Dublin Gazette: Fingal Edition

DublinGazette FEBRUARY 7-13, 2019

DUBLINMAGAZINE: Spring into February DUBLIN

with some fresh thinking and some colourful characters to help brighten your day SEE PAGE 13

Fingal Edition FREE

THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

Housing

FERGAL’S SIMPLY THE BEST

SPORT ATHLETICS: Coolmine’s Dave Flynn called into Irish squad after super training and race series in the Atlas mountains. SEE P32

travel

WHY NOT DIVE INTO HISTORIC MALTA’S DELIGHTS? SEE P20

NAMA’S role in evictions of up to 30 tenants at a Castleknock housing block was thrown into sharp relief, with Deputy Jack Chambers (FF) slamming the state assets agency’s “bizarre” role in “playing a central role in the deliberate eviction of tenants”.

SEE PAGE 4

FERGAL Quinn was delighted to pick up yet another award when he accepted The Community Foundation for Ireland’s Philanthropist of the Year Award recently.

Flanked by Corporate Philanthropist of the Year winner Catherine Keogh, Kerry Group and Noelle Spring director of the Katharine Howard Foundation, winner of the Brian Wilson Philanthropist of the Year award, the modest businessman with long-standing Fingal ties spoke humbly of his wish to help others, and the importance of all of us doing our best for each other and our communities. Picture: Jason Clarke

Top cop is urged to tackle Fingal crime Garda Commissioner urged to act SYLVIA POWNALL

Find us on Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

AN URGENT meeting has this week been sought with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to discuss crime and policing in north County Dublin.

Fingal TD Darragh O’Brien (FF) wrote to

the State’s top officer outlining the “fear and frustration” among local communities where garda numbers are down 20%.

The move comes in a week when two 12-year-old schoolgirls were beaten by a gang of teenage girls in separate so-called ‘Snapchat’ attacks in Balbriggan.

There was also an attempted abduction in Rush, a robbery at knifepoint in Blanchardstown, three cars set on fire in Malahide and a spate of tyre slashing.

Deputy O’Brien told Dublin Gazette: “Gardai are doing their best to deter crime but it’s a virtually impossible task. There’s just about the capacity to respond to emergency calls.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Daffodil Day turns to Sarah for help A MALAHIDE mum, and cancer survivor, is the face of this year’s 2019 Daffodil Day fundraising campaign, with her message of positivity and support to go nationwide as part of the popular annual fundraiser.

Sarah Murray is calling on everyone to help the Irish Cancer Society reach its target of €4m next month, with the March 22 fundraiser an opportunity to help support the ICS’s vital work, but also providing a moment to pause, and to seek your own health check, support and advice. See her positive message inside.

SEE PAGE 3

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 February 2019

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SOLIDARITY CLLR AFFECTED BY STRIKE BACKS STRIKERS

Appointment axed, stands with nurses

Call for a children’s play strategy plan

 SYLVIA POWNALL

spownall@dublingazette.com

A SOLIDARITY councillor whose hospital appointment was cancelled after a three-year wait has pledged her support for striking nurses.

Cllr Sandra Kavanagh last week received a letter informing her that her scheduled visit was axed due to the “planned industrial action by nursing staff”.

But the Dublin 15 activist, whose daughter is a fourth-year trainee psychiatric nurse based in Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, claimed the excuse offered by the HSE was a mere cop-out.

She said: “I received a

FASTNews

Cllr Sandra Kavanagh (SP) rallying support for the striking nurses in Blanchardstown – even though the strike also saw her own medical appointment cancelled

letter cancelling my hospital appointment that I’ve been waiting almost three years for.

“But what really boils my blood is blaming this cancellation on the nurses’ strike.

“How dare they! This appointment has been

cancelled before and there was no strike. And is the nurses’ strike also the reason I had to wait three years for this important appointment?

“The real reason this happened is because of a crumbling health service that is suffering from

chronic underfunding.”

Cllr Kavanagh, who braved the elements to stand on the picket line at Connolly Hospital last week and again on Tuesday, said “private parasites” were feeding off the public health service, citing the overspend on the national children’s hospital as an example.

And she revealed that her daughter was “one of the hundreds of students who will be leaving the Irish health service when she completes her exams and graduates”.

She added: “She has been forced to leave to try and build a life for herself because that option is not available to her here. I will never forgive this Government for this.

“But it makes me more determined than ever to be part of the movement to try and build a political alternative for working class and young people.”

Those on the picket line in Blanchardstown were overwhelmed with the level of support from the public and called for people to take part in a demonstration this Saturday, February 9 in Dublin city centre.

One striking nurse, Sorcha, said on Tuesday: “Please get out there and support us. We’re there when you need us, be there when we need you.”

GREEN Party representative Joe O’Brien has called on the council to develop a children’s play strategy for the county.

Mr O’Brien said research he conducted on how Fingal performs nationally revealed a ratio of just 39 playgrounds for 25,000 children aged four and under – putting Fingal 26th out of 31 local authorities nationally.

He added: “There are many areas in the county where children are simply not within walking distance of a playground and this is not acceptable.”

Mr O’Brien has also sought clarification from Fingal County Council on whether it has adhered to its policy of playground facilities being provided with every housing scheme over 50 units.

Study IDs key Fingal transport

Call to split Metrolink project

UPGRADING the R132 airport roundabout, a western airport ring road and the prioritisation of the Swords core bus corridor are key transport targets identified in Fingal.

The construction of a highquality sustainable transport network to serve the expanding town of Swords is also a priority of the South Fingal Transport Study, which has just been published by the council.

The local authority will now consider issues such as funding and planning with a view to progressing the projects. To see the full South Fingal Transport Study, see https://bit.ly/2RqqUjj.

TWO Fine Gael TDs have called for the Metrolink project to be split into two phases with the north Dublin network prioritised.

Alan Farrell and Noel Rock said any delay in the provision of Metro to Swords and Dublin Airport due to issues with the southside route selection was unacceptable.

Deputy Farrell added: “It is essential that a rail link is established to the airport from the city centre.

“The transport infrastructure the people of north Dublin and the growing Swords community both require and deserve must be delivered.”

FCC shortlisted for nine prestigious top awards FINGAL County Council (FCC) is shortlisted in nine categories in the 2019 All Ireland Community and Council Awards, including Council of the Year. The winners will be announced this Saturday, February 9 at an awards ceremony in Croke Park which will be presented by RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey.

Flavours of Fingal County Show is a finalist in the Best Arts/ Culture Initiative award category. Other finalists include a short film from Fingal Comhairle na nOg (best community initiative), Rush Harbour playground (best disability access) and the Tropical Butterfly House in Malahide Castle (best ecological).

FCC is delighted that Balbriggan resident Betty Bebbington is a finalist in the 2019 Community Volunteer of the Year award.

7 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

PEOPLE: SARAH’S DELIGHTED TO HELP FUNDRAISE AND SPREAD MESSAGE OF HOPE TECH

Malahide mum all set to be face of Daffodil Day SYLVIA POWNALL

A YOUNG mum from Malahide who had a ‘miracle’ baby after cancer is the face of the 2019 Daffodil Day fundraising campaign.

Sarah Murray (36) is sharing her story to raise awareness and help the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) reach its €4 million target on March 22 to meet demand for its services.

Having been diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2015 a year after giving birth to daughter Sadie (5), Sarah’s first concern was whether she could have more kids.

She was not given the option of freezing her eggs because she needed to start chemotherapy straight away. This was followed by a mastectomy and radiotherapy.

Sarah then put her reconstruction on hold and became pregnant with her second baby, Sean, who was born last June.

She revealed: “I am a young mother who had a baby after cancer and I want to give a message of hope to other people affected by cancer.”

During her treatment, Sarah used some of the ICS’ services including nurses at the Daffodil Cen-

tre in Beaumont and the online community.

She said: “I used to go into them on my way to my chemotherapy to have a chat and they were always so nice and helpful.

“After my treatment I suffered a lot with depression and anxiety. People expect you to be over it once treatment has finished, but for me that’s when the reality of what I had gone through hit me.

“Talking is so important, because recovery isn’t just physical, it’s mental too. Having a listening ear, someone who understands, is such a great help.”

Free Wifi hotspots for Babriggan

Meet the face of this year’s upcoming Daffodil Day fundraising campaign on March 22 – Malahide mum Sarah Murray with her children, Sadie and Sean

Sarah says Sean is a happy, healthy and active seven-month-old and Sadie loves having a little

brother to look after.

Daffodil Day 2019 is proudly supported by Boots Ireland and takes

place on March 22. You can volunteer at www. cancer.ie or donate on the day.

FREE WiFi is due to be rolled out via a series of hotspot hubs across Balbriggan in the coming weeks.

Fingal County Council has confirmed that Magnet Networks have installed the necessary beacons and are currently testing connectivity across the town.

Cllr Malachy Quinn (SF) welcomed the move and said it would provide “endless possibilities” for the community.

Cllr Quinn, who has lobbied for improved broadband for two years, urged other communities to avail of the infrastructure where possible.

He said: “The premise is that we equip as many towns and villages as possible with free wireless internet access.”

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 February 2019

COMMUNITY: HALF A DECADE OF MEETINGS END WITH ‘NOTHING TO SHOW’

POLICING

Years ‘wasted’ as joint policing group implodes SYLVIA POWNALL

COMMUNITY members of the Fingal Joint Policing Committee (JPC) say they are bitterly disappointed at a decision to abandon its work until after the local elections in May. As reported in Dublin Gazette last December, a series of quarterly meetings were postponed as tensions rose between community representatives and other members.

Now the JPC, which was established to

foster greater consultation and co-operation between gardai, the local authority and the community on the issues of policing and crime, has been effectively shelved.

A proposed resolution agreement which was circulated in late December suggested establishing new protocols and a grievance procedure – but not before the local elections this summer when a new JPC will be formed.

The agreement also states that “Fingal County Council/Fingal JPC will postpone

the JPC Strategic Plan until the new JPC convenes after the local elections ... Following agreement from all parties, Fingal Public Participation Network participation in the Joint Policing Committee will be re-established.”

