Swords Gazet te FREE
November 8, 2012 Find us on
Month XX, 2012 Swords • Balbriggan • Applewood • boroimhe • Airside • Rivervalley
INSIDE: Local nursing home carers in line for this year’s prestigious national awards P5
Soccer:
Swords Celtic make it eight straight wins Page 30
Football:
Fingallians and Ravens face huge battles Page 31 and 32
Voter turnout concern voiced Natalie Burke
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES.......................6 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27
wheel deal: DAA cyclists give €14,000 cheque to Barretstown See Page 4
With the Children’s Referendum taking place on Saturday, November 10, a number of Swords residents will have to vote in their former constituency area, a move that may have an effect on voter turnout, according to local councillor, Darragh Butler (FF). Residents of Brackenstow n
Road and Park Avenue, Swords, must continue to vote in the Dublin West constituency, despite the recent reinclusion of Swords in the Dublin Fingal constituency. “Although the Boundary Commission report recommended that all of Swords be reunited in Dublin Fingal, the legislative changes have not yet gone through Dail Eireann.” Full Story on Page 4
Lovin’ it: Happy meals and big smiles at Airside opening at the official opening of McDonald’s newest branch in Airside Retail Park were Tessie Tracy, Aisling McStay and Jenny Sobrayen, above. The opening is good news for fans of tasty food on the go and for the area in general with the
restaurant creating much-needed job opportunities. The fast food giant recently announced plans for a €20m investment in its Irish operations between now and the end of 2015. Picture: Una Williams
2 swords gazette 8 November 2012
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weight LighterLife diet a hit with locals
Ladies shift the pounds and get new lease of life Three Dublin women have said they are more confident than ever, after taking part in a nor th Dublin-based slimming programme. Twenty-three-year-old Balbriggan native, Aoibhe Devlin, attended the LighterLife programme in Malahide and following just three months of dedicated dieting, went from 11 stone 2lbs to just 8 stone 10lbs. Today, Aoibhe says that trimming down has given her a new lease of life and she hopes her story will inspire others. “It’s definitely the best thing I’ve ever done. Afterwards, I was so proud of myself. I’d like to go back again as it really does wonders for your self-esteem and confidence,” she said. LighterLife is a weight-loss and weightmanagement programme that provides a behavioural-change approach to successful weight management. The company, which has a programme located in Malahide, provides a route to life-changing weight loss by combining a personal programme that provides weight-loss through a combination of nutritious food options, the introduction of healthy food and eating plans
and then long-term we i g h t- m a n a g e m e n t support all of which are supported by small group support with a LighterLife counsellor. Following Aoibhe’s successful weight loss, she felt so confident that she signed up for the Dublin Rose of Tralee selection this year. While Aoibhe found it hard not to be able to eat and drink what she wanted while on the programme, there was an even bigger temptation for Cadbury’s worker Sandra Walsh, from Kylemore, who also attended the Malahide programme. Sandra lost five stone dropping from a size 18 to a 10/12 and says that her life has now taken a completely new turn. Working the night shifts at the Cadbury’s factory encouraged Sandra to snack on chocolate bars but since taking on the LighterLife programme, feels she has more energy than ever and is a much happier person, the most important outcome for her. Counselling on the LighterLife diet has also seen Sandra’s attitude to food and exercise, with the support of other women in the group really encouraging her
Michelle Farrell from Skerries who dropped from a size 20/22 to 12/14
to reach her goals. Thirty-seven-year-old Michelle Farrell, who hails from Skerries, also saw her life change after attending the programme. Dropping from a size 20/22 to 12/14, Michelle has rediscovered her love for Irish dancing, updated her wardrobe and has gained enough confidence to be happy
with herself. “I used to make jokes about my size, before anyone else could, or make excuses for being the weight that I was, but I now realise that I am the person responsible for managing my weight and my life in general,” she said. “I set myself milestones rather than one long-term end goal to
keep myself motivated throughout the journey. “K nowing that my husband, my family and friends are very proud of my achievements is also a great confidence boost.” To find out more about LighterLife, contact w w w.lighterlife. com or call 1800 927 213.
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Tots to walk in memory of friend
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Tots from Malahide’s Grow Montessori will be taking big steps this weekend in order to raise funds in memory of one of their friends who passed away recently, Aoife Hendrick. Five-year-old Aoife passed away a few months ago when she lost her fight for life from complications due to leukemia.
In an effort to celebrate the short life of their young friend, and help raise money for the hospital that cared for her, the parents and children of the Montessori, and its owner, Lisa Verrechia, will be taking to the Malahide streets for a special charity walk in remembrance of the popular little girl.
The children will walk from the Montessori on Saturday at 11am, wearing special pink t-shirts with the face of Aoife, and will release pink balloons during their walk. The funds raised from the charity walk will go towards the Friends Of Aoife Hendrick Foundation, a charity set up in
honour of the Malahide tot by her parents, Adrian and Aine Hendrick. The foundation aims to raise much-needed funds for the oncology unit at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, and the Irish Cancer Society. See www.facebook. com /groups/friendsofaoifehendrick/
8 November 2012 swords gazette 3
toy swap
big help: superquinn’s biscuit cake to raise much-needed funds
Argos helps charity
Chocolate in the name of charity Irish retailer Superquinn has introduced a confectionery product, the Ultimate Chocolate Biscuit Cake, to raise money for 24 charities across the country, including St Michael’s House in Sutton. Baked freshly in-store, and available in all Superquinn stores nationwide, the cake is priced at €1.99, of which 80c goes to charity. The initiative is expected to raise over €250,000 over the next 12 months. Each Superquinn store has chosen a local charity in their area to support and will run various initiatives throughout the year to enhance the partnerships between the charities and the local
supermarket, such as bagpacking events and product donations. Various charity sectors are represented across the country, from children’s charities and care centres to cancer --------------------------
Each Superquinn store has chosen a local charity in their area to support --------------------------
organisations and local hospices. W hile the local groups include St Michael’s House and St Francis’ Hospice, other charities include Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crum-
lin, Friends of St Luke, Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice, Our Lady’s Hospice and the Kilkenny Carlow Home Care. The first variety of the cake is a combination of a crunchy bar mixed with chocolate. The Superquinn biscuit cake recipe will be updated to reflect the different seasons, with bespoke cakes for occasions such as Christmas and Easter. Commenting on the launch of the charity cake, Eoin McCormack, trading director at Superquinn, said: “We are famous for our fresh in-store bakery, so we are delighted to put our talents to good use and help make a difference for local communities.”
Striking pose: Taking time out from style shoot for Xpose’s new show taking time out from their busy schedule to pose for a photo
were Deirdre King (Swords Pavilions), Irene O Brien (stylist), Maria Duffy (makeover candidate) and Kirsty O’Sullivan (Xpose). The group were at Swords Pavilions filming the new Style Clinic for TV3 show Xpose. Whether you’re stuck trying to find a specific item or just stuck in a rut, the style clinic is on hand to help you with your style dilemma.
Argos has joined forces with Enable Ireland to raise money for the charity by offering customers a toy exchange. T he toy exchange offers customers the opportunity to trade in old/unwanted toys which will be donated to Enable Ireland. Anyone who donates toys to Argos or Enable Ireland will be rewarded with a voucher to save €5 when you spend €40 on toys in store. The charity will recall or recycle the toys and all the money raised will be used to support their charitable programmes. Ask for further information at the local Argos Store in The Pavilions Shopping Centre, Swords, or log on to www.enableireland.ie
4 swords gazette 8 November 2012
crime: raising awareness of drugs and weapons
The certificates were presented to the young people by Superintendent Ronan Galligan
Teens take part in Garda programme A number of young members of the local community were awarded with certificates recently after they successfully took part in an Alcohol Misuse and Knife Crime Awareness programme with the local gardai. The certificates were presented to the young people by Superintendent Ronan Galligan of Coolock Garda Station, in an event attended by local members of An Garda Siochana, the School Completion Service, the Policing Forum and the Drugs Task Force. This was the third year of the initiative, which is aimed at local young people aged 14 to 17 years.
The aim of the programme was to make those involved aware of the dangers and the consequences of carrying a weapon, as well as the effects of alcohol and drug misuse on young people, in terms of their physical and mental health and the effects on their family and the community. According to a spokesperson for the gardai, this is the third year of the “worthwhile” programme. “It works because the young people get to know the person behind the uniform which is important for when the young people meet the gardai on the streets or late at night.”
Wheely well done: DAA cyclists present a €14,000 cheque to Barretstown DAA cyclists have presented a cheque for more than
€14,000 to the DAA staff charity of the year, Barretstown. The cheque represents the funds raised at the Dublin Airport 50k/100k Challenge that took place in September. Over 90 Dublin Airport staff took part in a round trip to Barretstown and back on September 15 to raise funds for the Co Kildare centre. The cycle began at the Spa Well in Templeogue where the 100k cyclists made the arduous cycle to Barrets-
town where they were met by the 50k cyclists for the return journey. The cheque for an impressive total of €14,257 was presented to Barretstown fund raising manager Liz Denieffe by DAA’s Ivor Maleady, event organiser, and Siobhan Moore, DAA Charity of The Year Chairperson. Pictured above: Siobhan Moore presents the cheque to Liz Denieffe of Barretstown, with cyclists Robert Doyle and Ivor Maleady.
Residents forced to travel to vote With the Children’s Referendum taking place on Saturday, November 10, a number of Swords residents will have to vote in their former constituency area, a move that may have an effect on voter turnout, according to local councillor, Darragh Butler (FF). Residents of Brackenstown Road and Park Avenue, Swords, must continue to vote in the Dublin West constituency, despite the recent reunification of Swords into the Dublin Fingal constituency. T h e i n cl u s i o n o f
Swords within the one Dublin Fingal constituency was welcomed by local councillors and residents earlier this year. The decision allowed for the town of Swords and its environs to be in one constituency. However, according to Cllr Butler, the move came too late for the referendum taking place this Saturday. “Although the Boundary Commission report recommended that all of Swords be reunited in Dublin Fingal, the legislative changes have not yet gone through Dail
Eireann. Fingal County Council are putting these changes in place also but, unfortunately, this referendum has to be held based on the old boundaries. “I accept that this is really annoying, very inconvenient and frustrating but unfortunately there is nothing we can do regarding this,” he said. According to a spokesperson for FCC, the electorate in Brackenstown Road/ Village, Park Avenue and Knocksedan will continue to vote in the
Holy Family National School, Rivervalley. “This will remain the position until the necessary legislative changes are made and the dissolution of the current Dail. The commencement date on the legislation will dictate when the new changes kick in, either immediately or at the end of the current Dail.” With residents being forced to travel in order to vote in the referendum this weekend, Cllr Butler says that voter numbers could be lower than anticipated.
Fingal Volunteer Centre Outreach Programme to host meeting The Fingal Volunteer Centre Outreach Programme will be hosting a meeting on Tuesday, November 13, for any members of the local community interested in lending a hand. The information meeting will be held at the Balbriggan Library from 11.45am to 1pm. See www.volunteerfingal.ie for more details about this programme.
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8 November 2012 swords gazette 5
event Nursing home staff vie for top spots
Finalists waiting for care awards results natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com
Finalists from a number of north Dublin nursing homes are just days away from the announcement of the Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) Care Awards 2012, which are presented in association with Homecare Medical Supplies. Four finalists from local areas will represent three north Dublin nursing homes at the prestigious national awards ceremony. The 2012 awards will mark the third year of the NHI Care Awards and aims to build on the success of the 2010 and 2011 events. Deborah Lynch, from Hamilton Park Care Facility in Balbriggan, is a finalist for the Nursing Home Director of Nursing/Person in Charge award, while Janice
McNamee, from Beechtree Nursing Home, Oldtown, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Nursing Home Catering and Nutrition Award. Both Szymon Fijalkowski and Viktoria Ptak, from Newpark Care Centre, The Ward, have been nominated as group finalist for the Nursing Home Innovation Award. According to Tadhg Daly, the chief executive officer of Nursing Homes Ireland, to reach the final is a huge achievement, with over 300 nominations having been submitted from across the country. “With just days to go before this prestigious event to celebrate excellence in care, I want to take this opportunity to wish all our north Dublin finalists the best. The standard of entry to this year’s awards has been extremely high, so to
Presentation for job seekers The local Innovation Enterprise Network will be offering a free presentation in Balbriggan for local job seekers, postgraduates or those interested in starting up their own business. The presentation will be held at Balbriggan Library on Wednesday, November 14 from 10.15am until 12.30pm. Places are limited for the event, so those interested in attending are advised to contact the library to book a place on 01 870 4401. For more information, see the IE Network website at www.ienetwork.ie.
