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INSIDE: Waiting for Santa’s arrival at Liffey Valley P8

RECYCLE THIS COPY. KEEP DUBLIN TIDY.

November 24, 2011

GLORY FOR COUNCIL: SDCC takes

four local government awards Page 3

Tee-time smiles: Enjoying a golf annual dinner LADY Captain Una Murphy (sec-

Boxing: LBC’s Brabazon makes the move to pro status Page 32

ond left) was delighted to welcome golf players and members to the recent Annual Lady Captain’s Dinner, held at Lucan Golf Club, which saw more than 150 golfers joining her.

Ready fore a great tee-time at the event were Angela Kelly, Paula Doyle, Phil McNamara, Therese Brazil, Terry Keane and Tara Doyle, who were all happy to help celebrate the club’s successes.

Picture: Rob Love

Full Gallery on Page 10

Sports Awards: November nominees are announced Page 29

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Scrapping of estate link plan welcomed A victory for the community – Cllr Willliam Lavelle

Q PAUL HOSFORD

THE scrapping of plans to open a permanent pedestrian link at the front of the Moy Glas estate onto Griffeen Avenue have been welcomed this week by local politicians.

Fine Gael councillor William Lavelle, who had opposed

the plans by South Dublin County Council to create the pedestrian link at the railings in front of Moy Glas, described the decision not to press ahead with the plan as “another victory for the community”.

Cllr Lavelle said that the overwhelming majority of representations made to the

council were against the opening up of the railings, with local residents fearing it would lead to anti-social behaviour.

In a letter to local councillors, council staff said that a number of representations had been received, and most of these were against the idea.

Full Story on Page 4

2 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 November 2011

SHOPPING: CHRISTMAS

SDCC Libraries to hold fun activities for family

Council plans a host of events for the Christmas season Guide to give plenty of gift ideas LOCALS are being advised to keep their eyes peeled for the Christmas Gift Guide from the Retail Park, Liffey Valley, coming through their door.

The Guide will be distributed to 150,000 homes in the catchment and has great gift ideas for him, her, the whole family and even decorations for the house.

With over 700 free car parking spaces the Retail Park has top brands such as Argos, Curry’s, PC World, Halfords, JJB Sports, Harry Corry,Atlantic Homecare, Carpetright and a new 24-hour drivethru McDonalds restaurant and it is located just around the corner from Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.

And, this year, if you sign up to their newsletter, they will donate €0.50 to Barnardos on your behalf.

Barnardos supports children whose well-being is under threat, by working with them, their families and communities and by campaigning for the rights of children.

Barnardos was established in 1962 and is Ireland’s leading independent children’s charity. For more information, please visit www.barnardos.ie

S OU T H D u b l i n C o u n t y Council is to run a host of events throughout the county during the Christmas festive season that are sure to be a hit with all members of the family.

As part of the festive season, the Library service is organising a range of family activities for the Christmas season.

These activities range from a Christmas Craft Fair in the County Library to special Christmas story sessions for pre-school children in each branch library.

The larger libraries are holding carol services in con-

junction with local schools and community choirs and the County Library is playing a significant role in Unwrapped – the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at County Hall on December 3.

The Library Service will also r un a workshop on Christmas decorations from recycled materials workshop on December 1, a Christmas craft fair from December 8-10 and Christmas art and craft sessions on December 12 and 19, all in County Library, Tallaght.

Meanwhile, in Clondalkin Library, there will be Christmas carols with groups from

Lucan, Dodsborough and Adamstown, December 20, Musical Tots (Christmas music for pre-school children and parents) with a visit from Santa.

Christmas Craft and Ceramic exhibition from December 14-23, Travellers Tales for Christmas with Clondalkin Traveller Project on December 5 and “It Was the Night Before Christmas” – family story time on December 21.

T he Unw rapped Event on December 3 will bring the community together for a participatory arts event involving music, visual arts

and performance.

This event will start at 3.45pm and end at 6pm and will involve all venues in the cultural quarter, starting with the book awards in the library and culminating with the lighting of the Christmas tree in Chamber Square, Tallaght.

There will be three choirs per forming between the steps at County Hall and in the Civic Theatre.

The Armagh Rhymers will set the scene for the Holly & Oak King story in the library and visual art will be projected onto the outside wall of Rua Red.

Meanwhile, responding to Fine Gael Cllr Emer Higgins, the council said that it hoped to organise a similar Christmas event to one arranged last year by the Parks Section with assistance from the Community and Corporate Services Departments.

P r e l i m i n a r y wo r k h a s begun in relation to the feasibility of running a Christmas event, this year and the council has said it is exploring all of the options for such an event including the private sector opportunity and having regard to the logistical and financing arrangements of such an event.

CONSTITUTION: CALL FOR REFERENDUM TO STRENGTHEN CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

Support for children’s rights move Q PAUL HOSFORD

lucan@gazettegroup.com

POLITICIANS from across the spectrum united this week to pledge their support for the Children’s Rights Alliance and its call to strengthen

children’s rights in the constitution.

With cross-party support for the holding of a referendum, TDs offered own individual support to protect children’s rights in Dublin Mid West so that each child is cherished equally.

This support comes in the week that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child celebrates its 22nd anniversary. “ E a c h a n d e ve r y childhood counts and I’m delighted to pledge my support to the Alliance and to their work to secure a referendum to strengthen children’s rights in the Constitution,” said Fine Gael Deputy Derek Keating.

“We need our Constitution to be the best it can be – to reflect our views on childhood today, rather than in the time that it was written, in 1937, when children were to be seen and not heard,” said Deputy Keating.

Meanwhile, Labour

--------------------------

‘We need our constitution to be the best it can be – to reflect our views on childhood today’ --------------------------

T D R o b e r t D o wd s agreed, saying that constitutional support was needed.

“We need a constitution that will protect our children and guide the courts to make decisions that keep families together and that are in the child’s best interests.

“I know the people of Dublin Mid West would welcome the opportunity to say ‘yes, we value childhood’ and ‘yes, Ireland values all children and their rights’.”

Senator Jillian van Tu r n h o u t , o u t g o i n g chief executive of the Alliance, said: “Deputies Derek Keating and Robert Dowds are true

Derek Keating TD signs the Children’s Rights Alliance pledge wall

champions for children: in Dublin Mid West, in the Oireachtas and Ireland itself.

“Over recent years, high-profile cases of extreme neglect and horrific exploitation of children have brought into sharp focus our

need to do something to change how Ireland treats its children.

“This requires our constitution to be updated because, as it stands, children are almost invisible within the constitution and when children find themselves in danger-

ous or difficult situations, the constitution makes it impossible to give the same level of protection to each child.

“This situation must c h a n g e a n d we a r e grateful for Deputies Keating and Dowds support.”

24 November 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 3

COUNCIL Four Local Government projects recognised with wins

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Christmas joy: Ho-ho-happy to see Santa at Liffey Valley SEE GALLERY PAGES 8-9 Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan (thirdright) presented the awards to a number of SDCC representatives and councillors

SDCC scoops top awards for initiatives Q PAUL HOSFORD

lucan@gazettegroup.com

SOUTH Dublin County Council (SDCC) has scooped four awards at the prestigious Chambers Ireland eighth annual Excellence in Local Government Awards, which were held in Dublin last week.

The local authority was selected for its ongoing efforts to promote its area as a location of choice for people to live, work, invest in and visit.

The judges noted the quality of the county’s efforts across a broad range of categories, including best library service, sustaining the arts, innovation in technology, smarter travel, sports development and outstanding customer service.

Seven projects from SDCC were shortlisted for the awards, in categories such as Smarter Trav-

--------------------------

‘It is fantastic that SDCC has been recognised for its innovative efforts to enhance the quality of life for all of South Dublin’

--------------------------

Catriona Jones, Mayor, SDCC

--------------------------

el for the Smarter Travel initiative at Adamstown, Best Library Service for South Dublin Libraries, and Joint Local Authority Initiative for Dublin Mountains Way. Other shortlisted projects included Outstanding Customer Service for Camac Valley Caravan Park, Sustaining the Arts for Tallaght Young

Filmmakers, Innovation in Technology for SEA Monitoring System, and Sports Development for South Dublin Gladiators.

At the awards ceremony last week, the council won four of its four top awards for the Tallaght Young Filmmakers, the Dublin Mountains Way, Smarter Travel Adamstown and Camac Valley Caravan and Camping Park.

Speaking on the night, Labour councillor and SDCC Mayor, Caitriona Jones, said: “I am thrilled to accept these awards on behalf of the elected members and staff of South Dublin County Council.

“It is fantastic that SDCC has been recognised by the business community for its innovative efforts to enhance the quality of life for all of South Dublin’s residents and businesses.”

4 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 November 2011

SUPPORT LUCAN BUSINESS

ESTATE Decision is ‘victory’ for community

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SHOP LOCALLY Scrapping of link plan is welcomed CALL THE GAZETTE ON

60 10 240

Q PAUL HOSFORD

lucan@gazettegroup.com

THE scrapping of controversial plans to open a permanent pedestrian link at the front of the Moy Glas estate onto Griffeen Avenue have been welcomed this week by local politicians.

Speaking to the Gazette, Cllr William Lavelle, who had opposed the plans by South Dublin County Council to create the pedestrian link at the railings in front of Moy Glas, described the decision not to press ahead with the plan as “another victory for the community”.

C l l r L ave l l e s a i d that the over whelming majority of representations made to the council were against the opening up of the railings, with local residents fearing it would lead to anti-social behaviour.

“Moy Glas residents recently received letters from council officials seeking feedback on the ‘permeability’ proposal to open a permanent pedestrian link in the railings at the front of Moy Glas, onto Griffeen Avenue.

“I have been contacted by a large number of residents objecting

Councillor William Lavelle opposed plans by the council to create a pedestrian link

to this proposal, given the real concerns that it would invariably lead to an increase in movem e n t t h r o u g h Mo y Glas by gangs of youths and related anti-social behaviour.”

In a letter to local

councillors, council staff said that a number of representations had been received and most of these were against the idea.

I n t o t a l , 79 % o f the representations opposed creating the link, with three of four phone calls, 40 of 43 responses by post and 18 of 30 online responses against the plan.

Council staff also revealed that they had received a petition from locals against the pedestrian link. “ We h ave a l s o

r e c e i ve d a p e t i t i o n from the residents association objecting to the proposal.

“We have decided not to proceed with the Moy Glas link.

“However, we have received very positive input from the residents association and they have professed interest in future projects in the area and a wish to participate.

“We will endeavour to meet them before the end of the year and, subject to future funding, will hopefully progress alternative projects in the area for 2012,” said the council letter.

Lavelle was pleased with the outcome, having raised the issue as far back as June.

“As far back as the Lucan Area Committee Meeting of June 28, and a Lucan Councillor Briefing Meeting of the July 13, I had advised council officials that there would be strong objections from residents to this proposal.

