children have an automatic right to a medical card, and therefore free GP care, but sick children do not.

We need to provide free care to those that need it before we start spending money on policies that look good.

Health policy cannot continue to be dictated by electoral goals rather than the needs of seriously ill patients.

The NAGP’s 1,300 GPs will continue to advocate

for fairness and decency in health policy.

If this Government really wants to create a health system that is based on fairness, as it stated in the Programme for Government, it is time to put politics aside and engage in an open-minded dialogue with us.

Chris Goodey is the chief executive of the National Association of General Practitioners

Chris Goodey is the chief executive of the NAGP, which opposes the plan for free GP care for the under-sixes

Gazette

16 Gazette 23 April 2015

dublinlife

Q&A

business Spending up as DIY boom takes hold WITh summer just around the corner, DIY aficionados are gearing up to take on some serious home improvement.

New research from KBC Bank Ireland shows that Irish consumers are on a home improvement buzz with 41% planning

to tackle some projects over the next 12 to 18 months.

The majority (68%) plan to spend up to €5,000 on these projects, while 32% expect to pay more than that.

The number of customers planning to use a

personal loan to finance home improvements has doubled in the last year to 8%, with 5% planning to put the cost on a credit card and 69% intending to finance the upgrades from savings.

KBC has launched a home improvement loan

for amounts of €1,500 up to €50,000. Customers can avail of the lowest rate in the market for loans of more than €10,000 and a fixed rate of repayment each month.

For more information see www.kbc.ie

survey: dissatisfaction high on business costs

SMEs now Bringing the best of Kiwi back to Ireland happier with level official aid elizabeth mcguinness, kiwi country clothing

Elizabeth McGuinness hails from Monaghan town. She took a career break from teaching to visit New Zealand, where she met her husband.

Through his involvement as a largescale franchisee she got involved in his business. She gradually became an integral part of the operation, which she loved, from customer service and

staff management to designing and building/renovating drive thru outlets.

She also ran a very successful charity operation in New Zealand. She received a Governor General award for her communitywork after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. After her husband retired she decided to “bring the best of Kiwi” to Ireland.

How long have you been in business?

and quite often I am billed in USD instead of NZD, which is different by 17% at times. It is most frustrating.

What makes your business successful?

How has the recession affected your business?

Since June 2012.

The business is growing every quarter. I put my success down to the uniqueness of the product mix, the high performance aspect to everything I retail to the level of customer service I offer. I am available seven days from 9am-7pm (for phone sales and queries), and offer overnight delivery anywhere in Ireland at minimal cost to client. I have a solid belief in the performance level of every iota I sell. That along with dedication, hard work, long hours...and a bit of craic!

I started the business during the recession and have a product line of high calibre, so I predicted that things would only get better and that my first two years would be tough... little did I know how tough! However, I believe the gradual building of a base, defining my core client and offering the best possible customer service, yields dividends on bottom line sales but positive word of mouth reports.

What is your ambition for the business?

What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?

To grow it to a level that people automatically associate Kiwi Country Clothing with high quality, high performance cold and wet weather clothing. Also as our health products expand, I hope to be high in people’s thinking when it comes to diabetes, Raynaud’s, and other medical/clothing requirements. I hope to eventually supply other retail outlets, and ease off on my time commitments (a 40 hour week would be amazing!)

What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?

What living person do you most admire?

Unique products that cannot be found anywhere else in Ireland (or most of Europe). All calls and queries are always taken by me. The customers are always right... even when they are not! I take the products to the people by travelling all over Ireland and parts of the UK, so that customers do not have to travel to Monaghan or Dublin to find us.

Reduce VAT on sales to 18%.

While import duty is not excessive at12%, it is marred by fact that the “powers that be” have always inflated rates of currency exchange...

Joe Schmidt (Irish rugby manager). He comes from my home town in New Zealand. A staggeringly modest, gentle and genuine guy. His inner strength, personality and generousity is to be so admired.

IRISH small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have shown increased satisfaction in Government supports for the sector in the first quarter of 2015, a new survey has shown.

The latest Government Satisfaction Survey conducted by ISME, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, shows all four indicators moving in a positive direction.

The survey was conducted in the last week of March and first week of April, with 932 SME respondents from nine main sectors.

Fifty-one per cent of the respondents employ fewer than 10 people, while a further 41% employ between 11 and 50 and the remaining 8% employ between 51 and 250.

Geographically, 37% are from Dublin with a 63% spread across the country, giving a good reflection of the country as a whole, by sector, by

geographical area and by employee numbers.

This is the first positive overall rating for SMEs since the survey began.

SMEs reported increased satisfaction in the area of jobs, while banking and costs show less dissatisfaction.

The association warned that improvements in the economy could soon be negated if Ireland’s competitiveness levels continued to decrease.

The satisfaction rating on the Government’s jobs initiatives has improved from +8 to +11, which reflects the decline in numbers on the Live Register.

The banking score has improved marginally from -44 to -43.

Delays in the opening of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and the decision to channel lending through the banks have contributed to dissatisfaction in this area.

SME access to

ISME boss Mark Fielding said there was no room for complacency despite the improved situation

finance is improving but the delays in decision making by banks continues to be an issue for SMEs. The business costs indicator has improved from -60 to -56 but still continues to be the highest-rated reason for dissatisfaction.

The issue of high business costs is a key concern for ISME members.

ISME chief executive Mark Fielding said the overall increase in

government satisfaction among SMEs was likely to be welcomed by the current administration, but, he said, there was no room for complacency.

However, he went on to highlight the fact that many SME’s remain dissatisfied with business costs and banking.

He also said that improving the levels of competitiveness levels is pivotal as Ireland strives towards an export-led recovery.

23 April 2015 Gazette 17

music P22

asdfsdaf P27 cinema P24

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



Gazette

food P21

Pets Help archie learn to trust again

One of the participants showing off his skills to an enhusiastic public during a previous festival at the Docklands Picture: Sean Brosnan, Pixillume Photography

summer festival: Great activities and events in line-up at docklands

Fun docks at Grand Canal  keith bellew

FROM water sports to street performers and fun fair attractions, there is something for all the family at the fourth annual Dublin Docklands Summer Festival at Grand Canal Dock taking place on May 16 and 17.

A large prograamme of activities are planned over the course of the weekend, with wakeboarding, kayaking and paddle boarding for water sport enthusiasts; face-painting, carnival rides and the Docklands Rubber Duck Race for the kids; as well as street performances and music.

