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WITH THE LATEST NEWS AND SPORT FROM YOUR DUN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL AREA  FEBRUARY 22-28, 2018

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CONCERNS THAT VILLAGE COULD LOSE ITS CHARACTER

Dundrum locals in bid to save Main Street  REBECCA RYAN

THERE are concerns that redevelopment plans for Dundrum Main Street will cause the village to lose its character.

Imagine Dundrum is a voluntary group of local residents concerned about Dundrum’s future and have made a submission to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for the Main Street to be designated as an Architectural Conservation Area.

Dundrum native Deirdre Ni Fhloinn told Dublin Gazette that locals are worried the village will lose its character. See full story on Page 3

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 22 February 2018

VACANT SITES | PARTIES REFUSE TO ALLOW MOTION AT MEETING

FG and FF slammed for blocking potential for 400 new homes

A LOCAL councillor is slamming Fine Gael and Fianna Fail for blocking a discussion on Leopardstown Racecourse land and the potential for 400 homes.

Sinn Fein councillor for Glencullen Sandyford, Chris Curran said Fine Gael and Fianna Fail refused to allow his motion for discussion at a recent meeting of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

The motion called on the Housing Minister and the Agriculture Min-

 REBECCA RYAN

rryan@dublingazette.com

ister to step in to ensure that vacant sites on the outskirts of Leopardstown Racecourse are handed over to the council.

“The motion was a perfectly sound motion that could have paved the way for the development of 400 desperately

needed homes.

“The land is ideal for housing, it is already zoned residential, it is water and drainage serviced, has its own LUAS stop and is within a few hundred meters from the M50.”

Cllr Curran added he fears that if the state does not step in, the land could be lost to a private developer.

“It’s not as if an initiative like this is unique.

In Cherry Orchard, the HSE handed over land to Dublin City Council

and other sites in state ow nership are being identified across the state for much-needed housing.”

The Sinn Fein councilor told Dublin Gazette previously that the area has one of the worst housing lists.

“Dun Laoghaire Rathdown is not only the smallest county in the state, it has one of the worst housing waiting lists too with extremely limited land resources.

“Leopardstown Racecourse is owned by the semi-state body - Horse Racing Ireland. Every year, horse racing enjoys significant financial support from the state.

“Last year alone the spor t received €64m in state funding, an increase of €5m on the previous year. In many respects, the taxpayer has paid for this land many times over.

“Having researched the land in question

and after communications with senior council officials, we estimate the sites to be around 6.5 hectares that could yield up to 450 housing units.”

Cllr Curran said he met with the Housing Minister about the issue recently.

“On February 12, we had a meeting with Minister Eoghan Murphy.

“I brought the issue to his attention and outlined the attributes of the Leopardstown Site and land in the ownership of the Central Bank.

“He seemed genuinely interested in our racecourse proposal. He outlined that he had a team looking into potential new sites for beyond 2021. Whilst I welcome this, we cannot wait until after 2021. He needs to start acting on this site now otherwise it could take 5 or 6 years before any new homes would start construction.”

Stillorgan’s Conor wins scholarship

STILLORGAN student Conor Molumby has been presented with the Veronica Guerin Memorial Scholarship award. Conor received the scholarship to support him in completing his Master’s in Journalism at DCU. Also pictured is Mary Shine Thompson, member of DCU Educational Trust Council of Trustees and Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU. Picture: Daire Hall

FASTNews

Tickets now available for Bray 10km Cliff Run A SURVEY once revealed that the average Irish household will eat a whopping eight Easter eggs during the bank holiday weekend, according to Repak.

If you are planning to balance that out with a bit of exercise, Bray 10km Cliff Run has been announced for Saturday, March 31.

Now in its 7th year, the popular event brings competitors both at home and abroad along the beautiful cliff path from Greystones beach to Bray promenade.

There is cash up for grabs and race director at Killary Gaelforce Mona Purcell said the event has plenty to offer: “It is suitable for all fitness levels, from elite runners to those who just want to walk or jog and it is the perfect goal for anyone who wants to improve their health or to keep on top of their training.

“The scenery is amazing and is one of the things that makes this event so special.”

Tickets for Bray 10km Cliff Run are now available online for €25 plus booking fee from www. gaelforceevents.com/en/bray-10km-cliff-run

Unclaimed bicycles sent to help children in Africa MANY stolen bicycles recovered by gardai remain unclaimed and end up being scrapped, despite having identification numbers.

Now, gardai in Dun Laoghaire have agreed to make these unclaimed bicycles available to Rotary Dun Laoghaire, who are participating in the hugely successful Rotary “The Power of the Bike” Project.

To date, over 2,000 bikes have been sent from Ireland to Africa, where they are used by children to cycle long distances to school.

The children in Africa are not the only ones to benefit from the project.

Teams of soon to be released prisoners at the Loughan House Prison in Cavan will refurbish the bikes and in doing so increase their skillsets, making them better prepared to lead a crime free life on their release.

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

22 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

DUNDRUM VILLAGE | RE-DEVELOPMENT PLANS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR LOCALS

Dundrum group move to save village’s character  REBECCA RYAN THERE are concerns that redevelopment plans for Dundrum Main Street will cause the village to lose its character.

Imagine Dundrum is a voluntary group of local residents concerned about Dundrum’s future.

They have been working together since early 2016 to influence the redevelopment of Dundrum Village.

T he group’s vision is that any new development should bring together the old and the new in a way that keeps the sense of Dundrum as an urban village community.

In suppor t of this objective, Imagine Dundrum has made a submission to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for the main street to be designated as an Architectural Conservation Area.

One of the groups members, Eamon Regan, has also prepared alternative designs for the old shopping centre. They have shared their plans with the developer, UK property giant Hammerson, who have acquired

most of the properties on the western side of the Main Street, including the old Dundrum Shopping Centre.

Dundrum native, local resident and Green Party Local Area Representative Deirdre Ni Fhloinn told Dublin Gazette:

Deirdre Ni Fhloinn

“We don’t know yet what is proposed for the old shopping centre, but if it is a similar scale to the first design, it will radically change Dundrum village.”

She said that locals are worried that the village will lose its character.

“There is certainly a concern locally about the amount of housing available, and I think a well proportioned and sympathetic development incorporating housing, that encouraged people to live in the village, would be welcomed.

“I think there is a sense

that Dundrum village will be overwhelmed if the old shopping centre site becomes another very large retail and commercial development, and that it will lose its character if future development does not incorporate existing buildings and the existing shape of the village.”

The local rep said she would like to see the area developed into a social hub for the community.

“Dundrum is in a great location, only a few miles from town and surrounded by vibrant residential communities.

“I’d like to see it develop into a social hub for community activities, shopping and everyday life for people in the area.

“Elderly people coming out of daily Mass could meet friends and family if there was a village cafe; the old Post Office could be a centre for local history.

“The Imagine Dundrum plans for the old shopping centre would be a really sympathetic scheme combining a library, retail units and housing and retaining the village feel of Dundrum.”

She is also concerned

Imagine Dundrum have prepared alternative designs for the old shopping centre

that, in the meantime, the properties set for redevelopment are lying derelict and gathering “disgraceful amounts of rubbish which harms the amenity of the whole village”.

“One side of the village has a number of thriving businesses and well-kept buildings, from Bank of Ireland up to the junction at Holy Cross Church.

“The other side has buildings lying empty with rubbish and debris in front gardens of lovely period houses, and the old Post Office building lying empty with windows broken.

“It doesn’t encourage people to congregate or

spend time in the village, which I think has a negative impact.”

Imagine Dundr um is launching a historical book on Main Street Dundrum on March 6 at 8pm.

Main Street, A History of the Heart of Dundrum

by John Lennon will offi-

cially be launched by Minister Josepha Madigan at the Holy Cross Parish Centre, Main Street, Dundrum.

At the event will also be a “model” for Dundrum designed by masters students from the UCD School of Architecture in Clonskeagh.

GARDAI have confirmed that the body found washed up on a beach in North Wales last November is Rathfarnham man Brendan Burke.

The 71-year-old who vanished on the 15th of November 2017 was last seen outside Permanent TSB in Rathmines.

An extensive search took place with Gardai issuing many appeals, including the release of CCTV footage.

HM coastguard and North Wales Police recovered his body from a small cove in the sea off Anglesey on November 29.

T he gardai have thanked the public for all their assistance during the search.

BOI donates defibrillator

Lucky Catherine snaps up her prize

Some of the properties lying derelict in Dundrum

Body found in Wales is missing local man

CONGRATULATIONS to delighted Dublin Gazette reader Catherine Garry, who won the Fujifilm Instax wedding camera gift package worth €200 that we were giving away in our recent wedding supplement. Well done, Catherine – and remember to keep reading your Dublin Gazette, online and in print, and keep looking out for our regular great giveaways and prizes!

BANK of Ireland has donated a defibrillator to the Community First Responders (CFR) scheme in Shankill-Ballybrack.

This is part of a commitment by Bank of Ireland to donate defibrillators to CFR schemes nationwide in 2018, having donated 40 defibrillators to CFR schemes around the countr y already.

T he donation was made as part of Bank of Ireland’s, “Be at Your Best” programme, a wellbeing programme designed to support and encourage staff to engage in a range of activities which promote and encourage professional career development, physical and mental wellbeing.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 22 February 2018

PROJECT IRELAND 2040 | €116 BILLION SET TO BE SPENT ON CAPITAL PROJECTS Call to

Mixed reaction in South Dublin to new National Planning Framework  REBECCA RYAN MAJOR transpor t investments have been announced for Dublin as part of the National Planning Framework.

Project Ireland 2040 was unveiled in Sligo last Friday and promises €116bn will be spent on capital projects ranging from investments in areas like housing, hospitals, schools, roads and climate change over the next 20 years.

A total of €3bn will go towards the long-awaited Metro Link. It will run

between Sandyford and Swords, linking the Luas, Dart and Dublin Airport.

The line hopes to open to passengers by 2027 and will have eight underground stops and six over ground.

Four new LUAS lines have also been confirmed.

The tram will be extended to run to Bray, Lucan, Finglas and Poolbeg.

Transpor t Minister Shane Ross told Dublin Gazette he welcomed the announcement.

“I am very happy that in the Plan, my Department is putting its money where

its mouth is. For instance, in the next few weeks we will be begin preparatory work on the new Metro Link, which will ultimately connect Swords to Sandyford, bringing rail access to the airport and beyond and complementing transport choices for the greater Dublin area.

“Major public transport items such as Bus Connects and projects like the Metro Link and expanded Dart and Luas along with Park and Ride services will ease congestion, lower carbon output and add greatly to the quality and

standard of our transport system.

“We will be investing more than €8bn in our road network over the next decade. Well maintained roads are safer roads.”

Fine Gael Dublin Rathdown TD Minister Josepha Madigan told Dublin Gazette the Metro Link is “fantastic news for everyone living in Dublin Rathdown”.

Minister Madigan welcomed the Luas Green Line Capacity Enhancement project which she said is “already having a noticeable positive impact on capacity limits at peak hours”.

There will also be the development of strategic park and ride sites plus investment in parking facilities at Luas, rail and bus connections including Carrickmines, Woodbrook and Greystones.

The Dart is also being extended to Drogheda, Dunboyne and Maynooth and Dublin airport will get an extra runway.

Lacks ambition Not everyone is raving about the plans though.

Fianna Fail councillor for Dun Laoghaire Cormac Devlin thinks the national development plan lacks ambition for South Dublin.

“The Government’s National Development Plan has seen a repackaging 179 components from existing proposals into this “new” plan.

“Worryingly for south side commuters, the Government have scaled back on their existing commitments to improve south Dublin’s public transport infrastructure.

“DART Underground

remove large rocks from Luas tracks

Neale Richmond

Minister Madigan preparing for TV interview on Project Ireland 2040 in Dundrum library

and the LUAS Green Line extension to Bray have been shelved until at least 2027.

“It also appears there will be no further improvements to the LUAS Green Line between Sandyford and Bride’s Glen (Cherrywood) during the same period.”

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

‘However, there is a worrying lack of detail in the plan’

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

TD for Dublin Rathdown and Deputy Leader of the Green Party Catherine Martin welcomes the news about the Metro Link but worries about the details in the plan.

“Increased public transport is vital to ease the pressure on the Luas Green line, and to ensure we have the capacity as areas such as Cherrywood develop. However, there is a worrying lack of detail in the plan. It is vital that the mistakes of the roll-

out of Luas Cross City are learned, so commuters in Dublin Rathdown don’t suffer further due to bad planning.”

Healthcare Project Ireland 2040 also included significant capital investment in Dublin’s healthcare infrastructure, including the redevelopment of the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dun Laoghaire, and a new National Maternity Hospital in the grounds of St Vincent’s Hospital.

Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor said the inclusion of the redevelopment of the NRH in Dun Laoghaire is great news for the future of the hospital.

“Phase One will deliver a 120-bed modern hospital, including support therapies for paediatrics and acquired brain injury wards, hydrotherapy unit and sports hall.

“This development is now underway and will be operational in 2020.”

A DUBLIN Rathdown based Senator is calling on LUAS and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to remove large stones from tracks across South Dublin as he says they are being used by local vandals.

Neale Richmond (FG) said: “Over recent weeks I have been contacted by residents in housing estates along the Luas line who have suffered numerous instances of broken house windows, damaged car windows and damage to their property at an ever increasing level because of these large rocks.

“This damage is being caused by individuals taking rocks from the surrounding Luas tracks and using these as missiles.

“This is unacceptable behaviour; these rocks are quite large and have the potential to seriously injure anyone unfortunate to be hit by one while the damage to adjacent properties has been quite significant.”

He is calling on LUAS and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to do something about it.

“I have written to the Luas operators and TII asking them to look into removing these rocks and using alternative materials, as soon as possible.”

Luas and Transport Infrastructure Ireland were unavailable to comment at the time of going to press.

