Lucan GAZET TE FREE
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YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER
October 6, 2011
INSIDE: Recipe for success at local YOUR PENSION: Our essential guide charity event P6-7 for planning your future See Pages 19-22
Hurling: Local stars named in All-Star nominations Page 32
Football: Lucan progress in senior championship Page 31
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ............6-7, 10 BUSINESS .....................18 MOTORS ...................... 23 TRAVEL......................... 24 ENTERTAINMENT ......... 25 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26
Sign-off of new depot is hailed a ‘victory’ Q PAUL HOSFORD
LOCAL politicians have hailed as a victory the signing off on a new Parks Depot for Hayden’s Lane. Earlier this year, there was significant local opposition to controversial proposals by South Dublin County Council management to the planned location of a new parks depot in Griffeen Valley Park next to Johnsbridge estate and Esker Cottages. But, in April, the council agreed to move the
depot to the new site. Fine Gael councillor William Lavelle said that the argument that there was no other site never convinced him. “This common-sense decision represented a significant victory for the community. “The decision yesterday by the council to sign-off on the Part 8 planning application for the depot at this location marks a very welcome conclusion to long-running saga.” said Cllr Lavelle. Full Story on Page 2
All booked: RTE star delights the children in Palmerstown RTE STAR Ryan Tubridy’s tall tales
were a hit with the girls at St Brigid’s GNS in Palmerstown, when he called to open a fresh chapter in the school’s life with the official opening of its new library.
Tubridy delighted everyone with an hilarious talk outlining the importance of books in the development of a child. Full Gallery on Page 10
2 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 October 2011
COUNCIL: NEW LOCATION FOR SITE IS WELCOMED
‘Victory’ as parks depot is signed off Q PAUL HOSFORD
LOCAL politicians have called the signing off on a new parks depot a “victory” and “the conclusion to a long-running saga”. Earlier this year, there was significant local opposition to controversial proposals by South Dublin County Council (SDCC) management to the planned location of a new parks depot in Griffeen Valley Park, next to Johnsbridge estate and Esker Cottages. Fine Gael councillor William Lavelle said that the argument that there was no other site never convinced him. “I had never been convinced that there was no alternative site, and I had made repeated detailed submissions to council management outlining the benefits of relocating the depot to a site south of the railway line. “In April, SDCC agreed to drop the Johnsbridge proposal and, instead, to pursue a location south of the railway on Hayden’s Lane, between the new pedestrian/cycle bridge and the Grand Canal, as I had proposed. “This common-sense decision represented a
significant victory for the community,” said Cllr Lavelle. While the councillors unanimously approved the move, the Part 8 consultation did receive seven submissions from local residents, Castlethorn Construction, and Inland Fisheries Ireland. The council said that it was satisfied that the submissions were all satisfactorily dealt with. However, a council spokesperson said: “Following consideration of the submission, the council is of the view that the issues raised by way of submission can be satisfactorily addressed.” Labour’s Eamon Tuffy echoed Cllr Lavelle’s delight, saying: “I welcome the unanimous agreement of councillors with the manager’s report on the Part 8 Proposal to relocate the parks depot, with accommodation and facilities for parks department staff, to a new site at the southern end of Grifffeen Valley Park. “The site chosen is that proposed by Cllr Caitriona Jones and myself through motions at a meeting of the Lucan Area Committee, earlier in the year,” said Cllr Tuffy.
Happy, boys? Pleased with Junior Certs results CHEERFULLY brandishing their Junior
Cert results, some of the boys who’d just collected them gave a great cheer for the camera at Colaiste Phadraig recently. A red-letter day for the
students, it was also a day for the principal and staff to look back upon, marking the largest class of Junior Cert students to take the Junior Cert, which saw 148 students sitting their
exams. The boys, and the school’s staff, were pleased with the excellent results, helping to focus minds on the next milestone to strive for on their educational journey.
BUSINESS: REPORT ON THE SYSTEM OF RATEABLE VALUATIONS
Tuffy pledges to push for review of council rates Q PAUL HOSFORD
lucan@gazettegroup.com
LABOUR Councillor Eamon Tuffy has pledged to push for a review of South Dublin County Council rates. Cllr Tuffy had asked at the most recent council meeting “if [the manager] will make a short explanatory report on the system of rateable valuations which is now applied by the National Valuation Office to commercial /business premises in South Dublin County, if he will confirm that the valuations applied are based on imputed rental income assigned
to premises and if the scheme in operation is subject to change/review in rateable valuation if actual levels of rentals derived from commercial/business premises in the county fall?” The council said that they were only able to change valuations in 2013 at the earliest, with the most recent valuations starting in 2008 and being legally enshrined for a period of “not less than five years, not more than 10 years”. According to Cllr Tuffy, the actual amount councillors can do is limited, but he hoped to help businesses in the discus-
sions for the next budget. “The amount of rates charged to a business owner is dependent on two factors, the rateable valuation determined by the National Valuation Office and the “multiplier factor” determined by councillors in adopting the annual council budget. “In the past two budgets, we have managed to reduce the council’s multiplier factor, albeit by a small amount, and thus reduce the rates paid by businesses slightly. “T he fact is that, because of the system of funding of local authorities, councils are very
dependent on income received from businesses in payment of rates. In the case of South Dublin, approximately half of our annual spending of about €250 million is derived from the commercial rate. As the reply to my question shows, the legislation provides for a review of the rateable valuations every five years, at most. “Nevertheless, I will be pushing for a review of the South Dublin valuations at the earliest possible date,” said Cllr Tuffy. Tuffy went on to say that the issue of the amount of funding to South Dublin County
Council was still holding the council back. “In the meantime, our capacity as a council to provide another small reduction when we deal with the 2012 council budget would be boosted if the amount of money allocated to the council by Government through the Local Government Fund, was at the same level as the allocation of neighbouring and similar counties such as Fingal. “For years now, South Dublin has received the lowest amount per head of population of all the county and city councils in the country,” said Cllr Tuffy.
6 October 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 3
EVENT
Family Day in the Lucan Festival week
Music, puppets and magic in the rain Q PAUL HOSFORD
EVEN the rain didn’t dampen the Festival spirit as Lucan residents came out in force to help celebrate the Festival Family Day, the highlight of the week-long Lucan Festival. The event, which is going from strength to strength, attracted thousands of people to Lucan village where onlookers were entertained by a variety of musical performances, puppet and magic shows, as well as Garda open day, LVPA Wildlife and Reptile Zoo and street performers to add to the festival atmosphere. With the village closed to cars, residents and visitors took full advantage of all the festival had to offer, and it had something for everyone. For music lovers local bands The Riptide Movement, Ghandis, Lorcan James and Half Shot rocked the new Village Stages along with Prince-
4God and a traditional act from Benin. Kids had lots to enjoy, too, with the return of firm festival favourites LVPA Wildlife and Reptile Zoo, Punch & Judy Puppet and magic shows, as well as street performers and the multiple bouncy castles dotted around the village. The Duck Race, a festival newcomer, proved to be the most popular event with throngs of people lining the Griffeen River at 4:30pm to see if the duck they had chosen would win the race. In the end, a delighted Isabella Byrne picked up the first prize of €100, followed by Gary Hegarty in second (€50) and Melanie Kennedy in third (€25). Another crowd pleaser was the demonstration by Dublin Fire Brigade as part of the Garda Open Day giving festival goers an insight into the great work they do on a daily basis. However, they aren’t the
Anna, Grace and Ben tuck into a tasty staple of any community festival – delicious candy floss. Picture: Joe Houghton
only ones doing a great job in Lucan area and, this year, recognition was also given to the achievements of local Lucan residents and organisations to say congratulations and thanks. These included Special Olympic medal winners Simon Darragh and Conor MacGerailt; champion canoeists Jenny and Peter Egan, who have both been selected to participate in the Canoe Marathon World Championships in Singapore next month. It was not all about sport though, and a special thanks was given to
the Lucan Tidy Towns Group, represented by John Costello, Cathleen Henry and Brid McGrath for the sterling work they do keeping Lucan village looking so well. Culture
The festival had lots to offer culture vultures, too, with performances by Lucan Drama Society of the “15 Minute Moll” and “15 minute Hamlet”, the Festival Art Exhibition, which was open for the duration of festival showcasing the best local Lucan artists have to offer. Joe Byrne, Festival
Committee chairman, commented: “As chairman I know the hard work all on the organising committee put in since last January and I wish to thank them for that. We learned a lot of lessons from last year, which we were able to put to good use for festi-
val 2011, so we hope you enjoyed the festivities and will come along again next year. I would also like to give a special mention to our hard-working secretary who is leaving the committee to take up a course in DIT. We wish him every success and will miss him.”
SOCIAL
Former students reunion BALLYFERMOT Senior College is holding a reunion for all students who attended in the 80s and 90s in the Red Cow Hotel on Saturday, October 22, from 8pm until late. No matter what course you attended come along and meet all the old gang again. P e r h a p s y o u we r e a teacher there, then come along and see how everyone is doing now. Tickets, priced €12, a r e av a i l a b l e f r o m S a r s f i e l d Ty r e C e n tre, Ballyfermot, or by phoning 087 098 9253 to arrange purchase Log on to the Facebook page “Bally fermot Senior College 1980 - 1990’s” and see photos from the hikes and the Debs. Spread the word and come along for a great night of music, dancing, fun and old friends.
4 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 October 2011
SOCIETY South Dublin Council intervenes in mortgage accounts arrears
Homeowners struggle with repayments Q PAUL HOSFORD Lucan@gazettegroup.com
TEN percent of homeowners who have loans from South Dublin County Council are in arrears of over three months, new figures have shown. The council, responding to a question from Labour councillor Eamon Tuffy, said that it had 126 cases where homeownerswere struggling to repay. Councillor Tuffy’s asked “the Manager for a report on the number of persons with house/home loans from the council, how many have fallen into arrearswith repay-
ments, and the approach adopted by the council, as a lender, in working with mortgage holders who are experiencing repayment difficulties?” In response, the council said that it took a proactive approach in dealing with these cases. “South Dublin County Council has a policy of early intervention for mortgage accounts that fall into arrears. The council is committed to working with our customers who are currently experiencing financial problems, orfeel they may soon experience problems with their mortgage repayments.
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South Dublin County Council offices
“South Dublin County Council has a dedicated mortgage arrears section who will work with our customerswho are experiencing problems with their mortgage repayments. Our staff
can discuss the customer’s circumstances with a view to making an arrangement for a payment agreement of the customers mortgage that is both suitable to the customer and the council. Each case is
‘There are 126 accounts in arrears, this represents 10% of all current housing loan accounts’ --------------------------
dealt with on an individual basis.” The council said that, in some cases,it is unfortunately forced to seek legal proceedings against homeowners. “In cases where custom-
ers continually do not make payments on their account; continually fail to maintain agreed arrangements or fail to co-operate with the council, the council will have no choice but to commence legal proceedings. It must be stressed that legal proceedings are taken only as a last resort and usually after all other options have been exhuasted. “There are 126 accounts in arrears greaterthan 3months, this represents 10% of all current housing loan accounts,” said council management. CouncillorTuffy was satisfied that the council is handling those in difficulty well.
“I would acknowledge that the council has been approaching families in arrears in a very good manner. The fact that there is a desk specifically for handling these issue is in itself encouraging.The council’s attitude is very positive. “I would encourage families in this situation to work as closely as possible with the council and, if possible seek advice from MABS. “My priority is that nobody who is making the best of effort to repay their debts are put out of their homes.” said Cllr Tuffy.
SOCIAL: GLENAULIN PARK INCIDENTS
Call for upgrade to Park entrance Q PAUL HOSFORD
LOCAL Fine Gael Cllr Emer Higgins has called for the Glenaulin Green entrance to Glenaulin Park to be upgraded. The motion tabled by Cllr Higgins asked the council to “provide a report on the council resources being used to tackle the ongoing antisocial issues in Glenaulin Park, the measures being considered for implementation in the Park and communications with Friends of Glenaulin Park and the Gardai”. The report detailed the actions already taken by the council to improve the situation and referred to the need for funding to be made available to upgrade the entrance to the park at Glenaulin Green. “The Parks Department maintains Glenau-
lin Park as part of the regular maintenance works programme for the Palmerston area. While significant resources are expended on the after-effects of anti-social behaviour in terms of litter picking, sweeping of paths, etc, additional resources are also expended on proactive methods to reduce and prevent anti-social behaviour from occurring in the first instance. “Measures have been implemented following requests by residents, elected members, An Garda Siochana and Friends of Glenaulin Park and also identified by parks staff,” said the council report. “For too long residents in the estates surrounding Glenaulin Park have had to endure anti-social behaviour and serious disturbances to their
Cllr Higgins fights for upgrade of Glenaulin Park entrance to help stamp out antisocial behaviour
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peace, including late at night. This summer, the Community Council, supported by local politicians and Gardai, brought together affected members of the community and formed an action group ‘Friends of Glenaulin’,” said Cllr Higgins. “T his group has worked very hard to stamp out anti-social behaviour in the park. The Glenaulin Green entrance was identified as one of the entrances to the park where this behaviour needs to be, and indeed could be, tackled.
