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February 2 - 8, 2017

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Locals warned off ‘Mick’ the mystery trash man  AISLING KENNEDY

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

ILLEGAL flyers advertising waste collection services in the Sandyford/Ballyogan area are being delivered to homes by a man known only as ‘Mick’.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council issued a warning about the flyers this week to stop locals leaving household items outside their homes for collection,

as Mick does not have a permit to operate his service.

The flyer advertises collection services for items such as TVs, hair dryers, washing machines and phones. The ad does stress that rubbish will not be collected.

The Council said that it’s illegal for this waste collection service to be operating in the area, adding that it “is an offence to hand over control of your waste to anyone

other than a permitted waste collector.”

If anyone is found guilty of handing their waste over to illegal waste collection services they may be prosecuted.

The Gazette rang Mick this week and he told us he didn’t realise he needed a permit to collect waste in the area.

Asked if he would continue to operate his service in the locality, Mick, who refused to give his surname, said: “The lad

from the Council rang me today about my service. I won’t be able to go out and collect waste now. I don’t have a permit you see. I might apply for a permit but I don’t know how you go about it. I’ll probably get onto them.”

He added: “I’m going to have to stop now unless . . . what do you have to get rid of anyway?”

Continued on Page 2

2 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 2 February 2017

R1

KILTERNAN | COUNCIL INVESTIGATING HOW TO TACKLE CORNER

Local delight as road bend to be removed  AISLING KENNEDY

A DANGEROUS road bend on the Glenamuck Road in Kilternan will soon be removed following years of complaints by local residents.

The bend sees motorists and vehicles mount the footpath on a daily basis, particularly when they are met by a bus or lorry, which has led to many local residents complain about the danger it poses to pedestrians.

Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Lab) said: “The footpath is very narrow and totally inadequate and pedestrians are put at further risk every day when vehicles mount the footpath.

“There are constant complaints from motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, so it will be music

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‘The footpath is very narrow and totally inadequate and pedestrians are put at further risk every day when vehicles mount the footpath’ Pedestrian safety has been cited as a reason to act over a dangerous bend at Glenamuck Road in Kilternan. Picture: Google Maps

to many ears to know that something is going to be done about it.

“I will be keeping pressure on to ensure this work happens sooner rather than later.”

At the Dundrum Area

Committee meeting this month, Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) replied to a motion Cllr McCarthy had raised to prioritise upgrade works on the road.

Report In a report compiled by DLRCC, it said that that its Road Department are currently reviewing the available design options

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Cllr Lettie McCarthy

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for the ‘pinch point’ at the Golden Ball end of the road.

The report also said that the council were preparing a local road improvement scheme that would include the upgrading of the Glenamuck Road/Enniskerry Road junction and implement the removal of the bad bend on Glenamuck Road.

The scheme will be

subject to the Part 8 statutory planning process, and the process is due to commence in the next few months.

The upgrade works are part of a mixed-use residential and commercial development at the Golden Ball pub and adjoining lands.

Local residents welcomed the news that the road will be upgraded, with one local resident on Facebook saying: “Well this is good news. It was top of my bucket list for 2017 to write a complaint having lost the side of my car some time back at this narrow section.”

Another resident commented: “Great news.

Many a mini heart attack has been had driving up and down that road with a horsebox!”

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FASTNews

A great opportunity for companies to get noticed

SMALL business owners throughout Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown are being encouraged to share their success stories by entering this year’s County Enterprise Awards. The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) has announced a prize fund of €10,000 for this year’s awards, with entries now open.

The local winner will be chosen during National Enterprise Week in March, and will go head-tohead with the other 31 local winners at the annual National Enterprise Awards in May. The deadline for applications is 4pm on February 10. Six companies or individuals will be chosen as county finalists and will share in a prize fund of €10,000. The winner will represent Dun LaoghaireRathdown at the National Enterprise Awards, which offers a total prize fund of €40,000.

Last year’s Local Enterprise award was won

by Sandyford-based financial software company ClearChoice, which provides web-based software to advisers who are researching and analysing the Irish life assurance market to ensure they give clear, compliant and correct advice to consumers.

Paul Merriman (above), managing director of ClearChoice, said: “Entering the Local Enterprise Awards was a great experience for ClearChoice.

“The prize funding was greatly appreciated, but the recognition that we received from winning was far more significant — it really got us noticed. The achievement spurred us on and enabled us to grow into the business we are today.”

The awards are open to companies employing 10 people or less who have received at least one type of support from LEO DLR whether training, networking, mentoring or funding. Anyone wishing to enter should contact the LEO at 01 204 7083, or see www.localenterprise.ie/DLR/

Council warns locals not to use ‘bogus collectors’ From Page 1 Cllr Emma Blain (FG) said: “Despite using very convincing leaflets, these collections are a complete scam and are illegal.

“These bogus collectors have often been found to be involved in criminal gangs, in the sale of counterfeit clothing and acts of illegal dumping.”

Cllr Deirdre Donnelly (Ind) said: “In this instance many householders believe that they are handing over items for recycling and are doing so in good faith. In reality they are encouraging these bogus collectors to continue this practice elsewhere and return to their area again in the future.”

She added: “I would like to see more awareness out there in relation to illegal waste collections and dumping.”

2 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 3

 SYLVIA POWNALL TWO Dublin actors are in the running to replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond.

Clondalkin’s finest export Aidan Turner is now tipped as favourite to play 007 ahead of Tom Hardy and Tom Hiddlestone after his odds were slashed to 3/1.

Punters laid a flurry of bets over the weekend on the Poldark actor who’s staying tight lipped on whether he’s been approached for the spy role.

Castleknock A-lister Colin Farrell – best known for his role in The Lobster and black comedy In Bruges - has also seen his odds shorten from 50/1 to 25/1, according to Boylesports.

A spokesperson for the bookies chain said: “We have seen a few bets of twenties and tenners come in for Colin Farrell resulting in the Intermission actor’s price col-

lapsing to 25/1.” Turner – who at one point planned to follow in his father Pat’s footsteps and become an electrician – has avoided Bond questions like the plague.

The one-time ballroom dancer spent more time dodging reporters than he did posing for photographers on the red carpet at last week’s UK National Television Awards.

When asked whether or not he would be appearing in Ian Fleming’s next 007 instalment he replied: “No questions like that.

Can’t answer that one.”

One dogged journalist would not give up and rephrased the question, asking if he wanted to be the new Bond.

But Turner, 36, declared: “I’m moving!” before disappearing seamlessly into the crowd – a move that Bond himself would have been proud of. Kerry-born Shame hunk Michael Fassbender is also rumoured to be in the mix for the coveted spy role, along with Luther actor Idris Elba.

4 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 2 February 2017

SANDYFORD | COST OF REMEDIAL WORKS LIKELY TO BE VOTED DOWN AT AGM

Owners reeling as €10m Beacon repair bill looms  EMMA NOLAN

HORRIFIED and shocked is how owners of Beacon South Quarter apartments are feeling this week.

Having been collectively hit with a bill of up to €10 million for defects in their homes, one apartment owner spoke to The Gazette about the possibility of being faced with the impossible payment.

Aoife Culleton lives in a one-bedroom apartment in the complex that she bought through the council’s Affordable Housing Scheme in 2008.

Owners of apartments in blocks A, B1, C and D at Beacon are being asked

by BSQ Management Company Ltd to pay €9.1 million into a fund for fire remedial works.

Residents in blocks A and D are being asked for just over €1 million in relation to water damage.

Owners will be asked to vote in favour of the charges at the management company’s annual general meeting on February 6.

Now, the largest private landlord in the state – Ires Reit – plan to vote in favour of the €10 million charge to fix fire safety and other structural defects at the complex.

Aoife said: “I cried on the bus this morning when I heard that Ires Reit plans

to vote in favour of the charge.

“It’s appalling – they can write the majority of that cost off on tax, and the rest of us who can’t afford it will be forced to pay.”

The property investment company owns 25% of the units that are affected by these defects, and will have a bill of around €2.7 million.

Individual owners, however, are expected to foot bills of around €10,000 each. The owners say that they cannot afford such a high charge and will vote down the proposal at their AGM next Monday.

Aoife says that they have not been told what the

Part of the extensive Beacon South Quarter complex, where homeowners across the blocks face chipping in to a multimillion repair fund. Picture: Google Maps

final cost will be and that it may depend on the size of apartments.

She also says that owners don’t know the terms of what the vote will be as they have not got enough information yet.

“It’s unbelievable – I used to think owning an apartment here was great until a few weeks ago,”

Aoife added.

Deputy Catherine Martin (GP) strongly criticised the state for continuing to “fail homeowners who have been left with defective properties bought during the boom”.

Speaking during Leader’s Questions to the Taoiseach in the Dail earlier this week, she said:

“Citizens, who purchased properties in good faith, are now being forced to face the financial fallout of learning that their dream home has been severely blighted by inept, incompetent, greed-driven building standards which were not properly regulated or enforced by the State.”

The Green Party TD also likened the issue to similar situations in the Priory Hall and Longboat Quay apartments.

Deputy Josepha Madigan (FG) said that for the homeowners to be faced with such an unaffordable bill is “simply not fair”.

She added: “For many, this is a bill that they simply will not be able to afford.”

Deputies Madigan and Martin are both calling on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the Government to assist the homeowners.

FASTNews

€210k to help fix DLR’s roads

FUNDING of over €210,000 has been allocated to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown by the Government to develop and fix roads throughout the constituency.

In total, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown will receive €212,889 as part of a €324m national investment programme for regional and local roads in 2017.

Senator Neale Richmond (FG) welcomed the much-needed funding and said that he “is determined to use our strong economy to benefit all areas of the country, and roads”.

He added: “Funding is just one example of this. The funding announced by the Government constitutes a 9% increase on last year’s allocation, which is only possible as our economy continues to grow.

“This funding is for the local authority to maintain and strengthen our roads in our area.”

‘Stepaside station must be a priority to reopen’  EMMA NOLAN

REOPENING Stepaside Garda Station should be made a priority ahead of all other closed stations nationwide, according to Shane Ross.

The local TD and Minister for Transport has said that he wants his local station to reopen before any other in the country – and Stepaside locals agree.

“I have spent almost four years fighting this closure,” Minister Ross told The Gazette.

In 2013, Stepaside was among 100 Garda stations controversially closed to cut back on costs - despite strong opposition from local residents and politicians who maintain that crime has risen in the area since the closure.

Minister Ross said: “I held rallies, public meeting and protested in rain, hail and snow. I stood for

election on the promise that Stepaside Garda Station was a priority issue for me.

“I took a place in government so that I could ensure the station would be reopened. I will not be reneging on the promises I made to the people who put their trust in me, and even though it has taken longer than expected, I am confident that the station will reopen.”

‘Serious crime issue’ Local woman Aileen Eglington said: “I do think that all the politicians, especially Shane Ross, have been working with the locals on this and I think everybody now recognises that we have quite a serious crime issue in the area that has to be addressed.”

Aileen’s home was broken into twice in 2015 and last year she discovered people in her garden

attempting to break in. Many of her neighbours were broken into before Christmas just over a month ago.

She said: “Gardai have caught many of the burglars and are really on top of things, but there just aren’t enough of them.

“What people forget about this area is that we are in a semi-rural area – areas where people may be living by themselves and are more isolated and it takes longer for gardai to get to them and there also just aren’t enough patrols in the street.”

