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

INSIDE: TV legend Gay Byrne takes time to talk about a typical day in his life P13

superstar: ‘Jesus Christ’ is delighting Dubliners with smash-hit show Page 17

Rock on: Meet Malahide’s top talent, Red Head Athletics:

Fingallians star awarded major national honour Page 32

Football:

Jackies back in action in national league Page 31

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES..................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE................... 13 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27

RED Head – a band featuring Davey

Cullen, Ben O’Brien, Adam Cullen and (front) Dylan Clarke – stormed their way to victory in the recent grand final of Malahide’s Got Talent.

Despite some stiff competition from a number of Malahide’s top talents in a wide range of artistic fields – including singers, dancers, pianists and gymnasts – these “redheads” were very deserving winners at The Grand Hotel’s ballroom, where the judges, and audience, were left in no doubt about who the stars were.

33 and 102 Dublin Bus routes put to tender Private transport services will lead to sharp rise in cost to commuters – Daly

 keith bellew

THE Transport Authority (NTA) has confirmed that certain Dublin Bus routes in north County Dublin have been put out to competitive tender.

However, a spokesperson from the NTA stated that any company that wins the contract will be providing a service set down by the NTA, including fares and timetables.

Dublin Bus is entitled to

bid for the tenders and has confirmed that it intends to do so.

The routes being put out to tender are the 33a Swords to Balbriggan, 33b Swords to Portrane and 102 Sutton Station to Dublin Airport.

Deputy Clare Daly (Ind) criticised this step, saying: “International experience has shown that private transport services will lead to a sharp rise in cost to the consumer.”

Full Story on Page 8

2 swords gazette 5 February 2015

policing Incident took place near primary school in 2014

Man arrested over Balbriggan shooting GARDAI investigating the fatal shooting of Benjamin Whitehouse at Clonard Street, Balbriggan, on Thursday, September 25, 2014 have arrested a man aged 39 in connection with their inquiry.

The man was arrested in Ardee, Co Louth and has been detained at Balbriggan Garda Station under the provisions of Section 50 – Criminal Justice Act

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

2007.

Whitehouse (36) was shot four times while getting into his car on Clonard Street shortly after 9am on September 25. His partner was shot

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Top Floor, Clarendon House, 39 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

in the leg.

T he incident took place just metres from a school as parents dropped their children off. Whitehouse, who lived at Westbrook Rise in Balbriggan, and who was a Traveller, had just dropped his daughter off at Peter and Paul primary school moments before he was attacked.

The scene was preser ved for a Garda technical examination, and the office of the State Pathologist was notified.

His partner was taken to Beaumont Hospital where she was treated for her injuries and has since recovered.

Armed gardai patrolled the school in November 2013 following two previous attacks.

The shooting was the last in a series of incidents which included attacks on Whitehouse’s home, and the dropping of a boulder on his car as he drove under a bridge with his daughters, aged four and seven, in the vehicle.

Just weeks prior to his murder, Whitehouse was sent forward for trial on charges of criminal damage, violent disorder and endangerment, which related to his role in one of the attacks at the school.

A forensics team investigate the area in Balbriggan where Benjamin Whitehouse was fatally shot in September 2014

5 February 2015 swords gazette 3

transport

balheary: another spot will be found if link gets the go-ahead

Stations get bike lockers

Swiftway ‘will not affect skate park’  keith bellew

FINGAL County Council has given assurances that an alternative location for the skate park in Balheary Park would be found if the proposed Bus Rapid Transit Swiftway system were given the go-ahead.

The Swiftway is one of several options shortlisted by the Department of Transport for the Swords area and the proposed route would necessitate moving the skate park, as it stands in its way.

The council confirmed that “an alternative location for the facility will be proposed by the designers of the scheme for consideration by the council as part of the necessary

works to accommodate the scheme.

“No works will be undertaken at this location, pending the finalisation of an alternative site.”

This assurance was given on the back of a request to do so by Cllr Duncan Smith (Lab).

He said: “I am in favour of a Luas or light-rail option for Swords, and not a Swiftway.

The map for the route of the Swiftway proposal, as it is currently set up, indicates that it would impact negatively on the skate park.

“I sought assurances from the council that should it [the Swiftway] go ahead, I thought it was prudent to work to

protect the skate park.

“I was happy to receive confirmation from the council that should Swiftway go ahead, that an alternative site for the skate park would be found.”

He went on to say that the park is very popular and is a great amenity for the area, with many people travelling from different areas to use it.

Cllr Eugene Coppinger (AAA) said that while the council has confirmed that it will find an alternative location for the skate park, it has not confirmed where this will be.

He believes that Balheary Park is a potential location, but that some residents might object to that.

Flying high: Airport staff celebrate raising €1.5m for charities since 2007 THESE members of Dublin Airport Authority’s (DAA) charity committee were on cloud nine as they helped to mark a fundraising milestone recently – the donation of €1.5m to 12 charities since 2007. Many national and Dublin-based charities have benefited from the fundraising activitites of DAA employees and members of the public, raising €210,000 during the past 12 months alone. With every year seeing many events to fundraise, 2014 saw DAA staff arrange to get involved in a 100k/50k cycle; women’s mini-marathon; a 5k road race at Dublin Airport, a parachute jump, a charity row, marathons, books and cake sales, topped up by charity coin boxes found throughout Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Picture: Robert Allen Photography

BI K E l o c ke r s h ave recently been installed at train stations in Balbriggan, Rush/Lusk, Skerries and Malahide by BikeLocker.ie.

The rental fee is €75 per year. BikeLocker.ie manages the locker rental on behalf of Irish Rail and the RPA/Luas. A locker can house a bike, helmet and cycling gear.

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) welcomed the installation, saying: “With bicycle theft a major issue and a major scourge all across Dublin, this is a very welcome service for Fingal bike users and it is great to see this service expanding.”

For further information, email rent@bikelocker.ie, or call 087 644 2322.

4 swords gazette 5 February 2015

pastimes Catch up with the latest in fishing developments at a weekend event

Show aims to reel in anglers  keith bellew

This year’s Ireland Angling Show is set to be even bigger and better than last year’s event (above)

THE Ireland Angling Show is set to return to the National Show Centre in Swords later this month with organisers saying it’s going to be the best yet.

Taking place on February 21 and 22, it will

showcase all types of angling, such as game, coarse and sea.

Budding young anglers of the future will also be catered for with a bigger, more interactive family zone, casting tuition, touch pools, entomology and treasure hunts.

According to event

organiser Grace McDermott: “The show has an amazing range of products for all anglers and all budgets. I have brought together a great mix of tackle and trade manufacturers showcasing new products and innovation while supporting the Irish tackle dealers.

“W hether you are looking for a bargain or investing in the latest cutting-edge design and technology, the Ireland Angling Show has it all,” she said.

Preston Innovation, set to be welcomed by many coarse anglers attending the show, is included in this year’s line-up of exhibitors. Aimed at the serious match angler, it offers a range of products that suit many different styles of fishing, from the casual angler right through to professional match winners.

Pure Fishing returns to the show this year with its team of experts and will showcase its innovative range. Pure Fishing is a global family of quality fishing tackle brands, offering a broad range of products.

This year’s show will also see the launch of the exclusive Salmologic range for game anglers designed by famous Danish angler Henrik

Mortensen.

One of the new additions to this year’s show is The Battle of the Anglers, which will see a team from each angling discipline square off against each other and the clock in a casting skills competition.

Each team will comprise well-known faces in the angling world. Team Game will feature Glenda Powell and Stevie Munn; Team Sea, Henry Gilbey and Jim Clohessy, and Team Coarse, Jan Porter and Cathal Hughes.

Angling aficionados are encouraged to come along and cheer on their favourite angling personality as they do battle in what promises to be an enjoyable and intense competition.

T he Battle of the Anglers will be judged by world-renowned fly fisherman, Hywel Morgan.

For further information, see www.maramedia.ie, or www.irelandanglingexpo.ie.

5 February 2015 swords gazette 5

6 swords gazette 5 February 2015

services Picket of clinic ‘an attack on people of Balbriggan’

Ryan hits out at Sinn Fein protest  keith bellew

DEPUTY Brendan Ryan (Lab) has hit out at Sinn Fein for the water charge protests they have been holding outside his clinic in Balbriggan.

He said that by picketing his clinic, the party is attacking the people of Balbriggan whom he is serving inside.

This has come about as Cllr Malachy Quinn (SF) commended the people of Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk for their “defiance and unity against Irish Water installing meters”.

For the past number of weeks in particular,

local communities have been active in blocking Irish Water workers from entering their estates.

Cllr Quinn said: “I wish to commend all the water warriors for their spirited resistance to the installation of water meters. I know that many of them come out as early as 6am every day.

“Many have spoken of how they didn’t even know their neighbours before this. Now, these people are travelling around making sure all areas are covered, making tea and coffees, and standing proud within their communities.

“We need to keep up

this strength and unity, as I believe we can defeat the water charges.

“I am delighted that local Sinn Fein activists, as well as local people, are fully playing their part in Balbriggan and other areas.

‘Peaceful picket’ “Every Saturday, Fingal Sinn Fein organises a peaceful picket outside the clinic of Labour TD Brendan Ryan. Activists also organised peaceful pickets outside Deputy Ryan’s clinic at Skerries Library,” said Cllr Quinn.

In response, Deputy Ryan said: “The protests

have been peaceful in nature and I do not condemn any individual or group’s right to protest.

“However, this is not my office – it is a room I rent in order to provide a weekly service to the people of Balbriggan, a service I have been providing since 2007.

