Swords 14 1 16

Page 1

Gazette SWORDS

INSIDE: Has Christmas shopping given you a wobbly

balance? Money Doctor has just the right cure Page 8

January 14-20, 2016

Find us on

Are you joking? Festival of funny at the Comedy Showhouse

see page 17

The best things in life are FREE!

Pilgrim’s progress: For a holiday of a different kind, why not try Spain’s Camino? Page 20

Cinema: A powerful start to new generation of boxing franchise

Diana Bura and Maria Louise Fufezan pupils in Loreto Secondary school Balbriggan were the overall winners in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2016. Pictured

Page 25

with them is Paul Reid, chief executive Fingal County Council; James Reilly, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and Mayor of Fingal Cllr David O’Connor (Ind). Picture: Kevin Mcfeely

sport

Basketball: Thunder stun Cork outfit to reach final Page 32

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Loreto young scientists shine to steal the show Balbriggan school

 aisling kennedy

takes top prize and

LORETO Secondary School in Balbriggan took home the top prize and the Runner-Up individual in the Young Scientists Exhibition last week. Maria Louise Fufe-

runner-up individual in this year’s competition

zan and Diana Bura took home the Overall Winner accolade for their project, An Investigation into the Effects of Enzymes Used in Animal Feed Additives on the Lifespan of Caenorhabditits Elegans. Renuka Chintapalli took

home the award for RunnerUp Individual for her project entitled ‘Developing a Predictive Tool for Identifying Flnch-Associated Biomarkers of Oesophagael Cancer Metastasis. Maria Louise told The Gazette that she was

delighted with her win, saying: “We never stopped doing our research, even now we’re still continuing it.” “We’re really proud of the rest of the girls in the school who all did so well.” Full Story on Page 6

2 SWORDS Gazette 14 January 2016

ceremonies | one-stop-shop service to help jobseekers upskill and get work

Tanaiste opens two new Intreo centres

 keith bellew

kbellew@dublingazette.com

Two new Intreo Centres were officially opened in Swords and Balbriggan recently by Tanaiste and Social Protection Minister Joan Burton.

The Swords centre offers a one-stop-shop service to Department of Social Protection clients living in Swords, Donabate, Por trane, Oldtown, Rolestown, Ballyboughal and parts of Kinsealy and Water-

side. Residents living in Balbriggan, Rush, Lusk, Skerries in north County Dublin and Gormanston and Stamullen in County Meath will be serviced from the centre at Gallen’s Mill in Balbriggan. The Live Register for these two offices stands at just over 6,600, with a claim load that exceeds 10,000. The opening ceremonies were attended by a wide range of representatives from across the political and business community including Mayor of Fingal David O’Connor (Ind), chief executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid, Children’s Minister James Reilly, Senator Darragh O’Brien (FF), Deputy Brendan Ryan (Lab), Cllr Tony Murphy (Ind), and Siobhan Kinsella and Tony Lambert of Fingal Dublin Chamber. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Tanaiste said her focus was on transforming the local offices of the

Jill Stout of Jill’s Kitchen with Tanaiste Joan Burton, Luke Moriarty, Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce, and Fingal’s Mayor David O’Connor (Ind)

Department of Social Protection into Intreo Centres or dedicated public employment services: “The Department of Social Protection was traditionally seen as the place where a person got their unemployment or dole if they were out of work, and nothing more. I was determined to change that. “Through the Pathways to Work strategy, my focus has been on transforming the local offices of the department into centres which offer dedicated employment services and concentrate on helping

jobseekers to upskill and gain training and ultimately a job.” She paid tribute to the staff at both centres who, she said, were underresourced for many years, but still provided a dedicated service to their customers. She said this issue was raised with her many times by Minister Reilly, and both were delighted that both offices now had stateof-the-art facilities and resources. “I wish to acknowledge the work of the staff working in Swords and Balbriggan who, under the stewardship of Siob-

han Lawlor, divisional manager for north County Dublin, provide a sterling service on behalf of the department. I wish you continued success in your work,” she said. She said that one aspect of the plan to turn social welfare offices into job centres was a new link that had been established between the Department of Social Protection and employers. “Officials in the job activation area of the department work closely with local employers in sourcing staff for vacancies in their businesses. On that, I want

to acknowledge the cooperation of the local employers in providing placements for jobseekers and giving them an opportunity to gain work experience, which is the starting point for many young people in their career path,” she said. The Intreo service in Balbriggan has a number of local employers availing of employment support schemes such as JobsPlus and JobBridge. A number of testimonials which highlighted the success of the employment supports were heard at the ceremonies.

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

Malahide Toastmasters is holding its open night at the Grand Hotel in Malahide at 8 pm on Wednesday, January 27, and are encouraging interested parties to come along on the night. Malahide Toastmasters was set up over 30 years ago to help people in the locality to hone their public speaking and presentation skills in a supportive and social environment, and to overcome any phobias they may have in these areas. Toastmasters provides an opportunity

for people who may have to give a speech at a family event, make a presentation at work, attend an interview, or improve how they speak from the floor at public meetings to build assertiveness or confidence. Members come from a broad spectrum, from students up to retirees. The club meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month between September and May in the Grand Hotel. A spokesperson for the group said that over time members work through a series

of graduated speeches, each one building confidence and honing additional speaking skills, and experienced speakers evaluate and offer constructive advice. As Malahide Toastmasters is a nonprofit organisation and membership for the year costs €110 and there is an €8 charge on the night to cover space rental etc. For more information, visit malahidetoastmasters.com or contact Frank on 087 4198505.

14 January 2016 SWORDS Gazette 3

balbrigggan | crime prevention

meeting

Gardai rolling out youth programme  keith bellew

ANother Garda youth diversion programme is being rolled out in Balbriggan in an attempt to prevent and reduce crime among the younger population. Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has announced that the latest Garda youth diversion project will start operations in Balbriggan courtesy of funding from the dormant accounts fund. This fund is a scheme for the disbursement of unclaimed funds from accounts in credit institutions in Ireland. Money may be disbursed in accordance with Part 6 of the 2012 Act for the purposes of programmes or project to assist: the personal

and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged, the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged or persons with a disability (within the meaning of the Equal Status Act 2000). Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) welcomed the allocation, saying it was important for an area like Balbriggan which has a very young population. “There has been significant progress made in tackling youth crime in recent years. “However, crime prevention and crime reduction efforts such as the Garda youth diversion projects are needed in areas with a high level of youth crime and in areas

where an increase in the youth population raises the risks of increasing levels of youth crime,” he said. Deputy Brendan Ryan (Lab) also welcomed the announcement saying “This is welcome news that funding is being allocated for a Garda youth diversion project in Balbriggan. Balbriggan is a growing large town with a young population. “The gardai have been working very hard to tackle anti-social behaviour and this investment will assist them in that aim. This is a great use of the dormant accounts fund and further evidence that this Government is committed to re-investing in local communities as our economy continues to improve.”

Support for grieving parents

Celebrating clean in 2015

The final litter survey of 2015 by Irish Business Against Litter shows Swords to be among the cleanest areas in the country, with a top 10 ranking in the 40 towns surveyed nationwide. The environs of Dublin Airport – ranked 16th in the survey – were spotless, with the An Taisce report stating “there was a huge improvement at the Dublin Airport environs sites. Given their visibility to visitors to Ireland, these roads need to be maintained to this standard all the time”. Three quarters of the towns and cities surveyed by An Taisce on behalf of IBAL were found to be Clean to European Norms, a fall of 15% on last year. Likewise, the number of towns deemed Cleaner than European Norms fell to 12 from 17. Pictured are Conor Horgan of IBAL with Aine Donlon of Fingal County Council receiving recognition for the Dublin Airport Environs Clean to European Norms ranking. Picture: Finbarr O’Rourke

Anam Cara is holding its monthly parent evening on Wednesday, January 20 from 7.30pm to 9pm in Applewood Community Centre, Swords. Anam Cara Services are available free of charge to all bereaved parents. Anam Cara is an organisation that provides free supports for bereaved parents in a safe, comfortable environment where they have the opportunity to connect with other bereaved parents. Anam Cara is an inclusive organisation where parents do not identify themselves by their children’s age, how they died, or if their death was recent or many years ago. For further information please see www. anamcara.ie email info@ anamcara.ie or call 01 4045378.

4 SWORDS Gazette 14 January 2016

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

education | Facility’s open day gives advice and an overview of life in the college

Sallynoggin College calls on potential students SALLYNOGGIN College will hold its annual open day on Thursday, January 21 from 10am to 2pm. The open day is the perfect opportunity to view the facility’s extensive range of courses, exhibitions, demonstrations and facilities. College staff and students

will be there to answer queries and give information to potential students and their families on the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme, the back to education allowance and the higher education authority fund, among other items.

Sallynoggin College, within walking distance of Dun Laoghaire, has earned a reputation for excellence in further education and many of its students have achieved national and international recognition in the areas of fashion, sports and photography and more.

The college continues to expand and develop courses. It has introduced a course in the childcare department, childhood education and training for the coming academic year 2016-17, and focuses on hotel and leisure operations as well as the popular airline training

course. All courses are quality assured and certified by national and international exam bodies and are designed to maximise potential for employment or progression to degree programmes. The college welcomes applications from all age groups

and backgrounds such as school leavers, mature students, graduates, international students, and those who are recently unemployed. Application is free at www. scfe.ie. Visit the Facebook page to see what life is like at at Sallynoggin College.

Fingal to get €130k in funding for animal welfare and road maintenance Fingal is the recipient of two Government funding allocations totalling over €130, 000 in the areas of animal welfare and road maintenance. Some €9,500 in funding has been allocated to two local animal welfare organisations and the Irish Seal Sanctuary, based in Garristown is to receive €5,000. The Irish Seal Sanctuary provides care for marine wildlife and assists distressed seals, in addition to other wildlife and maritime species. Their work is centred around rescue and rehabilitation. Fingal SPCA, The Burrow, Portrane is to receive €4,500 to assist in their work of rehabilitating and rehoming injured and mistreated

animals, and promoting responsible pet ownership. This funding has come from the Department of Agriculture and the Marine. Meanwhile, €120,889 has been granted to Fingal County Council for maintenance works on roads, which Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) says, is the first in a series of allocations. “According to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, this funding announced represents a base allocation for local authorities that will be supplemented during the year in respect of certain maintenance works, pavement works and safety schemes,” he said.

