Dublin Gazette: Fingal Edition

DublinGazette MARCH 5 - 11, 2020

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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

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SPORT SOCCER:

St Mochta’s and Malahide United all set for huge FAI Inter Cup semi-final date.

SEE P32

THE NEW, inaugural Fingal International Festival of Voices is all set to delight people in Balbriggan from March 12-15, with Michael Dawson, founder and artistic director of the festival, already planning dates and events for the next several years.

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READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE DUBLIN BROTHERS PAGE 16

Housing protestors may end up in court Council threatens action over pickets

STAFF REPORTER

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FINGAL County Council is threatening court action against protesters who have halted building work on 65 social housing units in Blanchardstown.

A group called House The Irish First

has picketed the site entrance for seven weeks, and the local authority says “legal action is now required to get building resumed”.

FCC’s housing director, Margaret Geraghty, rejected claims by protesters that allocation methods are unfair – and

warned that other projects are now at risk.

She said: “I am alarmed and dismayed at the information that this group is putting out on social media.

“Anything that suggests that the council is not treating its citizens fairly and transparently is simply not correct, and this must be challenged.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

MUM of three Maria Kelly, from Portmarnock, surprised partner Bryan Geraghty on live TV when she followed the leap year tradition of women proposing to men. Going down on one knee – and on air before the nation – Maria ‘popped the quesion’ to a stunned Bryan, who was only too happy SEE PAGE 3 to accept.

Fears pub site may be a new ‘concrete jungle’

THERE are local concerns that the former Lord Mayor’s pub site in Swords could be turned into a ‘concrete jungle’ if an ambitious plan for new apartments gets the go-ahead at the stategically important Main Street corSEE PAGE 2 ner site.

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 5 March 2020

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SWORDS: LOCALS PREDICT A ‘CONCRETE JUNGLE’

Concern over plans for ‘Lord Mayor’ site

New bus service joins cross-city airport run

 SYLVIA POWNALL

spownall@dublingazette.com

THERE are plans to build 172 apartments on the site of the former Lord Mayor’s pub in Swords.

The iconic thatched roof structure, which ceased trading as a licenced premises last year, will be demolished under a proposal submitted by a firm called Jacko Investments Ltd. A site planning notice indicates Jacko Investments’ intention to apply directly to An Bord Pleanala for permission for a “strategic housing development” at the prime Main Street corner site.

It is proposing to build 172 apartments in four blocks – some as high as seven storeys – with three communal amenity spaces, a communal gym, and a ground floor courtyard.

The mix of accommodation includes four threebed units, 101 two-beds

FASTNews

Top: Architect’s render of how the proposed development at the site of the former Lord Mayor’s pub (above) could look. Above: Google Maps

and 67 one-beds, with 132 parking spaces in an underground car park.

Plans include the provision of two commercial units, a creche and a cafe at ground floor level.

Locals have expressed

concern over the density of the development on a corner site where access is already an issue, predicting traffic chaos at the Well Road junction with Main Street.

Reacting on social

media, one resident hit out at the loss of the 350-yearold building, while others predicted more apartments would turn Swords into a “concrete jungle”.

Another resident also took issue with the development firm’s name, which is taken from the nickname for the Ward River, which is affectionately known locally as ‘The Jacko’.

They fumed: “Traffic is bad enough trying to get out. And naming it Jacko Developments ... that’s an insult to the people of Swords. The Jacko is part of Swords and the Swords people, not to be used as a development ploy.”

The website for the proposed development – mainstreetswordsshd. com – is now live and includes planning drawings.

Additional information was sought, and supplied, regarding drainage and flood risk.

Submissions and objections can be lodged with An Bord Pleanala within five weeks of the application being made

A NEW high-frequency, cross-city network of airport coach services was introduced this week.

The first three routes operated by Dublin Express offers 72 services around the clock, with three city stops at Custom House, Smithfield and Merrion Square – at just €6 for a single journey.

The contract was awarded to National Express, the UK’s largest coach operator, in late 2019 and will be operated on their behalf by Bernard Kavanagh Coaches, Ireland’s largest private coach company.

John Boughton, managing director of National Express Ireland, said: “We’re excited to see the first vehicles in our state-of-the-art fleet of coaches hit the roads. Booking and payment is easy with tapand-go and contactless ticketing at the airport, plus real-time information means customers can track their coach.”

A phased expansion of Dublin Express will see additional services being added to increase frequency and connect more locations across the city.

For further information about the new network, see www.dublinexpress.ie.

New Fingal Ten more festival ‘to gardai set run for years’ for Swords THE organiser of the inaugural Fingal International Festival of Voices has already committed to running the event for at least five years.

The first festival will take place in Balbriggan from March 12-15, but its founder – Michael Dawson – is so confident of its success that he has already settled on dates and begun planning for the next four years.

“This is not a once-off event. We already have the dates decided and ideas in place for the next editions of the festival,” said Michael, who established Fingal Academy of Music 11 years ago.

The three-day festival will feature top choirs from Ireland, the UK, Belarus and the US and is expected to attract 2,000 participants to the town, with concerts and activities taking place at a wide range of venues acrioss the area.

For further information, see fingalfestivalofvoices. com.

TEN additional gardai and two extra garda sergeants have been allocated to Swords Garda Station – more than half of 20 new posts assigned to the R District.

The move was welcomed

by Deputy Darragh O’Brien (FF), who has been a vocal campaigner for more resources, and for Malahide Garda Station to be returned to a 24-hour service.

He said: “Greater resources in policing across the area is essential to clamp down on the rise in antisocial behaviour.

“The value of a permanent garda presence in our community and on streets in Fingal cannot be underestimated.”

The increase comes after Malahide station gained an extra sergeant. Deputy O’Brien said: “This is welcome, but more needs to be done and I will continue to campaign for extra gardai in the locality.”

5 March 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

PEOPLE: PORTMARNOCK MUM PROPOSES LIVE TO PARTNER ON AIR

Maria’s leap of faith on TV warms hearts across nation

FASTNews

SYLVIA POWNALL

A MOTHER-OF-THREE who proposed to her partner on live television at the weekend says she is still coming back down to earth.

Footage of Maria Kelly went viral after she went down on one knee to pop the question to Bryan Geraghty on Leap Day, February 29 – on live television.

Wearing her heart on her sleeve for the nation to see, brave Maria – from Portmarnock – allowed cameras from Virgin Media’s Ireland AM follow her fate.

She told Dublin Gazette: “I wasn’t expecting the level of reaction I’ve had. You see an entirely different kind of warmth to people, it’s really lovely.”

Maria’s plan began with Ireland AM presenter Laura Woods surprising Bryan in the family home in Swords, telling him Maria had won a competition on the show.

An unsuspecting Bryan was then led into the living room where he found

Council joins peers to set up regional housing forum

Screengrabs: Ireland AM Maria’s surprise stunned Bryan with her traditional leap year proposal – but he was delighted to say “Absolutely”

a decidedly nervous Maria waiting for him down on one knee and clutching a ring.

She told him: “You’ve captivated me from day one. You interested me with your poker face and from day one you’ve excited me. We’ve shared memories, we’ve shared trips, we’ve even had children and we’ve made a beautiful home.

“And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

“Will you do me the

honour of being my husband?”

Bryan lost no time in replying “absolutely” before the couple’s three children, Cassia (10), Olivia (3), and one-year-old Layla joined them.

Maria admitted that she had found it difficult to keep her secret. She said: “It was hard to keep a lid on it.

“I just told my immediate family and a few colleagues, and I told my eldest daughter that morning, so she helped me out.

“I was a bit naïve and wanted it to be romantic, hence an original helicopter idea, but that didn’t go ahead [due to storm Jorge].”

Maria says she’s had messages from former school pals she hasn’t seen in years, and support from family friends as far away as Bermuda and Australia.

But she’s in no hurry to set a date just yet, although she has set her sights on some jewellery to seal the deal.

Swords dad named as the top wedding videographer A SWORDS photographer’s remarkable success story has seen him go from signing on the dole to being named Wedding Videographer of the Year.

Ronan Quinn, who lives in Drynam Hall in Kinsealy, won the prestigious accolade at the weddingsonline awards last month.

The dad-of-two was voted tops by fellow videographers at their annual conference after starting his own business a decade ago.

Ronan was employed as a lithographic printer for 16 years before the recession bit and he found himself out of work in 2010.

He explained: “My gran gave me a few bob towards setting up my first business, which eventually led to Amare Stories.”

Ronan Quinn and his wife, Lida

Ronan is now ten years in business and has gained a notable reputation, rebranding from Quinn Video to Amare Stories after he took a

business course run by Fingal Local Enterprise Office.

On his website, Ronan describes himself as a “passionate storyteller) who is “emotionally committed to my films”.

He adds: “I want them to be full of soul and connection. My vow to you is that my artistry and passion will never overshadow your enjoyment on the day of your wedding.

“I work with minimal gear and with minimal fuss. Sometimes guests think I’m just another guest, or maybe the photographer.

“This suits me perfectly, as it allows me ‘inside the ropes’ and it is from there that I can portray the story of your wedding the best.”

To see some of Ronan’s work, see www.amarestories.com.

She revealed: “It’s very early doors. It’s been such a build up for me trying to organise it that I needed to take a breather.

“But a ring is the next thing on my list.”

THREEDublin councils have joined forces with approved housing bodies to set up a regional forum to speed up the delivery of housing.

Local authorities in Fingal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin held their first meeting with representatives from 26 housing associations last week.

The forum aims to bring together leaders in the development of social housing in order to review and monitor targets and delivery streams; to ensure a transparent process, and to examine how issues impacting delivery can

be addressed.

Margaret Geraghty, director of housing, Fingal County Council, said: “There are many fine examples of housing delivery through partnerships with local authorities and approved housing bodies.

“We need to share information and opportunities, building on our previous successful partnerships and streamline our joint processes in order to house people quicker.”

The Irish Council for Social Housing welcomed the initiative.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 5 March 2020

BLANCHARDSTOWN: ANGER AT HOW DOCUMENTARY SHOWS COMMUNITY

Fury at area’s depiction in new TV series

BY SYLVIA POWNALL

RESIDENTS in Blanchardstown have voiced their anger over a Virgin Media documentary which likens their community to the “Wild West”.

The f ly-on-the-wall s e r i e s, T h e G u a rd s : Inside the K, was at the centre of a storm long before the first episode aired on Wednesday night.

In the hard-hitting show, serving officers

describe the K District – which includes Blanchardstown, Finglas and Cabra – as “half mad”, with one remarking: “You should get a medal, ‘I survived the K’.”

‘Angry’ But newly elected Sinn Fein TD Paul Donnelly fumed: “I’ve had communications from residents who are angry with An Garda Siochana being involved in a programme like this, and

the offensive manner in which they describe our community.

“I’ve spent the last six weeks walking and canvassing throughout Dublin West, and I have lived here for the past 25 years, and I do not recognise the place that they are talking about.”

The ground-breaking series has sparked cont rove rsy, b u t ga rd a i stress that they recognise that the vast majority of Dublin 15 residents are law-abiding citizens.

CONCERN

Warning protests may halt housing CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Force members Rebekah Gaffey, Simon Cadam, Selina Proudfoot and Dwayne O’Brien, some of the gardai featured in the new Virgin Media documentary The Guards: Inside the K, which has drawn criticism from some residents in Blanchardstown

Fo o t a g e i n c l u d e s the aftermath of the botched hit on Noel Boylan after he was shot in the stomach outside a Lidl supermarket on the Blakestown Road on June 1, 2019.

It shows frontline gardai dealing with drugs gangs involved in the Corduff feud.

Cllr Tania Doyle (Ind) has also criticised the programme, stating: “It’s clear drama sells. I didn’t see the original airing of this trailer, but I have since received a lot of representations on it and seen it.

“The trailer says it all for me, though, I don’t need any more, if that’s the attitude that prevails from senior officers: ‘a medal for surviv-

A CCTV footage still from the documentary, which has also focused on a number of criminal matters in the area

ing the K’?