‘For too long residents in the estates surrounding Glenaulin Park have had to endure antisocial behaviour and serious disturbances to their peace, including late at night’ --------------------------
“The installation of automatic timed gates, additional railings and new piers have all been recommended for this location. “It is estimated that €15,000 needs to be earmarked, as part of the 2012 works prog r a m m e , t o d e l i ve r these improvements,” said Cllr Higgins. “I will continue to push for this funding to be made available as early as possible in the new year in order to help tackle incidents of anti-social behaviour in Glenaulin Park,” said Cllr Higgins.
6 October 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 5
COMMUNITY Muslim Annual Convention
ACCESS: WARM WELCOME FOR RECEIVER’S MOVE
Hotel gate is reopened at Finnstown Q PAUL HOSFORD
news@gazettegroup.com
South Dublin Council Mayor, Cllr Caitriona Jones, opened the conferences , along with Labour Deputy, Joanna Tuffy and Sergent Kelvin Courtney, from Garda Radical
An ‘amazing’ level of engagement in society Q PAUL HOSFORD news@gazettegroup.com
THE Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, Ireland, held its 10th Jalsa Salana (annual convention) recently in the Glen Royal Hotel & Conference Centre in Maynooth. The whole-day event was attended by over 250 community members from all over Ireland, as well as eminent guests and friends of the community. It began with a flaghoisting ceremony at 9.45am, where the Irish flag, along with flags from all four provinces, were raised along with
A h m a d i y y a Mu s l i m Community’s flag by Dr. Aleem Uddin, National President and Imam Ataul Mujeeb Rashed. The Mayor of South Dublin County, Cllr. Caitriona Jones, opened and addressed the second session of event at 12pm, along with Joanna Tuffy TD from Dublin MidWest Region and Sergent Kelvin Courtney from Garda Radical, Intercultural & Diversity Office in Ireland. Councillor Jones spoke on the “amazing level of engagement of the community and its members in society and appreciated the work done by the members”. Deputy Tuffy stressed
the importance of community cohesion in times of hardship and said the message of the community in its motto of “Love for All, Hatred for None” should be taken to all parts of our society and to Dail Eireann. Along with Imam Ibrahim Noonan, the community’s only Irish Imam, the conference was also addressed by special guest, Imam Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed who is Imam of London Mosque (the first Mosque to be built by the community in UK in 1926). Imam Rashed is highly regarded scholar of Islam and of the community worldwide.
The Irish flag was raised along with Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s flag
“The theme and speeches made in this year’s Jalsa included topics on how Muslims in the West manage their Islamic way of life in the midst of different cultures that exert many pressures and how to revive Islam as religion of peace, tolerance and learning. “It also addressed how Muslims should engage in all aspects of Irish society, how to work with others to redress negative perceptions of Islam and Muslims, what needs to be done to promote inter-faith understanding and peace. Other topics include Islamic answer to current day economic and financial crises and Proofs on Existence of God,” said Imran Ahmed Sheikh. At the end, Dr. Aleem Uddin, who is National President of the community, thanked all who participated in the event. A book stall and exhibition on the community’s history, Islamic beliefs and topics was also on display and was very much enjoyed by community members and guests.
FINE Gael Councillor for Lucan William Lavelle has this week warmly welcomed the positive decision of the receiver appointed to Finnstown House Hotel to reopen the locked pedestrian gate between the hotel grounds and Adamstown following Cllr Lavelle’s intervention. The gate had been locked at the start of summer at the behest of the court-appointed receiver to the Mansfield–owned hotel. Cllr. Lavelle said the issue had been a burning one for locals. “I had been contacted by a large number of Adamstown residents who previously used this gate to access the hotel
and gym. Its closure was a blow to many residents. “I had discussions with hotel management and identified concerns that existed over the potential creation of a legal right-of-way. I subsequently issued formal correspondence to the receiver clarifying the legal position with respect to rights-of-way and requesting on behalf of residents that the gate be reopened. “I am delighted that, on foot of my intervention, the receiver has now decided to reopen the gate between the hours of 6am and 10pm subject to regular review. The hotel wrote to me this week advising me of the decision, which is most welcome,” said Cllr Lavelle.
6 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 October 2011
CHARITY Mary Kennedy donned the white chef’s coat specially
Recipe for success HE Angler’s Rest was the place to be recently when eager supporters filled the upstairs of the traditional pub and seafood restaurant located in the Strawberry Beds. Over 100 guests came out in all their glamour, ready and willing to support the very worthy charity, Playing for Life. RTE personality and Nationwide host, Mary Kennedy, donned the white chef’s coat as she took to the floor and gave people a bit of background to the charity, which is close to her heart. “As you can imagine, I’ve been slaving over a hot stove all day,” Mary joked to the large crowd. After thanking everyone for coming along to support the night, the much-loved host gave some information about the charity and the good work it carries out. Among some well-known people who showed their support for Mary and the charity were Gary Kavanagh, creative director of Peter Mark, who graciously went around the tables selling tickets for the raffle that was held after the meal; music composer Bill Whelan and friends filled a large table and Assets model Mary Moore, who is married to David Wright, also joined the guest list on the night. Anyone who is interested in fundraising for the charity, or those who would like to find out more, can log onto www.playingforlife.ie
T
Emer Wickham, Maureen Maher, Gertie Holden and Esther Hall Pictures: Una Williams
Francie Gorman, Pat Hennessy, Sinead Hennessy and Peter Luttrell
Ping Li Kelly, Elanor Shanley and Paul Kelly
Paul McGaley and John Lynch
Mary Kennedy, Gary Kavanagh and Theresa Rocca
6 October 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 7
for the charity event, Playing for Life, at The Angler’s Rest
Kay Whelan, Padraig Keenan and Niamh Whelan
Linda Kennedy, Bill Hughes and Marion McGaley
Mary Kennedy showing her chef’s coat
Eva Foster, Ann Walsh and Catherine Ryan
8 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 October 2011
CHARITY: DUBLIN BUS COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Dublin bus grants are awarded Q PAUL HOSFORD
LOCAL groups have received a boost as Dublin Bus has awarded over 100 charities and community groups in the Greater Dublin Area grants ranging from €1,000 to €5,000 under its Community Support Programme. A special recognition ceremony held in Croke Park was hosted by RTÉ Personality Mary Kennedy with special guests, Minister of State with responsibility for Public and Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly and chairman of Sunderland F.C. Niall Quinn, who honoured the shortlisted groups for all their hard work and their valuable contribution to their local communities. Local groups that received money included Palmerstown Boxing Club, who were awarded €5,000. Alongside them, LGBT Synergy, Cumas, Dublin Bus FC, Sonas Housing Association, Clondalkin Travellers’ Development Group and Retired Active Men’s Social (RAMS) all received €1,000, while St Patrick’s GAA, Deansrath Community Garden and Lions Basketball Club, received €2,000 each. Now in its eighth year, the event saw a wide variety of charities in the Greater Dublin Area receive funding under the scheme,
including a Glenageary GAA club, a youth marching band from Swords and gospel choir in Dublin 1. To date over 1,100 various local community groups and charities have benefited from this initiative through grants. --------------------------
‘I am truly delighted to support the programme’
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Minister Kelly paid tribute to all of this year’s winners stating: “I am truly delighted to support the Dublin Bus Community Support Programme. Those who are being honoured today deserve the highest praise for the work they have done for their community, which often goes unrecognised. They are the real heroes of Ireland and I sincerely hope that we always maintain a very strong community spirit and togetherness in our urban communities.” Under the terms of the programme entrants submit a proposal with details about their organisation and the project they wish to have funded. Each application is then judged independently and grants ranging from €5,000, €2,000 and €1,000 are awarded.
Reunion for all former students BALLYFERMOT Senior College is holding a reunion for all students who attended in the 80s and 90s in the Red Cow Hotel on Saturday, October 22, from 8pm until late. No matter what course you attended come along and meet all the old gang again. P e r h a p s y o u we r e a teacher there, then come along and see how everyone is doing now.
Tickets, priced €12, a r e av a i l a b l e f r o m S a r s f i e l d Ty r e C e n tre, Ballyfermot, or by phoning 087 098 9253 to arrange purchase Log on to the Facebook page “Ballyfermot Senior College 1980 - 1990’s” and see photos from the hikes and the Debs. S p r e a d t h e wo r d and come along for a great night of music, dancing, fun and old friends.
Farmers Market: Supporting local business THE COURT Yard Hotel launched their very first Farmers
Market last Sunday, October 2. Organised by Jessica O’Hara, the Farmers Market proved to be a huge success. “We strongly believe in supporting local businesses and tried to keep all the stalls from Leixlip and surrounding areas,” said Jessica, who is the conference and events coordinator at the Court Yard. “Amongst the 18 stalls, there were fruit and vegetable, handbags, cheese, flowers and plants, Jamie Oliver cookery equipment, books, Aloe Vera products, breads and
scones, candles, sweets and confectionary and much more. “This farmers market, the first of many, is going to be held on the first Sunday of every month from 11-3pm. The market was heavily advertised locally and we had great feedback from all stallholders and customers alike. We are really looking forward to building on this and hopefully it will go from strength to strength from here on out,” she said. Those interested in booking a stall should contact Jessica at the hotel 01 629 5100.
EVENT: MARIE KEATING FOUNDATION SUPPORTING WOMEN
Pink campaign to advise on cancer treatment Q PAUL HOSFORD
DIG out something pink to wear and come along and treat yourself in the name of breast cancer awareness. That’s the message for women throughout out the area from local Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, who has again teamed up with the Marie Keating Foundation to bring you a coffee morning with a twist. “After the success of last year’s events, I thought it was important to continue this local breast cancer awareness campaign. The events the Marie Keating Foundation holds offer local women the opportunity to come along and hear expert advice from the Marie Keating Foundation’s breast health nurse in a fun environment. “There are massages on offer and celebrity life coaches and nutri-
tionists on hand to dole out encouragement and advice and there will even be one of two surprises on offer for guests. Health awareness, and breast health awareness in particular, is the focus of the campaign but we want to promote this message in a fun and friendly way,” said Minister Fitzgerald who is using her profile to increase awareness of breast cancer, early detection and the importance of attending mammogram appointments. Women are being invited to attend the coffee morning billed as “feel-good events” various locations throughout the area. The Clondalkin Event takes place on Monday, October 10, in Round Towers GAA Club and the Lucan Event takes place on Thursday, October 13, in Kenny’s Lounge. The events offer a line up of lifestyle experts to
Minister, Frances Fitzgerald with members of the Clondalkin Carers Association at Aras Chronain event
inform, advise and pamper and are being held to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each event will hear from a breast health care nurse, RTE nutritionist Aveen Bannon and Life Coach Brian Colbert. “Breast cancer affects one in eight women. It is a startling statistic and this month we are asking women to stand together and show solidarity as we create awareness of this
dreadful disease that has affected so many women in our community. “The Marie Keating Foundation, who do such invaluable work in this area, are running a campaign all month to encourage women to put their health first. The message of their campaign is simple – cancer won’t wait, everything else can,” the Minister said. “I am hoping that wo m e n t h r o u g h o u t
Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown and Newcastle/ Rathcoole will turn up to their local event to support this message and learn all there is to know about protecting themselves from developing breast cancer. Between the celebrities, the goodie bags and the massages it will be a fun-filled morning for women in Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmertown and Newcastle,” said Minister Fitzgerald.