“No other public representative has provided such a service direct to the people of Balbriggan in that time.

“It is regrettable that while I am inside my clinic, serving the people, listening to their concerns, representing them as best I can, Sinn Fein choose to target this service, and by extension, target the people of Balbriggan.

‘Sinn Fein panic’ “A s t h e e c o n o my begins to recover, and as we see the arrival of new social housing and health facilities for Balbriggan in the near future, Sinn Fein are beginning to panic and enter into more direct, personal campaigning.

“It will not put me off continuing to work for the people of Balbriggan, and indeed Skerries, Lusk, Rush and the entire north county.”

Speaking of the recent protests of residents, Cllr Quinn said: “Immense community spirit has grown and local businesses such as The Hamlet Bar and Borza takeaway in Balbriggan have also been helping out, providing food, teas and coffees. This has been greatly received on these cold wintry mornings.

“The reality is that people have had enough.

These regressive charges will push many low- and middle-income families over the edge.

“Let’s be clear about this – water charges have

Cllr Malachy Quinn (SF): “Every Saturday, Fingal Sinn Fein organises a peaceful picket outside the clinic of Labour TD Brendan Ryan.”

nothing to do with water conservation, but are just another attack on struggling families’ incomes.

“Sinn Fein remains opposed to the introduction of water charges, and we will continue to

campaign against them in every forum available until they are successfully defeated,” he said.

In response to the protests, an Irish Water spokesperson said: “Irish Water fully respects peo-

ple’s right to peaceful protest and endeavours to facilitate this, where possible, while maintaining the health and safety of the general public, our crews and our sites, which is our priority.”

5 February 2015 swords gazette 7

planning Future of Charles Haughey’s 18th century home in focus pollution Illegal signs in the frame

Abbeville protected, says council  keith bellew

FINGAL County Council has confirmed that the former mansion of the late Fianna Fail leader and Taoiseach, Charles J Haughey, at Abbeville, Kinsealy is on the council’s Record of Protected Structures.

With Haughey back in the spotlight through the RTE drama, Charlie, which documents his life and times, concerns have arisen about the preservation of the two-storey 18th century house.

Deputy Sean Kenny (Lab) recently raised concerns about planning protection for the site.

He said: “My Dublin north-east constituency includes part of Kinsealy. The recent history of Abbeville includes a planning permission for

a luxury hotel and golf course, which included the preser vation of Abbeville House, granted by Fingal County Council, which expired in 2011.

“An application by Manor Park Homebuilders to extend the planning permission in 2012 was rejected by Fingal County Council because of the ‘risk of flooding in the area’.

“The current popular RTE drama, Charlie, which covers the political career of Charles J Haughey, depicts the lavish lifestyle, partying and celebrations which took place at the Abbeville Mansion.

“I am concerned that Abbeville House and buildings may not have sufficient planning protection and I am calling

on Fingal County Council to clarify the situation. “[Renowned architect James] Gandon designed Abbeville Mansion as part of the heritage of north Dublin, and it should be preserved and protected,” he said.

A spokesperson from Fingal County Council said: “Abbeville House and its outbuildings are on the council’s Record of Protected Structures.

“Protected structures in Fingal are listed in the record ... document, as part of the Fingal Development Plan.

“There is a duty on owners or occupiers of protected structures to prevent their building being harmed through damage or neglect.

“Planning permission is also needed for

With Charles Haughey (above) back in the spotlight through the RTE drama, Charlie, concerns have arisen about the preservation of Abbeville, the two-storey former mansion of the late Fianna Fail leader and Taoiseach

all works that affect the character of a protected structure. This means that permission is needed for a wider range of works than would normally apply.”

Cllr Eoghan O’Brien

(FF) said: “Obviously, it [the site] has huge potential – it’s an iconic house and there is a lot of history in it.

“As I understand it, it is owned by a developer but I don’t know what

their plans for it are.

It has to be preserved, but whether or not it is made open to the public or not is a matter for the owner, but I certainly would love to see that happen.”

ONGOING investigations are being carried out by litter wardens from the environment and the operations departments of Fingal County Council to prosecute the people erecting illegal “Cash For Cars” signs around Swords and Balbriggan.

According to the council, these signs violate the Litter Pollution Act 1997, and staff have taken down more than 1,500 of these illegal signs throughout the county.

A council spokesperson said: “Every effort has been made to trace the people who erect these signs, including contacting the mobile phone numbers on the signs. All of these numbers relate to unregistered and untraceable mobile phones.”

8 swords gazette 5 February 2015

transport Selection of these routes is baffling – Butler

Bus privatisation plan raises fears  keith bellew

THE National Trans‐ port Authority (NTA) has reassured users of Dublin Bus routes in north County Dublin which have been put out to tender that it will still regulate fares and timetables, and that any company that wins the contract will be provid‐ ing a service that the NTA has set down.

This has come about amid concerns about the fact that the 33a Swords to Balbriggan, 33b Swords to Portrane and 102 Sutton Station to Dublin Airport routes have been put out to

competitive tender.

The NTA decided in December 2013 that 10% of the services re‐ awarded in Public Serv‐ ice Obligation contracts to Dublin Bus would be put out to competitive tender, to commence operations in 2016.

This comes as a result of the Public Transport Act (2009) which seeks to adhere to EU require‐ ments of a distance between central govern‐ ment and the regulator of public transport.

The routes have been advertised and the com‐ petition for the tender – which covers the period up to December 2019 –

closes on April 17.

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) said: “I find the selection of these routes baffling, and I am not sure what the Minster [for Transport Paschal Donohoe] and Dublin Bus are attempting to achieve.

“Dublin Bus have a public service mandate, and if there was a profit on these routes I’m sure we would already have private firms looking at them.

“I hope this is not an attempt to downgrade the service provided to these routes,” he said.

Deputy Clare Daly (Ind) said: “It is clear

that Dublin Bus has been undermined over a period of time in order to set the scene for pri‐ vatisation. It is another example of the inequal‐ ity of a system which gives tax breaks to the wealthy that inevitably result in cuts to public services.

“Private companies get the opportunity to then sell back to us the vital services that have been built and devel‐ oped with public funds.

“International experi‐ ence has shown that pri‐ vate transport services will lead to a sharp rise in cost to the consumer – as profit becomes the motive, communities will end up paying more for less.

“North county Dublin is a large geographical area where many people are reliant on the serv‐ ice currently provided

by Dublin Bus and any change in coverage, frequency or costs will have a knock-on effect throughout the area,” she said.

Consultation The decision to ten‐ der was made following an extensive public and stakeholder consultation process, and a review of international experi‐ ence, which according to the NTA: “showed that operating cost sav‐ ings could potentially be achieved through the competitive tendering of contracts to operate bus services”.

According to the NTA: “The contracts will specify the hours of operation and level of service to be provided on each route and con‐ tractual requirements in each case will be set to meet or exceed the cur‐ rent requirements for the services.

A NTA spokesperson said: “The contractual requirements in each case will be set to meet or exceed the current requirements for the services”

“Fares for the ten‐ dered services will con‐ tinue to be regulated by the authority, and will be set in a manner consist‐ ent with other regulated fares. The Leap card will be accepted on board

for services operating in areas currently cov‐ ered by the Leap card ticket.”

It is anticipated that the operation of bus services by the success‐ ful tenderers will com‐

mence in late 2016 or early 2017.

A spokesperson from Dublin Bus confirmed to The Gazette that it has entered the tender‐ ing competition and is seeking the contracts.

5 February 2015 swords gazette 9

10 swords gazette 5 February 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Librarian Nora

Finnegan with Maura Cassidy, DAA; Grainne Clear, Little Island Books; Fingal’s deputy mayor Ted Leddy; librarian Susan Lovatt and some of the participating children

Brazilian book leads Fingal pupils to ‘battle’

Fingal chief executive Paul Reid with John Heffernan and Kevin Toland, DAA

A

BATTLE of the Book campaign was launched at County Hall in Swords recently, attracting eager young word warriors to tackle reading and get used to reading for pleasure and with confidence.

Fifth-class pupils from six Fingal primary schools joined Fingal’s deputy mayor Ted Leddy, council chief executive Paul Reid and DAA chief executive Kevin Toland to launch

the reading programme.

The children were each presented with a copy of The History Mystery by Brazilian author Ana Maria Machado as part of the programme run by Fingal Libraries in partnership with the DAA. At the end of a three-month reading period, the schools will “battle’”via quiz to be held at Dublin Airport, adding another layer of fun to their reading.

Orla Farrell, Bracken ETNS, Balbriggan, and Aoife Kirwan, St Mary’s NS, Garristown. Pictures: Niall Griffin

Holly Grimes, Rush NS

Yvonne O’Brien, Fingal senior executive librarian

Michelle Keane and Una McGealy, St Pat’s, Skerries

5 February 2015 swords gazette 11

12 Gazette 5 February 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Nadja Stigger and Melanie Back, Advantage Australia

Coronation Street actor Mikey North hogs a Harley with Tony Toner and Joe McConville of Celtic Horizon Tours. Pictures: Conor O’Mearain

The world fits into the RDS T

Colm Brereton, from the Irish Military War Museum and Park, with Mary Duff, Boyne Valley Tourism

HE WORLD came to colourful life in the RDS recently when a range of tourism representatives rubbed shoulders with agencies representing all corners of our fair isle for the 2015 Holiday World Show.

Whether you wanted to go hill-walking in the south of the island, discover the North’s many charms, dig into the Far East’s

endless attractions or learn more about the west (of America, that is), there were stalls and experts from travel operators and tourism boards from all around the world to give great advice about some of the best holidays to look out for in 2015. With something to suit all budgets and interests, the holiday show was a hit with visitors and exhibitors alike.