“A n o t h e r [ G a r d a ] member describes our community as ‘Beirut’.

I’ve been to Beirut – have they?

“A n o t h e r m e m b e r

interviewed said they ‘wouldn’t tell their mother’ that they were stationed in our community.

“I am hurt, I am angered, and I am disappointed and concerned.”

Deputy Donnelly said he hoped a broader and more positive view of the area would emerge in coming weeks, adding: “Of course there are problems with some areas, and there are serious issues in relation to crime, drugs, anti-social behaviour and burglaries.

“Garda management would be better served dealing with those issues at a senior level and demanding more resources than participating in a programme that looks set to stigmatise this whole community, when only a tiny proportion of that community are involved in criminality.”

House The Irish First wants social housing allocated on a ’50:50’ basis, with half going to “local Irish people”, and half to “people on the social housing list [for] years”.

Cluid Housing Association is working with the council to deliver 65 new homes at Church Road in Mulhuddart for families, the elderly and individuals with a disability on the council’s housing list.

But delivery trucks are unable to access the site for health and safety reasons, due to the 24/7 presence of protesters outside the entrance.

A Cluid spokesman told Dublin Gazette: “We are deeply concerned about the current situation and disappointed that this protest continues to stop the delivery of new social housing for more than 60 families, single people and the elderly on Fingal County Council’s housing waiting list.”

Delays Margaret Geraghty said the delays in Mulhuddart were having a knock-on effect and holding up progress on other social and affordable housing projects.

Refuting protesters’ claims, she said: “Let me be absolutely clear – these homes have not yet been allocated, and Fingal County Council has long-established policies in relation to allocating housing to those in need of social housing support.

“Households ... are allocated a home suitable to their needs in ‘date in need’ order. This means that, over time, a family or individual moves towards the top of the list.

“This is the way homes are allocated in Fingal, and will continue to be allocated in Fingal, and it has proved to be the most fair method of providing housing.”

5 March 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 5 March 2020

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Emma, Daniel, Dylan, Ben, Harrison, Jonathan and Johnny

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien with Tadhg and Cllr Adrian Henchy. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Local running groups also came along to check out the new stretch

James and Deirdre McAllister

W

New road proves a big hit in Donabate

ITH the long-awaited new distributor road just about to open, the people of Donabate turned out in huge numbers for a special community celebration ahead of the big day.

The family-friendly Rock the Road event drew young and old alike in significant numbers to the new

Donabate Distributor Road, where a vehicle-free 4km stretch was open to everyone.

Whether walking, talking, cycling or jogging, people of all ages were eager to head down the road, checking out some of the terrific panoramic views along the way.

Many dogs took their owners for a good walk under

the crisp Spring sunshine, with the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Eoughan O’Brien, delighted with the big turn-out and the great community spirit that was very much on show.

The Rock the Road event was a way for the council to s a y “thank you” to locals for their patience during the road’s construction.

Cllr Darragh Butler and little James

They’re on the road to somewhere ...

Everyone sets off on the new road, interested to see its great views

5 March 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

CORONAVIRUS: EVENTS SUCH AS ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADES STILL GOING AHEAD AS PLANNED

Life is continuing as normal in the city – for now STAFF REPORTER

GIVEN the threat of COVID-19 – more commonly referred to as ‘the Coronavirus’ – hanging over many events around the world, many Dubliners have been worried about the looming St Patrick’s Day Parades around the city.

At the time of going to press, the Government is not advising that St Patrick’s Day parades should be cancelled due to the Coronavirus threat.

However, this situation obviously could change in the next few days or week, given what is proving to be a fast-moving situation.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon, caretaker Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Government is expecting the Coronavirus to further spread.

He also said the Government made three decisions to deal with issues arising from the medical threat to people.

A Cabinet sub-committee chaired by An Tao-

iseach has been set up; there will also be a stakeholder forum to engage with people working in the medical field, and the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Health will work together to identify resources needed.

Mr Varadkar said that advice, actions and plans may change, and there was a moderate to high risk of more Coronavirus cases emerging.

Minister for Health Simon Harris said the Government was regularly talking to public health experts and taking advice from them.

Festival Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said he saw no reason why, as things stood, that the St Patrick’s Day festival should not go ahead.

Meanwhile, with The Department of Foreign Affairs already presenting travel advice about restrictions or caution visiting China, their expanded travel advice now also includes Japan, Hong Kong, Iran,

HSE’s advice to help stay healthy and well despite virus threat

Every passing day is revealing more about the COVID-19 virus and how it works

and four regions in Italy where restrictions have been imposed.

Anyone coming back from these areas and who feels unwell is being advised to contact their GP and may require Coronavirus testing.

MENTAL HEALTH

Darkness Into Light is open for registrations

RACHEL D’ARCY

REGISTRATION is now open for the annual Darkness Into Light pre-dawn walk, which will take place on Saturday, May 9 at several venues.

The 2020 walk not only raises vital funds for Pieta House and awareness of promoting better mental health, but aims to bring people Doing their part at a previous Darkness Into Light walk ... together in a spirit of solidar- Sandra, Andrew and Evannah Mahon ity and hope.

Murphy, director of fundraising at Pieta House, The unique event will begin in darkness at said: “We rely on the support of the public to 4.15am, and will see thousands of people walk a keep our doors open.

5-kilometre route into the light of dawn.

“Without this support, the life-saving work of Funds raised from the walk aid in helping Pieta around the country would not be possible. to keep Pieta’s counselling services free and “It gives us tremendous hope to see the accessible for those in suicidal crisis, people incredible solidarity of people across Ireland who engage in self-harm, and those bereaved who walk together towards the dawn. by suicide.

“Darkness Into Light is a community event so, In 2019, €5.4m million was raised, with more if possible, walk with friends and family on May 9 than 200,000 people taking part around the to show your support.” world. In Dublin, more than 30,000 people took To sign up and to find your nearest venue, see part in the 5km walk last year. www.darknessintolight.ie.

Speaking about Darkness Into Light, Rachel

Anyone travelling to Italy in the next few days is advised to consult the Department of Foreign Affairs’ website, where the other countries and areas listed above are also referenced; see https:// www.dfa.ie/travel/trav-

el-advice/.

Up to Tuesday, 397 people in Ireland had been tested for the Coronavirus, and the results have been negative – the exceptions being the two confirmed cases known at the time of going to print.

IN REACTION to the global spread of the COVID-19 virus, the HSE has published tips and instructions on prevention, possible symptoms and what to do if you believe you are infected.

Firstly, the Coronavirus is spread through sneezing or cough droplets.

You could catch the virus if you come into close contact with someone who has the virus and is sneezing or coughing, or if you touch a surface that has been sneezed or coughed on by a person with the virus.

It is not yet known if someone who has the virus, but who has yet to show any symptoms, can spread the virus.

Wash your hands regularly and often, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, immediately put used tissues into a bin,

disinfect any frequently used and touched surfaces, and do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

If you show symptoms of the virus – such as coughing, a shortness of breath, breathing difficulties or have a high temperature – and in the past 14 days have been in contact with someone who has the virus, or who has been in a place or country where the virus has spread, the HSE says do not go to your GP. Instead, ring your doctor, or alternatively phone 112 or 999 and tell them about your symptoms and give complete details about your situation.

Make sure to avoid contact with people and selfisolate while Department of Public Health staff give you advice on what to do next.

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 5 March 2020

POLITICS: CHANGES AFOOT AS SOME NEW FACES FILL VACANCIES

DONABATE

outages Four new councillors step Water forces schools into Fingal County Council to close – after SYLVIA POWNALL

FOUR new councillors have been co-opted to Fingal County Council to fill the vacancies left by the four members who won Dail seats in General Election 2020.

Cllr Aaron O’Rourke (SF) replaces Deputy Paul Donnelly as a councillor for the Ongar Local Electoral Area. He was proposed

by Cllr Natalie Treacy and seconded by Cllr Ann Graves (both SF).

Cllr Pamela Conroy (Green Party) replaces Deputy Roderic O’Gorman as a councillor for the Castleknock Local Electoral Area.

She was proposed by Cllr David Healy and seconded by Cllr Ian Carey.

Cllr James Humphreys (Labour) replaces Deputy Duncan Smith as a councillor for the Swords Electoral Area. He was proposed by Cllr John Walsh and seconded by Cllr Mary McCamley.

Cllr Joan Hopkins (Social Democrats) replaces Deputy Cian O’Callaghan as a councillor for the Howth Malahide Local Electoral Area. She was proposed by

Clockwise from top left: Cllr Aaron O’Rourke (SF), Cllr Pamela Conroy (GP), Cllr James Humphreys (Lab) and Cllr Joan Hopkins (SD)

Cllr Paul Mulville and seconded

by Cllr Dean Mulligan.

Meanwhile, the race for the Seanad is well and truly under

Brilliant Blanch kids do their bit to tackle climate change

PUPILS from third class in Scoil Bhride Cailini in Blanchardstown are doing a project on climate change as part of the Irish Aid Awards.

The girls are preparing a magazine for the project, filling the pages with facts about climate change and how we can help to stop it in school, at home and in our locality.

They are also growing vegetables in the school garden to combat ‘air miles’, as well as organising a Walk to School day soon.

They have even written a letter to local TDs, expressing their concerns about climate change, so they are really getting stuck into the project.

way, with the main parties nominating a number of candidates who failed to get elected as TDs. Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee

(FF), who polled disappointingly in Dublin Fingal, has been nominated to contest the Seanad election.

First elected to the Seanad in April, 2016, she said: “It’s a very competitive process to actually get the nomination, so it was a great honour to get it and I’m very excited to get the opportunity.”

Solidarity PBP’s Ruth Coppinger, who narrowly missed out to Roderic O’Gorman on taking the fourth seat in Dublin West, has also indicated her intention to stand for election to the Seanad.

Emer Currie, who ran alongside party leader Leo Varadkar in Dublin West, has been nominated by Fine Gael to contest the Senate elections. She has been a Fingal county councillor since the local elections last May. A number of candidates have already been nominated by outside bodies for the Seanad elections which take place later this month, including former Mayor of Fingal Joe Corr, who was put forward by the Irish Planning Institute.

mains repaired TWO Donabate schools were closed on Tuesday as the area was left without water – just days after a mains leak was repaired.

The planned water outage from 9am to 4pm resulted in students from St Patrick’s Boys’ NS and Donabate Portrane Educate Together NS being sent home at noon.

Affected areas included Portrane Road from the Community Centre to Middlefield, and all housing estates in between.

A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said the outage was to “enable repairs to burst water main” and that “low pressure as a result of the burst will be experienced overnight”.

Just last week, residents had to rely on tankers to deliver water after the same burst main caused

a loss of supply to most of the peninsula.

Donabate Portrane Community Counc il claimed cutting off the water was a clear message that developers’ needs mattered more than public health, in light of the coronavirus threat.

In a Facebook post, it said: “A consistent message from across the globe is that we all must wash our hands, for 20 seconds, with soap and water, or failing that, with hand sanitiser.

“The problem is that hand sanitiser is impossible to get. Which would mean that our water supply is critical.

“To protect our health, we need water. For years we have expressed our concerns about unsustainable developer-led planning.”

5 March 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

BLANCHARDSTOWN: STAFF AT PAVERS SHOE SHOP DONATED THOUSANDS TO CHARITY

Foundation gives a helping hand to St Francis hospice SYLVIA POWNALL

STAFF at Pavers shoe shop in Blanchardstown have donated thousands of euro to two charities close to their hearts.

The employee-led Pavers Foundation handed over a cheque for €3,566 to St Francis Hospice and another for €1,500 to A Little Lifetime Foundation.

A grant application was submitted by Pavers assistant manager, Lauren Maughan, to support the hospice after they provided care for the father of colleague Nathan Kane.

Sadly, Nathan’s dad, Gerry, passed away in December, 2018. Lauren told Dublin Gazette: “St

Francis Hospice were incredible in their care of Gerry during his final weeks, and they also made the family feel secure, welcomed and at ease during this time.”

