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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

Frantic search for Liga, missing in India EXCLUSIVE

NEIL DELAMARE ROPES IN HIS DAD FOR HIS HILARIOUS NEW SHOW

 SYLVIA POWNALL

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DublinGazette APRIL 12-18, 2018

UNDERSTANDABLY happy to flag his achievement, retired teacher Dermot Higgins cycled into Rush – and the history books, with ‘GoGo’ now the oldest person to circumnavigate the world by bicycle. Read all about his incredible story on Page 5. Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

A MAN whose partner has been missing in India for a month says he plans to fly back there to continue the search for her.

Last month, Andrew Jordan put up 5,000 posters and spoke to countless people in his frantic search for Liga Skromane, 33 (inset), who vanished on March 14.

B u t h e wa s a l l e g e d l y detained by police and put on a flight home after a heated incident at the hotel where he was staying.

Andrew and Liga, who is originally from Latvia, have lived together for five years in his native Rolestown, near Swords, and he says he is certain she is still alive.

Continued on Page 2

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 12 April 2018

PICK US UP

EXCLUSIVE: PARTNER ON WOMAN MISSING IN INDIA

EVERY THURSDAY!

FASTNews

You can pick up YOUR GAZETTE

at the following locations

• Applewood Community Centre • Topaz- Swords • SuperValu- Pavillions Shopping Centre • Eurospar- Applewood village • SuperValu – Balbriggan • Fingal County Council offices (Swords & Blanchardtown) • Bracken Court Hotel • St Finians Community Centre • Energie Fitness – Swords • EBS – Swords • Swords Central Shopping Centre • Spar – Airside • Applewood Community Centre • The Clarion Hotel – Airport • SuperValu- Malahide • Spar – Malahide • Centra – Malahide • Malahide RFC • Malahide United FC • Malahide Tennis Club • Esso – Malahide • Kinsealy Garden Centre • Hill Top Stores – Malahide • Malahide Library • M.U Gym (Malahide United) • Tesco -Clarehall • Londis – Malahide • Eurospar – Northern Cross • P.S.L.C – Portmarnock • Golf Links – Portmarnock • Texaco – Portmarnock • Eurospar – Dunboyne • Mulhuddart Community Centre • Day Today- Ongar • Dunnes – Ongar • Ongar Community Centre • Eurospar – Hartstown • Hartstown Community Centre • Centra – Hartstown • XL – Stop “N” Shop – Sheepmoor • Blakestown Community College • Lidl – Blakestown • St Peregrines GAA • Mountview Community Centre • Spar – Mulhuddart • SuperValu – Tyrrellstown • Park Plaza – Tyrrellstown • Tyrrellstown Community Centre • I.T.B • Blanchardstown Shopping Centre • Blanchardstown Library • An Draiocht • Harvey Norman – Blanchardstown • Crowne Plaza – Blanchardstown • Blanchardstown Garda Station • Justin’s – Blanchardstown • SuperValu – Blanchardstown • Mace – Blanchardstown Village • Dillon House – Coolmine • Topaz – Coolmine • Verona FC • Dunboyne Castle Hotel • Coolmine Community College • Woodview Stores – Roselawn • Westmanstown Sport Centre • Castleknock Hotel • Castleknock Golf Club • Castleknock Community Centre • Centra – Laurel Lodge • Castleknock Community College • Macari’s – Carpenterstown • Spar – Carpenterstown • Topaz – Castleknock • Myo’s – Castleknock • Londis – Castleknock • Tesco – Roselawn • Blanchardstown Hospital • Castleknock Community Centre • Spar – Hollystown • Roselawn Newsagents • Castleknock Doctor’s Surgery • Ground Coffeeshop – Westend Retail Park

For further info

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01 60 10 240

Exploring the heritage of Early Christian Swords Liga is described as a quiet person who also loves gardening and the outdoors

Desperate search for Liga goes on Continued from Page1

He told Dublin Gazette: “We met at a music festival in Cork. She was living there and working as a waitress and I was a reveller. It was love at first sight.

“She moved in with me in a matter of weeks and we’ve been together ever since. I haven’t slept since she went missing. I know she’s alive, but I fear she’s in grave danger.”

Liga travelled to Kerala, India with her sister Ilze on February 4 for a six-week Ayurvedic treatment after suffering a breakdown last August and trying to take her own life.

But she skipped an early morning yoga class at the wellness retreat on March 14, complaining of a headache. When Ilze returned to the room an hour later Liga had gone, taking only her sandals and leav-

 SYLVIA POWNALL

spownall@dublingazette.com

ing her wallet, phone and passport.

She is believed to have taken a rickshaw ride to Kovalam beach in a busy resort several miles away and was last seen chatting to people there.

In a heartbreaking twist, a distraught Andrew says he had promised to fly out in mid-March to be with Liga and he fears she became distraught when March 14 arrived and he didn’t.

He said: “She didn’t want to leave me ... I was starting to get busy in work so I said I’d hold off going until April. The thing that keeps

going through my mind is funds for a flight back to that she was waiting for India. me to go over.

He said: “She’s a won“When she saw the date derful human being; fragand that I wasn’t coming, ile and delicate. The resort she must have run away where she was last seen is and thought she’d disappear in India not to be a burden to anyone.

“I’m 100% feeling responsible because if I’d have been there on March 14, none of this would have happened.”

Liga works as a waitress at Kettles One of the posters put up in a Country House and bid to help find Liga Skromane is a familiar face in Rolestown. Andrew full of slums and gangs and describes her as a “quiet there’s a high chance she person” who loves garden- was abducted. ing and the outdoors.

“She could be held in Andrew and her family a cage somewhere, in are now offering a reward 35-degree heat ... I haven’t of 100 lakh (one million slept for nearly four weeks rupees, or €10,000) and and I won’t sleep until I get he’s scraping together the her back.”

AN EXHIBITION entitled Early Christian Swords will be held in St Cronan’s Pastoral Centre, Swords from Saturday, April 14 to Saturday, April 27.

Swords is probably best known historically as the resting place of Brian Boru following his death at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

His body lay overnight in the church at Swords and later processed to Armagh where the High King was buried.

The exhibition will feature displays on St Colmcille’s Monastery, Glasmore Abbey/The Nunnery, and the local Holy Wells of St Colmcille, St Cronan and St Werburgh.

The exhibition will also feature information on

recent important archaeological findings in the Swords area.

There will also be displays on the recently rediscovered ecclesiastical complex in the Mooretown/ Oldtown area, on either side of the Rathbeale Road. Since 2010 the council has a conservation and management plan in place for this area.

The plans include the establishment of four archaeological parks to preserve the historical sites.

The exhibition’s organisers have thanked Courtney Deery Heritage Consultancy who carried out the design and editorial for the exhibition.

All are welcome at the free exhibition.

Calling all quiz masters to a fun pub night out BALBRIGGAN & District Historical Society is holding its quiz night tonight (Thursday, April 12) in the Milestone Inn at 8pm.

Do you fancy testing your extensive knowledge of people and places or facts and figures, or just fancy a fun night out?

If so, drop in to the quiz, upstairs, with first round starting at 8.30pm sharp. Entry is €10 per person, with teams of four – and if you don’t have a team it can be arranged on the night.

The society’s April talk on April 25 will feature Jim Walsh speaking on The History of the Turks Head and Man O War.

€20m set for two major new schools in Swords NEWS of a €20 million investment for two new schools in Swords has been welcomed by Senator James Reilly (FG).

A planning application has been lodged with Fingal County Council for a long-awaited new campus at Rathbeale Road, Mooretown.

The project provides for two school buildings – one for Swords Community College covering 11,000sq ft over three storeys, to include a sports hall, and a 24-classroom new primary

school over two storeys to include a two-room special needs unit.

This area has been granted €4.9 million Local Infrastructure Housing Activation funding by the Minister for Housing to upgrade the road for better access and egress to this substantial school campus, via an improved road, cycle paths and footpaths.

Welcoming the news, Senator Reilly (FG) said: “I look forward to more investment in school facilities in Swords.”

12 April 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

HAITI HELPERS: Fingal volunteers joining group to rebuild for community SYLVIA POWNALL

FOUR Fingal volunteers will travel to Haiti this week to help rebuild a school destroyed in a devastating earthquake eight years ago.

Geoff Duff from Skerries, Arlene Hetherington from Santry, and Malahide residents Michael Maran-

gos and Joanne Martin are among a group of 36 people travelling with Irish aid agency Haven.

They will travel to the small commune of Gressier, located two hours south-west of the capital Port au Prince, and spend ten days helping the community there.

The volunteers will

lead the refurbishment and upgrade of the main building of the local Jean Jean School, which has six classrooms and caters for 160 children.

Arlene revealed that this is her first trip with Haven, a non-government organisation (NGO) which has brought volunteers to the stricken island 12

times since 2010.

She told Dublin Gazette: “I’m really excited for the trip. I’ve heard so much from the veteran volunteers about Haiti and the difference that the work being carried out there makes.

“I can’t wait to experience it all first-hand. The support I’ve had from

friends and family in taking on this fantastic opportunity has been phenomenal.”

Over the course of the 10 days Haven’s volunteers will work together to replace the school roof, and repair and plaster walls of the buildings damaged by the tremor.

They will also build a

new toilet block, repair a kitchen on the school grounds, and build a covered area for children to eat and shelter from the searing afternoon sun.

The team will bring essential supplies with them including new bookshelves, blackboards and desks and the elements for an interactive playground.

Haven founder and chair Leslie Buckley said: “This year our volunteers will make a positive influence on the area of Gressier, which was close to the epicentre of the 2010 earthquake.

“Every year their commitment and generosity of time leaves a lasting legacy.”

FASTNews Child featured in RTE Praise for €124k fund show awarded €25k to help Fingal heritage TOTAL of €124,000 in funding has been from Malahide creche Aallocated to support local heritage projA TODDLER exposed to aggressive care in a creche which featured on an RTE Prime Time investigation has been awarded €25,000 for abuse and mistreatment.

Max Cottrell attended The Links Creche, Abington Woods, Malahide from age one but his parents took him out of it age four after an undercover reporter exposed aggressive care practices.

Max, who is now eight, sued the creche through his mother, Jennifer Breslin, in the Circuit Civil Court. The family live at Waterside Crescent, Swords Road, Malahide.

Counsel for the family said after Max was withdrawn from the creche he was rejecting his mother. There were also behavioural difficulties and he did not take correction well. He attended a child specialist on several occasions for therapy.

The award was made by Judge Terence O’Sullivan. A number of other cases have been dealt with in the circuit court and 22 settled in High Court proceedings.

ects in Fingal.

Through the Structures at Risk Fund, Fingal will receive €74,000. This includes €15,000 urgent roof repairs at St Patrick’s Church, Donabate, and €15,000 for lime mortar repairs to St Doulagh’s Church, Malahide .

Separately, Fingal heritage projects will receive €50,000 through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, with €5,000 earmarked for the thatched cottage in Skerries.

Welcoming the news of the funding allocations, Senator James Reilly (FG) said: “These buildings and structures are so important to our heritage.

“Maintaining and repairing these monuments help communities preserve their cultural identity and give people a sense of pride of place.

“The funding is also very important in terms of developing our tourism offering and helping to attract visitors to Fingal, with all the benefits that can bring,” said Senator Reilly.

Mayor Mary McCamley congratulates Efrem Gidey, of Le Cheile Secondary School

Delight as council recognises Eritrean student for remarkable achievements SYLVIA POWNALL

FIFTH year student Efrem Gidey has been recognised by Fingal County Council for his achievements at a special ceremony in County Hall, Swords.

Efrem, a student at Le Cheile secondary school in Tyrrelstown, won the All-Ireland senior schools cross country title last month in Waterford.

Remarkably, he earned the win just months after arriving in Ireland from Eritrea, having spent several years in a refugee camp in France.

After the April monthly council meeting on Monday, Mayor Mary McCamley made a special presentation to Efrem.

She paid tribute to him along with councillors Eugene Coppinger, Matthew Waine, Paul Donnelly, Anne

Devitt and Mags Murray.

School principal Dr Aine Moran said they were proud of Efrem and his friends who had come to Ireland last year and enrolled in the school.

She added: “We are tremendously proud of his sporting achievements but also his courage and tenacity. His friends also deserve to be part of this because they are his family now.”

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 12 April 2018

PLANNING: DRAFT URBAN FRAMEWORK FOR TOWN GOING ON PUBLIC DISPLAY

Have your say on guiding the future development of Rush SYLVIA POWNALL

RUSH residents are being urged to have their say on the town’s future as a draft urban framework plan goes on public display.

The proposal aims to breathe new life into the town centre with plans for a harbour park area, cultural quarter, skate park, walking trails and local train link.

The blueprint is currently on display at Rush Community Centre and available online via Fingal County Council’s website or at www.rushdublin.com.

Fingal County Council is hosting a drop-in public event, entitled The Future of Rush, at the community centre on April 19 from 4-8pm and is urging locals to attend.

Community Council chair Fintan Price said: “We have long advocated the need for a framework for the town centre. This is a great opportunity to see the future vision for Rush.

“

The outline document recognises the town’s strengths including some great beaches and the harbour “The publication is the result of a lot of hard work carried out by the town centre health check committee with Fingal County Council and we look forward to the realisation of the actions outlined.

“We request everyone in Rush make their views known and contribute to the next stage of the consultation process, by making a submission on the draft plan.”

The outline document has identified key objectives and recognises the town’s strengths includ-

Picture: NuaPhotography

ing great beaches, an attractive harbour, the only Bord Failte-approved caravan park in north Dublin and a successful summer festival.

It points to weaknesses including a lack of identity, traffic congestion, poor public transport links, anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, a lack of

hotels, and derelict and vacant buildings on Main Street.

Under the draft framework, Fingal County Council aims to develop a cultural quarter incorporating Mill Bank, provide looped walking trails, develop a harbour park area, provide a skate park and a dog park.

There are also plans for a LEADER-funded Toots train to shuttle commuters between the town centre and the train station.

A council spokesperson said the town’s fishing and farming traditions had been replaced in recent times and Rush was now predominantly

a commuter town.

The report notes: “Over the past four centuries, Rush has grown in a linear manner, focused on its long Main Street. This plan promotes the development of Rush in a selfsufficient manner.”

The deadline for submissions and observations is May 1.

SKERRIES: APPEAL AFTER SWAN KILLED

Shock as Mr Cob mauled to death by a large dog STAFF at Skerries Mills have been left devastated after a resident swan known affectionately as Mr Cob was attacked and mauled to death by a dog.

The male swan was one of three familiar feathered friends at the pond in front of the landmark building and tributes have been paid following his tragic death.

In a Facebook post, staff at Skerries Mills last week wrote: “It’s with the deep-

been breeding on the Kybe pond for over seven years.

“If anyone witnessed the attack, we would appreciate it if they would report it.”

Pic: Ray Watts Locals share their sadness est regret and sadness at the news of the bird’s that we have to announce death via social media. the passing of Mr Cob One person wrote: “No today. words ... fly free Mr Cob.” “Unfortunately, he was Others criticised the attacked and very badly fact that the dog was mauled by a dog and roaming free without a had to be put down. Mr lead: “So sad, any responCob was the male of our sible dog owner would not resident swans who have have let that happen.”

FASTNews Fresh appeal over Starbucks outlet at Airside park THE STARBUCKS franchise holder in Ireland has applied for fresh approval for a cafe at Airside retail park which was refused permission by An Bord Pleanala last year.

The franchise holder, through a company called Tanrat, now intends to make the coffee shop inaccessible directly from the public footpath outside the premises.

Instead, it will only be accessible from within the neighbouring Smyths toy store.

The row over the Swords outlet began more than two years ago when the planning board ruled that it had changed its use from a shop to a cafe, meaning it was not an exempted development.

In February 2017, Fingal County Council refused permission for retention of the Starbucks outlet.

Tanrat appealed that decision to An Bord Pleanala, but that appeal was rejected in September last year.

An Bord Pleanala ruled that the site at which the Airside Starbucks is located is zoned for retail warehousing.

