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INSIDE: Local filmmaker on winning an international award P7

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January ua y 26, 2012

COMPASS: Your unmissable 8-page

guide to travel in 2012 See pages 17-24

A desperate plea for his teacher’s job Q MIMI MURRAY swords@gazettegroup.com

AN eight-and-a-half year old Swords primary school student, who suffers from dyslexia, has made a desperate plea to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to reverse budgetary cuts in education that will see his school lose its full-time learning support teacher.

In a letter sent to the Minister, and published by the Gazette this week, young Rory Gavan, who attends the Old Borough School, has appealed to Ruairi Quinn saying: “My teacher might lose her job this year. I am very sad about that. I have dyslexia.

It is very hard for me to learn

how to read, write and spell. I try my best. I have been told I am very clever. I need lots of help to keep up.

“Please think again about your decision. I want to be the best I can be with your help. I will pay you back when I grow up.”

Principal School Principal, Anne Marie Woods, said budgetary cuts by the Department of Education mean they simply can no longer afford to retain their full-time learning support teacher and this will target literacy and numeracy at primary level.

Local schoolboy, Rory Gavan, with Anne Marie Woods, principal of the Old Borough school, and teacher, Teresa Kavanagh. Rory’s letter to

Full Story on Page 4

Minister Quinn, left.

Picture: Paul Hosford

2 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 January 2012

SPECSAVERS: FULL AND PART-TIME POSITIONS

30 new jobs are created GOOD news on the jobs front with the announcement that Specsavers have created 30 new full and part-time positions with the launch of two new stores, in Balbriggan and Nutgrove.

Specsavers at the Millfield Shopping Centre in Balbriggan, will be the 40th store the company has launched in the Republic.

The 41st is located in Nutgrove Shopping Centre in Rathfarnham.

The company currently employs 850 people nationwide and most of the 71 store directors, who own and run the businesses, are Irish.

Opening Commenting on the opening, Noel Meehan, chairman of Specsavers Ireland said: “We really are delighted to be starting the New Year by opening our 40th and 41st stores, with the creation of these new jobs.

“Since first opening in Ireland in 1991, Spec-

savers has been passionate about providing fashionable, affordable eyecare to everyone and we look forward to welcoming new customers to both these new stores to avail of our advanced testing and great offers.

“The opening of Nutgrove and Balbriggan marks the start of a busy year for us, with more stores and jobs in the pipeline.”

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‘We really are delighted to be starting the New Year by opening our 40th and 41st stores’ --------------------------

In addition to being experts in eye health, Specsavers in Balbriggan and Nutgrove will also feature on-site hearing centres, providing free consultation, hearing tests and aftercare with professional hearing aid audiologists.

TALK TO YOUR LOCAL MARKET ADVERTISE WITH YOUR LOCAL SWORDS GAZETTE

Call your local sales person, Louise Fitzgerald now on

01 6516206 or 085 8018734

Prizewinner: Maccullin makes an impression at Science competition CONGRATULATIONS to Maccullin Skeiiy, a 2nd year student at Fingal Community College Swords, who won a Highly Commended for his project, Clash of the Ash, at this year’s BT young Scientist competition. His project featured in the Junior Technology Individual Section.

He tested various hurley and sliotars from around the country to see which gave the best performance and designed a hurley based on his findings. Maccullin is pictured with Mrs Sharon McGrath, principal and Ms Claire Scanlon, science teacher.

COURTS: VICTIM WAS TIED UP, BEATEN AND TERRORISED

Man gets 3 years for aggravated burglary A MAN who took a cocktail of dr ugs and alcohol and was involved in an aggravated burglary in which the victim was tied up, beaten and terrorised for 90 minutes has been sentenced to three years.

Darren Stafford, who held a screw driver and a kitchen knife to the victim’s neck, voluntarily confessed to gardai about being involved in the crime six months later that enabled them to bring the case to court.

S t a f f o r d ( 21) , o f St Cronan’s View in Swords, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to aggravated burglar y and falsely imprisoning Vincent Hannon on July 1, 2010

at Chapel Street in Balbriggan.

Garda Clodagh Mulligan told prosecuting counsel Mr Roughan Banim BL , Stafford and Owen Costello (21) walked into Mr Hannon’s house through an open back door at around midnight. Mr Hannon (33) was sitting at home watching television when he suddenly felt something cold against his throat.

He had earlier left his back door open because he had burned his dinner.

He turned to find Stafford and Costello behind him. They then tied him to a chair, with his hands bound behind his back and his shoes laces tied together.

The burglary came

to an end 90 minutes later after Costello, of Bridge Street, Balbrig-

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‘He has a history of drug abuse and is disgusted at what he did to Mr Hannon’ --------------------------

gan, who received an eight-year sentence last December for this and other crimes, ordered Mr Hannon into a bedroom, bungled him into a duvet and beat him with a walking stick.

The victim managed to free himself minutes later when the intruders left the room. He locked the door and blocked it.

He then stood at the door crying and repeating the Our Father out loud as the men tried to force the door down.

They eventually left having stolen the cash and cards from his wallets. They had earlier demanded his PIN number and Costello later withdrew €40 from his account.

Gda Mulligan agreed with Ms Caroline Biggs SC, defending, that Stafford voluntarily made a statement to gardai six months later and that he believed the house was going to be empty.

It was also accepted that Costello was the ring leader.

“My client behaved in a despicable way but spoke with the injured party and had a ciga-

rette with him while the accomplice went to the bank to withdraw money,” said Ms Biggs.

“He has a history of drug abuse and is disgusted at what he did to Mr Hannon. He has €1,000 in compensation to be offered to Mr Hannon,” she continued.

Judge Martin Nolan said Stafford detained and falsely imprisoned Mr Hannon in the course of a burglar y committing grievous violence and terrified Mr Hannon for the sole reward of a paltry sum of money.

“But he made voluntarily admissions which demonstrates his remorse and a conscience,” noted Judge Nolan.

26 January 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 3

APPROVAL Specialist contractor to stabilise entrance arch at Swords Castle

Major works to get underway at historic castle

MAJOR works, which will stabilise the entrance arch at the historic Swords Castle, are set to get underway following ministerial approval.

Both Swords and Bremore Castles are currently being restored. According to Fingal County Council, works will now begin on the completion of necessary archaeological works and the conservation

LAUNCH: STUDENTS

20 years of great handwriting Q LAURA WEBB

THE EBS and the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) are celebrating 20 years of highlighting the importance of having good handwriting with the launch of the 2012 National Handwriting Competition.

EBS, in conjunction with the INTO launched this year’s handwriting competition, which is open to students of Dublin and around the country.

The competition attracts entries from over 100,000 children all over Ireland each year.

This year, entrants are being asked to write a piece of prose or a poem about their own family, or copy a piece connected to family in some way.

Students are not being judged on content but the style, flair, neatness and layout of their handwriting.

Children can enter through their local primary schools.

Entries are received in categories ranging from infants to sixth class, with a Special Education prize also being awarded.

The closing date for entries to the 2012 EBS/ INTO National Handwriting Competition is Friday, February 24.

For further details on the EBS/INTO Handwriting Competition visit www.ebs.ie or www. mylocalnews.ie.

plan for Swords Castle.

At a recent council meeting, the local authority also gave an update on the river walk-way (behind the Main Street), the opening up of the Ward River Valley Park and potential walkways and cycle lanes as far as Knocksedan and Rivermeade.

“Swords and Bremore castles are being restored as part of a Local Training Initiative

with FAS. The next stage in Swords is the stabilising of the entrance arch. This will be carried out by a specialist contractor and, as a result, the centre for training activity has moved to Bremore. Ministerial approval for the works has been received and works will commence on completion of necessary archaeological works and the conservation

plan for the castle,” the council said.

“The walkway on the east side of the Ward river is a public road from Church Road north to Swords Iron Works.

North of this it is an amenity walkway. However, to facilitate development works on properties on Swords Main Street, and to avoid unavoidable congestion of Main Street, access

to these properties for development works is mainly from the riverside walk by way-leave agreement. This is likely to delay further development of the walkway by several years.

Maintenance of the existing walkway is carried out by the Operations Department.

“On the west side of the river there are also plans to develop a walkway. The council already

owns a narrow strip of land by the school and a significant section of land behind the old Vicarage. The final section north of the old Vicarage has been conditioned to be dedicated to the council as part of a grant of planning permission. When this land is taken in charge works to complete the walkway on the west side of the river will be completed.”

4 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 January 2012

APPEAL Call to reverse budgetary cuts in education

Rory Gavan with Anne Marie Woods, principal of the Old Borough school and teacher Teresa Kavanagh.

Picture: Paul Hosford

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‘In order to create as many full-time posts as possible schools will try and cluster with other schools in the locality. This will result in the loss of contact time with children as teachers travel from School A to School B or even to School C’ --------------------------------------------

Rory Gavan sent a letter to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn

Rory’s heartfelt plea to Minister over cuts

Q MIMI MURRAY swords@gazettegroup.com

AN eight-and-a-halfyear-old Swords’ primary school student who suffers from dyslexia has made a heartfelt plea to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to reverse budgetary cuts in education that will see his school lose its full-time learning support teacher.

In a letter sent to the Minister, and published by the Gazette this week, young Rory Gavan, who attends the Old Borough School, has appealed to Ruairi Quinn saying: “My teacher might lose her job this year. I am very sad about that. I have dyslexia. It is very hard for me to learn how to read, write and spell. I try my best. I have been told I am very

clever. I need lots of help to keep up.

“Please think again about your decision. I want to be the best I can be with your help. I will pay you back when I grow up.”

According to the school’s Principal, Anne Marie Woods, budgetary cuts by the Department of Education mean they simply can no longer afford to retain their fulltime learning support teacher and this will target literacy and numeracy at primary level.

The Swords’ principal said the cuts by the current government have made a mockery of its promise to improve these levels.

