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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

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APR 26 - MAY 2, 2018

Response to new social homes mixed

SEE P27 REBECCA RYAN THERE has been some mixed reaction to the announcement that 1,563 new social homes will be delivered in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council are over the next three years.

Fine Gael Minister and local TD Josepha Madigan and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy have both welcomed the news, saying the building of new social homes by local authorities and approved housing bodies is “ramping up dramatically”.

However, there has been some criticism that the targets are sig-

nificantly lower than current social housing waiting lists.

For instance, in Dun LaoghaireRathdown, there are currently 4,749 on the social housing support list, but just 183 social houses will be built in the area in 2018, with a further 327 provided through a mix of leasing, acquisitions, and private rental accommodation.

People Before Profit’s Richard Boyd Barrett TD for Dun Laoghaire told Dublin Gazette the target is “hopelessly inadequate compared to the absolutely dire need out there.”

FULL STORY ON PAGE 8

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 26 April 2018

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www.dublingazette.com

01 60 10 240

COUNTY COUNCIL BEING SUED BY GRANDPARENT

Family takes legal action over blaze

FASTNews

REBECCA RYAN rryan@dublingazette.com

THE family of two child re n w h o we re l e f t orphaned by a fire at a halting site in Carrickmines are suing Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

T h e b l a ze, o n G l e namuck Road, which claimed the lives of 10 people, was described as the worst to happen in Ireland since the Stardust tragedy in 1981.

Michael and Tom Connors, who are 9 and 7 years old respectively, lost their parents Tom (28) and Sylvia (30) in the blaze, along with their siblings Jim (5), Christy (3) and six-month-old

O’Sullivan set for a century of parkruns

The halting site in Carrickmines where 10 people died in a fire in 2015

Mary Connors.

The boys are be ing raised by their grandparents Josie and Jim.

According to the Irish Times, Josie Connors is suing the council on behalf of her grandchil-

dren Michael and Tom. The paper reports that she confirmed that her solic itor had lodged papers in the High Court against the council, indicating her intention to take action against the council.

A spokesperson for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council told Dublin Gazette: “We cannot comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”

Dublin Gazette reached out to the Southside Travellers Action Group and Parish of the Travelling People but received no reply before going to print.

Nominations for Mayor of Dundrum being sought DUNDRUM Arts and Cultural Festival seeks nominations for Mayor of Dundrum 2018 from Clubs, Groups and Associations in the Dundrum area.

The nominee must be working in a voluntary capacity for the good of the community without remuneration.

Nominations to be sent to dundrumfestival@gmail.com by Wednesday, May 25.

FORMER World Champion and Olympic Silver Medallist Sonia O’Sullivan will be completing her 100th parkrun at Cabinteely parkrun this Saturday, April 29. Vhi Health Insurance will be hosting a special event to celebrate the occasion.

Walkers, joggers and runners of all ages and abilities are invited to join Sonia and Vhi at this free 5km event.

Refreshments will be provided, a limited number of free massage balls will be available for the early birds, and a physiotherapist will be leading a post-run stretching routine.

“Reaching the 100-parkrun milestone will make me immensely proud… The beauty of parkrun in partnership with Vhi is that they’re so welcoming and accessible,” said Sonia.

To register visit www.parkrun.ie.

Students flying high after raising funds THE Sallynoggin Pigeon Club worked with students from Cabinteely School to hold a pigeon auction to fundraise for a charity trip.

Eight students from Cabinteely are going to Kenya in February 2019 to help paint a school and do activities with its students, including teaching them music.

To fundraise for the trip, the pupils helped the Sallynoggin Pigeon Club, of which one of their grandfathers was a member, organise a charity auction of young pigeons.

Pigeon lovers from all over Ireland and England turned up, and 42 pigeons were auctioned off.

Between the sales and some additional donations, the students raised €2,970.

The auction even gained some celebrity attention with Damo and Ivor star Andy Quirke chipping in by donating a bird.

Man tried to lure girl into car in Rathfarnham GARDAI in Rathfarnham are investigating after a 10-year-old girl was approached by a man and asked to get in his car.

It happened on Sunday evening in Ballycullen.

A Garda spokesperson told Dublin Gazette: “Gardai in Rathfarnham are investigating a suspicious approach in the Daletree area of Ballycullen, on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at approximately 6pm.

“A young girl was stopped by a lone male in a car. But she ran off.”

Parents are being asked to be extra vigilant in the area.

26 April 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

IRISH DANCER: RATHFARNHAM GIRL NAMED WORLD CHAMPION

Caitlin is dancing on air after Championship win QUINN KANNER

A RATHFARNHAM Irish Dancer was named World Champion in the Under-15 category of the Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa (CRDM) World Championships.

Fifteen-year-old Caitlin Reardon competed against dancers from America, Germany and England for her title in her second year dancing with MORE Irish Dance.

Caitlin said: “It was an amazing experience having my mam and dad and all the school there to support me.

“I finished third last year in my first year representing MORE in the Worlds, and this year I pushed myself for the win!”

Caitlin’s family was ecstatic over her win. Her mother, Jennifer Reardon said: “Let’s just say me and the hubby had to be picked up off the ground.”

Caitlin first became interested in Irish dancing while on holiday in France with her family.

Caitlin said: “I started dancing at nine, when we were on holidays in Disn-

eyland Paris that St Patrick’s week, in 2012.

“I got up on stage with Sharon Shannon and started dancing, which I had never done before.”

That experience prompted her to start training at a local school,

and a few years later she switched to MORE Irish Dance in Bluebell, where she currently dances.

Caitlin said: “Michael O’Reilly is my teacher and has been a big part of my transformation as a dancer.

“He works all his dancers so hard and has more than 60 kids in his school

Electric car drivers could receive 75% discount on toll roads

QUINN KANNER

“

I got up on stage with Sharon Shannon and started dancing, which I had never done before

FAST NEWS

Keeva Lawrence, Caitlin Reardon, Micheal O’Reilly and Ciara Reel

now and still growing.”

Caitlin hopes to pursue a future in Irish Dancing.

She said: “I hope to work on Riverdance, following in the footsteps of all those I look up to, possibly teaching and adjudicating too.”

Jennifer says the title could be a first step in Caitlin achieving her dream since you have to be dancing at a championship

level to even be considered for Riverdance, and this upcoming year Caitlin will turn 16 and be old enough to audition.

Jennifer said: “She knew she needed to pull it out to even get a chance at the Riverdance team.

“She’s worked very hard this year and actually done it, which I knew she would because, she has it in her.”

STARTING this summer, electric vehicle (EV) drivers could receive up to a 75% discount on toll roads, including the M50.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross said: “I was delighted to secure funding as part of Budget 2018 to put in place this new tolling incentive for EV’s.

“This will bring additional savings to EV drivers giving them significant reductions off the price of their toll journey. We hope that for some, this prospect may be enough to tip the balance in favour of buying an EV.” The first 50,000 EVs to be equipped with an electronic toll tag will receive discounted tolls until 2022.

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with the tag will receive a 50% toll discount and plug-in hybrid vehicles

(PHEVs) with the tag will receive a 25% toll discount.

Drivers of both types of vehicles will also receive additional discounts on the M50 during off-peak hours, culminating in up to 75% off.

The new EV toll tags are expected to be available from the existing toll tag providers and will function similarly to existing toll tags, applying the discount automatically.

Minster Ross said: “this is just the latest of a series of Government measures that are in place to stimulate the uptake of ultra-low emitting vehicles in Ireland—there has never been a more attractive time to buy an EV.” Drivers purchasing EVs can also qualify for a grant of up to €5,000 from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and VRT relief in addition to qualifying for the lowest band of road tax.

Celebrating the first anniversary of the Ballinteer Men’s Shed

BALLINTEER Men’s Shed are celebrating their oneyear anniversary.

They held an open day at Dundrum FC Clubhouse in Meadowbrook recently to celebrate their achievements over the last 12 months.

There was plenty of tea, coffee, biscuits and chats on offer, and local politicians including Minister Shane Ross and Catherine Martin TD were in attendance.

Photo collages from all the group’s activities and days out were on show, as well as a 10-minute video that gave the packed room a real insight of what a local men’s shed means to its members.

Speaking at the event in Ballinteer, founder and

secretary Sean Mc Loughlin said: “I am very grateful to Dundrum FC for allowing us the use of their clubhouse.

“The lads at the club have been nothing but supportive of the Ballinteer Men’s Shed over the past 12 months, only for them we may not sitting here one year later.

“It has been a joy to meet men of different backgrounds and personalities since establishing the Ballinteer Men’s Shed in April 2017 and watching the friendships that have developed since.”

It is open to all men, regardless of age, ability or background.

If you have any queries, contact Sean Mc Loughlin on 086 353 7654.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 26 April 2018

PRIVATE SCHOOL WESLEY COLLEGE THREATENED LEGAL ACTION BEFORE AWARD OF €150,000

Government is slammed for underinvestment in schools that are in need REBECCA RYAN

THE Government has been slammed for underinvestment in schools that are in need.

St Tiernan’s Community School in Balally has been asking for a PE hall for nearly 40 years.

Their planning applications to build an indoor

sports facility have been refused, with the last application turned down by the roads department.

The co-educational school also applied to be part of a pilot project of 80 schools to take on PE as a Leaving Certificate subject from next year, but was turned down, partly due to its lack of facilities.

Principal Declan Hughes said they have been campaigning for a PE Hall “since its establishment in 1980”.

Principal Hughes said that it is having a negative impact on the students.

“Our students can’t help but feel neglected in terms of PE facilities. This is exacerbated by the facilities they see provided to students of competing schools.”

Chair of St Tiernan’s Board of Management, Cllr Lettie Mc Carthy said their patience is wearing thin on the matter.

“We desperately need a PE Hall. There is an onus on the Department of Education to ensure every school in Ireland has suitable facilities for the benefit of their students.”

Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin, who worked at St Tiernan’s Community School for 16 years prior to becoming a TD, said it is very frustrating and disheartening for

the staff and students.

She said: “Teachers and pupils in schools like St Tiernan’s feel demoralised and rightfully draw the conclusion that at best they are not getting a fair chance, and at worst they

“

run the course.”

Sinn Fein councillor for Glencullen/Sandyford, Chris Curran, has criticised local politicians who celebrated local private fee-paying school Wesley College been given a sports

It is astonishing that a private, fee-paying school could receive this amount of taxpayers’ money

are being neglected by a Government that appears not to care.

“The overarching priority for this or any other government should be to support our most disadvantaged schools and vulnerable students as education is key to striving to achieve equality of opportunity.

“With the roll-out of the new PE curriculum at Leaving Cert level, it is of immediate importance that schools like St Tiernan’s are fully equipped to

grant of €150,000.

Cllr Curran said: “It is astonishing that a private, fee-paying school could receive this amount of taxpayers’ money while the local community school, just a matter of yards away from Wesley College has not been able to secure funding for an indoor sports hall for nearly 40 years.

“The Sports Capital Grant, under which the €150,000 was awarded to Wesley College, is administered by the Sports

Grange apartments go on sale with €135m price tag A TOTAL of 274 apartments in Stillorgan have just gone on the market for €135 million. Hailed as Dublin’s biggest single residential development in years, ‘The Grange’ is across a four-acre site. With 274 of the 507 fully finished apartments across nine blocks, ranging from five to nine storeys, it has been put on the market by joint agents Cushman & Wakefield and Knight Frank.

The Grange is a landmark development in a prime South Dublin location, within 8 km of Dublin City Centre.

The location off the Stillorgan Road/ N11, it is on a bus corridor to the city centre, close to the Luas line at Sandyford, is within walking distance of Stillorgan Village and is within easy reach of Dundrum Town Centre, Blackrock Village and Foxrock and Donny-

brook Villages.

The development is also near a wealth of prestigious companies, such as Vodafone, Merrill Lynch, Airtricity, Merck, NTR and Microsoft.

The site also has the potential for an additional 263 plus units, subject to planning permission.

The apartments at The Grange range from one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with many of the balconies overlooking the Dublin mountains and Dublin Bay. It is expected to draw huge interest from local and international investors due to the attractive rents in the area.

One-bed apartments have been renting from around €1,400 per month, two-beds from €1,600, and three-beds from €2,220.

Shane Ross was blasted for congratulating Wesley College who received €150,000 in funding

Department under our own locally elected TD, Minister Shane Ross who said publicly that he was delighted to confirm this grant but has yet to comment on the issue of the sports hall for St Tiernan’s.

“We even had the spectacle of local Fine Gael Senator Neale Richmond publicly claiming credit for helping to secure the Wesley College grant, but again no mention of St Tiernan’s.

“This has gone on for way too long. All local politicians must get behind that campaign.”

In reaction to Cllr Curran’s comments, Senator Neale Richmond said: “I note Cllr Curran’s comments and commend his enthusiasm for increased sports facilities in our area, something I have dedicated myself to for the past nine years as a public representative including three years as a member of the board of management of St Tiernan’s Community School.

“The application from YMCA HC and Wesley College was for a Sports Capital Grant from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to assist in building sports facilities in Ballinteer, while St Tiernan’s are seeking capital

funding from the Department of Education and Skills.

“These are two separate funding streams from two different Departments. It is not about pitting one school against the other, it is about trying to deliver for everyone in our area.

“I will continue to support St Tiernan’s in their efforts to construct a PE Hall which I hope will occur along with the construction of Ballinteer Educate Together National School as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, it has also been reported that Wesley College threatened the state with legal action after being refused the grant.

According to information obtained under a freedom of information request by the Sunday Business Post, the Ballinteer school were furious after a grant of €150,000 was denied on grounds that it is privately owned, and following an appeal, the college was successful in overturning the decision for funding.

Dublin Gazette contacted Minister Shane Ross and Wesley College for a comment but did not receive a reply before going to press.

26 April 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

RETAIL: IT’S UNKNOWN IF HAMLEYS WILL BE OPENING ANY NEW IRISH STORES

Hamleys to shut down its Dundrum toy store JORDAN UPSHAW

THE popular toy store Hamleys in the Pembroke District at Dundrum Town Centre will be permanently closing its doors.

Hamleys of London (which calls itself The Finest Toy Shop in the World) is 258 years old.

It was founded by Cornishman William Hamley in 1760; the Dundrum location was opened 10 years ago, in 2008.

The company is now a global one, with 132 stores located in 21 different countries. However the Dundrum store is the only Hamleys location in all of Ireland. Once it closes, patrons will have to travel to the UK or order online to get their hands on Hamleys toys.

The company said in a statement about the closure: “As a

business, we are continually reviewing our stores, formats and locations across our international network which now extends to over 20 countries.

“With a strategic focus on continuing to grow our business profitably, we have concluded that Dundrum is sadly no longer a viable part of our operation.”

Bad news for Dublin fans of Hamleys but fortunately the entire company won’t be going out of business. Hamleys itself isn’t going away, just the Dundrum store. This year Hamleys has plans to open more than 25 brand new stores across the globe in places such as Luton Airport in the UK, Santown City in Johannesburg, Mumbai Airport in India, as well as a few new shops in Mexico.

Currently, it is unknown if Hamleys will be opening any new stores in Ireland.

The CEO of Hamleys, Ralph Cunningham, said of the decision: “We are clearly very disappointed to be closing our toy shop in Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin and would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for supporting us in this great city since opening in 2008.”

The closing process is ongoing. It began a couple of weeks ago and Hamleys expects the final day of trading will likely be on Monday, May 7, 2018.

