Malahide

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YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER

INSIDE: Enjoying a feast of fantastic films P2

Soccer: United mission accomplished with league title Page 32

Camogie: Local stars shine as Dublin run Cats close Page 28

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ............. 2, 8-9 BUSINESS .................... 19 MOTORS ........................21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

April 12, 2012

CHILDREN: Public’s views vital in

helping to draft child legislation P4

CCTV at garda station claims denied I NATALIE BURKE

THE Department of Justice has rejected claims that it plans to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at Malahide Garda Station.

The statement comes following claims by north Dublin Senator, Darragh O’Brien, who said plans are afoot to install CCTV at the local station as it will no longer be manned at night following cuts to Garda

services. He said: “The Department of Justice are telling Garda Stations like Malahide that they will need to install CCTV and other security measures to make sure that nothing happens to the barracks when there are no gardai in it.”

This makes no saving to the Government as the taxpayer will still have to fork out thousands for the CCTV, said the Senator.

Full Story on Page 7

Smooth sailing: Launch of new centre is a hit with guests PICTURED at the recent reopening

of the newly-redeveloped Dinghy Sailing Centre by the Malahide Yacht Club at the Broadmeadows, were Irene Devitt and Mary Anglin.

The pair were among many locals

and members who had come to celebrate the launch of the split-level, ultra-modern facility on the Sea Road, built at a cost of €450,000.

Full Gallery on Pages 8-9

2 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 12 April 2012

MALAHIDE DEMESNE: ANNOUNCEMENT

EVENT Inaugural Fingal Film Festival award ceremony

Pathways are set to be repaired says council I NATALIE BURKE news@gazettegroup.com

A NUMBER of pathways used by the public within the Malahide Demesne are set to be repaired and resurfaced later this year. The announcement was made at a recent county council meeting, in response to a question posed by local Fianna Fail councillor, Eoghan O’Brien.

According to the council, only a limited capital budget is available for the provision of additional paths or the surfacing of old gravel paths in regional parks. However, the council also stated that the surfacing of the paths running along the southern perimeter of the Demesne, along what is known as the “back road”, have been identified as a priority area by the council and it is hoped that surfacing works will be carried out in the second half of the year.

“The amenity value of the demesne is secondto-none and it’s important the small things are being looked after for people who are visiting the demesne,” said Cllr O’Brien. “The problems with the pathways and issues with drainage can make it unsightly for visitors and not something they really want to see.”

It was also confirmed by the council that the

footpath running from Keegan’s Avenue to the castle will be fully reinstated as part of the contract for the water main installation across the demesne.

Meanwhile, a number of new litter bins are set to be provided in the Demesne area. The new bins will be installed in order to help cope with the predicted increase in visitors in the park and castle, and will be provided on completion of the development works at Malahide.

According to the council, the provision of additional litter bins is a subject kept under constant review and is balanced against efforts to encourage visitors to the park and demesne to bring their litter home with them, litter generated by the council or commercial activity excepted.

“It isn’t a major issue for the demesne and similar problems exist on beaches and other areas,” said Cllr O’Brien. “Many people will hang on to their rubbish until they get home if they can’t access a litter bin but when the work is complete at the demesne, the number of visitors is expected to triple. While most people will be respectful, there will be some who aren’t, and having more bins in the area will prevent having to use staff resources that aren’t necessary.”

The Fingal Film Festival Team

Enjoying a feast of fine films HE inaugural Fingal Film Festival award ceremony marked the end of a success story for its organisers, who gave budding film-makers a chance to shine during three days of film screenings and valuable workshops on the industry. What once was a casual conversation

T

between two friends, soon snowballed into a three-day sponsored event. The festival received film submissions from all over the world and from almost 300 entries, and the organisers had a tough job of whittling it down to the lucky few that screened in UCI Blanchardstown.

Best Newcomer WriterDirector in Fingal - Stephen Murray

Oisín Reynolds - Best Animation

Where the Sea Used to Be won Best Feature Film

12 April 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 3

BIRDS Call for public to report signs of rare kites

Good signs for the Red Kite Project I NATALIE BURKE

WITH spring finally in the air, the Red Kite Project is celebrating the season of “rebirth” with some of the rare kites already showing signs of pairing up and the beginning of nest building.

With the arrival of the new season, the Red Kite project team are urging landowners and members of the public to report any sightings they may have of Red Kites, particularly if you suspect the bird is carrying nest material or in the process of building a nest.

The kites took flight

for the first time at Newbridge Demesne last year, as well as locations in Wicklow, and the project team have followed their path of flight ever since, in order to help re-establish the endangered breed of birds in Ireland.

The unusual bird has become a familiar sight around the Wicklow and Fingal areas, particularly Avoca village, and people are travelling from around the country in order to catch sight of the graceful, forked-tailed kite floating and gliding over the fields and towns.

T he Golden Eagle Trust, in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Ser vice and Welsh Kite Trust supported by Coillte Teoranta, the Heritage Council and Greenstar Ireland, released a total of 120 kites in Wicklow and 39 in Fingal between 2007 and 2011, and each was fitted with a radio tag allowing the project team to monitor the birds following their release.

Since then however, a number of the beautiful birds have died from eating rats that had already consumed an illegal poi-

Red Kite showing the unique wing-tags that identifies them. Picture: Marc Ruddock

son called alphachloralose, and were dead or dying. The team believe, however, with the additional release of Red Kites in Fingal last year and a minimum of 29 young produced from wild Wicklow nests over the past two years, there is hope that the east coast population is secure and will continue to spread the species across the country.

As part of the celebration this year of the Red

Kites return in Ireland, the Golden Eagle Trust are hosting a talk at the Woodenbridge Hotel, Wicklow on April 14, starting at 10.30am.

The project team will be providing an insight into the project over the past five years and the highs and lows of bringing the Red Kite home to Ireland.

With the event kindly sponsored by Wicklow County Council, Deirdre Burns, heritage officer

with Wicklow Council, says: “The reintroduction of Red Kites is a significant milestone for biodiversity in Ireland.

Now that the population has been established, the continued success of the project will rely on the interest and enthusiasm of the local community.”

For more information, or to report any sightings, please email redkites@ goldeneagle.ie or on the project website www. goldeneagle.ie

COUNCIL

Discount entry fees FINGAL County Council is formulating a plan for the management of its heritage properties, to address requests for discounted access from special needs groups.

This comes in response to local Fianna Fail Councillors, Darragh Butler and Eoghan O’Brien, who put forward a motion at a recent council meeting, for the council to work with certain special needs groups, for free or discounted access to council facilities, such as Newbridge House Farm and Ardgillan House events.

According to the council, the visitor facilities in question are managed under licence by commercial companies and entry fees are already at a very low level. There is some limited potential for discounted entry fees for recognised special needs groups and supervising adults at designated times and by prior arrangement.

4 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 12 April 2012

STANDARDS Improving Ireland’s child welfare services

Public is urged to offer views on child protection TRACY COOPER, chief executive of the Health Information and Quality Authority, says draft standards on child protection set out the key attributes of an effective and safe child protection service IT is very clear from various reports in recent years that have highlighted the scale and seriousness of child abuse in Ireland, that there is a need to significantly improve Ireland’s child protection and welfare services.

With this as our guiding principle, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has developed Draft National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children that set out the key attributes of an effective and safe child protection service.

The setting of standards by HIQA and the monitoring of compliance with them are important levers in driving improvements in the effectiveness and safety of health and social care services for children and families.

The new draft Standards have been launched for public consultation until May 17 next by HIQA. The Standards document, and an easy-toread guide to the draft Standards, can be downloaded from the Authority’s website, www.hiqa. ie. HIQA has a legal duty to set standards, while the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a legal responsibility to promote the welfare of children not receiving adequate care and protection and therefore it is critical to ensure that the system for protecting children is

effective and robust.

The draft National Standards have now been developed by HIQA to support continuous improvements in the care and protection of children receiving HSE child protection and welfare services.

The Standards put the needs of children at the heart of child protection services and promote the principles outlined in Children First, the national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children. HIQA is committed to ensuring that the safety and wellbeing of children is the top priority for the HSE. The Standards will apply to HSE Children and Family Services and its statutory functions, which include protecting and promoting the welfare of children at risk in the community, and supporting and protecting children in the care of the State.

When finalised, the Standards will be the basis of HIQA’s future inspections of the HSE’s child protection functions and can also be used as a guide for self-assessment and improvement by all those involved in the protection of children.

While HIQA will publicly report on the HSE’s performance, and hold the HSE accountable for these services, the Standards will enable HSE child protection and welfare services to gear up to the best of their ability to

address concerns consistently and to a high standard.

It is important to point out that, when implemented, HIQA would review HSE systems rather than individual cases. It is not intended that, as a general rule, the Authority should become involved in the detail of individual child protection cases. Therefore, people who are concerned about the welfare of children in any setting should continue to report any concerns about child protection and welfare to their local HSE health office.

The HSE has been consulted in the drafting of these standards as they are critical to the implementation of these standards.

HIQA developed the Standards assisted by a Standards Advisory Group. This is a group of key representatives from the HSE, Government departments, An Garda Siochana, other regulatory bodies, people from the academic and legal fields, non-statutor y organisations and other key stakeholders.

The expert group and HIQA looked at, and considered, international and national published research, standards in Ireland and elsewhere, expert opinion, policy document and reports by national and international governmental and non-governmental organisations.

Tracy Cooper, chief executive of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)

In general, our Standards are not prescriptive but are calling for timely and effective action to be taken to protect children, and that children and their families have timely access to child protection and welfare services. A number of reports on child abuse cases were considered by the Authority and its Standards Advisory Group when developing these standards.

These Standards cover issues such as listening to children, assessment and planning, working

with other agencies, the protection of children across a range of settings and the training and support of staff, and are grouped according to six key themes as follows: • Child-centred services • Safe and effective services • Governance, leadership and management • Use of resources • Workforce • Use of information.

The Authority is now seeking the views of the

general public and children and young people on the draft National Standards. Information collected from this consultation process will be used to inform the development of the Standards.

Your comments can be submitted through an online survey on the HIQA website, www. hiqa.ie, or by downloading and completing the consultation feedback form on our website and emailing it to consultation@hiqa.ie. You can print off the feedback

form and post it to us, or you can write to us.

Once the consultation deadline has passed, the Authority will carefully analyse all the submissions made and we make further amendments to the Standards document.

The finalised Standards will be presented to the Board of the Authority for its approval.

Following this, the Standards will be submitted for approval to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

12 April 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 5

PROGRAMME

FUNDRAISER: BRAVE FRIENDS WAXED IN AID OF ROSS NUGENT FOUNDATION

Drivers wanted

Event raises nearly €4,000 ALMOST €4,000 was raised at a recent waxing fundraising event, which was held at Gibneys Malahide, in aid of The Ross Nugent Foundation.

A number of live performances by local bands took place on the night, while nine of Ross’s friends braved the pain of being waxed in order to raise money for a cause close to their hearts.

According to the two organisers of the event, students Colm Roche and Stephen Brooks, the night was a huge success, raising a total of €3,890; enough to purchase two heart monitors on behalf of the Foundation, which was set up in memory of 18-year-old Ross, who lost a courageous battle against cancer in 2010.

“This was the first time

to do something like this and, while it started out as something small, it went brilliantly,” said Stephen Brooks.

“Colm was originally hosting the waxing event as part of a college assignment and I was holding a football tournament on St Patrick’s Day for the Foundation, so we decided to join together.

The nine lads who took part were all from Malahide and were friends with Ross, and the girls doing the waxing were from Blue Moon Beauty Salon. We had a fantastic turnout and held the events throughout the night to keep the momentum going.”

Performances on the night featured a number of local bands, including Jack Ryan, Jessica Smith and

Steven Finnegan, while the donated raffle prizes included a signed Dublin football jersey, VIP entry for The Wright Venue, a print by MacEoghain Photography and a six-course seasonal tasting menu by MasterChef star, Ian Mullin, to name a few.

For Colm Roche, who also organised the event, the fundraiser has been the most rewarding task he has ever taken on.

“It brought together all of Ross’s friends, their families and, most importantly, Ross’s family. We wanted the event to be as much about remembering Ross as well as recognising how inspirational The Ross Nugent Foundation is.”

See page10 for photos of the brave lads who were waxed for the charity.

No April Fools Here: Local students emerge joint winners at Schools Quiz A PALPABLE air of tension and excitement hung over the main hall of the RDS on April 1 as 100 teams of four schoolchildren from across the country battled it out in the grand final of the 21st All-Ireland Credit Union Schools Quiz.