6 October 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 9
10 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 October 2011
SCHOOLS RTE star delights local children in Palmerstown
Ryan’s tales were a hit with everyone
Molly O’Connor presented Ryan Tubridy with a copy of a book written by her late mother, Nessa – Palmerstown: An Ancient Place
Tubbers is tops at a library opening TE STAR Ryan Tubridy’s tall tales were a hit with the girls at St Brigid’s GNS in Palmerstown when he called to open a fresh chapter in the school’s life with the official opening of its new library. Joined by local businessman and
R
benefactor, Luke Moriarty, who donated a large sum of money towards the furnishing of the library, Tubridy delighted everyone with a hilarious talk outlining the importance of books in the development of a child, with, as ever, the Late Late Show star not being
Some of the impressive new library’s books
short of a few witty words. School principal, Noeleen Conboy, thanked the special guests for helping to make the day so special, with Tubridy and Moriarty then chatting to lots of the pupils after first enjoying a delightful song from the choir.
School principal, Noeleen A guard of honour awaited
Ryan Tubridy cuts the opening ribbon, with a steadying hand from Luke Moriarty
Conboy. Pictures: Paul Hosford
Ryan did his best to blend in with the pupils
6 October 2011 GAZETTE 11
GazetteNUTRITION NUTRITION FEEDING THE BODY AND MIND: LEILA JOHARI EXPLAINS HOW FOOD EFFECTS MOOD
Kick the autumn blues with some healthy eating LEILA JOHARI
F O R m a ny p e o p l e autumn can be a gloomy time. Summer has ended, holidays are over, days are getting darker and colder. There is not much to look forward to and often people feel slightly depressed and low. Autumn doesn’t have to be this way. It can be seen as a second new year. It is the perfect time to rev up your energy levels and prepare for those winter months. Poor eating habits can lead to lack of energy, anxiety and depression. By understanding balanced eating, it is easy improve your energy levels and boost your mood. To function properly, your body needs a daily intake of a full range of essential nutrients, including a variety of fruits, vegetables, pulses, whole grains, lowfat dairy products, lean meats, fish and healthy oils such as olive. The foods we eat contain two main categories
of nutrients. Macronutrients include proteins, carbohydrates and fats, and provide energy. Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients found in fruit and vegetables. They play a critical role in maintaining the body’s normal functions and processes. The key to achieving a healthy, well-balanced diet is to eat a wide variety of different foods. Raw materials
Levels of depression are higher among people eating mostly junk food. These foods are heavily processed and contain additives. People who eat lots of junk foods tend not to eat enough healthy food. In simple terms, your body and brain are made from the foods you eat – if you don’t give it the basic raw materials then nothing will work the way it should. If you put unleaded petrol in a car that runs on diesel the consequences would not be good! So, what foods are best
to avoid and what foods are best to eat in order to achieve optimum health? A high-sugar diet can affect our mood. While high levels of sugar in the blood make us feel better temporarily it is followed by a sugar crash that causes a severe dip in mood. Instead of snacking on sugary foods, such as cakes and biscuits, choose foods, such as oatcakes, which help balance blood sugar levels by releasing energy slowly. Junk foods contain saturated fats. Such fats are unhealthy and on digestion can release a lot of toxins into your body. Saturated fats are found in foods, such as red meat, cheese, butter and cakes. There are certain nutrients that are particularly beneficial for keeping the brain, and so our moods, healthy. Iron is essential for healthy brain development and is found in lean red meat, chicken, turkey, green vegetables, such as
spinach and pulses. Antioxidants help to protect the body from toxins and keep blood vessels healthy. The best sources of antioxidants are fresh fruit and vegetables. It is the perfect season for apples which help fight the effects of bad cholesterol and prevent heart disease. Next time you want dessert, why not try a stewed apple with cinnamon? Omega-3 fats are essential for healthy brain function. They can be as effective as some antidepressants in treating mild depression. Oil-rich fish such as mackerel, salmon and trout are good sources. Finally, B vitamins, especially thiamine, improve mood. The best sources are B vitamins are found in high-fibre foods, such as whole grain cereals and bread, and in fortified milk and yogurt. This autumn don’t let your mood fall like the leaves!
The Gazette’s new nutrition expert, Leila Johari
12 GAZETTE 6 October 2011
WEDDINGS
A big day at Green Isle Hotel THE Green Isle Hotel Dublin offers an innovative and elegant wedding programme with a trained, professional team to ensure that every wedding is truly memorable. A combination of excellent menus and wines, the loveliest linens and floral arrangements and a choice of banqueting suites make choosing the perfect venue easy. The team will work tirelessly to ensure the big day is a special one for all involved. The staff will help choose the best menu to suit every budget, and, with their years of experience, can advise on entertainment, wines or ideas on table decorations and photography. All-inclusive packages, such as a wedding reception for 100 guests for only €3,300, are available. Call 01 4593406 to make an appointment to meet the team and see the room set for a wedding.
EDUCATION Student spends six weeks in Singapore
An internship of a lifetime Q PAUL HOSFORD
FOR any 18-year old, spending six weeks in a foreign country is an intimidating prospect, but for Seth Smith the chance to spend the summer after completing his Leaving Cert in Singapore was one that was too good to refuse. The confident youngster, who begins studying Computer Science in Trinity this month, was part of the Digital Life Academy (DLA) an intensive six-week programme designed to inspire young people to start up their own companies. Even so, he bristles at the notion of being labelled an entrepreneur. “I think an entrepreneur is someone who takes on a risk. It’s a word that is thrown around a lot, but I would like to be a successful businessman. “To be completely honest, it was quite random becoming involved. My friend got an email from his brother about the internship and I looked at it and thought it sounded
amazing. “So I went home and made a video presentation and sent it off. “Then I got a few missed calls and checked my email at about midnight and there was one saying I’d got the internship.” Given that Singapore has spent S$1 billion setting up the Technopreneurship Investment Fund (TIF) to attract and encourage companies to undertake risks of backing promising ideas, it is the ideal place to kick off the DLA and a place Seth had no problem going to. “I’ve always been an independent type and I quite like that. I’m currently looking for an apartment myself for college.” The DLA aims to educate a new class of entrepreneurs, who thrive on the usage of social media. Interns are given training in areas like company formation, fundraising, product development, marketing and financial management. Talks feature key figures in internet
and business, including Yahoo! Inc’s David Gowdey, Google’s Julian Persaud and Ocean Group International’s Timur Sardarov. The whole experience is one that left Seth in awe. “It was mind-blowing. There was 33 people from 17 different countries and the atmosphere created was a serious buzz. “We were all running around, working on various projects and it was amazing. “I think Singapore is much more upbeat. We’d work from 9am to 8pm and you wouldn’t even notice. We’d all go for dinner and then go back to work. It was never forced on us, but we felt obliged to do it because we enjoyed it. “The DLA is an unforgettable experience that will change your whole perspective on what it takes to start a company. I feel so fortunate in being given the opportunity to work with like-minded individuals who share the same passion as myself. Hopefully,
I will work with people like this in the future. “ T h e DL A is going to be repeated between January and March and I will be very involved and, hopefully, we’ll have an Irish person involved.” For more, see here http://w w w.digitallifeacademy.com/ about
Dubliner Seth Smith took part in a six-week programme with the Digital Life Academy in Singapore
6 October 2011 GAZETTE 13
Wedding bliss: Ideal location for the big day EVERY one wants to be somewhere special for their Wedding Day. The five-star Radisson Blu St Helen’s Hotel is very special, centered on a fine 18th-century mansion set in four acres of formal gardens. Guests get all the advantages of a world-class, five-star hotel with all of the character of a Georgian stately home, with stunning photo opportunities! For that special wedding day, be it an intimate or large, traditional gathering, the Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel can cater for both in the perfect surroundings of the magnificent garden. The hotel recently hosted a Wedding Fair including a fashion show on the lawns that featured newly crowned Miss Ireland, Holly Carpenter. For further information contact Radisson Blu St Helen’s Hotel, Stillorgan, on 01 218 6000 or visit www.radissonblu. ie/sthelenshotel-dublin, or see their facebook page on www.facebook.com/ radissonblusthelensdublin.
14 GAZETTE 6 October 2011
GazettePETS PETS
Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA
PETS AND FAMILIES: DON’T FORGET, THERE IS MORE TO OWNING A DOG THAN WALKS
Kids, do you have what it takes to own a dog? S A small child, I grew up with dogs, and, as an awkward, geeky teenager, most of the time the only friend who totally understood me was Kimmie, my beautiful, faithful, chocolate brown Wheaten Terrier whom my dad bought for me when I came home from hospital as a one-year-old toddler. Kimmie remained my
A
Almost all kids dream of having their very own dog, but answer our questions to see if they have what it takes to take care of their new best friend
faithful best friend until his death from testicular cancer when I was 17 years old. So, it’s fair to say I love dogs; (regular readers will know this), and I always knew when I became a mom, my kids (now adults) would have dogs and would be brought up to love, care, nurture and cherish them, just as I was. And, no, we’re not the Brady Bunch; we’re more like The Simpsons. So, when parents ask me if I believe kids and dogs go together, my answer is always going to be a resounding YES! But I also ask the parents if they personally want a dog and if the answer is “NO,” then I advise them to consider asking their child who will “absolutely love and walk and care for the dog,” the following questions in order to help them plan effectively for their new best friend. So, if you’re a kid who’s trying to prove to your parents you’re capable of taking care of a dog, see how many of the following questions you can answer: • Am I kind and gentle
someone needs help and
• When you take your
do I help them?
dog for a walk you must
• During the past
pick up the poo. You
week, how many times
must carry poo bags
and ways have I been
and you must bin them
responsible?
properly. • Dogs shed hair.
And then… I know I’m responsible, but how do I let my family know I’m responsible enough to have a dog as a pet?
• Dogs can vomit.
• Tell them about a time
carpet.
when you were kind to
• Dogs can jump up
an animal. For example,
and down on your new
did you help an injured
clothes and chew your
animal? Did you feed
favourite toys.
the birds who visit your
• Dogs need to be taken
garden?
to the vet, they need to
• Decide how much time
be groomed and bathed
you’ll have to spend with
and they need their nails
your dog and tell your
clipped.
mom how you plan to
• Dogs get worms, ear
spend it. How much time
mites and fleas.
will you have to walk,
• Dogs can run away
groom and play with
from home so they must
your dog?
be microchipped.
• Find out what type of
• Dogs need to be put
food you’ll feed your dog
into boarding kennels
and how much it will cost
when you go on holiday,
each week.
or they need a pet sitter.
• Read the Dublin SPCA’s
• Dogs need lots of
special information
things, like leads,
on the importance of
collars, a kennel, a bed
spaying and neutering
for the house because
your dog.
a dog must be allowed
• Ask your family if
access to your home; he
everyone else living in
cannot be left outside all
the house is happy to
of the time.
have a dog.
• And… the saddest fact
when it comes to dealing with animals?
• During the past week, how many times and
• Puppies are cute but
ways have I shown
they grow into big dogs.
kindness to people and
Not all dogs grow big but
animals?
some do; so check with
• Am I responsible? (This
your vet and find out
means, that I can think
what type of dog is likely
for myself).
to be large and what
• Do I know when the
type is likely to remain
right thing needs to be
small.
done and do I do it?
• Dogs bark. Some bark
• Do I know when
an awful lot of the time.
to spend with a dog?
furniture; especially a teething puppy. • Dogs can pee and poo and make a mess on the
of all kids; some day,
When your child has read and understood the above, ask them to keep the following in mind:
• Have I got lots of time
• Dogs can chew
sadly, your dog will die.