Permission for 152 Portmarnock homes is sought PRIVATE equity group Lone Star has been granted permission for 152 homes in Portmarnock.

The scheme was submitted under the State’s strategic housing development (SHD) process – a fast-track planning route in response to the Republic’s housing shortage.

Under the scheme, builders apply to An Bord Pleanala directly for permission after consulting the local council.

Play games and help the homeless GAMERS all across Dublin are asked to support a gaming conference at Griffith College this weekend, which aims to help combat homelessness.

8-Bit gaming will host a six-hour event including retro gaming consoles, YouTube/ Podcast workshops, exhibitions and tournaments with profits going to both Simon Community and Inner City Helping Homeless. The event is free, but tickets must be pre-booked through Eventbrite.ie.

12 April 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

RECORD BREAKER: RETIRED TEACHER CHALKS UP A 33,000KM TRIP AROUND

THE WORLD He sure did ... Dermot enjoying his very well deserved reception home in Rush

Cyclists provided a guard of honour as Dermot made his colourful arrival

Way to GoGo, Dermo!

Peter White and David Butterly. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

SYLVIA POWNALL

RETIRED teacher Dermot Higgins cycled home to a rapturous reception at the weekend after pedalling his way into the record books.

The 55-year-old was mobbed by well-wishers at Murray’s of Lusk and The Strand Bar in his native Rush as he returned from a ninemonth global adventure.

Officials have yet to confirm it, but Dermot has succeeded in his challenge of becoming the oldest person to circumnavigate the world by bicycle.

“I just wanted to do something out of the ordinary, something extraordinary,” beamed the dadof-three, who left clean-shaven and came back sporting a rainbowhued plaited beard.

The official finish took place at Madrid Airport on Easter Sunday where Dermot – or GoGoDermo as he is now known – crossed the finish line after pedalling 31,000km through 21 countries.

He spent the first nine months of his retirement from teaching in Lusk camping solo and surviving on €15 a day to raise funds for Tro-

Dermot with Julie, Bobby and Abbie O’Mahoney, Saoirse Taaffee and Sophie O’Mahony

caire and his efforts have swelled donations by more than €20,000.

Not content with his historic feat, Dermot now plans to devote his time to promoting awareness of other cultures. He also hopes to open a GoGoDermo Around the World Cafe and shop in Skerries.

He revealed: “It’s been a lifechanging experience, physically and mentally. I lost 15kg in weight, I’m fitter than I ever was as a young fella, and my social consciousness has been raised in ways I could never have imagined.”

Kevin Thorpe and Dermot

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 12 April 2018

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Broadcaster, Rick O’Shea, Mayor Mary McCamley, Oisin Geoghegan (Head of Enterprise) LEO Fingal with Sabin Ghet, Ben Purdy, Sam Doherty, Katie Farmer, Ella Anderson of ‘Our Ball’ from Castleknock Community College, Intermediate category winners in the Fingal Student Enterprise Programme County Final. Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

Oisin Geoghegan (Head of Enterprise) LEO Fingal with Laura Browne, Emily Quinn and Eva Watt of Good Vibes Hockey from Mount Sackville. Picture: Joe Keogh

Intermediate category winners, Senior category winners and junior category winners in the Fingal Student Enterprise Programme County Final. Picture: Joe Keogh

Fingal student enterprise awards

N

INE budding teenage entrepreneurs have been selected to represent Fingal at the Student Enterprise Programme National Finals in Croke Park. The young entrepreneurs will represent their Local Enterprise Office and their county at the Student Entrerprise Programme showpiece on the 2nd May. Every September, entrepreneurial secondary school students across the country begin their business journey as they are encouraged to brainstorm, create and run their own businesses. In September 2017 over 23,000 students from 480 schools nationwide began their entrepreneurial journey with the help of their teachers and their Local Enterprise Office (LEO).

Mayor Mary McCamley pictured with students. Picture: Joe Keogh

Junior category winners with Oisin Geoghegan and Ed Hearne, Fingal County Council. Picture: Joe Keogh

12 April 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

LECTURE: PARENTING TALK

Parenting talk on communication FORMER prison governor John Lonergan is among those taking part in a parenting event in Mulhuddart this weekend.

Lonergan, who spent 42 years working in the prison service and was governor of Mountjoy Prison when he retired, will speak at a free lecture for parents of teenagers.

The event has been organised by the Idowu Olafimihan Foundation and takes place at Mulhuddart Community Centre on Saturday April 14 from 12.30 to 4.30pm.

Foundation member Yinka Omotoso, who is one of the organisers, said the aim of the talk was to provide advice for parents on how to communicate with their kids.

He said issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, involvement in teen gangs, crime, soc ial media addiction, sexual

health and exposure to pornography were all causes for concern.

He told Dublin Gazette: “There is a little bit of a societal problem in parts of the community here. We just want to give the parents the information they need to help manage their teenage kids.”

The four-hour event will also feature a talk from a crime prevention officer and other experts and early indicators are that a good attendance is anticipated.

In his book Parenting: Raising Your Child in Ireland Today John Lonergan advocates starting the process “the day the baby is born”.

He estimates that towards the end of his time in charge at Mountjoy 80 per cent of inmates were there for reasons related to drugs and says it is the biggest scourge facing society today.

FASTNews

Investigation into tot’s fall from window in Tyrrelstown GARDAI in Blanchardstown are continuing their investigation into an incident in which a toddler fell from a third-storey window in Tyrrelstown.

It’s believed a plastic storage box in the yard of the house at Mount Garrett Park may have given twoyear-old Emma Ajayi a chance of survival.

She remained in a critical condition yesterday at Temple Street Children’s Hospital with her mother by her side and support from her wider family.

Little Emma fell at around 6.30pm on Monday in what’s believed to have been a freak accident.

Parish conventions ahead of Pope visit LAUREL Lodge parish in Castleknock is preparing for the visit of Pope Francis in August with a series of events. The Pontiff’s letter The Joy of Love will be the subject of a series of parish conversations at Castleknock Community Centre for the next three Tuesdays at 8pm.

In The Joy of Love, Pope Francis expresses his hope that families will study his document carefully and patiently.The Parish Conversations is an initiative to promote and resource this study in preparation for the World Meeting of Families from August 21 to 26.

Each session lasts around 75 minutes and all are welcome. Further information at www.amoris.ie.

SERVICES FALLING SHORT: HSE CRITICISED FOR LACK OF SPENDING

Shock as respite hours for families of disabled children drops in Fingal  SYLVIA POWNALL  SPOWNALL@DUBLINGAZETTE. COM

THE number of respite care hours for families of children with disabilities in Fingal has dropped by almost ten per cent despite the growing population.

Sinn Fein health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly made the shock discovery by way of a parliamentary question which revealed respite supports are falling.

According to the Department of Health the number of overnight hours in the area serving north Dublin was cut from 17,637 in 2014 to 16,312 in 2017.

Cllr Malachy Quinn (SF) slammed the figures and said the service was falling far short of meeting need, adding: “According to Census 2016 there are over 3,000 people in north Fingal with a disability.

“There are limited available respite beds for adults with intellectual disabilities. There are also no emergency services. Much more needs to be done to support those living with a disability and those who provide care.

Meanwhile Deputy O’Reilly has also criticised the Health Service Executive for failing to utilise nearly €1million of mental health funding for Fingal and north Dublin.

She said: “Only last month the HSE informed me that child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in Fingal and North Dublin had barely half the necessary staff. It was reported from the HSE that the area had only 56.1% of the total staff needed.

“Therefore, it is even more infuriating that the HSE have now informed me that

“

Only last month it was reported from the HSE that the area only has 56.1% of the total staff needed

they have underspent on mental health services in CHO 9 which covers Fingal and north Dublin by €787,317 in 2017.

“The services available in Fingal and north Dublin are under huge pressure and waiting lists

have spiralled out of control, yet the HSE and the Government can’t put funding available to work.

“We have to ask why is north Dublin constantly being left behind when it comes to the delivery of mental health services?”

Just weeks ago the Sinn Fein TD highlighted the case of Skerries mum Wendy Nic Airt, whose two autistic sons are not getting the support they need.

Wendy said her oldest son should be in residential care but she was told there was a 20-year waiting list.

Deputy O’Reilly said: “Parents need real help and real support for their kids.”

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 12 April 2018

VOX POPS: DUBLINERS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON A CERTAIN INCIDENT IN NEW YORK...

From Notorious to infamous – your thoughts on that bus attack THE whole coun- “AAARGH!” try was agog late Conor attacks last week at Conor a bus window McGregor’s actions in New York – several angles of the ‘Notorious’ one hurling a trolley through a bus window in New York (right), made headlines around the world, drawing widespread sharp criticism at home.

Dublin Gazette asked several Dubs out and about at Grafton Street on Monday their thoughts on the unsettling incident. Here’s what some of you had to say to the following questions: 1) What did you make of the incident involving Conor McGregor last week?

2) Do you think he’s a good ambassador for Ireland?

3) Do you think he’s a good role model for young people?

4) Do you think his success has changed him?

5) Would you like to go out on a night on the town with Conor McGregor?

Eanna Flanagan 1) TO BE honest with you, I think it’s a bit unprofessional of him, but then again, he’s in the newspapers again, right?

Conor McGregor will do whatever he can to get in front of the media. My opinion is that he’s probably playing it up a bit, and he should be a bit more professional.

But, at the same time, his name’s been spread around the media again, which I’m sure he wants.

2) Not really, no. I don’t think so. Not for me. Not in the way he behaves.

3) I wouldn’t say so. Not personally.

4) I think the power has certainly gone to his head a bit. But, I think he’s always had an aggressive streak to him. I think that’s the way he carried himself before he became famous.

5) I probably would, just to see what the craic would be like!

But I’m not sure I’d want to get involved in any of the things he’s been getting involved with last weekend.

Kev i n O’Connor 1) H E ’S a pretty controversial figure u s u a l l y.

He tends to pro-

mote himself that way, so it’s to be expected I suppose.

2) Not particularly – I think he’s a great sportsperson; he’s very capable at what he does and he’s worked very hard to become that way. But, no, he doesn’t act particularly well.

3) If they get inspiration from him, then good for them, but I don’t.

4) I’m sure success has changed him; I think it does that to pretty much anyone who’s successful. But I think he’s earned his success, so good for him.

5) I’ve no opinion either way on that; wouldn’t bother me.

Sean Joyce 1) I CAN’T say I was surprised – mortified, but not surprised.

This stuff just seems to happen

ASK MARY

around fighters – you don’t see this kind of thing [bus attacks] with golfers or knitters, do you?

2) Of course not! Who wants to send out people talking and swearing like that to represent the country, or making those kinds of headlines?

3) Not any of the young people I know. It’s not about money or fame, but how you behave – I know what my mam and dad would think if I’d done anything like that, or said half of what he’s said.

4) Not really. I’d think he was always like that. Maybe fame just amplifies that behaviour?

5) God, no. And I think I’d be nervous now if I was on a bus and saw McGregor standing outside it – but I don’t think he has to queue for many buses now, with his millions!

EMAIL MARYAT MARYBYRNE@ DUBLINGAZETTE.COM

My teen got very drunk and I’m just not sure what to do

I’M out of my mind with worry. My 16-yearold daughter went out with friends recently and was brought home at ten o’clock suffering from the effects of drink.

She vomited for at least half an hour and then slept for nearly 12 hours. I’ve told her that she is grounded for three months, I’ve taken her phone off her and confined her to her room for two weeks, but all she does is shout at me and tell me I’m a terrible mother and she’s going to leave home.

I’m terrified I’m going to lose her; please help me… Catherine, Kimmage Dear Catherine, IT’S always a shock to see one of our children, our babies, growing up and doing things that we know are not right.

Without defending her behaviour, she is not the first and won’t be the last 16-year-old to drink too much and get ill from it.

Now she has behaved that way, the important thing is how you deal with it and you have decided to take a very hard line with her, as is your right.

Your reaction, and I understand your reaction, is to punish and alienate your daughter at a time when she probably needs your help and love more than ever.

She needs to learn and you need to teach her. Talk to her, discuss it in detail, let her realise the dangers of her behaviour, teach and support her.

Once you have talked then apply a consequence for her behaviour and, strange as it may sound, let her suggest an appropriate consequence – you might be surprised. Good luck in getting the balance right.

12 April 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

MODEL: COUNCIL CONFIRMS FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR LONG-DELAYED €2.7M RESTORATION

Fry Railway works ‘imminent’ SYLVIA POWNALL

FINGAL County Council has finally confirmed that it’s full steam ahead for the long-awaited Casino & Fry Model Railway project in Malahide.

At an area meeting last week officials revealed that the tender for the restoration of the cottage and installation of the hand-painted exhibition was “imminent”.

Locals have been left frustrated as a series of setbacks delayed the tourism project but despite its original €2.4 million price tag jumping to €2.7 million, it’s back on track.

The contractor is due on site to begin restoring the protected structure in “mid-April” according to council officials and the works are due to finish by mid-February next.

The exhibition itself will take six weeks to install and “a decision on operation and management of the exhibition and building could allow for opening to the public in April 2019”.

At the area council meeting where the news was delivered, Cllr Anthony Lavin (FG) expressed concern that the time frame seemed to have slipped slightly.

He added: “Every time

we hear [about the project’s delivery] it’s getting a little bit longer. I think we are seeing the downside of the delays with the extra €300,000 that is required.”

Half of the additional funding is attributed to construction inflation while the rest is to meet requirements for disability access, boundary walls and energy efficiency.

Cllr Eoghan O’Brien (FF) said all elected members had expressed an interest in getting involved with the plans for the display and he hoped that would be the case.

He said: “Delays in this

project have caused massive frustration locally.

We just want to be assured that everything is being done ... to be assured that this is kept on track.

“People are still going, ‘Yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it’. I’m dying to see the activity down there.”

In 2014 it was announced to great fanfare that the largest model railway in Europe was to be housed as the centrepiece of the historic abandoned Casino cottage.

The Fry Model Railway – containing a prototype of every train model ever featured on Irish railways – was painted by hand

FOROIGE KIDS: Gathered to help promote wellbeing EOIN Kelehan, Krysia Reid,

Mason Maguire, Jenny Murphy (Irish Female International rugby player), Lyndsey Davey (Dublin Ladies Player), Hollie Walsh, Conor Kestell and Nicole Mooney were standing by at ITB recently where North

Dublin Foroige was hosting a Foroige Fingal FitFest, Held to promote health and wellbeing for young people, the event was also a celebration and recognition of young people’s participation in a variety of health and wellbeing-related

initiatives over a 12-week period within their local Foroige projects and clubs.

The ITB event was held with the partial aim of focusing on promoting the importance of holistic health and well-being for young people.

SWORDS: STRUCTURE TO RENT AS HOME FOR ONE

Ready to shed your inhibitions about living in a ‘wooden chalet’?

A GARDEN shed described as a “cosy wooden chalet” has been put up for rent in Swords with an asking price of €765 a month.

The fully furnished eco-home was advertised online on popular property websites, listing it as having a “walk-in wardrobe” and a new 36” screen television.

It’s listed as a one-bedroom apartment at Nevinstown Lane, set in private well-maintained gardens.

The advert on Daft.ie

reads: “Cosy wooden chalet, central heating, kitchen/living room, 1 bedroom with walk-in wardrobe, bathroom with shower.

“New 36” TV in liv-

ing room. Set in private well-maintained gardens.

Country setting yet only two minutes’ walk from Airside Retail Park, close to Swords village, the

Wright Venue, VHI, Tara, Winthrope Clinic and only five minutes’ drive to the airport.

“Suitable for one person only please.”

The latest Daft.ie rental report revealed the average cost of renting a home in Ireland was €1,227 during the past three months.

Latest homeless figures show just under 10,000 people – 3,700 of whom are children – were in emergency accommodation in February.

more than 70 years ago.

Malahide resident Patrick Michael Gaffney, who died in 2012, left €1.5million in his will to restore Casino House on condition it housed the model railway.