Under the watchful eye of Marty Whelan – Quiz master for the day, St Helen’s Primary School, from Portmarnock, emerged joint winners in the Competition A (up to 11 years age category.)

Pictured at the grand finals of the All Ireland Credit Union Schools Quiz at the RDS were (left to right) Jimmy Johnstone, President, Irish League of Credit Unions, team members Christopher McFadden, Jamie O’Connor, Robert Richmond and Sean Carroll) from St Helen’s Primary School, Portmarnock and Marty Whelan.

VOLUNTEER transport programme, Care to Drive, are seeking volunteer drivers from the Malahide area to help them over the coming months.

The programme is run by the Irish Cancer Society and they are seeking drivers from Malahide to help transport patients to and from Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, the Mater and St James’ Hospital.

As part of the programme, drivers are recruited and trained to drive patients to and from their hospital appointments, a service which is free to both the hospital and the patient with the Irish Cancer Society incurring all costs. All fuel expenses are paid.

Volunteers are asked to commit to driving two days a month, Monday to Friday. For more information call Gail on 01 2310 566 or email gflinter@ irishcancer.ie

6 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 12 April 2012

POLITICS Local campaign to keep the Fry Model Railway in its hometown

Minister’s comments misleading – councillor

I NATALIE BURKE

LOCAL Fianna Fail councillor Eoghan O’Brien has described recent comments made

by Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, as ‘misleading’, with regard to the local campaign to keep the Fry Model Rail-

way in its hometown of Malahide.

In a recent interview with the Gazette, Minister Varadkar said the Fry Collection had been removed from Malahide Castle before he was appointed Minister and mentioned that Mary Hanafin was Minister

at the time, while Cllr O’Brien was also on the council.

“It was funny that Minister Varadkar mentioned me working in the council and Mary Hanafin being Minister when talking about the collection being removed, when he was

out turning the sod on the development project at the same time. His comments were misleading and I just want to set the record straight,” he told the Gazette.

According to Cllr.

O’Brien, he is disappointed that Minister Varadkar is “pointing the finger” of

blame at others. “I don’t care who delivers it as long as it’s done. We are being assured that MinisterVaradkar is working on the issue, but if he is making misleading statements about myself and Mary Hanafin, I worry about his statements regarding the stage he is at in the

project.”

Cllr O’Brien is keen to see the Fry Model Railway returned to Malahide and called for a suspension of standing orders at last week’s Area Committee meeting.

“Unfortunately, the cathaoirleach ruled that the meeting had fin-

ished so couldn’t take my suspension, which I was disappointed about since the meeting had started late. So I then asked could we agree for a letter be sent from the area committee to the Minister to outline the urgency of our request,” he said.

Interview skills boost for students

TWENTY-FIVE students from Malahide Community School, brushed up on their interview skills last week when they took part in the Junior Achievement Ireland programme, in association with Hertz.

Volunteers from Hertz Europe Service Centre, Swords, gave the Leaving Certificate students a “professional edge” in interview techniques, when they held mock interviews on Friday, March 23, at the Hertz centre.

Each student sat a mock interview and got feedback from Hertz professionals, before getting a guided tour of the building and learning about job opportunities available to them at Hertz.

Junior Achievement Ireland works to

bring business people into the classroom to show students the kind of jobs they might enjoy when they finish school. It aims to bridge the gap between school and the world of work and to inspire students at risk of leaving school early to remain in education.

This school year, Junior Achievement will bring enterprise and life skills to 70,000 students nationally in more than 500 schools with the help of 3,000 business volunteers. A not-for-profit organisation, Junior Achievement is supported by more than 130 of Ireland’s leading organisations.

For further information contact Junior Achievement Ireland on 01 2366644.

Councillor Peter Coyle

PROPERTY: CLLR CALLS FOR STRANDMILL ESTATE REPORT

‘No maintenance issues at estate’ I PAUL HOSFORD

THERE are no problems with maintenance at the Strandmill Estate, Fingal County Council said this week.

Councillor Peter Coyle asked the manager to report on what progress has been made in the examination of problems relating to the maisonette block of [Strandmill] particularly relating to wind/ draughts in the units associated with poor/no external wall insulation, and to state if remedial action is being taken to address the problems.

In response, the council said that there had been no complaints regarding the estate and insulation works had been carried out in previous years.

“There are currently no outstanding maintenance complaints to be dealt with by the council at the maisonette block referred to. Insulation and ventilation works were carried out in these units during 2007 and 2008, with the upper units having the attics insulated to a depth of between 150mm300mm. Three of the units have PVC double-glazed windows installed,” said the council, who went on to say that works would be carried out in the estate this summer.

“The Strandmill Estate is scheduled to undergo cyclical maintenance in the next phase of the programme, which is shortly going out to tender. The cyclical maintenance programme shall

include external painting and joinery works on the above-mentioned units.

The joinery on the windows and doors of these units will be examined as part of these works and any necessary repairs shall be carried out as part of the scheduled works.

“It is proposed to examine the windows and doors of the one-bed units in Strandmill Estate with a view to replacement, where required, as part of a programme of window and door replacement to one bedroom units across the county, subject to the necessary resources being available. This programme will take cognisance of older stock and will be phased to give priority to the circa 300 onebed dwellings which are

predominantly occupied by older tenants,” said the report, but says that the issue of insulation could only be addressed when resources allow.

“There is no wall insulation in the maisonette block referred to. It may be possible to pump the walls with insulation but the walls of the block would need to be opened up in order to investigate whether there a sufficient cavity space exists to carry out insulation works. When resources permit, the council shall examine the possibility of carrying out external wall insulation in older stock on a phased basis. However, there is currently no source of funding identified to allow such works to be carried out.”

12 April 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 7

FastNews Gardai deny plans for CCTV INTERVIEW Senator claims plans are afoot for cameras

at Malahide Garda Station I NATALIE BURKE

PLANS to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at Malahide Garda Station have been denied by the Department of Justice this week.

This follows claims by north Dublin Senator, Darragh O’Brien, who told the Gazette there were plans afoot to install the CCTV at the Garda station as it would not be manned at night.

In an interview with the Gazette, Senator O’Brien said that, with the cost of securing the unmanned stations at night, members of the community will continue to spend money on the station despite receiving a downgraded service.

“I have written to the Minister and am waiting confirmation, but I understand that the station will

not be manned at night and, because of that, the Department of Justice are telling Garda stations like Malahide that they will need to install CCTV and other security measures to make sure that nothing happens to the barracks when there is no gardai in it.

“We’re looking at thousands of euro spent on installing top-of-therange CCTV equipment in the barracks. Couple that with closure of the station at night, and there will be no monetary savings. It’s going to cost the exchequer and the people of Malahide, Kinsealy and Portmarnock money to secure the station and they’re getting a downgraded service,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said there is no Gardabased CCTV project in

North Dublin Senator, Darragh O’Brien

the Malahide area and that Garda CCTV systems are planned and implemented on the basis of operational needs identified by An Garda Siochana.

“The Department established a community-

based CCTV scheme in 2005 to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems,” she said.

According to Senator O’Brien, he is still waiting on a response from the Minister and hopes to have confirmation within the coming weeks.

“I still don’t believe it’s too late for them to overturn this decision.”

Caring and Sharing to host boxing

Wine course to be held at Gibney’s

The Caring and Sharing Association (CASA) will be hosting a White Collar Boxing fundraising event later this month, which will be held at The Wright Venue, Swords.

CASA is a charity that gives respite breaks to people with disabilities and currently have respite houses located in Swords and Malahide, as well as Wicklow, Cork, Galway and Maynooth, amongst others. The CASA will be holding its fundraising event on Friday, April 20, where the men and women will take part in the challenge after weeks of training. To buy a ticket for the boxing event, and support this local initiative, contact Mary O’Donoghue on 087 6775300.

Gibney’s of Malahide is set to host its next wine course this April, which will be run by tutor Ann Moran. The course will be held from Wednesday, April 18 to Wednesday, May 16 in the Wine Room at the popular pub.

The five-week course will be held from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm every Wednesday evening within the month and places are available at €100 per person.

The schedule for the course includes classes on grape varieties, tasting techniques, Old World and New World wines, Sparkling Wine and Food and Wine pairing. For more information, contact Gibney’s Off Licence on 01 8450606 or email info@gibneys. com.

.

8 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 12 April 2012

EVENT Malahide Yacht Club unveils its newly re-developed

Sailing into a new era HE newly-redeveloped Dinghy Sailing Centre has been launched by the Malahide Yacht Club at the Broadmeadows. Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Gerry McGuire, the President of the Irish Sailing Association, Niamh McCutcheon, and the club’s 1980 Olympic Silver Medallist, David Wilkins, were all on hand to help launch the centre recently. The split-level, ultra-modern facility on the Sea Road, built at a cost of ₏450,000, features a general purpose area/classroom, changing rooms and showers on the ground floor, while on the new first-floor level, there is a large lounge/viewing area, a committee room and storage room.

T

Graham, Sheila and Hilda Smith. Picture: Una Williams

David Wilkins and Roger Greene

Riona McGrath and Paul Gully

Marinda and Bob Sugrue

Irene Devitt and Mary Anglin

TD Alan Farrell with Nathan, Charlotte Greene, Kate Natin and Izobel Shakle

12 April 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 9

Dinghy Sailing Centre at the Broadmeadows

Rose O’Sullivan and Alanna Tilly

Tess O’Sullivan and Kate Sheirdan

Ellen Jenkins, Brendan Costello and Paul O’Sullivan

Emmet and Orla Dalton

Trustees, Alan Lawless and Richard Burrows

Cllr Anthony Lavin and Emer Somers

Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, Senator Darragh O’Brien and Cllr Peter Coyle

Barry Sheridan, Sharon, Marie O’Sullivan

10 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 12 April 2012

EVENT Fundraiser makes almost €4,000 for foundation

Preparing, ready to go!

Going...

Gone!

Enduring pain for a good cause LMOST €4,000 was raised at a recent waxing fundraising event, which was held at Gibneys Malahide, in aid of The Ross Nugent Foundation.

A number of live performances by local bands took place on the night, while nine of Ross’s friends braved the pain of being waxed in order to raise money for a cause close to their hearts.

According to the two organisers of the event, students Colm

A

Roche and Stephen Brooks, the night was a huge success, raising a total of €3,890; enough to purchase two heart monitors on behalf of the Foundation, which was set up in memory of 18-yearold Ross, who lost a courageous battle against cancer in 2010.

Performances on the night featured a number of local bands, including Jack Ryan, Jessica Smith and Steven Finnegan.

Not done yet!

The event was enjoyed by all

12 April 2012 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 12 April 2012

COMPETITION: GETTING ‘HOOKED’ ON ENERGY

Top talent: A natural at wood turning

Looking to our youth for ideas

JIMMY DEENIHAN, Minister

for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, attended the National Museum to accept the museum’s most recent acquisitions from Kerry-based wood turner artist, Earl Allgrove (right).

Minister Deenihan said: “This extremely talented artist was brought to the museum’s attention while participating in a craft development project with South Kerry Development Partnership. Having started working with wood relatively recently – back in 2003 – Earl has shown tremendous natural skill in attaining this level of competency with wood turning.”

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CELEBRITY broadcaster George Hook launched Tell The Future, a storyw riting competition encouraging primary school children, North and South, to write a short story on how to power homes, hospitals, factories and schools into the future.

Now in its second year, the competition rewards the best ideas from young people in Ireland today regarding energy and the environment.

Rugby pundit and NewsTalk host, Hook, is spearheading this year’s competition and has made a special animated video for pupils, parents and teachers to learn more about it, which can be seen by logging on to www.tellthefuture.eu Launching the competition, George commented that, as a nation, we need to pay more attention to the creativity of our youth.

“Our young people today are not only more aware of innovation and new technologies, but also of the environmental and energy challenges we are facing today and into the future. We need to take more notice of young people’s creativity, and Tell The Future gives them a nationwide platform to showcase their ideas on energy sustainability,” he said.

Bringing these written stories to life is a key feature of this year’s Tell The Future competition, and winners in the junior and senior categories will have the unique opportunity to have their story transformed into a oneof-a-kind animated video narrated by George Hook himself.

In addition, first-prize winners will receive their own iPad and a specially-engraved trophy. The school of the winning pupil will receive five Netbook laptops, with branded mouse pads and t-shirts for his or her class.

Second and third-prize winners will each receive a Kindle.

