Lucan

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SEE STYLE PAGE 18 OCTOBER 18, 2012 Find us on

Month XX, 2012 LUCAN • PALMERSTOWN • CELBRIDGE • LEIXLIP • ADAMSTOWN • DODSBORO • LIFFEY VALLEY • BALLYOWEN

INSIDE: Welcome to a new era with your glorious new-look Gazette

Hurling:

Lucan storm their way to junior title Page 31

Soccer:

Esker’s young charges start season in style Page 30

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES......................6 DUBLIN LIFE...................11 OUT&ABOUT ..................17 CLASSIFIEDS ................26 SPORT ...........................27

RIPTIDE MOVEMENT: Local band plans showstopping gig for the Olympia See Page 4

Levy cut aims to support business  PAUL HOSFORD

SOUTH Dublin County Council (SDCC) has proposed a new scheme that would see them cut levies on both residential and commercial development.

The move came in light of a Deloitte report which said that a review of the 2010-2017 development rates was needed to take account of the “current market conditions”.

Fine Gael councillor William Lavelle welcomed the proposed new scheme.

“Commercial development levies act as an unfair burden on local businesses, in particular small businesses, who despite the recession seek to expand their operations and premises.

“I hope that these proposed levies will get all-party support.”

Full Story on Page 2

Get a moo-ve on: Acclaimed artist to teach kids art skills RENOWNED ARTIST Deborah

Donnelly has created a new series of books to help painting enthusiasts create their own masterpiece and will demonstrate her work in Lucan Library

on October 23.

Booking for the free event can be made on 4597834.

Launching the series of events is Deborah with her children Casey, Frankie and Evin.

2 lucan Gazette 18 October 2012

dublin GAZETTe newspapers i n f o r m at i o n

Council Economic decline cited for move

Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publish eight weekly quality free titles, covering the greater Dublin area from Swords to Dun Laoghaire

c o n ta c t s Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com Acting News Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@gazettegroup.com Picture Editor: Paul Hosford picturedesk@gazettegroup.com Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sport@gazettegroup.com Advertising Manager: Louise Fitzgerald lfitzgerald@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Anita Ward ads@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch clynch@gazettegroup.com Advertising Sales: 01 - 6010240 sales@gazettegroup.com

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South Dublin County Council has invited submissions from local residents and businesses on the new levies scheme

Feedback on scheme to cut levies welcomed  paul hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com

SOUTH Dublin County Council (SDCC) has proposed a new scheme that would see them cut development levies.

The new scheme proposes a reduction in levies on both residential and commercial development.

The scheme will be undertaken by all four Dublin local authorities after a Deloitte report said that a review of the 2010-2017 development rates was needed to take account of the “current

 Paul Hosford news@gazettegroup.com

market conditions”, with the report citing the “decline in the economy”.

Last year, the council’s economic development policy committee agreed to review the development contribution scheme and the work of a sub-committee was informed by the independent consultant’s review of the cur-

rent development levy scheme.

The new draft scheme proposes a levy on nonresidential development of €81.65 per square metre, reduced from the current rate of €111, representing a complete reversal of the increase.

The draft scheme also proposes a levy on residential development of €88.27 per square metre, reduced from the current rate of €120.

T his scheme also includes a number of expectations aimed at supporting small businesses who wish to develop or

extend their premises.

Welcoming the proposed new scheme, Fine Gael councillor William Lavelle said that the move showed South Dublin was “open for business”.

“I warmly welcome the proposal to reduce these levies, in particular the proposed reversal of the 2009 increase in levies on commercial development.

“I hope that these proposed levies will get allparty support when they come before the council for final approval.”

SDCC is welcoming submissions on

the scheme and copies of the draft are available for inspection from Wednesday, October 10 to Wednesday, November 21.

Submissions in relation to the scheme should be either posted to: Tony Shanahan, Administrative Officer, Development, Economic and Transport Planning Department, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24 or sent by email to: devcontscheme@sdublincoco.ie by 5.00pm on Wednesday, November 21.

Fitzgerald hails Baldonnel clarification THE Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, last week confirmed that Baldonnel will continue to be the centre of military aviation in Ireland, ending local unease about the use of the facility.

Local Fine Gael TD and Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, said the statement by her Cabinet colleague would be welcomed.

She said: “I know that there has been concern

locally in Newcastle about the future of Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel.

“I am glad that Minister Shatter has confirmed that he has no plans to alter the sta-

tus of Baldonnel as the principal base of the Irish Air Corps.

“Casement Aerodrome has been the focal point of national attention in the past year with the visit of

Queen Elizabeth to Dublin.

“It is not just a vital part of our national security, but a lively part of the local community in Newcastle,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

18 October 2012 lucan Gazette 3

Theatre: new play features honda

commuters: Internet en route

Bikers set to kickstart Civic

 paul hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com

THE Civic Theatre in Tallaght will welcome Nomad Theatre Network in association with Livin Dred as they produce Ride On, a new play from Seamus O’Rourke.

Five members of the Drumkarren Honda Club are sitting in a run down shed in Co Cavan, ready to embark on a bikeride, awaiting the other 20 members (seemingly “stuck” in a pub in Killeshandra). As they wait, the Drumkarren Honda

Club are about to discover that lots can happen in a shed in Cavan on a wet day with a Honda called Hilda.

O’Rourke himself features in this production alongside a cast that consists of John Olohan (Glenroe), Pa Ryan (Trivia), Ian Lloyd Anderson (The Clinic) and Clare Monnelly.

O’Rourke is a former Leitrim footballer, who transitioned to the stage after his inter-county career.

Running from Tuesday, November 6 to Saturday,

LocalMatters S u p p o r t l o c a l b u s i n e ss

November 10 at 8pm, tickets are priced at €20 and €16 concessions, and are available from www. civictheatre.ie or on 462 7477.

The Civic also offers early bird tickets, which if booked before October 23, will allow tickets be purchased for €15 and €11 concession.

Early Bird offers are available for any night if booked 14 days in advance. If booking online, enter the promo c o d e E A R LY B I R D to avail of this ticket price.

Advertise with the Gazette call 60 10 240

Buses to provide an online service  paul hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com

Just the business: Enterprising start-ups Phase Two of the New Frontiers programme at the Synergy Cen-

tre, ITT Dublin has just got under way. This group of 15 technology start-ups include companies in the internet, enterprise software, apps, mobile, games, e-learning, and social commerce sectors. The New Frontiers programme encourages high-potential entrepreneurs with the commitment and capability required to develop and deliver sustainable businesses. Pictured are the New Frontiers class of 2012.

THE 151 bus service, which serves Clondalkin and Lucan, will be among the first to benefit from 80 new double-decker buses for Dublin’s bus services, with commuters set to get the chance to go online while they travel.

The announcement, made last week by Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar, will see the hightech buses rolled out on routes across the capital.

All of the new vehicles have free wi-fi and are low-floor wheelchair accessible, ensuring that Dublin Bus will have a 100% accessible fleet by the end of 2012.

The buses also feature bilingual passenger information signs in the upper and lower saloons announcing the next bus stop, centre doors to improve efficiency at bus stops for boarding and alighting, free Wi-Fi, improved safety features and additional CCTV. Minister Varadkar said that the investment showed “the Government is determined to make the best use of the limited resources available, by investing wisely in public transport.”

“We hope these 80 replacement buses will encourage more people to switch from cars to public transport. I encourage anyone who hasn’t used public transport for a while to see for themselves how the new improvements are making a difference,” said Minister Varadkar.

The replacement vehicles are the most environmentally friendly buses that have been used in Ireland to date.

They also meet Euro Five emission standards and consume less fuel.

4 lucan Gazette 18 October 2012

Cool yule

Oscar Wilde inspires theme for Unwrapped 2012 at County Hall

Council outlines plans for their Christmas events  paul hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com

THERE will be a host of Christmas events across South Dublin this year, the council has revealed.

Responding to a question from Fine Gael councillor Emer Higgins at last week’s

council meeting, management highlighted a number of council-backed events.

“As in recent years, South Dublin County Council will provide and light three civic Christmas trees at the following locations - Chamber Square, Tallaght, Civic Offices Clondalkin and County

Library Tallaght.

“T he Council’s events team in partnership with local artists and community groups co-ordinate the ‘switching-on’ of the Christmas tree lights by the Mayor of South Dublin County each year in our civic spaces in Clondalkin and Tallaght,”

said the council, which also revealed that the hugelypopular Unwrapped event will return.

“On December 8, Unw rapped, the annual winter celebration, will take place in the County Library, Civic Theatre, Rua Red and Chamber Square, culminat-

ing with the official lighting of the Civic Christmas Tree by the Mayor.”

The 2012 event will take its inspiration from the Oscar Wilde short story, The Selfish Giant, the council added, saying that the themes this year are friendship, love and generosity of

Building trust: Locals volunteer

FastNews Lucan Drama to stage awardwinning play LUCAN Drama’s forthcoming production is the award-winning comedy, The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson.

Directed by Simon Cunningham, the play will run in The Spa Hotel on Tuesday, October 20, and then from Wednesday, October 31, to Friday, November 2, at 8.30pm.

HSE to host meetings for foster parents THE HSE is looking for foster parents and will hold two information evenings for those interested next week.

The events will take place on Tuesday, October 23 at 8pm and Wednesday, October 24 in Cherry Orchard Hospital and Meath Hospital, respectively.

For more information contact the HSE Fostering Department on 01 620 6350

Celbridge ICA book launch The Celbridge branch of the Irish Country Women’s Association (ICA) is pleased to announce the launch of their 50th anniversary book Celbridge ICA 1962 – 2012, which will take place in Celbridge Library on Thursday, November 29 at 7pm.

spirit.

Artists, children, young people, and communities of all ages will join in creating an exciting and imaginative live event involving animation, puppetry, music and visual arts that brings the story’s themes to life in a fun way.

MARIE Corbett, Martin Power, Marie Bates, Nuala Gillick and Anthony Brady, all from Lucan will join 600 volunteers on the Niall Mellon Township Trust building blitz from November 11-17 in Cape Town.

By end 2012 the charity will have built 20,000 homes housing 100,000 people.

Music: Local band set to take the olympia theatre by storm next month

Movement gathers pace for an Olympian showstopper  paul hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com

THERE are cer tain markers in a band’s lifetime.

The first song you write together, the first recording, the first album, the first time you play the world-famous Olympia Theatre.

Okay, so most bands don’t reach that last one, but Lucan’s own The Riptide Movement have, and will take to the hallowed stage on November 10, marking their biggest ever headline show in Dublin. The gigs are

in support of Keep On Keepin’ On, the band’s sophomore album which was released in April. The album peaked at number six in the Irish charts and was well received both critically and commercially.

Guitarist John Dalton said that the follow-up to 2009’s debut What About The Tip Jars? was a piece of work that the band are still very happy with.

“It’s been really good for us. We’re selling units and we’re set up for an Irish tour this month.

Then, we’re playing some

gigs in Germany and the Low Countries.”

But first for the band is a trip to India. While not exactly known as a stopping point for Irish indie bands, the Lucan band will play to up to 50,000 people at the Rendezvous Festival in Delhi this week.

“We were asked to do it and were told that Cultural Ireland might be able to help us with a grant. We applied and got the grant so we’re heading out this week to Delhi.”

Once back on Irish soil, the band will take

to the stage in what was dubbed by Counting Crows singer Adam Duritz as “the best theatre-sized venue in the world”, the Olympia.

Ambition John says that the show will be bigger and more ambitious than anything the band have ever attempted.

“We’re really excited about it and have a big show planned.

We’ve been there looking around the venue because we’re recording it and you can feel something in the building.

“I think of all the gigs I’ve been at there; The Zutons recently, the Midnight at The Olympia gigs, and I have great memories.

“It’s been great to get a feel of the venue. It’s like walking a pitch before you play on it,” says John. “The Olympia is a big deal for us. It’s kind of a coming of age for us.

For our friends and family, it kind of says that we’re gold.”