22 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 22 February 2018

EVENTS Bellamianta celebrate launch of their first ever liquid tan

Ashlee Coburn and Maria Murphy

Joan Kelly and Carolyn Henderson

Ananda serves up a stylish launch party

D

Maura Higgins and Becky Marlow. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

UNDRUM’S award-winning Ananda Restaurant played host to the launch of Irish tanning brand Luxury Tan Brand Bellamianta’s newest must have product, and first ever liquid tan, Liquid Gold. Guests enjoyed lunch at the Indian restaurant before host Mark Rogers gave the low down on the newest addition to the range and gave top tips on how to apply the product. They also enjoyed an exclusive signature Bellamianta Liquid Gold Martini complete with edible gold leaf vodka.

Stephanie McNamee, Louise O Connell and Linda Ryan

Valerie Roe and Jas Narwal Jade and Laura Mullett

Jane O’Connor, Katie O’Connor and Megan Connolly

Mickaela and Louise McDonnell

22 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Building on the living legacy of the nation’s strong female leaders IN THE latter half of the 1800s, there was organised feminist action on various issues education and the parliamentary vote.

most successful and enduring companies accountancy firms, solicitors’ practices,

ann, the Irishwomen’s Franchise League, the

retail corporations and many household

Irish Women’s Suffrage Federation, the Irish

names in the business world can now boast

Women’s Reform League and the Irish Women

women at the helm.

Many of the most talented and imaginative politicians are women, with some of them

fund and arm the men of the Irish Volunteers,

holding ministerial roles. Indeed, some of the

was another important milestone.

most influential and prestigious positions in

Finally, in 1918, women aged 30 were grant-

Ireland are now in the safe hands of women

ed the right to vote. Some 11 women stood in

and up to recently, the roles of Tanaiste,

the 1918 elections, with Countess Markievicz

Garda Commissioner, Attorney General and

being the only woman elected to parliament.

Chief Justice were simultaneously held by

This led to an unstoppable surge in the advance of women’s rights, resulting in

women.

Ireland has certainly come a long way in

women taking up crucial roles in business

the 100 years since women first asserted

and commerce. Talented women were now

their rights and took their place alongside

encouraged to break into the business world,

their male counterparts. There’s little doubt

a hitherto bastion of male domination.

that the pioneers of a century ago would

Women took up vital roles as business leaders, where they proved themselves more

have been very proud of today’s women and

Nicola Ring

General Manager at Newpark Sports Centre

N

ICOLA Ring has been the General Manager of Newpark Sports Centre since 2000 with 20 years experience in the leisure industry.

• BA (Hons) in Leisure Management • Qualified swimming teacher • Fitness instructor and personal trainer • Qualified as an Internal auditor (ISO9001:2015 standards)

Achievements

• Highly commended for Quality Management Systems in the Leisure Centre Category at Q Mark awards 2017 • National Quality Standard White Flag Gold Award

their contribution to Irish society.

Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD Minister of State for Higher Education

M

T

anywhere. Many financial institutions,

were formed including Inghinidhe na hEire-

Cumann na mBan, with its main aim to help

“I am honoured to have been the 100th woman elected to Dail Eireann” It was a great honour for me to have been the 100th Woman elected to Dail Eireann. As one of five girls growing up, I have never seen gender as a barrier to my career, or in any challenge I wish to take on. The only regret I would ever have is if I didn’t try. I believe that to ensure that we have a stable and compassionate society we need to have a government that is well represented by all aspects of society. Since I was elected in 2016 I have been working on many issues including planning, housing, affordable housing, Childcare and a wellbeing policy.

We now see many main street businesses that are run by women and are among the

Worker’s Union.

Fine Gael – Dun Laoghaire

than an equal to their male counterparts.

related to women, especially in the areas of Nationalist and women’s organisations

Maria Bailey

ARY Mitchell O’Connor TD is Minister of State for Higher Education, having previously served as Minister of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. During her tenure, she was instrumental in the creation and maintenance of high quality and sustainable full employment.

She was elected to Dail Eireann in 2011 and topped the poll in 2016. Mary also served on Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Mary is a hard working Minister and TD, and is passionate about the needs and concerns of the constituents of Dun Laoghaire and of Ireland. She is committed to economic growth, improving education and health, and supporting small businesses.

• National Quality Standard for Accessibility Gold award 2018 • Won Overall Leisure Centre of the year in 2016 • Shortlisted in CARA National inclusion awards 2017 in Leisure and fitness category

Karen Duke

Territory Manager, PermanentTSB Dundrum & Rathmines

K

AREN Duke, Territory Manager with PermanentTSB covering branches in Dundrum & Rathmines since October 2017.

In my 19 years working with PermanentTSB I have gained a lot of experience in retail banking which has enabled me to progress my career within the bank in various roles. I first started back in 1998 on the Cash Desk with Irish Permanent in Walkinstown and have worked hard to get where I am now today! I am passionate about what PermanentTSB can offer and wish to continue developing personal & business relationships within my territory and help make PermanentTSB be the bank of choice.

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 22 February 2018

LUAS | MINSTER REJECTS ‘LACK OF FORWARD PLANNING’ CLAIMS OVER NEW TRAMS

Green line passenger numbers up by 24%  REBECCA RYAN THE Oireachtas Committee heard last Wednesday from transport officials about the traffic congestion in Dublin due to the Luas.

Traffic around College Green has become a significant issue since the Luas Cross City was introduced.

It comes as it was announced that ten more Dublin Bus routes are to be diverted away from the College Green area from March 5.

On Tuesday night, deputies debated a Fianna Fail motion focused on the traffic congestion in the city, with the opposition claiming there was a “lack of forward planning” to allow for longer carriages for Luas trams.

Transport Minister Shane Ross rejected the motion saying the issues are being addressed and that more trams are coming on stream.

“As part of the Luas Cross City project, we have purchased seven additional 55 metre long trams.

“These have a higher passenger capacity than existing trams and thereby significantly increase overall capacity on the Green Line.

“Coupled with increasing capacity, the NTA has also advised me of planned changes to the Luas Green and Red Line timetables to improve the frequency of service particularly in the morning and evening peak periods.

“The motion criticises the lack of investment in extra buses to meet public demands and that has been addressed by the Government in the National Development Plan.”

Minister Ross defended the Luas extension. He said: “It’s been a 24% passenger increase.

That is an extraordinary piece of good news.

Transport Minister Shane Ross

“If there hadn’t been any increase at all, you’d be in here crying about a white elephant.”

Meanwhile, Green Party Deputy Leader and TD for Dublin Rathdown, Catherine Martin, also called Transdev to explain to the Oireachtas Transport Committee about the “consistent Luas delays in recent months” and to give solutions on “what is needed to restore the reliability of Luas services”.

Delays/Overcrowding Chair of the Oireachtas Transport committee, Fergus O’Dowd

TD, confirmed on Monday he will facilitate requests to bring in Luas officials to discuss the many issues affecting passengers using the service.

Deputy Martin said she has been swamped by complaints from Dublin Rathdown commuters who use the Luas.

“I have been inundated with complaints from daily commuters in my constituency who are frustrated with the Luas service in recent times.

“Commuting at peak times is currently a nightmare for Luas passengers due to overcrowding, delays, repeated failures of the Real Time Information displays and debit card machines, not to mention accessibility issues with the lifts at Dundrum and Connolly out of service in recent weeks.

“The lack of communication between the Luas operators and passengers is also unacceptable.

“Yesterday, for example, pas-

sengers on the Luas Green Line on their way into the city centre were given no advanced warning in respect of having to disembark at the Luas stop at Cowper.

“The problem at Cowper didn’t occur suddenly and the authorities had adequate time to warn passengers travelling on that line but failed to do so.”

Luas commuters have also been left angered by packed trams who have been taking to twitter to vent their frustrations.

One person wrote: “Thanks for your contribution to more grumpy and aggressive people first thing in the morning.”

While another wrote about serious safety concerns: “Luas crowding now beyond dangerous on the trams. Passengers being crushed.

“Platforms are also 4/5 people deep with very few getting on.

Further delays at each stop as it’s taking a minimum of three attempts to close doors.”

Youth facility awarded funds

Mount Anville Secondary School students with their PE teacher, Noelle Farrell

Mount Anville girls’ school is the fittest in the country A GOATSTOWN school has won Fittest Girls’ School as part of the Irish Life Health School’s Fitness Challenge.

Over 30,000 students throughout Ireland took part in the sixweek challenge.

This year more girls participated than boys. The girls had an average fitness improvement of 16%, and the boys had an aver-

age of 6%. This boost in cardiorespiratory fitness is proven to significantly lower risk of chronic diseases.

Now in its sixth year, over 172,000 children in total have participated in the Challenge, making this the third largest fitness study of its kind in the world.

Commenting on winning, PE teacher Noelle Farrell said the

CABINTEELY’S Grainstore has been awarded €1,500 under national Arts and Youth scheme.

The youth facility was one of only 13 projects around the country to be awarded funds as part of the Artist and Youth Work Residency Scheme. This scheme supports youth organisations to run an arts project with young people in their local communities.

Grainstore will introduce film as an innovative visual arts medium, learn technical skills around film production, and cultivate a curiosity and belief among participants around the potential of film as an art form and to discuss the possibility of longer term collaboration with artist John Conway.

students have put in a massive effort to improve their fitness.

“We’re delighted that effort has paid off and we’ve won Fittest Girls’ School in the country.

However, we’re even more thrilled to see the students taking charge of their own fitness levels and the benefit that the Challenge has had to their overall health.”

Picture: Jason Clarke Photography

Members of Cabinteely Grainstore

FASTNews

Energy Savings Kits available ENERGY Savings Kits to help householders better understand their energy use and reduce their bills can now be borrowed free from dlr Libraries.

The six tools in the kit address key areas of energy use in the home - space heating, hot water and electricity consumption - and can identify common issues such as lack of insulation, poor ventilation and the appliances that might be driving up electricity bills.

Speaking at the launch, An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tom Murphy said: “Citizen engagement with Energy and Climate Change starts with addressing energy issues within our own homes. The Kits are easy to use and will help many homeowners take that initial step on their sustainable energy journey.”

The Kits are available to borrow from the dlr LexIcon, Stillorgan, Deansgrange and Dundrum Libraries.

Donations for sale of work A SALE of work is taking place on Sunday, March 4 at St Joseph’s Hall in Terenure from 10am to 1pm.

It’s to raise funds to help send special needs children to Lourdes for Easter 2018.

The group are looking for donations of books, toys, bric a brac, unwanted gifts, groceries or baked goods.

All donations gratefully accepted.

Please drop any donations big or small to: Bernadette Anderson 0876377138 /014905280, 21 Templeville Road, Templeogue, Dublin 6W.

22 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 22 February 2018

EVENTS No matter what’s happening in your area, Dublin Gazette’s

Minster Shane Ross

Moe Powell and PJ Crowley

Lawson Mpame and Aoife McCormack.

Picture: Andres Poveda Photography

Carol and Phil Wharton

Omar Selman and Righad Halabi

Cathy Bruen, Sharon Keegan and Lisa Gill

Sandyford House celebrates S bar relaunch

Eddie Wilson and Miriam Burke

ANDYFORD House had its official relaunch party on Thursday, February 1.

Under new management and having gone through a total transformation, the new Bar & Restaurant is open for brunch,

lunch, dinner and drinks.

Just off the M50 in the heart of Sandyford Village, with 100 free car parking spaces, the team are looking forward to welcoming you to the new venue.

22 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

far-ranging photographers have all the events and angles covered

M

INISTER for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan was at Marlay Park House, Rathfarnham, recently to announce the 2018 Centenary programme to commemorate the introduction of voting rights for women and their right to stand in parliamentary elections and the launch of the companion book to the Mna 1916/Women of 1916 exhibition.

Throughout 2018, events and exhibitions will be held to honour these anniversaries.

Sen Denis O’Donovan, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad; Minister Heather Humphreys, Minister Josepha Madigan, Minister Regina Doherty, Councillor Tom Murphy, Cathaoirleach of DUn Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Picture: Peter Cavanagh

Footloose to help a gala PRESENTER Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh and Dancing with the Stars backstage reporter, James Patrice are pictured at the launch of the Breast Cancer Ireland Battle of the Stars gala fundraiser supported by Joe Duffy Group.

Each of the participants will spend the next few weeks in a rigorous regime of rehearsals led by a team of professional choreographers and stylists.

Tickets, which include a fourcourse meal and entertainment, are on sale at €150 per person at www.breastcancerireland.com. All funds raised support Breast Cancer Ireland’s pioneering research and awareness programmes around Ireland. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

Philomena Poole, chief executive, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

Muireann Ní Chonaill and Sean Ó Conaill

MARKING THE CENTENARY OF RIGHTS FOR WOMEN

Cathaoirleach Cllr Tom Murphy, Minister Regina Doherty, Minister Josepha Madigan, Brendan Henderson, Minister Heather Humphreys

GAZETTE

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

DUBLINBUSINESS

Dublin wins bid to host prestigious Global Retail Council meeting in May DUBLIN has won the world and prothe bid to host the file some of the best prestigious Global retailing standards Retail Council midwe deliver in Ireyear meeting, which land is a significant will see 30 countries oppor tunity and from six continents achievement. meeting at City West “It is uplifting that - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ireland has been Hotel in May. Retail Excellence selected to host the competed against mid-year meeting.”

Canada and AusNational Retail tralia, and will now Federation presihost more than 2,000 dent and chief execretailers congregatutive Matthew Shay ing to learn from said he is delighted and be inspired by that we are hostworld-class speakers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ing this important Fitzsimons and suppliers in the David - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - meeting. industry.

He added: “After Chief executive of Retail Excellence, attending the annual Retail Excellence David Fitzsimons (above), said it is a conference last year, I am deeply aware tremendous achievement for the Irish of Ireland’s thriving retail environment retail industry: “To host so many influ- and I look forward to returning with ential retail executives from around colleagues from around the globe.”

‘To host so many retail executives from around the world is a significant opportunity’

YOUCAPITAL

Meet ‘the dating app for investment’ IRISH investors will be watching closely the success of an innovative new app dreamed up by a Mayo man – YouCapital – with a hook that has seen it described as “like a dating app for investment”.

