South by Dublin Gazette

DublinGazette SOUTH EDITION

FREE

WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE DLR AREA, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED  FEBRUARY 1-7, 2018

Have you fallen out with a friend? Are some of your family fighting with each other? Would you like some Byrneing advice? Why not write to our great new columnist for her opinion?

PAGE17

Dear Mary Ripples of anger as pool not on area plan

SPORT Mulvey kings of the Hilll

P36

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Find us on

LOCALS ANNOYED BY THE LATEST TWIST IN GLENALBYN SAGA

 REBECCA RYAN THERE is fresh anger over the fate of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool with the news that the closed facility has not been included in the new draft Local Area Plan for Stillorgan 2018-2024. Sinn Fein’s local area representative in Stillorgan, Rosie Ni Laoghaire, said locals are “outraged” and that rebuilding the pool remains a priority for locals. She said: “It’s about time that local public representatives pri-

oritise the redevelopment of the pool and ensure its centrality as the community hub which it has been in the area for the 47 years prior to its closure in December, 2013. “It’s nothing short of scandalous.” Ni Laoghaire is calling on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and all political parties to “act now to build the new Glenalbyn pool”. See full story on Page 2

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 1 February 2018

STILLORGAN | POOL SITE NOT IN NEW DRAFT LOCAL AREA PLAN

Anger over lack of any plan for swimming pool  REBECCA RYAN THERE are concerns that Glenalbyn swimming pool has been forgotten about. It comes as the pool site has not been included in the new draft Local Area Plan for Stillorgan 2018-2024. Sinn Fein’s local area representative in Stillorgan Rosie Ni Laoghaire said it is scandalous. “Rebuilding the swimming pool at Glenalbyn is a priority for locals in the area. “It’s about time that local public representatives prioritise the redevelopment of the pool, and ensure its centrality

as the community hub which it has been in the area for the 47 years prior to its closure in December 2013. “Four years after Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council closed the pool at short notice, and €68k later, spent on consultancy fees to find a better site, which turned out to be the current site, and the pool is still closed. “It’s nothing short of scandalous.” Ms Ni Laoghaire says locals have expressed their “disbelief and outrage” to her since the exclusion of Glenalbyn pool from the draft LAP came to light recently.

FASTNews

Andrew Montgomery, Tom Fitzgerald and Will Ager at Fitzgeralds Sandycove. Picture: Michael Chester

Pubs to help people with spinal cord injuries

The future of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool is uncertain

She is encouraging the local community to put pressure on Dun Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council to act now. “I am disappointed that Glenalbyn Pool has been put on the long finger for the last four years,

and counting. “I believe that Glenalbyn should be included as an integral part of the draft Local Area Plan for Stillorgan 2018-2024. “Anything less is a disservice to the people of Stillorgan, Kilmacud, Mount Merrion, and the surrounding areas. “I am calling on Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and all

political parties to act now to build the new Glenalbyn pool.” The county council has invited any interested parties or individuals to make submissions and observations in respect of the Draft Stillorgan Local Area Plan 2018 - 2024. Submissions may be made in writing or online on or before Friday, February 23, 2018.

Churchtown man’s mullet smashes record

CHURCHTOWN-based angler Ian Mulligan has smashed the Golden Grey Mullet record. The new record, weighing 1.29 kg, was caught at Rosscarbery, Co Cork, on July 4, 2017. The Irish Specimen Fish Committee recently ratified this new Irish record fish. The announcement was made in the Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) Report 2017, which has just been released. As well as the new record, detailed information on 422 specimen fish (large fish) taken by anglers from venues throughout Ireland in 2017, comprising many different species, is detailed in the report. The main species were smaller shark species like Smooth hound and Spurdog and, in freshwater, Carp dominated. All fish were caught, weighed, measured and released. Anglers will be presented with their awards and certificates at the ISFC Awards Day on February 17, 2018.

LOCAL pubs are coming together during the Six Nations to raise funds to support people living with spinal cord injuries. ‘Lineout for SII’ will take place around the five games that the Irish rugby team will play. Pubs will join rugby clubs, workplaces and other pubs across Ireland by hosting a lucky dip competition and donating a prize of their choice. People can give €5 and select a number from the lucky dip at their local participating pub/rugby club/ workplace. If their number corresponds with the player that scores the first try they win a prize. All proceeds from the campaign will help support individuals and families across Ireland living with a spinal cord injury. If any local pubs would like to take part they can sign up by logging onto www.spinalinjuries.ie/lineout to get a free pack or call 01 653 2180. ‘Lineout for SII’ takes place across Ireland from February 3 to March 17.

Blackrock wins Bank of Ireland Bond Trader event BLACKROCK College has won the Bank of Ireland Bond Trader Event. It took place on January 23 in the Talbot Hotel in Stillorgan. Bank of Ireland’s Bond Trader events are an alternative way to network via a competitive team game of stocks, shares, equities, cash, and bonds. The interactive two-hour events included a table quiz style set-up with several teams, made up of local schools and business people competing against each other in a series of challenges and trading scenarios.

Glenn Moran, Aileen Morrissey and Bernard Walsh with students Peter Sharpe, Philip Towns, Hugo O’Reilly, David Cosgrave and Gerald Boylan. Picture: Harrison Photography

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

1 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

CHANGE | ‘NO EXISTING PENSIONER WILL SEE PENSION REDUCED’

Pensioners to benefit from system revision  RACHEL D’ARCY UP to 7,000 people in South Dublin are set to benefit from new pension improvements. It will help homemakers and carers who were affected by rate band changes in 2012. The new Total Contributions Approach will calculate pensions based on all contributions made over a working career. There will also be provision for a new Home Caring Credit of up to 20 years to assist workers who took time out to raise families.

Concerns Dublin Rathdow n based Senator Neale Richmond said in recent months many people have expressed concern to him

about their pension rates. “I have been in constant communication with my Fine Gael colleague, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty on this issue, highlighting the concerns of many of the pensioners who took the time to contact my office and who had suffered because of this. “We have secured Government agreement to allow post 2012 pensioners to choose between their current rate and that to be introduced under the Total Contributions Approach (TCA). “This approach is expected to significantly benefit as many as 7,000 pensioners here in South Dublin, particularly women, whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, while rais-

ing families or in a caring role.”

Entitlement Senator Richmond also confirmed that the Department will contact everyone who is affected, currently assessed under the 2012 rate band changes, to have their pension recalculated under TCA to determine if they qualify for a higher rate of entitlement, but it will take some time. “As it will take time to design and set up administrative processes, and the necessary IT systems, the Department expects to send out the invitations from Q4 2018. “Pensioners do not need to contact the Department or do anything else until written to by the Department nearer the end of the year.

“The first payments will be made from early 2019, with payment backdated to March 30, 2018. But if anyone has any queries my office is available to assist. For anyone concerned if their pension will be reduced by this change, Senator Richmond quashed those fears. “No existing pensioner will see their pension reduced by this change- if their rate is improved by the TCA calculation option they will benefit, but if their TCA calculation entitlement is lower, they will remain on their existing rate. “This is a part of the growing number of family friendly approaches that is the centre piece of our approach to the public finances and to those who contribute”

Call to regulate fitness ‘influencers’ AN online petition is calling for the Minister for Health to enforce stricter regulations on Ireland’s fitness ‘influencers’. The petition has so far amassed over 4,000 signatures on Change.org. Fiona Daly, author of petition, said: “There is no regulation regarding fitness influencers giving unqualified nutrition or fitness advice online,” Daly said. In 2015, the HSE said 93 teenage girls in the 12 to 18 age bracket were diagnosed with cases of bulimia or anorexia - an increase from 47 in 2005. Daly added: “Social media influencers uploading unrealistic, photoshopped pictures and giving dangerous advice [plays a part] in this rise in numbers. It will only get worse unless regulation is enforced and strengthened.”

Conor O’Loughlin with Minister Pat Breen

Feeling the glow of happiness over award

CONOR O’Loughlin was named winner of the Best Established Business award at the Dublin regional finals of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE). The 35-year-old, who is a former Irish Rugby Union scrumhalf for Connacht, is a co-founder of GLoFox, a Sandyford-based start-up which provides apps and software that help gyms and fitness studios manage their businesses better. GloFox employ 42 people at their Sandyford offices. They have a presence in 18 international markets and report 65% of their new business coming from the United States.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 1 February 2018

DALKEY | GROUP RAISES CONCERNS OVER FLOODING RISKS TO DEVELOPMENT

New Bulloch Harbour redevelopment plan ‘worse’ than original

 REBECCA RYAN

A NEW planning application to redevelop Bulloch Harbour in Dalkey has been criticised by local opponents as “worse than the one refused by the council in January 2017”. A packed public meeting took place last week to rally support against planned developments by Bartra Capital for the former Western Marine site. T he new proposal

would include two apartments and three large houses. It would also provide a public square, cafe, a building workshop for “traditional timber boats”, community changing facilities and new units for existing businesses, including boat rentals. “Unfortunately, this new application is in some respects worse than the one refused by the council,” said the Bulloch Harbour Preserva-

tion Association (BHPA) which held the meeting, attended by around 250 people. The BHPA have raised concerns over possible flooding risks to the development. They say that residences are not a “permitted use” under the current “W” zoning and residences were never allowed on the Bulloch Harbour site in the past. The group say that anyone living in the Dalkey or Sandycove area know

that the site is unsuitable for residences due to “serious flooding issues and over-topping, like waves and debris projected over the rocks to land where several houses are proposed and involving potential health and safety risks”. Its members also believe the new planning application “pays virtually no attention to the special character, heritage and history of this small working harbour”. “It would cause enormous disruption to the existing small businesses, residents, small boat owners, numerous harbour users and tourists.” The BHPA are calling for the application to be rejected. The closing date for “observations” to the Planning Department of Dun Laoghaire Rath-

down County Council is 4 pm on Monday, February 5, 2018.

The Planning Reference Number is D17A/1135.

FASTNews Dlr LexIcon family day

Dlr LexIcon is preparing for their upcoming family day. It’s a free event at the library and will welcome in Spring with a fusion of both Irish and Chinese traditions. The celebration will centre around Spring ‘Imbolc’ with lively Irish language events and also the Chinese New year that is also welcomed in February, this year 2018 being the year of the dog. It takes place on February 10. No booking is necessary, but it is advised to come early as it is first come first served.

Cabinteely Library opens

Waves over-topping at Bulloch Harbour

Southsiders may be getting their own Ikea SWEDISH Flat-Pack furniture giant Ikea is looking at the possibility of opening a new South Dublin store. T he company met with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council last October to discuss “the principle of Ikea developing a store” in the area. At the meeting, the retailer outlined its trading situation in Ireland and the nature of its “order and collect” outlet in Carrickmines. According to Fora.ie, IKEA were also exploring the option of a site in South Dublin. But a spokesperson for IKEA said that no decision had been made on a location and they are also looking at many areas of Ireland, in particular Cork. Ikea engaged with Dun Laoghaire-

Rathdown County Council before when it looked to amend a masterplan for the Cherrywood town development, so it could open a 35,000 sq m “flagship” store in the area. The proposal was blocked by An Bord Pleanala in 2014. The news comes as the founder of IKEA died aged 91. Ingvar Kamprad was only 17 when he started the company. He got the idea after he saw an employee taking the legs off a table so it could fit into a customer’s car. The shrewd teenage entrepreneur realised that saving space meant saving money and built his empire on the simple concept. The sole Irish IKEA store opened in Ballymun in July 2009.

CABINTEELY Library has reopened after the death of one of its employees. Last Thursday, DLR Libraries announced that due to unforeseen circumstances Cabinteely Library will be closed until further notice. They reopened on Monday and said that the closure was as a result of the “sudden death of their dear friend and colleague Dympna”. The library has opened up a book of condolences for anyone who wishes to express their sympathy to her and her family. Support has started to pour in on the DLR Libraries Facebook page. “Very sorry to hear about this and the fact she was so young and it was so sudden. I didn’t know Dympna but I work in Wicklow County Libraries and heard the sad news. My condolences to all Dympnas colleagues, family and friends. May she rest in peace.” “So sorry for your loss, lovely Lady RIP”

1 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

COMPLAINTS | PLANNING PERMISSION PROCESS ‘UNDEMOCRATIC’ SAYS LOCAL COUNCILLOR

Further uproar concerning Stillorgan Res Development  RACHEL D’ARCY

Planning is being sough for over 500 student beds in Stillorgan

THERE have been further complaints made by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County councillors to An Bord Pleanala regarding the proposed build of over 500 student beds in Stillorgan. As Dublin Gazette reported last week, a planning application for 576 bed spaces and 103 apartments at the former Blake’s Restaurant /Esmonde Motors site. Planning permission was sought under the new Strategic Housing Development scheme, which allows developers to “fast track” their applications to An Bord Pleanala if they are building 100 units or more. Now it has been

r e ve a l e d t h a t s o m e councillors in the local area will not be able to lodge complaints regarding the new build, as they are technically in another “boundary”. Residents of Patrician Villas and Stillorgan Park, who are on the other side of the N11 from the build, will not be able to submit their comments on the development even though it is highly likely it will impact their area. Speaking to Dublin Gazette, local Independent councillor Deirdre Donnelly has again called the new planning permission process ‘undemocratic’, as the views of all those in the local area will not be represented. “There is no doubt

Referendum on 8th Amendment looming

AN Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has confirmed that a referendum will be held on the 8th Amendment before the end of May. In a press conference in the Dail alongside Minister for Children, Katherine Zappone, and Minister for Health, Simon Harris, it was announced that a wording for the referendum had been decided. At last Monday’s press conference, Varadkar said that he aims to create legislation that will make abortion “safe, legal and rare”. He referenced the use of illegal abortion pills and frequent travel abroad seeking abortion and said that he is asking for Ireland to ‘trust women’ with the referendum. The press conference came

after a four-hour cabinet meeting to decide on the wording of the referendum and the legislation that would need to be drafted. Ministers have agreed that the eighth amendment will be ‘repealed and replaced’, with abortion to be permitted up until the 12th week of a pregnancy.

Abnormalities The Taoiseach also said that abortion would be available after 12 weeks in ‘exceptional’ circumstances, such as fatal foetal abnormalities or a risk of life to the mother. The Oireachtas will now be asked to pass a referendum bill, which will approve the holding of a referendum within the next

three months. The summer referendum will also see the 13th and 14th amendments of the constitution repealed, which prohibited the distribution of information on abortion, and the restriction of travel. It is believed that while a majority of the cabinet are in support of repeal, there are concerns being raised about ‘unrestricted’ abortion access up to 12 weeks. “While there are differing viewpoints on the content of that legislation, particularly on 12 weeks’ access unrestricted, that is a matter for the Oireachtas [legislature] to now debate. “My views are clear on that and I expressed them at cabinet,” said Tanaiste Simon Coveney.

There has been increasing pressure from student union groups for a referendum, with this believed to be a major factor in the decision to hold a referendum. Most third-level students would not have had an opportunity to vote on any previous referendum on abortion. “Millions of our young people have not had the opportunity to vote on this issue, and arguably it affects our future generations more than any other,” Michael Kerrigan of the Union of Students of Ireland said today. The exact date for the referendum will be announced closer to the time, with legislation for the referendum first having to pass through the Seanad and the Dail.

that this [build] will impact greatly on Stillorgan Village but I am concerned about how this will also affect the residents on the other side of the N11,” she said. The N11 is the boundary that divides the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown county into two areas. “The boundary i s b e t we e n t h e t wo municipal districts so the representatives on the other side will have no say even though the people they represent could be badly affected by the end result. It is so undemocratic. We should all have an input into a submission going to the Board,” Cllr Donnelly said. Submission of comments from DLRCC were submitted to An Bord Pleanala following a local area meeting on Monday, January 22. “The planning department of DLRCC have put in a submission to

ABP about the proposed development, giving their views. It includes the views of their traffic engineers, the local parks department and more. “The views of councillors on the area are also included. Councillors on this side of the county had their comments included, but councillors on the other side have not been afforded that opportunity, even though the end development may impact the people in that area,” Cllr Donnelly said. She has said that she has now written to the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government highlighting the necessity to include the views of all public representatives in the submissions for strategic housing developments. A decision on the future of the site is to be made by An Bord Pleanala by April 19.