“However, officials instead chose to proceed with a public consultation.

“In response to the level of community opposition, and in line with my own original concerns, I tabled a motion for next week’s Lucan Area Committee meeting directing the manager to drop these proposals.

“However, in advance of that meeting, I have now been advised that council management have agreed to drop these proposals,” said Cllr Lavelle.

24 November 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 5

RETAIL Prestigious Innovation nod for company

Kooky Dough cook up a Bord Bia nomination FORMER King’s Hospital student, Sophie Morris, who, along with her business partner, Graham Clark, founded Kooky Dough, has been nominated for a Bord Bia Innovation Award.

The Bord Bia Food and Drink Industry Awards are there to reward quality in the Irish food and drinks industry.

The awards, which are run in association with Rabobank, are open to all food and drink products manufactured in Ireland.

Companies must be in business for a minimum of two fiscal years, with Kooky Dough qualifying, having been founded

in 2009.

This year, there were 184 entries in six categories – exporting, branding, entrepreneurial, domestic success, sustainability and innovation.

T he business is a far cry from the duo’s careers in finance, but, after hatching their plan for a ready-made dough mix, designed to be rolled out and cooked at home, the pair took the concept from farmers’ markets to supermarkets.

The company supplies products to the Irish and British markets, with key customers, including Tesco, Supervalu, Superquinn and Dunnes Stores.

It also supplies Four Star Pizza and Apache Pizza with frozen portions, which are baked in-store.

Back in March, Kooky Dough was being grilled on RTE’s Dragons’ Den in front of possible investors.

After failing to impress all the dragons, Sophie, from Chapelizod, and Clarke, from Cork, were eventually offered the €70,000 they were looking for from Dragon, Gavin Duff y, but at Gavin’s demand for 30% of the business, it wasn’t the 10% they were prepared to offer. They then offered him 20%, but he wanted 25%.

COUNCIL

Pamphlet on water usage

SOUTH Dublin County Council (SDCC) has released a pamphlet aimed at helping business owners and residents to conserve water in the coming months.

Last year’s severe freezing and snow led to water shortages, cut-offs and severe problems for people in South Dublin, and the council is hoping to avoid a similar situation this year.

Co-founded by former King’s Hospital student, Sophie Morris (right), Kooky Dough has been nominated for a Bord Bia Innovation Award

After failing to come to a compromise, Kooky Dough left with no investment. However, luckily for them, it all worked out, after the company landed a €550,000 deal to provide Tesco with their own-brand cookie dough lines in Ireland

and Britain.

Speaking to The Gazette back in March, Sophie said that the product’s appeal was across all age ranges.

She said: “You can roll it out for fun, or you can slice it as if you are slicing pudding.

“K ids love to get involved, but people my own age love doing it on a Saturday night – instead of having a pizza, they can bake a cookie for fun, and a lot of people like to pretend they were baked from scratch, so it’s great,” she said.

Resource Despite the return of winter rains, the county still faces a number of water issues, with the council keen to encourage residents and businesses to make better use of the precious resource.

To that end, it has released the informative pamphlet, which contains a number of handy tips for businesses. The pamphlet can be seen online at environment. southdublin.ie.

Sanovitae’s Super Slimmers THE Sanovitae Superlslimmers are training amazingly well.

Dave Ward and Sean Daly are training in the gym 6 days out of 7. Sean is walking for 20-30minutes every morning as well.

There is a huge misconception that you are able to get into shape by training for 30mins a day 3 days a week.

This was the guidelines established by the American College of Sports Medicine.

What people don’t realize is that these guidelines were established for morbidly obese patients. The recommendations are for people who would get out of breath checking the mailbox in the morning!

If you are serious about losing weight or getting into shape then you need to be doing some activity 6 days a week. Movie stars and sports stars are certainly training more than 90minutes a. week.

This does not mean that you have to be in the gym every day. It can mean that

you go to the gym 3 days a week, play football once a week, a brisk walk, swim, game of tennis. Any activity that will get your heart rate up and keep your metabolism ticking over is beneficial.

Strength training plays an important role in weight loss. With strength training you develop lean muscle, strengthen joints, increase flexibility and range of motion, increase red blood cell production, regulate hormones, and strengthen the heart and a lot more!

Dave and Sean have shown some remarkable increases in strength and flexibility. Sean has doubled the weight that he is lifting in most exercises. The range and flexibility that they are both getting when performing movements is greatly improved.

When participating in a strength program make sure that you have a program that is going to work for you!

A good strength program will have exercises that utilize the big muscles of the body.

The gluteals (butt), quadriceps (thigh) and hamstrings (rear thigh) are the biggest muscles in the body. You need to be training these muscles with squats, deadlifts and lunges for maximum results.

Another mistake people often make is choosing isolation exercises over compound or multi muscle exercises. This means you should do exercises such as a bench press over say a pec fly. This is so you recruit more muscle which increases your energy expenditure and so will increase your fat loss!

With the right strength program you will lose weight fast and get the toned and healthy shape that we all strive for! At Performance Health Ireland we develop individual strength and conditioning programs that get results.

You can follow Dave and Sean’s progress on both the Sanovitae and PHI Facebook pages just like Performance Health Ireland.

Like us on facebook!

Contact Performance Health Ireland if you would like a FREE consultation and thorough assessment.

Email matt@phireland.com or call Matt 087 2037393 or Keith 087 9327668 for more information.

6 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 November 2011

REVIEW

Request for funds for group SOUTH Dublin County Council will look into the feasibility of ring-fencing some money for Comhairle na nOg. The Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Councillor Caitriona Jones (Lab), had asked the most recent council meeting to “examine the feasibility of ring-fencing monies to allow South Dublin Comhairle na nOg an annual budget”.

OPINION After this week’s war of tweets between

Where do you stand Q EOIN O’BROIN Sinn Fein

Cost-saving She said that “the financing will be achieved through any actions/ideas implemented by Comhaile na nOg that result in a cost-saving for the council”.

The motion was passed, with the council pledging that an “exploratory meeting will be set up with Comhairle na nOg to examine options, and the matter will be addressed in the context of the 2012 Budget process”.

Sinn Fein representative

GET YOUR

for Dublin West, Eoin

PARTY

STARTED

O’Broin

WOMEN make up almost 50% of the population but only 15.1% of TDs. In 2007 only 18.8% of TDs were women.

Of course this should come as no surprise. The percentage of women candidates in the 2011 General Election was a paltry 15.2%, 2.2% lower than in 2007.

The situation is not much better at local government level. In 2009 the percentage of women councillors was 16%, a fall of 1% on 2004.

Why are women so under-represented in both local and central government?

Part of the reason is to do with the many barriers that block women’s full participation in political life.

Elected politics involves long working weeks and very antisocial hours. The antifamily work requirements

make it difficult for those with primar y caring responsibilities from getting involved.

The lack of adequate childcare facilities also acts as a barrier, preventing many who want to play a more active role in politics from doing so.

However, the single biggest obstacle to women’s participation in politics is political parties themselves.

In a 2002 report, entitled Irish Politics, Jobs for the Boys, the National Women’s Council of Ireland identified a range of areas in which action would be required to increase the percentage of women in politics.

The report’s key recommendation was that, in the absence of proactive action by political parties, Government must introduce legislation linking party political funding from the state to increased representation of women in candidate selection for local and general elections.

This call for legislation was echoed in a 2009 cross-party report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s

Rights Last week the Government announced their intention to bring forward such legislation in the New Year, as promised in the programme for Government.

The logic behind such legislation is simple. Political parties control the selection of candidates for local and General Election. The under-representation of women politicians is a direct result of the failure of political parties to increase the number of women standing for election.

If political parties are not willing to take the necessary steps to enable women’s equal access to the political process then they can’t expect the same level of financial support from the state.

It is right that the Government sends out a clear message that there is a cost to discrimination.

It is time we took gender equality seriously.

That means removing barriers on women’s participation in politics.

Anything short of this is not only bad for politics, but bad for democracy.

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24 November 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 7

two Dublin West political heavyweights, we asked...

on gender quotas?

Q JOANNA TUFFY Labour

I OPPOSE gender quotas because they are discriminatory and anti-democratic.

Under the proposed gender quota law parties will be required to discriminate between candidates on grounds of their gender.

Discrimination is wrong, even if it is supposedly positive discrimination.

F o r e ve r y p e r s o n advantaged under this law another person will be disadvantaged, so negative discrimination will be involved too.

The irony is that, in practice, gender quotas are likely to be used to discriminate against both women and men.

Gender quotas are anti-democratic. They are based on the idea that voters can’t be trusted.

The voters in this case will be the members of political parties. Gender quotas bypass the voter’s right to decide and impose a conclusion on him or her.

Gender quotas will be imposed at the expense of grassroots participation in political parties by women and men.

Gender quotas are topdown decision-making when the issues associated with the low participation of women in politics need to be tackled from the bottom up.

Those that argue for quotas claim that women don’t win selection conventions. Where is the evidence for this? Where the problem lies is in the

fact that not enough women choose to run for election. This is not confined to political parties.

Less than 10% of Independent Dail candidates were women in 2011.

Neither is the phenomenon of under-representation confined to politics or women. Quotas are not the answer to underrepresentation by any group in any walk of life.

Mandator y gender quotas are not the only way. Scandinavian countries are often held up as models for gender quotas.

But those countries don’t have gender quota legislation.

In Sweden, for example, there are parties that use gender quotas and parties that don’t with similar outcomes.

There are other steps that can be taken to

increase the numbers of women in politics. Measures should be aimed at increasing the participation of all citizens in politics.

If more women were active in parties, more women candidates would emerge naturally over time. The State should do more to promote politics through the curriculum. Barriers to voting should be removed. The proceedings of all levels of Government should be televised. The introduction of paid paternity leave would help women in politics.

Women are emerging in Irish politics. There are more women TDs, councillors, and mayors.

More women are studying politics. Many are joining political parties.

Even if it takes longer is

Labour’s Joanna Tuffy TD

it not better to let women emerge naturally from the grassroots of political parties rather than undermining the grassroots by the top down imposition of gender quotas?

Gender quotas decree that women must be

selected on the basis of their gender. This does a disservice to women.

Women, just like men, should be chosen on the basis of their qualities as individuals and their ability to persuade voters.

DIGITAL HUB

Plan is still on agenda

SOUTH Dublin County Council has said that a proposed Digital Hub in Palmerstown has not gone off the agenda.

Responding to a question from Independent Councillor Guss O’Connell, which asked for “an update on the County Library Development Programme and to indicate the progress that is being made to realise the objective of a Digital Hub for Palmerston?” council management, said that they would continue working towards the objective.

“The provision of a library/digital hub is an objective of the council as outlined in the Library Development Plan 20072011. The Library Service is always open to seizing opportunities that might arise for the improvement of library infrastructure and will continue to work to identify a site and resources for the Digital Hub,” said the council.

