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WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE DLR AREA, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED  JANUARY 25-31, 2018

GAZETTE

Motoring

MICHAEL MORONEY TAKES A LOOK AT THE GROWING POPULARITY OF PICK-UP TRUCKS ACROSS IRELAND

PAGES 28-29

SPORT UCD’s final countdown

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FROSTY REACTION TO PROPOSED STILLORGAN DEVELOPMENT

Cllrs slam student building as ‘a disgrace’  RACHEL D’ARCY A PROPOSED new student accommodation development in Stillorgan has been slammed by local councillors, citing it as “a disgrace”.

Res, a development by Cairn Homes, have lodged planning permission with An Bord Pleanala for 576 bed spaces and 103 apartments at Lower Kilmacud Road.

Cllr Deirdre Donnelly

(Ind) said: “There is a real need for some highquality accommodation in the area. There are young families trying to get on the property ladder and purchase an apartment.”

Cllr John Kennedy (FG) echoed Cllr Donnelly’s concerns that the proposed development will not suit the area and will appear “out of place” in the village.

See full story on Page 3

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 25 January 2018

CHAIRMAN | ‘RESOURCES WOULD BE BETTER USED ELSEWHERE’

Reopening of Stepaside garda station threatened  RACHEL D’ARCY THE chairman of the Public Accounts Committee has said that he does not believe Stepaside Garda Station will reopen, citing that resources would be better used elsewhere.

Chairman Sean Fleming has called the move to reopen the station “a political decision not based on proper analysis” in an interview on Newstalk Breakfast last Tuesday.

This interview took place ahead of a report published by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the reopening of the station.

T he PAC repor t recommended that the Office of Public Works should undertake a review on the “suitability” of the Stepaside Garda Station building, and the renovation

costs associated.

Fleming also said that he believes that it would be better to focus on the Cherrywood area and a potential new station due to the growth of population there.

In discussion of the report, members of the PAC referred to the decision to mark Stepaside as one of the stations to reopen as “parish pump” and “stroke politics”.

M i n i s t e r f o r Tr a n s p o r t Shane Ross has “consistently campaigned” for the reopening of the station in his Dun Laoghaire Rathdown constituency.

Speaking about the report to the Dublin Gazette, Minister Ross said: “Stepaside Garda Station is just one of six stations recommended by Garda management to reopen as soon

as is practicable.

“This view is shared by nearly all public representatives in the area and was promised by the main opposition leader in the last general election.”

Vice-president of the Association of Sergeants and Inspectors, Antoinette Cunningham, has said that there has been a noted increase in crime in Stepaside and the surrounding area.

“We were against the closure of Stepaside in the first place,” Cunningham said.

“The station is in bad repair and time will be needed for refurbishment. Minister for the Office of Public Works, Boxer Moran, came to meet local residents in Stepaside and told them that the OPW will be taking possession of the building.

“However, I can assure you

that although patience is being tested, the station will reopen,” said Cunningham.

Deputy leader of the Green Party and local Dublin Rathdown TD, Catherine Martin, is also critical of the report.

Mar tin said: “Stepaside Garda Station needs to be reopened and fully resourced as soon as possible.

“It is essential to provide an important ‘on-the-ground’ Garda presence which will help deter crime and allow residents of the Stepaside and surrounding areas to feel safer in their homes and communities.

“A commitment was given to the local community with a lot of fanfare last year that Stepaside Garda Station would r e o p e n , a n d G ove r n m e n t should not renege on that,” she said.

FASTNews

Rathfarnham midwife graduates with honours A RATHFARNHAM midwife has become the only student in her masters class at Trinity College to receive first-class honours.

Catherine Wood, from Hermitage Estate, took a year out of the four-year degree when she became pregnant. It took her five years to earn her BSc Honours degree, graduating last week with first-class honours.

Catherine and her husband, Kieron, have five children. Cathering now works as a qualified midwife in the Rotunda Hospital, where she was born.

100 Jobs for Sandyford SALES and marketing firm N3 are set to bring 100 new jobs to the Sandyford area in the coming months.

An integrated business to business sales and marketing firm, N3 will add an additional 100 individuals to their workforce as they plan to double their operations. They are based in South County Business Park, within the Sandyford Business District. N3’s clients include tech giants Microsoft and Cisco, operating primarily within the tech industry.

Those with relevant sales experience or related college degrees are invited to apply to recruiting@n3results.com, or through their website at n3results.com/careers.

Power of the Bike Project

Reconnecting with nature in a fun and interactive way ARE your kids struggling to identify a Puffin but can name all the Pokemon? Well not anymore as Bord na Mona is calling for more schools, more teachers and more school-kids to get involved in Eco Rangers, a primary schools programme which attempts to overcome the growing nature deficit amongst children by reconnecting them with nature in a fun and interactive way.

Teachers are provided with all the tools they need such as teachers’ packs, lesson plans and games.

Log on to www.ecorangers.ie for more information. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

ROTARY Dun Laoghaire have announced that they have partnered with gardai in Dun Laoghaire to send unclaimed stolen bikes to Africa as part of the “Power of the Bike” project.

The project is aimed at providing bikes to young people in Africa who may struggle to get to school without some form of transportation. The bikes will be refurbished by soon-to-be-released prisoners from Loughan House Prison in Cavan, before they are sent to Africa.

As part of this new initiative, Rotary Dun Laoghaire will be accepting donations to transport the bikes to Africa. The cost of transporting one bike is €17.50, and they encourage the public to donate to through the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire.

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

25 January 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

STILLORGAN | PLANS FOR NEW STUDENT ACCOMMODATION ON LOWER KILMACUD ROAD

Proposed development slammed as ‘a disgrace’

 RACHEL D’ARCY A PROPOSED new student accommodation development in Stillorgan has been slammed by local councillors, citing it as “a disgrace”.

“Res”, a development by Cairn Homes, has lodged planning permission with An Bord Pleanala for 576 bed spaces and 103 apartments on Lower Kilmacud Road. The site formerly housed Esmonde Motors and Blake’s Restaurant, and has been derelict for a number of years.

Cairn Homes has owned the site since 2016.

Independent Dun Laoghaire Rathdown councillor Deirdre Donnelly has said that the development would not be suitable for the local Stillorgan village area, and that residents’ views have not been con-

sidered.

“There is a real need for some high-quality accommodation in the area. There are young families trying to get on the property ladder and purchase an apartment.

“There are others who are looking for a home to rent because they work in town, and this site is perfect given its proximity to the N11 bus corridor. It is absolutely scandalous that a prime site would be considered for anything else,” Cllr Donnelly said.

With UCD receiving planning permission for over 2,000 on-campus beds in recent weeks, the councillor questions why the area has been chosen for student accommodation.

The university is less than 10 minutes drive away.

“There is nothing in the Stillorgan area for students. There’s no local

facilities, apart from the shopping centre and Boland’s pub across the road,” she said.

“When you take Christmas and Easter reading weeks, study time and exam correction days into account, it is surprising how many days students are not on campus. These units will be vacant for a number of weeks each year,” Cllr Donnelly said.

She says that developers are “abusing” the new “fast track” Strategic Housing Development scheme

by An Bord Pleanala, a process she deems “undemocratic”.

The new process allows developers to apply for planning permission directly to the board, and to by-pass the local authority stage for developments of 200 plus student bed spaces, or housing developments of 100 plus units.

As well as the residential aspect, the plans propose retail, cafe and restaurant facilities alongside a “co-working” space. It will consist of four different buildings and will range from four to nine storeys in height.

“This ‘fast track’ system encourages the building of ‘shoeboxes’ by developers, who will be long gone when there are any problems,” Cllr Donnelly said, citing it as “undemocratic” that the developers can bypass the council.

Fine Gael councillor John Kennedy echoed Cllr Donnelly’s concerns that the proposed development will not suit the area and will appear “out of place” in the village.

“Design aspects should be considered for this development. It should be ornate and fit in with the other

buildings already in the area. It’s in the heart of the village, and will have a drastic impact on Stillorgan,” Cllr Kennedy said.

Both councillors had concerns that there was a lack of awareness in the local community in regard to the development, especially as the local authority was by-passed in the application process.

“It’s not good that there is less community awareness surrounding this development. It’s now too late for residents’ associations to register their concerns, with many still not fully aware about what’s to come,” Cllr Kennedy said.

Dublin Gazette tried to contact Cairn Homes but had not received a reply at the time of going to press.

A decision on the site is due by April 19.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 25 January 2018

Out and About

Darra Clifford, Barbara Hand and Michelle de Burca

Ger Keogh, Rob Cumming and Declan Feely. Pictures: Rose Comiskey

Putting their best foot forward in Marlay Park S

TYLE wHeavy rain and sleet did not deter around 500 runners who took part in Park Run at Marlay Park last week. The early morning run is a great way to get the weekend off to a positive start and is growing in popularity year on year. Among the runners at Marlay Park in Rathfarnham were a group from Ballyboden Boys Club under-14s runners.

The Devlin Family

Jean and Ella McMahon

Padraic McDonagh and Niamh Shea

asd Geraldine and Cian O’Meadhra

Fiona Campbell and Aedein Lang

Collette Kelly and Kevin Kilkelly

25 January 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 25 January 2018

CRIME | MOVE HAS LED TO GROWING FRUSTRATION AMONG GARDAI

Fears end of garda operation could see increase in crimes  RACHEL D’ARCY A GARDA Operation running from Dun Laoghaire station, aimed at targeting local gangs, has been stopped by upper Garda management.

Operation Imeacht ended in December, sparking fears that this could lead to a further increase in crime within the area. The closure has led to growing frustration amongst officers in Dun Laoghaire.

The scheme provided a higher level of regular patrols to tackle the recent spate of burglaries in the area.

Dun Laoghaire and surrounding suburbs have seen a rise in the number of burglaries in recent months, as featured in last week’s Dublin Gazette. Surrounding areas such as Killiney, Cabinteely, Shankill and Monkstown have all

been targeted as well.

It is believed that the closure of the operation has had an impact on the ability of the current police force to sufficiently patrol Dun Laoghaire.

As the Dublin Gazette reported last week, there are currently fears over robbery gangs in the area; these two gangs were the main target of Operation Imeacht.

With it believed that these gangs have now joined forces, there is further concern over the conclusion of the programme at a critical time for the local area.

Under the operation, there were an extra four to six patrols daily aimed at targeting these specific gangs.

Green Party councillor, Una Power, says that the closure is “very disappointing”.

“The visibility of gardai in our communities is pivotal to deter-

ring crime, and this Operation has had a significant impact in stopping these gangs.

“Gardai based in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown know the situation on the ground and understand the need to continue Operation Imeacht; their concerns must be listened to by Garda management,” says Power.

The Independent also reported in December that gardai in the area are aware of a prominent Traveller gang based in the Dun Laoghaire area, who are believed to target elderly and vulnerable people.

They are suspected, at present, to be committing up to 25 burglaries a week.

In 2015, it was announced that a network of specialist garda units – known as the Burglary Response Unit – would begin to operate in the Dublin Metropoli-

tan area, which Dun Laoghaire is a part of.

This was implemented to tackle a spike in the level of burglaries in 2014 but has remained in place since alongside Operation Thor.

The increase of crime in the Dun Laoghaire locale is despite An Garda Siochana reporting that national burglary levels were down 23% under the national Operation Thor.

A representative from the Garda Press Office said: “In relation to Operation Imeacht, this was an Operation developed to provide a ‘Hi-Visibility Policing’ in locations with high levels of footfall and Public Order hotspots and had reached the end of its cycle. All Operates conducted in the DMR East are continuously reviewed to ensure their effectiveness.”

HERE COME THE GIRLS

FASTNews

Pictured at the launch were James O’Sullivan, DLR County Council; James Holahan, chairman Friends of the Joyce Tower Society; Cllr Tom Murphy, Cathaoirleach of DLR County Council and historian Tom Conlon. Picture: Peter Cavanagh Photography

Lauch of Winter of Heritage programme A SERIES of lectures and tours at some of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown’s most treasured heritage sites is set to take place as part of DLR’s Winter of Heritage event.

From January 22 to February 18, DLR will run tours across sites such as Marlay House in Marlay Park, Cabinteely House and James Joyce Tower. Tours will detail James Joyce’s literature and the political career of Robert Nugent, original owner of the 18th century Cabinteely house, and much more.

They will also host a series of lectures on topics such as the houses and architecture of Dun Laoghaire, the transformation of the coastline from Salthill to Battery Bridge, and the network of defence towers built around Dun Laoghaire bay.

Gold Gaisce medal award for Dalkey student A FORMER student of St Joseph of Cluny in Dalkey has received the gold Gaisce medal in a ceremony in Dublin Castle.

Heather Rainey, a former student of the secondary school, received her medal from president Michael D Higgins in December.

The gold award is the highest level of achievement in the President’s Award scheme, with participants between 17 and 25 years of age. Heather is currently an undergraduate student at DCU. She began striving toward the Gaisce award when she was in Transition year in St Joseph of Cluny, being awarded her bronze medal the same year. Heather was awarded her silver medal during her final year in the school. The school is still heavily involved in the Gaisce programme, with 18 leaving certificate pupils from the school receiving their silver award at the Mansion House on January 18.

New cardiovascular centre

RATHFARNHAM has led a national swing towards girls in the BT Young Scientists Exhibition, according to Dublin South West TD and Independent Minister, Katherine Zappone.