Belinda Shaw and Ursula Duffy, Cobh Tourism

Yamini Kshatriya, Mariana Matran and Julia Villalobos

Lothar Muschketat and Alaska, Eagles Flying, Ballymote

5 February 2015 Gazette 13

Gazette

diary P14

dublinlife

BUSINESS asdfsdaf P27 q&a P16

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: tv legend brings one-man show around the country

what’son

No such thing as a normal day for Gaybo  laura webb

Gay Byrne’s hallmark status as a TV and radio veteran has made him one of the most prolific and successful media personalities that Ireland has ever known.

Credited with being a catalyst in the transformation of Irish society since the 1960s, The Gazette jumped at the chance of finding out what Gaybo’s day-today life entails.

“Nowadays I get out of bed quite early at around 7am with my wife, but unfortunately no day is the same as the other.

“We normally have our breakfast as soon as we get up which consists of porridge, fruit and maybe a cup of coffee or tea – nothing extraordinary.

“Normally I try and get a walk in most days and would probably do

a six-mile circuit around my a r e a i n S a n d y mount.

“When we lived in Howth I used to walk along the cliffs which was really beautiful because you had the sea on one side and the heather and wildlife on the other.

“I also sometimes ride my bike and would do about 20 or 25 miles doddering around the place, but like I said no week is the same as the other.”

By rne went on to say that he is currently travelling around the country to do his very well-received and entertaining one-man show with the help of his wife, Kathleen.

“This week we’ll be doing our one-man show in Omagh and Enniskillen, which means that we will have to leave very early on Wednes-

day, drive there, book ourselves into a hotel, do the shows and return home again on Friday.

“The show consists of me standing there and talking all about my life and about the people I have met, and then Kathleen does about 15 minutes of poetry – nice little funny poems and amusing stuff, which goes down very well.”

Asked if he’s into any mainstream entertainment like watching movies on Netflix or surfing the web, Byrne said: “No, I don’t do any of that. I’m very bad at networking and I’m very bad at iPads and iPods and doing things on the internet such as googling and that sort of stuff.

“Luckily, I have two daughters and two sonsin-law and if I need anything done like that they do it for me.

“I stay up reasonably



escape the mayhem 15

Breaking Dad back in the gaiety: Ross

One of the most prolific and successful media personalities that Ireland has ever known, Gay Byrne

late and do a bit of reading or watch Vincent Brown before I throw my hat up at about 11.30 and go to bed.”

Byrne presents Sun-

day with Gay Byrne on Lyric FM every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm, presenting the very best in traditional jazz, big band and swing mixed

with great chat.

The Meaning of Life with Gay Byrne has also returned once again and appears on Sundays on RTE 1 at 10.30pm.

O’Carroll Kelly’s highly acclaimed comedy Breaking Dad will return to the Gaiety this month for two weeks only due to popular demand.

Having received rave reviews all around, sell-out crowds and standing ovations, the highly popular show will return from Monday, February 16 to Saturday, February 28. Set in the year 2022, Breaking Dad sees Ireland in the midst of an unexpected economic boom. The country’s debts have been repaid in full and all the frivolity of the Celtic Tiger era is back. Life is good for the hero of the story Ross, until his teenage daughter arrives home one night with the captain of the Blackrock College senior rugby team whom Ross suspects is his illegitimate love child. Breaking Dad is the third Ross O’Carroll-Kelly stage play, following the hugely successful The Last Days of the Celtic Tiger (2007) and Between Foxrock and a Hard Place (2010).

For more information visit: www.gaietytheatre.ie

GAZETTE

14 GAZETTE 5 February 2015

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Irish singing sensation Cathy Davey who will play with Ham Sandwich in Temple Bar

Cathy’s concert a labour of love

IRISH singing sensation Cathy Davey is showing Dublin the love this Valentine’s by playing a free acoustic gig in the city centre.

On February 14, Davey will join band Ham Sandwich for a free event at Meetinghouse Square in Temple Bar. The gig, run by Dublin City Council, is part of a number of events taking place across the city for Valentine’s Day. This concert will take place at 9pm on February 14 and is open to those over the age of 18, no tickets required.

For further information check out twitter @ events_dcc #dublinbemyvalentine or see: www. dublincity.ie .

famous.

Upon arrival, guests will be invited by courtiers and courtesans to enjoy a “bubbly” reception moving from the outdoor spectacle of fire performers to The Atrium in the main hotel. Guests will be treated to a four-course dinner accompanied by live music, classical ball room dance sets and various other delights throughout the evening.

Guests are asked to appear in a festive or formal costume, wearing a mask or face paint to conceal their identity. For more information visit www.idiroball.com.

HAVE A HEART FOR A VALENTINE’S BALL

WE were not left waiting long for the first bizarre Dail incident of the year, which occurred recently.

And like many such incidents last year, this one was caused by TD and TV3’s celebrity chef Alan Shatter.

Opposition TDs stormed out of the Dail in protest, because a debate would not go ahead on the Commission of Inquiry

THE St Valentine’s Venetian Masquerade Charity Ball in aid of Dogs Trust and Liquid Therapy takes place on Saturday February 14 at Thomas Prior Hall, Bewley’s Hotel, Ballsbridge.

The event will feature all the authentic charms of the balls for which the romantic city of Venice is

DEBATE DEBACLE PRODUCES AN ODD COUPLE

into the findings of the Guerin Report. Legal reasons were cited.

After some opposition prodding and Fine Gael fumbling it emerged that the solicitors of Alan Shatter, who is involved in litigation over certain parts of the report, sent a letter to the Taoiseach’s office.

This led to some amusing outbursts from around the chamber: Independent TD Clare Daly said: “Aha, now we get it.”, while Mattie McGrath bellowed: “That man again.”

This was followed by what sounded like schoolchildren vying for kudos FF leader Micheal Martin said: “I asked about that five or 10 minutes ago”, “I asked it too.” SF leaader Gerry Adams chimed in.

“I asked yesterday.” shouted Mick Wallace, followed by Clare Daly’s correction: “We asked yesterday.”

The coup de gras of the episode was Micheal Martin and Gerry Adams walking out together and standing shoulder to shoulder in solidarity on the plinth.

5 February 2015 Gazette 15

escape the mayhem: Catherine Fulvio on her hectic work life

An Italian way of life does the job for chef

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

One of Ireland’s most popular and bubbly TV chefs and food writers Catherine Fulvio spoke to The Gazette about how she escapes the mayhem of her hectic work life.

“My schedule means that I do schoolruns during the week and run my business [Ballyknocken House and Cooker y School] and teach at weekends. So for me trying to escape the mayhem is really kind of a snapshot or micro-escape.

“I’m very fortunate that I have a family farm in Wicklow, so I can escape quite easily by going out and helping my sister and Dad on the sheep farm.

“Also, we back onto a beautiful forest and mountain; so, I take the dog and head off up there.

“I try to drag the children with me, which may not necessarily be escaping the mayhem, but that’s what I do to escape.

“I’m also a keen reader and would always keep up-to-date with the news, so I do escape by reading as well.

“Now, if I have a bit of a longer time at all, I would

pack up and head off to Italy because my husband is from Palermo in Sicily.

“We absolutely adore it and a lot of my cookery school relates to it as well and we’re always going for research as well.

“We explore quite a bit in Italy, in Sorrento and Tuscany, but Sicily would be our main port-of-call.

“That’s where my husband’s family lives and it really is so different to Ireland.

“It has everything: it has the sunshine, it has the coast, it has the sense of history and the friendliness amongst the people and it has the cooking.

“It gives me a sense of release because not only is it a total change of scenery but because there’s a sense of comfort.

“I do like to travel and visit new places and explore new things but when you just need to totally unwind, I find you’re better off going to a place you’re familiar with.

“If you really want a bit of a break and to catch up on some sleep and get your energy levels back up again, sometimes going to a place you’re welcomed in really helps.”

TV chef and food writer Catherine Fulvio. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Gazette

ESCAPE THE MAYHEM

Three charities benefit from daa fundraising efforts Three charities have benefited from €210,000 generated through fundraising efforts by daa (Dublin Airport Authority) employees, the company and members of the public.

The company’s three charities of the year 2014, Special Olympics Ireland, Jack & Jill Foundation and Cystic Fibrosis, were presented with a cheque for €70,000 each.

The fundraising efforts during 2014 mean daa staff have donated more than €1.5m to 12 Irish charities over the past nine years. daa chief executive Kevin Toland said the money raised will make a real difference to people’s lives. “I am immensely proud of the continuing support and passion of daa staff in raising this massive sum of money for charity.

“This truly is a phenomenal sum of money doing a lot of good for Irish charities,” he said.

Speaking at the cheque presentation Jonathan Irwin, founder and chief executive of Jack & Jill, said: “The €70,000 raised for Jack & Jill will generate 4,375 hours of home nursing care for our families nationwide.”

Special Olympics Ireland chief executive Matt English said: “The vital funds raised helps Special Olympics to deliver on our promise to offer sporting and other development opportunities to so many people in Ireland with an intellectual disability. “ Philip Watt, Cystic Fibrosis chief executive, said: “The money raised will be put to good use to support people with CF who need a double lung transplant. The financial strain on families can be enormous and this will help ease the burden for some of those families.”

The amount of money raised is helped by the coin donations made by visitors to Dublin Airport using charity coin boxes throughout Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

This year, three more Irish charities, the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland, Temple Street and the Diabetes Unit in Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin, will get a slice of the fundraising pot from activities organised by daa staff in 2015.