Indoor market in aid of Cuidiu An indoor market is set to take place in Swords next weekend. The market will be open to the entire community and will be held at St Colmcille’s GAA Hall, off the Balheary Road, on Sunday, November 18. Running from 11am until 3pm, the market will be held in aid of Cuidiu, a voluntary parent-to-parent support group which, through information, education and support encourages a confident, positive approach to parenting. Viktoria Ptak and Szymon Fijalkowski from Newpark Care Centre, The Ward
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‘Congratulations are due to Szymon and Viktoria on their fantastic achievement of reaching the NHI Care Awards’ -------------------------------------------------------
reach the final is a magnificent achievement. The finalists, their respective nursing homes and their wider communities should be extremely proud of their achievements,” he said. Showing their support for their staff members and commenting on the recent shortlisted nominees, Rita Gallagher, person in charge at Newpark Care Centre said: “Congratulations are due to Szymon and Viktoria on their fantastic achievement of reaching the NHI
Care Awards. [We wish them both] the best of luck on the night from all the residents and staff at Newpark Care Centre.” Szymon and Viktoria embarked on a research project using residents and Wii technology, after coming up with an exercise programme that would be fun as well as having a social aspect. The pair proved that Wii technology can be used in many innovative ways in the care of older people, regardless of diagnosis.
School board hold first meeting The first meeting of the interim board of management of the new Lusk Community College took place recently, in advance of the school’s grand opening next year. The inaugural meeting took place on Thursday, October 18, and the board members represented school patron County Dublin VEC, the local national
FastNews
schools, teachers, the Educate Together and VEC action groups and the Community Council. Appointed
The chief executive of County Dublin VEC, Dr Marie Griffin, will act as secretary to the board until a principal is appointed early in 2013. The plans for the first phase of
the building are now available, which will cater for 350 pupils and will ensure that all subjects will be catered for when the school opens in September 2013. The new college will be one of the most modern in the State and aims to serve the entire community and the educational needs of young people in Lusk in the years ahead.
6 swords gazette 8 November 2012
gazetteGALLERIES
Darren, Dana and Derek Aragones
Minister John Perry with Jacqueline McStay and members of staff. Pictures: Una Williams
happy day: fans turn out to welcome fast food outlet
Everyone’s lovin’ it as new McDonald’s comes to town M
CDONALD’s has expanded its growth in Ireland by recently officially opening its latest new branch in Airside Retail Park. Many customers turned up to avail of the fast food
chain’s popular menu and sample the atmosphere of the new branch. As well as the opening being good news for local food lovers, it also brings a jobs boost which is great news for the local economy.
Amy Coen and Lisa Berry
Tessie Tracy, Aisling McStay and Jenny Sobrayen
Jacqueline and Morgan McStay
Lauren Kenny, Laura Hickey and Monica Klinaviciute
8 November 2012 swords gazette 7
Have you seen yourself in the Gazette? Buy photos online from only â‚Ź6.99 at www.gazettephotos.com
Cllr Gerry McGuire (Lab), Siobhan Moore, Dublin Airport Authority and Tony Lambert, Chambers Ireland
James Perry Paul Bracken and Martin Reddin
Marian Carroll, Mike Riding and Jimmy Edwards
Gerry and Paula Riordan
8 swords gazette 8 November 2012
exercise Joggers and runners of all ages welcome to participate in free event
Malahide Castle set to host Ireland’s first ever ParkRun natalie burke
Swords and other communities across north Dublin are being invited to take part this weekend in what will be Ireland’s first ever ParkRun, a 5km event taking place in Malahide Castle.
ParkRun is a network of free volunteer-organised 5km weekly timed runs, and the first local event will start on November 10 at 9.30am. The running network organises similar events each week at over 180 locations around the world, most of which are
located in Britain, and which include seven events in Northern Ireland. The weekly runs are completely free of charge and only require participants to register once on the website, at no cost. Following the initial registration, runners can turn up with their personal barcode
printed off the website and all participants will receive an email later in the day with their time and race placing. The ParkRun will be the first location in the Republic of Ireland and has been organised by a team led by Malahide native, Michael McMahon.
“We are hoping this will appeal to a wide variety of joggers and runners of all ages, and people who want to take up jogging for fitness. We’re also looking forward to using the new Avoca cafe for our well-earned post run coffee,” said McMahon.
Pending the set up of the Malahide Parkrun webpage, Facebook is being used to publicise the event. Search for Malahide Parkrun at facebook.com, where all relevant details will be announced for future events for the time being.
FastNews National Enterprise Week Local branches of Bank of Ireland in Swords and Malahide are set to host a number of local businesses as part of the bank’s seventh National Enterprise Week, which runs from November 16 until 23. While the branches will be hosting business showcases during the week, a regional business event will also be held on November 21 at the Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport at 6.30pm. Guest speakers will include Pat Byrne, founder of Cityjet, Nicola Byrne, founder and chief executive of 11890, and regional manager for Bank of Ireland Dublin North, Deirdre Roche. According to Bank of Ireland, the key focus of the Enterprise Week will be on getting access to credit, hosting credit clinics, offering start-up advice for micro and small businesses, and will feature a Junior Dragon’s Den, a concept aimed at young entrepreneurs who have applied to appear on RTE’s new television competition.
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The red kites took flight for the first time in Fingal last year but nine birds were reported dead between November 2011 and January 2012
wildlife: Cautious use of rodenticide urged by golden eagle trust
Poison played key role in deaths of nine red kites natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com
Following the deaths of a number of Red Kites last year in Fingal, the Golden Eagle Trust are urging local landowners and members of the public to be mindful of the wildlife population when using rodenticides at this time of year. Nine birds were reported dead between November 2011 and January 2012, and the community are being asked to help protect the rare birds this autumn and winter.
Commenting on last year’s cases, Dr Marc Ruddock, project manager for the Golden Eagle Trust said: “There is no doubt in my mind that these poisoning cases are just tragic accidents but, by making informed choices about pest control, we will be able to reduce rat numbers effectively as well as preventing unnecessary damage to our local wildlife. “With advice from RSPB [Royal Society for the Protection of Birds] in Scotland and the Campaign for Respon-
sible Rodenticide Usage (CRRU), we have drafted a leaflet offering best practice advice and urge everyone to think about wildlife (and particularly the red kites) before using rodenticides,” he said. The public, landowners and professional pest controllers are urged by the RSBP to first prevent rat infestations by cleaning up or barricading areas which attract rats and, second, to utilise other legal forms of control, such as trapping or shooting, before using rodenticides.
“If rodenticides are being used, it is fundamentally important for everybody to closely follow the instructions on the label and not risk exposure of these toxins to our native wildlife,” said Dr Ruddock. Six of the red kites found dead following last winter were confirmed at post-mortem analysis to contain the rodenticide, brodifacoum. While rat populations need to be controlled, the rodenticides are also toxic to other wildlife, domestic livestock and pets.
The red kites took flight for the first time in Fingal last year, as well as locations in Wicklow, and the project team have followed their path of flight ever since, in order to help re-establish the endangered breed of birds in Ireland. The unusual bird has become a familiar sight, with people travelling from across the country to catch sight of the graceful forked-tailed kite. With three pairs of young red kites established during summer 2012 in north County Dublin, the project team
have high hopes for the birds in 2013, with the young kites already showing signs of pairing up. The Fingal red kites are typically located in the areas surrounding Lusk, Rush, Donabate, Swords, Balbriggan, Skerries, Rogerstown, Ashbourne, Malahide, Ratoath, Ballyboghil, Oldtown, Dunboyne and Portrane. The public in these areas are urged to be particularly careful with rodenticides and also report sightings of the red kites to the project website at www. goldeneagle.ie.
8 November 2012 swords gazette 9
support: cycle together initiative
FastNews RNLI joins forces with Rachel Allen to help launch charity Reindeer Run The Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) has joined forces with well-known chef Rachel Allen to launch the RNLI Reindeer Run. With RNLI lifeboat stations in Howth, Skerries and Dun Laoghaire, the charity launched their boats a total of 113 times last year, bringing 102 people to safety. The Dublin RNLI Reindeer Run will take
James, Paul and Laurence with Catherine Walsh, Paralympic medallist
On your bikes for human rights natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com
Balbriggan witnessed a unique event pass through the town recently when over 100 teachers, parents and children from Balbriggan Educate Together National School (ETNS) cycled from Balrothery to the school in support of their teacher and sports coordinator, James Hayden, who cycled from London to Balbriggan to promote the Cycle Together Initiative. Balbriggan ETNS collaborated with the Clarendon School in London and Lubomba School in Zambia on a cycle partnership which was formally launched last month. The 520km cycle star ted at the Clarendon School on Friday, October 12 and finished at Balbriggan ETNS on Monday, October 15.
T he long-distance challenge was undertaken by three teachers from Clarendon and Balbriggan, and was supported by An Taisce and Fingal County Council. The aim of the initiative was to enhance the schoolchildren’s learning on issues of human rights, environmental awareness and safe and fun cycling. T he collaboration came to light when teacher James Hayden joined forces with the deputy principal of Clarendon School, London, in an effort to promote important causes in both schools. “The deputy principal is a friend of mine and we decided we would do something to twin the schools. We wanted to promote human rights month, which we were having here in our school in Balbriggan, while the Clarendon School wanted to promote their
initiative to have a cycle mechanic course for the older children, so that when they leave school they will have a qualification,” said Hayden. “The cycle was to showcase human rights and how easy it is for everyone to take part, regardless of their status. There were a lot of positive benefits from the initiative, some of them planned and some of them weren’t, but it was a great experience,” he concluded. A massive crowd, including Irish Paralympic medallist Catherine Walsh were waiting in the grounds of the school to greet the cycling team, who had been escorted by cyclists from Swords and Balrothery. Balbriggan ETNS is currently working on the Travel theme for the school’s fourth Green Flag, which is undertaken as part of the An Taisce Green Schools initiative.
Christmas market at Charlestown After the success of last year’s market, the 11-day Christmas Market in Charlestown Shopping Centre, Finglas, is set to return and is currently seeking exhibitors who wish to take part. The event will take
place in the heart of the shopping centre, and exhibitors will be the first and last thing members of the public will see throughout the Christmas shopping period. The shopping centre
will see between 80,000 to 140,000 people visiting the centre in the week leading up to Christmas. All exhibitors must have full public liability insurance. For more information, call 089 433 6940.
place at Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, on Sunday, December 2. All abilities and ages are catered for, with participants able to choose from a 5km or 10km walk/run, or the shorter Santa Saunter. Entrants for the Dublin Reindeer Run should register online at www.rnli.org/reindeer before November 31.
10 SWORDS Gazette 8 November 2012
gazetteGALLERY
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Bender – aka Richard Dornan – gets into shape
Winner of the national women’s marathon championships Maria McCambridge, and her son Dylan, with Georgina Drumm, vice president, Athletics Association of Ireland. Pictures: Sportsfile
Stepping out to make a marathon effort for fun
T
HOUSANDS of people took to the city centre recently for the annual bank holiday marathon, which attracted runners from every city in the region, as well as from all across the island of Ireland, and, indeed, all corners of the world. While a number of dedicated ath-
Ciara Hickey
letes had soon taken the lead in a bid to win the Dublin Marathon 2012, most were running simply for the fun and the pleasure of doing so. As always, a significant number of participants were running to fundraise and raise awareness for a cause, with others commemorating loved ones by
running. Regardless of their reasons for participating, the marathon was a great success for everyone, with thousands of spectators cheering on the tired but determined runners and walkers, while the clear weather, and wacky costumes sported by some, added to the upbeat mood.