Tell The Future is part of a pan-European initiative – Future of Rural Energy in Europe (FREE) – which is supported in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

by Calor Gas, and aims to highlight the environmental and energy-related concerns facing rural communities in particular. Tell The Future will be launched for post-primary school students North and South in autumn 2012.

The closing date for entries to the Tell The Future primary competition is Friday, May 18 2012. For full details, please visit www.tellthefuture.eu

12 April 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 13

R1

EVENT Getting a Lidl help for Happy Heart

Have a heart and help raise funds for foundation I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

FAIR City’s Tom Hopkins and TV celebrity, Caroline Morahan, have volunteered to raise money for the Irish Heart Foundation’s 23rd Happy Heart Weekend appeal.

The weekend is on May 10 to 12 and the aim is to raise half a million euro to fight heart disease in Ireland.

The event is sponsored

by Lidl Ireland and their staff, together with the team at 2FM, and the Irish Heart Foundation are appealing to Dubliners to volunteer and lend a hand in the mission to raise the target amount.

Happy hearts will also be sold through Lidl stores.

“I support Happy Heart Weekend because I’m passionate about driving awareness of heart disease and stroke. A little bit of awareness can be the difference between life and

death. This was the case for my cousin, who was able to spot the signs of his heart attack and managed to get help in time,” Caroline Morahan said.

Caroline has helped the Irish Heart Foundation before and been involved in previous years’ Happy Heart Weekends. She left Ireland for Los Angeles but has returned and is looking happier and healthier than ever. She is a loyal patron of the charity.

The anticipation is building for the Happy Heart Weekend 2012 and preparations are already in full swing for what is shaping up to be the best Happy Heart Weekend yet.

Every year thousands of people all over Ireland give up their time during the weekend of May 10, 11 and 12 forThe Irish Heart Foundation.

These volunteers scat-

tered across the country will hit the streets to collect donations and sell the Happy Hearts for €2 each.

They will provide you with a fundraising pack, heart badges, and details on local collection points, plus you can choose what day or days you would like to volunteer.

You can also raise money for Happy Heart Weekend your own way by registering for the events pack to keep hearts across Ireland happy and healthy.

Collect donations at work and discover new ways to gladden and strengthen your heart so that it will last a lifetime.

The spoils of the Happy Heart Weekend will provide free heart disease education and fund a helpline to support heart and stroke patients. Every €2 raised from the sale of happy heart badges will

SHOW: PAVILION VENUE Dublin Dance festival set to delight DUBLIN Dance Festival is stopping off at several venues across Dublin and Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, is one of them this year.

The Spanish company, Aracaladanza, will perform a piece inspired by surrealist artist, Magritte.

It will be a strange mix of puppets, dance, clouds and ladders sure to ignite the imagination of any audience.

The show is entitled Nubes (Clouds) and it has already delighted audiences across Europe. It is suitable for all ages from

Caroline Morahan calls for volunteers to support the Irish Heart Foundation’s Happy Heart appeal, with ‘Lidl volunteer’, three-year-old Laura Ormsby

help to avoid 13 unnecessary deaths from heart disease and stroke in Ireland.

Hopkins said: “Even giving a small bit of your time can make a big difference. Whatever you feel passionate about, prevention, research, CPR... the Irish Heart Foundation does it all and I hope the people of Dublin will volunteer to sell happy hearts this May.”

Hopkins is from Ballyfermot and has been on the show for many years. He began life as a civil servant but ended up treading the boards., and is well known for giving his time to charitable causes.

To volunteer for Happy Heart Weekend in Dublin by selling happy hearts or by organising your own fundraising event, call Jena Clark on 087 3743367.

You can also donate directly to the charity online or find out more about the fundraising drive by going to www. happyheartweekend.ie

four years and up.

“Magritte would tip his hat… for 50 minutes both children and adults were left speechless,” according to La Tribuna de Albacete.

You can catch the show at Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, where there will be four performances, on Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13, beginning at 2pm and again at 4.30pm.

Tickets are €14 for adults and €10 for Children. Concessions are €12 / €8 and Family tickets, €40 (for four people).

14 GAZETTE 12 April 2012

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY Green Angel skin range nurtures with nature

Weleda nourishes with its Skin Food

CELEBRITIES and models across the world swear by it, and it can be seen in makeup bags of A-listers like Adele, Alexa Chung and Rhianna, so what is Weleda’s skin food’s secret?

Skin Food was created in 1926 and was the first skincare product developed by natural brand, Weleda.

The replenishing skin repair cream, Weleda Skin Food is ideal for people constantly on the go, which can lead to tired, overworked and dehydrated skin.

The product’s main ingredients include nature’s best, including organic sunflower seed oil, and extracts of wild pansy, calming chamomile, caring calendula and revitalising rosemary extract to perk up even the weariest skin.

A great rescue remedy for undernourished complexions – the reason why it’s the go-to skin care product for so many worldwide.

Weleda Skin Food is €6.25 (30ml) /€11.25 (75ml) and available from Nourish Health and Beauty Stores, selected independent health stores and pharmacies nationwide.

AN Irish-based company is showing just how wonderful Mother Nature can be with their exclusive range of seawood and essential oil beauty-based products.

Each product is handmade using the very best in Irish products, sourced by a husband and wife team. Chris and Mary Mitchell developed Green Angel and have over 10 years experience in bringing, and developing high-quality Irish products.

The Green Angel collection is a unique collection of fresh and innovative beauty products with over 33 unique handcrafted skin care, spa and hair-care products helping to rejuvenate and nourish all types of skin.

The product is themed to be wellbeing from the ocean, which many users

would agree after testing it.

According to the owners, the top-to-toe holistic approach they provide leaves the entire body, revitalised and enriched, with nurturing ingredients like vitamin E, jasmine, ylang ylang, neroli and apricot all combined with the natural healing benefits of Irish seaweed.

Yes, you heard right, seaweed. Nature’s very own beauty product is added with care to ensure best results.

Each product is blended meticulously to ensure that all the benefits of seaweed extract is captured. The seaweed is sourced from unpolluted waters off the west coast of Ireland, with all the benefits of natural, highquality essential oils to deliver amazing results.

The Green Angel prod-

ucts have been making customers look and feel refreshed all day long.

The couple have always seen natural ingredients as an important part of their lives, whether it is in the food they eat, or the topical applications they use. The importance of which has been carried through into their work and development of Green Angel products on an ongoing basis.

The holistic Green Angel experience will leave you revitalised and ready to face the busy world again. Green Angel have their factory showroom in Rathcoole, where they continually develop new ingredients and products.

Green Angel Body Massage Oil with Neroli Geranium & Irish Seaweed Extract is just one of the many products

Holistic Green Angel experience will leave you revitalised and ready to face the busy world again

available. It’s used to help relax; pour one drop into the palm of the hand and massage from the feet to the neck. Body massage is renowned for helping to clear toxic build-ups and for aiding relaxation. Another way of using this product is in

the bath – pour two teaspoons into bath water and soak for at least 10 to 15 minutes to soothe and relax.

Check out the full range of Green Angel products by visiting greenangel.com, where products can also be pur-

chased.

There is a also a wide range of pharmacies and gift shops nationwide stocking the natural range.

For stockist information call 01-4124900 or visit their website for details of stockists.

12 April 2012 GAZETTE 15

Edited by Laura Webb

Give yourself something to really smile about GIVE yourself something to smile about, and make that smile glisten with a whitening glaze, thanks to a new fuss-free treatment.

Not ever yone can afford to get their smile matching celebrity smiles on red carpets all over the world. But who is to say we can’t try, and try is what Gazette Beauty has done. When we heard about PolarWhite Pro, a product used by some friends, we decided to find out if it really works PolarWhitePro Teeth Whitening Glaze comes in a very stylish silver penlike product, which says it is a fresh, affordable and fuss-free treatment to keep teeth looking healthy and pearly white. It’s a safe, pain-free way to whiten and brighten. Stains from

smoking, tea, coffee and red wine disappear with use. The light and small product can easily feet in to a bag or make-up bag when on the go.

As a heavy tea and cof--------------------------

‘PolarWhitePro has been developed by an Irish company in conjunction with a leading international dentist’ --------------------------

fee drinker myself, it was time to put it to the test and see the results. It is recommended to use for five days once a month. and follow instructions carefully. It is a bit messy but worth it. Holding a smile after applying the application can make you

feel like a Chester Cat, but you won’t mind smiling once you see the finished results.

It takes 60 seconds to dry, but do not rinse because the gel remains active, slowly dissolving surface stains on teeth and you can’t eat or drink for 30 minutes after application. After using it for the full five days there was a noticeable change.

PolarWhitePro has been developed by an Irish company in conjunction with a leading international dentist. It uses potent active ingredients, a formula that helps to whiten teeth up to six shades lighter after six applications.

For further information, or to purchase it, log onto www.polarwhitepro.com

Food intolerances - Could you be suffering?

IT is estimated that about 20% of Irish people suffer from food intolerance and many of us are not aware of it. The term, “food intolerance”, refers to a reaction in the body that arises from an inability of the digestive system to properly digest certain foods. These undigested foods lead to an accumulation of harmful toxins in the bloodstream, which causes our immune system to overreact. Food intolerance can manifest itself in many ways some of which include: IBS, indigestion, eczema, asthma, hay fever, and even headaches. A finger prick test in your local pharmacy may identify foods that you are intolerant to and help improve your quality of life.

With Thanks to the Staff of Lucan Village Pharmacy PolarWhitePro Teeth Whitening Glaze

16 GAZETTE 12 April 2012

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: HOW TO SAFELY INTERACT WITH FAMILIAR AND UNFAMILIAR CANINES

Keeping children safe around dogs I WAS deeply upset to read about an incident reported earlier this week concerning a small child who was viciously attacked by a husky dog.

Now, before I go on, I want to say that this is not typical behaviour for such a breed. In fact, here at the Dublin SPCA, we have successfully, responsibly, re-homed many huskies over the years that have made wonderful, loyal family pets, so I would hate for any reader or prospective husky parent to shy away from this breed in light of the unfortunate and dreadful incident.

I don’t know the facts, only what I have read and I thank God for the quick intervention of the child’s neighbour and I believe

the little guy is recovering in hospital.

When my own, now adult, daughter was only three, she was savagely attacked by a neighbour’s dog and I can tell you I was mad beyond words.

Thankfully, Megan made a full and speedy recovery and I insisted on adopting a rescue dog, so she wouldn’t grow up fearing all dogs were going to attack her. That dog is my much lamented greataunt Sophie, now 17, and I immediately set about educating Megan regarding her own personal safety around Sophie.

However, I would stress to all parents/guardians that no child should be ever be left alone or unsupervised with any dog, irrespective of breed.

Teach your child to NEVER pat a strange dog without the owner’s permission

That is not to say the little lad in question was ever left unsupervised, it’s just a piece of advice from somebody who works in animal welfare.

As a mother and grandmother, I can only imagine the poor mom’s utter horror as she helplessly watched the scene unfold before her very eyes. As a result of that unfortunate

incident, I want to give readers a few tips regarding safety around dogs; whether it’s your own family pet or a strange dog, because, believe it or not, there are a number of ways in which your child could come into contact with an angry dog. They are: • The family pet.

• A friend’s, neighbour’s

or relative’s dog.

• An uncontrolled dog on the street/in the park.

• A dog under effective control, on a lead, but who is approached by your child in a manner he doesn’t like.

All parents know that kids go off the rails when they spot a dog. Their natural instinct is to run up and pet the animal, try to hug it, pick it up and scream and squeal with excitement, often upsetting the dog, albeit unintentionally. So, what can you do to protect your child from being bitten by a dog?

• Teach your child to respect a dog’s instincts and, most importantly, its fears. When around a dog, ask your child to speak quietly and to move slow-

ly – no running around making mad, flapping movements.

• Never allow your child to ride a bike, a scooter or skate too close to a dog.

Some dogs feel scared because they are not normally used to these things and may even chase the moving object because such behaviour can trigger a dog’s natural prey instinct.

• If a strange dog gets frisky or excited around your child, teach the child to behave like a statue. Your child will need to drop any food or toy they’re holding and stand still like a statue or a tree. Statues are boring for dogs – they will usually come over, sniff and go away. Practise this with your kids, so they

know exactly what to do if a strange dog rushes at them.

• Teach your child to NEVER pat a strange dog without the owner’s permission.

• With the owner’s permission, teach your child to approach the dog slowly and quietly and allow the dog to sniff the back of the child’s hand – then gently pat the dog’s chest, sides or back.

