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Oscar-winning actor Maggie Smith stars in The Lady in the Van

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INSIDE: Celebrity maitre d’ John Healy has found a new lease of life after organ transplant P16

anyone for tea? Check out our top takes on capital afternoon refreshment P18

Winning ways: ICT integration earns an award Rugby:

Wesley see off the challenge of Blacrock College Page 30

RTE Winning Streak presenter Sinead

Kennedy was guest of honour at Educate Together School, Rathfarnham recently, where she helped the school to celebrate 25 years, and its receiving a Digital School of Distinction award. Dublin West Education Centre granted the award in recognition of excellence in integrating ICT into learning and teaching. Pictured with Sinead are members of the digital committee: Ilana Citron, Lee Nicholl, Sam Van Gelderen, Joshua Wynne and Niamh Cunningham.

Picture: Geraldine Woods

Football:

Boden move on in Leinster championship Page 31

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES....................... 8 DUBLIN LIFE................... 13 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28

Marlay Park gigs set for another five years MCD Productions, council sign fresh contract; concerts to be scaled back

 aisling kennedy

A NEW five-year contract for the Marlay Park concert programme was signed last week between MCD Productions and Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council.

The new contract will see concert numbers reduced from 250,000 to 210,000 people in total per annum, and will also see the concerts reduced from nine to six per annum.

An Cathaoirleach, Barry

Saul (FG), who signed the new contract along with members of the council, said he was delighted that the concert series would continue in Marlay Park for another five years.

Meanwhile, South Dub-

lin Protect Our Parks this week handed a petition with 2,500 signatures on it to the council in protest against the wildlife damage in the park that they believe is attributed to the concert series.

Full Story on Page 4

2 DUNDRUM Gazette 12 November 2015

rathfarnham: device made safe at scene

crisis Council responds to criticism

Army bomb disposal unit called to park  aisling kennedy

AN ARMY bomb disposal team was called to disable a potential bomb in Rathfarnham this week.

The device was found in undergrowth in Loretto Park in Rathfarnham and led to the army cordoning off the scene at around 10am on Monday morning.

Houses and businesses were evacuated while the authorities took time to establish the threat the device. It was made safe at the location before being taken away to a secure military location for further examination.

The scene was declared safe at 11.10am.

The device was later confirmed to be a bomb and the material has been handed over to

Gardai for further investigation.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana told The Gazette: “Gardai attended the scene and a safety cordon was put in place. No injuries were reported.”

This bomb threat follows a pipe bomb attack at a house in Rathfarnham three weeks ago in which a young family were targeted. The bomb was left at the house of missing man Willie Maughan’s sister Martina.

Maughan went missing six months ago, along with his partner Anna Varslavane (21), after he became involved with a well-known Dublin criminal gang. It is feared that Maughan and Varslavane were murdered.

Map shows the status of a range of social housing sites across Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown

681 social housing units to be provided by 2017  aisling kennedy

DUN Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is the richest local authority in Ireland with €130m currently in reserve.

T h e f i g u r e s we r e reported in the media last weekend showing a breakdown of €128.6m in bank investments, €1.4m on deposit and €310,129 in cash.

The figures have surprised councillors in the area and have added to pressure on the council to deliver much needed social housing for the thousands of the area’s families currently on the social housing waiting

list.

At present, 5,618 people are on the social housing waiting list in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown with some families waiting over 10 years.

And yet no new social houses have been built in the constituency so far.

Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind) who queried the amount of social houses built so far this year and the amount that the council has in reserve told the Gazette the situation was unacceptable.

“This is an absolute scandal. We have a housing crisis in the county at the moment.

“I had a woman the

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other day in my office crying her eyes out saying she has been on the social housing waiting list for 10 years and has not even had an offer of a house yet. She has three children.

“Now forget about the people who have refused houses. This woman has never even been offered a house.

“But apparently there’s nothing unusual about that, some people have to wait between 10 to 12 years just to get an offer of a house, let alone receive a house. It’s just an endless, depressing thing.”

Cllr Boyhan believes that Dublin needs a housing authority set up as a matter of priority.

“I thinkwe need a much more central focused collaborative approach with the four local councils coming together and the housing agency rolling

out the houses.

“We have shown time and time again that we are not capable of dealing with the housing crisis.

“The four local authorities cannot keep pace with the demand for social housing.”

This week, the local authority presented its housing depar tment report to local councillors in which it laid out plans to build a target of 681 units which would be provided between 2015 and 2017.

A council spokesperson told the Gazette: “Of the target of 681, 316 units are to be provided under the capital programme which includes, construction, acquisitions, Part V acquisitions, CAS (capital assistance scheme) and returning void properties.

“The remainder of the units are to be provided through leasing and the

rental accommodation scheme (RAS)”.

In addition, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown has planning and funding approval for the construction of 188 units, all of which are at different stages of the design and construction process.

The spokesperson said 53 of these units would be delivered in 2016 but confirmed no new units were completed under the construction programme in 2015.

“A total of 94 households from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s social housing support list were allocated social housing support in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area from January 1, 2015 to November 9, 2015.

“This figure includes two homeless Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) allocations.”

12 November 2015 DUNDRUM Gazette 3

schools

charity: annual fundraising fun run to aid lifeboat charity

German bazaar at St Kilian’s

‘Reindeers’ to help save lives at sea

 aisling kennedy

THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is set to host its annual Reindeer Run in Marlay Park in aid of Dublin’s volunteer lifeboat crews and the life-saving work they do.

The Reindeer Run will take place in Rathfarnham on Sunday, December 6 and all funds raised will go towards the volunteer crew at Dun Laoghaire, Howth and Skerries lifeboat stations.

Radio presenter, author and adventure guru Teena Gates will be present on the day to start the run and lead the participants in the Rookie the Reindeer Warm-Up. Gates told The Gazette:

“Having been involved with this event for a few years now, I would urge people to sign up and help raise funds for a great charity that is close to my heart.”

Last year, RNLI lifeboats in Dublin launched 137 times, bringing 185 people to safety. David Branigan from Dun Laoghaire RNLI said: “Winter months are when RNLI volunteer crews face some of the most challenging call-outs.

“Crew training is vital for the job of life-saving and the fundraising carried out as part of the Reindeer Run by our supporters results in providing the best equipment and instruction.”

The reindeer run caters

for all abilities and ages, with participants choosing from a 5km or 10km walk/run, a 3km option for juniors, or a shorter Santa Saunter.

There are also a number of volunteer marshalling roles to fill. To get involved, contact Pauline McGann, RNLI community fundraising manager, at 086 152 8324, or email Pauline_McGann@rnli. org.uk.

Registration is open at rnli.org/reindeer and costs €20 for the 5Kkm or €22 for the 10km stages.

Children’s tickets are €10 and a family ticket (two adults and two children) is €55. All participants will receive an RNLI Reindeer Run T-shirt, a pair of antlers and a car sticker.

Leinster lads line up: Mascots cheer on home team ahead of a big match LEINSTER mascots Adam Brownell and Max Caulwell were delighted

to pose for a quick shot with Leinster rugby captain Jamie Heaslip at the RDS recently. The Sandyford and Ballinteer boys, respectively, joined with the large crowd in attendance to cheer on the Guinness PRO12, Round 7 fixture, which saw Leinster v Scarlets. Leinster put paid to Scarlets’ six-match winning run, thanks to a 19-15 win for the hosts. Despite the spirited efforts of Scarlets, some solid defence by Leinster, boosted by some dynamic offence, claimed victory, to the delight of most of the watching crowd, and no doubt for the boys, too.

ST KILIAN’S German School/Eurocampus in Clonskeagh will hold a Christmas bazaar on November 28.

The school are gearing up for Christmas and are looking forward to holding their traditional German-style bazaar for the local community.

The bazaar will be a family fun day that will include freshly prepared foods from around the world, along with German beer and bratwurst.

There will also be German arts and crafts, books, toys, a bric-a-brac sale, a wheel of fortune, a tombola, face-painting and Santa’s Grotto.

The Christmas bazaar will take place from 12 to 4pm on the day. For further information, see www.kilians.com.

4 DUNDRUM Gazette 12 November 2015

council Five-year contract signed with MCD Productions

Marlay Park to keep on rocking  aisling kennedy

A NEW five-year contract for the Marlay Park concert programme was signed last week between MCD Productions and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

T he new contract includes some limitations to the annual concert series as it has reduced the number of concerts per annum to a maximum of six concerts, and has also reduced the audience capacity to 210,000 people in total per annum.

The previous contract, which expired this year,

allowed for a maximum of nine concerts per annum and an audience capacity of 250,000 people in total.

T he contract was signed last week by members of the council, An Cathaoirleach Barry Saul and MCD. Cllr Saul (FG) told The Gazette he was delighted to sign the new contract, and said: “By and large, there is widespread support for the concert series.

“T he funding and [income] the concerts produce is always reinvested back into the park and also other parks in

the area; it doesn’t just go back into paying wages or central services, so it [the community] does reap the rewards.

“There’s also been a lot of improvements made to the park over the years because of the concerts.

“A huge amount of work has been carried out by the council to deal with some of the issues around the concerts, including transportation issues, buses and security.

The number of incidents has been quite low, given the number of people who attend the concerts,” he said.

A council spokesperson

said that a member of the council would meet with residents’ associations in January to continue an “intensive public consultation engagement”.

The aim of these meetings is to reduce complaints from local residents and to develop a better external site management plan in 2016.

Cllr Neale Richmond (FG) welcomed the new contract, and said: “For 15 years, Marlay Park has shown itself to be one of the leading outdoor concert venues in Ireland, attracting many top acts.

“The new contract signed by the council and MCD is a realistic and thorough one that will allow top-class concerts to continue to be staged in Marlay Park, while also imposing sensible restrictions to protect local residents.”

