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Month XX, 2012 malahide • Balbriggan • Applewood • boroimhe • Airside • Portmarnock • Kinsealy • clarehall

INSIDE: TV presenter Lucy Kennedy on how the sea, and family life, help her to escape the mayhem P15

budget 2016: Minister Leo Varadkar sets out plans for better health Page 10

Ready to wig out: GAA mothers put skills to the test Soccer:

Rivervalley advance in FAI Junior Cup Page 30

FINGALLIANS’ GAA Gaelic4Mothers & Others team were happy to think pink as they took part in the All-Ireland Blitz at Malahide recently.

More than 1,500 women from across Ireland took part on the day, putting their footwork to the test on the field in a hectic, competitive but entertaining day for all. The wide range of GAA mothers, and friends, showed that there is certainly plenty of talent on the maternal side for up-and-coming GAA stars to draw on.

Picture: GAApics.com

Football:

Fingallians win intermediate B championship Page 31

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES..................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE................... 13 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28

HSE moves to deal with St Ita’s traffic worries Health executive to appoint figure to deal with issues highlighted by locals

 keith bellew

THE HSE has said it is committed to appointing a person to liaise with the Donabate/Portrane community during the construction of the new National

Forensic Mental Health Hospital at St Ita’s campus, Portrane.

This follows a meeting between a delegation of community and elected and senior HSE officials to discuss the community’s issues

with the project.

For a number of months, residents have been voicing concerns over the impact construction traffic will have on their village.

Cllr Adrian Henchy (FF) said the community has felt

left out of the process up to now, but a spokesperson from the HSE said a number of meetings was carried out before to the lodgement of the planning application with An Bord Pleanala.

Full Story on Page 4

2 SWORDS Gazette 22 October 2015

budget 2016 The devil is in the detail, says Cllr Sinnott

Nama housing move criticised R E AC T IO N t o t h e announcement that Nama will increase its delivery of housing units has been mixed among Fingal representatives.

Cllr Justin Sinnott (Ind) welcomed the announcement but said he believed the “devil is in the detail” in terms of how much it will cost to turn the units into homes once they are built.

T h i s f o l l ow s t h e announcement by Finance Minister Michael Noonan that Nama will create 18,000 homes in Dublin by 2020. This is part of a nationwide target of

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

20,000 such units.

“It will take at least a year to go through the planning process ... but no politician should reject the fact that 18,000 houses are going to come on stream.

“I think Fingal as a council should be looking to get these houses on stream through our budget.

“At the same time there needs to be a partnership with central Government, because they need to actually provide us with the funds, but it’s up to us as well,” said Cllr Sinnott.

He added that the blame game between the various parties in all Dublin council chambers needed to stop, and councillors should just get on with the task of tackling the housing crisis.

He said that while Budget 2016 provided a reasonable amount of breaks for middle income earners, he agrees with

housing charities such as Focus Ireland and the Peter McVerry Trust that more funding could have been allocated to tackle the housing crisis.

Some 14,000 units are commercially viable to develop at current sale prices and costs.

The remaining 6,000 units are not yet viable and Nama will work to make them so through asset management and planning work. Nama will effectively act as a large-scale developer for the next five years.

Boost

Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) said the new Nama measures would boost housing supply.

“Asking Nama to provide 20,000 new homes, using its own land and resources, is an innovative and targeted measure that will boost housing supply, particularly in Dublin – 90% of these will be in the Dublin area and 25% will be starter homes,” he said.

Local representatives gave a mixed reaction to the news that Nama is to increase its delivery of housing units

He pointed out that the current allocation for social housing would be increased by €69m, to €414m.

“This funding will enable local authorities to secure accommodation for another 14,000 individuals and families seeking a home,” he said.

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP), who has previously requested information on Nama lands in Fingal

which could be used for social housing, gave the announcement a cautious welcome.

“While the announcement is welcome, we have to ask why the Government has waited for the housing crisis to get so bad before prompting Nama to construct homes.

“From the very start, the legislation that based Nama provided for it to contribute to the social and economic develop-

ment of the State. Yet it is only now, five months before a General Election, that the Government has been prompted to force Nama to act,” he said He believes Nama should be compelled to provide the Dublin local authorities with sites from the land banks it controls, to allow them either build their own social housing, or provide this land to housing associations.

Fujitsu Ireland to add 35 employees  aisling kennedy

SWORDS-based Fujitsu Ireland has announced that it is looking to recruit 35 new employees over the next six months to join its growing team.

These positions will bring the total number of people recruited at the Swords plant this year to 65.

The new positions cover a variety of techni-

cal and business roles, including project management, network architecture and security, bid management.

The announcement was made at a Dublin Chamber of Commerce Smart Series breakfast event, which was sponsored by Fujitsu.

Ronan Coy, strategic projects director, Fujitsu Ireland, said the com-

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

pany is looking to recruit people who are customer-focused and solutiondriven, and motivated to work in a dynamic and challenging environment.

He said: “New hires will join a network of some 159,000 people, benefiting from the company’s 80-year heritage of excellence and innovation.”

Fujitsu Ireland chief executive Tony O’Malley said the new appointments confirm the company’s commitment to its customers, the Irish economy and its client team across Ireland, as it looks to expand both its

capacity and knowledge base.

Gina Quin, chief executive of Dublin Chamber of Commerce, said Fujitsu’s expansion plans are a boost for the Dublin region and further evidence that the economic growth is continuing to pick up pace.

She said: “Fujitsu has been a major employer in Dublin for several decades and it is encouraging to see the firm continue to grow. We strive to make Dublin the best place in the world to do business and the announcement shows that we are succeeding.”

22 October 2015 SWORDS Gazette 3

safety

halloween: range of events to cater for all ages and tastes

Taking aim at golf balls

Spook-tacular fun for Swords families  aisling kennedy

THERE are a number of great events taking place in Swords over Halloween, including the Fingal Festival of Fire and Oktoberfest in Swords Castle.

The Festival of Fire is a free family event at Swords Town Park on Halloween night, starting at 6pm.

The festival will include lots of scary activities for children, including a kiddies’ maze with some gentle Halloween acts aimed at the very young, a fairly scary tunnel aimed at slightly older children, a terrifying tunnel aimed at older kids/ teenagers and adults, and performances by a number of street artists.

Parents will be warned about each scary level, and it is then their choice to go in or pass by to the dance/ DJ area where there will be musical entertainment for all.

The festival will then culminate in a spectacular fireworks display, as Halloween would not be the same without one.

Oktoberfest will be held in Swords Castle throughout the long weekend, with food, drink and musical entertainment for all. Music will be provided on the main stage in the marquee by Fingal bands, including Interskalatic, Fingal Gospel Choir and the Blanchardstown Brass Band.

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) said he was really looking

forward to the festival, particularly the musical element. He said: “Interskalatic rocked the Main Street at the Swords Summer Festival, so it’s great to have them back again.”

Erdinger is the beer suppliers, and will also be offering other beers, wine and non-alcoholic options to cater for all tastes, while German-themed food will be available on each night.

Attendees are encouraged to dress up for the final night on October 31.

A spokesperson from Fingal County Council said, “We are expecting up to 1,000 customers on each night.”

For further information, see www.facebook.com/ fingalcoco/.

Happy to reel you in: Welcoming film fans to a nine-screen Odeon cinema CHARLESTOWN cinema fans can look forward to staying local for their fill of films, thanks to the official opening of a new nine-screen Odeon in the Dublin 11 suburb. Duncan Reynolds, managing director of Odeon UK and Ireland joined Finglas native Mairead Ronan and Cllr David O’Connor (Ind), the Mayor of Fingal, to welcome cinemagoers to the Odeon Charlestown. Three years in the planning, the Odeon has created 65 job at the multi-screen cinema – the 11th in Ireland. Picture: Leon Farrell

AN ASSESSMENT of the safety of houses in close proximity to Corballis Public Golf Course will be carried out by Fingal County Council, following complaints of residents who have had their property damaged by golf balls.

This follows a request from Cllr Adrian Henchy (FF) to look into the matter after he was contacted by a number of residents.

He said the houses are not protected by the current ball-stop netting/ fencing in the area, and for some residents this has become a serious issue.

The review will seek to measure the scale of the problem and to ascertain what controls can be put in place within existing resources.

4 SWORDS Gazette 22 October 2015

health Commitment made to address local concerns

HSE ‘to engage with community’ over St Ita’s works  keith bellew

THE HSE has said it is committed to the appointment of a liaison person to deal with the Donabate/Portrane community during the constr uction of the new National Forensic Mental Health Hospital (NFMHS) at St Ita’s campus, Portrane.

This follows a meeting between a delegation of community and elected representatives and senior HSE officials to dis-

cuss the community’s issues with the project.

Once the hospital has been built, the current residents of the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum will be moved to the Portrane complex.

The Portrane site was selected rather than building on the Dundrum site so as not to disrupt patients while the build is ongoing.

For a number of months, residents and representatives have been voicing concerns

about the impact construction traffic will have on their village. They suggested an alternative route built through Ballymastone to minimise congestion and the damage heavy vehicles will cause to its roads.

The local community raised concerns about the HSE’s plan to bring constr uction traffic through Portrane and Donabate villages, in terms of congestion and the damage heavy construction traffic could

cause the village streets.

Numerous submissions were made to the planning board by residents, community groups and politicians imploring it to require the HSE to construct an alternative route, but permission was granted without this stipulation.

The HSE hopes the handover of the site will be completed by March 2018, and that the new hospital will be ready to start operating.

The 18 months from next April to October 2017 will be the busiest months in terms of construction, and subsequently the busiest for the villages and residents of Donabate and Portrane.

At the meeting, which was attended by Cllr Adrian Henchy (FF), and Cllr Paul Mulville (Ind), among others, HSE representatives said they will shortly commence phase one of the project, which is the clearing of the site.

Next April, they plan to start on the build and hope the development will be built by October 2017. They will then start the six-month process of equipping the building.

Cllr Henchy said the community recognises the importance of the

The chapel at St Ita’s. The HSE has said it is committed to dealing with community concerns regarding the impact of heavy traffic during the construction of the new National Forensic Mental Health Hospital at St Ita’s campus. Picture: Ophelie Ferlier

hospital but said there is a need for a master plan and a vision for the whole St Ita’s site, and for the community to be fully engaged and involved in this process.

He said: “The current residents of Portrane Avenue must be better engaged with by the HSE and the empty houses on the avenue must be addressed and brought back into use.

“The current users of St Ita’s hospital, both staff and clients, must be

fully consulted and recognised and their vision for the campus must be at the top of discussions,” he said.

He went on to call on the HSE as a matter of urgency to establish a community liaison officer to improve the lines of communication and fully engage with the local community.

Cllr Mulville echoed Cllr Henchy’s concerns and said the delegation was disappointed to learn that a number

of conditions relating to traffic management which were stipulated

by An Bord Pleanala will not be met prior to construction starting.

A spokesperson from the HSE said, “The HSE carried out a series of meetings with the local community stakeholders prior to the lodgement of the planning application for the NFMHS project.

The HSE is committed to the appointment of a liaison person at the earliest opportunity.”