“It really is this easy,” suggests Eoin Tonge as he nears the finishing line
Sean De-Claine
Oliver Geoghan offers an encouraging high-five to Karen Thomas, from Portland, Oregon
So far, so good for soldier Gary Condren
8 November 2012 Gazette 11
health P14
asdfsdaf BUSINESS P27 P16
dublinlife
Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools
hugh lane: gallery’s concert season
Classical ensemble will have audiences flying high As part of the 36th series of free concerts taking place in the Sculpture Gallery of the Hugh Lane Gallery, classical ensemble Concorde will play on November 11. The Sundays at Noon concerts were set up to offer the best of Irish and international musicians who would play the most beautiful music in elegant surroundings for free to the public.
It is run each year from September to June and its popularity is such that the gallery is always full so those wishing to attend are advised to go early to get a seat. Concorde is made up of Madeleine Staunton on flute, Paul Roe playing clarinet and bass clarinet, Elaine Clark on violin, Martin Johnson on cello, Dermot Dunne on accordion and Jane O’Leary,
the artistic director of the group. On November 11, the Concorde group and special guests will play a selection of pieces under the umbrella of Up Close with Music. Among the pieces included in the concert programme are a cello solo called Five Hofer Photographs by Dave Fennessy, Hhmmmm, a bass clarinet solo by
Elaine Agnew, and Con Coro, a violin, cello and tape composition by Rhona Clarke. Concorde: Up Close with Music is on November 11 in Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane, Charlemont House, Parnell Square North. If you’d like to find out more about the event, you can call 01 222 5550 or email info.hughlane@ dublincity.ie.
The Concorde group who will play at the Hugh Lane Gallery
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disney on ice P12
Gazette
12 Gazette 8 November 2012
dublinlife
Travel with Mickey and friends to Hawaii
Skate into The temperatures are starting to plummet, so why not get the kids ready by taking them to see Disney on Ice this weekend? The ice-skating spectacular show, Passport to Adventure, is set to take centre stage at the RDS until Sunday. This show takes audiences on a fun-filled tour of four exciting destinations filled with their favourite Disney friends. With Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as tour guides, guests will visit the enchanting worlds of The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and Lilo And Stitch. “It’s an extraordinary
show and a family vacation all rolled into one incredible night,” said producer Kenneth Feld. “You really get a sense you are travelling right alongside Mickey, Minnie and their friends.” The show runs from November 8 to 11. Tickets are available from the Ticketmaster desk in the Dublin Discover Ireland Centre, Suffolk Street, online at www.ticketmaster.ie, and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
a real treat for everyone If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting a chocolate factory then you need dream no longer, as But-
lers Chocolate Factory is now running tours at its Dublin headquarters. Butlers Chocolate Experience allows the public to explore the inner workings of one of Ireland’s longest-established chocolate factories. Children and adults can learn what really goes on behind their doors, discover how chocolate is made, and how Butlers create their different assortments. Visitors also get the chance to make their own chocolate creations in the Butler’s kitchen. There are two types of tour on offer: The World of Chocolate Tour, which takes in the Chocolate
8 November 2012 Gazette 13
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diary
winter with a happy face Museum, The Chocolate Movie and the Chocolate Gallery, and The Ultimate Butlers Chocolate Experience Tour, which also offers access to the mysterious Chocolate Experience Room. Tour prices start at €10 and €12.50 respectively. Butlers is located in the Clonshaugh Business Park in Dublin 17.
The musical debuted on Broadway in 1997 and is based on the 1994 animated film of the same name.
The music is by Elton John, and the show features actors in animal costumes as well as giant puppets. It has toured all
Musical roars into theatre The musical production of Disney’s The Lion King is coming to Bord Gais Energy Theatre in April, 2013, and the launch took place last week in the Project Arts Centre in Essex Street.
Explore the inner workings of one of Ireland’s longestestablished chocolate factories
over the world since its initial Broadway run, visiting places as far flung as Rio, Sydney, Russia and Singapore.
At the Dublin launch, cast members performed famous songs from the show in full costume and Thomas Shumacher,
president and producer of Disney Theatrical Group was on hand for the celebrations. Tickets for the show
are already on sale and are available from the box office at Bord Gais Energy Theatre, www. bordgaisenergytheatre.ie
Gazette
14 Gazette 8 November 2012
dublinlife
Psychologist and author Jason O’Callaghan
Turn over a new leaf and live the life you want natalie burke
IF YOU’VE ever wondered what it is you want out of life, or, more importantly, how to get it, a new book recently launched by journalist, psychologist and founder of the D4 Clinic Jason O’Callaghan, could be the key to a new and enlightened future. Get The Life You Deserve: 29,000 Days – What Will You Do With Yours? aims to help readers discover the secret to positive living and offers motivational tips to inspire people to get the life they deserve, whether that is to lose weight, find love or get the job they always wanted. Using research into psychology and hypnotherapy, Jason O’Callaghan uncovered his interpretation of positive living. He discusses how, through taking responsibility, readers can release themselves from the shackles of their old lives and gain the motivation and inspiration to fulfil their dreams. Readers of the book are advised on how stress can kill you faster than junk food, how smiling can help you live longer, and how what “number” of child you were in your family
may affect your success in life. Fellow author Ruth Field was on hand to help with the launch, and praised the newly published book. She said: “[It] really brings home the fact that we don’t have very long on this earth, and yet we are wasting days, months and years being stuck in jobs we hate, or in bodies we loathe, or in relationships that are making us unhappy. -----------------------------------------
‘Readers of the book are advised on how stress can kill you faster than junk food, or how smiling can help you live longer’
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“Through a combination of visualisation techniques and inspiring stories of famous successful people, Jason highlights the value of failure as a necessary stepping stone to success,” she said. Get The Life You Deserve: 29,000 Days – What Will You Do With Yours? is available from all major Irish book shops, with a RRP of €16.99.
With autumn passing us by, and winter just around the corner, it’s time to consider what you can do to stay healthy during the months ahead
health: some top tips to avoid piling on the pounds
Avoid the winter bulge AS THE clocks change and the dark evenings set in, the gloomy weather leaves us yearning for comfort foods, big fires and neslting in front of the TV. Clothes have gone from shaped to shapeless, and the last thing we want to do is face the elements and get active. Shorter days and a lack of sunshine reduce our body’s production of serotonin – a hormonelike substance that promotes feelings of relaxation and happiness. A natural reaction to this is that many people start to eat more carbohydrates, such as pasta, potatoes and rice, helping to raise serotonin levels. With our bodies naturally craving starchier comfort food, it’s easy to pile on the pounds as the weather turns colder. But autumn doesn’t
have to mean adding inches to your waistline, and help is at hand. Motivation Weight Management is best known for its success in helping thousands of Irish people to reach and maintain their ideal long-term weight. Motivation’s success is founded on the company’s approach to weight management, which focuses not just on what people eat, but why. With that in mind, here are some tips from Motivation on keeping your waistline under wraps while you wrap up for winter. 1. Cold comfort: The cold weather makes it the ideal time to start cooking for your autumn diet plan. Use seasonal vegetables to create big pots of warming soups and stews, which are not
only low in fat, but are also cheap and hassle free. 2. Start as you mean to go on: If breakfast has never been a priority, change that now by making it part of your autumn shape-up diet. Short winter days can make us sluggish, and we need that extra energy boost to set us up for the day. Porridge oats are perfect for releasing energy throughout your morning. 3. Shape up: Make the most of the bracing, crisp autumn air. It is a well-known fact that the body expends more calories in the winter to keep warm, so you already have a head start! Take your exercise outside, with long walks or bicycle rides. Change your routine to keep your body on its toes, and to keep it interesting.
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‘With our bodies craving starchier comfort food, it’s easy to pile on the pounds as the weather turns colder’
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Also try to do your exercise in the morning to start your day. If you wait until evening, it will be dark and your motivation might be gone. 4. Spice up your body: Introduce some heatgenerating foods into your diet in these cold months. Use spices such as Cayenne or chilies to help keep your circulation moving. 5. Wonderful Water: Drink two mediumsized glasses of water
with each meal. This will not only serve to hydrate your body, but is also now proven to help with weight loss, according to Discovery News, and the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Their study shows that obese dieters who drank two cups of water before each meal lost five pounds more than a group of dieters who didn’t increase their water intake. 6. Don’t buy it! Junk food is really no good for anyone, so if you don’t buy it – then you can’t eat it! Special occasion or Christmas treats should be the very last thing purchased, because chances are that if you stock up and buy in advance, it will be eaten in advance, too. For further information, see www.motivation.ie.
8 November 2012 Gazette 15
laura webb
WHEN people think of Ireland, one thing that comes to minds is of course, a leprechaun, but what many might not know is that there is a museum dedicated to their magical and fascinating world. The National Leprechaun Museum is located in the heart of the city centre, in Jervis Street, and has been there since 2010. The first attraction of its kind to be dedicated to Irish mythology, the museum takes visitors through a story of 12
chapters, with each chapter reflecting Irish mythology, or recreates experiences that people would typically associate with leprechauns. People actually get a taste for how life can be for the wee folk, as many items on display are much bigger than average, to help people think like them. Tom O’Rahilly, founder of the museum, talks about why he set up the museum, and what people can expect from it. “T he lepr echauns wouldn’t let me go – they kept coming back to me, so I had to do something
about it,” he joked. The museum was set up as a way of telling the enchanting stories of leprechauns. Tom said: “When I started, I didn’t know much about leprechauns and, the more you dig in, the more you find out about the leprechauns and all the other characters in that other world. So, how would you talk to people about it? “That is where the museum came in. If we can chat to people about them, show them some stuff, and get them to do some things, then we
can begin to explore the whole area. “People come in with different backgrounds and different depths of knowledge from different countries, so it is really about trying to engage people in different ways,” he said. According to Tom, everyone has a different opinion or idea of what the museum might be, and so people get a unique experience. Small groups are set up, and it is a semi-guided experience. “It is also about having an experience with other people. Essentially,
we are getting people to think like leprechauns,” said Tom. A new attraction coming next month is coin making, so people will be able to make their own lucky coins. Asked if he has ever seen one, Tom said the leprechauns have seen him, but every time he turns around they disappear. The Leprechaun Museum is open daily from 10am until 6.30pm. For further information about special events coming up, see www.leprechaunmuseum.ie.
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Sharing big fun with the little people at museum
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GAZETTE
16 GAZETTE 8 November 2012
DUBLINLIFE
Q&A
BUSINESS
Supported by AIB
When negative equity strikes Continued from last week
EDDIE WALSH, CHAMPS BARBERS
Cutting edge programme EDDIE Walsh opened Champs Barbers in 1996 in the building where, in 1916, his grandparents lived, and where later his mother was born and lived, in lower George’s Street in Dun Laoghaire. While still at school, Eddie would, at every opportunity, make his way to his uncle’s barber’s shop there, where he discovered his calling. Nowadays, Eddie runs his five salons, and teaches barbering. He is vice-president of the Irish Barbers Federation, whose objectives are to promote higher standards in barber-
ing and qualifications for barbers. With these aims in mind, Champs are also opening a School of Barbering in the New Year. Eddie says: “I believe there is a lack of well-trained barbers, probably because of the lack of good training, or just because the interest is not there. With Champs Barbering School, it will be our aim to train potential barbers to get that job. “With our hands-on programme, and with five salons, we can provide the necessary work experience to get people to the top of the ladder.”
How long have you been in business?
the recession?
For 16 years.
What makes your business successful?
Determination, commitment, hard work and a willingness to change.
What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?
Champs Barbers and Hairdressers are fully trained qualified professionals who are continually upskilling, which means they have a good understanding of what our clients need. Although all our salons are individual, they all have the same relaxing ambience, which our customers always comment on.
How has the recession impacted your business?
