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INSIDE: Local’s hope to raise €3,000 to help teach needy children in India P9

March 8, 2012

REFERENDUM: Making their case for a Yes or No treaty vote Page 6

Fundraising was a snip: Bruce’s €1,200 support WHILE most men would settle

Soccer: Lucan United to face Phoenix in FAI Ford Cup tie Page 32

for either shaving their heads or dyeing their beards for Today FM’s Shave or Dye campaign in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, local man Bruce Taylor (pictured here with his sons, Matthew and Andrew) went the whole hog and did both.

Bruce dyed his beard bright blue, and dropped into Paddy’s Barbers to shave his head, raising €1,200 in the process.

Picture: Conor O’Mearain

See Story on Page 3; Gallery on Page 8

Hurling: St Pat’s rally to open with win over Plunkett’s Page 31

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERY .........................8 BUSINESS .................... 19 MOTORS ....................... 20 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

New primary school confirmed for area 600-place facility will be completed by 2013 – Quinn

I PAUL HOSFORD

THERE was good news for Lucan this week, after a new 600-student school was confirmed for the area.

The Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, announced that a new local primary school will be built and completed by

2013, under the patronage of County Dublin VEC. The news was welcomed by local politicians. Fine Gael deputy Derek Keating said: “This is an exciting time in education for Lucan, especially when we consider the state of the national finances.

“The Minister informed me

that a School Establishment Committee reported to him last week outlining that the County Dublin VEC, under the direction of its CEO, Dr Marie Griffin, responded with evidence of such a demand, and that they were happy to become patrons,” he said.

Full Story on Page 2

2 LUCAN GAZETTE 8 March 2012

BUSINESS: POTENTIAL IMPACT

Hope for local gain from HP growth LOCAL Fine Gael TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, has welcomed the announcement of 280 new jobs in Leixlip and Galway by Hewlett Packard (HP).

Speaking at the announcement of the 150 research and development jobs, as well as 130 technical and support roles last week, Minister Fitzgerald said that HP had made the decision to expand their workforce due to the high quality of the workforce.

Minister Fitzgerald also said that she hoped the Lucan area could benefit from the jobs.

“There are already many Lucan residents employed in HP’s base in Leixlip and, hopefully, more will now join them,” she said.

HP has indicated that they expect the Irish economy to benefit by €45 million over three years as a result of their increased business in the country.

Minister Fitzgerald said: “Foreign direct investment is clearly one of the key strengths of the Irish economy. Many of the world’s leading corporations continue to choose Ireland as a business location, including eight of the top-ten global ICT corporations.”

The HP recruitment drive will commence immediately. More information on the jobs is available at www.hp.com/ go/jobs, or candidates can email their CV to Irelandjobs@hp.com.

HEALTH Freeman adamant a prompt service will still be supplied

Waiting list as Pieta House demand soars PIETA House, the suicide and self-harm crisis centre, says that they have implemented a waiting list for the first time in their history.

The charity says that they have seen a huge surge in demand for their services since January, and it is this increase in demand that has created the waiting list.

The organisation has implemented an immediate action plan to tackle the demand by hiring more therapists and making more treatment rooms available across their five centres.

The organisation provides a professional, faceto-face, free-of-charge therapeutic service for people in the acute stages

of suicidal distress, or those who self-harm.

Joan Freeman, CEO and founder of Pieta House, said: “We have a very strong ethos in Pieta House in that we provide an immediate response to those who are in acute distress.

“Having a waiting list for people who are in crisis is unacceptable, and we

are working really hard to clear this list and ensure people are not waiting for treatment,” she said.

50 per cent rise In the last number of years, suicide and selfharm has been on the rise in Ireland and, in 2011, Pieta House saw 50per cent more people contacting them than in the

previous five years combined.

Despite this increase in demand, Freeman is adamant that services will continue to be provided promptly to those in need of help.

“We will never turn away anyone in crisis, and I’m confident that our action plan will quickly remove any need for a

waiting list,” she said.

Yearly running costs at Pieta House are now €1.3 million, and approximately 80% of its income comes from fundraising events, bequests and contributions.

Pieta House is highlyreliant on public support to continue providing its services free-of-charge to all who need them.

‘Exciting’ for Lucan education

I PAUL HOSFORD lucan@gazettegroup.com

Looking forward: Enjoying the new direction at the 73rd Fianna Fail Ard Fheis gathering A NUMBER of well-known faces joined local

and national politicians at the RDS last week, where the 73rd Fianna Fail Ard Fheis was being staged.

Bobby Kerr, of Dragon’s Den fame, met local Fianna Fail councillor Trevor Gilligan at the event, with Cllr Gilligan saying: “There was a great turnout over the weekend. There were many new faces and fresh ideas. I was especially delighted with the turn out of members from Dublin Mid-West.

“I would also like to congratulate a long-

time Clondalkin member and friend, Vincent Kelly, who was elected secretary of the Bros Pearse Cumann, Clondalkin. I would like to also thank the outgoing committee for their hard work across the previous three years.”

At the Ard Fheis, leader Micheal Martin spoke of a new direction for the party, and gave an apology for Fianna Fail’s governance in its final years of office during its last term, while most delegates gave a standing ovation to former Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, who was among those in attendance.

THERE was good news on the education front this week, as the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, announced that a new local primary school will be built and completed by 2013 under the patronage of County Dublin VEC. Lucan was chosen as one of the areas to benefit from a new school, as it is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country. The Government is building 20 new schools throughout the State to address the increasing numbers of pupils.

The news was welcomed locally, with Fine Gael Deputy Derek Keating saying that it was an “exciting” period in Lucan education.

“This is an exciting time in education for Lucan, especially when we consider the state of the national finances.

“The Minister [Quinn] informed me that a School Establishment Committee reported to him outlining

that the County Dublin VEC, under the direction of its CEO, Dr Marie Griffin, responded with evidence of such a demand and that they were happy to become patrons, which will provide diversity in education,” said Deputy Keating.

He added that this new information, along with the fact that the County VEC has appointed a design team for a new second-level school, meant that the announcement was particularly welcome.

“Education is a major issue for me, as a local TD. When I was elected to Leinster House in February, 2011, I raised three issues as being my agenda for the coming years. They were the health service, education and mental health, including suicide and self-harm,” said Deputy Keating.

On the local schools’ places crisis, party colleague, Minister Frances Fitzgerald, said: “This Government is introducing positive measures to address this.”

8 March 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 3

R1

CHARITY Local man goes blue and bald

Bruce Shaves and Dyes to raise funds I PAUL HOSFORD lucan@gazettegroup.com

LOCAL man Bruce Taylor Shaved and Dyed last week at Paddy’s Barber in Lucan Village.

Bruce, who lives in the Laraghcon estate, was aiming to raise money for the Today FM Shave or Dye campaign, which supports the Irish Cancer Society.

The affable Scot, who has been in Ireland for the last decade, shaved his head and dyed his beard to raise money for the charity.

Helpful

He said that local people have been extremely helpful in his campaign to raise money.

“The staff in Paddy’s were brilliant, and the Laraghcon estate has really gotten behind it.

We got on really well.

“I want to thank everybody who supported it.

“We were able to raise over €1,200 for the cause. I have had a family member affected by the disease, so it’s close to my heart.

“I felt I had to do something, but, because of an operation, doing s o m e t h i n g p hy s i c a l wasn’t an option.

“So, when I heard about Shave or Dye, I decided to get into that.

“I think that everyone has been affected by cancer in one way or another, so it’s great that people decided to support the campaign,” said Bruce.

Taking part

Today FM’s Shave Or Dye is back for its third year in 2012.

Having raised more than €2.1 million for the Irish Cancer Society since February 2010, the radio station is hopeful that this year will con-

tinue the success of Shave or Dye, with even more people taking part in events all across the country.

Sponsor

The inaugural campaign in 2010 saw Today FM presenters ask listeners to sponsor them to shave and dye their hair and, in turn, ask them to do the same.

T he response was phenomenal, as people across the country raised more than €800,000 for the Irish Cancer Society.

The campaign was run again in early 2011 with an even bigger

number of people taking par t nationwide and sacrificing or dying their hair for the greater good.

The event smashed a world record in the process, and even went international with the I r i s h C r i c ke t Te a m spor ting shaves and dyes in their historic World Cup victory over England in Bangalore last year.

For more information on Shave Or Dye, see www.todayfm.com/ sord To see more of Bruce’s fundraiser, see the Gallery

Bruce Taylor, pictured with his blue beard, starts to lose hair in Paddy’s Barbers.

on Page 8.

Picture: Conor O’Mearain

DESIGN

Building guidance booklets SOUTH Dublin County Council has released a series of booklets providing comprehensive best practice guidance on how to design, build and manage buildings and spaces so that they can be readily accessed and used by everyone, regardless of age, size, ability or disability.

The series covers the topics of the External Environment, Entrances and Horizontal Circulation, Vertical Circulation, Internal Environment and Services Sanitary Facilities, Facilities, Building Types, Building Management and Planning.

The Building for Everyone series (published by CEUD), is available for free download, in accessible PDF format, from www.universaldesign.ie/ buildingforeveryone For further information on Building for Everyone or universal design please contact 6080456.

4 LUCAN GAZETTE 8 March 2012

FastNews

WASTE Company blasted for stance on service costs

Win for sylish local?

LOCAL CHILDREN’S TV presenter, Diana Bunici, has been nominated for a VIP Peter Mark Style Award.

She has been nominated for an award in the Newcomer section, alongside the likes of Roz Purcell, Holly Carpenter and Daniella Moyles, being hailed for her “sweetness and light” style.

The Moldovan-born presenter can be seen on RTE children’s television programme, Elev8.

Voting closes on March 22, with an awards ceremony to be held in the Shelbourne Hotel on March 23.

To vote, see http://vipstyleawards.ie/.

Greyhound CEO, Michael Buckley, pictured with Chinese ambassador Liu Biwei, says the company cannot afford to provide a free service

Greyhound defends its waiver request I PAUL HOSFORD

lucan@gazettegroup.com

WASTE collection company, Greyhound Recycling, has defended its decision to ask the Government to subsidise the €2.8 million cost of providing an ongoing bin collection service to 17,000 waiver customers in South County Dublin.

Greyhound agreed to provide a service to waiver customers for an initial 12-month period, after the council deducted the cost from the agreed sale price when it sold the bin collection business to the company in March, 2011.

That agreement expires

on March 31, and Greyhound has advised the council, and the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, that if the cost of the service is no longer subsidised, the company has no other alternative but to begin to charge waiver customers for the service.

The company’s cofounder, Michael Buckley, said that, as a private operator, they could not be expected to run a business for free, nor could those who had been receiving waivers be expected to carry the cost.

“We need a resolution. These customers

Fine Gael Deputy Derek Keating

are struggling to survive financially, and they cannot afford to pay for the service. On the other hand, we are a private operator and we cannot provide an ongoing service free of charge,” said Buckley.

‘A Disgrace’ Meanwhile, Fine Gael Dublin Mid-West deputy Derek Keating, has said the request that taxpayers take over the cost of subsiding waiver customers is “a disgrace”, and should “not be tolerated”.

He said: “Greyhound Recycling and Recovery has been contracted to provide a waste collection service in South County Dublin, under what I can only assume is a lucrative contract.

“The fact that the company is now saying that it cannot continue to dispose of the bins of waiver customers, and that the bill of almost €3 million should be picked up by the taxpayer, is unbelievable,” said Dep-

uty Keating.

He went on to say that Greyhound should swallow the loss on waiver collections.

“I do not accept that Greyhound Recycling and Recovery cannot afford to continue collecting bins without payment.

“In its statement, the company said it accepts that the 17,000 waiver customers were struggling to survive financially and could not afford to pay for the service. To suggest now that the State picks up the tab is beyond a joke.

“I am firmly opposed to any public money being paid to Greyhound in this regard. The manner in which this company has treated its customers and public representatives in recent months is shameful.

“I suggest that, once this matter is brought to a conclusion, the company CEO takes the time to consider a course in customer relations,” said

Deputy Keating.

However, Greyhound says that the businesses were already loss-makers when they were bought, and any further loss could not be absorbed by the company.

“Greyhound has been presented with an enormous financial challenge after acquiring two lossmaking businesses. This is the basis of our pre-paid model.