Foodies are well catered for too with a veritable smorgasbord of quality fresh and exciting food courtesy of ALA Markets.

Speaking to The Gazette about this year’s programme of activities, festival director Ciaran Flanagan said: “Three years ago we introduced wakeboarding to the whole thing and this year it’s going to be the centre of attention because we’re getting 10 international wakeboarders coming over from all over the world to compete in a wakeboarding extravaganza.

“We’re bringing in jumps and sliders onto the dock, so it will be quite dramatic for the two days.”

He went on to say that people who would like to try their hand at wakeboarding could do that on the wakeboarding zip-line, which will be set up at the dock.

Meanwhile, in the lower dock there will be Come Try It sessions where peo-

ple of all ages will be able to have a go at kayaking and paddle boarding.

“There’s also quite a large number of canal barges coming in on display so people can see and visit them.

“There will be a couple of guys bringing people out on the barges as well,” he said.

The duck race was one of the most popular attractions every year, he said.

“We’ll have a series of duck races with prizes for weekends away and it’s all for charity [cancer charity Biobank Ireland Trust].

“The kids can also take a duck and decorate it as well.”

There will be facilities within the Waterways Ireland Centre for the kids to decorate their ducks, which they can either race or bring home with them.

Street performance champions from around the world will exhibit their talents over the course of the weekend, doing everything from escapology to comedy and magic.

“We’ll have markets and amusements all around the Grand Canal Dock area.

There’s a lot happening with DJs and competitions and that type of thing as well. On top of that we have raft races for which we’re encouraging people to get together in groups of friends or working buddies or whatever,” said Flanagan.

All funds raised through the raft races will go towards the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.

For more information on the Dublin Docklands Summer Festival visit: www. docklandssummerfestival.com

The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs.

Our Dog of the Week is is Archie, a three-year-old male Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross. He is one of what we term our “TLC” dogs, which means that he’ll need a little extra time, love and commitment from his new family.

Archie’s carers believe he didn’t have the greatest start in life and that he may have been subjected to inappropriate handling.

We’d love to find him a kind, loving and most of all, understanding home.

Adopters would need to come meet Archie several times before taking him home, to build up a trusting relationship. When he does get to know you, Archie will be a friend for life.

If you think you could offer Archie a loving home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie.

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 23 April 2015

OUT&ABOUT

BEAUTYbits Lidl bringing back its Macadamia Oil range just in time for summer

Oasis top €106 and skirt €88

LIDL has brought back its hugely popular Macadamia Oil range to its 143 stores nationwide.

From Thursday, April 30, treat yourself to some tender-loving-care with a selection of five luxurious products guaranteed to leave your hair and skin feeling nourished and revitalised, just in time for summer. Each product in the range costs only €1.99.

Pollution, sun damage and over-styling can wreak havoc with hair, but restoring your tresses to their natural glory doesn’t have to break the bank. Each product in this ultra-hydrating range has been specially formulated with a unique blend of ingredients to revive and nourish dry, damaged hair for visibly improved results.

For smooth, supple, manageable hair, massage a small amount of Macadamia Shampoo (€1.99) into wet hair before rinsing. Suitable for all hair types, it will leave strands feeling cleansed and rejuvenated. For best results, follow with Macadamia Conditioner (€1.99) – hair will be soft, shiny and full of life.

Inject some moisture into tired tresses with the help of Macadamia Oil Extract Hair Treatment (€1.99) – the perfect weapon for dry hair repair! This concentrated leave-in oil contains conditioning properties and vitamin E to help protect hair from root to tip whilst also adding shine and keeping frizzy strands on lockdown.

For added nourishing and moisturising benefits, treat your hair to an ultra-hydrating Macadamia Hair Mask (€1.99) once a week. Enriched with proteins, keratin and macadamia nut oil,

ds Littlewoo d Fringe 1 Jacket €19

t s u L

Harvey Nichols Isa bel Marant Vest €2,106

this intensive treatment will help to strengthen and restore elasticity, for healthy, shiny hair.

Finally, skin baring season is almost upon us! Get beach ready with the help of the

House of ry Fraser Ma Portas Soft r Suede Bike 6 4 €2

luxurious Macadamia Body Butter (€1.99). This rich formula combines a blend of macadamia oil, shea butter and vitamin E to relieve dryness and keep skin feeling silky smooth to the touch all day long. Quick absorbing with a sinfully delicious scent, it’s the perfect summer time skin solution.

Macadamia Hair Mask

Must

23 April 2015 GAZETTE 19

GAZETTE

STYLE Bro w Sued n Tho m e Gi let € as Th 3,68 e Row 5

Richard E Grant is launching a new fragrance

e Oasis Sued 7 1 1 € Kimono

No Persuedeing needed e Warehous 72 ts € r o h s e Sued

ots Mango bo

119.95

nd River Isla € Bag 94

Richard E Grant to launch second unisex fragrance at Brown Thomas RICHARD E Grant’s second unisex fragrance, Jack Covent Garden launches exclusively at Brown Thomas on Saturday, April 25. Jack Covent Garden is inspired by the London fruit and flower market with notes of orange, lime, iris and musk, is the second scent from Richard E Grant after the success of Jack last year.

Richard E Grant will be in store in the Beauty Hall at Brown Thomas Dublin on Saturday, April 25 from 1.30pm onwards to meet customers, to sign bottles and to explain more about the inspiration behind Jack Covent Garden.

“When I emigrated to England from Swaziland in 1982, my first job was as a waiter in Covent Garden - which up until 1973 was the fruit, flower and vegetable market iconically celebrated in the opening scenes of My Fair Lady and historically, the centre of the theatre district of London.

“Nell Gwynn, orange seller and mistress of King Charles II, was the first woman to legally become an actress when the king decreed that both sexes could be professional thespians. So, even though I was waiting tables, whilst hustling for acting work, I felt like I had landed in the right place. Annie Lennox’s first hit ‘Sweet Dreams are Made of This’ was the soundtrack of my days, and has proved auspicious!

“As actors always receive fruit and flowers on opening nights, and like opera singers, use ginger to keep their throats in good order, my idea was to create a scent that conjured up this fresh fruit, flower and vegetable combination.

“With the success of Jack, which instantly became a best-seller when it launched last April, I’ve been able to pursue my dream of creating a second scent.”

Jack Covent Garden 100ml is €120.