Gazette

16 Gazette 5 February 2015

dublinlife

business

Q&A: Anthony Madden, vape world c0-owner

Bringing the benefits of vaping to the market Anthony Madden is a co owner of Vape World, an Irish-owned vaping business that offers high quality vapourisers and e-liquids. This is his second year running the business having taken a year off to take a BESS business degree course in Trinity college.

He has always had an interest in sales and has worked in some form of sales all his life. Madden says running your own business can be challenging but rewarding. Most weeks he does 12 to 14 hours at least six days either in store or doing accounts, promotions and everything else that goes with the job.

How long have you been in business?

This is my second year out on my own, but I’ve been working in the vaping industry for three years. It’s an exciting time

of growth and innovation.

What makes your business successful?

Our primary focus is on the customer. We offer

the best value for money and we have a product that people are searching for that delivers numerous tangible benefits.

Which tobacco smoker doesn’t want to save money and improve their health?

What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?

Value and service.

We’ve got the lowestpriced vaporiser e-liquids on the market, all top quality from Irish, European and American suppliers. Our staff are trained to help people make the transition to vaping. We also try to make the Vape World a

fun experience for our customers.

How has the recession affected your business?

It’s been a great benefit. Many tobacco smokers can no longer afford their tobacco habit so we’re offering a way to genuinely save thousands of euros every year. Vaping is a completely new technology which just happened to coincide with this seemingly endless recession.

What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of the recession?

Our marketing message now clearly focuses on the financial benefits that switching to vaping can deliver. We offer free samples to prospective customers so tobacco smokers have nothing to lose in coming to Vape

Anthony Madden

World to try out our products. The recession has also given us the opportunity to expand into a growing market.

What is your ambition for the business?

It’s in our mission statement that we want Vape World to be Ireland’s leading brand in vaping and e-cigarettes and to be the first port of call for anyone who wants to quit smoking.

We want to retain our customer focus, our dedication to value and our sense of humour. We also want to develop a strong

online offering.

What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?

Peter F Drucker said that the purpose of business is to create and keep customers. It doesn’t get much better than that.

We use surveys to find out about what matters to our customers and we love hearing from our customers on what we do well and what we can improve on. In making the Vape World shopping experience a pleasurable one and keeping our eye on value at all times, we

are very successful at holding onto our customers.

What is your favourite thing about doing business in your local area?

Thomas Street and the Liberties are at the heart of Dublin’s history and culture. We’re just across the road from the iconic St John’s Church so we’re in the middle of the buzz. We love the locals and their sense of humour. We also have lots of tourists calling in to us and the students from NCAD add some colour.

tourism: latest statistics show sharp increase

Overseas visitors rise by 8.9% in 2014 – CSO

OVERSEAS visits to Ireland increased by 8.9% in 2014 compared to 2013, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The figures show there were 7,604,400 visits made to Ireland in 2014, amounting to an increase of 618,500 people in 2014 compared to the previous year.

West Cork Deputy Michael McCarthy (Lab) welcomed the figures, saying: “[These] figures clearly demonstrate that overseas holiday makers continue to rate Ireland as a superb holiday destination and the people, the scenery and the culture remain Ireland’s strong-

est assets.

“All of our main markets are showing impressive growth levels, particularly North America and mainland Europe.

“The Government’s policy of providing tourists with great activities, combined with key economic measures such as the 9% tourism VAT rate, seems to be working and Ireland is now seen as a value-for-money destination.

“As these positive figures continue, we must resist the temptation to fall back into bad habits that were practised during the boom. It’s imperative that we maintain our good value and warm

welcome to ensure the continued growth of this valuable sector.

“The tourism sector supports almost 140,000 jobs in the accommodation and food sector alone, and overall employment in tourism is estimated to be in the region of 200,000 [people].

“We need to further build on these gains and we have a very ambitious plan to attract approximately 10 million visitors to Ireland by 2025, generating €5bn for the economy, helping to sustain 250,000 jobs.

“I am confident that we can achieve this projected growth,” said Deputy

McCarthy.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe said: “Tourism action plans, the first of which will be published in 2015, will see 10 million overseas visits to Ireland by 2025.

“Plans to rebrand Dublin so we can grow the city’s international appeal and compete better with other European cities in attracting visitors, together with the further development of the Wild Atlantic Way and an exciting new tourism initiative for the south, east and midlands, will also help us to build on recent success in growing visitor numbers.”

5 February 2015 Gazette 17

style P22

asdfsdaf P27 cinema 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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Pets poor little bruno has had a sad life lately

Glenn Carter (centre) stars in Jesus Christ Superstar, which is running at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre until February 14. Picture: Pamela Raith Photography

theatre: glenn carter talks about the rock opera that keeps on keeping on

Super cast in super musical  laura webb

It first exploded onto the musical scene back in 1971. Since then Jesus Christ Superstar has been enjoying success after success on stage and now it is breaking ground in Dublin’s Bord Gais Energy Theatre.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera, which tells the story of Jesus’s last seven days on earth through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, is running until February 14 at Bord Gais Energy Theatre.

Speaking to The Gazette about returning to the role of Jesus, a role he played in the Westend, Broadway and on film, Glenn Carter says there is one

song that keeps him coming back.

“I really do think the song, Gethsemane, which is Jesus’s main number for the end of closing act one, I wouldn’t say it is possibly, or arguably, I think it is the best song every written for a leading man to sing. Not only vocally is it really difficult, but it is also lyrically emotional and the questions that it asks are so fantastic. I have been in the profession for 34 years and it is the only song that really does that. There is something particularly special about this song,” he said.

Joining him on Tour is X-Factor runner-up Rhydian Roberts, Australian star Tim Rogers and X-Factor finalist Rachel Adedeji, a cast which Carter says is enjoying every minute of the tour. “We

have a great cast. It’s not rare that people get on but large groups of people travelling together, living out of each others pockets, working with each other, having family issues and work issues along the way. You become a family. They can row, fall out and make up, laugh and cry but this has been so much fun so far. It’s a great deal of fun.”

Remembering the first time he saw Jesus Christ Superstar, Carter said he was about seven years old and had fallen asleep watching half of the film, the next time he saw the show was on stage where his understudy had taken on the part he was due to play that night but had missed curtain call because of traffic. “I actually sat in and watched the

show that my understudy was doing. I had never seen it on stage before that.

“He was fantastic, anybody who can start, get through and finish is fantastic as far as I am concerned because it can be quite harrowing,” he said Visiting Ireland for the first time, he said he is looking forward to visiting Dublin and seeing places his parents, who were big fans of Ireland, had seen.

Not wanting to spoil the show, he said most audience members do know the end but they can expect a great night of entertainment with some well-known songs.

Jesus Christ Superstar runs until February 14. For ticket details, see www. bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

the Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs.

Our Dog of the Week this week is Bruno, a seven-year-old crossbreed.

Poor Bruno has had a horrific time of late. His devoted owner passed away and he stayed by his side for days before anyone came to find them.

He is a scared little dog, understandably, and we would just love to find him a loving, devoted home, because that’s all he is used to.

Bruno gets on fine with other dogs, but would need to go to an adult-only home.

If you think you can offer Bruno the home he deserves, then please call Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000 or pop into the centre. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

Gazette

18 Gazette 5 February 2015

OUT&ABOUT

WEDDINGS

| wedding venues |

Tailor-made plans for your big day The four-star Westgrove Hotel is inviting people to attend a very special wedding afternoon on Sunday, February 8 from 2pm to 5pm.

The Westgrove Hotel is one of Kildare’s premier wedding venues and offers exceptional service, mouth-watering food and excellent value.

With a choice of inclusive packages starting from €40 per person the team understand that no two weddings are the same and are more than happy to tailor-make a wedding package to suit your exact needs.

Testament to this is that the Westgrove Hotel has just been shortlisted for Bash Wedding Magazine Awards in the category of Best for Planning Ease.

On February 8 upon

arrival, couples will enjoy a glass of prosecco and canapes and be treated to a delicious array of desserts specially prepared by our head chef, John Carolan.

Wedding coordinator Nicola and the wedding team will be on hand throughout the afternoon to meet couples and offer a showaround of the hotel and of course answer any questions that you having about planning your wedding day.

Wedding garden

On the day, view the banquet suites, civil ceremony suites, the chic Cigar Bar which opens onto the rooftop terrace and links to the wedding garden while enjoying the sounds of the resident pianist, Ray Phelan.

There will be a range of top wedding suppliers exhibiting during the afternoon such as wedding decor companies, florists, stationery, menswear, wedding entertainment, beauticians and hairdressers and many more. The therapists from Spa Haven the hotels Elemis Spa will also be on hand for any skincare and beauty tips you maybe looking for.

It promises to be a great afternoon and don’t forget to enter the competition to win a fabulous night stay at the Westgrove with dinner for two in the Assaggio Restaurant.

For further information, email nicolaflynn@ westgrovehotel.com or visit www.westgrovehotel.com.

The Westgrove Hotel in Kildare offer tailored and all-inclusive wedding packages to suite any couple wedding wishes and (below) the Alexandra Suite

Dublin venues make the One Fab Day list of idyllic wedding spots  laura webb

Wedding specialist One Fab Day has put together a list of the best

Ireland 2015 is available to down-

Shelbourne Hotel and even Smock

load now at www.OneFabDay.com.

Alley Theatre.