Mayo man and serial entrepreneur Tom Gaughan believes that his latest venture is on the brink of big things.

“I live in quite an affluent area of West London, and I kept meeting investors who were looking around for the next big thing, or even something viable to invest in, and I thought: ‘Technology has to provide the answer to this’.”

Turning to marrying tech with meeting investors’ needs, Gaughan says: “Although the focus of the UK investor market is starting to shift from

creation to development, there are still loads of people with fantastic, viable business ideas who cannot obtain the capital to start up. Any one of these, with capital, could be the next ‘unicorn’.”

He points out that YouCapital has a focus on providing a deep, valuable relationship, as unlike with crowd funding ventures, “YouCapital aims to match innovators with experienced investors – people who have real experience in growing companies”.

YouCapital’s execution and concept is simple: with the app downloaded to their smartphone, users simply register as an investor or an entrepreneur.

When a budding businessperson adds their project to the YouCapital marketplace, they

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

Tom Gaughan

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

are invited to define the opportunity by certain criteria – including the amount of investment sought, equity offered, area served, and so on.

They can also upload supporting documents, such as an outline business plan, messaging portfolio, or core marketing projections.

On the other side, backers registered on the app set their preferred investment profile – using similar criteria – and get

a notification when a suitable opportunity is added to the marketplace.

“YouCapital started as an idea nearly eight years ago. Now technology and our understanding of the market have converged.

“We have put a lot of consideration into this, and we are really pleased to be able to launch the YouCapital app to the world.”

Although YouCapital is being rolled out in the UK, Mayo man Gaughan hasn’t forgotten his roots – indeed, he views the potential to capitalise on the Irish market as being a key move for YouCapital, with Irish investors and projects firmly in his sights.

He says: “YouCapital want to launch in Ireland as it’s a great test market, having a good mix of entrepreneurs and private individual investors/ HNW, and if their product stands up the word will spread fast.

“We also see Ireland as a stepping stone to the American market now that Ireland is the European hub for American tech companies.

“YouCapital are also considering having their headquarters based in Ireland early next year.”

So watch this space – and the available business apps for your phone – as YouCapital turns its attention to the Irish market ...

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE

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

LET FUN LOVING BUSTER BRING JOY TO YOUR HOME

DUBLIN Gazette has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

Buster is a cute 7-year-old terrier cross looking for a home that he can call his own.

He is a real clever clogs who is perfectly housetrained and very clean too. Buster can be shy with new people and overwhelmed by busier situations and young children, for this reason he would like a quiet adult only home so he can settle in at a gentle pace.

If you are looking for a fun loving, sparky little dog to join your quiet home he could be just the friend you seek!.

If you think you can offer Buster a loving home, contact Dogs Trust at 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie.

You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook. com/dogstrustirelandonline or over on Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

DIARY P14 MUSIC P20 TRAVEL P23

CHILDREN: WINNERS REVEALED IN NATIONWIDE ART COMPETITION

Young artists are a credit THE winners of one of the nation’s largest and longest-running art competitions were announced at Croke Park last week.

Some 30,000 entries were received for the annual Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) All Ireland Art Competition, which is now in its 34th year.

The 11 category winners received cash prizes from broadcaster Marty Whelan.

Set Your Imagination Free was the theme of this year’s competition,

Keisha McCann, winner in the 11-13 years category, shares a laugh with Marty Whelan. Picture: Julien Behal

designed to give a wideranging scope to entrants to express their creativity and individuality.

In addition to the ten individual winners and one group winner, there were 22 runner-up and

merit awards, with a number of age categories and a category for artists with learning difficulties.

The competition is facilitated by credit unions across the island of Ireland.

Winning entries featured such imaginative interpretations of the theme as underwater scenes, space oddities, mythical creatures and city skylines.

The winners hailed from corners of Ireland stretching from Westport to Wexford and

Irvinestown in Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, ILCU president Charles Murphy said: “Our annual art event is just one example of the great work credit unions do in their communities to ensure that both young and old have an outlet for their creative skills.

“I extend a huge congratulations to each and every artist that participated in this competition and I look forward to seeing even more artistic creations in the future.”

GAZETTE

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE

DIARY

Brilliant kids all ready for an Oscar

LITTLE Natalia was dressed to impress with some red-carpet style at the launch of LauraLynn Children’s Hospice upcoming third annual Oscars ceremony.

Taking place on March 3, the evening will involve LauraLynn children, their siblings, and their parents writing, producing and starring in their very own short films with the help of industry professionals. The movies are then screened for the first time at an exclusive cinematic gala event in front of family and friends.

Shot on location in various counties around Ireland, the eight films span a range of genres, including com-

edy, action, animation and drama, and each film was edited and produced by Windmill Lane Studios.

This year the awards will be hosted by Marissa Carter (pictured with Natalia), entrepreneur and owner of Cocoa Brown. Marissa said: “The LauraLynn Oscars is shaping up to be an amazing evening. The children and their families have put so much work into the films, and we can’t wait to see them all for the first time!

“It’s going to be such a fun event, with limos, a red carpet, celebs, screaming fans, and the full VIP premiere treatment – it’s going to be an absolute ball.”

WHILE some people are looking forward to their own exciting Oscars (see panel, left), others are turning from the big screen excitement to the buzz of the theatre, with next month seeing the world premiere of The Unmanageable Sisters.

Play wright Deirdre Kinahan presents a new version of Michel Tremblay’s acclaimed Quebecois comedy, Les Belles Soeurs, at the Abbey Theatre.

Running from February 26 to April 7, the play is set in Ballymun in 1974, where Ger Lawless has won a million GreenShield stamps and happiness is at her fingertips.

But when 15 friends and family gather to help her claim her winnings, all bets are off.

Over one fateful stampsticking party, these determined women bring the audience into their lives in the ferociously funny The Unmanageable Sisters.

The play is part of the Abbey’s Free First Preview initiative, where audiences are invited to attend the first night of Abbey productions at no charge.

STEP UP FOR A FUN ANNUAL 26KM WALK

SOME 2,000 people are expected to walk from Howth Harbour to Dun Laoghaire Harbour (or reverse) this St Patrick’s Day. The 13th annual Harbour2Harbour Walk raises vital funds for mental health organisation, Aware.

The 26km trek is suitable for most fitness levels and the walk will take participants along the scenic Dublin Bay route with a “halfway hooley” hosted at Dublin Port Company’s newly opened public plaza.

All funds raised will go towards Aware’s nationwide support, education and information services.

Gerry O’Brien, head of fundraising at Aware said: “The walk offers the perfect excuse to get friends and family together to mark St Patrick’s Day in a fun and healthy way, while also raising money for a great cause.

“As a result of this and other fundraising efforts, Aware is able to provide support services for individuals and families impacted by depression

or bipolar disorder, as well as delivering free mental health education programmes to adults and senior cycle students throughout the country.”

You can register now at aware.ie/events, at a cost of €25 per person.

CIRCUS FANS’LL GO BERSERK FOR THIS FRESH from London’s West End, a contemporary cirque-style production will be tumbling into the Bord Gais Energy Theatre this week.

Cirque Berserk! has had a run of sold-out seasons in Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and the West End in London, and will come to Ireland for the first time for a limited run.

From February 27 until March 4, Cirque Berserk! is described as a “dangerfilled spectacle” that’s suitable for audiences of all ages.

Tickets are available now on Ticketmaster, priced from €15 to €30, with a special family ticket available for €80.

HELP SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD SHOW Racism the Red

Card are calling on primar y and secondar y schools, youth organisations, children and young people in Dublin to enter their annual Anti-Racism Creative Competition 2018.

The international antiracism and education charity’s competition encourages young people to develop creative antiracism messages using written, visual and audiovisual means, before the deadline of March 30.

Schools, organisations and individuals can get involved by registering online at www.theredcard.ie/competition.

The competition is open to entries in the following categories: Primary School, Secondary School, Youthreach, Youth services and Individual.

Entries can be submitted in the form of written articles, comment pieces, opinion pieces, reports, poems, sculpture, mural, mosaic, artworks, video, film or animation.

For further information on the competition, contact info@theredcard.ie.

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

Clowning about before their upcoming run to help support Aoife’s Clown Doctors ... What the group of Dublin runners lack in experience, they make up for with their determination to support the legacy of little Aoife (5), who died in 2012.

Today, ‘her’ clowns help to allay the nerves and fears of sick children in hospital.

CHARITY: DUBS GOING FUNDRAISING FOR KIND CLOWNS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER

Running off to London to help cheer up sick kids here  MARK O’BRIEN

A GROUP of ladies from Dublin – and one of their husbands – are set to travel to London on March 4 to take part in a race to raise funds for a bunch of clowns.

The group mainly comprise players from the Malahide-based St Sylvester’s Gaelic4Mothers & Others (G4M&O) team.

They will be travelling to London to participate in The Big Half, a half marathon starting at Tower Bridge and finishing in Greenwich.

One of the runners, Dee Roche, said: “The women travelling from our club all have different running standards, from beginners to the more experienced, but what they all do have in common is the charity which they have chosen to run for: Aoife’s Clown Doctors.

“Their fellow G4M&O

teammate Aine Hendrick and her family suffered the horrific loss of their daughter Aoife in 2012. St Sylvester’s G4M&O are choosing to fundraise for their amazing cause.”

Five-year-old Aoife attended Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin from May to August 2012 for treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Tragically, Aoife lost her short battle and died that summer only four months after being diagnosed.

“In 2014, as part of Aoife’s legacy, her parents Aine and Adrian set up Aoife’s Clown Doctors Ireland as entertainers who go into the children’s wards of Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin twice a week, to bring some fun and smiles to the families there,” said Dee. Aoife’s Clown Doctors are a team of professional

performers trained to work in hospitals.

They help create fun, laughter and creativity on the wards by parodying medical procedures and hospital jargon, helping to ease the fear and stress for children and parents.

Oversized medical equipment, ‘red-nose’ transplants, ‘cat’ scans and funny bone examinations are just a few examples of what might take place during a visit from a Clown Doctor.

Dee added: “Aoife’s Clown Doctors bring smiles and laughter to so many sick children in Crumlin and hopefully in the very near future they will be spreading the smiles in Temple Street Children’s Hospital and Tallaght Hospital too.”

To make a donation to Aoife’s Running Clowns, please visit https://www. gofundme.com/AoifesRunningClowns.

GAZETTE

FEATURE

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

EVENTS No matter what’s happening around the city, The Gazette’s

Miriam O’Callaghan, Cyril Byrne and Robbie Reynolds. Pictures: SON Photographic

Andres Poveda with his highly commended images. Pictures: Shane O’Neill, SON Photographic

Billy and Hillary Higgins, Joanne Smith and Johnny Bambury

Celebrating some amazing shots T

HE annual awards of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland took place in Croke Park last week, with photographers from across the island of Ireland in attendance. This year marks 40 years since the founding of The Press Photographers Association of Ireland. The overall award of ‘Press Photographer of the Year’ 2018 was presented to Cyril Byrne, of The Irish Times. The judging panel was chaired by Dermot O’Shea and the judges were internationally renowned photographers Tom Stoddart and Eamonn McCabe.

2nd Sports Feature: Alun Wyn Jones, Iain Henderson, Ross Moriarty and Sam Warburton in the dressing room after the Lions vs New Zealand Provincial Barbarians game.

Pictures: Dan Sheridan / Inpho Photography

1st Reportage: UFC fighter Conor McGregor and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. Pictures: Stephen McCarthy

Michael Chester with his highly commended images. Pictures: Shane O’Neill, SON Photographic

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

far-ranging photographers have all the events and angles covered

1st News: A tired and extremely gaunt looking Martin McGuinness leaving Stormont after handing in his resignation.

Picture: Justin Kernoghan

Group shot of all the winning photographers. Pictures: Shane O’Neill, SON Photographic

1st Daily Life and People: Children in Bulunkutu village, Maiduguri, 1st Sports Action: Seamus Coleman is tackled by Neil

Nigeria, one of many villages paralysed over the past eight years as

Taylor, of Wales, resulting in a broken leg.

Picture: Ryan Byrne

Pete Taylor. Picture: Gerry Mooney

Barbara Scully and Paul

Boko Harram attacked abducted and raped its women.

Sherwood

Picture: Steve Humpheries

GAZETTE

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE

PUZZLE PAGE SUDOKU

CODEWORDS EASY

TOUGH

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

HOW TO SOLVE

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

WORD SEARCH

Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues!

Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle.

All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number! To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters.

As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid.

Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

SCRIBBLE BOX

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

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE FOLLOWING HIDDEN WORDS baseball cap

homburg

beanie

kepi

beret

mortarboard

boater

Panama

bowler

skullcap

crown

stetson

deerstalker

straw

derby

sunhat

fedora

top hat

fez

tricorne

forage cap

trilby

turban

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

My life feels like it’s over – my kids and husband don’t seem to notice ‘me’ I’M SO down at the moment, I just don’t know where to turn.

I’ve been married for almost 15 years, we have two lovely kids, but I feel my life is over.

My husband is a good man and provides for me and the kids, but he takes me for granted – there is no intimacy any more, and provided he has a clean shirt and a meal on the table he seems happy.

The kids are constantly demanding, to the point I dread waking up in the morning knowing it will be just the same as yesterday and the day before.

What can I do?

Anne, Templeogue

MARY SAYS: THIS sounds to me like a classic case of being ‘stuck in a rut’ and I can

GAZETTE

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

“I dread waking up in the morning knowing it will be just the same as yesterday and the day before”

empathise with how you are feeling.

It’s very debilitating to feel that you are simply living your life for other people and you feel that you have become lost as an individual and as a human being.

The good news is that you can do something about it.

It’s time to take back some control.

You need to talk to your husband about this. This won’t be easy and you need to pick the right time to do it, maybe when you have some quiet time without the kids.

The chances are he will have no idea how you are feeling and, as he sounds like a decent man to me, will want to help.

You have to remember, Anne, that some men find it hard to communicate on an emotional level. As he provides for you and the kids, he probably feels he is sticking to his part of the bargain.

You need to be honest with him, expect some resistance, expect him to justify his behaviour and don’t expect to sort it out in one conversation, but you need to start

communicating again.