A computer generated image of how the complex would look

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 1 February 2018

Out and About

Councillor Tom Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council with student Angelika Krasinska. Pictures: Peter Cavanagh

Saoirse O’Shea being prepared for her role as Lady Weeelandia by Shona Ruddy

Showcasing some great design and imagination A

N Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tom Murphy attended Lord and Lady WeeeLandia’s Garden Party last week for the launch of the Upcycle exhibition at dlr LexIcon. The exhibition is hosted by the IADT Design for Stage, Screen and ModelMaking students in partnership with dlrcc. On display were the 10 best designs from the council’s recent Upcycle competition.

an example of some of the costumes made by upcycling materials

Saoirse O’Shea being dressed by Anthony Hodder

Students Caitlin O’Donnell, Aoife O’Callaghan, Angelika Krasinska, Kim Ryan, Leanne Scanlon, Anna O’Brien and First year student Aoife O’Callaghan

Aoife McIntyre

1 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

Out and About

Aisling Brennan, Sinead Ni Griofa, Rachel Greene and Aine Kerr

Wexford Street venue shows off its new look Faye Rooney, Cassie Hill and Kate O’Callaghan. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

January Winters

Emma and Ashlee Kehoe

PIUM, Wexford Street is back and it’s bigger and better than ever! Following a massive €3 million refurbishment, the popular venue opened its doors to showcase its new and improved look. Guests got a glimpse of all of the refurbished areas within the venue and engaged in activities including cocktail tutorials in the new mixology lounge.

Lauren Coffey, Rachel Purcell and Kate Wilkinson

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 1 February 2018

CLONKEEN COLLEGE | TRUST MOVES TO DISSOLVE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

Minister’s backing sought in row with Christian Brothers  REBECCA RYAN A DUN Laoghaire TD is calling for the backing of the Education Minister in the Clonkeen College row with its patron. The Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) has moved to dissolve the board of management at the college in Deansgrange. The ERST have responsibility for 96 schools, secondary and primary, in the Republic of Ireland. The dispute heated up last year between the school and its founders, the Christian Brothers, over plans to sell 7.5 acres of pitches at the college for a sum reported to be in the region of €18 million. The board of management at the south Dublin college has been told it will be dissolved over their resistance to the plan. In a statement, Clonkeen College said they were shocked by the decision. “It is with great regret and sadness that the Board of Management (BOM) of Clonkeen College wishes to inform you that it is facing dissolution by the Edmund Rice School’s Trust. “The BOM was stunned and shocked to be informed of this decision at a meeting with the ERST on December 18 2017. At this meeting, the BOM was told that unless it followed ERST’s instruction to settle legal proceedings against the Congregation of Christian Brothers, then ERST would begin the process of dissolution of the BOM. Any move to axe the board needs the approval of the Minister for Education. People Before Profit TD,

Richard Boyd Barrett is calling on Richard Bruton to step in and defend the school board and to prevent their board of management being dissolved. “The Christian Brothers are attempting to sell over seven acres of the school’s playing fields to which the school board has commenced legal proceedings. It is alleged that the order is selling the land to pay back penalties for historic child abuse, purportedly. “What the Christian Brothers are doing to the school in threatening to dissolve the board of management, is bald face bullying and blackmail engineered to try to make the board withdraw from legal proceedings over the playing fields. “It’s is an absolute disgrace that the order is threatening the Clonkeen community like this. It is also scandalous that they are, purportedly, attempting to pay off their debts for historic child abuse, which was committed by members of their order, by depriving the current and future generations of Clonkeen students of their playing fields.” Richard Boyd Barrett is calling on Minister Richard Bruton to “step in and stand up for the school board, the students, families and wider Clonkeen Community”. “The Minister must refuse to approve the Board of Management being dissolved and he should step in and defend the school.” The school has taken legal proceedings against the congregation to argue its right to sell the land. The case is due to go to trial in March and sale cannot be completed until the row is resolved.

No talent wasted on lavish party THE Lord and Lady WeeeLandia helped the council in partnership with the IADT, to launch their Upcycle Exhibition by throwing a lavish Garden Party at the Dlr LexIcon Library. There was a wide selection automatons and upcycled clothing which formed the centrepiece of the exhibition. Guests were served by Animal Farm inspired characters and music was provided by the Blanchardstown Brass Band.

WeeeLandia is a fictitious land where nothing is thrown away, instead these items are given a new lease of life by being transformed into lavish and wonderful items. An Cathaoirleach Cllr Tom Murphy played his part by greeting the Lord and Lady of WeeeLandia as they made their grand entrance. Cllr Murphy hoped the exhibition would inspire more people to consider alternative uses for their waste.

Store to close its doors  REBECCA RYAN

LONG-standing family business Churchtown Stores has closed its doors after 30 years of business. It closed yesterday (Wednesday) after brothers Kieran, Fehan and Barry Flood decided to retire. They opened up the hardware shop on the last day of February in 1988, a leap year, after running a hardware and electrical shop in London for 25 years previously. A haven of all things hardware, the Braemore Road shop was bursting with anything and everything. The brothers, originally from

Westmeath, know most of their customers by name and many are sad to see the shop close. The decision to retire last year was a tough one for the trio. “We’re very disappointed that we have to close it down,” Kieran Flood said. “We have sold it and we had no difficulties selling it. We are very pleased with who purchased it.” The brothers are known as the ‘go-to’ people of being able to source what their customers need. “What people want, if it’s reasonably within our sphere, we will get it. It’s as simple as that.” The store was constantly

packed and locals from all over Churchtown, Dundrum, Ballinteer and beyond have been paying tributes to the iconic local store. Facebook page Ballinteer Today received hundreds of nostalgic comments from saddened punters at the announcement of its closure. “End of an era. Fantastic shop with extremely knowledgeable staff who would do anything for you. We always referred to it as Bill and Ben’s.” one comment read. Comments from others read: “A really great shop, a big part of Churchtown, could always get what you needed there. It will be sadly missed.”

FASTNews

Funding boost for volunteer centre warmly welcomed MINISTER for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross welcomed an allocation of €103,000 to the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Volunteer Centre on Tuesday. The funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development is supporting volunteer centres in 21 counties as well as a number of national organisations. Minister Ross said he was delighted that the work of volunteers is being recognised and supported at Government level. “The Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Volunteer Centre is a vital part of our community. “The volunteers who work on the ground and behind the scenes are an inspiration to us all. “I salute their dedication, passion and commitment to the general good. “Without them and the incredible work they do on behalf of others, our community would be a much, much poorer place. Minister Kyne said: “I am also pleased to be able to approve an increased allocation of core funding for Volunteer Ireland up €33,800 to €351,800. “Volunteer Ireland provides a number of important supports to volunteer centres including the I-VOL national volunteering database. “A further €100,000 is being allocated to support the Volunteer Information Services which operates in counties not currently served by volunteer centres.”

1 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 1 February 2018

Out and About

Mary Butler, Mike Smith, Patricia Craddock-Smith and Hilary Thornton from Blackrock Athletic Club

Putting their best foot forward in Shankill

Peter Doran and Jackie O’Neill. Pictures: Rose Comiskey

HANGANAGH Park in Shankill was packed with plenty of runners who took park in the Park Run last week. The early morning run is a great way to get the weekend off to a positive start and is growing in popularity year on year. Shanganagh parkrun is a free weekly 5km event for runners of all standards, which takes place every Saturday at 9:30am in Shanganagh Park.

Ashling Garton and Erica Harvey with doggie Jabla

Rian Donnelly with daughters Orla and Nora Gonzalez

1 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

Out and About

Ciara and Aine Murray with their dog Lucky

Orla O’Callaghan, Hannah Kelly and Eleanor Foot

David and Emma Costello

Run organisers Keith Garland, PJ Hourihane and Paul Defreine

Alison and Aisling Walsh

David and Jessica Carroll

Leanne and Jackie Darcy with Ashley Curran and Edel Kinsella

Michelle Langan, Emma Barr and Jennifer Lee from Blackrock Athletic Club

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 1 February 2018

GAZETTE

DUBLINBUSINESS Springboard expanded to those Providing a personal in full employment and local approach to help Fingal’s SMEs

NEW COMPANY | HR PROFESSIONAL BRINGS BROAD RANGE OF EXPERIENCE

The Government has announced that all Springboard courses are to be available to those in employment for the first time. Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, issued a call to all higher education institutes to propose courses to be funded under Springboard+ 2018. Springboard+ is part of the action plan for education, which will aim to ensure that Ireland has the best education and training system in Europe, within the next decade. Last year, the Springboard+ criteria was expanded to include those in employment who wished to upskill to meet specific needs within the ICT and Biopharma sectors, as well as homemakers. This year, all courses will be extended to be open to anyone irrespective of their employment status. Level 6 courses will remain free to all Springboard participants. For employed participants on level 7 to 9 courses, the government will cover 90% of the course fee, meaning participants only need to pay 10% of the overall course fee. “Springboard+ is a key part of the Government’s strategy to ensure we are planning for the future skills needs of our economy, which is critical to delivering on our ambitions as a nation,” said Minister Bruton. “We need to continue to focus on ways to address skills needs that are arising due to both the changing world of work, and our welcome move towards full employment.” Candidates who wish to participate in Springboard+ 2018 can find full details on springboardcourses.ie

Increase in browsing activity on mobiles THERE has been a reported 60% increase on mobile browsing activity by consumers in 2017, compared to the same period in 2016. The Retail Excellence dashboard report also details that desktop conversion rates have decreased by 3%. The average level of browsing across all handsets has fallen by 16% year on year, with the company suggesting that Cyber Week’s success is a reason for the drop. The pharmacy sector recorded the highest conversion rate of 3% to nearly 2% across mobile devices, with this sector growing strongly online in the last year. “The data produced by our Dashboard Report gives an excellent insight into the current state of play within the Irish online marketplace and is one of our key supports offered to Irish retailers trading online,” said David Campbell, eCommerce manager at Retail Excellence. It is expected that over €600bn will be spent by European consumers online in 2018.

HR professional Daniela Kocis set up her own business to offer advice and support to SMEs in Fingal

HR professional Daniela Kocis Fitzgerald is embarking on an exciting challenge as she sets up her own business offering advice and support to SMEs in Fingal. Based in Clonee, Mrs Kocis Fitzgerald will serve businesses in Malahide, Sutton, Portmarnock, Howth, Rush, Skerries, Donabate, Swords and Dublin Airport through her new company The HR Dept Fingal. Originally from Romania, she has lived in Ireland for eight years and is married with two children. An experienced employment law consultant and HR expert, with a CIPD diploma in HR management, she said her new role was aimed at achieving

greater freedom and flexibility. “I wanted to try and get the best of both worlds,” she said. “I wanted some freedom in my life and a better work life balance. “Having children has definitely changed my view on life – if I stayed working in the corporate world I’d never have been around to see them grow up. “Running my own business enables me to still do what I love, along with the flexibility and freedom of being selfemployed. “There are quite a few SMEs in the business parks around Fingal and in the seaside towns at the edge of the Irish Sea. “My approach is going to be

very much personal and local, so it’s going to be a real change from the corporate world I was in before.” Daniela said her broad experience stood her in good stead to face the variety of personnel issues her clients were likely to face. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the companies and businesses in the area and it’s a challenge I’m excited to take on,” she said. “There are a lot of personnel issues for SMEs to be thinking about at the moment, with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) coming in May and the reviews on equality and the gender pay gap. “Companies need to be

aware of likely legislation and prepare for it in advance – the landscape is changing and those businesses which aren’t up to speed are going to suffer. “HR professionals are available for advice so that, rather than having an additional headache to worry about, business owners can pass responsibility for the people issues over to us. “We allow you to look after your business and take care of your people problems.” Daniela becomes the third franchise holder to set up The HR Dept in Ireland, with other licensees already operating in Cavan, Monaghan and Louth as well as South Dublin and County Kildare.

1 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

TRAVEL P25

DUBLINLIFE Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week

CINEMA P27



GAZETTE

FOOD P24

SPEC COMES READY THEATRE: CELEBRATING THE IRISH EXPLORER’S INSPIRATIONAL SPIRIT FOR A FUN-LOVING ADULT-ONLY HOME

OUR Dog of the Week looking for their #SpecialSomeone* is Spec, a fun-loving one-year-old Labrador cross who is looking for an equally fun-loving family. Spec is a very social dog that loves human company and struggles with being left on his own for too long. He loves people so much that he would want to be the only dog in the home so that he can spend lots of quality time with them; he is looking for an adultonly family. Being a social creature has many benefits as Spec not only loves walking and playing with people but he has a soft spot for cuddles, too. He will be a great companion for someone who likes goofy, bouncy dogs who like to play If you can be Spec’s #SpecialSomeone*, then please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off Exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website, www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline, or on Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

Shackleton’s ice tribute TREACHEROUS Antarctic sea ice gripped and slowly destroyed his ship, the Endurance – but nothing could crush Irish explorer Ernest Shackleton’s hunger for adventure. A great new Irish play, Shackleton, explores the 1914 event – and a lasting legacy of the triumph of the human will, even in the face of such grim adversity ...

SEE

P18

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 1 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE Superstars take to the stage for show-stopping performances

DIARY

CONCERTS: ELTON JOHN AND BRITNEY AT THE 3ARENA

DUBLIN is set to see global superThe aim of the series, 101: The available via www.101thepodcast. stars Elton John and Britney Spears Ways We Learn, produced by com. take to the 3Arena stage at two Bureau, is to inform the national show-stopping concerts. conversation in this area by con- LIAM NEESON THANKS CABIN As he announced his retirement, necting big educational ideas with CREW FOR FUNDRAISING Elton John revealed he will embark everyday occurrences like learning AER Lingus cabin crew recently received the ultimate recognition for on a three-year ‘farewell’ world tour. to cycle. “My priorities have changed. We In each episode hosts, physicist, their on-board fundraising achievehad children and I changed our lives. Dr Share Bergin, UCD School of ments from UNICEF goodwill ambasThat doesn’t mean to say I’m not sador Liam Neeson at a going to be creative. but I’m not UNICEF Goodwill Ambas sador Liam Neeson going to travel,” John said in a thanks Aer Lingus emplo yees. Picture: Jason Clarke livestreamed press conference. He will take in a stop at the 3Arena on June 12 2019 on his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour. Tickets will go on sale 9am on February 9th. Meanwhile, princess of pop Britney Spears will take her ‘Piece of Me’ tour to Dublin this summer. Following the end of her Las Vegas residency after four years, she’s taking her Vegas set on the road. Spears is due to stop at the 3Arena on August 20th 2018. Her Dublin show will be one of a limited number of dates she’s preforming globally, and Education and volcanologist, her first Irish gig since 2011. Tickets Dr Jane Chadwick, formerly edu- private event in the Shelbourne Hotel, cation manager, Science Gallery Dublin. are on sale now. Neeson, an ambassador for the Dublin, follow different people as PODCAST EXPLORES HOW they are guided by a teacher to learn global child rights organisation since PEOPLE LEARN NEW THINGS something new – from swimming 1997, spent the afternoon with seven A NEW 10-episode free podcast to cycling, from coding to cooking Aer Lingus cabin crew, named as UNIseries exploring how people learn and from activism to graphic design CEF ambassadors, thanking them for new things was launched last week – and explore the learning process their work in raising €1m for UNICEF at UCD. in 2017 through the airline’s ‘Change from many differing perspectives. Like many countries, Ireland is The first two episodes of the free for Good’ initiative. going through a period of reform in podcast series, each of which is In a special video message to Aer its education sector. approximately 30 minutes long, are Lingus guests, Neeson said: “This year

After a 50-year career Elton John is embarking on his final tour, which will take him to five continents over three years

alone Aer Lingus raised €1m, helping children through on-board donations for war-torn Syria as well as Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen, which were ravaged by famine and most-recently children displaced by the Rohingya crisis who had to flee their homes in Myanmar. “A special thanks to all Aer Lingus guests. It’s with thanks to your generous donations UNICEF has been able to make a big difference to change children’s lives for the better.”

