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INSIDE: Councillor Barry Saul marries his lovely bride, Deirdre Page 2

February 16, 2012

HOT NIGHT OUT: Fire-breathers help out with a MasquerAid Ball Page 10

All four one: The joy of sharing a smoothie drink Badminton: Evans back on form as he claims Open title Page 32

IT’S no wonder that these pupils at Holy Cross National School look so happy as they tuck into a smoothie drink – after all, their fourth class classmates had helped to make it by means of a “smoothie bike”. As part of an energy conservation workshop, students pedalled away on the special bike, with the electrical energy they generated helping to create the drink, and also educate them on energy requirements.

Picture: Geraldine Woods

Full Gallery on Pages 8-9

Hurling: Ballyboden take the Under-21 title in thriller Page 31

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Cian off to Calcutta in life-changing trip Local student volunteer to help educate children

I NATALIE BURKE

A LOCAL student has set his sights on a volunteering adventure of a lifetime, as he prepares to travel to Calcutta with a group of Irish volunteers as part of a SUAS charity educational development programme.

In advance of the trip, 21-year-old Cian O’Brien, a law student, is holding a number of fundraisers and charity events in order to raise €3,000 – the minimum amount needed to take part in the volunteer programme.

He will be travelling to the slums of Calcutta in June,

where he will be taking part in an educational project with 10 other young volunteers.

For 10 weeks, the group will act as teaching assistants and will help the children of Calcutta learn general subjects, including English and Maths.

Full Story on Page 4

2 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2012

COURTS: JAIL TERM WEDDING An intimate affair with friends and family AVOIDED FOR MAN WHO RESTRAINED PROSTITUTE

Woman held in car by driver A FATHER-of-one has avoided a jail term for refusing to let a prostitute out of his car because he thought she had just stolen his wallet.

Conor O’Meara (24), of Beverly Drive, Rathfarnham, had just engaged the services of the woman but, when she tried to get out of the car, he refused to let her, initially pulling her back into the vehicle by her scarf.

He continued to drive with his hand around her neck making it difficult for the woman to breathe.

He was then involved in a prolonged garda pursuit after the woman managed to get out of the car when it stopped at a red light.

He initially pulled in when the gardai ordered him to, but then drove off at speed.

O ’ M e a r a b r o ke a number of red lights, overtook other cars when it wasn’t safe to do so, and drove on the wrong side of the road, as he drove from Grand Parade in the city centre, through Rathmines, Rathfarnham and Templeogue.

He then drove onto the M50 after colliding with a patrol car minutes beforehand.

O’Meara continued driving on the motorway at more than 160 kilometres per hour and, at one stage, reached 180 kilometres per hour.

His black Ford Focus was eventually brought to a stop when gardai threw out a “stinger” device. He was arrested, but later refused to give a blood sample in the garda station.

O’Meara pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Crimi-

nal Court to false imprisonment, endangerment, dangerous driving and failing to give a blood sample on Halloween night, 2010. He has no previous convictions.

Judge Martin Nolan sentenced O’Meara to five years, which he suspended in full on condition that he hands over €8,000 to the woman within six months. He already had €4,000 in court as a token of his remorse.

Judge Nolan accepted that O’Meara had drunk “a huge” amount of alcohol that night, and was intoxicated.

He said he had “grabbed this woman, restrained her, and kept her in the car, but it is not clear what he was intending to do to her”.

Sinister Judge Nolan said he had initially thought on hearing the evidence that O’Meara’s motives were sinister, but said it became clear that he wrongly believed she had stolen his wallet.

Garda Susan Tobin told Garret Baker BL, prosecuting, that the woman had struggled to get away from O’Meara when he initially dragged her back in. She managed to blow the horn at one stage, and opened the car door to scream for help, but O’Meara covered her mouth with his hand and restrained her while continuing to drive.

She eventually escaped when he stopped at traffic lights and ran to a nearby garda car. She later told gardai that O’Meara kept saying to her: “I can’t trust you.”

Celebration

Wedding day of her dreams OCAL Councillor Barry Saul, from Mount Merrion, was warmly welcomed to the beautiful village church in Cabinteely just after Christmas to wed his beautiful bride, Deirdre.

It was a small, intimate affair with family and close friends celebrating the occasion.

Even though the sun was shining it was a chilly afternoon, but directed by Carol Ryan Photography, there were some fantastic pictures from the church and Powerscourt Waterfalls in Wicklow.

From here, the celebrations continued in the Ritz Carlton where Cllr Barry won all the votes in the room by giving Deirdre the day she has always dreamed of.

L

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16 February 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 3

WORKSHOPS: DISCOVERING NEW FORMS OF POWER

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Ben Bonaldi, of Living Mosaic, Environmental Facilitator, and student Pier McGuinness

Pupils enjoy energy event I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

dundrum@gazettegroup.com

BEN Bonaldi dropped in to Holy Cross national school in Dundrum to give a unique demonstration of alternative energ y sources recently.

His visit was part of a two-week programme focusing on energy conservation workshops in Primary Schools in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area from January 30 to February 10.

In the workshops, Ben shows children how environmentally friendly energy can be produced in a number of novel ways.

The aim of the workshops is to impress upon the impressionable just how vital it is to reduce our destructive impact on the planet. The bike is rigged to generate electricity for various devices.

By cycling it themselves the children are made aware of how much effort is required to produce energy enough to power a simple appliance.

The kids, after much

furious peddling succeed in making smoothies at the end of the workshop and it’s all done under their own steam on the ‘juice peddler’ as it’s called.

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‘The aim of the workshops is to impress just how vital it is to reduce our destructive impact’ --------------------------

Mr Bonaldi and his wife Sarah, started an environmental partnership five years ago. Having trained in organic horticulture, they are now working fulltime going to schools to teach kids about organic gardening and energy conservation.

These workshops are funded by Agenda 21, which is shared between DLR and the European Partnership.

See Gallery on Pages 8-9

4 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2012

ENTERTAINMENT: RANGE OF SHOWS AT GOATSTOWN

You’ve Goat to catch live music acts

IF YOU’RE looking for some live music on Saturday nights, then check out the Goat Bar, in Goatstown, Dublin 14.

This month, the lineup of live tribute bands includes, on Saturday nights, The Neil Diamond Show on February 18, and Beatles for Sale on February 25.

March is just as actionpacked, with the Saturday live trend continuing with Jive Talkin’- The Bee Gees’ Tribute on March

3, Beat Club on March 10, Manilla Strings play on Friday (for a change), March16; then, returning to Saturdays, Frankly Buble appear on March 17, The Joe Dolan Tribute on March 24 and, finally, Superfly close the month in style on March 31.

All shows begin from 10pm, and go on until late.

For further information, call Jenny or Michelle at 01 298 4145, or email: thegoatbar@gmail.com.

A winning way: Elizabeth’s luck at Nutgrove CONTINUING Nutgrove Shopping Centre’s monthly

prize draw giveaways, Elizabeth O’Toole, from Stonepark Abbey, Rathfarnham, was a lucky winner at the busy centre recently, where Sean Aylward, centre manager, was on hand to present her with her prize – a hamper packed full of beauty products, and a €500 gift

voucher for Ebano Salon.

Elizabeth was delighted with her win, with the monthly giveaways having proven to be a great hit with the community, with Nutgrove Shopping Centre’s Valentine Day offers proving just as popular with shoppers earlier this week.

PROJECT: SUAS CHARITY EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

A brand new adventure in the slums of Calcutta I NATALIE BURKE

dundrum@gazettegroup.com

LOCAL K ilmacud native, Cian O’Brien, will be taking on a brandnew adventure this year, when he travels to Calcutta with a group of Irish volunteers as part of a SUAS charity educational development programme.

The 21-year-old law student will be travelling to the slums of Calcutta in June, where he will be taking part in an educational project with 10 other young volunteers.

For ten weeks, the Irish volunteers will act as teaching assistants and will help the children of Calcutta learn general subjects, including English and Maths.

In advance of the trip, Cian is holding a number of fundraisers and charity events, in order to raise €3,000 – the minimum

amount needed to take part in the volunteer programme.

“I first became interested in volunteering for a teaching placement when my friend did something similar last year, and it sounded like something I thought I’d like to take part in,” said Cian, who is currently in his third year studying at UCD. “I thought, while it would be a great experience, it would be a great chance to help people, too, so I applied and am now really looking forward to it,” he said.

With over 60 volunteers travelling to India and Kenya as part of the programme, Cian and ten volunteers will be going to one area of Calcutta, where they will spend 40 hours a week working with local teachers, assisting with curricular development and activities, and providing support to

held a bag-packing day in aid of the programme.

He is planning to organise a table quiz and a raffle over the coming weeks, and is already amazed at the support people are already showing.

Tom Quigley, of Celtic Anglian Water, who is doing a sponsored swim to help raise funds for Kilmacud native, Cian O’Brien, who is volunteering in Calcutta this year

the children. On the final week of the programme, the volunteers will complete a course in global perspective in equalities around the world.

For Cian, who has yet to meet his team-mates, travelling by himself and living in basic conditions will be the biggest challenge.

“I don’t know anyone yet from my group, so it will be a brand-new expe-

rience but I’m expecting to get to know them very well during the ten weeks we are there.

“We will be living in very basic conditions, and the weather will be very hot and humid, which we wouldn’t be used to, but it’s all part of the experience.”

With the help of family and friends, Cian has already begun the task of raising funds and has

Supportive “People are being really supportive, and I’m really grateful. Tom Quigley, who works for Celtic Anglian Water (CAW), who operate the Waste Water Treatment Plant in Dublin, has offered to do a sponsored swim to help raise funds and, if he can raise €300 through sponsorship, CAW will match this with a donation of another €300!”

For more information on Cian’s trip to Calcutta, and for more details on how to help with his fundraising, visit www. mycharity.ie/events/ cianobrien.

16 February 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5

EQUUS Peter Shaffer’s powerful, absorbing drama

Award-winning theatre only at The Mill Theatre I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

dundrum@gazettegroup.com

PETER Shaffer’s awardwinning psychological play, Equus, is coming to the Mill Theatre, the Dundrum venue that has been chosen as the only venue in Ireland and Britain to stage the production.

Produced by the renowned company, London Classic Theatre, the story is set in a psychiatric hospital, and is inspired by a true story, which deals with very dark psychological matter, and is not for the faint-hearted.