“We are confident in our strategy to restore the businesses to profitability while providing customers with the cheapest prices and best service in the market,” said Buckley.

“We have set about that task by creating 100 jobs in Dublin, and by listening to what our customers have to say. We are now achieving a 99% collection rate across Dublin.

“Our service is getting better, as our customers get used to our systems, and we get a better understanding of their requirements,” he said.

8 March 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 5

COMMUNITY Tell SDCC so they can help – Cllr Higgins

Paddy’s Day fun for free

Call to report all anti-social acts to council RESIDENTS are being urged to report incidents of anti-social behaviour, not just to an Gardai Siochana, but also to South Dublin County Council (SDCC).

Lucan Fine Gael councillor Emer Higgins said that a recent report suggested that such reports were down and, while this might be good news, it must be treated cautiously.

She said: “This week, at our Lucan and Palmerstown Area Meeting, we received a report showing that anti-social behaviour incidents were dramatically down in the last quarter of 2011, compared with the rest of the year.

“While it is always encouraging to see statistics like this reducing, I’m worried that the real reason for these figures is that people experiencing anti-social problems go to the Gardai or their residents’ association, and don’t ever report these issues to the council.

Problems “I have come into contact with so many people who are having problems with anti-social behaviour, be it in parks or open public spaces, around shops or in their estates,” said Cllr Higgins.

The report presented to councillors showed that there were 17 incidents

of anti-social behaviour in Lucan and Palmerstown between October and December, 2011.

This is a substantial improvement on figures for July to September, when reported incidents totalled 53.

Cllr Higgins said: “SDCC has really progressive measures when it comes to tracking antisocial behaviour ‘hotspots’.

“State-of-the-art IT facilities, and highlyskilled staff analyse trends, and resources are allocated on the basis of these trends.

“The data we received this week was very comprehensive and well

FESTIVAL: GATHERING

SOUTH Dublin County Council will host a St Patrick’s Day celebration in Tallaght Stadium on Saturday, March 17, with the event commencing at 6pm.

There will be fun for all the family, with face-painting, balloon-modelling, Irish dancers, marching bands, kick-boxing displays and much more, finishing with a spectacular firework display at 7pm.

Fine Gael councillor Emer Higgins

broken-down, but I don’t believe that 17 incidents of anti-social behaviour throughout Lucan and Palmerstown between October and December is an accurate reflection of what’s going on in our area – especially when you consider that this period includes Halloween,” said Cllr Higgins.

“If it is not reported then, the people who make the decisions about how to tackle these prob-

lems simply aren’t aware of them.

“I would urge any resident who is experiencing anti-social behaviour, particularly ongoing issues, to report incidents – not just to the local Gardai, but also to SDCC. “The council hold regular housing clinics, where people who are experiencing anti-social problems in their estate can sit down in a safe

and confidential environment, and report these problems.

“Alternatively, you can phone the council during business hours at 414 9000, or freephone 1800 200 245.

“It is also worth contacting me, or any of your local councillors to make sure that we know about the situation, too, so we can raise it as council business,” said Cllr Higgins.

Ticket only Entry will be by ticket only, with a maximum of four tickets per adult over 16.

Tickets are free, and can be obtained from Tallaght Stadium, or from the Community Services Department at South Dublin County Council, Tallaght , Dublin 24.

The event follows last year’s highly-successful event in the stadium.

6 LUCAN GAZETTE 8 March 2012

OPINION The Fiscal Compact Treaty; how should we vote?

Seize the opportunity and reject this Austerity Treaty SO far, the Government has come up with lots of reasons for us to vote Yes. We should vote for ‘economic stability’ and for ‘economic recovery’. Unfortunately, the Government never deals

with the actual content of the Treaty. This is a Treaty to institutionalise austerity in Ireland and across Europe into the future.

Article 3 of the Treaty requires all countries to meet a severe ‘structural

deficit’ target of 0.5%.

This will be locked into our law and an automatic ‘correction mechanism’ will be triggered if we don’t meet this target – this means automatic cutbacks and extra taxes. The Department of Finance estimates our ‘structural deficit’ in 2015 will be 3.7%. Meeting the target in 2015 would mean an additional €5.7 billion worth of cuts and extra taxes.

That means more unjust taxes, further attacks on social welfare and pensions and it means more drastic cuts in health and education. If the European Commission gives us a longer timeframe to meet the target, it simply means an extension of that austerity over a longer period of time.

Austerity has already

destroyed the economies of Ireland, Greece, Portugal and Spain and threatens all of the eurozone with recession this year. This sort of savage austerity implemented simultaneously across Europe would dramatically deepen the economic crisis.

Article 4 of the Treaty is a provision written for the bankers, bondholders and speculators who caused this crisis. It is a demand to reduce every country’s debt to GDP ratio to 60% at a fast rate. In Ireland’s case, unless there is economic growth (unlikely because of the austerity policies demanded by Article 3), it will mean being forced to pay back €4.5 billion to the bondholders in 2015, on top of the €9 billion in interest pay-

ments we will be paying to them!

The Treaty effectively rules out significant public investment by the state. At a time when private sector investment is collapsing (despite profits increasing for big business), massive public sector investment is needed to create jobs to get hundreds of thousands off the dole. This will be effectively made illegal by this Treaty.

T he Government’s scaremongering about Ireland being outside of the euro and the EU should be rejected. This is a stand-alone Treaty.

We must choose whether we want to join this Austerity Club or not.

We should seize this opportunity to reject austerity at the ballot box. Doing so will open

Paul Murphy MEP

a debate and struggle across Europe about what kind of Europe do we want – one for the millionaires or one for the millions.

Paul Murphy MEP Paul Murphy is the Socialist Party / United Left Alliance MEP for Dublin www.paulmurphymep.eu

Vote ‘Yes’ in referendum LAST week An Taoiseach announced that he will be putting a referendum to the people of Ireland on the EU Treaty. The Treaty is about reinforcing existing EU rules to reduce Government deficits and debts. By signing it, we will be joining other Eurozone Governments in an official agreement to live within our means. We have already committed to behaving responsibly when it comes to our finances, this Treaty would be rubber-stamping that commitment. This Treaty will not affect our existing spending plans or tax rates.

We know all too well the fallout of fiscally irresponsible governments – we are suffering that fall-out today. If this Treaty were in place in 2007, for example, the then Government would not have been able to introduce the measures which over-stimulated the property market and were part of their General Election campaign promises.

I will be voting ‘yes’ in the referendum and am asking you to vote ‘yes’ too. By supporting this Treaty we will be gaining access to additional ‘insurance’ funds should we need them. We will be putting an end to the excesses of domestic and international boom-to-bust cycles and sending a clear message of stability and fiscal responsibility internationally. We depend on this in order to attract multinationals to our shores and to forge trade links with countries, including China, who’s Vice-President has just completed a very positive trip to Ireland. This

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald

Treaty makes official what we are already doing – it gives us the opportunity to grow trade links and rebuild our international reputation.

The Treaty is based on the common-sense approach that we must run budget surpluses in good times so we can run deficits in bad times. It aims to maintain a debt/GDP ratio of about 60% except in ‘exceptional circumstances’ such as recessions like the one we are in at the moment. All countries who are signed up to the Treaty will have to act responsibly. The progress we have made in the last year has resulted in investment by companies like Eli Lilly and Abbot Pharmaceuticals. We have seen these results here in

our own area with investment by Microsoft, Pfizer and Google in Grange Castle Business Park. We depend on our international reputation in order to attract this level of investment, which creates local jobs and spin off trade.

If we pass this Treaty and manage our public finances responsibly we will be protected against market speculation from the new Eurozone Rescue Fund. This ‘insurance’ fund is a €500 billion European Stability Mechanism. If we don’t pass this Treaty we will be locked out of this fund but will still be bound by the EU fiscal rules. We are already signed up to the conditions – it makes total sense for us to sign up to avail of the insurance fund too.

If you are undecided about how to vote; inform yourself. If you are unsure about the issues the best way to gain clarity is by reading the Treaty itself. This Treaty is only ten pages long and far less complex than previous European ones. I have put a link to it on my website, www.francesfitzgerald.ie and you can download it from there. The Referendum Commission will be publishing unbiased information explaining what the Treaty sets out, every household should receive this information in the runup to polling day. A ‘yes’ vote is a yes to progress.

Frances Fitzgerald Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

8 March 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 7

JOBS

More than 10,000 still on Live Register

Unemployment numbers at 17-month high I PAUL HOSFORD lucan@gazettegroup.com

FIGURES released by the CSO last week show that unemployment in Dublin Mid-West is now at a 17-month high, and that there are over 10,000 people signing on in Lucan and Clondalkin.

At the end of February, there were 9,073 people on the live register.

When adjusted to take account of the transfer of 1,062 claimants from Clondalkin to Tallaght social welfare office in September of last year, the total number of people signing on from both Clondalkin and Lucan combined exceeds 10,000.

Sinn Fein Dublin Mid-West representative, Eoin O’Broin, has described the news as

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“deeply troubling” and called for “concerted action by Government to reverse this trend.”

O’Broin expressed concerned that Dublin Mid-West was bucking national trends.

“W hile unemployment numbers across the state are dropping slightly, live register figures for Dublin MidWest have risen for the fourth month in a row.

“Despite a number of high-profile jobs announcements by local Government TDs, it is clear that the employment situation in Clondalkin and Lucan is getting worse.

“There is a need for concer ted action by Government to reverse this trend.

“Dublin Mid –West is at risk of returning to a 1980s cycle of long term inter-generational

unemployment, leading to greater levels of emigration and social deprivation.”

Left behind The Sinn Fein representative went on to say that work was needed to ensure that Lucan and Clondalkin would not be left behind, pointing out that opportunities still existed in the construction industry.

“There is a need for targeted measures to ensure that Lucan and Clondalkin are not left behind.

“This week, the Minister for Education announced a €35 million fund for replacing rented prefabs currently being used by schools across the country.

“Dublin Mid-West has seven schools with a total of 22 prefabs.

Given the concentra-

Sinn Fein’s Eoin O’Broin has called for action on unemployment

tion of unemployed construction workers in the area, local Government TDs must ensure that Dublin Mid-West secures a significant allocation from this fund to provide at least some respite for those in search of work.

“There is also a need for all relevant agencies

to come together in the form of a Dublin MidWest Jobs Task Force, to put in place a meaningful plan to secure

investment for those parts of the constituency in greatest need of employment,” said O’Broin.

THEATRE Brilliant play in the Civic JASANGO T heatre will bring My Brilliant Divorce, by Geraldine Aron, to the Civic Theatre in Tallaght this week.

This is the theatre group’s first visit to the Civic, presenting Geraldine’s comic play.

The comedy explores what life is like for Angela Kennedy-Lipsky, recently dumped by her accountant husband for a younger model.

Rebuilding her life, she finds herself adrift in a sea of weird encounters, sneaky solicitors, phonein counsellors, a bad case of hypochondria and impending poverty.

Should she fight to keep her husband? Or should she sign the final papers and move on?

The play runs from Thursday, March 8, to Saturday, March 10, at 8pm each night, and tickets for this fast-paced, modern comedy are €20, with €16 concessions.

8 LUCAN GAZETTE 8 March 2012

EVENT Local man loses his hair in Shave or Dye campaign

There’s no going back now!

Bruce’s bravery for charity LAN, from Paddy’s Barbers Shop on Main Street, Lucan, had local man Bruce Taylor firmly in his crosshairs recently when the affable Scot dropped by to have his head shaved and beard dyed to raise money for The Irish Cancer Society. As part of Today FM’s Shave or Dye campaign, Bruce was able to raise over €1,200 for the cause. Bruce thanked the local area which, he said, had been extremely helpful in his campaign to raise money.

A

Bruce Taylor, with his sons, Matthew and Andrew, at Paddy’s Barbers. Pictures: Conor O Mearain

Bruce waits to have his head shaved with his son, Matthew

Half-way there!

All done: Bruce with his sons, Matthew and Andrew, his wife, Aine and Alan, of Paddy’s Barbers

8 March 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 9

CHARITY Call to aid local’s aim to teach in India

3,000 reasons to help support Kate’s journey FOR some students, summer is living the American dream on a J1 visa, or exploring any other number of exciting destinations.

However, this summer, Lucan resident Kate O’Loughlin will spend ten weeks working as a volunteer teaching assistant in India with Suas Educational Development.