Helping UNICEF fight polio UNICEF ambassador and Irish rugby star Donncha O’Callaghan has appealed to Irish families to join with Dunnes Stores, SuperValu and other leading outlets in Fingal and elsewhere in supporting

UNICEF in its efforts to eliminate polio in conflict-torn South Sudan.

UNICEF, in partnership with Swords-based banana importers Fyffes, is attempting to replicate a project in Nigeria last year where vaccina-

tions were administered to over one million children thereby helping eliminate polio.

Recently returned f r o m a f a c t- f i n d i n g mission to the region, O’Callaghan asked Irish shoppers to choose

r e a d y - p a c ke d b a g s of bananas branded with the Freddy Fyffes motif.

O’Callaghan said that by doing so, consumers will automatically fund the cost of one life-saving polio vaccination.

22 October 2015 SWORDS Gazette 5

education Student enterprise programme

Learning valuable business skills The most successful Fingal Enterprise Week to date ended on a high note with the launch of Student Enterprise Awards programme for the year 2015-16.

Some 250 students from 24 schools throughout Fingal attended the high energy event at the Riasc Centre, Swords LEO Fingal runs Ireland’s most successful annual Student Entreprise Awards programme and this year 2,500 secondary and primary students will undertake the ini-

tiative, 2,100 from 24 secondary schools and 400 from eight primary schools.

The programme enables young people from secondary and primary schools to learn valuable business skills. The students are required to produce a business plan and set up their own business, provide a product or service, sell it and hopefully make some profit along the way.

The county final takes place next March when all school final-

ist projects will have a chance to compete for a share of the €15,000 prize fund. The overall Fingal winners then go on to represent Fingal at the National Student Enterprise Awards final in Croke Park in May 2016.

The entire county will be represented at the awards with secondary and primary students from every region participating.

For more information on the initiative visit: www.localenterprise.ie/ Fingal/

homes: welcome for funding increase

Pyrite scheme gets boosted to €19m  keith bellew

FUNDING of €19m has been announced for the Pyrite Remediation Scheme, which will contribute to the repair of thousands of homes throughout Fingal affected by pyrite.

This is up from €10m in 2015. The amount spent in 2014 was €2.2m.

Homes affected by pyrite will also be exempt from the local property tax.

It emerged in 2007 that thousands of homes in north County Dublin were built with inadequate materials containing the mineral pyrite, which caused houses to crack and crumble in parts.

Areas most affected in north County Dublin are Balbriggan, Donabate, Rush and Lusk. Swords, Malahide, Kinsealy and Portmarnock are also affected to a lesser extent.

The Pyrite Remediation Scheme, presided over by the Pyrite Remediation Board, was launched in 2013 for affected homeowners to apply for assistance in fixing their damaged properties.

The scheme began in north County Dublin in April with the remediation of 38 units in Raven-

Minister of State Paudie Coffey and Deputy Alan Farrell visiting Ravenswell Estate in Rush, one of a number of Fingal estates where homes are affected by pyrite

swell in Rush. Works are now also under way in other areas, including Balbriggan.

As of June, there were 487 applications for remediation in Fingal County.

Some 65 of these were in Donabate, 10 in Kinsealy, 120 in Lusk, one in Malahide, 10 in Newcastle, one in Oldtown, two in Portmarnock, 67 in Rush, one in Skerries and two in Swords.

The remaining applications came from the Blanchardstown area south of the county.

Both Minister for Children Dr James Reilly and his Fine Gael party colleague, Deputy Alan Farrell, welcomed the increase in funding, saying it would help to accelerate the remediation process.

Minister Reilly said

Fingal was one of the worst affected areas in the country and he had received representations from many concerned and angry homeowners on the issue.

He said: “Hopefully, with this additional funding, we can accelerate the resolution of the problem for families in Fingal. This will allow us do far more remediation projects far quicker and advance remediation across the board. We will continue to ensure funds are there to eradicate the nightmare of pyrite for affected families.”

Cllr Paul Mulville (Ind) said that while he welcomed the increase of €9m and the fact that the Government was acting on the issue, he believed the programme was mov-

ing far too slowly.

He said: “In reality, the remediation is happening far too slowly for the homeowners involved. I think people are hugely frustrated about the slow nature of the application process in the scheme.

These problems have been known for years and should have been sorted by now.”

Deputy Farrell said some opposition members had questioned the Government’s commitment to helping people affected by pyrite, but Budget 2016 disproves their claims.

He added that the funding would allow for advanced remediation across the board, which would be hugely beneficial to those affected by pyrite.

6 SWORDS Gazette 22 October 2015

council ‘We need to explain better how we allocate money’

Budget breakdown to help taxpayers  keith bellew

FINGAL residents will soon get a better insight into how council funding is spent as following the 2016 budgetary process an estimate of expenditure per head will be published by Fingal County Council and used in reports.

This means that budget expenditure will be broken down in a way that taxpayers can see exactly where their money goes.

This follows a motion tabled by Cllr Justin Sinnott (Ind) and passed at a recent Fingal County Council meeting.

Cllr Sinnott used the council budget for 2015,

coupled with the latest census data, to illustrate how this would work.

For every taxpayer in the county, €156.26 would be spent on housing and building; €90.18 on road transport and safety; €84.33 on water services; €65.71 on development management; €159.91 on environmental services; €138 on recreation and amenities; €6.94 on agriculture, health, welfare and education; and €52.57 on miscellaneous services.

This amounts to an overall total of €753.89 per taxpayer in Fingal.

Cllr Sinnott said that this system will increase transparency as it is a

lot easier for people to see where their money is going than the current system, which just gives the figures for overall expenditure.

He said: “We produce all of the information on the website and the budget is freely available for anyone to see. The point I’m making is that we need to better explain to people how we actually allocate the money.

“It’s grand to say: ‘We spent €1m on this or €4m on that’.

“But if you actually said to people in Fingal, for every person that lives in the county this is how much we spend on roads; this is how much

we spend on apartments etc, they’ll understand how we actually allocate money.”

He said that when speaking to constituents, he is often asked where the local property tax goes, and this system will give people a greater understanding of this.

Cllr David McGuinness (Ind) said he thought the proposal was a great idea, and he fully supports it.

“Ultimately, what he [Cllr Sinnott] is doing, which is something I support, is looking for transparency in how money is spent. We do get these figures for parts of departments, and there’s no specific breakdown of it.

Following the 2016 budgetary process, an estimate of expenditure per head will be published by Fingal County Council and used in reports

“He is trying to achieve a bit of transparency in the process so people know exactly where their money is going,” said Cllr McGuinness.

He said that this system would help to enhance

the service provided by the council.

A council spokesperson said: “It is our intention to publicise budgetary information, including the type of statistics and analysis referred to

by the councillor, following the budget process.

“The 2016 annual budget process is currently under way and the statutory annual budget meeting is scheduled for November 3.”

don’sdublin Literary treasure trove to be enjoyed

AS a nation in love with words and writing, the National Library of Ireland is the vault where all the treasure is kept. Irish writers have made a significant and profound contribution to the world for centuries. And many of their original works are safeguarded in the building on Kildare Street that opened its doors in September 1890.

Designed by architect Thomas Deane, it proved popular from the start. The library traces its history from the Royal Dublin Society which was founded in

1731 “..for improving husbandry, manufactures and other useful arts and sciences”. A Royal Charter, which included an annual allowance, was granted in 1749. In 1836 a select committee recommended that the library should not just be accessible to a select few but opened as a national library.

At that time most of the books were scientific, and future acquisitions included books with a more general nature and, of course, those with an Irish interest. In 1840 one of its earliest purchases was the collection of 17th century Irish pamphlets bought from London bookseller Thomas Thorpe.

The library is open to one and all and is for reference purposes only – no borrowing!

The building’s main space, The Reading Room, is spectacular and definitely worth a visit. In recent years with the surge of public interest in tracing family history, the genealogy department has become an important part in the search. With so much of material available it holds many exhibitions and lectures. The WB Yeats exhibition is permanent affording the visitor a “comprehensive

view of the great poet”.

The library also holds many important papers belonging to James Joyce (early workings of Ulysses) and those of Roddy Doyle, Seamus Heaney, Colm Toibin and Brian Friel. It also holds the National Photographic Archive which is based in Meeting House Square, Temple Bar. Over 20,000 negatives have now been digitised and they are available online.

The National Library of Ireland’s main space, The Reading Room, is definitely worth a visit

22 October 2015 SWORDS Gazette 7

transport Knocksedan service on cards

Residents wait for Dublin Bus decision  keith bellew

IN THE coming weeks, Knocksedan residents who have no access to bus services will find out whether the issue will be solved sooner rather than later as a master plan for spending in Swords will be drawn up by Fingal County Council.

This expenditure plan will indicate whether the necessary funds are available for the construction of a turning bay in the vicinity, which would allow buses to service the area. The estate, which was built around 2004, is located in an out-of-theway place at the back of Swords and is not within convenient walking distance of local shops and services.

Many residents of the area moved in in 2004 and have been trying to get Dublin Bus to include Knocksedan on their route for years. Some residents say they were told before moving in that a bus service would be provided, but this has never happened.

One of the arguments against extending services to Knocksedan put forward by Dublin Bus is the lack of a turning bay in the area.

Cllr Darragh Butler

Knocksedan residents are hopeful to finally get a bus link to their estate, with many waiting since 2004 for such public transport. Picture: Google Maps

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‘Dublin Bus did state that if a turning point could be found in Knocksedan, that they would consider a service’

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Cllr Darragh Butler (FF)

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(FF) raised the issue at a recent Swords/Balbriggan area committee meeting.

He said: “The answer we always get is [the lack of] a turning bay, and maybe that will be solved with future development, but we have buses com-

ing up and down the road from Harristown and you could have every fourth or fifth bus come from Swords Manor, up by Knocksedan, keep going up to the airport, turn around at the Naul road roundabout and come back down again.

“We’re not asking that every bus do that, but if one in four at key times of the day could, there’s your problem solved.”

Cllr Duncan Smith (Lab) said that at a meeting last February between Dublin Bus representatives and Fingal County Council, Dublin Bus made it clear that Cllr Butler’s proposal was not feasible as it would add 7km to the journey.

“They did state that if a turning point could be found in Knocksedan, that they would consider a service,” he said.

Schools may get yellow lines  keith bellew

C O N S U LTAT IO N b e t we e n An Garda Siochana and Fingal County Council will be undertaken in relation to the placement of double yellow lines on Raheny Lane, Lusk to prevent parents from parking there illegally during school drop-off times.

This follows a request from Cllr Ken Farrell (Lab) that the council put measures in place to prevent parents of students of the two adjacent schools – Rush and Lusk Educate Together NS and

Lusk Community College – from parking alongside the kerb or “half mounting the footpath”.

Both schools have a reasonably large student population, and the volume of traffic at drop-off times is considerable.

A spokesperson from Fingal County Council said that if there are no objections from the gardai, the lining will be placed on the council’s road signing and lining programme.

The spokesperson added: “The two schools in question were constructed with set-down and drop

off-facilities. At this location, it has been observed that some parents are choosing not to use the set-down area, parking on Raheny Lane instead. This is in spite of the fact that the set-down facility appears to be free-moving.”

