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YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER

INSIDE: Gemma gets into great shape for her Debs P6-7

Football: Fingallians face crucial play-off ties Page 32

Soccer: 29th team line out for Swords Celtic youths Page 30

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

November 17, 2011

NEW ARRIVALS: The Millfield SC welcomes new stores See Pages 8-9

Kennedy anger at move to defer Metro Q MIMI MURRAY

FINE Gael has been accused of breaking pre-election promises following its decision to postpone the multimillion light rail system Metro North.

Speaking to the Gazette, former Fianna Fail TD Michael Kennedy, condemned the coalition for its decision to mothball the project, saying he had

secured a “commitment of €28m for the enabling works in the budget of 2011 bearing in mind that €200m has been spent to date”.

But, last week, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar, who, in a letter written prior to the February General Election had criticised the Labour Party leader’s stance on the major infrastructural project, was forced to defer the project.

Full Story on Pages 4, 7

Magic moments: Santa is welcomed to the Pavilions JACQUELINE Briton and David

Latham, who are starring in Aladdin, which is currently showing at The Helix, were amongst a parade of colourful characters at The Pavilions to welcome Santa to the

popular centre. Many local families were in attendance to witness the arrival of the man in red and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Full Gallery on Page 10

2 SWORDS GAZETTE 17 November 2011

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‘This is totally unacceptable and has the potential to significantly impact on the local economy and community environment’ --------------------------

“Fingal County Council must retaliate and say no and refuse to cooperate with plans for the super dump and the sewage treatment facility,” he said.

Alternatives Meanwhile, calls for the Minister for Environment, Phil Hogan to engage with the communities of north Dublin to seek alternatives to the proposal for a “monster” wastewater treatment plant were made in a special Dail debate by Brendan Ryan, Labour Party TD, for Dublin North.

“The communities of north County Dublin have mobilised in an unprecedented manner to voice their resounding opposition to the proposed monster waste water treatment plant planned for North County Dublin,” he said.

Turn to top of page 4

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A NO Metro Nor th should mean no to a waste water treatment plant or super dump for Dublin North.

That’s according to Fianna Fail councillor Darragh Butler, who told the Gazette that Fingal County Council should refuse to cooperate with plans for a super dump and sewage treatment facility.

“They expect to dump on Fingal and North County Dublin by giving us the rubbish projects whilst the south-side of Dublin continues to get the best of transport systems.

Dublin North Fianna Fail Senator Darragh O’Brien rowed in behind his Swords colleague saying: “I am extremely concerned about the agenda being pursued by the Government at the moment, which has rowed back on the significant job creation project that is Metro North and simultaneously push to have Fingal be the sewage treatment hub for the entire east coast.

“This is totally unacceptable and has the potential to significantly impact on the local economy and community environment.”

€2 Trevo G 0, r SarP 49 gen 3. t 64

Q MIMI MURRAY swords@gazettegroup.com

€2 Bren LA 2, dan RB 06 yan 4.

98

Anger at ‘rubbish projects’ for Fingal

POLITICS Breakdowns on election spend

€6 Clare SP ,3 Daly 67 .74

METRO NORTH: PLAN PUT ON HOLD BY GOVT

Figures show the General Election campaign expenditure for candidates, with some drawing from public funds, as fully detailed below

General Election costs hit €9.28m Q LAURA WEBB

swords@gazettegroup.com

DUBLIN North candidates spent over €163,000 in election expenses during this year’s General Election campaign.

Figures by the Standard in Public Office (SIPO) revealed a national total of €9.28m was expended by candidates and political parties in the 2011 campaign.

This is almost 16% less than the €11.08m figure reported during the 2007 General Election, even though 100 more candidates ran in 2011.

The nine candidates in the Dublin North constituency spent a total of €163,224.88 Of those elected, Labour Party’s Brendan Ryan, spent the highest at €22,064.98.

In his expenditure summary, Ryan’s election expenses include spend-

ing €9,825.90 on election posters and €8,037.96 on other election material such as newsletters and leaflets.

He also assigned €13,560 of his allowance to the party.

Fine Gael’s Alan Farrell spent a total of €19,814.24.

On election posters he spent €7,198.85 and €11,856.12 on other election material, such as canvass cards and flyers.

He assigned an allowance of €17,718 to his party, receiving €2,045 of that in return.

His party colleague, who topped the poll, Dr James Reilly, spent €19,786.88 and allocated €17,718, receiving €3,741 of that in return.

Included in his expenses was €9,303.55 for election posters and €6,009.83 on other election materials.

Clare Daly of the

Socialist Party spent the least out of those elected with a total of €6,367.74.

She also allocated €7,500 of her allowance to the party, receiving €6,841.14 in return.

Any expenditure originally met from public funds was reimbursed by all candidates, stated the SIPO report.

Of those not elected, Labour Par ty’s Tom Kelleher spent the most.

His total expenditure was €26,900. He also allocated €9,412.50 of his allowance to the party.

Fianna Fail’s Michael Kennedy’s overall total came to €22,778.42.

His allocation to his party was €14,860, receiving €1,823.88 of that in return.

His party colleague, Darragh O’Brien, spent €21,202 and allocated some €15,060 of his allowance to the party.

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

Nationally, Fine Gael and its candidates were reported to have the highest expenditure --------------------------------------------------------

Green Party candidate Trevor Sargent spent €20,493.64 and Independent candidate Dr Mark Harrold spent €3,816.98.

Nationally, Fine Gael and its candidates were reported to have the highest expenditure at €3,120,238.

Following them in second place were Fianna Fail with an expenditure cost of €2,138,793, the Labour Party in third with a total of 1,956,813 and then non-par ty occurred expenditure of €1,141,176.

Sinn Fein reported €496,928, The Green Party €241,789, Socialist Party €85,124, People Before Profit Alli-

ance €47,757, Christian S o l i d a r i t y € 2 0 ,114 , South Kerry Independent Alliance €15,347 and the lowest was the Workers Party at €11,987.

The election period began with the dissolution of the Dail on February 1, 2011, and ended on polling day February 25, 2011.

The figures represent expenditure on property, goods, or services used for election purposes during the election period.

Statutory expenditure limits in place for the recent General Election were €30,150 (3 seater), €37,650 (4-seater) and 45,200 (5-seater).

17 November 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 3

EVENT: MCCABES PHARMACY HONOURED AT CHAMBER EXCELLENCE AWARDS

COURTS ‘Tiger kidnapping’ trial continues

Accused offered witness protection GARDAI investigating a €2.28m “tiger kidnapping” offered a place on the witness protection programme to one of the two men now accused of taking part in the robbery.

David Byrne (39) , of Old Brazeel Way, Knocksedan, Swords, and Niall Byrne (29), of Crumlin Road Flats, Crumlin Road, are alleged to have been members of a gang that held Paul Richardson, a Securicor worker, and his family hostage as part of a raid in March 2005.

Sharen McCabe, managing director, McCabes Pharmacy with Elaine O’Neill, manager, McCabes Pharmacy, Pavilions

Top award for pharmacy MCCABES Pharmacy at the Pavilions Shopping Centre has won the prestigious Customer Service Excellence Award – Multiple Sector at the Fingal Dublin Chamber Business Excellence Awards 2011.

Store manager, Elaine O’Neill, was also shortlisted as Manager of the Year at the Retail Excellence Ireland Awards, where the Pavilions branch was named in the top 25 stores nationwide.

Discussing the awards, Elaine said: “We are delighted to win the Customer Service Award at the Fingal Dublin Chamber Awards. Our customers are the most important element of our pharmacy and our team works extremely

hard to ensure that customer service is central to everything we do.

As a family pharmacy, McCabes Pharmacy has always had good customer service as the number one priority and the award is a credit to each and every member of staff. This month we’re celebrating 25 years in Swords so it’s a great milestone for the company.

“To have our store selected in the top 25 stores nationwide by Retail Excellence Ireland is also great news and I was honoured to be shortlisted in the top five managers nationwide. We will continue to provide top class pharmacy services to the community of Fingal”, Elaine said.

McCabes Pharmacy Pavilions was presented with the Fingal Dublin Chamber Customer Ser vices Award at a Gala Awards Presentation Evening in the Crowne Plaza Northwood Dublin Hotel.

The Fingal Dublin Chamber Business Excellence Awards celebrate business excellence in the Fingal Region and pay tribute to the talent, drive, innovation and success of the business community in the area.

T h e Aw a r d s a r e organised annually by the Fingal Dublin Chamber and recognise the efforts of companies to promote excellence in the quality of their products, services and customer care.

Both men have pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to falsely imprisoning the Richardson family at Ashcroft, Raheny, on March 13 and 14, 2005, and to robbing Paul Richardson and Securicor of €2,280,000 on the same date. A number of gardai investigating the raid gave evidence of arresting and interviewing Niall Byrne in April 2005.

Mr Feargal Kavanagh SC, defending Niall Byrne, asked Detective Garda Malachy Dunne if

he had invited Mr Byrne to come onto the witness protection programme.

Det Gda Dunne replied: “It would have come up in the course of one of the interviews.”

He agreed that Mr Byrne didn’t take up the offer and that he told gardai that he had nothing to do with the abductions and robbery.

Garda Superintendent Angela Willis, told Mr Dominic McGinn SC, prosecuting, she found €2,750 in cash in a bedroom during a search of Niall Byrne’s home in

Drimnagh in April, 2005.

She said also found airline tickets to Lanzarote and these, along with the cash, were seized.

Detective Garda Patrick Flood agreed with Mr Kavanagh that a man called Christy Corcoran has already been convicted for his part in the raid and that he was outside the Securicor depot in Rialto on the day of the robbery.

Det Gda Flood added: “I suspected Niall Byrne played a part in this crime.”

The trial continues.

4 SWORDS GAZETTE 17 November 2011

PROJECT Traffic and an impact on market gardens worrying locals

Concern over impact of proposed monster plant Continued from page 2

DEPUTY Ryan explained why the people of north County Dublin are opposed to such a project: “First of all, there are the very valid environmental considerations: The proposed monster plant would process up to 1,000 litres of sewage per

minute from Dublin and surrounding counties similar to the capacity of the Ringsend plant in Dublin.

“The negative impact the Ringsend plant has had on the environment of the surrounding landscape and seascape in Dublin Bay has been well documented.”

The Dublin North TD also

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‘The negative impact the Ringsend plant has had on the environment has been well documented’ ------------------------------------------------------------------

cited traffic concerns relating to the proposed plant and the possible impact on the area’s market garden

industry saying: “To quote one constituent of mine, who wished to have her objection read into the pub-

lic record: ‘Who would buy food grown near a monster sewage plant?’

Minister Hogan was represented in the Dail by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney, who said he recognised the conviction with which Deputy Ryan made his case on behalf of the people of north Dublin.

But, responding on the Minister’s behalf he said that it was inappropriate for the Minister Hogan to comment on this proposal at this stage, as it may prejudice the role of the Department of the Environment, when it will have a statutory role to play further along in the process.

METRO NORTH: MINISTER SAYS WE JUST CAN’T AFFORD IT

Postponement of rail project disappoints Q MIMI MURRAY

Labour Party TD for Dublin North, Brendan Ryan, said he was not surprised that the project has been deferred

BIT TER disappointment has been expressed across the political spectrum this week over the Government’s decision to postpone the multimillion light rail system Metro North project.

The man who made the final decision on the project’s future, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar, said he was “more disappointed than any-

one about the deferral of Metro North and other projects”.

But, speaking to the Gazette, he said the decision had been “necessary”.

“We just can’t afford these projects in the current economic environment. The decision was taken with the unanimous support of all Fine Gael and Labour Ministers.”

And he warned that “further unpopular decisions will have to be made in coming months. All Government TDs must stay strong and stand together. Our country’s future depends on it”.

Meanwhile, Labour Party TD for Dublin North, Brendan Ryan, said he was not surprised that the project has been deferred, but he is “bitterly disappointed”.