She says: “Suas offers an amazing opportunity for young people to have an experience they are unlikely to find anywhere else.

“We will get to become embedded in a new culture and to gain new perspectives on the issues surrounding developing

nations, while also making a substantial difference with our organisation. It’s a brilliant thing to be a part of.”

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

‘Before Kate sets off, she must raise €3,000 for her participation in the programme’ --------------------------

The Suas Volunteer Programme, set up in 2002 by a group of students from Trinity College Dublin, offers young people an opportunity to work as teaching assist-

ants in schools that serve marginalised communities in India.

Through the professional and thorough training provided by Suas, the volunteers also have the valuable opportunity to develop their personal and professional skills, such as teamwork, leadership and planning.

The Suas Volunteer Programme has grown year-on-year and, this year, they are joined by the Vodafone Ireland Foundation as a new partner.

Before Kate sets off on this exciting placement, she must raise €3,000 for her participation, though she hopes to raise even

Local woman, Kate O’Loughlin (right) with fellow volunteer teaching assistants looking to spend ten weeks teaching in India with Suas Educational Development

more to support the school that she will be working with.

“After meeting my team and getting started on the preparation for the summer, all I am is excited about getting over there!

It will be a challenge, but it will also be a brilliant adventure, and I can’t

wait to meet the kids I’ll be working with,” says Kate.

Kate has a lot planned to reach her target, including a beauty night in her home on March 9, and a coffee morning on March 30, among other things.

If you would like to

support or attend these events, you can reach her at 086 267 0878, which she would hugely appreciate.

However, if you can’t make it along, you can always support Kate by donating online at www. mycharity.ie/event/kate_ oloughlins_event/.

GOLF

Ladies’ Scratch Cup plan THE Hermitage Golf Club has announced that Dermot Kelly Limited, Ford dealers located in Kilcock, Co Kildare, is the new sponsor for the Ladies’ Scratch Cup. James Kelly, whose family has long associations with Hermitage GC, says that he is “very pleased” to be the sponsor of the event, which will be held on Sunday, May 6.

The competition is open to lady golfers with a handicap of 12 and under, and the 72 lowest entrants will qualify to compete.

This year, a new element has been added, with the announcement from the ILGU High Performance Committee that Hermitage Ladies Scratch Cup is the final event of the Scratch Cup Circuit, when double points will be awarded. Entry forms are available on the ILGU and Hermitage Golf Club websites. The closing date for entries is April 28.

10 LUCAN GAZETTE 8 March 2012

CELEBRATE Taoiseach attends college anniversary event

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny high fives his way into Lucan Community College, flanked by Derek Keating TD and Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald

High-five for serving the Lucan community I PAUL HOSFORD

LUCAN Community College celebrated its 25th anniversary last week, with An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, on hand to congratulate the school.

Flanked by local Minister Frances Fitzgerald and politicians Deputy Keating, Deputy Tuffy, Deputy Dowds, Mayor Jones, Cllrs Tuffy, Lavelle and Higgins, An Taoiseach officially opened the school’s new garden, and unveiled a monument celebrating the school’s German exchange programme before giving a speech in the assembly hall.

There were smiles galore when Mr Kenny walked the guard of honour of 800 students lined up around the parameters of the school, high-

An Taoiseach meets local students

fiveing them and stopping to chat to teachers and pupils along the way.

“It was a fantastic celebration. I think the Taoiseach enjoyed the high-five-athon just as much as the students,” said Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

“The Principal, Diane Birnie, put together a great line-up for the event, which included the opening of a lovely garden at the entrance to

the school and a celebration of the relationship between the students here in Lucan and students in Germany, who they visit as part of their German exchange programme.

“An Taoiseach and I were delighted to get the chance to meet Gavin Pacini, a student of Lucan Community College, who, together with classmates created Smash the Word, a language learning app.

Gavin is a reminder of

Gavin Pacini shows off his app, Smash the Word

the talent and potential of every student here in Lucan and it fantastic to see him making such a splash on the modern market at the tender age of 15,” said Fitzgerald.

“As the Taoiseach said during his address, it is vital that every young person is aware of their own potential and encouraged to unleash that potential.

As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I have had the pleasure of meeting many young

social entrepreneurs and I am working hard with my Cabinet colleagues to create an economy where our young people can thrive,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

Lucan Community College opened its doors in 1987 but has a much longer history, as it was built to replace Lucan Vocational School on Esker Hill, which had served the surrounding area since the early 1950s.

This year Lucan CC is building for the future with an eye to the past.

The planned extension for the college will increase student numbers from 830 to 1,000 and will provide state-of-the-art new general classrooms and specialist classrooms, as well as increasing circulation space for the current building which is currently at capacity.

The Board of Management is delighted that it will be able to accommodate more of the large number of students who apply to enrol in the school once the extension comes on line.

Lucan Community College is a County Dublin VEC college and enjoys the support of the committed staff of the VEC. Throughout the year,

the school has been highlighting the theme for the 25th anniversary. Arts week included a dress-up day themed, Reeling in the Years, when students and teachers dressed as iconic figures from the past 25 years. This was part of the week of workshops and events when students and teachers were encouraged to immerse themselves in culture and the arts.

“I would like to congratulate the school, its principal and viceprincipal and all the staff and students for putting together such an uplifting event. Lucan Community College has had a fantastic record over the last 25 years and I’ve no doubt that they have many more successful years ahead of them,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

8 March 2012 GAZETTE 11

PEOPLE Hollywood history-maker’s talk in Dun Laoghaire

A Brave task to talk about Brenda’s hit CV IBAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

DUN Laoghaire’s Pavilion Theatre played host to a Hollywod historymaker recently, when film director Brenda Chapman held a two-day seminar.

In 1998, Brenda became the first woman to direct an animated feature for a major Hollywood studio with The Prince of Egypt and her CV is full of other blockbusters, including Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, WALL-E and Up. Brenda is also the original writer and director of Pixar’s upcoming feature, Brave.

The seminar made up

part of Brenda’s time as a Fellow in the National Film School in IADT. T he Pavilion was packed with students from colleges all over the city, questioning Brenda on her career and seeking advice.

Because she’d been stung by big studios in the early years she advised the assembly to become more “law savvy” as to contracts and protection of ideas.

Brenda is from a very small farming community in Illinois where her time was occupied by drawing and making up stories.

“There wasn’t much to do,” she said, adding that she has her own fam-

ily and tries to strike the right balance.

She tried to stay at home for a while when her daughter was born but soon realised that she needed to feed her creative side too.

“I did miss [my creative side} myself and I wanted to give my daughter a good example too.

“I’ve always been respected as an artist.

I was originally hired because I was a woman.

Executives responded to the fact that I was a woman but my peers responded to my work.

“And, despite the communication dispute with Pixar, I still have incredible respect for that ani-

Brenda Chapman (right), writer of Pixar’s upcoming film, Brave (above), addresses local students at the Pavilion Theatre

mation community.”

That “commuication dispute” revolves around the film Brave, which Chapman based on her daughter but which she is no longer working on.

She refuses to be drawn further on the matter as it is in legal limbo.

“Right now, I’m just taking a break. I’ll spend

a bit of time with my daughter.

“I grew up in a really small town and the thing I really wanted to be was a hermit and part of me is like, yeah, I’d still like to do that.”

One theme of the seminar was female involvement. The Pavilion auditorium held a

great number of female students and these were Brenda’s primary questioners.

“I’m very excited to see so many women in there.

Because when I was at that point, there were three or four women in my class. But now, it’s still not quite halfand-half but it’s getting

there.”

In answer to why she chose animation as her lifelong career, Brenda has no doubts as to it being the right choice.

“I love to tell stories and I love to draw and I love fine art, and all that, so the only way I can combine the two sides is through animation.”

12 GAZETTE 8 March 2012

GOT SOMETHING TO TELL US? WATER:

YOUR LOCAL PAPER, YOUR LOCAL NEWS! Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

NEW PLANS PROPOSED

Making water meters pay I PAUL HOSFORD

news@gazettegroup.com

A NEW report has suggested giving financial incentives to people who instal water meters to help boost the local economy.

The plan is one of many proposals contained in a document called Water Sector Reform by South Dublin Chamber, which was presented to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government last week.

T he proposals are based on the recent Government Position Paper and the 2011 Irish Water Phase 1 Report

by Price Waterhouse Cooper.

T h e Wa t e r S e c t o r Reform document also calls for the State’s proposed new water services utility to bear the cost of phased water meter installation.

Peter By rne, chief executive officer of South Dublin Chamber, said the incentive would be a boon for struggling local economies in particular.

“This incentive would boost the local economy and lessen the burden on the State to roll out the metering process.”

Patrick’s Day: It’s time for the party favours CELEBRATE in style this St Patrick’s Day

with a little help from Tesco Ensure you are kitted out for this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations by popping down to your local Tesco store where you can pick up an array of fun items available at great value prices.

Decorate your home or workplace for St Patrick’s Day by picking up the Tesco 23 Foot Ireland Bunting at just €6.99 or some Ireland Flags available for just €1.49 each – perfect for decorating your St Patrick’s Day parties.

For the St Patrick’s Day parade, why not pick up a fun Leprechaun Hat with Beard, the trendy Tesco Green, White and Gold Trim Cowboy Hat or the Tricolour Jester Hat for just €5.99 each?

For the ladies, the Glitter Mini Hat with ribbon and feather is just €3.99, the Leprechaun Hairband with Green Hat is just €2.49 or the funky Black Shamrock Tights are just €5.99.

And there’s also the St Patrick’s Day novelty tie at just €3.49 or the St Patrick’s Day Rosettes for just €1.99.

Tesco also has a great range of accessories including the St Patrick’s Day Inflatable Sticks (2 pack) €1.20 or the St Patrick’s Day Vuvuzela Horn just €1.99 which are sure to finish off your Patrick’s Day attire.

For details, visit www.tesco.ie

8 March 2012 GAZETTE 13

14 GAZETTE 8 March 2012

GazetteHEALTH HEALTH& &BEAUTY Blood pressure – keeping it down!

A new heavenly collection CONIC supermodel Helena Christensen was in Dublin last week to officially launch her exclusive Triumph Essence Spring/ Summer lingerie collection, and Gazette Beauty went down to take a closer look.

She has been in the business for over two decades and is still as stunning as she was starting out. The former Victoria Secret model has moved to the other side of the lens. She is now a photographer, and is an in-house photographer at Oxfam.

The international fashion icon greeted guests and posed for photographers at Brown Thomas, when she showed off her lingerie collection recently.

Wo m e n a n d m e n packed the lingerie room at Brown Thomas in Grafton Street to see what her collection offered, but really most just wanted to see what a real supermodel looks like, and hearing whisperings by customers behind me saying: “Oh, my God, she looks amazing” and “look at that body”, they weren’t disappointed.

The Danish super-

I

BLOOD pressure is essential for us all to survive - without it our blood vessels would collapse.

Hypertension, on the other hand, refers to blood pressure above a defined safe limit. Hypertension forces the heart to work harder and it is the single most important risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke.

Symptoms

Because hypertension generally has no symptoms it is essential that you attend your doctor or local pharmacy to get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.

With thanks to the staff at Lucan Village Pharmacy Helena Christensen (left) has officially launched her exclusive Triumph Essence Spring/Summer lingerie collection

model joined forces with Triumph Essence to design a sensual collection that includes a lacy bra and stunning bodyhugging skirt with subtle shaping properties and sexy string.

For Helena, it’s essential for lingerie designers to get the woman’s perspective because women have to wear them, and what most women want is to feel sexy, yet comfortable in what they are wearing underneath their clothes.

“For me, it’s essential for a lingerie company to have a female perspective. After all, women are wearing these pieces and it’s all about what makes you feel good. And these sophisticated styles definitely do that.”

The model, who is not a big fan of g-strings, says creating the perfect piece of lingerie for women is “basically a science” because everyone has different bodies.

Whether you want to treat yourself to a lavish lingerie collection, or you are looking for something extra special for that extra special dress, be it a wedding or ball gown, the Triumph Essence Collection has a stunning collection of

GOT A STORY? WE WANT TO KNOW! Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

Each Triumph Essence piece is developed to provide a blend of perfect fit and precise craftsmanship

8 March 2012 GAZETTE 15

Edited by Laura Webb

from Helena flattering designs to suit most body shapes.