The school, founded in 1809, currently has 105 pupils. Under Church

of Ireland management, it serves the parishes of Swords, Donabate and Lusk and is situated on Church Road since 2001.

The school has four mainstream classrooms with each teacher teaching two classes. The school has a permanent full-time Learning Support Teacher, which is based on an enrolment of over 100 pupils. This teacher looks after those who need additional help with English and Maths.

“We also have three pupils who need resource teaching. This teaching on a one-to-one basis in class or out of class is undertaken by a part-time resource teacher,” Woods says.

“The budget cuts, while not reducing the overall pupil-teacher ratio, have targeted the small school.

The impact for The Old Borough is under the General Allocation Model changes to Learning Support (LS) hours. It is now proposed to give .2, i.e. five hours per mainstream classroom teacher.

This means that in a four teacher school like The Old Borough the entitlement will be .8 of a post, or 20 hours. The result is the loss of five hours teaching and a permanent member of staff. Put another way, a school with 81 pupils and four mainstream teachers will receive the same amount of LS hours as a school with 114 pupils and four mainstream class teachers.

“Previously a school would have been allowed to combine LS hours with Resource hours to create a full-time post but this will

no longer be the case. The result will be a minimum of two part-time teachers.

“In order to create as many full-time posts as possible schools will try and cluster with other schools in the locality.

This will result in the loss of contact time with children as teachers travel from school A to school B or even to school C. “As LS posts can only be filled by probated teachers they will be difficult to fill as fully qualified teachers will seek to obtain secure permanent positions. This will mean teachers will favour larger schools, with smaller schools vying for teachers waiting for a ‘better’ secure post thus resulting in constant changes of personnel and loss of continuity for pupils. These are the very

pupils who need continuity of support if they are to progress. If there are constant changes of personnel these are the very pupils who will not have the chance to build a rapport with one teacher and grow in self-esteem.

“As it is very difficult to get teachers to apply for teaching principal positions, it will result in even fewer people taking up the challenge and rewards of small schools. It appears that the very existence of small schools is under threat. Taken with the loss of our part-time EAL teacher last September (English as an Additional Language) and the loss of the Minor Works grant from next year (€9,000€10,000) these are very severe losses indeed.

“The rationale behind

the cuts is to target literacy and numeracy at primary level.

“The reduction of any loss in Learning Support hours makes a mockery of the Government’s position to improve these levels.

“Any reduction will see the eroding of all the good work and effort staff at The Old Borough has put into improving literacy and numeracy attainment levels in the past 10 years.

“The Old Borough asks that schools with over 100 pupils be allowed to retain their full-time Learning Support Teacher,” Woods says.

A public meeting will be held in St Columbas’s parish centre on Thursday January 26 at 8pm in order to discuss the cuts.

26 January 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 5

6 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 January 2012

STUDY: ASSESSING THE FLOOD RISKS TO THE EASTERN REGION

WORKSHOPS Start Your Own Business fever in Fingal

Learning how to deal with flooding Q DAWN LOVE news@gazettegroup.com

A MAJOR public meeting aimed at highlighting a new study that deals with the assessment and sustainable management of flood risks to the Eastern Region, which includes the Greater Dublin Area, will take place this week.

The Eastern Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study, was commissioned in June 2011, and deals with the assessment and sustainable management of flood risk in the Eastern district. The study is part of a CFRAM programme being undertaken by the OPW in line with current national flood policy and the EU Directive on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risk. The programme requires that CFRAM studies be completed by the end of 2015.

Coastline

With a land area of approximately 6,300 km2, the Eastern district accounts for one tenth of the land area of Ireland.

It is home to rich agricultural land, extensive coastline, the city of Dublin and the towns which form the Greater Dublin Area and commuter belt.

Around 1.6 million people, 40% of Ireland’s population, live in the Eastern district with the majority living in the Greater Dublin Area.

The district incorporates all or part of 12 local authority areas, including Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, and South Dublin. The main rivers in the district are the Liffey,

Boyne, Nanny, Delvin, Vartry and Avoca rivers.

Separate CFRAM Studies for the Dodder, Tolka and Fingal-East Meath catchments are also being undertaken by the OPW, the outputs from which will be coordinated with the Eastern CFR AM Study.

The Eastern CFRAM Study will examine all options to reduce flood risk, including both structural and non-structural measures, and will also consider related environmental issues.

Consultation

There will be full consultation with individuals and organisations with an interest in flooding and related issues. Pending the completion of the study, the OPW said it will continue to work with the local authorities to identify and implement interim small-scale flood mitigation works in areas at risk from flooding.

The public open evening is open to anybody who would like to learn more or share their views and experiences in relation to flooding, flood risk and environmental considerations. Members of the Eastern CFRAM study team will be available to answer questions and to discuss the study at the meeting, which takes place on Thursday, January 26 at 7pm in the Red Cow Moran Hotel on the Naas Road.

For further information contact Katie Murphy, Eastern CFRAM Study Communications Coordinator; 01 4882940; info@ eastcframstudy.ie; www. eastcframstudy.ie

Oisin Geoghegan, CEO of Fingal County Enterprise Board

Workshops set to assist over 100 new businesses Q MIMI MURRAY

OVER 100 new businesses are expected to be set up in Fingal by participants on the Start Your Own Business programme this year, creating hundreds of new jobs, both directly and indirectly.

That’s according to the Fingal County Enterprise Board, the state enterprise support agency that helps new start-ups get up and running and also helps existing businesses to grow.

The organisation announced details this week of new training programmes aimed at start-up businesses, including the Start Your Own Business part-time course. Up to 80% of

participants on this programme in the past have gone on to set up their own businesses.

Aimed directly at those about to start a business for the first time, the Start Your Own Business programme is run over 10 evening sessions at the Fingal Business Training Centre in Swords, over a five-week period. To cope with expected demand, two programmes have been scheduled, which start on January 24 and on February 15.

Chances

To help increase the chances of business success for the new startups, participants on the programme are taught about effective business planning, finance, mar-

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‘Participants are taught about effective business planning, finance, marketing, sales, legal issues and funding sources’ --------------------------------------------------------

keting, sales, legal issues and funding sources. The subsidised cost for all 10 workshops is €200, which includes materials and refreshments.

For people thinking of setting up a business, but are still unsure if they have a viable idea, the Enterprise Board is hosting an ideas generation workshop in Swords on January 31.

The morning seminar runs from 9.30am to 1pm and is completely free of charge.

“We’re predicting that

at least 100 new businesses will be set up in Fingal by participants on this year’s Start Your Own Business programme and each of those businesses will need access to enterprise supports, delivered at a local level,” said Oisin Geoghegan, CEO of Fingal County Enterprise Board.

A new Fingal start-up business, Agile Networks in Blanchardstow n, recently received a substantial grant from Fingal County Enterprise Board, which secured

seven high-value jobs.

Agile Networks specialises in network integration and was formed in 2011, after the management buy-out of the Irish operations for Telindus. The new start-up is already looking to expand its Fingal workforce in 2012.

Workshop

The Start Your Own Business programme and the Ideas Generation workshop can both be booked online through www.fingalceb. ie or by telephoning (01) - 8900 800. The Fingal Business Training Centre is based at the Fingal County Enterprise Board offices, just off Main Street in Swords village.

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YOUR LOCAL PAPER, YOUR LOCAL NEWS!

26 January 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 7

PEOPLE Rivervalley features in the movie, Eden

International recognition for local filmmaker

Q MIMI MURRAY

A TALENTED local film-maker has just won an international award for his movie, Eden, much of which was filmed in Rivervalley in Swords.

Festivals Robbie Walsh completed the film at the end of last year, entered it into a number of festivals and said he was thrilled to have it recognised by the LA Movie Awards.

“We were turned down by loads of Irish festivals but I go back and forth to LA a lot and it got accepted in

the LA Movie Awards.

“I have a lot of friends living in LA who work in the film industry, people who I have met over the years at festivals.

“I have had films shown in Cannes and I met a lot of peo ple there,” he told the Gazette this week.

With no formal traini n g , Wa l s h s ay s h e learned his trade on film sets when he worked as an actor.

“I just asked lots and lots of questions,” he laughs.

On filming in Rivervalley in Swords he says: “If you have ever walked through there, it is beautiful but, if you

look closer, you will see litter and graffiti.

“There are things that are there for hundreds of years, like bridges, that are spray painted with graffiti and there is no real sense of appreciation.

“The central character, Adam, is homeless, not because he is a drug addict or a drunk but just through the recession.

“He has made bad decisions and has lost his home and we follow him through the course of a day.

“I feel this stor y ref lects the possible scenario of a lot of Irish families in the current

Local filmmaker, Robbie Walsh

financial situation,” he says.

“The film is 72 minutes long and we made it for €250. This is something we are really proud of and excited about. The actors were great and I got them

to improvise a lot.”

Walsh is due to travel to LA in February and hopes to get the film picked up and distributed.

Among the directors he says he admires are

Jim Sheridan, Martin Scorcese and Frances Ford Coppola and with a bright future ahead of him Walsh’s dream to hit the big time has just taken a major leap forward.

COUNCIL

Planning sought for unit BRISTOL -MYERS Squibb Swords Laboratories has lodged a planning application with Fingal County Council seeking to install a new cryogenic condensation unit.

The company is also seeking planning permission for the construction of a bund wall around the proposed cryogenic condensation unit; construction of an access stair and platforms surrounding the unit; and all associated site development works, ancillary items of equipment and plant to support the cryogenic unit.

The proposed development involves the modification of an establishment within the meaning of Part 11 of the Planning Regulations to which the European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2000 apply and which is subject to IPPC.

8 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 January 2012

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

Walking to keep healthy

BT Young Scientists

Alice O’Neill and Megan Freeman, Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan: Fish oils versus cooked fish: which benefits more?