In Equus, the youth “hero” has blinded six horses with a metal spike, but it soon transpires that

there are many more layers to this awful act than at first appears.

The protaganist is obsessed with horses in a mythological and sexual way and Dysart, a psychiatrist, is both appalled and fascinated by the strangeness of the boy’s case ...

Equus was written by Peter Shaffer, who is bestknown for his play, Amadeus, which was made into a film, directed by Milos Forman.

Equus made its debut in 1973 and then, in 1977, it won the Tony Award and New York Critics Circle.

The same year Shaffer adapted the play for the screen, and it was made into a film, starring Rich-

ard Burton and directed

by Sidney Lumet.

The film, like the play was received critically, due to its strange and controversial subject matter.

The London Classic Theatre takes this difficult and challenging play on with a fresh, young and talented new cast, in a production which contains strong language, adult themes and nudity.

The company has produced challenging drama, but its founder and artistic director, Michael Cabot has made these productions accessible to modern audiences.

Other controversial playwrights that the company has produced work

APPEAL

Wedding ring find at Lidl LIDL in Rathfarnham is renewing its appeal to find the owner of a wedding ring found in their Grange Road store last December.

The PR and marketing Department at LIDL reacted when the ring was found by putting up posters and announcing the find on their Facebook page, but nobody has yetcome forward as the owner.

Equus deals with very dark psychological matter, and is not for the faint-hearted

for includes Joe Orton and Mike Leigh, while they have also produced plays by more obscure and seldom-staged playwrights, such as Marivaux and Bryony Lavery’s Frozen, and Frank McGuinness’ version of Ibsen’s, Ghosts.

Equus is a touchstone piece for serious actors

and directors to tackle.

It’s a densely-wrought, “difficult” and “adult” play, and there is little wonder that Daniel Radcliffe chose it to make his stage debut in 2007, in order to distance himself from Harry Potter in the most dramatic way possible.

This revival of the play was an enormous suc-

cess, and Shaffer’s play was brought to a whole new generation in the West End. Tickets for this limited run, which runs from Thursday, March 1 to Saturday, March 3, are priced at €20/€16 concessions.

For further information, call 01 296 9340, or see www.milltheatre.ie.

Found In the first week of December, a LIDL customer found the ring, and handed it in to the store manager, who subsequently sent the ring to the Customer Service Department, where it has remained since.

The ring is of high quality, with some engraving and a marriage date.

If you think this might be your ring, please contact Customer Service, LIDL on 1800 347 447.

GET YOUR

6 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2012

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60 10 240 ENTERPRISENEWS From the top: Mucking in for a special event THERE was great excitement at a special ceremony for

Rosemont School, Sandyford’s first girls’ secondary school, which is due to open in September.

Fr Andrew O’Sullivan, parish priest, Sandyford joined Fr Pat Gorevan, school chaplain; Margaret Kelly, principal, Rosemont Secondary School and a number of students to witness and be part of the topping-off ceremony at the school, courtesy of some muddy rolls of grass which were, nonetheless, soaked with symbolism.

Need advice on how to get going?

Are you thinking of starting a business or are you already in business and looking towards expanding?

The County Enterprise Board can help you!

Every week we hold Business Advice sessions where you can meet an experienced Business Advisor who will be able to give you information about all of the services the Enterprise Board can provide and will be able to point you in the right direction so that you can avail of the supports which are available to you.

The Enterprise Board has four key support areas – Training, Mentoring, Networking and – in qualifying cases – Funding. These are available to all small businesses in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area. The Business Advice sessions are the best way to learn about how best you can be helped in your business. The Enterprise Boards are funded by the Dept. of Enterprise, Jobs & Innovation and there is no cost to anyone attending these meetings.

So how to get involved? It’s easy – all you have to do is call us on (01) 494 8400 or email: info@ dlrceb.ie . You can also find out about all of our activities and current courses and network activity on our website – www.dlrceb.ie .

The Enterprise Board has a number of publications which might be helpful to you – Business Start Up, Social Media for Business, Business Marketing, Managing Business Finances and Your Business & the Law. If you would like a copy of all or any of these – free of charge – please contact us on the above phone number or email address.

The building’s impressive structure is already becoming a key part of the local townscape and area’s infrastructure.

Principal Kelly spoke of her excitement about the work on the school to date, with the topping-off ceremony underlining the great amount of work already done at the site, with the entire community now looking forward to Rosemont becoming a key community and educational asset in the near future.

TRAINING: AVAIL OF ADULT EDUCATION COURSES

A DATE to help upskill DUNDRUM Training and Education (DATE) is offering a great choice of adult education courses, free of charge, to jobseekers this spring.

Courses usually run for 10 weeks, and are normally €105 (except for senior citizens, who get a special rate). This is an ideal opportunity for anyone wishing to acquire a new skill, in order to rejoin the workforce in the future.

If you are currently registered for Jobseekers’ Allowance, and have been for the past three months, you can retain your payment while completing a course of your choice.

There are many DATE courses, and you can pick up the brochure of what’s on offer by dropping into Dundrum Training and Education, located on the fifth floor of Dundrum Town Centre.

These courses are run

by South Dublin Adult

Education Ser vices, which is one of five local VECs in south Dublin.

All applicants will meet with a co-ordinator and/ or avail of an education guidance service, prior to enrolment, to ensure the course is suitable for them.

Additional learning support will also be offered in the evenings to all students on the programmes.

All of the course/programmes are conducted for five mornings per week, and run from September to June, with holiday breaks for Christmas, Easter and mid-terms.

South Dublin Adult Education Service is located at 1b Ballinteer Road, Dundrum. In September, it is to be relocated to The Centre for Adult & Further Education, Sydenham Road (formerly known as Dundrum College), Dundrum.

16 February 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 7

CHARITY Photographer’s fundraiser was a snap

Locals splash out to support RNLI services I NATALIE BURKE

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

dundrum@gazettegroup.com

‘Despite Saturday being a cold, rainy day, we had a great day, and raised just over €550 for the RNLI’

MORE than €550 was raised by local Foxrock photographer, Lorcan Brereton, last week, when he held a Smile On Saturday event and snapped away in aid of the local Dun Laoghaire RNLI. The fundraising event, which was the third annual SOS portrait day held by Lorcan, was held on Saturday, February 4, and was a massive success, with a full house throughout the day, proving that even during the most difficult of economic times, communities can pull together for a great cause.

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

Lorcan Brereton

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“Despite Saturday being a cold, rainy day, and it being in the middle of a recession, we had a great day, and raised just over €550 for the RNLI,” said Lorcan, who runs the well-known photography studio in Kill

Lane, Foxrock.

“We were delighted with how it went, and ever yone who came along on the day said they really enjoyed it.

“They donated €25 to the RNLI and experienced a professional portrait sitting, and brought home a free desktop portrait print afterwards.”

Three-year-old Amelia Scallan was just one of the many locals who took part in the photo shoot on the day and is pictured here, right, along with Laura Byrne, an RNLI Dun Laoghaire crew member, who thanked the Brereton family for their much-appreciated fundraising work.

BOOKS

Opening a chapter of fun ...

HUGHES & Hughes booksellers have an array of activities for the young – and not-so-young – this month.

On Saturday, February 18; Sunday, February 19; and Saturday, February 25, from 12pm to 1pm, the Dundrum outlet of the chain is welcoming children for H&H Junior.

There will be puppet shows, crafts, storytelling, goodies, fun and much more to enjoy on these days.

Amelian Scallan and RNLI volunteer crew member, Laura Byrne

The RNLI trains and equips volunteers to save lives at sea in Ireland and, this year, the lifeboat service has been working

towards replacing their crew with life jackets specially designed for search and rescue.

The funds raised from

the SOS charity portrait day will go towards equipping the Dun Laoghaire crew with these muchneeded life jackets.

Live music On Sunday, February 19, and Sunday, February 26, the in-store cafe, Cafe Libro, will play host to the live music of Declan Murray, as patrons enjoy their lunch.

Just show up on the day and enjoy what’s on offer, with the book retailer promising to open a new chapter in fun for everyone who attends on the day.

8 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2012

LEARNING Energy Conservation Workshop at Holy Cross

Shouab Mahroug

Suzanne makes a smoothie

There were many questions to be answered!

Ben Bonaldi, of Living Mosaic, Environmental Facilitator, and student, Joshua Juliane. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Pier McGuinness chops some carrots

Tasfia and Lauren get in on the fun

16 February 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 9

National School in Dundrum is shockingly fun for pupils

Tasting the fruits of all their labour, a smoothie!

The energy behind making smoothies

N Energy Conservation Workshop was held at Holy Cross National School, Dundrum by Ben Bonaldi, of Living Mosaic, Environmental Facilitator.

Ben captivated the interest of fourth class with his highly entertaining lecture on Energy Conservation. Ben’s Energy Conservation workshop is very popular. He has what is fondly called a Smoothie bike, which pedals

A

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smoothies and also produces electricity with an energy rig attached to the bike. The experience of pedalling the energy required for different devices, e.g lightbulbs comparison, laptop, iPod, etc can be felt giving an understanding of the different draw of energy. Along with some energy science experiments, and, of course making smoothies, this is a really fun and interactive workshop and a memorable event.

Jomana gives it a go

An electrifying moment

More chopping to do!

10 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2012

EVENT Stillorgan College of Further Education fundraiser

Students of Stillorgan College of Further Education donned their masks in aid of the Irish Cancer Society

Students launch MasquerAid Ball I NATALIE BURKE news@gazettegroup.com

Students danced through the night to the beat of DJ Oisin Egan

TR AFFIC came to a standstill on a busy Dublin City street last week, when students of Stillorgan College of Further Education donned their masks in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

The fundraising students enlisted the services of three spectacular fire-breathers to heat up South William Street on Monday, February 6, in an effort to launch their much-anticipated Mas-

querAid Ball.

MasquerAid Monday took place in The Lost Society and was organised by Stillorgan College’s Event Management class in aid of skin cancer research. As well as the fire-breathers, the 150strong attendees masked up for the occasion and were entertained by well-known drag artist, Blathnaid McGee, and danced through the night to the beat of DJ Oisin Egan.

“It was the best night I’ve ever been to,” said

21- y e a r- o l d M a r i n a Ohashi, from Adelaide Road, one of the guests on the night.