Minister Ross added: “I will not interfere with the integrity of the garda assessment to identify the six stations to be reopened.

“However, I think it is hard to imagine that there is another area in the country where the case for reopening a station is as compelling as that of Stepaside.”

2 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 5

PEOPLE | WINNER LOOKS FORWARD TO REPRESENTING IRELAND IN ESTONIA

The future’s secure in the hands of young scientist  AISLING KENNEDY THE young Dubliner who was last month crowned Young Scientist of the Year says his super-safe data storage solution is so secure that not even Donald Trump’s Russian pals could hack into it.

Shane Curran was declared the overall winner at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2017 in January for developing a piece of computer software that stores secrets that are verifiably secure for life.

Shane (16) from Terenure College, Dublin 6 came up with his project, entitled qCrypt: The quantum-secure, encrypted, data storage solution with multijurisdictional quorum sharding technology, last year following his previous entry into the 2016 BT Young Scientist Exhibition.

He spoke to The Gazette this week and said: “I’d been working on this particular idea for a year but I suppose I’ve been interested in this space for a good few years now.”

Shane is from Rathgar and lives with his parents and two younger broth-

ers. Intelligence runs in the family genetics, as he explained his father is an engineer and his mother previously worked as an industrial chemist.

Shane explained that he became interested in programming and science from the age of seven when he started building websites for things he was interested in at the time, such as rugby teams and various bands he liked.

“The websites just gradually got more and more complicated and I kept adding new features so I gradually picked up that stuff along the way. I kept building new websites and tools until I got to where I am today.”

When asked how he learned how to build websites at the age of seven, Shane says: “I had the internet, so that was my main help but at the time there wasn’t really much in-person help available.

“So it was mainly off the internet and looking up different YouTube videos on various topics and learning from that.”

In terms of who he looks up to, Shane explains that one of his main heroes is a previous winner of the

Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in 2005, Patrick Collison.

“Patrick and his brother John founded a company called Stripe when they 17 and 19 and it’s worth around €10bn now so they’ve done pretty well for themselves. So I’m in good company.”

In terms of how he would like to see the technology he developed as part of his winning idea at the Young Scientist exhibition used, he explained that his original idea was for the software to be used as part of post-war peace and reconciliation.

“It could be used for taking testimonies or confessions or something like that after war. But the technology could be used in the financial services sector as well as governmental operations.

“In terms of the applicability, it’s very broad, but the original intention was for peace and reconciliation.”

“As far as the project goes, I’ve developed a new way of exchanging ‘keys’ which are resistant to any known attacks by quantum computers and then the multi-jurisdictional

quorum sharding part is essentially a file that can be broken up and spread out over different legal jurisdictions.

“It’s completely independent from any kind of political input or legal decision in that particular jurisdiction.”

As the winner of the 53rd BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2017, Shane won a prizefund of €5,000, the BTYSTE perpetual trophy, and a trip to the European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands.

In addition, he will have the opportunity to represent Ireland at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Tallinn, Estonia later this year.

Boxers train to honour Rory and help the Mater Hospital  EMMA NOLAN MORE than 30 amateur boxers are preparing to enter the ring in memory of teenager Rory Hegarty.

Rory, a student at Terenure College, tragically passed away in 2009, less than a month before his 17th birthday, and now friends and family of the avid rugby player are holding a memorial Fight Night to raise money for the Heart Appeal at the Mater Foundation.

Some 34 amateur fighters will

be enduring six weeks of training to prepare themselves for the ring on March 3 in Club 92 in Leopardstown.

Rory passed away from Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) so now his family and friends are dedicated to raising funds for a clinic at the Mater that screens family members of those who have died tragically due to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) or SCD. Since the clinic began screening families who have lost a loved one

to SADS, more than 7,000 family members have been screened.

The aim of the clinic is to reduce the incidence of these silent and tragic deaths through a comprehensive screening facility for those most at risk. As the clinic still receives no government funding, it solely operates on fundraised income.

The Gazette will be keeping up to date with the boxers’ training over the coming weeks as they prepare for the event.

Shay Walsh, managing director, BT Ireland, and Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton present Shane Curran, from Terenure College, with the overall BT Young Scientist 2017 award.

Pic above: Fennell Photography

6 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 2 February 2017

Out and About

Eva Pla, Umbeto Divenosa, Eva Divenosa, Theo Divenosa and

Yolanda Fletcher (Chicago and Illinois Tourist Office) and

Barbara O’Shea from Follow the Camino

Sharon Mason. Pictures: Aishling Conway

Tip-top travel inspiration W

Donal, Rachel and Claire O’Callaghan with Anne Cooke

Thairapy creative director Leonie Byrne

Get some Thairapy you’ll love

HETHER you were seeking a once-in-a­lifetime trip, planning a well-deserved family holiday or making plans for a romantic getaway, the Holiday World Show at the RDS Simmonscourt was a must-attend event of the year. The event was a great chance to seek advice with a wealth of tour operators and destination experts on hand. This year’s new additions were exhibitors from Argentina, Japan and Botswana. The 2017 Visit USA Pavilion was the largest ever, with more than 40 stands.

Anne Carew, Sarah Doyle, Nicole Kelly and Leonie Byrne

L

OCALS looking to indulge their hair and beauty needs had some good news as Thairapy Salon are now open for business in Belarmine Plaza, nestled in the heart of Stepaside. This elegant and luxurious salon is a fantastic addition to the local business landscape. They have a team of highly-trained, experienced stylists and colourists and a fabulous nail technician. Follow them on Facebook and keep up-to-date with all their existing offers and the next time you’re passing, call in for a complimentary consultation.

Sarah McGovern. Pictures: Steve Wilson

2 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 7

8 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 2 February 2017

DISPUTE | NUMBER AND DEFINITION OF DELIVERED SOCIAL UNITS COMES UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

Council reject SF’s claim it is ‘massaging’ housing figure  AISLING KENNEDY FIGURES from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdow n County Council (DLRCC) reporting that they have delivered an additional 290 social houses in 2016 have been blasted by local politicians this week, with one local councillor stating that the figures are being “massaged” by the council.

Cllr Shane O’Brien (SF) told The Gazette that at least 27 of the homes – which fall under social housing as they are part of the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) – are not new tenancies, but rather an extension of existing tenancies.

Cllr O’Brien said: “When you dig into the figures a little bit, it’s quite obvious that they’re [the council] not delivering enough units.

“At a recent council meeting I raised a query about the figures the council were quoting and they told me that the 27 RAS tenants are actually just existing past tenants where they’ve extended the contract.

“Basically, it’s so much work for the council to actually get landlords to extend tenancy contracts on the R AS scheme, they’re treating them as new RAS tenants. It doesn’t make any sense

whatsoever – it’s absolutely crazy.”

In response, however, a spokesperson for the council disputed Cllr O’Brien’s claims and said that they never claimed to have provided homes for 290 new tenants; rather, they provided 290 new homes.

The spokesperson said of the 27 RAS properties, “23 new vacant properties were acquired for existing RAS tenants and four properties were allocated to applicants on our social housing waiting list”.

The spokesperson said that had the tenants who were occupying the 23 existing RAS homes not been re-homed in new accommodation, they would have been homeless.

Breakdown A further breakdown of the figures that DLRCC sent to The Gazette revealed that 54 homes were constructed in total across Dun LaoghaireRathdown in 2016, comp r i s i n g R o c h e s t ow n House (34), Cromlech Close (15), Clontibret House (4) and Shanganagh Park Lodge (1).

The breakdown of the rest of the figures showed that 20 homes were purchased and 39 homes were leased by the council, while 20 homes in its

existing stock were refurbished for re-tenanting throughout the year.

In addition, the council told The Gazette that “through the Capital Acquisition Scheme and Capital Advance Leasing Facility, the council enabled a number of approved housing bodies to acquire 31 homes”.

The figures show overall, however, that 126 of the social housing units that were delivered by DLRCC in 2016 are reliant on the private rental sector, as 99 homes were delivered via the housing assistance payment (HAP) scheme, and 27 were delivered via the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS).

Both the HAP and RAS schemes are delivered via the private rented sector where tenants receive assistance from the council to pay their rent.

Cllr O’Brien said: “The RAS scheme was introduced in 2006 as a temporary measure and a pilot scheme, and now we’re 11 years later and it’s become the kind of mainstay of the council and the government housing policy.

“It completely relies on the private sector to deliver and sustain social housing when it’s proving with the growing budgets for RAS or HAP that it is economically

unsustainable.

“I’ve been working with two constituents who signed up to HAP, where the council is paying up to €2,500 per month for a three-bed unit through HAP, which is just crazy because over the course of their contract the council will have paid out €80€90k for that one family to be put up when you could almost be building a house for a little bit more.

“When you look at the budget for Dun

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have defended and clarified its numbers of delivered social housingunits in 2016, despite Sinn fein’s criticisms

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‘A spokesperson for the council disputed Cllr Shane O’Brien’s claims and said that they never claimed to have provided homes for 290 new tenants; rather, they provided 290 new homes’

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Laoghaire-Rathdown, it [the council] is now spending nearly €13m a year on RAS, and that’s

money that we don’t get anything back of.”

The council also confirmed to The Gazette

that there are currently 5,040 active applications on the council’s social housing support List.

Happy to make Waves at a game jam GRIFFITH College students Eoin O’Reilly, Luke Rothwell, Brandon Penev and Mohammed Kadiri attended the Global Game Jam at Microsoft premises in Sandyford last week. The Global Game Jam is a huge international gaming hackathon with 35,000 participants that takes place over 48 hours each January. Participants team up to create a fully functioning computer game under a specific theme,

with this year’s theme being “Waves”.

Eoin Carroll, programme director for the Griffith College Computing faculty and organiser of Global Game Jam Dublin, said: “We had a wide and disparate group from all areas of game creation, and more than 140 people working to create 43 games, helping to contribute to the 36,000 global entrants creating 7,217 games in a single weekend.”

2 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 9

COURTS | GARDAI SPOTTED ROBBER JUMPING INTO TAXI AFTER STICK-UP AT CHURCHTOWN ROAD SHOP

Man used a pair of scissors to rob Spar A MAN who is making efforts to overcome a drug addiction has been given more time by a judge to get treatment.

Herbert Buckley (52) appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after he admitted carrying out a stick-up on a newsagent to get “a few bob for Christmas”.

Kevin White BL, defending, said that his client had had a heroin addiction since his 20s but he was trying to kick his addiction.

“He is finding the transition to becoming drug-free very difficult,” Mr White said.

Buckley pleaded guilty to robbery at Spar, Churchtown Road on December 11, 2015.

The woman working in the shop handed over the contents of the cash register after Buckley threatened her with a pair of scissors.

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‘He admitted the robbery right away and told gardai he did it because he needed “a few bob for Christmas”.

They found the stolen €137 cash on him.’

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She called gardai immediately after Buckley left and gardai spotted him jumping into a taxi stopped at traffic lights across from the shop.

They stopped the taxi and arrested Buckley.

Buckley, of Rossmore Avenue, Ballyfermot, admitted the rob-

bery right away and told gardai he did it because he needed “a few bob for Christmas”.

They found the stolen €137 cash on him.

He later told gardai he was “guilty as sin” and he twice asked if the woman was ok, Maurice Coffey BL, prosecuting, told the court.

Buckley’s 45 previous convictions include false imprisonment and burglary.