If the prospect scares you, then suggest a third-party mediator to him – a mediator can often provide that first step to bridge the communication barrier.

I think once you start to communicate then you can start to take back control of your life, find time for yourself and put things into perspective. I wish you well ...

Is there something on your mind? Mary is delighted to offer her advice to Dublin Gazette readers; email her at marybyrne@dublingazette.com

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

DUBLINLIFE

 JAMES HENDICOTT

in the way the duo perform, too, and even feature in the touring style, which will see them DJ ACCESSIBLE London house act com- on one tour and head out live on the next. bine beats and an intelligent approach “It is very different,” Gibbon admits. “We do to building their business in an effort to the live shows more in festival season, stuff like take over the world of chart dance, and that. They are full on live shows, with lots of flit into the underground, too. instrumentation on stage, and we bring two difIn a world where some of music’s biggest art- ferent vocalists to perform the various different ists are commercialising their work in - from a special guest slots. fan’s perspective, at least - all the wrong ways, “That’s a difficult job, given there are so many it’s refreshing to see more of an ethos-driven, different vocal styles on our tracks, but they do hard-working and multi-faceted approach to it really well. But the DJ sets (such as the one slipping seamlessly into the big time. planned for Dublin) are far more underground London house music duo Gorgon City are than the live shows, and a good chance to presnot quite a household name yet, and a far cry ent a load of the music we haven’t released.” from the growing world of high-cost VIP meet and greets or ticket sales linked in with buying a small heap of merchandise.

In their world, though, they’re edging close to the summit, and the story of their rise is about far more than 2014 hit single ‘Ready For Your Love’.

The duos sound is always beat-driven, taking much of its inspiration from the deep house and garage scenes, but adds chart colour with a series of special guest vocalists.

In the past, their tracks have incorporated anyone from MNET to Klaxons, Wyclef Jean to Jennifer Hudson.

Performing both live and as DJs, and perhaps most importantly as part of a heavily franchised, multinational radio show, the pair have developed their music in a series of directions, also splitting their sound into what they see as their chart-ready, accessible angle and a more underground, edgy buzz that comes out in DJ sets and in their popular, franchised radio show.

“The radio show still feels new,” Kye ‘Foamo’ Gibbon tells us ahead of their return to Dublin club District 8.

“It’s been exciting to have a radio show in a lot of countries where we’ve never actually played. It’s led to a lot of new bookings coming from places like South America, Asia and Eastern Europe.

“It’s also a really cool project,” he continues.

“It really keeps us on top of new music, and helps us work towards the development of our own label.

“We hope to be releasing stuff from other people before too long, and we’re keeping a close eye on quite a few up and coming producers.

“The radio, the club night, they all contribute towards the brand,” Gibbon explains.

“That’s building towards Kingdom, which is now both a brand and an album; it’s become part of our identity as a band as well as being a record, as linked in with the radio show as well.”

The album version of Kingdom, in fact, has been on the horizon for quite some time, but it is now just around the corner.

“It’ll be out this year, probably late summer,” Gibbon tells us.

“It’s almost a ‘best of’ compilation with some new bits, and it’s more song based, like our first album. We’ll also be putting out more underground and club-friendly bits separately.”

Those two different identities shine through

MUSIC Dance music is currently in an interesting place generally, as Gibbon is not afraid to admit.

The progressive closing of clubs in London is mirrored in Dublin. While our capital has never been a particularly outstanding clubbing heartland, for reasons varying from restrictive licensing laws to the dominance of competing pubs, gentrification around nightlife venues is a growing factor in our scene and London’s.

“It seems like it’s dying all over the country,” Gibbon says of UK clubbing.

“We love Printworks [a new 6000 capacity London super-club], but too many clubs are turning into things like luxury apartments. A lot

LET’S GO OUT MUSIC

of places have closed over the last few years and that’s a real shame.”

As for the band’s future?

“We’ll keep moving between the mainstream and the underground,” Gibbon says.

“We’ll be back in Amnesia [Ibiza] this summer for another residence, and looking to release a load of different stuff, ours and other people’s.

“We’re in America, then around Europe in the next couple of months, and wé’re just back from Australia. It’s non-stop.”

Gorgon City play District 8 on Friday, March 28, with album ‘Kingdom’ due in the summer.

You can listen to their regular radio slot at gorgoncity.com

GAZETTE

GAZETTE

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

PICKWEEK OF THE

Gorgon City

FEBRUARY 25 (SUNDAY) SEAL @ Olympia Theatre, €59.50 Backed by a big band, the multi-award winning British soul legend Seal will be performing songs from the new album, alongside his classic hits ‘Killer’ and ‘Kiss from a Rose’.

Building a Dance Dynasty

BEST OF THE REST FEBRUARY 22 (Thursday) I Dermot Kennedy @ Olympia Theatre, €22 Katie Laffan @ Whelan’s, €13 Budding urban pop star Katie Laffan is one of a growing avalanche of top-class hip-hop infused artists from around Dublin.

Kygo @ 3Arena, €51 Hothouse Flowers @ Vicar Street, €30 Brona Keogh + Jane Willow + Ryan Cahill + Crome Yellow + Lauryn Keating @ Purty Kitchen, €5

SEAL of approval

FEBRUARY 23 (Friday) King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard @ Olympia Theatre, €25.50 Don’t be put off my the mad name, these Aussie rockers are a class act.

Mary Black sings Jimmy Mac @ Pavilion Theatre, €35 Luke Clerkin @ The Sound House, €10 Jiggy @ Whelan’s, €16 Paul Draper @ Workman’s Club, €18.50 Wyvern Lingo @ Button Factory, €19.50 Cory Wong @ The Sugar Club, €15 Fredo @ The Academy, €17.35 Sun Mahshene + My Pilot

@ Whelan’s (Upstairs), late show FEBRUARY 24 (Saturday) Elbow @ 3Arena, €59.50 Marlon Williams @ Whelan’s, €22 Duke Special @ Unitarian Church, €22 A truly creative songwriter who pointedly refuses to conform to any kind of fashion, Belfast musician Duke Special riffs on literature and aging photographs in his gorgeous melodies.

Mystic Tears + Robert Delaney + Jack Spoke @ The Underground, €8 Karms @ W helan’s (Upstairs), €10 FEBRUARY 25 (Sunday) Seal @ Olympia Theatre, €59.50 The Bootleg Beatles + UCD Symphony Orchestra @ Bord Gais Energy Theatre, €45 Rickie Lee Jones @ Vicar Street, €40.

FEBRUARY 26 (Monday) Imagine Dragons @ 3 Arena, €41 FEBRUARY 27 (Tuesday) The Ruby Sessions @ Doyle’s, €6

GAZETTE

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE

FEATURES

RADIO: SPIN1038’S BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN READY TO (HOPEFULLY) HELP FOUR DUBS FIND LOVE

Helping Cupid find his mark  REBECCA RYAN

ARE you looking for love and fed up scrolling through apps looking for Mr or Ms Right?

Well, you can say goodbye to apps and hello to a whole new kind of dating with SPIN1038!

As recently revealed in Du bl in Ga z ette, S PI N 10 3 8 ’s F u l l y Charged Breakfast duo, Graham and Nathan – now dubbed the ‘Cupids of Dublin’ – are launching a new dating concept that will see the faces of four Dublin singles featured on billboards around the city.

In an Irish radio first, Fully Charged’s Billboard Singles campaign will see

four Dublin singles get their very own billboard dating ad for two weeks from next Monday, February 26.

Prospective daters who want the chance to date one of the Billboard Singles just need to send in a WhatsApp voice message on why they’d like a date with them and the Billboard Single will get to pick their perfect match on air.

Dublin Gazette caught up with Graham and Nathan, who told us why they decided it was time to flex their matchmaking muscles and shake up the dating scene for Dubliners.

Graham said: “It all

What a luvverly bunch of people ... Nathan O’Reilly, Graham O’Toole, Doireann Garrihy and Martin Guilfoyle, launching SPIN 1038’s Fully Charged’s Billboard Singles campaign

started a couple of weeks ago. Nathan has a friend and we call him ‘Rusty Rupert’ to hide his identity because he doesn’t want us talking about him on the radio.

“Well, Rusty was out of the dating game for about two years. He got back into it and went on a date and it didn’t go too well at all.

“He didn’t really like the whole online dating thing, and he was just talk-

ing to Nathan about it, so we brought it onto the show and we said to ourselves, ‘We would love to find a new way for Rusty

Rupert and people like him to find love, a new way that didn’t involve dating apps or having to go up to someone in

GARDENING: YOU MAY NOT HAVE NOTICED, BUT LIFE IS RETURNING

It’s time to reconnect with the spring garden ALTHOUGH it may seem as though winter still has us in its grip, it’s getting weaker by the day and spring is around the corner.

As we gear up for another growing season, I’d like to encourage you to reconnect with your garden whenever you have a chance.

It’s been a particularly wet and dirty winter in these parts, with more than the usual amount of mud and last year’s brown leaves still lingering in corners.

However, when you venture outside and really look at what’s happening, you can see that the garden has been busy – even though all but the hardiest gardeners have probably not been doing much in the way of gardening for the past few months.

Spring bulbs are already

Anne Byrne Garden Design provides easy to follow garden plans that you can implement right away or in stages.

Her design flair and passion for plants brings a touch of magic to gardens of all sizes.

Anne Byrne Garden Design – Creative Ideas  ANNE BYRNE – Practical Solutions – Stunning Gardens. info@dublingazette.com

Small narcissi can bloom as early as this month

poking their sturdy little tips through the soil, with snowdrops already in full swing.

Crocuses won’t be long and very soon the earliest narcissi, in particular the little golden “Tete a Tete” and “February

G o l d ”, will be scattering sunshine w h e r ever they bloom.

Catkins are unfurling o n a l d e r, birch and hazel.

It’s still very early days and we could be in for several more weeks of freezing weather, not to mention hail, rain and sleet, but these tiny signs of life serve to remind us that the

year is turning, days are getting longer – even though you may not quite notice it yet – and we have a fresh, new year ahead of us, with all the possibilities that brings.

Whenever you can, wrap up warmly and head into the garden – even if it’s just for five or ten minutes on a Saturday morning.

Bring a hot mug of tea with you if that helps, and work the whole way around your plot from one corner to another, looking, noticing and really seeing the tiny little signs that life is still going on.

Let the early birdsong gladden your heart. Come outside and reconnect!

FOR further information on Anne Byrne Garden Design, call 086 683 8098, or see www. annebyrnegardendesign.com

public’. So, we decided to set up billboards around Dublin!”

It’s been a huge success so far, and the lads told Dublin Gazette the four singles are being revealed on air this week on Fully Charged.

Nathan added: “More than 350 people applied for this and we managed to whittle it down to just four people. They’re all different sort of people, in age and sexual orientation, and we’re very happy.”

Graham and Nathan feel it is time for something new, and the ‘Cupids of Dublin’ are hoping to spice up the Dublin dating scene: Nathan said: “I think some people think that, in Ireland, we’re quite conservative in terms of dating.

“If you go to America, I know a lot of my friends

would say, ‘Oh my God, it’s so easy to get a date’; you can literally ask someone out at the supermarket.

“But if you went up to someone on Grafton Street, I’d be scared that they’d call the gardai or spray you with pepper spray! I had to learn that the hard way; my eyes are extremely sensitive!” he joked.

Graham said: “I hope this changes the dating scene and it makes people a little more confident and outgoing. Because, as Nathan said, it’s so different in Ireland to America in the way you go about dating. Hey, imagine this changes the dating scene for ever!”

Billboard Nathan added: “Could you imagine if a grandfather was surrounded by his grandchildren and they asked, ‘Hey grandad, where did you meet granny?’ ‘Well I met her on a billboard’. That’s my vision!”

Lastly, Graham said: “I’m going to do my damned hardest to help these people find love because I’m a softie at heart.”

You can follow the Billboard Singles journey every morning on the Fully Charged Breakfast Show and potential daters can keep their eyes peeled for the Singes Billboards from February 26.

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

AWARENESS CAMPAIGN: ACKNOWLEDGING AND CELEBRATING THOSE WITHIN FOSTERING COMMUNITY

Fostering Changes Lives THE Irish Foster Care Association (IFCA) is the representative body for foster care in Ireland that promotes excellence in foster care for all those involved.

Their membership is broad based and includes foster and relative carers, social workers, child care workers, academics and others with an interest in or who are involved in foster care.

Fostering Fortnight is the IFCA’s annual awareness campaign to promote awareness of foster care and the incredible work being done by so many people in support of the most vulnerable of our children, that are being raised in

foster care in Ireland.

It is a chance to acknowledge and celebrate all those within the fostering community who play an important role in supporting children in foster care; foster families, related professionals, the wider community and others working to ensure that children in foster care are supported to reach their full potential.

Fostering fortnight acknowledges the team effort that goes into promoting excellence in foster care.

The theme this year is ‘Fostering Changes Lives’ and #bepartofit

Foster Care can change lives; for both the child in foster care, their birth family and the foster family

The IFCA Helpline is available five days per week from 11am - 3pm Telephone: 01 458 5123 Email: support@ifca.ie

How to get involved THEY are asking everyone to come together during Fostering Fortnight and support one another with coffee mornings, bake sales, family baking and fun get-togethers.

IFCA offers a dedicated Support Service to members and anyone involved or interested in foster care in Ireland.

This service provides practical information and advice regarding any aspect of fostering as well as a supportive listening ear.

IFCA regularly meets with Tusla and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and other stakeholders to communicate the issues and experiences of our members and propose positive solutions to inform best practice in foster care in Ireland.

The Importance of Foster Care Foster care is the backbone of the alternative care system in Ireland.

The number of children in care at the end of November 2017 was 6,182; of these, 92% are in foster care (65% in general foster care and 27% in relative foster care.)

This means that the majority of children in care, are supported in a family setting and can grow and develop in a secure environment while remaining connected to their birth family.

There are different types of foster care in Ireland; short term and long-term placements, emergency care and respite care. All of these offer support to a child in need and we should be proud

that in Ireland the majority of children in care are cared for in this environment.

