Malahide

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October 25, 2012 Find us on

M a l a h i d e • P o r t m a r n o c k • K i n s e a ly • C l a r eMonth h a lXX, l INSIDE: An evening to meet and network for business people in Ballycoolin Business Park P7

A-lotta work: Volunteers help to complete allotment scheme Pages 6-7

Malahide stun Roscrea in Leinster league

Malahide polls well in retail survey

Page 30

 Natalie Burke

Football:

Championship final weekend for Sylvester’s Page 31

Rugby:

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

Malahide demonstrated that it is one of the top towns in the country, after it was ranked eighth in a list of 100 best towns and cities in Ireland in a survey by Retail Excellence Ireland.

While Westport was crowned Ireland’s best town, Malahide followed in eighth place on the prestigious list, and was the secondhighest ranking town to come from

2012

the Dublin region.

Local councillor Anthony Lavin (FG) said he was “delighted” with the result. “It gives me confidence that [local businesses] will be able to keep going and will continue to improve and when, eventually, the castle development and the casino development are completed in Malahide, it should hopefully bring more customers and more opportunities to retailers.”

Full Story on Page 8

Revved up: Couple delighted to drive away with a new car tom Aughey and wife Nuala

from Sutton, who were the lucky winners of The Late, Late Show Renault Fluence competition picked up the keycard to a brand new 2012 Renault Fluence at Renault Belgard in Tallaght

recently.

Pictured at the handover were Tom and Nuala Aughey, John Mahon, senior sales executive, Renault Belgard and Paddy Magee, sales and network director, Renault Ireland.

2 MALAHIDE GAZETTE 25 October 2012

DUBLIN GAZETTE TRANSPORT €26m investment announced NEWSPAPERS I N F O R M AT I O N Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publish eight weekly quality free titles, covering the greater Dublin area from Swords to Dun Laoghaire

C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern

Some of the 80 highly advanced buses for Dublin recently announced. Inset, Gerry Murphy, chief executive of the National Transport Authority

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Malahide to be first in queue for new buses

Acting News Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@gazettegroup.com Picture Editor: Paul Hosford picturedesk@gazettegroup.com Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sport@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Anita Ward ads@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch clynch@gazettegroup.com Advertising Sales: 01 - 6010240

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

(left), Transport Minister Leo Varadkar and Paddy Doherty, chief executive of Dublin Bus

MALAHIDE will be one of the first locations to avail of a new public transport investment, which will see 80 new highly advanced doubledecker buses added to routes across Dublin.

T h e h u g e i nve s tment of €26 million was announced recently by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, as part of the Government’s capital programme.

The new buses will be funded by the National Transpor t Authority under its public service obligation contract, representing an investment of €26 million in the Dublin Bus fleet replace-

 NATALIE BURKE nburke@gazettegroup.com

ment programme.

All vehicles are low floor wheelchair accessible and will ensure that Dublin Bus will have a 100% accessible fleet by the end of 2012. The buses also feature bilingual passenger information signs announcing the next bus stop, centre doors to improve efficiency at bus stops, free Wi-Fi, improved safety features with additional CCTV,

better luggage storage and individual seating for 68 passengers, while there will also be standing space for 11 further passengers in the lower saloon.

Minister Varadkar said he was “very pleased” to announce the multimillion euro investment saying: “These replacement vehicles are a good example of how this Government is determined to make the best use of the limited resources available, by investing wisely in public transport.

“When combined with other Government investments like integrated ticketing, providing more

bus shelters, real time passenger information, and the National Journey Planner, we hope these 80 replacement buses will encourage more people to switch from cars to public transport.

I encourage anyone who hasn’t used public transport for a while to see for themselves how the new improvements are making a difference,” he said.

These new replacement vehicles are the most environmentally friendly to date. They meet “Euro 5” emission standards, consume less fuel and are quieter – ensuring the whole community will benefit from their arrival.

The new buses will operate on local routes 33, 102 and 104, which service a number of local areas in Swords and Malahide, as well as routes 1, 4, 7, 29A and 151. Delivery of the vehicles began last month on Route 7 and all 80 vehicles will be delivered by the end of the year.

Other recent public transport developments such as the National Journey Planner, Real Time Passenger Information signs, mobile apps, more bus shelters, and the Leap Card are also making public transport a more attractive option for Dubliners and visitors to the city.

A Spooktacular Halloween atTesco Extra JOIN IN the fun at Tesco Extra Clarehall on Saturday, October 27, from 2 to 5pm, when the store hosts a special Spooktacular Halloween event.

Children can enjoy themed face painting, monstrous maskmaking, spooky storytelling

and much more for free, which is sure to get everyone into the Halloween spirit.

Look out

Until then, customers should watch out for the Secret Spooks competition running instore

until 1pm on Saturday, October 27. The store is asking shoppers to pick up a competition entry form at the front of the store, and as they shop, look out for the letters hidden within the secret spooks along the aisles.

Complete the code word

from the letters collected, and pop the answer, along with your name and contact number, into the competition box within the store to be in with a chance to win a Tesco Gift Voucher.

For more information, see www.tesco.ie.

25 October 2012 MALAHIDE Gazette 3

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fcc: pipe replacement scheduled for 9.30am-4.30pm seven days a week

Carers invited for coffee

Water mains work to disrupt traffic  natalie burke

Replacement works due to start on water mains in the Malahide and Kinsealy area are set to cause possible traffic disruptions which could continue until the end of November.

According to Fingal County Council, works began on Monday, October 22, on the section of the road between Streamstown Lane and St Doolagh’s, in Malahide. Over two kilometres of replacement water mains will be laid which will ensure the continuity of water supply to the Malahide area.

Work is scheduled to take place between the

hours of 9.30am and 4.30pm, seven days a week. The works will cause no disruption to traffic outside these hours.

According to a spokesperson for the council, it is expected that the substantial mains laying works will be completed by the end of November, while the remainder of works should be completed within four months.

“Work will be undertaken using a trenchless construction method to minimise disruption to traffic. However, there will be some disruption to traffic during the period of works, and a Stop/

Go system or temporary set of traffic lights will be in operation,” the spokesperson said.

Any disruption of water supplies will be of short duration only, and only while existing services are transferred over.

“We apologise in advance to road users, businesses and residents in this area for any inconvenience that may be caused while work is being carried out,” she continued.

The council will post regular updates on the traffic disruption and work progress on their website, w w w.fingalcoco.ie, and their twitter account @fingalcoco.

Viva Las Vegas: Tourism operators bring their wares to US show thirty tourism organisations from around the island of Ireland – including the Grand Hotel in Malahide – travelled to Las Vegas to join Tourism Ireland for this year’s IMEX America recently. Only in its second year, IMEX (International Meetings and Events Exhibition) America is already an important event to reach key decisionmakers in the lucrative business tourism industry in the US. Over 2,000 buyers from North America and elsewhere around the world attended the show, which provided valuable networking opportunities for the participating Irish tourism operators. On the Tourism Ireland stand at IMEX in Las Vegas was (l-r) Paula McCorry, the Grand Hotel, Malahide, with Marie McKown, Tourism Ireland.

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

Carers in Baldoyle, Sutton and surrounding areas are being invited to attend a new coffee morning hosted by The Carers Association in Sutton.

The first event will be held in the Royal Marine Hotel on October 25 from 10.30am until 12pm, where the Carers Association will also offer advice on how they can assist family carers.

The gathering is aimed at family carers who need a break and a chat with others in a similar position. Attendees will have the opportunity to make suggestions for future meetings on the day.

To find out more about the Carers Association, contact 01 8119555.

4 MALAHIDE Gazette 25 October 2012

FastNews

winner 1,000 take part in day of football fun halloween: td’s plea for safety

Public urged to stay vigilant Local artist gets set for his killer Halloween tour With impressive reviews by Hot Press and numerous radio appearances already under his belt, Killer Ceol, who hails from Portmarnock, is set to take on an upcoming Halloween tour across Dublin.

The local singer songwriter is set to play in a number of venues over the next week. His Halloween tour, featuring music from his debut album Killer, begins on Saturday, October 27 at Doyle’s Corner in Phibsboro, followed by an appearance as Aslan’s support at Ballyfermot Community Centre on Sunday, October 28.

The tour will continue on Tuesday, October 30 in Whelan’s of Wexford Street, and will finish on Friday, November 2, at the Slaughtered Lamb in Swords.

The talented local has in the past supported acts including The Coronas and the Knights of Leon, and has performed in locations across the world including Spain, USA, Australia and Bali. For more information, see www.killerceol.com.

Amy’s family appeal for house search

Technology classes for students

The family of missing Clarehall teenager Amy Fitzpatrick are calling on the Garda to ask police in Spain to search a house close to where the teenager went missing four years ago.

Amy, who was 15 years old at the time of her disappearance, was last seen in 2008 near her home in the Costa del Sol. The family believe a convicted Irish criminal currently serving a sentence for murder in Spain could be responsible for her disappearance.

Learn how to write software code and develop websites, apps, programs, games and more at Malahide’s Codor Dojo classes, aimed at students between eight and 17.

Commencing on Saturday, October 27, the classes will run every two weeks at St Sylvester’s GAA Club from 10am to 12.30pm. Attendance is free but tickets are essential. For tickets, log onto www. codordojomalahide. eventbrite.ie.

The course is sponsored by St Sylvester’s Business and Services Network.

Members of Naomh Mearnog GAA Club, Portmarnock, at Gaelic4Mothers & Others. Picture: GAApics.com

Gaelic project gets mothers on the pitch  natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

GAA clubs from across the country gathered last weekend at Portmarnock’s Naomh Mearnog GAA Club to take part in this year’s Gaelic4Mothers & Others national blitz.

This was the fourth year of the annual event, which proved to be a massive success, with a total of 1,000 attendees taking part in the day of fun and football.

Gaelic4Mothers & Others is an initiative to introduce mothers and other women to playing ladies’ Gaelic football.

“Mothers often drop their kids to training and call back to collect them, but the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) wants to change that,” said a spokesper-

son.

“The initiative sees women playing Gaelic football in a fun, noncompetitive and social environment and provides them with the opportunity to get their recommended weekly exercise. The programme has been running throughout the country since 2008, with over 180 clubs taking part.”

The once-a-year national blitz is a unique occasion bringing women from across Ireland together to take part and showcase their skills. This year’s blitz saw 21 different counties represented with Dublin clubs Naomh Mearnog, Whitehall Colmcille, Lucan Sarsfields, Raheny, Kilmacud Crokes, Man O War, St Peregrine’s, D11 Ravens, St Oliver Plunkett’s, St Finian’s, Fingallians, Thomas Davis and Round Tower’s among the

58 clubs that took part.

One of the day’s highlights came early in proceedings as all participants took part in a mass warm up.

The LGFA coaches put all of the players through their paces before a football was thrown in, a spectacle setting the tone for a day that was enjoyed by all.

