Dublin Gazette: Fingal Edition

DublinGazette MARCH 21-27, 2019

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Fingal Edition FREE

THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

Politics FINGAL’S councillors are at odds with the County Sherriff over a potential change to the way votes are tallied. The Sherriff wants to move votes to the RDS to be opened, then tallied elsewhere – however, the councillorsy want local votes to be counted locally.

SEE PAGE 5

SPORT

SOCCER: Balbriggan starlet Emily Whelan named the player of the year after superb year in green. SEE P28

PERFECT PRESENTATION FOR THE PARADE: Gill, Eoghan and Daniel Keenan did the country proud with the colours they wore in the heart of Swords for this year’s exciting St Patrick’s Day parade. See Fingal’s parade galleries on Pages 10-11. Picture: Alison O’Hanlon

motoring

THE NEW AUDI Q8 IMPRESSES AS A FLAGSHIP SUV P22

‘I’ll camp outside the Dail to fight for kids’ Mum vows to get help for daughter

SYLVIA POWNALL

Find us on Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

A MUM being forced to wait more than a year for a vital medical assessment for her baby daughter is planning to camp overnight outside the Dail to fight for better services.

Lesley Anne O’Brien, from Clonee, says she has been “fobbed off” by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who she claims is no longer representing his own constituents.

The 35-year-old had to wait years to have her son Jamie diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and now her fourteen-month-old daughter

Sienna must wait until November to see a specialist. Lesley Anne told Dublin Gazette: “She badly needs help. She cries every night in pain. She can just about sit up but can’t roll over or crawl, never mind walk.

“I walked to the Dail last September and pleaded for help, but it’s almost like Mr Varadkar has forgotten about us now that he has a new role as Taoiseach.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Praising Crumlin Hospital heroes

A YOUNG Fingal mum has shared the story of her son’s amazing journey after he underwent life-saving kidney surgery at Crumlin Hospital.

Jessica Bergin from Ballyboughal praised the care and dedication of Crumlin’s medical staff who cared for her son Roman, and called for more public funding into paediatric research.

Thankfully, two-year-old Roman is now a happy, healthy little boy whose kidneys are now operating at 60% after he underwent surgery to create a stoma on his bladder.

SEE PAGE 3

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 21 March 2019

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MANY EXPECTED TO ADDRESS ORAL HEARING

FASTNews

speeding €500m sewage plant ‘Tackle

by Daleview estate’ to hear hundreds of objectors’ opinions

 SYLVIA POWNALL

spownall@dublingazette.com

UPWARDS of 100 objectors are expected to address an oral hearing into a planned €500 million sewage plant and orbital sewer pipe in Fingal.

The An Bord Pleanala hearing on the Irish Water project got under way at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin on Wednesday and will last until at least next

The controversial plant would be needed for the Greater Dublin Drainage Project, above

Tuesday.

It is feared that the Greater Dublin Drainage Project, which involves tunnelling under UNES-

CO- and European-protected sites, will pose a health and safety risk and damage marine and wild life.

The monster plant at Clonshaugh close to Dublin Airport will treat sewage to secondary level, which does not kill all bacteria, as opposed to tertiary level, which is the case at Ringsend.

Objectors to what will be the State’s secondlargest sewage plant include Environment Minister Richard Bruton, Fianna Fail deputies Darragh O’Brien and Sean Haughey, and Sinn Fein TD Louise O’Reilly.

Also opposed to the plans are Minister of State Finian McGrath, T D s C l a re D a l y a n d Tommy Broughan, and Social Democrats Cllr Cian O’Callaghan.

I r i s h Wa t e r w i l l address the oral hearing first and is expected to outline its case for the project which aims to take waste from up to 500,000 households across Dublin, Meath and Kildare.

‘Vital development’ It has said that the plant, which is due to be operational by 2026, will be a “vital development to protect public health, safeguard the environment and support the sustainable social and economic growth of the Greater Dublin Area”.

T h e o r b i ta l sewe r, which will also take some waste from the Ringsend facility, will involve tunnelling pipes about six feet in diameter from a site close to the National Aquatics Centre in Abbotstown, Blanchardstown.

T h e s e w i l l t r ave l across the city to Belcamp with the outflow p i p e f ro m t h e p l a n t crossing Baldoyle Estuary to the Irish Sea, close to Ireland’s Eye.

RESIDENTS of Daleview estate in Swords have called for action to tackle speeding along the busy Rathbeale Road.

Locals have warned that the reckless and inconsiderate behaviour of some drivers is putting the safety of their children at risk.

The constant flow of traffic is also making it difficult for cars to exit the estate safely.

Cllr Joe Newman (Ind, pictrued) has pledged to bring their concerns to the council and to ask gardai to step up speed monitoring along the route.

The road has two major supermarkets – JCs and Lidl – off it in addition to a number of schools in close proximity. New housing developments are adding to the traffic issue, according to Cllr Newman.

Residents set to keep opposing drive-thru

Vandals slammed for a variety of incidents

SKERRIES residents opposed to a drive-thru restaurant granted planning permission earlier this month are calling for an oral hearing into the decision.

Skerries Community Association is backing the campaign for a hearing by An Bord Pleanala after Fingal County Council gave the Marbleside Ltd project at Skerries Point shopping centre the green light.

There were almost 150 submissions opposing it, raising concerns over the fact that the location is opposite a primary school, traffic, site accessibility and parking.

Within three days of the decision 140 people had donated more than €5,500 to an online appeal which will be used to fund the ongoing planning battle.

Joe O’Brien said the committee was “blown away” by the level of support, adding: “We are far from done in our efforts to prevent this”.

VANDALS struck over the bank holiday weekend, damaging a statue of Republican hero Thomas Ashe in Lusk and forcing the closure of a playground in Donabate.

The playground at Newbridge House and Demesne remained closed until Tuesday due to vandalism and the toilets are still out of commission.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, a group of teenage boys broke the bagpipes on the Thomas Ashe statue, which was unveiled on the centenary of his death two years ago at Round Towers GAA Club.

Posting on social media the club said it had CCTV footage of the incident and would give the culprits until Friday to come forward before taking the matter to gardai.

Condemning both acts, Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee (FF) said: “It’s a terrible shame that a number of individuals could show such disrespect.”

21 March 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

PEOPLE: YOUNG MUM’S FEARS FOR SON SOOTHED WITH CRUMLIN STAFF’S CARE

‘I was afraid to let myself love him in case he died’ SYLVIA POWNALL

A FINGAL mum has shared the story of her son’s amazing journey after he underwent lifesaving kidney surgery at Crumlin Hospital.

Jessica Bergin from Ballyboughal praised medical staff who cared for her son Roman and called for more public funding into paediatric research.

A 20-week scan reve a l i n g a b n o r m a l kidney function struck terror into young mum Jessica who admitted: “I was afraid to let myself love him in case he died.”

She revealed: “I found o u t t h a t t h e b a by ’s bladder wasn’t emptying properly and as a result

fluid was travelling back into his kidneys and damaging them.”

Roman was in danger from the minute he was born, but both he and Jessica were given the support they needed by staff at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children.

Jessica revealed: “They didn’t just look after him, they took care of me too in ways that I will forever be grateful to them for.

“When Roman was about a week old, a nurse came to see me, and she asked me why I wouldn’t hold him as often as I could.

“For the first time since finding out about his problems I admitted that I was too afraid to let myself love him in case he

Mum Jessica Bergin and her lovely little lad, Roman

died. I was terrified to get attached.

“She spent the next hour explaining every part of Roman’s condition,

the present and longterm implications, then she finished by telling me that he was not going to die.

“Those words were the biggest relief any mother can hear. From that moment on, things could only look brighter.”

Two-year-old Roman is now a happy, healthy little boy whose kidneys are now operating at

60% after he underwent surgery to create a stoma on his bladder.

Jessica said: “He had a scan recently and we know his kidneys are growing, which is a great sign.

“I want him to have the same opportunities as every other kid his age. He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me and so, so many other people.”

CMRF Crumlin, the fundraising arm of the hospital and the Na t i o n a l C h i l d re n’s Research Centre, supported Jessica and Ro m a n d u r i n g t h e i r hospital stay.

To d o n a t e g o t o h t t p s : / /c m r f . o r g / donate.

DONABATE

Peninsula council to hold AGM DONABATE Portrane Co m m u n i t y Co u n c i l has called on residents in the area to attend its annual general meeting on Thursday, April 4 in Keelings pub.

The community council aims to be a strong voice for the area and is seeking members to join it, particularly if they have expertise in areas that could help strengthen the organisation.

People with experience in finance a n d /o r f u n d r a i s i n g, environmental issues, engineering, planning, IT, and dendrology have been encouraged to step forward to join the community council.

The community council’s current focus is on the chronic infrastructural deficits on the peninsula, and a range of other issues.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 21 March 2019

PLANNING: FEARS RAISED OVER IMPACT OF WORKS ALONG ROUTE

‘Canal greenway will destroy wildlife’ and harbour thugs’ SYLVIA POWNALL

FINGAL County Council has been urged to reconsider the proposed route for the Royal Canal Greenway amid claims that it will destroy wildlife habitats and encourage anti-social behaviour.

There have been calls for the local authority to publish a private draft report on the segment of the route between Castleknock and the Kildare boundary, and to extend the public consultation period.

By Tuesday of this week, the council had received more than 140 su b m i s s i o n s o n t h e proposal, but they are not available to view as is normally the case.

Labour Party re p re s e n ta t ive Jo h n

Walsh said while he acknowledged that the greenway would enhance a valuable amenity, he had concerns over the route.

He said: “The proposed route on the north side of the canal between Castleknock and Coolmine is damaging for the local environment and unacceptable to many local residents.”

Mr Walsh said more than 100 people attended a public meeting organised by the Labour Party where “a great deal of concern and anxiety was expressed” about the route.

He added: “It makes no sense to run a new bridge across the canal near the top of Roselawn Road and destroy established habitats and wildlife

ST PATRICK’S DAY FUN Turn to Pages 10-11 for our Fingal galleries

by major works on the north side of the canal, when there is an existing towpath which could be developed and extended on the south bank.

“The plan to open up existing cul de sacs by creating multiple access routes into residential e s ta te s wa s c l e a r l y prepared by consultants who knew nothing of local conditions and requirements.

“The proposal is destructive to the local wildlife corridor and creates an unacceptable risk of anti-social behaviour at these access points.”

Mr Walsh said the public had so far only seen a series of maps, adding: “This report should be published immediately ... and the consultation

period should be extended to give local residents more time to make submissions based on the fullest possible information.”

Fingal County Council is preparing the pedestrian and cycle route along the canal tow path in conjunction with the National Transport Authority and Waterways Ireland.

Drawings of the emerging preferred route have been on display since February 25 and the closing date for submissions is this Friday, March 22 at 4.30pm.

A council spokesperson told Dublin Gazette: “This is a non-statutory public engagement, so we are not obliged to make the submissions public at this stage.”

Mum to sleep outside the Dail in a bid to get help for sick daughter CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Mum-of-five Lesley Anne, from Littlepace, added: “My daughter has missed milestones and is now on a waiting list to see a muscle specialist.