The Irish Foster Care Association carried out research amongst its members in 2017* and what was clear to see from the research was the enthusiasm of foster families for the children in their care.

A total of 95% of foster carer respondents reported that knowing they have helped a child or family in need as being a reward.

It was clear from the survey that foster carers saw fostering as a vocation rather than as a career or a profession.

Membership of the Association is open to all those who have an interest in foster care.

You can join by visiting www. ifca.ie or by contacting the Office Tel: 01 459 9474.

Remember the first year’s membership is free.

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE

BeautyBITS

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STYLE is constantly changing, but there’s one thing that’s always steadfast – a slogan or motif print t-shirt. Easy to dress up or dress down, there’s a style to suit all styles and ages. A simple tee can be worn with jeans and a blazer for a casual cool in work, or dressed down for a relaxing day off.

High street and designer brands alike are fully embracing the trend, with their latest launches featuring everything from 90’s cartoons to a celestial star print.

Mint Velvet Granite Scattered Star knit €95 TK Maxx Navy and Grey Lemon print striped jumper €24.99

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

STYLE

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GAZETTE

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

DUBLINLIFE

COMMUNITY: LOTS OF GREAT ACTIVITIES FOR ALL DURING POPULAR FESTIVITIES

Join in the fun across the city as the Chinese celebrate The Year of the Dog  JORDAN UPSHAW

towards 12-17-year-olds later in the day; tickets for these are €10 each.

For Mandarin speakers, learners, and lovers there will be special Mandarin guided tours at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum on February 24 and 25 all day long; ticket prices vary.

On February 24 and 25, the museum is offering a free children’s Chinese lantern painting workshop with any regular family ticket purchase; family tickets include admission for two adults and two children, and are priced €35 each.

There are also plenty of free events coming up.

The CHQ Building will host the Spring Festival Fair on February Opera singer Neria Wang (9) in traditional costume Pic: Leon Farrell

Yu Ying Yang (8), Kai Xin Zheng (5) and Lin Jia Zheng (6) help to launch this year’s Chinese New Year Festival.

Picture: Sasko Lazarov

24 and 25. This year’s programming is completely caninethemed and will feature performances, demonstrations, and games.

There will be lots of fun family-friendly activities such as Chinese calligraphy, Chinese paper cutting, Chinese tea ceremonies, red-envelope workshops, ping pong, face-painting, dog figuremaking workshops and fairground rides.

Artist Barbara O’Connell will be teaching a Year of the Dog family-orientated stamp and print workshop on February 24 at the Dublin City Gallery. The event is free and no booking is required.

The Chester Beatty Library will host Professor Yan Yi Blake, from the Irish Chinese Cultural Society, who will give a free talk about the origins and significance of various Chinese new year tra-

ditions on February 24.

The library will also host a special screening of the classic 1948 Chinese film, Spring in a Small Town, on February 25.

will be awarded. This is a free event but booking is required.

The Chester Beatty Library will also host Tai Chi workshops for teenagers on March 3.

Picture: Sasko Lazarov

THE annual Dublin Chinese New Year Festival started last week (on Friday, February 16) and is featuring fun, educational events for the whole family until March 4.

To welcome and help usher in the Year of the Dog, Asia Market []outlets?] served up a tasty variety of free dumplings all day, with a ‘dumpling day’ event.

There were also stalls that taught patrons how to make their o w n dumplings and a talk about the history of the iconic food.

Asia Market, Dr ur y Street is continuing to host food-related events over the coming weeks, with food-tasting tours today (Thursday, February 22) and on March 1 which promise to be both tasty and educational; tickets are priced €20 each.

Asia Market will also host Friday Lunchtime Culture Talks tomorrow (Friday, February 23) and on March 2, with themes of Chinese New Year Traditions and Chinese Food as Medicine, respectively; tickets are priced €15 each.

There will be a Chinese Comic Book Workshop for children aged 4-12 on February 24, while for older children, there will be a workshop geared

FEATURE

Yu Ying Yang and Lin Jia Zheng with Rupert

The film is in Mandarin with English subtitles and no booking is required for this free event.

February 25 will see the Year of the Dog Sports Tournament. There will be soccer, basketball and badminton and prizes

There will be one for 12-15-year-olds and another for 15-17-yearolds; booking is required.

This is the eleventh year of the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival put on by the City Arts Office, part of the Culture, Com-

munity and Recreation Department of Dublin City Council. The festival aims to strengthen understanding of the Sino-Irish relationship.

Of the festival, President Michael D Higgins said: “In the Chinese zodiac the dog symbolises honesty and loyalty, reminding us of the need to place high standards of integrity and a genuine spirit of inclusion at the heart of our society.

It is my sincere hope that, working together, we can craft such a society.

“The Chinese community in Ireland have played a critical role in the crafting of a more diverse and multicultural Ireland; one in which all our citizens can have a voice and be enabled to realise all of their possibilities.”

For further information on all of the programme events and to purchase tickets, see www.dublinchinesenewyear.com.

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

IFTA 2018

Awards Some of this year’s key categories included the following winners ...

FEATURE FILM Michael Inside Cardboard Gangsters Handsome Devil The Killing of a Sacred Deer Maudie Song of Granite ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE – FILM John Connors, Cardboard Gangsters Colin Farrell, The Killing of a Sacred Deer Dafhyd Flynn, Michael Inside Fionn O Shea, Handsome Devil Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Maze ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – FILM Barry Keoghan, The Killing of a Sacred Deer Jacob McCarthy, The Drummer and The Keeper Andrew Scott, Handsome Devil Fionn Walton, Cardboard Gangsters Barry Ward, Maze ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE – FILM Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird Sarah Bolger, Halal Daddy Ann Skelly, Kissing Candice ACTRESS SUPPORTING ROLE – FILM Victoria Smurfit, The Lears Niamh Algar, The Drummer and The Keeper Sarah Carroll, The Limit Of Deirdre O Kane, Halal Daddy Fionna Hewitt Twamley, Cardboard Gangsters DIRECTOR FILM Aisling Walsh, Maudie Frank Berry, Michael Inside John Butler, Handsome Devil Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Mark O Connor, Cardboard Gangsters SCRIPTWRITER FILM Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Frank Berry, Michael Inside Stephen Burke, Maze John Butler, Handsome Devil Nick Kelly, The Drummer and The Keeper

GAZETTE

CINEMA 2018 IFTAS: INDUSTRY NODS TO THE BEST ACTORS AND CREATIVES MAKING A MARK

A glittering celebration of our top TV, film talents  SHANE DILLON

ANOTHER year, and another round of IFTAs, (Irish Film and Television Academy awards), with the glittering celebration late last week highlighting some of the many big and small-screen stars hailing from our small island.

While there used to be a usual-suspects feel to the IFTAs for rather a few too many years, the whole shebang has evolved in recent times, with the industry as a whole noticing that, actually, the Irish really are pretty widespread in ‘the biz’.

While the public constantly sees the likes of (aforementioned usual suspects) Saoirse Ronan and Colin Farrell now flying the flag for Ire-

land, many lesser-known names have been quietly editing, writing, designing and filming their way to international kudos and acclaim.

As such, the IFTAs give a rare but very welcome public glimpse at just some of the terrific talents hailing from a small, rainlashed island on the edge of Europe.

And no, I don’t mean ‘Craggy Island’.

First up, and despite some tough competition John Connors had a very well deserved Actor in a Leading Role win for his striking role in Cardboard Gangsters.

The tale of Darndale wannabes drifting closer to the big time in the drugs trade – and ever closer to acrimonious disaster – was

a grittily powerful look at a slice of Irish life that’s normally hidden, but Connors made the film and role his own with a searing performance, making him one to watch.

Moving on, and despite some tough competition, nobody could begrudge Saoirse Ronan’s Actress in a Leading Role win, thanks to Lady Bird.

The film (and her role) has been wowing with ease, striking a chord in virtually every release territory it’s popped up in, with Ronan (and ‘mom’, Laurie

Above: Many of the great and the good of Irish film and TV gathered for the awards; right: President Michael D Higgins presented the one and only Gabriel Byrne with the Lifetime Achievement Award

Metcalf) nailing the nature of often fraught mother-daughter relationships with aplomb.

A n o t h e r largely expected Scriptwriter Film win came for M a r t i n McDonagh, with his no-nons e n s e work on Three

Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri wowing.

His naturalistic, often uncomfortable approach to dialogue and character proved a real winner, with ‘Billboards’ seeing him on top form.

Of course, these are only the low-handing fruit; the headline awards of a particularly eclectic gathering of nominees and sectors within our small but busy film and

TV sector.

It’s clear that, despite some quiet years, the Irish industry is plugging away, with an impressive crop of actors, directors and industry talents crafting and creating some superb work to look out for. Roll on the 2019 IFTAs ...

For all the awards and winners, see www.ifta.ie/ awards.

MeanwhileInBritain...

GIVEN the focus on our own busy industry with the IFTAs, it’s no surprise that the BAFTAs ‘next door’ – held last weekend – didn’t particularly mirror many of the names shortlisted at our own ceremony.

Even so, there were several parallels in both high-profile, glittering ceremonies, with many of the same people and titles popping up as one winner or nominee or other in the award ceremonies.

However, unlike the IFTAs, most years sees the BAFTAs scrutinised as a bellwether

for the Oscars (which come trotting along in their wake the following month), but this year it seems that the Oscars could go any which way, thanks to a particularly eclectic field of films, stars and crew in the running.

Box office slugger Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri scooped Best Film, Best Actress and best Original Screenplay awards, as expected, alongside Outstanding British Film, and Best Supporting Actor (for Sam Rockell, who faced co-star Woody Harrelson in the same category).

Many had expected The Shape of Water

to make a bigger splash (sorry) at the awards, but in the end it ‘just’ had to make do with wins for Best Original Music, Best Production Design, and Best Director.

As for the likes of Get Out, Lady Bird, and Call Me by Your Name (which at least nabbed Best Adapted Screenplay), their expected wins failed to materialise – but that wasn’t the surprise it might have been, given the particularly high calibre of nominees.

With such surprising results repeated at film ceremonies all around the world, the Oscar wins next month are anything but certain ...

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE 22 February 2018

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE FASTNews Volvo XC40: appeal

Call to action for motorists during 181 registration period IRELAND’S only electronic parking and tolling tag provider, easytrip is urging its customers to update their easytrip account details if buying or selling a vehicle to avoid incurring any unnecessary toll charges.

Possible scenarios that can lead to paying unexpected toll charges include: · Selling your old vehicle: if you’ve sold your old vehicle and inadvertently left your tag in the vehicle and haven’t updated your toll tag account, the new owner may continue to use your tag at most barrier toll plazas, racking up a bill connected to your account. · Buying a new vehicle: if you’ve bought a new vehicle and transferred your existing tag to it but forgot to update your account details, you’ll risk receiving a toll bill (billed at the higher rate) and penalty charge if you’ve travelled through the M50 toll plaza as your new vehicle registration is not connected to your toll tag account.

Easytrip customers can update their vehicle details through their online account at www.easytrip.ie or by contacting easytrip on 1890 67 67 68. Signing up to an easytrip tag account means that you save €1 on M50 toll fees and avoid incurring M50 toll fines for nonpayment within the specified period.

Berlingo Multispace updated THE arrival of the new Citroen Berlingo Multispace heralds an update for the iconic ‘Leisure Activity Vehicle’ (LAV) which it created 22 years ago. The new model, to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March, claims a fresh combination of design, comfort

Volvo’s XC40 has to be the head-turning car for early 2018 with stand-out style that links traditional Volvo safety credentials with modern SUV styling.

MICHAEL MORONEY took it on test and the appeal of the car just grew and grew.

I’VE been waiting to needed. The engine get behind the wheel choice seemed a of the Volvo XC40 natural one, deliverEngine 2.0 litre ing power and pace because it’s such a Engine Power 190 bhp to the car, with a new car in the Volvo smooth flow through range, with stand-out 0 – 100km/hr 5.3 seconds the gears. design lines that from Economy 20km/litre Volvo claims that the outset give it a very (5/100km or 56mpg) this XC40 is the first special appeal for me.

Fuel Tank Capacity 54 litres car on Volvo Cars’ Before Christmas I CO2 emissions 131g/km new modular vehicle sat into the XC40 in Road Tax Band B2 €280 architecture, which Volvo’s Grafton Street they claim will underpop-up shop and all Main Service 20,000km/12 months pin all other upcomthat did was fuel my Euro NCAP Rating NA ing cars in the 40 driving desire even Warranty 3 years (100,000km) series, including fully more.

Entry Price €38,900 electrified vehicles.

I just wonder how This diesel engine many others felt the same way? the V40 makes the XC40 look so option is clean in terms of emisThis new small Volvo compact much more robust. That combi- sions and gives reasonable econSUV ticks so many boxes for the nation included large 20in wheels omy.

The 54 litre capacity fuel tank brand that it’s sure to be building to add to the composure on the that also demands the use of up waiting lists across Europe, not road.

The car was powered by a 2.0 AdBlue additive in a separated to mention Dublin. Out on the road the appeal of the car grew litre turbo-diesel engine linked to nozzle, gave me ample range an eight-speed automatic gearbox of almost 800km, which is very more as I drove it.

The compact car design and and a seamless all-wheel-drive acceptable for a car of this size.

The fuel economy perforraised structure compared with system that works only when it’s

Volvo XC40 D4 AWD R-Design

and ease of use.

It features three independent and easily folding rear seats (row two), a flat floor through to the folding front passenger seat, 19 driving assistance technologies, four connectivity technologies and latest-generation engines.

The entry model will be powered by the new BlueHDi 130 1.5 diesel unit and a new EAT8 (8-speed) automatic gearbox. The new Berlingo will be available in two

Land Rover returns with Discovery commercial

sizes, M and XL, measuring 4.40m and 4.75m in length respectively, with five and seven seats. The Berlingo has new body styling with a more forward-set windscreen and a higher and shorter front end, achieved through the use of the EMP2 platform.