The company has said that they are endeavouring to find alternative roles for Dundrum employees affected by this closure.

“There will be 25 [employ-

ees] – a mix of part time and full time and we plan to use our connections to help place these people.”

Currently there is a closing

down sale on limited stock of between 50% and 70%. Hurry in to Hamleys in Dundrum before May 7 to take advantage of the sale.

Hamleys was opened about 10 years ago, in 2008

MONKSTOWN

Water main recently replaced A 140-YEAR-OLD water main was recently replaced on Monkstown Road.

Irish Water Capital Programme Lead Ivan Corcoran said: “It is vital that this ageing water main was replaced.

The water main dates back to approximately 1870, and customers in the area have been impacted by frequent water outages.

“The new water main has secured the water supply for customers and provided them with a reliable water service.”

A partnership between Irish Water and Dun Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council led to the replacement of 785 metres of old cast iron water mains with modern high density polyethylene plastic water mains.

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 26 April 2018

GALLERIES

Rebecca Beggins, Aiden Herlihy, Aoife Power and Aoife Brady. Pictures: R. Comiskey

Great support for Crokes fundraiser T

here was a great turnout last week when Kilmacud Crokes held a fundraiser for Brain Tumor Ireland and the Camogie Section of the Club. The event was held in the Glenalbyn Function Room at the club.

Rebecca Beggins, Aiden Herlihy, Aoife Power and Aoife Brady. Pictures: Rose Comiskey

Maria O’Hurley and Patricia Craig

Maeve Gallagher, Emer O’Rafferty and Charlotte O’Farrell

Aisling Whitely, Affraic McLoughlin and Aine Gilhealy

David and Anne Campbell with Shane Cunningham

26 April 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 26 April 2018

FASTNews

Yuxuan Chen, from Sancta Maria College, Ballyroan.

She is pictured with her sister Yuting (15), mother Joyce and her father. Picture: Mac Innes Photography

Southside children shine in art contest NINETEEN southside children were winners in the 64th Texaco Children’s Art Competition.

In the 12–13 years age category, Yuxuan Chen (13) won first prize (€350) for her self portrait. Her sister Yuting (15) won a Special Merit Award for hers.

Ava Henson (12) won third prize (€200) for her work, ‘Bursting With Excitement’. Ava previously won first prize 3 times! Once in the 7–8 years age category and twice in the 9–11 years age category.

Prizes will be presented at an awards ceremony in Dublin next month.

Fire station hosting an open day for charity A RATHFARNHAM fire station is hosting an open day to support Suicide or Survive (SOS).

The Nutgrove Fire Station’s open day will be 1–4pm, Saturday April 28 and will include family fun activities like face painting, balloon modelling and a DJ. There will also be refreshments including tea, coffee and cake.

Suicide or Survive works to cultivate good mental health and reduce stigma within communities to reduce death by suicide.

More information about their programmes can be found online at www.suicideorsurvive.ie.

HOUSING: 1,563 NEW HOMES DELIVERED OVER NEXT 3 YEARS

Mixed reaction to announcement of new social homes REBECCA RYAN

THERE has been some mixed reaction to the announcement that 1,563 new social homes will be delivered in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council over the next three years.

Two ministers have welcomed the announcement, while a local TD has slammed news saying that not enough is being done to meet the demand. Fine Gael Minister Josepha Madigan said the area will benefit from the social housing delivery targets for local authorities for 2018-2021.

Minister Madigan said: “In 2017 we saw 466 social housing solutions delivered here in the area. This includes 187 delivered through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Schemes (RAS) and 279 houses built, acquired and leased by the local authority.

“In the latter part of 2017, Minister [Eoghan] Murphy secured significant additional funding to increase the overall level of ambition under Rebuilding Ireland in the period to 2021, and also signalled a rebalancing of the strands of delivery towards construction projects.”

She added that overall, the Government has now committed to

“€6 billion to support the accelerated delivery of 50,000 additional social housing homes by end 2021, through build (33,500), acquisition (6,500) and leasing (10,000) programmes.”

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy also welcomed the news and said the building of new social homes by local authorities and approved housing bodies is “ramp-

to the absolutely dire need out there”.

He said: “The target probably won’t even keep pace with the additional demand that will come on between now and 2021.

“There’s a very strong reliance on the HAP and the RAS.” Deputy Barrett said he’s dealing with a “flood of cases” of people who are in HAP or RAS tenancies

ing up dramatically”.

However, there has been some criticism that the targets are significantly lower than current social housing waiting lists.

For instance, in Dun LaoghaireRathdown, there are 4,749 on the housing waiting list but just 183 social houses will be built in the area in 2018, with a further 327 provided through a mix of leasing, acquisitions, and private rental accommodation.

The council are also currently undertaking the Social Housing Assessment for 2018.

People Before Profit’s Richard Boyd Barrett TD for Dun Laoghaire told Dublin Gazette the target is “hopelessly inadequate compared

who are being evicted.

“HAPS and RAS landlords are pulling out of the arrangements with the council, evicting tenants and forcing them into homelessness as we speak.”

“HAPS is not social housing.

It’s not secure and it’s often a gateway to homelessness. Reliance of HAPS and the private sector is a disaster.”

Deputy Boyd Barrett is calling on the government to produce better targets.

He said: “We should have an emergency programme of direct council housing construction on council land.

“The target must be at least as big as the demand. If we’ve nearly

“

HAPS is not social housing.

It’s not secure and it’s often a gateway to homelessness

5,000 people on the list, then the target has to be 5,000 minimum.

“If the target doesn’t meet the demand, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work out that the crisis is going to continue.”

Deputy Barrett also reiterated his call for robust action to prevent vulture funds from sitting on empty properties.

“There is a huge amount of empty properties. Vulture funds are sitting on [them]. I know of two cases: Robin Hill apartments has 27 empty units, and there’s also St Helen’s Court in Dun Laoghaire.

“There’s also land hoarding going on by developers who bought land from NAMA who are sitting on the land waiting for the property prices to go up.”

When Dublin Gazette asked will the 1,563 houses for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown be enough, Minister Madigan said: “The building of new social housing homes

by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown council, local authorities across the country and approved housing bodies is ramping up dramatically.

“These numbers don’t include new builds under Part V, voids, acquisitions or long-term leases so the actual stock of new social housing coming on stream is even greater than this.”

Will you come running to help Jack & Jill’s sick kids?

IF YOU are thinking of running, jogging or walking this year’s VHI Women’s M i n i M a ra thon on June 3, the Jack and Jill’s Children’s Fo u n d a t i o n is looking for people to help raise muchneeded funds.

Funds raised will go towards providing home nursing care to profoundly sick and fragile children in every corner of Ireland.

For further information, register at www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie.

You can get a fundraising pack which includes a sponsorship card, Jack & Jill t-shirt and protein power bar by phoning 045 894 538, or email edelle@

jackandjill.ie.

By joining the Jack & Jill team, you will also be automatically entered into a competition to win a two-night stay for two in the Manor West Hotel in Tralee, including dinner for two on one evening, courtesy of Select Hotels of Ireland.

26 April 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 26 April 2018

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Maeve McLoughlin

The minister cycles with Club members Rory McEvoy and Joanne Mulligan. Picture: R Comisky

Wheelie good turn out to Cycle A Mile

M

inister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross was on hand to pitch in with the students of Balinteer Community School for their #cycleamile fundraiser in aid of Dundrum Arch Club.

There was a great buzz as volunteers took their turn on the exercise bikes to cycle the equivalent of a mile.

The event was set up by Orwell Wheelers Cylcling Club and over €1,000 was raised on the day.

Minister Ross with Club members

Pro’s Get In Shape For Awards

Ciara McNeill talks with Minister Shane Ross

O

ver 300 health and fitness professionals, attended the gala luncheon in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin on Friday, April 20. With almost 400 entries for its first year, the inaugural Health & Fitness Awards recognise outstanding contributions and innovation from Ireland’s top health and fitness professionals, facilities and community engagement initiatives. The event was hosted by Vogue Williams.

Picture: Paul Sherwood Cathy Sohan

David Pollock

Emma Buckley

26 April 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

Robert Prole with Mary and Albert White. Picture: Rose Comiskey

Stillorgan Players are Out Of Order

D

irected by Dick White and Edwina Scanlon, ‘Out Of Order’ takes place in Suite 648 of the Westminster Hotel where Tory Minister Richard Willey played by Gus Nichols is about to embark on a night of passion with the Labour Leader’s typist, Jane Worthington played by Birgitta Morton.

Naturally, things don’t run as smoothly as Mr Willey anticipates and their secret liaison is drastically hindered by the discovery of a dead body played by Robert Lambert, trapped in the hotel’s only unreliable sash window.

The play opened to a great reception at The Parish Centre, Stillorgan last Thursday, April 19.

Fiona Fagan and Audrey Clarke

Sisters Jessica and Nicole Holland

Cast members Simon Grier, Birgitta Morton and Gus Nicholls

Zoe and Gwendoline Baker

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 26 April 2018

LOVE YOUR DUBLIN: THE BREAKDOWN OF THE BEST HANG OUTS AND HISTORICAL GEMS

MOUNTJOY PARK LOOKING BLOOMING GREAT

THE LITERARY PARADE & SENSE OF HISTORY AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT SOME OF THE CITY’S BEST PARKS

H

IDDEN just off the beaten path in the Liberties, St Patrick’s Park surrounds the historic St Patrick’s Cathedral on the south side of the city. It’s a sun trap in the slightly warmer months, with flowers and trees adorning the surrounds of one of the city’s bestkept springtime secrets.

Developed by Lord Iveagh under the St. Patrick’s Park Act of 1897, work was completed by July, 1904. Dublin City Corporation – now known as Dublin City Council – took ownership of the park from Lord Iveagh in the 1920s.

The park also features a ‘literary’ parade and several sculptures, celebrating various aspects of Ireland’s life and history.

The Literary parade is decorated with flowers, and a peep through the beautifully sculpted grills will show you things celebrating the life and works of such luminaries as Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Jonathan Swift, who was the dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral.

MOUNTJOY SQUARE

BLESSINGTON STREET PARK

HERBERT PARK

LOCATION: Dublin 1 BEST FEATURE: The quiet solace

LOCATION: Dublin 7 BEST FEATURE: Scenic views of the water feature

LOCATION: Ballsbridge BEST FEATURE: Wildlife

LOCATED right in the centre of Mountjoy Square – at one time known as ‘Dublin’s premiere Georgian area’ – this northside park was originally developed around the 1800s

by Lord Mountjoy. One of the smaller Georgian squares in the city, it’s a much-loved amenity by locals and tourists alike.

It’s known by Dublin locals as a small respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, being a small bit quieter than its southside counterparts. A big enough green space, it’s a lovely spot to take in a lunchtime stroll from work, or even a picnic al-fresco on the weekends – weather permitting, of course.

There’s a large p lay area in the park for children to play on, equipped with a climbing frame, slide and a few swings. Mountjoy Square is also equipped with a basketball court for those who play, and multiple fields for a kickabout if that’s more your style.

SET between the city centre and Phibsboro, Blessington Street Park is the definition of a hidden gem. Also known as ‘The Basin’, the main feature of the park is a massive lake, dotted with small islands blossoming with greenery.

Originally build in 1811, the water in The Basin came from Lough Owel in Westmeath through the Royal Canal.

The water in the Basin was used almost exclusively to supply the Jameson Whiskey Distillery and the Powers Whiskey Distillery from the 1860s until the 1970s. It was refurbished in 1994.

Naturally, it’s home to a number of birds and ducks. It’s an easy stroll from O’Connell Street, located near student accommodation in a developing, bustling area of the city. Some new play areas add to the park’s attractiveness to citizens of all ages.

OVER IN the heart of Ballsbridge lies Herbert Park, one of the city’s best-loved green spaces. Its 32 acres house a number of lakes and sporting amenities and it was recently developed to include an all-weather pitch and a new playground.

The park is named after Sidney Herbert, the father of the Earl of Pembroke, who gave the site to Pembroke Urban District Council in 1903 to use as a park. It was developed into a public park in 1907, finally opening its doors to the public in 1911.

Considered relatively small by Phoenix and Marlay Park standards, Herbert Park is neverthless a small space with a lot of personality. Football pitches, tennis, boules and croquet courts are all actively used in the park. Some particularly vibrant graffiti has appeared on the outskirts of the park, and can be seen while passing the park.

26 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 26 April 2018

PENSIONS

OUR GREAT GUIDE ON PENSIONS

INSIDE...

P15 Retirement research P16 Facing ‘complex’ rules P17 Keep/transfer scheme P18 Vox Pension Pops

CITIZENS’ THOUGHTS

Why not learn what the ‘Vox Pensioni’ think?

PENSIONS may not exactly be a hot topic for most of us – but Dublin Gazette soon learned that, once we put Dubs and citizens on the spot for some vox pops, many of you shared the same concerns and outlooks about the little-discussed but oh-soimportant money matter.

Our reporters picked people at random on the streets of Dublin to hear what you think about pensions – and our vox pops included in this special pensions supplement saw many of the same answers and thoughts coming up time and time again.

From worries about the future (or a more relaxed outlook from those who’ve started saving) to more general concerns, take the time to read about what many of us think about pensions – and start thinking about what you plan to do about your pension...

Planning for the Best years of our Lives Everything you wanted to know about pensions, but didn’t know who to ask THIS supplement emphasises the importance of planning for your retirement as early as possible. You will read about the importance of getting a pension that will provide you with a comfortable living.

We also provide information about the benefits and peace of mind that a good pension scheme gives you and your family after you retire from work.

Talking to Dublin Gazette in our extensive vox pops (see panel, left, and scattered

across these supplement pages), the results were quite startling, with many citizens clearly unaware of how to go about getting a pension that would provide financial security for themselves after retirement, or for their families.

The reality is that you need to start saving young (ideally in your 20s or 30s) and to save at least 10% of your income each year.

If you start saving late (in your 40s and 50s), you’ll have to save a large portion of

your income – as much as 50% a year.

With the pressures of modern day living and the financial burden of rearing young families, many people are unwilling to make the commitment and lifestyle changes they would need to make, in order to save enough to afford a comfortable retirement.

This feature provides some very valuable information about the benefits of having a good pension and how to secure one that suits your requirements.

26 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

PLANNING FOR THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES

Congratulations on retiring – so what’s next?

RESEARCH conducted by the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland shows that half of us who haven’t planned for retirement feel anxious about the impending change to our lifestyle, finances and family life.

According to Derek Bell, chief operations officer of the Retirement Planning Council, how we prepare for retirement greatly affects our experience of it.

Here he outlines how to best plan for the next stage of our lives ...

Graduate into retirement If you can, consider gradually exiting the workforce rather than a sudden departure.

Consider dropping to a three-day week, or mornings only.

Ideally, we recommend that employees start reducing their work sched-

ule up to a year in advance of retirement to start acclimatising to their new routine.

Consider when to retire In Ireland, the weather plays a huge part in our lifestyles. If you retire in spring or summer, the weather is better and the evenings longer – a more pleasant time to be off work and be out and active.

Those who retire at this time of the year tend to transition more easily than those who do so in autumn or winter.

Establish your identity Ask yourself who you are, outside of your work life and personality. Make a list of all the other aspects of your identity – husband, grandfather or wife, grandmother, musician, tennis player, art enthusi-

Retirement is time to reconnect with who you are as a person outside ‘just’ your work identity

ast. Where does your work identity come on that list?