Unreal

“The night was unreal,” agreed Michael Kiernan, 18, from Tallaght. “The music was brilliant and being able to socialise with other students from Stillorgan College was great. It was the best night I’ve had out in a long time.”

The event raised over €600 for the Irish Cancer Society, which will

be added to the €1,000 already raised by the Event Management students who held a Cake Bake in the college in December.

Co-ordinator of the Eve n t M a n a g e m e n t course, Deirdre Murphy, said she was very pleased with the results.

“The students achieved almost all their goals and objectives, which was to organise and run an event from start to finish.”

Stillorgan College of Further Education pro-

vides courses for school leavers and mature students aimed at progressing to Higher Education and directly into the employment sector.

Courses include Event Management, Travel and Tourism, Journalism, Multimedia, Art, Photography, PR and Business.

Enrolment

Enrolment for the 2012/13 academic year is currently underway and can be done online at w w w.stillorgancol lege.ie

16 February 2012 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 16 February 2012

GOT A STORY? WE WANT TO KNOW!

Water look: Fair to make a big splash THIS bridal model couldn’t

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

hide her delight at testing the waters of the luxurious pool at the four-star Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney – just one of the attractive features that the hotel is highlighting at its upcoming wedding fair on Sunday afternoon, February 19.

The Castle Hotel’s wedding fair promises to make quite a splash with attending couples planning for their big day, with a complimentary glass of champagne to help put those attending in the mood, while the hotel’s wedding fair will be on hand to run through the hotel’s many fine features, including its banquet suite and fine views over Dublin Bay.

APPEAL: INFORMATION EVENING TO HELP SUPPORT CHARITY

Irish Guide Dogs are looking for volunteers IRISH Guide Dogs for the Blind is calling on Dublin north community members to “Get Going for Guide Dogs” and volunteer in 2012.

The national charity is hosting a volunteer information evening at Croke Park Hotel at 8pm on Tuesday, February 21, to highlight the many ways that volunteers can get involved to help support their work.

Irish Guide Dogs is on a national drive to find volunteers willing and

able to help.

More than 80% of the organisation’s income is raised through voluntary donations, and all services for people living with sight loss or autism are offered free of charge.

Guide dog owners, Tom and Breege O’Neill, from Balbriggan, have been supporting Irish Guide Dogs for more than 30 years.

They know first-hand the life-changing impact a guide dog makes, and

have worked tirelessly for many years to help fundraise so that more people can avail of the organisation’s services.

Tom says: “Without fundraising volunteers, Breege and I would not have the mobility and freedom we currently enjoy through our guide dogs.

“In the last few years, Irish Guide Dogs has needed to do more with fewer resources. Fundraising, in particular, is an area needing additional support.

“We’re hoping that the information evenings will

Guide dog owner Tom O’Neill is pictured with Santa Sabina, Sutton, students during his educational school visit about the work of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind

highlight the value of the organisation’s work, and inspire more people to

support it.”

Nick Palmer, director, Kingston Technology International, has been an active fundraiser for Irish Guide Dogs for more than ten years, and says it’s his love of dogs that got him initially started.

An active volunteer for the charity’s Balbriggan Branch, Nick says: “I like to describe Irish Guide Dogs as a ‘feel-good’ charity, because you get to see the positive outcomes of your efforts as a volunteer.

To find out more, call Finbarr Roche at 1850 506 300, e-mail finbarr@ guidedogs.ie, or see www. guidedogs.ie.

16 February 2012 GAZETTE 13

CHARITY Raising vital funds for Suas programme

Face-painting fun for St Patrick’s Day Ireland, India and Kenya.

In Ireland, Suas runs the Bridge 2 College programme, which assists children in designated disadvantaged secondlevel school areas in reaching third level.

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‘Last year in Kenya, Suas was responsible for training 183 teachers ’ --------------------------

Suas provides an interactive third-level learning experience for these children and helps to focus their aims for the future.

L e av i n g C e r t i f i c a t e results have improved due to involvement with this course, as the stu-

dents learn about college life and aim to achieve the best results in order to get there.

Last year in Kenya, Suas was responsible for training 183 teachers and played a vital hand in setting up and strategically effecting new educational initiatives in India and Kenya.

Simple

Simple, but crucial, things, like the electrification of classrooms, also falls under Suas’ sphere of activity.

To help Suas to continue their sterling educational work here in Ireland and abroad, support their Saint Patrick’s Day Fundraising Campaign this year by volunteering or donating what you can.

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S UA S E d u c a t i o n a l Development is holding its annual St Patrick’s Day face-painting to help raise funds for vital educational programmes at home and abroad.

Hundreds of volunteers help out every year in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Suas is seeking the help of the public again this year.

So, if you want to take up the brush and facepaint for the charity, organise something different, or just help out in general, now is your chance.

Simply log onto www.

Suas.ie, email: info@suas. ie or phone: +353 1 662 1400 and volunteer in your area.

Suas targets underfunded communities in

Oh, MINI! A look at one of the cleanest car brands in Ireland

Rose of Tralee, Clare Kambamettu, at the launch of the Suas Shamrocks for Schools campaign with the Suas Shamrock, Shay Coughlan

MOTORIING PAGE 20

14 GAZETTE 16 February 2012

By Laura Webb

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY

Aging is toast with Ziaja Rose Butter HERE is a time in our life when we have to face the inevitable – we are getting older – but that doesn’t mean we can’t age gracefully and fight back against unwanted wrinkles.

A new range of anti-aging face care for woman in their 30s and older vows to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Ziaja Rose Butter is a derivative of rose oil, which contains higher quantities of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Here comes the science – these skin omegas are important nutrients that stimulate collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid (the skin’s very own natural plumper) and, together, they help to maintain skin firmness and elasticity.

Many women, from the age of 30, begin to notice fine lines and wrinkles appearing, and that’s all down to the reduction of collagen and elastin.

The key to tackling the first signs of ageing is incorporating collagen and elastin with supporting ingredi-

T

Ziaja Rose Butter Moisturising Day

Ziaja Rose Butter Skin-Firming Night

Ziaja Rose Butter Micro Peeling –

Cream – €6.99

Cream – €6.99

€4.79

Ziaja Rose Butter Water – €4.50

ents into daily routines, and regular exfoliation with a gentle scrub or athome peel.

The Ziaja rose butter range uses ECO-certified ingredients, and its floral scent is designed to give skin a great sensual experience.

What’s great about this range is that it doesn’t have to break the bank, with the full range available under €25.

ing film of moisture that restores the skin’s natural protective barrier.

This rich but light-feeling cream soothes redness, and encourages the skin to repair and restore, smoothing out lines and wrinkles.

and hyaluronic production – plumping the skin from within, helping to visibly reduce lines and wrinkles.

Formulated to be mild and nondrying, this gentle cleanser will leave every skin type fresh and clean.

It removes make-up, surface grime and oils, softens the skin, reduces skin tension and soothes irritations.

Dermatologically- and ophthalmologically-tested, it is colourants, parabens and fragrance-free.

Ziaja Rose Butter Moisturising Day Cream – €6.99 This product gives skin a nurtur-

Ziaja Rose Butter Skin-Firming Night Cream – €6.99 This fast-absorbing and intensively-moisturising cream works to refine and firm skin texture while you sleep.

The active ingredients combine to boost moisture levels in the skin,

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Ziaja Rose Butter Micro Peeling – €4.79 This delicately cleanses and massages the skin, and peels off dead skin cells.

It stimulates oxygen circulation, and reveals a visibly revitalised complexion, restoring natural smoothness and softness.

Ziaja Rose Butter Water – €4.50

This range is available at McCabes pharmacies and independent pharmacies nationwide. Shop online at www.originalbeauty.ie.

16 February 2012 GAZETTE 15

16 GAZETTE 16 February 2012

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC Time for a spring clean in your music collection

I DEE WOODS

LIVE REVIEW: A NIGHT OF SUBLIME MAGIC AT THE SUGAR CLUB

Sweetness and soul I JESSICA MAILE

I CAN’T believe it’s the middle of February already. And although it may not feel like it, spring has sprung and what better time for a spring clean...of your music collection?

We all have a favourite band or artists who we won’t hear a word against. We collect their albums and re-issues and wear their logo emblazoned across a t-shirt, while simultaneously guffawing at a friend who records Glee every week (I’m not really sure why we’re still friends, actually).

Working in a station that plays classic rock, it’s striking how strongly our listeners feel about the music we play and what it means to them. One listener will say: “If it doesn’t have Peter Green in it, then it just isn’t Fleetwood Mac,” while another will name Rumours as their favourite album.

Everyone’s got an opinion, which is what makes it interesting, but if working in a station where listeners are so passionate has taught me nothing else, it’s that all music has something to offer.

Try it yourself: Venture out of the Rock section in the music shop or borrow that album your mate keeps banging on about. You could be pleasantly surprised.

I HAVE literally thousands of songs on my iPod, but I have been left wanting for something new, something fresh and definitely something real.

Since the beginning of 2012, I have been searching for some real voices, something that rings strong and true.

Voices that sound good in the recording studio, as well as live, and whichare not manufactured for a vapid TV talent show.

Artists that pay their dues in small venues and work their way to the big time because they can actually perform.

Luckily for me, I made my way to The Sugar Club last weekend, where

I was priveleged to see The Staves and Michael Kiwanuka.

The Staves — Emily, Jessica, and Camilla Staveley-Taylor — are sisters from Watford, England, blessed with amazing voices. They weave intoxicating three-part harmonies through songs about love and longing with a folk flair.

Songs like Mexico and I Try, from their debut EP are enough to make anyone melt, as their voices cast their spell.

The Staves have a purity all of their own and are a joy to listen to.

After being completely delighted with The Staves, I was introduced to Michael Kiwanuka.

Michael is a 23-yearold Londoner who has

Michael Kiwanuka brought the soul to the Sugar Club last week

soul without compare.

He has been compared to the likes of Bill Withers and Otis Redding, which you can definitely hear in the richness of his voice, especially in

songs like Tell Me a Tale and Home Again.

Although his style is not exactly original, and has been labelled retro-soul, his strong but soothing voice captures

the spirit of the music of the past and brings it up to date with his poetic lyrics and catchy melodies. His album, Home Again, will be available March 12.