“I’m at my wits’ end.

This has taken its toll on my mental health and on my husband’s mental health. It is so exhausting and worrying.

“The hospitals can’t manage with the lack of resources they have, and it’s even worse with community care.”

Lesley Anne walked 20km from Leo Varadkar’s constituency office, which is close to where she lives, to the Dail last September to hand-deliver a letter of protest.

Her Help Our Children Ireland Facebook page has thousands of supporters who have

joined her campaign for improved services for families across Ireland.

L o c a l C l l r Ta n i a Doyle (Ind) is backing the action and will camp outside Leinster House with Lesley Anne and her supporters on Wednesday, April 3.

Cllr Doyle told Dublin Gazette: “The ‘recovery’ in the health system is barely trickling down to those most in need. This level of delay in getting services is unacceptable.”

Lesley Anne, who has called for Health Minister Simon Harris to resign and the HSE to be disbanded, vowed: “I’m not going away. I’ll keep going for as long as it takes.

“Children are falling through the cracks, parents are picking up the pieces and it’s not good enough.”

21 March 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

STATISTICS

‘COUNT OUR LOCAL VOTES LOCALLY’

Fingal councillors at odds with Sheriff over ballot boxes SYLVIA POWNALL

FINGAL councillors have taken issue with the County Sheriff over his decision to take control of all local election ballot boxes and move them after they’re opened.

Members have expressed concern over the integrity and security of votes because the boxes will be opened in the RDS and then moved to City West Hotel in Saggart, where they will be tallied.

O r d i n a r i l y, t h e responsibility for the local elections lies with the council’s chief executive while the Sheriff oversees European and referendum ballots.

In the past, local election

ballot boxes were sent to a local count centre while the others went to a central count centre for all of Dublin.

However, the Sheriff intends to have all boxes for both local and European elections across all four local authorities sent to the RDS where they will be opened and reconciled.

Raising the matter at the March monthly council meeting, Cllr Cathal Boland (Ind) said he had grave concerns over both the change of venue and the security of the votes.

He said: “Local elections are local, they should be counted in the county for which the election is held.

The full election process should be open to scrutiny.

“Large numbers of ballot papers shuttling across Dublin is unacceptable.

A local election is about local people electing local councillors to represent their views.

“Fingal ballots should be counted in Fingal. This would allow local people to have a sense of ownership of the entire process.”

A number of councillors agreed with Fianna Fail’s Darragh Butler warning: “ T h e re a re o bv i o u s co n ce r n s a b o u t t h e integrity of the ballot box.”

Fi n ga l M ayo r C l l r Anthony Lavin (FG) has now undertaken to write to the Sheriff stating the views of the council and requesting that the decision be reversed.

Driving test waits slammed

Young entrepreneurs impress at the Blanchardstown centre STUDENTS from Malahide and Blanchardstown showcased their diverse business and enterprise products ahead of the annual Fingal student enterprise awards, which take place this weekend.

Pupils from Malahide Portmarnock Educate Together Secondary School and Blakestown Community School dipped their toe in the retail market at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

In all, some 2,700 students from 29 schools across Fingal are taking part in this year’s programme, which makes it the biggest Student Enterprise Programme in Ireland.

The scheme is co-ordinated by Local Enterprise Offices and head of enterprise Fingal, Oisin Geoghegan, said it was a great way of encouraging entrepreneurship.

The Fingal SEP takes place this Thursday, March 21 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Blanchardstown and the overall winner will go forward to represent Fingal in the national finals in Croke Park in May. More information on the Student Enterprise Programme can be found at www. studententerprise.ie.

Pictured are local students from Malahide Portmarnock Educate Together Secondary School, and Blakestown Community School, with Helena Humphries, LEO Fingal and Niamh Garrahan, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

WA I T I NG t i m e s fo r driving tests have been slammed as “completely unacceptable” by Fingal TD Louise O’Reilly.

The Sinn Fein deputy said the average wait time at the Finglas centre – the closest available to drivers in Fingal – is eight weeks, with an 11-week wait in Raheny.

She said: “The RSA say they aim to have a national average waiting time for a driving test of no longer than ten weeks. The figures obtained by Sinn Fein this week show that target is not being met in up to half of the state’s test centres.”

Calling for the situation to be addressed she pointed out that new legislation outlawing unaccompanied learner drivers had led to an increase in numbers seeking a full licence.

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 21 March 2019

ST PATRICK’S PARADE FUN

A Tri-mendous look for Jill Collins

Julia O’Toole and fellow onlookers taking in the sights. Pictures: Robbie Reynolds Photography

St Patrick’s (AKA Johnny Murphy) dancing with gardai Edel Greer and Deirdre O’Neill proved an arresting sight

What a Pat-icularly fun celebration for a national holiday E

President Michael D Higgins greets a young citizen at the viewing stand

Saoirse Mahon jumps with joy

VEN by the standards of the revitalised St Patrick’s Day parade in recent years, 2019 has to go down as one of the best ever, attracting a noticably huge crowd to the city centre. Dubs of all ages from all parts of the city and county flooded into town for the popular parade, with a large amount of tourists also

cramming into town to take in the sights.

The fun, energy and passion of everyone involved was enough to leave onlookers from the rest of the world green with envy. But sure, with the day that was in it, everyone was welcome to be Irish for a day, and to share in the craic agus ceol in the heart of our fair city.

21 March 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 21 March 2019

MULHUDDART

Court hears ex-shop worker ‘jealous’ of friends’ pay stole over €10k in scratch cards A FORMER shop assistant admitted he stole more than €10,000 worth of scratch cards because he was jealous of his friends talking about pay rises, a court has heard.

Rafal Winter (37), of Swallowbrook Crescent, Clonee, later told gardai he took up to 30 books of scratch cards, won between €2,000 and €3,000 in total, and cashed the amounts at different shops.

The father-of-one pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing lottery scratch cards at Spar, The Crescent, Mulhuddart on dates between July 2 and September 24, 2017. He has no previous convictions in Ireland or his native Poland, the court heard.

Winter said he had been at a barbeque with friends who had been talking about money and pay rises and

“

The court heard the Mulhuddart Spar shop is still at a €10,567 loss

he became jealous. He admitted taking up to 30 books of scratch cards over several weeks.

The court heard the Spar shop is still at a €10,567 loss as none of the money has been repaid.

Winter, the sole earner for his family, claimed he spent his winnings on “life expenses”. He said he had asked for a pay rise but had not received one.

Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the sentence to October to give him a “realistic prospect of getting some recompense”.

Bronagh gets to grips with some of Fingal’s Texaco children’s art entries BRONAGH Carron is pictured during the judging of entries in this year’s Texaco Children’s Art competition – the results of which will be announced mid-April. In her hand is an entry by 12-year old Sheila Sun from Scoil

Thomais, Castleknock entitled La Vie En Rose, and another by 11-year old Sarah Cooray, from Castleknock ETNS, entitled The Playful Turtle.

The creative works by the Fingal school students were among the

thousands of entries submitted from all parts of Ireland for the competition, which this year marks its 65th year.

Prizes will be presented at a ceremony in May. Picture: MacInnes Photography

COURTS: VICIOUS ASSAULT BY BLANCHARDSTOWN MAN

Man received a ‘serious glassing’ after criticising noisy pub crowd A DAD-OF-ONE smashed a glass into another man’s face after overhearing him criticise his friends’ loud chatter, a court has heard.

Eoin McKinley (22), of Whitestown Avenue, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at Wetherspoon’s, Westend Retail Park, Blanchardstown on May 30, 2016.

Garda Sean Grehan told prosecutors that on the night in question the injured party was drinking with a friend in the pub when he noticed a group of males making a lot of noise in the beer garden.

The man remarked to his friend that they were being

“

A fight broke out during which McKinley smashed a glass into the face of the injured party

loud and was overheard by the group. McKinley threw a glass towards their table which smashed on a fence.

A fight broke out during which McKinley smashed a glass into the face of the injured party, who sustained a broken nose and a scar on his left eyebrow as a result.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, the man said his total financial loss due to medical bills and lost wages was €1,000.

He said he believed that alcohol was the biggest factor in causing the altercation.

M c K i n l ey h a s n o previous convictions and has not come to adverse garda attention since.

He was 19 at the time of incident and has a oneyear-old child.

Garda Grehan agreed with defence counsel that it was clear McKinley was quite intoxicated during the altercation.

He said his client has

applied for a loan so that he can provide €3,000 in compensation to the victim.

Mr Lynam said there was a suggestion that cocaine was involved due to the group of males being seen on CCTV entering the toilets frequently and rubbing their noses upon their return.

He submitted that another man who was arrested as a result of the incident has since died of a drug overdose.

Judge Melanie Greally described the assault as “a very serious glassing” due to the victim being hit near his eye. She ordered a community service report and adjourned the matter to June 25.

21 March 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

SWORDS: CONCERN IDENTITY COULD BE LOST AND URBAN SPRAWL SET IN WITHOUT CLEAR VISION

‘Town needs a stadium to maintain community’ SYLVIA POWNALL

SWORDS needs a “modest-sized stadium” to avoid more urban sprawl and maintain a sense of community, it has been claimed.

The suggestion came via a submission on the draft master plans for four key landbanks which will see the population expand by 10,000 people and bring up to 18,000 new jobs.

A public consultation process on the council’s plans for Barrysparks & Crowscastle, Airside, Estuary West

Family renew appeal to help find missing Icelandic man THE family of missing Icelandic poker player Jon Jonsson have renewed their appeal for the missing 41-year-old.

Jonsson was visiting Dublin for a poker tournament with his partner, when he went missing from the Bonnington Hotel where he was staying on the northside of the city.

One month after his disappearance, the family are renewing the appeal for the missing man.

The family are said to be confident that Jonsson (above) is alive in Ireland, but may no longer be in Dublin.

They have issued a poster with the missing man’s image and relevant information, alongside the number for Ballymun Garda Station.

Jonsson was last seen in Whitehall on February 9 at 11:05am on CCTV footage at McGettigan’s bar, exiting onto the Swords Road and heading north past Highfield Hospital.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballymun Garda Station at 01 6664400, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

and Fosterstown opened last week.

In a submission, one resident welcomed the development plan but warned: “By any measurement this is a significant expansion.

“When a population reaches this projected size, it is of the utmost importance that the town has a distinct identity.

“Otherwise, it’s just more of the same, more suburban sprawl.

Unfortunately, I don’t see anything in the plan that provides an identity.

“Swords needs cultural and sporting infrastructure that will

bring the new people into Swords life, together.

“Where is the key feature in this plan that will bind our community together? How will we know each other?

“A sizable minority of Swords residents are foreign-born and this plan should be an opportunity to forge a new community for everyone, that everyone can feel a part of, and participate in.

“How best then to serve this new, more cosmopolitan Swords? An ideal way is for the council to build a

modest-sized stadium ... this stadium could be home to a local league of Ireland football team, as well as being suitable for concerts, and other cultural and sporting events.”

The National Planning Framework recognises the growth potential of Swords and Fingal County Council has been considering its future development for more than a decade.