At Champs, we don’t cut corners, so therefore we haven’t cut our prices in spite of the present climate. In a recession, it is the first reaction of any business, but in doing this we simply could not maintain the standards which have made us stand out in the business for so long. Having said that, we do try to give back to our clients by giving different specials and promotions.
What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of
Champs has actually expanded in the last year, which may seem a strange thing to do in a recession, but my motto has always been to look forward and never back.
What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?
The commercial rates have increased so much that it has put an end to many businesses that were just about hanging on. In recessionary times, bumping up rates by more than 100% in some cases just doesn’t make any kind of economic sense.
How do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin, etc) to help your business?
We have only just signed up to Facebook , after much deliberation, and let’s just say that the jury is still out on that one.
What is your ambition for the business?
To stay at the top of our game is always our aim. We have launched our own range of products, and are hoping to open the Champs School of Barbering in the New Year.
What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?
It’s easy getting there – it’s staying there that’s the hard part.
AS DISCUSSED last week, problems with negative equity can strike if your life circumstances change, such as, for example, you need to change homes, or you lose your job. What happens then? A) You must immediately communicate with your lender. Paying from savings is short-term folly. Complete a Standard Financial Statement, outlining your circumstances and details of expenditure, and make an appointment to see your lender. If you cannot even pay the interest-only monthly repayment (about 60% of the normal capital and interest repayment), request a payment holiday – no payments whatsoever, initially for three or six months. Remember that the normal rule of thumb is that you should only be paying 35% of your monthly net disposable income (that is, after tax) on financial commitments, including your mortgage. Are you paying in excess of this now? You will also need to submit bank statements, P45 etc to back your case. B) EBS and AIB Bank only recently announced changes in their policy regarding negative equity, along with other lenders who had already brought in this facility. This allows families to transfer their negative equity to their next property while, perhaps, increasing the debt in order to buy a more appropriate home for their needs. For example, if you live in a property that sold for
€200K, but you owed €425K, the negative equity – ie €225K – can be added to the purchase price of €300K, so that the maximum loan-to-value is 175%; you would now owe €525K on a property worth €300K but have “traded up”. However, the terms and conditions still apply – all lending is based on the ability to repay. You still have to prove ability to repay the €525K. On the Net Disposable Income method, and if this was your only financial commitment, you would need between you a net monthly income of €8,160 (or just under €100K net per annum), based on an interest rate of 4.3% and a 25-year term. If you do not have the income but must move, your only choice is to rent the existing property and rent larger accommodation until income allows you back in the mortgage market. Of course, the final alternative is personal insolvency or bankruptcy. Talk to you next week ... Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor
TWO-DAY EVENT: ENTREPRENEURS SHARE EXPERIENCES
Meeting aims to encourage more women into business NATIONAL Women’s Enterprise Day 2012 has been hailed as a huge success, with hundreds of participants representing every county in Ireland attending the event in Portlaiose. Successful businesswomen shared their experiences with start-up companies and fledgling businesses at the twoday event, which was organised by Ireland’s 35 County and City Enterprise Boards, which support around 12,000 women in business across the country. The aim of National Women’s Enterprise Day was to encourage even more women to set up their own businesses, and to increase national rec-
ognition of the essential role played by Ireland’s female entrepreneurs. A panel of experienced business mentors conducted over 200 one-toone mentoring sessions during the event. Mary McKenna, founder of Tour America, said: “I’m amazed to see the amount of women that are here, and the energy that’s coming from the room. It’s great to see women helping and supporting women. “Ireland is a great country, and there are many opportunities in times like these. The clear message is: ‘It’s okay to try things’,” she said. Michael Johnson, of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise
Celebrating the contribution of women to business at National Women’s Enterprise Day 2012
Board, said: “Through profiling the success stories of female entrepreneurs in Ireland, we hope to encourage more women to seek out new business opportunities by setting up or growing their own business. “The full programme of workshops, talks and oneto-one mentoring clinics was designed specifically to help boost confidence
levels among women. “The fantastic feedback from the event serves to prove that the inspiring stories and words of wisdom shared at National Women’s Enterprise Day are already having a very positive and motivating effect on women in business today.” For further information, see www.enterpriseboards.ie.
8 November 2012 Gazette 17
gaming P21
asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl 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
style P20
Pets can you give bruno a home?
There aren’t many people who would walk away from a recod label to release their album on their own terms, but Tyler Hilton did just that
PEOPLE: former one tree hill star on the challenge of songwriting
Enjoying a musical rebirth paul hosford
TYLER Hilton is relaxed. The one-time One Tree Hill star, who made his name blurring the lines of reality and fiction as a singer-songwriter on the teen television drama show, has released his first album in nearly a decade and, although only 28, is going through something resembling a creative rebirth. After five years recording and rerecording an album that was set to be titled The Storms We Share, Hilton left his record label, started his own record company, and earlier this year finally released his third album, Forget The Storm. Added to that, he is currently headlining his first-ever European tour and, the day we meet, he is preparing to take
to the stage in Dublin’s Academy. We meet in Bia Cafe on O’Connell Street, in the shadow of Dublin’s Spire, and Hilton seems to be enjoying music again, something he admits wasn’t happening under his old deal. “It does feel like a weight lifted. I feel like you need to do what you’re built to do; runners need to run, and singers need to sing, but it had been nearly 10 years since I put out a record, so I felt like I had to put something out. That’s why I left my label to put it out. “Even if I didn’t have the money to promote it the way a record company would, I was like: ‘Let’s put something out’, and it felt really good,” he says. It is refreshing to hear Hilton carries no bitterness towards his former record label, though he does equate the end of
the working relationship to a separation. “It’s like going through a break-up. You go through the heartbreak and then start over. “I ended up liking this record a lot more than the one I’d spent six years [working] on, and I think that’s because I was just thinking instinctually, and wasn’t caught up in picking the perfect song. “[At my old label] there wasn’t any pressure to do one thing or another. I would do something, and they would be like: ‘Cool; what else?’, and I was thinking: ‘Well, I don’t know, what do you guys want me to do?’,” says Tyler. That sense of freedom is evident on the album, as Hilton is given the latitude to do different things with his music.
“It wasn’t a premeditated sound, but when I came out of my heartbreak and, like, coma of despair, I was really angry and directionless. That’s where these songs come from. “There’s a lot of songs about anger, and I don’t know if I’ll ever make an album [again] that’s ‘this rock and roll’, but it’s a representation of where I was at the time. “It’s less of a representation of the last six years than it was the period after I left the label.” While most people are struggling to get to a major label deal, Tyler says that walking away from the comforts of being signed to a major to setting up his own label felt right. Continued on Page 19
DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dog’s Trust, Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity, to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Don’t let this mature gentlemen’s age fool you, though – he still considers himself to be a sprightly young chap. This super handsome boy has been living at Dogs Trust for nearly 19 months, waiting for someone special to come along and offer him his forever home. Bruno would probably prefer a home without kids where he can be the centre of attention. He is a big fan of cuddles, and would be happy to share the right home with another dog. If you think you can give Bruno a loving home for his twilight years, contact Dogs Trust at 01 879 1000. Further information about their work can be found on their website at www. dogstrust.ie. All dogs that are adopted from Dogs Trust are vet-checked, vaccinated, neutered and micro-chipped before being re-homed
GAZETTE
18 GAZETTE 8 November 2012
OUT&ABOUT
STYLE
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Debenhams €18.50
with tailored of the manor, y d la e th n o - this is the A modern take to accessories el fe an ri st eque Awear tweeds and an sual look from ca t ar sm ct perfe
Accessorize €39 Accessorize €34
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BEAUTY news
Getting a seasonal glow - bargains and beauty buys! LAURA WEBB
OK, so Christmas isn’t for another while yet, but many people are already thinking about buying here and there so December isn’t an expensive month. This week Gazette Style has a very rewarding idea that will get you some great gifts while you buy for others. If you purchase two or more products at Lancome, you will get a free skincare essentials gift bag worth €74. Looking after your skin is essential in winter months so it is definitely something to think
about for yourself, so when buying for mum, or even the man in your life check out Lancome products and receive an extra special gift early. Who says Christmas can’t come early? The gift includes a Lancome Makeup Bag, a Lancôme makeup Brush Dou, skin care produts: Visionnaire (7ml), Génifique (7ml), Hydra Zen Moisturiser (30ml), Tonique Douceur (50ml) and Galeteis Douceur (50ml). It also includes Hypnose Mascara (2ml) and L’Absolu Rouge (1.6ml). This gift is available in all Debenhams Department stores Dublin, until Sunday November 18 or while stocks last.
Keep an eye out for offers like this at department stores across Dublin, so you can treat yourself while treating others.
TAKING a look in the mirror, most of us can see the holiday hue has well and truly disappeared, so it’s over to the false tan to give our winter skin a sparkling glow. Fake tan experts He-Shi have a great line of products that make skin luminous, shimmering and soft. The new He-Shi Luminous Shimmer is a subtle and sophisticated bronzer, which offers a gorgeous glittering finish, perfect for enhancing skin on dark evenings.
There is no hideous smell and it’s easy to use. It can be layered for deeper colour and washes off with ease making it a perfect product for any party occasion. Luminous Shimmer is available from selected department stores, salons and day spas for an RRP of €12.60.
8 November 2012 Gazette 19
Gazette
MUSIC FASTtunes
Halloween’s not over: Christmas albums are looming!
Actor and singer/songwriter Tyler Hilton: “I want to rediscover the things I love, so I have more to put into the next record”
PEOPLE: walking away from a record label ‘was right for me’
Breaking the rules Continues from Page 17
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“I’m a pretty patient guy for the most part, but I think people were surprised I stayed as long as I did. I go back to the relationship [comparison]: you stay with someone as long as you can to try make it work, but, eventually, you have to decide to walk away.” Going back to 2005, Hilton was a man on a massive upward swing, recording an album on a major label and having starred as Elvis in the acclaimed Johnny Cash biopic, Walk The Line. It seems odd, then, that a European tour would be so long coming, not to mention a new album.
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‘The industry keeps changing, but this is my favourite time in my career ever. Nothing lasts very long in this business.’ “The industry keeps changing, but this is my favourite time in my career ever. “It feels different, for sure, but I feel like no matter what it is, nothing lasts very long in this business. “You couldn’t have
told me when I first got into the business that not listening to the people telling me what to do would be the answer. “It’s so counterintuitive to everything you learn your whole life, but breaking all the rules ended up being the answer.” As a man who has acted and sung for some 15 years, Tyler doesn’t see any problem with cramming as much as possible into his schedule. “I feel like if you do a lot of one thing, you’re probably missing out on something else. “I want to rediscover the things I love, so I have more to put into the next record, and nobody
wants to hear songs about the life of being an actor. So, when I’m home, I try not to do any of that.” W hen back home, Hilton says that catching up with family, friends and his girlfriend, actress Megan Park, grounds him, as well as hiking and “feeling healthy”. Hilton met Park on the set of the criminally under-rated movie, Charlie Bartlett, and the two have been together for five years now. “The thing is we’ve been together a long time and, fortunately, we’ve been very happy and she’s not crazy! “I could probably date another actress and she’d be out of her mind, or, if
I’d never met Megan, I could date a nurse and it would be fine but, for me, Megan is perfect. “If she was in any other kind of industry, she’d be perfect. The way she handles herself and her temperament teaches me a lot. “She’s very together, or at least she acts that way in front of me! “It’s nice for me to see people who can be so normal, and so together, and be successful in this industry, because it’s not usually that way.” Unfortunately, it’s not usually that way, but thankfully, Tyler Hilton is the exception rather than the rule. And that’s probably why he’s so relaxed.