The Minister says the fact that three projects from Loreto School, Rathfarnham, made the grade to exhibit at the RDS in the face of strong competition is

a huge tribute to the students, parents and staff.

Nationally 60% of projects were from Girls.

Minister Zappone said: “The success of the girls from Rathfarnham gives me great confidence about the future of our communities, Dublin and Ireland. The range of themes tackled by the students

from parenting through a child’s eyes, Mindfulness and the ripeness of fruit shows a great breadth of talent and skills.”

Pictured with the Minister are Aishling McGrath and Zara McCreery from Loreto High School.

Picture: Peter Houlihan / Fennell Photography

UCD have announced that they are to partner with Ulster University on a new cardiovascular medicine centre. The Eastern Corridor Medical Engineering Centre (ECME) was launched at Ulster University on January 22.

It has received €8.2m in funding from the European Union’s INTERREG VA Program.

The centre will see researchers aim to create better models of heart disease care and will develop new medical grade remote monitoring systems and wearables.

These will be created with the intention to improve both patient experience and clinical outcomes.

25 January 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

FASTNews

Debate to take place in Dun Laoghaire

A DEBATE will take place between a member of the American Republican Party and Richard Boyd Barrett on February 1.

The debate will see Boyd Barrett and Republican broadcaster John Herriott speak in regard to Trump’s current presidency.

Boyd Barrett has been an outspoken critic of the Trump presidency, and will propose the motion “President Trump, You’re Fired”.

Harriott has been a staunch supporter of the current US President, and will defend the administration.

It will be held in the Dun Laoghaire Club at the Eblana Lodge, in Dun Laoghaire.

PLANNING | PROJECT IS FIRST TO BE APPROVED UNDER NEW ‘FAST-TRACK’ PROCESS

UCD €300m student housing scheme gets the go-ahead  RACHEL D’ARCY A NEW 2,178 bed student housing scheme by UCD has been “fast tracked” by An Bord Pleanala.

The €300 million on-campus development has become the first development under “fast track” scheme to be granted planning permission.

The new scheme, known as the “Strategic Housing Development”, has seen UCD granted permission in less than three months, as it bypasses the local authority decision phase.

The planned 2,178 spaces will see the number of students living on the campus increase substantially from 3,179 to 5,357. The proposed site will border Roebuck Road, a residential area.

The proposed apartment

blocks will range from five to 10 storeys in height and will be taller than those already on campus.

This is to facilitate the increasing amount of housing on site without increasing space occupied by apartment blocks.

Initially, seven blocks were planned, but An Bord Pleanala ruled that the largest of the blocks must be omitted from the plans.

This block would have consisted of 828 apartments across three separate ten storey buildings. One of the proposed blocks is planned as a “facilities” centre with a gym, shops, cafes and a bank with additional studio accommodation.

Proposed plans for the additional blocks were met with objections from local residents

and councillors, as well as Transport minister Shane Ross.

Ross lodged a submission with An Bord Pleanala asking for permission to be denied due to the impact the development would have on local traffic.

Local residents’ submissions included a request for denial on the basis of traffic, the impact on local amenities, and for the protection of protected structures such as Roebuck Castle.

When completed, the proposed development will mean that nearly one-quarter of students attending UCD will have access to on-campus housing.

The Higher Education Authority have previously said that student accommodation shortages are at their worst in Dublin, with an urgent need for an estimated 25,000 beds.

Teaming up to launch new unit GUEST of honour Michaela Morley (13) from Mayo is pictured with Ireland rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll at the official opening of the new €5.5m Neurology and Renal outpatients unit in Temple Street Children’s Hospital, entirely funded by public donations. The two-floor unit will cater to over 6,500 patients who attend the hospital for treatment each year.

Picture: Andres Poveda

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 25 January 2018

CHARITY | JOHN PEPPER HAS LEFT HIS POSITION

St John of God chief resigns after 30 years at the helm  RACHEL D’ARCY

THE chief executive of St John of God has stepped down after 30 years at the helm.

John Pepper has not returned to duty since taking sick leave from the Stillorgan-based health group in 2016, and formally left the organisation last November.

Pepper would have had two years left in his role as chief executive if he had not voluntarily left the position.

A statement to St John of God staff said: “John, whose career in the health sector spans more than 40 years, has served the Order with a strong personal commitment, work

ethic and dedication.

“We thank John for the substantial contribution he has made, and we wish him and his family every health, happiness and success in the years ahead,” it said.

Pepper initially joined the charity in 1986, and took up a senior post in the organisation in 2012. In 2017, his rate of pay came under fire and was audited by the HSE. The audit found the pay structure for Pepper ‘lacked clarity and transparency’.

It was announced in 2013 that he had received a large compensation from the order to avoid ‘future liabilities’ alongside other senior mem-

bers of staff. He received the largest amount at €649,371.

A HSE audit into St John of God said that Pepper was paid ‘very significantly in excess of the approved rate’. €82,647 of the amount awarded to Pepper was for the loss of travel expenses, with a further €566,724 marked as compensation for the reduction of his salary.

Since the 1980’s, St John of God has provided services such as mental health support, special schools and aid to those with learning disabilities.

A Catholic health order, it’s headquarters are located in Rome, and it has over 300 hospitals and centres in 53 different countries.

Detective is found guilty of harassment A DETECTIVE found guilty of harassing a State solicitor by sending her abusive letters has been jailed for three years. Judge Melanie Greally said that while Eve Doherty (50) is considered at low risk of re-offending she maintains her innocence and has shown no remorse for the crimes.

Doherty, with an address in Blackglen Road, Sandyford, was found guilty by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of harassing Elizabeth Howlin between September 2011 and March 2013 following a two-week trial last July.

She was found not guilty of two counts of making false statements on two dates in March 2012, in which she claimed Ms Howlin was perverting the course of justice.

At the time in question, Ms Howlin worked with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) where she was involved in deciding whether or not to direct prosecutions in criminal cases. Doherty held the position of detective sergeant and worked in the crime and security division of An Garda Siochana.

The trial heard that over an 18-month period, letters and emails were sent to Ms Howlin’s home, her place of work and to her GP calling her a “corrupt bitch”, an “incompetent useless hobbit” and a “two-faced bitch”.

The court heard Ms Howlin didn’t know Doherty until the trial and that

Doherty was then in a relationship with the victim’s ex-partner. A victim impact statement was handed into court from Ms Howlin, but was not read out.

Judge Greally said the communications by Doherty contained outright and scurrilous lies. They contained statements which were variously disparaging, insulting and offensive, both from a personal and professional manner.

Kerida Naidoo SC, prosecuting, said Doherty sent emails from a internet cafe to hundreds of recipients using anonymous email accounts.

Gardai tracked down the internet cafe from which the emails were being sent. Doherty was arrested after she sent an anonymous email from the cafe.

A psychological report was handed into court, which found Doherty suffered from severe work-related stress, depression, anxiety, paranoia and suicidal ideation.

Mr O’Higgins said the offence was committed by a person who was suffering from depression, paranoia and significant levels of stress.

Mr O’Higgins said the content of the material was “nasty” but he urged Judge Greally to also consider Doherty’s prior “exemplary” character.

Judge Greally rejected a defence submission to impose a suspended sentence, noting the lack of a guilty plea and the lack of any evident remorse.

CHILDREN | CAPITAL CU CALLING ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO GET INVOLVED

‘Fearless four’ sought for national credit union quiz CAPITAL Credit Union has launched a search for teams of four, fearless schoolchildren who can make it through to the national final of the All Ireland Credit Union Schools Quiz.

The credit union has invited all primary schools in the locality of Ballinteer, Drimnagh, Dundrum, Knocklyon, Sandyford and Sandymount area to register for the 2018 schools quiz, and is urging all school children to put a superheroic effort into preparing for it.

E a c h y e a r, s o m e 25,000 schoolchildren

across Ireland take part in the credit union quiz, which is now in its 27th year.

The quiz begins with a knock-out stage at a local level, organised by Capital Credit Union to take place at Taney Parish Hall on January 27.

There will be some fantastic prizes for the winning teams, who will also progress to the regional knock-out stage in early March.

The winning teams from that gruelling competition will make it through to the grand final at the RDS on Sunday, April 8.

Last Year’s winning team: delighted pupils from Divine Word National School, Marley Grange, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16

This year, a total of €4,000 is up for grabs for the winning schools at the national finals.

A Capital Credit Union spokesperson said: “The quiz is an enjoyable and fun way for schools in

the local area to nurture a culture of partnership among students, and we really encourage all

schools to register for this event.

“A core focus of the event is to encourage learning in a teamwork setting, and to equip children from a young age with the skills necessary to collaborate with others in the workplace.

“Questions will cover many topics, including geography, history, music, literature and sport, and we have no doubt that all of our budding geniuses in the local area will rise to the challenge.”

For further information contact Capital Credit Union on 01 2990400.

New €8.2M research centre BEACON Hospital in Sandyford has announced that it will be the first centre in Ireland to offer Balloon Dilatation Technology for the treatment of ailments such as chornic sinusitis, facial pressure or “popping” in the ears.

Offered by consultant Deirdre Fitzgerald, the procedures do not require incisions and are carried out under local or general anaesthetic.

Fitzgerald is spearheading the new treatments in Ireland, having used them extensively whilst working in London.

With Ballon Sinuplasty, the recovery period is much shorter compared to conventional sinus surgery and symptom relief is said to be ‘rapid’.

25 January 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 25 January 2018

Out and About

Intriguing exhibition showing at dlr LexIcon A

Kristina Tisonova and Pavla Smidova. Pictures: Peter Cavanagh Photography

WONDERFUL new exhibition at dlr LexIcon was launched by Cllr Cormac Devlin and the Czech Ambassador Hana Mottlova with a delightful choir of young Czech singers to add to the cultural exchange.

The illustrations on display come from a variety of media – not only books but comics, film, theatre performance, music and photography. The exhibition features 12 exciting contemporary Czech illustrators and runs until March 31.

Petra Miletinova, ambassador of the Czech Republic to Ireland Hana Mottlova and Katerina Garcia

Children enjoying some of the wonderful picturebooks at the library

25 January 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

Out and About

Roger and Alice Childs with the Czech ambassador

The choir of young Czech singers

GAZETTE

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25 January 2018

DUBLINBUSINESS

Over 950 jobs saved through examinership

OVER 950 jobs in Ireland were saved through examinership last year according to a new report.

The latest Baker Tilly Hughes Blake Examinership Index shows that 957 jobs were saved, with 22 companies successfully emerging from the examinership process.

Despite the fact that the economy continues to recover with unemployment expected to dip below 5.5% this year and economists across the board forecasting GDP to grow by around 4%, there continues to be a number of businesses in counties across the country that are struggling with debt or structural issues that arise from the previous boom.

The principal cases involved companies in all corners of Ireland, including well-known brands such as The G, The Eye Cinema, The Meyrick, The Golden Pages and The Regency (since rebranded as The Bonnington Hotel Dublin).

More information about the Baker Tilly Hughes Blake Examinership Index is available at www.bakertillyhb.ie.

Review into codes on workplace bullying THERE have been calls for the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the HSA to review their codes on bullying in the workplace.

Minister Pat Breen has called for a review of the codes, with WRC’s code dating back to 2002, and the HSA code last being updated in 2007.

Breen said: “It is timely to have a review carried out.

I have asked the WRC and the HSA to work together to examine the possibility of developing a single Code of Practice for Bullying in the Workplace”.

This initiative has been brought to the fore as it has become evident that case law surrounding workplace bullying is constantly evolving.

The calls for review follow the enactment of a new code of practice on Longer Working in December.

REPORT | THREEFOLD INCREASE IN ENQUIRIES FROM MORTGAGE HOLDERS

A flurry of activity reported in mortgage switcher market EXPERTS at MyMortgages.ie have reported a flurry of activity in the mortgage switcher market since the beginning of the year.

The brokers forecast the switcher market alone will experience double digit growth in the first six months of the year, as an increasing number of mortgage holders learn of the option which could potentially save them anywhere in the region of €311 per month and €112,000 over the lifetime of an average €350,000 mortgage.

Joey Sheahan, head of credit at MyMortgages.ie believes a number of factors that have led to the influx in enquires they have experienced in the last two weeks.

“We have experienced a threefold increase in the volume of enquiries received

since January 2 from mortgage holders all over the country wondering if they might be eligible to switch lender and avail of cheaper rates,” he said.

“We put this down to a number of factors.

As a result of recent media reports, anecdotal evidence suggests that an increasing number of mortgage holders seem to now be aware of the fact that switching lenders to avail of a better rate might be a viable option for them.”

Experts at MyMortgages.ie predict that recent proposals put forward by Fianna Fail to ban bank incentives to switch will lead to an even greater level of activity as people try to “get in” before any such legislation is introduced.

Mortgage holders are looking to avail of cheaper rates

Dealz to launch Pep&Co clothing line DEALZ has announced it will open 30 PEP&CO ‘shop-inshop’ fashion outlets in its stores creating over 120 Irish jobs.

The first 10 of the 30 Irish PEP&CO concessions will open on the same day.

The first ten shop-in-shops will appear in Dealz f lagship store in Blanchardstown, K ilkenny, Dundr um, Naas, N e w b r i d g e , G o r e y, A t hy,

Finglas, Ballina and Castlebar.

In Ireland, prices at PEP&CO start at €1.50 with almost 60 per cent of items at €5.00 or less.

