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YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER

INSIDE: A Wright rocking global celebration P10

Football: Ravens ready for senior championship Page 32

Soccer: Swords Celtic sides in league action

GALLERIES ......................8 MOTORS ........................19 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

20 YEARS: Rivervalley Community

Centre celebrations See Pages 8 and 9

Concern on acute mental health services Q MIMI MURRAY

Page 30

ALSOINSIDE:

September 29, 2011

CALLS have been made for the Health Service Executive to make a report on acute mental health services in north Dublin amidst growing concerns over the effect the permanent closure of acute male and acute female section of St Ita’s Hospital will have on services.

T he Mayor of Fingal, Labour Cllr Gerry McGuire, this week called on the HSE

to “outline where persons who are seeking psychiatric in-patient treatment will be accommodated and where emergency psychiatric beds will be provided, noting that all other mental health facilities are operating to maximum capacity”.

The HSE said a number of measures were being put in place to deal with acute admissions.

Full Story on Page 4

Some food for thought: At the inaugural Dublin Food Forum AS PART of the launch of Fingal

Enterprise Week, the Dublin Food Chain hosted their inaugural Dublin Food Forum networking meeting. Hosted by one of the leading producers in the region, Country Crest, the network meeting featured relevant and exciting talks from

industry experts including Country Crest, Tesco and Bank of Ireland. It was definitely a must for any small food business. Pictured at the event were Lisa Murphy and Gerald Kean, chairman of Country Crest.

Full Story on Pages 6 and 7

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2 SWORDS GAZETTE 29 September 2011

FOOD: INEXPENSIVE, TASTY AND GREAT MEALS

Local duo offering top cooking tips T WO e n t e r p r i s i n g Fingal residents, Tony O’Reilly and Lorcan O’Toole have teamed up to show aspiring home chefs how to cook inexpensive, tasty and enjoyable meals.

Tony is a professional chef and presenter with over 20 years experience while Lorcan has a lot of experience, both behind and in front of the camera, but not a lot of cookery skills.

Challenge Tony has taken on the challenge of teaching Lorcan how to cook and they are videoing the whole thing.

Each week they present a different dish using readily avail-

able ingredients, locally sourced where possible.

Inviting What’s more, they are inviting anyone who wants to have a meal prepared in their home to contact them.

“We’ll be only too happy to come to anyone’s home and show them how to prepare a tasty meal.

“All they have to do is provide the main ingredients and let us video the event. “ We d o n ’t c h a r g e anything for the lesson,” said Tony.

All their videos and many other recipes are available online on w w w.oreillysrecipes. com

TRANSPORT Minister shelves rail plan

Brakes are put on Metro project Q LAURA WEBB

swords@gazettegroup.com

THE planning process for a proposed railway system in west Dublin has been shelved, but no decision has been made on any other railway project, including Metro North.

That’s according to a spokesperson for the Department of Transport.

Dublin West TD and Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar confirmed he has suspended the planning process for Metro West as funding for its construction “will not be available in the foreseeable future”.

Metro West was to c o n n e c t we s t D u b lin suburbs Tallaght, Clondalkin and Blanc h a r d s t ow n t o t h e Metro North line at Dublin airport.

On the advice of the N a t i o n a l Tr a n s p o r t Authority (NTA), Minister Varadkar instructed the Railway Procurement Agency to withdraw its application for a Railway Order from An Bord Pleanala.

“From this weekend (Sunday 25) , I have suspended all planning works for Metro West and the An Bord Pleanala oral hearing, which was due to commence

next month, will now not proceed,” Minister Varadkar said.

When asked if a decision has been made on Metro North, a spokesperson for the Department of Transport said no decision has been made on any other [railway] project but are being considered as part of the Government’s capital spending review.

“The decision on Metro West concerned the planning process.

The other major rail projects being considered for Dublin are at a more advanced planning stage.

“In those cases, they are being considered as part of the capital spending review, which is due to be published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in October. “ M e t r o We s t w a s always a longer-term project, which would only have commenced once Metro North was underway,” the spokesperson said.

On Sunday, September 25, Minister Varadkar confirmed he suspended all planning works for Metro West and the An Bord Pleanala oral hearing, which was due to commence next month, will now not proceed.

Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar says he did not consider the project to be a good use of taxpayers money

The proposed rail system, connecting three Dublin West suburbs, Tallaght, Clondalkin and Blanchardstown to Dublin Airport, was to be procured as a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Challenging According to Minister Varadkar, a significant Exchequer contribution would also have been required which, he says, is “challenging”.

“The successful awarding of a major PPP contract involving private funding is

challenging at any time but particularly in current circumstances. No major PPP project has secured funding since the financial crisis began three years ago. “ M e t r o We s t h a s always been considered a long-term project and many of the new communities that it will to serve have not materialised due to the collapse in home building.

“This does not mean that Metro West has been cancelled.

“However, with very limited funding available for capital projects

over the next few years, I did not consider it to be a good use of taxpayers’ money to advance Metro West any fur ther through the planning process, as I do not know when we will be able to build it; Metro West will be examined again at a future stage when the country’s finances have improved,” he said.

He went on to say the Government is considering which “if any” rail infrastructure projects will proceed as part of the review of capital spending.

29 September 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 3

New partnership: Dublin Meat Company sponsor activity room ST FINIAN’S GAA Club in River Valley Swords

has recently been sponsored by family-owned Dublin Meat Company, based on Forest Road.

The company has agreed to sponsor the club’s activity room in their clubhouse.

The room will now be called The Dublin Meat Company Activity Room. Brian O’Leary, of Dublin Meats, has also supported St Finian’s during the Family Fun Day in June, when hundreds of Rivervalley locals enjoyed their quality products cooked on the barbecue.

Club chairman, Robbie Callanan, says: “As a club at the heart of the community, we are only too delighted to enter into mutually beneficial partnerships with local business, which can only have a positive impact on the Swords area.”

Pictured are Brian O’Leary, of Dublin Meat Company and St Finian’s Grace Murray and Club chairman, Robbie Callanan.

Socialist TD, Clare Daly, will be addressing public meetings

CAMPAIGN: PUBLIC LAUNCH BEGINS

Water taxes an ‘unjust charge’ Q MIMI MURRAY

A PUBLIC campaign against household and water taxes has been launched across north County Dublin.

Socialist TD, Clare Daly will be addressing many of the public meetings that will be held in the county in the coming weeks.

She said this was the first step in establishing a campaign of mass nonpayment of the “unjust charge”.

“Following the recent successful national organising forum of the Campaign Against the Household and Water Taxes scores of public meetings are being organised in communities up

and down the country,” Cllr Daly said.

“Residents in north County Dublin have a track record of resisting unfair local taxes going back to the time of the victorious campaign against the water charges in the 1990s.

Exceed

“Despite Minister Hogan’s pleading that the charge will be ‘only’ €100, there are firm indications from the EU/IMF memorandum of understanding and government economic advisers like John Fitzgerald, that the combined water and property tax will exceed €1,000 by 2014.

“I would encourage all residents in north Coun-

ty Dublin to come to the meeting and play an active role in building the campaign,” she said.

In north County Dublin the remaining meetings are scheduled to take place in the Combined Clubs Community Centre, Balbriggan at 8pm on September 29 and in St Finian’s Rivervalley Community Centre, Swords at 8pm on October 10.

“Further meetings will take place in Kinsealy, Portmarnock, Baldoyle and Howth ensuring that, in advance of the charge being implemented in January, there will be an extensive network of activists organised to step up the campaign of nonpayment,” Cllr Daly said.

4 SWORDS GAZETTE 29 September 2011

SCHEME: SWORDS LIONS CLUB

Tuned in: Fundraising for charity

Minister to attend Message in a Bottle project

SWORDS resident and aspiring entrepreneur, Rob Sullivan, who founded Gaffjam, organised a Tunes for Charity gig to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Association in Ireland, which took place in The Slaughtered Lamb pub recently. All admission proceeds went Breast Cancer Ireland.

The line-up included bands such as Black Water Mist, Machine Gun Baby, Jones Apollo, Val Normal, and musician Philip Ahern.

“I wanted to create a night of fun, for a good cause,” said Rob, the organiser.

“The Slaughtered Lamb in Swords is a great place for local gigs and the staff are very supportive.” Pictured are organisers Rob Sullivan and Dave White, and members of the headlining band Val Normal; Watchy and Dara Walsh.

FastNews

1kg of cannabis resin is seized

OFFICERS from the Revenue’s Customs Service at Dublin Airport seized 1kg of cannabis resin last Monday with a street value of €7,000.

A 27-year-old Spanish male was intercepted following routine profiling when he arrived in Dublin airport on a flight from Malaga, Spain.

Officers discovered the drugs concealed in his underwear. He was arrested and handed over to Dublin Airport gardai and was due to appear in court on Tuesday.

Annual Ward River Valley walk THE Annual Ward River Valley walk in aid of the Irish Cancer Society is coming around again and all locals are being asked to participate.

This is the 5th Annual Irish Cancer Society Walk and will be held on October 1. Participants will meet at Peacocks Car Park at 1.30pm for registration and walk will commence at 2.30 Sponsor cards are available or donations can be made on the day. For more information contact Margaret on 0872213605

HSE: COUNCILLOR CALLS FOR REPORT

Mental health service challenge Q MIMI MURRAY

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

swords@gazettegroup.com

‘The NDMHS will reapply to the MHC to have the newly refurbished acute admissions unit, re-registered as an Approved Centre’

THERE are going to be challenges to managing acute mental health admissions in north Dublin following the permanent closure of St Ita’s, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said this week.

Neither are there plans for a Crisis Intervention Unit within the Mental Health Services in north Dublin, the HSE told a Regional Health Forum.

Mayor of Fingal, and Labour Councillor Gerry McGuire, asked the HSE to report on the acute mental health services for north Dublin, having regard to the 50% reduction in the number of acute psychiatric beds from the current 48 beds to 24.

“With this in mind, will the HSE outline where persons who are seeking psychiatric inpatient treatment be accommodated and where emergency psychiatric beds will be

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provided, noting that all the other mental health facilities are operating to maximum capacity,” he said in a motion he had tabled at the Forum.

In its response, the HSE said: “The Mental Health Commission (MHC) imposed… the permanent closure of Acute Unit Male and Acute Unit Female in St Ita’s Hospital – Mental Health Services by no later than September 18, 2011.”

Following the closure, “the NDMHS is using a vacant 25-bed unit and day service space at the Community Nursing Unit, St Vincent’s Hospital, Fairview, and use a six-bed Psychiatry of Old Age Unit in Connolly Hospital for a period of six months.

“It is accepted that the NDMHS will have to manage within the allocation of 30 acute beds - 24 general and six Psychiatry of Old Age – and that there will be challenges to manage the acute admissions for north Dublin, with this reduction in acute beds.

“To assist with this reduction in beds, the RDO has written to all area managers in Dublin north-east and requested that all mental health teams have access to all acute beds in HSE Dublin north-east in emergency situations. This is but a reinforcement of current practice whereby consultants contact each other when an acute bed is not available in their own approved centre.

“The Executive Clinical Directors have been requested to engage rapidly to develop a protocol which should be followed in such situations. The Executive Clinical Director North Dublin will convene this group.

“A new out-of-hours nursing service has also been put in place. This will operate from Swords and Coolock and will be available from 5pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday and from 10am to 6pm Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

“It is further proposed to refurbish the existing Admissions Unit at St Ita’s Hospital to meet the standards set out by the Mental Health Commission. The NDMHS will re-apply to the MHC to have the newly refurbished acute admissions unit, re-registered as an Approved Centre.