The Delicate Essence series combines lace and soft elastic fabric for charming and subtle shaping effects. The Charming Essence series stands out with delicate lace in striking geometric pattern. Decorative tassels, peek-a-book details, fine Guipure embroidery and flirty straps made of pleated mesh are playful details every fashionenthusiast admires.

The Precious Essence series is a dream come true for brides-to-be because of its feminine look, which is available in a creamy white.

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

‘For me, it’s essential for a lingerie company to have a female perspective’

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

Helena Christensen

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

Each Triumph Essence piece is developed to provide an uncompromising blend of perfect fit, precise craftsmanship and care for the small details that make all the difference. This is true luxury. And these are the qualities Triumph

has refined throughout over 125-years of lingerie excellence.

The Triumph Essence collection, with designs

by Helena Christensen, is available in The Lingerie Rooms at Brown Thomas Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick.

Brown Thomas resident fitters are on hand to help solve all lingerie dilemmas, offering personal consultations to help weary lingerie shoppers to find their optimum shapes and styles.

Book your personal lingerie and shapewear fitting appointment in The Lingerie Rooms Dublin at 01 – 617 1114.

WE HAVE 135,000* READERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS

CALL 60 10 240

16 GAZETTE 8 March 2012

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: HELP PREVENT POTENTIALLY UNWANTED AND ABANDONED CATS AND DOGS

Spaying or neutering your pet AS THE country’s leadi n g a n i m a l we l f a r e organisation, we at the Dublin SPCA understand and appreciate the importance of spaying and neutering animals.

In fact, for 172 years this Society has assumed a leadership role in advocating and offering affordable spaying and neutering in order to help prevent the cruel and inhumane slaughter of unwanted, homeless, abandoned and neglected cats and dogs.

In Ireland, as in every other country in the world, there are homeless animals. Many of these end up in rescue shelters similar to the Dublin SPCA. Through our very strict re-homing policy, we manage to rehabilitate them with loving, caring families.

They are the lucky ones.

Tr a g i c a l l y, m a ny, many, more, throughout the world, though healthy, wonderful and companionable they may be – face the pros-

pect of being euthanised due to a shortage of new homes and this is the only future they can look forward to.

But it’s not just abandoned animals that are left at shelters. No, it’s the offspring of beloved family pets.

Let me explain: For example, I wish I had a euro every time somebody visits our clinic with a pregnant pet explaining she “managed to get out of the garden, went missing for only half an hour and came back pregnant”.

And, even if the “accidental” offspring manage to get adopted, it’s still possible for them to be placed in a rescue shelter due to them being “too big,” “not great with the kids,” “doesn’t fit in with the new decor,” or “too difficult to handle.” Yep, we’ve heard it all.

So, in order to avoid this happening to you and your pet, because, let’s face it, no family wants an unwanted

pregnancy – I thought I’d make readers aware, or shine a little spotlight if I may, on World Annual Spay Day – it usually falls around the last week in February but you can visit your vet at any time.

He/she will be thrilled to advise you regarding your pet because having your animal altered is the only effective 100% method of birth control.

And, FYI, for those pet parents who are in receipt of social welfare payments, it’s advisable to drop into the Dublin SPCA mobile veterinary clinic at any one of our four Dublin locations, (details on www.dspca. ie/mobileclinic and have a chat with our vet). However, proof of social welfare is an absolute strict condition of this affordable, low-cost service.

Neutering: The Facts.

• Castrating your dog prevents more than unwanted litters – it can help prevent testicular and prostate cancer,

Having your pet spayed or neutered is the only effective 100% method of birth control

which is common in unneutered dogs. In addition to this, if the dog is neutered before he reaches adulthood, he will not naturally develop the types of territorial behaviours un-neutered male dogs develop, i.e. aggressiveness, marking territory, roaming, etc., • Neutering is also a routine, relatively lowrisk surgery with a swift recovery time. Serious complications are rare and owners can usually take their dog home on the same day surgery is performed, having him back to his old self in no time.

Spaying: The Facts.

• Spaying your female dog eliminates the problem of stray males camp-

ing on your doorstep and decreases her own desire to roam and breed. In addition, there are many health benefits attached, such as a marked reduction in the risk of her contracting ovarian cancer, mammary gland tumours and the procedure helps reduce aggression.

The Myths:

• Spaying/neutering will make my pet fat.

Nonsense. Owners make their pets fat! Failing to provide an adequate, healthy diet and daily exercise will render your pet fat.

• Bitches should have one litter.

This is of no benefit at all and simply an old wives tale.

• Spaying and neuter-

ing is cruel.

Look, we, as humans, domesticated animals and brought them into our lives and homes. The environment we created for them is far removed from their natural one and we have made them dependent on us; therefore we are responsible for their care.

What is cruel, in my opinion, is allowing your bitch to have litter after litter and then dumping the puppies in a black sack on a deserted roadside, leaving the poor mites to fend for themselves and the mother heavily burdened with milk, with a serious risk of developing mastitis and dying from lack of veterinary care ... do you get my point?

• My dog’s personality will alter.

Oh grow up! Neutering/spaying has absolutely no negative affect on your dog’s personality. Be positive! This procedure will make your animal more amenable, less aggressive and less likely to pick a fight!

So, to those of you who whine, “it’s not normal,” or “my bitch deserves to have a litter,” my response to that is, get a clue, save a life; spay/ neuter your pet immediately or as soon as practicable. Contact your local vet for details.

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

8 March 2012 GAZETTE 17

18 GAZETTE 8 March 2012

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods

REVIEW: BACK TO THE FUTURE WITH FORMER REPUBLIC STARS

Cars Love Girls love...

I ROB HEIGH

GOT last year’s mud scraped off your wellies?

Ready to reveal your pasty pins in a pair of shorts (no matter how blue the cold makes your legs go.) Have a hankering for something cooked in a van?

Then you’re ready for festival season. And with musical meccas cropping up on seemingly every grassy knoll this year, there are plenty of chances to check out bands you love and possibly discover new ones.

We may be without Oxegen but we do have electricity. The Electric Picnic in Stradbally starts on August 31 and its line-up this year is a melting pot of acts and activities that includes multi-platinum artists like The Killers and The Cure, to festival staples like Christy Moore and Glen Hansard, and up-and-coming talents like Jonathan Wilson and Ed Sheeran. I’m already charged!

Listen to Dee Woods from Radio Nova every weeknight from 7pm to 12am on 100.3FM

CARS Love Girls are set to launch their debut album, Skip School, this week and having heard the album, my goodness, you had better be at the Workman’s Club this Thursday. If you’re not lucky enough to be there, then you ought to rush out and buy the album immediately.

When we spoke to lead singer Bres last summer, he was keen to get the band out into the public arena, but he was equally keen to make sure that the band took time to perfect every flick and twist, and that is clealy what Cars Love Girls have done.

The slow gestation and polishing of every track here bears great fruit, and

is no small tribute to the quality of the songwriting and musicianship of the band, as well as the final touches provided by one of the most prominent names in mastering, Bernie Grundman, who worked on Carol King’s Tapestry, Steely Dan’s Aja and Prince’s Purple Rain.

Whatever way you turn, there are inflections of some of the classiest pop in history throughout this record, and that’s no bad thing to wear on your sleeve when your influences are the best in the business.

Opening with the Prefab Sprout-esque overture of What’s On My Mind, Skip School melts the day around you as you get drawn into its velvet sheen.

Cars Love Girls open up their account with a top-class debut album

There’s a pure pop sensibility that runs through every note of the album, and CLG’s way round a melody is refreshing, to say the least.

Debut single, Lose Your Mind, langorously grooves it way out of the speakers,

while Never Gonna Get It wears its Prince influence on its sleeve, a combination of choppy guitar and synth lines that throw you all the way back to the heights of 1999-era Rogers Nelson.

Cars Love Girls (the

track) is a Steely Daninfluenced west coast classic, another reinforcement of the feeling that this is the kind of music should be listened to in a convertible on a freeway driving next to the ocean.

A fine debut all round.

8 March 2012 GAZETTE 19

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Sandra Taylor, founder of Angelic Touch

A holistic touch to help resolve anxieties SANDRA Taylor had a very successful career in IT, but found that in recent years, it wasn’t getting her out of bed in the morning, and she struggled to figure out what she wanted to do.

This struggle went on for a number of years until she had the luck to end up working in the same company as a woman who shared the same struggle.

They started talking about what they wanted to do with their lives, started doing courses together, and six years later are the best of friends Her journey from there has had its highs and lows, with part of the journey to heal her own issues so that she could help her clients heal themselves. Sandra suffered panic attacks, fears and anxieties, fear of flying, mild agoraphobia, hated crowds and questioned whether her new path in life was the correct one – was an IT consultant job easier?

For her, it would have been the easier path but not the correct one, as she felt that she wasn’t put on this planet to be an IT consultant.

She underwent various therapies to help heal and resolve issues that caused

the panic attacks and anxieties and, today, she is feeling really good.

However, she knows there are a lot of people out there that struggle like she did. As Sandra says, we live in stressful times; we often suffer from stressrelated health problems. Stress acts on the body and the mind and, therefore, on our whole being, causing us to battle through life.

Sandra believes that adopting a holistic and natural healing approach is the best way to balance the body, mind and soul, allowing the body to use its natural ability to heal itself. She achieves this by using a variety of therapies that she is qualified in. In addition to helping clients resolve fears, phobias and anxieties, she is also a qualified reflexologist and massage therapist, and often uses a combination of therapies to help treat the mind and the body.

Sandra also hosts talks/seminars by well-known speakers on holistic health.

For more information about Angelic Touch, or to attend a “Detox Your Mind” event, see www.angelictouch.ie, or call Sandra at 086 838 4134.

the UK taxpayer. Investors are guaranteed up to €100,000 per person (and if sterling, the equivalent of € 100,000 so funds sent across the Irish Sea or up to the North of Ireland would be covered to this threshold) by the UK Financial Regulatory Authority. You may also remember Ulster Bank took over the engagements of ( i.e. bought ) First Active plc, formerly First National Building Society. Other institutions covered by the UK authority include Investec Bank, Leeds Building Society and Nationwide UK Building Society.

KBC Bank, Rabo Bank and Danske Bank guarantee their respective subsidiaries here.

INCOME PROTECTION OR SERIOUS ILLNESS COVER Q – I took out a serious illness policy four years ago. I am a 36-year-old widow with two young children in professional employment, earning in excess of €85,000 per annum. The monthly contributions for this insurance are sizeable and with my current health good, seems to be a big waste of money. A friend of mine suggested I would be better off with income protection.

What would you advise? Jenny – Blackrock

Sandra Taylor

A – Your friend could be right. Serious illness cover,

Q: What part of your working day do you ‘delegate’?

A: None. I’m a one-man-band,

Q: What habits would you like to lose?

A: Saying ‘You know’ at the

Q: What was your first job?

A: Mortgage administrator in

so if it’s doing my treatments, designing/printing my brochures and flyers, updating my website, organising talks/ seminars/courses, I have to do it myself – but I love it

end of every sentence

Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?

A: No Q: When did you start your present job?

A: October, 2009

ment guarantee? Alan - Mulhuddart

of Scotland (RBS) who, in turn, are owned 84% by

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

A: PE teacher

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: My memory isn’t that good

Q – Is the Ulster Bank covered by the Govern-

A – The Ulster Bank is owned by the Royal Bank

Q&A

Irish Permanent

DEPOSIT GUARANTEES

Q: What’s currently on your desk that shouldn’t be?

A: ITEC Teaching Diploma assignments – I really need to get the assignments finished

Q: At the moment, what are you looking forward to?

A: Expanding my business

that the last body of the Tit Bonhomme victims was recovered

or critical illness only covers you in the event of contracting a serious illness (the big four in particular are cancer, heart attack, stroke, MS) but you could be incapacitated for any reason outside of these

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: Diep Le Shaker, Pembroke

“serious” illnesses and not be compensated. With

Street with hubby

tion be more suitable, but the premiums you pay

two young children, not only would income protecattract tax relief at your full marginal rate (which in

Q: What is your guilty music/ TV or movie pleasure?

A: The Champ, or Shemar

Q: Who would you like to have dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?