Megan Weston and Kate Thompson; Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan; An Investigation into the Experimenter Demand:

OCALS gathered recently at the magnificent surroundings of Newbridge House to get started on a 3km walk as part of RTE’s Operation Transformation which has returned to our screens for its fifth series. Those taking part made sure to wear some comfortable clothing and footwear as they took part in this nationwide event. Fingal County Council’s sports office organised the local leg of the walk. Now in its fifth series, the programme aims to drastically change the eating and exercise habits of five volunteer “leaders” and in turn inspire views to improve their own lifestyles.

L

Could it influence students in our school?

Pictures: Geraldine Woods

Paulina Sobierajska, Balbriggan Community College: How You Grip A Pen Dictates Your Grip On Life

Niamh Kavanagh, Aideen McNally and Lily Mai-Hand, Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan: Does augmented feedback

Second-prize winners, Deirdre Harford and Coleen Kelly,

result in motor skills learning?

Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan: A search for genes associated with drought resistance in potatoes

Ross Guinan and David Malone

Julie O’Connor, Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan: Is there a genetic supertaster component controlling the Irish choice

Caragh O’Hanlon and Claire O’Brien, Skerries Community

of tea?

College: The Effects of Music on Athletic Performance

Budding Einsteins OCAL students took to the RDS recently to compete in the 48th Annual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan, students Deirdre Harford and Coleen Kelly enjoyed some success when they won second-prize with their project, A Search for Genes Associated with

L

Drought Resistance in Potatoes. Of the many projects entered, Dublin represented 131 of those, and, in the end, it was two Dublin students from Synge Street CBS who took home the overall prize.

Almost 40,000 people passed through the doors of the RDS during the week.

Robyn, Siobhan and Mitchell White

26 January 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 9

far-ranging photographers have all the events and angles covered

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Gerry McGuire cuts the starting tape

Cecil Moore, Eric Tierney and David O’Kelly

Margaret, Kate O’Neill and Christine Monaghan

Maired McCormack Mongey, Sandra Soden and Bridie Byrne

Caitriona Geraghty, Pauline Gilsenan and Vera Hatch

Niall, Carolyn and baby Cathal Noonan

10 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 January 2012

www.gazette group.com

ENTERPRISE Enterprenurial skills rewarded

All of your latest local news, sport, features and pictures are now just a click away

George Howlett and Philip Gillen, Safefood 360

Awards for food safety business

Q LAURA WEBB news@gazettegroup.com

TWO Dublin businessmen have scooped the Emerging Business Entrepreneur Award for their online food safety management business, based in Blanchardstown.

The award-winning Safefood 360 is run by Malahide’s Philip Gillen and his business partner, Blanchardstown native, George Howlett.

The duo were recently announced the winner of the Business Category of the 2012 David Manley Emerging Business Entrepreneur Award.

Set up in April last year, the global online

food safety management software solution business will join two other finalists to contest the overall prize in 2012 David Manley Emerging Enterprise Awards, which carries a prize package of more than €100,000.

The award ceremony, which takes place on Thursday, February 2, will be presented by Norah Casey, of Dragon’s Den, and by Dr Chris Horn, chair of the panel of judges.

George told The Gazette this week: “In the US alone, millions of people become ill from bad food, with 300,000 of those requiring hospital care and resulting

in 5,000 fatalities.

“Our software enables food processing plants to set up, record, manage and report on all aspects of their food safety systems necessary to meet legal and commercial compliance requirements.”

Meanwhile, David added: “Safefood 360 has already generated huge interest worldwide, and is currently being trialled by more than 250 food plants in 52 countries on five continents.”

In their first year, the duo raised €750,000 in financial backing.

The David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Award was established

in 2003, and nurtures the enterprising spirit in business, the arts and in the social community.

The overall winner will win mentoring and business advice, valued at €100,000, plus a financial grant of €10,000 in cash.

The other two category winners each receive €1,000. The €100,000 in mentoring is provided by leading experts in finance, law, accountancy, management consultancy, payroll and accounts software, corporate and brand identity and public relations.

Membership of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce is also included.

Maximise social media skills Q LAURA WEBB news@gazettegroup.com

FINGAL-based businesses are being encouraged to take part in a free event that focuses on generating publicity through social media..

Getting PR Through Social Media will take

place on Tuesday, February 7 The event, organised

by Fingal County Enterprise Board through Fingal Business Network, is aimed at helping local business owners get the most out of the many social marketing tools.

Presented by Eoin

Kennedy, chair of the Irish Internet Association Social Media Working Group, the event will take place at the Clarion Hotel in Dublin Airport.

Kennedy, who is a lecturer in Digital Marketing, with 18 years’ experience in communications, will deliver guidelines on

how social media can be used for more effective business networking.

Further information is available from Fingal County Enterprise Board by telephoning 01 890 0800, e-mailing info@fingalceb.ie, or by visiting www.fingalceb. ie/fbn.

26 January 2012 GAZETTE 11

SOCIETY Annual contest calls for entrants

In search of leading social entrepreneurs

Q LAURA WEBB news@gazettegroup.com

DUBLIN-based social entrepreneurs are being urged to apply for a 2012 awards programme that will see three such entrepreneurs get support funding, amounting to €600,000.

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland launched the 2012 awards programme this week, and is calling for applications from individuals in Dublin developing new, big ideas that will address the social and environmental challenges facing Ireland.

A total of €600,000 in funding and support will be presented to three award winners at the awards in October. On top of this, the awards will also support a further five individuals with €35,000, under the Social Entre-

James Whelton, from CoderDojo, was helped by Ben Mac Ionmhain and Laurita Maher Bordalo to launch the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland 2012 Awards Programme

preneurs Ireland Elevator Programme.

The call for applications is the start of an extensive eight-month consultation and engagement process that will lead to the award winners being announced in autumn.

Social entrepreneurs have until Thursday, February 16 to submit their application.

The selection process includes a “boot camp” in

March, where shortlisted candidates will be invited to pitch their projects, leading to interviews from which eight finalists will be chosen.

The finalists will then take part in a three-month finalists’ programme, where they will receive some funding and support, prior to final selection of the 2012 award winners in October.

Since 2005, Social

Entrepreneurs Ireland has helped support 150 social entrepreneurs, directly investing more than €4 million to individuals.

These, in turn, have directly impacted more than 170,000 people, and created more than 800 employment opportunities.

Sean Coughlan, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland chief executive, said: “The main criteria is a passion for making a difference, thinking big and using business skills for social change.

“We believe that, together, we can change Ireland, and the impact of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland over the past seven years has proved that.”

For further details on the programme, or to apply, see: www.socialentrepreneurs.ie.

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26 January 2012 GAZETTE 13

14 GAZETTE 26 January 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs

On the run with Continental CONTINENTAL Tyres, the European market leader in the car tyre segment, has used its tyre manufacturing expertise to help global running leaders, adidas, develop a new model of running shoes.

The manufacturer was approached by the leading sports brand’s innovation team to apply their resources and expertise to develop an outsole with a strong grip ideal for trail and outdoor sports shoes.

The trail shoes, called adidas Supernova Riot 3, feature Continental’s TM Traction Compound Technology – which allows sure grip on all surfaces and conditions. The latest running shoe model that is now available in both men and women’s styles, is the brand new adiSTAR Ride 3, the perfect trainer for urban environment. Further products - for outdoor and street running are in development.

The Supernova Riot and the adiSTAR Ride 3 are now available from the online adidas shop at www.adidas. ie.

Badged as an Acura in the US, Honda’s new NSX uses lightweight materials and a mid-mounted V-6 engine

Honda’s New NSX Concept is unveiled AMERICAN Honda has unveiled the new NSX Concept, highlighting the design and technology direction for the nextgeneration supercar.

Badged as an Acura in the US, the new NSX, which is expected to go on sale in the next three years, will be developed

by Honda R&D Americas and manufactured in Ohio, but is developed for true sports driving enthusiasts throughout the world.

The dynamicallystyled NSX Concept gives an indication of the next great performance vehicle from Honda. Making use of lightweight materials and a mid-mounted V-6 engine, the NSX

Concept employs several new technologies, including an innovative new Sport Hybrid SHAWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) hybrid system.

Values

Speaking at the Detroit Motor Show, Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co, Ltd, who led the development of Honda’s first NSX supercar, explained the values of the new NSX. “Like the first NSX, we will again express highperformance through engineering efficiency.

In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX,

I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities.”

While most supercars opt for brute force delivered from a large engine, the NSX Concept champions the true racing philosophy of an extremely favourable power-to-weight ratio.

Utilising a unique 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit with a bilateral torque adjustable control system, the new hybrid allwheel-drive system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering, which Honda anticipates will deliver handling performance unmatched by previous

AWD systems.

In addition to the handling benefits of the Sport Hybrid SHAWD system, a powerful next-generation VTEC V-6 engine with directinjection, works in concert with a dual-clutch transmission with builtin electric motor, to create supercar acceleration while offering outstanding efficiency.

This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make the NSX the ultimate expression of “the synergy between man and machine,” added Ito. “The NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way.”

Designing vehicles for visually impaired FORD is using Cambridge University’s Vision and Hearing Impairment Simulator to help design its vehicles to meet the needs of people with age-related vision problems Ford has joined forces with Cambridge University to gain a better understanding of visual impairment issues that come with an aging society and to use digital tools to better design vehicles for those with vision problems

With age, the ability to see fine details deteriorates, as does the ability to see in the dark. This means many drivers can struggle to read the instrument cluster while driving, unless they have bifocal or varifocal glasses.

To respond to this growing problem, Ford has joined forces with a team of experts from the University of Cambridge’s Engineering Design Centre. The team has developed a Vision Impairment

Simulator to enable designers and engineers to gain a better understanding of the effects of a wide variety of visual impairments.

“It allows you to simulate visual impairments on any image. You load in an image, select a visual impairment and it lets you see the image as someone with that impairment would see it,” said Sam Waller, an inclusive design research associate at Cambridge, who developed the software.

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GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Graduates complete basic IT skills course MINISTER Pat Rabbitte, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, awarded certificates to the first group of successful BenefIT candidates last Friday, January 20.