A hostile exchange late last year resulted in community representatives being excluded from attending meetings. They have since rejected the resolution agreement between the Secretariat of Fingal PPN and a nominated council official on the JPC. One community representative told Dublin Gazette: “Basically we have wasted five years with nothing to show for it.

No strategy, no standing orders, nothing.

We came to the JPC in good faith but we have been ignored and kept in the dark.”

He added: “We have been diverted from all the positive contributions we could have made. It’s always been like they wanted to keep it behind closed doors but now they’ve brought the shutters down as well.”

A draft six-year Fingal JPC strategy had been due for consideration at the November 30 meeting last year for agreement and adoption.

The draft document has now been shelved until at least late May, and a meeting of the committee’s Community Safety Linkage group scheduled for next week has been axed.

Young minds impress at RDS A GROUP of Third Class students from St Francis Xavier Senior Primary School were the youngest participants at the BT Young Scientist Competition in the RDS last month.

Their research was on optical illusions, a topic the children decided on after attending a talk in Blanchardstown Library during Science Week last term. Some of the pupils are pictured with their teacher David Stokes, Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone, and BT managing director Shay Walsh. Picture: Iain White/Fennell Photography

NAMA role in evictions at Castleknock apartments slammed by Chambers SYLVIA POWNALL

THE Government cannot stand over NAMA’s involvement in the eviction of up to 30 residents of an apartment block in Castleknock, according to Fianna Fail TD Jack Chambers.

Tenants in nine apartments at Riverwood Hall, Carpenterstown were issued with notices to quit on behalf of a receiver with 12 weeks to vacate the premises.

Deputy Chambers raised the issue with Housing

Minister Eoghan Murphy and expressed concern over the role the National Assets Management Agency played.

He told the Dail: “In the past number of days one of the residents facing eviction was notified that NAMA is one of the main parties to this action involving nine households.

“It is highly inappropriate that NAMA, as a State agency, is circumventing our law by playing a central role in the deliberate eviction of tenants.

“Frankly, it is bizarre

that an agency of the State would actively undermine the Residential Tenancies Act and the Tyrrelstown amendment as enacted by the Taoiseach. There is no doubt that its involvement in the Riverwood Hall evictions undermines the relative section of the Programme for Government.

“This exposes even more dysfunction in the Government’s housing policies and I want to know everything the Government intends to do to address this appalling scenario.”

Deputy O’Brien is calling for action to tackle the north county crimewave

‘Urgent meeting’ sought with Garda boss CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Fingal has become a hotbed of crime with gangs of teenagers travelling to neighbouring communities to target innocent victims.

Reports of robbery from the person rose a shocking 285% in the Malahide District from January to October 2018, reflecting a spike in gang attacks over the Halloween period.

In one single incident, there were more than 100 youths from outside the area congregated outside a supermarket in Portmarnock threatening local teens.

Deputy O’Brien said he had held a number of public meetings on law and order and lobbied for more resources but the crime wave continues.

He said: “The thugs that are a threat to communities in the North County are well aware that there are barely enough garda resources to police streets let alone housing estates or more rural roads.

“We are no closer to Rush Garda Station being back up and running and the station in Malahide continues to operate on limited hours.

“Other towns such as Donabate, Portmarnock and Kinsealy are without any Garda resources whatsoever. That’s very difficult for residents to accept that given they don’t feel fully protected. “ Pe o p l e h ave h a d enough of feeling unsafe or unprotected and that’s something that I will be conveying to the Commissioner.”

7 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 February 2019

FASTNews

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Porterstown track plans now on show PUBLIC consultation has opened for the proposed provision of an all-weather running track and sports pitch in Porterstown Park in Dublin 15 (above).

If approved, the proposal will result in the development of a major recreational facility available for use by a large number of clubs, schools and community groups in the wider Blanchardstown area.

The project includes the first-ever public floodlit all-weather athletics track provided by Fingal County Council designed to meet daytime and evening training requirements for a wide range of sporting codes.

Plans are available for inspection from now until March 6 at the council offices in Swords and at Grove Road, Blanchardstown or via http://consult.fingal. ie/en/browse where submissions can be made.

Ella O’Reilly and Christine Brogan

Get bee-sy to support vital insects

bees are without food and not thriving.”

Cllr McCamley is urging others to back her bid to protect the bee population, asking that pollinators be planted LABOUR Cllr Mary McCamley in all gardens. She warned: is campaigning on behalf of “Bees are threatened – they are essential for fruit and vegour bee population, with a etables.” plea for businesses around The Labour representative Blanchardstown to set aside has already written to major land for wild meadows. businesses around Mulhuddart She said: “Because of the asking that they plant flowers lack of pollinator plants in and is urging others to do the and around the industrial area of Blanchardstown, the same.

Shauna Byrne

Malahide’s Got Talent winner Diana Salop. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Top talents sing out in Malahide M

2nd place Muireann McDonnell

Caoimhe Curry supporting her big sister

Tied for 3rd place Ava O’Brien and Rebbca Curry

ALAHIDE Musical and Dramatic society was proud to showcase an amazing array of talent at this year’s Malahide’s Got Talent Finals - held at The Grand Hotel Malahide recently and sponsored by the Malahide Credit Union.

With a phenomenal voice, young opera singer Diana Salop won the judges’ hearts and took first place in the hotly contested final, which showcased many talents.

7 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7 COMMERCIAL FEATURE

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 Next Palazzo Shadelier €46. Soft Velour Eyelet Lined Curtains €72-€153

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8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 February 2019

BLANCH: LAURA QUIRKE ON HER DIVERSE FOROIGE WORK IN D15

The ‘Quirky’ attitude that’s helping many young people

SYLVIA POWNALL

From baking to mentoring, Laura ‘Quirky’ Quirke has plenty of busy but rewarding days with Foroige

A FOROIGE youth officer has offered a glimpse of the kind of work she does as she leads a group of autistic teens, prepares for her early school leaves class and supports volunteers and members on a club

visit – all in one day.

Laura Quirke (28), or ‘Quirky’ as she’s known, agreed to be shadowed on a typical Monday to show the work she does with young people in Blanchardstown.

After a couple of hours’ administration, she headed to the supermarket to stock up on baking supplies before prepping for her Early School Leavers class the next day.

Laura revealed: “The structure of school hasn’t worked for them so the alternative approach to education in Foroige – using short bursts and programmes based upon real life – works with their needs.”

Later in the day it’s time for a club visit to Mulhuddart where girls aged 10 and 11 are honing their baking skills. This is just one of nine clubs supported by Laura along with her direct work two days a week in Blakestown.

While in college Laura became a ‘big sister’ in Foroige’s mentoring pro-

gramme and she has kept it up.

Back at base it’s time for more baking with another group of young people who are all on the autism spectrum.

Laura says one of the special things about it is that parents are not there, allowing them some independence.

She added: “We have one girl who really struggles with communication; she’s very shy and doesn’t like to speak at all. She’s never verbally told us how she feels, but last week she wrote it on her phone and showed us which was a massive step for her.”

Laura says her work is challenging and varied, but ultimately fulfilling.

She explained: “Sometimes the young people can be rude or call you every name under the sun ... but the support gets you through it to enjoy the good bits.”

You can read about Laura’s day in full on our website – www.dublingazette.com.

FASTNews

Delighted Derek stands at the peak of Aconcagua (6,962m), the highest mountain in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres

Derek’s feeling on top of the world after reaching peak A FINGAL man has reached the highest peak in the southern hemisphere after being forced to turn back last year due to altitude sickness.

Derek Mahon from The Naul posted photos of his triumphant climb on his Facebook page at the weekend, declaring he was off for “a glass of wine and a steak”.

Derek revisited the challenge as part of his plan to conquer the world’s seven highest peaks on seven continents in support of mental health charity, Grow.

He reached the top of Aconcagua late on Friday evening. Once he recovers, he plans to set his sights on training for a trip to Antarctica in December.

Well done, Derek!

Give Rush Fundraising all-weather Opera Gala pitch – FG to enchant LOCAL election candidate Bob Dowling (FG) is calling for a new all-weather pitch in Rush.

Mr Dowling, who was involved with the establishment of a similar amenity in Donabate, said it was badly needed to serve the town’s growing population and clubs including St Maur’s and Rush Athletic.

He said: “This is an ideal facility that would allow the local people and sports club to not have to travel to Balbriggan and elsewhere for all-weather pitches.”

Mr Dowling added: “The local people deserve this facility and it would help in obtaining important sporting infrastructure which is badly needed in the area.”

THE annual Opera Gala in aid of Home Start and Special Olympics Team Ireland takes place in St Brigid’s Church, Castleknock on Saturday, March 9 at 8pm.

Home Start is a local charity based in Mulhuddart and helps families to help themselves.

Guest performers include soprano Florence Chong, baritone David Corr, soprano Maria Matthews, bass Shokri Raoof, tenor Stephen Walker, pianist Mary Scarlett and flautist Colm Scully.

Tickets (€20) are available from Rachel Devlin (telephone 086 239 4387), Mary Troy (telephone 087 629 5494) or the parish office in Castleknock (telephone 01 820 0040).

7 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

SWORDS

VIOLENT ACTIONS AT OBERSTOWN

‘Don’t put election posters up’

Assaulted director, then escaped centre A TEEN who assaulted the director of the detention centre where he was being held with an iron bar escaped and walked to his grandmother’s house, a court heard.

Michael Ward (19) fled the Oberstown Children’s Detention Campus in Lusk on May 29, 2017 by using an angle grinder stored in a shed to cut through the fence.

Ward, of Gleann Riada, Strokestown Road, Co Longford pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to criminal damage, assault causing harm and assault.

He and three others broke out of the centre after what was described at the time as a mini-riot, prompting renewed calls for tighter security from the local

community.

The court heard Ward is serving a four-year sentence, with the final 12 months suspended, for other offences of criminal damage also c o m m i t te d a t O b e rstown.

Ward began a struggle with a staff member on his way to the bathroom a n d t h re a te n e d h i m with a broken piece of a ceramic plate he pulled from his shorts.