20 Gazette 23 April 2015

Gazette

OUT&ABOUT fast TRAVEL What’s hot in holiday fun this summer

TRAVEL

destination 2015: we have top picks

Ethiopian’s Dublin stop

DUBLIN Airport is to become Ethiopian Airlines’ European hub from next month.

Ten Ethiopian flights a week will transit through the airport to destinations in the US and Canada.

The flights will stop for refuelling on the westbound leg of the journey, as high altitude at Addis Ababa means planes use more fuel on take-off there. Flights to Washington and Toronto will stop at Dublin from May 10.

 ian begley

IF you are looking for inspiration about where to travel this summer, look no further. The Gazette has selected some of the most sought after and reasonably priced getaway

destinations available in 2015.

Why not make May a month to remember by visiting the Mediterranean island of Malta?

With year-round sunshine, events and activities to suit every interest

and only a short flight from Ireland, Malta is the ideal holiday destination.

From €289pp you can stay at the four star Bella Vista, Qawra, for seven nights from May 7.

With clickandgo.com, spend seven nights in Lanzarote at the five star Volan Lanzarote from €599pp in June. Lanzarote is the most easterly of the Canary Islands, with a distinctive identity. With spectacular beaches and volcanic landscape, and an average annual temperature of 22 degrees, Lanzarote is definitely a must-go-to destination this summer.

For those who want to treat themselves this summer, Thomson Cruises is offering a full-board, seven-night Mediterranean cruise in May for €659pp.

On May 9, start your cruise in Palma, Majorca, before travelling to Africa for a day in Morocco.

Then it’s off to Seville to experience authentic Spanish architecture and cuisine. You’ll then be heading to Gibraltar for a visit to the Rock and its famous Barbary Apes. To finish up, there are stops in Cartagena and Valencia before returning to Palma.

With Travel Mood, spend an exotic eightnight getaway in Bali at the four star Bali Dynasty Hotel for €999pp. This May, relax in stunning

The Mediterranean island of Malta has year-round sun and hosts plenty of events to make sure your trip is unforgettable

resorts like Seminyak, enjoy a spot of scuba diving at Tulamben or have your own Eat Pray Love adventure in cultural Ubud. Bali has beaches, surfing, diving, and resorts great and small, but it’s the essence of Bali – and the Balinese – that makes it so much more than just a summer holiday retreat.

For €969pp this June, you can spend eight nights at the Centara Villas Samui in Koh Samui, an island off the east coast of Thailand. For decades, Koh Samui’s natural beauty and charm have captivated holidaymakers who can’t resist the beautiful white sandy beaches, clear warm waters and lush tropical gardens.

From the hustle and bustle of Chaweng Beach to the lively yet relaxed atmosphere of Lamai Beach to the timeless feel of Bophut’s fisherman’s village to the tropical beach paradise of Maenam, Koh Samui is unique among Thailand’s

islands in maintaining a broad appeal.

Famous for its sandy beaches, the Portuguese mainland of Algarve is certainly a destination that’s worth visiting this summer. From June 15 you can spend seven nights in the three star Clube dos Arcos from €241pp.

Boasting some of Europe’s best sandy beaches, top golf courses, stunning scenery and year-round warm climate it’s easy to see why the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost province, became the country’s most popular holiday destination.

If you fancy an exotic, island getaway then Tenerife is the ideal location for your summer escape.

For seven nights from June 17 you can stay in the three star La Carabela Apartments from €253pp.

Tenerife is an island of dazzling contrasts. From the dry, barren mountains in the south to the tropical splendour of the fertile valleys in the north

which is dominated by the peak of Mount Teide.

From tiny, unspoilt mountain villages to historical colonial towns and lively, sophisticated resorts.

With an excellent yearround climate, Tenerife is a sun-worshipper’s paradise.

Also on the list of must-go-to summer destinations is Gran Canaria.

From July 17 spend 15 nights in the three star Parque Golf Bungalows from €457pp. A dream destination for beach fanatics, with wonderful sands to enjoy the blazing sunshine on, the most spectacular spot for sunbathing is Maspalomas’s jaw-dropping sand dunes, which will leave you stunned, while the warm, friendly atmosphere and spectacular shopping brings tourists back year after year.

To find out more about these summer getaway deals, visit www.thomsonholidays.ie, www.clickandgo.com, and www.travelmood.ie

23 April 2015 Gazette 21

M&S cafe taking dining to brand new heights  mimi murray

THE M&S Rooftop Cafe opened this week at Marks & Spencer’s flagship store on Grafton Street.

The rooftop space has undergone a complete refurbishment, and boasts new decor, layout and menu.

A key feature is the installation of booth seating, and the 150-seat dining area offers al fres-

co dining, with a 30-seat roof-top terrace boasting views onto Grafton Street and across the Dublin skyline.

The cafe is a great post-shopping destination, offering a delicious new menu throughout the day.

For lunch and dinner, choices range from light bites, such as jacket potatoes and soup to main meals from the M&S Food Hall.

These include superfood Italian chicken with orzo pasta and kale and the taste spicy wok fried shaking beef.

Young diners are also well catered for at the cafe.

There is a new kids’ menu featuring toasties, hot meals and healthy snacks, including carrot and cucumber pots.

The cafe also offers customers a selection of hot and cold drinks,

Gazette

FOOD&DRINK

Innovative chef to take over the kitchen at the Morrison

Sushil Kumar, executive head chef at the Morrison Hotel

The refurbished RooftopCafe at M&S on Grafton Street offers respite from the hurly-burly of the streets below

including Fairtrade tea and coffee, for that apresshop pick-me-up.

Store manager Billy Reid said: “We are thrilled to be opening our new M&S Rooftop Cafe and look forward to welcoming shoppers

and passersby to experience quality M&S food in a superb location.

“We are confident that the redesigned M&S Rooftop Cafe will make shopping trips even more enjoyable for our customers.”

THE Morrison Hotel, on Dublin’s Lower Ormond Quay has appointed Sushil Kumar as new executive head chef. Chef Sushil Kumar brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

Over his 15 years in Ireland, he has worked in some of the finest restaurants and hotels, most recently as head chef at The Kilronan Castle Hotel in Roscommon, earning a coveted second

AA Rosette.

Describing his food ethos as a celebration of fresh local produce, served up with innovation, Chef Sushil added: “I’m excited to have the opportunity to create great food in such impressive surroundings.”