“This will result in a unit containing 38 beds, 32 for General Adult Psychiatry and six for Psychiatry of Old Age.”

SWORDS Lions Club will launch its Message in a Bottle Project on Monday, October 3.

The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly TD, will attend the launch, which will take place in the Fingal County Council Offices, Swords at 7.30pm.

Message in a Bottle is an Emergency Information Scheme.

It simply directs the emergency services to information stored in a plastic bottle, which is kept in the fridge.

Ideally for vulnerable people, or those with a medical condition, they simply enter their details on the form inside the bottle.

It will include a photograph, health details, emergency contact, doctor, whether there are pets that need looking af ter, and much more that will assist the Emergency Services.

This scheme is free to the user and Swords Lions Club provides the bottles. As a minimum it will save the Emergency Services valuable time identifying the person and their emergency contacts.

By telling whether they have special medication or allergies or not, it is a potential life-saver and provides peace of mind to users and their friends and families.

Swords Lions Club is being assisted with this by Swords Community gardai, the Fire and Ambulance Services and Fingal County Council.

Approaches are being made to the local HSE, doctors, chemists, senior citizens centres, clergy, St Vincent de Paul, and the Red Cross to also support and assist the project.

All interested are welcome to attend the launch.

29 September 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 5

RETAIL: MAYOR EXPRESSES FEAR FOR FUTURE OF REMAINING STORES

Concern for Main Street Q MIMI MURRAY

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

swords@gazettegroup.com

‘We are trying to encourage investors through support from the enterprise board and Enterprise week is going on all next week’

WITH two major closures on Swords Main St in recent times, Mayor of Fingal, Labour Councillor Gerry McGuire says he is fearful that the footfall is going to be reduced and other smaller shops could suffer.

Hardware store, Arrow, and Londis both closed in recent months and no one has taken on the leaseholds as yet.

Cllr McGuire says the longer they lie idle the more likely people are to go elsewhere to shop.

“Two major businesses that were side by side are gone,” he said.

He said that a lot of business has been taken

Hitting the Wright notes: Lil Jon makes a big impression at the UCD Freshers Ball AMERICAN rapper, music producer, entre-

preneur, and occasional disc jockey, Lil Jon, was the main attraction at the recent UCD Freshers’ Ball held in The Wright Venue.

The star played a blinding set with all of his hit songs going down a treat with the

eager crowd who seemed to be having a very memorable night.

The line-up also featured home-grown acts and UCD favourites, including The Japanese Popstars and The Kanyu Tree.

UCD Ents Djs provided support for the urban super-star on the night.

RETAIL: FIRST CONCEPT STORE TO OPEN IN IRELAND

River Island opens its new store at Pavilions Centre SWORDS shoppers revelled in the new River Island store that opened its doors in the Pavilions shopping centre last Friday.

This is an exciting step for the chain of clothing stores, as it is the first newly designed concept store to open in Ireland. The store will stock women’s, men’s and kidswear clothing and accessories as well as the fantastic footwear range, all within a contemporary fashion environment. The store interior is designed in a “rough luxe” style with wooden floors, exposed ceilings, chandeliers and a new LED fascia.

Commenting on the new store, Ian Hunter, centre director: “We

are delighted about the arrival of River Island, which brings an added dimension to the wide choice of fashion and other stores available to the consumer at Swords Pavilions. River Island is a strong retailer that consistently delivers the latest trends in fashion, great service and standards, and is constantly evolving its offer and look as the market place changes.”

A number of jobs have also been created by River Island and this will add to the 100 new jobs already created in the last year within the centre. This letting will further strengthen the line-up of key national and international fashion traders at Swords Pavilions, which includes

Next, Zara, H&M, Mango, TK Maxx, A Wear, Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, Tommy Hilfiger, Pamela Scott, Mego and Best Menswear Since its acquisition in 2006 by property company Chartered Land, Swords Pavilions has become one of Dublin’s most successful shopping centres. Located adjacent to the M1 at Swords, the centre comprises over 80 stores, is anchored

by Dunnes Stores and Superquinn and boasts an 11–screen cinema complex, Movies@Swords. The centre attracted over 11 million customers last year and continues to show steady growth this year.

Swords Pavilions employs approx.

1,600 staff across all retail units.

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Cllr Gerry McGuire

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by the Pavilions which houses a lot of big name stores.

He said the council is pushing to rejuvenate the old town centre and says it will come back eventually but, in

the current climate, it is very difficult to get businesses to take up the space.

“We want to try to preserve the indigenous shops and we need some kind of attraction to get people in.”

In its current state, Cllr McGuire said it doesn’t give off a good image.

“We did reduce the rates this year and we are hoping to tr y to reduce them next year.

“We are tr ying to encourage investors through support from the Enterprise Board and Enterprise Week is going on all next week.

“The longer they lie idle people will start going elsewhere and I would be worried the footfall would be reduced,” he said.

6 SWORDS GAZETTE 29 September 2011

EVENT Two hundred guests from the food and agri-food

Fingal Enterprise Week Q MIMI MURRAY swords@gazettegroup.com

FINGAL Enter prise Week got off to a flying start this week with the first ever Dublin Food Forum.

Hosted by Country Crest at their headquarters in Lusk, 200 guests from the food and agrifood sectors across the capital attended the inaugural meeting, organised by the Fingal County Enterprise Board and the Dublin Food Chain to mark Fingal Enterprise Week.

Michael Hoey, founder of Country Crest, was one of four key industry speakers alongside Conor Hyde, from the Dublin Food Chain, William Linnane, from Te s c o a n d M i c h a e l Lauhoff, from Bank of Ireland.

The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, gave the opening address, with the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Shane McEntee, giving the closing address.

According to Oisin Geoghegan, CEO of Fingal County Enterprise Board, the event appealed to both established and emerging food sector businesses.

“The Dublin Food For um was the first and largest event of its kind for the food sector in the capital and it was one of the biggest events of Fingal Enterprise Week.

“It gave start-up companies and more established businesses an ideal platform to share ideas, exchange information and build contacts with each other through networking.”

Country Crest, one of Fingal’s biggest success stories, is a major supplier of fresh and chilled foods to supermarket groups.

Hoey, who co-founded the company with his brother, Gabriel, high-

lighted the importance of the Irish food sector to the overall economy.

“The growing export market for Irish food demonstrates the crucial role that the sector plays in our overall economic recovery.

“Initiatives such as the Dublin Food Forum supports the development of the food industry, which in turn, will reap rewards for Dublin and Ireland,” he said.

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‘The growing export market for Irish food demonstrates the crucial role that the sector plays in our overall economic recovery.

Initiatives such as the Dublin Food Forum supports the development of the food industry, which in turn, will reap rewards for Dublin and Ireland’

Joe Harford, chairperson Fingal County Enterprise Board; PJ Howell, Fingal CoCo; Paddy Lonergan, Bank Of Ireland; Oisin Geoghegan, CEO, Fingal County Enterprise Board and Paschal McGuire, regional director, Enterprise Ireland

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Michael Hoey, founder of Country Crest --------------------------

The Dublin Food Chain is run in conjunction with the Irish Exporters Association and is supported by the four County and City Enterprise Boards in Dublin.

Fingal Enterprise Week, which is supported by Fingal County Council, Bank of Ireland and Newstalk and organised by Fingal County Enterprise Board, continues until Friday, September 30.

Caroline Keeling, Keelings Group managing director; Michael Hoey, Country Crest

Fingal County Council Lord Mayor, Gerry McGuire

and David Keeling

welcomes Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly TD

29 September 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 7

sectors attend first ever Dublin Food Forum

gets off to a flying start

Michael Hoey, Country Crest; Joe Harford, chairperson Fingal County Enterprise Board; Oisin Geoghegan, CEO, Fingal County Enterprise Board; William Linnane, Tesco and Gabriel Hoey, Country Crest

Lisa Murphy and Gerald Kean, chairman of Country Crest

Cllr Ken Farrell, Cllr May McKeon, Paddy Mulligan and Deputy Brendan

Ed Spellman, Dunhill Cuisine and

Ryan

Rena O’Donavan, Cully & Scully

Conor Hyde, Bullseye Food Marketing; Ciaran O’Connor, Bullseye Food Marketing and Bryan Hynes, Irish Farmers Journal

Ross McMahon, food consultant and Yvonne Neeson, Country Crest

Anne Flynn and Colm Flynn, P&C Flynn

8 SWORDS GAZETTE 29 September 2011

IT’S YOUR SHOT The community comes together to celebrate

Where better than the centre to meet friends to follow Dublin’s fortunes in key matches?

Celebrations as Centre turns 20 HERE were great scenes of celebration at Rivervalley Community Centre recently when locals gathered to help mark the Centre’s 20th anniversary.

Many local clubs have made the Centre their home over the years, including St Finian’s GAA, Rivervalley Rangers, and one of Ireland’s most successful Taekwon Do clubs.

Liam Cullen, chairman of the Centre, said: “We are all proud to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Rivervalley Community Centre,

T

and I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff and volunteers for their tireless work over the years.

“Our facility relies heavily on community involvement, and we could not survive without the contributions made by all involved – not just today, but for the last 20 years.”

Here, you can see locals enjoying some of the many great events during the special anniversary week. For further information on the Centre’s activities, see its Facebook page.

Sharing the great feeling of friendship and community found at the centre, which

As the “professors” (upper-right) show, the centre is sometimes a place to see locals in a different light – but it’s always been a place to help cement the strong bonds of community in the area

29 September 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 9

Rivervalley Community Centre’s great 20th anniversary

is a welcoming place to meet friends. Pictures: Christine Davis

Younger members of the community are also made welcome

Whether having party fun together, flying the flag for Dublin, or simply meeting friends, the community centre is long-established as a vital hub

10 SWORDS GAZETTE 29 September 2011

EVENT Celebrities party in style for a great cause

Claudine Van Den Bergh and Ali Flood

Nicole Gallagher, Katie Harbison and Aisling Glynn

A Wright rocking global celebration N September 16 and 17 one of the world’s biggest parties took place in 80 exclusive handpicked clubs and venues around the world with the elite on the guest list, The Global Party.

The Wright Venue was selected as the

O

only venue in Ireland, with all proceeds on the night going to a selection of charities. Super Star DJ Roger Sanchez performed to a capacity crowd on the night, which was highly anticipated with a host of socialites and celebrities arriving in their finery.

Kate McCormack and Holly Carpenter

Dylan McGrath, master chef; Holly Carpenter, Miss Ireland; Alison Canavan, super model; Rosanna Davison, Wesley Quirke, actor Liam Cunningham,and model and DJ Nadia Forde, were those attending the amazing event.

Jamelia Gaynor, Aisling Dolan and Jesse Brennan

Elodie Richard, Guoda Merksaityte, Gerard Beshoff and Lisa Vickers

Joanne and Nicola Pollard

Lisa Nolan and Faye Rooney

29 September 2011 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 29 September 2011

GazetteFITNESS FITNESS

Brought to you by Derry Temple personal trainer and pilates instructor

NUTRITION: LOW-CALORIE DIETS

Eating right food helps weight loss Low-calorie diets (LCD) encourage you to eat less and to starve yourself, which has some major drawbacks

THERE are approximately 3,500 calories in one pound of fat. Taking this into account the National Institute of Health has recommended that to

lose one to two pounds per week, a weight loss programme should create a deficit of 500 to 1,000 calories per day.