“I strongly believe investment in key infrastructural projects, which would have a long-term gain for communities and businesses, is vital at this time. Metro North is one such project.”

The Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016: Medium Term Exchequer Framework report articulates that Metro North has been postponed for consideration in advance of the next capital programme, which will be drawn up in 2015 and will cover the period from 2016 onwards.

“It is a disappointing day for the people of Swords who will remain

Fine Gael has been accused of breaking pre-election promises in relation to the delivery of Metro North. In a letter written prior to the February General Election by now Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, he criticised Labour Party Leader Eamon Gilmore for saying the light rail system should be “shot back” adding: “This is less than wholehearted support for Swords and Metro North.”

bereft of a rail link for the foreseeable future and consigned to the heavy traffic along the M1 corridor. I will continue to support Metro North to ensure that this deferral is indeed just that, a deferral and not a cancellation. I am encouraged that the report does assure people that Metro North remains a key element of the over-

all integrated transport strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, and will be progressed when fiscal and market conditions improve,” he said.

Michael Kennedy, former TD, has also condemned the FG/Lab Govt for its decision to abandon the project.

“As a TD in the 30th Dail, I made a commit-

ment to the people of Swords and north Dublin that I would do my utmost to ensure that this project would be completed. I secured a commitment of €28 million for the enabling works in the budget of 2011, bearing in mind that €200 million has been spent to date.

Turn to Page 7

17 November 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 5

FCC Poster helping to make people stop and think

Campaign to stamp out chewing gum swords@gazettegroup.com

A SUCCESSFUL campaign to reduce the amount of chewing gum littering local towns and cities is continuing next year, with a further threeyear enhanced campaign to raise awareness of gum litter.

Each year, Fingal County Council spends approximately €3.5 million removing litter, graffiti and chewing gum from the streets. Over the last few years, FCC has been involved in the Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) initiative 2006-2009.

The success of the campaign has led to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government to come together with the chewing gum industry again for a further threeyear enhanced campaign beginning 2012.

According to a spokesperson for FCC, the success of this campaign demonstrates the direct linkage between increased awareness and reduced levels of littered gum on our streets.

In a council report, it states: “Research carried out on behalf of the GLT by Millward Brown Lansdowne showed that

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Elements of the new campaign include radio and poster advertising, responsible disposal messaging on-pack and on television advertising --------------------------

the perception of chewing gum as litter increased from 79% in 2007 to 89% in 2009 and in 2009 59% claim that the GLT poster has already made them stop dropping gum on the street or is very/ fairly likely to make them stop compared to 52% in 2008.

“Furthermore, the significance of a litter fine, and particularly the effect of enforcement officers in these times of recession, has increased with 51% claiming that, in 2008, enforcement officers issuing fines had already made them stop dropping gum or were very or fairly likely to make them stop dropping gum. In 2009 the comparable figure was 65%,” the council

report said.

The report outlines that these changes in attitude are also reflected in changed behaviour. “Littered gum was monitored in Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Galway. A tailored, littered gum monitoring methodology was used and agreed by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the national litter monitoring body, Tobin Consulting Engineers, who verified the monitoring surveys. In 2009 the GLT achieved a reduction of 37% in littered gum. This is a 57% baseline litter monitoring reduction year on year.”

Elements of the new campaign include radio and poster advertising, responsible disposal messaging on-pack and on television advertising, as well as an expanded education campaign across schools.

Interactive elements to the campaign include the inclusion of an online game on the GLT website, and the utilisation of social networking websites and other channels to highlight the socially desirable aspects of responsible gum disposal.

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The new campaign will include this poster

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Getting the big picture Cormac Curtis test drives the Skoda Yeti

MOTORING PAGE 19

6 SWORDS GAZETTE 17 November 2011

FastNews

Council won’t be taking any action THE council will not be taking any action against the owners of a property in Castlefarm, which one councillor said was derelict and has a tree in its garden that is dwarfing a neighbouring property. Fianna Fail councillor Darragh Butler, asked the council what action could be taken, but Fingal County Council replied that: “There are no signs of dereliction and the number of trees on this site appeared to be in good condition, the trees are on private property, it is a civil matter between the neighbours.”

Road hoped to be done by March end

GET YOUR

IT’S hoped that the reinstatement of the Beaverstown Road will be completed by the end of March.

The road has undergone sewage works and several Swords councillors bandied together at a recent Balbriggan/Swords area committee meeting to ask of a likely time frame for its completion.

The council said: “Although the pipeline construction work on the Beaverstown road has recently been completed, the pipeline has not yet been tested or commissioned. On successful completion of these tests, the temporary reinstatement will be replaced with permanent reinstatement.”

PEOPLE Girl’s determination to beat the

Motivation Clinic helps Gemma to drop nine stone --------------------------

LOSING nine stone is no easy feat, but that is what Dubliner Gemma Davis did in order to be able to fit into her Debs’ dress.

Gemma was carrying an unhealthy weight of 24½ stone at the age of 16. “I was sad all the time, had no energy and felt like I couldn’t go anywhere without being stared at,”

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she said.

Gemma was going into 6th year in school, preparing for her Leaving Cert with the debs’ ball to look forward to the following September.

But Gemma hated shopping for clothes, let alone looking for a debs’ dress that could fit her. She was unhappy within herself and she didn’t like the way she looked or felt.

These feelings are more common than we’d like to believe. According to a recent Slan lifestyle study, one-in-four or 40% of the Irish population is overweight with 23% classed as obese. These shocking statistics are costing the country €1.6 billion annually in health supports to treat obesityrelated diseases. This does not include a decrease in productivity due to illness and workdays lost, premature mortality or the intangible costs, such as impaired quality of life. In addition, obesity in Irish children aged five to 12 is one of the highest in the world at 10%.

Gemma attributes taking control of her life to Motivation Weight Management Clinics in Swords. Like many others, Gemma reached the stage that she knew she couldn’t go on feeling the way she did anymore.

Her family and parents were extremely worried about her. Gemma says: “My sister saw the ad for Motivation and rang up for me because she was worried about my health and how it would affect me as I went into my 20s.

‘I was shocked to see that I could eat lots of food whereas before I started I was skipping breakfast and then eating all the wrong foods later in the day’ --------------------------

I was nervous about starting the programme as I had tried lots of diets before with my sisters and my Mam but nothing ever worked.”

Motivation Weight Management Clinics believe that the secret to weight loss and longterm weight management lies in the way we think.

Programme founder, Dr Maurice Larocque says: “When you treat obesity by means of a diet or exercise you are merely treating the symptoms of the condition.” Dr Larocque believes that there are two treatments where “one is losing the weight and dieting is appropriate for that, but weight maintenance is only achieved by dealing with the behaviour and attitude behind the problem.”

Gemma found the oneto-one consultations each week also really helped her motivation. Gemma believes this really helped her as a teenager to discuss her emotions in private. “At my visit each week, my weight loss con-

Gemma, before she decided to become healthier and lose weight, and (right) looking fabulous at her Debs

sultant provided me with a safe place to discuss my deepest issues about my weight and gave me the confidence and belief I could succeed.

“I was shocked to see that I could eat lots of food whereas, before I started, I was skipping breakfast and then eating all the wrong foods later in the day. Within a couple of weeks I noticed a major change in my attitude towards food. I haven’t looked back since I started the programme.

I’m a new person now, I’ve lots more confidence in myself, I’m much happier

and I feel great. I still have a little bit more weight to lose but I know it’s only a matter of time before I reach my ultimate goal.

“I recently had my debs ball in September and I felt a million dollars. The compliments and praise I got were overwhelming.

It gave me another confidence boost to know that I achieved what I wanted and that was to be a healthy weight for my debs. My life is going really well now, I have a new inner confidence, I am in college and looking forward to celebrating my 18th birthday next year.”

17 November 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 7

weighting game for Debs

METRO €4 billion project is put on hold

Previous government is blamed for derailment Continued from page 4

“JAMES REILLY and his colleagues gave commitments in the 2011 General Election campaign that Metro North was a priority project - where is their promises now?” However, Fine Gael’s Alan Farrell blames the previous government for the Metro project being derailed.

“Unfortunately, the reality of what this Government has inherited is a severe cut in investment capital which is vital for the deliv-

ery of a €4bn project such as Metro North.

“Capital for infrastructure has been significantly cut due to the incompetent budgetary planning of our predecessors, and, since the Minister took office in March of this year, the people of Dublin North have been given unprecedented honesty about the future of the project.

“This is a significant shift in direction from being hoodwinked for political gain by [former] government back-bench representa-

tives who will, no doubt, use this announcement as another opportunity to wash their hand of all that has gone wrong.

“It was clear from our first week in office that the previous government had no realistic means or resources to complete this €4bn project, yet proceeded to spend millions in the planning and development stages.

“It begs the question as to whether the Minister continued to proceed with expensive planning stages for reasons to do with incompetence or political gain.”

8 SWORDS GAZETTE 17 November 2011

EVENT Vero Moda, Jack & Jones, Vila, Only and Name It

New arrivals at centre

HERE was good news for local shoppers recently when Millfield Shopping Centre welcomed the arrival of five new fashion stores to its Balbriggan site. Vero Moda, Jack & Jones, Vila, Only and Name It, all had some great opening offers for lucky shoppers and the first 200 customers into each store received a complimentary goodie bag.

There was also a competition in which one lucky winner will receive a â‚Ź1,000 shopping spree across the five stores. DJ and Big Brother 11 contestant Keeva Guilfoyle, was on the decks spinning some great tunes that added to the party atmosphere at the popular centre.

T

Joshua Karabegovic, Sean O’Neill, Hannah Karabegovic and Grainne Sherlock. Pictures: Una Williams

Grainne Maguire

Keeva Guilfoyle spins the tunes for the grand opening

Lucy, Donal, Sean, Kianna and Arwen

Linda Goodman and Miriam King

17 November 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 9

open their new stores at Millfield Shopping Centre

Holly Karabegovic outside Jack & Jones

Peter Carey and Aisling Cleary

Ella and Leah Taggart get stylish

The crew from the Name It shop, Sarah Power, Claire Doyle, Lisa McCabe, Michelle O’Daly and Susan O’Connor

10 SWORDS GAZETTE 17 November 2011

EVENT Santa Claus takes up his residency in Pavilions

Santa Claus at his new home in Pavilions

The man in red arrives HE Pavilions in Swords held a very special event recently when they welcomed the Big Guy in red to the delight of local children. The fantastic festive Santa parade made its way from the upper level in front of Dunnes Stores around the mall heading back to the Santa Hut where the traditional countdown took place. The parade featured a brilliant band who were joined by elves and characters from Aladdin which is currently showing at The Helix in DCU. After his long trip from the North Pole Santa said he was delighted to be in Swords and was looking for ward to meeting all the local children.

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Santa’s helpers, Dawn Norton, Ciara Nolan and Chris O’Callaghan. Picture: Una Williams

Rebecca Kenny

Shauna and Keeva Byrne

Leila and Vidmantas Povilaitis Jacqueline Briton and David Latham

Esther Halpin, Frank Mackey and Widow Twankey

The band play some festive tunes

Rebecca, Katelyn and Jessica Moriarty

17 November 2011 GAZETTE 11

AWARDS Accepting their Oscar Wilde Gold Medals

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It’s all about Belfast: For history buffs and all music lovers

Dublin students Roslyn Steer, Katie Hill, Laura Sinnott, Deasun O’Riain and Joan Redmond display their Oscar Wilde Gold Medals

Five Dubliners top the class Q STAFF REPORTER

FIVE Dublin students have each been named among the 23 winners of the Undergraduate Awards, an awards programme open to undergraduate students on the island of Ireland and, recently, the USA. They were each awarded the Oscar Wilde Gold Medal for academic excellence by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, at the Undergraduate Awards Ceremony held at Dublin Castle on Friday, October 28.