8 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 November 2011

RETAIL Lots of excitement at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre

Ali Felekoglu

Santa met Cian and Lee Cunningham, and Dara and Dane Robinson

Damien and Deco Gill with Cameron White

Paula McCarthy with (front) Miriam, Cameron and Kaden Kelly

True Christmas cheer in town

Great smiles for the season from Holly and Juliet O’Neill. Pictures: Rob Love

ANTA Claus brought true Christmas cheer to Liffey Valley Shopping Centre when he dropped by recently, marking the start of the centre’s Christmas celebrations.

Mr Claus was delighted to meet lots of West Dublin children, and their parents, as he patiently listened to the hopes and wishes of the children for toys and presents. It was a great way for the centre to highlight its impor-

S

tance as a community facility, with Santa’s arrival, and the Christmas decorations now in place around the centre, highlighting the growing excitement about the upcoming festival.

Of course, while the children were delighted to finally meet Santa, the grown-ups were equally delighted with their visit to Liffey Valley, as retailers’ bargains are bringing real Christmas cheer to lots of local homes.

24 November 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 9

with the arrival of one Mr S Claus

Santa meets Cameron Kelly, while balancing his brother, Kaden

Cian and Carla Carrick

Cameron and Kyra White

Jack O’Brien with Jay and Lee Costigan

Amber and Abbie Anderson with George Andronic

10 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GOLF A great mood at the Annual Lady Captain’s Dinner

Angela Kelly, Una Murphy, Paula Doyle, Phil McNamara, Therese Brazil, Terry Keane and Tara Doyle. Pictures: Rob Love

Celebrating lots of achievements Carol Lakes, Elizabeth Foley, Mairead Flanagan and Roseanne Dore

ORE than 150 ladies attended the recent Annual Lady Captain’s Dinner, held at Lucan Golf Club, which saw the captain, Una Murphy, join other players and members in celebrating an outstanding year.

Despite stiff competition, the Golfer of the Year award went to Dolores McGrath, with

M

Di Maher

other impressive players including the team that won the prestigious Miele All-Ireland Ladies Fourball this year – the first such win for Lucan.

With a lovely dinner, followed by light entertainment to enjoy, there was a great atmosphere at the gathering.

Elaine and Barbara Laver with Anne Costello

Miles of smiles from happy guests, as Betty Corr, Olive Strickland, Rosemary Corkery, Joan Collins, Teresa O’Brien, Miriam Walsh, Sheila Collins and Marie Kane show

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteNUTRITION NUTRITION Healthier way to takeaway food Q LEILA JOHARI

THIS month there is plenty of reality TV hitting our screens. Between the X Factor and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, there are several excuses to stay in and curl up on the couch, phone in hand, surrounded by dozens of takeaway menus.

Pizza, burgers, Indian, Thai or Chinese – the choice is endless! Takeaways are a convenient meal on a cold, dark winter’s night when the last thing you want to do

is go outside to shop for ingredients. What could be better than getting a hot meal delivered right to your doorstep that you can just throw in the bin afterwards?

No need to spend time cooking and cleaning up – imagine missing the latest performance!

Unfortunately, this is not beneficial to our health. These shows go on for weeks, so we must not make this a weekly habit! The question is how can we make these nights a little bit health-

ier, so we don’t have to feel guilty about making the delivery boy venture out in the rain? Here are some facts and tips on how to make your favourite takeaways more nutritious and take that guilt away.

Take this away for thought…

Every single person in the country eats one type of takeaway at least once a week In general, up to 60% of total calories from takeaway meals come from fat, with three quar-

ters of meals analysed over the recommended fat limits. Saturated fat and salt content is high.

Meals are short on a wide variety of nutrients such as fibre, vitamin C, E and the B group vitamins. In addition to the main meal, it is very tempting to order starters, side dishes and drinks. A milkshake, for example, can add up to 300 calories to your meal! Not to mention onion bhajis, samosas, chips and spring rolls, which are all deep-fried

Up to 60% of total calories from takeaway meals come from fat

and high in saturated fat.

Takeaway the Guilt

Pizza: Pizza can be r e a s o n a b l y h e a l t hy depending on which you choose and the size of the portion. Most pizza is high in cheese, which is high in fat, but also protein and calcium.

The carbohydrate base provides a good source of energy and the tomato sauce contains caro-

tenoids, such as lycopene-powerful phytochemicals that protect us against cell damage.

Avoid meat-based pizza and choose a vegetable pizza instead.

Burger in a bun with chips: Meat burgers in a bap are high in total fats, saturates and calories. Many are them are made with poor quality meat and topped with processed cheese, which is high in fat and

salt. Burgers are low in fibre and vitamin C and chips are deep-fried and high in fat. When ordering a burger, ensure that the meat is lean, preferably organic. Request a wholemeal bun if available and avoid cheese and mayonnaise, sticking with tomato relish and salad.

Chinese/Japanese: Chinese and Japanese takeaway choices can be one of the worst, as they are high in salt, fat and calories and can contain flavour enhancers such as monosodium glutamate and other additives. Higher fat dishes include sweet and sour pork in batter, duck dishes and special fried rice. For a lowerfat meal go for stir-fried vegetable dishes with lower fat protein such as chicken or beef in chilli sauce and choose plain, boiled rice or noodles.

Indian/Thai: Indian and Thai are one of the nation’s favourites and the spices used can provide many health benefits. However, all the meat, spices, onions and other vegetables are fried in oil, which later rises to the surface so the dishes are quite oily. When choosing curries, it is best to opt for tomato-based sauces rather than highfat sauces that contain coconut milk or cream such as “tikka-masala”.

Tandoori (dry) chicken with mango chutney or raita is a delicious meal and an excellent source of protein.

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 13

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GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY

Edited by Dawn Love

Look glowing this season IF YOU fancy a natural, bronzed glow this festive season, then check out He-Shi, the award-winning tanning range.

The premium tanning brand has three deluxe gift sets for the festive period.

For Christmas, HeShi has introduced the Liquid Mitt set (€26)

with the iconic He-Shi Express Liquid Tan in 150ml, along with a patented applicator tanning mitt from He-Shi – a perfect stocking filler for the tan enthusiast.

Meanwhile, the He-Shi Gold gift set was a favourite stocking filler last year, and is the ultimate for any tanning enthusiasts, as it

includes a range of delicious He-Shi products to achieve the ultimate golden tan.

This luxurious gift set includes the prestigious exfoliator (with scrumptious strawberry scent, to prepare skin ahead of tanning), the best-selling Express Liquid Tan, tanning mitt and souffle

moisturiser – three steps to an eviable glow this winter, and beautifully soft, moisturised and tanned skin, even if a sun holiday isn’t on the cards this Christmas.

This gift set is also a perfect little treat for yourself while you shop for others. The He-Shi Gold Gift Set is priced

at €37.50, with a value of €61.50.

Finally, the He-Shi One Day Bronzer gift set makes an ideal gift for any girl or guy interested in tanning.

Including He-Shi’s One Day Tan – an instant tan that offers a sophisticated and healthy glow – this gift set is the perfect Christmas gift for those in a hurry, or with lastminute parties to attend.

The product is also wash-off, so is ideal for an instant application, while the set also includes the He-Shi Multi-Fuzion Bronzer, a mosaic of bronzing powder mixed with a golden shimmering palette, to allow for contouring the face.

The He-Shi Bronzer Brush completes the set, and ensures all-night radiance is guaranteed at

One of a number of He-Shi tanning products which could make a wonderful Christmas gift this year

the swirl of your brush.

It’s ideal for indulging in a glamorous, tanned look, to sparkle at every party thoughout the season.

The He-Shi One Day Bronzer gift set is priced at €37.50, with a value of €52.50.

The He-Shi gift sets are

available now from leading department stores, as well as from selected salons and day spas nationwide.

For your nearest stockist of He-Shi, contact Euro Products at 0044 028 9044 9744, or see the website at www.europroducts.ie.

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 15

16 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC REVIEW: A SECOND ALBUM IN SIX MONTHS FROM THE LEGENDARY KATE BUSH

No words to say how good this is Q ROB HEIGH

Kate Bush’s 50 Words For Snow is a record that captures the season with ease

THERE are some artists you listen to at certain times in your life, and mean certain things to you. Some pass the years as constants, some you fall out of love with, some diminish their vibrancy as their output equates with diminishing returns, and some disappear to leave a sweet memory of brief but blazing impact.

And there are the rare few who stand all test of time. The ones who disappear for years on end but whose return is like the return of a comet - blazing, epic and anticipated like little else.

We have so far been blessed this year with one Kate Bush record,

although the revisiting of the Red Shoes and Sensual World albums on The Director’s Cut set in June might not entirely count as new, although it did showcase a more mature vocal style from Kate on songs that have become so beloved to her fans.

The arrival of 50 Words For Snow, however, is one of those comet-like events, an entirely new set of songs that were developed on the back of a creative rush that came after the Director’s Cut recordings.

Where previously there would have been potentially years, even decades, between the release of that record and this new one, the theme of winter that informs every track, as well as the immediacy that

shines through the recording, means that Christmas has come early.

Within seconds, those first four notes of the piano phrase at the start of Snowflake, catch your breath and capture you wholly for the next 65 minutes.

It’s a concept album of sorts, each song being in some way related to snow and winter, but that is merely a thread on which to hang themes that are familiar to fans, such as love, sensuality and motherhood, as well as Kate’s playful way with words and almost theatrical constructions in musical form, such as on the title track, which features the unique tones of Stephen Fry. As on Kate’s previous records, various guests

appear on the tracks, with the lead track, Snowflake mostly voiced by Kate’s son, Albert, while Elton John appears on Snowed In At Wheeler Street, and gives the kind of performance that you wish he would more often — utterly focused and intoning more than he has in decades - initially, I couldn’t believe it was Elton singing, he is that good.

Not one track is less than seven minutes long, and the detail and space they inhabit within this unconstrained structure means that the songs and the stories they tell live and breathe, and each one is no less than perfect.

Del Palmer’s recording has allowed an almost freejazz approach to emerge,

with wisps of strings or simply Kate’s expressive, unique voice and a piano, to say as much as the lyrics impart.

The white canvas of winter has been used here to paint song-stories that are more expressive, more emotional, and more brilliant than most artists achieve in their entire careers.

Kate Bush is like the character in Snowed In At Wheeler Street, the one who returns occasionally throughout time to set the life of the other protagonist alight with love and beauty and the experience of something magical.

That experience is what listening to this record is like, and that is why this is the best record you will hear this year.

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 17

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: WHEN WINTER SETS IN WILDLIFE CAN SEEK SHELTER IN YOUR HOME

Keeping out our unwanted house guests IT pains me to admit it, but last weekend I morphed into the quintessential, frenzied, desperate housewife complete with rubber marigolds, old t-shirt and leggings and embarked on the seasonal ritual of what I call, winterising my home.

You see each winter I scrub, wash out, air, hoover, clear out, turn over and block up every square inch of my home, inside and out… whether it needs it or not.