So, Halloween is over, the nights are good and dark and the fridge is fast becoming a warmer place to be than outside. And with that, of course, comes the annual day that breaks the bank for all of us. No, I’m not talking about when the fat guy gives the presents, rather when the fat cats take them: Budget 2013. And if your purse strings are tighter than Joan Rivers’ face, I’m looking to the people who still have money to see how they’re still bringing in the big bucks in these tough times. The answer? A Christmas Album. When you think about it, it’s made with minimum time and effort, no one will blame you for doing covers, even the corniest ones are going to shift at least a few copies, and there’s almost a guarantee that sales will pick up at Yuletide every year, meaning artists can put their feet up and watch the Christmas cash roll in. Many rockers have turned their hand to the odd Christmas tune: Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, even Phil Lynott, but an entire album is a reputation gamble if ever I saw one. New additions to the Christmas album shelves this year include Rod Stewart, who’s bringing out a festive album which one can only hope isn’t as cringy as the title - Merry Christmas, Baby - while Sandy and Danny themselves, Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta are re-uniting for their Christmas record, This Christmas. The album cover shows the two Grease stars enjoying cups of tea by the Christmas tree - a far cry from Travolta’s Pulp Fiction days. Rod Stewart on the other hand is bringing out the big guns for his album, which includes a virtual duet with Ella Fitzgerald for What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? Ehhh, probably not listening to your album, Rod! Dee Woods @ Radio Nova
Better be good for goodness’ sake
Gazette
20 gazette 8 November 2012
OUT&ABOUT
CINEMA
more
theatre THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929
Every Little Step… the Rhythm of Hope FROM their critically acclaimed premiere in New York, Dance Theatre of Ireland and Soul Steps bring a stunning, foot-stomping, body-clapping, energizing experience in every Little Step...the Rhythm of Hope, featuring dance, live music and story-telling. In their hottest work to date, a powerful cast of seven performers combine Irish and modern dance with African-American stepping. November 6-9, tickets are priced at €17/€14.
Mill Theatre 01 296 9340 Chris Kent
WHAT do you get when you cross a burnt out electrician with a standup comedian? You get the most high-voltage act on the Irish comedy circuit at the moment. Join multi award-winning Chris Kent for his new positively charged, totally unique debut. In this brand new show, Kent throws some light on the joys of being a negligent electrician and a couldhave-been porn star, as well as an uncanny resemblance to a wellknown, sheeploving soap celebrity. November 16-17 at 8pm, tickets are priced at €10.
CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 The Nualas
FOR the price of one household charge you and several friends and/or family members can enjoy a night of worldclass entertainment - scintillating vocal harmony, ambitious choreography, kneelength, yet unbelievably glamorous, and shiny, stage attire. November 15 at 8pm with tickets €20 and €16 with €15 and €11 concessions.
Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts take a break from swimming
cinema: A foreign treat in irish cinemas this week
No signs of rust HAVING already been praised with a host of accolades before ever hitting our big screens, winning the title of best film at the London Film Festival and Cabourg Romantic Film Festival as well receiving as a nomination for the much-coveted Palm D’Or at Cannes, I had already assumed high expectations before attending the screening of Rust And Bone last week. Directed by Jacques A u d i a r d , a c cl a i m e d director of ‘A Prophet’, the French-Belgian film stars Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard and Belgian actor, Matthias Schoenaerts in the leading roles. Based on a short story collection of the same name, Rust and Bone is
natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com
a story centred around unemployed Ali who, on moving with his son to start a new life in Antibes, falls in love with Stephanie, a character portrayed by the brilliant Cotillard. An unconventional love story, the film defies the tones of a typical romantic movie, instead focusing on the bleak and sometimes dark moments of life and the unexpected turns it sometimes takes. Single and slightly inadequate father Ali takes his five-year-old
son from their home in Belguim to live with his sister in France, where he befriends Stephanie, a confident local who has an enviously unusual career as a whale trainer at a local marine theme park in Antibes. Despite being poles apart, a friendship sparks between the two when they begin to bond around their flawed lives. Ali fails to care for his own son, focusing instead on a road destined to lead to trouble, while Stephanie faces a lifetime of trials as she struggles to rebuild her own life after a life-changing accident, grasping solely onto the unintentional compassion shown by her new friend. Taking a step away from her most recent
Film of the Week: Rust and Bone h h h h h (15A) 120mins Director: Jacques Audiard Starring: Marion Cotillard, Matthias Schoenaerts, Bouli Lanners, Alex Martin, Celine Sallette
OUR VERDICT: WHILE foreign-language films don’t always appeal to everyone, Rust and Bone is one film that we recommend should shake that trend. An unconventional love story, the enlightening tale focuses more on the troubling moments real life can bring and less on the romantic aspect of a blossoming friendship. Having already been awarded prestigious titles in the film world, Rust and Bone is one French film that lives up to its esteemed albeit young reputation.
screen appearance this year as powerful Miranda Tate in The Dark Knight Rises, French actress Marion Cotillard instead slips easily into a role of a woman trapped by a tragic accident, in the deep recesses of a depression and struggling to rediscover her will to live. With few moments to smile about, Marian manages to convey the deep and troubled emotions being no
doubt felt by someone in her position and plays a dramatically powerful performance while still possessing that sense of the natural French grace and poise she is celebrated for. Matthias Schoenaerts on the other hand, becomes a character that is hard to warm to, but one that is portrayed just as successfully. His apparent disregard for the welfare of his son,
his illegal fist-fights and easy disposal of one night stands have a tendency to overpower the real reasons for his adolescent behaviour; a struggle to make ends meet and an insecurity about his real capability as a single parent. To g e t h e r t h e t wo struggling characters unknowingly lean on one another for support as life continues to throw hurdles their way. While the French subtitled film may not be for everyone, and occasionally fails to explain fully the lessimportant tangents of the story, Rust and Bone is one story that if you get caught up in it, will draw you in and leave you feeling enlightened, satisfied and with an appetite for the culture of French film.
8 November 2012 GAZETTE 21
GAZETTE
GAMING ASSASSIN’S CREED 3: A SUPERB SEQUEL
A title that’s worth hunting down in shops SHANE DILLON
EVERY week feels like Christmas for gamers at the moment, with triple-A titles either suddenly on the shelves, or about to hit the market. And, certainly, one of the biggest titles of the year – in more ways than one – comes courtesy of the cross-platform title, Assassin’s Creed 3, which was released just last week but, unsurprisingly, has leapt straight to the top of the charts around the world. Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, AC3 is the latest in the popular series, which has spun off into indirect titles, making this not just the third in the overall series, but certainly the most impressive.
SHANE DILLON sdillon@gazettegroup.com
For “newbies” to the Assassin’s Creed setting, a modern-day protaganist is caught up in a slowly-uncovered, endof-the-world scenario – however, dull-as-dishwater Desmond is merely a means to an end, as, through some high-tech nonsense, he can “relive” the memories of – Oh, look, it doesn’t really matter, does it? Desmond accessing memories of long-dead people is the way to play the game proper, as we
slip back into time to “remember” the character’s actions. This time round, AC3 follows a half-English, half-Mohawk man, Connor, in Colonial America, around the time of the great American Revolution. During 30 or so years of Connor’s life, around the Revolution years, he wanders through several key parts of the Colonial frontier, with vast tracts of land, speckled with small towns, as well as a number of well-known cities in their older, simpler forms, including New York and Boston. Connor’s life brings him into contact with a wide range of historical characters on all sides of the Revolution, with eve-
From snowbound city streets teeming with British Colonial soldiers to verdant Frontier lands full of wildlife, the beautifully realised world of Assassin’s Creed 3 is a memorable, diverting place to wander and explore
ryone from Washington to Franklin shoehorned in, as well as several key historical moments in the battle for America at the time. As an assassin with his own agenda to follow, Connor spends an awful lot of time tracking down – and eliminating – all kinds of people, in line with the previous games. However, AC3 remains, as ever, a game that certainly has a violent nature in parts (albeit for the greater good, once again),
BYTES&PIECES STILL SO FORZA, SO GOOD Franchise spin-off impresses
FIRST things first – yes, Forza Horizons. really does look that pretty, as shown in the screenshot, right. Already a terrific racing franchise exclusive on the XBox 360, where Forza easily roared into pole position as a great cicruit racer, an elite team of developers were assembled for this recently released spin-off with an open-world setting – and, boy, did they deliver the goods. Set around the Horizon Festival in Colorado (an ever-so-slightly naff-feeling central hub), it’s your job to roll into town in the equivalant of a rusty bathtub on three wheels, before taking to the highways and byways of Colorado for all kinds of Horizon challenges. The more you race, the more you rise up the ranks from your lowly starting position of 250th place, as you undertake
The game ships with a photo mode, to create similarly striking shots
set challenges, random races, or simply challenge other, snazzier cars to a race – and what races they are, too. Colorado, here, takes in all kinds of sweeping landscapes and surfaces, with a wide range of beautiful, gleaming motors to unlock and take to gravel roads and wide highways, while the spectacular sunsets and ambient details add to
the overall mood. Indeed, it’s a pleasure to just drive, picking a forest road or desert trail to follow, with the game putting the horizon there for you to reach as best as you see fit. So, for those looking for a meaty racer, or for those looking for a very pretty driving game, or even for those just looking for a great game, Forza Horizons is a winner.
but rewards exploration and observation. While the main campaign missions can be blitzed through reasonably quickly, there are, quite simply, a staggering range of side-missions and distractions to undertake. Whether hunting wildlife to make money, recruiting craftspeople to make your humble home ever grander, exploring the lands and the cities, or even taking to the high seas in well-realised naval sections – and all with a noticeable graphical flair in an already attractive series – AC3 presents a beautiful, challenging and rewarding title. Coupled with a historical (and physical) setting that’s rarely been touched upon in gaming, and with a striking story that resonates with contemporary times – not to mention a lot more features than I have space to even mention, let alone look at here – AC3 has delivered an outstanding title. Available now for several platforms, it’s a terrific title, and one that makes the game’s revolutionary past something to definitely look forward to ...
22 GAZETTE 8 November 2012
GAZETTE
&ABOUT OUT road
MOTORS
NOISE
Skoda drives up the motor ranks SKODA’s drive to become a Top-5 best-selling car brand has taken a big step forward in recent weeks with the recruitment of five new dealerships for its network across Munster and Leinster. The dealerships chosen for their strategic importance in high population centres include Boland’s in Carlow, Sheehy Motor Group in Naas, Co Kildare, Frank Hogan Motors in Limerick, Western Motors in Drogheda Co Louth and J Donohue Motors in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. In addition to the dealership expansion, Skoda has also announced its latest innovative sales incentive programme for Irish motorists. In conjunction with Applegreen, Skoda has launched a unique fuel card offer for Irish motorists, guaranteeing them a set price for fuel in 2013 and saving them hard earned money. Anyone who orders a new Skoda before November 17will receive a fuel card capping the price of fuel at 99c a litre for the year ahead. Skoda was also recently recognised as a leading provider of value for Irish motorists by Motorcheck. ie Value Analysis report which was carried out across a range of car brands and models to determine which cars retain their value providing the best investment. The report which compared almost 12,530 pricing samples between January 2009 and July 2012 revealed that Czech automobile manufacturer Skoda provided the greatest return on investment of any brand. Skoda claimed Number 1 spot in three of these categories, best diesel option for small hatch (Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI), mid range saloon (Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI) and large saloon (Skoda Superb 1.9TDI Greenline). Over the three-year period the outstanding Skoda models retained 67% (Fabia), 62% (Octavia) and 61% (Superb) of their original value. These valuations are all significantly ahead of the average retained value for each segment with the Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI +12%, the Skoda Superb 1.9TDI Greenline +11%, and the Skoda Fabia 1.4TDI +5% respectively.