Patrick Joyce, general manager at The Morrison, added: “These are exciting new menus, building on our classics, but with some very tempting additions.”

22 Gazette 23 April 2015

Gazette

OUT&ABOUT Le Galaxie back in the club with a new offering

MUSIC

music: four piece’s new album

 Colm Murray

Four years on from their 2011 debut Laserdisc Nights II, Dublin electronic four piece Le Galaxie, return with their highly anticipated follow up Le Club.

They haven’t been sitting on their laurels in the intervening years, however, building an ever growing fan-base and almost doubling this overnight as a result of a now legendary late night Electric Picnic slot in 2013.

I find Michael Pope in surprisingly chipper form given the fact he came off stage a few hours earlier.

L e Gal axi e’s first li ve show thi s year was the annual Trinity Ball, arriving on stage at 3.30am which suits them perfectly.

This is the beginning of the campaign around the release of the hotly anticipated new album by the band and their first with major label Universal.

How was last night Michael?

“It was great – those kids sure know how to get into it and were well up for it. We were

last on after Basement Jaxx, who were great so we had a blast. I looked at the clock coming offstage and I think it was 4.35 am. But gigs like this really suit us and our sets.”

How long were you working on the album – the last two to three years or did it come together in a six-month block?

“We actually completed the album fully mixed this time last year. Myself and Dave from the band went out

was happy with it.

“So we said let’s sit back and do it properly with the weight of Universal behind it. We were really happy with the album so it also gave us time and space to begin writing new songs and we are now currently working on our third album.”

Did Le Club start out as a concept or did it evolve as you were writing it?

“We were writing the songs with the dance

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

‘The album takes you on a journey so it’s not just confined to a club setting even though those elements are there’

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

to LA and mixed the album with a guy called Eric Broucek.

“We planned to play some festivals during the summer and then maybe release it ourselves around October /November time.

“But then the Universal deal began to come together around September time after Electric Picnic so we wanted make sure we got that right and ever ybody

floor in mind but we also wanted to show different sides to the music in the form of textures such as light and dark and create peaks and troughs within. T he album takes you on a journey so it’s not just confined to a club setting even though those elements are there.”

Are those new songs easier to translate for a live setting?

Electronic four piece Le Galaxie release Le Club

“We are always conscious of that and being able to play the songs fully live and not over complicating things.

“The audience is not interested in you turning up and pressing play but we were also committed to getting it right in the studio first.”

What influences did you have during this period?

“I have been listening to a lot of Caribou, Hot Chip, the Brian Eno and Karl Hyde album was great also.

“We are all big science fiction fans and Battlestar Galactica in particular. I even remember the original series! Also the idea of futurism as a concept appeals to us and is reflected in the music and our artwork.”

Any plans for live dates and summer festivals?

“Yes the launch of Le Club is on Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25 at the Academy so we’re looking forward to these and then we

follow that with an Irish tour.

“We recently signed with a new booking agency which will give us more opportunities to play with other artists and to play further so lots to look forward to later this year.”

Any surprises lined up for these upcoming shows?

“Songs fully live and not over complicating things. The audience is not interested in you turning up and pressing play but we were also committed to getting it right in the studio first.”

Peak time opener Put the Chain on transports you straight down in front of the big speakers and so the ride begins. Shimmery synths and tough drums resonate throughout this tune with the catchy chorus sure to be the call and response from field to venue this summer. The tempo is kept steady with the dance-floor chugger Humanise, echoes of LCD Soundsystem seep through. While Streetheart showcases the range of songwriting on offer here. With its spacy swirls and Italio piano breakdown the tune Le Club segues nicely to ‘Tell me Twice‘ with lead vocals lent here by guest vocalist Senita.

LA AM and LA PM both provide the light and dark textures to complement each other, with LA PM surely offering the eurphoric break downs in a live setting.

Clocking in at just over an hour there is plenty to keep the witching hour at bay.

23 April 2015 Gazette 23

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Gazette

24 gazette 23 April 2015

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

john Wicks: defies expectations and is the best action movie in years

ReelReviews

Everyman as a killing machine

THINGS haven’t been going great for Keanu Reeves’ career lately; the 2013’s hit-and-miss samurai flick 47 Ronin marked the most recent high point since his turn of the century Matrix success. But everything has

just changed with John Wick.

Judge this one by its trailer and you’d be forgiven for thinking this will be more middle of the road action, but this is a film that defies expectations.

This may be the direc-

torial debut of Chad Stahelski but you would never guess it.

Perhaps learning by osmosis over the years, Stahelski has a long career in stunts, and he clearly brings that experience with him because the end

mall cop 2

One to steer clear of

Keanu Reeves does many of the close-action stunts himself in the role of Wicks,

KEVIN James is a pretty likeable comic actor – but that’s more than can be said to this unexpected and redundant sequel to Paul Blart: Mall Cop. The sequel (Cert PG, 93 mins) takes the fat-security-guard-foilscrooks plot and transplants it to Vegas – because everything’s better when set in Vegas, right? Wrong.

James does his best, but it’s thin material for his large comic presence.

who evolves from heart-broken husband to legendary killer over 101 minutes

result is 101 minutes of very solid action.

But what is so refreshing about John Wick is that it delivers the action in tandem with so much more.

Keanu plays Wick, who when we first meet him has just lost his wife to illness.

Isolated and in deep mourning, his only source of hope is a puppy that his wife left him, and I’m sure you can guess where this is going.

Some dastardly Russian gangsters led by the brazen and cocksure Iosef (Alfie Allen) break into Wick’s house to steal his car, and in the process Wick’s yappy but convenient symbol of hope is snuffed out.

It sounds ridiculous, and it partly is – John Wick manages to hit this very lovely comic book feel.

It is surprising when you learn that it is an original story, there is the feel that the world presented in the film is incredibly complete – replete with its own cast of characters, underground rules, and lingo.

The end result is something that manages to strike a tone that remains light enough for you to want to cheer for

 Dave phillips

Wick and his mission of revenge, and dark enough to strike the emotional chords that make you feel that retribution is crucial.

You wouldn’t guess it to look at him, but it quickly becomes clear that John Wick is the most legendary killer the criminal underworld has ever known.

Possessed by an almost supernatural ability to kill while avoiding being killed, a mere mention of Wick’s name is enough to cause a tremor in the voice of even the most established Russian mob bosses.