He added: “I strongly welcome this new arrangement and look forward to five more years of concerts in Marlay Park.”

Meanwhile, in a sepa-

The Marlay Park concert programme has been extended by another five years, with the council and MCD Productions signing a new contract

rate announcement in relation to Marlay Park, South Dublin Protect Our Parks (SDPOP) handed over a petition to the council this week.

SDPOP handed a petition with 2,500 signatures to members of the council to protest against the wildlife damage in the park that they believe is

Christmas fun at Airfield’s fete AIRFIELD Estate will begin its Christmas festivities this week when it opens its festive fete on Saturday, November 14.

As part of the fete, there will be giant nutcracker soldiers, twinkling lights, a warm welcome from Santa’s elves, and Santa Claus’s cottage, where there will be story-telling and gifts. After the children receive their gifts from Santa, they can meet his reindeer.

Airfield will also host a Christmas fairy trail which will lead children

all around the grounds on an enchanted adventure.

Along the trail, there will be hot chocolate to keep them warm, and mulled wine for parents.

Children will also be invited to write their letters to Santa and then post them directly to the North Pole.

The festive fete runs from November 14 to December 22. Tickets cost €12.50 for adults and €22.50 for children, which includes a unisex gift. For further information, see www.airfield.ie.

attributed to the concert series.

A spokesperson for the group said: “After 15 years of putting up with largescale concerts in Marlay Park each summer, local residents, visitors to the park and market traders have joined together to urge Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Coun-

cil to protect Marlay Park – its wildlife, habitats, flora and fauna – and to respect and protect local residents, park users and park employees.”

The petition outlines the number of people in the area who believe Marlay Park is not a suitable venue for large-scale commercial concerts.

12 November 2015 DUNDRUM Gazette 5

council Budget 2016 spend sees increased funding for services

€2m boost to tackle county homelessness  aisling kennedy

THE Dun LaoghaireRathdown annual budget meeting was held at Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council last week and, as part of Budget 2016, extra funding has been made available for the homeless service, along with additional funding for maintenance and improvement works in the county.

A council spokesperson told The Gazette: “Budget 2016 provides for expenditure totalling €166.6m and allows for

increased service levels across a range of departments and services.”

As part of Budget 2016, the 15% cut in the local property tax (LPT) will remain this year, along with an increase of €250,000 for housing maintenance contracts, which will be used mainly to fund an annual boiler replacement programme.

There will also be no increase in the level of commercial rates for businesses and an additional €312,500 in funding will be provided for road and

footpath restoration and improvement works.

In a new move, and in a bid to tackle the current social housing crisis, the council has allocated over €2m in funding for the homeless service budget.

It is expected that 60% of this will be matched with an increase in central government funding for the service.

The council spokesperson said the council also prided itself on the quality of its public realm and the cultural and recreational facilities it provides

Council: “For the first time in a number of years, Budget 2016 allows for increased expenditure in this area.”

for residents, businesses and visitors.

“For the first time in a number of years, Budget 2016 allows for increased expenditure in this area.”

T here will be an increase of €462,500 in the maintenance budget for Dun LaoghaireR a t h d ow n f l a g s h i p parks and open spaces,

an additional funding of €120,000 for the maintenance of playgrounds and playing pitches, and additional funding for a small number of extra staff at the DLR LexIcon Library.

There will also be additional funding allocated for a new visual artist in residence programme.

An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Barry Saul (FG), welcomed the 2016 Budget, and said: “I am particularly pleased that we were able to hold rates at their existing levels while also increasing frontline services, and also that the citizens of the county benefited from the 15% reduction in LPT.”

theatre Danger ahead in Stillorgan THE Stillorgan Players Amateur Dramatic Society will perform A Touch of Danger this coming week.

The play is a tense thriller about a bestselling author, Max Telligan, who gets embroiled unwittingly in a sequence of events involving a ruthless terrorist organisation, the security services and the CIA, along with his soon to be ex-wife, Harriet, and their faithful secretary, Liz. The fast-paced thriller will take to the stage at the Parish Centre, St Brigid’s Church Road, Stillorgan from Thursday, November 19 to Saturday, November 21 at 8pm.

Tickets are €12 from the box office at 089 239 1498, or from www.stillorganplayers.com.

6 DUNDRUM Gazette 12 November 2015

mount merrion Young chef impresses with culinary skills

Boy cooks up a €1k contest cash prize  aisling kennedy

ELEVEN-year-old Ryan Downes from Mount Merrion won a €1,000 cash prize this week for taking part in an online nationwide cooker y competition online.

Ryan won the cookery competition, entitled Cook Along with Ben’s Beginners, when he cooked a dish of halloumi veggie kebabs alongside a cooker y demonstration hosted by chef Gary O’Hanlon on Uncle Ben’s Ireland Facebook page.

He then posted a picture of his dish on the page.

This led to his name

being announced as the winner of the competition, for week two of the five-week competition, on the Seven O’Clock Show on TV3 last week.

Ryan’s mother, Jenny Downes, spoke to The Gazette. She said: “We didn’t know beforehand who had won this week’s competition and when he heard his name called out, Ryan was really excited. There was great excitement in the house last week.”

Ryan wants to use his €1,000 cash prize to buy a new set of saucepans, a new chopping knife and some cookery lessons. He also promised to take his family out to

dinner at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant in Dundrum this week.

His mother said: “It’s a great thing that he’s so passionate about cooking. It’s a great idea for a competition too, because it’s great to get young kids interested in cooking.”

Interest Ryan, who is in fifth class at Scoil St Treasa in Mount Merrion, also regularly cooks for his parents and two brothers at home. Jenny said that his interest in cooking only began in the past year.

“He’s very into cooking but he only really got into it in the last six

months to a year. He absolutely loves it. He’s in the kitchen every evening cooking his dinner. He has a huge love for it, and we encourage it because he has such a strong interest in it.”

Among some of Ryan’s favourite dishes to cook are curries, in particular, chicken tikka masala, T hai green chicken curry and he also knows how to cook the perfect steak.

“My husband, Conor, had a dinner party last Friday night and Ryan cooked eight fillet steaks from scratch to order for everyone and then served it to them.

“He makes everything

Jenney and Ryan Downes, who won €1,000 thanks to his impressive cooking skills

from scratch. His best dish is the Thai green chicken curry which he makes entirely, including the paste. Only in the past year, he went to Lidl and bought his own pasta-making machine.

“Now, he makes his own pasta and he makes his own pizza bases on pizzas. He won’t even eat the pizzas out of the packet anymore.”

Jenny said that there were no chefs in the fam-

ily, so she’s not entirely sure where Ryan’s interest came from.

“He’s just really into it, which we know is unusual but he really loves it. We’re very proud of him.”

don’sdublin A child prodigy who grew up to be even more prodigious THE word genius is defined as “a person who displays exceptional intellectual ability, creativity or originality associated with the achievement of new advances in a domain of knowledge” – a definition that most definitely applies to William Rowan Hamilton.

The fourth of nine children, Hamilton was born on August 4, 1805 to Archibald Hamilton, a solicitor, and his wife Sarah and lived at 38 Dominick Street, Dublin. When he was three he was sent to live with his uncle, James Hamilton, a teacher and linguist who ran a school in Trim, County Meath.

He showed exceptional talent for languages from an early age. By age 13 he had acquired the same number of languages, including ancient Latin and Greek, most modern European languages and Persian, Arabic and Sanskrit. Late in life he often relaxed by reading books in Persian or Arabic!

When he was eight he lost a mental arithmetic contest with American prodigy Zerah Colburn who was touring Europe and astounding audiences with his ability. After his loss Hamilton devoted his time to mathematics and less to language study. The year before he entered university he spotted an error in Laplace’s Mechanique Celeste, and this brought him to the attention of John Brinkley, the Royal Astronomer of Ireland. He said of Hamilton: “This young man, I do not say will be, but is, the first mathematician of his age.”

He entered Trinity College at 18 and studied mathematics and classics gaining an unprecedented “optime” in both. Soon afterwards, in 1827, he was appointed, while still an undergraduate, Professor of Astronomy at Trinity College.

He lived at Dunsink Observatory. On October 16, 1843 while walking along the Royal Canal with his wife Helen, the existence of quaternions took shape in his mind. He etched the equation on Broome Bridge and the famous event is celebrated each year with a walk from the observatory to the site.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

William Rowan Hamilton: a polyglot at age 13 in later years Hamilton relaxed by reading books in Persian or Arabic

12 November 2015 DUNDRUM Gazette 7

8 DUNDRUM Gazette 12 November 2015

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gazetteGALLERIES

Ula Filiponis

Georgia Norton, Isabel Ramirez and Maisey Norton. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

mill theatre: enjoying a spooktacular quest

Robbie Hesse and Caragh Byrne

Going batty for a magical show

G

reat excitement was in the air as children of all ages joined Dracula’s younger brother, Jackula, on a spooktacular quest to step out of his older brother’s shadow and become the world’s most

magical vampire. Being a vampire sucks, but being Dracula’s younger brother is driving Jackula batty. Children enjoyed a fun magic show for the whole family and after were invited to do a trick and receive a treat.

Mairead, Niamh and John Kennedy

Shane and Ava Malone

Dalius, Ula, Urte and Laura Filiponis

Libby, Michael and Aedin Dillon

12 November 2015 DUNDRUM Gazette 9

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Ivo and Emer O’Caollai

Libby, Michael and Aedin Dillon

10 DUNDRUM Gazette 12 November 2015

health 3,000 children are on waiting lists to access services

Report reveals disturbing facts on suicide Children’s Rights Alliance statistics show Ireland has highest level of suicide among women and girls, the second highest level of male suicide in the EU and high levels of homophobic bullying  keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

A recently published report by the Children’s Rights Alliance found that Ireland had the highest rate of female youth suicides and the second highest rate of male youth suicides in the EU between 2009 and 2011.