Again, these are guidelines. Hopefully, the little lad will make a full recovery and I wish him and his parents the very best for their future.

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

12 April 2012 GAZETTE 17

18 GAZETTE 12 April 2012

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods FORGET bankers, bondholders and brokers - it’s the rockers we should have been looking to for financial advice all this time. Two major players in the rock world could be making (even more) big bucks very soon.

Bono’s tech-wise investments in the likes of Facebook and Yelp means some investors are saying “I Will Follow” to whatever the U2 frontman puts his money to. His investment firm, Elevation, is set to pocket a billion dollars from Facebook alone, and the next trick up Bono’s leather sleeve is the company expected to take a huge bite out of Apple’s market.

Dropbox - an internet storage service - is still in its early stages but already has tens of millions of users, and with the first 2Gb free, they’ll be logging on in their droves.

Although, back in the music world, it’s yet to be seen if ALL Bono’s investments are “sound”. U2 have apparently enlisted the help of the songwriter who gave X-Factor losers (well they didn’t win, did they?) One Direction their debut hit. Bet they’re sorry they already used ‘Pop’ as an album title.

Another rocker with his eyes on a very big prize is Neil Young. Coming from the time of vinyl, the legendary musician thinks MP3 just isn’t up to scratch and wants to develop a new audio format with quality that’ll take the listener right into the recording studio.

Young wants the future of music to be coming from an online “cloud” as opposed to compressing audio like an MP3 would.

Don’t be fooled by his 66 years, Neil Young is down with the kids, and with one of his trademarked names for this new invention: “Thanks for Listening” — he’s polite too! They don’t make them like that anymore.

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

Go with the Flo: Machine release Unplugged set COMING on the back of her recent acclaimed set at the O2, Florence Welch and her Machine are releasing the MTV Unplugged session recorded in New York recently.

The set features songs from Florence’s two albums, as well as covers of Johnny Cash’s Jackson, backed by Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, as well as a beautiful rendition of soul standard, Try A Little Tenderness.

CHARITY: IRISH ACTS CONTRIBUTE TRACKS TO NEW RELEASE

Supporting the sound on Pieta House release I ROB HEIGH

LIFE SUPPORT, a compilation of exclusive tracks from some of Ireland’s finest artists was released last week in aid of Pieta House, the suicide and self-harm crisis organisation based in Lucan.

Life Support is the brainchild of Alan Jacques from the Green & Live Show on Limerick’s Live 95 FM, a perennial supporter of new Irish music. Among the 18 tracks on the compilation, many which are exclusive, are songs by Delorentos, The Coronas, Windings, Wallis Bird, We Cut Corners and The Flaws.

“Pieta House is a cause close to my heart.

I wanted to support and raise money for Pieta House in a practical, pro-active way,” said Alan Jacques who conceived the album and approached some of his favourite Irish artists of the last few years to get involved.

“Music is a great way to express your emotions. We’ve very appreciative that so many artists have come together to support the work we

We Cut Corners, one of the Dublin bands who feature on Life Support, released in aid of Pieta House

do at Pieta House,” said Joan Freeman, CEO and founder.

“We want to remind people that we are here to help, and we urge people who feel they can’t cope, or who find themselves in crisis, to please contact us. Our services are free of charge and we’re equipped to help people get through their crisis,” she said.

Pieta House provides a professional, faceto-face, free-of-charge therapeutic service for

people in the acute stages of distress.

The therapy is aimed at people who have attempted suicide but sur vived, those who have a strong urge to take their life and those who self-harm.

The primary aim of Pieta House is to reduce suicide by helping people get through that critical phase when suicide becomes a plan rather than just an idea.

Pieta House opened its doors in Lucan in

January 2006. In the last five years, the organisation has opened four more centres – three outreach centres in Finglas, Tallaght, and Ballyfermot in Dublin, as well as a second national centre in Limerick.

The unique, clinicallybased model developed

by Pieta House is used by the five centres across the country.

Aside from the contribution of the 18 artists who appear on the compilation, the album

has been made possible with the support of Limerick’s Live 95 FM and The Delphi Label to allow all proceeds from the sale of the CD to contribute directly to Pieta House.

The album, priced €9.99, is released on The Delphi Label on Friday, April 20, and will be available to buy online and from selected stores in Ireland, and also as an iTunes download.

For more information, see www.pieta.ie.

12 April 2012 GAZETTE 19

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Antonio Macari, owner of Macari 66

Cooking the best in fresh at Macari 66 ANTONIO Macari’s parents came to live in Ireland in the late 1950s and early ’60s, respectively.

Borza Cafe on Braemor Road in Churchtown, was owned by Antonio’s aunt and uncle and his mother was working there at the time. She met and married Antonio’s dad soon after.

They went on to open a successful business, Macari’s, in 1966 at Harold’s Cross, but in 1972, they moved back to Italy.

Antonio was only five years old, so he was brought up in Italy until he decided to come back to Ireland in 1993.

He worked in Borza’s, in Tallaght, for a few months until he was given an opportunity to run the new Roma takeaway in Lucan Village, then a restaurant in Terenure and another takeaway.

In the year 2000, he co-founded Italtiles, a bathroom and tiles company, with a friend. It had showrooms in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, and he was involved until 2008 when he sold his shares.

He spent some time back with Borza’s again, which has always been his second home, until last year, when he decided to open Macari 66. The number 66 is very significant to him because his dad opened Macari’s in Harold’s cross in 1966, where it used to be a few doors down from the cinema. He kept it in the name to distinguish him from the other Macaris.

He then decided to do things a bit different from other chippers and cook fresh fish while you wait. His beef and chicken burgers are home-made and use Irish beef and chicken, and he fries with palm oil only.

WHERE TO PLACE € 10,000 Q – I have €10,000 to invest. Would my best option be to put it off my tracker mortgage and keep same repayments to reduce the term ?

Or another option, to buy prize bonds ? Thanks.

Declan – Blanchardstown A - There are a number of factors that must be considered in making investment decisions. Age, family and income are the three major considerations, along with current savings and investments strategies – do you have a Rainy Day Fund ? Ideally, three to six months net annual income in an accessible account for three reasons : 1. Emergencies (your engine packs in) 2. Sudden loss of income (one of you loses your job) 3. Investment opportunity (buying that le Broquy for half nothing !)

Tracker rates are 1% currently and possibly likely to go even lower for the next 24 months. Therefore, you CAN earn more on deposit than you can save by paying off your tracker mortgage. You are probably paying c. 1.75% interest on your mortgage.

Best demand deposit is 3.25% ( KBC Bank – email me for details ) or net 2.275%... over 0.5% more than your mortgage is costing. Investec Bank also offer 4.52% (net 3.164%... 1.314% greater) on an 18month fixed deposit account.

As regards Prize Bonds, you are subject to the

Antonio Macari, owner of Macari 66

vagaries of chance. While you do have a greater chance than the Lotto, those chances are still slim,

Q&A

but Prize Bonds are a good option in a balanced portfolio.

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

A: An airplane pilot.

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

A: Most of the cleaning, which

ern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward?

A: Probably Jedward.

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: Fancy restaurants and on

Q: What was your first job?

A: Serving sweets and ice

I supervise anyway.

Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? A: A lot of Pink Floyd, Red Hot

holidays.

cream at the Borza on Braemor Road in 1980.

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: Twenty pounds.

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: November, 2011.

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: I suppose it’s that I am the

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

A: A holiday brochure, even though I can’t go right now!

Q: What sport do you follow?

A: Football and the Six Nations’ rugby.

Q: What sport can you play?

A: Football.

boss!

Q: What habits would you like to lose?

A: Eating too much!

Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?

A: No, not really.

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

A: Definitely a holiday.

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

A: My house, I guess.

Chili Peppers and other rock groups.

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: Mostly my friends status’.

Q: What was your last Tweet/ status update?

A: I shared a joke.

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: It would have to be my wife’s lasagne and my mum’s homemade sausages.

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

A: Rock music.

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

A: Definitely together at the

Q: Who best represents mod-

same table.

Contact John with your money questions at

jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: Six, plus four or five pairs of

director of Money Doctor

sport shoes.

Q: What was your worst holiday experience?

A: I’ve never had a bad holiday.

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: A round-the-world trip of three months, at least.

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: I would love to win the lotto and then do charity work fulltime.

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

A: Travel as much as I can afford to.

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZET TE CALL 60 10 240

LOCAL

MATTERS

20 GAZETTE 12 April 2012

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY BLANCHARDSTOWN: DETACHED FOUR-BEDROOM PROPERTY

Redwood rises high in Hollystown homes Interiors at Barnageeragh Cove

SKERRIES: RANGE OF PROPERTIES FOR SALE

Captivating Cove for new buyers Hooke & MacDonald and Grimes Real Estate Alliance are opening showhomes on the waterfront at Skerries, at Barnageeragh Cove this weekend, and already only a small number of properties remain in the soughtafter development.

The specification in Barnageeragh Cove is well above normal standards, both internally and externally.

The contemporary houses and apartments are nestled amidst grounds that incorporate a blend of hard and soft landscaping, with feature seating areas and pathways providing residents with a soothing environment.

In every property, kitchens are finished to a high standard as per the individual showhomes, and bathrooms and en suites focus on hygiene and clean modern lines.

The bedrooms feature contemporary wardrobes, while all the living spaces boast fine finishes.

The extra-large terraces are one of the main features of design of the apartments providing above-average outdoor space to residents.

There is high-efficiency gas condensing boiler, WormGlo central heating system, with contemporary style Stelrad radiators. All the houses and apartments at Barnageeragh Cove are covered by the ten-year HomeBond Guarantee Scheme.

The two bedroom apartments (70 sq m / 760 sq ft) are priced from €150,000; the three-bedroom duplexes (114 sq m / 1,230 sq ft) are priced from €220,000; and the threebedroom-plus study houses are priced from €295,000 (125 sq m / 1,350 sq ft).

SHERRY Fitzgerald are bringing No 38 Redwood, Hollystown, Dublin 15, a detached four-bedroom property in showhouse condition, to the market for the asking price of €315,000.

The best quality fixtures and fittings adorn this turnkey property, situated near Hollystown Golf Course, and it further benefits from a landscaped, sunny, southwest facing rear garden with water feature, splitlevel patio and garden lighting.

Inside, the accomodation, which extends to 1,360 sq ft, comprises of an entrance hall with Canadian solid hardwood flooring. There is particularly good understair storage here also.

The oversized guest WC is elegant in its simplicity with quality wall and floor tiling, compris-

ing WHB and WC. The living and reception room benefits from dual aspect, with a bay window to the front and a picture window and double glass doors which open to the rear garden.

A contemporary stylestone fireplace has a gas inset fire.

The kitchen-breakfast room comprises an ivory-fitted kitchen, and is complemented by a deep red-tiled splash back and cream ceramic floor tiles. The electrical appliances are mainly topof-the-range Neff appliances, such as a double oven, five-ring gas hob, chimney-style extractor fan. There is also an integrated fridge freezer and dishwasher.

Tall, double, glass doors open to the patio and rear garden, and a separate window to the side of the kitchen fills this room

with light. There is access to the utility room from here, which is plumbed for a washer and dryer.

The condenser gas boiler is housed here and this room is ideal for further storage.

The master bedroom is decorated with great flair and imagination, containing built-in wardrobes and triple windows maximising light.

The flooring in all of the bedrooms upstairs is high-quality semi-solid.

The master bedroom is also en suite, with cream ceramic wall and floor tiling and a Merlyn shower enclosure.

The second bedroom is also en suite, a double guest-room with dual windows and built-in wardrobes. Bedroom three is another excellent double room with same flooring and quality-fitted wardrobes.

Number 38 Redwood, Hollystown in Dublin 15, is on the market for €315,000

The master bathroom is fully tiled, comprising bath with shower attachment, WHB and WC. Outside, the garden has a parking bay for two cars to the front, and dual

entrances to the landscaped south-west- facing rear garden.

For more information, contact Michelle Curran at Sherry FitzGerald on 01 820 1800.

CASTLEKNOCK: TWO-BED GROUND FLOOR APARTMENT FOR €245,000

Courtly sought-after apartment SHERRY FitzGerald in Castleknock are bringing No 3 Castleknock Court, Castleknock, Dublin 15, a two-bed ground-floor apartment, one of just eight apartments in this sought-after development, to the market for the asking price of €245,000.

Built to extremely high standards and benefiting from a recent total refurbishment, this property is in walk-in-condition, with an upgrade of wiring, plumbing and new double-glazed windows throughout. The ceilings have even been re-plastered to remove the previous stipple plastering.