Traditionally, we are

taught that, if you take in fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight, and while this can be true, often there is little consideration given to the nutritional value of those foods.

L ow- c a l o r i e d i e t s (LCD) encourage you to eat less and to starve yourself – this has some major drawbacks. It often encourages the body to store extra fat and break down muscle tissue; also the body quickly adapts slowing the metabolism to match your caloric intake.

Effective

These diets often focus on low-fat foods, but the truth is that it is not the fat in your diet that is making you fat! In fact, you need fats for a number of metabolic processes, including fat-burning.

The good news is you can actually turn your body into a more effective fat-burning machine without the need to go hungry by simply eating the right foods in the right quantities.

When participating in a LCD, people are often advised to eat more carbohydrates (carbs), which are low in calories. A lot of carbs are termed high Glycaemic Index (GI). Eating high GI carbs causes a spike in your blood sugar levels and, when your blood sugar rises, this causes the pancreas to respond by secreting insulin.

Insulin is the sugarregulating hormone that works to store sugar in cells as fat. When insulin does its job well, sugars are quickly stored as fat, causing your blood sugar levels to plummet and leaving you hungry and tired. Ingested fats and proteins, however, do not

cause this same insulin response and so are more likely to keep your blood sugar levels balanced.

On a LCD, people will often tend to avoid proteins because of their higher calorie content.

This means overlooking the fact that, to digest and absorb protein, your body has to use 25% more energy to break it down than it does for simple carbs.

This is known as the thermo-genic effect.

Protein is also vital for building muscle and, if you want to stay lean and fat-free, then you want to keep the body “anabolic” or building muscle.

Your body is naturally designed to be lean – it’s not designed to be overweight, sick and unhealthy and, if you eat the right foods, your body will tell you when you are full so you won’t have to go hungry.

Optimum

Your diet should constitute a reasonable mix of proteins, fats and low GI carbs. Real foods that will keep your blood sugars in balance, and provide you with optimum nutrition, are those foods that can be found in nature. They can be either picked, gathered, milked, hunted or caught from the sea.

In short, if it doesn’t run in a field, swim in water, fly in the sky or grow in nature then you probably shouldn’t be eating it!

Derry Temple is a qualified nutritionist and provides free nutritional guidance to his fitness clients. This month, Derry is offering readers of The Gazette the opportunity to Bring a Friend along for Free to any of the DT Fitness Bootcamp courses. Visit www.dtfitness.ie for more info.

29 September 2011 GAZETTE 13

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC REVIEW: A DYNAMIC AND INVENTIVE BREAKOUT ALBUM FROM NEW YORK-BASED SINGER

Veneration is due for Clark’s third album Q ROB HEIGH

It’s not often that you come across an act on the basis of a cover version. But when that act is brave enough to cover one of the most abrasive and angular songs from one of the most abrasive and influential underground acts of the last 30 years and nail it, you know there is something special about them, especially when that act is St Vincent.

Steve Albini’s Big Black were a corner-

stone of industrial hardcore before it became fashionable in the early Eighties, setting off an incendiary device built on melody, grinding rhythms and ferocious attitude. Their standout track from 1986’s Atomizer was Kero sene, with its uncompromising subject matter and interpretation, was underpinned with a propulsive beat and guitars like a chandelier shattering on marble.

For anyone to attempt to cover it is brave

enough, but to capture its essence of ennui and fury is hugely impressive.

Played out live in New York in may, Kerosene in Annie Clark’s hands was as direct and bludgeoning as it was in Albini’s, and it provided an insight into the direction her music was going.

Clark has been a member of the euphoric psychedelic rockers, Polyphonic Spree, as well as being a touring par t of Sur f jan

St Vincent’s Annie Clark on stage earlier this year

Stephen’s band. Emo types will have heard her work with Bon Iver on a track that appeared on the recent Twilight soundtrack, but don’t let that put you off (the Twilight connection, of course, not Bon Iver, who is responsible for easily the best record of the year so far).

St Vincent are Clark’s individual presence on record, and Strange Mercy is as individual and unique a record as you are likely to find.

Previous records, Marry Me and Actor, have illustrated Clark’s talent as a multi-instrumentalist, bringing woodwind and baroque

arrangements to the playing field, but her new record, Strange Mercy, meshes all the best elements of her previous work while simultaneously peeling the wallpaper with squalling guitar and synth figures that utterly surprise and delight.

There is a beauty in

the arrangements and a sometimes symphonic pop sensibility that is shifted sideways by the uncompromising accompaniments and production.

T here is so much going on in every track that you are always on your toes while listening, waiting for the next twist, and it’s an immense pleasure to say that of any release, especially faced with a selection of cookiecutter one-note acts one has the pleasure of reviewing in any given week.

This is work of some immense imagination and skill, easily the best of St Vincent’s three records to date, and should give Clark some breakout success, especially if you go and buy Strange Mercy now, which you really should.

14 GAZETTE 29 September 2011

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: TEACHING ANIMAL WELFARE IN SCHOOLS

Is having a classroom pet a good idea?

WE’RE only a couple of weeks back into the new school term, and I’m inundated with calls from teachers asking my opinion on classroom pets.

And, while it’s to their eternal credit that these lovely educators are interested in ensuring their students see them as a model of responsible pet care and are willing to ask advice – my opinion is, and always will remain, the same when it comes to this subject: I strongly discourage classroom pets for many reasons.

And here is why: Classrooms can be noisy and frightening places for animals and it’s difficult to look after any pet’s needs in this type of environment. This applies to all animals, including goldfish.

While pets are an excellent way to add enrich-

ment to a young child/ teen’s education and development, I believe responsible pet care and animal welfare can be taught in schools without keeping animals captive.

Studying an animal in its natural environment should aim to cause minimal disturbance whilst maximising educational opportunity. So, why not set up bird houses and feeding stations around the school yard, but please continue the feeding programme throughout the year.

In my humble opinion, there needs to be an explicit animal welfare education rationale for using animals in education – and legislation relating to animals must be considered in the development of all programmes of study.

Where animals are kept

in schools, proper provision should be made for their physical and mental wellbeing.

I would strongly disagree with any school or college that may decide to use a classroom pet to increase their attendance figures with the understanding that, if students don’t attend, the animal will not be fed or taken care of.

And yes, this scenario is hard to believe, but a teacher did suggest this to me as a way of bumping up attendance. I absolutely believe this to be an inappropriate approach because it gives a negative impression of how the school/college views its responsibility for the welfare of animals within its care, which may have a detrimental effect on the students’ attitudes toward their duties in later life.

Schools have a duty of care to ensure proper provision is made for the welfare needs of any animals for which they are responsible. This applies not only during school term, but also during the holidays.

However, I will say that, when giving an education talk or workshop, I often bring along my experienced and trained dog Belle, but only when she is completely happy to accompany me and when the situation/environment permits it.

I do this because, as an animal welfare officer, I’m trained in observing a dog’s behaviour and recognising its specific needs and requirements. I also always adhere to an animal’s five freedoms at all times. If I feel one, any or all of these five freedoms are in danger of being

Classrooms can be noisy and frightening places for any animal

compromised/breached, I do not allow Belle, or any animal, accompany me on an education talk.

Considering a classroom pet? Ask yourself these questions: • Why do I want a classroom pet?

• Can I meet my educational objectives without using a live animal in my classroom?

• Am I willing and able to take this pet home?

(It’s important to under-

stand that your responsibility does not end when the school day ends. You must continue to take care of the animal outside of school hours, including weekends and holidays).

• Are my students mature enough to safely and humanely handle this animal?

• Does anyone have allergies that may become aggravated by the presence of this pet?

• What will I do if

health concerns arise in the future?

• Am I willing to provide routine/emergency veterinary care?

• Am I prepared to deal with students’ questions should this animal die?

• Does my classroom provide adequate space for housing this pet?

• If there’s an accident involving this pet will my school accept liability?

• In the event of a school evacuation/emer-

29 September 2011 GAZETTE 15

REVIEW Bord Gais Energy Book Club and Other People’s Money

Bad bank yarn a familiar tale in these times BANKERS behaving badly is a sore subject in the current economic climate, but it’s one that is only beginning to attract the literary attentions of novelists. One of the best such novels has just been published by the prize-winning, London-based South African writer, Justin Cartwright.

Other People’s Money tells the story of an upper-crust, family-owned private bank, Tubal & Co, which gets into trouble when it

gency, am I prepared to rescue this pet?

So, if your school thinks a classroom pet is still a great idea, then staff need to know their personal responsibility exists, irrespective of whether the animal was purchased by the school or is owned by one of the pupils, teachers or parents.

If an animal’s needs are not being met whilst at school and beyond, criminal prosecutions could, in theory, be brought against all persons over the age of 16 who had responsibility for that animal(s), including school staff.

My advice would be to contact the Dublin SPCA and check out our free humane education programmes and find out how you can help your students support us in our battle to save animals’ lives. The operation of the country’s oldest and largest animal rescue shelter requires lots of help and, if you feel you can offer it, please email me at miriam.kerins@dspca.ie For more info log onto www.dspca.ie or email me at miriam.kerins@dspca.ie

deviates from its ageold mission of looking after the toff’s money and diversifies into the murkier world of investment banking. Family patriarch, Sir Harry, has suffered a stroke and is recovering in his villa in Antibes. This leaves his son and new chairman, Julian Trevelyan-Tubal, free to take the sort of liberties Sir Harry would never have countenanced.

Julian has lost the bank a packet on a dodgy hedge fund and now, in

an effort to sell the bank behind Sir Harry’s back, he needs to pad the balance sheet, moving money around to make it look more saleable to the Americans poised to purchase the house of Tubal. Sound familiar?

Things begin to go awry when a regular endowment to Artair MacLeod, the first husband of Sir Harry’s wife, Fleur, becomes one of the first casualties in the makeover of the bank’s finances. A local paper takes up the story

and attracts the attention of a whistle-blower eager to dish the dirt on Julian and his nefarious scheming.

With Sir Harry near death, the urgency to sell the bank and resolve the succession brings out the worst in a memorable cast of characters, which includes the trophy wife, the black sheep, the scorned but faithful secretary and the memorable Artair who, however buffoonish, represents the enduring

ing Flann O’Brien and Daniel Day-Lewis.

This is a cracking satire on a topical subject and it’s beautifully observed. Enjoy!

values of art while the barbarians are at the gate.

There’s also an intriguing Irish theme involv-

For lots more book reviews and to keep upto-date with the latest literary news, become a member of the Bord Gais Energ y online book club, bordgaisenergybookclub.ie where you’ll find great recommendations for hours of entertainment in a good book!

16 GAZETTE 29 September 2011

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY Essential make-up T’S a magic ingredient that can lift a complexion, leaving you with healthy, flushed cheeks and, this autumn, there is an array of beautiful blushers out their to suit every skin type.

One of the prettiest is by Lancôme’s Global Make-up Director, Aaron de Mey, who says that, when he set about creating the classic skincare company’s new autumn essential make-up collection, he wanted it to represent the staples of a chic, sophisticated women’s make-up arsenal – red lips; brown-lined sculptures, defined eyes, groomed brows and fluffy lashes, neutral-coloured

I

Lancôme’s Maison Lancôme blusher (top left) and Yves Saint Laurent’s Blush Radiance

make-up with metallic hints layered over matt sculpting, defining powders. A return to simplicity and sophistication ...

“It allows me to show a glamorous, graphic, sophisticated make-up style: Brown-lined eyes with shades of taupe, red-painted lips and red or sparkly, black nails... very femme fatale,” says de May. The collection’s blusher Maison Lancôme is so pretty, you will almost be afraid to use it.