A: Dame Edna, without a

Moore – AKA Derek Morgan, from Criminal Minds

shadow of doubt – at least he/ she would be a bit of a laugh

Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? A: I tend to listen to chill-out,

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: Somewhere near the sea

covers 75% of your monthly salary (less any social

with my husband and kids, not too hot, with lots of activities, yet lots of treatments to help unwind

Some serious illness or critical illness cover can be

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: Working for myself, look-

Q: Is there anything about yourself that you would like to set the record straight on?

A: Redheads have a bad

ing after my clients and seeing their quality of life improving following treatment

reputation of having a fiery temper – not true! We are just passionate souls!

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: Kilmacud Crokes GAA,

Q: : Have you achieved anything that you once thought you could not pull off?

A: Getting my first diploma at

Q: What sport do you follow?

A: Football, rugby, GAA and

Louise Hay, Deepak Chopra, CoWorkinn

MotoGP

the age of 43 – in Anatomy and Physiology. It’s never too late!

Q: What sport can you play?

A: Football.

Q: What was your last tweet/ status update?

A: Shared great but sad news

relaxing music most of the time

your case would be 41%). Put another way, a golfing partner once confided to me that he missed out on a payout from his serious illness policy because he only had one stent put into his heart (apparently the minimum is two!). Essentially, income protection welfare payments) until your incapacitation ends or your pension kicks in – whichever is the sooner. considered as part of an overall mix of health cover.

It is important you obtain independent and professional advice.

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: Managing my own beautiful

Contact John with your money questions at

holistic treatment centre

www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?

A: Enjoy it

Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZET TE CALL 60 10 240

jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at

director of Money Doctor

LOCAL

MATTERS

20 GAZETTE 8 March 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs GETTING MORE MILES FROM SKODA:

SKODA’s Dublin dealerships are giving away 300km of free fuel for every person who visits the dealership between now and March 16, and takes a test drive in any SKODA model.

SKODA will also reward anyone who orders and registers a new SKODA before March 31 with an additional 3,000km Topaz fuel voucher.

This latest offer from SKODA’s Dublin dealerships is part of a nationwide testdrive campaign where SKODA intends to give away up to twomillion kilometres worth of free fuel.

Announcing the offer, Ray Leddy, marketing manager of Skoda Ireland said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Dublin to save some hardearned cash and avail of this free fuel offer.”

A recent survey has shown that 46% of all cyclists have done things like breaking red lights, while nearly three quarters don’t wear a helmet

Nearly half of cyclists break rules of the road HILE the majority of cyclists heed the rules of the road, a roadside survey in Dublin has shown that nearly a half (46 percent) break the law on Dublin’s streets.

The survey by Semperit Tyres was carried out over two days at a number of locations around Dublin city and environs.

Paddy Murphy, from Semperit Tyres Ireland, said: “Safety is key for

W

us in Semperit and that was the motivation for us to carry out this survey. The good news is that the majority of cyclists are careful and law-abiding but there is a significant minority who don’t obey the rules and it needs to be brought home to them that their behaviour is not only a safety hazard for themselves but also for other road users.

“From my own experience, I know that cyclists

don’t have it easy on Ireland’s roads; badly designed and badly maintained roads, insufficient cycle path provision and aggressive driving habits, all combine to make life difficult for cyclists. However, as the most vulnerable class of road user, they really need to heed all of the rules of the road in order to stay safe.”

The main infringements highlighted by the survey included cycling

on footpaths (21 per cent); breaking traffic lights (15 per cent); and cycling against the flow of traffic or wrong way on a one-way street (14 per cent). And although they are not obligatory, nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of cyclists do not wear a protective helmet. Helmets have been shown to significantly reduce head injuries for cyclists in the event of a collision.

At opposite ends of the

scale, the survey showed that teenagers proved to be the least observant of rules, while over-50s were the least likely to break the law. Exactly two-thirds (66 per cent) of teenagers were seen to break the law with a significant number commiting multiple infringements within a short space of time (e.g. breaking a red light and then cycling on the footpath).

W h i l e t h e s u r ve y was being carried out,

a cyclist who broke a red light while pedestrians were crossing, was challenged by a pedestrian and the cyclist was heard to shout: “Traffic lights are for cars, cyclists don’t have to heed them.”

However, under the terms of the Road Traffic Act, a bicycle is considered to be a vehicle, and thus, similar to car drivers, cyclists are obliged to obey the road traffic laws.

MINI making a statement in the commercial van world MINI are set to reveal a new stand-outfrom-the-crowd concept at Geneva International Motor Show 2012 – The MINI Clubvan Concept – a compact van for business and leisure, and the first premium model in the small carbased van segment.

According to MINI, the Clubvan Concept proves that style can also be

practical. The MINI Clubman-based concept car combines all of the driving fun and distinctive design for which MINI is renowned, with an increased load-carrying capability.

The Clubvan concept opens the door to a completely new market for MINI, premium small businesses who want to combine sharp driving dynamics with

low-cost of ownership, while also making a style statement with their company van.

The Clubvan Concept is a five-door car with a twist. Two front doors for the driver and front passenger, two sidehinged rear doors and the rear-hinged Clubdoor on the right-hand side all create useful access. The Clubdoor gives

owners the option of loading smaller items from the side of the car as well as the rear.

8 March 2012 GAZETTE 21

Edited by Cormac Curtis

WHITE VANS

TomTom looking to improve Freight safety TOMTOM has launched a new partnership with the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

The link-up will see TomTom provide their support for the FTA’s Van Excellence programme, which aims to promote best practice through selfregulation.

TomTom and its network of fleet consultant resellers will promote best practice in van fleets across the UK and Ireland. The local representatives will use the FTA’s best practice guides to help van managers strive towards Van Excellence, using TomTom’s technology to underpin efforts to achieve this status.

“We are delighted to join forces with the FTA, as the Van Excellence programme represents a significant move to raise standards throughout the industry,” said Giles Margerison, of TomTom. “The programme offers an ideal fit with TomTom Business Solution’s own values in promoting greener, safer, more efficient drivers. Self-regulation is important in ensuring high levels of operational best practice and our technology can help to provide the framework companies need to maintain those standards.”

More than 40 organisations have already signed up forVan Excellence and members will be accredited through a robust auditing process. The programme is designed to improve safety and efficiency among van drivers, and help to scrap the outdated “white van man” image.

Businesses interested in signing up for the programme should contact the FTA on +44 (0)8700 202 021.

The new Honda Civic, which has been hailed as one of the safest cars on the road

Civic safety supreme T HE new Honda Civic has received a five-star Euro NCAP Overall Safety Rating and Advanced NCAP Award for Safety Innovation.

The new Civic has been rated one of Europe‘s safest cars, according to new independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP. In addition, Euro NCAP have announced that they are extending Honda’s Advanced NCAP reward for its Collision Mitigation Braking Sys-

tem (CMBS) technology to include the new Civic.

The new Honda Civic has been awarded Euro NCAP’s maximum five-star rating. The rating scheme focuses on the vehicle’s overall safety performance which gives consumers an easy-to-understand single score.

The system considers occupant protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability of driver aids. Since the introduction of Euro NCAP’s new rating scheme all

Honda models tested have achieved five stars.

Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General, commented “The ninth generation Civic impressed and achieved high scores in all areas of assessment, putting it on a par with its rivals in this competitive market segment.

The car scored well in Safety Assist and is also fitted as an option with Honda’s Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS).”

Euro NCAP also announced that they are extending Honda’s Advanced NCAP reward for its CMBS technology to include the new Civic.

The reward recognises Honda‘s CMBS technology as amongst the best available safety innovations, offering research proven benefits.

Euro NCAP Advanced is an initiative developed in response to the rapid development of new safety technologies, for which there is no independent assessment.

This Tourneo aims to beat competition THE new Ford Tourneo Custom Concept will make its global debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, bringing a new level of energy and style to the European personal use vehicle segment.

Previewing the introduction of a completely new range of people movers, with commercial vehicles to follow, the Tourneo Custom Concept showcases a dramatic new look that will appeal to customers seeking style,

functionality and space.

“One look at the Tourneo Custom Concept is enough to tell you that it will inject an exciting new spirit into the personal use segment,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe.

“Our forthcoming new range gives us the opportunity to appeal to new customers with a fresh new direction, and we have seized that opportunity with both hands.

“The Tourneo Custom Concept will preview of

a host of exciting new features, which give the vehicle strong car-like appeal.

“These include an allnew interior design with driver-focused cockpit, and a luxurious, fully trimmed cabin which has the ambience and highquality materials of a modern multi-seat saloon car.”

Ford says the Tourneo Custom Concept “communicates very clearly a dramatic new design direction for Ford’s commercial vehicle range”.

The new Ford Tourneo, which will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show

22 GAZETTE 8 March 2012

R1

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel

Leopards, temples and culture ... it can only be lovely Sri Lanka SRI LANKA conjures up images of tea plantations, beaches, sacred temples and exotic wildlife, and the island will not disappoint those looking for a holiday of exceptional variety this year, with an exceptional escorted tour available, from €2,139.

Once landed, you’re in a different world, with a night in the vibrant colonial capital followed by a visit to cave paintings, en route to the ruins of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

History is everywhere, as shrines and temples punctuate this part of the tour, along with opportunities for an elephant-back safari and a visit to an elephant orphanage.

A cultural evening is then followed by a trip to a tea plantation on the way to Nuwara Eliya, and then on to Yala National Park, where you can look out for leopards and other exotic creatures as part of a two-night stay there. Two relaxing days at the beach at Bentota, with visits to local towns, round off the 12-day adventure.

The full escorted tour starts from €2,139 ex-London, which includes breakfast on most mornings, dinner on seven nights and lunch at the elephant sanctuary. Connecting flights from Dublin can be arranged. To book, visit your local travel agent or call the Thomas Cook Ireland team in Dublin on 01 514 0316.

A spacious Tara Room suite at the Trinity Capital Hotel on Pearse St in the heart of Dublin

CITY BREAK: A FOUR-STAR HOTEL THAT DARES TO BE DIFFERENT

Step into another world at the Trinity Capital JESSICA MAILE

I THINK its important to state that not all four-star hotels are the same. I’m sure we have all been in hotels where the decor and atmosphere makes them all feel similar. The Trinity Capital Hotel breaks that mould.

Walking off Pearse Street and into the reception area, you know you have entered a hotel

with a difference. The subtle lighting and cosy selection of extremely tall Winsdor-like chairs makes you want to just sit back and watch Dublin pass by or marvel at the amazing chandeliers. The interior design makes you feel so warm and at home, as the dark, yet warm, colours give off a cosy, but exotic, atmosphere and you can certainly see why the hotel has achieved it’s four-star status.

As we made our way to our room, the journey down the purple and magenta hallway was relaxing (it sounds a bit much, but with the low lighting, it really worked) and made us wonder what the inside of the rooms was going to look like!

The Tara Rooms may have been at the end of this inspirational corridor, but the best was definitely left to last.

It was a hard choice between the huge bed, or the wonderfully modern

The lavishly decorated bar

sofas that invited you to take the pressure off your legs after a day’s shopping in the capital city. The carpet, cleverly designed to look like floorboards, and the bare brick gave the room a modern, yet homely feel that would be suited in any docklands warehouse apartment conversion.

As evening approached, it was time to sit back with a refreshing pint in the lavishly decorated bar and enjoy the buzz of conversations and the exotic music playing in the background. The soft lighting from the internal courtyard provided a

warming glow and actually made us feel like we were in a much warmer climate.

The Cafe Cairo restaurant provided a wonderful choice of meals to suit our building hunger, and our friendly hostess even helped with a recommendation for which wine to choose.

The delicious lamb kebabs, with a tangy cucumber and mint sauce as starter, just stirred up my appetite as I knew the Surf and Turf was next for the main course.

The succulent steak, and large tiger prawns, did not disappoint, but I

had to make sure I still had room for the blackcurrant cheesecake to top it all off.

The combination of a full stomach and warm ambience combined to make us feel ready to waddle back to our large, comfy bed for a peaceful night’s sleep.

The central location of the Trinity Capital Hotel makes it an ideal venue to appreciate all that Dublin has to offer. It was just a short walk before we were right in the heart of Dublin shopping district, as Grafton Street and O’Connell Street were just a stroll away.

T he Trinity Capital Hotel offers all that you would want from a city hotel, but with that something extra special that you will want to take home with you, especially if it’s one of those oversized armchairs for your front room!

For more information see www.trinitycapitalhotel.com.