According to One Fab Day,

The guide is curated by the editorial team at One Fab Day

wedding venues in Ireland for

this year’s wishlist of venues

magazine and every budget, style,

2015.

is all about location and luxury

and size is represented with a

for Irish weddings in 2015. Since

wealth of venue diversity included.

The 2015 guide features several

Naoise McNally, co-founder and

new idyllic spots including two

the OPW opened up some of its

private members clubs, a rural

locations for weddings in 2014

editor of One Fab Day, said: “Each

restaurant, country house hotels,

many theatres, museums and

year the locations Irish people

exclusive estates, artisan cot-

even lighthouses are now opening

choose for their weddings become

tages and theatres.

their doors for ceremonies and

more diverse and non-traditional.

celebrations.

However, in 2015 weddings are set

Among Dublin venues that made the list are The National Gallery

Christ Church Cathedral is a popular choice for a wedding venue

Oliveto at The Kingston Hotel, The

Although rustic barns are still

for a return to luxury.”

The guide is categorised by

which comes in at number five,

a hot choice for couples, luxury

Ormond Quay is ranked 10th best,

and glamour are making a serious

province and broken down by

Fitzwilliam Place is placed 25th.

comeback as nuptial venues with

specific style of venue, from

Other popular venues with a touch

stately homes complete with

exclusive hire venues to country

of class are Christ Church Cathe-

tables decked with crystal and

house hotels, boutique hotels,

dral, The Cliff Townhouse, Locks

silverware being huge favourites.

restaurants to the more unusual

Brasserie, Luttrellstown Castle,

The 100 Best Wedding Venues in

or eclectic venues.

5 February 2015 Gazette 19

books: the girl on the train delivers an accomplished read

Make tracks for this solid if predictable tale  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

PAU L A H a w k i n s ’ s The Girl on the Train is a thriller and whodunnit that has been causing quite a stir in America, where it has already been optioned

by Dreamworks Studios for a film.

The book is being hailed as potentially the next Gone Girl, with master of suspense Steven King tweeting: “Really great suspense

novel. Kept me up most of the night. The alcoholic narrator is dead perfect.”

Those who enjoy a traditional thriller which adheres to expectations as secret upon secret unfolds will love this novel. It is the ideal companion to kill a few hours by the beach or on the way into work.

Hawkins’s heroine Rachel takes the train to work every day and from her seat at the window

watches the inhabitants of a suburban house and imagines what their lives might be like.

We g e t t o k n ow Rachel fairly swiftly and discover that she is something of an emotional train-wreck. She is an alcoholic whose life seems to have fallen asunder with the demise of her marriage and she is drowning in self-pity.

The book is written from the perspective of three women and

switches in and out of the consciousness of each character, chapter by chapter.

It is a simple and wellworn literary conceit, but it wears a bit thin as the novel progresses. This is because as the plot thickens and a mystery ripens, the reader is left hanging for a while at the end of each chapter.

Perspectives Shifting perspectives is a clever way to highlight how each character’s viewpoint lacks fundamental information essential to having the full story about a person’s life, and shows that none of us ever has the full story about someone else.

Rachel is obsessed with her ex-husband, his new wife and their baby girl, and this leads her to also focus her imagination on a neighbouring couple she sees from the train.

She even christens this couple Jess and Jason, and gives them backstories which are so real to her that when she actually meets one of them and learns the truth about their lives, she is somewhat disorientated.

A mystery ensues as Jess – who is really called Megan – goes missing.

This leads to all manner of speculation and interference by Rachel as she elbows her way into the mysterious plot and lies to Jason (actually, Scott) about having known his wife.

This is further complicated by Rachel’s alcoholism, which hampers her powers of recollection and ability to sepa-

rate fact from fiction.

The Girl on the Train is a solid, predictable thriller with a twist in the tale as the narrator seems so unstable, she should not be given this responsibility. Published by Doubleday, the book is out now, priced €15.99.

The book is available now, priced €15.99

Gazette

ARTS

Gazette

20 gazette 5 February 2015

OUT&ABOUT

TRAVEL

FastTravel

Head for the slopes for a fun family skiing holiday Swap the daily school run and rush hour traffic jams for the slopes and make for a family-friendly adventure with Highlife Ski and Snowboard this Easter.

Book a break for a fun-filled and action packed week of sensational spring skiing, guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face.

With departures on March 29 and April 5, Highlife Ski and Snowboard have carefully created a range of family Easter breaks to coincide with school holidays, ticking that all too familiar box of how to entertain the little ones during the holidays.

Easter breaks with Highlife Ski and Snowboard start from €910 per adult and €742 for children under the age of 12.

Prices include; minibus transfers to and from your chalet which is home to a wide range of facilities including saunas, hot tubs and log fires, delicious food, good wines and a complimentary bar, Highlife Ski Discovery Tours, and an excellent level of service.

Check out www. highlife.ie for full details on Highlife’s range of ski chalet holidays in France.

The tropical paradise of Mauritius is a totally unspoilt holiday destination

once in a lifetime trips: an unforgettable start to your new life

Heavenly honeymoons

 Ian Begley

Honeymoons are a once in a lifetime experience and are an unforgettable start to your new life with your new husband or wife.

What better way of celebrating your love for one another by travelling to a dream destination from the wide range of honeymoon packages on offer.

Irish travel agency Sunway are offering trips to the Algarve throughout the year at the five-star Grand Real Santa Eulalia Resort and Hotel Spa for seven nights from €1,458 per couple.

Famous for its sandy beaches, the Portuguese town of Algarve is certainly a destination that’s worth visiting.

For seven nights from €2,190 per couple, honeymooners can stay at the four-star Fair House Beach Resort in the tropical destination of Thailand. Set amongst

lush tropical gardens and coconut groves on Chaweng Noi Beach, the Fair House Beach Resort and Hotel is the perfect place to enjoy your honeymoon in Koh Samui.

Sunway are also offering couples a chance to stay in the Italian town of Sorrento at the 5 Star Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa for seven nights from €2,669 per couple.

Nestled on 23 acres of lush tropical landscaped gardens on the palm fringed beachfront of beautiful Nusa Dua, the stylish and informal Nusa Dua Beach Hotel resort features all the elegance of a Balinese palace, offering rich Balinese traditions and culture combined with every modern amenity and convenience, for a luxurious getaway and an unforgettable holiday experience.

Abbey Travel are also offering couples unforgettable deals in some of the most sought after destina-

tions in the world.

In the month of May spend seven nights at the five-star Long Beach hotel in the tropical paradise of Mauritius for €1,434pp.

Mauritius is a totally unspoilt holiday destination. It represents definitive luxury, an upmarket destination that offers a unique blend of African, Indian, Oriental and European influences that can be seen throughout its culture, religion and sampled in its simply delicious cuisine.

During your stay at this tropical paradise, you will experience the untold luxury of some of the finest hotels and a level of service second to none whilst surrounded by coral sand beaches and turquoise seas.

You can also spend an all-inclusive 10-night stay in the Cuban destinations of Havana and Varadero from €1,619pp in May. This offer includes

a 10-night stay at the Parque Central and Royal Hicacos resort.

Cuba has a way of going against the grain. It’s all part of its historical makeup, part of its dynamism, part of its intrinsic beauty and a place that must be visited sooner rather than later.

From €2,249pp honeymooners have the opportunity to travel to Maldives and Dubai for 10 nights in May. Combine a relaxing week at the Medhufushi Island Resort on the Maldives with a short stay in the Mall of Emirates Hotel in Dubai.

The Maldives offers some of the finest beaches and crystal clear waters you will find and boasts some of the best diving opportunities in the world while Dubai has something to offer everybody from the bustle of the souks to the desert dunes and for the more active anything from golfing to

Koh Samui is an island of natural beauty and charm

skiing and snowboarding.

For those newlyweds looking for something out of the ordinary Abbey Travel are also offering honeymooners a Caribbean cruise from €1,749pp. With flights travelling on April 25, this holiday in the Caribbean gives you the chance to experience powder-sand beaches, dazzling blue waters and palm trees in Jamaica, explore spectacular Mayan ruins in

Cozumel, and visit to the exclusive pleasures of Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private destination.

Couples will also have the chance to extend their holiday by adding a land based stay in Florida so your holiday doesn’t have to end when you step off the ship.

For more information and to book these honeymoon packages visit www.abbeytravel.ie and www.sunway.ie.

5 February 2015 gazette 21

Gazette

music Americana: bringing passion and deep knowledge

Get ready to fall in love with Rhiannon Giddens

 rob heigh

You may not know the name Rhiannon Giddens right now, but over the next few months, you certainly will.

As well as being a founding member of the American trad/folk act the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Rhiannon was an integral part of the recent New Basement Tapes project that created music to accompany a tranche of unrecorded lyrics from the one and only Bob Dylan.

Her first solo album, Tomorrow Is My Time,

recorded with legendary producer T-Bone Burnett at the controls, is a beautiful collection of covers by some legendary women artists. She was in Dublin recently and spoke to GazetteMusic about the release.

The solo record came about through her appearance at the Another Day, Another Time concert, celebrating the roots of the music that inspired the Coen Brothers movie, Inside Llewyn Davis, in New York in 2013 where she simply stole the show with a performance of Waterboy, made famous

by iconic American singer and civil rights activist Odetta.

“I kind of made a big impression there, and a few weeks later I got the call that T-Bone wanted to do a record with me. I was focused on the next Chocolate Drops album, and it came a bit out of the blue, but when T-Bone comes calling, you don’t tell him you’ll get back to him!”

When Burnett did call, he asked Rhiannon what songs she would like to include on her dream album, and it proved a timely question.