Trinity College Dublin graduate, Joan Redmond of Castleknock, Co Dublin, won the Historical Studies category for her essay, Religious Violence and the 1641 Rebellion:

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They were each awarded the Oscar Wilde Gold Medal for Academic Excellence --------------------------

Divided Communities in Seventeenth-Century Cavan.

Originally from Killiney Co. Dublin, University College Cork graduate, Roslyn Steer, won the Modern Cultural Studies category for her essay, The Influence of Music on Modernist Literature.

University College Dublin graduate, Deasun O Riain, was the winner of the Celtic Studies &

Irish category for his essay, “An Dirbheathaisneis sa Ghaeilge: Mo Bhealach Fein.

Laura Sinnott, from Swords, Co Dublin, also a Trinity College Dublin graduate, won the Languages & Linguistics category for her essay, The audio-visual juxtaposition of Günter Grass’ Die Blechtrommel.

Katie Hill, from Monkstown, Dublin, won the Nursing & Midwifery category for her essay, Paediatric Palliative Care in Ireland. Katie is currently in her final year at Trinity College Dublin.

There were 2,381 submissions to the 2011 Undergraduate Awards programme of which 23 winners were selected.

SEE TRAVEL PAGES 22-23

12 GAZETTE 17 November 2011

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DIARY

Stories from around the capital

Take care of your mind FORMER Dublin captain Paul Griffin will be at the Hilton Dublin Airport, Northern Cross, on November 22 and the Radisson Blue St Helen’s in Stillorgan on Wednesday, November 23, to promote positive mental health.

He will be discussing the role that mind management can have in enhancing performance and overcoming adversity. Paul will speak about the important role positive thinking played as he suffered setbacks in his playing career with serious injuries over the past two seasons.

With an estimated 400,000 people in Ireland experiencing depression at any one time, the Lean on Me campaign, supported by Lundbeck Ireland and Aware, was developed to encourage better understanding of the condition, encourage friends and family to provide support to those affected, and encourage them to seek treatment if necessary.

Paul will be joined by Caroline Currid, a performance coach and sports psychologist. She

Rugby star Alan Quinlan and sports psychologist Caroline Currid launch the Lean on Me campaign

will discuss some practical tools and techniques for managing a healthy mind, many of which are regularly used by professional sports people on and off the pitch.

“There are simple techniques that sports stars use which can be adopted by men and women of all ages to help them manage their thoughts and maintain a healthy, positive mind.

Alan Quinlan might look big and tough, but he has to work just as hard as everyone else to maintain a positive outlook,” she

said.

The events are free of charge but pre-registration is required.

Log on to www.leanonme.net for more information.

Beer matching at Siam Thai SIAM Thai, in Dundrum Town Centre, was the setting for an exciting evening of food, laughter and beers.

Heineken Ireland is bringing beer and food together in some

top restaurants in Dublin this November in an effort to show people the wonderful marriage that these two make.

With the global trend of beer and food matching arriving in restaurants across Ireland, beer is fast becoming a drink of choice when it comes to eating out.

Beer, with its natural ingredients of hops, barley and water is the perfect accompaniment to food, both savoury and sweet.

From banoffee pie with Paulaner to Thai Pork Curry with Birra Moretti and Affligem with crème brulee, beer and food really complement each other.

We sampled massaman curry with Sol and Sweet and Sour chicken with Zywiec. The event was hosted by a lovely lady who knew lots in the way of beer and food matching and taught all guests how to sample beer, much in the same way as wine.

Log on to thisisbeer.ie for beer and food matching opportunities at home and for details of the next beer and food matching event.

17 November 2011 GAZETTE 13

14 GAZETTE 17 November 2011

WE HAVE 146,000* READERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY Taking good care of your

CALL 60 10 240

and won’t harm or damage even the most irritable skin.

Olive oil is rich in vitamin E, which nourishes and softens the skin and stimulates skin microcirculation.

Olive oil also promotes the elimination of toxins and protects the skin against free radicals.

Ziaja’s natural formulas have been designed to be slowly absorbed into the skin, offering long-lasting moisturising action, and can be used by the whole family and by infants from the first month onwards.

Why not try Ziaja’s Natural Olive Cream Light €5.99, an antioxidant-rich, light-weight formula combining natural olive oil and shea butter extract (a natural UV blocker) that leaves dry, tired skin feeling smooth,

Ziaja’s natural olive formulations soften and hydrate dehydrated skin

radiant and conditioned all day long. It’s beneficial for all skin types and can be used as a make-up base.

For the ultimate body moisturiser, check out

Ziaja’s Natural Olive body Butter, €7.99, which is an ultra-nourishing body butter that specifically fits the bill for treating dry winter skin.

It can be used as a

daily care product, and when it is applied generously, it will leave the skin soft, supple and delicately scented. True moisturising alchemy, it slows down skin aging

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LOCAL BUSINESS

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ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OUR READERS

IT’S pretty much inconceivable to cook without olive oil in today’s world and, for thousands of years, olives have been used in skin care because of their incredible ability to increase moisture levels and improve skin elasticity.

Just as our Mediterranean counter par ts have used olives in their cooking for centuries, so too have they in their skincare, using this luscious oil to form the basis of many of their hair and skincare beauty rituals.

Ziaja’s natural olive formulations are a gentle and effective way to soften and hydrate dehydrated skin, even in the delicate eye and lip areas. This natural-based face and body range is suitable for all skin types,

CALL THE GAZETTE ON

60 10 240

17 November 2011 GAZETTE 15

Edited by Dawn Love

skin … even when shaving due to its high vitamin E content and antioxidant action. Use on the whole body, including elbows, knees and other areas that require intensive regeneration.

The total shave

Everyone loves stocking fillers, particularly thoughtful, useful pressies.

So, if you are on the look-out for something different to finish off dad’s, or your other half’s stocking, then check out Total Shaving Solution.

This cult shaving oil is Irish and 100% natural, and will radically enhance his daily shaving experience.

With Total Shaving Solution, he can say goodbye to painful nicks, cuts, razor rash and even in-grown hairs. This one-

step shaving oil preps skin before shaving and also provides a highly protective and lubricating barrier during shaving, enabling the closest shave possible without cutting the skin, leaving skin supple, moisturised and soothed.

Total Shaving Solution combines a careful blend of natural essential oils chosen for their therapeutic and antiinflammatory properties, including sesame seed, soya bean, grape seed, clove bud, lavender and menthol.

Founded by Tom Murphy in 1994 after he was made redundant, the County Mayo native, who enjoyed a successful 20-year career in the pharmaceutical industry, decided to take the plunge and set up a new

business.

Like millions of men, Tom loathed shaving and the inevitable daily nicks, cuts and razor rashes.

He wanted to create a breakthrough shaving solution that put an end to the chores and sores of having to shave each day.

The result was Total Shaving Solution – a 100% natural and breakthrough shaving oil, which dramatically prevents dry skin, rashes, nicks, cuts and ingrown hairs.

Total Shaving Solution is priced €5.39 for 10ml and 10.99 for €25 ml and is available from pharmacies and groceries nationwide and is also available to purchase online too. Visit www. totalshave.com

Cowshed’s new ranges for mother and baby COWSHED’S Udderly Gorgeous Maternity range and Baby Cow Organics range are now available on the Irish market. Since its launch in 1998, Cowshed’s philosophy has been to create a complete range of honest, natural and therapeutic products, using the best organic and wild crafted plants.

The Udderly Gorgeous range is 100% natural and made from wild-crafted Sea Buckthorn Oil and rich in vitamins, carotenes, minerals and fatty acids, to provide your skin with all the nourishment it needs.

The Baby Cow Organics range is made from Meadowfoam Oil and is specially formulated to pamper, protect and soothe baby’s delicate skin.

The Udderly Gorgeous Maternity Range includes products such as Udderly Gorgeous Stretch-mark Oil €19.95 (a must for any mumto-be), Udderly Gorgeous Bath and Shower Gel €15.95, Udderly Gorgeous Stretch-mark Balm €23.95 and Udderly Gorgeous Cooling Leg and Foot Treatment €17.95 (this is simply great for any fluid retention you might develop during

Total Shaving Solution shaving oil is 100% natural and preps skin before shaving

pregnancy).

16 GAZETTE 17 November 2011

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC Competition: U2 can win Achtung Baby special edition ANOTHER 20-year anniversary comes this month with the celebration of U2’s reinvention and opening of the second age of their career with the release in 1991 of Achtung Baby, and we have five copies to give away.

Simply answer the following question: What was the name of the studio in Berlin where the album was recorded?

Send your answer to competition@ gazettegroup.com, with the subject line “Achtung”, before Friday, November 25, or log on to our Facebook page at www. facebook.com/gazettenews, and like and share the U2 post on your wall.

REVIEW: FIRST WHOLE-CAREER COMPILATION FOR REM

End of the world arrives

Q ROB HEIGH

THERE comes a moment in every band’s career when it is right to let go of the reins and call time on what has been a good run.

REM announced last month that the time has come to close the book on what has been an epic, three-decade career.

Having been there for a good part of that journey, listening to the full-stop that is Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage, a 40-track compilation of the band’s greatest hits from their 15 studio albums, is a rollercoaster ride of memories of the good times, and the less-good times, spent with a band who redefined American indie

music, inspired a whole generation, and deservedly sold millions of records around the world.

The two-disc set is a fascinating ride down memory lane, as well as an insight into REM’s progression as a band.

From the Byrds-ian, Glen Campbell-esque opening run of Gardening At Night to Life And How To Live It, to the point where they hit their stride in the feedback-driven intro to Begin The Begin, through the bubblegum pop of Shiny Happy People and Man On The Moon, the record chimes and chimes again what a great band REM were in their prime.

Aguably, they were never the same after the departure of founder member, Bill Berry, in

1997, but among what were sometimes patchy, sometimes inspired, albums that came after their best, New Adventures In Hi-Fi, are some pretty incredible songs.

Their decision to quit is undeniably sad, but this collection shows their ability to turn their hands to a variety of styles, and one of the joys is reading the liner notes, as each band member recalls the times, circumstances and inspirations that led to such an impressive oevre.

Their ability to merge the influences of their Southern youth with the inflections of the great guitar bands of the late Sixties and early Seventies, and their understanding of what makes a timeless pop song will be their

REM call time on 31 years with compilation album

legacy, something other acts should aspire to.

A 40-track run through of 15 albums will inevitably miss some of their finest moments, so I heartily recommend catching up with the extended edi-

tions of the IRS releases, Out Of Time, the aforementioned Adventures, and their swansong, Collapse Into Now, which meant that REM will exit the stage on a deserved high.

17 November 2011 GAZETTE 17

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP OUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS PROTECTED

Keeping pets safe during extreme cold IT’S winter time folks, oh yes, the frigid air is barreling towards us and we’re busily raiding the garden sheds for shovels and salt in preparation for winter; so, in the spirit of Jack Frost, let me ask you a few questions.

Do you don your winter woollies, break out the old Ugg boots and add a trendy scarf to your daily wardrobe? Yes! Ooh, then you’re probably like me and love the unique seasonal quality that comes with the fact you can layer up and no longer feel the need to wax your legs. Bliss.

However, let’s hope you also paws, (sorry) to take precautions when it comes to your pet’s seasonal requirements because it’s important

to keep our four-legged friends warm and protected during the cold snap.

Below are some of my top tips. Read them, you never know, they may come in handy.

Dog and cats • Make sure your pet has access to fresh drinking water and food.

• If walking your dog, wear warm, reflective clothing and get Fido a reflective collar and lead also.

• Watch for dogs’ and cats’ paws becoming impacted with snow – this can cause discomfort.

• Make sure your cat wears a reflective, safety collar.

• Make sure your pet sleeps indoors, especially during extreme tempera-

• Keep a close eye on pets sleeping by the fire; they could burn if they get too close.

