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Gazette FINGAL

OOH, AH: Paul McGrath talks about everything from the Euros to Connolly Hospital See P16-17

June 23-29, 2016

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Gazette FINGAL

OOH, AH: Paul McGrath talks about everything from the Euros to Connolly Hospital See P16-17

New Ireland and DLGFA launch new player of the month awards

June 23-29, 2016

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st Marnocks earn their stripes

Players from Scoil Naomh Mearnog, Portmarnock, celebrate with the shield following the Sciath Mhic Phiarais match between Scoil Mearnog and Scoil na Trionoide during the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Finals at Croke Park. Picture: Sportsfile

The Velvet Strand set for five years of sewage

Fingal’s favourite If the beach faces closure hat fits: See Style on after heavy rainfall, Page 20 Irish Water admits

 Sylvia Pownall SEWAGE spills into the sea at Portmarnock’s Blue Flag beach are unavoidable for the next five years, Irish Water admits. The Velvet Strand faces

a bathing ban every time the nearby pumping station struggles to cope with rising levels as a result of heavy rainfall. A spokesperson for the utility company said an €85 million upgrade to the

Fingal network was under way – but is not due for completion until 2021. David Kelly, spokesman for Portmarnock Community Development Association, said: “It’s a major tourist attraction. They

need to sort it out.” T he beach was one of three in north Dublin which reopened last Thursday after a swimming ban of almost two weeks. Full Story on Page 4

4 FINGAL Gazette 23 June 2016

DAA celebrates two community milestones  emma nolan

Maura Cassidy and Niall Leyden proudly holding commemorative plaques to mark milestones

Dublin Airport is currently celebrating two community milestones in Fingal. The airport marked 20 years of participation in the Junior Achievement programme while also marking 10 years of partnership with St Finian’s Community College as part of the

Business in the Community Initiative. Over the past school year, volunteers from the airport have been working with students in primary and secondary schools across the north Dublin area. The aim of the two volunteer programmes is to bridge the gap between school life and the working world while offer-

ing students the chance to learn about different industries and careers. Both programmes emphasise interview techniques and CV writing skills for older students while younger classes participate in fun and engaging lessons that stress the value of gaining an education and staying in school.

Speaking about the relationship between Dublin Airport and St Finian’s, Aisling Fleming of Business in the Community said the partnership is one of the organisation’s strongest with students consistently showing a high level of engagement, thanks primarily to the friendly and accommodating staff at the airport.

Funding may now be made available for upgrade of St Helens School hall THE Department of Education have reconsidered their refusal of funding for the upgrade of the hall in St Helen’s Senior National School in Portmarnock. More than 200 students have been left without PE facilities at the school due to the dangerous state of the floor in the hall. Deputy Darragh O’Brien (FF) has asked the department to reconsider their decision, saying that the refusal has been “disappointing” and asked that the necessary works be carries out over the summer holidays. He said: “It is an unacceptable

situation that such a well-respected national school with more than 200 pupils would be left without any PE facilities. “Despite the best efforts of staff and parents it is impossible for a school to function on a long-term basis without these vital facilities. They have a right to know why there have been such protracted delays and when they can expect the situation to be rectified.” In response to Deputy O’Brien, the Minister for Education Richard Bruton (FG) confirmed that the application from St Helen’s SNS is currently being reconsidered by the department. The Velvet Strand, Portmarnock could face repeated closures for the next five years

Velvet Strand may lose Blue Flag again  Sylvia Pownall

PORTMARNOCK’S Blue Flag beach could face repeated closures due to sewage overflows for the next five years, Irish Water has admitted. The Velvet Strand – declared safe to swimmers last Thursday after a bathing ban of almost two weeks – will face the threat every time the nearby pumping station comes under pressure from heavy rainfall. In a statement the water company apologised for the series of failures that led to closures at Portmarnock, Balbriggan and Skerries. But it warned that particular “challenges” meant the Portmarnock problem needed a longer term solution. A spokesperson said:

“In periods of intense rainfall, such as we have had for the past two weekends, the drainage system is designed to overflow into nearby water, causing a shortterm pollution incident but more importantly avoiding the flooding of premises and streets with sewage and run off.” The overloaded sewer network across Fingal simply can’t cope with a rapid rise in the water level – and the final stage of the €85million upgrade needed is not due for completion until 2021. Residents and bathers are outraged at the news and are demanding urgent action for fear the beach could lose its Blue Flag status. David Kelly, spokesman for Portmarnock Community Association,

said: “Our biggest concern is the effect it has on our strand. We clean the beach every two weeks during the summer but the water quality is beyond our control. “We have a Green Flag from An Taisce and Blue Flag status, which is a major tourist attraction. They should try to find the money somewhere because they need to sort it out.” At their latest meeting councillors demanded that a task force be set up to tackle the issue. Cllr Tony Murphy (IA) said it was “not good enough” for Irish Water to say overflows can happen in heavy rainfall. Councillors also expressed anger over the fact that despite a €5million upgrade the pumping station at Hampton Cove, Balbriggan, failed

to cope with the deluge. Cllr Grainne Maguire (GP) said the new facility clearly wasn’t up to the job and “isn’t doing what it should be doing”. Irish Water said it would review the Balbriggan station’s capacity but admitted that a spell of dry weather followed by heavy rain could result in “high loads” up to 50 times the norm washing through the system over a short period of time. A spokesperson for the utility added: “In simple terms, the pumps at Hampton Cove are not capable of dealing with these ‘shock’ events.” Bans at Portmarnock’s Velvet Strand, Balbriggan Front Strand and Skerries South Beach were finally lifted last Thursday after water tests came back clear from the lab.

23 June 2016 fingal Gazette 5

opinion | government accused of delay tactic

A Fingal perspective on 8th amendment  emma nolan

Two Fingal TDs have deemed the Government’s citizen’s assembly on the 8th amendment a “delay tactic”. This comes as the government announced it plans to set up the Citizens’ Assembly to look at Ireland’s abortion laws. Deputies Louise O’Reilly (SF) and Clare Daly (Independent Socialist) have condemned the Taoiseach’s “refusal to commit to a referendum on the 8th Amendment” and accused him of “kicking the issue down the road”. Deputy O’Reilly said: “Enda Kenny seems to find solace in the fact that the UN Human Rights

Committee report - which found that a woman carrying a foetus with a fatal abnormality was subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment - is ‘non-binding’. “This means that he and the Government are not bound to actually legislate to allow for termination if a woman finds herself in this very difficult and distressing situation. Instead he has proposed a watery ‘citizens assembly’. “We have no idea who’ll be on this assembly or how it will operate - there is no sense of urgency.” Deputy Daly told The Gazette that she has had many of her constituents contact her because they are “sick of this issue being kicked down the road”.

Deputy Daly said that there cannot be change without a referendum and that last week’s UN committee ruling “has yet again brought into sharp focus the inadequate options available to Irish women”. “A citizen’s Assembly although it sounds reasonable is another delay tactic at this point. We have discussed and debated this issue for over 30 years now, women and their families are effected every day by the 8th amendment.” When asked for his views on the issue, fellow Fingal TD Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) said that the Fine Gael manifesto outlined his party’s position on repealing the 8th

amendment and that he has “nothing further to add”. The manifesto stated that Fine Gael will indeed establish a citizen’s assembly to “provide an open and inclusive process to examine these issues in detail, and to establish if a broad consensus can be reached on future change”. However, Deputy Daly is adamant that “it is time that people were given their democratic right to decide”. T he Gazette contacted all Fingal TDs for their stance on the issue. Labour’s Brendan Ryan and Fianna Fail’s Darragh O’Brien did not give their comments at the time of going to print.