Players of all levels of ability and experience were then able to enjoy playing football with their clubs while making new friends with opposition players, with the emphasis on fun rather than competition.

Following the event, national development manager, Paula Prunty, said that the Gaelic4Mothers & Others national blitz day is one of the highlights of the ladies’ Gaelic football

season.

“It happens shortly after the All-Ireland finals and really highlights the other side of ladies Gaelic football as the players just come to enjoy themselves and meet new people without the pressure of winning cups or even matches,” she said.

“This is a unique event in Irish sport as all competitors are here to enjoy a social occasion as well as playing football.

“It is a measure of the success of the day that we have so many clubs that continue to return year after year.

“Anyone that would like to take part next year just needs a football and a place to play, it really is that simple,” she concluded.

For more information, visit www.ladiesgaelic.ie.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin North Alan Farrell is calling on local residents to stay safe this Halloween by avoiding dangerous bonfire sites and reporting anti-social behaviour to the gardai.

“I am urging the people of Dublin North to be vigilant and play their part in keeping our community safe this Halloween,” he said.

“All bonfires are illegal, dangerous and cause significant damage to the environment. Furthermore, residents should raise awareness throughout the community of the impact that Halloween has on our local services.

“The consequences of illegal bonfires and anti-social behaviour on this one night of the year costs Fingal County Council (FCC) up to €150,000 in clean-up expenses, and permanently damages open areas in the community.

This figure does not even take into account the extra resources required by emergency services at Halloween, which is their busiest night of the year,” he continued.

According to Deputy Farrell, local residents can report anti-social behaviour to the gardai and local authorities anonymously. The authorities will remove materials being stocked in public places once they have been notified and residents can do this by calling FCC on 1800 20 10 93.

“It is essential that we all play our part in ensuring that young people are made aware of the dangers of illegal bonfires in the community,” Farrell said.

25 October 2012 MALAHIDE Gazette 5

portrane Burrow residents live ‘under constant threat from sea’ – Ryan

Coastal erosion sparks TD’s call for action  natalie burke

A local TD has called on the Government to turn their attention to the ongoing problem of coastal erosion at Portrane.

Brendan Ryan, Labour Party TD for Dublin North, last week indicated his intention to seek a Dail debate on the increasing problem at

the Burrow in Portrane, saying there is a “real need” for defences to be put in place at this location.

“Residents and business owners in the Burrow live and work under constant threat from the force and power of the sea,” Deputy Ryan explained.

He outlined that recent high tides have seen further

damage to coastal defences, and that he felt there was a genuine need for permanent and strong coastal defences to be constructed in the Burrow to protect the area from further erosion.

“In response to a parliamentary question I placed to the Minister of Agriculture and Marine, [Simon Coveney TD] in which I

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sought information on the funding allocation to tackle the increasing problem of coastal erosion at the Burrow in Portrane, I am now seeking a debate on the matter with the Minister to press home the need for increased funding to be allocated to address this issue,” Deputy Ryan continued.

“The beach in Portrane

is a wonderful amenity for locals and tourists and its protection is of vital importance. I hope the Ceann Comhairle of Dail Eireann will allow this debate at the earliest possible convenience.

“I have also written to the county manager of Fingal County Council requesting him to apply to the Depart-

ment for funding under the Flood Risk Management Scheme,” he concluded.

A coastal erosion monitoring programme was established on Portrane beach earlier this year by the Burrow Residents Association.

The programme measures the levels of erosion on a weekly basis using fixed metal monitoring posts.

6 MALAHIDE Gazette 25 October 2012

gazetteGALLERIES

Paul O’Flaherty, David Tolan, Anthony Murray and Adrien McCann. Pictures: Una Williams

Working hard on the allotment

Jack Vorobej, Philip Conman and Tom Fletcher

Marie McCann and Mary McNamara

25 October 2012 MALAHIDE Gazette 7

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Joanna and Lena Doroszko, Justyna Gawron and Peig Andrew Moore and Sean Corrigan

Flecher

Chamber president Siobhan Moore of the Dublin Airport Authority addresses the audience

Launch: Fingal’s corporate network is just the business

T

HE Fingal Dublin Corporate Responsibility Network was recently launched at the PayPal Offices in Ballycoolin Business Park.

Everyone who attended the launch had the opportunity to meet and network with a large group of business men and women from a wide range of business sectors that evening.

The network is operated and administered through the Fingal Dublin Chamber with a board of trustees to oversee its work.

Brendan Corr, Neil Carpenter and Bartt Doroszko

open day: Locals get chance to help facility

Peter Boucher and Terence Sheridan

Volunteers have a-lotta fun digging B

albriggan Allotment Association (BAA) held an open day recently where it called on volunteers to come along and help with some small jobs to help complete the scheme.

Works on the allotment scheme, at the junction of Knocknagin Lane and the old N1 just north of Balbriggan, began during August 2012. Once the scheme is completed, the allotments will be allocated immediately and holders can start preparing for winter sowing. Volunteers who came along can offset their hours of hard work against the 2013 allotment fee (5% discount for every hour worked to a maximum of 25%). The cost of the allotments varies according to size: (50sq m - €50, 100 sq m - €100 and 200 sq m - €200).

Mark Costello

Participants lap up the information. Pictures: Cathy Weatherston

Radek Zoijewski, Adrian Dervin and Andrew Moore

Helen Daly and Karl O’Neill

Carmel Plummer, Keith Darcy and Michelle O’Loughlin

8 MALAHIDE Gazette 25 October 2012

politics Plans could see 80 town councils abolished across the country

Reform proposals may mean extra councillors  natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

Recently proposed plans to reform local authorities, announced by the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan last week, could be set to have a huge impact on local government when the plans come

into place in 2014.

While the proposed plans could see the abolition of 80 town councils across the country and a 40% reduction in the number of councillors nationwide, it appears Fingal County Council could see the numbers of councillors represented increase.

The proposal was seen as a positive move and good news for the Dublin north area, according to local Labour councillor Peter Coyle.

He welcomed the fact that councillors in each county council will be calculated per population, ensuring there will be a “fairer distribution

of representation in each county”.

“It is expected that a strong emphasis will be put on what are the Area Committees at present. It should be noted that even though population has gone up, the Malahide and Howth electoral areas have lost three councillors in

representation in the last 13 years,” he said.

“However, taking into account the electorate – as distinct from population – the Malahide and Howth electoral areas have about the highest electorate per councillor in the country,” Cllr Coyle said.

Exhibition: Working for Ireland

FastNews Specsavers children’s writing competition As part of the eighth annual Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards, Specsavers is launching a nationwide children’s writing competition.

Inspired by a cartoon from favourite fairy-tale, Peter Pan, children from across the north county area are being challenged to create a short story in 500 words or less beginning with the sentence; “‘He could not believe his eyes...’”

The closing date for entries is November 30, and application forms can be picked up at Specsavers, Balbriggan, Millfield Shopping Centre, or downloaded, along with the cartoon image, at www.irishbookawards. ie. The competition is open to children up to age 16.

Ranger Guides raise €486 for Childline The Malahide Ranger Guides held a successful fundraiser last weekend when they organised a Cheerios Childline Breakfast at the Presbyterian Church, Malahide.

The breakfast was held on Saturday, October 20 from 10am to 12pm, and the Ranger Guides raised a total of €486 which will go towards vital funding for Childline.

“It is now expected that the overall number of councillors in Fingal County Council will increase as a result of the local government reform proposals. Hence, Malahide and Howth Areas should have former representation restored in an enlarged county council,” he concluded.

franco Tamani, Grand Hotel Malahide (left), was among a group of partners from around Ireland who joined Tourism Ireland at the the Venues and Events exhibition in Old Billingsgate in the heart of London recently, targeting decision-makers and senior representatives of companies involved in organising large-scale international conferences and events. Visitors travelling here for business purposes spend 2.5 times more than the average visitor.

initiative: 16,000 citizens and business owners canvassed across Ireland

Malahide is ranked eighth in 100 best towns survey  natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

Malahide demonstrated that it is one of the best towns in the country, after it was ranked eighth in a list of 100 best towns and cities in Ireland by Retail Excellence Ireland.

While Westport was crowned Ireland’s best town, and with Killarney and Swords following close behind, Malahide was named eighth best town on the prestigious list, as well as being the second-highest ranking

town to come from the Dublin region.

Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), Ireland’s largest retail industry body collected the opinions of 16,000 citizens and business owners from across the country in what was the largest town and city survey ever undertaken in Ireland.

The survey is part of an initiative which REI launched in July of this year to encourage all business owners to work together to form a “Town Team”, design and implement a “Town Plan”

which will reinvigorate towns and cities, and in turn re-engage with its citizens and customers alike.

Something big

David Fitzsimons, chief executive officer of REI said: “I welcome the results of this survey and thank the many thousands of citizens and stakeholders who took the time to give us valuable feedback. The results of this survey represent the start of something big for towns and cities across Ireland. REI is

committed to ensuring that towns and cities take pride of place in every community across Ireland.”

Commenting on the result, local Fine Gael c o u n c i l l o r A n t h o ny L av i n s a i d h e w a s “delighted” for the town of Malahide.

“We are in very difficult times at the moment and for [the REI] to recognise the various businesses in Malahide, it has to be welcomed. They are facing the recession and problems like every other town in Ireland, but they

have a new challenge at the moment with the coming of Avoca, so it’s good for them that they have been recognised on a national basis.

“It gives me the confidence that they will be able to keep going and will continue to improve and when eventually the castle development and the casino development are completed in Malahide, it should hopefully bring more customers and more opportunities to retailers,” he said.

C or m a c K e nn e d y, head of property, Eason

and chairman of the REI Town and City Revival Committee said: “It is critically important that the report and the survey results are used to help improve our towns and cities. This should act as a road map for towns and cities to help them focus on areas that they can improve on.

As retailers, we need to invest into our shops, and as customers, we need to visit our local towns and cities more often and remind ourselves what great things they have to offer.”

25 October 2012 MALAHIDE Gazette 9

10 MALAHIDE Gazette 25 October 2012

gazetteGALLERY

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BJ Jackson, from Iowa, prepares for his next shot at Portmarnock, with Ireland’s Eye behind. Pictures: Caroline Quinn

US veterans putt their golf skills to the test

T

HE pleasure of golfing in Ireland was to the fore recently when a group of US servicemen and women took part in a 12-day visit to the island of Ireland, with international media coverage following their trip.

Comprising seriously wounded vet-

erans, the guests received the legendary Irish welcome for which we are world famous, as the guests were met with generosity and warmth throughout the Golf Digest Irish Tours US Wounded Warriors Tour.

A highlight of the trip occured

when they played at Portmarnock Golf Club. Despite the range of golf handicaps within the group, a great round was played, with the magnificient backdrop of the sea and coastal areas captured for Stateside audiences.