The candidates had completed ICS Skills’ Get Ireland Online programme, under the BenefIT 3 scheme, which is grant-aided by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

As part of this, ICS Skills will ensure almost 5,000 people are provided with basic IT skills in 38 locations around Ireland.

Minister Rabbitte said:

Supported by AIB

Ger’s golden giveaway: A lucky winner

“I want to ensure that no one is left behind – that every citizen has the opportunity to embrace our increasingly digital world.”

Participants on the Get Ireland Online course are taught how to make use of the web, send email, use internet telephone services such as Skype, and do shopping and banking online during three twohour classes.

The training is especially suitable for senior citizens, unemployed people, disadvantaged groups and anyone lacking in basic ICT skills.

For further information on the programme, see www.getirelandonline.ie.

IT DIDN’T take Bulmers’ Doing Our Bit winner Ger Norris long to de-cider who to give away his winnings to, when he won €2,500 for a charity of his choice in Bulmers’ promotional campaign.

Ger nominated the St Vincent de Paul Society to be awarded €2,500, in addition to winning €2,500 for himself, after he found a “golden apple” in a promotional pack of Bulmers’ cans and longnecks.

As a total of 17 apple varieties go into making Bulmers’ Origincal Cider, the company has hidden 17 golden apples in these packs, with individuals, and community projects of their choice, set to benefit from the sweet initiative.

BANKING: ANNUAL AIB CONTEST

Picking photo award winner will be a snap JUDGING of the 2012 AIB Photojournalism Awards is under way, with almost 2,000 images submitted from 120 photographers from right around Ireland.

This is AIB’s tenth year sponsoring the competition, which recognises excellence in the field of photojournalism, and is open to all members of the Press Photographers’ Association of Ireland (PPAI).

This year’s expert panel of judges is chaired by former picture editor, Dermot O’Shea, and includes two multi-award winning photographers – Peter MacDiarmid, senior news photographer, Getty Images, and Eddie Mulholland, photographer, The Telegraph Group.

The nine award categories have been refreshed and, this year, prizes will be awarded in news, daily

life and people, sports action, sports non-action, portrait, nature and the environment, politics, arts and entertainment and reportage, as well as the overall title of 2012 AIB Photojournalist of the Year Award.

Brenda Moriarty, head of brand and corporate marketing, AIB, said: “AIB is delighted to sponsor the AIB Photojournalism Awards, and accompanying exhibition, for the tenth year.

“The competition creates a tremendous platform for the work of the PPAI to be seen by communities right around Ireland.

“We look forward to the exhibition of winning and highly-commended images, which will go on tour following the awards, visiting our branches and other selected venues.

“I would like to wish all

PPAI members the very best of luck in this year’s competition,” she said.

Michael Chester, president, PPAI, said: “The AIB Photojournalism Awards recognises excellence in our field, and showcases the work of Irish photojournalists.

“The PPAI is delighted to be in partnership with AIB, as its branch network allows the work of our members to be seen by wide-ranging communities in Ireland,” he said.

The winners of the 2012 AIB Photojournalism Awards will be announced at a ceremony in The Burlington Hotel on Friday, February 17.

The winning images will form the 2012 AIB Photojournalism Exhibition, which will tour selected AIB branches and other venues around the country throughout the year.

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VALENTINE’S BREAKS P24

WHERE in the WORLD THE WRITE GUIDE TO STOCKHOLM: THE Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is currently making a huge impact on movie fans all over the world and, now, it is making an even bigger impact in Stockholm.

The movie, based on the trilogy of books by Stieg Larsson, was shot in Stockholm, and many fans have started visiting the city to walk in the footsteps of the characters.

If you wish to explore the story settings on your own, and not by guided tour, pick up a Millenium Map at the City Museum, which lists all relevant addresses.

Stockholm City Museum’s popular and award-winning Stieg Larsson Millennium Tour has proved very popular with fans. The walking tour is full of factual information and intriguing stories that tie the real Stockholm with its fictional counterpart.

If you are an avid fan of the thriller series, then you may also like to take a private tour, which can be booked by emailing: bokning. stadsmuseum@stockholm.se.

SAS flies direct from Dublin to Stockholm, four times a week, from €85 one-way, including all taxes and charges.

Toronto has vibrant indigenous music scene, beautiful scenery, world-class museums, restaurants and architecture and a lot of sports

LONGITUDE 79° 24’ W | LATITUDE 43° 40’ N

Anything and everything you could want in Toronto Q PAUL HOSFORD

LOVE Toronto. It’s not a catchy phrase on (many) t-shirts, but it’s true. I have experienced a lot in my several visits – music festivals, scary amounts of snow, late-night, on-street discussions on the causes of homelessness with a Hasidic Jew in full Shabbath attire, and even being challenged to a fight by a lady drug-dealer (not me, technically, but a friend.)

With the full disclosure out of the

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way, you might ask what is the reason for this love?

There is everything that anyone could want in a major city – several music festivals all year round as well as a vibrant, indigenous music scene, beautiful scenery, an international film festival for star-spotters, world-class museums, restaurants and architecture, a well-laid out, easily walk able city with good public transport and a lot of sports.

To each of those ends, Toronto suits

me down to the ground.

In a hockey-mad town, in a hockeyobsessed country, Maple Leafs tickets are the Golden Fleece. Every one of their 41 home games sells out the 19,000-plus seats available and tickets are generally only available from scalpers who man the sidewalks outside Union Station, the central transport hub, which is cleverly located almost on top of the team’s Air Canada Centre.

Away from toothless men hitting

each other, the music and arts scene in Toronto is as vibrant as ever. The stunning Roy Thomson Hall is as good a venue for concerts and operas as there is, while the more contemporary venues, like El Mocambo, Lee’s Palace, The Opera House and the world-famous Horseshoe Tavern (which was the first stop on the Rolling Stones’ 1997 world tour) are alive nightly with the sounds of local and international music.

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LONGITUDE 37° 51’ N | LATITUDE 27° 15’ E

Kusadasi bound LAURA WEBB

MAKING my way to the airport on a rainy, dreary Sunday evening in Dublin, made the thoughts of staying in a sunny country for a week even more exciting.

The chartered Sky Airlines plane wasn’t as spacious as I had hoped, but the friendly staff and the free use of a pillow and blanket made the late night flight that little bit easier to handle.

Arriving in Bodrum Airport in Turkey in the middle of the night and having to get a two-hour bus journey to the resort didn’t go down well with my five-year-old son, but, thankfully, the handy portable DVD player was on hand with Toy Story 3 to keep him occupied, and I would suggest something like this in order to keep little ones occupied.

We stayed at the threestar Melissa Apartments, and, after a well-deserved nap, we were greeted by the Wings Abroad holiday rep, Sharon Byrne, who was a bundle of knowledge – telling us all we needed to know about our stay in Kusadasi.

Visitors to Kusadasi will have no excuse for just lounging around the pool, because there

is something different to do every day, from boat trips across the Aedeon Ocean, Turkish Baths, seeing one of the Seven Wonders of the World, or just enjoying the coastal view at the seafront.

My son, Dylan, and I treated ourselves to a trip to a Dolphin Show at Adaland Park, one of two water parks in Kusadasi.

Another day we went to Aquafantasy, which was recommended by Sharon for being the best for young kids. She wasn’t wrong. This water park had so many different activities for kids – if they aren’t big enough for the slides, they still had lots of pools and smaller slides to enjoy.

We walked around the town a lot and used the local bus service, which runs every five minutes, and runs on an honesty policy. You don’t have to pay straight away, and if you have an infant sitting on your lap, they usually go free.

The Melissa Apartment has everything you need for a sun holiday.

Entertainment is provided every night, and at the kiddie discos the younger ones are really taken care of. The room is basic and the complex is small, but the staff make everyone

Having some fun in the pool at Aquafantasy water park

feel welcome.

There are a few hidden costs that I was unaware of. When arriving at Bodrum airport you must pay €15 per person for a visa

The rooms at the Melissa Aparments in Kusadasi are small, but the facilities and friendly staff more than make up for it

to enter the country.

Another strange hidden cost was when we arrived at the Dolphin Show at Adaland Park, I was told that if I wanted to use my own camera to take pictures, I had to pay a further 10 Turkish Lira, crazy when you consider you will be the one paying for the print-outs.

As for the Airport’s crazy food prices – when we were waiting for our plane to Dublin at Bodrum, my thirsty five-yearold asked for a drink. Two cans of sprite cost me 23 Turkish Lira – the equivalent of €10; needless to say I made sure we drank every last drop.

Other than those couple of surprises, Kusadasi is quite cheap and a shop-

per’s dream for all those ‘genuine fake’ clothes, bags, shoes etc.

For a gateway in the Sun, Kusadasi ticks nearly every box.

The 3-star Melissa Apartments, on a selfcatering basis, costs from €369. This family-run complex, with its daytime activities and an Irish Style Pub, is suitable for both families and couples. Its central location and easy access to Ladies Beach, makes it an ideal base for those who want to be within walking distance of all of the amenities that Kusadasi has to offer.

Price includes seven nights accommodation, return flights and transfers.

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for family fun...

Fun at Aquafantasy, left, and, above, the three-star Melissa appartments

Sunset Beach Club – ideal for sun breaks THE Irish-owned Sunset Beach Club is located on the seafront of Benalmadena Costa on the Costa del Sol, and is easily accessible, being only 20 minutes from Malaga airport.

Ideal for a sunshine break, their one-bedroom apartments are perfect for couples or families of up to four, and offer the best of both worlds, combining apartmentstyle rooms with fourstar hotel services and facilities.

March, April and May are great months to enjoy the sunshine without the burn, and all the pleasures of the Costa del Sol and surrounding areas, without the crowds.

The on-site Golf and

Leisure Desk is also there to help you get the most out of your stay.