“

bed and remain as comfortable as possible.

A hospice spokesperson revealed: “Due to the generous donation, we have been able to recover all of our chairs in a

St Francis Hospice were incredible in their care of Gerry during his final weeks, and they also made the family feel secure, welcomed and at ease during this time

The donation has contributed towards an armchair or riser/recliner in each of the inpatient unit’s 24 rooms so that the patient can sit out of

lovely bright new material that is washable and therefore meets the infection control regulations.

“The re-covered chairs

Books about extraordinary Irish women are launched TWO books about extraordinary Irish women written by local author Gerard Ronan were launched at Donabate Library on Wednesday, March 4.

Margaret Evans – Poet of Portrane and Sophia Parnell-Evans – Feminism, Politics and Farming in 19th Century Portrane have been published in collaboration with Fingal County Council.

The books sprung from Gerard Ronan’s investigation into the circumstances underpinning the construction of the Round Tower at Portrane.

Gerard, 60, a retired civil servant, has written three previous books: The Round Towers of Fingal and William Kelly of Portrane, published in 2019, and The Irish Zorro, which was published in hardback in 2004.

He was also one of the key participants in a 2011 National Geographic documentary based largely on that book as part of the Mystery Files TV series.

The Irish Zorro has also featured

twice on RTE’s The Book on One radio programme.

Margaret Evans (1750-1846) was exiled with her husband and children after he was charged with high treason for his role in the rebellion of 1798.

Her poems, written to or for other women, betray the thoughts of a woman battling to appreciate her blessings in the face of continuous re-settlement and the deaths of her children.

Sophia Parnell-Evans (1780-1853) was the only daughter of Sir John Parnell.

She ran a large and successful farming enterprise at a time when few women had done so, and founded two primary schools in Donabate.

Librarian Helen O’Donnell said: “It is fitting that these books about two extraordinary Irish women are being launched the same week as International Women’s Day, which will be celebrated this year on Sunday, March 8.”

add to the aesthetic of the beautiful inpatient unit; they are in constant use by our patients, and now will last for many years to come.”

Meanwhile, A Little Lifetime Foundation (ALLF) received a grant of €1,500 on foot of a nomination by store manager Rosemarie Duffy.

The ALLF charity supported Rosemary’s niece, Michelle, after the loss of her baby.

In 2017, Rosemarie was expecting her third child and was lucky enough to have a healthy pregnancy.

At the same time, her niece, Michelle, and her husband, Gerry, were expecting their second child.

As well as helping St Francis Hospice with a donation of €3,566, A Little Lifetime Foundation (above) also received a grant of €1,500 from the employee-led Pavers Foundation

Sadly, their daughter, Robyn-Grace, passed away at 26 weeks gestation, a month before Rosemarie’s son, Jonah, was born.

It was a very difficult and highly emotional time for the whole family.

Rosemary said: “They were unbelievable in the care they gave to Michelle. Through this charity, she has met so many friends and gets a chance to remember her princess through their beautiful remembrance services.

“They couldn’t have gotten through it without them.”

The donation will allow A Little Lifetime Foundation to continue to meet the needs of grieving families by providing them with information, support and hope.

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 5 March 2020

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Edna, Deirdre and Nessa Molunby

Kathleen Guildey with make-up artist Katie Saurin

Sharing some great smiles...

Raymond McClue and Samantha McManus with floral designer Triona Ball

Wedding band Rock Shandy helped to provide a bubbly, upbeat atmosphere Fingal County Council staff celebrate the council’s wins for a number of projects (above) – see the info below

FCC scoops awards F INGAL County Council (FCC) had plenty of reason to celebrate at the All Ireland Community and Council (LAMA) Awards at Croke Park recently – the local authority was nominated for ten initiatives in eight categories, scooping an impressive four awards on the night.

While council staff celebrated FCC’s successes (above), they also praised the award winners, which included (from top) Tyrrelstown Park, Donabate Portrane Community Centre and Malahide Casino.

Accepting the awards on the night, the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Eoghan O’brien, said: “These awards recognise the hard work that is done in communities by the council and businesses across the year. They are a credit to everyone.”

Echoing his sentiment, AnnMarie Farrelly, the chief executive of FCC, added: “It is a great honour to receive these accolades in recognition of our efforts to improve the quality of services and amenities we deliver to our residents.” Pictures: Paul Sherwood

Dermot Saurin from Classic and Executive Cars

5 March 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Mark and Martina White

Roganstown’s wedded bliss R

Ashling Davey, Creative Cakes, with Laura Loughnane and Emer O’Reilly. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

OGANSTOWN Hotel and Country Club’s recent wedding fair proved a big hit with couples and their family members visiting from all across the area, with the luxury country house hotel

attracting many people to check out the diverse options available for any couple’s needs.

The beautifully presented wedding fair saw a wide range of exhibitors, covering everything from exquisite floral displays to

chauffers, with live music, makeup, fine dining and much more on show at the charming hotel.

Adding the icing on the wedding cake, prosecco and canapes also went down a treat with everyone at the fair.

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 March 2020

 YOUR DUBLIN

RAISE A GLASS TO THESE GREAT DRINKING SPOTS

HAVING A QUIET PINT OVER AT THE GRAVEDIGGERS – ONE OF THE CITY’S MOST FAMOUS PUBS, AND ONE WITH A RICH HISTORY

DUBLIN MADE EASY AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE CITY’S BEST PUBS

DUBLIN wouldn’t be Dublin without its huge range of bars and pubs, and all the craic and community focus that they provide. Of course, we also have lots of treasured bars that don’t make a fuss of their features, but just get on with giving punters some of the best, and most welcoming, spots to down a pint or meet friends. Here are three such treasures that deserve visiting.

UNDERDOG

THE LIBRARY BAR

LOCATION: 75 Dame Street, Dublin 2 BEST FEATURE: Great selection of beers

LOCATION: Central Hotel, Exchequer Street BEST FEATURE: Still a hidden treasure

LOCATED beneath Brogan’s Bar and beside the Olympia Theatre on Dame Street, the Underdog lies in wait.

Opened in 2017, this hidden downstairs gem specialises in craft beer and whiskey, giving the underdogs of the brewery world a chance to show their worth.

Boasting a constantly rotating and diverse beer list, Underdog also offers an impressive 60-plus selection of bottles and cans to choose from. Among the brews currently on tap is a 13.5% barrel-aged barley wine, from Norwegian brewery Lervig; and a dry-hopped sour ale, by Brooklyn Brewery.

SITUATED in the historic surroundings of the Central Hotel on Exchequer Street, the Library Bar was first opened in 1991 and has been revered among Dubliners ever since.

Known for its fantastic Guinness, wingback chairs and open fire, the bar even possesses the rare Dublin pub trait of never playing music, making it a true haven of ‘peaceful luxury’.

Located on the first floor of the hotel, you can find it by walking past the reception on the ground floor, up the winding, grand staircase and take a left when you reach the corridor.

THE GRAVEDIGGERS LOCATION: 1 Prospect Square, Glasnevin BEST FEATURE: Authentic Dublin legacy ARGUABLY the most famous of these pubs, John Kavanagh The Gravediggers in Glasnevin dates back to 1833 and little has changed since.

Famed for its no-music, no-screens and no Wi-Fi policy, many people argue The Gravediggers serves the greatest pint of Guinness in the city, and many others wouldn’t put it outside the top three pubs.

The historic pub itself has been owned and passed down through eight generations of the Kavanagh family, and is now run by Anne, Ciaran, Anthony and Niall and their mother, Kathleen.

5 March 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

STYLE: BREAK OUT THE PASTEL TECH:

MAKE VROOM FOR FORD MOTORING: The new Focus ST builds on the strengths of

previous generations to confidently roll out a new iteration that offers exciting handling and everyday usability alike SEE P22

PAGE 19



MAGAZINE

PORE OVER OUR GUIDE TO THREE TREASURED PUBS P20

DUBLIN

Now that Spring has well and truly sprung, despite a few pesky storms, it’s time to ditch all the Winter wear and brighten up your wardrobe. Refresh your look with some pastel shades, courtesy of River Island, with a new range providing a great way to layer up or down to suit the day outside.

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

Could you be Miss Universe Ireland?

RACHEL D’ARCY

LAST WEEK saw the launch of the search for Miss Universe Ireland 2020 at the Mansion House on Dawson Street.

The director of Miss Universe Ireland, Brittany Mason, was joined by previous winners of the title – Fionnghuala O’Reilly, Grainne Gallanagh and Cailin Ni Toibin – to launch this year’s competition.

Reigning Miss Universe Ireland Fionnghuala made history last year as Ireland’s first biracial contestant to represent the country at Miss Universe, as well as being the very first NASA ‘datanaut’ to compete.

The Swords native was last week announced as the ambassador for Engineers Week, which is currently running until this Friday, March 6.

A gaelgoir now living in Dubai,

Cailin was the first Irish representative to secure a top 20 placement for Ireland at Miss Universe 2017, since Roz Purcell in 2010.

Grainne then followed in Cailin’s footsteps in 2018, making Ireland one of only five coun-

tries in the world to hold two consecutive final 20 positions.

She is currently competing in RTE’s Dancing with the Stars, and is the first Irish-born and bred model to walk in Miami Swimweek during her year as Miss Universe Ireland.

This year’s competition aims to make history by bringing home the first Miss Universe crown to Ireland.

The lucky 2020 winner will walk away with more than €70,000-worth of prizes and will go on to represent Ireland at Miss Universe at the end of 2020.

First-round applications to compete as one of up to 30 finalists for the title of Miss Universe Ireland 2020 are being accepted until Friday, April 3.

You can find the online application form at missuniverseireland.eu/apply-2020.

Helping to look for Miss Universe Ireland 2020 ... Brittany Mason, Fionnghuala O’Reilly, Grainne Gallanagh and Cailin Aine Ni Toibin. Picture: Anthony Woods

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 March 2020

DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS I N F O R M AT I O N

A WRY LOOK AT SOME OF THE

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

A SWEET REMINDER C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Commercial Director: Liz Ferris lferris@dublingazette.com Acting Interim Group Editor & Travel Editor: Shane Dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Alison O’Hanlon picturedesk@dublingazette.com Online & Style Editor: Rachel D’Arcy rdarcy@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales:

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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 City Gazette, Fingal Gazette, South Gazette and West Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

NOW THAT the 19th annual lick-tastic Lollipop Day has been and gone (taking place late last week,from February 28-29), the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF) is reminding the public to stay focused on the importance of recognising the early symptoms of this cancer and how vital early diagnosis can be.

Its symptoms include difficulty swallowing food, persistent acid indigestion, heartburn or reflux. For an easy-to-understand and relatable resource to educate and support anyone affected by Oesophageal Cancer, check out the OCF’s recently launched website, at ocf.ie.

Pictured helping little Amy Dempsey launch the day are Noelle Ryan, chief executive, Oesophageal Cancer Fund and Minister for Health Simon Harris. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

Drive-thru Ash Wednesday for Catholics on the go A CHURCH in northern Galway hosted a drive-thru on Ash Wednesday for people who couldn’t make it to mass in the morning.

Fr Paddy Mooney, the parish priest for Glenamaddy, said that because people are very busy nowadays, he came up with the idea of a drive-thru ashgiving ceremony at St Patrick’s Church.

People drove through their vehicle through one gate of the church from 8am to 9:30am, got their ashes at their car seat, and then exited through another gate.

Fr Mooney said he came up with the idea a couple of years ago, and it has been popular ever since.

The St Patrick’s Church twitter account said this year’s attendance for the drive-thru was the largest “in four years”.

Flashlights for headlights – what could go wrong?

A DRIVER in Canada was recently caught with some dangerous additions to his car, after attaching flashlights where his headlights should be.

Police in Vancouver pulled the driver over for having an insecure load on the back of his truck.

However, when Sergeant Mark Christensen pulled him over, they discovered that things weren’t as bright as they seemed.

