Lucan

Lucan GAZET TE FREE

February 21, 2013 Find us on

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

INSIDE: Make your child’s communion or confirmation day extra special See P18

Stars:

Fourth annual Gazette Sports Awards preview Page 28

Soccer:

Francis are held by Pegasus in UCD Page 30

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

REVAMP FEARS: Plans for St Catherine’s Park at risk from €33k shortfall Page 4

Weston Airport sold for €3.5m  PAUL HOSFORD

THE sale of Weston Airport was completed last week, with the Lucan airfield being sold to a Galway-based civil engineering firm for €3.5 million.

The NAMA-owned airport had been bought by entrepreneur Jim Mansfield in the early 2000s for more than €4.5 million, but had since fallen into NAMA’s control, along with

much of the Mansfield empire.

The new owner, Brian Conneely, said last week that he plans to upgrade the radar system and buildings and hoped to attract enterprise funding.

Cllr William Lavelle (FG) said he hoped to establish a positive working relationship with Conneely: “I would hope that the new owners of Weston take the opportunity to get around the table with local councillors.”

Full Story on Page 2

On the ball: Local meets rugby legends at Our Lady’s, Crumlin LUCAN lad James Moloney was

delighted to meet former Ireland rugby internationals Reggie Corrigan and Alan Quinlan when they visited Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin recently, as part of the Ulster Bank and RBS

6 Nations Trophy Tour. The eightyear-old was excited to see the RBS 6 Nations and Triple Crown trophies borne by the rugby legends, who were on the ball in talking to James, and other children at the hospital about their experiences.

2 LUCAN Gazette 21 February 2013

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

facilty Deal agreed with Galway firm

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 Financial Controller: Carly Lynch clynch@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Suzanne Sheehy ssheehy@gazettegroup.com Advertising Sales: 01 - 6010240 sales@gazettegroup.com

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www.gazettegroup.com Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Weston Airport’s price rose to €3.5 million before being sold to Galway-based civil engineering firm Brian Conneely & Co Associates

Weston Airport sale completed for €3.5m THE sale of Weston Airport was completed last week, with the Lucan airfield being sold to a Galway-based civil engineering firm for €3.5 million.

The NAMA-owned airport had been bought by entrepreneur Jim Mansfield in the early 2000s for more than €4.5 million, but had since fallen into NAMA’s control, along with much of the Mansfield empire, including apar tment blocks at Citywest and Palmerstown House.

The new owner, Brian Conneely, said last week that he plans to upgrade the radar system and

 paul hosford

phosford@gazettegroup.com

buildings, with a focus on aviation education courses and innovative projects which he hopes could attract enterprise funding.

The sale of Weston Airport marks the first sale of an airport in Ireland for more than 30 years, and Brian Conneely & Co Associates said they were hopeful the sale would “mark a

turning point” in Irish aviation, and act as a “sign of optimism” for the economy.

Last month, The Gazette reported that a sale was close and that there were no plans to develop the lands, as had been feared previously.

A spokesman for the new owners said this week that they were “delighted” with the purchase due to its “proud tradition in Irish aviation”, adding that they hoped to engage with local stakeholders.

“We are keenly aware of the desire in the local community also for sports, social and com-

munity facilities, and we will be examining the potential for such development in consultation with the local authorities and the local community in the coming months.”

Councillor William Lavelle (FG), who tabled an emergency motion at last month’s Lucan Area Committee (LAC) meeting asking any potential buyers of Weston to meet with the council, said that the offer still stood.

He said: “I hope that we have a positive working relationship with the new owners of Weston and would hope that they take the opportuni-

ty to get around the table with local councillors.

“The offer that was extended at the LAC last month still stands,” said Cllr Lavelle, who added that he has written to Conneely outlining this invitation.

C l l r L ave l l e a l s o warned that any surge in air traffic at the site would be “unwelcome”.

“While I would welcome any innovative projects, they would have to be scrutinised, as any intensification of air traffic would be unwelcome by local residents on a number of grounds, such as noise and pollution.”

Choirs to bring heavenly notes to The Civic TWO amateur choirs will bring their shows to the Civic Theatre for two dates in March.

The Soulful, and The Line-Up are amateur community choirs based in Harold’s Cross and Stillorgan.

Directed by Roisin Savage,

both choirs were formed in 2012 and have approximately 45 singers in each group.

The Line-Up’s repertoire includes songs from the rock and pop genres, whereas The Soulful focuses on material from the gospel and soul traditions.

The show, entitled, Rock ‘n’ Soul, will feature songs from both choirs in a show that will be sure to get you singing and dancing in the aisles.

You can look forward to such classic hits as Go Your Own Way, We Built This City, Next To

Me, Try a Little Tenderness and many more The show will take to the stage on Saturday, March 9 and 23 at 8pm. Tickets are priced at €15 for adults and €10 for Under-18s.

For more information, see www. civictheatre.ie.

21 Feburary 2013 LUCAN Gazette 3

schools Fifth consecutive year for event

Council to mark Engineers Week SOUTH Dublin County Council (SDCC), in collaboration with Engineers Ireland, will this week launch Engineers Week 2013 at RUA RED, the South Dublin Arts Centre on Monday, February 25 at 11am.

Coordinated by Engi-

neers Ireland as part of their STEPS to Engineering programme, this year’s theme is entitled, Bringing Dreams to Life.

The Institute of Technology Tallaght (ITT) and local engineering businesses, Vilicom and PM Group, are joining SDCC

to provide events for local children.

This is the fifth consecutive year SDCC has marked the week, with more than 1,600 students from local schools participating this year – the highest number, to date.

Participants will have

an opportunity to talk to ITT academics and students, and to professional engineers from SDCC, Vilicom and PM Group.

For details of the activities and further information about nationwide events, see www.engineersweek.ie.

Music: Clearly talented UP AND coming Lucan

band, The Confusion, left music fans clearly aware of their talents after playing at The Czech Inn in the city centre recently, where their gig went down a storm. Pictured are David Bellew (lead guitar) and Lewis Kenny (bass guitar and vocals). Other band members are Michael Tracy (rhythm guitar), Mark Lynch (drums) and Dean Glennon (bass guitar).

initiative: fixyourstreet.ie figures revealed

Council responds to 9,000 site queries

 paul hosford

THE FixYourStreet initiative, piloted by South Dublin County Council (SDCC), has answered nearly 9,000 queries, the council has said.

Launched in early 2011, FixYourStreet.ie allows people to report problems to their local authority.

As promised in the Programme for Government, issues raised on the site were to be responded to within two working days, with the council’s response also made available via the website.

Cllr Chris Bond (Lab) asked SDCC at last week’s meeting to outline

the process and numbers involved in the scheme.

In response, SDCC said that the system alerted them to non-urgent works to be carried out.

“The purpose of the site is to assist residents to report problems of a non-urgent basis, associated with street lighting, drainage, graffiti, illegal dumping, road and footpath maintenance, and tree and grass maintenance. “[The] reports from the customer require a response within a timeframe of two working days, and the responses are posted by staff, to communicate the status of the issue.”

In terms of the process, SDCC said there was no system for prioritising reports.

“Since the majority of reports require action by departmental staff, most need onward referral and the council’s customer relationship management system is utilised to refer items to the relevant section.

“That section posts the response on the website communicating the action to be taken and the matter is included on an inspection list, or is included in a works programme.

“There is no facility on the system for prioritising issues,” said the council,

who added that the system was not designed to handle urgent requests.

Cllr Caitriona Jones (Lab), who launched the system as mayor in 2011, said that the system empowered citizens – something that she greatly supported.

She said: “Without wanting to take away from the work that has been done, I would hope that people would use it more. It is a great facility, which has given people direct access to fixing their own problems.

“The council has done great work, but will probably need to push the publicity of the scheme again,” said Cllr Jones.

4 LUCAN Gazette 21 February 2013

schools: TY students’ initiative to help

park €650k St Catherine’s plan at risk

€33,000 shortfall threatens plans for revamp

Website for local carers AS PART of the Young Social Innovators programme, a group of local Transition Year students is to set up a website to provide a platform on which carers can share their experiences.

Through their research, St Joseph’s College students, Eimear Hayes, Aoife Crowley, Meghann Doyle, Kawthur Nur, Jenny Kavanagh and Patrisha Castillo, have found that many carers in Lucan often feel isolated, and say that recent cutbacks have not helped.

Their aim is to provide support to carers and to create an online community in which they can give and receive information with other carers.

The students would greatly appreciate any suggestions and comments from carers in the Lucan community and surrounding areas as to how they can make a difference with the website they aim to provide.

To make suggestions, email carerswhocare@ gmail.com.

 paul hosford

Ambitious plans to revamp facilities at St Catherine’s Park are at risk if private funding of €33,000 can not be found before the end of March

A LOCAL park will be completely transformed if new funding is approved.

St Catherine’s Park, situated beside Laraghcon, is set to benefit from more than €650,000 towards the revamp of park facilities, but only if private funding of €33,000 can be found before the end of March.

The ambitious works will see a lake, a BMX track and other major works undertaken at the park, which was the subject of a grand master plan last year. These works would represent the first significant step toward the goals set out in that plan.

Although the park is in Lucan, it is across the River Liffey, putting it in the Fingal administrative area.

Consequently, the funding will be provided by a combination of Fingal County Council (FCC) and the Fingal LEADER Partnership Rural Development plan.