So, boys and girls, you’ve answered all of the above and are happy you still want a dog as a pet. Wonderful. Get Mom to get in touch with the Dublin SPCA; at www.dspca.ie we’ve lots of cuties just waiting on their forever homes. For more information email me at miriam.kerins@dspca.ie
6 October 2011 GAZETTE 15
GazetteMUSIC MUSIC INTERVIEW: DUBLIN 15 BAND LEARNING THE ROPES ON THE ROAD AND ONLINE
Magic and hard graft the keys to music success Q ROB HEIGH
THE playing field for new bands keeps changing as new media avenues open up, but one thing that stays true is that hard graft and dedication will get you to the next level. This is especially true of local band, Last Second Magic, who are travelling to Canada next week to take part in Toronto Indie Week for the second consecutive year. The hardest working band in Dublin 15 have built up a dedicated following across the city and across the wider world with their melodic stylings, exciting gigs and inspired cover versions. But their ongoing success is based on more than just those strengths, as GazetteMusic found out when we spoke to lead singer, Paul Hosford. “More and more people are getting interested in the band. We’re keen to make sure we know and understand what is working for us, because there are thousands of bands out there, and you need to be smarter about that kind of thing to make sure you are seen.” The band came from the ashes of Blanchardstown band, A Careless Thief, and the collective have seen a number of personnel changes, which have led to a settled lineup who are reaping the rewards of hard work and understanding how to reach their audience. “Since we went to Toronto last year, we have had a lot of change; we have had a member leave and two new ones join us, so we are a different band in many ways, including the way we approach making music. “We were looking at
our sets, and we have only two or three songs that are still in the set from this time last year. We are still playing to our melodic and clever strengths, but there is a more crafted approach in what we do. “This will be our third Indie Week, as we did Toronto last year, Indie Week Ireland in March and now back to Toronto. We’re playing a gig in Niagara Falls, and there will be a week of gigs for us. “We learned a huge amount the last time we were there as a band. In terms of the business side of things — PR, design, how you portray yourself in the media and social media, getting things organised.” The band came back
inspired by their last trip to Canada, and recorded and released their last EP, We Miss You, Black Stalin, and the expectation is that all they have learned since then, together with another great experience in front of international audiences, will see another burst of creativity and career building. “T he last EP was recorded with Lee Boylan, drummer with Fight Like Apes, and taking time to put a bit of effort and care into what we do is really important, as we learned in Toronto last year. “When we come back, we’re planning to record a full album. We have a set of songs that we’re happy with, and our enthusiasm and energy is rising with
Last Second Magic are on their way to Toronto to take part in the Indie Week showcase
16 GAZETTE 6 October 2011
GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces Masterpieces re-released in HD TWO “new” PlayStation 3 titles have been rereleased that are practically reason enough to buy Sony’s console. Conveniently bundled together, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus (below) are two titles that, individually and collectively, come as close to defining pure genius in gaming as anything else in the past 30-odd years or so. Both titles were released on the PlayStation 2 several years ago to universal acclaim – and universally underwhelming sales. Critics adored the titles, but gamut the general gam ing public ignored them (as the comprehensive reviews of both titles on Wikipedia may explain). However, with both titles constantly appearing near the top in critics’ Best Games of All Time lists, Ico, and Shadow of the Colossus, have been re-released in HD. There’s no highly-polished redesign; the games re-use the same assets – but, presented in crisp, widescreen glory, there’s no excuse for PS3 gamers not to grab a copy now of these two singularly memorable titles. My reason to just buy a new PlayStation 3 has hit the shelves ...
A highly-polished Gears SHANE DILLON
ALTHOUGH I certainly don’t want to get in the habit of returning to previously mentioned titles, or to seem like I favour one console over another (as I don’t), I’m returning tto Gears of War 3, as I said I would do so in my previous column. p By now, Gears has swept aside all opposittion in the charts, which was a sure-fire certainty w ffor Microsoft, with Gears being a key franchise for the XBox in ways that, say, the Metal Gear Solid franchise is for PlayStation. So, having blitzed through the single-player campaign, as well as stormed through the multiplayer modes, how does this conclusion to the trilogy play out?
Fortunately, the series has reached a satisfying conclusion, along with all of the manic set pieces and all-out action fans could expect, with an hour spent with Gears generally providing more action than many a film director’s entire canon. And yet, lest nongamers or mildly curious readers dismiss the game as just another frantic shooter, there’s a noticeably thoughtful undercurrent underpinning the trilogy’s conclusion, thanks to the series writer, Karen Traviss. Sensibly deciding that, even in such a hectic action game, the good guys don’t always win – and that heroes die just like everybody else – she’s given emotional and intellectual depth to the conclusion, for those
Things don’t look good for Marcus and his friends as mutated Lambent attack, in a fairly typical scene from Gears of War 3
who look behind the visuals and gameplay. And what gameplay. The single-player mode is, of course, packed full of memorable pieces, but the mutiplayer is pretty striking, In addition to the usual player-vs-player, team-vs-team modes, the most interesting, Horde,
sees a random group of people team up to fight through progressively tougher waves of enemies, requiring teamwork, skill –and a little luck. I have to make special mention of the multiplayer maps, with some, such as the Overpass level, providing superb visuals.
The artistry of Gears’ “destroyed beauty” in its environmental design has simply never looked better. In short, while gamers wait for the likes of Battlefield 3, and Skyrim, Gears of War 3 is a frantically entertaining title for adult gamers to enjoy.
6 October 2011 GAZETTE 17
OPINION A candidate’s Presidential vision
‘It’s about all of us working together’ I AM running for President of Ireland because I want to do for jobs and enterprise what President Mary McAleese did for peace. Fourteen years ago, Mary McAleese chose building bridges as her central theme and she used her background, work history and life experience to help to build and consolidate peace on our island, despite there being no political or constitutional role for President McAleese to do this. I have a background in farming and agriculture, youth and community work, public service, enterprise and entrepreneurship. I have worked hard to overcome many challenges, including unemployment and a visual impairment. Yet, I have always focused on what I can do and what I am good at. When I travel around the country, as I have done for the past few years, mentoring, advising and supporting groups of young people, those unemployed, business
Sean Gallagher
networks, entrepreneurs, community, voluntary and advocacy groups, my message is always the same: We all must put our strengths to work to achieve our goals. When I decided, to run for the Presidency, it was because, after years of challenging others to be leaders in their own communities, I felt I had to stand forward myself. After I launched my website, www.seangallagher.com in July and I embarked on a listening tour of the country. I wanted to hear from people in community groups, in businesses, in shopping
centres and at festivals what they wanted to see in their next President. It has been a wonderful journey. I have visited 22 counties, over 60 locations and travelled almost 20,000kms. Those I met have told me of their greatest concerns and that has been for their jobs and for their families. They have told me that they want a President who will believe in them and in the future of our country. I heard that people want a President who is beyond politics, who is truly independent and who will be the voice and face of Ireland – not just now, but the Ireland we want to see in the future. As President, I want to focus on what we do well. I want to highlight and celebrate the work done by enterprise groups, business networks, Chambers of Commerce, those supporting unemployed people and entrepreneurs. I want the excellent work that is being done to inspire others to create jobs in their local towns
and villages. These jobs provide the glue that holds the community together – it provides money to keep the school open, the services running and the sports team on the field. Abroad, I want to use my enterprise background to lead trade missions to help open new markets for Irish businesses, attract tourists and bring foreign investment to Ireland. All of this has the potential to increase jobs at home. I believe that, as a country, we must focus on what we do well, including food production, tourism and new innovative industries such as technology and pharmaceuticals. We need to tell the world the story of our success and stop wallowing in our failures. That is why I want to put enterprise at the heart of the next Presidency. While this focus on enterprise and job creation is important, it is even more essential for what it can do for our local communities. As our economy has suffered,
so have our communities. Yet, what I have seen on my listening tour is a fantastic reliance and a giving spirit as people have more time to offer. Just last week, I was at a World Suicide Prevention Day with Pieta House, and I was heartened by the work and energy of the volunteers who were coming together to support those in real distress. These are the real heroes in country, who need to be commended and celebrated as they can inspire such great work in others. I am not a politician and I do not have the war chest or resources of a political party behind me. That is why I value those volunteers who are coming forward to work on our campaign, to canvass and fundraise. This campaign is not about me, it is about all of us working together to secure the Presidency for the people.
Sean Gallagher Presidential Candidate
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Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.
18 GAZETTE 6 October 2011
GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS
Supported by AIB
HEATING: TOP TIPS FOR KEEPING THE FAMILY WARM THIS WINTER ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS
DROPPING THE MORTGAGE GUARANTOR Q – Seven years ago, my mother, who is now 76, guaranteed my mortgage – I was a little shy of the required income level then but the bank insisted she be put on the mortgage. Even with a recent salary reduction, I am nearly at the level where my own income now is sufficient for the mortgage while I also have
The team at Topaz Local Fuels is ready for a busy winter
savings that could reduce my mortgage to even more acceptable levels. I now want to take my mother off the loan while my mortgage is also on a fixed interest rate with my bank. What’s the best way to proceed with this ? Jenny – Malahide A - Hindsight is a wonderful thing – accepting a 69-year-old mother to guarantee a daughter’s 30+ year home loan should never have been allowed in the first place. You have a number of steps to take : Make an appointment to meet your lender ( the sooner the better ) Bring your P60 from 2010, your last 3 pay slips and ideally an up-to-date status employment note from your employer First you should request that, based on your current income and job security, your mortgage be placed solely in your name and that Your mother’s name be deleted from the mortgage deed – with the repayment and loan amount to remain the same If they deem your income insufficient to warrant the request ( and parameters are changing all the time ), ask them what level of borrowing would satisfy them based on your current income that would allow your mother’s guarantee to be waived ? If you have savings, offer to either pay off the amount to the level they desire – the bank should be delighted with the lump sum - or if they are going to charge a fee for breaking the fixed rate, then place that amount in a deposit account with the bank when they can attach a lien as security for the mortgage until the fixed rate matures and it can be repaid against the mortgage at that stage. In the interim, ensure you are receiving top deposit rates with that bank. If you are allowed to repay without penalty, it will also reduce your monthly mortgage pro rata. Better for your cash flow. You will need to brief your solicitor to make the necessary legal changes.
Contact John Lowe with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor
IF YOU’VE felt the chill that has crept into the autumn air over the last few days, you know that winter is well and truly on its way. There are even predictions that there will be a cold snap as early as October, this year. Last year, many people did not realise that their oil tanks were so low and the increased demand during the cold snaps put pressure on oil companies, meaning many people had to endure the harsh cold while they waited days or even weeks for their delivery. With this in mind, the message from
fuel distributors nationwide is strong and simple. Prepare and order early. With Christmas edging ever closer on the horizon, getting the expense of home heating out of the way now will ensure you are in a much better financial position come the festive season, not to mention the reassurance it brings that you and your family won’t be experiencing a truly cold wintry night. First things first, get your boiler serviced. An efficient boiler will save you considerable money over the winter months. Next,
Don’t be left out in the cold this winter make sure that draughts are eliminated. Often, we waste more heat than we enjoy. Finally, set your thermostat to a pleasant background level, somewhere between 18 – 20 degrees. Reducing temperature by 1 degree can decrease fuel usage by 10%. Also, set your timer so you can enjoy the benefits of a warm house. You should
be able to rise in the morning to a chill free bathroom and kitchen. And if you are out all day, is there anything more enjoyable than returning to a warm, welcoming home? Last winter, Keith McGouran, the Depot Manager for Topaz Local Fuels, Dublin took the decision not to let any of their customers endure
the freezing temperatures. A lot of learnings were gleaned from last year’s experience and Topaz Local Fuels have pulled out all the stops to ensure their product offering has diversified to cater for the worsening economic and weather climates. Visit www.topazlocalfuels.ie or call 1850 250 650 for more information.
New legislation affecting couples living together NOREEN MULDOON
FROM January 1, 2011, the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 came into effect. There are over 120,000 co-habitants in Ireland who are possibly affected by this Act. This new act allows unmarried couples apply to court for financial relief similar to that allowed under the Judicial Separation and Divorce Act. To qualify the adult individuals must have been living together as a couple for a period of: Two years or more in the case where they are the parents of one or more dependant children Five years or more in any other
case. Under the Act an “ex” may now look to court for an order of maintenance, pension and/or an interest in a property (property adjustment order). They must meet certain criteria. For example, they need to show they have been financially dependant on the other party as a result of the relationship. An application must be brought before the court within two years “save in exceptional circumstances” from the time of the breakdown of the relationship regardless of how the relationship ends. A party can also apply to court to look for a share of a deceased partner's estate, although there
is not an automatic entitlement to this. To stop rights being established a “co-habitant agreement” can be entered into, which can set out any financial arrangements between the parties. If a couple decide to opt out of the provisions of the Act and draft such an agreement, independent legal advice needs to be obtained from a solicitor by both people. Also be aware that, if such an agreement is fundamentally unfair and unjust, a court can set the agreement aside or vary it. In summary, it is important to note that previously unmarried couples had no legal rights to the assets or the estate of their partner; now, however, couples
living together can automatically obtain rights under the Act even if they have not taken steps to register their relationship. Maguire Muldoon Solicitors Clonskeagh Dublin 14 Tel (01) 296 4266 www.maguiremuldoon.ie
G A Z E T T E G R O U P N E W S P A P E R S
13 January 2011 GAZETTE 19
OCT 2011
YOUR
PENSION YOUR GUIDE TO PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE
GETTING THE RIGHT ADVICE: Are pensions still a good option? Page 20
Jedward factor: Roisin Ni Mhorain THE FAMILY on how there BUSINESS: are far worse Providing for role models than the your company’s twins from Lucan future Page Page 2229
Safety first for pensions in 2011 Q SUSAN GIBSON Head of Pensions, Irish Life Retail
FOR most people starting a pension was just something we did when we started working or when we set up our business. It just seemed sensible to start putting money by while we had it, to take account of the years ahead when we wouldn’t have it! Saving for a more secure future
Despite the challenging financial environment we all face, the critical fact remains – saving for our retirement is as important and as sensible as ever. And, for those who put plans in place, the
benefit is immediate. A recent study by Amarach Research showed that people who are saving for their retirement with a pension were twice as confident about their future compared to those who weren’t putting anything by. Know your pension options
It’s important to understand that not all pension plans are the same. There’s actually a range of options to choose from when investing into a pension plan. So you should be able to choose from safer, lower-risk options right the way though to more adventurous ones. Then, as your circumstances change over time, you should be able to switch
between funds easily, whenever you need to. At Irish Life we’ve a wide range of options so we’ve got something to suit all tastes. Put your pension in good hands
More than 1 million people choose Irish Life to help them look after their financial futures. In fact we currently manage pensions and investments of over €31 billion. As Ireland’s leading provider it may not surprise you that we look after the pensions of most of Ireland’s leading companies. However, you may not be aware that seven of the 10 biggest US companies choose Irish Life pensions for their Irish employees.