WE HAVE 146,000* READERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS CALL 60 10 240

16 February 2012 GAZETTE 17

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

FACTS: OLDER CATS HAVE A FULLY-FORMED PERSONALITY MAKING THEM BETTER PETS

Feline like you need some company?

ARE you looking for the puurrrfect partner?

Feline like you need someone to keep you company; to be kind to you on those lovely spring evenings?

A companion who adores belly rubs and enjoys squeaky toys?

Pawtastic! We’ve got the cutest companions for you, right here at Ireland’s oldest and largest animal rescue shelter.

Why not drop up and see for yourself, because the Dublin SPCA animal shelter is bracing itself for the onset of kitten season and would dearly like to re-home some special older felines in order that they can free up space in preparation for orphaned kittens.

Interested? Then read on…

• Annette is a sevenyear-old domestic shorthaired tabby and white female who’s looking for a quiet, relaxed life partner.

This independent woman doesn’t like fuss and, although she may appear to be shy, interested parties will soon realise Annette loves to play and, most of all, looks forward to spring evenings spent huddled by the fire.

If you can provide Annette with candle-lit suppers, we guarantee, she’ll soon be eating out

of your hand.

• Angel and Gucci – A couple of swells, these wise guys are strictly exclusive and must be re-homed together.

Why? Because the brothers refuse to be separated; besides Angel is only 10 months and needs big bro Gucci (4) to keep him in check.

T hese magnificent moggies would ideally be suited to a family with older children who can provide them with a stimulating, fun environment.

• Fatboy and Sullivan – Two siblings who like to live it large like the Lord and Lady of the manor.

You see, the pair, who are the best of buddies, are like a comedy duo with fun and f lir tatious Sullivan playing the adventuress who likes to drink from the tap before exploring her territory, while Mr Smooth, Fatboy, is a laid back moggy who gets his kicks snuggling under the duvet and purring for cuddles.

An older cat’s personality is fully-formed making them far less likely to provide any nasty surprises to their adoptive family in the future.

So, what the new owners sees, is what the new owner gets.

If properly intro duced, the older cat is less likely to upset an already resident cat or dog than a rambunctious kitten.

Older cats are usually litter- and scratch-post trained so their owners don’t have the hassle of

teaching them, there are fewer messes to clean up and the furniture is more likely to be left intact.

For more

information log onto www.dspca.ie or email me miriam.kerins@dspca.ie

The Dublin SPCA has a whole range of cute companions for you

18 GAZETTE 16 February 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs

PUNTO VAN AND AMAROK WIN BIG WITH IMWA: THE Fiat Punto Van and Volkswagen Amarok have been named Category Winners of the Continental Irish Van of the Year 2012 title by the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA) Van Jury.

All nine voting members of the IMWA Van Jury took part in the vote. In deciding on these category winners, the jury members took into account such attributes as load capacity, reliability, overall versatility, cost of ownership and drive comfort.

Presenting the awards to Adrian Walsh, Fiat Ireland; and Paul Burke, Volkswagen Ireland, Paddy Murphy, of Continental Tyres said: “In today’s tough commercial vehicle market, these two great vehicles have won the valuable endorsement of the Irish Motoring Writers Association. I am sure that winning this Continental Irish Van of the Year Category Award will be a huge boost for both the Punto Van and Amarok.”

Michael Moroney, chairman of the IMWA van jury, said: “The Continental Irish van category awards are of particular interest to Irish van / commercial drivers and fleet managers, as they highlight the niche models best suited to the particular requirements of the Irish market.”

Brigita Moloney holds up the keys to her new Ford Fiesta presented to her by Dr Senan Mullins, CEO The Care Trust; Mary Kennedy, Care Trust Ambassador, and Eddie Murphy, managing director and chairman, Ford Ireland

Happy winner in Ireland’s largest car giveaway DUBLIN’S Brigita Moloney, a Ballinteer local, was this week announced as the winner of a Ford Fiesta in The Care Trust’s fundraising draw, which, as Ireland’s biggest car giveaway, will see 36 cars up for grabs in 2012.

Picking up the keys for her new car, a delighted Brigita said: “What a way to start 2012, I am absolutely thrilled to win a car as part of The Care Trust draw. I love the sleek and sporty look of the Fiesta

and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel.”

Dr Senan Mullins, CEO of The Care Trust said: “Congratulations to Brigita – we wish her many years of safe and happy motoring. Without the support of Brigita, and thousands of other Irish people, The Care Trust wouldn’t be able to provide funds for its valuable work. Think of it, for a little more than the cost of a cup of coffee per week, our contributors

have the opportunity to win a lovely new Ford Fiesta, or one of many generous cash prizes in each of our 36 draws.”

Clondalkin native Mary Kennedy, The Care Trust Ambassador, was also on hand at the prize draw and had nothing but praise for the work the trust carries out: “With all that The Care Trust does to raise funds, the most incredible part is seeing how many people have been helped – and

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

‘With all that The Care Trust does to raise funds, the most incredible part is seeing how many people have been helped’ --------------------------------------------------------

just how the services and support for children and adults with disabilities have improved.”

Set up more than 50 years ago, The Care Trust fundraises to provide essential funds to the

Central Remedial Clinic (CRC), Rehab and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.

The money raised helps fund these organisations in their work with the many thousands of

children and adults with physical, medical or intellectual disabilities, those who are socially disadvantaged and those requiring medical care.

The Care Trust’s prize draws take place three times per month with all winners notified by post.

For €3.50 per week / €15 per month, contributors are eligible for all draws. For more information, see thewwwcaretrust.ie or phone (01) 200 0060.

New Porsche Centre Dublin opens in Dun Laoghaire PORSCHE presence in Ireland steps up a gear this month with the opening of Porsche Centre Dublin, adding new car sales to the existing pre-owned and after-sales business. This positive development is supported by local customer demand for new Porsche models and represents a vote of confidence for

future business in the Irish market.

The new centre expands the existing Porsche Service Centre site on Rochestown Avenue and comes at an exciting time for Porsche enthusiasts in Ireland, following the recent launch of the all-new 911 Carrera, and forthcoming introduction of the new Boxster.

The powerful line-up of sports cars available at Porsche Centre Dublin also includes the mid-engined Cayman coupe, versatile all-wheel drive Cayenne and four-door Panamera Gran Turismo. The Cayenne Diesel and Panamera Diesel models benefit from road tax of €677, thanks to their low

emissions of 189 and 172 g/km CO2 respectively.

Porsche Centre Dublin is located just off exit 16 of the M50 at Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire. Customers can contact the Centre on 01 235 3375or by email at info@porschedublin.ie

16 February 2012 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 16 February 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS DRIVING

Proper training not being offered MORE than half of businesses operating vehicle fleets do not offer their employees training on safe, cost-efficient driving a new study has revealed.

According to research, commissioned by fleet management specialists TomTom Business Solutions, 54 per cent of companies have not introduced formal training to improve their employees’ driving style – even in the face of rising fuel prices.

The study discovered that 35% of companies do not even offer their drivers fuel-saving tips, even though 83% believe their staff is guilty of speeding.

“Appropriate driver training can have a significant impact on a fleet’s cost base,” said Giles Margerison, director UK and Ireland for TomTom Business Solutions.

“Heavy acceleration, braking and excessive speed have the biggest negative impact on fuel economy and it is important employees are made aware of the knock-on effects caused by bad driving habits.

“Alongside company-set benchmarks for performance, fleet management tools are a cost-effective way to promote greener, safer, more efficient driving. Globally, our systems account for savings of around €1.5 million each day.”

A further 80% of those questioned believed their drivers were involved in harsh driving practices, but only 27% offered incentives for employees to improve their miles per gallon – and cut costs as a result.

See http://youtube/ aR7IF-OkPTk for advice from TomTom Business Solutions on how to promote greener, safer, drivers by giving them immediate feedback on their performance behind the wheel.

MINI has the lowest average CO2 emission’s (117.1g/km) making it the cleanest brand in Ireland

Another reason to enjoy MINI A

RECENT CO2 survey of Irish new car registrations in 2011

by Motorcheck.ie has revealed MINI to have the lowest average CO2 emission’s (117.1g/km) making MINI the cleanest brand in the land.

Motorcheck.ie CO2 measurement is a true-to-life survey of the 89,000+

vehicles registered in Ireland last year.

Combining this significant achievement with MINI’s competitive pricing, made all the more affordable through MINI Financial Services and low-cost road tax, is it any wonder that January 2012 saw a 100%+ increase in MINI registrations versus the same month last year. The best-selling model, the

MINI First, is currently available for just €299 per month with a €299 deposit*.

The survey was carried out by the car history experts Motorcheck.ie.

Motorcheck.ie provides vehicle history information for any vehicle registered in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK.

See http://www.motorcheck.ie/ blog/mini-is-the-cleanest-car-in-ireland/ * Available through MINI select with MINI Financial Services over 36 months at 10,000km per annum with 3.5% APR. Optional Final Payment (inluding €75 fee) of €8,394.

New Ford B-Max to be revealed in Geneva FORD will throw open the doors to its all-new production-ready B-MAX compact multi-activity vehicle when it is revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Ford president and CEO, Alan Mulally, will be in Geneva to unveil the new B-MAX, which promises to set new standards with its unique design and best-in-class technological features. Its return to Geneva, in full production form, comes just a year after the concept was unveiled at the Geneva show.

According to Stephen

Odell, chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe: “The B-MAX combines an exciting, innovative design, with features that only previously have been found in bigger cars.

“It’s a brand new car that responds to the needs of an increasing number of customers who want much more from their small cars,” he said.

Bringing the B-MAX to production demanded a new approach to door construction, which has resulted in wide-open access for drivers,

passengers and luggage – with the centre pillars integrated into the doors themselves.

The B-MAX also will deliver superior craftsmanship and high-quality materials rarely found on an affordable compact car, together with flexible seating and class-leading load-space.

Ford’s new 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, with its advanced combination of power and efficiency, will be available on the B-MAX, as will Duratorq TDCi diesels.

The Ford B-MAX goes on sale in Europe later this year.

The new B-MAX promises to set new standards with its unique design and best-in-class technological features

16 February 2012 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

ENTERPRISE: NEW SPONSOR FOR THIRD-LEVEL COMPETITION

A NON-EURO CURRENCY ?