WIN A VISIT FROM THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS TORCH RUN PRIMARY schools across the country have been invited to enter a competition to win a visit from the Flame of Hope ahead of this summer’s Special Olympics. The Special Olympics Ireland Law Enforcement Torch Run is a key event which raises funds and awareness of the Special Olympic Ireland Games. They offer an opportunity for athletes of all ages to become part of a growing community, and to reach their full sporting potential. The competition will see primary schools fundraise a minimum of €250 to show their support for the Games. The Flame of Hope will travel the country ahead of the opening ceremony on June 14. The Ireland Games will take place from the June 14 – 17, and will see 1,600 athletes from all over Ireland come to Dublin to compete in 14 different sports, from football to bowling. For more information and to register, visit www.irelandgames.ie/schools

IFTA NOMINATED FILM SET FOR IRISH CINEMA RELEASE IFTA nominated feature film, Michael Inside, will be released in Irish cinemas on Friday, April 6. The film, directed and written by Frank Berry, tells the story of Michael McCrea, an impressionable 18-yearold who gets caught with a bag of his friend’s older brother’s drugs. He is then sentenced to three months in prison. Last summer, Michael Inside won Best Irish film at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2017. It stars Dafhyd Flynn as Michael, alongside Moe Dunford and Lalor Roddy. Michael Inside was nominated for four IFTAs – Best Feature, Best Director, Best Scriptwriter (Frank Berry) and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Dafhyd Flynn).

CHANGE OF LOCATION FOR ORCHESTRA’S DUBLIN CONCERT THE Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) has relocated its Dublin concert from St Patrick’s Cathedral to St Stephen’s Church (The Pepper Canister). The ICO will collaborate with Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre for its concerts in St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, St Stephen’s Church, Dublin and at the Bayer Erholungshaus, Leverkusen, Germany (15, 16 and 18 February) directed by Jorg Widmann. The ICO and Fidget Feet will immerse audiences in the richly shaded world of Prokofiev’s ballet music. Tickets on sale on www.irishchamberorchestra.com.

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE

AIB Future Sparks Festival launched

LAUNCHING the AIB Future Sparks Festival, recording artist Soule and Dublin hurler Donal Burke, joined a series of trailblazers across music, sport, food and social entrepreneurship to announce details of the event which is taking place on March 22. The Festival takes place in the RDS, bringing together leaders in business and young entrepreneurs, to inspire students and show them the power of potential. Soule, from Balbriggan, just returned from Eurosonic and is one of Ireland’s rising stars. Soule joined Dublin hurler Donal Burke, who at just 19 years old, has been making waves in the hurling world in the past year. He won the Leinster minor title in 2016, at the age of 16 and has since cemented himself as a started on the Dublin hurling team. Also at the launch was former Ireland rugby player Gordon D’Arcy, who enjoyed international success when he lined out for Ireland straight after leaving school. From food, Jack Kirwan, co-founder of Sprout, who recently opened a 5th restaurant in Dublin in late 2017. From social entrepreneurship, Iseult Ward, co-founder of FoodCloud, the software platform that enables businesses to redistribute surplus food to charities. Since it was established in 2012, in excess of 8,300 tonnes of food, or more than 18 million meals, have been redistributed to charities across Ireland and the UK. Each of them will take to the stage in the RDS on March 22 at the AIB Future Sparks Festival, which will consist of hands-on workshops, inspirational talks and panel discussions with thought leaders from a broad range of industries and disciplines. For full information, please visit www.aib.ie/events/ future-sparks-festival

Sinead Walsh from Alexandra College; artist Soule; Sprout & Co co-founder Jack Kirwan; Grace Dervan from Wesley College; rugby player Gordon D’Arcy; hurler Donal Burke; Lara Gillespie from Wesley College; FoodCloud co-founder Iseult Ward; Sean Bradshaw from St Paul’s College and Conor McCarthy from CBS James St, Kilkenny.

1 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 1 February 2018

Out and About

Preview screening gets off and running Fiona Mallon and Andrea Field

Bernard Dunne with Pamela Dunne and children Finnian and Caoimhe. Left: Paddy Smyth. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

HERE were plenty of famous faces at Cineworld Imax last week for a special preview screening of Maze Runner- The Death Cure. The film sees Thomas lead his group of escaped Gladers on their most dangerous mission yet. To save their friends they must break into the legendary Last City, a WCKD-controlled labyrinth that may turn out to be the most deadliest of all.

Emma Hogan and Matt Hogan

Trick Sayto and Sarah Campbell

Gallen Leung and Sarah Kwou

Jenny Leonard and Stephen Cromwell

Chris Kularajain and Anthony Byrne

Shauna Kane and Ali Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien

Model Alannah Beirne

1 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

My best friend and I have fallen out – how can I get our friendship back on track ag? MY BEST friend and I had a falling out just after Christmas over a fairly trivial matter, and we haven’t spoken since. We used to meet at least twice a week and enjoyed each other’s company greatly. I feel she was more in the wrong than I was, but I want to put an end to it before it’s too late. Last week I spotted her in town, but made sure to avoid her in case she didn’t want to talk to me. I regret not speaking to her there and then. How do you think I should go about rekindling our friendship? Siobhain, Walkinstown

MARY SAYS: Friendship is very important and every single human being on this earth needs a good friend. If the argument was trivial and you think you were more in the right, does it really matter? At the end of the day, your friend is your friend and when we argue we should value each other’s opinions and not carry them all to the next day. You should ring your friend and go for coffee, talk it out and say: “Look, you and me have been friends for a long time. “This is a silly argument, it doesn’t matter who was right and who was wrong. Let’s forget it, start over again and just be mates.” Friends are so important and life is too short to be falling out with them.

I have some health problems, and I’d love to know your secret to help lose some weight... I WATCHED you on Operation Transformation and admired how you managed to cope so well, even though you seemed to be in a lot of pain. I suffer with arthritis in my knees and am facing

ADVICE

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE two replacement knee operations. In the meantime, I need to get exercise to lose weight which would help me, but I am too immobile to do proper exercises like walking. Can you please let me know your secret, as it seems to have worked for you. Brian, Raheny

MARY SAYS: With Operation Transformation, it was the food that got the weight down for me as much as the exercises. The food on the Operation Transformation plan really helps the weight come down. If you are too immobile to walk or do exercises, would it be possible for you to swim? I know walking can be so painful when you’ve arthritis in your knees and I still find it painful to walk sometimes, so swimming really helped me. If you can’t get to a swimming pool or swimming is too difficult, there are lots of things you can do at home, even if it’s just on your chair. You could fill plastic bottles with water and try and lift them with your legs from the chair. Stretch your legs and bring them up as close as you can to yourself by just sitting. If you can get around the house slightly, take two minutes to stand if you can and just do waist exercises, just moving and making sure your heart is pumping. You don’t have to do anything too physical to start off with. The important thing is you get into a routine of doing the exercises regularly, but be sure to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise or dieting plan.

My grandson and his dad want very different things – how can I help them work it out? MY YOUNG grandson is starting to show a great interest in song and dance and wants to take up dancing classes.

Is there something on your mind? Mary Byrne is delighted to offer her advice to Dublin Gazette readers; email her today at marybyrne@dublingazette.com His dad (my son) just wants him to pursue a football career and hopefully play for Man Utd some day. I know you have a wonderful career in singing, and I was wondering what advice you’d give me on how to advise my grandson on the best way to express himself without offending his dad? Ann, Drumcondra

MARY SAYS: It sounds as if your son wants your grandson to live your son’s dream, not his own dream. It’s understandable that your daddy or mammy wants you to do something that they wanted to do

many, many moons ago, but at the end of the day, it’s about the child’s dream. If it lasts, then great; if it doesn’t, at least the child will have tried it. Never stop him from pursuing his dreams. The football could be his dream in a year or two but in the meantime, the child wants to dance and sing and I think that’s a great career for any kid. It encourages great discipline, among other things. You need to say to your son to give your grandson his chance, let him have his own dream. Children chop and change through dreams all through their lives. We all did – I wanted to be

a nun, I wanted to be a vet, and at the end of the day, I ended up being a singer! Let your children live their dreams.

I’d feel guilty to go out and socialise like I used to with my late husband; what should I do? MY HUSBAND and I religiously went dancing at least once a week at our local social club. We met new friends there, and looked forward to meeting them at the dance every week. Sadly, my husband passed away last year, and I haven’t gone dancing since.

My friends keep asking me to come, but my heart isn’t in it any more. I know it would be good for me to get out, but I feel I would be disloyal to my husband. What do you think I should do? Angela, Swords

MARY SAYS: I can understand your grief and how you’re feeling. When we lose somebody it’s very hard. We want them to be happy for us. But at the end of the day, you know that your husband loved the dancing and he knows how you felt when you were there. He’s still with you in spirit regardless and if he thought

you were sitting at home and not doing what you both loved to do together, he would not be happy. He would want you so much to continue on, enjoying the company of friends and living your life the way you both wanted to live it. The f irst steps are always the hardest to take, but if you take that step and then take another few steps, you’ll be a happy woman and he’ll be a happy spirit.

REMINDER Mary needs you to contact her by noon on Monday, so don’t delay – send your problem to Dear Mary at Dublin Gazette today!

GAZETTE

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 1 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE Celebrating Shackleton

FEATURE

THEATRE: NEW PLAY EXAMINES EXPLORER ERNEST SHACKLETON’S TURNING TRAGEDY INTO TRIUMPH

 MARK O’BRIEN THE Project Arts Centre is soon to play host to an acclaimed play that tells the story of Irishman Ernest Shackleton’s incredible polar adventure, which saw a disaster at sea turned into a testament to the human spirit. Shackleton is an original play, presented by Sligo-based thea t r e c o m p a ny, Blue Raincoat, which explores the Irish explorer’s most incredible feat. County Kildare-born explorer Ernest Shackleton was obsessed with becoming the first person to reach the South Pole. In 1901, he joined an expedition to the Antarctic, but had to be sent home due to poor health. He made another attempt in 1907, but fell agonisingly short when brutal weather conditions forced him to turn back. Four years later, his dream was shattered when Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach

the world’s most southerly point. Shackleton then set his sights on a new target: crossing the Antarctic via the South Pole. In 1914, he set out on an expedition that would become the stuff of legend after his ship – the Endurance – became trapped

Shackleton managed to lead his entire team to safety with none of the 28-man party losing their lives. The Shackleton-led trek and journey by lifeboat to safety cemented

explorers, and those who dare to chase their dream. Shackleton’s director, Niall Henry, told Dublin Gazette that although there were a number of notable explorers at that time, Shackleton’s story is

very soon and it took him such a length of time to go back, and everyone thought they were long dead because there was no satellites, no mobile phones, there was no way to know where they were.

the story became extraordinary.” Blue Raincoat’s production is also extraordinarily told by a talented ensemble cast, complemented by original footage and scaled miniatures.

The play, Shackleton, sees the actors make excellent use of models, materials and lighting to portray the still incredible tale of Irish explorer Ernest Shackleton and his crew (left), once their ship, the Endurance, sailed into disaster in the Antarctic (right)

in ice, forcing the party to halt. The ice eventually crushed the Endurance, with the crew forced to camp on the floating ice of the icy Weddell Sea for 497 days – incredibly,

his place in history. In 1921, Shackleton returned to the Antarctic with another expedition, where he died of a heart attack, but his earlier exploits live on and continue to inspire modern

one that is ripe for a staged retelling. Niall said: “I suppose Shackleton, strangely enough, became the most famous by not getting there. “He got into difficulty

“They appeared over the horizon 18 months later and it turned out no one had died. “Bit by bit they all wrote books, and from the ship’s logs, the information gradually leaked out and

Niall said: “Everyone [actors John Carty, Barry Cullen, Sandra O’Malley and Brian F Devaney] is on the stage all of the time, and what they do is, they tell the

Shackleton story. “They at times enact scenes and sometimes use scale miniatures, and they use all sorts of material to create the shapes of the ice, so it’s nearly like a moving animation.” The play has been a remarkable success since it debuted last year, winning Best Set Design in the Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards 2017, where it was also nominated in the Best New Play and Best Sound Design. Niall said the process has been very rewarding, and there are plans to take the show further afield next year. “ I t ’ s going to the States next year. We got an invitation to a festival in Chicago and to a place in Los Angeles, so we’re looking forward to that,” added Niall. Shackleton runs at the Project Arts Centre, Temple Bar from Monday, February 26 to Saturday, March 10. Tickets are available from www.projectartscentre.ie, or by calling the box office at 01 881 9613.

1 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

PUZZLE PAGE SUDOKU

CODEWORDS EASY

TOUGH

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

HOW TO SOLVE

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

WORD SEARCH

Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues! Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number! To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

SCRIBBLE BOX

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLES

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE FOLLOWING HIDDEN WORDS quack

quit

quad

quiz

quake

question

quail

quench

quarter

quicken

quarantine

quarterstaff

quince

quadruple

queue

quarry

quiet

quantity

quilt

Quebec

quirk

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE

1 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

DUBLINLIFE

MUSIC

BAGS OF TALENT  JAMES HENDICOTT RED Hot Chilli Pipers - an awardwinning Scottish bagpipe band, not to be confused with the Los Angeles rockers who inspired their name - are famed for their live show. With more than a dozen bagpipers and drummers on stage, they cover Avicii and AC/ DC, Coldplay and Journey, whilst exploring trad traditions, and absolutely pulsating with bouncing energy. It didn’t start like this, though. In fact, the group leapt to prominence as the star of When Will I Be Famous?, a sub-X Factor TV show. They were a fantastic novelty, but one that was clearly going to have to adapt to survive the usual post-show drop off. And adapt they did. “When we won the TV show, we didn’t even have a website,” bagpiper Willie Armstrong recalls. “We got lots of offers to play and it was an incredibly exciting time for us all. Bear in mind most of us had other jobs, so it did get a little stressy. “The big difference between our band and the many other acts that have been through the same thing is that we are incredibly hard working. “We realised very quickly that the fan base was really driven by the TV show; people were fans of the TV show and not necessarily fans of the band. We still had to build a fan base. “If we had nothing to offer, the gigs would have dried up quickly. We had to make sure our product was strong enough that people would come back, and they’d come back with their friends.” The live show, then, has become the band’s thing. Naturally that leans on a certain amount on the recognisability in their tracks, but also on the unique twist that the bagpipes and drums put on them. “We have invested a great deal in the production side of our shows,” Armstrong explains. “Our lighting engineer flies in from Poland, and we have the two best sound engineers in the business. The equipment we use is all top of the range. Every part of the live show is recorded and then dissected after each performance. Nothing is left to chance as we have too much respect for the paying audience.