Get some advice
Getting your pension sorted is one of the most important decisions you can make. With so much at stake, choosing your pension provider, and understanding all the options available, has never been more important. For advice on planning for your retirement, talk to your independent broker, or contact your local Irish Life Financial Adviser to help you plan ahead for a more secure future.
Information is correct August 2011. Pensions are long-term savings plans that can only be taken at retirement. Irish Life Assurance plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Susan Gibson, head of pensions, Irish Life Retail
20 GAZETTE 6 October 2011
YOUR
PENSION
YOUR GUIDE TO PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE
l G ET TI NG T H E R I GH T A DV I CE l
A pension? I’d be better off in the Post Office DAMIAN EVANS
Fingal Financial
OVER the last few months, I have heard a number of discussions relating to the continued use of private pension plans. This is usually related to the falls in fund values, negative sentiment regarding global economies and taxation changes. My advice is that, for most people
funding long-term for retirement, pensions are still the best game in town. Some of the key points to remember are: 1. Security
IT IS important to remember that insurance companies are not banks. The liquidity requirements for insurance companies are much, much more onerous than for the banking sector. An insurance com-
pany must at least match assets and liabilities and, indeed, most insurers exceed this. If you have a Self Administered Fund with a Pensioneer trustee, your assets are held in a ring-fenced trust, so should the Trustee company face difficulties or indeed become insolvent, your assets are protected. 2. Investment Performance
YES, it has been a pretty torrid time for global equity and bond markets. The credit crunch that started in the US has now turned into a European Sovereign Debt Crisis and we have had our own property and banking problems along the way. Advisers can’t pretend to be able to predict the future; however, we can plan a portfolio and guide our clients through the various behaviours of assets so that there are fewer surprises. Investment markets will rise and fall. It is their nature. You can, however, have a lot of influence over how your overall investment portfolio rises and falls comapred with global market benchmarks.
3. Investment strategy
MATCHING your invest-
For most people, pensions are still one of the best options for saving for your retirement
ment portfolio to your investment term, and taking into account your attitude to risk, should lead to fewer surprises when receiving your fund valuations. There have never been more investment options out there, ranging from 100% capital protected to riskier leveraged investments, and everything in between. 4. Tax Benefits
TAX relief at up to 41% is still available. Ignoring charges and investment performance, to accumulate a fund of €500,000 outside of a pension, it would cost you nearly €850,000. Compare that to saving into a pension
plan where the equivalent cost would be €500,000 and you can access 25% of that tax-free upon maturity. 5. Review – Regularly
INVESTMENT markets change. Attitude to risk changes. In my experience, during the boom years, investors became overly aggressive about their own capacity for risk and many have subsequently come to realise this, to their cost. Experieneced independent professional advice can offer diversification solutions and offer an impartial view to ensure that both the investment growth potential and risk
profile are within specific agreed criteria. Damian Evans is Account Director with Fingal Financial. He can be contacted at 018404012 or damian@fingalfinancial. ie Not all recommendations are necessarily suitable for all investors and Fingal Financial recommend that specific independent advice should always be sought prior to entering any financial contract, based on the particular circumstances of the individual. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future returns. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise. Any person acting on the information contained in this article does so entirely at his or her own risk. All estimates, views and opinions included in this article constitute Fingal Financial’s judgment as of the date of the article but may be subject to change without notice.
What, exactly, is QROPS? ON moving abroad, many British expatriates will have left their UK pension rights retained in their existing arrangements. These private pensions remain subject to UK pensions law with the effective requirement to purchase an annuity at a later stage (and in any case no later than attaining 75 years of age without the later prospect of huge tax charges otherwise). Additionally, UK taxation may be suffered on pension payments. Under UK legislation introduced in 2004, effective from April 2006, expatriates or UK residents who have a demonstrable intention to reside outside of the UK may transfer the value of their UK pension rights to a non-UK pension scheme and thus avoid all the normal restrictions imposed on the pension fund if it remained in
the UK. The transfer must be made to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS for short) that is approved by HMRC. Do I qualify for this scheme?
Cases should be examined on an individual basis but the basic rules are: The pension holder must become non-resident of the UK and remain so for at least five complete UK tax years. The existing UK pension scheme can be in drawdown (i.e. benefit is being paid from the fund directly – an approach now referred to as “unsecured income”) before transferring to a QROPS. However, there are restrictions and, if the permitted lump sum has been taken, no further lump sums are allowed.
Characteristics of QROPS
QROPS are established so that the underlying investments are not subject to tax and, with careful planning, the pension fund can be continued until retirement date on a tax-free basis. The other principal benefit in transferring a UK Pension to QROPS is that the member can use the pension fund for his lifetime and any remaining balance can be passed on to their heirs upon the member’s death. What do I do next?
If you have worked in the UK and left your pension behind, please contact Imperius Asset Management by telephone: 01 437 088 or by email: office@ImperiusAM. com, to find out how to take advantage of the benefits that may be available to you.
6 October 2011 GAZETTE 21
l F I NA N C I AL S E R V I CE S l
Hardiman’s offer real choice and security THE Hardiman name is a tried and trusted one in financial services, where Pat Hardiman has been providing financial advice since 1976. Pat says: “The most important point that we want to make customers aware of is: Reviewing where your pension is invested could make a substantial difference to the value of your retirement fund. “Do you know where your pension is invested? “We will review your attitude to risk and invest
your pension accordingly. Daniel Hardiman, Chartered Accountant and Qualified Financial Advisor, who has recently joined the team has observed various types of investment strategies used by the leading fund managers in his career to date and will ensure the investment funds selected will be suitable to the individual’s age and risk profile. Example
“For example, it is important that when an individual is approaching
retirement, their pension is invested in a low-risk secure fund. “We now have a platform to invest individuals’ pensions in a range of 100% Capital Guaranteed investments. For example, our customers can now invest their pension in the best deposit interest rates on offer in the market and get a guaranteed return of 4.5% AER and not expose themselves to any investment risk. For lowrisk individuals, we have access to invest pensions in banks who have made
the top 50 safest banks in the world. “There are some good reasons why Hardiman’s free reviews should be considered: “The process for our review is quite simple and we do not charge our customers an initial consultation fee. If we can’t improve your existing arrangements, or reduce the charges on your pension, we will make you
aware of this from the start. We will provide our clients with a concise report tailored to your personal circumstances, which will outline our recommendations. “We can arrange house appointments at a time convenient to you. Call 0877662657, e-mail us at info@hardimans.ie or visit our website www. hardimans.ie for further details.”
Finding someone you can trust to help you with your pension needs is extremely important
22 GAZETTE 6 October 2011
YOUR
PENSION
YOUR GUIDE TO PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE
l PL A N N I N G FO R T H E F U T U R E l
Taking care of family firms DO YOU own a family firm and worry about providing for the future? Is your pension fund significantly depleted and/ or property portfolio now floored? “It’s time to act to ensure you get the business disposal tax relief, which may be reduced in next Budget.” Business owners who are over 55 years of age, and over 10 years in business, can currently avail of substantial tax reliefs when selling their business or passing it on to family members. How-
ever, these are under attack. Currently, if a business owner sells his or her business (within guidelines) for up to €750,000, there is no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) payable – but it is likely that the tax benefits will be reduced in the next Budget – possibly down to €500,000. Businesses held by husband and wife could avail of €1.5m. Over the last three years in particular, many people have seen their pension funds significantly eroded and many own-
ers of small family firms despair of ever being able to afford to retire. “But there is a very viable way to enable business owners to retire even if their pensions are substantially diminished,” says Gerry O’Reilly, of Newmarket Partnership. One of Gerry’s clients, who he helped with this problem, is Moneywise. ie – a boutique wealthmanagement family firm. Moneywise was established by Owen Morton in 1986 and, in more recent times, he and his two sons shared owner-
ship with each owning a one-third share. Owen was approaching retirement but, like many people over the past three years, his pension fund has suffered badly. Although the business is sound and profitable, neither of his two sons – Alan and Richard – had the money to buy out his shares from him. “Richard and I were really stressing about this as we wanted to enable Dad to retire when he chose to do so – safe in the knowledge that he would have adequate resources with which to enjoy his retirement. The company had some reserves, but, having a young family, we had no spare cash personally to buy him out. So we spoke to Gerry O’Reilly at Newmarket, who has been advising Moneywise for a number of years now. We had known about the relief – as, in a twin strategy with pension funding, we had advised clients on it ourselves but Gerry really approaches the problem in an innovative way,” says Alan. Future
“Gerry advised us how we could use the company’s current reserves and future cashflow to fund Owen’s retirement. “He said there were several ways to structure this, but bottom line is that Owen ended up with a good fund over time and Richard and I ended up in control of the business. We agreed a value on the shares and are paying him this in regular monthly installments – tax-efficiently, thanks to CGT Retirement Relief. Gerry calls this WIN, WIN, WIN and we agree. “My Dad’s retirement
Owen Morton, of Moneywise.ie, client of Gerry O’Reilly of Newmarket Partnership
issue is significantly eased –WIN. We get to take over the business with little outlay –WIN. The outcome is tax friendly – WIN. Collectively, Richard and I and the Company save the tax my Dad would have paid on PAYE – WIN. In summary, Newmarket saved our family €750,000, which certainly makes for a better quality retirement for Dad. This was not something we ever envisaged a relatively small company could achieve.” Complex
However, Alan warned that it is not as simple a transaction as it sounds. “It’s actually pretty complex,” he says, “and this is why we needed Newmarket’s thorough knowledge of the Taxation Code, as well as good legal advice to guide us through share-
holders’ agreements, and what would happen in the case of default for whatever reason.” Gerry O’Reilly comments: “We used the Capital Gains Tax Retirement Relief for this transaction. This means that people can sell their business without incurring tax up to a maximum value of €750,000 once they are over 55 years of age, have worked for 10 years or more and are a shareholder/director in the business. “This is ideal for small family-owned businesses in particular. In certain circumstances, people have found they have not actually retired but just passed on their shares to the next generation and realised some or all of the value.” However, Gerry warns that this €750k figure
could be reduced to €500k in the next Budget as the Government has to claw back money from wherever it can. This measure will particularly affect business owners who have seen their pension fund substantially reduced in value, or who were relying on a property portfolio, which is now in negative equity.” So the advice to owners of family businesses who want to retire, or want to plan their retirement, is to act now. “Don’t leave it until near the end of the year and Budget time, as you need to allow time for the complexities to be worked through,” Gerry concludes. Gerry O’Reilly can be contacted on 01 429 3600 or by email: gerry.oreilly@ newmarket.ie or log on to www.newmarket.ie for further information.