They went on to say that in the meantime, Fingal County Council will request that the schools advise parents to use the set-down areas as designed. In the long-term, consultation will be undertaken with An Garda Siochana in relation to the placement of double yellow lines on Raheny Lane.

8 SWORDS Gazette 22 October 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Nichol Melia and Flori Stoica Faith Barnett Amy Byrne, Niamh Walsh and Nadine Geraghty pictured Carpenter and fellow models Faith Barnett and Carla late bar and Dj. Pictures: Patrick O’Leary

Laura Burnes and Natasha Kate O’Brien and Orla Finan

Dolotova

Anna Vrabie and Rachel Solubi

Caroline Geraghty

22 October 2015 SWORDS Gazette 9

at the launch of Mexican Fiesta at the Wrights Cafe bar, Swords. In attendance was former Miss Ireland Holly Jackson who all enjoyed a taste of Mexico. The Mexican Fiesta is now running every Thursday from 5pm with

Wrights Cafe bar: enjoying a taste of Mexico

Arriba! Arriba! Tequila Thursday’s here to stay

Carla Jackson and Adam Kelly

Suzanne Mulvey and Crispin Rodwell

Marianne Flanagan and Laura Byrne

Laura Burnes and Natasha Dolotova

Ingrid Deegan and Mandi Flood

10 SWORDS Gazette 22 October 2015

budget 2016

Health Minister defends health strategy

‘Our health plans are making a difference’  leo varadkar

Minister for Health

EARLIER this year we took the first big step towards universal healthcare with the introduction of GP care without fees for all children under six and adults aged 70 or older, regardless of income.

These age groups are the ones that need to see their doctor most often.

The next big step is to extend the service to children aged six to 11.

Negotiations are already under way with the Irish Medical Organisation on the new, comprehensive GP contract deal with all sorts of ways to improve GP services and health care in the community.

We intend to agree a new contract by the end of March 2016, and plan to provide this extended service as one of the first phases in the new contract before the end of 2016.

So far, some 300,000 senior citizens and children have benefited from GP care without fees. I know this has come as a huge relief to many young families and pensioners.

These are parents and seniors who work

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‘The Government is determined to commit more resources to health and primary care every year, keeping people well in the community’ --------------------------

hard and have paid their taxes. I am glad they are no longer subjected to a means test.

It means real savings for pensioners and families. But it is about much more than that. The new enhanced service which is now in place covers all children under six, including those who already had medical cards.

They are benefiting from better management of asthma in general practice and have their height and weight recorded to identify issues like childhood obesity early.

We have also introduced a new diabetes programme for adults of all ages, meaning they can have their condition managed by the GP who

knows them, rather than in the hospital clinic.

Some 30,000 people have been enrolled already.

All these measures are a major step forward in improving access, quality and affordability of health care in Ireland. They also mark the most tangible step forward so far along the road to universal health care.

Minister [of State for Primary Care, Mental Health and Disability] Kathleen Lynch and I believe that starting off with the youngest and the oldest groups in society is the right approach, alongside those with chronic diseases.

So, I also want to see further progress on chronic disease management in general practice and want to ensure that patients have better access to scans and cardiac investigations through their family doctor.

The Government is determined to commit more resources to health and primary care every year, keeping people well in the community.

So long as we keep the economy strong and the recovery going, we will be able to generate the resources to do exactly that.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar: “I want to ensure that patients have better access to scans and cardiac investigations through their family doctor”

22 October 2015 SWORDS Gazette 11

as charity attacks failure to do more to help older citizens

‘Changes to the State pension do very little to alleviate the difficulties many people face’  Sean Moynihan

Chief executive, Alone

WHAT problems is this budget trying to solve? If the Government wanted to target and effectively aid older people in need, as opposed to pleasing everyone – they would have acted very differently.

Whilst Alone welcome increases to the pension, and the Christmas bonus, they do very little to alleviate the very difficult situations that some of Ireland’s most vulnerable older people find themselves in.

Some 160,000 people have turned 65 since the recessionary 2009 budg-

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‘This budget has nothing outlined in terms of housing for older people and rent supports, which is concerning as ... older people are most at risk from raised rents’

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et. Yet, since then, the telephone allowance has been abolished, the fuel allowance season cut by six weeks, and the household benefits package reduced to a single rate.

In addition to these cuts, many older people are being crippled by the prescription charge – a direct tax on our sick – which the Government has made no move to

eradicate.

A person living on the State pension is now down €700 since 2008 in allowance and benefits.

This is without taking the rising costs of living and increases in charges and taxes into account.

Our work centres on aiding people to age at home with the right supports. This budget has nothing outlined in terms

of housing for older people and rent supports, which is concerning as 50% of all calls to Alone are about housing, and older people are the group most at risk from raised rents.

The latest Daft.ie rental report revealed that the average cost for onebed accommodation in Dublin City is over €500 a month, which is completely unaffordable for an older person surviving on the Government pension.

Alone has been campaigning for many years to highlight the fact that older people are the next big housing crisis. Older people can’t compete in

the private rental market as they are not seen as attractive tenants by landlords in the private rented sector.

The Government needs to provide alternative housing options for these people. This Government continues to push older people into nursing homes ahead of their time, when in reality independent living with supports is a cheaper option for the taxpayer, and it is the preferred option for many older people.

At Alone, we believe every older person has the right to age safely, healthily and happily in their communities, and this budget does not ensure

Sean Moynihan: “A person living on the State pension is now down €700 since 2008 in allowance and benefits”

these basic rights.

Alone can be contacted at 01 679 1032 for those who have concerns about their own wellbe-

ing, or the wellbeing of a vulnerable older person in the community.

Alternatively, see www. alone.ie.

12 Gazette 22 October 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Paul Feeny and Noreen O’Malley

Louise Costello, Chris Douglas, Sandra Keeping and Una Clifford are pictured at the first ever Solas Project Ball which was held at the Hilton Dublin Hotel on Charlemont Place. After a champagne reception, guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner before taking to the dancefloor as the party extended late into the night. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Making their mark in the finest fashion

Jennifer Kissane

Katie Tyrrell

Fateimi Zymati and Susanna Ann Spellman and Abby Demarest

Amy Carey and Emily McVicker

Ferreira

Michal Durmowicz and Alexandra Lewandowska

22 October 2015 Gazette 13

escape the mayhem P15

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

a day in the life: busy comedian getting ready for upcoming panto

what’son

Al’s agenda is no laughing matter  Ian Begley

One of Ireland’s campest and most outspoken comedians, Al Porter has a round-the-clock schedule of stand-up shows and is preparing for his upcoming panto production Freezin.

This week, The Gazette found out what an average day for the Tallaght comedian is like.

“I’m one of these people who has to set four alarms. I set one alarm as a treat for myself at 6am, then another at 7am, then at 7.30am and finally at 8am, which is when I normally get up.

“I then flick on the lights and check my emails and Google my own name to see if I’m mentioned anywhere or if any senators are suing me that morning.

“My day begins with a green tea, then a lemon and ginger tea, an allergy tablet and a fruit juice. I then play a bit of Abba and dance around my dog until I have to be out the door for something around 10.30am.

“At the moment I’m working on a lot of different things. I’m writing a Panto at the moment with Karl Spain called Freezin which is definitely not a rip off of that Disney film.

Teenage angst is centre stage:

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

‘I flick on the lights and check my emails and Google my name to see if I’m mentioned anywhere or if any senators are suing me that morning’ ----------------------------------------

“I’m also starring in it with Dustin the Turkey, which is great since he’s the only bird I fancy.

“I’m also going to loads of meetings with producers and doing open cast auditions for the show. I’m also making a new TV programme for RTE 2 in November called The Al Porter Show, which is going be filmed live in the Olympia.

“The meetings that I go to sound very boring, but actually they’re very fun and full of craic. I just make loads of mad requests in the hope that one of them gets chosen.”

Porter added that he does standup whenever he can and after his sold out show in Vicar Street, he says that he never tires of performing on stage.

feature P16



Gazette

diary P14

Comedian Al Porter has a round-the-clock schedule of stand-up shows

“Whenever I get the opportunity, I do a bit of stand-up in one of the many comedy venues that I started out in.

“Like last weekend, I popped into the Laughter Lounge and did a few minutes and met all of the comedians who I’m friends with there.

“Any free time I get, I might go down to my local and a have a few pints or even to The Workmans Club

and see where the night takes me. At home I like to just browse the web and maybe order a Dominos and watch a couple of films or shows. I just finished House of Cards and Hannibal, which were deadly.

“I then usually head to bed around 2am because I literally find it impossible to sleep any earlier. I only need about six hours of sleep to just about get by anyway.”

A DRAMATIC show that follows 14 Dublin city teenagers through their adolescent and tumultuous lives will be staged in the Smock Alley Theatre from October 27–31 at 7.30pm.

S h o w M e Love depicts a group of youths on what seems like just another ordinary day. Hearts will break, hormones will rage and loyalties will shift as our young heroes wrestle their conflicting emotions and each other. Today they will face choices that could alter the course of their adult lives. Some will rise, others will fall.

A large ensemble, multiple-narrative play, Show Me Love will explore and celebrate the ever changing, often complicated emotional life of this small group as their paths intersect and collide over the course of 24-hours on the last day of summer.

Written by Colin Thornton and directed by Deirdre Molloy, tickets cost €15/€18.

The show is suitable for audiences aged 14 and over.

For more information, visit www.smockalley.com

14 Gazette 22 October 2015

Gazette

dublinlife Watch out for ghouls and goblins at Tayto Park ON Saturday, October 24, Tayto Park opens its doors to a fright fest in the dark.

For the first time, thanks to the launch of the Tayto Park After Dark Experience, visitors will be invited to confront the darkness and ride the Cu Chulainn Coaster in the dead of the night.

Racing along at more than 100km per hour and dropping more than 32m in an instant, this stomach-churning drop zone is scary enough in daylight, never mind riding it in the pitch darkness of night.

As with previous years at Tayto Park, ghouls, ghosts, goblins and all things gruesome will be out and about and making their presence felt in the Tayto Park House of Horrors.

Tickets for the Tayto Park After Dark Experience are €18 per person.

It is not necessary to book in advance and the latest admission is 7.30pm.

The Day Time House of Horrors is recommended for children over eight-years old.

Again it is not necessary to book in advance.

For more informa-

tion and opening times visit www.taytopark.ie/ events/halloween.

Say I Do to syrian refugee campaign A UNIQUE event to raise money in aid of Syrian refugees will take place in House, Leeson Street, on October 28.

Past brides and bridesmaids from all over the country have donated their wedding and bridesmaid dresses to the initiative.

The dresses will be sold at the event in aid of The Irish Red Cross Migration Crisis Appeal.

The organisers of the event are now calling on all brides-to-be to come along on the day as there will be spot prizes such as waxing vouchers, cakes, make-up trial vouchers, along with some beautiful wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses donated from bridal stores, including Myrtle Ivory.

There will also be a fashion show and hair and make-up tips on the day.

Tickets cost €21.65 and are available to buy on www.eventbrite.ie All money raised will go towards the Irish Red Cross Migration Crisis

diary

Appeal.

floored by store’s transgender ad A FLOORING business based in Crumlin has caused quite the stir on social media after it erected a billboard featuring a photo of Caitlyn Jenner alongside the words “Fancy a Change?”