This property is further enhanced by having its own hall door and, there-

The interior of No 3 Castleknock Court

fore, no shared communal hallway.

Built to extremely high standards and benefitting from a recent total refurbishment, this property is in walk-in-condition, with an upgrade of wiring, plumbing and new

double-glazed windows throughout.

The new kitchen and electrical appliances are bound to appeal.

The accommodation, which extends to 700 sq ft, comprises an entrance hall with laminate floor-

ing and a storage closet/ cloakroom which affords ample storage space for a clothes dryer, and there is a separate hotpress.

There is a large open plan living/dining room with matching flooring.

Decorated in neutral cream paint finishes and cream-painted woodwork, the room also features wood surround fireplace has an electric fire.

A large glass sliding patio door opens to a sunny balcony which overlooks communal gardens.

The new kitchen in the property is in high-gloss cream with wood veneer trim and matching countertops. An electric oven, ceramic hob, extractor fan and washing machine are

included, and the floor is tiled in cream ceramic and there is a very attractive natural stone splash back and window sill.

Both bedrooms are spacious double rooms with built-in wardrobes, while the bathroom comprises a shower, washhand basin and WC, tiled flooring and extensive wall tiling.

Castleknock Court is located at the top of Beechpark Avenue at the junction with Castleknock Road, right in the heart of the village.

Viewing is by appointment and can be arranged by contacting Michelle Curran at Sherry FitzGerald in Castleknock on 01 820 1800.

12 April 2012 GAZETTE 21

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS

Edited by Cormac Curtis

Renault Clio gets a fresh design HERE is an awful lot of buzz going around about new compact cars entering the market this year, such as the Skoda CitiGo, VW up! and the Seat Mii. But, there are still other models around that should not be dismissed altogether, simply because they cost a little more. One such car is the Renault Clio.

This week, I spent a few days with the entrylevel Clio, also known as Expression, and it is certainly a useful and eyecatching little motor.

The model I drove was of the three-door variety, which is always a good test of practical design when there are two kids under the age of seven to ferry around.

When it comes to passengers, the idea of buck-

T

ling in the kids in the back seat of any threedoor car always fills me with dread, but the reality is rarely all that bad.

The front seats in the Clio Expression do move quite freely, and the handle for tilting and sliding the seats is easy to get at and operate.

One trap this Clio doesn’t fall into is using overly-long front doors.

There are quite a few small cars that go large on the doors to make passenger access that bit easier – but that often leaves the driver with a heavy weight close, and, more often than not, swinging wildly against the next car in the car park. So far, so practical.

Where the Clio does make a statement is with its design.

Without going com-

RoadSigns Road Signs JAGUAR CONFIRMS PRODUCTION OF F-TYPE: JAGUAR

The Renault Clio – also known as the Expression – is an attractive entry-level, three-door vehicle, with a subtle look that strays from recent Renault designs for a more refined style, replete with plenty of useful features

SPECS: RENAULT CLIO CO2 emissions: (g/km) 132 Consumption: 8.3 litres/100km 1.2-litre 16-valve Fuel tank: 55 litres Fuel type: Ethanol/ unleaded €12,990 for 1.2-litre

pletely over the top, the car does stand out nicely from the crowd.

The front grille is low and large, almost giving it the look of a basking shark. Just over this grille, the headlights have a stretched look, as

they wrap from the front back towards the windscreen, really lending some expression to the front end.

There’s also fog lights that give a little bit more personality to the whole affair.

In terms of spec, the Clio Expression may be the entry-level model, but it does have quite a bit on offer.

It comes with a threeyear/100,000km warranty, as well as ABS with EBD (electronic brake distribution) and electric windows up front.

There is an 80W radio-

CD MP3 with a separate display, and four speakers that can also be operated from controls on the steering column.

The back seats get three headrests, and an electronic immobiliser is also standard.

In the rear, there are Isofix points on the seats, and the three-door model has Isofix points on front passenger seat.

The rear seats also fold down to allow for larger items in the boot.

There are a host of airbags, a multifunction trip computer, Renault’s Anti Intruder Device (RAID),

as well as remote central locking and a normalsize temporary spare wheel.

The interior is dark grey cloth upholstery, and there are attractive chrome inserts on the dashboard and steering wheel.

Coming in at €12,990 for the 1.2-litre model, the price is a little steeper than some other, high-profile entries in to the market, but with Renault’s various tradein offers, there are sure to be plenty of ways to bring that price down a bit.

Skoda Ireland to sponsor Robert Barrable Rally Team SKODA Ireland are sponsoring rally driver Robert Barrable and his team, Robert Barrable Rally Team, as he takes part in the Circuit of Ireland rally.

A native of Swords, Barrable is a former Billy Coleman Award winner and 2010 British and Irish Citroen Racing Trophy Champion.

The rolling sponsorship agreement will see Skoda Ireland support the Robert Barrable Rally Team with additional team infrastructure, including the provision of branded

merchandise, marketing, PR support and a team hospitality unit as well as investment towards event costs.

This season, Robert is competing in the latest specification ex-works Skoda Fabia S2000 rally car.

Last weekend’s Circuit of Ireland Rally formed the third round of the global Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC).

The circuit of Ireland is the second-oldest rally in the world. Steeped in history, many epic battles can be recounted

after almost 80 years of rallying on the Emerald Isle. Skoda has previously tasted success at the event with Eugene Donnelly and Paddy Toner winning in 2009 with a Skoda Fabia WRC. Speaking at the announcement of the new sponsorship deal, Barrable said: “I’m delighted to have such a great brand like Skoda supporting the team, the Skoda Fabia S2000 is a fantastic rally car; the added support from Skoda Ireland will hopefully lead to further suc-

cess this season.”

Raymond Leddy, marketing manager of Skoda said: “Skoda Ireland is very pleased to be able to support rising Irish Sports stars like Robert and we hope this sponsorship can help him further his career. We can see the potential in Robert and are delighted to be involved.”

For information on Robert Barrable Rally Team please go to: http:// robertbarrable.com/ Or follow him http:// twitter.com/#!/RBarrableRally

Skoda Ireland are sponsoring rally driver Robert Barrable and his team

has confirmed that it will be bringing an all-new sports car to production – the F-TYPE. Speaking at the New York auto show, Adrian Hallmark, global brand director, Jaguar Cars, said: “We showed the C-X16 concept in September 2011, and the reaction to it has been so positive that we’ve accelerated our development of an all-new Jaguar sports car.

“The core appeal of Jaguar’s cars is their sporting heart, and that heart will beat stronger than ever before in the F-TYPE.” Full F-TYPE technical and range details will be announced later in 2012. It will go on sale in mid-2013.

22 GAZETTE 12 April 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Relaxing in the elegant surroundings of Ballymaloe

Valletta, the capital of Malta

The sixth-annual star-studded Isle of MTV Malta music festival is a must-see for music lovers

THE successful Isle of MTV Malta music festival will be taking place in Malta this year for the sixth consecutive year on June 26.

The music and entertainment organisation has already confirmed the attendance of multi-platinum selling musician and producer, Will.I.Am, in what promises to be a stellar line-up.

The star-studded event will take place in Floriana, Valletta, and is a must-see for all music lovers. Concorde Travel is currently offering package holidays to this, or the neighbouring resorts, for the dates around the event. Early booking is recommended as availability is limited.

Departing on June 21 for seven nights, stay at the three-star Bayview Apartments, in Sliema, on a self-catering basis, based on four sharing a twobedroom apartment, from €654pp; the three-star Bayview Apartments, in Sliema, on a self-catering basis, based on two sharing a studio apartment, from €674pp; the three-star Tal Fanal Complex, in Gozo, on a self-catering basis, based on four sharing a one-bedroom apartment, plus car hire for the stay, from €684pp.

Stay at the four-star Mellieha Bay, in Mellieha, on a half-board basis, in a double/twin room, from €844pp or the five-star Le Meridien Hotel, in St. Julians, on a BandB basis, in a double/twin room, from €874pp.

Prices include return flights to Malta, return airport transfers, accommodation and board basis as indicated, and all taxes and charges.

To view videos of Malta and Concorde Travel accommodation, go to Concorde Travels YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/concordetraveldublin To book your Malta break, or for further information visit www.concordetravel.ie or phone (01) 775 9300.

MIMI MURRAY

WHEN the sun shines in Ireland there really is no better place on earth.

Our coastline takes on a glistening aquamarine hue, the lush countryside is several shades of green and, as we all know, the craic pores out on to the streets for some al fresco dining and drinking.

Just east of Cork city is the lovely village of Shanagarry, which is home to the Allen family estate, Ballymaloe.

This beautiful country house is set on hundreds of lush acres, with plenty of elegant country pursuits available right on the grounds. These

include an outdoor pool, a croquet lawn, a tennis court and a small golf course.

We only stayed for 24 hours, but the intensely relaxing atmosphere in the house makes it feel like longer. We slept in the Blue Room, in the main house, which has double doors leading out to a very pretty garden, which leads into an area that houses pigs, chickens and a magnificent peacock.

No television can leave some guests a little worried about the lack of a diversion on arrival, but we were thrilled to not have the distraction. A trip to Ballymaloe is all

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A spacious, tranquil standard room

about relaxation and dining. Oh, the dining.

After a lengthy drive from Dublin, we immediately wanted to sample some of the food, even if it was only a small sampling. I went for the scones with home-made jam, whilst my other half had an open roast ham sandwich – big meaty chunks served on homemade brown bread with lots of pickled cucumbers and coriander. Everything was bursting with flavour – delicious and not a mouthful of their famed relish in sight!

After some very sedentary pursuits, including reading and a nap, we decided to explore

the grounds. The estate is breathtaking and we meandered into the nearby craft shop and coffee shop for a look. The walled garden should also be seen.

Perfection

And so to dinner. On Friday evenings, they do a hors d’oeurves buffet before the main event, which is really different and gets everyone buzzing about the meal ahead. There was everything from smoked fish, mussels, oysters, lots of delicious vegetables and a selection of pates and terrines. It is tempting to get stuck in here, but that would be inadvisable as there are five more courses to come, including, soup, main, cheese, dessert and coffee with petit fours. Everything is cooked to perfection and is very imaginative. Slowcooked lamb for me and poached monkfish with scallops for him, were perfection.

We loved the way our waitress came around with a cheese trolley and the dessert trolley. It was quite 1970s, Fawlty Towers but good fun and something a little different. Plus, the selection was outstanding. The French almond tart was sublime.

After that lot, there is nothing more for it than

The Ballymaloe country

an after-dinner drink in the bar or an early night.

On many evenings you can find Rory Allen in the drawing room playing traditional music. In fact, you might run into any of the Allens, although we didn’t spot the illustrious Rachel or Darina during our stay.

However, the elder matriarch, Myrtle, was on hand to chat to guests.

After a very decent night’s sleep, brought on by the good country air, we looked forward to breakfast, which was again to an exceptional standard. We managed another quick jaunt around the gardens before we had to bid a very tearful farewell to Ballymaloe, with a definite promise to return very soon.

For information on deals at Ballymaloe House go to www.ballymaloe. ie or check out the Blue Book website on www. irelands-blue-book.ie.

12 April 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

TravelBriefs

London tops the polls for second year as most popular overseas destination for Irish travellers

house is set on hundreds of lush acres in the lovely village of Shanagarry, just st east of Cork city

Etihad Airways new service to Kenya expands presence in Africa ETIHAD Airways’ inaugural passenger flight to Kenya touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, last week.

The new daily, twoclass A320 service is the airline’s first passenger service to East Africa and a critically important step in expanding its presence in Africa.

The airline will also reach into West Africa with the introduction of flights to Nigeria in July, 2012. Etihad Airways commenced operations to the Seychelles in November, 2011, and Libya in January of this year, building on existing services to Egypt, South

Africa, Morocco and Sudan.

An Etihad Airways delegation of senior executives, led by chief commercial officer, Peter Baumgartner, was on the inaugural Nairobi flight.

Executives from the airline will meet government officials and local tourism representatives during the visit to Kenya.

The delegation will also host an evening reception to celebrate Etihad Airways’ new flights.

Etihad Airways President and chief executive officer, James Hogan, said: “We are delighted to introduce Etihad Airways to East Africa. This year will see consider-

able growth for us within Africa as a whole, as we observe strong and emerging markets across the continent.

“In particular, this new route services the considerable and growing flow of people and capital between Kenya and north Asia, with major Chinese investment in Africa generating passenger demand in both directions.