In 2006, Buckley was jailed for eight years for drug dealing offences and was released in 2012.

Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case to April 27 next to allow Buckley to prove he was committed to a drug-free life.

She remanded him on continuing bail to that date.

Sandyford firm through to national entrepreneur final

CIARA Clancy, chief executive at Beats Medical in Sandyford, has secured herself a place in the national final of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition, which takes place on March 5 at the Google office in Dublin city centre.

The 26-year-old is competing in the Best Established Business category and is one of three young entrepreneurs who will represent Dublin in the final, all competing against other national finalists to become Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur and a share in a €100,000 winners’ investment fund.

Ciara’s company, Beats Medical, provides treatments for Parkinson’s Disease through technology to help improve the mobility, speech and dexterity symptoms of the condition Pictured are Dearbhla Lawson, DLRCC; Minister for Employment, Pat Breen; Ciara Clancy; An Cathaoirleach Cormac Devlin and Georgina Sweetman, DLR Local Enterprise Office

10 GAZETTE 2 February 2017

HEALTH | DAD OF FOUR WHO BEAT KILLER DISEASE URGES OTHERS TO GET CHECKED

‘I went to the doctor’s to get my heartburn checked and found out I had cancer’

 SYLVIA POWNALL

DAD-OF-FOUR Peter Cosgrove has told how he was diagnosed with cancer after he went to the doctor suffering from heartburn.

Peter, 62, was shocked after a visit to his GP for acid reflux uncovered something far more sinister – oesophageal cancer.

The news struck fear in the Dubliner’s heart because his brother Tom died of the same illness five years ago, aged 55.

Peter said: “I was away on holidays two years before the diagnosis and something stuck in my throat. I went to the doctor and was referred for a scope, but they put it down to an ulcer I was being treated for.

“I had a lot of acid reflux. I had four or five scopes done. Eventually after the fifth one I was called in to see a surgeon. I thought I was going to be told everything was fine.

“But he said ‘I think you need to have your oesophagus removed’.”

Less than a week later Peter, from Artane in Dublin 5, was in Beaumont Hospital having surgery. He recalled: “I was knocked out at eight in the morning and woke up in the ward at 12 that night. The pain was horrendous. I got an epidural but when it wore off it was agony.”

Peter, a retired bricklayer, spent two weeks in intensive care before being let home.

He said: “They won’t let you go home until you can swallow and eat food.

Throat “The surgery pulls your stomach up just underneath your throat so it’s one third the size that it was.

“I couldn’t eat a three-course meal now because my stomach can’t hold it.

“I love my grub, but if I eat too much I feel nauseous and as if I’m going to pass out.”

A year after his 2014 operation Peter lost half a stone very quickly and had to have a ‘balloon’ procedure after medics discovered his throat was narrowing.

He said: “It’s like learning to live all over again, but I’m just glad they caught it. With my brother his throat was sticking and they presumed it was an ulcer.

“He was two years fighting it, he went through chemo, had his oesophagus removed, but he couldn’t fight it. They didn’t catch it on time.

“I would say if you’re using a lot of Rennies or whatever for heartburn, you should go and get a scope done. If it keeps you alive it’s worth it.

“I’d have a scope every week if I thought it would

FASTNews

Volunteers sought to protect North Bull Island

DUBLIN City Council is calling on volunteers to help protect the natural beauty of North Bull Island.

DCC are launching the North Bull Island Volunteer Programme, which they hope will help with the promotion and management of the island in Dublin Bay, which forms an integral part of the Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere.

All details of the North Bull Island Volunteer Programme, including details of the type of activities that may be involved, are on the DCC website.

Applications must be received on or before Friday, February 24.

Masked thugs hold up store MASKED men armed with a knife robbed a shop in Tallaght on Monday night.

Two men threatened staff at the store before making off with a sum of money in the direction of the Belfry estate around 9pm.

Gardai confirmed to DublinLive that CCTV footage of the scene will be reviewed, but there have been no arrests as yet.

Gigs off as Chilis singer gets chill Peter, daughter Karen and wife Joan collecting much need cash for Lollypop Day in aid of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund

keep me alive. Some people are afraid to have it done which is stupid because by the time you do it could be too late.”

Peter will take up his annual station at Northside Shopping Centre in Coolock

next month with his daughter Karen and wife Joan collecting for Lollipop Day. His brother’s widow also collects for the charity in Malahide.

Peter added: “It’s bittersweet for

IRELAND has one of the highest rates of oesophageal cancer in the world with 390 new cases diagnosed each year. It’s one of the deadliest forms of the disease, though survival rates are now 40% compared to just 25% in 2001.

Incidence of the disease amongst women is higher here (40% of sufferers) than the European average of 10-20%. The oesophagus is the hollow tube that brings food and liquids from the throat to the stomach. Common undiagnosed symptoms include acid reflux and food ‘sticking’ in the throat.

me – I’m glad I’m still here for my wife, my kids and for my grandchildren, but I’m sorry that my brother’s illness wasn’t caught in time.”

 THE Oesophageal Cancer Fund – which receives no money from the Government – is seeking volunteers to help with its annual Lollipop appeal on Friday, March the 3rd and Saturday, March the 4th.

Thousands of supporters will be selling lollipops for €2 nationwide.

Visit www.lollipopday.ie for more details.

RED Hot Chili Peppers fans were left blue in the face after the band was forced to postpone this week’s Dublin gigs.

The Under the Bridge stars were due to play the 3Arena on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, but had to put off the concerts because singer Anthony Kiedis came down with a nasty flu.

The band will now play two gigs on September 20 and 21, with all tickets issued valid for the new dates.

2 February 2017 GAZETTE 11

GAZETTE

12 GAZETTE 2 February 2017

DUBLINLIFE SURVEY: TWO-THIRDS SUPPORT NEARBY PRODUCE – BORD BIA SURVEY

Wastewater tech highlights diversity of research at UCD OXYMEM, a fast-growing Irish cleantech company, has been named in the prestigious 2017 Global Cleantech 100 list.

The company has been named in the global list, which is produced by the Cleantech Group (CTG), for the second year running.

OxyMem is a UCD spin-out company, and the only Irish company to make this list. The company is commercialising Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR) technology – an innovative solution to reduce costs for wastewater treatment.

Wayne Byrne, chief executive, OxyMem, said: “To be recognised for the second year running in the prestigious Global Cleantech 100 list is real validation of our efforts over the past four years.

“This highlights, to a highly conservative water market, a value proposition that makes OxyMem the stand-out contender in energy-efficient wastewater treatment.”

Pictured at UCD are the men behind the MABR technology – Prof Eoin Casey and Dr Eoin Syron, UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering.

Local food still key to consumer spend  EMMA NOLAN

SOME two-thirds of Irish consumers believe it is “important to buy local food”.

The results of Bord Bia’s research into consumer attitudes to local food were presented to over 200 small food and drink producers at Bord Bia’s recent Small Business Open Day in Enfield, Co Meath.

The Bord Bia study has revealed that local food has become more widely available and there is a growing association for homegrown local food with gifting and special occasions.

The organisation estimates that the small food and drink business sector is worth some €400 million to the economy.

Opening the conference, Minister of the State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Andrew Doyle told delegates: “Bord Bia will continue to

Bord Bia’s Mary Morrissey with Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, Andrew Doyle, and Grainne Walsh, Metalman Brewing. Picture: Jeff Harvey

support Irish client companies in this regard, providing advice on market opportunities and emerging trends.

“The most immediate impact of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union has been Sterling depreciation and volatility.

“While demand for premium-quality, safe food products is increasing long-term, the advice and information provided here can help companies in very practical ways to hold on to business.”

B o r d B i a ’s s t u d y explores Irish consumers’

definition of ‘local food’, and their attitudes towards it, whilst understanding what motivates them to purchase such produce.

Speaking about the research findings, Mary Morrissey, Bord Bia’s Food and Beverage Manager, said: “It is encour-

aging for small food businesses to hear consumers saying they buy local food products at least once a week and that one-third are purchasing more today than they did a year ago.

“It is clear that the sector continues to offer opportunities for small producers to deliver on demand for local and quality foods directly linked back to the producer. Consumers want to connect with the story of the producer.”

The study’s findings were a key part of the Bord Bia conference, which also covered a wide range of categories foe the key agri sector, ranging from food waste to the rise of premium dairy, craft beer and healthy snacking produce.

The conference presentations also focused on how small businesses can interpret changing environmental trends and use them to grow their business.

ICS add new mortgage package DILOSK’S chief executive Fergal McGrath and chief operations officer Oran McGrath are pictured deep in enthusiastic conversation at the announcement of its new 10-year, interest-only, buy-to-let mortgage now available nationwide from ICS Mortgages. Supported by an initial facility of €200 million, the new mortgage type is for individuals or companies wishing to enter the rental market, and available from the Irish specialist mortgage lender Dilosk, who acquired ICS Mortgages from Bank of Ireland in 2014. The move by ICS Mortgages is another vote of confidence in the vitality returning to the property market. Picture: Naoise Culhane

2 February 2017 GAZETTE 13

Boxing legend teams up with Windsor Motor Group IRISH boxing legend Katie Taylor, Olympic Gold Medallist, five-times World Boxing Champion and six-times European Champion and now Windsor Motor Group brand ambassador has recently took delivery of her all-new 171 Nissan X-Trail. “The X-Trail is the perfect car for me, it’s comfortable, has tons of space, which is great for all my training gear and is really economical.”

Peter Nicholson, managing director, Windsor Motor Group said: “The entire Windsor Motor Group team is looking forward to working with Katie and exploring the synergies between us.”

Butcher to expand with €30k funding THE Village Butcher in Firhouse has raised €30,000 through Linked Finance, thanks to its online lending platform, www.linkedfinance.com.

The funding is being used to facilitate the company’s expansion with the establishment and fit-out of a second premises in Firhouse.

Husband and wife, Michael Madden and Sarah Kelly have over 25 years of experience in the industry and established their first family-

owned and run butchers in Ranelagh in 2012, after a number of years spent running a meat wholesalers.

The Village Butcher has teamed up with Strongbodies in Firhouse to further extend its protein range.

The butchers has won multiple prestigious awards, including the McKenna Best in Ireland Award, a Taste of Leinster Award and a Taste of Ireland award for their standards of butchery.

GAZETTE

BUSINESS

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 2 February 2017

DUBLINLIFE

FEATURE

Serving up some tales of the unexpectedly sinister  EMMA NOLAN THE responsibility of portraying a character in an iconic Irish play is not lost on Janet Moran.

“It’s funny doing a play like The Weir, that so many people have seen or read and have high expectations of,” the Dublin actress explained.

“You really feel the responsibility and the pressure of it.”

Audiences often have their own ideas of how a production should be Janet explains but when the material is as rich as a play like The Weir, it’s a pleasure to be a part of.

“It’s just such a solid brilliant play, I think that’s why it’s a favourite for so many people.”

Written by Conor McPherson in 1997, The Weir is often described as an eerie masterpiece of modern theatre.

S e t o n a s t o r my n i g h t i n Brendan’s pub in an isolated Leitrim town, the men are gathering for their daily pint. The arrival of a stranger in their midst – a beautiful woman – spurs them to impress her with stories.

They are stories of “souls past, spirits present and spectres unforeseen”. One story, however, is more sinister than expected.

And on her performance, Janet says: “When you have a play like that you’re halfway there.”