He and several other youths then barricaded themselves in an office, armed with metal table legs.

Ward broke a sink off the wall and smashed it over the toilet.

When campus director Pat Bergin arrived in a bid to calm the situation Ward reached through

a smashed window and swung a metal bar, hitting Mr Begin in the head.

He then removed a radiator from a wall and used it as a battering ram to get into a hallway before cutting through the fence and walking to his grandmother’s home in Crumlin.

T h e to t a l c o s t o f the damage done was €17,135.

Ward has 56 previous convictions, including convictions for theft, burglary, handling stolen property, criminal damage and public order offences.

Judge Patricia Ryan ordered a governor’s report and a probation report to be prepared and adjourned the matter for sentencing to March 22.

Sam’s delighted to win the St Francis Hospice car giveaway SAM Shiels from Skerries was delighted to accept the key to his new car after winning the annual draw held over Christmas in aid of St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown. The raffle raised more than €130,000 with seven other prizes ranging from €3,000 in cash to €200 vouchers for Blanch SC. Sam is pictured with his wife, Micheline, accepting the keys to his new Ford from Ashley Ford director Ciaran O’Riordan, along with Fr Dan Joe O’Mahony, The Oratory, Blanchardstown Centre and Padraig O’Dea, director of St Francis’ Hospice, who issued a heartfelt thanks to the community for their unwavering support.

ELECTION candidates are being urged not to put up posters along Swords Main Street in the run up to the May ballot for the council and European Parliament.

Swords Tidy Towns (STT), which was just three points off a gold medal in last year’s competition, has written to those who have already declared for the elections and say they’ve had some positive feedback.

STT chairperson Ken Duffy said: “As an incentive we’ve said we intend to publish the names of those who give a commitment not to put up posters on our Facebook page.

“Our volunteers are working very hard to turn silver into gold in 2019 and feel the posting of hundreds of posters on our Main St would severely damage those chances.”

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 February 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Jolanta Kavalec

St Vincent’s Castleknock College student Danny Zhao. Pictures: Marc O’Sullivan

Proud day for Castleknock’s Danny

O

VER 1,600 budding artists and writers of all ages from Ireland, the UK and the US participated in the Book of Kells Creative Competition recently held in The Dining Hall of Trinity College. The competition is now open

for 2019 and the theme is going to be ‘Irish Culture and The Book of Kells’. The closing date will be November 30th 2019 and further information will be available in the coming weeks on the website www.tcd.ie/visitors/competition/

Sharon Ni Bheoláin and Niamh Ni Iceadha

Grace Colville

Ionut George Adadi

7 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

INFRASTRUCTURE: NORTH COUNTY SUFFERING FROM LACK OF ADEQUATE SERVICES

Community groups unite for better transport SYLVIA POWNALL

COMMUNITY groups from across Fingal have joined forces to lobby for better public transport infrastructure.

Representatives from Malahide, Skerries, Rush and Donabate have united in a bid to push for improvements to the stretched public transport links in north county Dublin.

A spokesperson for the group said: “This is one of the fastest-growing local authority areas in Europe with large-scale housing construction projects putting rail, bus and Dart services

under huge strain.

“The roads network is also congested.”

Motorists frequently face lengthy delays on the M1 and other routes into Dublin city centre which are typically gridlocked at peak times both morning and evening.

Last month Irish Rail admitted there would be no significant improvement to its services before 2021 despite regular overcrowding on trains to the city centre.

A meeting of the various community groups, which was called by Donabate Portrane Community Council, heard the huge surge in build-

Easy, treesie does it ...

THE Mayor of Fingal, Anthony Lavin, was on green-fingered hand to help plant 1,000 trees in Robswall’s Park in Malahide recently, in an environmentally-focused move which saw Malahide scouts and students work together to help support the local environment. Their Easy-Treesie initiative was part of the UN sponsored Plant-for-thePlanet programme, inspired by teacher and Nobel Laureate Wangari Mathai, which aims to plant one trillion trees globally. Well done to all the inspirational young Malahide Sea Scouts and students of St Oliver Plunkett’s, St Andrew’s, St John Paul II and MalahidePortmarnock Educate Together schools who took part.

Disappointment as right of way to be extinguished A DECISION by An Bord Pleanala which will extinguish a long-established right of way in Donabate has led to “extreme disappointment” locally.

The walkway at The Paddocks has been used for years as a safe route to the local schools but now looks set to be closed off for good.

S u p p o r t i n g P ro p e r Development in Donabate (SPDD) objected to six additional houses being added to a development

near Somerton, on the basis that building them would eradicate the right of way.

But An Bord Pleanala upheld an appeal by Aljaco Ltd allowing the firm to build four of the six houses after Fingal County Council refused its application.

Last September parents held a peaceful protest at the entrance to the right of way, which has been out of commission for more than a year.

They now fear for the

safety of their children who will have to use a narrow footpath on a road congested with heavy construction traffic to get to school.

The developer says he does not intend to close existing links but is merely planning to divert the pathways.

SPDD says it is disappointed that Fingal County Council failed to document the existence of a right of way, which could have protected it.

ing and growing employment meant it was now proving difficult for commuters to get to work.

The number of private housing schemes under construction is close to 2008 levels, when the housing boom was at its peak, according to recent information from Fingal County Council.

The group spokesperson warned: “Bus services at peak times are at capacity and there is a need for more direct services into the city centre.

“Rail is not a viable option for many in Fingal.

There has been little investment in the North-

ern Commuter rail line in the past few years, even though passenger numbers are up 5% year on year already, leading to record numbers on this route.”

Donabate Portrane Community Council recently raised the issues at the council’s Public Participation Network planning, housing and transport linkage group meeting.

A petition has also been circulated calling on Transport Minister Shane Ross and the National Transport Authority to find the necessary funding required to address the public transport deficits.

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 7 February 2019

LOVE YOUR DUBLIN: THE BREAKDOWN OF THE BEST CHINESE FOOD DUBLIN HAS TO OFFER

DUBLIN MADE EASY

W

ITH Chinese New Year falling this week (Tuesday 5th) why not celebrate the Year of The Pig with the best Chinese food Dublin has to offer.

Over the past twenty years the quality of Chinese food available in the city has improved massively due to increased numbers of Chinese people making Dublin their home.

Back in the 80’s the highest concentration of Chinese restaurants in town was to be found in and around Georges Street.

Since then it’s the north side where most of the city’s Chinese restaurants are to be found with Parnell St now labelled as Dublin’s Chinatown.

While the title is unofficial, it was conferred by Google Maps who don’t own Dublin (yet!), there have been calls to officially rename the area and install traditional “Friendship Gates” at the entrance to the street.

The idea of a Chinatown in Dublin has been around for years and a petition was launched in 2016 calling for the city to follow London, New York, Sydney and many other western cities which have Asian districts with their entrance to each marked by a traditional Chinese arch.

Following a big debate in the office we’ve drawn up a list of the best Chinese restaurants in Dublin.

M&L CHINESE RESTAURANT, CATHEDRAL ST

LEE KEE CHINESE RESTAURANT PARNELL STREET LEE Kee is an authentic Chinese restaurant which serves genuine tasty ethnic food with no frills.

They have a massive menu to choose from devoid of the typical bland Chinese take away options and specialise in North Chinese cuisine.

Regularly voted Dublin’s best Chinese, M&L has without doubt the best dumplings in the city! Another authentic eatery where you will find loads of Chinese customers, they claim to offer “the true taste of China” as per their website.

The food is excellent and very reasonable priced plus they offer a full traditional experience, not just the food that is served to their diners.

GOOD WORLD SOUTH GEORGES STREET One of the longer established Chinese restaurants in the city, The Good World has the best dim-sum in Dublin and the menu also offers other genuine delicacies.

It’s open much later than most other city centre restaurants too which makes it a popular spot for night owls.

7 February 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

celebrate Valentine’s Day with a hot new outfit P23

MAGAZINE

DUBLIN

EXPLORING THE MIND OF A MASS KILLER... P18

CELEBRATE ST PATRICK’S DAY IN MALTA P20-21

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

FURTHER STARS ANNOUNCED FOR DUBLIN COMIC CON

STARS from Hellboy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Powers Rangers and Star Trek have been announced to attend Dublin Comic Con 2019. The latest line-up includes: Jonathan Frakes (Commander William T. Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation); Doug Jones (Star Trek Discovery, Shape of Water, Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth) ; James Marsters (‘Spike’ in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Supernatural) and Jason David Frank (the original Green Power Ranger).

Picture: Patrick O’Leary

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 7 February 2019

FEATURES COMEDY | COMEDIAN AND DEATH IN PARADISE STAR ALL GEARED UP FOR UPCOMING TOUR

Ardal to show off at Vicar Street BRIAN DONALDSON

ARDAL O’HANLON has been jolted out of that complacency by recent world events.

The good news is that this has meant the standup, writer, and TV star felt compelled to write a new stand-up set, The Showing Off Must Go On, which he’s preparing to bring to Vicar Street.

“I think it’s incumbent upon a comedian to find imaginative ways to come up with stuff.

“I prefer watching comedians who aren’t too partisan, so while I have strong political views, I don’t want to hit an audience over the head with them.

“Comedians have to be cannier than that. I’m not going to mention Trump or Brexit by name, but I hope to do stuff on them while trying to keep it a bit light.”

As well as displaying

puntastic talent, the title of Ardal’s show reflects part of his personality that he’s drawn upon in the entertainment world, despite his upbringing doing everything it could to dampen that spirit.

“I’m a very reluctant show-off,” he says of The Showing Off Must Go On. “I come from a part of the world where showing off is the worst thing you could possibly do, on the Irish border. Don’t speak unless it’s essential, and don’t give anything away.

Showing off was a terrible thing to do; it’s up there with armed robbery.”

This left Ardal feeling somewhat conflicted.

“I love stand-up and performing, but I’m conscious that this is showing off and I’m slightly uncomfortable about that. The question I ask myself is ‘why do I do this?’ I suppose to some extent this is what I’m addressing in

the show.”