Oisin Geoghegan, head of Enterprise in Fingal: “Following on from two years of remarkable growth in the Irish economy, we’re encouraging anyone thinking of starting a business in 2016 to talk to the experts here at the LEO.”

business | Enterprise Office to give support

Leap expected in start-up numbers big leap in the number of start-ups is expected in 2016, according to the Fingal Local Enterprise Office, which is planning to run 10 Start Your Ow n Business training programmes during the leap year, each of which will have 12 new entrepreneurs. The Fingal Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is the “first-stopshop” for new start-ups and small businesses looking to grow. In Fingal over 200 clients participated in the start your own business programmes and bootcamps that were held

throughout 2015. Many of these individuals have gone on to start up their own successful businesses and continue to receive support and assistance from the (LEO). Training programmes r u n ove r 10 we e k s , focussing on how to prepare business plans, what market research and marketing tools are available, how to manage cash flow and making the most out of technology. According to the LEO, the majority of those completing the programme success-

fully start up their own business, creating further employment in the local community. The next programme is due to start in Januar y and will be r un over 10 weeks. The cost of this course is subsidised by the (LEO) and places cost €150, which include all training materials. Oisin Geoghegan, head of Enterprise in Fingal, highlighted other supports on offer to new star t-ups in 2016, such as grants, microfinance loans, one-to-one mentoring and business advice

clinics. “Following on from two years of remarka b l e g r ow t h i n t h e Irish economy, we’re encouraging anyone thinking of starting a business in 2016 to talk to the experts here at the LEO, to find out about the supports on offer and to sign up for the Start Your Own Business training programme,” he said. More details around the supports on offer to star t-ups through the LEOs are availa b l e t h r o u g h w w w. localenterprise.ie/fingal

14 January 2016 SWORDS Gazette 5

6 SWORDS Gazette 14 January 2016

young scientist | students shine at rds exhibition don’s dublin

Loreto runs away with first and second places

The black drop never came – so the black stuff had to do . . .

 aisling kennedy

Pitch-Drop experi-

MY FRIEND had told me, jokingly, not to hold my breath – and I didn’t. Looking at the ment in Trinity

SCHOOLS across Fingal county achieved brilliant results in the Young Scientists Exhibition last week with two of the top four prizes awarded to one school in Balbriggan. Loreto Secondar y School in Balbriggan took home the award for the Overall Winner and the Runner Up Individual which is a highly unusual achievement for any school. Maria Louise Fufezan and Diana Bura took home the Overall Winner accolade for their project, An Investigation into the Effects of Enzymes Used in Animal Feed Additives on the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis Elegans.

College recently all I could do was laugh, for if I was to see the drop drip I would have to wait about 10 years. Holding my breath was out of the question, but the experiment, quirky as it is, did certainly hold my attention. The Pitch-Drop experiment was set up in October 1944 by a colleague of Nobel laureate Sir Ernest Walton, and remained unmonitored for decades on a shelf in a lecture hall where it gathered dust. The experiment was to measure the viscosity or thickness of pitch, and when in 2013 scientists noticed that a drop had formed, the glass jar in which the experiment was housed was moved and a webcam set up to record the “drop”. Renuka Chintapalli took home the award for Runner Up Individual for her project entitled ‘Developing a Predictive Tool for Identifying Flnc-Associated Biomarkers of Oesophageal Cancer Metastasis. Picture: Pearl Phelan

Renuka Chintapalli took home the award for Runner Up Individual for her project entitled

‘Developing a Predictive Tool for Identifying FlncAssociated Biomarkers of Oesophageal Cancer Metastasis. Maria Louise told the Gazette this week that she was delighted with her win, explaining that a lot of hard work had gone into the project. “We never stopped doing our research, even now we’re still continuing it. “We want to go even further with our project because there was a recommendation by one of the judges that we continue to look into things like the enzymes in chicken excrement and also animal health care. “We’re really proud of the rest of the girls in the school who all did so well and we’re very proud of the environment in the school. “We have such a nice school and they are always constantly motivating us and are behind us to do even better. “They push us past our potential and I’m very proud that we won.” Reunka also spoke to the Gazette, saying she

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

‘I did all the work myself and it took a really long time. I’m delighted with my award.’

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

Alec O’Brien of Castleknock College

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

And it came to pass that on July 11, 2013 at 5pm the first ever drop was recorded. Based on analysis of the experiment the scientists in Trinity College estimated the viscosity of the pitch to be about two million times that of honey, and about 20 billion times the viscosity of water. A similar experiment was set up in 1927 by Prof Thomas Parnell in the University of Queensland (Brisbane) and this is acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Records as the longest, continuously running laboratory

was amazed and happy about receiving an award for her project. In adition, she was glad that “all the hard work paid off”. She said her project had identified a protein that could be important in the spread of oesophageal cancer. She explained that “based on dual expression levels, I could use this particular protein as a problastic biomarker meaning it might be possible to indicate the risk of metastasis before the cancer is about to spread”. She hopes to continue on with her project to see if the theory really works and she will be working towards this goal in the future. Meanwhile, another student from Castleknock College was awarded the Technology Senior Individual second place award for his project enti-

tled Machine Vision and Autonomous Systems, Design and Analysis of Robot Autonomy and Flying Robots. Alec O’Brien took home this award for building his own autonomous robot from scratch. The robot is self-guided and uses computer vision to move without human control through its environment. “It has spatial awareness,” said Alec, who assembled a number of off the shelf devices and then wrote the software needed to link them. It took three or four months to put the sixwheeled robotic vehicle together and it has a range of facilities that allow it to move autonomously. Alec said: “I did all the work myself and it took a really long time. I’m delighted with my award.”

experiment. In 2006 Parnell and current professor, John Mainstone, were awarded the Ig Noble Prize in Physics for the experiment! After waiting for a black drop that never came, my friend and I went to a well-known, local hostelry where the black drops, thankfully, dropped much more quickly! Slainte.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

The Pitch-Drop experiment in Trinity College was set up in October 1944 by a colleague of Nobel laureate Sir Ernest Walton

14 January 2016 SWORDS Gazette 7

Mentoring charity | rugby star urges people to get involved rescue Dog saved from sea disaster

Le Cheile is looking for volunteers Mentoring charity Le Cheile is looking for volunteers in the Swords and Blanchardstown areas to make a difference in a young person’s life, by volunteering just three hours a week. Le Cheile is a community-based volunteer led mentoring and family support charity which works with young people involved in or at risk of offending through mentoring, restorative justice and family support initiatives. Leinster and Ireland rugby star Isaac Boss

has teamed up with Le Cheile to ask people to get involved in 2016. Le Cheile’s volunteers act as mentors, or supportive adults, to a vulnerable young person and encourage them away from offending through activities, goals, support with education, or just meeting to talk. “Spending a couple of hours each week - whether it’s doing activities together or just meeting for a chat - means that a young person has someone to turn to. We know that just having someone

you can talk to helps a young person make better decisions, and support to reach their goals,” said Boss. Volunteers are given full training and support throughout their match. And mentoring benefits the volunteers too. “As well as being proud of all the changes I’ve seen in my young person, I’ve learned skills for my own life, like goal setting, and active listening,” said another volunteer. This year, Le Cheile is particularly asking for men to volunteer.

Leinster and Ireland rugby star Isaac Boss with Mentors from Le Cheile. Picture: Naoise Culhane Photography

“This year, we’re looking for men to step up and become mentors. The young men we work with often don’t have many male role models in their life and many ask specifically for a male mentor. It’s disappointing that we don’t have enough male mentors to meet demand,”

said Boss. According to Le Cheile, mentoring is a simple and effective way of working with vulnerable young people, with a recent Irish study showing that the presence of a trusted adult in a teenager’s life reduced their likelihood of mental health concerns. The

group said young people enjoy mentoring, building strong relationships with their mentors through the variety of activities, shared interests and goals. Le Cheile’s Dublin North project is currently recruiting volunteers– find out more at www. lecheile.ie

The Irish Coast Guard team in Howth recently rescued a dog that got trapped on sea cliffs at Balscadden on Howth Head. The dog, Hooch, a 12-year-old boxer, had fallen 15m into the water and then scrambled back up rocks where he was stuck on a ledge. His barks had been heard by walkers and paddle boarders who alerted the coast guard.

Safety A rescue climber was lowered and the unit’s animal rescue bag was deployed to bring the animal back to safety. The coast guard team then hauled the rescue climber and the dog back to safety.

8 SWORDS Gazette 14 January 2016

put your house in order | The gazette’s money doctor John

A sound plan to transform

According to the latest survey conducted by travel and leisure website, lastminute.com, getting out of debt is a top priority for many in 2016 with nearly one in four (24 %) choosing this as a top goal. When asked about the main reasons for January blues, worries about future financial instability (17 %) and postChristmas debt (14%) came second and third after post-festive weight gain (20%). But the turkey is well eaten now and the bills are starting to mount on the hall table. Do you despair over your finances? Are you one of the many affected by apathy, ignorance or lack of time when it comes to addressing your financial issues This is a brilliant time of year to put your house in order, physically emotionally and financially. We should literally take a leaf out of Charles Dickens’s David Copperfield, written over 165 years ago. A certain Mr Wilkins Micawber quipped: “Annual income – £20, expenditure £19.19s.6d – result happiness. Annual income £20, expenditure £20.0s.6d – result misery.” Apparently we still have not learned the lesson. Whether you are a government, business, a family or an individual, the philosophy is the same. If expenditure exceeds income, you have two choices – earn more or cut costs. For some, earning more is currently a bridge too far so cutting costs is sometimes the sole choice but the Money Doctor mantra remains – Stop Spending And If You Must, Ensure Best Value. In other words, if you

MUST buy a product or service, ask yourself, do you REALLY need it and secondly if you do, is there a cheaper or better alternative? 2016 is the year for ensuring best value. So if you want to transform your finances, the first thing you need is a sound financial plan. Set short, medium and longterm goals. These might be such things as ‘pay off all my debts’ or ‘sort out my retirement’. You can’t go forward until you know what you want to achieve. There are several categories you need to address and to help, here are just three sturdy tips to help you out. 1. Do an annual budget

It is so important to create your own income and expenditure statement. Only then can you truly plan – if you have surplus income, the surplus could be invested in a regular saver account (saving €100-€1,000 per month for up to 15 months, attracting up to 4% a year) or a pension fund (or additional voluntary contributions – AVCs). If you are in deficit, you either have to cut existing expenditure or earn more. Why annually? Because circumstances change and each year is different where you may have different needs or wants. Track your spending if you are unsure where all those ATM withdrawals are going to – use an ordinary diary or download the Money Doctor app (it’s free and available through both iphone and android app stores) to identify your spending pattern. Part of that budget should be a regular saver

John Lowe, aka the Money Doctor, has some great advice on cutting costs

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

‘Paying the minimum each month means it could take you up to 20 years to pay off your card debt’

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

commitment – save €100 to €1,000 each month and earn up to 4% interest, a great way of funding your costs for next Christmas, never mind the summer holiday! The current best deals are:

• N a t i o nw i d e U K (online and based here in Ireland ) 4%, save for 15 months. • EBS 3%, save for up to 12 months. • KBC Bank, 2% (but if you open a current

account 3%) save for up to 12 months. You can withdraw at any time without penalty and you cannot put lump sums into these accounts. 2. Paying off expensive personal loans and credit card debt

Moneylenders (authorised by the Central Bank) can charge up to 200%+ interest legitimately. The ordinary term loan or car loan

also have punitive rates of up to 14% and more, while even the cheapest personal loan interest rate is around 7% (certain credit unions). Equally as punitive is the short-term nature of these loans. The repayments on short-term debt is greater than on longer term debt. Unlike a mortgage or home loan which is long-term, personal loans eat into your disposable income – your

number one asset. There is a simple but effective formula for dealing with debt. If you can, consolidate all your debt into a single, less expensive loan and then pay it off as quickly as possible. If you can’t, hustle all your lenders until they give you a better rate or longer term and always pay the most expensive debt off first – the sniper approach. The rate of interest you

14 January 2016 SWORDS Gazette 9

Lowe on how to budget well for 2016

your finances pay makes a huge difference. Don’t be complacent. The standard variable rate on high street lenders mortgages can vary between 3.5% and 5.9% plus - on a mortgage of €100,000 over 25 years for instance, that is a monthly difference of over €200. Credit card interest rates vary from 9.11% up to 20% plus. There are also so many charges and fees – late payments, exceeding credit limits (51,000 cards exceeded their limits last October resulting in charges of €7 to €8.50 for that oversight) using outside the eurozone, withdrawing cash – you should use it like a charge card and

pay off the balance every month. Paying the minimum each month means it could take you up to 20 years to pay off your card debt. For many it is not possible to pay off the balance each month and for some who have “maxed out” their credit card, one solution is to transfer to one of the three credit card companies - Permanent TSB, KBC Bank and Tesco Clubcard that allow you to transfer at 0% interest rate for six months which basically gives you six months to pay off your debt at no further cost. Seize this opportunity if you can.