“I had a list of songs that were not fitting into the Drops’ repertoire, and they happened to be all by women or definitively interpreted by women, and not just any woman, but specifically by women who were in Americana and at a specific time period and who had inspired me a lot.”

Those inspirational women include Odetta, Nina Simone, Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton, a wide palette that reflects Rhiannon’s passion and deep knowledge of the sources of the music that she creates.

Rhiannon Giddens has just released her first solo album, Tomorrow Is My Time

“American music is a mixture of black music, white music, native music, European music, African, it’s all a mixture, and jazz and country and blues all come from a common well, so it made sense to me to pick these songs.”

One thing that marks out Rhiannon is her live

appearances, and touring Tomorrow Is My Time is something she says she is “super stoked” about.

“We want to tour here, the UK and Europe. I’ve put together a fantastic band, which includes the other Chocolate Drops, and added a drummer and bass player. The shows will

feature Chololate Drops stuff, solo stuff, Basement Tapes stuff, and I can’t wait to bring it over.”

Tomorrow Is My Time is out on Nonesuch on February 6. For more, log on to rhiannongiddens. com. For the full interview, log on to theaapnetwork.libsyn.com.

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Gazette

22 Gazette 5 February 2015

But

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LOVE is in the air with Cupid sharpening his bow and arrow in

anticipation of his busiest day of the year, while oodles of gifts are already being wrapped for that special someone.

Whether you are in a relationship, are admiring someone from afar, or are going to treat yourself to a gift, Gazette Style has a few gift ideas to offer this February 14.

Chocoholics will melt at the

just as much as you.

And, if it’s for yourself – well, you know what you like, so make it good!

sight of Butler’s tasty assortment treats, while the sweet smell of candy will flutter through perfumes like Si, by Giorgio Armani.

A piece of jewellery for him or her is also a perfect way to tell someone how much you care.

Whatever the present, make sure it’s something they will love

M&S Message in a bottle €4

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5 February 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

STYLE

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Gazette

24 Gazette 5 February 2015

OUT&ABOUT

HEALTH research: survey underscores scale of hurried breakfasts

With a range of flavours, belVita Breakfast biscuits could be a tasty way to help have a good breakfast

Never rush your brekkie RESEARCH into breakfast habits by belVita Breakfast Biscuits and Eumom has revealed that 60% of mothers nationwide list breakfast as the most important meal of the day.

Three quarters (72%) of those surveyed said they enjoyed a tasty breakfast every day.

Further research found that finding time to sit down and eat breakfast is often tricky for Irish mothers because of their hectic mornings, with 80% eating their first meal of the day in just 10 minutes or less, while 26% wolf it down in under five minutes.

Finding the time to eat breakfast with their families every day is a challenge for 30% of the mothers, with one in five (21%) managing to enjoy a leisurely breakfast with their clan only at the

weekend.

According to the belVita research, which surveyed almost 4,000 women across Ireland, many mothers are looking for new breakfast ideas, with 49% in search --------------------------

‘According to the belVita research, finding time to sit down and eat breakfast is often tricky for Irish mothers’

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

of alternative breakfast options to try.

One in three respondents (32%) would opt for breakfast biscuits as part of a convenient breakfast on the go, or to be enjoyed at their desk in

work (15%).

Cereal (63%) and toast (50%) come out top of the menu when it comes to an everyday breakfast, with fruit (23%) and eggs (18%) also proving popular choices.

Belinda Quick – nutrition communications manager at Mondelez, which makes belVita Breakfast biscuits – said its biscuits are: “The only breakfast biscuits proven to slowly release carbohydrates over four hours, when eaten as part of a balanced breakfast [such as a pack of belVita breakfast biscuits, a portion of fruit, a serving of dairy and a tea or coffee]”.

She added: “Rich in cereals, a source of fibre and made with at least five wholegrains, belVita offers a good option to fit within breakfast, whether at home with the family or on the go.”

‘I dropped five stone in a year’ HELENA Flynn is delighted to talk about the success of her weight-loss efforts with Slimming World. The dramatic change in her appearance after joining a Swords club is self evident from these before and after shots.

The wife and mother of one returned to live in Ireland from the US in 2013, but was unhappy with her weight, and how it was affecting life with her young son.

She decided to join Slimming World after hearing of a neighbour’s positive experiences. And, despite some people’s struggles to eat well and lose weight, Flynn praises the Slimming World system, saying: “I can eat potatoes, rice and pasta – all the things I love. I even get to have my chocolate bar every day if I like.”

By adhering to the Slimming World programme with her local group,

Flynn swears by the results. She was so moved by her experiences with other mothers and locals, and by the programme’s success, that she has started her own Slimming World group on Wednesdays in Swords.

For further information, call 086 206 8100.

5 February 2015 Gazette 25

Gazette

CINEMA inherent vice: a densely-packed detective story

This flawed diamond sparkles in places  dave phillips

PAUL Thomas Anderson takes the audience on a bizarre and foggy trip to the death of the 1960s in Inherent Vice – an enjoyably convoluted detective story that is bound to leave audiences dazed and confused.

Based on the dense Thomas Pynchon novel of the same name, the story follows the mumbling protagonist, Doc Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix).

More “T he Dude” Lebowski than Philip Marlowe, Sportello is an eternally high private investigator with a heart of gold and a disdain for authority figures.

When an old flame drops a case unexpectedly on his lap, Sportello begins to unwind the clue that draws him deep into the labyrinthine world of drugs in California in 1970.

A throwback to the good old days, Phoenix is all wolverine locks and

unbuttoned flannel as he blunders through the smoke-filled haze in pursuit of the actual plot.

True to its source material, Inherent Vice throws a bewildering amount of information at the viewer, who may swiftly find themselves mirroring Phoenix’s perennially creased brow.

You get the sense that perhaps it is not getting to the bottom of things that matters, it is the journey along the way – but it is difficult to shake the

persistent niggle that vast swathes of this film are passing just out of reach overhead.

Purposefully entangled plot aside, there is a definite joy to watching this. As in Boogie Nights, or There Will Be Blood, Anderson is masterful at capturing a colourful age on the cusp of change.

Phoenix excels as Sportello, full of charm and intensity, and physically very funny throughout – and supported by a quality ensemble cast.

Benicio Del Toro and Joaquin Phoenix share some memorable screen time in a film that’s packed with a dizzying amount of characters and plot

It helps that things rumble smoothly along to an amazing soundtrack (scored by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood), but as the film plays out over two and a half hours there are moments where the chaos and confusion overtake the enjoyment.

This is a tough film to

score, as despite it featuring this immediately immersive world, an incredible set of characters, and some very brilliant performances, it may not scratch the itch for most cinema goers.

While we ultimately get a safe landing, it feels like sitting through a wonder-

fully scenic but excessively turbulent flight. But then, there is that rare and unshakable sense that you know you’re witnessing something great.

Inherent Vice is a bit of a flawed diamond, and perhaps that is where it’s true beauty lies.

Verdict: 8/10

26 swords gazette 5 February 2015

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5 February 2015 Gazette 27

rugby P29

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community



Gazette

na gaeil oga P28

FastSport dublin clubs apart in senior cup draw:

Action from the Men’s National Cup final between UCD Marian and C&S UCC Demons at the National Arena recently. Picture: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE

basketball: sino-european championship sees Ireland back on world stage

International return for All Stars with July trip to China UCD Marian captain Conor Meany is warmly welcoming the move closer to a return of international men’s basketball of a kind for the first time since 2009 as a Premier League All-Star team will jet off to Kunshan in July this year.

The side will compete in the SinoEuropean Men’s Basketball Championship against teams from Italy, Slovenia and the host nation Team China.

The four team round-robin tournament will take place from July 10 to 20 in Kunshan, Jaingsu Province near Shanghai.

It had been revealed last week that All-Stars would be selected from the

National League for the very first time in 2015.

Meany led his side to this year’s Men’s National Cup final and sees it as a significant boost to players for the business end of the season.

“It’s great to have that added incentive for players to push on with such an amazing reward for the 2015 All-Stars.

It’s also fantastic to see another step towards men’s international basketball for players to aspire to.”

July’s trip to China won’t be the first global venture for Irish players since the Senior International Programme was stood down in 2010. An Irish Premier

League select team beat their English counterparts at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham in 2013 and 2014.

Jason Killeen hit the game winner in 2013. “Whichever players make the cut and whatever jersey they wear, it’s all about doing what you can to represent the high standard of basketball we have here,” he said. “The 2015 All-Stars will show how far this country has come.”

The opportunity arose through Bernard O’Byrne’s status within FIBA Europe - the Basketball Ireland chief executive currently sits on the organisation’s finance committee. The trip was

pro-actively supported by board chair Jackie Dunne and Basketball Ireland president Gerry Kelly, who expressed their delight with the development.

All-Stars are to be chosen for the Men’s Premier League, Women’s Premier League, Men’s First Division and Women’s First Division for 2015. The awards will be voted on by team coaches and all licensed players in the National League.

In June, meanwhile, a squad of four Irish women will join Katie Taylor and a host of other Irish Olympians to compete in the first European Games in Baku.

THE two Dublin clubs have been kept apart in the men’s draw of hockey’s Irish Senior Cup with outsiders Railway Union being drawn to play Cork C of I while Pembroke will meet Banbridge.

The two ties will be played on March 28 in Belfield with the winners playing again a day later in the final. The favourites will more than likely come from the latter tie as Leinster’s second placed team meet the current leaders in the Ulster Premier League.