It is believed that FCC will put up €130,000 towards the overall cost of €660,000, while the LEADER funding will account for 75% of the funding in total.

Those figures will leave a €33,000 shortfall, which will have to be bridged before any funding can be drawn down.

Local Fine Gael TD Derek Keating spoke to

The Gazette this week, saying that the project was a major boost for locals.

“This is the most exciting parks project seen in Lucan for many years, and will be of great benefit to the people of Lucan.

“The requirement is there that some of the funding comes from private funds, and I am trying to help as much as possible on that end because it is vital that this opportunity not be missed,” said Deputy Keating.

He added that the facility would be vital in the fight against depression and obesity.

Facilities “I am very aware of the need to have such facilities because of the onset of obesity, teenage depression, self-harm and suicide.

“Such a facility is not the only answer to these problems but it will contribute to the enhancement of our community which can facilitate many of the issues that young people are developing because of a lack of amenities.

“This will also be exciting for young families and particularly parents who will have an area that is safe and secure, but is an adventure for young and not-so-young during playtime, and particularly at the weekends when family time is at a premium.”

21 February 2013 LUCAN Gazette 5

6 LUCAN Gazette 21 February 2013

gazetteGALLERIES

Killian Heffernan

Alan and Christopher Gorman

Neil Weatherston with Dennis Priestly. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston

Kevin Mc Manamon

Aidan Farrelly with Phil Taylor

Pat Smith

21 February 2013 LUCAN Gazette 7

Have you seen yourself in the Gazette? Buy photos online from only €6.99 at www.gazettephotos.com

There was no doubt of the popularity of darts, with a large crowd of fans in attendance

sport: Darts fans see The Power and The Menace

The players enjoyed great attention at the event

180 reasons not to miss a masterclass T

HERE was a full house at the Red Cow complex recently when 16-time world darts champion Phil “The Power” Taylor, and two-time world champion, Dennis “The Menace” Priestley flew into town for a darts masterclass session. Darts fans would have needed 180 reasons to miss the event, with Phil and Dennis providing two compelling reasons to dart over to the venue for an unmissable insight into the enduringly popular sport. The star guests were on top of their form, with a number of local players also showing their skills – not least local lad Killian Heffernan, who played against – and beat – Phil at his own game.

Damien Grattan

Daniel Halligan

8 LUCAN Gazette 21 February 2013

music Lots of plans as Lucan Concert Band turns 30 this year

Band celebrating a notable event  paul hosford

MANY bands don’t reach their third year, let alone mark three decades making music.

However, for Lucan Concert Band, that milestone comes this year, with the band celebrates its 30th birthday.

F o u n d e d i n 19 8 3

by Eithne Donnelly, who began by providing recorder lessons for fourth-class students of Lucan’s St Mary’s Boys’ National School, the band is still happily calling Chapel Hill

their home, with weekly rehearsals taking place in the school.

Over the past three decades, the band has become a regular part of Lucan’s St Patrick’s Day extravaganza, the Lucan Festival and Ruaille Buaille, performing by the village green to the enjoyment of the crowds that gather there each year.

Band spokesperson, Jenny Ni Dhoibhilin, who plays the French horn, says they are looking to expand on that in the next year.

“Two weeks ago, we launched our junior band, and the response to that has been great. We have 12 members on a variety of instruments, and we’re always looking for more people to join both the junior and senior bands.

“The senior band currently has 26 members, and we’re looking for drummers and trumpet players in particular.”

The bands are under the instruction of conductors Noel Barr and Brendan Breslin, who lead the band into competitions, festivals and

council: statistics

Waste figures revealed  paul hosford

Lucan Concert Band members are celebrating 30 years of the local institution this year, with new members welcome

public showcases.

To mark 2013, the band has many plans, says Jenny.

“We’re hoping to link up more with local schools and get the instruments that we have into the hands of the students

of the local schools.

“We want to introduce children to these new instruments, and get them playing instruments that they might not have thought of.

“Added to that, we’re trying to play more and

get a number of old members back to play a concert at some point in the year.”

For further information on the band, see http:// www.lucanconcertband. ie or email info@lucanconcertband.ie.

SOUTH Dublin County Council (SDCC) issued more than 1,000 on-thespot littering fines last year, new figures have shown.

Between January and November, 2012, there were 1,100 on-the-spot fines in the South Dublin area – almost double the figure in the same time period in 2011, when the council issued 600 such fines.

This meant there were more fines paid in 2012 than in 2011, with almost 400 paid in 2012, compared to 200 in 2011.

The figures released this week also show that there were more than 5,500 tonnes of illegal dumping in the county last year.

Overall, the numbers are down on last year, but the numbers are still up on 2010’s overall figure.

Collections from litter bins were up from last year, accounting for 351.1 tonnes of waste (up by 30 tonnes).

Dignitaries Waste from general clean-ups was down by more than 150 tonnes, while road sweeping – which was ramped up during the visits of dignitaries in 2011 – collected 1200 less tonnes of waste.

Gulley cleaning was down by more than 250 tonnes, at 1792 tonnes, with the 2012 total coming in at 5,635 tonnes.

Fianna Fail councillor Trevor Gilligan said that the dumping had roots in people’s inability to pay private collection firms.

He said: “I believe [that the level of illegal dumping] has to do with the fact that more and more people cannot afford to privately pay for their bin charges.

“In some cases, it’s between putting food on the table, having a roof over your head, or paying waste collection fees.”

21 February 2013 LUCAN Gazette 9

charity

courts: three-year sentence for attack on man, woman at party

Fashion show

Assaulted after man ‘blew a fuse’ A FATHER of one, who head-butted a girl and smashed a bottle into her boyfriend’s head during a New Year’s Eve party, has been jailed for two years.

Gary Bayly (22) of Finnstown Hall, Lucan, was drunk when he “blew a fuse” after a minor incident.

The male victim received 47 stitches to his face and has been left with permanent scars.

Bayly pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at Foxdean Drive, Lucan on January 1, 2011.

Garda Kevin Curran told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that gardai arrived at the house to find the victim, Paul McCarthy, sitting on a coach with cuts to his face.

Mr McCarthy passed out and needed a blood transfusion during an operation to mend damage to an artery.

Garda Curran said that Bayly had gone up to Mr McCarthy’s girlfriend and asked her if she was talking about him before head-butting her.

Pushed Mr McCarthy pushed Bayly away and went to walk away with his partner when he felt the whack of a bottle to the side of his head.

He said he felt dizzy and saw blood coming down his face.

The court heard that Bayly was arrested by gardai when he returned to the house later that night. He was too intoxicated to be interviewed by them, but later claimed

that he was acting in self defence.

Bayly has 40 previous convictions, including drunk driving, assault and threatening and abusive behaviour.

Keith Spencer BL , defending, said that his client, who has a young daughter, regrets his actions on the night and wanted to apologise to the victim.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring imposed a prison sentence of three years, but suspended the last year in light of Bayly’s age.

A life-saving donation: Defibrillator is presented to local athletics club THOS McDermott, co-ordinator of South Dublin County Sports Partnership, presented Peter Vincent, of Brothers Pearse Athletic Club, with a defibrillator recently, which was purchased with the funds raised from the Ramble Aid 5k run/walk/cycle event organised by the Sports Partnership in Tymon Park last year. In thanking Thos for the generous presentation, Peter spoke of the life-saving difference that having a defibrillator to hand can make in an emergency. Details of this year’s Ramble Aid, due to take place on three Sundays in May, are expected to be revealed soon.

SPINA Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland is hosting a fashion show on Sunday, March 3 at The Spa Hotel.

The event will start at 1pm and will feature clothes from stores such as Oxendales, Dunnes Stores, iclothing, Republic, and Marks and Spencers. All of the event’s models are aged from three upwards and are living with the disability.

Admission for adults is priced at €10, with free admission for children under 12, while admission is €5 for under 18s.

For further information, contact Andrea Fox at 087 136 3264, or email andreaf28@gmail.com.

10 LUCAN Gazette 21 February 2013

21 February 2013 Gazette 11

schools P14

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

archives: consult a professional genealogist

Research your family tree for free at the National Archives The National Archives of Ireland (NAI) is providing a free family history service to visitors to the archives in Bishop Street.

Members of the public can consult a professional genealogist about sources relating to their family history free of charge. The archives house every historical record of the modern Irish state.

The Gazette spoke to head of reader services in the NAI, Aideen Ireland, about the free service and how the pub-

lic has been responding to it.

“The free public service has been running since 2003 where people can come in and speak to a genealogist for half an hour or more about their family history.

“It’s been very popular but since the downturn in the economy there has been a drop off in numbers.

“We used to offer a full day’s service but can’t any longer. Now we offer the service from Monday to Friday from 10am to 1.30pm

and we will continue to provide it for as long as we can afford to. I urge people coming in to bring as much of their own material as they can into the experts to quicken the process.

“When people come in they first have to apply for a reader’s ticket. They then talk to one of our genealogists who may then steer them to our document room where they can order what they need for further research.

They may also be advised to

look at our microfilm or be given links to other institutions.

“People can also come back to see the same genealogist or a different one to continue their family research, and we encourage them to do this again and again.”

If you are interested in discovering more about your lineage, go to the fifth floor of the National Archives, at the back of the Reading Room.

Visitors are dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis.