For the band, the Olympia caps several years’ hard work, as they continue an ascent that is as deserved as it is

unlikely, given that the band have not had formal representation or a record label in their lives.

“It has been a rollercoaster ride for us, but it has put us in a strong position. I know bands that have given something up with labels, but we’ve never had to give anything up.”

John says that the band are looking at their third release, but that their focus is firmly on the current record.

“We’re always writing away, but there’s still a lot of life left in this album.”

18 October 2012 lucan Gazette 5

support Store serves up a delicious fundraiser

Superquinn cakes to help Pieta House  paul hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com

A COMBINATION of a local business and local charity is aiming to raise vital funds for suicide prevention. Superquinn in Lucan have begun selling chocolate biscuit cake, baked freshly in the store, in aid of Pieta House.

The move is part of Superquinn’s Making A Difference Locally campaign. The indulgent chocolate cakes are baked

by Superquinn bakers, and 80c from every cake

sold will go towards the locally-based suicide prevention charity.

The charity drive is aiming to raise €200,000 for charities in local communities over the next 12 months.

Marie Peelo, the volunteer and fundraising co-ordinator at Pieta House, was on hand to launch the initiative, and she was delighted that the supermarket had come on board with the charity’s important work.

She said: “Superquinn approached us, and we

were really pleased to be able to link up with them.

“80% of our income comes from fundraising and donations, so we rely on people around the country. Because the service we offer is free, we rely on donations from the public and companies.”

In the past six years, Pieta House has grown to almost 40 therapists and administrative staff, and the demand for their service remains steady.

In January 2011, Pieta House opened up two

Closure Receiver for Cullen Motors  paul hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com

Superquinn Lucan manager Ken O’Toole and Marie Peelo, volunteer and fundraising co-ordinator at Pieta House, hold up some delicious freshly-baked chocolate biscuit cakes, which Superquinn is selling to help support the charity

new centres – one in Ballyfermot and one in Limerick, and plans are continuing apace for the establishment of Pieta House West – a centre in Galway to serve the west of the country.

Superquinn Lucan’s store manager Ken O’Toole said that the

store was excited to be involved in such a project with the local charity.

He said: “We’re very excited to be linked up with a cause as worthy as Pieta House. We will be holding events through the year, including a fun day on Saturday, October 27, as well as hav-

ing bucket collections throughout the year and selling the cakes to help to raise funds.

“It is important for us to be involved in community engagements,” he said.

For further information on Pieta House, see www.pieta.ie.

THE last remaining showrooms in the Bill Cullen Motor Group, including the Renault dealership in Liffey Valley, have been taken over

by Ulster Bank.

After 55 years in the motor industry, Mr Cullen blamed the “poor state of the motor industry, with customer confidence at an all-time low” for the closures.

The bank has appointed Kavanagh Fennell as receivers to Glencullen Holdings organisation, of which The Bill Cullen Motor Group was the main operation operating two former Renault dealerships in Dublin, one in Swords and the other in Liffey Valley Motor Mall.

6 lucan Gazette 18 October 2012

gazetteGALLERY

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Ann Moore, Eileen McGovern, Anne Stallings and Maureen Caden Grimes

Mary Daniels, Veronica Doherty, Ita Daniels and Loretto Kirwan

Jack Minihane, Ann Donoghue, Bernie Edgeworth and David Leonard. Pictures: Ian Fleming

Charity: Glamorous fundraiser for Pieta House

Pieta House hosts Ladies Night Out P

IETA House, the Centre for the Prevention of Self-Harm or Suicide, recently held a Ladies’ Night Out in the ballroom of The Lucan Spa Hotel.

The night was organised to raise funds as well as awareness about suicide and suicide prevention. It included a three-course meal, dancing and music by the six-piece band The

Wise Guys.

The charity organisers were delighted with the turnout of so many people from across West Dublin, and beyond, especially as 80% of Pieta house’s funding comes from such fundraising events and donations.

Everyone had an enjoyable night out, with dancing into the wee hours.

Linda Fagan and Margaret Doyle

Amy Mannix and Mairead Carey

18 October 2012 lucan Gazette 7

8 lucan Gazette 18 October 2012

FastNews Lucan Gospel Singers to hold open evening LUCAN Gospel Singers will hold their annual open night on Tuesday, October 23 at 8.30pm.

The event will take place in St Patrick’s Church in Esker and all are welcome. PRO of the group Emma Ryan says: “Come along and have a listen, you might surprise yourself.”

TV

Players battle it out for a place in Glasgow Celtic academy

Local lad Jason looks to score in reality soccer show TALENTED local Lucan boy Jason Murray has made it through to the top 10 finalists of RTE’s new TV programme, Football’s Next Star.

Presented by Westlife’s Nicky Byrne, Football’s Next Star features 10 young Irish footballers battling it out for one coveted place at Celtic FC’s prestigious

Youth Academy.

Jason was in a wheelchair until he was seven years old and didn’t start playing football until he was eight.

Although a late starter to the game, that hasn’t stopped Jason and he powered through the trials and made it through to the final stages of the TV show,

much to the pride of his family.

Between 40 and 50 contestants were shortlisted from the programme’s open trials and they went on to participate in the next stage of the competition, where the Celtic FC coaching team made the final selection of 10 talented young players.

Jason, along with the other nine hopefuls, will move to Glasgow to try and impress the world renowned Celtic Academy coaches, with a series of intense training sessions and tough football fixtures, where they’ll have to play to keep their place on the team.

Throughout the competition,

Tourism: 2013 plans

Gathering to come to the county

Dodsboro Residents annual meeting

SOUTH Dublin County Council have announced that they will host 25 international tournaments and competitions throughout 2013 through sport and culture as part of the Gathering 2013, in association with South Dublin County Tourism, Fingal Leader Partnership and The Gathering Ireland.

South Dublin is recognised as a leading sports and events destination in Ireland, with Tallaght Stadium, the National Basketball Arena, the National Baseball Facility in Corkagh Park, Peamount United Football Grounds and Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre as key venues participating in the initiative.

All of the venues and sports partners have a strong and established

THE Dodsboro Residents Association will hold their annual general meeting on Tuesday, October 23, at 8pm in the Spa Hotel, Lucan.

The group welcome any residents, both old and new, to come along on the night and would particularly welcome new people who might like to join the committee.

Liffey Valley Shopping to get spooked out LIFFEY Valley Shopping Centre is getting into a scary mood ahead of Halloween.

On the weekend before the holiday, they will have a range of activities, such as the Trick or Treat Cottage and Wicked Witch, face painting, an evil tattooist, terrifying nail art and costume characters.

There will be also be a live reptile and creepy crawly show on Halloween.

The events are the latest in an array of themed events at the shopping centre, following a number of back to school events held there.

the boys will have the opportunity to win rewards, including master classes with some of football’s biggest stars and a trip abroad to play top foreign teams.

The show airs on RTE Two every Friday at 5pm until November 23, and is repeated on Wednesdays at 7pm.

reputation in hosting international teams, and the events are set to begin to be announced in the next two weeks.

Approximately 30,000 additional visitors will visit the county in 2013 and it is hoped the series of tournaments will attract over of €50 million into the local economy of South Dublin County.

Having held more than 50 communitybased meetings, South Dublin County Tourism managing director Gail McGibbon said; “From the beginning of this project in 2011, we were amazed at the positive response, the offers of assistance and, most importantly, the fantastic level of co-operation and support from all involved to make this ambition a reality.”

Dense fog causes M50 collisions Singin’ in the rain: Aoife is pretty in pink as local garages join the fight against cancer Model Aoife Cogan helps to launch Esso as one of the Irish Cancer Society’s Pink Partners.

Esso stations around Dublin, including Palmerstown, Rathcoole and Longmile Road will be holding free car washes in aid of the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer from 1pm-5pm on Friday, October 19. Esso stations around the country will be selling boxes of ‘pink’ merchandise such as pins, ribbons and key chains throughout October in aid of the cause.

MOTORISTS at the Lucan junction of the M50 faced severe delays this week as dense fog settled across Dublin on Monday.

The poor visibility, added to three separate collisions near both the Blanchardstown and Lucan junctions caused a major headache for rush-

hour commuters.

AA Roadwatch said the first accident happened about 8.15am between two cars in the southbound lane of the motorway near the toll area at junction seven.

Gardai described the accidents as minor in nature, with no reports of serious injuries.

18 October 2012 lucan Gazette 9

Charity Children’s hospital hoping to benefit

Local writer’s big adventure in fundraising  paul hosford phosford@gazettegroup.com

A LOCAL author is asking Lucanians to join him on an adventure to raise vital funds for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.

John Devoy has launched his latest children’s book and is aiming to raise €4,000 for the hospital.

He began writing not long ago in order to create stories for his sons.

“I started writing a while ago because my

sons loved being read stories, so I wrote a little book about the two of them. I enjoyed writing that so much that I decided to do another one.”

The result is Big Adventures in Little Harristown, the story of a group of friends in suburban Dublin who spend a summer building a treehouse, forming a gang and growing up.

The decision to sell the book for charity came one day as John was sitting in traffic.

“I was listening to Ray

D’Arcy and he was talking about how Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin was always looking to raise money and I thought there had to be something I could do to raise a few quid for them.

“I showed the book to Caitriona McGloin in Our Lady’s and the team there said they would love to get involved.”

John was keen to keep costs down, to maximise the amount going to the charity.

“I used to be in the printing industry and was

The cover of John Devoy’s book Big Adventures in Little Harristown

able to get a good deal, but our initial one fell through.

That’s when Gary Owens of Rico Prints and Documents in ParkWest came on board.”

With the books printed and ready to go, John set about selling them through his job in Irish Rail, working towards the

local book fairs and festivals.

“There’s not much point selling in big book shops because they have their margins and the hospital would get less money.

“The reaction so far has been very good and kids aged four and ten have

loved the book.”

John is currently putting a website together and will be selling his books at www.johndevoybooks. com, with free delivery to anyone in Lucan.

As well as the web, John received confirmation that Abtree Books will be stocking the book.

council

Moves to tackle littering SOUTH Dublin County Council’s (SDCC) new Tackle Litter video, available on the council’s YouTube page, is encouraging locals to make South Dublin County a cleaner place.

The video seeks to motivate people to take action to reduce litter in their neighbourhoods.

Mayor Cathal King said: “Litter sends out all the wrong messages and it wastes valuable cleansing resources. We should all take responsibility for litter and change the way we think and act.”

As ways to help address litter, South Dublin County suggest joining the local Tidy Towns group, organising a community clean-up, or reporting littering to SDCC on 01 414 9000.

10 LUCAN Gazette 18 October 2012

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Canoeists taking part in The Liffey Descent race while being cheered on by spectators

Race makes a splash M

ANY brave canoeists from both Ireland and abroad recently took part in the annual Liffey Descent race.

Both serious competitors and casual paddlers from various canoe clubs made quite a splash across the 28.2km race course, which consisted of 10 weirs and one portage.

The race, which is in its 53rd year, began at

the K Club above Straffan Weir in Co Kildare, and finished up at the Trinity Rowing Club in Dublin.

As always, Lucan Weir was a popular spot for spectators and photographers to cheer on the competitors as they braved the waters, and the crowd encouraged them to keep on going until they reached the finish line.

Competitors put their strength to the test on the river Liffey.

18 October 2012 gazette 11

Schools P14-15

dublinlife

Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools

asdfsdaf business P27 P16



Gazette

Diary P12

competition: Students invited to draw for site

Doodle for Google and you could win a €5,000 prize WEB giant Google is offering students the chance to win a €5,000 scholarship towards the cost of their college education, simply by doodling.

The Doodle 4 Google competition, launched this week by Dublin 15 native, Clodagh Ryan, is asking students aged from four to 18 to get involved and potentially win some fabulous prizes.

The winning student will have their doodle appear on the Google Ireland homepage for 24 hours and they will receive a €5,000 college scholarship, a €10,000 technology grant for their school, and a laptop for themselves and one for their teacher.

This year’s theme is My Invention..., and Google say they would love to see doodles inspired by

inventions – whether a unique or a novel device, a new method of doing something, or changing an existing process.