In this production, Janet stars alongside Gary Lydon (Brooklyn, Borstal Boy, The Pillowman), Janet Patrick Ryan (Red Rock) Garrett

OUTDOORSY GEORGE IS A BUNDLE OF JOY AND ENERGY!

Janet Moran and Garrett Keogh in The Weir

Keogh (A Skull in Connemara, The Clinic, Veronica Guerin) and Frankie McCafferty (Vikings, Trial of the Century, In the Name of the Father).

Speaking on her fellow cast mates, Janet admits that they are “terrific” but that she was initially intimidated about working with such established actors.

“The four men are just terrific, I’ve been a big fan of theirs for years so I think I was a little bit

intimated when I first walked in because they’re so good.

“Last time we performed this together we had a great response so this time we know it works and we’re all very happy with it and can’t wait to get started.”

Irish theatre is very close to Janet’s heart having acted in the works of Brian Friel, Sean O’Casey and of course McPherson.

“I love doing new plays because

you don’t know how it’s going to turn out but when you do something from Friel or somebody, you’re on much surer ground.”

This production by Decadent Theatre Company & Verdant Productions will run in The Gaiety from February 20 to March 4 for a strictly limited run.

The Gazette have one pair of tickets to give away – just visit our Facebook page to enter.

OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is George, a gorgeous 18-month-old Labrador crossbreed.

He’s not just a handsome face, he has brains to burn and is looking for an active adopter with an interest in keeping his mind engaged and his paws moving.

George loves the great outdoors and would love to go on lots of outdoorsy adventures, such as hiking or long beach walks.

He is looking for an adult-only home as he can take some time to get to know people; however, once acquainted, you’ll have a friend for life that will stick to you like glue.

George also gets on well with other dogs.

If you are the outdoorsy type and can offer George a place in your home, and if you can be George’s #SpecialSomeone*, then 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, at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

2 February 2017 GAZETTE 15

GAZETTE

DIARY CITY CENTRE: NEW 10K ROUTE WINDS THROUGH LOTS OF LANDMARKS AND KEY PARTS OF DUBLIN

Why not take a night run with 10,000 others TV3’S Xpose’s newest star, Cassie Stokes, helped launch Virgin Media’s 10K Night Run for Dublin city, which will burn brighter than ever on Sunday, April 23 at 9pm.

An expected 10,000 runners are set to take to the streets for the night run, in partnership with Athletics Ireland and TITAN Experience.

With a new 10K route for 2017, runners will start at North Wall Quay/New Wapping Street and take in O’Connell Street, the city quays, Grand Canal Dock and R ingsend before crossing the East Link and finishing at the Samuel Beckett Bridge.

For those looking for a New Year challenge, the Night Run is ideal. There is plenty of time to get out training with family, friends or work colleagues.

On the night, all runners will receive a Virgin Media Running Pack containing a branded running top (to be worn on the night).

GIVE OLD CHRISTMAS GIFTS A NEW LIFE CHRISTMAS gifts can gain a new life by donating to charity. GortaSelf Help Africa, a leading Irish development charity, is asking households to donate their unwanted Christmas gifts to its charity shop this month.

Gorta-Self Help Afri-

ca retail manager Maggie Dwyer said: “Households across Dublin are busy clearing up after the long holiday break.

Inevitably, some people would have received gifts that they either don’t like or don’t have any use for; plus, we all have goods in our homes and our wardrobes that we never use.”

Donating unwanted gifts, or other unused items, to a Gorta shop is a great way to give them a new life while contributing vital funds to support the charitable projects that Gorta-Self Help Africa is implementing to end hunger and poverty in rural Africa.

Funds can support a variety of projects to support families and individuals. For further information, see www. selfhelpafrica.org.

SOAK YOURSELF IN PURPLE RAIN SOUNDS PURPLE Rain – a worldclass live celebration of the music, life and legacy of Prince – will take to the Vicar Street stage this May. This full eight-piece live band delivers a nonstop, hit-packed show spanning more than two hours, complete with backing vocals, horn section, keys and Jimi Love as the unsurpassed Prince.

Expect to see, hear and feel all of the hits from one of the most

loved artists of all time, including 1999, Little Red Corvette, Purple Rain, Kiss, Diamonds And Pearls, U Got The Look, When Doves Cry, Cream, I Wanna Be Your Lover and many more..

Hailed by original Prince and the Revolution drummer Bobby Z as “authentic and on the money”, don’t miss your chance to see Purple Rain live.

Tickets priced €32.50 are on sale through www. ticketmaster.ie, and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

A CHARITY CONCERT TO HELP CHILDREN WITH 2017 marking the Jack and Jill Foundation’s 20th year, the foundation is holding a special charity gala on Wednesday, February 8 to help raise the €3m it needs for its unique home nursing care and respite service.

Perfect as an early valentine’s gift, or to help support the foundation’s work, the concert promises to a treat for all.

T he RTE Concer t Orchestra will be accompanied by soloists Niall O’Sullivan (trumpeter) and vocalists Shona Henneberry and Simon Morgan, who will perform a programme of film and classical favourites including Il Postino (from The Postman); Por Una Cabeza (Scent of a Woman); Dream a Little

Dream of Me; Moon River, and many other favourites.

Tickets for the special performance of classical and popular music are available from www.rte. ie/co, priced from €12 to €39.50.

TV3’s Cassie Stokes wants you to swap the counch for Virgin Media’s 10K Night Run throughout Dublin City Centre, with 10,000 expected to take part

16 GAZETTE 2 February 2017

2 February 2017 GAZETTE 17

The Big Picture

ANNUAL AWARDS OF THE PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND

PRESS photographers from across the island of Ireland gathered last week as the winners of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2017’ awards were announced.

Independent News & Media photographer Gerry Mooney was named ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2017’.

Commenting on Mooney’s impressive portfolio, the judges said: “The broad range of strong images demonstrates the photographer’s talent across the many disciplines of press photography.”

BROTHER IN ARMS

First place - Sports Feature following the Men’s Lightweight Paul O’Donovan and Gary O’Donovan of Ireland celebrate in Rio de Janeiro Brazil.

Games Olympic r Summe Rio 2016 the during final Sculls Double Stephen McCarthy Sportsfile

AILEEN REID

First place - Portrait Triathlete Aileen Reid photographed for a series of portrai ts on Irish Olympians Morgan Treacy INPHO

Pictured are Marita and Gerr y Mooney ‘Press Photographer of the Year 2017’ Picture: Shane O’Neill Photography

s Michael Chester, President, Pres nd Irela of ion ciat Asso s Photographer Picture: Shane O’Neill Photography

Y TRAIN ALL ABOARD THE SK Environment

First place - Nature and the Lough Boora Discovery n’ created by Michael Bulfin at Trai ‘Sky The Park Co. Offaly Cathal Noonan

MASK PROTEST

le First place - Daily Life & Peop protests at Dail Eireann ohoe Don te rlot Cha erer suff Cystic Fibrosis e affordable Gary Ashe/The Star to make a treatment drug mor

ONE ARM. ONE LEG. NO LIMITS

ALL EYES ON BRUCE 2nd Place - Arts and Entertainment - Ramsey Cardy/SPORTSFILE

First place - Sports Action

FIRE

An Irish Volunteer engages fire with an RIC officer during the recreation of the 1916 battle of ambush in which several RIC Ashbourne officers and volunteers were killed Gerry Mooney, Independ ent News & Media

RUGBY MATCH

Juan José Méndez Fernández of Spain competes during the Men’s Road Race during the Rio 2016 Paralympic

Ireland and Leinster Rugby player Devin Toner and Mary Scott celebrate their Wedding Day at the Church

Games in Rio de Janeiro Brazil.

of the Nativity in Moynalvey Summerhill Co Meath. Steve Humphreys, Independent News & Media

Diarmuid Greene Sportsfile

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 2 February 2017

DUBLINLIFE H&M Pink knitted jumper €39.99

Cos

& Other Stories

H&M Sheer 39.90 panel dress €

River Island

& Other Stories

H&M Black vinyl skirt €39.99

H&M Pink pencil vinyl skirt €39.99

River Island

SPRING TRENDS  EMMA NOLAN

AFTER what seemed like the longest month ever, February has arrived with some interesting takes on Spring trends.

Using the term ‘Spring’ lightly, I’ve selected some high street versions of key trends for the coming season.

Expect to see a strong presence of vinyl, sheer, Mexicanstyle embroidery, oversized blazers, statement shirts,

concept sleeves, and in Dublin, the presence of REPEAL jumpers.

Zara, H&M, Cos, River Island and & Other Stories – these Grafton Street stores will be updating their stock in the next few weeks, and finally ditching the last of the sale lines, to reveal some amazing spring selections to mirror the runways.

2017 will see a resurgence of 80s aesthetic, so think big,

bold and bright!

With such political upheaval globally at the moment, it will be interesting to see how it reflects on popular culture, especially on fashion.

Counter-culture fashion movements like punk have always stemmed from times of anti-establishment rebellion and, in days when pink is the new black, who knows what’s ahead?

2 February 2017 GAZETTE 19

GAZETTE

FEATURES

& Other Stories

9.99 H&M Long ruffle skirt €4

H&M Grey kick flare pant €39.90

LittlewoodsIreland Printed multi-strap dress €60

9.99 5 ized blazer € H&M Overs

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20 GAZETTE 2 February 2017

DUBLINLIFE

Super green stir fry loaded with fresh flavours

FOOD&DRINK

Create a taste explosion in your mouth Chocolate and Raspberry Balls Ingredients 175g butter at room temperature 180g Siucra Rich Dark Brown Sugar  ½ tsp vanilla extract  Three tbsp cocoa powder  50g dark chocolate, finely chopped  210g porridge oats  1tbsp apple juice  2tbsp raspberries, freeze-dried, crushed 

 AISLING KENNEDY

CHEF Domini Kemp has teamed up with Camile Thai restaurant and takeaway to launch a new super green stir fry for the month of February.

Domini’s super green stir fry is inspired by her recent book with Patricia Daly, The Ketogenic K itchen, which promotes a low carbohydrate, healthy fat and moderate protein diet.

The new dish includes chicken, savoy

cabbage, broccoli, fine beans, celery, spring onion, muki beans and basil and is served with a gluten free seasoning sauce.

Having tasted the new super green stir fry dish, the Gazette highly recommends it especially if you are maintaining a healthy eating plan for the new year!

Domini Kemp’s Super Green Stir Fry will be available in all Camile outlets for €12.95 from now until February 28.



To decorate  100g dark chocolate, melted  Raspberries, freeze-dried, crushed Method  Beat the butter and sugar until smooth.  Fold in the vanilla extract then cocoa powder, chocolate, oats and apple juice. Finally, fold in the freeze-dried raspberries.  Form into balls, dip in the melted chocolate, place on a baking sheet and decorate with a few freeze-dried raspberries.

Recipe courtesy of Siucra.

For more information and more recipes see www.siucra.ie

Get your healthy eating plan on an upward spiral  AISLING KENNEDY

FOLLOW US TODAY ON OUR SOCIAL NETWORK Visit: Facebook: www.facebook.com/DublinGazetteNewspapers Twitter: @DublinGazette

IF you’re still on the healthy eating plan for the new year then you can’t go too far wrong by investing in the Kenwood Spiralizer.

It’s a handy little gadget that cuts spaghetti, vegetables, fruit and anything you can think of into spirals.