The report also found that one-third of young LGBT people (under the age of 25) have “seriously thought about ending their lives”; at least 18% have attempted suicide; and 27% of those interviewed had self harmed.

Research also found high levels of homophobic bullying with 34% of those interviewed being subjected to homophobic comments by their teachers.

The report also found that as of May this year, more than 3,000 chil-

dren were on waiting lists to access mental health services throughout the country. Of these, more than 1,700 were on waiting lists for more than three months and 383 had been on waiting lists for more than a year. This amounts to a referral increase of 49% between June 2014 and May 2015.

The report urges the State to take steps to end the practice of placing children in adult mental health facilities.

It has emerged that 33% of children admitted to mental health facilities in 2014 were “inappropriately admitted to adult inpatient units”.

In addition, teenage suicide, particularly among males is a concern outlined in the report.

It also discovered an apparent link between the high suicide rate of

young males and underage substance abuse.

Meanwhile, it warned that healthcare in Ireland is undermined by “an entrenched two-tier system” with “indications of a poorer health status among children from less well-off areas”.

The report stated: “Those on low incomes who are reliant on the public health system may have to wait for extended periods for tests and procedures, while those who can afford to purchase private health insurance, can receive a much faster service through the private system.”

Marguerite Kiely, clinical manager for child and adolescent services at Pieta House, says the report’s findings are reflected by the experience of Pieta House staff.

“LGBT young people are more at risk of self-

The report states that those reliant on the public health system may have to wait for medical treatment, while those with private health insurance can receive a much faster service through the private system.

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‘LGBT young people are more at risk of self-harm and suicide. We’ve seen an increase in girls in particular presenting with sexual identity issues’

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Marguerite Kiely, clinical manager for Child and Adolescent Services at Pieta House

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harm and suicide. We’ve seen an increase in girls, in particular, presenting with sexual identity issues. We would urge families, friends and peers to be particularly mindful that words can hurt and that negative or offhand comments can have a significant impact on a young LGBT person’s life.”

The former spokesperson for LGBT Noise, Max Krzyzanowski, who stepped down from his position following the

marriage referendum but remains an advocate of LGBT rights, says the “euphoria” of the Yes vote may have caused people to forget that discrimination is still an issue.

Regarding the finding that 34% of students had been subjected to homophobic comments from their teachers, he says: “The majority clearly feels that LGBT people are equal and should be treated equally, but there is the case that 738, 000 people voted No.

“Many of them will have voted no because they don’t see LGBT people equally. In that three quarters of a million people are teachers, coaches, bosses, parents and when they give free reign to their homophobia it can be incredibly damaging to the people in their care and when they are young, impressionable people it can be even more damaging.”

He says these statistics are timely because the fact that discrimination still

exists could be lost in the celebratory mood of the recent marriage referendum milestone.

“LGBT people are suffering and they will continue to suffer for some time.

“What I would say about the referendum is that it does somewhat change the dynamic for conversation because people who have a dislike or disapproval of LGBT people were always able to speak and operate under the assumption that they were in the majority, and they can no longer do that.”

He says discrimination against LGBT people would take some time to unravel, but should gradually improve. For more information about help services for mental health visit: www.pieta.ie

12 November 2015 DUNDRUM Gazette 11

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gazetteGALLERY

Grace Nannery

Cody and Hallie Fields with Mia McGrath

Carroll & Kinsella Motors managing director Loughlin “Locky” Murphy (centre) raises aloft the Sam Maguire, as Dublin footballers Cian O’Sullivan and Rory O’Carroll look on. Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Play it again, Sam

A

CERTAIN Sam Maguire helped to keep things motoring along at Carroll & Kinsella Motors recently, when the Churchtown dealership hosted a Toyota showcase.

Dublin footballers Rory O’Carroll and Cian O’Sullivan brought the nation’s most-coveted trophy to Churchtown, much to the delight of

those calling into Carroll & Kinsella Motors to learn more about the latest Toyota vehicles and the dealership’s support for team.

The pair were very much on the ball in discussing Dublin’s match record, with motoring and sports fans alike keen to meet Sam, and get an insight into the county team’s training.

The footballers with Gavin and Conor (left) Dixon, who got his top autographed

Ciaran and Cormac Hayes

The footballers with Deirdre and Mark Dunne, while Aoife and Matthew Dunne check out Sam

Danny Kane and Daragh Walsh

Orla Sadlier and Abby Lawlor

Denis Bastick, Cian O’Sullivan and Rory O’Carroll with Paddy Conway and Tom Mangan, centre

12 DUNDRUM Gazette 12 November 2015

12 November 2015 Gazette 13

asdfsdaf P27 the big interview P16

christmas presents P15

dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week



Gazette

diary P14

Pets can you give amber a new, loving home?

Cormac Breslin, aka CC Brez, playing support for Cry Monster Cry at the Button Factory recently. Picture: Dara Munnis

a day in the life: ‘After breakfast I go straight into my writing’

Easy on Sunday morning  ian begley

FORMER guitarist of Republic of Loose, Cormac Breslin aka CC Brez is going solo and is as busy as ever writing music and playing gigs around the country.

This week the Gazette caught up with CC Brez to catch a glimpse of a typical day in his life.

“I get up roughly between 10am and 11am. I wouldn’t call myself an early riser, but because I perform Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights there isn’t a real need for me to be up before 10am on those days.

“When you’re working late nights you really build up an appetite and

feel like getting something semi-decent into you so my breakfast would usually consist of fruit, porridge, coffee and maybe a few eggs.

“My average working day would be between 10 to 12 hours.

“My band rehearsals generally last around four or five hours, but when I’m out doing a gig I would leave my house around 5pm and not get back until around 5am the following day.

“With most gigs we have to do sound checks and would need to be at the particular venue three or four hours before the doors open.

“As soon as I finish my breakfast I get straight into my writing, which I do every single day.

“It’s a routine that I’ve got myself into for about 10 years and if I ever miss a day and don’t do it then it would really bug me.

“During the mid-week I would be in my home studio writing music for myself or somebody else.

“If I was rehearsing with my band I’d do it in town.

“But if I’m writing or recording by myself I prefer to do it at home where it’s nice and quiet.”

Brez, who recently released his new single/music video, When It Feels Good, added that on Sundays he prefers to take time off from his busy music life and just relax.

“Sunday is my day off. I actually

prefer doing nothing, it’s the one day I have to myself and I like to just chill out or go for a pint with my friends.

“Most musicians I know tend to work harder than they should because since they’re self-employed they feel the added pressure on whether they’re doing enough.

“When you only have yourself to motivate yourself I tend to get into a circle of working too hard.

“Whenever I’m out gigging I wouldn’t get to bed until about 5am, but during the mid-week I would hit the hay a lot earlier.”

Follow CC Brez on Facebook – www. facebook.com/ccbrez – for all his latest music and performance dates.

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

Our Dog of the Week this week is Amber, a stunning six-year-old, female pitbull cross who was returned after five years due to a change in her family’s circumstances. She is a really sweet, peoplefocused lady and would be suited to a home with slightly older children where she will have company. She is quite the foodie so will respond well to training, if treats are involved!

If you think you could offer Amber a home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000.

They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. Don’t forget that you can also support Dogs Trust by checking out their online shop www.dogstrustshop. ie

14 Gazette 12 November 2015

Gazette

dublinlife Night out to help people get home THE ninth Peter McVerr y Tr ust Gala Ball will be held on Saturday November 14 in Clontarf Castle with all proceeds raised going directly to Peter McVerry Trust services.

The charity, which works to provide housing for homeless people, deal with drugs misuse and fight social disadvantage, needs to raise funds to continue its work.

T he event will be

hosted by RTE’s Miriam O’Callaghan and will feature auctions and raffles.

Pat Doyle, chief executive of the trust, said: “Ever y year we have enjoyed a fabulous night’s food and entertainment, and raised vitally important funds for our work through ticket sales, auctions and raffles.

“This event comes at very difficult time in the fight against home-

lessness and we hope as many people as possible will join us to raise funds to tackle the current emergency.”

For more information or to buy tickets, which cost €150 call 01 8230776.

Gaiety programme for young actors THE Gaiety School of Acting is hosting a daylong Young Gaiety masterclass for students, existing and new, to

get an authentic insight into full-time training and what working as an actor entails.

The course on November 15, runs from 10am to 5pm and is designed for young people aged 13 to 19 years. It will i n cl u d e s e s s i o n s i n career skills in addition to workshops similiar to classes taught on the two-year full-time acting programme.

This day would be particularly helpful for any transition year or Leaving Cert students fast approaching decision time.

Colin Farrell, Poldark’s Aidan Turner, Penny Dreadful’s Sarah Greene, Deirdre O’Kane and PJ Gallagher are among those who learned at least some of their trade at the theatre.

The masterclass costs €60 and takes place in the Gaiety School of Acting in Temple Bar. To book go to www.gaietyschool.com or call 01-6799277.

Celebrate books with dublin town THE Dublin Book Festival takes place in and around the Smock Alley Theatre in Temple Bar from November 12 to 15.

Other venues include the Gutter Bookshop, the Irish Writers Centre, Fighting Words, the Irish Georgian Society, the National Library of Ireland and Dublin City Public Libraries.

The festival has a very varied programme and most events are free, so it promises to be fun and

diary

Gaiety Theatre acting students in class with director Patrick Sutton

affordable for everyone.

It is one of Dublin’s largest book festivals and celebrates Irish published authors and Irish publishing, across the whole range of genres, from comedy and literary fiction, business, politics and children’s, to poetry and Irish language events.

For more information on the festival see www. dublintown.ie

play tells story of Wilde’s lovers A NEW play exploring the story of Oscar Wilde’s lovers opens on November 16 at the Sean O’Casey Theatre.