We’ll have to wait and see what might be revealed under Swords Castle

If you dig it - dig!  Sylvia Pownall WOULD-BE archaeologists are wanted to help dig up what experts believe may be a graveyard underneath Swords Castle. Christine Baker, Fingal Community Archaeologist, explains: “Swords Castle is one of the best surviving examples of an archbishop’s residence in the country, and was an important administrative centre. “This season we hope to find out if there is a graveyard underneath the castle, if there were buildings within the castle yard, and just how old the different buildings in the complex are.” The dig – the second year of the

Swords Castle Digging History-Community Archaeology Project – gets under way on 19 August and will wrap up on 5 September. The scheme, funded by Fingal County Council and the Heritage Council, allows members of the public to take part in a real archaeological dig whilst helping to answer questions about the National Monument. Volunteers should be aged 18 or over and no experience is necessary. To book your place on the project contact christine.baker@fingal.ie To follow the progress, like the Swords Castle Digging History Facebook page, and follow @fingalheritage on Twitter.

6 FINGAL Gazette 23 June 2016

Gazettegallery | beauty abound in dublin waiting to be discovered

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The power of nature N

o matter where you live in the city you don’t have to travel far to get an eyeful of our magical nature. Skerries photographer Ray Watts sent us in these fantastic pictures: Skerries sunset above and a beautiful array of North Dublin’s wildlife, all on his doorstep. Swans, herons, wagtails, to name just a few. We’d love you to send us your photos of what you’ve spotted when you’re out and about, email your pics to news@dublingazette.com

23 June 2016 FINGAL Gazette 7

8 FINGAL Gazette 23 June 2016

swords | Man sentenced to 18 months in prison with 9 months suspended Festival fun for all the family

High speed Gardai chase recorded on Snapchat  SYLVIA POWNALL A BACKSEAT passenger in a stolen car recorded a high speed garda chase around Swords on his phone for Snapchat, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. The driver of the Nissan Micra, Brandon Grant (19), was sentenced to 18 months in prison with final nine months suspended. He was on bail for 14 offences when he drove dangerously causing pedestrians to jump out of his way and other motorists to brake heavily. The pursuit ended when Grant lost control

of the vehicle on the icy roads and crashed into a pole. The car was written off and he was arrested at the scene. Grant, of Killkee House, Clare Hall Apartments, Dublin pleaded guilty to driving a stolen car in Mount Ambrose, Swords and two charges of dangerous driving on January 14, 2016. He has 25 previous convictions including five for driving or being a passenger in stolen cars. Judge Melanie Greally said Grant drove the Micra in a “highly, highly” dangerous manner for an extended period of time. She added: “In the course of its journey he

exposed a considerable number of both motorists and pedestrians to serious injury or fatality.” Judge Greally said the fact that Grant was on bail for other road traffic offences at the time made the crime more serious. A probation report concluded that Grant’s substance abuse and family difficulties were the primary cause of his offending behaviour. The judge suspended the last nine months of the sentence on condition that he engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. Grant was also disqualified from driving for five years.

Father Peter McVerry has offered to assist Brandon with his drug problems

Garda Conor Tumbleton told the court he spotted the Nissan Micra at 9.35pm and believed the driver was acting suspiciously. He indicated to the man to pull over but instead of doing so the driver took off at speed through Swords village.

Man found stabbed in Airside

Beaumont Hospital

GARDAI in Swords are appealing for information after a man was rushed to hospital this morning after being stabbed in the stomach and back. The man, in his 20s, was found near the Wright Venue in Airside at around 4.15am. Staff at the nightclub called the emergency services and he was rushed to Beaumont Hospital, where his condition is described as serious. Some reports said the victim, who is believed to be from Blanchardstown, and has a Nigerian background was partially disembowelled in the attack. Gardai have asked anyone with information to contact Swords Garda Station on 01 6664700.

He continued driving at high speed on the wrong side of the road and the wrong way around roundabouts, chased by the gardaí. Gda Tumbleton said at one point Grant narrowly avoided a collision with another car and the garda confirmed that had an accident occurred, he would have caused serious damage. It was at this point that he started to struggle to keep the car on the road and the rear of the vehicle was starting to lose traction. It eventually left the road and struck a wooden ESB pole. Gda Tumbleton said a

youth sitting in the back of the vehicle had recorded the chase on Snapchat. Defence counsel Ray Boland said there was a positive probation report before the court, detailing his client’s abusive relationship with both drink and drugs. He said Grant had met with Father Peter McVerry who confirmed there was place for him on his day rehabilitation drug programme on his release from prison. Counsel said Fr McVerry felt that Grant appeared anxious to address his addiction and he was happy to assist him.

PORTMARNOCK Sports and Leisure Club is hosting a Festival Day on Saturday, June 25 in aid of St Francis Hospice in Raheny. The family fun day will include a BBQ, bar and bouncy castle alongside live music. Taking place from 2pm till late, highlights of the day are set to be the rodeo bull and dunk tank, while a treat shop selling donuts and ice cream will be on hand to satisfy sweet tooths. As part of the celebrations, the club is also offering new members half price membership this month. 10-year family memberships which normally cost €500, will be on sale for €250 plus a €100 levy from June 25 to July 1. 10-year individual membership has also been reduced to €150 plus the €100 levy, down from €300.

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Gazettegallery | the Irish Cancer Society’s annual Colour Dash

Vlad and Melly Jeljasevics

Katie O’Neill flips out with Caroline O’Neill and Rachel Kellet

Niamh Doherty, Lisa Clarke and Roisin Drohan

Coming through with flying colours T he Phoenix Park was the place to be for the recent Irish Cancer Society’s Colour Dash which featured around 4,500 people taking part in the annual 5k event in which participants are covered in coloured paint representing

different types of cancer and cancer survivorship as they run the course. Money raised from the Colour Dash will go towards the Irish Cancer Society’s work to support those living with cancer and to fund on-going cancer research.

Helen Smith

Emily Costello

23 June 2016 fingal Gazette 11

reprieve | controversial charge is halted with launch of information campaign

Pay-by-weight charge binned for one year  Sylvia Pownall HOUSEHOLDERS got a reprieve yesterday after a Dail vote to delay the dreaded pay-by-weight bin charges was passed. The 12-month stay got the green light after Fianna Fail and the Greens supported a proposal by Environment Minister Simon Coveney.

Dual billing W hile the current system remains in place for now, households will receive cost comparison dual billing – offering the option to switch to pay by weight earlier if they prefer. On Tuesday the Irish Wa s t e M a n a g e m e n t Association (IWMA) – a trade group acting for 75 per cent of the country’s waste contractors - agreed to freeze the controversial new bin charges until July 1 2017. And two of the largest non-IWMA members also committed to doing the same within hours of the proposal being announced. The City Bin Company said in a statement: “We welcome the Government’s proposal today on pay-by-weight and are in agreement with the 12-month price freeze whereby our customers will remain on their current price plans.” Greyhound House-

hold also released a statement saying it supported the new measures for the waste industry as outlined by the Government. IWMA secretary Conor Walsh said people needed more time to adjust to the pay-byweight system, and that dual billing would help. He added: “We now realise that there needs to be a smooth transition. “This will help householders better understand how waste charges are calculated. “They will be able to see how recycling more can reduce their annual charges.” The Government is expected to launch an information campaign to focus on recycling and the justification for the pay-by-weight system. The IWMA also confirmed it had committed to giving allowances to households where an adult was under care, and where incontinence pads were being disposed. The proposal to hike fees prompted widespread outrage, with protests right across Dublin. Another contentious issue – forcing 90 terraced and high-density city homes in Dublin to switch from using bags to wheelie bins – has yet to be resolved.