Pre-draft submissions from the public on the four master plans raised issues such as lack of schools, traffic gridlock, public transport, road infrastructure and the height and

scale of new developments.

Swords is forecast to expand to a population of 100,000 people by 2040, with the delivery of the MetroLink light rail network playing a pivotal role.

A cultural quarter in the town centre is due for completion by 2022 and the town will host the Leinster Fleadh next year.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has hinted that it could get a new ‘borough council’ under a new local authority structure for the Dublin region, including its own directlyelected mayor.

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 21 March 2019

ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS

Parade brings out the best of Blanch

21 March 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

Christian AJ

Kayleigh Irish eyes are smiling

Carmel, Eoin and Conor Halpin. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Swords goes green to the joy of large crowds

Come on you boys in blue

Rachel, Rory and Robyn

Cate

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 March 2019

Tributes flow to honour the late actor, Pat Laffan PADRAIG CONLON

FAMOUS for playing two of the most memorable characters in Irish comedy history, legendary Irish actor Pat Laffan will be sadly missed, following his death last Thursday.

Best known for playing Georgie Burgess and Pat Mustard in The Snapper and Father Ted respectively, the late Pat Laffan (79) was born in 1940 and grew up on a farm in Meath before going to UCD to study Engineering.

Following his graduation, he joined the Abbey Theatre in 1961. A spell as director of the Peacock Theatre was followed by a similar role in the Gate Theatre from 1979 to 1982.

In a statement on social media, the Lisa Richards Agency, which represented Laffan, said it was with “tremendous sadness” that they announced his death.

They said: “All here will remember him first and foremost as our friend and mentor and we will miss him terribly.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.”

Graham Linehan, one of the creators of Father Ted, posted his condolences on Twitter: “Just heard the sad news that Pat Laffan, who played

Pat Mustard in Father Ted, has died. Rest in peace, Pat, a pleasure to work with you.”

Throughout his distinguished career, Laffan appeared in almost 40 films and made 30 TV appearances in shows such as Moone Boy, EastEnders, Ripper Street and the Clinic.

His big screen credits include roles in Steven Spielberg’s War Horse, Intermission, The General, Leap Year and The Queen.

Pauline McLynn, who played Mrs Doyle in the hit Father Ted show, also played tribute to Laffan on Twitter, saying: “RIP the wonderful Pat Laffan”.

In a statement, the Gate Theatre said: “Over the years, Pat was an incredible force in the Irish theatre community and was no stranger to the Gate throughout his prolific career as an actor and director.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

The Abbey Theatre also expressed their sadness at his passing: “Very sad to hear that Pat Laffan has passed away. His career at the Abbey started in 1961 and spanned five decades. He will be sorely missed.”

He had also served on the board at the Gaiety School of Acting.

The late Pat Laffan, whose comedy chops were well exercised with a small but memorable role on Father Ted (above) – just one of a significant body of work by the talented actor and director

DUBLINERS: THE STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WHO CALL THIS CITY THEIR HOME

Ariane Tighe (pictured with Quinlan Cumiskey, above) is delighted to pursue her ballet-dancing dream

Talented dancer Ariane Tighe on her passion for ballet – and Dublin

Swanning about I’M 18 years old and I’ve lived in Dublin all my life. I began dancing at the age of four at Debbie Allen’s Dance School in Dundrum.

It was always a huge passion of mine but not something I wanted to pursue until I was about 11 or 12.

I was accepted to the Irish National Youth Ballet company and this was when I really fell in love with dance and I just really couldn’t see myself doing anything else in the future.

After my Junior Cert, I was accepted to The College of Dance in Dublin – one of the only thirdlevel dance colleges in Ireland.

There is one particular exercise I remember doing in ballet class really early on; it was called ‘Good toes, bad toes’.

We would all sit on the floor with our legs stretched out and pretend we were dipping our toes in a pond.

Bad toes were when our feet were flexed up out of the water and good toes were when we had them

pointed into the water. away from my family here in IreThis was my first introduction land. to the ballet world and the preciI really wish there was a fullsion and discipline it entailed. time performing arts college in As I got older, I was introduced Ireland. to many other styles of dance and Being a member of the Irish my passion just grew stronger and National Youth Ballet has been an stronger. unforgettable life experience that I I was cast as Cinderella in our will always cherish.

2018 Christmas production in the I have made wonderful Pavilion Theatre in Dun friends and been given Laoghaire – a really the opportunity Being a valuable experito work with so member of the Irish ence for me as a m a ny i n s p i rNational Youth Ballet has growing dancer. ing teachers been an unforgettable life It showed me experience that I will always and choreograthe excitement phers. cherish. I have learned so of having a lead I have learned many valuable lessons in so many valuable role, but also the both ballet and life. pressures that come lessons in both balwith it. let and life from my It is my ultimate dream to time in the company that study dance and performing arts have shaped me as a person and abroad in the UK and still a sur- as a dancer. real thought for me; leaving home, What I love most about being leaving Dublin, and the reality part of INYB is the lifelong friends I hadn’t completely dawned on me have made – I have developed such until a few months ago that I will a strong bond with them. be living independently so far Dancers battle through a lot in

their life and it’s very important to have people around you that support you and I was blessed to have so many people around me that I could depend on.

Simply, my dream career is to perform and to dance. Any opportunity I am given to perform I will take, whether it’s in [London’s] West End, a cruise ship, with a company, or as a back-up dancer.

I also have a passion for teaching, and would love to one day pass on what I have learned.

One of the many things I love about Dublin is undoubtedly the people.

There is something so welcoming about the people here and the vast sense of pride in the streets of Dublin is heartwarming.

I am so lucky to have grown up here in Dublin.  What’s your story? Do you have an interesting connection to Dublin and why you call it home? Please email your story to news@dublingazette.com.

21 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

DUBLIN

NEW AUDI Q8, WHERE LUXURY MEETS PERFORMANCE P15

Utility takes a fashionable turn in latest trend P19

MAGAZINE DAVID GRAY STEPS OUT OF HIS SHADOW P20

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

SPORTING HEROES LAUNCH VISION WALK

IRISH charity Fighting Blindness is launching its second annual Vision Walk. The event is supported by Fighting Blindness’ ambassadors; former Irish and Lions rugby star Shane Byrne, former Offaly GAA hero Seamus Darby and Darndale community worker and football enthusiast Tommy Daly.

Vision Walk is a four day walking festival taking place from Thursday 17th October until Sunday 20th October in Marbella, Spain. If you are interested in signing up to participate in Vision Walk Marbella 2019 please contact Tim in the Fighting Blindness fundraising department on 01-6789004 or by email at tim.ocarroll@fightingblindness.ie. Picture: GARY ASHE

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 March 2019

FOOD&DRINK

MORSELS OF NEWS IN THE CAPITAL

Odlums Bake Off finalists from St Joseph’s College Lucan with Home EC teacher and judges: Michelle Regan, Heather Burke, judge Catherine Leyden, Ella Byrne and judge Imelda McCarron

Veggies on the rise REBECCA RYAN

ACCORDING to The Irish Food Board, some 9% of the population identify as a vegetarian while 3% are vegans.

This is a rise of at least 1% over the past year and illustrates a trend that has risen over the past decade or so.

The growing popularity of a plant-based diet coincides with a general movement away from the consumption of meat and dairy products.

The National Dairy Council estimates that 42% of women and 30% of men are avoiding or limiting consumption of dairy products.

There is also a steady drift towards ‘flexitarian-

ism’ whereby many consumers, while not moving totally to vegetarian, are reducing consumption of animal products.

Being a vegetarian or vegan has its benefits, such as a lowered risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers.

Howeve r, i n so m e instances, a plant-based diet can be difficult to keep up due to the absence of nutrients often found in animal products.

This week we have some top tips from Beeline Healthcare for a healthy vegetarian, vegan or flexitarian diet ...

1) Being vegan or vegetarian doesn’t always equal healthy or thin:

Chips are vegan.

So are certain chocolate bars, peanut butters, biscuits and more.

If a majority of your diet is processed food and sugar, you aren’t going to be any healthier or thinner.

In fact, you could possibly gain weight.

Instead, aim to eat a plant-based diet that’s high in fibre, protein, and a variety of whole foods.

colours.

Think red tomatoes, green kale, purple aubergine.

2) Make it colourful: It’s important to make sure that you eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, since they all contain different nutrients.

A simple way to do this is to make sure that you’re eating fruits and vegetables that are all different

4) Get fat: It’s important that you get healthy fat in your diet to maintain a healthy hormonal balance.

Try avocados, nuts, and o i l s

3) Drink a lot of water: Because vegans and vegetarians consume more plant-based foods, they have a high fibre intake.

It’s even more important that you drink enough water to help promote healthy digestion of that fibre.

from red palm fruit, olive, walnut, avocado, and coconut.

5) Break monotony: Make sure you’re not eating the same foods day after day.

Doing this can cause you to develop food sensitivities. Instead, keep lots of options on hand.

6) Supplements are your friend: Vegetarians and vegans always need to supplement vitamin B12 because it’s generally not found in plant foods.

Iron deficiency can also be a problem for those on plant-based diets. Iron deficiency can lead to tiredness, fatigue and anaemia.

Young Lucan bakers impress with skills at national bake-off TWO Lucan students were among the contestants in the final of CEIST’s All Ireland Bake-Off, supported by Odlums.

The competition, held in Ardscoil na Trionoide in Athy, Co Kildare, saw 14 students from around the country compete to see who would be crowned Ireland’s Best Student Baker.

Heather Burke and Ella Byrne, both students of St Joseph’s College, competed in the Junior Section of the bake-off, comprising students from first- to third-year.

The pair went whisk to whisk with five other bakers but unfortunately, after three hours of mixing, baking, decorating and rising to the occasion, were served out of first place.

The judges of the contest were Odlum’s Catherine Leydon and Great British Bake-Off contestant Imelda McCarron.

Irish Restaurant of the Year Awards reveal Dublin finalists THE Dublin shortlist for the Irish Restaurant of the Year Awards has been announced by the Restaurant Association of Ireland.

The shortlist comprises the best restaurants, cafes and gastropubs that Dublin has to offer.

The nominees, which were voted for by the public, were selected under 12 categories including Best Gastro Pub, Best Casual Dining, Best Chef and Best Restaurant.

Among the contenders were the famous Chapter One at Parnell Square, Cafe en Seine at Dawson Street, and PI on George’s Street.

All of the establishments on the Dublin shortlist will contend for the regional and All-Ireland titles at the Irish Restaurant Awards, to be held at the Clayton Hotel on Monday, May 13.

Keeping it

local and traditional

A MEATH STREET institution, the Lark Inn has recently undergone a complete revamp. With almost no windows, its previous incarnation didn’t allow much light in and was a decent place to hide away. The front of the pub has been completely transformed though and two big windows have brightened it up significantly. Inside, the pub has kept its local and traditional feel with an old school wooden counter splitting the lounge and the bar. Complete with the full suite of toastie options, it’s a good place for a few day time pints or for the livelier weekend music sessions. While not the leader in the area, the pint is a decent one, served at the right temperature with a good taste. However, it did regress a bit during the second half, when the cream and volume fell away a little.