According to Hamptons Floor Store, it deems the poster to be a celebration of the transgender community.

However, some people have been floored by the advertising and feel like the company is taking the mickey!

One woman wrote: “If it takes transphobia and cheap jokes to sell your product then you obviously do not have a very good product or need to fire your marketing team ASAP. Take this poster down.”

Another person stated: “This is lowest common denominator marketing. An absolute disgrace and completely irresponsible!”

In its defence, Hamptons Floor Store said the poster was a celebration of the new Ireland we’re living in, especially since the passing of the marriage equality referen-

The Cu Chulainn Coaster is scary enough without the addition of spooky ghosts. Inset: Hamptons Floor Store considers its poster to be a celebration of the transgender community

dum, which the shop is “very supportive of”.

P e r h a p s i t wo u l d be more to the point were it citing the Gender Recognition Act, passed in July of this year, which gives legal recognition and rights to transgender people, whatever their sexual orientation.

croke park can be a very scary place JOIN in the family fun at the GAA Museum in Croke Park this Halloween, where a wide range of activities will take place throughout the mid-term break.

From Saturday, Octo-

ber 24 to Saturday, October 31, the museum will host a Trick or Treat Trail Tour of Croke Park for younger visitors.

These tours are aimed at families and younger visitors and will involve a treasure hunt as part of the stadium tour; guess the answer to the clue to collect a pumpkin, with treats for all at the end of the tour.

There will also be extra stadium tours taking place from October 27 to 30.

Tickets cost €12.50 for adults and €8.50 for children.

This event is suitable for children aged four to

nine years.

Advance online booking is required as places are limited on these popular tours.

Visit www.crokeparkmuseum.tickets.ie for more information.

secret life of secrets revealed UNCOVER the world of secrets as the Science Gallery’s new exhibition reveals just how everyone holds something untold.

F r o m g ove r n m e n t surveillance to Hollywood spoilers, everyone has a secret.

How do scientists, hackers, spies, journal-

ists, psychologists, criminals, companies and governments approach t h i s n e w wo r l d o f secrets?

From Easter eggs to cryptocurrencies, puzzles to politics, the g a l l e r y ’s e x h i b i t i o n SECRET asks: W hat needs to be revealed?

And what should remain hidden?

Delve into this secretive space until November 1 at the ever-intriguing Science Gallery.

Admission to the exhibition is free.

Visit w w w.dublin. sciencegallery.com for more information on this event.

22 October 2015 Gazette 15

Gazette

ESCAPE THE MAYHEM escape the mayhem: The Seven O’Clock Show’s lucy kennedy

It’s all boxsets, ponytails and comfy pyjamas  aisling kennedy

Lucy Kennedy is a busy lady as she juggles her life between presenting The Seven O’Clock Show on TV3 each day and taking care of her two little children, Jack and Holly.

Finding time to relax and unwind in between her hectic schedule is something that is very important to her and she told The Gazette this week that she always makes sure to set aside some quiet, quality time each week.

“I can’t ever really totally escape the madness because I have a five-year-old and a three-year-old and they are part of the mad, fun world I live in. As a family we go to the beach a lot and we also love to go to the park and the zoo “Most things we do are family orientated, but if it’s myself and my husband Richard we like to just get away for a break every so often.

We like to get away

once every two months anywhere at all around the country.”

Listing some of her favourite destinations to escape to she mentions Kelly’s Hotel in Rosslare and Galway city as favourites, but she also loves to fly away to the sun and explains that Lanzarote is her favourite sun holiday.

“That’s one place in the world that I love escaping to. I need the sun, I’m definitely one of those people that’s nicer in the sun!”

Pier Lucy also likes to find peace of mind on her own time too and explains that she loves to walk up Dun Laoghaire pier in the m o r n i n g w h e n i t ’s quiet.

“I’m lucky because I’ve grown up beside the sea so I’ve been near the sea all my life.

I love putting a pair of runnners on and walking the pier in the morning after the school run.

It’s a great way to start

the day and clear your mind.”

Lucy also enjoys watching Netflix and box sets and says that she just finished watching The Good Wife.

“I get home at about 8.20pm each night so after I’ve kissed Jack and Holly goodnight, I get into my pyjamas, cleanse my face, put Sudocreme on the spots, put my hair in a ponytail and watch my boxsets.

“I love TV time, I love TV time on my own. As much as I love my family, I like to watch it on my own in peace and quiet, and sometimes I’ll paint my nails or fake tan, whatever I’m doing.”

Lucy is also a big fan of yoga and credits it with de-stressing her.

“Yoga is my biggest saviour, I love it. I do it once a week because I love talking and I’m paid to talk but I do that all day every day. So it’s the only time during the week where I actually have to be quiet!”

€5,000 prize added to VUE Art Fair THE annual VUE 2015 Art Fair returns to the Royal Hibernian Academy Gallery in Dublin from November 6 to 8, and a prestigious new award for contribution to the visual arts in Ireland has been introduced this year.

The VUE Contemporary Art Prize, which is worth €5,000, is presented

by Real Estate Agents, and fair spon-

sors Savills.

It will be awarded at the fair to an artist who, in the preceding 12 months, has produced an outstanding body of work or some substantial contribution to visual arts.

The annual fair will see leading contemporary Irish art galleries showcasing new art and recent work

by Irish and international artists.

Lucy Kennedy juggles presenting The Seven O’Clock Show on TV3 each day with taking care of her two young children, Jack and Holly

Gazette

16 Gazette 22 October 2015

dublinlife

feature following: instagrammers are out and about

Snap happy people hit the city streets  aisling kennedy

Instagrammers Dublin is an up and coming community of photo enthusiasts

I n s tagr a m m e r s Dublin is an up and coming community of photo enthusiasts who upload photographs of beautiful shots from around Dublin on Instagram.

The group supports local talent and it has become increasingly popular with a reach of 10,000 followers around Dublin city.

Founder of Instagrammers Dublin is Sofia Delgado who is originally from Venezuela.

When she moved to Dublin four years ago she noticed that there was no Instagram community in Dublin so she set about contacting Philip Gonzalez from the Instagrammers head office in Spain who advised her on how to set the official account up in Dublin.

She said: “More than 50 countries and 250 cities throughout the world have an Instagrammers community.

When I looked for the Dublin Instagrammers I saw there was none so I said ‘Okay, I want to create the Dublin account’.

I spoke to Philip about setting it up and together we set up the official account for Dublin and now I run it. I set it up in 2012.”

The idea behind the group is to showcase the beauty of Dublin and when users of the

account take a photo they can use the hashtag #IgersDublin to link into the Instagrammers Dublin account.

Delgado then picks the standout images she sees on a daily basis and showcases them on the account which then reaches an audience of over 10,000 followers.

Since Delgado set the account up it has taken off phenomenally with new followers joining everyday.

“The account started off slowly but a couple of months ago it reached 5,000 followers so I decided to do something more with the account.

That’s when I decided to set up Instameet.”

Instameet is when a group of followers from the account meet up and take part in different activities such as

afternoon tea, walks in beauty spots, and share apps and tricks for better mobile photography, while taking photos of the day to add to the account.

The two most recent events took place in Dublin Castle and also Dublin City Hall.

Delgado said: “Instameets are very nice because you can meet new people, get new followers, take beautiful photos of Dublin and take part in lovely activities.”

In November, a photo walk around Dublin will take place with a date for the Instameet soon to be announced.

For more information on Instagrammers Dublin follow them on Instagram @Igersdublin or email igersdublin@ gmail. com

Instagrammers Dublin creator Sofia Delgado who is originally from Venezuela

22 October 2015 Gazette 17

cinema P23

asdfsdaf P27 gaming P25

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

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MUSIC P20

Pets

Dashing dixie needs a loving home

Dance star Robin Windsor (inset) will perform in “song and dance extravaganza” Puttin’ on the Ritz

showtime: classic song and dance favourites heading for dublin

Are you puttin’ on the Ritz?

 aisling kennedy news@gazettegroup.com

DESCRIBED as a “song and dance extravaganza” by Strictly Come Dancing star Robin Windsor, Puttin’ on the Ritz is a show that is perfect for anyone who enjoys good music and fancy footwork.

The show is coming to the Gaiety Theatre this November and will include performances by professional Strictly stars Robin Windsor, Trent Whiddon, who danced with Pixie Lott last year, his professional dance partner and wife Gordana Grandosek along with X Factor star Ray Quinn.

Music will be by George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter with renditions of their 1920s and 1930s classic

songs including Cheek to Cheek, Alexander’s Rag Time Band, Easter Parade, I Got Rhythm and Puttin’ on the Ritz Windsor told the Gazette the night is filled with glamorous costumes and intricate ballroom skills.

He says: “This show will take you back to the golden era of Hollywood in the 1920s and 1930s when Fred Astaire was the pin-up of the day, and we have incredible music throughout the show.

“To dance to these songs is just amazing because they’re timeless.

They have been famous for almost 100 years now and they’re still going.”

Windsor explains that his favourite dance to perform on the night is Over the Rainbow because it is one of his all-time favourite songs.

He dances the rumba to that song

which, he explains, he also “loves to perform”.

There are 10 professional dancers in the show and six professional singers.

Windsor explains: “All of the dancers are phenomenal and they have some great songs to dance to such as Puttin’ on the Ritz. There is also a girl who sings an operatic version of Puttin’ on the Ritz, which is absolutely stunning, and then we move through the 1920s and into the other side of New York where they had the cotton club, and that’s where it all gets that bit more sexy. It’s a family show though so it’s for all ages from eight to 88.”

Windsor explains that he brought his partner’s grandparents, who are in their 80s, to the show in the UK recently.

“It took them back to one of the happiest times in their lives. They sat there and sang along to the songs from their childhood. They thanked everyone in the show for rekindling their romance and it was the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. So I think everyone should bring their grandparents to it because they will adore it.”

He is looking forward to performing the show in Dublin: “I’ve been to Dublin a few times and it has always been the best audience we perform to on the whole tour. Everybody here knows how to go out, enjoy their night and have a great time.”

Puttin’ On The Ritz is at the Gaiety Theatre from November 2-7. Tickets cost from €35 and are available on www.gaietytheatre.ie

The Dublin Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is Dixie, a handsome five-year-old male terrier cross. He is an independent little guy who loves his own space, so is looking for a home without children. Dixie loves his comforts and likes nothing better than to make himself comfortable on the sofa.

If you think you can offer Dixie a loving home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000, or even better, pop into the centre and have a chat with their Rehoming Team. They’re open six days a week from 12pm-4pm, closed all day Tuesdays. Check out the other dogs available for rehoming on their website www.dogstrust.ie, follow them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ DogsTrustIrelandOnline

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 22 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

Ribbed beanie €13 Smart wool blend overcoat €160

Extreme ripped Dylan slim jeans

Leather worker boots €94

Let’s hear it for the boys!  STAFF REPORTER

WITH Halloween coming up, some of us blokes like to release our inner child for one night only and go all out crazy with a Darth Vadar costume or Batman. The rest of us might like to give a nod to the festivities. A decidedly Edward Scissorhands theme is running through this collection from River Island with seriously gothic tones coming through. You will be rocking these cool threads for the rest of the autumn/winter season anyway so they are a good investment.