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Gazettegallery | All out for bloomsday and dressed in beautiful style

Councillor Cormac Devlin, An Cathaoirleach, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Tony and Robbie Cooke enjoying a pint in Kennedy’s

Rose Lawless as Molly Bloom

Council, greets Mary Enright from Drumcondra

Jacqui O’Brien and Anne Doyle

Dan McGrattan, Anne Doyle, Rose Lawless as Molly Bloom, Brian O Donohue and PJ Murphy

Michael O’Brien

Scene inside Kennedy’s Pub capturing the mood of the day

23 June 2016 Gazette 13

with the great taste of Dublin just around the corner

The Joyce is yours depending on taste

T WAS a tough choice last weekend as the city saw two fantastic events take place. For the literary crowd they were all gathered on Westland Row to celebrate Bloomsday, while around the corner all the gourmet crew headed to Taste of Dublin in the Iveagh Gardens. Weather was mixed but spirits were high, and of course there were those who managed to attend both.

Aisling Henry and Suzy Falvey

Cora Duggan in the Shebeen Pub enjoying the opening day of Taste of Dublin. Pictures: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Avril Bannerton, Taste of Dublin managing director with chefs Patrick Powell, Joy Beattie, Sunil Ghai, Kevin Dundon, Niall Sabongi, Gavin McDonagh, Taweesak Trakoolwattana and (back) Paul Kelly, Cathal Armstrong and Mark Moriarty Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll take that as a yes then! Donal Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill proposes to his girlfriend of more than three years, Amy Costigan.

World-renowned chef Marco Pierre White has a selfie taken with Catherine Dunnion from Letterkenny and Orla Pate outside the Shebeen.

Rosanna Davison

Soaking up the atmosphere in the Iveagh Gardens

Gazette

14 Gazette 23 June 2016

dublinBUSINESS

Teeling celebrates ‘World’s Best Whiskey Attraction’  emma nolan

T e e l i n g W h i s ke y Company is celebrating the first anniversary of its award winning distillery and visitor centre. The company which employs 55 people has helped to transform the heart of Dublin’s Liberties over the past year by investing €10m in the capital’s first fully operational distillery in

over 125 years. The distillery which was named ‘World’s Best Whiskey Attraction’ at the 2016 World Whiskies Awards is the vision of brothers Jack and Stephen Teeling who wanted to bring back the tradition of distilling to Dublin Their ancestor Walter Teeling had a distillery on Marrowbone Lane in the 18th century. In the last year the

Teeling Whiskey Distillery has hosted over 30 events and has served over 25,000 measures of whiskey and 40,000 cocktails to domestic and overseas visitors. Today, one year on from officially opening, it’s a double festivity for the company as it welcomed its 60,000th visitor through the doors. Commenting on the milestone, Jack Teeling, Founder and Managing

Director of the Teeling Whiskey Company said: “It has been a busy but successful year for the Teeling Whiskey Company. A key highlight for our distillery this year was being named the World’s Best Whiskey Visitor Attraction at the World Whiskies Awards. We have also just welcomed our 60,000th visitor to the distillery which has been a major milestone for us. We hope to continue to grow our visitor numbers further over the next year as well as host more events within our visitor space.”

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Spider Awards open for nominations The 2016 eir Spider Awards are open for nominations and are seeking to find and reward Irish businesses who are leading the way in the digital technology sphere. Celebrating their 21st year, the eir Spider Awards are the country’s longest-standing and most prestigious digital technology awards. This year’s awards will span 19 categories with the goal of highlighting the digital achievements of Ireland’s business community from start-ups to the most established national and international brands, across the domains of travel, charity, retail, education, financial services, Irish language, and many more. Three new categories have been added this year: Best in Blogging, Best Campaign and Best in User Experience.

23 June 2016 Gazette 15

dublin

life

News and events taking place across the city and county

Married to the job  ian begley

Building a reputation as one of Ireland’s most sought after wedding and portrait photographers, Jenny McCarty says she firmly believes that people should start getting their photos developed again. Married to TV icon Martin King, Jenny’s week consists of round the clock wedding shoots, newborn baby and family portraitures, along with lots of commercial work for TV3 and editing. She told The Gazette: “I travel all over the country each week doing weddings. It’s really mental and nonstop, but to be honest the support of my hubby is just amazing. Since he works on the Seven O’clock Show he’s here every morning to help me get my bits and pieces ready and sometimes kind enough to cook the dinner. “The biggest challenge of being a wedding photographer is ensuring that the day goes really smoothly. Two weeks before a wedding I meet the couple and go through all the logistics with them and give them tips, such as what time they should arrive at the church. “If you’re running late in the morning, the time will be taken off at the end of the day and you might not even have a proper drinks reception before your meal. This is why it’s so important to be on time.

Jenny McCarty

“My main aim is to make sure I get every shot that I need which I always do, and to make sure everyone enjoys the big day.” Jenny said that one of her favourite parts of the job is doing newborn baby portraitures, which she says is very rewarding. “I always put two hours aside for when I’m photographing newborns because at the end of the day the baby is the boss so the whole shoot needs to be tailored around their needs. I always make my studio very comfortable, especially for the mammy and to get good feedback from the couple once the prints come out is just amazing.” Being a firm believer in tangible, hard copies of photographs, Jenny says that people should start printing their snaps again so they can cherish them forever. She added: “I know in my mother’s house when I go through all the bags of photos I can sit there for hours and the feeling of nostalgia is just incredible. “Kids these days don’t have that feeling because nearly every image they have is on a hard drive or on their mobile phone.”

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dublinlife

FEATURES

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16 Gazette 23 June 2016

don’s dublin A hidden Dublin treasure holding 25,000 artefacts For those interested in animal history a visit to country’s oldest museum is not only a must but a real joy. The museum was established in Trinity College nearly 250 years ago and has more than 20,000 items. Some of the earliest donations came from wealthy collectors and artifacts from Captain Cook’s expeditions in Australia and the South Sea Islands. You can see a platypus, kangaroo and a Tasmanian Tiger that has, sadly, been extinct since 1930. There is something here for everyone, from the big to the tiny, from an elephant skeleton to trays of beautiful butterflies, and ‘live’ exhibits of worms, beetles and a rather large, hairy spider! Most of the items are in glass cabinets and there are computer tablets where you can get information of what you are viewing. On the main counter you can see and touch a very impressive Rhino’s skull, elephant teeth, animal hides and the almost mystical narwhal tusk that was taller than my guide, Lauren. There are jaws of a Great White shark with rows of razor-sharp teeth. Even lying on the table, unmoving, they are a scary proposition. You can stick your head in (if you dare!) and have your photograph taken and it’s as close I ever want to get to those choppers. One of the best collections is that of the Blaschka Glass Models of marine invertebrates. These were made by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in Germany in the late 1800s and were used in schools and colleges as colourful, visual aids. And in the next cabinet is a replica skull of the

interview: Republic of Ireland legend Paul McGrath

standing up for the boys in greeen

Piltdown Man who was meant to be the ‘missing link’ between apes and man. This was later exposed as a

 ian begley

hoax. Engagement is the word to describe a visit to the museum that is open every day until August. There is a small fee, but then there is much to see and enjoy!

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Prince Tom the elephant’s skeleton

Republic of Ireland legend Paul McGrath praised the Irish fans on their camaraderie and good behaviour at Euro 2016, calling the British fans who wreaked havoc in France “animals” in comparison. Speaking to The Gazette this week, the all-time great said he expected nothing else from the Irish fans, comparing them to the devotee supporters from the time he played in the Euros in 1988. “Like now we had great supporters back in my day too. While

we were playing in West Germany the fans were allowed into our training camp after games to have a few drinks with us. They just wanted to have fun and have a good time, which makes you so proud. “I think the lads on the national team are a similar bunch to when I was playing for Ireland. “They all fight for each other and if someone gets tackled they would all come in and help them out, which is what we did back in our day. “We played as a team, which was evident showing the results we got.” Asked what he thought

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‘It’s not all the English causing trouble over there, but the ones who are doing it are nothing but animals and shouldn’t be out there’

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about the infamous reputation the English fans have in France, McGrath said: “It’s not all the English causing trouble over there, but the ones who are doing it are nothing but animals and shouldn’t be out there. “They’re not doing themselves or their country proud which is the sad thing about it all.”