So, whether you are looking for somewhere to spend a few days lazing by the pool with a good book, play golf, or relax with family and friends, or perhaps an extended visit to explore the amazing sights of Andalucia, Sunset Beach Club provides the perfect base for your holiday.

During the Easter school holidays, separate activities are organised every day for five to 12-year-olds, teenagers and adults, making sure the whole family is entertained.

For more information, visit www.sunsetbeachclub.com.

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Exotic honeymoon options LAURA WEBB

AS EACH new generation ties the knot and enters the honeymoon market, they bring their own tastes and desires to travel.

Destinations, resorts, and activities that thrilled previous newly-wed couples may now be less appealing, or not as attainable due to political and economic reasons.

New trends and exotic destinations always emerge, offering Irish couples fresh opportunities

for fun and relaxation.

Honey mooning in European Union countries means shorter flight times, old world cultures, the euro and romantic cities such as Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Prague, Istanbul or Copenhagen, to name but a few.

Sunny Mediterranean beaches, great food and wine and an endless choice of hotels will suit any budget.

For many couples, Africa represents a dream honeymoon and a rea-

sonable exchange rate has made many previously expensive destinations, such as Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana, much more accessible.

Other hot destinations include Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Borneo, Brazil and Jordan. All offer unique and unforgettable honeymoons, and have never been more inspiring. So, before planning a honeymoon, talk to GoHop.ie and check out the latest ways to celebrate one.

More deals from GoHop …

Also in relation to Toronto and Malta, here are some special offers: CANADA: In every Canadian city, visitors are only steps from good food, great views, and a breath of nature’s fresh air. GoHop.ie are offering holidays to Toronto, flights and five nights, three-star hotel from €519.

For more North American offers, visit http://ibe.gohop.ie/offer/group-24 MALTA: Few European countries have such concentrated history, architecture and, yes, beaches in so tiny an area. GoHop.ie are offering holidays to Malta, flights and seven nights three-star hotels from €159.

For more Malta offers : http://ibe.gohop.ie/offer/group-9

The CN Tower (left) and Casa Loma, Canada’s famous castle, is complete with 98 rooms, secret passages, stately towers and estate gardens . It was the former estate of Sir Henry Pellatt, a prominent Toronto financier.

LONGITUDE 79° 24’ W | LATITUDE 43° 40’ N

Anything and everything you could want in Toronto Continued from Page 17

For those looking to shop, the Eaton Centre marks the city’s centre point and comprises 330 stores, 160,000 square metres, two food courts and five floors. The centre is currently undergoing a $120 million revitalisation project that will see it upgraded and expanded by the end of 2012.

It contains the world’s largest Sears store, which is a haven for downtown shoppers, as well as the Canadian flagship store of H&M. To put in perspective the sheer size of the centre, each of its northernmost and southernmost points has a different subway station serving it (Dundas and Queen, respectively).

For those looking to hit the tourist trail, the CN Tower, once the largest

free-standing structure in the world, is worth every cent of the $30 admission, though, for the best value, I would highly recommend the CityPass ($66 available online at www. citypass.com or from any of the attractions).

The Pass will give you access to the CN Tower, the massive, impressive and, quite frankly excellent, Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Centre with it’s interactive learning exhibits, Casa Loma and the Royal Ontario Museum.

The final two are simply unmissable. Casa Loma is a 1911“medieval” castle built on a hill above Toronto’s northside, in an area now known as The Annex.

Up to $3.5million was spent from 1911-14 in turning the site into a home fit for a king and queen, but it soon fell into

disrepair and was seized by the City of Toronto in 1937.

Its magnificence, its opulence and its sheer scale are breathtaking and, if you get a sunny day, the setting is spectacular, with gardens and views aplenty.

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is a world-class museum with over six million items ranging from dinosaur fossils, mummies, world art and Canadian history in 40 galleries inside its

striking, but controversial, crystal entrance.

The redesigned entrance is a jarring addition to the Toronto skyline and is still much-talked about, even four years after the Daniel Libeskind design first opened.

All in all, the city is a diverse, thriving metropolis, with enough quiet spots, like the Toronto Islands, Trinity Bellwoods Park, High Park and nearby attractions, like Niagara Falls, to make it the complete city holiday.

There is definitely something for everyone in the city limits of Toronto

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Great deals at Holiday World Show LONGITUDE 51° 30’ N | LATITUDE 0° 10’ W WHETHER your dream holiday is the delights of Turkey, an African safari, the excitement of South America, the luxury of Dubai, the fun of the Mediterranean or the warm welcome of a home holiday, The Holiday World Show Dublin 2012 at the RDS Simmonscourt from Friday, January 27 to Sunday,

January 29 is the place to be.

The Holiday World Show will provide expert advice to those seeking a well-earned escape from reality, with “affordability” being the key word, and many great offers are available to purchase on the spot.

New this year is the Over-55s Holiday Show,

joining The Holiday World Show and The Caravan and Motorhome Show, offering three shows in one.

The format of the show gives visitors the opportunity to explore the globe under one roof – Africa and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe and the Mediterranean, The

Americas, Home Holidays, Cruise Lines and Ferries, alongside Adventure Travel.

Visitors will have the opportunity to talk faceto-face with many leading travel organisations, and can take advantage of some exclusive “showonly” offers. For further information, see www. holidayworldshow.com.

A luvverly excursion to London Q SHANE DILLON

LONDON retains a charm and character that make it a delightful destination for all visitors, allyear-round.

Joining some colleagues, I recently set off for a couple of days there, keen to see some new sights in a city that I know very well.

Taking my seat for a British Midland International (BMI) flight to Heathrow, there followed the smoothest flight of my life – honest – as well as the softest landing, and all on my very first BMI flight, marking a great, relaxed start to my trip.

BMI fly from Dublin to London Heathrow oneway, including all taxes and charges, from €28, which also includes a 20kg baggage allowance.

For further information, see www.flybmi.com.

Upon arrival, my colleagues and I were soon whisked away into the centre of London, courtesy of the swift Heathrow Express (Heathrow to Paddington in 15 minutes;

prices from £18, one-way; www.heathrowexpress. com), leaving us close to our luxurious hotel, The Cavendish London (81, Jermyn Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 6JF; www. thecavendishlondon. com; telephone 0044 20 7930 2111).

The Cavendish London’s superb location (just the shortest of hops from busy Piccadilly Circus) proved an excellent location to explore the city centre on foot, and it was great to be surrounded by historic Jermyn Street’s charming shopping arcades.

After checking in and unpacking in our welcoming executive rooms, my companions and I set off for Madame Tussauds (Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LR; prices from £15; www.madametussauds.com).

You’ll forgive me for waxing lyrical, but the hit tourist attraction left us delighted, fascinated, amused and entertained.

Later that evening, we made our way to The Riding House Cafe (43 – 51

Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 7PQ; www.ridinghouse.co.uk) for a light evening meal – my generous portion of crumbling fish proved a great choice for my authentic fish and chips experience in London.

The night’s musical, Rock of Ages (Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8DP; prices from £20; see www.rockofagesmusical. co.uk) left a self-avowed musical-hating colleague singing a different tune the next morning, saying that Rock of Ages was “bloody brilliant” . Quite!

Finally, it was time to finish the day with cocktails, courtesy of the famous Mahiki Bar (1, Dover Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4LD; www.mahiki.com).

Next morning, we strolled to nearby cheesemongers, Paxton and Whitfield (93, Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6JE; www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk), originally established in 1742.

The store serves everyone, from Japanese

Helen Mirren was happy to see Shane at Madame Tussauds, left; Irish cheeses are also on sale at historic Paxton and Whitfield cheesemongers

26 January 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 23

A view of one of the luxuriously-appointed executive rooms at The Cavendish London

The Cavendish London is located Even January’s gloomy weather couldn’t dampen the stunning views

conveniently close to Jermyn Street’s

of London and her landmarks from the EDF Energy London Eye

neatly-presented arcades

tourists to celebrities (or celebri-cheese?), as well as many leading London hotels, exporting to clients and, of course, serving Buckingham Palace.

Next up, the Thames RIB Experience made quite a splash (Embank-

ment Pier, Victoria Embankment, Greater London, WC2N 6NU; prices from £32; www. thamesribexperience. com), where a brightyellow, inflatable speedboat boat soon took us on an exhilarating, white-

knuckle dash downstream.

Ditching our sea legs, we rejoined the landlubbers at Knightsbridge, joining diners at Harvey Nichols’ Fifth Floor Cafe (109 – 125 Knightsbridge; London SW1X 7RJ;

w w w.har vey nichols. com/fifth-floor-london), where afternoon tea awaited in the form of Picnic Chic tea and sandwiches (£18 per person).

Later that evening, we set off to Vinopolis (1, Bank End, London SE1

9BU; www.vinopolis. co.uk), a complex of venues dedicated to alcohol.

There, Brew Wharf (Brew Wharf Yard, Stoney Street, London SE1 9AD; www.brewwharf. com), our chosen restaurant, served up a delicious evening meal, leaving us ready for the “afters” – a beginner’s introduction to whiskey, courtesy of Tom Forrest, wine and spirit education manager.

Tom’s detailed whiskey-

tasting (www.vinopolis. co.uk/monthlyevents/ whisky_masterclass.php) presentation left us feeling like experts in The Whisky Exchange next door, where a vast selection of whiskies awaited.

Next morning, we walked over to the EDF Energy London Eye (County Hall, London SE1 7PB; prices from £17.01; www.londoneye. com), where the city, and her landmarks, were a

fine sight to behold, even on a January morning.

All that was left was a return to Heathrow, another painless BMI self-check-in, and a short while later, we were once again on board a surprisingly smooth flight, which concluded in Dublin with another soft landing.

Londoners may be annoyed with my mangled accent, but all in all, it turned out to be a luvverly trip to London ...