Brian Donarski strikes

Ramon Padilla, from DC/Maryland; Diane Trevino, from Virginia; Brian Donarski, from Arizona, and James

out of the rough

Stuck, from Oklahoma

Dust off ... With a little effort, Danielle Green-Byrd, Illinois, chipped a nice shot onto the green

Ramon Padilla, DC/Maryland switches clubs

25 October 2012 Gazette 11

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

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scary words: funtime at the ark, temple bar

Tall tales and spellbinding stories for kids of all ages THE children’s cultural centre, The Ark, in Temple Bar, is holding interactive book experiences every weekend in November called Telling Tall and Tiny Tales.

There will be stories, activities and fun, as well as original artwork from well-known children’s books on display.

Children can learn how to make up their own stories by choosing any one

of a selection of workshops on offer, and there will also be Halloweenthemed storytelling at the Ark every day throughout the mid-term break, with ghost stories to read.

The workshops and special events start on Wednesday, October 31, with a Halloween special storytelling event with Niall de Burca.

Children are encouraged to come dressed up

in their spookiest Halloween costumes.

On the same day, at the National Gallery of Ireland, a Skulduggery Pleasant Extravanza takes place, where author of the acclaimed series, Derek Landy, its illustrator, Tom Percival, and editor Nick Lake will talk about the Skulduggery Pleasant books.

Children are asked to come along as one of the

Skulduggery characters.

In November, there are gigantic illustration workshops with Niamh Sharkey on November 3 at the Ark and, on November 9 and 16, there will be workshops for toddlers with Kate Wilson.

On November 10 and 17, Jole Bortoli will host Plant a Book workshops, and on November 24 PJ Lynch is giving workshops for budding illustrators.

Niall de Burca will host the spookiest Halloween storytelling event

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12 Gazette 25 October 2012

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diary

Travel fun day raises €35,000

THE inaugural Travel Trade Fun Day surpassed its fundraising target recently, when it successfully raised a massive €35,000 for Pieta House and the Irish Cancer Society.

The fun day, which took place last month in the ALSAA Sports Club in Dublin Airport, was the first of its kind in Ireland and saw over 400 people attend.

The Travel Trade Fun Day committee includes

Blue Insurances, Etihad Airways, Travelport, Royal Caribbean, Sunway and United Airlines, who presented the charities with a cheque on Thursday, October 11. Each charity received €17,500.

Commenting on the event, the Travel Trade Fun Day committee said: “We would like to thank everyone in the travel trade who supported us in hosting this inaugural event. We are very grateful for all of the donations

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received, big and small, and we hope the funds raised go a long way in helping both of these worthwhile charities.”

Sports classes kick off for little champs AWARD-winning ClapHandies, which runs play and developmental classes for babies and toddlers, has joined forces with exercise experts Fit For Life to provide an exciting sport and fitness experi-

Local

Matters

ence for children aged three to eight in venues across the city.

PlayFit classes are designed to develop the crucial basic movement skills, building the key elements of physical fitness endurance, strength and flexibility.

The earlier these skills are learned, the more likely children are to develop an active lifestyle and love of sport.

Mark Sweeny of Fit for Life says: “If a child does not learn how to run, jump and kick a ball adequately

The two cheques of €17,500 each were presented to Pieta House and the Irish Cancer Society after a fund-raising day organised by the travel trade

at an early age, their skill levels soon fail to match those of their peers, and they increasingly participate in sports and physical activity less.”

Play-Fit classes will start in October in a number of locations across Dublin before being rolled out to 10 new venues in January

2013. For further information, see www.playfit.ie.

Dublin taxi drivers voted fifth friendliest in the world HAILING a taxi this week could put more of a smile on your face than usual after the Diary found out that Dublin taxis have been ranked fifth in the world for their friendliness.

The question of our Irish taxi drivers, “Are you bus y tonight?” clearly enhances the Irish charm, with Dublin drivers receiving 5% of the overall vote, in a survey compiled by Hotels. com.

London topped the poll for the fifth consecutive year as the best cabs in the world, with Dublin sitting in 13th place, while New York were named as being the most available.

Hugh Cregan, director of Transport Investment and Taxi Regulation, commented: “It’s great to see that Dublin’s taxi drivers continue to make such a good impression on visitors to our country and I congratulate them on that.

“The taxi industr y nationwide is a vital part of our public-transport network, and good customer service benefits everyone.”

25 October 2012 Gazette 13

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14 Gazette 25 October 2012

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schoolLife

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

Schools are the beating hearts of communities – one of the last places around which a community can gather. We are calling on budding writers and photographers from all of our schools to help fill the pages.

In order to encourage the next generation of journalists and snappers to get involved, we are partnering with Harvey Norman to present the Dublin Gazette Newspapers Cub Reporter and Cub Photographer of the Year awards.

For further details, contact me, Rob Heigh, news editor at rheigh@gazettegroup.com, or telephone me at 01 601 0240.

opinion: new junior cycle approach is to be welcomed

A refreshing change of direction  mary slator

Colaiste Bride, Presentation School, Clondalkin

AS A student who has just recently completed my Junior Cycle of postprimary school, and who was also one of the thousands of students to be the last to take the Junior Cert exams, I, myself, was deeply interested in the fate of the next Junior Cycle nationwide.

R ua iri Quinn, the Minister for Education, believes that if the whole

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

‘This new programme offers teachers and students alike a flexible approach to learning and teaching’

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

programme was changed, there would be a lessened likelihood of pressurised students dropping out of school at such a young age, because of the stress that comes with the exams.

Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn examining a project at the annual BT Young Scientist competition. There are hopes that the revised Junior Cycle at schools will see an improvement in academic results nationwide

The majority of settings that provided the JCSP are secondary schools, but it is also available in numerous other facilities,

such as special schools, children detention schools, Traveller training centres, and also Youth Encounter Projects.

I believe that Ruairi Quinn is worried, due to the fact that, countrywide, literacy levels have declined dramatically.

This new programme offers teachers and students alike a flexible approach to learning and teaching, instead of a traditional, subject-based curriculum to follow.

I’ve been told that the majority of the work to be done for the new programme is quite a lot of hands-on and group work. This, personally, sounds like a refreshing development in Irish education.

The two major purposes of this programme statement are: to outline the nature and content of the JCSP, and to present examples of good practice changing for the JCSP. This new programme is completely different from the previous Junior Cert programme, as a certain percentage of your overall grade can be achieved through regular class tests, unlike just having exams at the end of three years in your junior cycle.

As the quality of education and levels of basic literacy has faltered, there is only hope that the Minister for Education’s new techniques will turn the whole thing around and bring a brighter, more intelligent Ireland.

25 October 2012 Gazette 15

Gazette

schools talks: local issues

schoolLife

Students praise DLR Comhairle  charlotte kennedy St Raphaela’s Secondary School, Stillorgan

S T R A P H A E L A’ S Secondary School in Stillorgan, along with other local schools, has taken part in Comhairle na nOg in [the] Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown [region].

The Comhairle, which can have up to two representatives per school or youth club, is a place

where discussions and solutions to problems are made for young people, by young people.

This year, the focus of the Comhairle is on the Lost Years – the years between childhood and being an adult (basically, us moody teenagers).

Many things are being discussed in this topic, for instance, voting at 16, and the fact that there are no student fares on public transport.

Fingal fifth years get a lot out of great Siemens talk

 erica o’sullivan Fifth Year, Fingal Community College

Examining the Comhairle na nOg report

A simpler way to explain the Comhairle is by its slogan: Young Voices, Local Issues.

Charlotte Kennedy, a furth year student at St Raphaela’s, said: “I had

never heard of the Comhairle before, but it was something I was immediately drawn to, as I love to argue and wanted to make my voice heard.

“T he DLR Com-

hairle is a great place to make a change for young people. I have loved my experience so far, and can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings.”

SIEMENS Diagnostics came to Fingal Community College last week and students in Fifth Year LCVP were treated to a talk by Michael Farrell, of Siemens, as part of [the] Enterprise Education [initiative].

He engaged the fifth years in a very interesting talk on the production of highquality and accurate products for the medical industry.

The students were especially impressed by a short film that brought the manufacturing process to life.

All members of LCVP gained an insight into enterprise in the Swords area, learning that Siemens employs 300 people in the town.

Opportunity The fifth years were delighted with the opportunity to learn more about this local industry, and look forward to working with Siemens later in the year.

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 25 October 2012

DUBLINLIFE

Q&A

BUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

Financial Planning – Part 3 Continued from last week

THE following is a checklist to help decide what you want from your financial planning. What should your financial objectives be? Here are some options:

TOM NAUGHTON, PW THERMAL BUILDING SOLUTIONS

Insulating against the impact of recession TOM Naughton is the general manager at Pw Thermal Building Solutions Ltd, which provide thermal solutions for the energy retrofit market, specialising in powerwall external insulation systems for homes and businesses nationwide.

He studied construction management at GMIT in Galway, and spent the first seven years of his career working in both the residential and commercial construction sector in

both Britain and Ireland Tom joined Pw Thermal Building Solutions Ltd in 2009, having made the internal move from its parent company, The Sherling Group, based in Inchicore, and became general manager in January 2011.

For further information, find them on Facebook at Powerwall External Insulation, email info@pwthermalsolutions.com, or see pwthermalsolutions.com.

How long have you been in business?

We formed our company in early 2009

taken hold when we started our company, we never got too big for our boots and are constantly trying new angles and avenues in search of new business.

What makes your business successful?

I believe the success of our company can be directly attributed to the people working within our company.

They’re hard-working, innovative and hands-on dedicated staff with one common goal: a successful company with satisfied customers!

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

Some of our competitors are part of large multinational companies, supplying products and services all over Europe. We are a much smaller homegrown company, dealing with people on the ground locally and in a manner that is much easier for them to understand.

Our customers find us much more approachable because of this.

How has the recession impacted your business?

We, like everyone else have taken a serious blow as a result of the economic downturn. Sales are down, confidence is down but we are still here, fighting.

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

We are constantly changing and evolving as a result of the recession, but because the recession had already

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

There is a lot of talk at the moment about the residential property tax, which is going to be introduced at some stage in the near future.

Our products and systems are aimed at making homes and businesses more energy-efficient, so I would like to see homes and businesses that are more energy-efficient paying less tax. This would provide an incentive to carry out this type of work, and would create more business and employment, benefiting all involved.

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

We have a Facebook-like page which we use to keep people up to date with our special offers, as well as changes within the industry.

We also upload project photos and details to show people what can be achieved with our products.

What is your ambition for the business?

To survive the current economic turmoil first and foremost, but to also see our company grow into a successful, proud business with satisfied clients.

• Having an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.

• Paying off any personal loans, credit-card debt, overdrafts, store cards, hire purchase, leases or other debts.

• Building up short-term savings.

• Protecting your most valuable asset – your income – in case you are unable to earn money for any reason.

• Protecting yourself (and, if relevant, your partner) with life cover.

• Starting a pension plan.

• Buying a home.

• Saving for major purchases.

• Planning for education fees.