According to McGrath, Jeff Hendrick has the most potential on the Irish team who he says is “absolutely fantastic”. “Jeff is a lad who isn’t afraid of getting stuck in and he tackles very well too. I love to gravitate towards those type of players because I loved to tackle myself.

Paul shows his support for the boys in green

Pictures: Finbarr O’Rourke

“With Robbie Keane, I wouldn’t be surprised if he wanted to be involved in the qualifications in the next World Cup. He has scored so many goals and done so well for Ireland that I think he should be allowed determine his own time to leave the international stage.” A lesser known fact about McGrath was that he used to work as a night time security officer in Connolly Hospital in the early 1980s. “ I l ove d wo r k i n g at Connolly Hospital because half the time I was asleep,” he laughed, but the odd time I got a call on the radio and had

to deal with some trouble makers. “I have loads of good memories protecting all those nurses up there. It was tough gig but someone had to put their hand up and do it.” Known in some football circles simply as God, McGrath won 82 caps for Ireland and played in one of the strongest-ever Ireland teams in the 1994 World Cup in the USA. While there, he became renowned for almost single-handedly taking on the Italian frontline, including a famous incident where he blocked a Giuseppe

Signori shot with his face and played through severe knee pain. Paul McGrath is suppor ting Curr y’s PC World Ultimate Home of Football tour this summer. Fans can be in with a chance to own the Ultimate Home of Football for an exciting match with their mates until July 10. For more information visit currys. co.uk/footballwin Fans not heading to France for the matches can get closer to the action on the pitch with a 4K TV from Currys PC World for the ultimate football match experience.

Paul McGrath shows off his skills as he opened Currys PC World Ultimate Home of The Gazette’s Ian Begley meets the legend

Football in Blanchardstown Centre

23 June 2016 Gazette 17

Gazette

FEATURES

Paul shows his support for the boys in green

Pictures: Finbarr O’Rourke

Paul McGrath shows off his skills as he opened Currys PC World Ultimate Home of The Gazette’s Ian Begley meets the legend

Football in Blanchardstown Centre

Gazette

18 Gazette 23 June 2016

dublinlife

FEATURE

Hot Brown Honey Get dazzled and leave dizzy at RIOT

Top shows to see at Tiger Dublin Fringe Tiger Dublin Fringe, Ireland’s most exciting festival for new faces, brand new performances and cutting edge shows, is coming back again this year from September 10 – 25. Performing theatre group Spiegletent will make another grand appearance this year in its new location at Dublin’s Georgian Quarter, Merrion Square. Promising the very best in Irish and international performing arts, its shows will be a heady mix of wild theatre, banging jigs, slapstick comedy and jaw-dropping circus acts. The provocative Collapsing Horse Theatre will also make a Fringe comeback with a new world premiere of The Aeneid. Based on the

ancient epic that tells the tale of how the people of Troy left their burning city to create the city of Rome, the show will bring the story to life with a super-charged clever brand of indelible theatrical magic and imagination. Dance continues to take up the vanguard of the Fringe programme and this year the brilliant Aoife McAtamney brings her new work, Age of Transition, where her growing talents emerge. Choreographer, dancer and songwriter McAtamney will premiere a soulful feast of contemporary dance, music and visual arts. Sophie Motley (WillFredd Theatre) returns to the festival, directing the Irish premiere of Belfast playwright, Sta-

cey Gregg’s, Override – a conflicting love story in a world of body augmentations, inflated class aspirations and dreams of a flawless life. This production mirrors Spike Jonze’s Her, A l e x G a r l a n d ’s E x Machina, Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and represents a new wave of tech-concerned, transmedial art, reflecting ver y current ethical debates and discoveries. Following on from t h e i r p owe r f u l a n d haunting Fringe success with It Folds in 2015, Brokentalkers bring This Beach to Tiger Dublin Fringe 2016. The play is presented as part of a project in which artists from Europe document and create performances exploring Europe in

times of transformation. This Beach is made in response to the current refugee crisis gripping Europe today and the notion of sovereignty of one people over a piece of land; and the lengths people will go to create barriers to entry to their dominion. Volunteer applications for this year’s festival open later this month, offering thrilling opportunities to get involved in box office, production, the Spiegeltent and much more. Applicants can email Volunteer Coordinator Paul Donnelly on volunteers@fringefest. com for further details. Early release tickets for these shows are now on sale at fringefest.com with the full programme available from mid-July.

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Gazette

CINEMA

elvis & nixon: iconic figures make strange cultural bedfellows in this great film

May leave you feeling all shook up THE most requested photograph from the US National Archives, so the story goes, is not of American soldiers raising their flag at Iwo Jima, nor is it Marilyn Monroe’s breezy publicity shot – it is of two men, Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley, nonchalantly posing for a handshake in the White House. Taken in December 1970, the image offers a juxtaposition between two worlds – the world of conservative political power epitomised by Nixon, and the world of pop culture personified by the then reclusive Elvis. The latest offering from American director Liza Johnson, Elvis & Nixon (Cert 12A, 86 mins) imagines the quirky behind the scene action in the run up to the unexpected and undocumented meeting. After years cooped up in his home, Graceland, Elvis (Michael Shannon) is growing deeply concerned with the state of the American nation, and the death of the American character. The only solution is an impromptu visit to The White House, with a personal request to meet with President Nixon (Kevin Spacey, taking a familiar Oval Office seat) to discuss how to set the country on the right path.

 Dave phillips

Some of the most alluring elements of the film are in the true-life details. Elvis did apparently turn up unannounced, and his handwritten letter appeals to Nixon to make him a “federal agent at large” – a position which Elvis hoped would allow him to travel undercover to infiltrate drug gangs and save the youth of the nation. With a penchant for brooding and intense performances, Shannon seems like an unlikely choice to play Elvis. However, the casting choice turns out to be one of the film’s strongest point – no doubt in part due to the fact that Johnson directed Shannon in her 2011 feature, Return, but mainly because the Elvis we see here is not the clean-cut heartthrob of his earlier years. Weighed down by the ostentatious gold rings and bangles, this is an Elvis that is growing increasingly jaded, paranoid, and ill-at-ease

with his position as a pop icon. Spacey, as Nixon, is a much more obvious fit, albeit with the actor committing to some bulking out to fit the role. His Nixon is bombastic, surly, and absolutely uninterested in popular culture – though he is shrewd enough to know that a PR opportunity like this one does not literally present itself on your doorstep every day. W hile the film is focused on the meeting of the two icons, the actual pow-wow acts as the pinnacle to an expertly paced build up. Much of the heart of the film lies in the relationships between the leading men and the network of people that support them. Elvis’ childhood friend, Jerry (Alex Pettyfer) accompanies him on his trip to Washington; part baby-sitter and part confidante, Jerry’s role allows the film to focus on the nature of fame and friendship. Likewise, Nixon’s administration team, led by Fargo’s Colin Hanks, acts as a way to wryly expose some of the power behind the throne. Elvis & Nixon manages to skilfully walk a fine line, embracing the quirkiness

As a world-weary Elvis and sharply cynical Nixon, Michael Shannon and Kevin Spacey impress with their versions of the famous figures

of its main characters and building a wonderful piece of fiction around the odd meeting.