3. Cut down your banking and insurance bills

Overdrafts and especially those exceeding the limits should be a no -no. Arrangement fees, high interest rates, referral fees, surcharges (additional interest for exceeding overdraft limits – can be another 12% pa on top of the overdraft rate) and unpaid fees all take their toll on your disposable income. Direct debits and standing orders are also costly – An Post offer a free bill paying service throughout their network (BillPay) or even go online (www.mybills.ie). You should also shop around for the best mortgage and loan deals, not

to mention those insurance premiums – life, health, buildings and contents, travel, even your car – how much time do we spend on car selection and the detail at this time of year but little or no time on the funding or insurance comparisons. You could be paying twice the price just on the loan interest! Finally, make sure the financial advice you are being given is independent, authorised and experienced. Remember, if there is no fee, the only way an adviser can earn income is by selling you a financial product. Caveat emptor.

10 SWORDS Gazette 14 January 2016

SWORDSGazettegallery | fingal’s enterprising women network

Adaku Ezeudo, i-Smile International, Gciniwe G Mtoba, Business in Africa, and Carol Azams, Published By Kids

Bronagh McKee, Clayton Hotel, and

Berta Lazarovici, Sherpa Kids and

Journalist Dearbhail McDonald, Deputy Mayor of Fingal Cllr Jack Chambers and Karen Devine, WhiteLight

Sarah O’Halloran, Insource Staffing

Gael Cooke Allen, Castleknock Hotel

MC. Pictures: Joe Keogh

It’s all about networking! T

Zara Thompson, Ripple Design, Claire Cooney, of Moore & Co, and Lilly Markovic, Crazy Pixels

he second Fingal Enterprising Women network lunchtime event was held recently at the Clayton Hotel, Dublin Airport. The event has been designed so everyone can mix, mingle and get to know lots of new people. It was the perfect opportunity to get to know others in the Fingal Enterprising Women network. Attending the event were women from all areas of the business world, as well as Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Jack Chambers (FF), Oisin Geoghegan, head of enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Fingal, and 2FM’s Ruth Scott.

14 January 2016 SWORDS Gazette 11

hosts lunchtime event to encourage mixing, mingling and chatting

Consulting and event

Lisa Halligan, Maldron Hotel, Dublin Airport, Lorna

Rose White, Athru Solutions, Angela McDonnell,

Angela Meegan, Ulster Bank, Nicola Tevlin and Sandra

Venton, Berry Be Beauty, and Carolin Banzer, Si

Department of Social Protection, and Olive Gilsenen,

Russell, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

Chocolate

Spybus

Susan McKittrick, McInerney Saunders and Orla Carolan, The Talent Coach

Oisin Geoghegan, head of enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Fingal; Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Jack Chambers, and 2FM’s Ruth Scott

12 Gazette 14 January 2016

Gazette

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

asdfsdaf diary P27 P16

Gazette gallery P14

what’son have an art and help homeless:

Jason O’Callaghan is Ireland’s only Trinity College Masters trained psychologist

a day in the life: tackling weight loss and smoking addiction issues

Jason’s mesmerising agenda  Emma Nolan Jason O’Callaghan is a hypnosis psychologist by day and a stage hypnotist by night. The TCD educated professional says his daily life is a balance between work and family as he looks after his two young toddlers while running the D4 clinic in Blackrock. “I can do the same stuff as Keith Barry but I’m also a trained psychologist so I can do the clinical stuff as well,” he says. O’Callaghan says there is such a demand for his hypnotic weight loss service that the clinic is open six days a week from half nine every morning till half nine every evening. “We have clients every half hour.”

O Callaghan said that overcoming weight loss and smoking addiction are the two primary reasons people visit the D4 clinic. After dropping his children, aged two and three, to the creche first thing in the morning, O’Callaghan starts his day with one-on-one client sessions, which involve hypnotic clinical therapy . This aims to tap into the “unconscious mind” to combat food cravings and cigarette addiction which he describes as “unconscious problems”. “Ninety per cent of your mind is unconscious – the way we describe it is like an iceberg, 90% is under the water. If the problem, like trying to lose weight or give up smoking is unconscious, it has to be fixed in an unconscious way.

“If you ask any smoker or person who wants to lose weight, most of them want to quit smoking and lose weight so you might think, ‘why don’t they just stop?’ “Well, it’s unconscious behaviour so there’s no point in dealing with it in a conscious way such as therapy where you’re wide awake so it can’t help your unconscious mind.” He then takes a break in the afternoon to pick up his kids and look after them until his partner, who is a dietician and weight loss expert comes home from work. For the hypnotist, it’s then back to the clinic for his remaining client sessions which are all face to face. As for his nighttime endeavours, O’Callaghan performs at everything

from corporate speaking events to society weddings and black tie balls, charity events. Although he describes this part of his career as “more of a hobby”, O’Callaghan is keen to stress the difference between stage hypnosis and clinical hypnotherapy which is “completely different to what Keith Barry does”. As a successful businessman and highly trained psychologist, O’Callaghan gives talks to companies and sales teams to “show them how their unconscious mind can help them increase profits”. He also gives demonstrative hypnosis performances. For more information on the D4 clinic, visit jasonocallaghan.com

THE Irish Housing Network are calling on the public to submit their art for a charity auction to raise funds for homeless services at the end of the month. Where The Heart Is is taking place on January 29 in No 12, Henrietta Street from 7 to 10pm. Organiser Evan Musgrave said: “We’re calling on anyone interested to create an original piece of art, or to contribute something they may have lying around at home, in order to hold a popup event where the artworks are sold and the money goes towards a homeless charity.” The Irish Housing Network was established last May to tackle the housing crisis. Its current members include North Dublin Bay Housing Crisis Committee, Housing Action Now, An Spreach Housing Action Collective, Social Workers Action Network, The Hub, Lay Litigation Ireland, Help 4 the Homeless, Help the Hidden Homeless, A Lending Hand and Radical Roots Ireland. For further information or to contribute, email wheretheheartisireland@gmail.com.

14 January 2016 Gazette 13

14 Gazette 14 January 2016

Gazettegallery

| young scientists gather to display projects at

Ewan Jarvis, Dean Gleeson and Dorian Dederko, Marian College Ballsbridge

Daniel Ahmed and Hector McCarroll, Wesley College Balinteer

Colaiste Pobail Setanta’s Otilia Elena Boutiuc with

Harry Kearns, Blackrock

her mother, Maria

College

Niamh Ni Mhaonaigh and Aimee de Ris, Gaelcholaiste Joshua Murray, Malahide Community School

an Phiarsaigh

14 January 2016 Gazette 15

the rds at annual exhibition

Khadija Gull and Emily Tierney, Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan.

Students on a quest for knowledge

Pictures: Pearl Phelan

T

HE exhibition hall at the RDS was transformed into a hub of learning recently when young hopefuls in the annual BT Young Scientist of the Year awards set up their stalls. Schools from across the city, and country, were eager to give visitors, their peers and judges a first-hand look at their projects, which as always covered an extremely diverse range of topics, backed up by meticulous research. The Gazette was impressed by the quality of projects on show, with some very serious topics covered alongside those that were more light-hearted. The projects demonstrated once again how young Irish minds continue to quest for scientific knowledge.

Ryan Noronha, Joe O’Driscoll and Ryan Alec O’Brien, Castleknock College

O’Connor, Clonkeen College Blackrock

Gazette

16 Gazette 14 January 2016

dublinlife

diary

Looking for some young Les Mis stars to light up the stage Ireland’s largest theatre school is on the look-out for the next Broadway and West End stars. The Belfast School of Performing Arts has announced an all-Ireland search for young actors wishing to play the highly sought after roles of Cosette, Valjean or Javert from Les Miserables in what is set to be the company’s most exciting production to date. The audition process begins in Dublin on January 16 and is open to children and young people aged nine to 19. The show will take place in Belfast’s Grand Opera House in August 2016. The three-week rehearsal and show process will be a residential for those travelling from across Ireland

to take part. To register for an audition, visit www.thebspa.co.uk

Thousands sign up to quit smoking this new year The H SE has announced that over 1,000 smokers have signed up to QUIT.ie since New Year’s Day. While there are still 700,000 smokers in Ireland, the HSE’s findings reveal that those numbers are dropping as they expect that on every day of 2016 14 families will be bereaved as a result of cigarettes. T h e H SE ’s Q U I T Team is a personal support ser vice to help quitters – providing a team of trained advisers, interactive digital tools, empathy and support. The QUIT team can help over the phone, on

Facebook or Twitter, via email or text, or through Live Chat via the QUIT. ie support website. They also have a network of face-to-face HSE QUIT services in many locations around the country, providing one-to-one and group support for smokers. Dave Molloy, National Tobacco Lead for the HSE, said: “70% of smokers want to QUIT, and we’ve seen how support from fellow quitters can make a big difference.”

Donate unwanted gifts to gorta self help africa Gorta-Self Help Africa is asking Dublin people to donate unwanted Christmas gifts to its charity shops on Capel and Liffey Street. “Households the length and breath of the country are busy this week clearing up after the long holiday break. Inevitably, there will be gifts received that people either don’t like or don’t have any use for,” said retail manager for Gorta Maggie Dwyer. “Donating festive gifts to charity is a great way to find a good home for that particular unwanted present, and at the same time contribute vital funds to support the charitable projects that Gorta-Self Help Africa is implementing to end hunger and poverty in rural Africa. “Books, clothing, jewellery, DVDs/CDs, brica-brac and household goods are all gratefully

received, and if they help householders to clear up after the Christmas festivities and do a bit of spring cleaning into the bargain, then it is a win-win for everyone,” she said. For more information visit www.selfhelpafrica. org.

fifth annual haiti week filled with plenty of events The fifth annual Haiti Week, an initiative run by Irish NGO Haven which aims to raise awareness and funds for Haiti, is taking place in Dublin from January 18 to 24. This initiative was conceived as a joint venture between Haven and partner organisations to promote Ireland’s relationship with Haiti and was launched by President Bill Clinton and attended by Haiti’s President Michael Martelly in its inaugural year in 2012. Events are taking place throughout the week highlighting Haiti’s vibrant culture. O n We d n e s d ay, January 10 Haven and UCDVO hold a special advance private screening of Fr Joseph in the UCD campus cinema. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with movie producer Jeff Kaufman and Fr Joseph. This is a free event and tickets are available by emailing haitifilm@ ucdvo.org. The Haiti Ball is taking place on Saturday, January 23 in the Intercontinental Hotel. The William Jefferson Clinton

Searching both north and south for a new Cosette is James Huish, musical director and founder of Belfast School of Performing Arts, with Caitlin Stitt, aged 11, who played the role in a previous BSPA production of Les Miserables

Award will be presented at the Ball and will recognise extraordinary people who have shown outstanding leadership in personal philanthropy to bring about sustainable social change in Haiti.

findings released on workplace accidents Three people died in workplace accidents in Dublin in 2015. The health and safety authority released findings that reveal 55 lost their lives in the work place in Ireland last year. Two-thirds of workrelated deaths (37 of 55) occurred in businesses with fewer than 10 employees, mainly in agriculture, construction and fishing. Fatalities in agriculture were down by 40%, with 18 deaths reported compared to 30 in 2014. However, construction

fatalities increased from eight in 2014 to 11 in 2015 and the fishing sector also saw an increase from one in 2014 to five in 2015. Incidents involving vehicles were the main cause of fatal accidents in the workplace, accounting for 21 of the total. Fifteen people were killed as a result of falls from height, the second most common cause of death.