When Iosef’s father (Michael Nyqvist) catches wind of what his son has done (it is not “what you have done son, but who you did it to”) he realises that a storm is coming that cannot be escaped.

Once we are into the thick of things, the action is unrelenting, but never exhausting.

Filled with bombastic hand-to-hand scenes and

featuring its fair share of gory headshots, the kill count quickly racks up.

And there’s a rare authenticity to the violence, due to Keanu doing a lot of the close combat stunt-work himself.

John Wick manages to make the action genre feel fresh in a way that The Raid did back in 2011.

The bloodshed, of course, will not be for everybody, but no doubt it will find a certain appeal in the market.

John Wick taps into that perennial story of retribution in the way that Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven does – a story where hidden inside the benign facade of every man is a dormant killing machine waiting to be ignited.

And no doubt, there is a cathartic payoff in watching that Wick burn down to the point of detonation.

A well-made, very satisfying blend of fun and revenge, John Wick has unexpectedly stamped out its own ground.

This may be the best performance we have seen from Keanu Reeves, and the best action film in recent years.

Verdict: 8/10

child 44

A dark Russian drama SOVIET power and brutality comes to the fore in Child 44 (Cert 16, 137 mins) which takes a long, dark look at a series of child murders that are linked to someone in authority. With Stalin in absolute control, the grim crimes are being kept covered up – which is a good starting point for this unusual pre-Cold War thriller. Tom Hardy and Gary Oldman give solid, reliable turns in their roles.

get hard

One to say get lost to ...

THIS ill advised comedy with an unlikely bromance at its core has drawn criticism from many quarters about homophobic and dated comedy. While Will Ferrell can be comedy gold, he also picks some real stinkers – Get Hard (Cert 16, 100 mins) sees him desperately getting advice from Kevin Hart on how to survive prison life ahead of his imminent incarceration for white collar crime. Mildly amusing.

23 April 2015 GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

GAMING

WEEBYTES

Phil Harrison, the now former corporate vice president for Xbox in Europe

Harrison leaves Xbox With players free to wander at will around sprawling Los Santos - a city that’s very closely based on Los Angeles - and its surrounding countryside, GTAV on the PC delivers the definitive version of the smash-hit title

 SHANE DILLON

SO THE game of the year has just been released – again. Confused? Grand Theft Auto V has finally arrived for the PC, following its spectacular success on the console front.

Already a pretty spectacular title to look at – even on the lowest consoles, like my “humble” Xbox 360 – those with a heavyweight gaming rig are in for a treat, as the PC iteration looks pretty

incredible.

As ever, the graphics will vary depending on the power of your own PC’s abilities, but if it’s up to the task, and if you have a great graphics card, GTAV on PC is not only a brilliant, clever, complex (and fun) game to play, but looks absolutely terrific.

For the chosen few with ultra-powerful PCs, it even supports 4K ultraHD resolutions, while running all kinds of sub-

tle effects, creating a title that’s on top of its game – literally.

So, this week, instead of returning to GTAV with a normal review, here are some PC-captured “postcards” from Los Santos and surrounding Blaine County.

Gamers and screenshot/digital art fans can look out for some pretty stunning PC images to come from Scottish developer Rockstar’s superlative masterpiece ...

With day/night cycles and shifting weather cycles all presented with top-notch graphics, many players will lose many hours wandering about, just taking in the sights

CHANGE is afoot at Microsoft, where corporate vice president for Xbox in Europe Phil Harrison has moved on after three years in a key role within Microsoft Studios Europe.

Harrison was a highprofile scoop for Microsoft when he joined, having been instrumental in the success of PlayStation for arch rivals, Sony, with his 16 years at Sony helping the PS brand become a global success.

That experience was needed at Microsoft’s Xbox division, where the Xbox One has been turning the tide on the marketing mess that followed its launch.

The past 18 months have seen Microsoft fighting back to reposition the Xbox One, with a clearer focus on the console’s gaming chops rather than its multipurpose entertainment uses, while its Kinect sensor has been quietly relegated further into the background, as many gamers wanted.

Harrison’s exit wasn’t a complete surprise – rumours first began circulating in March that he was leaving – but although he’s left Microsoft, Harrison will be remembered for his stalwart support for the Xbox One during his brief tenure, while gamers wonder what his next move will be.

26 dun laoghaire gazette 23 April 2015

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Gazette

28 Gazette 23 April 2015

SPORT Harriers end long relay wait

FastSport

athletics: keogh leads donore home for famous victory in Raheny

Clontarf fall just short in bateman cup:

CLONTARF missed out on rugby’s Bateman Cup at the hands of Cork Con 24-9 last Saturday in Temple Hill.

The Castle Avenue club were in touch at half-time but a Darren Sweetnam intercept try with six minutes to go, in addition to a Darragh Lyons drop goal saw Con pull away to secure their third successive victory.

David Joyce had given Tarf a good start with a penalty in the 22nd minute. But Luke Cahill and James Ryan crossed for the hosts to put them 14-3 ahead before Joyce landed a penalty and a drop goal to reduce the gap to 14-9 three minutes into the second half before Con pulled away.

A late injury to Joyce, which prompted an earlier than expected conclusion to the game, will be of immediate concern for the Tarf coaches ahead of next Saturday’s Division 1A semi-final trip to Terenure College.

 sport@dublingazette.com

AFTER a 15-year wait, Donore Harriers romped to an impressive victory in the senior men’s race at the GloHealth Road Relay Championships of Ireland.

Twenty-five club teams toed the line including defending champions Sligo AC, host club Raheny Shamrock and last year’s silver medallists Ennis Track.

European indoor 1,500m finalist John

Raheny’s Over-35s Ann-Marie Woods, Jenny Mulry and Annette Kealy. Picture: Piaras O’Midheach

Travers was on the allimportant three-mile leg for Donore as he scorched around the loop in a time of 14.07, the fastest split of the day.

Anchor leg runner Eric Keogh maintained the lead as he comfortably brought his club home to victory in an overall time of 37.52.

Junior athlete Kevin Mulcaire (Ennis Track) showed his class by moving Ennis into second place over the final leg to cross the line in a time of 38.41 with the host club Raheny Shamrock in third in a time of 39.05.

The senior women’s event turned into a battle between defending champions Leevale AC

Eric Keogh, Donore Harriers, crosses the line to win the Senior men’s relay.

and Letterkenny AC. The formidable Cork trio of Carol Finn, Lizzie Lee and Michelle Finn were always in command as they stormed to victory in a time of 20.39 with Letterkenny second in a time of 21.08 and Crusaders third in a time of 21.37.