It can be used to make dishes such as salads, stir fry’s, and soups.

It’s simple to use, you just drop the fruit and veg into the chamber and outcome the spirals.

There are two spiralizing cones with the Spiralizer – the charmingly named Pappardelle and Linguine – and of course it also comes with a handy container that catches the spirals when they come out.

The Kenwood Spiralizer comes in white and green and costs €49.99.

Visit www.currys.ie for more information.

2 February 2017 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

TRAVEL

Lanzarote TAKE FIVE: WITH CHEAPER FLIGHTS LOOMING, AMERICAN CITIES ARE BECKONING museum will make a splash AN UNDERWATER museum featuring more than 300 sculptural works opened to the public earlier this month.

Museo Atlantico in Lanzarote is the first of its kind in Europe, with installations 14 metres below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.

The 2,500sqm site can be explored by scuba divers or from glass-bottomed boats.

The sculptures include a 30-metre wall weighing 100 tonnes and all installations have been created with Ph-neutral materials

designed to foster the reproduction of local fish species and create a habitat for marine life.

The artist who created the works, Jason Taylor, said: “I hope the Museo Atlantico represents an entry point into a different world and promotes a better understanding of our precious marine environment and how much we depend on it.”

The first underwater sculpture park opened in Grenada in the Caribbean in 2006. Others followed in Nassau, Bahamas and Cancun in Mexico.

New deals set to make the States even more accessible  SYLVIA POWNALL SOME cities merit more than one visit – and America is home to a whole host of them. With cheaper transatlantic flights on the cards this year thanks to Norwegian Airlines and Wow entering the fray (see right), what better excuse to check out some classic US destinations ...

NEW YORK IT’S the first port of call for most of us when we cross the Atlantic – and for many, the most memorable.

The Big Apple boasts the world’s most famous cityscape and has been wooing visitors from across the globe for generations.

Must-sees include a trip up the Empire State Building, shopping at Macy’s and Bloomingdales and a stroll around Central Park (or skating on ice, depending on the time of year).

That’s just the tip of the iceberg – to discover the

real NYC, from shopping in Soho to the quirky eateries and hidden speakeasies, you’re going to have to come back again, and again, and again.

NEW ORLEANS FROM the Big Apple to the Big Easy. Welcome to the home of the worldfamous Mardi Gras parade and reputedly the most haunted city in America!

The birthplace of jazz has, for the most part, found its rhythm again more than a decade on from the devastation caused by Hurricane

Katrina.

With its gabled houses, charming districts and traditional dialects it’s a real trip back in time. Embrace the laid-back Mississippi way of life, enjoy the warm welcome, and get swept up in the romance of it all.

SAN FRANCISCO CHANGE is the only constant and nowhere is that more relevant than in San Fran. This cultural west coast mecca is the birthplace of everything from jeans to jukeboxes – and even ice cream sandwiches.

Each visit throws up a new adventure, and the rolling scenery of the city (best seen by tram) is bursting with trendy microbreweries, themed restaurants, boho fashions and street art.

Take a wine tour to the vineyards of Napa Valley,

or catch a ferry to Alcatraz via the Golden Gate bridge. The city is full of surprises – not least its friendly locals, whose sense of humour matches our own.

LAS VEGAS WHAT happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and we’re talking a whole lot of happening here. First on your list has to be a visit to The Strip – a 6km thoroughfare which has rightfully earned its reputation as the entertainment capital of the world.

Home to many of the largest hotels and casinos on the planet, its combination of hedonistic adult entertainment and family fun are an assault on the senses.

From the Bellagio to the Venetian, the opulence will take your breath away.

Return to earth with a trip

to the Hoover Dam, or a five-hour drive through the Nevada desert to witness the splendour of the 443-km long Grand Canyon.

HONOLULU HAWAII is a kaleidoscope of colour and nowhere is this more true than in Honolulu.

The clear blue skies, turquoise seas, sparkling sands and lush green jungles will take your breath away.

Every tourist handbook will steer you in the direction of Waikki – a beachfront suburb bursting with boutique hotels and tanned surfers.

However, getting off the tourist trail will yield even more charms like the hidden beaches, eateries of Chinatown, the grass skirts and the hypnotic music.

Flights to the US could be slashed NEW kids on the block, Norwegian Air International (NAI) and Wow are promising to slash fares on key Irish-US routes from summer.

Return fares with the low-cost airlines could plummet to below €300 in route launch promotions by the budget carriers. In response, Aer Lingus will now offer a whopping 2.5 million seats to the US this year – and will increase its US route schedule from 12 to 13 destinations.

Under its summer sale, Aer Lingus offers fully inclusive direct return fares to the US from €498 out of both Shannon and Dublin. United Airlines fares also start at around €500.

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22 GAZETTE 2 February 2017

DUBLINLIFE

FASTNews

Opel has a new and more compact SUV crossover on the way called the Crossland X designed as a city driving car with a higher driving position

Opel adds style in city with the Crossland X OPEL will soon be offering Dublin drivers a new compact SUV crossover option to join the Mokka X, with the arrival of the new Crossland X car. This car is designed as an urban crossover model and is being launched in Berlin this week.

With a length of 4.21 meters, the new Crossland X is 160mm (6in) shorter than an Astra while at the same time 100mm (4in) higher. The occupants get an elevated seating position and to give a better overview.

The new compact crossover comes with Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) with full LED headlights, head

Seat lands Ateca with value to SUV market

As the crossover SUV segment of the Irish car market continues to grow to over 20%, Seat is the latest brand to join this rapidly expanding market opportunity. Michael Moroney has taken Seat’s new Ateca SUV to the roads and compares its value-for-money offering.

up display and the 180-degree Panoramic Rear View Camera along with Advanced Park Assist, Forward Collision Alert with pedestrian detection and Automatic Emergency Braking[1], Driver Drowsiness System, Lane Keep Assist, Speed Sign Recognition and Side Blind Spot Alert. The new Crossland X also comes with the Opel OnStar as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible IntelliLink infotainment technology including up to eight-inch large colour touch screens. Irish prices will be announced closer to its launch on the Irish market.

David Thomas new managing director at Volvo Car Ireland DAVID Thomas has been appointed as the new managing director of Volvo Car Ireland, taking up this role from this week. David has significant industry experience, having worked with Volvo Cars for 22 years in various international posts.

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SEAT is fresh to the SUV market with the Spanish named Ateca that combines a modern design that’s underpinned by Volkswagen technology.

The Ateca mid-range SUV is the latest to join what is becoming a crowded market as sales of so-called SUV crossover vehicles in Ireland and across Europe, continue to rise.

Seat deserves its share of the crossover cake with the new Ateca, which I’ve recently had for a test drive. The look is fresh to the Spanish brand which now enters this segment of the market with the Ateca brandishing a value for money message.

There are five different engine options for the Ateca, ranging from an entry level 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine to the top of the range 190bhp Xcellence version that’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine. All engines in the range are 100% Volkswagen in design, build and performance.

Given the strong Volk-

swagen influence it’s only natural that Ateca buyers will do their comparisons against Volkswagen’s new Tiguan, which was featured in this column some time back. What’s different about the Ateca is the brand name, some of the driving features and that value-for-money offer.

Seat offers three difference specification levels for the Ateca, S, SE and Xcellence. They tempted my driving desires by giving me the top of the range Xcellence model with little left to choose from the extra’s list, as my test vehicle.

And while this was a more powerful and interesting version to drive, the more practical version for most Dublin drivers will be the SE version in two-wheel-drive with a 150bhp rated 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine. And this is the version that I’ve used in my comparison notes and it’s also the one that puts the Ateca in a more favourable light.

T he higher power engine gives a more

exhilarating performance while the extra weight from the 4x4 system toned down its appetite a little. Most Dublin drivers will opt for the frontwheel-drive versions for reasons of fuel economy and limited need for extra road holding or off-road desires. For many SUV crossover drivers it’s the extra road visibility that brings the biggest advantages.

Relative to the competition, Seat is offering comparable performance from the 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine at the popular 150bhp rating level.

The Ateca is lighter than most of the other SUV crossovers that I’ve compared it with.

The fact that it’s over 100kg lighter than the r e l a t e d Vo l k s w a g e n Tiguan helps it to achieve slightly better fuel economy and make it marginally faster in terms of acceleration. On paper, the Ateca is the most economical of my comparison group of six midrange SUV crossovers.

The Seat Ateca is a new and strong looking SUV crossover that combines Spanish styling with Volkswagen’s German engineering in a package that offers value for money as the entry level 2.0-litre, turbo-diesel version comes with a starting price from €29,500

Seat Ateca 2.0 TDI 4x4

SPECIFICATIONS Engine Engine power 0 – 100km/hr Economy

2.0 litre 190hp 9.3 seconds 20km/litre (5.3l/100km or 53mpg)

Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Main Service Euro NCAP Rating Towing rating Warranty Entry Price

50 litres 135g/km B2 €280 20,000km/12 mon 5 star (2016) 1900kgs 3 years (100,000km) €29,500

Seat Ateca DG reversing camera

However, in practice, the version that I drove with its full pack of features, including four-wheeldrive, as more than 30% poorer in economy terms than the rated figure.

I found that the DSG automatic seven-speed gearbox system makes the Ateca an easy car to drive,

while it adds €2,000 to the list price. This version has also the potential to be more economical and in the right driving hands, it will deliver good driving economy.

Out on the road, this Ateca accelerates well.

The road holding was impressive with the 4x4

2 February 2017 GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

MOTORING

Michael Dwyer, senior sales executive, Windsor Motor Group, Katie Taylor and Conal O’Gorman, sales manager, Windsor Bray Nissan

Katie Taylor announced as Windsor Motor Group’s newest ambassador system included.

The test car was fitted with brown leather interior to give it a more luxury feel. Leather adds strength to car seating but can be cold to sit into first thing in the morning. Seat adjustment was good and I was quickly comfortable behind the wheel.

Compared to the Volkswagen Tiguan, there is a slightly less techie feel to the Ateca. It’s like the overall driver Ateca experience has been toned down a little to ease the competitive strains within the Volkswagen brands. It will be interesting to see how the new Skoda Kodiaq will look and drive when it appears shortly, as it too has a similar heritage.

There are loads of options available for the Ateca and for me the most useful is the Park Assist system. This makes parking so much easier, especially in supermarket car parks and it will save the Ateca bodywork from scratches over time.

The Ateca has a high safety rating with two

ISO-Fix attachments for the rear seats. It has an impressive five-star safety rating from the recent and more stringent EuroNCAP testing programme.

The test car came with a space saver spare wheel in the boot. The boot itself is rated at 510 litres for the two-wheel-drive versions; it gets slightly smaller when you take the four-wheel-drive option.

The boot load area is larger than that of the Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai but smaller than the Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan.

The entry price for the 150bhp Ateca 2.0-litre turbo-diesel is €29,500 which is competitive relative to the related Volkswagen Tiguan, but not so much so when you compare it with the likes of similar offers from the Ford Kuga or Toyota RAV4 with similar power and performance. The Ateca gives you all of the performance features of a Volkswagen family SUV crossover at a more affordable price with a unique Seat styling feel.