The Doodle 4 Google competition is open to all students attending primary or secondary school or Youthreach groups in the Republic of Ireland, and contestants will be divided into five groups, based on school year.

Doodle entries from students will be whittled down to 75 creations that will appear on the Doodle 4 Google website before the top five doodles are chosen, as well as the overall winner, by a judging panel.

The closing date for entries is December 10, and full details of the competition can be found at www.google.ie/ doodle4google.

Dublin 15 native, Clodagh Ryan, is asking students aged from four to 18 to get involved in the Doodle 4 Google competition

Gazette

12 gazette 18 October 2012

R1

dublinlife

diary

The write way to get George Hook animated

BROADCASTER George Hook this week launched the second annual Tell The Future competition – a story-writing contest encouraging post-primary school students across Ireland to write a short story on how to power the country into the future in a sustainable, environ-

mentally-friendly way.

The Newstalk presenter is spearheading this year’s competition, and has made a special animated video for pupils, parents and teachers to learn more about it. The video can be viewed on the competition website at www.tellthefuture.eu.

Bringing the winner’s stories to life is a key feature of this year’s competition, and the two winners will have the unique opportunity to have their story transformed into a one-of-a-kind animated video narrated by Hooky himself.

The closing date for

entries to the Tell The Future secondary competition is Friday, November 30. For full details, visit www.tellthefuture.eu.

free talk on getting a job in 2012 AS PART of Innovation Dublin, a free talk will be given by CPL Recruitment specialist, Peter Cosgrove, entitled, Tips On How To Find A Job In 2012.

The talk will take place in the Central Library in the Ilac Shopping Centre on Thursday, October 25, from 1 to 2pm.

According to Cosgrave, today’s highly-competitive job market has created a shift in how candidates prepare for job interviews.

Interviewers are asking more unusual questions to assess such matters as self-awareness, as well as traditional skills.

The event is being run

Broadcaster George Hook has launched the second annual Tell The Future competition

as part of Innovation Dublin, which is currently running until October 26, and is part of Dublin City Public Libraries’ Career Direction and Development Programme.

It is free of charge, although booking is recommended.

For booking and further details, contact the Business Information Centre at the Central Library, Ilac Shopping Centre, Henry Street; telephone 01 873 3996, or email businesslibrary@

dublincity.ie.

UNDERGROUND FILM FEST CALL FOR 2013 SUBMISSIONS Underground Cinema, which recently hosted the hugely-successful Underground Film Festival, are now accepting submissions for their new season of monthly screenings.

There are no submission fees and all films selected are considered for nomination for the

Underground Cinema Awards that will take place in the Royal Marine Hotel in September 2013.

You can submit a film to be screened at one of Underground Cinema’s monthly screenings by logging on to www.underground-cinema.com and filling in a submission form.

Once you have submitted your form you can then send your film to Underground Cinema, 3 The Drive, Woodbrook Glen, Bray, Co Wicklow.

editorial: new look, same great newspaper

Gazette regeneration YOU will have noticed by now that your Dublin Gazette Newspaper has a fresh new feel.

The new design is a great achievement by our team and we’re delighted to be able to share it with you after months of hard work on getting everything just right.

The new look and feel of the newspaper is

another statement of our confidence in Dublin Gazette Newspapers.

We have recently increased our print run to 45,000, and now, with an estimated readership of 140,000, we are bucking all current industry trends.

The design may be new, but the values remain the same. The loyalty we see

from the vibrant communities we serve across the city matches our commitment to deliver the best in news, sport and features to our loyal local readers.

There is always the opportunity for you to get involved, and we are always delighted to hear from you with your local stories, photographs and

opinions, and you’ll find all the contact information you need on Page 2.

The changes you see are built on eight years of success in talking to Dublin, and listening to our readers. I look forward to that conversation continuing for many years to come.

ROB HEIGH, news editor rheigh@gazettegroup.com

18 October 2012 gazette 13

Gazette

14 gazette 18 October 2012

dublinlife

schoolLife Get involved with our new Gazette schools pages As part of the relaunch of the Dublin Gazette Newspapers, we are reaching out to all the schools in our catchment areas to become a closer part of our community than ever before.

Schools are the beating hearts of communities, one of the last places around which a community can gather.

We are calling on budding writers and photographers from all of our schools to help fill the pages and, in order to encourage the next generation of journalists and snappers to get involved, we are partnering with Harvey Norman to present the Dublin Gazette Newspapers Cub Reporter and Cub Photographer of the Year awards.

For more details, contact me at rheigh@ gazettegroup.com, or on 01 601 0240.

Riversdale cc: recent graduates bag president’s awards

Gaisce gold for former students

 Jason nesbitt and ryan higgins

CONGRATULATIONS to Naomi Marie-Rose (19) and Gavin Smullen (20), two students who recently graduated from Riversdale Community College, on receiving their Gold Gaisce Award on September 27 in Dublin Castle from President Michael D Higgins.

Gaisce, the President’s Award is Ireland’s National challenge award for young people. It was set up by the President’s office to encourage and reward young people aged 15 to 25 who give their services to the commu-

nity.

Last year in Riversdale Community College 55 fourth to sixth years achieved their Gaisce targets: 37 students achieved the bronze Gaisce award and eight fifth years received silver Gaisce.

Going for gold There are three levels of Gaisce award: bronze, silver and gold.

Bronze takes six months to complete, silver takes twelve months and gold is rarely completed under three years.

Speaking at the recent awards ceremony, gold recipient Naomi MarieRose said: “Through

Naomi Marie-Rose, Gavin Smullen, President Michael D Higgins and Ms Robinson, Transition Year co-ordinator, Riversdale CC

my par ticipation in the Gaisce Award I learned a lot about the importance of community and new skills, but mostly – I learned a lot about myself.”

Fellow gold achiever,

Gavin Smullen, commented that: “Through par ticipating in the Gaisce bronze, silver and gold award I have gained self-confidence as well as finding a career that I love.”

Principal of Riversdale Community College Mr Tony Barry said that he was “extremely proud of the achievements of all of the Gaisce award participants”.

18 October 2012 gazette 15

Gazette

schools Collinstown Park CC: a trip to munster for geography class

Castles, caves and Cashel on a great day out î Ž Third year geography class

MR REILLY and Ms Coffey organised a geography field trip to Cashel Tipperary for our third year geography classes.

We all met up outside the school as we had to leave at 8am and after a two and a half hour bus journey we made our first stop at Mitchelstown caves.

While on the bus the teachers gave us a work-

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sheet to fill out about the trip.

There, we met our tour guide, Aoife.

Before we went into the cave, Aoife told us all about the history of the site.

When we went into the cave we went down a lot of steps and Aoife told us to watch ourselves as the steps were very steep.

As we went through the cave we filled out our worksheets based

on the information we got from Aoife. Before we left the cave Aoife turned the lights off to show us how dark it was without lights.

W hen we finished our tour of the cave we thanked Aoife.

After that we got on the bus and went to McDonalds or Topaz, we had a choice because they were beside each other.

Afterwards we made our way to the Rock of

The third-year geography class from Collinstown Park CC outside the Rock of Cashel

Cashel on the bus. At the rock we met our tour guide Kevin and he told us the history of the rock.

They were building a roof over the rock to keep it dry. He also showed us the round tower which was very tall.

When the tour was over we walked to the Cashel folk village.

When we got there we got a sheet explaining the history of the folk village.

They had very interesting ar tefacts and

statues.

We all made our way around exploring and looking at different things like a caravan and a wishing well.

After that we walked to the town.

We sat down for a

while and then we went to the Wonka sweet shop.

When we were finished there we got back on our bus and went back to the school and then made our way home.

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 18 October 2012

DUBLINLIFE

Q&A

BUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

Financial Planning – Part 2 Continued from last week

HILLS HIRE, HILLS CENTRE, JOHNSTOWN RD

Making a sure-hire way in Dublin business HILLS Hire’s motto is “We hire almost everything”, but they are much more than a local hire shop.

Hills is a family run business, run for many years by Heather and Ricky Little before their retirement. It is now in the safe hands of Cara and Carl Fortune.

Hills offer a wide range of serv-

ices to their loyal customer base, including a workshop facility where it maintains a hire fleet and services and repairs most makes of customer machines.

Here, Carl talks about his business, and how the team at Hills Hire manage the challenges of operating a business in the current climate.

How long have you been in business?

Any customers that are pricing jobs are struggling and as result they are seeking more competitive rates. We offer repair and service of customers’ tools and equipment which may save them the cost of replacing essential equipment. We continuously monitor our costs and outgoings. We also have new customers who are new to the DIY market and need more assistance with selecting and operating the correct equipment.

Hills Hire was established in 1968 in Pottery Road. We moved to our new premises in Hills Centre in 1982.

What makes your business successful?

We pride ourselves on excellent customer service, providing the right products at the right prices to a wide customer base. We offer a very diverse range of equipment for hire or sale at the most compeditive rates. We provide an excellent follow-up service for customer machines, servicing and repairing.

What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?

What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?

It would be of great benefit if the VAT rate would be reduced.

We listen to our customers and aim to assist them to identify the correct tool/equipment for their job whether they are professional landscapers/builders or enthusiastic DIYers. Our staff have a combined 85 years experience with tools and equipment, which allows us to offer appropriate advice to those who need some direction in selecting the correct tool.

What is your ambition for the business?

How has the recession impacted your business?

We enjoy creating local employment and serving our customers needs. Our business is extremely diverse and every day is different, meaning that each day offers different opportunities. We like to use our experience and skills to assist our customers in making the correct selection of equipment for their job.

As with everyone else in business, we have been affected by the recession. We realise that everybody is in similiar situation and as a result we have maintained our hire rates for many years without an increase and have no increases planned.

We are aiming to keep our doors open through this very difficult time.

We continue to provide an excellent customer service to our many loyal customers, always offering quality tools and equipment at the most competitive rates possible.

What is your favourite thing about doing business in your local area?

MOST financial products are bought on a one-off basis.

You suddenly need a mortgage, or you fall into the clutches of a life insurance salesman and – bang – you are making major financial decisions before you have time to think.

The result is that you may not get the best product for your needs ... or the best value. Every major financial decision you make should be part of an overall plan.

Thus, a particular product, such as a mortgage, loan, insurance policy or investment, should be judged not just on its individual merits, but also in terms of how it moves you closer to where you want to be.

“Dream, dream, dream, dream, dream, dream”. The Everly Brothers (now called the Elderly Brothers) had a point. Dreaming has a huge role to play in financial planning.

Consider what you’d like to be doing in, say, five years, 10 years and 20 years. Consider what work (if any) you’ll be doing, where you’ll be living and how you’ll be spending your leisure time.

What will your family situation be? What – and this is key – will your financial situation be? Once you have a clear picture of the future life you’d like to have, you can start expressing it in financial terms and working out how to get there.

Once you have an idea of how you want things to turn out, you can start to think about what your precise

financial objectives are. Obviously, these are going to vary according to your age, circumstances and desires.

If you are in your first job, you are going to be thinking rather differently from someone who is approaching retirement.

Therefore, you may find it useful to divide your financial objectives into the short-, medium- and long-term.

Let me give you a simple, real-life example.

Richard, 29, is a teacher. His short-term financial objectives are to get rid of his credit-card debt (left over from university), start building up some savings, and buy a car. His medium-term objective is to buy a home.

His long-term objective is to earn some extra income with which to boost his pension, since he has decided he wants to retire when he is 55.

Setting and prioritising your financial objectives is hardly rocket science, as you can see.

Part Three continues next week ...  Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

BOXEVER: LOCALS BEHIND TRAVEL DATA FIRM

High flying start-up secures €800,000 investment CUSTOMER intelligence company, Boxever, has secured €800,000 funding from a syndicate of investors led by Delta Partners, together with Bloom Equity and Enterprise Ireland.

Established in September 2011, Boxever has created a cloud-based big data platform that enables airlines and travel companies to gather and analyse customer data in real-time and increase revenue through personalised marketing and merchandising.