Yet for all the largerthan-life elements that both men embody, Shannon and Spacey man-

age to bring some real moments of depth and humanity. The end result is a very

snappy, fun, and insightful work of speculative fiction. Verdict: 8/10

Gazette

20 Gazette 23 June 2016

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE

Home dental regime to prevent enamel erosion

 emma nolan

Enamel erosion is a common cause of tooth decay and so many everyday fac5 tors can contribute to it. Even eating fruit can damage the enamel on teeth due to the sugar and acid5 ity, not to mention fizzy drinks, wine, tea and coffee.

Regenerate tooth5 paste is a home dental regime that helps to restore your teeth’s natural enamel. The patented NR-5 TM formula is infused with minerals that acti5 vate a cycle of enamel regeneration that acts on early invisible stages of enamel erosion, helping to restore min5 erals that have been lost due to acid attacks and wear and tear. Regenerate is clini5 cally proven to restore the enamel’s min5 eral content and micro hardness with regular use. Available at Boots, Harvey Nichols Dub5 lin, Sam McCauley chemists and Lloyds chemists, the tooth5 paste costs €13 and the boosting serum costs €40.

Conceal wrinkles with new face care Derma Liss by Gui5 not Derma Liss is a face care treatment that conceals wrin5 kles and enlarged pores for a more youthful appearance. With a primer-like texture, it evens out the skin’s complexion allowing for a more even base for makeup. It contains dehy5 drated Hyaluronic Acid Spherical Fillers which fills the grooves of the wrinkles, lines and enlarged pores. Once fully absorbed, they rehydrate by soaking up water from the cells. By absorbing water, the spherical fillers inflate and

plump out the wrin5 kles whilst providing hydration. Derma Liss is avail5 able from salons nationwide and costs €38.25.

Milliner Laura Kinsella

Head for hats

Model Jo Archbold wears beautiful sculptural piece by Laura Kinsella headpiece

Irish headwear heavyweight Laura Kinsella has been appointed as the Westin Hotel’s mil5 liner in residence. Laura began her residency by designing a head piece to launch the Westin’s Mad Hat5 ter’s Afternoon Tea. Laura K creates individual, exquisite and abstract hats, headpieces and accessories by traditional technique at her studio in Dub5 lin. A graduate of the Limerick School of Art & Design, she perfected her craft globally, working with renowned designers including Alejandra Quesada, Danielle Romeril and Philip Tracey. Last year, she was chosen by Irish Design 2015 to showcase her collections at London Fashion Week. Laura’s style and talents will now be avail5 able to Westin brides and their wedding par5 ties in the run-up to their big day, as she offers her services for bespoke millinery design. The Westin will facilitate appointments for design consultations, where Laura will endeavour to see each bride’s vision brought to life in her own contemporary, directional style.

Starla Boutique celebrates 3 years  emma nolan

Dublin boutique Starla is celebrating three years in business this month. To celebrate, owner and founder of the South William street shop, Johanna McAleese has launched its brand new look website. (starla.ie) “I think we have some really unique dresses that you just won’t find in other stores,” Johanna says. Starla opened as a dress rental store in 2013 and since then, has devel5 oped into a platform to not only rent but to buy luxury designer gowns

and cocktail dresses both in store and online for all occasions. Johanna’s aim is to ensure the boutique offers every customer a special experience. “At Starla, we have a mix of dress rentals and dress sales and we do everything from glamor5 ous gowns to short party dresses, she said. “While a lot of our cus5 tomers are aged between 18 and 30, looking for something special for a night out, we attract women of all ages who might be going to a wed5 ding or a ball or just look5 ing for something that

Johanna McAleese

will help them look and feel amazing. “They’re searching for something that will make them stand out.” Johanna’s own story is unique in itself. Hav5 ing dreamed of owning her own store since a young age, a series of lifechanging events helped spur her on to achieving

her dream. Johanna told the Gazette: “When my mum passed away, I real5 ised I wanted to put more value into my own time and that gave me the jump I needed to move forward. “I had always wanted to own my own shop but I didn’t have much retail experience and it was a daunting adventure to take on. “But I feel I’ve come a long way in the past three years. I had to be flexible and adapt to who my customers were but it has paid off.” Johanna said her

dream is to eventually move to a bigger store but for now, her focus is online. “You can reach the whole world with a click of a button and that’s where I see myself devel5 oping the store over the next 12 months. “In any business these days, you have to keep up to date and fresh. And that’s what Starla is about.” Starla stocks dresses from a number of unique designers, including Holt Miami, Rachel Gilbert, Alex Perry, Dress Studio, Nadine Merabi and Stop Staring, to name a few.

23 June 2016 Gazette 21

Gazette

FOOD&DRINK

Medley Cafe - a beautiful city centre space is born Medley by Andrew Rudd has officially re-opened its doors in a newly renovated location at Fleet Street East. Mr Rudd’s ambition for Medley was to make it a versatile, functional yet beautiful city centre space and through his café bistro offering, private event venue, and newly established catering service, it seems he has achieved what he set out to do. Medley Café Bistro opens from 6.30am to 5pm from Monday to Friday and it offers a varied menu with early morning coffee, porridge and pastries through to brunch classics and a full

BITESIZEDNEWS Drag brunch launch set to coincide with Pride Festival A new drag brunch will launch in Dublin’s Bow Lane restaurant on Aungier Street this month to coincide with the Pride Festival. The monthly drag brunch will see a regular brunch transformed into a fun atmosphere with drag hosts including Darina Devine, DJs, food and craft cocktails. A lip sync battle, best cocktail competition, cupcake decorating competition and a QI quiz will also be part of the fun brunch. Some of the foodie treats on offer will be dishes including crab toast with sourdough, samphire, two poached eggs, and remoulade or fried chicken “birdwich” with white cabbage jalapeno slaw, Swiss cheese and disco fries. The first drag brunch will take place on Sunday, June 26 at 3pm and it will continue to take place every fourth Sunday of each month in Bow Lane. For more information see www.bowlane.ie

lunch menu of soups, salads and sandwiches. Medley Upstairs on the mezzanine offers beautiful city centre views and incorporates a food demo kitchen, full bar, lounge area, dance floor, and can easily accommodate up to 170 seated guests. Medley Outside is an added string to Mr Rudd’s bow as he offers a catering service and full event management service for weddings, launches, dinner parties, and more whether held in Medley or country wide. For more information see www.medley.ie or call (01) 5557116.

The perfect dessert for a Summer treat THIS week, we have a perfect summer treat Avonmore Summer Berry Feuille.

adding extra water if needed. Cover with cling film and leave to rest for 20 minutes in the fridge.

Ingredients

• Turn out onto a

250g strong plain flour

lightly floured board,

1 tsp fine sea salt

knead gently and form

250g Avonmore butter

into a smooth rectan-

(room temperature)

gle.

150 ml cold water

Roll the dough in one

350ml Avonmore sum-

direction only, until

mer whipped cream

three times the width,

1 punnet strawberries,

about 20 x 50cm.

hulled and chopped

Keep edges straight and even. Don’t over-

Preparation

work the butter

• Sift the flour and

streaks; you should

salt into a large bowl.

have a marbled effect.

Roughly break the

• Fold the top third

Avonmore butter into

down to the centre,

small chunks, add them

then the bottom third

to the bowl and rub

up and over that. line a tray with baking

oven and allow to cool

quarter turn (to the left

for use and using a pizza

paper and place the

on a baking tray.

butter, as you are look-

or right) and roll out

cutter form rows and

pastry rectangles on

ing for a marbled affect.

again to three times the

columns so that you end

individually, allowing

three rectangles on

• Make a well in the bowl

length.

up with a couple dozen

some space between

top of each other with a

rectangles, roughly the

them.

layer of Avonmore Sum-

them in loosely. You need to see bits of

and pour in about two-

Give the dough a

Fold as before, cover

thirds of the cold water,

with cling film and chill

mixing until you have

for at least 20 minutes

a firm, rough dough

before rolling to use.