LETS GO OUT MUSIC

BEST OF THE REST FEBRUARY 1 (Thursday) I Am The Cosmos @ The Bernard Shaw, free Chasing Felix + Heroes in Hiding + Good Strangers @ Whelan’s, €5 Gus Dapperton @ The Workman’s Club, €16 FEBRUARY 2 (Friday) Cult Called Man @ Whelan’s, €8 Ronan O’Snodaigh @ The Purty Kitchen, €14 The Kila man has made a habit of going it alone in recent years, and he’s quite the trad-loving talent. The vocalist and poet has plenty of experience to draw from with his main act, but also played a key role in the late Mic Christopher’s career. Always worth seeing. Shed Seven @ The Academy, €28.50

“We have won live act of the year twice now, and I think that’s testament to the time and effort that’s been put in. “Something else we do that not a lot of other bands in our position do is we come out and meet the audience after each show. It shows humility I think and lets the audiences know that we really appreciate them making the effort to come and see us.” Naturally, touring as such a large group presents its difficulties, though, and with the Pipers playing regularly all over the world, it’s a notable logistical issue. “It’s incredibly difficult,” Armstrong admits.

“Thankfully we have Kevin [MacDonald, fellow bagpiper] who has a brain like a computer and is able to see the logistical big picture. “ T h e r e ’s s o m u c h more to it than meets the eye. Getting all the visas arranged is weeks worth of work alone. Then we have to find decent hotels and the means to transport around 14 people. “Obviously if we had less people on stage then more money could be made, but its really not about that. Imagine you went to see the Red Hot Chilli Pipers one year with the massive wall of sound coming at you and you went back to be faced with six guys. “That’s just not going to work. We share rooms on tour, but we chop and change who shares with who as that way you don’t get stuck with a snorer for five weeks. You may laugh, but these things seriously start to make a difference after a while.” As such a large group, we’re sure the tours contain some epic stories, though Armstrong is

a little coy on the tour tales when we ask. Nevertheless he comes out with this gem: “The ambient audience mics have proved problematic a few times. We recently played a show in Scotland and all we could pick up throughout the whole first half was a group of females on a hen night explaining to each other exactly what they wanted to do to us... In a nice way.” There is the odd name-related mishap, though. “In America we get some people buying tickets for our shows thinking its the Peppers. Not as many as you would probably think though. Perhaps ten per year. “Some realise they’ve made a mistake and come along anyway, because they research it and realise that perhaps we might not be that bad. “One time we were playing at the Carpenter Centre in Long Beach and I met a couple dressed head to toe in tartan. Like stand out, head to toe including hats. “It turns out that they thought they had bought Peppers tickets, and although they were offered a full refund they decided to embrace their mistake and get right into it. They’re now our biggest fans.” Red Hot Chilli Pipers play Vicar Street on February 11.

PICK

OF THE WEEK

FEBRUARY 3 (Saturday) Rat Boy @ The Academy, €19 Leopardstown Racing Festival - Damien Dempsey @ Leopardstown Racecourse €30 The horse racing and music combo in Leopardstown is ever-more popular, and this one features a Dublin icon in Dempsey. Spread across two days (it’s €50 for the weekend, if you want both), it’s a laidback, day-time event well worth exploring. Crow Black Chicken @ The Bowery, €10 Pinhole + Sillk @ Whelan’s, €8 The Pale + Sylk + Ruth Mac @ Whelan’s, €15 Lorenzo Senni @ The Button Factory, €11 FEBRUARY 4 (Sunday) Leopardstown Racing Festival - Stockton’s Wing @ Leopardstown Racecourse - €30 Bobov Dol (Bulgarian Folk Ensemble) @ The Helix, €23 PartyNextDoor @ The Olympia Theatre, €30 Beth Orton @ Whelan’s, €26 FEBRUARY 5 (Monday) Bobov Dol (Bulgarian Folk Ensemble) @ The Helix, €23 Yungblud @ Whelan’s, €13 FEBRUARY 6 (Tuesday) Nightmares On Wax @ District 8, €28 The Ruby Sessions @ Doyle’s, €6 British Sea Power @ Whelan’s, €17.50 FEBRUARY 7 (Wednesday) The Mavericks @ Vicar Street, €50 Glenn Wool @ Whelan’s, €20 ADHD @ The Grand Social, €13 ConorWard + Ronan Ward @ Whelan’s, €8

KENDRICK LAMAR AT 3ARENA SEVEN-TIME Grammy-winning hip-hop Renaissance man, Kendrick Lamar, stops by in Dublin on February 7 on the European leg of The DAMN Tour. The DAMN. Tour follows the release of his critically acclaimed fourth album DAMN. with a debut at number 1 on the Billboard 200 – marking his third time at the top spot – selling north of 603,000 album units and having amassed over 340 million streams and features 14 tracks observing the complexities of today’s culture. Tickets €62

GAZETTE

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 1 February 2018

1 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

PICK

OF THE WEEK

GAZETTE

LETS GO OUT MUSIC

GAZETTE

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 1 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE

Eyes

Delarom Decongesting Hydrating Eye Gel,Boost of instant freshness whilst reducing the coloration of dark circles, soothes the eyes and reduce signs of fatigue with instant brightness RRP €35

La Roche-Posay, Cicaplast Levres (7.5ml RRP €6.50) A protective and replenishing treatment in a custom-tailored texture especially for lips

Lip service… VALENTINE’S DAY is just around the corner so it’s time to say goodbye to those dry, winter lips and get them ready to be perfectly kissable!

Lips

SKINCare

PHYTOPOLLÉINE Botanical Scalp Treatment is a potent blend of essential oils that balances the scalp and deters dandruff. RRP €30

PAYOT Nutricia Baume Levres Lip Balm is a reparative lip treatment with a slightly pearlescent finish that works to comfort and nourish your lips. The balm will ease lip discomfort and tightness, whilst also protecting from dryness and the many external aggressors that arrive with the cold spring months.

Scalp

Payot Nutricia Baume Lèvres Lip Balm 15 ml - RRP €19 – Available in Pharmacies Nationwide and at http://payot.ie

Irritation La Roche-Posay, Lipikar Stick AP+ (15ml RRP €12.00) Lipikar Stick AP+ (15ml RRP €12) immediate relief for atopic, eczema prone skin

Feet SVR XÉRIAL 50 Extrême Foot Cream (Crème Pieds) with 50% Urea: For hard-skin, corns & callouses

An oasis for winter skin

Gel

Reform Skincare’s Vitamin B5 Gel (59.99€) Enriched with vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid See http://reformskincare.ie/

 Jessica Maile, Style Editor

Express

NIVEA Express Hydration lotion, 400ml RRP €7.49 Ultra-light formula that’s enriched with sea minerals

AHHHHHH......winter. That glorious season where it takes a little extra work to keep skin happy and hydrated. The only thing Mother Nature offers are rosy cheeks from the particularly windy weather we’ve been subjected to lately. Luckily, there are many moisturisers, balms and serums to keep skin feeling more tropical and less Arctic. Here is a selection of products to boost skin’s hydration levels from head to toe...

Delarom Rich Lip Balm This nourishing and absorbing lip care will hydrate your lips, preventing them from going dry, whilst also helping them to appear fuller. Directions for use are to apply several times a day and night in thick layers to repair damaged lips. Delarom Rich Lip Balm 15ml RRP €18 , is available in pharmacies nationwide and at http:// delarom.ie

Uriage Bariederm Soothing Repair Barrier Lip Balm This is the first barrier lip balm to be formulated with Poly-2p, which is an innovative patented complex that offers a triple action. This lip balm is ideal for anyone who has dry or chapped lips. Phytosterols immediately soothe dry chapped lips, restoring greater comfort. This is a high tolerance and long-lasting formula that is suitable for both professional and personal use. Uriage Bariederm Soothing Repair Barrier Lip Balm RRP €10 is available in pharmacies nationwide and at http://uriage.ie

Beauty Review

Getting younger overnight with Vichy COMPANY: Vichy PRODUCT: Slow Âge Night Fresh Cream And Mask PURPOSE: Reoxygenate and regenerate skin, fight against premature ageing TEXTURE:  FRAGRANCE:  PERFORMANCE:  PRICE: €€€

many a night cream looking for the balance

grance relaxes

of hydration, comforting relaxing fragrance,

your senses.

as well as a weapon to fight those stubborn wrinkles. I have some faves like Weleda’s Skin Food and

as a mask. Just apply thin layer over skin and leave it to do its magic for 10 minutes then rinse

Pacifica’s Wake Up Beautiful but then Vichy’s

with water and remove excess with a cotton

Slow Age Nuit entered my life. The gel is a

pad. And, voila! Fresher, softer, happier skin!

I love to pamper myself at night. My days are

natural-looking brown colour and it easily melts

pretty long and my skin takes a real beating.

into the skin (leaving no brown residue BTW!).

Making sure your face is clean and properly

Secondly, one or twice a week it can be used

Slow Age Nuit works in two ways. It can be

moisturised before bed is an important step in

used as a daily night cream to help smooth and

having a fresh face in the morning. I have tried

brighten your skin while the delicate fran-

After a week, I do have happier, more evenlytoned skin and don’t seem to be fighting tight, dry skin during the day. Slow Âge Night - €32 (50ml) will be available in pharmacies nationwide from March.

Alpha-H Absolute Lip Perfector Lip Balm Absolute Lip Perfector is a multi-tasking lip treatment, a combined serum and balm, infused with refreshing Peppermint, Wild Mint and Honeycomb Extract to nourish, condition and lock in moisture for softer, fuller lips. In addition to offering long-term hydration benefits and protection from environmental aggressors when applied during the daytime, Absolute Lip Perfector also works as a powerful night-time anti-ageing treatment. Applied before bedtime you wake up with perfectly supple lips, enhanced moisturisation that lasts all day, and noticeably increased lip volume. Alpha-H Absolute Lip Perfector RRP €30 – Available in Pharmacies Nationwide

1 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

STYLE

Thomas Sabo, Sterling Silver Butterfly Necklace, Tropical Collection, €198

Thomas Sabo, Yellow Gold Earrings, Tropical Collection, €98

Get FEBulous

INGLOT has announced the arrival of their FEBulous Collection just in time for spring. This collection includes for new shades of Inglot’s multi-use blush

Getting in the mood THOMAS SABO is getting in the mood for spring/ summer 2018 with their new Tropical series. The Sterling Silver Collection contains lush colours and tropical motifs that will get you excited for warmer weather. “Our Tropical series interprets the contrast between the dark green of the

Thomas Sabo, Sterling Silver Ring, Snake Collection, €179

which can be used on the face, eyes and body. You can use as an eye shadow or take a walk on the wild Thomas Sabo, Sterling Coloured Ring, Tropical Collection, €98

jungle, the colours of the animals and plants and sparkling light reflections in masterfully crafted jewellery creations”, says Susanne Kolbli, creative director at Thomas Sabo. The Tropical series will be available in all Thomas Sabo shops and shop-in-shops and at www.thomassabo.com

Thomas Sabo, Sterling Silver Bracelet, Snake Collection €398

side and add some fabulous colour (or colours) on your cheek bones, temples or anywhere else you fancy some colour. See www.inglot.ie or visit their stores in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Dundrum Town Centre, Jervis Shopping Centre, Pavilions Swords, South Anne St and The Square, Tallaght.

GAZETTE

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 1 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE

FOOD&DRINK

That’ll do grande

WITH a real nip in the air lately as spring approaches, we’ve rustled up a tasty treat which you’ll nip, nibble, bite and chown down with gusto – or rather, one which Neven Maguire has rustled up. The award-winning chef teamed up with Pizza da Piero – source of fresh, artisan pizza in Ireland, handmade in a traditional Italian style across a twoday period – to help create a pizza that’s as good in the tum as it is on the eyes. His recipe for Pumpkin Pizza with Cashel Blue and Pickled Red Onion uses a Pizza da Piero base, with Neven hailing his recipe-and-pizza-base combination as “a fantastic pizza that will be

better than anything you can order to be delivered”.

Pumpkin Pizza with Cashel Blue and Pickled Red Onion  3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra to drizzle  450g pumpkin/butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced  1 Grande ready-made Pizza da Piero artisan bases  225g Cashel Blue cheese, broken up  2 handfuls of wild rocket leaves Pickled Red Onion  4 tbsp caster sugar  4 tbsp red wine vinegar  1 red onion, very thinly sliced  Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Preparation  Preheat the oven to 240° (475°F/gas mark 9).  Heat the oil in a heavy based frying pan over medium–high heat.  Saute the pumpkin for 8-10 minutes, until it is cooked through but still holding its shape.  During this, make the pickled red onions by adding sugar and vinegar to a small pan and bringing to a simmer until the sugar has dissolved, remove from the heat and add the red onion slices. Season and set aside, allowing the flavours to combine.  Put the two Pizza da Piero bases on two large baking sheets and place the sauteed squash and Cashel Blue on top.  Bake for about five min-

Aldi releases lowcalorie wine range ALDI has announced a new addition to its wine collection with the arrival of low calorie Featherweight wines, available in store now. Available in a choice of Pinot Grigio or White Zinfandel, Featherweight wines are almost ‘guiltfree’, containing around half the calories compared to regular wines. At only 5.5% ABV, and under 60 calories a glass, each 75cl Featherweight wine is priced €4.49. The wine is on sale in all 130 Aldi stores now while stocks last.

utes until the base is crisp and blue cheese has melted and remove from the oven.  Add mounds of the sweet pickled red onion, draining any excess liquid.  Serve straight to the table.

Notes Alternatively, if you would prefer a more traditional pizza using Pizza da Piero, drain a good quality can of plum tomatoes (such as Cirio) with a pinch of sea salt, extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of oregano. Blitz to a puree with a hand blender and spread as a tomato topping on the two grande pizza bases. Finish off with chunks of raw chorizo and mozzarella, sprinkling pink

Heard the scoop about Ben & Jerry’s new vegan-friendly ice cream? IT is the very first non-dairy Fairtrade certified ice-cream in Ireland, making it perfect for vegans. Ben & Jerry’s fans nationwide can now enjoy scoops free from dairy in two classic flavours: Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Chunky Monkey, as well as a Non-Dairy exclusive flavour: Peanut

Butter & Cookies. Eric Fredette, head flavour guru at Ben & Jerry’s said: ‘’When our fans dared us to go free from dairy, we embraced the challenge and the nondairy range is just as funky and chunky as the original Ben & Jerry’s product. “Now, it’s available at even more retailers in Ireland,

showing the demand for dairy alternative ice-cream and we’re proud to embrace what our vegan flavour fans want.” The new non-dairy family is available in freezers across the nation now with an RRP of €7.45.n-dairy Fairtradecertified ice-cream also proving perfect for vegans.

peppercorns, or try slices of Milleen’s cheese with pieces of sun-dried tomatoes. Pizza da Piero bases are widely available in different three sizes: grande (used in Neven’s recipe), medium 12” and mini bases, and are available in SuperValu, Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Avoca, Cavistons Food Emporium, Ardkeen Quality Food and Sheridan’s Cheesemongers. Found in the fridge section, the bases mostly retail at €5.99 for pizza grande, and €3.99 for two medium 12” or four mini pizza bases. Each pizza base is vegan-friendly, free from sugar and the 12” medium size contains less than 365 calories.