• Building up your personal investments.

To this, I suppose we could add planning for longterm care. Bear in mind the following principles when deciding what your financial priorities should be: 1. For most people, their greatest asset is their income.

Under the circumstances, you don’t want to risk it, and you don’t want to waste it. There are all sorts of inexpensive insurance policies designed to protect your income.

2. Personal debt, by which I mean everything from store cards to mortgages, will be the biggest drain on your income. If you’ve borrowed money, then you should make it a priority to repay your loans as quickly as possible.

3. It’s vital to have a safety net or emergency fund to deal with those trials and extra expenses that life often throws our way. Also, you want to make as big a return as possible from your investments.

4. If you’ve got a good, secure income, it doesn’t actually matter what other assets you possess. Emotionally, it’s nice to have the security of owning your own home.

But an investment that is just as good and maybe better is a really decent pension plan.

5. Know thyself. There’s no point in setting financial objectives that you’re going to find impossible to attain.

Your financial objectives may involve modest changes to your behaviour, but they shouldn’t require a complete change in your personality.  Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

SEARCH: BEST MANAGED COMPANIES COMPETITION

Dublin businesses go on to top Deloitte contest

 NATALIE BURKE

EIGHTEEN Dublinbased companies have been shortlisted to be among Ireland’s Best Managed Companies, according to a recent announcement by Deloitte, the business advisory firm.

Now in its fifth year, the Best Managed Companies Awards recognise Irish companies across the country that are operating at the highest levels of business performance.

Local companies through to the second phase of the competition include Dublin 15 companies, Blue Insurances Limited, NPP Group Limited, and Java Republic Roasting Company, the Now Factory in Sandy-

ford, and Noonan, located in Swords.

For the next stage of the competition, the shortlisted companies will demonstrate to a judging panel how their organisations are meeting their strategic objectives and adding value to their business.

The companies will work closely with coaches from Deloitte and Irish Life Corporate Business and will receive customised feedback, benefiting from the business advice and expertise.

Kevin Sheehan, a partner at Deloitte, said it is “extremely positive” that the competition has such strong contenders this year.

He said: “Feedback we have received from previous winners is that they

Judging panel members David Harney, chief executive, Irish Life Corporate Business; Siobhan McAleer, head of strategic partnerships, Irish Management Institute and Kevin Sheehan, partner, Deloitte

have found this process to be extremely beneficial and practical in relation to their company’s future strategy and it is a considerable benefit of participating in the programme.”

The awards are open to companies from all 32 counties of the island of Ireland.

It is the only awards programme that consid-

ers a business performance from every perspective, not just financial.

The companies that have been awarded the Deloitte Best Managed Company accolade, to date, have total revenues of more than €10 billion, and employ more than 24,000 people.

The winners of this year’s awards will be announced next March.

25 October 2012 Gazette 17

MOTORS P22

asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl P24

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



Gazette

MUSIC P19

Pets dog’s trust dog of the week

Witching hour can be a lot of fun for all ages

halloween: enjoy ghoulish action with spooky tours, parades and crafts

City fun will be a scream  LAURA WEBB

GETTING spooky this Halloween?

Are you attending one of the attractions around the city this All Hollow’s Eve? Out & About has trawled through the pumpkins and cobwebs to find out what’s on this Halloween mid-term.

From ghostly tours to spooky arts and craft classes, from a horror farm to parades of ghouls, Dublin and its surroundings have every scare covered.

Samhain 2012 is taking place at Marlay Park on Sunday, October 28. Each year, families flock to the park where, for one night only, it comes alive with freaky fog, ghastly spiders, skeletons, creepy pumpkins, chilling witches and demons. Residents are invited to walk in the Haunted Forest in their scariest cos-

tumes. This is a free event for those with wristbands which will be distributed on Saturday, October 27, at CoCo Market in Marlay Park from 10am to 4pm and on Sunday, October 28, from 10am until 3pm behind Marlay House. The Samhain 2012 sessions will take place that Sunday, October 28, at 3.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 6.30pm and 7.30pm. Check out www.dlrevents.ie.

Hidden Dublin Walks presents the Halloween Northside Ghost Walk every Friday and Saturday until November 1 from 8pm to 10pm. According to the organisers, Dublin is one of the most haunted cities in the world and these walks take visitors through one of the oldest parts of Dublin once know as Oxmanstown.

Participants will have the chance to see

sites such as Saint Mary’s Abbey, one of the most powerful monastic settlements in Ireland in medieval times, now just a small ruin down an alleyway, and hear the story of Lord Norbury, the infamous and sadistic hanging judge who presided over the trial of Robert Emmet. Hated in life, in death he returns to continue his reign of terror, so the story goes.

You will also hear tell of the mummies of Saint Michan’s Church, surely the most macabre tourist attraction in Ireland, and a major inspiration to the young Bram Stoker, native of Clontarf and author of Dracula. Tickets cost €13.

Check out www.hiddenwalks.com.

Threshold, the national housing charity, is hosting a Wacky Witches and Wizards Walk on Sunday, October 28, in Tibradden, South County Dublin. Start-

ing at 5pm, this three-hour walk is suitable for adults and children.

Everyone is being asked to dress up and there will be prizes for the most whimsical wizard and wackiest witch among others. Registration is €50 for one adult and up to three children.

Check out www.threshold.ie South Dublin County Council is celebrating Halloween on Wednesday, October 31 with a fun-filled spectacle for families in a safe environment.

Over 200 young people from Tallaght and Clondalkin will create artistic pieces in arts and performance workshops to display on Halloween night from 5pm to 7pm. There will be a parade in Tallaght and a pageant in north Clondalkin with music, dance and games at both events.

Continued on Page 23

Dublin Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dog’s Trust, Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity, to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs.

This week’s dog is Herbie, a 12-year-old crossbreed. This distinguished older gentleman adores his creature comforts and at this ripe age would love a home with a nice big soft bed to put his paws up and relax in.

This independent little man is quite happy to potter around doing his own thing or in the company of other doggies and big kids.

If you think you can give Herbie a loving home for his twilight years then contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000.

More information about their work can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie All dogs that are adopted from Dogs Trust are vet-checked, vaccinated, neutered and micro-chipped before being rehomed.

Gazette

18 Gazette 25 October 2012

OUT&ABOUT

MUSIC

FASTtunes

New night in Tallaght proves hotbed of fresh local talent Two new acts, Lora & Amy and Cash Is King, will be appearing at Brady’s Pub in Terenure next Friday, October 26 as the first showcase of new acts managed by Keith McLoughlin.

Lora & Amy are a songwriting duo from Balbriggan and veterans of the Ballyfermot Rocks festival, while Cash Is King are a four-piece with members from Dublin, Wicklow and Kilkenny.

McLoughlin is involved with community radio and promoting unsigned artists, and this event is an official launch night at the home of The Brady’s Sessions, which is a monthly singer/ songwriter night.

Allo Darlin’ - guitarist Paul Rains, drummer Michael Collins, bassist Bill Botting and singer Elizabeth Morris

MUSIC REVIEW: pop perfection from london-based four-piece

Allo, allo, allo...

AN INVESTIGATION of the current state of the musical firmament would tend to point t ow a r d a c o m p l e t e dearth of new ideas and fresh talent. Some would say we’ve heard it all before. Anyone who has listened to the Jake Bugg album would certainly agree.

T i m e s l i ke t h e s e require ear bleach and a sense of perspective... and then, you hear a band who take all the elements that you love from all the bands you adore, and you really don’t mind a bit of nostalgia-tinged tunesmithery.

Allo Darlin’, a fourpiece based in London, released their second

 ROB HEIGH rheigh@gazettegroup.com

album proper, Europe, earlier this year and, damn, if I’m not annoyed I didn’t know about it before, because it would have been the soundtrack to the summer.

Led by former Tender Trap member, Elizabeth Morris, the band have released a number of top-notch EPs - including the brilliantly titled Henry Rollins Don’t Dance - and their eponomously titled debut

album in 2010, which was singled out as a record of the year by several cognoscenti of the scene.

Written around Morris’ ukelele and guitar, the record holds your attention utterly from start to finish, the combination of the classic tropes of jangle pop with lashings of ginger-beer flavoured slide guitar lines and string sections on the side create something that simultaneously transports you back to a more innocent and shinier time while being completely contemporary and excellent.

Taking the shimmering girl guitar pop of the likes of BMX Bandits, the album contains 10

perfectly crafted songs that are infused with a lyrical wit and mastery of harmony and melody.

Imagine if you will the best moments of the likes of The Magnetic Fields, Sufjan Stephens, The Vaselines, The Pipettes and Teenage Fanclub and you are someway close to what Allo Darlin’ are capable of, but even those comparisons are faint praise.

The songs, from bubbly and wry opener Neil Armstrong to bittersweet closer My Sweet Friend, are uniformly straightfor ward and emotionally genuine, while underpinned by the band’s clearly innate understanding of how to craft a pop classic.

You’re held enraptured listening to where Morris is going to take you next with her words, which are never anything less than beguiling. Going all Louis Walsh for a moment, she reminds me of a young Billy Bragg, when he wrote songs like New England, full of charm and hope and love and disappointment and everything else that great pop music needs to understand as essential.

There’s nothing revolutionary here, except four individuals creating a record that everyone with a pulse and a love of good music ought to hear. Which, in this pop day and age, is pretty revolutionary.

25 October 2012 Gazette 19

GAZETTE

20 GAZETTE 25 October 2012

R1

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE

Marks & Spencer from €15

Accessorize €5.50

BEAUTY news

Spooky Halloween Makeup Tutorial

! s e m u t s o C C r e e py

e for n is a fun tim ee w lo al H s, d to little ki from Tesco From big kids witch’s outf it y k o o sp is th like €10 dressing up star ting from

 LAURA WEBB

Marks & Spencer from €13

Seeing that it’s the season of dressing up, Gazette Style is dedicating this week’s section to all things spooky. Make-up Forever is sharing one of their best looks - The Ventriloquist Doll, which is easy to re-create and is suitable for adults and children.

Marks & Spencer from €15

HERE IS A STEP BY STEP GUIDE: Step One: Complexion Use pale foundation in Mat Velvet No.15 to whiten the face creating the base for the Zombie look. Seal your foundation with a white powder in Velvet Finish No.21.

Accessorize €6 Tesco from €10 Accessorize €5.50

Step Two: Eyes Use eyeliner in Aqua Black Liner to create shape and widen the eyes for a doll-like effect. Build up your eyeshadow colour into solid blocks to create the false doll look using colours in White Matte in No.00, Pink Matte in No.75, Purple Matte in No.92 and Black Matte in No.40. Recreate the lower lash line using your eyeliner about 1-2 cm lower than your natural bottom lash line and then fill in with white eyeshadow in No.00. Finally add faux lashes to the upper and lower lashes along the false eyeliner line, the more exaggerated the lashes the better the doll effect. Faux Top Lashes: No.110 Bottom Faux Lashes: No.150.