T he company has already secured its first contract with Nordicbased Atlantic Airways, and is confident of its ability to attract more airlines in the coming months.

Founded by David O’Flanagan, Leixlip man Alan Giles and Portmarnock native Dermot O’Connor, the company currently employs six people and is an Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start Up (HPSU) client company.

Boxever emerged from the NDRC Launchpad accelerator programme last year and is now based in Dogpatch Labs on Barrow Street.

Speaking about the investment, O’Flanagan said: “We are delighted with this funding and anticipate that the capital will enable us to increase sales and marketing activities as well as expand our R&D team in Dublin.

“Travel today is the third biggest e-commerce

Boxever’s chief executives

market in the world. It generates over $100 billion in online sales but only a very small percentage of companies capitalise on the goldmine of data that they have about their customers. This presents a huge opportunity for Boxever.”

This deal is among the 12 investments made by venture capitalist Delta Partners during the last

year and follows their most recent announcements of funding.

Frank Kenny from Delta Partners said: “Boxever is yet another example of the great travel technology companies to come out of Ireland in the past 10 years. The team brings together the right combination of skills and assets to build a large Ireland-based company.”

18 October 2012 gazette 17

MOTORS P22

asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl P24

OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week



Gazette

MUSIC P19

Theatre THE peacock THEATRE 01 878 7222 Shibari

Aardman’s Merlin Crossingham, left, with Dr Annie Doona, President of IADT, and head of animation, Keith Foran, together with Wallace, Gromit and The Pirate Captain

animation: aardman’s creative director comes to blackrock for festival

Merlin, a wizard of arts  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

Blackrock Animation Film Festival welcomed some very special guests last week. They were about eight inches tall, and are two of the most famous characters in the world.

Wallace and Gromit were accompanied by Merlin Crossingham, creative director at Aardman Studios in Bristol, who was guest of honour at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), where he led animation workshops and spoke to students last week.

Crossingham has worked on numerous Wallace and Gromit productions as well as motion pictures Chicken Run, Flushed Away and the last Aardman stop-motion feature, The Pirates! In an

Adventure with Scientists.

Speaking to the Gazette after visiting a nearby school with the dynamic duo, Crossingham spoke about his career to date.

“I gatecrashed a lecture with a friend of mine when I was studying for my A-levels given by Ray Fields, who was head of animation in Liverpool. I was studying photography and it was amazing when I discovered animation. I realised it was simply the magic of movement, making something that couldn’t move come to life.”

Asked about what it is like to work at one of the world’s most renowned studios, with Oscar-winner Nick Park, Crossingham gave an insight into his progression in the company: “I was a senior animator on The Curse Of The

Were-Rabbit, and the guys just had too much to do. They asked me if I’d be an assistant director on it. It was my first experience of directing, and Nick took me under his wing throughout the whole film. It was fascinating.

“It’s amazing to work with Nick Park.

He’s an extraordinarily creative mind, he never stops surprising me all the time, the amount of funny ideas he has, and he’s extremely generous.”

Merlin has a favourite character, both to watch and to work with. “Gromit is my favourite. It’s because of his loyalty, his dedication and because he’s the hardest to animate. You have to get everything across with very little, everything he’s thinking and feeling. The animators know what good acting is and they use that knowledge to animate Gromit.”

On computer-generated animation, as opposed to the laborious process of stop-motion, Crossingham spoke about Aardman’s notional rivals, Pixar: “John Lassiter and Nick are great friends. They launched Pixar in 1989 at the same time as Wallace and Gromit, so it’s like we’re two simultaneous branches of animation. A company like Pixar can bankroll plenty of artistic development that we couldn’t, as we just don’t have that kind of money. Having said that, necessity is the mother of invention.”

Speaking about the Blackrock Animation Film Festival, he said: “Festivals like this are vitally important for the industry and its the future. It’s a great opportunity for young filmmakers to have their work seen and get feedback from industry professionals.”

SHIBARI marks the Abbey debut of both writer Gary Duggan and director Tom Creed and is one of those terms that you probably shouldn’t Google in work.

Inspired by the art of Japanese rope bondage, Shibari is a story of loose connections, the ties that bind and the messy tangles we find ourselves in.

Weaving a story of cosmopolitan Dublin, family and loss, Duggan’s play relies on a series of two-handed scenes as the characters navigate their way through relationships, families and grief.

In order for the play to work, therefore, the characters have to be well-drawn and the performances strong.

Luckily, that is the least of the concerns here. Orion Lee’s Hideo is a standout, giving an understated, nuanced performance as Hideo, a Japanese florist.

Michael Yare is another who gives a star turn, infusing his English movie star Nick with warmth and vulnerability.

Ultimately, the play moves well, but the ending is rather unfulfilling, with too many strands left unexplored and the audience left to imagine just what has happened to the majority of characters.

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 18 October 2012

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE

BEAUTY news Get moisturising and rehydrate your skin this winter

Heatons €25

 LAURA WEBB

Marks & Spencer €54 WINTER warmers are being dusted from closets as temperatures begin to drop, so that can only mean one thing – dry skin.

To tackle this problem this winter the one thing we need to include in our daily routine is that simple lotion called moisturiser.

Yes we all know what it is, but how often do we us it?

During the winter, those with more dry skin than others should use it more regularly than those with normal or oily skin. The best time to moisturise is after a shower or bath, after exfoliating a n d a l s o a f te r shaving.

Here are some Ga zette Style recommendations. Zia ja’s latest moisturising range using three different natural oil types - argan oil (Quench) which has revolutionised hair care, is used to reinforce the skin’s lipid barrier and improve skin texture and offer thirsty skin a burst of hydration. Avocado Oil (Nourish) a nutrient packed super foods and vitamins is ideal for anyone suffering from dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis as it absorbs quickly into deep tissue.

Finally, grape seed oil (Protects) encourages the production of elastin to keep the skin elastic, and a variety of vitamins that protect against damage.

Each body lotion from the range come with a RRP of €5.99 and is available to selected pharmacies nationwide or on www.originalbeauty.ie. Each range is also available in a face-cream (€6.99) and hand-cream (€3.99).

Meanwhile, Aveeno have unleashed the power of oats with their Dermexa products that contains oat extracts which help to relieve those little itches that can come with dry skin. It soothes and moisturises dry irritated skin. The soothing emollient cream is suitable for everyone in the family and is available at leading pharmacies nationwide.

S C I H P A R G T GRE A

ing up on ever y th g in p p o p e ar is great graphic prints g is in - like th in st ra nt co d ashing an Penneys this season, cl ir t, €13 from sk d an 15 € graphic shir t, Debenhams €93

Debenhams €85

Next €60

Heatons €25

Next €43

Penneys €25 Next €36

18 October 2012 gazette 19

Gazette

MUSIC FASTtunes

Ethneos’ blend of styles creating a new power folk Dublin-based grunge-folk band Entheos have just released their latest EP, Where Creatures Meet, and the first single from the EP, Tend the Dark Flame, is available for free download through the band’s Facebook page.

Over the past few years, Entheos have made a name for themselves as an energetic and impressive live act. They have played regular sets in Dublin, and have played in venues around Ireland, with a few select dates in Europe. They have played support to some of the biggest names in Irish music, including Damien Dempsey and Kila. For more information, see facebook.com/ entheosirl.

Husker Du and Sugar founder Bob Mould with current bandmates Jason Narducy and Jon Wurster

MUSIC REVIEW: legend’s return to power-pop perfection

Sweet like Sugar SOME things simply get better with age. Fine wines. Cheese. Me. One of the other things is Bob Mould, founder member and driving force behind the best band of the eighties, Husker Du, the second best thing to ever come out of Minneapolis after Prince.

If you look at any interview with the biggest acts of the nineties - The Pixies, Nirvana, and so on - they all cite Husker Du and Mould’s velocity-and-vertigo guitar style as major influences.

Now 51, Mould is back on the road and is effortlessly hitting the heights he scaled with Husker Du and his second

 ROB HEIGH news@gazettegroup.com

band, Sugar, as well as the peaks he has scaled time and again throughout his solo career.

The driver this time is the release of Silver Age, his tenth solo release, and what an utterly convincing return to what he does best — propellent-based melodic rock — it is.

Opener Star Machine is a statement of intent – tubthumping drums and rolling bass before a torrent of guitar rips

the song clean open as the chorus arrives. It is a perfect introduction to the ten brief tracks on Silver Age, which lasts all of 38 minutes, a comet of a record that leaves a glorious trail in its wake.

It’s also the most Husker thing on the record. The power-trio format that defined Mould as a genre-defining artist is back in place — Jason Narducy on bass and Superchunk’s Jon Wurster on drums — and is the perfect fuel that the guitarist-singer sets alight.

The title of the album is clearly reflective of Mould’s awareness of his own position in the rock firmament - he might be

51, but he remains utterly committed and relevant.

With Foo Fighters and No Fear both heralding his gift to melodic rock over the years, the vigour with which every track is attacked by the trio is a reminder who did it first, and in many cases, who did and still continues to do it best.

The title track contains the lyric, “Never too old to contain my rage”, and it’s interesting to hear him sing, “I didn’t want to sing the song that gave people so much hope” on the magnificent track that follows it, The Descent.

Mould has seen it all and still has the fire in his belly to fight anything that might be percieved

as a dying of the light. In fact, he’s burning brighter than ever. And if you need proof of that, watch him melt the speakers and destroy the level meters on Late Night With David Letterman recently - youtube.com/ watch?v=Ieb_T9ylY4o To say Silver Age is a return to form would be a bit of an understatement.

This is an artist with a purpose and intent and a drive to create noise pop havoc that has always been tweaking at the corners of his more considered solo material, but has never been so perfectly expressed as it is here since the release of Copper Blue with Sugar 20 years ago.

Gazette

20 gazette 18 October 2012

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

more

theatre THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 Brendan Grace

THE greatest family comedian of his generation proudly presents 40 years in the comedy business.

Brendan’s new show features some brand new material and some old favourites from his vast repertoire, including all-time favourite parodies such as Father of the Bride and Chinese Takeaway. As always, it is advisable to secure your ticket early. Grace is playing two shows on October 19 and 20.

Tickets are priced at €31.

mill theatre 01 296 9340 Sylvia’s Quest

THIS innovative promenade show uses cutting-edge radio technology, which empowers you to listen to the sounds, voices and worlds which only Sylvia can usually see and hear on headphones.

Sylvia’s Quest invites you to take to Dundrum and follow Sylvia on her thrilling quest through the centre’s labyrinth.

Sylvia shares her multiple worlds with you, her new friend, as she guides you through her secret streets and time portals.

The show runs from October 17-21 and tickets are priced at €12/€10.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 Ride On

A Honda 50 bike-run forms the background of a hilarious new play by writer Seamus O’Rourke.

Five members of the Drumkarren Honda Club are sitting in a run-down shed in Co Cavan, ready to embark on a bike-ride, awaiting the other 20 members (seemingly “stuck” in a pub in Killeshandra).

Running from November 6-10 at 8pm, tickets are €20/€16.

The five teens at the heart of The Perks of Being a Wallflower take some time to contemplate their changing lives

cinema: Stephen Chbosky brings his iconic 1990s novel to the screen

Young love blooms ALLOWING your book to be adapted for the big screen must a terrifying experience for modern writers.

The constant secondguessing of screenwriter, director and cast on forums, chatrooms and social media must make many writers wonder why they bother.

When your book is as loved as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, the challenge is obviously multiplied.

Could a modern audience connect with a lead character who essentially watches what happens, rarely participating?

Could any actress capture the allure and fragility of the character Sam? Would Patrick be reduced to a gay caricature, all sass and no depth?

 paul hosford

phosford@gazettegroup.com

With these questions hanging over the film, writer Stephen Chbosky decided that the only man to capture the book was...the man who captured the book.

Writing and directing his semi-autobiographical epistolary novel, Chbosky rarely bows to the pressures of commercial film-making and turns in a film that is touching, funny and heartwarming.