In a tweet with pictures of the offend-

ing flashlights (left), Sergeant Christensen said: “Stopped for insecure load; further examination found flashlights being used as headlights/taillights; no insurance and failed to comply with previous inspection order!”

The driver also didn’t have any insurance, and the driver failed to comply with a previous inspection order. In all, the driver received $1,920 in fines and had their vehicle impounded.

DOG OF THE WEEK DUBLIN GAZETTE has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

This week’s dog of the week is Arthur, a stunning five-year-old English Springer Spaniel that has the best head of hair and the most endearing smile. He is quite an energetic boy and is always on the go, so he is looking for someone to match his enthusiastic love of life!

Arthur is very friendly and loves people SO much that he would love a family who is home a lot to keep him company.

He is looking for an experienced dog owner who will continue his positive

reward-based training as he sometimes guards his toys and food. He absolutely loves cuddles, food and he is dreaming of a house with an enclosed garden where he can run around and play.

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

Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie.

You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. (Remember: Always have your dog on a lead when in public.)

arthur

5 March 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

ODD THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE THIS WEEK

Ruff work for Texas cops A DOG in Texas reported itself missing last week, after strolling through the doors of a local police department and putting his paws up on the counter (right).

The dog entered Odessa Police Department in Texas and hopped up onto the counter, though he didn’t seem distressed at all.

Speaking to The Dodo, Sergeant Rusty Martin said everyone played with the dog for a short while, whilst trying to find his owners.

Sergeant Martin said: “We were all excited to have him in the building. We had a tennis ball and threw it in the lobby for a bit. Everyone loved him.”

The dog was wearing a collar when he arrived at the station, but the ID tag had apparently fallen off, so animal control came to check for a microchip.

However, the dog had other ideas, and left the station before animal control could arrive.

“He ran out just as quick as he came in,” Sergeant Martin posted online. “The owner responded the next day [to say that] it was his dog and he had returned home. He lives about a mile from the station.”

BITS & BOBS

THIS WEEK’S TOP TWEETS As much as I would like to believe I’m not an Irish stereotype, I did just use the buffet in this 4-star London hotel to make a ham and cheese roll for lunch later.

A slice of apple pie is $1.40 in Jamaica, and $2.60 in the Bahamas.

These are the pie rates of the Caribbean. @StephanieYeboah

Yesterday I met my arch nemesis. It was a Trinity masters student who came This Jamaican man on my campus tour. He I work with was telling already knew everything me a story about when he and ruined all my worked in Tallaght ,and this punchlines, exposing how fella got hit by a car, and scripted my jokes are and another man went over to that I am not organically him and asked him ‘Where are ye bleeding from?’ And funny. Also did not tip. @mistress_mick the fella on the ground goes ‘Clondalkin’! Hahaha Gwen Stefani was you couldn’t write it. right. Don’t speak.

@samwhatislife

@georgiaashiels

@ellisadaydreams

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 March 2020

5 March 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

WHAT’S BIG IN MUSIC, CINEMA, TV AND BOOKS A NEW month brings a host of new content to Netflix. March sees the return of cult favourites such as Ozark and Better Call Saul, as well as new series and original content. Here’s a flavour of just some of the content making its way onto the streaming service as Spring finally kicks into gear!

(March 6) Spenser Confidential Just out of prison and investigating a twisted murder, Spenser is sucked back into Boston’s underbelly. Based on the popular books; Mark Wahlberg stars.

(March 11) On My Block: Season 3 On My Block is a coming of age comedy about four bright and streetsavvy friends navigating their way through the triumph, pain and the newness of high-school, set in the rough inner city.

Dirty Money: Season 2 This season offers a look inside Jared Kushner’s real estate empire, the Wells Fargo banking scandal, and Malaysia’s 1MDB corruption case.

(March 12) Hospital Playlist Five doctors, whose friendship goes back to their days in med school, band together at one hospital as colleagues in the VIP wing.

(March 13) Women of the Night Haunted by a shadowy past, the wife of a rising star in Amsterdam’s mayoral office finds herself drawn into the city’s underworld of sex and drugs.

Bloodride This is a Norwegian anthology series that blends horror with dark Scandinavian humour, setting each distinct story in its own realistic yet weird universe.

March 20: Better Call Saul

100 Humans Some 100 diverse volunteers participate in experiments that tackle questions about age, gender, happiness and other aspects of being human.

(March 20) Self Made This limited series is inspired by the incredible true story of Madam CJ Walker, who was the first African-American female self-made millionaire.

The Platform In a prison where inmates on high floors eat better than those below, who get the scant scraps, one man tries to effect change so everyone gets enough.

The English Game In 1870s England, two footballers on opposite sides of a class divide forge a bond that helps bring the upper-class gentleman’s sport to the masses.

Better Call Saul: Season 5 Changing his name to Saul Goodman, Jimmy recruits a new crop of clients.

Tiger King A rivalry between big cat eccentrics takes a dark turn when Joe Exotic, a controversial animal park boss, is caught in a murder-for-hire plot in this limited docuseries.

(March 25) Curtiz Driven and arrogant, film director Michael Curtiz deals with studio politics and family drama during the troubled production of “Casablanca” in 1942.

(March 27) Mark of the Devil When two sisters open an ancient book that ushers evil into their midst, a possessed priest wrestling with his own demons becomes their only salvation.

ENTERTAINMENT GOINGOUTOUT JAMIE CULLUM, MARCH 9 Bord Gais Energy Theatre PRICE: €46+

HUDSON TAYLOR | SLOW-FORGED SUCCESS

‘We’ve gone for little bits of Pop and Hip-Hop to give it a modern edge’  JAMES HENDICOTT

BROTHERS Harry and Alfie Hudson-Taylor are, musically at least, very much a product of the Dublin streets.

Long-time buskers Hudson Taylor have evolved over a decade into a traveling Folk-Pop juggernaut – a slow-forged success that has pushed from the corner of Grafton Street to American tours

and European adventures.

They’re now feeding that travel experience back into their work.

New album, Loving Everywhere I Go, is very much a nod to the highs of it all.

“Being in New York, doing support slots for Hozier, and the EPs being recorded in Seattle, the hub of Grunge, gave us a mixture of genres and influences that are not necessarily conscious, but you allow them all to feed in,” Alfie Hudson-Taylor tells us.

“The songwriting is very influenced by our travels.

We started working on this album back in 2017 in Seattle, and it would have been out a while ago, apart from the Hozier tour happening, so we did an EP instead, and toured that.

“For the album, the producer really challenged us to try new things.

“There are little bits of Pop and Hip-Hop that give it a modern edge. It’s not brash, but they’ve been captured in a way that we really like.

“Some people think we’re real Folky and acoustic, others think it’s really

Pop. It seems to depend on what they normally listen to.

“So we’re in a weird spot, but that makes it very fun to work on the sections of our songs. We sit in this kind of ‘live band’-type space,” he said.

Those times back on Grafton Street feed in too, sometimes literally, like in the lyrics to their homecoming Christmas song, How I Know It’s Christmas, a nod to returning to Dublin after time away.

They even played it back on Grafton Street last

AFTER the release of his new album, Taller, critically acclaimed musician and songwriter Jamie Cullum returns to the stage for a 2020 tour.

His dynamic live performances have always captured the attention of the audience through Jamie’s undeniable energy, boundless talent and stage presence.

With 10 million album sales, to date, and his successful BBC Radio 2 Radio show, Jamie is a celebrated musician the world over with loyal fans in every corner of the globe

MARCH 5 (Thursday) The Script @ 3Arena, €42+ Hayseed Dixie @ Whelan’s, €21 Choice Music Prize @ Vicar Street, €28 Lyra @ The Academy, €17 Una Keane @ Pepper Canister Church, SOLD OUT

MARCH 6 (Friday) Jon Hopkins @ Bord Gais Energy Theatre, €40 The Script @ 3Arena, €42+ The Picturebooks @ Whelan’s, €16 Vernon Jane @ The Academy, €17

Christmas.

“The common thread for us has been that people like how we sound live,” Harry explains.

“I don’t think the records have always been as good as we sound live. With this new album in particular, I think it does it justice.

REVIEW | TAME IMPALA

does The Slow Rush shape up?

From the outset, it’s clear that Parker’s production on The Slow Rush has taken a detour from Currents’ polished and spaced-out musical offering.

Instead, The Slow Rush shares more characteristics with Lonerism, Parker’s second record.

L u s h a n d l aye re d instrumentation can be found from the first track to the last with the phaser and flanger guitar pedal seemingly used in abundance and in an indiscriminate fashion.

The songwriting on the record also has more in common with Lonerism, too.

On the track, Posthumous Forgiveness, Parker croons about the loss of his father at an early age and how he wishes he made amends with him before he passed away, while on It Might Be Time, Parker discusses the aging process and his own mortality.

At times, on tracks such as One More Hour, and Tomorrow’s Dust, Parker’s vocals can get washed out by the tsunami of guitar and synth tones, pushing

The result is happygo-lucky at times, and thoughtful at others; lyrically smart and almost carefree in its harmonies.

“We’re collecting our thoughts now, really,” the brothers joked ahead of the release. “The tunes are anything from seven years

old to one year old, and there’s loads for us to talk about.

“It’s really nice to finally get to speaking about all of this, but we can only really talk about it so much – after that, it has to be about the music.

“The best thing that’s

happened to us has been living in two different cities, surprisingly. We used to put off working.

“Now we’re based half in Dublin and half in Brighton, we have to make the most of our time, and that really works for us. We can’t put things off.”

“I don’t know how Harry feels,” Alfie says, “but now I feel like our last album is nasty. I’ll probably never listen to it again.”

H u d s o n Ta y l o r ’ s album, Loving Everywhere I Go, is out now.

They play the Olympia on April 24.

THEATRE | RODDY DOYLE’S TWO PINTS

Taking on time in The Slow Rush SINGER, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker is back with his fourth studio album under the Tame Impala guise.

Since Currents (2015), the Australian psychpop outfit’s third album, Parker has decided to spend much of the past half-decade producing and collaborating with pop music royalty such as Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson and Travis Scott.

So, given that it’s five years on, and with Parker’s recent dabbling into the world of super-slick pop music in mind, how

“If anything, we might struggle to replicate some of the recordings on stage.

“We tried to sound like the best take of four rather than 14 this time – a bit more organic than we’d done before in the studio, and that seemed to work for us.”

Reflection and mirth at The Olympia

his words to the background and forcing the listener to believe they’re not as important as perhaps originally intended.

However, for the most part, The Slow Rush delivers on where perhaps Currents did not.

The songwriting feels m o re c o m p l e t e a n d well-rounded, while the

grooves offered on Instant Destiny and Breathe Deeper provide good diversity amongst the flow of the track listing.

Overall, The Slow Rush is a great psych-pop record with some gorgeous production, fine songwriting and infectious grooves, making it a highly-recommended Spring listen.

“I posted it on Facebook and the reaction a similar experience – his mother had died RODDY Doyle is bringing one of his most poprecently. was terrific.” ular creations home to Dublin this Summer.

“We were talking about the whole rhythm Following the positive response online, a After very well received performances in pubs across Ireland, as well as on tour in the tragic event in Doyle’s life became the cata- of your life when this occurs, going to the hospital, and very soon, we were laughing.

US and UK, Doyle’s play – Two Pints – is com- lyst for Two Pints to become a play.

“At the end of the conversation, I ing to The Olympia Theatre in August.

After starting out life as a conversathought in the back of my mind that tion on Facebook, Two Pints has grown I had a plot that would last the right into a popular play featuring two men length for a play.”

Starring Liam Carney and Philwho meet for a pint, chew the fat and set the world to rights. ip Judge, and directed by Caitriona Doyle said: “I sat in the kitchen one McLaughlin, Doyle is really looking forevening and, feeling as if I was just ward to the Two Pints Summer run at about to press a button and perhaps The Olympia.

The author added: “In 1987, I saw my destroy the world, I opened a Facebook account. first play, Brownbread, being performed “I was a bit mystified at first, and I on the Olympia stage.