Designed like a vintage postcard, the very essence of Paris has been captured in this season’s blush palette.

The silhouette of the Eif-

fel Tower, the typically Parisian Art Nouveau streetlamp lighting, the cobbled pavement outside the historical House of Lancôme at 29, rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, make this palette a true work of art.

Aaron’s top tip: “Use as an overall cheek blush with a large, soft, fluffy brush, keeping it high and central on the cheekbones. It adds soft, sheer colour and definition to the face by illuminating the cheekbones.”

Maison Lancôme Blush €45.00 Meanwhile, from Yves Saint Laurent, their Blush Radiance will leave you with a half-matte, half-

satin blush that captures the light and transforms it into colour.

There are six delicious shades to choose from including Impetuous Beige, Celestial Mauve, Brazen Plum, Incandescent Orange, Mysterious Red and Spellbinding Violet.

All about Blunt

She almost stole the show in The Devil Wears Prada and now British actress, Emily Blunt, has been announced as the new face and ambassadress of Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium fragrance.

Blunt has become one of the most popular and respected young actresses working today. From the unforgettable, careerminded secretary in the award-winning comedy, The Devil Wears Prada, to her dramatic portrayal of the young queen in the biopic, The Young Victoria, it’s easy to see why her performances have earned her a ream of fans throughout the globe. Both perform-

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29 September 2011 GAZETTE 17

Edited by Dawn Love

for autumn season

British actress, Emily Blunt, has been announced as the new face and ambassadress of Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium fragrance

ances earned her Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. TV gave her one of her finest roles, playing Natasha in Gideon’s Daughter, for which she won a Golden Globe award for

best supporting actress.

Blunt has starred alongside such prestigious actors as Meryl Streep, Benicio del Toro, Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Anthony Hop-

kins. And, in the next 12 months, she will be seen alongside Ewan McGregor in Salmon Fishing In The Yemen, opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis, in Looper, and

with Jason Segel in Five Year Engagement.

Speaking about her new role with Yves Saint Laurent she said: “I am very honoured to have been chosen to be the face of Opium by Yves Saint Laurent.

“I have huge admiration for the House of Yves Saint Laurent and feel that this House has always truly understood the expression of elegance – its mystique and its indescribable power.

“It is a really exciting experience to embody this legendary fragrance, which has stood the test of time without its allure ever being diminished. Being a part of this new campaign and being able to tell the story of this very evocative fragrance is a real thrill.”

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18 GAZETTE 29 September 2011

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OPINION Candidate’s Presidential vision

Mary to ‘campaign with passion’ THIS is my first week as a formal candidate for the Presidency, thanks to the support of a range of councils across the country. The fact that this endorsement came from a huge crosssection of society, including councillors of almost all parties and none, was deeply gratifying. Anyone aspiring to the Office of President must be a unifying force.

Deciding to run for President is a major decision for any citizen to take. Deciding to seek that job in succession to one of the most admired and respected holders of the office, President Mary McAleese, was an even tougher one.

As someone who has served since 2004 on President McAleese’s Council of State, I have seen up close the passion, energy and conviction she has brought to the office. She has set the bar high for her successor. She has shown how the Presidency can reflect and embody all that is good and noble about our people.

Over the past months I have been developing my vision of how my Presidency could work to rebuilding pride at home and restoring respect for Ireland internationally.

It reinforces the reality that I come to this campaign as a truly independent candidate: an independent candidate with no party political affiliations or political baggage.

I have no political background or celebrity status.

Instead, I come to this campaign with a

Mary Davis

strong record of getting things done and working with ministers and public representatives from all parties and none – not only here at home, but also across the EU. My career as an advocate for those who have been excluded and marginalised has been about quietly and effectively building coalitions and alliances to achieve our goals.

Now, that I have secured that place on the Presidential ballot paper, I will spend the next six weeks campaigning with passion and vigour to bring my message to every village, townland and community across this land, from Aughrim Street to Ahascragh and from Malin Head to Mahon.

We have had something of a phony campaign over recent months, focusing more on celebrity and the fortunes of political parties than on the role of the Office of the President. The Presidency is much more important than that.

Now that the closing date for nominations has passed and the choices we have to make emerge, I believe the time has arrived for the real debate to begin.

That debate should be about the type of Presidency our people need today. It should be about the values we wish to see reflected in Áras an Uachtaráin, and about the way in which the Presidency can work to repair Ireland’s reputation on the international stage.

The message I take into this debate is clear and straightforward – as President I will take a role in restoring pride in our country at home whilst rebuilding respect for Ireland on the world stage.

Mary Davis Presidential Candidate

29 September 2011 GAZETTE 19

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs

NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLE AMBASSADOR:

The new Hyundai i40 has a good size and solid feel to it, with the benefit of a full-size spare wheel and a high specification on the entry model at a competitive price

Hyundai’s new gem in i40 The i40 combines stunning good looks with impressive economy, as MICHAEL MORONEY found out when he took it for a recent test drive HERE is new competition for the D segment of the car market, with the arrival in recent weeks of the high-specification and keenly priced Hyundai i40. Given the specification and the performance of the car, it’s sure to be a real challenger for the current segment market leader, the Toyota Avensis.

The specification of the new i40 is impressive.

There are some useful features on board, all at a much more affordable price that should put the entry 115bhp model on the road for a competitive €24,950, before delivery

T

SPECS: HYUNDAI I40 1.7D Top speed: 180 km/hr 0 – 100km/hr: 12.9 sec Economy: 23.2 km/litre (4.3l/100km) CO2 emissions: 113g/km Road Tax Band: A (€104) Warranty: 5 years Entry Price: €24,995

charges.

I drove an early edition of the new Hyundai i40 at a dealer launch last May. Recently, I’ve had time to give the new i40 a longer test drive and get a feel for the car’s features, economy and performance.

There are two engine options for the new i40, both of which are based on the 1.7-litre turbodiesel engine. There’s a choice of 115bhp or 136bhp and they each give reasonable driving power. I had the more powerful 136bhp version on the road in the higher priced Executive specification. That meant that I had the full specification package, with little left from the option sheet.

The higher-power car delivers more in terms of acceleration pace, but there is as always a compromise in fuel economy and CO2 rating. The

entry model has a more sluggish pace with a 0 to 100km/hr rating of 12.9 seconds. The more powerful 136bhp version shaves about two seconds from this while only marginally affecting the fuel economy figures.

Hyundai claims that this car’s value is hugely about running costs.

T he rated economy figure is 18.1km/litre (5.5l/100km) for this higher-power car. That should mean getting over 1,250km from a full 70litre tank of diesel.

I didn’t achieve that level of economy, but was close to 1,100 km. That’s

still a good performance for a lively and comfortable big car that weighs in almost as heavy as a Ford Mondeo estate.

Irrespective of engine choice, the cars have a low CO2 rating, 115gr (€104 annual tax) for the lower-power version and 135gr (€302 annual tax) for the more powerful car.

Add that to the economy performance and running costs will be low.

The interior of the new i40 is modern, while remaining functional and easy to use. Setting radio stations and the car’s Bluetooth mobile phone system is easy – I like that

ease of use feature.

The car looks and drives very well. It’s easy to drive and get comfortable, with good seating and easy adjustment.

The entry price for the Hyundai i40 at €24,995 is very keen. That gives you good value, with modern styling and a five-year unlimited mileage warranty that alone is worth a lot. Moving up to the Executive option adds just €1,500 to the price.

You get more features and more power, while the economy difference is minimal, and that’s why I believe this will be the most popular model.

Over 1,000 journalists gather to assess new Opel Ampera AT THE Opel Ampera’s international media presentation in The Hague, Netherlands, last month, more than 1,000 journalists had an opportunity to assess the vehicle prior to its launch at the end of the year. One of the tests in the event’s Eco Drive Contest involved optimising the Ampera’s driving range in pure battery-powered mode by using an energy-efficient driving style.

According to the car’s technical specifications, it is possible to cover a distance of up to 80 kilometres in pure

electric drive mode on a single charge of the 16 kWh lithium ion battery. The results achieved in normal road traffic conditions were extremely convincing.

Journalists who tackled the Eco Drive challenge successfully completed the 73 km test route on battery power and nearly a quarter had sufficient power left to cover at least a further 10 kilometres, according to the vehicle’s range indicator.

The most efficient driver could have driven a total distance of 95.3 kilome-

tres on battery power alone – roughly 15 kilometres more than the Ampera’s stated maximum battery-powered range.

None of the participants risked running out of battery power en route because the Ampera’s range-extender, a 1.4-litre gasoline engine, is used to generate power for the 111 kW/150 hp main electric motor if the battery becomes depleted. In this way, the fourpassenger vehicle is the first electric car from a European manufacturer that is entirely suitable for everyday use due to

a total driving range of more than 500 kilometres.

The Opel Ampera. © GM Corp

FOLLOWING a nationwide recruitment campaign in July to find a number of electric vehicle ambassadors, Renault has announced seven new recruits, including Ciaran O’Mahony, who will be based at Bill Cullen Motor Group Airside.

Ciaran will be dedicated to the Renault range of electric vehicles and will help to build awareness and assist customers in making informed choices.

While the seven new EV Ambassadors will be experts in their field, the entire Renault network will be fully trained to sell electric vehicles.

Based in key dealerships around the country, these ambassadors will play a crucial part in the launch of Renault electric range of vehicles, which will see the Kangoo ZE arriving in November, followed by Fluence ZE in early 2012.

Also in 2012, Renault will launch the Twizy, an urban two-seater quadricycle and the ZOE, a stylish compact hatch.

“Interest in the roles was very high and a huge number of applications were received,” said Sandra Rea, Electric Vehicle Project Manager at Renault Ireland.

“These new recruits will be responsible for a number of tasks in the electric vehicle area.”

20 GAZETTE 29 September 2011

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY CASTLEKNOCK: A FOUR-BEDROOM DETACHED BUNGALOW FOR €395,000 IN D15

A Rose Cottage by any other name SHERRY Fitzgerald, Castleknock, are bringing Rose Cottage, Porterstown, Dublin 15, a four-bedroom detatched bungalow, to the market for the asking price of €395,000.

Located off the P o r t e r s t ow n R o a d , this bungalow, which extends to 1,700 sq ft, lies on .33 acre and offers enormous potential to extend further, subject to planning permission.

A l t h o u g h r e q u i ring modernisation, the accommodation is both bright and spacious.

The accommodation comprises an entrance hall with a wooden floor, alarm panel and

large storage cupboard, a living room, which overlooks the front of the property, and which has a cast-iron fireplace, a kitchen with fitted wooden units, a dining room with a patio door to the garden and an utility room with a tiled floor, and is plumbed for washing machine and dryer.

The bedrooms in the property are all double rooms, and the master bedroom has a walkin closet, with feature cast-iron fireplace and wooden floors, as well as an en suite that contains a shower unit, whb and wc.

The bathroom suite comprises a free-stand-

Rose Cottage, Porterstown is on the market for the asking price of €395,000

ing bath, whb and wc.

Exterior appeal Outside, The gardens are well maintained and benefit from a westerly orientation, and it also

offers a high degree of privacy. There is a dual access driveway to the front, which provides ample off-street parking.

The property has an

alarm and oil-fired central heating.

Rose Cottage’s location is convenient to local schools, shops and restaurants in Clonsilla and Castleknock villag-

es. It is within a short distance of Castleknock Golf Club and the Phoenix Park.