I have to explain at this stage, ladies, that it’s not usual practice for me to do housework on a regular basis; I’d rather write a novel in the dust on my TV screen than run a cloth across it but there’s something about winter that brings out the Mar-

tha Stewart in me – without the criminal record I hasten to add.

Now as this ritual involves some deep cleaning and maintenance, poor old “he who must be obeyed” was dispatched outdoors in order to combine such exterior tasks as gutter cleaning and vine trimming with a comprehensive inspection list, (drawn up and laminated by me) to make sure he “prepared and winterised” our nest with a view to preventing our “wild” neighbours, from becoming unwanted house guests.

Let me explain.

When the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, wildlife, that often, through no fault of their own, have nowhere

Squirrels can damage your home

else to go, start to seek winter accommodation.

This usually means in your attic, under your decking, down your pipes, in wall nooks and crannies, or up your chimney.

So, with that in mind, here’s what happens in my household.

I’ll first make sure no animals are trapped inside and if any are, I

gently remove them and place them either in an area of my garden that’s already set aside for wildlife or rehabilitate them back to their natural habitat before I permanently seal any entries.

I also use binoculars to check the roofline or high up areas like the eaves, inspecting hallows and cracks large enough to

allow animals to enter; checking for loose tiles on the roof.

I then inspect those areas I don’t use regularly – attic, crawl spaces, etc., – checking for any signs of daylight. If you can see daylight, you have a cavity that requires filling.

R e m e m b e r, w h e n checking the attic, look out for animal droppings, signs of chewing and nesting materials and pay special attention to the intersection of the roof and the trim.

If there is evidence of any of the above, assume an animal is present and never seal a gap until you are one hundred per cent sure the animal has safely gone. Look behind radiators or anywhere that pipes enter the building

for potential entry points for wildlife.

Inspect the chimney to make sure it’s not home for any small animals or birds prior to lighting the fire and installing a safety guard. Hire a professional if you’re unsure how to do this. Trim branches away from the house to limit access for climbing wildlife.

Remember to clean up any debris left lying around the garden.

We adore all animals in our house, especially wildlife and enjoy nothing more than watching the birds feed and bathe from our homemade feeders.

The little squirrel I noticed in my garden recently was such a cutie, however, if she gets herself

trapped inside my walls via any loose roof tiles, digs her way through my attic and raises her furry family in the box where I keep my now vintage wedding dress, especially as I’ve just managed to evict my own human offspring, then I’m certain she’ll lose a bit of her rustic charm and appeal pretty quickly.

So, keep this thought in mind, prevention is the best and easiest solution.

However, you must make absolutely certain you do this humanely and compassionately. It is a criminal offence to hurt, injure or cause distress to any animal.

For more information, log onto www.dspca.ie or email miriam.kerins@ dspca.ie

18 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

M50

MOTORING

RoadSigns Road Signs

RENAULT’S ELECTRIC CHALLENGE RENAULT Ireland’s managing director, Eric Basset, has set a challenge for his dealer network and team that will see 1,000 Renault electric vehicles sold in Ireland next year.

The Renault boss, who has overseen the marque’s market share double since his arrival in Ireland in 2009, is confident that one in 10 Renault vehicles sold in 2012 will be electric.

He has also stood by his commitment to make electric vehicles affordable to all, and reminds those in any doubt that Ireland is leading the way in Europe for infrastructure and availability of electric vehicles.

The Renault Kangoo ZE was launched last week and is available to test drive at dealerships, priced from €16,400 incl. VRT ex VAT and including the Government grant of €3,800.

The new Kia Rio took home the The Continental Irish Car of the Year award for 2012 last week

King of the road 2012 After a week driving the new Kia Rio, CORMAC CURTIS could see why it took home the Continental Irish Car of the Year award IA are here to compete, no question. The new Rio has just been released to the Irish market and it must surely be making the suits in Toyota and Ford shift uncomfortably in their boardroom seats.

Even before this quality Korean brand caused an industry upset by taking home the 2012 Continental Car of the Year award last week, the Rio was turning heads.

The terrific looks, performance, spec and price of this car will impress even the most jaded petrol head.

This is a brand that is bringing some serious quality to their cars, and adding extras as standard with a smaller price tag than much of the competition.

For example – compared to the 1.3-litre VVT-i Toyota Yaris – the 1.25-litre Rio is not only 16cm longer, it comes in over €600 cheaper.

And then there’s the car’s green credentials.

K

SPECS: KIA RIO 1.25L Top speed: 172km/hr 0–100km/hr: 12.6 secs Economy: 5.1l/100km CO2 emissions: 119/km Annual Road Tax: €104 Price: From €15,295

The CO2 emissions for the Rio range start at just 85 g/km, putting the Rio EcoDynamics model ahead of all other B-segment vehicles currently on sale in Europe.

But let’s talk about this car in practical terms.

At first look, the Rio is a looker.

If you read through the company spin, they’ll tell you that their engineers and designers worked tirelessly to produce a car that “combines European finesse with Korean spice to create a form language that also communicates Latin flair”…

Yeah, I don’t know what that means either.

But, what I do know is that this car looks damn good.

In this already-crowded segment, it is difficult for a car to look unique without appearing gimmicky. But the Rio has brought bags of character to the table, with styling all of its own, while at the same time adopting some classic rally-car accents.

The look of the front grille and bumper owes a lot to the body kits that adorned many of the modified boy-racer cars of recent years, but the batmanlike character of the headlight clusters elevates this front end to something far more attractive.

The low, chrome-rimmed fog lights on the EX model add a nice touch to the “air scoops” below the headlights.

The company likes to make some noise about how this version of the Rio is the same weight as its predecessor, even though it is longer, wider, lower and features a wheelbase extended by 70mm.

This may be true, and it cer-

tainly contributes to the very roomy interior in the front, rear and boot – but the new design makes you think that, if this car were in a wind tunnel, it wouldn’t cause so much as a ripple in the smoke lines.

It is an exercise in aerodynamics, that is, no doubt, key to keeping the fuel economy figures as low as possible.

I’m no speed freak behind the wheel, but I do like to have a little fun – and even this 1.25litre has all the performance need to put a smile on your face when the road is clear.

The five-speed gearbox in the car I tested was smooth, quick and definite, even though, I must admit, the clutch and accelerator pedals were a little uncertain and took some getting used to.

The overall interior of the car is another success for Kia. Even though the test car didn’t feature leather seats, the feeling in the driver’s seat was one of pampered comfort.

And the look and feel of the

dashboard doesn’t disappoint either.

It may be a small feature, but when you turn the key, the clean, bright dials light up and the various needles come alive by swiping all the way to the top and back before resting at their actual settings.

Like I said, it may be a small feature, but it made me smile every time I started the car, and it really shows the kind of attention to detail Kia are putting in to their latest models.

Finally, I must mention some of the standard safety equipment thrown in to the range.

This includes six airbags (front, side and curtain), ESC (electronic stability control), VSM (vehicle stability management), HAC (hill-start assist control) to prevent roll-back when moving off on gradients, and three-point seatbelts for five occupants.

So, on top of everything else, it looks as though the new Rio should score very well in the Euro NCAP tests.

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY CHURCHTOWN: THREE-BEDROOM SEMI-DETACHED FOR €450,000

Family fare at Henley Park is a fantastic find MCGUIRK Beggan Property in Terenure are bringing 43 Henley Park, Churchtown, a threebedroom semi-detached family home with a private west-facing rear garden and quiet cul-de-sac location, to the market for €450,000 The property, which extends to 1,360 sq ft, been extended and also has the added benefit of a garage, offering ample potential to convert.

Nestled in a quiet and leafy cul-de-sac, the property is ideally located just off Churchtown Road Lower and only a short stroll from the LUAS. The accommodation comprises entrance porch with a tiled floor, a carpeted entrance hall with ample understair storage.

The living/dining room has an expansive layout, with a large picture frame window and interconnecting doors that provide the room with natural light.

It features two tilesurround fireplaces, and double sliding doors that allow access through to the family room, which overlooks the rear garden.

The kitchen features an array of fitted wall- and floor-level units, a built-in breakfast bar, lino flooring and tile splash back.

There is a utility room off the kitchen, which

Number 43, Henley Park is on the market for €450,000

features a tiled floor, sink unit and additional storage presses. It is plumbed for a washing machine and there are two separate accesses to the rear garden.

The bedrooms are all well-sized and feature carpeted flooring and fitted wardrobes.

The master bathroom comprises bath with electric shower, WHB, WC,

and is fully tiled.

Outside, the front garden is fully cobble-locked, so offers ample off-street parking, and it is shielded with mature shrubbery.

The rear garden measures 50ft in length, is walled and has a laid-in lawn. It is not overlooked so offers good privacy. The garden also enjoys an enviable westerly aspect, capturing all the afternoon and

evening sunshine.

This wonderful home is sure to attract strong interest so early viewing is highly recommended.

The property is available for viewing, which can be arranged through Sinead Beggan at McGuirk Beggan Property on 01 419 0600.

For more information, see www.mcguirkbeggan. ie.

CO MEATH: FIVE-BED DETACHED HOME FOR €349,950

A magnificent Manor CARTY Property Advisors are bringing No 32, Steeple Manor in Trim, a superbly designed five-bedroom detached residence perfectly positioned in a modern and much sought-after residential estate of fine detached homes, to the market for an asking price of €349,950.

This family home, which was constructed to a high standard, was extended in 2002.

The property, which has been stylishly decorated and maintained in meticulous condition throughout, benefits from a walled entrance with tarmac driveway, allowing

Number 32, Steeple Manor in Trim is on the market for €349,950

for off-street parking, as well as two side entrances to the professionally-landscaped garden, which features a decking area.

The accommodation comprises entry hall, living room, a study, kitchen, dining room, family room, TV room, utility room, as

well as five large bedrooms on the upper level, with the master bedroom featuring a walk-in wardrobe, en suite and study.

Two of the bedrooms share a Jack & Jill-style en suite facility, while the fourth bedroom has an en suite. There is also a large

family bathroom.

Properties at Steeple Manor were constructed approximately nine years ago of timber-frame construction, and the develpoment is situated beside Newtown. There is an excellent host of amenities and historical sites on is door step.

Viewing is highly recommended and can be arranged by contacting Carty Property Advisors on 04694 86860, or see www.carty.ie for more information.

24 November 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

And now... it’s competition time LA Make-Up Academy offers world-class programmes spanning make-up, beauty therapy and fashion styling.

With studios in Dublin, London and Los Angeles, LA MakeUp offers truly unparalleled education taught by award-winning tutors who are leaders in the industry.

To celebrate the launch of LA’s ITEC Honours Beauty Therapy Course, LA Academy and Der-

malogica are giving readers the chance to win a year’s supply of Dermalogica products. To enter this amazing competition, all you have to do is ‘like’ the LA MakeUp Academy/Agency Facebook and answer a simple question in the competition tab to win.