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Family fun with American Holidays THINKING of Florida for your family holiday this year? American Holidays has the best offers whether this is your first time to experience Orlando or you are a repeat guest. With the best hotels, resorts and apartments on offer, great holiday prices, and a huge number of attractions to choose from, Florida is a must for families, so be sure to check out the new Florida brochure or view online This year, Orlando is all about value and American Holidays have some of the best prices going.

Offers start from €595pp for 14 nights, three-star accommodation and flights ex Dublin, for family of four sharing. And when you book by January 31, you can book your Florida holiday for as little as €100pp deposit.

However, Florida is not all about family holidays – there are superb beach destinations such as Naples, St Pete’s / Clearwater and more.

There are two new Fly drives for those who are looking to hit the open road and experience what the USA has to offer such as: New England Explorer – starting and ending in Boston taking in the MidCoast of Maine, White and Green Mountains, as well as Connecticut River Valley, from €509pp (flights extra). Or maybe the Golden California Self-drive, beginning in San Francisco and taking in the famous landmarks of Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Malibu, Los Angeles and Las Vegas from €599pp (flights extra).

To look at any of the new 2012 brochures, drop into your local travel agent for your copy, or request directly with American Holidays on 01 6733875.

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LONGITUDE 53° 00’ N | LATITUDE 80° 00’ W

Make this Valentine’s day a little bit special IT’S just around the corner, and it’s the best excuse of the year to get away for a special weekend... it’s Valentine’s Day! So, we have chosen some of the most unique and beautiful locations around the country, all of which are offering something a little different to steal away with your other half for a romantic weekend.

PICK N’ MIX AT THE THE 5-STAR G HOTEL

OVERLOOKING Lough Atalia on Galway Bay, a city break at the five-star g Hotel is the ideal getaway for Valentine’s weekend surrounded by absolute opulence and comfort.

Spend two nights with full Irish breakfast each morning, savour a special five-course Valentine’sthemed meal served in the intimate setting of Matz at the g restaurant, and all

from €245pps.

The g even has a pink room - one of the hotel’s signature lounges which is perfect to relax and enjoy one of the hotel’s special love potions cocktails.

To ensure your weekend of love is a bespoke occasion, pick and mix from a selection of treats to create that loving feeling, including ESPA bath oil selection €12; Strawberries dipped in chocolate, €16; Handmade chocolates: €16.00; Rose petal turndown with tea lights,€25; Buck’s Fizz cocktail breakfast, €28; Champagne, from €80 per bottle For further details visit www.theghotel.ie or call (091) 865200.

SPEND VALENTINES WITH ‘THE ONE’ AT NO. 1 PERY SQUARE, HOTEL AND SPA LIMERICK

CHECK into your opulent guest room where a bottle

of pink bubbly and homemade chocolates awaits you and your loved one on arrival.

Indulge in a sumptuous dinner on one night in the intimate surroundings of Brasserie One, overlooking the streetscapes of the Georgian Quarter of the city.

Cherish pure relaxation in the thermal suite followed by a taster treatment in The Spa @ No.1– Ireland’s largest organic urban retreat nestled underneath the .boutique hotel.

There is even a Private Spa Suite designed with total privacy and wellness for couples to enjoy together. As a special Valentine’s treat, couples can enjoy late check-out until 2pm, with the package priced from €169pps.

For further details visit www.oneperysquare.com or call (061) 402 402.

OUTDOOR FUN AND FINE CUISINE AT ASHFORD CASTLE

The comfortable and and friendly surroundings of Ballymaloe House

ENJOY a luxurious Valentine’s weekend in Ashford Castle Hotel where an array of outdoor activities can be enjoyed, and delicious cuisine prepared by award-winning chef, Stefan Matz, is on the menu.

One- and two-night packages are available.

For €247.50 per person,

Ashford Castle, top, Castle Leslie, above, and No 1 Pery Square, right right, are just ery Square three of the special places to spend Valentines

you can enjoy one night’s accommodation, full Irish breakfast, dinner in the renowned Geoorge V dining room, a dozen red roses and a bottle of chilled Gremillet Canteneur Champagne.

This is valid on February 14, 15 and 16.

Two nights’ package costs €395 per person, including all the extra treats and dinner on one night.

For more details call 094 954 6003 or go to www.ashford.ie.

A SPECIAL GETAWAY AT THE MAGICAL CASTLE LESLIE

ENJOY two nights accommodation in the stunning Castle Leslie estate with a romantic candlelit Valentine’s dinner on one evening of your choice in Snaffles restaurant along with a glass of bubbly.

Chocolates and a single red rose will await you in your bedroom and a delicious full Irish breakfast is served each morning.

Located in the castle, their heritage bedrooms

are steeped in history and are full of character and each boudoir has been restored with relaxation and privacy in mind.

Uniquely decorated and retaining their original features, the bedrooms and bathrooms are scattered with antiques, heirlooms and curios that have been lovingly collected throughout the centuries.

From €270 per person sharing, contact Castle Leslie on 047 88100.

SAY ‘I DO’ TO VALENTINE’S WEEKEND IN WESTPORT

BOASTING luxurious guestrooms with kingsize beds and jacuzzi bath as standard, intimate dining options in Restaurant Merlot and a range of glorious treatments in Spa Sula, the Westport Plaza, Co. Mayo, it’s the perfect retreat for couples.

Especially for Valentines weekend, the 4-Star Resort is offering a twonight break with breakfast each morning and an

evening meal on a night of your choice all from €149pps.

For further information, or bookings visit www. westportplazahotel.ie / +353 (0)98 51166.

BALLYMALOE HOUSE – THE PERFECT GETAWAY FOR VALENTINE’S

YOU can enjoy the comfortable and friendly surroundings of Ballymaloe House, take a stroll on the grounds, wander along their walking paths, passing the spring flowers in the woods or relax by an open fire.

The rate includes two nights’ bed and breakfast with a special dinner on Valentine’s night.

Included is a complimentary bottle of rose on arrival in your room and dinner is followed by music in the drawing room with Rory Allen and Friends.

From €230 per adult per for two nights includes bed and breakfast and two evening meals.

For more information call 021 4652531.

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GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

1GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929

Goldilocks and the Three Bears CONTINUING its commitment to a wide range of communityand family-friendly entertainment, the Pavilion presents a delightful presentation of the classic children’s tale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. However, this tale is told from the bears’ point of view, as they try to deal with teenage tearaway, Goldilocks, and the worsening honey shortage ... Running from Thursday, January 26 to Saturday, January 28, at 7.30pm, with tickets priced €16/€12.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Ger Carey Live

THE Mill Theatre is continuing its diverse range of shows, with the upcoming return of Ger Carey Live one to look out for. Ger’s show for teenagers, Stand-Up For Teenagers, is set to deliver a fascinating – and hilarious – insight into the difficulties and delights of being a teenager in Ireland today.

Although some years past his own teenage years, Ger’s shows promise to be hilariously insightful. Look out for his show on February 8, with tickets priced €10/€7.50.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 The Three Tenors

Matt King (George Clooney) has, in many ways, a dream life in Hawaii. However, with the pressures of looking after an important land deal for his extended family, and looking after his two children while his wife is in hospital, waves of problems begin to crash in around him ...

Should make waves This Hawaiian-set tale sees plenty of twists and turns as a family man faces all sorts of unwelcome pressures ...

Q KATE CROWLEY

PERHAPS Ye Olde Mayan that I wrote about a few weeks ago was right, given the claims that 2012 would mark the end of the world.

After all, it’s with more than a faint shudder that I note Clive Owen is back on our screens, followed closely by Nicolas Cage on the distant horizon.

Alas! Alarum! Seeing one of these guys charging into view is enough to spook even a stunning film reviewer such as, ahem, you know who, but two? It’s an omen!

Time to start building an emergency shelter out of discarded DVD cases, I think! That, or ignore the grim reality of a world that keeps giving Messrs Owen and Cage films to star in, and turn instead to a kind of paradise on Earth – Hawaii.

I’m probably now getting drowned out by enthusiastic cries of “The

FILM OF THE WEEK: The Descendants ++++ (15A) 111 mins Director: Alexander Payne Starring: George Clooney, Matthew Lillard, Patricia Hastie, Beau Bridges, Nick Krause, nobody nicknamed “Dog”

OUR VERDICT: A LIGHT-hearted film with moments of darkness, The Descendants is a reliable Clooney vehicle, seeing him deliver the complexities of character that he’s capable of away from his usual crowd pleasers.

Part drama, part shootin’-the-breeze fluffiness, there’s enough change in tone and direction to appeal to most audiences, and add a breezy start to the year’s films.

Bounty Hunnnnterrrr” by enthusiastic followers of certain aspects of modern Hawaiian (pop) culture, but, dear readers, this week I’d like to take you both to Hawaii with me to share a little of Gorgeous George Clooney’s life.

Or, rather, to call in on the life of Matt King (Clooney); a middle-aged Hawaiian running one of those megabucks set-ups that lots of people are relying on, thanks to his family’s wealth and landowning good fortune.

All Matt has to do is sign over the land he’s ultimately responsible for (as

one of The Descendants of the original landowners – geddit?), and lots of people will be rrrrrrich.

Of course, this doesn’t sound like that involving a plot ... so, moving things right along, his wife (Hastie) has one of those A Terrible Accident plotdevices that tend to crop up in films like this, leaving Matt in charge of their daughters while she’s in a coma ...

Under pressure to close the land deal, and dealing with a teenager daughter and her younger sister, Matt’s in a muddle in the middle of all this pressure,

with his cousin (Bridges) piling on ever more demands to sign ...

Sheesh. This sounds like a perfect time for Matt to discover – SpoilerAlert!

– that his wife was also having an affair, which, perhaps, he’d not exactly prevented, thanks to his detached ways.

Okay, you can all start reading again. (Yes, the both of yus.)

Matt’s life is a mess, with what seems in many ways to be an idyllic setting only serving to shine the Hawaiian sun on the problems he faces.

His family and legal pressures and duties are all indirectly linked to the state of his marriage, creating a clumsy relationship with his daughters, and meaning that this particular descendant is simply King of a whole lot of pressures. (Geddit? See what I did there?)