Viewing is recommended and can be arranged by contacting

Carol Anne Galvin of Sherry FitzGerald, in Ashleigh Retail Centre, Main Street, Castleknock, on 01 820 1800, or via e-mail on castleknock@sherryfitz.ie

RATHCOOLE: SEMI-DETACHED LIVING IN VILLAGE

Peyton is still the place to be in Rathcoole THE Peyton development in Rathcoole village is presenting to the market a new set of large three- and four-bedroom semidetached houses, available from only €255,000.

There is a range of house layouts and sizes from 128 to 190 sq m, suitable for first-time buyers, trading up or down, and large family homes.

Constructed by Blackchurch Homes, these exclusive houses have a top-quality finish at a very affordable price in a convenient village location.

All of the houses have large bedrooms, spacious living rooms, generous bathrooms and en-suites, decent sized gardens, and private driveways for two cars.

The fine interior design at Peyton is reflected across the range of house types

Local amenities on their doorstep include Rathcoole Park, and there are primary and secondary schools within walking distance.

Some of the excellent Peyton house features include B1 energy ratings, no manage-

ment fees, a choice of Nolan fitted kitchens with granite worktops, and central vacuum systems. There are 9ft ceilings in living areas and kitchen appliances are included if the sale closes on time.

Viewing is recom-

mended and the show houses are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2.30 to 5pm.

For further details, contact Glenn Burrell in Finnegan Menton, on (01) 614 7900 or Redmond Auctioneers at (01) 4589833.

29 September 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

HEALTH: CELTIC HEALING OPEN DUBLIN TREATMENT CENTRE

ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS

ENERGY BILLS Q – I am thinking of revamping my home to avail of some of the energy grants available. My energy bills are huge and upgrading now can save me money, both in the short-term through these grants and the long-term from the savings on monthly energy costs. Can you let me know what grants precisely are available and how do I go about applying for them ? Paul - Wicklow A - “Better Energy Options” is the new recently launched revamped energy grant scheme and replaced three different grant schemes – Home Energy Savings Scheme, Warmer Home schemes and the Greener Homes scheme. Here are some of the grants available.

• Solar panel water heating system - € 800 • Heating control upgrades - €400 • Upgrading to a high-efficiency boiler – € 560 • Cavity wall insulation - € 320 • Building Energy Rating (BER) grant - €80 ( you must get a BER rating as part of the application ) You apply to the Department of Energy via the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) who administer the grant

Peter Woods, former Minister for Health, Dr Michael Woods, and Paddy Dalton at the launch

Unlock positive energy with bio-energy healing ON Thursday, September 22, bio-energy experts, Celtic Healing, opened their Dublin treatment centre at the Sands Hotel in Portmarnock.

The centre will now be open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8am until late.

Bio-energy healers have been unlocking positive energy and clearing energy systems for scores of celebrities and sports people all over the world. Firm devotees include Kylie Minogue, Liz Hurley, Donna Karan, the Duchess of York and her daughters and, of course, Michael Flatley is Ireland’s best known bio-energy success story.

After being plagued by a mystery virus for two years, Irish dancing supremo, Michael Flatley, was completely cured. Not because of a good dose of vitamin C, yoga or osteopathy, but, intriguingly, thanks to a bio-energy healer.

Bio-energy healing has also been winning a big following among sports people plagued by injuries.

“Having seen the wide variety of ailments that have been healed with Bio-energy

therapy, I am delighted to be opening this healing centre in Dublin.

“Healing without drugs, surgery or painful manipulation is something that most people want,” said Peter Woods of Celtic Healing.

Bio-energy healing is an effective, holistic technique for the treatment of physical illness, emotional blocks, mental obstacles and spiritual issues. It is based on the understanding that each of us is a complex, interactive energy system.

Historical records document energy healing over 3,500 years ago and Bio-energy is what the life force in humans is referred to as. When we get a blockage in our energy system, the energy stagnates and this leads to illness and/or discomfort.

Guests at the launch included former Minister for Health Dr Michael Woods, acclaimed author Bernadette Bohan, Today FM DJ Tony Fenton, personal trainer to the stars Paul Byrne and wife Siobhan, beauty guru Triona McCarthy and Miss North County Dublin, Rebecca Maher.

A standard course of treat-

ments with Celtic Healing is five sessions and this is effective for 95% of clients. Treatment takes place in a relaxed environment, on a one-to-one basis, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. A client record is taken, including medical history.

Treatment is non-invasive, with minimal physical contact.

Clients remain fully clothed, except for their shoes. The therapist may give advice on energy balancing techniques, diet and exercise. Bio-energy can help with all ailments - arthritis, asthma, ADHD, migraine, insomnia, back pain, stress, ME, eczema, psoriasis, acne, IBS and bowel problems, acid reflux and digestive problems.

Bio-energy has also been very effective as a complementary therapy for people suffering from cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.

An ailment is a symptom. The energy blockage is the root of the problem. The therapist will clear the blockage and the body will start to heal itself.

Bio-energy is a complementary therapy and works

in conjunction with conventional medicine but it can speed up healing time on all injuries, sports, accidents, minor and major.

It is especially effective after operations and procedures in hospital and can help lessen pain and discomfort pre- and post-medical intervention.

“The body has very powerful healing abilities. The doctor puts a cast on a broken limb but the body heals the bone.

A cut scabs up and heals of its own accord.

“These are just a couple of obvious examples of the body’s own ability to heal itself but by clearing blockages from the energy system, it allows the body to begin the healing process,” said Paddy Dalton of Celtic Healing about his bioenergy technique.

Celtic Healing Clinics are now taking place at the Sands Hotel in Portmarnock, Co Dublin on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 8am until late.

Call 01 8390344 for appointments or see www.celtichealing.ie.

schemes. You must also use a registered SEAI contractor to do the work and complete a declaration of works, while all payments are paid after completion of the works not before. Contact details are hes@seai.ie or www.seai.ie/ betterenergyhomes or Lo-call 1850 927 000

SUB PRIME LOANS Q – I have a € 240,000 loan with a sub-prime lender taken out six years ago. At that time, I had missed a couple of repayments on my car loan and my adviser said the mainstream lenders would not consider me for a loan. I did not really understand the consequences – all I wanted was a home for my family. I have maintained the repayments every month but am now beginning to feel the pinch – my interest rate is 7.5% and I am paying €1,678 per month at the moment. I could save over € 600 a month by moving to a high street lender.

What are my chances ? David - Clontarf A - The Irish Credit Bureau (ICB) in Clonskeagh Dublin 14 is a lender’s first port of call to check your credit history.

Missed payments stay on record for 5 years but if you have kept the nose clean these past five years, then you may have a case to swap back to a normal lender. The whole idea of sub-prime was a kind of purgatory – you did your penance but after a while, you were allowed to come back into the fold.

Here is your checklist to see if you qualify with a high street lender : 1. Check with the ICB to see if your credit record is now clear 2. Ensure the loan-to-value is less than 80% - so the valuation of your home should be in excess of € 300,000 based on your € 240,000 mortgage 3. Your joint income should be between € 53,000 to € 60,000 or the same amount if the only earner in the home.

4. You will need P 60, pay slips and status enquiry form along with 12 months current account bank statements AND your sub-prime loan statements plus any other current loan statement Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@ moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

22 GAZETTE 29 September 2011

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel A perfect setting for family fun at Heritage Virginia Pumpkin Festival to attract festival fans from all over Ireland over the Bank Holiday

TAKING place over the October Bank Holiday Weekend, October 28 to 31, the fifth-annual Virginia Pumpkin Festival is Ireland’s most unique and quirkiest event, attracting festival fans and pumpkin growers from Ireland and overseas to celebrate pumpkin season.

Visitors will be kept entertained by the Pumpkin Weigh-in Competition, Ireland’s largest fancy dress party, a sensational samba band, artisan arts and crafts, and music from headline act, The Waterboys, on Saturday night.

Hotels.com has some great deals on offer in and around Virginia, so get pumped and make sure not to miss out the festivities.

WHERE TO STAY Lakeside Manor Hotel (three-star) – Virginia

Prices start from €100 per room per night from October 28 – 31 on hotels.com Situated on the shores of Lough Ramor, the Lakeside Manor Hotel is the perfect haven for a relaxing family break. If you have time to spare after the festival, you can go horseback riding, catch a play at the local theatre or relax in the walled garden hotel bar.

DAWN LOVE

THERE were two main highlights for me when it came to the five star Heritage Golf and Spa Resort in Laois. Set amidst rolling countryside and a spectacular golf course, it’s easy to see why it has become a huge hit with families.

Quite simply, there is plenty to do and something for every member of the family to enjoy.

Firstly, for the golfing enthusiasts, there is a spectacular Steve Ballestero’s golf course.

And, if teeing off isn’t your cup of tea, then the 5km private walking track, which encircles the championship course, is ideal for everything from a fast-paced run, to a gentle stroll after dinner.

The accommodation

(we stayed in a family suite) was also spacious and comfortable, while the health club comes with a 15m leisure pool (a little on the cool side for my taste) and fullyequipped fitness studio.

But for me, the ultimate treat was the Heritage’s stunning and award-winning spa. Using products from the luxurious and organic Pevonia Botanica range, loved by Hollywood big names such as Sharon Stone and Susan Sarandon, there is a multitude of treatments to choose from.

My therapist was Grace, and I’d highly recommend asking for her if you do happen to visit the spa. After chatting to me and taking a good look at my skin (which is combination, to be exact), Grace decided on

Headfort Arms (three-star) - Kells

Prices start from €120 per room per night, from October 28 – 31 on hotels.com Located just a short drive from Virginia, this hotel is complete with a spa and golf course. A family run property, the Headfort Arms is an intimate property perfect for a relaxing weekend away.

Cabra Castle Hotel (four-star) - Kingscourt

Prices start from €110 per room per night, from October 28 – 31 on hotels.com This beautiful four-star manor property is complete with a golf course, tennis courts, spa, restaurant and lounge. A babysitting service is available on request and guests can avail of complimentary breakfast every morning.

All prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.

One of the large, sumptuous suites

a Pevonia Prescription Facial (€85) which lasts for one hour. This can be tailor-made to suit your skin type and, to be frank, it was divine. Along with using products that were tailored to suit my complexion, she also concentrated on stimulating my lymph system.

After this, I enjoyed a total Back Ritual (€85), which also lasts for one hour. Essentially this is a specialised back ‘facial’, which cleanses, polishes and thoroughly massages the back muscles.

Floated

I literally floated back up to our room afterwards and, I must admit, I have become a firm fan of the Pevonia range, in particular its De-Aging Saltimousse PapayaPineapple scrub and the

De-Aging Body BalmPapaya Pineapple, since our break at the Heritage.

But, as I said, there were two main highlights for me when it came to our stay and, after a thoroughly relaxing spell in the spa, dinner at Sol Oriens Italian Restaurant & Steakhouse was next up.

I’d heard about Sol Oriens before went down to the Heritage for our stay. Friends had said it was perfect for dining out with a toddler in tow and, indeed, it is the ideal venue for more relaxed dining, with its open kitchen and classical Italian theme.

My husband and I are big fans of Bruchetta Al Pomodoro (€6.25) so we both opted for this as a starter. It came on crispy, sourdough bread and was topped with delicious, fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, red onion and extra virgin oil.

Next up, Dylan chose the Grilled Sea Bass Fillet served with Beurre Blanc (€22). This comprised a fillet of sea bass, topped with fresh tomatoes, red onion, coriander and extra-virgin olive oil served on a bed of mashed potato, and he loved it.