Using historical testimony, Wretched Little Brat written by Brian Merriman reveals the characters behind a story that scandalised a sexually hypocritical Victorian nation and went on to adversely influence law, morality and the fight for LGBT equality to this day.

This frank exploration challenges the “gay stereotypes” embedded in Wilde’s public scandals as having serious consequences for the generations of LGBT people who pursued equality in the decades that fol-

lowed.

Starring Sean Doyle as Bosie, the play episodically explores key elements in a society struggling to contain a view of its own invented morality.

Wretched Little Brat runs at the Sean O’Casey Theatre, St Mary’s Road, East Wall, at 7.30pm from November 16-21.

Tickets cost €13, €15 and €18 and are available at www.gaytheatre.ie

12 November 2015 Gazette 15

seasonal search: get the gift selection spot-on

Solving the dilemma of Christmas presents!

David Fitzsimons is chief executive of Retail Excellence Ireland, the country’s largest retail industry body, representing over 1,100 progressive retailers operating over 13,000 stores in Ireland.

He introduces Gazette readers to the recently launched FromMe2You gift card.

N ov e m be r a n d December alone can account for up to 50% of a retailer’s annual business, with the seasonal search for the per fect gif ts, a new look for the home, new clothes for the family, and all the goodies that go into making a great Christmas.

January too is crazy busy in the retail sector, partly due to the major sales attracting bargain hunters, but largely on account of the number of returns.

T hose unwanted Christmas gifts are as regular as turkey dinners, and more common than you think.

T he clothes that didn’t fit, or just didn’t suit, the toys there were two of (silly Santa!), the smoothie maker we already had four of, and the cosmetics and accessories deemed simply lame by our unimpressed teenagers!

Certainly Retail E xc e l l e n c e I r e l a n d members don’t mind exchanges and returns, and will gladly facilitate them by providing gift receipts, and swapping sizes.

But wouldn’t it be great to get the gift selection spot-on this year, to give choice and flexibility, to offer something that suits everyone, even if it is your Kris Kindle pickout from the accounts department, who you barely know!

Here’s some good advice, FromMe2You! FromMe2You is the new multi-store Irish gift card, launched this week by Retail Excellence Ireland.

From toys to gourmet goodies, furniture to fashion, and beauty to electronics, FromMe2You is welcome in Ireland’s favourite stores, right across the country, so there is lit-

erally something for everyone, and for all occasions.

And, you avoid that brief look of disappointment that flashes over the face when Dad opens his third pair of slippers, and your 12-year-old niece tells you that One Direction is “so last decade”!

Available through Topaz forecourt stores countrywide, and online at www.FromMe2You. ie, FromMe2You gift cards can be bought in any denomination from €15 up, solving the complete gifting dilemma in one go, with no hassle or brain-wrecking decisions involved at all.

Choose choice!

T he FromMe2You card is welcomed by thousands of retailers, large and small, including fast food restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores, as well as prestige brands like Brown Thomas, Louis Copeland and Harvey Nichols.

Retailers that gene r a l l y d o n ’t a c c e p t multi-store cards also welcome the new Irish gift solution, including

A treat for Vivaldi fans  aisling kennedy

IF you fancy a night of culture this week then check out the Four Seasons

by Candlelight at the National Concert Hall.

The Four Seasons has become one of the most celebrated pieces of classical music ever written and remains hugely popular today.

The show will present a beautiful programme of 18th century classics performed in a candle-lit style setting with the Mozart Festival Orchestra, the

members of which will be dressed in full orchestral costume of the period.

Some of the music on the night will include Mozart, Clarke, Pachelbel, Bach, Handel and, of course ,Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

The concert will take place at the National Concert Hall this Sunday ,November 15, at 3.15pm.

Tickets range in price from €25 to €46 and there are concessions available for the performance.

For more information or to book tickets log onto www.nch.ie

Homestore & More, Tiger Stores, Supermacs, Avoca, and CompuB. It’s easy to give the gift of choice this Christmas, and, with no expiry date, the FromMe2You gift card value can be used at any time, giving total flexibility and choice.

It may be the thought that counts, but think about this – everyone is happy, the Christmas gift list get ticked-off in super fast time, and there is all the more shopping time to go in search of the perfect gift, for that most special person in your life – yourself!

H a p py C h r i s t m a s everyone!

David Fitzsimons: promoting the FromMe2You new multi-store Irish gift card

Gazette

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Gazette

16 Gazette 12 November 2015

dublinlife

the big interview

new lease of life: celebrity maitre d’ on life after organ transplant

Two heart attacks later, Healy takes more care  Ian Begley ibegley@dublingazette.com

After undergoing a life-saving heart transplant in 2012, celebrity maitre d’ John Healy says he has found a new lease of life and is now taking much-needed care of his physical health and wellbeing.

During this week’s Big Interview, Healy talked about the pressures he was under during the spending-crazed years of the Celtic Tiger and how being over-worked ultimately led to his decline in health.

“During 2001 to 2008 I was running the restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel. The pinnacle of society was coming through the front doors. You had leaders of industries, bankers, chief executives and celebrities who were all spending an awful lot of money there.

“The reputation of the food and service was on my shoulders and I also had to act as the face of the restaurant. When someone is dropping €500 to €1,000 they expect a certain amount of qual-

ity being delivered so I had to greet everyone and make sure they had a nice evening. The amount of business and money that restaurant was bringing in during those years was insane and relentless. “ My l i f e s t y l e w a s completely unbalanced and at the time I didn’t realise that I was doing a lot of damage to myself. My diet was shocking and my relaxation techniques were non-existent. I also smoked way too much and drank an excessive amount of coffee.

“I had no outlet for stress and I’m sure that the combination between pushing myself too hard and my unhealthy lifestyle led to my two heart attacks in 2007 and 2009.”

H ealy added that looking back now he feels very lucky to have experienced his illness because it gave him the opportunity to reassess his life.

Settling in nicely as general manager of the plush Dublin restaurant Suesey Street and also starting again as maitre d’ in TV3’s The Restau-

rant, Healy says that since his transplant he has felt like a new man.

“During the run-up to my transplant I went through an awful lot of mental and spiritual conditioning and reevaluated everything. I took responsibility for my illness and did everything I could to make myself better.

“I now feel like a new man. My colleagues tell me that even though I’m 50 I certainly don’t look it or even act like my age. My transplant enlightened me completely as a person and has given me a new lease of life.

“Now when I’m working I know not to put too much pressure on myself or drive myself into the ground. I was very hard on myself and very driven before my heart attacks and now even though I’m still passionate about what I do I’m a lot easier on myself.

“The new restaurant is fantastic. It’s a lot more relaxed here and the vibe is certainly more informal than the previous restaurants I’ve worked in.”

John Healy of Suesey Street: “I had no outlet for stress and I’m sure that the combination between pushing myself too hard and my unhealthy lifestyle led to my two heart attacks in 2007 and 2009.” Picture: Brian Mcevoy

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‘I had no outlet for stress and I’m sure that the combination between pushing myself too hard and my unhealthy lifestyle led to my two heart attacks in 2007 and 2009’

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To relax, Healy says that yoga now plays a big part in his life to help him to unwind from his day-to -day life.

“I’ve just come back from a yoga retreat on the Cliffs of Moher with my friends, which I found to be a very physical and spiritual

experience. I find yoga to be really therapeutic and it allows me to switch off and be at one with myself.

“I haven’t changed my diet since my operation, but do everything in moderation. If I want to have a biscuit I will have one and not the entire packet and if I want a cup of cof-

fee I will have one and not nine of them.

“I take my medication each day now and am very much aware of my body and mind. I believe that when you become aware of your life you live it better.”

Talking about the new season of The Restaurant, filmed in Marco Pierre White Courtyard Bar & Grill in Donnybrook, Healy says he is very excited about when it airs in January.

“We filmed in August and there were about nine cameras that ran non-stop throughout the whole evening with

all of the footage edited down for each show.

“It was quite fun because it really captures how a restaurant runs and the cameras don’t miss a thing.

“After several glass of wine people forget they’re being filmed and start talking about literally anything and everything.

“Everything you see is very real and not staged whatsoever.”

To find out more about Suesey Street or to book a reservation visit www.sueseystreet. ie or call 01-6694600.

12 November 2015 Gazette 17

asdfsdaf P27 travel P24

cinema P22

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



Gazette

food P18

the Gaiety Theatre: Little Red Riding Hood, it’s a panto not to be missed

Red alert – big, bad wolf is in town  Aisling Kennedy

Lit tle Red Riding Hood is the Christmas pantomime at the Olympia Theatre this year and with the big bad wolf, a kick-boxing granny and of course Little Red Riding Hood, it’s a panto not to be missed.

Joe Conlon, who plays The Notorious Granny McGregor, spoke to The Gazette and told us to expect fun, laughter, and some kickboxing scenes in this year’s panto.

“I’ve been playing the dame in the Olympia for the past six years now and it’s a nice feeling

to be back here again.

The Christmas panto is a lovely family tradition and we find that families are coming back year-inyear out with their grandparents, grandchildren, parents and kids. They come in their droves and it’s great.”

Conlon explained that in his role as The Notorious Granny McGregor he takes inspiration from Ireland’s famous kickboxer Conor McGregor and tackles the big bad wolf in an attempt to protect his granddaughter when she finds herself lost in the forest.

“I meet her in the

woods and we end up taking different paths. Along the way we meet various characters who are all very magical. They’re all from bedtime and Disney time stories and it’s then that we bump into the wolf. I bump into the wolf first and we have a bit of shindig and my boxing prowess, being part of the McGregor family, comes in very handy.

“I think that’s what is great about this year’s panto. Our director, Darren Crosby, has tried to make it different to last year’s panto which was Peter Pan. He has brought the panto forward into

Little Red Riding Hood aka Hayley-Jo Murphy and The Big Bad Wolf aka Nicholas Grennell

the present time. All of the costumes are made here in the Gaiety too by Pauline McCaul and she has designed and made all of these beautiful ani-

mal costumes. They’re phenomenal and have amazing colours which the kids will love.”