The two-mile leg of the race was a close affair with Lee recording a time of 10.35 and Annemarie McGlynn of Letterkenny only a second slower with a time of 10.36.

However Leevale athlete Finn was untouchable on the last leg as she sealed the title for the Cork club.

The women’s Over-35 race was a tight tussle between Raheny Sham-

rocks and Letterkenny AC with Raheny coming out on top in a time of 23.29 and Letterkenny holding on for second in a time of 23.41.

Donore Harriers AC completed the podium positions finishing in third place in a time of 23.54. Clonliffe Harriers won the women’s 50+ national title.

Newbridge AC were the popular winners of the M35+ national title as Paul Archbold, Paul Campbell and David Keenan combined to win in a time of 19.27.

Crusaders AC came through over the second half of the race for a well-deserved silver medal with Letterkenny AC finishing in third place. Raheny Sham-

rock were victorious in the M50+ category winning the national title in a time of 21.01.

Away from the action in Raheny, Mathew Behan, Crusaders AC, a c h i e ve d q u a l i f i c a tion standards for the upcoming European Under-23 and junior championships.

He was competing at the 2015 Leevale Track and Field Meet which took place last Saturday. Behan ran a time of 13.99 seconds for the 110m hurdles which was inside the European junior standard of 14.25.

The time was also a new national junior record for Behan, breaking the old mark of 14.11 held by rival Sam Healy.

O’Brien calls on home support for Malahide battle  sport@dublingazette.com

Kevin O’Brien, centre, with international team mates Alex Cusack, left, and Max Sorensen

IRELAND all-rounder Kevin O’Brien is relishing the prospect of taking on England in front of a capacity home crowd at Malahide on May 8, where 10,000 fans are anticipated for the Royal London One-Day International.

The Sandymount man was joined at the venue this week

by Ireland team mates John Mooney, Alex Cusack and Max Sorensen as the team ramp up their preparations ahead of the season opener.

And he’s looking forward to huge home support for the marquee game.

“The importance of a big vocal crowd getting behind the team can’t be stated enough,” he said.

“We played England here at the same venue in 2013, and the crowd that day were immense – how great would it be to get a win in front of a crowd like that?”

He urged fans to be part of the 10,000 and make sure they don’t miss out on one of the biggest sporting events of the

summer: “Having missed out against England two years ago after being in such a strong position, the boys are really up for this one and we’re confident we can get a win here; I’d urge all fans to get their tickets to avoid disappointment.”

Preparations for the match are also well under way off the field to accommodate the 10,000 fans at the Dublin venue.

With a 50ft big screen, the Royal London Cricket Ireland Village, live music and a chance to have a go at one

of Ireland’s fastest growing sports, it makes for a big family day out.

Ticket sales for the marquee fixture are extremely strong, and the match is well on course for another sellout as Ireland fans prepare to give the Boys in Green a big welcome home in what will be their first fixture since the recent World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

There, Ireland beat the West Indies, UAE and Zimbabwe but just missed out on a place in the knock-out phases.

23 April 2015 Gazette 29

Gazette

Hiney’s Boden focus after dozen Dub years Stephen Hiney tells Stephen Findlater about how he is adapting to life after the Dublin captaincy and intercounty hurling on the eve of the club senior hurling championship AFTER a dozen years in sky-blue, Stephen Hiney is looking forward to his first club senior hurling championship with a different background but the same steely determination.

The Ballyboden St Enda’s man retired from the intercounty scene in December after a fine career, leading the Dubs to their first National League in 72 years in 2011 before the crowning moment, the Leinster championship title in 2013.

His focus now is solely on the club with sights on further building on their ominous recent record, landing six of the last eight Dublin senior championships.

The campaign begins with a group tie against Crumlin on Friday night in O’Toole Park at 7pm. St Pat’s, Palmerstown follow

in May before a marquee date with St Jude’s, last year’s runners-up, completes the initial phase of the competition.

With no county concerns over the winter and the early months of the year to occupy him, Hiney says it is a very different experience.

“Being with the club from the start of the year, you see more of the hard work the lads put in while you are away with the county. It’s definitely a change but I am enjoying it massively,” he told GazetteSport.

“Being realistic, with the amount you focus on the intercounty side of things for a lot of the season, you get back to the club as often as you can but it still would only be a handful of times over a long period. Being there, every week, it’s definitely different. The lads are

working very hard and it’s great, playing with the boys you grew up with.”

With Dublin through to the league playoffs, it means Boden’s Gary Maguire, Shane Durkin, Niall McMorrow, Paul Ryan and Dotsy O’Callaghan have yet to be seen too much in club colours to date in 2015.

That level of talent coming back into the fold means it is tricky to know exactly how well the side is going at the moment, in spite of the meticulous planning that the club lays down.

And Hiney reckons they will only have an idea when the sliotar is thrown in on Friday.

“We’ve played a couple of league games and have a lot of people out with the county. Each time, we are going out without a couple of our starting line-up for the league.

Ballyboden St Enda’s hurler Stephen Hiney at the 2015 Dublin club senior football and hurling championships launch in Parnell Park. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

“We’ve had some good results, some not so good, but are happy with where we are and the big focus is next Friday night.

“It’s hard to know exactly where you are until you get out on the field for the championship. It can be a bit disjointed, coming back into

fixtures in this year’s competition.

“There’s a massive rivalry between ourselves and Crokes. It’s a healthy one in football and hurling. We had a great run and it took a while to get our first one but once we had our hands on the cup, we didn’t want to let

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

‘Seeing Crokes lift the SHC title this year, it hurts and it definitely hurt the club too – Stephen Hiney’

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

a team that has so many with the county. You have very little time to prepare as your club team.

“This year, I see the other side of things where we are preparing with the guys away who will come back in next week for a short turnaround before Friday. You have to hope things gel. You don’t know before the game; all you can do is work with what you have at the time. We’ll see how things go!”

Should they find top gear, it looks likely to be another year in which they will fight it out with their near neighbours. The rise of Jude’s to be a major contender has upped the ante while Kilmacud are the only team to have broken Boden’s run in the past eight years.

Hiney relishes those challenges and reckons that they could be the key

it go.

Six out of eight, it’s funny. Once you have won it, you really appreciate it but when you lose one, you know you have to work twice as hard to get it back.