Pet birds • Birds should be placed in a draught-free spot and well away from a heater.

• Make sure your bird has access to fresh drinking water.

Make sure your dogs paws don’t become impacted with snow

tures and raise their bedding off the ground so they don’t catch a chill from the cold, damp floor.

• Cats prefer to be snuggled up indoors and a comfortable chair or basket can make the perfect bed for your feline friend.

• Watch out for hypothermia or a body temperature that falls below nor-

mal for your pet. Cats in particular are at risk here, especially if they already suffer with poor circulation or are exposed to cold conditions. If Kitty shows signs of depression, weakness, lethargy, begins to shiver and stops responding to you, wrap her up, keep her warm and ring your vet immediately.

Outdoor pets If you have a rabbit or guinea pig it’s important you move the hutch to a sheltered area like a shed or garage. Better still, move to a downstairs loo or cloak room.

• Make sure they have plenty of warm, fresh bedding to snuggle down in and change it regularly. Do not, under any circumstances, use cut

grass as a form of bedding as moulds and fungi can build up and create a toxic atmosphere that can prove fatal for your pet.

• Rabbits and guinea pigs will naturally eat more in the winter so they have extra fat to help them stay warm; make sure you give them plenty of food, fresh vegetables and fresh water.

Make sure the water doesn’t freeze in the water bottle.

Feeding birds In sub-zero temperatures, wild birds have difficulty finding food. An extra bit of care from you will see them through the winter. Wild bird seed, peanuts and suet slabs are widely available in shops and garden centres.

Frozen Ponds If you have a pond in your garden, check it each day for ice. Toxic gases can build up in the water when it’s frozen. This may kill fish or frogs hibernating at the bottom of it.

• Dog owners must keep pets well away from ponds and lakes that have frozen over. Thin ice may break under your dog’s weight. If you must allow your dog near open water, then stay with him at all times.

For more information, check out www.dspca.ie or email me at miriam. kerins@dspca.ie For more information, log onto www.dspca.ie or email miriam.kerins@ dspca.ie

18 GAZETTE 17 November 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs INTEREST-FREE OPTION ON OPEL PASSENGER CARS OPEL Ireland has announced a very attractive finance offer for all new Opel passenger cars.

Financed through Credit Opel and underwritten by permanent tsb Finance Ltd., Opel’s 0% Flexible Finance offer gives customers the chance to buy a car without paying one cent of interest.

Customers choose the Opel car they want, and then select their deposit range from between 30 – 50%, with the term ranging from 12–48 months.

New Opel customers will also reap the benefits of Opel’s new four-year/100,000km Full Warranty plan.

Customers can choose their new Opel Astra, Corsa, Insignia or Meriva in tax band A (in diesel and/or petrol models); with annual road tax of just €104.

The best Skoda Yeti?

The practical, yet charming, Skoda Yeti brought out the inner boy racer in CORMAC CURTIS, who got more drive than he was expecting HEN it comes to cars that are designed to carry a combination of people, luggage, cargo and/or recreational equipment – it rarely transpires that the result is something that is a heap of fun to drive and has a boot-load of character in the looks department!

But, I must admit, the latest 4x4 incarnation of the Skoda Yeti comes dangerously close to achieving both.

I recently had a long weekend to put the Yeti 4x4 Ambition through its paces in the not-too-extreme environment of Dublin City. But, let’s face it, most people who buy any kind of SUV will only need to test its off-road mettle when they get dangerously lost at the Ploughing Championships, or spend too long at the beach to find the tide getting perilously close

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SPECS: SKODA YETI 4X4 AMBITION, 2.0 TDI Top speed: 201km/hr 0 – 100km/hr: 8.4 secs Economy: 5.9l/100km CO2 emissions: 155g/km Annual Road Tax: €302 Price: €29,545

where they parked.

Any way, let’s talk first impressions.

The Yeti is a really attractive, but not a stunning-looking car.

In the same way the Suzuki Swift stole envious glances from MINI owners when it first hit the streets, the Yeti has its own charm. So much so, in fact, that my six-year old asked me: “Is he a happy car? ‘Cos I think he’s smiling!”

You can’t really argue with that kind of affection, can you?

The model I tested was the 2.0TDI 170bhp six-speed manual version – I can’t tell you if the car was happy or not, but I certainly was.

This car has a throaty exhaust note that just begs your inner boy racer to come out for a joyride.

Some clever guy in some secret research laboratory somewhere in car-making land has clearly figured out a way to make modern diesel engines sound like a cross between a Porsche and a Harley-Davidson. That, coupled with the fact that the engine produces 170bhp, means you get a level of fun behind the wheel that you just don’t expect from an SUV such as this.

Moving on to more practical

matters – after all, this car has an awful lot to offer in practical terms – the cabin is a very comfortable affair indeed.

The front passengers enjoy plenty of room, with seats that are incredibly supportive, without being completely rigid.

There was enough space in the back for my two kids in their child seats, but I wouldn’t be too keen on a long journey back there myself.

Having said that, the three rear seats, using Skoda’s VARIOFlex Seating Solution, can be rearranged in an almost endless set of configurations to allow for any combination of passengers and luggage – they can even be removed completely.

Returning to the front, some might consider the dashboard in the Yeti bland, but I found it simple, uncluttered and I liked

the matt finish and brushed aluminium-style accents.

The console boasts an impressive touch-screen interface that controls everything from the Bluetooth connectivity of your mobile phone, to the impressive Columbus satellite navigation that is fitted as standard on all Yeti 4x4 vehicles from 2012.

There are some little letdowns in the Yeti. Anyone shorter than about 5’ 10” will find the visors completely useless when the sun is low in the sky - as my wife was at pains to point out.

And, if I was to really start splitting hairs, I would ask why the ‘ticking’ sound of the indicator is so quiet!

In short, this is a great car from a company that is making huge strides in build-quality, design and value. The model I drove costs €29,545.

New dealer in Dublin for Suzuki SUZUKI Ireland has announced the appointment of Paschal Kennedy Motors Ltd in Dun Laoghaire as a new Suzuki dealership.

The appointment increases the number of Suzuki dealerships in Ireland to 19.

Commenting on the appointment, Wayne Doolan, general manager of Suzuki Ireland said: “We are very happy to be associated with Paschal Kennedy Motors. They have been successfully serving customers in the Dun Laoghaire area

since 1969 and have gone from strength to strength.”

Dealer Principal, David Kennedy, is pleased about this latest development within his business. “This third-generation family business was originally established in the 1920s by my grandfather. Due to fuel shortages, the business was sold during WWII, and was bought back again in 1969. At that time, we concentrated on service and repairs before moving into the sales area,” he said.

“Business grew beyond our expectations, leading to expansion in 1995 in both our site size along with our sales and after-sales facility.”

Paschal will be stocking the complete range of Suzuki vehicles, which includes the Alto, the Splash, the Swift, the SX4 Crossover Range and the Grand Vitara.

Paschal Kennedy Motors is situated on Library Road in Dun Laoghaire – see www.kennedymotors.ie for more details.

David Kennedy and Paschal Kennedy, of Paschal Kennedy Motors, with Michael McBarron (standing) and Wayne Doolan of Suzuki Ireland

17 November 2011 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 17 November 2011

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY DUBLIN 15: RECENTLY UPGRADED PROPERTY FOR €290,000

Four-bedroom peace in the Glade

A mix of classic and contemporary decorations

INTERIORS: CHRISTMAS TIME IS A-COMING

Delectable decorations BELLEEK Living have designed an exclusive Christmas Collection, full of unique gift ideas.

Whether it is surprising that special someone or adding a contemporary touch to your home, the Christmas Collection holds the perfect solution.

Among their special range of decorations, they have a variety of styles, both contemporary and classic, including a Contemporary Nativity Set for €45, a Classic Three Kings Set for €45, and a selection of snowman and snowflake ornaments.

For more information, see www.belleek.ie

SHERRY Fitzgerald, Castleknock, are bringing No. 14, Castleknock G l a d e , a f o u r- b e d semi-detached home that benefits from an upgraded kitchen, bathroom and double glazed windows, to the market for the asking price of €290,000.

T he proper ty also features a 88f t-long rear garden that offers wonderful potential to extend.

The accommodation comprises entrance hall with glazed ceramic floor tiles, a guest WC comprising WHB and WC with a ceramic, tiled floor.

The living room benefits from excellent proportions and a tiled fireplace with a back boiler, and it leads into the dining room, an open plan space with the living room, with access to

the kitchen, with views from a picture window overlooking the long rear garden.

The kitchen features an upgraded solid wood-fitted Shakerstyle kitchen, which is plumbed for a washing machine. The ceramic floor tiling has a feature centre piece, and there is a door to the rear garden.

The master bedroom is a double room to the front of the house and has built-in wardrobes and dressing table, which, along with the other three bedrooms, is well-sized and features built-in wardrobes.

The main bathroom was recently reappointed to comprise a wc, a bath with a shower screen and an electric shower. A wash-hand basin sits above a contemporary style storage

Number 14, Castleknock Glade, is on the market for €290,000

unit.

To t h e f r o n t , t h e driveway is bordered to one side by a neat lawn and it is fully walled.

Side access leads to the phenomenal 88-ft long rear garden laid in lawn. This garden affords obvious potential to extend subject to

planning permission.

The property is located within a five-minute walk of Castleknock Train Station. Castleknock Glade is just a short stroll from Scoil Thomas Primary School and a good selection of local shops.

Castleknock Com-

munity College, Mount Sackville girls’ school and Castleknock College boys’ school are all within close proximity of the property.

To arrange a viewing, contact Michelle Currana at Sherry FitzGerald, Ashleigh Retail Centre on 01 820 1800.

CASTLEKNOCK: FOUR-BEDROOM SEMI-DETACHED FOR €375,000

Secluded living at Brompton Lawn SHERRY FitzGerald, Castleknock, are also bringing No. 23, Brompton Lawn, Castleknock, Dublin 15, a four-bedroom semi detatched property, to the market, with an asking price of €375,000.

This family home in exceptional condition, having clearly been well maintained by its owners.

Situated at the end of a cul-de-sac, this immaculately presented home benefits from a large back garden and ample off-street parking to the front.

The property benefits from well-proportioned accommodation which is designed with comfortable living in mind.

Number 23, Brompton Lawn, Castleknock, is on the market for €375,000

It comprises a large welcoming entrance hallway, an open-plan living/dining room, study, a bright modern open plan kitchen/breakfast room, which features Italian black granite floor tiles. The kitchen is fitted

with an excellent range of white high-gloss units, integrated oven, hob, hob, dishwasher and washing machine. Double doors from the breakfast area lead to the garden and a guest WC. Upstairs, there are four

bedrooms and a family bathroom.

The back garden measures 65ft (approx), it offers a high degree of privacy and is filled with an array of trees, bushes and flowers. There is also a large brick shed. The front

driveway provides excellent off-street parking.

Local facilities are in abundance and include a variety of shops, restaurants, pubs, schools and leisure amenities. It is ideally located within minute’s walk of Roselawn Shopping Centre, Coolmine Train Station and numerous bus routes.

Castleknock, Blanchardstown Village and Town Centre, the Phoenix Park, various golf courses and, most importantly, the M3 and M50 are all in close proximity. There is also an good choice of national and secondary schools locally.

For information, contact Carol Anne Galvin on 01 8201800.

17 November 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Susan O’Dwyer – Chief executive, Make-A-Wish Ireland

Making a difference is dream job for Susan

THE BEST BANK TO HAVE A CURRENT ACCOUNT Q – I have just opened a Bank of Ireland current account and received a 24-page booklet on fees and charges. You would nearly need a degree in Banking to understand all the terms and conditions plus, of course, time.

Where is the best bank to have a current

SUSAN joined Make-A-Wish in October 2006 as development and fundraising manager, and was appointed chief executive in 2009. Since then, she has worked tirelessly with the Foundation in Ireland, helping grant wishes to children across the country.