Conlon is very aware that the panto means a

lot to his audience and he says that he particularly loves to see the smiles on the children’s faces in the audience when he’s on stage.

“That’s the thing with kids, you have to keep the pace going so that they remain focused on it the whole time. Kids do have less attention span than adults so I love to see them really engrossed in the show. That’s the most rewarding part.”

Conlon paid tribute to the whole cast including the wardrobe department, hair and make-up, the crew and the actors and actresses.

“ T h e r e ’s b e t we e n 50-60 people involved so it’s a huge production and everyone is great and really gets involved.

Hayley Jo Murphy is the young actress who plays Little Red Riding Hood and both her and Shane M c D a i d w h o p l ay s Woodie the Woodsman have a lovely connection with the audience. The audience will love the show this year.”

Little Red R iding Hood will run from November 29 to January 10, 2016 and tickets are available to buy on www. gaietytheatre.ie or www. ticketmaster.ie

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18 Gazette 12 November 2015

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

RECIPECORNER

Enjoy Butler’s Pantry Christmas pudding or (below) Scrumdiddly Ice Cream this festive shopping season

Pop into the pantry for scrummy nibbles LOOKING for a cool break during your Christmas shopping this year? Scrumdiddly’s Ice Cream opened a seasonal Christmas pop-up store when the Christmas windows were revealed on Henry Street on November 2, and will stay open until Christmas Eve. Home of the Scrummy Tub, Scrumdiddly’s has been in business since 2012. It has one simple aim and that is to make going for an ice cream an experience to be savoured and remembered.

With queues outside the Donabate and Dun Laoghaire shops it seems people think it is achieving its aim. There are 2,400 possible combinations of Scrummy Tubs, as well as unique specials with secret homemade melted sauces, like the Scrummy Mess, the Scrumnana Boat or Scrumnoffee.

The Butler’s Pantry is also getting ready for its pop up debut on Henry Street, this time at Arnotts.

It will open on November 19 on the first floor of the iconic department store and will stock a large range of range of seasonal Christmas goodies, including its Christmas puddings, mince pies, chutney and a two-tiered Christmas cake.

The Christmas pop-up shop will give Arnotts shoppers the opportunity to buy for their own Christmas pantry as well as providing a stylish range of hampers, available to collect in-store or delivery nationwide. There is a large selection of Christmas hampers to suit most budgets, starting at €50 and going right up to €250; all are beautifully presented in an antique willow wicker basket.

Jacquie Marsh, managing-director of The Butler’s Pantry, is delighted with the opportunity to share the experience with a new range of customers as well as those who visit the stores around Dublin. “ There are no shor tcuts when it comes to making food that tastes as good as ours. We make all our food by hand, in small batches at our kitchens in Bray, just the way you would at home”.

DYLAN HOTEL (Eastmoreland Place, Dublin 4) Dylan’s Christmas Naughty or Nice afternoon teas can be enjoyed from November 28 until January 6 from 12 noon until 5pm every day €40

Take5  pearl phelan

The Merrion Hotel (Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2) Art Tea is served from 3pm to 6pm Monday to Thursday, and is served at 2pm and 4.30pm Friday to Sunday. Tea for two is €78

Some say tea tastes best served in a dainty teacup, enjoyed in salubrious surroundings. Others say that a little bit of what you fancy will do you no harm. The Gazette has gathered up our top five takes on afternoon tea in the capital so that you can decide for yourself. Additional bubbles are optional!

Whether you are the arty type, prone to indulging in naughty festive treats, or a blokey-bloke, we’ve got you covered. Note that afternoon tea sittings tend to book up quickly so it’s best to reserve your place in advance.

The Westbury (Grafton Street, Dublin 2) The Westbury’s Festive Afternoon Tea is €45 per person, and €55 per person with a glass of champagne from November 10 until the January 4.

The Morrison (Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin 1) The Gentlemen’s Tea is served with a pint of Wicklow Wolf beer €25

The Shelbourne (27 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2) The Shelbourne new Afternoon Tea with Tea Butler service costs €39.95 per person without bubbly or €53.95 with a glass of champagne, with a children’s afternoon tea available for €19.95, and is accompanied by a live classical pianist Wednesday through to Sunday.

12 November 2015 Gazette 19

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20 Gazette 12 November 2015

OUT&ABOUT

Beauty news

 aisling Kennedy

What?

Personalised facial Where?

Ever Young Beauty Salon, 64a George’s St Upper, Dun Laoghaire How much? €135 for 1 hour 40 minutes About the salon Owner Iris Tighe opened Ever Young Beauty Salon six months ago in Dun Laoghaire, having worked in the beauty industry for more than 18 years. She was the first beautician in Ireland to be qualified to perform semipermanent make-up procedures, including stroke-by-stroke eyebrow embroidery, eyeliner and lip liner.

Contact See www.everyoung.ie, or phone 01 230 2745.

YSL Pinceau Lumiere divine €65

Clarins Pretty day 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette 01 €38

Result I thoroughly enjoyed my facial with Iris. I must admit, I was apprehensive when I first saw the Bio Therapeutic machine, but it does not hurt at all and it is extremely beneficial for your skin. This facial really was one of the best facials I have ever had, in terms of how it left my skin.

It has been over a week now since the facial, and my skin is still very clear and with a noticeable amount of reduced pores and skin blemishes. My make-up now glides on a lot easier, and some fine lines have reduced slightly around my eyes.

Highly recommended by The Gazette.

Mac Colour-drenched pigment No Taboos £18 (c. €25)

Xmas Vernis 8.50 1 ome Lanc Midnight € Rouge

What’s involved?

As my facial was tailored to my particular skin type, Iris made sure to tailor the treatment for combination skin.

She started by using what she called the Bio Therapeutic machine, which uses a micro current to stimulate the skin. This machine helped to deep cleanse my skin by closing and re-opening the pores on my face; it is also great for smoothing out wrinkles, scars and blemishes. It also helped to tighten the muscles on my face and firm up my skin a lot more, and it helps to promote lymphatic drainage.

This part of the treatment took between 40 to 50 minutes.

After she had finished, Iris then placed an elastane soft mask on my face for about 15 minutes. This was to help renew the cells in my skin. Lastly, she gave my face and head a massage, and advised me on the skin care I should use on a more regular basis.

Giorgio Armani Maestro powder brush €55

Staying ever young in Dun Laoghaire Salon

12 November 2015 GAZETTE 21

Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Laquer 601 €31.50

Urban D shadow ecay Vice eye 20 pale tte €46 .09

Urban Decay Naked Illuminated bronzer €24.50

Autumn COLOURS  MIMI MURRAY

I tend to wear “more of a face” come autumn/winter.

Summer sun-kissed skin looks great with just a slick of mascara and a touch of lippy, but come winter, pale face/blotchy skin is not a great look, so layering it on thick, or thicker, tends to be my mantra in November and December.

This leads us in to Christmas and “party face”, when a dramatic eye or a redder-than-red lip is what’s required.

So, when it comes to wearing make-up in winter,

the rule of thumb is: go slightly heavier.

However, whatever you do, avoid drag queen territory.

Remember that scene in Friends when Ross applies Rachel’s make-up, and when she finally looks in the mirror she says: “I’ll just sit next to the transvestite in purchasing”?

That’s what not to do!

It’s okay to go for a smoky eye or a dramatic lip, but never the two combined.

Mac Magic of the Night Evening Rendevouz lipstick £17 (c. €24)

Clarins Essentials Eyeshadow Palette €43

GAZETTE

STYLE

It’s all about fashion, music and beauty at Night at The Pavilions FOR one night only in Swords, Night at The Pavilions will be held on November 12 from 6pm to 10pm. This will be an evening of fashion, beauty, food and music and, best of all, there will be lots of discounts on offer for this one night only.

The majority of the centre’s stores are taking part in this event, so if you looking for a perfect outfit or Christmas gift, it’s a good time to go. Fashion shows will be held on the hour, while Night At Pavilions will showcase some of the top brands including River Island, H&M, Zara, Mango and Next.

The very glamorous Glenda Gilson (inset) will be there to open the shows. Xpose magazine scouts will be roaming the shopping centre on the look-out for the best-dressed lady, and there will be a €100 Swords Pavilions gift card up for grabs.

Music will be provided by Carl Mulvey while the centre will also have music from the Dublin Choral Foundation. The foundation was set up almost two decades ago to promote the development of choirs of excellence, and to provide a musical education for children previously only available in the cathedral choral tradition.

They will be preforming some favourite Christmas carols on the night, making this not to be missed.

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22 Gazette 12 November 2015

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

ReelReviews

spectre

Hits a few Bond marks DOUBLE-oh seven returns for his latest adventure in Spectre (Cert 12A, 148 mins). Daniel Craig takes his fourth outing as the iconic gentleman spy with an edge, which sees Bond caught up in (yet another) globe-trotting conspiracy. The latest hightech, big-budget Bond tale isn’t short on spectacle, but its reliance on viewer familiarity with the recent films falls flat in places.

Near-destitute but wily Miss Shepherd (Maggie Smith) and playwright Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings) become unlikely frenemies for many years at his house’s driveway

brooklyn

Tale resonates well AT LAST – an Oirish film that isn’t inherently hokey and awful. Brooklyn (Cert 12A, 112 mins) sees Saoirse Ronan caught between two worlds as a young Irish emigrant in the 1950s.

Sibling assistance sees her start over in the eponymous New York neighbourhood, and romance blossoms.

However, complications ensue, with new life choices pulling her heart home ...

It’s a strong, engaging film.

burnt

Stinks more than a bit THIS half-baked drama sees hunk du jour Bradley Cooper providing hot stuff in the kitchen. However, Burnt (Cert 15A, 101 mins) isn’t a very tempting offering, with Cooper’s character serving up one cliche after another.