AFTER a period of absence, Land Rover is now offering a new commercial version of the Land Rover Discovery in Ireland.

This new commercial Discovery is priced from €52,695 ex-delivery (VAT at €9,737) in Ireland, and is available in SE and HSE specifications across the 3.0 TD6 model.

Featuring 1,856 litres of load space replacing the second and third row seats, the new Discovery claims driver and passenger premium levels of comfort and entertainment.

Available with Land Rover’s 3.0D TD6 258bhp engine, Discovery Commercial shares the

fundamental underpinnings of the Discovery, from its wide-spaced double-wishbone design at the front to its advanced multi-link layout at the rear.

Discovery Commercial comes exclusively with four-wheel-drive, automatic transmission, twin-speed transfer box and air suspension.

Fitted solely with Discovery’s front row seating, the HSE models feature heated seats and a cold climate pack as standard which includes, heated windscreen, heated washer jets and heated steering wheel.

mance is marginally better from the smaller engine Audi Q2, while a match for BMW’s X1, both of which I would consider to be XC40’s obvious competitors.

The XC40 is a better power performer and proves itself very capable on the road, where the automatic gearbox has to be the obvious choice, but be prepared for the extra price.

The compact nature of the XC40 means that it’s comfortable in city driving as well as the more adventurous off-road locations.

The all-wheel-drive system fitted to the test car will kick in on demand as wheel-slip and wheelspin signal the need for more traction.

It feels more spacious than some of the competition and it’s marginally longer. The wheelbase also extends longer than that of the Audi Q2 and the BMWX1, for added road comfort.

With Volvo’s heritage, it’s no surprise that this car comes with all of Volvo’s safety technology that we have experienced in the 90 and 60 series cars.

Volvo claims that these technologies make the XC40 one of the best-equipped small premium SUVs on the market.

Safety and driver-assistance features on the XC40 include Volvo Cars’ Pilot Assist system, City Safety, Run-off Road Protection

22 February 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

Skoda gives Fabia a styling update SKODA’S Fabia gets redesigned

charged with direct petrol injec-

front and rear end including LED

tion, enabling them to generate

lights front and rear for its launch

95bhp and 110bhp.

at the Geneva Motor Show.

of driver assistance systems,

lights are now being offered for

including Blind Spot Detection

the Fabia for the first time.

feature alerts the driver to the

space for phones (including inductive charging), a foldout hook for small bags and a removable waste bin in the tunnel console.

And like all things Swedish design, these spaces need a mindset to be effective, because while they are present, they don’t allow for bulky storage.

This new XC40 is available with a D4 diesel or a T5 petrol four-cylinder Drive-E engine option.

Volvo will be offering a hybridised version of the car later this year, along with a pure electric version.

Entry prices look temptingly attractive at €38,900 but that’s where the fun

begins and cars such as the R-Design version that I had on test, complete with the full package of extra’s will add over €20,000 to the base price.

Make your Volvo XC40 choices with judicious care and you will end up with a car that’s stylish, distinctive and great to drive.

presence of vehicles in the blind

been extended too, including the

spot or approaching rapidly

addition of 18-inch wheels for the

from behind when driving on

hatchback while the redesigned

multi-lane highways.

instrument cluster, new trim

The Rear Traffic Alert system

strips for the dashboard and

monitors what is going on behind

two-tone finishes for the seats

the vehicle and warns of a risk of

update the interior.

collision when reversing.

The new line-up of engines for

and Mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert with brake support.

The 360° camera helps drivers manoeuvre their car into tight parking spaces.

The XC40 claims to offer a radical new approach to storage inside the car. True, there is more functional storage space in the doors and under the seats, a special

The new Fabia gets a choice

LED headlights and LED rear

The choice of alloy wheels has

Volvo’s new XC40 is a very impressive looking and stylish compact SUV. The entry price looks competitive at €38,900 while the extra’s including the R-Design styling add significantly to the price and also the pleasure

GAZETTE

keeps growing

MOTORING

Another newly available

the Skoda Fabia will consist of

feature is Light Assist, which

four petrol versions, each with

automatically switches to low

three cylinders and a capacity

beam as soon as the system

of 1.0 litre and claims of diesel

detects oncoming traffic or vehi-

engine efficiency.

cles ahead.

The lower powered MPI engines

The Fabia infotainment system

feature indirect injection and

‘Swing’ now offers a 6.5-inch

produce outputs of 60bhp and

display and also allows drivers to

75bhp respectively.

use the full range of mobile online

The two TSI engines are turbo-

services from Skoda Connect.

Mercedes-Benz plans Sprinter vans for June MERCEDES-BENZ commercial vehicles division in Ireland confirmed that the new generation of Sprinter panel vans will arrive in Ireland in June.

The Sprinter was first introduced in 1995 and the model has since sold in excess of 3.4 million units worldwide.

The designers of the new Sprinter set out to create a van that would surpass its two illustrious predecessors.

In practical terms, this meant the new Sprinter comes with a larger load volume and lowering of the rear floor height to make for easier loading and greater ease-of-access for drivers.

This has also brought

improved cab comfort and driver access because of the option of front-wheel-drive within the engine mix.

The Sprinter comes with a new networked, online connectivity system that gives operators control over the fleet.

These easy-to-operate additions, Mercedes PRO Connect and new MBUX multimedia system, all mean easier fleet management, whether of a large, multi vehicle business or a small company fleet.

Functions monitored include vehicle operation and supervision, fleet communication, maintenance management and a digital driver’s logbook.

Mercedes PRO Connect provides eight connectivity packages that make for greater efficiency, lower operating costs, improved vehicle availability and optimised communication within the fleet.

The system is designed to relieve the workload of managers, fleet manage-

ment, controllers, dispatchers and drivers.

It works by linking the fleet manager to vehicles and driver, allowing assignments to be managed online, and vehicle information such as location, fuel level or maintenance intervals to be retrieved in real time.

Renault’s new offers extended to end of March RENAULT Group Ireland’s network has new offers on models ordered and registered by 31 March 2018 across its Renault and Dacia passenger car and LCV ranges.

The Renault passenger car offer includes 3% APR, three years’ servicing and €1,000 cash back, while Renault is also offering 0% HP and three years’ servicing on the stylish Kadjar.

With the recent Government Budget announcement on EVs and 0% Benefit-in-Kind (B.I.K.), Renault is ‘matching the zeros’ on the zero emissions electric ZOE with a 0% HP offer.

Dacia is offering 0% APR on Sandero Stepway Alternative 1.5 dCi diesel and 4.9% APR across the refreshed range which includes Duster, Sandero, Sandero Stepway, Logan and Logan Stepway.

On Renault’s award-winning LCV range which includes Master, Trafic and Kangoo, customers can avail of 3% APR HP over 60 months with a reduced deposit.

These offers are available through Renault’s very own bank, Renault Bank, where they claim that they can offer two-hour decision times and approval rates of 80%.

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 22 February 2018

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22 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 33

SOUTH  DUBLINGAZETTEPLANNING

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GAZETTE

34 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 22 February 2018

SPORT

FastSport DUBLINERS ABOUND IN IRISH CLUB SIDE: NINETEEN of the 31-player Ireland Club XV panel hail from Dublin clubs for their games against their Scottish counterparts on February 23 in Dubarry Park and then for a game in Netherdale in the Scottish borders on March 16.

Clontarf’s Matt D’Arcy is in for his fourth stint with the side and his clubmate Michael Noone is also included.

Division 1A league leaders Lansdowne have 4 players selected, with full-back Eamonn Mills looking to win his second club international cap, having featured last season against England Counties.

Terenure, who are currently third in Division 1A have five players included, all of whom will be looking to pull on the green club international jersey for the first time.

WALKING FOOTBALL: OVER-50S ENCOURAGED TO TRY NEW SPORTING INITIATIVE

Fingal gives new lease of life to keep sporting buzz going

 JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

A NEW FAI and Fingal County Council Initiative is seeking to encourage those over 50 to continue playing soccer, through a version of the game known as walking football.

The chilled-out alternative to regular soccer is aimed at preventing people from walking away from the game when they feel the pace is getting too much for them, but also to encourage a social aspect to the competition alongside the buzz of continuing with a slowed-down form of the game.

The contests will be informal, open to men and women, and hosted for free, with tea, coffee and biscuits supplied.

Organiser Mick Pender, who works as a Development Officer within the FAI, has praised the positive approach of the progressive local council in pushing forward such concepts.

“It’s popular in the UK,” he said of the campaign, “and Fingal County Council have always been very good about listening to and trying out

South Dublin County Council are already running walking football in Palmerstown, Clondalkin and Esker

ideas like this.

“They were immediately keen on the idea. We hope to be able to roll this out more broadly, but I’ve been in touch with people like Men’s Shed Swords to get this one underway first, as well as reaching out to local people with posters and other information. We’ll see who comes

out and go from there.

Casual “There are a lot of people who play football for as long as possible but get to the point where they feel like they have to stop, having dropped down to more casual things like five and seven-a-side,” Pender explains.

“There does come an age where a lot of people say to themselves ‘I’m finished’, and this is a way to keep people active and to build in a real social activity. It’ll be very casual.

“If people want to play, wander off for a cup of tea and then come back and play some more, that’s totally fine.”

The game itself is exactly what it sounds like: “The only new rule is that you get sent off if you run,” Pender says.

“It’ll be about staying involved, about accounting for people who might have reduced mobility and keeping them part of a game they might have played all their lives.”

Initially, the games will be very informal, but as the concept grows, Pender anticipates that their may be different agreements about rules, with both competition and casual games taking place to suit different people keen to get involved.

To start with, though, he’s simply keen to get the concept underway.

If you’d like to play walking football, the first of a series of games will take place at the Rivervalley Community Centre (Swords) indoor hall, from 1pm to 2pm on Wednesday, March 7.

They will then continue at the same time on Wednesdays from then on, with plans in place to move outdoors for fresh air once the weather improves.

Marian bounce back with pair of Super League wins MEN’S SUPER LEAGUE  sport@dublingazette.com

UCD Marian bounced back immediately from their loss to Pyrobel Killester. Picture: Martin Doherty

UCD Marian stormed back from last weekend’s loss to Pyrobel Killester in style, winning out in convincing fashion (72-46) against Dublin neighbours Éanna on T hursday evening in men’s basketball’s Super League.

They followed up with a cracking game against Tralee in a top of the table clash on Saturday evening. Huge displays on the night from Tralee’s Goran Pantovic and Trae Pem-

berton were just not enough in the face of sharp shooting from UCD’s Dan James, Barry Drumm and Conor Meany, which saw them eke out an 86-83 point win in the closing minute.

“It was a really, really difficult game,” UCD’s Ioannis Liapakis said afterwards. “Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time to prepare the team for it as we had a game Thursday but the main thing we needed to remember was what happened last year, where we were 25 points ahead and we lost the

game.

“It doesn’t matter if you play 39 minutes really well, you have to play 40 minutes really well and that’s what happened today. They played well, we played well and it was great game for everybody to watch, but in the end, I think we wanted it a little bit more.

“There is no safety net unfortunately, we lost that a few weeks ago. Now, every loss counts. We’re still really far away from winning the league so we have to go step by step.

The only thing we care about

right now is the next practice on Monday.”

Griffith College Swords Thunder, meanwhile, maintained their second place spot on the table with a 20-point victory over Moycullen at the ALSAA on Saturday evening.

Sheer grit won out for Black Amber Templeogue to see them win out 74-70 against Belfast Star.

They are now in fifth place on points difference with Pyrobel Killester just above them in fourth after winning out 79-72 over Maree in Galway.

22 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 35

GAZETTE

FASTSport

Shamrock divers plunge to win string of silverware SHAMROCK Diving Club picked up a wealth of medals in recent weeks with success at the British National Championships in Plymouth before also succeeding at the Senet Cup in Eindhoven.

For the former competition, the Abbotstown-based club sent three divers to the competition which has Britain’s best competing for the top places and trying to achieve standard scores to qualify for this season’s major events like the Commonwealth Games, World Cup and Senior European Championships.

Shamrock’s Oliver Dingley was crowned champion in the men’s 3m, scoring 447.10 – a personal best and a new Irish record – qualifying himself for the Word Cup in China in June.

He also competed on the 1m board, scoring 390.60, securing silver and only missing gold by 1.80 points.

Jack Ffrench placed 10th and scored 319.15 in men’s 3m, just 10 points off his European Championship standard score. On the 1m board, Ffrench scored 299.35, placing ninth and, again, just missing out on the final. Clare Cryan took women’s 1m bronze, scoring 250.05.

Soon after, Shamrock had four seniors and three juniors in Eindhoven to compete in Europe’s biggest club event. Dingley (pictured), who was eighth at the 2016 Olympics, once again was in superb form, winning both the 1m and 3m competitions while also getting gold in the 3m synchro with Ffrench, also taking first place.

Ffrench, 21, finished in ninth place in the 1m and a personal best in the 3m with a fifth position.

Cryan backed up her Plymouth performances with fourth place at both heights while Francesca Doran’s best performance came on the platform, the 18-year-old ending eight overall.

In the 14/15 age group, Anna Power is hoping to make the junior European team this year and backed up those claims with bronze in two of her events.

Ciara McGing also won a bronze with an Irish record in platform competition for girls aged 16 and over.

Teenage sensation Sarah in record-breaking form Blackrock AC’s 17-year-old distance runner smashes both the Irish Youth and Under-20 national records to beat Olympian Kerry O’Flaherty to win senior Irish 3,000m  sport@dublingazette.com

BL AC K R O C K AC ’ S Sarah Healy provided the performance of the Irish Life Health National Indoor Championships when she smashed both the Irish Under-20 and Youth 3,000m records.

It was the teenager – who has just turned 17 – win her her first national senior title in 9.10.43 at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena in Abbotstown last Satuday.

Healy was simply outstanding as she left Rio 2016 Olympian Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle) firmly in her wake. A rare talent was on display and the Blackrock teenager surpassed the Under-20 record of 9.28.67, previously held by Rose Anne Galligan, and the Youth record of 9.35.1 of Amy Rose Farrell.