The National Archives of Ireland

asdfsdaf business P27 P16

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Gazette

diary P12

12 Gazette 21 February 2013

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dublinlife

competition, to search for Ireland’s best dancers

Show off your dance skills with Funtasia contest DANCE fever is sweeping across Dublin this week, as Funtasia begins the search for Ireland’s best dancers.

Taking inspiration from the hit TV show, Got2Dance is open to all ages and styles of dance and will be held at Bettystown, Co Meath on Sunday, February 24, March 3 and March 10.

“We’re looking for Ireland’s best dancers,” said Andree McCarthy of Funtasia. “We’ve arranged a superb line-up of guest judges who are renowned in the world of dance, including Aidean Byrne, a hip-hop dancer with Raw Edge Crew, and Tobi Omoteso, whose hip-hop routines have earned him international acclaim both featured on Sky TV’s Got2Dance. We are also thrilled to welcome Belinda Murphy, a chore-

ographer and dancer with Riverdance.”

For more information, visit www.funtasia.ie.

Join oxfam’s together on women’s day OXFAM is calling Dubliners to join hundreds of people all over Ireland by hosting an Oxfam Get Together for International Women’s Day on March 8, and help raise money to support women living in poverty worldwide.

An Oxfam Get Together can be anything from a coffee morning to a movie night or even a karaoke night. The heart of the idea is to get together with friends, family and colleagues and do something that you love – while fundraising for Oxfam.

Speaking about her recent trip to Tanzania, Oxfam Ireland ambassa-

dor and judge on RTE’s The Voice of Ireland Sharon Corr said that this can change lives in the poorest areas of the world.

“An Oxfam Get Together is simple. Just organise something fun with the people you love spending time with – and help raise vital funds that will transform the lives of women affected by poverty and injustice around the world,” she said.

To download your Oxfam Get Together fundraising pack or to find out more, visit www.oxfamireland.og/gettogether.

scramble to find eggs for jack and jill A GREAT Lily O’Brien sponsored Easter egg hunt is on in Dublin until Easter Saturday, March 23, in aid of the Jack and Jill Foundation.

Over 100 fibreglass eggs will be hidden around Dublin and the hunt is on to find them.

Each egg is 75cm high and has been decorated by well-known artists and celebrities.

To get involved, you have to find 20 of the eggs and collect the code on each one.

You can then enter a draw to win a grand prize of diamonds and other smaller gifts, including chocolate factory visits and a year’s supply of chocolate from Lily O’Brien’s.

At the end of the Big Egg Hunt, the decorated eggs will be auctioned for charity in aid of the Jack and Jill Foundation through an online auction, and there will also be a live auction at the Four Seasons Hotel on Saturday, March 23.

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Your

Dancer Tobi Omoteso will be a guest judge for Funtasia’s Got2Dance dance

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21 February 2013 Gazette 13

Seachtain na Gaeilge set to return

campaign: 5km event in aid of UNICEF Ireland

Race to cut children’s mortality rate to zero A 5km race is being held on March 2 in St Clare’s Sports Grounds in Glasnevin in aid of UNICEF Ireland, and has been organised by a group of seven students who are studying for a MSc in marketing in DCU. The students are hoping to raise €4,000 for UNICEF Ireland as part of the international organisation’s Believe In Zero campaign.

“Every day, 19,000 children die from causes we can prevent, like malaria, malnutrition and exposure. UNICEF believes that number should be

zero,” their spokesperson said.

“Over the last 50 years, UNICEF and its partners have helped reduce the worldwide child mortality rate by more than half.

Five years ago, 25,500 children died every day from preventable causes.

Much of that success is recent—the result of tried and true lifesaving interventions and programmes perfected in more than 150 countries.

“No other humanitarian organisation saves more children’s lives than UNICEF. By joining the Race To Zero on March

2, you can help UNICEF work to toward the day when zero children die from preventable causes.”

Caroline Keyes, spokesperson for the group at DCU, said: “We feel this event is a great way to get fit and have fun whilst suppor ting children around the world who need help.

“The money raised will go towards the charity’s Believe in Zero campaign.”

The race is open to everyone to run, jog or walk.

Race start time is 11am with registration (picking

up race numbers) beginning10am. Entry fee is €20 for adults and €10 for students. For more information about the event, log on to Facebook at www.facebook.com/ UnicefirelandRaceToZero, or register directly on www.unicef.ie.

If you have any queries about the Glasnevin event or would like more information, email Caroline at unicef5km@gmail. com or call on 086 158 8433.

For more information log on to www.unicef.ie/ GetInvolved/5km-Raceto-Zero--35-93.aspx

Gazette

feature

The race takes place on March 2 in Glasnevin

Early next month sees the return of Seachtain na Gaeilge which will this year be packed with Gathering events as well as Bliain na Gaeilge.

Organisers have a host of treats as gaeilge lined up with a special calendar of Irish-language events happening locally and nationally from March 4 to 17. It is hoped that the use of Irish will spread across the world throughout 2013.

Seachtain na Gaeilge 2013 will mark Bliain na Gaeilge as its biggest festival and will be celebrating 120 years of the revival of the Irish language.

All events can be accessed via the website at www.snag.ie.

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 rheigh@gazettegroup. com, or on 01 601 0240.

schools

st benildus college: students’ success in aib challenge

Building the perfect bank  Bhadrajee Hewage

St Benildus College, Kilmacud

Students at St Benildus College created their Solid Savings Bank recently to compete in the 2012/2013 AIB Build-aBank challenge, a competition aimed at educating Transition and 5th Year students about the reality of the banking world, including marketing and business.

The school has been competing in the Builda-Bank Challenge for over seven years now and this year’s competition saw over 30 students competing for six places on the banking team.

AIB Student Officer, Frank Browne of the Sandyford Branch, selected Bhadrajee Hewage for the position of manager, Stephen McEntee for assistant manager, Michael Crowley for the position of sales and marketing executive, Kevin Treanor as auditor and Adam McCormack and James Kearney as tellers.

SSB held its grand opening in early January 2013 and were generously supplied with balloons for the occasion by Leisureplex, Stillorgan.

The grand opening was so successful that 52 accounts were opened on the day and at the time of

St Benildus Bank Builders Adam McCormack, Kevin Treanor, Michael Crowley, James Kearney, Bhadrajee Hewage and Stephen McEntee. Picture: Frank Browne

print, over 80 accounts have been opened. This is about 80% more than the amount created last year and around 125%

more than the amount created by the banking team two years ago. The bank offers savings services, issues laser and debit

cards, allows customer to sign up for 24hr internet and mobile banking, and allows customers to lodge money.

Why advertise with the Gazette?

Let our advertisers tell you why:

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Dlr Leisure Services has been using Dublin Gazette Newspapers for a number of years to communicate with our customers on our programmes.

We find the service we received excellent and they always offer us good value for money. The personal touch of having an account manager makes our life so much easier. The Dundrum & Dún Laoghaire Gazette covers the areas in which our centres are located. Dlr Leisure Services would have no hesitation recommending the Gazette to others to promote their company.

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14 Gazette 21 February 2013

B e c au s e L o c a l M at t e r s

21 February 2013 Gazette 15

FEATURE Major new contemporary music festival in Dublin is announced

Anti-bullying campaign to be launched

A major new music festival has been announced for Dublin and will allow people the chance to experience and explore new contemporary music from Ireland and abroad.

The first New Music Dublin (NMD) event, which takes place between March 1 and 3, has been set up by the Arts Council, The National Concert Hall, RTE Orchestras and the Contemporary Music Centre.

The festival will be held in the National Concert Hall and will showcase a broad range of musical creativity with the work of major international and Irish artists on offer.

Included in the NMD line up will be the RTE

The ISPCC, Ireland’s oldest independent children’s charity, will be launching an anti-bullying campaign this spring.

Believing there is a need for a concerted effort nationwide to work in partnership with schools, parents and communities to reduce incidents of bullying, the ISPCC will be hosting an anti-bullying awareness week from March 4 to 10, together with a nationwide campaign to raise awareness.

A Day of Action will take place on March 8, which will see staff and volunteers of ISPCC selling the “bullying shield” (€2) nationwide to raise awareness and funds for the charity’s cause.

Concert Orchestra performing the Irish premiere of Arvo Part’s Symphony No 4, Garth Knox will bring his Italian inspired Saltarello to the stage, and the Hilliard Ensemble will be singing the haunting music of Icelandic composer Johann Johannson.

In addition to the principal concerts, NMD has a schedule of workshops, masterclasses and other events to appeal to Dublin music lovers.

As well as the National Concert Hall, the Contemporary Music Centre (CMC) will play an important role in New Music Dublin by also hosting a number of events specifically to promote and support Irish composition.

Here,TCD Music Composition Centre will perform new music and show a documentary about composer Raymond Deane which was commissioned

by CMC for Deane’s 60th birthday.

Evonne Ferguson, director of CMC says: “I can’t wait for an entire weekend of immersion in such unique sound worlds from Ireland and abroad that puts Irish composition in a wider European and international context.

My only problem for the weekend is how not to miss anything.”