Step 3: Eyebrows Draw in the eyebrows with the same product and extend out the end of the eyebrow using Aqua Black for a very false look.

Accessorize €15 Accessorize €12.50

Marks & Spencer from €13 Accessorize €5.50

Accessorize €6

Step 4: Cheeks Use a pink or red blush in circular motions to apply the colour in Pink Matte in No.75. Add Strass Diamonds to create a speckled diamante finish in Pink Diamonds No.18, Red Diamonds No.19, Black Diamonds No.23 using Due Glue.

Step 5: Chin Using your eyeliner, lightly mark the corner of your mouth down to your chin then once it is straight, take the eyeliner and draw a line down. This creates the effect of the doll’s mouth enabling it to move up and down. Add depth to the false chin look using Sculpting Kit in No.3.

Step 6: Lips Apply lipstick as normal using N31 Bright Pink Lipstick, use a darker lipliner to outline the lips in 12C Aqua Lip liner and finish with Diamond Powder No.09 on top for added effect and sparkle.

Marks & Spencer €3.25

All make up is available at Make-Up Forever, 38 Clarendon St, Dublin, 01 6799043.

25 October 2012 Gazette 21

Gazette

GAMING BYTES&PIECES

A dashing design

XBox 360 interface gets a subtle revamp

In the rapidly deteriorating battle for earth, this team of pumped-up super-soldiers are potentially just a few moves away from mission failure – and being turned into a pile of ashes – in the challenging multi-platform title, XCOM: Enemy Unknown

XCOM Enemy Unknown: strategy classic’s excellent update

Challenging, but a blast  shane dillon

GAMERS and techheads have a busy couple of months ahead, as the predictable deluge of end-of-year goodies has begun.

Indeed, there are some terrific gaming titles due out in the very near future, as the crucial Christmas wars start between all manner of steely-eyed games developers, with a Darwinian battle of survival ahead between several triple-A titles.

It’s hard to think of a harsher battle for survival than the one found in the wonderful multi-platform title, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which was released very recently.

 shane dillon sdillon@gazettegroup.com

It’s a reboot of a fondlyremembered (and deeply challenging) old strategy game from 1994. Here, aliens have started invading, with Earth belatedly waking up to the everincreasing threat of distinctly hostile foes.

So, it’s time for a secret organisation to organise a crack team of elite soldiers with state-of-the-art secret weapons at a revolutionary base ...

Only to watch them

BYTES&PIECES a starkly stylish work of beauty flies onto psn

die swiftly, and messily, at a variety of locations around the world, as this is a strategy title that demands brains a lot more than brawn.

One wrong move; one step too far; one foolish oversight of a seemingly harmless alien out on the battlefield – which ranges from train stations to garage forecourts – can instantly turn the tide of battle, seeing not just one soldier, but your entire squad swiftly wiped out.

Horribly.

Assuming they survive the mission to hand, your soldiers can level up, gaining new abilities and increasing importance – all of which will make you curse your bad luck, and

miss their specialist skills, if they come a cropper a few missions later ...

Wonderfully detailed presentation, and lots of gameplay flourishes (ranging from base expansion to research), add to the wide-ranging depth and fun of the title.

The main gameplay is also pretty interesting, as you and the aliens take turns to position and attack with troops.

Repeat such moves, until someone – or something – has won the mission, with great rewards to be claimed by the humans, or bitter regret if things don’t go so well. And if you mess up, entire countries begin to

SONY have a very creative title available now via PSN, in the stylish form of The Unfinished Swan. Developed

by Giant Sparrow, this visually striking title is something of a melancholy treat. Starting with a blank canvas, the world is revealed by liberally splashing black paint around, with the paint’s splatters and tracks giving form and depth. More colours, and gameplay mechanics, eventually come into play through its brief life. As its name suggests, although it’s stark and not very long, this is a beautiful title indeed.

go dark ...

As someone who’s routinely saved the world before breakfast, I have to say that XCOM isn’t remotely an easy prospect, which is great, as this is a strategy game, after all – immersive, engaging and explosive in equal amounts, but still something where planning, and thinking five steps ahead, is key.

While there are certainly bigger titles coming out in the next couple of weeks, and months, XCOM deserves to be a hit. It’s definitely challenging and unforgiving, but that only adds to its appeal, making the outof-this-world title a true star on the retail shelves.

MANY people may have already noticed that their 360’s dashboard looks a little different – that’s because an update is rolling out to millions of consoles around the world as I type, with all consoles expected to be upgraded to the new format within a two-week period or so.

The new dash has a number of interesting features, such as its Internet Explorer functionality, the new XBox Music service (with a monthly fee), a merging and reorganisation of tabs, and so on – all within the nowfamiliar Metro tiled format. Perhaps most interestingly, you can now pin favourite content to the dash, to allow quicker access to favourite games, sites, and so on.

There are plenty of changes that you can all Google to your heart’s content – or simply wait for your console to update itself, if it hasn’t already – with the move a welcome one for the console and entertainment hub.

digging the new stuff

Game-changing update finally hits Minecraft STICKING with the 360, and presenting about my 1,278th nod at Minecraft, if you’re one of the literally millions of people who’ve been burning up the internet with impatient questions about when the long-awaited Update 1.8.2 (AKA the Adventure update, mate) would arrive – relax.

It’s here, and deserves the hype. Apart from offering lots of new content, its most keenly-awaited feature is the new Creative mode, placing flight – and infinite blocks – at your blocky fingertips. There’s never been a better time to start building a giant gold statue of yourself, methinks ...

22 GAZETTE 25 October 2012

GAZETTE

& OUT ABOUT road

MOTORS

NOISE

Rob Kearney with the Audi A6 Avant S Line

Try out the 2013 Audi collection AUDI brand ambassador and rugby star Rob Kearney launched the Audi Future Now Sales event recently. Rob was on hand to launch the event as he received the keys to his stylish new Audi A6 Avant S Line.

The Audi Future Now Sales event is effective until December 31st, and offers both existing and prospective customers the opportunity to enjoy the very latest award-winning 2013 Audi collection with significant savings of up to €8,344.

Customers can now choose from a range of unique offers available on selected models across the range.

From the Audi A1 right up to the exclusive A8, features such as xenon lights, automatic transmission and quattro four-wheel drive will now be available at unbeatable prices to those who place their order before the end of December.

The Audi North Dublin event took place on October 20 and 21 where existing and potential Audi customers got the opportunity to experience the Future Now Audi range while families, adults and kids alike, were treated to a few hours of fun.

A cooking demonstration was provided by Bon Appétit Dublin, where guests sampled the very best from Oliver Dunne’s award-winning Michelin Star Kitchen. Other events are being hosted around the country in Kilkenny, Galway and Offaly.

Anyone that takes part in the Future Now test drive at these events will be in with a chance to win an Audi Sportscar Experience where customers will have the opportunity to experience the thrills of one of the world’s most exciting cars, the Audi R8 V10 Coupe, World Performance Car of the Year 2010.

Customers wishing to experience Future Now and test drive the 2013 Audi collection can do so at their local Audi dealer. For information on a Future Now event in your area, visit www. audi.ie/futurenow

The Volkswagen Cross Polo in a shade of Magma Orange which makes it hard to ignore

VOLKSWAGEN: NEW BEEFED-UP CROSS POLO IS A REVELATION

Turning a ‘nice’ car into a mean machine

 CORMAC CURTIS

I DON’T know who came up with the idea of bringing out a beefed-up version of the Volkswagen Cross Polo - but whoever it was, they should be given a corner office and made vice-president in charge of coolness.

Seriously.

W h o wo u l d h ave guessed that VW could take a car as downright ordinary as the Polo and make it so cool?

To be fair, I’m pretty sure that the target audience probably don’t even use the word cool , and if they do they most likely spell it k-e-w-l or some such nonsense.

B u t t h a t d o e s n ’t change the fact that the car has been given a huge new lease of life with

its latest incarnation. I spent a week with the Cross Polo recently and really had a blast.

To be honest, an eyegrabbing motor like this always gives me a kick, but sometimes the highprofile can work against you a bit.

L a t e o n e S u n d ay evening, I needed to get home quickly from the office, which involved some pretty erratic driving from yours truly.

There may have been a few red lights broken, there is a chance I lost my patience with some other drivers, and it is quite possible that I may have even disregarded a speed limit or two.

Despite my questionable driving that particular evening, I remain convinced that the gardai

who pulled me over only noticed me because I was driving the most orange car of all time.

Yes, orange.

VW refers to it as Magma Orange, and it’s so bright it doesn’t even need the metallic treatment.

Did Xzibit bring this car to his paint shop for a little pimpin’? It wouldn’t surprise me if he did.

Styling Colour is one thing, but the styling of this car is absolutely spot one.

Take a Polo, stretch it, pull it, and pump it up until it starts to bulge.

Next, grab some very nifty alloys and give the body a few hunks of matt-finished dark grey plastic panels for a proper urban look and,

finally, give the interior some nice touches so the outside look is also carried inside.

Not forgetting the silver anodised roof rails – there’s nothing I like more than when form and function are brought together with such a stylish approach.

It all sounds so simple, but it’s amazing how many car manufacturers make a right pig’s ear of a model upgrade.

The Cross Polo is also very well powered by a nicely tuned 70hp 1.2l diesel engine that’s matched to a solid 5-speed transmission.

For the size of the car, 70hp might sound a little on the light side, but I found it to be a nice little mover, albeit not laden down with any extra

weight like the family or luggage. Like any car that stands out from the crowd, you do pay extra for the privilege.

In this case, it’s a little over €17,000 but for the money, you do get plenty of kit, including: 17” Budapest alloys, climatic manual air conditioning, electric windows front and rear, ABS with brake assistant, ASR, EDL and EDTC, front fog lights sports front seats, silver anodised roof rails, bumpers in unique ‘cross’ design, silverpainted external mirrors, the ground clearance is increased by 15mm and it has hill-hold control.

Volkswagen should be proud of this latest entry to the Polo family, and I hope we see plenty of them on the road.

25 October 2012 malahide gazette 23

Gazette

activities halloween: devilish plans are afoot for spine-tingling entertainment for all

Share the scares with lots of ghoulish and ghostly fun THERE is no excuse for anyone to be at home this Halloween thanks to the many events that are on offer.

If your kids enjoy art, why not make some spooky arts and crafts with Imelda at Clondalkin Library on Tuesday, October 30, at 3pm? This is suitable for children aged eight to 12 and booking is essential. Contact Clondalkin Library at 01 459 3315.

Most libraries have events happening throughout the Halloween mid-term to keep the kids happy, or to show them that making a costume themselves can be 10 times more fun than buying a readymade one in stores. So why not go into your nearest library to find out what’s on this Halloween?

Elsewhere, the GAA Museum is being transformed into a spooky den,

with witches, ghouls and wizards there to welcome visitors. Activities include the Trick or Treat Trail, Terrifying Treats, Halloween Crafts, a Halloween Costume Competition and more. Visit www. crokepark.ie for further information.