• Roll out the pasty

same size. • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees centigrade,

• Bake the pastry

• To serve, stack the

mer Whipped Cream

squares for 10 to 15 min-

and summer berries in

utes, remove from the

between each.

Gazette

22 FINGAL Gazette 23 June 2016

OUT&ABOUT

TRAVEL

The Twelve Hotel in Barna, Galway, features pet-friendly suites

Pawdicures aplenty to help spoil your pet  ian begley

Travel Editor

Ireland’s pet friendly hotel, The Twelve Hotel in Barna, Galway, is launching a special pet-friendly holiday package to tie in with the launch of the much anticipated summer animation The Secret Life of Pets. Guests can bring their four-legged friends to the hotel and enjoy a two-night stay in one of their pet-friendly suites which are spacious enough for your pet to host their very own dance party while listening to their favourite tunes using the iPod docking station. A goodie bag for your pet will include a welcome certificate complete with a pet selfie photo at checkin so they can show off to all their friends on their return, a welcome treat, a toy to keep them

occupied when you’re out and about, bowls for water and food and Scoopy Doo bags for clean ups when you’re bringing your pet for walkies. Your pet will be welllooked after while you head to one of the restaurants for dinner, or you may decide to treat your pet by allowing it to paw dial for the brand new room service pet menu available. Even if your pet is watching his/her waistline, there’s no reason not to have a little holiday treat from the Four Legged Friends menu – it includes delights such as pup cakes (peanut butter treats), Tom Cat’s Favorite (a selection of seafood) Bag O’Bones, The Pooch-ini (a custom-made dessert including pet biscuits, peanut butter sauce and vanilla custard). All pets love to be pampered, preened,

rubbed and loved, and The Twelve Hotel can organise for your pet to enjoy some grooming and spa treatments at Bubbles and Barks, the dog spa and boutique beside the hotel. Try a hot oil treatment, a blueberry facial, pawdicure or mud bath! And to stretch their legs, there’s plenty of great places to go for a scenic walk including Barna Woods and Barna Beach. The Secret Life of Pets package is available at The Twelve Hotel this summer including two nights bed and breakfast for two adults and one pet, your pet’s welcome package and the option to book your pet in for some spa treats as an extra. Pet Package price at The Twelve from €400. For more information or to book visit www. thetwelvehotel.ie or call 091-597000.

The Twelve Hotel can organise for your pet to enjoy some grooming and spa treatments

23 June 2016 FINGAL Gazette 23

24 fingal Gazette 23 June 2016

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Gazette

26 gazette 23 June 2016

SPORT

FastSport

Proud sponsors of the DLGFA adult championships

ladies football: new ireland assurance player of the month

Boden and Fins set for crucial SFC showdown THE NEW Ireland Assurance senior championship reaches a key phase on Wednesday, June 29 as the race for semi-final places heats up. The top two sides in Group 1 – Ballyboden St Enda’s and Fingallians – show down in a huge fixture at Lawless Memorial Park with a victory for the former likely to all but assure their passage into the playoff stages of the competition. But Fins, with their trio of Dublin stars Sinead Finnegan, Fiona Hudson and Emer ni hEafa, are also unbeaten at this stage and will be hungry to nick a result to lift them to the head of the standings. Na Fianna and Kilmacud Crokes, in third and fourth respectively, will be hoping they can lift their chances of reaching the semi-finals from their meeting in Glasnevin with both needing a win. Indeed, for Na Fianna, it is their last group game in the five-team pool while the other sides will play their last round of matches on July 13. In Group 2 – which features four teams – reigning champions Foxrock Cabinteely going into their final round of group matches. They are the side to beat with two wins from two and will top the group if they can keep a Sinead Aherne-inspired St Sylvester’s at bay on June 29. Syl’s sit on three points alongside St Brigid’s who host Parnells. All three still harbour hopes of nicking a semi-final berth, making for a thrilling phase in the competition.

Dublin SFC representatives at the New Ireland Assurance launch alongside Joe Keane (Dublin LGFA) and Brian Sullivan (New Ireland Assurance)

New Ireland’s club heroes  sport@dublingazette.com

NEW Ireland Assurance has teamed up with GazetteSport and the Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football Association to promote this summer’s championships by launching the New Ireland Assurance Player of the Month awards. For June, July and August, we will name a monthly winner of the award following their performances in their respective club championships. Speaking about the new awards, New Ire-

land Assurance’s Deirdre O’Sullivan said: “We are delighted to be the official sponsors of the Dublin Ladies Football Adult Club Championships. “We have a strong tradition in supporting Gaelic games in communities nationwide and this was a fantastic opportunity to be able to support ladies football. “As part of this sponsorship and supporting the ladies, we were keen to raise the awareness of the players, the hard work they put in and their achievements. “The great reach of the

Gazette and its support in the local communities makes it the perfect partner to, together, launch the New Ireland Assurance Player of the Month.” It is part of the company’s overall sponsorship of the DLGFA’s adult club championship competitions from senior level through to the Junior G championship. And Joe Keane, Dublin LGFA Chairperson is delighted to have the company on board. “The club championship is the heartbeat of our organisation and

our partnership with New Ireland Assurance will assist Dublin LGFA greatly in the development of club football within the county,” he said. “I am especially looking forward to working with New Ireland Assurance to further promote our championships and in doing so acknowledge the tremendous work being carried out by players, coaches and officials at adult grassroots level.” To find our monthly winner, we are asking for your help. You can name who

you believe should win the monthly award for their performances in the adult ladies football championships, no matter if it is at senior level or in the intermediate or junior competitions. For a full list of New Ireland Assurance Adult Club Championship fixtures, log on to www. dublinladiesgaelic.ie. ** To nominate someone deserving of a Player of the Month award, contact us at sport@dublingazette.com with their name, club and a couple of lines about why you feel they should be up for the honour!

23 June 2016 gazette 27

Gazette

Clougher’s higher learning the US way

FastSport

Clonsilla man takes the road less travelled to progress football career; he tells GazetteSport about his American dream and Lanigan-O’Keeffe and how pursuing an education has aided his rise on the field too XXXX xxxx CLONSILLA native Sam Clougher turned off the road most trodden to take a far different path than that of his peers through the cutthroat world of football. Most young Irish footballers play schoolboy football in Ireland until they are picked up by a professional team and offered an academy or scholarship contract across the sea in England. Four years ago, when Clougher was just 16, he made the brave decision to take himself Stateside in search of education as a back-up to the ambition of forging career in the sport. Clougher spent his youth lining out for the likes of Phoenix FC, Verona, and Shelbourne before he was invited to spend some time training with St Patrick’s Athletic. However, his stint at

Richmond Park proved shor t and Clougher explained to GazetteSport why he thinks the move didn’t work out. “I was only 16 when I went to St Pat’s so I think part of why it didn’t work out was because I was young and part of it was because I wasn’t good enough at the time. I had just finished my junior certificate so I hadn’t filled out at the time and I still looked like a kid and played like a kid.” However, Clougher wasn’t long finding a new club after LSL side DCU came calling with the offer of first team senior football despite not attending the college. “It was phenomenal to have the chance to play senior football and I ended up playing two matches a weekend – for the first and second team.” Moving to America was something Clougher

had looked at from the age of 15 and while in the emerging talent programme his mind was set to pursue this avenue by their encouragement of education. Unlike many of the other young players, Clougher became determined to continue with his education while chasing his football dream. So, along with goalkeeping coach Dave Martin, he looked at the options available to him and decided that a boarding school would give him the best of both worlds. Personal research led him to Berkshire School in western Massachusetts – where he went spent a year playing in a team that became recognised as the number one prepteam in the country. It was while he was still at Berkshire that Kenyon College, a small college in Ohio, offered him a chance to put himself in