Joe Barrett, retail director of Applegreen and Ciara Walsh, marketing communications manager, SKODA Ireland, are all smiles as Skoda announces its latest innovative sales incentive programme for Irish motorists in conjunction with Applegreen
Today’s Beetle transfers the styling of the original Beetle and the 1998 new Beetle into a sportier, more masculine era
VOLKSWAGEN: THIRD INCARNATION OF A MOST ICONIC CAR
The beloved Beetle is back with a bang
CORMAC CURTIS
IT hasn’t been all that long since the 2012 Geneva Motor Show – it was back in March. But it seems like an eternity since I was there to see, for the first time, just how great the all-new VW Beetle was turning out to be. Pearlescent white paint, tinted windows, blindingly bright chrome alloys designed with good ol’ fashioned hubcaps in mind– it had the perfect blend of classic Beetle lines, combined with a dune buggy-like profile. Did I mention the gloss-black door sills with the chrome highlights? The fact that the classic sills were omitted from
the second-generation Beetle still boggles the mind, but their return just makes this model that bit more special. And that’s what the Beetle is all about – special. The entry-level model is already a design classic, but Volkswagen have not spared the whip when it comes to options for those who really want to treat themselves to a top-end motor. The model I test drove recently was a dream. The interior was practically wrapped in leather, with colour panels that matched the Denim Blue exterior beautifully. T he f lat-bottomed leather steering wheel was a multifunction joy, as it gave me control of the simply wonderful
sound system. Made by the classic guitar manufacturer, Fender, the Fender Plus stereo will, on this side of the Atlantic, only be found in the Beetle. The system comprises two tweeters each in the mirror triangle and rear side trim, front and rear woofers and a subwoofer located in a closed bass box in the boot. Heart and soul of the system is a 10 channel amplifier with class A /B end stages and eight speakers delivering a 400 watt output, while ambient lighting around the speakers and door panels creates a relaxed atmosphere. For me at least, this makes the world a better place, it really was a
shame that VW insisted I give the car back. The Beetle is priced at a very competitive €19,995 for the entry-level model, but true Beetle lovers will almost certainly want to spring for some of the top-drawer extras. Personally, I would be a big fan of the optional winter pack that includes heated front seats with three pre-set temperature settings. If I had my way, all cars would be equipped with keyless entry systems, like the one available on here. This system enables you to enter and exit your car without taking the key out of your pocket. Once inside, as long as you have the key on you, the engine can be started
without inserting the key in the ignition by simply pressing a button in the centre console. It’s options like these that keep a car like this one that bit extra special – but don’t forget leather, you really do deserve the leather interior. It’s no coincidence that the Irish love the Beetle, the first one built outside of Germany was on Dublin’s Shelbourne Road and continued to be produced there right up the late 1970s. Beetle lovers had to wait until 1998 for the second generation model to arrive, but this third model is set to bring different generations of motorists together as it is certain to go down a storm.
8 November 2012 SWORDS Gazette 23
Gazette
CRAFT craftwork: Dalkey’s winter fair expects over 5,000 visitors
Designer showcase flourishes
Thousands of locally produced craft and design goods will be on display at this year’s Winter Fair in Dalkey, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, November 10 and 11. For the first time, this year’s fair is taking place in the Cuala GAA Hall on Hyde Road. More than 5,000 visitors are expected at the event, which is now in its eighth year, to see work from over 40 design and craftworkers from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, which is emerging as a centre of excellence for the craft and design sector.
Fresh styles and gift ideas, as well as specially-made Christmas items, will be available during the two-day event, which is organised by Dun LaoghaireRathdow n County Enterprise Board. The Winter Fair has grown in popularity every year since it began among locals and visitors to the area, many of who travel specifically to see the wide range of quality products available. With over 40 stands, locally designed fashion, hats and jewellery, photography, bags, candles, furniture, toys and
A sample of Laragh McMonagle’s jewellery
collectibles will all be available at the Winter Fair 2012. Regular exhibitors who are returning to the Winter Fair include Susannagh Grogan Designs, Red Rufus Sock Dogs, Cathy White Vintage Bags, Cadenza Glass Beads, Blue House Studio and Michael Delahunty Photography, many of who have created new work specifically for the event. They will be joined by a record number of new exhibitors – all based in the county – some bringing their new work to the market for the
An example of jewellery from Cadenza Glass Beads
first time. Event co-ordinator S u z a n n e M ay s a i d : “This is such an important event in the design calendar that people are now travelling to Dalkey from all over Leinster. “We are delighted to welcome a number of first time exhibitors to the Winter Fair, in
addition to our regular faces. “The range of local creative talent at the Winter Fair is always inspiring and offers gift ideas for every taste and budget. “Every year, there are new and exclusive collections and the public are always ver y supportive of locally-produced design and craft products.” Laragh McMonagle, a locally-based jewellery designer has participated in the Winter Fair over the last number of years. She said: “This is one of my favourite times of the year, when all our hard work is unveiled to the public. “It gives us a chance to meet our customers face-to-face and it gives them a chance to ask us questions about our craft and hear our design stories, which is a unique aspect of Winter Fair.” The Winter Fair 2012 in Dalkey is open to the
public from 10am to 6pm on both days, and admission is free. Updates can be found on the Winter Fair Facebook page, at w w w.
Red Rufus Sock Dogs
facebook.com/thewinterfair. Further information is also available at http:// www.dlrceb.ie/winterfair2012.
Gazette
24 swords gazette 8 November 2012
OUT&ABOUT
fast
TRAVEL
Celebrate Bond with a visit to bonnie Scotland STUNNING locations are a key ingredient of James Bond films and, with the recent release of Skyfall, the fourth Bond film to feature the beautiful surroundings of Scotland, there’s never been a better time to explore the northern country. While Daniel Craig was seen jetting off to the Bahamas and South America in his first two outings, the character goes back to his Scottish roots in Skyfall. In a chase sequence filmed in the Highlands, near the peak of striking Buachailie Etive Mor, the secret agent’s iconic Aston Martin DB5 manages to get upstaged by the stunning atmospheric scenery. Whether you’re a 007 fan or fancy a piece of your own adventure, Scotland boasts a number of Bond-inspired activities to pursue on a visit to the highlands. The Spy who Loved Me, The World is Not Enough and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service are just three of the many Bond films to include skiing scenes, and Scotland has five ski resorts. Why not hit the slopes this winter for skiing, snowboarding or some expert snow-sports tuition? For a combination of breathtaking scenery and exhilarating adventure, visit Highlands Sarafis at www.highlandsafaris.net, and choose from a mountain safari, a cycle through a wilderness trail or try your hand at off-road driving. Get an adrenaline high at the Highland Fling Bungee in Perthsire, Britain’s first static bungee jump, perched above a dramatic gorge and ancient trees, or sail 30 miles from the north west coast to the Outer Hebrides, to its powder-white beaches, Atlantic waves and dark moorland. For further details of these and many other Scottish activities, see www.visitscotland.com.
northern ireland: cookery school serves up some great lessons
Turn into a top chef (with a little Belfast help)
laura webb
SURPRISINGLY, heading to Belfast on a dreary Thursday morning didn’t dampen my enthusiasm for the day ahead. It was the inaugural Belfast Restaurant Week, and anything that involves testing culinary treats is something that I don’t mind doing in rain, hail or snow. Having gone to Belfast before by car, and although it is nice to
have the freedom of your own vehicle so you can pack whatever you can fit into it, taking the Enterprise train from Dublin definitely has its advantages. You leave from central Dublin to arrive in central Belfast – what more could you ask for, really? The day ahead was a busy one. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board had organised some very interesting activities that would test my
own culinary abilities, and get me tasting some very famous ones, too. The Europa Hotel is one of the best-known hotels in Belfast. Just a few minutes’ drive from the train station, it is in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Belfast, perfect for finding your way through the city. Once checked in, it was time to go to the Belfast Cooker y School. This school is Belfast
Belfast Cookery School is the city’s first purpose-built cookery school
Paul Rankin’s restaurant, Cayenne, boasts a relaxing
city’s first purpose-built cookery school, and is ideally located in the heart of the city close to hotels, public transport, pubs and shopping. I t h a s 16 f u l l y equipped individual cooking stations. On arrival, we were greeted by Mourne Seafood Bar’s head chef, Wayne Carville, who was ready to demonstrate the meal we were about to make. The ingredients were all laid out, and we could see by the rice, prawns and other ingredients that it was going to be some sort of risotto, and we were right – seafood risotto. Talking us through the recipe, Wayne made it sound so easy, but I suppose when you are a top chef it’s going to be easy – for you! The flavours of the
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‘We were given a guide to Belfast restaurants, which is a great booklet to have as it outlines the many restaurants this wonderful town has to offer’ ----------------------------------------
garlic, herbs and stock he was using started to fill the air, and I could feel myself getting hungry. All in all, I would say it took about 20 minutes to make – now it was my turn. I found my cooking station and the ingredients were ready to be used. It was the first time I had to peel a prawn,
8 November 2012 SWORDS GAZETTE 25
GAZETTE
Travel fast
TRAVEL
Check your travel policy’s coverage
FOLLOWING the arrival of Hurricane Sandy in New York recently, Irish travellers have been given a stark reminder of the risk of travel disruption that can often occur due to serious weather events around the world, and Multitrip.com is reminding people to check the cover on travel policies before purchasing a policy All Multitrip.com insurance policies include cover for travel delay after a 12-hour period, missed departure, missed connections, and catastrophe cover for new accommodation if you are forced to move accommodation as a result of an act of God, along with airline failure and supplier failure cover in the event of company liquidation. The travel insurance company has also created a new additional Travel Disruption Cover. Annual Multitrip policies are available, starting from €19.99 for European cover for an individual with private health insurance, or worldwide from €26.95. For further information, see Multitrip. com, or call 01 247 8900.
ambience, making it a perfect spot for diners (right), whether locals or tourists
and my initial reaction was to cringe, but I did it and it was actually fine. The prawns were used to make a stock that would later be added to the rice to make the risotto. The key to making the perfect risotto, in Wayne’s eyes, is to keep stirring, making sure it doesn’t stick to the pan. O t h er i ngred i ents included white wine, garlic, paprika, chopped tomatoes, herbs, prawn meat, mussels and cockles. After a lot of rice grain tasting and checking for the pin point in the middle of the grain, my dish was ready. What’s great about the school is that you have all the joys of making the dish, without having to clean up afterwards, making it feel like a treat rather than a chore. It was interesting to
see all the differentlooking dishes, but it was time for the taste test – and even if I do say so myself, I quite enjoyed it. After the school we went back to the hotel for a break before heading off to Cayenne – the restaurant of Paul Rankin.
Ambience On the night, he was celebrating local food and wines with an Irish connection. The chilled ambience of the restaurant is apparent when you first walk in. There were a few different local suppliers on hand to talk about their great products, and to answer any questions we might have had. We met renowned chef, Paul Rankin, who talked us through the menu while his friend
and wine expert, Joe Wadsack, talked about what wines suited each course – and his recommendations were definitely on point. For starters, I had a salt and chilli calamari, which was cooked to perfection. For my main dish, I enjoyed venison, which literally melted through my knife, and a chocolate dessert to finish. All in all, it was just superb. We were given a guide to Belfast restaurants, which is a great information booklet to have as it outlines the many restaurants this wonderful town has to offer. For further information on Belfast, contact the Northern Ireland Tourist Board at CallSave 1850 230 230, or see www.discovernorthernireland.com.
Seafood Risotto For one to two people
Ingredients • One quarter onion • One clove garlic • Half celery stick • Pinch-smoked paprika • Half cup rice • 100g mixed seafood (of your choice) • Half cup white wine • Parmesan (amount to your taste) • Chopped parsley for garnish • One pint chicken or vegetable stock • Oil • Butter
Method • Dice the onion, garlic, celery, fennel and garlic and sweat. Add the rice (arborio or carnaroli). • Fry the rice for two to three minutes. Add a half glass of white wine, and cook until evaporated. • Add boiling stock, one ladle at a time, until rice is tender (you don’t have to use all the stock). • Add your diced seafood and any shellfish. Add a knob of butter and parsley. • Add your grated parmesan and serve. Whatever your level of cooking skills, why not try this delicious dish?