8 March 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

SAFARI: LUXURY BREAK TAKES IN SPECTACULAR NATURAL SIGHTS

Kenya find a better getaway in Africa?

THE itinerary of the Kenya Migration Safari has been specially designed to put you at the heart of the annual wildlife migration.

Visitors to this beautiful country will experience three very different regions while on safari, including Sambur u, which is rugged and beautiful and is renowned for predators and elephants; Nakuru, which is located in the Great Rift Valley, and is most famous for its flamingos and rhino, and the Masai Mara – world famous for its rolling grasslands and vast migrating herds.

Enjoy this magnificent country as you drive on its rugged roads through rich farm land. Samburu Reserve lies 300km north of Nairobi, on the hot and arid fringes of Kenya. You arrive in time for lunch, followed by a game viewing drive.

The Ashnil Samburu is separated from the reserve by the Uaso Nyiro River.

The reserve lies within the lands of the Samburu people and is home to wildlife rarely found elsewhere in Kenya, including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and beisa oryx, which are found only north of the equator.

The graceful gerenuk – an antelope with a characteristic long neck – spends much of its time in a bipedal stance, seeking relaxation in the sparse scrub that grows in this harsh terrain.

This dramatic landscape is blanketed by the hot equatorial sun for most of the year. Relief comes from the cool waters of the Uaso Nyiro River, which rises to the west on the foothills of the Aberdares and which vanishes beyond Samburu in the soggy expanse known

Flamingos flock to Lake Nakaru in their thousands – just one of Kenya’s many stunning natural sights

as the Lorian Swamp.

Sweetwaters is a sheltered oasis, clustered around a water hole and set in the pristine and private Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Game here includes elephants, giraffes, zebras and impalas and you will also visit the 200-acre chimpanzee sanctuary, established by Kenya’s Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute.

More than 20 orphaned and abused chimps reside here, while becoming rehabilitated so they may be reintroduced to the wild. Sweetwaters also boasts almost 400 bird species.

Nakuru is perhaps the most famous of Africa’s great soda lakes, and Lake Nakuru is home to hundreds of thousands of greater and lesser flamingos and many other water bird species.

Built in a natural dais, overlooking one of the world’s greatest ornithological spectacles, the Sarova Lion Hill Lodge impresses with its panoramic views of Lake Nakuru.

The lodge is surrounded by natural flora and fauna and you can enjoy the vista from the privacy

of your own veranda.

One of the great natural features on earth, the Rift Valley is visible from outer space and stretches 5,500km, spans two continents, and runs from Jordan, through Kenya to Mozambique.

In the Masai Mara, with the reserve borders between Kenya and Tanzania unfenced, the wildlife is free to migrate, and the Mara is probably best known for its annual wildebeest migration. Lion, cheetah and leopard are often spotted; however, it is the vast herds that will leave you spellbound.

The cost is €2,195pp – ground only – and €2,718pp, including flights. The price of this trip includes all transfers, accommodation, meals and game drives as indicated, private transport

while on safari with a naturalist driver/guide, and National Park and transit fees.

International return flights to Nairobi are not included, and will be priced on application to ensure the best fare. Kenya visa fees are USD$50 per person. Travel insurance, and tips to drivers, porters and bellmen are not included.

The Kenya Migration Safari is only available from July 1 to October 31, so book now to avoid disappointment.

This package can be booked as is. However, it is best combined with a beach stay of four or six nights in a resort along Mombasa’s sandy shores.

This can be arranged upon request.

For more information, or to book, visit www. gohop.ie.

You could easily see some of Samburu’s elephants

TravelBriefs Exciting new wedding package on offer at the luxury four-star Slieve Russell hotel in Cavan THE Slieve Russell hotel in Cavan has launched its exciting new wedding package.

The four-star luxury Slieve Russell Hotel, located on the Cavan border, has created a great wedding package that is budget-friendly, covering 100 guests for €5,000, with this offer valid on all Fridays and Saturdays during the months of January, February, March, November and December, 2013, and all midweek dates in 2013 (excluding December 27 to 31).

Set in 300 acres of magnificently landscaped gardens, including 50 acres of lakes, the hotel ensures the perfect setting for your wedding day. Inspirational gardens with vibrant and unique surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for those all-important wedding shots.

For further information, contact the Slieve Russell sales office on 049 952 6444, see www.slieverussell.ie, or email slieve-sales@ quinn-hotels.com.

24 LUCAN GAZETTE 8 March 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Carthaginans

CONTINUING with The Pavilion’s run of strong, memorable drama, Frank McGuinness’ striking play, Carthaginans, runs on Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10. Influenced

by Bloody Sunday, and delving into certain facets of The Troubles, this production, set in a graveyard, both helps to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and provides some thought-provoking entertainment for theatre fans. Catch the show at 8pm, with tickets costing €20/6.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 The Field

GLENCULLEN Musical and Dramatic Society will bring the intimidating figure of Bull McCabe to life in their production of the classic John B Keane play, The Field. Marking the tenth anniversary of the acclaimed playwright’s death, the imposing tenant farmer will stalk the rural setting of a remote Irish village, while tragedy builds like billowing stormclouds over a simple field ... The show runs nightly at 8pm until Saturday, March 10, with tickets priced at €15/€12.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 885 2622 Love’s Last Shift

PRESENTED by Bull Alley Training College, the sights, sounds and mores of 1696 will be brought to life in a broad farce inflluenced partly by the Restoration period’s values, and theatrical tastes. When a virtuous wife’s longabsent rake of a husband returns to London, yet no longer remembers her after all his time spent with the bottle and the brothel, she resolves to trick him, thus showing him the error of his ways ... The play runs at 8.15pm until Saturday, March 10, with admission costing €10/€7 conc.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 The Picture of Dorian Grey

YOU’LL be Wilde about this production of the classic play, with Oscar’s masterpiece being brought to life with ease by the expert players of Wonderland Productions Limited.

Gate Theatre regulars Michael James Ford and Michael Winder will be joined by the RSC’s Simon Coury for an exquisite dinner theatre 90-minute show at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 10, with tickets priced €40/€35 conc, which includes a three-course meal.

Although audiences may not have been quite as enthusiastic, there was near universal critical acclaim for The Artist, which claimed several titles at the recent Oscars’ ceremony, including the widely-expected wins for Best Actor, for Jean Dujardin, and Best Picture

Let’s look at Oscar Kate’s invite was lost in the post – but not to worry, as here’s a look at some key titles from this year’s awards I KATE CROWLEY

THERE’S no accounting for taste – something which my readers would probably hiss each week, but never mind. I mean, I take what you both think very seriously indeed, but I don’t always follow what general audiences, rather than my readers, are interested in.

Take The Woman In Black, for instance, which I part reviewed last week, and noted that it was a decidedly twostar film. (Space prohibited me from revealing at the time that one star was given to star, Daniel Radcliffe’s whiskers.)

However, audiences have begged to differ – in Britain, at least – where I see that the film has become the most successful horror film, like, ever. Yikes. Unlike the film, that’s rather scary ...

Well, sticking with the audience for now, let’s follow ’em right on over

to The Oscars.

Oh, sure, I’m a week late – but, on the other hand, this way I get to look at some of the winners, rather than sitting here with egg on my face from predicting likely winners from the week before.

The Best Picture Oscar went to The Artist, which, in retrospect, wasn’t exactly the greatest surprise in the world.

Although I never got around to reviewing it here, it’s a fine choice for best film, with the preceding year not having any particularly outstanding titles.

Perhaps something of an acquired taste, it still stands out as an expertly made, yet entertaining look back at the fine old traditions of cinema itself, while its shameless mugging and over-the-top acting still has plenty of wit and warmth, making it a good, if somewhat safe, choice for that Oscar.

Not just one Oscar, of course, as it scooped up several others, with Jean Dujardin’s energetic performance seizing Best Actor, while other Oscars included Best Director, Best Original Score and Best Costume Design.

Not bad going for a silent film.

Hugo, which I did review, also did quite well, taking another impressive haul with such winners as Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Editing, and Best Cinematography, all of which helps to show that it’s not just a great, if thoughtful kids’ film, but also something that looks and sounds great, making it an audiovisual treat, and was a pretty good win for what is Marty

Scorcese’s first children’s film.

Of course, Meryl Streep took yet another award, sweeping onto the stage to take Best Actress for The Iron Lady. Another non-surprise, as who on earth would argue with Margaret Thatcher – well, Meryl – on her way to the stage?

I’m assuming thatMer yl’s downstairs loo – or wherever she keeps all her gold awards and statues – now has more bling than the window at Appleby’s.

Something that was almost as golden was the highlyemotional acceptance speech by Octavia Spencer, given her Best Suppor ting Actress win for The Help;

a film I didn’t quite take to, but which was a hit for many.

Christopher Plummer was gracious with his simple speech for his win for Best Supporting Actor for Beginners, while his rivals looked on from the rank-and-file filling the auditorium.

Otherwise ... well, it was a mixed bag of largely unsurprising wins, while Billy Crystal’s shtick went down as well*/terribly* as usual (*delete as appropriate).

And that’s yer lot.

There were some great winners, some worthy ones, bizarre choices and curious omissions – same old, same old – creating an Oscars show, and selection, that was straightforward enough.

And now, the Oscar award for the Best Suddenly Off To The Shops Film Critic goes to ...

In tribute to this year’s Best Picture winner, here’s a monochrome Oscar

8 March 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces Could chain soon face Game over?

It’s early notice, but gamers will welcome the news of the release date for Bioshock Infinite, with its floating city-state setting of Columbia (above), echoing many of the architectural designs and societal mores of Chicago’s 1893 World Columbian Exposition (right)

Prepared for an Infinite adventure in Columbia?

SHANE DILLON

BEING something of a nerd in many fields, and not just in gaming, I know lots of useless stuff – such as … did you know that the world’s first Ferris Wheel was Irish? (Keep reading – this is going somewhere, I promise.).

Yes, indeed, the humble ferris wheel first made its appearance in Irish Town

– just one of the many national locations found within the vast, sprawling and pretty amazing 1893 World Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893).

Amongst other gems, Irish Town featured a fine example of Irish steel and iron, which the ironmongers had crafted into a giant spinning

wheel with carriages, with which to raise visitors for a view over the vast site.

So far, so … informative, yet what, one might ask, has the little-known wonder of the 1893 Chicago World Fair’s sights got to do with gaming today?

It’s pretty simple, really, as the release date for Bioshock Infinite has

Anotherweebyte...

Chilling news for Blizzard’s staff MANY readers will be aware of the jobs lost in Cork recently when Blizzard Entertainment announced that 200 jobs were to go at its division there, in a move that’s a personal tragedy for all involved, but a step that’s unlikely to have been very surprising for industry watchers, or, indeed, for many of Bliz-

zard’s user base.

World of Warcraft, Blizzard’s international role-playing game, has peaked, plateaued and begun to lose subscribers, with a subscriber base standing at 12 million in 2010, but dropping to 10.2 million by the end of December last – a 15% drop that was set to inevitably hit staff numbers at the firm’s global operations.

There’s absolutely no pun intended, but

Blizzard’s cuts are just another sign of the chill winds that continue to blow through the Irish and global economy.

Hopefully, the staff at Blizzard’s Cork operations will benefit from the support available from IDA Ireland and other such bodies, and, with World of Warcraft set to be part of their past, I’m sure we all hope there’s a world of opportunity ahead for the 200 staff ...

just been announced – October 19 – and, for those who know of such matters, it’s easy to see Bioshock Infinite (or B3, as I’ll call it, being the third in the Bioshock series) as a setting that’s been heavily influenced by the architecture and stylings of the 1893 fair, coupled with the mores and habits of turn-of-thecentury America.

Indeed, even by name alone, B3 seems influenced by the 1893 Fair, as its setting – the floating city of Columbia, traversing the sky with all manner of turbines and wind balloons holding it aloft – looks quite similar in look, and concept, to her earthbound Chicago counterpart.

In B3, faced with the task of roaming through now largely lawless Columbia, which is feared by those lands below the anarchic floating city, the player will constantly endeavour to find, work with and

ultimately escape with Elizabeth – a mysterious women with barely controlled psychic powers, who is an essential part of Columbia’s destiny, and a character at the centre of several rival factions’ plans – and not all of them human ...