Tickets costing €5, are available from the box office of the National Concert Hall on 417 0000 or online at info@nch.ie

Cheque it out: Helping to grant magical wishes of sick children john Tuohy, chief executive, Nightline, presenting a cheque for

€5,000 to Susan O’Dywer, Make-A-Wish Ireland. Nightline Parcel Motel raised €1 from every parcel delivered over the Christmas period and is presenting all proceeds raised to charity partner Make-A-Wish Ireland. The Make-A-Wish foundation grants magical wishes to children between the ages of 3-17 years with lifethreatening medical conditions. All proceeds raised will be donated and used to grant the wishes of children nationwide creating wonderful lasting memories that will stay with their families forever regardless of what the future may hold.

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 21 February 2013

DUBLINLIFE

BUSINESS

Q&A: BRENDAN CUMISKEY, MANAGING DIRECTOR, TC MATTHEWS

Value to leave you floored DESPITE the impact of the recession, Brendan Cumiskey, managing director, TC Matthews, says that the firm – the biggest seller of wool carpets in the country – has noted that the demand for quality wool carpets has never diminished, even in recession.

“People are happy to look at wool carpets as an investment, rather than as a once-off discretionary purchase,” he says.

He added: “Carpets still account for a big slice of home furnishing spend, and we owe it to our customers to personally advise on what is the best investment for them – as a result, they trust us.

“Because we buy big volumes of wool carpets, we get them at very keen prices, and can then pass these savings on. It means more people who thought they couldn’t afford wool, now can.”

How long have you been in business?

Personally, I’ve been involved in the carpet trade all my life. TCM have been in business for a little longer – 100+ years.

What makes your business successful?

The team: we have the most dedicated staff I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with, and we have great customers – it’s that simple.

What do you offer your clients that differs

from your competitors?

We buy directly from the manufacturers.

Because of our buying power and size, we negotiate prices that others can only try to match by supplying inferior underlays and accessories, and employing less experienced fitters.

Plus, buying the carpet is only part of the process – the installation and service offered is just (if not more) important.

We have the knowledge, dedication, quality, choice and service that is the envy of our competitors.

How has the recession impacted your business?

The collapse of the new housing and commercial building markets really had a

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huge effect on us.

The subsequent lack in consumer confidence made business extremely challenging.

What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of the recession?

Like every business, we’ve had to “Cut our cloth to suit...”.

Now, more than ever, we focus on only buying products that represent real value – special offers that are more likely to sell quickly; exclusive products that are exactly the right shades, quality and price points for our customers.

We know that we have actually increased our market share and, in fact, we opened our Stillorgan branch just three years ago - right bang in the middle of this recession.

And we very recently opened a superb new showroom in Drogheda’s M1 Retail Park.

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

If it were just to benefit my own business, that would be biased and irrelevant. Better to say that I believe that no one should have to pay tax on a much wider range of day-to-day necessities.

How do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, etc) to help your business?

We are relative latecomers to social media – carpets are still very much a touchy-feely thing.

We are now investing in this type of media, but we do want to get it “just right” before we dive in.

Brendan Cumiskey: “We have the most dedicated staff I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with”

Don’t take rejection personally if your job application fails ...

“THANK you for your application/your CV/for meeting with us, but unfortunately, on this occasion ...”

You spent three hours on your CV, you met with the company twice, you did a fantastic PowerPoint presentation to their board of directors – and all you got was this lousy stock letter. Not even a phone call.

Not a week goes by but a superb person I know receives a job rejection letter and, let’s face it, even if you weren’t too excited about that job in the first place, a tiny bit of your career confidence dies each time.

Of course, feedback – if you can get it – is always best.

A few years ago, it was simply good etiquette for recruiters and employers to provide feedback.

Many organisations will still give it, but it’s becoming less frequent.

If you can’t fathom any reason whatsoever for your “rejection”, try not to take it personally and move on.

There are a plethora of possible reasons that you will never be a party to.

It could be something as simple as another candidate could start a week earlier and the employer needed to make a decision and didn’t have time to start negotiating with you over start dates.

It could be that head office has put a surprise freeze on recruitment.

A company I know hired one candidate over the other, simply because the decision-maker knew that the Line Manager didn’t like the candidate in question ... and the decision-maker didn’t like the Line Manager.

Petty? Perhaps. Does it happen? Oh, yes. What you have to remember is, it’s not personal, it’s just a process – their process.

If you are continually unsuccessful with your job applications, it may be time to review your approach

However – inclement economic conditions notwithstanding – can you put your hand on your heart and say that, after that CV, that interview, you can’t think of any reason they don’t want you?

If you are racking up a stack of “Thank you, but ...” letters, it may be time to review and amend your approach.

Look at your CV and interview technique in the harsh, cold light of day and be honest with yourself about the effort and time you devote to your applications.

Be clear that job rejection is absolutely no reflection of your personal worth, but don’t continue to do the same things time and time again and expect different results.  Contact Rachael at hello@thecareerhub.ie or visit www.

thecareerhub.ie. Rachael Kilgallon is a FETAC qualified career coach and founder of The Career Hub.

21 February 2013 Gazette 17

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Level 5: Jason Cafolla, Chris Leonard, Dean Gibbons, Shane Thornton and Darren Regazzoli

interview: five teens are taking country by storm

Hottest new boy band taking it to a new level  natalie burke

IRELAND has always been known for its successful boybands, and when it comes to the newest kids on this particular block, it seems we have our own direction.

Gone are the days w h e n We s t l i f e a n d Boyzone graced our walkmans, and in their place have stepped a new, young, hip (can we still use that word?) and passionate fivesome, eager to fill the gaping hole in the market left by their predecessors.

The five boys in question, aged between 16 and 19 years old and hailing from Dublin and Meath, make up Level 5, the country’s hottest new pop act.

Despite being together less than six months, Chris, Dean, Jason, Darren and Shane have already performed to thousands in the 02, performed at the 19th birthday bash of One Direction’s Niall Horan, and have developed a loyal following of Irish teenage girls.

In fact, their fans have

even dubbed themselves the ‘Levelers’, provided the band with a few unusual gifts and have helped the Level 5 Twitter page reach a massive 11,000 followers – and quickly counting.

And all this before they are due to release their first EP. But that is exactly what they have been working on ever since they released a successful Christmas single with X Factor finalist Mary Byrne in December and according to the boys, 2013 is looking to be an

important year for the future of Level 5.

“We’re doing a lot of different things at the moment; we’re writing some of our own stuff and just trying to get the balance right.

“Our EP is the first step and so far we’re having great craic with it, we’re in and out of the studios and doing what we love.

You can’t ask for better than that really,” said 16-year-old Chris, the youngest member of the group.

Continued on Page 21

Gazette

18 Gazette 21 February 2013

COMMUNIONS&CONFIRMATIONS what it means: communion and confirmation explained

Have your special family day at the K Although better known as the venue for some amazing sporting events of recent years, The K Club is also somewhere to consider for special family celebrations, including communions and confirmations.

Located in the village of Straffan, Co Kildare and on the banks of the River Liffey, the hotel is surrounded by 550 acres of mature woods, parkland and magnificent formal gardens – perfect for photographs.

The K Club understand the importance of helping families celebrate these momentous family occasions.

For further details on family celebrations at The K Club call (01) 601 7200 or email sales@ kclub.ie. Full details are also on The K Club website www.kclub.ie.

Everything you need to know about sacraments SILK white gowns, fake tan, stretch limousines and a huge bill. No, I am not talking about a wedding. I am listing some things that are commonly seen at communions and confirmations in 21st century Ireland.

We are fast approaching the months where the two religious sacraments take place, and there is no doubt that many families are preparing their budgets for the big day. It is a reality that nowadays people spend a lot more money on these occasions than

they did in the past, but some of the “traditions” which took place during the Celtic Tiger years aren’t as prevalent today. Of course there are ways of making the day memorable, but there are many ways that parents can ensure that their children do not lose sight of the real meaning behind these milestone events.

But to help your child understand and prepare for these sacraments, it’s important that you fully understand them yourself. So what are they all about?

Firstly, everyone must be baptised before they make their First Holy Communion. Then in the run-up to the communion, children will attend Confession to tell their wrong-doings or sins to a priest, who will give them penance in exchange.

Helping your child understand the meaning of their communion and confirmation will make the day extra special

Communion takes place in May for second class pupils in primary school, when they are aged seven or eight because this is the age when they are “sinfree”. Catholics believe

this sacrament is a remembrance of Jesus’s sacrifice and being united with Him in a special way, by receiving Him at the altar through the Holy Eucharist or holy bread, which symbolises His body.

Confirmation takes place in sixth class, when pupils are usually aged 11 to 13. This is when a child strengthens their commitment to Christ and accepting responsibility as an adult, and is conferred with the Holy Spirit and the laying on of hands by a bishop.

The child will choose a Christian name as their confirmation name, and they will also choose a sponsor to be a witness and to be their support, and the sponsor will stand with the child at the altar.

The bishop will trace the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead

with ‘Chrism oil’ and say: “Be sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.”

So to help prepare your child for these sacraments, it’s a good idea to talk to them about how much they know and understand.

You can also encourage them attending mass or children’s mass with them regularly.

Schools tend to have preparation meetings, so talking to the teachers about how they teach the children about these sacraments can also be a good source of information.

Most impor tantly, remember that communion and confirmation are special celebrations for your child. It’s not about all about how much pocket money they get that day, or whether they have a bouncy castle or not, its all about them.

21 February 2013 GAZETTE 19

GAZETTE

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20 Gazette 21 February 2013

OUT&ABOUT

HOMES

newlands manor park: three-bedroom style

To the Manor born, a fresh new home Broe Auctioneers are presenting 40 Newlands Manor Park in Clondalkin, a deceptively spacious three-bedroom house boasting generous room propor tions throughout, to the market with an asking price of €225,000.