There must be some way that everything is connected, that Matt can

turn everything around to reach the happy Hawaii ending that everyone’s looking for. But what ...?

Hmmm ... it’s an interesting film, if not quite truly great, but then, just as it’s pretty difficult to find O**n and C**e starring in great films, it’s hard to find Clooney starring in a terrible one, and The Descendants is a bright enough way to get 2012 going.

It’s mostly interesting for the shades of grey in the characters – or, at least, as much grey as the Hawaiian sun permits – as we see nice people doing questionable things, and others who’re halfway jerks also being nice enough, instead of the usual clear heroes/villains that most films have.

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a bunker to build from DVD cases, hopefully before O**n and C**e clip-clop into view with their latest offerings. Adieu ...

MUSIC fans will love The Three Tenors’ body of work when they take to the stage at Draiocht, ready to delight with a wide-ranging selection of songs. The trio – Declan Kelly, David Martin and Morgan Crowley – will cover everything from classic singers such as Sinatra and Elvis through to Simon and Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen and Joseph Locke.

Catch The Three Tenors on Friday, January 27 at 8pm, with tickets priced €27.50/€25 conc.

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26 January 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

HIGH STANDARD:

London beckons for Ava Hutchinson after epic Houston run Page 28

SOCCER: FAI LAUNCH ALL-IRELAND PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ COMPETITION FOR 2012

Five-a-side cup set to bring schools together sport@gazettegroup.com

ASPIRING Dublin schools’ soccer teams are being invited to take part in this year’s FAI Schools’ five-a-side competition.

FA I S c h o o l s a r e expecting over 15,400 children from ever y county in Ireland to compete in the event of 2012.

The games kick off in March and April, with Provincial Finals in May

and the National Finals concluding on June 7.

The winners from each county will go forward to their Provincial Finals and they then will battle it out at the National Finals.

The competition has been running since the mid 1990’s, the event is more popular than ever with nearly 1,000 schools currently involved.

There are five divisions to suit all school sizes, and a number of

teams can represent one school depending on the size of their student body.

While FAI Schools encourage boys and girls to play on the same team, there is also a separate competition for girls’ schools. Last year, St Oliver Plunkett NS, Malahide, won the B Girls’ Schools category.

S e a n C a r r, FA I Schools chairman said: “The competition is growing at an incredible

The FAI Five-A-Side competition will see some 15,400 children across the country taking part

rate with the standard of football improving each year. We must pay tribute to the local teachers and competition organisers in ensuring the success of the competition each year.”

The growth of football across the country can be attributed to the FAI’s Regional Development Officers, who have been vital in increasing the number of schools playing the sport, and to

the dedication of local organisers who volunteer to run competitions.

To enter your school in the competition, contact the competition organiser in your locality. Details of the coun-

ty and regional finals currently taking place around the country can be viewed by clicking on www.faischools.ie or www.faischoolsdublin. com for further information.

28 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 January 2012

in association with

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Joy on the road as Ava makes grade

After disappointment in Dublin, Dundrum athlete AVA HUTCHINSON is revelling in the glow Dublin supporting SOS with sponsor swap deal of qualification for the London Olympics 2012 DUBLIN’S footballers and hurlers will wear the Suicide or Survive Charity (SOS) logo on their jerseys instead of regular sponsor Vodafone for their first league games next month.

The initiative was launched by Dublin stars Micheal Fitzsimons, Conal Keaney; CEO of SOS Caroline McGuigan; former WBA world champion Bernard Dunne and James McCarthy.

Vodafone and Dublin are asking customers across all networks to donate €2 to the SOS charity to help fund its ongoing work in the area of mental health. Subscribers can make the donation by texting the word ‘SOS’ to 50300.

FCC’s soccer initiative set to run in Swords FINGAL County Council have teamed up with the FAI to launch the Stay Active programme.

Aimed at men and women aged 18 to 50 years who are job seekers, unemployed and or particularly longterm unemployed, this free programme will take place with weekday recreational five-a-side soccer, progressing to FAI Coach education courses for interested participants, and finishing with links to local clubs to assist with coaching underage teams.

Chief Executive of the FAI John Delaney said, “The Stay Active League pilot scheme is one that I hope will capture the interest of people who are currently out of work.

As we all know, the unemployment rate is increasing and we are happy to use our game in partnership with local authorities to address this difficult social issue.

Sport, and the motivation it provides, has an important role to play in assisting people, who through no fault of their own, find themselves without a job. If the pilot schemes prove successful we hope to be able to roll it out in other areas through our co-funded development officers.”

Stay Active in Balbriggan is held at Glebe North’s allweather pitches every Wednesday. For more information, contact Paul Keogh at paul. keogh@fai.ie or 086 044 4435 Stay Active Swords will begin in February.

For more information, contact Mick Pender at mpender@fai.ie or 087-1273258

MARATHON runners rarely describe what they do as fun. Tales abound of hitting the wall and hours toiled overcoming inner demons on the road.

Ava Hutchinson, though, cannot think of anything more enjoyable.

Her first effort at the distance ended in disappointment in Dublin last October. Running well on course for an Olympic qualifying time, cramps set in after eight miles, and became severe enough by the half-way point to leave her stretching against road-side kerbs.

The DSDAC runner ended five minutes outside the Olympic A standard. The result proved to spur her on and, last week, she made the qualifying time in Houston in brilliant fashion.

“I finished Dublin in two minds – I was devastated with the result but I did think about having

broken 2:42 with all those problems. I’m was adamant that if I could keep the body in control, then I could qualify,” she told GazetteSport.

Bouncing back, she approached last week’s Houston marathon with the same plan formulated by legendary coach, Ray

going to do it, you have to embrace being tired, the long miles, the bad weather.

“If you go into it with that attitude, you do get a lot of enjoyment out of it. It is hard, there’s no doubt. The training can be tedious with the repetition but there’s so much

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

‘The rewards of running a marathon are even better than on the track. It’s a different feeling to anything I’ve done before’ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Treacy, her mentor and the head coach at Providence College in the US. He was the man to impress on Hutchinson the value of fun to cope with the most rigorous physical challenge in athletics during her formative training sessions.

“That was the first thing Ray said to me. If you’re

Ava Hutchinson in action for DSDAC

enjoyment to be had.

“I’ve always wanted to go up to marathon level, but didn’t know when the right time was. Obviously, this season is a great opportunity.

“The rewards are even better than on the track, and the feeling I had after the weekend was just so good. It’s a huge sense of achievement for anyone to finish a marathon. It’s a different feeling to anything I’ve experienced before.”

The 28-year-old’s step up to the iconic distance was always in her longterm plans, but was accelerated by Marathon Mission’s support. The Mission was formed in 2009 to raise Ireland’s performance in the 26-mile event and has since provided Hutchinson with the funding to travel to Providence for five weeks away from her Loughborough base in England.

Similarly, nutritionists, blood-testers and other

supports offered her the chance to commit quickly to the new regime, and it has borne instant fruit.

Learning the ropes came naturally after an international background in middle-distance and cross-country running.

Ava won her first halfmarathon in Waterford last September.

Dublin followed a month later, a painful experience that provided the vital lessons for her stunning fourth-place finish in Houston, running 2.35.33 in a remarkably consistent performance, passing halfway just past the one hour and 17 minute mark.

“I really enjoyed it. The actual atmosphere was absolutely brilliant. It was so much, the crowds were huge – I’d suggest if anyone was doing an American marathon, it is the one to do!

“We had a strict plan.

The first couple of miles were quite slow as I hadn’t much time to warm up.

“But then I got into a really nice rhythm, got a really good group of about six. For about 18 miles, I felt really good and thought, I shouldn’t have a problem here.

“From 20 on, I had a few issues with cramps in my calves but pretty much felt good the whole way.

It was a big relief coming down the home straight when I saw the clock.”

The success of Marathon Mission, however, means that while Hutchinson has gone well under the Olympic standard,

there is a possibility she could miss out on the Games.

Indeed, it may even be a full set of clubmates could steal her dream. Fellow DSDAC runner Linda Byrne won the national title in Dublin – albeit a minute slower – which could place her higher in the pecking order.

Gladys Ganiel finished eighth in Houston but intends another qualifying run in Rotterdam, while the experienced Maria McCambridge will have a go in Seville. It is a far cry from 2008 when just one B standard runner ran in Beijing.

It is a remarkable turnaround but one which lost out in the publicity stakes as Martin Fagan’s admission of taking EPO took the athletics limelight.

Hutchinson says it does not unduly affect her glee at running inside the qualification time, but hopes it will not cast a black cloud overwhat has been serious success for the women’s long-distance runners.

“There are so many aspects of it that are so sad. It’s sad for Irish athletics and sad for the athletic world as a whole.

There are two sides to it. It’s great that the drug testers are doing the job and the sport has been kept clean.

“I’ve met Martin but I wouldn’t know him well so I don’t know about his personal situation but you have to take each individual case as it is and it’s nothing else to do with any other Irish athlete.”

26 January 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 29

30 SWORDS GAZETTE 26 January 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

SOCCER: UNDER-13 SIDE TAKE TIE WITH OVERTIME SURGE

Swords’ extra-time quartet Q sport@gazettegroup.com

Meegan breaks 23-year old record at NAC event AER Lingus swimmer Andy Meegan set a new Irish national 800m record at last weekend’s Leinster District and graded gala, breaking a record which stood for 23 years.

It sees him come into form at a good time with the Irish long-course national championships coming up at the end of February.

The event at the National Aquatic Centre will double as an Olympic qualifier as Meegan endeavours to make it two club members to reach the London Games following Barry Murphy’s qualification in 2011.

SWORDS Celtic’s U-13 A side produced a superb extra-time performance to run up an incredible 4-0 victory over Corduff, a side currently topping the league ahead of Swords.