Reacting to the news,

Healy said she “was really surprised” before adding that she “didn’t think it was that fast”.

O’Flaherty led the first kilometre in roughly 3.10 and then Healy took over, winding it up sublimely to 3.05 and finishing off with a swift 2.55 final kilometre for a comprehensive victory.

“I wasn’t thinking about records and I didn’t really know what was going to happen so it was just about running fast. I felt good following Kerry at the start and thought I could give it a go. Hopefully, I have plenty more senior championships ahead of me!”

Meghan Ryan (DSD) got up for bronze in 9.43.35. She has been one of the most consistent team performers for DSD over the past ten years, on track and cross-country, winning many team med-

als at national level.

The smile on her face as she sprinted to a bronze individual medal showed how much it meant to her to be on the medal podium. She is now focused on the outdoor season with renewed vigour, as she seeks that elusive gold but will have her hands full with rising star Healy.

Elsewhere, on the first day of action, MidSutton’s Sarah McCarthy bagged the women’s national long jump title with a leap of 5.90m.

On day two, it was a bittersweet day for Crusaders Adam McMullen who was supreme in the men’s long jump winning with a monster jump of 7.99m, It was a mere centimetre off the magical 8m mark and the national indoor record of Ciaran McDonagh.

Phil Healy took a com-

Sarah Healy crosses the line to smash two national records in one . Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

manding victory in the women’s 400m in 53.10 which was another world indoor standard with Catherine McManus (Dublin City Harriers) running another personal best in second in 53.81.

DSD’s Sinead Denny took third in 54.31.

Andrew Mellon, another Crusaders AC man, impressed in the men’s 400m to win in 47.32.

His club mate Matthew Behan also caused a stir in the men’s 60m hurdles to win his first national senior title in a big personal best of 7.84 seconds ahead of the fancied Ben Reynolds (North Down AC) in second in 7.88.

Shane Aston (Trim AC) took third in 8.33.

Donore Harriers’ John Travers has been building on his tactical acumen and he won the 3,000m in 8.25.21 from defending champion Eoin Everard (Kilkenny City Harriers) in 8.25.74.

He sat in third at the 200m bell and sprinted past his rivals with 150m to go for a hard-fought victory A great walking performance at 5,000m by DSD’s Jerome Caprice saw him pick up bronze, in a time of 20.39.24. He will represent Mauritius in the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Long jump champ Adam McMullen. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

GAZETTE

36 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 22 February 2018

SPORT

FASTSport

INDOOR HOCKEY: RATHFARNHAM CLUB WIN SIX FROM SIX IN GEORGIA

Madigan drops Rock into semi-finals

BLACKROCK College had to dig very deep against St Gerard’s School, coming from behind to claim a place in the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Senior Cup semi-finals at Donnybrook.

They did it the hard way, eventually landing a drop goal eight minutes from time to secure a 19-17 victory win.

Indeed, the Bray school took a 15th minute lead when a grubber through from Cormac Foley forced Stephen Madigan to scurry across to concede a lineout. Gerard’s secured the ball and centre Oliver Haydock was twice involved, grounding the ball against the base of the post for a clinical try which he converted himself.

And an overthrown lineout put the flying Ethan Baxter on the ball and, once in behind, they were patient in their probing for Foley to chip over the defence from no more than eight metres out and collect for a stunning second try, Haydock converting for 14-0 on the half hour.

Blackrock needed some encouragement and they found it from Tarrant’s penalty in the 33rd minute for not rolling away at a ruck.

Rock came out with greater urgency for centre Tom Maher to hurtle up the middle and hooker Sean Molony to hammer forward. The pressure was good enough to squeeze a penalty for Tarrant to narrow the gap in the 38th minute.

The tide of territory was starting to turn, Blackrock lock Jack Stapleton claiming a lineout for Harry Donnelly to eat up the ground.

St Gerard’s full-back Max O’Reilly’s deliberate knock-on drew a yellow card and resulted in Tarrant’s third penalty in the 42nd minute.

There was an immediate response when ‘Rock lost their discipline at a ruck and Haydock stepped up to split the posts for 17-9 in the 44th minute.

It was hectic stuff as Blackrock looked to turn the screw and their scrum and lineout were providing a platform, the latter rolling forward for more than 20 metres to set up a sweep to the left where full-back Stephen Madigan strolled home and converted from wide to make it a one-point game in the 55th minute.

In reply, Gerard’s could not control the ball around the fringes and ‘Rock broke out of defence for Tarrant to clip a drop goal for the lead for the first time in the 62nd minute for what proved the vital moment.

Three Rock Rovers indoor side that won the EuroHockey Indoor Club Challenge II in Tbilisi

Rovers romp to Euro victory sport@dublingazette.com

IN THE END, Three Rock Rovers won the EuroHockey Indoor Club Challenge II in a procession, beating Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv 1929 with a monster 23-2 victory.

It brought their goal tally to 54 from six successive wins in Tbilisi, all 10 outfielders on the mark in securing promotion for themselves for 2019 to Challenge I level along with gold.

But there were plenty of tricky hurdles to overcome along the road.

In game one, Armenia’s Harzadan proved a tough nut to crack with Ben

McCrea’s second-half goal providing a 3-2 victory.

They had largely been on top in that opening tie but had some star men in Arsen Gevorkyan they had one of the legends of Dinamo Kazan in their line-up alongside 16-yearold Alexey Sobolevskiy who was named player of the tournament.

On the counter, they hit the post and had a one-on-one chance to tie things up in the second half but goalkeeper Stephen Dawson - the former Rover outdoors guesting from UCD - held firm to nick the result.

A 10-0 win over hosts

ALL TIED UP Town stay fourth as Sothern strikes late MONKSTOWN held on to fourth place in the

men’s EY Hockey League but will be disappointed they did not take all the points from their Dublin derby with Pembroke Wanderers last Saturday.

Alan Sothern and Nick Dee, number 4 pictured celebrating, exchanged first half goals before Town went 2-1 up through Matteo Romoli with two minutes to go. Sothern, though, found space in the closing minute to score an equaliser to make it 2-2.

Picture: Adrian Boehm

Tbilisi club placed Rovers top on Friday night on goal difference and they remained that way after the third series of games with a 6-2 win over Finland’s HC Klippari, cutting loose in the second half after a 2-2 scoreline at the break.

The best performance came in game four against the other side with a perfect record thus far, Norway’s Kringsja. Rovers burst into a 5-1 lead by the 14th minute with Richard Pautz, Daragh Walsh, Jody Hosking, Harry Morris and Ross Canning all scoring.

Kringsja got a sniff of a chance with two goals late

in the first half but another couple of Morris strikes in the 28th and 29th minutes put them in the clear and on course for an 8-5 win.

It meant that promotion was within touching distance but a sleepy start to Sunday morning saw them fall 2-0 behind against Lithuania’s Klevas Siauliai.

Canning and Hosking equalised with goals in the three minutes before half-time and a Canning corner early in the second half put them on course for a fifth successive win.

With promotion achieved, gold followed a few hours later. The task was simple enough –

avoid defeat by 13 goals.

In the end, they swept to a sixth win with an element of overkill.

Reflecting on the weekend, coach Liam Canning said: “Ross [Canning], Richard [Pautz], Jody Hosking and Stephen Dawson were excellent in the spine of the team but all others progressed enormously as the tournament developed.

“They were all willing to learn and they did.”

He singled out Pautz as one who made a massive difference and was the coach’s player of the tournament, the tactics giving him space and freedom to show his quality.

22 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 37

GAZETTE

SOCCER: KILTERNAN CLUB CONTINUE SUPERB FORM

UBLRugby

Wesley comeback ends just short Wayside Celtic have made an outstanding start to 2018 in LSL Sunday Senior 1

Wanderers fall by the Wayside in Senior 1 LSL SUNDAY SENIOR 1 Liffey Wanderers Wayside Celtic  DAVE DONNELLY

0 3

sport@dublingazette.com

WAYSIDE Celtic’s outstanding start to 2018 continued on Friday night as they knocked league leaders Liffey Wanderers from their perch at the top of LSL Sunday Senior 1.

The Kilternan club made it four wins from four with a comprehensive 3-0 win over the earlyseason pacesetters at the Ringsend Astro Park.

Goals from Ross Zambra, John Flood and Farhad Patel saw Celtic to their second victory in as many weeks over the team at the top of the table, having deposed Tullamore a week earlier.

Zambra – who is a former Republic of Ireland futsal international – opened the scoring for Wayside with 13 minutes on the clock with a deflected shot.

John Flood doubled the advantage just past the midway point in the first half with a near-post header from a corner.

The south Dublin side made sure of the three points just past the hour mark when Patel put the icing on the cake with his side’s third – and clinching – goal.

Flood put pressure on the goalkeeper, resulting in a mishit clearance to the edge of the box, and Patel made no mistake as he slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

“For probably the first time this year, we had a full squad of players to choose from between injuries and work and everything else,” said Wayside manager Peter Lennon.

“From back to front, we were excellent – back four, midfield and top two.

They were all really good.

The game was played at a really high tempo.

“We were very good – so much so that their manager texted us the next day to say that he was very impressed with our team performance. That was a nice touch from John Young.”

The win lifts Wayside up to sixth in the table and just four points outside the promotion spots, with four

wins and two draws since the Christmas break.

That form has been helped by the collection of four clean sheets on the bounce, a welcome change after keeping just two in their opening 14 games.

Having picked up just three wins the entire first half of the season, Celtic have hit form at the right time to ward off relegation fears but Lennon feels promotion may still be beyond them.

“We’re unbeaten since

Christmas and we’ve picked up 13 points out of 15. We’re after winning our last four with four clean sheets. We’re going well at the moment.

“I think this surge might just be a little too late for a top three finish but you never know – it depends on what goes on around you.

“In comparison to where we were at the start of the season, where we had to almost rebuild the side, it’s coming together very well.”

OLD Wesley suffered the heartbreak of another narrow defeat in Ulster Bank Division 1B, a feature of the season to date, when going down on a scoreline of 22-19 to UCC in Donnybrook last Saturday.

The southern students got an early foothold with strong ball-carrying number eight Ryan Murphy prominent. The end result was the concession of a penalty by Wesley which James Taylor duly converted.

Both sides moved the ball through the hands at every opportunity with play swinging from end to end. After 25 minutes, Wesley got on the board which their excellent play deserved when Conor Barry crossed for a try which young fullback, Josh Miller, added the extras to for a 7-3 lead.

UCC replied just before half-time via a barnstorming run by Cian Barry and, after a rolling maul, John Hodnett crashed over, nicking an 8-7 half-time lead.

It left an evenly poised tie with Wesley suffering a further setback at half-time with captain Darren Horan withdrawn through injury.

UCC moved further ahead on 55 minutes when poor defensive alignment by Wesley led to Paul Kiernan – son of former international, Michael – dotting down. Taylor added the points to extend the UCC lead to 15-7.

Soon after, things looked very grim for the homesters when UCC scrum half, John Poland crashed over after a period of dominance.

With Taylor again adding the points, the lead was now 22-7 and Wesley were facing a very serious situation with 20 minutes remaining.

To their credit, they proceeded to put together a wonderfully sustained last quarter going within a hair’s breadth of pulling the game out of the fire.

Former UCC scrum half, Charlie O’Regan, pulling the strings on his home Wesley debut, the home side took over completely and, after great work by the pack, Craig Telford, crashed over after a rolling maul.

After more sustained pressure from the pack, Kieran Murphy grounded for a vital try, converted

by Miller, to reduce the margin to three points.

Wesley had all the momentum and they had a kickable penalty to draw the match in the final minutes but chose, probably correctly, to chase the fourth try , which would have brought their points tally to five, up from from one.

But, try as they might, Wesley couldn’t breach the spirited College defence and the final whistle blew with Wesley within a few metres of the try-line.



GOT A STORY? WE WANT TO KNOW!

Call our SPORT TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3 Wayside Celtic manager Peter Lennon

or email sport@dublingazette.com

GAZETTE

38 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 22 February 2018

SPORT

FOOTBALL: BELFIELDERS LAND THE SIGERSON TITLE AT THE DEATH

FASTGAA

McCarthy and UCD turn up the lights

SIGERSON CUP FINAL

St James Gaels welcome all to open day on March 3 ST JAMES Gaels/An Caislean GAA club will host an open day on Saturday, March 3 from 12pm to 2pm in the Iveagh Grounds on the Crumlin Road.

The event is open to boys and girls and club PRO Kevin Dunne is keep for all to get involved.

“We would like to invite everyone to attend our open day. It will be a great opportunity to give Gaelic sports a chance. We provide football, hurling and camogie.

“We have a policy where everyone who wants to can play, they are no trials.

“We have a special fun training area for children of four to six years old and have teams for boys and girls from Under-8 all the way up to adult. Everybody is welcome, everyone plays.

Why not give it a try for a few weeks?”

For more information, contact Dave on 086 3993087.

UCD NUI Galway  sport@dublingazette.com

1-13 2-9

LIAM Casey struck two last gasp points to seal a dramatic Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup final win for UCD. Maurice Sheridan’s NUI Galway led by two points with 10 minutes to go and looked well positioned to push on for a first title success in 15 years.

But a star studded UCD side finished strong, outscoring the underdogs by 0-4 to 0-1 from there on to win by the minimum margin.

Cuala superstar Con O’Callaghan scored the first of those four late UCD points and man of the match Conor McCa-

rthy grabbed the next, bringing his tally to 1-6 for the day.

Casey’s double then hauled the Belfield outfit, managed by John Divilly, over the winning line in an epic encounter at Santry Avenue.

It was UCD’s third final in a row though they lost out to St Mary’s last year having previously claimed the title in 2016 when they beat DCU. They were fancied for the win here but were made to fight all the way and were hugely fortunate that NUIG captain Damien Comer struck the woodwork with a palmed effort in the 20th minute.

A goal at that stage for NUI Galway would have left them 1-5 to 0-1 but, instead of trailing by that

Player of the match Conor McCarthy with Electric Ireland’s Lynne D’Arcy.