Sam Clougher makes a diving save for Kenyon College, Ohio.

the Major League Soccer shop window, while also receiving a high level of education. The economics and history student would not have gotten into Kenyon without the football. “Coaches were constantly turning up and looking at us. There is

and average goals against – resulting in being named first team All-Conference [the top keeper in the conference], and first team All-American, the award for the top amateur keeper in the country, voted for by coaches and the media. He went on to win both

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

‘The ultimate goal is to keep playing, either in the US, home or in England’ - Sam Clougher

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

one lad from that team already playing in the MLS and another well on his way to doing so – Kenyon were just one of the places that came in and talked to me.” Clougher’s second season in Ohio saw him set school and conference records for clean sheets

awards once again in his third season at the college. Clougher, who is in his final year at Kenyon College and has started a summer internship in their admissions office, is determined as ever to continue towards a career in football however, where his next move will take him he does not know. “The ultimate goal is to continue playing. Whether that is here, at home, or in England. I’ve put myself into a position where I am fairly well known over here and people recognise the name. “I’ve been gone for four years and as much as education has been preached, there is a sense that all the lads who have come over here have been forgotten about in Ireland.”

Coyle’s ticket stamped FORMER King’s Hospital student Natalya Coyle, above, and Donnybrook resident Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe have both been formally confirmed by Pentathlon Ireland and the Irish Olympic Council in Team Ireland for the Olympic Games. This will mark the second time that both have qualified for the summer Olympiad, having previously competed in London in 2012. Head coach for Pentathlon Ireland’s high performance programme Andy MacKenzie said of the announcement: “Both athletes have made continuous improvement over the last four years, and have become multiple medallists with Arthur as the current European champion. “We are very grateful for the ongoing support of our High Performance programme by Sport Ireland, which has made this possible. Both Natalya and Arthur are extremely proud and excited to be representing Ireland for the second time at the summer Olympics.” This announcement comes just a month before Ireland is set to host the UIPM Youth A World Championships from July 14 to 18 at the University of Limerick. With an event of this scale coming to Ireland just prior to the Olympic Games in Rio, the announcement of having both a male and female representative at the Olympics has been hailed as a tribute to the hard work of both the athletes and Pentathlon Irelandto grow the sport in Ireland. And Nickolas Boyle, Project Coordinator for the UIPM Youth A World Championships, is hopeful that their successes can help motivate the next generation of pentathletes for 2020. “There is no greater honour for an athlete that to represent one’s country on an international stage. Pentathlon has given Irish athletes a truly magnificent opportunity this year. “The excitement and joy from putting on your nation’s colours for competition this year takes on a whole new meaning. Pentathlon Ireland is truly proud of all of our athletes from youth to senior levels. We wish Arthur and Natalya all the best in August and look forward to cheering them on from home.” Coyle will compete on August 19 followed by Lanigan-O’Keeffe on August 20.

Gazette

28 fingal gazette 23 June 2016

SPORT

FastSport

athletics: swords resident makes mark on european stage

Skerries hailed as best Ras stage finish venue THE ORGANISERS of the An Post Ras thanked the people of Skerries for their continued support of the competition that came to a conclusion in the town with over 150 cyclists from around the globe thrilling the local crowd. An Post Ras, Race Director Tony Campbell delivered a message of thanks for the magnificent support, saying: “This was the 11th consecutive year Skerries have hosted the final stage of An Post Ras, so it’s a real testament to the level of support they have shown the race and the riders. “On behalf of everyone that works on the race, including the riders, we would just like to extend a massive thank you to the local community, the organisers and volunteers who helped out in hosting the finish and also to everyone who came out on the day to make it such a special occasion. “I know the riders and teams hugely appreciate the warm welcome they receive when they come in to Skerries and the atmosphere is quickly becoming legendary around the world. “Every year the riders say it is the best finish of a stage race they’ve experienced around the world, so thank you to everyone who supported them.” This year, as part of the 1916 commemorations, the 64th edition of the race rolled out from the iconic surroundings of Dublin Castle. The peloton – made up of continental teams, countries, counties and regions – worked their way anti-clockwise around the country with stage finishes in Westmeath, Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Wicklow before travelling on to the customary finale in Skerries. After eight long days in the saddle, the riders set off from Kildare to make one last attempt of bettering their overall standings and claim the famous trophy. However, it was 2014 winner, Clemens Fankhauser, who kept his nerve at the top of the general classification to finish in the bunch and don the yellow jersey for a second time in three years.

Ireland’s Greta Streimikyte with her bronze medal. Picture: Luc Percival/Sportsfile

Greta grabs debut bronze sport@dublingazette.com

SWORDS woman Greta Streimikyte, a T13 athlete made the podium on her championship debut when she secured bronze in the final of the T13 1,500m at the IPC Athletics European Championships. Streimikyte finished in a fantastic time of 4.54.25 to scoop bronze behind Russia’s Elena Pautova in first, and Spain’s Izaskum in second. “I am so happy with my achievement and receiving a bronze medal as well as stand-

ing on the podium for the very first time,” she said of her performance. “Before the competition, it was all about preparing and focusing on the race. I was nervous and excited at the same time as it was my first time racing for Ireland at a major championship. “It was a brilliant opportunity to compete against top athletes, and it was an amazing feeling to be competing for Ireland for the very first time and I was really, really proud and happy to be wearing a green

road to rio Portmarnock’s Doyle confirmed for Olympics former Portmarnock swimming club member Fiona Doyle has been formally confirmed in the Irish team for the Olympic Games in August in Rio de Janeiro. She is one of three Irish swimmers, along with diver Oliver Dingley, to have their place confirmed by the Olympic Council of Ireland. Fiona Doyle reached the FINA A Qualifying Standard for the Games when she won bronze in the 100m Breaststroke at the World University Games in South Korea last July.

vest on the start line. “I’m going to keep focusing on training for the next few months; thanks must go to my friends, family, coach Enda Fitzpatrick, Eimear O’Brien and Paralympics Ireland for all of their support.” Para-Athletics Team Leader James Nolan added that it was a superb performance: “I’m delighted that Greta raced so well in her first major championships. The confidence and experience she has gained from this Championships will stand to her in the coming years.

“She is very proud to represent Ireland and she did so with distinction.” It concluded a fine championship for Ireland in Grosseto, Italy, returning home to Dublin Airport on Friday night with two gold, one silver and two bronze medals along with a new world record, a new European record and a number of personal best times and distances for the team. “It has been a wonderful championship for the team,” Nolan reflected. “To travel out with eight athletes – a mixture of

established and development athletes - and to return with five podium finishes is exceptional. “The manner in which they achieved the performances was even more impressive - the composure, confidence and execution were very enjoyable to observe. “The para-athletics team has been on a progressive journey for the last four years and now, the results speak for themselves as we really make a major impact when we arrive at major championships with our team of elite athletes and staff.”