Q – While many commentators say the euro will fail or go to a two-tier system, I know you are still positive about the euro. But if you had to put some of your money abroad, which currency would you invest in, why and what about the Norwegian Krone? Alison – Co Dublin A – I am on record as saying the euro will not fail, nor go into a two-tier system. I do, however, agree with you in the diversification philosophy. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, etc. However, as you saw from the Swiss Franc, too much investment caused the currency to strengthen, exports started to fall and the Swiss gov-

At the announcement of AIB’s sponsorship of the Bolton Trust / DIT Student Enterprise Competition, were Rea O’Neill, chairman, Bolton

ernment intervened and devalued the Franc by 10% - so

Trust; Nick Donnelly, regional director AIB; Paul O’Sullivan, dean of the DIT College of Business and Paudie O’Donnell, DIT

much for safety ! So, the biggest worry is that exchange rate. There is no point in moving it to another currency, whether it be Canadian or Australian dollars, Sterling, US dollars because unless it is a permanent move, you will be repatriating the funds eventually and probably anxious at the rate it will then be. One solution and what I would recommend is a Danish Krone account: - Minimum € 20,000 to open the account - Investment period : 2 years 6 months - Interest rate : 1.25% per annum

AIB teams up with DIT in enterprise awards

- Exit rate is guaranteed to match the entry rate or better (you cannot lose)

STAFF REPORTER

- Covered by the Deposit Protection Scheme (€100,000 per person ) Call or email me for details. This is only available with Danish Krone – if you want Norwegian Krone, you have to take the exchange risk and ask is it worth it ?

CREDIT UNIONS Q – I took out a car loan with my credit union at 6.7% for five years nearly three years ago. I am now in the middle of a contract payment and got a letter to say they are increasing this rate to 8.9%. Can they do this ? Am extremely annoyed, feel cheated and wonder do I have any rights ? Mary – Co Dublin A – I really empathise with you as it does seem unfair.

You are on what is known as a variable rate loan. This gives your credit union the right to increase rates not only as they increase in this country, but when they feel additional margin is required. With the recent events – the Financial Regulator had ordered over 300 of the 409 credit unions to stop paying dividends and interest as both liquidity and bad debts were issues – including the Newbridge Credit Union situation where an outside accountancy firm was appointed by the Central Bank to manage the office. On the bright side, any monies held are safe as they are covered by the Government’s Deposit Protection Scheme up to € 100,000 per person.

Go back to the credit union and renegotiate. If they do not lower the rate to the original rate, ask them to extend the loan so at least you are making the same repayments as before. Extending that loan to six years would DECREASE your repayments by € 8.42 per month !

Good luck with the negotiations.

Contact John with your money questions at

jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

THE Bolton Trust/ DIT Student Enterprise Competition has announced a three-year sponsorship agreement with AIB. The Bolton Trust is an independent voluntary trust, actively committed to assisting people in creating sustainable business.

It was established in 1986 by staff of the Dublin Institute of Technology.

As part of its commitment to encourage and promote new business enterprise in Ireland, the student enterprise competition was set up in 1993.

It is a business plan competition and is open to the 20,000 students of DIT and has been running for 19 years. In that time it has grown to be the largest third-level competition of its kind in Ireland.

The competition promotes innovation and entrepreneurship amongst the students, and encourages them to apply their course work creatively to the

demands of real-life enterprise.

This year is the first year of AIB’s involvement with the competition in a sponsorship role. Sharing a commitment to students and enterprise and innovation, it is an exciting and promising partnership.

N i c k D o n n e l l y, regional director of AIB Dublin South said: “We are delighted to be able to partner such a dynamic and innovative college as DIT, and applaud their work in providing students with the practical skills required for an everchanging workplace.

“In conjunction with DIT, the hard work and dedication of the members of the Bolton Trust provides a platform for potential entrepreneurs to flourish.

“AIB recognises the importance of nurturing this emerging talent and, through our support of the Student Enter prise Competition, would like to encourage the creativity and innovation which is essential for any successful business.”

22 GAZETTE 16 February 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL Travel EXTRA HE year 2012 is Northern Ireland’s time to shine and emerge as an international mustsee tourism destination, according to Howard Hastings, chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB).

Speaking in Dublin last week, Mr Hastings urged people throughout Ireland to head north and play their part in making this a year to remember for Northern Ireland.

“This really is our time and our place to change global perceptions of Northern Ireland and put ourselves firmly on the global tourism map,” said Hastings.

NITB’s new £2 million marketing campaign, spearheaded by a new TV ad highlighting the exciting year ahead, was launched across Ireland in recent weeks, and is proving a big success, according to the board’s market manager (ROI), Fiona Cunningham.

“The reaction to our all-Ireland marketing campaign in the first two weeks has been phenomenal,” Fiona said.

“The new advert is proving to be a huge success, not only on TV but also on YouTube, where it has picked up more than 34,000 views already.

“The opening of the world’s biggest Titanic exhibition in Belfast, and the associated Titanic Belfast Festival, kick-start a remarkable programme of historic events,” she said.

A new website, www. ni2012.com, contains everything visitors need to know about attractions and events in Northern Ireland this year.

For now, we have compiled a breakdown of some must-visit attractions happening in 2012.

T

Scott Wylie-Dob finds a short cut at the launch of GraboneEscapes.ie

GrabOne Escapes sends Dubliners off packing BUDGET-SAVVY travellers in Dublin will be grabbing bargains galore on the new GrabOne Escapes website, www.GrabOneEscapes.ie, which launched last week.

Dubliners can save over 50% off everything from city breaks to scenic retreats, family attractions, romantic getaways, spa breaks, cultural activities and outdoor adventures.

GrabOne Escapes will feature a range of fantastic daily offers for staycations and short breaks in Ireland, along with a selection of international escapes.

The launch comes on the back of the hugely successful deal website, GrabOne.ie, which is already a winner with shoppers from Grafton Street to Dundrum, Temple Bar to Swords (and all across Ireland) who have saved over €6 million in less than a year.

Commenting on their new travel venture, Ruairi Doyle, general manager of GrabOne said: “GrabOne Escapes is a dedicated travel website, working with the best tourism and travel operators to offer outstanding value on breaks throughout the country and further afield.

GrabOne Escapes makes taking a break in Ireland or abroad even more affordable. And it is also a fun way to discover new places you may never have even thought about visiting.”

The launch is well-timed, with a recent survey by the National Consumer Agency indicating 57% of Irish consumers have already signed up to an online discount site, with an estimated 32% of the adult population having made a purchase and travel is, by far, one of the services in most demand.

Clontarf Castle in Dublin, Pillo Hotel in Galway and Irish Landmark Trust with properties across Ireland, are just some of the tourism trade who have already signed up for the initiative.

How does it work? Simply sign up to www.

GrabOneEscapes.ie to view the great deal that’s on offer. If it takes your fancy, click buy and you’re ready for your next trip - all for a fantastic price.

GrabOne Escapes is built on the back of their hugely successful deal website GrabOne. ie which is currently available in Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Galway, Kerry, Limerick and the South East, and has saved Irish consumers over €6 million in less than a year.

Titanic Belfast Festival 2012: Belfast, April-May

A FUSION of international-scale events worthy of the great ship her-

self is planned to mark the centenary of Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage.

From the opening of the multi-million pound Titanic Belfast visitor attraction, through to commemoration services on the 100th anniversary of the ship’s sinking, there will be something for everyone. A range of plays, tours, talks, films and major musical events will all position Belfast as the “home” of Titanic.

Peace One Day concert: Derry-Londonderry, June 21

THE Peace One Day Concert on midsummer’s day will attract massive media attention and the biggest names in music.

It’s one of the kick-off events for the UK-wide London 2012 Festival, the finale of the four-year Cultural Olympiad which complements the sports at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

T his concer t will showcase the iconic new public space at the historic Ebrington site in Derry-Londonderry, which is linked to the city centre via the new Peace Bridge. Massive Attack have already been confirmed to play at the gig, and other acts will be confirmed shortly.

There has never been a better year to discover Northern Ireland

2012 Irish Open: Portrush, June 28 – July 1

THE 2012 Irish Open will be hosted by Royal Portrush Golf Club, bringing the world-class event to the Northern Ireland venue for the first time since 1947. Home-grown golfers Darren Clarke, G r a e m e M c D owe l l and Rory McIlroy have enjoyed recent major successes and have firmly established Northern Ireland as the golfing capital of the world.

Land of Giants: Belfast, June 30

LAND of Giants will celebrate iconic Northern Ireland giants on an epic scale, with a spectacular

show featuring music, acrobatics, pyrotechnics, special effects and a cast and crew of over 500 people, all in front of an audience of 20,000 on Belfast’s newest events space, the Titanic Slipways.

The event takes inspiration from some of the giants found in our local history, literature,

society and landscape – Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver, the legendary Finn McCool, Harland and Wolff’s iconic Samson and Goliath, the ships, Olympic and Titanic, industrial achievements and, of course, the Giant’s Causeway.

Funded by Legacy Trust UK, Land of Giants will be a highlight of the

London 2012 Festival and will play a key role in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games.

Peace Camp, by Deborah Warner: July 2012

C R E AT E D b y t h e renowned opera and theatre director, Deborah Warner, in collaboration with actor Fiona Shaw and creative producer

16 February 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray M

FastTravel A wealth of craft, food and small businesses on show in Meath CRAFTERS Ireland’s hugely popular Meath Craft and Food Fair are a great day out for the whole family, and will be taking place in the Newgrange Hotel, Navan, on February 26 from 12 noon until 5pm.

Visit over 30 of the best crafters, foodies and small businesses in the area, including restaurant-quality curry sauce, wickless candles, the best cakes and biscuits Meath can offer, woodturners, hand made jewellery, the forever living company, plus much much more.

For those who want to exhibit at this event, please contact Scott on 085 28 28 420, or check out www.craftersireland.ie.

and d take k part iin the h cell ebrations to welcome to Northern Ireland yacht crews from around the world.

FLAGS by Hans Peter Kuhn: The Giant’s Causeway, August/ September

THIS is the year the Giant’s Causeway unveils the visitor centre worthy of its giant reputation as a must-see destination.

FLAGS by Hans Peter Kuhn, a London 2012 Festival event, is an installation embedded in the dramatic landscape of the Causeway, creating a new visitor experience, drawing on the natural power of the elements. A series of flags, randomly positioned along the banks of the cliff face, will rotate freely in the wind, creating a flickering pattern of yellow and red set against the backdrop of this spectacular landscape.