Positioned in a quiet cul de sac in this sought-after gated development with private access to 700 acres of parkland at Corkagh Park Demesne just off the N7, 40 Newlands Manor Park is presented in very good condition throughout and has been freshly painted offering a blank canvas for its new owner to put their stamp on it.

The property comprises

entrance hall with semi-solid flooring, a guest bathroom with WC, whb and tiled floor. There is a spacious lounge with semisolid flooring, a bay window and feature fireplace with a coal-effect gas fire.

The property boasts a sunroom which also features semi-solid flooring, velux windows, patio doors to the rear of the property and a pine-paneled ceiling.

The kitchen/dining room has fully-fitted beech shaker-style units, as well as cooker, fridge freezer and dishwasher included, and a tiled floor.

The utility room also has a tiled floor and is plumbed for washing machine.

Upstairs, all of the bedrooms feature fitted wardrobes, with the main bedroom leading to an en suite, which contains a WC, whb and shower, and the family bathroom contains the same features, with the addition of a bath.

Outside, the rear garden has a decked area and is surrounded by mature shrubs. There is also ample communal parking to front.

This complex is maintained to a very high standard and benefits from ample communal parking, electric gates and manicured green areas.

The property also comprises gas-fired central heating, an alarm system, and double glazing throughout, and as previously mentioned, direct access to Corkagh Park with private gateway from complex.

Viewing essential to appreciate all this superb family home has to offer, and to arrange a viewing, contact Lisa O’ Donoghue at Broe Auctioneers on 01 459 4433 or email lisa@broe.ie.

For more information, and to view other properties on offer, log on to www.broe.ie

40 Newlands Manor Park is on the market for €225,000

21 February 2013 Gazette 21

interview: all about level 5

Hottest new boy band taking it to a new level

Continued from Page 17

“We’re trying to get something fresh together.

There’s no point bringing out something people already know so we’re working with different ideas,” said band-mate Shane.

Following the boys’ Christmas collaboration with Mary Byrne, they said they would love to work with her again.

“We didn’t know what to expect but she was just so down to earth when we met her and it was such a relief. She was really nice and really looked after us as it was all so new,” said Darren.

Per forming at the Childline concert in the 02 has been the highlight of the band’s career so far, with the boys saying it was a ‘dream come true’.

“There are no words to describe what it is like walking out on to the stage in front of that many people. We were expecting nobody to know us and we could hear them screaming ‘Level 5’ even before we went out on stage. It was breathtaking”, Darren continued.

While the band may be the only all-Irish boyband on the music scene at the moment, Level 5 say they admire solo artists such

as Michael Buble and Justin Bieber, as well as bands they will ultimately be competing against for attention.

“We all admire different people but in terms of success, One Direction have hit the nail on the head. They really have made it and they deserve everything they have because they’ve worked so hard for it,” said Chris.

Traditional

With shows such as The Voice and the X Factor, new pop acts are entering the music scene every year. For the boys of Level 5 however, they are glad to have taken the more traditional route.

“When you go into the X Factor or any of those competitions, it’s very intense, you’re in the limelight from the word go. We feel like we’re going to build up our knowledge and will have done all the small gigs – the good ones and the bad ones – and when we get onto a stage, we will be a lot more polished. We feel like it’s the right way to do it,” Dean explained.

2013 is set to be a big year for the new boyband, who will be featuring in their own reality fly-onthe-wall documentary

series, The Rise of Level 5, which is due to go on air in just a few weeks time. The boys also plan to release a single to coincide with the TV show.

“It’s not going to be a documentary that will make us look fabulous; it shows everything bad and good,” said Jason. “It shows our ups and downs, when we’re just at cracking point and then when then when we’ve tears of happiness as well.”

“People think that being in a band means you just have to turn up, smile and pose – but it’s nothing like that. Every chance we get its practice, practice, practice.

We can’t wait for everyone to see that we actually do work hard. There’s a completely different side to it,” he added.

Unusual

With such a large following, the boys have already experienced being recognised in the city centre and have received some unusual gifts from their fans, including a pet hamster.

“Our fans are great and come everywhere with us. Most days they are [outside our rehearsal studio] and we have to try and convince them to go to school and that educa-

Level 5: Jason Cafolla, Chris Leonard, Dean Gibbons, Shane Thornton and Darren Regazzoli have a busy few months ahead of them

tion is important!”

O ve r t h e c o m i n g weeks, the band are set to take on a nationwide tour across 110 schools fronting the Pieta House Youth Suicide Prevention and Mind Your Buddy campaign. “We’re going to be giving talks as well as performing and trying to help people so it is a great cause”.

With a busy few months ahead, the future is certainly looking bright for the lads of Level 5.

“There is a lot on our wishlist! We would love to release an album and someday we would love to sell out a stadium.

That’s a goal. Next year we hope to do our own gig and even sell that out.

Obviously, it won’t be in the Aviva, but you never know!”

For more information, visit www.level5official. com or become fans/levelers of their Facebook page at www.facebook. com/level5official.

Gazette

MUSIC

Gazette

22 gazette 21 February 2013

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

Theatre THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 A Skull In Connemara

FOR one week each autumn, Mick Dowd is hired to disinter the bones in certain sections of his local cemetery, but is he hiding a secret? February 28March 2, tickets are priced at €18/€16.

Draiocht 01 885 2622 My Brother Joe

JOE Dolan’s brother Ben shared the stage with his younger brother for 47 fun-filled years. Who better than Ben to tell the stories behind Joe’s songs and highlight Joe’s successful singing career? February 28, tickets €22/€18.

Mill THEATRE 01 296 9340 The Importance of Being Earnest

OSCAR Wilde’s theatrical masterpiece is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest comedies in the English language. Wonderful characters, sparkling dialogue, gloriously improbable plot twists and a sprinkling of romance – The Importance of Being Earnest has it all. London Classical Theatre promise to bring this 19th Century classic to vivid, extravagant life with our customary flair, attention to detail, highquality casting and impeccable production values.

Catch the show on February 26 and 27, tickets are priced at €20/€16.

Judd Apatow’s children Iris and Maude and wife Leslie Mann play three quarters of This Is 40’s lead family

review: Judd apatow’s “sort of sequel” is sort of terrible

40 and unfunny

IF JUDD Apatow’s new film, This Is 40 was any realistic indication of middle age, the mortality rate among 39 year olds would be extremely high.

The film is called a stand alone sequel to Apatow’s 2007 hit, Knocked Up and focuses on the supporting characters of Pete played by Paul Rudd and Debbie played by Leslie Mann.

The couple are now turning 40 and their children are growing up and the plot (for want of a better word) revolves around their narcissistic refusal to accept the fact that they are ageing and that their relationship is an empty and unfulfilling disappointment.

Neither character is in any way likeable, they argue constantly and try to find meaning and genuine affection from each other where none exists or is deserved.

This was very hard

Film of the Week: This Is 40 h (15) 133 mins Director: Judd Apatow Starring: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, Megan Fox

OUR VERDICT:  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

work to watch, not least because half of the audience laughed at every vacuous line or cheap sexual innuendo.

The film begins with a sex scene in the shower, in the middle of which Pete, the Paul Rudd character, admits he has taken a Viagra.

This immediately causes the Debbie character to stop the action and launch into one of her many, many whining diatribes about how life and Pete are not as she would wish either to be.

Pete, in true stereotypical Hollywood style as the innocent, nonplussed male, cannot work out

WHERE Knocked Up was earnest, funny and refreshing, this is the exact opposite. Overshot, meandering and unfunny; this film is self-indulgence of the worst kind by Apatow, an otherwise talented director who reckons his own life is so interesting we should all be forced to watch it.

why his wife is angered by such an admission while Debbie moans about not being attractive enough for her husband to perform naturally.

As a character, Debbie is even more annoying than her husband as she seeks constant validation through her physical appearance and the striving for perfection, while all the while having the body of a pre-pubescent girl.

Other characters are as vapid, if not as annoying as the two leads. Pete’s father, Larry, played by Albert Brooks, is a deadbeat who has triplet boys with his new wife thanks

to IVF treatment and constantly bums money off Pete.

This character is thoroughly unfunny, reprehensible and unapologetic but depicted as a charming cad.

Megan Fox makes an appearance as Debbie’s employee Desi who is also a high-class hooker.

She fulfills her role as sex symbol admirably with all of the men justifiably drooling as she disrobes in every other frame.

There is a scene where Debbie is looking at Desi’s body and starts to feel her breasts with fascination as though she has

never seen such things before.

Her co-worker, Jodi, played by Charlene Yi is truly disturbing as the Oxocontin addict with a penchant for imitating the Exorcist’s Regan McNeill.

The whole thing is a bizarre mess of halfformed ideas and flat jokes. The cast of actors which includes John Lithgow, though stellar, can never pull this written off vehicle out of its inertia.

In another weird twist, Chris O’Dowd appears with a full moustache and is literally in competition with Jason Segal, an actor who would be his natural competitor for Hollywood roles.

The only mildly redeeming and amusing bit of the film is a turn by Melissa McCarthy who plays the mother of a boy who has been cyber-bullying Debbie and Pete’s daughter.