Those who start with their work identity and struggle to identify other identities can find it difficult to transition into life without work.

This can also seriously impact partners.

Tap back into old hobbies Your average work and commute time can add up to over 50 hours a week.

Re-visit old hobbies to help fill up that big space once you’ve retired. Consider summer, winter, team, individual, physical, mental, old and new hobbies.

Be wary of developing bad habits With no work to get up for in the morning, it’s easy to lie in bed, have that extra glass of wine or two in the evenings, or graze on food during the day.

Ask yourself if you would be doing this if you had work tomorrow. If not, think twice.

Plan your new routine Set as much into routine as is possible. What time will you wake up, what time of day you will go for a walk, visit friends, engage in activities etc.

Structure will help you settle in to your new daily routine. Plan chunks of time, not every minute of every hour.

Plan your finances Our research shows that 65% of people feel financ-

es are their greatest concern when approaching retirement. Having completed our course, this percentage dropped to 25%!

Give your finances some attention now. What will your new income be?

Check your benefits and entitlements.

Set aside a budget for any new activities, travel or socialising that will be new expenses.

Check your legal affairs Make sure you have made a will and consider setting up Power of Attorney or an Enduring Power of Attorney in case a health situation may arise in which you may not be capable of managing your affairs.

Planning properly with a reputable solicitor can help minimise expenses and complications further

down the road.

Enjoy your new life Some 80% of our social contacts come from workbased contacts. Invest time in meeting new people through activities, community organisations or volunteering.

Now is the time to indulge in hobbies and passions and approach this new stage with enthusiasm and confidence.

DEREK Bell is COO of the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland. To find out more about retirement planning and the courses available, see www.rpc.ie.

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 26 April 2018

PENSIONS

Whether male or female, make time to start your pension now AS PEOPLE develop through their lifetime they have an expectation that a time will come when they will be able to retire.

For some people, the State pension is sufficient to provide a basic level of income. Others may have an opportunity to accumulate wealth without pension schemes – perhaps through their business ventures or other assets.

But most people will want to supplement what they have with some form of pension scheme. Many employers also take the view that, while their employees are working, they should be building up an entitlement to a pension when they retire.

Pension arrangements have several advantages: • When people come to retire they will experience a reduction in income – a pension makes up for some of this loss of income in retirement; • Pension schemes can

provide protection in the form of lump sums and pensions to dependents in the event of a member’s death; • In order to encourage pension schemes, the State provides tax relief on contributions made to pension schemes and the growth in their investments.

Saving for retirement is extremely important. People are living longer and leading more active lives in retirement.

As a result, it is more important than ever for you to think about where your income will come from when you retire.

Pension saving is one of the few areas where you can still get tax relief.

About half of the people working in Ireland are members of pension arrangements.

The State pension is intended to ensure that everyone receives a basic standard of living in retire-

SHARON FLANAGAN, 32 DO YOU have a pension?

No. It’s definitely something that I need to set up! Some people start thinking about it in their 20s, but I think I’m a bit late to the party!

Do you think there’s enough information on pensions out there?

No. They’re not really advertised a lot; I wouldn’t have a clue where to

JAMES AARON DOYLE DO YOU have a pension?

I don’t have a pension, I should set one up. I’ve had it suggested to me many times. I guess I don’t have enough information on it really, to be honest.

Would you like to learn more about pensions?

I would. Going out and finding out about it yourself when you don’t know anything about it, can be really confusing.

I would probably turn

ment. For example, the full State Pension (Contributory) currently is €243.30 per week, or approximately €12,000 per annum.

When planning for retirement you will need to decide whether this is enough to live on in retirement, and if not, where your additional retirement income will come from.

Few people realise that having the required level of income in retirement requires a substantial level of pension savings.

Example If you were to buy a pension from an insurance company at retirement of €10,000 per annum, you could need a pension fund of €200,000 or more.

To avoid having to put aside large amounts, it is better to join a pension scheme and start saving as soon as you can.

Although men and women are treated equally

look for one.

Is there any family member you could talk to about a pension?

Probably my dad; I know that he has a pension.

to a family member [for more information].

Would any of your family members have a pension?

As far as I’m aware, my dad did, but he passed away when I was young. I don’t even think my mother has one now, [but] she’s on the widow’s pension.

As far as I’m aware, the only ones that have pensions in the family are my sisters Elaine and Sharon.

Do you think it is easy to get information on pensions?

I haven’t looked into

it too much, but from what I’ve gathered, no.

I could walk into a bank today, and they could probably give me a load of spiel about it, and I wouldn’t understand it.

But at the same time, I’m always open to going in and asking about it. I just haven’t really thought about it.

in relation to pension provision, there are a number of areas, such as maternity leave, part-time working and breaks in employment that are of particular interest to women.

Some women are homemakers and rely on benefits available from their spouse/partner’s pension scheme. Also, women generally live longer than men and so are more likely to need their pension to last longer.

These factors mean that women can be more vulnerable in relation to retirement.

Ultimately, the earlier a pension plan is started, the more time the fund has to accumulate and the better off you will be.

It is even more important now to provide for your retirement, considering that the age from which the State Pension becomes payable is increasing over the next few years.

RUTH MCCOY, 34 DO YOU have a pension?

I actually don’t, no. I think when you get to your 30s it kind of hits you that you need to.

I suppose it depends on the jobs or career that you’re in as well, if you see it as a long-term profession, like teaching or nursing.

Do you think there’s enough information on pensions out there?

Not really, no. Maybe I haven’t looked hard enough!

Would you go to family members for pensions advice?

DON KIERNAN, 46 DO YOU have a pension?

I do. I have a couple of pensions. I work in RSA; I’ve had various pensions over the years, through the English side of the company, and then the Irish side of the company, and now we’re on a defined contribution through Irish Life.

Do you find you’re less worried about the future because you have a pension?

I think I do, because they project that I have enough to do me.

Where did you get pension advice?

The rules can be complex, but they’re set up to help you PERSONAL pensions mean pensions that are organised individually by self-employed people or employed people who do not have an occupational pension scheme.

The rules governing personal pensions have changed very considerably in recent years.

Personal pensions are not subject to the regulation of the Pensions Authority. Instead, personal pensions are subject to tax law and financial services legislation (including the general law on insurance).

Tax relief is available for contributions to personal pensions and the amount of the relief is age-related.

Most personal pensions policies are insurance policies. Unlike other insurance policies, the contributions

Yes, my sister – w h o ’s a teacher – would b e g re a t for advice.

She’s only a few years older than me, [but] she has a pension, so she’d be a good person to go to for advice.

But maybe the Government or a State agency should have a campaign to make people more aware of the importance of getting your pension sorted.

Through work. Initially it was included in my salary – not that you were forced into it, but it fell into your lap, so you didn’t have to think about it.

Do you think, in general, there’s enough information out there for people?

I think people probably need a push. I know lots of people who don’t have pensions because they never actually sat down and said, ‘Do you know what, I need to do [this]’.

It’s a lot of money – you’re talking 400 quid a month. If you’ve 400 quid in your back pocket that’s not somewhere

attract tax relief if various conditions are met.

The traditional personal pension arrangement was that you invested your money – usually on an annual basis – with an insurance company.

The premiums you paid were then invested by the insurance company in an investment fund. You could not remove your funds and invest them with another company. When you reached the age specified in the policy, you were obliged to use your accumulated funds to buy an annuity.

Since 1999, you are no longer

else, and you need it, [then] you hold onto it.

Would you have any advice for anyone who doesn’t have a pension?

I would advise people to start, even if they start small. Because once it’s there, and as you get older, and maybe your salary increases a bit, you can up it. But I would say, just start.

obliged to buy an annuity and you also have considerable flexibility about moving between different funds.

Note that you may get tax relief on contributions to approved personal pension arrangements. This relief is more generous as you get older.

Since January 1 2011, you pay PRSI and the Universal Social Charge on your pension contributions.

26 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

PLANNING FOR THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES

A new job doesn’t necessarily mean moving over to a new pension scheme WITH the economy now improving, many employees are moving their services to new employers. When an employee moves employment, they have a number of choices in relation to their pension plan: • They can leave the monies with the former employer; • They can transfer the monies to their new employer pension scheme, if they have one; and • They can transfer the funds into a Personal Retirement Bond.

Some believe they should simply transfer their benefits to the new employer scheme – so they can keep things ‘nice and neat’.

However, there may be some good reasons to retain your funds with the former employer – the charging structure

might be very attractive, or the scheme may have access to a wider range of funds.

In the case of premature death, the deferred benefits will be paid to your estate as a taxfree lump sum.

If your first instinct is to move the monies to the new employer scheme – tread carefully.

The new employer may offer a ‘lower charge’ pension scheme and while it may be nice to keep all your pension pots in one place, there are a number of considerable drawbacks to this approach.

Locking in your pension monies If you enjoy working for your new employer and you don’t anticipate retiring until 65 (or later) – if this is you, then you have effectively tied up your for-

continue to work.

Having Less Control over how your monies are invested If you invest your monies into your new employer scheme, they may have more limited fund choices and you may have less choices in relation to how your monies might continue to be invested.

A transfer to a Personal Retirement Bond allows you to take full control over how the monies are invested.

mer pension scheme such that you can’t access these monies until you retire from your current employer.

However, if you had trans-

ferred your former employer funds into a Personal Retirement Bond, you would retain full access to these monies from as early as age 50 – even if you

Don’t let any ageism clip your wings as a travelling pensioner IT SEEMS that once we reach the ripe old age of 66, we just fall off a cliff and become invisible. However, today’s pensioners are far removed from those of 50 years ago.

People are now living much longer and are much more conscious of their health. Many have ‘bucket wish’ lists that need to be filled, with people saying that they’re so busy now that they don’t know where they got the time to go to work in the first place.

A couple of weeks ago, Pricewatch attended a Senior Times expo. The event was dedicated to things of interest to an older audience.

One of the things that came up more than once was the difficulty that many older people have in getting travel insurance.

The refrain that was heard repeatedly was that people are now living longer and staying healthy for longer; and just

because they hit a certain arbitrary age, they don’t feel their horizons should be shortened by outside forces – but too often they are, with ageism rife in the travel insurance business.

Someone who tries to get travel insurance at 66 can often pay twice as much as someone aged 65, even though there is no difference in the level of risk the two people pose to companies!

However, there are companies that make it their business to offer travel insurance to older people.

There is oktotravelinsurance.ie and goodtogoinsurance.eu, which you will probably never have heard of, and the AA, which many will have heard of, while VHI covers most of the travelling public in Ireland aged 70 to 80.

Age Action Ireland has a comprehensive list of companies that insure older people, although it does make it clear that it

does not endorse any of the companies, and – as with most things – it is

very important that you do your homework before you agree to anything.

Payment of your pension benefits on premature death before retirement This issue is often overlooked and it is a KEY decision for NOT transferring your monies into your new employer scheme.

Under current legislation, if you die in service (death in ser-

vice), the pension scheme can pay a lump sum not exceeding the greater of €6,350, or four times the deceased employee’s final remuneration may be provided.

In many instances where an employee dies and where the pension fund value exceeds four times their salary on death, the payment of a lump sum is limited to four times their final salary.

If the employee transfers his former employment benefits into a Personal Retirement Bond, the full value of the Personal Retirement Bond can be paid as a tax-free lump sum on premature death.

For further information on this type of cover, contact Full Circle Financial Services Limited at 01 253 0060, or see www. fcfinancial.ie.

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 26 April 2018

PENSIONS BRIAN RYAN, 43 DO YOU have a pension?

No. But I suppose I would like to have a pension.

Would you worry about not having a pension?

I suppose I would, but I’m living life in reverse – I only started going back to studying late in life, so I’m doing it all kind of backwards.

Did you put any money aside when you were younger?

No, I spent it! I do save at the moment, but I suppose at some point I’ll probably consider a pension, I just have to wait until there’s more money coming in.

Do you have a family member you could ask for advice about a pension?

My wife – she has a pension. I’ve no idea [what kind of pension it is], but it’s through the bank.

A message on pensions you should heed

TOMMY D’ARCY, 55 DO YOU have a pension?

I do. I had a couple of companies, so I had a pension through my own business. But then I lost it, so I also now have a pension through my work, so I have a couple of different types.

When did you first take out your pension?

When I was 21. I didn’t know what I was doing at the time! But I really didn’t get into them until I started the business, which was in my 30s.

Then I understood the concept a lot better.

Did you find you were more clued up about pensions because you ran your own business?

Totally. I could put money into a pension which was tax-efficient as well, so it made it a bit easier.

Do you think it is

EDDIE HEALY, 32 DO YOU have a pension?

No, [but] I would like to get a pension.

Do you think there’s enough information out there about pensions?

I don’t think there’s enough information out there at all. There’s a lot of things I don’t understand when they start trying to describe a pension to me.

You were saying your employer is looking into getting a pension for you?

As I believe, it’s mandatory for an employer to offer you a pension, so I’ve said it to him and he’s trying to go down that road of offering a pension to me.

Do you have a family member you could ask for advice about a pension?

I haven’t gone to any family member. It’s not a very talked about subject.

Do you worry about money for when you retire?

Yes, in my trade [refrigeration], I think I’ll be finished at about 60, so [I do worry].

CATHAL LYNCH, 40

easy to get information on pensions?

No. People have to go and look for it; there’s nobody telling them.

[There’s] salesmanship too, there’s a lot of commission involved in that business, which is not telling the facts.

What advice would you give to anyone who doesn’t have a pension?

Definitely take one out, because no matter how small the amount you put into it, it’s nice to know the comfort of having it for later in life.

It’s difficult in today’s society to do it, but definitely consider it, because it’s so worthwhile.

CHAP PARPALUTA, 31 DO YOU have a pension?

Yes, I do. It’s just a regular one from work. And I also have a private one back home in Romania, which I pay every year.

Do you find you’re less worried about the future because you have a pension?

Of course, because I look at my parents and I see their situation. They’re getting [about] €150 a month, which is nothing, it’s just to pay their bills.

Would you have any advice for anyone who doesn’t have a pension?

Make it a priority. It makes you more secure. When you get old, you don’t want to just stay in the house. You want to enjoy life.

IT USED to be the case for many of us that a pension was something that your mum or dad (probably) had, and that it was something we’d all think about “some other time”, most likely when we’re “a bit older”.

Not any more – changing demographics and much better awareness of taking care of ourselves means that, with luck, most of us will live long and healthy lives – and a secure financial future isn’t based on luck, but on proper planning.

With this in mind, it’s especially important that at any age – but especially if you’re young, and for those of us with families – we all plan on putting together a pension plan for that dim and distant day when we’ll need more than what the state may be able to provide. After all, that day’s rushing towards us all quicker than you’d think, and you’ll be glad indeed you’ve saved for a pension!

And, just in case you think Dublin Gazette is trying to scare you into being sensible, just take a look around at some of these thoughts and comments from these other vox pops. Ask yourself if you share the same thoughts, worries and concerns as the rest of these Dubliners and citizens who shared their thoughts on pensions with us. If so – and even if not – don’t delay, start planning your pension today!

LOUISE LEONARD AND DAUGHTER ROISIN DO YOU have a pension?

No, I don’t.

Is i t s o m e t h i n g you’ve thought about?

Yes, I have, but I think I’m getting to the stage now where I’m getting too old to start looking into it!

Do you worry about not having a pension?

I do. Because what am I going to live off? How am I going to pay my bills?

Do you think it is easy to get information on pensions?