The Seat Ateca is spacious in terms of passenger area, with good wide door access

The steering wheel and dash area design is uniquely Seat while on closer look you can see the Volkswagen similarities in terms of the controls and the soft touch steering wheel

There are five engine options the most popular of which is this 2.0-litre turbo-diesel version that’s available with either 150bhp or 190bhp, which was the power rating of the test car

WINDSOR Motor Group is delighted to welcome Irish boxing legend, Katie Taylor as a Windsor Motor Group Ambassador. Katie, Olympic Gold Medallist, five-times World Boxing Champion and six-times European Champion, not to mention local and national hero, recently took delivery of her all-new 171 Nissan X-Trail.

Commenting on the partnership, Peter Nicholson, managing director, Windsor Motor Group said: “We’re very proud to welcome Katie Taylor to the Windsor Motor Group Ambassador family. Katie embodies everything the X-Trail has to offer – powerful, packs a punch when it comes to the competition and, just like Katie, the X-Trail manoeuvres beautifully.

“She’s a remarkable and inspirational lady, who is passionate, driven, and determined and clearly has her sights set on one goal – to be the best – these are attributes Windsor Motor Group mirrors.”

Sculpted for style, space and efficiency, the X-Trail is packed with class-leading technology and remarkable safety features. With its stunning features, its exterior aerodynamics that whisper through the wind, advanced engines and virtually gearless Xtronic transmission that maximises efficiency and performance.

With the X-Trail’s All-Mode 4x4-i, you’ve got a system that’s capable onroad and off. Auto Mode constantly monitors conditions and adjusts the balance of power between front and

rear wheels for best traction. Powering the all-new X-Trail is an advanced 1.6litre diesel engine, tuned to provide the performance of larger diesel powertrains, while offering enhanced fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

The engine also features Nissan’s automatic Start/Stop system, which shuts down the engine when it’s not needed, to save fuel, then smoothly and quickly restarts as you pull away.

“I can see why people fall in love with the X-Trail – it’s a beautiful car and drives like a dream”, said Katie Taylor. “The X-Trail is the perfect car for me, it’s comfortable, has tons of space, which is great for all my training gear and is really economical.”

Katie is driving the all-new Nissan X-Trail XE, with gravity inspired double-stitched leather trim seats with spinal support and LED interior lighting.

The X-Trial also features NissanConnect, which is packed with a range of features, and is incredibly easy to use thanks to the high resolution seven-inch anti-glare touchscreen. With a powerful combination of audio, navigation and communications functions, as well as cutting edge connectivity and smartphone integration features, all of which will keep Katie’s world within reach. The X-Trail also features Intelligent Driver Assistance and navigation functions, supporting Katie in all kinds of traffic situations.

GAZETTE

24 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 2 February 2017

DUBLINLIFE

CINEMA

ReelReviews

SING

Musical funfest LOVE animals? Love cartoons? Love music? Then feast your eyes on Sing. Sing, directed and written by Garth Jennings, is an animated musical comedy about a down-on-his-luck koala that holds a singing competition in hopes it will save his theatre. The film includes 60 songs and features the voices of top stars such as Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane and Scarlett Johansson.

LION

A truly engaging film BASED on a non-fiction book, Dev Patel impresses in Lion (Cert PG, 118 mins).

Despite having been raised by a good family (with Nicoloe Kidman as his mum), a man adopted as a child is compelled to discover his past, and driven to find out what happened to his birth family in India.

So begins an epic journey across a continent and cultures, with a compelling emotional narrative driving it forward.

LA LA LAND

Last - definitely not least LA LA Land (Cert PG, 128 mins) is as good as its multiple awards, award nods and audience reaction say it is. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone sing and dance theuir way through a slightly melancholy musical that pays tribute to Los Angeles, Jazz, Cinema, Romance, and more. Its terrific visuals, some striking editing and punchy music make it a delight, and one to watch out for at the Oscars.

The boys are back in town: Spud (Ewen Bremner), Renton (Ewan McGregor), Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller) and Begbie (Robert Carlyle)

T2 TRAINSPOTTING: MUCH ANTICIPATED SEQUAL IS HEAVY ON NOSTALGIA AND HUMOUR

On the right track FROM it’s cool, It’s that reliance on our stylised opening onwards, in adoration of which the presthe original that ent day world of ultimately stops T2 TrainspotT2 from genuting is cut with inely affecting iconic shots the way Trains MARTIN MACNAMARA potting did. The from the original, story here takes Danny Boyle’s sequel to what is often hailed place 20 years after the events as one of the most important of the first film and follows a British films ever made rides much more straightforward high on an expected sense of narrative, rather than a vignette style structure like the original’s nostalgia.

In case the images of a young string of interrelated moments Renton (Ewan McGregor) joining up a number of heroindon’t do it for you, a tender, afflicted lives.

Unfortunately, T2 suffers instrumental reworking of Lou Reed’s Perfect Day should from its coherence – there’s no force the wistful reminiscence stream of consciousness style into overdrive – that is, until a storytelling driving the narparticularly heavy scene early rative, even if that same sense on reminds us suddenly, and of storytelling becomes a plot sharply, just how brilliantly point later on. T2 is a much simmiserable 1996’s Trainspotting pler film and consequently, a far less interesting one. really was.

Returning to Scotland from his new life in Amsterdam, Renton aims to make amends with the friends he robbed and abandoned, Spud (Ewen Bremner) and Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller). Spud still struggles with his addiction to heroin, “the only friend that never left him” while Sick Boy has replaced it with cocaine. However, recently escaped from prison, the psychotic Begbie (Robert Carlyle) has no intention of forgiving Renton’s past-sins, spitting his rage at anyone who gets in the way.

T2 is heavier on humour than tragedy. Still, Boyle’s given us another very, very funny film – even if it’s somewhat stripped of the bleaker than bleak, black comedy of Trainspotting. T he-

matically, the focus here is midlife crises, middle-aged disillusions and powerlessness. Boyle and his leads do a superb job capturing a sense of what’s lost in the passage of time, where everything changes and everything stays exactly the same.

Again, the action here is highly stylised, consistently punctuated with expertly timed freeze frames. The style, narrative and dialogue relentlessly wink and nod to the 1996 original; at times there’s a comforting familiarity to it. Often, however, it feels unnatural, forced.

Renton’s updated “choose life”

speech is an unfortunately strained example of this.

While T2 starts brilliantly, it relies too heavy on these updated reflections of the past and the audience’s nostalgia for the original. Early on, we wish this sequel would do its own thing – when it does, however, T2 transforms into somewhat of a straightforward, admittedly enjoyable dramatic thriller, its climax a million miles away from the open-ended uncertainty we’d expect.

This is a fine film – often hilarious, occasionally affecting and visually stimulating throughout – but while it attempts to capture the spirit of the original, T2 Trainspotting fails to achieve that which made the original so hilariously compelling and tragically inventive.

Was it ever really going to?

Verdict: 6/10

2 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

TECH RESIDENT EVIL 7: REBOOTED CLASSIC SERIES LIVES AGAIN

The NationalParkService was in rebellious mood over President Trump’s Inauguration crowd

Rebels Tweet as Trump takes over SEEING as all social media falls under Tech – without which, there’d be no social media – let’s dip a toe into the worldwide waters.

Someone who’s making more than a splash in said choppy waters at the moment is US President Donald J Trump.

Away from the headlines President Trump has been generating within barely a wet weekend in the Oval Office, his actions also sparked an online rebellion within a variety of US departments.

S o m e s t a f f we r e incensed that their websites were ordered to remove certain information – eg related to climate control – from the official platforms.

In response, a number

of those staff set up rival social media profiles and slapped logos and data all over them, while clearly stating their unofficial nature; others have retweeted content now pulled from the official profiles – in effect, inviting the curious to side with the administration, or their resistance.

It’s unlikely that the actions of a few rogue parks officials or disgruntled meteorologists are bothering the new administration too much.

However, with many in the tech world keenly studying what President Trump says and does, it’s very likely that social media platforms will continue to provide an interesting, passionate frontline of dissent.

Petitions against Paddy’s Day trip STAYING with President Trump, a number of online petitions are seeking signatures to call for Mr Kenny not to visit the White House this St Patrick’s Day. For some decades, it’s been traditional for the Irish leader to present the American leader with a bowl of shamrocks on our national day, promoting formal and informal networking. However, many people oppose the tradition, viewing it as embarrassing, and akin to a vassal state paying tribute to its master.

Now, President Trump’s reprehensible travel bans have added weight to the arguments calling for Mr Kenny to cancel this year’s trip. With several thousands having already heeded such calls, interested parties can find several petitions calling for Mr Kenny to cancel this year’s trip over at Change.Org.

Fresh blood for a horror franchise

A grimy, ‘video camera’ perspective pervades much of the visual aesthetic, adding to the creeping menace found throughout the game

IN GAMING as in cinema, one of the oldest tropes has been that of the haunted house, or house of horror – somewhere terrifying and mortally dangerous to escape from.

It’s a thematic journey for the onlooker/observer that enjoys intermittent popularity, as do zombies, which are currently enjoying a new lease of (undead) life on the small screen.

Combine the two, and perhaps you’d end up with Resident Evil 7 (PC, PS4, XBO; Cert 18; c. €70)– the latest in the long, long-running survival horror franchise that’s had a scary amount of spin-offs.

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@dublingazette.com

At heart, it’s a pure survival horror game, played out from a first-person perspective.

An elevator pitch might say: “It’s a cross between The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Night of the Living Dead – you have to survive and escape from a crumbling house and estate roamed by a hillbilly cannibal family, with monsters lurking about, too.”

And that’s it, in a nut-

shell. Scramble about as you try to evade the monstrous Baker family, survive and escape the ramshackle plantation estate, which has a number of surprises in store.

It’s a fresh, Gothic twist for the series, and breathes new life into the once impressive franchise which had become a tired, stale pastiche of itself.

Interestingly, it’s possibly the first killer app – pun intended – to breathe life into the impressive but under used PlayStation VR headset, as the whole game can be played via virtual reality, adding extra immersion to an already impressive game.

It’s hard to think of a better game to sell VR, with RE7’s great graphics, and jump scares, really showcasing the power of the tech as players roam the shabby house.

A number of niggling game design issues linger, relics of the franchise which are familiar problems to Resi gamers: juggling inventory space, hoping that what you’re using now won’t be needed later, and so on.

Still, for a series which had left many gamers cold with its previous, disastrous installment, the switch to an immersive new game engine away from the traditional third-person view has had an immediate effect.

Largely ditching the clapped-out threat of zombies and shady corporate shenanigans for something more psychologically unsettling, RE7 has freshened up the franchise with a bold new direction that holds true to the core survival horror aspect of the series, while adding some more contemporary twists on dread.

It’s good to see the series return to life with a bold new direction, which has been executed in considerable style here.

F o r t h o s e w h o ’ ve lurched away from the series, RE7 is a welcome reboot that deser ves returning to – if only to try and escape from ...

26 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 2 February 2017

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GAZETTE

28 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 2 February 2017

SPORT

FastSport KANE & O’REGAN FIRST RUN INTO RECORD BOOKS: IRISH athlete Sinead Kane has made history by becoming the first visually impaired athlete ever to complete the World Marathon Challenge – entering the World Record Books in the process.

The 34-year-old competed in the challenge, which consists of seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, with the help of her guide runner John O’Regan from inner city Dublin. The duo began their journey in the Antarctica on January 23rd and ended it in Sydney last weekend with a time of 4.42.59.

Kane has a 95% deficit in her vision since birth and only started running seriously four years ago.