Initially the project was expected to take 12 months and be operational by mid-2015 and the delays have been closely monitored by the Fry Model Railway for Malahide Facebook page.

When the latest news was announced last week, one Only Fools And Horses fan asked if “Del Boy and Rodney” would be doing the work.

Part of the sprawling Fry Model Railway

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 12 April 2018

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Smiles all round. Picture: Alison Hanlon

Eyes on the ball. Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

It’s all fun and games at St Brigids GAA camp

S

Taking a quick break. Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

It’s game time for the boys. Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

T BRIGID’S GAA Easter Camp took place last week with boys and girls from 5-12 year olds participating over the course of a week.

Each day, the boys and girls were given the opportunity to participate in physical activity while learning new gaelic football and hurling skills from their coaches. It also included all aspects from agility, control, co-ordination, learning the rules of the game and match play tactics, as well as the opportunity to have fun an make new friends.

Catching the ball. Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

12 April 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Head in the game. Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

Hurling star. Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

Taking a well deserved rest. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Teammates together. Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

Fionnuala Moran The gang’s all here. Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

Posing in pink. Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 April 2018

LOVE YOUR DUBLIN: THE BREAKDOWN OF THE BEST HANG OUTS AND HISTORICAL GEMS

THE HUGUENOT CEMETERY, ST STEPHEN’S GREEN

DUBLIN MADE EASY AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT SOME OF THE CITY’S BEST CULTURAL HOTSPOTS

W

ALKING through the city, it’s very easy to take the many churches for granted.

However, Dublin’s churches have a rich history, with some featuring some very interesting yet little-known attractions. It’s amazing what’s hidden in plain sight in our city and if you’ve never paid a visit to these churches, then you’re in for some surprises. For starters, note the quiet Huguenot cemetery (inset, main) from 1693 set at the northeast corner of bustling Saint Stephen’s Green ...

THE WHITEFRIAR STREET CARMELITE CHURCH LOCATION: No 56, Aungier Street, Dublin 2 BEST FEATURE: The relics of St Valentine THIS church is a must-visit for lovers and those that believe in romance, for it is where the relics of St Valentine himself can be found.

The relics were donated to Carmelite John Spratt by Pope Gergory XVI in 1835 and they have remained at Whitefriar Street ever since. The church also features a number of other shrines, including shrines to Our Lady of Dublin, Albert of Sicily and The Infant of Prague.

The church also has a beautiful collection of stained glass windows, some of which are nearly 180 years old, which were expertly restored in the 1990s. Some of the most beautiful are the ones depicting scenes from the life of Our Lady (the Rosary Windows).

THE UNITARIAN CHURCH

ST MICHAN’S CHURCH

LOCATION: St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 BEST FEATURE: The magnificent stained glass window

LOCATION: Church Street, Dublin 7 BEST FEATURE: The ancient burial crypts

LOCATED just past the Royal College of Surgeons at St Stephen’s Green, the Unitarian Church is welcoming to people of all faiths and has become known over the past number of years as an incredible, intimate gig venue.

Renowned musicians such as Duke Special, Cathy Davey and Jack Lukeman have all taken to the altar of this unique gig venue over the years.

At 8pm on Friday, April 27, Padraig Brady will launch his new memoir, Keeping Sketch: From Dublin To Nepal, in the church.

Admission is free.

The church is also a proudly Fairtrade church, providing Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar at Sunday services alongside a range of Fairtrade sales throughout the year.

WHILE Smithfield has some well-known attractions, such as the Lighthouse Cinema and the Jameson Distillery, a fascinating tourist attraction can be found just around the corner, at St Michan’s.

Deep in the vaults of the church lie a number of bodies that have barely decomposed because of the dry atmosphere created by the church’s magnesian limestone walls.

However, the wooden caskets have partially opened, revealing perfectly preserved bodies.

Among those thought to have been mummified in this way are the brothers Henry and John Sheares, leaders of the 1798 rebellion.

The church also houses an organ that Handel is said to have played on.

12 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

HOME & STYLE

DUBLIN

QUIET PRAISE FOR SPIRITUAL CALM ALONG THE A NEW FILM P20 CAMINO DE SANTIAGO P24 PAGES 26-27



SPRING HAS SPRUNG: THERE’S still a slight chill in the air, but there’s no two ways about it – Spring is well and truly here, and it’s time to start looking ahead, and looking outward, to where to head out to make the most of these better days.

Now that there’s a grand stretch in the evening, stretch to getting some Regatta Great Outdoors gear, which has all you need to take to the hills and highways to explore the great outdoors – or just the nearest park.

MAGAZINE

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE NEWS AND EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY

THE GIFT OF GAZ | DA HOOD SEEMS NICE

Down them mean streets of Crumlin a quiet fella like meself must sometimes go I HAD a few auld bits to do around the place last week later that day when I nip in for a quiet one. and didn’t I find meself in Crumlin!

“Yeah, but he’s gone a bit far with all this wrecking I hadn’t been there for a while and I was a bit wor- the bus business,” I says. “Even all the young fellas ried after reading that American article about yer man who thought he was the mutt’s nuts are starting to McGregor. say he’s a bit of a tulip. Think all that money is going That was saying that the place is a “project” – like to his head.”

South Central LA or one of them places – and ye “Going to his head!?!” says Paschal, laughing at couldn’t even walk on certain parts of the street for me. “He’s overdone the whole showman thing a bit fear of getting a hiding. and acted the maggot, but I bet you if you had all that So, I think I had every right to be wormoney at his age, you wouldn’t be ried, given that I thought I was walking sitting here to tell the tale.”

If I’d had all that through a scene from Boyz In The Hood, “If I had all that money I money I’d probably but ye know wha’? It was grand. Same as wouldn’t be drinking in here,” I have ended up on it ever is. says, taking the wind out of his No drive-bys or any of that carry-on. A first-name terms sails a bit. young fella even held a shop door open with the staff in the He’s right though, if I’d have for me. Them Americans get some mad Betty Ford Clinic had all that money in me twenideas at times. ties I’d probably have ended up on But then I was thinking, maybe first-name terms with the staff in McGregor fed yer man a bit of a yarn. Him the Betty Ford Clinic. and his mates were probably winding yer “Still though,” says Paschal. man up a bit, having a laugh, like.

“I’d rather have money going to And the McGregor fella seems to live in me head and more importantly, a bit of a fantasy world. Paschal reckons me pocket, than be queuing for he’s a genius. a week to try and buy a gaff in “Look at the publicity he gets.

Blanch.”

And all the money,” he says to me Which is a fair point, I suppose.

“

Just green and bear it...

Peter O’Brien Gleeson had a look of intense concentration as he pushed himself to the limit in the one millionth Parkrun in Ireland, which was held last weekend at Brickfield Park, in Drimnagh. Thousands ran across the country in other Parkruns that day. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 April 2018

FAMILIES

BRING MAN’S – OR WOMAN’S – BEST FRIEND ALONG

FIFTH ANNUAL EVENT TO CATER FOR ANIMALS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES THE fifth annual Pets in A range of stalls will heara Micheal MacDonthe City event takes place offer pet lovers great deals ncha said: “This event is at Smithfield Square in on a variety of pet acces- the perfect opportunity for the city centre on Sunday, sories, grooming products, the entire family, and their April 29, offering families toys and novelty items. pets, to enjoy a day out in The DSPCA will be the centre of Dublin city. and their furry friends the on hand to provide vital purr-fect day out.

“Apart from learning to Presented better care for

by Dublin City your own family Co u n c i l a n d pet, there will be supported by lots to discover, the DSPCA, from reptiles King of Paws to Irish Wolfhounds.” and 98FM, the Brian Gillen, free event promises animal lovchief executive ers a wide range of the DSPCA, of activities and Natasha Eames, fundraising and events coordi- said: “We’re live entertain- nator, DSPCA with Teddy delighted that ment.

Pets in the City Hosted by the DSPCA, services such as micro- is in its fifth year. The and the King of Paws chipping and pet health event is a brilliant day out, Training Team, visitors advice. offering the perfect opporare invited to bring their Pets in the City will fea- tunity to interact and learn four-legged friends to take ture an exotic animal area, about animals. part in Agility workshops reptile corner and animal “For pet owners, it’s a and the Scruffs Dog Show. farm for visitors to inter- great chance to get pets A DSPCA adoption act with and learn about micro-chipped and get parade will also take place, a variety of different ani- advice on how to look after highlighting the wonder- mals. their loved pets.” ful animals available for Speaking at the launch For further information rescue. of Pets in the City, Ardm- see www.petsinthecity.ie.

Pawfect pals

It’s ruff work but someone has to do it ... Shane and Eoin Carroll from Sandymount get help from their pooch pals Shannon, Seoidin, MJ, Teddy, Ruby, Cuddles and Fraggles to launch the event. Pictures: Jason Clarke

Well done to another lucky Gazette winner CONGRATULATIONS to Madeline

Andrews, the winner of our recent Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross competition.

She is pictured with her grandson, Adam Andrews, after receiving her prize of two nights’ bed and breakfast (for two adults and two children) in the Maldron Hotel, a family ticket to Dublin Zoo, and a picnic for all the family to bring along on their adventures.

Remember to keep reading your Dublin Gazette, and to look out for more great giveaways – keep reading, keep winning!

12 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

WAYS TO HELP OTHERS, AND TO HELP YOURSELF, TOO

PEOPLE

EXPERIMENTAL CAFE HIGHLIGHTS WHAT LIVING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CAN BE LIKE

Serving up a slice of MS life REBECCA RYAN

A NEW experimental pop-up cafe has opened at Exchequer Street, Dublin 2, giving customers a small taste of the daily challenges faced by people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

When a customer walks in to MSunderstood Cafe, they will experience things like the ground beneath them being uneven, the menus being blurry and the chairs being heavy, which the chief executive from MS Ireland, Ava Battles, says are some of the symptoms that people with MS experience.

She said: “That unsteadiness on the feet, the visual disturbances, the inability to hold a cup properly – simple things

that lots of people take for granted – you can experience those things in the coffee shop.”

At its recent opening, MSunderstood Cafe also highlighted the urgent need for improved access to medicine and treatment for the management of MS. More than 9,000 people are living with MS in Ireland, with thousands more family members affected.

One of those people is 39-year-old Karen Hynes from Blackrock, who was diagnosed with MS on her 20th birthday, and was involved in creating the cafe.

Speaking to Dublin Gazette, Karen said she started getting pins and needles in her left leg and her mother encouraged

her to see a doctor. After numerous tests, within a matter of weeks she was told she had MS. Getting the news wasn’t easy: “There was a lot of fear around it, I didn’t know what MS was and

“

thing like this’.”

On living with MS, Karen said: “Symptoms vary from day to day, so no day is the same for me. But I don’t sit around and have a ‘pity party’, I just get up and go.

Karen Hynes, who was diagnosed with MS on her 20th birthday, was involved in creating the cafe when I thought of MS, all I pictured was someone in a wheelchair.

“I was terrified. I couldn’t get my head around it and the only thing I could think of was: ‘I’m only 20 and that I shouldn’t be getting some-

Pictured at the MSunderstood Cafe opening are Ava Battles, chief executive, MS Ireland; Pierre-Alain Delley, general manager, Roche Ireland; Karen Hynes; Cllr Mark Ward (SF), who like Karen also lives with MS, and Aoife Kirwan, MS Ireland

“I make a point of doing the little t h i n g s, l i k e going to t h e superm a r ke t .

You learn to monitor yourself and figure out what you need to do to take care of yourself.”

She has this advice for anyone going through MS: “The first thing I would recommend is getting in touch with MS Ireland – they’ve provided great help and

support to me and many others living with MS. “Another thing I will say is, don’t shut your family out, keep them in the loop.

Diagnosis is a very scary time for them too and they can be a great support if they know what is going on.”

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 April 2018

DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS I N F O R M AT I O N Heritage House, Dundrum, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publishes four weekly quality free titles, covering the latest news, sport, entertainment and lifestyle from the four local authority areas of Dublin

C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com

HIGHLIGHTING A HOST OF DAFFODILS

Group Editor: Patrick Finnegan pfinnegan@dublingazette.com

NEXT time you’re in the city centre, look out for the gazillions of glowing, golden harbingers of spring flourishing at St Stephen’s Green – daffodils, in other words!

If you have great, high-res shots of the city that you’d love to share with our readers, email them to news@dublingazette.com. Photos: Shane Dillon

Commercial Director: Sue Griffith sgriffith@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Aisling Conway aconway@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales: 01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com

FIND US ON

www.dublingazette.com Dublin Gazette Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Have a ball helping hospice’s little heroes ALAN Hughes and Miriam O’Callaghan are calling on companies to dig deep for the annual LauraLynn Heroes Ball, with this year’s fundraising gala event taking place on Saturday, May 12 at the Intercontinental Hotel.

As the State’s only d e d i c a te d c h i l d re n’s hospice, the LauraLynn

Foundation provides clinical care, healthcare support, and palliative care services to children with exceptional and lifelimiting conditions.

As MC of the upcoming bash, Miriam said: “It’s a great excuse to put on the glad rags, have a night on the town, and do it all for a wonderful cause.

See a startling piece of new physical theatre AHEAD of an appearance at the Galway Theatre Festival, writer, actor and director Ronan Dempsey brings The Words Are There to the Mill Theatre in Dundrum – a compelling and timely new piece of innovative physical theatre that delves into domestic abuse.

The performance takes place on Friday, April 13, with tickets priced €18 available from milltheatre.ie.

“I’m urging people to put May 12 in the diary for what will be a tremendous night out.”

A corporate package costs €2,500 per table of 12, with a limited quantity of individual tickets available for €175 each. Contact Claire or Jacqui at 01 289 3151, or see www.lauralynn.ie.

Help make a creative day

DUBLIN City Council have launched an open call for artists, creative and cultural venues in the city in response to the announcement by Minister fo r Cu l t u re Jo s e p h a Madigan of Cruinniu na nOg – a day of creativity for

children and young people set for June 23.

The focus for Cruinniu na nOg 2018 will be on activities taking place in the city’s suburbs, ne ighbourhoods and villages, enabling young people to access creativity

where they live, in their communities, with their friends and family.

In te re s te d a r t i s t s, groups and creative organisations can find out more and read the open call guidelines at www. dublinscultureconnects.ie.

TRAVEL, PAGE 24

Down Rio way

Let us point you towards a great trip



Deputy Group Editor: Shane Dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com

12 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

SOME OF THE LATEST EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN DUBLIN Reach for the skies with yoga on top of Croker FO L LOW I NG t h e success of the skyhigh yoga classes in 2017, Croke Park h ave a n n o u n c e d more limited-edition yoga classes on the Ericsson Skyline, from Saturday, May 5.

At 17 storeys above the city, the Skyline is Croke Park’s rooftop walkway and Dublin’s highest open viewing platform – and now one of Ireland’s highest outdoor yoga experiences. The Skyline has an overhang right over the famous pitch, so it’s definitely one for thrill seekers looking for an alternative Yoga experience.

The classes, which will run every Saturday at 10am for five weeks commencing on May 5, are with instructor Aisling Conn of Aisling Conn Yoga and Pilates Aisling’s sky-high sessions will be intimate, with no more than 15 participants, and will last approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

The Ericsson Skyline Yoga classes cost €25 per session, including a juice afterwards. As there are limited places, book in advance at crokepark.ie/yoga.

DIARY

BENJI - OUR DOG OF THE WEEK

DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers have teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

Benji is a handsome and laid-back nineye a r- o l d A l a s k a n Malamute who has quickly stolen the hearts of all the canine carers who look after him.

He is a real couch potato, and loves to snuggle into people and lap up lots of attention.

Benji is a cuddle monster who loves his belly being rubbed and his coat being brushed.

He came to Dogs Trust after living with his previous family for a few years, so he is used to living in a home environment and he should settle into his new home with no problems.

Benji is such a sweetheart and very gentle so he should be happy living with very young children. He loves attention from humans so much that he would prefer to be the only dog in the family, and get your undivided attention.

Benji is a very good boy who will make a wonderful addition to most families.

If you have room in your heart and on your couch for Benji, then please contact Dogs Trust at 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50.