“Now, 33 years later, I’ll be seeing didn’t really know what to do with it.

Two Pints on the same stage. I’m “Then Obama and the Queen of Engdelighted.” land came to Dublin, and there was a Roddy Doyle (centre) with actors Liam Carney and Philip Tickets for Two Pints, which runs bit of merriment and giddiness around Judge. Picture: loen Farrell/Photocall Ireland at The Olympia from August 18-29, the place that had been absent since Doyle said: “Some months after my father priced €26, are available now via Ticketmasthe collapse of the economy, and it was great.

“So I just imagined these two men, slightly had died, I met a man in London and we ter.ie, Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and older than myself, sitting at a bar and chat- talked about the possibility of [his dad’s The Olympia’s box office, telephone 0818 death] being a play. He had been through 719 330. ting about it all.

MARCH 7 (Saturday) The Fureys @ Vicar Street, €35 YBN Cordae @ The Academy, €25 The Script @ 3Arena, €42+ Georgia @ The Academy Green Room, €14 MARCH 8 (Sunday) Lewis Capaldi @ 3Arena, €36+ Eden @ The Olympia Theatre, €27 The Vapors @ Whelan’s, €18 Tung In Cheek @ The Workman’s Club, €5 MARCH 9 (Monday) Lewis Capaldi @ 3Arena, €36+ Jamie Cullum @ Bord Gais Energy Theatre, €46+ MARCH 10 (Tuesday) Halsey @ 3Arena, €50+ Gabrielle Aplin @ The Olympia Theatre, €23 MARCH 11 (Wednesday) Arlo Parks @ The Grand Social, €15 Baby Rose @ The Academy 2, €18 Jon Herington @ Whelan’s, €26

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 March 2020

digital

Fall in love with YOUR local paper on our newly improved website www.dublingazette.com, Facebook and Twitter

DublinGazette Wherever you are, we’ve got you covered

For all digital enquiries contact JPMontgomery@dublingazette.com

5 March 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

A GUIDE TO TEMPTING FOOD AND LOCATIONS TRAVEL | YOU NEEDN’T GO FAR FOR A GREAT BREAK

Mum’s the word for a staycation thank-you

DUBLIN FOOD & TRAVEL FOOD | INNOVATIVE IDEAS ON THE WAY

SHANE DILLON

Travel Editor

New delivery system worth droning about

IF, LIKE ME, you have the best mum in the world, why not show how much you care this Mother’s Day with a gift she’ll love?

Here are a couple of ideas to help put a smile on your mum’s face, with another great suggestion in the panel below ...

Killenard The Heritage in Killenard, County Laois, have a perfect package to enjoy with your mum – a two-night break with all the ingredients of a fantastic getaway, afternoon tea, dinner in its beautiful new restaurant, a pampering spa treatment and even a 10% discount for nearby Kildare Village.

Make your way through the picturesque village of Killenard and arrive at the luxurious hotel before catching up over a delicious afternoon tea on arrival.

Head to the award-winning spa for a pampering one-hour spa treatment; choose from an Inner Calm massage or Restore and Revive Facial.

You can also while away the hours in the relaxing Heritage Spa Experience

(Above, above left) Turn to The Shelbourne for a luxury spa treament and stay; alternatively, head out of Dublin to nearby Killenard, where The Heritage (left) also offers a spa treatment, afternoon tea, and even a shopping discount

Thermal Suite.

A different sort of therapy is available at Kildare village nearby, where you can indulge in retail therapy with the fantastic 10% discount.

As part of this package, you can also enjoy dinner in the beautifully refurbished restaurant, Blake’s.

The Mother’s Day Relax and Unwind package includes two nights B&B, afternoon tea, dinner on one evening, access to the

two-hour spa experience and a one-hour spa treatment each, and a 10% discount card for Kildare Village Shopping, priced from €239PPS. For further information, see www.theheritage. com, or call 057 864 5500.

Dublin Closer to home, or for those of you who want to bring mum up to ‘the big smoke’, Mother’s Day at The Spa at The Shelbourne begins

with a relaxing back massage, followed by a rejuvenating essential steps facial.

The luxury treatment finishes with a stylish mini manicure in The Salon, with Mother’s Day at The Spa at The Shelbourne an 85-minute treatment that’s available throughout all of March, for €145 per person, making it a mother’s day present that is ready whenever she is.

With seven elegant

treatment rooms, and a uniquely opulent relaxation room overlooking St Stephen’s Green, The Spa at The Shelbourne will give your mum a lavish five-star spa experience.

And, if you’re looking to treat your mum to a night in the heart of the city, stay overnight in the lavish hotel from €299 per room, including parking.

For further information, see www.theshelbourne. com, or phone 01 663 4000.

Spoil your mum with a terrific Tulfarris stay

RACHEL D’ARCY

SPOIL your mum this Mother’s Day with an overnight stay at the stunning Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort in Blessington.

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Wicklow Mountains and Blessington Lakes, and just 40 minutes from Dublin, it’s the perfect spot for a small getaway with your mum to treat her to some luxury this year.

The hotel’s Mother’s Day Package – from €105PPS – includes an overnight stay in a luxury room, a gift from the luxury resort for your mum, and a full Irish breakfast and dinner in

its newly renovated restaurant, Fia Rua. On arrival as part of the package, you’ll be treated to Tulfarris Tipples afternoon tea, served in the 18th Century manor house where you and your mum can enjoy an assortment of sandwiches, pastries and

more, all accompanied by a wide variety of teas, coffees or a Tulfarris Tipple cocktail.

Tulfarris Tipples afternoon tea can also be booked throughout March to celebrate your mum, at €30PP, which also includes a complimentary gift and a Tulfarris Tipple cocktail.

Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort includes the luxury 4-star hotel, championship golf course, clubhouse and several restaurants and bars.

For further information on Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort, or to make a booking, see www.tulfarrishotel.com or call 045 867 600.

THE first food deliveries by drone in Ireland will take place in University College Dublin’s (UCD) campus at the end of March.

Manna, a drone delivery company, has acquired a fleet of drones to deliver food directly from the restaurant to the customer – staff and students on campus.

The food will be transported inside the cargo area of the drone and will hover about 10m above the ground before lowering the order to the customer on a biodegradable piece of string.

Manna says the whole process in the pilot takeaway food delivery service at UCD should only take a few seconds.

The company has so far signed up takeaway service Just Eat and restaurant chain Camille Thai as its first partners, with more planned to join during the year.

Social entrepreneur Bobby Healy (pictured), who founded Manna, said he was “extremely proud of the team and what we have built”.

He added: “It is a pleasure to work with such highcalibre partners on our project in Dublin – our first European launch, in UCD. “It’s clear that drone delivery provides a faster, cleaner, safer, cheaper and higher-quality alternative to road-based delivery. We are excited about how that will improve the world.”

Can it – if you want to get a stake in business

INDEPENDENT craft brewer Brewdog is inviting its customers to return empty cans in return for a stake in the business.

The Scottish brewery, which was founded in 2007 and first arrived in Dublin last year, says you can return 50 empty Brewdog cans to its Dublin bar on the docklands for one share in the company.

The initiative, entitled Cans For Equity, is part of the brewery’s Brewdog For Tomorrow scheme in a bid to encourage more sustainable businesses practices among the brewing industry.

The Brewdog for Tomorrow scheme also includes five other initiatives, including Once Beer Vodka, where imperfect beer is distilled into vodka, and DIY DOG, which encourages home brewing to reduce transport miles.

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 March 2020

DUBLIN HOME HOME | SPRUCE UP YOUR HOME WITH SPRING FLAIR

Keep it simple and bring the outside in

Top tips to find your perfect mattress for a good night’s sleep HAVE you ever woken up and felt like a train has hit you in your sleep? Or do you watch every hour on the clock go by as you toss and turn in bed? If the answer is yes, the problem could literally lie in your mattress!

Here are some mattress testing tips from EZ Living so you can sleep in style.

MATTRESS TESTING TIPS: 1. Ever hear the phrase, “You shouldn’t go shopping when you’re hungry”? The same applies for mattress testing.

You should never go mattress shopping when you’re tired because no matter what type of mattress you lie on, if you’re tired, you’ll find anything comfy! Get a good night’s sleep before you make the investment.

2. The length of the mattress is just as important as its width. A mattress should be 10-15cm longer than its tallest sleeper.

3. It is essential that the comfort of the bed is just as important as its quality. You should never compromise on comfort over quality, and you should never compromise on quality over comfort. Some people make the mistake of going for the most expensive mattress as they assume it is “the best”. However, the most expensive mattress might not necessarily fit your own personal needs.

4. To find the perfect mattress, you’ll need more than just sitting on the edge and giving it the occasional bounce or two. You don’t sleep sitting on the edge, so why let that be the deciding factor? If you’re a side sleeper, lie on your side, if you’re a ‘starfish’ sleeper, become the star that you are. You should lie in every position you would normally lie in.

5. The most important thing to consider when selecting a mattress is to confide in a knowledgeable salesperson. Researching online will only get you so far. Therefore, to get a proper diagnosis of your needs, a highlytrained salesperson will point you in the right direction.

The EZ Living Furniture Mattress Madness Sale starts today – Thursday March 5.

For more information see www.ezlivingfurniture.ie

THE DAYS are getting a bit longer, although Winter still seems to have a bit of a chilly grip outside. But have no fear – you can certainly turn your home into a little oasis with a dash of green and bring the outside in – without the icy winds, of course!

Fresh neutrals, such as white and light woods, combined with shoots of fresh, green plants and scented candles, will bring your decor a step closer to warmer seasons.

The quickest way to get this look is to change up your heavier textiles (such as pillows and blankets) to lighter versions. Choose colours such as white and beige and bring in a hint of a tropical jungle with plant-inspired patterns (such as palm leaves in the cushion below) and then fill your room with plenty of green plants.

Littlewoods Ireland Palm Leaves Cushion €31.99

LET SPRING BEGIN AND FILL YOUR HOME WITH FRESH NEW ACCESSORIES, PLENTY OF PLANTS AND SCENTED CANDLES

Next Jefferson White Bench Set €650

Penneys Green Hexagon Wild Mint And Sage Candle €3

Penneys Buddha ornament €7

Next woven coffee table €216

Capture the magic of Easter with whimsical decorations WITH EASTER just around the corner, Søstrene Grene has gathered a selection of cracking good Easter products, including colourful eggs, lovely ornaments, fine linen napkins and creative DIY projects for all the family to enjoy.

Let pastel colours adorn your home, inside and out,

with beautiful decorations, or create a fun Easter egg hunt in the garden.

These Easter products will help to create the perfect atmosphere and capture magic and fun-filled moments for the occasion.

These whimsical products will be available in stores from March 12.

5 March 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

WHAT WONDERFUL WEARABLES

DUBLIN STYLE &HEALTH

STYLE | SPRING IS COMING

BEAUTYBits

Lucy Kennedy – the new ambassador of casual

TV PRESENTER Lucy Kennedy has been announced as the new SS2020 brand ambassador for iclothing.com, featuring in their brand-new campaign.

Renowned for her effortless style, Lucy is known for her enviable casual wardrobe.

Iclothing.com has taken that style and added more occasion and even red carpet looks to her wardrobe.

This latest collaboration with the queen of Irish TV marks a new direction for the brand.

Launched in 2012, iclothing.com started off as a very small venture. Within 10 years the brand has grown hugely and now sells in both Ireland and the UK. iclothing.com India tie-waist culotte jumpsuit in mushroom €44.95

Pastels go tech  Rachel D’Arcy, Style Editor

THE WEATHER is brightening up, so why shouldn’t our wardrobes, too? River Island has just dropped its latest menswear edit, with pastel brights, to boot.

The Pastel Tech collection provides perfect holiday wear in lightweight t-shirts and shorts, as well as jackets and cover-ups.

Ranging in shades from lilac to a more rose-red, the colour story for the edit delivers a subtle Summer palette as we make the transition from a dreary Irish Winter to the (slightly) warmer Irish Summer –

or the two weeks in June, as they’re more commonly known!