She recently told Ryan Tubridy that her New Year’s resolution was to create a Guinness World Record.

O’Regan works for Irish Rail but is an ultra-runner who has pulled on his trainers for races in some of the hottest and coldest places on Earth.

RUGBY: CLONTARF MOVE UP TO FOURTH WHILE TERENURE SECURE SECOND WIN

Lans-downed as Tarf test is too much for students

 KARL GRAHAM sport@dublingazette.com

THERE were wins for four Dublin sides in Division 1A during an action-packed weekend of Ulster Bank League rugby.

Clontarf moved up to fourth position in the table after a 29-0 win over Dublin University at College Park.

Mick McGrath was the star of the show as he crossed the line no fewer than four times for his side, with Rob Keogh converting three of them and kicking a penalty for Clontarf.

Dublin University held strong during the first half and only trailed by seven points going into the break, but Clontarf stepped it up after the restart against a side who have now dropped to second from bottom in the table, to run out as deserved winners.

St Mary’s College secured a much-needed 27-18 win over Old Belvedere at Templeville Road to move ahead of Dublin University and to within one point of their opponents in sixth position.

Dave Fanagan and Conor Hogan scored tries for the home side with the former also adding two conversions and a penalty.

Clontarf RFC in UBL Division 1A action

Brian McGovern also got his name on the score sheet with a penalty try.

Scoring tries for Old Belvedere were Shane McDonald and David Brandon, while Willie Staunton registered a conversion and two penalties.

Terenure College won their second league game of the season with an impressive 27-17 defeat of Garryowen at Lake-

lands Park but still find themselves adrift at the bottom of the table.

The home side trailed 10-0 at the break in a tight first half but a spirited second half performance saw them land their much-needed win.

Two penalties from Mark O’Neill got them back into the game before a penalty try put them in front.

Garryowen were reduced to 13 men and Terenure took advantage with a Mark Hiney try.

Hiney crossed the line again for his second try soon after Garryowen were shown another yellow card.

The visitors managed to put another try on the board during the dying embers of the game but it proved little more than a

consolation.

UCD secured their fourth league victory of the season with a 17-3 win over Cork Constitution at the Belfield Bowl to join St Mary’s College and Dublin University on 22 points.

The students got the first points on the board through a penalty after five minutes and the score remained that way until Cork tied it up with a penalty of their own on 25 minutes.

The hosts were forced to defend their line for the remainder of the half and could themselves lucky to go into the break on level terms.

They started the second half brighter and took the lead with a Stephen Murphy try that was converted by Matthew Gilsenan.

Peadar Timmins was next to score with his try also converted

by Gilsenan, and UCD held out to move up to seventh in the table.

Finally, Lansdowne had their lead at the top of the table cut to one point after a 19-10 loss to second placed Young Munster at Tom Clifford Park.

Alan Bennie scored a try for Lansdowne and Alan Tynan kicked four penalties and a conversion but it wasn’t enough.

Double joy for Dublin as Aidan’s and Holy Faith win  sport@dublingazette.com

St Aidan’s retained their Under-19 A title. Picture: inpho.ie

ST AIDAN’S CBS defended their SUBWAY Schools Under 19 A title in style this evening, coming back from a 14-point deficit at half time to drive on and win by 74-62.

The last game of the SUBWAY Schools Cup finals proved to be a fascinating match up once more as, in a repeat of last year’s Cup final.

Brian Ashton was one of the many stars for St Aidan’s today, and was the driving force behind their third quarter comeback,

with Matt Treacy on side to help net some vital scores. Ballincollig opened up a four-point lead at the end of the first with some good scores.

Momentum stayed with Ballincollig in a scrappy second quarter, as they added another 19 points to their tally. Brian Ashton and Treacy were on hand for St Aidan’s to try and stem the tide of the Cork attack, but Ballincollig maintained control, taking a 38-24 point lead in to the dressing room at half time.

A revitalized St Aidan’s emerged after the break, with

Treacy quickly closing the gap.

Aidan’s continued to shoot in style, with six three-pointers reducing the lead to just two points, before Emmet Lawless put the crowd on its feet by giving St Aidan’s the lead with two minutes on the clock.

With the supporters well and truly in a frenzy of excitement, the fourth quarter unfolded at pace once more. St Aidan’s continued to knock the scores in and were crowned Under-19 A Boys champions once more.

Holy Faith Clontarf also won their final but they did so in more

comfortable fashion with a 46-75 point victory over Dunshaughlin.

After a close and tense first quarter, Jerome Westbrooks’ charges took complete control of the game, closing down an in-form Rachel Huijsdens of Dunshaughlin to outscore them by 26 points in the second quarter which was effectively the quarter that won the game for them.

A strong fourth quarter from Dunshaughlin saw them outscore Holy Faith for the first time, as their never say die attitude brought them right up to the final buzzer with their heads held high.

2 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 29

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Christie helps beauty queen fight her critics Boxing coach who usually spends her time training stars of basketball and american football has teamed up with a former Miss America to help her forge a career in the world of boxing  JAMES HENDICOTT

Greyhound racing gets million euro Boyle boost IRISH Greyhound Racing celebrated its biggest sponsorship of recent years with the announcement that BoyleSports have signed a 3-year agreement worth €1 million in prizemoney to Greyhound Owners, Trainers and Breeders.

The new agreement will see BoyleSports renew their title sponsorship of the Irish Greyhound Derby.

Ireland’s biggest Greyhound Racing event, the derby runs through August and September at Shelbourne Park and attracts audiences from across the globe. The three-year agreement secures sponsorship of the event through 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The bookmakers have also committed to title sponsorship of another important classic event, the Champion Stakes, which is also run at the Dublin venue in July and August.

Both events run over the 550yd distance, and drawing to a close just in time for the Derby, the Champion Stakes attracts many big names as the perfect entree the main event.

The Champion Stakes sponsorship is based on an initial one-year term with the option to renew for a further two years.

Alongside the two high-profile events, BoyleSports will also sponsor 12 additional sweepstake events and 40 ‘Getting Out Races’.

The sweepstakes will cater for a variety of grades and distances and will be scheduled to ensure that there is no more than one per month, maximising greyhound owners and trainers opportunity to participate in the events.

John Boyle, the chief executive of BoyleSports, said: “We are very committed to Irish sport and this partnership with the IGB, cements BoyleSports position as the biggest supporter of Irish greyhound racing sponsoring two of the most prestigious events on the calendar, the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby and the BoyleSports Champion Stakes.”

sport@dublingazette.com

LUCAN native Kerrie Christie’s Los Angeles dream has taken a new twist, as the boxing coach from west Dublin has found herself involved in coaching an unlikely amateur fighter over the past few months.

Having relocated to the city of angels in 2015, joining Olympian Tony Jeffries’ Box N’ Burn gym, Christie has recently found herself coaching former Miss America Whitney Miller.

The beauty queen has ditched her life of glam to focus on a new path in the much rougher world of amateur box-

ing.

Miller won the Miss America title in 2012, and first showed an interest in ju jitsu shortly after her time in the role, bef ore mov ing across to boxing during the last 18 months.

The Texan has been spending extended periods residing in LA to prepare herself, and won her first fight - an unsanctioned amateur bout against River Fuller - back in August.

Christie told GazetteSport of the project: “She wanted to be a fighter, and train like a fighter. She’d trained for a few years, and her first fight was put off.

She started with ju jitsu, and then she wanted to move to boxing. It was

decided it would be boxing first, and that’s how we got involved.”

Miller’s road wasn’t to be easy. “Her oppon e n t s a i d s t u f f l i ke ‘you’re coming into my sport and disrespecting it, how dare you think you’re a fighter,’” Christie explains.

“But I witnessed it.

Whitney lives in Austin, Texas and was coming to LA to be in training camp in the gym for a few weeks at a time.

She’d be in the gym during the day and at the track at night, she was training like a proper boxer, the real deal.”

“I don’t think her opponent saw that or gave her any credit for it. But it’s for a fight so I wouldn’t have done

Kerrie Christie moved to LA in 2015 to team up with Tony Jeffries’ Box N Burn gym. Picture: Instagram @ kerrie_bnb

her any favours going easy on her. If it was just a bit of training you’d just tap someone, but when it’s for a fight, and the opponent has a few fights already, you don’t want them to get any surprises on the night.

That means punching them in the face hard.”

“She didn’t seem concerned about it. She

Christie says of the gym.

“We have a lot of boxers, who come in for training camps. We’ve had Michael Conlon, and Conor McGregor.

Some of them are very serious, others are there for fitness.”

“A lot of basketball players and NFL types come into the gym, and I don’t know who a lot of

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

‘This is LA, your face is your calling card, but she never seemes to worry about it’ - Kerrie Christie

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

didn’t come across like that at all, and never took anything personally. If I caught her, she caught me a few times.

That’s sport.

“I’d tell her if she was dropping a hand, or how she could move to be a little bit better. She’d just take it in and be excited by it. This is LA, your face is your calling card, but she never seemed worried about it.”

“I love people that are in one world and then go to another, and I see a challenge in that,” Christie said of Miller.

“I can relate a lot to that. I was a fighter, and I competed as a physique model one year, just as I wanted a challenge.”

“70-80% of our members are boxing fanatics who enjoy getting in shape through boxing,”

those people are, I didn’t grow up watching those sports. That’s good for me, as it means I don’t train them any different.

When I don’t know who people are, I shine better at what I do, I’m a little bit more natural.”

“About six months in it kind of really took off with private clients, being a leader in classes, things like that,” Christie recalls. “A year and a half in and I feel it’s kind of perfect all around.”

Christie will soon be involved in helping to set up the Box N’ Burn Academy, a new project aimed at training future boxing trainers into the role, and the latest expansion of the successful boxing-focused gym.

With a year left on her visa, she is currently applying for a green card.

GAZETTE

30 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 2 February 2017

SPORT

FASTSport

Bad luck for college as they settle for silver DE LA SALLE College walked away from two badminton finals in the space of a week with two silver medals in the bag – coming second in both the Dublin Schools League finals and Leinster finals.

It was a bittersweet week for the college after playing so well to reac two finals but having to settle for silver on both occasions.

They defeated Benildus College 6-0, Belvedere College 6-0 and Terenure College B 5-1 to reach their first final in the Leinster Centre on Whitehall Road, but were undone at the final hurdle as they lost out to Wesley College 4-2.

Reaching the final of the Dublin League qualified De La Salle for the Leinsters in the Baldoyle Centre, where they beat Offaly side Killina 4-2, Kilkenny College 5-1, and Westmeath’s Columba College 3-3 to win their round robin and proceed to the finals.

The other section saw Dublin’s Wesley College go up against Wexford’s Good Counsel College, Dundalk, and Naomh Cormac of Offaly.

De La Salle played Naomh Cormac in the decider but like in the previous Dublin final; they had to settle for a silver medal.

The Dubliners garnered huge support in the home venue but the excited crowd couldn’t help push De La Salle over the line as they lost out in several tight affairs. Neil Angel narrowly lost his singles match 30-27.

His unlucky defeat was followed by Steven Tian losing his match 30-24, Conor Fowler going down by 30-18 and Mohammed Tayyab losing out to his opponent by 30-19.

Despite De La Salle’s captain Kai Fai Shum being unable to play due to being just over the age limit, his love for the team was apparent as he threw all his support behind his teammates who could play.