Centred around Charlie, a teen about to embark on his first day of high school, Perks,

shows the world of an “island of misfit toys” as they attempt to navigate their way through highschool in early 90’s suburban Pittsburgh.

At high school, Charlie meets step-brother and sister Patrick and Sam, with whom Charlie finally feels at home.

On this side of the water, there will naturally be a huge interest in the performance of Emma Watson, post-Hermione, Harry and Hogwarts.

The truth is that when the announcement was made that she would play Sam, many, this reviewer included, wondered if she had the acting chops to take on the role.

This is not a typical nerdy-girl love interest, Sam is one of those frightfully rare creatures,

Film of the Week: The Perks of Being a Wallflower h h h h h (12A) 103mins Director: Stephen Chbosky Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman, Paul Rudd, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Nina Dobrev

OUR VERDICT: FOR fans of the book, this is about as perfect as cinema gets.

Chbosky not only wrote the adaptation of his seminal novel, but also sat in the directors chair. With that comes the transfer of the warmth, the affection and the heart of the book’s trio of misfit leads to the silver screen. Lerman, born a year after the film’s 1991 setting, is stellar as Charlie.

a female character who is both likable, layered and well-written.

As the object of Charlie’s affection, it would be easy to relegate her to simply eye-candy or your basic template of teen romantic interest, but Chbosky makes her much, much more than that.

Fragile yet confident, optimistic yet tortured, desirable yet grounded, Sam essentially inhab-

its the Venn diagram of all things that teenage boys want, but carries the emotional baggage that makes grown men scared.

Watson, for her part, turns in a brilliant, surprising performance, full of nuance and charm.

On the boys side, Logan Lerman anchors the film without ever really saying much. His Charlie is not a character fond of expression or

participation.

Instead, he observes, he notices and, above all, he cares.

Even his mis-steps are charming enough to keep the audience onside and as he learns to live with his own demons, both new and old, it is impossible not to root for him.

Ezra Miller takes on the role of gay best friend but his intense portrayal of Patrick’s lower moments lift him above gay pastiche.

Arrested Development fans will enjoy Mae Whitman as part of the group that welcomes Charlie into their bosom and Paul Rudd sparkles as Charlie’s confidant and English teacher.

This is an honest, affectionate look at the teenagers we all wish we were.

18 October 2012 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

GAMING

BYTES&PIECES A MINI SOLUTION

Latest Pokemon are released into the retail wilds SEEING as I pointed out PETA’s take on Pokemon, below left, I should also point out that Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 are now out on the usual DS platforms, and should send Pokemon’s legions of fans into, well, a happy mood indeed.

Although the likes of Skylanders on the “bigger” consoles have grabbed a lot of attention in recent times, Pokemon still keeps an awful lot of fans happy, and Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 should be a lot of fun.

STILL CATCHIN’ ’EM ALL

Is Apple about to tackle the Kindle?

Welcome to Dunwall – a city best described as a curious blend of Victorian London’s slums with a dash of America’s frontier spirit. With a murdered empress, a mysterious plague, a totalitarian crack-down and all manner of untrustworthy characters (right), it’s an interesting time to be on the run in the city ...

DISHONOURED: A ROYALLY ENTERTAINING TITLE

Reclaim your honour WITH Christmas around the corner, gamers are about to be spoilt for choice as some heavyweight titles lumber into view on all platforms.

First up, we have a new release, Dishonoured; a cross-platform title that oozes just as much flair and style as its grim streets drip and slip with nefarious goings-on – in the best possible way, of course.

Stepping into the wrongfully-accused shoes of Corvo (basically, something of a cross between a soldier, an assassin, and a supernaturalist), you begin the game languishing in prison, wrongly accused of murdering the Empress.

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@gazettegroup.com

What’s a self-respecting former bodyguard with his name to clear and vengeance on his mind to do?

That’s right – it’s up to you to escape, romp about the mean city streets of Dunwall, uncover secrets and conspiracies, track down the cads responsible for the murder, and ensure that they face a lot more than tears before bedtime ...

Although it’s obsten-

ANOTHERWEEBYTE

PETA’S NEW MISSION: TO FREE POKEMON

sibly “just” another first-person-perspective game, Dishonoured shoots, carves and slices out its very own genre (for mature gamers), as it blends several genres together to create a singularly striking game.

That’s “striking” as in visually striking, yet also in that Corvo can strike at his enemies with a vareity of weaponry – including displaying an aristocrat’s skill with blades – as well as using his special, dark powers to do everything from slowing down time to, umm, possessing rats, to scraper and scamper about with ease.

Although it’s not a particularly long title to play through, there’s

much to enjoy, with a game world that adapts and reacts to the gamer’s style of playing, with subtle consequences to some of the player’s broad strokes.

For example, those who fancy themselves as dashing blades with Zorro’s skill will find Dunwall becoming even dingier – all those dispatched throughout the city having a tendency to attract ever more rats to her already plague-ridden streets, you see.

It’s up to you to decide how to play through the game – some may enjoy sneaking around, eavesdropping on conversations and piecing together a larger story,

while others will simply tear around like a bull in a china shop.

However, regardless of your playing style, Dishonoured rewards exploration and experimentation, with a richer than usual world, and story, to experience.

Special mention must be made of the game’s art style, with legendary Half Life 2 designer Viktor Antonov once again creating a tangible sense of place and identity, with every last corner of Dunhall’s slums, warehouses, homes and palaces created in style.

Fusing together such a wide range of contents, it’s an honourable game from Arkane Studios.

I LOVE this story! Game sites around the world pricked up their furry yellow ears at the news that PETA has once again set its sights on Pokemon, comparing the plight of Pokemon to “elephants chained up in train carts, waiting to perform” (as written on its website).

Of course, animal cruelty is no laughing matter, and is nothing to joke about, and all animal charities are to be rightfully lauded for their tireless work for our fellow creatures. However ... Pokemon? Perhaps Pikachu looks so happy here at the thought of finally leaving Ash – and no more fighting!

THIS is probably the 24,562,786th story about Apple in the papers – today – but all signs point to an imminent launch of the iPad Mini (working title); a portable tablet that Apple are expected to use to tackle rival tablets, such as Amazon’s Kindle.

Expected to be a wifi-only model, and with an “affordable” pricing point (rumoured to be about $200), the iPad Mini would be a practical solution to stop other big rivals, such as Amazon, from cornerning the increasingly lucrative tablet (and e-book reader) market.

Although the late Steve Jobs was against entering the tablet market, the slow but steady rise of e-readers, the opening up of new markets, and shifting consumer markets could make a new Apple tablet (that’s more portable than the larger iPad models) a lucrative move.

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22 GAZETTE 18 October 2012

GAZETTE

& OUT ABOUT road

MOTORS

NOISE

Grand Cherokee S Limited on the way THE exclusive new Jeep Grand Cherokee S Limited is set for its Irish debut in early 2013.

It combines the aggressive looks of the SRT8, courtesy of its exclusive body kit, 20-inch wheels and unique black detailing (grilles, headlamps, tinted glass, etc.) with the frugal refinement of the diesel-powered Limited and Overland models.

The interior of the S Limited has been reworked to match the sporty exterior revisions, with a heated sports steering wheel, leather and suede SRT8-style seats, carbon fibre door and dashboard inserts and special aluminium pedals, all as standard.

Final specification and pricing for the Jeep Grand Cherokee S Limited will be announced closer to the vehicle’s expected launch in Ireland in early 2013, pending the announcement of the Government’s vehicle-taxation policy for next year.

Grand Cherokee S

TOYOTA TAKES TOP SPOT IN GLOBAL BRANDS: TOYOTA was again named the world’s most valuable automotive brand in the recently published report Best Global Brands 2012 by Interbrand.

This year’s report sees Toyota’s brand valuation by Interbrand surge 9% and secure an overall top 10 spot across all industries.

According to Interbrand, Toyota’s success is due largely to continued customer loyalty, an impressive line-up of environmentally friendly products such as the Toyota Prius, and a strengthening appeal with younger customers.

In June this year, Toyota also emerged on top for the second

year running as the Best Global Green Brand.

Interbrand highlighted Toyota’s continued determination to maintain environmental sustainability as a top management priority as a key part of the company’s success story.

Interbrand looks at the on-going investment and management of the brand as a business asset when compiling the Best Global Brands report.

The methodology of the report takes into account a multitude of ways in which a brand connects and adds value to the organisation.

The 2012 edition of the Toyota European Sustainability Report is now available online: http://toyota. eu/sustainability/

The Mondeo’s CO2 emissions put the car firmly in the tax band A, costing a mere €104 per year

FORD: THE MONDEO TITANIUM ECO DESERVES ITS REPUTATION

An accomplished and comfortable saloon

 CORMAC CURTIS

I WAS pleasantly surprised with Ford on a number of occasions this year.

Specifically, the joy of family driving with the Ford C-Max, and also, the excitement when I got to try the Focus with Ford’s extraordinary new Ecoboost engine.

This month, I was treated to a week with Ford’s flagship saloon, the Mondeo Titanium ECO. The days of petrol heads trying to out-do each other in terms of engine size are long gone.

No longer do you see a line of 2.5 and 3.0-litre engines in the office car park, the real bragging rights belong to those with a car that brings the

most comfortable driving, the smallest engine, the lowest emissions and best performance.

If you can get all this with a boot big enough to hold the Leinster front row – so much the better.

No prizes for guessing what saloon offers all of this in one very attractive package – yes indeed, the Focus Titanium ECO. I don’t like to get too bogged down in figures and specs, but it is difficult to get away from just how much is on offer here.

For starters, the engine itself is the 1.6 TDCi producing 115PS with just 114 g/km in CO2 emissions. This puts the car firmly in tax band A, costing a mere €104 per year.

This motor will take

the Mondeo to 190km/h where it is legal to do so, and will take you from 0-100 km/hr in 11.9 seconds.

OK, so the acceleration won’t get your heart beating too fast, but for a comfortable saloon, the rest of the equation works out perfectly. A quick cruising speed, modest engine size, low tax, and with a combined fuel consumption rate of just 4.3 litres/100 km means this package is attractive before you even begin to consider the comfort and style on offer.

At this stage, I must point out that there is a new Mondeo due to be launched next year, but that might just give you a little leverage when you’re at a Ford dealer haggling over the price of

one of these babies.

The look speaks for itself. The Mondeo has long since shaken the reputation of a dull saloon – far from it, nowadays this is a car that grabs attention with a striking style statement and an incredibly attractive body shape.

The front end boasts a gaping grille and attractive chrome highlights, which are really set off against the dark body colour of my test model.

The lighting clusters give the car a strong expression, with the front fogs enjoying a split effect that lifts the lower section nicely.

The Mondeo comes in three spec levels, Modeo, Zetec and Titanium, with the Titanium spec certainly putting the driver

in the lap of luxury.

The stylish alloys are 17 inches and have 15 spokes, while the interior offers luxurious Alcantara leather–trim sports style seats.

Entertainment and communication is via the Sony stereo radio/CD with USB connection for iPod/MP3 devices.

For safety, the car has LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

All in all, the Mondeo deserves all the credit and praise it has enjoyed in recent years. It is a most accomplished and comfortable saloon that is practical and economical to run, as well as enjoying a luxurious spec.

18 October 2012 LUCAN gazette 23

adoption: help the dspca rehouse abandoned and mistreated animals

Make room for a new furry friend  ROB HEIGH

The Dublin Society For The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), Ireland’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity was founded in 1840, and takes in stray, sick, injured and cruelly treated animals.

Every day in their centre in Rathfarnham, there are pets looking for new and loving homes. Each dog and cat is microchipped, wormed, deflea-ed, and has received its first vaccination. They also currently have rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, degus, goats and birds seeking new homes.

Animals over six

months old are neutered before being re-homed.

Dogs, cats, horses, birds and many other small companion animals brought to the Dublin SPCA are found new caring homes while some others remain in the care of the Dublin SPCA for the rest of their days.

The DSPCA has a set of adoption policies that they ask all potential adoptees to go through, and there is a small fee involved in adopting a new pet through the centre.