Make-A-Wish Ireland grants wishes to children between the ages of three and 18 years living with life-threatening medical conditions. Make-AWish receives no Government funding, so totally relies on the generosity of the general public, corporates, groups and associations.

Every wish granted is unique and extremely special to the family involved, allowing them to forget hospitals, treatments, injections and even the illness itself, ensuring that the family creates fantastic memories that will last a lifetime.

Wishes fall into four categories: I wish to have, I wish to go, I wish to meet and I wish to be, with wishes only being limited by the child’s imagination. A wish brings a smile to a child’s face and gives them something to look forward to.

Look out for all of their great Christmas gift ideas this year, which will all be helping to raise money for Make-A-Wish Ireland, from limited edition scarves at Pamela Scott and Candles from the Disney store to music downloads from some of our Celebrity Ambassadors and great MakeA-Wish Merchandise... there is something for everyone.

account and how do you minimise the exorbitant costs ? Alan - Milltown A - Welcome to the real world!

Current accounts are really loss leaders to the banks that operate them but it is a way of reeling you in so that other more profitable products and services can be offered to you.

Even though it is a loss leader, the charges can still be costly – 28c for every transaction or € 11.40 per quarter up to 90 transactions thereafter 28c per transaction.

These costs are outside other charges once overdrafts (€ 25 application fee ), referral fees (€4.44 per day) or unpaids (€ 12.70 for each item sent back) come into the reckoning.

Avoid overdrafts at all costs – they are just not worth it. As regards free banking though, Bank of Ireland DOES offer free banking if - You lodge over € 3,000 per quarter over that three-month period - You MUST make 9 debit payments from the account using Banking 365 and/or go online OR - Maintain € 3,000 in the current account at all times during the quarter AIB Bank at €4.50 per quarter, plus 20c for most other transactions bar cheque and branch transactions (which cost 30c each – they would prefer

Susan O’Dwyer

you using their online facilities) while Permanent

Q&A Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

A: Believe it or not, I wanted to be a Montessori teacher, and now I am the chief executive of a children’s charity

TSB require lodgements of € 3,000 plus 18 card purchases and 1 online transaction to qualify for

When you receive a letter from a wish parent expressing their thanks, you cannot help but be passionate for what we do and want to do more

Q: What was your first job?

A: My very first job was a hol-

Q: What part of your working day do you ‘delegate’?

A: I am lucky to work with a

iday job working behind the counter in the local delicatessen. My first full-time job was working as a secretary for a small firm of accountants

great team at Make-A-Wish and we all work together very closely on a day-to-day basis to ensure we grant as many wishes as possible

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: Too long ago to remember

Q: What sport can you play?

A: I love playing tennis, for

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: I have been working with

me it’s a complete switch-off and a fabulous way to reduce stress. Pilates is my new focus and I try not to miss a class, I also enjoy walking with family, friends and my dogs

Make-A-Wish Ireland since 2006 where I started as fundraising manager and in 2009 I was appointed chief executive

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: Knowing that we are making a difference to very special sick children nationwide is what keeps us motivated.

Q: What is your guilty music/ TV or movie pleasure?

A: I have a few guilty pleasures: (1) curling up on the couch with a mug of tea, bar of chocolate and an oldfashioned movie such as an

Audrey Hepburn film and (2) at Christmas time sitting down for hours at a time doing a Wasjig jigsaw

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: I am an avid follower of @ MakeAWish_ie and Make A Wish Ireland on facebook; I also follow numerous other Irish charities and all of our Make-A-Wish Ambassadors to follow what they are up to

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: I am a cautious spender,

where would be good

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: I am lucky to be working in my dream job. Making a difference in the lives of sick children and their families makes my work so rewarding and is a huge motivator, especially as I am a mother myself.

If I had to choose something else as a dream job, maybe to own my own greeting card shop or run my own Montessori School

but when I shop some of my favourite haunts are Ashanti Gold in Greystones, Peter O’Brien’s collections in Arnotts, Carl Scarpa, Cinders and Dundrum Shopping Centre

Q: Any advice for budding business women out there?

A: Ensure that you have a

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: As long as there is sun-

Staying close to family and friends is imperative as you need time out to keep your focus. Keep positive, and learn to juggle.

shine and I am relaxing with my family and friends, any-

balanced lifestyle, a good support system and, where possible, someone that you can trust as a mentor.

the free banking.

Ulster Bank probably have the best deal currently and you can check for comparisons through the Financial Regulator’s web site - http://www. itsyourmoney.ie/costcomparisons/cs_tab_personal_current_account.htm Don’t forget if you have an aversion to current accounts, you can always pay your bills for free through An Post’s BillPay service – 120 different bills and payable on the drip if necessary in any of the 1,250 post offices ( e.g. pay your € 200 two-monthly ESB bill over 8 weeks at € 25 per week ) Finally, surplus funds should not be left in a current account – the interest rate is 0% ! Better in your pocket.

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

146,000* PEOPLE IN DUBLIN READ OUR PAPERS EACH WEEK *based on standard industry measurements

TO ADVERTISE CALL 60 10 240

22 GAZETTE 17 November 2011

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Belfast bliss for history buffs and all music lovers Leave the winter woes at home with a great Algarve holiday, with a range of options to choose from

A FAVOURITE spot for Irish people, the Algarve is the ideal year-round sun destination.

Concorde Travel feature packages to the idyllic resorts of Albufeira, Alvor, Carvoeiro, Lagos, Portimao/Praia da Rocha, Vale do Lobo/Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura.

Whatever your budget, Concorde Travel has a range of two-star to five-star hotel and apartment options to suit you. With flexible departure dates and holiday durations, as well as departures from Dublin, Cork and Knock to Faro, Concorde Travel now make it even easier to travel to this beautiful holiday hotspot.

The three-star Hotel Praia Sol (Vilamoura), on a bed and breakfast basis, costs from €299, whilst the four-star Vila Gale Ampalius (Vilamoura) costs from €419.

The five-star Hilton Vilamoura, As Cascatas Golf Resort and Spa (Vilamoura) on a bed and breakfast basis, costs from €519.

Prices are per person, based on two sharing, and include flights from Dublin, transfers, sevennight’s accommodation, airport tax and baggage.

Visit www.concordetravel.ie, or telephone 01 775 9300 to find out more.

Norway’s the way to go and see what’s described as the greatest Northern Lights show in 50 years PREPARE for the most spectacular show on earth this winter with a trip to Norway to see the Northern Lights.

With NASA predicting the brightest and most active Northern Lights display for 50 years, now is the time to book this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Four nights in a three-star hotel costs €689, or €759 for four-star accommodation.

The package includes return flights from Dublin to Tromso via Oslo, four nights’ accommodation in a three- or four-star hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, and airline taxes.

Travel between Thursday, December 1 and Thursday, February 28, using the reference: H014-3396.

For further information, or to book this trip, see www.gohop.ie/3396/Cheap-Holidays/NorwayNorthern-Lights-/holiday.html.

MICHAEL HANNAN

AS A regular visitor to Belfast, I thought I had seen much of what the city had to offer, but a stay there during its Music Week, with the MTV Awards in town, gave me a completely new perspective.

After checking in at the luxurious Europa Hotel, and lunch at the nearby Made in Belfast restaurant, our group gathered at the famous Ulster Hall in Bedford Street to begin the Oh Yeah music tour.

The tour is run by the Oh Yeah Music Centre, which was set up in 2005 to help promote talented musicians and rock bands from Northern Ireland.

The Ulster Hall is where, in 1971, Led Zeppelin gave Stairway to Heaven its world premiere.

Our tour took us past the street where Ruby Murray lived. While most people, sadly, only think of her name as the cockney rhyming slang for curry, the 1950s’ singer was the only entertainer to have five singles in British Top20 charts simultaneously.

We went past the Maritime Hotel where, in 1964, a 19-year-old Van Morrison and his band, Them, brought the house down with their classic, Gloria.

We saw his humble origins as we drove past 125 Hynford Street, where he grew up.

A trip past the famous Limelight Bar was next, where, in 1994, Oasis played a gig and, when told their Definitely Maybe album had reached No 1, famously threw off their guitars and, in the guide’s words, “got a wee bit drunk”.

After a visit to the Oh Yeah Music Centre itself, we quenched our thirst at the elegant Duke of York pub, where Gerry Adams previously worked as a

perfection.

Back at the Ulster Hall later that evening for the Benefit Gig for the Alzheimer’s Society, we were treated to more than three hours of timeless punk and rock classics by Divine Comedy, Ash and The Undertones.

Two highlights were the double rendition of The Undertones’ classic, Teenage Kicks, which the late DJ, John Peel, famously played twice in succes-

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

The Titanic Walking Tour guide was witty, engaging and full of ‘useless’ information [about the ship and its building] that a history anorak like myself thrives on --------------------------------------------------------

barman, and stopped to admire the mural in an alleyway across the road depicting many famous Northern Irish personalities.

T he mural was a cross-community effort, between Danny Devenny, an ex- member of the IRA and Maze prisoner, and Mark Ervine, son of the late Progressive Unionist Party leader, David Ervine.

Dinner at The Bar and Grill at James Street South proved to be a great choice, with both the seafood and steaks ordered by our group cooked to

sion on BBC Radio 1.

As if to mirror this, at the end of the concert, all three bands came onstage again to perform the song together. The sight of men in their 50s pogoing wildly to this punk anthem was as memorable as it was humorous.

No trip to Belfast can be complete without taking part in the Titanic Walking Tour.

This takes in the famous Thompson dry-dock and pump house, as well as the berth where the ship had its final fit-out before being launched.

The tour guide was witty,

engaging and full of “useless” information that a history anorak like myself thrives on. For example, the docking berth where the ship would be brought in for repairs would have contained 21 million gallons of water (85 million litres).

This took about 100 minutes to pump out, or the equivalent of two Olympic-sized swimming pools every 60 seconds.

Not bad, for 1912!

After a browse around the St George’s Markets, lunch in the Galley at Belfast Barge was excellent, with my companions’ risotto earning particular plaudits.

A hugely entertaining alternative walking tour of the city, by Terri Hooley, the godfather of the Belfast punk scene, rounded off my trip.

Hooley is a peace campaigner, band promoter and opened the Good Vibrations record shop in 1978, launching such bands as The Undertones, Rudi, and The Outcasts.

He recounted the famous story of when The Clash came to Belfast to perform a gig at the Ulster Hall, only to be told at the last hour that it couldn’t go ahead due to concerns over the insurance costs.

The cancellation sparked a riot by punks of mixed religion waiting outside, who, disgruntled

With so much to enjoy on in Belfast recently, where

at the eleventh-hour cancellation, attempted to rip off the doors to get inside.

As Hooley puts it: “It didn’t matter if you were Protestant or Catholic, as long as you were a punk.

It was a strangely unifying experience.”

Speaking of experiences, there are plenty of great ones to be had in the Northern capital, ranging from culinary, musical, cultural and historical, and if it all seems like too much effort, there are no shortage of cosy pubs to rest awhile.

To find out more information on Northern Ireland’s tours and events, or for further information on places to stay, and things to see and do in Northern Ireland, callsave 1850 230 230; visit the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s tourist information centre in Suffolk Street, Dublin 2, or see www.discovernorthernireland.com.

17 November 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

TravelBriefs

Enjoy shopping and pampering in Carlow at a comfortable price CARLOW has never been more affordable for a pre-Christmas shopping break and, with the fourstar Talbot Hotel located just a short stroll from all the attractive shopping areas, it is convenient, too.

The Talbot Value Shopping Package includes attractive discounts for the best boutiques in Carlow, which includes an exclusive guide to the best shops in Carlow town.

After the day’s shopping, attentive staff will bring your shopping bags to your room, while you relax and enjoy a sumptuous meal in the cosy fourthfloor Liberty Tree restaurant. Pampering is also important, and the hotel is offering 50% off a facial or massage in its Pure Beauty spa.