Artichoke, this major new living artwork has been co-commissioned

by Derry~Londonderry Culture Company 2013 for the Cultural Olympiad.

Installations will appear simultaneously from dusk until dawn at locations around the coast of the UK and Ireland. These glowing,

murmuring artworks are a poignant exploration of love poetry and a celebration of the extraordinary variety and beauty of our coastline.

Clipper Homecoming Maritime Festival: Derry-Londonderry, July 5-8

THE Clipper Round The World Yacht race will

make its homecoming leg from Nova Scotia to Northern Ireland, arriving in Derry-Londonderry in late June 2012, and welcomed by a four-day maritime festival at the end of the following week to celebrate the visit of the world’s longest race.

This is an opportunity to be inspired by the endeavour of the crew

50th Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s: Belfast, October 19 – November 3

DANCE, music, theatre, visual arts, film, classical and world music will all come to life in many forms during this autumnal event.

This year promises a world of talent on your doorstep, and, in 2012, an extended programme will dramatically increase its visibility and Northern

l d cultural l l offering, ff i Ireland’s including Belfast’s worldclass cultural venues.

For full details on the key events in ni2012, visit www.ni2012.com.

24 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT and

GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 The Glee Experience

STRAIGHT from two sell-out shows at The Olympia Theatre, The Glee Experience is a musical tribute to the smash hit TV show featuring all your favourite characters, songs and storylines.

The workshop is at 3pm and 7pm on Saturday, February 18, with tickets priced €15.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340

The Magic of Musical Theatre at The Mill THE Mill Theatre is delighted to present this benefit with some of your favourite performers in a tribute to musical theatre. Guest artistes include West End star Roisin Sullivan, Sandra Oman, Eoin Cannon, The Glencullen and Kilmacud Musical Societies, Garry Mountaine, Jack and Mac, Joe Conlon, Alison Vard Miller and many more make this a truly magical evening.

This performance takes place on February 18 at 8pm.

Admission: €20/€18

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Eddi Reader

CONSTANT touring with her band has created a magical organic chemistry between Eddi and her players. Whilst renowned for her technical vocal ability, it is Eddi’s passion and instinct that combine to ensure she connects emotionally with her audience.

She famously harmonised with Annie Lennox, touring with the Eurythmics, after her time with successful punk outfit Gang of Four. It was the short-lived but warmly remembered Fairground Attraction that really brought Eddi Reader into the limelight though.

February 20 at 8pm. Tickets €20 / €18 conc

Oskar (Thomas Horn) is destined to spend all his inquisitve, highly-focused energy on uncovering his wise father’s (Tom Hanks) last mystery when he discovers a mysterious key following his father’s death in the 9/11 attack in New York. Can Oskar discover the key’s importance?

Highly calculating Despite being a somewhat manipulative tale, the central actors’ performances elevate the film, to great effect I KATE CROWLEY

WITH the aura of Valentine’s Day still lingering, I know that my dear readers are, most likely, expecting me to produce a luvverly film or two for your consideration.

Well, tough – you’ll both have to pick something “rosemantic” yourselves to go and see.

Instead, Nicolas Cage is back with his sequel to Ghost Rider, and, with Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Cage delivers a tour-de-force bravura performance, as – Oh, who am I kidding.

You both know very well that I can’t abide Mr Cage, and so, I’m moving on to something less tragic… …or, well, to something actually much more tragic. We’re now at the point where what’s simply referred to as 9/11 is – just about – acceptable as a plot-driver in films; something that’s far enough back, yet still close to

FILM OF THE WEEK: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close #### (12A) 129 mins Director: Stephen Daldry Starring: Thomas Horn, Tom Hanks. Sandra Bullock, Max von Sydow, John Goodman, the ghost of 9/11

OUR VERDICT: BASED on the best-selling (and highly controversial) book of the same name, this post-9/11 tale can feel pretty manipulative in parts. Still, young newcomer Thomas Horn delivers a knockout performance which rises above the somewhat calculated direction of the film, with his memorable character lifting the entire film by a grade, while Hanks and Bullock also deliver strong, memorable roles.

today, to have resonance with many viewers, yet to almost be comfortably removed from the events of those awful days.

Here, 9/11 is the catalyst for Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close; the film loosely based on the top-selling book of the same name, by Jonathan Safran Foer.

Oskar (Horn) is a bright, talented and inquisitive young boy, drifting through life in New York with his mother (Bullock) since the loss of his father (Hanks) in the World Trade Center attack, where dad had

been at a meeting in one of the Twin Towers, but never made it home.

However, Dad’s never really far away, as much of Oskar’s life continues to be shaped by his decent father’s shadow, with the memories of their life together continuing to shape Oskar’s life.

Finding a mysterious key, Oskar knows – he just knows – that he has to find what it unlocks, somewhere in the city, and thus uncover his Dad’s last secret.

Dad also pops up regularly throughout the film, courtesy of flashbacks,

further reinforcing the family life and father-son relationship that drives Oskar forward in his mysterious quest.

And so, with this mystery key to inspire him, Oskar’s afoot in the big city, off to explore and try and work out what the key unlocks, and where to find such a place.

Whatever about the dangers of a nine-yearold boy wandering New York’s boroughs by himself, Oskar finds that, although the puzzle of finding where Dad’s key belongs could, perhaps, be beyond him, his journey to find its resting place will bring him to lots of other people who have their own 9/11 stories …

Straight off the bat, I should say that Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is certainly not “the” definitive 9/11 film – no doubt it’ll be decades, if at all, before such a film comes to pass – but, in a

somewhat manipulative way, it’s a striking film nonetheless.

Considering that the film’s puppetmaster – or director, Stephen Daldry – has orchestrated a terrific performance from newcomer, young Thomas Horn (with Hanks and Bullock exercising their acting chops a little, too, and with decent turns from the likes of the legendary Max von Sydow, and John Goodman, among others), it’s hard not to feel too bad about having heart strings, err, strung, and being manipulated into caring for Oskar, and the assorted characters he meets.

Despite the very bookish-feeling that underpins it all – and without making any pun or wordplay at all – Horn’s towering performance, and the interesting, if slightly calculated, direction of the film raises it above the bog-standard movies also out this week.

16 February 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 25

NEW MEDIA Bytesandpieces Challenging a Twitter precedent

Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, is faced with the difficulty in funding RTE as the State’s public service broadcaster, while, at the same time, many citizens now access national and international programming online, rather than watch television

Problem of imposing a broadcast charge SHANE DILLON

TODAY, more than one state broadcaster around the world is wondering what the future holds for their national resource.

Here, Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, faces some cold facts, regarding the fractures running underneath RTE, and the state broadcaster’s finances, resources and remit.

The population is growing – now up to 4.8 million, as per the latest census – yet RTE continues to face people switching off their television sets and increasingly meeting their entertainment needs through their laptops, smartphones and games consoles instead.

I n c r e a s i n g l y, t h i s means that – for example – people may watch RTE online, even if “online” means sitting on the Luas from Dundrum or Tallaght, via an app on their phone.

Meanwhile, many other

citizens are also tuning in online, or on the move, to a wide range of international broadcasters, such as the BBC, C4, Sky et al, ignoring RTE altogether.

Traditional TV viewing now accounts for an ever-decreasing share of people’s personal time – and decreasing audiences also means further decreasing finances, once advertisers start pulling back from shows, or demanding revised rates.

Finances Minister Rabbitte has to consider the state of RTE’s finances, its public duties as the state broadcaster, and issues of both how to engage with the entire population in a fair and transparent manner – as well as what stick to wave for those with no intention of propping up what is, for many, an irrelevant matter that they feel no connection to.

As such, the Government is still mulling over a new broadcast charge, which, as many read-

ers may know, is being mooted as a possible replacement for the television licence, as a catchall new system to target everyone, and a means to ensure compliance from everyone to support public service broadcasting in the country.

It’s certainly an interesting proposition, on the face of it, as everincreasing numbers have clearly abandoned watching many RTE programmes on an actual television, only to watch these shows online, or via an app, instead.

However, while this issue is still far from the fore of the public consciousness, a number of thorny issues immediately spring to mind – including, for starters, the issue of charging citizens for whatever content they access online.

After all, whatever about people watching RTE online, if an Irish citizen (or resident, say) watches BBC programming online, or America’s

NBC, or China’s CCTV, or Qatar’s Al-Jazeera, or even a multitude of publicly-available content on YouTube – how, then, can the Irish State charge citizens to access internationally-available content that does not originate in the State itself?

When such online programming does not contribute one cent to the Irish purse, it must be asked how Minister Rabbitte, and the Government, expects to charge for such access.

Access This is especially relevant to ask, considering that such individually-selected content is not otherwise available within, or provided by, the Irish State – yet a broadcast charge would, in effect, constitute a tax, by another name, for internet access.

This raises further, interesting points about civil liberties, which I’ll leave for another day, but I cannot help but wonder

if such points are being duly considered.

In addition, I wonder how these international organisations (ranging from the aforementioned BBC to Al-Jazeera et al) would feel about the Irish Government, in effect, making money off their online broadcasts via a broadcast charge.

We can all agree that the State must charge for public service television, and that the Minister has to take steps to streamline revenues in line with the rapidly-changing viewer model, and the continuing decline and fragmentation of audience share in Ireland today.

However, the issue of what, exactly, a possible broadcast charge would constitute, as well as the issue of how to implement it – and then to police it, particularly regarding concerns over, in effect, creating a de-facto tax on internet access – could well be a sleeping dog with quite a bark for this Rabbitte, if awoken ...

MANY readers know how Twitter is being used as an alternative means of communication around the world, with interesting questions emerging about Twitter’s use in the future, by both citizens and authorities alike.

In Britain, Doncaster man Paul Chambers’ legal case continues following his conviction for a January, 2010 Tweet, where he Tweeted to friends and followers that Robin Hood airport (which was closed by heavy snowfall, thus preventing him from travelling to Northern Ireland to see his girlfriend) had a week to reopen, “otherwise I’m blowing the airport sky high!”

However, authorities were not amused, and he was subsequently charged and convicted of causing a menace under the Communications Act 2003, in what is believed to be Britains’ first criminal conviction for the content of a Tweet.