Lightweight scarf €20

Black leather funnel biker jacket €200

 XXXX ZZZZZZZZZ

Leather herringbone gloves €33

boohoo.com autumn/ winter: Top €25 Cardigan €34 Jeans €34

22 October 2015 GAZETTE 19

GAZETTE

STYLE

BEAUTYnews

Ava Aztec tape panel clutch bag €22

Get a dreamy skin with a Dermalogica skin treatment

Leather dress €40

 MIMI MURRAY

Cream fur gilet €34

Boutique Maria Mongolian faux fur collar coat €74

Bella mixed stripe roll neck jumper €20

Lilly frin ge suedett trim pointed e ankle boot €4 1

Americans YOUNG

Boohoo.com have a fab range influenced by the suburban youth style of 70s Middle America. Young Americans creates a retro vibe with excessive layering of multi textural fabrics alongside fun and fresh new silhouettes.

Calm earthy tones and natural pigments come in the form of fur lined suedette coats, oversized chunky knits and flared denim jeans with colour pops of rich cranberry and burnt orange with complementing prints such as wallpaper florals, brushed checks and knitted stripes. The perfect autumn trend, fringing and patchwork continues through from spring/summer 15 to complete an easy take on modern vintage style.

All available from boohoo.com

Tara fringed trim block heel ankle boot €47

Abigail colour surge clutch bag €20

I RECENTLY tried out the new treatment rooms in Harvey Nichols, Dundrum.

Well almost new! The quiet little sanctuary was put into the bustling store in January 2015 and is a veritable oasis in the middle of the thriving Town Centre.

I plumped for a Dermalogica Skin Treatment; designed to treat clients’ individual skin concerns with a fullycustomisable 60-minute programme and prescribed at-home skincare regime.

It starts with an in-depth consultation then double cleanse to prepare the skin for analysing so that the therapist can build a full picture of your lifestyle before performing the face mapping skin analysis to ensure your treatment is entirely results-driven.

The treatment itself comprises a mixture of exfoliation of varying levels, extractions and masques depending on the results of the face mapping; and also includes an extremely relaxing mini massage.

I love the scent of Dermalogica products, not too strong and quite fresh. I left with my skin absolutely glowing and the rosy complexion continued for days.

Other treatments available are the bio surface peel, a professional chemical peel designed to resurface the skin with minimal recovery time.

The multi-phase approach works with the skin’s biology to safely slough away dull epidermal layers and accelerate cell renewal without inflammation and prolonged downtime typically associated with chemical peels.

There is also a 20-minute micro zone treatment which is a quick fix for troubled skin and won’t break the bank at €25.

The one-hour facial is €75 for 60 minutes.

I also bought their latest miracle product, Overnight Retinol Repair which I have just started to use. More of that in a couple of weeks but it promises big things so look out for my review!

Gazette

20 Gazette 22 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

TRAVEL

From the tree-lined drive to this early Georgian house to the airy but intimate dining room and delicately decorated bedrooms, a stay at Viewmount House will leave you feeling pampered

Foodie find: VM restaurant at Viewmount house puts Longford on the food lover’s map

A treat for that special occasion or a good excuse to break a journey west  Shane Rigney

LAST week I ran into an old friend from Longford who lives in Dublin. I haven’t been in Longford in years and my old buddy was surprised to hear I had been down just the previous Friday.

“I had a beautiful dinner in Viewmount House,” she said. “We go there all the time when I’m home! It’s gorgeous,” I have to agree.

Viewmount House is on the Dublin Road outside Longford town. A foodie friend and I wanted to check out the increasingly popular restaurant.

Chef Gary O’Hanlon (RTE’s The Restaurant) is at the helm, and the restaurant features on

Bridgestone’s 100 best places to eat in Ireland.

The house is a handsome early Georgian manor of moderate imposition, three-bays wide and three-storeys tall, and presents itself after a short drive up a quaint driveway surrounded by pretty gardens with old tall trees, herbaceous borders and a Japanese garden.

We were ushered past a roaring fire framed by two well-worn Chesterfields to the newer part of the house, in converted stables, comprising the main dining room and seven bedrooms. Subtle and considered period styling creates a seamless flow from the main manor house to the conversion.

No sooner were we doing

the bounce test on our luxurious mattresses – the bed and linen were divine – than Beryl, our hostess, arrived with two Hendricks gin and tonics to ease away the weary week and wet our whistles for the gastronomy ahead.

The VM restaurant fuses notes of traditional Irish cooking and flavours with European classic technique. All ingredients are sourced locally. The menu changes seasonally The main dining room is an airy yet intimate space, all exposed brickwork and cast iron pillars with comfy high back chairs and crisp linen; a lovely room for a good meal.

I went for an orange and anise cured confit duck leg with a beetroot

salsa starter and the beef cheek as my main. My partner had a starter of prawns in a delicate filo type pastry and a 10oz sirloin for the main. A selection of homemade bread with butter and red pepper hummus was delicious. The treacle bread was the best I’ve tasted.

We were then treated to a taste of the risotto from the starters list, which was flavoured with orange, carrot and a touch of tarragon. I loved the uniqueness though the rice was a touch too al dente and the dish a little sweet for my companion. There is a considerable element of sweet from fruits running through the menu, which can be a little marginalising for some. My duck

confit was cooked wonderfully though I found the orange cure a little heavy, but that’s really a matter of taste.

I stole one of the prawns from the mate’s plate and we both thought they were excellent.

Mains arrived a perfect 15 minutes later. Everything was plated and presented wonderfully, signalling a kitchen with a talent for style and substance, and a clear grasp of fine dining.

My beef cheek was an unctuous mound of slow cooked braised beef, with delicate wisps of shallot, a moss green quenelle of parsley mash and a dark cherry wine jus. It was topped with an egg cooked to 60C sous vide,

which melded with the beef when broken and created rich gravy that was sensational. A feast for the eyes and belly.

My friend’s steak came with a blue cheese butter and side of croquettes and seasonal veg. Unfortunately, her steak was cooked a little more than the medium rare she had requested, though its flavour was delicious and it was seared to perfection.

For dessert we ordered a chocolate brownie mousse concoction with a cherry sauce and a honey sponge with ice cream. The chocolate was chocolatey heaven, the sponge a little stodgy and lacked a sauce.

We drank a moderately priced Argentinian

Malbec at €30 that was silk in a glass. The wine list was excellent, with plenty of choice in the €20-€30 price range.

At €55 per person VM at Viewmount House delivers on service, quality and the personal touch for that feeling of quiet luxury.

An overnight stay at €110-130 will leave you feeling pampered and refreshed. Viewmount House and VM restaurant are worth watching out for.

Breakfast had all the choice you’d expect with full Irish, pancakes, salmon, scrambled egg, cereal and more of that stunning treacle bread.

Shane is a foodie vlogger, see riggersrecipes.

22 October 2015 Gazette 21

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22 Gazette 22 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

food

BITESIZEDNEWS

Athlete turned food writer Derval O’Rourke

Ex-athlete runs up tasty Thai turkey dish A NEW dish has been created for Camile Thai Kitchen by champion athlete turned food writer Derval O’Rourke.

O’Rourke’s Turkey Chilli Stir Fry (Pad Med Mamung) contains Irish turkey breast mince with red peppers, scallions, onions, broccoli, grated carrot, edamame beans and cashew nuts in a delicious tangy sauce. It is served with brown and wild rice, and costs €9.95. Camile leapt at the chance to team up with O’Rourke for its latest chef collaboration because of her sporting background, love of food and knowledge of nutrition.

O’Rourke won gold in the 60m hurdles at the Moscow Indoor Championships in 2006 and competing for Ireland at three Olympic Games. After her retirement from athletics last year, she established a popular food blog and penned the best-selling cookbook, Food For The Fast Lane. She said: “To partner with Camile for this recipe made a lot of sense.

My thinking was always based around the idea that there is no reason why healthy food can’t be tasty too and that’s exactly what Camile are doing. I’m delighted with how the dish has turned out and hopefully the Camile customers enjoy it!”

New ales help smooth bitter winter months THE approaching cooler months have inspired two new winter seasonal O’Shea’s ales, which are available now in 120 Aldi stores nationwide.

O’Shea’s Dry Hopped Amber Ale is a subtle blend of fruit and spices, creating a perfect seasonal balance. Bitterness is accentuated from both the hops and citrus zest, and the dry cinnamon finish is balanced with the sweetness of crystal malt.

Visually, it is an amber ale with a lightly carbonated white head. The Spiced Winter Ale makes an excellent aperitif, but is subtle enough on spiciness to double as a post meal beer. It’s an ideal match for crumbling desserts such as cherry or apricot tart.

Winter ales are traditionally brewed stronger, richer and more full-bodied, so you can enjoy O’Shea’s new winter ales when sitting by a roaring fire Brewed by the Carlow Brewing Company, the O’Shea’s Spiced Winter Ale and Dry Hopped Amber Ale are on sale for €1.89 per 50cl bottle.

With more than 20 winemakers and over 100 wines to try, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get around

Autumnal tasting with a no-nonsense slainte  mimi murray

ONE of the most anticipated and enjoyable events of the year for James Nicholson Wine Merchants is its annual tasting, an informal, walkaround affair with no knowledge required and no lectures to attend. You don’t need to be a wine expert to enjoy it – it’s all about sharing and enjoying wine with like-minded people.

This year, the tasting takes place in the banquet hall in Smock Alley Theatre at 5pm-8pm on Friday,

November 6.

This is the perfect, relaxed and friendly opportunity to broaden your wine drinking horizons as well as your wine knowledge, while becoming familiar with the JN Wine range.

The wine merchants are the current holders of the International Wine Challenge Regional Wine Merchant of the Year award – an award they have won 20 times.

Each member of the team is a professionally trained, educated, passionate wine drinker.

All are happy to share their enthusiasm along with their independent and personal selection of excellent wines.

The annual tasting is the ideal opportunity to meet some of the JN wine partners and to try the wines for yourself. With more than 20 winemakers and over 100 wines to try, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get around.

Producers confirmed to date include: from France – Billecart-Salmon Champagne; Domaine G ay d a , L a n g u e d o c ;

Roc des Anges, Roussillon; Agnes Paquet and Domaine Jean Fournier, both from Burgundy.

From Italy – Sartarelli from the Marche region, and Morisfarms Estate from Tuscany. From New Zealand – Pask Winery, Hawke’s Bay. From Spain – Pesquera Group, Ribera del Duero; Paco Garcia, Rioja; and Familia Martinez Bujanda. Massaya from Lebanon is also in the line-up as is Quinta da Falorca, Dao from Portugal; and Boekenhoutskloof from South Africa; Vina Casablanca

from Chile; and Shortcross Gin from Downpatrick, County Down.

The impressive backdrop of the banquet hall rich in character, will provide an ideal setting for an event to showcase wines full of character and their producers – many of whom are characters in their own right!

Tickets are €15 per person and must be bought in advance from James Nicholson Wine Merchant on www.jnwine. com or by calling Lo-Call 1890 667799. Places are limited.