Stay at the hotel mid-week for €149 for two nights’ bed and full Irish breakfast, and a fourcourse meal each evening. Winter weekend packages are available from €99 PPS. For further information, see www.talbotcarlow. ie, or telephone 059 915 3000.

any trip to Belfast, hundreds of media staff from all around the world were delighted to attend a day of music- and culture-driven events the fine setting of the Titanic Drawing Offices helped to engage the Belfast guests with local craic agus ceol

The iconic Titanic Signature Building’s exterior is another sign of the modern face of Belfast’s contemporary cityscape

24 SWORDS GAZETTE 17 November 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 Same Old Moon DALKEY-based St Patrick’s Dramatic Society are staging their latest memorable production, following the fortunes and family life of Brenda Barnes. Brenda’s life is anything but straightforward, as we see on her funny and sometimes dramatic journey from childhood to her 40s, thanks to her eccentric and sometimes fiery family. See the society’s production nightly at 8pm until Saturday, November 19, with admission costing €18/€15.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 A Skull in Connemara THE Mill presents the second play in the Leenane trilogy, by playwright Martin McDonagh. In a rural Connemara town, a gravedigger prepares for his annual autumnal task of disinterring old, forgotten bones in the graveyard to make room for new arrivals. However, with his late wife’s remains due to be moved, rumours about her sudden death begin to surface ... This play runs nightly at 8pm until Saturday, November 19, with admission costing €10.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Sweet Charity READY for another hit show from Coolmine Musical Society? Then come along to Draiocht, where the highlyskilled players are marking their 30th year in show-stopping style, thanks to their production of Sweet Charity. New York in the 1960s will blaze into life on stage, with such memorable songs as Hey Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, and Rhythm of Life to enjoy, all in the name of following the ups and downs of lovelorn dancehall hostess, Charity Hope Valentine. Coolmine MS’s production runs nightly at 8pm until Saturday, November 19, with admission costing €20/€17.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it think that Cinema really needs this version of the timeless, and seemingly endlesslyreheated and reserved, tale, with this latest reimagining being a little too bodacious rather than gracious with the source material...

The Mess-keteers It’s one for all, and all for one – edging towards the exit, that is, with an uninspired rehash of a timeless tale ...

Q KATE CROWLEY

EVEN unf lappable, battle-hardened cinema reviewers could be forgiven for shrieking and eeking when faced with the sight of not one, not three, but two Nicolas Cage films opening at the same time. Two! Why, the very thought of cuddling up with Nic for his latest offerings, Trespass, and Justice, is almost – almost – enough to send yours truly barrelling through the doors to see the latest Twilight film (as Twilight The Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 opens this week).

I say “almost”, as even my darling, Emo-friendly daughter, Crowleyetta, knows that there’s only one way I’ll go to see, and review, another Twilight film – at gunpoint.

And so, shrieking and eeking away from angstdriven vampires (oooh, the angst, the angst!), and eeking equally loudly

FILM OF THE WEEK: The Three Musketeers ++ (12A) 110 mins Director: Paul S Anderson Starring: Logan Lerman, Matthew MacFayden, Ray Stevenson, Orlando Bloom, Milla Jovovich, unlikely shenanigans

OUR VERDICT: MANY cinemagoers will have had more Three Musketeer films that they’ve had hot dinners, with it being a timeless – but, perhaps, a little over-familiar – tale that needs something special, or different, to really stand out. Although the director, and cast, gamely have a go at modernising some aspects of Dumas’ tale, their efforts simply sit uncomfortably with the source material ...

away from Mr Cage, my dainty feet take me (and thee) directly to ...

Actually, I’m just popping on my time travel beret, and stepping back in time to the period commonly known as Approximately Three Weeks Ago, and the release of a film which I didn’t review at the time, but will do just fine, today.

After all, I can’t stand angst-driven vampires and werewolves, but I don’t mind a shaggy tale of musketeers, and one of cinema’s most revisited inspirations has been, errr, revisited, in this lat-

est version of Dumas’ The Three Musketeers.

Actually, there’s not much more that I need to say to explain the film, folks, as I doubt very much that very many of you aren’t fully aware of the timeless tale of derring-do and French heroics, with this version pretty much following the standard template, on which, more anon.

For now, it’s a “Non!” to following Dumas’ tale too closely from the very start, as director, Anderson, introduces the musketeers undergoing a heist, of sorts, before the ever-

treacherous Milady de Winter (Jovovich) does a runner with the goods.

Okay... so, they’re the three musketeers of the title – so, where’s the fourth guy, who everyone expects? Enter surferdude-esque D’Artagnan (Lerman), who soon annoys, impresses and joins the Three (Macfayden, Stevenson and Evans), just in time to be caught up in a plot by Cardinal Richelieu (Waltz).

The holy man has a wholly cunning plan to control Le King (Fox), with a nice little war with England being his grand plot, just grand, merci.

With Richelieu and Winter playing an icily cold game of politics, and wishing to rule the regal roost behind the scenes, The Thre- sorry, Fousorry, The Guys must thwart their cunning plans, and prevent war with England.

For zee King! For zee honour of France! For zee

probable sequel!

However, mein Gott!

The Three Musketeers veers wildly into French farce throughout, but never in the best way.

The characters are too ... modern; a tricky thing to pull off, and, frankly, Anderson fails.

I can’t quite knock the director with that tooeasy gibe of his being “best known as a videogame film maker”, as not every film made about a computer game is always awful. (I quite enjoyed the somewhat incoherent Silent Hill film-of-thesame-game, for example.)

Still, Anderson, probably best-known for his interminably awful Resident Evil films (also starring his wife, Jovovich, in equally interminably awful roles), has done it again – using his reverse Midas touch (the Sadim?), he’s turned literary gold into cinematic straw. More musketeers?

Zut alors, non!

17 November 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Games giant has to fight its corner SHANE DILLON

THESE are dark days for Nintendo. Once an unassailable giant in gaming, the company recently posted its first publiclyreported loss in decades.

Actually, although it reported a huge loss – almost mirroring the healthy profit it posted in the previous year – some industry analysts were expecting an even larger loss, with wild talk of 100-billion yen on the cards, for a while.

What on earth has taken Nintendo to this sorry state of affairs?

Well, the reasons have been many, and complex, all combining to hack away at the company’s economic fortunes.

For starters, an obvious problem has been its 3DS console, which has bled away profits on hardware and software losses.

Despite being a technological marvel – with nothing comparable to it on the market, or on the way – and despite impressing most, but not all, of those who’ve used it, sales have been much slower than expected.

This doesn’t come as a total surprise – Hollywood has noticed that 3D films at cinemas have significantly plateaued, while 3D-enabled televisions are virtually glued to the shelves, stubbornly

refusing to sell.

The “obvious next step forward in visual entertainment” seems to have been embraced instead as “an interesting, but passing fad” by consumers, as well as gamers.

In the face of it, despite the impressive hardware, but battling consumer interest, perhaps that’s why the 3DS hasn’t caught on, impacting on Nintendo’s fortunes with the losses that it incurs on hardware sales.

Despite being able to magic up such innovative tech and hardware, Nintendo’s also facing a perception that its hardware platforms are approaching the end of their life cycle, with the end of the Wii in sight, while its successor is in development.

This further weakens titles available for it, creating a dragging anchor effect on companies willing to develop for it.

This isn’t an entirely fair summary, as there’s still plenty of life in the “aging” console, but, with much of the world’s media focused on the cool new kid in class – Apple’s various IOS-driven gadgets – while the other gaming heavyweights – Sony and Microsoft – are much more publicly slugging it out between them on the main street, Nintendo’s been left to sink into the background.

Bytesandpieces Have a yen for original gameplay?

JAPANESE developer, Kairosoft, have enjoyed enormous success with their resolutely oldschool, pixel-led titles, with each of their “simple” games consuming days of gamers’ lives.

That sounds extreme, but, after all, behind the cutesy graphics in their games (whether running your own high school or managing a Formula One team) lies very compulsive gameplay, as the intricacies of managing financial systems, organising and planning layouts and so on make the time fly by – as I’ve found, by missing bus stops while engrossed d in i perfecting my shopping centre’s layout. Oops.

As such, for something a little different, why not consider Oh! Edo Towns for your IOS-driven gadget? Available for €2.99 on iTunes, this is the chance to design and maximise your very own Feudal Japan town. That probably sounds about as enticing as an omnibus edition of Eastenders on TV, but this very Eastern title, complete with addictive, good-humoured pick-up-and-play fun, is another absolute gem from Kairosoft.

The forthcoming Nintendo Wii title, Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, can be expected to generate healthy revenues for the company, as the games company faces into an unwelcome battle to reverse the shift in its fortunes

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

‘Currency issues have also proven to be major thorns in the company’s side, with the dollarto-yen rates across the past year having a particularly painful effect on Nintendo’s finances’ --------------------------------------------------------

As if these weren’t difficult enough problems, currency issues have also proven to be major thorns in the company’s side, with the dollar-toyen rates across the past year, having a particularly painful effect on Nintendo’s finances.

With such negative external factors for any company to deal with, it’s no wonder that the Kyoto-based company has revealed just how much its sales, and profits, have plunged.

It’s quite a turnaround from the previous fiscal year for Nintendo, when it posted its usual healthy profits, despite the challenges facing gaming’s

drift at physical makets at present. After all, for every Gears of War 3 (XBox 360), Uncharted 3 (PlayStation 3) or, even, Angry Birds (iPhone) success story, a hundred other titles on all platforms sink without trace.

That’s the bad news.

But, of course, Nintendo’s far from finished, just yet.

True, the 3DS has not taken off as expected, but the regular DS handheld is still doing okay, and, if sales of the Wii have also significiantly slowed down – with the negative impact of not having the same software range and products as its rivals – Nintendo still has key gaming aces up

its sleeve.

One of these is the forthcoming next installment in the long-running Zelda series, Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword; a title that’s a cornerstone product for Nintendo to remind rivals, and gamers, that it still has some outstanding cards in its hand.

Now 25-years-old, the Zelda series has a longevity, and pedigree, that few games can lay claim to, with the Wii Motion Plus proving an entirely natural fit for the protaganist, Link, and his adventures.

With this forthcoming title (and the help of a certain super plumber’s new release), Nintendo can remind gamers, and the wider industry, that it can deliver the goods when it needs to.

And Nintendo needs to. Now, more than ever, the gaming giant needs to start landing some wellaimed blows on its rivals, before it goes down for the count ...

GAZETTE

26 SWORDS GAZETTE 17 November 2011

SWORDSclassifieds

BATHROOMS

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The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during the public opening hours of 9:30-16:30, Monday - Friday at Fingal County Council, Fingal County Hall, Main Street, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a fee of €20, within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by Fingal County Council of the Application.

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GazetteSPORT

NO BOUNDARIES: Claire Shillington on her Ireland cricket journey so far Page 29

MOTOR RACING: FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TO RACE ON SPECIALLY-CREATED TRACK

Button presses Dublin into F1 action in summer sport@gazettegroup.com

FOR the first time, one of the leading F1 teams in the world will take to the streets of Dublin next year when Jensen Button will bring his Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes F1 car to the Bavaria City Racing Dublin event on June 3, 2012.

Former World Champion Button will treat race spectators to a Formula 1 masterclass on a specially designed track that starts

at the Convention Centre, continues along Custom House Quay before crossing Butt Bridge, chicanes at D’Olier Street, zips past College Green and the Central Bank on Dame Street before reaching the chequered flag on O’Connell Bridge.

Bavaria City Racing’s Dublin ambassador, Eddie Jordan, said: “I’m hugely excited about Bavaria City Racing Dublin; this is something spectacular, something

you’ve never witnessed before and I, for one, can’t wait.”