As Fr Dougal McGuire, Ardal charmed the socks off the nation when Fa t h e r Te d re i g n e d supreme in the late 90s.

“I’m so grateful of the show and proud of my part.

“I arrived in London the year before [it started] and things were going well, and Father Ted was almost like a distraction from that. At the time I didn’t know what that would mean for my career.”

After Father Ted, Ardal’s stand-up career took off as performed for sold-out crowds, filmed a stand-up special, and released two live DVDs. On TV, he’s starred in BBC’s My Hero, has played the lead detective in Death In Paradise, and presented several documentary series.

Stand-up remains his first love, and Ardal is

almost giddy over taking another show onto the road.

“I’ve been lucky to have other dimensions to my career, but I’m constantly drawn back to stand-up; there’s something compulsive about it.

“I do love the performing aspect of it but equally I love the whole process of it, engaging with the world, trying to figure stuff out. Stand-up is the best medium for that.”

Ardal O’Hanlon will play Vicar Street on November 9th with The Showing off Must Go On, with tickets on sale now.

Girl Guides get their wings RACHEL D’ARCY

birds; Brownies; and Guides.

Ladybirds must colour in a

pilots as the international industry average.

Brian Bowden, chief people officer

This week, Aer Lingus announced

picture of an aircraft and make an

a new partnership with the Irish

object that flies such as a paper

for Aer Lingus said: “Just over 5% of

Girl Guides to create the ‘Aviation

plane, Brownies are required to

airline pilots worldwide are female

Badge’.

research different careers linked

and only 16% of engineering gradu-

with aviation, investigate innova-

ates in Ireland are female.

The new badge aims to engage

“Only by encouraging greater

girls from a young age with the avia-

tive women in the history of aviation

tion sector, by building an interest

and learn the phonetic language of

female interest and applications

and foundation for future study in

Aviation.

to these roles can we address the

STEM subjects.

The partnership will provide an

Aer Lingus has a strong track record of supporting female pilots.

gender imbalance.

“We’re delighted to partner and

introduction to aviation with the

They were the first airline in Europe

support the Aviation Badge, which

creation of three Aviation badges,

to employ a female pilot, and cur-

will introduce and engage girls with

one for each level of Girl Guide: Lady-

rently employ twice as many female

the aviation industry.”

7 February 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 7 February 2019

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

C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Group Editor: Patrick Finnegan pfinnegan@dublingazette.com Deputy Group Editor: Shane Dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Aisling Conway aconway@dublingazette.com Travel Editor: Sylvia Pownall spownall@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales:

01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com

FIND US ON

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

THINGS TO NOTE IN DUBLIN

DIARY

By George, he’s a real winner IONUT George Adadi, from St Vincent’s Secondary School, Dublin was delighted with his merit award for his art entry in the Book of Kells Creative Competition.

The Dublin teen was one of the winners in the popular competition, which attracted more than 1,600 budding artists and writers of all ages from across Ireland, Britain, Europe and the US, with some entries from as far away as Australia.

Judges had a tricky task in poring over the very diverse entries submitted in a number of categories, all of which took the Book of Kells as their focus point upon which to create a singular work of art or literature.

The 2019 competition is already open, with the theme of Irish Culture and The Book of Kells, with budding artists having plenty of time to get their work in before the closing date of November 30. Further information will soon be available at https://www.tcd.ie/visitors/competition/.

GET CREATIVE AT THIS COOL EVENT

ONE OF THE WORLD’S biggest conferences for the design and creative industries will return to the capital in April this year.

Offset has fast become one of the world’s most inspirational and educational conferences for the design and creative industries.

Since 2009, from their Dublin base, Offset has attracted such creative icons as Massimo Vignelli,

Sir Peter Blake, Shepard Fairey, Tomi Ungerer, JR, and Louise Fili.

Representing the industry at all levels, the speakers at the conference are key in their field, driving everything from huge global campaigns to personal projects.

The conference will be held at Point Village, from April 5 to April 7. Tickets are available from iloveoffset.com.

Rare disease conference

TO MARK the 12th annual World Rare Disease Day, Rare Diseases Ireland are holding a conference in the City Centre at the end of the month.

Titled “Bridging Health & Social Care,” will highlight the importance of joined-up hospital, primary care and community services for people with rare diseases.

Rare diseases can be debilitating and life-threatening. The conference will hear from patients and patient organisations facing the challenges of living with, and caring for, people with rare diseases on a daily basis.

There will also be contributions from speakers responsible for public policy and integrated care in the area.

‘Bridging Health & Social Care’ takes place on Thursday February 28 in CA House, Pearse Street, Dublin 2.

People with an interest in rare diseases can register their attendance anf find out more information about the conference at rdi.ie/rdd-2019.

Madama Butterfly to see the Opera this Feb IRISH NATIONAL Opera begins 2019 with its most extensive tour yet, opening in Dublin.

The company’s production of Orfeo ed Euridice will visit 11 venues between Thursday 7 February and Saturday 2 March for 13 performances.

The tour will open in the Civic Theatre, Tallaght (Thursday 7 February, Friday 8) and will travel across Ireland including Dún Laoghaire (Wednesday 27, Thursday 28) and Bray (Mermaid Arts Cen-

tre, Tuesday 12).

INO artistic director, Fergus Sheil, said, “I am delighted that one of our standout shows of 2018, will now be seen by opera lovers all over the country.

“On Sunday 24 March we have the opening night of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with Celine Byrne in the title role.

Madama Butterfly will be presented at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin and at the Cork Opera House.”

READ ALONG WITH ONE GOOD BOOK THIS APRIL

The cover of this year’s novel

THIS APRIL, One C i t y, O n e B o o k returns, encouraging everyone to read a novel connected with Dublin.

The novel choice for 2019 is The Country Girls Trilogy by Edna O’Brien, first published in t h e 1 9 6 0’s. T h e Country Girls book predated and anticipated the feminist revolution we know today, with little to

compare it to when it first debuted.

The Country Girls grew to what is now known as The Country Girls Trilogy, including the title volume, Girl with Green Eyes, published in 1962, and Girls in Their Married Bliss, published in 1964.

A host of events to accompany the book are expected to be announced in March For more information on the initiative, visit dublinonecityonebook.ie.

7 February 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

TUCK IN TO OUR FOODIE TITBITS

FOOD&DRINK

NIBBLESOFNEWS Aidan’s a winner with M&S! CONGRATULATIONS to Aidan McCarroll, who recently won a €100 voucher for the Marks and Spencer’s foodhall with Dublin Gazette.

Aidan entered the competition in his local Dublin Gazette just before Christmas, and he said that the voucher was a lovely and much welcomed surprise!

Don’t forget to keep an eye on your local Dublin Gazettefor more great giveaways, and congratulations once again to Aidan.

The Brass Fox shows heart of gold to nurses on strike across the city REBECCA RYAN

A PUB IN TALLAGHT is going all out to support nurses and midwives during their strikes.

The Brass Fox, located opposite The Square S h o p p i n g Ce n t re, i s o f fe r i n g e m e r g e n c y personnel 15% off their meal.

Nurses and midwives have been taking to the pickets outside hospitals and HSE facilities across the country since last Wednesday demand-

ing pay increases and government action on staff shortages. Further 24-hour strikes are scheduled for this month if the dispute continues.

To support the nurses and midwives, The Brass Fox wrote a post on their Facebook page saying: “We Stand With You Nurses and Midwives.

So enjoy 15% Off Your Meal In The Brass Fox when you show your staff badge.

“This offer also extends to other Emer-

gency Personnel - The Gardai, RNLI, Prison Officers,Fire and Ambulance Services. T&Cs apply.”

Co-owner of The Brass Fox, Michael Farrell, told Dublin Gazette why they decided to start the initiative.

“We’re very close to Tallaght hospital here so our customer base would be Tallaght hospital. We’ve been talking to the nurses and why they’re doing it, [and] I had that incentive in my

head.

“My brother’s in college at the moment to be a nurse. I spoke to my brother who has only started his first year in college this year [about it].

“No matter what way you look at it, it’s sectors like this that the government needs to look at.”

Mr Farrell said he has no end date yet for the initiative. “I don’t plan on stopping [the discount] any time soon,” added Mr Farrell.

New Irish veggie burgers A NEW IRISH food brand has launched a vegetarian and vegan friendly food range.

EDEN, a new chilled food brand, has introduced five vegetarian and vegan friendly burgers and bites, all produced in

Ireland.

There are five products in the range, including burgers in a choice of Curried Cauliflower, Spinach and Feta, Beetroot and Kale or Garden Vegetable and sides of Beetroot and Kale bites.

Say ‘I Love You’ with Lindt this Valentines

IF YOU’RE looking to say ‘I love you’ to someone special this Valentine’s Day with chocolate, Lindt Lindor have lots to offer.

Returning Spring 2019 is the popular Limited Edition Lindor Strawberries & Cream cornet. Each chocolate is made of luxurious premium white chocolate that is filled with smooth melting strawberry filling.

Alongside the iconic cornet range, other chocolates to enjoy are Maxi ball, containing a mouth-watering 44 delicious Lindor Milk truffles and the delicate Love heart box.

Lindt will also be personalising Lindor Love Heart 50g Tins for two days in Dunnes Stores, Cornelscourt on February

11th and 12th where you will be able to engrave a special personal message of your choice in a matter of seconds. A special gift for any Lindt lover.

a laugh about a play on words.

“It’s just a name of a pop

up burger bar, not a theme.

Hard not to offend someone in 2019. Take the high

road people, put it to rest and learn to forgive and forget,” read the statement.

Restaurant comes under fire for ‘Pablo Escoburgers’ - with free fake cocaine A POP-UP BURGER restaurant in Australia has received backlash after serving hamburgers with a fake line of cocaine on the top.

The cafe in Melbourne’s Prahan are serving the controversial burgers named after Colombian drug lord, Pablo Escobar.

They uploaded the image of their new offer-

ing onto its Facebook page and has since received a lot of criticism for their “poor taste.”