Map and directions c a n b e fo u n d o n their website www. d o g s t r u s t . i e. Yo u can also find them on Facebook www. facebook.com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust.

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 April 2018

GOINGOUTOUT

PICKWEEK Hot OF THE

APRIL 16 (MONDAY)

Harry Styles @ 3Arena, €50-€70 We can’t quite say that we’re just wild about Harry – but about two bazillion other people are, with the latest former One Direction man to drop in on Dublin being the ‘cheeky boy’ of the bunch, with his self-titled debut album in tow.

Expect screams. (Clock-checking chaperones and patient other halves in tow, we salute you.)

APRIL 12 (THURSDAY) Calum Scott @ The Academy, €19 Music Currents 2018 @ Smock Alley Theatre, €10 A three-day festival of contemporary electronic music comes to Temple Bar, featuring four concerts across the weekend, as well as workshops and talks.

APRIL 13 (FRIDAY) Music Currents 2018 @ Smock Alley Theatre, €10 Walk The Moon @ The Academy, €30 Eve Belle @ Project Arts Centre, €10 Goal Girl @ The Grand Social, €12.50 Bryde @ Whelan’s, €15 Crazy Town @ The Bowery, €15

APRIL 14 (SATURDAY) Music Currents 2018 @ Smock Alley Theatre, €10 Nick JD Hodgson (of Kaiser Chiefs) @ The Grand Social, €17 Francesco Turrisi @ Fumbally Stables Dusky @ District 8, €17

APRIL 15 (SUNDAY) Frank Turner @ The Academy, €27 Folk-punk troubadour Frank Turner sings of England’s soul and his own struggles, and utterly excels live. He brings his ‘Be More Kind’ tour to North Dublin.

Fenne Lily @ The Wiley Fox August Wells @ The Workman’s Club, €13 Samarkind, Jailbird + Ophelias @ Whelan’s, €16

APRIL 17 (TUESDAY) Aston Merrygold @ The Button Factory, €20 The Unthanks @ Abbey Theatre, €32 Ruby Sessions @ Doyle’s, €7 We Banjo 3 @ Whelan’s, €16

APRIL 18 (WEDNESDAY) The Unthanks @ Abbey Theatre, €32 Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats @ Olympia Theatre, €30 The Wonder Years @ The Button Factory, €23 Nahko + Trevor Hall @ Whelan’s

Want some brilliant Blues?

You need the...

Sprockets

DUBLIN isn’t known for groups of friends clad out in the latest in Blues-inspired charity store chic, focused on producing timeless, harmonised melodies.

The Hot Sprockets are out of step with the scene and forging their own path, but evolving into their newly psychedelic phase, they win plaudits simply by being great at what they do...

IF YOU heard a track o f t wo o f T h e Ho t Sprockets’ music, and were then asked to stick a pin in a map identifying where they come from, you’d probably stick the point somewhere on the fringes of a Texan city, a spot with plenty of raucous rock influences, but a distinct country twang known for effortless, whisky-bar showmanship.

The five-piece actually h a i l f ro m d i f fe re n t corners of Dublin, having spent much of the ir p er fo r ma nce -l ov in g c a re e r e n te r t a i n i n g their own niche with a thunderous live show.

They rumble between gigs in an aging Nissan Micra and very much live for their music. Newlyreleased third album, Dream Mover, is the latest

 JAMES HENDICOTT

stage in a slow-paced and precisely crafted evolution.

Of the new release, multi-instrumentalist Frankie Kelly tells us: “It’s a bit more psychedelic – the production is a real step up from [second album] Brother Nature, and the song writing’s better than the last record.

We feel like we’re really evolving as songwriters.

“We had a lot more than just the ten songs on the album, but we picked the best ones and spent a lot of time working on them, improving them and developing the sound.

Much more went into

it then anything we did before.

“There are three writers in the band, so between us we’re always writing at home. Some of the tracks we might look at once and never see again. Others make demo stage and the best make it all the way.

There are hundreds of songs. We’ve done threehour setlists of original material before.”

As for the image, that’s become the band’s thing.

“It’s just our normal attire,” pipes up vocalist Tim Cullen.

“It’s just from stuff that influenced us, bands we’re influenced by; mainly 60s and 70s American bands. We wear our best stuff on stage, like going on a date or something.

We don’t really pay too much attention to it, but to a certain extent it’s important. You dress up.”

Kelly adds: “Years ago, Tim used to work in a vintage clothing store, so he just got sweet clothes for free. We just kind of got mad into the clothes together, and kept on

doing it.”

The result can feel like an authentic shift in time and place: The Hot Sprockets wardrobe would be genuinely hard to track down in Dublin, and sits perfectly alongside their sound.

As well as their local su c c e s s e s, T h e Ho t Sprockets have also been touring fairly extensively in Spain – their very own ‘big in Japan’ moment.

“We’re on playlists with both of their national radio stations, so we get quite a lot of radioplay ove r t h e re, ” Cu l l e n explains.

“We got a Spanish release of Brother Nature through a company called Folk Records, so we put two tracks of the Licks From The Vault release on it.

“It goes really well out there. We’re b a c k a ga i n this summer, to play a few shows, and

we’ve been a few times now.”

For now, though, The Hot Sprockets will be pleasing the local crowd – one they profess a real love for.

They sit naturally in the messy realm of dwellers at Wicklow’s wo n d e r f u l l y s h a b by festival, Knockanstockan, with those whose hearts screams for the Blues, and those who simply can’t miss something so effortlessly, raucously entertaining.

The Hot Sprockets’ latest, Dream Mover, is out now, and launches at The Button Factory in Temple Bar this Saturday, April 14.

12 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

ENTERTAINMENT DELAMERE DADDY HAS A STARRING NARRATIVE ROLE IN HILARIOUS COMIC MATERIAL

Neil’s happy to trot out his new show that involves his dad MARK O’BRIEN

THE intriguingly-titled Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Pensioner represents something of a new approach for Neil Delamere.

The show is framed around a single narrative – a day last year when Neil helped his 82-yearold father deliver the local meals-on-wheels to the elderly, which they had to finish in time for a horse race.

While hilariously describing the experience, and the various characters they meet on their outing, Neil deviates with some uproarious side-stories before bringing everything together in a rewarding finale.

The show – which comes to Blanchardstown and Dun Laoghaire next month – has been a huge success, selling out across the country and drawing a standing ovation when it came to Vicar Street.

Ne il told Dublin Gazette that the Vicar Street performance was particularly memorable because his dad was in attendance.

He said: “Dad came to the Vicar Street show and he stood up at the end and sure he got a standing ovation, and he’s getting

groupies.

“Like, he’s in his eighties and he has young women asking him for selfies, so he was in his element; he had great craic.

“He had his walking stick with him, and he said: ‘Do you know what that’s for? That’s for warding off young women,’ so he really enjoyed himself.”

Neil is well-known for his observational and topical comedy, so was writing a show with such a narrative arc a harder challenge for him?

“Easier in one way, and harder in another,” he said.

“Harder in the way that it has to have a beginning, a middle and an end, and if you want to tell the story well then you can veer away from it [such conventions], but you have to come back to it so there’s a framework within which you have to operate.

“So, it’s a bit more difficult from that point of view, rather just you going out and getting the weirdest stories that have happened in the last year, which is my normal show.

“But easier in another way because as it was happening I was like okay, this is something

interesting because I have an interesting relationship to cover but also because also it has mad stuff happening.”

One of the characters had a rather peculiar request of the Delameres before she would let them leave.

“There was a woman who made me say the Angelus with her,” he says.

“And we were trying to get home in time for horse racing, she made me say the Angelus. So, I’m looking at the clock over her shoulder and she’s saying it as slowly as humanly possible.”

With the tour reaching its final dates, Neil will soon make a welcome return to TV screens this Autumn with the 11th season of the ever-popular topical news and current affairs panel show The Blame Game on BBC Northern Ireland.

Neil stars alongside Co l i n M u r p hy, J a ke O’Kane and host Tim McGarry on a show that regularly gets more audience share than Graham Norton.

“It’s just gotten bigger and bigger and bigger and the appetite for it is growing and growing and growing,” he says and he credits the BBC for allow-

ing the show to grow.

“Sometimes when you leave something on or certainly when you leave something on, the people on it – like a good football team or something – get to know each other’s rhythms and they start fitting into roles and it just gets better and better and better.”

Social media has also played a role in keeping the stars on their toes.

“Twitter and Facebook has made people work harder on a topical show,” says Neil.

“On a topical show years ago, you could just think of a joke on a subject but now you might have to think of the third or fourth more obscure joke because if you’re filming on a Friday and it happened on a Tuesday, well then maybe Twitter and Facebook have done a lot of jokes on Tuesday and Wednesday so that can elevate the game a little bit more, which is a good thing.”

Ne il Delamere will appear at The Pavillion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire on Friday, March 18 and at Draiocht Theatre, Blanchardstown on Saturday, March 19.

Tickets from €21 are available from www. neildelamere.com/gigs.

Neil knows great jokes like the back of his hand – and maybe even a bit better than that

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 April 2018

12 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

ENTERTAINMENT

IT’S QUIETLY ENGROSSING

It’s quiet well done for a creepy creature feature

LESS is more. We’ve all heard that mantra applied to one thing after another, though cinema tends to go very much the other way, where there’s no such thing as too much, too excessive, too loud and too crazy.

 SHANE DILLON

This has become particularly prevalent in

recent years, with an endless conveyor belt of bombastic blockbusters that have made blazing cities and planetary destruction something of a yawnfest.

Sometimes it’s a relief to just sit back and soak up a quieter film and experi-

StillShowing...

PACIFIC RIM UPRISING

Not quite the monster of a sequel fans had hoped for IT’S hard to make a mess of a film about giant robots (more or less) fighting giant Kaiju (monsters) in dense urban cityscapes, but there’s just something a little derivative about Pacific Rim Uprising (Cert 12A, 111 mins). Leading the troops is John Boyega, who turns in a nicely charismatic performance, but as sequels go it’s missing a little of the sly wit of its impressive predecessor. Still, at least the visuals are great, and it’s not as offensively dumb as the terrible T**********s films.

TOMB RAIDER

Successfully unearthing new adventures for Lara Coft AS the film franchise reboot based on the game frachise reboot based on the long-running Tomb Raider games and films, Tomb Raider (Cert 12A, 120 mins) does a decent job in digging up Lara Croft for modern audiences. Frankly, it’s not quite as good as the game it’s largely based on, but it’s close enough, with some great action set-pieces that’re inspired by the best bits of the rebooted game. There’s plenty of room to improve, but it’s a decent enough return to form for the franchise.

PETER RABBIT

Not worth rabbitting on about – far from it NOT many people know that Paddington 2 is one of the bestreviewed films of all time (well, you do now), but although critics adored it, the kind-hearted bear from darkest Peru was usurped at the box office by Peter Rabbit (Cert G, 95 mins), a largely charmless update of the classic character. Peter and pals – including Domhnall Gleeson as one of the humans – dig in to some chaotic action here and there, but if you must watch one talking animal film, seek out Paddington instead.

ISLE OF DOGS

Canny canines save the day in this stop-motion romp FROM one largely unlovable creature to a whole pack of largely uncatchable canines. Isle of Dogs (Cert PG, 101 mins) is director Wes Anderson’s latest and, as usual, brings a typically quirky style to his second stop-motion movie. A tale of a kid ganging up with exiled animals to tackle corruption (there’s a lot more than that going on, but it’s generally hard to pin down a theme in an Anderson film), the end result is pawfect enough for two hours, thanks to the efforts of a very impressive cast.

ence instead, to find some calm, not a storm.

If that’s the kind of film you’re looking for with A Quiet Place (Cert 15A, 90 mins) – sorry, this isn’t the soothing spot you’re looking for, but rather a place of creeping dread, punctuated by tension and a tightening of the screws that largely eschews conventional cinema scares for other traumas instead.

As you’d expect from the title, quiet – or rather, unforgiving silence – is at the heart of the film, as a force which not only impels the characters and plot forward, but creeps into the cinema as an oppressive agent, drawing the viewer along as an unwilling accomplice to the action.

At its heart, the film takes an all too familiar trope – the struggle to survive in a world that’s fallen to an overpowering force – and brings it down to the personal and identifiable, following a small family eking out an existence in the rural depths of nowheresville at their carefully modified home.

It’s a quiet place indeed, or rather, a silent place, as the Abbotts are forced to live in utter silence, lest they draw the attention of This isn’t star Emily Blunt’s first foray into sci-fi, but she brings a lot of grounded emotion to her maternal role

SUDOKU

Wheat trouble are the kids in here? Millicent Simmond and Noah Jupe are excellent as the siblings trying to just survive

CINEMA | SSH! A QUIET PLACE DEMANDS YOUR ATTENTION

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

TOP TWEETS EASY

MODERATE

PUZZLES

CODEWORDS in association with

In Herbert Park today at the food market. A Dad to his three kids all under 8, in the queue for a crepe. “If you don’t stop misbehaving you’ll be getting vegan food”. @murphy4087

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

Nice try, Conor – wonder if that worked with the kids?

Speaking of Conors ...

omnipresent deadly creatures which have somehow decimated the planet (as set up in the film’s preamble, before joining the family some time later after they’ve adjusted to this new life).

The horrible hunters are seemingly blind, but they’re drawn with startling, deadly speed to any noise – particularly the sounds that any crunchy, delicious, noisy humans might make.

Even quiet talking and whispering is dangerous now, with the terror of discovery and sudden, violent death stalking the characters’ every footstep along carefully marked trails.

As a helpful plot device the family communicate in sign language (with special kudos for deaf actress Millicent Simmonds, as the resourceful daughter).

However, although a conventional dialogue is mostly missing here, you’re never in any doubt as to what the cast are fe e l i n g, w i t h t h e relentl e s s , gruel-

ling silence needing every nuanced emotion, tic, stressed look and gesture to gain a weight that’s missing in a standard dialogue-driven film.

Emily Blunt is pretty mesmerising in a role that pushes emotion to the fore instead, with excellent support from John Krasinski as the husband also desperately trying to keep them all quiet – and alive.

However, that quietness practically oozes off the screen for much of the film, snaking and coiling around the audience under director John Krasinki’s expert touch, making them complicit in the family’s blunders, decisions and occasional terror as they quietly fight for survival.

The characters and film alike sometimes put a foot wrong, but for the most part it’s an imaginative creature-feature that takes a simple concept and a slow-burning pace, but ultimately it’s something you’ll want to praise.

Just don’t s h o u t about it from the rooftops ...

Verdict: 8/10

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLES

WORD SEARCH In Temple Bar - Taximan: “I see Conor McGregor has been acting the maggot.” Confused American: “Acting the what?” Taximan: “Ya know, being a fecking eejit!” Even more confused American: “Being a what???”

HOW TO SOLVE

@OverheardDublin Makes perfect sense to us – a bit more than Conor’s regular musings, anyway

We had the Repeal mural and Stormzy and Kendrick Lamar We had loads of great art but that has to go.

Meanwhile Dublin City Council are allowed to put up wrote off banners that look like they got them for a fiver in Mr Price. @earley Controversial Up The Dubs banner across the Liffey sees Earley ripples of anger

Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues! Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS account

merit

calculate

note

charge

rate

chronicle

reckoning

computation

record

detail

substance

estimate

think

inventory

weigh up

invoice

All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number!

To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters.

As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid.

Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 April 2018

GALLERIES

Jess Scanlan and Sara Fitzpatrick

Romy Carroll

Cathy O’Connor

Sarah Lenihan

Emily Loughnane and James Daly

Tara O’Farrell

Serdzan Simsek and Robert Loughnane

Melanie Murphy and Brian McKenna

Monika Walsh

Shane Carey and Robyn Carey

12 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

Alan and Liz Bailey

Robbie Kane and David T Kelly

A great screening of a great love story L

OVE, Simon, a film about a teenager discovering the world as he tries to come out, had a special preview screening at the Odeon Point Village for competition winners and invited guests. The film is produced by the same team behind The Fault in Our Stars, and is already receiving rave reviews. Love, Simon is out in cinemas across the country now.