The news comes as part of a wider announcement made by parent company Poundland, as they unveiled plans to open over 150 PEP&CO ‘shop-inshop’ fashion outlets over the next 12 months in Ireland, the

UK and France.

Managing director at PEP&CO, Adrian Mountford, said: “We are very excited to bring our fashion and brand to Irish consumers. “ We a l r e a d y r u n 17 0 PEP&CO stores in the UK, most of them located inside Poundland stores, so introducing PEP&CO to the Irish marketplace via Dealz has always

been a priority.

“This Christmas we sold over a million more items than we did in our whole first year of trading in 2015.

“Thanks to our partnership with Poundland – and now Dealz in the Republic of Ireland - we’re set to double in size over the coming year, helping us to drive economies of scale to keep prices low .”

DUBLINLIFE

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GAZETTE

25 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

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

DOG OF THE WEEK: CAN YOU GIVE ONE OF THESE CANINE COMPANIONS THE HOME THEY DESERVE?

Either of these boys will charm DUBLIN Gazette has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

This week, we’re highlighting two delightful dogs for your consideration – just two of the many canines that Dogs Trust is trying to find a loving home for.

First up, and Sid (right) is a lovely, three-year-old crossbreed that’s hugely people-focused.

Sid will literally give you a hug when he sees you, and adores cuddles. He is

playful with his doggy pals and as he can be a bouncy boy, Sid is best suited to a home with children who are 10 years old or older (so he doesn’t bowl them over with his affections).

He’s an energetic dog who will require plenty of exercise on a daily basis, so an active adopter will be best for him.

Sid is quite good on his walks, and isn’t bothered by common distractions like cars and bikes.

Apart from his love of walks, Sid is also a big lover of food, which makes

Meet Sid

him ideal to train as he can be easily motivated with his favourite treats.

Next up, and we have Ralph, an extremely

Hi, Ralph

handsome one-year-old Belgian Shepard (above) who steals the hearts of everyone he meets.

Since his arrival at the

centre, Ralph has made lots of friends and really enjoys his daily cuddles and play sessions. Ralph also loves going on walks

and is happy walking beside his doggy pals.

Ralph is still a very young dog that will require plenty of training, but taking into consideration his love for food and intelligence, working with him should be lots of fun and definitely a positive experience.

Ralph is such a social creature and enjoys spending time with people. He should be more than happy living with sensible and gentle kids, but he will need to be walked by adults, as he is

a very strong dog!

He will make a very special addition to a family looking for an active and loyal companion.

If you think you can offer either Sid or Ralph a loving home, then please 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 at www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www. facebook.com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @ DogsTrust_IE.

GAZETTE

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25 January 2018

DUBLINLIFE

Hundreds to rock with Trinity music PUPILS from in and around Dublin will have the opportunity to experience life as a rock star when Trinity College London presents its Trinity on Tour Rock & Pop experience this weekend.

Over 200 students aged between 6 and 16 will take part in the initiative, which takes place at Dublin’s Firhouse Educate Together School on Saturday, January 27 The aim of Trinity on Tour is to introduce children to the rewards of learning a musical instrument.

Through its newly launched Rock & Pop 2018 graded exam syllabus, Trinity College London encourages pupils to experience musical education, learning from new song lists with hundreds of well- known songs by artists ranging

from Adele to David Bowie, AC/DC to Taylor Swift and Daft Punk, adapted by education experts for grades one through to eight.

Children along with their music teachers are invited to attend the free half day event, which offers the opportunity to meet and play alongside real session musicians.

Instruments including keyboard, guitar, bass and drums are provided and the day is split according to age with workshops that cater for those with no experience up to accomplished singers and players.

For further information or to book places on the forthcoming Trinity on Tour experience visit www.trinityontour.com

Great news...

MARY BYRNE

joins Dublin Gazette Dublin Gazette is delighted to announce that the ever-popular, quintessential Dubliner Mary Byrne, is joining Dublin’s Number 1 local newspaper, to provide a weekly advice and guidance column for our readers, starting in our next edition on February 1.

Readers can contact Mary at marybyrne@ dublingazette.com, so make sure to get your questions in as soon as possible.

Mary shot to fame in 2010 when she appeared on the hugely popular X-Factor TV talent show.

The gregarious check out assistant at Tesco in Ballyfermot charmed audiences, not only in Ireland, but also in Britain, as she reached the semifinal of the show.

When asked to provide advice to readers of Dublin Gazette, who may be suffering with mental and physical issues similar to hers, Mary had no hesitation in becoming part of our team to help people.

She said: “It’s a pleasure to be part of a paper that goes out everywhere, that people can pick up and sit down, get some information and read great local stories.”

Mary became the darling of the nation during celebrity Operation Transformation last year, where she revealed her vulnerable self.

She spoke openly about her battle with depression, weight problems and how, by recognising her trigger points, she was able to address her demons and deal with them.

“They saw warts and all and I knew that when I agreed to do that programme, there was an onus on me to be totally and utterly honest.

“I would class myself as someone who knows how to listen and if I can help people with problems that I have, and that I know other people have, but are afraid to talk about them – well that’s great.

“I’m no doctor – I have no medical experience, but what I can do is talk to people about how I feel and hopefully reach out to people who are going through what I’m going through.

“I’m just like you - I suffer like you and you can talk to me about it and let’s see if we can sort something out and get you back on the right track and getting you the help you need. I’m looking forward to this tremendously.”

“Operation Transformation opened a different door and gave the public a glimpse at the real and honest ‘Byrner’ from Ballyfermot, with all the problems that everybody goes through on a daily basis. Being honest with yourself is so important.

“I believe that I can help readers of Dublin Gazette who write in to me and tell me they feel really bad and don’t know what to do about it.

“Don’t be afraid to go out and change you life and I look forward to hearing from you at marybyrne@dublingazette.com every week and helping you get over the obstacles that are holding you back.”

25 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25 January 2018

GAZETTE

FEATURE DUBLINLIFE Sharing the magic of quidditch for Harry Potter’s sporty fans

HOBBIES: FIRST EVER IRISH TOURNAMENT BEWITCHES ONLOOKERS IN A NORTH DUBLIN PARK

 QUINN KANNER DESPITE the cold, rainy morning of Saturday, January 20, spectators crowded along one side of a field in Fairview Park, bundled in jackets and rain coats, to watch the first ever Irish Quidditch Cup. With the popularity of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series, people around the world have started

adapting its magical game of quidditch (see panel) into a real-life sport.

Eamon O’Keeffe, assistant tournament director and player for the Dublin Draichta Dragons, said: “In real-life quidditch – as opposed to the version in Harry Potter – to differentiate the positions and to help the refs know who’s-who, seekers wear

yellow headbands, beaters wear black headbands, chasers wear white headbands, and ke e p e r s we a r g r e e n headbands, so they’re able to tell who’s who.”

Additionally, all the players run around riding ‘brooms’ or pieces of plumbing pipe that are about a metre long.

Eamon said: “I think, in the early days of quidditch – very early – they

actually used brooms, like those you’d see in the Harry Potter films (see Harry, lower right), but when the sport took a more serious turn and people started to take it a bit more seriously, the wood was swapped out for pipes.

“Wood can splinter very easily and was not a safe thing to be using out on the pitch.”

Ireland’s first quidditch club team, the Dublin Draichta Dragons, was founded in 2016 by Stefan Scheurer and Martina Brazdova, who had both played quidditch abroad before moving to Ireland.

Stef a n s a i d : “ We b o t h didn’t know anybody except for each other, so we started this club together.

“We went to the unis and a lot of groups on the internet where people were in similar situations to us – people who’d moved to the city and didn’t know anyone, but wanted to get to know some people, and who wanted to do something in the afternoon or something at the weekend.”

Now, almost three years later, Ireland had enough teams to host their own Quidditch Cup. Last Saturday saw three teams competing: the Dublin Draichta Dragons, the Northern Wyverns Belfast, and “Galweinster” – a com-

WHAT IS QUIDDITCH? JUST as in the books and films, each team has seven players who play on the field at a time – three chasers (who try and score points with the quaffle, a slightly deflated volleyball); one keeper (who guards the team’s three goalposts from score attempts); two beaters (who peg the opposite team’s players with bludgers – slightly deflated dodgeballs – forcing them to run to their goalpost and tag back in); and a seeker (who catches the snitch – a tennis ball inside a sock attached with velcro to a special referee who acts a snitch runner, and who tries to keep the seekers from catching the snitch).

Catching the snitch ends the game and awards that team 30 points, as opposed to the 10 points earned by a quaffle score. A gender quota comes into play: of the team’s seven members on the field, there can be no more than four of either gender.

binat i o n team of the Galw ay G r i n dylows, the Mid-Leinster Moontrimers, and international mercenary players.

Stefan said: “I think it’s very important that

these smaller teams get their first [tournament] experience. “ I f you play your first tournament, it can be ver y encouraging, and it creates a lot of enthusiasm in the players.”

The day got off to a rough start when the rain waterlogged the field at Trinity College, where the cup was sup-

posed to take place.

Eamon O’Keeffe said: “We had been planning the event for half a year, and 15 minutes before the opening ceremony we were told we couldn’t play in front of Trinity.

“So, it was frustrating, but it’s rain – there’s nothing we can do about rain!”

However, the cup was moved to Fairview Park, where they managed to play two of the three scheduled matches.

Eamon added: “It was very, very mucky – very wet. The park rangers sort of said, when they saw the state of the pitch after two games of quidditch, he said that we had to move somewhere else, so we ended up having to cancel the last game.”

Since the Dublin Draichta Dragons won the first two games, they won the cup and a spot in the European Quidditch Cup in Germany in April.

Stefan said: “We’re gonna play against the 32 best teams in Europe.

It’s gonna be really exciting!”

Dublin Draichta Dragons scoring despite the muddy conditions. Picture: Mark Hill

GAZETTE

25 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

To Have to Hold N I W WEDDEDBLISS BLISS We have a great range of wedding features to cover everyone from die-hard traditionalists to contemporary couples, and help meet your needs for the big day.

SEE INSIDE

WORTH

€200

FUJIFILM INSTAX 300 WEDDING GIFT PACK See Page 23

SUITED AND BOOTED:

Classic style at Remus Uomo to ensure gentlemen look their very best Page 20

GAZETTE

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25 January 2018

LOVE MARRIAGE

Check your list, list, list...

FOR most couples, deciding to tie the knot and get hitched is the easy part, as the big day itself marks the end of months (and sometimes even years) of meticulous marital planning.

To help ensure that the day passes off without a hitch, you’ll undoubtedly refer to The List a lot – the endless to-dos to get through before your I-Dos can start.

Here are just some of the main pointers to note and tick off as you prepare for a wonderful wedding – yours!

12 MONTHS TO GO

3 MONTHS TO GO

1 WEEK TO GO

• Set yourself a budget

• Three months out is pretty

• Print or do up place cards

• Start researching venue/ ceremony locations

much your last chance to tell

• Look in to wedding insurance

• Compile your wedding gift

• Decide how many guests you

list (if you’re having one)

want and make a rough list

• Start collecting addresses

• Think about the style of venue you’d like • Start researching wedding suppliers and services such as wedding photographers, entertainment, florists, etc

and do up table plan • Organise envelopes with

everyone

of friends and family for the invites and buy stamps • Decide on your song choi es: first dance, reception etc • Arrange food tasting and decide on menu

payments for suppliers – allocate groomsmen to look after them on the day • Give reception venue/caterer final guest numbers • Attend wedding rehearsal with celebrant • Pack your honeymoon bag (don’t forget your passport)

If you’re having your marriage ceremony abroad, make sure you’re organised before heading off

Mini boys stripe blazer €37, Grandad shirt €13, chino shorts €24 , Girls white 3D flower tulle skirt dress lace €87 and boys blue blazer €56, all available at River Island

The Cuteness

FACTOR PAGE BOYS & FLOWER GIRLS

CHILDREN can bring a sense of fun and lighthearted-

fabulous sense of style. Soft baby pinks and pretty

ness to a wedding and they deserve comfortable

laces will delight any young fashionista and comfortable

and fun outfits for the special day. River Island has

brushed cotton suits in hazy hues will keep the youngest

created the Flower Girl and Summer Suits Collection

of men happy and stylish. The range suits ages 6-months

s o your

to 12 years. See www.riverisland.com

littlest guests can show off their

Getting married abroad?

WITH travel becoming every more affordable, and many modern couples turning away from traditional weddings, or ‘a big do’, it’s understandable that lots of people are looking to get married in a far-flung destination.

Apart from the attraction of getting married somewhere exotic, many romantically-minded (yet also practically-headed) couples like to make a foreign wedding something extra-special, typically by making it an immediate-familyand-very-best-friends-only affair.

Rather than getting married with your milkman’s cousin and your third-cousin Susan who you haven’t seen in 20 years in tow, there’s something magical about getting married with ‘just’ 20-30 or so people in tow, knowing that your big day is being shared with the most important people in your life – and that they’re also having a fun holiday, too.

However, just as with getting married at home, there are some important

things to keep in mind, with getting married abroad presenting its own unique things to note.

1. Check that you are not paying for any extra legal requirements while in the resort – always check before committing to any deal.

2. Always ask how many weddings a day your chosen hotel will have – you don’t want to be part of a ‘conveyor belt’ wedding just churning them out.

3. Always ask if you need to leave the hotel to complete formalities that could involve a visit to the local Licence Office or Registrar’s Office while on your holiday/honeymoon.