Even the animals at Dublin Zoo are getting involved this Halloween, but let’s hope all the visitors’ costumes don’t scare them too much.

As part of the celebrations, the team at the zoo have organised the annual Boo at the Zoo which takes place this year on Sunday, October 28, and Wednesday, October 31, from 12 noon to 3pm on both days.

Visitors will enjoy festive face painting, scary arts and crafts as well as spooky Halloween keeper talks. A monster disco will also take place on the lawn for young visitors to

Don’t look now: Drive In Movies at Halloween Horror Nights at Tattersalls Country House, in

Youngsters having fun at last year’s

Co Meath, may leave you feeling a wee bit uneasy in your car

Samhain event in Marlay Park, Dublin

enjoy.

Meanwhile, the Haunted Spooktacular Horror Farm located deep in the Meath countryside is said to be Ireland’s biggest scare attraction and definitely worth the trek.

This is the seventh year of an event that leaves people screaming with fright. With a devilish

plan to create 10 acres of fear, the scream team plan to push the boundaries this year even more with scenarios to produce new frights and claustrophobia. State-of-the-art special effects will also help to create an extreme scream experience. It combines live actors, special effects sounds

that help to create a fourdimensional attack on the senses. This will take place from Friday, October 26, to Wednesday, October 31, starting at 6.30pm and finishing at 10pm. Prebooking is essential and it’s priced at €25. Check out www.hiddendublinwalks.com.

Finally, park your fear

at the door as Tattersalls Ireland presents Drive In Movies at Halloween Horror Nights featuring a haunted village with live actors, Halloween props, graveyards, spooky characters, and a spine-chilling selection of classic horror movies at Tattersalls Country House, Ratoath, Co Meath.

Enjoy a selection of Hollywood’s iconic horror movies while sitting in the comfort of your own car. Park in the best seats of the house for €20 per car, with two screenings per night to choose from.

Tickets are available from the Tattersalls House on 01 886 4300, or visit www. tattersalls.ie/house.

Gazette

24 MALAHIDE gazette 25 October 2012

OUT&ABOUT

fast

TRAVEL

A bold and interesting menu at the Courtyard  paul hosford

GETTING away from the hustle of Dublin can seem a lengthy enterprise. Planning, driving and organising for a night away isn’t exactly the most appealing to those with busy lifestyles.

Luckily for me, the surrounds of Co Kildare are just on my doorstep and, 10 minutes drive from Clonsilla is the Courtyard Hotel in Leixlip.

Conveniently located in the heart of Leixlip, the Courtyard is a beautifully laid-out hotel which features, unsurprisingly, a large courtyard which is used as an outdoor bar and, as was the case when we visited, is absolutely perfect for a warm day with friends.

Sitting on the River Liffey, the area around the hotel is a great place to take a short walk.

Hotel restaurants can often seem to go one of two ways. Either they play it safe, accept their lot as a convenient eatery for the weary traveller, or they try to be bolder and do something new and genuinely attempt to do excellent food.

Luckily for me, the RiverBank restaurant in the Courtyard falls firmly into the latter category. My rabbit and ham hock terrine starter set the tone for a beautiful meal, while my girlfriend’s duck spring rolls left me wishing I could have had more than one starter.

For mains, I opted for a herb-crusted cod with bacon and tomato salsa which was fresh and full of flavour, while the girlfriend went for a chickpea masala that was a revelation for a carnivore such as myself.

Dessert consisted of a pavlova for the lady and sticky toffee pudding for myself, both of which perfectly rounded off an excellent meal and an ever better short break.

kinnitty castle: offaly hotel and restaurant is taste of excellence

Step back in time to luxurious grandeur  Hiromi mooney news@gazettegroup.com

IF you’re thinking about organising a weekend staycation, why not travel to the midlands and enjoy some of the countryside the Emerald Isle has to offer?

One such place to stay is Kinnitty Castle in the quaint town of Kinnitty, just outside Birr in Co Offaly. The castle has a deep history which dates back to 1209, so not only do you have a chance to relax here, but it is a chance to

get away from the busy real world and feel as if you’re travelling back in time.

Plus, it’s nestled at the foothills of the picturesque Slieve Bloom Mountains, so you can enjoy some breathtaking scenery along the way.

Kinnitty Castle is a completely different experience from the modern hotels that we are more used to these days. From the moment my partner and I drove up the long driveway through the forest to

A beautiful seated area in Kinnitty Castle

the hotel entrance, we felt like we had travelled through to a different era.

This feeling continued as we stepped inside the front door and were welcomed by stone steps which were lined with candles and two knights in shining armour. The walls were decorated with stuffed deer heads, large paintings and mirrors.

The hotel houses 37 distinctively styled bedrooms, so your stay will be a unique experience each time. My partner

One of the distinctive bedrooms at Kinnitty Castle

and I stayed in the lavish Hutchinson Suite, which was an extremely large room that overlooked the entire front lawn.

We were told that Kinnitty Castle is a popular wedding destination, and it is rightly so. There was a wedding planned for the next night, so we had a quick peek at the banquet hall which was set up beautifully.

It was quite a romantic setting for the bride and groom’s special day.

It also seemed like a perfect venue to celebrate any other impor tant occasion like a birthday or communion.

We enjoyed a nice m e a l i n t h e d r awing room, and as the evening progressed and it grew darker outside, the candles glowed more brightly and gave the room a completely different atmosphere.

We later went to the bar in the old dungeons where there was some traditional Irish music playing.

Countryside

After a good night’s rest, we were up bright and early to avail of two of the activities available on site. We first went pony trekking around the grounds, which gave us a chance to explore the area and enjoy the fresh countryside air.

We later tried clay pigeon shooting, which I discovered is not for the faint-hearted like myself. But my other half literally had a blast, shooting most of the clay pigeons that were fired out.

If you’re the adventurous type, you should definitely take a shot, quite literally, and experience it for yourself.

But if you are prone to

25 October 2012 MALAHIDE gazette 25

Gazette

Travel fast

TRAVEL

Five-star city style at a friendly price

THE Dylan hotel, one of Dublin’s leading five-star boutique hotels, is offering guests the perfect opportunity to spoil themselves as the winter temperatures begin to set in.

The sophisticated urban retreat just 15 minutes’ walk from the heart of Dublin’s shopping street, Grafton St, is located on Eastmoreland Place off Upper Baggot Street and is set in an original Victorian building housing 44 bedrooms. A new package from the stylish hotel includes overnight accommodation, complimentary full Irish breakfast, complimentary valet parking and free wi-fi, with rooms available from €179 per night.

With two Experience Suites, three Experience rooms and one Signature suite, guests are offered a unique experience, with each room individually designed in warm, autumnal colours. Bedroom accessories include Belleek pottery, REN products and a Bose sound dock with an iPod. For more information or to book an overnight city break, visit www.dylan.ie.

be easily startled like me, you are better off just watching from a safe distance – it’s just as enjoyable!

There is plenty to do nearby as well, like walking or cycling through the nearby mountains.

But if you’re looking to learn about some of the local heritage, Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre should be your next stop to visit.

It’s only a 20 minute drive from the hotel and it’s easy enough to find. The centre was recently refurbished, and the displays were very impressive. Our tour began with a video in the auditorium which explained the history of Tullamore Dew whiskey and the story of Daniel E Williams.

From here, we were given a guided walk through the process of making whiskey – from

harvesting the crops to the distilling process to when it’s finally made and bottled.

In short, a weekend break in the midlands is a chance to unwind and enjoy the fresh air and countryside activities.

For more information about Kinnitty Castle and nearby activities, v i s i t w w w. k i n n i t t y castlehotel.com.

T he Cosy Castle Comforts package at Kinnitty Castle Hotel offers two nights’ accommodation with a full Irish breakfast each morning, dinner at Sli Dala Restaurant on the evening of your choice, followed by a complimentary night cap at the traditional library bar as well as a Cosy Comforts Hamper on arrival.

The special offer is available from just €149 per person sharing.

The majestic Kinnitty Castle at dusk

A magnificent bedroom with a four-poster bed

26 Malahide gazette 25 October 2012

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25 October 2012 malahide Gazette 27

monthly awards P28

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

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



Gazette

MOTORSPORT P29

FastSport taylor named boxer of year:

Members of the Lucan Boxing Club that met the Irish ambassador to Denmark following their exploits at the HSK Cup last week

boxing: local club claims six medals from international tournament

Brabazon hails epic showing from Lucan boxing’s octet EIGHT Lucan boxing club members last week took on one of the biggest competitions in Europe, competing against 330 boxers from 11 nations at the HSK Box Cup in Denmark.

In the process, they claimed three gold and three silver medals, making for an historic couple of days for the west Dublin club with club coach Karl Brabazon proclaiming: “Sometimes the higher the standards are set, the higher we reach to achieve them.”

Team captain Mick Clarke led the way pulling off a sensational knock-out in the first round of his heavyweight

final, a right hook that left his opponent face first on the canvas. It will provide a memorable part of his highlight reel as he intends to hang up the gloves this year.

Luke Byrne produced the fight of the competition by hammering his opponents with his tight skills, regularly using guts, bravery and will to slip big heavy right crosses, brilliantly slipping six inches either way before landing power shots Conor Burke brought controlled work rate to his wins and a gold medal to boot. Brian Haskins and Petru Ursu

brought home silver in close fights that could have gone their way.

Robbie Coyle and John Joyce showed heart, courage and toughness and came into touching distance of that silver medal.

Then Adam Cross stepped up to finish off the tournament with the very last fight with a hometown favourite in opposition. As the shouts came in for the home lad from his supporters, the 10-strong Lucan team around the ring responded “ole, ole, ole, ole” to a thunderous noise that echoed and deafened any other sound in the sports hall. Cross

lost by split decision and one point.

The Lucan team were subsequently hosted by the Irish ambassador to Denmark at the Irish embassy before returning home.

Speaking about his club’s involvement in the competition, Brabazon added: “A quick rundown of these fights doesn’t do these lads justice, the skill, effort and determination put in warmed the hearts of each of us trainers.

“Each of the lads put in all that hard work and dedication; this was a big moment for Lucan sport that they pulled off.”

THE AIBA confirmed that Katie Taylor will receive the 2012 AIBA World Elite Female Boxer of the Year Award for a historic third time.

The 2012 AIBA Award Ceremony will take place in Armenia on December 7. Taylor scooped the prestigious award in 2008 and 2010.

This year, the 26-year-old claimed the Olympic, world, European and European Union lightweight titles, picking up the best boxer award in China and London.

“Katie has won the award three times now and that has never been done before. It’s a great honour and we’re absolutely delighted,” said Taylor’s coach and dad, Peter Taylor.