21 February 2013 LUCAN GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

GAMING HMV: IMPACT OF CLOSURE FOR GAMERS, SHOPPERS

BYTES&PIECES XBOX FOUNDER ATTACKS MICROSOFT

Death of a giant retailer SO THAT’S it – the curtain has finally come down on HMV in Ireland, with the loss of 300 jobs at the chain’s 16 stores, as yet another retail domino topples over in the merciless chill winds of the recession.

It goes without saying that each one of those jobs is a terrible blow for the individual involved, while the knock-on impact such job losses, and store closures, have on local economies and communities is also to be noted, and regretted.

Stores across Britain have also been affected, with many jobs to be lost there, and shops shuttered, as HMV’s British wing attempts to restructure itself and survive.

Here, the Irish wing’s administrator, Deloitte, had been seeking a buyer for the stores but was unsuccessful, with a statement for the receiver to HMV Ireland, David Carson, announcing: “The marketplace is very difficult, given competition from web-based retailers and digital downloads, compounded by a number of other factors, ... It was not possible to attract a purchaser.”

What does HMV’s closure mean for Irish gamers? The chain’s closure here further reduces gamer choice, with the loss of such physical bricks-and-mortar outlets

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@gazettegroup.com

Key engineer raises eyebrows with “Stupid” blog

HMV’s Grafton Street outlet is now closed for good, as the company joins GAME on the list of collapsed games retailers in Ireland

almost certainly likely to shunt consumers more towards online distributors instead.

Yes, it’s true that a quick glance around Dublin, and elsewhere, reveals a number of games retailers, albeit few that are fully dedicated games retailers, as GameStop are.

Instead, there are several chains that also sell games, such as Smyths Toys, Xtravision, Tesco

– and that’s yer lot.

At the same time, many of the remaining retailers have succumbed to “secondhanditis” – using valuable shelf space to flog traded-in games, rather than set aside space for a wider (and more creative) selection of new or recently released titles.

As such, for gamers looking for real choice for their gaming interests, or to support their platforms,

and Argos, to name but a few, as well as a number of smaller, independent retailers and games exchanges dotted here and there.

However, almost without exception, the range of games available at such well-known outlets is usually small – to say the least – with consumers often lucky to find the top 10 or 15 titles on the main platforms, and often with nothing at all from smaller games platforms

this is a negative development, as gamers often tend to look out for older games that have dropped in price, or “smaller” games that aren’t piled high on shelves as blockbuster titles.

Despite HMV’s flaws, and despite facing the same limitations outlined above, at least it also had an okay range of stock, accounting for an acceptable range of platforms.

But where now for the lowly PC gamer to graze,

for example?

It’s also worth pointing out that HMV were also notably, and often significantly, cheaper than rival retailers – I couldn’t tell you how many times I saw titles on sale in HMV, only to see the same game with eye-raising price differences in rival chains and shops very close by.

As such, with the loss of such a well-known chain and its physical outlets, gamers across the country could be feeling the financial pinch even more acutely than before – that’s if they can find the title they wanted in the first place.

Inevitably, other games distributors and chains should see a bounce in their footfall and sales, with the loss of one of the last remaining giants.

These survivors face their own challenges, with the inexorable rise of online retailers – usually with cheaper prices, and certainly with a wider choice of titles – presenting a very real threat to their sustainability, too.

W here HMV have gone, others may yet follow. Watch this space ...

ONE of the key founders of Microsoft’s original XBox console, Nat Brown, sent ripples through the games media (and other media, such as The Huffington Post) just before St Valentine’s Day with a pretty withering blog attack (to put it mildly) on the company and its management of the XBox 360 (below), bluntly entitled: “Stupid, Stupid xBox!!”

The engineer – who also named the original console – didn’t hold back with his opinions, with such choice jibes as: “Microsoft has jumped its own shark and is out stomping through the weeds planning and talking about far-flung future strategies ... when their core product, their home town is on fire, their soldiers, their developers, are tired and deserting, and their supply-lines are broken.”

Ouch. Brown wasn’t feeling a lot of love for Microsoft for St Valentine’s Day, that’s for sure.

While such opinions are Brown’s own, and while many would rebutt them, some of his irate words raised some interesting (and valid) points about the threat that small-scale apps present to Microsoft, and its console rivals.

With Apple yet to reveal the oftmooted Apple TV, and the plethora of attention-grabbing apps such a move would undoubtely entail, there’s still time for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo to attempt to prepare for such a threat ...

24 LUCAN gazette 21 February 2013

Gazette

& OUT ABOUT road

rapid: serious practicality at a seriously competitive price

NOISE

Ford invites you to check out their high-tech gadgets

As the first car brand to achieve a total of seven different Euro NCAP Advanced safety rewards in recognition of its wide range of technologies during February, Ford’s network of Dublin dealers is inviting customers to come in and try out the vast array of hightech gadgets that now come as standard or optional on its cars.

From MyKey on the new Fiesta; which allows parents to influence their children’s use of the car just by programming the key, to the new Ford SYNC with Emergency Assistance, which automatically alerts the emergency services if a car is in a crash, Ford’s technology is geared towards making the driving experience a much safer one.

Active city stop prevents a car from colliding with a vehicle or other obstacle in front at speeds under 30km/h, while the Lane Keeping Aid warns against veering off line due to fatigue.

The technologies are also geared to

The Ford Kuga

TRAVEL MOTORS

making life more convenient for the driver.

Active park assist, for example, takes away the hassles of parallel parking by automatically steering the car into a space.

For laden-down shoppers, meanwhile, the automatic tailgate on the brand-new Kuga is a real blessing.

Opening the tailgate is activated just by the driver moving his or her foot under the rear bumper - no more fiddling with keys!

Eddie Murphy, chairman and managing director of Ford Ireland comments: “Ford is first to market with a lot of these technologies, while in other cases they have been the preserve of more luxury models up to now.

“Affordable technology is what Ford stands for, meaning even Ireland’s most popular car – the Ford Focus – can be purchased with practically every hi-tech feature out there.”

For further details, please see www.dublinford.ie.

It’s simple, sturdy and safe – but special it isn’t n Cormac Curtis

Skoda have been busy making use of their momentum in the motoring world by adding new models to fill as many segments of the market as they can.

Short of a sports coupe and a top-end executive SUV, they have been carefully releasing new and, as they would say, clever models to a public that have been eager to get on board.

The latest addition to the Skoda family is the Rapid.

Here we have a midsize saloon aimed very much at a family looking to carry more stuff without spending too much money to get it.

Have they achieved what they have set out to do?

Definitely.

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past six months, you will have seen just how serious Skoda are about getting these cars on the road. The TV, radio and press have been positively heaving with Rapid advertising – and why not? They have a quality car delivered at a good price ready for a market that is growing everconscious of how much it can spend on the new family car.

I spent a week with the 1.2-litre TSI 86bhp petrol version of the Rapid.

First impressions?

Solid. Everything I have come to expect from this brand.

It won’t get too many jealous looks from younger drivers, but that’s hardly the point.

Rapid drivers won’t

The Skoda Rapid affords the occupants a bucket load of safety features and space

be all that bothered with image, but they will be happy with a car that looks solid and well proportioned.

This is a practical motor designed to offer serious practicality at a seriously competitive price.

So, while it won’t set the world alight in the looks department, it does have a comfortable interior and affords the occupants a bucket load of safety features and space.

Ah yes, space. What is it about Skoda engineers and squeezing every last millimetre of room out of every car?

The Superb range leads the pack in rear leg room, which gets better with every new model.

The CitiGo is Tardis-like in how many fully-grown adults in can accommodate in a very small car.

And the Octavia boasts a boot that would give an

airplane hangar a run for its money.

As with all Skoda models, the build quality of the interior is top-class.

I never feel as though a Skoda interior is likely to age badly or deteriorate like some of its competitors will.

The materials are tough and the parts never flimsy.

The chrome accents that highlight parts of the cockpit in the Elegance spec model I drove looked as though they will always add a little class to its appearance without fading or cracking.

The leather on the steering wheel felt luxurious and the radio and telephone controls were just where they should be and behaved just as expected.

So, the other bits and pieces in the Elegance spec include upgraded 16” DIONE alloys, the ‘vintage’ interior, Onyx-

Onyx dashboard (or no cost optional OnyxBeige), a chrome pack that includes upgraded gear stick knob, frame of shift lever, control elements of interior air supply and locking button of hand brake.

For safety and comfort, it includes rear parking sensors, cruise control, climatronic air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, a rear centre armrest, two additional rear loudspeakers and height adjustable driver and passenger seats.

So, there is a lot there to add to the car’s appeal.

And there’s the rub.

For me, for all its practicality, functionality, build quality, safety and comfort, the car just wasn’t at all special. It was just a bit dull.

From a driver’s point of view, I felt the clutch took far too long to get used to and didn’t provide the

feedback I would like, and the suspension is not forgiving enough for a car that is clearly geared at families.

At the price point where it enters the market, and because there are so many attractive finance packages available, even from Skoda themselves, I would personally go rummaging around the back of the sofa for the extra few quid required to buy an Octavia.

Put it this way, the Rapid range starts off at €16,515 and the Octavia comes in at €18,590.

Not a huge difference in price, and, for my money, the Octavia is a better car AND it’s just been given a very pretty upgrade lifting it out of the ordinary and making it a real eyeturner.

Watch this space for a review of the new Octavia in the coming months.