4. Go easy on the sunbathing – you definitely don’t want to get sunburnt before your wedding.

5. Finally, always, always travel with your original documents and paperwork, regardless if you’ve sent copies beforehand – your wedding won’t take place unless you have these.

Mini girls pink floral lace dress €60, Mini girls pink metallic bow plimsols €17, girls rose gold bow hairband

Boys pink blazer €56, boys pink suit trousers €33, boys

€6 and Mini boys grey check 4 piece suit set €55, Mini

pink oxford shirt €16, pink and navy striped bow tie €6,

boys tan tassel loafers €29.

white trainers €21.

25 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

GAZETTE

 FIND BLISS IN BALBRIGGAN THANKS TO THE BRACKEN COURT 

A bespoke venue to help create the day you’ve dreamed of THE Bracken Cour t Hotel is a well-established 4 -star lu xur y hotel, exceptional in design and character.

From the moment you step on to the red carpet, you will experience the true dedication of a friendly and professional team with a single focus in mind – the success of the most memorable day in your life.

Whether it’s to be a grand affair or an inti-

mate reception, the style of your wedding is entirely up to you.

With the perfect stylish suites to choose from, the Bracken Court Hotel is a premier venue in North County Dublin.

The bespoke wedding venue is also registered to host civil ceremonies, and there is a variety of large and small spaces w i t h i n t h e B r a c ke n Court to host everything

from the most intimate wedding celebrations to the most lavish occasions.

Excellent value wedding packages at the Bracken Court Hotel start from €39.95 per person, with a premium all-inclusive package priced at €79.95 per guest The hotel also offers perks for the bride and groom to choose from, adding the extra touches

to a perfect wedding day.

From the elegant red carpet and champagne on arrival, to a sumptuous champagne breakfast for the happy couple the following morning in their bridal suite, the Bracken Court in Balbriggan has a single focus on creating memorable weddings.

The hotel’s dedicated wedding co-ordinators will ensure everything, from the style of the

The Martello Suite at the Bracken Court Hotel – just one of a number of spaces that can be tailor-customed to suit your wedding’s needs, from the grand to the intimate

wedding suite, to the meal, fresh flowers, and entertainment is tailored to the bridal party’s exact requirements.

Wedding guests can take advantage of special guest rates, and personalised booking forms can be mailed out with wedding invitations.

Recently engaged or looking for the ideal wedding venue?

J o i n t h e B r a c ke n Court Hotel on Sunday, February 18 for their upcoming Spring Wedding Fair from 2pm6pm and meet with the hotel’s wedding co-ordinators and exclusive

preferred partners who will have everything you need for your special day.

The Bracken Court Hotel can be contacted at 01 841 3333, with weddings and other special occasion details available at www.brackencourt.ie.

25 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

LOVE MARRIAGE

Dark grey tr

ousers €1

05

Dinner Suit Jacket €235 Dinner Suit Waistcoat €80 Dinner Suit Trousers €110 Shirt €45

Grey blazer €220 Grey waistcoat €75

ge Trousers with

ometric print

€115

Navy blaze r€ Navy wais 220 tcoat €75

Penrose-London.com

Classically

GROOMED BRIDES tend to hog the limelight at weddings – but dashing

grooms have almost as much pressure to look their best. (Well, almost.) Thankfully, men have plenty of options to dress to impress – after all, it’s their big day too – with a dash of dapper tailoring and attention to detail helping men to look their best.

There are a wide range of gentlemen’s outfitters out there catering for grooms, but we’ve pulled out some items from Remus Uomo to help be a cut above, with ties from Penrose London completing the look.

Penrose-London.com

GAZETTE

GAZETTE

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25 January 2018

 OFFERING OLD-WORLD CHARM CLOSE TO THE CITY'S EDGE 

A unique, tranquil wedding setting to delight everyone THE Court Yard Hotel is a unique, intimate and bespoke wedding venue in Kildare, offering the perfect wedding location for couples who are looking for that little something extra.

Built on the original site where Arthur Guinness created his brewing empire, the hotel offers old-world charm and beautiful original stonework with contemporary design in a setting that is as picturesque as a pint settling. The Court Yard Hotel truly is Kildare’s best kept secret.

From its humble beginnings back in 1756, the hotel has become a popular choice with a unique space for weddings and events.

Renowned for its ability to capture the true essence of the day, its staff firmly believe that each wedding should truly reflect the bride and groom’s own personal style.

It is ideal for intimate

offers its own private terrace for pre-drinks reception and evening party room with an exclusive piano bar.

The Court Yard Hotel’s exclusive Store House package, aptly named after its Guinness heritage, includes all the finer details for €89 per person to bespoke inspired packages such as the Boat House package starting from as little as €49 per person.

The charm of the historic hotel, coupled with its magnificent riverside setting, make the Court Yard Hotel a truly superb wedding venue

gatherings, offering couples the opportunity to celebrate with up to 100 cherished family and friends in the stunning R iverBank reception

room – a truly beautiful wedding room with captivating views of the River Liffey and Leixlip Castle Boat House.

The RiverBank room

Recently Engaged?

An upcoming Spring Wedding Showcase takes place at the Court Yard Hotel on Thursday, February 22 from 6pm-9pm.

Meet with their dedicated wedding team and enjoy prosecco and canapes as you experience all the Court Yard Hotel has to offer you on your special day.

The Court Yard Hotel can be contacted on (01) 629 5100; see also www. courtyard.ie

Research your photographer carefully, and getting the best shots of your all-important day should be a snap NO MATTER who you are, who you’re marrying or where you’re getting hitched, and how, there’s one thing everyone wants to have: great wedding photos.

The importance of hiring a professional wedding photographer cannot be over-emphasised – turning to a friend with a good camera do it, leaving it to your guests, or hiring a non-wedding photographer is almost certainly a bad idea.

Any of these groups or people can give you some more photos to treasure, but they can’t compete with the skills and experience of an experienced professional who specialises in capturing couples’ dream shots.

It’s never too soon to start thinking

about the photos of your big day, with a good photographer being something that you should research just as carefully, and as far in advance, as any other key part of the day.

Hiring a professional photographer is a part of the wedding that is crucial to get right. Remember: your photos will form some of the most important and lasting memories you’ll have of the day, and if they don’t

turn out as you want, then your memories will be ruined.

The same applies to those who choose a videographer, with your wedding or ceremony video also needing a skilled professional to get right; many photographers and videographers work as a team, or can recommend someone to work with to get your still and moving images just right.

Apart from word of mouth, and being able to turn to friends and family for direct recommendations, be sure to also check online portfolios of photographers’ work, with most now offering subtle digital retouching and polishing to enhance your shots, with copies often included in their packages and wedding deals.

GAZETTE

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25 January 2018

LOVE MARRIAGE

Sojourn in stunning Sorrento – just one of the pearls scattered along Italy’s jaw-dropping Amalfi coast, and a perfect destination for honeymooners

So many options to find your heavenly honeymoon break  RACHEL D’ARCY

YOU’VE sur vived the stresses and joys of your big day – now, it’s time to get away!

The honeymoon is your first step into wedded bliss, and there’s nothing like a top-class travel agent to organise the perfect getaway for you and your partner.

For those looking to venture a little further afield, Tour America has some great packages available.

From a ten-night break to Cancun and Las Vegas, to a Carribean cruise with a New York stopover, they have something to cater to all tastes.

They even have a Universal Studios package for the more thrill-seeking newlyweds! Prices start from €1,449 per person.

E s c a p e 2 o n Lowe r

Abbey Street offer tailormade luxury honeymoon packages to exotic destinations such as Bali, the Dominican Republic and Paradise Island.

Fo r a s e v e n - n i g h t break in Punta Cana, prices begin at €1,289 per person, with a week in Mexico costing €2,419 per person.

Fancy staying a little closer to home? Look no further than Sunway Holidays. From five-star hotels in the Algarve to seven nights in opulence in luxurious Lanzarote, they’ve got you covered.

All their honeymoon offerings range from fourto five-stars for the break you deserve.

Prices start at €1,458 f o r s e ve n n i g h t s o f f i ve - s t a r g l a m o u r i n the Algarve, ranging to €2,669 for a Sorrento siesta.

Don’t be afraid to hand over some control (and stress) to your planner MANY couples never even consider hiring a professional wedding planner, not realising that having outside, additional help can save both of them time, aggravation, and even money.

Whether you and your future spouse are behind in your wedding planning, or are just looking for some general guidance, a wedding planner for the big day could be a great option to avail of.

It’s only natural that you both want to take control of your big day, but there’s a lot to be said for having help from a skilled wedding professional, and for leaving them to deal with many of the logistics, problems and stresses involved – after all, that’s their job!

For those looking for a dash of decadence and a beautiful way to add something special to the wedding dining, gold cutlery is sure to be a hut

Try gold cutlery to be a cut above with the meal

FOR couples looking to add an extra-special touch to their big day, one Dublin woman has something to help be a cut, jab and scoop above – gold cutlery.

When Churchtown native Amy McGovern got married in Italy in 2016, she picked gold cutlery for the reception, with the luxurious splurge elevating the table settings and proving a hit with impressed guests.

A fter the wedding, however, Amy realised

she had a 750-piece set of gold cutlery and no use for it.

Instead of letting the

beautiful collection of cutlery gather dust up in a box in the attic, Amy now rents the lovely set out for

use at other weddings and big events, and says she’s delighted to be helping make any other couple’s big day even better.

Talking to Dublin Gazette, she says: “I really wanted the set for my own wedding. It was my one extravagant buy, and I looked in to hiring this type of cutlery in Ireland and I couldn’t find any option that was in any way reasonably priced.

“So, when I researched it, it made sense for me to actually purchase gold cutlery outright.”

Amy shipped the cutlery in from China and, as part of her own beautiful wedding, says the cutlery really added a special touch of decadence to the reception, as well as being a fun talking point with guests.

She has since set up an Instagram profile showcasing the cutlery in all its glory – search for #goldcutleryforhire on Instagram.

Alternatively, you can also email Amy at goldcutleryforhire@outlook. ie for a quote.

25 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

GAZETTE

 TALBOT HOTEL STILLORGAN HELPS TO TAKE CARE OF EVERY LITTLE DETAIL 

Offering the warmest of welcomes for your big day

YOUR wedding day is the most special day of your life, and staff at the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan are determined to ensure that every detail is perfect.

As part of the familyow ned Talbot Hotel Group, the hotel’s staff understand tradition and offer the warmest of welcomes to couples and their guests.

Offering a selection of wedding suites which can be individually tailored to let the bride and groom create and celebrate their dream day, the Talbot Hotel Stillor-

The Talbot Hotel Stillorgan promises to help create the perfect mood for your big day

gan provides the ideal setting for the perfect South Dublin wedding venue.

From intimate gatherings to formal receptions, the hotel’s wedding coordinators will

WI€N200 WORTH

PACKAGE INCLUDES: • Instax 300 Instant Camera • Three packs of 20 photos (total 60 wide-format shots) • Pen, bespoke wedding album and adhesive pads

work with the bride and groom to create a uniquely special day.

W hen it comes to their wedding day, every detail is paramount. The staff are on hand to help guide couples through

their special day, with ever y detail being thoughtfully considered from the beginning to end.

T h e Ta l b o t Ho t e l Stillorgan’s exquisite French courtyard and

FUJIFILM INSTAX 300 WEDDING GIFT BUNDLE THANKS to our friends at Fujifilm, we have a Fujifilm Instax 300 Wedding Gift Bundle (worth €200) to give away to a lucky reader.

This wonderful all-in-one pack would make a perfect gift for the happy couple – or be a terrific way to capture some onthe-go moments of their special day, with the easy-to-use cam-

era making it a cinch for everyone to capture and share the memories of the wonderful day.

TO WIN, email your details to competitions@dublingazette. com (name, address, contact number); alternatively, visit our Dublin Gazette Facebook page before 5pm on Friday, February 2, and follow the instructions there. Best of luck!

garden oasis creates a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere, allowing guests to unwind during the drinks reception and throughout the special day.

The Talbot Stillorgan is also licensed for civil ceremonies, with tailored packages on offer, and a choice of two ceremony suites which can cater for groups of 25-250 guests.

For further information, see www.talbothotelstillorgan.com, email weddings@talbotstillorgan.com, or call 01 200 1800.

Lots for couples to think of and get organised about before the big day arrives

COUPLES have lots of options to consider for their big day. For example, for their wedding ceremony, do you want to have a church ceremony or a civil ceremony? If it’s to be a church ceremony, are you both of the same religion?

The majority of church weddings in the Republic of Ireland are still Catholic ceremonies, but as society and culture changes, this too is changing, with the evolving state of marriage in Ireland giving couples more choice than ever before.

As most couples are still traditionalists looking to get married in a church or similar religious venue, the process can be quite bureaucratic, so it’s important to check with your local

religious figure, and venue, as to what you have to do.

If you’re thinking about a civil ceremony, are you thinking of a registry office or would you like to get married at a venue? Do you want separate venues for your ceremony and reception or would you like them in the same place?

As for those who’d like to get married outdoors, it can be a bit tricky to get married outdoors in Ireland (only Humanist ceremonies and particular religions – not for civil ceremonies or Catholic ones).

However, lots of couples choose to have a civil ceremony for the legal bit, and then plan their own ceremony in the location of their choice.