I chose the Filleto Manzo (€26) – a 10oz Irish fillet steak grilled and served with sautéed mushrooms and onions, all of which also came

With a setting in the rolling

with creamy mashed potato.

For dessert, we both had Panna Cotta, the classic Italian desert that completed a perfect evening.

Breakfast was also delicious. We had just walked the 5km track around the golf course and were more than ready for a hearty feed. I opted for a croissant and porridge, while Dylan had a full Irish. Our toddler, Harry, had a mixture of both and was clearly in his element as the restaurant staff fussed over him.

All in all, it was a relaxing family stay with the advantage of just being within an hour of Dublin city centre.

For further details on special offers and prices at The Heritage Golf and Spa Resort, Killenard, County Laois, you can call 057 864 5500 or visit www.theheritage.com

29 September 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

TravelBriefs

Relax and unwind the night before your flight from Dublin Airport at the Hilton at Clare Hall MIMI MURRAY

countryside and views of the spectacular golf course, the five-star Heritage Golf and Spa Resort in Laois is a huge hit with families

The pool area

ON a recent trip abroad we decided to be ultraindulgent, or very sensible, whichever way you choose to look at it, and spend the night before our flight in an airport hotel.

The Hilton is situated just minutes away from Dublin Airport in Clare Hall. The hotel has underground parking, so we decided to leave our car there for the duration of our trip at a reasonable rate.

The hotel is really comfortable and boasts a bar and restaurant, which seems to be filled with locals, as well as transient guests.

Our bedroom was really comfortable and quite spacious with a very comfy bed.

We dined in the hotel and were very pleasantly surprised to see that the menu was quite adventurous and to our liking.

After a smoked salmon starter and lots of delicious homemade breads, we chose from the grill – a fillet steak with bearnaise for me and a striploin for my husband. Both were very well cooked and came with loads of delicious extras. The wine list was very good with plenty of choice and we retired to the bar for an after dinner drink. Staff were ultra-attentive and really pleasant. The manageress said they are very much like a big family, and that includes a lot of the regular business guests who spend weeks at a time at the hotel.

After a very restful night, we had a scrummy breakfast with loads of delicious breads, pastries, fruit and coffee on offer, as well as a decent selection of cooked breakfast. We checked out and waited for our minibus, which had us at the airport terminal within minutes.

After a fun-filled four days in Spain, we returned home and our minibus was waiting for us at the designated spot. It was just a case of hopping in our car and making the journey home, relaxed and far less exasperated than normal.

The spa experience

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Junior Suite living area

Afternoon Tea by the fireplace

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24 SWORDS GAZETTE 29 September 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1

GoingOUT GoingOUT MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Ger Carey Live THE workings of the teenage brain are a mystery – unless you’re Ger Carey, whose comic show proves that he knows what it’s like to be a teenager. Aimed at young people between the ages of 15 and 18, his one-man show is set to help teenagers laugh at themselves and the complexities of their lives. Ger also says that grown-ups are welcome.

Catch Ger’s show at 11.20am on Thursday, September 29, with admission costing €10 (teachers free).

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Brian Kennedy FOR Brian’s many fans of his singular voice and singing style, this is a show not to be missed, as he can be relied on to croon through some of his many hits. Well-known as a leading singer, he is, perhaps, lesser-known as an author, proving that he’s a man of many talents – however, his singing skills will be to the fore at 8pm on Thursday, September 29 in Driaocht’s Main Auditorium, with tickets priced at €22/€18 conc.

PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Faith Healer BRIAN Friel’s striking play, Faith Healer, takes to the Pavilion stage, ready to bring the audience on a journey across Scotland and Wales with a faith healer and his companions, as he meets the sick by forests and mountains. But are Frank’s miraculous cures real, and what is the price the afflicted must pay? See this dramatic production of Faith Healer on Friday, September 30 or Saturday, October 1, at 8pm, with tickets priced at €21/€19.

Sally (Bailee Madison) has just what every child needs – a creepy old house, malignant imps living in its secret basement, and a camera to help prove they’re real (with a flash that might keep the light-senstive creatures at bay) in this interesting new horror

An impishly creepy tale There’s not much light relief in this tale of basement-dwelling creatures trying to get a child to let them out to play with her Q KATE CROWLEY

WHERE is it? It’s around here somewhere, I just know it ... Readers! (Yes, both of you.) Have either of you seen my Gone Fishin’ sign?

Frankly, despite the soft, gentle arctic winds of autumn gusting across Dublin at the moment, I’ve never felt more like hangin’ my Gone Fishin’ sign on the back of my Gazette Towers’ throne, grabbing a jar of wigglin’ earthworms and sittin’ down at the banks of the Liffey, thanks to the decidedly poor offerings marchin’ up to our screens, this week.

Faced with the likes of Cane Toads: The Conquest, and Shark Night 3D – not to mention the return of Katie Holmes – this has never seemed like a better week for me to master my Sudoku skills.

Still, for the purpose of this week’s review, there’s no place like Holmes, so

FILM OF THE WEEK: Don’t be Afraid of the Dark +++ (16) 97 mins Director: Troy Nixey Starring: Guy Pearce, Katie Holmes, Bailee Madison, a grizzled groundskeeper, a creepy house, and murderous goblin things

OUR VERDICT: WHO would have thought that a long-abandoned house could be full of creepy secrets? With famed intellectual-horror director, Guillermo del Toto, having a helping hand in the film, this feels more like a scaled-down Pan’s Basement rather than Pan’s Labyrinth, but that’s no bad thing. We’ve all seen this kind of film before, and yet, it’s an enjoyable enough creepy tale to follow.

let’s take a look at her latest film, Don’t be Afraid of the Dark.

Here, presented under the guiding hands of producer, Guillermo del Toro – the filmmakers have turned in a creepy horror. (Personally, I tend to think that most films with Ms Holmes turn out to be a horror, but I digress.)

Following a gruesome, scene-setting intro, we flash forward to the present day, where a down-on-his luck architect, Alex (Pearce) moves into a creaking, crumbling, gothic pile with his girlfriend Kim (Holmes)

and his daughter, Sally (a terrific performance by Madison).

In time-honoured fashion, the long abandoned house has a gruesome, if forgotten past – remember the intro, folks? – but all Alex can see is the chance to do a nice refurb job on the house, and get back on his feet, while at the same time the gals can bond.

Because, of course, where better to hole up with a withdrawn child and a new girlfriend for some quality family time together than in a creepy old house?

It’s not long before curious Sally discovers that the house is full with the kind of mysteries that you tend not to see listed on property websites – including a secret, sealedup basement, and a mysterious fireplace that Sally seems to think has some... things... living in it being chief among such points.

Of course, if a bright kid tells you that there are tiny, creepy monsters living in the fireplace she found in a secret basement, all set in the kind of house that Norman Bates would pass by to stay in a motel instead, you should probably believe them.

Also, of course, Alex doesn’t believe Sally, who can not only hear the mysterious, tiny creatures in the fireplace endlessly whispering and calling to her to let them out and “play”, but can glimpse them, and see their malicious handiwork, which they revel in – as long as there’s plenty of darkness

around to hide in.

It’s not long before the creatures have escaped and are loose around in the house, where – crucially – it’s perfectly clear that, yes, the creatures are very real, and dangerous, and that a crunchy, delicioussss child would be jusssst lovely, thank you.

Oh, if only the family had listened to the grizzled groundskeeper, who warned them about the house!

With Kim gradually coming around to believing Sally, yet Alex dismissing their fears, the scene is set for a showdown: house versus humans.

The only problem is, they should all be very afraid of the dark ...

Sure, we’ve all seen house-of-horror shows before – I used to have to review Changing Rooms, after all – but this is a creepily enjoyable addition to the genre. Maybe next week I’ll be Gone Fishin’ instead.

29 September 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Gears guns for the top Bytesandpieces SHANE DILLON

I HOPE that the zombies found at the top of the charts recently enjoyed their brief time in the sun, because one thing’s for sure – once Gears of War 3 was released on XBox 360, Dead Island (see panel, right) had about as much chance of staying in place as a Locust footsoldier facing Marcus Fenix.

For those who don’t know what either a Locust footsoldier (or a Marcus Fenix) is, the Gears of War (GoW) series follows a dwindling band of desperate human survivors on Sera, a world that’s quite similar to our own.

It’s similar, except for the fact that humanity’s facing extinction, with a mass horde of Locusts (a subterranean race of

Another weebyte Market needs more Vita-lity WITH Sony’s handheld gaming division now firmly locked in a pincer movement with Nintendo on one side, and Apple on the other, the stakes have never been higher for its revamped PSP – the Vita – to kickstart its handheld fortunes.

Despite the PSP having decent power, my own experience has been that they’re rarer than hen’s teeth around Dublin, and, indeed, with it proving tough to find an okay range of PSP games in most Dublin stores, it remains to be seen how well Sony can hit back with the Vita.

With even Nintendo’s recently launched 3DS slumping in the markets, Sony isn’t the only player praying for some Vita-lity to return to the struggling handheld console sector.

murderous creatures) having overrun most of the planet, leaving behind ruined cities, utter devastation – and millions of happy gamers, all following a supersoldier, Marcus, in his footsteps, band of brothers in tow.

An XBox-exclusive title, Gears has established itself as a key franchise for Microsoft’s gaming fans, and this latest addition, while not exactly a revolution, certainly builds upon many of the already highly-polished strengths that fans relish in the series.

A day before it hit the shelves on its world-wide launch date, I called in to the GoW3 launch party in the centre of Dublin, where hordes of Gears fans were entranced by the hordes of Locusts filling the screens, with

Dead Island is found to be a hit

Tipperary Hurler, Padraic Maher, and Leinster and Irish Rugby Player, Shane Horgan, fight their way past merchandising to be among the first to play Gears of War 3

single-player and multiplayer missions playing out across the venue.

GoW3 certainly looked terrific (which gameplay videos on social platforms are already ably proving), while, away from the busy singleplayer storyline screens, the multiplayer rounds

were providing plenty of concentration amongst Gears fans – and occasional laughter, too.

This, claimed as the third and final part in the Gears trilogy, has been hailed as an emotional way to end the series, packed with punchy setpieces, spectacular vis-

tas, intense action and, as always, Gears’ striking world of “destroyed beauty”, as ravaged cities and foul landscapes are traversed. So far, so Gears, so great.

I’ll be returning to Gears soon, with a more detailed look at its single and multiplayer modes.

SEEING as I briefly mentioned it recently, there’s no harm in adding that Techland’s multi-platform title, Dead Island, promptly shuffled its way to the top of games’ charts in many markets, marking, perhaps, an unexpectedly strong success for the adult title.

Its flaws are many, including being a game that very much merits its Cert 18 rating; some quite unsavoury character designs and scripting; ng; a particularly badly developed and executed plot; simply dreadful voice-over work; some teeth-grindingly infuriating control issues and broken game logic, and – Well, despite all of the many things wrong with the title, it also seems to get a lot of things right, with its gory graphics, frequently frenetic action, and occasionally very pretty scene setting (with beautiful beaches and jungles that surpass both of the Far Cry and Crysis series) proving a hit with gamers, hungry for something a little different.

Certainly not a title for children, its open-world setting and multi-mission, RPG-like tactics show that there’s still plenty of life in the zombie genre ...