With colour blocking the theme of River Island’s collection, the wearable nylon and jersey fabrics also prove powerful for packing in a suitcase and jetting off to warmer climes, or even bringing along to your favourite festival this summer.

As detailed by River Island themselves, the Pastel Tech edit is designed to “catch attention for directional yet effortless ‘thrown together’ styling”.

The items on offer are available to buy from RiverIsland.com, and in selected stores, with prices ranging from €22 to €65.

New eyewear collection THE BELOVED Dutch brand Viktor&Rolf has unveiled its latest eyewear collection at Specsavers, Viktor&Rolf Vision.

The 15 optical styles, and three styles of sunglasses, are priced at €239 and are available now in all Specsavers Ireland stores.

The range embodies the avant-garde aesthetic of the brand, but remains wearable for day-to-day wear. Traditional glasses shapes are reinvented and brought to life in a rich colour palette of burgundy, bright yellow, silver and gold.

HEALTH | CYCLING IS A FUN ACTIVITY FOR ALL OF THE FAMILY

Get on yer bike and give your heart and lungs a great workout PADRAIG CONLON

CYCLING is a wonderful, stimulating and healthy activity with so many benefits for young and old alike.

With the arrival of Spring, and better weather, now is the time to maybe consider getting back in the saddle.

Improved cardiovascular and mental health are just two of the many benefits you’ll gain from regular cycling.

Because it’s an aerobic activity, cycling gives your heart and lungs a great work out while also reducing

your blood pressure and your cholesterol level.

Cycling also releases endorphins – chemicals that make us feel good, and the increased health and fitness gained by regular cycling helps to create a happier and improved outlook on life.

Here in Dublin, we are lucky with the climate as it generally never gets too hot, wet or cold to cycle and the city is relatively flat.

In comparison to cities with a similar population density, for example, Dublin gets less freezing weather

than Copenhagen, and less rain than Amsterdam.

However, a lack of good cycle lanes is an issue in Dublin, and calls are increasing for the implementation of the GDA (Greater Dublin Area) Cycle Network Plan.

First put forward by the National Transport Authority in 2013, the plan will see the number of segregated cycle routes in and around Dublin increase from 500km to 1,485km in length.

The roll-out of the GDA Cycle Network Plan has been stalled over the

past seven years, but some routes have been built – among them the 7km Canal Way, and 3km of the Sutton to Sandycove route.

Despite this, there are still some excellent cycle routes which are safe and well worth a spin.

MY OWN THREE FAVOURITES ARE: • Clontarf to Howth (12km): Taking you along the coast, you can detour into Dollymount Strand along the way for some added excitement.

St Anne’s Park can also be included in this route.

•Sandymount - Dun Laoghaire (8km) Another coastal route with great views of Dublin Bay, highlights include a lovely park between Booterstown and Blackrock village, the 40 Foot bathing area, Bullock Harbour and Collimore Harbour, with stunning views of Dalkey island.

• Dodder Valley Park (6km) Tallaght to Rathfarnham: Even though this route brings me to work, it is lovely! This route takes you along the banks of The Dodder with plenty of trees thrown in for good measure!

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 5 March 2020

DUBLIN TECH & MOTORS

TECH TIME

How much value do you place on your own data?

SHANE DILLON

HOW much would you want a tech platform to pay you a month for access to your contacts?

While you couldn’t pay me to hand over that info, plenty of other people have a price they’d settle for, according to a key new multi-country study by a US thinktank.

The Technology Policy Institute carried out a study of people living in the US, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Columbia and Argentina, in a bid to see how people value their private and digital information.

Germany came out on top of the study, with our European friends saying they’d want the tech titan to pay them about $8 per month for sharing their contact information with third parties. However, US users would only seek $3.50.

Understandably, financial data, including bank balances, held the most value for individuals, with location data commonly considered the least valuable data to share, with a range of metrics besides contacts info up for access consideration – at a price.

Averaging out the multi-country data, across all the people studied, consumers would have to be paid a monthly $8.44 to share their bank balance information, $7.56 to share fingerprint information or $6.05 to read an individual’s texts, while at the lowest end of ‘worth’, consumers would only want to be paid $1.82 per month to share their location data, and nothing to be sent advertisements via text message.

With tech giants increasingly in the news over data privacy concerns, there’s a growing academic, consumer and lawmaker interest in the ways in which such data is monetised.

Apple bars ‘bad guys’ from using iPhones in films PICTURE this: think of a film where The Hero has been yakking away on his iPhone to save the day/city/planet.

You’ve probably already thought of someone in a recent film or TV show, where the iPhone has been an incidental but obvious bit of product placement.

Now think of the last time you saw the Bad Guy on an iPhone, and, and, and ...

Well, good luck with that, as it’s just been revealed that Apple won’t let its products be used by ‘the bad guy’ in films.

Director Rian Johnson (Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) let slip in a Vanity Fair video that particular nugget of cinema info, which won’t surprise anyone when they

Dr Evil might ask: “Hello?

Where can I get a frickin’ iPhone? Hello?!”

think of Apple’s firm, positive image control of its brands.

As such, you’ll often see plenty of characters using Apple products – but now canny viewers will know that the character they’re focused on can’t be The Bad Guy, or a killer, or a terrorist, if they’re ever shown using an iPhone ...

FRESH THINKING IN NEW ITERATION

MOTORS | EXPECT SOME EXCITING HANDLING

Ford’s new Focus ST is a terrific new variation DECLAN GLYNN

BACK IN 2002, Ford launched its very first fast Focus, the ST170.

Now, three generations later, petrol power for Ford’s latest Focus ST comes courtesy of a 2.3-litre four-cylinder (EcoBoost) engine, which boasts 280bhp, and a whopping 420Nm of torque for swift acceleration.

The all-new Focus ST boasts an aggressivelysculpted signature exterior, with a large rear spoiler designed to enhance aerodynamic performance.

An all-new selectable drive mode feature (conveniently located on the steering wheel) lets the ST driver tailor the car’s drivability to suit the road conditions at hand.

These modes comprise Normal, Sport, Slippery, and Track options, with each mode capable of providing the driver with the requested assistance at all times.

The Ford Focus ST is also available with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit producing 190bhp, while a slick six-speed manual gearbox comes as standard, as does front wheel drive.

There is no automatic gearbox or all-wheel-drive

Petrol power for Ford’s latest Focus ST comes courtesy of a 2.3-litre four-cylinder (EcoBoost) engine

option available in the new fast Focus.

My review car was a 2.3litre EcoBoost Ford Focus ST-2 5-door, which was finished in Ford Performance Blue paintwork.

Featuring anti-lag and Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) technologies, the new Focus ST is the most powerful, agile, and responsive yet, and is the product of engineering genius from the Ford Performance professionals.

The standard equipment in the new Focus ST is impressive, with a host of optional extras available for the ultimate in individual personalisation.

Capable of a top speed of 250kmph, the Focus ST can go from 0-100kmph in just 5.7-seconds.

Co 2 e m i s s i o n s o f 179gpkm translates into annual road tax of €750, while a fuel return of 8.2l/100km is possible from a combined driving

cycle.

On the road, the new Focus ST really does show its true colours, with exhilarating driving dynamics and effortless acceleration taking centre stage, while strong brakes ensure that the Focus ST stops with the same urgency with which it accelerates.

Providing exciting handling, and everyday usability, the new Ford Focus ST could very well be the only performance car you could

QUICK FACTS

1) Exhilarating driving dynamics 2) Petrol or diesel engines 3) Slick 6-speed manual 4) Created for road and track 5) On sale now

ever need.

With pric ing from €41,099 (ex-delivery), the Focus ST adds affordability to the performance car mix, too.

New Puma ready to pounce on market JUST arrived in Ireland, the new Ford Puma introduces Ford’s advanced, fuelsaving mild-hybrid powertrain technology alongside class-leading practicality and head-turning design for compact crossover customers.

Powerful, responsive performance and optimised fuel efficiency is expertly delivered using Ford’s EcoBoost Hybrid 48-volt technology – seamlessly integrating electric torque assistance with a low-friction, three-cylinder 1.0 litre EcoBoost petrol engine,

delivering 125PS. In Ireland, the new Puma is offered in three series: Titanium, ST-Line and STLine X, with pricing from just €24,465 (ex-delivery).

An impressive array of comfort, convenience, safety, infotainment, and security features come as standard across the entire range, with a whole host of optional extras available for total personalisation.

My full review of the amazing new Ford Puma will be coming soon.

5 March 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

CODEWORDS

You could advertise here

DUBLIN PUZZLES SUDOKU EASY

MODERATE

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

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

WORD SEARCH

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

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

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

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

Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

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5 March 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

SOCCER P28

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

HARPS START IN STYLE: FOOTBALL: SKERRIES Harps got the

best of St Brigid’s for the second season running as they opened up their AFL Division One campaign on a winning note at Russell Park. The season had initially been due to get under way on February 16 but Storm Ciara washed out the first date with Clontarf for Skerries; they hit the ground running in this one.



GAZETTE

RUGBY P30

PAGE 31

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS RUGBY | LEINSTER CONTINUE TO BRUSH ASIDE PRO 14 OPPOSITION

Brilliant Baird breaks Warrior spirit  sport@dublingazette.com

RAMPAGING Academy lock Ryan Baird helped himself to a memorable hat-trick in Leinster Rugby’s 55-19 Guinness PRO14 bonus point win over Glasgow Warriors at the RDS Arena.

The former St Michael’s College student took just three-and-a-half minutes to crash over, the hosts’ thunderous attack producing further scores for Dave Kearney, James Lowe and captain Scott Fardy to create a 24-7 halftime lead.

Kyle Steyn deftly doubled Glasgow’s try tally, adding to Tommy Seymour’s slick 25th-minute effort, but Lowe completed his brace before Baird brilliantly accelerated away in the 55th minute and then went over again past the hour mark.

Kearney finished with a hat-trick of his own, cancelling out an Alex Allan score, on a night that Leinster moved 20 points clear at the top of their Conference A. The hosts got over from their very

first attack, a scrum penalty allowing them to carry with great intent before Baird expertly burrowed over from a couple of metres out. The heavilyinfluential Harry Byrne converted to the right of the posts.

Leinster tidied up lineout ball after an overcooked Pete Horne kick, and another powerful carrying spell forced Warriors backwards. Armed with a penalty advantage, Byrne’s long pass put Kearney over in the corner to make it 12-0 after as many minutes.

The Warriors did clip the lead back to five points through Seymour’s try off George Horne’s inside pass but Fardy soon outfoxed two defenders with a scooped offload to send Lowe raiding over for a seven-pointer.

Luke McGrath’s initial break sparked a furious late hunt for the bonus point, Fardy duly delivering it off a close-in ruck.

However, Glasgow had an encouraging start to the second half. Skipper Ryan Wilson was involved as quick hands released Steyn for a superb in-

Leinster’s Ryan Baird breaks through a tackle. Picture: John Crothers

and-out finish from his own 10-metre line.

Leinster cancelled out that score in the 51st minute, Will Connors’ turnover and another burst by Baird leading to Lowe spinning free.

It got even better for the table-topping province when Baird stormed over from 45 metres out, stunning scrum half Horne and the chas-

ing wingers with his pace. The St. Michael’s College product picked from a ruck to add a much more straightforward third try with 63 minutes on the clock.

Leo Cullen’s side pushed through the 50-point barrier, Fardy starring in the build-up to Kearney’s second of the night before Jones’ loose offload gave the Ireland winger his third.

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 5 March 2020

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

1

CASTLEKNOCK

THE details of the Dublin Senior 1 Football Championship First Round matches are announced. Castleknock play Oliver Plunkett’s on Friday, April 17th in Parnell Park at 8.15pm.

Congrats to everyone in Castleknock Community College and of course the many Castleknock players involved in CCC’s victory over Malahide Community School 4-11 1-4 in the Dublin Schools Senior ‘B’ Football Final. CCC now advance to the Leinster Semi-Final.