“It’s only after seeing Crokes lift it this year, you know how much it hurts.

It definitely did, it hurt the club. We’re really going to go hard for it this year.

“Jude’s is building as a rivalry. It was a great final last year [between them and Crokes], very close, and some would say Jude’s were unfortunate but Crokes showed the experience they have to grind out the result.

“It was no fluke they got to the final last year and they are only going to get stronger. It’s now about them focusing in on it and getting the best out of their team.”

FastSport

Irish Open’s trophy tour offers unique opportunity SCHOOLCHILDREN throughout Ireland are being invited to create a little piece of Irish Open history for their school as part of a nationwide competition organised by The European Tour and the Rory Foundation.

The inaugural Irish Open Trophy Tour competition will give four schools across the island of Ireland an opportunity to host a visit not from the trophy but also the world famous Claret Jug, which, as reigning Open Champion, currently resides with Rory McIlroy.

The competition invites children aged nine to5 to tell The European Tour why their class or school deserves a visit from the two trophies.

The four winning schools will also participate in a Q&A session with representatives of The European Tour, Rory Foundation and Royal County Down Golf Club – as well as taking part in a CGI Golf Awareness Clinic.

This will give children a fun introduction to the sport through a variety of golf-related games including putting games and hitting real golf balls into a blow up net, and virtual golf on the Wii console.

To enter, schoolchildren should simply send an email to trophytour@irishopen.ie outlining in no more than 250 words why their class or school deserves to win this unique and historic prize – clearly stating their name, age, address and school. Closing date for entries is Thursday April 30 with the prize to be taken between May 4 and 15.

“Professional sport can really inspire individuals and a trophy is the ultimate aim for many in sport,” said The European Tour’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Championship director Antonia Beggs, “which is why we’ve decided to give schools in Ireland a chance to host the prestigious Irish Open trophy which has been held aloft by so many golfing legends over the years.

“Not only that, our winning schools will also get to see and have their picture taken with the world famous ‘Claret Jug’ which has been kindly donated by the current Open Champion Rory McIlroy.”

Gazette

30 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 23 April 2015

SPORT

fastSport

soccer: stradbrook club hoping for double delight

Tyndall national champ at 52kg for second time MONKSTOWN Boxing Club had a massive seven schoolboys competing in the All-Ireland Schoolboys Championships last week with Matthew Tyndall crowned champion of Ireland in the 52kg class for the second time in two years.

Eleven-year-old Ned Connors was agonisingly beaten in the 31kg final by a split decision, a similar fate befell Adam Fitzgerald, Paul Harcourt and Adam Matthews in the semi-finals.

Head coach JP Kinsella, though, praised their superb seasons: “The boys have done everything asked of them and the coaching team really felt Ned, Paul and the two Adams had done enough to win their bouts.

“We are doing everything right, preparation went perfect. To win a national title, you need a small bit of luck at times and, unfortunately, we just didn’t have any this week.

“We will continue to keep the rights things and I’m so proud of the way the club conducted ourselves at times when we felt very disheartened.”

Tyndall is pictured with fellow club members and supporters.

Liverpool stars take on Borough Legends A NUMBER of Liverpool greats will take on the Borough Legends on Saturday, April 25 at 3pm, Jackson Park, Kilternan for an exciting challenge match.

It will serve three purposes; to honour the memory of Ballybrack FC’s Tony Ryan who lost his life to suicide. The second is to raise aware-

ness of mental health and suicide prevention and the last is to raise funds for the Shankill based organisation Suicide or Survive (SOS).

The match provides a unique chance to meet John Aldridge, Jason McAteer and Ronnie Whelan among others.

To support the event, contact Carol Donaghy on donaghycarol@hotmail. com for tickets to the game or the €20 Legends Lunch.

“All we can do at this stage is go out and win,” according to TEK United manager Les Flynn.

TEK stay ahead of the game  nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com

TEK United’s hopes of a promotion-winning and cup-lifting double took two boosts on the trot with wins in both the LSL Senior Division 1A Sunday and the Moore Cup over the last two weeks.

A 5-2 win over local rivals St Joseph’s Boys on Sunday in the league followed a 3-1 win over Templeogue United in the third round of the Moore Cup the previous weekend.

Les Flynn’s side now

have a quar ter-final to look forward to but are yet to discover who they will face in the last eight.

In the league however, the task is more straightforward; three games to go, three games to win.

T hat seems to be what’s required anyway.

TEK top the table on 42 points from 23 games at the moment, with Dublin University in second on 39 points but four fewer games played.

The threats to TEK’s promotion hopes go as far down as seventh placed Edenderry Town,

champion’s league Dalkey United to host annual football festival dalkey United AFC hosts its annual

Champion’s League event on May 3 in Hyde Park, Dalkey. The club expects to host over 300 participants and around 800 people throughout the day.

It is a community event and open to all families to join us and check out this historic club and facilities in Hyde Park.

The tournament is a series of blitzes for boys from Under-8 to Under-12, girls and parents. Full details are available on the club website: www.dalkeyunited.ie.

who have 33 points from 19 games.

On those promotion hopes, Flynn remarked: “At the start of the season, our goal would have been to still be in the promotion mix at the end of April and we’re well on course for that.”

Despite having just three games remaining compared to their rivals, the remaining fixtures do look favourable for TEK, or at least on paper, with third from bottom Pegasus/ St James’s Athletic, and mid-table Mount Merrion and Celbridge Town

left on the fixture list.

“Our run-in does look favourable compared to the other teams around us who all have to play each other,” admitted Flynn.

“All we can do at this stage is go out and win our games, if we do that we will still be waiting on other results and hopefully they go our way.

“We received a letter from the league just the other day which basically said by around May 8 they expect every team to have just two or three fixtures remaining to

ensure the season ends fairly and not all over the place.

“That makes the fact we’re still in the cup even more important because, if we weren’t, we could be waiting about three weeks for a game at this stage,” added the former Irish amateur international.

Pegasus’s bid to avoid the drop, meanwhile, continues in midweek as they meet St James’s Gate in a key home tie at Belfield with victory required to move them away from the drop zone.

23 April 2015 DUN LAOGHAIRE gazette 31

Gazette

jumping for joy

County prepares for ladies football Feile

Club Noticeboard cuala

FOXROCK Cabinteely’s Grace Keane, sec-

ond from right, was on hand to help launch AIG’s sponsorship of the Dublin ladies football Feile next weekend.