GAZETTE

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25 January 2018

LOVE MARRIAGE  TRANSFORMED VENUE SURE TO DELIGHT 

Red Cow Moran will tick all your wedding boxes Rose open ring with red cubic zirconia €59

Heart padlock silver ring €39

Heart-shaped rose spacer with red cubic zirconia €35

Floating locket heart key silver pendant with clear cubic zirconia and necklace €119

Two hearts silver charm with clear cubic zirconia €49

Bling it on! nice, sweet way to say thank-you

OKAY, so you’ve got the rings and

Pandora have some great gifts

the bling sorted out – well, you’d

that would go down a treat with

to your bridesmaids and helpers

hope so, with your big day looming

bridesmairds, or to some other

– and if any of them aren’t hitched

on the horizon - but what about

close pals who’ve also been a trea-

yet, they might even bring them

adding a sparkling touch to the

sure with organising everything.

a little luck as they stand by your

They’re simple gifts, but they’ll a

memories of your helpers?

side on your own special day!

Prismatic Shadow 15

NO SELF-RESPECTING bride would dream or

The unexpected hues and tones will add

dare of getting married without “some-

as vivid (or subtle) a shade of blue, cyan,

thing blue” – enter NYX Professional Make-

and everything in between you could hope

Up, offering some unexpected and daring

for, creating a contemporary dash of

shades that will leave any bride looking

colour that could be a wonderful addition to

blue-ming beautiful.

all the rest of the day’s traditional stylings.

Jumbo Baby Blue eye pencil €5

Something blue…

Water elements blue-based palette

THE TRANSFORMED Red Cow Moran Hotel has been transformed by the recent addition of an extension that has added 152 luxury guestrooms, 14 new event spaces, Link lounge with wine bar and coffee dock, a fitness suite, gorgeous new courtyard garden and Tom’s Table restaurant, making it the perfect choice for your wedding reception.

Offering complete wedding packages and catering for up to 450 guests and more intimate weddings, along with extensive menu options and drinks packages, couples can rest assured that their wedding day will be unique as they are.

The Red Cow Moran’s dedicated wedding coordinators always go the extra mile to make the big day truly unforgettable.

The hotel is ideal for weddings of any size.

Weddings can start from an intimate party of 10 people right up to 450 dinner guests in the ballroom, up to 200 guests in Tom’s Table, or up to 70 guests in a private suite.

Wedding packages are based on a minimum of 80 guests, so smaller weddings are each individually tailored to suit.

The Red Cow Moran’s

wedding packages offer a “One wedding a day” promise, and its experienced wedding coordinators will ensure that couples enjoy their special day every step of the way, with their arrangements carried out with the individual attention and personal service that the Red Cow Moran Hotel is renowned for.

Location Occupying one of the best locations in the country and with 275 luxurious bedrooms, the Red Cow Moran Hotel ticks all the boxes when it comes to accommodating guests who have to travel from all corners of the country, or who are coming in from abroad.

Located just off the N7/M50, the hotel offers speedy access to all parts of the country, in addition to Dublin city centre, Dublin Airport, and Heuston and Connolly train stations.

The Red Cow Moran Hotel is also a popular choice for those seeking a civil ceremony or an informal blessing in Dublin. Its beautiful new courtyard garden offers brides- and grooms-to-be the opportunity to have their ceremony outdoors

in a chic urban oasis.

Exchanging vows at a hotel allows couples to enjoy their wedding celebrations all under one roof, meaning less to worry about on their special day.

Couples have the option of using the hotel’s civil ceremony venue for gatherings from two to 200 guests.

Its courtyard garden provides the perfect backdrop for engagement parties, cocktail receptions and even post-wedding day BBQs. This hidden gem can be decorated in a variety of ways to make the special day truly unique.

For beautiful wedding photographs, the courtyard garden and dramatic sweeping staircase, with Murano glass chandelier, provide amazing backdrops.

Whether planning a celebration that’s traditional or trendy, festive or formal, intimate or grand scale, the Red Cow Moran guarantees that you’ll be saying YES to holding your wedding there.

Contact the hotel’s wedding coordinator by emailing weddings@redcowmoranhotel.com, or call 01 459 3650.

25 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

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 affliction

pang

anguish

pound

cramp

smart

grief

sore

hankering

spasm

heartache

suffer

hunger

throb

hurt

torment

insufferable

twinge

longing

woe

misery

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25 January 2018

GAZETTE

GAZETTE

DUBLINLIFE PICK OF THE WEEK

LET’S GO OUT MUSIC

ERASURE

@ THE OLYMPIA THEATRE SYNTH pop duo Erasure play the Olympia Theatre on January 29, 30 and 31.

Since releasing their first single in 1985, Erasure have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide.

For 32 years, without a break or break-up, Andy Bell and Vince Clarke have mined a rich seam of creativity

that has led to chart-conquering singles, a string of immaculate albums, a BRIT, an Ivor Novello Award and now World Be Gone, their seventeenth studio album.

Tickets for their Olympia Theatre shows, priced from €54.50, are on sale now from Ticketmaster .

BEST OF THE REST JANUARY 25 (Thursday) Elder Island @ The Workman’s Club, €13 Tradfest Music Trail @ Temple Bar (Various), free Andy Irvine + Donal Lunny @ St Patrick’s Cathedral, €30 Jarlath Henderson Band @ St Michan’s Church, €25 The Fureys @ Porterhouse (Temple Bar), €3 Jack O’Rourke + Sounds of Sirens @ St Werburgh’s Church, €20 Stockton’s Wing @ The Merchant’s Arch The 4 Of Us @ Whelan’s, €25 JANUARY 26 (Friday) The Spitfires @ Workman’s Club, €15 Moon Duo @ The Button Factory, €16 Lord Huron @ Vicar Street, €25 The Frankenstein Bolts @ Graphic Studio Gallery Judy Collins @ St Patrick’s Cathedral, €38 Tradfest Music Trail @ Temple Bar (Various), free JANUARY 27 (Saturday) Rosborough @ Whelan’s, €13 Heavily touted as a soon-to-be superstar, Rosborough - a youngster from Derry - plays charming and memorable ditties inspired by anyone from Bruce Springsteen to The Ramones and Muse. His newfound solo career shows all the hallmarks of years fronting fast-gigging bands.

Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes @ Tivoli Theatre, €22 Sofi Tukker @ The Button Factory, €18 Huxley + Mele @ District 8, €17 Martha Wainwright @ St Patrick’s Cathedral, €32

The Legend of Luke Kelly Show @ Vicar Street, €30 Tradfest Music Trail @ Temple Bar (Various), free JANUARY 28 (Sunday) The Weather Station @ The Grand Social Tradfest Music Trail @ Temple Bar (Various), free The Menzingers + Pup + Cayetana @ Whelan’s, €22 Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes @ Tivoli Theatre, €22 Folk Gala featuring Shelby Lynne + Allison Moorer @ Dublin Castle, €40 JANUARY 29 (Monday) Erasure @ Olympia Theatre, €55 Christy Moore @ Vicar Street, €40-50 A man who needs no introduction, a Monday night spent watching Christy light up Vicar Street is a night well spent. Pure sonic poetry.

JANUARY 30 (Tuesday) Jeff Tweedy @ Vicar Street, €40 Erasure @ Olympia Theatre, €55 Revel in camp sing-alongs from this wonderful pop act, as they bring their over-the-top tunes to the Olympia and lead a chorus on respect.

Hayseed Dixie @ Whelan’s, €20 The Ruby Sessions @ Doyle’s, €6 Visions of Floyd @ The National Concert Hall, €22-32.

JANUARY 31 (Wednesday) Pale Waves @ The Grand Social, €13 Ulaid + Duke Special @ Whelan’s, €22 Erasure @ Olympia Theatre, €55

25 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

GAZETTE

CINEMA ReelReviews

THREE BILLBOARDS Unrelentingly powerful

FRANCES McDormand is a raw force of nature in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Cert 15A, 115 mins). Here, her daughter was murdered and she’s out for justice, with three unused billboards proving perfect for her ads to pile pressure on the local police in their small town. Things soon escalate in a dark direction, but her steely character remains sympathetic throughout.

Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf turn in equally memorable roles, bouncing off each other with an intensity that rings true for many parent-child relationships

LADY BIRD: FILM HAS REAL HEART, WITH EMOTIONS THAT TURN ON A DIME

THE POST

A press worth opening THE Post (Cert 12A, 115 mins) is director Spielberg’s love letter to journalistic integrity, given some intentional topicality by the strange embrace of ‘fake news’ mantras by far too many people today. Stars Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep excel as The Washington Post’s editor and publisher respectively, as they mull over tough choices in what they can can – and should – publish in the paper as they expose Nixon’s wrongdoing.

THE LAST JEDI

Still a Forceful franchise AFTER a certain scene in The Last Jedi (Cert 12A, 155 mins), you’d be forgiven for thinking the late Carrie Fisher (as General Leia, above) in her final film was the last Jedi. But, no, despite her spinetingling swansong, the film very much belongs to Mark Hamill’s startling turn as the eponymous Jedi, with his jaded, guilt-ridden Luke Skywalker helping the series move on, thematically.

Awkwardly wonderful ANYONE who spent their formative years navigating the awkward fashions and questionable music of the early millennium will find some instant kinship in Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut.

For tunately, Lady Bird (Cert 15A, 94 mins) is such an utterly endearing coming-of-age tale, anybody who’s outmanoeuvred the choppy waters of adolescence will find something to love in this charming comedic drama.

That something, above all else, is “Lady Bird” herself – the Sacramento, California high school student whose story is based on Gerwig’s own teenage years, brought to life with the magnetism and burgeoning talent of Saoirse Ronan.

Gerwig’s first effort is a lovingly crafted film, bearing all the notes of her co-writing work with director Noah Baumbach

 MARTIN MACNAMARA

– hard evidence of an auteur at work.

Christine McPherson, senior student at a Catholic high school, prefers to go by “Lady Bird” - her ‘given’ name (“she gave it to herself”).

Struggling to maintain a strained relationship with her headstrong mother (Laurie Metcalf), Lady Bird navigates her first romantic relationship, the tribulations of her high school’s social hierarchy and stages optimistic plans for her future – plans her mother considers unrealistic and, given her father’s (Tracy Letts) recent redundancy, unaffordable.

Lady Bird takes its cues from the same cinematic

pool as most American coming-of-age stories: Christine wanders from phase to phase, learns who her friends are, gets in trouble, drinks, smokes, fights and falls in and out of love.

These are tropes and plot points we’ve seen time and time again, but instead of feeling tired, the narrative in Lady Bird oozes a comfortable, homespun familiarity.

Ger wig documents the era perfectly, rendering each familiar beat remarkably fresh.

She creates a world both personal and universal, and Ronan pulls us right into it.

Everything about adolescence is awful for Lady Bird – she doesn’t have the ‘right’ friends, can’t find the ‘right’ guy and doesn’t seem set to go to the ‘right’ colleges.

Ye t w i t h R o n a n ’s vibrant, wonderfully natural performance, Lady Bird’s story breathes out

a tremendous optimism.

In and around all her highs and lows, Ronan’s performance has a loveably awkward warmth and precise comedic timing that brings to mind Gerwig’s own turns in front of the camera.

Gerwig juxtaposes the very real (at the time) dramas of adolescence with moments of heartfelt comedy and R o n a n ties it all together with a c o m mand of the craft that even n ow, a decade into her c a r e e r, is pro found for an actor her age.

O u t wardly

confident and yet utterly vulnerable; heedless, irrational and yet wise beyond her years, Lady Bird radiates a warmth we can’t help but cling to.

However, it’d be unfair to insinuate that Ronan carries Lady Bird. Metcalfe delivers a superb per formance as Christine’s mother; the scenes in which they cl a s h a r e some of the film’s m o s t devastating a n d p o i gnant.

Relat i v e n e w comer Lucas

Hedges builds on all the promise and natural aptitude he demonstrated in last year’s Manchester by the Sea and, as her best friend, newcomer Beanie Feldstein delivers one hell of a break-out performance.

Speaking of break-outs, Gerwig’s first turn behind the camera further cements her as a force to be reckoned with in contemporary cinema.

At its heart, Lady Bird is her story, and there isn’t a frame here that doesn’t feel deeply personal.

Lady Bird may hit familiar beats, but there’s nothing trite about Gerwig’s film – a short, sweet story that flows naturally, feels effortless and provides the perfect space for its burgeoning star to demonstrate her skill.

Verdict: 9/10

Ronan does a great job at capturing some of the highs and horrors of our adolescent years

GAZETTE

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25 January 2018

DUBLINMOTORING

Style, comfort and power ensures Ranger leads pick-up market

There is a big feeling to the good looking Ford Ranger while the price is competitive at €44,175, incl. VAT

Pick-up trucks are no longer just functional machines and they now come with features and comfort levels that were unimaginable just five years ago.

These are unique vehicles that are growing in popularity across Ireland and the world. MICHAEL MORONEY took the 2017 market leader, the Ford Ranger on test and justifies its popularity.

PICK-UPS are fashionable once again with hints that Irish drivers are following those in America in their quest for a weekend motor that’s stylish, functional and attractive, with the capacity to work for the rest of the week.

No 4x4 pick-up meets these demands better than the Ford Ranger and the market has proven that desire as the Ranger topped the 4x4 sales in 2017.

Ford has a pick-up truck heritage that’s the envy of other brands.

For years, Fords F150 pick-up has been America’s best-seller, across any car make and model.