R: It’s not really advertised; you have to actually search [for] them

DO YOU have a pension?

I do indeed. It’s a defined contribution pension; [I got it] pretty much as soon as I started working.

Where did you get pension advice?

From my parents.

They worked in the public sector, so they knew the importance of having a good pension.

I work in the private sector.

I think if [pension payments] comes out [of wages] from the start, you don’t miss it.

And when you get to 40, it’s actually nice to know you have something there.

Do you find you’re less worried about the future because you

have a pension?

Ah, I always worry about the future, but I’m less worried I suppose!.

Would you have any advice for anyone who doesn’t have a pension?

I think it’s probably better to start it sooner rather than later because we’re all living longer, and the State pension isn’t particularly generous.

So, if you want a pretty good quality of life after you retire, it’s best to plan for the future.

KATE ZYROMSKA, 36

yourself.

L: And then they use language that people don’t understand.

They’re throwing these big mad words out, where as if they just put it in plain English, [it would be easier].

Do you think chatting about it now with us, is getting you thinking about it?

Yeah, definitely. Myself and my husband have sort of talked about it, but it’s just laziness as well because pensions aren’t on your doorstep; they’re just not there for you, no one publicises them.

You don’t hear or see much about them, not unless you’re in a pensionable job, [such as] a state job.

DO YOU have a pension?

No. I would like to get one. I’m starting to worry, especially now, since I became a mam. Savings aren’t always enough, so it would be great if employees would introduce that to you.

Do you think there’s a lack of information out there?

Yes, I’m sure [most] people would have no idea when we should start thinking about it, so definitely there should be more information about it. If I was given an option 10 years ago I could have started.

Would you know where to look for one?

No! Maybe you can write an article about that!

26 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

HOME & STYLE SPRING ELEGANCE: TV’S

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Michelle Keegan launches a lovely, elegant line for Littlewoods Ireland

DUBLIN

WESTWORLD AIMS PEUGEOT IMPRESS WITH TO ENTERTAIN P25 EASE WITH THE 5008 P28 PAGE 27

MAGAZINE

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE NEWS AND EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY

THE GIFT OF GAZ | I JUST WANTED TO GET ME MESSAGES, NOT A MAUREEN RANT

Banking on a quick escape from an epic moan THE summer was nice there for the few days.

I made sure I got out and about in it because ye never know – that could be it for another year.

I had a grand few strolls round the place, but of course the only time someone stops you on the street is when it’s wet and horrible out and, sure enough, didn’t I bump into Davy’s wife, Maureen, on Tuesday afternoon.

If I’d just left it five minutes later to pop down and grab me mes-

sages, I’d have missed her, but I was gasping for a cup of tea and had no milk in the house. I knew from the look of thunder on her face that I wasn’t getting away from this encounter quickly.

She didn’t even say “Howya” before launching into it.

“The bowsies,” she roars at me. “The utter bleedin’ bowsies! Charlatans, that’s what they are! Never trust any of them. Be better off with me money in the mattress.”

“What’s wrong, Mau-

reen?” I says to her. to keep me strength up. or something?”

“Three hours I’m after What if I was a diabetic “Ah, Maureen, come being up in on now. You’re that bank,” not dire and If I’d just left it five she says. p a t h e t i c, ” I “Three feck- minutes later to pop down and s ays. I w a s i n ’ h o u r s ! grab me messages, I’d have only half lisC a n y o u missed Maureen tening, to be believe that, fair.

Gaz? “I said ‘dia“Three b e t i c ’ !” s h e hours and roars at me. they didn’t “ W h a t ’s offer any of diabetes got us a chair, a to do with the cup of tea – bank?” I says. nothing. Not Look, I’ll even an auld admit I was Hob Nob or probably consomething fusing the

“

situation more than it needed to be confused, but sure, I hadn’t had me cup of tea. I needed a sugar rush meself.

“Nothing, ye feckin’ eejit,” she says. “Other than the fact that I was up in the bloody bank for so long today, that’s all.”

“How come?” I says.

“The money has disappeared,” she says.

“Disappeared?” I asked her. “How has that happened?”

“I dunno how these things work,” she says.

“But it’s just disappeared. Some computer

error or something.

“It’s affected loads of people and they were all in there queuing to get emergency cash until it’s sorted.”

“And did you get sorted?” I says to her.

“I did, but it was an awful waste of a few hours,” she says. “Me day is gone, basically.”

I left her to it and then it dawned on me that I’d seen Davy eying up the Punchestown card the day before.

I hope it was the bank that made the money disappear ...

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 26 April 2018

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26 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

COMMUNITY

GALLERIES

Help to nominate the best of Dublin for a top 98FM award IT’S that time of year again – time for people across the city to help sing the praises of the businesses, groups and people that make Dublin so great, thanks to 98FM’s Best of Dublin Awards 2018.

Now in their fifth year, the awards shine a light on Dublin’s hidden gems, with 98FM on the lookout to find all the people and places that make Dublin great.

Nominations are now officially open until May 4, when five deserving nominees in each of the 16 diverse categories will be shortlisted.

Shortlisted nominees will be sent a promotional pack to encourage customers, family

and friends to vote for them, before the winners are announced at the 98FM’s Best of Dublin Awards on May 31 in Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin 8.

The 16 award categories cover all the best ser-

vices Dublin has to offer, including local legends, favourite food and drink venues – and even the best bus driver.

Last year, the awards received 18,733 nominations, with a staggering count of almost 800,000

votes undertaken to find and crown the winners.

Finalists last year included local heroes such as paramedic David Kelly who won the coveted Dublin Hero award, Marcus Richardson who won Best Taxi Driver, as well as high-profile Dubliners such as comedian Brendan O’Carroll, who won Best Dub. The dizzying range of ‘Bests’ includes Barber, Restaurant, Shop, Butch-

ers, Gym, Coffee, Breakfast, Dub, Taxi Driver, Sports Person, Local Sports Club, Restaurant, Salon, Takeaway and Bar. Those shortlisted for a Best of Dublin award can also be in with a chance to win €10,000 worth of advertising with 98FM for the Best Campaign, with businesses urged to get people voting for them by posting on social media, or displaying the nominee poster front of house, and engaging with the great 98FM search for the city’s best, well, everything!

Nominate your Best of Dublin favourites at www.98fm.com/bestofdublin, and stay tuned to 98FM for updates on the awards.

Megan Henehan and Emma Delaney

Benita Wrochna, Tiegan Harris, Tammy Wright and Yannaah Somers

Junk Kouture Grand Final

J

Student Benita Wrochna

Student Tina Geoghegan

UNK Kouture is a national contest which encourages young designers in second level education to create striking couture designs and impressive works of wearable art from everyday junk that would normally find its way into the bin.

The competition aims to inspire and ignite passion in these teenagers while at the same time subtly educating them about the importance of recycling and reusing waste.

The Grand Final took place in the 3 Arena on Friday, April 19 and there were a host of local schools and A-list stars in attendance.

Julian Benson and Louis Walsh. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 26 April 2018

GOINGOUTOUT

PICKWEEK OF THE

MAY 2 (WEDNESDAY)

Tears for Fears + Alison Moyet @ 3Arena, €65 EVEN if that lick of sunshine late last week hadn’t sent everyone a bit doolally, abandoning thoughts of gigs and great music to add a dash of colour from that big hot yoke in the sky to pasty-coloured limbs stretched out in parks and back gardens across the city, it’s a little bit of a quiet week out there, gig wise.

Quiet – but not dead – as you’re guaranteed to enjoy some classic choons courtesy of the once worldruling Tears for Fears, who’re teaming up with the mighty Moyet for a gig and a half at the 3Arena. Treat your ears to some of the catchiest songs from the past couple of decades.

Growing Up In Soulful pop: The Brave Rebirth of Delorentos

APRIL 26 (THURSDAY) William McCarthy (of Augustines) @ The Grand Social, €22 Lotto Boyzz @ The Academy, €14 Tiz McNamara + Pat Maloney @ Whelan’s, €10

APRIL 27 (FRIDAY) Sharon Needles @ The Button Factory, €30 Gomez @ Olympia Theatre, €32.50 One of the most overlooked and underrated bands of the turn of the century, Gomez’ debut two albums, ‘Bring It On’ and ‘Liquid Skin’ were works of noisy brilliance.

Jack L @ Vicar Street, €36.50 Robert John Ardiff (of Come On Live Long) @ Whelan’s, €8 The Alarm @ The Academy, €22.50

APRIL 28 (SATURDAY) Yo La Tengo @ Olympia Theatre, €31 Jack L @ Vicar Street, €36.50 Ultimate Painting @ The Grand Social, €14 Ultan Conlon @ Whelan’s, €15 The Wood Burning Savage @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €9 John Bramwell (of I Am Kloot) @The Purty Kitchen, €15

APRIL 29 (SUNDAY) Of Mice and Men @ The Academy, €26 Just another outstanding Icelandic act (for a country with the population of Galway, they sure are everywhere) - Of Mice and Men are in the Mumford and Sons mold, and full of beautiful harmonies.

Roy Orbison (hologram tour) @ 3Arena, €59 Bruno Major @ The Workman’s Club, €16.50 Mick Konstantin @ Whelan’s, €12

APRIL 30 (MONDAY) Tokio Myers @ Olympia Theatre, €31

MAY 1 (TUESDAY) The Ruby Sessions @ Doyle’s, €7 Metz @ Whelan’s, €17.50

Dublin’s deeply-personal indie-popsters Delorentos are growing up, fast. In ditching and rewriting their fifth album, they hope the result – True Surrender – shows them for who they truly are.

AS AN embedded mainstay of the Irish music scene since their debut album, In Love With Detail, propelled them to regular radioplay and local acclaim, Delorentos – some of whom have been friends since childhood – have been fairly quiet since 2014 release, Night Becomes Light.

In part, that period of quietness has come about because they’ve produced two different albums.

The Dubs entirely abandoned the first of the two, written in a Spanish vineyard, in favour of a sound that more reflects the changes in their lives.

“As an independent band, that was a really hard call to make,” vocalist and guitar player Kieran McGuinness says of the decision to simply

ditch their first effort.

“Everything we do directly affects us as a result of being independent.

“With the Vineyard album, we’d taken several days off a tour to record, and the owner of Sonorama [a Spanish music festival] gave us access to a recording studio and a vineyard.

“We had 16 songs at demo stage, and we were happy when we finished.

“It gradually became clear that it wasn’t ‘us’ any more. A lot has changed for us in the last few years. Three of us have married and one has got engaged. Three have moved house, three have had babies.

“There’s been a crazy amount of things going on. That wasn’t reflected in the album we’d made.

“It was difficult, and

scary,” McGuinness recalls.

“You don’t get a lot of guarantees in music, and this meant putting aside touring, things like that, to start again.

“We have certainty with this album, though.

I believe it stands up, and shows who we are.”

He added: “There are songs with no guitar.

Songs with beats instead of drums, songs that are ‘built’ rather than played in a room, and that adds another layer to things.

“We wanted to write songs that reflect that movement into adulthood. The independence, the fear and anxiety, but also the joy, comfort and self-reliance.

“We’re not Snow Patrol,” McGuinness continues. “We’re not about

 JAMES HENDICOTT

to tour the world playing the same songs every night, and we know that.

“But we mean a lot to people, and we have to respect that and put everything into what we do.

“We played five nights in small venues recently and there were some people who came to all five nights to hear the new music.

“I guess it’s Delorentos ‘mark three’. We had mark one with the first two albums, that I feel kind of came together as one thing, and mark two with Little Sparks, and Night Becomes Light.

“This feels like mark three because of the way it’s produced. We’ve put aside the idea of writing radioplay tracks aimed at 18-20 year olds.

“We don’t want to write any more songs

about meeting girls or drinking with your friends.”

The result of that personal touch has been an intensity of connection with fans, one that’s clearly working, as a debut headline show at the Olympia Theatre, taking place in November, shows.

“If you’d told me as a 15-year-old that I’d be able to live my life making music, playing gigs and DJing [McGuinness is a semi-regular presenter on Radio Nova], I’d have thought that’s the most amazing news ever,” he admits.

“We burst ourselves with this, we left everything on the floor of the studio.

“You see a lot of bands quitting, and putting out press releases about how hard it is in the music industry now.

They’re right, it is tough.

But these are also joyful times.”

True Surrender is out on Friday, April 27.

26 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

FEED THE SOUL AND BODY WITH A BBQ MOOD IN THE AIR, WHY NOT GRILL TASTY CHICKEN

Keogh’s Crisps land a spud-tacular air deal

A NORTH Dublin farm are set to go global in the coming months, as their crisps have secured them a major contract with Emirates Airlines.

Keogh’s Crisps will be made available to first-class passengers on Emirates following a blind taste test of 15 different brands. The hand-cooked Irish crisps will be served as part of the airline’s snack service.

The flavours selected by Emirates include Keogh’s Irish Mature Cheddar, Shamrock and Sour Cream, and their Lightly Salted variety.

Tom Keogh, managing director of Keogh’s Crisps, made the announcement at Bord Bia’s recent food buyer event, Marketplace International.

He said: “We designed an innovative new 25g pack for first-class to accompany drinks. Quality and consistency is what first-class demands, so we’re just over the moon that our crisps will be flying premium all over the world. It’s just a great success story for a farm-produced brand like ourselves.”

Trust George to help serve up a delish dish NOW that Summer is here – well, just about – the George Foreman 10 Portion Grill & Griddle (€89.99) is perfect for a BBQ with friends.

There’s a four-portion grill and a six-portion griddle in one, meaning you can cook a number of portions at once.

The grill and griddle even allow for healthier

Get cooking with this great griller

cooking, with grease channelled away from the food into a separate grease tray.

(This also makes for easier cleaning up, too!)

To show you how to use the grill, take a look at this delectable Piri-Piri chicken recipe (right); it’s perfect for any time of year.

INGREDIENTS * 4 skinless chicken breasts * 6 to 8 fresh red chillies, depending on how hot you want * 1 clove garlic, ro u g h l y

chopped * 1 tsp salt * Half tsp dried oregano * Half tsp paprika * 100ml olive oil * 50ml red wine vinegar PREPARATION Preheat the grill to maximum temperature. Char the chillies on the grill for 2-3 minutes. Set aside until they’re cool enough to handle, then roughly chop and put them in a saucepan with the garlic, salt, oregano, paprika, olive oil and vinegar.

Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool, then

blend it to a puree.

Put the chicken breasts in a lidded container or sealable plastic bag. Add the piri-piri sauce, spreading it evenly over the chicken. Seal and marinate the chicken in the refrig-

erator for at least one hour.

Cook on the grill for 8-10 minutes until cooked through.

Serve, and enjoy – the chicken is particularly delicious with salad and potatoes, or rice.

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 26 April 2018

PUZZLES

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

SUDOKU EASY

MODERATE

CODEWORDS in association with

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

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

WORD SEARCH

HOW TO SOLVE 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.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS affix

grapnel

anchor

harbour

ballast

hobble

bind

killick

chain

make fast

clamp

moor

dock

secure

drop the hook

tie

fix

tractor beam

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.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

26 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

TOP TWEETS A Quiet Place is a movie about a world in which, if you say anything at all, you are viciously attacked by blind monsters. In other words, it’s a movie about being on the internet. @KevPow3 The secret’s out, Kevin Power

Nothing like that feeling at the end of the day when your toddler says ‘I love you too, Chris O’Dowd.’ @BigBoyler Happens to us all the time,Chris O’Dowd

Tasha Yar was MURDERED 30 years ago today and yet that dirty binbag thing responsible has yet to be brought to justice.’ @LeGalaxie Star Trek: The Next Generation fans are still demanding TV justice for Yar one...

ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX WESTWORLD RETURNS WITH A PISTOL-FULL OF HIGH-STAKES DRAMA

Sequel aims to entertain SHANE DILLON

WITH many critics claiming that we’re living in the golden age of television, it’s easy to forget that Westerns – formerly a reliable staple of big- and smallscreen storytelling for decades – were for many years just as dead and face-down in the dirt as any number of nogood varmints left behind by grizzled sharpshooters.

Enter We s tworld at the very end of 2 0 1 6 , with the

complex character- and narrative-driven TV series based on the classic 1973 film (ignoring the misfiring 1980 dud of a very short-lived TV series) wowing critics and audiences alike.

With an incredible cast (including Tony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Thandie Newton, Sidse Babett Knudsen, James Marsden, Jeffrey Wright and Evan Rachel Wood, to name but a few), critics and fans went wild for the show, digging into myriad theories about what it was all really about.

Obstensibly a show about rich humans going on holiday to a truly vast Wild West-themed park whose citizens (Hosts) don’t know they’re robots, thus making them mere toys to chat to, play cards with – or even

Fan favourite Dolores returns as the complex robot rebel on an increasingly violent path

Unlikely alliances between human and robot characters who hate each other? Just another facet of the complexities of Westworld...

gruesomly murder if the humans (Guests) wished – Westworld explored some pretty dark topics.

While Game of Thrones has a much more visible public presence – even your granny knows who Jon Snow is – Westworld quietly became the other show that many people not just talked about, but obsessed over, as fans

and critics alike tried to solve its riddles, disjointed narratives, non-sequential hints and clues, and work out just what the hell was happening in the show.

That’s quite a lot of baggage to have to run with, but the just launched second series of the show last Sunday night (on Sky) looks set to ramp up the human

(and inhuman) tension and drama to new levels.

Set in the immediate aftermath of the series one finale, which basically saw many of the Hosts gain sentience, realise they’re robots, and then violently turn en masse on the Guests in their midst (as well as at the park’s management centre), the S2: 01 episode has upped the ante for potential spectacle and character drama alike.

Whether you’re interested in exploring the nature of consciousness and self-identity, or like complex narratives and superb cinematography, or simply like cheering on murderous robots hunting humans, it looks like Westworld has even more violent delights in store for this second season.

However, I think I’ll skip visiting any robots parks and just stick to the zoo, for now...

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 26 April 2018

BeautyBITS

Printed Ruffle Neck Blouse €45

Jeremy Scott & Gigi Hadid in H&M [TV] MOSCHINO

H&M ready to team up with MOSCHINO H&M HAVE revealed their next, highly-anticipated designer collaboration at last week’s Coachella festival.

This year’s collaboration will see H&M team up with the eccentric and colourful MOSCHINO for the MOSCHINO [tv] H&M collection. The iconic Italian fashion brand have curated a collection specifically for H&M, which was announced by model Gigi Hadid at the annual MOSCHINO party at Coachella.

Creative director of MOSCHINO, Jeremy Scott, has become a highly regarded name in the fashion world since he became Creative Director in 2013. Scott is known for his colourful, youthful patterns and innovative shapes.

“I am so excited about MOSCHINO [tv] H&M. My life’s work has been to connect with people through fashion, and with this collaboration I’ll be able to reach more of my fans than I’ve ever had the ability to do,” Scott said.

The collection will be available in H&M stores across the globe (including Ireland) from November 8th.

Feelin’ Fit(Flop) at Swords Pavilions FITFLOP have opened a brand new, dedicated kiosk in Swords Pavilions.

The ‘state-of-the-art’ kiosk is dedicated to the world’s ‘most addictive’ ergonomic footwear, packed to the brim full of the best styles for Spring/Summer this year.

It will showcase the must-have pieces in the SS18 collection, as well as their latest innovation, the iQushion™.

The iQushion™ works by mirroring the natural shape of the foot. iQushion flip flops come in an array of new summer colours, two-tone prints and ombre colourways, proving that comfortable shoes aren’t always boring.

Be sure to pop by the FitFlop™ kioski at the Pavilions Swords, open now.

One of FitFlop’s SS18 styles

Spring

 Rachel D’Arcy

Elegance

FORMER Coronation Street actress and current star of BBC series Our Girl, Michelle Keegan has launched her brand new collection, designed exclusively for Littlewoods Ireland.

The collection took inspiration from Michelle’s own spring wardrobe, with the versatile range featuring printed dresses, tailored separates, statement co-ords and distressed denim.

The range has a soft colour palette, teamed with vibrant floral prints for a spring / summer look that is sure to stand out.

With looks created for the chicest summer events, the collection features premium and delicate fabrics, with attention to detail a key turnstone of the designs.

Michelle Keegan said: “I love the opportunity to design pieces that my friends, family and I would all love to wear. As we get ready for holidays and exciting occasions, I have designed a range which has the flexibility to be worn all summer but I’ve also added that extra special dress for a big event.”

Rossa Butler, marketing director at Littlewoods Ireland, said: “We are delighted to work with Michelle on this stunning capsule collection. The range covers everything from formal wear to occasion wear, ensuring our customer both looks and feels great when stepping out this spring summer.”

26 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME AND WARDROBE

Sarah O’Hegarty

Denise Cantwell, Laura Downing, Orla Walsh and Jennifer Rock aka The Skin Nerd pictured at the Eau Thermale Avène Skin Speed Dating event this week which celebrated a selection of new launches by the brand Ruth Griffin and Lia Stokes

Grace Mongey

Terri Cooper

Tiered Geo Lace Dress €90

Beauty Review Some Vitamin C for skin vitality COMPANY: Vichy PRODUCT: Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector PURPOSE: Revive tired, stressed or dull skin TEXTURE:  FRAGRANCE:  PERFORMANCE:  PRICE: €€€

 Jessica Maile, Style Editor DOES YOUR skin need a wake-up call? Mine certainly did. My winter skin was its usual pale, dull

skin.

self. So what’s a girl to do? This girl

I used it religiously for 10 days and definitely

got her hands on some Vitamin C.

noticed my skin getting smoother and my face

No, not a diet of oranges but Vichy’s

looked fresher, which means less relience on using

LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin

make-up to create the same effect. A total time-

Corrector.

LiftActiv Vitamin C Brighten-

saver! And, with a little upkeep, the dullness has been banished for good.

ing Skin Corrector contains 15%

The LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Correc-

pure Vitamin C, making it one of

tor has a really silky texture, contains no perfume

the most powerful anti-oxidant

or silicone and absorbs easily into the skin and

actives available.

leaves not sticky residue behind.

Essential to the healthy

Use the LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin

functioning of the body, Vitamin

Corrector after you have gently cleansed. For

C occurs naturally in the skin

me, applying in the evening worked best. Only 4-5

and helps fight damage caused

drops are needed and should be applied once a day

by free radicals. It is also helps

for a 10-day cure for stressed out, tired skin.

fight pigment disorders, as well as inflammation to soothe the

Vichy’s LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector RRP €32

HOME & STYLE

Rosemary McCabe gets a date with her soon-to-be perfect skincare regime. Pictures: Karen Morgan/Lensmen

SPEED DATING

E

au Thermale Avene celebrated the launch of its spring summer heroes this week with a Skin Speed Dating event at Studio 10, Wicklow St. The event celebrated some of the brand’s most exciting innovations to date including a range of sun care that actually works for your skin while protecting it. The brand also launched the latest in its antiageing range, the PhysioLift serum.

Guests were treated to a nutritionist approved breakfast before taking the opportunity to ‘date’ 4 experts – Jennifer Rock, ‘The Skin Nerd’, nutritionist Orla Walsh, The Fabulous Pharmacist Laura Dowling and Avène expert, Denise Cantwell, learning how to best care for their skin from the inside out.

Eau Thermale Avène products are available from pharmacies nationwide. Visit www.AVENE.ie for more information

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE 26 April 2018

3008 tops new car satisfaction survey

MACHINE OF THE WEEK

BRITAIN’S biggest new car satisfaction survey, Driver Power, has seen the Peugeot 3008 come out on top as the car which makes its owners happiest, with a remarkable 93.88% satisfaction score.

That’s a record score compared to previous winners such as the Skoda Superb in 2017 at 93.42%.

The new 3008 SUV has got the SUV style that’s in huge demand, and this is now backed up with a high-quality interior, plenty of space, a great drive and excellent reliability and that’s according

with 14.36% of those polled reporting an issue with

to the survey organised by Auto Express maga-

their car, compared to 12.15% in 2017.

zine.

The results from this year’s survey show an

Hybrids continue to make waves this year, with more hybrids featuring in the Driver Power Car of

improvement in driver satisfaction in every single

the Year Top 10 than ever before. Cars such as the

category, as well as a rise in overall satisfac-

Kia Niro, Lexus RX, Lexus NX, Lexus IS and Toyota

tion. There’s still work to be done, though, as new

Prius were rated particularly well for engine,

car owners continue to tell reported that their

gearbox and running costs in this year’s survey.

motors aren’t always trouble-free. New car own-

Now in its 16th year, Driver Power survey received

ers are reporting more problems with their cars,

more than 80,000 consumer responses for 2018.

Peugeot takes a lead in SUV style for 2018 Peugeot’s new 5008 car will make a strong impression on the Dublin car market for a combination of its distinctive styling, flexible seating, modern dash design and total package offer. MICHAEL MORONEY took a second drive in the new Peugeot 5008, this time the petrol powered Pure-Tech model that smoothly impressed him.

Ford joins hybrid market with new Mondeo Hybrid FORD IRELAND’S first Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) car, the Mondeo HEV, is now available at Ford dealerships across Dublin. The new Mondeo HEV is based on a four-door body style with a 2.0-litre, 187bhp petrol engine coupled with an automatic transmission in either Titanium or Vignale series.

The Titanium version has an entry price of €32,745 (including a promotional launch discount and VRT rebate), while the Vignale version prices start from €35,280.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles are the most popular of the electric models available as they neatly bridge the gap between traditional internal combustion engines and electric motors without the range anxiety that some motorists feel in relation to full electric vehicles.

The new Mondeo Hybrid uses the third-generation Ford petrol-electric hybrid system that claims to deliver the efficiency and refinement benefits of an electric drive in many driving scenarios while maintaining the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional combustion engine.

Two electric motors are used in the hybrid system. One motor supports the petrol engine in driving the wheels and another is used for regenerative charging to the 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, located behind the rear seats. The Mondeo Hybrid’s high voltage electric system is claimed to be designed to working-life standards similar to Ford’s traditional combustion engines and transmissions.

The Mondeo Hybrid is capable of driving at up to 135 km/ hr in electric mode, and the combination of a speciallydeveloped 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine and electric drive claims to give Mondeo HEV impressive fuel efficiency

with a fuel consumption rate of 4.2 l/100km (23km/l). For comparison purposes, a 2.0-litre diesel 150bhp Powershift automatic transmission would deliver a fuel consumption rate of 4.8l/100km (20.8km/l).

Drivers can also use Ford’s Smartgauge interface to help monitor, manage and reduce fuel and energy consumption, with features including “Brake Coach” that encourages gradual braking to help return more energy to the battery.

Nissan, Ford, Fiat hit with 55 European car market dip NEW car registrations across Europe fell by 5.2% for the month of March with Nissan, Ford and Fiat brands seeing their European sales decline. There were new car sales drops in three of Europe’s five biggest markets, Germany, the UK, and Italy.

Nissan’s sales across Europe dropped by 16.3% last month, while Ford brand sales were down by 14.6% and Fiat sales fell by 13%, according to the latest data from the European car manufacturers association ACEA. ACEA reports that Brexit concerns impacted on the market as well as a slump in diesel car sales, while the German market dropped following a court rule that cities can ban diesel vehicles to tackle pollution.

PEUGEOT’S new 5008 marks a hat-trick of SUV cars that are setting new standards in car design and style for 2018. The French car brand has moved up more than two notches with a new threesome range of SUV models that stand out in terms of style, engine options and flexibility.

While the 5008 is the newest model to the range and the most spacious, the 3008 introduced in 2017, sets a high bar as it was voted European Car of the Year for 2017 and Irish Car of the Year 2018. For entry level SUV participants the recently upgraded 2008 offers a whole lot more than you can expect, to complete the hat-trick.

While I had an early drive in the diesel powered Peugeot 5008 at the start of 2018, recently I simply had to take a re-run in the car, this time putting the very impressive 1.2-litre turbo-petrol PureTech engine to the test. This 130bhp engine comes with plenty of acclaim as it was voted the category winner in the International Engine of the Year over three years from 2015 to

2017.

This new 5008 brings Peugeot into a growing market segment of seven seat SUV’s, with a unique design style that stands out from the crowd in a modern and distinctive

additional €520.

Peugeot claims that the new 5008 is lower and more spacious, yet less bulky than its competitors. And while it is a full seven seat car it retains the same height as

Peugeot 5008 1.2 PureTech Petrol Engine Engine power 0 – 100km/hr Economy Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Main Service Euro NCAP Rating Towing rating Warranty Entry Price way. What’s noticeably different about the new 5008 is that it now comes with the new Peugeot iCockpit and digital instrumentation across the range. The 5008 range prices start from €29,345 plus delivery related charges for the Access 1.2 130bhp PureTech petrol version, while the entry diesel versions cost an

2 litre 130hp 10.9 seconds 19.6km/litre

(5.1l/100km or 55mpg)

56 litres 117g/km A4 €200 20,000km/12 months Five Star 2016 1,200kgs 5 years (100,000km) €29,345 before at 1.64m while the third row passengers get an extra 21mm of head height.

This new SUV design model is longer than the previous 5008 and Peugeot claims that this delivers additional knee room for the second row passengers who also have the benefit of individual sliding seats.

The extra length means

26 April 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

WHAT’S NEW IN TECHNOLOGY AND ON WHEELS

TECH & MOTORS

Get peace-of-mind motoring at Bluebell Motor Company BLUEBELL MOTOR COMPANY, located

down, even into April, traditionally

just off the Long Mile Road in the Blue-

a quieter month. I believe that suc-

bell Industrial Estate, Dublin 12, enjoys

cess is down to a number of factors.

a hugely loyal customer base as a

The range has never been as strong:

Main Peugeot Dealer in west Dublin.

from the nippy 108 and 208, to the

Delivering peace of mind-motor-

The new Peugeot 5008 is an impressive new seven seat SUV from Peugeot with great space, stylish modern looks and good economy. The new Peugeot iCockpit dash (below) design that’s especially modern in terms of style with plenty of functionality and a range of easy to use display options.

that the camera reversing kit is useful option for the 5008.

The second row of seats are matching and each separate and can be folded and tilted, while the two third row of seats can be easily folded or removed.

All three seats in the second have three-point ISO-fix child seat anchor points.

The seating arrangement gives the car great flexibility. In the five seat mode, the boot space is impressively huge, while the boot itself is a shade heavy and could benefit from an auto opening system that’s available from other brands.

My most recent driving test was with the Peugeot 5008 Allure 1.2 PureTech petrol and this is the trim level that has so far accounted for 56% of the model sales so far this year. Petrol sales for

the 5008 are growing with the benefit of the improved economy, and now account for 28% of all 5008 models in Ireland.