Reclaim the Vision of 1916 put poetry in the spotlight An international poetry programme inspired by the strong connections between poetry and the Easter Rising – often known as the Poets’ Revolution, has recently been launched by the Reclaim the Vision of 1916 group. Many of the Rising’s leaders were accomplished poets, including Padraic Pearse, Joseph Mary Plunkett, James Connolly and the eminent

Thomas MacDonagh. Also acclaimed for his talents as a teacher, playwright, Irish language scholar, and literary theorist, it is in MacDonagh’s honour that the chosen prize for the competition is a medal etched with MacDonagh’s licence designed by noted Irish artist Robert Ballagh. Along with this, the winner will receive a cash award of €1,000. The judges are poet Catherine Ann Cullen, Ciaran Carty and Louis de Paor. In its aftermath, the Rising motivated a generation of poets not least Nobel prize winner William Butler Yeats. In this spirit, Reclaim 1916 is now inviting the present generations of poets to reflect on the competition’s theme and submit up to three entries for consideration. See www.reclaim1916. ie/international-poetrycompetition/

14 January 2016 Gazette 17

food P22

asdfsdaf P27 health P24

OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week

Gazette

travelP20

Pets

can you give blake a new, loving home?

Irish comedy heavyweight Andrew Maxwell will feature in the inuagural radio comedy festival on RTE later this month

in good humour: inaugural comedy festival to take place on RTE

The funny thing about radio…

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

Ireland’s inaugural radio comedy festival takes place on RTE later this month, featuring performances from Irish comedy heavyweights such as Sean Hughes, Andrew Maxwell, Deirdre O’Kane, Karl Spain, Aindrias De Staic, Foil Arms and Hog, Fiona Looney and Colm O’Regan and others. The Comedy Showhouse festival will be presented by RTE Radio One and Sideline Productions, and produced in association with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and grintageireland.com. Between January 31 and February 7, the festival will celebrate and promote Irish comedic performance and writing talent and features a host of live shows at Space

Upstairs at The Project Arts Centre in Dublin’s Temple Bar. Twenty shows over eight days (two performances each night) with performances recorded in front of a live audience and edited into 18 half-hour shows for a new comedy slot on RTE Radio 1. The aim of the festival is to build on the success of comedy sketch show Callan’s Kicks, the brainchild of comedian Oliver Callan and music and entertainment editor at RTE Radio 1, Ann-Marie Power, who said she was delighted that they now had the opportunity to build on that. “Our listeners have huge appreciation and desire for Irish comedy and on their request, we have decided to give them more in 2016. More than 40 acts are due to perform over the eight days and, according to RTE will ‘bring together the

finest current and upcoming comedic minds in the country’,” she said. The festival begins on Sunday, January 31 with chat show She’s Having a Laugh presented by Deirdre O’Kane plus special guests, the following day will see Don’t Quote Me – a special live recording of the hit RTE radio comedy panel show. One of the big draws will be Cullivan’s Travels – A Journey Through Irish Satire. Ireland’s premiere satire expert Paddy Cullivan is a writer and performer on RTE’s Callan’s Kicks and leader of The Camembert Quartet, The Late Late Show‘s house band. In this show, Paddy and special guests look back at Irish satire through the years – from Hall’s Pictorial Weekly to Scrap Saturday, Callan’s Kicks to Bull Island, Pictorial Weekly to The Savage Eye, incorporating both chat

and performance. Another show which promises to be a big draw is one performed by Comedian, BBC radio presenter, star of Kilkenomics and best-selling author of the Irish Mammies series, Colm O’Regan. Who brings his unique storytelling to the Project stage and with special guest actors and interviewees unpicks the linguistic foibles that characterise this nation of ours. The Cube, which is downstairs in the Project Arts Centre, will also have a programme that coincides with the main event with Q and A sessions and masterclasses in comedy writing, radio production and film and television production. The programme for these events will be available from January 11. For more information see www.rte. ie

The Dublin Gazette has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Blake is a one-year-old male terrier cross. He arrived into Dogs Trust from a hoarding situation with 11 other dogs. Blake would be best suited to a home with children aged 16-plus and would benefit from living with a friendly, confident dog. He will need a family who will do some training with him and put in the time to help his confidence around people grow. If you think there is a place in your family for this clever, eager and very sweet boy, please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

OUT&ABOUT 1

4

ONLY Amelia pullover €39.95

Warehouse High rib neck top €46

Gazette

18 Gazette 14 January 2016

2

COS Shaped garter stitch jumper €79

3

Oasis striped embellished jumper €44

Jumpers for joy TOP FIVE

Penneys Crop cable jumper €14

5

14 January 2016 Gazette 19

Vichy IDEALIA Day €26

Guinot Creme Hydra Finish Face Cream €39.50

s p Drop y Sho m €35 d o B The Crea h Day of Yout

Nuxe Creme Fraiche normal skin tube €21.75

Clarins Multi-Active Jour, All Skin Types €38

Creme

a l de

Creams  jessica maile

La Roche Posay Rosalia UV Riche €22

It’s that time of the year again when it’s almost a daily battle to keep your skin moisturised. Winter winds and low humidity can leave skin dry, thirsty and irritable. Here are a selection of creams that can help rehydrate and smooth many types of winter skin and give your complexion a rosy, nourished glow.

Ziaja jasmine day cream anti-wrinkle SPF 6 €7.99

Gazette

STYLE

20 Gazette 14 January 2016

Gazette

OUT&ABOUT fast TRAVEL NEWS For a ‘clean break’, look no further than Spain’s Camino

Camino De Santiago De Compostela: Over 776km of track await

The beautiful Mexican city of Cancun

Get planning your dream honeymoon

If you are thinking of tying the knot this year or if you are already in the process of planning your dream honeymoon then you will be happy to know that there is a wide range of honeymoon destinations on offer for 2016. For €1,049pp you can spend an all-inclusive seven nights in the beautiful Mexican city of Cancun in the Occidental Grand Xcaret or in the Riu Cancun for €1,129pp When holidaying or honeymooning in Cancun you will be able to enjoy direct access to the beach from your hotel, spend time swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea and choose from a host of water-sports that are directly on your doorstep. If you and your better half long to be treated like royalty on your honeymoon, then the Caribbean island of Barbados will not disappoint. For €1,059pp, you will stay at the Coconut Court Beach Hotel for seven nights. This Caribbean Island is famous for its tropical

year-long weather, white sandy beaches and its turquoise waters which are ideal for enjoying an exotic honeymoon. Experience unbelievable sunsets in the Caribbean island of St Lucia during your honeymoon and for €1,199pp you can stay at the Windjammer Landing Beach Resort for seven nights. Bask on the white sandy beaches, enjoy a dip in the crystal clear lagoons, explore the length and breadth of these St Lucia or enjoy a peaceful getaway and relax and savour pure bliss. A holiday to the Dominican Republic is highly recommended if you’re into stunning mountain scenery, breath-taking rainforests anwd pristine beaches. Newlyweds can stay at the all-inclusive Dreams Punta Cana Resort and Spa for seven nights for €1,239pp. These offers must be booked by January 31 with flights leaving in May. Visit www.escape2.ie for more information.

 therese caherty

Pilgrimage – the word conjures up austerity of a Lough Derg kind: three days on Station Island where St Patrick underwent his purgatory, with black tea, dry toast, no sleep and an abundance of prayer resulting, it’s hoped, in a closer walk with god. Or the loss of a few pounds, maybe. Looking further afield, what about northern Spain’s Camino De Santiago De Compostela? The Way of St James can engage body, mind and spirit singly or in triplicate if that’s your wish. Peregrinos from all corners of the globe are attracted to it, those of all religions and none, who are fighting fit or more used to the armchair. Everyone has their way! Home is the starting point and Santiago de Compostela the end. This is where the remains of the apostle, St James, were reputedly shipped from Jerusalem for burial in the Middle Ages. St James’s Gate in Dublin 8 was Ireland’s tradi-

tional departure spot – it could be yours if you rise to the challenge. St James’s Day is July 25 and when it falls on a Sunday, Santiago’s cathedral declares a holy or jubilee year. The next is in 2021 – so you’ve plenty of time to plan, do the odd reccie. Seriously! Over 776km of track await you, winding over hills, through vineyards, almond groves, down into valleys, alongside noisy motorways, through cities, towns and villages dripping in history. A vast current of “peregrinos” flows through the area every year, recharging their spirits and helping to fuel a depressed local economy in the process. People drive, walk, cycle, run or, in my case, hobble towards the west. The ever-helpful Irish Society of the Friends of St James (www.camino. ie) is there too for practical advice. I booked a return to Santander which unfortunately determined my route – I couldn’t start in the Pyrenees without the journey devouring

days of walking. So the society advised starting in Pamplona, finishing in Burgos, home of El Cid and, during the Spanish civil war, base for General Franco’s government. Its 13th century Gothic catholic cathedral is a vast and undeniably impressive mass of spires, gargoyles and golden stone. Preparation is key for a stint on the Camino and the trick is to travel light. I decided to take a suitcase, however, for stuff that wouldn’t fit in my 35kg backpack and have it forwarded to the following night’s B&B. Here my language deficiencies glowed. More than once, my case went AWOL and I finished up buried in a beer. Why didn’t I listen and learn Spanish? Even a smattering would have helped. Once you arrive, your days, however many or few, will be totally governed by a pattern of rising before the sun, walking, eating, sleeping. Buy John Brierley’s guide to the Camino. It divides the route into 33

Engage your body, mind and spirit on northern Spain’s

stages with an average 23.5km per stage, from St Jean Pied du Port to Santiago de Compostela. In fairness, it will become your own pocket resource centre – worth the investment. Brierley subdivides each stage further with elevation and terrain ahead clearly explained. You always know where you are, how high you’re going to go, and so can judge your energy en route and stop if you know you can’t finish the full stage. An accompanying commentary recommends and rates albergues, restaurants, historical sites … and this is only a fraction. On advice, I brought no books. But in my two weeks, I couldn’t find an English newspaper or magazine so I read the

guide from cover to cover and back. It was worth it. But be advised – bring a (light) book. My first trek, out of P a m p l o n a t ow a r d s Puente la Reina, was unforgettable. At 6am half the world was walking and smiling with me. I found the scallop shell markers no problem. The fact that I hadn’t had breakfast - not even coffee - meant nothing. And although in the days ahead I got lost once or twice or found, particularly in the cities, that I was doubling back, the shell and arrows and John Brierley helped me hold course. In all, I completed eight only stages. Alas, a mosquito bit my eyelid as I made my way out of Logrono one morning for

14 January 2016 Gazette 21

Gazette

TRAVEL you, winding over hills, through vineyards, valleys, through cities and towns

The Scallop Shell: The symbol of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage The scallop shell is like an old pal,

legends involving the apostle, St

turning up at just the right time

James. In one story, as the saint’s

to reassure you when the way is

remains were in transit to Galicia

unclear.