Ford has built a new reputation in Europe and Ireland for the Ranger series, a more compact pick-up than what’s available in North America.

The new generation

Ford Ranger 3.2 Engine Engine power 0 – 100km/hr Economy Fuel Tank Capacity CO2 emissions Road Tax Band Main Service Euro NCAP Rating Towing rating Warranty Entry Price

3.2 litre 200hp 10.9 seconds 12km/litre (8.4l/100km or 34mpg) 80 litres 221g/km Commercial €333 20,000km/12 months 5 stars 2012 3500kgs 2 years unlimited €44,175

Ranger has some styling lines from the American market that add to its appeal.

My test version was a blackWildtrak Ranger and the chrome was replaced by an all-black Titanium front that gave it even more appeal.

Ford uniquely offers

two engine and power bands for the Ranger pick-up. The entry model is powered by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. My test Ranger was the more powerful, five-cylinder version that’s rated at 3.2-litres and pumps out 200bhp from this throaty sound-

ing engine.

The big solid engine feel and sound is more than superficial. Everything about the Ranger has a big and strong feel to it, helped by the high torque figure of 400Nm that ensures that it can tow a 3.5 tonne load at low revs and with ease.

Out on the road the six speed gearbox allows the Ranger to cruise on the motorways at 120km/hr at just about 2,250rpm, even with a full load on board.

Hitching up a trailer is easy with the impressive reversing camera and when towing the load is barely noticeable because of the Ranger power.

That bigger engine delivers power and takes a little more fuel than some of the competition.

Over a test drive of almost 700km, I found

that the Ranger was very near true to its economy claims of 12km/litre (8.4l/100km or 34mpg), helped by its start/stop system when driving in heavy traffic.

That’s marginally less economical than the new V6 Volkswagen Amarok pick-up.

The Ranger wins out on acceleration, but only marginally so over the higher power versions of the Nissan Navara and the Volkswagen Amarok.

While the Amarok tops the league in terms of engine power and torque, all three are rated at the top towing figure of 3.5 tonnes.

Driving off road is effortless by just engaging the four-wheel-drive system in high or low range by means of a dial beside the gear lever.

This can be done on

the move at slower speeds, allowing the driver to deal with frost and snow conditions on the road, as well as the more serious mud plugging adventures.

I took the Ranger across some seriously waterlogged fields and with care and steady driving, my route was never compromised.

The high engine torque meant that at low revs, we pushed through the mud and water with a steady pace, with little hint of wheel spin or slippage.

The Wildtrak version comes with lots of specification on board, including larger 18 wheel, an off-road pack, as well as a leather trimmed steering wheel, and a full range of safety features that are the now available on higherend standard road cars.

While the Ranger has

not had a recent Euro NCAP test result, the overall safety package is equivalent to that available on those that have.

Sales of the Ford Ranger just by 26% in 2017 based on an impressive specification and competitive entry price that starts at €44,175 for this high powered version.

That’s marginally more competitive than the slightly higher power Volkswagen Amarok and more expensive than Nissan’s Navara.

The Ranger package is very complete, the vehicle is strong and workmanlike while delivering a level of comfort for the weekend, complimented by styling good looks. The Ranger deserves its market leading place and it demands a test drive if you’re in the pick-up market in 2018.

Fiat offers choice of three for 181 FIAT Ireland has announced three 181 offers available to customers until 31 January 2018.

Customers trading in an older Euro 1 to Euro 4 car (petrol or diesel of any brand) will be able to avail of scrappage bonuses of up to €5,000 on selected Fiat models.

Customers that do not qualify for the Fiat Scrappage

The Fiat offer applies only to any passenger car with preEuro 5 emissions standards (petrol or diesel) registered before 31st December 2009 and where the car has been in the owner’s name for more than 180 days.

The scrappage bonuses available by model are; Model

Scrappage Bonus up to

bonuses will be able to avail of either low rate finance or

Fiat Punto

€1,500

cash savings offers, with 0% APR Personal Contract Plan

Fiat 500

€2,000

(PCP) & Hire Purchase (HP) available across selected Fiat

Fiat 500X

€3,000

500, Fiat 500X, Fiat Tipo, Fiat 500L and Fiat 124 Spider models

Fiat Tipo

€3,500

or cash savings of up to €3,000 available across the Fiat

Fiat 500L

€4,000

range.

Fiat 124 Spider

€5,000

Fiat is offering a new scrappage option across many models

25 January 2018 DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

Ford fits a five-cylinder turbo-diesel to power the Range 3.2 and its has a powerful sound backing up its 200bhp rating

VOLVO Cars’ XC60 has been crowned the best performing large off-roader, and the car with the best overall performance of 2017 in the prestigious Euro NCAP 2017 Best in Class safety awards.

The XC60 scored a near-perfect 98% in the Adult Occupant category and in its Large Off-Road class, showed a clear advantage in Safety Assist with a score of 95 per cent – 20 percentage points higher than the nearest Large Off-Road competitor – underlining Volvo Cars’ position as a leader in automotive safety.

The Euro NCAP award for the XC60 follows in the tracks of Volvo Cars’ XC90, which in 2015 was also named the best performing large off-roader, and the car with the best overall performance that year.

Volvo Cars’ V40 is another previous Euro NCAP winner, in the Small Family class.

The XC60 also joins the S90 and V90 in making history for Volvo Cars as the first manufacturer to hold all top three car rankings in Euro NCAP’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) tests – AEB City, AEB InterUrban and AEB Pedestrian. The three Volvo cars are the only cars to have achieved perfect scores in all three AEB categories.

“The new XC60 is one of the safest Volvo cars ever made,” said Malin Ekholm, Vice President, Volvo Cars Safety Centre.

“It is fully loaded with new technology designed to assist drivers, to help protect vehicle occupants and other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, plus mitigate collision risks.

We are proud that our ongoing commitment to innovating new safety features has been recognised with another Euro NCAP Best in Class award for Volvo Cars.”

GAZETTE

Volvo XC60 is rated as safest car in Euro NCAP testing

FASTNews

Slow down in diesel forecast in 2018

DIESEL engines, once the favoured options across Europe, have been in decline due to a number of factors, and now industry experts claim that the diesel engine should not be counted out just yet.

Diesel car and van sales will continue to be important in 2018 because car companies still need to keep a high percentage of diesels in their ranges to meet carbon emissions requirements, currently 130 grams per km of CO2 for the European fleet.

Car companies are now working hard to come up with an engine mix that will allow them to meet the next big emissions cut, that takes full effect in 2021, to a fleet average of 95g/km of CO2.

This figure will mean significant numbers of electric and electrified cars in the fleets of the car companies. This means there will still be plenty of diesels available at dealerships, with car companies strongly motivated to sell them at competitive prices.

Record year at Skoda SKODA Ireland claims that despite the Irish new car market decreasing by 10% in 2017 compared to 2016, Skoda increased its new car turnover figure by 1% to €146 million in 2017 and increased turnover from parts and accessories by 8% to €9.6 million.

Skoda claims that a growing number of customers are also availing of the competitive Skoda finance offers, with the brand loaning over €112 million to customers over the past twelve months, an increase of 5% on 2016.

Skoda Ireland have also recorded market share of 6.9% which is the highest ever share recorded by the brand in Ireland.

Skoda delivered 9,056 new vehicles to customers in 2017, making it the sixth bestselling car brand in the country for the third year in a row, as the brand now sets its sights on a top five finish in 2018.

John Donegan, brand director at Skoda Ireland, said: “There’s no doubt that the new car market has been impacted by the level of imports in 2017.

Brexit and sterling values pose big threats to the industry but Skoda has remained strong based

The drop leaf tailgate on the Ford Ranger 3.2 is strong and solid enough to add to the load carrying ability and

The Volvo XC60, S90 and V90 are the only cars to have achieved perfect scores in all

on our extensive range, strong dealer network

when shut it can be securely locked.

three Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) tests categories Euro NCAP’s tests.

and competitive offers.

“Just over 53% of the cars sold by Skoda in Ire-

Drivers still want to be able to drive even if self-driving cars TWO out of three European drivers want to be able to drive even if self-driving cars become commonplace, according to a major new piece of research launched by Mazda.

The Ipsos research, which was commissioned as part of Mazda polled 11,008 people across key European markets and revealed that an average of 66% of drivers wanted to remain behind the wheel even if self-driving cars become widely available.

That figure is as high as 71% in the UK, Germany, Austria and Poland and only in

Italy does it dip below 60% (59%).

Coupled with this, the study also found that only 33% of drivers “welcome the advent of self-driving cars” with the number dropping as low as 25% in France and the Netherlands and reaching only 29% in the UK. Interestingly, there is virtually no evidence of greater support for self-driving cars in younger age groups across Europe – in fact, 18-24 year olds (33%) were no more likely to welcome self-driving cars than 25-34 year olds (36%) and 35-44 year olds (34%).

The research also reveals that 69% of drivers “hope that future generations will continue to have the option to drive cars”.

The figure is as high as 74% in Poland and 70% or higher in the UK, Germany, France and Sweden.

In addition, 36% of those who enjoy driving see their car and the act of driving as an “extension of my personality” with the number rising to 56% in Poland and 46% in Italy.

And 34% agree driving is in danger of becoming a “forgotten pleasure” – in France, Italy and Poland the figure is 40% or higher.

land were financed by Skoda Finance and we’re looking forward to growing that number further in 2018,” said John Donegan.

Skoda has reported a record year in 2017 with sales of over 9,000 cars and turnover of more than €146 million

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 25 January 2018

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IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM

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WEDDINGS/ANIVERSARIES

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IN MEMORIAM

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25 January 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 33

SOUTH  DUBLINGAZETTEPLANNING

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GAZETTE

34 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 25 January 2018

SPORT

FastSport NAC WORLD RECORD GETS RATIFICATION: ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2017, 100 Irish swimmers celebrated National Swimming Day by breaking the Guinness world record 100 x 50m relay at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre, Dublin.

The swimmers collectively set a time of 46 minutes 38.04 seconds breaking the previous record by over nine minutes.

The time has now been ratified as an official Guinness world record.

Ireland’s fastest ever female swimmer Danielle Hill led off the relay with Bangor swimmer Jack McMillan bringing it home. The team of swimmers, aged from 15 to 60, included national squad members, club, masters, open water swimmers and water polo players coming together from all four regions.

SOCCER: DALYMOUNT CLUB SPREADING OUT FURTHER INTO LOCAL COMMUNITY

Bohs launch their ambitious More than a Club programme

 sport@dublingazette.com

BOHEMIANS More Than A Club programme was launched at Dalymount Park by the Football Association of Ireland, the club and the Bohemian Foundation.

The programme is a par tnership between Bohemian FC and the FAI with the objective of creating a sustainable social enterprise in our community, which will develop and deliver life sciences and sporting programmes to promote social inclusion.

This programme is funded through the European Regional Development Fund’s IrelandWales Programme and will be rolled out by two League of Ireland clubs in Ireland (Bohemian FC and Cork City FC) as well as two clubs in Wales (Conwy Borough FC and Haverfordwest County AFC), for an initial 18 months.

Each club will be provided with two full-time and one parttime staff for the duration of the project with Carina O’Brien and Shane Fox working full-time with Bos, while Ger Coughlan has taken up the part-time role.

Programmes which will be

Shane Fox, Carina O’Brien, Oscar Brennan and Ger Coughlan at the More Than A Club launch Picture: Sportsfile

delivered from February 2018 will engage with all age groups in our diverse community including: numeracy through football with primary school children; run the Club with young people aged 16-24; sporting memories with older people; walking football with people with disabilities and football playing and coaching in Mountjoy Prison.

It is envisaged that the More

than a Club Programme will build on the success of the Bohemian Foundation and enable it to expand its reach throughout our community.

Bohemian FC President Chris Brien said: “We are proud of what we do in the area. We have been involved with the northside community for 128 years and as a members-owned club, we are very aware of our responsibilities to that community.

“The Bohemian Foundation has carried out a lot of work with minimal resources in terms of finance and people.

“We’ve carried out weekly walking football sessions in Cabra with children with autism and adults with mental health issues, we have walking football in Ballymun for unemployed and retired people.

“In Mountjoy Prison, we run football coaching and

competitions as well as comedy workshops with the prisoners.

We’ve also run the comedy workshops for homeless people with Focus Ireland.

“We visit schools regularly to advise children of healthy eating habits among other things.

“We don’t do this to feel good about ourselves. We as a club are in and of the north Dublin community and we have a duty to contribute to that community.

“We have a duty to help improve the situations of those people living in the area from which we garner our support. “ We h o p e t h a t t h i s partnership will allow us to move to another level so we can expand and build upon the work we’ve already been doing.”

FAI Director of Competitions Fran Gavin said: “We expect that the project will empower football clubs to recognise and utilise the powerful attraction of football and the value of their own club brand locally to promote social good.

“It will encourage them to work in partnerships with key agencies and groups with an interest in community d e ve l o p m e n t t o d e l i ve r important social programmes.”

Railway Union’s double delight in Leinster indoors  sport@dublingazette.com

Railway Union’s indoor hockey side with the Leinster Cup. Picture: Tristan Stedham

R AILWAY Union won the Leinster indoor hockey double as both their men and women prevailed last Sunday night at St Columba’s College.

For the women, it was a comfortable affair as they ran up a 4-0 win over Glenanne.