Always ahead of the industry, LA Make-Up is the FIRST College in Ireland to offer this ITEC Honours Diploma in Beauty Therapy. This course has the

unique ability to train students as expert beauty therapists and high fashion make-up artists, with the added bonus of training in all the latest techniques in the industry. These include facial, electrical, body treatments and advanced skincare.

The beauty students are also trained to a Module 2 standard in make-up, which qualifies them as a professional bridal, catwalk and high fashion make-

up artist. Full and part-time beauty courses will commence January, 2012.

LA Make-Up also offers worldclass FETAC and ITEC accredited programmes. LA Make-Up graduates are now successfully working all over the world in locations such as London, New York and Los Angeles!

For more information visit www.lamakeupacademy.com or call 01 675 1999.

Interview: Lorraine O’Neill, founder and owner of LA Make-Up Academy

WHERE TO INVEST THE SAVINGS Q – I have c. €120,000 in savings and am “riskaverse” – being in my mid-sixties, caution is my middle name - can you advise me on where best to place this sum ? Catherine – Raheny Dublin 5 A – I would say over 95% of investors today irrespective of age would be risk-averse given what has happened in particular over the last five years.

However, as I have often stated, all investment is risk – the greater the return, the higher the risk – and when the stock market is involved, you have

Facing up to a challenge

to think long-term rather than trying to make the quick buck.

Your personal circumstances are going to dictate some of your investment decisions – your age, your family situation, current income levels and your personal goals.

In your mid-sixties now, you are going to be that little bit more cautious with your money than a midtwenties investor. Generally, the older you are, the more likely it is that you will keep your funds liquid – cash deposits, guaranteed short term investments. You also have a choice of investing in some

LORRAINE O’Neill is known both for her skills as a make-up artist and for her success developing businesses such as LA Make-Up Academy and the Irish Federation Of Make-Up Artists (IFMA).

She has worked as a make-up artist in London, Paris and Sydney as well as her native Dublin, and has travelled all over the world, to destinations as diverse as Africa and India. Highly respected by clients, photographers, stylists and fellow make-up artists, Lorraine established an early reputation for catching trends while warm and transforming them red hot onto the faces of Ireland’s top models. Her work has been featured in numerous titles,

including Image, Social & Personal, The RTE Guide, and she has appeared on TV programmes such as RTE 1’s Off the Rails.

Lorraine was aware that no facility existed in Ireland to provide top-tier training to make-up artists. Lorraine then began training make-up artists, engaging the services of other leading artists to provide high-quality tuition.

In 2005, she was keen to realise the full potential of her training business and she opened LA Make-Up Academy. To date, thousands of students have benefited from instruction from Ireland’s top make-up artists.

See www.lamakeupacademy.com for details.

alternative investments (eg art, philately, rock ‘n roll memorabilia, etc) or the stock market itself (Exchange Traded Funds – ETFs. the cheapest form of stock acquisition – managed funds, government bonds, commodities such as gold ) or even to use your money as seed capital for your own or a family member’s start up business. € 120,000 is a large sum and you should expect a return of c. € 4,000 NET in to your hand each year at the minimum.

All deposit takers regulated by the Financial Regulator carry a € 100,000 guarantee – even institutions like Investec and Nationwide UK are similarly covered by the UK Financial Regulatory Authority.

State savings ( the National Treasury Management Agency – a government body that manages An Post, Lorraine O’Neill, founder and owner of LA Make-Up

prize bonds, the two National Solidarity Bonds,

Academy

NAMA etc ) are deemed sovereign debt and have no limit – though some of the products have thresh-

Q&A Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

A: A truck driver or a ballet dancer!

Q: What was your first job?

A: Picking potatoes age 11 in the farm next door....hard labour from my mother! It was strawberries the next summer but I kept eating them so they fired me

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: 20 pence per bag and I was rich!

olds.. e.g. Savings Bonds €120,000 per person – and no expiry date. As long as you believe the euro will

A: Seeing our students inspired and realising that their dream is coming true. Infectious.

Q: What about your job do you like least?

A: Wanting to run when I must walk

Q: What air carrier do you use?

A: Whoever will take me the furthest! Can’t beat BA for customer service and also Singapore for just about everything

Q: How many people do you speak with every day?

A: I work from London every

Q: What kind of car do you drive?

A: Jeep

second week so as many as will listen to me. When I’m in Dublin, my entire team daily at our check-in meeting bright and early

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

marathon running and my first squash game this weekend!

the most amazing handbags in the world

not fail, the government will not default, your money

Q: What is your favourite food and drink?

A: Love food, any food, unfor-

Q: How many pairs of shoes do

return on your money. The current best return on

you own?

a demand account (in today, out tomorrow where

A: Enough for my nickname to

you can email transfer instructions for same day

be Mrs. Marcos

value) is AIB Direct – now the Irish Banking Resolu-

tunately. Jameson

Q: How many times each week do you go to the ‘hole in the wall’?

A: Cards only, I don’t carry cash

Q: How many times each year do you shop for clothes?

A: I gladly see this as part of

tion Corporation - up to € 100,000 attracting 3.35%

Q: Where is your favourite

(net 2.4455%) They also offer the best 12 month

holiday destination?

fixed at 4.1% - email me for details. Be safe but

A: Safari in Africa

ensure good return.

Q: What other job in the whole world would you really like to have?

A: To work with the mentally handicapped

Q: Can you swim?

A: I can swim; however, appar-

my job, so lots - great career perk!

Q: When do you wish to retire?

A: A busy mind never retires

Q: What is the name of your

Q: What do you plan to do

ently I look like I’m drowning

favourite shop?

then?

Q: What is your favourite sport?

A: Kayaking around Dun

A: Run Lola Run in London

Laoghaire and Dalkey,

for beautiful clothes... and Lorna Fitzgerald in Dublin for

is safe and it is a question of receiving the best

A: I will do what I always do... appreciate every day that comes and live it to the full

Contact John 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

146,000* PEOPLE IN DUBLIN READ OUR PAPERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

TO ADVERTISE CALL 60 10 240

22 GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Enjoying a winter break in the south-west A great week on and off the slopes in the Frech Alps

BLACKROCK-BASED company, Highlife, is offering some decent ski packages this snow season.

There is no doubt that the right resort can mean the difference between a mediocre ski holiday and a refreshingly good one. Highlife has several destinations that will guarantee a great week both on and off the slopes.

They continue to focus solely on the French Alps because of the expansive, well-maintained ski areas and the superb infrastructure and facilities on offer.

With Morzine, Meribel and Val d’Isere, on offer, each boasts a great snow record and also offers a wide range of skiing terrain suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.

Val D’Isere Val d’Isere has earned the reputation of being one of the greatest ski resorts in the world as a result of its sensational high-altitude skiing and chic village setting.

Linked with the neighbouring resort of Tignes to create L’Espace Killy, the combined ski area offers an astounding variety of terrain, both on- and off-piste, for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. It is no surprise that this resort has hosted Olympic and World Cup competitions.

Dating back to the 11th century, Val d’Isere still retains much of its traditional Savoyarde architecture and authentic village atmosphere.

The town is a shopper’s paradise, with upmarket boutiques and traditional French patisseries lining its sophisticated main street. Visitors are spoilt for choice by the resort’s renowned range of cafes, restaurants and apres ski bars. As many of the pistes come right into the centre of town, non-skiers can choose a sunny terrace to enjoy the fun from the comfort of a deck chair.

Ski area Val d’Isere offers a good range of nursery slopes as well as extensive skiing for intermediates. For more advanced skiers and snowboarders, the Espace Killy area is well-known for its challenging black runs and sensational off-piste skiing. From Val d’Isere, you are within easy skiing distance of the base of the Grand Motte, one of Europe’s largest pisted glaciers. At 3,400m, the glacier offers over 40km of huge, sweeping runs and breath-taking views out over the Alps.

Go to www.highlife.ie for more information.

NATALIE BURKE

I’M ashamed to admit that it’s not very often I get to enjoy a few days away in Ireland, so I can’t help overlooking just how much our country has to offer.

After taking up the opportunity for an early winter break in the wonderful west, however, it’s something I plan on doing again very soon.

The Malton Hotel (formerly the Great Southern Hotel) was our home for two nights in Killarney, and is located in the heart of the town just a minute from the train station.

The tall windows, marble columns and traditional furniture of the 150-year-old Victorian building were complemented by the contemporary-styled reception area and the staff were incredibly welcoming, warm and helpful.

We stayed in a Junior Suite in the West Wing of the main house, one of the hotel’s 171 guestrooms, which continued to boast its old-fashioned charm with high ceilings and Victorian-style interior.

The spacious suite was, unsurprisingly, spotless and had a second-floor view of the hotel gardens and a backdrop of the Kerry Mountains.

The hotel prides itself

on letting time slow down a little for its guests and I can promise the days we spent there seemed to last forever – in the best way possible.

How we managed to fit so much into one day I’ll never understand, but we did, while still finding time to relax, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, dinner and seeing the local sights.

Dinner on our first night was spent in the Garden Room Restaurant where we sat at a window overlooking the garden and ordered from the reasonable table d’hote menu,

continental and traditional Irish favourites were available as well as a choice of vanilla pancakes, French brioche toast and fish specials from the a la carte menu.

The amenities in the hotel included the relaxing P unchbowl Bar, where we enjoyed a predinner drink, the resident’s library and reading room, as well as its six acres of landscaped gardens.

The Health and Beauty Rooms offer a range of treatments but with a long to-do list, we could only pay a quick visit.

Despite the chang-

-------------------------------------------------------

‘Driving along the N71, we took in some must-see spots on the way to the picturesque spot of Moll’s Gap, including Torc Waterfall, Avoca and Ladies’ View’

--------------------------------------------------------

which included a fourcourse dinner and a sorbet between courses.

The fried mozzarella, tomato and chickpea stew, and jumbo prawn cocktail with cucumber pearls, were enjoyed as starters while the fillet of Hereford beef and mushroom butter was definitely a favourite.

Breakfast was also served in the restaurant, where a buffet of both

ing rooms being a little small and slightly dated, the swimming pool was a good size and appeared very family-friendly.

Seeing the Sights We looked at some bargains at the K illarney Outlet Centre, which was right next door to the hotel, and took a wander through the town, discovering its many treasures, includ-

ing Quills’ fashion house and vintage store, Retro Rose Bazaar.

We found some of the best locally-sourced food products at The Markets on Old Milk Market Lane, and paused for tea at the century-old Miss Courtney’s Tearooms.

Driving along the N71, we took in some must-see spots on the way to the picturesque Moll’s Gap, including Torc Waterfall, Avoca and Ladies’ View.

Driving towards Kenmare, we paid a visit to Molly Gallivan’s traditional cottage and Lorges chocolatiers found along Glengarriff Road.