No Lotto Jackpot winner. Next week’s Jackpot €4,800. Fifteen Match 3 Winners win €20 each – David Byrne, Cormac Dowling, Alan Geraghty, Emma Kirwan, Conor Tiernan, Maureen Conway, Ronan Duffy, Mark Keane, Irene O’Brien, Declan Tobin, Pearse Corcoran, Sandra Fetherston, Tadgh Kelleher, Padraig Purcell and Niall Tutty. Lucky Dip €30 winner – Damien Mahon.

Congrats to Cliona Hewson on being included in the Dublin Camogie U-16 Panel for their opening Leinster Championship match against Wexford om March 22.

Another historic evening for Castleknock with Eoin O’Brien’s first National Football League start for Dublin at full-back and the first time that two Castleknock players, the other one being Ciarán Kilkenny, have started for Dublin in the National League. Dublin lose to Tyrone but still a proud occasion for the Club.

Castleknock Seniors return to AFL Div.1 results in defeat in Rush as the team go down by 0-12 1-12 to St. Maur’s. In Div.4 Castleknock open the season with a hard-working win over Man O War 0-12 0-8.

FINGALLIANS Membership 2020 Overdue for players : Membership can now be paid on line. http://www.fingallians.com/ index.php/membership Annual Club Awards Night: Monday 16th March – Further detail to follow. Tickets €10 per person and available from the bar.

Packie Barnwell & Gerry Greene: The club held a surprise thank you night for two great servants of ladies football, on Saturday evening.

Camps Dates & Times 2020: Easter camp, April 6 – 9th; Cúl camp 1, July 6 – 10th; Dual Camp, July 20 – 24th; Cúl camp 2, 27 – 31st July; Dual advanced camp (13 – 16 year old) 3 – 7th August & Dual camp 2, October 27 – 30th. All Camps are 9am – 1.30pm.

Kellogg’s Cúl Camps: The website goes live (2nd March) for registration.

Numbers are limited so it will be on the first come first served basis. https://kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie Pitch update: Balheary, Kettles Lane, Holywell and Newbridge House are

currently unplayable. (this includes training) Athletics Update: Well done to our Juveniles who represented Fingallians in the Dublin Indoor Championship, at Abbotstown.

Bingo & Lotto - Change: This will be moved from St Patrick’s Day to Wednesday 18th March (8 – 10pm). The Paddy’s Day special will have extra cash prizes for all taking part.

Seachtain na Gaeilge.

Táimid ag céiliúradh an Ghaeilge ó 1-17 Márta.

Beidh seisiún Gaeilge sa bheár ag a 9 a chlog ar an gCéadaoin 4ú agus 11ú Márta.

Beidh Tráth na gCeist (table quiz) ag CLG Átha Cliath sa DTwo, Harcourt St. ag 7.30 ar an 6ú Márta.

Beidh cóisir ollmhór in ár Halla Mór tar éis an paráid i Sord Cholm Cille ar Lá fhéile Pádraig.

Bainigí taitneamh as do theanga.

Abbottstown 2020: A big thank you to all, who made the use of the indoor facility a great success. We finished up for the season last week.

SOCCER: HUGE AWAY WIN FOR HHFC AFTER POOR RUN TO GET

Harts’ desire for top four finish in Senior 1B LSL SUNDAY SENIOR 1B St Francis Hartstown Huntstown  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

1 3

HARTSTOWN Huntstown manager Dave Byrne says a change in mindset helped the Blanch club record a potentially season-changing win away to St Francis last Thursday night.

A brace from Sean O’Reilly, and a goal of the season contender from striker Winny Lombe, saw the forward-thinking club moved back into contention for one of the four promotion spots.

A trip to one of the inform teams in the division – unbeaten in nine before last week’s defeat to leaders Kilbarrack United – was always going to be tricky.

HHFC led 2-0 at the break, however, following a spectacular O’Reilly free kick and a second as the winger latched onto Kenny Clinch’s through ball.

The Saints pulled a goal back after the break but the visitors sealed the win in outrageous fashion as 19-year-old Lombe

breezed by a succession of challenges before nonchalantly chipping the keeper.

“We knew we were going out to their ground, a fabulous astro, and we knew it was going to be a tricky game,” Byrne told Dublin Gazette.

“They’re very dangerous going forward, but we set up with the focus on defending and keeping our structure with a lone man up front to do the donkey work.

“The ability has been there all season – we started the season strong – and then we had some lacklustre results.

“A few weeks ago we had a real shock loss out at Pegasus St James’ where we really weren’t at the races at all. The lads needed to re-invent themselves for the last few games.

“We focused on attitude over the last few weeks as opposed to aptitude.

There’s plenty of ability there. It was just wanting to win, wanting to be first to the ball and to win your individual battles.

“Wanting to give everything for your first and

coming off not having any regrets about leaving anything out there. I think the lads have shown that.”

Four, rather than three, sides will be promoted to the third level at the end of the season following the dissolution of CIE Ranch on the eve of the campaign and HHFC aim to be one of them.

Kilbarrack have built a healthy lead at the top but any of HHFC, St Francis, St Kevin’s, Castleknock

Celtic, Ayrfield United or Thursday’s opponents Ardmore Rovers could take the remaining places.

Byrne added: “This is the strangest league we’ve ever been part of because the inconsistency has been there for four or five teams, with the exception of Kilbarrack. We know that four are going up from the division this year because of what happened in the division above us.

“This league will be won

not on ability but on consistency in the last nine or ten games, and belief and heart to see games through to the end.

“Realistically, we’re aiming for, and what we’re preparing for, is to be one of those four teams that are going up.

“Whether it’s fourth or second, I don’t care, once we come out of that division bearing in mind what’s coming up behind.”

Thunder beat Knights

Swords Thunder’s senior team

SWORDS Thunder put on a dominant display at home against Tipperary Knights on Saturday evening, running out 76-61 point winners in their last Basketball Ireland Women’s Division One of the regular season.

Balanced scoring from the Dublin side saw Peggy Black, Niamh O’Donovan and Tia Kelly all reaching double figures.

Courtney Strait put on a great performance for Knights, finishing with a game-high 23 points, but it was Thunder who were able to maintain the strong start to the game and secure a comfortable home win in the end.

The result confirmed Swords finished in third place in the northern conference and it sees them earn a place in the league cup quarter-final

5 March 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

BACK IN THE HUNT Hartstown Huntstown are back in the mix for the promotion places

SOCCER: OUTSIDE CHANCES OF SECOND SPOT STILL ALIVE

Glasaion stun Sutton to win five-goal thriller UCFL DIVISION 3 Mid Sutton Sportslink Glasnaion FC  JOHN MOONEY sport@dublingazette.com

STRONGER TOGETHER Women’s mini marathon open for 2020 entries THE Ryan sisters Lottie and Bonnie, along with mum, Morah; broadcaster Georgie Crawford; actress Demi Issac Oviawe and fitness enthusiast Leanne Moore, will make up the 2020 Vhi Squad and are calling on women all around the country to run stronger together and join them at the largest all-female event of its kind in the world on May 31! Enter now at www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie.

Picture: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

2 3

MID SUTTON Sportslink missed the opportunity to move into second position in the UCFL Division 3 when they were narrowly beaten by Glasnaion FC in Furry Park on a 3-2 scoreline on Saturday afternoon.

The win threw the visitors a bit of a lifeline as, with games in hand over both their hosts and second placed Riverside United, they could join the title-chase if they are successful in those games, but that’s down the line.

Saturday saw Storm Jorge hold off until the final whistle sounded but there was a strong swirling wind throughout and it made good football hard to come by.

There was little goalmouth action in the opening half although the home side did break the deadlock on 30 minutes. Sean Dineen slipped a pass into Lorcan Quinn who turned two defenders and laid the ball on a plate for Ciaran Sinnott to slot home.

The visitors responded and could have been on level terms minutes later when Keven Bell had a clear shot on goal but he blazed over the bar.

However, the equaliser did arrive straight from the kick-off of the second half as the visitors did what they threatened to do in the first half. Ger Malone latched onto a Niall Dolan pass and crashed home via a post.

With 15 minutes remaining, Glasnaion notched two in two minutes to all but wrap up this tie when Malone fired in an effort that somehow found its way to Dolan and, with the home defence looking for offside, he slotted home.

Two minutes later, it got even better as McKenna chased a through ball, keeper Liam Bailey came out and got to the ball first but it

Mid Sutton Sportlinks Lorcan Quinn is held off the ball by Glasnaion FC’s Stephen Meehan

squeezed under him.

As the ball trickled towards goal, defender Brian Tobin got back and stopped it on the line, only for McKenna to follow up and force the ball home.

It looked all over but the home side chased and harried and their effort was rewarded when Dineen crashed home his 17th league goal of the season.

There was time to get an equaliser but no matter how hard they tried, there was no joy for Mid Sutton as Glasnaion celebrated.

Mid-Sutton Sportslink: Liam Bailey, Garvan Morris, Sean Beadie, Brisn Tobin, Tommy Refnan, Billy Hyland, Keith McDonnell, Brian Collins, Lorcan Quinn, Sean Dineen, Ciaran Sinnott, Mick Carr, Conor Phelan, Stephen Redmond, Shane McCarty, Amair Zmalee.

Glasnaion FC: Kevin Darcy, Michael Naughton, James Kelly, Stephen Mark Brady, Kevin Bell, Paul McKenna, Niall Dolan, Ger Malone, Carl Lenihan, Conor Fay, Dan Harrison, Ian Gilligan, Owen McCort, Michael Moore, Larry Lillis, James Collins, Kevin Brady, Stephen Meehan.

North up to sixth as Portrane undone MEN’S HOCKEY  STEPHEN FINDLATER

sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN North moved up to sixth place in Leinster men’s Division One as Shane Dempsey scored a corner in dead time to defeat Kilkenny 3-2 at the NSC. Dempsey and Adrian Sweeney put them 2-0 up in the second quarter and they held that lead until eight minutes to go when

Eddie Dore scored two in three minutes.

But North regathered their thoughts and finished strong with Dempsey’s low flick carrying the day.

Elsewhere, Portrane pushed leaders Clontarf all the way but ultimately came unstuck 3-1.

Portrane took the lead in the first quarter with a low Chris Neville drag flick; Kevin Mullins equalised from a high reverse follow-

ing a counter attack just before half-time.

The Bulls moved into the lead when Davyn Keuter scoring his 18th goal of the campaign via a corner goal in the final quarter.

Kevin Murray’s tap-in in the closing minutes sealed the win.

The result sees Portrane drop back to fourth place while Clontarf remain clear at the top of the table with 15 wins out of 15 games so far in the competition.

Dublin North’s Adrian Sweeney. Picture: Adrian Boehm

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 5 March 2020

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

SKERRIES HARPS OUR three Adult Football teams played their opening league games of 2020 on Sunday with wins in AFL1 & AFL9 over St Brigids & St Pats (P) respectively while the AFL4 team lost to St Sylvesters.

Unfortunately the weather resulted in all Saturday’s Juvenile fixtures being cancelled.

U15 Hurlers had a good win over Nh Mearnog in Div 3 on Sunday.

Emma Parker played for the Dublin Intermediate Camogie team v Tipperary in the National League on Saturday.

Good luck to Killian McGinnis, Adam Fearon, Ciaran Murphy & the Dublin U20’s in the Leinster Final v Laois this Friday.

We are delighted to announce Allcare Pharmacy as sponsor of our Academy that caters for boys and girls ages 4-7 years providing best in class coaching and fundamental skills to our youngest members in a safe and fun environment.

ZINGO Result Sun 01 Mar 2020: 2-4-1-3-7-5-6 No Jackpot Winner, Dividend Winner - John Ward €150 next weeks Jackpot €2500. Play on line at www.skerriesharps.ie and follow the links. Thanks to all who support the Zingo every week. Draw takes place every Sunday evening at 6.30pm, all welcome!

Skerries Harps GAA & Camogie club is currently seeking new volunteers for the year ahead across all aspects of the club - if you feel you would like to get involved. Contact secretary. skerriesharps.dublin@gaa.ie.