22 October 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

CINEMA

Gerry (Ben Mendelsohn, right) and Curtis (Ryan Rynolds) decide to head down along the Mississippi, taking in the sights and sounds of the South from one casino to another

mississippi grind: the jackpot prize of redemption is a dice throw away

Take a gamble – it’s worth it Do you believe in lucky charms? Gambling addict Gerry (Ben Mendelsohn) does and when a well-dressed stranger squeezes in amongst the haggard regulars at his local poker night, he is sure that he has found his.

On the bad end of luck and growing desperate for a win, Gerry becomes quickly intoxicated by Curtis’s (Ryan Reynolds) fast-paced banter, topshelf liquor and seemingly unbreakable streak of good fortune.

It is a solid, albeit staid set up from Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the writing and directing team who first came to our attention with the incredible Half Nelson back in 2006. Featuring a burgeoning Ryan Gos-

 Dave phillips

ling , Half Nelson still stands out as a superb piece of film that managed to treat the complex topic of drug addiction with equal parts gravitas, humour, and charm.

While this time out the tale revolves around gambling, there are some definite thematic parallels with Boden and Fleck’s earlier work.

Mississippi Grind plays out as a solid twohander for Mendelsohn and Reynolds. As Gerry and Curtis become fast friends, they decide to

head down along the Mississippi, taking in the sights and sounds of the South from one casino to the next. While the pair set off on what seems like an amiable adventure, it soon becomes evident that they have embarked on a kind of gambling pilgrimage where the jackpot prize of redemption is always a dice throw away.

Part road-trip, part bromance, and par t downbeat drama Mississippi Grind is a constantly shifting film. But is a story that, like the river it follows, moves along very slowly and steadily – and this is by no means a bad thing.

The unhurried feel of the film leaves plenty of space for the actors to work on screen. Despite a long career in Austral-

ian film, Ben Mendelsohn remained largely unknown on this side of the world until 2010’s Animal Kingdom propelled

lives with each day have become so ingrained that you feel he actually believes the rationalisations and excuses that

some of his brand of charm. Curtis is the kind of guy who is au fait with just about everything you can imagine.

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

‘While Mendelsohn undoubtedly outshines everybody on screen, there is ample space for Ryan Reynolds to exude some of his brand of charm. Curtis is the kind of guy who is au fait with just about everything you can imagine’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

him into the spotlight.

With some incredible recent work (including Netflix’s Bloodline) under his belt, Mendelsohn is really showing his capabilities and in Mississippi Grind he gives a very nuanced and captivating performance.

The shame, denial and deceit that Gerry

he spontaneously spouts.

Knowing what is best for him but never knowing when to quit, he has dug himself into a hole so deep that the only way out is to keep digging.

While Mendelsohn undoubtedly outshines everybody on screen, there is ample space for Ryan Reynolds to exude

Never short of cash, he knows all the places you need to go, and the people you need to talk to. Harnessing a level of slickness that will make you wonder if he has made some kind of Faustian pact, Curtis is the perfect counterpart to the world-weary Gerry. Yet Reynolds is keen enough

to at times, let us see the mask of confidence slip, even if only slightly.

This slow-burner is accentuated by a very sturdy supporting cast, including Sienna Miller and Analeigh Tipton. And things are topped off with an incredible soundtrack, full of moody, deep south blues.

Mississippi Grind’s simple story and deliberate pacing may be its downfall for a lot of potential viewers, but those who feel like taking a gamble are likely to enjoy the rewards – the 108 quietly captivating minutes of top class performances will linger with you long after Ben and Curtis have headed South.

Verdict: 8/10

Gazette

24 Gazette 22 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

MUSIC

Johnny Marr: 17 track double album

Documenting a long and eclectic career Adrenalin Baby has the right balance of killer and filler  colm murray

From The Smiths to THE THE, The Cribs a n d e ve r y t h i n g i n between, chameleonic guitarist-turned-frontman Johnny Marr has had a long and eclectic career, but until now, has never been front and centre.

Adrenalin Baby is his first live album, and loud and live it certainly is.

The Messenger (2013) and last year’s Playland form the bulk of the record, and are flanked by some long-awaited Smiths gems.

Recorded at shows in Glasgow, Brixton and his hometown of Manchester over the last couple of years, the album is a bonus addition to the late-career renaissance the sharpwitted Mancunian is deservedly having.

Opening with arcade game effects and a buzzing crowd hum, the album kicks off with Playland – the punchy title track of his most recent rollicking rock effort.

Marr’s lengthy melodic riff and fan screams hint at his stage arrival before his echoey vocals cut in.

His sultr y screams

“she does the real buzz, he does the real buzz” take flight.

After that, it is time for dance rock feel tune Easy Money followed by 25 Hours another track off Playland and New Tow n Velocity taken from his debut The Messenger.

incredible talent and all the passion of his guitar in four last songs There is a Light that Never Goes Out, another album standout, the shimmering Dynamo taken from Playland, T he Clash’s cover I Fought the Law to finally close the 17-track live

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

‘I wanted to capture the atmosphere and feeling of the last couple of tours’

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

Song 6 is the first Smiths’ classic to feature on the album The Headmaster Ritual followed by anthemic Back in the Box also taken from Playland.

In spite of the strength of his solo material, inevitably The Smiths’ tracks stand out.

Classic anthemic tracks such as Bigmouth Strikes Again, How Soon is Now and There is a Light that Never Goes Out are clearly some of the best tunes off the album.

Also Getting Away With It from Electronic is another standout.

The highlights of the live album are reserved for the last tracks where Marr sums up his

record with hymn How Soon is Now. “I wanted to capture the atmosphere and feeling of the last couple of tours,” says Johnny.

“It’s been a special time and the album is a document for fans who were there, and for people who haven’t seen me and might want to check out what the shows are about.

“I like live records when they’re a good listen, It’s turned out really well.”

It’s certainly a great document of his live shows over the last 18 months or so, with a 17-track double album it’s certainly value for money with the right balance of killer and filler!

22 October 2015 Gazette 25

NEXT

Gazette

GAMING STEPS

A number of consoles are facing likely extinction in 2016, ready to join the dodo. Illustration: Shane Dillon

It could be time to take an evolutionary step forward

Victorian world is a timekiller  shane dillon

WITH Christmas just around the corner, all kinds of gaming goodies are lining up, with 2015 marking a bumper year for gamers as the nextgen consoles get into their stride after their first, unsteady year.

One of the first is released this Friday, October 23, when Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (XBO, PS4; Cert 18; c. €75) runs, leaps and climbs into view.

There’s plenty of spying, sneaking and, frankly, assassinating missions to undertake here as a motley group of corrupt Vic-

torian rotters, bullies and scallywags are eliminated, with the cobbled streets, muddy paths, Dickensian poorhouses and grimy factories of 1868 London providing a compelling and familiar world to explore.

Speaking of Dickens, he’s just one of a cast of several colourful characters that the player can meet, with everyone from Florence Nightingale to the original Queen Vic herself to run into, and missions to carry out for them.

While history doesn’t quite record that Charles Darwin needed the help of shadowy assassins to

silence dangerous detractors, well, there’s plenty of fun to be found in chatting to such figures, before, say, setting off to climb to the top of “Big Ben” for a look across the wonderfully realised city, as barges criss-cross the crowded Thames below and vast clouds of black smoke billow and belch into the sky from rows of industrial revolution chimneys.

Certainly not a game for kids, Syndicate delivers a vast, compelling world that should be fun to explore – not least until the post-nuclearwar Boston ruins of Fallout 4 come into sight on November 10 ...

 shane dillon

Whether meeting famous people of the era such as Charles Dickens (top left), or exploring and pilfering around much of Victorian London, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is a welcome addition to the franchise

curry steps aside, citing illness and industry sexism  shane dillon

READERS will recall a recent Gazette interview in September with acclaimed composer Jessica Curry (right) about her superb work on the esoteric PlayStation 4 exclusive, Everybody’s Gone to The Rapture.

Curry and the game alike created a lot of positive press around the world.

However, since that page was published, Curry made headlines around the world again – for less positive reasons.

She announced via a highly personal, pragmatic blog that she is stepping down as co-director of the studio, The Chinese Room (Rapture’s developer).

Curry cited her battles with an unnamed degenerative illness, and industry sexism and

difficulties alike.

With many polls and studies noting the rise of women gamers (close to 50%), and yet with women developers and studio figures not matched by these statistics, any such reports of sexism are regrettable indeed.

Here’s hoping that Curry can recoup enough energy to cope with her illness, and resume her place in the industry.

WHILE Santa Claus may have access to all the toys known to man (and woman), gamers and people buying their own consoles and games have noticed how 2015 has largely marked the evolutionary dead end of the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii U consoles, which are soon set to go the way of the dodo.

While these consoles have huge established bases, and while of course there are plenty of great games still coming to all three in 2016 and beyond – realistically, their time is almost up.

Several key titles and franchises (see main review, left) are now abandoning these reliable but effectively retired platforms to focus on the new current-gen consoles.

Anecdotal evidence shows how the PlayStation 3, Wii U and XBox 360 games and consoles have been elbowed aside at games shops and relegated to evershrinking shelf space, where a scarcity of new titles compete against a sea of second-hand games.

So, the time has finally come to upgrade

platforms before obsolescence wins that evolutionary battle in 2016.

Watch this space in the run-up to Christmas, as I’ll take a look at some of the bundled consoles, games, price and platform comparisons for those looking to get a new console, but who can’t rely on Mr Claus to drop one down the chimney.

Nintendo NX Speaking of evolution, rumours and reports are widely circulating at present in the gaming press about Nintendo, and “Nintendo NX” – a software development system that’s potentially more powerful than both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

This would mark a massive departure for Nintendo, which has traditionally focused on crafting gaming experiences rather than getting involved in the hardware and coding wars fought by Sony and Microsoft.

Indeed, the Wii U console still lays claim to many of the best family-friendly titles of recent years.

However, we’ll have to wait until at least NX-t year to see what happens ...

26 SWORDS GAZETTE 22 October 2015

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28 gazette 22 October 2015

SPORT

FastSport basketball: portlaoise and DCU both seen off by home outfit boylan beats own personal best time: DUBLINER Lydia Boylan broke her own National 500m Time Trial Record in the omnium as five Irish riders completed a successful week of racing at the European Track Championships in Grenchen.

Boylan began day two of the women’s omnium in 16th place with three of the six races remaining and she moved up a place with a new national record in the 500m time trial, eclipsing the mark she set at the revolution event in Derby last month.

Her 36.628s effort shaved 0.147s off her previous best on her way to ninth and she topped that with eighth in the race five flying lap, her 14.589s helping her rise to 14th in the event ahead of the final points race.

In the sixth and final Omnium event Boylan was on the attack early on, taking points for third in the first two sprints of 10. She paid for her efforts, though, and fell back after that.

Killester firing on all fronts  sport@dublingazette.com

PYROBEL K illester claimed back-to-back victories last Saturday in the women’s and men’s Premier Leagues to make it two wins from three outings each thus far in the early stages of the new season.

On the women’s side, Killester responded to calls from head coach Karl Kilbride for improved offence with a 29-point opening quarter and an 88-78 win over Portlaoise Panthers.

“We wanted to get off to a hot start,” said Kilbride, “but Portlaoise brought in

Claire Melia who had one of the best games I’ve ever seen from a 16-year-old.

She did everything she wanted to do inside.”