“Our adoption fees do not cover the full cost of the treatment and care your chosen pet may have received whilst at our rescue and rehoming centre.

PEt of the week Meet Timber, a big teddy bear of a dog I’m Timber, a four-year-old male Malamute cross. I am strong on the lead so would be best suited to a home with experienced owners who will continue my training with me. I get on pretty well with most other dogs but I would love to find a new home where I am the only dog. I need a special home with people who will give me a lot of time and who will be patient with me. If you would be interested in giving me the home, I deserve then please make an appointment to meet me by calling DSPCA Adoptions on 01 4994700.

“Fees are necessary if we are to continue helping the sick, injured and cruelly treated animals in need and we always welcome additional donations” You can see more of the animals looking for home and the DSPCA’s adoption policies by visiting www.dspca.ie/ AdoptaPet. However, due to the numbers of animals they receive each week, it is not possible to feature them all, so the staff are asking potential adoptees to visit the shelter in Rathfarnham on Monday to Friday from 11am to 4.30pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 4pm.

The staff at the centre

are currently advising pet owners to get their pets microchipped or, if they are already microchipped, check that they are registered to you and that all your details are up to date. Many pets go missing at this time of the year and it is important that they are reunited as quickly as possible with their owners.

As a charity, the DSPCA raises muchneeded funds through a number of different initiatives. The DSPCA Veterinar y Hospital, located at the main gates of the DSPCA, is just one of these where all profits go back to helping rescue animals. To find out more visit www.vetclinicdspca.ie

Gazette

PETS

24 LUCAN gazette 18 October 2012

Gazette

& OUT ABOUT fast TRAVEL

Wing your way to a superb Turkey break

HAVING been crowned Destination Of The Year 2012 at the recent Food and Travel Reader Awards, Istanbul is now regarded as one of Europe’s top city-break destinations, with more than eight million visitors annually.

To celebrate, Turkish Airlines have released some great offers on flights from Dublin to Istanbul, offering Irish tourists the perfect excuse to experience the wonder of Turkey’s largest city, with flights from just €179 return, including taxes and charges.

The offer is available for a limited time only, and is valid until November 30.

Travel must be undertaken between November 1 and April 30, 2013, with the offer not valid between December 28 and January 13.

For further information or to make a booking, see www.turkishairlines.com.

Uniquely, Istanbul straddles two continents

It’s all plain sailing on a delightful cruise FOR anyone who fancies a bit of sunshine rather than bracing themselves for the Irish winter weather, perhaps a pre-Christmas cruise could be just the thing to warm your spirits?

Thomas Cook offers the perfect getaway in the run up to the festive season, with five-star cruise experiences to exotic destinations around the world.

For example, why not avail of a 13-night cruise around the Canary Islands, from €1,099 per person, departing on November 22? Ports of call include Southampton, Madeira, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Lisbon and Vigo.

Alternatively, you could take a seven-night Mediterranean Cruise on board the MSC Splendida, from just €469, calling on Barcelona, La Goulette, Palermo, Civitavecchia, Genoa, Marseille and returning to Barcelona.

Prices are based on two adults sharing, with all taxes, charges and flights included.

To book, call Thomas Cook Cruise at 01 514 0337, visit your nearest travel agent, or see www. thomascookcruise.ie.

dubai: something for everyone in this glittering arabian jewel

Desert your blues with a spectacular city’s charm THERE seems to be a common misconception when it comes to traveling to Dubai – any Irish tourists under the illusion that they’re in for a hectic, long-haul journey to a purely Vegasstyle destination could be pleasantly disappointed.

In fact, discovering Dubai has become more popular as not just a romantic honeymoon spot, a shopping mecca and modern business hub, but as a universal draw and an ideal spot for families looking for the perfect destination.

 natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

There aren’t too many places in the world where you can ski in the middle of the desert, or take a stroll through a city made for, and by, children.

Whether it’s taking a camel ride in the desert, riding a water-rapid at one of the world’s best waterparks, or sharing dinner with a local fam-

ily, Dubai is one destination that combines fun, culture and relaxation.

For example, you could take the kids to visit Aquaventure – a 42-acre waterpark overflowing with speed-slides, river rapids and lush tropical landscapes, or enjoy one of life’s most memorable moments by swimming with a dolphin at Dolphin Bay. If it’s adrenaline and a bit of adventure you’re seeking, explore the mysterious ruins of the Lost Chambers, or visit the first ever SEGA Repub-

From desert treks to state-of-the-art aquariums and indoor skiing, Dubai has utterly transformed its desert location into an area that’s full of diverse activities

At 321m, the iconic, five-star luxury hotel Burj Al Arab

lic theme park, with nine heart-stopping attractions and 250 amusement games.

To immerse yourself in a bit of culture, discover the “real” Dubai on an Arabic desert safari by taking a camel ride, or speed through the dunes in a 4X4, or take the chance to learn about the Emerati culture and religion with a visit to the Jumeirah Mosque – the only mosque open to the public in Dubai.

Children (and you) will love the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo – the largest suspended aquarium in the world, housing more than 33,000 aquatic animals – while a visit to see KidZania (a city made for children) will let your kids live their grown-up dreams.

Take one of the world’s fastest elevators to the 124th floor of the Burj

Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, to steal the city’s greatest view, and be sure to catch sight of the world’s largest dancing fountain at the Burj Khalifa Lake.

With more than 6,000 superlights, the fountain is visible from more than 20 miles away, making it the brightest spot in the Middle East.

Rising from the Arabian Gulf on the crescent of the iconic Palm Island is the spectacular resort of Atlantis, one of Dubai’s most soughtafter hotels.

Inspired by the ocean, everything about Atlantis is larger than life.

Designed to exhilarate, the resort is a luxurious but family-friendly holiday haven.

The resort’s stunning beach invites guests to relax in the sunshine, whilst the spa promises complete rejuvena-

18 October 2012 LUCAN gazette 25

fast

Gazette

Travel

TRAVEL

Parknasilla Resort and Spa, Sneem, Co Kerry

families: relax with a spa getaway in co kerry

(Tower of the Arabs) is just one of the architectural marvels that Dubai boasts, attracting visitors from

tion. Atlantis is a place where an exotic marine landscape is combined with luxury guest rooms, diverse restaurants and stylish boutiques.

The resort also encompasses the water park Aquaventure, as well as a massive open-air marine habitat.

Considered Dubai’s most stylish beach resort, the One&Only Royal Mirage is a second resort that promises to live up to its name.

In a city renowned for its soaring skyscrapers, the One&Only Royal Mirage instead recalls the romance of Old Arabia, with 65 acres of lush, green lawns and immaculate flower beds, set along a kilometre of private beachfront.

The resort offers three hotels including The Palace, along the beachfront; the Arabian Court, and the Residence & Spa

– an intimate sanctuary in the heart of Dubai.

For details on the Royal Mirage, see www. oneandonlyresorts.com; for Atlantis, and The Palm, see www.atlantisthepalm.com.

Getting there With approximately six and a half hours’ flight time, and a direct route now transporting people from Dublin Airport to Abu Dhabi on a daily basis, is it any wonder Etihad Airways have something to shout about?

As the airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad has in just eight years established itself as one of the world’s best airlines, being named as the World’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards in recent years.

In 2012 alone, Etihad has transported almost seven million passengers

worldwide, to date.

Etihad takes great pride in giving its customers a five-star experience in the sky, and promises a unique service for all passengers traveling in Diamond First Class, Pearl Business Class or Coral Economy Class.

With one of the most comfortable and ergonomically-designed economy options in the sky, Etihad has more than 600 hours of ondemand entertainment on their in-flight system, and a varied menu and cafe service.

Flying from Dublin, you will land at Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi Airport, Etihad Airways’ elegant and purpose-built terminal, and be transported by bus to Dubai, just an hour away.

For further details of Etihad flights and options, see www.etihadairways.com.

all over the world

The world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, invites visitors to the 124th floor to take in some of the city’s many diverse sights and activities for all the family

FROM treasure hunts and outdoor adventures to luxury bedrooms and all-weather hot tubs, Parknasilla Resort and Spa in the beautiful county of Kerry has everything a family needs to indulge in a relaxing break this autumn.

Located in Sneem, Co Kerry, the five-star resort stands with spectacular views over Kenmare Bay and the Kerry mountains, and provides the ideal location for any family break.

Spend two nights’ bed and breakfast in one of the hotel’s many luxury bedrooms, and explore the beautiful surroundings with a choice of seven mapped walks, a round of golf and an archery lesson, as well as a Fairy Trail, where the kids can search for Parknasilla’s infamous mythical fairies.

Fun outdoor activities include tennis and fishing, treasure hunts and walking trails, while guests also enjoy complimentary access to the hotel’s pool.

While the children are enjoying the adventure and fresh air of Parknasilla’s great outdoors, mum and dad can make the most of the spa’s thermal suite and outdoor hot tubs.

Parknasilla features the great tradition of Irish hospitality that has always appealed to families, and this tradition is sure to be passed on to a new generation of guests.

The great facilities and activities for children, spacious villas and lodges that provide comfort for all the family, and its thermal spa treats and nights off for mum and dad, make this an ideal family holiday.

Enjoy two nights’ B&B with dinner on one evening for adults from €199 PPS. Children under the age of four stay for free at the resort, with children aged from four to 12 charged at a rate of €30 for bed and breakfast.

To book your family break this autumn, visit www.parknasillahotel.ie, or call 064 667 5600.

26 Lucan gazette 18 October 2012

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18 October 2012 LUCAN gazette 27

soccer P28

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community



Gazette

kite-surfing P29

FastSport Clubs’ social media seminar:

Ronan Gormley, the first Irish player on the left, will hope his side can continue their rise up the world rankings as they received last-gasp funding Picture: Adrian Boehm

hockey: Irish men’s team raise €60,000 in five days to fund trip to Argentina

‘Remarkable’ support gives Gormley massive motivation CLONSKEA man Ronan Gormley said that he was truly inspired by fundraising efforts that raised over €60,000 in five days to help the Ireland’s men’s hockey team travel to the world ranking Champions Challenge tournament in Argentina next month.

Speaking about the fundraising drive, he said: “What has taken place over the last week is simply remarkable.

“On behalf of the Irish Men’s team, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have contributed.

We have been told that we have inspired people through our performances…right

now we are truly inspired by them.”

The situation arose in the wake of the Irish Hockey Association (IHA) board’s decision to withdraw the side from the competition, initially due to the lack of a coach but subsequently announced as a result of a budget shortfall.

It was a move that would have seen a hefty fine imposed by the International Hockey Federation and a large world ranking points deduction. The manner of the communication saw a backlash from senior players and the hockey public and forced an about-face last Friday from the IHA.

They set a target of €45,000 to be raised by yesterday’s deadline, a figure which was surpassed via over 380 online donations as well as contributions from businesses.

While the final numbers remain to be finalised, the surplus has been ringfenced for events in 2013.

Speaking about the outcome, the IHA chairman of the board Dennis Millar said: “The board are thrilled that through a team effort and support from the community and benefactors that the team is now partaking in the Champions Challenge. We look forward to supporting

them at this upcoming ranking event.”

Speaking on RTE, meanwhile, IHA chief executive Angus Kirkland said the IHA board “under-estimated the depth of feeling and support for the men’s national team” adding: “the strength of feeling around the hockey community has enabled us to change that decision.”

In the short term, it allows Ireland to travel to the Champions Challenge which gets underway on November 24 in Quilmes with Ireland grouped with the hosts Argentina, Japan and South Africa in the initial phase of the competition.

DUBLIN local sports partnerships are calling on sports clubs to sign up for the 2012 Social Media Seminar for Sports Clubs at the Red Cow Inn on Saturday, November 17.

This year’s event will run from 9.30am to 1.30pm followed by lunch and a chance to network with other local clubs.

The main speaker will be Liam Horan (ex-journalist at the Irish Independent and RTE).

For more information or to register, log onto www.eventelephant.com/socialmediaforclubs.