So far, so Bioshock, as previous fans of Bioshock’s way of presenting story alongside gameplay will know to expect a first-personshooter that’s presented with interesting undertones to exercise their grey matter, alongside their trigger finger.

Despite Columbia being set to be a very unwelcoming place for visitors on October 19 gamers will certainly be on cloud nine once they step forth into the floating city, where Elizabeth and all manner of wondrous sights, intimidating gangs, political rivalries – and terrifying falls to the distant landscape, below – will await …

I DIDN’T expect to be covering Game’s fortunes again quite so soon after last week’s side story on the retailer’s announcement it would not be stocking a significant new Wii release.

However, the retailer has been making news for all the wrong reasons yet again, as its share price suddenly tumbled 15% at the end of last week.

Continuing its ongoing trading difficulties with distributors, it was reported that Game was unable to reach agreement with EA over credit terms for stocking the imminent and keenlyanticipated cross-platform EA release, Mass Effect 3 (ME3) and, consequently, won’t be stocking ME3 at its stores upon its release this Friday – despite ME3 being one of the key “flagpole” releases for 2012 for all games retailers, and a lucrative money generator for all concerned.

The failure to stock such a key title amounts to even more of Game’s balance-sheet blood in the water, as the retailer struggles to restructure its finances and credit sheet, and reach agreement with its significant trading partners.

ME3’s war should have been a nice little earner for Game – or at the very least, helpful in addressing some of its ongoing credit issues – but, instead, gamers, shareholders and business correspondents could be forgiven for wondering if it’ll soon be Game over for the ailing chain …

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8 March 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

STARS IN YOUR EYES Dublin Sports Stars winners for February are announced: Page 29

SPORT SCIENCE: NUTRITIONAL BENEFIT OF MILK FORMS PART OF NATIONAL CAMPAIGN

Basketball Ireland and NDC hold seminar sport@gazettegroup.com

BASKETBALL Ireland, in conjunction with the National Dairy Council (NDC), recently held a Nutrition and Coaching Seminar for coaches at the National Basketball Arena, as part of the Milk it For All It’s Worth campaign.

Dr Tom Hill, a senior lecturer in Nutrition at Newcastle University, led an interactive discussion, supported by

the nutritional team from NDC. Dr Hill has extensive experience of working on diet and nutrition issues with players, athletes and teams across a variety of sports, ranging from soccer to rowing.

T he NDC interest is fuelled by the growing body of scientific research showing milk can play a very positive role in a number of aspects of sports nutri-

tion.

Specific areas of focus include the effectiveness of skimmed milk as a rehydration drink after sports, in addition to research highlighting the beneficial role of milk and milk-based products in recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage.

The beneficial role of milk in these areas has been attributed to the natural nutritional composition of milk.

Dr Tom Hill, Caroline O’Donovan from the National Dairy Council, and and Martin McGettrick, Basketball Ireland

A c c o r d i n g t o D r.

Hill, coaches should be encouraged to initiate basic nutrition strategies with their squads.

“Proper sports nutrition will help athletes to train and compete harder and to recover more quickly, so that they are better able to take on their next train-

ing session or competition,” said Dr. Hill.

“The few hours before, during and after exercise are critical times for ensuring players eat and drink properly and coaches can play a role in giving encouragement to players around this.

“During sport last-

ing more than 30 minutes, fluid intake may be required. Adequate rehydration after sports is vital to replace fluids lost via sweat.”

Fluid requirements should also account for the ongoing sweat loss that occurs during the recovery period after exercise. In summary,

food and drink after sport, which replaces the carbohydrate stores, provides some protein and helps replace the fluid and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) lost in sweat is recommended.

For more information on the campaign, see www.ndc.ie

28 LUCAN GAZETTE 8 March 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastGAA

FOOTBALL: LOCAL PLAYERS MAKE MARK IN OPENING TIES with Setanta’s Senan Connell

Dublin should learn from Laois experience DUBLIN starred in a game of two halves at the weekend against Laois.

The Dubs looked comfortable at all times, even at 0-4 to 0-1 down by the 10th minute; they re-grouped and, from then on, went on a scoring rampage.

From a Dublin point of view, they played the better football in the first half.

Pat Gilroy’s men had acres of space, though to Justin McNulty’s delight, Laois did go on a slight spur in the second half. They went from being 0-10 to 0-6 down to 0-10 to 0-8 but then Ross Munnelly missed a kickable free, which would have closed the gap to just one point.

Alan Brogan then went up the other end and kicked a score for Dublin. Small margins at that level make all the difference.

Eoghan O’Gara had a stormer, hitting 1-5 from play. He has obviously been working on his strength and conditioning and has been building on his form for DCU in the Sigerson Cup. However, crucially, he is free from injury, which has not been the case the last few years.

Himself and man-of-the-match Diarmuid Connolly up front were remarkable at times and certainly provide answers to critics who say that Dublin are over-reliant on the Brogan brothers.

Dublin now face the challenge of Armagh at Croke Park this weekend, in a double header that sees the hurlers take on Cork.

Senan Connell is a pundit with Setanta Sports, broadcasting 14 exclusively live Allianz League matches this season.

Setanta Sports Satellite customers can subscribe for just €8.49 per month to get this great GAA plus 33 Premier League games, FA Cup, European soccer and World Class Rugby. Subscribe at Setanta.com/gaaoffer or call 0818 20 30 40.

Emma Colgan from St Margaret’s played her part in Dublin U-16 ladies’ victory over Kildare. Picture: GAApics.com

Young Dubs go for it sport@gazettegroup.com

DUBLIN’S young Jackies were in action last weekend, and both sides started their Leinster championship campaigns with comprehensive victories against Kildare at O’Toole’s.

The Under-16s manager, Fearghal Brennan, must have come away from last Saturday’s Leinster championship game with Kildare delighted after his young charges dismissed the Lilywhites on a scoreline of 9-19 to 2-4.

Although Dublin recorded a comfortable victory, Kildare must have been aware that they were coming into this encounter facing a stern challenge from the reigning Leinster champions, Kildare, having made the move up from Leinster

B championship to topflight football this season were always going to find the step up in levels a taxing challenge.

In front of a sizeable home crowd, Dublin gave a solid performance, dominating every sector of the field. One concern for the Dublin management team would be the missed openings in front of the Kildare posts, but this result can be looked on as a good opening and a learning experience.

Being the early part of the season, the Jackies have plenty of time to work on tweaking their football and scoring skills with four additional round-robin fixtures still to be played.

The Dubs can look forward to a trip down to Wexford on March 24, the Model county girls registered a comfortable away

win over Meath in their opening round game.

Wexford will relish the visit of the Dubs and they also have the potential to cause an upset; Dublin will have to hit top form if they intend to keep their unbeaten run in Leinster intact.

At the same ground, the Dublin Under-14 girls commenced their Leinster championship with a comprehensive win over Kildare. The girls in blue were apprehensive prior to the start of the game, but the nerves quickly disappeared as they entertained their supporters and the Dublin U-16 ladies’ team with some fine, fast-flowing scores from play.

To date, this Dublin side have played challenge games against Waterford and Galway, and they dominated the first half

of the Kildare encounter, claiming the majority of possession and leading at half time by 4-4 to no score.

It is a credit to the current management team that all 29 players available made a contribution to the game and nine of those players made a contribution to the scoreboard to secure a final score of 7-5 to 0-4 in favour of Dublin.

The Dubs have the opportunity to attend a couple of mid-week training sessions to develop their skills before they travel to Wexford on March 23 to compete in the second round of the Leinster campaign.

DLGFA wish to extend a word of thanks to Rhonda and her colleagues in O’Tooles for the hospitality shown to both teams on Saturday and wish a

speedy recovery to the Kildare midfielder who required medical attention in the first half.

DUBLIN U-16s: Danielle Aylmer (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Aoife Curran (O’Dwyer’s), Lauren Magee (Kilmacud Crokes), Stacey Flood (Clan na Gael Fontenoy), Zoe Murphy (Clontarf), Doireann Mullany (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Danielle Pugh (St Peregrine’s), Fiona Tuite (Na Fianna), Ruth Shaw (Clan na Gael Fontenoy), Niamh Ryan (Foxrock Cabinteely), Muireann Ní Scannail (St Margaret’s), Amy Conroy (Round Towers, C), Eabha Rutledge (Kilmacud Crokes), Leah Mullins (Castleknock), Emma Colgan (St Margaret’s) Subs: Louise Ryan (St Sylvester’s) for Conroy, Ann Marie Troy (St Brigid’s) for Tuite, Kate Fitzgibbon (O’Tooles) for Murphy, Sinead O’Keefe (Ballyboughal) for Mullany, Rebecca McDonnell (Westmanstown)

8 March 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 29

in association with

GIFT OF SPORT: CELEBRATION AT ST ANN’S CHURCH

2012 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS FEBRUARY WINNERS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

STARof theMONTH

LESLEY O’HALLORAN THE South Dublin tennis ace has had a lengthy and prestigious career in the sport in this country, and brought two gold, a silver and a bronze medal back from the San Diego International Tennis Federation (ITF) Senior World championships, claiming Ireland’s first-ever team title in world tennis in the process.

Dublin gives thanks sport@gazettegroup.com

THE Annual Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving for the Gift of Sport will be held in St Ann’s Church on Dawson Street on Sunday, March 25, at 7.30pm.

Sixty-three years ago the first service of thanksgiving for the gift of sport took place in Dublin in 1949 in St Peter’s Church, Aungier Street, long since demolished.

The idea for holding such a ser vice arose following discussions between the Revd

SUPPORT

LOCAL BUSINESS

THREE ROCK ROVERS

THE Rathfarnham side travelled to Malatya in south-eastern Turkey to claim promotion from the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champion’s Challenge II, getting back into the top tier of the indoor competition in Europe by virtue of a second-place position in the competition, achieved in spite of some tough breaks on their way to the tournament.

WHAT? It’s March already?

February ended on a high with the showing of the Dublin Sports Awards show on Setanta Ireland, and keep an eye out for more repeats of the show throughout this month.

Not only that, but there were some huge achievements on the world stage by our stars of the month.

World number two at her age level, Lesley O’Halloran brought a handful of world championship medals back to the capital after her great success in San Diego.

Equally far afield, Three Rock

SHOP LOCALLY

TEAMof theMONTH

Rovers achieved their Turkish delight and obtained promotion to the EuroHockey Indoor Club Champion’s Challenge I for the 2013 season.

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 to be one of our monthly stars.

Contact us on 01 601 0240 or sport@gazettegroup.com to tell us all about your successes, and follow us on Facebook at facebook. com/gazettesportII.

CALL THE GAZETTE ON

60 10 240

George Crummy and Bob Graves, the Irish r ugby international.

Since then the ser vice has developed into an annual ecumenical event, held in the evenings, to allow for maximum attendance from the sporting fraternity The service continues to be the focus of thanksgiving for all men, women and young people whose lives have been enriched and blessed by the gift of sport, whether through active par ticipation, patronage or through the media of radio, tel-

evision or attendance at sporting events and fixtures.

Over the years many prominent sportspersons of note have spoken at the service and, this year, the address will be given by Tommy Carr, the former Gaelic football player for Dublin and All-Star winner in1991.

He has also managed a number of other county GAA teams since his retirement as a player.

The collection is donated each year to a charity and, this year, Pieta House has been

chosen. Pieta is involved in assisting people at risk of suicide and self harm.

Unfortunately, those who participate in sport are not immune from such tragedy and sadness as most recently highlighted by the death of Garry Speed in Britain.

For further information, contact Robert Prole, member of the ASU (Association of Schools’ Unions ) Service Organising Committee by telephone on 01 2889565 or via email to rdeprole@eircom.net.

30 LUCAN GAZETTE 8 March 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

SOCCER: LOCAL COLLEGE CLAIM THEIR FIRST NATIONAL TITLE

Peamount seeking new blood for U-14 Majors PEAMOUNT United are looking for players who will be able to assist their Under-14 Major side.

The team trains from 7 to 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Greenogue. If you were born in or after 1998, and have not signed for any club this season and want to play Major football with a team still involved in two cups, contact 087 758 6648 for more information.

St Kevin’s claimed the senior boys’ All-Ireland title in Waterford when they defeated Nagle CC in the final

Kevin’s claim All-Ireland ALL-IRELAND FINAL St Kevin’s CC Nagle CC

3 2

sport@gazettegroup.com

ST KEVIN’S Community College celebrated their first Senior Boys’ All-Ireland soccer title last week when they defeated Nagle CC, Cork in the Regional Sports Centre, Waterford.