Wealthy bad boy chef trying to turn his life around and be the best with his mustsucceed new restaurant, learning life lessons along the way? Check and pass.

The lady in the van: ‘true-ish’ clash of characters drives a great film

Entertaining eccentricity BASED on “mostly true” events, The Lady in The Van (Cert 12A, 104 mins) is the latest movie from the pen of accomplished playwright and English national treasure Alan Bennett.

Starring the inimitable Maggie Smith as Miss Shepherd – the lady in question – the film covers a period of Bennett’s life in the late 1970s when he moved to London.

Filmed on location at the house where Bennett resided, the plot is immediately and effortlessly engrossing: Bennett allows an elderly, itinerant woman who lives in the back of her van (inset, right) to park her clappedout vehicle in his driveway as an act of charity in order for her to secure some welfare benefits.

He expects the stay to last for a couple of weeks, but to the chagrin of Ben-

 Dave phillips

nett and his neighbours, she ends up staying for more than 15 years.

Opening with Bennett (Alex Jennings) giving a florid description of Miss Shepherd’s particular odour (amongst other things: a blend of wet wool, raw onions, and lavender talc), we are initially compelled to watch out of a sheer, grotesque fascination.

The laboured relationship between the pair is captivating – with the curmudgeonly Miss Shepherd knowing full well how to milk every drop of human kindness from the too-timid Bennett,

who for his part can never quite muster the courage to ask her to leave.

It quickly becomes clear that deeper motives and desires are being fulfilled beneath the surface. With Bennett, we see a struggle in finding his place in the world, understanding his sexuality and managing his creative success.

Bennett is a paradox – perennially apologetic, he soft-foots through life despite a deep inner desire to stomp, and he finds himself caring for a stranger, while unable to care for his declining mother.

There is a touch of magic realism in the telling of The Lady in the Van, with Jennings often appearing on screen twice in the same shot.

There’s Bennett the writer, perched omnisciently in a chair by the window, shaking his head

and gently goading the Bennett who is at an utter loss with how to get Miss Shepherd out of the habit of using the downstairs toilet.

The back and forth between these two personas is littered with Bennett’s characteristically wry and acerbic insights into human nature.

W hile Jennings – whose fame as an actor on stage far surpasses his work in cinema – is perfectly cast in this role and does an immense job, it is hard not to focus on the remarkable performance

of Smith. No stranger to the role, she has played Miss Shepherd in both a radio dramatisation and a stage production of The Lady in the Van. On screen, she is simply irrepressible. Underpinning the delightful obstinacy that makes Miss Shepherd such a captivating character is a potent sense of tragic fragility, and Smith is able to skilfully simultaneously embody both qualities.

This teeters high in a career filled with amazing performances.

Even allowing for an

ending that felt far toosyrupy for such an emotionally resonant second act, The Lady in the Van is a remarkable piece of film.

It is a treat that unfolds tentatively, deepening as it goes; a heartfelt and whimsical journey back into a parochial past where the concept of community possessed a very different sense of meaning.

Bolstered by the inherent comedy of the oddcouple situation that Bennett found himself in, there is room to explore the extraordinarily real relationship between two people from different generations, who are both split between their idealised and actual selves, and who both exist uncomfortably on the peripheries of society.

Verdict: 8/10

12 November 2015 Gazette 23

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OUT&ABOUT

fast

TRAVEL NEWS

Get your New Year off to a warm sunny start  Ian Begley

It’s hard to think that Christmas is now less than eight weeks away and we’ll soon be ringing in another New Year.

So why not start 2016 with a treat and get your New Year off to a warm sunny start by taking advantage of some of the January winter sun deals available with lowcostholidays?

One of the destinations on offer is a seven-night stay in Lanzarote on January 16 at the 3-star Blue Sea Los Fiscos from €279 per person.

Alternatively, travel to Tenerife on January 18 for seven nights at the 4-Star Inter Palace from €299 per person or the Gran Canaria on January 16 for seven nights at the 4-Star Blue Bay Beach Club from €329 per person.

And for those really looking to spoil themselves this January, you can book yourself a sun holiday in Fuerteventura on January 16 for seven nights at the 5-Star Geronios Suite & Spa from €399 per person.

Those opting for the beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta will be happy to know that from €359 per person you can stay at the 5-Star Radisson Blu St Julian’s Hotel on January 16 for seven nights.

Lowcostholidays Irish managing director Clem Walshe said: “January tends to be the most popular month as it’s great value and many holiday consumers like the idea of having a break in what most agree is the longest month of the year.

“Forecasters are predicting one of the coldest Irish winters in many years so it’s not surprising we’re seeing a spike in demand for New Year breaks to the sun.

“The Canaries tend to be the most popular destination for guaranteed sunshine with a healthy amount of discerning customers opting for the beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta.”

For more information on these destinations, visit www.lowcostholidays.ie

TRAVEL

radisson blu, Athlone : ‘we had a nightcap to settle our nerves as a fog crept in on halloween night’

Autumn retreat puts on spooky show for guests  pearl phelan

IT could have been a summer’s day as we sat looking out on the Shannon and enjoying lunch at the Quayside Bar and Lounge at the Radisson Blu Athlone, but it was Halloween. It was a fine day for a barbecue on the riverside terrace. The relaxing start belied the excitement we were in for as the day unfolded.

It is a handy journey from Dublin to Athlone by car, out the Galway road, or you can relax on the train, like we did.

From the comfortable and central base, we explored the castle and town. The mighty Shannon divides the town in two, overlooked by the sturdy 13th century castle, which has seen many hard-fought battles to take control of the town.

The visitor centre at Athlone Castle has stateof-the-art interactive experiences, which tell of the gruesome 1691 siege of Athlone. Video, sculpture and artefacts give an impression of how tough those times were.

Macabre tales of bloodbath and massacre felt appropriate for the day that was in it. There are lots of opportunities for visitors to play dressup (not just at Halloween!), and get to grips with some weaponry of the era. Tickets cost €4 for children, €8 for adults and €20 for a family pass.

Having worked up an appetite at the castle, the delicious dinner at

The Radisson Blu across the River Shannon on a summer-like Halloween day

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‘It is a handy journey from Dublin to Athlone by car, out the Galway road, or you can relax on the train’ --------------------------------------------------------

Elements Bistro did not disappoint. The contemporary space with bamboo screens and an interesting octagonal island hearth was an oasis of calm before our spooky

evening entertainment.

The hotel played host to mentalist and hypnotist Keith Barry. The Waterford-born showman played to a packed crowd, delighting us with

his mind-control tricks and hypnotising willing participants. I was blown away by the vigour with which audience members played their parts while under Barry’s spell.

A woman, who was portraying an aggravated cleaner, was an absolute scream and nearly stole the show. I dare not reveal too much, suffice to say

the title Out of Control is not an exaggeration. After a nightcap to settle the nerves, we retired to our spacious accommodation overlooking the river as a heavy fog crept in.

For more information about upcoming shows and deals at the Radisson Blu Athlone visit www.radissonblu.com/ athlone

12 November 2015 Gazette 25

26 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 12 November 2015

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28 gazette 12 November 2015

SPORT Garth and Joyce win top gongs

FastSport

cricket: annual awards celebrate the best of a memorable year

Genesis hosts tricks and sticks: GEN-

ESIS Hockey Club in Stillorgan is participating in the Irish Hockey Association’s Tricks4Sticks programme that aims at encouraging hockey clubs to link up with non-hockey playing schools to introduce the sport and increase the number of participants.

The Tricks4Sticks programme for local schools is supported by the Irish Sports Council’s Women in Sport, HSE and Healthy Ireland.

The current programme with pupils from St Raphaela’s Secondary School runs up tothe end of the year. Genesis is keen to establish links with secondary schools in the Stillorgan area and is now looking for schools that are interested in introductory hockey sessions. The programme is free for participating school and includes coaching sessions by qualified coaches. For more information, contact Sorcha Cunningham 083-1857701

 sport@dublingazette.com

ED JOYCE, formerly of Merrion CC, and Pembroke’s Kim Garth have been rewarded for impressive international seasons by being named winners of the top priz-

es in the 2015 Hanley Energy Cricket Ireland Awards.

Joyce, who was a previous winner in 2013, fought off tough competition from Sandymount native Andrew Balbirnie and North County’s John

Ed Joyce won the Irish men’s player of the year

Mooney to win the international men’s Player of the Year award.

During the year, he became Ireland’s highest individual run scorer with a superb 231 in the InterContinental Cup win over UAE. He also scored a century in Ireland’s World Cup win over Zimbabwe - one of three victories for the Irish during the competition.

Te e n a g e r G a r t h scooped the women’s Player of the Year award, beating off the challenge of Lucy O’Reilly and Cecelia Joyce.

The Pembroke allrounder played a pivotal role in Ireland’s three match international series against world champions Australia,

Kim Garth

and was also to the fore with a number of strong performances in the ECB County Championship and T20 campaigns.

Another star from that international series against Australia was YMCA teenager Gaby Lewis who is this year’s Sunday Independent Aengus Fanning Emerging Player of the Year.

The 14-year-old has impressed in her first full season with the Irish Women’s side, and is certain to play a major role in Irish cricket in the coming years.

Jack Tector is the 2015 Shapoorji Pallonji Cricket Ireland Academy Player of the Year.

The YMCA batsman had a breakthrough season scoring heavily in domes-

tic cricket which saw him gain elevation to interprovincial cricket with Leinster Lightning. He also led Ireland Under19s with great distinction as they narrowly missed out on World Cup qualification.

Leinster Lightning skipper Mooney was instrumental in leading his side to a clean sweep of trophies at interprovincial level scoring centuries in both the T20 and Championship formats. He is the winner of the Hanley Energy InterProvincial Player of the Year.