23 June 2016 FINGAL gazette 29

Gazette

protein boost

Vanilla-powered Flynn launches new flavour

Club Noticeboard FINGALLIANS

fingallians man Paul Flynn was on hand

to help launch Avonmore Protein Milk’s new vanilla flavour as part of a partnership deal with the GAA and the GPA. He is pictured in Croke Park with Kilkenny hurler Jackie Tyrrell extolling the virtues of the drink that “helps rebuild and grow muscle mass, as well as providing a good source for calcium”. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

hurling: crucial goal puts malahide men second

SUMMER camps: football – July 4-8;

tration from 9.45am. The academy

hurling – July 11-15; advanced hurl-

will return in early September.

ing – July 26-29; advanced football

The club shop’s last morning

– August 2-5; Kellogg’s Cul Camp –

before the summer holidays will be

August 15-19. Applications are at

Saturday, June 24 until the nursery

the club bar or available on a Sat-

resumes in September. Any gear not

urday morning from 10am to 12pm.

collected or paid for will be sold.

The annual mentors summer BBQ

Athletics: The club dominated

will start this Saturday at 7.30pm,

the Community Games in Santry

food will be served from 8-9.30pm.

stadium. Conor Gleeson, Ciaran

Well done to St Cronan’s SNS boys

McManus, Michael Coleman and

team and Gaelscoil Bhrian Boroim-

Daragh Markey won gold. Ciara

he girls team who won the Members

Markey and Leon Chinaka collected

First Credit Union Cup. Both Swords

silver medals.

winners will now play the winners of Artane/Coolock

T h e L i t t l e C at e r p i l l a r s p r e school, located on site at Fingallians

Well done to the Dublin senior

GAA Club, is now taking names for

ladies as they beat Westmeath.

September 2016. Children from age

They will play Meath this Saturday

three years are now eligible for the

at 2pm in Summerhill, in the final

ECCE scheme from September 2016

round-robin game.

and may qualify for up to two free

The club executive has an extra

years in line with budget changes.

table for the race day. To fill it, five

To reserve a place or to arrange

pairs of tickets will be in a raffle

a viewing, contact Paula on 086

which will take place on Saturday

8331635, Maria on 087 2564013 or

evening. To enter, drop an envelope

email us onlittlecaterpillars@out-

with €10 and your name to the club

look.ie.

bar. No cash alternative.

The lotto numbers were 6, 13,

The next golf society outing is

24, 27 and 32. We had two winners:

Friday, June 24. It will be held in St

Peter Caul and Charlotte Courtney.

Anne’s Golf club from 3-4pm. For a

The jackpot is € 2,005.

tee time, please text Colin Foley on

Fingallians extends deepest sympathy to the Caul family and also to

086 2430727. This Saturday is the final acade-

the family of Mick Casey of Swords

my week before the summer break.

Celtic and Colmcilles. Ar dheis De go

Mannix steps up as Syl’s stun Kilmacud

As usual, it starts at 10am. Regis-

raibh a hAnam dilis.

sbhc group 1

girls finished their season unbeaten.

If you are not going to the game,

They now go into high altitude train-

why not come along to the club and

ing for next year.

watch it on one of our big screens

St Sylvester’s move up to second in their championship group. Picture: Diarmuid O’Gallchobhair

St Sylvester’s 1-13 Kilmacud Crokes 0-14  sport@dublingazette.com

S T S Y LV E S T E R ’ S shaded a well-contested contest with Kilmacud Crokes to leap-frog them into second place in Group 1 of the senior B hurling championship and give them a real chance of the playoffs. The crucial moment came with 10 minutes to go as Mannix Ryan fielded a long delivery, wheeled left and blasted a fine goal from the 21 to give Syl’s the lead. It was

the only goal of the tie and, ultimately, proved the difference between the teams. Collie Byrne hit a free from over 90 yards to add to the damage and the Malahide side held off Crokes’ late charge. Indeed, it was an impressive end to the tie from Sylvester’s who did well in the absence of a string of key players who were unavailable due to either Euro 2016, US travel or other reasons. Ryan and Colm Boran stepped up from the juniors and with the latter weighing in with two

good points. Anthony Dunne impressed in goal while Enda O’Flaherty and Graham McGrath were very solid at the back. Andrew Richardson was busy in the middle while Fionn Carney – coming off the bench to replace the injured Killian O’Flynn – and Conor Meaney stepped in from the footballers to make their presence felt in a strong club effort. Byrne weighed in with six points all told with four scores from placed balls while Alan Kenny,

Meaney and Boran all chipped in with a couple of scores each. For Kilmacud, it was a frustrating outing as they led at four points at one stage before Syl’s made their big move late in the game. It means Syl’s sit second in the table with two round of group games to go – one against tabletoppers Naomh Fhionnbarra on July 13, the other against St Vincent’s who prop up the table. It was Kilmacud’s first loss and sees them drop to third in the rankings.

Naomh mearnog WELL done to our senior hurlers who

nell All Stars and the Naomh Mear-

put on a fine show to defeat St Vin-

nog All Stars. Please support this

cent’s in the championship.

worthy event.

Our senior 5 camogie girls defeat-

Tickets ordered for the Dublin

ed Naomh Brid in the league cup

Meath game can be collected on

while the mighty Under-9 camogie

Thursday night.

Our AFL 5 footballers pla y at home on Saturday evening against O’Tooles. Please support.

along with all other spor ting events? CCE Port Mearnog are running

The Paddy McConnell Memorial

a Summer Camp in the club during

Cup takes place on Saturday, July 2

July. Contact Neasa at 087 9793076

at 6pm between the Paddy McCon-

for more details.



Got a story? we want to know!

Call our sport team on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 3

or email sport@dublingazette.com

GazetteSPORT all of your fingal sports coverage from page 26-29

june 23-29, 2016

greta the great: Incredible debut on the European assured of success: New Ireland and DLGFA launch circuit as Swords women brings home bronze P28 Player of the Month awards P26

Paul Flynn, right, with Croke Park stadium director Peter McKenna at the launch of Avonmore Protein Milk’s new vanilla flavour. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Flynn to shake off strain Fingallians man says he expects to be fit and ready for Dublin to play in the Leinster senior football championship semi-final with Meath on Sunday  sport@dublingazette.com

FINGALLIANS’ Paul Flynn is hoping that he can shake off a hamstring strain so that he can take up his place in the Dublin senior footballers side to take on Meath this Sunday in Croke Park in the Leinster championship semi-final. He missed the opening round of the championship in Laois following a late setback before their trip to Nowlan Park but the Swords man said that he was straight back into the fray. Speaking this week, he said he was “pretty confident” he would be back and available for selection, adding that it was only a gradeone tear, a strain, which meant he was able to return to running just two days after the Laois

game. Now 30, though, he was asked whether this is finding it more difficult to get over injury issues in recent years. “From mid-January, I hadn’t missed one training session through injury so you’re talking about a five-and-a-half-month period,” he said. “It might be my own fault, I might have jinxed myself because I was joking with the physios saying, ‘I don’t know what’s going on in your life because I haven’t been speaking to you’. “The year before, we used to spend around two nights a week with one another because I was on the physio table all the time. It’s just a

tweak, it’s not a wear and tear injury.” But, despite 10 years of intercounty football, Flynn says that he feels in great shape and is able to work around some of the ravages that time can bring to other players with a similar set of miles on the clock. “Personally, I feel fit. We do fitness tests and I’m always top five, so there’s no issue there. As you get older, you might lose that sharpness of pace more than your endurance. “You can always build your endurance. My game is based on endurance and pace, that five-yard dart isn’t as important for me as it might be for an inside forward. That’s my selling point.” He does add that it is a matter of training

smart and working out what will provide the optimum output. “There’s no doubt about it, it does become harder and you have to manage your training load a bit more. “I’m not stupid, I have had a great innings. This is my tenth season playing with Dublin this year and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. “It’s a cycle. I’d still be in contact with Alan [Brogan], who recently retired. You have to make the most of everything, you don’t know what’s going to happen or what’s around the corner. “I’m not a fool, I’m not getting any younger, I’m going into my 30s, there’s not as many 30-year-olds playing as 20-year-olds.”