This 1.2 -litre turbo-petrol engine is impressively smooth in the Peugeot 5008. The engine power at 130bhp coupled with 230Nm of torque, means that this car is only marginally behind the bigger 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine version of the car in terms of acceleration performance.

What’s impressive is the smoothness of the driving experience. The

engine start stop system is at its perfection in a petrol powered car, such as the new Peugeot 5008.

The downside is the fuel economy figure, which in a strange sort of way is the price that you pay for a cleaner driving experience. This petrol car’s economy rating is 19.6km/litre (5.1l/100km or 55mpg), which is almost 20% lower than the equivalent 1.6-litre diesel powered version that’s almost €2,000 more expensive.

The Peugeot petrol engine range has a good

reputation for reliability, economy and low emissions. This 1.2 litre turbopetrol engine was economical to drive and over a shorter than usual test run, I found the car to be only about 16% off the officially rated economy figure.

That’s why you need to spend some time looking at your annual mileage use to clearly identify the value of moving from diesel to petrol power in a modern SUV such as the Peugeot 5008. Petrol cars will also have lower servicing costs due to longer service intervals. The cost decision will also need to factor in petrol and diesel price differences at the pump, to complete the equation.

Peugeot now offers a five-year warranty on the full range of cars and that too helps to ensure lower motoring costs.

range-topping Peugeot 5008, from

ing for Peugeot new vehicles and

the practical Partner van to the

used vehicles of all makes and mod-

load-lugging Boxer, we have a model

els, Bluebell Motor Company has a

that will suit every single custom-

fully stocked Parts Department for

er’s needs. Our quality is second-to-

genuine Peugeot parts and acces-

none and we’re so confident in our

sories sales and prides itself in being

line-up, we offer a five-year war-

a busy hub for Peugeot servicing,

ranty on all our Peugeot cars.

boasting an eight-bay workshop.

The company was set up in 1988

“Finally, our consumer offers have never been as attractive with

by Derek Sheppard and in 1991, they

scrappage offers of up to €4,500

were appointed to the Peugeot

allowance towards selected Peugeot

franchise Dealer Network. Today,

motors. We also have a very com-

the business is headed by son David

petitive finance package of between

Sheppard, who spoke to Dublin

0% and 4.9% APR and people are now

Gazette about the buoyant and

pre-ordering for our 182 models.”

exciting motor industry in Ireland.

“We are very accessible to people

“We have a very loyal customer base, with people returning to

on the Naas Road, Clondalkin, Bal-

service or update their cars on a

lyfermot, Walkinstown, Crumlin

regular basis. I know that is down to

and indeed all of west Dublin, where

the people and the team at Bluebell

we retail the expansive and indeed

Motor Company. I am very proud of

award-winning Peugeot car and van

our wonderful and loyal staff, whose

range, including the very popular

professionalism and attention to

current Peugeot 2008, 3008 and the

detail plays a crucial role in ensuring

new 5008 SUV models – everyone has

our customers get the best possible

gone SUV mad!

service at all times.”

“The stunning Peugeot 3008,

Emma Toner, Marketing Man-

awarded both European Car of the

ager of Peugeot said: “Peugeot has

Year just after its European launch

maintained its momentum in Q1 2018

and then subsequently crowned

as the fastest growing car brand in

Irish Car of the Year 2018, in associa-

Ireland, with its tremendous growth

tion with Continental, is our best-

in passenger car sales in the first

selling model this year. The new 5008

three months of 2018, recording a

7-seat SUV model, the big brother of

57.7% year to date increase, to the

the group, has room for three car

end of March. The lion-brand thus

seats in the second row, making it

remains the fastest growing car

the ideal model for families. On the

brand in Ireland in 2018, enjoying a

business side, our Partner, Expert

4.3% combined car and van market

and Boxer van sales are flying.

“Peugeot sales are excellent in 2018 and show no sign of slowing

For further info contact: Emma Toner Tel: 01-4092474 or Email: etoner@peugeot.ie Web: www.peugeot.ie

Strong performance for Peugeot in Irish new car market PEUGEOT recorded the strongest performance in the Irish new car market this January, as demand for the Peugeot range continues to soar. The lion brand saw a huge 71% increase in passenger car registrations for the first month of 2018.

The success comes on the back of demand for the Peugeot 2008 SUV, the Peugeot 3008 SUV, crowned Irish Car of the Year 2018 and the newly launched 5008 seven-seat SUV. The strong growth assured the Peugeot marque of a top ten place in the sales league and a 4.3% overall market share, cars and vans combined.

Colin Sheridan, sales and marketing director said: “Despite the slight contract in the new car market, we are delighted to report a growth of 71% in what is clearly the most important month of the year for new

vehicle sales. Indeed, it’s the strongest performance Peugeot has recorded in Ireland since the year 2007.

Our excellent SUV line-up, together with a five year warranty and attractive low-cost finance options across the range, plus attractive consumer offers across many Peugeot models has most certainly attracted conquest sales.”

“Thanks to a number of dealer appointments in the last 12 months and our ongoing network development plan, we’ve seen particular gains in the all-important Dublin new car market,” he said The growth has solidified Peugeot’s position as a top ten best-seller in the country, as the brand now looks forward to a number of further new product launches and dealer appointments in 2018.

David Sheppard, managing director of Bluebell Motor Company

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 26 April 2018

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32 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 26 April 2018

FEATURES HANDBALL, HURLING AND GAELIC FOOTBALL

‘Great craic’ getting to grips with GAA sports QUINN KANNER

AFTER watching a Gaelic football match, I decided to try to learn how to play some traditional Gaelic sports for myself and see if that would help me understand the games better.

So, alongside 11 other American students, I went to the Na Fianna GAA Club on a Saturday afternoon to learn how to play handball, hurling and Gaelic football from a session with Experience Gaelic Games.

That’s a company that allows visitors to experience Irish traditions like traditional sports and dancing.

They do programmes for various groups including visiting students like me, business groups, travelling sports teams and even hen and stag parties to try and expose the visitors to aspects of Irish culture and identity that you probably won’t hear about abroad.

I am a moderately athletic person even though I’ve never played any sports. I’ve been dancing since I was four years old, but I’m not used to working with props, i.e., the various balls.

The first sport we tried was Handball, which involved bouncing fistsized rubber balls off of walls.

I spent most of the warmups and drills chasing my ball around the room after failing to catch it on the bounce back.

I did accidentally win my first game playing with someone else.

It took me three tries to serve the ball (in my first two attempts, my hand missed the ball.), but then

A painting from the study of the matadors

Blending the intellectual with the creative in a unique, moving display

Learning to play hurling and handball (right) at Na Fianna GAA Club

the game was in play.

My serve bounced off the wall to my opponent who returned it. I flailed and accidentally made the perfect shot: the ball hit the wall just above the floor, making it impossible for my opponent to reach before it bounced twice.

After handball, we tried hurling, using special rubber hurleys to reduce the chance of injuries.

When it came to hurling, I couldn’t even get the “sliotar” as the ball is

h a n d .

Alas, I just sucked.

When it came time to actually play, I was quick to volunteer for goalie, since I couldn’t catch, pass or even pick up the sliotar.

My only success at hurling was a brilliant save in which I deflected the sliotar with my hurley, much to my surprise.

called off the ground.

I was so bad at the drills, the coach thought that I was accidentally playing with my non-dominant

After mostly failing at two sports, I was really hoping to have some natural talent for Gaelic Football.

“

I was so bad at the drills, the coach thought that I was accidentally playing with my non-dominant hand

JORDAN UPSHAW

I did not, but it was still the most fun for me to play.

Unburdened by bulky equipment and desperate for a win, I raced around the field attempting to prevent my opponents from keeping possession of the ball, while hoping to never end up with the ball myself.

I did have a fun wipe out while attempting to check a guy who was bigger than me. After my attack, the guy made an iffy pass causing my team to regain possession, which I’m taking credit for.

One success per sport makes a successful day in my book; it was “great craic”.

“Elsewhere, To Be Found”, a new exhibit by artist Colm Mac Athlaoich will be opening this Friday, April 27.

Mac Athlaoich has been exhibiting his artwork since 2007. His past exhibits have included “Travelling Without Moving” which was funded by the Fingal County Council. In 2016 he presented a series of oil on linen block paintings called “Pastille”. The “Monumental Activity Paintings” were created during a residency at the prestigious Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin.

“Elsewhere, To Be Found” is an amalgamation of Mac Athlaoich’s work from the past two years. During this period of time, Mac Athlaoich used painting as a way to express his ideas and thought processes.

Mac Athlaoich’s paintings vary in scale and chronicle the emotional, mental and physical journeys he made across Ireland, Cyprus and Spain.

Mac Athlaoich was inspired by the writings of French philosopher Roland Barthes, which is quite unique for a painter.

“Elsewhere, To Be Found” attempts to blend the intellectual with the creative in a unique and moving display.

Both Barthes and Mac Athlaoich

focus on finding alternative ways of visualising the truth in addition to unmasking memories and experiences through their respective works.

The paintings are greatly influenced by the gorgeous Portuguese market tiles, focusing on the minute details found within the large designs. In this way they shine a light on the wear and tear caused by human activity.

A few paintings of note include Mac Athlaoich’s creative and emotional study of the matadors competing in violent bullfights. The artist himself witnessed this bloody sport in the famous Las Ventas bullring in the Spanish capital of Madrid.

Mac Athlaoich described it on Twitter as, “Like what R. Barthes says of wrestling in his ‘Mythologies’, as on the stage in antiquity, one is not ashamed of one’s suffering, one knows how to cry, one has a liking for tears’.

“The series of works that look at the Matador, questions this spectacle while depicting it as it is presented to us, with the drenching and vertical quality of a flood-lit Greek arena.

The exhibit is a free event taking place at The Cowshed Theatre, Farmleigh House every day from Friday, April 27 to Sunday, May 6.

Doors open at 10am and close at 5pm.

26 April 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 33

LIVERPOOL COMING TO TOWN P35

KILMACUD ON THE CHARGE P39

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

DECADECATHLON: IT’S all go for the inaugural Ballymun Running Festival – a community festival of running taking place on May 8-9 at Trinity Comprehensive Secondary School which was launched earlier this week at the Reco, Ballymun.

A key aim of the festival is to raise awareness of mental health issues and of the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs.

May is Mental Health Month and the event will be strictly drug and alcohol free.



GAZETTE

MUN RUN:

PAGE 34

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS HOCKEY | UCD ADD LEAGUE CROWN TO SENIOR CUP GLORY

Students in seventh EYHL heaven  STEPHEN FINDLATER

sfindlater@dublingazette.com

UCD powered to the EY Hockey League title in typically emphatic style, leaving nothing to chance with a thunderous 7-1 win at Ards.

It was a 15th win from their last 16 in the league and they have just one loss all season to date on the opening day of the season against second placed Cork Harlequins, their only loss in two regular league seasons.

Quins still had a mathematical chance of the title prior to the weekend but UCD quickly put such notions to bed and added the regular season title and a spot in Europe to the Irish Senior Cup won a fortnight ago.

Their next task will be a clean sweep when they contest the EY Champions Trophy in two weekends time at Grange Road.

“We will enjoy this but we have one more league game next week and want to finish strong and then take that on to the EY Champions Trophy finals,” UCD captain Deirdre Duke said afterwards.

“We are pretty proud of our record but it does bother us that we have that one loss [in the last two seasons] but that has driven us on and is testament to ho hungry we are for success. That loss at the beginning of the season spurred us on to where we are to today.”

They did so despite the absence of coach Miles Warren who remained in Dublin following the birth of his second child earlier in the week.

Nonetheless, any of his nerves would have been eased in the early Twitter updates. Mick McKinnon took on coaching duties.

It took less than eight minutes for Katie Mullan to put UCD in front and

CHAMPIONS: UCD are on course for a clean sweep of women’s hockey’s national titles with the Irish Senior Cup and EYHL already won. Picture: Adrian Boehm

six minutes later, Sara Twomey produced a great effort from the top of the circle for 2-0.

Abbie Russell made it three off the back of good build-up play by Mullan before the end of the first quarter.

Katherine Egan stretched the lead further to 4-0 before Chloe Brown pulled one back from a corner.

It was not the start of a remarkable comeback, however, with Emma Russell sending the ball in to her younger sister Abbie to convert for 5-1.

Lena Tice shot straight down the middle for number six and Mullan produced a typically powerful shot from the top for a magnificent seven.

SPORT CONTACT INFO SPORTS EDITOR: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@dublingazette.com Phone: 01 601 0240

34 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 26 April 2018

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

1

BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S LOTTO results. Numbers were 2, 9, 19 and 24. No winner. Next Thursday’s jackpot is €4,600; Lotto Joker €850. Winner of €100 Karen O’Connell, €50 Mick Halligan and Jamie Brennan. Joker consolation prize Brendan Soraghan. Bingo continues every Monday at 8:00pm.

This year’s May Festival has been moved to mid-summer and will now take place on Saturday, June 23.

Senior hurlers were beaten by Lucan Sarsfield in the championship by eight points on Saturday.

Hard luck to the lads who were well in contention for 45 minutes but came up short in the final quarter. The Junior A hurlers lost to Ballyboden St Endas also in championship. The third hurling team also lost to Ballyboden in the championship on Sunday afternoon in an epic battle. Lots of work to be done over the summer.

Juvenile footballers last week: U-14s had a second Division 1 victory, this time over Ballyboden St Enda’s, 4-17 to 4-5. U-15s beat Clontarf in a championship thriller that went to extra time.

Next game v Erin’s Isle for a place in the semi finals.

Next weekend is adult football championship weekend with very important games down for decision. Seniors play St Sylvester’s at 5.45pm in O’Toole Park. On Sunday, our Junior A team are away to Na Fianna at 11am in Collinstown Lane while the Junior B team play Lucan in Marlay Park at 11am.

Well done to our Minor B team who had a big win against Lucan in the league.

KILMACUD CROKES In adult hurling, well done to the senior A, intermediate and junior F teams who had Championship wins this weekend.

The intermediate hurlers beat Clontarf 2-15 to 2-12, while the Junior F side produced champagne hurling to beat Realt Dearg, 4-13 to 2-7. The senior team overcame Whitehall on Friday evening.

Hard luck to the senior B and junior B teams who lost out in their games.

Well done to the MFL1 team who beat Ballinteer 3-13 to 3-5 and the MFL3 who beat St Pat’s 4-15 to 0-5. Hard luck to the MFL4 team who lost to Crumlin 6-11 to 1-10.

Our Feile A team lost out in Parnell Park to a strong Lucan side who pulled clear in the second half of the final after the teams were level at the interval.

Hard luck to our lads and the B panel who gave us great value across the weekend.

Beidh Lá eile!

Thanks to the mentors

and parents and our large contingent of supporters.

Well done to Lauren Magee, Aoife Kane and Eabha Rutledge who were all part of the Dublin team who progressed to the National League final by beating Galway.

The Dubs will now play Mayo in the final.

The Camogie Committee wants to thank everybody who turned out in such numbers last Friday night to support the Brain Tumor Ireland/Camogie Section Fundraiser Quiz.

To all the individuals and companies who provided spot prizes and donations thank you all.

The night raised €3,275 for Brain Tumor Ireland and €1,800 for the Camogie Section.