The City Racing extravaganza is a free public event, and over 150,000 people are expected to line the streets of the capital to enjoy the best the world of motor sport has to offer.

Gavin Collins, of Bavaria City Racing, said: “We are delighted that the Vodafone-McLaren F1 team is coming to Dublin. They are a premier F1

Keith O’Haire, from Gleeson, and Robert Hyland, of Vodafone Ireland, at the launch of this unique F1 event

team and Jenson is one of the leading drivers in world motorsport.”

Robert Hyland, Sponsorship Manager at Vodafone Ireland, said: “We are truly excited at the prospect of bringing the

Formula 1 experience to Dublin. Jenson is one of the sport’s great ambassadors, and we are delighted to be able to help showcase what he and the cars can do.

“It will be a massive

event for the city that will be remembered for years to come.”

For those who want to get closer to the action, there are three ticketed premium performance zones on the track at

Customs House Quay, O’Connell Bridge and at the Main F1 Paddock on North Wall Quay.

Tickets for these areas are priced from €75.90 and are available from Ticketmaster.

28 SWORDS GAZETTE 17 November 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

RUGBY: LEINSTER LEAGUE RETURN SEES MALAHIDE MISS OUT

Fingal’s Glen Shekleton

Fingal hockey tie for top in Division 2 chase FINGAL men’s second team maintained their share of top spot in Leinster hockey’s Division 3, but it could have been so much better for the ALSAA side after they gave up a 4-1 lead with 12 minutes remaining to tie with fellow contenders, Glenanne, last Sunday.

In a frantically-paced game, Fingal looked to have the points sewn up as Andrew Shekleton, Simon McKeever, Paul Maher and Glen Shekleton were all on the mark.

Indeed, they had managed to push on with two goals, despite being reduced to ten men for a sin-binning offence, which put them well clear having earlier cancelled out Stu Ronan’s opening effort for the visitors.

Glen Shekleton netted from the penalty spot and the home side took the lead midway through the first half with a fine deflection from a crash ball from the left-hand side and they pushed on with another pair in the second half.

But a second sin-binning for the northside team gave Glens a glimpse of a result though as Ronan grabbed his second when he deflected in a well-worked short corner, and Paul Fitzpatrick brought the deficit back to one when he flicked home from the next set piece.

Clive Kennedy deflected home at the righthand post to level before a late rally saw Fingal force a fine save from Karl Crosbie near the end.

Near neighbours Portrane, meanwhile, won out 6-4 against Suttonians in Division 2 maintaining their entertaining start to the campaign as this ten-goal battle brought it to 38 goals in six games they have played in since promotion.

Malahide RFC’s Division 2A side failed to take advantage of late penalties to claim a win over New Ross

’Hide spurn chances LEINSTER LEAGUE DIV 2 Malahide RFC New Ross

15 17

sport@gazettegroup.com

MALAHIDE got back into Leinster League action last week with a home fixture to New Ross.

T he visitors, lying fifth in the table, have a proud Leinster League tradition, and Malahide were expecting a tough fixture.

The visitors kicked off, and some clever kicking for the corners kept Malahide pinned in their 22.

Whenever Malahide gained any possession, they never took advantage to relieve the pressure and, with 15 minutes on the clock, it told when a well-rehearsed New Ross backline move found a gap in the

home defence to allow their left wing to cross untouched under the posts.

Malahide were finding it difficult to get out of their half, and things got worse for the home team on the half-hour mark when a missed tackle in midfield allowed the New Ross centre in for his team’s second try.

Eventually, a New Ross error from the kick-off allowed Malahide to establish a presence in the New Ross half. Malahide tried to release their wings Dave Murphy and Colin Corker y, while Mick Fitzmaurice and Richie Forbes looked for holes in midfield, but New Ross defended well and Malahide could not find a way through.

On the stroke of halftime, a well-directed

Malahide penalty took play to the New Ross line, and a great lineout take from Sean Power allowed the Malahide forwards to maul, with Wayne Hilder touching down for the try.

The conversion was missed, but Malahide had a vital score.

The second half kicked off with the home team at last showing some tactical awareness with the boot, forcing play into the visitor’s half.

Malahide made some decent inroads, with Anthony Colbert and Keith Harrell carrying well in the tight.

Another accurate kick took play to the New Ross line and, after a number of surges close in, Mick Fitzmaurice was able to find the smallest of gaps in mid-

field to just make it over for the try.

Brendan Carpenter’s conversion brought the score to 14-12 in favour of the visitors, and they were quickly back on the attack. The visitors were caught offside just outside their 22, and Carpenter was on hand to move the home team into a 15-14 lead.

New Ross lifted their efforts from the restart, and Malahide found themselves under pressure once more.

On three occasions, Malahide had opportunities to clear their lines but failed to do so, and they ultimately paid the price when they were caught offside within kicking distance.

A wonderfully struck penalty into the breeze saw the visitors reclaim the lead.

There were still 10 minutes remaining, and Malahide set about making their way toward the New Ross line.

As the minutes wore on, Malahide spurned three clear opportunities to take points from penalties, with Colin Corkery’s attempt just drifting to the left of the post.

Even in the dying seconds, Malahide got one more opportunity with a penalty in the New Ross 22 but again, the decision was made to tap and go. However, the New Ross defence again held firm and were able to turn over possession and kick to touch to sound the final whistle.

The loss albeit with a bonus point now makes next Saturday’s trip to Roscrea a crucial fixture for the side.

17 November 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 29

in association with

No boundaries for Shillington Malahide’s Clare Shillington has travelled to Bangladesh to try to help Ireland’s women cricketers to a World Cup in India next year THE influx of youth is such that Clare Shillington made her international cricket debut the same year one of her team-mates was born.

Far from veteran status, it is more a statement on the prodigious talent that Ireland has to pick from, as the country’s women aim to make similar waves to those stirred up by the Irish men in the past four years.

They are bidding to qualify for the World Cup this week in Bangladesh, needing to upset the world rankings and win against Pakistan or West Indies – as well as the hosts and Japan – in the

initial group phase to take a direct route to the finals in India. Finish lower than the top two, and they go into the murky waters of a repechage round.

Taking on the chal-

turns 14 during the tournament.

Tice became the second youngest women’s international earlier this year and has since taken eight wickets in just four

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

‘It is a huge commitment, but I wouldn’t still be playing if I didn’t love it and think we have a realistic chance of qualifying for the World Cup’ --------------------------------------------------------

lenge, Irish cricket sought a special dispensation to allow two of their number to make the trip, 15-yearold Kim Garth and, most notably, Elena Tice, who

Clare Shillington in Ireland action

international games, catapulting her into the team.

She was born in 1997, the year Malahide cricket club member Shillington made her Irish debut. She was a precocious teenage batting talent at the time but told the Gazette just prior to flying out to the competition that selection runs along Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenet that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

Asked how she feels about possibly having made her debut before Tice was born, Shillington laughs.

“We haven’t talked about it but that is an interesting one! That makes me feel very old.

Just hearing their date of births... It’s fantastic that Elena is able to do it physically at that age; her and Kim Garth.

“As a dynamic in the team, it’s incredible. I’m a good bit older but we do come together and age doesn’t really mat-

ter when you’re playing cricket.

“Everyone does look out for each other but I hope I can pass on some of the experience that I have built up over 14 years as a cricketer and the standards you should have. I’m highly competitive so I do my best to pass that on to anyone coming onto the squad.”

From a preparation perspective, the side has travelled in confident mood, with both Shillington and captain Isobel Joyce – sister of Irish men’s star Ed – labelling the group the best prepared side ever put together.

The squad signed up to a mantra of “unpaid professionalism”, replicating full-time training around their working or student lives with regular 6.30am fitness calls, similar to those employed by Dublin’s senior footballers last January prior to their AllIreland victory.

It is a necessary effort to be competitive against countries that have gone the full-time route in recent years. Shillington played against a touring Pakistan side in the early part of this decade, a side that were comfortably beaten by Ireland in what was their first season of the professional era.

Since then, they have risen to a place above Ireland in the rankings and won a Champion’s Challenge tie last summer in South Africa with plenty

to spare.

Speaking about playing full-time athletes, Shillington takes a pragmatic approach: “It’s a killer, but you have to play with what you’ve got. We all understand that money makes the world go round; cricket in Pakistan is part of their culture and everyday life, while it’s down the pecking order in Ireland.

“If we were professionals and it was our job, I’ve no doubt we’d pass the likes of Pakistan, the West Indies and higher because there is the talent there.

“Sometimes it is souldestroying to see how quickly a team like that can jump up, but we deal with what we can and made a commitment to be unpaid professionals.

“It is a huge commitment but I wouldn’t still be doing it if I didn’t love it and think we have a realistic chance of winning.

At this stage, I definitely think we can qualify. I started my international career in India and would like to finish it there in a World Cup. “It’s been quite a long preparation. I’ve been involved in quite a lot of these trips and it’s definitely the most prepared we’ve been from the amount of work, time and effort we have put in.

I’m glad to be getting out of an indoor training hall and getting on a cricket pitch.”

FastSport

World and Olympic champ helps Gymnastics launch THE national governing body for Gymnastics in Ireland re-launched their brand last week with the help of Olympic and World medallist gymnast, Louis Smith, last week.

Gymnastics Ireland’s brand transformation includes the launch of a new website (www. gymnasticsireland.com), Facebook Page (Gymnastics Ireland) and Twitter account (@Gymnasticsire).

Smith was joined by leading female gymnast, Emma Lunn and Irish Rhythmic athlete, Aisling McGovern, both from Maynooth. The 2008 Beijing Olympic Bronze medallist also coached a group of young Irish 2016 Olympic hopefuls on the morning of the launch.

Ciaran Gallagher, Gymnastics Ireland chief executive officer, said: “We are delighted that Louis could be here to help us launch the new Gymnastics Ireland brand. He is not only one of the best gymnasts in the world, but he is also a great personality and really conveys what Gymnastics Ireland is now all about.”

Ireland trio make the team of World Cup ’11 LEINSTER ‘S Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell were the Ireland players who made the official Rugby World Cup dream team, voted for by international fans of the New Zealand celebration of the sport’s Facebook page.

Ireland captain O’Driscoll took nearly 50% of the votes to make the Dream Team. A

consistent performer for Ireland, O’Driscoll added to his impressive tally of international tries with a well-taken try in the pool match against Italy.

Based on suggestions from the online community, a shortlist of names per position was created each day and put to the vote, with over 160,000 votes being cast along the way.

The other players in the XV were made up of players from the semi-finalists, Wales, New Zealand and France.

30 SWORDS GAZETTE 17 November 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

SOCCER: CLUB’S 29TH SIDE TAKE TO THE HOME PITCHES

Swords Celtic’s Under-17 B league team took to the pitches this weekend against Kinnegad Juniors for their first home league fixture

St Finian’s girls make the grade for Leinster ST FINIAN’S Community College’s Megan Lynch and Jamie Finn both played their part in helping Leinster claim second place in the U-15 schoolgirls’ interprovincial competition held in Tullamore last weekend.

Lynch was on target twice in victories over Connacht and Ulster but the tournament hinged on the very first game in which Munster nabbed the early initiative with a 2-0 victory.

The tournament itself doubles as an introduction to the selection process for the Bob Docherty tournament which gets underway in April for the Irish school’s U-15 squad.

For Leinster, they were undone by Megan Connolly and Sarah McKevitt strikes on the first day of competition at Leah Victoria Park and were playing catch-up from there on in.

Ousting Connacht 3-0 was a good start as Lynch got the blues off to a fine start with St Joseph’s, Lucan, students Eleanor Ryan Doyle and Kirsty Maher adding to the win.

With the westerners having already beaten reigning champions Ulster on day one, it was an impressive comeback.

With Munster winning 4-0 against Ulster, though, it meant Leinster had to rely on outside results if they were going to win the title.