St Kevin’s had won the Leinster Cup in January and defeated Ulster champions, St Clare’s College, Ballyjamesduff, in the semi-final, for the right to face the Munster champions in the final.

Nagle had the better start, with the Dublin side showing a lot of

nerves, and indeed only for a brilliant point-blank save from Kevin’s keeper, Stephen Kavanagh, Nagle would have taken the lead within the first five minutes.

The Cork college took a deserved lead on 19 minutes when Irish international striker, Alan Browne, was fouled 25 yards from goal and Paul Lawlor’s left-footed strike gave Kavanagh little chance.

Buoyed by the large vocal support from the travelling Clondalkin contingent, the St Kevin’s players became a bit more composed and won their first corner of the match.

John Harcourt took the corner short to captain Dan Matthews, who dribbled past one defender along the by-line before somehow managing to squeeze the ball past the Nagle netminder from the tightest of angles.

Nagle were a bit rattled by the goal and were probably glad to hear the half-time whistle.

Nagle started the second half like they had the first, and the Kevin’s defence were happy to see a thunderous free kick go just wide, but, on 57 minutes, Browne scored from another free kick to give the Cork side the advantage.

Kevin’s gave it their all, with the midfield pair of ChristopherWard and Lee Higgins covering every blade of grass between them. On 66 minutes, Nagle had an opportunity to hit a demoralising blow to Kevins, when winger Glenn Edmunds showed great skill to ghost into the penalty area, but Kavanagh managed to get a strong hand to the rightfooted shot that surely would have sealed the title for the Leesiders.

Only seven minutes later Kevins won a corner after good work from Dylan McKeever, and a superb cross from Dylan Byrne saw the unchal-

lenged Marco Chindea score at the back post with a powerful header, that sailed past the stranded Nagle keeper.

Both teams had chances to win it in normal time, but the game remained at 2-2, and extra time followed.

After a scoreless opening period, it was Kevin’s that scored what was to be the match winner, when McKeever played in Chindea, who out-muscled the defender before lobbing the ball over the advancing keeper.

Shortly after, the ref blew for full time, which signalled the start of ecstatic celebrations.

Fergal finds life begins in Galway sport@gazettegroup.com

DUBLIN snooker ace Fergal O’Brien turns 40 next week and is taking inspiration from golden oldie Steve Davis and darts supremo Phil Taylor as he prepares to take part in the PTC championship finals in Galway later this month.

O’Brien has jumped from 37th to 30th in the world rankings this season and believes he can still win major titles.

“If you told me now that I won’t win another one, I’d be heart-bro-

ken. I’m not sure I would continue playing,” said the player who captured the British Open title in 1999 and reached the final of the Masters in 2001.

“Steve Davis is 54 and still going strong, and look at Phil Taylor in darts who is 51 but the best player by a mile.

“I’ve still got the desire and hunger that I always had and I’ve got a lot more knowledge of the game. Physically, I’m fitter than I’ve ever been, I do a lot of running now and even won an 800m race at my athletic club. You don’t

often see Fergal O’Brien and fast in the same sentence!”

O’Brien will join stellar names like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump and John Higgins in the Players Tour Championship Grand Finals in Galway this month.

“It will be a great venue for the event and I can’t wait for it hopefully the Irish support will carry me through,” he said.

The PTC Grand Finals run from March 14-18, for ticket details see www.worldsnooker. com/tickets

Fergal O’Brien

8 March 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 31

in association with

HURLING: PALMERSTOWN TAKE CHANCES TO WIN

CLUB NOTICEBOARD LUCAN SARSFIELDS Lotto: Numbers drawn were 4, 10, 17

also involved in the Leinster Team

and 21. There was one winner; con-

Final of Trath na gCeist, which will

gratulations to Yvonne Scully, win-

be held on March 9 in Allenwood

ner of €14,000. Next week’s jackpot

GAA, Co Kildare at 8.30pm.

will be €1,000.

Our first golf society outing of

Es ther Keenan’s team will be

this year is to Killeen on April 21.

in charge next Sunday when our

Contact Michael O’Grady for more

sponsor will be Diamond and Gem

details.

Jewellers.

Set dancing classes are every

Hard luck to Stephen Barrett,

Wednesday from 8.30 to 10pm in the

accompanied by guitarist, JPR Dal-

function room of the clubhouse. No

ton, on missing out on the Scor Lein-

experience required.

ster final. Olly Mann, Declan O’Neill

Get well soon to Kate Whyte.

and John Hayes secured a place in

Our nurseries for boys and girls

the Leinster Final with an excellent

born in 2005, 2006 and 2007 are

display in the Quiz Time section.

every Saturday at 1.30pm on our

They go on to represent Dublin in

all-weather pitch at the 12th Lock.

the Leinster Senior Scor Final on

This is your child’s chance to be

Sunda y, March 25 in Ballymore,

coached by Dublin senior hurling

Mullingar, Co Westmeath. They are

captain, Johnny McCaffrey.

ROUND TOWERS St Pat’s Palmerstown showed composure to pip St Oliver Plunkett’s in their recent encounter

St Pat’s pass the AHL Plunkett’s test AHL DIVISION 2 St Pat’s Palmerstown St Oliver Plunkett’s

2-13 2-12

I sport@gazettegroup.com

COMETH the hour, cometh Shane Stapleton.

In a dramatic end-game, the Dublin senior star held his nerve to hit a 60-metre free six minutes into injury time to get St Pat’s, Palmerstown off to a winning start to the season.

For Plunkett’s, it was heartache after an epic fightback saw them recover a four-point deficit only to succumb to a hotlycontested final free.

It left neither side overly content on the final whistle, when Plunkett’s were left deflated at their lastditch demise, while Pat’s — targeting a concerted push for the title in this competition — lamented a lack-lustre early season performance.

The wind played its part, working measurably in the visitors’ favour in the first period. But they were rocked by an early

Aidan Glennon point and Des Rushe’s goal.

But a Plunkett’s goal from Oisin Boland, and a couple of Shane Bonfil points, had them level and they controlled affairs for much of the first half as Finn Dunleavy bossed the middle, and Patrick Bergin roamed well around the defensive 40.

Scores from the lively youngster Boland, as well as a couple of Stu Mullen frees, kept them ticking over, but they were pegged back in the 22nd minute, when Stapleton’s shot was saved by Joseph McDonnell but only as far as Glennon.

Stapleton’s second free levelled at 2-3 to 1-6 but Plunkett’s scored the last three points of the half for a small advantage.

The strength of the breeze predictably saw a change in fortunes, but Pat’s started the half with three wides before Stapleton took control. He clipped a pair of 65s and a free in the 48th minute.

Chris Dolan’s excellent over-the-shoulder score from Lee Dunne’s cross put Pat’s in front. Mullen eventually got Plunkett’s first score of the half with nine minutes of normal time left but Glennon countered instantly.

And Stapleton tacked on a truly brilliant sideline from 40-metres out on the left to start a run of points that brought the hosts to the brink of victory. Stapleton’s eighth point – a fine effort as he wheeled away into the crowd on the right – put four in it with the clock ticking past the hour and victory looked assured.

But a couple of inju-

ries and delays prior to close-in frees pushed the final whistle back. Mullen cleared one of those to get within a goal and they won the next phase of play.

Ian Franzoni dropped the sliotar into the danger zone, wreaking havoc, and the scramble broke Niall Murray’s way to net, all square at 2-12 each.

There was one last throw of the dice when the puck-out made it to midfield Barry O’Hanlon who was impeded and while Plunkett’s contested the decision, Stapleton lined up the target and split the posts for the winning point.

WHITE Collar Boxing 2012 will take

forms are available on the club

place in the Red Cow on March 9.

website or in reception in the club-

This is one of the biggest fundrais-

rooms.

ers on the club calendar, and all

The inter hurlers beat St Jude’s

members are asked to help make

and the minor footballers defeat-

the event a success.

ed Parnell’s, both in the league. In

Tickets for the event are on sale

cup action, the senior footballers

behind the bar. For more informa-

beat Cuala, while the junior A team

tion on sponsorship and fundraising

defeated Good Counsel.

please contact Mark, Niall, Damian or Matt.

Last week’s lotto numbers were 7, 13, 18 and 24; Bonus Ball 15. There was

Membership is now due before the

no winner of the jackpot of €6,100.

end of February. Players and men-

Congratulations to The Kenny fam-

tors are required to be paid-up

ily, David Reape and Mick Murphy,

members for insurance reasons.

who were the three €100 winners.

Discount on club cards will be cut

Match three numbers and bonus

from the end of February for those

ball: N/A. Next week’s jackpot is

who have not renewed. Renewal

€6,200.

GARDA/WESTMANSTOWN THE intermediates had good win in

Wednesday at Westmanstown both

cup away to St Finian’s Newcastle

sessions at 8pm.

on Sunday morning. They are back

Well done to Westmanstown Gaels

to league action next weekend with a

U-8s, 9s and 12s who all won against

home fixture against St Vincent’s at

St Mark’s, St Patrick’s and Ballybod-

Westmanstown on Sunday morning

en respectively.

at 10.30am.

The girls were in action, too, with

The junior 1s are also at home next

the U-15s winning against Foxrock

Sunday at 11am against Kilmacud

Cabinteely while the U-12s played

Crokes in the league. Please come

their first competitive game ever and

out and support both teams.

lost by a point to Robert Emmets.

Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm.

The ladies have challenge match Saturday away to Kilcock at 12 noon.

Training on Monday at Parkwest and

Nursery training every Saturday from 10am in Westmanstown Sports Complex. Everyone is welcome!

For more information, visit http:// westmanstowngaels.ie.

Follow GazetteSport on Facebook and Twitter and at www.gazettegroup.com

ALL OF YOUR LUCAN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

PALMERSTOWN: St Pat’s pip Plunkett’s in their epic opening AHL encounter P31

FEBRUARY FAVES: Dublin Sports Awards winners announced P29

GazetteSPORT

Lucan United’s Noel Shanahan and striker Mark Rutherford at the FAI Ford Cup this week

MARCH 8, 2012

Lucan face Phoenix in FAI cup once again STEPHEN FINDLATER

lucansport@gazettegroup.com

IT IS a case of better the devil you know for Lucan United and Phoenix after they were paired once again in the FAI Senior Cup at this week’s draw.

The two clubs played out an epic fourthround duel over the course of two matches when Lucan defied the league rankings to tie 1-1 with the ’Nix in Scribblestown, with Mark Rutherford cancelling out John Brophy’s effort on a frosty Friday night.

But the Sunday Senior side won the replay to reach the last eight of the FAI Intermediate Cup, a competition in which they are still up and running, following an initial draw with Cork side, Everton.

In reaching that advanced stage of the intermediate competition, it earned both clubs a Senior Cup berth.

For Lucan, it opens up another shot at a

giant-killing in their first ever foray into the most prestigious cup competition in the country, and it is one which club secretary, Noel Shanahan, has gratefully received.

“We can’t say we are disappointed,” he told GazetteSport. “We know what we are up against having played them twice, and we went very close and had the chance to beat them.

“Mark Rutherford took the penalty in the replay and their keeper saved it. Had that gone in, we probably would have won the game. But we are quite confident going out against them again.

“They are a senior division side, and you look at the results up there and they are all quite close; there’s not a lot between them.

“It means we don’t have to look at another team because we know what they are like.

That’s the upside of it.

“The whole thing about it is that it is good to be in the competition. That’s the bottom line.

It really doesn’t matter, we just go out and do

our best.”

Set for the weekend of April 1, conditions at Scribblestown are likely to be much more amenable this time around and Shanahan said they could play a part.

“The time of the season is going the right way but, hopefully, it won’t be too windy.

They’ve got the pitch over there and that to contend with. If we play as well as we did the last day, even if we bring them back to Airlie, it will be an interesting match.”

For Phoenix, Tuesday’s draw in Abbotstown – conducted by FAI President Paddy McCaul and former Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Shelbourne star Mick Neville – also saw their potential inter semi-final opponent revealed.

Another Cork side, Avondale, lie in wait in the final four of that competition.

Verona go to Cherry Orchard in the senior cup first round and could also face a date with them in the inter if they get past the rising tide of Killester United.