We enjoyed our second night’s dinner at The Smokehouse, a cosy restaurant with a laid back atmosphere, an open kitchen and a quirky menu.

Despite a limited dessert selection, a huge effort went into the freshness, quality and taste of the food where we enjoyed good wine, great service and a delicious meal.

Before heading home, we took a horse-drawn carriage through Killarney National Park with Killarney Jaunting Cars.

With five generations of the Tangney Family running the business, we took an informative and entertaining guided

The luxurious Malton

jaunt through the Parklands, past the Lakes of Killarney and on to Ross Castle.

Tours with Killarney Jaunting Cars are available all year round, with winter sleigh rides available during Christmas time.

Full-day tours and boat tours are also available and can be booked through your hotel or by visiting www.killarneyjauntingcars.com.

Two nights B&B plus one evening meal are available at The Malton, Killarney, at €159 pps at weekends, €139 during midweek.

The hotel is also offering great festive breaks for Christmas party nights, as well as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day packages and New Year’s Eve breaks.

For more information, visit www.themalton. com.

24 November 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

TravelBriefs

Visit Santa and his elves in Killarney this Christmas WITH so many festive treats happening in Killarney this Christmas, it’s no wonder Santa will be visiting his Secret Christmas Village during the month of December, and children will have the chance to visit and see his mischievous elves in action.

See Mrs Claus baking in her Gingerbread Kitchen, or the elves working hard in the Toy Makers’ Workshop.

Take a peek at Santa’s sleigh before Christmas Eve and see where the elves sleep at night in the Elf Dormitory.

Take a wander through Santa’s Farm Yard and see his reindeer in training. And, finally, meet the man himself and get your picture taken with Santa in his Holiday Cottage.

The Secret Christmas Village is open for visits from December 2 – 23.

Prices range from €15 per child or €50 for a family ticket (Two adults, three children).

Booking is essential and can be booked with local hotels or made at www.santasvillage.ie.

Hotel is located in the heart of Killarney and just a minute from the train station

24 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 Alexej Gorlatch

CONTINUING its eclectic range of superb music, the Dun Laoghaire theatre presents Alexej Gorlatch in concert. The young Ukranian pianist has collected a string of international awards, with his skills delighting listeners all around the world. His programme will include works by Beethoven and Chopin, with popular and challenging pieces to enthral all audiences. Alexej’s performance can be enjoyed at 8pm on Friday, November 25, with admission costing €17/€15.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Trading Faces ...

DUNDRUM theatregoers can be counted upon to give Adele King a warm welcome when she stars in Trading Faces... Or Who Gives A Tuck?, which follows a dowdy 50-something Dubliner who decides that cosmetic surgery is the answer to all her prayers for a new and exciting life ... but is it? Described as a hilarious and moving production, the production runs at 6pm and 8.30pm on Saturday, November 26, with admission costing €25/€20.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Paddy Cole

PERENIALLY popular musician, Paddy Cole and his All Stars are ready to delight audiences with an eclectic evening of music, with everything from jazz, rock and roll, swing and sounds of the Sixties set to bring something for all tastes to the night’s entertainment. A legendary musician, Paddy has been delighting audiences for decades, and is all set to entertain on the night and, best of all, the night is a fundraiser, being held in aid of St Joseph’s Centre for the Visually Impaired – Ireland’s only centre for blind children.

The concert is at 8pm on Tuesday, November 29, with admission costing €22/€18 conc.

Peter Ward ( Daniel Craig), his wife, Libby (Rachel Weisz) and their daughters (Claire and Taylor Geare) seem to have a great life ... However, they soon begin to suspect there’s something unnerving about their seemingly perfect house – what is its mysterious past?

Building tensions ...

This tale of a house with a mysterious past is interesting, but it’s also unlikely to haunt viewers’ minds for very long Q KATE CROWLEY

ANOTHER day, another film, and another house of horrors for your consideration. (Speaking of which, dear readers, be grateful you’ve never seen home videos of Mr Crowley’s wedding dancing – or Dad-Dancing, as darling Crowleyetta bluntly puts it.)

Just what is it about mysterious old houses that directors seem to find so fascinating, in this case, Jim Sheridan?

I’ve yet to see something that’s truly horrifying – such as the desperate problem with pyrite foundations that so many Dublin householders, and our rural cousins, are facing – but the perils of swelling building materials don’t seem to interest directors quite as much as spooky goings-on in basements.

And so, plumbing the depths of an old formula, we arrive at this particular

FILM OF THE WEEK: Dream House ++ (15A) 91 mins Director: Jim Sheridan Starring: Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts, Two Cute Kids and A House’s Mysterious Secret

OUR VERDICT: HERE we go again – don’t go down into that cellar, or digging around into the past! It’s an interesting take on the haunted house formula, where the main figure is a haunted figure, in the psychological sense of the word. However, the film soon descends into standard shlock-horror routine, turning the film into something that you could just as easily pass, and carry on down the street ...

Dream House; the kind of place that Mr Blandings would steer well clear of (that’s a nod to our older readers, and hello there, mammy), yet which craggy Peter Ward (Craig), wife Libby (Weisz) and little girls are living in.

It’s the kind of cosy, comfortable house that we’re all so used to seeing in the movies – you know, happy children, plenty of space, nice furniture, aloof neighbours, mysterious figures standing around outside in the midnight snow, a gang of strangers in the basement – so far, this almost

sounds like the Crowley household at Christmas, but with somewhat less Dad-Dancing.

Still – and perhaps the preceding paragraph has tipped my hat at where review this is going – all is not well in the Ward house, as Peter and family are, shall we say, alarmed at the strange figures and goings on that are taking place around, and focused on, their dream house.

It’s soon clear that another family once lived there – but it’s a family that seems to have met an unfortunate end.

Once Peter starts to

look into the history of the house, and what may or may not have happened to the former occupants, it’s clear that it was anything but a dream house.

Err... I’m now at the point in this review where, if I was giving you the lowdown on a big ol’ boat, heading at a jaunty clip towards America in April, 1912, and what the sudden sighting of a chunk of ice might have meant for that titanic vessel, I’d have to either tell you a little too much about the film’s outcome, or totally change tack.

In other words, I’m stuck with what I’ll call “The Twist Is That Bruce Willis Is Already Dead In A Certain Film” syndrome, or TTITBWIADIACF, for short, and, here, there’s definitely a TTITBWIADIACF lurking just below the film’s surface, ready to spring several serious leaks in the Ward family’s lifestyle – or, more specifically, in

Peter’s very sanity.

Well folks, there ain’t no sanity clause that I can think of to exploit to avoid saying much more about the film without springing secrets that you don’t need to know just yet, so I’ll cut the plot summary there.

It’s an interesting twist on the haunted house formula, with the point here being that, rather than being a tale of a haunted place, perhaps there’s nothing more wretched than a haunted figure, with ghosts of the past lingering, half-felt on the edge of memory, with a doorframe, or a hallway, capable of springing an unexpected surprise.

Thanks to that earlier TTITBWIADIACF I mentioned – and that’s the last time I’ll wield that acronym, like a house brick – I can’t say much more, other than it’s an okay film, but can’t compete with the true horror that is Dad-Dancing ...

24 November 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces

Months needed to truly explore Skyrim SHANE DILLON

IT’S been a very long time since I’ve found a game experience to be daunting, in the best sense of the word, but that’s the one word that kept coming to mind with the recent cross-platform release, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Despite its former, formidable popularity on older consoles and platforms, the roleplaying/ adventure genre has largely died away on modern consoles, save for continuing – if niche – popularity as, generally, Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games, such as World of Warcraft.

However, although MMOs continue to enjoy significant success, and are very popular in other parts of the world, here, MMOs and their console counterparts are something of an acquired taste.

Still, Skyrim is a title that should easily wander its way up the charts as, despite seeing an awful lot of

media stories concentrating on the console “showdown” between the Battlefield and Call of Duty rival series, Skyrim’s pedigree makes it a significant contender for Game of the Year, regardless of the games’ platform it’s played upon.

But first, back to that particular word I picked out: daunting.

It really seems to be the most appropriate word for this title, as I can recall few other titles with the vast range of gameplay options, as well as the sheer size of the world, that Skyrim comes with.

In fact, the only other games that compare with it are its predecessors, as well as spiritual counterparts that were also developed by Bethesda – a games company that can truly lay claim to the title of “building worlds”.

Here, as with its broadly similar predecessors, the player finds themselves in a new land – new to them, but one that’s filled with a wide

Saying Halo to a big anniversary ALTHOUGH gamers are very used to seeing sequels churning out almost identical versions of the same title, where each sequel is barely an evolutionary step forward from its predecessor, it’s very unusual to see any title revisited.

However, that hasn’t stopped Microsoft from presenting Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, marking the ten-year anniversary of the iconic XBox title.

I’ll be reviewing that just-released title next week, as well as looking at how it’s been performing at various global markets.

The Halo series has been b one of the powerhouses of the XBox empire, on both hardware platforms, and a key title for Microsoft. The original Halo was a breath of fresh air in the First Person Shooter genre, and, coupled with some terrific enemy AI, made a major quality mark that even its sequels never quite matched.

To celebrate this key title’s anniversary, Microsoft have released the ten-year-old title again – but with a very interestingtwist ... Look out for that full review, next week.

Whether wandering over to one of the region’s towns, exploring mountain peaks, or finding abandoned ruins, Skyrim’s epic world is truly vast, and full of detail

variety of races, towns, ruins and history.

After choosing, and editing, a unique character type – such as, say, a character that’s particularly skilled at sneaking quietly, healing quickly and adept at one-handed combat – the player is free to wander the world.

And what a world it is, too. What initially may not look like a very large area, on the nicely-modelled map screen, turns out to be vast.

Walking for five or ten minutes towards a distant peak – only to realise you’ve barely moved across some foothills in an obscure corner of the map – make the world seem even more impressive, given the wealth of detail, random occurences, ruins and fortifications, changing weather and cycling days and

Want to craft a fireball-wielding ninja lizard mage? Each players’ character is truly their own.

nights experienced upon the way, coupled with chance encounters with friendly or hostile characters and wildlife.

Of course, there’s an overall story to follow – or to ignore. Don’t feel like talking to the Jarl (king) of a city, to get the next, crucial bit of information in the deepening plot? Then forget it, and simply pick a distant hill at random, and set off.

An almost equally involving adventure is likely to await, with odd characters, bandit attacks, and much more along the way, with every chance encounter, or player decision, affecting how your journey and character skills develop.

Frankly, after a lot of time spent plugging away at Skyrim – with several hours usually being enough to blitz through, and finish, most new releases – I’m well aware that I’ve only seen about 40% of locations on

the map – and that’s by almost totally ignoring events and characters met along the way.

Instead, rather than “playing” Skyrim, I’ve immersed myself into the adventure it offers, finding, noting, and then not even attempting a great many missions, diversions and opportunities along the way – and all this, within the same, half-discovered parts of the world. My world.