One wrote: “This is idiotic. You can’t forgive and forget when you have seen people die in front of you.”

Another wrote: “What’s next? Adolf Hitler pizza?

What a lack of imagination.”

Not everyone was

offended, though.“Love it.

Great play on words. Lighten up,” one person said.

While one Irish lad wrote: “Do not change this!

You have love and support from Ireland. This is hilarious and if we visit Australia we are coming!”

The Melbourne café/ restaurant defended its burger.

After the outrage, the

shop issued a statement saying they are “not here to offend.”

“We are very proud of our burgers, but we do also understand that Pablo Escobar was a horrible man.

“We do not condone or promote Pablo Escobar or his actions in anyway.

We are however Australian and know how to have

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 7 February 2019

ENTERTAINMENT CONVERSATIONS WITH A KILLER | NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES MASS KILLER’S MIND

Stills taken from ‘Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes. Pictures: Netflix

Lack of remorse makes new doc even more chilling

RACHEL D’ARCY

A GENERATION was left reeling by the tragic, horrific crimes of serial killer Ted Bundy.

Now, the so-called Netflix generation are being left fascinated and repulsed by the crimes committed by one of America’s most notorious murderers in a new documentary.

‘Conversations With A Killer’ explores several tapes recorded by two journalists in conversation with Ted Bundy in

the 1970s, in the midst of his jail time for over 30 murders of young women across several US states.

The documentary is a chilling exploration into the psychology of Bundy, at points almost seeming fictional given the reaction of the convicted killer.

It’s an interesting insight into the mind of Bundy, who at points throughly managed to believe he was innocent in it all. In fact, the killer wouldn’t even discuss the murderers until journalist Stephen Machaud got the

QUIKFLIX FLIX

murderer to begin speaking in the third person.

Listening to the law student discuss his bonechilling crimes in such a blasé manner has to be heard to be believed. A particular stand out was when he went into great depth describing how ‘someone’ would commit a particular murder - describing exactly what he had done to one of his young victims.

Details of his daughter and wife are glazed over in favour of describing the narcissism so deeply instilled in Bundy, of how he was evil at his core.

Hearing testimony and

interviews from police officers and other journalists intimately involved with the case was welcome, too, livening up the four-episode insight.

A particularly poignant interview with Carol DeRonch, a woman who evaded capture from Bundy and indeed seemed to be the catalyst in the killer being caught, is almost worth watching for alone.

She discusses the total lack of remorse he had, and how once she escaped he simply moved onto another victim in a scene perfectly edited to convey the coldblooded nature of

the subject.

Whilst not for the faint hearted, it’s a must-watch for anyone who has ever been intrigued as to the mind of a murderer. It explores every avenue of Bundy’s killer career, from his first kill up until his own chair in the electric chair.

‘Conversations With A Killer’ doesn’t attempt to humanise Bundy, which is a huge credit. Instead, it demonises the murderer further, if that was even possible.

The four-episode documentary is available to stream now on Netflix.

Streaming the latest news

Twilight Zone set for reboot

Walking Dead renewed for tenth season

Judith from The Walking Dead

DESPITE the departure of lead character Rick, The Walking Dead will return for a tenth season this October.

The cult favourite zombie-smashing show’s renewal was announced in

a teaser on Monday by the series’ showrunner, Angela Kang.

Kang made the reveal with a zombie-packed trailer on Instagram, after previously teasing a tenth season in late 2018.

The news comes ahead of the series nine mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead, which is expected to air on FOX this Monday, February 11 - just one day after it debuts on AMC in the US.

Director Jordan Peele

A REBOOT of cult television show Twilight Zone is set for a reboot, brought to life by none other than ‘Get Out’ director Jordan Peele.

Originally created in 1959

by Rod Sterling, the modern version will be adapted by Peele, alongside Simon Kinberg and Marco Ramirez.

Speaking about the reboot in a statement, Peele said: “If

we approach it without ego and sort of bow to Serling, that will hopefully suffice for our fellow Twilight Zone fans, but also bring back a show that I think is needed right now.

“It’s a show that has always helped us look at ourselves, hold a mirror up to society.”

It will premiere in the US on April 1.

7 February 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

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

ENTERTAINMENT

White Denim Free-Spirited Texan Garage Soul

GOINGOUTOUT

PICK WEEK OF THE

FEBRUARY 8 (FRIDAY) Sleaford Mods + Vulpynes @ The Academy, €24 Two men and a beat box, or the most cutting piece of social commentary to emerge out of a struggling UK this side of the turn of the century? Sleaford Mods certainly get people talking...

DRAWING on mildly psychedelic influences and living with a growing dislike of anyone meddling with their music, fiercely independent Texans White Denim are treading an unusual path.

Born in vibrant Austin - a rare liberal haven in the state - the four-piece almost collapsed in recent years, when two of the four members walked out to tour with another act.

Having considered their future, remaining members James Petralli and Steve Terebecki came out publicly to say that despite a recent UK top twenty album, they weren’t sure they could carry on.

But carry on they did. Recruiting new members and re-routing their music to its original, slightly roughshod home turf, they abandoned the idea of producers, and reconnected with the shabby, garage-led sound of their early records.

They also set themselves back up in their music-obsessed city, ploughing their own furrow far

 JAMES HENDICOTT

from watching eyes in a purpose build studio far from the eyes of record labels looking to spin their sound.

“Austin has so many venues that you could play every day of the week if you wanted to,” Terebecki says of the early days that have begun to inspire again.

“I guess that helped us to forge our set up as a live band, which was really healthy. Now, we probably play in London more than we do in Austin.

“We had two albums out in the UK before we released the first one in the US, so we had a bit of a head start there, and we play a lot of shows in Europe compared the back home.”

White Denim are now seven albums deep, but their most recent effort ‘Stiff’ is unusual, in that it is such a throwback to the

FEBRUARY 7 (THURSDAY) Gorgon City @ Olympia Theatre, €23 Another Sky @ Whelan’s, €13

FEBRUARY 8 (FRIDAY) LiR @ Whelan’s, €20 Shabazz Palaces @ The Sugar Club, €20 Alex Jordan & Co @ Whelan’s Upstairs, €8

FEBRUARY 9 (SATURDAY) Balthazar @ Whelan’s, €18

band that originally broke out of the Texan scene, and throws aside the more complex take of the last three or four records along the way.

“I don’t think too much has changed, really,” Terebecki says.

“We used to listen to a lot of early 70s [Frank] Zappa, and we still do. We’re kind of all over the place, like that stuff.

“We don’t write for a record, particularly. We have enough tracks to put our another three or four records right now, but we’re writing them as individual tracks.”

“Instead, when it comes to releasing something, we look at what we have and how it will fit together as a whole. Starting with the new guys has really helped us grow.

“We had to relearn a lot of old songs with them, and they’re not easy songs to learn. It’s given us confidence that we can work it out and carry on.”

“They haven’t been contributing too much to the writing on the stuff we have out so far, but

Roy Orbison Reborn (tribute) @ Olympia Theatre, €35 God Is An Astronaut @ The Academy, €25 Far more acclaimed outside of Ireland than at home, this talented, swirling instrumental rock act bring euphoria wherever they play.

John Blek @ Whelan’s Upstairs, €12 D Double E @ The Sugar Club, €10

FEBRUARY 10 (SUNDAY)

that’s changing now. They’ve hit it out of the park, really. We’re tighter than ever, and really happy with what we’re writing.

It’s taken away the question marks that we had a couple of years ago, really.”

Shortly after I spoke Terebecki, White Denim announced their eighth album, ‘Side Effects’, which is likely to feature heavily in the forthcoming Dublin show, where the freshlyforged four-piece will refuse to tow the line.

“We’re not the type of band to play the ‘hits’ or even the same songs for many shows in a row.

We also don’t change too much to suit an audience.

“We like extended instrumental, bridges, messing with our songs, stuff like that,” Terebecki says.

“We think it works better, but I guess that’s for the audience to judge.”

White Denim play Whelan’s, Dublin on Sunday, February 10, with support from Lylo. Tickets are priced at €23,85.

White Denim @ Whelan’s, €23 Witt Lowry @ The Academy, €23 Behemoth @ Vicar Street, sold out

FEBRUARY 12 (TUESDAY) She Drew The Gun @ The Workman’s Club, €12

FEBRUARY 13 (WEDNESDAY) Cuig @ Whelan’s, €15 Joe Armon-Jones @ The Sugar Club, €15

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 7 February 2019

TRAVEL COMMERCIAL CONTENT

Knock €100 off a dream holiday with GoHop.ie great 2019 deals IRISH holiday firm GoHop.ie has just launched a January Pay Day Promo Code, offering consumers €100 off bookings made up to midnight on February 9.

January can be a rather long month for many people financially, so the GoHop.ie promo code will be a welcome incentive for holiday consumers who hold off booking their annual getaway until pay day finally arrives.

The promo code, entitled ESCAPE19, is aimed at incentivising both family and worldwide destinations departing in high season that can often prove more expensive.

A selection of holidays that qualify for the ESCAPE19 promo code include: Lanzarote: August 16, seven nights at the threestar Blue Sea Los Fiscos, Puerto del Carmen, from €2,080 all-inclusive (total price based on two adults and two children).

Algarve: August 6, seven nights at the four-star Club Praia da Oura, Albufeira, from €2,604 all-inclusive (total price based on two adults and two children).

Vietnam: September, nine nights in Hanoi, Hue, Ho Chi Minh from €1,499pp.

Las Vegas & Cancun: September, ten nights featuring three nights in Las Vegas, seven in Cancun, from €2,300pp.

Orlando: June 25, 12 nights at the five-star Grande Villas Resort, Lake Bueno Vista, from €1,105pp.

San Francisco: April 11, five-nights at the four-star Bijou Hotel, from €1,330pp.

All the above prices include return flights from Dublin, all taxes and accommodation as specified. Baggage and transfers are an optional extra; terms and conditions apply.

GoHop.ie is now considered one of the most popular holiday websites in Ireland. Irish-owned and managed, the brand continues to broaden its appeal to holiday consumers, offering great value holidays to suit every budget at some of the best prices on the market, operating flights from Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock airports.