M o o n e y ’s f o r m e r North County colleague Eddie Richardson was to the fore with both bat and ball as he enjoyed a quite superb domestic

season. Richardson was the leading wicket taker in Leinster claiming 50 wickets, as well as scoring 434 runs. For these displays, he is a deserved winner of the O’Neills Club Player of the Year award.

Former Ireland opening batsman Alf Masood will become the 12th inductee to the Cricket Ireland Hall of Fame, which is voted for by the Cricket Writers of Ireland.

Masood joins fellow Irish cricketing legends Simon Corlett, Mike Halliday, Stephen Warke, Ivan Anderson, Gerry Duffy, Ginger O’Brien, Ossie Colhoun, Roy Torrens, Dougie Goodwin, Jack Short and Alec O’Riordan.

Trio from Crumlin club win big at world karate event  sport@dublingazette.com

Daniel Donohue Jr, Dane Walton and Jake Jackson

THREE members of the Irish Wado Ryu Federation have just returned from the WKC Karate and kickboxing world championships that were held in Albufeira, Portugal, producing a series of fine results.

Daniel Donohue Jr, Dane Walton and Jake Jackson have been training with each other for the last 18 years under the watch full eye of Sen-

sei Dan Donohue Sr. After three gruelling days of competition, the long-awaited world titles started to flow in. First to land a medal was Crumlin’s Walton, winning the Under-85kg light contact fighting title.

Next, the club members took part in the three-man traditional team kata, taking gold once again. They were also successful in winning the open team kata gold once again as part

of an overall team effort that landed seven world titles for Ireland.

The team has been chasing the WKC world title for the last seven years, winning silver and bronze in previous attempts but their perseverance paid off.

Indeed, for the Wado Ryu team, this was their fifth world championship bid. The club itself is a non-profit club based in St Bernadette’s parish centre in Crumlin.

The athletes are self funded –with support from Murray’s Pub in Inchicore – and the three were training seven days a week after and before work coming up to the championships.

Anyone who would like to join them in training can do so on Tuesdays from 8pm to 9.30pm and Friday from 7.30 to 9.30pm. For further information, go to www.irishwadoryufederation.jimdo.com.

12 November 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

Cluskey calls time on tennis career

Swords man tells JAMES HENDICOTT about why he has stepped off the globe-trotting grind that is the international circuit after 15 doubles titles and nine Davis Cup call-ups JAMES CLUSKEY has retired from professional tennis with immediate effect. The Swords man represented Ireland in the Davis Cup and peaked at an impressive 145 in the world as a doubles player.

He’s been playing professionally since he graduated in 2009.

There’s a sense of “it’s time” to how Cluskey describes the retirement.

At just 28 years of age, the player’s physically capable of continuing, but tells GazetteSport that it’s “not been the best year, results wise” and that the day in and day out of training is becoming increasingly

Swords man James Cluskey has retired after a fine career on the pro tennis circuit

trying.

“I’m struggling to covers costs,” Cluskey told us. “I’m still really enjoying the games, but I have to be honest with myself, I’m just not as motivated as I was. I’ve been travelling full time since 2010, and while it was a tough decision, it’s time to move on to something else.”

The Irish tennis scene has come a long way since Cluskey started out.

He recalls playing Parks Tennis games in Swords as a youngster, where Peter Clarke, who peaked outside the world top 200, was looked up to as being “from a different planet” He still lauds Park Tennis as his career’s starting point.

Cluskey broke into the Irish side for the Davis Cup match for a game against Slovenia at just 19, an experience that he still points to as a career highlight, alongside his main draw ATP contests.

He was only the third

Irishman to play an ATP main tour event, and particularly recalls playing alongside the likes of David Ferrer.

“I was able to play Davis Cup for the last nine years, play for the LSU Tigers for four years, reach a career high ranking of 145, win 15 doubles titles including two challengers, play main draw in a few ATP 250 events and make many friends from all over the world along the way.

“Not bad for a Parks Tennis boy from Swords.

I never thought I was the most gifted tennis player but I love the sport and always gave my best,” Cluskey wrote on his Facebook wall.

Talking to him in person, the retirement seems more of a slow grinding down - wanting to spend some time at home, wondering what’s going to come next and being keen to push on to it, being sick of relying on others

to continue playing and motivation issues.

He describes the travel experience - which for all but the top players can be a solitary one - as being “great when you’re in places like Las Vegas, but really quite difficult after a while in places like China and Azerbaijan, trying to get yourself ready to play professional sport”.

He gratefully thanks sponsors who include a public crowd-funding campaign last year, Tennis Ireland and Sport Council Ireland, all of whom were “great,” but asking for money started to become a drain, something pushing Cluskey out of the sport.

His final game was a quarter final loss against Rafael Nadal’s Wimbledon conqueror Dustin Brown and Carsten Ball in Sweden, a game in which Cluskey admits the better team won, but also a fittingly high-level finish.

expertView Flair and physicality used to optimum effect by NZ For the duration of the Rugby World Cup, ex-Edinburgh and Marlboro player and IRANZ Level 5 rugby coach Dennis Bowes has shared his thoughts on the festival.

FOR over a month, fans and beyond were glued to the World Cup, and what an amazing time it has been for world rugby.

With no end of drama, skills and emotion, some dodgy decisions and strange calls on and off the pitch, it’s been a great advert for the sport.

It’s shown the challenges to reach the top of the game are huge and also who the brave ones are that will change to get there.

The two best teams played out a fantastic final in London. Finals are often nervous affairs and often this overshadows the quality of rugby due to the pressure.

Even with the world watching, we got the best final from two teams who played the game with skill, flair and no little physicality.

This was the New Zealand of old, performing under pressure after a wobble as their big game players grabbed the game and drove it home.

With many players on the New Zealand team bowing out of international rugby is this the last we see of McCaw, Carter (pictured) and crew?

For Australia, can they continue to build on this now and maybe come RWC Japan in four years’ time be the team to overthrow New Zealand?

Maybe Japan can one better and make the last eight on home soil? What next for the northern hemisphere? Can we catch up? Can we change what do we do? And who will be brave enough to change?

We will have new laws, new body shapes come the next world cup. Will we have a new number one? Will north catch south in the style of game?

Four years will go quickly and let’s hope we have started to review our game and will we be brave and honest about how we need to change?

Can our culture allow us to change our mindset?

For now, let’s agree if we can that we want all of our rugby played like the finals, with skill and fun the top of the list.

Gazette

30 DUNDRUM gazette 12 November 2015

SPORT

FastSport

rugby: mclaughlin runs up 21 points in win over near rivals

Butler records 21 wins during superb season CHURCHTOWN motorbike rider Dave Butler has had a successful 2015, competing across the and Ireland and clocking up an exceptional 21 victories across a variety of championships.

“I competed in the Irish Supertwin championship in 2015 on my 650 Kawasaki after spending two years in the UK racing at Thundersport GB, where I became champion in 2013,” Butler told GazetteSport. “It was a difficult start to the year with some machine problems, but I still managed to rack up four wins in the championship after only completing half the series.”

Those four wins were enough to push Butler to third in the overall rankings, a result that suggests he’d be a serious contender if he took part throughout the year.

In the Adelaide Masters Supertwin Championship, Butler was dominant, winning nearly two-thirds of the series’ races. That was a bit of a better effort for me,” he explained. “I managed to rack up a total of nine wins from 14 races in the series. Over the year, I managed to continue to better my lap times at all circuits to consistently lap within lap record pace, and getting quicker all the time.”

As well as the two stellar championship performances, Butler spoke of a number of other one-off successes that topped of his season.

“I also competed in a one off Thundersport GB event at Cadwell Park in May, where I came home with three third place finishes,” he says, adding “recently, I also travelled to Anglesey in Wales where I finished off the season with six wins from six starts.”

Butler hit form in the passnger seat, too: “I also competed in several events as a sidecar passenger with my current driver Mick Donovan, where at the Adelaide Masters in May, we notched up our first win, followed swiftly by our second win in the same weekend and also coming close to the lap record.”

Butler thanked Des Butler, Murray Motorsport, Vmtek Suspension and Jtecsports for their continued support, and is currently making plans to add to his successes during the 2016 season.

Old Wesley’s Conor Fitzgibbon makes a break for the line. Picture: Deryck Vincent

Wesley back to winning ways ubl division 1b Old Wesley Blackrock College RFC  sport@dublingazette.com

36 22

OLD Wesley returned to winning ways in the UBL Division 1B, delivering a bonus point win over local rivals Blackrock in front of a good crowd at Donnybrook on Saturday.

In dry conditions, after a morning of heavy showers and with little or no wind, this game promised to be an open affair between two teams that like to play open running rugby and the crowd were not disappointed with 58 points which included seven tries.

Barry McLaughlin slot-

ted over a penalty inside two minutes, a threepointer that was quickly countered by Rock fullback Alan Hughes.

And they went in front in spectacular style when Rock won a turnover on their 22m line and moved the ball to the impressive centre Sean Coughlan who made a lovely break to put his centre partner Hugo Godson-Tracy clear for a fine try.

Wesley suffered a further blow when their industrious number eight Darren Horan was forced to leave the field through injury. Almost immediately, however, McLaughlin landed a 40m penalty to reduce the gap to 6-8 after

local derby Gillen the Rovers hero in big win over Dundrum an injury time header from Dave Gillen gave the Broadford Rovers LSL Saturday Major 1 team a terrific victory against local rivals Dundrum in Broadford Park, winning 3-2.

In a five-goal thriller, Rovers came out on top with earlier goals from Simon Roche and Aaron Donohue.

The win leaves them in third place in the division after seven matches with Dundrum in sixth place at this stage.

25 minutes.

Then, in the next passage of play, Josh Hinde took a clean lineout and drove forward and presented ruck ball which was transferred quickly to Garry O’Brien.