At the time of writing, Chambers’ case was due to go before Britain’s High Court to appeal against his conviction under a number of freedom of expression, and civil liberty grounds, with Chambers having already been given a £1,000 fine and losing his job. It’ll be interesting to see how Chambers’ case concludes.

Ah, for the good old, pre-Twitter days, when one could mutter unlikely threats without a legal precedent being set!

GAZETTE

26 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2012

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GazetteSPORT

DUBLIN ALL-STARS: All the winners from the Dublin Sports Awards: Pages 28-29

TELEVISION: US EXPERIENCE INFORMS INSIGHTFUL PROGRAMME ON NEW YORK SIDE

Setanta to air GAA diaspora documentary sport@gazettegroup.com

THE player drain caused by the recession has been one of the bleaker stories for the GAA in the past few years, with clubs losing stalwarts to Australia, Canada and the US, thinning their ranks.

On the flip side, that drain has been acting as a link to the homeland for many Irish abroad.

It is a connection which Ballinteer man, Cillian O’Chonchur, delicately

helps portray in the documentary, An Exile’s Home in the Bronx, which debuts this week on Setanta.

It follows the fortunes of the 2011 New York side and their struggles to prepare for a Connacht senior football championship date with Roscommon, hoping for a maiden win.

The result did not materialise but, along the journey, O’Chonchur and directors Niall and Steven McCann, amassed over

80 hours of footage from within the camp, with heartfelt, personal interviews with the players.

O’Chonchur, a sports journalist, came up with the original premise whilst on a Fulbright scholarship in New York, and says the story told became very much that of the players and their situations.

“The New York team, itself, would not have any major stars in it. Dan Doona played minor and U-21 for Kerry, and a few

The New York team prepare for their match against Roscommon in the Exiles documentary

of them did similar but didn’t pursue it. One of them sums it up: ‘If football was their main goal, they’d be back in Ireland’,” he told GazetteSport.

“Although it’s based around the game with Roscommon, it hopefully comes across as not a straight, sports documentary but as one which sees these guys having to leave

Ireland for New York while at the same time trying to cling on to their only bit of Irishness.”

O’Conchur – whose brother Padraic lines out for Ballinteer St John’s senior footballers – had initially looked at making the documentary in 2010, centring on the American side’s tussle with Galway.

He and another Irish

masters’ student at New York University initially put together a piece for a college television project, building a rapport with the players and team management and approached Setanta with a view to broadcasting it.

They backed it and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland came through with funding for the

project in March of 2011.

“I came back to Ireland in May [2010] and started writing up a treatment and then found out last March we got the funding so, from then until two weeks ago, it was pretty much all I eat, dreamed and slept. There’s no better way to learn something than doing everything yourself.”

28 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2012

GazetteSport Sport

Insaka FC’s James Igwilo and coach Uby Ufoh

Sports Awards

Team of the Year - Castleknock’s celebrations begin. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Every one’s a winner

HE third annual Dublin Sports Awards took place recently at the Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley and once again proved to be a true celebration of the best of Dublin’s sporting communities.

The gala night saw Olympic athlete Deirdre Ryan and Somerton club Castleknock GAA rewarded for their achievements in 2011 with the Sports Person and Sports Team of the Year prizes.

The event will form part of a programme to air on Setanta Sports in the coming weeks, and we will keep you posted as to air dates and times as soon as we have them.

Cricketer George Dockrell and Sarah Sarsfield

T

Fingallians’ Paddy Kelly

Wigan star Conor

for the junior hurlers

Sammon’s father, Hilary

Lucan Sarsfields’ camogie mentors, Thomas Dowling, Mary Rigney and Joe Whyte Swords Celtic’s Vincent McGrath

Camillus and Maura Muldowney representing golfer Sheena McElroy

Deirdre Ryan’s father, PJ

Motor star Gary Thompson talks to Paul Dempsey

16 February 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 29

in association with

FastSport CMH Ballon’s Tomas Ilves and captain Majuydas

Mountview’s Cian McGrath

Hannah Tyrrell

Canoe stars Neil Fleming and Peter Egan

’Rock image wins world recognition AN ICONIC image from the match between Old Belvedere and Blackrock College in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League Division 1A match at Anglesea Road was awarded the second-place prize in the Sports Singles’ Category at the 55th annual World Press Photo Contest.

Sportsfile snapper Ray McManus’ picture was chosen from over 100,000 entries worldwide.

McManus said: “It’s a huge privilege for both Sportsfile and myself to be honoured on an international stage. This is the third time that we have been awarded for our work at the contest, and underlines the hard work and dedication of the Sportsfile team.”

Paul Dempsey chats to Mick Lynch of Castleknock GAA

Annalise Murphy’s Brian Murphy

brother, Finn

Bohs back depression awareness charity BOHEMIANS showed their support for the Lean on Me depression awareness last Monday night by wearing the Lean On Me logo on their jerseys in their Setanta Cup match against Portadown.

Bohemians are currently without a long-term shirt sponsor and are using the opportunity to promote the campaign, which is supported by Lundbeck and Aware.

The Professional Footballers’Association of Ireland (PFAI) and the

Dublin footballer Kevin Nolan with Lorna Atkinson, Paul Ryan

Ryan O’Dwyer

Fiona Waters and Hazel Nestor

Leeanne Royle with dad, David, and mum, Tina, with St Brigid’s Kevin Bonner, Alan Daly and Graham Norton

Kim and Mark Maguire

Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association (IRUPA) have also announced their partnership with the depression awareness campaign.

General secretary of the PFAI, Stephen McGuinness, said: “The PFAI have come on board with the Lean On Me campaign to try and encourage our members and the wider public, to open up and talk to someone if they think they might be struggling with symptoms of depression.”

For more information, log on to www.leanonme.net, or contact the Aware loCall helpline at 1800 303 302.

30 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 16 February 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

CRICKET: DUNDRUM STAR PREPARED FOR HARD SCHEDULE

De La Salle Churchtown claim badminton result DE LA SALLE Churchtown continued their recent run of fine results on the Dublin schools’ badminton circuit when the 2011 U-14 division three champions stepped up to claim the U-16 crown this week.

They got the better of High School in the final in a close match. It began with the meeting of the two captains, with De La Salle’s Kevin Flanagan facing Adam Lunnon-Collery. There was little to separate the two throughout the game and neither player could build a lead, but Flanagan finished stronger to take the rubber, 30-27.

The next tie on court saw De La Salle’s Danreb Matcha under pressure against the impressive Mark Perham. Matcha took a slight lead early on but Perham came back as he appeared to settle into the game. Skilfully placed drops and good shot choices proved too much for Matcha.

High School moved ahead in the match when Mark Deacon squeezed home by the narrowest of margins with a 30-28 success against Churchtown’s Anees Niazi.

Niazi took the initial lead, putting some distance between himself and Deacon with his powerful clears and smashes but a late surge allowed him to sneak past Niazi.

The final singles game saw Jamie McMahon take on Charlie Kerr. McMahon looked confident all the way through as he dominated the game with his well placed shots. He won 30-13.

It left the match tied 2-2, and finely balance going into the doubles games. First up, was De La Salle’s doubles pairing of Flanagan and McMahon against The High School’s Adam Lunnon-Collery and Mark Perham. This was a closely fought game, with some brilliant shots from both sides.

Although Flanagan and McMahon played themselves into a small lead in the first half of the match, Lunnon-Collery and Perham came back near the end of the game, and a final smash snatched the game.

It all came down to the final doubles’ match, between De La Salle’s Matcha and Niazi and High School’s Deacon and Kerr.

They outplayed their opponests, and extended their lead point by point, running out 30-16 winners.

This meant that the two teams were tied 3-3 with count-back needed to decide the game. The total points of each team were counted and the result was a De La Salle victory of 161-147.

George Dockrell accepts his Sports Star of the Month award for March at the Dublin Sports Awards recently

Dockrell set for 2012 tests sport@gazettegroup.com

D U N D R U M n a t i ve George Dockrell is looking forward to what looks set to be an eventful 2012 for Irish cricket when he travels to Kenya this week for a number of matches designed to sharpen Ireland’s field skills ahead of a demanding schedule.

“We have a busy winter coming up. Next week we will be travelling to Kenya. We will be in Kenya for two weeks, and we will play them first in the inercontinental cup, which is a four-day test,” explained Dockrell to GazetteSport as

he picked up his Sports Star of the Month award at the Dublin SPorts Awards recently.

The match against Kenya will be followed by two one-day internationals, which will form part of the qualifying for the World Cup 2015 in Australia, and Dockrell is positive ahead of these ties.

“Hopefully, that will be another two wins, which will keep up our winning streak. We will also be playing a number of Twenty20 matches as well, leading up to our training camp in South Africa.

“All that prepara-

tion is going toward the time that we will spend in Dubai, where we will spend two weeks in the Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers. That will be a great tournament, 16 associate teams fighting out for the two qualifying places for next summer in Sri Lanka.”

Ireland will be the topranked associate team in Dubai, and will need to capitalise on their experience of the previous week to ensure that they progress to the finals.

“Anything can happen in Twenty20 cricket, and we need to make sure that we turn up for every game,” said Dockrell.

The Dundrum man has also had the honour of forming part of a select side who played against England in Dubai recently as the world number one side prepared for their test series against Pakistan.

“Always you want to be playing at the highest level against the best in the world, testing yourself in the long form of the game. To spend three days bowling against them was a real test and something special.”

Dockrell knows very well that the goals are high, but has faith in the side that have registered some big upsets in world

cricket in recent years ahead of this year.

“For Ireland, it’s a big winter, and the goal is to qualify for the Twenty20 world cup, go out there and cause another few upsets, get through to the quarter-finals at least.

“That’s a long way off, but we are thinking about the next tour, and we are playing against Australia in Belfast later this year.

We’re testing ourselves against the best of the best. We played them two summers ago, and this time we’ll be looking for the win. We set out our stall high, and we ran them close the last time out.”

Kieran’s tournament a huge success

sport@gazettegroup.com

De La Salle Palmerston’s Kirwan Park last weekend hosted the eighth annual Kieran Burke Festival of Rugby.

Over 800 boys and girls from 27 different clubs through out Leinster, most of whom were taking part in their first ever festival or rugby. played in the event.