Denise Grigore, Helena Apetroaei and Aoife Fox

Sophie O Hanlon and Emma Chalkley. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Daniella Gibney and Niamh Martin. Pic: Brian McEvoy

Madison Cawley

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 April 2018

SOUTH AMERICA | THESE BRAZIL, ARGENTINA TRIPS WILL THRILL

Head down Rio way for a truly amazing break

SYLVIA POWNALL

Travel Editor KILLING two birds with one stone is every seasoned traveller’s dream – so a trip to Brazil and Argentina ticks all the boxes.

Irish experts at The Travel Department have put together an incredible 13-night holiday dividing time between these vibrant South American countries.

The enviable itinerary includes exploring the hidden gems of Brazil, starting with a trip to the thundering Iguazu Falls.

Then it’s an up close and personal visit to the giant Christ the Redeemer statue at the Corcovado Mountain before taking a cable car up to the Sugar Loaf.

A historic tour of Rio de Janeiro by day is followed by a vibrant ‘Rio at Night’ show which demonstrates why it is the carnival capital of the world.

Enjoy free time between excursions to relax, shop and explore at your own pace, before moving on to discover the pulsating Latin passion of Argentina.

A f u l l day excursion to a typical Argentinian farmhouse will open your eyes to traditional dance, music a n d awe - i n s p i r i n g horseback skills.

Later you get to relax on a leisurely cruise along the Parana River before getting to grips with some sightseeing in Buenos Aires. The guided tour of the city takes in La Boca, Palermo and Recoleta – and

finishes with a mesmerising tango display with a traditional dinner.

Prices start from €3,699pp including return f lights from Dublin, 13 nights’ 3-star and 4-star B&B hotel

accommodation, transfers, taxes & charges and excursions, departing September 12.

To book this dream getaway, just visit www.traveldepartment/ argentinaandbrazil, or call 01 637 1600.

Ah, it’s himself ... See for yourself the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, welcoming visitors to Rio

Whether you’re making a spiritual pilgrimage or looking to take in some incredible scenery, all are welcome to take to the ancient Camino de Santiago

World-weary travellers should step off the beaten path – and walk along the Camino de Santiago trail ALTERNATIVELY, if it’s something a bit more active you’re after, why not complete the final 100km of the Camino de Santiago in Spain?

The last leg of the trail is the most popular walking tour and a week-long tour offers a chance for some great walking, good food and wine, meeting fellow pilgrims, discovering local customs and soaking up the unique atmosphere of it all.

This section of the Camino starts in Sarria and covers the last 100km of the Camino Frances – the minimum required to apply for your Compostela certificate.

The Camino will take you across woodlands, farmland and rustic hamlets, following tracks and paths lined by granite stone walls.

The green rolling landscape of Galicia is part of each day’s walk, until

you approach your final destination: the mythical city of Santiago de Compostela.

Here you can explore the magic of Santiago’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a half-day guided tour and enjoy some free time to relax or sightsee at your own pace.

This trip is ideal for experienced walkers, with an average walking distance of 21-23km per day.

Prices start from €829pp for seven nights including return flights from Dublin, 3-star & 4-star half-board accommodation, transfers, excursions, expert local guides and all taxes & charges, departing this May, September and October.

For further information, see www.tdactiveholidays.ie/camino-desantiago or call 01 637 1633.

12 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

A GUIDE TO TEMPTING FOOD AND LOCATIONS

FOOD & TRAVEL

BY ‘ECK, THIS YORKSHIRE PUDDING AND BEEF DISH WILL HIT THE SPOT

A meatylicious roast rib THIS week we have another delicious recipe (to serve 6-8) again courtesy of Neven Maguire: roast rib of beef on the bone with yorkshire puddings.

This roast rib of beef recipe is perfect for when you’ve got to feed a crowd. Always allow a joint to come back up to temperature before roasting to achieve the best flavour.

The key to its success is to start with a fantastic piece of beef that has been hung for 21 days to improve the flavour and texture.

INGREDIENTS 1 tsp black peppercorns 1 tbsp English mustard 2 tsp sea salt 1.5kg (3lb 5oz) French trimmed rib of beef on the bone, at room temperature 2 tbsp rapeseed oil 2 large onions, peeled and quartered with root left intact 2 large carrots, halved lengthways 1 garlic bulb, broken into cloves (not peeled) Small handful of soft thyme leaves 2 tsp plain flour

400ml (14fl oz) beef or chicken stock Horseradish cream, to serve FOR THE YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS 3 eggs 100g (4oz) plain flour 250ml (9fl oz) milk Pinch of sea salt Rapeseed oil, for cooking Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper PREPARATION Preheat the oven to 230°C (450°F/gas mark 8). Heat a small frying pan and toast the peppercorns until aromatic, then place in a pestle and mortar and grind until cracked.

Mix in the mustard and salt. Wipe the meat with damp kitchen paper and rub with the mustard mixture.

Pour the oil into a roasting tin and add the onions, carrots, garlic and thyme, tossing to coat.

Season to taste, then push to the edges and sit the beef in the middle of the vegetables.

Roast for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 200°C (400°F/gas mark 6) and

roast for 10 minutes per 450g (1lb) for rare, 12 minutes for medium-rare and 20–25 minutes for well done. A joint this size will take just under 1 hour. Take out and baste halfway through the cooking.

Meanwhile, make the Yorkshire pudding batter.

Whisk the eggs, flour, milk

and salt together in a bowl until well combined.

Pour the batter into a Pyrex jug and let it rest for 30 minutes before you use it – this will help to make it smoother, giving you fantastic light and crispy puddings.

When the beef is cooked to your liking, remove it from the tin along with

the onions and carrots and place on a platter. Cover with tin foil and leave to rest for 30 minutes before carving.

Now it’s time to cook the Yorkshire puddings.

Increase the oven temperature to its highest temperature and put a muffin tin in a baking tin on the top shelf. When the

oven is up to temperature, carefully remove the tins, close the oven door and add a tablespoon of oil to each hole in the muffin tin.

Pop the tins back in the oven for a couple of minutes, until the oil is smoking hot. Open the oven door and slide the shelf with the tins halfway out.

Quickly fill each muffin hole with batter, then carefully slide the shelf back into the oven. Cook for 15 minutes without opening the oven door, u n t i l t h e Yo r ks h i re puddings are crisp and golden with a soft, fluffy centre.

Meanwhile, quickly make the gravy. Pour the juices from the roasting tin into a jug, discarding the garlic and thyme, and leave the fat to settle on top, then skim off the fat and discard. Reserve the juices.

Stir the flour into the roasting tin, scraping the bottom of the tin with a wooden spoon to remove any residue, then gradually stir in the stock and reserved juices.

Place directly on the hob and simmer for five minutes, stirring. Pour through a fine mesh sieve into a gravy boat.

To serve, carve the rested beef into slices and arrange o n wa r m e d s e r v i n g plates with a dollop of horseradish cream. Add the roasted onions, carrots and Yorkshire puddings.

Hand round the gravy separately.

Ketchup with a major new tomato deal signed Orange you glad to hear that this

by Aldi with a north County Dublin supplier classic summer lolly is back again?

ALDI has announced it will sell €1.8 million-worth of Irish-grown tomatoes this year, as it becomes the first supermarket to introduce new season Irish tomatoes to its stores.

The first of this season’s Irish tomatoes have reached Aldi’s 130 stores nationwide, with varieties including Piccolo, Sunstream, Vine, Cherry and Plum tomatoes.

Aldi is sourcing the tomato range from Flynn Nurseries, north County Dublin, as part of a 2015 €8m five-year deal with Flynn Nurseries to see more than 5.5 million packs of its tomatoes sold in Aldi stores.

Finbar McCarthy, Aldi’s group buying director, said: “We are delighted to be the first supermarket to offer new season Bord Bia-approved Irish tomatoes. When given the choice, Irish consumers will

always opt for Irish produce. In terms of quality and taste, Martin Flynn’s tomatoes are second to none.”

Martin Flynn said: “Production is at peak level from May to August, with a number of different varieties being produced, including Sunstream, Piccolo, along with a spectacular, colourful rainbow blend.

“Quality, sustainability, experience and taste are all vitally important and our long-term partnership with Aldi ensures that we can deliver on these attributes within every pack.”

Last year, Aldi spent more than €700 million with Irish producers, manufacturers and suppliers, with more than 50% of Aldi’s sales coming from products sourced from Irish-based suppliers.

In 2017, Aldi increased its support for small Irish suppliers by reducing its payment terms to help them grow and invest.

THE legendary Super Split is set to make a return to Irish stores, with HB planning to bring the classic Irish summer snack with a twist – by relaunching it as the SPLIT. The classic ice cream has a place in many hearts across Ireland, with the relaunch of the SPLIT giving the perfect opportunity to indulge in some delicious nostalgia over the upcoming months, with HB point-

ing out that, at 65kcal, it’s the ideal snack to enjoy with very little guilt.

A HB spokesperson said: “We’ve received several heartfelt emails,

hand-written letters and social media messages asking us to bring back this legend, and we listened.

“We’ve decide to give the name a makeover – from Super Split to SPLIT – but fans old and new can rest assured that the great taste they’ve come to know and love is still the same.”

HB SPLIT is now available in multipack format in stores nationwide.

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 Apri 2018

HOME | USING COLOUR TO CALM

Be still my pastel

heart…

A HOME can have many personalities when it comes to style and colour is major player. If you want your home to be a haven and

Next Watercolour Floral Rug €65

encourage an aura of calm, HOMESENSE choosing a pastel palette (top right) has perfected creates a cosy environthe look pastel look with: ment in which to relax Pastel floor lamp €9.99, blue in, even if it is a just a hair €179.99, cushion €34.99, favourite room in large ceramic mug €26.99, pink ceramic bowl €12.99, your house. candle (see below)

COLOUR Accessorising with aqua, lilac, pale yellows, creams, sea foam greens and pale pinks will transform any room into an oasis of calm.

Also consider plush fabrics like velvet for sofas or chairs, area rugs to keep the noise down, candles for their soft glow and comforting scents and, of course, plenty of throws and pillows to add more texture and pattern.

Next Lyla Petite Sofa (2 Seats) €425 Aldi Jacquard Cushion €10.99

LET THERE BE LIGHT | NOTHING MAKES A ROOM COSIER THAN CANDLELIGHT OR A FAVE SCENT… OR BOTH! AROMAWORKS offer a fantastic range of natural home

TO KEEP the

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fragrance products, which are chemical free, animal cruelty

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Homesense Large White Scented Candle €6.99

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AromaWorks Serenity three-wick candle 35 is mix of lemongrass and neroli to help revive or relax €52

12 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME AND WARDROBE Regatta Great Outdoors Womens Calandra Jumper 60.00

Regatta Great Outdoors Navy Stripe Bayeur II Jacket €100

Regatta Great Outdoors Womens Birchdale Jacket Peach 120

SPRING INTO ACTION!

 Jessica Maile, Style Editor

HOME & STYLE

BeautyBITS

Launch: Getting the J-Lodown at Inglot

AFTER DECADES serving as a muse for the makeup industry and a beauty inspiration for women all over the world, Jennifer Lopez is now stepping behind the scenes and debuting a limited-edition collection in partnership with global beauty brand Inglot Cosmetics. Launching in stores and online on April 26th, the extensive colour line will bring Jennifer’s and Inglot’s shared vision of strong femininity to life and offer women diverse ways to express themselves through beauty. Finally, everyone can now achieve their own authentic “J Lo Glow.”

“The capsule collection we created with Inglot is filled with all my go-to products in my favorite colours. We have everything from mascara, lipsticks, eyelashes, blush, eye shadow and of course…bronzers” said Lopez.

The 70-piece collection ranges from powders to lipsticks, shadows to eyelashes and cosmetic palettes. All colours in the line were created and handpicked by Jennifer herself. The star of the collection is the Freedom System that allows consumers to create unique palettes with over 300,000 combination possibilities. The line launches globally on April 26th on jenniferlopezinglot.com, www.inglot.ie, and Inglot stores and kiosks.

SPRINGTIME is here... well, kind of! It still may be a bit chilly out but the longer days should be beckoning us humans to spend more time in the great outdoors and start getting ready for summer. Regatta Great Outdoors have everything to make it a summer to remember.

Regatta Great Outdoors Womens Pura Jacket, Grey 60

Whether soaking up the sun abroad or in Ireland their Outdoor Active and Outdoor Lifestyle ranges have got you covered. The Outdoor Active range offers performance Tshirts, jackets, fleeces, body warmers and trousers. The Outdoors Lifestyle range features bright and bold colours for

Regatta Great Outdoors Womens Sakari Costume Navy 50

the season ahead with rain jackets, casual clothes, swim wear and knits for comfort and style at any occasion.

STYLE WITH A HEART REGATTA GREAT OUTDOORS has announced a partnership with the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, which will include the sponsorship of a puppy for one year and the placement of donation boxes in Regatta Great Outdoors stores nationwide.

As part of their sponsorship Regatta are funding the first year of training for their own dog, Wanda. The €5,000 sponsorship covers the dogs vitally important first year of training where they begin their journey to providing life changing services. As part of the sponsorship Regatta are providing over €2,000 in muchneeded clothing for the sponsorship team, keeping them warm and dry while they fulfil the various jobs, including fundraising, dog walking and events.

Alongside the announcement, Regatta Great Outdoors has also launched a range of dog accessories including leads, coats and toys. There are a selection of waterproof and windproof jackets, as well as a harness and selection of leads.

They also have a pack away dog bowl which is ideal for long days out in the hills or long trip Whether it’s a small donation or a foreign trek, or even raising puppies, there are many ways to support the Irish Guide Dogs and bring independence, mobility and hope to the people who need it most. For more see https:// guidedogs.ie/give-support/.

Regatta team members with Irish Director of Regatta Great Outdoors, Brian Fox,and puppy Wanda. Picture:Daragh McSweeney/Provision

Japanese inspiration gets a kick start THE OFFICIAL launch of ASICS new collection, SAKURA, was held at Intersport Elverys, the newly developed concept store on Henry Street.

Guests were greeted by beautiful cherry blossom trees, which link back to the Japanese inspiration for the collection, before enjoying a light breakfast of multi-seed protein bars, fruit skewers, green juices and yoghurt and granola from Naomi’s Kitchen. Guests then prepared to take part in an energy HIIT class hosted by Hayley Killen of Project Revive, which truly showcased the agility, style and comfort of the range.

The 20-minute class by Hayley in the new Elverys store was the perfect kick start to the morning. Attendees included, RTÉ’s Rebecca Brady, stylist Justine King and former Miss Ireland, Aoife Walsh. The SAKURA Collection is now available from Intersport Elverys stores and Camille Chapman and online at www.elverys.ie.

Ericia Bracken

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE 12 April 2018

TECH TIME When groups appeal for a sensitive approach to the ‘Repeal’ referendum SHANE DILLON

WITH social media continuing to be held up as something that divides us – as well as uniting people, and also being a great platform to help people – I’m currently in some to-and-fro with one social media giant over content connected to the upcoming ‘Repeal’ referendum.

As a disclaimer, I previously held a senior role within Special Olympics, and thus may be sensitive to the portrayal of people with Down syndrome, and I’ve personally noted a number of social media ads referring specifically to such individuals and the referendum.

One leading charity and advocacy group, Down Syndrome Ireland, specifically noted earlier this year: “People with Down syndrome should not be used as an argument for either side of this debate.

“Down Syndrome Ireland believes that it is up to each individual to make their own decision about which way to vote in the upcoming refer-

endum.

“We are respectfully asking both sides of the campaign debate, all political parties and any other interested groups to stop exploiting children and adults with Down syndrome to promote their campaign views.

“We would also like to remind campaigners on both sides of the debate that

people with Down syndrome listen to the news and read media articles, including social media content. We ask that the tone of the debate is respectful towards all people with disabilities.”