After all, despite Skyrim having a number of technical issues and occasionally jarring bugs, which the developer, Bethesda, is famous for in many of its games (with, at the time of writing, my most recent game save having simply vanished), it’s an outstanding title.

Occasionally gory, frequently chaotic, generally interesting and always involving, Skyrim’s epic nature make it a musthave title, offering months of gaming, not hours.

GAZETTE

26 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 November 2011

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28 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

CYCLING: LUCAN ROAD CLUB CLAIM ARRAY OF NATIONAL TITLES

A memorable season captured in colour ONE OF the most cherished sporting books of the year, A Season of Sundays, celebrates its 15th year of publication this year, and the latest instalment features a selection of images from Dublin’s in the collection.

Each year the book captures the very heart and soul of GAA life in Ireland, from the players and teams themselves to the officials, volunteers and supporters. The collection of images has been compiled by award-winning photographic agency, Sportsfile, and features captions from GAA Communications Manager, Alan Milton.

The book captures the spectacular journey that saw Dublin finally raise the Sam Maguire again after a 16-year wait, including the now famous Stephen Cluxton kick that sealed the win over Kerry on that memorable senior football final day at Croke Park.

The book’s creator, Ray McManus, said: “All of the talking points from another great season are relived in the book. From the worthy winners throughout the championships to the surprise packages, such as London’s great run in the football. It also looks at the less high-profile moments that capture the essence of Gaelic Games up and down the country.”

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Criostóir Ó Cuana welcomed the publication of the latest instalment, saying: “The end of another GAA season would not be complete without A Season of Sundays. As ever, the memorable moments from what was another fascinating year are captured in glorious technicolour.”

A Season of Sundays 2011, sponsored by Ulster Bank, retails at €29.95 and is now available at bookstores nationwide and online at www. sportsfile.com.

LCRC’s Brendan Whelan and Kieran Leahy collected their gold medals as Elite National champions

LCRC take honours sport@gazettegroup.com

LUCAN CRC riders Roisin Kennedy, Kieran Leahy, John Priest and Brendan Whelan were all honoured at the Cycling Ireland Champions awards night last week at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

They were presented with their national medals from the 2011 season, while the club also picked up second place in the National Track Club Of The Year competition.

Roisin Kennedy was presented with a medal for her third-place success in the National League.

Brendan Whelan and Kieran Leahy collected their gold medals as Elite national champions, while Whelan also

picked up his bronze medal for the Veteran championships.

John Priest represented his teammates when collecting the bronze medal for his part in the national team sprint success.

The Cycling Ireland event was followed a couple of days later by the club’s own internal awards, when they celebrated yet another successful season in the saddle in the Springfield Hotel.

The event featured a presentation of a national skinsuit to each of the club’s six national champions, along with the traditional medals and awards presentations.

Winners on the night we r e J o h n M c C o rmack (Best Newcomer

and Most Aggressive Rider); Shay Murphy and Stephen Gibbons (Club People Of The Year); Sandra Fitzgerald (Female Rider Of T he Year); Brendan Whelan (Rider Of The Year); Ross Grogan (Junior Rider Of The Year); and Adam Sten-

son, Ryan Whelan and Dermot W hite, who shared the Youth Rider Of The Year award.

McCormack, in his first year with the club, was presented with gold for his win in the club championships ahead of Graham T homas and John Caffrey while

medals were handed to Brendan Whelan for his win in the LCRC league, taking the title ahead of Roisin Kennedy and Brian Reynolds.

The women’s league was won by Kennedy, with Aoife Lynch and Sandra Fitzgerald also medaling.

Roisin Kennedy was presented a medal for her third place in the National League

24 November 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 29

in association with

2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - NOVEMBER NOMINEES

FastSport

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

+ STARof the

Roche adds book award to list of achievements

MONTH

EAMON ZAYED

GARY THOMPSON

GLENN WHELAN

THE former Dundrum native and ex-Sporting Fingal star was named as the Airtricity’s Player of the Year this month after an heroic showing for Derry City, netting 22 goals for the Northern side in the process.

THE North Dublin star of the track has been marked as a possible F1 star of the future, and continues to impress with his progress on the Asian circuit, shining on the Japanese F3 championship over the last two years.

THE Clondalkin man’s presence as part of the Republic Of Ireland soccer team has been the sole constant of the campaign that ended this month with an aggregate win over Estonia to see Ireland reach Euro 2012.

LUCAN SARSFIELDS

ST BRIGID’S

ST SYLVESTER’S

THE 12th Lock side made Dublin history this month when they claimed the last of an impressive run of camogie titles at Parnell Park; the club’s ladies now own the Under13 to minors crowns in the county.

RUSSELL Park’s finest were on fine form to win the Dublin Senior Football championship title for the first time in eight years recently, and are impressing in their progress in the Leinster championship as well.

THE Malahide ladies once again proved their mettle on the field of play and reached the semi-final of the All-Ireland junior ladies’ football club championship, only to be denied a shot at the title by a determined Aherlow.

+ TEAMof the MONTH

WELCOME to the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, as we mark our local sportsmen and women’s November sporting achievements across the capital and, indeed, across the nation.

We’re delighted to once again be able to celebrate the finest achievements in Dub-

lin sport, with some huge efforts at local levels coming to our attention in a variety of well-known, and some, less prominent, sports.

Ever y form of sporting achievement, at any level and in any sport, is valuable and gives an indication of the diversity of sporting commit-

ment there is around our fair city at all times of the year.

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/ gazettesport.

You can also check out the latest stories from GazetteSport at our new website, www.gazettegroup.com

DUNDRUM cyclist Nicolas Roche added another title to his already impressive string of achievements last week when his book, Inside The Peloton, was named as the Irish Sport Book of the Year at the at the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards at the RDS. Roche himself was in attendance, having got the permission of his Ag2r La Mondiale team to leave the team training camp at Montgenevre to come to see the award presented, missing two days of training in the process.

Roche beat the competition in the category from Tony McCoy, Paul Kimmage, Donncha O’Callaghan, Philip O’Connor and Ronnie Whelan to claim the prestigious prize.

The cyclist has had a more successful and promising winter this year, last year having been blighted by injury that hampered what surely would have been a more successful 2011 season in the saddle.

“Everything is fine so far,” Roche said last week. “I haven’t started hard yet, I am just taking it easy until this point. Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t been great but I’ve got some training in anyway. I didn’t run this winter and have stayed clear of injury. I’m ready to step things up now.”

Get running to help reach GOAL’s 30th GOAL is asking people from all over Dublin to help them celebrate the 30th birthday of one of the country’s most popular annual fundraisers by organising a GOAL Mile somewhere in the county this Christmas.

Last year, GOAL Miles were scheduled to take place at thirteen

locations across Dublin, but with this being a special anniversary year for the event, GOAL is hoping that even more people will get involved across the county, and across the country in general.

If you would like to organise a Mile near you to assist GOAL’s various humanitarian programmes across the developing world, email Karen at koshea@goal.ie or call GOAL at 01 280 9779.

30 LUCAN GAZETTE 24 November 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

FOOTBALL: LIFFEY RANGERS CONTINUE CHARGE FOR LEAGUE

Garda falter in Leinster League against Skerries THE Heineken Cup made a surprise visit to West Dublin on Saturday as the boys of Westmanstown Youths took on a Skerries selection as the curtain-raiser to the afternoon clash of the adult sides in Leinster League Division 1A. A shaky start, however, saw Garda facing a tenpoint deficit within ten minutes, when a try and penalty in quick succession gave the visitors an early lead.

Garda lost wing forward Rory Geelon to injury, and their woes were added to when slick movement from the Skerries backline outwitted the defensive line to grab a try in the corner three minutes before the interval.

With Skerries in the ascendancy, a second-half comeback for Garda didn’t look on the cards, and the 13th minute proved to be their unlucky number when sustained Skerries pressure earned a well-worked touchdown.

With Skerries on the rampage, Garda were given a masterclass in offloading, the visitors scoring two tries in three minutes to leave the home side with an unassailable task

Liffey Valley Rangers achieved their seventh win from eight games against Wayside Celtic

Valley high in DDSL DDSL UNDER-16A Wayside Celtic Liffey Valley Rangers

2 3

sport@gazettegroup.com

LIFFEY Valley Rangers maintained their DDSL U-16A title charge with a seventh win from eight league outings at Jackson Park to bounce back in style from their SFAI Cup exit at the hands of Cabinteely in the SFAI Cup. It had the lot, a tie complete with two penalties, a red card, an own goal and a late winner showing the hallmarks of a cracking tie as Wayside were reduced in numbers in the first half.

But they bravely hung

in the game to push the Gers to the limit, especially in the second half to come close to taking a result away in unlikely circumstances.

The Kilternan hosts had begun in fine fashion, catching the Valley backline square to force a penalty that was duly dispatched.

The Valley responded well and were a constant threat, especially down the left where Dylan McKeever, Jack McDonnell and Alex O’Callaghan combined well on numerous occasions.

Both McKeever and McDonnell had decent chances saved before a

calamitous own goal had them back level.

A long ball by Anto Casserly was chased down by McKeever, which led to a mix-up between the Wayside keeper and centre half, with the indecision seeing the defender head into his own net.

Carl O’Meara and Lee Higgins continued to create the play in inventive fashion, spraying passes from left to right and controlled the flow of everything good that the visitors put together.

Midway through the half, the home side where reduced to ten men and Valley began to find large pockets of space.

McDonnell went close with a header from a wellworked set piece whilst Craig Fitzgerald forced a good save from the Wayside netminder. Just after the half-hour mark McDonnell headed the Gers in front from McKeever’s cross to put his side ahead.

From there, it looked like the visitors were on course for the points as they took the lead into the break but such notions were rocked when, five minutes into the second half, the home side drew level.

Again, a ball over the top caused problems that Lee McCarthy could not

solve within the laws of the game, fouling the striker and conceding a second penalty, which, again, was successfully netted.

It meant Valley had to regroup and throw everything forward as time went on, drawing save after top-quality save from Wayside’s goalkeeper, the pick of them coming from a McDonnell header from point-blank range.

But his resistance was eventually broken in the 76th minute when Sean Brophy rose highest in the area to meet a McKeever corner to fire past the keeper, to the elation of the Valley faithful.

Lucan Harriers flying around the tracks sport@gazettegroup.com

LUCAN Harriers’ Garry Mortimer and Claire Joyce headed west to Joyce’s hometown of Leenane for a challenging, but picturesque five-miler last Sunday.

Mortimer made light of the hills to complete the course in a speedy 34.11, averaging just 6.50 per mile.

Joyce had Mortimer firmly in her sights and ran strongly, finishing in a time of 38.35.

These showings followed up strong performances from the club in the Dublin marathon,

when the club’s leading finisher title was a titanic battle for much of the race between Tommy Buggle and Derry McVeigh, who both crossed half-way in 1.29.20 looking comfortable.