from Jerusalem a knight’s horse

It’s everywhere: swinging from

was said to have fallen into the

backpacks; embedded in the path

water and emerged covered in

or on buildings; snuggling behind

scallop shells. Others give it a

shrubbery and scrub or sculpted

pre-Christian slant, claiming

into rock.

that the Camino was a fertility

Medieval pilgrims used the

pilgrimage for childless couples

shell too, sometimes for practical and the scallop a pagan fertility reasons: weighing little, it could

symbol at its outset. Finally, the

be used as cutlery or food dish.

shell’s contours and drills are

But it was also proof that they had indeed walked the walk. Native to the

sun – an important daily event and heav-

the scallop

ily symbolic for

evolved into a

pre-Christian

souvenir – and

societies. An appropriate

income

enough

for local

take given

shops

that the

along

way is a

the

journey

way.

to the

Some

west,

things

to the

never

“end of

change! Inevitably it’s associated with Camino De Santiago De Compostela

I brought a pair that were great for Ireland’s springy bogs. But on the hard gravel of the Santiago trail? They were a killer. If you’re travelling in the heat, make sure your boots are light but with a really substantial sole so your feet don’t bruise and blister from pounding the rocky earth. Bring plenty of plasters, creams, powder and socks too. Look after those feet, they’re doing a tough job. Finally, the food is plain, simple and when it comes to dietary requirements, you’re on your own. The lack of choice makes life so simple it would be great if we could bottle it and bring it home. Finally, this you’ll hear everywhere you go from everyone you meet: buon camino peregrinos!

as imitating the setting

Galicia coast,

source of

Navarrete. It knocked me off track for a day and left me looking as if I’d gone the full 18 with Rambo. Get the EU health insurance card from the HSE. I didn’t and it cost. What do I remember most? The friendliness of the Spanish and their patience as I mangled their language; the massive cathedrals in almost every tiny town that seemed to heave with gold. An Irishwoman I met on the way went for the regular pilgrim blessing and was invited along with others into a room where many gold icons were on display. How can all that be in there, she said, when the people here are so poor? I also remember feet - all shapes, sizes and various states of distress.

interpreted in some quarters

Preparation is key. John Brierley’s guide to the Camino is essential as are the right boots

the world” (Finisterre) and the setting sun.

Gazette

22 Gazette 14 January 2016

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

The Jar rolls onto the city’s trendy bar list THE latest trendy bar on the scene is The Jar, on Wexford Street, in the old Solas premises. The Jar’s promise is to reflect the charms of an old Irish pub while embracing the energetic atmosphere of its location. With a drink menu consisting of “old favourites, new loves and a couple of adventurous unknowns”, the bar aims to add its own welcoming charm to the sometimes chaotic street. With its food offering consisting of base woodfired pizza, it may have some competition with the numerous pizza joint offerings in the city, such as the nearby P Mac’s and The Bernard Shaw. However, the sharing plates on the menu consist of choices such as salt and chili squid, duck spring rolls and wild mushroom and tarragon tartlets, which make it more of a foodie destination than its pizza counterparts.

Fish Shop

Seafood, fish and chips

Queen Street, D7 Since opening early last

www.

dublin

its refreshingly simple

.com

g a ze t t e

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

WHEN it arrived early last year, Picky Eater thought Fish Shop was a humble chipper – should’ve known better The logo – elegant and discreet – and the waiter in a bow tie wearing a look of polite mystification when I asked for a one-and-one were enough to send me packing, with plans emerging for a more dignified return. The mistake was understandable – Queen Street, with its three lanes of honking motors and the Luas running through it – has long lost any of its Victorian charms. Notwithstanding a few sound watering holes (Ryan’s, The Dice Man), it’s possibly the least likely spot in the capital for posh fish and chips – this is Picky’s defence. The second visit was far more satisfying. We dropped in and found the protocol was first-come, first-served; no bookings taken. A wait of 40 to 45 min-

year in Smithfield, Fish Shop has made a name for itself, thanks to its crowded but friendly interior and range of dishes. Great for classic – and very tasty – fish and chips, oysters, mussels. Be impressed.

The Picky Eater utes? No problem. Repair to Ryan’s for an aperitif; a phone call later, and we cantered hungrily towards our tea. The Fish Shop interior is really lovely: space is at a premium, and Picky’s guest was tickled to find he was sitting on a stash of beer! The dozen or so diners squish themselves happily around a single row of rough wooden tables; others sit on high stools at the window. There’s much smiling, nodding, snippets of cross conversations, and then there’s the delicious aroma – a far cry from the pong of old fat or oil that regrettably some of us now associate with the national dish. The menu, as you might expect, is refreshingly simple: you can start with fried oysters or mussels or cockles, moving on to a fillet o’fish (burger), or battered haddock served with tartare sauce or whatever the batter-free catch of the day is.

Sides include bread and butter (no nods in the direction of glutenfree, but what the hell), twice-fried chips, green herb salad and tartare sauce or garlic mayo. You can wash it all down with wine or beer by the bottle. Our jaded Christmas palates were happy to have our decisions made easy. Very quickly, we plumped for the oldfashioned item (a oneand-one), and the fish burger (hake fillet on a toasted brioche bun with fennel, apple, garlic mayo and mint). The latter was judged a taste sensation! Being greedy, we also ordered chips, salad and extra tartare sauce. My hake was deliciously tender and moist – frankly, the best fried fish I’ve ever tasted, and that’s no lie. The batter was light, crisp and something not intended to be left on a plate. Otherwise, the chips were crisp, the salad was

fresh and lightly dressed. Service friendly, efficient and unobtrusive, despite the squash. Yes, there are no desserts – in this instance, an occasion of sin happily avoided. With a glass of white and a bottle of ale, the bill came to around €55. Smithfield has a dearth

of good eating venues, so Picky and pal vacated the premises with the following slogan: The Fish Shop on Queen Street – long may she reign! It’s closed Monday and Sunday; open for lunch (from noon) Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, otherwise open from 2.30 to 10pm.

Conclusion PICKY was feeling decidedly chipper after a visit to Fish Shop (at No 6, Queen Street, Dublin 7; tel 01 430 8594). The fish couldn’t have been better – in fact, was the best Picky has ever had – while its no-nonsense setting was unexpectedly convivial, making it definitely the plaice to eat ...

14 January 2016 Gazette 23

Gazette

24 Gazette 14 January 2016

OUT&ABOUT

HEALTH

Make quitting smoking your No 1 New Year’s resolution

Free app to quit smoking

Carbohydrates affect blood glucose levels the most, so the amount of carbohydrate eaten daily is important

nutrition: keeping insulin levels on target

Curbing carbs With the festive season now over, it’s time to get back on track.The first step is to take stock of your nutrition regime. Go through your kitchen presses and bin all the tempting t r e a t s y o u ’ ve e a t e n over the last few weeks. Then restock with fresh wholesome foods. The most important component for weight loss is insulin management. Insulin aka the fat h o r m o n e , p l ay s a n important role. It’s key for recovering from exercise, building muscle and maintaining optimal blood sugar levels. Insulin and carbohydrates are tightly linked. The more carbohydrates eaten, the more insulin released. Carbohydrate foods affect blood glucose levels the most. Examples of these foods are the fruit group, the starch and starchy vegetable group and the milk and yogurt group. Carbohydrate-only foods raise

blood glucose quicker than those containing fats and protein. Carbohydrates eaten with fats and protein will have a slower impact on blood glucose. Food composition

Blood glucose levels vary depending on whether you eat carbohydrates, proteins, fats, or a combination of these three. Carbohydrates will cause the highest and quickest blood glucose rise. Carbohydrate containing liquids (milk and juice) will cause blood glucose to rise faster than solid carbohydrates (bread). This impact makes carbohydrates the most important macronutrient for people with diabetes to monitor. Portion size

The amount of food eaten also affectson blood glucose levels. Eating bigger portions causes blood glucose levels to rise more. Keep-

ing track of the amount of carbohydrates eaten daily is important in controlling blood glucose levels To measure the quantity of carbohydrates eaten daily, you need to know about food groups, serving sizes and Nutrition Facts labels. One serving from each of the three carbohydrate groups contains about 15g of carbohydrates. Therefore, eating one serving from any of these groups will affect blood glucose levels in the same way. For comparison, one slice of bread has about 15g of carbohydrate. For weight loss aim to keep your total carbohydrates for the day to around 50g. Timing

glucose levels. Ask your doctor or dietician how many meals/snacks to eat daily. Blood glucose levels are affected by the timing of meals and snacks. It’s important to eat the same amount of carbohydrate at each meal or snack to keep blood glucose levels within target. To optimise insulin for fat loss, aim to get most of your carbohydrates from vegetables and some fruit and good carbs like steel-cut gluten-free oatmeal, sweet potato, winter squash and any type of rice, quinoa or legumes (beans and lentils) directly after exercise. In reality carbs are neither “good” nor “bad”. Some carbs are simply better choices than others.

Blood glucose levels are affected by the timing of meals. Eating three meals and one or two snacks at the same time daily will maintain consistent blood

 Greg Marsh Fat loss expert, personal trainer and owner of Synergise Personal Training in Stepaside. For further information, see www.synergise.ie.

A NEW free digital health coach app – iCoach – hopes to help people quit smoking in 2016, and maximise their health. According to the app makers: • Some 41% of registered Irish iCoach users stopped smoking after three months. • 80% of Irish smokers want to quit. • The highest percentage of smokers in Ireland are aged 25 to 34 years (some 28.7%). • The average Irish smoker smokes 12 cigarettes a day – that means the average such smoker spends €2,299.50 per year on cigarettes. • Finally, the new iCoach app update shows you exactly how much money users will have saved since the

day they quit. With 2016 looming, now is the perfect time to think about quitting smoking for good. Thousands of smokers make a promise to themselves every December to give up smoking in the new year – without adequate support and assistance this is a promise often broken. For those who feel like they have tried everything to quit, now may be the perfect time to download the iCoach app to help stick to that difficult New Year’s resolution. The app makers say that iCoach can be a personal safety net, at hand 24/7. The app’s latest update now comes with a “panic button” to help smokers at their weakest

moments – hitting it triggers instant advice on how to conquer the craving to smoke. Backed by the EU Commission, the iCoach app is free to download from iTunes and Google Play stores, and is also designed to provide former smokers with the help they need during their weakest moments. The app acts as a free online health coach that will support users on the journey to a smoking-free life, while also providing daily tips, seeing what the iCoach community is up to, and providing a way to share progress to support others trying to quit smoking. For further help to quit smoking, see http://stopsmokingcoach.eu/

Try a new way to lose weight Weight Watchers is famous for ferent perspective on fitness. Whether “points” and its new SmartPoints plan you want to get active and don’t know takes healthy weight loss to a new where to start, or are ready to take level. Today, rather than dieting to lose your fitness to the next level, Weight Sinclair, chief at fun and easy weight, Weight Watchers is looking Martina Watchers is looking Weight for a more holistic approach to eat- executive, ways for you to move more with ideas ing and living healthier and happier Watchers that fit your life. To find your nearest lives overall. Counting calories alone class, visit www.weightwatchers.ie. doesn’t lead to healthier eating. The new SmartPoints plan makes healthy eating simple by putting complex nutritional information into one simple number, giving you credit for eating more lean protein, less sugar and saturated fat, and nudging you towards making healthier choices while everything is still on the menu. Success goes beyond just the Martina Sinclair, number on the scales – it’s a combinachief executive, Weight Watchers tion of how you feel, your confidence, health and happiness, and much more. The SmartPoints plan gives us a dif-

14 January 2016 Gazette 25

Gazette

CINEMA

Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) steps into the role of the grizzled mentor for Adonis Creed (Michael B Jordan)

creed: The Rocky film franchise is in better shape than it has been in years

A film with a familiar ring to it Few films epitomise the American dream more than the Oscar-winning Rocky franchise. The archetypal story of the hard-working underdog is so deeply cemented in our cultural and cinematic heritage that just hearing the opening bars of the famous theme can cause even the most unathletic among us to begin bounding enthusiastically up nearby steps. Rocky became an icon, and the Rocky films became a celebration of the Protestant work ethic upon which America was founded: have faith, toil relentlessly, and you will justly rewarded.