“We expect to see strong loads to China, including our new destinations – Chengdu and Shanghai – and, of course Beijing, though the schedule allows subfour hour connectivity to key destinations across

Etihad Airways’ inaugural passenger flight to Kenya touched down in Nairobi

north Asia, south-east Asia, the Indian subcontinent and Australia.”

The A320 aircraft has 16 Pearl Business class and 120 Coral Economy class seats.

Etihad Airways began dedicated cargo serv-

ices to Nairobi in March 2009 and will continue to operate five freightonly flights per week. The combined capacity of passenger and cargo aircraft will allow the airline to transport 340 tonnes of cargo each week.

LONDON has topped the poll for the second year in a row as the most popular overseas destination for Irish travellers, according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index.

The report shows that London was the most visited overseas city by Irish travellers in 2011, beating off competition from places such as New York and Paris to take the top spot.

Despite London topping the poll as the most visited city, the US was the most popular country for Irish travellers in 2011, with six American cities in the top 20. New York, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Francisco, Boston and Chicago all featured on the list as travellers took advantage of the strength of the euro against the dollar.

Short breaks to European destinations also remained popular in 2011, with Paris, Rome, Berlin, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Madrid and Nice all in the top 20. Closer to home, wellknown soccer cities, such as Liverpool and Manchester, also made the list with Liverpool the fifth most visited destination in 2011.

Kate Hopcraft, senior PR manager at Hotels.com, said: “London is always a popular choice for Irish travellers, thanks to its accessibility for both business and leisure travellers. High-profile media events, such as last year’s royal wedding, have really helped keep London top of mind with travellers and, with the Olympics just around the corner, we would expect to see London continuing to be a popular destination.

“It was also interesting to see that six out of 20 destinations on the list were US cities, indicating the popularity of the US for Irish travellers all year round.”

At home, Dublin was ranked as Ireland’s most popular destination for a ‘staycation’ in 2011, while cultural hot-spot, Galway, took second place. Cork was third on the list while Limerick, the destination with the lowest average price covered by the report, took the fourth spot. The popular picturesque town of Killarney scooped fifth place to make up the list of most popular domestic destinations.

24 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 12 April 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Springtime Recital

MUSIC lovers are well served by the Dun Laoghaire School of Music’s spring lunchtime rehearsals, which returns to the Pavilion with what promises to be a delightful performance by acclaimed cellist, Sandra Vedras. She will perform music by Bach, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Rachmaninov, and will be accompanied by Declan Fitzpatrick, for a refined recital that will usher in a fresh feeling for the middle of the season. Her lunchtime recital is at 1pm on Saturday, April 14, with tickets priced at €9.50/€6.50.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Cause Celebre THE social and cultural mores of the 1930s come to the fore in this 1977 play, which is based on a real-life story.

Presented by the players of Sandyford Little Theatre, a young chauffeur, and his much older lover, is charged with the murder of her third husband. But who is really on trial, and who will society damn the most? Gender, class and the expectations of 1930s’ morality collide in this engrossing production. The play runs nightly at 8pm until Saturday, April 21, with tickets priced €18/€15.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 885 2622 Our Father STEFANIE Preissner’s remarkable performance examines abandonment, loss and acceptance as she uses rhyme and rap to explore the death of a parent, as, stanza by stanza, the familiar familial threads of love, birth, betrayal, regret and death are pulled back to create a moving, mesmerising production, courtesy of a rhythmic journey through the language of rap. Our Father runs from Monday, April 16 to Saturday, April 21 at 8.15pm, with a Saturday matinee at 3pm, and with admission priced €16/€10.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Easter Integrated Dance Project CROI Clan, a professional contemporary dance company based in Cork, invites both disabled and non-disabled dancers, aged between 13-18 years, to participate in this exciting and dynamic week-long project, which celebrates and encourages dance diversity. The week will conclude with a dance piece set in a professional show in Draiocht’s studio space. The free project will run from Tuesday, April 10 to Saturday, April 14. If interested to participate, email sarah@draiocht.ie or telephone 01 809 8029.

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Group of human soldiers in boat, meet enormously powerful invading alien vessel. Aliens, meet some ants. Still, cinemagoers will know which side to bet on in this latest tale of derring-do on the high seas. Luckily, Rihanna’s on board to help save the day. Hurray!

A sinking feeling ...

Kate’s left all at sea by a brash film that’s sure to leave critics floundering, but should make a splash at cinemas I KATE CROWLEY

IF I ever find Liam Neeson trying to stuff any kind of cheap flyers through my letterbox (you know, for any kind of local takeaway or taxi firm, that kind of thing), I swear I’ll drop my Mariettas and teapot to race over to the front door as fast as my dainty Size 9s will take me.

Once I’ve flung open the front door, I swear, I’ll grab Mr Neeson by the strap of his leaflet delivery bag and drag him into the front parlour, ready to grill him on some of the roles he’s been taking on in recent years.

After all, choosing to enlist for a (brief) role as an admiral in Battleship doesn’t seem to have quite the same gravitas of other roles he’s had in the past, right? (Are you listening to me, Oskar?)

I’m sure that, like the rest of the Crowley household, my dear readers can both instantly relate to

FILM OF THE WEEK: Battleship ## (12A) 131 mins Director: Peter Berg Starring: Liam Neeson, Rihanna, Alexander Skarsgard, Brooklyn Decker, The Tall One, The Sidekick, The Captain, Aliens

OUR VERDICT: TIMBERS are left well and truly shivered by the bombastic antics in this tale. It messes about a bit with the standard Hollywood trope of Vastly Superior Invading Aliens Get Spanked By Primitive Hoomans, but its cheerfully enthusiastic approach to chaos and destruction will delight audiences as much as deafen them. Intellectually empty, it’s an adrenaline-packing production that’ll do well.

the raw tension and stress involved with the classic game, complete with endless shouts of “G7!”, “E3!”, and the like, eventually culminating in the indignant coup de grace: “You sunk my battleship!”

Not, one may imagine, what one might call obvious source material for a $250 million blockbuster, but hark! What sound of barrel-scraping breaks through yonder window?

Given that the thought of Liam Neeson playing Battleship against, I dunno, a CG panda, or a CG turnip (voiced by Eddie Murphy) for 90

minutes probably didn’t lead to high-fives at the movie mogul meeting, instead, we arrive at the completely logical and inexplicably previously omitted element needed to complete Battleship’s appeal – aliens.

Yes, that’s right, a bunch of themtharr extreeturresteeal folk have suddenly started splashing about in the ocean, where, as luck would have it, Admiral

Neeson (oh, and Rihanna) are standing by, ready to do a lot more than shout “F6!” from the deck.

(As normal for any film with plucky military types saving the day, I completely fail to remember character names, ending up with The Tall One or The Captain or The Sidekick – as such, it’s just easier to remember The Neeson or The Rihanna here.)

With several ships happening to be in the area at the time, and caught unawares by the sudden a p p e a rance of vast (and vastly superior) invading alien vessels, it’s not long before the aliens have successfully turned

pretty much all of the ships they come across into rather unsuccessful submarines, and started trashing urban areas, too.

Oh dear.

Can the sailors wipe the deck with the aliens, or will there be an early bath for humanity?

Well, you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck with this one, which is, basically, a much wetter version of Transformers. No doubt it’ll float yer boat if you’re one of those landlubbers that’s happy to send your brain on shore leave for a while, but Cap’n Crowley here found it all to be a little bit fishy.

Now. Hollywood. I have a fandabidozi idea for a new film, with car chases, a love triangle, a hot chick, and a nervewracking finale shootout on top of the Chrysler Building. It’s called “Tiddlywinks”. Call me.

Meet Admiral Shane (Liam Neeson, in a not especially memorable role)

12 April 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Gaming and its potential for a negative impact on kids SHANE DILLON

LAST week, The Guardian published an interesting story that emerged at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers’ annual conference, in which the negative aspects of gaming were having on some children were discussed.

That word – “some” – is very important, as it is impossible to argue otherwise that regular exposure to violent and adult games has no effect on some children.

At the conference, it was discussed that many psychologists were reporting negative behavourial traits in young children who played computer games extensively – of most note, and unsurprisinly, there were some worrying trends associ-

ated with young children playing games designed for teenagers, or adults.

(Given that some of my siblings are teachers, these comments and insight backed up much of the anecdotal evidence I’ve heard from the coal face, in addition to my personal experience.)

Suggested It was suggested that many children who experienced such content (primarily, violent computer games) were prone to be more violent, potentially at greater risk to social exclusion, more physically sedentary, and other such worrying traits.

Without wishing to sound too professorish, I’ve been gaming for more than 30 years, from the earliest days of home

computer gaming, so I’ve probably got more insight into gaming than an awful lot of people – and parents – out there.

With this in mind, while I’m passionate about gaming, and still can enjoy games from many points of view, I’m also much more aware, lately, of the ways in which gaming is still largely regarded by many parents and adults as, “you know, for kids”.

In this way, I’ve been pretty horrified by the increasing sight, and sound, of young children playing completely inappropriate games, along with teens also being needlessly exposed to gory, graphic content, Having just trotted past 40, my teenage years are some way past, although I can still (just about)

While many games that revel in slapstick violence can be age-friendly for all the family (such as Angry Birds, left), many other titles are rated 18+ for clear reasons (such as Grand Theft Auto IV, right) – yet many parents remain unconcerned about the potential negative impacts that such titles may have on their children

remember all of the things I, and my peers, did as teens in the 1980s, including the then media frenzy over “video nasties”, and the like, and how willing – of course – my friends and I were to dabble with our first steps into the adult world.

However, while of course games, and gaming, can be wonderful pastimes, and fun for families to share and spend time together with, it’s worrying indeed that too many parents don’t seem to know, or care, what their children are playing.

It’s safe to say that the

vast majority of parents wouldn’t know one end of a claymore from another – or, indeed, what a claymore is – but it’s a pretty safe bet that their sevenyear-old son does, given the amount of six- or seven-year-olds I’ve heard running around with guns and mines in games like the Call of Duty, or Battlefield franchises, with pretty disturbing language to boot.

While of course “play” takes many forms, and any child psychologist worth his or her salt would tell you that violent, exploratory play is a normal part

Control the Force with this great Kinect competition HERE at The Gazette Group, we’ve teamed up with XBox to offer readers another great Kinect prize.

Following on from the recent launch of Kinect Star Wars for Xbox 360, five lucky readers can be in with a chance to win a copy of the game.

Using the Kinect sensor, Kinect Star Wars allows fans to physically hone their Jedi skills, wield the power of the Force in their hands, pilot iconic ships and vehicles, rampage as a vicious Rancor monster or even dance with iconic Star Wars characters.

Using full body motions, players can live out the ultimate Star Wars fantasy to use the Force, battle with a Lightsaber and more – no controller required.

To be in with a chance to win your copies, simply email The Gazette with the answer to the following statement: Complete the following Kinect for Xbox 360 tagline: A. You are the boss B. You are the controller C. You are the best Email your answer, with the subject line “Kinect”, before 5pm on Friday, April 20, to: competition@gazettegroup. com. All correct entries will be entered into a draw, and five winners will be selected at random to win a copy, which will then be posted out.

One entry per person.

Five readers can feel the Force and win a copy of Kinect Star Wars, for the XBox 360

of child development, as boundaries are explored and defined, gaming’s potential negative impact for some (but by no means all) children needs greater policing by parents.

While it’s clear that gaming is an acceptable, and welcome, part of children’s lives today, it’s to be hoped that parents take a greater interest in what, exactly, is being played.

GAZETTE

26 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 12 April 2012

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12 April 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

SPINNING AROUND Stephen Halpin on his return to the top level of cycling: Page 29

ADVENTURE RACE: RACE OVER WICKLOW MOUNTAINS SET TO CHALLENGE ATHLETES

Competitors set for WAR at Glendalough sport@gazettegroup.com

THEY say that war is hell, and this weekend sees an opportunity to put that maxim to the test when one of the t o u g h e s t a d ve n t u r e races in Ireland, the 53 Degrees North Wicklow Adventure Race (WAR) takes place at Glendalough.

On Saturday, April 14, over 600 competitors will run, cycle and kayak through some of

the most beautiful scenery in Ireland.

There is a choice of three courses for competitors new to the adventure race scene.

For those serious tough guys and girls, there is the full WAR course of 75km, which takes in 21km of mountain running, 52km of cycling and 2km of kayaking.

T h e c o u r s e t a ke s competitors along the Spink Run, over the Sally Gap, along the

challenging Djouce run before ending with kayaking on Lough Dan. There is the shorter WA R- S p o r t o p t i o n , which will take in similar spectacular scenery and route, but which will total only 44km.