GAZETTE

26 SWORDS GAZETTE 29 September 2011

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29 September 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

SEPTEMBER STARS:

This month’s Dublin Sport Awards nominees announced Page 29

LIFFEY DESCENT: ICONIC ANNUAL CANOEING EVENT RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER

Descent back on track for 2011’s vintage races sport@gazettegroup. com

UP to 1,000 canoeists from Ireland and abroad will take part in the Great Outdoors Liffey Descent on Saturday, October 8.

Originally due to take place in mid-September, the event was postponed due to low water levels.

The Great Outdoors Liffey Descent is one of the biggest events of its kind in the world and is

not for the faint-hearted.

The 28km course combines long, flat water sections, swift currents, 10 weirs and numerous rapids, a heavily wooded section and a long portage around Leixlip dam.

Paddlers will need skill, stamina and courage to complete the race.

The ESB will release 30 tonnes of water from the Poulaphouca Reservoir to coincide with the race. This brings the river up to flood level

and transforms small rapids and gentle weirs into foaming white water.

Started back in 1960 as an inter-club event, the illustrious Great Outdoors Liffey Descent k ay a k i n g r a c e n ow attracts paddlers from many parts of the world and is a major event on the international calendar. The race will play host to some serious marathon competitors, but the majority of par-

The Liffey Descent will hit the water on October 8 with over 1,000 participants picking up their paddles

ticipants are recreational paddlers whose main aim is to complete the course.

Speaking this week, Karl Dunne, of the Canoe Union said: “This event is one-of-a-kind.

T he atmosphere on the day as competitors

approach the start line at Straffan is second-tonone.

“A mixture of nervous anticipation and friendly banter is abundant. It is a brilliant event to have on the Irish kayaking calendar and we hope that the success of pre-

vious years will continue for the 2011 event.”

The event is renowned for its Irish party atmosphere but also guaranteed good conditions.

That’s thanks to the ESB which releases 30 tonnes of water from the Poulaphouca Res-

ervoir to coincide with the race.

This brings the river up to flood level and transforms small rapids and gentle weirs into furious torrents and foaming white water walls.

To register, visit www. liffeydescent.com

28 SWORDS GAZETTE 29 September 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

RUGBY: JENKINSON CUP VICTORY STARTS THE 2011 SEASON

Local team loses out in final of national contest LOCAL softball team, Batpak, from Swords, were defeated in the final of the National Club Softball Championships that took place at ALSAA sports grounds last weekend.

In the competition by virtue of their success in the Brian Walsh Cup, Batpak have also represented Ireland in the European Club Championships in the past and brought a lot of experience to bear in the competition.

They met Dodder Dynamoes in the final, and Dodder had built up momentum from their earlier games that proved too much for Batpak in the end, who didn’t bat as well as they had done in their matches to that point, and won out 17-7.

Dodder Dynamoes will now have the opportunity to represent Ireland in the European Co-Ed Slow Pitch Softball Championships in 2012 and will be hoping to repeat their success in the European Club Championships in 2009.

Fingallians hail Flynn’s AllIreland victory FINGALLIANS GAA club were celebrating in style last week when some 400 people watched the All-Ireland final in the club hall, cheering the efforts of their prodigal son, Paul Flynn.

Club chairman, John McGee, said:

“The members of the club are all very proud of Paul’s achievement. As a young 25-yearold, he now has a coveted Celtic Cross, and, hopefully, it won’t stop there.

We fully expect Paul to be further honoured with an All-Star award and to represent Ireland in the Compromise Rules Series against Australia later this year.”

The victoriious Swords RFC side, who claimed the Jenkinson Cup at Ashbourne last week

Swords claim cup JENKINSON CUP Swords RFC Balbriggan

14 9

sport@gazettegroup.com

SWORDS RFC claimed their first silver ware of the new season last week when they met Balbriggan at Ashbourne RFC’s grounds in the Jenkinson Cup final.

Both teams started with an aggression and intensity that reflected the importance of this match to their respective clubs, and the commitment showed also from the sidelines, with some vocal suppor t cheering the sides on.

From the kick-off, both sides looked wellmatched. However, Balbriggan put early pressure on the Swords men, and, after 10 minutes of play in the Swords half,

Balbriggan were awarded a kickable penalty.

Their number 11 easily converted the opportunity to bring the scores to 3-0.

Thereafter, Balbriggan heaped the pressure on Swords, who soaked up, and it took 30 minutes before Swords got out of their own half.

They finally opened their account in the 35th minute when Ben Moriarty crossed the try line in the corner, after a break on the half-way line and some great handling skills from the backs.

The conversion was taken by outhalf Johnny Butler, and he confidently slotted over the kick, bringing the score to 7-3.

Balbriggan countered straight away and were back in the Swords 22

within a minute, once again throwing everything they could at the Swords defence.

They were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts, which the dependable boot of their winger converted, making the score at the break Swords 7, Balbriggan 6.

S wo r d s ke p t t h e pressure up in the second half, and, after a positional change that saw Peter Carr going into the outhalf position and Butler going to full back, it wasn’t long before winger substitution Matt O’Reilly was crossing the line to touch down to the left of the posts with his first touch of the ball.

Again, Butler tacked on the two points.

Balbriggan kept going and made their way

down to the Swords half again and again. They were rewarded with a penalty kick, which brought the score to 14-9.

Once again, the pressure-cooker atmosphere increased and the encounter got heated as both teams played some high-intensity rugby, but the pressure was relieved when Swords were awarded a scrum on their own 22.

Number 8 Larry Faifua picked up from the base of the scrum to run 50 metres, only to be tackled on the Balbriggan 22.

Swords suppor ted well and retained the position, before the referee gave the word that time was up, heralding the ball being launched out of play and celebrations to ensue as Swords supporters hailed their players.

29 September 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 29

in association with

2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - SEPTEMBER NOMINEES

FastSport

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

+ STARof the MONTH

Schools learn opponents in Development Cup DEIRDRE RYAN

MOSES IKPEFUA

NICOLA RYAN

DUNDRUM South Dublin athlete Ryan secured her berth at the 2012 London Olympics, jumping the A standard in Daegu when she claimed the sixth place in the high jump world championships this month.

KNOCKMITTEN runner Moses won the Under8 boys’ 60m title at Athlone in the national Community Games’ finals early in September, defeating opponents from around the country in style.

LUCAN resident Ryan became an Australian Rules’ world champion when she helped Ireland to claim the inaugural women’s International Cup in Melbourne with a 39-8 victory over Canada.

+ TEAMof the MONTH

ST BRIGID’S

DUBLIN FOOTBALLERS

ST SYLVESTER’S

A LAST-gasp free finally put St Brigid’s junior B footballers into seventh heaven when they claimed the championship title against St Finian’s of Newcastle following an epic final earlier this month.

THE sons of Dublin football finally achieved their potential on the national stage when they put 16 years of hurt behind them to lift the Sam Maguire trophy at Croke Park in front of a jubilant home support.

ST SYLVESTER’S celebrated their first All-Ireland hurling title a little over 18 months after claiming the Leinster Junior championship title when they won the St Jude’s Junior 7s Shield in midSeptember.

WELCOME to the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, as we mark our local sportsmen and women’s September sporting achievements across the capital and, indeed, across the nation.

We’re delighted to once again be able to celebrate the finest achievements in Dub-

lin sport, with some huge efforts at local levels coming to our attention in a variety of well-known, and some, less prominent, sports.

Ever y form of sporting achievement, at any level and in any sport, is valuable and gives an indication of the diversity of sporting commit-

ment there is around our fair city at all times of the year.

Let us know!

Let us know about your achievements in sport, so that the Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin — and give you, or your team, a chance of being one of our monthly stars.

Contact us on 01 601 0240 or sport@gazettegroup.com to tell us all about your successes, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ gazettesport.

You can also check out the latest stories from GazetteSport at our new website, www.gazettegroup.com

FORMER St Columba’s student Ian McKinley drew his alma mater in a couple of tough draws as he and Shane Horgan conducted the Leinster Senior and Junior Development Cup and Shield draws last weekend.

The Rathfarnham school will face upand-coming St Fintan’s HS, Sutton in the second round of the McMullen Cup, while their Junior side will face St Patrick’s Classical School, Navan, in round one of the Duff Cup. In the senior development cup, Lucan CC have been pitted against Firhouse CS in the second round, which will be played on October 12. On the same date, Castleknock CS will face Celbridge’s Salesians College while Oatlands play Portmarnock and Malahide CS face Drogheda Grammar.

At Junior level, Castleknock CS face Colaiste Choilm, Swords on October 10.

Ford offer top travelling prize for Ireland fans FORD, official vehicle supplier to the FAI, are offering football fans in Dublin the chance to win an exclusive VIP package to the Republic of Ireland’s eagerly anticipated European Championship crunch qualifier against Armenia at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, October 11.

Ford will look after the transport to and from the game for the winner and his/her friend by supplying a Ford

vehicle and personal chauffeur to pick them up on the day of the big match.

The prize also includes a night’s accommodation in a Dublin hotel with pre-match dinner included, a pair of tickets to the game, and a chance to meet the players in the players’ lounge following the final whistle, as well as chauffeur-driven transport back home the following day.

To enter, fans just need to email fordfootball@whpr. ie and let Ford know of a great journey they’ve experienced to a previous football match.

30 SWORDS GAZETTE 29 September 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

SOCCER: SWORDS VS SWORDS IN SFAI CUP ENCOUNTER

Fingal fall to league defeat to Glenanne A DEPLETED Fingal were unable to build on their Neville Cup victory as they fell to a second successive defeat in the Leinster league campaign as reigning champions Glenanne took a 2-0 victory from Tallaght last Saturday, Gary Shaw striking twice in the second half.

It was a dogged tussle, with the Glens enjoying lots of possession in the first half, running up 19 circle entries on the stats sheet but were not able to sully Eoin Connelly’s clean sheet.

For Fingal, Gary Sharman was added to their long-term injury list when he dislocated his shoulder last Sunday and it meant Fingal were down to the bare bones, with skipper Nigel Grothier, Tom Manning and Derek O’Gorman all out.

Shaw confirmed the win on the final whistle when he got his second.

Summerfest set for next weekend THE 2011 Tesco mobile SARI Summerfest, the largest intercultural soccer tournament in Ireland, is set to take part this year at the Garda and Camogie Sports Grounds, in Phoenix Park on September 10 and 11 from 11am to 5pm each day.

The Summerfest will also coinciude with the CONCERN kitefest, where kite flyers from around the world will display their kites and give kite workshops for children.

The two-day festival also includes a wide array of entertainment for all the family.

For more information, see www. facebook.com/sarireland.

Castleknock Celtic seeking ladies talent CASTLEKNOCK Celtic FC’s ladies and girls section are recruiting new talent to the cllub for the soccer season starting later this month.

If you were born in 1996 or earlier, visit the club’s website at www.castleknockceltic.com, and pass on your name and contact details in the How To Join section provided on the site.

The club are also looking to recruit girls born in 2001/2002 to play soccer in the DubliGirls Soccer League.

Swords Celtic found themselves in the strange position of taking on their own second team in the SFAI Cup tie last weekend

Celtic take on cup ties sport@gazettegroup.com

THE opening rounds of the SFAI Cup draws threw up a unique tie when Swords Celtic’s U-16 Premier side were drawn to face the club’s second team in last Sunday’s Barr y Cup second round.

The Premier side would eventually run up a comfortable win but not before getting a major scare. They were held scoreless for the first 30 minutes before sloppy defending let Merben Soco tap in an easy goal to open the scoring.