 Dave phillips

Forty years on from the original film and a new stratum of the Rocky mythos emerges in Creed. Written and directed by Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station), the story follows the rise of Adonis Creed (Michael B Jordan) whose father, Apollo Creed, was world champion before being beaten by Rocky Balboa. Adonis has plenty of physical potential,

but no formal training, and knowing that his father became steadfast friends with Rocky, Adonis seeks out the long-retired Balboa to help him. Littered with visual and structural allusions to the 1976 Rocky, the film has no qualms about staying tight to its source material. Adonis runs through the streets in a familiar grey tracksuit, drills relentlessly in the gym, and chases chickens to improve his footwork just like Rocky did all those years ago. While Balboa steps into the role of the grizzled mentor, barking gravelly encouragement just like Mickey did all

those years ago. Oh, and there goes Adonis, getting romantically entangled while he should be training, just like Rocky did, all those years ago. It plays out like a topsy-turvy trip down memory lane, complete with suitably epic montage sequences. Creed manages to be familiar, but not staid thanks to some persuasive performances. Michael B Jordan is fresh and enigmatic in the lead role, managing to capture both the physical prowess and psychological naivete of an up-and-coming contender. Stallone suits the world-weary support-

ing role, and the two gel together nicely. When Rocky has Adonis come stay in his apartment as training intensifies, the pair enter in a kind of familial bond – with Rocky becoming the long sought after father-figure for Adonis, and Adonis fulfilling the role of an ideal son for Rocky. Adonis’s love intere s t , B i a n c a ( Te s s a Thompson) serves to add another level of depth – allowing us to see another side to Jordan’s range, while also providing a plot-line that puts some tension between Rocky and Adonis. Creed manages to mirror so much of what

made Rocky successful, as Coogler essentially retells the Rocky story for a new generation, a n d o p e n i n g we e kends in the US (where it was released some weeks earlier) suggest that there is still a large appetite for an underdog story. But in retelling the story, Coogler a l s o p r e s e r ve d t h e original American myth – work hard, and you can get what you want, which is where things fall short. Because there is also a distinct feeling that the cultural milieu has shifted since the 1970s, and something about the simplicity of the story-arc and central philosophy that Creed

adopted rings out of kilter with the kind of stories we encounter in cinemas today. Next to Southpaw, or The Wrestler, Creed’s story seems a little facile. Not that there is anything wrong with an old-fashioned good versus evil tale, but Creed doesn’t even manage to do that. In trying to craft a more modern and realistic retelling of Rocky, Coogler loses the dynamic between Rocky and Apollo, as the lines between good and bad become necessarily blurred. Enjoyable, albeit hollow, Creed is a powerful start to the new generation of the boxing franchise. Verdict: 6/10

26 swords gazette 14 January 2016

SWORDSCLASSIFIEDS LEGAL & PLANNING APPLICATION

ANNOUNCEMENT We can now officially accept planning & legal notices from all four County Councils in greater Dublin region · Standard rate from €75 + VAT · Payment in advance

ALL BUDGET DRIVEWAYS

• Driveways • Patios • Concrete Imprint • Decoration Walling • Fencing Natural & Coloured Stone 25744

PH: 0873900300 / 01 6971796 www.allbudgetdriveways.com allbudgetdriveways@yahoo.com Malahide Rd & Kimmage Rd

UP TO 50% OFF

WE’RE ON

Visit: Facebook: www.facebook.com/DublinGazetteNewspapers Twitter: @DublinGazette

14 January 2016 swords gazette 27

SWORDSCLASSIFIEDS ).- JT B XFMM FTUBCMJTIFE QMBOU IJSF BOE DPOTUSVDUJPO DPNQBOZ XJUI B XFBMUI PG FYQFSJFODF XPSLJOH PO B XJEF SBOHF PG IPVTJOH DPNNFSDJBM BOE JOEVTUSJBM QSPKFDUT /BUJPOXJEF t %VF UP JODSFBTFE BDUJWJUZ XF BSF OPX SFDSVJUJOH GPS B )FBMUI BOE 4BGFUZ PĂłDFS UP XPSL PO TJUFT JO UIF %VCMJO BSFB 3&26*3&.&/54 t )BWF B DPOTUSVDUJPO IFBMUI BOE TBGFUZ CBDLHSPVOE t SE MFWFM RVBMJĂśDBUJPO t t o ZFBST )FBMUI BOE 4BGFUZ FYQFSJFODF 5)& 46$$&44'6- $"/%*%"5& .645 t )BWF FYDFMMFOU 1$ TLJMMT t #F TFMG NPUJWBUFE t #F DBQBCMF PG XPSLJOH BT QBSU PG B UFBN

-PDLTNJUIT (MBTT "MBSNT "MM 8JOEPX BOE %PPS 3FQBJST 4MJEJOH EPPS USBDLT XIFFMT IBOEMFT "MM UZQFT PG %PPS 8JOEPX )BOEMFT BOE )JOHFT

1PJOU 617$ %PPS -PDLJOH 4ZTUFNT 0/-: Ăť

ď Ž ď Ž ď Ž ď Ž ď Ž

*OUSVEFS "MBSN 4ZTUFNT '30. Ăť "OUJ 4OBQ -PDLT 0/-: Ăť %PPS B)BOEMFT 0/-: Ăť -FUUFSCPYFT Ăť

Send CV to cv@clsrecruitment.ie

"MM BCPWF TVQQMJFE BOE ĂśUUFE â—? "MM $SFEJU $BSET "DDFQUFE

$BMM TUFQIFO OPX PO

ACTIVE PAVING

5)& 30-& */$-6%&4 'PSNBUUJOH FEJUJOH BOE QSPPG SFBEJOH EPDVNFOUT .BOBHJOH UIF ĂśMJOH BOE SFDPSEJOH TZTUFN 1SPDFTTJOH JOWPJDFT BOE FYQFOTFT $PMMFDUJOH BOE JOQVUUJOH EBUB BT BOE XIFO SFRVJSFE " QSFWJPVT FYQFSJFODF JO B DPOTUSVDUJPO FOWJSPONFOU XJMM CFOFĂśU CVU JT OPU FTTFOUJBM

N?P 8;M<IK@J< N@K? K?< >8Q<KK<6 C\k fli X[m\ik`j\ij k\cc pfl n_p

Email: thesidegateman@hotmail.com

BOSS PAVING & LANDSCAPING

• DRIVEWAYS • PATIOS • FENCING • ASPHALT • DECORATIVE WALLING • IMPRINT • GRAVEL Quality Paving at affordable prices, just a phone call away. Highly recommended by Clients. Testimonials available. Contact: John Maloney 087 3591000 / 01 6972087 Email: bosshomeimprovements@gmail.com Web: www.bosspaving.ie Dundrum Bus Park: Ph. 01 6971896 Pearse St, D2

DVD TRANSFERS converted to DVD ďƒźCineFilms

:Xcc lj efn fe '( -' (' )-( kf Y\Zfd\ Xefk_\i fe\ f] fli dXep _Xggp X[m\ik`j\ij n n n% ^ X q \ k k\ ^ i f l g % Z f d

Got a Picture?

Beautiful and Natural wooden side entrance gates

Call 087 7796630 www.sidegateman.com

ďƒźPhotos & Slides

sified e clas ss. h t in e rtising t succ t adve be a grea r & the a h t d n pe to ve fou zette the pa d lots of We ha of the Ga ulation of te a r lso, ene n irc sectio the wide c s, it has g t areas. A d r n e o e v t r r co fe o ea Due ny dif ick it up t local eas it a r a m y p man s for us in people t the ing a so es busin er is free refore look r us! e fo ap the p cal news th ally works e r lo h ir ic e th wh tising adver ins e Coll in a r r o L or Direct

The Side Gate Man Pressure Treated â‚Ź199 Gates last up to 2 Times Longer

t 8F BMTP TFFL UP SFDSVJU B QBSU UJNF BENJOTUSBUPS GPS PVS QSPKFDU JO DBTUMFLOPDL

4&/% :06 $7 "/% $07&3 -&55&3 50 +0#4ĹŠ).-1-"/5 *&

Electricians, Apprentice Electricians, Plumbers, Carpenters, Joiners, Groundworkers, Scaolders, General and Skilled Operatives, Plasterer’s, Tilers, Blocklayers, SLG & TM Operatives. All Plant & MEWP Operators, all Tradesmen & All Professional Construction sta required for Dublin. Pracownicy Budowlani z safe passem potrzebni.

ďƒźVideo & Camera Tapes ďƒźMusic & Titles added

DUBLIN Gazette newspaper HAVE OVER 280,000* READERS EACH WEEK *Publishers Statement

advertise your business to our readers call 01 60 10 240

dL `jd djG& z `L 6RL&d y9j€ z GG á jj9 9MdnG j9RM `&#n & €Rn` 6& j9M1 Rdjd € ƢƢß

Ɵƞ €Ƅ“Ć?Â? 1Ć?“Ć?“•ƎƄƄ ”• GG Ƒ”Ć?Ćˆ  ^ĆˆĆ…ĆŠ Ć?ÂŒĆ† Ć?Ć?”ƇƆÂ?Â?ĆˆÂ”Â•Â“Ć‹Â? “•Ɨ Â?“ƒƆ Ɔ•ƆĆ?‹ƕ á ĆŒÂ”Â•Ć†Ć•

0`&& _nRj j9RMd

 Ć‹Ć‹ Ɠ”Ć?ĆŠ ƅ“Ć?Ć?ĆˆĆ†Ć— ”ƑĆ? Ć?” Ć?ÂŒĆ† ÂŒĆˆÂ‹ÂŒĆ†Â?Ć? Â?Ć?“•Ɨ“Ć?Ć— L”ƂƆƉƄÍ ĆžƢƥ ĆĄĆ&#x;Ć˝ ĆźĆźĆžĆ Â? ƞƞĆ&#x; Ă•ƽƞĆ&#x;ĆĄĂ• Ć‘Ć‘Ć‘ĂŞÂ?Ɗ“Ć?ĆŽÂ?ĆƒÂ“Â?ƎƉƄƑ“Ć?ĆŠÂŒÂ”ĆŠĆ„Â?êƆƄ Ɔ•ƅ”—Â?Ɗ“Ć?ĆŽÂ?ĆƒÂ“Â?ƎƉƄƑ“Ć?ĆŠÂŒÂ”ĆŠĆ„Â?êƆƄ

ĆĄĆ Ăź

#9d RnMj Ć“ĆˆĆ?ÂŒ Ć?ÂŒĆˆÂ? “ƗƒƆĆ?Ć?

ADVERTISE IF YOU ARE

HERE T o ad v ertise wit h t h e g a z ette call 60 10 240

READING THIS SO ARE YOUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS!