The company boasts more than 45,000 followers on Facebook and enjoys a Feefo rating of 4.75.

Consumers can also sign up to the GoHop weekly newsletter for unbeatable worldwide holiday deals and exciting product updates.

For further infromation, see GoHop.ie, or call 01 241 2389; on Facebook see GoHop.ie; on Twitter follow @GoHop_ie; or on Instagram follow #GoHop.ie.

MEDITERRANEAN | MARCH 17 FESTIVITIES

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Malta

SYLVIA POWNALL

Travel Editor THIS year why not do something a bit different and celebrate our patron saint on the Mediterranean island of Malta?

The archipelago might be smack bang between Sicily and the North African coast but it also has a strong Irish connection which can be traced back to the turn of the 20th century.

The Royal Dublin Fusiliers were stationed in Floriana and would celebrate St Patrick’s Day in the area.

For them, the day became a reason to get together and remember home.

St Patrick’s Day is always a fantastic celebration in Malta.

A street party will take place in Floriana on the day and there is certain to be a great festive atmosphere.

Make sure you call into The Dubliner - Malta’s one and only true Irish Pub - to toast St Patrick.

March 17 festivities aside, Malta has an excellent nightlife and has emerged as a hub for the clubbing scene. If large clubs are not your scene it also boasts an array of qui-

eter bars where top notch house DJs entertain, and the admission is usually free.

Paceville, on the coast near St. Julians, houses the majority of Malta’s nightclubs, along with a wide selection of bars.

The nation is known for historic sites dating back to a succession of rulers including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British.

There are a huge range of fortresses, megalithic temples and the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean complex of halls and burial chambers dating back to circa 4000BC, to discover.

Fort St Elmo, Saint John’s Co-Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens, and Manoel Theatre make for the best places to see.

Visiting Malta in the springtime offers the best climate for enjoying its picturesque natural landscapes.

With plenty of trails and outdoor excursions, Malta is a great place to hike.

One of the most popular hiking spots is the Dingli Cliffs which stands at an impressive 220 meters and is the highest point on the

island.

From rugged cliffs to crystal clear waters, Malta is blessed with contrasting landscapes and a breathtaking coastline.

It has some of the best spots for scuba-diving worldwide, not to mention snorkelling at the historic Blue Grotto cave and diving in the Blue The nation is known Lagoon of Camino. for historic sites dating For the sunback to a succession of bather the charming islet rulers including the Romans, of Comino is Moors, Knights of Saint your ideal retreat.

John, French Spread over just and British.

3.5sqkm it enjoys the title of being the tiniest island between Gozo and Malta.

Being a bird sanctuary and a nature reserve, it attracts many tour- extensive views offered ists throughout the year. from the harbour are simBeside the famous blue ply breathtaking. lagoon, other places to visit on the island include Getting there With Concorde Travel the Saint Mary’s Tower you can depart Dublin on and the Comino chapel.

The Grand Harbor, or the March 12 and stay seven Port of Valletta, dates back nights at the five-star to prehistoric times and is Corinthia St Georges Bay, St. Julians, (B&B basis) for a place to fall in love with.

Over the years it has €579 pp or at the four-star undergone significant Waterfront Hotel, Sliema, renovations with docks, (B&B basis) for €539 pp.

With Budget Travel wharves, and fortification. Besides being a place you can depart Dublin on dipped in rich history, the March 16 and stay seven

nights at the four-star Ramla Bay Resort, Mellieha (B&B Basis) for €395 pp or you can depart Dublin on March 28 and stay seven nights at the fourstar Pergola Hotel & Spa Mellieha (room only) for €349 pp.

With Mercury Holidays you can depart Dublin on March 30 and stay a week at the four-star Qawra Palace, Qawra (half board basis) from €325 pp.

Mor details at www.maltaireland.com.

7 February 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

One of the most popular hiking spots is the Dingli Cliffs which stands at an impressive 220 meters and is the highest point on the island.

The upper barrakka gardens in Valletta. (Top) Above: Grand Harbor Port Valletta

The Blue Lagoon of Camino

St Johns Co Cathedral

Malta has some of the best spots for scuba-diving worldwide

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 7 February 2019

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SOCCER P28

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

SPAWELL’S FUTURE: GOLF: THE Spawell Golf Centre and

Driving Range in Templeogue reopened last Friday under the new management of former tour professional, Peter Lawrie.

The four-time winner on the European Tour has taken over the facility under a lease from Dublin GAA, owners of the 35-acre Spawell site. Padraig Harrington was on hand with Lawrie to cut the ribbon of the venture.



GAZETTE

LADIES FOOTBALL P31

PAGE 29

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS SOCCER | FAI JUNIOR CUP LAST EIGHT BACKONS FOR QUIGLEY

Different gravy as Sheriff enjoy Gorey details  JAMES HENDICOTT

sport@dublingazette.com

SHERIFF YC manager Mark Quigley says his side don’t fear anybody as they prepare to find out their opponents in the quarter-finals of the FAI Junior Cup next week.

Sheriff travelled to Wexford to take on Gorey Rangers in the last 16 over the weekend and came out with a 2-0 win thanks to Anthony ‘Bisto’ Flood’s brace.

It was the previous round’s clash with Pike Rovers – who lost on penalties at the Aviva in last year’s final – that most pleased the young manager.

A man down and a goal down early doors, a young Sheriff side rallied to draw 2-2 and went through on penalties, and showed Quigley they have the mettle to rival past sides.

“We’ve been comfortable in a lot of games but we needed a game

where we were up against it with our backs to the wall and a bit of adversity,” Quigley tells the Dublin Gazette.

“That was the last round of the FAI Junior where we played Pike at home. They took the lead and we had a player sent off.

“That was something I wanted to see, especially with the new lads, if there was that bit of character there.

“We came through and played basically the full game with ten men, took the lead and beat them on penalties.

“That was a game we needed to see, and I’m glad I saw it early enough in the season to see the lads have that character.”

The former St Pats striker had enough confidence in the mixture of youth and experience he started the season with that he didn’t bring in any new players in the transfer window.

He’s only had to take to the field

Sheriff YC prior to their game against Gorey Rangers.

Picture: Ian King Photography

once himself, early in the season, when injuries and holidays meant Flood, Darren ‘Wacker’ Dunne and Keith Rickard were all unavailable.

The 33-year-old is enjoying his role off the playing field and the pressure of managing junior football’s biggest club appears to sit easily with him.

“We’ve eight games left in the league and if we win our eight games we win the league. That’s the way I look at it.

“That’s what I’ve been putting into the lads’ minds and, to be fair, they’ve seen it and done it.

“There’s a lot of experience in the team.”

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 7 February 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

1

SOCCER: NEW BOSS CONFIDENT CLUB CAN ARREST DECLINE

FINGALLIANS

ST PATRICKS Day Parade: We had a terrible turn out for the St Patricks Day Parade Meeting during the week, with ONLY ONE PERSON turning from the whole club. To be honest, this is a total disgrace; we have a super chance to show off our club as the biggest club in North County Dublin on St Patricks Day. It does not cost us a penny and the players really enjoy it.Can I ask that each team put somebody forward to take up a role as the go to person for person to laise with Liam about the Parade.For the club to progress we need to take opportunities like this on board?

U-16 Ladies Football Team: The Club are seeking Applications for the role of U16 Ladies Football Manager.Contact Nicky Fitzgerald Ladies Chairperson.

Athletics:Well done to the Fingallians U16 Girls, Leanne Buckley, Ava Keogh, Laura Constantine and Sophie Reihill who have qualified for the National Juvenile Indoor Championship.

The U-15 boys football teams returned to action over the weekend with the Div 2 team suffering a very narrow defeat to Thomas Ashe and Div 6 Team beating Neighbours St Sylvesters.

Dublin U-14 Camogie : Well done to Sarah Power and to Aoife Kenny on making the U-14 Dublin camogie team .

Awards Night: Minor Hurler of the Year this year was Jamie Mahony (Correction from last’s notes) Annual Membership : The Annual membership is now due via an App for Smart Phones called Myclubfinance. Its a great way to play the club Lotto online.

GARDA/WESTMANSTOWN PRE SEASON continues for Inters and Juniors with training at Westmanstown on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30.PM and at the Garda Ground,Phoenix Park on Saturdays at 10am.

Inters had a very good workout last Sunday with challenge away at Glen Emmetts in Tullyallen losing by a point 1-16 to 0-18.

Thanks to Glen Emmetts for the game and after match hospitality.The league season starts on Sunday week February 17th with Inters away at St Finians Newcastle and Juniors at home to Ranelagh Gaels in Westmanstown.

Ladies Pre Season training has now started with Gym session at Insanity Fitzone on Monday nights 8.30-9.30.PM and pitch sessions in Westmanstown on Wednesdays at 7.30.PM and Saturday morning at 8.00.

AM-new players always welcome.

Lots of juvenile training activity at the moment in hurling ,football,and camogie and of course

the nursery is open to all the children of the area on Saturday mornings on the All Weather Pitch at 10.00.

AM.U11 footballers had their first outing of the season against St Pats Palmerstown losing after a very worthwhile outing.Special mention to Oisin,Adam and Colin who stood out in a really good team performance.

Club Membership Fees are now due and must be paid before February 28.

It is very important especially that players are fully paid up to comply with insurance requirments in the event of a serious playing or training injury.

Fees can be paid online at https://payments. gardawestmanstowngaels. com/registration or Garda members can use the weekly deduction form.

Club members are reminded that the Tom Langan Cup Police Tournament takes place in New York from October 16-18-travel enquiries to any member of organising committee.

Paul Perth, centre, has taken on the senior manager role at Verona. He is pictured with Derek Clarke and Liam McMillen

Perth’s big Verona ambitions LSL SUNDAY SENIOR 1A  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

NEW Verona manager Paul Perth has challenged his squad to rally together for the second half of the season to turn the ailing Blanch club’s fortunes around.

Verona have suffered successive relegations from LSL Sunday Senior to Senior 1A in the past two seasons and have struggled again this season.