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

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

Gazette

28 MALAHIDE gazette 25 October 2012

SPORT

DublinGazetteNewspapers 2012 dublin sports awards october nominees

A WET and wild October proved a happy hunting ground for local GAA clubs as near neighbours Kilmacud Crokes and Cuala claimed two of the biggest prizes in the county game, finally ending their respective hoodoos in the senior hurling and inter football championships, respectively, and have Leinster campaigns to look forward to. On the individual front, the local stars have very much been looking to Europe as jiu jitsu star Darragh O’Conaill claimed a European title while Kenneth Egan showed class is permanent with a fourth gold medal from four trips to Finland. John Brophy, meanwhile, is hoping that he can play his way into the Republic of Ireland amateur squad on a more regular basis as they build toward a European championship in San Marino. November has the promise of plenty of other Leinster campaigns with Castlkenock also flying the GazetteSport flag.

H STARof the MONTH

darragh o’conaill

john brophy

kenneth egan

IRELAND’S youngest Brazillian jiu jitsu brown belt continued his fantastic form by claiming two gold medals in the middleweight division – one at the London Open and the other at the Nogi European Championships, which was also held in the English capital

THE Phoenix striker’s recent form with his club and with the Leinster senior league panel was good enough to earn him a first-ever Republic of Ireland amateur call-up, a just reward for his excellent start to the season with the Scribblestown club

BEIJING silver medallist Kenneth Egan showed there is plenty of life left in his career as he swept to a gold medal at the Tammer tournament in Finland.

In a superb Irish showing, Egan was one of four gold medallists at the multi-nation event

kilmacud crokes

cuala

Round tower

THE Glenalbyn club bridged a 27-year gap to claim the Dublin senior hurling championship in excellent style. It could be the first half of a rare double as the club’s senior footballers are a step away from their third Dublin title in five years

AFTER two painful final defeats, the Dalkey club finally claimed the Dublin intermediate football championship title with a fine victory over Fingallians in Chanel College, winning out by four points off the back of a great first half showing

THE Clondalkin club made incredible strides this year at junior football level with both their AFL5 and AFL9 teams earning promotion this month.

The latter did so despite being in danger of folding the team at the turn of the 2012 season

TEAMof the MONTH H

5k event draws huge crowds to Kilbogget Park  sport@gazettegroup.com

Over 800 people took to the startline of the annual DLR Community 5k last week

THIS year’s DLR Community 5K in Kilbogget Park saw over 800 participants of all ages and fitness levels taking part. The event, once again kicked off Social Inclusion Week in the county.

A great family atmosphere was brewing before the start with a mass warm-up run by an instructor from the DLR Leisure Services that had everyone set to go when An Cathaoirleach, CllrTom Joyce (Fine Gael) sounded the starter hooter.

A constant stream of people,

from seasoned athletes to babies in prams, from 80-year-olds to teenagers, past the start line to do the 5km route at their own pace.

Everyone who made it around the picturesque Kilbogget Park to the finish line was a winner with some groups using the event to fundraise for their chosen charity.

With an entry fee of just €5 for adults (children were free) all participants received a t-shirt, medal and goodie bag as well as refreshments to keep energy levels up.

Shane McArdle, co-ordinator with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

sports partnership, commented: “Our key aim was to have an event that was open to everyone, from wheelchair users to joggers, to complete the course and have fun.

“We are delighted to have had such a huge turnout and most importantly wide range of abilities take part and enjoy the family atmosphere.”

The DLR Community 5K is organised by Dún LaoghaireRathdown sports partnership in conjunction with a number of partner agencies to provide a fun, inclusive event for everyone.

McArdle also added “a huge thank you has to go to Cabinteely FC for the use of their facilities, the Parks Department in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for their assistance, the Community Gardai and Dublin Civil Defence for their help on the day and of course the large number of volunteers who ensured that everyone was safe and had fun.

“With their help, and for the fourth year in a row the appearance of the sun, the DLR Community 5k continues to become bigger every year.”

25 October 2012 MALAHIDE gazette 29

Gazette

Cruel twist of fate for D15’s Kennedy Jack Kennedy endured a traumatic end to his second season in the British Supersport championship when his bike gave way and he was denied the title seven laps from the finish CLONSILLA man Jack Kennedy is learning not to beat himself up after round 12 of the British Supersport championships, where a technical glitch forced him to retire, when he only needed a finish to claim the series title.

As soon as championship leader Glen Richards went off the track on that fateful day, a seventh place finish was all Kennedy needed to seal the championship but, on lap eight the Blanchardstow n resident’s bike gave way and the despair of the pilot was seen as he was forced to roll the Martrain Yamaha into the pits.

 peter carroll sport@gazettegroup.com

“I remember seeing my clipboard and knowing that Glen had gone off around the third lap,” said Kennedy.

“I wasn’t trying to go hell for leather, I took it easy and I was thinking about challenging for a podium, but I definitely didn’t want to get involved in any scraps at the top of the field.

“Then I just noticed the bike getting slower, the back brake seemed

to be interfering with the speed and I just knew it was finished then.

“It’s been a tough time since it happened, but I’ve to learn not to beat myself up.

“I had the championship won and it was the first mechanical failure of the year for the team. It was just very unlucky,” said the Supersport ace.

Martrain had invested faith in the young Irishman after seeing him recover from a big injury the year before, with the rider’s comeback being a win at Brand’s Hatch.

Kennedy admits that in signing him,

Jack Kennedy produced an excellent campaign only to fall short at the final hurdle

Martrain knew he was capable of some wins, but the Northern Irish team probably didn’t think that he would be in contention for the title.

“They knew I had won races, they were probably expecting a

even though it didn’t work out in my favour.

“We were the only team that challenged for a large part of the season on a bike that wasn’t running on a Triumph engine and that shows the skill and determination that was

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

‘I’m hungrier, more determined and faster than ever. I’ll be up there looking for podiums. I certainly won’t be making up the numbers’ - Jack Kennedy

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

fifth place finish in the championship, so it was great to be involved in a championship run,

present throughout the whole team.

“To perform the way they did is a big deal for a small team for Northern Ireland, and the fact that the first mechanical fault came in the last race of the year shows how good the team are,” said Kennedy.

Without the finances to re-enter the Supersport stakes for next year, Kennedy is now eyeing a ride in the main event, the British Superbikes championship, as Martrain are in talks to represent Yamaha on their R1.

“I’m hungrier, more determined and faster than ever. If it’s superbikes I’ll be up there looking for podiums, I certainly won’t be there to make up the numbers,” said the confident 24-year-old.

FastSport

French side in driving seat in Leinster group FORMER Ireland and Lions manager Donal Lenihan believes Clermont Auvergne are looking an ominous force ahead of their double showdown with Leinster.

The blues got over the challenge of Scarlets in Wales last Saturday but have still yet to hit top form in the Heineken Cup despite winning twice in succession.

Churchtown resident Isa Nacewa got the blues’ only try of the game while Johnny Sexton kicked the rest of the points in the 20-13 result.

Also included in the side were former Blackrock College men Ian Madigan, Brian O’Driscoll and Leo Cullen, Rathfarnham native Shane Jennings while Castleknock College alumni Devin Toner came off the bench.

But Lenihan says Clermont will be a level above the offering of Scarlets and Exeter Chiefs in the past fortnight: “Clermont look in a league of their own at the moment. Their performance is on a different level. Clermont versus Leinster is the place to be for round three.

“It’s not going to be easy for Leinster to click into gear as they will be handicapped by the autumn internationals. They will probably only have one more match together before Clermont.

It’s a big ask. After two rounds you would have to say they [Clermont] are the team in the driving seat.”

He was speaking about Leinster’s hopes in connection with the Heineken Star Predictor, a competition in which members of the public compete against high profile pundits to see who can predict the outcomes from this season’s Heineken Cup matches.

Among the prizes are Heineken Cup match tickets while the ultimate prize of an exclusive VIP package to the Heineken Cup final at Aviva Stadium. Among those playing the game are Irish cricket star Niall O’Brien, Newstalk’s Ger Gilroy, rugby pundit Brent Pope, former Dublinstar Jason Sherlock and broadcaster Tom Dunne.

To be in with a chance of winning Heineken Cup match tickets, and an opportunity of beating George Hook, play Heineken Star Predictor; log on to www.heineken.ie/heinekencup and register for round three by 5pm on Friday, December 7.

Gazette

30 malahide gazette 25 October 2012

SPORT

FastSport

rugby: carpenter kicks push local club closer to summit

Fingal travails continue as double weekend takes toll FINGAL’s tough start to the hockey season continued as they fell to a pair of losses last weekend, both times unable to turn 3-3 positions in the closing quarters into points on the board.

Last Saturday, Three Rock Rovers’ Mitch Darling grabbed the odd goal in seven to ultimately end Fingal’s hopes of points at ALSAA after a game second half comeback almost caused a surprise result.

The home club’s Trojan efforts made the game playable after a block in the pitch’s drainage system had left standing water on the surface for much of the week. But they managed to clear it and most of the associated mud to make the pitch playable on a fine day at the airport. It started well for the hosts when Paddy Gahan claimed a touch in the circle to a crash ball.

But two well-worked right wing moves were finished off by Shane Madeley from close range to swap the lead around. Darling made it 3-1 when he nicked the ball 30 yards out and tore into the circle before unleashing a vicious reverse-stick effort.

Within a minute of the second half restart, though, Glen Shekleton popped up to rebound off Stephen West’s pads and Shane Dempsey also weighed in to tie the game up going into the closing quarter. Darling won the day, netting his eighth goal in eight appearances this term, making it 4-3.

On Sunday, Corinthian produced a strong comeback from two goals to beat the Fingallians 5-3. The northside club were two to the good inside 10 minutes as two corner moves worked in their favour, Eamonn Bane deflected in his third of the campaign while Marcus O’Brien also chipped in with a third for 2012/13.

But the lead lasted just 10 minutes as Matt Fairweather continued the corner battle with a drag before Dan Treacy got the first of the day from play, picking up the pieces after Nigel Grothier’s initial save.

Sihle Ntuli put the reds in front for the first time three minutes after the interval as he robbed Eamonn Bane who had been left short by a dump-ball around the back. The striker reversed home well. Simon McKeever pulled the game back to 3-3 but, for the second day running, Fingal could not pick up points as Andrew Malcolm and Fairweather scored late on.

Richie Forbes scrambles over the line for Malahide’s first try of their victory over Roscrea at Estuary Road last weekend

Malahide down Roscrea leinster division 2a Malahide Roscrea  sport@gazettegroup.com

22 8

MALAHIDE closed the gap on the leaders in Leinster league division 2A with a third successive win as they got the better of previous table-toppers Roscrea at Estuary Road last weekend.

In an early kicking battle, pressure told as Brendan Carpenter calmly took two penalty opportunities for a sixpoint lead as Roscrea struggled with the pace of their game.

They did bounce back

with a penalty of their own when Malahide were penalised around the fringes.

But Malahide were again able to draw the penalty and Carpenter was accurate to restore the six-point lead.