Guinness goes nonalcoholic with new lager THE Brewers at St James’s Gate have introduced Open Gate Pure Brew a new, full flavoured, nonalcoholic lager. Lead brewer John Casey said: “We’re extremely proud of this beer. It’s hoppy with lots of fruity aromas and a nice hint of citrus flavour, along with a smooth, malty finish. The overall taste is deliciously refreshing.” Such is the great taste of the beer, in independent taste tests, over 7 in 10 people were surprised to learn that it was a non-alcoholic beer. “Whether you’re seeking alcohol or not, we think great-tasting beer is the goal,” said Casey. “Many non-alcoholic beers are made by taking a conventional beer and boiling away the alcohol which can impact the taste. It has taken two years of experimentation, but we’ve come up with a way to fully brew beer using a special yeast strain that only produces a very limited amount of alcohol.” See www.guinnessopengate.com for a list of pubs serving ‘Open Gate Pure Brew’.

1 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

TRAVEL

TravelShorts

Learn something new in Costa Dorada

Be adventurous in Mexico

Marketing award for Click&Go

The RIU Lupita Hotel in Mexico

IRISH online travel company Click&Go added another feather to its cap when it walked Try new foods

away with the “Best

in Bulgaria

ITAA Member Digital Marketing Campaign” award at the annual Irish Travel Industry Awards recently. Click&Go scooped the top award thanks to its highly successful Click&Gone digital campaign, which saw the company utilise

Join the travel revolution for your New Year’s resolution  SYLVIA POWNALL Travel Editor

THE turn of the new year is the perfect time for reflection. Whether you achieved the goals that you set for New Year 2017 or not, decide on some travel-related goals for 2018 now and you’ll be sure to achieve them. After all, what better incentive is there than a holiday?

Learn something new in Costa Dorada Step back in time with a visit to the Roman Amphitheatre, where you can walk around the well-preserved, vast ruins like soldiers and gladiators did all those years ago. You can also head up into the hills to see the Monastery of Montserrat which was built over 1,000 years ago. Miravet Castle is another

great landmark to visit beside the Ebro River. This medieval piece of architecture is Arab in origin and houses the Chapel of Sant Miquel. Fans of art will also enjoy a wander around Gaudi Centre Reus – a tribute to the town’s most famous son. There’s a lot of history to uncover and the beautiful sights make it one history lesson that will catch your attention! DEAL: • 25-May-18, Shannon to Costa Dorada, California Apartments, Salou, 3*, HB, seven nights from €439pps.

Get fit and healthy in Gran Canaria The largest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is a year-round destination, so knowing that you can combine eating a healthy Spanish diet, relaxing in the Canarian

sunshine and getting plenty of exercise is the ideal form of inspiration at the start of the year for your 2018 diet plan. DEALS: • 01-Feb-18, Dublin to Gran Canaria, IFA Interclub Atlantic, San Agustin, 3*, AI, seven nights from €549pps • 19-Apr-18, Dublin to Gran Canaria, Monte Feliz, Bahia Feliz, 3*, SC, seven nights from €409pps.

Try new foods in Bulgaria Expand your foodie knowledge with classic Bulgarian dishes such as banitsa - a crispy cheese pie made with layers of filo pastr y, feta cheese and yogurt. Sweet fillings, like apples or dates, are also used on special occasions along with another favourite, tarator. This chilled soup consisting

of cucumber, yogurt and dill is served ice cold during the summer time. DEALS: • 28-May-18, Dublin to Bulgaria, Hotel Favorit, Bourgas, 3*, SC, seven nights from €389pp (based on four sharing) • 21-May-18, Dublin to Bulgaria, Ivana Palace Hotel, Sunny Beach, 3*, B&B, seven nights from €385pp

Be more adventurous in Mexico Inject some adventure into your 2018 with a Mexican holiday for you and your family. There are a whole host of activities to get involved in,

from exploring Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá to swimming with dolphins in Cancun. Why not really challenge yourself by squeezing into a wetsuit and heading down to the depths of the ocean on a deep-sea dive? T WO WEEKS ALL INCLUSIVE DIRECT TO MEXICO DEALS: • 18-Jun-18, Dublin to Mexico, RIU Lupita, Playacar, 3*, AI, 14 nights from €1,499pps • 18-Jun-18, Dublin to Mexico, Grand Bahia Principe Coba, Riviera Maya, 4*, AI, 14 nights from €1,499pps • 09-Jul-18, Dublin to Mexico, Clubhotel Riu Tequila, Playacar, 3*, AI, 14 nights from €1,729pps.

All deals quoted are from Tui. To book visit www.tuiholidays.ie, call 1850 45 35 45 or visit a TUI store/travel agent.

the new Facebook Live technology to create a buzz and sense of scarcity around exclusive discount codes. This innovative use of Facebook’s new channel gave Click&Go the opportunity to attract and engage a new audience.

Campaign Spotting a gap in the market, Click&Go devised a campaign that would speak to their new audience’s interest in authentic brand experiences. Paul Hackett (pictured top, right, with Peter Cullen, chief marketing officer, Click&Go; and Mark Hopper, PortAventura World), chief executive and co-founder of Click&Go, said: “It’s been a great week for Click&Go. “Our staff numbers are at over 50 for the first time since the company was founded in 2010, and now we have won this award, which is a massive recognition of our achievements in digital marketing.”

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 1 February 2018

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE Offering hope and support on the journey out of homelessness  MARK O’BRIEN

AMIDST the hustle and bustle of the busy South Inner City, an oasis of calm is offering hope and support to families who have experienced homelessness. Almost 20 years ago, Sr Jean Quinn and Eamonn Martin saw a need for a different type of homeless service – one that offered a home for life and a range of holistic supports to help people on their journey out of homelessness. They founded Sophia and opened their first centre on Cork Street in 1999.

working with people that also need supports,” Sophia CEO Tony O’Riordan tells Dublin Gazette. “The model that we bring then is a knowledge and awareness of the trauma that people have been through and the need to design services that respond to that.” The model has proved to be a tremendous success and Sophia have expanded, with other facilities in Donabate, Churchtown, Tallaght Sean McDermott Street, Greystones and Drimnagh, where 29 families moved into homes of their own just before Christmas. Each resident receives support

level of a high ratio anywhere else in Dublin for a modular build where there’s two staff on the ground but we think that’s needed. “Anyone that’s moving into a new home and hasn’t had an experience of homelessness, it’s a stressful and challenging thing. “In Drimnagh we would have seen families having to get connected to utilities, all of that set up. That’s stressful for anyone. “Then there’s the community orientation and then there’s the whole dealing with the experience of having been homeless and we think that you need support for that, for people to

from highly qualified keyworkers and will have their own support plan designed specifically for them to meet their needs. “In Drimnagh, what would be quite different there is we have two staff on the ground and they’re only working with the 29 families,” says Tony. “Now I don’t think there is that

be permanently out of homelessness and not relapse back into homelessness.” Integrating with the local community forms an important part of Sophia’s ethos. In Cork Street, this is partially achieved by making the Wisdom Centre available for local groups and

Sophia centre on Cork Street

The facility mainly houses families who have experienced homelessness and, as well as counselling services, families can avail of a range of additional supports, such as aromatherapy and yoga, in the facility’s Wisdom Centre. “Where Sophia is particularly working with as its niche area is

FEATURE

Denis Doherty, Jean Quinn and Tony O’Riordan at the Sophia SMES Seminar. Picture: MAXWELLS_DUBLIN

businesses to rent out for conferences and training days. Residents are also given the opportunity to undertake education and training courses. Service users say that these supports have done wonders for their confidence. One service user said: “My life was not the best before coming to Sophia. We had no opportunities or no living space and we were always sick because of the cold. “I suffer with depression and I haven’t been so happy since before I became homeless because I feel the staff are a lot of help and it’s great getting courses to get us out during the day.” Another commented: “My life was at a standstill. I was living in emergency accommodation for nine months. “Living in Sophia makes me feel great. I have my freedom back and my own private space in my flat. I look and feel better. My confidence is growing back and I’m happy.” Where Sophia differ from other homeless services is that they offer people a home first rather than imposing conditions on people who may have addiction or mental health issues. In 2015, they opened a service on Sean McDermott Street that specifically caters for couples which has

delivered impressive results. “The majority of homeless services in Ireland would be configured in a way almost like a staircase where you were rough sleeping, then you got a shelter, then you maybe got a better quality hostel, then you got transitional and then you got, if you were very, very good, you got a home,” says Tony. “But the reality is that people were falling off that stairs so what Sophia did with Sean McDermott Street, with (the assistance of) the council, they were offered a home straight away. “There would be a lot of people saying this is not going to work, especially with the housing history that people had when they were presenting and the level of complex needs that they had but of the 36 people that moved into that accommodation in 2015, 32 of them are still in the accommodation. Now that is phenomenal. “It isn’t that people’s issues vanish. No one is going to say that or there’s going to be a transformation just like that but you have that sense of rootedness and stability in people’s lives and that really was the vision of Jean Quinn and Eamon Martin when they set up Sophia.” For fur ther information on Sophia’s services, please visit www. sophia.ie

1 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

GAZETTE

CINEMA ReelReviews

LADY BIRD

It’s awkwardly excellent THE awkwardness of being a teenager – and the fastmoving strife at the heart of some mother-daughter relationships – are to the fore in Lady Bird (Cert 15A, 94mins). Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf are perfectly matched in a deeply personal comingof-age film, with the pair of great female leads driving a universal story that should resonate with pretty much any audience, anywhere.

THREE BILLBOARDS Unrelentingly powerful

SPEAKING of great female performances, Frances McDormand steals Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Cert 15A, 115 mins). Showing some steely resolve, she’s a small town mother out for justice after her daughter’s murder, but her confrontational stance soon puts her at odds with the local police. McDormand excels at the heart of the film, as do Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell.

GREATEST SHOWMAN Ready to razzle-dazzle

THE real PT Barnum wasn’t exactly a wonderful human being, let’s say – but The Greatest Showman (Cert PG, 105 mins) ignores some harsh truths about the world’s ‘greatest showman’, turning in a much more audience-friendly biopic instead. Despite very mixed reviews, Hugh Jackman’s undeniably spirited turn as Barnum impresses, and has helped to turn Showman into a surprise sleeper hit.

Dunkirk

Phantom Thread

Call Me By Your Name

The Shape of Water

2018 AWARDS: THIS YEAR’S BATCH OF NOMINATIONS HAVE SOME SURPRISES

Shaking up the Oscars

WITH the Oscars barely a month away, it’s worth noting how the best filmmakers of 2017 really made an effort to shake up the mainstream with this year’s selection of films Critics and audiences alike wolfed down the dy namic cocktail of provocative, profound, off beat and out-there cinema that the year’s finest served up – some of it deeply necessary critique, some of it necessary escapism. Now, it’s that wonderfully frenzied time of year, when a rapid-fire onslaught of Oscar-contenders from the industry’s big guns hit our screens week after week in search of awards glory. Sure enough, heavy hitters like Stephen Spielberg and Paul Thomas Anderson deliver their

 MARTIN

MACNAMARA

recent hopefuls this month, The Post, and Phanto m T h r e a d , respectively. It’s no shock that each has secured a spot in the Best Picture category at this year’s awards. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – the likely frontrunner following a slew of

The annual Oscars always see some quirky films make the shortlist, but this year’s batch is more unpredictable than usual

successes at the Golden Globes and Screen Actor’s G u i l d awards – has stirred up a bit controversy in the weeks following its general release, with some taking issue with the film’s handling of race. Whether this hoopla affects its chances come March 4 remains to be seen – it certainly hasn’t affected its odds in the regul a r bett i n g spots.

While Dunkirk Dunkirk may be Christopher Nolan’s first director nomination, the filmmaker is no stranger to Oscar-attention, and Joe Wright may not be a seasoned awards-veteran, but Darkest hour – the other WWII drama nominated – has awards fodder written all over it. However, following last year’s shake-up, in which the underdog won out over the betting man’s favourite (remember the Moonlight/La La Land on-stage disaster?), this year we should be ready to expect the unexpected. The rest of the nominated films sit a little deeper on the fringes. Guillermo Del Toro may have caught some Oscar attention with a number of nominations for Pan’s Labyrinth back in 2006, but it’s hard

to see a film about a romance blossoming between a mute woman and a mutant fish-man in a secret government facility winning the big one – still, The Shape of Water won Del Toro the best director Golden Globe and is topping many writers’ prediction lists. The lyrical, intimate and sumptuously beautiful Call Me By Your Name moved many audiences upon its release in December and has stolen the number-one spot on many critics’ yearly rundowns. Still, critical acclaim doesn’t always equal awards success. S i m i l a r l y, Lady Bird may be the bestreviewed movie ever on Rotten Tomatoes, but its chances are less clear cut – it’d be great to see Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut win, and make her the second woman ever to win the Oscar for

Best Picture. However, as a selfdiagnosed horror addict, it’s in this writer’s hopes to see Get Out take the best picture award – one of the finest, most important and topically necessary films of 2017. Jordan Peele’s premier feature started a lot of important conversation this year and became the first debut from a black writer/director to make over $100 million at the box office. On top of all that – it’d just be so completely satisfying to see a horror movie nab the award, the first since 1992’s The Silence of the Lambs. It’s certainly a tough one to call, but there is one more baffling question: how on earth did Boss Baby, one of the year’s most ridiculed releases, crawl its way into securing a Best Animated Feature nomination? A question that will be the subject of think pieces for years to come...

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE 1 February 2018

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE FASTNews It’s only natural to Hyundai’s new Kona is just one a raft of new smaller SUV’s to hit the market in 2018. MICHAEL MORONEY took the new Kona for a test drive and he was naturally impressed with the performance of what was the highest specification car in the range.

Arnaud Leclerc has been appointed as the new managing director, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK & Ireland

Managing changes at Fiat Chrysler ARNAUD Leclerc has been appointed managing director, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK & Ireland, and takes up his new role immediately. He succeeds Ashley Andrew, who has left the company. Mr Leclerc will oversee operations for all FCA functions and brands throughout the UK and Ireland, and reports directly to Alfredo Altavilla, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ chief operating officer, EMEA region. Arnaud Leclerc (43) brings to the UK operation a high level of experience, having previously held a number of senior management roles in Britain and across Europe, including France, Scandinavia and Croatia. He has most recently held the roles of deputy director general PSA Groupe UK, and DS brand development director UK. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics and gained a Master Marketing diploma from University of Paris Dauphine.