26 swords gazette 8 November 2012
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8 November 2012 SWORDS Gazette 27
mountain-biking P28
asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31
dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community
Gazette
cycling P29
FastSport Eight locals in hockey panel:
Members of Coolmine swimming club last week celebrate club coach Afric Creedon’s win in the Dun Laoghaire Harbour swim with Eamonn Coghlan also present
swimming: dublin 15 club celebrates the top achievement of club coach
Creedon win inspiring next batch of Coolmine swimmers COOLMINE swimming club enjoyed a special Halloween gala last week when Irish sporting legend Eamonn Coghlan visited the club to present club coach Afric Creedon with her trophy for winning the Dun Laoghaire Harbour swim. It is one of the top two open water swims in Ireland, circumnavigating 2,200m of the south Dublin port, and one which Creedon has been pursuing for the past few years. Speaking to GazetteSport about the event, she said: “The current wasn’t
mild which suited me. It was a really big win for me in our second last event of the season. “I’ve been doing it for years and this is my biggest result, that and the Liffey Swim are the ones everyone wants to win. The best I had done in this one before was sixth and I’d been fourth in the Liffey.” The Clonsilla resident combines her time training in Coolmine pool, getting up at 5.15am three times a week, with coaching the club’s young populace of around 100 members.
She is among six coaches at the club which caters for all ages from as young as six-years-old up to 19 with members welcomed almost as soon as they swim a length of the pool. “We’re always looking for new members . We welcome ages in five sections from tadpoles up to elite level. We’re always aspiring to bring our swimmers up to elite level and then international competition.” To that end, the likes of Laura Fallon among a number of members to excel on the national stage. And Cree-
don’s exploits have also had a noticeable effect on the young swimmers at the club with many younger members following in Creedon’s wake and taking to the open seas. “Five of the girls went on to take part this year in the Dun Laoghaire swim. It really has taken off and I’m so proud of them. “Open water swimming compared to in the pool is totally different. We’ve seen that it has provided some inspiration for them to get involved in both sides of the sport”
FOUR former Wesley College students and four St Andrew’s alumni were included in the Irish men’s hockey squad who travelled to the Netherlands this week to take part in a 23-player camp with a view to selection for the Champions Challenge tournament in Argentina later this month. Wesley’s Mitch Darling, Phelie Maguire, Brian Doherty and Andy McConnell along with Andrew’s David Cole, Davy Carson, David Fitzgerald and Stu Loughrey will all be hoping to impress new coach Andrew Meredith in the squad’s first meetup since the summer. The camp saw Ireland compete in a number of training matches against Dutch club sides.
c o n ta c t s Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@gazettegroup.com
For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205
Gazette
28 SWORDS gazette 8 November 2012
SPORT
FastSport goldrick makes award shortlist: FOXROCK Cabinteely’s Sinead Goldrick is on the shortlist for the annual LGFA Senior Player’s Player of the Year award. The nominees for the prestigious awards were chosen by the intercounty squads that have played with and against these nominees and singled them out as the outstanding players in their grade. Goldrick is in the running with Cork’s Briege Corkery and Geraldine O’Flynn who were both members of the AllIreland champions dynamic half-back line. The LGFA Player’s Player of the Year award winners will be announced at the TG4/O’Neill’s AllStar awards at the Citywest Hotel on Saturday, November 10. For further information regarding tickets for the event, please call 01 8363156 or email info@fai.ie.
cycling: nicolas roche starts development team for 2013 season
Roche set to launch new team sport@gazettegroup.com
DUNDRUM native Nicolas Roche is set to launch a new Irish cycling squad for junior riders for the start of the 2013 with six places for cyclists based in Ireland. Put together in conjunction with Philip Finnegan, the Nicolas Roche Per formance Team has secured invitations to compete in five international stage races next year, four in France and one in Germany for riders who are either first or second year juniors. Speaking to stickybottle.com about the new initiative, Finnegan said the idea is “to get riders used to riding as a team,
to teach them how to do that and how to get used to that. “When you look at the window that good riders have to get into a big pro team, it’s pretty short. It can be hard to make that step up to a big pro team once you’re 22 and you move out of the U-23s. “So the idea here is to try and get the riders into that way of thinking and that way of riding from the time they are very young; to hopefully get them on the road to making that transition from the time they are first-year juniors.” Beyond those dates on the continent, the team will focus on three day events in Cork and Gorey, the latter on the
Easter weekend, the junior Tour of Ireland, the national championships and the Suir Valley three day. From there, the development of the side will hope to develop into the senior ranks over time. “Obviously there is a good national set-up and juniors are taken into that for the main races and we’ve seen there was a stint with Cycling Ireland for the juniors racing abroad before the European Championships this year. “But what myself and Nicolas are really hoping to do is to get juniors and give them that set-up the whole year round, with the added bonus of the foreign
Former Meadowbrookn resident Nicolas Roche
races we can bring them to.” Finnegan will be the hands-on manager in Ireland while Roche who will link up with the SaxoBank team in the new year - will be the team principal. He will mentor and advise the riders, as well as maximising their racing opportunities abroad. It will run along similar lines to the senior An Post-Sean Kelly team.
And the team is now taking applications to join up with the team from young Irish cyclists, with Finnegan adding: “We’re ver y open to having a look at everyone,” Finnegan said of the process that will be used to find the right six riders for next year. “This is a team structure; we want team players who will understand that cycling is about
working for the team goal. “But they will be young riders and it’s ver y impor tant that ever y single one of them gets chances to win or be the main rider sometimes; we’re going to be very committed to that.” F i n n e g a n wo r ke d with Roche on getting the Nicolas Roche Classic up and running this year.
Local trio star for Republic of Ireland in Euros sport@gazettegroup.com
Orlagh Nolan (pictured), Chloe Mustaki and Emily Cahill were all part of the successful Ireland U-19 side
LOCAL trio, Orlagh Nolan – from Ballinteer – Chloe Mustaki (formerly of St Kilian’s DSD) and Emily Cahill (Peamount United) all played their part last week as they helped the Republic of Ireland to top their group in the first round of qualifying for the UEFA U-19 women’s European championship. Following big wins over Latvia and Cyprus, it set up a top table clash with Serbia for top spot, bouncing back from a 2-1 deficit as skipper Denise O’Sullivan
and vice-captain Emma Hansberry gave Dave Connell’s side a deserved 3-2 win. The result continues the good mood in Irish women’s football as Connell has now led the U-17 and U-19 sides to their respective groups with a 100 per cent record in both cases and, with the men’s U-17 and U-19s also qualifying for the elite phase. Both teams went into the game at the FK Srem Stadium in Jakovo having already secured qualification for the next phase but Ireland were very much the underdogs, having lost to the Serbs at
last year’s U-19 elite phase. Nolan created the first of the day when she swung the ball into McCabe who sent a glancing header into the the net. But Ireland paid for their profligacy thereafter and it cost them in the 36th minute when the Serbian captain Damnjanovic equalised and nine minutes after half-time a penalty led to Cubrilo giving the home side the lead. However, the Irish women responded magnificently and within five minutes were back on level terms when a short free-kick by Clare Shine found Lauren
Murphy and her cross was headed home by senior international O’Sullivan. The winning goal came in the 74th minute when Emma Hansberry curled a 25m freekick around the wall and in off the post as the Irish threat from set-pieces once again reaped rich dividends. With Ciara O’Connell in superb form at the back and goalkeeper Jillian Maloney equal to anything the Serbs fired at her, the Irish were able to hold their lead this time and record a famous victory.
8 November 2012 SWORDS gazette 29
Gazette
Downhill dream near the heart of the city
FastSport
Ticknock Hill sits less than a 10-minute drive from the Dundrum shopping centre but offers an oasis for mountainHorse sport and pentathlon bikers just a few miles away from the lights of Dublin city NESTLED in the foothills of the Dublin mountains, it scarcely seems like you’re located just a 10-minute drive from the Dundrum town centre or just a few minutes from a turn-off for the M50. But Ticknock Hill’s mountain-bike trail offers one of the most stunning views of the city while the twisting route around the back end of the Three Rock and Two Rock mountains can quickly transport city folk to a serenity scarcely found in the county. Coillte have been busy up there in recent years, making more and more accessible mountainbike tracks for people to get involved in the sport,
stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com
providing the perfect avenue by which to take in the views. It was there that GazetteSport met up with Stepaside resident Niall Davis – who has competed at the top level of European mountainbiking – who explained the simple beauty of the trail. “There are so many people you take up here and they started pointing down to where their
house is and say ‘I’ve lived down there for 20 years and never knew this was here’. That’s the beauty of it. It’s such an asset and free to use,” he explains. It is a sport that is rapidly growing in Ireland with the growth of mountain-bike trails in Ballinastoe and Limerick newly introduced with the support of Coillte and one which is becoming increasingly more accessible for Dubliners. After an initial grind up the tarmac path, the break from the trees opens up to unimpeded views out over Bray Head and across to Wales on a clear day with the Mourne mountains also in sight to the north. From there, the off-road
Niall Davis, left, traversing one of the turns on the Ticknock Hill mountain bike trails
begins, looping up and around the famous Three Rock mounds from which the area takes its name, the gnarled, rocky trail begins – one purposebuilt by Coillte – with plenty of challenges. The forest road first brings you a vista of Dub-
back of Three Rock and away from the city lights. There a long, straight section bounds along before traversing into some fast twists with lots of ups and downs. Despite the recent wet weather, the course remained reasonably intact though
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There are so many people you take up to Ticknock and they point at their house and say ‘I’ve lived here 20 years and never knew this was here’ - Niall Davis
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lin but once onto the single-track, replete with lumpy rocks, the route soon whips around the
there are plans for Coillte to reduce the pooling of water at the base of various drops. It navigates over 4km of a narrow, custom-built course, cut into two sections formally carved out in the past couple of years and is one that Davis says, while not for absolute beginners, is one that can certainly be an avenue for aspiring mountainbikers. “You’d want to be comfortable cycling on the roads, there’s not a huge step from there to mountain-biking. Once, you’ve got your gear, you’re good to go.”
** If you would like to give mountain-biking at Ticknock Hill a try, you can rent bikes and gear from Stepaside-based Niall Davis’ company, biking.ie
added to Sports Campus
MINISTER for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar confirmed a number of developments at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown including the development of high performance training facilities for Horse Sport Ireland and Pentathlon Ireland. Speaking at a briefing in Dublin last week on developments at the National Sports Campus, Minister Varadkar also confirmed that lease agreements have been put in place with the FAI, GAA, IRFU and Irish Hockey Association (IHA), after the ownership of lands at Blanchardstown were transferred from the Department of Agriculture to the Campus Development Authority in August of this year. “I’m very pleased with the huge progress made in the last six months. “I hope this decision by HSI and Pentathlon Ireland will encourage many other NGBs to view the campus as an ideal site for developing facilities and enhancing their own sport. “Following on from the positive announcement on investment in training pitches from the FAI earlier this month, the announcement shows that the partnership approach between Government and sporting bodies which I announced last March is working,” Minister Varadkar said. The National Sports Campus Development Authority will now develop a centre of excellence for Horse Sport Ireland/Pentathlon Ireland for equestrian sports, and facilities for the modern pentathlon. Horse Sport Ireland chairman Joe Walsh said of the announcement: “This move is a very important step for Irish equestrian and affiliated sports. “It not only provides us with the dedicated training facilities which we need, but it also merges equestrian sports with other mainstream sporting disciplines which can only be of benefit to all of Irish sport. “Priority access will be given to high performance athletes, but the facilities will also be used by HSI affiliates and will also be open for private hire by the public.”
Gazette
30 SWORDS gazette 8 November 2012
SPORT
FastSport
soccer: swords storm past fettercairn after interval
Malahide keep marching up the rugby rankings MALAHIDE continued their strong form as they recorded a 15-0 win in New Ross to move them up to second place in the division and within five points of Leinster League division 2A table toppers Kilkenny. Conditions on the day were appalling with constant rainfall making handling conditions slippery and rendering underfoot conditions heavy and slow. Malahide did start brightly as New Ross were forced to defend deep and within 10 minutes they got their reward when New Ross were caught offside at a ruck. Brendan Carpenter converted the reasonably straightforward penalty and better was to come when they went swiftly back into attack. Eoin Barber moved in from his wing and broke through three attempted tackles to touch down under the posts. Carpenter added the extras and things looked on course for the visitors, 10-0 up. However, at this stage of the game things started to go slightly awry. Although Malahide continued to dominate, a lack of accuracy saw little mistakes edge into their game. As the half wore on, New Ross started to establish some possession of their own while Malahide frustrations mounted and a lack of discipline saw them finish the half with just 13 men. Within five minutes of the restart, Malahide were restored to their full contingent and looked to increase the pace of the game. Another excellent lineout take from skipper Eamonn Gleeson, pictured, set up an excellent maul platform for the visiting side. A textbook drive took the ball over the line and Keith Harrell was on hand to score the try. Carpenter missed the conversion but a 15-point lead with 30 minutes remaining proved the final score of the game. Malahide looked to press again but again conditions made it difficult to play the sort of widegame that has been the trademark of this team so far this season. An excellent break from Malahide centre Mick Fitzmaurice almost put Gleeson in for a try but try scoring opportunities were few and far between in increasingly slippy and heavy conditions.