By the 20-mile mark Buggle had opened up a 55-second gap, and ran strongly to the finish to complete the course in 3.01.33 in only his second marathon.

McVeigh finished not long after in 3.09.56, a massive personal best and a great morning’s work.

Next across the line for the men was Jeremiah Maloney who

ran 3.37.39 reaching halfway in 1.41.27. Gerry Byrne was the club’s final male across the line in 4.13.23 dressed as Rolo the clown, raising money for people suffering from depression.

For the club’s ladies, the everreliable Eileen O’Brien was first across the line with a superb time of 3.42.37, adding another medal to her collection, this time gold in the national marathon championships.

Second across the line was Sheena Crotty with a tremendous personal-best run, 3.59.54.

She seemed to get stronger as

the race went on, managing the second half four minutes quicker than the first.

With Crotty at half-way was Deirdre Counihan, who was just outside the four-hour barrier with 4.03.22, leading home a group of three Lucan athletes tightly packed together.

Next in this group was debutant Deirdre Daly with a terrific time of 4.03.55, just holding Emer McCarthy by 12 seconds who did 4.04.07. Maria Byrne was sixth harrier home with 4.27.32 followed home by Nina Healy in 4.39.27.

24 November 2011 LUCAN GAZETTE 31

in association with

CAMOGIE: TITLES FROM UNDER-13 TO MINOR

CLUB NOTICEBOARD LUCAN SARSFIELDS WE welcome our new executive as

Well done to our minor footballers

decided at last Thursday’s AGM.

who beat Naomh Barrog 1-14 to 2-4 to

Chairperson, Sean O’Conghaile; Vice

reach their championship final.

chairperson, Pat O’Keefe; Secretary,

We invite any players or former

Alice Whyte; Treasurer, Eamonn

players with children or grandchil-

Cuggy; PRO, Liam Mulhall; Juvenile

dren born in 2005/6/7 to bring them

Development Office, Frank Fleming;

along to our nursery on Saturdays at

Assistant Secretary, Mary Flannery;

1.30pm on the club’s all weather pitch

Assistant Treasurer, Greg O’Neill;

at 12th Lock.

Oifigeach Gaeilge, Finton Clandillon;

All mentors have now been issued

Players’ rep, Aaron Dunne; Floor

with tickets for the Sportspersons’

members, Martina Twomey, Lisa

Dream draw.This is a vital fundraiser

Tuite.

for the club.Tickets can also be pur-

We thank all our outgoing commit-

chased online at www.sportsper-

tee mmebers for all their hard work

sonsdream.com.Thanks to Keane

over the last number of years.

Windows and Kenny’s Bar for their

Congratulations to Peter Kelly on winning the Dublin Hurler of the Year award.

kind sponsorship of this fundraiser.

The club extends deepest sympathy to the Anderson family.

ST PAT’S, PALMERSTOWN CONGRATULATIONS and well done to Lucan Sarsfields’ minor camogie side tied up the championship with a tight win over Na Fianna

Sarsfields make a bit of Dublin history MINOR A CHAMPIONSHIP Na Fianna Lucan Sarsfields

2-4 1-9

sport@gazettegroup.com

UNDER lights at Parnell Park for the first time in Dublin camogie existence, Lucan Sarsfields added the Minor A camogie championship title to this season’s already heroic collection of awards in the ladies’ small-ball code, and in the process creating Dublin history by making it a clean sweep of championship titles from Under-13 to minor levels in the 2011 season.

On a perfect evening for hurling, both Na Fianna and Lucan ser ved up a thriller which flowed from endto-end throughout the 60 minutes.

Na Fianna started the stronger, and were first on the scoreboard with a converted free, which they followed with a point from play.

Alison Twomey, who was immensely influential throughout, kept Lucan in touch with a free, before Na Fianna scored a major after a goal-mouth scramble.

Howe ve r, L u c a n ’s defenders Rachel Kenny, Siobhan Grimes, Niamh Berry and Ailise Dowling were able to keep Na Fianna’s forwards under wraps and the scoreline as low as possible in these early exchanges.

Lucan finished the half the stronger, with good play from Tara Keenan, Ciara Sheehan, and points from Alison Twomey, Sarah Courtney and Orla Beagan bringing them right back into contention at half-time, with the scoreline reading Na Fianna 1-4, Lucan Sarsfields 0-5.

The second half started with Orla Beagan closing the gap between the sides even further after soloing a full 20

metres before putting the sliotar beyond the despairing Na Fianna goalkeeper.

L u c a n ’s m i d f i e l d of Ellen Downes and Laura Murtagh were gaining control of their area, and this resulted in a well-taken point by Alison Twomey to put Lucan level.

With ten minutes to go, a goal from Michelle Kelly seemed as if it would be enough to take the cup back to teh 12th Lock, but Na Fianna pressed hard a n d we r e r e w a r d e d with a well-taken goal of their own minutes later to level the match once again.

Only for some heroic goalkeeping by Kate W hy te, and great defending by Niamh Byrne, Rachel Kenny, Emer Moloney, Ailbhe Ryan and half back C l a i r e R i g n e y ke p t Lucan level.

In a final f lourish, points from Orla Bea-

gan and Sarah Courtney sealed a historic win, scores that Laura Morrissey, Anne Marie Courtney and Ailish O Grady all contributed to.

The cup was going west but not before both teams went back to NaFianna clubhouse for a meal, a fine gesture from Brendan Cooper of Na Fianna that was appreciated by both clubs, and which saw player of the match named as Khloe DillonCoote from Na Fianna.

Lucan Sarsfields: Kate Whyte, Siobhan Grimes, Rachel Kenny, Niamh Berry, Orla Beagan 0- 4, Claire Rigney, Emer Moloney, Laura Murtagh, Ellen Downes, Ailise Dowling, Tara Keena, Ailbhe Ryan, Michelle Kelly 1-0 , Sarah Courtney 0-2 , Alison Twomey 0-3, Ailish O Grady, Lorna Sexton, Lauren Malone, Shannon Clarke, Niamh Byrne, Laura Morrissey, Grace Mulhern, Ciara Sheehan, Anne Marie Courtney.

lan Landy band.

the organisers of our Jubilee Gala

Under-8s played Lucan Sarsfields,

Ball on Saturday night last. If you

while the U-13s beat Naomh Fion-

were not one of the 360 in attend-

nbara.

ance at the Red Cow Morans Hotel,

Well done to our Dance troop, nov-

you missed a night to remember.

elty act and recitation group at last

Our sincere thanks to special guests

weeks Scor na nOg and now move on

GAA President, Christy Cooney,

to the next round at Craobh Ciaran.

Dublin County Chairman, Andy Ket-

To view our website simply logon to

tle, Trustee Brendan Ryan, and club

www.stpatricksgaa.ie

sponsors Louis Fitzgerald and Luke Moriarty.

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 2, 16, 28 and 30. There was no winner of

Well done to our Jigs and Reels

the €5,800 jackpot. Match any three

winners Jimmy Gilbert and Megan

number winners was Ann Canning,

Landy. MC for the night was club

who receives €200. Next week’s

chairman Ronan Mullins, who kept

jackpot is €6,000.

things on the move. It was now time to dance the night away to the Dec-

Draw held each Sunday night at 10pm in the Palmerstown House.

WESTMANSTOWN GAELS/GARDA HARD luck for the Junior2s who went

teams to return the forms and mon-

down by two points to Inisfails in the

ies collected for the recent sponsored

Duffy Cup in the semi final yesterday.

solo.

Best of luck to Inisfails in the final.

Well done to the Under-9 team that

Next Friday, November 25, sees our

played St Peter’s, Dunboyne, in a

boxers take to the ring against the

friendly this weekend. Great to see

Garda Rugby Club in the Battle of the

the newly formed Under-12 girls’

Thin Blue Line in Croke Park. Gaels’

team put in a great effort against

Joe Kearney is representing the juve-

Lucan Sarsfield too.

nile section of the club. There are still

Training continues as normal for all

a few tickets left, contact any com-

teams until the weekend of December

mittee member.

10.

The Club AGM is scheduled for Tuesday, November 29, at 8pm in Westmanstown.

The family Christmas party is on Sunday December 11.

Finally, out with the old and in with

The club Christmas party and

the new! We want your unwanted

awards night will be held in West-

clothes! Clean out your wardrope and

manstown on Saturday, December 3

donate all unwanted clothing, shoes,

at 8pm.

bags, leather goods to the club. This is

Team mentors, please remind your

our end of year fund-raising effort.

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ALL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM28-31 PAGE 27-31 ALLOF OFYOUR YOURCASTLEKNOCK LUCAN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE

NEW GANG CLEAN SWEEP: IN ’TOWN: Lucan camogie Westmanstown sides rule underage host Leinster levelschools’ in Dublinrugby with minor blitz P28 win P31

MAY 26, 24, 2011 NOVEMBER 2011

DUBLINSTARS: SUPER SPORTS STARS May awardnominees November nominees revealed inside announced P29P29

Q lucansport@gazettegroup.com

LUCAN Boxing Club founding member Karl Brabazon is on course to make his professional debut on December 16 in Liverpool.

He has been named on the undercard of Clondalkin man Stephen Ormond’s big fight with Carl Johanneson, following a falling out with the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, according to irish-boxing.com.

Brabazon — a national champion back in 2005 — decided to make the switch to the paid ranks after being overlooked for a place in the Irish selection, ruling out any chance of making the London 2012 Olympics.

The 69kg fighter came back from a number of years away from the ring in spectacular fashion earlier this year to reach the National Senior final before being undone by Adam Nolan.

Nolan has subsequently broken his hand, but 30-year-old Brabazon was still left on the outside of any selection, with fighters who fell at the first hurdle at the seniors stepping into the

breach.

Speaking about the decision to turn pro, he says it comes out of frustration with the amateur game, which, he says, has ignored his claims to be included in the high performance unit at the National Stadium, despite his strong performances.

“I had a brilliant championship, but it was bitter sweet in the end. The high performance completely bypassed me for two lads who went out in the first round of the Seniors, a lad who went out in the second round, and Olympian John Joe Joyce, who I put out myself in the third round. “ I had done better than lads in the championships, plus Adam Nolan had broken his hand, and I was still forgotten about, and that just made the decision to go pro much easier for me.

I was runner-up, how can you justify their decision?”

“I wanted the chance to have an influence on the Irish team in the worlds and the Olympics, to make an impact, but I was sickened by the way I was treated.”

Karl Brabazon in training at the Lucan Boxing Club

Since winning his national title six years ago, Brabazon has gone on to build the up-and-coming Lucan boxing club whose membership has exploded since reforming in recent years. Initially, its growth curtailed Brabazon’s

personal ambitions in the ring due to the work put in but, with the help of Ed Griffin and Dermot Fitzsimons, it has spread the load to allow the Lucan native to return to the ring in the past 18 months.

GazetteSPORT

Brabazon set for pro debut