They fulfilled their side of the bargain as Lynch again was on the mark while Shianne Swarres, Jenny Clifford, Courtney Higgins and another from Ryan Doyle notched a 5-1 success over the northern province.

It meant that any Connacht win in the tournament’s final game, could have handed Leinster the title ahead of Munster. But the southern side took the title with a gritty 0-0 draw in Athlone.

In the coming weeks, trialists will emerge from this competition with a mind on the Docherty international tournament when the Republic take on near neighbours Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the first major international underage competition for girls.

Better late for Celtic U-17 sport@gazettegroup.com

SWORDS Celtic’s third U-17 side finally managed to get their first home game played this term last Sunday when they got the better of prior table-toppers, Kinnegad Juniors, in the NDSL Under-17 B league.

Having picked up two away wins already, it leaves the side in decent shape, having a glut of games in hand over the sides ahead of them in the division.

Elsewhere, the club’s Premier teams at Under12, 16, 17 and 18 levels all enjoyed wins. The

12P team beat closest rivals, Maynooth, to lead the league by seven points, while the 16P side progressed in the Ken McKay Cup by beating visiting Dunboyne 4-0.

T h e 17 P we n t t o Drogheda Town where their 3-1 win put them on top of the Premier table, sharing the place on 13 points with Malahide United, with a game in hand. The Under-18P team beat Huntstown/Hartstown 3-1 to move into fourth place in their division as the club continues to contend at most levels in the NDSL leagues.

Sylvester’s star: Aherne caps season with All-Star award SUPER-STRIKER Sinead Aherne was

one of the two Dublin recipients of the 2011 TG4/O’Neill’s All-Star awards at CityWest last week. She is pictured here with the other Jackies’ winner, Elaine Kelly of St Brigid’s, Maureen King, the chairperson of Dublin Ladies’ Gaelic Football and Helen O’Rourke, the CEO of Ladies’ Gaelic Football.

Picture: Gwen Kelly

It came a week after Swords had welcomed the Under-15 NDSL representative squad to Balheary to play a high quality friendly match against the club’s Under-16 Premier team.

While Celtic do not have any players in the NDSL squad at Under15 age, Merben Soco and Patsy O’Neill both represent the club at Under-16 level.

And Soco was to the fore in the tie as he was on the score sheet, along with Jack O’Grady as they managed to record a 2-2 draw.

At Kilnamanagh, Swords’ Under-14 DDSL

team played their seventh game of the season and a 3-3 draw gave them their first point to date. The team moved up to the A1 league after finishing last season in fourth place.

It was a wonderfully brave performance as they rebounded from 3-1 with just five minutes to go as Peter Taylor and Paul Gavin sparked an incredible comeback to get their season up and running.

Swords Rovers meanwhile picked up an impressive 11-1 win over Clonee United in the U-8 NDSL five-a-side division in a display

of flowing, fast-paced football.

T he format of the game allowed for plenty of touches for the home side as Patrick Maughan and Thomas O’Rourke showed their fledgling ability in the short form of the game that places the emphasis on playing more than on the result.

R iver valley Rangers U-19 side remain in a share of top spot in their DDSL division following a tight 1-0 win over basement side Confey. They share the lead with Arklow Town after eight games of the campaign.

17 November 2011 SWORDS GAZETTE 31

in association with

FOOTBALL: LADIES GO OUT AFTER FANTASTIC YEAR

CLUB NOTICEBOARD FINGALLIANS THE club AGM is on this Thursday at

each Wednesday in the club bar at

9pm in the main hall.

9pm. Fun and free.

A great week for our senior foot-

22 moustachioed members of the

ballers as a draw v O’Toole’s and

Fingallians Movember team have

a victory on Sunday over Naomh

raised a total of €700 to date. We’re

Fionnbarra secured us a place

hoping for a target of €2,500 for

in the league play-offs. Fur ther

cancer charities.

details to follow on the semi play-

It’s not too late to register and

off. Pictures on Facebook, including

join our team or log in and donate.

an amazing cover picture on some

h t t p : // i e . m ove m b e r. c o m /m o s-

remarkable high fielding.

pace/1516526/

Check out our new revamped

The Mobile Bloodbank would like

Club Sports Shop every Saturday

to thank everyone for their sup-

morning from 10am to 12pm, and

port and interest last week, with

now stocking Where’s The Match?

a record 300+ donors attending,

for €5.

making it one of the most success-

Fins Grupa Comhra is ongoing

ful clinics in the country.

FINGAL RAVENS CLUB AGM will take place this Thurs-

Our children’s Christmas party

day, November 17, at 8pm in Roles-

will take place on Sunday, Decem-

town Hall, all welcome.

ber 11, from 3pm to 5pm in Kettle’s

Best of luck to our U-21s who St Sylvester’s minor hurlers put on a late late show of strength to close out their semi-final against Kilmacud

Sylvester’s leave it late for push to final MINOR C HURLING S/F St Sylvester’s Kilmacud Crokes (AET)

2-19 3-11

sport@gazettegroup.com

A THRILLING endgame saw St Sylvester’s minor hurlers claim a final place in the C championship last weekend in Broomfield when they showed a clean pair of heels to K ilmacud Crokes in extra time.

In normal time, both sides looked to have the game sewn up at different stages, but Kevin O ’ F l y n n ’s l a t e f r e e earned Sylvester’s a late opportunity to turn the tide against their southside opponents.

And they took the chance with both hands w h e n C o l l i e By r n e kicked a goal, while O’Flynn helped the side move into a five-point winning margin.

It was some effort after a heart-stopping 70 minutes of regula-

tion time in which Syl’s grabbed a late lead through Sean Kane, the first time they had been in front, only for Andy Cullinane to score through a thicket of players, which put Kilmacud one up as injury time approached.

But Collie Byrne — who had just laid on the pass for Kane’s goal — was felled to earn a 21-yard free, which O’Flynn duly scored and levelled the scores once more.

It brought to an end a cracking period of normal time, which began with David Kennedy drawn into a pair of excellent saves as the visitors started their campaign for a place in the minor final in fine form.

Slowly, however, Syl’s got into the game, as the full-back line of Conor Quinn, Conor Ryan and Alan Kavanagh finally got to grips with very fast opposition.

Gareth McGrath added needed speed to the half-back line, while Meaney, O’Flynn, Maloughney and Sean Kane all scored points to make it 0-9 to 1-7 at half-time, Sylvester’s responding well to Conor O’Dw yer’s opportunistic goal with determination.

With Thomas Richardson and Syl’s Conor Dwyer winning plenty of ball and Kane proving a menace, the Malahide men eventually forged a leading margin that they thought might have been the decisive factor with six minutes to go.

Second half The second half saw a more competitive contest develop in the respective half-back lines — Crokes initially managing to stay ahead with a succession of Mark O’Loughlin frees — he ended with 1-9 to his name.

Once more the Crokes lads went to the well.

With a minute remaining on the clock, a long-range Daibhid Corish free was batted out to the side of the square, and Cullinane seized his opportunity with relish.

But it proved not to be the major twist it had initially appeared, when Syl’s kept their wits about them to launch one last attack, tying the match, and forcing time added on, with the scoreline reading 1-14 to 2-11.

Despite O’Loughlin’s goal at the end of the first half of extra time to the delight of a strong and delighted home support, St Sylvester’s forged ahead with a strong and determined display, and they held on to secure a date with Raheny in the decider, which will be played on the weekend of November 27.

Hotel.

play Raheny in the championship in

We will also be holding a Christ-

Rolestown at 2.30pm this Saturday.

mas raffle on Saturday, December

Our senior team are now safe in

17, with some excellent prizes; tur-

the league after results last week

key, hampers, spirits, wine and lots

and will play Division 1 in 2012.

more, see any committee member

Pub quiz for our juvenile section

for tickets.

on Thursday, November 24 at 9pm

Don’t forget to text your name to

in Kettle’s Hotel, only €20 per table

086 858 7231 if you are interested in

of four.

competing in the white-collar box-

We are hosting a 60th birthday

ing fundraising next February.

party for Pat McDonagh on Satur-

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 9, 12,

day, December 3 at 8.30pm in Ket-

24 and 40. There was no winner. €20

tle’s Hotel, all past and present

to Ann Daly, Derek Daly and Kenny

members of the club are asked to

McDonagh.

come along and wish Pat a happy 60th.

Next week’s jackpot is wor th €2,798.

ST FINIAN’S THE club AGM will take place in the

your clean unwanted clothes, bed

GAA Centre this Thursday, Novem-

linen, duvets, pillows, towels, shoes,

ber 17 at 8.30pm.

bags, belts and soft toys.

Rehearsals are going well for the

Fur ther details will be issued

fashion show, which takes place

nearer the time about drop-off

on November 26. Tickets are now

times to the clubhouse.

on sale in the clubhouse, and are expected to sell fast.

A Christmas Fair will take place in the clubhouse on Saturday, December 10. This will include a cake sale, craft stall, book stall, etc. Further details will follow.

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 1, 9, 15 and 18. There was no winner.

The €50 winners were Stephen McNally and Edwina Brennan.

Nex t we e k’s j a c k p o t w i l l b e €2,400.

Coffee shop is now open every

Following the success of the last

Saturday morning from 11 o’clock.

clothing collection, a further date

Take-away teas and coffees avail-

has been selected and a collection

able. Call in.

will take place on Saturday, December 10. So please start gathering all

Check out the website for updates at www.stfinians.com

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

ALL OF YOUR SWORDS SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

CELTIC CRESCENDO: Swords soccer stars finally play first home tie P30

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

NO BOUNDARIES Shillington on World Cup strike P29

Fingallians facing up to tough challenges

GazetteSPORT

Fingallians’ AFL 2 footballers are facing a potentially tough run of matches in play-offs both in the league and championship

Davern’s team have AFL 2 play-off and senior football championship relegation deciders on the horizon STEPHEN FINDLATER swordssport@gazettegroup.com

FINGALLIANS set up a potentially busy preChristmas rush of games when they secured an AFL 2 play-off place last weekend by beating Naomh Fionnbarra.

Three points each from Ciaran McLoughlin and David Killeen, along with a couple from Donal Farrell, helped them to a 0-9 to 0-6 victory at Lawless Park, guaranteeing them a place in the top five.

It was a big boost heading into Sunday’s crucial senior football championship relegation tie against St Jude’s in O’Toole Park, with manager Dan Davern telling GazetteSport that this was mission almost accomplished.

“That was the goal at the start of the season.

We wanted to make the play-offs and we managed to do that at the weekend.

“It was a very hard-fought win against Finbarrs, a very talented side, who I don’t know

how they are so low down the table,” Davern said.

“But our defence played very well, otherwise they could have put us to the sword, so we had to grind out a result. That puts us where we want to be. We’re in the play-off, and now it’s time to kick on and pull out a top-notch performance.”

Lose that tie against Jude’s, and it adds another game to their lengthy season, while victory would ensure survival and close out that phase of the Fingallians’ 2011 football campaign.

The AFL2 play-offs, though, are still up in the air as to when and who will be the opposition as a couple of games in the regular season are still to be completed.

Davern experienced a similarly protracted season last Christmas with the club’s hurlers as their Leinster club championship campaign extended into January, a fate he hopes to avoid this year if at all possible.

“That would be the hope but, when it comes to football, hope and reality are world apart.

I’d hope to get it done in time for pre-season.

Our hurlers were in the Leinster championship last year and that dragged on to the end of January.

“That threw us all over the shop this year.

We’d hope to have everything finished out, give the lads a small break and then come back in pre-season and get a proper run at it. It will just put far more pressure on the lads heading into the New Year as a group so we’re hoping to avoid that.

“We’ve no idea yet with the league as there’s still teams around us with games left to play, so we don’t know where we are with that or when games will be.

“We’re actually trying to seek clarification on that one with the County Board at the moment. We’ve no information whatsoever on what is happening. Unfortunately, that’s where we stand at the moment.”