The Lark Inn @guinnessadvisor

81 Meath Street Dublin 8

21 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

DUBLIN GAZETTE TURNS 15 AND IT ALL STARTED HERE... our editor on the gazette story – so far PATRICK FINNEGAN GAZETTE GROUP EDITOR

INSIDE

THIS week marks a major milestone in the history of Dublin Gazette Newspaper Group, as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Dublin’s most-loved local free newspaper.

The group, which was founded by our present-day Managing Director Michael McGovern and Ireland on Sunday founder Liam Hayes, began trading on March 24, 2004 as The Lucan Gazette, paving the way to grow into a group that would incorporate the wider Dublin area.

As well as the trail-blazing Lucan Gazette, many readers and advertisers will fondly remember the Blanch, Castleknock, Clondalkin, Dundrum, Dun Laoghaire, Swords and Malahide Gazettes.

2017 saw a major change for Dublin’s No.1 free local newspaper group – repositioning our titles in line with the local authorities has allowed us to cater for audiences that in many cases did not have a local source of news directly related to them.

This consolidation has led to an increased weekly distribution of 75,000 copies, catering for Dublin Gazette’s larger catchment area.

As we celebrate the success of our first 15 years, may I take this opportunity to thank our loyal readers and advertisers for their continuing support, as we look forward to serving our wonderful communities in the upcoming years. Go raibh maith agat ...

SEE the cover that saw news companies all over the world get in touch, thanks to two sisters finally meeting each other for the first time P16

A president comes to DUBLIN ... almost!

READ all about the group’s most popular story which made headlines up and down the country, courtesy of several thousand copies that went missing P17

LIKE him or loathe him, the one and only Conor McGregor’s early media coverage started with us – just part of our long and rich coverage of Sport P18

DUBLIN GAZETTE’S first big story, in the launch issue of the Lucan Gazette (above), was about the then expected visit of President George W Bush to Lucan. Alas, it was never a mission accomplished, as Mr Bush never did stop by for a pint in the village ...

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 March 2019

ANNIVERSARY

AS DUBLIN GAZETTE HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH TO S THIS particular human interest story was a hit all around the world, with news organisations from as far away as Australia loving our story.

We revealed how two overjoyed sisters met each other for the first time at Dublin Airport (one was given up for adoption at birth). It was a heartwarming end to a 28-year search for each other.

15 years of bringing readers the best in community news ...

FROM little acorns great things grow – and the small but dedicated Gazette team (above) crammed into a Lucan office 15 years ago laid the groundwork for what would become Dublin’s best local community newspaper group, Dublin Gazette.

Like the diverse communities we serve, Dublin Gazette has shared the ups and downs of Dublin’s life, bringing together people in the towns and

EVEN six years later, we find this cover to be a little gross, but fascinating.

A Dublin 15 resident was shocked and disgusted to spot raw meat dangling on a neighbour’s washing line, with the unique sight prompting health and safety fears in the area. It also prompted an investigation from the council’s environmental health unit of the suspected venison.

villages that collectively comprise our reach in 2019.

We’ve had some fantastic stories down the years – with many of them thanks to you, our terrific readers, and we’re delighted to share here just a smattering of some of Dublin Gazette’s favourite stories and front covers from down the years.

We’re looking all ahead to the best that’s yet to come ...

WE WERE proud to help the city mark the 100-year anniversary of The Rising in 2016, with Rising-related articles and features drawing a lot of attention from readers.

Our commemorative issue and cover was one of the most popular we’ve ever had, with Dublin Gazette paying our respect along with the country to the birth of the modern nation.

timeline

WHILE we cover the best in local news in all the areas we cover, our feature writing is also a hit with our readers – and our investigative campaigns have also drawn huge responses.

Our exploration of the HPV vaccine was one of the most popular pieces ever in the group’s history, with our readers only too happy to discuss it.

DC 16-17.indd 1

Lucan Gazette March 24, 2004

Blanch Gazette June 5, 2004

Clondalkin Gazette October 23, 2005

Dundrum Gazette

Dun Laoghaire Gazette

May 6, 2007

December 9, 2007

20/03/2019 14:42:22

21 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

TO STRENGTH, HERE ARE SOME OF OUR TOP COVERS

ANNIVERSARY

ANOTHER cover which drew a great reader reaction was this one, with a blaze at a recyling plant providing a burning topic of conversation in west Dublin.

While the fire was alarming, and by no means the only environmentally harmful event in Dublin in recent years, at least such incidents have proven thankfully rare in the city.

WHEN The X Factor came to town, lots of Dubs and would-be hopefuls wanted to get in the smash-hit show – but we had a starring role too.

When the producers wanted to feature the best Dublin-based newspaper in some shots, they knew to turn to Dublin Gazette – and we were delighted to make our own noteworthy appearance in the show.

WE COULDN’T take a look back at some of our front covers without our most famous cover of all – a Gazette story which made national print, radio and media waves.

The Busted cover.

As summed up by a typically sharp-witted Irish Times cartoon (left), our Busted cover in 2013 (right) saw the mysterious disappearance of thousands and thousands of copies of an issue of the Lucan Gazette solved when CCTV footage and tip-offs showed someone taking substantial numbers of the paper from several outlets around the area.

Not just anyone – it was Tommy Morris, parliamentary assistant to Deputy Derek Keating (FG), who was the subject of the cover story in the ‘missing’ edition.

Deputy Keating insisted that Mr Morris had acted on his own accord, taking it upon himself to visit many shops to seize the issues and their negative cover story about Deputy Keating.

To this day, the fate of the thousands of missing Gazette newspapers is still unknown ...

COVERS CONTINUE OVERLEAF

Castleknock Gazette

Malahide Gazette

March 30, 2008

March 16, 2008

Swords Gazette March 2, 2008

DC 16-17.indd 2

City Gazette February 27, 2014

Dublin Gazettes CITY, FINGAL, SOUTH and WEST October 14, 2017

20/03/2019 14:42:30

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 March 2019

ANNIVERSARY

WHILE we’re proud of all of our front pages, we love giving readers a striking cover when we can – and with the great and good, and sad and terrible stories that comprise the news cycle, we always have the best in local news stories guaranteed for the cover.

A TRIP DOWN DUBLIN GAZETTE’S MEMORY LANE

THIS upsetting cover from 2014 of the plight of just one family turned out to summarise an endless story we never thought we’d still be covering – that of the city’s housing and homelessness crisis. Damningly, five years later, things have grown much, much worse ...

THIS perky pig was a favourite shot of our photographer Peter Doyle, who along with another deceased colleague, sports journalist Denis Byrne, helped lay the foundations for the papers’ successes. Thank you to all our former and present colleagues for their work down the years.

BACK in 2008, Katie Taylor admitted to the Gazette she gets far more nervous when journalists come calling around than she does facing up to her next opponent. At the time, she was preparing more in hope than expectation for women’s boxing to be included on the agenda for the 2012 Olympic Games. Four years later, she was in London with gold around her neck.

ICONIC rugby star Brian O’Driscoll spoke to the Gazette in the wake of Danny Cipriani and Josh Lewsey’s high profile training bust-up at Wasps, revealing that high standards in the Leinster camp meant there was regularly tension with the potential to spill over at Leinster, stating it “just shows you’re passionate about what you do”

Getting there first, supporting our local dublin sports heroes AT THE heart of Dublin Gazette’s sports pages has been the belief that no sporting achievement is too small to celebrate in style.

We take pride in getting there first at the start of many sports stars on their journeys to greatness, covering them from the ground up.

The Gazette was first to report on the prodigious talents of Conor McGregor as far back as 2011 before

he became “The Notorious” figure he is today.

We were there in Katie Taylor’s home gym before women’s boxing was even included on the Olympic list of sports.

And we also pick up the odd exclusive with some of the sports biggest names like Brian O’Driscoll, Phil “The Power” Taylor and many more over the past 15 years.

RATHFARNHAM sailing star Annalise Murphy - like Conor McGregor - is another of the Dublin Gazette’s sport stars of the year nominees from back in the day - who ended up making huge waves on the global stage when she landed Olympic silver in Rio in 2016, leading to hero’s welcome in her home city with a flotilla of boats welcoming her into Dun Laoghaire harbour.

Previously, the Gazette had covered her exploits in finishing fourth at the London Games in agonising fashion and kept tabs on her progress throughout the qualifying campaign.

21 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR WARDROBE

STYLE

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE | KEY PIECES TO BRING UTILITY INTO YOUR WARDROBE

Utility takes a fashionable turn in latest trend

Penneys



Denim Zip Jumpsuit, €25, Penneys New Look Cargo trousers, €34, Boohoo

Rachel D’Arcy

PLANNING A GETAWAY? Looking for something L practical, yet incredibly fashionable?

Fear not - the utility trend has your back.

Seen all over the high street in recent weeks, the light linens and durable denims promise long lasting fashions that are easy t o m e s h in t o yo u r existing wardrobe in a

number of styles.

The patterns are packed with a Spring/ Summer punch, delivering grungier florals and army prints in traditionally feminine items - think army print cargo pants with a delicate white linen bardotstyle top.

Don’t fear the utility trend - embrace it, and revel in it as we enter the holiday season.

Floral jumpsuit, €20, Penneys

Linen utility jacket, €41, Boohoo

Get Clay-ative with new Nivea shower range

NIVEA is bringing the power of natural clays right to the comfort of your own shower.

The new Clay Fresh range comes in an array of delectable scents - the sophisticated Ginger and Basil, delicate and floral Hibiscus and White Sage and an intense and aromatic Blue Agave and Lavender - and promises a perfect shower, with balanced freshness, care and deep cleansing. In a study by the beauty giants, 8 out of 10 women expressed an interest in a shower products with the proven benefits of clay. The texture of the cleanser comes with the quality that Nivea has become known for, but in an innovative clay format, leaving skin feeling pure, soft and fresh - like a reviving, post spa experience!

The three scents are available now, priced at €3.39 from leading retailers.

Care for your nails on the go with innovative pens

Linen Utility Dress, €18, Penneys Dress, €73.50, Principles at Debenhams

Beauty Review

Keep it colourful with vibrant new palette COMPANY: Anastasia Beverly Hills PRODUCT: Riveira eyeshadow palette VALUE:  PERFORMANCE:  PRICE: €€€

era’ all the more intrigue.

Rachel D’Arcy

currently on the market, and I was eager to

Hills is available

Delivering the perfect summertime splash of shimmer and vibrant colour, it’s a change from the multitude of warm-neutral palettes

shine beautifully. It’s a pricey palette, but for anyone looking for some vibrancy in their summer look, it is a definite pick up.

The Riviera Palette by Anastasia Beverly

snap it up. The matte shades are incredibly

from Arnotts and

Anastasia Beverly Hills have become key play-

creamy, and blend like a dream on the eye,

Brown Thomas.

ers in the beauty market in recent years.

make no mistake. However, the shimmers - a

KNOWN FOR their legendary brow products,

BEAUTY NEWS

Many of their eyeshadow palettes have

key reason for my purchase of the palette

become cult hits, though some have been

- lose their glittery sheen after sometime,

misses, which gave their newest launch ‘Rivi-

if applied dry. Applied wet, they hold their

NAIL CARE has been made even easier, as CND have released new, handy to use pens to fix your nails on the go.