RUNNING: BALLYMUN RUNNING FESTIVAL

Mun on the Run for mental health

Decadecathlon the centrepiece of the inaugural Ballymun runn ing festival as Trinity Comprehensive School hosts groundbreaking new initiative to highlight the importance of exercise for mental health  sport@dublingazette.com

IT’S all go for the inaugural Ballymun Running Festival – a community festival of running taking place on May 8-9 at Trinity Comprehensive Secondary School which was launched earlier this week at the Reco, Ballymun.

A key aim of the festival is to raise awareness of mental health issues and of the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs.

May is Mental Health Month and the event will be strictly drug and alcohol free.

The festival, which is free, also aims to get locals of all ages active; the theme is “The More you Move, the Better your Mood”.

The key feature of the 24-hour festival is a 100-mile run by Decadecathlon winner (10 Iron-

mans in ten days) Ger Prendergast, who runs the gym in the school, along with Ken “Coco” Coakley, a youth and community worker with the Ballymun Regional Youth Resource and a keen ultra runner.

Prendergast and Coakley will run a 500m loop around the school grounds between 12 noon on Tuesday May 8 and 12 noon on Wednesday May 9, with friends and other ultra runners keeping them company and providing support.

Other events taking place over the 24 hours including 5km, 10km, half marathon and marathon runs later on the first day and the annual “Mun Fun Run 5km” for all the Trinity CS students, their families and friends at 11am on the second day.

Live music will keep spirits high from 4-8pm on Tuesday

and also from 11am on Wednesday; also on offer is healthy food and a number of guest speakers, who may run a lap or two.

“

We will be running around in circles which is what we sometimes do in our heads when we have mental health issues

”

“Everyone can set their own target – for me and Ger, it’s a hundred miles, but for others it could be a 5km – that’s ten laps,”

The Ballymun Running Festival will take place on May 8 and 9 in Trinity Comprehensive School.

Picture: Lindie Naughton

said Ken Coakley at the launch.

“We will all be running around in circles – which is what we sometimes do in our heads when we have mental health issues.

Our mind goes around in circles and we don’t know how to break out of it.”

Both Coakley and Prendergast believe firmly that an active life can help ward off mental health problems.

In Prendergast’s case, the issue is personal; his brotherin-law Michael took his own life a year ago after a long struggle with depression.

“I had tried to persuade him to come out and train with me before the Deca Decathlon, but he had never done anything like that in his life.

“After he died, I was full of guilt - what if I had tried harder?” he says.

Local organisations involved in the Ballymun Festival of Running include Ballymun Regional Youth Resource, Ballymun Local Drugs Task Force, and See Change – End Mental Health Stigma.

Supporting the festival is the local SuperValu, which will provide much of the healthy food over the 24 hours, the Poppintree Parkrun and Dublin City Council.

While entry to all runs is free, sponsorship cards for local charities are available.

Students from Trinity Comprehensive will help out on the day and participate in the various runs.

Cutting the ribbon to launch the Ballymun Festival of Running were Cheslea Byrne, who represents the Trinity Comprehensive students on the organising committee, Shauna O’Connor from See Change and Joe Campbell of Poppintree Parkrun, who has 200 parkruns to his credit.

O’Connor lit a Candle of Hope which will remain alight for the 24 hours of the festival.

26 April 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 35

STAR STRIKER: FORMER SHELS MAN PREVIEWS NAPOLI DATE

LEAGUE OF IRELAND SHOTS Bohs fall to champions

Liverpool legend Ian Rush at the launch of the English club’s game with Napoli later this summer. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Rush relishing Dublin return for Liverpool  DAVE DONNELLY

ANFIELD legend Ian Rush spent some time in Italy as a player with Juventus – so he has an idea of what to expect when Liverpool take on Napoli in Dublin this summer.

The Reds will be the major draw at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, August 4, where there’s a real chance it’ll be the European champions facing off against Italy’s number one.

For Rush, who has for decades been dogged by a misquote attributed to him that “Italy is like a foreign country,” he has more reasons to be interested in the tie.

In the mid-eighties, when Rush was looking to try something new outside England, he had the opportunity to play alongside arguably the

greatest player of all time – but it fell through.

“My biggest regret is probably not getting the opportunity to play with Maradona,” Rush said at the launch in the Aviva.

“Napoli tried to sign me just after they signed Maradona in ‘84 and the chairman at the time, Sir John Smith, didn’t let me go.

“I was lucky enough to play against him but never got to play with him, unfortunately. To even be on the same pitch as him was absolutely incredible.

“He made such a big impact everywhere he went. When he went to Napoli they were just an average side and he then won the league for them.

“He also won the World Cup for Argentina so that in itself tells its own story.”

While Rush never had

the opportunity to play with arguably the greatest player ever to grace the beautiful game, he stood alongside his fair share of legends.

He partnered Stephen Geoghegan for Shelbourne in a one-off friendly in 1996 against Danish champions Brondby, scoring in a two-goal second half comeback.

At Liverpool, he formed a lethal strike combination with John Aldridge.

The Reds’ multiple league-winning squad was backboned with Irish p l aye rs l i ke Ro n n i e Whelan, Steve Heighway and Steve Staunton.

He played in the thenEuropean Cup in Ireland, in a 5-1 aggregate victory over Dundalk in which Whelan netted in both

legs.

At the time, Rush admits he didn’t fully understand the depth of admiration held by Irish fans for Liverpool as a

“

Any game in Ireland is a sell-out. It’s only when you retire you see how many passionate supporters are there.

”

club.

He continues to be astounded by the amount of support there is for the English side in Ireland – which is why it’s so important games like this take place.

“Any game in Ireland is a sell-out. I didn’t realise how big the support was.

When you’re playing, you just get on with it.

“It’s only when you retire and you go there as a spectator, you see how many passionate supporters there are and how many Irish players have played for Liverpool.

“We always used to play a pre-season in Ireland and it was a great support then, and it’s the same now.

It’s just got bigger.

That’s what it’s all about.

“At Liverpool, we see ourselves as a family club and everybody doesn’t get the chance to go over to Liverpool.

“What we’ve got to try and do is get first team players to come over here and entertain the supporters in Ireland.”

BOHEMIANS fell to a second defeat in a week as they were beaten 2-0 by the champions Cork City in front of the TV cameras at Dalymount Park on Friday night.

The Gypsies defied their status as part-timers as they dominated Bohs Kevin Devaney. Picture: Martin possession and Doherty chances in the game but were overcome by the nous and clinical finishing of the visitors.

Colm Horgan opened the scoring early on with a cross that ran all the way through to the net, before the league’s top scorer Graham Cummins sealed the win against the run of play in the second half.

“We’ve a pain in our backside coming out and saying how well we’ve played,” defender Ian Morris told the Dublin Gazette.

“It’s not going to matter in two weeks time when everyone looks at the results and the points on the board. You can play as well as you like, but if you’re not winning games it doesn’t mean anything.

“They sat in and we found them difficult to break down. We’re giving away silly goals at the back and we’re not scoring at the other end. That’s a combination you can’t have.

“It’s usually one or the other, but we’re having both. You can talk about how well we’ve played, but it’s a results business and we’re not putting points on the board.”

Seventh-place Bohs travel across the Liffey to face St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park on Friday night where they’ll look to avenge their 1-0 defeat at Dalymount earlier in the season.

Shels magnificent seven washes over the Waves SHELBOURNE Ladies made it three wins on the bounce with an emphatic 7-0 demolition of UCD Waves amid all four seasons of weather at Jackson Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Students came into the game in good form of their own, unbeaten in their two games so far, but they weren’t given a sniff by the dominant visitors.

Leanne Kiernan scored a hat-trick, while Isibeal Atkinson scored two alongside goals from captain Noelle Murray and substitute Fiona Donnelly.

Shels led 2-0 at the break after playing into a strong wind but cut loose and added five after the break.

“The first half wasn’t the performance we wanted, but we showed character and played better second half,” Kiernan told the Dublin Gazette.

“We played football. Instead of hoofing it over the top, we got the ball down, passed it and played it quickly. Obviously we got five goals so it worked well.”

36 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 26 April 2018

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

GERALDINE P MORAN A BIG thank you to all who took part in the Bray2Greystones walk on Sunday, a great turnout of close to 100 people enjoyed the glorious sunshine on the walk.

The sale of the container stock will continue next Saturday morning from 9.30am at Cornelscourt come along and bag a bargain.

Congrats to our U-12 hurlers who beat Na Fianna by a single point and to the minor footballers who defeated Cuala by the same margin.

Fixtures this week start on Thursday with the U-14s playing Scoil Ui Chonaill at Cornelscourt at 7.15pm.

On Saturday, the U-11 boys are at home to St Margaret’s, U-12s are away to St Jude’s, U-8, U-9 and U-10 fixtures will be on our website later in the week.

Sunday fixtures sees the girls U-9s take on St Kevins while the U-10s play St Marks both at home.

The senior teams continue their championship group games with the junior 1 team away to St Brendan’s and the Junior 4 team away to Raheny.Good luck to all teams playing.

Academy training is in Cornelscourt on Saturday from 10am, new boys and girls aged 5-7 are always welcome to come down and join in.

Naomh Olaf’s U-15s did a charity fundraiser swim at the 40 Foot last Friday evening

NAOMH OLAF GREAT results for both Senior and Junior Hurling teams at the weekend with wins against Parnells and Erins Isle respectively in their championship fixtures.

Senior Ladies footballers and Camogie teams also registered good league wins, both against Crumlin, last week with the Ladies Football B team also notching a win.

The Minor men’s Footballers recorded their first league win in a very tight encounter against Clanna Gael.

A busy weekend for the Under 13 Girls saw A and B teams in both football and camogie in action with two good wins recorded.

This week watch out for Ladies Football A team away to Whitehall and B team home to Na Fianna, both on Wednesday night.

Camogie team away to St.

Vincent’s on Thursday and at the weekend the men’s footballers return to championship with the Seniors facing Naomh Mearnóg in O’Toole Park on Sunday, Junior 1s at home at 11:00 and Junior 2s away in Lusk at 3:00. Please support these teams.

The Under 7 Academy boys face their first blitz in Meadowbrook on Saturday and we wish them good luck.

Ash Monday extended by popular demand to include Monday 30 April.

Mini All-Ireland dates are fixed for Tuesday to Thursday in last week of May. Well done Chloe Ní Cheallaigh on her nomination as Camogie Player of the Year in IT Carlow.

Huge thanks to all involved in the organisation of I’m a Celebrity which was a huge success on Saturday night.

SOCCER: ROVERS YOUNG SIDE SUFFERING WITH SMALL SQUAD

Broadford keep LSL survival chances going with Arklow win LSL SUNDAY SENIOR 1A Broadford Rovers Arklow Town  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

2 0

B ROA D FO R D Rove rs kept their slim hopes of Sunday Senior 1A survival alive with a valuable 2-0 win over Arklow Town in Broadford Park on Sunday afternoon.

Ben Mitchell and Eoin Ryan scored in either half as the Ballinteer side got revenge on their Wicklow counterparts following a late winner when they last met at the end of March.

It was just Rovers’ fourth win of the season, having lost each of their opening nine matches and been winless since beating Beggsboro early last month.

Broadford took the lead after 20 minutes when striker Mitchell took a long ball forward from goalkeeper Ken O’Reilly

on his chest, beat a defender and lashed home.

However, they had to wait until midway through the second half to put some daylight between themselves and Arklow.

Some good interplay between Mitchell and his strike partner Eoin Ryan saw Mitchell flick the ball into Ryan’s pass, and he made no mistake.

“We played them a couple of weeks ago down there and they done us in the 94th minute,” said Broadford manager Ger Fitzgibbon.

“We should have beaten them down there to be honest.

“I was confident enough that we’d beat them. It should have been 6 or 7-0. I don’t think our keeper had anything to do all game.”

The south Dublin side have been cursed this year in terms of hav-

Broadford Rovers’ Sunday Senior team have endured a tough season to date but still have an outside chance at escaping relegation.

ing players available for league games.

T h ey m ove d f ro m Friday night football to Sundays but found their young squad frequently unable to get time off work, so they often have 11 or 12 players on matchdays.

With the league increasing the number of subs that can be used to five, they’ve found themselves overrun late on as the opposition has been able to unload the bench.

“We’ve got a lot of youth this year and unfortunately they’re in college. To fund their college, they have to work part-time jobs, and retail is always Saturday and Sunday work.”

They need to win at least four of their last five games – including an early midweek kickoff in Skerries – to avoid relegation but Fitzgibbon is certain they have the quality if they get the numbers.

“On our day, we can b e a t a nyo n e i n t h e league – that’s being honest. We’ve five games left and we have to win four of them.

“The lads can do it if they put their minds to it. We’ve a bit to do to stay up, but you’re only as good as your last game and we won last week.

“We’ll take a bit of that into the next few games and see if we get results and keep ourselves in the league.”

Get Rowing Get Going blitz

Anna Edghill, Ruth Campbell, Georgie Connoly-Carew and Kate Edgill from The Kings Hospital School. Picture: Bryan J Brophy

OVER 300 students from schools around the country took part in the Get Rowing Get Going Blitzit event at Grand Canal Dock.

The Get rowing get going programme and initiative aims to give students a new sport and pathway for life through rowing. In 2017, 25,000 women participated in the Get Going, Get Rowing programme.

The on-the-water blitz is a Girls only event to celebrate Women in Sport in Dublin City and around the country. The2018 programme began with Rowing Ireland bringing rowing machines

to the schools to conduct classes. Each school was provided with a fully trained community coach who worked with the students over a sixweek period. Schools were then given the option to get out on the water for a minimum of one session with Rowing Ireland coaches.

Get Going, Get Rowing started as a pilot scheme in Dublin City in March 2014. The programme is now in 14 centres across Ireland led by 17 community coaches. Waterways Ireland has been supporting the programme and Blitzit events for the past two years.

26 April 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 37

AND NEW SUBS RULE

ATHLETICS: NATIONAL ROAD RELAYS

DSDAC crown super season in golden finale NATIONAL ROAD RELAYS  sport@dublingazette.com

BIG IMPACTS

Nacewa and Strauss bow out at Leinster ISA Nacewa (35) and Richardt Strauss confirmed this week that they will retire from Leinster rugby at the end of the season.

Churchtown-based Nacewa (35), who has been capped 182 times for Leinster since his debut in September 2008 is bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career in Leinster blue which to date includes three Heineken Cup medals, a Challenge Cup medal and a PRO12 title.

Old Wesley’s Strauss (32), who made his debut in February 2010, has also had a profound impact, winning two Heineken Cups, a Challenge Cup and two PRO12 titles in his time.

Isa Nacewa at the bottom of a ruck.

Picture:Martin Doherty

THE end of a long hard winter of distance running ended on Sunday in sunny Raheny at the National Road Relays with Dundrum South Dublin women and men’s races ending in glory.

They took gold in the women’s race and silver in the men’s competition at an event where all of the top clubs in the country were present for this seasonal finale.

Marathon Olympian Linda Byrne ran the first leg over one mile in the women’s race and although below the distance she normally runs, she came in a close second to North Down, with favorites, UCD, back in third.

Fiona Clinton took off strongly on the second leg of two miles and retained her position, with UCD slipping backwards.

Meghan Ryan took over next and ran a scintillating last leg, as she caught the leader and produced a great sprint to the finish line to ensure DSD of the gold medals, with North Down second and Dublin City Harriers third.

The men’s race consisted of four athletes, with defending champions Raheny Shamrocks going for three in a row at their home venue.

This turned out the most exciting race of the day, as Raheny, Kilkenny City Harriers and DSD went head to head from the gun.