Picture: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

seven-point margin, UCD went down the other end and netted themselves through McCarthy, leaving just a point in it.

It was a giant reprieve for UCD though the game still went all the way to the wire with extra-time looming throughout the final quarter in a tense decider.

Molloy was involved in two important plays, helping Adam Gallagher to score a goal in the 49th minute and he also surged upfield to strike a shot off an upright.

A second Corofin

player, Liam Silke, is part of the UCD setup but picked up an injury in the Corofin game and wasn’t going to be used by Divilly anyhow.

McCarthy hit UCD’s first 1-3 and fur ther points from Laois duo Eoin Lowry and Evan O’Carroll tied the scores up at half-time, 1-5 to 0-8.

Casey opened the second-half scoring for UCD but NUI Galway netted through Sean Kelly in the 39th minute when he flicked home after Comer’s shot was only half cleared.

UCD fought back to lead briefly at 1-9 to 1-8 but then Molloy and Eoin Finnerty combined to play in Gallagher for NUI Galway’s second goal.

That left Sheridan’s side 2-8 to 1-10 up with 10 minutes of normal time to go.

But UCD finished strongest and reeled in that two-point deficit by outscoring their opponents 0-4 to 0-1 in the closing minutes.

Casey was their hero and not even a black card in the closing moments could dampen his joy.

CLUB NOTICEBOARD BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S

LOTTO results (February 15): numbers were 2, 4, 12 and 13.

No winner. Next Thursday’s jackpot is €2,800, lotto joker is €650. Winner of €100: T Coleman and G Curtin c/o Ballinteer House, €50 Michael Cleary and Kieran O Brien.

Joker consolation prize Pat Smith.

ELC forecast was won

by Kieran Duffy, Eamonn Naughton and Aiden Power.

Bingo continues every Monday at 80pm.

All membership payments must be paid online and submitted by February 25.

Please see instructions on how to pay your registration fees online on the club website.

The minor hurlers started their league campaign in Division 1 away to Na Fianna in Mobhi Road. Great game with BSJ winning it with two late goals 4-14, 4-11.

The U-16A footballers beat Kilmacud Crokes in Division 1 and a late penalty goal gave us a share of the spoils at Kiltipper in our opening Division 1 senior football league encounter. See pics from Aodan on FB. May festival committee meeting on Thursday at 8.30pm in the boardroom.

Adult Hurling League leagues commence on Sunday.

Senior hurlers away match v Naomh Olaf, Pairc Ui Bhriain, at 10.15am; junior As away to Faughs in Tymon North 12pm, junior Bs away to Lucan

Sarsfields in Adamstown at 2.30pm.

CUALA

MIXED results for our adult footballers at the weekend.

Our senior team lost to Lucan by 0-11 to 0-6 in AFL1 while our intermediates defeated St Jude’s by 0-10 to 2-3 in AFL4.

Our Junior 1 team were beaten 1-8 to 0-8 by Scoil Ui Chonaill in AFL7 and in AFL10, our Junior 2 team had a big win over Erin’s Isle, 5-10 to 1-2.

Well done to our senior hurlers who are into the AllIreland Club SHC final for the second time in a row after defeating Galway’s Liam Mellows in Semple Stadium.

The final is on St Patrick’s day in Croke Park.

As we prepare the team

in their quest to retain their All-Ireland Club hurling title, we are holding a Golf Classic at one of Ireland’s finest courses, Druid’s Glen GC on Friday, March 2. More details on the website. To enter a team, please contact: Barry O’Halloran (barry@ bchaccountancy.ie).

Music in the Cuala Bar next Saturday, February 24. All Welcome. No cover charge and full bar.

The Cuala Music Sessions; Where off the field talent is to be found.

Well done to Conor Mullally and Con O’Callaghan on their Sigerson Cup win with UCD over NUIG last Saturday.

The first minor hurlers lost to St Vincents by 3-11 to 1-14 in MHL1 last weekend.

Well done to Cuala U-16 footballers after their hard fought one point victory against St Sylvester’s in Division 1. Full time score Cuala 3-16 Sylvester’s 4-11.

There was no winner of the €12,500 Cuala lotto jackpot.

This week’s lucky dip winners were Zita McDermott and Brendan Traynor.

GERALDINE MORANS

WELL done to our two adult teams and the U-14 boys on their victories at the weekend; it’s always good to start the season on a winning note.

The U-14s are away to St Finian’s Newcastle on Saturday while in CCC1 the hurling starts.

In Cornelscourt, the U-10s are playing St Brigid’s and the U-11s are against St Sylvester’s, the U-8s are away to Ballinteer St Johns, U-9s away to Naomh Olaf and the U-12s are away to St Judes. As always, best of luck to all the teams playing.

Academy training is on at 10am every Saturday in Clonkeen College Sports Hall; new boys and girls always welcome, contact Darren Magee on 086 8055354.

New members for all age groups you can find contact details on our website www. geraldinesgaa.ie.

KILMACUD CROKES THE AFL1 team opened their league campaign with a draw at St Brigid’s, 1-9 to 1-9. The

22 February 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 39

GAZETTE

FOOTBALL: KILKENNY GOAL PROVES DIFFERENCE FOR OLAFS

NERVE-SHREDDER

Magee magic lifts Cuala’s inters Naomh Olaf in action against Castleknock on their return to AFL1. Picture: Martin Doherty

Crokes salvage draw

AFL DIV 1 ROUND-UP  sport@dublingazette.com

CIARAN Kilkenny’s goal proved the difference as Castleknock saw off newly promoted Naomh Olaf 1-15 to 0-15 at Somerton Park last Sunday morning.

It gave the Sandyford outfit a taste of what to expect in the top tier following their back-to-back moves up the league from AFL3, taking their place in AFL1 for the first time in over a decade.

He was among a wealth of Dublin stars who were released to play on Sunday

morning in the first round of league matches.

Kilmacud Crokes and St Brigid’s proved inseparable on the opening day of AFL Division 1 in Russell Park as they started their season with a competitive battle on Sunday morning.

A tight opening 10 minutes saw the sides level at 0-2 each with Lorcan McCarthy on target for the home side. Brigids soon upped the tempo and four points in a row from Paddy Andrews, Colly Carr and McCarthy saw the Russell Park men

move 0-6 to 0-2 clear.

Crokes remained a threat going forward, although a slice of fortune played a large part in their goal. A Pat Burke effort for a point rebounded off the post into the hands the waiting full forward who blasted past Stephen Moore in the Brigid’s goal.

Brigids responded well to the setback and replied with another McCarthy free moving them 0-7 to 1-3 ahead at half time.

While Brigid’s dominated the first period, Crokes grew in the game in the second period and

with Mark Vaughan now on the frees, they would move a point up before an expertly taken Philly Ryan penalty saw Brigid’s ahead again.

With Jack Mullins keeping Dubs Star Paul Mannion scoreless from play, Crokes free taking kept the scoreboard ticking.

As the clock drew to a close, both sides will feel they had their chances to claim the two league points.

As it was, the points were shared after an entertaining opening round battle.

CUALA’S intermediate footballers got their season off to a winning start when they overcame a stubborn St Jude’s challenge by the narrowest of margins, 0-10 to 2-3, in a nerve-shredding AFL4 encounter on Bray Emmett’s 3G surface.

Conditions made life difficult at times but the Cuala lads showed a lot of maturity against seasoned opponents. With Matthew Kiernan, Ryan Scollard and Tom Magee running hard, there was a constant flow of attacks towards the Jude’s goal.

The Terenure side were resolute in defence, though, and got the first score of the game from a long-range free before points from Gavin Hartnett and Donal Lehmann, pictured, swapped things around.

Ronan Sweeney and Paul James led the attacking unit effort which ensured that Jude’s had little time on the ball while, defensively, Collie Brock, Neil O’Sullivan, Ciaran McDermott and Craig Lawlor were prominent. But disaster struck when mishandling in defence allowed the Jude’s attack a clear run through on goal and hit the net.

Cuala stuck to their guns and continued to play with assurance.

Ryan Scollard and Ronan Sweeney hit points after patient build up play to leave the sides level at half time.

A game that should have been put to bed was very much in the melting pot. Again, Cuala started off the second half on the front foot but scores remained hard to come by. Points by Hartnett, Sweeney and Magee with two replies from Judes saw Cuala haul themselves into a hard-fought lead with less than 10 minutes to play.

Another handling error saw Jude’s gifted another goal which, given the low-scoring nature, looked decisive.

Then, after some neat build up play, he worked a shooting opportunity and his right foot shot sailed over the bar to level.

On final foray forward found its way to Magee and, this time, off his left foot, he hit a towering effort which split the uprights.

CLUB NOTICEBOARD AFL3 team beat Trinity Gaels, 1-12 to 1-9, while the AFL4 team were well beaten by Castleknock. In the AFL8, last year’s AFL9 team (AFL8 B) beat the AFL8 A team, 4-7 to 2-4.

In minor hurling, the MHL1 team beat Plunketts, 1-12 to 2-6.

The MHL2 team lost to St Brigid’s and the MHL3 team lost out to Naomh Olaf.

Well done to UCD and Cillian O’Shea who won the Sigerson Cup after beating NUIG 1-13 to 2-9.

Hard luck to the Dublin senior hurlers who lost out in their league game to Limerick.

Fergal Whitely and Bill O’ Carroll were the Crokes

representatives.

Well done to the U-16 footballers in Division 5 who beat Ballyboden on a scoreline of 2-11 to 1-2.

The U-16 Division 1 football team were unfortunately well beaten by Ballinteer.

Feile Pub Quiz in the club on Friday, February 23 at 8pm – all are welcome.

NAOMH OLAF

ADULT men’s football leagues started last Sunday with victory for both junior teams in their newly promoted positions in Divisions 7 and 10.

A very good performance by our senior team, albeit in defeat, against

Castleknock. This was their first outing in Division 1.

Well done to the U-9 camogie girls who were winners in their first blitz competitions.

Well done also to the U-11 boys football team who had a successful trip to Portmarnock.

Next weekend sees the adult hurlers kick into action with matches at home on Sunday for both senior and junior teams at 10.15am and 12pm.

After Strictly, The Kube and Lip Sync, this year’s big club fundraising effort will be I’m a Celebrity.... which is pencilled in for April 21.

So, this is an early

call to action for all club members, either as participants or to help out in any way.

This is a high-profile event and there is a great opportunity for a headline sponsor to come on board.

All enquiries to barry@ fade.ie.

Sincere sympathies to the families of Aideen Thornton whose father has passes away and of Roibeárd and Ray Ó Cuinn whose mother has passed away. Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a n-anamacha uaisle.

Lotto numbers: 11, 15, 22. No winner; €1,100 jackpot next week.

SHANKILL

THE juvenile academy, sponsored by O’Donnell’s Pharmacy, is back in action in St Laurence’s College at 10am this Saturday. For times of various team training sessions, contact your team coach for details.

The blanket closure of all pitches in Shankill at the weekend caused chaos with our fixtures.

However some games went ahead.

Bray Emmets U-8 girls came to our winter base in St Laurence’s College where we had a blitz of camogie and football and great fun.

Giving up home

advantage, our U-8 boys travelled to St Patrick’s in Palmerstown and the adult men’s team travelled to Round Tower, Clondalkin. The biggest disappointment was that our adult ladies first football match was called off because no pitch was available.

There is a fundraising bag pack in Dunnes Stores this Sunday and we could do with some more bodies; call Mary O Donnell on 086 6072746.

The club is trying to form a ballad group; contact Aine on 086 8646494.

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 on 087 6414123.

The men’s adult football team have ambitions to climb up through the league divisions so new players are always welcome; contact Kevin on 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.

GAZETTESPORT

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

BACK IN ACTION: Naomh Olaf and Kilmacud Crokes up and running for the new AFL Division One season P39

FEBRUARY 22-28, 2018

HEALY GOING THE DISTANCE: Blackrock teenager smashes series of 3,000m records P35

Representatives of each of the clubs who will contest the SSE League of Ireland First Division in 2018. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Ryan’s higher learning UCD’s new assistant manager feels the club’s ethos gives them key place in the League of Ireland structure, offering alternate pro route

 DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

UCD assistant manager Ian Ryan believes the club’s focus on education gives them an edge in developing players for life on and off the field.

Winger Simon Power became the fourth player to leave UCD for a professional contract in the UK in the space of 18 months when he signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Norwich City in January.

Striker Ryan Swan earned a move to Exeter City last February following his Europa League heroics, while another to feature in those games, Dylan Watts, joined Leicester City.

And goalkeeper Tom Murphy earned a move

to Everton after starring for the club’s under-17 side and has gone on to represent his country at the same level.

And Ryan feels the club’s ethos, which encourages players to pursue education off the field while realising their full potential on it, will continue to reap benefits in the future.

“Obviously I’d be a bit biased but, for me, it’s the best place for a young player to play,” the former centre-half told the Dublin Gazette.

“They come in and they get their education.

The lads on the scholarships are extremely well looked-after, from an education point of view, facilities, strength and conditioning – it’s all available.”

The 30-year-old is a teacher at St Kevin’s

Community College in Clondalkin, so he has personal experience of the importance education can play in the life of any aspiring footballer.

“I’m a teacher myself, so it bodes well that I’m coaching in UCD because I value the education point of it.

“Kids, even if they don’t go across to England, if they get a first-team contract they mightn’t even work or get a part-time job.

“It’d be something that I’d be passionate about, for people to go to college and get an education.

“You get your degree then, and if you want your crack at full-time football with that and you have your degree to fall back on and you could go into a job that will last you a lifetime.”

Ryan has taken over the assistant manager’s duties from Evan McMillan, who has stepped down due to work commitments after three years working under Collie O’Neill.

Ryan, who finished his playing career with the club in 2015, was previously manager of the club’s Under-19s and guided them to a national title in 2016.

The Dubliner guided Leinster to the Under18s schoolboy interprovincial title in DCU in November, but was itching to get back into coaching at League of Ireland level.

“I missed it last year. I wasn’t with anyone last year and I missed being involved with football.

It’s all I know really so it’s great to be back and, even better, with a first team.”