Hannah de Burgh Whyte got them off to a flying start when she burst forward from the back to slot home from the right edge of the circle.

Kate McKenna popped home the second in the 10th minute,

picking up breaking ball after two Glenanne players collided in midfield. McKenna – a cricket international who was also on the Dublin ladies football team that won the All-Ireland in 2017 – scored her second after half-time from Ruth Clifford’s delightful backhand slipped pass.

Kate Dillon hit the bar from a penalty stroke but Anna-May Whelan capped the win in the last play when she took a free quickly, racing into the circle and scoring.

In the men’s final, Jeremy Duncan was the returning

hero as he scored five times in Railway’s 7-4 win over Three Rock Rovers.

Rovers lead 1-0 and 2-1 through Daragh Walsh and Ross Canning but Duncan – who plays his outdoor hockey professionally in Belgium – equalised both times and then pushed his side 4-2 up at halftime.

Richard Pautz and Canning tied the game up for a third time at 4-4 early in the second half and it remained that way until a couple of minutes from time.

Duncan, though, was unstop-

pable as he broke forward and flicked in a fifth goal to restored the lead.

He set up Fiachra Maher to make it 6-4 a minute later and, for good measure, Duncan’s shot fell was saved by Conor Quinn but fell only as far Maher who nudged in the rebound.

All the finalists will now advance to next Sunday’s AllIreland stages with Ulster’s Queen’s competing on the men’s side while, in the women’s competition, Connacht’s Galway and Ulster’s Ards are also involved.

25 January 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 35

GAZETTE

RUGBY

Robbie Henshaw scored a key try. Picture: Martin Doherty

Cullen wary of favourites tag for European journey LEINSTER head coach Leo Cullen says the “challenge doesn’t get any easier” despite his side reaching the knock-out stage of the European Cup as the number one seed, guaranteeing them a home quarter-final and - should they get there - a home semi-final as well.

They will meet Saracens in the last eight of the competition on the Easter weekend in the Aviva Stadium following their narrow 23-14 win over Montpellier in southern France last Saturday, making it six wins out of six in the group stages.

Cullen, though, was keen to downplay any suggestions of a favourites tag despite the breathtaking run through the preliminary phase of the competition.

“Our focus all along was to just get out of our pool given that we were drawn against three teams at the top of their respective domestic competitions,” Cullen said.

“The players and the backroom staff have worked incredibly hard to achieve that goal and to achieve the home quarter-final in the Aviva Stadium on Easter weekend.

“The challenge doesn’t get any easier against a Saracens team looking for three Champions Cup titles in a row. They’re well coached under Mark McCall and have an array of English and foreign talent at their disposal and they’re showing good form in Europe and in the Premiership.

“They’re the top try scorers in both competitions so we’re under no illusions as to the task ahead.

“It’s a while away yet but great to know who we have and we can start planning. It’s a challenge that we very much look forward to and I know the Leinster supporters will respond in kind to make it a brilliant occasion at the Aviva.”

Against Montpellier, Leinster trailed 14-8 at half-time but Robbie Henshaw managed to dive over in the right corner to get them right back in the mix before a Ross Byrne penalty - en route to a total of 13 points - put them in front with half an hour to go.

Sean Cronin bundled his way over from an excellent rolling maul to complete the victory in the 51st minute.

Next on the Leinster agenda is a February 9 date away to Edinburgh at Myreside.

Kenilworth’s rich history looking to next chapter Idyllic Rathmines bowling club now open for league action on a year-round basis with top quality artificial green in place to keep them sustained through the winter months  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

KENILWORTH Bowling Club has an extensive history dating back almost 130 years. Bowling became a thing in the gardens of houses around Kenilworth Square in Rathgar back in 1890 when Charles Eason (of the book-selling family) began the game in his back garden.

By 1892, a formal club had been formed, and bowling moved to Kenilworth Square itself, before later moving to Grosvenor Square in Rathmines, where they reside today.

Honorar y Secretary Eamonn Murray described the modern club, one which has switched to an all year round activity as a result

of the club’s all-weather pitch.

The winter league runs distinct from an unrelated indoor league which also exists in the capital with the main events in the height of the summer.

Murray is keen to extend involvement year round.

“We’re the only club in the country with two greens,” he explains. “We play summer on grass.

The two leagues, for men and women, finish in August or September.

A lot of other clubs have grass only so the winter league is less games and a smaller competition, maybe groups of five or six teams.

“Some clubs that play on grass come and use the artificial surfaces. There are about 20-25 clubs in Dublin and the winter

A general view of Kenilworth Bowling Club

league has taken on a life of its own.”

Despite the year round leagues, however, Murray feels lawn bowls in Dublin lags behind where it should be.

“You might find one club in every small town here,” he explains. “In Northern Ireland, you’d find three or four. It’s a cultural difference. I think people in Ireland see it as a game to play when you stop playing another game.

“That’s a real shame.

It’s a bit like cricket, for example. It can be quite a hard sell for young people as it’s a slow game but once people start to play they tend to love it and stick to it.

“Some people are very naturally strong, and those who are can go a

long way very quickly.”

Kenilworth, in fact, played out much of its early history in modern day Northern Ireland due to the absence of competition in the Republic.

At the turn of the 20th Century, league games i nvo l ve d c o m p e t i n g against eleven different sides, all of which were from Ulster.

In 1908, the club moved to Grosvenor Square in Rathmines, keeping the name Kenilworth, and later bought the square outright, moving in a tennis club and hosting international matches.

“We gain a lot of our members as we’re in the middle of a public square with people out walking, and quite often they just want to find out what’s going on,” Murray says.

“You’d learn quickly that the weight and is very important, and the weather conditions can have a big impact on a game.

Naturally good players learn fast, and it can be advantage to have a background in other sports.”

Kenilworth are very open to new members, then, whether they’re retiring from a more physical sport, those who’ve simply taken an interest, or teenagers looking to expand their sporting horizons. The only thing you need is a pair of flat shoes so as not to mark the greens.

“We have a lot of equipment, as quite often when members die, the families have no use for it and leave it to the club,” Murray explains.

“That’s ver y useful because ever y player needs to work out the correct weight and size of their ball, and there’s huge variety in what suits each player.

“A larger ball could weigh up to five or six times a smaller one, and people have the chance to work out what suits them. If people are curious, they can come down on a Sunday and see what it’s all about.”

If you’re interesting in attending one of their regular open days, or bowling with Kenilworth Bowling Club, you can contact them via the league website irishlawnbowls.ie, or by emailing Eamonn directly at murrayste@ yahoo.co.uk.

GAZETTE

36 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 25 January 2018

SPORT

MEN’SHockey

BOXING: LOUGHLINSTOWN MAN TARGETS SECOND IRISH BELT

Rovers rocked by Glens three goal final burst THREE Rock Rovers succumbed to an amazing late flurry of goals from Glenanne to lose their top table clash in the men’s EY Hockey League, falling 5-2.

It was level going into the closing four minutes before Shannon Boucher, Neil Byrne and Shane O’Donoghue all scored for the Glens, breaking open a previously well-posed tie.

Early on, Three Rock made much of the running with a series of early chances with Mitch Darling at the heart of a series of attacks. He put them ahead when he smashed one off the crossbar which bounced back to him and he banged in the rebound.

Against the run of play, the Glens found an equaliser from a corner from a one-two move which fell to Gary Shaw to slap in. Into the second quarter, Glenanne had more of the play and won a couple of corners and they went ahead after a wave of counter-attacks.

Richie Shaw slotted the ball to David Keogh who made up 50 yards; he drew the keeper and slipped to Richard Couse to slap home.

Luke Madeley equalised early in the second half from a corner and Rovers looked the more likely for parts of the second half to score next as goalkeeper Iain Walker made some brilliant saves. While he kept out those chances, Glenanne summoned a big late push and they went ahead when Boucher spun 360 degrees and shot in with a dragged shot.

Byrne’s reverse made the game safe with two minutes left as Rovers went down to nine players. O’Donoghue scored a stroke soon after for 5-2.

The win moved Glenanne seven points clear of Rovers in second place.

Elsewhere, Monkstown moved up two places in the table to go into third place with Stephen and Geoff Cole scoring the goals. Town were also boosted by Gareth Watkins’ return for his first appearance of the season after injury.

The older Cole, Stephen, opened the scoring from a penalty corner and his overhead pass with five minutes to go to find Andrew Ward down the left wing.

He controlled and found Geoff Cole at the top of the D; he had plenty of time to lash home a great team goal, sealing the points.

Jay Byrne following his win over Gerard Whitehouse. Picture: Alan Finn

Byrne’s last man standing aim  KARL GRAHAM sport@dublingazette.com

JAY Byrne is in buoyant mood since signing a contract to fight fellow Dubliner Craig O’Brien for the Irish light-middleweight title at the inaugural Last Man Standing event at the National Stadium on March 3.

The Loughlinstown man took home the thenvacant BUI Celtic welterweight title last December, stopping Gerard “Crank” Whitehouse in the fourth round, and is now hoping to have two belts around his waist on the night of the Prizefighter-style competition.

“I was the one who suggested the fight,” Byrne told the Dublin Gazette.

“There was nobody in the south of Ireland to fight for the Irish welterweight title.

“I had seen Craig had been mentioned about wanting to go for an Irish title in 2018. I looked across the board and, to be honest, I didn’t see many at light middleweight either so I saw it as an opening to throw it across to his management team.

“I asked who they were planning on getting for the Irish title because I would well be willing to step up and I know Mel [Christle], President of the

ALL-ROUNDER Coffey Nguyen finishes sixth at combined event EMMY Coffey Nguyen finished in sixth place at the Irish Life Health National Indoor Combined Events last weekend at the Athlone indoor arena.

The DSDAC athlete cleared 1.52m in the high jump, threw the shot putt 1.52m, leapt 5.01m in the long jump while running the 60m hurdles in 10.25 seconds and the 80m in 2.47 minutes in a busy weekend of action at AIT. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

BUI, would ok it because I know he was impressed by the December performance.

“It then came out in an Irish Boxing interview, they asked would I step up to the weight and I said of course I would, I’ve done it more times than I haven’t.

“I said if the opportunity came to fight Craig, it would be an honour to step into the ring with him and to fight for the Irish title would be a dream.”

Byrne had initially made the decision to retire after the fight with Whitehouse but underwent a quick u-turn after talking to his family and team.

“If this hadn’t happened, I’m sure I would have got a big fight on a Sky card or a Box Nation card. [However], I was confident this was going to get across the line because Craig wanted it, I wanted it, and I think the promoters really wanted it. Any promoter would want an Irish fight with two local Dublin lads fighting against each other.”

Byrne also spoke about what could possibly happen after the fight if he walks away from the ring victorious.

“I was speaking to someone this morning [Monday] and they said win this fight and you will

become ranked in Europe.

To me, that’s crazy stuff.

“I would ideally like to go back and win the Irish welterweight title but, obviously, if you do get ranked in Europe then chances are the phone will ring for a big fight.

“If that were to happen, I won’t turn down a big fight.”

The fight will see Byrne go into a ten-round fight for the first time, but it won’t faze him in the slightest.

“T he last camp I sparred ten rounds against some really tough lads.

10 rounds or 12 rounds, they are the fights I come strong in.”

25 January 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 37

GAZETTE

SOCCER: NUTGROVE CLUB PRESENTED WITH LEAGUE TROPHY

RUGBYCall-ups

The Leicester Celtic Under-1 4 Division 2 side.

Leicester confirmed DDSL Div 2 champions DDSL U-14 DIVISION 2  KARL GRAHAM sport@dublingazette.com

LEICESTER Celtic manager Michael Quann has praised his players after they won the DDSL Under-14 Sunday Division 2 during their first season together as a new team.

Quann and co-manager Paul Finegan found themselves with two teams to manage after another manager departed the club, leading them to form one combined team in the end.

“We hand-picked the individuals from what were initially 25 or 26 players that wanted to play. We hand-picked the key individuals for the key positions through their values around football; their commitment, work rate, right attitude, and right discipline,” Quann told the Dublin Gazette.

“They were a rabble when we got them first; 25 fellas just running around and everybody claiming to be the striker. What we had to do was get the right numbers first, so we cut it back to 17 players and

we had to assign the right roles for individuals.

“We could switch people as well so we had strength in depth in terms of our numbers, and we could give lads breaks and put lads on in attacking positions.”

Their process certainly worked as Leicester claimed the title by winning 18 from 18 in the league – scoring 58 times in the process and conceding just seven.

“We won every single game, which was exactly what we set out to do at the start of the year. Paul and I said, when we pulled this team together, that we wanted to do this properly.

We wanted to win things.

“This wasn’t an easy league, there were very strong teams in this like Booth Road Celtic, Finglas United, Liffey Valley and Terenure; these are all very, very good teams.

“Our keeper is extraordinary. We had a back five that only leaked seven goals the whole year in the league, which is incredible.

They built the platform from which we attack. We have three central mid-

field players that we play and swap. We have one who is an attacking player and our highest scorer, we have one who is a defensive player, and then we have one guy in the middle who does both. It is really effective in how we can switch play and how we can change our numbers depending on what our opponents are doing as well.”

Quann and Finegan also drilled into their play-

ers a certain style of play the team should be associated with.

“The whole onus from our point of view is that we go attacking players, go at them and keep running at them. Eventually, we tend to break teams down in the second half and they just can’t handle it. We continue to sub guys off and put new, fresh legs on so we are always running at our opponents,” Quann concluded.