Astute kicking from outhalf Dave Williams and full-back Colin Corkery kept play penned in the Roscrea half and, with five minutes remaining before the break, they went close to the day’s first try when they elected to take a scrum from what would have been a straightforward kicking position.

wounded warriors United youngsters enjoy Special day us veteran Ramon Padilla, from Mary-

land, plays the 17th at Portmarnock Golf Club last Friday as part of the ninth day of the Golf Digest Irish Tours US Wounded Warriors Tour.

The arm amputee was among a wealth of wounded American veterans who came to Ireland to take on some of the island’s best golf courses over the past fortnight.

Picture: Caroline Quinn

From that shove, number eight Eoin Crowley was unlucky just to have the ball knocked from his hands as he attempted to touch down for the try.

A fourth penalty ensued, though, which Carpenter scored for a 12-3 interval lead.

They duly pushed on further when Dave Williams was able to find Richie Forbes and the strong running centre forced his way in for the game’s opening try.

With a 17-3 lead, Malahide continued to play some enterprising rugby but the foundations for

their dominance was really set by the hard work of the forwards with Austin Kennedy, Eoin Crowley and Killian Sweeney consistently getting the upper hand.

In defence, Mick Fitzmaurice and Richie Forbes constantly put in big hits to knock the visitors back. From one such moment, Crowley pounced on loose possession after a tackle dislodged the ball and he was able to outsprint the Roscrea defence to give Malahide a 22-3 lead.

W i t h 15 m i n u t e s remaining, Roscrea threw everything at the Mala-

hide defence but any yards gained were hard earned.

Five minutes from time, the visitors did find a gap on the short side of the breakdown and were able to breach the Malahide defence to bring the score to 22-8.

The final minutes saw Roscrea pressing but they were unable to find the space to give them the opportunity to secure a losing bonus point.

Malahide next face the long trip to New Ross in two weeks time where they will hope to keep the pressure on the sides at the top of the table.

25 October 2012 MALAHIDE gazette 31

 sport@gazettegroup.com

THE St Sylvester’s senior footballers’ championship campaign came to an abrupt end amid a Parnell park mudbath last week as 2010 champions Kilmacud Crokes got the breaks in their quarterfinal showdown.

Paul Mannion’s second half proved the key factor

as Crokes won out 1-6 to 0-6 in a fixture reduced to something of a lottery underneath a Wednesday evening deluge as the second part of a midweek double-header.

As such, play was increasingly stop-start while balls for ward became ever more hopeful as the conditions worsened.

The scores were locked at three points a piece at the break as Michael McCarthy kicked a couple of frees and Nigel Dunne added a fine score to counter those of former Dub Mark Vaughan from placed frees.

Fluiditity was scarce but goalkeeper Dominic McDonnell did do excellently to keep out

Vaughan’s early sight on goal. But he was powerless to prevent Mannion’s key goal deftly sliding home six minutes after the break.

Impact sub Darren Clarke reduced the gap to three in the closing phases but they could not scramble a last-gasp effort on goal to salvage a draw.

ladies football: leinster campaign ended

Gazette

Drenched turf puts paid to Syl’s in SFC

ASDFASDSAF Club Noticeboard st sylvester’s THE ladies football team were defeated

to playing senior hurling championship

by two points in the Leinster champi-

next year for the first time in the his-

onship in a heartbreaking finish. A last

tory of the club.

minute goal wiped out their one-point lead and left no time to recover.

The minor hurlers won their second championship match by one point

This fantastic group of players and

against Naomh Barrog in a very tight

management have had another great

and competitive encounter. They have

season with promotion to the senior

now booked their place in the quarter-

ranks and winning the Dublin cham-

finals.

pionship.

The intermediate football team

The intermediate hurlers also lost

defeated Na Fianna by a goal to keep

out by two points to Maynooth in a low

their hopes of qualifying for the

scoring game in the Leinster interme-

playoffs alive. There are six teams in

diate championship. Two late frees

contention for the three remaining

were the only difference between the

places.

teams.

The minor football team play their

They made great progress this year,

championship against Templeogue

winning the Dublin intermediate cham-

next Sunday morning in Broomfield at

pionship and they are looking forward

11am. Come along and support them.

naomh mearnog OUR senior footballers finished their

this panel are asked to attend. Con-

regular league season with a great

tact Damien Kenny at 086 8343598 for

display against Erin’s Isle.

details.

We were denied victory by a late point

You can now play the club lotto online.

and must now await other results to

Please visit www.naomhmearnog.ie

see if we progress to the playoffs.

and support this important source of

Regardless of this, it has been a fine campaign by Conor and the lads.

Our Under-16 ladies football team put on a great display against St Monica’s in the shield final.

Sinead Aherne’s efforts for St Sylvester’s were ultimately undone by St Laurence’s Picture: Peter Hickey/GAApics.com

Syl’s provincial hopes denied by Laurence’s  sport@gazettegroup.com

ST SYLVESTER’S ladies footballers were left heartbroken last weekend in Athy as they were undone by the last kick of the Tesco Leinster intermediate championship final, deep into extra-time by St Laurence’s.

The Malahide women, who benefited from the return of star forward Nicole Owens from Spain from Erasmus for the game, looked in great shape to add the Leinster crown to the Dublin one they claimed last month.

But St Laurence’s

livewire Deirbhile Byrne sniffed a last-gasp opportunity when a loose clearance fell her way in the closing phases. Syl’s were leading by 1-11 to 2-7 with the minimum between the sides and the conservative option might have been to pop over the bar for a share of the spoils a potential replay.

But the 16-year-old had only eyes for goal and audaciously found the net, securing the title for St Laurence’s as well as a place in the All-Ireland phase of the competition where they will travel to London for

the semi-final.

It undid some of the great work from the likes of All-Star Sinead Aherne as well as the rising prospect Kim White and the inf luential Niamh McEvoy around the midfield.

It ends another epic year on a disappointing note but back-to-back Dublin championships have buoyed the club as they push on to the senior ranks just a few short years since reforming as a separate entity from Naomh Mearnog.

Meanwhile, the club’s intermediate hurlers were denied by May-

nooth on a scoreline of 0-11 to 0-9 in their Leinster junior semi-final. It was very even all through the match with the teams level on seven points each at half-time.

The Malahide side’s defence was excellent and restricted Maynooth to very few scores from play with Ronan Kennedy and Graham Morris to the fore throughout. Andrew Richardson and Russy Cleere in midfield were at the heart of everything while Maynooth were very reliant on their free taker who produced a masterclass.

club revenue.

Congratulations to Paddy and Bronagh McConnell who got married recently.

Due to ever increasing demand,

We had victories for our Under-13

the weekend fun quiz returns to the

boys’ football team and our Under-9

bar next Sunday evening at 6pm. It

camogie girls.

will continue throughout the winter

The Under-9 girls enjoyed an end of season party in the club afterwards.

months and all are welcome.

Don’t forget that our bar manager

Once again we wish to express our

Eamon Cosgrove runs in the Marathon

sincere gratitude to all who helped run

in aid of Crumlin Hospital. Sponsorship

the Gaelic4Mothers tournament on

cards are available at the bar.

Saturday. This was another fantastic day for the club.

As the playing year draws to an end for all teams in all codes we say thank

On November 24 at 9pm, we have

you once again to all our hard working

a reunion of our 1991 minor football

coaches and team managers. The club

league winning team. All members of

would not exist without your efforts.

Fingallians HARD Luck to Alan Hanrahan and his

(further details to follow during the

panel on Saturday afternoon in the

week on email and facebook).

intermediate football championship

Our U-15Bs got a home draw and play

final.

their championship final on Sunday on

The team would like to thank the excel-

the main pitch at 12.15pm

lent support shown by the members

Our U-14 hurlers were promoted to

and have promised that they will be

the A division on Saturday with a nar-

back next year.

row victory on Saturday away to Ball-

The AGM this year will take place on

inteer St John’s.

November 22 at 9pm. Nominations and

Silverware also for the U-16 girls as

motions in writing to the club secre-

they won the division two Shield on

tary or via email to fingallians@gmail.

Sunday afternoon against St Maur’s.

com.

VIP tickets are now sold out for the white collar boxing. Tickets still remain at €20 each and can be purchased from the club bar or any of our boxers

There will be no nursery on Saturday, October 27 due to the club’s annual coaching conference.

It will resume again on Saturday, November 3 at 10am.

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

october 25, 2012

kennedy’s devastation: forbes rich list: Malahide stun table-toppers Clonsilla man within Roscrea with performance full of forward power P30 seven laps of glory P29

The St Sylvester’s intermediate footballers face an exciting end of season with the prospect of promotion up to AFL2 very much a possibility for the Malahide side

Syl’s sniff senior place St Sylvester’s still have a chance of adding a second team to the league’s senior ranks as their intermediate side remain in the promotion hunt  peter carroll

sport@gazettegroup.com

ST Sylvester’s inter footballers have kept their promotion hopes alive with a win over Na Fianna last weekend, 1-8 to 0-8, and manager Brendan Carney admitted that the game was every bit as close as the score line suggests, with Na Fianna now sitting in second place in the AFL3 with one point on the Malahide team.

“It certainly was a very tight game,” said Carney. “We went in three points up at half-time and even though Na Fianna had a man sent off in the second half, it seemed to spur them on and they got back within two points of us.

“We were lucky that Ciaran McCardle came

up with an inspirational point that settled the lads and we managed to finish it out from there.”

AFL3 now has a precarious look to it with Na Fianna guaranteed second place and a spot in the semi finals of the playoffs, while St Patrick’s of Donabate, Naomh Olaf and Carney’s men can all knock third placed Clontarf out of the equation with wins in their final games.

Despite Carney’s men facing off against lowly St Monica’s, the Malahide manager is not counting them out of causing a shock as the Edenmore side still have to gain one point from their last three games to keep themselves in the AFL3.

“It’s obviously a huge game; we really need to

win to guarantee home advantage in the semifinal. I don’t think looking at the league table gives a realistic reflection to how tough this game is going to be.

“A team that are fighting for survival are always going to be dangerous, we’ll have to get our heads down and work hard for a result,” said Carney.

Out of the teams that could be in the playoffs, the intermediate coach believes there is no draw that would be favourable amongst the four.

“There are four teams there, two of them are second teams and the other two are first teams.

There is no easy option in the mix and that’s why the home advantage means so much.

“We’ve been very good this year, we have the

momentum to take us through to the playoffs and I think that we’ve proved that we’re able for the AFL2 with some of the results we’ve got this season.

“The lads pushed Cuala harder than any team in the intermediate championship and they finished mid-table. We’ve had a lot of success against teams from that league,” he said.

Although Carney admits there is a huge difference between the intermediate side and the seniors, he believes his side’s promotion would have a great impact at the club.

“It would make this side an excellent breeding ground for the senior team and the young lads coming up from the minor ranks would have a chance to improve a lot quicker,” he finished.