He made a lovely break before offloading to Dave Rowley who broke two tackles to run in and touch down close to the posts. McLaughlin added the extras.

Blackrock replied once again, this time when Dave Scott Lennon’s shot at goal hit the upright which rebounded into Rock hands and, after a couple of phases, Coughlan went over for his side’s second try. A McLaughlin

penalty, though, handed Wesley a 16-15 half-time lead.

He added his fourth three-pointer early in the second half before Alan Large grabbed a critical try for Wesley who soaked up pressure before he intercepted to run in a long-range try.

Now leading 26-15, their scrum became more dominant and they pushed home the advantage from a close range set piece. Stephen Boyle broke from the scrum before finding the impressive Mark Robinson on his inside who managed to burrow his way over for Wesley’s third try.

Rock reduced the defi-

cit, with impressive scrum half Billy Glynn to the fore, when Joe Scott Lennon went over close to the touchline. David Scott Lennon duly added the two extra points.

It left nine points in the difference with 10 minutes to go and the result still not assured. Blackrock came back again and Kenny Knaggs was penalised for a no arms tackle.

However, the Wesley pack reacted well as McLaughlin scored the all-important fourth try.

Line-out ball was transferred swiftly across the backline for McLaughlin to squeeze through to bring his tally to 21 points.

12 November 2015 DUNDRUM gazette 31

Gazette

all star awards

O’Carroll and O’Sullivan named in team of year

Club Noticeboard Ballyboden St enda’s CONGRATULATIONS to our senior foot-

kilmacud Crokes and Dublin players

Rory O’Carroll and Cian O’Sullivan were both named GAA GPA All-Stars last Friday evening at the annual awards ceremony in the Convention Centre.

Both had superb years as Dublin won back Sam Maguire with O’Carroll a rock in the base of defence while O’Sullivan excelled in the half-backs and midfield.

There was no winner of this week’s

club from Louth in the Leinster football

jackpot. The numbers drawn were 7, 5,

club championship with a scoreline of

13 and 6

1-8 to 0-7.

Paul Donnelly, Sallins Pier; Sean

Loman’s from Mullingar in the Leinster

Hanafin, Templeroan Close; Ben Mor-

club semi-finals on November 22. Con-

rell, Templeroan Crescent; Seamus

gratulations to all involved.

Vaughan, Monalea Grove; Cathy

the camogie section this weekend as

football: firhouse road club through to semi

Match first three winners were:

Ballyboden St Enda’s will now play St

There were great celebrations in

Picture: Paul Mohan/Sportsfile

out in their championship clashes.

ballers who overcame St Patrick’s GAA

O’Brien, Rock View, Sandyford; Mary Kelly, C/O BBSE.

our U-14As overcame Lucan in the

The Ballyboden St Enda’s gala din-

championship final with a scoreline

ner dance takes place next Saturday,

of 9-2 to 1-1. Congratulations to all the

November 14 in the Red. For more

players and management.

information – log on to www.boden-

Hard luck to our minor footballers and our U-21 football team who lost

gaa.ie or follow us on Bodengaa on Facebook and Twitter.

naomh olaf FOLLOWING on from last week’s senior

Great credit to all the squad,

camogie and U-17 football champion-

Stephen, Paddy and all the backroom

ship wins, the focus this week was on

team. It’s a huge achievement to win

the senior ladies football Division 7

three in a row and end up runners-up

final.

in the league.

There was no way this team were

The fantastic U-13 footballers got

going to be left out of the silverware.

the weekend into winning mode when

In atrocious conditions on Sunday

they won the Division 3 League away in

afternoon, the team put on an impres-

St Mary’s Saggart on Saturday.

sive display to win the cup for the third year in a row.

Captain Catherine Power lifted the cup to the delight of the many Olaf’s fans who were not put off by the

The U-21 footballers were also successful away against O’Toole’s in the first round of their championship on Saturday afternoon.

Over 80 coaches and future coaches participated in Friday night’s Future

Basquel goal key to Boden Leinster win

weather, winning 2-6 to 2-1.

leinster sfc quarter

CONGRATULATIONS to the U-21A foot-

day. Great achievement to get there

ballers who had a very good 1-10 to

in the first place and lots to build on

0-2 win over Ballyboden on Satur-

for next year.

Ballyboden St Enda’s Michael Darragh Macauley battles for the ball. Picture: Liam Cunningham

St Patrick’s Ballyboden St Enda’s  sport@dublingazette.com

0-7 1-8

DUBLIN champions Ballyboden St Enda’s maintained their winning form on Sunday by advancing to semi-finals of the Leinster championship with a 1-8 to 0-7 win over St Patrick’s in Drogheda.

The Firhouse Road club were pushed all the way here however with the game’s only goal proving to be the difference in horrible, wet and windy conditions It was fairly balanced, with Pat’s leading plenty

of times right up until about 10 minutes into second half when Colm Basquel’s goal turned the tie in Boden’s favour.

Pat’s had made the brighter start and scored the first three points, two from Karl White and one from Paddy Keenan after 12 minutes. Conal Keaney got Boden off the mark before two Andrew Kerin points, one from play and one from a free, levelled the tie after 25 minutes.

Despite managing to get the game back all square, Boden failed to fully seize the initiative and went behind once more on the stroke of half-time when

Danny O’Connor put the Louth champions ahead with a lovely point from play.

Boden started the second half well though and three minutes in, a Kerin free drew the game level once more. The next score saw the tie really swing in the Dubliners’ favour. Darren O’Reilly powered his way into the St Pat’s box before passing to Basquel who fired an effort into the top corner of the goal to raise the green flag.

FormerAll-Star Keenan gave Pat’s brief hope with a free but Kerin hit one of his own moments later to

restore the three-point lead.

There was then controversy around Keenan’s next point. Pat’s were awarded a free having put Boden under real pressure, Eoin O’Connor fed the Pat’s star-man who fired the ball into the net.

But the referee thought the free had been taken too quickly and called it back to be retaken, which Keenan then pointed.

Keaney then delivered the final blow with fine points in injury-time to secure the four-point win.

Boden next take on Westmeath champions, St Loman’s in two weeks.

The result was even more impres-

of Coaching at Naomh Olaf event. Huge

sive as six of the squad had already

energy in the room and very interac-

been out earlier in the day in the same

tive session.

weather conditions playing minor

Great to see the development of

camogie and had also lined out on

the new Naomh Olaf coaching portal.

Saturday to win the last of the league

Thanks to everyone for attending and

matches against Trinity Gaels.

well done to the organisers.

kilmacud crokes day.

Well done also to the minor footballers who had a great win over Cuala on

Hard luck also to the U-16 girls who narrowly lost out in their championship game over weekend.

Sunday in the minor E championship.

Finally, many congrats to Rory and

Congrats to the AHL5 hurlers who

Cian who picked up All-Stars on Fri-

beat Ballinteer 1-10 to 1-6 in their league playoff semi-final.

day night.

The club is so proud of them. Thanks

Great result also for the U-15A

to them and Eoin Culligan for bring-

hurlers who beat Na Fianna in their

ing the Sam Maguire and the All-Star

league final in very bad conditions in

awards down to the kids and parents

Silverpark on Sunday.

on Saturday in the club.

This talented bunch of lads com-

Club health and well-being (Croke-

pleted a league and championship

sTalks) strategy launch planned for

county double; a great credit to

Wednesday, November 25 at 8pm in

themselves and their management

the club.

for their effort and commitment.

Hard luck to the U-14C footballers who lost their league final on Satur-

Football committee AGM is the following evening: Thursday, November 26 at 9pm.

GazetteSPORT all of your dundrum sports coverage from page 28-31

rolling rock: Wesley back to winning ways with a big win over local rivals in the UBL Division 1B P30

november 12-18, 2015

cluskey leaves the court: Globe-trotting tennis star retires after fine career P29

Dagg set for Irish pentathlon call î Ž sport@dublingazette.com

DAVID Dagg, a pupil at St Benildus College and a member of Dundrum South Dublin Athletic Club, broke his own personal record and picked up bronze in the All-Ireland schools indoor combined events for intermediate boys last weekend.

On a day when the overall winner broke the Irish record, and second to fourth places were all up for grabs going into the final event, Dagg was delighted to outperform his previous best and secured a place on the Irish team to compete in the schools international combined events in Glasgow next

month.

In the combined events, each athlete competes in five events over one day with the boys participating in the 60m hurdles, long jump, 200m sprint, shot putt, and 800m with around 30 minutes between each event. Each event scores points based on time rather than final placing.

To qualify for the All-Ireland combined events, athletes must finish in the top four in their provincial competition and Dagg improved significantly from his Leinster showing.

His final total of 3,218 points was a new best and featured three significant new personal marks.

He ran 8.79 seconds in the hurdles, down from 9.18 and reduced his 200m time from 24.4 by a second to 23.4. Dagg’s 800m time was also lowered by six seconds, coming home in 2.06 minutes.

He now looks forward to representing Ireland on December 12 as part of the Irish team.

Elsewhere, DSD athletes were in imperious form in London in Stevenage at the London Metropolitan League, winning the Under-13, 15 and 17 levels.

It was part of their step up in preparations for the national cross-country championships and they surprised even themselves with a dominant performance

against teams from Shaftsbury Harriers, Thames Valley Harries, Highgate and a number of other top English clubs.

Indeed, the Under-17 girls teams filled the first five positions from the first lap through to the finish line despite a field of over 200 athletes.

Abi Taylor led home the field to claim both the Under-15 and Under-15/17 combined title.

Conor Halpin narrowly missed out on the gold in the Under-17 boys while Eimear Maher took third in the Under-13 girls .

In the senior women’s race, Fiona Clinton was a gallant third in a field of over 250 athletes.

St Benildus and DSDAC athlete David Dagg in action last weekend