The young Ireland international was making her Premier League debut and finished with 21 points.

Despite her run of form,

Killester’s Ciaran Roe on the attack

Pyrobel Killester’s Rebecca Nagle. Picture: Deryck Vincent

however, Killester had the greater spread of scorers with Raeshel Contreras landing 19 points, Mimi Clarke hitting 16 and Aisling Sullivan weighing in with 14 points at the National Wheelchair Association headquarters.

Elsewhere, Meteors were impressive 77-58 winners over the UL Huskies with Meghan McGuinness scoring 22 points while Jade Daly, Emily Leer and Karen Meeny also showed up well.

DCU Mercy landed a 68-61 win over SuperValu Brunell with Sarah Woods the key player, coming away with a weekend high of 26 points. Brunell had led 39-33 at the half-time break before DCU limited

their opponents to just 22 points in the second half of the contest.

In the men’s Premier League, Templeogue survived a late comeback from GCD Swords Thunder to keep their unbeaten run intact. With two minutes left, the league leaders were seven points clear but GCD Swords Thunder missed a shot to win it at the buzzer for an 81-80 win “It’s great to be put under that kind of pressure,” said Templeogue’s Conor Grace. “We knew Thunder would never be out of it.”

Swords’ boss Dave Baker, meanwhile, said it was “a difficult night”.

“We fixed a lot of mistakes during the week but there were still signs of

it and we gave away 51 points in the first half.

“We went smaller and quicker and pushed them hard in the second half and had a couple of chances to win it, but if you can’t execute at this level you’re going to get hurt.”

Killester had plenty to spare in their north Dublin derby date with the DCU Saints as they rolled out an 83-59 result.

Patrick Sullivan scored 20 points while Jermaine Turner drained 15 with healthy contributions also coming from Conor Gordon and Juan Martinez.

Martins Provizors topscored for the Saints with 225 but he struggled to get enough support from those around him.

Hopkins hopeful of raising required funds for Rio bid  sport@dublingazette.com

Olympic hopeful Aoife Hopkins

DUBLIN teenager Aoife Hopkins has been put forward as an Irish Sailing Association candidate for the Irish Olympic sailing team, and is hoping to fund her qualification for Rio next summer through PledgeSports.org.

Sixteen-year-old Hopkins is a member of Howth Yacht Club and competes in the laser radial category. In order to qualify for Rio, she must be the top performing candidate at three major events, beginning with Copa Brasil de Vela in Rio

this December. This will be followed with races in Miami and Mexico, in January and March respectively.

Last year, Hopkins won the Irish Youth Sailor of the Year Award for ladies. She is currently ranked 81st in the world in her category, and finished 20th in the World Championships in Kingston Ontario, Canada earlier this year, as well as scoring a top 10 finish at the Youth European Championships.

She was also the youngest sailor to be invited to compete in the Sailing World Cup in the

UK back in June, having qualified to compete amongst the world-class 40-sailor field based on impressive domestic results.

The fundraising project is a requirement for qualification due to the expenses involved in competing in the preceding races. Costs that Hopkins will have to cover include entry fees, flights, boat charter and equipment.

The funding event will take place over a period of a little mor than a month, with a finish date of Monday, November 16.

On her fundraising, Hopkins

said: “I have achieved my goals for this year, which were top 10 at the Europeans and top 20 at the worlds and my ultimate goal is to win a medal for Ireland at the 2020 Olympics, but Ireland has qualified for a place at the 2016 Olympics in Rio in Laser Radial and I have been put forward as a candidate for that place.

“The approximate cost of the Olympic campaign is €20,000 and I hope to raise €5,000 through Pledge Sports. Your help, no matter how small, will make my Race to Rio possible,” she said.

22 October 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

Bernard still all go on trail with Sam

Winning a third All-Ireland in five years brings myriad new responsibilities for Bernard Brogan; he tells JAMES HENDICOTT what happens after the title has been won BE R N A R D B r o g a n could be forgiven for taking some down time: he recently starred in a team that took home their third All-Ireland title in five years, finding himself among the nominees for Player of the Year 2015 based on his astounding 6-21 in the championship.

But Brogan certainly isn’t using Gaelic football’s offseason as a time to unwind.

Alongside his day job with Legacy Consulting, the Dublin forward is heavily involved with mental health charity Aware, and will be taking part in the Petermarkathon from October 23 to 26.

The Beat the Blues programme specifically targets resilience and awareness among young people. Alongside cake

sales and a Dolly Parton Day, Brogan will be involved in jersey days and a cycle-athon.

“I do a lot of work with Aware,” he tells us. “We get asked to do a lot of charity work as footballers, and I try and do as much as I can.

“I took a conscious decision a couple of years ago to pick a charity that resonated with me and try to give real value, rather than just jumping into a picture and that. To try and get in there and help them on a real level.”

Off season, it seems, is the time for another kind of busy.

“We’ve also been going around a lot of schools with Sam” he tells GazetteSport. “Sam brings an aura travelling around, so it’s been a special few weeks. It’s been a challenge alongside run-

ning my own business.

“It’s more or less a full time job over three or four months. I still remember when Sam was brought in to me in 1995 in primary school. Those memories stay with you forever, and we’re very conscious of that.

“I never thought I’d be the next one bringing it around, as I was only a nipper back then. It was a long time waiting for Dubs, but that makes it so much more special.”

We asked Brogan to reflect on the county football’s issues of the day, and found him pragmatic. “We don’t feel sorry for Mayo, and I don’t think they’d want us to,” he argues of Dublin’s perennial nearly-men rivals.

“T he way they’ve changed their manager shows they feel they can

Bernard Brogan gets pampered by Peter Mark’s staff Louise Keaveney, Sharon O’Rourke and Aine Curley at the Petermarkathon launch. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall

add more. A minute longer and they might have pipped us in that semi.”

As for the talk of moving Dublin out of Croke Park, Brogan’s open to the concept, emphasising control being outside of the team’s hands: “I’ve never actually

individual awards again, but he’s quick and charitable in passing credit to his teammates.

“Personal awards are always nice,” he admits.

“I won back in 2010, and we didn’t win the All-Ireland that year, so it was a slightly lonely experience.

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

‘Sam [Maguire] brings an aura travelling around. I still remember Sam being brought to my school in 1995’ - Bernard Brogan --------------------------------------------------------

played a game outside Croke Park in the championship. We play league away games and with our clubs. The fans love a trip. I was on the bench last time Dublin played outside Croke Park in the championship in Longford and the atmosphere was electric. We’re players, though, and we’ll play wherever we’re put.

It’s a commercial thing I presume.”

Any potential split for Dublin is given shorter shrift, with Brogan arguing “a bit of success in Dublin is always talked up a bit. If we win 10 in a row, we’ll listen to the argument.”

Brogan is on record as having surprised even himself with the quality of his Dublin performances this year. Vital points and a glut of goals have seen him up for

You’d definitely take Sam over it, but it’s a great honour.

“It’s great to have Jack McCaffrey and Philly McMahon alongside me. Jack’s phenomenal; he’s really bought a new energy and power to our game. Philly as well. They do all the work, I just have to be on the end of it, you know?”

As for next year? “In early January we’ll get the boys back in together and work out how we go again and build on this year.

“There are a lot of young lads. Dublin under age has been quite successful the last few years, so we’re expecting a few new faces, as well as Eric Lowndes and Cormac Costello pushing on.

“We need the competition. We still have great motivation as a team. And great expectations.”

FastSport

McKinley starts campaign for Irish clearance to play FORMER Leinster out half Ian McKinley is at the heart of a new campaign to allow rugby players to compete while wearing goggles in Ireland.

McKinley signed for Italian club Zebre this September, having transferred from Viadana in the Italian league.

Zebre play in the Pro 12 alongside the Irish provincial sides, and when it came time for the Italian club to line out against Connacht in Galway last Saturday, October 16, McKinley was told he would not be able to wear his protective goggles by the Irish Rugby Football Union.

Twenty-four rugby unions have been participating in a trial of on-field goggles since January 2014, with every top 10 nation taking part with the exception of England, France and Ireland.

The IRFU has told McKinley he can’t compete in his goggles on Irish soil, though he will be able to take to the field against Connacht in the return leg in Zebre’s hometown of Parma.

McKinley, who spent his formative years at St Columba’s College in Rathfarnham, was playing for Leinster in 2010 when a teammate accidentally placed a stud in his left eye during a ruck, causing him to lose all sight in that eye.

He continued to play professional rugby, but suffered what he believes was deliberate gouging in the other eye in two All Ireland league matches, leading him to fear for his wellbeing.

As a result, McKinley played a central role in pioneering the sports goggles he now wears, alongside a team at the National College of Art and Design. They are now worn by several professional players in trial nations.

“In the longer term, I am hoping that this campaign will demonstrate that it is possible to resume a sports career at the highest levels, despite having suffered a serious injury,” McKinley said of his new petition, which targets both the IRFU, and World Rugby.

He hopes that the IRFU will voluntarily join the trial, and that World Rugby might require blanket acceptance.

“I’m also hoping that this will show those who are concerned about safety standards in rugby that there are workable solutions to ensure players at all levels can safely enjoy the game.”

Gazette

30 SWORDS gazette 22 October 2015

SPORT

expertView

soccer: Rivervalley through to next round of fai junior cup

Southern hemisphere holds sway in World Cup For the duration of the Rugby World Cup, ex-Edinburgh and Marlboro player and IRANZ Level 5 rugby coach Dennis Bowes will give his thoughts on the key battles in the RWC15.

Rivervalley Rangers during their half-time team talk against Garda. Picture: Bryan Daly

ANOTHER cracker of a weekend of rugby; we have our semi finalists.

An injury ravaged Wales played South Africa in a battle that looked at times, like an old fashioned rugby league game with one off runners and not an offload in sight. They just smashed into each other the whole game!

With five minutes remaining, Wales tiring fast, the South African backrow combined to put their influential scrum half Fourie du Preez over in the corner for the match winner - Wales go out bravely.

New Zealand destroyed France with the sort of rugby that’s simple in nature but done so well under pressure that it challenges every member of the opposition to do there individual job 100% for 80 minutes under with pace and skill, and France just didn’t have it.

I have spent much time in New Zealand and gained an depth knowledge on this approach, receiving one of only four High Performance Coaching accreditations last year in the New Zealand rugby academy.

I feel there is much to offer our own development here in Ireland and hope to share my experience in upping our knowledge base and understanding of the coaching process and how to maximise potential of our players and coaches.

Sunday saw Ireland playing Argentina at their very best with huge momentum and fresh bodies and a wide, wide attack approach that caused Ireland to defend softly and very narrow, allowing tries to be scored down the wings. Ireland looked shell-shocked and emotionally drained but managed to get back into the game only for Argentina to build momentum and pull away.

Scotland against favourites Australia on paper looked a formality. True to sport, Australia struggled to fight past Scotland and put them away.

In the end, a contentious call by the referee gave Brendan Foley one chance to save their World Cup from the kicking tee and he did not miss. We now have all southern hemisphere semi finals, what does this say about northern hemisphere rugby?