6 October 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 23
GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs
VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES NEW TIGUAN MODELS:
The new Renault Grand Scenic is a competitive people carrier with an entry price of €26,790
Renault’s space machine The market for family cars that have more than five seats remains as strong as ever. MICHAEL MORONEY reports on the Renault Grand Scenic HEN it comes to our children’s safety takes priority. And, for many families, that means that when you sit down to look at what’s on offer in the MPV market you need to start by considering cars with three rows of seats. No matter what options you examine the Renault Grand Scenic will almost always come into the final running. And that’s why I took the Grand Scenic for a test drive. The Grand Scenic is a family oriented car. It is a big car as it’s longer and wider than most of the
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SPECS: RENAULT GRAND SCENIC 1.5 Top speed: 180 km/hr 0 – 100km/hr: 14.3 secs Economy: 20 km/litre (5.0l/100km) CO2 emissions: 124g/km Road Tax Band: B (€156) Entry Price: €26,790
competition. I took it with the slightly higher power 110bhp 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine for a recent test drive. It was the TomTom version so it had all of the best features, especially the TomTom satellite navi-
gation system. And the car was fitted with Renault’s six-speed automatic gearbox that delivers extra driving comfort. The test car was the ultimate in the Grand Scenic range, called the top-of-the-range TomTom model. This car comes with a TomTom satellite navigation system as standard, along with an impressive host of extra goodies. The seating is very flexible and easy to use. The second row of seats consists of individual seats, all of which can slide and fold individually to suit the needs. They can be
folded forward for extra boot space. And, while the third-row seats are not really for adults they are very suitable for children or short runs. You can be sure that with a Euro NCAP five-star rating for the car they will all travel in safety, with proper seat belts and IsoFix fittings for baby seats in the middle row. The third row of seats is easily folded to give a flat boot area. That makes it more spacious than the Opel Zafira or Toyota Verso. Renault is using an easy-to-read digital type layout for the dash infor-
mation, with speed and other features clearly visible for the driver and passengers. Radio controls are on the steering wheel stalk for added safety and there is an iPod connection for those who want their own music. I’m glad to see that Renault still fits a space saver space wheel in all Grand Scenic models, which is the only option in our road conditions. Renault uses a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine in the Grand Scenic where there is an option of either 95bhp or 110bhp without much compromise in performance or economy.
The car has reasonable acceleration at 14.3 seconds in a 0 to 100km/hr dash. It’s not the fastest midrange MPV around but you can hold a steady 120km/hr on the motorway at just over the 2,500rpm figure on the engine. The Renault Grand Scenic has impressive safety features and the seating is comfortable and supported by a good suspension ride. The car is reasonably thrifty, and very spacious while being good to drive with the benefit of the automatic gearbox.
Honda boosts the Accord range with a new Type S HONDA in Ireland has introduced a new 180bhp Type S diesel version of the Accord for 2012. The car aims to be an alternative to the BMW and Audi options with a more powerful engine and improved driving feel and plenty of extras as standard for a list price of €39,465, plus delivery charges. The exterior of the Type S 180PS, with its 18-inch alloy wheels and aero bumpers and side sills, has a sporty look that reflects the power under the bonnet. The car is equipped with a high beam sup-
port system with Bi Xenon headlights and active cornering lights. Standard features include leather seating and electrically adjustable heated front seats. The car has an advanced dual-zone climate control linked to the satellite navigation system to detect the position of the sun and set the temperature accordingly. Cabin noise has also been reduced through a new floating sub-frame structure with insulated carpets, all adding to an enriched driving experience. Type S 180bhp is combined with a six-
speed manual gearbox. Honda claims that the aim of the engine and transmission development was to maintain the high-performance driving experience whilst improving the overall efficiency of the engine and resulting in lower running costs. Power output is at 180bhp at 4,000 rpm while peak torque is 380Nm at between 2,000 and 2,750rpm. That delivers an improved acceleration performance of 8.8 seconds in a 0-100km/ hr race and a top speed of 220km/h. Despite the extra power the CO2 emis-
sions are below Euro 5 levels at 147g/km putting the car into Road Tax Band C with an annual road tax cost of €302.
VOLKSWAGEN’S latest version of the company SUV, the four-door and five-seat Tiguan is now available in the Irish market, with prices starting from €27,995. The Volkswagen Tiguan features a new look dominated by horizontal lines on the front grille, bringing the model into line with other new Volkswagen models. The Tiguan once again bears a strong resemblance to the bigger Touareg. At the rear, new two-part light clusters give the Tiguan a distinctive appearance. Again, similar to those of the Touareg, they form an ‘L’ shape, while the lower border of the lights also follows a horizontal geometry. Volkswagen offers three trim levels, Trend and Fun, Track and Field and Sport and Style. All will be available with Blue Motion technology diesel engines ranging from 2.0-litre 110hp, 2.0-litre 140hp and 2.0 litre 140hp BMT 4Motion. They all feature Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems to enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions.
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24 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 October 2011
GazetteTTRAVEL What’sOn
Tourism Ireland’s Brian Harte and Mark Henry celebrate reaching a half-million Facebook fans
Land of a thousand welcomes reaches 500,000 Facebook fans TOURISM Ireland has reached a half-million fans on Facebook, making it the third most popular tourism board in the world on the popular social networking site, after Australia and the UK. Social media played an important role in increasing the impact of high-profile TV programmes featuring Ireland this year, including BBC’s Terry Wogan’s Ireland and Monty Halls’ Great Irish Escape; as viewers were tweeting while they watched, Tourism Ireland communicated with them, highlighting some of the great places to visit that featured in the programmes. Mark Henry, Tourism Ireland’s Central Marketing Director, said: “For Tourism Ireland, effective use of social media is about building online communities and starting conversations that allow word of mouth about Ireland as a holiday destination to reach a truly global audience. “When you consider that each of our fans has in turn an average of 130 friends, this fan base for Ireland means that we can potentially engage with 65 million people world-wide each day,” he said. Tourism Ireland took the top eMarketing award at the Marketing Institute of Ireland’s All-Ireland Marketing (AIM) awards in May, primarily for their social media successes.
Organic beauty brand VOYA arrives at The Ice House THE Chill Spa at The Ice House in Co. Mayo drew a host of familiar local faces to the official launch of VOYA last week. Almost 100 people attended the event, with general manager Claire O’Sullivan welcoming guests and treating all to a sophisticated soiree. Spa specialists, including Chill Spa’s award-winning thera-
pist Elaine Armstrong, showcased the new VOYA products and treatments and treated guests to complimentary mini treatments, including mini-manicures, hand, arm and head massages. VOYA expert Michelle Roche was on hand to demonstrate the amazing VOYA Seaweed wraps. For full details on all treatments and offers please see www.theicehouse.ie or phone Chill Spa at 096-23500.
Edited by Mimi Murray
BREAKAWAY: TAKE A SHORT TRAIN RIDE THIS AUTUMN
Rail-ax in style - head north EAVE t h e c a r at home this autumn and enjoy a relaxing break in Northern Ireland from only £75pps* and avail of 1st Plus rail travel on the Enterprise. That is the message from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) following the launch of a selection of short breaks that include breakfast and NIR Travel. People can sit back and relax on the Enterprise from Dublin Connolly to Belfast Central Station, enjoy accommodation in a selection of 3, 4 and 5-star hotels across Northern Ireland and three days unlimited Metro, Ulsterbus and NI Railways travel. “The launch of the
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rail breaks from only £75pps* not only represent an affordable way for visitors to enjoy a short break in Northern Ireland, but also provide a relaxing way to get there given that rail travel is included. “Travelling 1st Plus on the Enterprise is a fantastic way to start a short break as you can really relax in style and even enjoy a nice meal and a glass of wine,” said NITB’s market manager (ROI) Fiona Cunningham. “There’s a great selection of hotels available across Northern Ireland with something to suit everyone, for example visit Belfast for a cosmopolitan city break with a spot of shopping, Portrush and Bushmills if you
Fiona Cunningham, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s market manager, is encouraging people to leave the car at home this autumn
would like to explore the breathtaking Co Antrim coast; Derry to find out more about the historic City Walls or Newcastle to enjoy a short break by the seaside. “With breakfast and three days unlimited NIR travel included in the price, visitors will
be spoilt for choice on where to go and what to do, and they can really take the time to explore more of Northern Ireland at their leisure,” Fiona said. To find out more information on these great value breaks, or for further information on
things to see and do in Northern Ireland, check out the free booking and advice service and callsave 1850 230 230, visit NITB’s Tourist Information Centre in Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 or click on www.discovernorthernireland.com. * Subject to availability
Frightening fun at Westport House HAVE A howl of a Halloween this year at Westport House’s annual Halloween Fest, which runs for the duration of the mid-term break from October 29 to November 6. A total of 5% of all proceeds from the freaky festival will be donated to Childline. Families with monsters will have a hauntingly good time as they experience the thrills ‘n’ chills of the Pirate Adventure Park – they will board the eerie Westport House Express train ride, get into high ‘spirits’ on the swinging ship and swan boats on the lake, have a devilish time on the cannonball run slide, and take an exciting trip on the log flume water ride.
To really bite the Halloween apple, guests will step into the stunning 18th-century Westport House, which will be transformed into a (not too) scary haunted house for the week. The little devils will be mesmerised by the captivating White Witch’s story time, while Scrooge and his friends will paint their faces to ensure they’re looking frighteningly good for the family workshops that are taking place all day. Not only that, but for guests who are there over the October Bank holiday weekend, there will definitely be a treat in store (no tricks, promise) with an explosive Fireworks
Extravaganza and haunting Halloween dance on the front lawn of Westport House. Make sure to dress to impress and look scarily good if you plan on joining in the fun, as you could be in with a chance to win some fantastic prizes in the costume competition – adults too! All of these additional activities are included in the regular Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park ticket prices, other than the fireworks extravaganza, making Halloween Fest and the Fireworks Extravaganza fantastic value for the family. For further information see www.westporthouse.ie
6 October 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 25
GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1
GoingOUT GoingOUT MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 We’ve Only Just Begun THE enduring beauty of the songs left behind by The Carpenters will be expertly brought to lilfe by talented singer, Kim Dickinson, and her band, in a show set to delight Carpenter fans, with everything from Yesterday Once More, We’ve Only Just Begun, (They Long To Be) Close To You and many, many more for fans to listen out for. The show is at 8pm on Friday, October 7, with tickets priced at €18/€15.
DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 My Way
Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson), MI-7’s greatest spy, has a licence to – well, ineptly stumble through one crisis after another, as he attempts to save the Chinese premier’s life in the face of a deadly conspiracy, with English’s “skills” just one of many obstacles to beat
Just hasn’t a Clouseau This isn’t the sequel that Atkinson fans have Bean waiting for, as the bumbling spy genre has been better done in other films Q KATE CROWLEY
READERS may recall that, a few weeks ago, I reviewed Tinker, tailor, Soldier, Spy - the masterful tale of the spy game played out in the 1970s by icily-cold spymasters. Well, the 1970s – just like a few weeks back – was aaaaages ago, and the spy game’s moved on a lot since then. Right along to Johnny English, it would seem – or so the filmmakers would have you believe. A curious sequel to the 2003 film that started this series (not that I’m entirely convinced that a two-film series is really a series, any more than someone riding a bicycle expects to see any further developments or wheels appearing at the back), this sees Rowan Atkinson returning to the role of a deadly, if incompetent, British spy. After all, it’s not like we haven’t seen spy spoof tales before, right, dear readers? (Let’s ignore everyone who starts shouting out that spy spoofs have been a lazy cinematic cliche since the likes of television’s Get Smart show – from 1965 – or even
FILM OF THE WEEK: Johnny English Reborn ++ (PG) 101 mins Director: Oliver Parker Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Rosamund Pike, Dominic West, Gillian Anderson
OUR VERDICT: PERHAPS best described as a sequel that nobody was looking for, Johnny English returns with a mildly amusing – yet highly derivative – spy spoof tale. Deadly villains? Check. Ingenious gadgets? Check. Explosions? Check. Audience interest? Err ... It’s difficult to see how English can return after this adventure, which, much like English, stumbles along, but isn’t quite as entertaining as similar spoofs.
Morecambe and Wise’s The Intelligence Men, from the same year. Hush, Mr Crowley, hush.) Reprising his role as the brilliant but bungling British superagent, Atkinson returns as English – the only man who could take on J***s B**d and win – albeit not without
lots of chaotic messing about. Perhaps in a nod to the slightly long gap between the films, the film sees MI-7’s (see what they did there, folks?) top agent living life away from the agency, having retired to Ye Olde Monastery in deepest, orangest Asia.