Despite such a clarion call to stop, effectively, weaponising Down syndrome for use in either side of this divisive debate (in a call widely

repeated by similar groups), at this stage I’ve seen several different social media ads and videos ignoring such groups’ calls to explicitly refer to people with Down syndrome in relation to the looming referendum, as I suspect and expect many readers also have.

Regardless of your views on the upcoming referendum, there’s an interesting and important issue h e re to n o te whether or not any group should refer to another one to further its opinions, when advocates ask not to do so.

If and when I can get that tech giant’s approach to presenting s u c h co n t e n t clearly outlined, I’ll report it back.

I think we’d all like to know how, exactly, social media platforms are approaching their role in this upcoming referendum, and to have even one of them explain their view would be helpful and interesting, especially with the power and responsibility of social media platforms in any such complex issue.

Facebook boss faced a mild toasting in spotlight AT THE time of writing, the explosive Facebook data mining saga has just seen Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg hauled before the US Senate – the irony of a company with one of its core purposes being to bring people together ending up with a lone, solitary individual under intense global scrutiny must be noted.

From the revelations that many tens more millions of Facebook users were caught up in the data mining scandal than initially reported, to news that Facebook higher-ups have access to permanent data deletion tools and settings which ordinary users can’t use, Mark certainly must have had a lot on his mind as he faced the political grilling.

I say ‘grilling’, but ‘mild toasting’ is probably more accurate, given that senators just had five minutes each to ask him a question.

Five minutes. Ask an Irish person about the weather and five minutes later they’d have warmed up enough to think about answering, so five minutes to respond to complex questions needing big answers...

It’ll be an interesting few days ahead to dig down into Mark’s answers, and to explore what he said – at this stage, the suddenly embattled company must feel like it’s dodging icebergs in an asteroid storm.

What’s the next bad news ‘berg hurtling towards Facebook – or towards any of the tech titans? Let’s keep watching...

MACHINE OF THE WEEK

Rockstar’s LA-set crime capers are an incredible financial hit NUMBER of the week: 6,000,000,000. As in, six billyunn dollars – a staggering amount of money indeed, reported (just before the time of writing) as the remarkable milestone that’s now been achieved by Grand Theft Auto V. You can forget things like Star Wars, Avatar, Titanic or Gone With The Wind, mate – even when adjusted for inflation and adding up revenues from their various releases and platform availability, their individual revenues fall far, far, far short of GTAV’s mindboggling success for its developer, Rockstar Games.

The Dr Evil-ish total revenue achieved from the five-year-old game, to date, effortlessly dwarfs all kinds of other mass media releases, with GTAV still continuing to hover in and around top ten sales, even though it’s hard to think who doesn’t have a copy by now.

Billion dollars True, GTAV cost some $265 million to develop across a few years, but then again it made a billion dollars for Rockstar within the first three days of its release alone.

With these financials, gamers, bankers and industry watchers alike are currently waiting for Rockstar’s latest expected masterpiece, Red Dead Redemption 2, to be released later this year.

Even if the Wild West-set cowboy capers in RDR2 inexplicably fails on release – not very likely – Rockstar have already made out like bandits with the loot from GTAV, making them one of the very wealthiest companies in gaming, and also one of the most important consumer tech companies that many people don’t particularly notice.

Toyota’s latest SUV excels in hybrid C-HR Toyota’s success with hybrid drive systems is seen in the sales of the relatively new C-HR compact SUV. The hybrid drive option makes most sense with the new compact SUV both in terms of performance and economy as MICHAEL MORONEY found out on his 800km test drive.

TOYOTA’S hybrid drive in the new C-HR SUV makes a clear statement in terms of hybrid drive that’s difficult to argue with. The car itself is modern in design and appears to have been designed for a hybrid drive in mind as a turbo-petrol engine is the only other power option.

Sales of the Toyota C-HR have jumped by 25% this year making the car the Japanese brand’s second most popular car in Ireland. I’ve driven the petrol engine version of the C-HR in the past and following my hybrid drive test, I’m not surprised that 62% of all new C-HR’s sold in 2018 were hybrid drive and the Dublin region recorded the highest sales at over 33% of the total.

In a design sense the

C-HR is a break from Toyota tradition in the shape of a four door hatchback and it sits high enough to give the feeling of being a compact SUV. The design is unique and allows the car to stand out from the crowd, with its flowing

design style.

The Toyota hybrid drive is the clear winner with the C-HR in terms of driving comfort and performance. From my experience, the hybrid drive version in clearly far ahead in terms of economy and

Toyota C-HR 1.8 hybrid petrol Engine Engine power 0 – 100km/hr Economy Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Main Service Euro NCAP Rating Warranty Entry Price

1.8 litre Hybrid 122hp 11 seconds 26km/litre

(3.8l/100km or 74mpg)

43 litres 86g/km A2 €180 20,000km/12 months 5 star (2017) 3 years (100,000km) €29,350

Audi RS 5 Sportback

AUDI SPORT has unveiled the all new Audi RS 5 Sportback which it claims is the latest high-performance model that combines both superior design and performance.

The new Audi RS 5 Sportback has a longer wheelbase, short overhangs and long, wraparound engine bonnet with power dome all to emphasise the dynamism of the model. At the front, the Audi RS 5 Sportback features a wide, flat single-frame grille, solid air intakes with a honeycomb structure typical of an RS, and a front spoiler with matte aluminium quattro lettering. An RSspecific diffuser insert and exhaust system with oval tailpipes and fixed spoiler lip give the rear end its sportiness.

The sporty nature of the five-door, high-performance coupé is emphasised by details such as the RS sport seats with optional honeycomb pattern in fine Nappa leather, and the flat-bottomed RS multifunction sports leather steering wheel. Other highlights of the RS design package include the contrasting red stitching on the steering wheel and selector lever, the Alcantara knee pads, and the red-trimmed seat belts and floor mats featuring the RS logo. Special RS information displays in the Audi virtual cockpit provide information on tire pressure, torque and G forces.

The Audi RS 5 Sportback 2.9 TFSI V6 twin turbo engine has a maximum

12 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

WHAT’S NEW IN TECHNOLOGY AND ON WHEELS

TECH & MOTORS

Business development manager for Topaz, Fergal Egan, and managing director of GoCar, Colm Brady

Topaz announces new partnership with GoCar TOPAZ, now claimed as the country’s largest fuels and convenience retailer has announced a new partnership with GoCar, one of Ireland’s car sharing com-

Toyota’s C-HR in petrol hybrid drive retains the striking new design look that makes the compact SUV instantly recognisable while also more economical. Entry prices start at €29,350 for the hybrid drive version.

running costs.

This car is smooth and easy to drive. The interior is modern and clear to use and I was comfortable quickly after the Bluetooth phone set-up and ready to go. The large 8-inch Toyota Touch is the most obvious interior feature that just jumps out at you. Set-up here was easy and intuitive and I found it easy to get to grips with the features that it offered. For me that meant a set-up without having to resort to the owner’s manual, which means it’s a system that’s clear to follow.

In every sense, the hybrid version comes out

on top, with diesel engine type efficiency and a cleaner burn of the fuel for a lower CO2 rating and more importantly a lower running cost. My 800km test drive confirmed the hybrid version, which has a €3,000 premium over the entry petrol version, to have almost double the official economy performance giving you 26km/litre (3.8l/100km or 74mpg) versus 17km/ litre (47mpg) in the 1.2litre turbo-petrol version.

The economy level that I achieved was impressive even relative to diesel engine similar size SUV’s.

The fuel tank capacity is lower than the petrol ver-

sion and for good reason.

I found that I achieved a range of over 700km from the full tank and that’s impressive for a petrol/ hybrid car.

OBVIOUS That makes the hybrid choice in the new C-HR to obvious one, even if you have to pay a little extra at the beginning. The economy difference of more than 35% is significant and overshadows the extra 10% cost of the purchase price.

Toyota is one of the new car brands to offer a hybrid option in this segment of the SUV market, so other brand comparisons are not

available. This makes the C-HR stand out for other reasons, and many comparisons will be made with similar diesel powered compact SUVs. For Toyota these diesel comparisons are no longer valid as Toyota will not be offering diesel engines in any of its cars from the start of 2019.

The hybrid C-HR comes with an entry price of €29,350, just €3,000 more than the entry level petrol powered version. While Toyota is offering a change option from a 181 hybrid to a 182 petrol version if customers are not happy with the hybrid experience, I would be very surprised if any make that change.

The Toyota C-HR provides good legroom front and back; although the front seats are shade short, while they have good and easy to use adjustment. The headroom was impressive so despite the short window glass height, the car never felt claustrophobic. The boot door is light and the base height means easy loading, but lacks a spare wheel.

The C-HR comes with an impressive safety package that ensured that it achieved a EuroNCAP five star rating in the recent testing programme. There are two Iso-Fix units for child seats that fit comfortably into place.

unleashed torque of 600 Nm is deployed throughout a wide speed range from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. The two turbochargers of the 2.9 TFSI V6 twin turbo generate up to 1.5 bar of charge pressure, claiming to provide for instant acceleration responses to the movements of the right pedal.

As with all new Audi V6 and V8 engines, the turbochargers are mounted at a 90-degree angle to the cylinder banks, which means that the exhaust side of the cylinder heads is inside, and the intake side is outside. This layout enables a compact design and short fuel paths with minimal flow loss. The B-cycle combustion process with central direct injection contributes to the overall efficiency.

panies, to make car sharing easier for more people across the country. The partnership will create four new GoCar bases at Topaz stations in Dalkey, Bray, Limerick, and Navan. The newly installed GoCar vehicles will provide Topaz customers with a sustainable and affordable transport option, allowing them to avail of car sharing for short-term vehicle journeys.

The announcement builds on the existing relationship between Topaz and GoCar, which began in 2014 with a Fuel Card deal that made Topaz the exclusive fuel provider for all GoCar vehicles. The new GoCar bases at Topaz forecourts will offer a convenient mode of transport for people in need of a car or van on a short-term basis. The move comes as Topaz gears up to rebrand to Circle K Ireland and is part of an ongoing investment in innovating and expanding its offering beyond traditional services.

The new GoCars are a mix of passenger cars and vans, and are now live on site. Cars are at the Topaz stations in Topaz Ulverton Road Dalkey and Topaz Dublin Road Bray, while vans are located at Topaz in Navan and Limerick.

SsangYong unveils its fresh look Musso KOREAN SUV specialist

a five-seat crew-cab

photographs of the new

body style with a

Musso pick-up which is

workman-like load deck

due on the Irish market

that will transport a

later this year.

full-sized Euro pallet.

This new Musso is built

It also carries over

on the same architec-

1-tonne in load weight,

ture as the new Rexton,

and tows trailers of up

and the company claims

to 3.5 tonnes.

that its body-on-frame

The new Audi RS 5 Sportback comes with new design lines and impressive boosted engine performance

The Musso combines

SsangYong has revealed

This combination of

construction gives a

utility pick-up and SUV

strong vehicle that

means Musso offers a

delivers off-road driv-

blend of functionality,

ing performance and

practicality, perfor-

safety from its quad-

mance and comfort to

frame and four-wheel-

the driver and family or

drive system.

workmates.

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 12 April 2018

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12 April 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 33

ST PAT’S EDGED OUT ON MAD-CAP MONDAY P35

GAZETTE

SHELBOUNE COACH’S 10 MARATHONS P34

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

ALL THE BEST IN DUBLIN GAA P39

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS RUGBY | THE 1A RELEGATION BATTLE BETWEEN FOUR CLUBS

Wesley UBL season goes down to wire  sport@dublingazette.com

OLD Wesley drew 14-all with second placed Ballynahinch, setting up a big final day of the UBL Division 1B with a wealth of permutations in place as they look to avoid the dreaded drop.

They sit in eighth place but four sides – between sixth and ninth – are covered by just three points, making for plenty of swings in fortune.

At Donnybrook, Wesley started well with the main attacking intent but they did go behind to a long range penalty which was put over by Richard Reaney.

Shortly after, Jack Maybury had a second opportunity from the tee for Wesley and this time he converted to level the sides.

The same pair exchanged penalties before half-time, leaving the game locked at six points each. The rain eased up for the second half, making

for a different game. Again the home side started with enthusiasm with some strong assaults on the Hinch goal line Then it was their turn to attack the Wesley line from a line out deep inside the 22. Wesley defended with desperation but conceded a penalty goal under the posts and a yellow card for JJ O’Dea. Breaking out of defence, a Wes counter attack by Rory Stynes and a pass to Maybury give him some space down the wing. He kicked ahead but was just beaten to the touchdown by the ‘Hinch defender.

Maybury also ended a metre short from a kick-chase and, after a number of phases, Paul Harte was able to beat the defence to score a try in the corner.

The conversion was missed but for the first time in the match Wesley were in the lead.

Maybury did add another penalty

Old Wesley prop Cronan Gleeson storms at the Ballynahinch defence with Adam Kennedy in close attendance. Picture: Ken Richardson

for a five-point lead and further possession was confident but not transformed into points.

Ballynahinch soon restored their composure and again started to gain the upper hand. A rare poor Wesley lineout was turned over and the Northerners were again putting the Wesley defence to the test.

Following a number of penalties and a yellow card to James O’Donovan, they opted for a scrum, resulting in a try by Conal Boomer to level the scores once more. Crucially the conversion was missed.

Wesley threw everything forward after that but they could not break through and had to settle for the draw.

SPORT CONTACT INFO SPORTS EDITOR: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@dublingazette.com Phone: 01 601 0240

34 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 12 April 2018

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

1

CASTLEKNOCK CONGRATS Maura O’Shea on winning our lotto jackpot of €6,600 last Thursday. Winning numbers were 2, 3, 8, 14. There were 13 match three winners who each got €25. Thanks to Rialto Ford for their support.

Hard luck to the first and third team hurlers who lost out in first championship matches at weekend; the second team hurlers started their champo campaign with a win against Jude’s.

Nursery, with thanks to Tigers childcare, was hit by the weather last weekend. Weather looking better for next Saturday. New members always welcome.

Feile season kicks off this Saturday, April 14 with the girl’s football first up. Division 3 feile at Erin’s Isle and Division 7 at O’Dwyers. Action starts at 10.30am.

Later on Saturday, the senior footballers kick off their championship at O’Toole Park against Clontarf with a 5.45pm start.

Work on the clubhouse coming on well. Really beginning to take shape. As always, please stay away from the building site.

The senior camogie side opened the year with a good win over St Vincents. Another good year on the cards.

Cash for Clobber goes on year round. Just drop your unwanted clothes at the green container.

FINGALLIANS FOOTBALL championship weekend: Saturday, April 14; senior v Round Towers, Clondalkin at 6pm in Cloghran; Sunday, April 15, Junior 1 v St Brigids at 11am in Russell Park and junior 5 v Lucan in Adamstown at 3pm.

Féile 2018: The girls will compete this Saturday (14th April) in Division 2. Naomh Olaf in Sandyford will host the pool games. Results, pictures and game times will be posted this week on the club Twitter and FB pages. A big thank you to their sponsor, independent. ie, for supporting the girls.

Dublin Senior ladies: The Dubs beat Kerry in the NFL 1-16 to 1-11 to book a place in the semi final.

Muireann Ní Scanaill played at number 6 and new to the panel, Shannon Murtagh came on in the second half.

Camogie: With most pitches in the county unplayable, our camogie section used our all weather facilities in the Sunday sun. First up, our U-8 competed in a blitz with Na Fianna and Naomh Barrog. In the afternoon, our U-13s and U-15s had great wins v Raheny and St Peregrines.

Fingallians Coaching Seminar: this Friday, April 13 - skills acquisition with Dr Edward Coughlan. To register and book a tickets book online: https:// www.eventbrite.ie/e/ fingallians-coachingseminar-skills-acquisitiontickets-44928488318.

Safeguarding Update: To date we have over 280 members of club applied/ approved for Garda Vetting.

Of those, over 250 people have completed the Safe guarding courses.

The club would like to thank all members for getting on board and ensuring they are up to date with these requirements.

It is important to note that any member coaching/ mentoring underage teams must be Garda vetted and have completed the safe guarding course. Further info is available from cpo@ fingallians.com.