The new pens have been released in their signature keratin treatment, RescueRXX, and in their cult classic Solar Oil to take care of their cuticles.

You simply twist the top of the pen to release the formula, swipe the brush over your nails and away you go, with prescise application and no mess.

The RescueRXX pen is a daily keratin treatment with a blend of jojoba oil to care for and condition the nails, whilst keratin restores moisture and helps to heal damaged nails.

SolarOil is a must have for tip top cuticles, with a rejuvenating blend of jojoba, rice bran and sweet

almond infused with Vitamin E to promote healthy nail growth.

Both pens are available from salons nationwide at €14.95 each, or €27.95 for both.

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 March 2019

GOINGOUTOUT

Moving on: David Gray steps out of his shadow

PICK WEEK OF THE

MARCH 25 (MONDAY) THE WORLD OF HANS ZIMMER @ 3Arena, €48+ AND now for something completely different to our usual gig of the week – but something that’s very familiar. You might not know the name of Hans Zimmer – but even your granny can sing or hum along to some of his work.

No matter what age you are, you’ll know the busy film composer’s work – and having scored everything from The Lion King to Gladiator, Inception to the recent Batman films, his powerful, brilliant work crosses all kinds of genres.

A live orchestra are playing Dublin as part of an international tour, bringing much of his best work to brilliant life. See Ticketmaster for tickets.

MARCH 21 (THURSDAY)

Drake @ 3Arena, €76+ The Absolute Eagles @ The Sugar Club, €25 Alice Merton @ Whelan’s, €16 Upcoming rock vocalist Alice Merton plays what’s sure to be one of her smallest dates for some time – a possible future ‘I was there’ moment

MARCH 22 (FRIDAY)

Ye Vagabonds @ Whelan’s, €17 Drake @ 3Arena, €76+ Gabrielle @ Olympia Theatre, SOLD OUT Molly Sterling @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), SOLD OUT Tadgh @ The Grand Social, Free

MARCH 23 (SATURDAY)

UB40 @ 3Arena, €52+ Wild Youth @ Olympia Theatre, SOLD OUT Sharon Van Etten @ Vicar Street, SOLD OUT Ultan Conlon @ Whelan’s, €15 Ivan Nicolas @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €11 Toucan @ The Grand Social, €19

DAVID GRAY’S 1998 album White Ladder – a whopping seven-million seller that features smash hits Babylon, Sail Away, and This Year’s Love – is Ireland’s best-selling record of all time, and given changes in the music industry, is likely to remain so for some time.

Gray is still profoundly grateful for Ireland’s role in his breakthrough, in fact.

“Ireland embraced me in such a big way before anyone else did,” he recalls. “It was unbelievable, really.

Looking back, I still can’t quite take in what happened.

“It was an unforgettable time for me, and I’ll always love the Irish because of it.”

Naturally, though, the Cheshire-born folk-pop singer has long been ready to move past his major commercial breakthrough on that fourth album.

His eleventh studio album, Gold In A Brass Age, was released earlier this month, and offers something really quite different.

“I was never going to just keep remaking White Ladder; it’s important to experiment and stay interested,” Gray said of the new record, which is layered with some complex electronic aspects, producing an organic, delicate element.

It also sees Gray explore falsetto vocals across several tracks.

MARCH 24 (SUNDAY)

MARCH 25 (MONDAY)

The Cinematic Orchestra @ Vicar Street, SOLD OUT The Internet @ Olympia Theatre, €30 The Brother Brothers @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €13

MARCH 27 (WEDNESDAY)

Picture This @ 3Arena, €52+ The biggest rising band on the Irish music scene commence an astonishing run of shows at the 3Arena Finbar Furey @ Vicar Street, €38

In many ways, Gold In A Brass Age is a stylistic throwback to Gray’s early, art-school days.

The singer very much goes for melody and song construction first this time around, with the lyrics, delivered in a voice barely recognisable as Gray, added later.

“I guess it’s a bit more abstract in the way it’s done,” he says. “It’s a kind of montage. I felt like moving away from telling a story too obviously.

“I wanted it to be a little more instinctive, and to move away from the idea of writing anything too directly about my life.

“The [recent] best-of album was really a business decision. People like to hear the hits, and I’m trying to operate a record label at a time when records don’t sell that well, so it made sense to do it.

“I have a lot of running costs, including staff to pay, and you have to think about that.”

Much of the musical side of the album will be reproduced using a computer live, with Gray’s voice straying outside of his instinctive range, and his style displaying something

YOU love Fair City, and we love Fair City – so look out for our great new preview column every week giving you the lowdown on what’s happening over in Carrigstown ‘somewhere on the north side’ ...

NAO @ Vicar Street, €25 Holy Moly and the Crackers @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €15 Hover Trout @ The Workman’s Club, €10

MARCH 26 (TUESDAY)

 JAMES HENDICOTT

Doug is horrified when Pete reveals he and Jackie kissed

PETE is on edge as Jackie discusses their potential family trip to Galway.

Doug is horrified when Pete reveals he and Jackie kissed. Jackie is forced to set things straight with Pete.

Paul is financially stressed. With a lot of outgoings, he grows more

entirely new – though the old classics will be on display, too, naturally.

“It’ll be more like a live studio on stage,” he explains. “I won’t be bringing the big band I had on my last tour.

“It’ll be a slightly different experience, and more complicated to do in some ways. I’ve had to get used to playing these tracks.

“You have to give people what they want, too” he jokes, though not before confirming that he’ll be working hard on getting plenty of the new album into the live arena.

As for the future?

“I already have the material for another album that will come out after this one,” he laughs.

Gold In A Brass Age is out now, and David Gray plays two nights at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre next month, April 5 and 6. Tickets start at €42.

See the fulllength article on our website at www. dublingazette.com

and more frustrated at his financial circumstances.

Will agrees to relax about Phoebe’s plans for the future. Aaron gives Damien an idea for a surprise at Phoebe’s party, but his attempts backfire. Could Will’s quick-thinking save the day?

Meanwhile, Orla’s determination to get pregnant leads to an unexpected solution while Junior’s condition gives cause for alarm.

Watch Fair City on RTE One on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Dolores is alarmed at the deterioration of Junior

21 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

WHAT’S BIG IN MUSIC, CINEMA, TV AND BOOKS

ENTERTAINMENT

TELEVISION | DUBLIN SOAP IS CELEBRATING ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Things are heating up for Carrigstown’s latest avenger is a fine addition to the favourite couple

CINEMA CAPTAIN MARVEL

established series SHANE DILLON

I HAVE a confession to make – I’m pretty much all Avengered out, given the seemingly endless waves of Avengers films breaking upon Cinema’s shores in recent years.

The franchise is beginning to need something genuinely new, something fresh, to make me interested in yet another Avengers film.

Enter Captain Marvel (Cert 12A, 124 mins) with its hook: a retro-set origins film about one of the most powerful (but untapped) characters in Marvel’s range of characters and Avengers heroes.

Mostly set in the 1990s (as an origins story – and also as an excellent use of CG polishing to de-age Samuel L Jackson, as well as eventually explaining how he/Nick Fury lost an eye), Captain Marvel packs a lot into its run time.

Similarly to most densely-plotted Avengers films, there’s a lot of off-planet and Earth-set content to keep up with.

Long story short: Carol Danvers (Oscar-winner Brie Larson), who would go on to become known as Captain Marvel, is a pawn in a war between two alien races and eventually finds herself on Earth, in 1990s Los Angeles, where the war has found a new battlefront.

However, Carol has her own, very personal war to fight – the resurfacing of what seem to be forgotten or repressed memories, which suggest that she

had a life on earth.

What’s she doing in the middle of an alien war, and more importantly, who is she – or rather, who was she?

The film is thus set for two major plots to run in tandem with each other: Carol’s need to fight in the ever worsening war, and her need to rediscover her own identity, which are both more directly tied to each other than you might think ...

Like I said earlier on, there’s a lot to keep up with here, with a dense plot that zig-zags about more than The Flash zipping across Manhattan.

Captain Marvel Brie does a decent job of fleshing out Captain Marvel’s story arc from fed-up footsoldier to an almost godly Captain Marvel once she unlocks her full potential and powers.

She’s ably assisted by the ‘young’ Samuel L Jackson (and a scenestealing cat), while the rest of the cast provide a solid crew, with everyone from Annette Bening to Jude Law popping up.

With its fusion of the Avengers universe with Top Gun (trust me – that nod will make sense), there are certainly some sky-high possibilities for Captain Marvel’s future here, and while the film is a bit hit and miss, it’s a decent, welcome introduction to a significant new hero.

Maybe the next Avengers films won’t be too samey after all...

Verdict: 7/10

REBECCA RYAN

IT’S a big year for one of Ireland’s favourite TV soaps, as Fair City is celebrating their 30th anniversary.

Dublin Gazette caught up with two of the soap’s most loved characters, Bryan Murray and Una Crawford O’Brien, AKA Bob and Renee, to chat love on and off screen, tense storylines and their highlights of the RTE drama.

The real-life couple, who live in Rathgar, began their romance in Carrigstown 13 years ago. Bryan recalled the moment on set when sparks started flying with Una. “We were [filming] a funeral in Sandymount church. I had only done a couple of scenes with Una. I was getting on the bus from RTE and there was only one free seat and it was beside Una. “I sat down beside her, and we started talking and we didn’t stop talking until we got off the bus and went into rehearsal.

“Looking back that was the beginning of it. I thought “that was very interesting, what a nice woman”.

We talked like we’d known each other for years. She said afterwards that she felt the same.”

Una, who has been on the show for 20 years revealed one of the highlights of her time on Fair City was also meeting Bryan.

The loved-up couple have also just finished doing a play together, and she spoke to us about how they make their work and

home relationship work so well.

“Sometimes we do bring our work home with us and we’ll rehearse something if [a scene] is a bit difficult.

“I have my own friends, he has his own friends, we do our own thing.

“We don’t spend 24 hours a day together. But we love going out for walks together. We talk about everything, and he makes me laugh!”

Apart from meeting each other on set, the couple also have other highlights of their many years on Fair City.

Una said: “I joined the company 20 years last November. I have loved it. I have lots of highlights.

“My first entrance into it was terrific. Joan O’Hara was playing my mother in law.

“My very first scene, I’ll never forget it, Tomo had run away from home because he owed so much money and he opened the door and I just slapped him across the face and that was my introduction to Fair City!

“And then finding my long-lost daughter Heather who I had given up for adoption when she was 16, that was another highlight.”

Bryan said his highlights also include the reaction he gets from viewers on the streets.

“I joined the show in 2005. It doesn’t feel anything like that… time seems to go by faster and faster the older we get!

“I love it! It’s one of my favourite jobs. It’s not very often that an actor has a situation where they have a job that goes on as long

Una Crawford O’Brien and Bryan Murray, AKA Bob and Renee

as that.