And, for the first major race of 2012, there is the new WAR-Mini option, which avoids the gruelling heights of the Spink Run, but will be equally as challenging for new converts.

Former Ireland and Leinster player Shane Byrne celebrates finishing his first WAR event

The 53 Degrees North WAR series of adventure races will be run to the BS8901 standard.

The standard defines the requirements for a sustainability event management system to

ensure an enduring and balanced approach to economic activity, environmental responsibility and social progress relating to events.

Event T-shirts will be made for 100% recycled

polyester (each is the equivalent of five plastic bottles).

And instead of the traditional single use plastic goodie bags, distributed at the end of the event, 53 Degrees

North WAR goodie bags will be reusable drawstring bags.

For more information, and to register for the race, log on to www. wicklowadventurerace. com.

28 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 12 April 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

CAMOGIE: DUBLIN COMEBACK FALLS JUST SHORT AT CRUMLIN

Row, row, row your boat to league opener HUNDREDS of Dublin rowers will be at the National Rowing Centre in Cork this weekend to compete in the huge Skibbereen Regatta, which this year forms the first round of the eFlow Go Row League.

The league, which includes the Dublin Metropolitan Regatta next month, has been gathering interest and numbers since it was launched two years ago and, which recently received the boost of eFlow becoming their headline sponsor.

Sunday’s event in Cork will feature 560 crews, and will be one of the biggest one-day regattas ever held in Ireland.

UCD, the national champions in the women’s senior eights, and recent victors over Trinity in the colours races on the Liffey, will be favoured to win the Division One eights’ title. They take on senior eights in NUIG and a Limerick composite crew drawn from St Michael’s and University of Limerick, but also Queen’s University and Trinity, who have entered Under-23 eights.

The men’s senior eights will feature crews from Cork Boat Club, Grainne Mhaol and Queen’s University, with UCD and Trinity both having two crews in the intermediate one eights class, which is also part of Divison One. Both UCD and Trinity will be targeting a big performance at the Irish University Championships at the same venue on Saturday.

The eFlow Go Row League continues with the Queen’s University regatta on April 28, the Dublin Metropolitan event on May 26 before a return to Cork on June 23.

Almost 1,500 athletes, 300 crews and 350 boats will participate in Dublin Metropolitan, Queen’s University, Cork and Skibbereen regattas. For more information, see www.rowingireland.com.

A battling and impressive Dublin side closed out the Kilkenny girls in the second half but just fell short of a win

Camogie stars just miss out NCL DIVISION 1 Kilkenny Dublin

2-9 2-8

I sport@gazettegroup.com

DUBLIN missed out on a rare senior camogie triumph over Kilkenny last weekend when their incredible comeback came up an agonising point short at O’Toole Park on Easter Sunday.

They were left to rue a tally of 13 wides from placed balls, while the concession of a soft second goal will rankle.

But huge positives can be taken from the tie and Dublin will be looking to recreate this form in their next matches.

Ten points down with four minutes to go at the break, the Dubs went on to outscore Kilkenny by 2-7 to 0-4.

In the entire second half, the visitors could only score once from

play, and never threatened the Dublin goal, a testament to a wonderful defensive performance, with debutante Emma Whyte starring, and holding talented Cat Aoife Neary scoreless from play.

Some of Dublin’s p l ay w a s o u t s t a n d ing, particularly in the super four minutes spell before half-time. Louise O’Hara was central to much of this recovery.

An Ali Maguire pointed 45 was Dublin’s first score in 23 minutes in the 26th minute, and this was followed by a superb cross-field pass

by O’Hara to Amy Murphy who pointed.

Another O’Hara missile found Ciara Burgess in the 29th minute and the Raheny girl raised Dublin’s fourth white flag. Dublin weren’t finished, and O’Hara

picked out Mur phy whose rasping shot shook the net, reducing the deficit to four.

It countered Kilkenny’s strong opening, in which they wiped out Murphy’s opener with Near y scoring three points before Katie Power cut in for their first goal.

Tara Corrigan had to retire injured shortly afterwards and, from there on, Grainne Quinn had a tight watch on Katie Power (a cousin of Dublin player, Fiona Hayes), limiting her to one point.

A second Kilkenny goal by Siobhan Hyland saw them open a 2-5 to 0-1 lead by the 24th minute. when Dublin lost possession going forward and compounded this error by indecision in the small box.

Breezy With the breeze in the second half, Neary clipped over a free, but Ali Maguire responded with a point from centre back. Four minutes later, Muireann O’Gorman cut the gap to a goal with a pointed free.

Confidence was growing and the half back line of Whyte, Maguire and Ballinteer’s Fiona Hayes were outstanding.

On the occasions when Kilkenny breached that line, Catriona Power stood in the way on more than one occasion ably supported by Gráinne Quinn and Elaine O’Meara.

Neary’s fifth pointed placed ball put K ilkenny four clear in the 41st minute as Dublin

introduced Aoife Kelly and Miriam Twomey.

O’Hara was doing all she could to lead the charge and when her dipping shot nipped under the cross-bar, the O’Tooles throng were in full voice.

One sensed that if D u b l i n c o u l d d r aw level, they might just be able to drive on from there. But Neary notched another free to settle her side.

A m i n u t e l a t e r, O’Hara fired over a great point but Colette Dormer showed great leadership for Kilkenny to strike their only score from play in the second half.

It got them just clear and while Maguire put over a difficult free, despite three minutes of added time, the clock ran out on a great Dublin performance.

12 April 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 29

in association with

Comeback kid is ready for the Ras

FastSport

Stephen Halpin has bounced back from a tough year with the kind of form that sees him on the verge of a huge 2012, says STEPHEN FINDLATER Stars come out for the AFTER a year ravaged by a nightmare series of injuries and infections, Swords Cycling Club’s Stephen Halpin is lining up a rejuvenated 2012.

Relocating to his native city from Belgium, and a full pre-season, sees him in positive mood, and the results have begun to flow for Halpin. He took two big wins in March, as he spies top form ahead of May’s An Post Ras. Those wins included the Ras Naomh Finan in Clonard, Co Meath, and the Carrick Wheelers Cup in Carrick-onSuir.

It gives a confidence fillip that he can get back on track af ter an 18-month period wracked by ankle problems, as he told GazetteSport.

“I was injured for a lot of last year, from October to maybe April or

May. Then I came back, did a few weeks training and then went into the Ras very unfit.

“I came out of that and got a blood infection and chronic fatigue,

Nicolas Roche lamenting the long-term effects in recent years.

“It’s very important – that base training in the winter months – your fitness can be hit

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‘In a race, anything can happen, so I go out with every intention of winning.’

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which put me out for the rest of the season.”

It tested his resolve but he cites the continued support of his Swords’ clubmates and his sponsors, Metaltek Scott, who stuck with him despite the problems.

S u c h i s s u e s h ave afflicted a number of Irish pro riders in recent seasons, pre-season struggles leading to ongoing mid-season issues, with Phil Lavery and

and miss all year and then missing a couple of months of racing; you’re playing catch-up throughout the year. It’s hard to discipline yourself to take it slowly. I learned that the hard way last year, coming back too soon.

“But this year has been really good. I’ve been disciplined and the positives that came from last year were that I was really motivated.

I missed it so much last

Stephen Halpin, in blue, training with the An Post team last year

year, the winter was good enough this year, no snow to disrupt the training camps with the team, so it was very productive.”

“In the space of a week, I won in Clonard and then in Carrick-onSuir. That, in itself, is very good for the confidence.”

A crash in Essex slowed that momentum while a trip to Scotland for the Tour Doon Hame was also fruitless, but Halpin is content with where he is at.

A fter five years in Belgium, he recently moved back to Dublin, moving in with top pro, Phil Deignan – a stage winner in the Vuelta in 2009 – in Terenure, something which he sees as another boost.

“It happened by chance; we were both looking for a place to stay. It’s great, training with one of the best.

“You do pick up bits as you go along, like diet, routines and treatments … little things that make a difference.

“Living in Dublin, when the contract came about in the UK with Metaltek, it was the perfect opportunity to get a year at home. I could be living in London and a race would come up in Newcastle and you’re looking at a five-hour drive … so I’m probably better off living in Dublin, with the airport

going to loads of locations.

“Having family and friends around does make a huge difference rather than being abroad. You do miss things, so it works out better for your mentality to training and overall for your performance.

“My programme with the team has been sorted since January. I know now what I’m doing for the rest of the year so it gives me time to plan where I go and when. I don’t need to be on call, like I was in Belgium.”

And it leaves the elements in place for him to try and make a big impression in the Ras in the next month despite the growing crew of Irish pro cyclists.

“It’s the next big one.

I’ll go out to win a stage but, if it happens that I’m in contention for the GC, I’ll race everyday.

“A s f o r t h e I r i s h nationals, any where in the top five or ten would be great. But you see the likes of Matt Brammeier a couple of years ago winning it, so anything’s possible on the day.

“The good thing about having more than just one or two pros, they can mark each other out on the day and, in a one-day race, anything can happen, so I’ll go out with every intention of winning it.”

Great Ireland Run 2012

THE biggest ever cast of celebrities from stage and screen are set to take part in the SPAR Great Ireland Run in the Phoenix Park, Dublin on Sunday, April 15 as they come together to support a range of charities.

Among the leading lights confirmed to take part are Ugly Betty star Eric Mabius (above), Boyzone’s Keith Duffy, radio and TV talk-show presenters, Matt Cooper and Craig Doyle, former Miss World Rosanna Davison, Diarmuid Gavin, Irish actor Jason Barry and Coronation Street star John Michie (Karl Munro) among others.

Many of the celebrities are taking part to support the events nominated charities, the Marie Keating Foundation and the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation. Others are running for Leukaemia And Lymphoma Research and other good causes.

Up to 10,000 runners, walkers and joggers are expected to participate in the event, which gets under way at 1pm and is shown live on RTE television.

A further 1,200 children have entered the Mini and Junior Runs for five-to-eight and nine-to-15 -year-olds. These runs will make up the largest ever children’s running event in Ireland.

The Junior Run starts at 11:15 followed by the Mini Run at 11:30. The Mini and Junior Runs take place over a flat 2.5km course, which uses the same start and finish areas of the adult SPAR Great Ireland Run, which starts at 1pm. The nominated charity for the Mini and Junior Runs is the Baby Max Wings of Love Fund.

Entries for the SPAR Great Ireland Run are now closed, and those entering are required to collect their numbers and run packs at Lifestyle Sports in Blanchardstown during trading hours between noon on Thursday, April 12 and 4pm on Saturday, April 14.

30 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 12 April 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Local schools take to the field for the future FINGAL’S Future Olympian (FFO) qualifiers were in full swing last week, which saw some 90% of schools in the local area take part in two of four regional blitzes for tag-rugby.

These blitzes saw St Patrick’s, Skerries, Lusk NS, and Balscadden NS, qualify for the FFO Finals Day, which will take place on on June 6.

Fingal’s Future Olympians Tag-Rugby qualifiers saw 192 children from 16 local schools take to the field at events in Skerries and Balbriggan, which were organised by Fingal County Council’s Rugby Officer, Gerry McCleery.

Speaking about the event, McCleery said: “I was delighted with the numbers participating in the events. We had 90pc of the schools in the area participate; this figure is a credit to the principals and teachers who make such an effort to promote and prioritise sport.”

It is part of the Fingal County Council’s Sports Office series of events in 2012 to identify future Irish Olympians.

Working with partner sports organisations the FAI, Leinster Cricket, Tennis Ireland, Leinster Rugby and Athletics Ireland, each sporting organisation will promote their sport in knock-out style tournaments to encourage children from third- to sixth-class to get involved in sport in the months leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The Future Olympians of Fingal Finals Day will be held in Sportslink Santry on Wednesday, June 6.

The Future Olympians programme is an opportunity to encourage children to get involved in sport, as well as creating an interest in the Olympic Games.

If your school would like to get involved in tag rugby, contact Gerry McCleery on 0862422829 or email ger.mccleery@leinsterrugby. ie, while, if your school wants to get involved in any of the other events, contact Fingal County Council’s Niall McGuirk on 01 890 6232, or email niall.mcguirk@fingalcoco.ie.