BEO! Irish Language Celebration: The club will participate in the BEO! festival being held in Dublin next Saturday, April 14.

This family event is a highlight of Bliain na Gaeilge and with a parade from Parnell Square to Merrion Square.

MARATHON CHALLENGE: 10 IN 10 DAYS

O’Connor to push the limits for Aware

Shelbourne FC coach takes on big challenge toward the end of April, running ten marathons in ten days at ALSAA track, looking to raise funds and awareness for mental health charity with LOI backing  JAMES HENDICOTT

sport@dublingazette.com

SHELBOURNE FC coach David O’Connor is set to push himself with an epic marathon challenge in late April, aiming for no less than a marathon a day over the course of ten days, all completed around a running track near Dublin airport.

O’Connor, who also works in personal fitness, has chosen the monotony of the running track – 105 and a half laps a day, to be specific – to symbolise his own experiences around mental health. He’ll be raising money for Aware, running at the ALSAA running track near Dublin airport for ten consecutive days from April 20.

O’Connor has chosen Aware as

his charity fundraiser of choice because of his own experiences growing up.

“I was bullied a lot as a teenager,” he recalls. “I was also mugged using a syringe when I was 14. I thought that was how it was supposed to be, because I watched all the movies where the chubby kid gets picked on, and I was the chubby kid.

“It really hit me far worse later and I suffered a lot from depression, which I’m sure a lot of people can relate to. I was angry at myself for not doing anything about it at the time and I found life really difficult.

It hit me a lot in my early 20s.”

O ’C o n n o r ’s r u n n i n g i n circles for this challenge, then, symbolises the darkness and repetitiveness he found came

David O’Connor will be running 10 marathons in 10 days for Aware

with depression, the feeling of moving in circles.

“I’ll have to rotate directions to allow for the affect it will have

“

I thought it was how it was supposed to be; I watched all the movies where the chubby kid gets picked on and I was the chubby kid.

on my legs,” he admits. “I’ll also have people running with me

at various times, which I think nicely symbolises the need for help when you’re suffering from depression.”

As well as the symbolism, however, this is also a nice chance for O’Connor to test the practical side of much of what he does, especially when it comes to sports nutrition and maintaining the body’s condition.

“It’s fair to say I won’t be going for good marathon times. It’ll be about finishing the distance each day and then preparing myself properly for the next day,” he says. “I’ll probably be looking at times of between four and a half and five hours per race.

“I’ve done a few marathons before and a normal time for me is between 3.30 and 3.45, so that is quite slow for me, but I’ve never done races on consecutive days before, so I have to make allowances for that.

“I’m not really sure how well it will work, but it’s a great chance to put the recovery theory and nutritional stuff I work on into practise, to test the science, I suppose.

I’ve never run back-to-back marathons before, so it’ll be an interesting test to do the ten.

I’m taking time off work for it, so it’ll just be the marathons and recovery.”

O’Connor was been receiving support from throughout the League of Ireland in recent weeks, with team pictures of his own Shelbourne Rovers s i d e, B o h e m i a n s a n d S t Patrick’s Athletic wearing Aware shirts in support of his endeavours posted online. ** You can follow O’Connor’s running through his page by searching Aware 10 in 10 on Facebook, where you’ll also find links to donate to O’Connor’s campaign.

12 April 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 35

LEAGUE OF IRELAND: EA SPORTS CUP CRACKER

LEAGUE OF IRELAND Bohs Friday stalemate BOHEMIANS played out a stale scoreless draw with Limerick at Dalymount Park on Friday night. Bohs dominated the ball and created a hatful of chances but couldn’t break down a stubborn Blues side.

Dylan Watts forced a good save from the excellent Brendan Clarke with a dipping shot, while Eoghan Stokes forced the keeper into an acrobatic stop after the break.

Keith Ward did finally beat Clarke late on, only to see his shot cleared off Picture: Martin Doherty the line by Shaun Kelly.

“I’m really pleased with the overall performance,” manager Keith Long told the Dublin Gazette despite their wastefulness in front of goal.

“We should have won the game. We showed a lot of ambition in terms of our play. I’d like to see a bit more cutting edge about us, but we’ve done everything we could to try and win.”

SHELS UNVEIL U-17 BOSS Everyone looks on as Dane Massey’s header goes in at the far post. Picture: Piaras O Midheach/Sportsfile

St Pat’s pay the penalty in mad-cap Monday tie EA SPORTS CUP St Patrick’s Athletic Dundalk Dundalk win 8-7 on penalties  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

4 4

S T PAT R I C K ’ S A t h l e t i c bowed out of the EA Sports Cup in the most dramatic of circumstances, losing a sudden death penalty shoot-out to holders Dundalk on Monday night.

I n a g a m e re s c h e d u l e d after be ing rained off two weeks ago, both managers made nine changes from their respective league wins over Bray Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

The Lilywhites’ deeper squad appeared to hold the upper hand in that regard, a point that was made starkly with just over two minutes on the clock.

Canadian goalkeeper Tyson Farago – making his debut after signing from Edmonton last

month – was given an early chance to get into the game when he accepted a backpass from Lee Desmond.

Farago was slow to get the ball out of his feet, however, and was quickly closed down

by Dundalk striker Marco Tagbajumi, who blocked his clearance and watched it roll into the net.

So far, so disastrous for Liam Buckley’s side, but they did work their way back into the game, despite Ronan Murray going close with a free kick that glanced the top of the net.

Ian Turner forced a fine stop from Gabriel Sava from a free kick before the keeper again had to be acrobatic to deny the lively Darragh Markey from distance.

Pat’s looked to have finished the half on top, but they were punished by the clinical Murray when the striker cut in from the right and hit a low shot into the corner to make it 2-0.

Tagbajumi had a good chance to make it three just after the break, but his curling effort couldn’t beat Farago, and it proved to be something of a turning point.

On the hour mark, Christy Fagan – who has dropped to the bench in recent weeks – met an Ian Turner cross with a furious first-time volley that arrowed into the top corner.

Diversion Minutes later, the Saints were level when Dundalk failed to clear a set-piece and James Doona drove the ball goalwards and Graham Kelly diverted the ball past Sava.

Both sides had chances to win it in normal time, but Pats continued to have the better of the play in extra time and deservedly led when Mick Leahy sent a header looping over Sava.

That began a bizarre sequence of seven minutes

for the defender, who turned Georgie Poynton’s cross past his own keeper before netting a diving header at the other end to make it 4-3.

That looked to have won the game, but substitute Dane Massey headed home to bring about a penalty shoot-out.

Massey and Dean Clarke both missed from the spot to set up sudden death, and when Markey hit his over, it was left to Tagbajumi to seal an 8-7 shout-out win for Dundalk.

“I think we’ve outplayed them tonight,” Buckley told the Dublin Gazette. “Our keeper hadn’t a huge amount to do bar the goals – which it’s stupid bearing in mind they bagged four!

“If we play like that every week, and we’ve got that drive and enthusiasm, we’ll win our fair share of matches.”

The Saints travel to Cork on Friday night to face champions Cork City.

SHELBOURNE have unveiled Women’s National Leaguewinning manager Laura Heffernan as head coach for their new Under-17 National League side.

The FAI will launch their inaugural underage women’s league in July with 11 sides set to take part, including seven representing senior Women’s National League clubs.

Heffernan has named current Shelbourne defender Seanna Cooke as one of her assistants, while Under-15s manager Karen O’Connell will also assist her during the first truncated season.

Heffernan led Wexford Youths to the title in 2017 in her first year in charge, before resigned from her post, citing “different views on the best way forward.”

The 33-year-old had a successful playing career in the Women’s National League with Wexford Youths and helped them to their first ever trophy, the WNL Cup, in 2014.

She was part of the backroom staff that won the league title under Will Doyle in 2015 before moving to the US, where she worked full-time with Abbey Villa SC in Massachussetts.

Rovers undone by two goals just after break SHAMROCK Rovers succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Dundalk last Friday night in the League of Ireland Premier Division, as Robbie Benson and Chris Shields scored in quick succession.

Dan Carr pulled one back as Shamrock Rovers took the game to Dundalk near the end but to no avail.

Carr scored from a corner as Shamrock Rovers turned the screw to get back into the game. A brilliant corner sent in by Brandon Miele was headed with real venom to send the away end into raptures as Dundalk were truly on the back foot. The equaliser nearly came when Graham Burke hit a smashing left footed volley goalwards only for his shot to be tipped onto the bar.

Dundalk and Rovers did have chances near the end but its a case of fortune favouring the brave for Dundalk as they look to head the SSE Airtricity League table.

36 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 12 April 2018

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

GARDA WESTMANSTOWN NEXT weekend, both the Intermediates and Juniors are out in first round championship action.The inters take on St Pat’s Donabate at home in Westmanstown at 6pm on Saturday evening and the Juniors play Round Towers Clondalkin away on Sunday at 3pm.

The minors lost at home to Parnells on Sunday morning on a scoreline of 2-10 to 2-6-next fixture is on Sunday, April 22 away to Craobh Ciaran in Clonshaugh.Training for all teams continues at the usual times.

Ladies fixture against Templeogue Synge St called off last week due to bad weather.

U-16s had super win over Ballyboden on Sunday in the league by 2-13 to 3-8.

The Garda club host the girls Feile next weekend when we welcome Ballyboden St Endas,St Mary’s Saggart and Foxrock Cabinteely. Best of luck .

NAOMH PEREGRINE WE HAD fantastic Easter Camps with over 80 children taking part. They were a great success and were enjoyed hugely by all the parents and children, who took part.

A special thanks goes to all the volunteers who helped to organise, run and support our Easter Camps and the hard work they put in to make sure that the children enjoyed them to the full.

Thanks to all the volunteer bag packers (many of them fresh from their efforts at the Easter Camps) who turned out in Marks and Spencer on Saturday to raise support for the Feile teams this year.

The boys’ Feile is on Saturday, April 21.

Well done to Rachael Brennan and the Dublin minor ladies football team on their fine win over Kildare to advance to the Leinster Championship Final.

Our heartfelt commiserations go to the junior hurlers on the outcome of their championship match.

Please check the club website concerning matches this week.

There was no winner of the club lottery. The numbers drawn were 4, 5, 21 and 27. Next week’s jackpot rises to €6,000 with the usual 10 consolation prize draws of €40 each.

SKERRIES HARPS WELL done to the Moriarty’s Supervalu sponsored Division 1 minor footballers on their league win against Lucan Sarsfields and the U-14 hurlers on their win against St Sylvester’s over the weekend.

Well done to our U-12 camogie team and mentors who had a great day out at Croke Park for the Camán to Croker event on Sunday.

Best of luck to our U-14 ladies footballers who compete in Feile next weekend.

Adult and Juvenile Games weekly meetings continue this coming Thursday, April 12 in the clubhouse.

Zingo Result for this week: 3-2-5-7-1-6-4.

Congratulations to jackpot winner Ronnie Fay on Winnie €2,300.

Next Draw will take place on Sunday, April 15 in the clubhouse at 7pm for a jackpot of €1,000.

How do you win? You buy a ticket!

You can also play on line at skerriesharps.ie and follow the links. Envelopes only €2 or three for €5.

RUGBY: NORTH COUNTY CLUBS ENJOY MIXED FORTUNES IN

Balbriggan win latest battle over Navan in growing rivalry LEINSTER LEAGUE FINALS  sport@dublingazette.com

BALBRIGGAN RFC edged the Leinster rugby Division 3 league final with a close and hard-fought 12-8 success over north-east neighbours Navan RFC. This game was a titanic struggle between two teams that were meeting for the third time this season.

Balbriggan might have been strong favourites, but Navan took hold of the game from the off.

The Meath club had the better of possession and enjoyed long periods in the opposition territory.

They were the first to score through a well-taken penalty early in the first half.

Balbriggan eventually struck back after half an hour with a converted try from out-half Dearbhla Sheridan.

Balbriggan were close to scoring again in the first

half but determined Navan defence kept them out.

Navan went for it after the restart and dominated the second half. Their hard work was finally rewarded after 25 minutes with a fine try through their forwards. The conversion was just wide but Navan led 7-8.

T h e No r t h D u b l i n women made good use of a short spell of possession to run in a wonderful try through centre Siobhan Verdon with just three minutes left on the clock.

The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 12-8 to Balbriggan.

There was a nervy end to the match but Balbriggan held out to secure the title and promotion to Division 2 next season.

B o t h Nava n a n d Balbriggan remain in the Paul Cusack Cup and could yet meet again in another final.

In Division 2, meanwhile, Suttonians

were edged out by Tullow RFC 17-15.

Each and every player put in a huge effort for their incredible supporters and, despite the fight that the opposition brought, Tullow prevailed.

After 10 minutes of Tu l l o w d o m i n a n c e, Suttonians were first to score when they were awarded a penalty and took advantage of a defensive lapse to score from the Tullow 10-metre line.

Tullow equalised with a fine maul from a lineout and hooker Maggie Kelly went over with out-half Hilary Griffin converting.

On 30 minutes, a training ground move from the 10-metre line saw Tullow full-back Chloe Farrell cross the whitewash, with the conversion striking the post.

Suttonians started the second half strongly with a try to level the game. A while later they followed

that with a penalty to give them a three-point lead.

Despite this setback, Tullow found a way back into the game through scrum-half Ann Marie Fitzgerald.

She found Amy McGrath who’s strong carry allowed Grace Kelly to finish in the corner.

The try levelled the game, and, with the p re s s u re o n , H i l a r y Griffin slotted the crucial conversion to claim the Division 2 title.

Portrane denied in Trophy final

Portrane’s Chris Neville takes down a high ball. Picture: Adrian Boehm

PORTRANE were denied the Irish Hockey Trophy in gut-wrenching fashion as they fell to Bandon in the final last Saturday at Belfield in a shoot-out after normal time had ended 2-2.

The north county side had got off to a cracking start with Imran Khan scoring two beautiful goals in the first 15 minutes to give them a flying start.

But the west Cork have greater experience at this level following final appearances in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and they turned the tide,

getting back level by half-time via former Irish international Clinton Sweetnam’s dragflick and a Ross Smyth shot.

That made it level at the break at 2-2 and no further goals accrued in the second half.

After the break, Bandon had more of the play but Portrane the two big chances to win it via Sean Graham and Ossian Elmiger.

And so it went to a shoot-out where Bandon held their nerve, scoring three out of their four efforts while Portrane could only score one.

12 April 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 37

LEINSTER FINALS

Balbriggan’s Dearbhla Sheridan tries to escape the clutches of Navan’s Lisa Keanan.

Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

SOCCER: BALLYMUN UNITED TOPPLED AS TOP LSL SENIOR 1

Brilliant Breen winner keeps Swords in race LSL SUNDAY SENIOR 1 Ballymun United Swords Celtic  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

CAPTAIN TONER

Former Knock man leads way as playoff spot secure FORMER Castleknock College man Devin Toner captained Leinster for the first time last Saturday as the blues ran up an imposing 41-6 win over Zebre in the RDS, securing a PRO14 playoff place.

He is pictured with matchday mascots Eve Kilcline, seven, from Goatstown, and nine-year-old Jonathan O’Donnell, from Coolmine.

Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

1 2

SWORDS Celtic toppled rivals Ballymun United from the top of LSL Sunday Senior 1 with a hard-fought 2-1 win at the Soccer Complex in Ballymun.

Goals from Jack McGlade and Stephen Breen either side of a David Lacey equaliser saw Brendan Kennedy’s Swords side hit the summit.

The visitors opened the scoring after 20 minutes when a mazy run from Eoin Jones ended with the ball at the feet of striker McGlade.

The 18-year-old striker dropped his shoulder before turning back inside onto his left foot and chipping the ball into the top corner.

Swords were pegged back on the hour mark as former St Mochta’s striker Lacey ghosted in at the front post before glancing a header into the top corner.

With just ten minutes remaining, Breen struck to ensure all three points returned Balheary and, with it, top spot in the second tier ladder.