There, English can meditate, learn more about who he is – and train in pretty predictable ways, messing up ancient oriental skills as he goes. Oh, English! However, with this new-found affinity with Asian ways, English seems to be MI-7’s best hope of getting to the bottom of an impending catastrophe, as a plot against the Chinese premier’s life is uncovered, with deadly assassins on the loose for nefarious reasons. Semi-retirement can wait, as the agency’s best spy is needed back on the beat, with – shock, horror –a sinister conspiracy at
work within a number of intelligence agencies. With the clock working against him almost as much as his lack of skills, English has to uncover the truth before an allimportant heads-of-state conference, at which the premier’s life is at risk. Now, pay attention, English! It’s very much more of the same for this sequel, with Atkinson mugging, glaring, staring and stumbling his way as the frosty agent who, despite everything – including his own ineptness – manages to get the job done, thanks to his super gadgets, super sidekicks, and a super amount of luck.
GARVAN Gallagher’s commendable exhibition examines the “invisible” status of older citizens, with a diverse range of work examing the status and self-image of our elders. Whether personal texts, short films, or even fashion shoots replacing younger models with more mature citizens, My Way is an excellent, diverse project underlining how valuable our “invisible” citizens are. My Way runs at Driaocht’s ground floor gallery until Saturday, November 5.
PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 When Jolie Met Christie THIS imaginative production marries the music of the late, great Christie Hennessy with the legendary Al Jolson. As a boy, Hennessy was fascinated with Jolson, and this toe-tapping production reunites the two in Heaven, where a meditation of their lives – and music – can play out in what’s described as “a quirky, funny and sometimes dark meditation on the price of fame”. Catch the show on Friday, October 7, or Saturday, October 8, at 8pm, with tickets priced at €19/€17.
GAZETTE
26 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 October 2011
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Hardware Upgrades, Data Recovery. Get any PC problem fixed fast!! Phone: 01 4407573 / 086 2657160. www. computerrepaircentral.com COMPUTERS SALES, REPAIRS AND NETWORKING Network Installation & Maintenance. Specialise in Computer/Network Security. Virus/Spyware Removal. PC Tuneup. Broadband Installation. Call Kieran 087 6698385. COMPUTER REPAIRS AND SALES Virus removal, broadband + wireless setup PC running slow, annoying pop-ups. Call Damien 0861714713 for a quote NO CALLOUT CHARGE
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PLANNING NOTICE
PLANNING NOTICE
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
I, HAROON KAHN, intend to apply for permission at this site NO.30 CHALET GARDENS, LUCAN, COUNTY DUBLIN. The development will consist of works to existing two storey dwelling to include, a two storey extension to front, rear and side of the existing dwelling. Also to convert the existing garage, conversion of attic, internal alterations, widening of front entrance and all ancillary site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of South Dublin County Council during its public opening hours of 9am-4pm, Mon-Fri. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. Signed: Vincent Brady Consulting Engineers, Unit D3, M4 Business Park, Celbridge, Co. Kildare.
Emmet McQuillan is applying for permission to reduce the width of bathroom window from 1.2 m wide down to 0.7m wide on first floor to front of two storey terrace dwelling to assist with internal bathroom modifications at no.18 Sarsfield Park, Lucan, Co. Dublin. This application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of South Dublin County Council during its public opening hours of 9am - 4pm, Mon-Fri, and a submission or observation may be made to South Dublin County Council in writing and on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by South Dublin County Council of the application.
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6 October 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 27
GazetteSPORT
SEPTEMBER STARS: This month’s Dublin Sport Awards winners announced Page 29
GAA CHARITY: AFRICA AID ORGANISATION TRAVELLING TO ASSIST IN ETHIOPIA
Playing for Life gets backing as official charity sport@gazettegroup.com
GA A stars past and present lined out at Croke Park recently to declare their support for the GAA’s official charity for 2011, the Playing For Life organisation, when it announced the launch of its next project in Ethiopia. Dublin’s Eamonn Fennell, Niall Corcoran and Barney Rock attended the launch along with Limerick’s Gavin O’Mahony
and Kilkenny hurler, Tommy Walsh. Playing for Life has worked in Tanzania, Kenya and Malawi since 2005. The charity’s work focuses on self-development by providing education facilities, skills training and HIV/Aids awareness through sport. Tracy Piggott, founder of Playing for Life, said: “As a team, we are extremely honoured, proud and pleased to have been named as an official GAA
charity. Over the years, we have had tremendous support from the GAA community throughout the country. “On both a national and international level, Playing for Life’s success is a tribute to the support and sponsorship it receives; we are so thankful to the GAA for providing us with a platform this year to ensure that this success continues.” Having been selected as an official GAA Charity
Dublin footballer Eamon Fennell with nine-year-old Behailu O’Chonaill, of Ballyboden St Enda’s, at Croke Park
for 2011, Playing for Life’s Ethiopia Trip will take the opportunity to bring Irish and Ethiopian communities together. While the two countries may seem worlds apart, there is an uncanny similarity – a passion for hurling! In Ethiopia, a similar
game is played with a wooden hurl-like stick and a ball, called Karsa. The Irish GAA players and the Ethiopian Karsa team will challenge each other to what is bound to be a thrilling hurling match on Ethiopian soil. Criostoir O’Cuana
lauded the work undertaken by the Association’s newest official charity and wished it every success in its on-going endeavours. “It’s worth noting the plans that Playing for Life has for the remainder of 2011 are most worthwhile and I hope we can sup-
port them in a tangible way with this excellent work. If you are interested in joining in the charity’s efforts on this charity trip of a life time, log onto www.playingforlife.ie or email info@playingforlife.ie.
28 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 October 2011
GazetteSport Sport
Paddy Collings, Pat Cunniffe and Phil Cunningham
Ben Quilligan receiving the Golfer of the Year award from Dave Whittle
Christy Leahy receiving his prize
Captain’s Day
Sarsfields end season on course UCAN Sarsfields’ Golf Society held their last event of the year, their captain’s day at a sun-drenched Castleknock Golf Club. Thirty-six keen golfers took to the field in search of Dave’s Captain’s Prize, with a somewhat smaller number chasing the Golfer Of The Year award, sponsored by Paddy Collings. At the end of the day, the Captain’s Prize went to Christy Leahy, with a magnificent score of 44 points. The Golfer Of The Year award (for the player with the best score over three rounds) went to the youngest member of the Society, Ben Quilligan, in his very first year as a member, with an exceptional average score of 39 points. All golfers involved in any way in Lucan Sarsfields are encouraged to play golf with the Society and visitors are always welcome. Next outing: April, 2012!
L
Dave R Murray, Mick Molloy, Dave Murray and Dinny Malone
Pio O’Leary, Damian O’Brien, Tony Riordan and Barry McDonald
Gerry O’Grady, Captain Dave Whittle and Michael Malone
6 October 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 29
in association with
ATHLETICS : PLACES STILL AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS
2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS SEPTEMBER WINNERS IN ASSOCIATION WITH
STARof theMONTH
DEIRDRE RYAN DUNDRUM South Dublin athlete Ryan secured her berth at the 2012 London Olympics, reaching the A standard in Daegu where she claimed sixth place in the high jump world championships this month, against the best athletes in the sport, and the people she will face when chasing the gold medal in London next year.
TEAMof theMONTH
DUBLIN FOOTBALLERS
THE sons of Dublin football finally achieved their potential on the national stage when they put 16 years of hurt behind them to lift the Sam Maguire trophy at Croke Park in front of a jubilant home support. Stephen Cluxton’s icecold last-minute free to claim the title in front of a jubilant Hill 16 will be one of the most memorable moments of the year in sport.
THE INDIAN summer has been and gone, but the sun is still shining for our star and team of the month for September. In a year such as this, they have achieved two of the highest possible achievements in sport - a place in the London Olympics next year, and the highest honour in the land in Gaelic games. Deirdre Ryan’s success at Daegu was impressive, not only for the fact that she will be going to London next year, but also that she achieved sixth place in the world against the best competitors in the high jump.
Dublin have been on the cusp of Sam Maguire success for several years, and they finally took the honour at Croke Park last month with an epic performance.
Let us know! Let us know about your achievements in sport, so that the Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin — and give you, or your team, a chance of being one of our monthly stars. Contact us on 01 601 0240 or sport@gazettegroup.com to tell us all about your successes, and follow us on Facebook at facebook. com/gazettesportII.
Schoolchildren taking part in the Fingal Athletics League will take part in the finals at Morton Stadium next year
Fingal league ready to run this month sport@gazettegroup.com
The Fingal Athletics League, organised by Fingal County Council’s Sports Office in partnership with Athletics Ireland, is set to start this year on Tuesday, October 11, in Porterstown Park for schools in the Dublin 15 area, and on Tuesday, October 18, in Balheary Park for schools in the north Fingal area. The league has been running for five years, with the number of schools participating increasing every year. Last year, 26 schools took part in the league,
w i t h a p p r ox i m a t e l y 1,000 students participating. Already this year, 30 schools have registered to take part in what will be the biggest league to date. Schools will have four race meets in their respective venue before a Fingal Athletics League Finals Day next May 2012 in Morton Stadium, Santry, which sees both leagues coming together to race at Ireland’s premier athletics facility.
Fun phys-ed Niall McGuirk, Senior Spor ts Development Officer for Fingal
County Council, said: “This programme was aimed at creating a fun environment for children to become physically active. “It is important that at this stage of a child’s sporting development that the emphasis should be on participation and learning fundamental skills, rather than competition and elitism. “I have to give special thanks to Bart Rodgers from Athletics Ireland, who works tirelessly on the project and I’d also like to thank the teachers for getting involved, promoting athletics
and who are all developing a strong sporting ethos in their respective schools.” Schools can enter a maximum of 50 pupils, both boys and girls from third to sixth class, with race distances ranging from 300 to 600 metres, depending on the age group. Race days star t at 11.30am sharp and finish at 1pm. Places are still available for schools to take part in the league, and to register or, for more information, contact Niall McGuirk at niall. mcguirk@fingalcoco.ie or 01-890 6232.
Barking for to see UCD in friendlies Win tickets charity: Dublin ladies walk on
Villarreal finished UCD AFC have announced recently that fourth in last seasons La they will host two friend- Liga and so are qualifiers for next season’s Chamly matches the Belfield DUBLIN at Ladies’ Gaelic Football, in associapions League. As Bowl against Scotland’s tion with our official charity, Irish Guide well as this, theyclubs, have a wide St Dogs, Johnstone FC on all JulyDublin is inviting ladies range of talented 10,teams, and Spain’s Villarreal players and mentors to join in the footballers disposal CFGuide on JulyDogs’ 16. Family Dog Walkatontheir Saturwith Barcelona target St Johnstone finished day, October 8. and former Manchester eighth in the SLP last Dublin LGFA are encouraging clubs to United player, Giuseppe season, and have aguide long dogs sell the official high-viz wrist Rossi, on the top of the tradition in Scottish bands to players and members in order to list. football. Former players raise funds for the charity. For more inforGazetteSpor t and include Sir Alex Ferguson mation, see www.guidedogs.ie UCD are giving lucky and Ally McCoist.
readers the chance to win pairs of tickets to these matches. Simply answer the following question: Where was Villarreal striker Guiseppe Rossi born? Send your answer, together with your name, address and mobile phone number, to sport@ gazettegroup.com, with “UCD Friendlies” in the subject line of the mail.
UCD’s Robbie Benson
30 LUCAN GAZETTE 6 October 2011
GazetteSport Sport FastSport
RUGBY: PARSONSTOWN HOSTS FIRST ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE TIE
Giles calls an end to his international career LEIXLIP native Alan Giles announced his decision to step down from the international hockey platform last Wednedsay. Giles, now 30, made his debut against France just over two years ago and went on to secure another 26 senior caps representing his country. Despite a relatively short period at senior level, Giles made a big impression, something which national coach Paul Revington was keen to recognise: “Alan has made a significant impact on our Ireland squad in the three years I have been coaching in Ireland – on and off the playing field. “Alan also set a great example to the squad in regard to the value of perseverance and ability to evolve with the game, having played for Ireland U-21 in 2001 at the Junior World Cup.”
Summerfest set for next weekend THE 2011 Tesco mobile SARI Summerfest, the largest intercultural soccer tournament in Ireland, is set to take part this year at the Garda and Camogie Sports Grounds, in Phoenix Park on September 10 and 11 from 11am to 5pm each day. The Summerfest will also coinciude with the CONCERN kitefest, where kite flyers from around the world will display their kites and give kite workshops for children. The two-day festival also includes a wide array of entertainment for all the family.
For more information, see www. facebook.com/sarireland.