Over 1,200 players take part at seven venues across Dublin city and county on April 25 and 26. Foxrock’s Division 1 team will be based in Ballyboden while their Division 5 team will play their group games at Craobh Chiarain.

THE adult hurlers won three out of

Treacy and the Dublin senior hurlers

three matches again last weekend. The

after their narrow defeat to Cork in

seniors won away against St Pat’s by

the league semi-final on Sunday.

1-19 to 0-5 while the senior As defeated

Thaisteal buachailli 2003 agus cailini

Parnells by 4-17 to 3-6 in Hyde Road on

2004 go Cill Chainnigh de Domhnaigh

Saturday.

chun cluichi a imirt i gcoinne Dicksboro

The senior Bs rounded off the weekend with a 7-15 to 1-4 victory over Good Counsel on Sunday.

hurling: kilmacud undone by last ditch free

ahl division one Ballyboden St Enda’s 0-18 St Sylvester’s 0-17  sport@dublingazette.com

B A L LY B O D E N S t Enda’s and Kilmacud Crokes completed their Dublin senior hurling championship – in which they have shared the last eight titles – preparations with a closely-fought tussle last Friday with Boden taking the league points at Pairc ui Murchu.

The Boden performance was more balanced than the Stillorgan visitors and their scoring was well spread across the numbers but the

concession of a series of frees, with Sean McGrath cashing in.

Early on, Collie O’Neill and James Roche got the scoreboard going, before McGrath slotted a free, the first of many. David Curtin replied in kind before David O’Connor, working overtime, angled a beauty over the bar.

A minute later, it was James Doody to Roche and a fine score. Finn McGarry was upended illegally and Curtin did the rest, 0-6 to 0-1. Next up was Finn McDonagh from a sideline.

And despite McGrath’s second free, Boden con-

tinued to push forward, Stephen Nagle finding free space off Naoise Maguire to score.

McGrath got his third and fourth frees were countered by a pair from Stephen O’Connor. But scores from Crokes’ Naomhan O’Riordan, McGrath and Oisin O’Rorke reeled in the gap to 0-12 to 0-7.

Rob Murphy continued the momentum into the second half. O’Neill responded quickly but Kilmacud’s Barry Mulligan was next up.

An exchange of frees kept things rattling along while McDonagh got one

off the whitewash.

That was cancelled out by O’Riordan within a minute as the tit for tat nature continued.

Barry O’Rorke made it 0-16 to 0-13 before Crokes had their best spell in the closing phases, scoring four in a row, McGrath, twice, Murphy and a fine effort from Mullally.

The game was now at championship pace and tied, 17 each when Dooley was asked to again point a free.

He took his time and held his nerves to send Boden to the dressing room with victory.

Bhain an 65 duine a thaisteal antaitneamh as na cluichí go leir. Mile

remain on top of their respective divi-

buiochas le Rob Flavin as an turas a

sions following two great away wins

eagrú.

last week.

The 2001 girls won the Division 1

Well done to the U-16 ladies football-

camogie Feile third/fourth playoff

ers who beat O’Dwyers on Saturday

match against Oliver Plunketts last

by 1-15 to 1-5.

Thursday. They will now head to Gal-

and Mark Schutte, Colm Cronin, David

Dooley holds nerve for Boden bragging rights

BAC vs Corcaigh i bPairc Uí Nuallain.

Our two adult camogie teams

Hard luck to Cian O Callaghan, Paul

Ballyboden St Enda’s and Kilmacud Crokes played out a high octane battle last Friday. Picture: Diarmuid O Gallchobair

agus leanuint ar aghaidh chuig cluiche

way to represent Dublin at national level.

GazetteSPORT all of your dun laoghaire sports coverage from page 28-31

tek top table: Stradbrook club lead the way but are fully aware of the chasers in LSL Sunday Senior 1A P31

april 23-29, 2015

Hiney’s full club focus: Former Dublin skipper raring to go for SHC title push P29

The St Joseph’s Under-15 Premier side are hoping to land an SFAI title

Joey’s All-Ireland joy St Joseph’s Boys Under-15 and 13 sides both through to SFAI finals following impressive victories over Lakewood and Leixlip, respectively  nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

DOUBLE national success is on the cards for St Joseph’s Boys after two of the Sallynoggin club’s teams reached their respective SFAI Cup finals last weekend.

Joey’s Under-13s and Under-15s both secured their final berths with home wins over Leixlip United and Lakewood Athletic. The Under-13 side will now face Corinthian Boys from Cork in their final while the Under-15s have a Dublin derby to look forward to against St Kevin’s Boys in the blue riband final.

Both sides’ runs to their finals have been quite remarkable, with just two goals conceded

between them in total, and those came in one game when the Under-13s beat Lourdes Celtic 4-2 back in the DDSL-section third round.

The side had also beaten Home Farm’s ‘A’ and Premier sides, Pike Rovers, Ringmahon Rangers and Colga before Saturday’s semi-final win over Leixlip.

The Under-15s’ run to their final has been just as impressive, with wins over Knocklyon United, Cabinteely, Mervue United, Bonagee United, Limerick FC, Lakewood and the club’s own Under-15 Major side, clocking up 36 goals scored and zero conceded.

Before both finals are played, both sides’ focus will turn back to league action, and both are still in contention to add title glory

to potential national glory. The Under-13 side are currently in third spot in their DDSL Premier Division, just two points behind leaders St Francis.

The Under-15s on the other hand are already in a fierce battle with their SFAI Cup final opponents St Kevin’s, as the two sides are the clear front-runners in their DDSL Premier Division.

At the moment, Joey’s sit one point above their Shanowen Road rivals but they are still to play in the league before the season is out.

Bernard Byrne, coach of the Under-13s, spoke to Gazette Sport after his side secured their spot in the final. “It was a fairly comfortable win to be honest,” he said. “I’m a little surprised that Leixlip didn’t have more of a go but

sure we won’t complain.”

Byrne’s side, who won the SFAI Under-12 cup last year, are actually on course for a treble, having also secured their place in their league cup final last week.

On their exciting end to the season, he said: “We’ve a lot of games in hand in the league and two cup finals so we’ll be playing a lot of midweek games. They can be tricky with kids only coming in from school but we’ve a good squad and I think we can manage.”

The treble is on and very possible with this bunch of players. The league is probably the priority, I mean we won a cup double last year but came second in the league so that’s been our aim since the start.”