Former Blackrock quartet get Ireland U-20 call for Six Nations FORMER Blackrock College students Conor Dean, Tommy O’Brien, Joe Byrne and Charlie Ryan – along with St Andrew’s Peter Sullivan – have all been named in the Irish Under-20 rugby squad for the upcoming Under-20 Six Nations Championship.

The 32-man squad features 11 players who were capped across last season’s Under-20 Six Nations tournament and World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

In the forwards, prop Jordan Duggan, hookers Ronan Kelleher and Diarmuid Barron, along with back rower Sean Masterson, all featured last season, as did seven of the backs selected - scrum half Jonny Stewart, outhalf Dean, centres Angus Curtis, David McCarthy and O’Brien along with back-three players Mark Keane and Michael Silvester. UCD and Leinster ‘A’ regular O’Brien will captain the side.

Commenting on the squad selection, new Ireland Under-20 head coach Noel McNamara said: “It’s an exciting time for the players and the coaching team. There have been some tight calls across the board and it’s great to see that competition for places.

“Also, with 11 players who were involved last season, there is some good experience across the squad. The players have all been working hard over the past number of months and we’re confident in the ability of the squad that we have selected.”

The campaign begins for Ireland away to France in Brive on Friday, February 2. After the opening clash with France at Stade Amedee Domenech, the Ireland U-20s will play three successive home games against Italy, Wales and Scotland on Friday nights at Donnybrook, with the series of home fixtures again being sponsored by Electric Ireland.

Their championship run will conclude with a trip to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry to face England on Friday, March 16, in a double header with the Ireland and England women’s teams.

Tickets for the Ireland Under-20s’ home games at Donnybrook are available from www.ticketmaster.ie.

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GAZETTE

38 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 25 January 2018

SPORT

FASTSport

BASKETBALL: BELFAST OPPONENTS FELLED IN FINAL QUARTER

Wesley march into junior rugby cup competition WESLEY College got the edge on Gorey Community College early on in their Father Godfrey Cup quarter-final tie and kept it that way to move into the final four with a 22-0 win at Donnybrook on Tuesday afternoon.

Their tries came from feisty captain Chris Gilmer, openside Adam Walker – it was converted by out-half Sean Verdon – tight-head Ade Ogunyemi and full-back Toby Durham.

It was a grinding win over the Wexford lads for which openside Geoffrey Lande and scrum-half George Slattery, their captain, fought on valiantly.

They wil go on to play Scoil Chonglais from Baltinglass in the semi-finals on Tuesday, January 30 with Wilson’s Hospital and Kilkenny College on the other side of the draw.

Garda beat mud bath and Railway in Madden cup GARDA RFC advanced to the final of the J4 Madden Cup as they battled past both Railway Union and the conditions at Westmanstown to record a 34-10 victory amid a

mud-bath last Saturday afternoon.

Who they play in the final, though, remains to be seen as Guinness and CYM’s game was one of a number around the province that was called off to the heavy rains. Their semi-final has been refixed for February 10.

Templeogue College celebrate their success. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Harper’s Temple of Boom U-19A BOYS FINAL Templeogue College St Malachy’s, Belfast  sport@dublingazette.com

74 65

TEMPLEOGUE College dished up an absolute thriller at a packed Arena in Tallaght as they saw got the best of St Malachy’s College in the Under-19A Boys SUBWAY Schools Cup final on Tuesday.

Templeogue’s Matthew Harper was crowned MVP of a game that had absolutely everything but had a huge supporting cast around him in the form of Iarla McKeon, Sam and Jack

Walsh to name but a few.

St Malachy’s were dominant across the floor too, with CJ Fulton one of the stars on the court for the Belfast team Templeogue started the game the brightest, driving into an 0-5 lead early on, but Malachy’s soon settled and by the end of the first – which saw Templeogue leading by just 8-11 – it was obvious to all in attendance that this was going to be a ding-dong battle.

Big scores from Templeogue captain Sam Walsh, McKeon and Adam Riordan in the

Picture: Martin Doherty

MULLINS MAGIC Colmcille’s win U-16C All-Ireland title at NBA ST COLMCILLES Community School, Knocklyon, were crowned SUBWAY AllIreland Under-16 C girls champions with a determined and hard-fought win over Jesus & Mary Gortnor Abbey on Tuesday afternoon.

A superb display from Emma Mullins pictured, right, with Hannah Byrne - led St Comcille’s home to a memorable glory with 30 points and countless rebounds and assists en route to a 40-29 victory.

Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

second quar ter were answered at the other end in style by Niall Hurson, Niall McGinnity and Matthew Mulholland and it was neckin-neck throughout, with Malachy’s just holding a slim lead at the half, 34-32.

An absorbing third quarter followed, as within the first 40 seconds, the games were tied at 35 points apiece, and two huge scores from Harper followed to edge Templeogue back into the lead moments later.

A fantastic move inside from St Malachy’s Hurson saw the games back

at level pegging second laster though, but this was responded to almost immediately at the other end with a massive three from Iarla McKeon.

End-to -end action it remained, as Conor Cooke responded for Malachy’s, but again, a huge score from Jack Walsh from Templeogue kept them just ahead, before two final free throws of the quarter from St Malachy’s put the bare minimum between the sides going into the last, 50-51.

Another extremely close quarter followed, with Malachy’s taking

the lead (60-59) midway through thanks to super work from McGinnity.

But a super steal from Walsh saw him find Harper inside under the boards, and Templeogue went up by four, 60-64.

With their tails now up as they could see the clock counting down, Templeogue began to push on. A huge defensive display from the Dubliners in the closing minutes set them up for some fantastic scores at the other end and they ran out 65-74 point winners in the end after an absolutely classic game of basketball.

25 January 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 39

GAZETTE

CAMOGIE: LITTLEWOODS NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 1

SCHOOLS CAMOGIE

Beaufort battle all the way with St Mary’s Senior C championship final LORETO Beaufort produced a superb first half performance but were not quite able to see it home in a thrilling Dublin post-primary schools Senior C championship final last Friday in Ringsend against St Mary’s, Glasnevin.

Beaufort got off to a fantastic start, clocking up two quick goals

by Belen Swords and Ellen Coughlan.

They led at half time 2-0 to 0-2. Goalkeeper Clodagh Delaney shone with some excellent saves, keeping Beaufort in front against a strong St Mary’s team.

With the sun and wind in their favour in the second half, though, St Marys finally broke down the Beaufort defence and soared in front with a final score of 5-3 to 3-1.

Beaufort gave it their all but to no avail. St Mary’s progress to the All lreands this coming weekend.

Dublin on the attack against Kilkenny in their league tie last weekend. Picture: ilivephotos.com

Cats stunning second half does for Dublin

NAT LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Dublin 3-5 Kilkenny 3-17  sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN’S date with Kilkenny was the only L i t t l e wo o d s I r e l a n d Camogie League Division 1 game to survive last weekend’s deluge of rain that played havoc with spor ting events throughout the country.

It was the cats that benefited with a secondhalf master class to overcome Dublin by 3-17 to 3-5, making the best use of the conditions at the Parnells astro in Coolock.

Both sets of players produced a wonderful hour of camogie despite the difficult, attritional circumstances in what was a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland semifinal.

The champions got off to a very quick start with points from Dan-

ielle Morrissey (free) and Anne Dalton inside the opening minute.

Ballyboden St Enda’s Eimear McCar thy opened the scoring for Dublin but it was the visitors that were dominant in the initial phases and they stretched their advantage to five after 11 minutes thanks to a flurry of points from play by Miriam Walsh and Katie Power, who landed two apiece.

Genesis A ke y m e m b e r o f the Dublin team that reached last year’s premier junior All-Ireland f i n a l , R o i s i n B a ke r stopped the rot and that was the genesis a brilliant run of a goal and four points that rocked Kilkenny back on their heels, albeit momentarily.

N a F i a n n a ’s Z o e O’Donoghue continued the early impres-

sion she has made this term with her second goal in a week, the exWaterford player being given her opportunity in the absence of All-Star attacker Aisling Maher.

A seven-point contributor last week, Naomh Fionnbarra’s Siobhan Kehoe hit three consecutive points, including two from play and David Herity’s charges were a couple ahead.

Kilkenny are full of experience but it was minor, Aoife Doyle who provided the riposte they needed with a goal just before the interval and a point in injury time to put her side back in front by 1-7 to 1-5 at half time.

Dublin resumed in ideal fashion with a goal from Lucan Sarsfields’ Emma Flanagan, who like O’Donoghue, also raised a green flag in last week’s draw with Limerick but the Noresid-

ers found another two gears and the hosts were unable to respond.

They shot two goals and eight points by the time the Sky Blues added to their tally with Na Fianna’s Alex Griffin’s goal five minutes from time but by then, the destination of the three points for the win was beyond doubt.

Morrissey provided three of the points and Dalton two, with the other minors provided

by Walsh and Doyle.

It was Malone that made the killer contributions with a brace of goals in three minutes at the beginning of the final quarter to put her side out of reach.

It was left to Morrissey, who finished with five points and Walsh, who brought her tally to four from play, to complete the scoring and stretch the margin to 12 at the final whistle.

CLUB NOTICEBOARD BALLINTEER ST JOHN’S LOTTO results (January 18): Numbers

mot Nutty, Registrar: Alison Emanuel,

were 3, 18, 21 and 22. No winner. Next

PRO: Colm O’Donnell, Vice Chairman:

Thursday’s jackpot is €2,000. The lotto

Niall Joye, Assistant Secretary: Elaine

joker is €525. Winner of €100: K O’Brien,

Dolan, Oifigeach na Gaeilge/Cultur:

€50 Pat Robert and Eamonn Finn. Joker

Eamonn O Callanain, Juvenile Chairman:

consolation prize: Sean T Hanley.

Paul McDonnell, Child Welfare: Sandra

The 35th AGM of the club was held

Seoighe, Players Rep: Jack Gilligan and

last Friday. The following were elected

Shauna Garvan; committee members:

to serve on the executive committee

Eamonn Coleman, Darren Chambers,

for 2018. Chairman: Ken Aherne, Secre-

Mary Devereux, Eamonn Hession, Paraic

tary: Gerry Watchorn, Treasurer: Der-

Kennedy, agus Peadar O Shea.

SHANKILL THE juvenile academy, sponsored by

Facebook page and follow the link to the

O’Donnell’s Pharmacy, is back in action

ladies Facebook group, e-mail steveda-

in St Laurence College at 10am on Sat-

vis203@gmail.com or contact Steve 087

urday mornings. For times for various

6414123.

team training sessions, contact your manager.

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

Our AGM will be held in St Anne’s

league divisions so new players are

Resource Centre, Shankill at 80pm on

always welcome. Contact Kevin on 086

Monday, January 29 2018.

8449902.

Table quiz in Brady’s pub was a great

For more information on the club,

success with lots of fun. Thank you to all

contact secretary.shankill.dublingaa.

the teams for turning out on a bad night.

ie or call 086 4010438. Follow us on Face-

The ladies adult football team is going

book and Twitter. Join Shankill GAA Club,

from strength to strength with all

your community, your village GAA club

abilities catered for so check out our

where everybody knows your name.

GAZETTESPORT

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UCD Marian’s Conor Meany on the attack in the semi-final against Killester. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

UCD working non-stop

Head coach Ioannis Lapiakis says the work ethic of his Marian side has served them well as they gear up for basketball’s national cup final

 KARL GRAHAM

sport@dublingazette.com

IOANNIS Lapiakis is looking forward to an epic battle this weekend as his UCD Marian side prepare to take on Templeogue in the final of the Men’s National Cup at the National Basketball Arena.

UCD have been in excellent for this season and also sit top of the Men’s Super League, having won 12 of their opening 14 games.

“We are really looking forward to the game.

We are trying to prepare as best we can so we will be able to play well on Saturday,” Lapiakis told the Dublin Gazette.

“From the beginning of the season, we have treated every game as a final so we are not going

to do anything special for this game.

“We have some small injuries, but as always with a final they are going to sacrifice their bodies for the team in games like that.”

UCD go into this game on the back of six straight wins, putting them in confident mood.

“The players are confident. We have had the best year so far, probably in the history of the club. We are at the top of the league since the beginning of the season until now.

“We have lost only two games until now and we have beaten Templeogue twice so, definitely, the confidence is really high. The only thing is we need to be focused and stay healthy for Saturday’s game.”

Despite having beaten Templeogue twice already this season, Lapiakis does that believe

those victories will have any bearing on the final.

“In a final, I don’t think so. It is going to be like we start from scratch. History means nothing; that is in the past so every week is a completely different game.

“It is going to be a really tough game and I think it is going to be a really close game.

“They know how we play and we know how they play. Both of us have been playing the same for the last two or three years. You are not going to change anything dramatically in a period of one week.

“It is going to be the passion, the extra energy, and all the small things that the players put into the final. I think whoever wants it more is going to be the one who wins the game.”

When asked if he could feel the extra buzz

around the team this year, Liapakis was in no doubt that was the case.

“Absolutely, I think everybody feels that. We worked really hard the past four or five years to reach this level and be able to do the things we are doing this year.

“At this level of basketball, there are two ways to be successful; with really hard work or with money. You can buy players or bring in American and European professionals.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have the money to do something like that but we put in the really hard work.

“We have worked non-stop – even during the summer – almost every day over the last four of five years. That is why we are top of the league right now.”