21 February 2013 LUCAN gazette 25

Gazette

HOMES TRAVEL tullamore: luxurious touches help make your midlands visit a treat

The Bridge House links body and soul superbly  natalie burke

UNTIL recently, travelling to the midlands was something I had a tendency to overlook when it came to arranging a weekend away.

Such drives featured a host of quaint drivethrough towns where I occasionally stopped, but hadn’t really considered as making my final destination.

In fact, one of the only times I had travelled to Tullamore, Co Offaly, was to do my driving test, yonks ago; I think the waiting list in Dublin was extremely long, so I thought a country town was my best bet.

It turns out I was wrong, but I passed second time round anyway. But who would have thought that the town is fast emerging as the ideal destination for a much needed break away?

A recent invitation found me driving down the N4 from Dublin once again – with a full licence this time – and heading directly for The Bridge House Hotel and Spa. Just a hop, skip and an hour from Dublin’s fair city, Tullamore is perhaps best known for its famous

export, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, and hosts a heritage centre in its honour.

But the town also has much more to offer: local heritage trips, shopping and dining, and a range of outdoor activities, with one of its biggest draws being, perhaps, its most popular hotel.

The welcome at The Bridge House Hotel was a warm one, which was a thankful break from the winter weather outside.

The lobby greets its guests with a sweeping staircase and a cosy blend of dark woods, and the hotel’s interior is subtle and luxurious.

We were lucky enough to stay in a suite, which had its own private balcony to admire the local view.

We arrived just in time to take some time out in the Sanctuary Spa and my masseuse managed to massage away a stressful week with a full body massage.

An hour-long treatment, it was complete with warm towels and soothing music and, thanks to the spa’s late opening hours, we still managed to fit in some time to relax in the outdoor hydrotherapy pool afterwards.

Post-spa, it was time for dinner at Balcone Italiano, the in-house Italian restaurant. Located on the top floor of the hotel, the restaurant overlooks the main lobby.

Vintage Designed in true vintage Italian kitchen style, the furniture and decor is reminiscent of a real Italian country home – or, at least, what I imagine one to be – and the menu really has something for everyone.

Our table enjoyed a charcuterie board to start, with a selection of Italian cheeses, salami and parma ham, which was followed by golden-fried button mushrooms with garlic and chive mayon-

From the spa to the restaurant and, of course, the bedrooms, the Bridge House Hotel has many luxurious touches

naise.

For our main course, we enjoyed a tender filet of steak, which – after seeing the size of my fellow guest’s T-bone steak – was too good to suffer any food envy.

The restaurant was buzzing with a mixture of guests and locals and the good food, wine and company was certainly one that will be tough to top.

The restaurant even played host to Rosanna Davison on the night, with whispers that she was making her own pizza in the kitchen. It’s clearly a popular place.

Indulging in one last dr y-Januar y sin, we enjoyed an apres-dinner drink in The Palace nightclub, which adjoins the

the bridge house hotel deTAils  The Bridge House Hotel’s spa-

course dinner on one night, and

cious family accommodation can

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hotel at a nice and soundless distance, before calling it a night.

I’m a huge fan of breakfast, but particularly when it’s brought to the table – a rare treat. Following some pick-me-up coffee and, of course, a full Irish, we reluctantly checked out of the hotel to begin the short journey home.

The second-night stay will have to wait until next time!

26 Lucan Gazette 21 February 2013

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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

dublin gazette awards P28

FastSport O’Brien enjoys mixed Welsh fortunes:

Cricket Ireland enjoyed a great week, announcing their extended list of central contracts as well as a new link up with Toyota

cricket: ireland extend professional ranks with new funding level added

Malahide’s Chase one of the newcomers on contract list MALAHIDE’S Peter Chase was one of the major beneficiaries of the 17 contracts announced by Cricket Ireland for the 2013 season as one of three youngsters who are new to the list.

Max Sorensen, 27, meanwhile has been rewarded with an A contract after impressing with his consistency, speed and accuracy during an outstanding 2012 season. The Hills opening bowler joins established Dublin-based stars Trent Johnston, John Mooney, Alex Cusack and Kevin O’Brien in the top bracket of deals.

There are now four categories of contracts, with the C band dedicated to players who are in full-time education, headed by Stuart Thompson, who is already a full international.

Promising pace bowler Chase and the Cricket Ireland Young Player of the Year Tyrone Kane both earn contracts for the first time as Ireland look to the future following the recent retirements of Boyd Rankin, Nigel Jones and Albert van der Merwe.

Cricket Ireland performance director Richard Holdsworth said: “We are

pleased to retain players on A and B category contracts from last year, and all of them still have a great deal to achieve on the international stage.

Future

“It is important Cricket Ireland has plans for the future, and whilst 2013 will be a huge year for the team, we must also look ahead to major ICC events – the World Twenty20 in 2014 and the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand the following year.

“We have therefore awarded a full

A contract to Max Sorensen who impressed everyone in 2012, taking 31 wickets at just 17 runs each in the 21 games he played.

“We have also awarded C category contracts to four younger players who we see as a key part of our future.

Nine of the 17 contracted players are also contracted to English counties, and our close relationships with those counties will hopefully allow them to play for Ireland as much as possible in addition to the ICC mandatory matches in season.

LUCAN man Fergal O’Brien qualified for the main draw of a world ranking snooker event for the first time in 2013 last week when he overcame Nigel Bond 4-3 in the qualifiers for the Welsh Open.

He was undone, though, by former world champion Graham Dott in the first round of that competition. O’Brien started well with a break of 89 to win the first frame and he was still very much in the mix at 2-2 when he rattled in a clearance of 57.

But Dott ground out the next two frames to set up a date with world billiards champion Pankaj Advani in the second round of the competition.

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 21 February 2013

SPORT

Stars of 2012 T HE upcoming Gazette Sports Awards are set to celebrate a string of stunning acheivements for clubs and schools around Dublin, running the gamut from county to provin-

Kilmacud Crokes senior hurlers

cial to All-Ireland to European honours. Among the list of clubs that will be in attendance at the event on March 8 in the Red Cow Moran hotel, there are some that have waited 99 years

Sports Teams

to reach the pinnacle of their game while others have risen to incredible heights despite only forming within the past15 years, confounding expectations in the most impressive way.

Colaiste Phadraig

Father and Son All-Ireland winners Gerry and Robert Moran

Malahide RFC

Foxrock Cabinteelyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ladies footballers

Swords judo club

Malahide CS golf team

Three Rock Rovers

St Brigidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Feile double

Castle Golf Club - Irish Senior Cup winners

Castleknock Dublin and Leinster JFC champions

21 February 2013 LUCAN Gazette 29

Gazette

30 LUCAN gazette 21 February 2013

SPORT

FastSport

Soccer: Francis can’t extend lead at the top of LSL 1/a

Not too Rude to help Lucan Boxing Club Lucan Boxing Club successfully hosted a fund raiser last weekend, with one of Ireland’s number one bands, the Original Rude Boys, bringing hundreds of fans out to support the club.

“It was an amazing turnout and it will go down as one of the best days we’ve had for the club,” said head coach Karl Brabazon.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without the work of one of our coaches, Paschal Joyce, who put the whole thing together.

“We had an acoustic set on from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and then the Original Rude Boys hit the stage at about 8.00pm and they performed for an hour and a half.

“Even after the gig they stayed back to take pictures and talk to the crowd and a couple of hundred fans waited for them and they made sure they saw every one of them.

“They were really down to earth and they made the day a great success for everyone involved with the club,” said Brabazon.

Brabazon believes the funds raised will go on to help the club to no end.

The St Francis team that drew with Pegasus/St James at UCD Sports Campus, missing the chance to extend their lead at the top of the league

Saints share spoils  Carl Duffy sport@gazettegroup.com

LSL Senior 1a Pegasus/St James St Francis

0 0

UCD Sports Campus played host to a thrilling top 4 encounter between Pegasus/St James Athletic and St Francis FC on Sunday morning.

In the opening minutes, St Francis looked the more promising of the two sides, their wingers Jordan Gardner and Gary Shaw spearheading the league leaders’ attack.

Gardner was instrumental in creating a

chance for striker Anthony Shortt, who in turn did well to make room for a shot which Pegasus goalkeeper Mark Bambury did well to get down low.

With 10 minutes played, the away side looked to have scored, when they countered from a corner kick, Shortt superbly controlling Eoin Rogers clearance and spreading a pass out to Gardner, who in turn picked out Shortt towards the back post where he duly slotted the ball into the back of the net only for the goal to be ruled offside.

Following this early scare, the home side

defibrillator event Local group benefits from old mobile phones garda Sub Aqua club was one of 22

organisations to receive a defibrillator last week at a Fones4life presentation ceremony 2013.

Schools, community groups, scouts and sports clubs have been collecting and recycling old mobile phones to help raise funds for the machines which increase the survival rate of victims of sudden cardiac arrest, something which usually causes death if not treated instantly.

regrouped thanks in part to the leadership of their captain Barry Fagan, who looked to keep control of the ball and dictate the pace of his sides play which stifled the visitors and forced them to sit deeper in midfield.

Both sides finished out the half with several chances on goal, but Pegasus winger Ruairi Scolland and Francis’s Gardner would both be denied.