After winning three of their first four games (one of which was expunged when Sacred Hearts dropped out) they went on a run of ten straight defeats. That finally came to an end on Friday evening when Verona travelled to Beggsboro and secured a 2-2 draw, but manager Garrett Dodrill had already

paid the price for poor form.

Perth knows a thing or two about reigniting the fortunes of a club at a low ebb, having taken Newbridge from 1A back to the top tier.

He may have a more difficult time in Blanchardstown, however, competing with local powerhouse St Mochta’s and a young squad with studies and work to contend with.

The youth worker from Tallaght likens the challenge to the one he faced when he took over Newbridge in 2015, only with slightly less room to manoeuvre.

“When we took over Newbridge they were in 1A as well and they were after getting relegated,” Perth tells the Dublin Gazette.

“It was the same type

of challenge, I suppose.

The only difference from a manager’s point of view is with Newbridge I was starting from the start of the season.

“You can big it up and create a bit of hype going in that you’re going to win leagues and you can attract players.

“Coming in with Verona at the bottom of the league, it’s hard to generate that kind of hype and say to fellas we can win something, and do something special.

“Fellas are looking at league tables and saying, ‘yeah, right, you’re a spoofer.’ For me, that was the difference.”

Perth brought in a few fresh faces in January, most notably goalkeeper Mark O’Connor, who finished 2018 at Bray Wanderers, and Stephen Best

from Newbridge.

Two of the young players already at the club, Aaron O’Hanlon and Yusuf Shushan, gave his side a healthy lead against Beggsboro.

Verona played the final 15 minutes with ten men, however, and goals from Brian Voakes and Stephen Fitzpatrick, in the last minutes, denied Perth his first win as manager.

The manager is adamant the talent is there for Verona to not only survive in the third tier but to take the club back to the heights of recent years.

“For fear of sounding like my dad, it’s a reflection on junior football. On Friday night we struggled to have a squad.

“With the Saturday and the Sunday teams, you’ve good numbers but you’re always missing three,

four, maybe five of the lads you’d planned starting.

“I suppose it’s indicative of junior football at the moment. That’s the way it’s gone. We’ve 60 lads signed for the club, probably more, and you’re struggling to field teams sometimes.

“That’s not just Verona – there are a lot of teams like that. There are a lot of teams in Blanchardstown as well. You’ve Corduff and Hartstown Huntstown, and you’ve St Mochta’s dominating and taking their pick of who they want, and rightly so because they’re in the Senior Division.

“If everybody is committed and everybody turns up, there’s no reason Verona can’t be challenging for leagues and not fighting relegation, and that’s a fact.”

O’Leary lands Saints victory

St Mochta’s remain in the mix at the top of the LSL Saturday Major 1A

JOHN O’Leary’s brilliant strike in added time secured the points for St Mochta’s in a dramatic 3-2 win over PortmarnockAFC in LSL Saturday Major 1A. He applied a beautiful finish from 25 yards out to send the Saints into raptures.

Aaron O’ Brien opened the scoring on 10 minutes, blasting into the corner of the net.

Portmarnock equalised on the stoke of half time when the ball was bundled over the line following a free kick.

Hayden Rogers restored the advantage on 58 minutes with terrific low finish.

The Saints were denied adding to the scoresheet by some excellent saves by the Portmarnock goalkeeper and they looked to have earned a point when the ball was headed home after Adam Kmet produced a save.

The Saints fought back to win the game with a piece of individual brilliance by John O’ Leary, letting loose with a dipping shot from distance.

7 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

GOLF: FORMER CASTLEKNOCK AND LUTTRELLSTOWN MAN STARTS BIG NEW VENTURE

Lawrie cuts ribbon at Spawell SPAWELL GOLF CENTRE  STEPHEN FINDLATER

sport@dublingazette.com

THE Spawell Golf Centre and Driving Range in Templeogue reopened last Friday under the new management of former tour professional, Peter Lawrie.

The four-time winner on the European Tour has taken over the facility under a lease from Dublin GAA, owners of the 35-acre Spawell site.

Lawrie and long time European Tour colleague and now Ryder Cup captain, Padraig Harrington was on hand to cut the ribbon on the new venture.

The long-time Castleknock Golf Club member Lawrie spent a lot of his youth in the are, going to school in Terenure College, and this marks his latest venture since stepping away from the touring life.

“I was driving over to see my Mum and Dad and I saw the sign that Carr Golf were closing down the driving range, so I made a few phone calls and Dublin GAA were looking for a tenant to run the driv-

ing range on a short term basis,” he said.

“I did a deal with them and I have taken a lease for nearly three years, which will possibly stretch to five.

“We will see what happens but I have put a lot of work into it to get it up and running. I have really got my hands dirty.”

In September 2016, he announced his retirement from the European Tour at the end of the season to take up a position as a golf professional in Luttrellstown Castle golf club This latest move, though, is one which is close to his heart.

“This place is really close to my heart. I remember my Dad bringing me here to the late pro Peter O’Connor for lessons in the mid-80s.

“The Kennedy family ran it for years and did a great job with it and it has long been regarded as one of the best driving ranges in Ireland.

“I will be hands on and will be delighted to pass on tips to visitors at no extra cost.

“I have gotten a lot out of golf and it is nice to be able to give something back.

“For everyone who knows me,

they are all welcome and hopefully we can give them a good experience” said Lawrie.

The driving range has been given a complete facelift and will feature brand new mats and brand new golf balls.

The Golf Centre will have a club fitting room, run by Johnny Dignam, where people can get shafts and grips fitted, clubs repaired or get measured up for new golf clubs.

There will also be a fully stocked golf shop.

Lawrie also plans to introduce Toptracer technology to the 14 upstairs driving bays for private hire to individuals or corporate clients, who are looking for something different other than a regular driving range.

Players can play different golf courses on the Toptracer and have their shots tracked, with all the data going back to their mobile phone.

Among the professionals lined up to provide lessons at the Centre are Tim Rice, Colm Moriarty and Brendan McDaid, who will be returning to Spawell having worked there in the past.

Padraig Harrington and Peter Lawrie cut the ribbon for the reopening of the Spawell Golf Centre. Picture: Thos Caffrey / Golffile

Swords Thunder have endured a tough season in National Division One. Picture: Eoin Noonan/Sportsfile

Swords cut down on both fronts BASKETBALL

 sport@dublingazette.com

SWORDS Thunder suffered a pair of defeats on the national stage as the men’s side fell 74-64 to Maree while the women went down 95-75 to Phoenix Rockets.

Against Maree, the host’s depth of players helping them to victory.

Elijah Mays and Isaac Westbrooks ran the floor for Thunder but were

not able to keep up with the scoring prowess of Maree’s international players, Niels Bunschoten and Sean Sellers who scored 28 and 18 points respectively.

Mays ended with 18 for Thunder while Charlie Coombes got 15 and Kevin Lacey 13.

The result sees the Swords side sit in ninth place in the division with 15 games played to date.

Maree head coach, Mike Lynch, said afterwards: “Every win in this league is a great win.

We’ve worked very hard these last two weeks and we worked on our game plan. The effort of these players is great and they deserve the win.”

On the women’s side, Phoenix Rockets drove home to a 95-76 point win over Swords Thunder with head coach Breda Dick comment-

ing afterwards: “Swords Thunder’s game plan was to close off Amanda [Fioravanti], who still managed to pick up 29 points and 10 rebounds thanks to numerous assists.

“We also had Amber Deane and Charlie McGrath shooting well and taking control.”

The result sees Swords sit fourth in the northern conference in women’s Division One.

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 February 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

ST BRIGID’S OUR club nursery will continues this Saturday morning and every Saturday morning from 9.30am. All 4-7 year old boys and girls are welcome to come down and join in the fun!

2019 Club Memberships are now due and can be paid online via our Club Website. As always, the deadline is March 31, after which players will not be permitted to play or train.

A huge thank you to everyone who supports St Brigid’s Club Lotto and thanks to our hard-working Lotto Committee. Our next Lotto draw is in Myos when the Jackpot will be €10,000 this Friday, February 8.

Foundation Hurling and Football Course Monday 18th February and Friday 22nd February from 7pm to 10pm on both nights. Please contact @BarryMullane1 at barry.mullane.gpo. dublin@gaa.ie to book your place! All new parents or coaches are particularly welcome.

All our grass pitches in Russell Park and Collegefort are now out of use to allow for maintenance and recovery.

The Club are delighted to be part of the GAA’s National Club Draw again this year with a top prize of a new Renault Car up for grabs. Tickets are €10 and are available from the bar or from team mentors.

Managers, mentors and coaches are needed for adult football for 2019 and for our Senior Ladies Footballers - if you are willing to come forward or have somebody to recommend please contact pro.stbrigids. dublin@gaa.ie or phone 0868229312.

All our adult teams are back training! New or returning players are always welcome! Just contact; pro.stbrigids.dublin@ gaa.ie for info!

Keep up with all our news on our website www.stbrigidsgaa.com our Club App and our Facebook and Twitter pages!

Our Club Shop with O’Neills is also on our website!

SKERRIES HARPS WELL done to our club representatives who represented Dublin over the weekend - James Casey (Dublin Minors), Hannah McGinnis (U14 development) Alix Buckley (Senior Camogie) and Lyndsey Davey & Eve Kehoe (Senior Ladies).

Reminder , Skerries Harps Annual Membership fees are now due and are available for renewal online at www.skerriesharps.ie/club-membership. All Players (Adult & Juvenile) must have membership and injury fund fees paid up to date before commencement of the 2019 season. Contact Club Registrar Peter Farmer @ SkerriesHarps.registrar@gmail.com with any queries.

Upcoming Events /Diary Dates. February 22 - Junior disco 8pm -11pm in aid of our Feile Fundraiser 2019. Contact team mentors for details.