“Most of all I love the reaction we get from people on the streets whether it be in Dublin or down the country.”

Bryan is also celebrating a big anniversary, as Brookside celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.

He played a completely different character in the Channel 4 soap, where he played the role of the abusive and violent husband, Trevor Jordache.

Looking back at his time on the show, he said: “It was the first time that we

saw domestic violence on our screens in our front room and it shocked and amazed people.

“I think it made some kind of a difference. It started the discussion of women being abused and that was a positive step.”

Back in Carrigstown, the story line is heating up for Bryan and Una’s characters, Bob and Renee.

Bryan said: “Bob was looking forward to a relationship with Renee, getting married and getting old together but now they find themselves taking care of a very feisty

teenager.

“Bob may appear to be sort of alright about it, but I can imagine Bob thinking “I didn’t sign up to this, where’s my honeymoon, where’s my time alone with my lover.

“I think he’s been very even handed about it now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s backlash from that further down the line, where he’s not prepared to put up with it any longer.”

To watch the exciting drama unfold you can catch Fair City on RTE One every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 March 2019

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT

The late Sergio Marchionne wins World Car Person of the Year MORE than 80 World Car Awards (WCA) jurors from 24 countries collectively decided by secret ballot that the automotive industry titan, Sergio Marchionne, who tragically passed away in the summer of 2018, should be declared the winner of the prestigious World Car Person of the Year award presented at the Geneva Motor Show last week.

At the time of his passing in July, Mr Marchionne was CEO, FCA; Chairman, CNH Industrial; and Chairman and CEO, Ferrari.

World Car jurors voted for ItalianCanadian Marchionne over several other hugely impressive motor industry executives, engineers, designers and entrepreneurs from all corners of the globe.

His prestigious World Car Person of the Year award recognizes his accomplishment in taking two declining, regionallyfocused companies and forging them into one profitable global entity.

Equally important, Sergio Marchionne was - and still is - widely regarded as one of the ultimate ‘car guys’ of the modern motoring era.

MOTORS

New AUDI Q8 – Where luxury meets performance DECLAN GLYNN

THE stunning Audi Q8 is the iconic German manufacturer’s new flagship luxury large-SUV, and is a close relative of Audi’s more conventional Q7.

Audi’s mission statement for the Q8 was to combine the elegance of a large coupé with the comfort, convenience and versatility of a large, allwheel-drive, SUV. It is clear to see that, with the Q8, Audi’s engineers and designers have admirably succeeded in achieving their intended goal.

Dynamic Road Presence In terms of overall size, the Q8 is 66mm shorter, and 35mm lower than its Q7 sister car.

It has a body that is 27mm wider than that of the Q7, but it uses the same axle track widths and the same wheelbase.

As a result, the new Q8 cuts a striking dash on the road, and is a very imposing car which oozes outright confidence – and desirability.

At the front of the car is an exaggerated ‘singleframe’ radiator grille, which provides the Q8 with plenty of road presence.

Engine & Specification; Only one engine is available in the Q8 for now - Audi’s 286bhp, 3.0litre ‘50 TDI’ turbo- diesel, which is paired up with a 48V electrical architecture featuring a mild-hybrid large-capacity battery, and advanced engine startergenerator for excellent real-world fuel efficiency.

Presently, just one spec-

ification is available – the lavishly-equipped S-Line Quattro Tip-Tronic – but a suite of optional extras are available in order to create the ultimate in personalisation.

Audi’s standard TipTronic (8-speed) automatic gearbox provides seemless gear changing ability, and improves fuel efficiency in the process too.

Car On Review The car I drove this week was an Audi Q8 S-Line Quattro (4WD) Tip-Tronic (automatic) finished in delightful Daytona Grey pearlescent paint, which really highlighted the car’s standard 21” V-spoke alloy wheels to great effect.

The standard 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine produces 286bhp and a whopping 600Nm of torque, allowing the car to complete the 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.3-seconds.

Based on new WLTP efficiency and emissions testing procedures, the Q8 returns fuel efficiency as low as 8.4l/100km.

As would be expected in a flagship model, the standard equipment level in the new Q8 is extremely comprehensive, while the cabin of the car is luxuriously appointed and very user friendly.

Brushed metal and gloss-black panelling are

used liberally throughout the Q8’s interior, creating an ambience that’s entirely upmarket and desirable.

U n c l u t t e re d C a b i n Design Situated on the dashboard fascia is Audi’s dualscreen MMI infotainment system, which comprises a primary 10.2-inch screen above a smaller 8.6-inch unit.

The upper screen controls all of the Q8’s features and functions, such as the satellite navigation, vehicle settings and telephone connectivity, while the lower screen is intended to display those features you interact with most often, such as the air conditioning, radio and seat heating.

By incorporating the vast majority of vehicle controls within the twin screens, physical dials and buttons are limited in number, lending the Q8 an interior that feels uncluttered and logically designed.

Pricing The new Audi Q8 is priced from €103,250, or from €1,069pm on PCP. With its athletic and muscular profile, stunning looks, ultimate refinement and terrific driving dynamics, the new Audi Q8 is a super-cool, and super-desirable, flagship SUV.

FACT BOX

1) Striking New Design Language 2) Ultimate Luxury & Refinement 3) Powerful 3.0-litre V6 TDI Engine 4) 0-100km/h in 6.3-seconds 5) Priced from €103,250

Audi’s mission statement for the Q8 was to combine the elegance of a large coupé with the comfort, convenience and versatility of a large, all-wheel-drive, SUV

New Opel Zafira Life ready to hit the road

THE new Opel Zafira Life made its world premiere at the Brussels Motor Show in January and will be available to order from local Opel dealerships nationwide from Q2 this year.

Available in two lengths, it covers multiple vehicle segments and makes it easy for customers to find the perfect model.

In addition, innovative technologies ranging from IntelliGrip traction control to camera and radar-based assistance systems, and features such as sensorcontrolled sliding doors can also now be

ordered.

The new Zafira Life is available in the 4.95 metre “Medium” and the 5.30 metre “Large” version, and is further enhanced by safety and assistance systems such as Hill Start Assist, Cruise Control and Speed Limiter as well as traction control with engine and brake intervention.

The new Zafira Life is well equipped for all applications with its engine portfolio. The range comprises of diesel engines for now, with electrification coming in 2021.

21 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

CODEWORDS

You could advertise here

PUZZLES

SUDOKU EASY

MODERATE

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

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

WORD SEARCH

HOW TO SOLVE 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.

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

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS ANALYST ANTOINE BRENTFORD CARESSED CLASP CONICAL CRUISING DAMNING DRAINS EZRA GEODESIC

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To advertise here please contact sales@dublingazette.com or call 01 6010240

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 21 March 2019

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26 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 21 March 2019

21 March 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

SOCCER P30

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

STAR OF 2018: SOCCER: THE pride of seeing you

win an award is a great boost for those who put in the work behind the scenes, according to the latest Women’s International Under 17s Player of the Year, Emily Whelan.

The striker from Balbriggan said she is “just so happy and honoured” to have gotten the award.



GAZETTE

RUGBY P29

PAGE 28

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS BOXING | TAYLOR WINS WELL OVER ROSE VOLANTE IN PHILLY

Katie takes next big step to unification  sport@dublingazette.com

KATIE Taylor took the third step on her relentless march towards the ‘undisputed’ title, as she stopped Rose Valante in Philadelphia to unite the IBF, WBA and WBO titles.

The tough contest took Taylor nine rounds to finish, as she battered Volante on Friday night, coming into her own as the fight progressed after a tough opening couple of rounds.

The Brazilian had been in the fight in the early stages, even edging ahead as she forced Taylor back in the opening rounds.

But once Taylor wrestled control from her opponent, she took evermore control, leaving Volante in noticeable physical difficulty by the time the referee called a halt to the fight as the Brazilian’s tight guard started to fail her.

In taking the WBO title, Taylor becomes the first Irish fighter to

simultaneously hold three world belts in the four-belt era, and will now be looking to Delfine Persoon’s WBC lightweight title in the hope of unifying the division.

Though nothing official has been announced at the time of writing, the fight looks likely to take place in early June in New York, with Taylor herself highlighting the Anthony Joshua undercard.

“This was a great stepping stone for me,” Taylor said of the fight.

“There was a lot of talk about big fights for the last few months but I knew I had to get over this fight first.

“There was a lot of pressure on me tonight.

Pressure “To actually overcome that pressure, those nerves, is perfect preparation for those kind of fights coming up.

“I knew all along she was going

Katie Taylor continued her perfect start to her professional career

to come to fight. She is a very proud champion.

“She was everything I expected.

I think she definitely came to fight and that got the best out of me as well.

“I don’t know whether it was the toughest fight of my career. I guess all the fights are tough.

“She definitely had a bit of pop in her right hand early on for sure.

“It was the icing on the cake to get the stoppage at the end. I knew she was on her way out and sometimes it is very, very tough to stop these opponents at this level but definitely it was great to get the early stoppage.”

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

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 21 March 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

1

SOCCER: EMILY WHELAN HAILS HER SUPPORT NETWORK

FINGALLIANS ST PATRICK’S Day: Well done to all who turned out for the Annual Swords St Patricks Day Parade its always a great way to show off how great a club we are .Great work by Liam and all the Parade group.

U13 Boys Football : A big well done to u13 Footballer Mark “Duggie” Duggan ,Mark was singled out as a star at last Novembers Cumann Na Mbunscoil Final series in Croke Park and was duly presented with his award at half time during the Dublin V Tyrone game on Saturday night in Croke Park.Comhghairdeas ,Maith The Duggie.

Easter Camp :This years Easter Camp has been confirmed for Tue 23th to Fri 26th of April 9am til 1pm. Please note this is a slight change to previous years. Applications forms will be available shortly from the bar .Summer and Kellogg’s Cup Camp dates will be confirmed in the next few weeks.

Portable Goals on the All Weather : There are new weights on the Portable goals on the All Weather please keep them with the goals and also when moving the goals, DO NOT SLIDE THEM ,they tear the pitch when they are moved like this lift them and wheel them this is a two person job.

Irish Oral Exams: Aoife, Amy, Muireann and Sarah have agreed to hold mock oral exams for Junior & Leaving Cert students at the club on Tuesdays at 8 pm for the next few weeks. We will cover all parts of the syllabus so bring your Sraith Pictúir agus filíocht. This is a great, free of charge, community service that should be availed of by all.

Further info from Liam-086 3814422 Ball Wall Resurfacing : The Work on the Ball Wall resurfacing will begin on the 25th of March ,this will be the same surface as the All Weather Pitch.

This means that the Ball Wall will be off limits for about a week while the work is completed.

Dublin U14 Ladies Football: Well done to Sarah Power and Kathlyn Treacy and the Dublin U14 Ladies winning their Second round game in the Leinster Championship against WestMeath.

Kieran Duff : We had a super night in the club on Friday night last , celebrating Kieran Duff’s Laochra Gael Programme on TG4 .We were joined on the night by Kieran’s Dublin Team mate Barney Rock and also Paul Flynn many thanks to all who attended the special night for Kieran.