Survey shows Irish drivers would consider hybrid or electric

THER E’S a new somewhat related batch of small SUV’s Kia Stonic. hitting the market The Kia option Engine 1.6 litre for 2018 with comprovides the most Engine Power 177hp pact features, attracobvious comparison tive styling and fresh for me, while there 0 – 100km/hr 7.9 seconds emphasis on petrol are some specificaEconomy 12.5km/litre power. For reasons tion differences. Kia (8l/100km or 35mpg) of diesel bad press, offers a wider choice Fuel Tank Capacity 50 litres this new sector of the of engines, including CO2 emissions 153g/km market seems to be three petrol options Road Tax Band C €390 abandoning any merand one diesel one. its in diesel power, There are enough Main Service 20,000km/12 months and there are some, in styling differences to Euro NCAP Rating 5-Star 2017 favour of new generagive both the HyunWarranty 5 years tion petrol engines. dai Kona and the Kia Entry Price €28,995 The new Hyundai Stonic their individuKona is one of these al identities. SUV arrivals and the Hyundai the Kona later this year. I took the Hyundai Kona for price list for early 2018 remarkWith more limited choice of a lengthy test drive. The test car ably shows no diesel options. All engines on offer, it seems that was the top-of-the-range version of the Kona models are petrol Hyundai believes that its time to that was powered by the new powered and there are now just ditch diesel power. Despite this generation 1.6-litre turbo-petrol two options, either a 1.0-litre, the new Kona still has plenty to engine matched to a seven-speed three-cylinder version or the offer. This is a compact SUV that automatic gearbox. The specifihigher power 1.6-litre turbo- Hyundai claim is a totally new cation included the Hyundai oncharged engine. Diesel and elec- car, while it has some similarities demand all-wheel-drive system tric power options will come for to the recently introduced and and a host of premium car fea-

Hyundai Kona 1.6 GT-D Petrol

IRELAND’S New research by the Carzone website reveals that 70% of Irish drivers would consider pur-

tures, while sitting on 18in alloy wheels. The entire package gave this Kona a bigger car feel; both in terms of its stance on the road and its power. Out on the road, the Kona performed well with no power or torque hesitancy. The automatic gearbox meant smooth petrol driving with a really good acceleration pace of 6.7 seconds in a 0 to 100km/hr race.

chasing a hybrid or electric vehicle in the near future. Carzone believes that this moderate increase in

Fuel economy

interest is directly in line with three factors that Irish

This additional pace some with lower economy levels and I just wonder does diesel power come into its own at this point. The rated fuel economy figure is 12.5km/litre (8l/100km or 35mpg), but I failed to come near that, with careful driving over longer journeys as I rarely nudged the rev counter over the 2000rpm mark and opted for the Eco mode. Even then, I was well off this rated fuel economy figure, so there’s an obvious price for pace when opting for more Kona power, not to mention higher road tax levels. This four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine is powerful, but it won’t be the choice of many city drivers who will opt for a Kona. For them, the engine choice will be the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that’s sure to be more economical, while deliver-

motorists now take in to consideration. The top three incentives for Irish drivers considering purchasing an electrical vehicle are environmental, fuel efficiency and financial incentives. What’s even more interesting is that the survey showed that just under half are aware of Irelands electric grant scheme (44%). Over half of Irish drivers know where their closet charging station is located (58%) and 82% have no access to a charging point at work. The Carzone report reveals that 69% of Irish drivers believe it will be more than 10 years before electric cars make up more than half of cars sold in Ireland. This could be due to the fact that 82% do not have charging points near their work place and that charging points seem to be more widely available in urban areas (76%) compared to rural areas (30%). A sizeable portion of respondents (54%) revealed that they were more inclined to purchase a hybrid vehicle, this decision is helped by the new cost incentive BIK (Benefit - in – Kind) grant, which is an attractive incentive, especially for businesses who rely on and operate using multiple vehicles.

Taxi driver, James Foley of Leighlinbridge, Carlow, with his 2007 7-seater Ford Tourneo Connect taxi

1,000,000Km taxi and still going strong TAXI DRIVER, James Foley of Leighlinbridge, Carlow, is the proud owner of a 2007 7-seater Ford Tourneo Connect taxi which has done an incredible one million kilometres and is still going strong. James works as a taxi-driver in the Carlow-Kilkenny area with the occasional longer run up to Dublin. James has been astounded by the reliability of his Tourneo Connect which he bought secondhand in 2008. The Tourneo Connect has a standard 1.8-litre TDCi diesel engine which James says has not given an ounce of trouble. “In my business, regular servicing of your vehicle is an absolute must and I religiously stick to the service schedule, never more than 12,000km between service actions. No reason why she won’t be good for another million!”

1 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

The new Hyundai Kona is a compact SUV that offers new styling and higher seating position. Entry prices start at €20,995 for the base 1.0 litre Comfort models, while rising to €28,995 for the top-of-the-range versions with all-wheeldrive and automatic gearbox.

GoCar expands Dublin fleet with Renault Zoe CAR SHARING company, GoCar has

scription charges. The system is

expanded its fleet of electric cars

ideal for people who only occa-

by adding five new Renault Zoe Z.E.

sionally need access to a car but

40 electric to its Dublin fleet.

don’t want to own one, accord-

The addition of the Renault Zoe

allowing multiple people to use the

drive the new car with a battery

same car at different times, each

that now provides a 400km range

GoCar replaces 15 private cars,”

in summer and 300km in winter

says Colm Brady, “reducing car

from a single full charge.

ownership and car dependency, and freeing up land traditionally

Budget 2018 and the recent pledge

used for car-parking spaces.” be located near public charge

is growing interest in the use of

points. This ensures that the cars

electric cars, especially for city

are fully charged. The GoElectric

driving.

Renault Zoe cars are charged at

in 2016 and they claim that since then over 800 customers have

the rear seat area. The larger 18in wheels on the test car gave it good road composure and coupled with good comfort. The Kia Stonic entry prices look very competitive, while the Hyundai five-year unlimited mileage warranty has its own attractions over the Kia seven-year option.

2018 Superb receives tech and spec upgrades SINCE its introduction in its current guise the Skoda Superb has shot to second place on the sales leader board for large saloon / hatchback vehicles. Last year alone, 1,745 Superb vehicles were delivered in Ireland, overtaking some bigger and more traditional household brand names. For 2018 Skoda has upgraded the Superb with some new safety, technological and specification features now available across the range. With motorway driving featuring more and more as an occupation, radar operated Lane Assist and Blind Spot Detection will provide increased safety and security for Skoda Superb drivers and other road users. Connected Services such as E-Call and Care Connect introduced in the Skoda Kodiaq in March 2017 and are now provided as standard across the Superb Range.

The new 2018 Superb features a built in SIM card, enabling calls to the Skoda Customers Service Team, Skoda Recovery Services and also the Emergency Services in the event of an accident. The Skoda Connect mobile App gives owners’ access to see where their Superb is located and the exact vehicle status at any time. Skoda Superb Style and luxury Laurin and Klement models receive a host of standard equipment. A new 9.2” colour touch screen with Gesture Control for swiping between menus without Skoda Superb

having to even make contact with the screen takes centre stage in the cockpit. It also provides access to connected services such as Infotainment Online. Infotainment Online is provided free of charge for one year and provides users with access to news, weather and Google Earth overlays for the navigation system. Wireless phone or mobile device charging is now provided as standard. New seven-speed DSG automatic transmissions are offered across the range and replace the older six-speed versions available up to now. The Superb SportLine model was introduced in 2017 and also receives an enhancement, with a Panoramic Sunroof and 19” Vega alloy wheels as standard for a nominal price increase of €250. These latest improvements to the Superb are combined with a Skoda Finance 0% PCP offers which have been extended into February.

The GoCar electric vehicles will

will be on sale from 2030, there

GoCar launched its electric fleet

features include 7in touchscreen system with Android Auto and Apple Car Play and a rear view reversing camera for a price jump of €2,000. The car has an excellent safety rating from the latest and more stringent Euro NCAP rating system, with two Iso-Fix couplings in

congestion, noise and air pollution

its commitment to electric cars in that only zero emission vehicles

Comfort versions costing €20,995 come with 16 in alloy wheels, air conditioning, roof rails, cruise control, a 5in chrome screen, LED running lights, a lane keep assist and driver fatigue warning systems. As you move up the specification grades to the next level Executive versions the

ing to Colm Brady of GoCar. “By

models allows GoCar members to

With the Government showing

ing less power. This choice will deliver at least 30% better economy and who needs all-wheel-drive in the city anyway? The Kona deal feels slightly higher specification than that of Kia. The car feels solid, although it was the highest grade model, so it should. The entry level

GAZETTE

love the Kona

MOTORING

€10 per hour with a 50km driving trip included in each hire. Renault claims that the Zoe

chosen an electric vehicle to drive

ZE40 is the only electric car that

to take more than 2,500 trips. The

can charge 22km at all 1,200 ESB

GoCar range is now available in 18

eCars standard charging points in

counties in Ireland at locations in

Ireland. This allows the Zoe to add

25 cities and towns.

75km of summer driving range in

The GoCar system is a pay as you go driving deal with no sub-

30 minutes or a full charge in 2.5 hours.

Audi has extended its EcoGrant offer until March 31, 2018

Audi extends EcoGrant offer until the end of March AUDI finished 2017 as Ireland’s number one premium car brand for

9th consecutive year. On top of the introduction of new service plan products for new and used cars this year, Audi has decided to extend its EcoGrant offer until March 31, 2018. The Audi Scrappage EcoGrant is open to cars of any make, provided it is Euro 1-4 emissions-standard. By trading in an eligible car, you can receive up to €6,500 towards a new Audi with a more positive impact on the environment. The Audi Scrappage EcoGrant offer is also available with Audi’s attractive PCP finance rates that are available across the Audi range. Henning Dohrn, managing director of Audi Ireland, said: “We are extending the EcoGrant offer into March 2018. Audi finished 2017 as the number one premium brand in the market. The success of the EcoGrant offer will allow customers, new and old, to upgrade to one of our new, lower emission models across our range. Not only will this appeal to customers of one of our Euro 6 petrol and diesel cars, these incentives apply to our range of plug-in hybrid and full electric vehicles too such as the Audi A3 e-tron where customers can gain a total of €4,500 off the full price of the car”.

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 1 February 2018

DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS  SOUTH DVD TRANSFERS

INSURANCE CLAIMS

TV SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

ROOFING

WINDOWS

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

GOT A STORY? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240

1 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31



GOT A STORY? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 2 or email news@dublingazette.com

DUBLINGAZETTERECRUITMENT



32 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 1 February 2018

DUBLINGAZETTENOTICEBOARD IN MEMORIAM OPENING para control 4. Dui el euguerostrud tie vel ullaor adio conullandrem inim dolorperit lorer sed magna alis nonum el dipis nonulla feugiam et iliquis alis nonsequ pismolortio dit iustrud digna faciduis digna feugueratue min henim iliquisl iurem dolore mod nody control 5 il dolor sequism dolore dolore dolortie veliquat. 50. Lor aut am, cor sis euguerci ea feugait, quat, quissisl exeros el illaortin henisisim volorper sim nulla facilit accum ip eril digna feu Body control 5 il dolor sequism dolore dolore dolortie veliquat, veliquis am, si. Lor aut am, cor sis euguerci ea feugait, quat, quissisl exeros el illaortin henisisim volorper. 100

LE P M A S PHOTO

IN MEMORIAM PARA control 4. Dui el euguerostrud tie vel ullaor adio conullandrem inim dolorperit lorer sed magna alis nonum el dipis nonulla feugiam et iliquis alis nonsequ pismolortio dit iustrud digna faciduis digna feugueratue min henim iliquisl iurem dolore mod nody control 5 il dolor sequism dolore dolore dolortie veliquat. 50. em dolore mod nody control 5 il dolor sequism dolore d el dipis nonulla feugiam et

IN MEMORIAM

PHOTO

LE P M

IN MEMORIAM OPENING para control 4. Dui el euguerostrud tie vel ullaor adio conullandrem inim dolorperit lorer sed magna alis nonum el dipis nonulla feugiam et iliquis alis nonsequ pismolortio dit iustrud digna faciduis digna feugueratue min henim iliquisl iurem dolore mod nody control 5 il dolor sequism dolore dolore dolortie veliquat. 50. Lor aut am, cor sis euguerci ea feugait, quat, quissisl exeros el illaortin henisisim

LE P M

OPENING para control 4. Dui el euguerostrud tie vel ullaor adio conullandrem inim dolorperit lorer sed magna alis nonum el dipis nonulla feugiam et iliquis alis nonsequ pismolortio dit iustrud digna faciduis digna feugueratue min henim iliquisl iurem dolore mod nody control 5 il dolor sequism dolore dolore dolortie veliquat. 50. Lor aut am, cor sis euguerci ea feugait, quat, quissisl exeros el illaortin henisisim volorper sim nulla facilit accum ip eril digna feu Body control 5 il dolor sequism dolore dolore dolortie veliquat, veliquis am, si. Lor aut am, cor sis euguerci ea feugait, quat, quissisl exeros el illaortin henisisim volorper. 100

P AM

The Dublin Gazette is proud to be now offering a NOTICEBOARD page for Deaths, Births, Prayers, Anniversaries & Marriages WE DO IT ALL ! Contact KEVIN Today on 01-6010240 to find out more and book your place in next week’s edition.

NAME HERE

P AM

TO POST YOUR

IN MEMORIAM OR DEATH NOTICE CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM ON

01 601 0240

LE P M A S PHOTO IN MEMORIAM

E L P M SA PHOTO

IN MEMORIAM

E L P M SA PHOTO

WEDDINGS/ANIVERSARIES

NAME HERE

IN MEMORIAM

DEATH NOTICES

LE P M

IN MEMORIAM

NAME HERE & NAME HERE OPENING para control 4. Dui el euguerostrud tie vel ullaor adio conullandrem inim dolorperit lorer sed magna alis nonum el dipis nonulla feugiam et iliquis alis nonsequ pismolortio dit iustrud digna faciduis digna feugueratue min henim iliquisl iurem dolore mod nody control 5 il dolor sequism dolore dolore dolortie veliquat. 50. Lor aut am, cor sis euguerci ea feugait, quat, quissisl exeros el illaortin henisisim volorper sim nulla facilit accum ip eril digna feu Body control 5 il dolor sequism dolore dolore dolortie veliquat, veliquis am, si. Lor aut am, cor sis euguerci ea feugait, quat, quissisl exeros el illaortin henisisim volorper. 100

LE P M

PHOTO

LE P M

PHOTO

1 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 33

SOUTH  DUBLINGAZETTEPLANNING SUPPORT

LOCAL BUSINESS



SHOP LOCALLY

CALL THE GAZETTE ON

60 10 240

LOCAL

MATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS FOLLOW US TODAY ON OUR SOCIAL NETWORK

Visit: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ DublinGazetteNewspapers Twitter: @DublinGazette

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL

6010240

GOT A STORY? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240

GAZETTE

34 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 1 February 2018

SPORT

FastSport ST MARY’S TOO HOT TO HANDLE FOR KILLESTER: PYROBEL Killester missed out on the Hula Hoops NICC Women’s National Cup basketball title as they were undone by a dominant St Mary’s Castleisland performance, winning out 71-54 last weekend. A super highscoring display from Denise Dunlea was one of the big differences between the sides as she dominated at both ends of the court, but had a strong and talented support network around her. She helped build-up a 21-10 lead in the first quarter and they extended that margin out to 41-24. Caitriona White and Niamh O’Donovan led the resistance for Killester but they were unable to hold back the St Mary’s tie and were ultimately unstuck in a 17-point defeat.

BASKETBALL: CONTROVERSIAL LATE CALL DERAILS UCD’S LAST DITCH CHANCE

Templeogue’s Murphy magic powers dramatic cup glory

MEN’S NATIONAL CUP FINAL Black Amber Templeogue UCD Marian  sport@dublingazette.com

68 62

“THIS is all I wanted and everything I dreamed of,” said an overcome Black Amber Templeogue star, Lawrence “Puff” Summers this evening as his side were crowned Hula Hoops National Cup champions with a 68-62 point win over UCD Marian at the National Basketball Arena on Saturday evening. “I lost a final with Kilkenny here four years ago,” he continued, “and I have a photo of my daughter crying because Daddy lost. I can’t wait to go home and put this medal around her.” Indeed, the huge win for Templeogue over their south Dublin rivals this evening saw them complete a memorable double of Cup wins in one day, with their Under-18s overcoming Neptune in their decider earlier in the day. I n t h e b i g s h owd ow n this evening though, UCD threatened to take the lead with less than a minute remaining but a controversial late call with

Templeogue celebrate their National Cup glory. Picture: Martin Doherty

15 seconds to go and two vital steals from Michael Bonaparte saw them close out the contest. Marian did threaten to get back on terms as they burst forward for one last attack with a chance to draw level. But coach Ioannis Lapiakis was called for a technical foul for encroaching on the pitch, just stepping over the line as he encouraged his

side into their final hurrah. I t l e f t C o n o r M e a ny dumbfounded, saying afterwards: “Basketball is a game of emotion and all Ioannis was doing was encouraging our players to dribble the ball up court. There is no guarantee we would have levelled the game but don’t sicken a team in the manner we have been treated in

the final possession.” E a r l y o n , Te m p l e o g u e controlled the early stages, building a 7-2 lead before UCD found their flow with a couple of Meany baskets reducing the gap while Dan James put the minimum between the sides at 17-16. Scoring was low, though, with the shooting percentages

remaining low, making it nip and tuck. Lorcan Murphy – who had a game high 23 points – was one man who was finding his range, helping his side eke out a 32-30 half-time lead. It advanced to 35 each and then on to 50-45 in favour of Templeogue at the threequarter mark, the west Dublin side etching out the narrow lead each time with UCD trying to come back. Into the last two minutes, the gap was back at one before Murphy laid up to make 65-62 with 47 seconds to go. Thirty seconds ground down before UCD had possession and a final chance before Lapiakis’s unfortunate incursion. Te m p l e o g u e h a d t h e breathing space and could get the party started in earnest. Templeogue coach Mark Keenan said: “I am delighted for the guys and although I still think we would have won that late decision has put a little stain on our win. “UCD defeated us by 19 points a fortnight ago and we needed to tweak a few things and yes I got the response expected from this fabulous group of players.”