In the second half, Pegasus began to play more direct, a change in tactic which resulted in a 25 minute spell of dominance for the south Dub-

lin side which saw strikers Paul Cummins and Daniel Coxban on the end of several chances on goal, the latter chipping Rogers on one occasion only for the ball to strike the crossbar and be cleared from danger.

The visitors continued to quickly counter on the break with Gavin Doyle,only to find a well-organised Pegasus defence led by Brian Duffy stopping them in their tracks, showing everyone why they have only conceded nine league goals this season.

The chance of the

game fell to Scolland on the 70th minute following link up play with Cummins and Coxban, which culminated in Scolland finding space inside the box but Rogers once again producing a vital save.

The Baldonnel side held on for the draw and duly showed why they are league leaders, thanks to their captain Craig Gardner who led an organised defence and lef t Pegasus/St James frustrated as they felt they could have won the game, if they just showed more ruthlessness in front of goal.

21 February 2013 LUCAN gazette 31

Gazette

St Finian’s success a highlight of the year  sport@gazettegroup.com

LUCAN Sarsfields back Peter Kelly made an appearance for the Leinster panel last weekend as they were put out of the running to retain their 2012 Inter Provincial Hurling Championship after being beaten by Connacht, 3-13 to 1-16, in Tullamore.

Anthony Cunningham showed off his great tactical mind by bringing Damien Hayes and Davy Glennon off the bench during the semifinal tie, with both going on to score a goal each that would prove to be the difference between the two sides.

Leinster will be disappointed with the

result having led by a five point margin at two stages during the game, but the difference between the two sides was quite significant in the dying embers with Connacht leading by 3-13 to 0-16 before Eoin Larkin grabbed a goal which came too late to be anything but a consolation.

Kilkenny hurler Brian Hogan, who was captain of the Leinster outfit, claimed that the turning point of the game came when a Shane Dooley shot stopped on the line after getting stuck in the mud, allowing Connacht to clear.

“I suppose Connacht pushed on from there rather than us,” he said.

football: towers’ forward fires dubs to win

Club Noticeboard Lucan Sarsfields WELL, what a calorie burn in Liffey Val-

€80 for members. Contact Alice on 086

ley this weekend- 639km on Saturday

0805055 for bookings.

and another 435km on Sunday making

Only one party booking per week so

a grand total of 1051Km. That is almost

book early to avoid disappointment.

Dublin to our Facebook Friends Frankfurt Sarsfields!

Well done everyone and at €2.66 a Km we raised over €2,800.

The Club would like to congratulate one of our Patrons, Luke Moriarty, who has been selected as Kerry Person of the Year for 2013.

Hard luck to our senior footballers

Luke has been a great supporter

who lost narrowly to Thomas Davis

of Lucan Sarsfields as well as many

in the Vincent de Paul Cup on Sunday

other spor ting and community

morning.

organisations over the years and

Well done to our U-9 Boys football-

fully deserves this recognition. The

ers who won three out of five games

award will be presented to Luke at

against Naomh Barrog.

the Kerry Association Dinner on

Membership is now due and can be paid online through our website or at the clubhouse bar.

Package includes the full pitch from 1.30pm to 2.30pm on a Sunday afternoon and a reserved area in the Clubhouse from 2.30pm onwards for your party.

You may bring you own food but all drinks must be purchased in the Club bar.

Cost is €100 for non members and

March 1.

Anyone who would like to attend the event please contact Paul Stapleton on 087 2058572.

Training is going well for our White Collar Boxing event.

There are 14 event s already arranged for the next few weeks in support of the club and the boxers fundraising efforts.

It is not too late to arrange an event of your own.

Round towers clondalkin IN cup football, the Seniors drew with

help them become the Top Friday

Ballinteer St John, the intermediates

Night seller.

beat St. Oliver Plunketts and the Juniors lost to Ranelagh Gaels.

Hannah Tyrrell (left) battles for possession against Laois

Tyrell leads Jackies to Laois victory Mafc semi-final Dublin Laois  sport@gazettegroup.com

2-6 1-7

DUBLIN handed Tom McKittrick’s Laois their first defeat of the season as the Jackies scored a narrow victory in Sunday’s Tesco Homegrown Ladies National Football League Division One tie in Stradbally, with another stand-out performance from Round Towers’ Hannah Tyrell turning heads.

Two late pointed frees from Sinead Aherne gave Dublin a 2-6 to 1-7 victory against the O’Moore

County while Tyrell’s finish put the side back in the mix after sharing parity with the opposition for long periods of the tie.

Dublin were also missing a lot of key players going into the game, with Tyrell only being called into the starting 15 against Donegal due to 2011 All Star Elaine Kelly pulling up in the warm-up, who joined rising stars Orlagh Egan and Niamh Egan on the Jackies’ injury list.

The victory will certainly inspire some confidence in the side with the Laois outfit bagging two wins in their opening

two encounters against Tyrone and Donegal, proving that they are very capable of challenging for the league honours having last won the title 10 years ago in 2003.

McKittrick, a former Dublin U21 player, had masterminded two victories from the first two rounds of fixtures but Dublin bounced back from the previous weekend’s shock defeat against Donegal to claim a second win of the season.

At half-time, the sides were level at 0-6 to 1-3, with Lyndsey Davey bagging a 28th minute

goal for the Dubs to keep them on terms with the Laois ladies.

Ciara Burke netted for Laois nine minutes after half-time but Dublin hit back with a 44th minute goal from Tyrell, who has proved she can rise to the occasion given the opportunity by Paul Gilheaney in her first year up in the senior ranks.

Dublin were twice reduced to 14 players as captain Sinead Finnegan and Noelle Healy were yellow-carded but the Jackies, with Gilheaney in place as interim manager, still managed to dig out a crucial win.

The Minors lost to Whitehall in the league.

One hour once every 7 weeks is all it takes. If you are able to help please contact Matt McCormack on 087 683 6737 or email info@roundtower.ie

Membership is now overdue. Renewal

The Clubrooms are available for

forms available on the club website or

rental for parties, anniversaries,

in reception in the clubrooms.

etc.

Closing date for receipt of entries for Sports Predictor 2013 is fast approaching. All completed forms (and entrance fees) to be received by February 28.

Lotto results 11/2/2013: numbers were 11 - 14 - 21 – 25; Bonus Ball 24.

There was no winner of the Jackpot of €10,000.

Pick your Lotto Team Leader and

Please contact Jimmy behind the bar or on (01) 459 2960.

The club shop is open in the club every Monday night from 7.30-8.30pm.

Please call Betty Ward or Catherine Moran direct if you have any particular enquiries on 087 675 2238 or 086 830 3207 respectively.

Bingo is on every Tuesday night, first call 8.30pm.

St Pat’s Palmerstown A reminder to all members that club membership must be paid ASAP. A reminder to adult members that

Ar dheis de go raibh a anam.

Lotto results, first draw winning numbers 9, 10, 19 and 20 and there

membership must be paid before

was no winner.

the end of this week.

In the second draw, the winning

The AGM will take place on Wednesday evening in the club house.

The club expresses our deepest

numbers were 10, 16, 20 and 23 and there was no winner.

The next draw will take place on

sympathies to the Moore family

Sunday March 3.

on the passing of Cora who was a

The f ir s t dr aw jackpot will be

former secretary of St Patricks

€10,000

and greatly involved in the camogie

and the second draw jackpot will be

section of the club.

€6,800.

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

february 21, 2013

star celebrations: Saints held: Francis unable to stretch their lead at sport Fourth annual Dublin Sports the top of Senior 1/A, drawing with Pegasus P30 Awards to rock the Red Cow P28

Alex set to answer Ireland’s call  nathan kelly

sport@gazettegroup.com

LIFFEY Valley Rangers’ Alex O’Callaghan has been selected in Paul Doolin’s Republic of Ireland U-18 squad for next week’s friendly against Wales.

The talented central midfielder was named in the home-based squad on Monday for the game next week in Bangor.

The news will come as further recognition for the outstanding season the young man is having, after he represented Lein-

ster in the Interprovincial Tournament in October.

Speaking on his players inclusion in the squad, Liffey Valley’s U-17s manager Mark Connors did not hide his delight. “ O b v i o u s l y we ’r e delighted. I think for me the biggest thing has been that he stepped down from being captain of Lourdes Premier side to play his football with us because he wanted to enjoy his football again, which was a big decision for him. He came to us in the hope that he would develop as a footballer a

little bit more, he’s played for the Leinster Provincial side which was a good step for him and now this is obviously massive,” he said.

Connors, who represented Ireland at schoolboy level himself, said that he feels he and his coaching staff’s philosophy of letting their players enjoy their football has benefited O’Callaghan’s development.

“I think it just shows that the stuff that we’re doing in terms of putting the development of the

players first is working, and for me, I’m just over the moon for him. For your players to be called into the national squad is better than winning any sort of league.”

T h e 16 - y e a r- o l d ’s selection is completely deser ved, according to his manager. “He deserves something like this, he works extremely hard and he has got the ability to play in the Premier Division so for him to drop down and play with us and work so hard, he deserves something to merit the quali-

The Liffey Valley Rangers U-17 side that Alex O’Callaghan plays for

ties that he has.”

After naming the squad earlier this week, Republic of Ireland U-18s boss Doolin explained how he

hopes the players use the friendly to gain vital experience on the international stage.

“It’s a ver y young squad and it may take

them a while to make a real push towards the U-19 international squad but I think this game will prove to be a useful exercise,” he said.