Swords Celtic’s LSL Sunday Major side have run up eight wins from eight games to date in the league to get into a great position for promotion
Celts second half cruise lsl sunday major Swords Celtic Fettercairn Youths peter carroll
4 0
sport@gazettegroup.com
ANOTHER big win has seen Swords Celtic widen the gap in the league table to six points in the LSL Sunday Major division, with Robbie Farrell continuing his fine scoring form with a brace to help his side to a 4-0 win. After a very even first half of football, neither side looked like clear winners going into the second instalment of play, but an inspired
sub in the shape of Philip Nolan gave Larry Clare’s men the impetus to get some scores on the board in the second half. Nolan was barely on the field before he took the ball and went on a long meandering run that finished off with an effort that the keeper could only palm away, straight into the path of Farrell who tucked the ball away. Five minutes later Celtic were piling on the pressure on the edge of the opposition area before the ball fell to the feet of Farrell, who again
late night leagues Rivervalley plays host to new soccer initiative SWORDS late night soccer, an excellent initiative supported by the FAI, An Garda Síochána and Fingal County Council, started last Friday and goes on for another four weeks. Pictured at the event were the FAI’s Mick Pender, Linda Lenihan (Swords Manor), Garda Tom Doherty, Ruth Russell (Swords Manor) and Councillor Darragh Butler (Fine Gael).
had no hesitation in doubling his team’s lead from 12 yards. Nolan got his reward for hard work in the 60th minute when he finished off another fantastic solo effort that saw him round two defenders before rifling home. The final goal came from a pin-point cross field ball from Barry Caulfield that fell to Simon Madden, and after the keeper fumbled the ball, Madden shot into an empty goal to finish the scoring at 4-0. “The lads are full of confidence now,” said Clare. “It’s just a matter
of keeping their feet on the ground now. “We thought we may have lost a bit of momentum having missed the last couple of weeks because of the weather – I think that was the reason behind the slow start.” Clare quickly dismissed any suggestions of an “invincible” season, but did acknowledge that such dominance in the league does allow room for focus on the Cups. “Invincible? Don’t even mention that to me, it’s still very early,” laughed Clare.
“There’s still a long way to go but now we can maybe give the cups a real go, we’re still involved in all of them and it would be great to take one of them home.” Currently, Swords sit six points clear of Dublin University with the students holding a game in hand. But they have significant ground between them and the likes of Enniskery and St John Bosco to improve their chances of claiming one of the promotion spots on offer and potentially pick up a place in intermediate football.
8 November 2012 SWORDS gazette 31
Gazette
No F in hurling for Wild Geese launch sport@gazettegroup.com
WILD Geese will launch their book, There is an F in Hurling’,on Thursday night in the Players’ Lounge in Croke Park with the event getting under way at 7pm. The book chronicles the dream to make hurling a force to be reckoned with, in the foot-
ball stronghold of north County Dublin. Author Aidan Lenehan charts the struggles and successes of the Wild Geese hurlers, young and old, since they first began playing hurling in 2007. The club was originally formed in 1888 and is one of the oldest clubs in the country, focusing primarily on football. In
recent years, though, the club has taken to hurling and now runs three juvenile teams as well as a junior hurling outfit. All the proceeds from the book go directly to Wild Geese juvenile development. GAA President Liam O’Neill will be on hand to formally launch the new book with an open
invitation extended to all who are interested. The book is available for purchase online on Amazon and Book Depositor y websites while a Facebook page also provides more information on the book. For the event, the club will be running buses from Oldtown to Croke Park for the event.
Club Noticeboard FINGALLIANS THREE big games this weekend: as
If anyone is interested in attend-
and senior footballers have three big
ing, please can they contact Nicola.
games coming up.
fitzgerald.gpo.dublin@gaa.ie
Minors v St Peregrine’s, U-21s v
The club would like to thank our
St Pat’s Donabate and the senior
guest speakers Sean Kelly and George
footballers v St Mark’s in the league
O’Connor for their presentations at
playoff (dates, venues and times will
our resent coaching conference and
be available on Facebook and Twitter
also Catherine Walsh as she shared
during the week).
her insight into high performance
Well done to the white collar boxing
football: fingallians face vital afl2 playoff
costs €50.
the season closes, our minor, U-21
team on superb performances in the ring on Saturday evening. Equally outside the ring, Jonathan and his team put in months of hard
training. Our Grupa Comhra meets every Wednesday in the clubhouse at 9pm for a bit of craic and a chance to use your Irish.
work in the boardroom organising,
Beginners are always welcome.
training and fundraising to make
Piosa craic le piosa Gaeilge. Failte
this unique event a very successful
roimh gach einne. It’s fun and it’s
one (details on next year’s re-match
free.
to follow). Over 140 pictures are now on Facebook. The club will be hosting a level one hurling course every Monday
Diary date: the club are organising a night on November 24, where Paul Flynn will bring down his All-Star award.
and Wednesday during the month
This will be open to all members,
of November from 7.30-10pm. The
parents of members and friends of
course started on November 5 and
the club.
FINGAL RAVENS BEST of luck to our minor team in their
to the Reilly family on the recent death
championship quarter-final against
of Sheila.
Erin’s Isle.
Fingallians’ Paul Flynn could play a key role in their playoff game against St Mark’s this weekend
Hanrahan hoping Mark’s hoodoo ends peter carroll sport@gazettegroup.com
FINGALLIANS’ senior football manager Alan Hanrahan is determined to keep his side in the senior ranks of AFL2 this weekend when they take on St Mark’s in the division’s relegation playoff, despite having a poor recent record against the Tallaght club. “If ever we had a bogey team, it’s them,” said Hanrahan. “We’ve lost our last six games against them and they were all by small enough margins. “W hen we played
them last year we had three players carted off the pitch before half-time and that was nothing to do with reckless challenges - it just seems we run into bad luck when we play them.” St Mark’s won their last meeting in June 0-13 to 0-11, but Hanrahan believes there is no value looking back at the clash as a reference point, as there were so many circumstances his men were playing with on the day. “That game came at a time when we were struggling for numbers. “A few of the players
were on holidays and we had to bring up some lads from the second team to make a squad of 17. “It was played in horrendous conditions – the pitch had been cut but they had left the grass on the pitch so there were loose sods over uncut grass underneath. We had to scoop water out of the goalmouths before the game started, it was unreal. “With those type of things at play, it’s very hard to gauge how they play. Everything went wrong that day, so hopefully we’ll be looking at a completely different
game on Sunday,” said Hanrahan. D e s p i t e n a r r ow l y missing out on the intermediate championship to Cuala, Hanrahan also insists that staying in the league was always the team’s goal for the season and making the championship final was just a bonus along the way. “Staying in the league is our priority. We were unfortunate in the championship, but that was just part of the journey. “It will be all hands on deck on Sunday and I believe we can break the trend,” he finished.
Ever fancied yourself as a Lord or
Also best of luck to our U-21 team in the
Lady Mayor? After a break of over two
championship match against Naomh
decades, Fingal Ravens are looking
Fionnbarra.
for suitable individuals to run for the
We are holding a poker classic on Friday, November 23 at 9pm sharp in Kettle’s Country House Hotel (Bar), €50 per ticket, 50% payout. To reserve your ticket, please contact Declan O’Brien on 086 2673830 or Peter Kettle on 087 9957429.
esteemed office of Lord or Lady Mayor of Rolestown. The purpose of this is to help raise funds to develop our club and its facilities. For more details, please contact Declan on 086 2673830. The lotto numbers were 5, 9, 25 and
Our club AGM will be held on Thurs-
34; there was no jackpot winner, €20 to
day, November 29 at 8pm in Rolestown
Noel McCarthy, Nicky O’Callaghan and
Hall.
Catherine Flanagan, next weeks lotto
We would like to send our sympathies
is now worth €4,605.
ST sylvester’s UNDER-21 C championship hurling: St Sylvester’s 1-12, Craobh Chiarain 1-6.
putting it all together. The intermediate football team drew with St Monica’s in their last
A very strong defensive perform-
game of the league and qualified
ance held the Craobh scoreless
for the playoffs. This is a great
from play.
achievement and the prospect of
Cillian O’Flynn’s excellent point
senior football next year for this
from midfield was one of the scores
team is a mouth watering prospect.
of the game.
Don’t miss the playoffs.
The pass from brother, Kevin,
The minor hurling champion-
made it a family affair. The con-
ship match against Erin’s Isle was
ditions and the battle had to be
called off just before the off due to
overcome to achieve this victory
the conditions.
and there was no lack of skill on display. We had a full deck on the sideline with managers Morris and Ryan
The U-2 1 football team pla y A championship a gainst Skerries Harps next Saturday, November 11 at 2.30pm in St Anne’s.
GazetteSPORT all of your swords sports coverage from page 27-31
magic eight: Swords Celtic senior team retain perfect record with big Knockmitten victory P30
NOVEMBER 8, 2012
new developments: Nicolas Roche starts up new elite junior cycling team P29
Mick Deegan takes charge of his final game as Fingal Ravens boss this weekend as they take on O’Toole’s in an AFL1 relegation playoff
Deegan flies the coop After eight years at the helm of Fingal Ravens, Mick Deegan is set to take his bow as the club’s boss this weekend in a crucial relegation playoff Peter Carroll
sport@gazettegroup.com
DECLAN O’Brien, chairman of Fingal Ravens, thanked Mick Deegan, manager of the club for eight years, for his contribution in the run-up of his last game at the helm of the Rolestown team, a high stakes relegation playoff against O’Toole’s this weekend. Since his arrival at the club in 2004, Deegan has won the team promotion to AFL1, an intermediate county championship, an intermediate provincial championship while also taking the side all the way to the intermediate All-Ireland Final. An All-Ireland winner himself for Dublin in
1995, the Ravens manager will take up his post as part of Jim Gavin’s Dublin selection panel having previously won the junior All-Ireland championship at the helm of his county. “We will never be able to fully thank Mick for the fantastic work he has done at the club,” stated O’Brien. “What he’s done at the club in eight years is unbelievable, we always had good groups of players but with Mick’s managerial guidance they were able to achieve some fantastic things. “The fact that he’s been at the club for eight years is a testament to his ability, and every year has brought with it its own success. “It was amazing to be involved in All-Ireland championships and becoming Leinster
champions will be a memory that no one will ever forget at the club. “He’s an Erin’s Isle man from a young age, but I think Fingal Ravens will always have a special place in his heart, he will always be welcome here,” O’Brien said. As far as his new role is concerned, O’Brien believes that Jim Gavin couldn’t have picked a better man for the job in his 1995 All-Ireland winning team mate. “It’s brilliant appointment from Jim Gavin, Mick’s the man for the job without a doubt. It’s bittersweet that he is getting a great opportunity that is forcing him to leave the club, but his knowledge and experience of the game are second to none,” said
the Ravens’ chairman. With the relegation playoff ahead, O’Brien believes that the Ravens team are very capable of winning and keeping their place in Dublin’s top flight. But if they needed an extra incentive, it will certainly help that it will be their last performance for the veteran coach. “We are all very confident at the club that the lads can do it. Mick has worked very closely with this group and we believe they will get through it. The lads will do it for the pride they have for the club. They have the ability but it certainly does no harm to add the factor of Mick’s last game into the mix,” finished the chairman.