Arcilla inspiration strikes down Neptune Under-18s BOYS U-18 NATIONAL CUP FINAL  sport@dublingazette.com

The Templeogue Under-18 side that beat Neptune in their National Cup final. Picture: Martin Doherty

TEMPLEOGUE’S Under-18 men’s team stormed home to National Cup glory this af ternoon as they closed out a thriller at the National Basketball Arena, beating Neptune 72-69. The game was in the melting pot right up until the closing seconds as Neptune came back from a 10-point deficit at the end of the third quarter to tie the game level at 64 points apiece.

Leadership from Templeogue’s Kris Arcilla in the final five seconds saw him keep cool to widen the gap out to four and they hung on in the face of everything in Neptune’s armoury to win out. It was a gritty opening quarter in front of a large crowd. A wide spread of scoring from Neptune’s Scott Hannigan and Darragh O’Sullivan was matched at the other end by the tenacious and talented Arcilla who kept his side in touch with nine well-taken points. O’Sullivan was in flying form

for Neptune to put them in the lead 16-11 at the end of the first. Templeogue soon found their range with Iarla McKeon finding the mark and Matthew Harper chipping in with eight points for a slim 31-28 point lead at the half following brilliant defence from Finn McKeon and Aston Kisuka in particular. Arcilla inspired the third quar ter with McKeon and Harper continuing to cause trouble for the Neptune defence. For their side, Darragh O’Sullivan was firing on all cylinders, and some superb

scoring from James Hannigan kept Neptune in touch in the face of the Arcilla dazzle, as they headed into the fourth quarter with a 10-point lead (56-46). Despite the deficit though Neptune were not going down without a fight and they got back on terms. No sooner had they done so, however, than McKeon responded for Templeogue and another two big scores from the Dubliners less than 30 seconds later widened the gap back to six and it proved the game-winning salvo.

1 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 35

GAZETTE

SCHOOL’SFinal

Loreto hold off Ulidia’s big U-19B final comeback LORETO Stephen’s Green (Dublin) scooped the Subway Schools All-Ireland Under-19B girls Cup glory with victory over Ulidia Integrated (Antrim), 69-54. It formed part of an amazing week for Loreto coach Sarah Woods who would follow up with an MVP award on Sunday evening in the women’s National Senior Cup final. A superb all-round performance from the Dublin school saw Lauren Devitt, Laura Furlong and Clodagh Cullen all impress hugely as the pressure mounted, while the Maguire dynamic duo of Erin and Enya at the other end were the big difference for Ulidia, and after trailing by 12 points at one stage, worked hard to close the gap to just one point midway through the fourth quarter. Loreto dominated most of the first two quarters, with Devitt and Sarah Coase leading the way on the scoring to send them into an early 17-8 point lead at the end of the first. Super scoring from Enya Maguire from Ulidia kept their scoreboard ticking over, as she linked in with her sister Erin and Grace Kennedy to try and close the margin, but Loreto were still firmly in control, 31-19 at the half. A brilliant third quarter followed as Ulidia came out all guns blazing, with Erin opening the scoring, before Enya added a superb three pointer and it was game on. Scores rained in from the two Maguires, with Kennedy chipping in for Ulidia as well, and suddenly the gap was back to 32-29e. Respond they did and do so in style, with Laura Furlong, Coase and Clodagh Cullen leading the charge, but the dynamic Maguire duo were unstoppable, and as the buzzer sounded, Loreto had just three to spare, 45-42. The fourth quarter continued at the same frantic pace, and by the midway point, there was just a point between the sides (51-50). Up stepped Devitt, Furlong, Sorcha McCahill and Cullen for Loreto Stephens Green and in front of an enormous crowd of supporters from their school began to battle hard, and started to edge the Dublin side in front. As the clock ticked down, they kept their cool and managed to get through the Ulidia defence for some vital scores, and despite a late score from Enya Maguire, it was just too late.

Woods inspirational in merciless DCU treble North Dublin club wins three out of three on basketball’s national cup final weekend, scoring a dramatic senior final win over UCC to go with underage victories over Brunell WOMEN’S NAT CUP FINAL DCU Mercy UCC Glanmire  sport@dublingazette.com

DCU dominance

72 71

A GAME of last-gasp shots, of closing seconds, of passion, sheer grit, determination and glory. Those are just some of the words that can sum up an absolutely incredible finale to the 2018 Hula Hoops National Cup finals weekend as DCU Mercy completed an incredible treble of wins at the National Basketball Arena when they overcame Ambassador UCC Glanmire by just one point, 72-71 “Am I dreaming? To win by a point?! Nobody even imagines that in Cup finals,” said a dazed and emotional captain and MVP Sarah Woods after she put in a superb 21-point performance. “We’ll never forget this

DCU Mercy’s fight for three Hula Hoops National Cup titles in a single weekend got off to a dream start as the Under-20s retained their trophy in overpowering Brunell 73-54. They raced into a 14-1 lead early on to set the tone and they never really looked back with underage internationals Bronagh Power-Cassidy, Rachel Huijsdens and Maeve O Seaghdha all to the fore. It was 35-18 at half-time and Nicole Clancy locked in her MVP performance in the second half as they moved 25-points clear. DCU also won the Under-18 title with a 74-42 win over Brunell. Picture: Martin Doherty

moment. It’s been a while for the likes of myself and Aisling Sullivan – and for us to lift the cup together was extra special.” A while indeed, as it was 2011 when DCU Mercy last lifted the Women’s National Cup but now, in 2018, they have not only lifted it following an absolutely thrilling game against a five in-a-row chasing Glanmire, adding to Under-18 and Under-20

women’s Cup titles. The game dished up everything a fan could hope for in a final on the marquee weekend of the Irish basketball calendar. T he lead changed hands 12 times over the 40 minutes with the Dubliners edging clear in the dying minutes. Ashley Primm’s threepoint attempt on the buzzer would have given Glanmire their fifth title in

a row and the story we tell now could have been oh so different. “ T h a t c o u l d h ave gone in,” agreed winning coach, Mark Ingle. “In fact, I thought the game was level and then they all started shouting and screaming and I looked up at the board and realised we had won! I had been planning the next play, telling the players where to go!”

DCU Mercy co-captains Aisling Sullivan, left, and Sarah Woods celebrate. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Indeed, the intensity was there right from tip-off and it was obvious by the end of a close and tense first quarter that this game was going to live up to and exceed all expectations as DCU took a 19-16 lead at the end of the first. Woods, Tiffany Corselli, Alex Masaquel and Rachel Huijsdens were all hugely instrumental in a win that will last in the memory for a long time, and it was the defensive intensity of all three Mercy teams this weekend that was truly the hallmark. Glanmire served up their own magic, with Claire Rockall and Primm lighting the fuse at the end of the second quarter, and the bomb went off when Casey Grace drained a 20-footer for her first basket of the game. It capped a 13-0 run and a 37-35 lead at half time. Mark Ingle had ten minutes to let the smoke clear and DCU went back to work in the third but Glanmire’s lead was still 59-54 heading into the fourth - Puerto Rican international Adily Martucci had chipped in a seven-point quarter while Dwyer locked up her double-double. D C U M e r c y we r e behind twice in the last five minutes and it was Under 20 captain Aoife Maguire who got the vital baskets to swing momentum. Defeat and glory in basketball are millimetres apart. On Sunday it was DCU Mercy’s turn to get their measurements right.

GAZETTE

36 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 1 February 2018

SPORT

BASKETBALL

HOCKEY: RATHFARNHAM CLUB WIN BACK NATIONAL TROPHY

Picture: Martin Doherty

Ballybrack Bulls rock and roll way to cup title BALLYBRACK Bulls were crowned champions of the Hula Hoops Wheelchair Basketball Cup as they rolled to victory with a 62-58 point win over Killester. There was no love lost in this smashing Dublin derby as south met north for the firsttime last weekend in the National Basketball Arena. Valene Ryan of Ballybrack Bulls was first to get her name on the scoresheet with some slick shooting however it was swiftly responded with a lay-up from Killester’s Mark Cunningham. From the get go, Ballybrack pressed hard with an aggressive defence while the deadly team-up of Cole and Hayes manged to keep Killester down four at the end of the first. The second quarter saw an all-out battle between Cunningham and Hayes as they both put on a superb shooting display, both ending the half with 14 of their own. Killester, reacting to their deficit, decided to switch up their defence to a two-man press which somewhat stunted the Bulls run as they ended the half five points up on 25-30. The third quarter continued with the same grit and determination as the game had initially set out with both teams battling hard on both ends of the court. Killester began to scramble as it seemed that Ballybrack’s strength, athleticism and awareness on the court proved too much for them, adding the pressure of moving onto team fouls with just three minutes to go. However, the fate of this game was undecided until the final seconds as Killester fought back and began to close the marginal gap, clipping the heels of Ballybrack Bulls. Paddy Forbes putting in a stunning performance drove hard at the basket and levelled up the game with less than a minute to go. Ballybrack didn’t let this faze them as Ryan focused her eyes on the prize and responded with a score of her own, closely followed by Jack Shannon Coyle to close out the four-point win.

Three Rock Rovers celebrate their National Indoor Trophy success and a return ticket to Europe for 2019

Rovers retain indoor crown sport@dublingazette.com

THREE Rock Rovers retained the National Indoor Trophy title with an 8-5 win over arch rivals Railway Union at St Columba’s with Ross Canning netting four times in the decider. Prior to Christmas, Canning was invited to South Africa to play as part of a World Stars team as part of the Pro Series Indoor competition, lining out alongside a number of indoor world cup and European champions. And the experience has helped him elevate his game in the often overlooked version of the sport

in Ireland. It reversed their 7-4 defeat to Railway last weekend in the Leinster final but respective callups to the Irish senior men’s outdoor squad meant both sides had to make changes. Jeremy Duncan was the key man for the Sandymount club with five goals in that final and they missed that cutting edge. Rovers were without defenders Luke Madeley and Daragh Walsh for the same reason but their replacements, Eckart Geyer and the vastly experienced Peter McConnell, actually strengthened their hand. Earlier in the three-

SENIOR CUP FINAL Meteors rise halted by third quarter comeback METEORS were denied the women’s Hula

Hoops Senior Cup title at the National Basketball Arena as Fr Mathews took the laurels with a 55-45 success in the final. The damage was done in the third quarter as Niamh Dwyer inspired an 18-point turnaround, undoing the excellent work from the likes of Kate Flaherty, Shannon Brady and Eimear Mairtin who all weighed in some heavy scores. Picture: Martin Doherty

team group, Railway saw off Queen’s 6-3 before Rovers ran up a 17-2 victory against the Ulster champions. It meant the Rathfarnham club needed just a draw in the last game of the competition. Rovers led 2-0 at the halftime break with Canning scoring twice – once from a corner, once from a penalty stroke – to put them in control. His third extended the lead from a Jody Hosking pull-back. Railway got on the board via Tyron Kritzinger, quickly countered by Harry Morris before a swift comeback brough the game back to 4-4 –

Kenny Carroll scoring two corners, dummying another to set up Eoin MacArthur. But a pair of Ben Walker goals inside a minute restored a 6-4 lead for Rovers and they were out of range from there on, Canning capping the win with his fourth goal. Carroll got another for Railway before Jody Hosking flicked into an unpadded goal on the final whistle. On Saturday outdoors, meanwhile, the expected sides pushed on in the Leinster Senior Mills Cup. Monkstown won 3-2 against Railway Union in the battle between the two

national league sides with Andrew Sykes, Geoff Cole and Davy Carson on the mark. T hree Rock found things harder than expected in a scoreless first half against Rathgar before prevailing 4-0 with two goals from Mitch Darling and one each from Harry Morris and Kevin Mullins. They play Town in the final four. Glenanne scored six first half goals in a 7-2 win over Clontarf while Corinthian completed the semi-final line-up with a 4-1 win over Kilkenny with Ian Stewart scoring twice against the cats for the second weekend in a row.

1 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 37

GAZETTE

SOCCER: MULVEY’S SUPERB COMEBACK SEASON

SFAICup

Murphy fires Cabo into last 16

The Rosemount Mulvey side that has enjoyed a superb start to the season

Rosemount kings of Hill in LSL Premier

LSL SATURDAY PREMIER Rosemount Mulvey Beechill United  sport@dublingazette.com

5 1

ROSEMOUNT MULVEY have enjoyed a fiery return to the the Leinster Senior League in the 2017/ 2018 season, storming to the top of the LSL Saturday Premier division as they look to reestablish their presence in the Windy Arbour area. Formerly one of the biggest clubs in the area, Mulvey’s return after three years’ absence has seen fireworks on the pitch, proving a major force in their new division. It comes amid disputes with the local council and issues with the league off the pitch over their lack of access to a local clubhouse and, in particular, its toilet facilities. The club have been

drawing crowds, however, and the arrival of local rivals Beechill – dispatched emphatically 10-1 away from home on November – marked the first home contest of the New Year over the weekend. The first half, as is often the way with derbies, was somewhat contentious, though it did see Mulvey again establish their superiority. After a pressing opening, they broke the deadlock early after Vincent Corley was able to turn Beechill’s last man to tap in for the first. Mulvey felt they should have had a second shortly afterwards. After a series of corners, Sijay Daly’s strike from the edge of the box seemed to be blocked with a hand on the line by a Beechill defender. With protests waved away (and still ringing

in the referee’s ears), an unimpressed home side were caught out, as a defensive mix up in the home box immediately after the alleged handball saw Kenneth Simpson put through his own net for the equaliser. Perhaps that particular turn of events had some impact on the awarding of a soft penalty in Mulvey’s favour shortly afterwards. Given for a modest push, John O’Neill stroked home from the penalty spot. He re-asser ted his class shortly afterwards, stepping past a Beechill defender to curl the ball into the top right before the break. Mulvey went in with a deserved 3-1 lead. It was clear that this particular contest wasn’t going to end in the same manner of thrashing dished out earlier in the

year, however, and it took another 15 minutes for the home side to add their fourth, Corley grabbing his tenth of the season as Mulvey dominated. An Eoin Barry cross for Gary Crowley saw the fifth goal tapped home with ten minutes remaining for a 5-1 win, and inarguable local superiority for the newly reformed Rosemount. Mulvey now sit pretty at the top of the Saturday Premier with a five point lead and game advantage over nearest rivals Celbridge Town. They have won 11 of 14 games this year, though they might look over their shoulder at unbeaten AIB FC, who could surpass them through their games in hand. Beechill United face a struggle to avoid the drop, with just four points from ten games.