Castleknock Celtic seeking ladies talent CASTLEKNOCK Celtic FC’s ladies and girls section are recruiting new talent to the cllub for the soccer season starting later this month. If you were born in 1996 or earlier, visit the club’s website at www.castleknockceltic.com, and pass on your name and contact details in the How To Join section provided on the site. The club are also looking to recruit girls born in 2001/2002 to play soccer in the DubliGirls Soccer League.
Barnhall Babes were denied a hard-fought result against the experienced Longford side at home last weekend
Longford beat Babes ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE Barnhall Babes Longford
0 5
sport@gazettegroup.com
NUIM Barnhall played their first-ever match in the ladies’ All-Ireland League last weekend against Longford RFC’s womens’ team, who lost only one league match last season. The NUIM Barnhall Babes have followed Longford into the big leagues, and Parsonstown was the venue for a longawaited re-match, with plenty of history between the two sides. Barnhall started the match playing away from
the Parsonstown clubhouse and applied pressure on a solid Longford defence. Aine Hanly at out-half was in her usual fine form, running at the Longford line and creating space for her back line to attack. The Longford ladies looked shaken in the first few minutes, but their experience showed when, after a break for an injury, they regrouped their defence in midfield. The NUIM Barnhall forwards dominated in the scrums and in the line-outs, but it was at the breakdown where Longford came into their own. Regina O’Reilly won
Sarah makes trip to Aras: Special Olympics star honoured SPECIAL Olympics athlete Sarah Byrne, from Palmerstown, Dublin, and family members Derek Byrne, left, and Emma Byrne, recently attended a reception for the Special Olympics World Summer Games squad in Aras an Uachtarain, with President Mary McAleese and her husband Senator Martin McAleese.
all her lineout ball and p l ay e r- o f - t h e - m a t c h Elaine Rayfus managed to steal ball against the head in the scrums, but what Longford lacked in the set piece, they made up in their rucking and mauling. When under pressure, Longford looked to slow up the ball and even kill it when they lacked other options. The referee had to yellow card three Longford players for offences at the ruck. When Longford were attacking they looked dangerous out wide, but a couple of fine tackles from Julie Clifford stopped the Longford winger in her
tracks. The first half ended 0-0, with neither team looking like they would concede a score. The second half kicked off and Longford managed to set up a rolling maul to get themselves into the Babes’ 22. The Babes looked comfortable defending but a lapse in concentration for just a moment allowed Longford to crash over the line and go 5-0 up. Sarah Sheil and Giena Hallinan used their speed to get Barnhall on the front foot, but even some excellent running from Francesca Walsh wasn’t enough to break the Longford defence.
After fighting their way into the Longford 22 the Babes were awarded a penalty for another infringement in the ruck. With about twelve minutes left on the clock Sheil, the Babes’ captain, elected to run the ball rather than take the three points. However, a fine steal by Longford’s flanker only two metres from her team’s try line ended the Barnhall attack as Longford kicked for touch. With minutes left on the clock, the Babes continued to throw everything they had at Longford but time was not on their side and the referee blew for full time.
6 October 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 31
in association with
FOOTBALL: HOME WIN SEES LUCAN THROUGH
CLUB NOTICEBOARD LUCAN SARSFIELDS CONGRATULATIONS to both Peter
All tables are now booked for
Kelly and Johnny McCaffrey, who
the gala ball at Westmanstown on
have been nominated for All-Star
November 12. Deposits are required
awards.
to be paid for all bookings or else
Good win for senior footballers in championship. Good luck to senior hurlers and minor football in this week’s cham-
Anyone who is not yet booked and wishes to attend should contact
bar and website for details.
Paul Stapleton or Martina McGillo-
Lucan Sarsfields St Anne’s
1-11 1-5
sport@gazettegroup.com
LUCAN Sarsfields found scores at the vital moments to pull off a fine win over St Anne’s, in the process limiting the Bohernabreena side to just a single point in the second half of their Dublin SFC third-round tie last Saturday at 12th Lock. Sarsfields pulled clear after a sticky first half in which they held the slenderest of margins, 1-5 to 1-4, courtesy of Brendan Gallagher’s goal. But Sean Newcombe, Tommy Brennan, Gallagher, Stephen O’Shaughnessy and David Quinn all kicked scores to see Sarsfields safely through, while Anne’s had a man sent off in the latter stages to end their campaign on a low note. Gallagher set the tone when he got his side up
half, Newcombe and Brennan’s third strikes of the evening making it a three-point game. Anne’s kicked their only point of the second period soon after to keep their hopes alive, but a quick pair of points quelled any thoughts of a comeback. W hen an off-theball incident saw the St Anne’s ranks reduced, it was all over, with David Quinn copper-fastening the win.
St Pat’s Meanwhile, St Pat’s Palmerstown bowed out of the competition when Thomas Davis even-
tually shook off their challenge 2-13 to 1-8 in O’Toole Park. It took a Ciaran Farrelly goal ten minutes from time to seal the deal after Pat’s, with Dublin senior hurler Liam Rushe to the fore, battled back to within a point after being seven points in arrears at the half-time interval. P a t ’s h a d s t a r t e d the better with Paul Faughnan early on but a Sean Reilly goal helped Thomas Davis take control and by the break they led 1-8 to 1-1. The Kiltipper Road side now face St Maur’s in the last 16.
list. The Lucan Sarsfields’ 25 Card
October 8, from 9am to 1pm. There
Drive resumes on Friday, October
are also a lot of football boots left
14 at 9pm and will continue to May
over from the recent fun day which
2012 in the clubhouse bar.
one who wants a pair.
and running by winning and then converting the day’s first point from a free. Anne’s levelled, also from a free, but good work from Dublin star Paul Casey set up Tommy Brennan to restore the advantage, and the Sligo man added his second as Lucan threatened to pull well clear before the match was even a quarter old. Gallagher netted soon afterwards, and added his second free for a 1-4 to 0-1 lead in the 20th minute, and it looked like a date with Templeogue Synge Street in the last 16 was closing in fast. But Anne’s rallied, with Adam Doran pulling back a goal and, while Casey fisted a point, three more scores were reeled in, to leave the margin between the sides at the minimum at the break. Lucan, though, pushed forward in the second
way to be included on this reserve
claimed in the club on Saturday,
will be given free of charge to any-
DUBLIN SFC ROUND 3
places on tables that are not full.
ior A hurlers in the league final. See
has accumulated, which can be
Sars silence Anne’s to claim last 16 spot
A reserve list is being established for reallocated tables and any spare
pionship matches, and also the jun-
A large amount of lost property
Lucan Sarsfields will face Thomas Davis in the next round of the Dublin senior football championship
tables can be reallocated.
Lotto: Numbers drawn were 8, 9, 22 and 24. There was no winner. Next
Set dancing is on 8.30 to 10pm
week’s jackpot is €3,500. Esther
every Wednesday night. All wel-
Keenan’s team will be in charge next
come.
weekend.
ROUND TOWERS THE senior ladies’ footballers com-
side tournament on Saturday.
fortably beat An Ceatharlach on
Round Towers’ night at the dogs will
Sunday in the Leinster intermediate
take place on Friday, October 28, and
quarter-final.
is once again being staged at Harold’s
The minor hurlers beat St David’s in the championship.
Cross. Tickets are available for €10 and will provide you with admission
The senior footballers face St
to the races, a bus to and from the
Anne’s in a crunch promotions match
club, and entry to a €1,000 limited
in Boharnabreena next Saturday
buster draw. Paddy Delaney, Jimmy
evening. They then face Ballymun
Lee, Dick Keane and Graham Hall are
Kickhams in two weeks time in round
selling the tickets for the event.
four of the Senior Football Championship.
Football Street Leagues continue in Colaiste Brid, with the finals on
Congratulations to the senior cam-
Thursday, October 6. There is a cost
ogie team who Feile Na mBan in Glas-
of €3 per child. Any parents that can
gow on Saturday.
help out with managing teams or ref-
Well done to the Gaelic for Mothers team who won the Kilcock nine-a-
ereeing on any of these nights would be greatly appreciated.
WESTMANSTOWN GAELS/GARDA A GROUP of 55 club members led by
wonderful hosts in the NYPD.
Garda Assistant Commissioner Fin-
Normal duties resume next week
tan Fanning made the journey to New
with a championship outing against
York last Wednesday and undertook
Kilmacud Crokes on Tuesday, Octo-
a hectic schedule, including visits to
ber 11 at Kiltipper with a 7.45pm
Ground Zero and the Police Muse-
throw-in.
um, as well as a reception hosted by Irish Consul, Noel Kilkenny.
Westmanstown Gaels were busy too with all of the teams from U-8
The opening games of the Tom Lan-
to U-12 taking to the field. The u10s
gan Cup were played in Gaelic Park
and U-11s lost to St James’ Gaels
on Friday, with Garda GAA beating
and Kilmacud Crokes respectively
the PSNI in the first game, and NYPD
at Westmanstown.
overcoming the London Met in the second.
The U-12s were beaten for the first time this season in a top of the table
The action switched to Randalls
clash away to St Jude’s. The U-9s
Island on Saturday for the finals,
won their fixture against Naomh
with the PSNI getting the better of
Olaf to remain the only unbeaten
London Met in the opener and Garda
team in the CCC1 section at the club
beating the NYPD in a tough encoun-
this season.
ter. All four teams were entertained at a banquet on Saturday night by our
Well done to club GPO Michael Ahern who represented Dunshaughlin in the Meath County Final.
ALL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM27-31 PAGE 27-31 ALLOF OFYOUR YOURCASTLEKNOCK LUCAN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE
NEW GANG BABES IN THE IN ’TOWN: WOOD: Westmanstown Barnhall battle Longford host Leinster in Leinster schools’ladies’ rugbyleague blitz P28 tie P30
SEPTEMBER SUPER STARS: STARS May award Sports Awards nominees winners revealed are announced inside P29
GazetteSPORT
Lucan Sarsfields Johnny McCaffrey is among three local players to be included in the 2011 All-Star shortlist
MAY 26, OCTOBER 6, 2011
All-Star nods for heroic hurling trio Local stars Johnny McCaffrey, Peter Kelly and Liam Rushe are all in the mix for top personal honours lucansport@gazettegroup.com
LUCAN Sarsfields’ duo Johnny McCaffrey and Peter Kelly, along with St Pat’s Palmerstown’s Liam Rushe took a step closer to claiming 2011 All-Stars as Dublin’s fine year for hurling and football was reflected in a bumper 22 names on the two shortlists. They were included on a lengthy list of Dubs across the hurling and football nominees on the GAA GPA All-Stars shortlist. In a remarkable year for the county’s hurlers side, in which a lengthy wait for the National League ended and the Walsh cup title was added to by a run to the All-Ireland semi-final and that performance was reflected in the nominations – ten in total. Goalkeeper Gary Maguire, full-backs Corcoran and Kelly, half-backs Joey Boland and Shane Durkin, midfielders Liam Rushe and John McCaffrey, half-forwards Conal Keaney and O’Dwyer, along
with Paul Ryan in the full-forward line are the Dubs nominated. The final team of 15 players will be presented at the banquet event at Convention Centre Dublin on Friday, October 21. And Uachtaran Chumann Luthchleas Gael Criostoir O Cuana congratulated all award winners on the occasion of the first announcement of both All-Stars nominees and Players of the Month under the new joint scheme between the GAA and the GPA. He said: “I heartily congratulate the 45 players who we have named here today as nominees for the GAA GPA All-Stars sponsored by Opel. “Their inclusion on this list is recognition of the excellent campaigns they had and the contribution they made to our championship this year. GPA CEO Dessie Farrell added: “The coming together of the GPA and GAA awards this year is a reflection of the strengthening partnership between both Associations. I’d like to thank eve-
ryone involved in making that happen. “It was a wonderful and dramatic football championship and we’re all looking forward to seeing the final GAA GPA All-Stars’ team selection.” On the football side, just four members of Dublin’s All-Ireland starting team did not make the nominations list – Mick Fitzsimons and James McCarthy in defence, along with captain Bryan Cullen and Barry Cahill in the forward division. Super-sub Kevin McManamon has been rewarded for the influence he had in the All-Ireland decider and semi-final, as well as his league displays, with a nomination in the half-forward sector. After the Dubs, beaten All-Ireland finalists, Kerry, come next in terms of representation with nine, followed by Donegal with seven nominees, ahead of Mayo and Kildare with five apiece, league champions Cork with three, Tyrone with two and Wexford and Derry with one each.