Minutes later Soco doubled the lead when

he scored with a superb volley and it was 3-0 by half-time as the senior side continued to take a firmer grasp of the game.

With no roll-on, rolloff allowed in the SFAI and both subs used, the second team was reduced to nine men when two players were injured during the later stages of the game. The match ended at 7-0 with the Premier team progressing to the next round of the cup.

Of the other SFAI games to be played on the weekend, Celtic’s U-17 NDSL team fell to an early goal against St Kevin’s Boys DDSL

side. It proved the only goal of the tie despite a competitive tie.

Successes There was success, though, for the U-12 Premier side and the U-13A side. The former enjoyed a 7 - 1 win at Balbriggan and go on to face Kilbarrack United next up.

The latter went to B o y n e R ove r s a n d inflicted a 3 - 0 defeat upon them and now face Ashbourne United in a home tie in the second round.

Away to Shelbourne at the AUL, the Under18 Premier team fell to a 4-1 defeat while the

18B team were beaten

by Premier opposition from Malahide ending their participation in the cup.

In the first of the we e ke n d S FA I C u p games, Celtic’s Under11 Premiers were in action against Balbriggan. In a cracking tie, at the end of normal time the sides were even on one goal apiece. The game went to extra time with Balbriggan scoring twice to go through to play Huntstown Hartstown’s A side.

Meanwhile, in the NDSL U-11F game, a penalty save by goalkeeper Patrick Mihas and two goals from

O r a n K u n ke l s g ave Swords Celtic a win over visiting Howth Celtic at Balheary.

At Rivervalley, their U-14 side had no luck in the SFAI Goodson Cup, falling to a very strong Trim Celtic side but their adult sides enjoyed a good weekend as both Rangers Saturday and Sunday sides advanced in their respective cups.

The Saturday Division 1A side beat Elmount 3-1 in the first round of the Leinster Junior Cup while the Premier B selection got the better of St Malachys 2-1 in the Nivea for Men Cup.

Disappointing end for Thompson sport@gazettegroup.com

GARY Thompson brought the curtain down on his Japanese Formula 3 season with another National Class podium finish at Sportsland Sugo last weekend before experiencing a day of frustration and bad luck on Sunday.

The up-and-coming local racer had high hopes for one of his best events of the year before travelling to the fast and flowing Sugo circuit.

Qualifying suggested just as much, even if a small mistake on his final run left him fifth in

a top six covered by a mere 0.2 seconds.

Fortunately, Thompson’s lightning fast starts have become something of a speciality this season and he was once again quick to react when the lights went out for race one on Saturday, vaulting from fifth to challenging for second by the first corner.

Although unable to make the move stick, he slotted cleanly into third from where he kept the leaders honest throughout at a circuit short on overtaking opportunities.

But, in a weekend that perhaps

characterised his season as a whole, the 19-year-old endured a day to forget less than 24 hours later.

Sunday morning’s race once again witnessed another of Thompson’s stellar getaways.

Having lost a position in the confusion, and keen to quickly make amends, a slight mistake was all it took to pitch the car into retirement.

At least the final race of the weekend would offer Gary an opportunity to end his season on a high note, especially after qualifying third.

Gary Thompson at Sugo, Japan

29 September 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 31

in association with

HURLING: STRONG PROGRESS AT INTER LEVEL

CLUB NOTICEBOARD FINGALLIANS THE Sam Ma guire will make an

ladies who were narrowly beaten in

appearance in Fingallians on Friday,

the quarter-finals of the All-Ireland

October 7. Further details to follow.

Senior 7s. The club wish to thank

Our football and hurling academy

Naomh Mearnog, who hosted the

recommenced on September 10,

Senior 7s.

with over 150 children attending.

The second annual coaching forum

Our academy sees both boys and

will take place on October 29 (Bank

girls of four- to six-years-old par-

Holiday weekend). Following the

ticipate in 45 mins of hurling, fol-

huge success of last year’s pro-

lowed by 45mins of Gaelic football.

gramme we have secured the serv-

We currently have over 25 parents

ices of Paudie Butler, Philip Kerr

actively involved in assisting in the

and Barry Horgan. Further details

implementation of the clubs acad-

to follow.

emy and a number of whom have

The lates t race in the Dublin

recently commenced the Founda-

cross-country league took place in

tion Award Programme which pro-

Newbridge House and well done to

vides parents with the essential

the follow competitors who repre-

tools to assist with academy ses-

sented the club: Ciara Markie, Nao-

sions.

ise Cullen, Hugh Lawlor, Colm Walsh,

Fingallians GAA academy takes

Orla Kavanagh, Alison Rhode, Natan

place every Saturday morning from

Czechowski, Sinead Walsh, Aaron

10 to 11.30am in the club.

Cullen, Tara Wallnutt, Megan Finn,

Well done to the Fingallians senior

Sam Martin and Brian Mackie.

St Sylvester’s impressive run in the Intermediate hurling championship came to an end against Naomh Barrog

Syl’s depart inter after great run INTER HURLING C’SHIP St Sylvester’s Naomh Barrog

2-8 0-18

sport@gazettegroup.com

S T S Y LV E S T E R ’ S bowed out at the semifinal stage to Naomh Barrog in Lawless Park last Saturday evening to end their impressive run in the competition, Coming just 18 months since they progressed from the Junior grade, the Malahide men pushed hard for another promotion this term, especially in the wake of their AllIreland 7s’ success in the build-up to the tie.

But they found Barrogs too classy in the final four tie and never truly got out of the blocks.

Starting slowly, the Kilbarrack men built a 0-5 to 0-3 lead before pulling clear by halftime, building an eightpoint advantage as their half-forward line aligned their sights on the posts.

Syl’s improved after

the break, getting a goal back through Tom Reddy while Martin Ormonde and Russy Cleere also got on the mark as the half-back line became more prominent.

But not enough scores were taken during this time and, while a second goal accrued from a free, time was not on their side as Barrogs held out for a four-point success.

The club’s minor footballers, though, produced a decent showing against a fancied Ballyboden St Enda’s in the first series of games in their A championship, drawing nine points a piece.

It sets up a tough, fourteam group to progress with St Jude’s running up a comfortable victory over Ballinteer St John’s in the day’s other game.

It was entertaining fare, though, as the lead swapped from side to side as Boden came back from a two-point deficit with some high-quality scores against a blustery

wind.

Syl’s initially struggled to use that wind and, following a missed free, went into the break down by a point.

However, going against the conditions seemed to work for the Malahide side as they took control for much of the second half.

The half-forward line of Conor Meaney, Conor Mullarkey and Fionn Cahill seemed to drop back a little and bolster the midfield to good effect.

Conor Quinn rose to prominence in the halfback line to help out the energetic Kevin O’Flynn

and John Peacock.

Finishing off moves, though, proved an issue and Boden capitalised on the lack of scoring to almost nick the tie, clocking up four points in a row to edge ahead at 0-9 to 0-8.

But Cahill held his nerve to kick a confident late free and tie up the game. Next on the agenda is a trip around the M50 to Ballinteer on October 8 where a win would see the side advance their chances of reaching the knock-out stage.

The group concludes with a home tie against St Jude’s.

FINGAL RAVENS DUBLIN County chairman, Andy Ket-

were beaten in their championship

tle, will have Sam Maguire and hope-

game against Fingallians.

fully some Dublin players at our clubhouse this week.

Our duck race and cross-country challenge was postponed last Sunday due to the weather, this will be re-arranged at a later date.

Well done to our minor team, who had a good win over Castleknock in the championship on Sunday morning.

U-14s were unlucky to lose by a point to Round Towers, and a speedy recovery to Matt Garrigan who fractured his wrist.

Hard luck to our U-15 team who

Also hard luck to our ladies team who were beaten by Clontarf in the cup.

Senior team play championship next Sunday at 4pm next Sunday.

Junior A team play Parnells at 11am next Sunday in St David’s.

Junior D team play Cuala in Rolestown, time to be confirmed.

Anyone who would like to receive club text alerts please text your name and number to 086-1765932.

Well done to the New York Dublin team who won the intermediate championship on Saturday evening.

ST FINIAN’S THE U-9 camogie girls did well out in

and Na Dubh Gall. All the hard work

Skerries at the weekend registering

in training is showing on the pitches.

their first-ever win. They had to play

Well done lads.

in torrential rain but all the work

Boot swap is up and running again.

that the girls put in all year finally

If your child has outgrown his or her

paid off. Well done girls.

boots don’t throw them away. We

The camogie nursery is back Sat-

offer a swap facility. Once the boots

urday mornings from 10 to 11am

are clean and in pairs bring them

for five- to seven-year-olds, new

upstairs to the club house. You can

recruits welcome.

exchange them for a bigger size.

Well done to the U-9s, who won their

Coffee shop is now open every Sat-

hurling blitz on Saturday, against

urday morning from 11 o’clock. Take-

Parnells and Liffey Gaels. They also

away teas and coffees available.

won a challenge football blitz a few weeks ago against Fingal Ravens

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 2, 5, 7 and 20. There was no winner.

Follow GazetteSport on Facebook and Twitter and at www.gazettegroup.com

ALL OF YOUR SWORDS SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

CUP CAMPAIGN: SFAI challenges for Swords Celtic’s underage sides P30

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

SEPTEMBER STARS Sports Awards nominees announced P29

Flying back into action at last

GazetteSPORT

Mick Deegan, seen here with his charges, is certain his Ravens’ side will be able to deal with the lack of match practise due to Dublin’s success

Mick Deegan’s Fingal Ravens set to learn their opponents in third round of the delayed senior football championship STEPHEN FINDLATER swordssport@gazettegroup.com

FINGAL Ravens’ boss Mick Deegan admits that the build-up for next Sunday’s Dublin senior football championship tie has been anything but ideal.

At time of going to press, his side still did not know who their third-round opponents would be, after a protracted debate over St Mary’s eligibility to play in the competition means that whether their second-round date with Ballyboden St Enda’s will be played or not has yet to be decided.

They face off in mid-week, with the winner going on to play Deegan’s side who have been waiting since May to continue their campaign as Dublin’s epic All-Ireland win saw club concerns being put on hold all around the capital.

Ravens have not played a competitive fixture in five weeks as a result, with Deegan telling

GazetteSport that it has been tough to get his side to peak at the right time.

“It has been hard preparing,” he said. “We haven’t had an official game in five weeks since the last league match. You’re trying to keep lads ticking over and playing friendlies.

“We’ve had a good few against Parnells, Na Fianna and Erin’s Isle, so we’ve had a good build-up, but it can be hard on the lads,” said Deegan.

Waiting game “We started training back in January and we’re now at the end of September and still waiting on championship games. But it is a one-off game and the winners of whoever we play will go on to play Peregrine’s.

“I suppose whoever comes out of the three of us will fancy their chances playing a division two team, but we’ll look no further than Sunday no matter who we get.”

There are a couple of benefits, though, from

being drawn against two sides who will have just five days’ turnaround time between big championship dates.

“Ballyboden and St Mary’s are out in midweek so we’ll have a good look at them – two first division teams and we know all about them, really.

“Mary’s beat us by two points out there in the league in a game we could have won, and we beat Ballyboden by three points in the last league match. Now, they didn’t have all their Dublin players.

“All we can do is wait and play whoever comes through. We didn’t know who we were going to play but it doesn’t really matter. If you get another first division team, it’ll be tough whoever you get.

“Mary’s were in the semi-finals two years ago and Ballyboden are always a difficult team to beat. We’ll look at their good and bad points and see if we can unlock them on Sunday,” said Deegan.