On the women’s side, Hermes must travel to Cork to play their semi-finals, taking on Harlequins, while Railway Union are also on the road to Ulster Elks. Their semi-finals take place on February 21.

c o n ta c t s Sports Editor: Rob Heigh rheigh@dublingazette.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205

Gazette

28 Gazette 5 February 2015

SPORT

FastSport

Evans and McGee to lead Ireland for international DOUBLE Olympian Scott Evans will lead the Irish team at badminton’s 2015 European mixed team championships in Belgium next week.

The competition pits the top 12 teams against each other for the title of best in Europe. Ireland face host nation Belgium in their opening game of the tournament on February 11 and England on February 12.

The team secured their place after beating Norway, Slovakia and Bulgaria in the qualification stages of group 6 held in Baldoyle, Dublin last November. Evans comes off a fantastic year which saw him achieve the best results of his career to date.

The Ballinteer man secured his highest ever world ranking after reaching the finals of the $120,000 Bitburger Open and winning the Brazil Grand Prix.

Chloe Magee, another double Olympian, joins Evans on the team after a similarly top notch 2014 in which she reached the quarter finals of the French Super Series and the last 16 of the All England Premier Super Series.

Bowtell to lead Ireland in Tallinn Federation tie AMY Bowtell will lead the Irish team into this weekend’s Federation Cup BNP Paribas Euro/Africa Zone group II event which takes place in Tallinn.

The former St Andrew’s student will be joined in the team

by Donnybrook’s Rachael Dillon, Monkstown’s Julie Byrne and Mount Anville’s Lauren Deegan for the event which will take place in the Tere Tennis Centre.

The group, a

round-robin style tournament, will have two pools of four teams. Other nations involved are Bosnia/Herzegovina, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Luxembourg, Slovenia and South Africa.

The winner of each pool will play against the number two teams in the other pool to determine which two nations will advance to the Europe Africa Zone Group I in 2016.

Ireland defeated Malta and Iceland in the Euro/Africa Zone Group III roundrobin phase in 2014 to progress into the promotion play-offs by topping the pool.

The future is bright for Na Gaeil Oga Dublin’s only Irish language GAA club have prospered since its foundation in 2010. With an endorsement from Liam O’Neill, they are looking forward with an eye on a permanent home

 rob heigh sport@gazettegroup.com

Dublin’s only Irish language GA A club Na Gaeil Oga received a considerable boost in their development recently when GA A president Liam O’Neill endorsed their growing membership and recently established juvenile section.

The visit of the GAA’s most senior figure to their Saturday morning academy training is another fillip for the club and their plan is to increase their membership across all codes and all levels, as well as establishing a permanent base of operations.

The club, founded in 2010, has grown year on year, with the club now boasting two men’s

senior football sides, a senior hurling side and a ladies football team. The club launched its first camogie side last week with a training session in Phoenix Park, while an underage academy section, nicknamed Na Gaeil Oga Oga, began last September. Now, more than of 50 children aged five and upwards are taking part in the grounds of Lucan’s Gaelscoil Naomh Padraig.

That was the location for the visit of GAA president O’Neill recently after the club sent out an invitation to the head of the association to come along and see the progress taking place and the close links that the club has both to its commitment to the Irish language and the local

community.

“I had heard so much about the development and growth of Na Gaeil Oga,” said O’Neill at Naomh Padraig. “I didn’t realise so many children were involved with the club at such an early age. As a supporter of the Irish language, I support the work going on here as the GAA is committed to playing a role in promoting our language.”

O’Neill is no stranger to promoting the Irish language having overseen the transition of his own primary school in County Laois, Gaelscoil Thromaire, from moving from an English-speaking school to an all-Irish run school.

“It’s great to see the great energy here in a club which has a strong

GAA president Liam O’Neill with members of the Na Gaeil Oga executive at Gaeilscoil Naomh Padraig recently

interest in helping young people. The great thing about the structures of this club is that the language is being promoted with children, but then parents can go back into the classroom setting and look to improve their levels of the language.”

ing somewhere they can definitely call home.

“We have played a lot of matches out of the Phoenix Park, but a lot of our matches and functions are running out of Lucan at the moment.

“We are hoping to be situated in the Lucan area. We have a link up

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

‘A lot of things are happening this year to push the club forward’ – PRO Colman Hanley

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

Following the visit of O’Neill, Na Gaeil Oga club PRO Colman Hanley spoke to GazetteSport about their ethos and vision for the future.

“There had been clubs in Dublin previously who were run through Irish, but they had fallen by the wayside. We are into our fifth year now, and there are hopefully a lot of things happening in this year to push the club further forward.”

Looking at the experience of the likes of Castleknock GAA, who have established themselves in their Somerton home and have built a solid foundation for the future with good underage structures from their birth over 10 years ago, there is an opportunity for Na Gaeil Oga to repeat that model of success. But Hanley knows there is still a lot of work to do, not only in secur-

with the local Gaelscoil there, which makes sense from our end of things, and we are playing in St Catherine’s Park, and that is where a lot of our activity will happen.

“A lot of clubs are clustered in certain areas, like Cuala and Kilmacud Crokes in Dun Laoghaire and they manage to do it. And Lucan is a massive area, and I think it is very much accepted that there is a big enough market for another GAA club. We wouldn’t be moving in on Lucan Sarsfields’ territory.

“We have a mixed membership from all different kinds of places across the country who are living in Dublin and speaking Irish. There is a strong link with the community, with the all-Irish schools in the locality, and we hope we could become a part of the local environment.”

5 February 2015 Gazette 29

Gazette

FastSport

The fans of St Mary’s and St Michael’s added to the atmosphere at Donnybrook as the sides met in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup

Michael’s and Mary’s shine at Donnybrook T

RIES from James Ryan, Gavin Barrett and David Duggan saw St Michael’s College over the line and into the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Senior Cup quarter-final against St Mary’s at Donnybrook last week, 19-14.

In front of a packed house of vocal and colourful fans, St Michael’s left it late and Duggan got the vital yards to cross the whitewash and snatch back

the lead in the 67th minute from a committed St Mary’s side who had contributed to an enthralling and intense encounter. Barry Fitzpatrick and Harry Byrne added the extras for St Michael’s, while sub Max O’Shea made a try-saving tackle toward the end.

St Mary’s scorers were centre David Matthews and scrum-half Derry O’Connor, who added a penalty and conversions for the losing side.

Gavin Croke and his St Michael’s team mates before kick-off second half

St Michael’s captain James Ryan at the line out

Break by St Michael’s Michael Heaney

St Mary’s supporters Trish McEniff, Siobhan Mathews, Pam Cassidy, Nicola St Mary’s put in a big tackle

Bradley King and Rachel Colley

High School soar to title in Leinster Senior League HIGH School produced an ice cool series of penalties to land their first Leinster Schoolgirls Senior League title, storming back from two goals down to deny St Gerard’s at Grange Road, played out into a bumper crowd of over a 1,000.

It came at the end of a pulsating final that saw the pendulum of momentum swing hugely between the teams as Gerard’s dominated early on before High School roared back into contention to carry the day.

Lena Tice – an Irish cricket international – and Sadbhbh McCarthy had given Gerard’s a well-deserved 2-0 lead in the opening 18 minutes. Tice’s distribution from the back, allied to the jinking runs of Susie Cannon and Sarah O’Loughlin were features throughout.

For the most part, they kept High School at bay well outside their 22 with Tice, Deanna Kissane and McCarthy making some big tackles. Ruby Neville fired one across the face of goal, too, which went close to adding another.

But Camille Christle nicked a close range goal for High School from a rare break-out to give them a lifeline before half-time, battling through a couple of soft tackles before poking home to reduce the gap to 2-1 at the break.

From there, though, the Rathgar side went on to boss the second half. Player of the match Ailish Long, employed at centre forward, and Mia Jennings down the right, used their pace to terrorise the Gerard’s defence.

They ran up a massive penalty corner count but it looked like the result might escape them as 11 set pieces were spurned with Saoirse O’Donoghue whizzing a couple of shots inches wide while Lucy Ashmore produced a couple of excellent saves amid some serious scramble-defence.

From the 12th, though, Emma Canning’s shot from the left of the circle took a wicked deflection from Long past Ashmore’s right arm to nab an equaliser with six minutes of normal time to go, a perfectly timed redirection which left the goalkeeper no chance.

They continued to push on for the remainder of the tie as well as the two periods of silver goal extra time but nothing further accrued.

High School did keep the momentum going into the shoot-out with Saoirse O’Donoghue, Long and Jennings all nailing their efforts, while Gerard’s stumbled, to become the seventh different winner of the Premier League in the past 12 years.

Gazette

30 SWORDS gazette 5 February 2015

SPORT

FastSport

rugby: promotion places on the line in north county tie

Thunder keep up title chase with Oblate win TRAVELODGE Swords Thunder maintained their men’s basketball Premier League title hopes in beating a resilient Templeogue side 90-84 at the Oblate Hall.

Thunder are unbeaten in the league since losing to C&S UCC Demons at the Mardyke last October – they welcome the Cork side to the ALSAA on Saturday at 6pm.

The win was built on punishing defence and efficient scoring. Templeogue couldn’t get their perimeter shooting going in the first quarter while Torres and Mitchell combined to keep Templeogue off the boards. Juan Torres made five shots in a row and Kevin Lacey made four steals and converted some simple pivots to open up an 11-point lead for the half.

Winning coach Dave Baker knew he couldn’t afford to write off Templeogue. “You can’t underestimate them. They have so much talent in there. Our zone defence did its job and allowed Kevin [Lacey] and Isaac [Westbrooks] to step into the passing lane and pick off those steals.”