SOCCER: FACILE WIN AT GROVE ROAD SEES UNITED TAKE TITLE

Malahide United’s players celebrate as they glide to the league title against Verona at Grove Road last week

Malahide ease to LSL crown LSL SUNDAY SENIOR Verona Malahide United

0 5

sport@gazettegroup.com

IN the end, crossing the finishing line was a facile affair when Glen Crowe’s hat-trick eased Malahide United to the LSL Sunday Senior One title with the minimum of fuss last week away on the Grove Road.

Vinnie Perth’s side were 2-0 up in jig-time, Crowe and Mark Cashin netting early on to put the side on the verge of getting the three points required with less than half an hour gone.

And Verona, with

minds very much elsewhere — they face an FAI Intermediate Cup semi-final date at Cherry Orchard this week — were keen to keep their jets cool ahead of the national competition.

Indeed, many of their senior team were playing on the adjacent pitch, going through their training routines ahead of that big date.

It made for a low-key tie for United, with the triangle of Cashin, Crowe and Noel McGinty down the left causing problems and creating the third in the 54th minute with a slick move.

Crowe had his hat-trick

put on hold two minutes later when he rebounded a corner, but play was called back for offside.

But he fittingly completed the rout two minutes from time when he clipped in from the left edge of the box, adding to Robbie Dillon’s corner header just before.

The result left Malahide 15 points clear of the chasing pack, with Dublin Bus, Edenderry Town and UCD left out of the running in their remote hopes of catching Perth’s charges.

It meant they could relax with three fixtures still to go in the campaign, having picked up 18 wins

from 23 outings to date.

Despite falling 4-3 in the first league game of the season at TEK United, a seven-game winning streak catapulted Malahide to the top of the division with something to spare with September coming to a close.

October saw the only phase when Perth’s men endured a slight stutter, drawing and losing their two games in that month but ten points from 12 in the lead-up Christmas enhanced their position.

And, since the turn of the year, seven wins from eight league outings pushed them through with few qualms, with the

chasing teams regularly taking points off each other.

The league campaign has played out against the back-drop of a number of cup runs for United, reaching the FAI Intermediate Cup quarter-final.

A Senior Cup berth was earned and, last week, they set up the possibility of a big date when they beat College Corinthians in the first round, coming from behind with goals from McGinty and Crowe to win 2-1.

As a result, they go into April 30s draw with all of the Airtricity League teams as potential opposition.

Malahide YC host early bird regatta

sport@gazettegroup.com

FOLLOWING on from hosting the 420 Class Leinster Championships the previous weekend, Malahide Yacht Club’s (MYC) newly re-developed Dinghy Sailing Centre at the Broadmeadows was the scene for a highly successful Early Bird Regatta, which attracted 60 boats in four classes from Dun Laoghaire, Howth, Sutton, Rush, Skerries and Malahide.

The event, supported by Dinghy Supplies, Starbucks and Dunnes Stores, had three races

for each class, sailed in moderate northerly winds on Olympic courses set by race officer, Neil Murphy.

The outstanding performance on the days was Howth’s Ronan Cull, who topped the Laser class with three wins to finish first, overall ahead of Daragh Peelo (MYC) and Daragh Sheridan (HYC).

The Laser Radial division was dominated by MYC sailors, with Derek Sheehan, Ciaran Costello and Darren Griffin heading the rankings, while Stephen Craig of the Royal St George YC won

the Laser 4.7s.

His younger brother, Harry, headed the senior Optimist fleet ahead of Skerries’ Ben Walsh and Conor Kneafsey (National YC) while another NYC sailor, Peter Fagan, topped the junior fleet ahead of Malahide’s Gemma McDowell and Nicola Ferguson (NYC).

Philip McDowell (with crew Cian Buckley) of the host club won the 420 Class and the Topaz honours went to Malahide’s Conor Costello from clubmates Diarmuid Marron and Peter Cunning.

12 April 2012 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 31

in association with

FOOTBALL: LOCAL PLAYERS HELP TO CLAIM CROWN

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST SYLVESTER’S Nominations for posi tions and

Dental Practice, New Street, Mala-

m o t i o n s fo r t h e AGM m u s t b e

hide .

received by Thursday, April 12. The

The Nicky Cleere Trust are selling

AGM takes place on Thursday, April

€10 tickets for the sensational priz-

26.

es of a 15-seat corporate suite for

St Sylvester’s Business and Serv-

the All-Irelland football and hurling

ices Network invite you to get the

finals. Visit www.nickycleeretrust.

inside track on smarter searching

com.

and competing in the job market for

Our fixtures for this weekend are

students (LC and 3rd level), gradu-

on Sunday, April 15: AHL9 Arthur

ates, job-seekers and parents.

Griffith Park, 3pm, Lucan Sarsfields

The guest speakers are Ray Nolan of worky.com, and Jason Kennedy from Grafton Employment Group.

The event takes place at 6.30pm on Tuesday, April 17, in St Sylvester’s clubhouse, 2 Church Road, Malahide.

v St Sylvester’s; MFL 1 Shankill 11am Cuala v St Sylvester’s.

There is also a friendly at Broomfield, 11am: St Sylvester’s (AFL9) v Wild Geese (AFL8).

The Lotto jackpot this week is €1,900.

Pre-register online and enter

Play online at www.stsylvesters.

draw for an Apple iPad 2, kindly

ie and get all the news, views and

sponsored by Dr Roisin Corkery,

information as well.

FINGALLIANS Dublin’s Under-21 footballers were in complete control at Pairc Talteann when they saw off the challenge of Louth

O’Brien captains the Dubs to Leinster title LEINSTER U-21 FC FINAL Dublin Louth

1-16 0-8

I sport@gazettegroup.com

NAOMH Mearnog’s Kevin O’Brien captained Dublin’s Under21 to the Cadbury Leinster Under-21FC title in emphatic fashion in Pairc Tailteann, Navan, last week.

The results sees the young Sky Blues claim the title for the third time in four years.

Full-back O’Brien, in his post-game trophy acceptance speech, said he is hoping the side are looking to kick on, saying that their success at provincial level is only “step four of six” in their larger plan, to claim the All-Ireland crown for 2012.

Such a situation is one which Martin Skelly, chairman of the Leinster Council, suggested may come to pass when he handed the cup over to O’Brien.

“I think we may be looking at not only the Leinster champions, but the All-Ireland champions in a couple of months’ time,” said Skelly.

O’Brien was joined in the side by another local player, St Sylvester’s Garr y Sweeney, who kicked a point from the half-forward line, while Fionn Carney was part of the panel as well.

Dublin put on what was a dominant performance all round, and there could have been an even wider margin of victory but for some excellent goalkeeping from Louth netminder, Joe Flanagan, coupled with some brave lastditch defending from their backline.

The Dubs’ shooting at times, too, was slightly off course, but that mattered little, as Jim Gavin’s men were too hot for Louth to handle in the scoring department.

One forward whose radar did not let him down was Castleknock man, Ciaran Kilkenny, and his contribution helped Dublin to annex their tenth provincial title at this grade.

With a stunning personal tally of 1-7, the schoolboy’s strength and power were pivotal throughout.

The game was less than two minutes old when Kilkenny palmed an enormous windassisted delivery from Mark Schutte to the net to give his side the dream start.

Less than a minute later, Philly Ryan had the ball in the Louth net after slick interplay in the forward division, but he was adjudged to have been in the small square before the ball and the score was disallowed.

D e s p i t e D u b l i n ’s dominance of possession they failed to turn it into scores and it was

not until the close of the first half that they gave themselves any breathing space approaching the break.

Two points from Kilkenny, and one each for Jack McCaffrey and Paul Hudson, was reward for Dublin’s endeavours as the likes of O’Conghaile, Sean George, and Ciaran Reddin got through a lot of work.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with the Dublin defence dealing comfortably with whatever Louth could muster.

T he Wee County’s chances though were few and far between — the final wides tally of Dublin 14, Louth hitting three, is an indication of what way the traffic flowed all night long in Pairc Talteann.

The Dubs now progress to face the Munster champions on Saturday, April 21.

Our Easter football camp last week

1 campaign with a narrow win away

had over 250 kids taking part. Five of

to Clontarf.

the Dublin senior hurling team, Conor

The club are delighted to announce

McCormack, Ross O’Carroll, Finn

another addition to our coaching

McGarry, Danny Sutcliffe and Simon

staff. Nicola Fitzgerald started last

Lambert will be present at this week’s

week. Nicola is from Swords and

hurling camp.

played all her underage football with

Club academy resumes next Saturday morning at 10am. New members are most welcome.

Well done to Barry Rodgers and Liam Nangle who competed in the U-12 hurling ball wall competition in O’Toole’s on Good Friday.

the club. Her contact details are nicola.fitzgerald.gpo.dublin@gaa.ie Social football is on every Friday at 8pm on Astro pitch. New players are welcome.

The club have a recycling fundraiser until April 29. Please donate all your

Club awards’ night will be on Sunday,

unwanted clothes, bedlinen, towels

May 6. Ticket details, time details, etc

and textiles, including shoes, bags

will be available next week.

and belts and soft toys. Mobile phones

We done to Aoife O’Reilly who won a college All-Star at midfield, representing Maynooth College.

It was a great week for the ladies, with our seniors opening their league

will be accepted, but please keep separate. No household bric-a-brac.

Bags can be dropped off on Saturdays from 10am to 12 noon and weekdays from 7 to 9pm at the club bar.

ST MARGARET’S THE c l u b we b s i t e i s r e g u l a r l y

insured if not paid up.

updated, so anyone who has photos

Furthermore, only paid-up mem-

or info they would like put up, send

bers by April 21 can apply for Dub-

them to info@stmargaretsgaa.ie.

lin match tickets this season, no

In adult football training continues Tuesdays and Thursdays.

There is an €80 and a €150 annual lotto ticket available this year.

Please check the website for full details, or contact Mary Madigan.

Club membership for 2012 is now ove r du e; p l a ye r s a r e now not

exceptions.

In juvenile football, best of luck to the Under-12s who start their league campaign this weekend.

Finally, well done to Barbara and Sean Madigan on finishing runnersup in Cha Cha Cha for Chernobyl, a great night was had by all.

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

ALL OF YOUR MALAHIDE SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

CATS’ CLAWS: Kilkenny scratch out tiny

win over Dublin’s local contingent P28

BLAZING SADDLES: Halpin ready for top return from injury P29

GazetteSPORT

Malahide United’s Noel McGinty, Barry Slattery, Mark Cashin and Glen Crowe celebrate the fourth goal in their 5-0 win over Verona

APRIL 12, 2012

United complete primary target Perth pays tribute to huge club effort as Malahide get back into the top tier of soccer with big Verona victory STEPHEN FINDLATER

malahidesport@gazettegroup.com

WHILE THE primary objective achieved, Malahide United manager Vinnie Perth says there is still plenty more to come this season from the Gannon Park club.

He was speaking to the Gazette as Malahide put the finishing touches on a 5-0 win over Verona last Wednesday night to move a massive 16 points clear and out of reach of the LSL Sunday Senior One chasers.

Perth has always pitched promotion back to the top division in inter football in the province as the be-all and end-all but the ease with which his side has done so means he can look forward to a few bonus ties in the cups.

“It’s a strange feeling tonight because we certainly don’t feel the season is over.

“We’ve a huge amount of stuff still to play for; the quarter-final of the [Charlie Cahill] cup coming up and the FAI Senior – we wait for the

draw on that – so it does feel strange because there is so much going on,” he said.

“We can relax now and concentrate on those cups. In a couple of those competitions, we’ve made changes – even in the FAI the other day, resting people for the Verona game to make sure.

“But we’re there now and it’s huge for everyone involved, not just the 18 or so who play, which people don’t realise.”

Tribute As far as winning the league is concerned, Perth paid tribute to the support he has had from the club to make sure they reached this notable point, making it back to the top tier at the second time of asking.

“All last year was rebuilding the side and the senior section and we’ve done a lot of work on it. Touch wood, we’re going into the top-flight with a lot more positivity than we have had in a long time.

“We’re now back where we belong in the top flight so that is the key. How we got there didn’t really matter but I’m really impressed with the manner in which we have done it.

“We got a lot of support from a lot of people in the club so it’s been a big team performance, from the secretary all the way through to the players.”

They have done so with a smattering of League of Ireland experience with Alan Murphy – a contemporary of Perth’s in Longford’s FAI Cup winning sides – added to the coaching ticket while Glen Crowe has piled on the goals.

“We’ve tried to bring that kind of professionalism into the club – obviously they are all amateurs – so that we act like professionals and do everything right.

“In fairness, we got the backing of the club to do that, getting everything right, like the training ground, with a lot of people pulling their weight to support what we’re doing it.”