Joe Sweeney was first up for DSD, returning from a long absence from competition after his great fourth place in the European cross country championships a few years ago.

He showed he had not lost his competitive streak as he fought his way to the change over in third place of 25 teams.

Just out of Junior (U-20), Paul O’Donnell was next up and showed he will soon be a force at senior level as he moved into second place.

DSDAC’s Meghan Ryan crosses the line for gold in Raheny. Picture: Eoin Noonan/Sportsfile

Next came the real drama of the race as Hiko Tonosa took off 150m behind Mick Clohisey, Raheny’s national cross country champion, and to the consternation of Raheny caught him close home to give DSD, a four-second lead going into the last leg.

Try as he might, John Eves, could not contain the in form Conor Dooney, as he brought

Raheny home for three in a row, with DSD second and Kilkenny third.

DSD’s second team finished seventh of the 25 finishing teams. This was a very young team of Patrick MacGabhann (21), Aaron Donnelly (18), Brian Maguire (17) and Mark Molloy (21), which makes the future of DSD very secure.

Nelson named in Irish U-18 squad U-18 BASKETBALL  sport@dublingazette.com

EOIN Nelson – from Oatlands College and UCD Marian BC – has been named in the Irish Under18 men’s basketball team by head coach, Paul Kelleher.

The team is busy preparing for FIBA U18 Men’s European Championship Division C this summer, which will take place in Pristina in Kosovo from

July 22nd to 29th, 2018.

Speaking about the selection, coach Kelleher stated: “Over the 12 years I have been involved in international basketball, selecting players for any phase of a programme, never mind the final 12, is the hardest and most disliked position to be in as a coach.

“We have continuously extended the decision over the last number of months because of the

difficulty of the decision - it can be quite emotional and the thought of telling any player they haven’t made a selection still keeps me awake at night.

“We have played a number of games in recent weeks, experimenting on different line-ups, different defensive formations, to decide which 12 works best and we believe this is the 12 that will help us get promoted back to Irish Under-18 coach Paul Kelleher Division B basketball.”

38 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 26 April 2018

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

3

SHANKILL THE juvenile academy, sponsored by O Donnell’s Pharmacy, is back in action this Saturday at 10am in our new home Stonebridge Road.

Why not give the Academy a try the coaches are ready and the equipment is waiting and ready to be used, the cost is only €2 per child and there is no annual subscription.

The brilliant weather allowed our fixture list to go ahead this weekend and there were some great games, far too many to mention each match.

Well done to our coaches and parents for getting all the teams out to their various venues.

Now that the bright evenings are back, could all players please check with your team manager for details of training?

Our Golf Classic is in Delgany Golf Club on Friday, June 29. The cost is €300 per team of four people which includes a meal in Brady’s Pub and plenty of craic during the evening. The time sheet is open now; contact Jimmy Nolan on 087 2633203.

NEWS FLASH: our Summer Camp this year will be held from Monday, July 2 to Friday, July 6 in a new venue St Laurence College Its going to be an even better Summer Camp than last year when we were completely booked out so register your interest with club ASAP. Gaelic 4 Girls, a FREE six week programme for new comers to our club aged between 11 and 14 years. It is been held from 7 to 8pm on Thursday evenings from April 26 to May 31. Dublin Ladies Senior All Ireland medal winner Molly Lamb will direct the sessions. Interested? Contact Steve Davis on 087 6414123.

For details of our ladies football team check out our Facebook page and follow the link to the ladies Facebook group, e-mail stevedavis203@gmail. com or contact Steve 087 6414123.

The men’s adult football team are looking for new players which are always welcome contact Kevin 086 8449902.

For more information on the club, contact, secretary.shankill.dublingaa.ie or call 086 4010438.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join Shankill GAA Club, your community, your Village GAA club where everybody knows your name.

Dublin’s Premier Junior panel fell to a 3-9 to 1-9 defeat to Westmeath last weekend.

Picture: ilivephotos.com

CUALA On Friday night, Cuala attended the first Southside People Community and Sports awards. On the sports side Cuala were extremely successful. Sean Moran won the young Sports Person of the Year, Cuala won the Best Club of the year and we also won the overall sports achievement award.

Comhghairdeas le Sean Moran who was named AIB Club Hurler of the Year 2018! Sean Brennan, Con O’Callaghan, David Treacy, Daragh O’Connell and Cian O’Callaghan were also named on the hurling team of the year.

Good championship wins for the Cuala Senior, Intermediate, Junior B and Junior E Hurling teams over the weekend.

Well done to the 04 boys in Féile na nGael on the weekend. They were very competitive, with great commitment and strong performances, but unfortunately didn’t get out of the group stages.

They had a great day of hurling and we’re all very proud of them. Huge thanks to all those who helped out with the

hosting.

Adh mór do na cailíní 04 in the camogie féile coming up this Saturday.

The As wil be hosting the Division 2 feile in Thomastown while the Bs will play in Division 5 in Ballyboden. All support welcome at both fixtures.

Our senior footballers are in Championship action on Thursday at 7:15pm when they take on Whitehall Comlcilles in O’Toole Park, on Saturday our Intermediates play Erins Isle in Hyde Rd at 6pm.

On Sunday, our third footballers take on St Peregrines at 3pm in Hyde Road in the Junior 3 championship and at the same time our fourths are away to St Olafs in the Junior 4 Championship.

The Cuala minor footballers defeated Ballymun by 2-15 to 2-7 in a top of the MFL2 table clash.

There was no winner of the €12,500 Cuala lotto jackpot.

Our lucky dip winners last week were Mark Daly and Andrew Basquille .

Get your tickets now at www.cualagaa.

HURLING : O’DWYER THE MAIN CREATIVE FORCE

Olaf’s Glynn fires Sandyford side to big SHC victory  sport@dublingazette.com

NAOMH Olaf continued their unbeaten start to the Dublin senior B hurling championships as they recorded a strong win over Parnells, making it three points from four so far in Group 2.

On Saturday evening at home in Páirc Uí Bhriain, they had a slow first half performance from which had the faithful concerned as the northside visitors reached half time 2-9 to 0-8 ahead and seemingly able to score at will.

The second half, however, was a completely different story as the Sandyford side got the bit between their teeth.

The half back line of S e a n Mc D a i d , Fra n k Olden and Paul Lynch took a firm grip, Paul Farrelly was excellent at midfield and the forwards started to buzz.

Manager Richard Horgan’s training drills showed their effect as Martin Glynn tore into the Parnell’s backs but it was Declan O’Dwyer,

Seán McDaid on the ball in his first senior championship start for Naomh Olaf

playing one of his best games in a Naomh Olaf shirt, who dazzled and tormented the northsiders defenders.

He provided the opportunities for Glynn to rack up an impressive 3-1 as the home team ran out winners by 3-18 to 2-15.

GET BREATHLESS McMahon togs out for COPD DUBLIN football star Philly McMahon togged out for the launch of COPD Support Ireland’s annual ‘Get Breathless for COPD’ Dublin Cycle.

The cycle runs from Lansdowne Road to Howth, aiming to raise awareness and funds for COPD. There is a 50km route and a 100km route which takes the riders to Wicklow and back.

Find out more at www.copd.ie, on Facebook @COPDSupportIreland or on Twitter @COPDSupportIre.

This win, following a draw in their first outing against Na Fianna, leaves them team on three points in the ir Senior B Hurling Championship group with Thomas Davis next up on Wednesday, May 2.

Davis are currently

riding high with two wins from two, making it a key tie. Faughs are also f lying high with two wins in the six team group.

In Group1, Kilmacud’s second team lost 1-25 to 4-14, to make it one win from two games.

26 April 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 39

HURLING: KILMACUD ASSURED OF SHC QUARTER-FINAL SPOT

FOOTBALL

Owens lifts Dubs to league final with Mayo

Kilmacud Crokes Ronan Hayes gains possession against Whitehall Colmcille.

Picture: Steven Dagg

Classy Crokes march on as Cuala also prevail DUBLIN SHC GROUP 2 Kilmacud Crokes Whitehall Colmcille  sport@dublingazette.com

2-20 0-16

KILMACUD Crokes booked their berth in the Dublin senior A hurling championships quarter-finals when they defeated Whitehall Colmcille 2-20 to 0-16 on Friday night in their Group 2 contest in O’Toole Park.

By virtue of this result Na Fianna, victors over O’Toole’s on Thursday, also progress out of Group 2, still with one round of games to complete the roundrobin section.

First-half goals from Ronan Hayes and Mark Howard put Crokes on the road to victory as they held a 2-8 to 0-8 interval advantage.

Cork Under-21 hurler of 2017, Howard, finished the game as top-scorer with 1-11, edging out Whitehall’s Seán Gray’s 0-13 as the Passage native continues to add to Kilmacud’s attack.

Hayes struck for his goal in the sixth minute when the powered through and fired to the Whitehall net past keeper Ronan Murray.

Only two minutes later, Murray was again retrieving the sliotar from his net, this time after Howard had breached the Colmcilles’ defence.

However, Whitehall kept very much in the game through the free-taking of Gray as well as points from play from Paddy Spellacy and Niall O’Connor.

In the second period the longer the half progressed the more Whitehall were in need of a goal to inject life into their fading hopes.

Cormac Costello got one brief sighting on goal but his effort flashed past Matt Collins’ post as Anthony Daly’s men emerged ten-point victors and have their last-eight spot booked before the summer championship break.

Crokes face Na Fianna in their last round-robin match which will decide who tops Group 2.

Elsewhere, Cuala’s Seán Moran had double cause for celebration on Saturday, in the early evening he helped the Dalkey side to a 1-15 to 0-14 Group 3 victory over Craobh Chiaráin then, that night, he was named Club Hurler of the Year.

Jake Malone’s 17th minute goal fol-

lowing good approach play by Colm Cronin helped the back-to-back AllIreland champions into a 1-9 to 0-5 interval lead.

But Craobh rallied in the second period and pushed their opponents all the way with Billy Ryan and Cian Derwin doing well for the Donnycarney men.

Two David Treacy (0-8, 6f) points and another from Niall Carthy saw Cuala, who lined out without Mark Schutte and Con O’Callaghan, to victory.

Ballinteer St John’s succumbed to Lucan Sarsfields 0-23 to 1-12 in Group 4 clash at O’Toole Park with Ciarán Dowl-

ing the scoring hero.

Dowling, a Dublin minor hurler in 2015 and ‘16, scored 0-12 overall while Lucan led 0-11 to 0-7 at the interval after the sides had been level on four occasions during the opening half.

Sars had extended their advantage to six points before Tom Aherne’s goal brought St John’s right back into contention.

But Lucan had enough about them to run out eight-point winners with their keeper Aidan Roche making one fine save to deny Seán Lane.

Kilmacud Crokes on defensives duties Picture: Steven Dagg

DUBLIN’S late, late match-winner Nicole Owens admitted that coming off the bench to score the decisive goal against Galway in the Lidl Ladies NFL Division 1 semi-final was “not the ideal way” to clinch victory.

Her goal gave Mick Bohan’s side a dramatic 2-8 to 2-7 win, keeping alive hopes of a first ever league title where they will play Mayo in the decider, a repeat of the AllIreland championship final.

Bohan’s charges never led through the 60 minutes before Owens started the move that resulted in her hitting the net in the final minute to give Dublin the advantage.

The side featured Cuala’s Martha Byrne, Foxrock Cabinteely’s Sinead Goldrick, Niamh Collins and Hannah O’Neill and Kilmacud Crokes’ Lauren Magee.

Supersub Owens was, despite the manner of it, delighted the side got over the line.

“We left it until the end but we won. That’s all that matters,” she said afterwards.

“They led for the entire game and they really brought it to us and they’re probably feeling very sick.

We’ve been in that position. We’ve had it snatched away from us in the last minute so it’s nice to be on the right side.

“We’re not entirely happy with that performance. At least we’re in a very, very opportunistic position where we get to go away for a few weeks and work on everything that let us down in that match going into the final.”

GazetteSPORT APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2018

ALL OF YOUR SOUTH DUBLIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 33-39

CROKES HIT THE HEIGHTS

HURLING: Kilma-

cud through to the knock-out stages of the senior hurling championship with impressive win over Whitehall SEE P39

BACK-TO-BACK HOCKEY: UCD show few nerves as they storm to yet another EYHL title with an emphatic win SEE P33

ROAD RELAY SPEED QUEENS ATHLETICS: DSDAC storm to national medals in both the women’s and men’s competitions on the roads of Raheny last weekend SEE P37

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McAfee sets his sights on an Irish title in 2018  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

STEPHEN McAfee continued his rapid rise up the pro boxing ranks with a split-dec ision win over Cork’s Colin O’Donovan in Drimnagh last month.

The Sallynoggin man outpointed O’Donovan over eight rounds, the pair having battled to a blood-soaked draw over six rounds back in September, to claim the BUI Celtic 130lb title.

The second fight more than lived up to its billing, with many commentators dubbing it the fight of the year so far.

O’Donovan, whom the Dubliner branded ‘Mo Farah’, in the lead-up as he accused him of running away, promised to stand up and fight.

That worked to the s t r o n g e r M c A f e e ’s advantage, as he looked comfortable trading blows, though he couldn’t add to his growing knockdown reel.

It was just McAfee’s fourth fight as a professional – he made the switch from kickboxing last year – which m a ke s t h e m a t u r i t y and patience of his performance all the more impressive.

Now the 26-year-old has set his sights on securing a first Irish title, which he reckons is within his grasp before the end of the year.

“I didn’t expect to be where I am now,” the D u n L a o g h a i re - b o r n fighter told the Dublin

Stephen McAfee raises his BUI belt along with his coaches Johnny and Parkie Lewins and Eric Donovan. Picture: Ricardo Guglielminotti

“I don’t want to go out and just keep beating

journeymen and thinking I am the best. I am in this game to be challenged.” - Stephen McAfee Gazette.

“I always shoot for the stars. I wanted to be BUI champion, Irish champion, but I just didn’t think it would be so quick.

“I couldn’t ask for anything better. Four fights in, BUI champion – I can’t recall many people doing that.”

McAfee was a talented schoolboy footballer, having played until his late teens with his local side St Joseph’s Boys.

But by the time scouts

from England and Bray Wanderers had begun sniffing around, he’d already made the choice to make the squared circle his arena.

“I was mad into soccer.

At 18, I stopped and then I got into kickboxing for the sake of it. I enjoyed that, and I collected a few belts. People could see in my kickboxing style that I always preferred my hands.

“My friends were saying ‘go pro,’ but it was

always in my mind. I’d always have loved to be pro. I just said f*** it I’ll do it now before it’s too late, and go for it.”

Now McAfee – who balances his pro career with college in Tralee, where he’s studying to become an electrician – sees the world in front of him.

Under the tutelage of trainers Johnny and Parkie Lewis – “I trust them with my life” – McAfee feels he’s arrived

in Irish boxing at a time where competition is becoming ever tougher.

There was a time in Irish boxing where questionable journeymen were invited in to face Irish fighters.

But with domestic boxing making inroads on national TV for the first time in a long time, McAfee feels the local rivalries are helping to drive standards and interest.

“There’s a lot more

Irish wanting to fight each other, and I believe it’s better. Getting these foreigners in, no disrespect to them, but they’re not up to it.

“The first two fights I had, they were grand and all, but I was in second gear. You can pick up bad habits.

“I don’t want to go out and just keep beating these journeyman and thinking I’m the best. I’m in the game to be tested and be challenged.”