March 2 - annual Cheltenham Preview Night in the Clubhouse. 8PM TILL LATE! Great line up of experts on our panel , contact Fergal 086 8984657 for more info; March 8 - annual Skerries Harps Fashion Show 8pm. Tickets Sold Out. March 15 -race night fundraiser in aid of Feile 2019. Always a great night , more details to follow; June 1 - Elvis Spectacular at the Harps! Save the date in your diary a night not to be missed!

Skerries Harps Golf Society (SHAGS) 2019 : Outings as follows:- FRI 10th MAY - Balbriggan Golf Club; FRI 14th JUNE - Swords Open GC; FRI 16th AUG - Lisburn Golf Club ; FRI 13th SEP - Captain’s Day Skerries GC. Contact Paul Murray 0851740474 for details Zingo Result: 3-7-2-5-6-1-4. We had no winners of Jackpot . Next week’s Jackpot €3600. Congrats to, Dividend winner Denis Murphy (€300).

Next Draw will take place on Sunday, February 10 at 6.30pm in the clubhouse.

How do you win? You buy. a ticket! You can also play online at skerriesharps.ie and follow the links. Entries only €2 each or 3 for €5.

Academy continues Sat 9th Feb 10am -11am . Club shop open during Academy, tea/coffee available in the Clubhouse.

We are seeking more volunteers to help out in the Club Shop or with Refreshments for an hour on a Sat morning - Contact Joanne 0864048523 if you can help...

Community Walk Every Thurs up to Feb 21st as part of the “Ireland Lights up” initiative in partnership with Operation Transformation. Meet 6.30pm for walk at 7 , wear HighVis Jacket if possible !

Adult meetings continue Thurs 9.30pm.

Juvenile Meetings continue Thurs 9pm sharp. Representation required from all teams please.

CAMOGIE: ST VINCENT’S WOMAN LANDS KEY SCORE

Maguire magic earns first point for sky blues NAT. CAMOGIE LEAGUE Dublin 0-10 Offaly 0-10  sport@dublingazette.com

ST VINCENT’S Ali Maguire struck a late point to earn Dublin their first point of the camogie National League campaign, drawing 0-10 each with Offaly in Coolock.

The tie was preceded by a minute’s silence to honour former Dublin senior camogie and football player Louise Lynch on a very cold day with a large crowd in situ.

Once the tie began, the hosts started well, getting the first score in the second minute via Naomh Fionnbarra’s Siobhan Kehoe with a lovely point.

Offaly replied quickly via Arlene Watkins as the game settled into a rhythm of tit for tat.

Alex Griffin and rising starlet Kerrie Finnegan went on to score a point each from play but Aisling Brennan and Mairead Teehan were awarded frees which were slotted

Faughs Celtic’s Kerrie Finnegan wriggles out of a tackle against Offaly.

Picture: ilivephotos.com

over the bar, advancing the score to 0-3 each after 13 minutes.

The next exchange saw Ali Maguire put Dublin ahead once again with a couple of scores with Teehan and Brennan countering, 0-5 this time.

Alex Griffin, though, narrowly edged Dublin into a 0-6 to 0-5 half-time lead. The pattern continued into the second half

THUMBS UP Sherlock drives on with new local support SEAN Groves, (9) from Kinsealy,

Clodagh Brosnan (10) from Howth, Aaron Ward ( 9) from Swords, Dylan Breen (9) from Kinsealy and Cole Bennett (10) from Howth all got meet Dublin legend Jason Sherlock as he collected his new Renault Kadjar from Airside this week. He is the latest new brand ambassador for the company, following Allan Brogan and Marc O’Se.

with Teehan clipping her third point five minutes into the second half and she got two more frees to edge Offaly in front at 0-8 to 0-7, overhauling Maguire’s high and handsome free.

Teehan yet again was on hand to clip over the bar for a two-point lead for the Faithful county for the first time.

Again, the gap was

shortlived as Maguire slotted a free and Finnegan landed one of the scores of the game from play, all square at 0-9.

Going into the final minute, Teehan thought she had landed the clincher with her eighth of the game but Maguire showed nerves of steel when scoring the last point from a free to level it in the final reckoning.

7 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

LADIES FOOTBALL: BOHAN DISAPPOINTED BY LOW-KEY PERFORMANCE Castleknock’s Kate Sullivan attempts to escape a tight spot against Donegal.

Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Jackies off to slow start to title defence LADIES FOOTBALL DIVISION ONE Dublin Donegal  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

1-7 1-11

DUBLIN boss Mick Bohan expressed his frustration as they started their National Football League Division One campaign with a low-key defeat to Donegal in Croke Park on an icy cold Saturday evening.

The Jackies lost out to Donegal in a game that saw a low crowd with the weather and a clash with the Six Nations reducing numbers for their first outing as they begin the defence of their double success.

“We are disappointed with the display. We just didn’t have our usual cohesion. We don’t enjoy losing,” Dublin boss Mick Bohan said of the performance.

“But I’d be more disappointed by the way we played. The way we went after the game rather than the result. If we had lost the game but we had gone after it with the right approach, I’d probably feel a bit better about it.

“A lot of new girls got to play in Croke Park. And when you have several new

players coming in at once, it’s not that easy to find your feet. But that is what we are trying to do at this time of the year.”

Indeed, there were seven changes from the side that started the All Ireland final for the champions last September.

Among the absent from the side were Fingallians’ Sinead Finnegan, St Brigid’s Noelle Healy and St Sylvester’s Sinead Aherne while Skerries Harps’ Lyndsey Davey was named amongst the Dublin replacements for the clash with the Ulster champions.

Brigid’s Ciara Trant continued in goal while Clann Mhuire’s Carla Rowe and St Sylvester’s duo Nicole Owens and Niamh McEvoy occupied spaces in the forwards.

Castleknock’s Laura Carolan came off the bench while Eve Keogh was among the newcomers named in the panel.

The Jackies conceded an early goal to effective Donegal captain Karen Guthrie, and then, having closed the gap to a single point, let Donegal take charge again going into the break, the visitors heading in 1-5 to 0-5 in front.

Dublin’s main threat came from familiar outlets Carla Rowe and Nicole

Owens, with the effervescent Lyndsey Davey making an instant difference when she came on mid way through the second period, playing off Rowe to fire into the net with pretty much her first touch of the contest.

Aside from the goal, though, Dublin had a poor second period, managing only two further points as the visitors took charge.

Skerries Harps’ Lyndsey Davey celebrates during the second half.

Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Donegal showed great discipline, and had held a six point lead before Davey’s net, one they never really looked like giving up.

Guthrie in particular, but also the consistent free taking of Geraldine McLaughlin, were the key threats, with the All Ireland holders looking considerably rusty as they were ultimately beaten fairly tamely.

FOOTBALL

Costello shines as Dubs see off Galway A STRONG second-half showing saw Dublin defeat Galway 1-15 to 0-7 in Saturday night’s NFL Division 1 clash at Croke Park.

The Dubs led by the minimum, 0-6 to 0-5, at the break before they hit the turbo on the restart to cruise to their 11-point victory in front of an attendance of 14,502.

Dublin manager Jim Gavin also used the occasion to ‘blood’ some new faces with Liam Flatman, who is eligible for Under20 FC this year, Seán Bugler, Under-20 captain last year, Darren Gavin, an All-Ireland Under-21FC winner in 2017, and Ryan Basquel all making their NFL debuts.

The side featured Naomh Peregrine’s Eric Lowndes while it was Cormac Costello who led the way up front for Dublin, kicking five points from play as well as converting one mark in a highly dynamic showing.

The Whitehall Colmcille man was particularly active during Dublin’s scoring surge at the start of the second-half when they outscored the Tribesmen 1-6 to 0-1 in the 20 minutes after the half-time interval.

It was Dean Rock who grabbed the only goal of the game in the 57th minute when he reacted very smartly to a breaking ball into the danger area to beat Maghnus Breathnach from close range.

Dublin’s defensive work was solid throughout and limited Galway to just two points in the secondhalf, one a free.

GazetteSPORT FEBRUARY 7-13, 2019

ALL OF YOUR FINGAL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

Flynn in flying form for Irish team in Armagh  JAMES HENDICOTT

sport@dublingazette.com

COOLMINE man Dave Flynn has earned a call up to the Irish team for the Armagh International road race for the second year running as he continues his progression to much longer road races.

The Armagh International is a famously fastpaced 5km race with an astonishing 95 men dipping under the 15-minutes mark last year.

“We have a very strong team so I would like to think we can put it up to the likes of England and America who both send

teams along with the likes of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,” Flynn told the Dublin Gazette.

“It’s a great honour to represent Ireland; I take nothing but absolute pride every time I put on that vest. With my half marathon time last weekend.

I should also have a great chance of representing Ireland at the European championships and world half marathon in 2019.”

Flynn is referring to a time of 64:30 he ran at the Marrakech Half Marathon on January 27, the first European home, and saw the Crusaders man clock the third fastest time by a

Dave Flynn, centre, during his recent training camp in Morocco

European in 2019 to date.

“The Marrakech half marathon is the craziest race I’ve ever been in, period,” Flynn said. “We were held around 400m from the

start, then they let us loose and everyone sprinted to the start line pushing, knocking over fences, people getting trampled on... absolute chaos.

“Then you get to the start, you’re being held back by a bunch of African women around five times my weight. No gun goes off or count down, just go,

and everyone is sprinting as hard as they can out to get a position. The only thing is it’s not only elites sprinting out it’s 40, 50, 60 year old men too along with joggers all looking for their moment of fame.

“I had to run a 4.30 first mile to stay out of trouble.

After that I could relax into my goal pace. After the race, they had me down as someone else and my time wrong. Luckily I had my very good Moroccan friend with me to fix the name but they refused to fix the time even though I had it on my GPS!” The Moroccan event sat well alongside Flynn’s

training goals, which saw him spend time altitude training through January.

“I went to Morocco from December 19 to January 27. I had five weeks of great weather in the Atlas mountains then the last week a lot of snow hit so I think it went very well.

“Training at altitude combined with training with world class runners up there makes the difference. For example I train with a guy from Netherlands, Khalid Chokhoud.

He ran 2 hours 10 minutes for his debut marathon.

Everyday training with him, I’m learning from him.”