Despite the overall result, the match-ups were much tighter affairs than the score board would suggest but it ultimately put paid to De La Salle’s hopes of qualifying for the AllIrelands this year.

Regardless, it was a great day out for all involved with badminton at De La Salle College. One that can be looked back fondly on as one that saw the team walk away with two silver medals to their name.

SOCCER: UCD DEFEAT DRUMCONDRA IN VITAL RELEGATION SIX POINTER

Students strong in fight for LSL survival sport@dublingazette.com

UCD took a big step towards securing topflight status with a 3-1 victory over relegation rivals Drumcondra on Sunday morning.

A win for the Northsiders would have seen them leapfrog the students, pushing them one place closer to the three relegation spots in LSL Senior Sunday.

However, goals within the first 10 minutes from Conor Cannon and Samir Belhout set Diarmuid McNally’s side on the path to victory.

Thaigh Keogh gave Drums some hope when he halved the deficit

shortly after half-time, but Timmy Molloy struck late on to seal a priceless win for his team.

Cannon opened the scoring in just the third minute as the striker capitalised on a mix-up between defence and goalkeeper to slot into an empty net.

Belhout then made it 2-0 within a few minutes of the opener when he got on the end of Kieran Bowers cross to head past the Drums keeper.

Drumcondra pulled a goal back through Keogh’s close range shot five minutes into the second half, but Molloy scored directly

DUBLIN SPRING SERIES Dublin and Mayo set for another Croker replay THE Dublin Spring Series is almost back upon

us once again, meaning four mouth-watering clashes will soon hit Croke Park.

February 11th sees the capital’s senior hurlers and footballers take to the field against All-Ireland champions Kilkenny, and Tyrone respectively.

Then on March 4th the hurlers will take on Waterford before the footballers meet Mayo.

Tickets for the series can be purchased on the Dublin GAA website or in participating SuperValu and Centra stores.

Conor Cannon returned from injury to seal the game for UCD

from a free-kick with 12 minutes remaining after a Drums defender was dismissed.

“It was close enough,” UCD manager Diarmuid McNally told GazetteSport. “While we won the game 3-1, there were a couple of key moments; them hitting the post not to equalise and the sending off.”

The win lif ts UCD above Crumlin United into sixth, but more importantly sees them f i ve p o i n t s cl e a r o f Drumcondra and Firhouse Clover in the drop zone.

With ten games still to play, however, McNally is wary of such a slender

margin and knows his side will need to pick up wins if they’re to stay in the top division for a fifth season.

“We’re one of seven or eight teams that are in the mix. With three teams going down from the 14 -team league, there’s not much of a mid-table.

“We stayed up last season with one game to spare. We find it very hard to string a set of results together because the league is so competitive, which is why the run-in is crucial – once you get into singlefigure games you’re still going to need three or four wins.

“There’s no nothing games because you’re either scrambling for points to stay up or you’re in contention for the league.”

UCD have struggled for goals this season, with just 17 in 16 games, and the League of Ireland experience of Cannon and Belhout will be key to a strong finish.

“Conor has been out for a while. Those three goal scorers started in the LSL team and went on to the first team.

They may go back to the first team for next season, but it certainly strengthens our squad to have them for the runin,” McNally concluded.

2 February 2017 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 31

GAZETTE

CLAY SPORTS AIMING LOWE: Handy Mandy hits new heights with CSI top honour

CLUB NOTICEBOARD

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S There was no winner of this week’s

COMMUNITY Garda Mandy Lowe was presented with the Devlin Couriers Ladies Perpetual Trophy at the AGM of Clay Sports Ireland (CSI) last weekend.

The event was held in the Pillo Hotel in Ashbourne, County Meath and Mandy, a community Garda for the Stepaside/Kilternan area, was presented with the Lady High Gun for the 2016 Clay Sports Ireland Summer League from CSI Chairman Joseph Hollingsworth.

Cong r atulation s to the Dublin

three winner is Tony & Mary McKeon,

Senior Football ladies on their win

Riverside Drive, Rathfarnham

against Monaghan in the National

Membership for 2017 is now due.

HURLING: CURRIE PROVES TOO HOT FOR SOUTHERN RIVALS

The Boden News 2017 is back - yes

www.bodengaa.ie for more informa-

get all your Ballyboden news, pho-

tion.

tos, match reports and much more

Congratulations to the Boden rep-

in the 2016 Boden News. You can pick

resentatives on the Dublin Senior

up your copy from the clubhouse this

Football team who were crowned the

week.

KILMACUD CROKES Congratulations to Kilmacud Foot-

Check club Facebook page for more

ballers Shane Cunningham and Ross

details.

McGowan who were part of the Dublin

Best of luck to all the teams who

setup who did brilliantly to secure the

start their league season next Sat-

O’ Beirne Cup by beating Louth in the

urday. We wish all our players across

final. Well done to the two lads. They

all codes an enjoyable and successful

have done themselves and the club

season ahead.

Kick Start Crokes program going

Member ship renewals for 2017

well. Great attendance at the wide

are now due. All membership must

range of exercise activities and talks

be paid up by Feb 28th as a strict no

in the club.

pay/no play policy will be enforced.

Congratulations to Kilmacud Foot-

Check your e-mail for the subject “

ballers Shane Cunningham and Ross

Crokes Membership Renewal” for

McGowan who were part of the Dub-

more details.

lin team who won the O’ Byrne Cup by

Preparation going well for the Big

beating Louth in the final. Well done

Fight Night – Club White Collar box-

to the two lads. They have done them-

ing on Sat Feb 25th in the Talbot Hotel.

selves and the club proud.

North trump South in battle of Dublin

NAOMH OLAF

Leinster Senior Colleges Hurling Quarter-final Dublin North 1-15 Dublin South 1-10  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN North Colleges eventually overcame their Southern equivalent in tough conditions at Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon, seeing the North Dublin side top their postprimary group.

Dublin North made the early running, with Billy Ryan finding space almost straight from the opening, before Sean Currie hit a soaring free from the halfway line with two minutes

on the clock, and Michael Murphy added another shortly afterwards.

Ryan chipped in from play on 12 minutes, with Eoghan O’Neill quickly extending the lead.

Liam Murphy finally opened the South’s account with a free, added to with a nicely curling second in short order.

However, a beautiful turn from Sean Currie found him space to reassert the North’s control.

Liam Murphy - fast becoming the South’s only notable weapon soon upped his personal score to 0-6, but namesake Michael responded

and Billy Ryan grabbed his third from play.

South’s goalkeeper Conor O’Donoghue smashed home a penalty. to level things up at half time at 0-9 to 1-6, with the North having squandered a six point lead.

The second half saw a scrappy opening in which both teams missed chances, with it taking almost ten minutes of play before Ryan added a point that edged the North back in front. Powerful substitute Davy Keogh levelled for the South before Murphy had the North back in front.

Sean Currie’s break

and sharp finish into the South’s goal was to prove a pivotal moment, coming in the middle of a period of North dominance as they edged in front 1-14 to 1-9 with a series of quickfire points The quick reaction of the North’s ‘keeper Josh Rooney saw off a chance for the South, who were then reduced to 14 men.

Ultimately, that put an end to the South’s challenge, with a couple of late points exchanged but the North comfortably came out on top 1-15 to 1-10, to set up a tie with Kilkenny CBS on February 4th.

League

You can pay online by logging onto

proud.

Dublin North take on Dublin South in the battle for capital bragging rights

O’Byrne Cup Champions.

Ballyboden St Enda’s lotto. Match 1st

After the successes of 2016 all efforts

could be you in La La Land!! and be in

are now being made for the 2017 sea-

with a chance to win €2,000 for your

son. Best of luck to all mentors and

team(s) - So get together and win it.

Note: a song list will be provided

players.

Mark your diary now: Naomh Olaf

shor tly but it’s first in gets first

Club Event ‘’Lip Sync Legends’’ Sat-

choice to be their own Bowie alter

urday April 8th Fund Raiser. This is

ego!! There are only spots for 16 acts

our main Club Fund Raiser, following

so put your hand up quickly if you

on from the successful and enjoyable

don’t want to be disappointed.

Kube and is set for Saturday April 8th

Juvenile Mentors Meeting Thurs-

and it’s Lip Sync Legends. Your Club

day 2 February 7:45 pm. - Demo of

needs your support for this and not

Club App followed by info session.

just your attendance on April 8th. It’s

All juvenile mentors in attendance

a chance for the closet exhibitionist

please.

in all of you to show us what you’ve got by participating in as an act. It

Yearly subscriptions are due 31 January please.



GOT A STORY? WE WANT TO KNOW!

Call our SPORT TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3

ororemail emailsport@dublingazette.com sport@dublingazette.com

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR DUNDRUM SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

LA QUEEN: Kerrie Christie teams up with former Miss America to help her build a new career in the ring P29

FEBRUARY 2-8, 2017

LSL: UCD come out on top in their bottom of the table clash at Belfield P29

Con O’Callaghan and Diarmuid Connolly with their awards for hurler of the year and footballer of the year respectively

King Con of Leinster

Versatile Cuala captain O’Callaghan has excellent campaign recognised by scooping hurler of the year as his team prepare for All-Ireland showdown

 DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

DUN LAOGHAIRE’S Con O’Callaghan has been named Leinster hurler of the year at the annual AIB provincial club players awards in Croke Park on Monday.

The 21-year-old picked up the gong for his role in guiding Cuala to their first everAIB Leinster Club Championship in 2016 after losing out in the final the previous year.

As usual, he was a star performer throughout the campaign as Cuala became only the second Dublin club to win the championship after Crumlin in 1979.

O’Callaghan scored 4-3 in Cuala’s quarter-

final win over Borris-Kilcotton before finding the back of the net in the semi-final win over St Mullins - as well as in the final against O’Loughlin Gaels of Kilkenny.

The Dalkey-based club will now contest the All-Ireland Club SHC final against Ulster champions Slaughtneil on Saturday, February 25th.

“It’s a huge honour to win the award but certainly it’s more a reflection of our team, than me as an individual,” said O’Callaghan upon receipt of his award.

“It’s great to be involved at this stage of the competition now and to be honest it’s quite surprising too.

“Thinking back, I was still trying to make my way into the Cuala team before the Leinster club

started. I didn’t expect it to work out like this but it’s a fantastic experience and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.”

The busy dual-code star recently revealed he turned down a €4,000 scholarship from UCD in order to fully concentrate on Cuala’s successful championship campaign.

O’Callaghan would have been expected to line out for the College’s Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cup sides, but he realised that with a workload that intense something would have to give.

“I’ve taken a step back from UCD completely.

I had to prioritise what I was going to do and I couldn’t have committed to the Under-21s as well so I decided Cuala would be my focus and to be honest Jim Gavin agreed with me as well

and so did [Dublin under-21 manager] Dessie Farrell,” said O’Callaghan.

“It’s not often you get these opportunities with the clubs so you have to take it with both hands.

“At the moment I am just training with the club and I do a gym session with the Dublin senior team. Then I just tick away with the Under-21 footballers and do a bit of kicking at the sessions when I go out.

“I took yesterday off. I didn’t go up to the match [Dublin’s O’Byrne Cup Final victory over Louth] because I just wanted to get a day’s rest.”

St Vincent’s star Diarmuid Connolly was also honoured at the ceremony as he picked up the footballers’ award for captaining the Marino club to the Leinster Club Championship.