It was a length-of-the-field move involving a one-two between right-back Keith Reilly and midfielder Graham Leahy, before the latter stood up a cross for Breen to send a looping header over the keeper.

“It was a great advertisement for Leinster Senior football,” Kennedy told the Dublin Gazette.

“We’re delighted to get the three points to get us to the top. Ballymun have been strong all year and they haven’t conceded many goals.

“Going into the game, we’ve only lost twice in 12, and we’ve actually been playing better away from Swords than we have at

Swords Celtic’s first team are right in the frame for the LSL Sunday Senior 1 title.

home.

“We were confident we could go and get the three points, but we knew it was never going to be easy.”

Swords are now a point clear of Ballymun at the top, with two extra games played, while Liffey Wanderers sit a point further back with four games to spare.

Kennedy has parked thoughts of the title for now with any of eight sides mathematically in the frame for top spot.

“We’re playing for third, depending on how other teams get on with their games in hand.

“But if they drop points and we stay where we are, we’ll take first!”

Castleknock Celtic’s Dutch delight DUTCH EASTER CUP  sport@dublingazette.com

CASTLEKNOCK Celtic’s Under-15 Premier 2 team enjoyed a successful trip to Amsterdam where they participated in the local Dutch Easter Cup tournament at the Roosendaal venue.

Castleknock were generously sponsored by the local Gleesons Butchers on their trip to Holland and they remained unbeaten through the group stages of the tournament, scoring 15 goals with none conceded.

They qualified for the semi finals where they defeated Overbos 2-0. In the final, they lost to JSV Nieuweigen.

Having taken the runnersup spot, Celtic were delighted when Alex Moore won the Player of the Tournament award for h i s c o n s i s te n t l y i m p re s s ive performances throughout.

The club was grateful to manager Damien Hunter who made the arrangements for the trip and they now must re-focus on their challenge for the DDSL Under-15 Premier 2 title.

38 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 12 April 2018

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

3

ST BRIGID’S ST BRIGID’S nursery runs each Saturday from 9.30 to 11am, all 4 to 7 year olds are welcome.

Club membership fees are now overdue – they can be paid online from our website. All players need to have paid or commenced payment of their club membership in order to train or play.

The senior hurlers met Cuala in Parnell Park on April 7 and put in a good performance against the All-Ireland club champions.

The junior A hurlers had a good win against Faughs; junior E also had a good win against Realt Dearg. Round 1 done and dusted with round 2 set for weekend of April 21.

The football championship commences this weekend, St Brigids senior team play Ballymun at 4pm on Saturday. The format this year is round robin, we are due to meet Castleknock on April 28 with Clontarf for the third match.

Keep up with all our news on www.stbrigidsgaa.com. Weather has disrupted training and matches- thank you to everyone for making accommodations as needed.

Best of luck to all our Feile teams, ladies football play on the coming weekend with hurling, camogie and boys football on the following three weekends.

Thank you to everyone who supports St Brigid’s lotto and to our great lotto committee. Our next draw is in the Greyhound Inn on Thursday, April 12 with the jackpot now €3,000.

St Brigids would like to extend their sympathy to the Mulkearns family following a recent bereavement.

ST FINIAN’S The week’s rainfall resulted in all home and most away fixtures being called off.

River Valley and Ridgewood pitches remain unplayable for matches and training until Friday, April 13 at the earliest.

The pitches and fixtures co-ordinator will endeavour to accommodate teams in Coláiste Choilm where appropriate.

Well done to the Thomas Ashe minor football team who had a great win in their Division 3 clash with Naomh Barróg in St Margarets making it three wins from three games in an excellent start to the season.

St Finian’s U-14 hurling team will be hosting the 2018 Hurling Féile on Saturday, April 21 for their group in River Valley.

Both pitches will be used from 10am until 6pm that day.

Football championship action next weekend. The AFL4 Team are at home to Ballyboughal in the Intermediate Football Championship Group One at 6pm on Saturday while the AFL8 team are away to St Peregrines in the Junior 3 Football All County Championship on Sunday at 3pm.

The Nursery and Academy, sponsored

by Sky Handling Partner, will resume at the usual times 10am and 11.30am respectively

on Saturday, April 14 after the Easter break.

A big thank you to all the coaches and helpers who assisted in the smooth running of the Easter Camp, led by GPO Paul Lyons with over 200 children taking part.

There are Yoga classes taking place in the Clubhouse Activity Room every Thursday evening.

For further details, please contact Jacquie at 087 786 8363.

Club Lotto - The club lotto jackpot on April 6 was €2,600 and the numbers drawn were 6, 10, 12, 28.

There was no winner. Lucky Dip winners of €40 were Emer Harmon, Tom Maguire, Ger Clarke c/o J O’Reilly, Aaron Caul. Next week’s jackpot is €27,00.

The club bingo takes place this and every Friday upstairs in Peacocks at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €500.

The Coffee Shop will reopen on Saturday, April 14 after the Easter break.

All are welcome for a cuppa and a chat.

Please submit news items, fixtures/ results to be included in the club notes to pro.stfiniansswords.dublin@gaa.ie by 6pm on Sunday evenings.

SOCCER : NEARLY 140 CLUB MEMBERS MAKE TRIP

Harts-Hunts go en masse to take on Blackpool Cup  sport@dublingazette.com

ALMOST 140 Hartstown Hu n t s tow n Fo o t b a l l Club members headed to the Blackpool Cup Tournament last Friday, setting out for the first of many bus trips over a memorable weekend.

The excitement from all the children ages ranging from 6-14 was equally met by their coaches and parents as they looked forward to one of the biggest tournaments in England.

The Under-14s headed to Myerscough College to play three games on their 3G astro pitches.

They came up against two Scottish sides and a local Blackpool team. All four teams were very equally matched on day one, leading into a second day of action to face another Scottish side and their last game was against a team from Romania.

The rest of the teams travelled to the Ulcan Pitches. First up, the club’s our Under-8/9 squad played three games on the Saturday. Some lovely teamwork seen them progress to Sunday’s football on a high. The lads played some fantastic football facing three teams from Northern Ireland and one team from Scotland.

The Under-10 team

Hartstown Huntstown’s young charges enjoyed a weekend to remember at the Blackpool Cup

competed well against two teams from Scotland and one team from Romania. They progressed to the quarter finals to face another team from Scotland.

Their last game was against a team from Belgium and finished their spell in the tournament with penalties.

The lads played with great effort over the tournament and really enjoyed the experience.

The second Under-

10 team started slowly against three Scottish teams, a Belgian team and a Northern Irish team.

Despite losing four of five games, they finished with a win which meant we ended on a high, learning many lessons and there were a lot of positives and good performances The Under-11 team also had three fantastic group games against three Scottish teams.

T h ey s h owe d s o m e class both on and off the

ball. They progressed to the semi-finals where unfortunately their run ended in penalties.

Their story doesn’t end there, however, as they continued their high spirits on the stage with some cracking dance moves.

The club was especially thankful to chief organiser Paul O’Keefe for putting together the extensive plans and one of the biggest clubs trips over the Easter break.

12 April 2018 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 39

HURLING: ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS PULL CLEAR IN SECOND HALF

Brigid’s give Cuala an early SHC scare DUBLIN SHC GROUP 3 Cuala St Brigid’s  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

1-14 1-7

ST BRIGID’s more than matched a tiredlooking All Ireland champions Cuala in the early stages of the Dublin Senior Hurling Championship group-stage contest at Parnell Park on Saturday, but were ultimately outclassed by the Dalkey men in tough conditions.

There’s no rest for the men in red, who have drawn a monster of a Senior A Group, featuring opening opponents St Brigid’s, Ballyboden St Enda’s and Parnell Park locals Craobh Chiarain.

Key men Paul Schutte and John Sheanon were both rested from the contest two weeks ago, a necessary risk, perhaps, despite Brigid’s clear pedigree: the Blanchardstown side had given Cuala a real scare at the Dublin quarter final stage last October, with Cuala eventually winning out 3-14 to 2-15.

Brigid’s were up for this one, too, and looked the sharper early on in absolutely torrential rain. Brigid’s had no less than four wides while Cuala – clad in black – saw David Treacy hit a rare couple of poor frees. Donnacha Ryan

finally notched the first point on nine minutes.

Johnny McGuirk added a second from distance for St Brigid’s shortly afterwards, but as he did so the rain finally started to fade, and a soggy opening 15 minutes had benefited a dominant St Brigid’s to the tune of only a 0-2 to 0-0 lead.

Treacy and Darragh O’Connell needed only two minutes to draw in that gap, and two Treacy frees knocked Cuala in front by 0-4 to 0-2 towards half time.

They were to go in behind, though, after a clever pass from Donnacha Ryan played in Derry Murphy, who somehow got a shot away under extreme pressure to lash into the Cuala net.

After an exchange of points, Murphy’s goal was worth a point lead for Brigid’s at half time, though they probably should have led by more than 1-3 to 0-5 after having the better of the early balance of play.

It was a different story in the second half, as Cuala seemed to shake off the cobwebs, and blasted Brigid’s away. A Brian Fitzgerald goal, a hockey-style hit on the floor from the tightest of angles, quickly turned the game in Cuala’s favour on 33 minutes.

Con O’Callaghan was starting to cause hassle up top, too, and won a free

FAST NEWS

Peregrine support for Roisin Foley fundraiser

St Brigid’s Daire Plunkett

for Treacy, while Cronin added another from distance. Fitzgerald could have added another goal on 42 minutes, but Treacy kept chipping away with the frees instead, while Sean Moran also added a massive free from well inside his own half.

At this point, Cuala were rampant, with O’Connell in particular doing plenty of damage on the run, covering great swathes of ground for Cuala as they charged forward.

Daire Plunkett’s second yellow for Brigid’s came with ten minutes left on

the clock, at which point Brigid’s had added only two points in the second half, and Cuala had marched into a 1-12 to 1-5 lead, O’Callaghan could have added another goal had he been handed an advantage after being fouled on the edge of the box, but had to settle for a free after putting the ball in the Brigid’s net.

Nevertheless, the Dalkey men were at their fluent best come full time, and ultimately looked every bit the All Ireland champions, winning out 1-14 to 1-7.

Knock undone by Barrog CASTLEKNOCK succumbed to a 3-17 to 1-7 defeat to Naomh Barrog on the opening day of the Dublin senior B championship campaign as the relegated side from last season proved too strong.

They did get off to a great start when Tadhg Kelleher fired into the net for an early lead but it proved the only time that they had the advantage as Barrog soon turned the screw.

Mick McCarthy’s goal soon after signalled the turning of the tide away from the Somerton side and they stepped up a gear after that.

McCarthy would end up with all of his side’s goals

while Dean Flood weighed in with five points to keep the Kilbarrack outfit ticking over.

For Knock, Luke Whelan landed a quartet of frees but they have plenty of ground to make up in the group after this initial setback.

It is something they will look to remedy when they come up against Kilmacud Crokes’ second team on April 21.

Crokes won their opening group game against St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh while Round Tower Clondalkin edged past St Pat’s Palmerstown in a west Dublin derby.

NAOMH Peregrine’s will host a table quiz in their Blakestown clubhouse on Friday, April 20 at 9pm followed by music with DJ Vinny.

It’s in aid of Roisin Foley, aged 31, who has been diagnosed with Motor Nureon Disease.

The tables cost €40 per table of four.

The proceeds will go to help Roisin; as the disease progresses her needs will also become greater. To take part in the quiz or to find out more information, contact Maura Aspin on 087 4128350 or maura.aspin@gmail. com.

Tough SFC ties for Fingal sides ST VINCENT’S might have taken home four of the last five Dublin Senior Football Championships, but as the new group format gets underway this weekend, the 2018 rendition looks set to be a real battle.

The new group format promises to make things interesting. By reducing the number of sides competing for outright county glory to 16, from the traditional 32, the competition promises to be more competitive than ever from the off.

Vincent’s start their campaign with a date against Skerries Harps on Thursday night in

FLYING THE FLAG: Ravens enjoy Croker experience

Parnell Park in a group that also features Na Fianna and Lucan Sarsfields.

FINGAL Ravens were among the participants

on day one of the The Go Games Provincial days in partnership with Littlewoods Ireland at Croke Park in Dublin this week.

The initiative sees over 4,000 children from Leinster and Munster take part in mini versions of hurling and football blitzes at Croke Park over the course of a week during the Easter holidays.

St Sylvester’s get under way a day later when they take on Parnells in Balgriffin in Group 3 at 7pm. St

The battle for possession between Naomh Barrog and Castleknock.

Picture: Niall O’Connell

Jude’s and Ballinteer are also on the agenda.

GazetteSPORT APRIL 12-18, 2018

ALL OF YOUR FINGAL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 33-39

SWORDS A CUT ABOVE

SOCCER: Table-

toppers Ballymun United toppled to keep Swords Celtic very much part of the LSL promotion story.

SEE P37

FINAL FANTASY RUGBY: Balbriggan and Suttonians battle it out in the Leinster league finals festival in Donnybrook SEE P36

CHAMPIONSHIP MATTERS GAELIC GAMES:

Tough times for St Brigid’s and Castleknock on opening day of the Dublin hurling championships SEE P39

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McCabe leads Ireland in front of record crowd

 DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

KATIE McCabe captained the Republic of Ireland as they fell to a first World Cup qualifying defeat at home to the Netherlands on Tuesday night.

Ireland conceded twice early in the first half due as manager Colin Bell’s defensive approach came unstuck against the European champions in front of a record Irish crowd of 4,047 in Tallaght.

The Dutch took the lead in the 11th minute when McCabe was dispossessed outside her own box by Jansen, and Lineth Beerensteyn acrobatically headed her cross past Marie Hourihan.

It got worse for Ireland as Diane Caldwell was controversially judged to have pulled down McCabe’s Arsenal teammate Danielle van de Donk in the box and Sherida Spitse converted.

It was scant reward for Ireland’s discipline in the opening quarter, as they largely repelled the shower of crosses that rained down as the Dutch looked to test the unsure Hourihan.

Caldwell and Louise Quinn had dealt admirably with the early barrage, bar an early slip from Caldwell that present world player of the year Lieke Martens with a chance to volley over.

Strong running from Shelbourne striker Leanne Kiernan – who toiled admirably up front alone – and McCabe saw the latter hacked down on

Katie McCabe holds off Jackie Groenen on Tuesday evening.

Picture:and Martin Bohemians StDoherty Kevin’s Boys young stars have formally joined forces for 2018 and beyond

“We gave them too much respect in the first half.

We showed in the second half when we got at them, we could frustrate them“ - Katie McCabe

the edge of the box.

Megan Connolly struck the wall with the subsequent free kick, but Ireland had set their stall out earl to absorb the Dutch pressure and break with pace.

So it was a ham mer blow to concede as a result of McCabe’s mistake in possession, although Caldwell will have been disappointed to lose the impressive Beerensteyn from the cross.

Kiernan’s pace was proving a problem for the Dutch rearguard, and she outpaced Siri Worm only to find no support and the Netherlands gladly conceded the corner.

T h a t e a r l y p ro m ise dwindled further when a square ball from Dominique Janssen found van de Donk goalside of Caldwell, and she went to ground under the merest of touches.

Any contact there was took place outside the

area, but referee Stephanie Frappart pointed to the spot, and Spitse sent Hourihan the wrong way.

Hourihan was on form after the break, tipping Janssen’s free kick onto the bar, and saving from Beeerensteyn and van de Donk from close range, but Ireland lacked a creative edge.

Cork native Denise O’Sullivan was arguably the outstanding player on the park, and she sent in an inviting cross late

on but there was no Irish player in a position to capitalise.

“To concede the two goals early on was a kick in the teeth,” said McCabe after the match.

“If you give them chances, they’re the European champions so they’re always going to put them away.

“We gave them too much respect in the first half. We showed in the second half when we came out and got at them,

we really frustrated them.

“If we had done that in the first half, maybe things would have went a little different.”

Bell added: “The girls did great but I’m trying to get away from this mentality of ‘we only lost 2-0 against the European champions, who are probably the best team in the world.

“I was confident we could get something out of the game if we did everything right.”