Clubs can register online for a fee of €20 per person (and an online registration fee of €1.70) which includes lunch, parking, and an information pack.

c o n ta c t s Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@gazettegroup.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205

Gazette

28 LUCAN gazette 18 October 2012

SPORT

FastSport FINGAL set for road to rio: THE FAI and Fingal County Council, in conjunction with Swords Pavilions, have announced the launch of the new Road to Rio after-school football programme.

The Road to Rio, which will coincide with the Republic of Ireland’s bid to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, is aimed at increasing participation in football in Fingal.

A number of different programmes will take place in schools, clubs and community centres in the region.

The competition begins this week in Skerries and Balbriggan and will provide primary-school kids with an opportunity to test their skills in an eight-week smallsided-games competition.

Also part of the programme are a number of after-school clubs, in which qualified FAI coaches will deliver fun coaching sessions to boys and girls aged five to 10. For further information, please contact Paul Keogh at paul.keogh@fai.ie.

Soccer: strong local contingent receives representative call-ups

Leinster interpros edged out  sport@gazettegroup.com

PALMERSTOWN CS’ Jamie Gooner y captained a Leinster schools squad that came up just short in their bid to continue the province’s brilliant run of results in the FAI Schools U18 Boys’ Interprovincials.

He was part of a team that also featured Clonkeen College’s Steven Byrne, St Kilian’s DSD’s Nika Arevadze, Malahide’s CS’ Dylan Cashin and Clayton Stafford of Collinstown Park Community College.

They just missed out on Leinster’s sixth successive title, having won 10 of the last 11 tournaments, playing out

a scoreless draw with Munster in the decisive match that saw the silverware make its way south.

Leinster’s opening encounter saw them pit their wits against Ulster’s best schoolboys and it was a good start for their attempted title defence although they conceded first with Aidan Sweeney scoring first for the northerners. However, Wexford man Kevin O’Connor was on hand with a brace to cancel out Sweeney’s earlier attempt.

With a win meaning two points in the tournament format, Munster and Leinster were deadlocked at the top with

two points, with Ulster and Connacht yet to bank points after the Friday fixtures.

John McShane’s defending champions could perhaps have taken the westerners a bit lightly in the penultimate games played on the Saturday, the Connacht side scored the only goal of the encounter with Portumna’s Conor Barry giving Tom Byrne’s side their first victory of the weekend.

Leinster may have noticed the title slipping away when Ulster banked another point from their clash with Munster, leaving them on top of the table and with Connacht seeing off

Leinster captain Jamie Goonery with Sean Carr at the tournament presentations

the reigning champions, that left the west equal with Leinster.

Therefore, Leinster not only needed to win their own game against the unbeaten Munster men, but they would also need Connacht to lose or draw. Munster certainly made it tough for the Leinster men as they aimed to become the first province to claim six FAI Schools U18 Boys’ Interprovincial title in a row.

They battened down

the hatches and effectively parked the bus knowing that a draw from the encounter would see them lift the trophy.

Connacht did everything they needed to do in their closing game against Ulster, scoring the only goal of the last day’s play, and putting themselves on top of the league table via youngster Liam Flatley who pounced on an opportunity in the dying embers of the game.

With the situation the way it was, Connacht then needed Leinster to find a winner against Munster, although they would have been level with McShane’s side on four points.

They would have taken the tournament lead on the head to head result, having seen off the Leinster men the day before.

The goal would not come, however, and Munster were crowned champions.

Dublin ladies turn on the style at Wright Venue  sport@gazettegroup.com

Dublin stars Fiona Hudson, Emma Colgan, Paul Flynn, Siobhan Woods and Niamh McEvoy. Picture: Peter Hickey

DUBLIN Ladies GAA will be showing another side of themselves as they take to the catwalk for the biggest event in the players’ social calendar.

The world’s of sport and style will collide at their annual fashion show, which takes place in the Wright Venue, Swords, on Saturday, October 27.

GAA heroes Bernard Brogan, Paul Flynn, David Curtin and Shane Durkin will strut their stuff, alongside players from the Dublin Ladies U-14s, U-16s,

minor and senior teams as part of the fundraising event.

Hosting the event is St Brigid’s Joanne Cantwell, herself a former Dublin footballer and face of RTE Sport.

Styling the Dublin Ladies GAA is fashionista Catherine Condell who will be showcasing the latest looks for the season at the show.

Another Irish fashion icon and presenter of RTE’s Off the Rails Live, Sonya Lennon, will head up a guest panel of judges to find the winner of Dublin’s Next Top Model and will also secretly scan the audience for Best Dressed

during the event. The show will feature sportswear and party wear with brands such as Elverys, O’Neills, Debenhams, Penneys, Cari’s Closet, Louis Copeland and Peter Mark hair stylists.

Dublin’s dynamic half-forward and All-Star in 2011, Paul Flynn is one of the GAA stars lining out on the night: “I’m used to a very different kind of stage, though I’m really looking forward to taking part in the show. It will be a great night”.

Speaking on behalf of the Dublin Ladies Association, chairperson Maureen King said: “This

event will raise funds to support and invest in the development of Dublin Ladies GAA, ensuring that the inter-county players of today and the future have access to the best in class coaches, equipment, structures and practices to compete and enjoy playing at the highest level.Come along and support the girls - there’s more to Dublin Ladies GAA than what you see on the pitch!”

Tickets are priced €20 (€15 for U-18s). Visit www.dublinladiesgaelic.ie to find out more details or contact the ticket office on 086 0285539.

18 October 2012 LUCAN gazette 29

Gazette

Achill invitation has Jade high as a kite Jade O’Connor is making big waves on the world kite-surfing scene, one which was given major recognition with Olympic inclusion for Rio de Janeiro in 2016 confirmed in April this year DUBLINER Jade O’Connor has been included among an elite list of just 33 riders to compete at the prestigious Aer Lingus Kite Surf Pro (KSP) championships in Achill Island.

The event runs from October 19 to 28 and is the first time a world-level event of this ilk will come to these shores.

Following a 14th place finish at a European championship event in La Baule, France, and 34th in the worlds in Sardinia in the past month, O’Connor is delighted to have been offered the chance to take on the challenge.

The arrival of the tour adds another boost for

 stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com

the growth of the sport in Ireland coming a few months after kite-surfing was named among the Olympic disciplines for 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

For O’Connor, this is the ultimate aim after a number of years making her name on the pro tour, something that would not have been possible up to now.

“I’m in the process of putting together a campaign to represent Ireland

in 2016. It’s made a substantial difference,” she told GazetteSport.

“Now that nationalities are on the line rather than people if you like for podium places, there’s a huge injection of support in terms of coaching, equipment and sponsorship. It’s ramping up left, right and centre which is really awesome. Previously, a pro career would be a very difficult one.”

The sport combines elements of wake-boarding and surfing with the aid of a kite acting as a sail, making for a physicallydemanding three-dimensional challenge.

O’Connor got into the sport after a life on the water, her earliest memo-

Jade O’Connor is Achill-bound this weekend for on the Kite Surf Pro tour

ries going to the Shannon while she started sailing when just five years of age.

She rose to international level in both mirrors and catamarans, competing at world championship level in her college days.

regularly at international level. If there is an event in Australia or Miami, you have to be there.

“Particularly for Ireland, because we don’t have that many athletes for us to train among ourselves, we always have to go abroad. That just

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‘It doesn’t matter what sport you compete in, you have to compete regularly at international level. If there is an event in Australia or Miami, have to be there’ --------------------------------------------------------

She has since become not just a sailing instructor but also can teach surfing and wind-surfing but the kite version has become her over-riding passion.

With that Olympic inclusion, it is now something she hopes to pursue full-time if she can get the funds together with a three-year programmer likely to cost in the region of €250,000.

“With the Olympics on board, our outlook has to be professional even though it’s called an amateur game. I have sponsors on board – Cabrinha and Pure Magic - but ultimately, it is all hinging on getting a benefactor until next May when the Sports Council will come on board.

“It doesn’t matter what sport you compete in; you have to compete

makes it expensive.”

The event in Achill offers the perfect chance to showcase her talent. Ireland was hand selected as one of just four tour stops as a result of its exposed Atlantic seaboard on the west coast and extended reefs. It has long made Ireland a hidden gem in the surfing community, known colloquially as the “cold water Hawaii”.

“We’re lucky top have the KSP arriving which is a world invitational tour.

They have four events a year and only invite the best riders and only use the best locations at the best time. These guys do not sell out.

“I’m just really happy to be out on the water every day, pursuing my passion but to get recognition and to be able to compete at that level is a huge honour.”

FastSport

Shillington honoured with Cricket Writer’s award MALAHIDE and Ireland batswoman Clare Shillington was presented with a special Cricket Writer’s of Ireland (CWI) award for Outstanding Performance last week following her exploits over a glittering career.

She became the first woman to win 100 caps for Ireland in September when she also scored fifties against Pakistan and Bangladesh and her maiden international century against the Netherlands.

The event took place on home turf in Malahide cricket club and was the last one to be presided over by chairman Robin Walsh, who steps down from the CWI when he becomes Cricket Ireland president in 2013.

The occasion was tinged with sadness too, as Walsh recalled the great former secretary of Cricket Ireland John Wright, another Malahide man whose 70th birthday would have been last week.

George Dockrell collected his second notable award of the 2012 season as he was named Russell Court Hotel player of the year, his second award from CWI too, having previously won an ICC associate player of the year award.

The gala evening was graced by the presence of Ireland players Gary Wilson and William Porterfield, who arrived in Dublin earlier in the evening on the third leg of their marathon charity cycle around Ireland.

They told the attendance of their exploits on the road and were heartened by the great reception and support they have been getting throughout the country.

They were joined in Malahide by team-mates Trent Johnston, Ed Joyce, John Mooney, Paul Stirling, Max Sorenson, Kevin O’Brien, George Dockrell and James Shannon. A raffle for a signed shirt and VIP tickets to next season’s game against England yielded takings of €590 which were then passed on to Wilson by the cricket writers for the appeal fund.

Ginger O’Brien – father of internationals Niall and Kevin and a top drawer player in his own right – and Gerry Duffy were inducted into the RSA Hall of Fame which has been a popular segment of the CWI dinner for several years.

Gazette

30 LUCAN gazette 18 October 2012

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: lucan club making waves at new level of football

Local boxers produce high quality exhibitions PETER McCabe, Aaron McGrane, John Zaib, Andy O’Brien, Dean Keating, Conor Horrigan, Chris Roman and Evan Fitzgerald were all in action for Esker ABC as they took on Bracken boxing club last week in a series of exhibition bouts.

Some cracking contest ensued on the night. First up making his debut in the squared circle was 12-year-old O’Brien who got stuck in from the start and left his Balbriggan opponent reeling from his trademark aggression.

Zaib, 11, was in next and he boxed brilliantly from start to finish. Horrigan was barely in the ring next when he dropped his 11-year-old opponent with a right cross that Mike Tyson would’ve been proud of.

Keating displayed his growing potential as a pugilist as he also secured a well deserved draw in his exhibition. Roman had his seaside opponent in all sorts of trouble on the way to yet another well deserved victory.

McGrane boxed next in a fine exhibition against former European Schoolboy silver medallist Gerard Whitehouse producing brilliant boxing from both contenders in a bout that will stand to both of them in this year’s national championships.

McCabe, meanwhile, made his debut as an intermediate boxer in an absorbing contest against Bracken BC’s highly rated Conor Duffy.

It to-and-froed between both men from the start until McCabe eventually took the upper hand and ran out a convincing winner.

Two days later, Esker ABC fielded seven young boxers, pictured above, on a Whitechurch BC show. Alanna Riordan and Winnie Maughan boxed brilliantly in their respective contests while nine-year-old Ryan Squire and 11-year-old Keelan Costelloe were up next and both boys showed that they have what it takes to go a long way in amateur boxing.

Sean O’Connell, 13, made his long awaited comeback onto the canvas and did really well against his Crumlin BC opponent. Special mention also went to 15-year-old Liam O’Connell who made his debut in Esker ABC colours and astonished all present with his heart, skills and courage.