Templeogue fought their way back into contention for their first losing bonus point of the season.

Collinstown end Rivervalley’s Junior Cup run Rivervalley Rangers’ impressive run in the Leinster Junior Cup came to an end last week after Collinstown registered a 3-0 victory to close the door on that competition for the high-flying Swords side.

Rangers pushed the Clondalkin side all the way before a late flourish eventually saw the Premier A side prevail against a

side riding high three divisions below.

Both sides had their chances in a scoreless first half but Rangers’ cause was damaged when they were reduced to 10 men in the second half.

Shane Murphy subsequently came off the bench to break the deadlock with a left footed effort from the edge of the box.

Anto McCormack made it 2-0 with a first time finish from close range before Murphy completed the win in injury time.

Action from the match between NUIM Barnhall and Skerries at Holmpatrick last week. Picture: @NUIMBarnhall/Twitter

Skerries soar to home win UBL Div 2A

Skerries NUIM Barnhall  sport@dublingazette.com

32 8

Skerries RFC put themselves firmly in contention to attempt to claim a promotion place when they withstood a Barnhall blitz to run out comfortable winners at Holmpatrick in Ulster Bank League Division 2A. The Friday night lights match pitted third against fourth in the league, with the slimmest of margins between them in terms of points, and the prospect in place for a significant move toward the promo-

tion places if either side managed to register a bonus point win.

With Old Wesley clear at the top of the division, the second automatic promotion place is wide open, and six teams have a chance of taking that step up next season.

The first half was played with a strong wind at the back of the Barnhall players, and the advantage of having that in place meant that they could use their positional play to gain the yards.

However, it was the home side that drew first blood when they claimed a penalty which was converted by Conal Keane.

get your mile on Swim event for 2015 launched at Trinity SWIM Ireland announced details of Swim for a Mile 2015 campaign last week, and in attendance were Sam McGuinness of charity partner Simon Community, Erica Roseingrave of Coca-Cola, Sarah Keane, chief executive of Swim Ireland, Dominique McMullan and Conor Pope. Swim Ireland will provide a free training programme, support, advice and motivation for all those wanting to take on the challenge, and for more information, log on to swimforamilecom.

Picture: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE

A breakaway move provided the perfect response from Barnhall, with Niall Delahunt crossing the whitewash to put the Blue Bulls narrowly ahead, the try going unconverted.

Skerries came back strongly, and scrum half Eoghan Carron touched down to put his side 8-5 ahead.

With half time looming, out half Simon Gillespie slotted a penalty which tied matters up, but before the whistle came for the turn-around, Skerries had gone ahead once again when flanker Eoin Matthews touched down, and the conversion took the score to 15-8.

The second half saw a relentless pressure from Barnhall, testing the Skerries’ defence time and time again over the course of an intense 20-minute spell.

However, Skerries were solid at the back, with flanker Evan Sherlock ferocious at the breakdown, centre Marc Hewitt winning one crucial turnover, secondrows Joe Glennon and AJ Sherlock, and prop Mark Nally among the many with apparently endless reserves of energy for the challenge to repel the Parsonstown men.

As the home side began to force mistakes, Sker-

ries took advantage when Conal Keane struck an excellent penalty kick.

He then scored a try off his superb kick and chase, and it was 25-8.

Skerries went after the bonus point try and grabbed it with time to spare. They forced a turnover close to the Barnhall line and when the pile of bodies crashed over, it was replacement flanker Dave Howard who had earned the glory.

The result puts Skerries into third place with five matches left. The international break follows, and Skerries’ next game is away to Rainey on February 21.

5 February 2015 SWORDS gazette 31

Gazette

football: galway next test for dublin ladies

Club Noticeboard fingallians CONGRATULATIONS to Fingallians AC

Operation Transformation has gone

been named as most outstanding juve-

from strength to strength in the club.

nile for 2014. This is the highest award

The programme is: weigh-in each Mon-

any juvenile athlete can receive. She

day from 6.30 to 8pm; Walk Wednesday

will be presented with her trophy on

night from 7pm and walk followed by

February 28 at the Tullamore Court

aerobics class from 10.30am on Sat-

Hotel. Anne Marie has continued her

urday mornings.

good form of last year by winning the

The dates for the diary: Easter camp

U-19 shot putt at the junior indoors in

2015 will be on Monday, March 30 to

Athlone two weeks ago.

April 2 (Monday to Thursday).

All members and mentors are invited

Congratulations to our vice-chair-

to attend the first coaching forum of

man Aidan Scully on being elected to

2015 which will be taking place this Fri-

the board of the CCC2.

day, February 6 at 9.30pm in the club

The weekly lotto numbers drawn

hall. The agenda is spot and fix work-

were 1, 13, 15, 19 and 26. There was no

shop practical, coaching resources

winner, so this week’s jackpot will be

football/hurling and website and

€3,334.

Dublin’s Lyndsey Davey in action against Grainne McNally of Monaghan. Pictures: Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE

Local Jackies help see off Monaghan nfl Division 1 Dublin 0-12 Monaghan 0-3  sport@dublingazette.com

LY N D S E Y D ave y ’s opening game as captain of the Dublin ladies footballers ended in a strong victory as they saw off Monaghan by nine points last Sunday at DCU. The Skerries Harps woman was installed as skipper for the side for 2015 and, along with a number of other Fingalbased players, was part of a fine opening outing.

Clann Mhuire’s Carla Rowe top-scored with four points while Fingallians Sinead Finnegan and late call up Muireann Ni Scanaill were strong performers in a tidy defensive performance.

Ni Scanaill, from St Margaret’s, was a late replacement for the injured Rachel Ruddy, meaning only five players who started last year’s All-Ireland final against Cork appeared in the Jackies 15.

Rowe got the Dubs

on the scoreboard with a free in the opening minute but Monaghan settled well, enjoying the opening exchanges and holding plenty of possession. Catriona McConnell converted a free in the seventh minute but this would turn out to be the Farney Army’s only score of the opening 30 minutes.

Dublin replied well to McConnell’s free with Clontarf midfielder Sarah McCaffrey popping over a beautiful long range point. Senior debutant Eabha Rutledge, three minutes later, followed McCaffrey up with a well-taken point of her own, much to the delight of the home support.

Lucy Collins converted a Dublin free in the 19th minute to push the Dubs three points ahead.

Niamh McEvoy, who was impressive on the edge of the square, raised the white flag in the 20th minute while Rowe added her second score five minutes later to move the Dubs further ahead.

Newly appointed captain Davey finished her side’s first half scoring in the 31st minute giving the Dubs a six-point cushion at the interval.

The second half was keenly contested with both sets of defenders in commanding form with scores at a premium.

Olwen Carey, Ni Scanaill along with Lucy Collins where enjoying frustrating Monaghan sharp shooters Caoimhe Mohan, Ciara McAnespie and the aforementioned McConnell.

McConnell registered her team’s first point from play in the 39th minute of the second half. Dublin reacted with scores from

McCaffrey while Collins extended Dublin’s lead with another converted free again off her left foot.

L a u r a M cE n a n e y tapped over Monaghan’s third and final score in the 51st minute as Dublin finished out the second half with two further Rowe frees with the impressive McCaffrey finishing the game with her third point from play.

Dublin manager Gregory McGonigle will be happy with his team’s overall performance especially pleasing will be the displays of newcomers Carey, Ni Scannaill and Rutledge.

social media training.

member Anne Marie Torsney who has

THE executive co

GazetteSPORT all of your swords sports coverage from page 27-31

climbing high: Skerries RFC put themselves in contention for promotion places after victory P30

February 5-11, 2015

a New generation: O’Neill visits Dublin’s only all-Irish club, Na Gaeil Oga P28

Athletics honour for Anne Marie  rob heigh

sport@dublingazette.com

Fingallians Athletics Club member Anne Marie Torsney achieved another considerable milestone in her athletics career when the young star was named as Athletics Ireland’s most outstanding juvenile athlete for 2014.

Torsney’s national honour comes on the back of an outstanding year on the track. As well as being named Fingallians’ athlete of the year in 2014, she also won three national titles and two Leinster titles in two of her three main events, shot putt and discus (she also competes in the hammer), as

well as four Dublin championship titles. She also competed in the European Youth Olympics trials in Baku, Azerbaijan last June. She was also rewarded for her progress and improvement by receiving her high-performance card for the development of junior athletes through the Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI).

The Athletics Ireland honour is the highest award any juvenile athlete can receive, and Torsney will be presented with her trophy on February 28 at the Tullamore Court Hotel.

Speaking about Anne Marie’s achievements which have led to her receiving this prestigious

award, her coach Joe Evans told GazetteSport that her success is the result of hard work and a clear and continual progression in her growth as an athlete.

“She has shown very steady improvement in the last three years, and that would be down to her cross training. Anne Marie is also a very good swimmer and was a member of the Aer Lingus Swimming Club, and very good at taekwondo.

“She has a very precise training schedule in place in Fingallians’ gym, and practises her throwing at Santry stadium with Dave Sweeney, the Irish coach for the throwing events with the AAI.”

Continuing her good form of last year, Torsney recently added to her list of plaudits when she won the Under--19 shot putt event at the junior indoor meet in Athlone two weeks ago.

As for her future in sport, Evans says that Torsney will move forward at her own pace as her studies are taking precedence at the moment.

“We are taking each year at a time, with her exams happening at the moment. But she has shown more, larger steps this year than in previous years. The reason for that may be that when you get carded and you get a few wins, you put more effort into your sport.”

Fingallians Anne Marie Torsney has been awarded the highest juvenile honour