Call our news team on 60 10 240 or email picturedesk@ dublingazette.com

Send us the pictures from your local event, celebration or function!

FOLLOW US TODAY ON OUR SOCIAL NETWORK

Gazette

28 gazette 14 January 2016

SPORT

FastSport Shelbourne march on in league cup: SHELBOURNE Ladies got their Continental Tyres women’s national league cup off to a great start in heavy rain at the AUL Complex last night. Shels and Galway cancelled each other out in the horrendous conditions with the deadlock finally being broken in the 73rd minute by Rebecca Creagh. Siobhan Killeen’s right wing cross found Creagh at the back post to head home her third goal in two matches against the Galwegians. Killeen doubled Shels’ advantage with 10 minutes remaining with a strike from the edge of the box then Noelle Murray sealed the victory in stoppage time. Last season’s beaten finalists Peamount United got off to a winning start with a Lauryn O’Callaghan double sealing the points in Castlebar. Lauren Kelly got the other goal for the visitors in an impressive 3-0 win for the Greenogue club.

cricket: late invite extended to ireland for bangladesh trip

Nine Dubs bound for World Cup  sport@dublingazette.com

IRELAND have made three changes to their s q u a d f o r t h e IC C Under-19 World Cup tournament which starts in Bangladesh later this month with nine Dublin-based players called up. Spinning all-rounders Fiachra Tucker (Pembroke) and Harry Tector (YMCA) rejoin the 15-man squad having missed out on the Malaysian qualifiers, while Rush opening batsman Stephen Doheny - captain of Ireland’s Under17s - earns a first callup at this level after an impressive summer. Tucker and Tector join their elder brothers in the squad, with Lorcan

Tucker named as vicecaptain, and Jack Tector once again skippering the side. Pembroke’s Josh Little, Merrion’s Tom Stanton and Phoenix’s Ben White and Rory Anders retain their places in the side. The inclusion of twin brothers Gary and William McClintock mean there’s a real family affair look to the lineup. Ireland initially missed out on qualifying for this World Cup but were offered the chance to compete after Australia withdraw from the competition for security reasons. Cricket Ireland were satisfied that they could take up the offer to step

in from the International Cricket Council and head coach Ryan Eagleson is looking forward to the challenge ahead. “ We p l ay e d s o m e excellent cricket at both the European qualifiers in Jersey and the global qualifying event in Malaysia,” he said. “Unfortunately we lost out at the final hurdle on both occasions, but we’ve been handed this lifeline which we intend to make the most of. “We’ve strengthened the spin bowling, drafting in Fiachra [Tucker] and Harry Tector, while Stephen Doheny is an accomplished batsman who has scored heavily this season at all levels. “Our group looks tough with India and

Irish underage internationals Fiachra Tucker, Ben White, Lorcan Tucker and Jack Tector along with Colin Curry (centre)

New Zealand, while we will have a chance of revenge over Nepal who pipped us in Malaysia. “We’re all extremely grateful to the ICC for the opportunity to play in the World Cup and although we know it will be tough, we’re determined to make everyone proud.” The chance to captain Ireland at a World Cup is a dream come true for Irish skipper Jack Tector and he can’t wait to lead his country in Bangladesh. “It is a massive opportunity for the squad to represent Ireland on the world stage. I can’t

thank the ICC enough for their invitation and Cricket Ireland for acting so fast as a result. “Fortunately we have been training regularly, and with four days preparation in Dubai before we head on to Bangladesh, I know we will be ready for the India game on the 28th. “We have experience in sub-continental conditions having been to Sri Lanka and Malaysia over the last 12 months, so hopefully this will stand us in good stead once we get to Bangladesh. “To captain my country in a World Cup is

something I have dreamt about over the last few years and now that it’s actually happening is a truly unbelievable feeling.” Ireland are in Group D and will play matches against India (in Mirpur on January 28), Nepal (in Fatullah on January 30) and New Zealand (in Fatullah on February 1). If Ireland finishes inside the top two in Group D, then it will progress to the Super League, while it will feature in the Plate Championship if it ends up third or fourth in its group.

Captain Deasy plays pivotal role in Lansdowne win  sport@dublingazette.com

Lansdowne got the better of Clontarf in the UBL Division 1A clash last weekend. Picture: Deryck Vincent

SCOTT Deasy played the captain’s role as his late penalty guided Lansdowne to a gritty 19-18 victory over play-off rivals Clontarf on the 4G pitch at Castle Avenue in the Ulster Bank Division 1A. The steely out-half kicked 14 points in all, including four penalty goals, to deny Clontarf who had been within touching distance of the win thanks to replacement Eoghan Browne’s try. History was repeating itself as

back in late November, Clontarf missed out on an away triumph over Lansdowne when a late Deasy-converted try saw Mike Ruddock’s men sneak a 23-all draw. The north Dubliners, beaten by Garryowen last week, got off to a poor start today as Deasy slotted two penalties and converted returning scrum half Adam Griggs’ try - the New Zealander seized his chance to dive over from a close-in ruck. Deasy’s opposite number, Joey Carbery, showed lovely hands to create an unconverted try for

winger Rob McGrath which settled Tarf down. Carbery tagged on a penalty early in the second half to make it 13-8. The tide seemed to be turning as Carbery soon made it a twopoint game. A costly yellow card for Clontarf replacement scrum half Sam Cronin saw Deasy respond off the kicking tee and although Carbery successfully converted Browne’s try, it was Deasy who had the decisive say for the reigning champions. It was business as usual at the Belfield Bowl where Division 1A pacesetters UCD swept Garryo-

wen aside in a 45-19 bonus point triumph. With Leinster young guns Ross Byrne and Nick McCarthy directing operations from halfback, the students extended their winning streak to six games and pushed seven points clear at the summit. They led 21-7 at the halftime whistle. Barry Daly broke through midfield to set up a fifth minute opener for fellow winger Adam Byrne, and the long-striding Daly soon got over in the right corner for his eighth try of the league run.

14 January 2016 gazette 29

Gazette

Cabo’s social reach knows no boundary The south Dublin club made plenty of waves online in their first year in the League of Ireland thanks to media strategy  james hendicott

sport@dublingazette.com

WHEN Cabinteely FC were accepted into the League of Ireland first division at 38 days’ notice early in 2015, they were little-known outside of the immediate area. A common reaction, in fact, was the lament of another Dublin-based

club being added to a top two divisions that is currently contains no less than six capital-based clubs. Since the Dun Laoghaire suburban club were admitted, however, their reputation has soared, in part off the back of social media. Dillon Foley took over the club’s social media

accounts as one of the first clients to join up with his fresh-from-university start-up The Link Marketing. Foley has been a member of Cabo for most of his life, as have much of his family. The relative unknowns soon picked up a lot of traction, and the season has seen a fan added to the Football Manager

Cabinteely ran a series of unique initiatives in their maiden season in the League of Ireland. Picture: cabinteelyfc.ie

franchise as a player (and a season ticket), thanks to a collaborative contest. It has seen free tickets handed out to losing gamblers after the club equalised in the dying seconds against the league leaders, and spending money on the social antics just once: in buying a birthday cake “for Yaya Toure” to post on social media. The multi-millionaire Manchester City midfielder had had a minor meltdown about his own club’s failure to do so. “We reached 3.5 million people last year,” Foley told GazetteSport. “The club has been the biggest referral to my business, and it’s the only thing clients want to talk about when I meet with them. I think it’s successful in part because people are surprised by it. It’s about building our image, but we started with a blank slate - essentially with nothing to lose. “We wanted to get our name out there,” Foley explained. “Publicity

leads to a fan base, and builds the club’s image. Later, we’d like the majority of League of Ireland players to have come from within the club, and obviously anything that gives us a bigger name will help with that.” The social media campaign has been so successful that in their first League of Ireland year, Cabinteely did take home a trophy: an FAI Award for Best Social Media. On the field, Cabinteely finished bottom of the League of Ireland first division in their first season, but with 38 days to prepare, that was to be expected. Their high attendances, fast-rising reputation and seemingly genuine commitment to the community. If you need any further proof of their positive intentions, season tickets for kids at less than €2 a game and a free Leaving Cert grinds deal for young players show a club that’s building on sturdy, localised roots.

FastSport

Rovers claim Leinster indoor title for fifth time HAT tricks from Jody Hosking and Ross Canning inspired Three Rock Rovers to win back the Leinster indoor hockey title from arch rivals Railway Union 10-7 in the final at St Columba’s. It was level five times before the Rathfarnham side pulled clear in the last 10 minutes. Hosking – later named man of the match – had made the early inroads with his three goals all coming in the first half. He had them in front at 1-0 and 2-1 before completing the first half scoring to make it 5-4 at the interval in a helter-skelter battle. Luke Madeley put two between the sides for the first time two minutes into the second half. Railway, though, looked the side in the ascendancy for much of the next 10 minutes with Nick Tate the key impetus from the back. They created two brilliant openings for Nowakowski which he took to make it 6-6 with nine minutes left. But, once level, they could not carry on with the same threat and Rovers pounced. Canning scored from a narrow angle off White’s assist to retake the lead. He then scored a stroke after Rovers’ second corner hit a body on the line. Railway pulled their keeper in favour of an extra outfielder but the strategy backfired as Fred Morris finished into an open net as did White for a 10-6 lead. David Richardson got one back on the final whistle but Rovers were celebrating their fifth Tony Byrne Cup success. Both Railway and Three Rock now advance to the national finals which take place in Ulster next weekend.

Gazette

30 SWORDS gazette 14 January 2016

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: fingal sides to the fore in respective cup successes

Killester moving on up in LSL Sunday Senior KILLESTER United moved to within one point of the top of the LSL Senior Sunday division thanks to a convincing 4-1 win over Home Farm at Haddon Park last Sunday. Home Farm’s rivals for survival Tolka Rovers meanwhile pulled off a much-needed win against St Pat’s CY. Starting in Killester, the points were at a premium in this derby of title-chasers versus relegation battlers and the favourites showed little sign. The ever-dangerous wide man Alan Talbot got United off to an excellent start by finishing off a well-worked move from close range after 10 minutes. Within 15 minutes their lead was doubled when Anthony McKay saw the strong wind take hold of his cross and direct it straight in over the helpless Home Farm stopper. The result was all but sealed five minutes before the break when Michael Keogh coolly dispatched a penalty to make it 3-0 going in at half-time. Killester’s scoring was finished by the man who started it all off as Talbot grabbed his second of the game on the hour mark via a deflection. The Farm pulled one back with 10 minutes remaining but it proved to be no more than a consolation and it is now October since they last enjoyed a league win. It was Killester’s second 4-1 win on the trot after they beat Glebe North by the same scoreline away from home before the winter break. The win means Gerry Davis’s side sit just a single point behind league leaders Crumlin United. This Senior Sunday season is the closest in many a year as every weekend seems to bring a change to the top of the table. Should Killester produce some long-standing consistency, this could be the season where they finally complete their journey from AUL domination to LSL champions. Two days earlier, Home Farm’s fellow strugglers Tolka moved off the bottom of the table for the first time in what seems like the whole season with a 4-3 win in Ringsend. The seven goals in this game all came in the final 35 minutes and it was Tolka who opened the scoring. Lar Ivers grabbed his second and Tolka’s fourth with three minutes to go to all but seal the deal for the north Dublin outfit.