They had earlier played out a thrill-a-minute scoreless draw in normal time as both sides took turns to try and make use of a strong wind It played a big part in the game, with Swords against the wind in the first half. Despite this imposition, they actually held sway for much of the half with Corduff failing to get a single shot on goal.

The second half saw Swords increase their

domination, with almost the entire period played in the Corduff half, but they could not get the all important breakthrough and the game finished goalless.

It led to extra time, with the first half seeing Corduff create a clear attempt on goal, but a wonderful save from the Swords’ keeper kept the match level going into the second half of extra time.

But the pressure at the far end finally paid off three minutes into the second, sparking an incredible run of scoring as Kevin Murray, Jack Leahy, Enda Delaney and Cristian Willmott all registered.

A fantastic win for a very hard-working team,

Swords’ U-13A scorers Kevin Murray, Jack Leahy, Enda Delaney and Cristian Willmott

they are likely to face another Premier team in the quarter finals but plenty of confidence can be drawn from their late show.

Meanwhile, on an adjacent pitch, the U-13D side recorded a fine victory over Ash-

bourne. A good 3 - 1 win for the home side was the outcome with goals from Ross McCabe and Robert Stapleton, pictured left and Dean McGuirk.

The U-12 Premiers stretched their lead at the top of the league to ten points when they

went to Sportslink and beat Woodlawn 4-2.

Brian Finnegan scored twice for Swords — once from a penalty to give the home team a two — one win and another three points, which keeps them on the top of the U-17 Premier league.

26 January 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 31

in association with

UNDER-21S: SAINTS MISS OUT IN TIGHT TUSSLE

CLUB NOTICEBOARD FINGALLIANS THE coming weeks could not be more

in the Gormanstown indoor hurling

important as the club will fund games

tournament. The games continue

development with our first ma jor

next Sunday and all support is most

fundraiser in the couple of years.

welcome.

It is so important the each member

Membership is now due: Please call

sells at least one ticket to make the

into the club any evening or log on to

car draw a success.

www.fingallians.ie for an application

Our new website is nearly ready

form.

to roll out but we first require one

Congratulations to the Junior hurl-

mentor from each team to provide

ers who were shortlisted for team of

all team and training information.

the year at the Dublin Sports Awards

We require this information from

2011. This will be held in the Clarion

all areas of the club: Academy, foot-

Hotel, Liffey Valley on February 3.

ball, hurling, camogie and athletics.

It was a good week for hurling as

Please forward to colin@foghlu.com

Peter Daly was chosen this week on

Fingallians’ Under-7 Team played

the Nicky Rackard, All Star Team for

their first-ever matches on Sunday,

2011.

FINGAL RAVENS

St Margaret’s were denied the U-21 title after a brave showing, with David O’Reilly scoring five points

Margaret’s denied by last-gasp free UNDER-21 DIV E FINAL St Margaret’s Good Counsel

0-10 1-8

Q sport@gazettegroup.com

IN A BLUSTERY Balreask, St Margaret’s Under-21s were pipped to the Division E championship trophy by a determined but fortunate Good Counsel side last weekend.

In front of a large crowd, St Margaret’s got quickly into their stride, playing with a strong wind and were awarded an early free, which John Colgan slotted over the bar.

A further two points from play, a free from David Reilly and a point from Connor Sutton put Margaret’s five points up midway through the half and looking very comfortable, in spite of some erratic shooting.

However, a point from Good Counsel, followed by a very soft goal scored shortly after, brought Good Counsel back into

the game.

A nervy ten minutes followed, and Counsel were camped in the Margaret’s half without making any progress before an assured point from David Reilly lifted the pressure and left the score at half time St Margaret’s 0-6 to Good Counsel 1-1.

The second half started with Margaret’s playing against a strong wind, but they started with the same intensity they began the first half.

Three minutes in John Colgan made a probing run from midfield which gave Fionn Kane the opportunity to extend the lead.

Then came a moment that could have changed the game. Good Counsel were awarded a clear penalty which was saved magnificently when David O’Connor dived to his right to divert the ball out for a 45.

The resulting 45 was cleared by the defence

and played up the pitch for Shane Sutton to slot over a magnificent point for Margaret’s from a very acute angle.

David O’Reilly shortly afterwards hit a free over the bar to leave the score 0-9 to 1-1 after 13 minutes of the second half.

Good Counsel should have been down and out following the penalty miss, but they continued to press and picked off three points from close range without reply, before Fionn Kane settled Margaret’s with a well-taken point.

A magnificent save

from the Good Counsel keeper was the catalyst for the Southsiders to start their comeback.

They took three further points with only minutes to go and levelled the match for the first time.

The match was heading towards deadlock as extra time loomed.

Counsel were awarded a free kick deep into added time.

With a strong wind behind the kicker the ball sailed straight between the posts and thir ty seconds later, without any time for Margaret’s to respond, the final whistle blew.

WE ARE holding a white-collar boxing

Membership for 2012 is now due,

event on February 17 in the Wright

please get your membership forms

Venue. Tickets are only €20 each,

from any committee member or

available from Declan 086-2673830

team mentor.

or Alan 087-2364559. We would ask

We would like to pass on our con-

all members to please support this

dolences to the O’Brien family on

fundraiser.

the death of Johnnie O’Brien an

Tickets for Dublin footballers’

honorary member of our club.

Spring series in Croke Park are now

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 1, 14,

available: Adult €33, Juvenile (U-16s)

15 and 26. There was no jackpot win-

€13. Orders by Tuesday, January

ner; €20 to Ronan Norton, Dappers

24 by text only to Desy on 087 995

Kavanagh, Desy Kettle. Next week’s

7429.

jackpot is now worth €3,089.

ST COLMCILLE’S Adult football training continues

at 7.30pm and speak to one of the

each Tuesda y and Thursda y at

mentors.

7.30pm. All players are expect to

The club are seeking support to

attend in order to gain full benefit

help kick-start the juvenile section

of the trainer and the sessions.

- any help is welcome and a meet-

Further details of the new set-up

ing will be held later in the week to

will be discussed during these ses-

discuss the set-up - if interested,

sions.

please let Adam know.

New players are always welcome.

Club lotto is held every Monday

If you are interested, pop down to

night at 10pm, envelopes cost €2

the club on Tuesday and Thursday

per line or €5 for three lines.

ST FINIAN’S THERE will be a table quiz on Thurs-

season. Contact Brian Fetherston

day, January 26 in Peacock’s lounge

at 0866041200 or bfed@hotmail.com

at 9pm. The quiz-master will be Liam

if interested.

Curran and the entry fee is €20 per table of four.

The All-Ireland trophy Sam Maguire will be coming to St Finian’s on Sun-

Tickets for the National League

day, March 4 at 3pm. We will be looking

Spring Series can be ordered through

for all teams to get their team photo

the club. Please drop an email to stfin-

taken from 3pm onwards.

iansgaaswords@dublin.ie or info@

We are holding a white-collar box-

stfinians.com if you wish to place an

ing event on Friday, March 30, at the

order for tickets.

Wright Venue. We are looking for box-

Membership registration fees are

ers from all sections of the club. We

due and the forms are available from

already signed six ladies, 10 senior

our website downloads section on

footballers and six hurlers and we’re

www.stfinians.com.

inviting anyone who may be interest-

The ladies’ football team are looking for new recruits for the coming

ed in boxing to contact Grace Murray or info@stfinians.com.

ALL OF YOUR SWORDS SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

COUNSELLED: Maggies undone by single score in U-21 E decider P38

BREAKTHROUGH Hutchinson rejoices in Olympic standard P36

GazetteSPORT

Swords’ judo club’s Eddie McLoughlin, in blue, will be hoping to continue his excellent series of results in Galway this weekend

JANUARY 26, 2012

Swords eye more All-Ireland medals Following nine medals at the All-Ireland schools’ event, the local judo club is confident for Galway trip swordssport@gazettegroup.com

SWORDS judo club has high hopes going into the 2012 All-Ireland judo competition in Galway this weekend following a sensational run at the All-Ireland School championships last week.

Three of their number will make the trip to the Kingfisher hall in NUIG buoyed by a ninemedal haul at school level with Swords’ Leo Gibbons predicting his charges can add to that number this weekend.

Eddie McLoughlin was among a group of seven Swords’ players to finish on the podium at the National Dojo in Finglas, The Fingal Community College student won the under-55kg gold junior medal, winning all of his fights by an Ippon — a clean throw of his opponent — as well as a silver at cadet level A member of the Irish national cadet and junior squads for the last 18 months, McLoughlin also earned 100 points towards his national

ranking.

He is joined on the trip west by Nikita Levchenko and Alex Glaz but a couple of club mates have not been able to make the panel due Leaving Cert mock exams which get underway on Monday.

Expectations Nonetheless, Gibbons says the trio have the ability to do well on the national stage. “These three would have expectations to get medals,” he told GazetteSport.

“They are training really well at the moment.

Eddie is on the national squad at the moment so he’ll stay over on the Saturday night and will train with the Irish team. He has competed once abroad but is still a bit young for that.

He is hoping to do some overseas competitions this year and training camps.”

Levchenko was a gold medallist a year ago in the minor U-37kg category while McLoughlin took silver, missing out at the hands of club-

mate, Ion Rusu.

It comes hot on the heels of the club’s amazing medal haul at school level with local academic institutes bringing home serious success.

Ciara Carroll, of St Finian’s Community College, took gold in the under-57kg category and bronze at under-63kg level.

Two silver medals went to pupils of Holy Family National School, River Valley, where Sanda Rusu and Aoife Kearns finished second in the under-33kgs and under-36kgs sections, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ivan Sidorv, of Educate Together Applewood, took a bronze in the under-31kg category, a feat matched by Marie McLoughlin, of Loreto Swords, at under-63kg level.

And another bronze went to Philip Young, from Sacred Heart, Ballyboughal, who took bronze in the under-25kg section, while Alexi Sidorv finished fifth in the under-35kg competition.