NAOMH MEARNOG OUR very popular Easter Camps will be running as usual. Contact GPO David Sweeney or any member of the juvenile committee for full details.

Our adult hurlers are back in action next Sunday with both teams having home fixtures. Our AHL 3 team face a difficult assignment against St. Peregrines at 10.30am while the AHL8 lads play Setanta at 3pm.

Our minor footballers are also at home on Sunday at 11am when they play Thomas Ashe. Support at our home games remains a bit disappointing and our players deserve better.

So, come on folks let’s see you on the sidelines encouraging our young people.

Congratulations to the Dublin senior hurlers on reaching the league semi final with a super win over Tipperary. Hopefully, the training session they had on our pitches was a help.

On Saturday the 30th we are hosting the camogie Féile. The annual Féile competitions are huge events in the lives of all players.

We are still endeavouring to recruit a few more individuals to join our Outreach group. The purpose of the Outreach group is to help the club to communicate more effectively with it’s members and the community in general.

If interested, contact Kate at pro.naomhmearnog. dublin@gaa.ie.

Republic of Ireland star Emily Whelan.

Picture: Matt Browne/ Sportsfile

Brilliant Balbriggan star lands U-17 player award FAI PLAYER OF THE YEAR  sport@dublingazette.com

THE pride of seeing you win an award is a great boost for those who put in the work behind the scenes, according to the latest Women’s International Under 17s Player of the Year, Emily Whelan.

Speaking from Edinburgh, where Whelan is currently away with the Republic of Women’s Under-17 team for their UEFA European Championships Elite Round qualifiers, the striker said she is “just so happy and honoured” to have gotten the award.

“I was just delighted when I heard I won. To

me, it’s for my family and my coaches, and just everyone who has been so supportive of me. The people around me put in a lot of work behind the scenes so that I can concentrate on playing and so for them, and me, it was brilliant getting it,” said Whelan.

“I have always had great support behind me, but this last year, it has been huge. My family are great; they travel to games and when you are away at elite tournaments and qualifiers, it really means a lot to have people there supporting you.

“When you have that you can just concentrate on playing as best you

can and say to yourself that you’re doing it for them, and for your country.”

The 16-year-old, from Balbriggan pinpoints her Dad, Alan, as her biggest fan and says that she was particularly thinking of him when she found out she had been honoured at last night’s aw a rd s w h i c h we re broadcast live on RTÉ television.

W h e l a n s a i d : “My Dad is my biggest fan - he tries to come everywhere to support me.

He brings me to every training session when we’re at home. And I love being early to training, so I usually have him there for around an hour

and a half before we’re due!”

“He travelled to Bosnia, Germany and Serbia over the last year or so, and he’s coming here to Scotland this week.”

The honour tops off a great period for Whelan who had a busy and important year in her young career in 2018.

Straight after turning 16 last August, the attacker signed for the senior team at Shelbourne and has also been called up to Colin Bell’s senior women’s side.

“My goals for the next few months are to try and get into the senior team again. And also for the next few months starting now, here with

this squad - I want to be qualifying for finals and getting as much training in as I can.

“I want to develop my game intelligence and just keep learning more and more. To do that I need to be training at the highest level possible.”

“At this age, I think that moving between the squads is good for everyone. Obviously, it’s good for my game to be with the seniors, but it’s also good for the rest of this team because I can bring back what I learn to this squad.

“So then everybody is progressing and improving and hopefully that shows in the games we have ahead of us here.”

Cummins an extreme champ

Joseph Cummins, centre, following his victory. Picture: Anton Geyser/EFC Worldwide

BLANCH man Joseph Cummins produced an outstanding performance in the Extreme Fighting Championship 77 in Johannesburg last weekend to beat home favourite Martin van Staden to the lightweight title.

Cummins grew up in Hartstown, with family also in Finglas and Ballymun, before moving to the UK. His victory came in the lightweight class in what was just his seventh bout against a vastly more experienced opponent from South Africa in his 40th contest.

Cummins fought with skill, precision, and iron will, making no mistakes. Despite absorbing what seemed an illegal knee, and the curious decision to be stood up in the fourth, he takes the title and deservedly so. Cummins is the new force in the lightweight division.

“This is more than a world title,” said an emotional Cummins in his post fight interview. “It’s karma. All this time I’ve been helping others, and finally it’s come back to me. Thank you to every person that has ever shared the mat with me.”

21 March 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

RUGBY: MALAHIDE TOO STRONG FOR WESLEY IN METRO DIVISION 4 LEAGUE FINAL

Corkery’s class makes the key difference for Malahide METRO LEAGUE DIVISION 4 FINAL Malahide Old Wesley  RONAN GAINE sport@dublingazette.com

27 7

MALAHIDE’s seconds are Metro League 4 Champions after defeating Old Wesley in the league final on Friday night.

Malahide got things under way and dominated the opening minutes in difficult conditions on the Estuary Road, the home team’s dominance soon showing on the scoreboard.

After gaining good field position following a penalty, Malahide quickly worked the ball out to fullback Gary Robb, who broke through the Wesley line and showed them a clean pair of heels as he crossed the line, Colin Corkery added the conversion to make it 7-0.

This kicked the game into life as Wesley began to gain a foothold.

The Malahide defence was holding strong and the away side were struggling to gain ground, however persistence paid off as Malahide began to give away penalties in their efforts to stop Wesley’s Sean Ballance crossing the white line.

Fly half Ballance was unable to cut into the deficit as he missed his seemingly easy kick from in front of the posts, the conditions clearly having an effect on the number ten.

That miss was forgotten moments later though as Wesley’s full back crossed the line after Malahide were unable to hold onto possession deep in their own territory.

The try was converted and the scores were level, things then got worse for the home side as Robb was sent to the sin bin.

Being down a man did not appear to phase them however, a lovely kick forward put the Wesley defence under pressure, which eventually led to a penalty which Corkery slotted over to give Malahide a 10-7 lead at half time.

Back to their full compliment after the break, Malahide began to dominate. Good work in the midfield brought about another score, Corkery, who was fast becoming the difference maker on the pitch, making an impressive 35 yard kick to put his side six points ahead early in the second half.

Malahide’s defence was dominant with Wesley becoming frustrated at

not being able to make inroads.

A potentially dangerous kick deep into the Malahide twenty two was easily dealt with and as Wesley tried to rebuild from the middle of the park, the conditions began to play their part as the ball was knocked forward.

Flanker Gordon Brennan picked the ball up to burst through the line on the free play, Corkery, seemingly unable to miss, added the two points to make it 20-7 and all but kill off the game.

The away side’s defence was letting them down, missed tackles costing them the first try and no tackles costing them a second.

After losing in the final last season, Malahide were determined to show they were the dominant side in Metro League 4, rubbing salt to the wounds with a third and final try with their last play of the game. Peter O’Connor going over to add icing to the cake, with Corkey converting to add his 12th point of the game and complete a 27-7 victory.

A superb defensive performance the key in a great night for the Malahide team, who are now looking forward to achieving success in division three next season.

Portrane derailed by Union NEVILLE DAVIN CUP FINAL  STEPHEN FINDLATER

sport@dublingazette.com

P O RT R A N E H o c key Club’s first team, pictured, were unable to crown their centenary season as they succumbed to Railway Union 5-1 on St Patrick’s Day in the Neville Davin Cup final.

Nonetheless, it was proud day for the club as they continue their comeback having been close to

going out of operation with this season being their first back in Leinster Division One for 20 years.

In the final, Railway got off to a cracking start with Rob Devlin getting them rolling.

Michael McKenzie doubled up after a good team move and corner injector Fergal Keaveney cleaned up the third after the initial shot was blocked.

Imran Khan got one back from the penalty spot

- won by Sean Graham - but McKenzie restored the three-goal advantage at half-time with a onehanded reverse.

Railway completed this win when Elmo McCarthy played a lovely through ball to David Sheil who crossed for Daragh Curley to finish off.

Speaking afterwards, Portrane manager Adrian Henchy said: “The boys gave it everything and after a difficult first half,

were much better in the second half.

“A great experience for our young players and great credit to our more experienced players Imran, Mukhtar and our captain Chris Neville who played their hearts out and showed great skill under serious pressure at times.

“Great credit to our loyal supporters who stayed with the team throughout.”

Malahide on the attack. Picture: Bernie O’Farrell

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 21 March 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

SKERRIES HARPS CONGRATS to Lyndsey Davey, Eve Kehoe & the Dublin Senior Ladies on their win in the League over Monaghan on Sat 16th.

Hard luck to the Skerries Community College Senior Footballers who were defeated by Ashbourne College in Leinster Senior B Schools final on Fri 15th in an action packed game in Abbotstown.

Well done to Ronan Geoghegan, Greg McEneaney & Eoghan O’Connor Flanagan who lined out with the Dublin u15 Footballers vs Tyrone on Sat 16 and to Alex Ward who played with the Dublin u14 Camogie Team vs Limerick on Mon 18th.

Upcoming Fixtures. Sun 24 Mar: Senior 1 Camogie vs St Vincent’s AWAY 10.30am. MFL 1 vs Ballinteer SJ HOME 11am. MFL4 North vs St Brigids HOME 11am. AHL5 vs Ballyboden HOME 12.15pm Upcoming Events /Diary Dates: • EASTER CAMP: 23- 25 April 10am-2pm Daily. Suitable for ages 5-13 years. Cost €35. Contact Louise 085 1465673 for details; • Gourmet Food Parlour sponsored Easter Hurling & Camogie Tournament will take place Mon 15-Wed 17 April - more details to follow Zingo result 3-5-2-4-1-7-6. No winners.of Jackpot - now a Cool €4200!

Dividend Winner €200 Peter Mullarkey Next week’s draw Sun 24th 6.30pm..

See you there! Play on line at skerriesharps.ie.

Academy resumes 10am Sat 23 March, Clubhouse open for tea/coffee, Club Shop open for all your leisurewear needs until 11am.

Well done to all our Juvenile teams U8-U11 who took part in the Annual Skerries St Patrick’s day parade, a great turnout by players , coaches and parents. Great fun was had by all at our fun activities before the parade , well done to the winners of the crossbar challenge.

ST FINIAN’S AS OUR pitches were called off this weekend due to the weather, there is not much to report on the results.

However, the lack of sporting fixtures did leave our Club members with loads of energy and this was all put into our St. Patrick’s Day parade. We had over 200 juvenile members attend the Clubhouse in the week prior to construct and paint shields and prepare their costumes as Cu Chulainn’s Warriors and they absolutely rocked it!!

We formed a huge line of warriors and walked from our Clubhouse to the start line of the Parade and we were delighted to be one of the first to march in the Swords Parade after the Mayor of Fingal.

Our Club was showcasing the Legend of Cu Chulainn, Queen Maebh, Wolfhound and the famous St. Finians Warriors!!