The children made new friends and also got to meet Leinster players Jamie Hagan and Leo Auva’a, who excelled as ambassadors for Leinster at

the event, signing autographs and posing for photos with the future stars of Leinster rugby.

The festival saw 67 teams lined up for the first set of games across the 32 pitches, with each team playing seven matches.

Clondalkin RFC were named the 2012 overall winners, and, in the true spirit of the festival, were deemed to be the team had the most fun.

For the next 12 months, the Kieran Burke trophy will proudly be on display at Clondalkin’s home ground at Kingswood Park.

An event of this magnitude takes a considerable amount of organising and with the original event having being postponed due to bad weather, DLSP FC would like to thank a number of key people who have been instrumental to the success of the event year-on-year: The Burke Family, Michael Nugent, David Hicks, Ciaran Daly, Stephen Gore of Leinster Rugby, all the members of DLSP involved in pitch marking, traffic management etc, and most importantly, all the participants.

16 February 2012 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 31

in association with

HURLING: YOUNG STARS CLAIM NINTH U-21 TITLE a

CLUB NOTICEBOARD BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S WELL done to the U-21 hurlers (John

Guidelines 2012 for juvenile men-

Small, John Ryan, David Sweeney,

tors, parents and guardians now

Alan Ryan and Mick Ryan) on a

on website.

thrilling win in the championship final over Kilmacud Crokes - the

Minor hurling league final next Sunday v Kilmacud Crokes.

ninth title in the club’s history at

Ladies football spring clothes col-

this level. Appreciation to sponors,

lection on March 24 and 25. Details

Mark Ellis Pharmacy.

shortly.

There is a table quiz on Thursday

First golf outing of the year on Fri-

night in aid of Cian Durkin Memorial

day, April 13, in Craddockstown GC.

Tournament. Start at 8pm.

Captain for 2012: Donie Kerin.

Bingo is on Tuesday nights.

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 3, 10,

Club membership now due - online

20 and 30. Jackpot of €10,000 was

payment options are on www.bod-

not won. There were six match first

engaa.ie.

three winners.

BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S

Another peerless performance saw Ballyboden annex the Under-21 title, a ninth honour at this level for the club

Boden claim Under21 championship U-12 HURLING C’SHIP Ballyboden St Enda’s Kilmacud Crokes (AET)

1-14 1-13

I sport@gazettegroup.com

THE Ballyboden St Enda’s hurling conveyor belt continues to produce county titles after the club claimed the (2011) Dublin U-21HC A final at O’Toole Park last Saturday.

Boden trailed by seven points in normal time but got up off the canvas to force extra-time.

Playing with the wind advantage, and with Kevin O’Loughlin in excellent form, Crokes led 1-7 to 0-3 at the conclusion of the opening half.

Sean McGrath hit the Kilmacud goal in the 25th minute when he arrowed clinically to the net from a tight angle.

Crokes still held a goal advantage in the final minutes before points from Naoise Maguire, Gavin Corrigan and

Niall Ryan, three minutes into injury-time, forced extra-time (1-9 to 0-12).

Points from McGrath, J u d e Swe e n e y a n d O’Loughlin saw Crokes enter the break in extratime two points to the good, 1-12 to 0-13, but two minutes after the break Dean Curran blasted a close range free to the net before a point from Stephen O’Connor suddenly saw Boden in front by two.

A late free from O’Loughlin, bringing his tally to nine – seven from placed balls – was deflected over as Boden held on for victory.

Meanwhile, Dublin’s ladies continued their fine start to the season with a 0-10 to 0-7 win over Meath in the second series of NFL division one games.

The win over Leinster rivals Meath in front of a large crowd of spectators in the impressive surroundings of Donagh-

more Ashbourne GAA Club made it two wins from two on the road in 2012 for the Jackies.

Meath full forward Aoife Thompson got the opening score of the match with a fine strike from just outside 25 metres. Down at the other end of the field Dublin’s three times All Star Sinead Aherne was beginning to show her class in the forward line.

Aherne got the Jackies first and soon followed up with a second, this time from a 20 metre free. The tie went back and forth with Katie O’Brien equalising but Boden’s Natalia Hyland and Niamh McEvoy came more into the game earning a couple of frees which Aherne duly despatched.

It appeared to give Dublin the upper hand but Meath nipped back into the tie to make it 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time.

Dublin upped their

game, though, in the second half with the half back line of Ailish McKenna, Sinead Finnegan and Fiona Hudson in full control This defensive edge, combined with the link role being displayed

by Dublin midfielder, Sinead Goldrick, helped Dublin spread the ball using the full width of the ground Meath at this stage were relying on the free taking skills of St Ultan’s star O’Brien as possession did not lead to many clear unpressurised shots while Orlaith Egan’s point added insurance to the scoreline.

THERE was no winner of last Thurs-

lection and raise much needed

day’s Lotto draw. Next week’s draw

funds for our football and hurling

will be for €6,000.

Feile teams.

Tickets are available online at

Bags will be collected from the

w w w. b a l l i n t e e r s t jo h n s . c o m o r

clubhouse on Saturday, February

from the usual outlets.

25 from 10am to 1pm and from 4

Wednesday nights see a great

to 5pm. The charity CanTeen (sup-

night of traditional music, no cover

ports teenagers with cancer) also

charge. Why not come up and join in

benefits.

or enjoy a night of music and craic?

Spread the word to your friends, family and neighbours.

Please support our clothes col-

Singalong in the bar on Tuesdays, singers and musicians welcome.

Check your website for updates: visit www.ballinteerstjohns.com

NAOMH OLAF CONGRATULATIONS to Naomh Olaf

Naomh Olaf.

senior footballers who got the sea-

Congratulations to Niamh Donnelly

son off to a good start last Saturday

on her recent selection for the Dublin

with a 0-11 to 0-5 victory over Lucan.

ladies’ football 2012 U-16 champion-

Football fixtures: Loving Cup A3, Pc Ui

ship panel.

Mhurchu Ballyboden V Naomh Olaf; February 19 at 11am.

Stacy A8, Pc Ui Bhriain: Naomh Olaf V Kilmacud Crokes, February 19 at 12.30pm.

Hurling Fixtures: Corn Ceitin, Dolphin Park, February 19 at 11am, Kevin’s V Naomh Olaf.

Corn Fag a Bealach, Liffey Park, February 19 at 11am, Liffey Gael V

The sad death has occurred of Al Moroney of Ashbourne, father of club member Shelley Hoey.

Mentors night takes place on February 17. All members, helpers and volunteers welcome.

Bridge classes for beginners will take place in the clubhouse February 23 and March 1. Details from Joan O Mahony 086-1084701.

WANDERERS MEMBERSHIP now due and must be paid in full before February 27.

Playing members €100, non-playing members €50. No player will be eligi-

Junior A cup game was cancelled on Sunday, due to unplayable pitches while the junior Bs were beaten by Kilmacud in their match.

ble to play unless fully paid up prior

Next round of cup games this com-

to competitive matches commencing

ing Sunday with the As away to Round

on February 11. Non-playing mem-

Towers, Clondalkin, at 11am, and the

bers are entitled to apply for Dublin

Bs at home to Geraldine Moran’s at

tickets if fully paid up only. Contact

Frank Kelly Park, throw in 2.30pm. All

Damian on 086 863 2565.

support welcome

Tickets for the Dublin Spring Series

Junior A and B players training con-

matches now available at discount-

tinues at Scoil Mhuire each Tuesday

ed price of €30 for the three home

at 7.30pm, Firhouse Gym each Thurs-

matches. Please contact Gary for

day at 7.45pm, and St Columba’s Col-

details on 086 833 0433.

lege each Sunday 10.45am.

ALL OF YOUR DUNDRUM SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

BRILLIANT BODEN: Yet another hurling title for the Firhouse Road’s finest P31

FEBRUARY 16, 2012

YEAR IN REVIEW: Dublin celebrates its sporting heroes P28-29

GazetteSPORT

Scott Evans has been in resurgent form since enduring one of lowest moments of his career at the Norwegian Open before Christmas

Irish champ in seventh heaven

Evans continues his dominance of the national scene with Olympic qualification target also on the horizon dundrumsport@gazettegroup.com

SCOTT Evans is quickly wiping away the dark memories of 2011 with a bumper start to 2012, winning his seventh Irish Open title and looking set to reach his second Olympic Games – the only Irishman ever to do so.

The Dundrum man took just 25 minutes to overcome Stuart Lightbody in Baldoyle last week to take the title in straight sets, 21-5, 21-10 and close in on the record number of wins on this stage which currently stands at eight.

En route, he got the better of Tony Stephenson in the semi-final, the one battle which gave him any form of jitters after a number of years at the top of the game.

Speaking to GazetteSport about the run, he admitted “it was not as difficult as I thought it might be. The one game I was thinking most about was the semi-final against Stephenson. Last year in the final, I won in three sets, losing the first and playing extremely badly but won the next two sets

quite comfortably.

“I was not quite worried but was thinking mostly about that semi. If I was playing any way well, it wouldn’t be a problem and that’s what happened.”

Part of his strong form is down to a mid-season fitness programme which, he feels, has been a factor in moving him to the edge of Olympic qualification despite a bleak 2011.

This culminated in a black card disqualification at a tournament in Norway in November, saying he “never felt lower”.

But a new mental coach and a 15-day physical programme helped him refocus and pick off strong results of late, including a quarter-final at the Turkish Open, a final four appearance in Estonia and another quarter-final in Sweden.

Those results might well have done enough to already qualify him for the Games but he is keen to run up a few more qualification points in the run-up to the May 1 deadline.

This is likely to include tournaments in Hol-

land, Israel, Germany, Switzerland and Finland, a hectic schedule when combined with club league games in Denmark where he plays professionally in between.

But Evans feels positive he can power through.

“The fitness programme definitely played a big part in the first month of this year. Qualification is not 100pc until May when I get confirmation from the World Badminton Federation. That’s the plan.

I’ll play in these tournaments to get a couple more points to be definitely certain. Then I’ll take time off to regenerate my batteries and start a training programme for the Games.

“I definitely feel the problems I had in 2011 that I dealt with them quite well. That’s why I feel like I’m in a good place at the moment and that’s helping my game, getting the results I need to have.

“If I had not made some changes or meet this new guy with the mental side of the game, then I might not be where I am at the moment. I’ve been dealing with a lot of things in the last six months but I feel I’ve done well in each situation.”