CABINTEELY Under-16 Premiers are through to the last 16 of the SFAI Skechers Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Belvedere in the Clontarf Astro Complex. In a repeat of last week’s SFAI Regional cup semi-final which saw Cabinteely run out 5-2 winners, Belvedere started the livelier. However, it didn’t take long for Cabinteely to grow into the game with the movement of forward pair Billy Hendley and Oran Molony causing problems for the home side’s back four, with the latter heading over from close range after good work down the left by Eoghan Murphy. The Belvedere goalkeeper was then tested again when Luke Dunne, a constant threat from dead-ball situations throughout, hit the target with his first free-kick of the game forcing it to be palmed over the crossbar for a corner. Down the other end, Tottenham Hotspur-bound Troy Parrott offered the biggest threat for the home side. Dropping deep to receive the ball, he was afforded little space by the Cabinteely defence with Jack Doran keeping him close throughout. When Parrott did find himself some time to get his shot away, his efforts were thwarted by goalkeeper Andy Lee Mitchell, who dove to his left preventing the Belvedere forward’s long range shot from hitting the net. Then Cabo finally broke the deadlock with less than five minutes to go in the first half. With more great work down the left hand side of the pitch, the Belvo goalkeeper found himself out of position as Cabinteely’s Molony header over the outrushing keeper seemed destined to put his side in the lead. An impressive last-ditch slide from one of the home side’s defenders prevented the ball from crossing the line. But Hendley’s impressive work to win the ball back set up the opportunity for left winger Eoghan Murphy to put the ball in the back of the net. The second half saw a more aggressive attacking performance from Belvedere forcing Cabinteely to defend quite deep at times. Lee Mitchell was forced to pull off a string of impressive saves throughout before being judged to have fouled inside his own 18-yard area giving Parrott the opportunity to equalise from the spot with 10 minutes to go. A key moment in the game, the forward’s powerful penalty was struck high and right but Lee Mitchell diving to his left, stretched out his right arm to pull off a fantastic save to round off a brilliant performance. Cabinteely had several chances in the last moments kill off the tie but in the end their work was already complete.



GOT A STORY? WE WANT TO KNOW!

Call our SPORT TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3

or email sport@dublingazette.com

GAZETTE

38 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 1 February 2018

SPORT

FASTSport

RUGBY: LOSING UBL BONUS POINT FOR DUBLINERS AT RIFLE PARK

Doyle delight wih U-22 title and European spot THERE was more electric scenes at the National Stadium for Monkstown boxing club on Saturday afternoon as the club’s Kenneth Doyle added the All Ireland Under-22 championship title to his All-Ireland seniors win. Doyle, still only aged 18, booked his seat on the Irish team heading to the upcoming European Under-22 championships in Romania in March. The IABA were using this championship as a selection process for the Irish team and he will now enrol in the high performance training camp at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown. He is no stranger to tough training and making sacrifices. There were no selection boxes over the Christmas for Doyle as he was in the middle of his training preparations for these championships, he also continues his studies at Sallynoggin College of Further Education where he is studying Sports and Leisure Management. The Irish Under-22 championships have been ongoing for the past three weekends at the National Stadium. Doyle had to overcome three familiar opponents to lift the Light Welter 64kg Title. On January 13, he opened up with a comfortable clean sweep of the rounds against Cavan’s Harrison Jameson. A week later, he beat St Anthony’s/St Pat’s Michael Kinsella without losing a round either. It led to the final bout against Dungloe’s Matthew McCole who he saw off 3-2 in his toughest fight.

McCann off to a flyer in Athlone LUKE McCann got his indoor campaign underway in AIT Indoor Arena with victory in the AAI National Under-23 1,500m. The DSDAC man raced into the lead after the first 200m and was never headed, as he recorded a comprehensive victory in 3.56.83. Aengus

Meldon was also in top form with a silver medal in the Under-23 800m in 1.56.74, after winning his heat easily, earlier in the day. Kate Doherty finished fourth in the 60m hurdles in 9.07. Molly Hourihan moved up to 400m and, having qualified for the final, finished in fifth place in 59.36. Molly is only 16 years of age and will have two more years in this age group.

Old Wesley’s Matthew Bursey attempts to make a break

Bann break Wes resolve UBL DIVISION 1B

Banbridge RFC Old Wesley  sport@dublingazette.com

18 12

OLD Wesley succumbed to a six-point defeat at Rifle Park to remain in a battle in the lower half of the Ulster Bank League Division 1B table. There were matches in Limerick and Galway cancelled due to unplayable pitches however the conditions in Banbridge proved ideal with a reasonable wind and favourable temperatures. Playing into the breeze, Old Wesley started the better and looked to be well up for the opposition,

who were challenging for a promotion spot. There were a number of good carries, in particular from Matthew Bursey and JJ O’Dea. After 15 minutes of pressurising the opposition, indeed, Wesley were in a strong position with a five-metre scrum but they found the Bann defence rock-solid. Entering the second quarter, the home side eventually started to flex its muscles with their potent back line pushing Wesley to its limits. Banbridge looked to be in for their first score after 28 minutes but were called back for a forward pass. They maintained the

SOCCER SISTERS Easter camps launched for venues across Dublin THE FAI FAI and Aviva announced the return of the FAI Soccer Sister Camps which will take place across Dublin during the Easter school holidays at the launch this week at Abbotstown. Aviva is calling on girls between the ages of six and 14 years old to sign up and get involved. To register for the Aviva FAI Soccer Sisters Easter camps go to www.soccersisters. ie/ Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

pressure and five minutes later, centre Andrew Morrison found a gap in the Wesley defence to cross for the first score. Surprisingly Ian Porter missed the conversion. Just before the half time break, Morrison was on hand again to cross for his second try.This time Porter kicked the conversion to leave Old Wesley a major uphill climb for the second half, trailing 12-0. Into the second half, Wes had a dream start when out half Tim Clifford intercepted a pass on the 10-metre line, and sprinted untouched to score under the posts. Josh Miller converted

with ease and Wesley were suddenly back in it. Spurred on by this unexpected bonus, Wesley started to regain some form and enjoyed a minor purple patch. On two occasions they had line outs inside the Banbridge 22 but, on both occasions, conceded possession. Following a number of attacks and after a penalty that was taken quickly, prop Cronan Gleeson used his strength to power over for a try, too, levelling the game at 12 each. A yellow card for Banbridge f lanker Caleb Montgomery added to Wesley’s hopes but it was

the home side that upped their game. They regained the lead from a penalty under the posts and, with five minutes remaining, Wesley conceded another penalty in front of the posts and a yellow card for Davy Henshaw for tackler not releasing. Porter again converted with ease for a six-point lead. The Dubliners threw everything forward and Eoghan O’Reilly looked to be over but was called back for a forward pass. A penalty under the posts was run, too, but another pass was adjudged forward and Bann had their win.

1 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 39

GAZETTE

LADIES FOOTBALL: KILMACUD CROKES YOUNGSTER DRAWS PRAISE IN UNSPECTACULAR WIN

Rutledge’s big impact in NFL league debut LIDL NATIONAL LEAGUE Donegal 0-7 Dublin 2-5  sport@dublingazette.com

FIRST half goals by Niamh McEvoy and Rebecca McDonnell fired All-Ireland champions Dublin to an opening Lidl National League win over Donegal in Letterkenny. It was a Dublin side that rang the changes from 2017, trying out plenty of new faces like Clann Mhuire’s Oonagh Whyte, Kilmacud Crokes’ Eabha Rutledge and Clontar f ’s Katie Murray in the full-back line. As such, combined with windy conditions in the north west, there we r e e l e m e n t s t h a t missed the mark according to Dublin coach Ken Robinson: “We’ve only just come back after Christmas, but that was sloppy. “We didn’t play too well. it was maybe a five out of ten by us.” Clanna Gael Font e n o y ’s M c D o n n e l l , meanwhile, said it is a blank slate for the new campaign with no intentions of resting on any laruels. “We’ve seen a lot of new girls coming in and they are all blending well together. We are always saying we are 2017 champions. “It’s something completely new to fight for in 2018 and we have nothing going into this new year and getting the

competition in the squad again.” In a fierce O’Donnell Park gale, scoring was at a premium, but the Dubs left with the loot thanks to a pair of majors from which the hosts never recovered. There was a stroke of good fortune around Dublin’s opening goal with Donegal ‘keeper Laura Gallagher caught out by a dropping ball in from McEvoy that landed in the Tir Chonaill net. Before Donegal had time to really shake their heads clear, the Dubs – fielding seven of their All-Ireland winning side – were in for a second goal. Again, Donegal’s rearguard will have had questions to answer and Rebecca McDonnell slotted into the net after

a scramble on the edge of the square. Donegal had been in for an early goal chance of their own, but Sarah Jane McDonald just missed out on a connection to a low delivery from Karen Guthrie. Two Guthrie frees were the sum total of the Donegal efforts in the opening period, but Yvonne Bonner narrowed the margin with an early second-half score. Without Geraldine McLaughlin, Donegal certainly lacked a punch in the front division, while Yvonne Bonner spent a lot of time out the field. Donegal included several new and returned faces among their ranks with Republic of Ireland internationals Ciara Grant and teenager Amy

Olwen Carey on the attack for Dublin against Donegal. Picture: Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile

Boyle-Carr given game time for this one. But Donegal were kept at arm’s length as Carla Rowe, Eabha Rutledge a n d O o n a g h W hy t e maintained Dublin’s advantage. Although Guthrie kept the home side in check, Donegal – in their first game under the management of Maxi Curran and Damian Devaney – couldn’t quite get close enough to raise a panic. Next up in the league on Sunday, February 4, Dublin take on Westmeath in a repeat of the 2016 and 2017 Leinster finals. Throw in time in St Lomans GAA club, Mullingar is 12.30pm.

CLUB NOTICEBOARD

BALLINTEER ST JOHNS’ LOTTO results (January 30): numbers were 6, 11, 14 and 18. No winner. Next Thursday’s jackpot is €2,200; lottojoker €550 . Winner of €100 Ben Brady, €50 Colm O Donnell, and Alfie Byrne. Joker consolation prize: The Rat Pack. Bingo continues every Monday at 8pm.

ELC forecast was won by Jim Gillick. All membership payments must be paid online and submitted by February 25. Please see instructions on how to pay your registration fees on line on the club website.

KILMACUD CROKES REMINDER that club membership renew-

First full week of Kick Start Crokes

al for 2018 is now due. You can pay online

2018 program completed. Lots of folks

on the club website – kilmacudcrokes.

involved in a wide range of activity. Great

com.

to see the involvement.

Best of luck to all Crokes teams for a new season ahead. Well done to the Dublin senior footballers who beat Kildare, 2-17 to 2-10, in their opening league game. Paul Mannion and Cillian O’Shea both played a part in the game.

The GAA, in conjunction with CARA, held a pilot Disability Inclusion Training course in Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Arena on Tuesday, January 23. The workshop was well attended and was followed by the clubs first dedicated inclusion coaching session on Sunday.

Well done also to the Dublin Senior

The intention is to build on this program

Ladies who beat Donegal 2-5 to 0-7. Well

during to 2018. All are welcome to par-

done to Eabha Rutledge, Lauren Magee,

ticipate.

Aoife Kane and Julia Jennings.

Watch club comms channels for more

Hard luck to the Dublin senior hurl-

info. A limited number of tickets have

ers who lost to Offaly, 1-15 to 2-25. Bill

become available, please email crokes-

O’Carroll and Fergal Whitely were the

gala@gmail.com. This promises to be a

Crokes representatives involved.

brilliant club night so don’t miss out.

SHANKILL THE juvenile academy, sponsored by

ties catered for so check out our Face-

O’Donnell’s Pharmacy, is back in action

book page and follow the link to the ladies

in St Laurence College at 10am on Satur-

Facebook group, e-mail stevedavis203@

day mornings.

gmail.com or contact Steve 087 6414123.

Times for various team training sessions, contact your team coach. A team made up of our lady footballers won the club quiz and will now go

divisions so new players are always welcome; contact Kevin 086 8449902.

forward and represent Dublin in the All-

For more information on the club,

Ireland Score quiz final to be held on Sat-

contact, secretary.shankill.dublingaa.

urday, April 14 in the Clayton Hotel Sligo.

ie or call 086 4010438. Follow us on Face-

We all wish them the best of luck.

book and Twitter. Join Shankill GAA Club,

Ladies adult football team is going Sarah McCaffrey, right, battles to disrupt Donegal’s Emer Gallagher Picture: Oliver McVeigh

The men’s adult football team have ambitions to climb up through the league

from strength to strength with all abili-

your community, your Village GAA club where everybody knows your name.

GAZETTESPORT

ALL OF YOUR SOUTH DUBLIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 34-39

BULLS ON PARADE: Ballybrack the All-Ireland champs with big win over Killester on national finals weekend P36

Danny is a Trump card for hurlers Tightening of the US regulations has given huge boost with the return of Danny Sutcliffe earlier than expected to the Dublin fold  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

RETURNING Dublin hurling star Danny Sutcliffe didn’t plan to be back in a blue shirt quite so soon but now the St Jude’s clubman is looking forward to a new era for the game in the capital. The Pat Gilroy era began on a disappointing note as the Boys in Blue shipped a 13-point defeat to Offaly in their opening Division 1B encounter on Sunday. That hasn’t dampened the mood of optimism within the camp, however, as returning faces – including Sutcliffe and Conal Keaney – blend with hungry youngsters under fresh stewardship.

FEBRUARY 1-7, 2018

A BRIDGE TOO FAR FOR WES: Big second half comeback puts Bann under major pressure P38

Danny Sutcliffe with young Dublin fan Dara Ryan, age 7, in Parnell Park to kick off the 2018 Dublin GAA season with team sponsors AIG Insurance. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

“It’s brilliant in there at the moment,” said Sutcliffe at the launch of the 2018 Dublin GAA season with AIG. “You’ve lads I’ve played with previously and lads who are 18 and 19 that I wouldn’t have known of – Ronan Hayes, Cian Costello. “It’s great being in the mix with all them and it’s very competitive for places.” Gilroy has been credited with setting in motion the cultural shift that pre-empted Dublin’s emergence as arguably the greatest football side in history. Now he’s set his mind to doing the same in hurling, but he hasn’t been short of luck either as Sutcliffe’s return to the panel shows. It was the tightening of visa rules in the United States – where Sutcliffe had been

working – under Donald Trump that saw St Jude’s clubman return home. “It’s tough now with the visa situation. Any other year you probably would have got an 18-month extension on your grad visa, but that wasn’t available with Trump at the moment. “Most people are going to London and Dublin anyway. London was maybe there but I made my mind up to commit to this so I’m based here now.” Sutcliffe – who is facing a race against time to regain fitness ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Antrim – revealed he didn’t take much persuasion once Gilroy picked up the phone. “He changed the culture of Dublin football when he came in. And I knew he had plans to

do that with the hurling. “He’s obviously a very successful man off the field, and he’s got Mickey Whelan with him who is held in high regard in Dublin, and rightly so. That’s what I went on.” While stateside, Sutcliffe focused on football, where he represented New York in the Connacht championship, in part to keep fit but also to keep in touch with Gaelic games. He was part of the side that caused a scare for Sligo in the preliminary round last year, but he poured cold water on any suggestion he’d contemplate representing Dublin in football. “Hurling is where I always enjoyed playing. I wouldn’t be good enough for that football team anyway – let’s call a spade a spade.”