Murphy arrests Garda run fai junior cup Garda Rivervalley Rangers  sport@dublingazette.com

2 3

THERE may have been a warrant out for the arrest of Daniel Murphy after the Rivervalley Rangers striker committed all sorts of crimes on the Garda defence last Friday night in Westmanstown R iver valley rolled into the fourth round of the FAI Junior Cup after front man Murphy bagged a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Garda AFC in an excellent cup tie.

On a bitterly cold

night in the Lucan venue, one of the first real winter nights of football, this game kicked off at red-hot pace. Two sides committed to playing football the right way, quick pressing and passing was to the fore here with some hardy tackling thrown in too.

Rivervalley opened the scoring after 22 minutes when right-sided midfielder Conor Dowd broke down the right.

The nifty wide man beat his man, brought the ball to the byline and served up a great cross which was meat and drink for Murphy as the

halloween camps FAI set to host series of soccer camps in Swords a number of Halloween soccer camps

will be held in the coming week at Applewood Community Centre and Holywell Community Centre.

The camps run from October 27 to 30 and are open to boys and girls aged five to 13 with the cost €30 per child.

Should your child wish to participate, contact FAI/FCC development officer Mick Pender mpender@fai.ie or 087 1273258.

striker made no mistake with the finish.

In this battle of LSL vs AUL , it was the Leinster Senior League Major Sunday side who struck next when Craig O’Brien got on the end of a well-worked move to slot the Guards level.

For a moment or two, it looked like the sides would go in level at the break, but Murphy had other ideas.

Earlier on this season, voices inside the Rangers camp were highlighting how crucial the striker would be once he was fully fit and he’s certainly liv-

ing up to the hype. With about five minutes left in the half, the crafty striker assumed possession, looked to be well marked, but somehow created a yard of space before curling a fine effort into the corner.

He made the match ball his own just minutes later with a typical poacher’s goal. Rivervalley’s dynamic centremidfielder Ciaran Lattin drove forward and sent a stinging effort towards goal which could only be palmed away by the Garda keeper and Murphy pounced to tap in his third of the night.

The Swords side took their two-goal lead into the second half and once again, it was a half packed with lovely football and fiery tackles on a cold night in west Dublin. Garda got it back to 3-2 with 20 minutes left to play when speed merchant Moe Corr scored to set up an exciting finish.

Stephen Doran’s side had a few chances to seal the result in the closing stages but in the end, it wasn’t needed as three goals were enough to continue their early charge to the Aviva Stadium in May.

22 October 2015 SWORDS gazette 31

Gazette

mr motivator

Local clubs host 1,500 at Gaelic4Mothers blitz

Club Noticeboard FINGALLIANS

Richie Clifford leads the warm-up for over

1,500 Gaelic4Mothers and Others participants held last weekend at Naomh Mearnog and St Sylvester’s.

The venues played host to the annual blitz which featured teams from Ballymun Kickhams, Erin go Bragh, Erin’s Isle, Fingallians, Man O War, Naomh Mearnog, St Brigid’s, St Finian’s, St Maur’s and Whitehall Colmcille. Picture: GAAPics.com

GPO Update – Thank You Nicky: After

able coaching experience managing

three and a half years of service, Nico-

Waterford Institute Fresher’s hurling

la Fitzgerald has had her resignation

team as well as various teams in his

reluctantly accepted by the club as

own club.

she pursues a career in teaching.

Football: swords side pip ballyboughal

In 2011, he coached the Waterford

Having started in April 2012, she has

camogie team and more recently

headed the development of the acad-

has been working at a national level

emy and also the growth of our Easter

developing a programme called posi-

and Summer camps. She has worked

tive coaching. Wayne has a degree in

on developing the club school links/

exercise and health science from WIT.

recruiting players for the club, pro-

We wish Wayne all the best in his role.

viding educational training to mentors

Well done to our first team as they

and parents and organising a wide

add to the club silverware on Satur-

range of games development initia-

day evening in Garristown with a nar-

tives to complement all the coaching

row win over Ballyboughal. All atten-

she did with the various teams in the

tion is now on the league as they look

club.

for promotion from Division 3.

The members would like to extend

John Morrison will be hosting a foot-

special thanks to Nicola for all her

ball coaching workshop on Systems of

hard work and dedication.

Play on Friday, October 23 at 7.30pm in

New GPO Wayne Hutchinson: a Waterford native hailing from the club

the main hall. All mentors are encouraged to attend.

of Ballygunner. Wayne has represent-

The club is organising foundation

ed Waterford at senior level in both

football and hurling coaching courses

hurling and football. He has consider-

on Friday, November 13 and 20.

ST FINIAN’S

The Fingallians inter B championship winning side

Fins win Fingal derby to land Inter B title

ibfc final Fingallians 0-17 Ballyboughal 2-10  sport@dublingazette.com

FINGALLIANS are the 2015 Dublin Intermediate B Football Champions after a nail-biting one-point win over Ballyboughal last Saturday.

It was a battle of North Dublin in north Dublin as the two sides met in Garristown on Saturday evening to play out a championship final of pure quality.

Played in real championship fashion, the match kept supporters biting their nails right until the

final whistle. After 15 minutes, the score was dead even, 0-5 to 1-2, with Ballyboughal grabbing the goal. Oisin Lynch was, as usual, key to Fingallians’ scoring, as he grabbed five points over the course of the game. But overall it was a real team effort with seven players grabbing one score each.

As the sides went in at the break, they remained level at 0-8 to 1-5, but just after the 45-minute mark, the Oldtown men had raced ahead with the score at 0-12 to 2-10. Even with six minutes to go, Fingallians were still four behind but bravely clawed

their way back level before going in front in the 65th minute with the final attack of the match and landing the IFC B championship title.

Fingallians’ mentor Stephen Daly spoke to GazetteSport after the win and credited it to the spirit in the Swords camp.

“I think the big difference was our team spirit and the belief in our players,” he said.

“We told the lads prematch the same thing we always tell them: believe in yourself and believe in your teammates. I think if you look at our scorers it’s clear to see it was a

real team effort. Two lads got four and five points each and then seven lads got one, which is a nice spread,” Daly added Despite the championship glory, Fingallians’ season is far from over as they try and nail down a play-off spot for promotion to AFL 2 in the coming weeks. Coincidentally, they played Ballyboughal in league game just three days before meeting them in the championship final, and ran out 2-10 to 0-8 winners.

Two aw ay g a m e s against Na Fianna and St Jude’s stand in their way of making the play-offs.

OUR Under-13 camogie team had their

Our men’s adult football teams had

Division 1 shield final versus Kilmacud

games over the weekend with mixed

Crokes on Sunday morning. In a game

results.

consisting of a very high standard of

Our intermediates suffered a heavy

play by both sides, the Kilmacud side

defeat to Whitehall Colmcilles and the

had the better second half to take the

juniors fought out a draw against

title. Well done to the team and man-

Cuala.

agement for reaching the final.

The U-9 camogie girls had a blitz on

The Gaelic4Mothers and Others

Sunday with Naomh Maur at Fingal-

took part in the national blitz on Sat-

lians. Many thanks to our hosts and

urday which was held in Portmar-

to all the girls who were excellent and

nock. Over 1,200 women took part

showed great skills.

and St Finian’s played against teams

The lotto jackpot was €5,300 this

from Tipperary, Roscommon, Laois

week and the numbers drawn were 7,

and Offaly.

8, 11 and 20.

Compliments to Naomh Mearnog on

The winners of the €25 lucky dip

a very well organised event and also to

prizes were: Susan Curran, Tracy But-

St Finian’s ladies who performed very

ler, Stephen Murphy and Marie Boylan.

well and had a very enjoyable day.

Next week, the jackpot is €5,400.

FINGAL Ravens COMMISERATIONS to our seniors on

ship cards to take part in the darts

their loss to St Maur’s on Saturday

against The Hammer and The Bronze

in the senior B championship quarter

Adonis are available from Derek Keogh

final.

(086 3848257).

Fingal Ravens present our Grand

All monies raised go towards the

Prix of Darts and after party on Sat-

running costs of our club. Hope to see

urday, October 31. Plenty for darts

you there on the night.

and non-darts enthusiasts on the

Our Fairyhouse Raceday takes

night. Join us at 8.30pm for our darts

place on November 28. Tickets are €100

extravaganza and come ready to

and include transport there and back

party the night away afterwards with

from Kettles, admission ticket, three-

our DJ taking over to play until late.

course meal, tea/coffee, tote facilities

As it is Halloween night, we encour-

in the restaurant, direct access to the

age you to come in fancy dress; great

Jameson Stand, race card, pre race

prizes will be available. Tickets are

tipster, Fingal Ravens branded tickets

only €15 (available soon) and sponsor-

and after racing music.

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

champions: Fingallians land inter B title with derby win over neighbouring Ballyboughal in Garristown P31

october 22-28, 2015

Killester in flying form: Double basketball delight for north Dublin outfit P28

Kevin Lacey, far left, and Martins Provizors, second from left, are among five Dublin-based players in the Hibernia panel

Hibernia’s Euro hopefuls Swords Thunder’s Kevin Lacey and Martins Provizors from DCU Saints are set for a hectic month in continental and club action

 nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

TWO Swords-based basketball players are gearing up for a hectic few weeks mixing continental competition with domestic club action as Ireland reiterates its return to the senior international game.

Kevin Lacey of Swords Thunder, and Martins Provizors of DCU Saints, have both been named as part of a select Hibernia squad made up of club players from the Basketball Ireland National League which will compete in the FIBA Europe Cup this year with their group stage stretching across six weeks in October and November. It is the second time an Irish select compete on foreign shores this year after the

Sino-European Games earlier in the year.

Hibernia Basketball have been drawn in a group with Bakken Bears from Denmark, Tajfun from Slovenia and CEZ Nymbruk from the Czech Republic, and will face each team twice, with the three away games coming up first. The first game is against Bakken on Wednesday, October 28 in Risskov, Denmark.

After that, the squad will return home and play their individual Men’s Premier League fixtures on the weekend before repeating the process the following week to face Tajfun and then again for Nymbruk.

Lacey, a vastly experienced player, who represented Ireland in a similar select squad at the Sino-European Games earlier in the year, spoke about how playing on the international stage

affects your attitude towards the sport.

“I think now with something to look forward to, in international experience, always helps people work a bit harder at home,” he told Basketball Ireland. “Especially bringing stuff back to your club, when you’re constantly playing against competitive players, it boosts everyone else around you.”

The Swords Thunder player also spoke, despite the Hibernia team being the only amateur side at Europe Cup, about the effects of playing internationally can improve all involved. “Obviously the intensity of the training going over to China earlier in the year was very high and it was good to have that in the summer, leading into preseason and then Premier Division,” said Lacey.

“Hopefully it can translate to other players that

haven’t had the opportunities and hopefully carry forward to the Hibernia team.”

DCU Saints man Provizors also spoke about his excitement ahead of the next few weeks but also mentioned the difficulty of playing amateur sport at an elite level. “It’s been something I’ve been looking forward to as soon as we found out there might be a team such as Hibernia getting together. I had to work things around as much as I could to make it happen but I’m looking forward to it,” said the Latvia native.

“The biggest problem was to make it work with my family and job. At the end of the day family comes first and I have to feed my family and pay the bills and everything else. But I also love the basketball and chances like this don’t come around too often, so I took it.”