ST BRIGID’S THANK you to everyone who supported the U10 fundraiser on Saturday morning in the Coffee Shop and the Féile Quiz in Russell Park on Saturday evening.

Most underage fixtures were cancelled over the weekend due to a combination of pitch closures and Storm Jorge. AFL10 had a good start to their season against Erin’s Isle as did minor hurlers against Kilmacud Crokes.

There is a big programme of adult and underage games scheduled for next weekend. Senior Hurlers fixed to play Craobh Chiarain in Russell Park at 10.30 on Sunday, Check the website for all details.

There was no Jackpot winner in our Club Lotto draw last Friday. Our next Jackpot rises to €9,400 and the draw will take place on Thursday evening 5th March in Russell Park.

Thank you to all who support our Club Lotto and to our great Lotto Committee.

Our Club Nursery, in association with Sherry Fitzgerald will be in action

this Saturday 7th March from 9.30am to 11am when it will be indoors in Russell Park. All boys and girls aged between 4 and 6 are welcome, especially new families.

Club Shop with @ oreillyssports opening hours are now Monday, Wednesday and Friday 5.30pm to 7.30pm, Saturday - 9.30am to 1.00pm. Please email: stbrigidsgaaclubshop@gmail.com for further information. Click on the button on the website to view the clothing range.

Our Club Bar is available for functions and Birthdays (21st parties and older). Ring 018202484 after 8.30pm any evening or call in and speak to Paddy.

Juvenile Handball Training continues every Wednesday evening at 7pm in Russell Park. All are welcome. Contact Enda on 086 8288308.

Keep up with all our news on our website www. stbrigidsgaa.com, our free to download Club App and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

RUGBY : DUBLIN 15 CLUB’S LONG WAIT FOR FINAL SPOT GOES ON

Cup dreams Knock-ed out LEINSTER SENIOR CUP Clongowes Wood College 29 St Vincent’s Castleknock College 19  sport@dublingazette.com

CASTLEKNOCK College’s hopes of a first Leinster Senior Cup final appearance since 1983 were dashed as Clongowes Wood produced a superb second half performance at Donnybrook.

A 21-point haul in the second half was more than enough to overturn the six points they trailed Castleknock by at halftime.

Tries from Calum Dowling and a quickfire brace in the closing 10 minutes from Eddie Carr and Oisín Devitt sealed their spot in the last two despite the worrying opening to the game.

A lively start from Castleknock was rewarded in the sixth minute when winger Will Hennessy crashed over for the first score.

He found himself in acres of room on the right wing and full back Alex Watson fed him a perfectly weighted pass.

The powerful running of Ciarán McCarrick was the driving force behind their relentless early attack.

But it was from a burst down the left flank from Jake Rooney that granted them the field position to score their second try.

Clongowes prepare for their semi-final showdown with Castleknock College

When Clongowes were penalised for a high tackle just shy of their own goal line, quick-thinking Castleknock captain Louis McDonough went it alone, carried the tackle and dotted down.

Clongowes hit back quickly and lock Jack Kearney dotted down after a clever collaboration between Rory Morrin and flanker Dowling allowed the latter to break the line.

As Dowling was tracked down by ’Knock, Kearney provided a good support

ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS Coscoran smashes old 1,500 indoor record

BALBRIGGAN man Andrew Coscoran was a dominant winner in the men’s 1,500m at the Irish Life Health National Indoor Athletics Championships in a new championship record of 3:41.36.

In so doing, he eclipsed the old mark of 3.44 set by James Nolan in 2006. He had two seconds to spare over Raheny Shamrock’s Brian Fay – who also breached the old record – with a performance that could provide valuable world ranking points.

Coscoran sat on Fay’s shoulder before pushing out the pace with 500 metres to go with a blistering turn of speed.

Picture: sam Barnes/SPORTSFILE

line and the big second row was able to finish the move.

Castleknock’s speed of attack continued to cause problems for Clongowes and, but for some clever interventions, they could have been further behind at the break. Instead, it was just 14-8 at half time after David Wilkinson’s penalty cut the deficit.

The Clane school began the second period with plenty of possession but couldn’t get deep enough into Castleknock territory.

Centre Fionn Gibbons

came up with a big turnover at a critical time in his own 22.

C l o n gowe s f i n a l l y edged in front in the 57th minute when Dowling bundled over from close range after countless phases across the Castleknock goal line. Wilkinson’s conversion made it 15-14.

However, that lead wasn’t to last long as Hennessy broke free once more before spreading the ball to Gibbons, then Watson and onto the opposite winger Jake Rooney who

grounded in the corner under pressure.

Such was the nature of this second half, Clongowes came right back at Knock and a quickfire double made sure of their place at the RDS Arena on St Patrick’s Day. First, replacement prop Carr grounded underneath the posts before scrum half Devitt broke clear from his own half and weaved his way to the line impressively.

Wilkinson added the extras to both tries to put Clongowes out of sight.

5 March 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

FOOTBALL: SKERRIES DOWN TO BARE BONES BUT STILL SNATCH WIN

FOOTBALL

’Knock duo in Dubs’ line-up in Omagh

Harps off to a flying start in Division One Skerries Harps’ Stephen Smith on the attack. Picture: Martin Doherty

AFL DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP  sport@dublingazette.com

SKERRIES Harps got the best of St Brigid’s for the second season running as they opened up their AFL Division One campaign on a winning note at Russell Park.

The season had initially been due to get under way on February 16 but Storm Ciara washed out the first date with Clontarf for Skerries; they hit the ground running in this one.

Terry McGinnis, returning for a second stint of management, faced a dificult task in fielding a bare 15 for this opening away fixture with at least nine first team players unavailable for various reasons, intercounty call-ups among them.

The aftermath of Storm Jorge meant conditions were not the best with Harps facing a howling gale in the first half on an all-weather surface.

A brilliant early goal from Stephen Smith set up the Skerries side to lead at half time 1 -2 to 0-4, angling his shot into the top corner for the game’s defining moment.

With the wind at their back, Harps just did enough despite losing midfielder Donal Cotter to injury.

Rob McKey and Robbie Clinton landed points while Ciaran Murphy added two more while Smith was to end the contest with 1-2 to his name.

Next on Skerries’ agenda is a derby date with St Maur’s on March 15. The Rush side got off to a winning start with Chris Carthy putting in an outstanding performance in their defeat of Castleknock.

Having suffered relegation in 2018, Knock responded by sealing the Division Two title in fine style last year.

They edged up front during a lowscoring opening in Rush, before Carthy rattled the net on the stroke of 20 minutes. The dynamic attacker continued to lead by example for the remainder of the half and the hosts ultimately brought a 1-5 to 0-5 buffer into the interval.

It remained finely-balanced on the restart and Castleknock twice trailed by a single point in the closing moments of the contest. However, Maur’s struck a brace of late points to register a 1-12 to 0-12 success.

Naomh Mearnog fell to Kilmacud Crokes on day one, 2-14 to 0-8.

In Division 2, Ballyboughal enjoyed a productive 2019 in Division Two and began their latest odyssey with a 1-15 to 2-9 triumph over Whitehall Colmcille at

Collins Avenue, thanks in no small part to a number of long-range scores from Gerry Seaver.

An impressive second half performance from Cormac Costello was not enough to save Whitehall from defeat.

It was a mixed opening to the new league season for Fingallians and Tem-

Skerries’ Sean Rocks. Picture: Martin Doherty

pleogue Synge Street, who clashed on the first weekend of last year’s Division One campaign.

Fingallians suffered a 1-9 to 0-10 reversal at the hands of St Sylvester’s at Broomfield, while Templeogue played out a 1-11 to 0-14 draw with Round Tower Lusk in Dolphin Park.

CASTLEKNOCK had two starters in the Dublin senior football team for the first time last weekend as Eoin O’Brien lined out at full-back with Ciaran Kilkenny for their tie with Tyrone at Healy Park, Omagh.

A Rory Brennan goal in the 69th minute saw Tyrone to victory.

The Dubs lost possession inside the Red Hands half and were punished to the full by a clinical Brennan finish.

As the game moved into injury-time, Kevin McManamon had a ‘half-chance’ of bringing the sides level but his left-footed effort went wide.

This was Dublin’s first defeat of their league campaign following wins over Mayo and Donegal and draws with Kerry and Monaghan.

They face Meath in two weeks before concluding their regulation games against Galway.

In a very difficult night for football, Tyrone’s handling was arguably better and the deadball accuracy of keeper Niall Morgan was central to their victory; he slotted four points.

It was level at halftime before Peter Harte edged Tyrone ahead.

Dublin responded with scores from Cillian O’Shea, following good interplay with Paul Mannion, Niall Scully and a Dean Rock free to move 1-5 to 0-6 in front by the 41st minute.

However, Tyrone through successful frees from Darren McCurry and Morgan moved ahead, 0-10 to 1-6, with five minutes to play.

Rock equalised but the injury time goal decided matters.

Gazette SPORT MARCH 5-11, 2020

ALL OF YOUR FINGAL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

SKERRIES’ TOP START IN AFL1 FOOTBALL:

Skerries Harps win well against St Brigid’s despite being down to the bare bones for the first day of AFL1. SEE P31

KNOCKED OUT RUGBY: The long wait to contest the Leinster Senior Cup final continues for St Vincent’s Castleknock. SEE P30

MID-SUTTON STUNNED SOCCER:

Sutton stunned by Glasnaoin as the race for UCFL promotion keeps swinging back and forth.

SEE P29

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Mochta’s and Malahide to lock horns yet again  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

BRIAN McCarthy hopes it’s second time lucky as he looks to take his St Mochta’s side into the FAI Intermediate Cup final for the first time.

M c C a r t hy w a s i n charge of the Clonsilla side when they reached the semi-finals in 2014/15 and lost 2-0 to a Tolka Rovers side at the peak of their powers.

He hopes to go one step further in two weeks’ time when the Saints make the short trip north to face Malahide United at Gannon Park.

Malahide, like Mochta’s, have never reached the final of amateur football’s biggest cup competition and are currently riding high at the top of the Sunday Senior Division.

Mochta’s can overtake them with games in hand, while Killester Donycarney and Bangor GG are also contenders in one of the most open title races in years.

Killester face a trip to Cork to face the winner of Ringmahon Rangers and College Corinthians, but the familiarity between the two Dublin clubs adds a little extra spice to their encounter.

“As much as Malahide would know us, we’d know them a lot,” McCarthy told Dublin Gazette.

“They’re a good side with very good players.

Ger [Coughlan] is doing a very good job up there.

Sometimes you’d rather play a team you know

St Mochta’s celebrate a goal during their 2-2 draw with Malahide United in February

“Sometimes you’d rather play a team you know than a team you don’t know.“ than a team you don’t know. It’s going to be a tough game – there’s no doubt about that. I just think whatever team, on the night, wants it that bit more will win, and hopefully that’s us.”

McCarthy led Mochta’s all the way up the intermediate pyramid before guiding them to their first-ever top-tier title in 2016/17.

The one accolade the current Leinster Senior League representative manager is lacking from his impressive CV is an Intermediate Cup – and his players are just as hungry to get their hands on it.

“It’s huge – it’s the second-biggest cup competition next to the FAI Senior Cup. “From that perspec-

tive, to win it would be a huge achievement.

“I know the players are desperate to win it, and I’d love to win it as a manager.

“You want to win everything you’re in at the start of the season, to win as much as you can.”

The prospect the two teams will be duking it out for the league title come April and May adds

another layer of intrigue to add to the tie.

With just three league defeats between them all season, there is unlikely to be an awful lot to separate the sides – both on the pitch and in terms of the league table.

“The two of us are going well and we’ll be there and thereabouts at the end of the season.

There’s always lots of

twists.

“The year we won [the league], in the fourthlast match of the season I thought we’d blown it.

Then we won three in a row and won it.

“It will be a good cup tie on a good pitch and a good crowd, being a local game.

“We’ll look forward to it and see what happens.”