The Rivervalley Rangers side ahead of their FAI Junior Cup tie against Clones Town

Rangers and Skerries win out sport@dublingazette.com

TWO north Dublin sides booked their place in the next round of their respective cups with impressive wins last weekend. Rivervalley Rangers and Skerries Town both enjoyed victories on a weekend packed with big cup action across the amateur leagues. Starting with Rivervalley and their trip to Monaghan to face Clones Town in the sixth round of the FAI Junior Cup. On a cold morning in the north-midlands, it took the Swords outfit a bit of time to get going but

eventually settled after around 10 minutes. The likes of Daniel Murphy and John O’Donoghue began to threaten the hosts’ backline and forced the Clones keeper into a host of impressive saves. As is often the case, the country side were a physical outfit and Rangers had to be disciplined and wary of the threat from the set-piece. It looked like it was to remain 0-0 at the break but against the run of play Clones went ahead thanks to a neat volley. A couple of changes at the break saw Rivervalley up the ante, particularly

Swim a mile Wallace and Woods launch big annual challenge swim Ireland announced details of the 2016 Swim for a Mile Challenge with David Wallace, former Irish international rugby player and Laura Woods, TV3 presenter, on hand to launch the initiative. It is open to swimmers of all abilities and involves 12 weeks of training to reach the goal of swimming a mile. It will take place in 12 pools nationwide in April with the National Aquatic Centre among them.To sign up, visit www.swimforamile.com. Picture: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

with the introduction of promising frontman Sean Boyd. After the hour, left-back Philly McCabe drove forward and unleashed a right-foot effort that went in off the crossbar. Extra-time was looming but the Swords side didn’t fancy staying in Monaghan for longer than they had to. In the 90th minute a chance fell to Sean Boyd in the box and with panic around him he showed ice in the veins to bury home a late late winner. Deep into injury-time, salt was added to the wounds of the home side as Mark O’Brien added a

third to send the Rivervalley players, management and travelling faithful back to North Dublin happy in the knowledge they are in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup. Meanwhile in similarly cold-conditions in north Dublin, Skerries Town eased in the second round of the Polikoff Cup thanks to a 3-0 win over Rathcoole Boys, also on Sunday. W i t h 10 m i n u t e s remaining in the firsthalf, tricky winger Shane Langan powered past three men before teeing up Darragh Walsh who fired the hosts in front. Just after the hour

mark, Skerries doubled their lead. A magnificent through ball from Darragh Lynch was picked up by Walsh who sent in a lovely cross and Sean Lynch turned the ball in via the help of a deflection. Skerries looked a lot fitter than the opposition in the latter stages and third goal showed it. Lynch skipped through the defence only to be hacked down by a tired challenge. The impressive front man took the penalty himself and made no mistake to seal the win and his side’s place in the next round.

14 January 2016 SWORDS gazette 31

Gazette

transformation

Club Noticeboard

Huge crowds take on healthy 2016 challenge

FINGALLIANS

rivervalley Park was thronged last Satur-

day for day one of Operation Transformation with St Finian’s GAA club. Hundreds of participants of all ages took part in the first 3km route of the programme that encourages people to get more active in the new year. The first formal class with the group was on Tuesday evening, beginning at Holy Family, Swords.

football: dcu eliminated as dublin progress

MEMBERSHIP 2016 is now due. There is

Transformation. Organised walks will

no increase in the fees for 2016. Forms

take place on Monday and Thursday

are available from the club bar and at

evenings at 7pm and on Saturday

the academy each Saturday morn-

mornings at 10am. The starting point

ing.

for each walk is the club car park and

Application forms can also be

takes approximately 60 minutes. All

downloaded from the club’s website:

members and friends are welcome to

www.fingallians.com

take part.

There will be no academy for kids

On Friday night the club hosted a

aged four to seven this Saturday. This

historical lecture on the 1916 Rising.

is due to all our coaches attending our

This was very well attended and the

coaching conference.

club would like to pass its thanks to

All adult players interested in playing competitive adult football (inter-

Ravens’ Daly holds fort against DCU

O’Byrne cup

Dublin 1-16 DCU 1-12  sport@dublingazette.com

FINGAL RAVENS star Darren Daly provided the local representation to get a run out in Dublin’s third pre-season outing of 2016, completing a solid 20-minute substitute spell as an experimental Dubs team overcame third-level opposition in DCU. Dublin overcame DCU at Parnell Park to book a date with Longford in the pre-season O’Byrne Cup semi final, despite a strong showing from the

students, coming out on top by a scoreline that slightly flattered the visitors at 1-16 to 1-12. The Boys in Blue started slowly, with DCU finding plenty of space in among a Dublin defence that looked substantially below par, while Dean Rock and the rising minor Con O’Callaghan kept the sky blues in touch at the other end, before O’Callaghan notched the Dubs only goal with a sharp finish in the 19th minute. An increasingly feisty game saw the ever-domineering Dean Rock bully the DCU backs, scoring

0-6, while Jason Whelan’s second half cameo saw the Ballymun Kickhams man use his energy to make incisions into the students’ backline. Shane Carey’s late net saw the students flatter to deceive in a game Dublin never really looked like losing, but will still leave Jim Gavin feeling he has plenty to sort before the league season rolls around. Johnny Cooper appeared irritated for much of the match at cornerback, and was somewhat lucky to escape without a card, but it is fringe players like Shane

Carthy and Cormac Costello who have most to gain from outings like this, and in a bitty game in slippery conditions, few particularly stood out. In difficult conditions, the day suited merely getting the basics right. The manager’s trial of almost thirty different players across the three group stage games makes his strategy clear, however, and if only the boisterous O’Callaghan comes from the experiment, it will have been one worth undertaking. Dublin travel to Longford on Sunday, January 17, with kick off at 2pm.

tation.

mediate and junior) in 2016 are invited

Starting on January 25, the club hall

to attend training, starting on Tues-

will host Irish dancing for adults. It

day, January 12, at 8.30pm sharp on

will take place each Monday morning

the all-weather pitch. All adult play-

from 10.30 to 11.30am. Beginners and

ers will train together for the month

seasoned pros are most welcome.

of January. During the month of Janu-

Irish language group: This recom-

ary, trial games will be organised to

mence on Wednesday in the club

enable the selection of players to

bar. Each Wednesday, members and

their respective panels.

friends can pop in for a cup of tea and

Training will be led by Wayne Knight

Na Fianna man Johnny Cooper at the launch of the O’Byrne Cup. Picture: Paul Mohan

Declan Brady on a fantastic presen-

cupla focal from 9pm.

who has been appointed to the posi-

The club shop re-opening date is

tion of first team manager, and the

Saturday, January 23 at 10am for the

existing adult coaches/mentors.

winter sale.

Due to the large numbers attending

Club Recycling Drive 2016: Bags

the coaching conference, registra-

of all clean unwanted clothes, bed

tion will now take place in the club hall

linen, towels, shoes, bags and soft

from 9.30am this Saturday morning.

toys can be dropped into the club bar

The conference will start with talks

any evening from 7– 9pm or on Satur-

from Vincent O’Malley (coaching com-

day mornings from 10am to 12pm. No

mittee), Wayne Hutchinson (Club GPO)

household bric-a-brac.

and Dr Eugene Young on the art of coaching. Following a break, the practical

Lotto: Last week’s numbers were 9, 10, 26, 27 and 30. There were no winners. The new jackpot is €3,619.

sessions will take place in The Ward

Fingallians extends deepest sym-

from 11.45am. All coaches should bring

pathy to the O’Malley family on the

warm clothing and a hurley.

death of former Roscommon great

As per last year, the club is organising its own mini version of Operation

Gerry O’Malley. Ar dheis De go raibh a hAnam dilis.

FINGAL Ravens WE WOULD like to wish all our play-

must check with our pitch co-ordina-

ers, mentors, coaches, members,

tor John McCarthy on 087 6599348.

supporters, sponsors, committee

Lotto results - there was no winner

members and friends a very happy

of this week’s lotto. Numbers drawn

new year and wish you all the best for

were 5, 19, 24 and 37; €20 went to Lor-

2016.

raine Kennedy, Roisin Madigan and

2016 club membership is now due, forms are available in the clubhouse or

Emily and Ann Kinsella. Our jackpot remains at €17,000.

can be downloaded from our Facebook

GAA national club draw 2016 tickets

page or can be done online on www.

are on sale now at only €10; contact

myclubfinances.com, all membership

Maura Norton on 087 9936458 or Ber-

must be paid in full by March 31.

nadette Kavanagh on 087 9397642 or

No player will be permitted to play

any committee member. Some fabu-

if they do not have their membership

lous prizes available including the top

paid in full and also note that they will

prize of a new Opel Corsa.

not be covered by insurance if they get injured.

Anyone who purchases a ticket for the GAA National Club Draw 2016 from

Please note that all our pitches

Fingal Ravens will be entered into a

remained closed for all training and

separate draw with a chance to win

games until further notice, any teams

two tickets to the All-Ireland football

looking to check availability of pitches

final 2016.

GazetteSPORT all of your swords sports coverage from page 28-31

attack on the clones: Rivervalley advance in the FAI Junior Cup with win over Monaghan outfit P30

january 14-20, 2016

cabo’s social success: League of Ireland newcomers set online benchmark P29

Swords’ hoop dreams GCD Swords Thunder’s Isaac Westbrooks goes on the attack. Picture: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

Thundering success for ALSAA club as they stun reigning champions from Cork in basketball’s National Cup semi-finals to earn shot at title

 nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

GCD SWORDS Thunder produced the biggest results in their club’s short Hula Hoops National Cup history as they saw off reigning champions C&S UCC Demons 103-82 at their Cork home, the Mardyke Arena. It means Dave Baker’s side are through to their first Cup final at Premier League level, guaranteeing an all-Dublin decider on January 30. “We knew we had to get clinical in the second half of the season and there were some home truths and good talks over Christmas,” said GCD Swords Thunder coach Baker. “I feel it’s

really stood to us.” Colin O’Reilly opening the scoring with his first three-point attempt but Swords responded with a 6-0 run and led by double scores midway through the first courtesy of a Kevin Lacey jump shot. Mike Garrow drove to the middle for a dunk which put the Dubliners 23-16 ahead for the first quarter. Ciaran O’Sullivan found his range in the second quarter while Roy Downey was happy to pull up for two points when the space allowed. With Isaac Westbrooks lurking in the passing lanes, Demons were unable to find a rhythm. It was Thunder’s point guard who put the lead out to 10 points for the first time and when a 6-0 run soon followed, Swords Thunder were 50-37 clear

by half time. The third quarter was the home side’s best. O’Reilly began pulling down rebounds and a Kyle Hosford three-pointer jump started the crowd back to life. Dave Baker was forced into a time out when Lehmon Colbert’s drive reduced the deficit to eight points. That was as close as Demons got. When Sergi Guardia wasn’t finding Garrow inside, the American had the athleticism to penetrate by himself. “We didn’t feel at any stage we let it drop and we tried to control the tempo and I feel we came out on top,” said Baker. With Michael Goj and Westbrooks picking

off open threes, there were 20 points between the sides with 11 minutes remaining. Baker’s side will meet Templeogue in the final. They squeaked past Pyrobel Killester and into the final for the first time too with a 61-59. Killester led from the eighth to the 38th minute of a low-scoring game but Templeogue eventually reeled in an 11-point lead to win by a basket. “You could see we were tired at the end of the game,” said Templeogue coach Mark Keenan, who has won this competition in the past with both Killester and UL Eagles. “Killester were tired too. It was that kind of game. I’m just delighted we were able to pull it out at the finish.”

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.