Our Club Chairman, Jim Conway has asked us to share the following statement with our members : Huge thanks and congratulations to everyone who took part in our St. Patrick’s day parade and events. These are really important to showcase the club and demonstrate what we are capable of. We are well progressed on our club development plan, expect some announcements very soon, but at this stage it is safe to say there is clearly an appetite among members to bring our club to the next level. Yesterday shows that we have the people and the ability to do just that. Days that run smoothly and look effortless are the result of hard work and careful preparation and so many of you contributed in so many ways, mentors, parents and children. While it’s always dangerous to single people out because

of the efforts of so many, Rob Caffrey from the Club Executive ably assisted by Ken McDermott and Fergus O’Neill deserve a particular mention as do our social media/ PR team of Denise McDermott and Lisa Cassidy who kept us out there with the world.

Apologies to so many others who I don’t mention here but you all know who you are. As we said yesterday Ní neart go cur le chéile. Many thanks Jim After the Parade, we had a huge turnout at the Clubhouse, where refreshments were served for all. There was also face painting and we would like to say a huge thank you to the U15 girls who kept up with demand and array of face painting!! We also had a disco in the Rivervalley Community Centre Hall which was very much enjoyed by all. Big thank you to the Community Centre for providing the venue.

See below for some photo’s of our fantastic day at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade (click to our website to see all photo’s & video’s of the day Feile Fundraising Fun quiz on Friday the 22nd of March starting at 8:30pm in Peacocks Lounge & Bar. Its €40 per table of 4 with a raffle on the night.

This quiz is a fundraising event for all 4 2019 Feile teams , boys and girls football and hurling and Camogie. All are welcome.

The new clubhouse office and club shop opening hours are as follows: Wednesday 7pm to 9pm; Saturday 10am to 2pm The Nursery / Academy is on every Saturday morning. Nursery is at 10am and Academy is at 11.30. Looking forward to seeing you all. All new members very welcome from 4 years of age upwards.

Blanch win battle of Dublin’s TUs CUFL DIVISION A FINAL TU Blanchardstown TU Tallaght  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

1 0

MIKEY Scott scored the only goal of the game as TU Dublin Blanchardstown were crowned College & Universities Football League Division A champions with victory of their Tallaght counterparts.

Scott, who plays his club football with Killester Donnycarney in the top tier of the Leinster Senior League, heading home a cross from Eric Abulu 17 minutes from time.

T h e s t r i ke r m a d e amends after seeing his first-half penalty saved

by Darragh Gogan, putting the disappointment behind him to seal the win.

The north Dublin side had to play the better part of 40 minutes with only ten men after Eoghan Morgan was sent off for a second yellow card just after the restart.

Both sides boasted a number of League of Ireland players in their lineups, with Cabinteely’s Morgan and Rob Manley and Longford Town’s Jamie Hollywood promi-

TU Dublin Blanchardstown celebrate their success in the CUFL final against Tallaght in Athlone. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

nent for Blanch.

Tallaght were somewhat lighter on senior experience, though they could point to Bray Wanderers’ Luka Lovic and Shelbourne regular Sean Quinn in their stacked midfield.

Blanch had the better of the opening exchanges and came within the breadth of the crossbar of taking the lead inside 20 minutes as Rob Manley saw his shot beat Gogan but not the woodwork.

Moments later, Blanch were presented a golden opportunity to take the lead when Athlone Town striker George Mukete

SPECIAL OLYMPICS Lee plays his part in world bronze medal

DUBLIN 15 MAN Stephen Lee was part of the Irish team that won bronze in the football competition at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi this week.

They won 7-2 over Estonia to take home the medal for their efforts over an engaging week of action.

Picture: ray mcmanus / SPORTSFILE

was fouled on the edge of the box and the referee awarded the penalty.

Former Cabinteely and Drogheda United man Scott took responsibility from 12 yards but he met his match in Gogan, the Ballyboden St Enda’s netminder getting a firm hand to his shot.

Tallaght held on until the break with the scores level and the game looked set to turn on its head when former Bohemians midfielder Morgan was shown a second yellow six minutes after the break.

But Blanch, who had beaten Galway MIT and Carlow IT on their way to

the final, weren’t prepared to lie down.

Tallaght, who had beaten Blanch 3-2 in the regular season before seeing off Cork IT and NUI Galway, couldn’t find a route to goal, however.

And they fell behind on 73 minutes when Shamrock Rovers full-back Abulu found room on the left to swing in a cross in man of the match Scott’s direction.

The striker, who has also counted Bohemians and UCD among his senior clubs, rose highest and directed a header past Gogan to finally break Tallaght’s resistance.

21 March 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

LADIES FOOTBALL: SKY BLUES MOMENTUM BUILDS IN NATIONAL LEAGUE

HURLING

Dillon dazzles as Dubs end 73 year wait

Siobhan Killeen continued her excellent start to the season.

Picture: Piaras O Midheach/Sportsfile

Dubs go goal crazy to close in on semis LGFA NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE Dublin Monaghan  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

5-14 3-10

THE DUBLIN ladies footballers continued their progress in the league, as a much-changed side got the better of Monaghan following a frantic opening stage assault on the visitor’s goal at DCU on Saturday afternoon.

A strange game saw goals galore from one side and then the other, with in-form player of the year Sinead Aherne – who finished with 3-3 – hitting all her goals in little more than the first quarter of the contest.

In fact, Dublin were rampant in the early stages and looked like they might put Monaghan to the sword in a far bigger way than they ultimately did.

Monaghan had scored the first couple of points but that was quickly forgotten when Aherne slammed home with just three minutes on the clock, and Siobhan Woods added another three pointer almost immediately.

The goal glut came thick and fast from there. Noelle Healy played in Aherne for her second goal, a palmed finish from close range, before Siobhan

Killeen poached a fourth goal.

The rampaging Jackies added a fifth quickly afterwards through Aherne – a speculative finish from wide on the right – to put Mick Bohan’s side a barely credible 5-3 to 0-3 ahead with just over a quarter of the game gone.

Dublin had exposed the Monaghan defence in a big way, but that early charge slowed from then on, with Monaghan going on to have the better of the remainder of the contest.

Ciara McAnespie pulled a goal back for the Ulster side before the break, though the Dubs lead of 5-7 to 1-6 was still substantial enough to justify a little tinkering from Bohan, and a little loosening of the foot on the pedal in the second half.

Muireann Atkinson and Leanne Maguire’s goals, both coming within ten minute of the restart, did briefly bring look like reopening the game as an unlikely contest, however, with the 15 points gap closing to as little as eight points with a quarter of the game remaining.

Monaghan have not had a good start to 2019, however, with a straight losing record since the year began, and the experience of Lyndsey Davey and Aherne ensured the visitors never

really got within touching distance of Dublin, as the game petered out late on.

The Jackies remain on target for a league final with two games of division one still to play.

Bohan’s side have now won four games on the trot since their early season loss to Donegal.

The Jackies have a challenging run in, however, with high-flying Galway and perennial threat Cork still to come as they look to cement their place in

the league knockout stages.

“Next week, it’s a different level now. Galway and Cork are the last two league games,” said manager Mick Bohan.

“Obviously Galway are top of the table and Cork had a smashing win today against Donegal.

“We know the quality is going to step up. Ultimately now we’ve two games where again we can have a little bit of a look, but still it becomes more serious.”

Dublin manager Mick Bohan.

Picture: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

DUBLIN recorded their first competitive victory over the Premier County in Tipperary since 1946 when battling to a great victory in this HL Division 1 quarter-final in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday evening.

Naomh Fionnbarra’s Eamon Dillon put in a superb performance, running up 1-3 in the narrow 1-21 to 0-23 victory, giving the side a massive boost.

The Dubs will face All-Ireland champions, Limerick, next Sunday (Nowlan Park, 1.30) in their semifinal (followed by the other semi-final: Galway v Waterford) buoyed by this success against the odds as the team showed great resilience to respond to Tipp’s early second half scoring surge in front of an attendance of 3,503 “Their character was really tested in the second half,” said Dublin manager Mattie Kenny afterwards.

“We brought a bit of an advantage in to the dressing room at half-time but Tipperary came out and blew that advantage away in three or four minutes.

“The next 30 minutes or so they had to dig deep, playing into a breeze, but our guys worked some nice scores.

“To be able to come down to Thurles, after seeing last week the quality of the Tipperary side, and get a good performance from our guys, it will stand to them.”

GazetteSPORT MARCH 21-27, 2019

ALL OF YOUR FINGAL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

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STAR ON RISE SOCCER: Emily

Whelan honoured for her outstanding performances in green in 2018 at FAI awards event. SEE P28

BRILLIANT BLANCH

SOCCER: Col-

leges title goes to TU Blanch as they get the best of Tallaght in Athlone in the final.

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Ward hangs up Irish boots after fine career  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

PORTMARNOCK man S t e p h e n Wa r d h a s announced his retirement from international football after accumulated 50 caps for the Republic of Ireland.

T h e d e fe n d e r wa s selected in Mick McCarthy’s first Ireland squad, who kick off their Euro 2020 campaign away to Gibraltar on Saturday before hosting Georgia three days later.

However, following discussions with McCarthy, the Burnley full-back signalled his intention to step away from the international arena to let the next generation of players come through.

The first beneficiary of that could be fellow Dubliner Enda Stevens, who is on the cusp of a Premier League return with Sheffield United.

33-year-old Ward has endured a challenging year with injury and has featured just twice since undergoing knee surgery in October.

Over the course of his eight-year international career, Ward started 49 games and played in the finals of Euro 2012 and 2016.

He scored the second of his three international goals in the play-off win over Estonia that earned Ireland a first European Championships appearance since 1988.

Ward signed for Bohemians in 2003 and his performances over four years at Dalymount Park earned

Stephen Ward steps away from the Irish set-up after 50 international caps.

Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

“The night we beat Italy at the 2016 EUROs will live with me for the rest of my life.“ him a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, managed by McCarthy.

He helped Wolves to the Premier League in 2009 and spent seven years in total with the club, including a loan spell with Brighton, before joining Burnley in 2014.

Ward helped Burnley qualify for the Europa League with a seventhplace finish in 2018, and started the game as firstchoice left-back before injuring his knee.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I have decided to retire from international football,” Ward said of the decision to step away from the squad.

“To represent my country has been a dream come true and the biggest honour I could have had.

“To play in a couple of major championships has been the highlight and the night we beat Italy at the 2016 EUROs will live with me for the rest of my life.

“I have been very proud to have played a part in those achievements and I feel this is a good time to move on.

“There are a lot of good young players and new talent coming through and I wish all of them, Mick [McCarthy] and the staff all the best for the future.

“I’d like to thank everyone – managers, players, backroom staff I’ve worked with and the supporters – and say it was

a pleasure to work with each and every one of them.”

Mc C a r t hy s a i d : “ I signed Stephen first from Bohemians and worked with him at Wolves and I’m kind of sad that I don’t get to work with him with Ireland but he’s made his decision and I can understand it.

“He has had 50 caps and he can retire being proud of that achievement.

“I’m really proud to have worked with him

because he was a really good player for me and for Ireland. “ Eve n t h o u g h we bought Wardy as a striker, I remember the day that I put him at left-back, at Charlton Athletic, and he was outstanding, and I kept picking him there after that.

“He’s had a really good career there and I’m sad to see him go but he wanted to be fair to me, fair to the other players, and fair to himself.”