Esker Celtic’s U-15A side have picked up back-to-back wins over Verona and Cambridge Boys to push on in their DDSL division

Esker oust Cambridge  peter carroll sport@gazettegroup.com

ESKER Celtic’s U-15s seemed to have found their feet in the DDSL A league coming off a fantastic cup win over Verona before claiming a 3-0 win over Cambridge Boys last weekend to put them fourth in the standings last weekend.

It was on the 20-minute mark that Celtic found the edge after a very even set of opening exchanges.

The balanced contest caught some fire when Scott Le Reux split the defence to find Adam Carroll hanging on the

shoulder of his marker before exploding through and finishing very well from 12 yards out.

Cambridge were keen to get back into the game quickly and they piled on the pressure, leading up to the break when their centre forward looked a dead cert to rifle home from 20 yards before some spectacular acrobatics saw Sean Nolan tip the ball around the post and out of the danger zone.

Feeling a bit nervy with 15 minutes on the clock in the second half, manager Fred Cleary switched the forward line bringing

peas surpassed Raheny claim senior honours with late goal PEAMOUNT United’s bid for the women’s FAI Umbro Senior Cup glory came up just short at Dalymount Park as they were undone 2-1 by old rivals Raheny United.

Siobhan Killeen, pictured nicking the ball away from Susan Byrne, played a key role as Raheny came from a goal down to win the tie late on as Noelle Murray struck the crucial goal after Mary Waldron had tied up matters for the Northside club.

on Simon Jaworski and Adam Nolan, to add some power and physicality.

Only five minutes on the pitch and Jaworski was found on the edge of the box before he beat a defender and slipped the ball past the Cambridge Boys’ stopper, giving his team a big edge going into the closing exchanges.

However, Cambridge weren’t finished there and they piled on the pressure as Celtic battled valiantly to keep their clean sheet in an amazing display by the backline and Nolan.

Jaworski finished off the scoring with a fantas-

tic effort in the last few minutes of the game after being found by a long pass. The strong forward took the ball and rounded the keeper before slotting home.

Manager Cleary told GazetteSport that his side is looking to establish themselves in the A-tier since they recently moved up to this level of competition.

“We started off by drawing our first game with Templeogue and then we lost to Tolka Rovers which really made us wake up and assess the step up from the league before.

“A f ter the Verona game last week we really seemed to have found our feet, and we’ve taken two wins now in the league which have put us in a comfortable position.

“Our target for this season is to establish ourselves in the league, if we continue to string results together we can reassess the situation.

“I think we’ve learned from our early fixtures and we have changed the whole system that we originally were playing with to give us a better chance of beating some of the teams in the league,” said Cleary.

18 October 2012 LUCAN gazette 31

 sport@gazettegroup.com

ST PAT’S, Palmerstown were unable to recreate the form they showed first time around as they fell to Templeogue Synge Street 1-17 to 1-6 last week in their Dublin senior football championship last 16 replay.

It meant Synger went through to play reign-

ing champions, St Brigid’s, in the quarter-final after comfortably overcoming Pat’s in Parnell Park.

They led from start to finish with the accuracy of Niall Scully and Mark Hiney’s ninth minute goal helping them to a 1-9 to 0-2 interval advantage.

Pat’s rallied in the

second half with Aidan Glennon leading the way and, with 10 minutes remaining, they had reduced the deficit to six points.

Glennon weighed in with 1-4 to go with the 1-5 he scored in the initial tie that had ended in a 2-11 each draw.

However, points from Cathal Morley, Eoghan

O’Gara and Scully saw Sy nger move out of sight.

It ends an up-anddow n r un for Pat’s marked by great wins over St Mark’s and St Mary’s, Saggart but a heavy defeat to Ballymun Kickhams, scoring just one point, was a tough result to cope with.

hurling: st finian’s unable to live with lucan

Lucan Sarsfields WELL done to our hurlers on winning

resentative boxer as well as family and

the junior B championship on Sunday

friends, we are hoping that each boxer

against St Finian’s. Well done also to

will exceed the €400 target.

our minor ladies football team on win-

Those who are interested in putting

ning their shield final against Castle-

their name forward for boxing can

knock.

reply with their name and team to 086

A white collar boxing fundraiser is

The club is organising a clothing col-

Year. The plan is that approximately

lection to raise funds. Please leave

40 members will receive eight week’s

items of clothing, towels, curtains,

intensive boxing training, starting in

shoes, handbags, belts and soft toys

early January 2013, and following this

inside the front door of the clubhouse

a major white collar boxing event (with

on weekdays from 6pm and weekends

19-20 bouts) will be held in the club at

from 12 noon up until October 26.

quee holding up to 800 spectators.

At the minute, we are in the early

at our clubhouse grounds at the 12th Lock. Football and hurling for boys

committees have been formed to look

born in 2006, 2007 and 2008 is from

after different aspects from venue to

1.30pm to 3pm. Football for girls born

selection of boxers and fundraising

in 2005, 2006 and 2007 is from 1.30pm

(programme, sponsorship and so on).

to 2.15pm and camogie for girls aged

A key part of the selection of boxers is

six and over is from 2.15pm to 3pm. No

that every section of the club is rep-

need to pre-register.

resented so we are looking for volun-

Set dancing classes take place every

teers / nominees from each section,

Wednesday at 8.30pm. Everyone is

including parents/mentors to repre-

welcome, no partner required. website. Mary Flannery’s team will be

is expected to raise a minimum of

in charge next Sunday night.when our

€400. This might sound daunting but

sponsor will be Lucan Village Phar-

with an entire team behind their rep-

macy.

St pat’s Palmerstown

Early blitz sees Lucan claim JBHC in comfort Junior b final

next round is against St Peregrine’s

Lucan Sarsfields 2-14 St Finian’s, Swords 1-4  stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com

LUCAN Sarsfields produced an early masterclass to turn league form on its head and claim the junior B championship with a comprehensive victory over St Finian’s last Sunday on the bigger Parnell Park stage.

It proved a memorable day for the Lucan club as Lucan soared into a 1-6 to no score lead by the 17th minute with Keith Brennan leading the charge.

for the Swords side as the game struggled to gain a full tempo on a mucky, wet surface.

Lucan had the accuracy to score the next five points as Brennan bolstered his personal tally to 1-7 while the likes of Paddy Ward, Clandillon and Andrew Duff also kept the scoreboard moving.

They combined for seven more scores, more than enough to counteract just a solitary Harris point until Shelly’s goal two minutes from the end of normal time, redirecting home Fintan Merryman’s driven effort.

This week’s lotto numbers are on our

Another key part is that each boxer

THE senior footballers saw the senior

stop in the early phases as they bossed most areas of play.

Finian’s, meanwhile, let some easy frees go unconverted to pile on the agony as Lucan drifted further and further out of sight.

And they were doubly stung when Dermot Donnellan’s long range free dropped into the danger area and, at the third attempt, Brian Fagan whipped home.

Shelly and Harris tacked on a point each for a 2-7 to 0-3 half-time scoreline.

And the pain continued in the second half

Our nurseries now take place every Saturday on our all-weather pitch

stages of planning and various sub-

sent juvenile teams.

Indeed, it took 25 minutes before former Fingal captain Dominic Harris got Finian’s on the board from a free, leading them to trail by 11 points at half-time. James Shelly weighed in with a goal in the closing phases of a low-key second half but a comeback was never on the cards in a very lowkey half hour.

For Lucan, Brennan was the architect of the Swords side’s downfall as he rifled home breaking ball around the square for a ninth minute goal.

Fintan Clandillon had already been denied by Gene Griffin’s excellent

2130103 (Ciaran Dunne).

being planned for the club in the New

the end of February, possibly in a mar-

The Lucan Sarsfields junior B hurlers celebrate their championship victory in Parnell Park last Sunday

Gazette

Pat’s bow out of senior championship

ASDFASDSAF Club Noticeboard

in Blakestown on October 28 at 11am.

championship come to an abrupt end

Lotto number and results: first

with a defeat to Templeogue Synge

draw winning numbers – 3, 27, 28 and

Street in the replay for a spot in the

30, there was no winner. The second

quarter-finals.

draw winning numbers were 2, 12,

U-12 hurling had a great win against

26 and 28; there was no winner. Any

Ballyboden. The minor footballers are

three numbers winners: Lisa Smith.

now one step closer to the champi-

The next draw is on Sunday, October

onship quarter-final following a win

21.

against Fingallians on Sunday. The

The first draw jackpot is €10,000, the second draw jackpot is €3,200.

westmanstown/garda THE playing season drew to a close last

December 8. Visit the club’s website

Saturday evening when our interme-

for more information or contact any

diates took on Crumlin away at Pearse

committee member.

Park. Unfortunately, there was no joy

We would like to express our con-

in our final league game as we went

dolences to the family and friends of

down 3-9 to 1-12.

Seamus Bonner who passed away

All adult teams have now completed

last week.

their playing schedules for the year.

Seamus played with the Garda GAA

There was no silverware for the senior

Club for a number of seasons in the

club this year but a big thanks to all of

mid-1970s and gave outstanding serv-

the players, management, sponsors

ice to his native Donegal. May he rest

and supporters for all their efforts

in peace.

during the season.

The hurling weekend saw the U-8s

With the completion of the play-

and U-9s in action. The U-9s beat

ing season, our thoughts now turn

Beann Eadair in a close fought encoun-

to the AGM and our social evening of

ter while the U-8s shared the spoils

Who Wants to be a Thousandaire on

against Thomas Davis.

GazetteSPORT all of your LUCAN sports coverage from page 27-31

championship glory: Lucan Sarsfields claim junior B hurling title with plenty to spare over Finian’s P31

October 18, 2012

scaling new heights: Jade O’Connor on how kitesurfing is taking off P29

Jack Tuite will move to Derby County in January once he turns 16 following an excellent year with Cherry Orchard and the Republic of Ireland underage sides

Tuite signs up with Rams Finnstown resident Jack Tuite attracted to high quality youth academy at Derby County as he signs professional terms with the English club  peter carroll

sport@gazettegroup.com

FINNSTOWN native JackTuite said he jumped at the opportunity to join Derby County following confirmation of his signature this week to link up with the Rams’ academy.

A number of clubs made approaches for the 15-year-old Republic of Ireland underage international but Derby was his choice following a trial last August, one which left a lasting impression.

“What attracted me was the facilities, the people and the fact you can really see a route from the academy to the first team,” he told GazetteSport. “I went on trial after that, they

offered me a contract and I just jumped at it straight away.”

He will link up with the club once he turns 16 in January and will follow in a long line of players from Cherry Orchard to make the switch to Derby, following in the footsteps of Rams’ players both past and present, with Don O’Riordan, Dave Langan, Mark O’Brien and Conor Sammon all having come through the ranks of the Dublin club.

And O’Brien played a part in Tuite’s decision to move to Pride Park. “[O’Brien] made me feel really good about the place. He’s a young lad from Cherry Orchard as well and has made it into the first team. Half of the first team have come through the academy so it just shows if I

put the hard work in, there is a real chance.”

Tuite came to the attention of clubs in England following an impressive youth career in the Cherries colours, winning the SFAI AllIreland U-11 cup a few years ago while his club also reached the U-15 final last year, only falling to Malahide United in the final.

He has also lined out for Ireland seven times, notably captaining an U-15 selection in Qatar when they took on an Aspire academy side. He also played Belgium last March in Killarney and competed in the Umbro Galway Cup. For Derby, the arrival of Tuite is seen as further proof of the Board’s belief that continued investment into the academy is key to the club’s success.

Academy manager Darren Wassall said: “Jack has spent some time with us over the last few weeks and he is a player with real potential “It’s a great fillip for Derby County as a whole that we’ve been able to attract Jack and I think the positive news stories over the last year or so have played a big part in that.

“Players can see there’s a pathway to the first-team squad here at Derby County for youngsters within the Academy.

Cherry Orchard’s club secretary Penny Delmar said: “This is great news for Jack and for Cherry Orchard and we would like to thank everyone at Derby for their efforts in securing this move.”